Three Strikes Doesn't Mean You Are Out
The Book of Exodus has always held a particular fascination for me. I am amazed at how God brought the children of Israel out of Egyptian bondage and into their promised land. I am a particularly drawn to the first four miracles that Moses and Aaron performed in front of Pharaoh and his royal court. There are so many prophetic implications and practical applications for these miracles. I believe that by looking at them with a fresh anointing we can glean some wonderful revelation. Let's look at them in order.
The Rod Turns Into A Serpent
Moses' calling was that of a deliverer and a shepherd. Shepherding is probably one of the hardest assignments that anyone can ever have. This miracle was first revealed to Moses in the wilderness after his encounter with the burning bush. Moses was instructed to throw his rod or staff onto the ground. The significance of this event was life changing. For the last 40 years of his life Moses had lived as a shepherd. Throwing his rod upon the ground was like asking a police officer to throw down his badge, a Marine to throw down his M16, or a preacher to throw down his Bible. God was telling Moses to lay down his life. A lot of people want the miracles of God, but not many are willing to completely lay down their lives for God's purposes. Upon his obedience to God's command the miraculous was released. His shepherds staff had turned into a serpent. Moses did what most of us would have done in his position. He ran from the serpent. What do you do when serpents unexpectedly show up in your life? It appears that there are only two real responses,either you fight or you take flight. The Lord instructed Moses to take the serpent up by the tail. That tells me that the Lord will allow you and I to sneak up on our enemies instead of them sneaking up on us. The symbolism is so appropriate don't you think. I believe that the Lord is giving new strategy to the church this season so that we may startle our enemies and advance God's plans and purposes.
Strike One
Picture this with me. You are standing before the single most powerful man in the world. This man is not only the wealthiest individual on the planet, he is also the commander of the most advanced military in the world. He is a man that always gets his way. You have a message from him that you know he is not going to be happy to hear. In fact people have been executed for far less than what you are about to do and say to this man. You have just put yourself in Moses and Aaron's shoes. The moment of truth has come. Moses has gained victory over a serpent in the wilderness now he must face the serpent on the throne, the Egyptian Pharaoh. Thus saith the Lord "Let my people go that they may serve me." After this prophetic declaration the rod of God is cast down upon the ground and is transformed into a serpent. This is where things become even more interesting. Pharaoh's magicians are summoned and perform the same miracle as Moses. I have often tried to place myself in Moses shoes and imagine what it must have felt like to see the miracle reproduced by the enemy. This is strike number 1. However the temptation to become hopeless is quickly dispelled as Moses' serpent swallows up the other two serpents. God will not only defend his message he will also defend his messengers. Let's see what happens next.
Strike Two
Pharaoh isn't phased by the serpent encounter with Moses so the Lord sends Moses and Aaron out to meet him at the Nile River. Many scholars believe that the miracles of Moses were a direct judgment against the numerous so called "gods" of Egypt. As Pharaoh is offering homage to the water spirits of the Nile, God is about to release another judgment upon Pharaoh and his kingdom. The Nile River was the symbol of life, vitality, and tranquility for the whole nation. The rod of God is raised and the Nile is turned into blood to illustrate that God is the source of all life and nothing else. Once again the magicians of Egypt repeat the process and change the water into blood as well. Strike two for Moses & Aaron. I have discovered an interesting truth when it comes to God. Sometimes he has to diminish you before he delivers you. I believe this is to protect us from pride and self righteousness. There is no doubt in Moses mind that without God there is way he is going to win this battle with Pharaoh.
Strike Three
The result of judgment number three is frogs, frogs, and more frogs. The scriptures inform us that the magicians repeat this miracle only to add to their misery. This is strike three. Did you know that there are people today that are trying to mimic God's power,just like the magicians tried to, only to their own doom. Real power comes from being humble and submissive to God's will. There is no bypassing this. At this point Moses has come before Pharaoh three times and each time he isn't taken seriously because the Egyptians are able to copycat the miracles that he has performed. I've got good news for you. Three strikes and you are not out when it comes to fulfilling God's will for you life.
The Line in the Sand
Miracle number four is where things get very interesting. Moses stretches the rod over the sands of Egypt and the sand becomes lice. The magicians try to repeat this miracle and fail to do so. They approach Pharaoh and inform him to let the people of God go because this miracle is obviously the "finger of God" since they are unable to mimic it. The Lord once told me something very powerful about this. He said "As long as the world can duplicate what you've got, it won't be interested in what you have to say or take you seriously what you have come to do." I have a newsflash for you. The church has great singers, so does the world. The church was great speakers, so does the world. The church has great facilities, so does the world. What is going to be the line in the sand? I believe it will be the supernatural miracles of God being poured out from heaven above. God is looking for the Moses and Aarons of today. Men and women of God who have laid down their life for the cause of Christ. May this be a season of God's supernatural power being poured out in your life. May you sneak up on the enemy this season and defeat him decisively. May every counterfeit, fake, fraud, and false prophet be exposed and truly be converted to the One True Living God. Remember that three strikes doesn't mean that you are out. Get back in there and tell that serpent that this is where it stops. God will be exalted in the earth and the line in the sand has been drawn. May God bless and keep in you.
