One of the persons whose books I enjoy reading is Evangelist Mike Murdock, and over the years he has written numerous books. In 1997 he published a book that I cherish titled, “THE ASSIGNMENT.” Since that publication, he took that book and made it into a four-volume book series contrasting the various elements in a person’s assignment. I highly recommend that if you have not read any of these that you purchase the four-volume series; it will be a wise investment for you to make.
In all of these books, Evangelist Murdock shares invaluable nuggets, and it is one of these nuggets that I am highlighting in my blog today. Evangelist Murdock quotes, “People will be assigned by hell to distract, delay, discourage and derail your assignment.” This says to me that there is a plan in place to hinder me from doing what God has planned for my life and if I think hell is working in concert with God and not in opposition, I am sadly mistaken and delusional.
Let me briefly share the meaning of the four damaging “d” words in this nugget.
Distract = to get someone’s attention and prevent them from concentrating on something.
Delay = a situation in which something happens later or more slowly than you expected.
Discourage = to make someone feel less confident or hopeful.
Derail = to prevent something from happening or developing correctly.
With the understanding of this nugget comes the revelation that I must be careful of the people that I allow in my life and I must monitor their interaction with me to make sure that they are a blessing and not a hindrance. Therefore, I must take time and evaluate whether an individual has come to distract, delay, discourage, or derail my assignment. If I perceive that this is their assignment I must stop or limit their access to my life because they are preventing my advancement in the kingdom, and it is my responsibility not to allow this to happen.
As you read this blog today, I pray it has been helpful to you, and if you have not done this in the past, that you will begin to view people differently, and ask yourself the question, “Why have they come?”
I started this blog several months ago, but I never completed it, and I even forgot I had started writing it; however, on today as I was deleting documents off my computer’s hard drive, I came across it and decided to complete it for this week’s blog. I pray it inspires you and that the reason I did not complete it, is because it was needed for such a time as this.
I must confess that I find a major problem in my life, is self-discipline. People who are acquainted with me and my lifestyle would believe that I am a disciplined person; however, in the most important area of my life, I do need help. I like Paul in Romans 7 can say, “What I would, that do I not.”
For me, there are principles and instructions that I know and have taught numerous times, yet, I fail to be consistent in practicing them. I know that applying them will assist me in my Christian walk and spiritual warfare, but I allow myself to become lazy and complacent. On the one hand, this experience is good for me, for it allows me to experience what many others are experiencing, and it helps me to realize the struggle to be disciplined is not easy.
The definition of discipline is’ “Training oneself to do something in a controlled and habitual way.” In keeping with this definition, I must set aside time to maintain a standard that is productive and rewarding. So now, I am trying to take one day at a time, and daily do those things that I know will lead to victory. Also, remembering, I am in a war, and my enemy will be relentless in his endeavors to distract me if I allow him. My success lies in my hands. I confess the scripture “I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me,” and this means I can be self-disciplined and guess what? So can you.
Sometime in life, most of us will compare ourselves with someone else, and usually, this is because we admire some quality that is manifested in that individual. We are not jealous of them; we just want to be able to do what they do because we feel that there is a deficit in our lives. This is what I experienced this week, and the Holy Spirit sweetly reminded me to accept who God divinely made me be, and I am qualified to do what He has called me to do. I realized trying to duplicate others is saying to God, “You made a mistake, I know better than you, and there are some skills missing with which I should have been born.” I was also reminded of the saying, “Get comfortable in your skin,” in others words, “Accept yourself as you are.”
Besides the chiding of the Holy Spirit, the Word gave me counsel. Listen to what the Word says about the creation of man:
You are fearfully and wonderfully made. (Psalms 139: 14b)
How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them! (Psalms 139:17)
Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee. (Jeremiah 1:5a)
But now God hath set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him. (1 Corinthians 12:18)
Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows. (Matthew 10:30)
I am now resting in the fact that I possess everything I need to fulfill my assignment here on earth for God; my creator had His hands on me since my inception. Now, all I need to do is go forth confident in the fact I am divinely made.
Ecclesiastes 10:16a Woe to thee, O land when thy king is a child
This past week the Holy Spirit ministered to me concerning how to pray for our newly elected president. First I was reminded of the instructions given to believers in 1 Timothy 2:1-3 which states, “I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour.” Then I was directed to some examples in the scriptures of rulers and what they needed to be successful in their time of leadership. Finally, while doing my bible reading this week I came across the above scripture that made me think of our country and president, and to realize without divine intervention we are in a great deal of trouble.
King Solomon informs us in the above scripture that there will be problems when the person governing is immature, and unfortunately, this is what America is presently experiencing. It has been several weeks since Donald Trump has been sworn in as the 45th president of the United States, and since that time, our nation has been more divided than united. Many of his actions display the characteristics and attitude of a child. These are prayer issues, and I truly believe he is being used to make believers pray more.
