WHAT A MATCH!

 

Our leading text points to a monumental wrestling match …

There are many struggling matches taking place in our world today:

The match of families against challenging times,

The match of ethnic groups against social injustices,

The match of hearts wrestling with the bitter pain of loss,

The match of my nation in an electoral process,

The match of all nations against COVID-19,           

The match of  the world against what has been an unimaginable 2020.

 

All are challenging matches of strength and resolve;

And, we could discuss at length any one of these situations – and many more

However – today we are focusing on a match which Jacob had in the Old Testament

What a Match! 

The story tells of Jacob’s encounter with a man –

     A Man who we later understand to be the LORD

And how Jacob boldly declared, even after significant personal injury,

     ‘I will not let go unless You bless me’ [Genesis 32:26]

 

The response from the Man was this,

“Your name will no longer be called Jacob, but Israel, because you have struggled with God and with men and have prevailed" Genesis 32:28

 

That is a power-packed statement!

 

You have struggled with God and with men and have prevailed

 

Now, I have always understood the struggle with man …

But, can anyone truly struggle with God and prevail?

After all, He is the LORD Omnipotent – All Powerful and Mighty

He cannot be overcome by anyone or anything

 

Yet Jacob is told, ‘you have struggled with God and with men and have prevailed’

 

I believe the prevailing victory that Jacob encountered pointed toward the first part of the declaration which was delivered to him at the end of this long wrestling match

 

‘Your name will no longer be called Jacob, but Israel’

 

Jacob underwent a life-changing, identity altering experience –

An experience which was not the sole product of his encounter with the Man that night;

Rather, he had many experiences which culminated in his encounter with the Man that night.

 

His birth name was Jacob – which means ‘one who grabs at the heel’, ‘supplanting’ or ‘deceiver’

His new name was Israel – meaning ‘God Contended’, ‘Wrestles with God’ and/or ‘Triumphant with God’

He was Triumphant with God

Triumphant over an upbringing plagued by favoritism, competition, contention and family dysfunction – playing his own role in the situations and living up to his name

Triumphant over being tricked in business dealings

 Triumphant over an identity crisis which started from his infancy

And now here he was, not stealing a blessing by trickery this time, but obtaining a blessing by clinging to the Blessing Giver

 

It was not a short process –

This wrestling match occurred on the eve of him meeting his brother whom he had tricked out of blessing many, many years earlier – at least twenty years. In the process, he had endured many challenges. He had also amassed a large family, servants and great wealth

 

Yet, here he was still seeking a blessing from the LORD

 

I believe he understood that there was a blessing with his name on it –

     A blessing he would not have to manipulate or trick others to obtain

Because a blessing received by ill-gotten means is not a blessing at all and certainly not one which can truly be enjoyed with peace

 

‘I will not let you go unless you bless me’

 

And that is exactly what happened –

‘Then he blessed him [Jacob] there. So Jacob called the place Peniel saying, “It is because I saw God face to face, and yet my life was spared.”’ Genesis 32:29-30

 

I believe all the trials Jacob faced – and the transformation he underwent – prepared him for the blessing which was for him all along.

 

What God has for you is for you!

 

You do not have to want or grasp for the blessing of another.

And, even when you miss the mark [which we all have at one point or another], it does not cancel out the call of God on your life or the blessing He has reserved just for you.

 

It may take a while for the blessing to fully manifest.

But, in the process, the LORD will use all of your circumstances –

     to prepare you for what He has prepared for you.

 

If you will patiently wrestle and work & struggle and strive –

     allowing your character to be developed

If you will steadfastly cling to the Blessing Giver –

You will ultimately prevail … and you will not be disappointed. 

I promise!

  

‘For the vision is yet for the appointed time;

It hastens toward the goal and it will not fail.

Though it tarries, wait for it; For it will certainly come, it will not delay.’

Habakkuk 2:3

 

Have a Blessed Day!

stand strong

Good Evening Friends!

I hope you had a fantastic day today –

I have had an interesting day;

One of those days that makes you sit and reflect at the end of the day

Have you ever experienced a situation –

One which should have left you feeling a certain way,

But had the complete opposite affect?

