Are you an Eagle or a Chicken?

Eagles are amazing creatures. They have characteristics that are examples for Christian behavior. That is why God uses the eagle to prove a point to us in Isaiah. Eagles are able to see long distances as Christians are supposed to be watch as well as pray. An eagle can see clearly from 50 feet away. We should be so in tune with the Holy Spirit that we can discern an impending attack of the enemy. They have sharp vision. The bible says that without a vision, we perish. Eagles are fearless and do not surrender. In other words, they won’t back down from a fight. They aren’t intimated by the size or strength of the prey or opponent. Eagles are not intimidated by storms. They fly right into the eye of a storm and then above it. Don’t be moved by the issues that seem insurmountable. Here’s an interesting point, eagles never eat dead meat. It only eats meat of the prey it killed itself. Translation, if it’s dead…leave it alone. Also focus on the victories you’ve won with the help of the Lord and don’t worry about what is going on with others. Maintain your focus. Eagles don’t give up but they know when to rest or wait. This is the part I love! Eagles produce and secret oil that cleans and waterproofs their feathers. However, during the waiting period a sac of oil forms. When the waiting period is over, the eagle breaks the sac with its beak, anoints itself and goes back to doing what it does best. Now let’s take a look at chickens. First and foremost, calling a person a chicken has a negative connotation. Chickens are used as the symbol for betrayal or cowardice as noted in Bible. Jesus said that before the cock crows Peter would deny Him. Chickens are not capable of long distance flight. They can fly over fences and into trees but that’s about it. Chickens generally are on the ground. Chickens are easily captured and once captured are housed in coops. Chickens are generally reared for food and to produce eggs. They will eat pretty much whatever they find from scratching around on the ground like seeds, insects, etc. Chickens are also susceptible to diseases. When it comes to your walk with the Lord, are you and eagle or a chicken? “Why would you ever complain, O Jacob, or, whine, Israel, saying, "God has lost track of me. He doesn't care what happens to me"? Don't you know anything? Haven't you been listening? God doesn't come and go. God lasts. He's Creator of all you can see or imagine. He doesn't get tired out, doesn't pause to catch his breath. And he knows everything, inside and out. He energizes those who get tired, gives fresh strength to dropouts. For even young people tire and drop out, young folk in their prime stumble and fall. But those who wait upon God get fresh strength. They spread their wings and soar like eagles, they run and don't get tired, they walk and don't lag behind.” - Isaiah 40:29-3 (MSG)

God Never Starts Anything that He Won’t Finish

“And I am convinced and sure of this very thing, that He Who began a good work in you will continue until the day of Jesus Christ [right up to the time of His return], developing [that good work] and perfecting and bringing it to full completion in you.” - Philippians 1:6 Amplified Bible (AMP) God unlike man is not a liar. He also doesn’t give up on a project in the middle because He became bored or frustrated. God never starts anything that He doesn’t intend to finish. There are times when you feel like God has changed His mind about you but He hasn’t. He’s not that kind of God. If He promised it, He will perform it. God has made an investment in you and He plans to get a return on His investment. I have been in the middle of a test and honestly I began to question myself first. I wondered if I had heard God correctly. Then I questioned God, wondering if God had changed His mind. I poured my heart out to the Lord saying surely if this is for me; I shouldn’t be experiencing so much pain. I figured either I was wrong in the first place or He had changed His mind. God reminded me that (1) I heard Him correctly and (2) He does not lie and He changes not. He took me to Philippians 1:6 pointing out that He had begun the work and He will complete it. He also told me that He’s perfecting me for the work. Am I ever going to be perfect? Absolutely not! The only perfect person was Jesus. What He meant is that He is removing some things in my character. He hasn’t allowed certain things to happen yet because He’s protecting the valuable treasure that He’s placed in me. Needless to say, that sent me into praise and worship. What is the lesson? Sometimes things happen or don’t because God is developing and perfecting you for His purpose. In particular, disappointments and delays are not to hurt you but to develop you. God would not give you anything and not equip you for it (whether it’s tangible or a spiritual). Remember God never starts anything that He won’t finish.

