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.

Click here to support.

God bless you friends

Rolain

Let faith lead you and not doubt, anxiety and fear.

“The just shall live by faith.”

Galatians 3:11

 

I was challenged a few days ago as I thought about this scripture and what it meant for me.

It’s not talking about having faith occasionally and it’s not talking about faith as an event.

Instead this verse talks about faith as a lifestyle, as the driving force behind everything we

do.

As I live my life there needs to be an expectation that God sees and is working things out

for my good. I need to believe He is faithful to what He promised and even though

things are hard, He will deliver me and that my best days are yet to come.

I am not where I am by accident, so there needs to be a conviction that God has led me here

and He is directing my every step. The things that are happening in my life are not a coincidence.

The things I am believing for will come to pass. He has a purpose and plan for the gifts and talents

He has given me. I was not an after thought when He made me so there is so much more in store.

That’s what it means to live by faith and that’s what I feel I was challenged about as I read that

verse.

 

When things don’t go the way we want or we encounter difficult times that’s when

it becomes harder to hold on to faith, to live by faith. The difficult things we face can distort our

vision. We can lose sight of how great God is and instead of living by faith the doubts, fear, and anxiety

lead us. Instead of faith we become discouraged and hopeless. We lose sight of the big picture and

go into survival mode. But that’s not the way God wants us to live.

 

The just shall live by faith. 

 

In everything, He wants us to trust Him. In sickness, He wants us to trust Him for healing, in financial

turmoil He wants us to trust He will provide, in economic hardship He wants us to hold on to the truth

that He is our provider. When the door is closed He wants us to believe He can open the door.

When faced with a dark and grim life, He wants us to believe He has a future and an expected end

for us, that our lives will get better.

 

Don’t fall into the trap of getting by. As you work, or go to school have faith. He wants you to believe.

Because the truth of the matter is this;

 

The Lord is working on your behalf

The Lord is directing your every step

He is your Shepherd so you won’t lack

You were created for a purpose

Your life has meaning and relevance so even though it doesn’t feel that way, He is busy making sure

everything He planned and promised for you comes to pass!

 

Be expectant. Don’t take your life for granted. Don’t give up hope.

The Lord is in control and that’s all that matters.

Live by faith!

 

Blessings to you friends.

 

Rolain

 

 

The sisters believed and saw God’s glory…..

“Then Jesus said to her, “Didn’t I tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God.” 

John 11:40

 

Mary and Martha thought Yeshua would heal their brother but He never got to them in time. Lazarus

died and by the time He got there Lazarus had been dead for four days.

 

How hard that must have been for the sisters. They had put their hope in the Lord but He never

showed up in time. Lazarus had died end of story. Yeshua would have to pay his condolences

when He came but that’s not what happened. When He arrived, He challenged them in their faith.

The story was far from over.

 

“Then Jesus said to her, “Didn’t I tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God? 

 

The glory of God Yeshua was speaking about was answer to prayer, breakthrough, Lazarus being

raised from the dead.

But the sisters needed to keep believing if they were to see the glory of God!

 

That spoke to me this week. If I am to see the glory of God in my life I need to keep believing. 

What does the manifestation of God’s glory look like in your life today?

Is it healing, restored relationships, breakthrough of finances……

 

The sisters had put their faith in God. It was hard seeing their brother’s health fade away.

Where was the Lord? Had He forgotten about them? Did He love them as much as they thought?

(the bible tells us they had a close relationship)

But in a moment of time it seemed like their faith in God was misplaced. “He couldn’t even come on

time.

But the Lord as we know had not forgotten. He loved this family and would do something amazing

for them.

He would bring Lazarus back from the dead and that is why He challenged them to keep believing.

 

We need to keep believing friends. As you put your hope in God you WILL see the glory of God

manifest in your life. That’s the message today.

The glory of God will be manifested in your life so keep believing. The Lord is faithful and won’t

back down on His promises. Even when it’s difficult believe and see His glory!

 

Bless you friends

 

Rolain

 

 

 

There is another level…….

“Arise [from depression and prostration in which circumstances have kept you – rise to a

new life]! Shine (be radiant with the glory of the Lord), for your light has come, and the glory

of the Lord has risen upon you”

Isaiah 60:1

 

There is another level to move up to in the new year.

This is what has been on my mind in the past few weeks. The level I have been on has been great

for the things I have done so far but that needs to change.

This isn’t about new year resolutions. This is about my life and your life.

Consider this, there is another level, a higher level to operate from than the one you are now.

In your relationship with God, there is another level you can go to. You can go deeper in your

relationship with Him.

There is a new level of revelation, a new level of sensitivity to His voice, a new level of hunger for

His word, a new level of prayer you can go to…..

In your career, there is another level you can go to, in your personal life, there is a new level of

growth you can go to.

I could go on and on but I think you get the picture.

We need to understand God has more in store for us, so we don’t stop dreaming, so we don’t

stop aspiring. No matter your age, it’s not time to slow down. It is time to pick it up, it’s time to

advance, it’s time to pursue, it’s time to engage because there is more, there is another level for us.

Our light is growing brighter and brighter.

 

“But the path of the [uncompromisingly] just and righteous is like the light of dawn,

that shines more and more (brighter and clearer) until [it reaches its full strength and glory in]

the perfect day [to be prepared].

Proverbs 4:18

 

So what about doubts, limitations, hesitations, fears and a host of other things that are holding us

back from going to the new level? They are not going to just sit back and let that happen without a fight.