I had one of those moments today –

Two actually

It made me think of a response from three of God’s faithful servants in the Old Testament

Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego

These three men were faced with persecution and threatened with bodily harm;

And, their enemy, who had heard of their determination to honor the LORD, was furious;

Then, in his rage, the king declared, “Now when you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipe and all kinds of music, if you are ready to fall down and worship the image I made, very good. But if you do not worship it, you will be thrown immediately into a blazing furnace. Then what god will be able to rescue you from my hand?” Daniel 3:15

The three Hebrew men responded, “King Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and He will deliver us from Your Majesty’s hand. But even if He does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.” Daniel 3:16

I love the way the Message Version says it:

“Your threat means nothing to us. If you throw us in the fire, the God we serve can rescue us from your roaring furnace and anything else you might cook up, O king. But even if he doesn’t, it wouldn’t make a bit of difference, O king. We still wouldn’t serve your gods or worship the gold statue you set up”

The kings words were meant to instill fear –

However, those very words, words meant to intimidate them,

Those words had the opposite affect – instead it emboldened them!

People in our modern-day society make reference to people ‘doubling-down’

Well, these three had to be the originators of ‘double-down’

Some might refer to them as ‘strong-willed',

But that is what I like about them and their story.

I have often told the tale of my youngest son and his incredible determination:

From the time he was very young, he has had an extremely strong will;

I would even dare to say that it is a quality he possessed before he was born

The pregnancy with him was nothing like what I experienced carrying his two older brothers

And, he was almost two weeks late! He was determined to do things his way, on his timetable

It was a constant struggle, a war of wills, a tango of temperaments;

My son determined to have his way – and me determined to control the situation

HOWEVER – everything changed one day

I was praying about/against that willfulness in my son;

Then I heard the LORD speak so clearly, that it might as well have been audible:

‘Stop praying against that trait … I gave him that characteristic

It does not need to be rebuked. It needs to be trained and harnessed

Because when he wants what I want – HE WILL BE UNSTOPPABLE!’

You see – there is a strength that comes from confidence in self

                In knowing who you are as a person … this is foolishness, vanity and futility

Then – there is a strength that comes from confidence in the LORD;

                In knowing Whose you are … this is true strength, wisdom & power!

When you know the LORD – you are able to walk and talk, a little differently;

‘The people who know their God shall display strength and do great exploits’ Daniel 11:32

So, my encouragement to you this evening – stand strong in the LORD

AFTER ALL –

‘…if this plan or this work is of men, it will come to nothing; but if it is of God,

You cannot overthrow it – lest you even be found to fight against God’ Acts 5:38-39

Have a Blessed Evening!

2020: STILL ABLE

Good Evening Friends

I pray your day went well today –

We have made it past the middle of the week [since it is the end of the day]

We are also officially and exactly one week into the New Year

Yes – just like that!

This is why it is so important to make the most of every moment;

Because the moments pass quickly.

I have no catchy phrases for 2020 –

No play on words or phrases or promises that 2020 will be a year of perfection

That would be unrealistic and an insult to your intelligence

In life, there is no such thing as perfect

LIFE IS PERFECTLY IMPERFECT!

But there is One who is perfect

One of the first verses I read at the start of this new year was Ephesians 3:20,

‘Now to Him who is able ….’

And – while I read the entire verse,

In reality, we can stop right there

HE IS ABLE

Sometimes we have to remind ourselves of that truth

Indeed, there may be times throughout this year when you will need to remind yourself

HE IS ABLE

I know it is easier said than done

I mean, we are only seven days in with this new year, and we already have:

-         The earth shaking & quaking  in Puerto Rico

-         Missiles soaring in the Middle East

-         Australia still ablaze

-         Violence still occurring at an alarming rate

-         Needs ever-present

It is enough to discourage someone –

At time when we should be filled with expectation,

With the hope of a clean start and new beginning that a new year brings

In fact I spoke to a friend on Saturday who advised,

‘I have not been this depressed since …’

That person went on to tell of a time when they were absolutely overwhelmed.

And while I understood their perspective,

And while I did not in any way desire to minimize their challenge,

I would not have been a friend if I did not seize the opportunity to remind them:

The same God who pulled you through the last time you were ‘in this place’,

He is the same God who is present and working on your behalf today.

He is the same yesterday, today and forever more.

Nothing you are experiencing has caught Him by surprise.

And, His ability to rescue you has not diminished in the slightest degree.

