The Enforcer!

The story is told in 1 Samuel 30, that King David and his men returned to a town and found that it was burned, and their wives and sons and daughters were taken captive. He and the men with him lifted up their voices and wept until they had no more strength to weep. His two wives also had been taken captive, and his men spoke of stoning him because they were all bitterly grieved. But David encouraged and strengthened himself in the Lord and inquired of the Lord, saying, Shall I pursue this troop? Shall I overtake them? The Lord answered him, Pursue, for you shall surely overtake them and without fail recover all. So David went, he and the 600 men with him smote the enemy from twilight to the evening of the next day, and not a man of them escaped, except 400 youths who rode camels and fled. David recovered all that the enemy had taken and rescued his two wives. Nothing was missing, small or great, sons or daughters, spoil or anything that had been taken; David recovered all.

David and Goliath -The size of the problem does not matter to the Enforcer of God's promises!

The promises in the Word of God don’t come to pass automatically but are conditional on our enforcement. Like David, God gives us word or a promise, but it is up to us to enforce it. David heard God’s promise, but he had to go out and enforce the result by decisive and aggressive action.

Has the enemy stolen your health, your money, your peace or your joy? Jesus tells us that, “The thief (Satan) comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” John 10:10. Again, the Bible tells us to, “Submit yourselves to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” James 4:7.

Wikipedia reads that the term “enforcer” is an unofficial role in ice hockey. The term is sometimes used synonymously with "fighter" or "tough guy".  An enforcer's job is to deter and respond to dirty or violent play by the opposition. When such play occurs, the enforcer is expected to respond aggressively, by fighting or checking the offender. Enforcers are expected to react particularly harshly to violence against star players or goalies.

As a believer you must take up the role of the enforcer and stand, stand and stand on the promises of God aggressively until they materialize. Either God’s promises are true, or He does not mean them. You decide. “Let God be true and every man a liar.” Romans 3:4. If anyone tells you that God is bringing on the problem or just testing you or is saying no to you concerning a promise, let God be true and that man a liar.

Mark 4:15 clearly tells us that problems arise through the devil to pressurize you into giving up on the Word of God. Respond with mental aggression and strength and deter dirty mental play by Satan who is getting to your mind through another person(s). Don’t believe their words, believe the written promise.

Too many good believers never see God’s promises fulfilled. Don’t be one of them. Just like David, strengthen yourself in God’s word, and enforce the victory!

Watch my video on Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NWHoP8e2JwE

Turn Your Red Lights to Green!

Make a Start

So many good Christians are bogged down on their journey through life. Nothing seems to move or change for the better.

In reality, what seems impossible today can become possible for you tomorrow. If you keep thinking the same thoughts, you will keep getting the same results. To get new results therefore, you need to change your habitual thinking patterns. Turn your red lights to green!

It is not that hard to do. It will take a daily determination to place new thoughts into your mind. You have to do it, no one can do it for you. In time, and sometimes even quickly, your new way of thinking will produce new results. Jesus was always encouraging His disciples to think possible. In fact all the promises of God that are written in the Bible, are there to encourage you to think and expect a better life inner life. If you start dwelling on those promises instead of the difficult circumstances that we all will encounter, the quality of your life will improve.

Romans 12:2 (Amplified Bible)
Do not be conformed to this world (this age), [fashioned after and adapted to its external, superficial customs], but be transformed (changed) by the [entire] renewal of your mind [by its new ideals and its new attitude], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God, even the thing which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His sight for you].

Thoughts are like seeds

I have spoken before of the fact that thoughts are like seeds that are planted into the soil of your mind as you think them. If you spend time thinking on them every day, it is as though you are watering them with the love and attention they need to grow and produce a harvest. Think red light thoughts and your life, business, health and finances will stop moving ahead.

Say Out Loud

To help you in the process, I have posted a video on YouTube. It will be the first in a series aimed at helping you to transform your thinking. Is called, "Say Out Loud - 1. Deuteronomy 28" 

The promises God made to Israel in the old testament and to believers in the new are all available to you personally today. I have started rewriting those promises as affirmations. 

