Cut down the asherah poles in your life so God's miracles can manifest

So, yesterday, I had an interesting experience.  I was seeking jobs on a website and found one that would be a perfect short time fit for me and I applied for it.  The person needed help that day so would be contacting the one they chose within hours.  I also have an immediate need for an investment I must make in my books and was praying about how to raise those funds.  So, I found this site where I could put my ask out there.  But I really didn't feel so comfortable with it because the essence and the actual name of it was begging.  I had just said earlier in the day that I was not a beggar. I debated with myself back and forth to find a justification for using the site to meet my need and actually took time to write and post an ask.  However, while I was wasting time doing that, the person with the job reached out to me and asked if I was immediately available. But I saw his email 20 minutes after he sent it.  Needless to say, the job went to someone else.

As I prayed this morning, I was led to "cut down the asherah poles in my life".  I've read plenty of references to asherah in the Bible but really wanted to understand the meaning so I could obey God from a place of knowledge and understanding.  To summarize my research, Asherah was considered the createss goddess and equal or in partnership with to God.  She is associated with prostitution and fertility, hence the poles or trees used to worship it.

What I took away was three areas in life where I and maybe others can miss the blessings of God.
1-Misplaced loyalty to people, jobs or institutions that prevent you from pursuing the Kingdom of God to the fullness God desires
2-Prostituting or subjecting yourself to people in the hopes of gaining what you want by giving them what you should not and do not want to give
3-Begging from others for what God already said He would give you but you lack the patience to wait for.

I obviously disconnected from the begging site and uprooted, grinded and burned up every spiritual asherah pole in my life, identified and unidentified.  Now, don't misconstrue this blog.  I was not consciously aware of any idols in my life and I continually seek to ensure there are none.  But God knows what is going on in the spirit realm more than we.  So, if He says they are there, I move forward to remove them.  I refuse to let spiritual pride or my "position" in ministry cause me to think I am above or have been delivered from every possible thing; even in 2014, there is still none perfect or good but God (Mark 10:18).  But I share these things at the risk of being misquoted or wrongly judged so that we all can grow and come into what God has promised.  Gideon's cutting down his father's asherah pole preceded the great victory over the Midianites (Judges 6-7). God promised to do great wonders for the children of Israel that all the nations around them would see if they obeyed Him and cut down all the enemy's idols (Exodus 34:10-14).  So, I choose to remove any and everything that is hindering me from enjoying the life God promised me. Amen.

It is time to walk in full obedience and trust in God.  In the remaining hours of 2014 going forward, let's live life God's way remembering we belong to a holy kingdom that cannot be moved or overcome.  Yet, we overcome all things because of our relationship to the Almighty, King of Kings and Lord of Lords. 2 Kings 23:6 ( context 1-25).  He, alone, shall we serve.

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You are not a Failure

As long as you belong to Christ, you are not a failure.

As many are spending, laughing, enjoying family and the "season", there are many who are reflecting on what they should have but do not. Regret has creeped into the hearts of many during this season as most don't have enough to buy what they want to buy to give what they want to give.  Sadness and sorrow are tagging along to bring depression and lowliness of spirit during a time when we should all be rejoicing and praising God.

I'm writing this not to the unsaved or unrepentant but to those that are saved and call Jesus their Lord.  Many of us are not experiencing comfort and joy during this focused time of worshiping Christ for coming into the earth to be our Messiah.  Instead we are being bombarded by thoughts of how much farther along in life we thought we would be and what we wish we had in this season be it money, a home that we own and not rent, a spouse, children, a happy family, invitations to wonderful holiday parties, money to buy gifts for others that we care about and whatever else the enemy can use as a point of discouragement for us.  To top it off the enemy brings to mind those who don't call Jesus Lord but seem to have everything in life you wish you had.

If anyone should feel that way it should be me.  I had the best education, best opportunities, most coveted jobs, favor beyond imagination..... and I lost it all! Through my own stubbornness and disobedience, I made some choices that caused me to lose what my carnal mind says I should have had; The family I always wanted, the financial stability and even the ministry I could have had had I not let fear keep me from moving forward.  People have even said my life is just a waste.  Others have wished me ill and said she is getting what she deserves for being arrogant (in their opinion) or outspoken.

