A Warrior’s Sword: 10 Strategies To Build Hope And Stand Strong In The Midst Of A Battle 16756

A WARRIOR’S

SWORD

10 STRATEGIES TO BUILD HOPE AND STAND STRONG IN THE MIDST OF A BATTLE

WALDA COLLINS

Copyright © 2019 Walda Collins.

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ISBN: 978-1-9736-7578-5 (sc) ISBN: 978-1-9736-7574-7 (hc) ISBN: 978-1-9736-7573-0 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2019914831

WestBow Press rev. date: 12/16/2019

Unless marked otherwise, all Scripture quotations are taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

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CONTENTS

Introduction

CHAPTER ONE The Plan

CHAPTER TWO Adjust Your Lens: Focusing on the Promises of God

CHAPTER THREE The Distraction

(Strategy #1 - Know Your Enemies)

CHAPTER FOUR The Deception

(Strategy #2 - Renew Your Mind)

CHAPTER FIVE The Destruction

(Strategy #3 - Fight A Good Fight)

CHAPTER SIX A Warrior’s Expectancy

(Strategy #4 - Renew Your Strength)

CHAPTER SEVEN Relentless Pursuit

(Strategy #5 - Never Give Up)

CHAPTER EIGHT Assume the Position

(Strategy #6 - Expect The Unexpected)

CHAPTER NINE

Stand Your Ground

(Strategy #7 - Refuse To Be Intimidated)

CHAPTER TEN Winning The War

(Strategy #8 - Dress For Battle)

CHAPTER ELEVEN Love Your Enemies

(Strategy #9 - Practice Forgiveness)

CHAPTER TWELVE The Debrief

(Strategy #10 - Wait With Expectation)

To my battle buddies and the strongest warriors I know:

My Grandmother, Climmie Benson

My Mother, Frankie Benson Hector,

To my closest brother in arms, my husband Dr. Keith G. Collins, Sr. and to my sons Zach & Keith, Jr.

I pray I can wield my sword and be a vessel of hope and blessings to you and all who cross my path.

INTRODUCTION

I truly believe God wants us to live an abundant life; a life filled with an expectation that He will do just what He said. We are in a time when our expectations don’t coincide with our reality. We are presented with many daunting situations and curve balls in life. The world has become a place where our minds are dominated by the media, careers, alternative lifestyles and the expectations of man himself. But I dare to differ. I’ve written this book to motivate you and stimulate your mind to relent less and expect more. Don’t walk, run in pursuit of your expectations. We all have expectations. We all have a desire to do more, be more and live better. We know that if we are living and breathing, we still have purpose…Well if you didn’t know, now you know. Far too long and far too many people ponder their purpose. Millions of books have been written about your purpose: how to find it, the path to it, what it is. This book is not about purpose; it’s about power. It’s about the power of prayer. It’s time for you to rise up in power and tap into all the things God has made available to you. He has given you the power of the Holy Spirit and complete access to Himself. He has given you the weapon to defeat your enemy. The reality is that there is an enemy who is roaming to and fro about the earth seeking whoever will allow him a foot in the door. If given the slightest opportunity, he will find a way to wreak havoc in your life through lies, deception, fear and doubt. His total mission is to deny you access. The enemy wants to destroy your walk with God. He wants to disrupt your journey and render your destiny useless, by any means necessary. I want you to know you are not powerless against the enemy. When you know your strength, when you possess your power, when you have the expectancy to win, you will. Winning doesn’t just happen. You have to possess a winning state of mind. You must have hope. You must have a dogged determination for God’s glory to manifest in all areas of your life. It’s not enough to just think about defeating your giants. Good ideas are just that, good. Knowing what to do is vital, but that will only get you so far. There has to be a plan. The plan must be strategic,

detailed and well thought out. Then you must take action. This is called execution. As a twenty-three-year Marine Corps veteran, I have seen war. I know there is a real enemy who wants to impose his will upon you. As your opponent, he desires to sift you, deter you and do nothing less than, to destroy you. The enemy has waged war in your home, your marriage, against your family, on your job, in your health, your finances, your ministry, your mind and even in our nation… and now you must fight for what rightfully belongs to you. ‘Don’t be afraid or discouraged, for the battle is not yours, but God’s.’ (2 Chronicle 20:15 NIV) But you must, ‘Fight the good fight of faith…’ (1 Timothy 6:12 NKJV). You have every right to stand strong for what God has deemed yours. And you are going to have to fight for it. Take back what the enemy has stolen. Jacob reminds us in Genesis 32:26 NKJV, ‘I will not let you go until you bless me.’ Hold on to the promises of God, which are “Yes” and “Amen.” You have untapped power, gifts and abilities waiting to be unleashed. When your prayers are fervent they build your expectancy. When you pray intentionally, your expectations rise. When you pray strategically your confidence is boosted, knowing that God hears, He answers and the enemy is already defeated. Get ready! This book gives you tools and strategies to help you pray more effectively. Get Set! Take a dive into and live out the plan that wields power over the enemy. Let’s Pray! I pray that you experience the shift that is taking place as you develop a powerful prayer life. When the enemy comes… and he will, I want you to be ready. I want you to be able to recognize him and his deceitful tactics. I want you to be prepared to engage in battle; and through the power of the Holy Spirit, you will come out victorious. Be Bold! Be Courageous! Be Intentional! Be Strategic! I am reminded of this scripture:

According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body. (Philippians 1:20 NKJV)

CHAPTER ONE The Plan

God is faithful and He is just. He desires that we live this life in the knowledge and truth of who He is. When God formed the very foundation of the earth, He had a plan! And no matter what, the plan and purpose of our Lord will be fulfilled. In His sovereignty, God has predestined every detail of what’s coming. In this chapter, a new believer should have a better understanding of God’s plan for His kingdom and His plan for their life. God’s purpose allows the believer to live a life empowered for His kingdom agenda. This is the most powerful thing you can ever achieve.

The Faithfulness of God

“For I know the plans I have for you,”

declares the Lord, “plans to prosper

and not to harm you, plans to give

you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11 NKJV

Now may the God of peace who brought

up our Lord Jesus from the dead, that

Great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with

everything good for doing His will, and may He

work in us what is pleasing to Him, through Christ…

Hebrews 13:20-21 NKJV

The Lord is faithful, who will establish you and

guard you from the evil one.

2 Thessalonians 3:3 NKJV

~The Master’s Plan

There is a plan for your life. Yes, your life! Before you were ever formed in your mother’s womb, God already knew His plan for you. If you have discovered God’s plan for your life, congratulations! I know that’s a wonderful feeling. To

live out God’s plan is the most powerful thing you can ever achieve. But I encourage you to keep reading and discover more of God’s desire for your success in life. Jeremiah 29:11 (NKJV) tells us that God has a plan. This is a scripture of hope. Although you may be going through a tough time, God’s word says, “I know the plans I have for you.” No matter what state or condition you are in, God has a purpose for you. There is an expected outcome for you to be prosperous. This is the basis of your hope and your future. I believe this is simple, but yet, it’s conditional. We cannot know the plans of God if we don’t know God. God does not reveal Himself to those who don’t know Him. So I’m going to put a pen right here and ask you to come into the saving knowledge of our Lord. Pray this prayer with me:

Dear Lord,

I come to You in humility and ask that You

take my sin away that I may have right standing with you.

I accept Your Son Jesus as my Lord and Savior, and I turn away from

my past life to a life renewed in You.

I confess with my mouth and believe in my heart

that Jesus died and rose again that I may be saved.

Thank You for the gift of salvation. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

As you prayed this prayer, you are now on the path to God’s plan and His purpose. Through this prayer, I am continuously reminded of my salvation and what Jesus did for me at the cross. You may be a newcomer or a seasoned veteran in Christ, but let us never forget whence we came. The crux of our relationship with God begins with salvation. Through His saving grace, He wants to reveal Himself. There are no secrets in God. As your prayer life develops, you’ll learn more and more of who He is. In this growth process listening is essential. Listen to what the Spirit of God is saying to you. There within lies a plan. In my prayer time, I like to write. I’ve learned to sit and listen for what God has to say. Oh, did you know Prayer is a two-way communication? Prayer is not just for you to spew your thoughts, problems, dreams and irations at God. What about what He wants to speak to you? This is your time to get to know the Father. God’s desire should be our heart’s desire. He has much on His heart and He desires that we pause and listen. Our focus should be on God rather than our lives. When our hearts are attuned to God, and He is our focus, He reveals more of Himself and His desire to us. When we seek His kingdom first and those things that are right, then all other things will be given to us. That’s conditional. The prerequisite here is that we must seek God first. I began to journal what the Holy Spirit was saying to me. This isn’t an audible voice. It’s what I hear down on the inside. But in order to get to that internal place, that means I had to shut up and listen. I don’t mean to sound harsh here, but there’s always a ‘but’, an ‘and’ or a ‘what if’ when it comes to listening to God. God desires that we have a love relationship with Him. He wants us to communicate with Him. However, we must be still long enough to hear. God has something to say. But if you’re too busy doing all the talking and making your requests, you’ll miss the important things. If you’re in a hurry because life awaits, you’ll miss Him. Adding this component [listening] during my prayer

time helped me to clearly hear God speak. After all, He is the One with the master plan for our lives.

“Be still and know (recognize, acknowledge) that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations! I will be exalted in the earth. Psalm 46:10 AMP

For many years, I was seeking clarity and focus for my life. It wasn’t until I got still and allowed God to speak, rather than do all the talking, that I could hear what God had to say. And boy did He have lots to say! It’s not until you develop this pattern of listening that you can know the good and perfect plan of God. If you are in a place where you’re unsure of what God’s plan is for your life, don’t fret. Rest assured in knowing He cares and wants to fulfill His plan in you. He has a purpose for your life. But know this, if God had a plan, what makes us think we can wander aimlessly without one? We must all be planners of our lives guided by the Master Planner!

~The Master’s Purpose

The world is full of people in search of their purpose. You too may be included in the hundreds of thousands of people in hot pursuit of a sense of accomplishment. If you’re feeling stuck, unfulfilled, overworked and overwhelmed, perhaps you’re pursuing what the world can’t give you. Knowing God’s purpose for your life requires something from you. Getting clear and focused requires an adjustment on your part. You have to be willing to give up some things, take on some things, and change some things. You must be willing to God where He is at work. First of all pray and ask God to show you what His desire is for you. You’ll have to adjust your lens. View with a spiritual insight. As you fix your sight on God,

He will show you just what He wants to accomplish through you. There will be circumstances that blind you, causing your vision to fail. You see, life is a continuous battle and you can sometimes be blinded by the fog of war. Life is like a war zone. Take a good look at what’s going on around you. Every day we see a battle. A battle in our relationships. Families are being destroyed daily. Our children are provoked with bullying, disruptive activity in social media and gender identity crisis. Our health is being ravaged by genetically modified food substances causing cancer and other degenerative issues. Our schools are brandished with shootings. Our government is divided by disagreement over laws and policies. Where do I fit amongst all this chaos, you may ask, God will show you how you are to make a difference.

You are purposefully mastered by God, your Creator.

Search the Word of God. In every situation, God has a purpose. When God created you, He knew just how he wanted you to function in the earth. We miss Him when we want to follow our own plans. We miss Him when we are in search of our own purpose rather than His purpose for us. It may feel awkward. It may not happen the way you think it should. But God’s ways are not like man’s. He doesn’t think the way man thinks. God is a God of impeccable order. He knows just what you need, when you need it. He knows what’s best for you. Your situation may look bleak. Yet, we are commanded to be encouraged. Your business may not be thriving, but God is with you, you will not fail. You may feel tired, weary and worn out, but the Lord is your strength and your shield! All you have to do is trust Him. Trust makes us feel vulnerable. When we are vulnerable we lack control and become impulsive. God has allowed you to experience every situation you have gone through. In fact, it was purposed just for you. His plan is neither to hurt you nor to harm you. His plan is to prosper you, to grow you. Growth is necessary in order to fulfill God’s purpose for you. Just know, what the enemy meant for your harm, God is working it out for your good. Trust Him.

~Trust The Process

When King David was just a mere shepherd boy, God already knew he was going to be a king. He already had a plan for David. I’m sure David had no clue he would be a king, because if he did, like so many of us, he would have abandoned his post in the pasture, to rush to his throne. I guarantee those sheep wouldn’t have gotten the attention they needed. You know how we do. Well, not you, but maybe someone you know… When we learn we are getting a promotion or have been called to do something else, called to take a new position, called into ministry, etc., the first thing we are inclined to do is stop what we’re currently doing to go do this other thing. No! Don’t stop what you’re doing. Continue where you are until the appointed time. You may know in your heart that this season in your life is coming to an end and you’re moving into something greater. My advice to you is not to despise small beginnings. When you are faithful over the smaller things, then you can be promoted to something bigger. Whether you’re tending sheep, scrubbing toilets or working in the White House, acknowledge where you are, but know God has more. In the meantime, trust the process. God’s plans and purposes have a process. We have to trust that He will lead us and guide us in the way we should go, even when it looks grim and discouraging. The truth of the matter is, we all have to start somewhere. Start where you are! Stay in the season until it’s time for a change. In due time, your change will come. You’ll know your season is changing because there will be an overwhelming propensity to change directions. The atmosphere shifts. Your expectations excel and doors open that no man can shut. Don’t be afraid when the opportunity presents itself. Just be prepared to walk through the door. Preparation is key. Preparation is the part most people skip during the process. Before God allows us to be promoted to a higher position, He knows we must be prepared to receive it. Without proper preparation, we have the tendency to fail. When David was anointed to be king, he still went back to tending sheep until a set time. He didn’t hang up his staff and sit back with the attitude of “I’m about to be king.” He didn’t put the sheep out to pasture and beckon his brothers to

tend them for him. He still had work to do. He kept shepherding until he was called. When your season has come, you will be called out:

Then Saul sent messengers to Jesse and said,

“send me your son David who is with the sheep.”

1 Samuel 16: 19 NKJV

David went from being a shepherd to a harp player. He went from a harp player to giant slayer. Understand that everything is in God’s timing. You don’t have to fight for a position; God positions you. You don’t have to rush the process, God’s in control. It takes time and preparation. What you may consider a blessing may be out of alignment with God. A blessing too soon may become a curse because you obtained it out of season. You may want that new job, a new car, a husband, a bank running over, but if that’s not God’s plan for you, it may not work out. God’s plans are simple. He doesn’t ask us to do anything that will discourage us nor keep us from moving into our greatness. Yet, he won’t give us more than we can handle. The heart of God wants to bless you. As we delight ourselves in Him, acknowledge Him in all things, He will grant us the desires of our heart. So if you find yourself still waiting, wanting and wishing, you may need to ask, “Lord, am I prepared for what I am asking you for?” “What steps do I need to take?” “What changes do I need to make?” Preparation is essential, but it requires discipline. Preparation is part of the process. How can you properly receive anything if you haven’t adequately prepared yourself for it? And just how do you prepare to receive God’s plan for your life? You’ve got to be willing to put in the work. Expect to go the extra mile. It’s called endurance.

I’ve heard of many people who have won the lottery. I don’t know anyone personally, but I’ve heard of many. They’ve won thousands, and even millions and still end up broke. How that happens, I don’t know. But if I ever win the lotto, I pray I am prepared to handle it. But as they say, “you’ve gotta play to win.” I love this famous quote from Benjamin Franklin:

“By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.”

This is a lesson my husband Keith and I often taught our sons. These are wise words for anyone seeking the plan for their life and seeking to make something of their lives. Failing to prepare leaves us open and vulnerable. It simply means we lack the vision and focus to position ourselves for what’s coming…our future. We all want what’s best for our children, our families, and our own lives. God wants us to live an abundant life. No one has to teach us to want what is good. It’s our nature. It’s how God wired us. But, just because we want “it” doesn’t mean we are prepared to receive “it.” I often hear people speak of waiting on their breakthrough. How long have you been waiting? Weeks. Months. Maybe even years. Unfortunately, the breakthrough hasn’t come through for the mere fact that you aren’t prepared. You have not put in the necessary work required, or you haven’t remained consistent. My brother said one of the most profound things I’ve ever heard him say, “Everyone wants to get in the wagon, but no one wants to help build it.” Now tell me if that isn’t something to think about. With preparation comes discipline, hard work, and growth. You can’t just get in the wagon and expect a free ride when you didn’t take the time to help build it. Preparation is the building block for the next step. It’s the proving ground. The homework. And with it comes some pain points, stressful days and sleepless nights. All of which are uncomfortable. With preparation there is some unfamiliar territory. It’s those strange and uncharted waters that cause us to want to abort the plan of God and return to what we know… comfort. It’s not until you grow comfortable with the uncomfortable that you’ll see the plan begin to unfold. It’s not until you disassociate with those things that are familiar and

associate with the unfamiliar that you regulate familiarity. Balancing out the old with the new is all a part of the process. Being comfortable is the most crippling entity in our growth process. We must be prepared to be uncomfortable. Everything of God isn’t handed to us with ease. God will take you through the field of unfamiliarity, an uncommon place, because He wants to do an uncommon thing through you.

~Building A Relationship

We must cultivate the discipline of building a relationship with God.

The next step in understanding God’s purpose is being in relationship with him. I can a time when I was listening as I asked God for some next steps, and I could hear in my spirit, that I needed to spend time with Him. It was the most eye opening, Aha moment! I felt embarrassed that God checked me for not spending time with Him. It wasn’t to condemn me, but God has a very sweet and gentle Spirit that quickens us to get our attention. I was quickly convicted that something needed to change. God was requiring more from me. If I wanted more from God…more knowledge, more wisdom, more understanding…I needed to spend more time with Him and in His Word. This is how we build a relationship. Don’t get me wrong, God is not some genie in a bottle, we rub it and “poof,” magical things happen. The primary reason for our relationship with God is to know Him and be known by Him. times when you wanted to get to know a guy or girl before you made any type of commitment? You wanted to get to know them first. You couldn’t just make demands or requests without knowing who they were. God is the same way. We can’t ‘not know’ who He is and expect Him to reveal His plans to us. This is where in our prayer time, we go to God, we pray and we listen. Here are

some questions to ponder in prayer:

Lord, what is the next step?

o In my marriage o In my career o For my children o For my family o For my finances

But know this, you have already been equipped with everything you need, if only you would trust and obey Him. You see, the plan isn’t hard at all. God’s purposes are not difficult. First, listen to what the Spirit is saying. Then, prepare your heart for what you have heard. You will oftentimes have to write it down so you can go back to it. I’m reminded of a very precious scripture, Psalms 37:4-5 (NKJV), which says, Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord, trust also in Him, and He shall bring it to . This really helps us to prepare ourselves for God’s design. When we delight ourselves, this isn’t about getting on God’s good side so we can get what we want from him. It’s more about aligning ourselves with God so that His will is fulfilled in us. Entrusting our lives to the Lord yields to the fact that His way is always better than our own. No matter where you are in life, it’s never too late for God to fulfill His plan in you. It doesn’t matter if you’re twenty-one or ninety-one, God can and will finish what He purposed in you. Just ask Sarah, Abraham’s wife. We’ve all heard the story of how Sarai, who became Sarah; bore a child at ninety

years old. With all the odds of science being defied, Sarah was at the end of her childbearing road. Biologically, her clock had stopped ticking a long time ago. In fact, she laughed at the idea of bearing a child at her age. Yet, this is how God magnanimously works. Just when it seems like we’re at the end of our rope, when it seems there’s nothing that can be done to fix what’s been broken, when it seems like everything is dried up and shut down, God can open up a barren womb and cause it to conceive. He can call you out from herding sheep to pronouncing you as king. It’s never too late for God. Surely, He has a plan just for you. The reason you have had such a struggle with knowing God’s plan and purpose for your life is because the enemy doesn’t want you to know what it is. Yes, that rascal of a Devil is continuously trying to thwart the plans of God. But we must declare the plans, purpose and promises of God. We must know that we are equipped and prepared to accomplish the plans God has for us. Take note, Satan is the father of lies and he wants us to believe him rather than what God says. He’s the one jumping up and down making lots of noise, causing chaos and clouding your judgment. All the while, God’s still voice has a subtle, tender whisper and a gentle nudge. It’s easy to believe when your breakthrough hasn’t manifested, ‘God must not have intended that for me.’ Well I’m here to tell you that God loves you and through His faithfulness, He wants nothing more than to bless you with His plan for your life. He has created a plan specifically for you. No one can take it from you. No one can cause it to fail. It was designed just for you. No one can be “you” better than you. The Master has created the master plan. Designed, detailed, delegated, and laid out and ready for you to execute. But if you want to know what lies in the details, you’ve got to tap into the Master Planner. God’s plan is divine and His agenda is a kingdom agenda. We are not here to focus on ourselves. His plan is not just for us to live with a bunch of material stuff and things. There’s a whole world that awaits our divine presence. Each one of us has a place in the grand scheme of things. When we listen, we can hear and align ourselves with our calling.

~Communing With God

Prayer is the staple in our communication with God.

Our utmost desire when we pray is to hear from God. There is no wrong way to commune with God when your heart is sincere and your motives are in the purest form. As you develop your prayer life, God reveals his plan to you. How do you come to know God’s plan? Here are a few simple ways:

Spend time with God Seek God’s will Read and apply God’s word Be still and listen Examine your situations

Surely when we are in tune to God’s Spirit we are less focused on what the Devil is doing. Offering your time and will to God allows Him the opportunity to shape your life into what He truly intended it to be. We give the Devil way too much credit. He is the master deceiver, but God is the master planner. Satan has already been defeated at the cross and rendered powerless. A relationship with God, our Father, grants us the authority to come boldly to the throne of grace. We can come with confidence knowing He can empathize with our weaknesses. We can come to the throne in spite of how we feel because we are children of God. That which we ask of God, we must believe and not doubt. We must ask in faith. We must act in faith. Mark 11:24 NKJV says, Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. What an amazingly encouraging scripture! To know you can go to

God and whatever you ask in prayer, it’s yours. There is a condition though. The condition is this: You have to believe. So here’s the deal. In the pages to follow, I want you to begin to establish a relationship with God. If you already have one, that’s great. Let’s go deeper! This book is not about purpose it’s about power. It’s about the power of prayer. It’s not about teaching you how to pray…but to actually inspire you to pray. I want you to write a prayer…yep, right here. Ask God a few simple things pertaining to His plans for your future, your marriage, your children, your career, your business, or your ministry. Ask Him to show you what His plan is for your next step. Clear your space. Turn off your cell phone and let’s pray. Take a breath. Breathe in. Breathe out. Take another. And one more… Quiet your mind, not thinking of what you have to do next, but focus on being here and now. Focus on being present. Focus on connecting with God.

PREPARATION

• Make time for God • Spend time with Him • Identify your gift and talents and ask God to show you how He intends to use them

IMPLEMENTATION

Write out your prayer. When we think of how we communicate with God through prayer, here’s a simple way: A.C.T.S.

A=Acknowledging God as Creator through words of praise 1 Chronicles 29:1013

C=Confessing our own weakness and sinful ways Psalm 51

T=Thanking God for his mercy and grace towards us- 1 Thessalonians 5:18

S=Supplication is asking for what we need, Intercession is asking for what others may need 1 John 5:14; Philippians1:9-11

EXECUTION

Read it out loud (softly) and then just be still and listen. Hear what the Spirit is saying and write it down. It’s okay if you don’t hear anything the first time. But continue. It’s alright if there’s no audible voice. Listen inwardly.

Battle Ready

CHAPTER TWO Adjust Your Lens: Focusing on the Promises of God

For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen,

unto the glory of God by us. 2 Corinthians 1:20 NKJV

So I say to you, ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find;

knock and it will be opened to you. John 11:9 NIV

If you abide in me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you

wish and it shall be done for you. John 15:7-8 NIV

~ Focusing on God

There is a very real enemy who wants nothing more than to destroy you and thwart the plans of God. His sure mission is to have you in disbelief of who God is and His promises to you. Through His faithfulness, God will fulfill all His promises. Do you know how to find all the things God has promised? They’re in

His word. There are over 5000 promises of God in the bible. Though the enemy has a plan to trick you, deceive you and cause you to doubt, God has a promise! In His promise there is the assurance of a victorious life and triumph over the enemy. That which God has promised you, can only be produced by you. For far too long, you have allowed the enemy to come in and take what belongs to you. He’s diluted your dreams. Messed with your mind. Finagled your family. Stolen your identity and postponed your kingdom purpose.

Place your focus on God and the promises of God.

Who is God, that He would make promises to us? He is an unchanging, everlasting God. He is not human; therefore He cannot lie. When He makes a promise, it will not be revoked. He is a God that wants a very real and personal relationship with you. But you have to see God for who He is. The knowledge of who God is allows you to enter into something real and personal. When your lens is adjusted and your view changes, you see Christ in all His glorious truth. To know God is to love Him. And I love how He has revealed who He is through His word. I often think of the many Names of God when I think about who He is. And if you’ve ever been in a situation and cried out to God in that situation, He is present. He reveals himself in whatever it is you’re going through, because He is Yahweh, the self-existent One. He is the God who was, who is, and is to come. He is Jehovah.

These names of God help us to know and understand who he is:

~ God is…

El Chuwl: The One Who Gave You Birth

“But now, thus says the Lord, who created you, O’Jacob

and He who formed you, O’ Israel: “Fear not, for I have

redeemed you; I have called you by name, You are Mine!

When you through the waters, I will be with you; and

through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you

walk through the fire, you will not be burned, nor shall

the flame scorch you. For I am the Lord your God,

The Holy One of Israel, your Savior… Isaiah 43:1-3b NKJV

God created you, then he saved you, surely He will take good care of you.

Abba Father: The Father of Fathers

And because you [really] are [His] sons [and daughters], God has sent

The Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying out, “Abba! Father!”

Galatians 4:6 AMP

He is a Father to the fatherless. The word Abba means daddy. He is your Daddy and this is an intimate relationship with God.

El Deah: The God of Knowledge

For the Lord is the God of knowledge…For who has

known the mind of the Lord? Or who has become His counselor?

1 Samuel 2:3; Romans 11:34 NKJV

God is an omniscient God. He knows everything!

He knows you and every hair on your head.

El Roi: The God Who Sees

Behold, the eye of the Lord is on those who fear Him [and worship Him

with awe-inspired reverence and obedience]; on those

who hope [confidently] in His comion and loving kindness.

My friend, God sees everything you’re going through. Even as you’re reading this age right now, He can see you and He knows your heart.

There is a great illustration of who God is and how He responds when our hearts are sincere towards Him. In Genesis 16:13 there is a woman named Hagar who was Sarah’s handmaiden. Sarah was barren so she and Abraham chose this woman to bring forth what they thought would be the “promised child.” When Hagar conceived, things got bitter between her and Sarah, so she fled. Yet an Angel of the Lord came to her and told her to return to Sarah, her mistress. There are times when we end up in wrong situations, based on our own choices. That doesn’t mean life is over. That doesn’t mean it’s the end of the world. In her wilderness moment, Hagar called on the name of the Lord. You may be in a difficult relationship. Life is not over! You may be lost in an addiction. It’s not the end! You may have some unpleasing habits. God’s not through with you! In your wilderness moment, you may be about to birth an Ishmael, you may be carrying something conceived out of context; but you can call on the name of the Lord, for He is El Roi, the God who sees what you’re going through; El Deah, the God who knows your struggle, Abba Father, Daddy dearest; El Chuwl, the God who gave you life.

He is El Shaddai, God Almighty. He is Elohim, the Creator of heaven and earth. He is the Great Jehovah.

Jehovah Rapha: The Lord who heals

Jehovah Jireh: The Lord who provides

Jehovah Nissi: Our Banner, our covering. The One who is raised high

Jehovah Shalom: The God of peace

The names of the Lord allow us to see Him in a more personal way. By knowing who God is helps us to trust and believe in His promises. God’s promises give us an assurance that we are not alone. God’s promises enable us to take our minds off of our problems and focus on Him.

~The Promises of God

It’s time for you to focus on the things of God and what He has promised you. One of the greatest promises He has made is the promise of eternal life. But the problem is you can’t see eternity because you’ve been blinded by ephemerality, the right here and now. Our circumstances and situations cause us not to see, as we should. It’s time to

adjust your lens. Regardless of what your current situation looks like, you have a supernatural promise that is waiting to manifest. Those dreams, visions and prophetic words that have been spoken over you are supernatural encounters with God that won’t go unfulfilled. It doesn’t matter if the dog has runaway or your child has gone astray. It’s doesn’t matter if they failed to promote you on your job, talked behind your back or if your bank is on zero. God has the final say. The Apostle Paul reminds us that it’s not over until it’s over. In Philippians 1:6 NKJV, Paul says, “I am convinced and confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect and complete it until the day of Christ Jesus.” That means God is not through with you yet. That means there’s still work to be done. As long as you have breath in your lungs and the ability, to move, think and breathe, God is not through with you. There will be times in your life when it seems God is not there. You may feel as though everyone has abandoned you and you’re on an island by yourself. That is God consecrating you; setting you apart. When it seems like no one understands you and doesn’t even care to, that’s God’s way of drawing you to Him, ‘so that at the sound of your cry, when He hears it, He will answer you.’

Faith to believe what God has promised requires focus.

