GALATIANS 4:1-3 (NLT)

Think of it this way. If a father dies and leaves an inheritance for his young children, those children are not much better off than slaves until they grow up, even though they actually own everything their father had. ² They have to obey their guardians until they reach whatever age their father set. ³ And that’s the way it was with us before Christ came. We were like children; we were slaves to the basic spiritual principles^[a] of this world.

Being easily triggered or offended by things is an indication that we’re spiritually and mentally immature. We can internalize and translate things in our mind that either doesn’t align with what God says about us and/or a situation. Sometimes it’s just us projecting our insecurities onto someone else. We start out as babes in Christ but, once we repent and give our life to God, we’re expected to grow into spiritual adulthood. He wants growth, maturity and productivity out of us. Our childish ways of thinking and behaving keeps us from receiving our inheritance, The Promise. There are things inherited to us by our Heavenly father that we can only receive once we reach a certain level of maturity.

GROW INTO YOUR INHERITANCE! DON’T MISS WHAT THE FATHER HAS PROMISED YOU BY BEING IMMATURE.

Maturity requires self-awareness and acknowledgement. There are times when we have to admit some uncomfortable facts about ourselves. We have to acknowledge when we’re mentally and spiritually childish and need to grow up. Immaturity is unacceptable to God. He wants us humble and child-like (teachable) but, NOT immature.

1 Cor. 13:11 (KJV) When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.

1 Cor. 14:20 (NLT) Dear brothers and sisters, don’t be childish in your understanding of these things. Be innocent as babies when it comes to evil but be mature in understanding matters of this kind.

(AMP) Brothers and sisters, do not be children [immature, childlike] in your thinking; be infants in [matters of] evil [completely innocent and inexperienced], but in your minds be mature [adults].

Prov. 22:4 (ESV) The reward for humility and fear of the Lord is riches and honor and life.

1. WHAT IN YOUR LIFE IS CHILDISH?
   1. What worked for you last year (season) that isn’t going to work for you in this year (season)?
      • Instead of changing everything around you to fit your suit, CHANGE YOUR SUIT
      • Change environments and influences
   2. Recognize that old you is no longer NEW you
      1. STAY ON THE WALL & DON’T COME DOWN
         • Stay where you are until the work God is doing within you and through you is perfected/completed.

Philip. 1:6 (NKJV) being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ;

Nehemiah 6:3 (AMP) So I sent messengers to them, saying, “I am doing a great work and cannot come down. Why should the work stop while I leave to come down to [meet with] you?

1.) We were slaves to the law UNTIL Jesus came

• Remain in the place and posture God instructed you to be in UNTIL he says otherwise
  • No one else has to understand what God is saying or doing through you; He will reveal to those connected to him
• Don’t entertain trivial or vain comments. They’re sent as a distraction
  • Keep your eyes and focus on God and on your assignment
  • You’re NOT responsible for what “they” say but, you’re responsible for your response to what they say.
  • FOCUS on what God says to you…

1. You ARE a child of the promise
2. You ARE no longer a slave to sin or your past
3. The Son has made you FREE
4. You ARE right where you’re supposed to be when you’re in the Will of God
5. HE WILL establish you and perfect the work He’s doing through you

GAL. 4:28-31 (NLT)

²⁸ And you, dear brothers and sisters, are children of the promise, just like Isaac. ²⁹ But you are now being persecuted by those who want you to keep the law, just as Ishmael, the child born by human effort, persecuted Isaac, the child born by the power of the Spirit. ³⁰ But what do the Scriptures say about that? “Get rid of the slave and her son, for the son of the slave woman will not share the inheritance with the free woman’s son.”^[j] 31 So, dear brothers and sisters, we are not children of the slave woman; we are children of the free woman.

I flipped open my Bible and was going to read what I opened it up to. The highlighted verses naturally stuck out to me (Joshua 1:1-7) but the Lord said read “Rahab Hides the Spies” (Chpt.2). Not sure why but, I obeyed anyway. It didn’t become clear why until I got towards the end: vs 21″Then she said, ‘According to your words, so be it.’. And she sent them away, and they departed. And she bound the scarlet cord in the window.”

