Customized Living

1 Samuel 17:38-39 MSG
[38-39] Then Saul outfitted David as a soldier in armor. He put his bronze helmet on his head and belted his sword on him over the armor. David tried to walk but he could hardly budge. David told Saul, "I can't even move with all this stuff on me. I'm not used to this." And he took it all off.

Have you ever attempted live you life through the filter of someone else's life?
I'm not talking about seeking wisdom and applying it to your life. I am talking about those times when we've found ourselves influenced so greatly by someone else that we begin immolating their every action. It could very well be that we so admire them and their input that we find ourselves adjusting our lives to theirs. Another reason for doing this could because we are living up to someone else's standard, dreams and expectations for our lives. I have found that the "rocking the boat" complex has influence my decisions. You know, the " I don't want to upset them" syndrome. It has also been identified as people pleasing.
There I said it...

Living for someone else will eventually begin to become a burden. It just doesn't fit quite right to live a life that wasn't customized for you. Even if some aspects work for you.

Too many of us are missing out on life and what has been predestined for us because we choose to not " rock the boat". I can tell you of a few time periods ( whole sections) of my very life when I was stuck in this cycle of living for others. I was created in the image of God not, "Julia nor Katherine nor Jason or Kyle ".

My life was predestined before I was even thought about. God had a plan for me before my parents had the plan to conceive me. God customized my life. It was tailor made just for me. No one else would ever be able to "wear" it well like I will. The same is true for you. The truth is there is only one set of standards that needs to be the center of our focus. One life that ought to be the filter for our lives and that is the life of Christ.

Notice in the scripture that the King had David suited up with his "kingly" armor but it didn't fit. Why didn't it fit? Well first, it was the wrong size. Two, although David was anointed to be the next king it was not his time yet. The amor was designed specifically for the king. We must be cautious as we carry our our lives. We must stop "leasing" our lives from others and or to others and embrace God's plan for our own.
It is your uniqueness creativity and genuineness that makes you you! The you that God designed and customized to live be and do what He himself predestined you to do in his timing.

1 Samuel 17:40 MSG
[40] Then David took his shepherd's staff, selected five smooth stones from the brook, and put them in the pocket of his shepherd's pack, and with his sling in his hand approached Goliath.

Notice that when David removed the "stuff" that belonged to the King and was true to himself, he was he successful. David was confident in who God made him to be. He found his success as a representative of God. David lived his life being uniquely himself. He accomplished many things for the kingdom of God by being true to himself and God.

How about you? Are you willing embrace the person that God made you to be and become? Will you decided to appreciate your life, the past present and future? Will you decide to no longer "lease" your life from others or to others to live? Will you embrace your uniqueness, creativity, gifts, skills, and talents to live the life that was customize just for you and make and do great things for the kingdom?

Whose Race Is It Anyway

"...The race is not given to the swift."
"Just keep putting one foot in front of the other."
"Slow and steady wins the race."

These sayings all have a similar meaning.

I enjoy getting out on the nature trails during this time of year.
The other day when I was out, I made the decision to run on new 2 mile route. This new route however has inclines unlike the others that I usually run. It was exciting going down but coming back up posed a challenge. It was however, the inspiration for this entry.

The incline did not presented an immediate challenge. It was after far having completed one mile. Running down required little to no effort on my part but to complete the journey I did have to go back up this incline. As a matter of fact it was the last 1/2 mile to the finish.
My approach to this challenge determined the success level of my outcome.

I had to make a decision. I had to decide if in fact I was going to stop and stand there and complain about incline and the difficulty it posed. Or I could continue and complete that which I began. I decided not to stop. I kept going and telling myself, " Just keep putting one foot in front of the other!"

How many of you realize that it takes more than to just rehearse the positive affirmation mentally to be successful at overcoming a challenge? What power are those affirmation without action. I must first receive them as truth for my life. Then will I be able to act on them.
I had to receive it. I had to receive it as truth for me, as something that was available to me. Then I was able to perceive it and envisioned myself at the finish line! I envisioned myself going up the incline. Then I purposed it in my heart to accomplish that which I had set out to do. And I began to "press'' my way up that hill.

As I chugged up that hill I reminded myself of what Solomon shared with us in Ecclesiastes 9:11, " ...the race is not given to the swift.."
Then I heard, " So Now PRESS! Press towards the mark of the high calling."
"Lord what do you mean?"
" You journey does not end here. This is not the finish line. Press your way to the finish."
Then I received this revelation:
Although I had be begun this journey with how I thought it should turn out and fail to calculate that outcome with possible challenges, it was okay to let go of my expectations to enjoy the journey. The challenges in my life are not the marks of the "finish-line". The challenges of life are mere indicators that I need to press! I need to press through the difficulty. As it was on this particular day, the difficulty that I faced running uphill was truly challenging but getting to the top was more than rewarding.