HE IS ABLE

HE IS ABLE & HE IS FAITHFUL

I do not testify to His ability from a place of fun and fancy;

I do not encourage you from a throne of thoughts and theory

No – I boldly proclaim His ability from a place of fire & fury,

A place where my faith has been [and continues to be] forged in the flames

AND STILL –

I know Him to be a faithful God,

I know this … not intellectually but experientially

AND I KNOW FULL WELL –

Whatever 2020 brings, we must walk through it by faith and not by sight [II Cor. 5:7]

This is why I am confident that 2020 is going to be a year of – VISION, VALUES & VICTORY

The entirety of that verse in Ephesians reads:

‘Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.’

GOD IS ON THE THRONE

GOD IS IN CONTROL & HE CARES FOR EVERY SINGLE THING THAT CONCERNS YOU

Have a Blessed Evening!

2020: NEW, NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTION

Good Morning

Happy Saturday – the first Saturday of this New Year

I pray your new year is off to a great start

There are statistic out there that note –

80% of New Year’s Resolutions FAIL BY FEBRUARY

Less than 25% of individuals stick with New Year’s Resolutions Past 30 Days

Only 8-10% fulfill their New Year’s Resolutions

AND –

There is a less known, less publicized reality

that some New Year’s Resolutions fail within three days

Who wants to own that – much less talk about it?

Which brings us to TODAY

It brings us to our focus on a NEW, NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTION

Webster’s defines RESOLUTION as: process of resolving, firmness of purpose, statement of the opinion, will, or intent of a body

YET –

As far as I can recall, resolutions [and specifically New Year’s Resolutions] have been associated with stopping certain behaviors and adopting new practice and habits.

HOWEVER –

A resolution, a resolve, a firmness of purpose, a decision to do something or to behave in a certain manner does not have to focus on removing something negative. It can center on maintaining & increasing something positive.

If you placed your trust in the LORD in 2019 –

                Resolve to CONTINUE TRUSTING IN THE LORD IN 2020

“Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in Him” Jeremiah 17:7

If you hoped in the LORD in 2019 –

                Resolve to CONTINUE HOPING IN THE LORD IN 2020

“For You, O LORD are my hope, my trust, O LORD, from my youth” Psalm 71:5

If you found strength in the LORD in 2019 –

                Resolve to CONTINUE RELYING ON THAT STRENGTH IN THE LORD IN 2020

“ Those who trust in the LORD, will renew their strength; they shall rise up on wings as eagles; they shall run and not grow weary; they shall walk and not faint.” Isaiah 40:31

AND REMEMBER –

Whatever your focus, whatever the resolution,

Keep in mind that ‘His mercies are new every morning’ Lamentation 3:22-23

This means that you can keep moving forward no matter what comes your way.

Happy New Year … Again!

Praying You Have a Blessed Day

     & Restful Weekend

DEFENDER

Good Evening Friends,

I pray you all have had a blessed weekend –

It always goes much too quickly for my liking … yet, still I am thankful

I just got home from a Night-of-Worship at my home church, Bridge Church

IT WAS SUCH A POWERFUL TIME!!!

So glad I pushed past my feelings of sickness earlier and decided to go.

I was blessed in such a tremendous way!

And, this being the day of Pentecost [a remembrance of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit in the book of Acts], it was appropriate that there was an intense and heightened awareness of His Presence.

For me personally, it was an evening of BREAKTHROUGH!

This has been quite a season for me … with several miles still to journey

However, I feel strongly that the LORD has been reminding me:

He goes before me and makes every crooked place straight [Isaiah 45:2]

No weapon formed against me shall prosper [Isaiah 54:17]

HE IS MY STRONG TOWER [Proverbs 18:10; Psalm 61:3]

HE IS MY DEFENDER [Deuteronomy 32:4]

All last week, I have been listening to a song by Bethel called Defender.

It is a great song which begins,

‘You go before I know
That You've even gone to win my war
You come back with the head of my enemy
You come back and You call it my victory

You go before I know
That You've even gone to win my war
Your love becomes my greatest defense
It leads me from the dry wilderness’

WELL –

Tonight, He let me know, in no uncertain terms, that THE BATTLE IS HIS [II Chronicles 20:15]

He assured me, with several confirmations, that THE VICTORY IS SURE [I Samuel 30:8]

He also took me by my hand and let me know that HE IS LEADING ME OUT OF MY DRY WILDERNESS

In Song of Solomon 8:5, the question is asked, “Who is this coming up from the wilderness leaning on her beloved?” The Answer? Me!!!

This meant so much to me. It especially meant a great deal because I know how monumentally and miserably I have failed Him during this trial

HE IS SUCH AN AMAZING, MERCIFUL, FORGIVING & LOVING GOD!

