2 Chronicles 16:9
"For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him..."
This scripture has been dear to my heart since the very first time I read it. I pull on it often, especially when I am in need of a particular thing. For so long I heard people preach about how the enemy is looking to devour someone, but I NEVER heard anyone preach GOD is looking too! God is looking for those of us who are committed to Him because He wants to flex (show Himself strong)on our behalf!
Now, I can't speak for anyone else, but I find much more power in knowing GOD is looking for me!
If you read the entire chapter, you will see that Asa king of Judah was facing Baasha king of Israel. Baasha started an attack against Asa by fortifying Ramah so that Asa could not leave or enter. In other words....Baasha backed Asa into a corner. Asa, determined not to be defeated turned to another king for assistance. Ben-Hadad king of Aram came to Asa's aid and Baasha stopped fortifying Ramah. Seems like a win right?..... WRONG!
What did Asa do wrong? He sought the help of man and not God! Because Asa went to the king of Aram for help, he now owed a debt to that king. By this line of reasoning Asa would have had to return that favor (debt). This was not God's plan for Asa! Previously God delivered both the Ethiopians and the Lubims into Asa's hands. Why? Because Asa trusted and relied on God alone! God wanted to bless Asa again in the same manner, but Asa messed it up b relying on Ben-Hadad instead of God!
Fast forward to present day....How many times have we turned to other people for help instead of relying solely on God? How many times have we allowed fear and panic to interfere with our trust relationship with God? When backed into a corner, do we call on God for help or a friend?
God desires to show Himself strong on our behalf!!! He's only waiting to be invited into the situation! He will not impose Himself into your life! You must invite Him in to help you! He's search the whole earth looking for someone to bless. Why not be the person He finds!!!! Keep your heart pure and your hands clean before Him, invite Him into your situation and watch how He shows out!!!
If you read the rest of the chapter you'll see that God was displeased with Asa's choice to rely on a man instead of Him. How many times have we displeased God in this manner?
The choice is clear! Chose to rely fully on God! He's looking for those whose hearts are committed to Him! Be that person! Allow Him to find you and show Himself strong on your behalf! When you are faced with your next difficult situation, pull on this scripture! Remind Him of His word! He already knows it, but remember you have to invite Him into your situation! Refrain from calling friends and family members! Next, time call Him and allow Him to prove Himself to you!!!
He's looking for you! Position yourself so that you may be found!!!
God bless you all. I pray you are strengthened and encouraged by reading this blog!
Otescia R. Johnson
Thursday, August 9, 2012
Wednesday, August 1, 2012
Your Testimony is Under Attack!
Ever wonder why it seems that when you take one step towards your destiny you get pushed two steps back? Have so-called friends turned their backs on you and said hurtful things to or about you? Have you been hit with disappointing news? Do you wonder if you're really called to the destiny you see for yourself?
If you answered yes to any of the above questions this post is for you!
We all know we have a common enemy. One who sets out to discourage us from reaching our full potential in Christ. 1 Peter 5:7-9 states: "Be sober, be vigilant; because our adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour". I believe there are many reasons why the enemy would like to devour mankind, but the one I'd like to focus on today is YOUR TESTIMONY!
"And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death"- Revelation 12:11
Your testimony is three fold.
1. It strengthens your faith in God. From the moment God delivers you from one thing you will always be able to go back and say, "God I remember when You...."
2. It strengthens others whose faith is not quite as strong in a given area. The first time I needed a major healing I did not have a "remember when" to pull from, so I pulled on someone else's. I thought to myself.... "If God delivered so and so, I know He'll deliver me!" Thinking on His past works whether they are in your life or someone else's will strengthen your faith!
3. It helps to defeat the enemy. Revelations say they overcame him by the word of their testimony! Any and every weapon that can help defeat the enemy is powerful!
With the power that your testimony holds, you better know the enemy desires to destroy it.
Thankfully, we already know that He is a defeated foe with no power except what we give him! Regardless of what is thrown at you, if you stay connected to God, His perfect plan will manifest in your life. There are situations that arise to strengthen you. Its important to recognize those will never overtake you! When something comes before me, I have learned to ask God..."What is the purpose of this? What are You trying to teach me?" Once He reveals those answers my prayer changes to one of gratitude. "Thank you Lord for teaching me....., please help this lesson to always remain at the forefront of my thought process." Now that lesson becomes a part of my testimony!
Don't immediately get discouraged when rough patches come. Storms are always allowed to make you stronger and to strengthen your testimony!!!
This is why your testimony is under attack. The enemy does not want you to have a testimony. He wants you to become discouraged and throw in the towel. He wants you to basically "curse God and die". Do not allow a defeated foe to steal what God is giving you.... a powerful testimony to be used for His glory! Fight the good fight of faith! Stand tall in the victory Jesus gave us all when He died on the cross! Never give up... push on until your destiny is fulfilled, and then push some more after that! Its not over until you are standing before the Lord!
Guard your TESTIMONY! Its a weapon... KEEP IT LOCKED AND LOADED!
If you answered yes to any of the above questions this post is for you!
We all know we have a common enemy. One who sets out to discourage us from reaching our full potential in Christ. 1 Peter 5:7-9 states: "Be sober, be vigilant; because our adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour". I believe there are many reasons why the enemy would like to devour mankind, but the one I'd like to focus on today is YOUR TESTIMONY!
"And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death"- Revelation 12:11
Your testimony is three fold.
1. It strengthens your faith in God. From the moment God delivers you from one thing you will always be able to go back and say, "God I remember when You...."
2. It strengthens others whose faith is not quite as strong in a given area. The first time I needed a major healing I did not have a "remember when" to pull from, so I pulled on someone else's. I thought to myself.... "If God delivered so and so, I know He'll deliver me!" Thinking on His past works whether they are in your life or someone else's will strengthen your faith!
3. It helps to defeat the enemy. Revelations say they overcame him by the word of their testimony! Any and every weapon that can help defeat the enemy is powerful!
With the power that your testimony holds, you better know the enemy desires to destroy it.
Thankfully, we already know that He is a defeated foe with no power except what we give him! Regardless of what is thrown at you, if you stay connected to God, His perfect plan will manifest in your life. There are situations that arise to strengthen you. Its important to recognize those will never overtake you! When something comes before me, I have learned to ask God..."What is the purpose of this? What are You trying to teach me?" Once He reveals those answers my prayer changes to one of gratitude. "Thank you Lord for teaching me....., please help this lesson to always remain at the forefront of my thought process." Now that lesson becomes a part of my testimony!
Don't immediately get discouraged when rough patches come. Storms are always allowed to make you stronger and to strengthen your testimony!!!
This is why your testimony is under attack. The enemy does not want you to have a testimony. He wants you to become discouraged and throw in the towel. He wants you to basically "curse God and die". Do not allow a defeated foe to steal what God is giving you.... a powerful testimony to be used for His glory! Fight the good fight of faith! Stand tall in the victory Jesus gave us all when He died on the cross! Never give up... push on until your destiny is fulfilled, and then push some more after that! Its not over until you are standing before the Lord!
Guard your TESTIMONY! Its a weapon... KEEP IT LOCKED AND LOADED!
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