The enemy’s trick is to isolate you and make you believe God has left you. He wants you to feel inaccessible and alone. Keep your focus on God and on the promise that ‘He will never leave you nor forsake you.’ In this period of desolation, it is not the time to seek out new friends, get into the latest trends or find a new hobby. No, this is the time to stay focused. At the very age of 12 years old, Jesus was focused. His personal expression of living a focused life was being about His Father’s business. He sat in the midst of teachers. He listened, asked questions and even imparted to them those things He knew. In order to understand the promises of God, we must be in a position to receive God’s promises. They are available to us, but as believers, we must receive

them. One thing we must understand is how to receive what God has for us. He doesn’t just hand things out; we must go get them. This is done through our faith. When we turn our hearts toward God and receive Him into our lives, He gives us a divine authority. We become privileged to access the things of God. Through our perseverance and obedience God’s promises are ours. They belong to us. But know that God’s promises are conditional. When we do our part, we can have an expectancy that God is going to do His part and fulfill His promises to us as believers: the promise of eternal life, peace, healing, and deliverance.

I encourage you to get in the midst of where promises are dispensed… in the presence of God.

This is not a magic time machine where “poof,” the promises start falling from the sky. There is a place and a posture that you must assume. You are being called. You are being raised up, for such a time as this. Your time is now. What are you waiting for? God is calling you to something greater. He’s calling you out from where you are. Hold on to His promise! Healing is taking place in your body. Peace is entering your mind. You are being delivered from all that is troubling you. God’s manifested promise is upon you. It’s your season of promise!

~The Seasons of Promise

For everything there is a time and a season. You may be desolate, alone and wandering in a drought devastated wilderness. You’re spiritually dry and thirsty. You’re feeling deprived and dehydrated. Everything has dried up. The grass has withered and the flowers have faded. You may be set in a place that is unfamiliar to you. What do you do? No one knows you. Even your family is not adept in

knowing who you are or what you’re going through. What do you do? Your prayers seem to be hitting the ceiling and not piercing through. God, where are you? Hold on, I tell you. Stay focused on the promise! Listen for the still whisper. Do you hear it? Listen closer! Whenever there is a move of God, it’s preceded by a sound. Though you may feel you are alone in your walk, you absolutely are not. Just because you’re in a dry place, you’re never alone. Keep your eyes and ears open, even when your marriage is dried up. When your bank is all dried up. When your relationships are all dried up. When your career is all dried up…there is a sound. When you’re parched and spiritually dehydrated, keep listening for the sound. I say to you as Elijah told Ahab, Go up, eat and drink… you’re going to need strength for this journey. Get ready for the shift! Something is about to happen and you need to be prepared!!! You need nourishment. You need stamina and endurance. Although the drought is almost over there are still some things you must do. You’ve got to persevere!! “Go up, eat and drink, for there is the sound of the abundance of rain.’” 1 Kings 18:41 NKJV Your season is about to shift! Things are about to change. Get ready for the rain! Elijah sent his servant to go back and look for the rain seven times. In the meantime, he told Ahab, to get ready. Some of us would have given up on the first or second time. But in his persistency, on the seventh time, there was a teeny tiny sign. Nevertheless it was a sign that the drought was about to end. Don’t get discouraged when it doesn’t look like what you think it should. Get ready! Don’t be dissuaded. Get prepared! Keep looking for the sign. Keep hold of the promise. Don’t miss the move of God looking for what you think the answer should be. Don’t miss out on what God has for you because you’re looking for the next great thing. And like Sarah and Abraham, don’t take matters into your own hands by trying to manifest the promise on your own; or try to end the drought to relieve your thirst. You see, if you do it on your own, you may only have enough water to quench your thirst. But God wants to send you an abundance of rain. He wants to bless you abundantly. Your parched, thirsty and spiritually dehydrated situation was perfectly planned by the Master Planner. The spiritual drought that you’re going through was specifically designed with you in mind. Life hits us with various circumstances. Without the twist and turns of life we can’t grow. There will be times when we have to endure adversity and hardships. It’s all a process in this thing we call

life. And no, the enemy does not always cause them; sometimes they are by design from the choices we’ve made. Stop blaming the enemy for everything. That gives him too much power. But sometimes God has to allow certain things to happen in order for Him to reach us and thrust us into our full potential. Think of it this way. When a seed is planted, it has to go through a process. When a seed is planted out of season, its growth is stifled; it withers and dies. It’s in the beginning of the process that the seed must go through its worst season. It’s covered with dirt! It’s pressed down, left in the dark; and all you know is, it’s in there somewhere. If you keep poking at it, prodding it or if you pluck it up too soon, its growth is hindered. Its potential to blossom into a fullgrown tree has been cut short. If you never experience that place which is uncomfortable, lonely, and dark, how can you expect growth? Yes, there will be moments when you are invisible. God purposely placed you behind The Rock as He prepares you for the next level. There is a time and place for every season of your life. Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 NKJV jogs our memory that there is a time and season for everything in life. There is a time when we are happy and we celebrate. There is a time when we are sad and we mourn. There is a time to laugh, a time to speak, a time to dance, and a time to weep.

The impetus during this phase is to know that while you’re in this moment of stillness, while you’re in this place of dryness, God is working; God is moving and He is growing you.

There is a rhythmic reverberation in the cycle of our life. A beautiful sound that ebbs and flows only in God’s timing. God has made everything beautiful in its time. This rhythm in its proper timing brings about God’s purpose for you and in you. That’s a beautiful thing. There’s a time for every purpose [activity] under heaven. You don’t have to go around trying to make things happen. You don’t have to pretend to be someone you’re not. If you’re in a season of drought, embrace it. It’s important to understand there’s something God wants you to

learn in this season. Don’t worry about the dirt that’s being heaped upon you, just bloom where he’s planted you. In God’s timing and in the right season, He will complete what he has purposed for you. In your season of drought, focus on Him. In every season of life, seek purpose in Him. For in every new season, there’s a new lesson. The promises of God bring assured hope in those moments of difficulty, devastation, and desperation. The very essence of our character is fashioned in the sting of adversity. Though you may be going through what may feel awkward or less than desirable, some of the most adverse, undesirable situations are designed to raise you up ‘for such a time as this.’ Esther 4:14 NKJV God’s word is a word of integrity, of which you should place your ultimate trust. I can’t help but think of Esther who became a prominent figure in her day. But it wasn’t until she had gone through hardship and suffered some difficulty that she could witness the hope of promise. It wasn’t until she was on a mission for her people and positioned before the king that her purpose was manifested. Esther had physical beauty, but that’s not what catapulted her. You may think someone’s good looks or social status is what raises them to a greater level. I can tell you, I was the girl who was teased and almost beat up because of what someone else thought about me. You know some of you are guilty of antagonizing others. I can still hear those taunting words, ‘Oh she’s skinny.’ ‘She thinks she’s cute.’ ‘She thinks because she’s light skinned she’s all that’ and on and on. This drove me to a dry place. Those words caused me to shrink back and not realize the promises of God. You are beautiful in his sight. You are fearfully and wonderfully made. You are the apple of His eye. The season came when my eyes were opened to the plans and promise of God. My drought ended when God’s love poured over me, letting me know just who I am in His sight. Esther found favor not because of her beauty, but favor, because of her Lord. What took her past her pains, past her lack, and past her potential, was her courage. She was a willing vessel and had enough courage to do what she needed to do to save her people. She was fierce and she was focused. I don’t mean fierce in a violently intense way. I mean she was fierce in that she was ionate about the things that mattered to her. She was ready to do whatever it took to fulfill what she was called to do…save her people. Esther was a trailblazer in her time…a real warrior! And though it took months of preparation, she didn’t lose sight of the promise. Esther had to endure the process, the training and preparation to be presented before the king. She did

what she had to do, and she remained focused. When you’re up against the enemy in a fight, he wants you to lose your focus. He wants you to believe that nothing else matters other than your particular situation. Woe is me. You can’t help anybody else because your focus is on yourself. And when we do look up and around, everyone else is to blame. We have a tendency to look at the person or the circumstance rather than the culprit. That dried up thirsty situation is more than likely not caused by your husband, yet you take it out on him. That dead situation is less likely to be caused by your loved one rather than the Enemy himself. Yet, he would allow you to believe it’s everyone else’s fault that you are in a dry season. Just how do you keep your focus when life takes you through a seasonal drought? By focusing on what you hear! Not on what you see…not on what your situation looks like, but what you hear! By hearing and meditating on the word of God, faith comes. How do you keep your focus and your head from sinking in the sand when you’re parched, thirsty and spiritually dehydrated? You’re overwhelmed, busier than ever; so many things to do and so many things coming against you, but you are sucked dry and delusional from dehydration. How do you remain poised and purposed when there is lack, insufficient funds and no sign of resources to rescue you from the sandstorm? I when my unit put boots on the ground in Afghanistan. We offloaded all the trucks, got the troops settled into their sleeping quarters. Myself and some other leaders were heading to turn in for the night. We were walking because we didn’t have the luxury of vehicular transportation. It was pitch dark and the winds began to pick up. Suddenly, we see a cloud of thick dust in front of us. Not knowing what it was, we kept walking. Little did we know we were walking straight into a sandstorm in the middle of the night. It got so dusty and cloudy, we couldn’t see the person next to us nor could we see our hands in front of our eyes. Strong winds of sand were pushing us forward, and we couldn’t turn back. Turning our backs to the wind and sand, we kept moving ahead to reach our sleeping quarters. We had to press through the storm. It seemed like forever before we made it to our destination. As we made our way, we got to these large trailers that housed the restroom facilities, [the head, is what we called it] to wash off the sand and grit only to find out there was no running water! I thought to myself, how in the world are we going to remove all this sand from our hair and our faces without any water? I thought, Lord, how are we going to survive in this desert without water? Much to my surprise, outside the hut were pallets

stacked with bottled water. God sent water in an abundant supply! The water didn’t come the way we thought it should [through the faucets]. But it was available and we had more than enough. Months and months in the desert and we were never without God’s supply. Nevertheless, had we not pressed through the storm, we would have never reached God’s blessing on the other side. The scripture tells us in Isaiah 26:3NKJV “You will keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on You.” Wow, now that’s a promise. When the world around us is chaotic, things don’t go as we think they should, and the enemy is on a rampage, God won’t just give us peace, but He will give us perfect peace. See the condition here? God is a conditional God you know. Don’t just expect him to shower you with blessings and peace and you want nothing to do with Him. You must come to Him. Bring your troubles, bring your cares, and bring your mind. Give yourself to the Lord and he promises to keep you, to protect you and to bless you. Life can weigh you down, but you weren’t meant to carry the load. When the devil is throwing everything at you that he can, you can come to this safe place of peace. When your situation doesn’t look like it’s going to turn around, come to this place where peace dwells. This dwelling place of peace helps you to remain focused on what’s important. What can be more important than a promise God made? His word is integrity. It’s hope. It’s the anchor for your soul. He is the Creator of all things and He simply tells us to ask, seek and knock. In all of His authority, God is saying we can come to Him and when we ask, we receive. When we seek, we will find. When we knock, a door will be opened. He is the One and only ALL POWERFUL God. He spoke everything that was and is, into existence. God has done His part. We must do ours. God has made His promises known to every man. We must first, choose to believe them. That’s where many Christians fail. We are selective in our listening, and choose to only to hear the Word of God that pleases us, rather than the entire word. We must choose to believe it all. We must believe that God is not a human and He does not err. What He speaks, He affirms.

Never think that your situation is so grim that God cannot hear you.

Never believe for a second that your burdens are more than what God can handle. Don’t doubt that you can ask God for too much or that you’re not good enough to receive what God has for you. ‘The divine proof of your asking is followed by receiving.’ (Capoccia 2007), (Spurgeon, Vol. 19:1873) The deific act in seeking is that you will discover the powerful truths of a true and living Savior. The powerful posture of standing and knocking is preceded by your readiness to walk through the door that is open to you. The promises of God will ignite the power of your prayer. God’s promises are so real that you can trust Him to do exceedingly, abundantly more than you could ever think or imagine.

Trust that as you go through this book, your effectiveness to pray will grow day by day.

Are you ready to pray? Are you ready to render the Devil powerless?

Prepare yourself to encounter God on another level. You know there’s a Plan. You know there’s a Promise… Now what? Let’s Begin!

PREPARATION: God has made himself open and available to you. You have total and complete access to the Almighty God. He literally wants to bless you eternally with all His love, joy, peace and abundance. Adjust your lens that you may see all the goodness of the Lord. It awaits you!

IMPLEMENTATION: There is nothing God can’t handle. As you experience life and whatever adversity comes along with it, let there be a knowing in your heart that God is a God of His word and His promises to

you are an affirming “Yes.” You don’t have to live in fear or worry, because God has called, confirmed and established you in Christ.

EXECUTION: Most gracious God, your name is great. I can call you Father because you know all there is to know about me. Your love for me is wider and greater than anything. Though I may be in a season that doesn’t look good or feel good, I know you’re working it out for my good. Today Lord, I adjust my eyes to focus only on You. Guide me through every circumstance. I pray for a God-sized encounter with you as I abide in You and walk in Your word.

Get Focused THE BATTLE OF EXPECTATION

Expectation: (n) a strong belief that something will happen or be the case: hope, anticipation, faith, trust, belief

There is a battle taking place and you are in the midst of it. What do you do? War is going on. Are you in the fight? There’s no time to be oblivious as to what’s going on around you. Every morning you awaken and turn on the news, you see injustice, racial profiling, political wars, school shootings and nations crumbling. Nevertheless, you have to deal with situations in your own home, your marriage, relationships, children, careers and much more. At the core of all that is going on, you’re in a fight against your thrive for life, your hope, your faith and your trust. In all of the things we have to wade through in life, we still have a desire, an expected outcome. Whether it’s to better ourselves or we do nothing at all, there will be results. Many have allowed their desires to drift away. Many have buried their goals and dreams, waiting for another day. Yet, many have allowed their

hopes of a future to be buried in the aftermath, underneath the rubble. Shrapnel from the explosive devices set off in your life has grazed you and cut you deep. This war is a matter of life and death. What you have to understand is there are things taking place in another realm, a spiritual realm. Yes, I’m talking about Satan. Though you cannot see him, he is a spirit and he is real. He comes to kill, steal and destroy. The enemy has waged war against you. He has set tactics to distract you, deceive you and disrupt your life, by any means necessary. He is miserable and he wants you to be miserable too. You’ve heard it said before, “misery loves company.” The kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent takes it by force. Matthew 11:12 NKJV All the liberated freedoms that people feel as if they can do what they want, live alternative lifestyles, live immodestly, to be seen, to be heard, are acts against God’s kingdom agenda. You have to be so absolute in your mind and serve the enemy notice that he is not in control of your life. You must have an unshakable, immovable spirit… The Spirit of a Warrior!

A warrior is always on guard. Stay Ready!

The warrior’s mind is constantly on watch. The warrior’s body always ready! The warrior’s spirit is always expectant!

CHAPTER THREE The Distraction

No temptation has overtaken you except such is common to man;

but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted

beyond what you are able, but with temptation will also make

the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.

1 Corinthians 10:13 NKJV

Let your eyes look straight ahead, and your eyelids

look right before you. Ponder the path at your feet,

and let all your ways be established.

Proverbs 4:25-26 NKJV

Set your mind on things above,

not on things in the earth.

Colossians 3:2 NKJV

One of the oldest tactics in the book the enemy continues to wield is distraction. Satan is the Master of Distraction. Distractions come in many different forms. Often, being sidetracked and thrown off is disguised by the lure of temptation: the temptation of stuff and things. Distraction is one of the lethal weapons of the enemy. Though it may not kill you, it still delivers a lethal blow to your purpose.

~Fatal Attraction

Distraction is subtle, yet fatal, causing a slow death in your desire to believe and your drive to succeed. In the world today, often times, as Christians, we are ever so caught up in our own busyness, that we are no different from the non-believer. We thrive on having full schedules, being constantly on the go, and a multitude of life activities that apprehend us from seeking God’s best. This type of lifestyle could easily lead us astray and rather, have us arrested by and inundated with money, cellphones, hobbies, television programs… everything but what God calls us to do. The Enemy has made worldliness so attractive that even believers succumb to the pressures to conform. Satan has been operating for thousands of years. He knows every human weakness and what it takes to make our witness for Christ muddled and murky. As a Christian, we must, with all the power in Christ, recognize that vain pursuits, selfish pleasures and worldly achievements are an attack on our vision

to see God for who He is, and our mind to know His truth. Pastor Richard Sibbes, a Puritan preacher from the late 1500’s to the 1600’s once said, “Man’s nature desires pleasure, profit, and whatever appears good and this can divert us from heavenly delights. Satan knows nothing can prevail against those who are trusting in Christ, therefore He studies how to direct our attention to earthly pleasures.” This is not to say that we can’t have nice things. Jesus came that we may have life and have it more abundantly. However, we can’t be mesmerized by the treasures of what we can see and desensitized to the spiritual things we can’t see. We are in an age of distraction. The obscurity of inanimate material things gets in the way of our witness for Christ; they become a hindrance. Our attachments to our personal possessions [worldly goods] are how we identify ourselves, which become a grave affliction. Your possessions don’t define who you are, they identify what you’ve become.

Distraction is a smooth yet precise attack of the heart.

Normally, it occurs when we try to turn our focus towards God, Satan screams even louder to look this way or go that way. Party over here…Hey! Party over there…Hey! And we never even notice while swaying to and fro, swinging from pillar to post, from party to party, job to job, situation to situation, this event to that event, that we are growing further away from the plans and promises of God. Distractions are packaged and presented to entice you, hurt you, scare you and render you fruitless. As long as the enemy can keep you swinging and swaying, entertained by worldly goods and obsessed with yourself, you’ll never see the path on which you belong. He will cause you to be so focused on yourself and your own state of affairs that you have no time for God or anyone else. John MacArthur once said, “The more you focus on yourself, the more distracted you will be from your proper path. The more you know Him and commune with Him, the more the Spirit will make you like Him. The more you are like Him,

the more you will understand His utter sufficiency for all of life’s difficulties. And that is the only way to know real satisfaction.” God’s desire is that we keep Him at the center. We were not created to live a life full of distractions. Yes, life happens. Situations occur. But when they do [not if, but when] our minds should be concentrated on the real Master. What have you allowed to creep in and distract you? What are you willing to give up to redirect your focus towards God?

~ Stay Focused

If we are in Christ, we have a divine assignment. To keep you from accomplishing it, the Enemy doesn’t care how it’s done; he’ll employ any means of diversion. It’s a fact, someone or something will come along and attempt to distract you causing you to lose focus. Distraction blurs your focus and robs you of the divine purpose for which you were made. How so? Ever been in a meeting or even in a church service and your mind begins to think about picking up the kids, what you’re going to cook for dinner, a hot date, or that petty comment someone made on Facebook or Instagram? As your mind wanders it’s being subtly distracted from being present in the moment. It’s Easter Sunday, the church is full of churchgoers. Some are regular attendees while others are the not so frequent congregants. I think they call them CME’s, Christmas, Mother’s Day and Easter attendees. Yet, the house is full to capacity. The band is playing, the choir is singing, “He is Risen.” But yet, many are distracted awaiting all the festivities taking place after service [Easter Egg hunts, games, Easter baskets, candy and all the things that don’t necessarily yield itself to the moment]. In all of this, I find myself distracted. As the sermon was preached about the Good News, how Jesus conquered the grave and rose again… those “wow moments” in our lives, I couldn’t help but think about those who find it in their grand schedules to make it only on this particular day. Not knocking them or being judgmental, but where are all these people on any given Sunday? Are we so distracted with our own personal pursuits that we don’t recognize what’s important? Or is it that we are like Nehemiah, focused on the greater work and we refuse to be distracted? I hope for the latter.

Nehemiah 6:1-4 NKJV says, Now it happened when Sanballat, Tobiah, Geshem the Arab, and the rest of our enemies heard that I had rebuilt the wall, and that there were no breaks left in it (though at the time I had not hung the door in the gates), that Sanballat and Gesham sent to me saying, “Come, let us meet together among the villages in the plain of Ono.” But they thought to do me harm. So I sent messengers to them, saying, “I am doing a great work, so that I cannot come down. Why should the work cease while I leave it and come down to you?” But they sent me this message four times, and I answered them in the same manner.” The first thing I recognized in this age, was these guys, Sanballat and the gang, had “heard” about the wall being built. Trust me, when you’re doing something good, the word gets out. There is a buzz that fills the air and everyone wants to see. Sanballat became indignant and began to mock the Jews for their efforts in rebuilding the wall. Just know, when you’re on a mission for the Lord, sometimes you will be mocked. People will laugh at what they don’t understand. Distraction will come. When you’ve made the decision to live a Christ-filled life, distraction is lurking. It’s funny how you can be down in the dumps, kicking at the bricks and no one has the time of day for you. Not even the enemy wants to bother you. Nobody comes by to say hello or even offer to take you to lunch. Nothing. But the moment you rise up out of your self-pity, up out of your exhausting situation, and begin to do something for yourself; the moment you get a dime in your pocket, here come folks out of the woodworks. “Hey girl, what’s going on?” “I heard you were doing good.” At that second, your enemy alert antennae need to rise up. Be aware of what’s going on around you, but stay focused on the mission at hand. Nehemiah knew the word had gotten out. He knew there was a buzz going on, but he and his people were content with the work at hand. How does one stay focused in this noisy world? There’s a bing, a buzz or a ding everywhere you go. Your cell phone, tablets, computers, refrigerators, alarm clocks, social media notifications and even the obtrusive voices of people are continuously jockeying for your attention. There is constant noise.

Staying focused requires us to be disciplined and attuned to the heart of God.

First and foremost, Paul reminds us in Hebrews 12:1-3 NKJV ‘“let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. We must make up in our minds to remain constant and consistent in this busier than ever world we live in, keeping our hearts and minds directed toward our Christian purpose.

~Refuse To Be Distracted

Another detail that captured my attention in the scripture, Nehemiah knew just who he was dealing with… [his enemies]. The scripture says they called Nehemiah to meet up with them… “But they thought to do me harm.” Nehemiah 6:2 NKJV Nehemiah knew that Sanballat had no good intentions. Having dealt with the oppression of the Jewish people who were being sold and even resold into slavery, Nehemiah was adamant about reviving and reforming the people of God. He had to take a bold approach in spite of the opposition he’d face. Know this, for every stance you take in righteousness, not everyone that comes along is going to say good things about you and not everyone will have your best interest in mind. Everything that sounds good isn’t good. Everything that looks good to you isn’t always good for you. This doesn’t mean that every person you know is out to get you. That’s paranoia! It does mean that you must be close enough to God and have such a relationship with Him that you can ask Him to show you what is and who is not in your best interest. Like Nehemiah, you can boldly approach God and ask Him to give you favor among man. Now prior to going up to rebuild the wall, Nehemiah made preparation. He first prayed that God would make him successful and grant Him favor before the king. The king honored his requests to write letters to all the people who would bring him opposition in his quest to rebuild the wall. Nehemiah went out in the night and assessed the situation, only to find the walls of Jerusalem badly torn

down and the gates burned. My warrior queen, preparation is essential. The key to being prepared against the enemy is knowing what to expect, or even yet, to expect the unexpected. As they ed hands in this building project, Sanballat and his army began to plot against them. They reached a point where men had to be posted up with spears and bows to protect the work they were doing. Have you ever worked on something and it seemed as if despite your best effort, something tried to keep you from completing it. Whether intentional or unintentional it can be the kids fighting, someone texting or the boss calling; there’s always something. In his most extreme effort, Nehemiah refused to be distracted. He let the Sanballat crew know he was busy, he had work to do, and he didn’t have time for their nonsense. Not once, not twice, but four times he held his ground and declined to meet Sanballat and Geshem. One of the weakest areas that I had to strengthen was being easily distracted. Unlike Nehemiah, I would have put my work on pause to go see what they wanted; only to get back to what I was working on 2 months, 6 months, or a year later; if I got back to it at all. Does that sound familiar? Distraction will derail your God-given purpose. What I’ve learned in my journey is there are many paths that can be taken to reach our destiny. God has a finished end for you and me. He is going to fulfill that which He’s started in you. It’s up to you and the choices you make which determines how colorful your journey will be. There’s a wide road and a narrow path. On this wide road, there are detours and via ducts that can lead you off course. My advice to you is this:

1) Silence the noise 2) Stay on course 3) Meditate 4) Remove obstacles 5) Keep moving

Satan has studied us and he knows our weaknesses quite well. He has learned your behaviors and knows how you’ll respond to certain temptations. When you have a servant’s heart and don’t mind lending a hand to help others, he will intentionally divert you from what you are supposed to be doing. We must be watching and discerning to know when to help and when not. You can’t do everything and you can’t be a part of everything. If God has given you a work to do that’s where your focus must be. I pray that we all have the staying power like Nehemiah to complete the work God has given us to do. That one thing that you’re ionate about, but haven’t had the time to start… Yeah, that thing! Why do you think you haven’t gotten around to it? If you have a God-given dream, ion or purpose that you have yet to progress in, start by praying now asking God to rekindle your desire to fulfill that desire of your heart. Understand that your ion is your purpose. You have been denied access to your divine purpose because you haven’t paused long enough to realize the enemy has apprehended you. He has intentionally lured you to other things that are less important. He has caused chaos and confusion about what you should be doing from one day to the next. He’s blinded you with things that bling. He’s distorted your vision indiscriminately by the vicissitudes of life. Many people say they don’t know their purpose. Unfortunately, so many are searching for their purpose as if it’s lost. I beg to differ! Your purpose isn’t something to hunt for from man’s perspective. Your very God-given purpose lives on the inside of you. You are called. You are chosen. You are appointed for this time and this season! You have a glowing ion in your heart to do that one thing. What’s stopping you? I’ll tell you what’s stopping you. You are listening to the noise rather than the still small voice. You have become comfortable with the mundane. You haven’t stayed the course; you’ve shifted out of your lane. You have allowed one obstacle after another to obscure your view.

Get in tune with God! Silence the noise! Stay focused!

Oftentimes in a Fog of War, there’s a lot of confusion and uncertainty. The uncertainty comes in those moments when facts about the enemy are unknown. Though you may not know how or when the enemy is going to attack you, one thing you can know for sure as a believer in Christ is that sooner or later he will. The moment you surrendered your life to Christ, the war began. It’s no coincidence that all of a sudden there seems to be not enough time in a day. It’s not by chance you’re struggling with a health condition. Your finances, your health, your children, your marriage, your goals and dreams, none are exempt from Satan’s attempt to bring a crushing blow to your life. There is nothing precise and certainty even lacks in the fog of war. The enemy wants to keep you controlled by obstacles, fruitless relationships, criticism, unnecessary obligations, seeds of discord, and irresistible opportunities. He wants to arrest your full attention and divert your focus from Truth to what is illusional. He would rather you have false hope by redirecting your attention to things that bling rather than the promise of the King. Refuse to be distracted! Drive your stake in the ground and commit to looking to God in all that He has for you. Refuse the temptation to allow your mind to be controlled by what it sees. Deny your emotions the luxury of being moved by how you feel. Reject those thoughts that tell you you’re not good enough to receive God’s grace. You are good enough! You are beautiful enough! You are fearfully and wonderfully made! God’s grace is sufficient. You don’t have to earn it; you don’t have to work for it. All you do is receive Him and it’s yours. Distraction is costly. Don’t allow distractions to cost you what’s rightfully yours. When I was much younger and newly married, I was in the grocery store, shopping and minding my own business. When I make eye with someone, I’ll smile or nod to say hello, and I move on. On this particular day, I had gotten off work, went home to change out of my military uniform and ran to the store. I went into the store hurriedly to get what I needed for dinner. I saw a gentleman in the store, but didn’t pay him much attention. I saw him from a distance in a blue polo shirt, but there was no exchange of conversation. (I have an eye for colors) I paid for my groceries and left. I get home, started on dinner, Hamburger Helper (my kids favorite). Before long, there was a knock at the door. My husband was in the back room so I go to answer the door. I didn’t ask who it was; I just opened the door. When I opened it, I was a little confused, because I vaguely recognized the blue shirt.

