The war we find ourselves in……

“Then the dragon was enraged at the woman and went off to make war against the rest

of her offspring – those who obey God’s commandments and hold to the testimony of Jesus.”

Revelation 12:17

 

As I read this scripture a few days ago certain things began to make sense.

The hardships I face when I try to live for YAH, the difficult times,

the distractions that get in the way EVERY TIME I decide to spend time with Him,

the sin that so easily begets me,

it’s all part of the enemies plan to derail me….us.

The shame, the disappointments, the condemnation, the unforgiveness that you carry is all

part of the arsenal he uses.

 

The enemy has declared war on us.

His plan is to kill, steal, and destroy and that doesn’t only mean physically.

He wants to destroy any hope that we have, he wants to destroy the dreams YAH has placed

in our hearts.

He wants to destroy everything good in our lives.

He doesn’t want to see us happy, prospering, winning, and at peace.

 

I am reminded of Lazarus when he was raised from the dead. That was a joyous time for him

and his sisters. He died and was now alive! What a miracle, what a moment!

And yet…..there were still people who were angry that Yeshua raised him from the dead!!!!

It dumbfounds me totally!!

 

“Then many of the Jews who had come to Mary, and had seen the things Jesus did,

believed in Him.

But some of them went away to the Pharisees and told them the things Jesus did.

Then the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered a council and said, “What shall we do?

For this Man works many signs. “

John 11:45-47

 

The Pharisees were supposed to be rejoicing and praising YAH for the miracle they had just

witnessed and heard about but that didn’t happen. That is an accurate picture of how the enemy

thinks about us.

The enemy doesn’t want anything good happening to us.

 

THE GOOD NEWS

I don’t know if he understands this but no matter how much he wants us to fail, and see

us destroyed it’s not his call!!

He is a defeated foe and doesn’t have any say in the matter.

Yeshua paid for us when He sacrificed Himself on the cross.

The enemy has declared war on us but he will not win. We belong to Yeshua now.

The enemy has no say about what happens in our lives.

Bad things happen because we live in a broken world but Yeshua will carry us

through all the trials we face.

 

“Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all. “

Psalms 34:19

 

We will fall down for sure but the enemy will not keep us down, he is not strong enough to keep us down.

The Lord will keep picking us up and there is nothing he can do about that.

 

“For a righteous man may fall seven times and rise again, but the wicked shall fall by calamity.”

Proverbs 24:16

 

The most elaborate thought out plan of the enemy will always be stifled by YAH. It will not

succeed against you.

 

“No weapon formed against you shall prosper, and every tongue which rises against you in

judgement You shall condemn.”

Isaiah 54:17

 

We need to trust Yeshua every step of the way.

When we fall we need to confess our sins.

When we are weak we must call out to Him for help.

He is the One who will keep us.

In our own strength we don’t stand a chance against the enemy but only as

we look to the Lord do we have a chance.

The enemy has declared war on us, yes,  but he has been defeated.

Yeshua is with us protecting us against the enemy!

That is really good news!

 

Bless you friends…..

 

Rolain

 

 

 

 

Thinking about the next generation…….

It’s been an amazing weekend indeed.

If you didn’t know, I work at my church’s children’s ministry. It’s such an honor

working there.

This weekend was amazing because we had a grade seven graduation. Grade seven’s

are twelve year old’s and every year we release them from children’s ministry with a

dinner and graduation. The dinner happens on a Friday night and the actual graduation

happens on Sunday in the main service. It was really emotional because as leaders we

have been with the children from the time they were six. So seeing them become

men and women of God before our very eyes is something so amazing that cannot be put into words.

My desire for them is that they grow deeper into YAH and not stray from the

path they are on.

 

But that got me thinking about the next generation. We need to do all that we can to teach them

the way of the Lord!

You may not be serving in a children’s ministry like I do but I want to challenge you,

 

Is there something you can do?

 

I encourage you to read Deuteronomy 6:6.

I know it addresses the parents but we can get involved!

David writes in the book of Psalms,

 

“So even to old age and gray hairs, O God, do not forsake me, until I proclaim Your might

to another generation, your power to all those to come. “

Psalm 71:18

 

There is a generation that is coming that needs to know there is a God who

loves them and has a plan for their lives.

