HAPPY NEW YEAR 2009!

Today is the last day of yet another year and I am blessed. It has been a great year and I have seen God's hand in many areas especially my career. Of course there have been highs and lows but I have been very blessed in everything. There are things that I had hoped to have this year that did not happen, like shed the extra weight and find a mate. However, my blessings and achievements are far more than my disappointments.

I took the time to meet with God for 6 days to discuss the year 2009 and to seek him about it. Two things were promised to me:

a) Every barren place in my life will be watered by the river of God and bear fruit in 2009.

b) Every dark and shadowy place in my life will be illuminated by his Light (Glory) in 2009.

I am blessed and excited and cannot wait for tomorrow. On my end I have purposed to do the following in the new year:

a) Spend two hours with the Lord in prayer and bible study daily.
b) Read the Bible through in 2009. I bought the One Year Bible today in order to make it easier.
c) Go back to school to study my Masters.
d) Participate in the 21 day fast at my Church in January.
e) Change jobs so I can do something less demanding of my time, thus allowing me to participate in various church events.
f) Live out each month, week and day purposefully. I want to set goals that will enable me to achieve much in the given period of time.
g) Save 10k monthly.

My focus is set and I feel really good about this year. I know God has a plan for me. I want to find that plan and work it like crazy in 2009. I want to seek him and find him, because I will seek him with all my heart. I can't wait. I am blessed!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

The Day of my Visitation

One thing is for sure, I do NOT want to be like Jerusalem, not knowing the day of my visitation and therefore suffering a lack of peace and even defeat.

Luke 19

41And when he was come near, he beheld the city, and wept over it,

42Saying, If thou hadst known, even thou, at least in this thy day, the things which belong unto thy peace! but now they are hid from thine eyes.

43For the days shall come upon thee, that thine enemies shall cast a trench about thee, and compass thee round, and keep thee in on every side,

44And shall lay thee even with the ground, and thy children within thee; and they shall not leave in thee one stone upon another; because thou knewest not the time of thy visitation.

The Lord is talking to me about a very significant opportunity that I must catch or I will be pretty miserable thereafter. He says not to look at the wrapping in which he sends the gift. Not to judge by outside appearance (1 Sam 16). He is sending me a gift this Christmas and I thank him for it. Lord, open my eyes to see your gift. Help me to see past the outside, the wrapping paper, but to take the time to open my gift and enjoy it. Lord, I am human and you know my tendencies. Help me to see as you see, put some salve on my eyes so that they can be opened to see truly. I open my heart and mind to this gift. I acknowledge the time of my visitation and believe that this is both my chronos and kairos time. I bless you Lord for you are good. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.

Prophetic Acts

Prophetic acts are very powerful and are great for rendering the devil powerless in any situation. One thing I have learned from David Oyedepo, founder of Winners Church is that you should always ask God what you are to do in any situation. And whatever he tells you to do, do it.

I have exercised many different prophetic acts by the Spirit of God and seen the results almost immediately. On of those involves a rock I call "Eb." I was in need of clients and had been praying to God for help when I read about Joshua and Samuel setting up a stone as a witness between God and the people. I felt God move me to set up a stone that would be a witness between he and I. That whenever he saw the stone he would come to my aid.

So I ran outside, got a small rock, anointed it with oil and called it Ebenezer "The Lord is my stone of help" and whenever I worked I would put it on my PC and when God saw it he would give me favor and give me the jobs I was bidding for, and I would remember that I am helped. And wouldn't you know it, before long I had more work than I knew what to do with. So much so, that I began to jokingly refer to Eb as the trouble maker, because I couldn't handle it.

Last week I spoke to God about a harvest I needed from my year of giving (2008). He gave me some strange instructions. I could not understand the purpose of the action, but God did and all I had to do was follow his instructions. He told me that when I got to church on Sunday, I was to get an envelope, write on it the amount of money I would give as first fruits when my harvest came in (which I had designated as 50% of my net income) and then during praise and worship dance and wave that envelope to him. When I got to Church on Sunday, we sang all these warfare songs, and I just followed the Lords instructions and waved my envelop in his presence. When we finished praising, I sensed in my spirit that it was done. And the Lord said to me, now loose your harvest. So I loosed it and called in forth in Jesus Name. The Lord reminded me of Matt 12:29

"Or again, how can anyone enter a strong man's house and carry off his possessions unless he first ties up the strong man? Then he can rob is house."

The Lord revealed to me that as I was singing and praising and waving my envelope. I was binding the strong man, and now I could go in and take my stuff. Isaiah 30:32 says it very well:

"Every stroke the Lord lays on them with his punishing rod will be to the music of tambourines and harps, as he fights them in battle with the blows of his arm."

So as we sang and praised with shouts and musical instruments, the Lord was fighting for me and in the end he said to me just call forth your harvest. It is yours. The strong man is bound, now you can spoil his goods. Hallelujah!

Matt 16:19 tells me clearly that "I will give you the keys of the Kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven."

Hallelujah! Now all I have to do is wait on my harvest. It is surely coming!

The Breaking of a New Dawn

Some things are more amazing to me than I can say. About 2-3 months ago the Lord spoke to me and said that he wanted me to separate myself to him. To be consecrated to him. I was not sure what that meant but I agreed to it and let him know I was his to have, hold and keep. In the last few months he has kept reminding me about it, that I must separate myself to him. Now I think I know where he was going with it.

Towards the end of October, he began to speak to me about change. That he was shutting the old doors in the market place and would lead me down a new career path. I wasn't understanding it. In fact, I thought he was saying that he needed me to go out and start my own business. Turns out that is not it. God has plans to use me so that he impacts not just my world, but the world through me. Amazing!

There are some things that I have always justified in my life and sincerely speaking could not figure out what the fuss was all about. Clubbing was one of those things. I don't club but 2 -3 times a year, but I wanted to have that freedom, and up until now God has let me get away with it. This morning he said "STOP" just as clear as he could. Additionally, I was led to sign on for the 21 day fast in January with Jentezen Franklin and his church from Jan 4th to 25th 2009.

All that was great but today he has again called me to covenant with him. Only once in my life has God asked me to covenant with him. Now he has called me again and said "Covenant with me." What does he have planned for my life? What is this next phase of my life about? I know that I have finally walked into what I was created for. I feel that I am on the edge of my destiny. That I have come to the end of an era, and began a new one.

I am in awe of God as I write this, knowing that my life will never be the same again. This is the end of life as I know it. I am walking into a new place in God and with God that I have never been to before. My heart is pounding with an awed excitement and a knowledge that God is getting ready to use me to bring about his agenda on the earth.

I lay myself down at his altar. I offer my self as a living sacrifice Holy and acceptable to him. I surrender my own desires, plans, passions, hopes and dreams. All that I am I give to him. I surrender all. I give up all. I just want God. I separate myself unto the Lord to be used of him all the days of my life. Here I am Lord, I have come. It is written about me in your scroll. Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

Don't know how to love?

