Where You Start Is Not Where You End.

On one of my recent podcast writing episodes I talked about this.

If you didn’t know, I have a podcast where I talk to authors and aspiring authors.

I provide tips, advice and encouragement. The podcast is called,

The Writer’s Creative Space.

If you would like to listen to the episode here is the link.

Anyway, as I recorded the episode I realized this was not just a life principle but a

spiritual principle.

“Where you start is not where you end” is a spiritual principle too.

I am reminded of Rahab. She didn’t have the best start. She was a prostitute and people

saw her in one way. Her narrative for a time was negative. I don’t think anyone saw

greatness in her. But that all changed when some Hebrew spies came to her.

Her life changed forever. Her narrative changed for good.

“By faith the prostitute Rahab, because she welcomed the spies, was not killed

with those who were disobedient.”

Hebrews 11:31

Her end was so much better than her beginning. And if you search deeper into her

story you will find she was included in the lineage of Jesus Christ!

What an honor, what an ending.

So you see. where you start is not where you end.

Let me share one more example.

The disciples were ordinary men with no real purpose before Jesus. They were fishermen.

I wouldn’t say being a fisherman was bad but it wasn’t the greatest thing to be.

The disciples were probably overlooked. They probably overlooked themselves!

But look at what happened when Jesus came onto the scene.

Everything changed. Their lives were changed forever.

They became fisher of men and turned the world upside down!

And that’s the other thing I want you to see.

Only Jesus can change the narrative.

Only Jesus can change the ending.

You may be in a place today where you can’t make sense of how your life is going.

You may not understand how God can turn it around but He can and will.

No matter how you have started know that your end will be very different.

Look to Jesus for help.

Trust Him to change the narrative in your life.

Trust Him to change the ending.

Bless you friends

Rolain

The Enemy’s Plan For You, Will Be Defeated.

What happens to the enemy’s plans for us?

Because truth be told, he has plans to take us out.

He doesn’t want us to succeed but there is good news for us in the Word of God.

The bible has the real truth. The enemy’s plans will not succeed over us.

Take David for instance. He had to flee from Absalom for a season and to make matters worse

his counselor Ahithophel had sided with Absalom which was really bad news for David.

Ahithophel was David’s trusted advisor. He was wise and knew David really well, the way

he worked, his family, how he thought and so much more. He was not the guy to go up

against.

Anyway, he had a plan to eliminate David and went to Absalom to tell him his plan.

Everyone loved his plan but before it could be green lit they called Hushai (another of David’s

counsellors) to hear what his plan would be. Earlier on in the story, David sent him back

in the hope to overthrow the counsel of Ahithophel.

So when they called Hushai they asked him what his plan would be and they loved his plan.

They thought it was better than Ahithophel’s plan. So they decided to go with his plan.

And this is the lesson I want to get across.

Ahithophel’s plan to eliminate David was better than Hushai’s. The word tells us so.

“Then Absalom and all the men of Israel said, “Hushai’s advice is better than Ahithophel’s.

For the Lord had determined to defeat the counsel of Ahithophel, which really was the better

plan, so that he could bring disaster on Absalom!”

2 Samuel 17:14, 15

So if Absalom and his men had listened to Ahithophel’s counsel they would have managed to

destroy David and his men BUT….

Because God was with David, He overthrew the counsel of Ahithophel. David would not be eliminated

by the enemy’s plan because God was watching over him and protecting him.

And like David, God will frustrate and stop the enemy’s plan for you. His plans will not succeed

over you.

No weapon formed against you will prosper the word tells us.

So don’t fear when the enemy rises against you to destroy you. The Lord will never allow the enemy

to be victorious over you and that is good news!

So trust God no matter how intense the battle gets because He is protecting you and watching over you.

No plan of the enemy will succeed over you.

Blessings to you.

On one last note,

If you would like to support me financially in what I am doing here you can now do so with a few

dollars every month.

Simply click here to find out more.

Have a great weekend friends

Rolain

When The Enemy Has Appeared To Have Won, God Steps In!

“When Uriah’s wife heard that her husband was dead, she mourned for him.

After the time of mourning was over, David had her brought to his house,

and she became his wife, and bore him a son.

But the thing David had done displeased the Lord.’

2 Samuel 11:26, 27

We all know the story.

David slept with Bathsheba and to hide what he did, he got Uriah her husband killed.

That was a dark season in David’s life, if not THE darkest.

All seemed lost for him. The enemy appeared to have won against him but God stepped

in! He intervened in David’s hopeless situation.

He stepped in and pulled David out of the dark pit he was in.

When Nathan the prophet confronted David he was quick to confess his sin and received

forgiveness. But there was more…

“And David comforted Bathsheba his wife, and went in into her, and lay with her:

and she bare a son, called his name Solomon: and the Lord loved him.”

2 Samuel 12:24, 25

As I read that verse I had a thought. Why didn’t Solomon come from David’s other wife Abigail?

