Before The Time Of Fulfillment

“So now wrap your heart tightly around the hope that lives within us,

Knowing that God always keeps his promises!

Hebrews 10:23 TPT

We serve a God who fulfills promises. What He has promised you, He will bring to pass. But we all know that there is a middle between when the promise is made and when it is fulfilled and that middle is filled with trials, tests, and difficult challenges. I like to use another name for the middle stuff – crucible.

What’s your attitude like as you are in the crucible?

Have you got an attitude of faith and fully expectant that God is with you in the fire or have you lost hope? Have you given up on God because of the intensity of the fire?

I want to encourage you to not lose heart and to keep holding on to the Lord in the midst of the fire.

He will bring to pass what He has promised you. He is with you in the fire because He loves you and because he has a promise to fulfill. He will never abandon you because He is faithful.

I think of Joseph who was given an amazing promise. But instead of everything going smoothly until the promise was fulfilled, he was shipped off to a foreign land as a slave. In fact, he nearly lost his life. Things went terribly wrong for him but in the midst of the fire we see something amazing,

“Now Joseph had been taken down to Egypt. Potiphar, an Egyptian who was one of Pharaoh’s officials, the captain of the guard, bought him from the Ishmaelites who had taken him there. The Lord was with Joseph so that he prospered, and he lived in the house of his Egyptian master.”

Genesis 39:1, 2 NIV

“But while Joseph was there in the prison, the Lord was with him; he showed him kindness and granted him favor in the eyes of the prison warden.”

Genesis 39:20 NIV

God was with him in the crucible, in the fire. He never left him. And it’s the same with you and me. God is with you in the fire. He has not abandoned you no matter how intense the fire is. The trials and the tests and the difficult challenges have a purpose.

“Count it all joy, my brothers when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”

James 1:2 NLT

The trials and the tests strengthen your faith. Through each trial and test your faith is getting stronger and stronger. The Word actually tells us to be joyful when trials come our way.

So as you go through the fire know that God is with you and there is a very important work happening in you – the strengthening of your faith in God.

Like I said earlier, God will fulfill what he has promised you. It’s just a matter of time. So as you approach the time of promise and you are in the fire know that God is with you. He will not leave you alone. Let me share one last scripture before I sign off.

“And the Lord gave them rest on every side, just as he had solemnly promised their ancestors. None of their enemies could stand against them, for the Lord helped them conquer all their enemies. Not a single one of all the good promises the Lord had given to the family of Israel was left unfulfilled; everything he had spoken came true.”

Joshua 21:44, 45 NLT

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

Patience in the fire……

“And I will bring you into the land concerning which I lifted up My
hand and swore that I would give to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob;
and I will give it to you for a heritage. I am the Lord [you have
the pledge of My changeless omnipotence and faithfulness].

Moses told this to the Israelites, but they refused to listen to Moses
because of their impatience and anguish of spirit and because of their
cruel bondage.”
Exodus 6:8, 9

 

This verse spoke to me this week. In the midst of crazy battles this scripture spoke to me.
The Israelites had a word from YAH but they refused to listen to Him
because of their impatience, anguish of spirit and cruel bondage.

The fact they were impatient spoke to me because in the midst of storms
and trials we need to be patient. It’s not an easy thing to be patient when you are in a fire.
In the trials I am facing in this season I am have been challenged to be patient.
Patience is important because it reflects our faith in YAH’s ability to bring us through the storm.

No matter what you going through be patient. He will carry you through the storm soon enough.                                                     He will deliver you most definitely.
Let’s look at one more scripture that brought everything into perspective for me concerning being patient,

“Moreover [let us also be full of joy now!] let us exalt and triumph in our troubles and
rejoice in our sufferings knowing that pressure and affliction and hardship produce
patient and unswerving endurance.
And endurance (fortitude) develops maturity of character (approved faith and tried integrity).
And character [of this sort] produces [the habit of] joyful and confident hope of eternal salvation.”
Romans 5:3-5

Amazing right, or crazy depending on how you see it! Exalt and triumph in your troubles!
Rejoice in your sufferings!
It’s really hard to do if I am to be honest. The pressure can get so much that rejoicing
is the last thing I want to do but one thing is clear from reading this scripture,
YAH has a plan in the storm. The enemy has a plan too, to destroy but not YAH.
He is thinking about growth, blessing, new levels, maturity, endurance and so much more….

We need to change how we look at trials and challenges. We don’t need to be afraid. YAH will bring us

through. He is at work for our good.

 

Bless you

 

Rolain

“Get me out of here”!!!!

“Only think of me when it goes well with you, and please

show me kindness by mentioning me to Pharoah and get me

out of this house.

For in fact I was taken (stolen) from the land of the Hebrews

by [unlawful] force, and even here I have done nothing for

which they should put me in the dungeon.

Genesis 40:14, 15

 

I think you will agree with me that life gets crazy at times.

Being in the place God has called you to be is not easy at times.