My sister accused me of not knowing how to love. That was a very hurtful accusation that got me thinking about my personality. After taking one personality test after another, it turns out that I am a very feeling introverted person. I am choleric-phlegmatic. I may feel something intensely but not be able to come out and express it. The other thing that stood out was that I am a thinker. I make decisions logically and not based on feelings. She on the other hand, is greatly moved by emotions. When I fail to react as she would have me to, her conclusion becomes that I am emotionless or unable to love. False, false accusation.

Unfortunately, when people are going through difficult times, I tend to focus more on the solution to the problem. I do not come across as sympathetic even though I may think about how difficult the situation must be for that person. I skip the whole, 'how sad' phase and move right into 'so what do we do now?' She says that the reason I am not married, or seeing anyone is because I haven't a clue how to love. I wonder if she is right. I know sometimes I seem distant, in fact I have been told severally that I tend to come across as unapproachable, but how do I fix it? I can't just walk around like a grinning idiot in a bid to be more approachable. I just think men should stop being cowardly and step up to me, if they are so inclined.

I know I need to work on showing more emotion, being more sympathetic, judging less harshly and many other faults that I am learning are personality weaknesses. But I would appreciate some slack. You know what I'm saying?

Wheat or Tares?

Sometimes I wonder if God will let me into heaven or if I will get to the pearly gates only to be shown the road to the lake of burning sulfur. I fall short constantly and some times when I fall short I slide all the way down to the bottom. Like a bad game of snakes and ladders.

I need to learn how to be humble. I am just praying that God would help me because I struggle with pride. Especially when I think I have achieved much. Pray for me. Sometimes I am not sure if I am the wheat or the tares.

Great Fun!

You Belong in 1981

Wild, over the top, and just a little bit cheesy. You're colorful at night - and successful during the day.

What Year Do You Belong In?

You Are Somewhat Approachable

You are a fairly friendly person, and you're definitely not scaring people away. You do tend to have your guard up strangers, and rightfully so. How approachable you are depends on who is trying to approach you. You're friendly to people who seem harmless and nice. But you also know how to give creepy people the cold shoulder!

Are You Approachable?

Goal Setting

It's been a while since I blogged but that is because there is so much God is doing for me at this time. First of all, God has blessed the work of my hands big time and is about to take me to another dimension all together. I am so psyched!!!

But before I go there I want to talk about Divine Acceleration. I am discovering that God has plans to take us some place, and now more than ever, he is pumped about getting us there. He has his foot on the accelerator of our lives but we are slowing him most of the time by not making plans for our future, setting goals and working them.

You heard me! Divine acceleration is a function of planning and goal setting. Did you know that if you set goals for your future you are likely to achieve 10 times more than you are currently achieving. That means, it will take you a shorter time to achieve financial freedom, start up your own company, loose weight etc...

Ok. I know. I sound like I have just discovered goal setting and in reality I feel that way. I have known about it, but never really got it. Not until I was led by the Spirit to purchase a copy of Brian Tracy's book "Goals!" last week. This is going down as one of the most life changing books of my life!!

I feel like my life is on gear 5, the accelerator pedal is jammed against the floor and I am flying down God's highway for me. Woooo hooo!!! Life, HERE I COME!!

Take off the Veil of Singleness!

I got this off of Elijah list. I was feeling very restless and I knew the Holy Spirit was trying to say something to me. I heard him mention Elijah list so I went over there and searched with the keyword "marry". This is one of the words that came up and the moment I read it, I knew that is what I was looking for. It is such a confirmation of what I have been hearing in my Spirit. It was a word Bill Yount gave in Dec of 2004 but the word of God is a Rhema word. I am blown away by God!

December 16, 2004

"2005...THE YEAR OF THE BRIDES!"
by Bill C. Yount
www.billyount.com
theshofarhasblown@juno.com

As the threshold of the New Year is approaching, I heard wedding bells ringing throughout the earth at the striking of the midnight hour...January 1st, 2005.

In the Spirit, I heard a huge order of "Bridal Veils" being called into the throne room of Heaven.

"Make that an extra large order," the command came from the Father of the Brides.

I sensed that not only was the Father excited over His own Son's wedding that would soon take place, but He was seemingly beside Himself for the joy of a multitude of long awaited "end-time" weddings that would take place upon the earth, just preceding the greatest wedding in the Universe.

"Get those six water pots out again and fill them with 'living' water! I've saved the very best wine for last, for these end-time weddings."

"BEGIN TO LIFT THE VEILS OF 'SINGLENESS' OFF OF THEIR FACES!"

I saw veils of "singleness" that had been covering many single men and women for years in spite of their desire to marry. These veils were actually covering them to protect and hide them from wrong relationships.

Many thought, "What is wrong with me? No one seems to notice me or seems to even look at me!" But I saw the wisdom of God hard at work to preserve these chosen ones for the person whom the Lord was preparing and keeping separate for them also.

I sensed the Father saying to their guardian angels, "Begin to lift the veils of 'singleness' off of their faces! It's time for them to see and be seen by the one whom I have ordained for them. I will continue to order their steps and 'stops' and cause their paths to cross as they faithfully continue serving me.
"As I sent an angel to direct the steps of Isaac's servant to find Rebekah for him, I am sending angels before them to guide them. In the everyday, ordinary walk of life they will begin to discover My surprise appointments with Divine contacts for the desires of their hearts."



EACH WEDDING BRINGS HEAVEN AND EARTH A LITTLE CLOSER

Veils were coming off of many "widows and widowers" as the Lord was proclaiming, "Your lonely days are coming to an end!"

I saw some divorce papers being shredded to pieces as some who had divorced each other were now making plans to renew their wedding vows and start over!

All of Heaven seemed to be ecstatic over earthly weddings. To them, each wedding brings heaven and earth a little closer, with the intent to portray the ultimate marriage that all creation awaits...the marriage supper of the Lamb!

An angelic conductor was about to move his baton for angel choirs to come in on Heaven's grand finale of -- "Here come the Brides!"

A WITNESS TO THE EARTH OF THE LOVE OF THE FATHER

These end-time marriages were being brought into the Kingdom to witness to the earth the love of the Father between a husband and a wife. This demonstration of God's love would be contagious and influence many in the earth to become the Bride to be -- whom the Father is preparing for His Son.

I sense a "Ruth and Boaz" anointing coming upon single men and women. A word to the Ruth's (single women) is: "Keep serving and gleaning unto the Lord where He is leading you...your Boaz is near!"

And a word to the Boaz's (single men): "Untie your shoe* laces...and prepare yourself to redeem your 'Ruth'"!

* In the days of Boaz concerning redeeming and purchasing, a man would pluck off his shoe, and give it to his neighbor. This was a testimony to confirm things in Israel.


Bill Yount
Hagerstown, MD
theshofarhasblown@juno.com
www.billyount.com

What are families for?

The first thing that is going into my hope chest is my vision for the family God is giving me and the roles of each family member according to God's word. As I have been studying the family as God intended it to be, I was stunned to realize that I had no clue what families were for. I have always wanted a husband and kids, but why would God institute families. I had no idea. So I went back to Genesis chapter 2, the creation of man.

