When the enemy is stronger than…..

“When you go to war against your enemies, you might see horses and chariots. 

Their army might be bigger than yours. But don’t be afraid of them. The Lord your God

will be with you. He brought you out of Egypt.”

Deuteronomy 20:1

 

As I read this scripture I look at the battles I have faced and still face. There is no battle I have

thought was a breeze. Every battle has been intense, bigger than me.

There is no battle that has been small. The purpose of the enemy’s attack is to take me out.

He doesn’t attack just for kicks, no! His motivation is real, deadly.

How many times I have felt overwhelmed and powerless because of the trials and storms that have

come my way. The scary truth is that without YAH the enemy would have snuffed me out a long

time ago!

 

Israel were called by YAH to a land flowing with milk and honey. In the natural that was

mission impossible! They would not be able to possess the promise land because the nations

they would have to face were stronger and mightier than they were. To possess the promise

land they would have to face giants! Never mind the promise land, they had to leave Egypt first!

Like I said, mission impossible!

Let’s look at two scriptures,

 

“They told Moses,”We went to the land where you sent us. It is a land where much food grows! 

Here is some of its fruit. But the people who live there are strong. Their cities are walled and large.

We even saw some Anakites there. ” 

Numbers 13:27, 28

 

“Then Caleb told the people near Moses to be quiet. Caleb said, “We should go up and take the land

for ourselves. We can do it.

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

Numbers 13:30, 31

 

“We can’t attack those people. they are stronger than we are.” 

 

The spies were correct technically speaking. They were weaker than the people occupying the promise land.

They were never going to defeat them on their own. But that is why they needed the Lord. With

Him on their side they would defeat the stronger nations.

 

No matter how threatening the trials we face are, we need to know that YAH is with us and because

He is with us we will come out victorious. No matter how hard things get, we will be saved not because

we are strong enough but because YAH is the One who is strong enough.

 

As I end this post I want to leave you with one final thought.

The storms that come our way will always be bigger than us but we are not alone as we face them.

So maybe you feel overwhelmed because of the bills you have to pay and you feel like there is no

way out, know that there is a way out because YAH is with you.

Maybe your family broke up and your future is suddenly unclear, know that things will work out

for your good because the Lord is with you.

No matter the problem you are facing right now, know that the Lord of Hosts is fighting for you.

The devil will not win. He is a defeated foe and doesn’t stand a chance against the Lord of Lords!

Don’t be discouraged, put all of your hope in the Lord. He will help you in your most trying time.

Where you are weak He is strong!

Amen.

 

Rolain

 

 

The curtain is torn!

“With a loud cry, Jesus breathed His last. 

The curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom.” 

Mark 15:37, 38

 

I was really encouraged this week as I read this scripture. In the old testament the high priest was

the only one who could go into the Holy of Holies but once a year. (Exodus 26:31, Leviticus 16:2)

The people could not go to YAH on their own because they would die if they did. They needed a

mediator.

 

“The Lord said to Moses, “Tell your brother Aaron that he is not to come whenever he chooses

into the Most Holy Place behind the curtain in front of the atonement cover on the ark, or else 

he will die.” 

Leviticus 16:2

 

That was intense. There were was no open communication between YAH and the people

but Yeshua tore that barrier down by what He did on the cross.

We now have access to YAH anytime because of what He did.

 

I know this is not rocket science but do we really take FULL advantage of this amazing blessing?

We can go to YAH anytime. In the middle of the night, when things are going downhill, when

we have sinned and are riddled with guilt, when we feel condemned…….

We can come to Him anytime! There is never a bad time to approach Him!

If you think there are specific times you can go to Him then you have been deceived, if you

think there are people that have more reason to approach Him than you then you are also wrong.

The curtain has been torn in two. The barrier that kept us from Him has been demolished forever.

 

This week has been great because I have been taking more advantage of the amazing blessing

of His presence. To know I can talk to Him at ANYTIME has brought joy to me.

When I think I am alone, He is right by my side waiting to spend time with me.

The problem is me. I am the one who allows things to come between us. I choose other things

in place of spending time with Him

And then there are the times when I mess up, when I sin. I keep away from Him at times thinking

He doesn’t want to be anywhere near me but its just not true.

 

As I end this post I want to leave you with the realization that the line of communication between you

and YAH is open! You don’t have to wait for the right time to approach Him.

Go to Him now as you are.

He loves you so much, beyond what you can ever comprehend.

 

“Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive 

mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” 

Hebrews 4:16

 

 

Bless you friends

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

How To Endure The Storm!!!

I have had a very intense week. A lot of things have happened that have made me doubt my worth, my value, my effectiveness, my future and a whole host of other things. It has been hard to be joyful these past few days. As all these things were happening, I was crying out to God. Everything around me began to shake and I didn’t know why.  One thing was certainly clear, I could either give up or choose growth. Anyway, as I was thinking on all that has been happening and seeking God’s face, He spoke to me through a song! Well a specific line in the song. That line said,

“I’m not where I want to be but I’m not where I used to be!”