There is joy, happiness and memorable moments but there is

the other stuff. There is the stuff that doesn’t make sense.

There is the stuff that makes you doubt what God told you.

There is the stuff that wants to make you throw in the towel….

 

Yes, I am talking about the call of God. All this stuff, the good,

the bad define purpose! Joseph knew this so well.

There was a time he wanted out! He felt betrayed and unfairly

treated. He was confused and hurt.

 

Then he restored the chief butler to his butlership again, and

he placed the cup in Pharoah’s hand. But he hanged the chief

baker, as Joseph had interpreted to them.

Yet the chief butler did not mention Joseph, but forgot him.

Genesis 40:21-23

 

It would take two years before the butler remembered Joseph.

It wasn’t easy for him. He had to overcome a lot of things

on the road to fulfilling his purpose. He had to forgive a lot

of people. There was a lot of growing up that had to

happen. It was intense…..

 

“Now two sons were born to Joseph before the years of famine

came, whom Asenath, the daughter of Potiphera, priest of On,

bore to him.

Joseph named the firstborn, Manasseh (causing to forget),

for he said, God has made me forget all my trouble and hardship

and all [the sorrow of the loss of] my father’s household.

Genesis 41:50, 51

 

All I want you to see are the hard times Joseph went through.

God had a plan in the midst of the pain and hardship.

The story of Joseph is one of my favourites. It reminds

me that no matter how bad things get, God has a plan.

When things seem at their worst, He has a plan. Don’t

give up. Don’t throw in the towel. When the odds are

stacked up high against you look to God. You are not

enough on your own! God will bring you through…..

 

We need to trust in His goodness friends. God is so good.

He is not partially good. He is all good. He has good things

in store for you. The fire you are in will not consume you. You

will come out victorious. There will be good times. There will

be laughter. There will be joy. He will fulfill what He planned for

you…..and that’s a promise!

 

Rolain

 

photo credit: google images

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Will you wait….???

 

Be strong and let your heart take courage,

all you who wait for and hope for and expect

the Lord!

Psalm 31:24

 

If you think waiting on God is a walk in the

park think again……

If you have really waited on God you will

know the truth. It’s a fight to wait.

Psalm 31 captures it perfectly.

Waiting is not for the faint of heart.

The word says take courage!

 

There have been things I have been waiting

on God for. I have been waiting for months

and years! It’s been such a test. But do I regret

the wait? Not on your life. The waiting was needed.

It played an important part in my growth as a son

of God and it still does…..!

You see, waiting reveals where you are really

at with God. It reveals your heart.

 

The Israelites saw that they were in trouble.

They felt trapped. They ran away to hide in

caves and cracks in the rock. They hid among

the rocks, in wells, and in other holes in the

ground.

Some Hebrews even went across the Jordan

river to the land of Gad and Gilead. Saul was

still at Gilgal. All the men in his army were

shaking in fear.

Samuel said he would meet Saul at Gilgal.

Saul waited there seven days. But Samuel

had not yet come to Gilgal, and the soilders

began to leave Saul. So Saul said, “Bring

me the burnt offerings and the fellowship

offerings.” Then Saul offered the burnt

offering.

As soon as Saul finished offering that sacrifice,

Samuel arrived. Saul went out to meet him.

Samuel asked, “What have you done?”

1 Samuel 13:6-11

 

There is such an important lesson in this story.

Waiting is its own kind of fire. The offering of the

burnt offering was reserved for the priest but

Saul even though was king did it.

God has a reason for making us wait and even

though we don’t understand we must wait. I

have been waiting for a long time for a lot

of things. It has been hard I must admit but I

see it’s what I must do.

God is in control even though it’s hard to see

at times.

 

If you are waiting for God, be strong. It takes a

strong person to wait on the Lord.

Let your heart take courage. The enemy wants us

to panic and take matters in our own hands.

Waiting is one of the greatest acts of trust we can

perform to God.

Impatience shows God our lack of trust in Him.

God’s promise to you may take weeks, months or

years but wait!! He can be trusted…….

He is working in the waiting! Some of His most

important work happens in the waiting so don’t

despise it.

Don’t lose heart….

You are on His heart….

He has not forgotten about you…..

He is true to His word…..

Amen

 

Rolain

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

God’s plan for you in the fire….!!!

Then the king was exceedingly glad and commanded that Daniel should be taken up out of the den. So Daniel was taken up out of the den, and no hurt of any kind was found on him because he believed in (relied on, adhered to, and trusted in) his God. Daniel 6:23

In this season this scripture has ministered to me deeply. What do we do when we find ourselves in the fire and the lion’s den? Because the truth of the matter is, everyone will face the fire everyone will face the lion’s den! No one is exempt! And this proves true for the Christian. Just because you follow Christ does not exempt you from the fire or the lion’s den!

 

I had my accident but I just found out one of my friends is in hospital because a car bumped into his car!

Another friend of mine has got cancer!