Turns out, that man was created for dominion and to rule over the earth. That was such a huge chore that he needed a helper suitable for him. So God created woman to assist the man so that he can rule on the earth effectively. As such, her purpose is wrapped up in her husband. That explains why women feel empty even with everything else going for them.

So I did a study of the purpose of the man and the woman and realized that my hubby is the sun and I am the moon. I get my light from his light. The brighter he shines, the brighter I shine, and if for whatever reason his light dims or is eclipsed, then my darkness is greater still. Therefore, in the role of helper, it is in my best interest to ensure that he turns out as God intended by being a comforter, encourager, uplifter, prayer warrior etc for him. I am a light on a hill that cannot be hid. But my light is tied up in his light. So if I want to shine I need to make sure he is shining. I must never do anything to bring him grief, sorrow, distress or any kind of sadness. I must have that gentle and quiet spirit that is of great worth to both my husband and God.

My successes are wrapped up in his successes. I must do everything I can to ensure he is successful as a man, as a Christian and as a father. That does not mean that I take responsibility for his failings, but that I point them out in love.

Marriage is for destiny and so are families. The people in a family are a support system for one another. They are to encourage and help each other into fulfilling the will of God in their individual lives and as a family. As such, I want to raise a family that is centered on making the Kingdoms of the earth the Kingdoms of our God. A team that takes dominion in their spheres of influence. We are to mold our children in the ways of the Lord. Help them discover their destiny and purpose in life at a young age, and live out their lives here on earth being everything God created them to be. What a blessing!

A family is meant to be a comfort to its members, kind, loving, intimate in a godly sense, caring, rebuking, helping each other find the paths of righteousness and so much more....

Now that I finally have a clue of what a family is all about, I need to draft my vision and family mission statements. I will share them here with you as soon as I am done.

Hope Chest!

This God I serve sure is a mystery. He amazes me. You are all familiar with my desire to get married. Well, the other day God went ahead and confirmed it to me again, that he is the one who places the lonely in families. He also said to get ready to receive my husband. I didn't know what else I could possibly do that I wasn't already so I asked him to let me know how to do this. He said that I needed to submit to him and to yield completely. I had no clue what he was on about. I felt like I had already yielded all I could, like I couldn't go down any further. But I let him know I was game for whatever he had in mind.

Well, he started teaching me about hope. That he is the giver of hope and that the reason my hope for marriage will not die is because he knows the plans he has for me, to bring about that very future that I hope for (Jer 29:11). So when all I can see is darkness, he is busy working furiously behind the scenes to bring my desires to fulfillment. He has given me the desire for marriage because he is working on making it happen.

He also began talking to be about faith. He said that hope and faith go together. You cannot have faith for something you are not hoping for. It is because I am hoping for a family of my own that I can believe God and have faith for them. He went on to let me know that my faith must not be contradicted by my words and actions. I must live like someone who is going somewhere soon. He has put it in me to celebrate every wedding, birth, christening etc around me and then say with faith "I'M NEXT!". People laugh because they know I don't currently have a boyfriend but I know that I am activating something in the Spirit and that my words shall run swiftly to accomplish that for which they are sent.

This is the really crazy part for me. He spoke to me last week about starting a hope chest. Me! A totally African woman doing a totally unafrican thing! My culture does not do this, but God says that my starting a hope chest is my action of faith! I have had some time to think on it and I am so excited at the thought. I need some ideas on what to put in it though since my culture does not do this. Anyone out there can give their suggestions. This for me is really a huge step of faith and a bit scary. It makes me very vulnerable because I know it may open me up to ridicule. But God said to do it, so I will.

Lost!

It is not in vain!

My righteousness is not in vain. My abstaining from evil is not in vain. My obedience is not in vain. God who is the judge and the keeper of the books has recorded it and counted it to me as righteousness. So I will sing, shout and jump, rejoicing in his faithfulness. And I will wait on the Lord... yes, I will wait on the Lord!

Is it in vain?

Many times the Bible commands the righteous man to rejoice. To sing and shout because the Lord knows the uprightness of their hearts and will reward them. He has said in Isaiah 45:19

"I have not spoken in secret, from somewhere in a land of darkness; I have not said to Jacob's descendants, 'Seek me in vain.' I, the LORD, speak the truth; I declare what is right"

I know in my heart that I do not seek or obey him in vain. I know that he watches over me and will repay me for every thing that I have done, or not done in obedience to him. But sometimes I am tempted to speak harshly against him or to think badly of him because I cannot see the reward or the benefit of my obedience. It seems that those who have blatantly dishonored him and sinned against him are reaping blessings while I sit in darkness. He says that is speaking harshly against him though.

Malachi 3:13-15

13 "You have said harsh things against me," says the LORD.
"Yet you ask, 'What have we said against you?'

14 "You have said, 'It is futile to serve God. What did we gain by carrying out his requirements and going about like mourners before the LORD Almighty?

15 But now we call the arrogant blessed. Certainly the evildoers prosper, and even those who challenge God escape.' "

That is so me right now. I feel as though it has all been in vain. I feel like I could cry a river. I feel like I could scream at the top of my lungs, and shake my fist at God. I feel like I could wail endlessly. When will it end? When will the pain cease? When Lord?

Psalm 51:10-12

10 Create in me a pure heart, O God,
and renew a steadfast spirit within me.

11 Do not cast me from your presence
or take your Holy Spirit from me.

12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation
and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.

Psalm 19:14

"May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer".

It's a faith walk. That is what it is. Why Faith? Because most of the time you cannot see what you are talking about in the flesh, yet you know that God will bring your desires to pass. His word says that he gives us the desires of our hearts.

I have many heartfelt desires, but right now the greatest of them is that he may settle me in a home of my own, with a husband of my own, and children of my own. I am not sure why there is such a delay, but he knows and that is all that matters. Every now and then I ask questions, but I am learning to enter rest and live in quietness and trust.

Meditate on Psalm 20:1-5

"May the Lord answer you when you are in distress;
may the name of the God of Jacob protect you.

May he send you help from the sanctuary
and grant you support from Zion.

May he remember all your sacrifices
and accept your burnt offerings.

May he give you the desires of your heart
and make all your plans succeed.

We will shout for joy when you are victorious
and will lift up our banners in the name of our God.
May the Lord grant all your requests."

Advance!

I am very excited. God is changing my life around. It is time for advancement! Hallelujah! I'm taking mine back.

Fearfully and Wonderfully

My greatest challenge in life has been my weight. I have never had any self esteem issues really, but body image was another matter all together. I know that I am brilliant and can do anything I set my mind to, but I just can't seem to get the weight thing right. I hate that.

It's very interesting how the mind puts things into compartments. You would think that because I have poor body image I would have low self esteem. I sure don't. I have no problem being part of a beauty pageant or anything of that sort. I have no problem taking centre stage and being the life of the party or making a speech. None at all.

I have gained 12 pounds in the last few months. One of the things I realized when I was working out a lot is that I lost focus. Everything became about exercising. I lost balance completely and became very frustrated when the weight would not come out as fast as I wanted. Clearly I had missed the mark once again. Instead of reading my Bible I would be working out. Every extra minute was spent trying to squeeze in a work out. How terrible is that? and how sad!

