86: Make Time for Jesus

 Living In Abundance Series

When a workaholic comes out of the “zone”, he regrets all the activities he’s missed as his family grew: the dance recitals, the ball matches, even the time he could have spent sharing his experiences and insights to help his children get through the ‘hard’ adolescent years.  He knew how important it was to make a living to keep his family alive, but how much time was given to family and to the Lord to make a significant positive impact on his own life?

We can’t recover valuable time lost.  What we can do is stop right now and re-route our life in the direction that reduces stress and fills us with satisfaction—obtained by time well spent on what truly matters in the Kingdom of God.  That’s an indicator of living in abundance.  Are you forced to work in a job you hate because of the pile of bills mocking you?  Are you suppressing that dream of contributing your greatest potential under the control of the spirit of lack?  The spirit of lack compels you to feel that you can’t pursue your vision because there are no funds or support to make it happen.

The spirit of lack is the laughter of the antichrist at the wearisome Christian trying to flourish—trying to reach that season in life where he enjoys the satisfaction of peace and prosperity.  King David was a man of war, but his son Solomon had peace all around with abundance abounding.  King David paved the way for his son by driving away all the destructive forces which could stop Solomon’s life purpose.  

Jesus did the same for you.  His crucifixion stopped all the power of evil from hurting you (Isaiah 54 and Luke 10:19).  If stress is a mountain in your life, you have been given the authority to bind it: “And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven” (Matthew 16:19).

What made the Lord describe King David as a man after God’s own heart?  He made time for the Lord.  He was so close in his relationship to the Lord; because, as you draw near to God, He will draw near to you (James 4:8a).  Therefore, submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you (James 4:8).  Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up (James 4:10).

To bind stress and release (loose) satisfaction in a life of peace and abundance, you must make time for Jesus.  In our end-time dispensation, the Holy Spirit is at work in those who are led by Him (Romans 8:14).  And we are given Christ’s mind, the wisdom of God: the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy (James 3:17).

We make time for Jesus by the following actions:

 

·      ·     Setting specific times for prayer.  Christians must consciously live purposeful Spirit-filled lives by drawing near and staying connect to Jesus intentionally.  Every morning, rise up early for quiet time with the Lord followed by morning devotion (prayer).  Every afternoon, no matter how busy you think you are, take a moment to acknowledge the greatness of the Lord and to bind and loose the arrow that flies at you by day (Psalm 91:5).  Every evening enjoy devotion; and before going to bed, give thanks to the Lord for another 24-hours of life; for protection; and meditate on His word (a passage of scripture or even one verse) as you fall asleep.

 ·      Systematically study the Bible.  To grow closer to the Lord, you must read or listen to what He says from the Bible.  It’s time to stop all the excuses.  With all the social media and television and radios, how can you spend hours watching them and refuse to spend at least ten minutes on looking at or hearing God’s word on that same phone, t.v. or radio?  The more you read (or hear) and meditate on God’s word, the more of His wisdom you gain, the more spiritually mature you become, and the easier it becomes for you to live in peace and abundance as He reveals the keys to obtain them.

 Below is a Bible Reading Plan for you to begin at the top of 2021.  Each month’s plan will be delivered to your screen at www.web.facebook.com/preciouslordleadme.

 

·       ·   Do what God tells you to do.  It’s time to stop pleasing man, and please God who is ever mindful of sending men and women into your life who will help you fulfill your purpose.  What seems impossible to you is possible to Jehovah-Jireh: Commit your way to the Lord, trust also in Him, and He shall bring it to pass (Psalm 37:5).  Doing what God tells you to do is called taking a leap of faith.  That is your life-test.  I pray you pass your exam.

 

You have struggled enough; labored long enough (Joshua 24:12-13).  Now it’s your time to leap!

 

© 2020 by Patience Osei-Anyamesem. All rights reserved.  Published by The Light In Me Enterprise.  No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means—electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, or any other—without the prior written permission of the publisher.  The only exception is brief quotations in printed reviews or other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law.

Unless otherwise stated, all scripture quotations are from The New King James Version. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.  Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Take My Hand Inspirations

85: God Will Take Care of You

 Living In Abundance Series

Take My Hand by Greg Olson

Dear Lord,

I am grateful for how you got me through year 2020.  This year has been supernatural: All humanity was forced to wake up and see just how frail we are; and just how much we need you.  As Christmastime is here, I give thanks for your sacrifice of love for me on the cross.  Jesus, you are my joy, my hope, and my salvation.

Living in abundance is not equal to pursuing wealth.  And you shall remember the Lord your God, for it is He who gives you power to get wealth (Deuteronomy 8:18).  This means that, as you are doing the will of God for your life, He is going to provide you with all you need to fulfill His work in you.

