Genesis 4:13-14

Cain said to the Lord, my punishment is more than I can bear. “Behold, You have driven me this day from the face of the ground; and from Your face I will be hidden, and I will be a vagrant and a wanderer on the earth, and whoever finds me will kill me.”…

I am  the Cain that falls short of God’s plan, sometimes moves in man’s wisdom instead of God’s wisdom. I am the Cain that sometimes gives God the good instead of the best forgetting that everything belongs to Him. I see Cain over and over. Cain in the little lie yesterday or the cover up today and the lack of faith tomorrow. Every time I fall short of what God has intended for me, I see Cain.

But look at His comeback. Look at his response to his punishment. The tone of the text suggests that he was saddened by the fact that he would be away from God’s presence. The sin was awful but the punishment was unfathomable to him. He may have realized that he made a huge mistake.

What’s most interesting is that he did not want to be away from God’s presence. He wanted to stay right in His bosom even with his brother’s blood in his hands. How many of us run to God after doing wrong?

I want to be a Cain especially in this area. I shouldn’t run from God in times of failure but run to God! That’s the Cain kind of victory.

Victory that says no matter what I did, no matter what I think of the pit that I may have put myself in, I will run to God’s presence. Not only will I find grace but I will be covered in so much love that the desire to sin will soon be a thing of the past. We want more Cains in the church. We want to crave God’s presence so much so that when we run away from it we can’t help but crawl right back in.

Yes, I want to be the Cain!

I want to have the kind of hands that crave for the Messiah because though they are bloody, they still belong to him.

The sin, the dullest, darkest, most hidden is won’t send Him away…

Only when drowned in darkness do you scream for the light.

Every time they hit Him, they thought that they were 1 second closer to His defeat.

Every snare and foul word propelled Him to the next level. To them, it was death; to Him was salvation.

All the pounds on that cross, weren’t as heavy as our sins. The weight was another form of suffering. However, it was another step into redemption.

 

The yelling, shouting, mistreatment. That was meant to be me. That was my weight, my poverty, my sin, my sickness, disease and lack of peace. Yet He went through this and much more. His motivation was my soul. They thought they were knocking Him out little did they know that they were starting His army.

He had a choice: To go to the cross and indulge in the pain or to give up. He chose the pain because He had the end in mind. He had me in mind. Salvation, redemption.

What manner of love and commitment!

Stepped down for Mary who’d committed adultery. He held her hand and took her weight off of her. The sin was an attraction to Him. Revealed the need for a savior.

Stepped down for Peter. When he started sinking on the water, Jesus held his hand and pulled him up. He went down to Peter’s level but He didn’t leave him there. He brought him to the Victory corner.

Went to the tomb for Lazarus. Where it was stinking, where death had pierced people’s hearts. Yet he walked in and shone a ray of life.

He is not too far from what looks like the darkest pit. As a matter of fact, he walks right into it to restore my soul; your soul.

PRAYER

Thank you father that you are never too far away. You’re always there when I call. Available in the depths of trouble and darkness. And I’m never too far gone. My loved ones are never too far gone. You’re able to get to them right where they’re at. Amen!

 

1 Samuel 3:1-4

Now the boy Samuel ministered to the Lord before Eli. And the word of the Lord was rare in those days; there was no widespread revelation. And it came to pass at that time, while Eli was lying down in his place, and when his eyes had begun to grow so dim that he could not see,and before the lamp of God went out in the tabernacle of the Lord where the ark of God was, and while Samuel was lying down, ⁴ that the Lord called Samuel. And he answered, “Here I am!”

Before Samuel was called, he was available to be used by God; even in his boy stage. His availability led to maturity. I believe God had strategically placed Eli in his life so that Eli would pass down some kingdom secrets to the next generation. When Eli’s eyes grew dim, there was an heir who’s eyes were bright; and who was available for God’s purpose. I believe Samuel’s eyes could not only see better in the natural realm but the spiritual realm as well. He had been in God’s presence long enough to see what God sees and to be able to mirror that to the world. Am I available or am I waiting for a destination in order to be available? Availability is what will lead me to the maturity destination!

Even as a child, Samuel was totally dedicated to the Lord. He served in his ‘boy’ stage. Before the business is fruitful, before the marriage yields the desired results, before the family members have an encounter with the Lord, serve Him. What’s your “boy” stage and are you serving while still in it? Availability in the season breeds maturity.

Eli’s eyes were fading out. He was aging and Samuel was strategically placed at the place of service where he shone God’s bright light when Eli’s was fading off. His intention was to serve God in his present state; despite of his age or his situation. I’m I fully devoted to serving and responding in obedience?