I AM OVERWHELMED –

I am overwhelmed because of His nature

He does not require me to do penance;  

He does not remind me of my failures and shame me [that is the enemy’s job] [Psalm 103:12]

NO –

He reminds that there is now therefore no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:1)

HE LOVES ME … WITH AND EVERLASTING & UNCONDITIONAL LOVE

AND THAT BATTLE?

He makes no requirements of me on that front either

In fact, it just like that song by Bethel says …

 ‘AND ALL I DID WAS PRAISE

ALL I DID WAS WORSHIP
ALL I DID WAS BOW DOWN
ALL I DID WAS STAY STILL’

Such a blessing!

Know this tonight – no matter what you are facing, no matter how great you feel you have failed … even if you are standing on the other side of salvation and have never accepted the free gift of redemption that Christ died to give you …

HE IS PRESENT & HIS ARMS ARE OPEN WIDE TO RECEIVE YOU;

TO BE YOUR DEFENDER … IN EVERY WAY

Praying You Have Blessed Evening

                   & a Fantastic Week …

Cling to the Sword!

‘And after him was Eleazar … one of the three mighty men with David … He [Eleazar] arose, and smote the Philistines until his hand was weary, and his hand clave unto the sword: and the LORD wrought a great victory that day; and the people returned after him only to spoil.’ II Samuel 23:9-10 (KJV)

What an image!

This mighty man of valor fought so hard and long that his hand ‘clave unto the sword’. The word for clave in the Hebrew is ‘dabaq’ which means: to cling, stick, stay close, cleave, keep close, stick to, stick with, follow closely, join to…

He was so determined in his fight against the enemy that his hand clung to the sword. It stuck to and with the sword. It stayed close to the sword. It cleaved unto the sword. His hand kept close to the sword. His hand followed closely and joined to the sword.

‘And the LORD wrought a great victory that day; and the people returned after him only to spoil.’

Because he remained focused, diligent and persistent – because he clung to the sword – the LORD brought about a tremendous victory. And the only thing left to do when it was all over was to collect the spoils from the enemy.

•Do you need tools to fight the battle you are in?
•Do you have a desire to annihilate the enemy?
•Do need a TODAY victory where you can take back all enemy has stolen from you and others?

DO WHAT ELEAZER DID … CLING TO THE SWORD!

Ephesians 6:13-18 tells us to put on the full armor of God when going into battle. But I especially like verse seventeen which tells us, ‘take … the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God’.
• As I stick to (and with) the sword, it enables me to cut down the enemies which have surrounded me
• As I embrace the truth of God’s Word and apply it to my life, I am equipped for an unrelenting battle
• I am empowered as I keep my hand close to the ‘sword, which is the word’ – as I allow it to direct the works of my hands, my actions
• When I am joined to and follow closely the Word of God, which is the sword of God, I have everything I need

The victory is sure if I will but cling to the sword of God, to the Word of God!

Understand, however, that dogged determination is not enough…

My determination must be accompanied by His sword, by His Word, by His Spirit.

This is the word of the LORD: ‘It is not by force nor by strength, but by My Spirit, says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.’ Zechariah 4:6 (NLT)

CLING TO GOD’S SWORD – CLING TO HIS WORD
DESTROY THE ENEMY … WIN THE BATTLE … COLLECT THE SPOILS!

*Re-Post 4/12/19. Originally posted on this site 04/29/10

fight or die ...

FIGHT … DIE

These are two powerful words. Each has an ability to change the trajectory of not only one’s own life and legacy, but the lives of those around them as well. 

The Word of God tells us that stormy challenges and circumstances come to all – irrespective of age, gender, race, nationality, socio-economic status or faith. The battles and the struggles which arise as a result are inevitable.

HOWEVER –

I believe in every journey – for those truly intense battles – there arises in the heart of the warrior a determined conviction to: FIGHT AND WIN … OR DIE TRYING

For the believer, it is understood that either scenario results in victory – “[For] If we live, we live for the LORD; and if we die, we die for the LORD. So whether we live or die, we belong to the LORD.” Romans 14:8

No matter the outcome - the battle must be fought

Now, sometimes the LORD will call you to be still and see the salvation of the LORD.