There is a generation that needs to know there is a God who will never forsake them.

There is so much they need to know about YAH and His ways……

 

The enemy doesn’t want the next generation to grow up knowing YAH.

He wants to take them out. But we can’t let him!

When YAH sees you, He doesn’t just see you, He sees the generations in you.

Look at Abraham.

YAH had a plan for his life and that plan included the generations in him!

So I will ask the question again,

 

Is there a way you can touch the next generation?

 

Bless you friends

 

Rolain

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Even when you don’t sense it, He is with you!

In the midst of pain, confusion, storms, uncertainty, unrest, fear and

all the other stuff we are not alone.

Things are a bit crazy at the moment in my country.

But in the midst of the craziness I know YAH is with me. I don’t know what’s going to

happen but that’s okay because I am not in this alone.

I will keep looking to YAH for it’s in Him my hope lies.

 

I was so encouraged as I read the story of Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-Nego this week.

It put things into perspective for me.

The king made a statue and decreed that everyone bow down to it when they heard the sound

of music. (Daniel 3:4)

But the three friends refused to bow down to the image.

Because of that they were in serious trouble. They had to bow down or be thrown in the furnace!

(Daniel 3:6)

 

The whole city was against them. It seemed like they would die because of their

decision. No one came forward to defend them.

It was the three friends against Babylon and it seemed like they would lose.

But something amazing happened,

 

“Therefore, because the king’s command was urgent, and the furnace exceedingly hot,

the flame killed those men who took up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego. And these

three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego, fell down bound into the midst of the burning

fiery furnace.

Then King Nebuchadnezzar was astonished; and he rose in haste and spoke, saying to his

counselors, “Did we not cast three men bound into the midst of the fire?

They answered and said to the king, “True, O king.”

“Look! he answered, I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire;

and they are not hurt, and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God.”

Daniel 3: 22-25

 

YAH was with them all along even in the fire! The fire was intense but they were not hurt by it because

YAH was with them. He wasn’t watching from a distance. He was right there with them!

That really encouraged me and I hope it does you.

We are not alone. No matter what we facing at the moment He is with us right

by our side. There is nothing to panic and fret about.

Not only is He with us but He will deliver us. He will save us from whatever is threatening

to drown us.

So don’t panic and fret when storms, fear, and uncertainty come.

He is with you through it all and will carry you. He will protect you.

Look to Him in whatever situation you going through.

 

Bless you friends

 

Rolain

 

There is a “truth” that limits and disarms us…..

I read something very interesting a few days ago on one of the writer’s platforms I am

on. The writer was talking about how hard (impossible) it is for African writer’s to be

authors! He talked about the odds an African writer has to be a success.

But this guy had done his homework. He wasn’t just winging the article. It wasn’t

some random post he did on the spur of the moment. It wasn’t a mash up of thoughts from someone

who didn’t know what he was talking about. On the contrary, It was a well researched article. He had

the stats to prove his point, results from surveys and so on. It was a really well written,

accurate post.

Even though the the facts were there, even though I could see the graphs and the results of

surveys done I didn’t believe it. Even though it was a well written article the truth he was

talking about was “his truth.”

It’s a truth the author experienced in his own journey but it doesn’t have to be my truth!

 

 

I won’t except his truth. If I do, then as a writer I am doomed. I would better just stop now or

minimize the dream to a size that fits that truth! (That’s not going to happen)

We need to be very careful about the truth we are hearing on a daily basis. There is only one

truth and that is the Word of God. All other “truth”can and should be challenged and examined.

The other problem is this, just because someone is an “expert”in a certain area we easily accept

what he or she has to say. Again, we need to be very careful about the “experts” we allow to speak

into our lives.

I am not advocating you not listen to anyone but to simply be careful about the truths you accept.

Make sure the people you listen to have your back. Make sure they are passionate about you fulfilling

God’s call on your life. Make sure they are not intimidated by you.

 

So as I conclude I want you to think about something;

 

What “truth”are you living by today?

Is the “truth”you living by the real truth?

Is the “truth” you living by limiting you? Do you have to adjust your dreams because

of the “truth”you are living by?

 

Remember that the only truth that is beyond contention is the Word of God.

That is the truth we are to live by and accept wholeheartedly.

All other truth no matter how water tight it seems can be contested and challenged.

