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I Desire by Precious K

Christian Inspirationals: The Lifter of my head.

Christian Inspirationals: The Lifter of my head.: Psalm 3:3  But You, O Lord, are a shield for me, My glory and the One who lifts my head. King David wrote this Psalm when he run away fr...

The Lifter of my head.

Psalm 3:3 But You, O Lord, are a shield for me, My glory and the One who lifts my head. King David wrote this Psalm when he run away from his son Absalom who intended to dethrone him as king and take his place. David was distressed by Absalom’s action and wandered off in the Mount of Olives. Absalom conspired against his father David and took along Ahithophel his wise and trusted counselor. As if that wasn’t enough, he went further and took his father’s concubines who were left to take care of the palace. David in distraught sought comfort from God.

People often sink into depression because of the problems and challenges encountered. Research shows that millions of people yearly are affected by depression. It is a persistent problem that holds victims in bondage for months before a fatal blow. Do not let situations or problems crowd your mind, for the bible says, we should think of things that are noble, honorable, praiseworthy, lovely, things which bring peace and of good repute. (Philippians 4:8)

God cares about us. He sees the challenges we face, he understands that pain, the agony. He wants us to walk with Him. Matthew 11:28-30” Come to Me, all who are weary and heavily burdened and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart and you will find rest. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light” Are you overwhelmed by conditions that are beyond your control? Take it all to God just like David did.

God knows that in this life you will face situations that are beyond you. He knows it all, this is why He says, “Come to Me” this invitation is for everyone. Until you admit that you cannot do it alone, then He cannot help you. Things that trouble you should be surrendered to God.

Isaiah 63:9 In all their distress He was distressed. And the angel of His presence saved them. In His love and compassion, He redeemed them; And He lifted them up and carried them all the days of old.

When the children of Israel faced affliction while in captivity in Egypt, God felt their pain. He knew their troubles and heard their cry for help. He sent his angel to free them from their captivity. In your affliction, God sees your distress and He is aware of your predicament. All you have to do is to allow Him to save you. He loves you and is compassionate.

-The Lord is the carrier of our burdens. Christ desires to refresh our souls and give us rest. He says his yoke is easier to bear. Yield to Him, allow him to lift that heaviness that has weighed you down. He can lessen the burden. Submit to Him like his disciples did, following his lead. The struggles we face once we follow Christ become lighter.

-Shift your focus from the challenge and seek God. Brethren the situation that you are facing isn’t as complicated as you may think, what you have to do is lift your eyes to Jesus. He will give you the strategy to handle it. The situation at the red sea was so overwhelming that the children of Israel began to panic, but God had a plan. He asked Moses to strike the waters and they parted, and the children of Israel crossed on dry ground. Exodus 14:15 The Lord said to Moses. “: Why do you cry to Me? Tell the sons of Israel to move forward toward the sea. As for you, lift up your staff and stretch out your hand over the sea and divide it, so that the sons of Israel may go through the middle of the sea on dry land.

-He settles your issues. God sorts the battles of the mind. When faced with issues, our minds tend to meander from the will of God and look into our strengths. When the battle rages, remember it is God who fights your battles, not you! Why wallow in self-pity while Christ has a solution for you? Only He can break iron gates and destroy strongholds for His name to be glorified. Allow the King of glory to come in and change your condition

-He fights your battles. Micah 5:9 Your hand will be lifted up against your adversaries, And all your enemies shall be cut off and destroyed. He will give you great power to overcome your enemies. He lifts your head above your enemies. He takes hold of you and helps you stand tall above the things that try to pull you down. Remember God says, the horns of the righteous will be lifted but the horns of the wicked will be cut off.

-He is your refuge. Have you been experiencing strive? He is the Lord that delivers you from struggles. He promotes you and causes people to attend to you. 2 Samuel 22:44 “You also have rescued me from strife with my people. You have kept me as the head of the nations. People whom I have not known serve me.

-He strengthens you. God empowers your inner being by giving you revelation, allowing you to see things from a different perspective. He gives you the courage to face your future knowing that he has already handled everything.