So I stopped it all and decided to figure out why I am so out of balance with my body. With food and exercise. I have learned a lot about myself since I started that journey and Lord knows I am still working on it. I have decided to start working on my body once again. This time being gentle with myself and extending grace to myself. Above all I have learned to be thankful for my body. That my fingers can type this blog, and my eyes can see what I am doing. That my legs can carry my weight and have never once complained. God has given me a beautiful body that I MUST be grateful for. And I am!

It's amazing to think that God made me very carefully. Making sure that I was perfect. I have been plagued by the thought that he made me perfect and I messed it all up by overeating. Lately, he has been telling me to relax. He loves me just as I am. Just because I am overweight does not mean he is ashamed of me or embarrassed at my calling myself a Christian. He accepts me exactly as I am. Extra padding and all. Not only that, but he has caused others to see in me what he sees, so that my being big is not a hindrance to my having wonderful relationships. That is grace!

I will be gracious to myself. Kind and loving to my body and will appreciate every single thing about it.

Confused

I have been into a particular guy since January. It's insane because I like him and I know he likes me, but he is just not pursuing me. I thought for a while that I was just torturing myself and then he did something that made me feel taken advantage of, so I backed off our friendship. He would text and I wouldn't reply and then he would call and we would have a good chat, but I just wasn't going to put anything into it. I guess he is feeling something is off. On Sunday he put a note in my hand saying he loved me. I had nothing to say to that so I ignored it. Today he came to see me and we had a great chat for almost an hour. Now I'm beginning to feel sucked in again. I'm almost 32 and I really am not interested in wasting my emotions on a relationship that may not work out. He said that God has been asking him lately "If you want something, why are you not going after it?" I'm not sure if I am included in the something. I don't want to fall for him if he is not interested. One sided love is not fun at all!! Uuuuggggghhhhh!! I wish someone who's been through this could help me out.

Under His Wings

The last two days have been very interesting. God has delivered me from con artists that have scammed people of millions of shillings. Had it not been for God, I would have walked right into their traps. One showed up yesterday and another today. The second one was just amazing, someone had just told me about him and his tricks and 5 minutes later he walked into my office. God is faithful. When Ps 91 says "Surely he will save you from the fowler's snare...he will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart" He means it guys. He really does.

Additionally, I tell him often that I am a tither, that I am a giver and a sower of seed. Therefore the enemy cannot come in to reap my harvest. Malachi 3 says he will rebuke the devourer for your sake. Praise God! He has done it for me countless times.

Devil, touch not the Lords anointed and do his prophet no harm!!! That's me, so stay away from me and mine in Jesus name. I am so glad for the blood of Jesus that keeps the enemy at bay at all times. God is good to me!

Conquering Hero

Isaiah 63

1 Who is this who comes from Edom,
With dyed garments from Bozrah,
This One who is glorious in His apparel,
Traveling in the greatness of His strength?—

“ I who speak in righteousness, mighty to save.”
2 Why is Your apparel red,
And Your garments like one who treads in the winepress?
3 “ I have trodden the winepress alone,
And from the peoples no one was with Me.
For I have trodden them in My anger,
And trampled them in My fury;
Their blood is sprinkled upon My garments,
And I have stained all My robes.
4 For the day of vengeance is in My heart,
And the year of My redeemed has come.

He has come from winning my battles for me. It sounds so "Conquering Hero" and that is exactly what God is to me. I have seen the man of war fighting for me. I am so blessed!

Pitter Patter

How in the world does the heart know who to fall in love with and who not to? There is this particular guy that hits on me constantly, but my heart just won't take. What's up with that? I don't get hit on very often. It has been said that I am too dominating and intimidating (all rubbish if this guy is anything to go by). He takes me by surprise every time. The sad thing is that my heart doesn't paragasha, pitter patter, sing or jog when he is around. AT ALL!! Then there is the other guy... but that's a story for another time.

Be blessed!

Declaring War

Today I declared war in the heavenlies. I have had it with the devil and his schemes against me. True he comes to steal, kill and destroy, but I have been given authority over every power of the enemy and I am not having his drama anymore. It's on!!!

Words From a Grateful Heart

This psalm says it all! God has been good to me!

Psalm 34

1I WILL bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth.

2My life makes its boast in the Lord; let the humble and afflicted hear and be glad.

3O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt His name together.

4I sought (inquired of) the Lord and required Him [of necessity and on the authority of His Word], and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.(A)

5They looked to Him and were radiant; their faces shall never blush for shame or be confused.

6This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles.

7[a]The Angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear Him [who revere and worship Him with awe] and each of them He delivers.(B)

8O taste and see that the Lord [our God] is good! Blessed (happy, fortunate, to be envied) is the man who trusts and takes refuge in Him.(C)

9O fear the Lord, you His saints [revere and worship Him]! For there is no want to those who truly revere and worship Him with godly fear.

10The young lions lack food and suffer hunger, but they who seek (inquire of and require) the Lord [by right of their need and on the authority of His Word], none of them shall lack any beneficial thing.

11Come, you children, listen to me; I will teach you to revere and worshipfully fear the Lord.

12What man is he who desires life and longs for many days, that he may see good?

13Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking deceit.

14Depart from evil and do good; seek, inquire for, and crave peace and pursue (go after) it!

15The eyes of the Lord are toward the [uncompromisingly] righteous and His ears are open to their cry.

16The face of the Lord is against those who do evil, to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth.(D)

17When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears, and delivers them out of all their distress and troubles.

18The Lord is close to those who are of a broken heart and saves such as are crushed with sorrow for sin and are humbly and thoroughly penitent.

19Many evils confront the [consistently] righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all.

20He keeps all his bones; not one of them is broken.

21Evil shall cause the death of the wicked; and they who hate the just and righteous shall be held guilty and shall be condemned.

22The Lord redeems the lives of His servants, and none of those who take refuge and trust in Him shall be condemned or held guilty.

Violent Faith

I don't know why or how, but I know that I know that I know that everything is alright. That it is all sorted and that I have nothing to fear. That God has gone before me and made a way. I know in my knower that there is nothing to fear. God himself has taken care of it. Violent Faith is the way to do it. Thank God for Sister Judy Jacobs!!

Call on Him in Trouble

“I have been driven many times to my knees by the overwhelming conviction that I had nowhere else to go. My own wisdom, and that of all about me, seemed insufficient for the day.” Abraham Lincoln

“And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me” (Psalm 50:15).

Lord, how are they increased that trouble me! many are they that rise up against me. Many there be which say of my soul, There is no help for him in God. Selah. But thou, O Lord, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head. I cried unto the Lord with my voice, and he heard me out of his holy hill. (Psalm 3:1-4)

You, too, will experience God’s power as you call on Him in your time of anguish and fear, for you will find Him to be your shield and the lifter of your head. And as you seek Him, He will fill you with His peace and cause your sleep to be sweet as He holds you in His arms and sustains you.