The Holy Spirit took me to scriptures and reviewed with me the life of several kings in Israel to show me how to pray for President Trump. So, let me share what the Spirit showed me and then end this blog with how I am praying specifically for President Trump.
In1 King 3:9-12 Solomon had a dream where God appeared to him and asked him what He should give him. Solomon answered, “Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this thy so great a people?” Solomon’s request pleased the Lord, and He said to Solomon, “Because thou hast asked this thing, and hast not asked for thyself long life; neither hast asked riches for thyself, nor hast asked the life of thine enemies; but hast asked for thyself understanding to discern judgment; Behold, I have done according to thy words: lo, I have given thee a wise and an understanding heart; so that there was none like thee before thee, neither after thee shall any arise like unto thee. And I have also given thee that which thou hast not asked, both riches, and honour: so that there shall not be any among the kings like unto thee all thy days. And if thou wilt walk in my ways, to keep my statutes and my commandments, as thy father David did walk, then I will lengthen thy days.” Solomon’s request reflected that he had seriously listened to his father David who told him, “Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom.”
Secondly, 1 Kings 12 reveals after the death of King Solomon, Rehoboam his son sought the council of two groups: the old men, and the young men who were his peers. He chose to follow the advice of the young men, and this unfortunate decision led to the dividing of the kingdom of Israel.
Finally, as found in 2 Kings 11- 12 Jehoash, the son of King Joram at age seven began to reign as a king in Judah. With the wise council and instructions from Jehoiada, the priest, the Bible says that Joram did that which was right in the sight of the Lord all the days that Jehoiada remained alive.
With these three events in my mind, besides praying for the safety and well-being of President Trump and his family, I am asking God to give him godly wisdom on how to be a leader of a nation, surround him with people of integrity who will impact his life, to help him receive wise council from his inner circle and those with whom he associates, and help him to implement the godly counsel that he receives. If you have not been praying for the president and been wondering how you should pray for him, I pray this blog has given you some direction.
Psalms 103: 2 -3 Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases;
Due to illnesses and the recent deaths of fellow believers, I am writing this blog on divine healing. I concur with John who stated in 3 John 1:2, “Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.” I too desire healthy living for the children of God; for God can get more praises, worship, and work out of you alive and well, rather than when you are sick or deceased.
Everyone needs to understand all healings come from God, and He allows us to be healed through various methods as seen in the scriptures. Today, some have received miraculous instantaneous healing; for others, it was a process. Some are healed using medication prescribed by a doctor, while others are healed by the laying on of hands by the elders. Some are healed through the gift of healings and others by standing on the Word. Whatever method may be employed our healing benefits have been provided for us the New Testament church through the tortuous sufferings and death of Jesus for the scripture states “But He was wounded for our transgression, He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement of our peace was upon Him; and with His striped we are healed” (Isaiah 53:5).
Unfortunately, many have been deceived into thinking when you pray for healing and don’t see the manifestation of that healing that your next alternative is a doctor. Some believe that the doctor’s diagnosis and treatment will be able to restore them back to health, but this is incorrect. I worked in the medical profession for over 20 years, and I can say that doctors misdiagnose their patients frequently, and sadly, some of these diagnoses have led to death. When you go to the doctor, I highly recommend prayer be made that the doctor will be led by God to provide you with the right treatment plan.
In receiving and maintaining our healing, we must be wise in our health practices and mindful of the Word. God told Israel in Exodus 15:26, “If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the Lord thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his sight, and wilt give ear to his commandments and keep all his statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I am the Lord that healeth thee,” and I believe our cooperation with the Word provides us with this benefit.
Lastly, some have died while they waited expectantly for a healing miracle. Death of a loved one is extremely painful and therefore we often attempt to keep our loved ones here when in reality their pain, suffering, and knowledge of where they are going motivates them to depart this life. Since God is in charge of life and death, we can confidently place them in His care, knowing He loved them best, and His healing for them is total and eternal.
2 Corinthians 7:1 Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.
I was praying one morning this week, and I asked God to cleanse me of some issues that I was experiencing, and I heard in my spirit, “You have to cleanse yourself.” Then the above scripture came back to my mind. I also said,” Why can’t God do my cleansing?” and again I heard in my spirit, “For Him to do it, you would have to die if you want to live here on earth the cleansing is up to you.”
This experience made me go back and rehearse to myself some important facts I know and understand concerning warfare. The main thing is that God has given believers the power to cast out evil spirits (Mark 16:17) and to pull down strongholds (2 Corinthians 10:4). He gave man dominion from the beginning, and He is not going to take over my responsibility (Genesis 1:26).