Then shock set in; it was the guy from the grocery store! For a brief second, I felt paralyzed and even violated. At that moment a streak of fear and anger hit me all at the same time. My emotions were all over the place. I couldn’t believe he followed me home. Who does that? I slammed the door. I yelled for Keith, my husband. He came to the door and I said “There’s a man from the store who has followed me home.” Back then, my husband was a force to be reckoned with. Being nicknamed Big C back in the day, he surely lived up to it. All I could think of was this guy’s got some nerve; Keith’s going to handle him real well. He goes outside and talks to the man. I expected to hear some yelling or at least a high-pitched exchange of words. But that didn’t happen. They had a man-to-man conversation and Keith explained to him how inappropriate it was to follow a female home and to be careful because the next person he follows home may react quite differently. That story ended well. But what if my husband weren’t home? What if the guy decided he wanted to stalk me? I’m thankful for God’s grace that kept us and covered us. I’m grateful that this didn’t cause any hardship in my marriage. But it was surely a lesson I will be reminded of for the rest of my life. I said all that to say, stay woke! The Enemy will create havoc any way he can. Be mindful of your surroundings. To this very day, I remain aware… eyes wide open. Refuse to be distracted! You are in a constant battle for your life, relationships, your goals, your dreams, even for your faith. In order to know your enemies, you have to know who they are and how they operate. Nehemiah knew his enemies. You see that’s plural. You will have more than one. When the demon-possessed man in the book of Mark Chapter 5 met Jesus, he ran to Him and worshipped Him. When Jesus saw how he had been tormented by demons, He spoke to the spirit and said, “Come out of the man, you unclean spirit.” Jesus asked, “What is your name?” The spirit answered and said, “My name is Legion, for we are many.” Mark 5:8-9 NKJV I’m not saying you are or will be possessed with demons. But this just reminds me how we deal with life so leisurely. When we get through a storm or situation, we thank God and move on as if the fight is over. As long as you live a life in Christ, you will have trials, temptations, and you will surely have some enemies. We were never promised that we wouldn’t have trials, but what we were promised is victory. It’s time you served the Devil notice that you will no longer be distracted. You will no longer wander down rabbit trails never returning to the thing you have

started. It’s time to suit up for battle. You’ve been sidetracked for far too long. It’s time! Suit up and get battle ready! One main way to prepare for battle is through prayer. Nehemiah was a prayer warrior. He prayed and fasted before God. His great example of prayer helps us to see that praise, persistence and preparation brings us into the favor of God. In Nehemiah 1:5 NKJV, he revered the Lord in praise. “Lord God of heaven, O great and awesome God, You who keep Your covenant and mercy with those who love You and observe Your commandments…” Our prayers are rendered powerless if we neglect to acknowledge God for who He is. God deserves sincere reverence and the utmost respect. He is God! Secondly, Nehemiah acknowledged his sin and the sin of the people of Israel. We must come to God acknowledging that we’ve messed up and be willing to repent of our sins. When we’ve gotten off track and lost our way, God already knows. But He’s a loving God who is willing to receive us back into His good grace. Next, Nehemiah did something most Christians don’t know to do. He reminded God of His Word and His promise to Moses. He says, “, I pray, the word that You commanded Moses…” Nehemiah 1:8 NKJV When we have God’s word in us, we can pray God’s word back to Him. God desires that we know Him and that we know His word. Praying the word of God in faith activates the hand of God. Nehemiah demonstrated persistence in that he went before the Lord on numerous occasions 1) on behalf of his people, 2) that his work should prosper, and 3) that he would be granted favor before [man], King Artaxerxes. When we are continuously in the presence of God, our issues and situations seem less important. Self is no longer a distraction when God becomes our focus. Finally, Nehemiah prepared his heart to do whatever God asked Him to do. As God’s servant, he resolved to rebuild the wall for God’s people.

Strategy #1

KNOW YOUR ENEMIES)

Be sober, be vigilant because your adversary

the devil walks about like a roaring lion,

seeking whom he may devour. 1 Peter 5:8

PREPARATION:

1. Don’t be caught off guard. Pay attention! In other words, don’t be ill prepared when it comes to who the devil is and how he wants to distract you.

So prepare your minds for action, be completely sober

[in spirit, spiritually and morally alert], fix your hope

completely on the grace of God that is coming to

you when Jesus Christ is revealed.

1 Peter 1:13AMP

2. Yield not to temptation. Don’t give Satan room. Given the slightest deviation down the wrong road or crack in the door and he’s going to bust it wide open and wreak havoc. This is why we have to remain on guard. We have to be armored up, prayed up and on watch.

Do not enter the path of the wicked, and do not walk in the way of evil. Avoid it, do not travel on it; turn away from it and on. Proverbs 4:14-15 NKJV

IMPLEMENTATION:

• Praise: Prayer has power when we praise God • Persistence: increases the power of prayer • Preparation: propels our prayers

EXECUTION:

Gracious Lord, whose name is above all names; I praise You, for You are God. I pray for a mind focused on You. I refuse to allow my own pursuits and tricks of the enemy to deter me from my purpose in You. I will constantly seek You for Your good and perfect will for my life. I pray now that I am productive, I am purposeful, and I am prepared to be who you have called me to be. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

I AM READY

CHAPTER FOUR The Deception

When he speaks graciously, believe him not,

for there are seven abominations in his heart,

though his hatred be covered with deception,

his wickedness will be exposed in the assembly.

Proverbs 26:25-26 ESV

We’ve often heard it said before, “the mind is a terrible thing to waste.” Yet, in our daily living, so much information is processed in and processed out that we sometimes lose ourselves in the midst of the chaos. Be careful what you allow to enter your mind. Author Robert Greene described it well when he said, “in battle, the mind tends to lose its balance.” Some information you hold on to can cause clutter and confusion. If you are not vigilant in your thoughts, you can get so caught up in what happened in your past and allow it to identify your future. As a child, I didn’t grow up with my father. This left a gaping hole in my heart. I even witnessed another family member go through a divorce and I was absolutely devastated. I was confused about marriage and I thought I would never get married. But I did, and my first marriage didn’t last. In my mind, I thought, “I knew I shouldn’t have gotten married. It just doesn’t work.”

The Enemy planted a destructive seed early in my life. I had to take control of my thoughts and release fear, anger and rebellion. I could no longer allow the things of my past to identify and control my future. Grasp this concept and watch a powerful nucleus rise on the inside of you as your mind is renewed with the truths of understanding who you are.

~Graciously Spoken

What is deception? Deception is described as wrongfully misleading or informing someone about the truth of a particular situation. We’ve all been deceived, connived, mislead and out right lied to. Can you imagine going to your doctor and he prescribes medication that he knows isn’t going to cure your ailment? Or going to a church and the pastor presents information that misleads you to believe something that isn’t true? These types of situations will cause you to be infuriated when you learn the truth. The truth of the matter is that you had an expected outcome, which is the reason why you sought out their service in the first place. In this lifetime we’ve all experienced situations that lead to defeat, failure, anger, envy and yes, bitterness. Whether it was from someone’s words or their actions, we are not exempt from situations that cause our hearts to be heavy and our minds to be played. In a culture marred with deception, we can’t always see through the falsehood as it is so graciously spoken. Sometimes deception is blatantly obvious, other times it’s cleverly portrayed. Think of all the false ments you’ve fallen for.

“Lose 90 lbs. eating pizza all day”

“Simple System that puts $5-$10k in your pocket”

“Get a gym body without going to the gym”

“Helps boost your child’s immunity (Ad for kids cereal)

“Fewer wrinkles in only 60 minutes”

These and so many other false hopes lead us to believe the myths of “big results, little effort.” As clever as they are, these false ments weren’t the first of their kind. A cunning and conniving fellow so many years ago had his mind set on changing the world and taking by storm as many as would follow him. Satan was his name; deception was his game; Eve was the woman he tried to put to shame. In his subtle craftiness, he knew he could not render a bold, audacious assault on God. As a result, he used the art of manipulation and seduction to capture his prey. Eve was deceived through the manipulative wittiness of Satan. His plan was devised to trick her into believing something that had an element of truth, but ultimately not complete truth. The seeds of doubt that he plant comes against the word of God. In Genesis 3:1 NKJV Satan begins his seductive assault on the minds of Adam and Eve, which says “Did God really say…” In that instant, Eve’s mind was infiltrated with a seed of doubt. Once doubt entered in, Satan goes on to confuse the thought by twisting what God said and implying that it was ok and surely you wouldn’t die. Eve quickly became unguarded as Satan insinuates something that God particularly had not said. Eve was by no means ignorant of what God said. She could quote the word of the Lord. She in fact said, “God has said, ‘You shall not eat the fruit of the tree nor shall you touch it, or you will die.’” Genesis 3:3 NKJV At this point, it’s about

choosing to obey God. Let’s put a pen right here and chew on this for a moment. This is an area where many of us get snagged. Why? Because in our human nature, we want what we want. We want things that look good, feel good, and sound good. We were given ten simple rules to live by and most of them begin with Thou Shall Not…

God’s Ten Simple Rules

Rule #1 Thou shall make no other gods before me: there’s only one God.

“I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. You shall have no other gods before Me.” Exodus 20:2,3 NKJV

Rule #2 Thou shall not make idols: don’t worship stuff and things.

“You shall not make for yourself a carved image—any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; you shall not bow down to them nor serve them. For I am the LORD your God…” Exodus 20:3-5NKJV

Rule #3 Thou shall not take the name of the Lord in vain: God is not a joke!

“You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain, for the LORD will

not hold him guiltless who takes His name in vain.” Exodus 20:7 NKJV

Rule #4 the Sabbath day, to keep it holy: take a break and rest.

“ the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the LORD your God. In it you shall do no work: Exodus 20:8-10 NKJV

Rule #5 Honor your father and your mother: maybe they didn’t raise you, pray for them anyway.

“Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long upon the land which the LORD your God is giving you. Exodus 20:12 NKJV

Rule #6 Thou shall not murder: no unlawful premeditated killing of another person.

Exodus 20:13 NKJV

Rule #7 Thou shall not commit adultery: no sex outside of your marriage.

Exodus 20:14 NKJV

Rule #8 Thou shall not steal: don’t take what doesn’t belong to you.

Exodus 20:15 NKJV

Rule #9 Thou shall not bear false witness against your neighbor: quit lying about other people.

Exodus 20:16 NKJV

Rule #10 Thou shall not covet: quit lusting over what someone else has.

Exodus 20:17 NKJV

There’s an old saying, “rules were made to be broken.” That mindset has brought much grief into the world. Sin destroys the very foundation on which life and order are built. God gave us a few simple rules that He expects us to obey. Now I’m going to get off that soapbox. God laid out His intentions clear and simple. Do this and don’t do that. Along with his intentions, he gave you what the consequences would be… “Or you will die.” Not necessarily a physical death, but most assuredly a spiritual death. However, in his master scheme, Satan craftily provoked doubt in Eve’s mind, which led to the ultimate betrayal of Truth. And then it happened. The crushing blow Satan used for the downfall of man as he beguiled Eve was, “Surely you will not die.” Genesis 3:4 NKJV What an absolute contradiction to what God said. God didn’t say how you would die, but

He did say you would die. However, Satan wants to dilute the truth. He makes it seem as if your disobedience to God’s one simple rule couldn’t possibly be all that bad. Here’s where we get into trouble, thinking, “It can’t be all that bad.” God knew the detriment of eating of the tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. He knew we would become controlled by Satan and seduced by sin. God knew our relationship with Him would become amputated. Yet, from the beginning of time, He gave us instructions to live by. Finally, Satan made all kinds of promises of how Eve would benefit from eating from the tree. “Your eyes will be opened and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” Genesis 3:5 NKJV He made false assurances that Eve would be equal to God. Well, isn’t that why Satan is who he is… because he wanted to be God? And he wants you and I to believe we can do no wrong and be God too. When we are in Christ, we are already created in His image and in the likeness of God, but we can’t be God. We are His children and we have access to all that He has through Christ. Contrary to what God told Adam and Eve, Satan provoked Eve to make decisions based on her feelings, her emotions and what she could see. Genesis 3:6 NKJV says, “So when the woman saw the tree was good for food, that it was pleasant to the eyes, and the tree was desirable to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate. She also gave to her husband and he ate.” And there it was, the bitter sting of revenge from Satan. Eve took a bite of the fruit. Rather than receiving a sweet, delicious, refreshing mouthful of goodness, she chomped on worms of shame, grief, dissension, unbelief, depression, and rejection. She ed it on to her husband Adam and he too got a bitter taste of pride, lust, disobedience, and guilt. They handed death and separation down to generations. The word tells us that Satan is the Father of Lies. He will not follow through on the lies that he promises us. No matter how enticing the apple may look, Satan will not uphold his promise. If he promises good, he pays with evil. If he promises truth, he pays with a lie. If he promises pleasure, he pays you with pain. If he promises the moon and stars, he pays with hell. What we must understand is when we hear things through the thoughts and opinions of others, it affects our ability to discern Truth. We can’t afford to

subject ourselves to everything man says or does. False ments await to draw us in to circumvent our hearts and minds.

~Seeds of Deception

We live in a world where deception has become the norm and there is “fake news” on every platform, CNN, Fox, MSNBC, ABC, CBS, it doesn’t matter, just pick one. Either way, you’ll find many disputes and accusations of public figures, political leaders and celebrities alike whose character is blemished by their actions of lying, cheating, being misled or misleading others. Unfortunately, we see the downfall of clergy who mislead congregations. We have even been deceived by food manufacturers as certain foods have been genetically modified and rendered unfit for human consumption. While these are often closed events that become public, we are growing more and more as victims of fruitless seeds, victims of our own personal deceptions.

A heart becomes deceived when the mind chooses to believe the misinformation that puts it at ease.

There are several things that are the source of deception, but the main source is Satan himself. Deception comes in the form of a lie… In fact, it is an outright lie! In John 8:44 NIV Jesus said, “… he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.” But yet, Satan is so savvy in crafting and drafting these lies that we so easily fall victim to. Unfortunately, lies and deception lead to bondage. The moment you listen to a lie without refuting it, it begins to take root. We water it. We feed it. We act on it. Once rooted, the germination begins to affect your mind, body and spirit. As we looked at Eve earlier, we may tend to think lowly of her because she fell for the

lie. She was deceived. And because of it, we all suffered. It’s one thing to be tempted; being deceived is another. There is a difference. When you are tempted, you know it. Walking by the Cinnabon shop in the mall, smelling the swirls of cinnamon and fresh baked buns in the air, you’re tempted to stop and grab one. It’s not hiding, it’s not trying to trick you. It’s in plain sight. And boy they sure look good! Deception on the other hand, is a devised scheme that tries to make you believe something that bears no truth. It has no value and wants an exchange to occupy space in your mind for its worthlessness. It usually goes on undetected for quite some time. Have you ever sat down and dozed off? You may doze, your head’s bobbing back and forth, all the while you don’t even realize you’ve drifted off to sleep. Then all of a sudden, you jolt awake, wipe the drool and that’s when it s that you were asleep. That’s how deception operates. It comes on so subtly and you drift away into it, not even realizing how far you’ve gone. It’s not until you’re jolted by reality that you realize you’ve been deceived. We can’t place all the blame on Eve, because the same way she was deceived, so are we. The same lies, tricks and schemes Satan used thousands of years ago, he still uses today. Every time we sin, we’ve fallen for the same tricks and schemes. Every time we choose to believe a false report, the seed of deception takes root and germinates. Satan has waged war against your mind. Whether by flattering words or false reports, there’s nothing worse than a mind that thinks one thing and speaks another. That’s how Satan operates. His mission is to seduce you into believing anything less than the truth, even if it’s twisting God’s word. Often times, we dilute the Word of God to fulfill our own fleshly desire. Our flesh gives way to what we want. This allows an open door to Satan’s deception. When we reject the truth, we become spiritually deceived. If you don’t stand for Truth, you’ll fall for every lie. Our minds, left unguarded, become a breeding ground for disobedience, which leads to insecurities, fears, doubts, and weaknesses. What seeds of deception have you allowed to be planted in your life? Were they caused by someone close to you? Now I’m not asking these questions for you to throw a pity party. But often times, the enemy will use those closest to us to bring disruption,

dysfunction and sow discord in our lives. Other times, it’s our own stinking thinking and willfulness to believe the lie. In the writings of C. H. Spurgeon, “Reproaches from those who have been intimate with us, and trusted by us, cut us to the quick; and they are usually so well acquainted with our peculiar weaknesses that they know how to touch us where we are most sensitive, and to speak so as to do us most damage” (Treasury of David 3:19). Have you ever known someone who knew just how to make you feel like crawling under a rock or worse, make you want to hit them with a rock? As a child, I was very sensitive. When someone talked about me, I cried. But after the tears, I was ready to fight. And I’m not talking about with the word either. People knew how to push my buttons and cause me to get all fired up. I had long fingernails, and they were my weapons of warfare, so to speak. I would be teased and provoked to use my nails against them…(In the Name of Jesus)! As a young girl, I really did feel inadequate and insecure. I felt like I didn’t belong. I didn’t fit in any particular group or crowd. I was the outsider so to speak. When I got to the point of trying to find myself, I had already bought into the lies that I wasn’t good enough. I wasn’t pretty enough. I wasn’t worthy and no one cared. Wow! What lies! Little did I know the enemy was sowing seeds early in my life. Man, if I knew then what I know now, what a difference my life would have been. When we reject truth or we are ignorant to the truth, we are vulnerable to lies. But God! He sent a savior! John 3:16 NKJV When I first began my walk with Christ, there were things that were hard for me to believe. I found myself struggling to understand how God could be with someone as small “minded” as me. I was led to believe I wasn’t good enough. I couldn’t fathom being a blip on His radar. How could someone like Him love someone like me? I had messed up time and time again. How does He even know I exist? I felt so invisible. Growing up not knowing the unconditional love of God, made it even more difficult to understand as an adult. I was a victim of deception. I had been tricked, bamboozled and made to believe I did not matter. To this day, I still have my reservations about being in certain groups. We are not meant to be in everyone’s company and everyone is not meant to be in ours. I understand that more now than ever before. When we surround ourselves with the wrong people, stinking thinking people, our thoughts and our actions can

become skewed. If you hang around bitter people, you will sow seeds of bitterness. If you hang out with people who gossip, you too will gossip. In 1 Corinthians 15:33 NKJV Do not be deceived: Evil company corrupts good habits. In our minds, we tell ourselves that we can’t be affected by another person’s actions. The word tells us, don’t be fooled. The battle in your mind is raging and Satan doesn’t fight fair. Some of the biggest problems we face are Satan’s devices that have gripped our minds in the areas of pride, fear, doubt, guilt and shame. His desire is that we falter in our minds. If you allow him to grip your mind He will control your life.

Don’t believe everything you think.

~Mind Your Business

“You will keep in constant and perfect peace those whose mind is steadfast [committed and focused on You-in both inclination and character], because he trusts and takes refuge in You, [with hope and fervent expectation].” Isaiah 26:3 AMP When you think about the mind, you know that it’s almost never still. The mind moves continuously from one state to another based on our environment, our situation, people and the things taking place around us. The mind can be altered at its different stages, through hypnosis, music, meditation and other activities. Satan himself has discovered how to artificially inseminate your mind for the benefit of altering your mood and attitude. My husband, Keith and I have a very endearing relationship. He’s reserved in his speech. He reminds me much of my father. They are men who don’t contribute much to conversations unless they’re asked their thoughts or opinions. But get the rest of my family together in a room, we live, love, laugh and there’s a whole

lot of conversation going on. For the longest time, I thought Keith would just remain that fly on the wall, observing, listening and learning everyone’s attitudes. After over twenty years, he eventually came around and I can one of my sisters saying, “Oh wow, I’ve never heard Keith speak that many words.” When I told him what she said, his reply was, “I know what I know and I don’t have much to say unless I’m asked.” In other words, I’m just minding my own business. However, in my own pridefulness, my initial thought was ‘well aren’t you just Mr. High and Mighty.’ If we’re not mindful, pride will cause us to be critical and judgmental of others. God immediately convicted me of that thought and allowed me to see that it wasn’t pride, but in fact, words of a wise man. I had to swallow my pride that day and ask God for forgiveness. Many of us have found ourselves judging others or criticizing based on our own thoughts, feelings and emotions. Pride, insecurity, and envy are all conditions of the mind. Let us take of the conditions of our minds that we not spread seeds of discord and deception. If we proclaim to be believers of Christ, then our minds must be in Christ. Just as we have received the Spirit of Christ when we were born again, so we receive the mind of Christ. “In order to have the mind of Christ, one must first have saving faith in Christ.” (John 1:12, I John 5:12) NKJV In this battle of life and hope, Satan has waged war against your minds. If he can keep you overwhelmed with fruitless thoughts and unproductive activities, he will block the work and wisdom of the Holy Spirit to move within you.

The High-Mind

The high-minded person suffers with a superior self-centeredness. Everything is driven by his status quo. The world centers on him. Pridefulness is often a symptom of being high-minded. Judging and criticizing others fuel this false superiority.

Pride tells us we have to win every argument. Pride becomes puffed up. Pride breeds egotism, thinking more highly of ourselves than we should. Pride does not yield to the inadequacy of others. A prideful person is one who often overachieves to fill lack in some area of their life though they may not recognize that there is a void. If left unchecked, pride can go undetected and ruin your life and relationships. Judging others brings condemnation upon us. The same things by which we look down on others are the very things in which we’ll be judged. This mindset is filled with negativity and often renders its victims suspicious of others. It is in this state of mind that Satan has created strongholds of self-consciousness, arrogance, conceit and vanity. Traits of a prideful mind:

1) Treats others with disrespect 2) Compares themselves to others 3) Exalts themselves, overly confident

To overcome the self-centered ideations requires humility. Scripture says “Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.” James 4:1 NKJV We must keep our minds guarded against pride. , our blessings come from the Lord and it is He that we should glorify and not ourselves.

Anxious Mind

Worry and anxiety distracts us from the peace of God. Where worry lies, peace cannot reside. It’s like trying to put darkness and light in the same place. They both can’t happen at the same time. One cancels out the other. When we worry, the mind can’t rest. In definition, we know the anxious mind is one who is

afflicted with mental distress, overcome with concerns and unsettled over a potential situation. What really captured my attention was the secondary definition of worry, which states: ‘to harass by tearing, biting, or snapping especially at the throat.’ That is exactly what Satan does. We’ve all been in a state of worry before. When I didn’t know how to give my situations over to God, I would worry. I would become overly anxious. Sometimes it would feel like a big lump in my throat that was choking me. Satan wants to choke us with fear and to paralyze us with anxiety. The anxious mind is debilitated by worry and deceived by false evidence appearing real (fear). Traits of an anxious mind:

1) Need for approval 2) Racing/distracted mind 3) Easily offended

Rather than filling our minds with hopelessness, we should be assured with trust in God. Rather than dwelling on the cares of the world, we should focus our minds on God, who knows our needs before we ask. Luke 12:29 AMP, reminds us that we do not have to worry about what we shall eat or drink, nor should we have an anxious mind. The word of God is His promise, and in it He says, “Do not be anxious or worried about anything, but in everything [every circumstance and situation], by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, continue to make your [specific] requests known to God. And the peace of God [that peace that reassures the heart, that peace], which transcends all understanding, [that peace which] stands guard over your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus, [is yours]. Philippians 4-6-7 (AMP)

Carnal Mind

A carnal mind is one that is driven by its own selfish desires. We are human and we all have fleshly nature. The nature of every human being is of the flesh. Until we are born again, we do not have the Spirit of God, hence we rely on ourselves: our own thoughts, feelings and reasonings. Therein lies the problem. In this battle that’s taking place in our minds, carnality begins in our “rebirth” with the fight between our flesh warring against the Spirit. Romans 8:6 AMP tells us; “Now the mind of the flesh is death [both now and forever—because it pursues sin]; but the mind of the Spirit is life and peace [the spiritual well-being that comes from walking with God-both now and forever]. The carnal minded is one who justifies their wrong doings, rather than confessing them and allowing God to work on them. At the seat of carnality is our sensual appetite for the things of the world rather than the Creator of the world. In the carnal mind, its soul is satisfied with possessions, ambitions, and sensualities known as “the lust of the eye, the lust of the flesh and the pride of life.” Traits of the carnal mind:

1) Envious and jealous of the achievements of others 2) Immersed in worldly pursuits 3) Unsatisfied

Carnality dissipates when we shift our focus to Christ and take strides in a new direction. Galatians 5:16 NKJV reminds us “Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.” If we continue in sin, there is a major consequence for our actions. If we’re not careful, God will turn us over to a reprobate mind. This is a mind that is unrepentant and continues to do what it wills. You can think of it as being a reject. God rejects the mind that continually rejects Him. Next, the bible describes a blinded mind. The Enemy blinds the mind to spiritual truth. Scripture says in II Corinthians 3:3-4 NKJV, but even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, whose minds the god of this age (Satan) has blinded. You may have a vast array of knowledge, but have no

spiritual knowledge. You have a blinded mind. Yet, another type of mind the bible illustrates is the double mind. The bible warns us that “a double-minded man is unstable in all his ways.” (James 1:8, NKJV) This is a mind that’s filled with doubt. This reminds me of the old saying ‘expect the worst, hope for the best.’ That saying never made any sense to me. Why in the world would I expect the worst? My hopes are always in great things. This may be how some people deal with being let down. Let us all be reminded of James 1:6 NKJV, ‘But let him ask in faith, with no doubting.” Let us put on the mind of Christ. Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus. Philippians 2:5 (NKJV) This isn’t to say we won’t make mistakes or that we won’t have tough times. It is saying, that when we do encounter difficulties, we have a source we can wholeheartedly trust and depend on. It’s not to say that we won’t face negative situations; but we can address negativity with a positive outlook.

This mind of Christ is a mind that is ready and willing. Willing to obey God. Ready to respond to His call. The mind of Christ gives us wisdom, wise counsel, understanding, strength, knowledge and a reverential fear of God.

Strategy #2

RENEW YOUR MIND)

Be not conformed to this world, but be

Transformed by the renewing of your mind

Romans 12:2 NKJV

PREPARATION

1. Don’t be fooled: Keep your mind on God

You will keep him in perfect peace

Whose mind is stayed on You,

because he trusts You.

Isaiah 26:3 NKJV

2. Fix your stinking thinking: Meditate on good things

Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble,

whatever things are just, whatever things are pure,

whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report,

if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy,

meditate on these things. Philippians 4:8 NKJV

IMPLEMENTATION

Put on the mind of Christ

“For who has known or understood the mind (the counsels and purposes) of the Lord so as to guide Him and instruct Him and give Him knowledge? But we have the mind of Christ and do hold the thoughts (feelings and purposes) of His heart. 1 Corinthians 2:16 (AMP)

EXECUTION

Father I come to you now in complete surrender. I pray for a renewed mind. I cast aside all malice, judgement, jealousy, and pride. Remove from me anything of this world that I may have conformed to. Renew my mind. Transform my heart. I give you complete control. Open my eyes to see and my ears to hear what You, Lord are saying that I may no longer be deceived. I thank You now that you are creating in me a right spirit.

My Mind is Renewed

CHAPTER FIVE The Destruction

I have prayed for you, that your faith will not fail.

So when you recover, strengthen the other disciples.

Luke 22:32 GWT

… that we not be outwitted by Satan,

for we are not ignorant of his designs…

2 Corinthians 2:11 ESV

Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions,

And over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you.

Luke 10:19 NKJV

Satan’s ultimate plan is to break down, tear down and destroy anything and everyone he possibly can. He robs you of your joy, kills your dreams and destroys families, careers, relationships and the very essence of life itself. Unfortunately, as long as we live a life in Christ, we will always be in a fight with the enemy for our mind, our will and our emotions. But, you have authority over the enemy. You will come to know the all-encoming, far-reaching authority you have as a believer.

~Avoiding The Snare

We’ve seen how Satan distracts us with our busyness and deceives us by compromising the truth. As a believer, it’s in our best interest to know the character of our adversary. He is often portrayed as an individual in a red suit with horns and a pitchfork. That’s a dead giveaway. He’s a bit craftier than that. One thing for sure is, he does exist, and should be taken seriously. Interpreting the character of Satan doesn’t require a lot of human knowledge. When you know the Character of God, which is good and He does good things, anything opposite of that is not of God, but of the god of this World, (Satan).

God is good to all… Psalm 145:9 NKJV

God, our heavenly Father, is the God of life, light and love.

He is Abba Father, which means Daddy, Father. Some may not have an earthly father, but God is the Father of us all. He is a God of Justice. A God of Love. A righteous God, sovereign in all His ways.

He is the Almighty God, who has made a covenant with us and demonstrates His faithfulness towards us.

God is a loving God, who showers us with His abounding mercy and covers us with His amazing grace. When God created the heavens and the earth, He said, “It was good.” (Genesis 1:4 NKJV) He then said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness.” (Genesis 1:26 NKJV) After all had been created and the earth fulfilled, He then said it was very good! But as if that were not enough, God demonstrates His ultimate love for us that He sent His Son to be the atonement for our sins. God’s love is perfected in us, as we love one another. Concisely, this book is not totally about Satan. And you may be wondering why I talk so much about him. If you’re asking why there is so much discussion about this negative character, well, in order to know how to defeat the enemy, you must know him. You simply can’t ignore that fact of his existence. That’s like turning a blind eye and a deaf ear, then suddenly you are paralyzed by the unsuspecting blow of Satan’s attack. He was once described as the perfect angel, the anointed cherub, perfect in every way, full of wisdom, and perfect in beauty. He is now described as the most devious, destructive being that was ever created. How does one become so cataclysmic after having such abundance? Pride and jealousy is what led to his atrocity.

Perfectly he was created in God’s workmanship. (Ezekiel 28:12-13 NKJV)

Pridefully he’d fallen as his heart desired to place himself above the throne of God, ‘to be like the Most High.’ (Isaiah 12:14-20 NKJV)

Cunningly he appeared in The Garden of Eden as the serpent to initiate the fall of man. (Gen 3:1 NKJV)

Slanderously he scorned Job and attacked the character of man. (Job 1:6-9 NKJV)

Fiercely he’s bound and shackled the minds of many. (Luke 8:29 NKJV)

Deceitfully he transforms himself as light to corrupt the mind of man. (2 Corinthians 11:14 NKJV)

These actions give us an idea of who Satan really is and how he conducts his mission. To know him is to avoid him. To avoid his schemes is to know his intentions, which are to draw you as far from God as possible, as craftily as possible, through temptations, lies, and distractions.