Check it out at  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yWBJvuwKGyA

Turning Red Lights to Green

Single focused thoughs will carry you over seemingly impossible terrain. I say seemingly impossible because to Jesus’ way of thinking there is no difference in walking on land or on water. It only seemed different to Peter based on what he was conditioned to think. The important issue is not the problems along the way but that by faith we can make the "impossible" happen.

Reach beyond what you have experienced in the past and realize that God's promises to you are within reach. Think that you already have it, that you are already there. As you confess this God brings it about, making the spiritual truth of His promise, a physical reality.

Transformation comes by single thought saturation. Saturate your brain with single thoughts based on promises in the Word. Think them continuously and repeatedly over regular periods of time.

1. Focus your thoughts on the promise, not the problem.

2. Meditate on the promise constantly.

3. Believe it.

4. Say it out aloud!

5. Picture the end result in your mind.

6. Keep praising God until the promise manifests!

These actions will transform your thinking that will in turn lift you through the blockages and stoppages along  They are the green lights that will keep you moving down God's highway on your life's journey. 

Say that green thought!

Counting it all Joy

One of the great secrets of a victorious Christian life is revealed by this scripture;

James 1:2 (NKJ)
“My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.

God does not distinguish between the nature or the severity of the trial. His instruction is clear, consider it all as joy! 

Impossible?

How illogical and impossible it may seem when you are faced with a life or death situation, great financial loss or extreme danger. And yet if God says it, it must be possible and we are to force ourselves to do it if we want to see the victory.

God’s ways are not our ways the Bible reads but fortunately in this case, God gives us a clue to help us.

Nehemiah 8:10
“Do not sorrow, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”

Ah now we understand, the joy of the Lord somehow strengthens us against the attack and even enables us to overcome it and emerge victorious! When great difficulties arise we may also rest assured that the trial will pass.

Psalm 30:5
“Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning.”

Just do it!

Replacing the stress with a stream of heartfelt joy is difficult indeed. Your carnal mind will refuse to do it. It can only be done with your spiritual resources, that is, with the power of faith and the help of the Holy Spirit. You will have to sacrifice the carnal comfort of whining, crying and of blaming God, to just do what He tells you to do. The infamous marketing phrase, “Just do it”, can find no better application that to the instructions of the Bible. We can however rest assured that the trail will only endure for a while.

In the parable Jesus tells in Mark chapter 4, He explains that the trial comes from the Devil and not from God. The trial or test comes to steal a promise of God i.e. the word of God from our hearts. The enemy pressures us through circumstances to say that the promise of healing, of protection, of deliverance, of provision and prosperity is not true. Hang in there my friend, start praising God with joy and you will see the passing of the trial and you stepping into victory!

You the Overcomer!

One of the most powerful truths and experiences available to the believer is that of being assured of victory over every obstacle. You may lose a battle now and then but you can win the war!

John 16:33
“I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace and confidence. In the world you have tribulation and trials and distress and frustration; but be of good cheer [take courage; be confident, certain, undaunted]! For I have overcome the world. [I have deprived it of power to harm you and have conquered it for you.]”

The Amplified Bible here reads here that Jesus has overcome the world and deprived it of the power to harm you and conquered it for you! Nothing can be clearer. No matter how bad the situation looks, you can emerge victorious!

Only believe.

There are a few very simple conditions. First, you must believe that this is God’s word to you and to everyone else. Believing that God is true to His word is simply called “faith”. Your faith in God is the substance of your ultimate victory over every situation.

1 John 5:4
“For whatever is born of God is victorious over the world; and this is the victory that conquers the world, even our faith.”

The battle belongs to the Lord.

Your faith or belief is what accomplishes God's victory on your behalf. The battle to win is not your job. Yes. the battle belongs to the Lord.

2 Chronicles 20:17 (NLT)

“But you will not even need to fight. Take your positions; then stand still and watch the Lord’s victory.”

The idea and appearance that you are the underdog and are going to lose in the situation that confronts you is nothing but a deception from Satan. If you buy into it by agreeing with the appearance of defeat, you will lose. Never ever admit defeat, only victory! You don’t have to know just how God will do it, and he does not have to inform you of His methods. That means if you rely on you having to understand it, you will not make it.