Analyze the truth you live by today and hold it up to the unchanging word of God.

Does it line up to the word or does it contradict it?

If it contradicts the word of God you probably shouldn’t be living by it…..discard it!

If it lines up, you are on the right track!

 

Bless you friends

 

Rolain

 

What choice will you make when life looks bleak?

“Peace I leave with you; My [own] peace I now give and bequeath to you.

Not as the world gives do I give to you.

Do not let your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. [Stop

allowing yourselves to be agitated and disturbed; and do not permit

yourselves to be fearful and intimidated and cowardly and unsettled.]

John 14:27

 

We have a choice today.

When things are at their worst we can respond in fear. We can begin

to panic and fret. We can talk about how we are doomed. We can talk about

how are going to suffer. We can let dread take over.

We can choose hopelessness.

 

Or we can listen to what Yeshua is telling us.

When the pressure is on, when the news is bad, when the bank account runs dry,

when we get denied a promotion, when we get falsely accused and the list goes on

we must not let our hearts be troubled. We need to bring that thing that is troubling

us to YAH. We shouldn’t let our heart be afraid. Declare YAH’s word where there is fear!

 

You can’t walk in faith if you are in fear.

Stop allowing yourselves to be agitated and disturbed!

Don’t give fear an inch. Don’t let anxious thoughts have their way in your mind.

Bring all your anxious thoughts to YAH. Don’t hold on to them.

Bring all your concerns to Him. Don’t try and deal with them on your own.

Bring all your fears to Him. If kept, you won’t be able to walk in faith!

And through whatever storm you going through ask YAH for peace!

 

Bless you friends

 

Rolain

What do we do when life doesn’t go the way we expect??

Living out God’s plan for my life has not gone anything like I expected!!

There have been turns, twists and surprising additions but nothing like I expected.

There have been difficult things I had to wrestle with.

There have been disappointments.

And as I write this post I still don’t have the full picture of YAH’s plan for my life!

Can anyone else identify??

 

Even though there is a lot I am still in the dark about concerning YAH’s purpose for my

life one thing remains, my faith in Him!

When we talk about purpose we need to talk about faith. Without faith in YAH we will

not accomplish His plan for our lives.

We may not make sense of what’s happening but we need to trust Him.

It may not happen like we imagine but we must trust!

 

And this is the thing, faith must be exercised every step of the way.

Think about the Israelites for a bit. YAH had a plan for them;

to take them out of Egypt (bondage) to bring them to Canaan (a land

flowing with milk and honey).  (Exodus 3:17)

A trip that was supposed to take eleven days took forty years! (Deuteronomy 1:2)

They consistently doubted YAH’s goodness, mercy and faithfulness.

They had a crazy amount of things happen to them along the way and things could have

turned out differently for them if they only trusted but as we know it didn’t.

They didn’t get into the promise land because of their unbelief.

Without faith in YAH we will fail. I want to share a scripture that

emphasizes the importance of faith in the life of a believer;

 

“Thus says the Lord: Cursed [with great evil] is the strong man who trusts in and

relies on frail man, making weak [human] flesh his arm, whose mind and heart turn

aside from the Lord.

For he shall be like a shrub or a person naked and destitute in the desert; and he

shall not see any good come, but shall dwell in the parched places in the

wilderness, in an uninhabited salt land.”

Jeremiah 17:5, 6

 

Before I carry on I want to say something. The price for relying on our own

strength or another man’s strength is steep. The message is very clear for

those who don’t put their trust in YAH.

This is not a scare tactic to get you to trust In YAH.

 

He wants us to come to that revelation on our own. He wants us to realize

that we can call to Him when things are not going our way. He wants us

to know that we can call on Him always! He loves us deeply and He

can be trusted. His desire is to see us accomplish all that He has planned

for us.

Let’s carry on;

 

“[Most] blessed is the man who believes in, trusts in, and relies on the Lord,

and whose hope and confidence the Lord is.

For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters that spread out its roots by the

river; and it shall not see and fear when the heat comes; but its leaf shall be green. 

It shall not be anxious and full of care in the year of drought, nor shall it cease

yielding fruit. “

Jeremiah 17:7, 8

 

God has amazing things in store for us but we need to walk by faith.