Psalm 148:14. He has lifted up a horn for His people. It is Christ who gives us strength, grace, prosperity, and preeminence. He is the Lord who keeps on refreshing us. Let go of everything that overwhelms you. Allow God’s lamp to shine upon your head and his light to guide your paths.

DO NOT FEAR!

Fear is a distressing emotion. It holds you back from achieving God's plan. Fear makes us doubt God's promise in our lives and causes delays in fulfilling our purpose.

Fear cripples you and generates impossibilities in every challenge/test encountered. Fear causes you to perceive that you are inadequate.

The anointing of Saul as King was rather interesting; when Prophet Samuel called upon Saul to anoint him as king in the presence of the Israelites at Mizpah , he was no where to be found. Saul's insecurities and fear had gripped him so much that he hid himself by the provisions and supplies. This would have easily been a dangerous hindrance to his elevation.

Fear is a weapon the enemy uses to deter people from their destinies. Fear is an enemy to progress. It makes us view our background as a limitation to the great destiny that God has planned for us.

Let us look at the story of Gideon. Gideon was the son of Joash from the tribe of Manasseh. Gideon was chosen by God to deliver the Israelites from the hand of the Midianites. But fear crippled him and he could not apprehend the image of being a deliverer. Fear induced him to belittle himself because he was the youngest in his family and they were the least in his tribe.

When God gave him his first assignment to tear down the altar of Baal that belonged to his father and the Asherah that was beside it, he did it during the night while everyone was asleep because he was too afraid of the his relatives and the men of the city.

When the Midianites and Amalekites came to camp in the valley of Jezreel, Gideon sent messenger to all tribes of Israel to get fighting men to join him. With 32,000 men he still wasn't sure whether God would rescue Israel from the hands of the Midianites. He asked God for assurance and God lowered the number to 300 men and assured him of victory but again he still was timid. God led him to the enemies camp at night he allowed him hear a conversation of how the Lord would give the entire Midianites into his hands. This gave Gideon confidence and courage to fight them.

Fear is the root of anxiety. Fear caused Saul to go against God's command because he wanted to please the people. He spared the best of sheep, oxen, the lambs and everything that was good when the Lord sent him to eradicate the Amalekites. 1 Samuel 15:24. Then Saul said to Samuel, 'I have sinned; for i have transgressed the command of the Lord and your words, because i feared the people and obeyed their voice.  This fear compelled Saul to lose his kingship.

Do not allow anxiety rule over you, instead practice patience. Psalm 147:11 The Lord favors ... those who wait for His mercy and loving kindness.

Fear can incite you not to receive your miracle. The woman with the issue of blood for twelve years had tried many physicians but on the contrary her condition became worse. It was a taboo for someone in her condition to associate with people or be seen in any gathering. But when she heard about Jesus, she decided to overcome her fears and permeate through the throng to Jesus and received her miraculous healing.

How do we conquer fear?

1. Have Confidence in God.

Deuteronomy 31:8. It is the Lord who goes before you; He will be with you. He will not fail you nor abandon you. Do not fear or be dismayed.

1 Chronicles 28:20. Then David said to his son Solomon, "Be strong and courageous, and take action; do not fear nor be dismayed, for the Lord God, is with you. He will not fail you nor abandon you...

2. Believe that Christ resides in you .You are not alone in this world but believe that Christ lives in you as a christian, and that through life's challenges, he fights with you. He says you are a victorious in Him.

3. Do not be anxious but pray in everything. Romans 8:32. He who did not spare even His own Son, but gave Him up for us all, how will He not also, along with Him, graciously give us all things?

4. Face your fears.

There was a giant that inhabited the camp of the Philistines by the name Goliath who had become a terror to the Israelite's for more than a month. To be precise for forty(40) days he made mockery of them and no one was confident enough to fight him. Until David, a young man showed up and decided to fight him. David chose courage rather than fear and eliminated the giant and saved the nation of Israel that was paralyzed by fear. This exalted David to Commander of the army and later on the King of Israel.

Knowing that God has got your back on everything gives you confidence to step out there and do your calling.
Fear should become a stepping stone and not a stumbling block-Cora Jakes Roberts.

Service onto God

Serving God is wonderful. Exhibited out of a glad heart and in response to who He is to us. God is a holy God and any service offered to Him should be out of a pure heart. Not by compulsion. Psalm 100: 2. Serve the Lord with gladness and delight; Come before His presence with joyful singing.