1 John 4:4
“Little children, you are of God [you belong to Him] and have [already] defeated and overcome them because He who lives in you is greater (mightier) than he who is in the world.”

God will do it for you. I fact, He has already done it for you. Apart from believing God, start praising Him for His victory on your behalf in every situation.

The size of the problem does not matter!

The size and nature of the problem confronting you does not determine the outcome, your simple trust in God’s willingness and ability does.

Mark 16:18 Amplified Bible (AMP)

“They will pick up serpents; and [even] if they drink anything deadly, it will not hurt them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will get well.”

You don’t need a lot of faith, only very little. In fact what you already have is more than enough!

Matthew 17:20
“If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.”

Revelation 3:21
“He who overcomes (is victorious), I will grant him to sit beside Me on My throne, as I Myself overcame (was victorious) and sat down beside My Father on His throne.”

What Praise Will Do!

Adverse tidings and circumstances can cause the devil to instantly strike fear into your heart. Praising God will just as instantly start driving that fear out! Praising God brings you into His presence. Here is the key, your problems cannot and will not follow you there!

Praise is expressing your love and worship toward God. God is continually showered His love on us so much so that He gave His life so that we could go free. In return we need to express our love and appreciation towards Him and make that our priority! Anyone who loves needs to have love returned. God had a strong love and affection for us and wants our love returned. 
God inhabits the praises of His people. Start praising Him for His for His love, might and power and the troubles of this world instantly start losing their grip on your life.

Psalm 59:9
“O my Strength, I will watch and give heed to You and sing praises; for God is my Defense (my Protector and High Tower).”

Never allow any problem to grow bigger by turning it over and over in your mind until it forces you into fear, hopelessness and depression. Praise to God and gratitude for all the good in your life puts your attention on the solution rather than the problem 
Focus your attention on God and His promises and not the problem!  
God is the source of all that is good in your life. By operating in praise we build our faith and thus shorten the manifestation time for the promises of God to come to pass.

“Let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith. Hebrews 12:1

As we consider or look to Jesus in praise and adoration, and to God’s word, faith starts flowing! 
That means that you need to take your mind off negative circumstances and look to Jesus who is the Word, before faith will come. Praising God through gratitude for the good He has already done and will do again will build the faith necessary to see the fulfillment of a need come to pass. 

Psalm 34:1 reads, "I will bless the Lord at all times, and His praise will continually be in my mouth."

Make praise a habit. Praising God in every circumstance will take your attention off the fear, depression, sickness or lack and place it on the solution which is the presence of God. Jesus said that in this world we will have problems but He has overcome the world. That means that He has already overcome the problem. Start praising Him beforehand that He has already taken care of every situation!  Pray saying, "Thank you Father that in this world I will have problems, but You have overcome every one of them!" 

John 16:33 Amplified Bible. “In the world you have tribulation and trials and distress and frustration; but be of good cheer [take courage; be confident, certain, undaunted]! For I have overcome the world. [I have deprived it of power to harm you and have conquered it for you.]”

Constant praise of God expecting Him to act mightily on your behalf will see your deliverance every time. He has delivered millions who have been in a worse situation than you are in and can certainly deal with your problem. When you do that, your faith will work. If you dwell on the problem, your unbelief will work and the problems of the world will overcome you.

Doubt and unbelief come by considering things other than the Word of God and His promises. Keeping the promises in mind and staying in constant praise for their fulfillment will see them come to pass. Keeping your mind stayed on Jesus will keep you in perfect peace. Keeping your mind on the problem will cause the problem to keep dominating you.

"Thank you Lord that You have met my health or financial or whatever need and that it is coming to pass now." And then start praising God for answered prayer before you see the result!

