One Great Thing About The New Year

Happy new year to you friends!

I hope you had a great festive season with family and friends. I also hope you got a time to rest, recharge and reflect. I don’t know about you but I am so excited for 2022. I know God has amazing things in store.

One great thing about the New Year is the prospect of something new. New beginnings, new opportunities, new doors and so on. Everything is new, new, new

But I won’t be talking about that today. I want to focus on something else.

Another great thing about a new year is the second chance we get to either make things right, to do things the right way, finish a project, repair broken bridges in a relationship, to correct some mistakes made in the previous year, and the list goes on. Whatever that thing is a new year brings with it a second chance to try again.

And this is important to know because a lot of people carry shame, guilt, anxiety, fear and so many other negative things from the past year which has a definite impact on the current year. Those people end up believing that the New Year has nothing different to offer them.

If you are one of those people I want to encourage you that the God we serve is the God of second chances. No matter how bad you have messed up He wants to give you a second chance. Take Jonah for example.

God called him to go preach to the people of Nineveh but he ran away from doing what God told him to do. But instead of disowning him or punishing him, God gave him a second chance to do the right thing,

“Then the Lord spoke to Jonah a second time: Get up and go to the great city of Nineveh, and deliver the message I have given you. This time Jonah obeyed the Lord’s command and went to Nineveh, a city so large that it took three days to see it all.”

Jonah 3:1-3

The Lord spoke to Jonah a second time and instead of running away like before Jonah grabbed the opportunity to do it right. And because he did Nineveh was saved from God’s punishment.

I also think of Peter who denied the Lord three times. One would think he blew it for good but Jesus gave him a second chance.

We serve a God of second chances. So as we are now in 2022 don’t let the mistakes and failures of 2021 stop you from having a great year. Take the guilt, shame, fear and anxiety you are carrying to the Lord’s feet. He has a second chance waiting for you.

Bless you friends

A belief problem.

What we believe is so important if we are going to achieve all that God has for us.
Our beliefs can either hinder or propel us so we must be very aware of what we
believe. For a very long time I believed I was nobody and nothing good would happen
to me and that shaped the way I looked at life and the way I lived life.
When great opportunities came my way I would turn them down because it was “too good”
for me. I didn’t expect much to happen to me because that is what I believed.

We can see the danger of a wrong belief system in the word of God. The Israelites
were chosen by God. He had amazing plans for them. But they didn’t believe they
were special. They had a belief problem. When they were by the door of the promise
land they stumbled and fell short because of what they believed.

 

“But the men who had gone up with him said, “We can’t attack those people; they are
stronger than we are.”

They said, “The land we explored devours those living in it. All the people we saw there
are of great size. We saw the Nephilim there (the descendants of Anak come from the
Nephilim). We seemed like grasshoppers in our own eyes, and we looked the same to
them.”
Numbers 13:31-33

 

They had so much potential because they were sons and daughters of God but what they
believed trumped the potential in them.

“It doesn’t matter how much potential you have, it’s what you believe that matters” is what
I was taught.

So in other words, what you believe is stronger than the potential in you.
Before I gave my life to Christ, I didn’t see myself as much. I thought nothing of myself
and even though I had the potential, my wrong beliefs silenced the potential in me.
What do you believe about yourself today? What do believe about God? Do you believe
all the good things the word of God promises you?

It’s time to take a long hard look at what we believe and ask God to help us as we believe
what He has said about us, and as we believe His promises for us.
The enemy is working overtime to get us to believe the wrong thing but we can’t let him
win. May the Lord reveal wrong beliefs that we have adopted that have stopped and hindered
us from growing and progressing.

The Lord has put so much in us and it must be realized and released. It must be unleashed all
for His glory and this is the season to start!
Bless you friends!

Rolain

 

We have a chance to win…

The fight we are in is not an easy one. The enemies we face are strong, intimidating

and formidable. Their goal is to take us down, to make us fail.

On our own, we are seriously outnumbered and outgunned. Do we have a chance?