There was a verbal agreement made between Rahab (a prostitute) and the spies she hid (men Joshua sent to inspect the land they were about to enter). They agreed to provide protection for her & her family for her protecting them from danger.

There was a request and then an agreement. The enemy has a request for us & everything & everybody we love but, he can only have what WE agree to give him. How? By the words we speak repeatedly and our habitual behaviors. We agree to his requests when we live by his ways instead of God’s. Satan, “The god of this world” (2 Cor. 4:4) will deceive us by telling us he’ll give us power and control, and he does but, what he doesn’t mentions is that it comes with a price for your life and your soul. You offered yourself as a sacrifice for worldly possessions.
Likewise, when we make our request known to the Lord (Philp. 4:6) He will grant our petition (1Sam.1:8-17). We’ve already been bought with a price (1 Cor.6:20) and the ransom was God’s only begotten son, Jesus (1 Peter 1:18-19 [NLT] 18 For you know that God paid a ransom to save you from the empty life you inherited from your ancestors. And it was not paid with mere gold or silver, which lose their value. 19 It was the precious blood of Christ, the sinless, spotless Lamb of God.” GOD CANNOT LIE & HE CANNOT GO AGAINST HIS WORD (Numbers 23:19).

Joshua 21:45 “Not one of the Lord’s good promises to Isreal failed; everyone was fulfilled”

A verbal agreement is a legal, binding contract not only in a court of law but, in the spiritual realm. When we make a request, God judges our intent and our motive before He releases it to us (James 4:3; John 15:7) because He cares about us. He doesn’t force us to follow Him or keep his commandments but, our choices come with consequences. He doesn’t hide any fine prints from us; he tells us exactly what to expect when we choose salvation but, he promises to be with us through every pleasant and unpleasant situation in our life and promises to give us eternal life, a crown, new garments, and HEAVEN; a place flowing with milk and honey, where the streets are paved with gold. Paradise! We have a choice to agree or disagree with the promises of God or the deceitful promises of Satan. Legally, based on what we agree to, we are bound to but, there’s liberty in Christ Jesus.

Romans 6:20 TPT [The Passion Translation] “For when you were bound as servants to sin, you lived your lives free from any obligation to righteousness.”

2 Cor. 3:17 “Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty [freedom]”

¹⁴ What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? ¹⁵ If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, ¹⁶ and one of you says to them, “Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,” but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? ¹⁷ Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. (James 2:14-17)

Message: A vision without works behind it, is only a dream.

There are many things that we desire to attain in life, regardless of our economic status and/or background but, the differences between “the haves” and the “have nots” are our work ethics. How long and hard are we willing to work, what are we willing to sacrifice, and how long we’re willing to suffer and fight to attain our goals and dreams reveals “how bad” we want it. Some of us have a stronger drive towards exercising and becoming more fit and healthier, some of us work harder than others towards reaching certain financial and academic goals, and a few may push themselves to give above average in every area of their life because they’re perfectionists. No matter what our reasons are, when we have a certain vision for our lives, we will push ourselves [our body] to make that dream and that desire a reality.

With that being said, we know that it would be impossible to expect to reach said goal(s) without hard work, sacrifice, determination and motivation. So many want to reach higher levels, “climb the ladder” but, aren’t willing to put in the work or make the necessary adjustments and sacrifices in their life to reach that level of success they say they desire. Our words must align with our actions and sometimes that requires making some sacrifices. [We’re going to get into, soon, how all of this applies to The Kingdom of Heaven]

What are the sacrifices?

Rest. Many of us love to sleep. If you ask some people, they’ll tell you they’ll sacrifice food & other things of pleasure and comfort, just to get more sleep. Our body depends on rest to thrive and not just to survive. [Quoted] “Rest is vital for better mental health, increased concentration and memory, a healthier immune system, reduced stress, improved mood and even a better metabolism…Rest is any behavior aimed at increasing physical or mental well-being. Sleep, on the other hand, is a body-mind state in which individuals experience sensory detachment from our surroundings. Sleep is an essential function of the body and impacts every system from our cognitive function to immune health. Quality sleep can help us reset, recover and recharge. It’s absolutely vital to brain function, memory, concentration, immune health and metabolism. Unlike rest, sleep is something your body cannot function without. In fact, if you are sleep deprived, your body will force you to sleep, no matter what you’re in the middle of. ” I know culture is always talking about “grinding and hustling” but, that IS NOT what the bible tells us because the Lord knows that is not in our body’s best interest.