Hebrews 12:1 KJV
[1] Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us , and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

Notice here that Paul says to run the race with patience the race that was set before us.
We each have a race to run. That race is not against one another but time. We all have our own individual race to run. My race is not yours and yours is not mine. Therefore we may all end at different times but it's ok as long as we get to "our finish line" having done our best.

During this run I learned that the challenge of going up was more of a threat but with a consistent pace I was able to conquer it in less time that if I contemplated it. As we continue to walk in faith and the things of God challenges don't just go away. As a matter of fact they may seem to increase. Well on my approach of this incline I realized it's ok! Because I am going up! Even if I have to slow my pace. I am going up! And at the top is were the fulfillment of my blessing is.

So often in life we get so caught up in our expectations and disappointments that we lose sight of what God is teaching us on the journey. During my run I realize that it is true that life in life we face challenges, some without warning, but my approach will determine the level of my success. I could choose to get off the path that leads to my God-given destiny by getting so distracted by the challenges that I just give up. Or I could continue taking one "faith-filled" step at a time and cross the finish line. As long as I am consistent and steady I will cross the finish line.

Right Now Kinda Faith

Deuteronomy 2:3 (KJV)
Ye have compassed this mountain long enough: turn you northward.

I recently have encountered a series of challenges. During this time I constantly sought to understand what I needed to do to be more than victorious as I faced each challenge. My desire has been to be even more than a conqueror. That's when I received this revelation.

It is the "right now" kind of faith that is needed to move my life forward . The "right now" kinda faith is the kind that you receive "right now". It is not thought about nor can be comprehended. When God says it, I must receive it "right now" and move in it "right now".

Have you ever seen a movie that the characters were transported in time? They traveled through a portal. This portal is only open to them for a certain length of time. And if they miss jumping in they miss the opportunity to transport to the next dimension. I don't know about you but I am tired of going around the mountains of my life. It is time to "turn northward" and walk into the next dimension and posses the promises of God for me.

I must move in the "right now" kind of faith. It begins where my reasoning ends. It is the kind of faith that the expectations you once had are surrendered to God for the unexpected. I have begun to better understand that it is the unexpected that reveals God at work.

Isaiah 55:8-9 (KJV)
For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord . [9] For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.

The "right now" kind of faith doesn't need proof or a sign. Instead it steps out in spite of the fact that there may not appear to be anything there to support our steps. Or the physical evidence that there is something there to make our footing sure. But as we move in it we find the platform there under each and every step.

"Right now" kind of faith cannot be contemplated or explained! Operating in this type of faith requires no hesitation nor planning. It just requires the desire to move in a new way in a new direction to get guaranteed results.

Hebrews 11:1 (NKJV)
Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

Hurry Up and Wait

Hurry Up and Wait

Resurrected Living

John 12:24 (NLT)
I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat is planted in the soil and dies, it remains alone. But its death will produce many new kernels-a plentiful harvest of new lives.

This is where it begins. A resurrected life is the "afterglow" if you will, of dying to self.

It is not until I am willing to die to self ; to my ideas, my past, my experiences, my desires, my feelings that I can truly live. Are you saying that I shouldn't have dreams and that I should deny my past? No , not at all! But what I have learn is this that they should not dictate my position which was predestined for me to be in.

We serve the "all-knowing"God. Therefore I have to trust he knows what's best for me. Sure I may make plans for my life but truly he is the author of my life. As you read any story there are characters, there are events, there are settings. You will never read a story that has all ready been written where the characters say, " Stop I don't like this!" And change and redirect the entire story because they didn't like where the author was going with the story line. And even if there was such a story understand it went that way because the author wrote it that way.
So how silly is it for me to trust in my own "way" of rationalizing my story when it has already been written , edited, and published?

I must say resurrected living can come as a challenge. The challenge comes as our will doesn't line up with God's. I can admit that sometimes I think my way is better. Especially when my way seems more comforting, familiar and less challenging. I also have to admit though it seems that way, it has caused me to take that much longer to see and experience the manifested promises of God in my life. It has even caused a mess that can only then be fixed by me submitting my will to God. You know the original "fool proof" plan. I am so grateful that I serve a gracious and merciful God! How about you? Did you realize that there is an account in which even Jesus had to decide whether to submit his will to the will of God.