Another friend is unsure about what the future has in store for them and so on and so on…

 

Pain, heartache, death, disappointment, rejection, and a host of other things are some of the things we have to deal with in this life. But what do we do when we are in the fire, what do we do when we are in the lion’s den??

 

When I read the story of Daniel in the lion’s den there were a few things that stood out:

Daniel had a relationship with the King who at the time was the most powerful man in the world but even he couldn’t help him! He could not reverse the law he had put in place.

“You should stop trusting in people to save you, because people are only human; they aren’t able to help you.”  Isaiah 2:22 NCV

From the story we see the king had tried everything to help Daniel! But with all his power and authority he was not able to deliver him! I am not saying don’t look to people for help. When the fire comes we need the support of people. I could not have got through the trauma I faced without the encouragement and support of people (To read about the accident I was in click here) the issue comes when you rely on people to save you instead of God! He is the only one who can deliver you from the fire and the lion’s den! Man can only do so much but if you think they are the answer then you have missed it.

The king who was the most powerful man in the world at the time was powerless to save Daniel but God wasn’t! God wants you to know He is the only One who can save you from the fire! He is the only One who can deliver you from the lion’s den. No one else is qualified to take God place so don’t put that kind of expectation on people!

“So Daniel was taken up out of the den, and no hurt of any kind was found on him because he believed in (relied on, adhered to, and trusted in) his God.”

Daniel was not hurt in anyway because he trusted in God! Your trust in God will deliver you from the lion’s den and the fire. That is the ONLY thing that will deliver you!

It doesn’t say his trust in man delivered him from the lion’s den but his trust in God! I want you to get this. When you are in the fire you need to look to God. When you are in the lion’s den cry out to God! He will deliver you. Let us learn from Daniel. I have seen this truth in action! It’s God that has kept me from falling. As I looked to Him, He has put His hand on me. I am at peace because I have decided to trust Him completely.

When I fear I feel His love,

When I open my bible I see him so clearly,

When I spend time with Him, I feel His tangible presence,

When I worship, I feel His hand on me,

I hear His voice in the music I listen to (worship music mostly) and the people who encourage and support me!

That’s what happened to me when I trusted Him in the fire, in the lion’s den!

“My God has sent His angel and has shut the lion’s mouth so that they have not hurt me,” Daniel 6:22

God was with Daniel in the lion’s den and like Daniel He is with you! His angels are with you. You are not alone in the fire and in the lion’s den!  So praise Him, draw close to Him!

Rolain

 

 

 

This Is The God We Serve!!!

God is so great and amazing and we ought not to forget that. We need to have things that constantly remind us of this truth. I was reading the Word of God this morning and I came across another amazing passage. It talks about God’s great faithfulness and mercy. Be encouraged as you read it.
I wrote about the Israelites in one of my previous posts and I will continue in this one because this passage of scripture writes about them. We can learn a lot about God from their story. We can also take encouragement from them. So let us continue.

They refused to obey, nor were they mindful of your wonders and miracles which You did among them; but they stiffened their necks and in their rebellion appointed a captain, that they might return to their bondage [in Egypt]. But You are a God ready to pardon, gracious and merciful,slow to anger, and of great steadfast love; and You did not forsake them.
Nehemiah 9:17
– We know this story too well. It is when the spies are sent out to spy out Jericho. When they get back to camp the ten spies tell the other Israelites they don’t stand a chance against the giants in the land. Joshua and Caleb are the only two spies who tell the people that they can conquer the land. Anyway the people believe the ten spies and decide to go back to Egypt. Please understand that they were at the door of the promise land. All they had to do now was step in. But they didn’t. They failed in their faith to God. But even in the midst of all this God did not forsake them. This is the God we serve!
He is ready to pardon, gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great steadfast love toward us. He will not forsake us.
God will not forsake you. He cares for you. You may think God has had it with you but He is with you. You may think He has had enough of you because of your sins but He will not forsake you.

Let us look at another verse.
Even when they had made for themselves a molten calf and said, This is your god, who brought you out of Egypt, and had committed great and contemptible blasphemies,
You in Your great mercy forsook them not in the wilderness; the pillar of the cloud departed not from them by day to lead in the way, nor the pillar of fire by night to light the way they should go.
Nehemiah 9:18,19

Are there things in your life that are gods? There is only one God and He created the universe. He is Jehovah, the God Almighty. I was shown how I made a certain thing in my life a god. It was a hard reality for me. I realised it had to stop. I had to stop exalting this other thing above God. It has been hard but I keep looking to God for help. But as I was on this journey I thought God had abandoned me. I was so wrong. God is with me and He will never forsake me. God never forsook the Israelites when they made the golden calf. Instead, He kept directing them. He protected them as they travelled. When they realised the error of what they were doing and came to Him, He forgave them. And it is the same for you. God will not forsake you. Confess your sin. It doesn’t help to hide your sin. He is gracious and merciful towards you.

I will stop here but there are many more stories about His mercy and graciousness. Remember, He will not forsake you.
This is the Great God we serve!!!

Rolain.P