~Buyers Beware

When everything in life seems good, that’s when we should be most watchful.

You may be wondering how the devil destroys a person outside of killing them. The fact that you may even think this, lends itself to how mindless we are when

it comes to his schemes. When all is going well in our lives, we aren’t always on guard. When life presents itself rosy and fun-filled, we aren’t as resistant to the wiles of the evil one. The enemy is not our friend; he’s our foe. Don’t buy into the lie that life is good because I pray every day. Just because the enemy is silent and havoc is not breaking loose in your life, doesn’t mean he’s not watching you. He’s waiting for you to slip up. He’s waiting for you to bust the wrong move. He’s even waiting for you to think ill thoughts, lending way to his infiltration. You must remain mindful, knowing he is out to get you. It’s his mission to utterly destroy any opportunity that you may have to fulfill your God-given purpose for your life on the earth. Here I am again, I thought, as I sat trying to piece together these thoughts of inadequacy and insecurity. There’s got to be more than this. There has to be something that I could be doing, should be doing. But no wait, “You’re not good enough for that,” I was told. “You couldn’t possibly do that,” they said. “People won’t like me if I say that,” I thought. I had fallen victim to the crack the enemy was selling. And crack kills. Fear and intimidation had come all too many times, to destroy God’s purpose and God’s plan. Far too often, terror and anxiety crept in to silence me. It was a place that had draped itself with undue familiarity. It was a concerted assault craftily arranged to wage war on my mind. Fear, is just one of many ways Satan manifests himself. If left unchecked, fear will cause us to be silent when we should be speaking up. Fear will cripple us with guilt and shame rather than allowing us to reach out for help. Fear won’t allow you to embrace change, but wallow in the uncomfortable mess you created and remain in it, because the perceived change would cost you too much. Fear apprehends our trust in God because we want to be in control. Fear says take the easy road, instead of the right one. But I got tired of listening to fear! Now it was time for fear to pack up and leave. I no longer welcomed it. I became convinced that the enemy was trying to ruin me. So I served fear an eviction notice. You are no longer welcome here. Fear will cause us to reduce God and magnify our circumstances. But there came a Word that quickened me! 2 Corinthians 3:5b (NKJV) greatly

reminded me of this: “but our sufficiency and qualifications come from God.” What? You mean to tell me all this fluff and huff that I’ve heard isn’t true? You mean to tell me that God qualifies me and not man? The next time fear encroaches your space; I dare you to serve Satan notice that he is not welcome here! I dare you to be bold enough to speak up. I dare you to be courageous enough to seek help. I dare you to be brave enough to embrace change. I dare you to release your grip and trust God with your situation. I dare you to take the high road rather than the easy road. You are more than enough! You are more than a conqueror! You are victorious in Christ and fear can no longer hold you captive to Satan’s lies.

For God has not given us the spirit of fear, but of power, and of love and of a sound mind. 2 Timothy 1:7 (NKJV)

Jesus demonstrated these practical lessons to help us overcome fear:

1. He quoted the Word of God when tempted 2. He demonstrated how the Word of God is for our consumption 3. He declared that we not test God 4. He denoted how powerful we are when we stand firm in the Word of God 5. He chose to worship the one and only true God

God commands us to not fear. It’s not just something He says lightly, He commands us. ‘Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you. Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.’ (Isaiah 41:10 NLT)

Faith is the antidote of fear Yet, our faith is another area of our lives that Satan wants to destroy. He wants to wreck our faith and deny us access to Christ. Faith is the hope of our expectation. Faith is the constituent of what we believe, the proof of that which we cannot see, the means by which we hold on to the promises of God. It’s our total dependence on God. Faith allows us to trust others, not just ourselves. More importantly, we are ever so reminded that our faith is developed as we study and hear the word of God. What’s unfortunate though, is how we are affected by what we hear in relation to how we feel. Our desire to feel good often closes our mind to truth and limits our belief. In order to develop our faith in God, we must hear what He has to say. Sometimes the truth hurts. We often remain in our comfort zones because we refuse to hear Truth. However, it’s the truth that sets us free. There is a faith that pleases God. This is the faith that diligently seeks Him. The type of faith that pleases God is when we walk by what we believe and know God can do rather than what we see. Do we love Him enough to trust Him in all things? Jesus told the parable of the seed sower in Matthew 13:1-23 (NKJV). In it He explains the different types of soil. The condition of the soil determines the amount of growth. The first type was an unstable ground because the seed fell by the wayside. The seed didn’t grow because it couldn’t penetrate the ground on which it fell, so the birds came and ate it. The second was a stony ground. The seed couldn’t take root. It grew quickly but had no depth. Consumed by the sun, it withered and died. The third type of ground was riddled with thorns. Anything that grew did not produce because it was embattled with the cares of this world as it tried to compete with, but was choked among the thorns. Finally, a fourth ground was good, producing an overabundance of crops. After sharing this parable, Jesus then tells the disciples, “He who has ears, let him hear” [and heed My word]. Matthew 11:15 (AMP) Now this is where we as Christians get caught up. We understand faith, but we don’t operate in faith. This parable lets us know that the seed is the word of God

and the soil is our heart. It’s the word of God that increases our faith. When planted in good ground, it produces a harvest. Faith releases us from our own self-limiting capabilities. It is through faith that we overcome fear. But that scheming old Satan has devised many ways to keep us from receiving it. He’s divided the church. He’s tempted the Man of God with sin. He’s deafened our ears to reject truth. Stop allowing the enemy to wreck your faith. You must allow the seed of faith to take root.

As we hear God’s word, faith comes.

When we believe God’s word, faith is increased.

As we obey God’s word, faith is ignited.

We must know how faith works in order to fight this battle against Satan. And faith without works is a dead faith. Being in battle against Satan without faith will get you killed. As Christians, when we’re in a war against the enemy and have been armed with weapons, but choose not to use them, that’s spiritual homicide. Satan laughs in our face when we try going up against him without exercising our faith. Many of you are praying, but are lacking faith. Satan has waged a war and our faith is a matter of life and death. In Matthew 17:18-20 NKJV, Jesus rebukes a demon from a young child and the disciples were baffled as to why they couldn’t cast it out. Jesus responds by telling them that they lacked faith! Faith does not expunge our problems. Faith reinforces our relationship with God and allows us to tap into the power of God, in the midst of our problems. Our salvation comes by faith. Our healing comes by faith. Our hope and expectation is the result of our faith. Prayer without faith won’t work if you don’t work it. You want to know how to put faith into action? Here are two ways:

1) Speak the word of God: God’s word doesn’t work unless it’s spoken

“For assuredly I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says.” Mark 11:23 NKJV

2) Stand on the word of God: God never reneges on His promises

“Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.” Hebrews 10:23 NKJV

Do not be moved by your circumstances. Don’t buy into the lies of Satan. “…for everyone born of God is victorious and overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, - our faith. 1 John 5:4 AMP

~On Your Last Leg

The world desires that we conform to its expectations. As Christians, anytime we do something the world deems unconventional, it causes a stir. In the midst of the stirring we’ll begin to waiver if we’re not careful. God’s guidance is necessary in all aspects of our lives. When we refuse to include God and consult with Him, there will be consequences. One thing we must learn is, disobedience is costly. Paul wrote in Corinthians that we would be tested in our obedience in all things.

Obedience is what keeps us on a clear path from wandering into the traps of distraction Satan has set to keep us from our purpose. Often Satan wants to tempt us until the point of death. There was a widowed woman for which the bible does not give her name. In her desolation, she was preparing to make one last meal for herself and her son so that after they finished it, they would die. Can you imagine preparing your final meal knowing your life could end after it? If we’re not careful, that is exactly how Satan wants us to react. He creates situations that cause us to panic. When we lose our focus or we’re distracted from God, we will be tempted to look at what we have, or rather what we do not have and fall victim to the attempted afflictions. A man by the name Elijah approached the widow and asked for a cup of water to drink. As she was going to get the drink he says, “Oh, by the way, can you bring me a morsel of bread?” Her response to Elijah, “I do not have any bread, only a handful of flour in a bin and a little oil in a jar.”(1 Kings 17:14 NKJV) Be mindful not to allow Satan to limit your focus to only what you see. As children of the King, we have access to much more than what can be seen. Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. (Hebrews 11:1 NKJV) How many times have you become anxious about not having enough money to buy groceries? Or to put gas in the car? Have you ever been overwhelmed about how you were going to pay the light bill? As you’re reading this, are you without food? Are you reading in the dark? God has a way of making provision. He is always at work. He is continuously orchestrating our lives in the unseen. All we have to do is be obedient to His word and trust Him. For the widow woman, not only did she not have enough food to sustain life, but here was a man who was asking for the little bit she did have. Elijah, after asking for water, and learning that she did have some flour and oil, tells her to go and make him a small cake first, then go and make some for herself and her son. Now I know, if you were anything like me, your first thought would be, how in the world do you expect for me to make something for you when I barely have enough for me and my child. Surely, you don’t expect me to take from my child and give it to you. Or do you? The nerve of you! Elijah had spoken a word of the Lord to the widow, saying, ‘the flour shall not be used up, nor the jar of oil run dry.’ With this word in her heart, the widow

went and did just as the Prophet Elijah had said. Through her obedience, she and her son were fulfilled for many days. Often we can hold on so tight to our blessings that we can’t open our hands to receive the fullness of God. Fear or lack causes us to stand still and do nothing instead of trusting God. Blessings come through our obedience. (1 Kings 7:14 NKJV) When you’re on your last leg surely it’s not the time to give up and lose hope. That is not the time to go your own way and try to do things on your own. As believers, we will all undergo some type of suffering. We will all have to endure some type of hardship. Particularly because we are believers, we will experience sorrow, grief and hurt. We are not exempt from pain and suffering. But it’s how we respond to them that matter. Satan’s goal is to rob us of our joy and drive a wedge between God and us. God wants our trust in Him, through our obedience to His word to be so strong, that when we have nothing else to lean on, no wealth, no status, no abundance of things… nothing, that when calamity breaks loose in our lives, He is still glorified. For the widow, disobedience could have cost her not only her life, but her son’s life as well.

~Fight Fire With Fire

Failure to follow God’s instruction is probably the most destructive thing we can do in the eyes of God. Whether by omission or co-mission, we disobey by choice through the influence of the enemy. Disobedience is the conscious desire to disregard consequences for the sake of fulfilling our own sinful pleasures. If you stick your hand in the fire, you will get burned. In my younger years, we lived in an apartment complex. As you may well know, the walls of the apartment ed other connecting units. Depending on the quality of how well they are built, you could hear the conversations of those living next door. I had my share of eating peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and listening to some interesting family disputes. I know… don’t judge me!

But on this particularly clear day, Mom was just getting home from work. She had barely taken off her work clothes when suddenly there was a knock at the door. This time it wasn’t the man from the grocery store. No one had followed her home either. As she went to answer the door, there were yells for help. An apartment close to us had caught fire. So me being me, I quickly turned into Wonder Woman. I didn’t need a cape. I didn’t need a lasso. I didn’t even need the power bracelets. All I could think of was if we don’t act fast, our apartment is going to burn down too. Mounted on the wall in between our apartments was a fire extinguisher. I ran out the door, kicked the glass to break open the extinguisher box. The first kick nothing happened. With all my might I kicked again. (Not by might, nor by power, but by His Spirit) I knew it wasn’t my strength, but the strength of God because that glass was really thick. I grabbed the extinguisher and though I had never used one, I was able to quickly figure out how to use it, and put the fire out. Shortly after all the commotion, the fire department arrived. I handed them the fire extinguisher and thanked them for coming! But the fire was already out. My mom had always warned us about the hazards in the kitchen trying to cook our own food. We were careful to follow her instructions. And though no one was hurt, our lives were spared; but our home could have potentially been lost due to someone else’s negligence or failure to follow instructions. I don’t consider myself a superhero. But that day, my Superhero, (God) showed up. Often times, it is because of the poor choices we have succumbed to, that we find ourselves in less than desirable predicaments. By refusing to do what God has commanded you or by doing what God has forbidden you to do, are both grounds of disobedience. Earlier, I gave you God’s ten simple rules of what to do and not to do. When we choose to disobey the rules, we rob ourselves of God’s hand of protection. When our focus is to do what we please without taking into God’s desires, there are a string of consequences that occur. Our marriages are at stake. Our children often experience the lingering effects of our defiance. We get into debt.

We may lose our job or have problems on the job. Disobedience brings about issues in our health, emotional pain, physical suffering and grief.

We must carefully examine ourselves to ensure we are prepared to defend ourselves in battle.

We must ensure our obedience is intact in order to win the fight. 2 Corinthians 13:5 says, “Examine yourselves to see whether you are still in Christian faith. Test yourselves! Don’t you recognize that you are people in whom Jesus Christ lives?” I am not merely alluding to being perfect and faultless. However, our hearts should be to fulfill the perfect will of God. If we find ourselves out of alignment, then we must correct the sin in our lives immediately. This is the only way we can be effective in battle. You can’t win a fight without the proper weapons. We alone cannot defeat Satan. In fact, Jesus already went to the cross and won that battle, took the keys and annihilated Satan. However, Satan is still actively engaged. His primary mission is to kill, steal and destroy. He wants revenge against God and has for thousands of years tried to destroy the soul of any man in return for being booted from heaven. You have been pressed on every side, and the Enemy wants your soul. Now, it’s time to fight! Whether you know it or not, you are in a spiritual war. When you gave your life to Christ, you entered into a contract of enlistment. You can’t afford to turn around now. You may be thinking, “but I didn’t sign up for this.” Well, think of it this way, you can in the forces with a Commander who you know is victorious, or you can the team of villains who have already been defeated. You choose! But know this, as children of the Most High God, He has given us power to put

out the fires the Enemy ignites. War is not pretty. War is not for the faint at heart. War can only be won if you have the heart to win, the mind to win, and the will to win.

Strategy # 3

FIGHT A GOOD FIGHT)

Do not be overcome with evil, but overcome evil with good.

Romans 12:21 NKJV

PREPARATION:

1. Don’t be ruled by sin: Obedience to God comes from the heart

“He who has My commandments and keeps them,

it is He who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be

loved by My Father, and I will love him

and manifest Myself to him.

John 14:21 NKJV

2. Exercise Your Faith: Your faith is determined by your relationship with God

“But without faith, it is impossible to please Him, for He who

comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a

rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.

Hebrews 11:6 NKJV

IMPLEMENTATION:

Resist The Devil and He will flee from you. James 4:7 NKJV

EXECUTION

Father I thank you, that in You, my faith cannot fail. I have been redeemed by Christ and Satan you have no authority over me. I decree that My Father loves me and I abide in His word, which keeps me from the destruction of the Enemy. I plead the blood of Jesus against every attack that tries to destroy my witness, my character, my family, my finances and my health. I rise up and boldly declare that You Lord have given me authority to trample over serpents, scorpions and over all the power of the Enemy, that nothing shall hurt me.

I will not be defeated THE POWER OF EXPECTATION

Desire without expectation accomplishes nothing. Some believe that expectation is the enemy of happiness. The world would have you to believe in the old cliché that says, “expect the worst and hope for the best.” Well, I choose to think differently. If you expect the worse, you will get the worse. As a daughter of the King, I choose to hope for the best and expect God’s best. Many are crushed under the weight of expectation. When we put our expectations in man, the results will yield disappointment. While having a disillusioned expectation can be out of balance, without expectation we lack hope and forgo our beliefs. The late Dr. Myles Munroe said it best, “Belief is more important than prayer.” (Maximizing Your Potential, 1999) Believing is a critical aspect of prayer. It is quite possible that prayer may not yield the results you desire, but the word says, in Mark 11:24 NKJV “Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.”

• Prayer is the vehicle by which we express what we are hoping for. • Faith is the channel that activates our prayer. • Expectation is the anchor of hope for that which we believe.

There will be times in our lives when things go awry and conflict will arise. If you think about it, when you were born again, you were birthed into battle. From Genesis to Revelations is a continuous battle, with Adam and Eve being the first to experience spiritual warfare.

Although we will enter into skirmishes and conflicts for our faith, our health, to protect our children and so forth, we can expect God’s best in the midst of them. Loss of a loved one, poor-health, financial distress, none of these feel good while we’re experiencing them. We grow weary and tend to question God. God’s ways are not our ways and His thoughts are not like ours either. And though we want the best marriage, the best in our finances and the comforts of life, guess what, they won’t come without a fight! I’ve heard many say, “Well I don’t like to fight.” “It doesn’t feel good.” Expectation is not wandering naively through the course of life thinking everything will be happy-go-lucky. It’s dangerous to expect that you will have roses every single day. Thorns will rise up. However, there is a paralyzing stagnation of faith when one’s heart wanes in desire without expectation. There is a fine line between fulfilling our own desires and God’s desires, hence, the reason for the great discrepancy between our desires and expectations.

Expectations energize, mobilize and stabilize our faith.

Expectations give us the ability to leap beyond our limitations. Expectations ignite our hope in the face of unpredictable, life changing circumstances. Expectations are more than a possibility. They are the anticipatory hope, the unshakable faith and an unrelenting trust that something WILL happen. Therefore, we must develop a trust that lies so deep in our heart that it doesn’t matter what we think or how we feel, we have an unwavering belief in Christ Himself and this allows Him to lead us and guide us in the way we should go. Though you may be in battle for what you are believing God for, there is Power in your expectations! You have the heart of a warrior that hopes all things through Christ.

CHAPTER SIX A Warrior’s Expectancy

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding;

In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your path.

Proverbs 3:5 NKJV

For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth,

To show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him.

2 Chronicles 16:9 NKJV

~The Weight of Expectation

If you’ve been living a Christian life for any certain amount of time, you expect that things are going to happen. Some good; some bad. If you are new to the game, just know, if you haven’t experienced any type of hardship, you will. Or, if you’ve had difficulty after difficulty, becoming a

Christian doesn’t mean they’re going to end. As we grow and mature in our faith, we learn to handle our situations differently than one who is less mature. It’s not surprising to a mature believer that we are engaged in battle. In fact, we expect it. We expect the enemy to come against us as we try to carry out God’s Kingdom agenda. The word tells us not to think it’s strange when the enemy comes or that God isn’t doing His job, when we have difficult times. The truth of the matter is, we will have trials and life’s circumstances will test us beyond what we think we’re able to withstand. From the beginning of time, God knew this. He knew we would have to fight. He knows the adversary. But He also knows the strength and power He’s given you to stand.

The weight of our expectation is often further burdensome when our anxiousness won’t allow us to wait in peace in the midst of the process!

Relying on our own expectations can be a weighty matter. Weight often has a negative connotation, for example bearing burdens, or carrying a heavy load. Typically, weight is thought of as a heaviness or a mass. Disappointment follows our impatience and we often give up or try to fix it on our own rather than take our discouragement to God. There was a young woman by the name of Hannah who was thought to be less than a woman per se, because she was unable to do what most married women in her day could do… [bear children.] In that day, women were shunned and often taunted when they were barren. There was an expectation that as a wife, you were to give birth and even have multiple births. Hannah was married to a man by the name of Elkanah, who had two wives. The weight she carried was excruciatingly heavy. First of all, not only was Hannah barren and unable to conceive, but she had to contend with her husband’s divided attention for his second wife, Peninnah, who gave Hannah much grief.

Peninnah had children and taunted Hannah daily for her barrenness, to the point she cried sorrowfully and could not eat. Having to share her man, that in itself would cause many, if not all of us, to seek fulfillment elsewhere. But it was what they were accustomed to as that was a different day. What was even more disheartening for Hannah was, she shared her man with a woman who ridiculed and provoked her daily, making her life all the more miserable. Hannah was inconsolable. Hannah’s husband Elkanah, could do nothing but wipe away her tears of anguish. Every year Elkanah and his wives would go up to worship in the tabernacle at Shiloh. After finally convincing her to eat at the feast, Hannah finished her meal and went quietly into the temple. It was in this place that Hannah wept bitterly and prayed to the Lord. Her soul was bitter and in anguish. Not that she was bitter towards others, but she was deeply hurting down to her core. Her spirit was crushed. But yet, she prayed fervently. It was in this place Hannah made a vow unto the Lord:

“O Lord of hosts, if You will indeed look on the affliction of Your maidservant and me, and not forget Your maidservant, but will give Your maidservant a male child, then I will give him to the LORD all the days of his life, and no razor shall come upon his head.” 1 Samuel 1:11(NKJV)

As she so fervently prayed, her lips moved but no words came from her mouth. Eli, the priest at the door of the tabernacle watched her and assumed she must have been drunk. Interrupting her prayer, [she was ridiculed even more], as Eli asked her “How long will you be drunk? Put your wine away,” he said. Hannah explained that she wasn’t drunk, nor was she an evil woman, but that she was pouring out her soul before the Lord, out of her anguish and grief. 1 Samuel 1:14-16 Satisfied with her response, Eli replied, “Go in peace and the God of Israel will grant your request.” After Hannah and Elkanah prayed and worshipped at the temple the last morning, they returned home and Hannah finally conceived. She gave birth to her first born son, Samuel. After Samuel was nursed and weaned, Hannah kept the promise she made to the Lord. She took Samuel to the priest,

Eli, at the tabernacle in Shiloh and surrendered him unto the Lord. Samuel went on to become a prophet and Israel’s last judge. (1 Samuel 1:17) Rather than live in under the weight of expectation, Hannah took her grief and anguish before the Lord. She could have easily allowed bitterness and anger to take root and live vindictively towards her husband, the second wife or even the priest. Instead, she cried out to God and He became her vindicator and so faithfully answered her prayer. The weight of expectation can sometimes look distorted and abstract. The colorful lines of life brilliantly overlap one another. Challenges press on every side, but yet, we come out stronger, better, wiser in Christ. Like Hannah, the weight of expectation fashions us into becoming who God desires us to be. Life itself, and the various challenges it presents can cause us to buckle under the pressure. In the case of Sarah, who lived under the expectation to have a child, took matters into her own hands. In her efforts to do things her own way, she gave her husband, Adam, to their maidservant Hagar, who birthed Ishmael. This caused much tension and frustration between Sarah and Hagar. God doesn’t fulfill His purpose for you through someone else. What He has for you is for you. Sarah laughed, as she had been barren all her life, when God told her she would have a child at 90 years old. God is so faithful. He is willing to meet us in the midst of our distress and difficult circumstances, just as He met Hannah. He is more than capable of fulfilling our needs and giving us the grace to make it through. However, we won’t learn to endure if we aren’t challenged. We won’t develop our strength if we never have situations that require us to push through. As Christians, we must understand that those situations God allow, He’ll give us the strength to get through. You enlisted as a soldier in His army; He enabled you to win the fight. A warrior is often thought of as a barbarian, wielding his sword, taking prisoners and slaughtering people. And if we’re not careful, we can find ourselves being this type of person, metaphorically speaking. The root of bitterness can breed and bleed through our actions. We can become so defensive towards others that we’re snapping off people’s heads and tearing others down rather than building them up, all because of the weight! The weight may feel as if it’s crushing you,

but God is not going to give you more than you can handle.

~Divine Expectations

Someone asked me the question, “Well, what do you do when what you’re expecting doesn’t happen?” Perhaps this is you. Year after year, you have been tormented by emptiness, lack, addiction or feeling as if you’re wandering hopelessly in the wilderness. Many won’t raise their expectations because they fear disappointment, while others have such high expectations that seem excessively extreme. You will have what you expect! What do you do when your dreams seem too far to reach? How do you have hope when everything in your life is at a distant stretch? Your weight won’t bulge. Your money won’t grow. You’ve been waiting so long that you begin to feel it’s impossible for your change to come. We are often weighed down because of our own desires. In our world, we crave recognition for our works - attention for a job well done. Being recognized gives us the false feeling that, “Aha, I’ve arrived.” It’s often expected that once the dopamine wears off, the feel good effect is only a fleeting moment, leading to the next facet of our lives that either gives us a high or a sting of disappointment. These are often wrong expectations. I once read “The problems with expectations are many. Not only are they resentments waiting to happen, but disappointments as well.” And I thought, “Wow, what a negative point of view.” The problem is not about having expectations. No, that’s not it at all. Expectations are healthy presuppositions for igniting our faith. If this is you and your mind is full of negative expectations, or you have no expectations because you fear the worst, keep reading. Hannah had an emptiness not even her husband could fill. In Elkanah’s attempt to console her, he couldn’t quite wrap his mind around her grief and pain, because he felt that his deep love for her should do the trick. And that’s

sometimes how a man thinks. Men are fixers. They want to fix the problem and move on. But Hannah had a grievous tormentor who reminded her daily of her inadequacy. And every year she had to go to the temple with her husband and his other wife. Whether she wanted to or not, she still went. Perhaps you are having to do something you don’t want to do. God has His way of pulling His purpose out of us. You too may be experiencing infertility in some area of your life. It may not be that you can’t produce a child. Your marriage may be void. Your children may not be productive. Your health may be staggering. Your bank is fruitless. Any of these afflictions can stifle your ability to produce your purpose and cause you to abort your mission. You may not be able to conceive because you have been exposed to the voices of the tormentor. The voice of deception and unbelief, the voice of grief and shame, rather than the Voice of love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness, kindness, and selfcontrol. You are barren because you’ve allowed the Enemy’s voice to infiltrate the womb of your mind, rather than allow the word of God to penetrate your heart. They have battered you into believing that your dream is impossible. They have spoken right to your face and told you that you aren’t good enough - strong enough - smart enough, causing you to be shaken with doubt. Your hope is now dried up in a barren womb. It’s time to raise your expectations!

Expectations are the seeds that penetrate your faith. Don’t let your seed die!

So I say to you, rise up out of the pit of unbelief. Stir up the gift on the inside of you. You are pregnant with possibilities! There is hope! Hope is the anchor for your soul. You get what you expect! Hannah is a great example of what to do when things don’t happen as we expect

them to:

1. Show up- though it may not have been her greatest desire, Hannah went to the temple every year, in spite of the constant ridiculing. In spite of not being the mother she desired to be, she showed up. You can’t wait until you feel better. You can’t wait until your change comes. Go now! Bring your cares, bring your troubles, bring your bitterness, and bring your resentment to the Lord. He will turn your broken mess into a miracle. 2. Personal worship- Hannah was sick and tired of Peninnah’s lip service, so she turned her face towards God, rather than respond to the nonsense. We don’t know what triggered Hannah to do what she did. But she must have had a deep inner knowing that she had to do something. After they ate, she went into the tabernacle and bitterly wept and prayed to the Lord. She went to the One she knew could change her situation and laid it all on the line. It’s often hard to bring ourselves into the presence of God when our circumstances have delivered crushing blow after crushing blow. But God is a rewarder of those who persistently seek after Him. 3. Loose your grip- Hannah made a vow to God that she would give her son back to Him. Sometimes we hold on too tightly. And when we close our hands, our hearts, our minds -we don’t allow God to enter in. Honor God by giving back to Him what he has blessed you with. If you are still waiting for a blessing, honor God in advance, by thanking Him for the blessing and rendering it back to Him. Allow Him to do with it as He wills. Honor God with your life. Give it away to Him, as He knows how to make the best use of it.

~Self-Mastery: What God Expects

God has expectations! Divine Expectations!

He expected that when He spoke the world into existence that it would be so. And guess what? It was so! God’s Word has creative power. In His creation, God created male and female… He created us. He created us to be in the likeness of Him. And if we were created in His likeness and in His image, our words have power too. Often times we expect God to do something, when God is saying I’ve already given you the power to fix this, heal that and restore things to order. What else do you expect? Jesus demonstrated the power of His words when He told a dead Lazarus to “come forth.” Martha, Lazarus’ sister, met Jesus as He was on His way to Bethany. What’s surprising is her faith! Though Lazarus had been dead four days, Martha says to Jesus, “But even now I know that whatever You ask God, God will give you.” John 11:22 (NKJV) Mary, Martha and the people around them wept at the unfortunate loss of their brother. Yet, she did not believe. This bothered Jesus to the point of anger. If Jesus can command a lifeless Lazarus who has been dead and stinking for four days to live again, surely He can touch your situation and give it life. Some of you may have a Lazarus moment going on in your life. By the power of the Holy Spirit that dwells in you, I dare you to speak to that dead situation and command it to rise up! There was a centurion man who demonstrated his understanding of the knowledge of speaking God’s word. When he told Jesus about his servant who was dying, Jesus said, “I will come and heal him.” Matthew 8:7-8 (NKJV) In reply, the centurion said, there’s no need to come, but if you just speak a word, my servant will be healed. The Centurion had a faith, an outright expectation in the power of the Word. So much so, Jesus marveled at his dynamic faith. Jesus was amazed by this man’s deep expectations. See, Jesus is not moved by how much we shout. He’s not affected by how much noise you make. He doesn’t care if you spin around ninety-nine times. What Jesus cares about is your faith. Do you have an expectancy to win? By faith in Christ, I dare you to speak a word and call those things that are not as if they were. You have the power to speak… so SPEAK! Speak with boldness, speak with courage, from the abundance of your heart, with a confident expectation.