I’m I quick to move in obedience like Samuel was when God called him? Or do I have excuses as to why I cannot fully commit? Is the ‘child stage’ robbing me of 100% commitment in anticipation for the maturity stage?

PRAYER:

Lord, I will serve you regardless of what stage I’m in. I will be quick to move in obedience when you speak. I submit to the authority that you have put over me and I desire to serve and fall more in love with you. Amen!

 

If I knew I would have listened. Not to the fears but to the people that spoke about it. But I did not realize that I needed to listen. Before I could listen to them I needed to listen to me, listen to the things that  made me shiver because it wasn’t wrong to feel like that; it was  wrong to stay like that.

So I buried it. Deep down where nobody could see it, not even myself. But we all know when we plant some seeds we won’t see the results immediately; however, sooner that later, the evidence of the plant will slowly start emerging and the only way to get rid of it is to dig deep and uproot the entire plant.

Well, that is what I had to do. After learning to listen to myself; something that no one taught me. Something that I never thought about because we are encouraged not to think about these things. But thank God for the Holy Spirit who is the perfect teacher and will work in our lives as long as we let Him in. As long as we invite Him to lead and we follow. He taught me how to listen, how to search inside and be uncomfortable because that’s the only way I got to grow and create more room for Him  to continue working in me.

Only then did I understand why people write and talk about this. The emphasis is as a result  of  necessity. I found out I can create a pit hole for myself without even realizing it. The fear of other peoples opinion cuts off or delays one’s destiny. Until we realize that our lives are controlled by the Holy spirit and others will always come and go, we’ll make crippling decisions that please the masses instead of taking care of our destinies. Only when I truly had this dwelling in my heart did I realize that my vision was clouded and I had no clue; because I didn’t take time to close and wipe my eyes.

Let’s close our eyes today. Look and search deep; not to be afraid but to recognize what’s wrong and correct it-wipe our eyes. Let’s break free from the fear of other people, only we can make that decision for ourselves. No one should live in bondage or fear of what X and Y will say; not even about your mistakes because your mistakes are a focal point of your growth. This is not to negate the fact that God does speak to us through other people but to establish that we should never live in fear! After all “others” is always changing, it’s a different group in different seasons of your life. But God will never leave us nor forsake us!

2nd Tim 1:7

For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.

 

Isaiah 49:2 And He has made My mouth like a sharp sword; In the shadow of His hand He has hidden Me, And made Me a polished shaft; In His quiver He has hidden Me.

A sword is a blade weapon that is able to cut or pierce in a sudden or abrupt way. It cuts through so precisely it hardly misses the target. That makes it very dangerous  yet very powerful. This is likened to my mouth as seen in scripture.

Words are very powerful weapons that bring life to God’s written word. The same words can slow down and be an obstruction of God’s plan here on earth. What words are we speaking? What pleases my tongue? It’s not simply a song but a sword that can yield results or break structures.

When you know you have a powerful weapon, you don’t waste the bullets. You aim right and pull the trigger. 1 shot hits the target and drives the price home. Similarly, words are not to be scattered but to be well thought out and planned for before being spoken; well executed.

Proverbs 18:21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it will eat its fruit.

In the shadow of His hand he has hidden me. A sword that has no owner is dangerous. However, one with an owner, hidden in the shadows of his hand can be used to achieve a lot almost effortlessly. It’s hidden in the shadow of his hand; right where he was pierced, in a very sentimental place for us to understand how much He values us. He doesn’t stop here, but clothes us in majesty. “polished shaft” as opposed to regular shaft. He takes time to put his craft on us then hides us in his quiver.

Let our words yield the ultimate results. Let us enjoy the care of my owner, our heavenly father and in doing so line up with His plan and purpose to be a powerful and explosive sword that not only hits its target but executes the task majestically while enjoying intimacy.

Prayer:

Dear Lord, teach me to speak your word over and over until it’s imprinted in my heart. Let the spoken word from you give life and healing to the world around me. Amen!

 

A grateful heart.

Thankful for the things that have happened. The good, bad and better yet, the tough times. The times I felt like I could not keep going, the race was too unfair, too long and too hard. The times that my heart wept continually, when I was stretched to capacity.

Victory and light seemed to be far off, way past my path. In my corner, there was tearing apart, stretching, discomfort, questioning, skepticism and distress. But faith rose up in me like a roaring lion who is comfortable in his jungle despite the uncertainty of the species that occupy his land.

