Day Seven Opposition Leads to Opportunity

Offenses are inevitable. No one is exempt. One way or another, we are all going to get offended, hurt, insulted, betrayed, cheated, shamed, violated or lose our pride.

Since being offended is a Biblical fact, we must learn how to deal with it.

Opposition can cause you to face things and do things you could not have done without the opposition. Opposition will make you pray. Opposition will make you come running to God. Opposition will make you increase your faith.

You may need to start seeing those who offend or hurt you as an opportunity for God to take you higher.

Right now, the Holy Spirit is pulling into your driveway. He is coming for you. He is swooping into your home with a defibrillator. Charging the paddles with resurrection power, God is ready to press them down on your heart and shock you back to life. He is ready to revive whoever has been dead to you. He is ready to resuscitate your marriage. He is ready to resuscitate your family. He is ready to resuscitate your spirit.

It is time to restart your heart.

The Big Idea:  God can use the most trying of circumstances to fortify the walls of your marriage, your family and your relationship with Him. 

The Dirtiest Battle = Your Greatest Victory Scripture: 2 Samuel 5:8

Today's reading: 

So David and his men stood before the mountain. A wide area on top had been flattened. Huge walls surrounded the city. There was no way in. 

Then, David’s eyes fell on a water tunnel. This can also be described as a water shaft or a gutter. And David turned to his army and said, “First one who gets up the gutter . . .”

Have you ever cleaned out your gutters? It is an awful job. Once you pull on thick rubber gloves that reach to your elbows, it’s time to start pulling out an endless pile of gunk and debris. Out comes slime and sludge, twigs and leaves, remnants of bird nests and sometimes even small animals. It’s just nasty.

That is what David was willing to climb through. He knew God had a bigger plan in mind. He knew God wanted him to do more than just settle for ruling in Hebron. God wanted him to take Jerusalem.

God said to David, “Hebron is what you can do, but Jerusalem is what only I can do. And I want you to get up there. It is not going to be easy. It is going to get ugly and dirty.”

David had to climb the gutter. Victory comes in the strangest of places.

The first one up was a fighter by the name of Joab. He said, “Hold up—I’ve waited for this all of my life. Get behind me, young guns. I’m going up.”

And Joab started climbing.

When he popped out the other side, you can imagine how much gunk and junk was splattered all over him. He looked bad. He smelled bad. But he raised his hands in victory and said, “God has given us this city!”

David and his men captured the city of the Jebusites. Wet, smelly and dirty, they conquered what rightfully belonged to them.

You may be facing a stronghold in your life. Maybe you are trying to save your marriage. Maybe you are trying to salvage a relationship with a wayward adult child. However big or intimidating the stronghold, God can set you free. He can raise your family up from the depths of bitterness, shame and unforgiveness.

I do not know how dirty your battle has gotten. But I do know that it is the very place where God will be glorified the most in your life. It is where the anointing will come through.

The Big Idea:  The dirtiest battles of your life will produce the greatest victories. 

Looking Back Limits The Future

Today's Reading: 

It is heartbreaking to see so many people live their lives camping out in the past that cannot be changed and turning their backs on a grand future. We all know it is impossible to be effective in two places simultaneously and the only person who could accomplish that is God. We can never give one hundred percent of ourselves in the present if we keep dwelling on the past. Our potential will never reach its maximum capacity; future goals get delayed, insecurity and fear will dominate, the flesh will rule and life will become one heap of complaining. There is a lot at stake to remain, and truthfully your life will be unhappy. 

The children of Israel found themselves in extreme bondage, they cried to God to deliver them, and God sent a deliverer.  They experienced firsthand the goodness, kindness, protection, and provision of God. He split the Red Sea, he destroyed their enemies, he made bitter water sweet, he rained manna from heaven and fed them, their shoes never wore out, and their clothes were kept. He covered them, moved with them, and most of all loved them even when they complained. But they could not let go of the past and that blinded them to the glorious future God had for them. They were eyewitnesses to the Promised Land flowing with milk and honey but because they did not rid themselves of the "Look back mentality" they saw the giants in the land rather than the big, big God with them. The past kept them in fear, and they doubted God's plans. Because of their evil report of the goodness of God; they never made it to the promise land.

Today the stories told in this plan is of greater value than silver and gold. It may have been too late for the Israelites in the wilderness, but it's not too late for you. Living in the past is of great detriment to your future. I want to ask you today to leave the past behind, clear your heart of the clutter and take hold of the glorious future God has planned out for you. The past is over; God is about moving forward!

Holy Spirit, I thank you for the revelation I received, and I genuinely want to make it into the future God has for me. I am sorry I've wasted so much time on the things I cannot change, I am sorry for taking for granted what you so freely provide for me every day. I am sorry for robbing the people in my life because of the "look back mentality." 

Holy Spirit, help me to forget the pain associated with the past and as I visit my past from now on let it be for only moments of remembering how you brought me out of bondage. Thank you, Abba for a new start!  