Things may not go as we expect but faith in Him will keep us steady.

We may have no clue about the next step but faith will keep us moving.

Faith in YAH will preserve us when the fire comes, when the doubts rise.

We don’t need to see the whole picture to accomplish our purpose, we

need faith!

Let’s always walk in complete trust no matter what comes our way!

Bless you friends

 

Rolain

 

The word you need to hear when you are in a difficult place…..

“Now a certain man was sick, Lazarus of Bethany, the town of

Mary and her sister Martha.”

John 11:1

 

Mary and Martha were going through a really hard time. Their brother

Lazarus was very sick. They must of thought the sickness was serious

if they had to send for Jesus.

 

“Therefore the sisters sent to Him saying, “Lord, behold, he whom You love

is sick.”

John 11:3

 

Yeshua’s response is something I really believe we need to embrace and receive

in this season. The world around us is crumbling. The systems that have been established

for so long are shaking and breaking.

Can we keep on looking to man as things are getting crazy and crazy?

How can we explain the pressure that we experience on a day to day basis??

Let’s look at Yeshua’s response after being told that Lazarus was sick;

 

“When Jesus heard that, He said, “This sickness is not unto death,

but for the glory of God, and the Son of God may be glorified

through it.”

John 11:4

 

The amazing thing is this, Yeshua knew things would get harder for the

sisters. He knew Lazarus would die. And that’s what makes His declaration

so powerful.

Through Lazarus sickness and eventual death Yeshua knew He would be glorified

because He would have the opportunity to show the people His power!

He would have an opportunity to show the people how weak the enemy really was

by raising Lazarus from the dead!

That’s amazing to think!!

 

The enemy may try to lie to you that he is more powerful than God but he really isn’t.

Your pain and hardship is an opportunity for Yeshua to be glorified.

Understand this, He doesn’t go around causing chaos so He can then come in and

save the day. If He did, then we would be in real trouble.

The God we serve is loving and merciful. He would never let harm come to us. It’s the enemy that

goes around causing chaos hoping we would be destroyed in the process. But like I said, the enemy

is not as strong as he thinks he is.He is a defeated foe!!

 

The enemy thought he had dealt this family the ultimate blow but he was SO wrong!

He had no idea that the evil he had planned would be an opportunity for Yeshua to be

glorified. Let’s look at how badly he was beaten;

 

“Now a great many of the Jews knew that He was there; and they came, not for Jesus’

sake only, but that they might also see Lazarus, whom He had raised from the dead.

But the chief priests plotted to put Lazarus to death also, because on account of him many

of the Jews went away and believed in Jesus. ” (emphasis mine)

John 12:9-11

 

The enemy was defeated badly!

So in your situation know that the enemy has no chance. It may seem like he has the

upper hand at the moment but YAH will turn your situation around because He is stronger

and has already defeated him!

 

I want to show you one more thing,

 

“Then many of the Jews who had come to Mary, and had seen the things Jesus did,

believed in Him.

But some of them went away to the Pharisees and told them the things Jesus did.”

 

“Then from that day on, they plotted to put Him to death.”

John 11:45, 11:53

 

After reading the response to the amazing miracle Yeshua performed by

some of the Jews and the Pharisees one things is clear to me.

 

The enemy hates all that is good!

 

What an amazing miracle Yeshua performed but there were still people who

totally missed it. All they had was hate in their hearts for Yeshua.

They even went as far as plotting the death of Lazarus who did nothing but

get raised from the dead!! That really gives us insight into what the enemy really thinks

about YAH and us.

 

Let that sink in, the enemy hates all that is good and I don’t just mean that in a general way,

he also hates everything good in your life!

He doesn’t want anything good happening for you. He would love it

if he could take you out. He wants to see you discouraged and hopeless.

It would bring him satisfaction to see you fail and miss YAH. He hates

you and wants you gone! Let me rephrase that, he hates us and wants

us gone!

 

But we are under the protection of the Almighty! No matter how hard he tries

and no matter what kind of weapons he fashions they will not prevail over us

because we belong to YAH. He is protecting and watching over us.

In the hard times have faith. Look to YAH. He will carry you through.

He will be glorified in your dark times. The enemy may try but he cannot respond

to that truth!

Praise to Yeshua!!

Bless you friends!

 

Rolain