Can we win when the odds are stacked heavily against us?

As I look at my own life and the challenges I face it can be intimidating and overwhelming

at times. There are times I can’t see a way out or an answer. There are times I feel

completely powerless and not sure how things will work out but this week

I have been thinking about victory. I believe the Lord has been showing me

I have a chance. Even though the enemy seems like a mountain blocking

my way I believe I have a chance, we have a chance!

No matter how gigantic the enemy is or how impossible our situation is we have

a chance because God is with us. Let’s look at a story that beautifully portrays this,

 

“Now four men who were lepers were at the entrance of the city’s gate; 

and they said to one another, Why do we sit here until we die? 

If we say, We will enter the city-then the famine is in the city, and we shall die

there; and if we sit still here, we die also. So come now, let us go over to the army

of the Syrians. If they spare us alive, we shall live; and if they kill us, 

we shall but die.” 

2 Kings 7:3-16

 

The lepers were in a dire situation. They had no weapons,

they were heavily outnumbered and had very limited options but God made a way for

them. Because God was with them the lepers had a chance. With everything against them,

God turned their hopeless situation around for good.

 

We have a chance against the hordes that stand in our way. God will not abandon us.

Have hope because you will win. The Lord will carry you through the valley of death.

He is faithful and can be trusted.

Be encouraged today!

 

Bless you, friends.

 

Rolain

 

 

 

 

 

The “bus stop”.

I don’t believe YAH wants us to ever settle in one place. We are on a journey and the destination

is heaven. But something does happen in this life that makes us lose our focus. It may be disappointment,

pain, really good times and the list goes on….

There are a variety of reasons we lose our focus and stop moving.

YAh showed me something the other day. A bus stop came to mind and he showed me how I had gotten

comfortable there because as you know,

you can never really set up camp at a bus stop. A bus stop is not really a destination in itself.

A bus stop accommodates people who are going somewhere and people who are coming from

somewhere but not an actual destination and that’s the place I got comfortable at. I can’t explain it

but I just thought that was the destination but I was so wrong. The settling was so subtle……if it wasn’t

for the Lord I would never have snapped out of it.

 

I got comfortable. I confused the place I am at as the destination when all it is, is a

bus stop. You cannot have a life at a but stop. It was never intended for that.

A bus stop helps you get to where you are really going and on this journey we are on there will be many

“bus stops”. But don’t mistake them for destinations because they are not.

So the goal is to always keep moving in YAH.

There is so much more journeying to be done. Don’t lose focus of where you are going.

Don’t get so comfortable at the bus stop that you think it’s the destination.

Something like that happened in the word. Let’s take a look at it,

 

“That evening at sundown they brought to him all who were sick or oppressed by demons. And the whole

city was gathered together at the door.” 

 

“And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, He departed and went out to a desolate place, 

and there He prayed. 

And Simon and those who were with Him searched for Him and they found Him and said to Him, “everyone

is looking for you.” 

And He said to them, “Let us go on to the next towns, that I may preach there also, for that is why I came out.” 

Mark 1:32-39

 

The disciples got it wrong. They thought they had arrived at their destination. Yeshua could have set up camp

there but He didn’t. He knew what He was called to do and because He knew, He also knew He hadn’t arrived

at His destination.

We can learn something from that story. We need to keep moving in what YAH has called us to do. You don’t

have to see the whole picture to move, you only need to move when He says move.

I don’t want to set up camp at the bus stop. The next bus is rolling in to take me to my destination but

there are many “bus stops” along the way. I need to constantly be aware of where I am and understand

the Lord is directing and guiding me.

 

What about you? Have you gotten comfortable at the “bus stop”?

Do you have an idea of Yeshua’s plan for your life?

 

 

Bless you friends

 

Rolain

 

 

 

When the year is not going the way I want it to go…..

I can’t believe we are already in March. Time is moving at an unbelievable pace.