Looking Back Feeds The Desires Of The Flesh - A Longing For Supplies

As we go further into the story of the children of Israel in the wilderness, we can see how much their heart was rooted in the bondage of Egypt. It is incredible how much food plays a huge part in any culture. In New York, one highlight of the city is the many restaurants and the diversity of culinary cuisines. Food can comfort us on a cold night, it is the highlight of every party and what has always puzzled me is going to the theater to see your favorite movie yet that experience is never complete without something to munch on. I guess what I'm trying to say is that food seems to infiltrate most aspects of our lives and Jesus was acutely aware of the tendency to lean on food as a substitute for God. In one of the recorded temptations of Jesus in his wilderness experience, the devil challenged him to turn the stone into bread, and Jesus response was, "It is written: man shall not live by bread alone but by every word that comes from the mouth of God." (Matthew 4:4 NIV) 

I know you might be wondering what food must do with looking back. Well, let us look at what happened to the children of Israel. After they left Egypt; they crossed the red sea and started their journey in the wilderness, God was with them through it all. God was their shade and cool in the daytime in a cloud, and He was their warmth and protector by night in a pillar of fire. God moved with them, and He became their source, but their flesh was so attached to Egypt for the supplies they had in abundance they could not see the many provisions in the present by the very hand of God. This looking back mentality caused them to grumble and complain rather than be thankful. It is a dangerous thing to live desiring for what was and making light of what is. Many good relationships end when a partner cannot let go of the past. While this reference is about the food there is other material stuff and connivances we can keep looking back for. 

Perhaps you were in an abusive relationship, but your partner would overcompensate in material supplies to keep you in bondage, and now that you are out of the abuse your heart still longs for the stuff. Perhaps you complain about the provisions you have now even though the situation is far safer for you. I want to encourage you to keep your eyes on the Lord as he leads you through the process of detoxing your soul of the past. The Bible tells us that the past was so deeply rooted in the hearts of the Israelites they lusted for the supplies of Egypt. (Numbers 11:4 – 6 AMP). God wants to set you free from the bondage of the past. Won't you take his help today?

Holy Spirit, help me to let go of the lust of fleshly things in my past and help me to have an attitude of gratitude for all that you provide me with daily.

Looking Back Is A Heart Condition

The scriptures teach us that as a man thinks in his heart so is he (Proverbs 23:7 NIV).

If we examined this closer, we could see that most of what we act out in life find its origins in our thoughts. Day after day whatever we ponder on, meditate on and dwell on becomes a reality sooner or later. Our thoughts are powerful and will eventually determine the future we will experience. Have you ever heard the saying "Follow your heart?" Well, there is so much truth wrapped up in that saying, and even the Bible talks about our heart following our treasure (Luke 12:34). 

Our heart was made to follow the ultimate treasure which is God himself, but only Jesus could give us the heart to understand that, and without this understanding, we will chase riches of this world of lesser value.

Looking back and living in the past constantly is a clear indication you believe your treasures are still buried there. A woman in the Bible only went by the title of Lot's wife, and her heart was so caught up in the treasures of this world she could not see the grand future God had planned out for her. I am sure many of you have heard of the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah and the destruction of fire and brimstone that rained down and ruined them. Lot's wife lived there with her family, and though it was a place of much immorality and disgraces, her heart was very much tied to it. But because of the prayers of Abraham God would save Lot and his family from the devastation. God allowed them enough time to escape with this instruction, 

"Do not look behind you nor stay anywhere in the plain." (Genesis 19:17 NIV). 

When I look back at my life, I am so thankful that God brought me out of many situations that would have only resulted in my destruction had I stayed there. In the moment of having to leave behind people, possessions and relationships we hold close and dear to us may seem like the most challenging thing to do. But when you put your trust in the One who knows best; the present pain will eventually turn into the greatest gain in life. Lot's wife's treasures were so buried in the city she had to leave behind that she was not willing to trust God with the future. The Bible tells us that as she was leaving the city she "Looked back" and was turned into a pillar of salt. The truth about looking back constantly and living in the past is that it will drain the very life from you. Let us heed the warning of God and make sure our heart is following him.

Holy Spirit, help me today to leave the past behind and lead me to an abundant life ahead!

A New Start

Today's Reading

Doesn't a new start sound great? When life becomes difficult, you have failed several times, you have messed up a perfect relationship, and you are bored of your job, your house, your friends, and family; a new start sounds exciting when we find ourselves stuck in the mediocrities of life. Do you know what Jesus did on the cross over two thousand years ago enables you to have a new start even now? Though many believers know this truth, they still live beneath this truth every day because somehow the lie of the old life seems to envelop their souls. The fact is the enemy of our souls knows if he can keep us looking back we would make little progress in the future God has for us. 

We all have a past, and for some, it may be memorable, for others it may be horrible. Whatever the past looks like the enemy majors in causing us to indulge in what was. We serve a God that loves to plan ahead for his children, and scripture tells us that his plans are always good in the end (Jeremiah 29:11NIV). As a pastor, I am afforded the opportunity to minister to many people from the young to old, mature and immature, strong and weak but what I recognize is from the least to the greatest the most common issues among them all is letting go of the past. 