That really ministered to me. I am so far from where God wants me to be. I make mistakes everyday. I sin, but the fact of the matter is God has brought me so far. Where I used to be and where I am now is so different!!! They are two entirely different places! In fact, they are two entirely different planets!!! God has been so faithful up to now and He is not about to stop now. Things may be confusing right now, things may seem dark right now, things may seem lost right now but God has brought me this far and He is not going to stop now!!!! God doesn’t leave work undone. He is the God who finishes things!

You might be in the same situation as I am but know that God has brought you this far but just because there is confusion and things seem dark in your life doesn’t mean God has abandoned you!! He is with you. Only You know the hell God brought you out of. The good news is, He has not stopped carrying you. He will complete what He has started in you!! Take heart….

Rolain

Warning! Warning! Not For The Faint-Hearted!

I was so challenged by a scripture which my Pastor shared. It is in Matthew 11:12 which says:

And from the days of John the Baptist until the present time, the kingdom of heaven has endured violent assault, and violent men seize it by force [as a precious prize-a share in the heavenly kingdom is sought with most ardent zeal and intense exertion].

This gospel that we preach and live out is not for the faint hearted. This gospel is one of violence. What I mean is that men and women had to obtain the prize with a fight. They had fought for their lives to obtain the prize. Some gave their lives for the prize.
Hebrews 11:33-38 hits the nail on the head when it says:

Who by [the help of] faith subdued kingdoms, administered justice, obtained promised blessings, closed the mouths of lions,
Extinguished the power of raging fire, escaped the devouring of the sword, out of frailty and weakness won strength and became stalwart, even mighty and resistless in battle, routing alien hosts.
[Some] women recieved again their dead by a resurrection. Others were tortured to death with clubs, refusing to accept release [offered on the terms of denying their faith], so that they might be resurrected to a better life.
Others had to suffer the trial of mocking and scourging and even chains and imprisionment.
They were stoned to death; they were lured with tempting offers [to renounce their faith]; they were sawn asunder; they were slaughtered by the sword; [while they were alive] they had to go about wrapped in the skins of sheep and goats, utterly destitute, oppressed, cruelly treated –
[Men] of whom the world was not worthy – roaming over desolate places and the mountains, and [living] in caves and caverns and holes of the earth.

This gospel is one that cannot be obtained by weakness. We need to be forceful. We need to be violent in a good way.
Listen again to what the last part of Matthew 11:12 says:

A share in the heavenly kingdom is sought with most ardent zeal and intense excertion].

Where is your zeal at in regard to the gospel? Are you giving it your all in your relationship with God? Could your passion for God be described as intense? This is for me as well. I am so challenged to not only give 100% but 200% to God. The men and women of the bible who turned the world upside down were fired up for God. Their passion for God was intense. They gave it their all and more!

Let us follow their example. To obtain the prize which is the kingdom we need to increase our passion and zeal. Let us ask God for help as we make a decision. He is willing to help.

Rolain.P

Warning! Warning! Not For The Faint-Hearted!

I was so challenged by a scripture which my Pastor shared. It is in Matthew 11:12 which says:

And from the days of John the Baptist until the present time, the kingdom of heaven has endured violent assault, and violent men seize it by force [as a precious prize-a share in the heavenly kingdom is sought with most ardent zeal and intense exertion].

This gospel that we preach and live out is not for the faint hearted. This gospel is one of violence. What I mean is that men and women had to obtain the prize with a fight. They had fought for their lives to obtain the prize. Some gave their lives for the prize.
Hebrews 11:33-38 hits the nail on the head when it says:

Who by [the help of] faith subdued kingdoms, administered justice, obtained promised blessings, closed the mouths of lions,
Extinguished the power of raging fire, escaped the devouring of the sword, out of frailty and weakness won strength and became stalwart, even mighty and resistless in battle, routing alien hosts.
[Some] women recieved again their dead by a resurrection. Others were tortured to death with clubs, refusing to accept release [offered on the terms of denying their faith], so that they might be resurrected to a better life.
Others had to suffer the trial of mocking and scourging and even chains and imprisionment.
They were stoned to death; they were lured with tempting offers [to renounce their faith]; they were sawn asunder; they were slaughtered by the sword; [while they were alive] they had to go about wrapped in the skins of sheep and goats, utterly destitute, oppressed, cruelly treated –
[Men] of whom the world was not worthy – roaming over desolate places and the mountains, and [living] in caves and caverns and holes of the earth.

This gospel is one that cannot be obtained by weakness. We need to be forceful. We need to be violent in a good way.
Listen again to what the last part of Matthew 11:12 says:

A share in the heavenly kingdom is sought with most ardent zeal and intense excertion].

Where is your zeal at in regard to the gospel? Are you giving it your all in your relationship with God? Could your passion for God be described as intense? This is for me as well. I am so challenged to not only give 100% but 200% to God. The men and women of the bible who turned the world upside down were fired up for God. Their passion for God was intense. They gave it their all and more!

Let us follow their example. To obtain the prize which is the kingdom we need to increase our passion and zeal. Let us ask God for help as we make a decision. He is willing to help.

Rolain.P