Matthew 11:28-30 ESV “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

Psalm 127:2 ESV “It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest, eating the bread of anxious toil; for he gives to his beloved sleep.”

Hebrews 4:9-11 ESV “So then, there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God, for whoever has entered God’s rest has also rested from his works as God did from his. Let us therefore strive to enter that rest, so that no one may fall by the same sort of disobedience.”

Time. Depending on how bad we want something and how determined and motivated we are to get it, we will sacrifice our leisure time and time away from the people we love, who love us back. Our tunnel vision only allows us to see the road ahead more so than what’s around us. However, time is very valuable, and we must use our time wisely because once it’s gone, we can never get it back. Who and what we sacrifice our time for, is gravely important.

Ephesians 5:15-16 ESV “Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil”

Matthew 6:33 ESV “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you”

Ecclesiastes 3:1-22 ESV “For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted; a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;”

Comfort. In order to reach certain levels, we have to know that it’s going to come with some level of discomfort. We may have to go through painful transitions, spiritually and emotionally, that includes but not limited to; leaving familiar places and faces, we may have to get rid of [things], habits and patterns that we love but aren’t beneficial to us and our purpose. For example, if you desire to become healthier, you can’t do whatever you want to your body just because you can. You have to be disciplined enough to set parameters/boundaries in your life.

1 Corinthians 6:12 NIV “I have the right to do anything,” you say—but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right to do anything”—but I will not be mastered by anything. [KJV] All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.

1 Corinthians 10:23 TPT (The Passion Translation) You say, “Under grace there are no rules and we’re free to do anything we please.” Not exactly. Because not everything promotes growth in others. Your slogan, “We’re allowed to do anything we choose,” may be true—but not everything causes the spiritual advancement of others.

The Final Words

Think about all that’s required to become successful in the world and within our personal lives; now apply all of that to The Kingdom of Heaven. It profits us nothing to gain the success of the world and then lose our soul [refer to Mark 8:36]. In the same manner, work ethics are required if Heaven is our goal [refer to John 14:12]. The greatest sacrifice we have to make to God is, OURSELVES [refer to Romans 12:1-2] We can’t get access to the Kingdom half doing the work required to get there. You want the palace but are you making the sacrifices to get there? The Lord is gracious and merciful but there are no free passes. We can’t expect to reach a specific destination and not follow the routes and directions to arrive there. God knows what we’re capable of doing. If we can sacrifice rest to earn more money and worldly things then we can sacrifice rest to wake up early and pray (Philippians 4:6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.; 1 Thess. 5:17 “Pray without ceasing”), if we can diet and train our mind and body to exercise, then we can train our mind to fast and separate ourselves from the things of the world [because there’s a GREATER goal and a destination in our view] (Matthew 26:41 “Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” [refer also to 1Cor.10:13; Heb. 2:18; Heb.12:1; James 4:7;]) and if we’re willing to fight, “hustle” and be uncomfortable while accomplishing all of our earthly goals, why do so many of us expect everything to be easy and handed to us when it pertains to reaching Heaven and heavenly goals? Nobody told us that this journey would be easy. We have to fight many oppositions, jump many hurdles and cry many tears in order to reach the Kingdom but, 1st question, are you up for the challenge? Pain comes with progress and purpose. We CAN NOT birth without some form of pain. If we’re passionate enough about what we want and/or who we want, then the answer will be “YES!”, without a second thought. Likewise, nothing (including excuses) would be able to separate us from God and getting closer to Him when we yearn for His presence; his touch [refer to Romans 8:38-39] Now the 2nd question becomes, how bad do you want it/Him?

Philippians 1:29 “For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake,”

1 Peter 3:17  “For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God’s will, than for doing evil.”

Matthew 5:12 “Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”

1 Peter 4:1 “Since therefore Christ suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves with the same way of thinking, for whoever has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin,”

Romans 8:17 “And if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.”

