Who can rescue us in times of trouble?

On this earth there will be trials, challenges and struggles. That’s a given.

We have an enemy who wants to take us out, who doesn’t want us to complete what

God put us here to do.

And even today, you may be going through some extremely difficult things with no answer in sight,

the bills keep coming but the account balance is on zero, trouble after trouble comes your way….

I want to encourage you that we serve a God who rescues and His name is Jesus.

 

There is a story I would like to talk about that enforces this important truth.

 

“But if you refuse, you will be thrown immediately into the burning furnace. And then

what god will be able to rescue you from my power?”

Daniel 3:15

 

Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah were in serious trouble. The king made an image and

commanded everyone to bow down to it but the three Hebrew young men refused. The king

gave them another opportunity and in his eyes he thought he had won. He didn’t know the

God they served. He didn’t know their God was a God who rescues;

 

“And then what god will be able to rescue you from my power?” 

 

We are not alone in this. The Lord is with us as we face all the trials and tribulations that come

our way. When the three Hebrew young men were thrown into the fire the king jumped from

his seat because he saw four men and fourth Man looked like the son of God!

Jesus was with them in the fire. He never abandoned them and He won’t abandon us.

 

And even as I write this I am reminded of so many other stories of how God saves His people.

When Peter was in prison and Herod had planned to execute him the next day, surrounded

by soldiers, the angel of the Lord led him out of the prison to freedom.

 

The Israelites were being chased by the Egyptians who had a change of heart after letting them go.

But as they fled they were stopped by the Red Sea. On one side were the Egyptians and on the

other side, the Red Sea. It seemed like there was no where to go but God Almighty made a

way for them and parted the Red Sea! He rescued them in an amazing way.

 

Then there was Daniel. Some jealous people wanted to take him out so they got him thrown into the

lions den. It seemed a sure thing that his life was over but God rescued him in the lion’s den.

 

And this is the God we serve. He is the God who rescues.

Listen to what the king said after the Hebrew young men came out of the furnace,

 

“There is no other god who can rescue like this.”

Daniel 3:29

 

And let’s read what King Darius declared after Daniel was rescued from the lions,

 

“He rescues and He saves: He performs signs and wonders in the heavens and on earth. 

He has rescued Daniel from the power of the lions.” 

Daniel 6:27

 

So as I close, remember the God who rescues. Call on Him and know He will act because

 

“There is no other god who can rescue like this.”

 

I will leave you with one of my favorite all time songs, Came to my rescue

 

Bless you friends

 

Rolain

 

 

Does God really have a purpose for you??

This past week I was looking at my life and to be honest I was

discouraged. I couldn’t

believe how much there is still to be done!

My blog’s main focus is about destiny but

that doesn’t mean I got this destiny thing on lock down.

Like you I am walking this road in

total faith. I am discovering things, learning, falling, getting up,

dealing with disappointment,and so on.

The only thing I got is God and His word to guide

me (and that’s more than enough for me)

 

So there I was discouraged, upset and even fearful! (that

was new….!)

Why fearful? Fearful that I would fail to accomplish everything

God called me to do. I don’t want to die with any

potential left. I want to have used it all up here on earth!

I was fearful I could be wrong. Wrong about the idea of purpose

I have! (what a mess right?!)

Anyway, it was in that state I prayed to God. I called out to Him

to help me.

 

It was at that time He showed me something

pretty amazing, something I want to share with you about your

life and His purpose for you.

You are not where you are by accident.

It’s not a coincidence you are doing what you are doing at the

moment!

Let me not get ahead of myself.

 

In Daniel 2 we read about a vision Nebuchadnezzar had. His

vision predicted some very important

events that would take place in the future.

Throughout the book of Daniel we read of more visions. The

visions recorded play an important role in the

future scheme of things.

Was it a coincidence that Daniel was in Babylon when

Nebuchadnezzar and Belshazzar were having visions??

Daniel himself had visions at that same time. Was it luck Daniel

was born in that timeline?? Off course it wasn’t!!

 

That was not a coincidence at all. It was planned, it was deliberate.

God created Daniel for that time in history!

Daniel’s gift of interpreting visions was not an accident.

It wasn’t luck that Daniel was in Babylon when the visions started!

It was God!

 

When it comes to God there is no such thing as “coincidence”.

He is very purposeful when it comes to purpose!

He leaves nothing to chance.

 

I think about David who was born around the time of Goliath.

Everything would have worked out fine

for the giant if David had not been born but that was not the

case. God had a plan,

 

“Then the Philistine said, “This day I defy the armies of Israel!

Give me a man and let us fight each other.”

On hearing the Philistine’s words, Saul and all the Israelites were

dismayed and terrified.

1 Samuel 17:10, 11

 

“David said to Saul, “Let no one lose heart on account of this

Philistine; your servant will go and fight him.”

1 Samuel 17:32

 

What a contrast! The armies of Saul were dismayed and terrified

but David was fearless and ready to fight!

