For His glory…..

“Now as Jesus passed by, He saw a man who was blind

from birth.

And His disciples asked Him, saying, Rabbi, who sinned,

this man or his parents, that he was born blind?

 

Jesus answered, Neither this man nor his parents sinned,

but that the works of God should be revealed in him.

John 9:1-3

 

Isn’t it interesting how the disciples immedaitely pointed

to sin as the reason for the man being in the situation he was

in. Even Job had the same problem. His friends thought sin

was behind all the misfortune that befell him but that was

not the truth. It wasn’t true for Job, for the blind man and

it’s not true for you!

 

Jesus answered, neither this man nor his parents sinned, but

that the works of God should be revealed in Him.

John 9:3

 

I had a thought, maybe you haven’t received your

breakthrough because God wants to reveal His glory

and greatness through your situation!

 

Please get me here, I am not saying we must cross out

ourselves out as the problem. We could be the problem

to a lot of the problems we are facing. But what I am trying

to say is that there are things that are happening or

not happening because God wants to reveal His goodness

and glory in HIS time!

When the blind man received his sight that was a testimony

of how great God is but it happened at the right time.

When Job got his life back God got the glory even though

it didn’t make sense in the beginning. He didn’t

understand why the things that were happening were

happening. But God knew!

 

The problem comes when we look at how other people

are living and we begin to compare our lives to theirs.

Your life is in God’s hands and He is directing it. He has

a plan for you and it will come to pass.

Always remember, He wants to reveal His goodness and

greatness through you.

 

Hannah was in the same situation. She was barren but

wanted children. She could have wondered why that was

so. Did she think God favored Peninnah over her? Maybe.

Whatever the case, she was not in a good place. But God had

a plan. He would reveal His wonderful acts through Hannah!

Peninnah could bear children but Hannah bore Samuel!

It was worth the wait…..

 

I have to constantly remind myself that God has a plan

for me. He has not forgotten about me. Even if it seems

like it. My friends have moved on with thier lives. They

have families of their own, and so on and here I still am

waiting on God. But I am not upset. He has a plan.

His goodness and greatness will be manifested through

me I believe. I may not understand why some things

are the way they are but I trust God does…..and that’s

all that matters!

 

Don’t be discouraged friends. He will come through for you.

He will be magnified though your life. People won’t help

but praise God because of the things that are happening

in your life. He is so good!

 

Rolain

 

 

A place of mystery!

“Not long after that, Jesus went to the village Nain. His disciples were with him, along with quite a large crowd. As they approached the village gate, they met a funeral procession—a woman’s only son was being carried out for burial. And the mother was a widow. When Jesus saw her, his heart broke. He said to her, “Don’t cry.” Then he went over and touched the coffin. The pallbearers stopped. He said, “Young man, I tell you: Get up.” The dead son sat up and began talking. Jesus presented him to his mother.”
‭‭Luke‬ ‭7:11-15‬ ‭MSG‬‬

 

Hey everybody. I am so glad I got a chance to stop and write

something here in Australia. It’s been a great week so far. I can’t

believe a week has passed already. It’s been so much fun and

God has been showing me lots. I can’t wait to share what He has been

showing me which will come later in the days and weeks to come.

 

Anyway, I hope you all know the story I started with in Luke. It’s a

really interesting story and pretty straight forward. Jesus is on

His way to a village called Nain and as He approaches it He meets

people who are morning the death of a man, a widow’s son. He

was been carried out for burial. So as you can imagine, there is

mourning, and sadness. Anyway to cut a long story short Jesus

raises the man from the dead. What an amazing miracle! Look at

what the next verse says:

 

“They all realized they were in a place of holy mystery, that God was at work among them. They were quietly worshipful—and then noisily grateful, calling out among themselves, “God is back, looking to the needs of his people!” The news of Jesus spread all through the country.”
‭‭Luke‬ ‭7:16-17‬ ‭MSG‬‬

When Jesus raised the man from the dead the people realized they

were in a place of holy mystery!! They realized that God was at work

among them.

This is the thing I want you to see. We are always in a place of holy

mystery because God is always at work among us. We may not

recognize it at times but it’s the truth. Coming to Ausstralia made

me realize how true that was. As I reflected on all that is happening

in my life right now, It is clear to see that God is at work in my

life, I am in a place of holy mystery and I thank Him for that.

You are in a place of holy mystery friend. God is doing stuff in your

life even if it’s difficult to understand, even if it seems like you are

facing a wall. If it’s hard for you to see it then ask Him to show you.

Let’s not be familiar with the things God is doing in our lives.

