Our Detination

Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. ² “Honor your father and mother” (this is the first commandment with a promise), ³ “that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land.” ⁴ Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord. Ephesians 6:1-4

The Journey to our destiny (destination) –

The lesson in the parable of the sower – Matthew 13:18-23

1. Seed fell along the path – we hear but don’t understand the message and it is snatched by the evil one (distraction) we bear no fruit.
2. Seed fell on rocky ground  – receive the message gladly but we quickly give up when we face trouble and persecution
3. Seed fell in thorny bushes – hear message but easily chocked by worries and worldly pleasures
4. On good soil – message is received and nurtured to grow. Psalms 1:4 “they are like trees that grow besides a stream, that bear fruit at the right time, and whose leaves do not dry up. They succeed in everything they do.”

WHY DO WE SUCEED OR FAIL?

Our spiritual heart is composed of four things:

1. The mind – the way we think
2. Our emotions – the way we feel
3. Our ambitions – what we purpose to do
4. Our conscious and  subconscious – what the Holy Spirit uses to make us hear the voice of God 

We are chosen and adopted by the one true God.

Jeremiah 1:5 “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.”

Galatians 1:15  ^“But when he who had set me apart before I was born, and who called me by his grace”

You cannot fathom what God has is mind for you. We should be ready to go to places the likes of which we can never imagine. Even if you do not know that you are blessed, the enemy does and he will keep throwing distractions in your path to keep you away from your blessings.

So we must step up to the challenge and be what God has called us to be.

The enemy is always scheming against you, using distractions of life’s problems to keep you away from your Godly assignment.

Whenever we get problems or shocks in life, we are quick to blame and pass judgment on others. We forget the enemy is within us. His tactics is to dangle something in front of us a distraction. He fond of taking us on during the times when we are:

H – Hungry or in need

A – Angry or excessively emotional

L – Lonely

T – Tired and weary

Our character stands out to guide us in times like this. Joseph faced all these tests (Pit; prison; purity; faith; hate; revenge etc) but and came out triumphant.

The Whole Armor of God Ephesians 6:10-18

¹⁰ Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. ¹¹ Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. ¹² For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. ¹³ Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. ¹⁴ Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, ¹⁵ and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. ¹⁶ In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; ¹⁷ and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, ¹⁸ praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints

1. Stand firm
2. Belt of truth –John 8:32 Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free
3. Righteousness
4. Gospel of peace – Matthew 5:9 Blessed are the peacemakers,
   for they will be called children of God
5. Shield of Faith – word of God
6. Helmet of Salvation
7. Sword of the spirit – Spiritual war fare
8. Prayer – Mark 1:35; Matthew 26:36; Luke 18:1; 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
9. Prayer keeps the kingdom of Satan in check
10. Prayer is the very thing that unlocks the resources of heaven so that they can be unleashed on earth
11. My house shall be called the house of God – Matthew 21:13
12. If my people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land. ¹⁵ Now My eyes will be open and My ears attentive to prayer made in this place. 2 Chronicles 7:14-15.
13. Righteousness – when you are in alignment with God your book is open and you have a clean slate. When you’re not aligned, your behavior is out of tune with the truth and you have an open invitation to the enemy. 
14. When you are more concerned about impressing people than doing what is right
15. When you seek validation of people as opposed to seeking Gods validation
16. When we do things for the applause of people instead of the applause of heaven
17. Don’t sacrifice holiness on the altar of impressiveness
18. Ill not be politically correct but I’ll chose to be holy
19. God’s choices have never been what we know as celebs. David / Rahab / the slave girl who saved Naaman / Mary Magdalene /   Rachel / Rebecca / Paul / Joseph / Daniel / Samuel / Abraham / Noah

Remember that we have to give an account of our lives to God. We must walk with integrity, you need the Holy Spirit to do what he does – empower us.

Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the:
spirit
The last weapon is prayer, and takes in all sorts of prayer, mental and vocal, public and private; and every branch of it, as deprecation of evils, petitions for good things, and thanksgiving for mercies: and which should be used always: this stands opposed to such who pray not at all, or who have prayed, but have left it off; or who pray only in distress, and it suggests, that a man should pray as often as he has an opportunity; and particularly, that he should make use of it in times of darkness, desertion, and temptation: and this, when performed aright, is performed “in the Spirit”; with the heart, soul, and spirit engaged in it; it is put up with a true heart, and a right spirit, and without hypocrisy; in a spiritual way, and with fervency, and under the influence, and by the assistance of the Spirit of God.

And watching thereunto;
either to the word, as a direction for prayer, or to prayer itself; for opportunities to pray for the assistance of the Spirit in prayer, for an answer of it, and to return thanks for blessings when bestowed; and against all dependence on it, and against Satan’s temptations, and our own corruptions with respect to it:

with all perseverance;
in it, notwithstanding what Satan and an unbelieving heart may suggest to the contrary:

and supplication for all saints;
of every nation, age, sex, and condition, in all places, and of every denomination. So Christ taught his disciples to pray, saying, our Father, suggesting, that they were not only to pray for themselves, but for all the children of God.

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE: There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear… 1 John 4:18, NIV

TODAY’S WORD: Scripture tells us that God is love. He is perfect, and His love is perfect. There is nothing you can do to make God love you more, and nothing you can do to make Him love you less. His love toward you is steadfast; it’s unchanging. His arms are always stretched out toward you, and He is always ready for you to come to Him. 

Oftentimes, when people make a mistake or feel that they have disappointed God, they think He might be mad at them, but the Scripture tells us just the opposite. God’s not mad at you; He’s madly in love with you! It doesn’t matter what you’ve done or where you’ve come from, God’s arms are open to you. He’s longing to show you His goodness and grace. It’s His kindness that leads us to repent and change our ways. 

Today, if there is anything in your life that is keeping you from receiving His amazing love, set those things aside. Let His love restore you and make you new. Come to Him with an open heart and receive His amazing love and enjoy the blessings He has in store for you!

Esther4:14 “Yet who knows – maybe it was for a time like this that you were made queen”