In the Middle of it...

Judges 7:19

So Gideon, and the hundred men that were with him, came unto the outside of the camp in the beginning of the middle watch; and they had but newly set the watch: and they blew the trumpets, and brake the pitchers that were in their hands.

Being haught between two opinions is a middle position. The process of making a decision to go left or right is the middle of a defining moment. When all else fails, read the instructions. So often the greatest decisions we have to make we don't want to make by ourselves. And even more frequently than that is the actual number of choices we will have to make alone. Ironically, it is this time seemingly everybody's voice is louder than God's, if in fact he is speaking at all.

*Notice the hundred men with Gideon were really with him. What does that mean? Gideon couldn't do what he had to do until he had been freed from the "dead weight" out of approximately 32,000 only 100 were "good" for him...that's like 0.01% of his help, isn't it?

From today's verse notice particularly the timing of the move of God. The stroke of favor was at the middle watch. Between watches or "shifts"; at the beginning of the second watch. The enemy would love nothing more than to take you out right at the point of coming into who you really are in God. It's the first watch of life that we go through self-discovery and the acknowledgement of who God is. We don't even approach the second (or middle) watch of life until we've consciously decided or have stated our readiness. That means some die without attempting or approaching maturity...just stay in the first until they die. What you say?

Remember that though the adversary is busy God is busier. So depending on what side of the fence you're standing on the perspective can be fatal or vital. The trumpets sounding for Gideon's men was that of victory. To the Midianites (also known as the Ishmaelites*) it was probably the most cacophonous sound they'd ever heard. The sound of the breaking pitchers meant for Israel the bands of bondage were loosed and the threat of losing was nullified. To the sons of Ishmael, it meant doom.

From the Father's viewpoint, your middle ground is your grand opportunity to see Him. This place of indecision happens to be the crossroads to destiny. Left or right? Forward or backward? Up or down? In or out? Go or stay? To be or not to be? These are the questions... We all come here, how you leave is up to you.

Be Blessed!
Samu-el

Ready for the Reset...

Stepping out into the unfamilar can be challenging even for the most faith-filled. Being stedfast and confidently fixed to what you KNOW you've been called to can only come as a result of absolute resolve. That doesn't mean it's going to be easy. Listen, God never asks us to do anything easy except taking on more of Him and learning of Him. His yoke is easy and burden is light. In other words, hit the reset button! The hardest part about achieving supernatural abundance in this life is denying ourselves and totally trusting in the God we cannot see.

This year has already proven to be different than most. God is working in unsual ways. He is doing a new thing. He's requiring new thought. Take on the mind of Christ. Because as He is, so are we in this world (1 John 4:17b). Is Christ toiling with the storm and the waves? No! He's speaking to the wind. Is Christ wavering in confusion about whether He's the Father's choice? No! He's saying for this cause came I into the world... Hit the reset button! 

Being resolute gets easier the more its done. I'm learning that the more I believe what I say, the more of the right stuff I'm saying... Yes, I'm guilty of having subscribed to all the good churchy/religious cliches we hear on a regular basis myself. You know... the "trust God even when you can't trace Him" feel good thingees Christians say. But, it's not until the reality of the rubber meeting the road that we either produce or retreat. Actually trusting God when you can't trace Him is given life when it becomes an action item. Hit the reset button and try saying it again in faith...

It's a new year! Be encouraged to pursue after your purpose with a greater determination than ever. In this GRACE year God is establishing His people. Kingdom authority is excercised and proportionately fortified in the earth every time a believer resists the temptation to quit. Promotion comes not from the east, the west, nor the south, but from God above. Walk in purpose. Live your passion. Dare to dream, but by all means, refuse to stay asleep!

But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.  - 1 Peter 5:10

Godspeed!
Samu-el

Christmas 2011

Remember to keep Christ in Christmas. Jesus is the reason for the season...

From my family to yours - Merry Christmas and a very joyous and prosperous New Year!!!

Be Blessed!
Samu-el

The Words We Speak...

In life, I have learned that saying what I mean has not proven to be nearly as challenging as meaning what I say… I’ve discovered over the years that “say what you mean and mean what you say” has greater validity than most people have ascribed to it, including myself. Coming to the light didn’t happen on my own. In fact, had someBODY pointed it out to me it is not very likely that it would have been received in love. BUT God in His awesomeness allowed the mirror of truth to be perfectly positioned before me right at the perfect time! You know what they say.... mirrors don’t lie…

Taking careful consideration of just how powerful integrity is and the volumes that genuine godly character speaks has become a heralding anthem in the life of this Man of God even louder now than ever before…

More gravely understanding now that what we say matters! Especially when others’ faith in the God we testify of is potentially increased or decreased by the balance or lack thereof. Here’s a biblical example… Mark 9:24 "And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief." Here’s a man who had enough faith to take his son to Jesus simply because he heard the word that Jesus could help them. When he got to the place where he heard Jesus was supposed to be, he found only Jesus’ disciples there. Being determined to reap the reward of faith he presented his case to them. After a hearty but failed attempt those disciples were unable to help the man and his son. Why? Jesus explains to them privately when they were in the house that words alone aren’t enough. It takes a disciplined and spiritual life backing natural words to empower them to the supernatural.

And he said unto them, This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting. Our Master who always leads by example basically says to them, in essence, “do what you see me do”.

What if Jesus hadn’t shown up at the time that He did? No doubt that man would have walked away with not much more than that same disbelief that Jesus not only helped but erased. And because of His love for His disciples Jesus did not allow them to continue in the state they were in either. Jesus helped them! After all, they would not many more days have Jesus to be physically available to rescue them like He did that day. He even left on record instructions for us to be able to follow today... And they still work!

In meditation or quiet time compare how Jesus talked and taught His disciples to talk to how you talk and how those in your immediate circle talk...

Until next time... Be blessed!

Godspeed!
Samu-el

Untapped Strength

Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong. 2 Cor. 12:10


In times when seemingly the next straw will be the very one to break the proverbial camel’s back… God will supernaturally cause the ability, strength and grace to stand to appear! Untapped strength is our great defense. See, it’s really our “weakness”. Through our weakness is when God’s strength made perfect! Untapped strength is human weakness. Untapped strength is God’s occasion to reveal Himself in the midst of the situation. It is the conduit through which circumstances change, advantage shifts and victory is wrought.

Listen beloved, accomplishment is potential that has materialized… To tap strength one must scratch weakness.

Be Blessed!
Samu-el

Shiloh COGIC - Thank Your Way Through (close pt1)

No Sweat!

Isaiah 43:1-2

But now thus saith the LORD that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine.

When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.

                                                                      
The natural phenomenon of sweating is that contrary to how we feel when we are doing it, its actual purpose is to cool the body (internally). When our body temperature increases a healthy body reverts to sweating to regain its normal temperature, which is 98.6 degrees. If our temperature never increases above “normal” it’s not very likely that we would ever sweat!

Somehow it’s easier not to get bent out of shape about things or overheated over things when we have the upper hand…when we have all (or most) of the details…when we can maintain control. But, what if you knew that there won’t ever be a situation that confronts you that is guaranteed to defeat you? I mean, if you really knew with absolute certainty that whatever you endeavored to do would not fail, what is it that you would not attempt? You would probably stay cool most of the time…

The promises of God are sure! Being His…belonging to the Father has real privileges and benefits. Being covered by God is protection, inclusion and provision greater than our very skin…

Be blessed!
Samu-el