These are not my instructions. Jesus said:

“Have faith in God [constantly]. I assure you and most solemnly say to you, whoever says to this mountain,’ Be lifted up and thrown into the sea!’ and does not doubt in his heart [in God’s unlimited power], but believes that what he says is going to take place, it will be done for him [in accordance with God’s will]. For this reason, I am telling you, whatever things you ask for in prayer [in accordance to God’s will], believe [with confident trust] that you have received them, and they will be given to you. Mark 11:23-24 (AMP)

The Authority of The Believer

As a born-again believer you have God-given authority. Luke 10:19 (NKJV) says, “Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you.” God has given us the power to speak to our mountains. He has given us authority over Satan. No matter how Satan chooses to impose his will upon our lives,

God expects us to use the power and authority He has given us to work through life’s challenges.

God expects us, the Christian Warrior, to have hope, fighting the good fight of faith, for an expectant victorious future! He expects us to at least have faith the size of a mustard seed. He created us in His likeness - in His image. If we are like God, our words have power, just as our Creator’s. When you speak, faith

comes!

Mustard seed faith has exponential power to cause you to experience God-sized confidence.

To call forth means to call something into action or into existence. This is what Jesus did to Lazarus. What is it you want to call forth in your life?

For example:

• I call forth a good paying job that won’t compromise my time with my family and with God • I call forth Christian people to help one another grow in life and business • I call forth abundance that as I give, man will give back to me in overflow • To command is a way to powerfully speak change into the atmosphere. • I command sickness and disease to leave my body, In Jesus’ name. • I command every distraction that causes my blessings to be delayed to go, in the name of Jesus. • I command my finances to align with God’s word, for it is He that gives me the power to get wealth.

God declares that His word will not return void. Confess it! Command it!

Believe it!

~Realistic Endurance

The realistic part in having expectations is accepting the fact that we’re going to have issues. God’s promise was never to have a life of smooth sailing and never ending happiness. In fact, God prepares us for hardships. I love it when the Apostle Paul tells Timothy, in II Timothy 2, to endure the hardships he was experiencing. And these weren’t your everyday situations like having a bad day at work or someone didn’t say “hi,” or the dog ran away. No, Paul’s hardships were to the point of being beaten, stoned, shipwrecked, hungry and thirsty, even unto death, all because of his faith. We’re going to have some knocks on the chin and some bruises on our heels. Some may even go through some of the most horrific tragedies, death of a loved one, chronic disease, or even like Job, the loss of everything, his children, his family, his home, and all his possessions. Hardships aren’t caused by God. Hardships are allowed by God. Why does God allow such things to happen? God allows them to grow us, stretch us, mature us, and strengthen us, so that He may ultimately get the glory from our lives. Paul tells us that all who desire to live godly in Christ will suffer persecution. How is it that we become good and faithful servants if we never have to endure anything? What is it that we’ve done well if we’ve never fought a good fight? God promises, that through our endurance, through our faithfulness, we have the greatest reward of all… eternal life! Build your expectations in the Divine Creator - your hopes on things eternal. God’s hand is unchanging. His Word will never fail us. Don’t be crushed under the weight of expectation. Don’t allow the expectations of others to affect your heart; withstand the pressure to throw yourself a pity party. Develop a warrior’s

heart!

~A Heart of Expectation

The heart is an amazing machine. Studies show that by the time you reach age 70, your heart will have beaten some 2.5 billion times. A heart has four chambers, two atria and two ventricles… [a left side and a right side]. What I found interesting was how the right chambers take in oxygen-poor blood, processes it to the left chambers which pumps oxygen-rich blood back into the body. Now that may sound all scientific, but that’s how we as Christians should operate. When negative thoughts enter into our hearts and minds, we must be able to filter out the good from the bad. We must be able to pour out from our enriched spirit, back into those who are hurting, broken, discouraged and lacking in their spirit. When the blood in our heart is being filtered, we don’t know it’s happening, we just expect it to. As a warrior who engages in a spiritual battle, we don’t always see what the enemy is doing; we just expect our prayers to work against him. God can give you answers to your problem when your heart expects something! A warrior’s heart is not aggressive in nature nor does it seek violence. A warrior’s heart has a confident expectation, not just a mere speculation of what God can do. When disappointments come, a warrior knows how to filter out the needed information. A warrior understands that life is a journey and a continuous process of ebb and flow. Miracles happen when you stay in the flow of the process. Exodus 15:3 (AMP) helps us by briefly describing the character of a warrior. “The LORD is a warrior; The LORD is His name. Even in the book of Revelation Chapter 19, it says He will return on a white horse, dressed in a robe dipped in blood along with all of heaven’s armies who will be finely dressed. So listen, what army are you willing to ? … Because war is inevitable!

But here’s the deal. We all will stand for something. We all have those things in which we have a strong belief. Our purpose. Our family. Our livelihood. Our health. You have those things that you will fight for no matter what. But a true warrior, looks beyond self. A true warrior stands to fight for something that not only affects them, but others around them. Men and women have fought for our country. People have fought for the right to vote. People have fought to not be judged by the color of their skin, but for equality. Even in this modern day, we have to fight for gender equality, fair judicial systems, gun control… you name it. A warrior’s heart beats with comion as she makes sacrifices in order to make sure her child is clothed and fed. A warrior’s heart bleeds unselfishly as he dives on a grenade to save the lives of his fellow comrades. A warrior’s heart, like Jesus, gets radical and turns over tables standing up for righteousness. The best part of a warrior’s heart is the ability to stand [to stand in faith, to stand in power, to stand in authority] when the storms of the battle starts to rage. The greatest warrior in God’s Kingdom… the best warrior you can be in this fight for life… is an intercessor. An intercessor is a true warrior who has learned to adjust their heart to God’s. As our hearts are adjusted, our expectations are then based on the promises of God, rather than our own self-inflicted presumptuousness. When our hearts are affixed on God, man’s expectations are no longer our expectations. When our hearts are in tune with God we don’t have to focus on our past, we can have great expectations for our future. When our hearts are aligned with God, we pray on one accord for what’s on His heart: love, joy, peace, righteousness, salvation not only for ourselves, but our friends, neighbors, family and yes, even our enemies. Galatians 4:6 (NKJV) tells us that because we are heirs of God, children of God, He has sent the Spirit of His Son into our hearts. You have the spirit of a Warrior ingrained in your heart. You are a bonafide warrior! You have inherited the Kingdom of God. You have been called to protect your inheritance.

Let’s take a closer look at the warrior’s heart:

Loyal—But in your hearts, revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope you have. 1 Peter 3:15 NIV

Obedient—Servants, respectfully obey your earthly masters but always with an eye [not being people pleasers] to obeying the real master, Christ [knowing that your good will be received back from the Lord]. Ephesians 6:5 MSG

Courage—Be on guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. Do everything in love. 1 Corinthians 16:13-14 NIV

Comion—Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with comion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another… Colossians 3:12-13 NIV

A service member is proud of his stripes. He or she has earned them and wear them as a badge of honor. They pride themselves on the Core Values of honor, courage and commitment, bearing “true faith” and allegiance to the cause and mission for which he is so dearly devoted. The Marine exudes discipline through his instant and willing obedience to orders and irreproachable respect for authority. His expression of comion for his fellow service men and women demonstrates the brotherhood of loyalty. They shoulder courage through physical, mental and moral strength in the face of challenges and the mastery of fear, doing what is right and rebuking what is wrong. This, my friend, is the heart of a warrior.

Honor is the foundation of the heart. Build your hope in God. For honor

belongs to the Lord our God, whose power and glory shall be highly esteemed.

Courage is the core of the heart. Trust God in the impossible. Take a leap of faith, knowing God is with you.

Commitment is the spirit of the heart. Vow to master the Word of God with an unrelenting determination to live a kingdom life.

By Jesus’ stripes, O’ warrior, you have been healed, delivered, saved and set free. Be strong and let your heart take courage as you wait for and confidently expect the Lord. For in due season your harvest will come if you don’t lose your heart and give up. Psalm 31:24, Galatians 6:9 (NKJV)

~ Strength In Expectation

A spiritual warrior challenges the day-to-day fight for their dreams, hopes and expectations. As a true warrior, you’ll come to know that the battle is not yours, but God’s. A true warrior is willing to surrender to God’s will and allow His strength to gird them in the midst of their trials. As you prepare for battle, you will have to contend with lies, attacks, and confusion from the enemy. Preparation requires practice. Practice builds strength. Strength increases faith. Practice! Practice! Practice! Hannah, as we read about earlier, was strengthened in her expectations of the Lord. It was her desperate situation that brought her closer to God. Inconsolable by her husband’s attempts to comfort her, Hannah refused to settle in barrenness. Hannah’s story teaches us that God does not despise our discontentment. We

don’t have to settle for mediocrity. Her bold confession to the Lord, asking for what her heart desired demonstrates her strength through her trust in God and the power of her expectation. She didn’t have to yell, shout, or flip about… Hannah had a silent, but fervent expectation. Your expectations determine how God moves. If you have no expectations, you give God nothing to work with. Expectations seek God’s manifestation. God favored Hannah’s fervent desire to bare a son and her faithfulness to devote his life back to Him. Not only does this require courage, but it also requires strength. Where did Hannah’s strength to endure the ridicule come from? How did Hannah have the fortitude to give up something she wanted so badly? Are you willing to give back to God that thing that He so richly blessed you with? Or relinquish the blessing which you are waiting for?

Strength comes when you work your faith muscle.

It’s not until we come to a crossroad that requires us to push past our circumstance, press through our momentary affliction, and persevere in the midst of our indisposition that we can gain strength. Strength doesn’t come because you’ve spent hours in the gym manufacturing muscles. Even those muscles that you’ve worked so diligently to build will become deflated if not continuously worked. Strength comes when your back is against the wall and you have no choice but to push through opposition. Strength prevails when you proceed to do what God told you to and everyone around you can’t seem to understand you. Strength arises when everything around you is tumbling down and you find the unction to still stand. Strength manifests itself when we are being persecuted. When we are at our wits end, it’s our desperate cry to the Lord from whom we can draw strength to survive. In Psalm 46:1-3 we are reminded that God is our refuge and our strength, an ever-present help in our time of trouble.

Strengthen Yourself in the Lord

Resist giving in to fear. Refuse to be swallowed by the rivers of worry and doubt. Strengthen yourself in the Lord. “Fear not, for I have redeemed you, I have called you by name, and you are Mine. When you through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers [of difficulties], they shall not overwhelm you. When you walk through the fire [of oppression], you will not be scorched [or consumed], nor will the flame [of tribulations] burn you.” Isaiah 43:1-3 9 (AMP)

The Spirit of Strength

By faith in Christ, you have been given His Spirit. Stand strong. Know that God will see you through. You have the Power to overcome even the darkest of days.

“By this we know that we abide in Him, and He in us, because He has given us of His Spirit.” 1 John 4:13 (NKJV)

“For God has not given us a spirit of fear [timidity or cowardice], but [He has given us a spirit] of power, and of love and a sound mind [personal discipline, well-balanced and self-control]. 2 Timothy 1: 7 (AMP)

Strengthened By Joy

Though what you are expecting may not have come to fruition, it’s often through experienced failure, or God’s timely delay, that we’re fortified in the struggle.

We weren’t promised an easy life. You must tap into the joy of the Lord that you will be able to withstand the pressures that attack your hope and faith. “These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full.” “…And do not be grieved; for the joy of the Lord is your strength.” Nehemiah 8:10 NASB You are not alone. God promised to be with us in hard times… not just some of them, all of them. You can expect God to hold fast to His promise. You can expect that when you call on the Lord, He hears and he is able to sympathize with us in our moments of weakness.

Strategy # 4

RENEW YOUR STRENGTH)

I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.

Philippians 4:13 NKJV

PREPARATION: Stop living in the fear of your pain and lack. Expect more! Deepen your strength. It’s your inner strength that counts, not how strong you appear to be on the outside.

May He grant you out of the riches of His

glory, to be strengthened and spiritually energized with

power through His Spirit in your inner self,

[indwelling in your innermost being and personality],

so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through your faith.

Ephesian 3:16-17 (AMP)

IMPLEMENTATION: Tap into your inner strength and release your power to move forward with your faith and trust in God. There is a power on the inside of you that gives you strength to leap beyond your limitations and survive some of your darkest moments. There is Power in your expectation!

1) Take your expectations before the Lord 2) Allow Him to energize, mobilize and stabilize you with His strength and power 3) Honor the Lord even when your expectations may seem unfulfilled. God’s delay does not mean denial.

EXECUTION: Father in heaven, you are my source and my strength. You are my help when I face troubles. Help me to face each day with strength and power. Help me to see clearly those things that you expect of me. When my soul is weary, strengthen me with Your word. It is your power that is made perfect in my weakness. I thank you now for the joy that strengthens my hope, my faith and my trust in You. Though my flesh may fail and my heart grows faint, You Lord are the strength of my heart.

I have the heart of a warrior

CHAPTER SEVEN Relentless Pursuit

We all have aspirations. We have expectancy for a greater good. But the truth of the matter is many dreams die and are buried in the grave without ever being pursued or fulfilled. Why? Because we have yielded to tricks and schemes that have caused us to give up too soon. When life gets hard, we lose our resolve to finish the race. What is it that you dare to dream? Your dreams are waiting on you to unleash your unflinching determination to be all that your Creator has designed you to be. Get ready to “relent less” and “expect more” on this journey as you learn how to cultivate an implacable, unyielding expectancy. It’s time to get moving!

Do you not know that those who run in a race all run,

but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that

you may obtain it. Everyone who competes for the prize is

temperate [disciplined, goes through strict training].

they do it to obtain a crown that will not last, but we do

it for a crown that will last forever.

1 Corinthians 9: 24-25 (NIV)

~A Relentless Spirit

I’m a runner, and I love the freedom I feel when I can get outdoors and breathe the fresh air. When I run, I feel as if everything that is bound up in me is loosed and set free. No cares, no worries, no fears. I’ve run several half marathons and I’m looking forward to my first full marathon someday. When a runner is running a race, they can see the expected end. They know there is a finish line and all their training and practice gives them the confidence to get there. At the starting line of a marathon, crowds of hundreds of people are staged in waves, according to their race pace, getting ready to kick off the race. Music is playing and everyone is hyped. The energy is high. Many are moving about feverishly trying to shake off the nervous energy, anticipating the firing of the start gun. Some have an expectancy to win while others expect to just complete the race. Either way, their point is to finish the race and receive their reward. As soldiers in God’s army, we fight an age-old enemy who continuously studies our modern day actions. He’s learned our strides, our tendency to give up or give in. Since the beginning of time, Satan has waged the same war over and over again. He would love nothing more than to see us give up and not complete the race we have started. Your hopes, your dreams, your visions and desires are being attacked every day and you must have the stamina and endurance to fight.

The word of God is the tool by which we measure ourselves. God gives us instructions, but He doesn’t force them upon us. We have a choice.

One particular day, I was running, and I begin to ask God how I could be an encouragement to people. There has been a plague of suicides sweeping America. Many are losing hope and throwing in the towel, never reaching their full potential. I began to see so much hurt and pain. How can we live in a world that has so much to offer and never tap into our purpose? How can there be so much available to us and we never maximize our potential? Depression, addiction, low self-esteem, distractions and a plethora of many other of hell’s afflictions have cost the lives of far too many people. The Enemy is roaming around the battlefield making us prisoners of our own minds. He has captivated our hearts with worldly temptations and lured our minds into believing there is no way out. Just how do we acquire a relentless spirit? How do we finish this course of life and finish it well? As I was, running, I was listening to several songs. Often times, these songs take my mind off of the gruel and grit of the run. My charted course is not always enjoyable, but I still enjoy the reward of finishing each run. My running route is somewhat routine. There are several hills and steep inclines. As I approach a hill, I like to increase my speed so that I build up momentum to get over the hill. I began to see many people running this same route day after day. As the first runner gets to the steep incline the pull becomes immensely strenuous, their steps become choppy and slow, nevertheless they manage to make it over the hill. A second runner looks ahead and sees the hill and immediately begins to walk, taking the easier way over the hill, picking up the pace once they got past the hill. A third runner, seeing the hill from afar, stops and turns around, going another direction and avoiding the hill altogether. And as I’ve run this route many times, I know those hills are going to be there. Some days, I can handle them better than others. But nevertheless, I have to deal with them. Each time I go down the hill, I feel the intensity lifting, until I get to the next hill. During the down slope, I embrace the ease of it, but yet, anticipating that there will be another one soon. My interpretation of the vision I believe God was showing me, was that, as the Body of Christ, we are going to face opposition. A runner is challenged with the threat of muscle fatigue in a distance run. This has the potential to hinder his

forward progress in the race. Similarly, Christians will encounter attacks against their pursuit to fulfill their God-given purpose when running their spiritual race. As I was running my daily practice run, each hill represented a certain level of resistance, every incline marked the push and pain it takes to get over the hills, while the decline allowed you time to ease up and catch your breath. Each runner represents three different types of people:

• The Believer who knows they have to keep pressing despite the obstacles that lie ahead • The Half-Hearted who faints at the thought of putting forth any extra effort to win the race when the going gets tough • The Doubter, who is completely detached, lacking the faith to endure the climb, let alone to encounter the storms of life

Running a spiritual race requires focus. Without it, we can become disengaged, disoriented and get off course. As you run life’s race, what type of runner are you? Just how do you become relentless in this pursuit of life?

Being relentless is a state of mind!

As a competitor in a race, relentlessness is viewed in the light of medals and trophies, and all the intense efforts it takes to win them. In life, Relentlessness is developed when pressing through trials, overcoming

adversities and stopping at nothing to achieve your goals… whatever they may be. Relentless is the believer who perseveres. They are adamant, unstoppable, and uncompromising in their pursuit for Christ. A relentless spirit stands in faith, with courage and a dogged determination to not quit, never give up and finish the race that they have started. No matter the adversity, the relentless spirit of a believer is willing to brave uncharted waters, climb hills of persecution, and go beyond mediocrity with unyielding faith and an unprecedented hope for their obedience to God. Relentless does not rely on talents and abilities alone, but digs deeper and goes beyond the norm. Some call it over achieving. I call it laser focused. I have such a creative spirit. God wired me with many gifts and abilities. He even gives me the grace to operate in most of them. And I’m grateful for them all. I love being creative and operating in my gifts, as a minister, author, speaker, chef and entrepreneur. But what I’ve learned is that our gifts can sometimes distract us from our purpose. Just because you know how to do something doesn’t mean that you’re supposed to be doing it. Well at least not all at once. I was trying to do too many things at once. I would grow tired, overwhelmed and easily frustrated and I would quit the very thing I was once excited about. Then I would move on to the next thing, and the next; and it became a cycle. The spirit of giving up or stopping this, to start that, began to describe who I was. I can having a long conversation with my husband. He’s one of my biggest cheerleaders. He’s a great encourager. But one particular day I approached him with another one of my exciting ideas and he said, “Well that’s great. I’m happy for you. But I just want you to finish!” Wow! He was right… for once! Those words were like a bullet piercing right through me. It felt like a sucking chest wound that needed some immediate first aid. For a second, I gasped for air, because that wasn’t the response I was expecting. Rather than allow myself to be offended, I allowed the healing hand of God to come in. With His sterilized hands, He removed the shrapnel, prepared a dressing and covered my wounded heart. He sealed the wound with His love and grace and told me to breathe. As I began to release the excess air, a calm came over me as if God was allowing the deep piercing pain to bring my race back into focus. It was as if God was

showing me that the race, whether one mile or 26 miles, is completed one step at a time. Now and again, God allows the wounds of our past and the pains of our purpose to put us back on track in order to finish the race. Regardless of how many MLM’s, network marketing, or sideline businesses I’ve started and not finished, the truth of the matter is, my pursuit and ion to know Christ and make Him known is relentless. By the power of the Holy Spirit, He gave me the legs to run His race. He made me relentless! You too have the relentless spirit on the inside of you. When you have received Jesus as your Lord and Savior, you will have the same sovereign power available to you. God’s grace is freely given; relentlessness is developed. No matter your race, you have the ability and responsibility to never let up, never be satisfied with “good enough.” You have been given a spirit of power, love and a sound mind. 2 Timothy 1:7 (NKJV) Through commitment, perseverance and a ‘never give up’ attitude, you’ll garner the Lord’s faultless words of “well done thy good and faithful servant.” Matthew 25:23 (NKJV)

~What’s Hindering You?

As a child of God, we each have been assigned our own race. In my lifetime, I have learned that it’s not the fastest runner who wins the race nor is it the strongest warrior who wins the battle, but those who fight to the end that will receive their reward. The runner desires a medal for their efforts. A spiritual warrior proclaims victory over their enemies through the peaceful and fearless confidence in the grace of our Lord.

We must run with an expectancy to win!

The Apostle Paul reminds us to run the race with endurance. We must run as if we want to win! God is not looking for you to be the strongest, the smartest, the prettiest nor the most handsome. God is looking for an undistracted, unflinching relentless believer to build His kingdom. So what’s hindering you from launching out, pursuing your dreams, and living your life to the fullest? Earlier we looked at three different types of runners, The Believer, The HalfHearted, and The Doubter. I want to encourage you to take heart. You have everything you need to win your race. The revelation mentioned earlier of the runners, allow us to examine ourselves and determine who we really are. Are we truly running our race? Am I doing all I can to finish strong? In this spiritual self-examination, we must observe our thoughts, actions and even our feelings to see if we’re heading in the right direction. We must monitor our personal pursuits and allow ourselves to make adjustments when we veer off track.

Let us search out and examine our ways,

and turn back to the Lord.

Lamentations 3:40 NKJV

As a runner in a race examines his surroundings, his shoes, and even the weight of his clothing, he also ensures he has enough fuel to endure the race. So the spiritual warrior [the believer] must be prepared to endure their race through his own introspection. In the book of Galatians, their Christian experience began to falter as they turned away from the gospel that the Apostle Paul had preached. Paul uses many

analogies for running. The course of our lives is a continuance of races we must run. Mental toughness and self-examination are paramount to get past the hurdles. Self-examination, a responsibility we so grievously neglect, but yet, is so critically necessary. It should be discharged with great care and consideration. Merriam Webster defines self-examination as a reflective look inwardly, of one’s own thoughts, feelings, and actions. But I really like the alternative definition that says, ‘an examination of one’s body for evidence of disease.’ Our minds can be riddled with impairing conditions that cause one to malfunction. In our human nature, we are not perfect and subject to temptation. Our very man nature is at war with our spirit, and we are all susceptible to shortcomings. Romans 3:23 (NKJV) reminds us that all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. Self-examination keeps us in our lane, aligns us with the obedience of God, so that we can keep His commands. God’s ten simple rules to live by? You can refer back to chapter three to refresh your memory. Entering a race is a choice. Battling through the adversity is the price you pay to win. Several great Men of God found themselves challenged in their own selfexamination:

Who would have ever thought that Moses, a faithful man of God would miss the Promised Land through his lack of obedience to speak to the rock as God commanded, rather than strike the rock as he chose to do? Who would have ever expected that Peter, one of Jesus’ disciples, who walked with Him in such a personal space, would deny Him publicly? David, a man after God’s own heart, committed adultery. Who then would have expected he would murder Bathsheba’s husband to bury the truth? Self-examination requires us to ask two simple questions of ourselves. Do I

believe who Christ says He is? Am I the living version of who He has called me to be? As we examine ourselves in God’s word, be mindful and guarded against the attacks of Satan who tries to hinder our race. In 2 Corinthians 13:5 (AMP), Paul says “Test and evaluate yourselves to see if you are in the faith, living your lives as [committed believers].” How is it exactly that we examine ourselves? Self-examination is not about behavioral modification. It’s not exchanging bad deeds for good deeds. This is not a to-do list of everything you’re doing right or wrong. No, it’s a matter of a changed heart! The change comes little by little, day by day.

Self-examination is crucial not only for beginning the race, but finishing the race. Let’s take a look at what self-examination is not:

1. A check in the block to make ourselves feel spiritually fulfilled 2. Self-righteousness, by judging others whose standards don’t measure up to yours 3. Picking and choosing to do what is morally right or rationalizing our sins 4. Emotionally charged by how you feel

While our thoughts are geared towards the cultural expectations to “do the right thing” and to protect our loved ones from damaging behaviors, such as teen pregnancy and drugs, gossip and slander, judging and finger pointing, anger and bitterness, porn, fornication and so many other things, that is not the examination we should be seeking. True self-examination is measured through the barometer of our love for Jesus

Christ! We examine ourselves to see whether we trust Him in all things and all areas of our life. We run boldly, living from a heart of Christ to be who He has called us to be. As you comb through this self-examination, strengthen your resolve to not be hindered, held up or slowed down, but run with the fiery expectation to win!

1. Put Your Confidence in Christ

a) Loving Christ builds our confidence to keep running in pursuit of obedience to His Word. b) Confidence in Christ strengthens our trust in him alone. c) Trust allows us to confess that we can do more with Him than without Him.

2. Live Out Your Calling

a) Serve others with assurance that God will continue to make provision for you b) Seek to identify with Christ rather than making a name for yourself c) Seek out opportunities to give of your time, talents and treasures, rather than be satisfied with selfish pleasures, having your own stuff and doing things your own way.

Through our love for Christ, the fruit of good works is produced. Our fruit is the product of our faith. So as we examine ourselves, we align with the word of God that we may be confident that He is for us and not against us. We can be confident in the hope of our calling, in that we can finish strong, eliminating limiting behaviors that may be hindering our race.

Building up the strength to finish well requires much stamina and endurance. The relentless resolve in Hebrews 12:1 (NKJV), which tells us to lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.

~Trust God in the Pursuit

In this pursuit of life, you will be tempted. You will face adversity. You will have to fight to maintain peace. You will at times tend to think it’s all an uphill battle with no reprieve in sight. In Chapter 6, we talked about a warrior’s expectancy. It is in extreme moments in a battle that the warrior must trust his fellow comrades. As the battle heats up, in full pursuit, he must trust the ones on his flanks, his rear and front. The warrior enters into combat expecting that there will be challenges. It’s a given. And though they may grow tired, they can’t relent. They must press through the pursuit for fear of being overtaken. If the very God who put the desire to pursue Him inside of you, He is the same God you should trust while you’re in the pursuit. So many are stuck in the pain of stagnation rather than stepping out into the pursuit for Christ. The Christian warrior is bruised by the cares of this world and the demands of life, which often overwhelm us and attempts to disrupt our pursuit. However, the word of God is powerful. It’s alive! It’s active! It energizes the Christian Warrior to be effective in their pursuit. It is what we must rely on for strength as we weather life’s storms. It’s what we must depend on to remain steadfast and unmovable. It’s the word of God that gives us hope to never give up on the promises of God. Just as the warrior trusts his comrades, we must trust the Ultimate Warrior who completely covers us. We must seek Him and trust that He will do just what He said in His word.

“For he who comes to God must believe that He is,

and that He is the rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” Hebrews 11:6 (NKJV)

In a generation of what I call the microwave generation, there’s hesitation in the area of trust. Though we want something instantly, trust is not one of those things that we heat for 30 seconds and its ready. When we are in unfamiliar territory, we guard ourselves against the unknown. Many, due to broken relationships have vowed to never trust again. This makes for a difficult avenue to allow God in when our trust factor is limited. Trust requires us to make an intentional effort to open our hearts. When we turn our hurting hearts over to God, we allow Him to turn our disgust into trust. How do you begin to trust a God you may not know very well? Trust is established through a continuous relationship. Without relationship, there is no trust. Without trust, the relationship suffers. So first and foremost, in our pursuit, we must be in relationship with God. As the relationship grows, you enter into the forming, storming and norming phases of trust.

Forming begins as you come to Christ and the relationship is uncharacteristically different. You may feel a little apprehensive. You may feel an overwhelming joy and excitement. After all, when you enter into a relationship, there is a joy in getting to know someone. You come to familiarize yourself with one another. You’ve heard all these great things about this Man called Christ. He’s greater than sliced bread. He can do no wrong. Right?

Storming then starts to take shape. You’re starting to let your guard down. You’re feeling a little more open. Your expectations are increasing and you’ve let Him in on some of your deepest darkest secrets. You’re getting quite comfortable. “He really cares,” you say. Then all of a sudden, life happens; your best friend has betrayed you. You lost your job. Your child is promiscuous. You spouse is cheating. The questions begin to emerge. “But I thought you loved me.”… I do! “I thought you said you would be there for me….” I am. “But I thought that having a relationship with you would be the best…” Believe me, it is. Consequently, not everyone who starts on this road are able to get past what

they feel. Rejection and disappointment has you confined. It’s dangerous to stay here. Keep growing and move forward.

Norming happens when we learn to acknowledge God for who He is. When we come to know the true knowledge of Christ and that He is the One and only true God who loves us and cares for us, we are more willing to adapt to His word without question. Our expectations are ever increasing and our focus has shifted. Rather than focusing on our circumstances, we focus on the God who comforts us during our circumstances.