I was having one of those inner conversations with the Lord concerning “strongholds and warfare spirits” and within the conversation He replied, “Every attack doesn’t come from Satan. Some people invite warfare spirits to themselves. In the same manner, everything isn’t a stronghold.” So I began to inquire of Him more on what a stronghold is. Strongholds are barriers or forts that we put around our mind and heart that hinders The Truth of God & everything He is, from accessing through because of the legal authority that we’ve given Leviathan, the spirit of pride. A short definition of a stronghold is, self-sabotaging behavior.

Pride and Leviathan. Leviathan is also known as The King of Pride. You’ll find out more about this dragon-like spirit in Job 41:22-33. This spirit of pride is unyielding and unbending. It refuses to submit to The Will of God and His covenants.

2 Corinthians 10:5-6 (KJV) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled.

Pride is deshtructive and destroys everything in it’s path. Our prideful behavior doesn’t just affect our life but, it also affect the lives of the people around us. The elements of pride are stubbornness, hardness of heart, and defiance [rebellion] against The Word of God.

Proverbs 29:1 “He who is often reproved, yet stiffens his neck, will suddenly be broken beyond healing. (ESV)

Psalm 81:11-12 “But my people did not listen to my voice; Israel would not submit to me. So I gave them over to their stubborn hearts to follow their own counsel” (ESV)

Romans 2:5 “But because of your hard and impenitent heart you are storing up wrath for yourself on the day of wrath when God’s righteous judgment will be revealed.

1Sam15:23 “For rebellion is as the sin of divination [witchcraft], and presumption is as iniquity and Idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the Lord, he has also rejected you from being king”

You Can Be Free. You Don’t Have to Be Bound. How to break free from strongholds? Through prayer and fasting (Matt.17:17-21) (John 8:32-36; 1 John 1:9; Isaiah 43:1). Speak freedom over your life, over that issue , and act upon it! Even the all powerful word of God is ineffective in our life if we don’t believe it and activate its power. Speak the word, as Jesus done, with authority! Intercede in prayer, fast and intentionally separate yourself from the impure things that you have an appetite and craving for. Become consecrated and holy Romans 12:1 “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God-this is your true and proper worship. (NIV) There can not be a consecration without a sacrifice. The unclean things that holds us, we give authority and permission to do so when we continue to hold on to them instead of giving it completely to God. Allow Him to do what He wants to do with you and in you.

Jesus sacrificed for us, which gives us grace. We prove His grace is sufficient [enough] through our life in him. 2Cor. 12:9 “But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.” (NIV). Freedom awaits you. It’s as close as in your mouth! You’re more than a conqueror (Romans 8:37) and you shall not be defeated!

Side note: Don’t abuse the grace of God; Heb.10:26-31; Romans 8:7; Romans 6:1-2; Heb.2:1-3; Jude 1:3-4

#Compassion #Patience #Forgiveness #Faith Words that God keeps ministering to me about. As believers and followers of Christ, & I’m not talking about just a religious follower (Christianity), there are going to be A LOT of things we have to force ourselves (flesh) to forgive through, press through, love through and have compassion for. It’s a “force” because the flesh wars against the the spirit of God and -truth be told, we’re not ALWAYS in the spirit . Sometimes we get to a place in God and forget we too had to grow to where we are and somebody was patient with us & had compassion towards us. Though God is very much able to keep us from all hurt, harm and danger, He’s also able to keep us from falling. So don’t get comfortable with the idea of falling. However, God already knows He has children not as strong in the faith as others and we all are going to “fall” short, in one area or another. YET HIS LOVE LIFTS US, STRENGTHENS US, COMFORTS US, & FIGHTS FOR US❤️😭🙌🏾🙏🏾 I’m not saying we have to agree with everything people say and do but, remember also where we used to be. #SantificationIsAProcess. It takes some longer than others to get there but, GET THERE! We all have to WORK towards becoming better than yesterday; pressing towards the mark of a higher calling in CHRIST JESUS. Don’t become stagnant/complacent. Don’t expect to fall from grace; don’t expect to fall into the traps that was set by the enemy when God already provided a way for us to escape (1 Cor. 10:13). Serve God with THE FAITH/BELIEF THAT YOU’RE GOING TO CONQUER & WIN💪🏾 PERIOD!!! Many people choose not to fully surrender to God thinking, “I seen others fall & play with God & I don’t wanna be like them”. YOU DON’T HAVE TO BE LIKE THEM BECAUSE YOU AREN’T THEM! Just BE who & what God called YOU to be! With that being said, everyone who fell, myself included, didn’t stay down, btw. As a matter of fact, I fight that much harder to #standandLive. I refuse to be bullied and defeated and you all don’t have to be either. I’m learning though, thanks to some good friends reminding me, that I extend more grace to people than I do myself but, in my defense, it’s just my way of self discipling 🤷🏾‍♀️😊 However, I received the message: Forgiveness is for ourselves just as much as God expects us to extend it to others. ❤️💙❤️