We make the mistake of thinking that the place of holy mystery is only

found in the big things God is doing but it’s just not true. He is in the

small, simple things as well. You have a job, you have the gift of life,

you are healed, you have a loving family, your sins are forgiven!

The list goes on and on!

As I end please understand you are in a place of a holy mystery!

 

Rolain

 

When the fire becomes too much…….

 

“SO, SINCE Christ suffered in the flesh for us, for you, arm yourselves with the same thought and purpose [patiently to suffer rather than fail to please God]. For whoever has suffered in the flesh [having the mind of Christ] is done with [intentional] sin [has stopped pleasing himself and the world, and pleases God],”
‭‭1 Peter‬ ‭4:1‬ ‭AMP‬‬

Jesus was on a mission here on earth. He was here to fulfill

the call of God on His life. Was it easy??

Far from it. He encountered some really hard times. The

Pharisees constantly opposed Him. People left Him because

they didn’t understand Him. His disciples didn’t believe He

was who He said He was. There was constant doubt, fear, and

who knows what else. Why am I sharing this?

 

I am am sharing this because in life we walk through the fire.

But as we walk through it we need to remember what Christ

went through. There will be times the fire becomes too much

and in those times we NEED to remember Christ. We need to

patiently suffer the things we are facing. Why? That is what Christ

did. He could of given up or commanded an army of angels to

come and take out the people who were trying to kill Him but

He patiently endured the suffering.

 

As Austraila is around the corner I have been in a fire. It’s totally

unrelated to my trip but involves something very close to my heart.

It doesn’t even make sense. I am literally in a fire and it feels like it’s

too much. I wanted to give up. I wanted to throw in the towel.

Then there were days when I thought I could shrink back.

Crazy right. But then I read the scripture I shared in the

beginning of this post and a few things were revealed to me.

In the fire I need to hold on. In the fire I got to keep the main

thing the main thing. There is a purpose in the fire. God is testing

me.

 

“Beloved, do not be amazed and bewildered at the fiery ordeal which is taking place to test your quality, as though something strange (unusual and alien to you and your position) were befalling you. But insofar as you are sharing Christ’s sufferings, rejoice, so that when His glory [full of radiance and splendor] is revealed, you may also rejoice with triumph [exultantly].”
‭‭1 Peter‬ ‭4:12-13‬ ‭AMP‬‬

 

I read this and was like what????

Firstly, I must not be amazed in the fire. There is a purpose in the

fire. The next thing the word tells me is to rejoice!! If I am sharing

Christ’s sufferings then I should rejoice! If I endure there will

be a glory that will be revealed and that is why I am to rejoice.

I will triumph, I will win says the word. The fire won’t consume

me. Even when the fire seems too much, even when it seems

too strong for me I must rejoice. There is a glory that will be

revealed if I hold on.

Are you in a fire right now? Are you on the verge of giving up?

My word to you is hold on. Jesus has a plan in the fire.

He will bring you out of it. The fire is meant to make us stronger,

not so we can go through it alone but stronger in our faith in

God. Christ knows exactly what we are facing. We are not in it

alone. Be encouraged…….

 

photo credit: google images

 

Rolain

 

 

 

 

 

I was totally clueless until…..

Jesus said to them: “Watch out that no one deceives you. 

Mark 13:5

 

The disciples asked Jesus about the end times and it’s

interesting to me what He said to them.

There is no doubt in my mind that we are living in the end

times. This week in our weekly bible study as a church,

Mark 13 was the main focus. There are a few things that stood

out in that lesson that I would like to share with you.

 

In talking about the end times, Jesus warns us against being

deceived. In the end times the enemy will try and deceive as

many people as he can. Are you deceived?

Before you answer the question I want to ask you another question,

How does one know he or she is deceived???

 

Jesus made it very clear that in the end times the enemy would

try his very best to deceive us. We are in the end times so the

enemy is at work trying to deceive us.

Just last week God uncovered deception in my heart. The thing

about deception is this, it’s subtle. It creeps in like a thief in the

night without a trace. That is what happened to me.

I was deceived about the way I thought about life. I had a way

of looking at life that was wrong but I didn’t even know it!

Who knows how long I was deceived. All I know is that it was

years!!!!

Yep, that long and I didn’t even know I was deceived. Anyway last

week on my off day as I was spending time with God reading

His word, the light came on! It was like scales fell off my eyes

and for the first time I saw clearly. I saw right through the lies

and deception. I couldn’t believe I never saw it.

 

Jesus knew how real the danger was. How many times in that

passage does He warn us to watch and be alert??!!!!

 

“For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and perform

signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect.