Oh, the glorious power of prayer! Truly great peace belongs to those who know how to call upon the Lord.

The above are excerpts from an article by Pastor Benny Hinn that can be found here www.bennyhinn.org/articles/articledesc.cfm?id=1250

I Praise You

I will praise the Lord at all times. His praise shall continually be on my lips. I thank Him because the earth has yielded its harvest. Because his eye is on the sparrow, I know he is watching over me. Because I am like a tree planted by rivers of water. Because he is my shepherd, I shall not want. Because he is my eternal Father. My beginning and end. I praise him because he knows the end from the beginning and though my beginning may be small, my latter end shall be great. I exalt him, because he has placed me on a rock, I cannot be shaken. I praise him for dominion. That I can advance his Kingdom where I am. I love and adore him for rejoicing over me with singing. I exalt his name for availing me two powerful intercessors - Jesus my High Priest and the Holy Spirit my comforter. I praise him because the angels are singing my song and all of heaven is backing me up and rooting for me. I praise the Almighty God for stooping down to make me great. For exaltation and a lifting up. I praise you my Lord. I praise you.

His Ways

God is so controversial. I never knew how much until he affected me personally. There are some things that he tell us to do that may be totally out of the norms of society. I thought I was alone until I read Acts 10. There is no denying that God himself had told Israel not to mix with the gentiles. But here he is now asking Peter to go eat at a gentiles house and hang out with them. Why does God do that? It always throws me off. Isaiah 55 says his ways are not ours. Neither are his thoughts. The most I can do is trust in him.

8For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways, says the Lord.

9For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts.

10For as the rain and snow come down from the heavens, and return not there again, but water the earth and make it bring forth and sprout, that it may give seed to the sower and bread to the eater,(D)

11So shall My word be that goes forth out of My mouth: it shall not return to Me void [without producing any effect, useless], but it shall accomplish that which I please and purpose, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.

Nyokabi!

She should have been born today, but her mom lost her 2 months after conception. Our baby Nyokabi my God daughter. We love you baby!

He is Faithful

I have been AWOL lately. Too much to do at the office but it's all good. It has been a very productive time. I am learning to trust God on a daily basis. Step by step. To know what the Bible means when it says we are not to fret, that even when we are asleep God is working for us. I have seen God's hand in client acquisition and retention. I have see God help me when I thought I couldn't make it. And above all, I have learned the power of Prophetic proclamations first hand. I wake up every morning and order my day with my mouth. It is working. I decree what I want to see in my day and I see it. God has been faithful to me and he will continue to be faithful. This I know for a fact!

Like a Tree by Streams of Water

Knowing Christ and the significance of the cross and what was purchased for you at Calvary is by experience. You have to know Jesus through personal experience. This has been a trying week. I was dealt a blow by the enemy that for all accounts and purposes was supposed to leave me paralyzed in the market place. To cripple me good, and leave me struggling for a while. But God is faithful. Jesus bought me rest on calvary. Because of the cross, I can walk through the fire and not be burnt. I can walk through a flood and not be swept away. Jesus bought my safe passage, and bought provision for me in such times. Psalm 1 describes the person purchased by Christ's death and dwelling under the shadow of the Almighty.

PSALM 1

1 BLESSED (HAPPY, fortunate, prosperous, and enviable) is the man who walks and lives not in the counsel of the ungodly [following their advice, their plans and purposes], nor stands [submissive and inactive] in the path where sinners walk, nor sits down [to relax and rest] where the scornful [and the mockers] gather.

2But his delight and desire are in the law of the Lord, and on His law (the precepts, the instructions, the teachings of God) he habitually meditates (ponders and studies) by day and by night.

3And he shall be like a tree firmly planted [and tended] by the streams of water, ready to bring forth its fruit in its season; its leaf also shall not fade or wither; and everything he does shall prosper [and come to maturity].

4Not so the wicked [those disobedient and living without God are not so]. But they are like the chaff [worthless, dead, without substance] which the wind drives away.

5Therefore the wicked [those disobedient and living without God] shall not stand [justified] in the judgment, nor [b]sinners in the congregation of the righteous [those who are upright and in right standing with God].

6For the Lord knows and is fully acquainted with the way of the righteous, but the way of the ungodly [those living outside God's will] shall perish (end in ruin and come to nought).

I love it. We who were bought with a price do not struggle to stand firm. Because of Calvary, I will not fall. Provision has been made for me. The supply to produce fruit and see it mature is there already. Therefore, regardless of the storms of life, I will stand. Regardless of the challenges in business, I will prosper. When other businesses are shutting down, I shall be like a tree planted by stream of water, yielding my fruit in its season. My leaf shall not wither!! Hallelujah! The provision for my prosperity was made on calvary! I am already more than a conqueror.


Hallelujah! I lived this out this week. And now I know it is true. This is my prayer:

Philippians 3:10

"[For my determined purpose is] that I may know Him [that I may progressively become more deeply and intimately acquainted with Him, perceiving and recognizing and understanding the wonders of His Person more strongly and more clearly], and that I may in that same way come to know the power outflowing from His resurrection [which it exerts over believers], and that I may so share His sufferings as to be continually transformed [in spirit into His likeness even] to His death, [in the hope]"

Lord, I want to know you!

I want to know you

I had an interesting dream Saturday night. I was in church and I was trying to get a seat very close to the front about the 4 - 5th row. I wanted to hear and see the pastor and get everything he had to say. I felt that the closest I could get was the 4th -5th row. In the next scene we were worshiping and we were singing this song:

Nataka Nikujue (I want to know you)
Nikufahamu Bwana (To acquaint myself with you)
Nafsi Yangu ya tamani (My spirit longs for you)
Nataka nikujue ( I want to know you)

I woke up with that song in my mind and heart and my spirit was yearning for God. I began to pray about that dream and to tell God just how much I desire him when he brought a picture of the woman with the Alabaster box from Luke 7. I could see her weeping at his feet, kissing them, wiping them with her hair, and massaging them with perfumed oil of great worth. As I prayed about what God was showing me, he revealed to me that I have never felt free enough in his presence to touch him like she did.

Many times when I am praying, I imagine God sitting on his throne and many times I have seen myself kneeling before him, and even sitting in his lap, but I have never seen myself adoring him unashamedly like this woman. Just touching him and loving him.

For some reason, I began to see his feet, with the holes in them. And he was inviting me to touch them. To put my finger in the hole like Thomas did. And then I could see the cross and Jesus hanging there. There was an invite saying "Come and touch me. Put your finger in the holes where I was pierced for your transgressions. Touch my back where I was whipped for your healing. See how I hang on a cross in my underwear, scorning the shame and the curse of hanging on a tree, just so you would never suffer shame, so you would be blessed and not cursed."

For the first time I touched him, and I kissed his pierced feet. I know that there is more revelation here. I want to know what the cross was about. I know I am redeemed, but I want to know the WHOLE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE CROSS!!! There is so much I don't know. When I take communion I want to truly discern the body of Christ that was broken for me. That is my hearts desire. To know what was purchased for me on Calvary. All of it.

