Wednesday, February 25, 2015

Weapons of Warfare

"Beat your plowshares into swords and your pruning
hooks into spears." - Joel 3:10a


In this third chapter of Joel, we hear the prophet
describe a time yet to come. It will be a time of great harvest on the earth,
and this verse describes the catalyst. A plowshare is an agricultural
instrument used to till the soil. At this point in history, it was a tool that
spoke of one's vocation. However, the prophet was speaking of a time yet to
come. The prophet described the plowshare as an instrument that will be turned
into a sword. The sword is often used in the Bible to describe God's Word.

The only way a plowshare can be turned into a sword is
for it to go through extreme heat, and then the blacksmith must beat that
plowshare into shape. Heat and punishment of the metal turns that plowshare
into an instrument of battle. God must do this in each of our lives in order
for us to be useable as a worthy sword. We are all in a battle - a spiritual
battle. Paul describes our battle as one against the principalities of the
unseen world. I believe God is going to rise up many in the workplace to use
their plowshare as a weapon of righteousness in these last days. That weapon
won't be used for destruction, but as a weapon of love. That weapon of love will
yield a great harvest in our lifetime. But this is only part of the story.

God is also going to turn our pruning hooks into spears.
A pruning hook is used in two ways. First, it is used to prune a tree for
greater growth and productivity. It is also used to cut the fruit from taller
trees in which one cannot reach the fruit. This fruit from our vocation is
going to be cast forth like a spear, but even more as seed planted to bring the
harvest of which Joel speaks. Fruit from our work life is often the financial
rewards generated. God wants to use our finances and everything else for His
purposes. We must use our vocations and the fruit that comes from them as seed
to bring the great harvest that God is planning.

How are you using your plowshare and your
pruning hook for God's glory today? Ask God to show you how He wants to use
your skills, resources, and relationships to prepare for the great harvest He
has planned

Tuesday, February 17, 2015

When Satan Attacks Your Destiny

"When the Philistines heard that David had been crowned king of Israel, they tried to capture him; but David was told that they were coming and went into the stronghold. The Philistines arrived and spread out across the valley of Rephaim. Then David asked the Lord, 'Shall I go out and fight against them? Will you defeat them for me?'" (2 Sam 5:17-19).

When you are about to enter your destiny, there is always opposition from Satan designed to prevent you from fulfilling your destiny.

When Jesus was born, Herod tried to kill him. When Jesus was baptized and fasted 40 days, Satan came to tempt Him in an effort to derail his destiny. When David had been anointed king over Israel, God's destiny had been revealed for all to see-even Satan. So, Satan raised up the Philistines to try and kill David's destiny.

However, in response, we see David do two things. First, he retreats to his stronghold. It is a place of protection. It is a quiet place. Second, he inquires of God. It is here that he inquires of God for the strategy to defeat his enemy. God reveals it to him and he goes on to defeat the Philistines. In fact, David NEVER lost a battle because he learned to inquire of God for the strategy to defeat his enemies.

Do you know God's intended destiny for your life? Beware of Satan's strategy to attack you in the place of your destiny. His desire is to take you off this divine path.

We must follow David's example in response to the enemy of our souls. We must retreat to our stronghold, seek the Lord, and listen for His answer. Then, we will fulfill the purpose for which God created us.

Tuesday, February 10, 2015

No More Excuses

But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. Heb. 11:6

2015 cannot be a year of excuses. Spiritual slackness is the enemy of spiritual growth! You will not mature in the things of God nor will you receive your blessing being slack concerning your walk with him. God does not reveal himself to those that are slack and he does not reward those that are sometimey! You must commit to seeking him and following him in order to receive from him. You got 2 choices. Either do it yourself, or diligently seek him. There is no middle ground to stand on. When you choose to be slack and lazy, you chose to do it yourself. God wants those that can represent him well so he can show the world what he is capable of. Why would he want to show the world a bad representation of himself? If you are always talking about what you are going to do, but never do it, then you are slack. And why would God want to show you as a representation when the world will say, "I'm doing better than that without him!"

God wants people that will hear his voice, and then follow his command! He wants Christians that are faith walkers and not jive talkers. He does not need anyone with a "I’m going to" mentality, but he needs those with a "I'm willing" mentality! God has already given you the instructions, so now it's time to move. It's time to step out on faith and accept what God is expecting from you. The world does not respect lazy, slack people, so why do you think God is pleased with that? Some of us have been struggling with the same brokenness, in the same place, dealing with the same issues for too long. God wants us to pray, and get up! Take up your bed and walk! Don't just sit there, MOVE! Everyone is tired of hearing you say what you are going to do over and over again. 2015 must be a year of no more excuses! You don't have the money to start it? Who did? You don't have the time to start it? Who does? You don't have the courage to begin? Get some! Get over your hurt, your past, your slackness, and the spirit of hindrance and move forward! God is waiting for someone to advance the Kingdom of God with diligence and fervor. It is time to tarry no more!

Suggested Reading: James 1:25, Prov. 20:13, Heb. 6:11, James 2:26

- Pastor D. Michael Lilavois
   Mt. Olive Church Of God In Christ
   403 E. Lee St.   Tucson, Arizona  85705
   520-884-7929
   WWW.mtolivechurch.org

Tuesday, February 3, 2015

Empty Mangers

Where there are no oxen, the manger is empty, but from the strength of an ox
comes an abundant harvest. - Proverbs 14:4

When Jesus came into this world, He chose to be born in a most unusual place-a
manger. It was no more than a livery stable with goats, oxen, and other
livestock animals. There is a distinctive characteristic about a place like
this. It is filled with odors and dung from the animals. God seems to work best
among the unpleasantness of circumstances. In fact, "where there are no oxen,
the manger is empty." What is this really saying? I believe it is saying that in
order for Jesus to be present, we must invite those things that bring with them
"messes to clean up." God works among the messy things in our lives. And from
these messes come an abundant harvest. This is what He did with all His highly
used servants in the Bible. God is filled with paradoxes. Why can't life be
seamless and smooth? Because God likes to show Himself in the midst of the
messes of life, this is what brings us into the harvests. So often the bigger
the mess, the bigger the harvest.

When a major road-construction project takes place in a crowded city street, it
appears to be absolute chaos. It is inconvenient, slow-moving and tends to get
us irritated because it appears we are moving much slower than we would like. It
is ugly, and so much of what we see is torn up. But when we look at that same
area a few months or years later, we see why the construction was necessary.
There was meaning to the mess. It actually made life so much better for those
who would use the road.
It has been through the messiest of times in my business and personal life that
God has revealed His power and strength in my life. It was when these "oxen" of
hardship have walked into my manger that the greatest harvest was manifest.
However, when I have sought to remove the "oxen" and rid myself of the odor and
the mess, I have fought the ultimate work of God.  God works in mangers.