What are you pursuing God for? Are you looking for love? Faith? Wisdom and knowledge? Perhaps you desire healing and deliverance? Better relationships? Financial freedom? No matter what, we all have a desire for something. If you say you have no desires, I challenge you to check your pulse to see if you’re alive! We all seek better conditions and circumstances, if not for our own lives, for our family and friends, our children, our spouses and co-workers. Regardless of for who you are looking, God should always be your point of reference. We should always be actively pursuing God so that our spirits may be cultivated and our souls refreshed. As we trust God in our relentless pursuit for Him, here are some areas to seek God as you increase in faith to believe that He is with you:

1. Pursue God For Your Future Plans

“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper and not to harm you. Plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11 (NKJV)

2. Pursue God When You Have Personal Needs

“Therefore, do not worry, saying ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Matthew 6:31-33 (NKJV)

3. Pursue God When It Seems Nothing’s Happening

“Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.” Matthew 7:7-8 (NLT)

4. Pursue God For Healing and Deliverance

“He personally carried our sins in His body to the cross [willingly offering Himself on it, as on an altar of sacrifice], so that we might die to sin and live for righteousness. For by His wounds you [who believe], have been healed.” 1 Peter 2:24(AMP)

Don’t spend another moment of your life living in turmoil. Pursue God in all things. Develop a habit of trusting Him, believing He has the power to help you in all things.

~When Power Meets Pursuit

Nothing just happens! God is intentional. He’s strategic. What God does, is always done on purpose! Everything that you know to be true about God was placed in you on purpose. Even your pursuit to get to know God better is all a part of His plan and His purpose. We were born of a sinful nature. At birth God knew we would be conceived and birthed into a sinful world. He allowed His Son, Jesus, to take on our multitude of sins, so that we could live an abundant life. So before we can even think righteous thoughts, there had to be a work already being done.

In Him also, we have received an inheritance,

[a destiny, we were claimed by God as His own], having

been predestined [chosen, appointed before hand]

according to the purpose of Him who works

everything in agreement with

the counsel and design of His will.

Ephesians 1:11 (AMP)

Let me clarify this by saying, you did not choose God; God chose you! Our inward hunger to seek and desire God comes from the work He has already begun in us. When God’s power collides with our ionate pursuit, it’s by divine design. You want to know a secret? God wants to be known; He wants to be desired. He is a Person and has personalities just as we do. The Personality and Nature of God is like ours, in that He loves, He wills, desires, thinks and delights just as we do. We are, in fact, wired to be like Him. We are created in the similitude of our Father. It’s through our minds, wills and emotions that God communicates with us. When we are in constant communication with God, there is a longing in our souls for more of Him. There within, we have a yearning for divine intimacy. David, the beautiful Psalmist said it best, ‘My soul follows hard after thee…’ (Psalms 68:8 NJKV) The quest to know Him becomes intimately personal. Through this birth of a newfound relationship, the divine pursuit begins. Just as God is strategic and intentional, so must we be in our personal pursuit for Him. Pursuing God is active, not ive. Pursuing God is the practical means of living out our faith. And if you hold on in the ride of this pursuit, it’s the ride of a lifetime. Many have fallen away on their quest for God because they lack the ion and fervor to seek Him on a different level. If you have been in the faith for quite some time, you can what it was like to receive Christ and have a Holy Ghost fire burning on the inside. You wanted to tell everybody who was somebody about the Man who could save anybody. You were on fire! And with the proper guidance, you were able to cultivate that relationship. There is a select group, who for a variety of reasons: lack of leadership; disconnection from God’s people; contentment with where they are or the discontentment from the pressures and demands of life, whose faith has been rendered ineffective. They’ve lost their drive. They’ve lost their will to succeed and their spiritual fire has flickered out. If that is you, hold on! I want to help you rekindle this flame in your pursuit to know better and do better, because to know Him is to love Him. To love Him is to allow Him to be in every aspect of your life. To allow Him into your life, you

must seek Him while He can be found. God is an all access kind of God. No limits! No boundaries! No hidden fees! Just as you open up yourself to Him, He gives you complete access to Himself, because Jesus has already paid for your ticket. Just know that you have full access to the Almighty God. There are no priests, no animal sacrifices, no pinky swears. There’s just your desire to know more of Him. And as you come to know Him, you’ll know He is always available.

Our pursuit for God must be relentlessly consistent.

The problem, more likely than not, is that our pursuit for God is secondary to relationships, careers, money, achievements and having the finer things of life. It’s not until we’re backed in a corner or caught up in a crisis that we see our once spirit-filled pursuit has fizzled to a flameless pastime. Or, we assumed we’ve had enough because we believe in God, but we don’t really know Him. As David had a relentless pursuit for God, we too must follow Him closely. But why? I thought God already saved me. You may be asking, what is this pursuit all about? I don’t run that fast! I’m comfortable where I am! Your pursuit is not about comfort, nor a race for speed. Your pursuit is about enduring until the end to obtain your crown and an eternal life with Christ. Your pursuit is not about being in your comfort zone. Your pursuit is about building up your faith muscle so in the face of adversity, you aren’t torn down and left distraught, because you know and trust a God who has identified you as one with Him. He has called you fearfully and wonderfully made. He has promised that in Him you have life, you have strength and you have your being. In Him he has promised to never leave you nor forsake you. In Him you have the promise of abundant life. In Him, you have the availability to enter into His presence for a greater spiritual experience. You, my warrior friend, have a race that is set before you. Will you contend or

will you relent?

Strategy # 5

NEVER GIVE UP)

So let us not get tired of doing what is good.

At just the right time we will reap a harvest

Of blessing if we don’t give up.

Galatians 6:9 (NLT)

PREPARATION: A pursuit is active. It requires action. Run your race in full pursuit.

IMPLEMENTATION: Find what is missing. If you lack the spiritual fire to seek God, ask Him to show you. If you truly want to know the things of God, you must have an unflinching desire to seek Him, to know Him, and to trust His power to change us and sustain us.

“I ask-ask the God of our Master, Jesus Christ, the God of Glory-

to make you intelligent and discerning in knowing Him personally, your eyes focused and clear, so that you can see exactly what it is He is calling you to do, grasp the immensity of this glorious way of life He has for His followers, oh the utter extravagance of His work in us who trust Him- endless energy, boundless

strength!”

Ephesians 1:16-19 (MSG)

EXECUTION: Father, I come in full pursuit of You. My heart searches for the deeper things of You. Fan the flames of my desire to know more of who You are. Draw me closer to your word. Look down from heaven God on all who understand and all who seek to understand your goodness. Great is your love that forever consumes me. Thank you for the strength that keeps me in pursuit of You and that I shall never give up, never lose hope, and stay in the race. Great is your faithfulness that renews my strength every day.

I will never give up

CHAPTER EIGHT Assume the Position

If you haven’t learned by now, you are in the midst of a battle. Your health, finances, prayer life; even your time is under attack. You have the right to protect and preserve what is yours: God’s Power, God’s Authority, and God’s Wisdom & Knowledge. You have a bona fide expectancy to believe in, experience, and guard these precious treasures from God. Prepare to assume your rightful position to protect and guard yourself from Satan’s assault.

But you will receive power and ability when the Holy Spirit

comes upon you; and you will be my witnesses

[to tell people about Me]… Acts 1:8 (AMP)

After Jesus’ suffering on the cross, His death, burial and resurrection demonstrated the awesome power of God. He returned for forty days, to give the apostles (the witnesses) that had been with Him, a demonstration and proof that His Spirit was yet alive. This same power that raised up the Savior, is the same dunamis (strength and ability) power that is made available to you, the believer. What’s unfortunate is that many “believers” aren’t aware of or have not tapped into this power source. As God’s children we have authority as a believer. That power and authority comes through relationship with and obedience to the Lord. By now, we realize that we have an enemy. He is known as The Acc and oftentimes responsible for some of our most painful moments, whether directly

or indirectly. Many of our hardships still can be avoided. However, our hardships… those life altering pain points, often become our learning experiences. As you comb through these next pages, my prayer is that you’re strengthened as you recognize the power you possess by abiding in the Almighty God, and set free to walk in your spiritual authority.

~You Have Access

Life can confront us with challenges that cause our fists to clench, our chests to rise and our lips to twitch. We respond to these pressing moments in a few different ways. It’s not a matter of whether we’ll respond, but how we respond. As a Senior Advisor in a large military company, my day’s challenge was dealing mainly with junior personnel issues. My door was a swinging pendulum of dealing with O.P.P. (other people’s problems). I would often go in early mornings to get my work done because the sounding bell at 0800 begins with one call, then another and then office visits. It was a never-ending wave of problem solving, disciplinary actions and the settling of scores. Don’t get me wrong. This is not a complaint. I loved my job and taking care of my Marines. I put my heart into every moment and lived up to the commitment of taking care of my own. On a particular deployment to the Middle East, things changed. I knew God was shaping me into someone new. I didn’t quite know this person I was becoming, a softer, milder, gentler me. I mean I was a Marine through and through. Hardcore! Who is this person I was becoming? As the deployment ramped up, it’s not uncommon to get from other units to fulfill the personnel gaps within the organization. I loved recruiting young Marines and seeing their excitement to deploy. But this particular time was quite different. I can recall quite clearly many days of frustration and nights filled with agitation. It seemed as though I faced much opposition. It felt like a total nightmare. To add to those inadequate feelings came personality conflicts amongst personnel. The urgency to fill voids in the personnel roster, brought on

bouts of discord in the unit, causing lots of trouble. Midway through the deployment, our teams would express their appreciation to our troops by conducting field day events to build camaraderie. All the senior leaders contributed to the events minus a few participants. However, as the evening goes on, I see someone leaving the area with food. Not to jump to any conclusions, I made sure to check and that all who participated made their contribution. After the confirmation was made that they in fact had not paid, I went to speak to them about the matter. What happened next was probably the most degrading, humiliating experience of my life. They began to rant and rave about food they had not paid for. I was approached with yelling, screaming and cursing. All I could think of was why all the noise over something you hadn’t purchased. After such mortifying language, another person comes along side me, reaches into their wallet, balls up the money and throws it at me, with a few choice words. I was in total shock and numb by what I had just experienced from what were supposed to be my brothers-in-arms. These were certainly not my brothers. It took all the God in me not to yell and curse in retaliation. It was as if I were standing in the middle of all this noise and chaos watching what was happening to me. I felt like Paul; I didn’t know whether I was in the body or out of the body. (2 Corinthians 12:2) I had never experienced anything like this in all of my years of service. I was numb. I was under attack. I had two grown men in my face yelling, raging and screaming over food…that they did not pay for at that! I didn’t know how to feel. So, I exchanged a few calm words and I left. There was a time when I could stand toe to toe and exchange a few good words with you. But this particular night, words could not be formulated. Afterwards, there was such a calm that came over me, as if it were protecting from the piercing sword of their words and actions. As I was leaving the tent, I began to ask God, what was that all about? Why was this happening to me? And, what am I supposed to do about it? I took the situation to the Commander. I also ed my Equal Opportunity Officer. Something needed to be done. Oh, and this was all taking place during Ramadan. This is a time of fasting for the Muslim community. I believe it was a time God used to protect and cover me. In a foreign land during a time and season of their fasting and religious celebration, someone was praying for me!

I was the only one in the tent with these two men during this episode. There were no eyewitnesses, so it was my word against theirs. But God vindicated me. As we took the case before the Command, I gave my story and they gave theirs. Of course they stated the complete opposite of what happened. In their version, I came in yelling and screaming and demanding money; which was not the case at all. After I explained everything “with limited expletives,” I told the Commander, “Sir, I have no reason to lie nor to make any of this up. This is exactly what happened.” He replied, “And I believe it happened exactly as you said it did.” “Your character has been exemplary throughout the time I’ve known you. And I’m sorry this happened.” A sigh of relief rushed over me. God, thank you! The end of the story is the two men were relieved from the deployment and returned to their parent commands immediately. I say all this to say, you don’t have to act out of character. God will vindicate you. Even when the enemy is out to attack you, you have access to God’s power and authority. He will give you wisdom to know when and how to use it.

~Wisdom To Know The Difference

The Book of Proverbs is the book of wisdom. It sheds light on life and gives insight on living life successfully. The Book of Proverbs is God-breathed instructions to help the believer deal with the affairs of everyday life. “Wisdom is the principle thing. Get wisdom… Get understanding!” Proverbs 4:7 (NKJV) I am reminded of the story of Abigail, a woman who became one of David’s wives. Her character is described as one who was beautiful, determined and wise. Though previously she had been mismatched in a marriage to Nabal, a man who was very rich, but quite indignant and foolish, Abigail didn’t allow his foolery to cause her any bitterness. While on the run in the wilderness, David and his men camped out in Paran. Nearby was Nabal who owned three thousand sheep, which David had heard about. He sent ten of his men to Nabal to ask him to make provision for them. Out of his foolery and pride, Nabal had no regard for David and sent the men

back. David became infuriated with Nabal’s lack of respect and ordered four hundred of his men to declare war on Nabal’s household. After all, they had been protecting Nabal’s sheep from raiders. Then the unexpected happened. One of the servants got word back to Abigail as to what had taken place. In her haste to right the situation, Abigail made loaves of bread, gathered sheered sheep, cakes of raisins and figs, and skins of wine. She sent her servants ahead and quietly made her way to David with a peace offering. Not sure what to expect, Abigail was determined to intervene on behalf of her household. Knowing David was a man of war, Abigail fell before David’s feet, asked for his forgiveness and took ownership for her husband’s folly. In her kind words, she reminded David that his actions against the men of Maon and Carmel would not be fitting of a king. His future of becoming King of Israel was yet to come. David blessed her for such words, received her offering and she gained much favor in his eyes. Shouldering her husband’s irresponsibility, Abigail’s wisdom and understanding saved the lives of all the men in Maon and Carmel, to include Nabal. Upon her return, Nabal was hosting a feast, celebrating as if he were a king. Nabal was in a drunken stupor, so Abigail decided to wait until morning to tell him all that happened. In that instance his heart failed. Ten days later he died. When David got the news of Nabal’s death, he sent his men to ask Abigail to marry him. I Samuel 25:2-42 (NKJV) Talk about a fairytale ending! But that’s exactly how life goes. We will have hardships. We will have moments when our backs are against the wall. You can expect the unexpected! But the wisdom of God helps us to work out these situations. When we allow ourselves to mature in Christ, wisdom knows when to speak and when not to speak. Understanding tells us when to take action and when not to take action. In this story of Abigail, we see that she had great wisdom. Rather than stand back and watch what could have been a catastrophic situation for all the males in her town, she knew she had to take action. By doing so, lives were spared. Your situation may not be life threatening, but you have to have enough “umph,” enough wisdom on the inside of you to not allow Satan to take what belongs to

you. You must be able to speak when necessary and be silent in the same way. Your marriage may not be what you think it should be. Things may need to be rekindled. You may have potentially lost all your heart for the one you loved. Irate behaviors, irreconcilable differences, lack of communication may be riddling your marriage, but I can tell you, give it to God! Don’t allow bitterness to take root. Your wisdom and trust in the Lord can turn your situation around. The next time you find yourself in the middle of a crisis, consider Abigail. “A soft word turns away wrath, but harsh words stir anger.” (Proverbs 15:1 NKJV) She found herself in the middle of two high tempered men, one with whom she had to live with. Her story sheds light on how wisdom can impact the lives of others.

~The Authority To Stand

You must use your God-given power by standing in the authority that has been granted to you. It is a faith practice that must be used constantly in order to cultivate the power to overcome difficulties in life. Before we can truly know what our authority is, we must first know how to be under authority. God will not just unleash His authority to us if, one, there is no relationship; and two, if we ourselves won’t yield to authority. In other words, if we live in disobedience and rebelliousness we will not experience God’s authority. We are all, at some point in our lives, subject to be in authority or under someone else’s authority. In the Book of Romans, the Centurion soldier was the perfect example of a man who understood his place and his authority. Not only was he in a position of authority, but through his faith, he also recognized he was under authority, the authority of Jesus. The Centurion knew that Jesus could exercise His authority to heal his sick servant just by speaking a word… giving an order!

Just as the Centurion exercised great faith, we must demonstrate this same level of faith through the understanding of Jesus’ authority, which has been made available to us. Unfortunately, many of us are rebellious and can’t stand to submit to authority. This rebellious spirit won’t allow us to operate in the power granted to us as a believer. My heart aches as I watch the television programs of troubled teens and young adults who have such rebellious spirits and absolute disrespect for their parents or any authority figure for that matter. They are sent to boot camps to try to straighten them out. Some are scared straight and learn the lessons from their mistakes while others return back to the same disted behavior. I’ve even witnessed this same type of character in the body of Christ. We have to understand that it’s God who places people in positions of authority. Romans 13:1 (ESV) reminds us, “Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God [granted by His permission and sanction], and God has put those that exist in place. But because we dislike someone or they didn’t speak to us or they want to be in control, they don’t look like us, they don’t dress like us, they don’t believe like us, and on and on… we often won’t submit ourselves to their authority. It’s not our job to decide whom we want to submit ourselves to. God promotes man. If you haven’t been placed in charge, then you submit to those who are. When there is a lack of obedience in the body of Christ, there is no unity; there is no peace!

“Without obedience, one’s authority is rendered ineffective.”

In the military, we have what is called a Chain of Command. This is the hierarchy of who reports to whom. The Chain of Command delineates ability as well as a company’s line of authority. The manner of which power and authority is delegated starts from the top, with high-ranking officials, and works its way down to the lowest ranking member. Directions come from the top and flows down the chain. ability goes up the chain. For instance, a Private, the lowest ranking military person has no authority to

walk into the General’s office to make a request or a complaint. He must take his matter up the Chain of Command because he is not authorized or has not earned the stature to do otherwise. He is not allowed to “jump” the Chain of Command. He must recognize and submit to the appropriate level of authority. Unlike the military, for the believer to walk in the authority of Jesus Christ, there are a few things we must know.

1. Power and authority was secured by Jesus Christ, who came to earth as a mere man, died a horrendous death, and suffered in the pits of hell in order to defeat Satan. He took back the authority that was stolen from Adam in the Garden of Eden. 2. Authority is given to all who believe, to go into all the world and boldly speak in the name of Jesus and to stand against Satan.

In Mark 16:15 the disciples were given The Great Commission to “Go into all the world and preach the Good News to all creation. This doesn’t mean that we all take the platform in a pulpit. But it does mean, as Christians, we have a responsibility to share the good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ. But here’s the condition. Although Jesus’ authority has been made available to you and me, you must continuously posture yourself to stand under that authority. The Word of God says, in all your getting, get an understanding. (Proverbs 4:7 NKJV) Before this can truly take root, we must stand under God. You must submit yourself to His authority in order to operate in the authority of Jesus. When we come to the saving knowledge of Jesus, we obtain His authority. When He died and rose again, not only did you receive a life of eternity, but, you were released from the pits of hell and redeemed from the power of Satan.

Jesus said, “I give you the authority to trample over serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by no means hurt you. Luke

10:19 (NKJV)

Now let me clarify. This doesn’t mean to literally mess around with snakes. You just may get bitten! Serpents and scorpions in this scripture represent the evil forces that we have to contend with, even as a believer. These forces are not in the physical, but they are spiritual, and yes, they are real. Ephesians 6:12 (NKJV) tell us that we wrestle not with flesh and blood, the human being. But our struggle is against the powers of darkness and spiritual forces of wickedness. You may wonder why is it that Satan has caused so many problems and seems to be running rampant throughout the earth. Unfortunately, it’s because many do not recognize nor walk in the authority God has given them. When you grasp the understanding of the authority you have through Christ, then you can stand in authority! We were never promised a life free of issues and situations. But we were given a way to deal with them. You have all the authority you need to stand against Satan and his plan to wreck your future. You don’t need permission to exercise your authority. You just need to execute it! Your right to exercise your authority has been bought by the blood of Jesus. Exercising your authority requires something of you. In James 4:7 we learn of some actions we must take that causes us to exercise our authority. First, you must completely submit yourself to God. This means to “stand under” as we saw earlier. In the military we were under the subjection of a leader’s command. In Christ, we are under subjection to God. As we subject and align ourselves to Christ, we surrender to His divine authority. Surrender requires humility. Humility is formulated through our obedience.

Without obedience there is no surrender. Without surrender there is no humility. Without humility there is no authority!

Once we submit ourselves to God, then we must resist the Devil. How exactly do we do that? We must stand up to him! We must oppose his temptations and remain in the battle. You can resist the enemy in one of two ways: 1) by standing against the temptation to sin or 2) using the Word of God to expose sin and the lies of the enemy. Ephesians Chapter 6 helps us, in that, as we put on the whole armor of God, it gives us the ability to resist the enemy. We will get into the study of this armor later on as we learn how to dress for the battle and win the war against Satan. Trust me you’ll want to stay tuned. For now, rest assured in knowing that you have what it takes to win! You are armed with the authority of Christ, and you have what you need to stay in the fight. So take your rightful position and stand in your authority, stand in your power. You got this! God wants us to know that all that is His belongs to us. We have access to the Almighty God. He has given us authority to stand against the enemy. As we submit to God, we can boldly operate in our authority and courageously stand firm in His power to resist the Devil.

~The Power To Overcome

“Christians must realize that the Word of God is an instrument of authority given to us to release His power.” Pastor John Hagee

We have been given everything God wants us to have. He’s not creating anything new. He’s not doing anything different. He has given us His Word and it’s up to us to decide to use it. It’s our power source. In our greatest efforts, we cannot withstand the power of Satan without the power of God.

The power of God will always overshadow the power of the enemy.

Our belief must stand on “He who is in me is greater than He who is in the world.” I John 4:4 (NKJV) reminds us of this, which tells me we possess the power and have the ability to overcome the challenges of Satan. But if Satan is a spirit, not a man, then we must confront him on a spiritual battlefield. Our natural man can’t defeat Satan. We can’t see him, touch him, nor smell him utilizing our natural senses; therefore the battle with Satan is not in the natural. The fight is not a physical fight. When we try to come against Satan using our natural abilities, we will lose. It’s not until we tap into the power of God that we can successfully overcome the wiles of the Enemy. God’s power and authority was not made available to us so that we can walk around proud and puffed up. We’re good at doing that all by ourselves. God knew we would need it to defend ourselves against Satan and to boldly stand and be witnesses for His Son, Jesus. Our lives are particularly characterized by God’s power when we seize that power and operate in the supernatural working of that power.

Strategy #6

EXPECT THE UNEXPECTED)

PREPARATION: We must have the understanding that God is at work in our lives, and He can do the unexpected.

IMPLEMENTATION: When unexpected circumstances arise, you are being challenged to make peace. If you fail in your attempt, surely you will be tested again. God wants you to grow in faith. That comes through experience. Experience births understanding. Understanding begets wisdom.

The wise shall inherit glory,

But shame shall be the legacy of fools.

Proverbs 3:35 NKJV

EXECUTION: Father I thank you that your Spirit dwells in me and you have given me power to stand in authority over the Enemy. I take up my authority and assume my rightful position in Christ. No matter what may come up against me, I will stand. Lord my prayer is that I yield in total submission in obedience to Your word. As I surrender in obedience, I thank you that Your presence and Your power goes before me.

I have authority

RELENTLESS EXPECTATION

Victory comes when we are relentless in our pursuit. We have a victorious moment when we find the courage to stand in the face of adversity. Though you have been bruised, battered and busted, you’re still standing! Even if your wounds are internal, and no one can see them, the amazing thing is, you’re still here! Relentless is the heart of one who is persistent, unstoppable, and tenacious. The heart of the relentless one has a never give up attitude and a warrior’s expectancy to win. God’s plan, His purpose and His promises for your life never fail, even if you do. Failure doesn’t mean that life is over and everything comes to a crashing end. It simply means that God wants to shift you into a new direction. In Him, we cannot fail! Many may think that having high expectations is presumptuous, but having no expectations is hopelessness. So what, if what you’re expecting hasn’t come to past? It doesn’t mean that God isn’t at work. When our hope is in Him, He’ll direct us, guide us, and in His timing, He’ll give us the desires of our hearts. The problem is that doggone Enemy. He wants to keep us blinded, distracted and believing that our hopes and expectations are a mere fantasy. But I’m here to tell you to keep pushing and striving to fulfill your dreams. Pushing causes you to exert force. As your exert force, you gain the strength to propel forward. Don’t allow the Enemy to push you around, use your force to resist him. Keep striving! That requires action on your part. Sitting and waiting for something to happen doesn’t make things happen. You make things happen by showing up, taking action and moving forward. Many are stifled by fear because their dreams, hopes and expectations seem too big! Well, if it doesn’t scare you, it’s not big enough. If it doesn’t make you uncomfortable, your expectations are too small. I hope something is stirring on the inside of you right now, saying “Get up!” “Get Going!” “Now!” “Let nothing stop you!” See, there’s a still, small voice on the inside of us that we often dismiss. The

loud one that drives you to confusion overpowers that voice of reason. Don’t be shaken by the loud boisterous voice, but listen to the still comforting voice of God. It will never mislead you. Your moment has arrived; it’s time to Stand Your Ground and Win This War! Victory has already been won, you just have to show up and claim what’s already yours!

CHAPTER NINE Stand Your Ground

Take your stand [be firm and confident and undismayed]

And see the salvation of the LORD which He

Will accomplish for you today.

Exodus 14:13 (AMP)

Now that you’ve dug in and fortified your position, you must stand firm! Here are three “must haves” in staying true to yourself and your God calling: Discipline, Determination, Decisiveness, all of which you must master in order to follow God’s direction. Are you ready to dig deeper? Brace yourself as you grow in your stance. Now is not the time to be terrorized or to relent. Find your strength in God’s ability to fortify your staying power in this battle against an unseen enemy. When life hits you from every angle, you have to be laser focused and standing on a firm foundation. You must be so committed in what you’re believing God for, that no matter how hard the wind blows, regardless of the raging storm, you’re still holding on. It doesn’t matter what your naysayers think, they weren’t given your promise and can’t answer the call of fulfilling your purpose. You are not in this alone. We are ever so reminded in Deuteronomy 31:6 (AMP) “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or tremble in dread before them, for

it is the Lord your God who goes with you.” Whenever you feel as if you’re battling by yourself… when it seems everyone else has left you, just when you’re ready to throw in the towel, know that God is still there. That is a hope that should build your confidence and have you walking around with an “S” on your chest! And the “S” doesn’t stand for Superman or Superwoman; the “S” stands for “Savior!” When God has saved you, called you and justified you, who can come against you and condemn you? Though the Enemy may try, he can’t win. You are more than a conqueror and you have a loving God who will not let you fall. So get up and stand your ground! Getting up is the manifestation of your strength. Your strength is developed in the push. Standing your ground requires an unyielding faith. This is where the discipline comes in.

~Practicing Discipline

We’ve all heard of it, but really, what is discipline? How does discipline help you in your life’s challenges? From a Marine’s perspective, (nothing against any other military service), but discipline is the willing and instant obedience to orders. When given instructions for a certain task, the expectation is “do first, ask questions later.” However, most of us have many questions. We want to know the who, what, when, where, and WHY! The mindset behind the “do first, ask questions later” is not about control. It’s more about saving lives. Obedience saves lives! On the battlefield, there is no time for questions. Bullets are coming down range; explosions are happening all around. The Commander gives the commands. The warriors must execute those commands without hesitation. Lives are at stake! I’d like to think of God as a Marine’s Marine! Think of it like this… God has already given us orders. He gave us those 10 simple rules to live by. Why? Because they save lives and keep us in check. When He ministered those rules to live by, Moses didn’t ask, Lord why do we have to do it this way? He didn’t ask

when do you want the people to obey these rules? Can they start next week or next month… they’ve got things to do Lord. No! God gave the rules; Moses wrote them down and obeyed them. With God as our Commander, we are the spiritual warriors on the battlefield, and we must execute instant obedience to His orders.

The essential nature required to properly and unhesitantly execute orders is discipline.

Discipline is a practice. It’s executed through the presence and power of the Holy Spirit. It requires us to train our minds, our bodies, and our souls. Our minds must be focused on things above. Our bodies must be rendered as a living sacrifice. Our spirits must be connected to and in tune with the Holy Spirit. But no man is perfect. We are all sinners. We have fallen short of God’s glory. This is why we can’t stand alone. We must be in relationship with God and obedient to His word. Obedience demonstrates our discipline or lack thereof. In our own humanness, we have an insatiable appetite to refute authority and do what we feel is pleasing to ourselves. If we are going to stand against the powers of darkness, we must be disciplined, but more importantly, self-disciplined. When the word of God says to “Resist the Devil and he will flee from you,” (James 4:7 NKJV) without question, that’s what we should do. We don’t have time to think about it, mull over it and get back to God with an answer. The command was “resist!” All that thinking and mulling only gives the Enemy more time to devise his plan and heap more adversity upon you. Self-discipline, one of the fruits of the spirit mentioned in Galatians Chapter 5, requires us to be dependent on God and not ourselves. It’s about having selfcontrol— Self… controlled by the Holy Spirit.

The Apostle Paul, one of the greatest men of the bible, even examines his owns sins and describes his lack of discipline.

For I do not understand my own actions [I am baffled and bewildered by them].