The stretch and discomfort wad the oven for breakthrough. I am grateful; very grateful for those times. I know it’s not the end of it because life is going on so Lord teach me to maintain an attitude of thanksgiving even in the storms. I am grateful for your joy , the laughter, friends and family.

Grateful for the sowing and harvest season. Grateful for what has been established in the spiritual realm but is yet to manifest in the physical realm. Among other things, I know thanksgiving pulls these blessings down so I will do exactly that.

Lord, I am grateful! Thank you for dying on the cross for me that I may live in freedom and preach your gospel, on your mission forever.

 

Learning is a curve, a good curve, a worthwhile curve because God wants us to grow in wisdom and increase in knowledge; like  Jesus did. Luke 2:52 And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.

It one thing to learn, to pour out oneself ready and willing to receive instruction and wisdom. But it’s another thing to want to fit in a box, a perfect or acceptable box that speaks comfort, progress and establishment.

I found myself wanting to fit in that box so many times. So much pressure to grow and desire to learn new things, new ways which were supposed to make me a better person, or so I thought. I got so consumed with wanting to learn , wanting to grow that I confined myself. Confined myself in what others thought I should be doing or what pace I desire to take.

Then I lost myself. I lost the things that make me different. I lost the broken but beautiful girl inside that God wanted to use.  It’s the circumstances, it’s the words, it’s the environment. All this and so much more made me forget that God gave me beauty for ashes.  

Then I realized I was missing something. I had to be organic for God to tell his story through me. The perfect box fills out every part and leaves no room for God to use the unique and different parts of me. I don’t have to conform to any standard, other than God’s standard. I desire to grow, I desire to learn, but I desire God more. And because of this, I have to be true to who He created me to be, organic and  authentic. Killing this was killing God’s story.

I had to step out of the box to realize I was in a box. One I had never been in before. One that ravaged my organic self. I wanted to hit a certain point that was beautiful, all so beautiful but under so much pressure to be “right.” The Holy Spirit gradually pulled me out and taught me to re-embrace me! This way, I get to the highest standard based on God’s word, with him holding my hand! How beautiful….

 

No  matter how beautiful and necessary it is, learning should never be consequential. The decision to not loose oneself in the training or battle field should be followed through. Organic, rough, imperfect, unsharpened, it’s beautiful. Allows God to tell His story…

Isaiah 61:3 …He will give a crown of beauty for ashes, a joyous blessing instead of mourning, festive praise instead of despair. In their righteousness, they will be like great oaks that the LORD has planted for his own glory.

 

Happy new month!! Happy August everybody!

1 kings 1

Adonijah, David’s son, also Solomon’s brother declared himself king. Rightfully an heir of David the king but not according to God’s plan. Seems right in the worlds system but not quite in God’s system.  This makes me ask myself ” I’m I doing what seems right or what’s in God’s plan?” I wanna be right at the center of your plan Lord. And if I fall out, please make me aware because the safest place to be is in God’s plan.

David had declared that Solomon would be King. His destiny was made known to him. How can destiny this big not have opposition? The bigger the task, the greater the obstacle. The obstacles I continue to face are a confirmation of my great destiny and a platform to showcase God’s victories in my life. I choose to look at it  from God’s perspective; not fleshly eyes that focus on the challenges.

 

Solomon’s brother was blocking Solomon’s destiny, trying to take his place, declaring himself king but he couldn’t wipe off God’s word over Solomon’s life! The prophet Nathan reached out to Bathsheba to go to the king and report the ‘ dirty deals’ Adonijah was undertaking. We don’t see Bathsheba, Solomon’s mum mentioned much in his reign and achievements but this one mention is too pivotal to ignore.

She took charge of his destiny. She pushed him towards achieving what God had cut out for his life. This then gave birth to greatness. All the great deeds associated with king Solomon were as a result of this moment.

Behind every successful kid is a brilliant mom. A mom who hears from the holy Ghost, takes action and propels her children towards their destiny. Changing diapers and feeding children is important; but what’s more important is recognizing your child’s destiny and pushing him/her towards it. That’s the greatest gift a mom can give her child.

Just as Bathsheba heard from the prophet, mothers should listen out for direction from the Holy Ghost. In the Old Testament, they walked in the shadows and were led by prophets but in the new testament we walk in the light and are led by the Holy Spirit.

A PRAYER FOR ALL MUMS AND FUTURE MUMS

Lord, as you prepare me to be a mother, teach me with your word before experience bombards me. Lemme see the role as YOU see it not how humans have defined it. Teach me to accurately hear from you in order to shape up destinies. I am ready Lord, teach me how to be a mother according to your word.

  I have a mother who’s shown a lovely example. I celebrate her!