You cannot give what you haven’t received.  Meaning… you have to be poured into by God before you can pour out to others … pouring out love, encouragement, wisdom, etc.  One of my favorite teachers/preachers says, “Many of us want the crown without bearing the cross.” We have to go through life’s “fires” – life’s trials – and then we come out with a crown of honor from God.

We all want to be operating in our gifts of healing, exhortation, teaching, prophecy, mercy, hospitality and so on – but these gifts will be shaken and tested in two ways.  You can count on it! By God, who comes to refine, purify and build strength and by your enemy Satan who comes to destroy the seed of greatness in us. Satan does not want you operating in your gifts. The Bible calls him a “thief” and “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” (John 10:10) The good news is God comes to give LIFE!! …and guess what, He wins!! But we have to have spiritual eyes to see what our enemy’s plans are and then stand firm on what God says about us and His plans for our future. He says, “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.” (Jeremiah 29:11)

DON’T GIVE UP! God’s Word is true and there is light at the end of the tunnel. This life – an uncommon life is filled w/ courage. Life is hard, but we live in a supernatural realm protected and encased by God’s hand.  God will USE these times to refine and purify us into GOLD – and get all the glory for Him! Just like Daniel and the lion’s den, like the Israelites  passing through the waters, like David and Goliath. And the best example: Jesus dying on the cross … What seemed to be death and the end – was a complete VICTORY for all creation once and for all!

So get up again. Believe God for the impossible …again. Shake the dust off your shoes and regroup. Believe: “I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.” (Psalm 27:13) You were created to love others and glorify God. You were created to bring heaven to earth and celebrate each day with all humanity and heaven knowing that the God of Moses, Noah, Paul and Mary has got our backs and our future – every time!

Now go out and get the day walking in the power of the most high God! “….and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength, he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms…” (Ephesians 1:19-20)

Love,
Kelly