It’s something about #Real Love. Lust and/or infatuation doesn’t even come close to this type of feeling I’m talking about & once you recognize it & get a taste of it, you’re no longer interested in the knockoffs and watered down imitations. #RealLove will have you trying to find some way to stay connected to people who have hurt you; not because you’re being a fool but because of grace and #compassion You see beyond the person and the situation & the love of Christ covers a multitude of their fault (1Peter4:8). However, it’s not until the pruning process begins that the disconnection takes place. There are a lot of things we dislike about our loved ones but, yet that love we have for them remains intact. I recently seen a Facebook post from one of my spiritual sisters that said, “Seek God’s truth & don’t be afraid of what you may find” & that really stuck out to me because – sometimes we refrain from praying certain prayers or searching for certain things due to “fear” of learning #thetruth. #PerfectLove removes ALL FEAR (1John4:18) & some would rather live a lie (in darkness) than to learn the truth about themselves and the people around/connected to them. There’s a time and season for everything under the Sun (Ecc.3) where the wheat and tare grows together until GOD does the separating (Matt.13:24-30). He knows, for a lot of us, we can’t pull away from some people on our own when its time to outgrow them and our environments & that’s when He steps in to eliminate the weeds. Don’t be afraid to #LOVE, frfr! Don’t be afraid of THE TRUTH, even if that includes being uncomfortable for a while. Don’t continue walking and stumbling in darkness (blind, confused, restless, without peace). Don’t be afraid to grow up and grow away from certain ppl/places/things. The saying is, “If you love someone, let ’em go…” because REAL LOVE does not bound in anyway, shape or form and it gives freedom to error, learn, and evolve. #SeekLove#SeekTruth#SeekGrowth#SeekWisdom#SeekCompassion#SeekPatience#SeekForgiveness#AndYouShallFind OAN: Don’t forget to also #LOVEYOURSELF

Reveal is defined, to make (previously unknown or secret information) known to others but, what about when we’re personally being revealed to ourselves? There are things hidden in us at times that we’re not always aware of. Let’s think about this in the physical for a moment. We sometimes get regular check-ups (sometimes we don’t) but, there maybe something present within our body that we didn’t even have knowledge of. Once we find out in time and catch the issue early on, we could have a much better chance a survival. Not only that, by early detecting the issue, we’re now able to get a head start on battling and conquering the problem. Rather it may be something major or minor.

Hebrew 4:13 “Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.“

Spiritually, there are hidden sins in us at times that aren’t always known to us until a certain situation occurs. We may have the wrong perception about a person and prejudge them based on an assumption. We could still be holding on to a painful situation, planting a “bitterness seed” & giving birth to unforgiveness; and the emotions doesn’t rise until that person enters your presence. There are times where we could be holding on to weights, unknowingly but, when we’re fervently praying and asking God to create in us a clean heart and renew the RIGHT spirit within us; when we seek Him diligently & sincerely asking to help us to become more like Him, He HAS to expose and reveal those things hidden in darkness (that isn’t pleasing to Him) to the light.

Scenario: You’re in a relationship with someone (could be friendship, partnership, or only business related) and whom you thought they were, you’re beginning to see characteristics within them and patterns that tells you they can no longer be trusted. Their behavior has caused you to clearly see the wolf in sheep’s clothing. They betrayed your trust by saying and/or doing something dishonest and hurtful and you’re angry! How do you handle yourself and the situation? How do you respond (either physically or verbally)?