But no matter what the last 50 years have involved, whether good or bad, I rejoice in this.  That I understand and know my God that He is, "I Am, the Lord".  Jeremiah 9:23-24.  And this is not an arrogant boast.  I know I don't know all there is to know about God, but what I do know makes me want to know more of Him.  I do know that He loves me beyond man's borders and above man's wisdom.  I know that His love for me is what guided me and kept me through truly tough times over the last 50 years.  I understand that what I think I've missed here on earth, and yes, I did miss out on some good things because of disobedience, is nothing to be compared to the eternity of only joyous life that I will receive at His coming.  I understand that He is the only one worthy of honor, worship, praise, glory, dominion and power and we should all ascribe that to only Him.  I understand that all power is in His hands and that with one phrase, "Let there be..." all things came into being by the Spirit of His son, Jesus Christ, who has always been one with Him.  I know that this same God and by this same Spirit things in my earthly life are turning around for good,  and I understand that they are turning around for His good.  I understand that the whole point of my life is not to live well and have all my desires met, but it is to accept and live in the Kingdom of God as a true Kingdom citizen and to help as many others as He gives me to do the same.

Yet, I also know that because He loves me He will give me the desires of my heart as I walk in obedience to His word (Else I might be consumed by my desires).  I know that God loves YOU with a love that can't be measured with numbers or matter.  I understand that He will lead us all in the path of His righteousness and no matter what we've faced, our latter days will be better than our former if we can keep our heads lifted so He can come in and show Himself to us.

Don't be deceived in this season by the bombarding of thoughts the enemy may bring your way.  Keep your eyes on Christ and Know and Understand His love for you.  Let His light replace the darkness that is trying to consume our hearts and minds.  Let us Look Up! and see the salvation of the Lord.  Tis the season to trust in God and know who we are in Him, how much He loves us and how much He desires to give us our desires as we are prepared to receive them.  This is a joyous season, let us worship the Lord our God, for He is worthy to be praised.  Our circumstances mean nothing in the face of such an awesome God.  Father, we love you, we honor you and we stand to recognize you as the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, Hallelujah!!  You are great and greatly to be praised and we give you all of ourselves for your will to be done and your name to be made known throughout the earth.  Amen.

YOU are the seed God planted in the earth to grow and bear fruit in its time that will feed the nations and build the Kingdom. John 15:16. 

As the glory of God covers us, there is so much more we are being called to do and produce in this season.  Things have already shifted and hopefully you are staying in step with how the Spirit of God is moving us forward Galatians 5:25.  The old ways of doing things that were not aligned with God's will are passed away and He is calling us into complete compliance with His will.  This is not a hard thing as you might suppose.  It just requires complete surrender to Him.  Give Him your all; your thoughts, plans, emotions, desires, everything to Him.  For His plans for you are far greater and it His will that will prevail.  But as the scripture says in John 15:16, if we do His will by bearing lasting fruit (for only Kingdom fruit will remain), we can ask whatever we will in His name and it will be done for us. 

So, today I pray with you that you ascend into the holy place with the Father and discover the life He desires for you, the fruit you were made to produce and the true joy that is yours not only in this season but every day of your life.  Prosper in His ways for His steadfast love is all over the earth. Psalm 33.

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Of Adverbs and Adjectives and Understanding Part II

Verse 20, in the KJV says, "Now unto Him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,...".  There are two words that are written to help us "understand" what Paul was praying we would get.  Those words are "exceeding" and "abundantly".  Exceeding means to surpass and abundantly means more than enough or over sufficient.  Often people quote this scripture as saying, "exceedingly, abundantly".  If that were correct, both words would be adverbs describing the word "do" and specifically, "do above all we could ask or think".  



However, the word "exceeding" in this sentence is not an adverb describing the word do, it functions as an adjective describing the word abundantly, making abundantly a noun! Okay, some of you English teachers may be freaking out right now, but I think you get my point. Paul was trying to help us understand that God will no only do abundantly more than what we ask or imagine, but He will exceed even abundantly above our imaginations. In other words, as far as you can look up, dig down or look out, God's love, favor and blessings go way beyond that. there are no boundaries that can be measured.