The word cleanse in the Greek means to purge or purify. Our English dictionaries define cleanse as ridding something unpleasant, unwanted, or defile. For me, this cleansing represents cutting some distractions off. It means that I cannot take pleasure in the sinful acts of others (Romans 1:31), and I must continually pray and ask God to help me to love what He loves and hate what He hates.
Also, 2 Corinthians 7:1 states that filthiness can be found in our flesh and spirit. In a previous blog (HANDLING DEMONIC ENCOUNTERS – 3/29/14), I shared a list of demonic spirits that believers encounter and the numerous works of the flesh can be found in the scriptures from Acts through Revelation. I must war against these evil spirits and works in my life, so that I may be pleasing to God who will judge my actions and rend to me according to my deeds (Romans 2:1-11). I cannot be lazy or complacent for this is the enemy’s desire for my life, rather I must be sober and vigilant.
As I strive to do better in my spiritual walk with God this year, I pray you will also do the same. We are in this war together, and I declare with God’s continued direction and our submission to it, WE WILL WIN.
Hebrews 6:10 For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.
There is an old song that says, “Only what you do for Christ will last.” No doubt the composer of this song dealt with people and came to realize that people often and conveniently forget the things that you do; however, God who is the most important one in our lives does not forget our labor. Paul, in the above scripture, sought to encourage the Jewish believers with this fact.
Also, Jesus shared this concept in a parable with his disciples in Matthew 25:31- 46. In this parable, He divided the nations of the world into two groups, like a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. The sheep were blessed and rewarded because they were kind, generous, and helpful to those in need while the goats were cursed and condemned because they failed to minister to the needy.
So as we begin this New Year, I too encourage you to follow the words of my father’s favorite slogan, “Do all the good you can, to as many as you can, for as long as you can.” Let your charitable assistance be done willingly and lovingly because your actions and attitude are important. Don’t look for the acknowledgment or the praises of men because it may not happen but continue to help for as you do to the least you are doing to God.
On December 20, five days before Christmas I was in the supermarket viewing the Christmas candy, and halfway down the aisle, there was a change in the candy display. To my amazement, the second half of the aisle was filled with Valentine candy. The store owners did not give the consumers a chance to finish celebrating Christmas before they started selling the same candy in a different holiday wrapper. I just shook my head and walked away for I realized the store owners are only concerned about making money and we the consumers are not given a chance to enjoy and honor one event before we are thrust into the next one.
On this year Christmas Day happens to fall on a Sunday, and many people will be involved in family activities that will probably prevent them from attending a church service, and many will forget the real reason for the season. The reason was not to spend monies on candies and gifts. The reason was not to get together with family and friend, but the reason that is often forgotten was the good news of the birth of a Savior, which was Christ the Lord. It is important that we believers remember this in the midst of all that we do.
God sent His son Jesus to earth via a virgin birth to redeem mankind back to Him. This was necessary because of the rebellion of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden which caused men to lose their place of dominion. Through the ages, man was held captive to sin and continued in his disobedience to God’s instructions. The man had a problem, and Jesus was God’s solution.
Jesus spent thirty-three years on this earth with His last three years involved in ministry. He preached, He healed, He delivered, He taught, He mingled with everyone, and He was an example of servanthood for all. His assignment was accomplished with his birth, death, burial, and resurrection.
If Jesus did not come to earth, we would yet be lost but praise God for His love and plan of salvation. That is why we Christians, celebrate Christmas and in the midst of all our festivities I pray we remember to take time to thank God for the greatest gift, His son Jesus.
2 Corinthians 3:1-2 Are we starting to commend ourselves again? Or do we need, like some [false teachers], letters of recommendation to you or from you? [No!] 2 You are our letter [of recommendation], written in our hearts, recognized and read by everyone. (Amplified Bible)
Apparently, some false teachers had come to the church of Corinth with recommendations and others upon leaving Corinth had received recommendations; thus, in the above verses, Paul is addressing the believers concerning his need of no recommendation. Paul told the church they were his recommendation and the conversion that they experienced, and the change in their lifestyle was living proof of his authenticity.
Though we live in a different age then Paul, there are some things that remain the same. As people we watch, study, praise, copy and criticize the lives of people around us. With our modern technology and the many available media outlets that our world provides for us, we can take a seat and view the personal lives of others. Our lives have become an open book, and people are watching to see if we are living what we preach or that which we testify. Paul knew and understood this; therefore, he boldly declared not only his life but the life of the congregants of the church of Corinth are being read by men.
Your life and the fruit that you bear is a living epistle that people read. Your character and how you responded to situations are being noted by those you encounter. Negative behavior, complaining, unstableness, and acts of immaturity are influencing what people think about you. For some, the saying, “You are your own worst enemy” is true for their actions are giving the public ammunition to criticize and condemn them.
Today, with all of this in mind, my prayer for all of us is that we will display a maturity that will be pleasing to God and positively affect the lives of those that are reading us.
The Teacher's Pick 