Revelation come! Eyes, be enlightened! Ears, hear what the Spirit is saying to the church! Lord, I want to know you!

Your time is the time of love.

“When I passed by you again and looked upon you, indeed your time was the time of love; so I spread My wing over you and covered your nakedness. Yes, I swore an oath to you and entered into a covenant with you, and you became Mine,” says the Lord GOD.

Ezekiel 16:8

Matthew 6:10-11

"...your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread..."

Angels on Assignment

Psalm 91:9-12

"Because you have made the Lord your refuge, and the Most High your dwelling place There shall no evil befall you, nor any plague or calamity come near your tent. For He will give His angels [especial] charge over you to accompany and defend and preserve you in all your ways [of obedience and service]. They shall bear you up on their hands, lest you dash your foot against a stone".

Because he is my refuge and my dwelling place, he has put angels on assignment concerning me to accompany and defend and preserve me in all my ways. I acknowledge and receive the ministry of angels in my life. How will we escape if we ignore so great a salvation?

Chronos to Kairos

This morning I was looking for Exodus 20 and somehow found myself in Deuteronomy 20. God had a plan! The title of that passage is Going to War (NIV). And it starts by saying that when you go to war against your enemies and their armies are much larger than your own, do not fear them. Vs 4 “For the Lord your God is the one who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies to give you victory.”

Then God gives them the strategy:

First make an offer of peace – basically ask them to yield to you and become subject to you. They open their gates, you enter in and make them all slaves.

If they refuse – LAY SIEGE TO THAT CITY

The thing is this, either way you have dominion. They can yield quietly, or they can go down fighting. The end result is the same, for God has already given the city to you!

Fast forward to Joshua 6 – The strategy has been put in place and Jericho is under siege. A very strange siege indeed. Here are all these men of war, dressed up for battle, marching around the city and then going back to their tents. They do this for six days. On the seventh day, there is a change! The priests are blowing trumpets, and today they much around seven times. What a curious bunch! A little on the fruity side.

I can just see the people of Jericho up on the wall, looking down at these strange Israelites trying to figure out what in the world they are doing. Thinking to themselves “These guys are not serious. They can NEVER take this city like that.” Then all of a sudden the priests give a long blast of their horns, and their leader Joshua gives a command “Shout! For the Lord has given you the city!” The crazy warriors begin to shout at the top of their lungs. The guys on the wall begin to laugh at all this madness. Suddenly the ground beneath them begins to tremble and shake, giving way as the wall collapses. Many on the wall die before they reach the ground. Israel takes Jericho.

Wow! What a wonderful story of laying hold of that to which you were called. Many times as life goes by the circumstances seem dire. You wonder if you will make it financially, if your terminally ill friend, parent or child can be healed, if your business will escape the start up statistics. But God has a plan and a strategy for you to take the land. First, go in peace. Command the situation to yield. If it won’t bow the knee, lay siege.

This time during which you have laid siege is the chronos time – the normal passage of time. Nothing seems to be happening. The sick person goes through the motions and cycles of the illness afflicting them. The unsaved person continues to misbehave. The business continues to struggle. Life goes on, just like it did in Jericho when the crazy soldiers marched around it and went home. But God has a plan!

Daniel says in chapter 2:21 that it is God who changes the times and the seasons. It is God who will turn your Chronos into Kairos – the appointed or set time for your miracle. Everything you desire and that needs to come into your life has a set time when it is scheduled to come. There is a set time for the turnaround of your business. A set time for healing for your loved one. A set time for prince charming to walk into your life. However, the work is done in the chronos time. In that time when it looks like nothing is happening, the Holy Spirit is busy setting a table for you. He is putting together the series of events that will bring about your breakthrough.

With every step the army took around Jericho, the walls became weaker, the foundations loosened, the mortar began to crumble. It was not visible, but every step broke something apart. By day seven all they needed was to yell and the wall fell! Whatever your Jericho is, every prayer counts, every seed sown makes a difference, every kind word spoken, every prophetic declaration, every act of faith, and every expression of faith in God. All of it counts. The walls are getting weaker and weaker. The foundations of your Jericho are shaken. Do not fear!! God has already done it. The victory is yours. The breakthrough belongs to you. Hallelujah!

Continue to lay siege to that thing and let God breakthrough for you like the breakthrough of many waters. Listen! Hear the roar of your breakthrough rushing to you! I hear the sound of the abundance of rain. I hear the rumble of thunder. The sound of a mighty downpour. There! See the lightning? Hear the thunder? It’s here!! The season of your breakthrough is here. The seasons have changed from Chronos to Kairos.

“You will arise and have compassion on Zion, for it is time to show favor to her; the appointed time (Kairos) has come.” Ps 102:13

Sibling Rivalry

Many times parents fuel sibling rivalry without intending to. They may have a specially gifted child and compare the other children to this particular one. They may have one that is way more responsible and organized than the others, and once again fuel sibling rivalry. This is to be avoided at all costs. The family unit must be a team.

My dad will be coming back tonight from the US where he has been undergoing treatment for diabetes, kidney failure and cancer. It was a very tough time for us when he was here, and in the 4 years that he has been abroad it has still not been easy. We are now bracing ourselves financially and psychologically for dialysis payments, pharmaceutical bills, hospital visits etc... but we are so glad he is coming home!

I have talked to my siblings about the financial implications involved severally, and I am sad to say that none of them has made any plans on helping out with the costs. I am not worried about that though. I know that God will come through for us. I will do all I can to make sure he has what he needs, although it will be a strain.

What I am afraid of, is the comments he will make. He will probably start comparing them to me and I know the results of that. I will be targeted for snide remarks and resentment - classic sibling rivalry!

The Story of Joseph is a classic in this. Jacob loved him because he had been born to him in his old age and made him a heavily ornamented robe or a robe of many colors (Gen 37:4) The other children noticed this and resented Joseph.

Gen 37:3-4

"Now Israel loved Joseph more than any of his other sons, because he had been born to him in his old age; and he made a richly ornamented robe for him. When his brothers saw that their father loved him more than any of them, they hated him and could not speak a kind word to him".

This matter has been weighing very heavily on me. I want peace and harmony. I asked God what to do and he gave me the following passage.

Matthew 6:1-4
"Be careful not to do your 'acts of righteousness' before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.

"So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you".

I must keep my contributions quiet. I'm not sure how I will get dad to do this, but on my part I will ask him not to talk about it. Then I will pray for peace.

LOL! Doing good is not necessarily easy. But we must do good at all times and conduct ourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel. Hallelujah!

One thing I do know, that whatever happens it will all play into God's hands. Joseph was sold into slavery and God elevated him. It all worked out for good. This will too. The devil meant it for harm, but God meant it for good. My hope is in God.

The Wing of your garment

I had never thought of this before so when God showed it to me yesterday I was blown away. I guess that is because I am very traditional in my thinking and feel that the man should pursue me. I hold on to that VERY FIERCELY! I want to be pursued. But did you know that Ruth requested marriage from Boaz?