See, sometimes we think just because the truth about someone is revealed, now they’re character is exposed. However, we don’t just find out about their secret place, our response to hurt, anger, and betrayal will also expose OUR secret place as well. Luke 8:17 “For nothing is hidden that will not be made manifest, nor is anything secret that will not be known or come to light.” Our strength and weaknesses are often times revealed when we experience a test; some we pass and some test we fail. I heard someone say, “When life presses you, what comes out?” We go throughout the day prayerfully but, not always watchful; not always paying attention to what we’re allowing into our gateways (refer to previous blog topic “Keeping Our Gateways Holy”) & eventually contaminating our heart and body with impurities and soon comes out of our mouth and actions.

Tribulations are test to show us, more than God because He already knows what’s imbedded on the inside of us (Psalm 139), where we are in our faith walk and where God wants to elevate us to. There are some things within us God wants to uproot, demolish, tear down & reconstruct just so we look more like a reflection of Him; So that we develop more Christ-like characteristics. James 1:2-3 “Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance.” God gives revelation [1)an act of revealing or communicating divine truth; 2)something that is revealed by God to humans; making known; an enlightening or astonishing disclosure] to us in many ways and each obstacle we encounter is God’s way of revealing more and more to us the things that’s been hidden in secret around us and within us. (Daniel 2:22)

Sanctification is most definitely a journey and over a course of time, we gradually, or we’re suppose to, grow into who and what Our Heavenly Father wants us to become. Which means, we’ll have to do a self inventory (a spiritual check-up) to see what needs healing, repairing & uprooting. With that being said, exposure isn’t necessarily a bad thing. We may not always like how it happens but, the outcome of exposure could lead to deliverance of bondage, weights and sin. 1 Cor. 4:5 “Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait until the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of the heart. At that time each will receive their praise from God.” When we genuiely want to be more Christ-like, we embrace exposure & revelation because we’re willing to put in the work to transform and grow.

During this 2020 pandemic, there has been a lot of talk about keeping our gateways cover from COVID-19 so that we’re not exposed to the virus but, what about keeping our gateways covered under the blood of Jesus from all negative influences?

Many of us (as a society and generation) are so quick to expose ourselves to: the wrong conversation(s) and words; things that enters the gateway of our ears. We watch the wrong things (including but not limited to: the lust of the eyes; the media) that enters the gateways of our eyes. We freely expose ourselves to these toxicities through our gateways-infecting our mind, body and soul. (Acts 28:26-27; Jeremiah 5:21)

Through perilous times such as these, we must keep our eyes and ears sanctified and holy (Romans 12:-1-2) so that we can hear what the spirit has to say to our “personal” church, clearly (Matt. 11:15; John 8:47; John 10:27; Isaiah 30:21/55:3 ; Psalm 85:8;) and so that we’re abled to see clearly; the things that Satan wants hidden and disguised by putting scales over our eyes. Things that God wants to be revealed and known unto us. (Acts 26:18; Ephesians 1:18/5:11; John 3:19-21). Negative exposure through our eyes and ears infects our heart and our mind and soon spreads through out; poisoning our body (soul). That’s why the bible says in Proverbs 4:23 to “Keep (guard) your heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.” (Philippians 4:6-7; Luke 6:45).  

We all deal with issues in our life, and this pandemic is one them for all of us. So much of what we’re seeing and hearing in the media could damage and contaminate our entire soul (fear and doubt) if we’re not covered under the blood of Jesus, if we’re not trusting His Word(s), and if we’re not guarding our gateways from toxicities in the spirit realm (negative energy). 

