KINGDOM PERSPECTIVES

#Awake #AriseAndBuild  Rebuild the altar of prayer and worship, fix or repair what is broken or torn down. Revere the Sacred and high place of the Lord.  Don’t halt between two opinions.  Choose who you will serve.  (1Kings 18:26-32) Against the backdrop of multiple difficult circumstances, as faithful believers, this is an opportune time to press forward in pursuit of life’s purpose.  It’s a new season to walk confidently into uncharted territory knowing that the Sovereign God is with us wherever the path leads.  Although many people have endured through several months of setbacks as a result of a global pandemic, this is a great time to maximize what’s left and use wisdom in making decisions to ensure a successful outcome.                                                                                                                                       The kingdom of God is unshakable and will bring about an inward change so that true beauty can be seen externally (Mark 1:14; Hebrews 12: 28-29).  Don't copy behavior and customs of the world but be transformed, renewed so that your mind is changed and you can have a kingdom perspective.  (Romans 12:1-2).  Whenever you seek the kingdom of God and His righteousness, everything else needed is provided.  It's the Father’s great pleasure to give you the kingdom which is not a matter of eating and drinking, it's what He does with your life to bring you joy and fulfillment.

One day the Pharisees asked Jesus, “When will the Kingdom of God come?” Jesus replied, “The Kingdom of God can’t be detected by visible signs. You won’t be able to say, ‘Here it is!’ or ‘It’s over there!’ For the Kingdom of God is already among you. (Luke‬ ‭17:20-21‬) The kingdom of God is steadily advancing, transforming and renewing minds of those who will receive.  As seasons change, make necessary adjustments, recalibrate and flow with whatever God is doing in this season. Whenever you are confronting multiple challenging situations, be encouraged, focused and confident in God's purpose for your life. Faithful ministry requires obedience, discipline, struggle and self-denial.

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From the moment John stepped onto the scene until now, the realm of heaven’s kingdom is bursting forth, and passionate people have taken hold of its power.

‭‭(Matthew‬ ‭11:12‬)TPT

Endure suffering along with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. Soldiers don’t get tied up in the affairs of civilian life, for then they cannot please the officer who enlisted them. And athletes cannot win the prize unless they follow the rules. And hardworking farmers should be the first to enjoy the fruit of their labor. Think about what I am saying. The Lord will help you understand all these things.

‭‭(2 Timothy‬ ‭2:3-7‬)‭

Turning Points

Turning Point: A Time for Decisive Change

Adjusting to change is very necessary for deciding to either be crushed or propelled forward into fulfillment of your designed purpose. It's very important to pray for discernment in order to choose wisely at life’s turning point.

Everything works together for good in God’s time, no matter how challenging or dark the situation. His love will intervene, make a way and bring deliverance, even if you have dishonored Him and made unwise choices that caused a messy situation. He remembers you; therefore, whenever you repent and call out to Him for mercy He will answer your prayer. Luke 23:42- The thief on the cross: cried out: “Lord, remember me when you come into Your kingdom and his request was granted.  Ezekiel 16:1-6 gives a moving account of God's mercy upon people who were bent toward unrighteousness. In God’s time, situations are turned around, bringing about a great change in your life. Come to the healing waters and get Ready for an overflow of blessings.

It’s your choice to trust God’s timing, believing that in due season, through faith and patience, your change will come (Hebrews 6:12).

All the promises of God are yes and amen. To those who have endured under tremendous pressure, pressed in to worship in the presence of the Lord, persevered through turning points and chose to earnestly defend the gospel, it's your season to walk into overflowing blessings. To those who are still stuck in a desert or wilderness place, there is hope for deliverance in Christ, your redeemer. Call out to Him with sincere prayer asking for help. He will answer and give you songs of deliverance. Begin with the end in mind, stay focused during turning points along the way, discern and choose wisely an appropriate response to difficult situations. God is doing a great work in your lives (Philippians 1:6; Galatians 6:9) His love is still active in this season and promises of revival, restoration and refreshing are still valid, no matter how messy or challenging circumstances may be.  Through out time, there are many examples set forth in the word about God’s continuous intervention into the lives of people, providing opportunities for learning His will and His ways based on foundational precepts, patterns and principles. His plan delivers from danger, even when you have followed your our own ideas and made unwise decisions. His love gives hope, peace, and joy that radiates from a humble manger, a rugged cross, an empty tomb. Upon receiving clear instructions from Him, you initially move forward with confidence toward a designated place until a turning point situation occurs, requiring a decisive change. You don't choose difficult seasons; therefore, unwise decisions are made while trying to manage seasons of discomfort, fear, doubt or confusion. However, in Christ, there's redeeming value in every decision that's made; He came to heal, save and deliver all those oppressed by the devil.

Yes, I am the gate. Those who come in through Me will be saved. They will come and go freely and will find good pastures. The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life. (John 10:10)

God's love covers, intervenes in our mess and gives grace in abundance. The journey of faith has many turning points along the way; therefore, you have to choose a course of action, whether to obey God or your own opinion. Sometimes, whenever your pace is too fast, you have an opportunity to mind the speed bumps (pay attention) that are designed to slow you down. In order to stay aligned with your divine purpose, it's very important to seek God's guidance at the altar of prayer before moving forward.

