Surprise Beginnings

For some reason, this reminds me of an ice cream cone. “Surpise Begnnings” was the title that came to me. What’s on my mind is the subject of breakthrough and small beginnings. I titled it “Surprise Beginnings” because sometimes we don’t even notice those small beginnings, but they are surprises from God meant to encourage us and show us that God is on the throne and is hearing our prayers. He is moving on the scene to bring answers to prayers, but we must get our mind off the problem and more focused on God in order to see those answers.

So many of us want and need breakthrough in our lives. Usually we are looking for one giant sweep of events that will overturn our negative circumstances and provide viable solutions. I do believe there can be giant, sweeping, breakthrough moments, but what about all the smaller breakthrough moments that we might discount because the problem still seems so large and overwhelming to us?

This is what’s on my mind, and I believe on God’s heart. Right now, God’s people are engaging in a spiritual battle of epic proportions, not only on the larger scale for our nation or world, but on the smaller scale of our individual lives and family. The battle can be summed up by good versus evil, light versus darkness, or fear versus faith. Even Truth versus lies. The enemy is after our minds because if he can discourage us to the point we lose our faith, then he is really winning. We do not have to lose our entire faith in Jesus to be defeated, but we can lose our faith that God is a good and just God, or that God really cares for us, loves us, and wants to be there to solve problems for each and every aspect of our life; that God is a powerful enough God and loving enough God to actually change things for us! This is a slippery slope, however, and if we lose faith in these things, we could eventually lose our faith all together. God says in the Bible not to be double minded because it leads to instability (James 1:8.) The Bible also tells us to choose life over death in Deuteronomy 30:19, and this can include the types of thoughts we have. Some thoughts lead to a more abundant, productive life and some thoughts lead to depression, defeat, fear, powerlessness, and/or bad decisions. I personally believe that our life here on this Earth is set up to be a giant obstacle course and training ground to prepare for and then implement our assignments from heaven to impact Godly change into the world. It’s not so much for our personal pleasure as it is to serve others and bring heaven down to the Earth in practical and supernatural ways (Ephesians 2:8-10; Matthew 28:18-20; Philippians 2:1-8; Matthew 6:10). I do believe that joy, peace, healing, deliverance, provision, and abundance come along with doing God’s will (Matthew 6:33). In fact, we need these things to carry out our God-given assignments. This is why Satan goes after us to rob peace, joy, time, finances, health, relationships, etc. He wants to take us off course from the destiny God created us for and render us ineffective. The devil also sees what we can become and goes after us relentlessly to prevent us from achieving what God desires for us. The enemy has many tricks up his sleeve to derail us, but one of the biggest ones is by creating fear and discouragement through lies he whispers based on our circumstances; lies which keep us from believing the truth about God, or who God created us to be, or the life He created us to live. It seems true because our circumstances are true. But what we need to learn to do is see through our spiritual eyes versus our natural eyes. What we forget is that this moment and circumstance might be true, but can change based on God’s sovereignty and power! We tend to leave His power out of the equation, but when we really consider it, acknowledge it, and act on it, it is a game changer!! Nothing is impossible with God! (Mark 10:27.)

One tendency that I often fell victim to was to continually focus on the problems and even declare the problems or my fears out loud. This was especially problematic because I am prophetic, but regardless there is power in our tongue to produce life or death (Proverbs 18:21). God is working with me on this. I believe God wants to address this tendency not only in me, but it many others. It’s easy to get caught up in this, especially if you’re problems are major ones such as poor health, homelessness, poverty, addiction, abuse, family dysfunction, mental health problems, etc. The devil can lay some pretty heavy duty whopper problems on us!!! I’m here to say that our God is bigger and more powerful. Whatever situation the devil brought to you doesn’t have to be your end all be all. I believe sometimes God allows a degree of it to test us, stretch our faith, and address character flaws, but God never intends for us to stay there victims to our circumstances. He intends to show us the way out and to address our thinking patterns and behaviors which may keep us stuck in a problem or pattern longer then we need to be. I do believe healing and victory are synonymous with healing our minds and changing our approach to life, as well as with hefty doses of deliverance. Sometimes we stay stuck in a situation because we see no way out or believe God put that situation or problem on us versus putting the blame where it belongs. John 10:10 (NIV) says “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life and have it to the full.” Also, in response to our trials we may operate out of our flesh or look to temporary comforts to reduce our pain versus look to God for comfort, strength, and solutions. This has everything to do with our faith and who we believe God really is as well as who we believe He created us to be. This can lead to demonic strongholds, addiction, and a whole host of problems (and different types of demons that attach to us) which only exacerbate our delima and keep us stuck. When we agree with a demon in any way we give that demon a legal right to bind us in that particular area. Such agreements don’t need to be made consciously or out loud. Any sinful behavior could be an agreement. Of course there’s the more obvious ways we agree by declaring out loud that we have this sickness or disease or that problem or this problem, and even the declarations that imply that this situation will only endure or get worse. We need to really take inventory of what’s coming out of our mouths and guard our hearts and minds because what we put in it our minds or expose ourselves to will produce what flows out of our mouths as well as the behaviors we engage in (Proverbs 4:23.)