Chasing after money is the mistake most people (not only Christians) make.  Money runs away like a flash when being chased because it refuses to be prey in the clumsy hands of the unthoughtful.  On the contrary, when you have a plan or mission with set goals, and you take that leap of faith to touch your dreams (seeing is achieving, but touching is confirming a dream come true), then money needs a person to attach itself to in order to grow.

It is the purpose of money to multiply and to be sustained for good-will toward humanity and toward the care of our earthly environment.

So, why do so many have wealth by ill-gotten means?  Money, like any prey, can be captured by aggressive predatory tactics: theft, gambling (betting), crooked investments and other evil schemes.  This kind of financial acquisition has an evil spirit attached to it which makes money slippery (non-sustainable); and the possessor is never at rest.  They are either over-thinking about how to keep that money, or chasing after more of it in other misguided diversions.

Money captured illegally (against God’s perfect will) has no roots to grow, therefore, it flies away from its captor like an invisible cold breeze.

The devil is a liar to the followers of God’s will.  God gives His children exactly what they need when they need it; whereas the children of Beelzabab go a-chasing after fantasies.  The children of God work day-to-day at perfecting what God has placed inside to make wealth, sustain it, and enjoy its growth.

Living in abundance is affirming a calm assurance that “God is taking care of me and is perfecting everything concerning my life” (Psalm 138:7-8).  Always keep in mind: Blessings chase assurance that God will make a way when there seems to be no way.  He is the God of transforming “impossibilities” into realities.

 

And the angel spoke over maiden Mary, “Rejoice highly favored one, the Lord is with you, blessed are you among women! (Luke 1:26). The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you (Luke 1:35). For with God nothing will be impossible” (Luke 1:37).

As Ezekiel prophesied over the dry bones, they gained flesh and stood up.  May the power of God overshadow you breathing life into your soul causing you to bring forth that baby (idea, dream, vision, life’s purpose) inside. And by His “yes’ and ‘amen’, you shall call it “done” in Jesus’ name!

P.U.S.H!

Get ready for the Lord's visitation!  

© 2020 by Patience Osei-Anyamesem. All rights reserved.  Published by The Light In Me Enterprise.  No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means—electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, or any other—without the prior written permission of the publisher.  The only exception is brief quotations in printed reviews or other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law.

Unless otherwise stated, all scripture quotations are from The New King James Version. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.  Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Take My Hand Inspirations

82: Assurance Goes Before Abundance

 Living In Abundance Series

Just as pride goes before a fall, so, too, does assurance go before abundance.  Assurance is that inner voice speaking: “All things are possible with God Almighty” (Luke 1:37) and you confidently confirming those words in your soul.  Assurance is a word with many meanings including: 1. To tell someone confidently that something is true, especially so that they do not worry; 2. A promise; and 3. Confidence (a sense of security).

In our previous conversation, we established that we are covenant children of Great Jehovah; and we live in the promises of our Father.  He is our security—our protector from all evil (Luke 10:19)—and, filled with His divinity, we are permanently, correctly, and firmly fixed, not moved by the tides of life.  Therefore, we cannot fail or become lost.  The Lord has sealed us and has given us His Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee (2 Corinthians 1:22).

Wow! Can you see the link? Assurance is connected to promise which is linked to security, confidence, and success.  All are bound together by God’s own guarantee. A guarantee is a written promise; and God’s guarantee is established in His printed Word—the Bible, thus removing all doubt that His Word can definitely work out for the good of him or her who fully trusts in Him.

 

Therefore, the Lord rebukes those who are doubtful or double-minded.  A double-minded soul is stuck in a quandary (or quarry) of “Yes, I know that God can do it, but . . .”.  “But” what?  Living a life of abundance is by taking one step at a time toward reaching your fullest potential as envisioned by your life’s purpose.  It takes verbalizing in your mind the promises of God, and accepting it deep down into your soul so much so that it becomes part of you, like life-blood which you can’t do without. 

Assurance must go ahead of you so that abundance can catch up to you and bless you for taking leaps of faith when you couldn’t physically see the end result(s).  Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen (Hebrews 11:1). You stepped on water looking at Jesus and held His hand to where He wants to take you.  And you received the blessing.  Believe, dear child of the Most High God, that you can catch your dream and live it.

But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind.  For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways (James 1:6-8).

As a parent, would you give your son a car if he has not taken driving lessons and received a license assuring his ability to drive safely on the highways and byways?  Do you think God, as a Father, can entrust a man or woman with abundance if he or she has not experienced lessons of preparation and passed tests of faith to handle the responsibilities that abundance requires?  Emphatically, “No!”

To be positioned correctly and firmly for a life of abundance requires accepting your God-given purpose and living it each day with intent to accomplish its parts until you experience the whole; and, after encountering the whole, continuing to push further to expand (stretch out) your purpose to transform hundreds, thousands, millions of souls.