He was born for that moment. It was not a coincidence or luck that

he was there. Like Daniel,

God had planned it. He was very deliberate.

 

The last person I will talk about is Esther! We all know her story

very well. She had no father and mother and

was raised by her cousin Mordecai. (Esther 2:7)

Esther had no parents and who knows the challenges she faced

because of that but one thing is clear,

God had a plan for her life. She was not a mistake (even though

she may have thought so).

She would save the Jews from Haman’s evil plot to extinguish the

Jews completely.

 

“When Esther’s words were reported to Mordecai, he sent back

this answer: Do not think

that because you are in the king’s house you alone of all the Jews

will escape. For if you remain

silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise

from another place, but you and your

father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have

come to your royal position for such a time as this?”

Esther 4:12-14

 

I am much better now. I am at peace knowing that I am

exactly where He wants me to be. It may

not make sense but it does to God and that’s all that matters.

 

God is taking you somewhere friend. He has a plan for your life.

His plan for your life is different to mine but we can agree we are

here for a reason.

It’s not a mistake or luck that you are where you are.

God planned it.

It was very deliberate.

He planned your life to have meaning.

Don’t let anyone tell you that there is nothing in store for you!

According to scripture that is just not true!

 

The one thing Daniel, David Esther had in common was their faith

in God!

They trusted Him and loved Him.

Their lives were very different but you could see their faith!

Trust the Lord to guide and lead you in the plan He has for you.

He will not leave you stranded.

With Him your future is certain, with God your purpose will be

accomplished!

 

Bless you friends

 

Rolain

What God expects today……

“For it is like a man who was about to take a long journey,

and he called his servants together and entrusted them with

his property.

To one he gave five talents [probably about $5000], to another

two, to another one-to each in proportion to his own personal

ability. Then he departed and left the country. ”

Matthew 25:14

 

I shared this scripture because it illustrates perfectly where I am

at the moment. God has been speaking to me about the talents He

has given me. I haven’t been faithful with them I am sad to say.

I have been slacking for lack of a better word.

I haven’t been living to my full potential and I know it!

 

I was the man who was given the one talent who hid it in the

ground. But this is the thing, the only way to get to the five

is being faithful with the one talent!

 

I want you to think about something along the same line,

 

Is getting the five talents the main goal or is it being

faithful with however many talents you have?

 

They are both important but I think being faithful with the talents

you currently have is more important.

 

At the level you are at are you being faithful? (are you faithful

today?)

If you have one talent, are you being faithful?

Are you faithful with the two talents God has given you or

are you looking at the guy or girl with the five talents and

wishing you were them??

 

God wants us to be faithful with the talents He has given us.

 

For me, it means being faithful with this blog, being faithful with

my job, and being faithful in the areas of ministry I serve in (those

are my two talents metaphorically speaking).

God is looking at my faithfulness in those areas.

Getting the five talents is not the main goal.

Being faithful with the two is.

 

I am walking in His amazing purpose when I give 200%

into what He has given me to do now, no matter how small

it seems.

 

When increase, promotion and growth come (which always

do)  I will still be required to be faithful. God will still expect me

to bear fruit.

But it starts now. I should be bearing fruit with the two talents

I have right now. There will be no progress if I sit on my talent.

There will be no blessing in my life if I am not moving!

 

As I end here I would like you to think about a few things.

Are you faithful with the talents God has given you?

If not what can you do to change that?

Are you envious of other people who seem to have

more than you?

 

Bless you

 

Rolain

 

 

Three hours later……

Why do people not see how powerful their words are? Three hours have passed and I am still struggling with the words that were spoken to me by a pastor friend. He may have thought he was being sincere but his words reached their target. No matter who you are words hurt. You may be a seasoned Christian or the hulk but the fact remains, words hurt. I think I am a very confident person with a healthy self esteem but his words broke through all of that!

If your words are not going to build, encourage, inspire, and bring out the best in someone then don’t say it. Why would you say something you know will hurt someone? If you know it’s going to hurt them then don’t say it. Let us honor people by the way we speak to them. You may think you are being real and being realistic but you are simply hurting them. Yes people need to hear the truth and yes they need to be confronted but we need wisdom in how we speak to them!

As I conclude remember, no matter who you are words hurt.

 

Rolain

I lost the battle against sin…..?!

I don’t know about you but I have weeks where I feel like I am literally in a boxing ring with sin. Monday I won, Tuesday I lost, Wednesday sin won, Thursday I won and so on and so on. Other weeks I know nothing can touch me. Christ died for my sins and I have been delivered and that’s it!

This week has been a week of fighting guilt and shame and condemnation. Sin seems to be getting stronger in my life, getting the upper hand. I have been delivered for crying out loud but sin seems so strong!! But it also feels like I am in an unfair battle. There is a part of me that wants to sin. It deceives me and betrays me to the enemy. I understand more and more what Paul was speaking about now. My desire is to be free, to get closer to God more and more but he betrays me. I betray me!!!