As I look at the past two months I can say “things” have happened but I can also

see how there have been a lot of things that haven’t happened as well.

I have goals I want to accomplish which I have made throughout the year.

At the end of the year I review them and see how much progress I have made.

But as I look at the past two months I know I haven’t made as much progress as I thought

I would make.

These two months haven’t been smooth sailing as well. The enemy has tried to get me off

my game and his plan worked for a time. I am still recovering from his attacks…..

 

So yes, March is here and it doesn’t seem like much has happened as far as accomplishing

goals goes……So what do I do?

Does change only happen at the start of the year?

Do I have to wait for a new year to make the change?

Or can something be done now? Can a turn around happen today?

 

“For He says: “In an acceptable time I have heard you, 

And in the day of salvation I have helped you.” 

Behold, now is the accepted time, behold, now is the day of 

salvation.”

2 Corinthians 6:2

 

Today is the day according to that word. I don’t have to wait for end of the year to make

the changes that need to be made. I don’t need to wait for end of the year to tweak things

and try again.

We all have today to start anew.

Today is another opportunity given to us. We don’t need to beat ourselves up.

 

You don’t have to wait for end of the year to make the changes you need to

make. You don’t have to wait for the end of a year for YAH to turn your life around.

Today is the day. Today is the accepted time.

Don’t be despaired because things are going all wrong for you. You can cry out to the Lord right

now for mercy, for help!

Today, His mercy is available to you, His grace, His empowerment to do what He has called ‘

you to do. When we fall we can get up and try again.

 

We need His grace to live out this life.

We need His grace to move to the next level.

 

Be encouraged today friends.

There is a new hope today!

Bless you.

 

Rolain

Looking after the other “Temple”…..

I have already spoken about how my year has been and what I am expecting for 2015. But in this post I am going to speak about something else that is very close to my heart. It’s a passion and desire I have had for many years.

A passion that has brought me joy and has grown me as a person.

And that passion is “Fitness and Health”!

I am passionate about being healthy and staying fit! The origins of that passion can traced back to about 2012 when I was introduced to a group of doctors who worked for something called “Maximized Living”. They are chiropractic doctors but with a difference and they changed my whole perspective on health and fitness.

According to these guys, nutrition, exercise, right thinking, and adjustments all play a part in what you call health! I am not a doctor so I will not even attempt to explain all they do. All you should know is because of them my view on health has changed drastically!

I used to drink soda’s before I met them (Coca – Cola, Pepsi and so many more but it’s been at least 2 years from the last time I had a soda.

I loved all things sugar but once again in the past two years my sugar intake has dropped significantly! I stopped having sugar in tea or coffee.

Honey has been a great substitute! But the battle continues. My desire is to stop ALL artificial sugars! That is the goal.

I have done lots of 5 kilometer runs and even purchased exercise equipment since meeting the maximized doctor’s! I have attempted Crossfit but I am not ready for that yet. There is some work to do till I can do Crossfit! 🙂

These are just a few of the things that have changed since I met Maximized clinic but what does all this mean and what am I trying to say?

My goal is to get you to think about your temple, your body!

We are the temple of God and it is our responsibility to look after it!

A lot of people have not made the connection yet! What you do with your temple will determine how far you will go in your calling!

I have heard it being said, How can you lead and look after the body of Christ when you can’t even look after your own body?

Crazy huh???

There is some truth to that statement. How we look after our bodies is connected to God’s purpose for our lives!

God wants us to live a long and fruitful life but how will that be accomplished if we eat and drink junk and don’t exercise???

How will that happen if you don’t look after yourself??

Please understand what I am saying. We have a part to play in how long we live but it’s God who has the ultimate say. I have heard of people who are health freaks die at a young age. God is the one who has a say on how long you live but you have a responsibility to look after your body.

Let me give you an example of how this plays out in real life. I am a kids leader and as a leader I have to be fit and energetic all the time. But what happens if I don’t exercise and I don’t look after myself? It will be hard to give of myself fully! I won’t be able to jump with them and rum with them and play with them because I am so unfit! So as a leader it is my responsibility to stay fit and eat healthy and think healthy!