What God has begun in you, He promises to surely make it come to pass.  But He’s waiting for you to get into agreement with His guarantee fully assured that He will perform it in, by, and through you.  Ready to move to higher ground?  Get up. Hold Jesus’ hand and start jogging.  Think about what you can do today to make your dream come true and get busy doing it.  Need to take a course? Go to school or study online to complete it.  Need capital?  Write down your plan including monetary itemization of what you need, how you will sell your product/service, and what profit you envision to use for the greater good. 

 

In faith, ask God to show you what to do: who to talk to, where to be, how to approach.  Stay humble and open to new or different ways of doing things.  Those full of pride fall because they rely on themselves and the status quo to succeed. It’s not by your own power or might, but by the Spirit of Lord who causes us to prosper (to live more abundantly and exceedingly beyond all we could ask or think). Be realistic—look at the need and create practical solutions. Be optimistic—envision a positive outcome. And do not despise small beginnings.

“Start with a snappy seed” my late father would advise, “water it and watch it grow!”

 

© 2020 by Patience Osei-Anyamesem. All rights reserved.  Published by The Light In Me Enterprise.  No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means—electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, or any other—without the prior written permission of the publisher.  The only exception is brief quotations in printed reviews or other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law.

Unless otherwise stated, all scripture quotations are from The New King James Version. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.  Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Take My Hand Inspirations

84: STAY FAITHFUL: BLESSINGS CHASE ASSURANCE

 Living In Abundance Series

Prophet Ezekiel stood in the valley of dry bones and was asked by God: “Son of man, can these bones live?”  A valley experience represents a time of testing your faith.  Troubles may buffet you on every side; and the devil is playing table tennis on your soul, wreaking havoc in your thoughts through the people and the happenings around you.  If you don’t take care to run to Jesus, the spiritual forces of despair (leading to disappointment followed by depression) will keep you in the ‘valley’.

A valley is an area of low land between hills or mountains.  A valley experience is when your soul sinks into a place of lowness.  You feel like you’re in despair.  That despair builds hills of disappointment which stretch into mountains of depression; and you feel there is no way out because it seems the mountains are facing you on all sides—north, east, south, and west.

You recently applied for a financial package, and, after praying and waiting for months, you did not receive it.  The dream you had for building up the business during COVID-19 is slain.  Results from an examination have grounded envisioning enrollment next semester at that dream school.  A family member has taken ill; and you used your last savings for his healing, and the holidays are right around the corner.  People around you are mocking, teasing, disturbing, harassing, even fighting against you making you feel lonely, confused and unloved.  The valley is a place of pain.

The Lord is asking you: “Son/Daughter, can your dream of living in abundance live?” Ezekiel replied, “O Lord God, You know” (Read Ezekiel 37:1-14).  What is your reply to God?  My father taught me by example that when the devil knocks you down, GET UP, STAND UP AND P.U.S.H. HIM DOWN! Prophesy Until Something Happens!  Doing nothing only keeps you locked up in the valley.  The Lord commanded Ezekiel; and right now He’s commanding you to Prophecy to these bones [your dreams and aspirations and great visions of abundant living], and say to them, ‘O dry bones, hear the word of the Lord!

To get out of the valley, you must prophesy (speak) the word of the Lord into your situation without doubting.  YOU MUST STAY FAITHFUL—BLESSINGS CHASE ASSURANCE.  Faith is your hope in the substance—the real existence—of your dreams not seen right now.  The devil is a hope-killer.  The more joy he sees in you as you live God’s purpose for your life, the harder he blows against you.  Prophesy: Come from the four winds [north, east, south, and west], O breath, and breathe on my slain hope, that it may live!

Fear combats faith, so a true believer of Christ overcomes this fear by faith in what God says: For God did not give me a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind (2 Timothy 1:7).  The resurrection power of the Lord Jesus working in you gives you the staying power you need to GET UP.  Knowing God loves you gingers you to STAND UP.  The mind of Christ thinking in you P.U.S.H.es down all the power of the enemy; and nothing by any means can hurt you. 

 

So I prophesied as He commanded me, and breath came into them, and they lived, and stood up on their feet . . ..  God’s plan for you has not ceased; and it surely will come to pass.  That financial package you did not receive may have not been the blessing for your purpose.  Believe beyond all doubt that another door is open for your business growth. You can take another exam, or enroll in another school and still excel.  Your family member is alive because of your generosity, and God will make a way for your family to enjoy the holidays. 

Stay at peace and full of joy in the Lord declaring when I called on the Lord in distress, the Lord answered me and set me in a broad place. The Lord is on my side; I will not fear (Psalm 118:5-6).

That broad place is called a plain which is a higher ground made specially for you to expand whatever you hope for.  Dream higher!

  

© 2020 by Patience Osei-Anyamesem. All rights reserved.  Published by The Light In Me Enterprise.  No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means—electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, or any other—without the prior written permission of the publisher.  The only exception is brief quotations in printed reviews or other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law.

Unless otherwise stated, all scripture quotations are from The New King James Version. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.  Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Take My Hand Inspirations