Who Are You, Really?

Pressure. Fatigue. Worry. Stress. All of these are issues we all face on a daily basis. Situations come around and makes eveything go haywire. It mounts up more and more until it explodes in our faces. But then the situation tries to tell you how you should respond. Problem is when you do, you end up feeding the situation making it stronger against you and cause it to grow instead of diminish.

But who are you, really? Are you someone who is under the thumb of their circumstances? Are you someone who HAS to do what the circumstances tell you? Are you really powerless against the whims of issues in life and doomed to obey them?

I submit to you that if you are a believer in Jesus belonging to Him, you are most definitely NOT any of the above.

I think about police officers who encounter criminals at large. Let's say it's a hostage situation. The criminal says that he WILL NOT come out without his demands being met. And if his demands aren't satisfied, he will take a life. Now, all the circumstances say, "Give this guy what he wants!". But in reality, the officers hear what the criminal is saying, but they respond according to a higher standard. They respond according to a different set of rules, and these rules supercede the rules of the criminal. They have been given the authority to act within the realm of those rules to the fullest extent. And in the end, the higher rule of authority wins. Why? Because the law is the final authority and the criminal will submit to the higher rule of authority either WILLINGLY or UNWILLINGLY, BREATHING or not BREATHING one way or another.

Now, how does that apply to us, you may ask?

Jesus has given you authority OVER YOUR OWN EMOTIONS which will not necessarily decide the outcome of the situations, but will decide the EFFECT of the situation in YOUR life. Circumstances, like the criminals, DO NOT have the right OR the authority to tell you how to live unless you give it that authority. God has empowered you with a Higher Rule of Law than the rules of situations and issues.

Remember: "WHATEVER YOU FOCUS ON WILL RULE YOU."

There is something greater on the inside of you than the situations around you. The circumstances will come AND go, but the word of the Lord will stand forever. And His word toward you is for your good and for your success. Again, realize that the circumstances may not change right away, but YOU can change. Let the Lord show up on your behalf. Give Him your FULL attention instead of yielding attention to the issue. When you do this on a consistent basis, peace will meet you and lift you up.

Be encouraged!

Greg

Random Thoughts

We're on our way today to Ft Myers and Naples, FL to minister. There is anticipation of what the Lord has in store for us. At this start of a new year there is an even greater sense of being on target and purposeful in what we do.

All of last year we sense that there was a change or shift in what we are doing as a ministry. God seemed to be moving us from just going and ministering wherever to ministering as a result of being on assignment.

There is a difference.

Now, when Paul and I go out to different places to minister, we recognize that we are going somewhere to minister with something the Lord plans to release through us specific to the congregation or city we are in. And so far He has been faithful to meet us at each and every location ministering in power.

We have seen God heal people instantly without anyone laying hands on them and we've watched as countless many have come to give their hearts to him.

I encourage you in this year to really lock in with the Spirit of God to find out your "assignment" and start walking accordingly. You'll find yourself living life more full because you'll be doing what you were created to do. Set your sights on God and strive to see His FACE and His purpose and live out of that place.

2010

We have just stepped over a line drawn in the sand. 2009 has come to an end and 2o10 has just begun. There have been many things that have occurred in 09 that are mind boggling and surprising. I think we can all attest to that in our own individual lives. Changes, surprises, challenges, victories, defeats, successes, failures, all of these are things we can all attest to at one point or another.
However, as I write this, I must say that I tremble inside. I shudder to take the step I am about to take with this writing because it challenges me personally as I trust it will challenge you.

I believe that in 2010:

- There is a line being drawn in the sand by the Spirit of God. The line is the place where the ones who claim to belong to God will have to decide if standing for Him is more important than being liked by everyone else. This is a line of "chose you this day whom you will serve." This is a line drawn where people who are "playing" church, or go to church "just to get their church on," will need to decide if they will continue to live that way or shake off that mindset and truly surrender to God in every area.

- There will be greater opportunity to press deeper into God to know Him. Much of the work of the Lord has been hidden from the eyes of all and has been reserved only for those who will dare to press in to know. This is the time when the "trustworthy" and the "trust-able" will be shown step by step what the activity of the Spirit of God is in this hour. These will be those who will rightly discern the moving of the Lord, but will be faithful stewards of the information they receive and speak them ONLY when instructed to. Many yearn to know, but too few pay the price. The Spirit of God is calling for all who desire to know Him to pay the price for intimacy with Him.

- This WILL be a year of breakthrough, but for MANY it will not be the breakthrough they thought would happen, nor will it be the breakthrough they have heard preached. For some, it will be a breakthrough regarding blessing and favor and provision. For some it will be breakthrough in relationship with others, breakthroughs in jobs, etc. But for MANY, it will be breakthroughs in intimacy with God, for therein lies their breakthrough. They may not see the financial prosperity that they've longed for, no, but instead they will see the breakthrough that is critical for them to have IN ORDER TO RECEIVE the breakthrough they desire. God is raising up a people who will go beyond what is "desired" to what is "needed." It will be different for everyone, but regardless of the difference, it WILL be breakthrough.

- God will begin to bring an end to useless revelations spoken out of the souls of men and will begin to show Himself strong and mighty regarding His word. The end is coming for mockers to have their time. But know this: The mockers are not just those who mock OUTSIDE the church, but INSIDE as well. God is dealing with those who mock Him by living double lives; life one way in the church and another way outside of the church. BE WARNED.

Please understand, I am not attempting to say that all of this will be fully accomplished in the year 2010. Rather, I believe this is the starting point of these things that will be accomplished in time. We MUST be careful to be on the correct side with Him. Never the less, you and I MUST choose. We will either be FOR Him and AGAINST Him, which will be shown in the way we live our lives both publicly AND privately.

So in this year 2010, PLEASE look deeper into the Lord and surrender everything. Let your lives and may my life be lived pleasing God in everything we do. Will we fail? Most likely. But the real question is, "WILL WE GET UP AND RUN TO HIM OR RUN FROM HIM?" I'm running TO Him.










How about you?

G