Serving God should be done with enthusiasm in response to His call.
Submitting to God’s order in regards to what he entails. Submitting to His rule and authority in all that is required of us.
Det 10:12 ” And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God require from you, but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in His ways and to love Him, and to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul. 
This is the one thing that is required of us once we make this confession “Jesus Christ, i accept you as Lord and Savior of my life”. God sent His Son Jesus Christ to redeem us, so that we may serve Him. God manifested His Mighty power to the children of Israel while in bondage in Egypt and fulfilled his promises to their Fathers. He delivered them from captivity for them to serve Him. Exodus 8:1 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Go to Pharaoh and say to him, ‘Thus says the Lord,”Let My people go, so that they may serve Me.

It is very significant for us to walk in obedience to what God has requested us to do. i.e serving Him. This will enable us enjoy His blessings and rendered promises. Israel followed God and He gave them their inheritance; land, properties, cities. He gave them rest. Joshua 22:4-5. And now the Lord your God has given rest to your brothers, as He promised them; so turn now and go to your tents, to the land of your possession, which Moses the servant of the Lord gave you beyond the Jordan. Only be careful and diligently observe the commandment and the law which Moses the servant of the Lord has commanded you to love the Lord your God and walk in His ways and keep His commandments and hold fast to Him and serve Him with all your heart and soul(your very life).

If you are in the market place and wondering how you can serve God, well its pretty simple. All your works should basically portray the reverence of God. The service that is acceptable to God is that which is filled with reverence and profound respect. Your choice and whole being should reflect who God is to you. If you fear the Lord you will operate in his status, not to please men but to honor God. You shall not be easily swayed or deceived , your heart shall not turn from the Lord to serve other gods…be it possessions, fame,money. Matthew 6: 24 “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.

We easily deny ourselves abundant blessings when we detach
ourselves from serving God. Det 28:48Because you did not serve the Lord your God with a heart full of joy and gladness for the abundance of all things which He has blessed you, You will therefore serve your enemies whom the Lord sends against you, in hunger and in thirst, in nakedness and in lack of all things: and He will put an iron yoke on your neck until He has destroyed you.

Instead of living an abundant life enjoying God’s blessings through service, we give way for the enemy to torment us, to his slavery. Hunger strikes us. We are given over to hollowness and pain. To drought and scarcity. (Judges 2:11-15). If you do not serve your redeemer you cause misfortune upon yourself . The hand of God that protected and covered you is no longer there. The Lord gives power to plunders who rob you. Rob you off joy, happiness, peace, they devastate you and loot you off your place/ position.

We are servants of God. Serving Him by the grace he has adequately availed to us; not by our own qualifications or strength. Certainly know that it is the Lord whom you serve. It is from the Lord not from men that you will receive the inheritance which is your greatest reward.

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Humility Pathway to Elevation

Humility means submission. It is freedom from pride or arrogance. Humility is not thinking of yourself less, but its thinking less of yourself. The quality of not thinking that you are better than other people.

Colossians 3:12 God loves you and has chosen you and made you his holy people. So you should always clothe yourselves with mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.

Let us look at the story of Joseph; Joseph was taken as a captive to Egypt and sold to Potiphar, Pharaoh’s official. Joseph started working in Egypt as a slave in Potiphar’s house. While at Potiphar’s house Joseph worked so well that it pleased his master. Seeing the success of all he asked Joseph to do, he put him in charge of his house. He was given authority to oversee his house and in charge of all that he owned.

Thereafter came a setback. Due to Potiphar’s wife phony accusations, Joseph was sent to prison. Although God had revealed to him his future, he wasn’t embittered with the recent circumstance. He performed his duties well and God showed him his loving kindness and granted him favor with the prison warden. The warden put Joseph as manager of other prisoners.  Genesis 39:23 The warden paid no attention to anything that was in Joseph’s care because the Lord was with him; whatever Joseph did, the Lord made to prosper. Joseph humbled himself not looking to men but believed that elevation comes only from God.  How many of us appreciate where we are at in life and trust God with our future? Committing to what he has commissioned us to do?