She was amazing and had less “baggage.”

But I believe God used Bathsheba because He wanted to make a statement.

God took the darkest and ugliest situation in David’s life and turned it around.

The enemy’s proof of victory was no more. The “souvenir” he kept with pride was now turned

into a testimony of God’s goodness, mercy and power.

He could no longer brag about the destruction he caused in David’s life because God redeemed

the situation!

And God will do the same for you and me.

He will take the enemy’s victories and turn them around into powerful testimonies of His goodness,

mercy and power!

Even if you have messed up big time and it seems like the enemy has won, he hasn’t. The Lord

has the final say. When He steps in there is nothing the enemy can do to stop Him.

Forgiveness, mercy and grace are a prayer away. Call on the Lord for help when you are in trouble.

Call on Him when sin has made you stumble.

He wants to help you.

And with that I have come to the end of the post.

If you would like to support what I am doing here financially, you can do so with a few dollars a month.

Click here to support me.

Bless you friends

Rolain

Zoom Out And See God’s Big Picture.

God has an amazing plan for our lives. But at times we can get so engrossed in the now, the present

and forget that God is moving in our lives.

We need to learn to regularly take a step back or zoom out.

I was given a picture of this as I played a game. The game is called, Guess The Picture.

And the point of the game is to decipher a magnified picture as quick as you can.

The game is best played with a group of people.

In the beginning, you can’t make out the picture because it is magnified to the max but when

the game starts the picture begins to zoom out and the picture gets clearer and clearer.

And that’s what happens when we are so zoomed in. The picture makes no sense because

it’s a blur.

But as we take a step back and look at the answered prayers, the breakthroughs, the things

God has done for us, we begin to realize that God really is in control. He knows exactly what

we are going through. Taking a step back strengthens our faith as we see God’s faithfulness.

But also remember that God is working through the tests and trials we face. They are not

meaningless or pointless.

Think about a an image for a moment.

What makes an image? Pixels right.

An image is comprised of millions of pixels.

But this is the thing, without pixels, there is no image. A picture cannot exist without pixels.

Pixels play a very important role in the formation of a picture and that is the same in our lives.

The difficult times, the trials, the tests, all have a purpose. We are learning to trust God more.

We are experiencing His faithfulness and greatness in the hard times.

We are growing in the midst of intense opposition.

So don’t disregard what you are going through today. It’s not meaningless or pointless.

God is working in the midst of the tests, trials and hardships. Trust Him.

As I close I want to remind you that God is at work in your life, even in the times when it doesn’t

seem like it. Take a step back and see His hand in every aspect of your life.

And if you like what I write and want to support me financially you can now do so by buying

me a coffee or two. I have signed up with “Buy Me A Coffee” and it’s an easy way to support me.

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God bless you friends

Rolain

How To Talk To “Giants”

How do you speak to the giants that come against you?

As I read the Bible this week there was a story that made me think about that.

There is a way we are meant to speak to giants. We are not supposed to

cower away in fear or terror because God is our Protector.

He is so much stronger than the giants we face

I was reading the story of David and Goliath in 1 Samuel 17:45-47 and there

were a few things that stuck out to me that I would like to share about how we

should speak to giants.

• David didn’t talk to Goliath about his strength. He spoke about God’s strength and power.
• David knew the battle wasn’t his but the Lord’s. He knew that the God who delivered him from lion and the bear would deliver him from Goliath.
• David never negotiated or pleaded with Goliath. He TOLD him what was going to happen to him.
• Because David had faith in God, he knew he was going to win.

We don’t have to let giants determine what happens to us.

Our faith in God will make us see giants differently and will make us talk differently because that’s what

happened to David. He didn’t run away in terror when he saw Goliath, he defeated him and told him

he was going to kill him.

Keep trusting the Lord and don’t let go. Let your faith be the driving force behind the words and actions

you speak and take against the giants that come against you.

And before I go I have some exciting news.

If you like what I do here and would like to support me financially, you can now do so.

With a coffee or coffees you can support on Buy Me A Coffee.

You can also become a member if you really enjoy what I do.

Click here.

And with that, I have come to the end of the post.

Bless you friends

Rolain

When The Battle Seems Lost, You Have Help.

“Then Samuel took a stone, and set it between Mizpeh and Shem,

and called the name of it Ebenezer, saying, Hitherto hath the Lord

helped us.”

1 Samuel 7:12

The Philistines came against Israel to wipe them out. They were strong

and powerful. It seemed like Israel had no chance but Samuel prayed

to the Lord for help and his prayer was heard.

He fought for Israel and won against the Philistines.

The Lord is your Stone of help. When it seems like the enemy is winning,

remember that you have help, God’s help. Call on Him in your time of

trouble. Don’t fear or lose hope. You have victory because God is your Helper!

“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God.

I will strengthen you and help you;

I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

Isaiah 41:10

Bless you friends

Rolain

Focus On God, Not Giants.