Endure

2 Timothy 2:3-4 New King James Version (NKJV) 3 You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. 4 No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier. My faith is being tested right now. In the last few weeks it seems that if it isn't one thing, it's another. I'm sure at least one person reading this can relate. God made me a promise and I know that He doesn't lie. As I move closer to the fulfillment of my promise, the opposition seems to have intensified. I have come to the conclusion that giving up is not an option even on my worst day. With tears in my eyes sometimes I have to dig down deep and worship the Lord. In prayer last night, God took me to 2 Timothy 3:3-4. He reminded me to endure hardship just like Jesus did. Jesus came to be an example for us all of how to endure while being lied on, mistreated, and even facing death. He reminded me not to worry about my "stuff" but to please Him and He will take care of everything that conerns me.

I Hear the Sound of Rain!

Elijah said to Ahab, "Up on your feet! Eat and drink—celebrate! Rain is on the way; I hear it coming." 1 Kings 18:41 The Message (MSG) Be encouraged people of God. There is a sound of the abundance of rain. Many of God’s people have been dealing with a drought in one or more areas of their lives. A drought is an extended period of months or years of a shortage. There has been a drought in our finances, health, marriages and so much more. We are experiencing droughts in our churches. People aren’t coming to church like they used to. People are not giving tithes and offerings because they feel that they can’t afford to. Not realizing that it simply prolongs the drought in your finances and your lives. Tithes and offerings are more than just about finances. God said He would rebuke the devourer for your sake (Malachi 3:11). We are not experiencing the power of God like we could in terms of miracles, signs, and wonders because of the spiritual drought. People are not being healed and delivered as quickly because of the drought. Some are experiencing a drought in the fruit of the Spirit. Your joy, faith, peace or love just to name a few may be lacking (Galatians 5:22-23). God wants you to live an abundant life (John 10:10). Many people have become so accustom to the drought in their lives that they have lost hope of ever seeing the rain. But allow me to announce to you today that the rain is coming. There is about to be an overflow in every area that you have been experiencing a shortage. Declare right now, “My drought is over. The rain is on the way; I hear it coming!”

Somewhere Between Certainty and Destiny

GOD told Abram: "Leave your country, your family, and your father's home for a land that I will show you. I'll make you a great nation and bless you. I'll make you famous;you'll be a blessing. I'll bless those who bless you; those who curse you I'll curse. All the families of the Earth will be blessed through you." - Genesis 12:1-3 (MSG) Imagine how Abram (Abraham) must have felt when God told him to leave everything that way comfortable and familiar to him to enter a land that God would show him. In other words, leave what you know and take a quantum leap of faith. After the directions, God gave made him a promise that if he obeyed he would be blessed. Not only would Abram be blessed but he others would be blessed through him. We love when God promises us blessings. We get excited and forget that between certainty and destiny we take a trip through the land of doubt, fear, and uncertainty. Life is never a straight road. Sometimes we experience detours, wrong turn, or we simply lose our way. Destiny is a term we hear a lot whether it be in the secular world or the house of God. But what is destiny? The dictionary defines destiny as a predetermined course of events often held to be irresistible power or agency. I agree with the part about it being predetermined. I believe destiny is a destination. The events of your life orchestrated by God are leading you to the plan and purpose He created you for. I don’t believe your destiny is one single destination but many. You were destined to do many things. While on the road of life, God is constantly giving you directions to get you to your destiny. However, there are times when you have to rely on the last direction you were given. What do I mean? There are times when God speaks to you a lot and there are times when He is silent. Have you ever used a GPS? A GPS is a great help when you are driving especially when you’re going somewhere you have never been. You start out at a familiar point and plug in the address that you need directions to. As wonderful as an invention the GPS is, here is one main flaw. Sometimes you stumble into an area where the GPS cannot connect to the satellite. Therefore the voice that had been guiding you becomes silent. But you continue to drive praying you remember the last set of directions. For what seems like a long and agonizing period, the GPS is silent. That’s how the Lord is. He gives directions and then is quiet. You begin to feel like He has left you and may wonder if you’re going the right way. All of a sudden, the voice on the GPS comes back on and continues to guide you. Most of the time, you have been going the right way. Every once in a while, you’ll hear her say redirecting if you inadvertently made a wrong turn and she gets you back on track. That is just how the Lord does us. The awesome thing is that even if you have gotten off track, He still leads you to your destiny. You may be on the road of uncertainty on your way to your destiny as I am. I encourage you to keep the faith.