I spent or should I say "Wasted" a lot of time and energy on what was, and what could have been. But I am grateful for the present and the bright future that God has for me and you too. I want to encourage you to take your time through this plan and to commit to stop looking back on the negatives in your life. Our memory is not the enemy, but the way we use our memory will determine the detriment.  When I look back on life, it is for only moments of seeing what God did and how he has brought me through. As you journey with me, I want you to understand that a new start is available to you no matter where you've been or what you have done. Jesus died to save and give you a brand new start. Jesus specializes in new beginnings, and now I look at every disappointment, hurt and pain as an opportunity to birth something new. We do ourselves a great injustice, and we lock God out when we keep looking back negatively. We were made to move forward, and it's time to stop looking back. 

Holy Spirit, help me from today to live my life with a view of what is ahead; help me to stop looking back! 

Learn to Love Yourself First

Today's Reading 

Scripture:  Jeremiah 31:3-4 

God wants to restore you. He wants to offer you the ring of acceptance. He wants to reconcile you to the Kingdom. He wants to invite you to sit at His table. As it is written in Isaiah 61:7, “Instead of shame . . . you will enjoy a double share of honor.”

Once we get ahold of the truth of grace, not only does it empower us to forgive and love ourselves, it should also prompt us to forgive and love others. Because, let’s be honest, there’s a Prodigal in all of us. And sometimes it takes learning to love through a mess to get to the miracle.

You can read the story of the Prodigal Son in Luke 15, let’s put it in modern times. 

You may relate to the following scenario.

Lisa was raised in the church. Her parents were great people who loved Lisa and wanted only the best for their daughter. She made the mistake of her life when she began to date Bill. After several months, Lisa was head over heels in love and wanted to marry him. 

Lisa knew he had a drinking problem. He also had lots of excuses. She knew he did not like to go to church with her much, but she convinced herself that she could change him. Despite her pastor’s warnings and her parents’ pleadings, she went ahead and married him. About a year and a half later, she was in a living hell.

Bill’s drinking evolved into physical abuse, and Lisa filed for divorce. She was heartbroken. She had ignored all the warning signs. Any time children of God marry children of the devil, they are going to have trouble with their father-in-law. 

The good news is, God never gives up on us. Recovering from bad choices you have made can be a heart-wrenching experience, but God is always ready to restore you, to give you a new start.  

 

The Big Idea:  Learning to love others begins by learning to love yourself. 

Keeping Score Versus Losing Count

Today's Reading

Matthew 18:21–22 

One of the most powerful lessons Jesus ever taught was on forgiveness. He gave it because Peter approached Jesus and asked, “Lord, how often should I forgive someone who sins against me? Seven times?”

I have a sneaky suspicion Peter had someone in mind that he had already forgiven six times. He just might have been ready to write that person off. Whether or not, he was looking for a formula.

Jesus says, “No, not seven times. Seventy times seven.”

You know I am not good at math, but I can figure out this equation. The answer is 490. The way I read it, this means we are to forgive the same person 490 times each day. That is a lot of forgiving to do. At a rate of one act of forgiveness every three or so minutes, you could spend an entire day just forgiving someone!

But this is not about numbers. Jesus was giving us a new math formula, a new set of truths for us to walk in forgiveness. The first truth is this: Forgiveness is not about keeping score. It’s about losing count.

We are all going to get hurt in some way. Your spouse will let you down. Someone might gossip about your marriage. Someone might steal your money. Someone might steal your husband. Someone may have abused you. Someone may have harmed your child.

While getting hurt is reality, getting and staying bitter is a reaction. We must live a lifestyle of constant forgiveness. This is not about satisfying the requirements of a mathematical equation. We must forgive. All the time.

The Big Idea:  Stop keeping score and start losing count.

Love Wins All The Time

Love is the answer to the broken home. Love is the answer to the addict. Love is the answer to fractured relationships. Love is the answer to being offended. Love is the answer to heartbreak. Love is a weapon that can shatter division and rebuild what has been broken.

What is happening in your life right now that tests you in the way you love? Did you just discover that your spouse has been cheating on you? Do you want to reconnect with the daughter you haven't spoke to in months? Did you son just tell you his girlfriend is pregnant? Is your teenager suffering from an addiction that is overwhelming not just his life but every single person in your family? Has you adult daughter declared she's a lesbian and she's done with the whole God business? 

Different dynamics and complexities characterize each of these situations. But they're real. They're hard. And they hurt. 

I wonder what would happen if we decided that, with God's help and in His strength, we are going to love like we've never been hurt. Instead of withholding affections, staying bitter or seeking revenge, we love. 

God will begin, little by little, to release you from the past if you will reach for a new day. 

It takes a lot of love and forgiveness to hold a family together. Love never fails. Keep on forgiving. Keep on loving. Keep on reaching. Keep on talking. 

The Big Idea: The ones whom you love the most can hurt you the most. Love them anyway.