I hope that has given you a clear picture of what I am trying to say! Our health is important. So as the new year comes there are a few things I need to do concerning health and fitness. I need to step up and eat better than I am doing now! What I eat has changed so much but I could do better. There are enemies that have to go down! Giants that need to be slayed!

Red velvet cupcake!

I need to make another point clear. I am not talking about total abstinence!! It is okay to have a slice of cake once in a while. It’s okay to have that cheesecake occasionally! It’s okay to spoil yourself but there needs to be a balance! I am serious, a better word would be, I try to be serious during the week and then I spoil myself during the weekend! But even during the weekend I don’t go over the top!

This “enemy” is going down! haha!

As 2015 fast approaches what are some of your health and fitness goals? If you have any??

Just remember to go at YOUR pace! Do what you can do. If your goal is to cut out one teaspoon of sugar compared to the 15 teaspoons you usually have then by all means do so! Haha…..Don’t change anything because someone is pressuring you. It needs to be what you want, a personal conviction.

It took me a long time to change the mindset I had and even now, change is still happening but it has been so worth it! And it’s just the beginning! I am getting healthier as I get older.  What will your testimony be?

As I conclude I would like to leave you with a thought:

She girds herself with strength [spiritual, mental, and physical fitness for her God-given task] and makes her arms strong and firm.  Proverbs 31:17 (Amplified)

It’s interesting how the Amplified describes strength! Strength here is described as spiritual, mental and physical fitness! So if that is what strength is the question is,

Are you preparing yourself like the Proverbs 31 woman? As a Christian you are complete when you are working on all three areas. You cannot just focus on the spiritual! And you can’t just focus on the mental part. It has to be ALL three! You are the temple of God and you have a responsibility to look after it! But focusing on the spiritual is not enough. You need all three!

With that thought I will leave you friends!

God bless

Rolain

What are you hungry for???

Appetite is an incentive to work; hunger makes you work all the harder.  Psalm 16:26

I have always thought this scripture was talking about the importance of a job. You know, if you don’t work you don’t eat, or something to that effect but there is a much deeper meaning to that scripture. I was so challenged by the revelation I was given in my quiet time. This scripture is talking about something more than jobs, it is talking about life. It is talking about purpose, destiny, the future. Let me put this verse in perspective. This year I decided there needs to be more change in my life but to do that I cannot keep on doing the same thing. That is insanity. If I want a change I need to change what I am doing. With all the frustration I have been having a hunger has been developed. And this is the hunger I think this passage of scripture is talking about. A hunger to be more, and a hunger to do more…..A hunger that is no more satisfied with the status quo but is willing to go against the grain….A hunger that says, it is time to get up and stop living life on the couch….A hunger that is not happy with just getting by but is pushing to do great things, significant things…..a hunger that is pushing forward in the face of insurmountable challenges…….a hunger that is tired of fear and instead stands up against it, that is the type of hunger I think this scripture is talking about!

“Appetite is an incentive to work” says the word. Without appetite there is no incentive to work. If you are not hungry for change, if you are content with everything as they are then there is no incentive. A mechanic fixes a car only when there is a problem, a surgeon operates only when a person is sick. What I mean by that is there is no need to fix a car if it is running smoothly and there is no need to operate if a person is healthy, so it is with us. There is no need for change if we see everything as OK. There is no hunger if you are full!!!! Only when you begin to want more, and be more, and do more does the incentive come. “Hunger makes you work all the harder“…..When you are hungry you will do whatever you can to accomplish your goal. The key to working harder is being hungry. Don’t settle for OK or good. This is why you shouldn’t settle for OK or good because there is no growth without hunger. Hunger is important to get to the next level of your life.

What are you hungry for in your life?