Ruth 3:9 "...I am your servant Ruth," she said. "Spread the corner of your garment over me, since you are a kinsman-redeemer." That was Ruth saying, I really would like for you to marry me. The Lord led me into a strange prayer last night where I prayed those words regarding the person I am currently seeing. "Spread the corner of your garment over me" It blessed my heart.

Then I found this one as well. Ezekiel 16:8

" 'Later I passed by, and when I looked at you and saw that you were old enough for love, I spread the corner of my garment over you and covered your nakedness. I gave you my solemn oath and entered into a covenant with you, declares the Sovereign LORD, and you became mine".

Lord knows I am old enough for love!! It was a love filled night between Jesus and Me!!

Steal His Heart With a Look!

Song of Songs 4:9

You have stolen my heart, my sister, my bride;
you have stolen my heart
with one glance of your eyes...

Song of Songs 6: 5

Turn your eyes from me;
they overwhelm me...


So interesting when the Lord highlights verses like the two above. The eyes are the windows to your soul. Part of being naked and not ashamed with the man you love is to let him into your soul through your eyes. Let him see how much you love him. Take off the veil and let love out.

If you are anything like me, you keep the veil down. When did I get so hard and so afraid to show my emotions? Even with my man I am afraid to show when I feel him intensely. Could that be one reason why guys are unable to approach us women? Could it just be that they have nothing to go on? Who wants to court a rock anyway? I'm not saying do it foolishly, but there comes a level in your courtship where you have to let him in if you are to go to the next level. It's food for thought.

Sleep Woman!

I am usually the type to go and keep on going. As such, I get worn out really quick because I push myself beyond the limits. Well, yesterday was such a day. My weekend was filled with work on Saturday and Church on Sunday and by yesterday afternoon I was totally pooped. I was in bed before 8pm. I feel really good this morning. Very refreshed and just ready to face my day and the rest of the week. Don't know about you, but I need a full night of sleep every now and then.

Genesis 2:2
"By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work".

Hope in the Lord!

Lamentations 3

21 Yet this I call to mind
and therefore I have hope:

22 Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed,
for his compassions never fail.

23 They are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.

24 I say to myself, "The LORD is my portion;
therefore I will wait for him."

25 The LORD is good to those whose hope is in him,
to the one who seeks him;

26 it is good to wait quietly
for the salvation of the LORD...

32 Though he brings grief, he will show compassion,
so great is his unfailing love.

33 For he does not willingly bring affliction
or grief to the children of men...

37 Who can speak and have it happen
if the Lord has not decreed it?

38 Is it not from the mouth of the Most High
that both calamities and good things come?...

49 My eyes will flow unceasingly,
without relief,

50 until the LORD looks down
from heaven and sees...

55 I called on your name, O LORD,
from the depths of the pit.

56 You heard my plea: "Do not close your ears
to my cry for relief."

57 You came near when I called you,
and you said, "Do not fear."

58 O Lord, you took up my case;
you redeemed my life...

Recruitment

Today I will be very busy recruiting for a new account. I am very excited about it and can't wait to get to it. A while back I had been talking to the Lord about the kind of people that we need to recruit for the business. People who will be loyal, hardworking, excellent in their work, diligent, faithful etc (the list is long). Basically, the people we need to get us to the top! While I was talking to him I heard him say "Don't worry, I will recruit for you!" Of course that threw me off so I asked him where he had ever run a recruitment process before. He pointed me to Judges 7 the story of Gideon. It was he that sifted the men and chose those who would go into the battle with Gideon. The men through whom God would bring about victory for Israel.

Judges 7:4

But the LORD said to Gideon, "There are still too many men. Take them down to the water, and I will sift them for you there. If I say, 'This one shall go with you,' he shall go; but if I say, 'This one shall not go with you,' he shall not go."

I am relying on God to chose those who shall go and those who shall not go. Sift them for me Lord and chose the ones you want.

One of the challenges with this is that there is a tendency in the market place to ensure that you justify all your decisions. Telling my directors "The Lord says that person will cut it" will not fly, I must show evidence from the recruitment process that the person passed the interview. The Lord has already given me the criteria for the person who will go through. I am praying for grace and the courage to overrule some decisions made that may be out of God's will. I'm standing on Provers 3:5-6

"Lean on, trust in, and be confident in the Lord with all your heart and mind and do not rely on your own insight or understanding. In all your ways know, recognize, and acknowledge Him, and He will direct and make straight and plain your paths".

You are the chief recruiter in this process Lord. Have your way. Cause me not to look on the outside like man does, but to look at the heart the way you do. May your hand be on me heavily throughout this whole recruitment process. Holy Spirit, Clothe me with yourself. Take possession of me. May all my decisions be the decisions you have already made. I am blessed. I love you Lord and thank you that by this team that you are putting together, you have stooped down to make me great. Exaltation come! In Jesus name, Amen!

Will the real men please stand up!

This article by Creflo Dollar blessed my heart. I so feel this.




Will the Real Men Please Stand Up?

Dr. Creflo A. Dollar


According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the number of homes headed by single mothers has risen from 3 million to 10 million since 1970. Although these statistics only represent U.S. figures, these numbers are similar all over the world.

This is the most fatherless generation this world has ever seen. As a result, it's been on my heart to minister specifically to men. Men, where are you? Children need you to stand up and take an active role in your homes, communities, and churches.

God has put men in a very fundamental position. We are the leaders of the household; therefore, it's up to us to establish the course of this nation beginning with our own families. Marriages are breaking up and children are fatherless because too many men act irresponsibly. All too often, men allow their manhood to be defined by the media, instead of the Word of God, and it's destroying our families.

For years, society has distorted the definition of manhood. Having certain male body parts defines you as a male, but it does not make you a man. Being a man requires facing the truth about who you are, and changing those things you know need changing. Many of you are great husbands, fathers, and mentors, and for that, I applaud you. However, this article is directed to the men who aren't living up to their full potential.

My objective in addressing these issues is not to condemn you; instead, I want to encourage you to be a real man, not just for your families, churches, and communities, but also for yourself. If you're falling short, ask God to help you make the necessary adjustments and get back on track. Recommit yourself to God, and allow Him to guide you into success.

Real men fellowship with God and understand that He is the source of their life. Consider this: God blew His very breath into you. You've got His spirit and power inside you, so don't hide under excuses and negativity. This generation needs you—your families, neighborhoods, and churches need you!

It's time to take a look within. Will you judge yourself? Are you willing to sacrifice? If not, your children will suffer. While I've seen many women successfully raise children, it's not God's perfect design. God's design includes the man as the head of the family. Now, is the time for the real man to stand up! Will you be one of them?