So be on your guard; I have told you everything ahead of time.

Mark 13: 22, 23

 

How do you guard yourself against being deceived?

Be in the spirit, be in the word constantly, pray

as much as you can! I wasn’t doing these things that much.

Yes I would pray but not enough.

I would read my word but not enough

 

The word of God will expose deception in our lives.

 

Watch what you listen to and what you see. Left unchecked

you will be deceived.  Let me give you an example:

Things in my country are critical at the moment. People are losing

their jobs, corruption is at an all time high. Things don’t look

good.

The enemy is deceiving people by making them believe the

situation is hopeless. Christians are not tithing because things

are difficult but they have been deceived. God is the One who

provides for us and makes a way and that is why we can tithe

in the most trying of times. He is the God who makes a way in

the wilderness! But see how easy deception comes.

We need to watch and be alert! We can all be deceived. No one

is exempt.

I encourage you to look at your life and ask the Holy Spirit to

reveal any deception that is in your life. Remember what I said

in the beginning. It is hard to detect deception.

Anything that does not line up with the word of God is deception!

As I end I will leave you with this;

 

What I say to you, I say to everyone: ‘Watch!’ 

Mark 13:37

 

photo credit: google images

 

Rolain

Why “perfect” doesn’t work with God……!

In the past two weeks I have been feeling inadequate, not enough, useless, for the purpose God has for me. A door of opportunity has opened up for me but instead of proudly walking through it I have had doubts and more doubts! I have second guessed my ability and come up with a conclusion:

I am not the right person for the job. I am unequipped and unqualified for this. 

But as I had that thought I was reminded of Jesus and the disciples! Jesus had chosen them, entrusted them with the job of spreading the good news after He was gone! They would be His hands and feet, they were to be His voice! They had some VERY big shoes to fill….

These are the men Jesus called:

– They couldn’t stay up and pray with Jesus in His most trying time!  Matthew 26:45

– They fled and abandoned Him when He needed them the most. Matthew 26:56

– Peter denied Him.  Matthew 26:74, 75

– They struggled to understand what Jesus was saying a lot of the time! Matthew 15:16

– They couldn’t cast out a demon because they lacked faith.                 Mark 9: 17, 18, 19

– They fought among themselves.   Luke 22:24

 

This is what Jesus had to work with. These men who had so many faults, these men who let Him down so much, these are the men who turned the world upside down for Jesus. They gave their all for Him! These were the men Jesus commissioned to spread the good news! Despite their flaws Jesus used them and He still does the same thing today!

God knows your faults, your weaknesses, your failings, but He has CHOSEN YOU!

Don’t think He has made a mistake because He hasn’t!

Whatever your weakenesses know that He wants to use you! Will you let Him use you??

Don’t believe the lie that God can’t use you because you are not perfect! We are far from perfect but God can still use us!

As you can see, my fears and anxieties were very irrational. After having those feelings I realised something, God wants me to trust Him every step of the way. He knew I wasn’t qualified but He wanted me to trust Him to guide me.

I have a sneaking feeling this won’t be the last time He calls me to something out of my depth! My purpose is way out of my depth not because He is mean but because He wants me to trust Him. If I can accomplish my purpose in my own strength how would God be glorified?

God’s calling is always bigger than you, it is always out of your depth! With all your faults and short comings He wants you to trust Him! He has an amazing plan for your life…..!

Rolain

 

 

The “Man” who walked out on a city………!!

That evening, after the sun was down, they brought sick and evil-afflicted people to Him, the whole city lined up at His door! He cured their sick bodies and tormented spirits. Because the demons knew His true identity, he didn’t let them say a word. 

While it was still night, way before dawn, He got up and went out to a secluded spot and prayed. Simon and those with Him went looking for Him. They found Him and said, “Everybody’s looking for You.”

Jesus said, “Let’s go to the rest of the villages so i can preach there also. That is why I’ve come.”   Mark 1:32-39 

 

I guess the disciples were pretty confused! Why did Jesus want to go to another town when the whole city was lined up at their door??!!! It was something they probably couldn’t comprehend. They had become rock stars literally overnight, people knew them by name but the star of the show wanted to leave, let me rephrase that, was leaving…..!

It wasn’t like they were doing something meaningless. They were teaching the masses, healing the sick, casting out demons and so much more, amazing things were happening at that place, but Jesus wanted to leave..!!!

They were popular but that was not enough of a reason for Jesus to stay. Have we missed something in this day and age? It seems like being popular takes precedence over everything else.

Jesus didn’t do what he did so He could be popular. He wasn’t looking at how many “likes” or “comments” he got. His mission was to save us and that took precedence over everything else!