This is the question I asked myself. Am I hungry for change, am I hungry for God, am I hungry to succeed in all I do? Am I hungry??? I don’t want to live a “full” life. I want a change. A year from now I don’t want to be the same person I am now, I don’t want to live the kind of life I am living now, I don’t want to be praying the same prayers I am praying now, I don’t want to see the same way I see now, I don’t want to be at the same level of fitness I am now . I don’t want my life to be at the same place……!!!!

Before you can answer the question, “what are you hungry for in life” you need to ask yourself if you are hungry at all??? Without hunger nothing happens. Nothing great happened without hunger, passion!!!Get hungry. Whet your appetite by thinking more outrageously, praying bigger prayers, seeing a bigger picture. Pray big, speak big and trust God. Change happens when you make a stand and say “ENOUGH”!!

As I end I will leave you with this question, what are you hungry for?????                         🙂

Rolain

Why Discontentment Is Healthy.

Just imagine if everything in your life stopped changing? What I mean is, what if everything in your life stopped improving?
The type of life you living would never change. Your salary would never change. Your health would never change.Your marriage would never get better. Can you imagine that? It would be hell on earth!
But to get all God has for us we need to be discontent with where we are in our lives. When we don’t see any “problems” with our lives we flatten out. It is only when we become restless with where we are that things begin to change.
You cannot change if you think everything is ok. You will not work for a car if you think walking is fine. You won’t push yourself to earn more money if you are satisfied with what you getting right now.
We need to get discontent with where we are if we are to grow.
Always remember that there is no growth without discontentment.

I would just like to make something clear. The Word is clear about being content with what we have. I am not challenging that at all. I thank God for all I have. I know there are people much better off than me be it financially, physically and so on but that does not move me. God has blessed me with what I have and I am grateful. I love my life,
but what I am talking about is something entirely different.
God wants to bless us beyond our wildest dreams. He wants us to accomplish all that He has for us but that won’t happen if we don’t push ourselves. That won’t happen if we don’t see bigger. That won’t happen if we don’t stretch ourselves.

So where are you in life? Are you happy with you are? I am not happy with the level I am living my life. There is so much more out there for me. I am going for it. Discontentment is healthy. Learn to create “problems” for yourself. Let me explain “problems” in the context of this post.
If you are touching 10 people a month but you are not happy with that and you want to touch 50 people instead that is called a “problem”.
An easier way of creating “problems” for yourself is setting goals. Do you have goals? My mentor says, without goals we will die.
Goals are very important if we are to grow.
So remember, without discontentment there is no growth.

Rolain.P

Does Your Attitude Stink? Part 2.

I hope you enjoyed the first part of my post on attitudes. This is the conclusion. In my last post I said that attitudes are neither good or bad until you set a goal. And that is why we need goals in our lives. Goals are one of the ways we can detect negative attitudes.
What are you gravitating towards? Are you leaning towards the right things and leaning away from bad things?
When you lean away from things you block out information. So if you are leaning away from something that you are supposed to be leaning towards you are in trouble. Let me give you an example of what I mean:

I was applying to go for school in another country a few years back. I was excited about it. My attitude was positive. I was hard at work doing all I could to get ready until I was told that I needed to get injections. Not one but several! I hated injections. I was scared of them. So my attitude was negative. I never changed my attitude and things got worse. In the end I was willing to abandon going to school overseas because I had a bad attitude about injections! See how ridiculous that was. But thanks to God, He opened my eyes to the craziness of what I was doing. So I changed my attitude and got the injections I needed. And that is the danger of having a bad attitude. How many of you miss great opportunities because you have a bad attitude towards something you see in that opportunity?
The good news is, you can change your attitude. It is not too late.

Look and see what attitudes you have and test them. What are you leaning towards and leaning away from? Are your attitudes advancing you or are they hindering you?
Are they advancing you into what God has for you or are they blocking you from all the amazing things God has for you?
If you have a bad attitude about something that is essential to your life, you got two choices. You can either change the attitude or drop the goal? It is your choice. Remember, attitudes determine how far you go in life.

Rolain.P.