Our enemy, Satan, has manage to infiltrate the body of Christ and he’s seeking to destroy The Body through our gateways…our eyes and ears (refer to the book of Jude). The church is apart of The Body of Christ and aren’t we also “the church”? So the enemy has seeped through areas that we have left open by exposing ourselves to negativity, UNCOVERED! God wants us to separate ourselves from darkness in order to follow Him into the light and into the ark of safety (1 John 1:1-10; John 8:12; Isaiah 60:1-22). God wants us to fill our gateways with things that are pure so that we don’t have any room for anything opposite. (Philippians 4:6-9). The less room we make for God, the more space the enemy has to roam and fill; speaking into our subconscious thoughts and telling us the things that are contrary to The Word of God. The less we expose our gateways (eyes/ears) to the things that are holy and God-pleasing, the more we leave ourselves opened and exposed to the enemy…putting ourselves at risk for a spiritual & eternal death where many are in eternal and constant agony (Matt. 25:41-46; Revelation 20:10; 21:8; Romans 6:23; 2 Thessalonians 1:9; James 1:15; Daniel 12:2). 

Before it’s too late, we have time NOW, to give The Father all of us! He’s merciful to warn us and give us an opportunity to make room for Him in our hearts. He’s a great big god so he needs more than a small part of us; more than a small portion of our heart. He needs every inch of us. TOTALLY! He came that we may have life abundantly but, if we fail to surrender all to Him and submit our ways to HIS AUTHORITY, we can not enter the Kingdom of Heaven. (Matt.7:21; 25:31-34)

It’s too uncomfortable where you are & you gotta get away. Out of sight. Out of Mind. That makes it easier to get over hurt from specific things and people, right? You don’t have to see them or be in their presence because it’s a consistent reminder of what happened & now you’re healed and over it, right? But, what if you’re forced to stay there in the midst of that hurt? What if God allowed things to happen around you and in your life that forced you to remain right there in the very place that’s painful & uncomfortable…to face the individual(s) that caused your pain…to face what always causes you to run/move away from?

THE ALMIGHTY GOD WANTS GROWTH OUT OF US. He wants us to be strong in the faith & strong in the mind. He wants us to gain spiritual muscle through our experiences and pain (James 2). It’s easy to walk away but, it takes strength to fight. It’s not a fight of the fist but, a fight in the spirit (Ephesians 6:12), in prayer, to submit our ways & our thoughts (2Cor.10:5; Philp.2:5) to God in order to get through what we’re going through & to OVERCOME those familiar patterns. With that being said, sometimes God will instruct us to STAND STILL (Exodus 14:13-14, Psalm 37:7, 46:10-14). We allow our emotions, our frustrations and anger to move us prematurely and react without talking to God and WAITING on His response. We make decisions based on how we feel in the moment. LOGICALLY: We’re human & we do things any human would do, right? The thing about that is, it doesn’t work for God; THE HOLY SPIRIT. He knows more than anybody that we’re human and he knows exactly what all of us can and cannot handle. In addition, if we’re going through it [whatever “it” is], HE KNOWS that we can handle it (1 Cor. 10:13) and already have a way out of it for us. We just have to apply HIS word to our flesh/pain. SPEAK LIFE OVER A DEAD SITUATION and sometimes we have to do it while remaining in the eye of the storm.

IT IS IMPORTANT THAT OUR PERSONALITY, CHARACTER AND OUR ENTIRE BEING, SUBMITS TO THE WILL OF GOD (Romans 8) because, if not, we end up making moves and decisions that we suffer the consequences for later. It takes faith to wait, be patient, and STAND STILL just as it does to move. Especially when we’re uncomfortable. We say, “God, this doesn’t feel good & I don’t like it here. I’m leaving!” but, did he give you that command/instruction? The best way to get through life and any foggy ordeal, is to be led by God. HIS LIGHT. (Psalm 23, 119:105). We can not see our way without His light guiding us. And we know, when we’re going through pain, that’s usually our darkest hour/season. I encourage you to allow your faith in God to guide you, totally! I have no idea where my current test is going to lead me but, I TRUST that if I allow God to continue to guide me, I won’t error. I won’t stumble or fall. He sees beyond what we can see. He sees our finish line and already provided the door for us to walk through. We just have to TRUST that in the midst of Him instructing us to STAND STILL, He’s moving things/ppl out of the way, He’s working on that husband, on that child, on that co-worker/supervisor, HE’S WORKING ON US & HE’S MOVING ON OUR BEHALF. THINGS ARE WORKING IN OUR FAVOR for HIS PURPOSE. All he wants us to do is get out of His Way, remain in His Will & OBEY HIS INSTRUCTIONS.