So God will do above all we ask or can imagine! How great is that? But Ephesians 3, says He will do abundantly above that! Totally unimaginable and what others might think is impossible. But yet, it says He will even EXCEED Abundantly above what we can imagine!!! We can't even wrap our heads around it. Just know that this far-out kind of love is available to each of us right now if we believe it, accept it, take it and walk in it as my beloved pastor, Dr. Kingsley Fletcher says.

Now is your time to soar and rise above the fray. Go beyond the ordinary and rise to God's extraordinary for you. You can have the phenomenal in each and every area of your life at the same time if you can believe it. There is a free audio series on the site www.HeightsUnknown.com that can help along with the E-book Live For Results found on the same site. They will inspire and coach you on your journey to believe God for all that He has in store for you. You are His prized possession and the one He loves dearly. He feels that way about you just as you are today for He knows what treasure He built inside of you. Walk by Faith, Not by Sight. Don't waste time tearing down and destroying yourself or others. Build up, uplift and soar!

Of Adverbs and Adjectives to Understanding Part I

So great is the Father's love for us!  Paul tried to express it so we all could understand.  He said it takes power to understand the extent of God's love; its breadth, height and depth. So, he prayed that God would give us that power to understand.  For if we truly understand it we will be filled with ALL the fullness of God.  Ephesians 3:14-21  If we can understand that God loves us like a faithful father loves his child but even far more. Whatever the father has is imparted into his children but with God, He imparts beyond what we can grasp.  Since all power is in God's hands, that is the gift He imparts to those that belong to Him.  If we can gain the power to understand His love, we can gain the power to love others and ourselves.

Living your life full of purpose comes through having a deep, intimate relationship with God for yourself; One in which you trust Him with and in all things.  This type relationship is birthed in consecrated prayer.
Get the Ebook at LiveForResults.com

Obedience to God is the key to having the life you desire and can't yet imagine.  We often put our energy into waiting for God to give us what we've asked of Him, believing that thing is great.  But if you let go and surrender you desires to Him, he will not give you less, as the enemy wants you to believe, nor will he take away what you desire because after all it is God who put the desire there.  When you yield your will, you will then be open enough for Him to show you how much more He has for you. It is so much more that what you focused on as great will now appear so small in the face of the vast riches of life that God actually has in store for you.  Don't sell yourself short.  Also, no matter how many "mistakes" you seem to have made, it's never to late to have it all in Him. All it requires is your obedience-starting today.  Obedience is compelled by faith for you do according to what you believe; Faith and works, together.  So, Let go, and let God reveal the beautiful life He planned for you since the beginning of time. Romans 12:1-2

Why stay in the same place, doing the same thing and getting the same result of disappointment? Don't fear the unknown, fear wasting away all your abilities doing what you have known.  This is not for you if you've found your perfect career, perfect relationships, perfect health or perfect walk with God. 2 Kings 7 LiveForResults.com  Get the Ebook!

Don't give in to distraction.  Have you ever had the charge to do something for the Kingdom and then something happens to make you feel sick, upset or anger you?  Then you forget or don't feel like doing what you intended to do.  So you delay it or don't do it at all.  The enemy does not work to make you angry for the sake of being angry nor does he get joy out of your unhappiness by itself.  The enemy's gladness comes when your anger or unhappiness keeps you from doing something that builds the Kingdom of God.  He deceives to distract and he distracts to deceive so the work of the Lord goes undone.  Don''t buy into it.  When trouble comes on you step back and above all get an understanding of what that trouble came to do in your life.  Sometimes it is meant to help you grow but sometimes it is intended to distract.  Stay focused on the Kingdom goals. James 1

LiveForResults.com  Get the Ebook!