In Christ,
Apostle James Willis
© 2013 James Willis Ministries.
This work may not be duplicated or copied for personal monetary gain
or commercial purposes. It may be freely shared, displayed, and reused
for the furtherance of God's kingdom only.
Footprints in the Sand
Leaving an Impression on the World
Showing posts with label breakthrough. Show all posts
Showing posts with label breakthrough. Show all posts
Thursday, June 13, 2013
Wednesday, May 15, 2013
Encountering, Understanding, & Overcoming Rejection
It All Starts As Children
For many the sting and hurt of rejection was first experienced during the early development years of childhood. A classic example that comes to mind is whenever a little boy or little girl becomes first infatuated with the opposite sex. The anxiety of rejection was often so strong that instead of the little boy approaching the little girl to whom he had developed a "crush" on he would often send one of his friends in his place to ask her "Hey do you like my friend over there?" Although this may seem like a little bit of a crude example it does validate the point that from an early age most people are terrified of not being accepted. Instead of dealing with the issue head on many have bypassed it by proverbially passing the "buck" to someone else to investigate whether or not "so and so" likes and accepts us. It has been statistically proven that 10% of all people will not like or accept you. Regardless of your personality, skill set, accolades and accomplishments the fact still remains that not everyone is going to accept you. I think that the real issue and concern shouldn't be for the 10% that we just simply can't seem to please, but our focus should be on the 90% that really enjoy being with us. The old adage that you can please some of the people all of the time, you can please all of the people some of the time, but you can't please all of the people all of the time still rings true.
What about Christian Believers and rejection? Today there is such an emphasis in our society on tolerance, acceptance, and trying to make everyone feel welcomed that we have forgotten that as believers in Christ we are not supposed to conform to this world but we are to be transformed by the renewing of our minds (Romans 12:1-3). I do not believe that we are to go about maliciously offending people or to be fault finders, however we are definitely not supposed to comprise our beliefs, integrity or faith in the Word of God so that others will "like" us. If there ever was a person that should have been liked and accepted by everyone it was Jesus Christ. Yet the Bible tells us that we was despised and rejected of men (Isaiah 53:1-12). It is no secret that there are dark days ahead on this planet. As these times approach us what it means to be a true believer and follower of the Lord Jesus Christ will become more and more clear. I want to encourage you to not compromise your beliefs in the Master just so that others will accept you. Why others may simply just tolerate you, Jesus wants to celebrate you. He wants us to celebrate the Truth and not tolerate a watered down, sugar coated, seeker sensitive gospel message.
Encountering Rejection
Those who want to truly live for Christ will experience rejection sooner or later. Perhaps this has already happened to you. What are we to do whenever people reject us because of our faith? The beatitudes of the Sermon of the Mount (Matthew 5:1-12) tell us that we are to rejoice! The first couple of times that I read that I thought it was absolutely crazy! You mean I am supposed to get happy because some folks don't like me, I asked myself. I don't believe that is the interpretation of what Jesus was saying at all. Nobody enjoys rejection not even Christ. We know from scripture that it broke Jesus' heart whenever he wasn't accepted as the Messiah during his first coming because he wept over the city of Jerusalem (Matthew 23:37-39). No I believe that we are to rejoice because if the world is rejecting us it is a sign that the Father in Heaven ACCEPTS US in Christ (Ephesians 1:1-7). The day is coming that we must choose to obey and honor God above fearing man (Acts 4:15-20). Doing the right thing is usually not popular among the masses.