I do not practice what I want to do, but I am doing the very thing I hate [and

Yielding to my human nature, my worldliness-my sinful capacity]. Now if

I habitually do what I do not want to do, [that means] I agree with the Law,

confessing that it is good (morally and excellent).

So now [if that is the case, then] it is no longer

I who do it [the disobedient thing which I despise],

but the sin [nature] which lives in me…

For the willingness [to do good] is present in me,

but the doing good is not.

Romans 7:15-18 (AMP)

Paul is saying here, that we will all struggle. Our human nature is a sinful nature, hence the reason we struggle. He says, the things we want to do or should do; we don’t always do because of sin. Paul was transparent in his struggles and made them known. That scripture is a perfect mnemonic to practice self-discipline. that old cliché’ “the Devil made me do it?” Well it’s our human nature to do what feels good or to do that evil thing to get back at someone who wronged us. We don’t want to be uncomfortable, nor do we like the feeling that someone has gotten the best of us. So if it doesn’t suit our fancy, we do what does [make us feel good]. Our struggles can come in many disguises: Our health, finances, relationships, addictions, mental state and so much more. God knew we would face adversity, but He sent His Son whose Spirit dwells within us, to give us power to be overcomers.

Mastering self-discipline is not about will power, but spiritual power.

Discipline of any type may seem painful, but in practicing it regularly, it produces a righteous attitude and lifestyle. Exercising self-discipline allows us to set boundaries and take necessary actions to lead better lives. When we follow God’s rules and His commands, we are taking actions that align our thoughts, control our words, cultivate our behavior and ultimately build our character in Christ. Practicing these five daily habits will help you develop the Power of Self-

Discipline:

• Discover God’s purpose for your life

Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails. Proverbs 19:21 (NIV)

Knowing God’s will for your life helps your purpose to become clearer. God never intended for us to wander aimlessly.

• God’s purpose, not your plans, helps you to know where you’re going • God’s purpose defines who you are • God’s purpose reminds you of why you’re here

• Keep moving forward

… but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead. Philippians 3:14 (NASB)

Stay focused forward. Looking back or dabbling in bad habits won’t help you overcome them. Knowing from whence you came, fuels your faith to focus on where you’re going. Don’t look back! Ask yourself:

Where am I going? How will I get there?? Why do I need change?

• Remove Distractions

Keep your eyes straight ahead; ignore all sideshow distractions. Proverbs 4:27 (MSG)

Satan, the ultimate distractor, lurks throughout the earth to see whom he can draw away and separate from God. Distractions can be physical worldly things that we love, but don’t add any spiritual value to our lives. Here are a few mental distractions to nip in the bud.

Self-doubt: initiates insecurity Confusion and chaos: leaves you open to believe anything Fear: causes lack of success or unfulfillment

• Keep yourself spiritually fit

(1 Timothy 4:7)

Just as having good physical health brings us joy and happiness, so does spiritual health. ing a gym or hiking the trails won’t increase spiritual fitness. This requires exercising your spiritual muscles.

Set goals to increase your spiritual health Exercise confidence in knowing it’s Christ who gives you strength Believe that God is with you and working all things out for your good

• Renew your mind

As a man thinks in his heart…so is he. Proverbs 23:7 (NKJV)

The way we think comes from a much deeper place. Our heart is the subconscious matter from which our actions are birthed. That which manifests in our heart, manifests in our life.

Read the Word daily and keep it at the center of your heart Apply the Word of God by finding something in it you can relate to Practice living out the Word of God daily

These simple steps will help you to become more structured in living a life for Christ. You have been given the authority to stand, so stand! It takes discipline to stand when you want to lie down and roll over. It takes determination to keep

standing. Not only is discipline a requirement to help you overcome life’s challenges, so is determination.

~Be Determined

Determination is a characteristic one portrays through their actions. We’re not born with determination; it is mastered through overcoming obstacles of life. I have grown to love sports, particularly basketball and football. When they’re in season, my family is glued to the television. I’ve watched my sons and even my husband play sports, so it’s just a part of me. It would have been great to see them make it to the professional level, but nonetheless, I enjoyed those moments of their lives. Watching them grit and push through moments when their opponents were giving them a run for their money, showed how they were determined to win. I saw several basketball games my youngest son played that were absolute nail biters. In one particular game, the score was going back and forth and the clock ticking down to the last few seconds. We suddenly scored and the game goes into overtime. Our boys were up against some of their toughest opponents and it looked as if the most favored team was going to win, when suddenly our team gets fouled and goes to the free throw line with the opportunity to make the final shot. First free throw, ooh, he misses. Second free throw, he hits the shot and we’re up by one point. It’s now the other team’s chance to score with 2 seconds left. They call a timeout to work out a plan to score. They return to the floor fired up, assured they had a strategy to score and win the game. My thoughts were, “Our boys are tough, they aren’t giving this up easily.” They the ball inbound, sets up the shot and swoosh; they miss! We won! Over the years, our boys learned a lot… how to hustle, push themselves, and dig deep. But more importantly, they learned how to never give up even if your opponent seems bigger and better. It’s not over until the last whistle blows. Determination is the resolute persistence to overcome opposition, remove distractions, and withstand the vicissitudes of life, regardless of the size of the resistance you may face. You must have a made-up mind that you will stand

your ground on the firm foundation of the Word of God. When you know who you are and whose you are, your determination enables you to make difficult decisions. This does not come without a price. You are constantly in a battle to defend your faith, fight for what’s right and walk in obedience. Determination requires us to be obedient. Why? Because when we are in Christ, we have been chosen by God. As God’s own, we must read, apply and practice God’s word. God has given us dreams and visions to fulfill. They won’t come to without practical application. Oswald Chambers put it this way, “If we lose the ‘“heavenly vision’” we alone are responsible- not God. We lose the vision because of our own lack of spiritual growth. If we do not apply our beliefs about God to our everyday life, the vision God has given us will never be fulfilled. The only way to be obedient to “the heavenly vision” is to give our utmost to His highest- our best for His glory. This can be accomplished only when we make a determination to God’s vision. But the acid test is obedience to the vision in the details of our everyday life - sixty seconds out of every minute, sixty minutes out of every hour, not just during times of personal prayer or public meetings.” So ask yourself these questions:

1. Do I exhibit determination in my everyday life? 2. What is hindering my determination? 3. How can I live out determination in the face of adversity?

When you come to the crossroad of making a difficult decision, it is pertinent to know the word of God, in order to make the right decision. Determination is our ability to choose Godly pursuits and not allow distractions and discouragement to set our course.

What mindsets have you allowed that has caused you to give up, waver or even feel powerless? Yes, giving up and giving in is a mindset! Your way of thinking has caused you not to trust God’s way and His provision. You can’t afford not to trust God! He’s always there for you. He is our com, the guide for our lives. With the help of the Holy Spirit, we can choose what’s good and right for our lives, if we are determined to fulfill Godly pursuits. We can empty our minds of fear and doubt. We can eliminate stress and the heartaches of the world when we are determined to set our hearts on the things of God. Put on the mind of Christ. Here’s how:

Know this: I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Philippians 4:13 (NKJV)

Say this: The Lord is for me; I will have no fear. What can mere people do to me? Yes, the LORD is for me; He will help me… It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in people. Psalm 118:8 (ESV)

Do this: And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. Galatians 6:9 (KJV)

this: “… so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God. Being strengthened in all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience.” Colossians 1:10-11 (NIV)

Though you may be challenged, you have the power to choose a more fulfilled

life in Christ!

~Make A Decision

Decisive: (adverb) the ability to quickly make decisions without doubt or question.

Oftentimes, we find ourselves in situations where we must make a decision without hesitation. In the military, one of the 11 leadership principles is to “make sound and timely decisions.” This lends itself to developing the trust of your subordinates. Without it, comes chaos and confusion, which in turn could lead to loss of lives. As believers, we too must be so resolute that our lives depend solely on our decision to choose God. You have the power to choose what you should do, but you also have the power to choose to do it. In other words, you know what you should do… most of the time. That inner gut feeling is usually the one to go with. Although we know what to do, chaos and confusion creeps in because it’s not always what we want to do. This causes us to be unstable in our thoughts and unreliable in our commitments. It is God who gives us wisdom, knowledge and understanding. We’ve all faced a crossroads at some point in our lives. Yet, when it comes to making a decision, we often resort to our past experiences, our own judgments, or even someone else’s opinions, rather than God. When you truly come to the point of making difficult decisions, ask yourself these three things:

1. Do I have all the facts?

2. Am I allowing my own motives to drive my decisions? 3. Have I aligned my decisions with biblical principles (the word of God)?

There’s an old cliché’ that says, “Haste makes waste.” One thing we must be ever so mindful of, is not allowing ourselves to be pressured into making hasty decisions. The lack of time is often a provoking factor. Use it wisely to make timely decisions. Seek the Lord in all your decisions. We serve a God who wants to be a part of every area of your life rather than you pick and choose where you want to put Him. If you’re starting a new career, seek God. If you’re buying a new car, ask God. If you are seeking a bible study group, look to the Lord. There is nothing too big or too small for God. How do you know if God will answer? 99.9% of the time, there won’t be an audible voice to tell you to go here, go there or buy this, buy that. When we seek God, the Holy Spirit within us gives us the unction and there’s an inner peace. Listen to your inner-self. If you feel anxious and uncertain, wait. “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving let your request be made known to God. And the peace of God, which sures all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7 (NKJV) Don’t be anxious. Never listen to that person… you know, the pushy, “salesy” guy who’s moving way too fast. Surround yourself with wise counsel, not antsy Betty who always has a mouthful of advice for everyone else but herself. Be mindful not to share your matter with anyone and everyone as this creates confusion. The unfortunate truth of the matter is not everyone has your best interest in mind. What I’ve learned in life is that making sound decisions require me to consult with myself internally. Within me is where I learned that many of my answers were already there. I just had to stop long enough to listen. I learned very early in life that not all counsel is wise counsel. When I was dealing with marital issues, I chose someone who I thought would be the right person. She was older and I thought, more mature than me. Needless to say, her advice to me was to leave my marriage.

Well, thank God I had enough common sense and intuition from the Holy Spirit to know things weren’t that bad and leaving my mate was not the solution to the problem. This is why we must first consult our Inner Witness. Do a self-check, but more importantly, seek God. Another thing to consider when making a decision is whether or not you’re fishing for what you want to hear, rather than truth. Human nature wants what looks good, feels good and sounds good. If it doesn’t sound like what we want to hear, we will dismiss it. Be careful not to allow your feelings to make your decisions. Just because it’s not what you want to hear doesn’t mean it’s not the right decision. Again, this is where we consult with God. He knows what’s best. Last thing, don’t be afraid to make a mistake. We’re not perfect and sometimes we’ll miss the mark. We will fall short from time to time. But know this, we all have! You don’t have to wait for a “got it all together” sign to make a move. Seek God first, have good intentions in your heart and act in faith. These are the necessary steps when making good decisions. Making sound decisions take courage. It’s so easy to make a decision that eradicates anything that makes us uncomfortable. It’s often difficult to wait on God, especially when we feel like we need an answer right now. Let me encourage you that it’s better to wait on God than to reap unwanted consequences from pacifying our emotions.

Strategy # 7

REFUSE TO BE INTIMIDATED)

For God has not given us the spirit of fear,

but of power and of love and of a sound mind.

2 Timothy 1:7 NKJV

PREPARATION: You are unstoppable! You have been equipped with all you need to defeat every foe.

IMPLEMENTATION: it takes discipline to stand your ground. You must remain committed to the power stance. Dig your heels in and refuse to let go of God’s promises for you. Life was never intended to be lived without a struggle. Your struggle is real, but so is God. Trials do come to make us strong. Stand firm knowing that God will fight your battles.

You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will give you, Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the Lord will be with you.

2 Chronicles 20:17 NIV

EXECUTION: Almighty God, you are full of wisdom, power and strength. I thank You Lord, that I can approach your throne without fear or condemnation. For every battle and every situation that tries to consume me, I pray it disciplines me to seek your face. Strengthen me Lord, that I may withstand the storms of life. I pray that I remain steadfast and unmovable in my resolve to see your glory in all things. I bind every trick of the enemy and I refuse to be afraid. I have decided today, to seek You Lord in all things and trust You in every way.

I am unstoppable

CHAPTER TEN Winning The War

The weapons in an armory have to periodically be opened up and cleaned thoroughly inside and out. Without a clean, well-oiled weapon, it is likely to jam when it’s time to fire it. Inspections are performed often and critically necessary to ensure optimal performance. When entering into battle, wearing the appropriate attire, being properly prepared, knowing your weapons and how they function are essential for your success. It’s time you got dressed! Learn how to employ your weapons and dress for battle with power, purpose and poise.

You have armed me with strength for the battle…

Psalm 18:39

~A Heart For Battle

As a believer, you may be thinking, I want no part of this war stuff. It’s not what I signed up for. Trust me, I’ve been there and felt the same way. When the epic war film “Saving Private Ryan” hit the screens in 1998, I can going to the movies as all my military buddies were raving about it. My stomach sank and a huge lump welled up in my throat as I watched the opening scenes of the beach landing during the invasion of Normandy. Captain Miller, (played by Tom Hanks), shaking nervously, gave his men an order to check their weapons once they hit the beach, to ensure sand wouldn’t cause them

to malfunction. As the boat ramp opened, immediately the men met their demise as their German enemies had nestled into bunkers awaiting their arrival. Met with mortar rounds and machine gun fire, some jumped overboard, yet drowning from the weight of their gear. Some froze, stifled with fear. Others took cover behind obstacles while some pressed forward to gain control of the beach. The gruesome scene of dismembered Army troops, missing limbs, death and the chaos of war had me second guessing my choice of ing the military. Gasping to swallow, all I could think of in the longest ten minutes of my life was, “I didn’t sign up for this.” The thoughts of warfare, spiritual battle and all the horrific notions of fighting may have shaken you. But if you’ve made it this far, know that there is light at the end of the tunnel and victory is already yours. We need not fear the casualties of war, particularly when we are prepared for the spiritual battle and we fight a good fight. When you know your opponent is raging towards you, do you just stand there and get pounced on, or do you do what you can to protect yourself and those around you? Whether it’s putting up your hands to resist the blows, or whispering a prayer to reduce the impact, you don’t just stand there and take blow after blow. Now this may sound like what could potentially happen in a physical fight, but our battle is not physical. Circumstances may present themselves in the form of an enemy threat. They even arise when we’re minding our own business or as we attempt to demonstrate God’s love and advance His Kingdom. Though things may come against you, maintain your focus, knowing that the true enemy is Satan, merely using people and situations as instruments to do his crafty work. In the book of Ephesians Chapter 6 starting at verse 10, we’ll take a look at the type of battle we are engaged in. Just know this, as a Christian you will have to fight! Though the battle has been won, your personal victory does not come without you putting in much effort. You will have to fight for your hopes, your dreams, your family and children. Even more, you’ll have to fight to maintain your mind, your body, and your soul. Anything of kingdom value, you’ll have to fight to keep it.

Satan has made it known to man that his sole purpose is to roam throughout the earth stirring up chaos and confusion in your home and conquering whoever he can with selfish desires and worldly lusts. And whether you’ve ever been in a physical fight or not, fights are never pretty. Someone will win. Someone will lose. Nevertheless, you need to know not only how to fight, but, who you’re fighting, and even more importantly, how to win. It’s quite apparent that God knew we would encounter some hardships in our lives. Not only will we encounter tough times, we will experience difficult people. He has not forgotten you. No matter what you’re going through, when you’re in Christ, He’s got you! You may feel as if you’re alone. Trust me, you are not alone. Oftentimes, God has to separate us from our familiar surroundings. Sometimes, we don’t get the message and He has to allow a situation to occur to get our attention. However, God has given us specific instructions to be victorious when it seems as if our boat has landed and we’re being bombarded with mortar rounds. If you’ve ever dealt with any type of adverse situation, you know it brought about many emotions: fear, anger, and sometimes doubt. Let’s deal with this fear issue. Often it’s the element of fear that paralyzes us and hinders us from taking action. Fear can be so crippling that it even immobilizes our faith. In the battle to protect your God-given destiny, fear will arise. Fear is not an excuse to disobey what God has called you to do. Fear will cause you to question God, doubt God, and abort your mission to please Him. It’s unfortunate that we will fear man before we fear God. The only fear God commands of us, is to fear Him. Everything else is not of God. Going into battle, a place of unfamiliar territory will cause one to fear. Yet, it takes courage to face fear head on.

Courage is not the absence of fear; it’s merely the catalyst that propels you into action to overcome fear.

I love King David’s declaration of faith in Psalm 27:3 (ESV), which says, “Though an army encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; though war arise against me, yet I will be confident.” When our focus is on God, fear cannot prevail. Fear, if left unchecked, takes root in the heart and creates doubt. When feelings of fear arise, we’ll often speak from that standpoint. Out of the abundance of your heart your mouth will speak. (Matthew 12:34 NKJV) It’s no wonder your life feels unbalanced and in turmoil. Allowing fear to rule affects the way you think and speak. Before you know it, you’re speaking negative about your finances, your spouse, and others, therefore hindering your own abundance. Even in the goodness of a new marriage or promotion, you’ll begin to doubt if it’s right for you or if you can live up to the position. Acting out of fear suppresses your growth.

If you think in fear, you will act in fear.

We are constantly at war when we follow Jesus. We have to contend with internal battles like fear and doubt. We deal with loss, grief, depression and even anxiety. Externally, we are often criticized when our world doesn’t look perfect in the eyes of someone on the outside looking in. And spiritually, we deal with a vicious enemy. This is why we must fight for victory. Battles are not won through fear. Battles are won when we have the heart to face our fear. Battles are won when we speak life. Battles are won through our trust in God, commitment to His word and preparation from being in the word. Are you ready?

~Inspection Ready

Though critically necessary, the scrutiny of military inspections were always a time of grumbling and complaining, rushing and preparing. Having stood many inspections over the years, I felt like I was always rushing to get my stuff together. Year after year, the same thing - pressing uniforms, spit-shining boots, cleaning weapons, purchasing uniform trinkets and gadgets, and hastily preparing for the “junk-on-the-bunk inspection” as a young Marine. This was an inspection of our living quarters and personal gear displayed in wall lockers [closets] and on our racks [the bed]. Even in my occupational field, inspections of our istrative records were always a tedious evolution. Staying up countless hours and many nights filing, scrambling, dotting “I’s” and crossing “T’s” to present ourselves as if we had it all together. Does that sound familiar? It’s not that I didn’t enjoy the inspection; it was the procrastination and jumping through hoops that always seem to catch me. Tired and worn out from procrastination whiplash, I decided I was done circling that mountain. Suddenly, the light came on! I had one of those aha moments. I’m sure I wasn’t the first one to think of this, and definitely not the last. But a new day had dawned. I soon learned the key to an inspection was preparation. Preparation doesn’t begin when you know the inspection is coming. Preparation is a steady, ongoing process that is often mundane in the beginning, but definitely is rewarding when the moment arises, whether announced or unannounced. It’s a process of not only getting ready, but also taking necessary daily steps to stay ready. The “getting ready” bug has bitten many of us. I’m getting ready to write my book. I’m getting ready to launch my ministry. I’m getting ready to start my business. I’m getting my act together. Stop getting ready! Get ready and stay ready! Put in the necessary effort to propel your goals. Your God-given dreams, talents and gifts have been on hold long enough. You’ve thought about it, struggled over it and battled Satan for it. It’s time for your shift. A mindset shift. The shift must first take place in your mind.

~Preparation Meets Opportunity

Preparation starts in the mind. Being ready when your opportunity knocks is all in how you prepare. Winning the war does not happen the day you find yourself engaged in a conflict. Battles are won in the days, weeks, months and years spent preparing for them. One thing we must understand is nothing just happens and everything begins with a thought. When engaged in battle, no one wants to lose. Everyone desires to be victorious. But not everyone is willing to do the mundane, tedious work. We give up too soon. We lose hope. We make excuses. How well you fight doesn’t determine if you’ll win or lose, but rather, how well you’ve prepared. True victory in battle is demonstrated through the content of our character, developed by the divine orchestration of life’s battle scars.

“True victory in battle is demonstrated through the content of our character, developed by divine orchestration of life’s battle scars.”

Inspections are often necessary to ensure we are prepared for the skirmishes and unexpected strikes ahead that blindside us and distract us from our purpose. How well have you mapped out your plan for the unexpected battles? There is an air of expectancy when you’re well prepared. You must be prepared to walk into your season. Opportunity awaits those who are prepared.

When preparation collides with opportunity, God’s plan is revealed and your purpose is then discovered.

~ Optimal Performance

As a well-oiled machine reaches optimal performance, we too must be primed and ready in order to operate effectively and efficiently. Any high functioning piece of equipment isn’t considered completely operable until it goes through testing and evaluation. We are often met with a plethora of circumstances that test our attitudes, patience, and put us on trial to determine our level of performance. We go through various zones, phases and modes that mold us, shape us, and prepare us for the battlegrounds that so readily await to consume us. Sometimes we need help to shift our minds to a new focus as we embrace the vision and prepare to walk in purpose. There is comfort in knowing God is orchestrating our steps and also awaits our acceptance of His invitation to help us through every episode of the journey. For optimal performance, preparation is essential. The Prep Map is a tool that guides you through the process of moving towards your full potential.

First, you enter into the thought zone. Again, everything begins with a thought. Prior to preparation and action, there has to be a thought. I call this the Thought Zone. The Thought Zone is where your vision first takes place. A “zone” is a region or area set off as distinct from surrounding or ading parts. Your mind is the Thought Zone, set apart from other areas of your body, yet closely intertwined with your heart. Whether by dream, supernatural awareness or simply thinking, the vision was God’s spiritual deposit into your future. I use the term “zone” because the mind is the region where the vision is conceived. In this “zone” you’ll be tried, tested and inspected. God wants to know what you’re doing with the dreams He’s planted. Are they still in the thought zone or forgotten about and never to be birthed?

Today I have given you the choice between life

and death, between blessings and curses. Now

I call on heaven and earth to witness the choice

you make. Oh, that you would choose life, so that

you and your descendants might live!

Deuteronomy 30:19 NLT

When we choose to ignore or ively entertain our dreams, often they will die. What God deposit in us is not necessarily for us. We are merely the catalysts for someone else’s purpose to be birthed. This is why the Thought Zone is so critical. In the Thought Zone many things will tug on our emotions. We begin to consider all the objections, disapprovals and difficulties we could potentially face: What if I fail? I don’t have the money. It’s not the right time. But also, the Thought Zone is where we are empowered when we choose to live out God’s instructions. When the vision moves from our headspace and connects with our heart, it can now take root and begin the process of manifestation.

It’s in the mind where our thoughts transform who we are or what we become. In her book, Switch On Your Brain, Dr. Caroline Leaf says, “As we think, we change the physical nature of our brain. As we consciously direct our thinking, we can wire out toxic patterns of thinking and replace them with healthy thoughts.” Our thoughts can manifest and multiply our dreams when we remove the toxic waste. This is a very critical zone and we must be mindful to manage our thoughts and actions. Just as quickly as God gives the vision, the Enemy comes to steal it. We must be on guard. Habakkuk 2:1 (NKJV) reminds us: “I will stand my watch and set myself on the tower and look out to see what He will say to me.” After you’ve prayed and processed your thoughts, don’t let them stay there. Move on to the next phase. There is a moment of transition between the Thought Zone and The Preparation Phase. This place of transition requires us to be patient during times of uncertainty. It’s often in this period of transition that we make rash decisions. This is really a time to just be. You don’t have to know what’s next. Just allow God to lead the way. In His timing, He’ll guide you to what’s next. The Preparation Phase is a temporary holding ground for visions, dreams and thoughts to be cultivated. The Preparation Phase is also very critical. A “phase” is a distinct period or stage in a process of change or development. This is the phase where we become stewards of our thoughts and dreams. In the art of war, battle plans are strategically prepared so they may be executed with poise and control. It’s in the ‘war room’ where strategies, schemes and maneuvers are set in place in anticipation of the enemy’s assault. This is a place where leaders with years of experience, collectively make strategic decisions to develop the plan. Without a vision and knowledge of the word of God, we fight a losing battle. The vision is a glimpse of our future. The word of God is instructions on how to get there. In the midst of life altering moments, as believers, we [should] exhibit poise [balance and control]. In our microwave, quick fix generation, we’ve lost a sense

of what balance and control is due to the “I want it now” syndrome. If we’re not careful, we’ll lose sight of our future hopes and even the experience in preparing for them, in exchange for instant gratification. In The Circle Maker, Mark Batterson gives us something to think long and hard about. In the book, he says, “If you want to dream until you die, you need to set goals that take a lifetime to achieve.”

More often than not, God gives us a glimpse of our future because there is something in us He wants to cultivate. The divine revelation gives us a momentary burst of refreshing energy. When you catch the vision, write it down. Habakkuk 2:2 (NKJV) tell us to “Write the vision and make it plain…” I have been journaling for years. I can often go back and read prayers and the Holy Spirit-filled moments of inspiration that I’ve written. I’ve seen visions come to life, prayers answered and miracles manifest. If you don’t journal, now is a great time to start. Make it a commitment to write something each day. Write out your hopes, dreams and expectations. Then ask God to show you how He wants to use them in your life. God is not so much focused on the dream as He is in the transformation that takes place in you as a result of fulfilling the dream. There is an experience here that shouldn’t be missed when we are in the process of being refined. The ultimate challenge we face is putting in the work and staying true to what God has shown us. It may not come as fast as we want it, but God’s timing is perfect. He knows how long we need to stay in the fire and how high to turn up the temperature to ensure we’re prepared for the call. After the Preparation Phase is another moment of transition before getting to The Action Mode. This place of transition requires even more patience than the first. We’ve gone from uncertainty to having some idea of where we’re headed. It’s often in this period of transition that we move too soon and get ahead of God. God is in control; allow Him to navigate the path.

God’s power is what we experience while striving to fulfill His purpose and plan for our lives. This may sound daunting, but it’s really quite simple. We don’t have to perform in our own strength. God’s power is fully operational in our lives when we choose poise over insecurity. God’s strength and power shows up mightily when we choose to trust Him. God’s power propels us into action and sustains us in those intensely heated moments of battling through our purpose. When we have spent time thinking on the things of God… in The Thought Zone, and we’ve established a productive plan to execute God’s will for our lives, we can move into action. The Action Mode: This is when we have been released to live out loud. By divine design, this is the culminating point for your thoughts and the catalyst for the long awaited preparations you’ve made. God is an action oriented God and he wants to fulfill the desires of our heart. One powerful woman that I’ve mentioned in this book demonstrates the characteristics of a person utilizing the PREP Map. Abigail, a woman of beauty, poise and wisdom displays a cool, calm, collected disposition in the aftermath of her husband’s foolishly arrogant actions against King David. Upon hearing of her husband’s ingratitude towards the David, she first had to think before she took action. What could have been devastating for Nabal, Abigail and their family, turned out just the opposite. First, Abigail didn’t just react. She was a woman of wisdom, charm and grace, who knew the Lord. Though she lived in a dysfunctional home, she didn’t allow that to affect her character. She contemplated and processed a better way of refuting the king’s violence that was about to be ensued against Nabal. Secondly, she prepared. Her plan to serve food, demonstrated generosity and a servants heart. She had some political savviness about her in that she gathered her servant-men and sent them ahead of her to “grease the skids” if you will. Having spent time before the Lord, Abigail was being prepared for this moment. It’s not until we’ve had to endure life’s situations that we become refined. Life has a way of preparing us for helping others in difficult times. God has a way of

smoothing out our rough edges and it often occurs through dealing with difficult people, unexpected situations and sometimes even tragedies. Finally, Abigail was a woman of action. The fact that she had the courage to go against her husband to right a wrong situation says she was a woman not subdued by her culture. However, in her own dignified way, Abigail pled for David to remove his anger and spare their family. She reminded him of who he was: A man who was in divine alignment for God’s assignment to be king. Abigail’s offer of food, her desire to take the blame for Nabal’s disaster and her wise counsel soothed David’s heart and he made a promise to her. Unfortunately, after Abigail shared what was about to take place, with her husband, Nabal was literally scared to death. David, upon hearing of his demise, returned to capture Abigail’s heart and made her his bride. Some argue that Abigail betrayed her husband. I disagree. Betrayal is a deliberate act of one’s will and often premeditated. She would have had to know what was going to happen to Nabal before his death. (1 Samuel 25:3 NKJV) I believe when God wants to propel us, He’ll remove the obstacle that is hindering us. Have you ever noticed the same situation keeps reoccurring in your life? Someone is constantly annoying you… You continue to draw the same type of person in a relationship, or just when you feel like you’re making progress, something happens and you’re right back where you started. If that’s you, there’s something God’s trying to tell you. There’s something he wants you to learn in the process and you’re not getting it. When this happens, pause and go back to the Thought Zone to see if you’re missing what God is trying to tell you. Ask God how to deal with the person who’s causing you grief. Ask Him to give you discernment. Don’t be afraid to linger in the Preparation Phase, cultivating God’s plan, doing the hard work for what and who God has called you to be. Once God gives you the green light, be ready to go! Action awaits you!

