Whenever an opportunity presents itself, the first response from most humans is, “I could never do that.” “I can’t afford that.” “I can’t speak in front of people.” or jokingly say, “That’s above my paygrade.”
We seem to naturally side with the negative voice in our head and dismiss the opportunity to miss out on the potential growth, breakthrough, and blessing. Subconsciously, we are self-sabotaging. Have you ever asked the Lord why you do that to yourself?
I remember when asked to serve for a five year term on the Board of Trustees for Northern Essex Community College. I laughed out loud to myself, who me? Are you kidding? I did what Moses did when God said He was sending him to speak on His behalf to Pharaoh. I listed all the reasons I was not qualified. God is so patient with us, but He loves us too much to leave us to ourselves, thank God!
I love the discipline of the Lord. It produces lasting fruit. He corrected me in His loving but firm way. It’s not because of your qualifications that I have opened this door. It is because of My kingdom plan to use you in this setting as a witness for My Glory.
I love His correction. “It’s not about you; it’s never been about you, and as soon as you get over you, I can use you for my kingdom business.” Aren’t I (we) a hoot! We pray for God to send us as a light into the community. Then, when He opens a door, we resist Him steadfast in the faith- the counterfeit faith we have in ourselves, our personality, education, power, and capability. Instead of obeying, we resist God, which is pride because we think we know ourselves better than God does. We evaluate ourselves based on what we know from our past. He evaluates what we can do based on what He has provided for us, if we just say yes and step into His grace.
I Peter 5b-11: “God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.”6 Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, 7 casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.
8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. 9 Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world. 10 But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect (mature), establish, strengthen, and settle you. 11 To Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.
In this last trimester of my faith journey (if the Lord bids me), I plan on walking on water, speaking to mountains to be removed, commanding the dead to rise, casting out devils, prophesy to nations, and, if necessary, suffering the loss of all things for His name sake.
I invite you to join in the adventure of a lifetime by saying YES to the Lord and NO to every negative voice, both internally in your head and externally, spoken by others. Break the power and spirit of the words that come to sabotage your obedience, pull down strongholds that have kept you in a prison house of idolatry of self. Walk through every effective door that the Lord opens for you to be a powerful witness to Him.
Holy Spirit, come as You did in the upper room and fulfill Your Word. The infilling of the Holy Spirit takes our eyes and attention off of us onto Him. Acts 1:8 But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
Philippians 4:13, says, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” In Jesus Name, Amen! Believe it and watch what God will do with those who obey and say, “I can because God said so!
Living, Loving and Leading Well 