He wept for people, His heart broke for people, He reached out to the outcasts, He ministered to the little children, and the list goes on and on…..He did things that made Him unpopular but that didn’t matter……the call of God on His life was more important to Him. Please understand what I am saying, I am not attacking you if you have a large following and I am not saying get rid of your following if you have one….Jesus was always been followed but his focus remained on the real mission, saving people! The magnitude of the people that followed Him didn’t change His focus.

What is important to you as you live this life? Is being popular more important than ministry? Does it take precedence over everything else in your life? Let us evaluate our hearts as we walk the path God has set before us.

While it was still night, way before dawn, He got up and went out to a secluded spot and prayed. Simon and those with Him went looking for Him. they found Him and said, Everybody’s looking for you.” Jesus said, “Let’s go to the rest of the villages so i can preach there also.” This is why I’ve come. Mark 1:38, 39.

Jesus was clear about what was important to Him after he prayed. He may have been clear before but the word showed Him going to pray and making a non-negotiable decision. You may be confused about your purpose or confused about what is important but prayer will make it clear, very clear! That is how powerful prayer is…….

Rolain

 

What you need to know about times and seasons…..

THOUGHT OF THE DAY

When they were together for the last time they asked, “Master, are you going to restore the kingdom to Israel now? Is this the time?”

He told them, “You don’t get to know the time. Timing is the Father’s business. What you’ll get is the Holy Spirit. And when the Holy Spirit comes on you, you will be able to be my witnesses in Jerusalem, all over Judea and Samaria, even to the ends of the world.”   Acts 1;6-8

I was reading my bible when this passage jumped out at me. After the resurrection Jesus was with his disciples and they asked Him about the restoration of Israel. His answer is what has been resonating within me.  

“You don’t get to know the time. Timing is the Father’s business.”  Acts 1:7   (The Message)

I will stop right there. There have been so many things I have wondered about. When God, when? has been a frequent question. But the word is clear, Timing is the Father’s business! God knows where I am at, He knows where you at. He has not forgotten about you. Everything will happen at the right time. If things haven’t happened then the timing is not right yet. 

Be patient and trust in the Lord. Whatever you are waiting for and trusting God for this year know that, Timing is the Father’s business!!!

Rolain

Is the issue really about faith…..???!!!

The apostles came up and said to the Master,”Give us more faith.”                             But the Master said, “You don’t need more faith. There is no ‘more’ or ‘less’ in faith. if you have a bare kernel of faith, say the size of a poppy seed, you could say to this sycamore tree, ‘Go jump in the lake’, and it would do it.  Luke 17:5,6

Faith as small as a poppy seed!!!!!!

This is a very interesting verse. I have been meditating on it for a few days. Why did the disciples ask Jesus for more faith? Maybe they saw all the miracles been done by Jesus and thought they couldn’t match up? Whatever the reason, they asked. I was very intrigued by Jesus answer. He didn’t tell them to read more of the word to get more faith, or pray harder. He told them they didn’t need more faith!

We know from the word that everyone is given a measure of faith:

For through the grace given to me I say to every one among you not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think; but to think so as to have sound judgement, as God has allotted to each a measure of faith. Romans 12:3

So what does Jesus mean in Luke 17:5,6??? This is what I think He means. He is saying that you have enough faith for whatever situation you are going through. The faith you have can raise people from the dead! Let me rephrase that. The faith we have been given can raise the dead, heal the sick, make a difference in this world. The faith we have is enough but why are we not seeing the results that Jesus had? Why are we still in debt or in sickness and all the other ‘bad’???? Why doesn’t the sick person we pray for get healed? Why does it seem at times like God, has ignored us?

It’s amazing to think that the faith we have is enough to get us out of the storms and trials we face. No matter how small your faith may seem, know that it is sufficient.  But the question still needs to be answered, why are the results not manifesting?

Doubt and fear are two of the main things that kill faith. They are not the only things but they are two of the main things. You cannot operate in faith when you are fearful or in doubt! You cannot operate in faith if you are speaking negatively over your storm, “I am broke”, “I am going to die of this sickness”, “I will never be rich”, “everything I do collapses”, “I am not good at anything”, “I will never get married”, “I will not be able to send my kids to school”………… You cannot operate in faith when you are talking like that. You cannot operate in faith if you don’t believe in God. Murmuring and complaining will kill your faith. This is just a small list of things that will kill your faith.

What do we need to do to experience the results Jesus experienced? What are we supposed to do if we are going to see that mountain move or the sycamore tree jump in the lake? We need to protect our faith. One way of doing that is by reading the word. The word of God will strengthen our faith. The word will strengthen your faith.