It is hard when bills are piling up or when pain is racking your body to say that you refuse to think on the problem. Praise is one of the most important things you can do to take your mind off the problem and shift it to the answer. Learn to control your mind as it wanders back to the issue by refocusing on praising God. It takes exercise and discipline. Peace is not a product of circumstances but rather on what is occupying your mind in the midst of problems. 
With the promises of God in mind you can decide that no matter what the devil throws at you, you are going to prosper in the midst of it. Or, you are going to be healed in the midst of the physical attach on you. 
Nehemiah 8:10
“And be not grieved and depressed, for the joy of the Lord is your strength and stronghold.”
There always a lot of positives in your situation if you would just look for the rather than focusing on the issue attack on you. Praise God for His great works. Strength is a weapon used against the devil. It makes Satan flee from you faster than anything else you can do. Satan loses his power when Gods people begin to praise!

Fear Not!

We all need the reassurance that God is with us and that we do not have to succumb to fear in any situation. When fear strikes, only the Holy Spirit speaking those words directly into our hearts or by studying and meditating on the relevant scriptures will push back that most awful of feelings and the devil which is the source of it. Countless times God tells us in the Bible tells us to, “Fear not!” How great it is to repeat those words over again in the midst of the storms of life knowing they come from the God, the all powerful One and to sense the anguish and torment retreating. God has dealt with all kinds of fears in your life, fear of man, fear of lack of provision, fear of enemies, fear of sickness and death, etc. Throughout Scripture God’s timely reminder to His children echoes again and again, “Fear not, for I am with you!”

Genesis 15:1
“The word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram, I am your Shield, your abundant compensation, and your reward shall be exceedingly great.”

The blessings and promises that were spoken to Abraham also apply to us, and so we may make these words from the Lord as our own.

Genesis 26:24
“The Lord appeared to him the same night and said, "I am the God of Abraham your father. Fear not, for I am with you and will favor you with blessings and multiply your descendants for the sake of My servant Abraham.”

Like an Israelite of old, we can take to heart these words of God through Moses that the source of our fears could be banished from our lives forever. Meditating on God’s promises will do it!

Exodus 14:13
“Moses told the people, Fear not; stand still (firm, confident, undismayed) and see the salvation of the Lord which He will work for you today. For the Egyptians you have seen today you shall never see again.”

As believers, there truly is no person, situation or condition that we have to fear because God is with us. He promises to subdue your enemies on your behalf and will deliver them into your hands!

Joshua 10:8
“And the Lord said to Joshua, “Do not fear them, for I have delivered them into your hand; not a man of them shall stand before you.”

From that wonderful story of King Jehoshaphat in 2 Chronicles 20 we learn the great lesson that we do not have to fight any battle other than the one to believe God, and to let a spirit of praise arise in us!

2 Chronicles 20:17
“You will not need to fight in this battle. Position yourselves, stand still and see the salvation of the Lord, who is with you, O Judah and Jerusalem!’ Do not fear or be dismayed; tomorrow go out against them, for the Lord is with you.”

Yes, God will come to our rescue with a vengeance! That means that if you trust in Him, He will always beat back your enemies with the passion and anger like a mother hen because He has claimed you as His own!

Isaiah 35:4
“Say to those who are fearful-hearted, “Be strong, do not fear! Behold, your God will come with vengeance, with the recompense of God; He will come and save you.”

Isaiah 43:1
“Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; you are mine.”

Many times, God commanded His children through the mouth of Isaiah not to fear. Allowing fear to enter your heart is nothing else but a lack of trust in God. Here He reminds us that there is no one else like Him.

Isaiah 44:8
“Do not fear, nor be afraid; is there a God besides Me? Indeed there is no other Rock; I know.”

The fear of being put to shame because of their temporary circumstances afflicts many a believer. Here is a great promise from the words of the prophet.

Isaiah 54:4
“Do not fear, for you will not be ashamed; neither be disgraced, for you will not be put to shame; for you will forget the shame of your youth, and will not remember the reproach of your widowhood anymore.”

Remember that if you continue in sin and fail to avail yourself of God’s protection, your actions God cannot shield you from fear!

Isaiah 66:4  “So will I choose their delusions, And bring their fears on them; Because, when I called, no one answered, When I spoke they did not hear; But they did evil before My eyes, And chose that in which I do not delight.”  

Jesus continues to tell us today and every day not to fear, to trust in Him because He loves you and that you are valuable and precious to Him! He knows all about your situation.