But, other times, He will command you just as He did King David,

“Arise! Pursue! For you shall surely overtake them and recover all!” I Samuel 30:8

There are times when the battle will require physical action

However, there are times when He will remind us –

“For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God…” II Corinthians 10:4-5

There will be times when praise and worship are the strategic battle plan of the day

• Old Testament Battle at Tekoa – where Jehoshaphat sent out the praise team ahead of the army (II Chronicles 20)
• First Century Prison – Where Paul and Silas sang their way to freedom (Acts 16:25-36)
• End Time Revelation – where we are reminded that what we say, the words of our testimony, work in concert with the blood of Jesus to cause us to overcome and bring about victory (Revelation 12:11)

But, the LORD is for peace, isn’t He?

Yes – ultimately

Yet, He Himself said, “Do you suppose that I came to give peace on earth? I tell you, not at all, but rather division” (Luke 12:51)

A similar account is found in the book of Matthew – and I am particularly fond of the Message Version of this section of Scripture:

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“Stand up for Me against world opinion and I’ll stand up for you before My Father in heaven. If you turn tail and run, do you think I’ll cover for you?

 “Don’t think I’ve come to make life cozy. I’ve come to cut—make a sharp knife-cut between son and father, daughter and mother, bride and mother-in-law—cut through these cozy domestic arrangements and free you for God...”

Matthew 10:32-37

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

No – there should be no mistake on why He came. He declared it Himself while He was on the earth giving His disciples on how to pray to the Father – “Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven”

That is the charge – to establish His kingdom order in every sector of our hearts individually and in every sector of society universally

SO KEEP FIGHTING SOLDIER –

DO NOT GROW WEARY IN WELL DOING;

ON YOUR KNEES – IN PRAYER,

WITH THE SWORD – WHICH IS THE WORD,

IN THE ATMOSPHERE – WITH PRAISE AND SHOUTS OF VICTORY!!!

There is a song which I keep hearing lately. In fact, there have been times I have gone to sleep and awakened in the morning with this song resounding in my heart. It has been performed by multiple musical artist. However, I am particularly fond of the rendition done by one musical assembly. The song – Surrounded (This is how I fight my battles) by Upper Room. I have provided a link in the comments section. Take a listen when you have the opportunity …

I Pray You Have a Tremendously Blessed Day!

Zenobia

Endless Praise ... 2017

Happy New Year!

I pray your New Year is off to a great start and that you are eagerly anticipating all that 2017 has to offer. With this being the first day of the New Year, it seemed an appropriate time to chart the course before this 2017 journey begins.

Understand this – no matter where your individual road carries you throughout the remainder of this New Year, one thing is certain: Praise will be the fuel to keep you going.

In the book of II Chronicles, an account is provided of a situation where enemy forces stood ready to wage war against the Israelites. Yet, a word of encouragement came to Jehoshaphat, the king of Judah:

“You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the Lord will give you, Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the Lord will be with you.” II Chronicles 20:17

What followed was a detailed account of steps taken by Jehoshaphat and the people, in response to this declaration:

^“Jehoshaphat bowed down with his face to the ground, and all the people of Judah and Jerusalem fell down in worship before the Lord.” II Chronicles 20:18

^“Then some Levites from the Kohathites and Korahites stood up and praised the Lord, the God of Israel, with a very loud voice.” II Chronicles 20:19

“After consulting the people, Jehoshaphat appointed men to sing to the Lord and to praise him for the splendor of his holiness as they went out at the head of the army, saying:

“Give thanks to the Lord,
    for his love endures forever.”

II Chronicles 20:21

“As they began to sing and praise, the Lord set ambushes against the men of Ammon and Moab and Mount Seir who were invading Judah, and they were defeated.” II Chronicles 20:22

In response to their praise, the LORD waged war on their behalf and secured their victory against their enemies. There was no task left for the people of God but to collect the spoils.

Understand this – Your victory is closer than you think!

It is right at the tip of your tongue.

So let us make a determination today, this first day of 2017, that no matter what the coming days and months hold, we shall praise the One who stands alone as worthy of praise.

Praying you have a blessed day and an exciting year full of realized expectations and sudden surprises!

Here is a beautiful song I stumbled upon this New Year’s Eve. 

It is not new … but it is new to me ... and so fitting for our first communication of 2017.

Hillsong UNITED – Even When It Hurts (Praise Song)

Be Blessed … and … Happy New Year!

“Through Jesus, therefore,

Let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—

The fruit of lips that openly profess His name.”

Hebrews 13:15