I can’t ignore the fact that it’s because of those things I am still on this level. I have been too weak

to advance on my own. I failed countless times. So why would this be different?

Aren’t I doomed already? Aren’t we all doomed to fail?

 

That would be true if we were trying to do this in our own strength. YAH is with us and no matter the

amount of times we have fallen and failed He has picked us up and will continue to.

We can’t give up, we can’t lose hope!

YAH will take us to the new level if we truly look to Him.

Even though we haven fallen we still have hope! The things that have held us back will not be able to

hold us back for ever. YAH will win for us because He has already won the war.

Trust Him, cry out to Him for your life.

You don’t have to remain in the same place. It’s time to arise……..

 

“Arise [from depression and prostration in which circumstances have kept you – rise to a

new life]! Shine (be radiant with the glory of the Lord), for your light has come, and the glory

of the Lord has risen upon you”

Isaiah 60:1

 

Blessings to you friends!

 

Rolain

 

Is prayer enough????

In prayer there is a connection between what God does and what you do. You can’t get forgiveness from God, for instance, without also forgiving others. If you refuse to do your part, you cut yourself off from God’s part. Matt 6:14,15 (The Message)

For years I have been taught how important it is to add action to prayer. My pastor believes it and so do I. I find it so challenging though. It is not an easy truth. Prayer is not enough by itself. A lot of people think it is but it’s not. People say, prayer is powerful but what does that mean? How is it powerful?
The word you just read is the answer. In prayer there is a connection between what God does and what you do.
Please understand, our part is not to do everything. If it is then what is the point of prayer??!! We don’t need God then…
and besides, we wouldn’t be successful. We are not perfect and if we had to rely on ourselves we would fail dismally and not accomplish anything!!! Prayer and action go hand in hand. If you are praying for a breakthrough in your health do you know you have a part to play in the answer? To be healthy you must start at eating right. Then there is exercise and and then there is change of mindset. Please remember, your part is not to do everything because if that was the case then why would we need prayer, why would we need God??? But God wants you to do something!! He wants us to do something….I am praying for financial breakthrough but I understand I have a part to play. Being undisciplined with the money is not the answer. Being wasteful is not helping. I am in a way shooting myself in the foot!! I know I need to tithe, give to the poor, save money (a work in progress)!!! That is my part and God will show you your part in the answer to the prayer you just prayed!

The word says, if you refuse to do your part you cut yourself off from God’s part….!!!! That is a pretty harsh truth and it is one I am learning constantly. God is good and He gives us grace to do our part so don’t be afraid, or feel intimidated. He delights in our prayers and He hears our prayers. He loves our prayers. No matter how big the prayer there is always something you can do. Your prayers are not insignificant. Your action just goes to confirm that you believe God has heard your prayer and He has answered you! Prayer on it’s own is not enough. You have a part to play and God in His mercy has extended His grace to you so you can do your part!!!! Amen

Rolain

Something just as important as faith!

I was about to write a post on health when i was blessed with a book. A book about health. Before i share what i need to let me give you a brief run down of my life from a health perspective. In the past year i have been taught how my health plays a part in me accomplishing my destiny. If i am sick all the time how am i supposed to impact people. Being whole means that you are strong emotionally, physically, and spiritually. To ignore one aspect is very unwise.
Anyway, i have been taught to do my part by watching how i eat, excercise and a few more other things. As i have been doing these things i have been seeing the change in me. I have more energy, i have lost weight and it feels good. This past week i ran a 5km race. I thought i would struggle but i found it to be fun! As i am getting older i am getting fitter. That is the way it is supposed to be don’t you think?

Ok, let me get back to the book i was given. There is a concept i read that changed the way i view health and my body.
The author who is a Doctor is talking about priorities. As a christian there are a few priorities that are universal. These priorities are, God and then family. These are extremely important priorities in the life of a person. He continues by saying,

” My first reaction was to wonder why the pastor would put health in front of the two big treasures of the Christian world. I asked, Wow, why do you say it’s fitness before faith?
His answer changed my mind-set forever and hopefully it will change yours. He said, “Because I’m no good to God or my family if I’m sick or dead.”
That was a revelation for me that the effective life with God is more than just one component. To have Christian harmony, we have to look at the whole.
It’s really not a vertical order:
– Faith
– Family
– Fitness
– Mission, finance, etc.
It’s really horizontal. All of these are godly priorities, God should be in all of these things, and so require our full attention at the right time and place. ”

Wow right! Our health is important, very important.
We are no good to God and to our families and the world if we are sick or dead!
Let that sink in. I know it is a radical thought but it is one worth meditating on.
How much value have you placed on excercise? How much value have you placed on nutrition? Being healthy should be one of the highest priorities in your life.

As i finish i want to give you a few links that you can refer to. First things first, the book i quoted from is called, Winning My Race. For more information go to http://www.WinningMyRace.com.
For more help on being all that you can be from a health perspective go and Google Maximized Living and Dr Ben Lerner.
Also take a look at this website. Dr Cory who is also part of Maximized Living was very instrumental in making me change the way i viewed health. He is a very commited person and gives 1000% into helping people. This is his website – https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-
Dr-Health-Show/249637255080063
The Dr Health Show

Remember that your fitness plays a vital part in you accomplishing your destiny. You are responsible for how you look after your body. It is a gift from God that needs to be seen as that, a gift.
As i pen off i want to leave you with a statement that sums up the meat of this post:

“Your relationship with God, your family, finances, mental health, and your purpose for living all suffer or are lost completely if your health fails and your life is out of balance.”

Rolain.P