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So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do. (Ephesians 5:15-17)

Living on Purpose

#WordsOfWisdom
Endings are better than beginnings. Sticking to it is better than standing out.
‭‭Ecclesiastes‬ ‭7:8‬ ‭
And though you started with little, you will end with much.  Just ask the previous generation. Pay attention to the experience of our ancestors. For we were born but yesterday and know nothing. Our days on earth are as fleeting as a shadow. But those who came before us will teach you. They will teach you the wisdom of old. Job‬ ‭8:7-10‬ ‭
Whenever tests and challenges come from all sides, know that God often uses time and pressure to create something beautiful and magnificent. Faith life is forced into the open and shows its true colors as you endure under pressure. Small, gradual changes evolve into a great outcome. #EndureTheProcess #Persevere

For the Applause of Heaven

In the quest to discover your ‘WHY’ for being on the planet, the growth and developmental process can be very challenging. At the end of the day however, you finally learn to embrace seasonal challenges and manage changes effectively. Whenever expectations inevitably collide with disappointment, you learn to skillfully navigate through uncharted waters with a positive perspective. After spending years in search of God’s purpose for my life, lessons learned prompted writing to encourage others, especially ministry leaders, who were pursuing divine purpose.  For the Applause of Heaven was written to share some important nuggets garnered through many years of learning life’s lessons, ministry service and christian education training.  

For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.” Jeremiah 29:11 

Fight On

Instead of their shame My people will receive a double portion, and instead of disgrace they will rejoice in their inheritance; and so they will inherit a double portion in their land and everlasting joy will be theirs. Isaiah 61:7
Fight the good fight for the true faith. Hold tightly to the eternal life to which God has called you, which you have declared so well before many witnesses. ‭1 Timothy‬ ‭6:12‬ 
Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. Ephesians‬ ‭6:13‬ ‭
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In the light of so much devastation, discouragement, deception, disease, to name a few, faith levels at your core are being tested. At the opiate of frustration or despair signals that you are the closest to breakthrough. Nevertheless, keep praying, standing and fighting in faith, despite diabolical attempts to stop or hinder your progress. In times of distress or deep despair, when you repent and return to following God's will and ways, He is faithful to bring restoration, revival and refreshing. Let God arise and His enemies be scattered. #Restoration
#RecoverAll #Rejoice

The Church Triumphant

No matter the challenging times with devastating situations, distractions, disappointments and the like, for over 2000 years, the triumphant church of Jesus Christ is still marching forward. The church is not a building, not a program or method but a living organism of people chosen(Ecclesia) to dwell together in unity as examples of truth and righteousness in the world. Those with listening ears, hear what the Spirit is saying to the church in this season. #PrayWithoutCeasing 

In everything give thanks, this is God's will in Christ for you. Don't stop, keep on moving forward until He says it's over. 

#HaveFaith #Trust

#ANDTHEBEATGOESON 

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Jesus came back, “God bless you, Simon, son of Jonah! You didn’t get that answer out of books or from teachers. My Father in heaven, God himself, let you in on this secret of who I really am. And now I’m going to tell you who you are, really are. You are Peter, a rock. This is the rock on which I will put together my church, a church so expansive with energy that not even the gates of hell will be able to keep it out.  

Matthew‬ ‭16:17-18‬ ‭MSG

Expectations

It is a common saying among the body of Christ: “Expectation is the breeding ground of miracles.” In other words, you get what you get ready for. You can conclude from Apostle Paul’s writing, that if you expect to win in a race or compete in an athletic event, the body has to be prepared by going through an intense training regimen.  In the spiritual race, it is also necessary to be self-disciplined-to not only run in the race, but to endure the rigorous training process with the expectation of receiving an everlasting reward. There are times when given a new assignment, you are overwhelmed by the magnitude of the work involved and the task seems way over your head. However, if you know that God has assigned a unique task, you can stand firm on His promise to be with you always until the assignment is completed.  

It is of the utmost importance to keep in mind the reason you are engaged in a particular task in order to minimize discouragement or disappointment.  By staying focused on pleasing God, who chose an assignment, it can help you keep looking to Him for guidance and approval at the end of the day. As you totally surrender everything to Him, it is exciting to watch as He adds grace, strength and downloads strategies for successfully executing given assignment.  You are shown how to make use of what you have already, instead of focusing on what you don't have.  

In everything give thanks, especially during times of being broken and remain confident that you can expect restoration and refreshing, as the need arises.  Insecurities, frustrations during difficult times help define your faith level as well as, who you really are at the core.  Being secure in your identity in Christ, as a worshipping prayer warrior, you can arise to the occasion and earnestly defend the faith entrusted to you. You are challenged in chaos and not in comfort, therefore, continue courageously standing and holding fast on the word of God.  Stay focused, stay on course and stay connected to the true power source in Christ.  

#Persevere  #PrayingAlways  #Finish Strong