This is an element of the gospel that is not often ministered on today. The truth is that rejection is a normal part of Christianity. Jesus wasn't accepted by everyone. So why in the name of all that is holy do we think that everyone is supposed to accept us? We are to speak the truth in love but that doesn't mean we are to compromise our standards or integrity. That also doesn't give ministers the green light to teach and preach that everything is always going to peaches and cream whenever we become followers of the Lord. Whenever you take a stand for the truth sooner or later you are probably going to experience rejection from someone. This shouldn't surprise us yet for many it is a culture shock. We are in the world but not of it. I think that Joshua said it best when he said "choose you this day who you will serve but as for me and my house we will serve the Lord." (Joshua 24:15)
Understanding Rejection
So why does rejection occur? I think there are many reasons we could cite but I only want to cover a few of them for now. The first reason that rejection occurs is simple. People by nature do not like being told what to do. They do not like being told when they are wrong and they especially do not like being told that they need to change(repent). The heart of the gospel message of the kingdom is repent and follow Jesus. That means no longer living just for ourselves. I have discovered that the most unhappy people on this planet are the selfish ones. Serving God and others is the real secret to happiness. People will reject us whenever they do not agree with us or our values. There is something very important to remember and it is the fact that whenever people reject the gospel it is not us that they are personally rejecting, but it is the One we are representing that they are refusing. People reject want they do not want to accept. Jesus told his followers that if the people receive him then they will receive the ones that he sends to them. Coincidentally he has also said that those who reject him will also reject those who are sent by him.
I believe that rejection is a tool of the enemy to attack the heart and identity of believers. There is the temptation to fell self pity whenever we experience rejection, especially if it comes at the hands of someone we really love and admire. The fact is that hurting people hurt people. There are those who have experienced rejection because of the gospel but yet there are those who have experienced rejection on a personal level. It may have come from an impossible to please parent, an unthankful spouse, or even a hard hearted coworker. Rejection is designed by the devil to destroy our self esteem and personal value. People who have no self worth or value will live wreckless lives which will be endangering to themselves and to the ones they love. This is a vicious cycle that must be stopped! Thank God there is hope and there is an answer for defeating rejection.
Overcoming Rejection
The best way to overcome rejection is to reestablish our connection to God. Romans 8 tells us that there is nothing that can separate us for the love of God in Christ. That steadfast stability and structure is supernatural. Whenever I recall all of the times that God has come through for me and how he has always been so faithful to me it always drives out the insecurities, fears, and apprehensions that I have felt whenever others have rejected me personally or have rejected the gospel message that I shared with them. Experiencing the fullness of God can only occur as we become rooted and grounded in his love and acceptance of us. This becomes a reality in our lives as we mediate the scriptures and as we practically experience God's goodness in our everyday lives. No matter what the world says about you, as far as God is concerned you are the apple of his eye! This truth will propel us into freedom and liberty from rejection.
It goes without saying that we are to forgive those who have hurt us. That includes those who have rejected, abandoned, or neglected us. Forgiveness is like sending a nuclear warhead right at the devil's doorstep. Rejection may have affected you but it doesn't have to infect you. I pray that may this be a season of supernatural restoration for those who have experienced rejection. I am also believing God for continued boldness, courage, and perseverance for all those who are laboring in the harvest fields with the gospel. May the Great Shepherd keep, guide, and establish you as you serve him.
In Christ,
Apostle James Willis
© 2013 James Willis Ministries. This work may not be duplicated or copied for personal monetary gain or commercial purposes. It may be freely shared, displayed, and reused for the furtherance of God's kingdom only.
For many the sting and hurt of rejection was first experienced during the early development years of childhood. A classic example that comes to mind is whenever a little boy or little girl becomes first infatuated with the opposite sex. The anxiety of rejection was often so strong that instead of the little boy approaching the little girl to whom he had developed a "crush" on he would often send one of his friends in his place to ask her "Hey do you like my friend over there?" Although this may seem like a little bit of a crude example it does validate the point that from an early age most people are terrified of not being accepted. Instead of dealing with the issue head on many have bypassed it by proverbially passing the "buck" to someone else to investigate whether or not "so and so" likes and accepts us. It has been statistically proven that 10% of all people will not like or accept you. Regardless of your personality, skill set, accolades and accomplishments the fact still remains that not everyone is going to accept you. I think that the real issue and concern shouldn't be for the 10% that we just simply can't seem to please, but our focus should be on the 90% that really enjoy being with us. The old adage that you can please some of the people all of the time, you can please all of the people some of the time, but you can't please all of the people all of the time still rings true.
What about Christian Believers and rejection? Today there is such an emphasis in our society on tolerance, acceptance, and trying to make everyone feel welcomed that we have forgotten that as believers in Christ we are not supposed to conform to this world but we are to be transformed by the renewing of our minds (Romans 12:1-3). I do not believe that we are to go about maliciously offending people or to be fault finders, however we are definitely not supposed to comprise our beliefs, integrity or faith in the Word of God so that others will "like" us. If there ever was a person that should have been liked and accepted by everyone it was Jesus Christ. Yet the Bible tells us that we was despised and rejected of men (Isaiah 53:1-12). It is no secret that there are dark days ahead on this planet. As these times approach us what it means to be a true believer and follower of the Lord Jesus Christ will become more and more clear. I want to encourage you to not compromise your beliefs in the Master just so that others will accept you. Why others may simply just tolerate you, Jesus wants to celebrate you. He wants us to celebrate the Truth and not tolerate a watered down, sugar coated, seeker sensitive gospel message.