With all those things going on within me The Lord showed me something!

“For because He Himself [in His humanity] has suffered in being tempted (tested and tried), He is able [immediately] to run to the cry of (assist, relieve) those who are being tempted and tested and tried [and who therefore are being exposed to suffering]. Hebrews 2:18

Jesus came in a form of a man, was tested and tried but didn’t succumb to sin. He humbled Himself so as a High Priest He could identify with our struggles!

He understands everything we go through and I mean everything!

He doesn’t sit by and watch us in our suffering, No!! Instead He comes to our rescue.

The word says, He IMMEDIATELY runs to our cries!! He IMMEDIATELY runs to assist and relieve us.

If you need help cry out to Him! He wants to help you. He understands what you are going through. The fact is this, we are all exposed to suffering but in your suffering don’t remain silent. In my suffering I was silent and that is when guilt and shame and all those other lies penetrated me but they can’t win if you open your mouth. The enemy cannot win if you call on the One who saves!!! His love for us is so deep and cannot be fathomed. He is our Savior……Amen

Rolain

When the doubts come……

 

“If you can do anything, do it. Have a heart and help us!”

Jesus said, “If? There are no ‘ifs’ among believers. Anything can happen.” Mark 9: 22

That is a very bold word from our Lord don’t you think? As bold as it may seem this is what I believe God is saying. The man had asked the disciples to heal his boy but they could not so when Jesus came down the mountain the man must of thought it impossible.

I have to admit and say there are things that I ask God without even thinking twice. I just know He will come through and then there are things that are harder to ask for. But from this whole passage we see this should not be so. We are to trust in God. Mark 11:22 says,

And Jesus replying, said to them, Have faith in God [constantly]. (Amplified)

When we come to God we must not come doubting. It must be in total trust. But the story continues and we see something very important.

No sooner were the words out of his mouth than the father cried, Then I believe. Help me with my doubts! Mark 9: 24

We want to believe and we do believe but doubts get in the way. What are we supposed to do? The man cried out to the Lord for help. We need help when it comes to our doubts. If you don’t struggle with doubts then bless you……But for those who struggle with it then look to God. There are no “ifs” in God’s vocabulary and there shouldn’t be in ours.

You may be in a place where you think “it’s too much, I can’t ask God for that” or “can He really give me what I have asked for” but know that there are no “ifs” when it comes to God. It’s either, ‘yes’ or ‘no’.

Nothing is too big for God. Bring your requests to Him in total faith and if you struggle with doubts then cry out to him for help. He will help. He wants to help us in our areas of weakness…..God bless

Rolain.

Thoughts and Feelings About 2012.

I have been thinking about this year. It has had good parts and bad and it wouldn’t be fair if I just focused on the good. There are things that I see that I know I could of done better and there are things I should of left well alone. So this post as hard as it is to write is about my failures. I realise that God has given me so much but I shouldn’t take them for granted. I will be accountable for the talents and opportunities I haven’t taken.
I am only going to touch on a few of the failures in the hope that as I read over them over time I avoid making the same mistakes.

The first thing is about the way I see. I have missed some important opportunities because I failed to see. Let me explain what I mean.
The church called for a prayer on the 12/12/12. This was a very significant day but I didn’t go because I had just finished doing a Christmas Production and 3 days of intense teaching. But because I was “tired” I missed out on meeting with God. I missed out on declaring things over my life and my church. I was so convicted. I failed to see that by going I would meet with God. I listened to my flesh and it robbed me of something precious!!!

The other opportunity I missed was when I travelled to Malaysia. I was given some spending money on the last day and instead of using it to pay off my trip I spent it on clothes and the like!!! Again, my flesh got in the way!! I felt so bad. How could I not see that opportunity?! There was an opportunity to put the money towards the trip but instead I used it on myself!!!

I started working at a coffee shop about 3 months ago and I have been lazy to work on my own company! I have seen opportunities and I know I can do both things but I have been lazy. It is crazy….!
The more I write the more I see how I have allowed the flesh to rule me!

I have a mentor and I felt I needed to speak to a certain man to be a mentor in my life. I have been putting it off for some months now. There are so many qualities that I want that I see in him but I have been procrastinating and I have been taught that procrastination is just delayed disobedience! There are times I wonder how God can use me………

The last thing I would like to talk about is sin. I have allowed myself to get comfortable with sin. There are things I am dealing with which came about by my own foolishness!!! How could I be so blind? There are things that I am fighting which I am really not supposed to be struggling with but am because I was just acting the fool………

This year has been a learning one. There are things that need to change. I am not going to have 2012 all over again. 2013 is going to be better and not because I rely on my own strength but because God is for me! Save me from my own craziness Lord.

I am not usually that raw but I needed to vent. If I can’t be transparent with you then what’s the point????
Please remember me in your prayers.
Rolain.