While at Potiphar’s house, things seemed to be good for Joseph. Promotion from a slave to a personal assistant. Anent to this, It was likely that the next thing for him was another promotion. Maybe he thought Potiphar would probably mention him to his master and he would be promoted. But that was not the case.

Years later God made Pharaoh have a dream that only Joseph could interpret and God promoted him to be the governor of Egypt. Genesis 41:41-42 Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “See, I have set you in charge over all the land of Egypt. Then Pharaoh took off his signet ring from his hand and put it on Joseph’s hand, and dressed him in official vestments of fine linen and put a gold chain around his neck.

Because of his humility, God separated him from his brothers and gave him a unique gift of dreams and revealed to him the future. Instead of complaining about the state where Joseph found himself; he choose to be humble and render his service as unto God. Though he was brought to Egypt as a slave he trusted that God would change his story. His humility saw him being elevated from one level to another. He was good at all he did, be it at Potiphar’s house or the prison. Any set back he encountered did not make him bitter towards God but he took charge of his responsibilities because he trusted God.

Joseph was so submissive to God and fully surrendered his life to him. It didn’t matter which stage in life he found himself. At the palace, Joseph wasn’t arrogant with his gift. But he acknowledged that it was God who enabled him. Genesis 41:16 Joseph answered Pharaoh, “it is not in me to interpret the dream; God will give Pharaoh a favorable answer through me. He gave the glory to God. God is looking for a people to work with so that he can display His glory.

Later when his brothers came to buy food in Egypt, he wasn’t arrogant but he humbled himself knowing that it was God’s plan for him to go ahead of them so that their lives would be preserved. Genesis 45

James 4:6-7…Therefore, it says, God is opposed to the proud and haughty, but gives grace to the humble who turn away from self-righteousness. So submit to the authority of God.

As the body of Christ we shouldn’t look at our circumstances and feel disadvantaged, we should realize that nothing in life is incognizant by God. Nothing is strange or news to God. He is aware of every chapter of our lives and wants us to be co-workers together with him to give him glory.   1 Corithians 3:9 For we are God’s fellow workers; His servants working together. You are God’s cultivated field, God’s building.

Humility enables you to accept God’s leading. When He leads you to a particular work, career or path in life you quickly submit unto him. Not working partially as looking for titles but being faithful and patient in His works.

Jesus is our shepherd and we are the sheep of his pasture. As the sheep of His pasture, it is paramount for us to humble ourselves for His leading. Sheep cannot lead themselves they require a shepherd so that when a lion or bear comes they will be protected. The shepherd knows where the grass is green. He may have to lead the sheep through a parched place but eventually they’ll come to the green pastures. They may pass through rocky places but that doesn’t mean they can camp there or that the shepherd is not concerned about them.

Jesus Christ leads us to the greatness he has for us. Every time we pass through a challenge, it is a test of growth on what we can handle for us to be elevated to the next level. Joseph submitted himself to God as a living sacrifice.(Rom 12:1)  this is the only acceptable service. Joseph’s character was being put to test. It was part of the lessons that he needed for the next level. The prison molded his character it sharpened his skills and gifts for the palace.

Rewards for Humility are Honor, Wisdom, Riches and Life.

Humility is the right attitude in doing everything. It is revealed in how we handle others great or not. Philippians 2:3 Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit but with an attitude of humility, regard others as more important than yourselves.

Proverbs 18:12…But humility comes before honor.

James 3:13. Who among you is wise and intelligent? Let him by his good conduct show his good deeds with gentleness and humility of true wisdom.

Humility can also be reflected in our prayers. Our faith and attitude in prayer is what makes us receive answers from God. Mark 7:29 And He said to her, “Because of this answer reflecting your humility and faith, go knowing that your request has been granted; the demon has left your daughter.

Humility is the qualification of making to heaven. Luke 18:17 “I assure you and most solemnly say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God with faith and humility like a child will not enter it at all.”

God desires for us to have the mindset that Christ had. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death-even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven, on earth and under the earth and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father. Phillipians 2:8-11  

God doesn’t look at things from the world’s perspective. Humbly submit to Him. Use your gifts diligently and soon you’ll find yourself in the place he has designated for you.