Matthew 26:38-39,41-42 (NLT)
He told them, "My soul is crushed with grief to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me." [39] He went on a little farther and bowed with his face to the ground, praying, "My Father! If it is possible, let this cup of suffering be taken away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine." [41] Keep watch and pray, so that you will not give in to temptation. For the spirit is willing, but the body is weak!" [42] Then Jesus left them a second time and prayed, "My Father! If this cup cannot be taken away unless I drink it, your will be done."

Now image if Jesus had continued in his will... Imagine if He had not bore our sins. Remember he was sinless.

Well how do I know God's plan for me? I read it in his Word. I stay in communion with him. I submit to him my life to him. And trust that His plan is much better than anything I could conjure up.

Jeremiah 29:11 (NKJV)
For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.

Fruit Amongst the Thorns

God desires me to be fruitful right where I suffer.

There's nothing like mess to produce more fruit in our lives. Sometimes it's not that there isn't any fruit being produce but not enough fruit. This could mean there is a root problem. We all have them. They are the weeds that sprout up out of our souls. You know the unforgiveness, bitterness, anger, selfish ambitions, jealousy, poverty, abuse, rejection, etc. These weeds crowd and or choke the roots in which we are to intake nutrients. The results are a limitation on the amount of fruit we bear.

Joseph did not allow his root condition to keep him from bearing fruit. Look at the life of Joseph. Favored yet ridiculed, mocked and yet dismissed. His Father valued him. He valued him so much that he set him apart and clothed him in a garment that was meant only for him. However, it didn't stop his brothers from despising him nor did it stop their plot against him. It didn't matter to them what the effects of their actions would have on their father.

I don't believe Joseph fully understood just how much favor was on his life- or did he? The coat his father gave him was the confirmation of his anointing. He didn't ask for the favor or the coat. And his brothers hated it. Did you realize that the anointing on our lives can cause others to despise us? Why is that? It is because the anointing causes self-reflection; self-reflection within the anointed and those around them. So the next time I am confronted with nonsense ... Joseph was naive. He didn't realize that sharing his dreams with his family would cause so much turmoil in his life.

His root is what we are looking at. His root was a favored young man with a dysfunctional family. His father had two women and "baby momma" drama. His half-brothers despised him. His older brothers were jealous of “lil' ol' Joe”. They plotted to kill him. They sold him into slavery, handing him over to 20+ years of bondage.

Joseph didn't allow his circumstance to deny himself of being the best. Joseph's anointing was not in the coat. No, the coat was just a prophecy as were the dreams of what was to come. God did not remove his call on Joseph's life because of an imperfect route to his destiny. It was in the mess that Joseph learns what was necessary for his destiny. He learned to be a servant. He exercised integrity and diligence. The fruit was being cultivated and manifested in his life. He wasn't ready to walk in his destiny at 17 when his father clothed him in the coat. His life took a few detours! Joseph developed perseverance; long-suffering and temperance. He operated in meekness, goodness, peace and gentleness. The real test came when he meet his brothers where he displayed Love, Peace and Joy!

Galatians 5:22-23 (KJV) But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, [23] Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

Joseph's life detoured on an imperfect route that brought him something that was even more valuable than any coat. He was a survivor that brought salvation to his father's house during the drought in their lives. No, they weren't there for him as he went through.  They couldn't.  What they had to offer wasn't and would never have been enough to nurture the destiny GOD had for him!

Genesis 50:20 (KJV) But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive.

Joseph teaches us not to allow our roots to rot us. He teaches us not to be so unwilling to embrace what God has for us and where God has placed us so much that we refuse to expose our roots to receive the important nutrients from the manure in our lives. Joseph didn't allow his situation to keep him from receiving. He didn't allow it to cause him despair.

Genesis 41:51-52, 57 (KJV) And Joseph called the name of the firstborn Manasseh: For God, said he, hath made me forget all my toil, and all my father's house. [52] And the name of the second called he Ephraim: For God hath caused me to be fruitful in the land of my affliction. [57] And all countries came into Egypt to Joseph for to buy corn ; because that the famine was so sore in all lands.

Genesis 41:50 (MSG) 50-52 Joseph had two sons born to him before the years of famine came. Asenath, daughter of Potiphera the priest of On, was their mother. Joseph named the firstborn Manasseh (Forget), saying, "God made me forget all my hardships and my parental home." He named his second son Ephraim (Double Prosperity), saying, "God has prospered me in the land of my sorrow."

Note that when his brothers first saw him they didn't even recognize him. Could it be because he carried himself in a way that gave no indication of his past bondage? He operated in love and forgiveness, not bitterness or despair. Could it be that they didn't recognize him for so long because he didn't allow his past to identify who he was? He didn't allow his heritage (race, Culture) to dictate who he could be or limit who he was meant to be. Could it be that he bore so much fruit that he was unrecognizable? I say all of the above.