Where does your trust lie?  In this age when we are bombarded with so much information and anyone can post anything for all to see, we risk becoming absorbed in the thought that what we physically see determines our outcomes.  If it looks like someone has more resources than we do we may feel they can do more.  If ten doctors all give you the same prognosis you may feel as though you can't overcome.  If it looks like someone is stronger or more people on their side than we do, we fear we may be defeated.  But remember the Word given in Isaiah 31. It exhorts us not to look at all the strength that seems to be opposed to us but rather we are to look to the Lord, alone.  It is His strength and power that make legions flee and His sword that will cut down and destroy armies and weapons with one fell swoop.  Trust in the Lord alone.  LiveForResults.com

Perseverance.  In this time of supernatural shift, you may want to leap right out and grab your promises. But things may not be moving into place fast enough thus producing anxiety and frustration.  We know God's timing is perfect.  So use the frustration to keep preparing yourself and opening your eyes to ways you may not have imagined before, while God uses the time to complete you so you can maintain what you will inherit.  James 1:2-4

We're Back!  Beware distraction in its different forms.  What may look like light could actually be a guarded dark hole looking for an opportunity to pull you away from the things of God.  This is why we never settle for just "okay" or "this will do".  God does not give partial blessings. His blessings are complete and exceed what we hope for.  So when you want to attach to something that has part of what you need but has parts that are contrary to the word of God, Reevaluate, Rethink and Remove yourself from the threat.  Guard your heart with all diligence.  I Peter 5:8-11

Get Your Strategy for Shift

Let's all pray that God will give us the radical idea or strategy that will catapult us into destiny.  It may come through something we read, something we see or directly through prayer.  But there is something we can do in obedience to God that will shift us out of where we are and into the manifestation of His promises for our lives.

God gave Jacob a divine strategy as he was on his way to do the will of God.  Jacob angered Laban and his sons.  So, God told Jacob to get up from Laban's house, take all his family, flocks and household and return to his father's land where He promised to do him good and make him numerous.  Jacob moved in obedience but was afraid of what Esau would do to him because he stole Esau's birthright. He sent his servants in front of him to tell Esau he was coming. His servants returned with the message that Esau was coming to meet him with 400 men.  Jacob responded in fear by dividing his household in an effort to protect at least one if the other was destroyed.  But then He prayed reminding God of His promises and asked God for deliverance.  What God gave him was a strategy that would spare his life and that of those in his household. The scripture does not say God gave him a strategy.  But right after he prayed, he made a bold strategic move that must have come from God.  Before he prayed he sent a message.  After he prayed, he enacted a plan of more than words.  He took much from his flocks of all kinds and prepared a gift for Esau that he sent ahead of himself along with the messengers in a specific order and format. He moved his family and he remained alone.  It was then that he wrestled with God and refused to let go until he received a blessing and the new name Israel.  As we know, he was more than delivered from Esau but his relationship was restored even greater than ever before. Genesis 32.

We, too, as we walk in obedience to what God has instructed and promised may face what seems to be a death-defying challenge along the way.  But if we pray, God will give us the pivotal instruction or move that will shift us not only into deliverance, not only into restoration but into promise.

Please get your copy of Live For Results, today at LiveForResults.com  May God give you that thought to move you into promise and closer to Him.

How to Start the Year Right - A Process and Prayer

Have you set your plans for the year?  Have you taken the time to consecrate before God to determine what He wills for you in this year?  Each December, take one to three days to just stay before the Lord assessing the year past and what changes need to be made in the upcoming year.  Obviously gratitude to God should cover the entire consecration.  

Now, if you missed doing this, it's not too late.  Try to find one to three days this month, in addition to your corporate or individual fasts to lay before the Lord, specifically, concerning your life plan as He sees it.  Here are some tips for going through the process (Keep pen and journal handy):

1-Start with praise and thanksgiving for all He has done and has already designed for you.  Bombard heaven with thanksgiving because no matter what happened in 2013, you're still here and have the ability to advance the Kingdom for the Lord.  Love on God, because He's loved on you whether you see how He has or not.

2-Read aloud scriptures of significance to you and those that will help you get your mind in the mode of obedience to God's word.  Obedience is the key to any success in God.  Some examples are Matthew 6 and 7, John 15:1-10, 14:21, James 1 and 4.  

3-Empty out yourself, your desires and ambitions, and ask God to fill you with more of His Spirit and His desires for you.  Pray in the Spirit until you feel the glory of the Lord resting upon you.

4-Now, if He begins to speak at any point in the process, LISTEN, DOCUMENT and UNDERSTAND. Get the revelation on His word.  He will make it plain to you as you diligently seek His face.  Be prepared for Him to pour out as He has your full attention. He may lead you to other scriptures.  Follow His leading.

