Strength in the struggle

Strength in the struggle

1st John 4:4 “You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.” (NKJV)

Butterflies go through a four-stage cycle before becoming an actual butterfly. These four stages are, the egg, larva (caterpillar), pupa and finally the Imago stage (the actual butterfly itself). In each of these stages, there can be a struggle not only to get to the next stage, but to also avoid outside threats in order to continue to exist.

Some of these threats include, bacterial, viral, fungal infections, predators and crop spraying by local farmers. Only a small percentage of butterfly eggs ever reach adulthood.

One of the main reasons some of the butterflies make it to the (Imago) adult stage, is because of the strength they gained in struggles in their previous stages.

In our daily walk as Christians, there can be different struggles that we will experience to hinder us from growth and from getting to our next stage.

If we look at struggles as an opportunity to gain strength and become stronger, we can use struggles to make it to our next stage in our Christian growth.

1st Peter 2:2 “as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby.”(NKJV)

What a Christian feeds upon, will also help with gaining and determining how much strength is obtained in the struggle.

As a Christian grows and gains strength in their struggle, their desire will change from “milk” to “meat.” The “milk” of the word will only sustain growth to a certain level. If a Christian wants to continue to grow and gain the strength that is needed for the next level of struggle, they will have to have the “meat” of the word.

Hebrews 5:13-14 ” For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. Vs. 14 But solid food belongs to those who are of full age that is, those who by reason of use of their senses exercised to discern good and evil.” (NKJV)

The butterfly has set a powerful example for Christians to follow. In spite of any hardships or struggles that are encountered in its stages of growth, the butterfly uses struggles to strengthen itself to obtain mature adulthood.

Continue to be encouraged when you encounter struggles and believe that there is “strength in the struggle.”

Lord Jesus thank you for the strength that is gained in strugglesin Jesus name. Amen!

Continuing in His service…Rev

Identity Theft

John 10:10 “The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” (NKJV)

Identity theft can happen both in the natural and in the supernatural.

Identity theft in the natural happens when someone deliberately uses another person’s identity, or credit to gain a financial advantage for themselves.

By stealing a person’s identity, this often takes away the buying power from the person whose identity that has been stolen, leaving them at a disadvantage or loss.

The person, whose identity that has been stolen, can sometimes be held responsible for the perpetrator’s actions limiting the person’s buying power to make purchases.

Identity theft in the supernatural can be described as taking a believer’s identity in Christ.

Someone might ask the question “what is my identity in Christ?” The answer can be found in the following scripture;

1st Peter 2:9 “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;” NKJV

One goal of the enemy is to try to steal a believer’s identity in Christ. If the enemy can accomplish this, not only is the believer’s identity taken, but a believer’s power and authority can also be lost.

Many times people will base their identities on what they do (from their jobs to their roles in relationships), defining themselves by these pursuits.

Many people struggle with their identity as a Christian because they do not know who they are in Christ. The enemy can often cause confusion or distractions by getting a believer to identify with other things, which can easily lead to “supernatural identity theft.”

A believers identity defines who they are as a Christian and with that identity, believers can encompass the abundance of being a beloved child of God. Who are you in defines your identity, and that can be a question many people struggle to answer.

Proverbs 23:7 “For as he thinketh in his heart so is he” (KJV)

The way we think, and the thoughts we have as a believer, will reaffirm our identity as being;

A child of God

Ephesians 1:5 “He predestined and lovingly planned for us to be adopted to Himself as [His own] children through Jesus Christ, in accordance with the kind intention and good pleasure of His will—” (AMP)

A citizen of heaven

Philippians 3:20 “But [we are different, because] our citizenship is in heaven. And from there we eagerly await [the coming of] the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ;” (AMP)

A new creation

2nd Corinthians 5:17 “Therefore if anyone is in Christ [that is, grafted in, joined to Him by faith in Him as Savior], he is a new creature [reborn and renewed by the Holy Spirit]; the old things [the previous moral and spiritual condition] have passed away. Behold, new things have come [because spiritual awakening brings a new life]. (AMP)

Lord Jesus, thank you for our identity that we have in You…Amen!

Continuing in His service…Rev

Abba, Our Father

“Abba, Our Father”

Galatians 4:6 “ And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.” (KJV)

The third Sunday in the month of June is traditionally observed as Fathers’ Day. Many will take this day to give honor, and special recognition to their fathers. This also is a time to recognize and give honor to “Abba Father” who is the greatest Father of all time.