~Strength For The Battle

By now you know all about the battle. You know Satan wants to steal your joy, crush your hope, and dismantle your dreams. My hopes are that you have a greater expectation in Christ, knowing you can’t be overtaken during the battle. Knowing how to assume the position, stand your ground, and win the war are a necessity in your efforts against a clever enemy. The enemy wants nothing more than for you to live blind and unaware that he exists.

“For though we walk in flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh.

For the weapons of warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power

To destroy strongholds.”

2 Corinthians 10:3-4 (ESV)

As believers, we are salt in the earth and light in a dark world. Our devotion to live as Christ lives does not come without attacks, insults and many roadblocks. But we are not in this alone. We are heirs of The King and we have unlimited access to His divine power. He has equipped us with all we need to fight a good fight and be encouraged in the battle. We must know how to employ the weapons He’s made available to us.

4 Powerful Weapons of Warfare

God’s Word- God has armed us with the Power of His Word. Known as the sword of the Spirit, God’s word pierces through the enemy’s lies. Speaking God’s word through prayer is a powerful weapon against the schemes of Satan. Praying the word of God sends Truth and Light into the atmosphere and dims the forces of evil. As you know, Satan also knows the word of God. Be mindful not to allow Him to manipulate God’s word causing you doubt and confusion, as he did in the Garden of Eden. Stay committed to God’s word for it is instruction. It is inerrant Truth.

“All scripture is God-breathed [given divine inspiration] and

is profitable for instruction, for conviction [of sin], for correction

[of error and restoration to obedience] for training in righteousness

[learning to live in conformity to God’s will, both publicly and privately]…

2 Timothy 3:16 AMP

Prayer- Through prayer, we build our relationship with God. He wants nothing more than to have a deep and intimate relationship with you. Spending time in His presence, we come to know Him more and more. There is power in prayer. However, prayer doesn’t give us power; prayer aligns us with God’s power. Prayer prepares us to be ready for God’s plan for our lives. We don’t pray to

convince God to change our circumstances. We pray to seek God to align us with His plan. When we pray, God adjusts our lives to His plan, not vice versa. As we pray, we discover God’s agenda. The word tells us to pray without ceasing. As we pray, our relationship with God grows deeper, His master plan is unfolding and we are awaiting His guidance and directions.

“… The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.”

James 5:16 NKJV

Holy Spirit- As born again believers, we have full access to God. Through His own Spirit, He has given us strength, courage and wisdom for our daily battles. This is why we don’t have to fight in our own strength. This kind of power is one that only He can offer. The same Power that raised Jesus from the dead is the same power that lives on the inside of you and me. The divine power of the Holy Spirit works in you to produce your personal blueprint of Christ’s character in order to walk out your divine calling. The Spirit comes to guide us, teach us and encourage us to be bold in Christ. The Holy Spirit will lead us to overly abundant riches, bountiful resources and the splendor of God’s promises.

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you…”

Acts 1:8 NKJV

Armor of God- To be equipped and ready for battle, we must suit up in God’s full armor. The armor is designed to protect us from the fiery darts of

the enemy. Though it may sound weighty, the armor enables us to stand against the deceptive schemes of Satan. Our struggles aren’t with flesh and blood [people] but against evil forces in the spirit realm. God reminds us to: “Be strong in the Lord and the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.” Ephesians 6:10-11 NKJV

1. Belt of Truth 2. Breastplate of Righteousness 3. Shoes of the Gospel of Peace 4. Shield of Faith 5. Helmet of Salvation 6. Sword of the Spirit

Strategy # 8

DRESS FOR BATTLE)

Put on the full armor of God, that you may be able to stand

against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh

and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, and

against the world forces of darkness, against spiritual forces

of wickedness in the heavenly places. Take up the full armor of God,

so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and

having done everything, to stand firm.

Stand firm therefore, having girded your loins with truth,

and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having

shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace,

in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you

will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.

And take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit,

which is the word of God.

Ephesians 6:11-17 NIV

PREPARATION: You must be prepared to walk into your season. Opportunity awaits those who are prepared. When preparation collides with opportunity, God’s plan is revealed and your purpose is then discovered. Nevertheless, in preparation, you will encounter attacks that require you to protect yourself. You must dress for the battle.

IMPLEMENTATION: Suit up in your full armor daily. You can’t afford to go out half-dressed. This gives room to the enemy to gain a foothold and taint your battle plan. We need not fear the casualties of war, particularly when we are prepared for the spiritual battle and we fight a good fight.

EXECUTION: Father in Heaven, how great and powerful You are. My heart searches for you as the battles of life enrage all around me. I thank

You that I can find comfort and peace in You. Though in this life I must face battles throughout my journey, I don’t have to fear for You are with me. I rejoice in knowing I’m not alone. I walk in boldness and stand firm my ground knowing you will never leave me or forsake me. You have prepared me, equipped me, and I walk into the purpose for which you’ve called me.

CHAPTER ELEVEN Love Your Enemies

I’ll bet you never thought of love on the battlefield. Love is a powerful source. Everyone wants to be loved. However, when the enemy has tortured you with pain, grief, loss and fear, how could you possibly exhibit love in this state of mind? We find ourselves struggling with the thought of loving others when our lives are in despair.

As you experience the outpouring of His love, bitterness is uprooted, trust is established and power is restored so that you may prosper and live life to its fullest.

The truth of the matter is, we are commanded to love. We were created to love. We are called to have a love relationship with God. The very nature of God is love. Through His love for us, God will often give us directions that we don’t always understand. Why on earth would He command us to love our enemies? Get ready to encounter God… meet Him in this embattled place within.

But love your enemies, do good, and lend, hoping

for nothing in return; and your reward will be great,

and you will be sons [daughters] of the Most High. For He is

kind to the unthankful and the evil. Therefore, be

merciful, just as your Father also is merciful.

Luke 6:35-36 NKJV

~ Even When It Hurts

In the story of Hosea, God instructs him to marry a woman…not just any woman, but a woman who God knew would cause Hosea much grief. In the northern kingdom of Israel, the people were having a grand time enjoying their wealth and success, but God was not pleased with their immorality and corruption. Their unfaithfulness towards God was the very semblance of Hosea’s and his wife Gomer’s relationship. Hosea married Gomer and they had three children. Gomer became dissatisfied and was no longer content with her husband. She began having adulterous affairs and soon left Hosea altogether. Gomer’s affections toward other men were the very metaphor of how we treat God. We grow dissatisfied and discontent with our first Love. We get caught up in our own ventures and forget about our commitment to God; or we’ve never made one before. Sooner or later there’s a void and we then begin to look elsewhere for fulfillment. Have you ever been in a relationship where someone doesn’t love you back? They may say they love you, but their actions say something completely different. Sometimes, you’re just not the one. It’s a painstakingly difficult place to be in and the feelings you have are immensely heartbreaking.

Early in my young dating life, I met someone whom I thought would be “the one.” We were planning a career together and what we thought would be our future. When the time came to move forward in our decision to the military together, he grew skeptical and decided to back out. I was crushed. I felt utterly betrayed. How could someone who said they loved me not follow through with our dream plan? Apparently, our dream plan was not God’s plan. But that wasn’t the devastating blow. I proceeded forward with the plan to go into the military. Upon my return from initial training, he had decided to move on with his life. No, this story is not nearly as grievous as Gomer and Hosea’s. However the similarity of it is and I felt the same hurt and pain that comes from someone’s decision not to love you. Hurt and pain are feelings that extend from negative circumstances. Whether you’re dealing with the loss of a relationship, a child, a loved one or a job, the loss never feels good, and the emptiness that follows after the departure can leave you feeling hopeless and helpless. This same pain and emptiness is how God feels when we won’t love him back. Love is a choice. When God created us, He knew He created within us the possibility to love or not to love. He gives us free will. He doesn’t force us to love Him. After Gomer had been ed around and merely used up by men, God instructed Hosea to go and love his wife again. Hosea bought her back for a price and loved her beyond her harlotry, in spite of her unfaithfulness. (Hosea 3) God will sometimes direct us to do what seems unfathomable, even when it hurts. It’s not to humiliate us or to cause us any harm, but to simply show us the height and depth of His love. God’s desire for Israel, just as it is for us, is that we return to Him and love as He loves. You may be asking, “just how do I love my enemy?” “How do I love someone who hates me?” “How do I love someone who has caused me grief and pain?” “How do I love after I’ve lost my child, my marriage, my dreams?” Though these circumstances are most difficult, God understands your pain. Rather than clinging to bitterness and holding on to hate, God’s desire for us is that we trust Him in the midst of our pain. Without God’s perfect love, we couldn’t possibly

love our enemies because we’re so focused on the pain caused by the Enemy. This is why we must rely on God to love us through our pain. It is often through our suffering that He strengthens our dependence on Him. Though it may feel as if we’ve received a death sentence, God delivers those who trust Him. 2 Corinthians 1: 8-11 NKJV When we are in a dark place in our lives, it’s truly difficult to love ourselves, let alone love others. We can find ourselves isolated from others, because we’ve been hurt, mistreated and even lied to. Rather than shutting out everyone, as this is the most vulnerable place to be, surround yourself with other believers who can point you to the love of Christ.

Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails. 1 Corinthians 13:7-8 NKJV

~Love on the Battlefield

Though we live in a world that is often chaotic and confusing and war is all around us, we are still commanded to love. Though we may not agree on certain political stances or appointed government officials, no matter what is going on, we aren’t given the option to love. As believers, we are commanded to love…to love others as much as we love ourselves.

And this is His commandment: that we should believe on the name of His Son Jesus Christ and love one another, as He gave us commandment. 1 John 3:23 NKJV

When we choose to love God more, we can love others better. Think it strange if you will, but as you grow in the knowledge of God Himself, you come to know the depth, breadth and width of His love and grace. Our love for one another is shallow at best, but God’s love is all consuming and everlasting. Learning to embrace God’s love is the beginning of your transformation. Love, as the ultimate force, has the power to transform your life. When it does, the battle is no longer overwhelming. Your fight is a fight through faith, not fear. God’s love helps you to develop the strength to fight fearlessly, as God’s perfect love casts out anger, insecurity and fear. Whatever is causing your fear…fear of lack or insecurity, about your future, finances or even what others may think of you, God’s love will carry you through the Enemy’s minefields.

Embracing God’s love:

1. Allows you to freely give and receive from others- The urge to compete with others is removed and peace is restored. The mindset of lack is diminished and abundance begins to flow. 2. Eradicates Fear- Trusting God in tough times test our obedience, our faith and how we identify with Christ. Knowing God’s word and His promise that He is with you even till the end of time, ignites our hope. 3. Empowers you to give grace to others- Loving the difficult, imperfect, impatient person is developed through God’s grace, just as He loved us through our own imperfections. Humility is the result of loving others through the grace by which God loves us.

The love of God fills the void that open wounds have caused. Accepting Him as Lord of your life begins the transformation. The pouring out of God’s love in our hearts is filled with His Holy Spirit that has been given freely to us. You can’t work hard enough for it. There is nothing you can to do to earn it. Your money isn’t necessary. You can’t buy it. It is freely given and all you have to do is confess it, believe it and receive it.

It’s not until we have received God’s love, which is totally and completely unconditional, that we can love others as God has loved us. A new command I give to you, that you love one another:

Just as I have loved you, you also are to love one

Another. By this you will know that you are my

Disciples, if you love one another.

John 13:34-35 NKJV

You can love even the most difficult person when you see them through the eyes of God.

The fact that love exists only because of God, I can no longer view people and choose whether I love them based on their flaws. We don’t get to choose to love one another because they have a certain type of speckle, spot, stripe or dot. That’s not how God operates and neither should we. God loves us because he is God and that’s His nature. Because God’s love is transforming, we must stay in that love relationship with Him in order to love others well.

~ You Better Recognize

God’s love is incredible! There’s no other way to explain it. It knows no boundaries; it has no limits. We can’t fathom the impetus of God’s love for us. It is a powerful force. One of the greatest things we could ever do is love God, not because we choose to love Him, but because He loved us first. Loving your enemy of course is much easier said than done. Particularly, when you’ve experienced hurt from a close friend, co-worker or loved one, you had a reasonable expectation of their responsibility in your relationship. The last thing we expect is for someone close to us to hurt us. For instance, if your dearest friend tells their close friend your biggest secret and it gets back to you, the first thing you experience is a sense of betrayal. That betrayal then turns to anger and if not handled properly, anger sways over into bitterness. Another example of this is a friend or relative who’s had an affair with your spouse or significant other, these can cause deep wounds. This is a painful violation of your trust. I mention these because they do happen. I’ve known friends who have experienced this type of pain and even worse situations. You may be wondering where is God in the midst of these torrential storms. How could He allow this to happen to you? I’ve seen friends go through tremendous break ups, deal with horrendous bosses and co-workers and are left grieved by their situations. We were never promised that life wouldn’t happen to us. But because God knew these types of things would happen, by way of our very human nature, He gave us instructions on how to deal with them. We can find ourselves in a dangerous disposition dealing with our circumstances our way rather than God’s way. Unfortunately, our way more than likely makes the situation worse or it even goes unresolved. In our quest to make it through the battle, we often look for love, comfort and for someone to understand our side of the story. Rarely do we look to understand, let alone love, the person who deceived us. What exactly did Jesus mean when He said, “Love your enemies?” (Matthew 5:4

NKJV) First, let’s understand that this type of love is not about a warm fuzzy feeling, especially when we’re reacting to a hurtful situation. Nevertheless, loving our enemies wasn’t just a mere suggestion; it was a command. It’s easy to love those who say all the right things, make you feel good and do all the right things. Yet, we’re not exempt from people who mean us no good. Many have heard the saying “God is no respecter of person.” Scripture says, “He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and the unjust.” (Matthew 5:45 NKJV) Because someone has wronged you doesn’t mean that God doesn’t love you. But guess what, He loves them too. The individual may have been uniquely positioned so that God may do a work in them as well as a work in you. In the scripture of Matthew 5:44, Jesus give us four simple commands:

1. Love Your Enemies 2. Bless those who curse you 3. Do good to those who hate you 4. Pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you

Never was there a command to retaliate, get even or turn your back on someone. These are the actions that we frequently resort to, especially when we don’t know the depth of God’s love for us when we’re at fault. We are commanded to love so that we may have eternal life in Christ. We can possess all the things in this world, but if we don’t have love, we have nothing. We must recognize that God’s love empowers us to love even the unlovable. Love is a powerful force that has a way of penetrating the heart like nothing else. This call to love our enemies is an earthly demonstration of God living in the person of you and me. Without our example of love and humility in the world, Christ can’t be made known to others. Throughout the Bible, we find scriptures

that transform an enemy’s heart when they receive undeserved love.

If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he is thirsty give him water to drink; for so you will heap coals of fire on his head, and the Lord will reward you. Proverbs 25:21-22 NKJV

Bless those who persecute you. Bless and do not curse. Romans 12:14 NKJV

Do not rejoice when your enemy falls, and do not let your heart be glad when he stumbles. Proverbs 24:17 NKJV

Have you ever found yourself rejoicing when someone who has wronged you in the past is now facing hardship? You may be tempted to think that’s what they deserve. That is so much our nature, but that’s not God’s desire for us. God is the one who corrects and reproofs our enemy. Our responsibility is to pray for them. It is only through the redemptive love of Jesus Christ that we can truly know the example of what love really is. When we were still in our own little imperfect, ungodly worlds, Christ died for us. Before we became believers, we were once enemies of God. This is the depth, width and height of His love… that while we were still in sin, He sent His only son to restore our relationship with Him. Even Peter, who denied Jesus three times, returned as Jesus’ Disciple. Peter was redeemed as Jesus asked, Peter “Do You Love Me” three times. Each time, Peter answers, Yes, Lord I love you. John 21:15-17 (NKJV) This is a great example of God’s grace.

What we should recognize is God’s power is unleashed in our hearts when we pray, bless, do well and love our enemies.

5 Ways To Recognize How God Empowers Us To Love Our Enemies

The Holy Spirit- bears fruit within our heart, enabling us to give generously and allowing us to demonstrate love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control (Galatians 5:13-16)

Prayer- allows us to tap into God’s power and causes us to seek good of our enemies as it destroys the stronghold they have over you

Forgiveness- Just as we have been forgiven, we must forgive one another. Colossians 3:13; Release and let go of past hurts (Ephesians 4:32 NKJV)

Grace- is God’s unconditional forgiveness towards us. It requires us to give unconditional forgiveness to others. We have been gifted redemption and forgiveness through Jesus Christ. Ephesians 1:7 NKJV

Love- is the greatest commandment. Love one another as I have loved you. (John 15:12 NKJV)

Strategy # 9

PRACTICE FORGIVENESS)

Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Romans 12:21 NKJV

PREPARATION: Pay it forward. Practice forgiveness. Power and peace are unleashed when you seek to love others and can forgive in spite of your past pain and hurt. As we the price Christ paid for us, we can allow that freedom to usher us into a life of miracles and endless possibilities.

IMPLEMENTATION: It’s a challenge not to want to seek revenge when someone has wronged you, especially when it hurts deeply. Rather than forgetting our past pains and situations, we must forgive. This simply says, I will allow God’s grace to cover me rather than allow pain to penetrate my heart and push me towards unforgiveness. Every time our mind is jogged with the injury of our past, grace stands in the balance. Forgiveness literally allows you to abandon the desire to seek revenge.

As you practice forgiveness:

1. Refuse to seek revenge (Romans 12:19 NKJV) 2. Accept the suffering caused by someone else, knowing that God will refine, establish, strengthen and confirm you (1 Peter 5:10 NKJV) 3. Reject the thought of slandering someone’s name, but rather speak good of their reputation (Ephesians 4:29 NKJV)

4. Pray for God’s outpouring of grace as you seek restoration and healing not only for yourself but also for the one who requires forgiveness.

EXECUTION: Father, even as the battle rages and my heart hurts, I come first asking forgiveness for my own shortcomings. I pray that your grace will completely set me free to love my enemies. Even as you have forgiven, Lord grant me that same power to forgive. I pray for Your overflowing love to run through me and pour out over all whom I may meet. I give myself away that you may use me through the power of Your everlasting love.

CHAPTER TWELVE The Debrief

There’s a war going on. By now you know this! Though things may feel settled, safe and quiet, know the war is not over. Keep your focus. God’s plans and God’s promises are your map to stay the course. Do not be deceived by false contentment. There is a true and real enemy who has devised a plan to render you powerless. Don’t be distracted. Stay alert. Stay vigilant. You have all the necessary tools to win this war. Prayer ignites power. Power equips us to love, love builds our expectancy and expectancy fuels our hope. Hope launches your purpose and releases you into your destiny moments!

[I always pray to] the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory,

that He may grant you a spirit of wisdom and revelation

[of insight into mysteries and secrets] in the [deep and intimate]

knowledge of Him, By having the eyes of your heart flooded with

light so that you can know and understand the hope to

which He has called you, and how rich is His glorious

inheritance in the saints (His set apart ones),

And [so that you can know and understand]

what is the immeasurable and unlimited and suring

greatness of His power in and for us who believe

as demonstrated in the working of His mighty strength.

Ephesians 1:19 AMP

~Enter The Zone

After military have spent time on the battlefield, much has happened and each person has experienced different things. Each person’s for what took place may be different from the next. What happens next is vital as each person gives a debrief and recounts what took place in their specific area. With each , pieces are put together to see a bigger, broader picture of the battlefield.

There is no substitute for the spiritual, in war. Miracles must be wrought if

victories are to be won, and to work miracles, men’s hearts must needs be afire with self-sacrificing love for each other, for their units, for their division, and for their country. Major-General John A. LeJeune

Likewise, as you together with like minds that have higher expectations and are excited to live out God’s plan for their lives, you’re less likely to surrender to the schemes of the Enemy. Together you are able to give an for and be able to one another. Where two or more are ed together God is present. Gather your lady warriors and prepare to enter the war zone wielding the Power of God. Unfortunately, no believer is exempt from entering the zone. The zone is a place where we can come together on one accord knowing there’s strength in numbers, believing and trusting that the All Powerful has gone before us. In this zone, as in the military, people are committed to fight for one another. As we come under attack, we are willing to stand, fight, and pray for one another. Allow love, joy and peace to prevail in the zone as the Holy Spirit guides us. Prayer is a powerful weapon that has the divine power to break the spirit of bondage and strongholds over your life. The power is not yours; it belongs to God. As you pray according to His will, your confidence is lifted knowing He hears. (1 John 5:14-1 NKJV) As we pray ionately for God’s will and His purpose, He responds with power! There is credence in knowing that whatever you ask our Father, in Jesus name, He will do. (John 16:23 NKJV)

Never underestimate the power of prayer!

It doesn’t have to be spoken eloquently nor repetitiously. Just communicate with God as you would with a friend. And even when you don’t know what to speak,

as you approach God with all sincerity, the Holy Spirit steps in and speaks on your behalf. The Almighty power of prayer will:

Conquer death II Kings 4:3-36 Defeat demons Mark 9:29 Overcome enemies Psalm 6:8-10 Open blind eyes, heal wounds, Isaiah 42:7, Psalm 147:3

It’s time to rise up in power…the power of prayer! This is your Battle Sword for those who believe!

~Change Your Posture

If you’re ready to receive all that God has for you, you must change your posture. The unleashing of God’s power flows through humility. God does not desire for us to be puffed up and proud. Though we may stand in confidence as our relationship with God builds our strength, we should present ourselves before Him in humility. Just as we show humility towards God, so should we towards one another.

So, I ponder the question, what type of person do I need to be in order for God’s supernatural power to flow through me?

When I came to you, I did not come with eloquence or human wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God. For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified. I came to you in weakness in great fear and trembling. My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, so that your faith might not rest on human wisdom, but on God’s power. 1 Corinthians 2: 1-5 NKJV

We are a people who have been given many abilities and opportunities, but God controls them all. When we can truly accept the fact that we are not the Creator, but merely the one who has been created to fulfill God’s purpose and plan, then we can recognize that humility is submission and obedience to God.

Be Teachable: As we go through the stages of maturing in life, we find often in our youth that we can do some dumb things, mainly because we lack direction. As we move on through mid-life, we can become wavering in our thoughts, as we have learned a few things, be we struggle with the cares of life. Then, I’ve experienced many older people who have been there and done that, and they just know everything. They become unteachable.

Seek Wise Counsel: The word says our plans fail for lack of counsel, but through many advisers they succeed. (Proverbs 15:22 NKJV) Don’t be afraid to seek godly counsel. Ask for help.

Submit to Authority: No matter how difficult, we must be willing to submit to those in charge: pastors, government leaders, police, teachers, etc. This is particularly hard for those who are natural leaders or work for themselves.

In the same way, you who are younger, submit yourselves to your elders. All of

you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, “God opposes the proud, but shows favor to the humble.” Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that He may lift you up in due time. 1 Peter 5: 5-6 (NKJV)

In this verse, Peter was a wise leader who often had to encourage the Jewish believers in their conduct, particularly during tough times. We will all face moments when life taunts us and cause us to be anxious. Peter reminds them of who they are: “Coming to Him as to a living stone, rejected indeed by men, but chosen by God and precious, you also, as living stones, being built up as a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.” 1 Peter 2:4-5 (NKJV) He goes on to tell them, as this is also relevant today, of who we are… But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, his own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light. As you surrender in your posture of submission to the authority and obedience of God, He will exalt you! He has engrafted you into His family of royalty. You have been chosen by God, and because of who you are in Him, you have His amazing grace and mercy. That’s wonderful news! This is why we humble ourselves before God, and not indulge our own egos… because He has done great and marvelous things by choosing us to be a part of Him.

~Commanded Blessings

Wow, my friend and fellow warrior, we have reached the pinnacle of the Enemy’s surrender and our feet are firmly planted in this moment of victory! We have believed together, laughed together, hoped together, cried together and

prayed together.

We know that we have access to the Almighty God, who through our prayers, responds with His awesome power. We know that prayer is our greatest weapon against Satan.

My prayer is that you’ve gained some insight, but more importantly felt God’s presence as you built a loving relationship with Him. In getting to know Him, you learn of His wisdom and strategies that enables you to stand against the Enemy. You my friend have fought a good fight; continue to run your race and keep the faith. All the blessings of the Lord await you. There is a crown of righteousness prepared for you that you will receive on the great Day. But, do you know that God has commanded blessings for your life? Yes, Commanded Blessings.

What is a Commanded Blessing?

A Commanded Blessing is God’s promise that is fulfilled with an irrevocable power. You can’t change it. No man can stop it. God has commanded it. This is your season and God wants to pour out every blessing He has planned for you. When you think of all the areas in your life where you’ve been challenged or defeated: your health, your children, your physical body, your marriage, your job, your finances, your ministry, your business, the list goes on and on. For every one of your needs that has not been met, God wants to meet you right there. Here is the key to victory. Victory over every blessing that the Enemy has

blocked, destroyed, or stolen from you…. the key to manifesting all that God has for you is obedience. When you’ve made up in your mind to walk in boldness, not fear, to stand in faith rather than doubt, and to run in pursuit of obedience to God, blessings shall overtake you.

Walk in boldness, not fear…Stand in faith, not doubt…Run in pursuit of obedience to God that blessings shall overtake you.

Behold, I set before you this day a blessing and a curse, a blessing, if you choose to obey the commandments of the Lord your God, which I command you this day.

Deuteronomy 23:5 KJV

God’s blessings are never-ending, unimaginable, bountiful and inexhaustible, and they belong to you, because you are a child of The King. You belong to the Most High God and there’s nothing He won’t do for you. In the right time and season, all God has for you is yours. We are in a time and a season where we have access to almost anything. It’s your season and I believe that with my whole heart. God has set you in this place and appointed you for such a time as this, to receive all that He has stored up for you. My warrior friend, open up and receive your commanded blessings. First, start by committing yourself unto God, to His ways, which are not like yours. As you acknowledge God in all things, He gives you what you desire in your heart. This is obedience. Obedience is what unlocks the power and the promises of God. Now it shall come to , if you diligently obey the voice of the Lord your God, to observe carefully all His commandments which I command you today, that the Lord your God will set you above all nations of the earth. And all these blessings

shall come upon you and overtake you, because you obey the voice of the Lord your God: Deuteronomy 28:1-2 NKJV

God commands that you be:

1. Blessed in the city 2. Blessed in the country 3. Blessed in the fruit of your body, the produce of your ground and the increase of your herds and cattle 4. Blessed in your baskets and kneading bowls 5. Blessed in your coming in and going out

This was God’s promise to Israel for their obedience. And if the promises of God are Yes and Amen, then so shall His same promises be to you and me. Though we may not have herds and cattle like they did, God still wants to bless our homes, our families, and our land. The scripture goes on to say that when your enemies rise up against you, God will cause them to flee in all different directions. Through your obedience, you will even be blessed in your warfare. Wow, what a blessing!! (Deuteronomy 28:1-7 NKJV) And God is able to make all grace (every favor and earthly blessing) come to you in abundance, so that you may always and under all circumstances and whatever the need be self-sufficient [possessing enough to require no aid or and furnished in abundance for every good work and charitable donation.] 2 Corinthians 9:8 AMP Understand this… God wants his blessings to overtake you. But we must walk in the fullness of His blessings. We do this by not merely saying we are blessed, but

yet, having a revelation of God’s love for us and His desire to cover us completely in His provision and protection. He is a God who supplies and multiplies the seeds we sow. He increases the fruit of our righteousness. II Corinthians 9:10 NKJV As we walk in the fullness of God, Satan is surely defeated and rendered powerless. When we are relentless in our pursuit, victory awaits! Though you have been bruised, battered and busted, you’re still standing! Our victorious moments manifest as we stand in the face of adversity.

Strategy #10

WAIT WITH EXPECTATION)

They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount

up with wings as eagles; they shall run and not be weary;

and they shall walk and not faint.

Isaiah 40:31 NKJV

PREPARATION: Waiting builds faith. But waiting with expectation manifests an unshakable, unstoppable, undaunted faith. Victory requires you to wait on God and in God.

IMPLEMENTATION: One of the most difficult things we must learn to do well is wait. Often, when we want what we want … now, waiting is the last thing we want to do. We must learn to build on the word of God as we wait in God. In our waiting, God is developing His plan and cultivating His purpose for our lives. In due season, we are released to fulfill that which God has promised. As the scripture says (Habakkuk 2:3 NKJV), though the vision tarries, wait for it. As we wait on God’s perfect timing, hope is our assurance as we wait with expectation.

EXPECTATION: Father in Heaven, as I enter the zone where I know an enemy awaits, I go with boldness knowing You are with me; yet I go in humility. It is Your power that protects me and Your strength that keeps me. Father I ask that you send sisters that will with me as we stand together fighting and praying for one another. We know Lord that Satan has been defeated and we have victory in Christ Jesus. Thank you Lord for your commanded blessings. As I commit myself to obeying Your word, I pray your blessings overtake me.

I AM A WARRIOR

Congratulations!

You are amazing! You are unstoppable! You are relentless! You are victorious in Christ Jesus!

Go forth in power, as God’s plan, God’s purpose and God’s promises for your life will never fail.

Oh heart of the relentless one, you have soared to great heights with a never give up attitude and a warrior’s expectancy to win!