5-Stay there (not necessarily literally) until you have what you need.  Stay consecrated before God for as many days as it takes for you to get the revelation you need to go forward with life.  You wouldn't drive a school bus without having instructions because there are too many lives at risk including those of other's children.  Likewise, your life impacts God's children everywhere including you.  You don't want to error because you failed to get direction for how to be the gift that you are to God's Kingdom.  Live purposefully, not recklessly.  Every moment of life has great value.

6-Pray until you feel a shift in your mind and spirit.  Even after the Lord has revealed some things.  Keep worshipping and praising Him for the revealing His divine plans to you.  

7- After revelation, document a plan for how to get to where God said you are to go.  Even in this you still seek His direction and revelation: When to do which parts, Who to work with, Where to find the resources, etc.  

8- Once you are done, live life with a focus on achieving the goals of your God-directed plan.  No matter where you are and everywhere that you go, keep praise and worship in your heart and on your lips.

This is just a brief summary of a proven process.  So, I pray God richly bless and keep you.  That your mind would be renewed through His written and spoken Word, that you would grab a hold to the Kingdom and not let go and that the glory of God would continually rise upon you all year long.  I pray that God will assist you at every turn as you move forward in obedience to His instructions and that you will fall more deeply in love with God than you've ever been before.  That you will see He is the true lover of your soul and that from His love you learn how to properly love others.  To God (Father, Son and Holy Ghost) be all glory honor and praise, now and forevermore!!

Don't forget to get your copy of Live For Results at www.LiveForResults.com  I love you with the love of the Lord.  Be encouraged and strengthened knowing that the Lord God is with you.

The Perspective of Expecting, Declaring and Proclaiming. Part II

I hoped to have written this before we entered 2014.  But as it can be for each of us from time to time, I was so consumed with meeting other's needs at work, home and community, that I did not take time to get this done.  My apologies. Here is part II of this blog post.

We last spoke about expecting and what to expect from God.  Once you make up your mind to change your mind to expecting the "right" things of God, you can move to Declaring and Proclaiming.  "Name it and Claim it" only works if your declarations line up with the will and wisdom of God.  Matthew 7:7 says, "ask and you shall receive..." and then a couple of verses later Jesus relates this to a parent giving good gifts to their children.  If you are a parent or can relate to being a child with expectations of a parent you can better understand how the principle of asking and receiving works.  A loving parent will give "good" gifts to their children, that being the best they can give and only things that will bless and not harm them.  If your child asks for a Maserati at the age of 12, most parents that can afford that vehicle would not give it at that time since the child would have no driver's license and more than likely lack the maturity to manage such an expensive gift. The parent would consider that if they did give that particular gift there would be great risk to the child's life at this time, even the risk of death due to an accident.  So as much as the child may admire the Maserati, can imagine themselves driving it and have picked the perfect color, the wise parent would not give it as their life is more valuable than that particular gift.  Not only that car, but any car would be off the table for this time. 

However, when the child matures, graduates college, starts work and can handle responsibilities-say in their late-20"s or 30"s, the parent may remember their childhood request and give them that Maserati even without their asking again.  For the parent recognizes the growth and readiness of the child to receive the gift and remembers the desire to have it.  Likewise, God does us the same way.  He may have everything but He won't give us anything we are not ready for even if we do ask.  But once we are ready and it is good for us, He will do it.  This is most often the reason we ask repeatedly for something and it does not manifest when we want.  We must prepare in whichever way God needs for us to in order to receive and retain the gifts He gives without losing ourselves.

Therefore, we expect only the best from God; we expect Him to only give what we are ready for that will not harm or hinder us and THEN we declare those things shall come to pass. We proclaim the faithfulness and love of God in order to encourage us as we wait in preparation.  We proclaim in a position of worship those things that will glorify Him whether we have received or not, and we continually affirm our unwavering faith through declaring that He will do it.  Again, in James 1:17, the scripture declares that every good and perfect gift comes from The Father.  The same analogy in Matthew to help us understand how to ask, what to expect, what to declare and what to proclaim. This is going to be a phenomenal year as we work to prepare our minds for action (I Peter 1:13) and live out the destinies for which we were born into the earth.  Only the best belongs to you.