You have enough faith to face the storms that come your way. You have enough faith to accomplish what God has called you to do. No matter how small you think your faith is, you have the potential to change the world. No matter how small you think your faith is, know that you can get out of the storm. Your faith is enough………..

What an amazing thought!!!!

Rolain

Why Are You Afraid???

But as they were sailing, He fell off to sleep. And a whirlwind revolving from below upwards swept down on the lake, and the boat was filing with water and they were in great danger.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              And the disciples came and woke Him, saying, Master, Master, we are perishing! And He, being thoroughly awakened, censured and blamed and rebuked the wind and the raging waves: and they ceased, and there came a calm.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  And He said to them, [Why are you so fearful?] Where is your faith (your trust, your confidence in Me – in My veracity and My integrity)? And they were seized with alarm and profound and reverent dread, and they marveled saying  to one another, Who then is this, that He commands even wind and sea, and they obey Him.  Luke 8:23-25

This story always amazes me and it’s what I have been thinking about today. The disciples were in real danger. There lives were at risk. So their answer is totally normal. But why would Jesus answer them like that. Why did He equate their fear as a lack of faith in Him? When your life is in mortal danger the normal response would be to respond the way they did or is it? That got me thinking. Is it that, God wants us to look to Him first no matter what trouble comes? What is your natural reaction when trouble comes? Let me give you an example of what i am talking about. A lot of change has been happening at work and the first time I was told I freaked out! I was so scared. I was thinking about moving jobs and I was thinking about how I would not be able to meet the new standards. “I am in deep trouble”, I told myself! Extreme, yes!! But that is what was going through my mind. My situation was serious and the changes were happening but the way I was reacting was not in faith. I really felt challenged about trusting God in this situation. Instead of allowing all the negative thoughts to come I felt challenged to bring the situation to Him and simply trust Him to help me. I hope that makes sense in context of the scripture I shared.

God wants us to look to Him all the time. As hard as it is and in the face of real dangers He wants us to learn to call Him first. Responding in fear just shows our lack of faith in His power. The fact that Jesus was on the boat made the difference. Jesus has saved us and calls us His sons and daughters and that makes all the difference. It is understandable if a non-christian doesn’t call on God because they have no one to help them but we don’t have an excuse. We have a Savior and He gave His life for us. Let us trust Him completely for help.

Rolain

 

What Does It Mean To Follow Jesus??

 

But Jesus said to him, Follow Me, and leave the dead [in sin] to bury their own dead.
And after He got into the boat, His disciples followed Him.
And suddenly, behold, there arose a violent storm on the sea, so that the boat was being covered up by the waves; but He was sleeping.
Matthew 8:22-24

As I was reading this passage of scripture something caught my attention. The word says, after Jesus got into the boat, His disciples got into the boat and suddenly there arose a violent storm! Not just a storm but a violent storm. Why did Jesus go on to the boat then? In fact why did He allow the disciples to follow Him onto the boat?? I am sure He knew a storm would come. They could of stayed on  land until the storm passed but instead He went on to the boat! The disciples had no idea what they were getting themselves into.
It is not easy following Jesus. A lot of people think it is but it’s not! Following Jesus doesn’t guarantee a pain free life. In fact it might mean more challenges and more trouble but why???

The answer is found further down in the scripture I shared. The disciples were freaking out. They thought they were in mortal danger!!! (Matthew 8:25)
And that is the thing about this walk we have chosen. The danger is real. The trials are real. The troubles we face can take us out! As the disciples thought they would die so it is with us. But Jesus had a plan. He wasn’t taking them into the storm for the fun of it. He wanted to teach them something. He wanted them to learn something.

And He said to them, Why are you timid and afraid, O you of little faith? Then He got up and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great and wonderful calm (a perfect peaceableness). Matthew 8:26

Jesus equated their fear and timidity for a lack of faith!!! Very interesting….They were not over reacting when they were asking Jesus to save them. The storm was real, the boat was sinking so one would think their reaction was totally normal but no, Jesus equated it to lack of faith!!!!
In the storm we need to trust God. He is the ONLY One who can get us out of it. The only One!!
Your foreboding and anxious thoughts and your fear are showing Him how much you DON’T trust Him!!
Fear is a natural response to danger but how we respond when fear comes is important.

I want you to know, Jesus is with you in the storm. He wants your faith. Will you stop looking at the magnitude of the storm and turn to Him in faith? He will save you. He wants to strengthen your faith in Him. He is good. He does not allow storms into our lives for the fun of it. He has a plan.

Rolain