God is the perfect Father. He doesn't wish harm on any of us. However there are some detours that are in life that serve as instruments to fortify what He has placed in us. And as with Joseph, God's desire is for us to come through the valleys of life with the perspective that Joseph share with us in Gen. 41:51-52. We can forget the hardships of our past because His plans for my life his greater than that. I can bear Fruit in the time of affliction because

1 John 4:4 (KJV) Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

His seed that is within me is greater than the manure that is around me.
To be an overcomer like Joseph I have to adjust my focus.

Flood Stage Faith

It is not whether or not we are strong enough.

In fact we are looking at this thing all wrong.

It is not about our feelings as pertaining to the situation,

It is about what God is doing.

It is where God wants to bring us.

It is about Him being glorified in our lives.

He has reminds us that He never left and will never leave nor forsake us.

We are in a position for increase because we stand at the bank of the river and we must step in it! And cross through to receive the increase!

Joshua 1:3 (KJV) Every place that the sole of your foot shall tread upon, that have I given unto you, as I said unto Moses.

The victory, the Land, is already designated for us.                                                                 It is up to us to possess it!

We shall not, like Moses, possess it thinking any old way.                                                                       We cannot think that it is going to be handed over to us!

No, in fact there are some prerequisites to meet.

Beside a relationship with God,

Besides communion with Him,

Beside hearing Him,

There is another prerequisite...

There is a practicum that must be completed.

Putting together all that God is and all that we know of Him to be, together in application. 

In other words Faith!                                                                                                                                But this is a different level of Faith.

This is not the same as before... I was able to have the same old infantile thinking while being lead every "little" step of the way. 

No! This is different . Moses represents all of the past. The old way of thinking, the past relationships, the effects of hurts...former language, former identity,  former comforts. Everything that is old has past away behold all things are NEW! 2 Corinthians 5:17

God said,as He spoke to Joshua, "It is dead!"

As He spoke to Joshua, He speaks to us, "Be Bold and courageous!"                                    We must stay in His Presences and hold on to His Word and the revelation of it! Hold on to the teachings and apply them!                                                                                                                 We must keep our focus on Him and not get distracted.       

We must move in the strength of who He is and take courage in His plan for my life.                                      It is time to walk boldly, and not allow discouragement to be our companion!     

                        

Joshua 3:5,11,14-17 (KJV) And Joshua said unto the people, Sanctify yourselves: for to morrow the Lord will do wonders among you. [11] Behold, the ark of the covenant of the Lord of all the earth passeth over before you into Jordan. [14] And it came to pass, when the people removed from their tents, to pass over Jordan, and the priests bearing the ark of the covenant before the people; [15] And as they that bare the ark were come unto Jordan, and the feet of the priests that bare the ark were dipped in the brim of the water, (for Jordan overfloweth all his banks all the time of harvest,) [16] That the waters which came down from above stood and rose up upon an heap very far from the city Adam, that is beside Zaretan: and those that came down toward the sea of the plain, even the salt sea, failed, and were cut off: and the people passed over right against Jericho. [17] And the priests that bare the ark of the covenant of the Lord stood firm on dry ground in the midst of Jordan, and all the Israelites passed over on dry ground, until all the people were passed clean over Jordan.

(Finally the whole nation was across the Jordan, and not one wet foot. Msg Bible) 

As a leader under the direction of Joshua's command the priest had to carry the ark of the covenant into the Jordan while it was at its flood stage.The ark reminds me of The promise of God and His presence.Being a priest (1 Peter 2:9)  of The Lord, there are some floods that I too have to step into. That will cause me to operate at what has been identified as "flood stage" faith. It's the faith that is operation when things appear to be overwhelming, continual and constant in its flow . It is the barrier, the thing between where I am to where God Destined me to be. I have got to step into the flood in order for God to manifest Himself on my behalf. Flood Stage Faith is the kind of faith that will have you to move in "crazy" obedience that is connected to your breakthrough.

This stepping into the Jordan was necessary! They had to step into the water at flood stage that it may be understood that this was no one else but God was delivering them! Then the Waters were held up...

I may have to "steal away" to encourage myself! But I must maintain focus.

Holy Ghost is whispering , "Seek my presence and remain in my presences."

Nonessential matters have to be left behind. We must leave those things that seem important and comforting. We have to come out of the tent (our comfort). It was meant only to be a temporary shelter not a permanent dwelling place.  Leave it there and move forward and pursue the promises of God.