Issues from the Heart

On this journey called life, we are often encountered with roadblocks. Usually, there is no advance notice that there is construction taking place along the route until you are at the precise location and see signs for a detour. These digressions often lead to frustration because one has to take the scenic route,  usually longer to arrive at the destination. Additionally, the new route is often filled with traffic and other drivers who are trying to figure our how to get to their destination. This leads to a delay in the speed at which one can travel. If we are not careful, our attitudes can influence us to quit altogether and take on the task another day, which may or may not happen.

As it is in the natural, so it is in the spirit. Whenever we are on the pathway to our promise, we never like to become interrupted. Delays and scenic routes are definitely not welcomed. Almost immediately we feel the urge to resist. Although we may not appreciate or understand the need for a change in our course the fact of the matter is that we have to change direction and should be more willing to accept change. What? Yes, I said it, sometimes we need to be more willing to accept change, especially in the direction we are traveling. Why? Because it will not affect our promise.

In the book of Numbers, we are told a story of the children of Isreal traveling to the land which the Lord promised. Along their journey, they need to pass through the land of Moab to get to their destination quicker. The Moabites came out in numbers to deter them from walking through the land. The Israelites tried to bargain with the Moabites by letting them know they will pay for anything they have consumed. Nevertheless, the Moabites insisted that the Israelites could not walk through the land.

The Israelites now had a decision to make. They were either going to remain in the wilderness and never obtain the promise, or they were going to turn around and find another route. The choice to turn around was not theirs. The fact remains they were being forced by the Moabites to turn around. They were not given advanced notice that there will be a detour ahead. They just had to turn around when they arrived and head back in the direction from which they had traveled.

Sometimes the enemy will force us just like the Moabites did to turn around. Now what is important is that they still had a promise of getting the land of Canaan as their inheritance. The fact also remains that although they had to turn around, they still received the promise. Additionally, because of the actions of the Moabites, the Lord promised to wipe them off the earth.  This should further encourage us that when the enemy comes out against us on our journey to the promised land, we will get there even if we have to turn around and the Lord will fight our battles thus taking care of our enemies.

Turn around if you must, but do not let roadblocks become barriers to your belief in obtaining the promise.

3/8/17 Dr.R.A.

We live in an era where knowledge has increased exponentially. Accessing knowledge regarding any subject matter can be done in seconds. Everything we desire to know is at our fingertips. We evolved into a generation of knowledge seekers thinking that having knowledge is the pinnacle. However,  although knowledge is good wisdom is better.

So what is wisdom? Well, basically wisdom is the application of knowledge. It is that which causes us to have a better and easier life. Wisdom is to be valued above all things as it is profitable.

Widom is the greatest achievement that one can gain. It positions us to achieve the desires of our heart.

Wisdom is a shelter. It also gives us the right perspective in life and provides us with the power to live. Knowledge without wisdom is like having an ax, however, the blade is not sharpened.  Using such an ax will not only make that which we are trying to accomplish more difficult but it will also cause harm to our body. The Bible states in Ecc. 10:10 that “using a dull ax requires great strength.” It admonishes us that the blade should be sharpened. The text further tells us that the value of wisdom is that it helps us to succeed.

We all want to be successful in life but the only way to accomplish that is to value wisdom.  Today our prayer should be “Lord cause my wisdom to increase.” It is time for us to examine our life and see whatever is lacking and ask God to supply.

3.6.17 Dr.R.A.

Sometimes it is hard to wrap our minds around the direction that our lives are taking. Especially when we have committed our lives to Him (God).  The path often seems meandering, mountainous, deserted, arid, etc. The environment often causes us to wonder whether or not we are really being led? Whether we should continue on the path? Whether we should quit, look for another route or just turn back. Our minds are usually filled and overflowing with questions as we do not know where we are heading but blindly walking by faith. At times we question whether or not even our needs will be met as the landscape screams there is not supply here! However regardless of what it seems like if we could dare to continue on the path, we will see that wherever God guides He truly does provides.

The Bible tells of a story regarding a prophet, the servant of God who was doing the will of God and in a place of famine. The famine was so severe that the brook dried up where he was located. Knowing the condition of the environment the Lord instructed him to Zarephath where a widow will supply his needs. This was strange as the famine also existed in Zarephath. As a matter of fact, when he got there the widow who was to provide for him only had her last meal for herself and child. Looking from the outside, we may say that is a crazy instruction. How can someone who has nothing herself take care of all your needs?

Nevertheless, he did not allow his intellect to prevent him from obtaining a blessing or being a blessing. He followed the instructions of the Lord. When he arrived, he instructed the widow what she should do, which was to bake him a cake first. Of the little that she had that could only make one cake to share with her child he wanted a cake first. Preposterous we may say! Nonetheless, she in turned obey the prophet of God and had more than enough for the remaining duration of the famine.

The moral of the story is that wherever God guides He provides and wherever He leads He supplies needs.

If God is leading you and the path seem dark and treacherous have no fear. I know sometimes it is easier said than done. But remember, the will of God will never take you where the miracles of God cannot be done for you. Trust Him and obey. His promises do hinge on your obedience. Obey and receive your miracle!

3.3.17 Dr.R.A.

If the question regarding having faith was asked the answers would vary. However, the truth is that all of us have faith because we were all given a measure. Some of us choose to exercise our faith in God whereas other exert their faith in people, things, places, etc. But the bottom line is that we all have it. Now we should all know that the biblical definition of faith is “the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen.” Basically, faith is to trust completely in a person or thing. To see results, however, requires a certain amount of faith.

In Matthew 17 a story was told of a boy who was demon-possessed and could not get deliverance not even from Jesus’ disciples. When the boy was brought to Jesus, He rebuked the demons, and they left the boy. The disciples pondered as to why they were unable to do the same thing.  Jesus responded, “You do not have enough faith!” What? How could the disciples been walking with Jesus all this time, performing miracles and do not have enough faith? Preposterous one might say.  But the fact of the matter was that they did not have enough faith even though they were a follower of Christ. Why did they not have enough faith? Maybe their faith had been eroded by life’s challenges. Whatever the reason was we don’t know and could offer several speculative assumptions. Nevertheless, the fact remains that they did not have enough faith.

One may think by Jesus’ response that great faith would be required to perform such a task. But that was not the case. Jesus continued speaking and stated that if the disciples had faith as small as a mustard seed they would be able to command the mountain to move and it would be removed. If they could have faith as small as a mustard seed, then nothing would be impossible. A mustard seed if one of the smallest seed and that is all the faith that is required to see desires manifested. Remember with that amount of faith NOTHING is impossible. What do you need to have faith for?

Prayer today: Lord whatever circumstance stands before us like a mountain I pray that we will exert the faith to speak to these situations so that we can see them removed. May we stand upon the principles of Your word knowing that you cannot lie. May the things that we have long desire to see manifest in our lives suddenly. Today we are forwarding all our issues to you and releasing doubt and fear. Amen.

2.28.17 Dr.R.A.