In Chapt. 6:9-13 in the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus gives the disciples instructions on how to pray. When we take a more in depth, and closer look at this prayer, we can also see Jesus describing God as “Abba Father”.

Matthew 6:9-13 “ After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.10 Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.11 Give us this day our daily bread.12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever.” Amen. (KJV)

·         He is not a respecter of person (Acts 10:35), He is a Father to all “Our Father”

·         He lives in heaven “which art in heaven”  

·         He is Holy “Hallowed be thy name”

·         He has a kingdom on earth and in heaven “Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven”

·         He is a provider “Give us this day our daily bread”

·         He is forgiving “And forgive us our debts”

·         He is a deliverer “but deliver us from evil”

·         He is power and has glory “For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory”

On this coming Sunday when we acknowledge earthly fathers, we also should take time to acknowledge our “Abba Father”, and not only on this Father’s Day, but on each day of the year.

The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” Romans 8:15 (NIV)

 “Dear God, we come to you as little children with our arms lifted up to you crying out “Abba Father”. You are the Alpha and the Omega; we give your name the praise, the glory, and the honor that you so much deserve. Thank you for the example you have shown to the world of what a father should be… Amen

Continuing in His service, Rev

The Good Shepherd

“The Good Shepherd”

Psalm 23:1 “The Lord is my Shepherd”

David experienced many hardships and challenges that many of us still face today.

Often times when someone mentions David, they automatically think about a young shepherd boy who rose to become a great King and who also wrote many of the Psalms. The 23rd Psalm is the one that may come to most people’s mind.

In the 23rd Psalm David progressively unveils his personal relationship with the Lord.

 Vs. 1 “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.”

David states that He (the Lord) is and makes it personal.

  • He is Lord
  • He is a shepherd
  • He is a provider

A shepherd is:

  • A person who takes care of sheep
  • A person who provides protection for the flock
  • A person who searches each day for an area where the sheep can graze and be watered

Vs. 2 He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters.

David describes the rest, peace and direction that he receives from his Shepherd.

Vs. 3 “He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake.

David describes what God does if or when we back slide, and how He leads his sheep down the right path, to give God the glory:

He (God) restores us back to Him in good standing and then leads us in the right direction to insure we stay in good standing

Vs.4 “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.”

David again describes how God is with us to help us go in the right direction, especially if we are in the presence of evil or danger.

We are living in perilous times. At any given time of the day or night, we can be in the presence of danger. Because He (God) is the great “I am” and is omnipresent, we as believers do not have fear of danger or the presence of evil. Why? Because of God’s peace that surpasses all understanding is upon us giving us comfort.

Vs.5 “You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over.”

David describes how God will bless us:

  • God will not only bless us – but He will do it in a way that other people will clearly see you being blessed and how the blessing is over flowing
  • God anoints the sheep with oil
  • Provides plenty to drink (my cup runs over) there is more than enough 

Vs.6 “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
All the days of my life;
 And I will dwell in the house of the Lord. Forever.”

David describes how God’s blessings will continue to follow us each day of our lives. (David gives the reader hope of having eternal life with God in heaven).

Blessings in the 23rd Psalms

  1. The Lord is their Shepherd
  2. No want for anything
  3. Being able to rest in choice green pastures
  4. Guidance to still, waters that are deep restful and refreshing
  5.  Having restoration of the soul
  6. Guidance in righteous paths for His names sake without the danger of falling or going astray
  7. Having safe travel through the areas of ravines where there is danger, wild beasts and unsure footing on rocks
  8. Being able to have no fear of evil because of the shepherd’s constant protection and watch
  9. Receiving the comfort of the rod and staff of the shepherd that he uses to fight and protect against dangers or threats

10. Abundance of food to be eaten in the presence of enemies

11. Receiving an anointing with precious oil

12. Plenty to drink preventing to quench any thirst

13. Having the confidence that these blessings along with goodness and mercy are not just for a day, but for a lifetime

14. Reassuring faith of dwelling in the house of the Lord forever

John 14 :1-3 “Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. 2 In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.”

”Lord Jesus, thank you for being the good Shepherd that watches over, protects, and provides…Amen!”

Continuing in His service…Rev