Matthew 10:28-31
“Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a copper coin? And not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father’s will. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.”

2 Timothy 1:7
“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.”

God's love dispels fear!

Deep meditation on the scriptures about God's love for you will drive out fear from your heart!

1 John 4:18
“There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love.”

Godly fear is the only fear allowed.

Hebrews 11:7
“By faith Noah, being divinely warned of things not yet seen, moved with godly fear, prepared an ark for the saving of his household, by which he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith.”

Even in these last days when terrible things will happen, God's command stands!

Revelation 2:10
“Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.”

How to Activate Your Blessings!

The Blessings of God as promised to all believers all over the Scriptures do not materialize automatically. We need to follow these steps to see them materialize.The conditions are few and simple and yet so few of us actually do them! Three scriptures show us the way.

Step 1. 

Listen and do what God tells us in the scriptures. Make sure it is based on the New Testament of love and grace and not the Old one of law and legalism.

“ If you will listen diligently to the voice of the Lord your God, being watchful to do all His commandments the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations of the earth, and all these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you if you heed the voice of the Lord your God.” Deuteronomy 28:1-2

Step 2. 

Reword the promises in scripture as confessions and speak them out aloud as relating to you. Many verses tell us that we need to speak them out with our mouth.

“Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and they who indulge in it shall eat the fruit of it.” Proverbs 18:21

I love this phrase by Andrew Wommack, “The promises of God are voice activated.”  In other words, in addition to listen, to follow and do what the God tells us in the Bible, we need to speak the blessings and promises out aloud over ourselves and our household. Indulge in it!

Step 3. 

Mix your words with faith, i.e. believe that what you are saying is true in the spirit realm and becoming true as your life experience.
“For indeed we have had the glad tidings [Gospel of God] proclaimed to us just as truly as they [the Israelites of old did when the good news of deliverance from bondage came to them]; but the message they heard did not benefit them, because it was not mixed with faith (with the leaning of the entire personality on God in absolute trust and confidence in His power, wisdom, and goodness) by those who heard it; neither were they united in faith with the ones [Joshua and Caleb] who heard (did believe).” Hebrews 4:1-3 

As an example of how to turn the promises or into statements that will activate them when you speak them out, here is a list that is based on the blessings mentioned in Deuteronomy 28:1-15. Cattle and livestock were the "assets" of that day and so I have not used those words because they probably don't apply to you. For storehouses I have used what is used today, a "bank accounts."

Print them out and spend the time memorizing them and they will always be right at hand. 

Yes, take the trouble and memorize them, follow the simple steps as often as possible and it could well be the turning point to a life that you so desire!

Deuteronomy 28 - Confessions 
1 Because I listen to the voice of the Lord and keep His commandments, He has set me on high, above all the nations of the earth.

2 All these blessings have come and overtaken me.
3 I am blessed in the city and blessed in the country.
4 Blessed are my children, my work and my assets.

5 Blessed are my kitchen and my provisions.
6 Blessed am I when I come in and blessed when I go out.
7 The Lord causes my enemies to be defeated before me. They come against me one way and flee before me seven ways.
8 The Lord has commanded a blessing on all my work and bank accounts in the land He has given me. 
9 The Lord has established me as holy to Himself, because I keep His commandments and walk in His ways.
10 Everyone sees that I am called by the name of the Lord and they are afraid of me.
11 The Lord has given me a surplus of prosperity through my children, my work and my assets. (Property, finances and goods)
12 The Lord has opened His treasury to me and given me an increase in provision. He has blessed all the work of my hands. I lend to many, but shall not borrow.
13 The Lord has made me the head, and not the tail. I am above only, not beneath because I keep His commandments.
14 I do not turn aside from the words of God to go after other gods to serve them.
15. But if I miss obeying the voice of the Lord, no curse shall come upon or overtake me because Jesus became a curse for me. (Gal.3:13)

* The last item on the list demonstrates the difference between the Old and the New Covenant or Testament. In the Old, the Israelites suffered under a curse if they missed obeying God's commandments. In the New, Jesus paid the penalty for all our past and future sins!