Encountering Rejection
Those who want to truly live for Christ will experience rejection sooner or later. Perhaps this has already happened to you. What are we to do whenever people reject us because of our faith? The beatitudes of the Sermon of the Mount (Matthew 5:1-12) tell us that we are to rejoice! The first couple of times that I read that I thought it was absolutely crazy! You mean I am supposed to get happy because some folks don't like me, I asked myself. I don't believe that is the interpretation of what Jesus was saying at all. Nobody enjoys rejection not even Christ. We know from scripture that it broke Jesus' heart whenever he wasn't accepted as the Messiah during his first coming because he wept over the city of Jerusalem (Matthew 23:37-39). No I believe that we are to rejoice because if the world is rejecting us it is a sign that the Father in Heaven ACCEPTS US in Christ (Ephesians 1:1-7). The day is coming that we must choose to obey and honor God above fearing man (Acts 4:15-20). Doing the right thing is usually not popular among the masses.
This is an element of the gospel that is not often ministered on today. The truth is that rejection is a normal part of Christianity. Jesus wasn't accepted by everyone. So why in the name of all that is holy do we think that everyone is supposed to accept us? We are to speak the truth in love but that doesn't mean we are to compromise our standards or integrity. That also doesn't give ministers the green light to teach and preach that everything is always going to peaches and cream whenever we become followers of the Lord. Whenever you take a stand for the truth sooner or later you are probably going to experience rejection from someone. This shouldn't surprise us yet for many it is a culture shock. We are in the world but not of it. I think that Joshua said it best when he said "choose you this day who you will serve but as for me and my house we will serve the Lord." (Joshua 24:15)
Understanding Rejection
So why does rejection occur? I think there are many reasons we could cite but I only want to cover a few of them for now. The first reason that rejection occurs is simple. People by nature do not like being told what to do. They do not like being told when they are wrong and they especially do not like being told that they need to change(repent). The heart of the gospel message of the kingdom is repent and follow Jesus. That means no longer living just for ourselves. I have discovered that the most unhappy people on this planet are the selfish ones. Serving God and others is the real secret to happiness. People will reject us whenever they do not agree with us or our values. There is something very important to remember and it is the fact that whenever people reject the gospel it is not us that they are personally rejecting, but it is the One we are representing that they are refusing. People reject want they do not want to accept. Jesus told his followers that if the people receive him then they will receive the ones that he sends to them. Coincidentally he has also said that those who reject him will also reject those who are sent by him.
I believe that rejection is a tool of the enemy to attack the heart and identity of believers. There is the temptation to fell self pity whenever we experience rejection, especially if it comes at the hands of someone we really love and admire. The fact is that hurting people hurt people. There are those who have experienced rejection because of the gospel but yet there are those who have experienced rejection on a personal level. It may have come from an impossible to please parent, an unthankful spouse, or even a hard hearted coworker. Rejection is designed by the devil to destroy our self esteem and personal value. People who have no self worth or value will live wreckless lives which will be endangering to themselves and to the ones they love. This is a vicious cycle that must be stopped! Thank God there is hope and there is an answer for defeating rejection.
Overcoming Rejection
The best way to overcome rejection is to reestablish our connection to God. Romans 8 tells us that there is nothing that can separate us for the love of God in Christ. That steadfast stability and structure is supernatural. Whenever I recall all of the times that God has come through for me and how he has always been so faithful to me it always drives out the insecurities, fears, and apprehensions that I have felt whenever others have rejected me personally or have rejected the gospel message that I shared with them. Experiencing the fullness of God can only occur as we become rooted and grounded in his love and acceptance of us. This becomes a reality in our lives as we mediate the scriptures and as we practically experience God's goodness in our everyday lives. No matter what the world says about you, as far as God is concerned you are the apple of his eye! This truth will propel us into freedom and liberty from rejection.
It goes without saying that we are to forgive those who have hurt us. That includes those who have rejected, abandoned, or neglected us. Forgiveness is like sending a nuclear warhead right at the devil's doorstep. Rejection may have affected you but it doesn't have to infect you. I pray that may this be a season of supernatural restoration for those who have experienced rejection. I am also believing God for continued boldness, courage, and perseverance for all those who are laboring in the harvest fields with the gospel. May the Great Shepherd keep, guide, and establish you as you serve him.
In Christ,
Apostle James Willis
© 2013 James Willis Ministries. This work may not be duplicated or copied for personal monetary gain or commercial purposes. It may be freely shared, displayed, and reused for the furtherance of God's kingdom only.
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