I’m not one of these people who thinks we should just discount and ignore the obvious or live in denial about it; I think denial is a lie and exacerbates problems and keeps us stuck. I think a better approach is to recognize the problem that’s hindering you, but then acknowledge the solution and decree the future with God’s will and intention over your life. For example, “My knee may hurt and the Dr’s may have diagnosed me with knee problems, but I know my God is big enough and loves me enough to heal my knee, take away my pain, and deliver me from arthritis. I repent for agreeing with the enemy over this or for any behaviors I did which led to or exacerbated my problem. I ask you to show me, God, what I need to do differently, if anything. I bind up all arthritis, pain, and inflammation and command it to leave my body and I decree that I am being delivered. I release divine health and vitality over my body. I decree that my body will operate normally, pain free, and that there will be no more inflamation. I decree that my cartilage will grow back and be restored. I decree that I am walking in God’s favor. I decree that no weapon formed against me will prosper in Jesus’ name. Amen.”

The Bible is clear that there will be trouble and trials in this world, but it promises that we can overcome them through God because God overcame the world and God is in us (John 16:33; 1st John 4:4; 1st John 4:12-17.) Overcoming is part of what’s expected and required of us, but its also a promise (1st Timothy 6:12; 1st John 5:4; 1st Corinthians 15:57; Romans 8:37.) God promises us that we will be rewarded for overcoming (Revelation 2:7; Revelation 2:17.)

One strategy God has been showing me lately is to not despise the small beginnings. Breakthrough more often comes in stages with tiny victories that when added together over time leads to bigger victories. Sometimes, it happens in stages because our mind needs to learn to think differently and we need to learn healthier ways to manage and approach our lives and God. Sometimes so much has to change that it would be too much for it to happen all at once. God is gracious, kind, gentle, and patient with us. Also, sometimes we’re just stubborn and slow to learn. My life is a good example of small victories and changes leading to larger ones over time. Victory is progressive. Each one builds on the others. It’s easy to see how God has been progressively delivering me out of troubling situations if I take an inventory of my overall life, but if I just look at the problems of the present moment I could forget all about those victories. I suppose you can say the same for sin and sinful patterns. It starts small and then gets bigger, then snowballs out of control if left unchecked. That’s why it says in the Bible that the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ (Romans 6:23.)

I sense that God wants us to keep remembering all the ways He has already provided for us, rescued us, delivered us, helped us, healed us, etc. Do not let the present moment let you forget. Do not overlook the small things. There may be small things in your present moment that God is doing to alleviate your circumstances or solve your problems. Those small things will add up over time! Build up your faith by remembering these things and reading your bible. Spend time with God and let Him tell you or show you what is to come in your life; what His plans and desires are for you. I guarantee you that they are very good.

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” (Jeremiah 29:11, NIV)

Worship God by declaring the positive things that are already happening and the positive things to come! Acknowledge that God is with you, for you, and that nothing can succeed against you (Romans 8:31.) God loves you with an everlasting love (Jeremiah 31:3.) We know who wins in the end, and who has already won and assured our victory (Colossians 2:15; Deuteronomy 20:4; 2nd Thessolonians 3:3.) We know that God will finish the good work He started in us (Philippians 1:6.) Take a deep breath. It’s all going to be O.K. (Isaiah 41:10; Proverbs 3:5; Romans 8:28; Romans 8:18; Phillipians 4:13; Psalms 23: 1-6; 2nd Corinthians 4: 8-18.) God promises that if we live for Him we will overcome.