Scriptures References:

Hebrews 10:24, 25

Ephesians 5:23

Ephesians 3:9

Romans 12:1, 2


— Dr. Creflo A. Dollar

Birth Order

We serve a strange God indeed. He elevates even in families and sets one above all the others. I don't know why he does it, but he does. He reaches down to a second born, a fourth born and makes them the FIRSTBORN!! When Rebekah was pregnant in Genesis 25 she was found to be with twins. God put them there and knew that Esau would be born first and Jacob second. Yet for some reason he planned that Jake would get the birthright and the blessing that went with it. In fact the bible says:

Romans 9:10-13

"Not only that, but Rebekah's children had one and the same father, our father Isaac. Yet, before the twins were born or had done anything good or bad—in order that God's purpose in election might stand: not by works but by him who calls—she was told, "The older will serve the younger." Just as it is written: "Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated."

One was loved before the beginning of time and the other was hated. Esau stands for sinful man, the one who will neither listen nor obey what the Lord says. He loves wickedness and hates righteousness. Jacob stands for you and me. Heirs of the truth. He loves righteousness and hates wickedness. Therefore you and I are loved. Hence the Lord says:

Psalm 45:7

"You love righteousness and hate wickedness;
therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions
by anointing you with the oil of joy".

Promotion and elevation comes to Jacob from God. Before he was born the Lord said he would rule over Esau who represents sinful man. The righteous will rule over the wicked.

I have seen this in my own family, where the one who seeks God and follows God's rules is elevated and held in higher regard than the one who chooses not to do things God's way. It started with Cain and Abel. Abel was accepted and Cain became a restless wanderer. Now it has happened with Jake and Esau.

The First Born in most cultures has a place of honor in the family. It was the same in this case. Esau by virtue of his birth was to get the greater portion of the physical inheritance plus the special blessing that went with it. In Genesis 28 you find him lamenting after he discovers that the blessing is gone. He says of Jacob in verse 36 "He has deceived me these two times. He took my birthright, and now he's taken my blessing" and he planned to kill him.

That statement is not entirely true. The blessing was pure conniving no doubt, but the first time around, the birthright was purchased with a bowl of stew and the Bible records in Gen 25:34b "So Esau despised his birthright." He considered the bowl of stew more valuable than his birthright. Jacob on the other hand knew that the birthright came with a special blessing. It separated him as the one elevated above his peers. It spoke of double honor and double wealth and double inheritance. He saw not just the birthright but what was attached to it. And when the blessing came, he was blessed thus:

Genesis 27

27 So he went to him and kissed him. When Isaac caught the smell of his clothes, he blessed him and said,
"Ah, the smell of my son
is like the smell of a field
that the LORD has blessed.

28 May God give you of heaven's dew
and of earth's richness—
an abundance of grain and new wine.

29 May nations serve you
and peoples bow down to you.
Be lord over your brothers,
and may the sons of your mother bow down to you.
May those who curse you be cursed
and those who bless you be blessed."

He was sustained with grain and wine. The earth's richness. Nations were to serve him and his relatives to bow down to him. This speaks of material wealth and honor. The curse was devoured and anyone who tried to curse him discovered that it didn't work and that curse turned back on them. He was blessed by God and as such was to be blessed by men!! This is my portion. I am Jacob and so are you if you love righteousness and hate wickedness. If Jesus is Lord over your life and you are walking after the Spirit.

When Jacob was about to die and had called his sons around him for a blessing he did some reversals of his own. Reuben was his firstborn in the flesh so he deserved the birthright and the blessing that went with it. But it was given to Judah. Son number 4. Judah's blessing was as follows:

Genesis 49

8 "Judah, your brothers will praise you;
your hand will be on the neck of your enemies;
your father's sons will bow down to you.

9 You are a lion's cub, O Judah;
you return from the prey, my son.
Like a lion he crouches and lies down,
like a lioness—who dares to rouse him?

10 The scepter will not depart from Judah,
nor the ruler's staff from between his feet,
until he comes to whom it belongs
and the obedience of the nations is his.

11 He will tether his donkey to a vine,
his colt to the choicest branch;
he will wash his garments in wine,
his robes in the blood of grapes.

12 His eyes will be darker than wine,
his teeth whiter than milk.

Once again he is proclaimed the head of the family. He is given honor and dominion. He is given wealth in verse 11. The obedience of Nations is commanded for him. Wow!!

And he did the same thing with Josephs sons in Genesis 48 putting Ephraim ahead of Manasseh even though Ephraim was younger. When Joseph tried to correct him, thinking he was unaware of what he was doing, he said to him:

19 "But his father refused and said, "I know, my son, I know. He too will become a people, and he too will become great. Nevertheless, his younger brother will be greater than he, and his descendants will become a group of
nations."

So God has a way of elevating us even in families. Take a look at your own family. It could be that God has elevated you and blessed you above the others. It could be that God has considered you the firstborn of that family regardless of where you fall. He gives you this honor and responsibility because he loves families and is looking for someone that will bring them together, unite them and help solve their issues. Yes, being a firstborn comes with responsibilities, but God blesses you so that you may become a blessing.

I am a second born in my family, but God has elevated me to be the firstborn. I used to be resentful because of the responsibility that comes with it. But God has shown me that he blesses me with all I need to be who he has called me to be in my family. So I take my place. And I urge anyone else that God has called the firstborn in their family to take their place. Let us guide them to God and uphold them to God as he requires.

Wife - A Closer Look

1 Peter 3

1IN LIKE manner, you married women, be submissive to your own husbands [subordinate yourselves as being secondary to and dependent on them, and adapt yourselves to them], so that even if any do not obey the Word [of God], they may be won over not by discussion but by the [godly] lives of their wives,

2When they observe the pure and modest way in which you conduct yourselves, together with your [a] reverence [for your husband; you are to feel for him all that reverence includes: to respect, defer to, revere him--to honor, esteem, appreciate, prize, and, in the human sense, to adore him, that is, to admire, praise, be devoted to, deeply love, and enjoy your husband].

3Let not yours be the [merely] external adorning with [elaborate] [b] interweaving and knotting of the hair, the wearing of jewelry, or changes of clothes;

4But let it be the inward adorning and beauty of the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible and unfading charm of a gentle and peaceful spirit, which [is not anxious or wrought up, but] is very precious in the sight of God.

5For it was thus that the pious women of old who hoped in God were [accustomed] to beautify themselves and were submissive to their husbands [adapting themselves to them as themselves secondary and dependent upon them].

6It was thus that Sarah obeyed Abraham [following his guidance and acknowledging his headship over her by] calling him lord (master, leader, authority). And you are now her true daughters if you do right and let nothing terrify you [not giving way to hysterical fears or letting anxieties unnerve you].

If Sarah did it, then I need to do it. The Lord has advised me to look at Sarah and follow in her footsteps:

Isaiah 51

1HEARKEN TO Me, you who follow after rightness and justice, you who seek and inquire of [and require] the Lord [claiming Him by necessity and by right]: look to the rock from which you were hewn and to the hole in the quarry from which you were dug;

2Look to Abraham your father and to Sarah who bore you; for I called him when he was but one, and I blessed him and made him many.

Judgment must begin in Israel, so judge yourself as a wife or even wife to be. If you are unmarried are you willing to do it God's way? If not don't mess with it until God has dealt with your heart. The only way a marriage will work is if you take your rightful place as a wife and he takes his rightful place as a husband. Are you willing to take your place?