Surrounded…

There are times when it feels like the enemy has us surrounded and is going to finish off the job.

Times when it seems like we are about to be overrun and left for dead.

But in those times there is hope for us.

I was encouraged as I read the Word a few days ago.

The king of Aram wanted to get rid of Elisha so he found out where he was and at night had the place

where he was surrounded. In the morning Elisha’s servant saw the army surrounding the city and he

freaked out. He went to Elisha to tells him the “bad news” but Elisha was as cool as a cucumber.

This is what Elisha said to him,

“Fear not, for they that be with us are more than they that be with them.”

2 Kings 6:17

But Elisha went further. He prayed that his servant’s eyes be opened and after the prayer the servant saw the

hills filled with a great and mighty heavenly host outnumbering the enemy.

And that is what I want to encourage you with. Just like the servant saw, there are more with you than they

that are against you. It doesn’t matter how many enemies come against you, the fact and truth remains.

Let go of the fear and trust the Lord. He is fighting for you and is stronger and far greater than any enemy

that threatens you.

“Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war should rise up against me,

in this will I be confident.”

Psalm 27:3

God bless you friends and have a great weekend

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

Unstoppable – Your purpose cannot be stopped.

“The following night the Lord stood near Paul and said, “Take courage!

As you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome.”

Acts 23:11

 

We all have a purpose given by God and His desire is to see us accomplish it but the enemy doesn’t want us to accomplish it, he wants us to fail.

Paul had a clear mission from God. He would testify in Rome but a few hours after the angel spoke with him the enemy launched his attack,

“The next morning some Jews formed a conspiracy and bound themselves with an oath not to eat or drink until they had killed Paul. More than forty men were involved in this plot.”

Acts 23:12

 

The enemy didn’t care that the Lord had spoken to him. He wanted to stop Paul but the good news is that he COULDN’T stop Paul, because God was with him. Paul did testify in Rome despite all the attempts from the enemy.

God has a calling on your life which the enemy will try to stop. But he will not succeed because God is with you. Trust Him fully.

We have a similar pattern in the story of Moses and the Israelites. The Lord sent Moses and Aaron to encourage His people that deliverance was coming. (Exodus 4:29-31)

But after receiving the promise instead of things getting better, things got worse for them. They were persecuted even more. (Exodus 5:6-15)

But as you know, the Lord delivered His people. The enemy tried to stop the call of God on their lives but once again he was powerless to stop it.

What the Lord has promised you will come to pass even when it seems like the enemy is winning. He will not stop the purpose God has for you.

So keep moving ahead in faith and even when things get tough, know that the devil will not be victorious over you. God is watching over you and will fulfill the purposes He planned for you.

Bless you

Rolain

The plan.

“Jesus soon saw a huge crowd of people coming to look for him. Turning to Philip, he asked, “Where can we buy bread to feed all these people?” He was testing Philip, for he already knew what he was going to do.”

‭‭John‬ ‭6:5-6‬ ‭NLT‬‬

 

And that is another reason we can put our hope in Jesus.

He wasn’t expecting Philip to figure out the problem on his own. He wanted Philip to look to him and trust He had a plan.

What are you stressing about today?

What problems are you facing that you need to hand over to Jesus?

He has the answer because He is the Answer.

Bless you friends

Rolain

A reason to have hope in 2021

Happy new year friends!

I hope you enjoyed your holiday and are excited and looking forward to 2021.

I for one am looking forward to all that God has in store.

As I write this we have gone back into lockdown for a whole month. To be honest, thoughts of fear, panic and anxiety started to creep in and questions like,

“How am I going to get through the month?” popped up.

But before I went down that rabbit hole I remembered all the things God did for me last year. 2020 was difficult and intense but through all that craziness God came through. He was faithful. He rescued me time and time again.

What about you?

What amazing things did He do for you?

So as we look forward there is no reason to fear 2021. We have no reason to panic and fret because as He has been faithful in 2020, He will be faithful in 2021. As He has protected us and provided for us in 2020, He will do the same for us this year. As His purpose for our lives was very much alive last year, it’s very much alive this year.

Covid-19 didn’t limit Him in 2020 and it’s not about to do so this year or any other year for that matter. He wasn’t caught off guard by 2020 so 2021 is not going to catch Him off guard!

He is still in control and because of that we have a reason to be excited and we have a reason to hope.

God is with us in 2021 and that’s all that matters!

 

If you would like a copy of my devotional click here.

Blessings to you friends

Rolain

There is hope in our darkest seasons

“When neither sun nor stars appeared for many days and the storm continued raging, we finally gave up all hope of being saved.”

‭‭Acts‬ ‭27:20‬ ‭NIV‬‬

 

The captain refused to listen to Paul and because of that they were caught in a hurricane. There was nothing anyone could do. And after many days the word says ALL hope of being saved was gone.

You may be in a hopeless situation right now but there is good news. You might be out of options and all your efforts have come to nothing but there is good news for you.

When hope was lost the Lord stepped in. When death was sure the Lord sent an angel with hope. Even though there was no physical evidence of a turn around the Lord told Paul all the men on the boat would be saved!

 

“Last night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve stood beside me and said, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul. You must stand trial before Caesar; and God has graciously given you the lives of all who sail with you.’”

‭‭Acts‬ ‭27:23-24‬ ‭NIV‬‬

 

In our darkest seasons there will always be hope because God loves us and cares for us. Don’t abandon hope. The Lord will step in and save you. He will turn your darkest season around for good. Keep looking to and trusting Him.

Bless you friends

 

Rolain

God has a plan in this season

“For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.”

‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭29:11‬ ‭NLT‬‬

 

Hey friends!

It has been a while since I have written and I am glad to be back. So much has happened this year and I believe God has so much in store.

Jeremiah 29:11 has been on my mind in this season. A season that has caused fear and uncertainty for the year ahead.

The corona virus has brought the world to its knees and no one knows when this will end.

But in this season God has not stopped working. His plan for our lives has not come to a halt.

His purpose for us is very much alive. Don’t be discouraged. Know that God has a plan in this season. His name will be glorified in the midst of pain, fear and death.

Be expectant in this season. He is looking for people who will say yes to Him.

Lord, show us what you have in store for us in this season.

 

Bless you friends

 

Rolain

God is taking you somewhere…

It can be frustrating not knowing where your life is going. At times it feels like you going around in circles

and at times it can feel like you are wandering about aimlessly. Then there are days when it seems like

nothing is happening. But I want to tell you that in the midst of all those things, God is directing your

life. Even when you can’t make sense of the things happening in your life God is in total control.

There is nothing to be worried about. You don’t have to lose sleep wondering what next.

The Lord cares about every detail of your life. Everything about you and your life matters to Him.

 

Look at how God led Peter. The way God leads us is so amazing!

In Acts 9:32 we are introduced to a man names Aeneas who lived in Lydda. Aeneas was paralyzed

and had been bed ridden for eight years. Peter goes on to heal him and the whole town of Lydda

and Sharon turn to the Lord! (Acts 9:35)

That was really amazing but the Lord was not done directing Peter. In a nearby town called Joppa a woman

named Tabitha fell sick and died. The disciples heard Peter was in Lydda so they called for him.

When Peter arrived in Joppa he raised Tabitha from the dead which brought more people to the

Lord. (Acts 10:5). But the Lord was not finished with Peter. In a town called Caesarea there was a man

named Cornelius. He was a Gentile and until then the good news was only been proclaimed to the Jews.

Salvation was closed to the Gentiles until then. One day an angel of the Lord appeared to him and told

him to go to Joppa to call Peter.

 

“And now send men to Joppa and have them call for and invite here a certain Simon whose surname is 

Peter; He is lodging with Simon a tanner, whose house is by the seaside.” 

Acts 10:5, 6

 

The Lord knew exactly where Peter was. He knew his address. He knew who he was staying with.

Off course He knew, the Lord led him there!!

Because Peter was in the right place at the right time he was instrumental in the Gospel being preached

to the Gentile’s.

Because the Lord directed Peter’s steps he was able to be at the right place at the right time. On his

own Peter would never have been able to pull that off.

 

The Lord is directing our every step friends. Even if it doesn’t seem like it, He is.

It may feel scary but the way He leads us is amazing! Be expectant. Bring your frustrations to Him.

He really does have amazing things in store for you. It may seem like you are in the middle of nowhere

but the Lord is taking you somewhere. His hand is on you and He is directing your every step.

The way He leads us is so amazing!

Bless you friends!

 

What the past teaches.

The past has not been easy. It’s been difficult and at the time it was hard to make sense of all that was

happening. But the past as difficult as it was revealed an important truth, a truth that helped me face

the storms and trials of today.

 

As crazy as the past has been I am still here. When I was going through it all with no idea of how things were

going to turn out God carried me through it. No matter how dark things got God always carried

me through and continues to.

 

The lesson is this; If God could deliver me back then, He will do it again today. 

 

Learn a lesson from the past. The Lord will be there for you as He was back then. Whatever storm you in

now, know that God will deliver you like He did before. Look at all the things He has brought you through

and be at peace knowing He will do it again and again.

 

Sometimes we go through some really intense times and think this is the time when our luck runs out but

listen to me, it won’t happen. God will never let you down no matter how many times the enemy tries to

destroy you.  he won’t win. And that’s the lesson the past teaches.

God will always be victorious. He will always bring you through the darkness.

 

Bless you, friends.

 

Rolain

Do you really believe Jesus can do the impossible in your life?

THOUGHT OF THE DAY

“And it has thrown him both into fire and water, intending to kill him. But if You can do 

anything do have pity on us and help us. 

And Jesus said, [You say to Me], If You can do anything? [Why,] all things can be (are possible)

to him who believes!”

Mark 9:22, 23

The father wanted his son to be healed but wasn’t too sure if Yeshua could do it. His statement

would have been totally understandable if he was asking anybody else but he wasn’t speaking

to just anyone. He was speaking to Yeshua.

Yeshua is more than able to answer our prayers. 

There is nothing too big for Him to handle. 

We don’t need to ever doubt His ability because He is able. 

No matter what you facing today He will help you. There is nothing 

that can overwhelm Him or overpower Him. 

“And Jesus said, [You say to Me] If You can do anything? [Why,] all things can be (are possible)

to him who believes!” 

There is no limit to what Yeshua can do in our lives but it’s clear from this story that we can put

a limit to what we believe.

So let me rephrase what Yeshua was really saying to the father in that passage of scripture.

“Why do you doubt what I can do? I am more than able to heal your son and more if you believe 

in Me. In fact, there is no limit to what I can do for you if you put your faith in Me so believe!.”

Don’t entertain doubts and fears. Bring them to Him. Ask Him to help you when your faith fails.

I was so challenged as I read this scripture because there is so much I am trusting the Lord for

but at times I KNOW I limit Him. I limit Him when I doubt Him,when  I speak negatively but like

the father cried out, I want Him to help me with my unbelief.

He wants to help us where we are weak and when we weak. We just have to ask.

Trust Him for everything in your life!

Bless you friends…..

Rolain