“Now when Joshua was near Jericho, he looked up and saw a man standing

in front of him with a drawn sword in his hand. Joshua went up to him and

asked, “Are you for us or for our enemies?

Neither he replied, but as commander of the army of the Lord I have now

come.”

Joshua 5:13, 14

Instead of focusing on Jericho, Joshua looked up and because he did He saw

the Commander of the Lord’s armies!

A lot of the time we spend so much time looking at the giants standing in our

way. We focus on all the things that are not working, the prayers that don’t seem

to be getting answered, and forget to look at God.

I have been guilty of this many times.

But we should be looking to God who is our Savior and our Strong Tower of Refuge.

He is stronger than every enemy we will ever face even if the giants standing in our

try to appear stronger than they really are.

So when Joshua changed his focus, he saw the Commander of the army of the Lord!

So who or what are you focused on today?

Take your eyes off the enemies in front of you and focus on the Lord who is your very

present help in time of need.

“I lift up my eyes to you,

to you who sit enthroned in heaven.

As the eyes of slaves look to the hand of their master,

as the eyes of a female slave look to the hand of her mistress,

so our eyes look to the Lord our God,

till he shows us his mercy.”

Psalm 123:1, 2

This post is inspired by a devotional from my book.

If you would like to get yourself a copy, click here.

• 

Bless you friends

Rolain

What Are You Asking God For?

“I am still as strong today as the day Moses sent me out;

I’m just as vigorous to go out to battle now as I was then.

Now give me this hill country that the Lord promised me

that day.”

Joshua 14:11, 12

Because Caleb had faith in God, he asked for the mountain God had

promised him.

He didn’t ask for the mountain because he was strong enough.

Giants still lived there and they were much stronger than Caleb and his tribe.

Where is your faith at today?

There is a direct correlation between the faith we have and the type of

requests we make. We see this pattern all throughout scripture.

Caleb’s faith in God determined his request. Even at eighty-five years

of age, he believed he could defeat giants!

Faith in God gets us to be bolder and more radical in our requests.

It’s also interesting to note, that God promised Caleb, Hebron but giants lived

there. In his own strength, Caleb would not be able to possess what God

promised him. It’s only by faith he would be able to receive what God promised him.

And that’s true for us too. God wants us to trust in Him

completely. It’s only by faith in God that we can receive what God has for us.

So as I come to the end of the post, I want to challenge you to look at your faith.

If you are struggling with your faith ask God for help.

It’s time to ask Him for your “mountain”.

And no matter what giants stand in the way trust God to fight on your behalf

as you claim your mountain.

Bless you friends

Rolain

No Matter How Bad Things Get, God Is With You.

I was having one of “those days” a few days ago.

You know, those days your faith is low and things don’t seem to be

happening. My prayers didn’t seem to be getting answered and for a

little bit, I thought God didn’t care. I actually thought He was ignoring me!

But later that day, the answer to my prayer came and God proved once again,

He can be trusted. I don’t like it when I doubt God and when I do it makes me

wonder. But I guess that’s part of the downside of being human. We are not

perfect and we make mistakes and that’s why we need a Savior, Jesus.

As I journaled the events of the day I penned these words, which are the title

of this blog post,

“No matter how bad things get, God is with me”

And it’s true. You may be having a bad day but I want to encourage you with this

truth. In the bible we see this truth in action.

In Luke 7:12-16 we see Jesus arriving to a city called Nain and there is a funeral procession

happening. A woman has lost her only son and she is going to bury him. Things are

really bad for her but at that moment, she meets Jesus. I don’t believe it was an accident

Jesus being there. I believe He went there FOR her. He wanted to help her at her lowest point.

And He did just that. He raised her son from the dead and gave him back to her.

When things were at their worst for the woman, Jesus stepped in and turned things

around for her.

So even when your hope and faith fail, remember, Jesus doesn’t fail.

He knows what you are going through and there is no problem you go through, that

God doesn’t see. Trust in Him no matter what happens.

Bless you friends!

Rolain

Faith Has A Voice!

“We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written,

I believed, and therefore have I spoken:

We also believe, and therefore we speak.”

2 Corinthians 4:13

What are you speaking today?

Are you speaking about everything that’s wrong in the world and all that’s not going

right for you or are you speaking out the faith, God has put in your heart because that’s

what you should be doing.

In the scripture above, Paul is talking about speaking what he believes, speaking what he

is trusting God to do for him and that is very important for us to.

There is power in our words so we should be very careful of the words that come out

of our mouths. Now, I am not saying we ignore all the bad things happening around us

and act like they don’t exist. What I am saying is that in the midst of the hardships, trials,

and challenges and when things don’t seem to be going our way, we should be speaking

out what we are trusting God to do for us.

Whether its healing, financial breakthrough,

whatever it is, we need to speak out our faith because faith has a voice so don’t remain silent!

Bless you friends

Have a great Easter/Passover weekend!

Rolain