God hath not given us the spirit of fear;
but of power, and of love,
and of a sound mind.
~ 2 Timothy 1:7 [KJV]
Dear God,
Lately, in my opinion, the circumstances of my current situation have caused me not to be able to see the forest for the trees! It has been somewhat challenging and difficult – all at the same time - to imagine the victory and breakthrough of my assignment which has been a long time coming. To witness and experience the merging of negative forces surrounding me as more and more people are influenced and pulled into the darkness is very disconcerting. And yet I know without a doubt that YOU, who are seated on the throne, sit up high and look down low upon all on the earth. For as long as I can remember, I have never been welcomed or accepted by the status quo! But YOU, who have chosen me, have welcomed me with open arms as YOU push me forward to move out on YOUR behalf. But, there are times when I hesitate out of fear, disobedience and the unknowing of the information needed to compel me forth! And then YOU bring to my remembrance the many times YOU have seen me through as YOU continue to reach out to me through others in confirmation of YOUR plan for my life.
Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee;
and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee,
[and] I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.
~ Jeremiah 1:5 [KJV]
While sitting in my car on Saturday (2012 Nov 10) morning, I remembered the series of fellowship broadcasts aired on PRAISE 104.1 FM radio between 7 and 9:00 am. Finding the station, I waited patiently in hope of hearing something to touch my heart and my spirit. Getting out of the car, I ran into the house with the determination to continue listening to the broadcast. Using today’s advanced technology I was able to Google the station and continue listening through my computer (PC). Listening intently, I recognized a voice I had heard many times before, but was not able to make the connection concerning his name or his church and location. The sermon was entitled, “If the Truth be Told” and the pastor was Rev. Dr. Lee P. Washington of Reid Temple African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church.
And ye shall know the truth,
and the truth shall make you free.
~ John 8:32 [KJV]
Oh my God, it was as if the sermon was personally all about me and my purpose! For I was being used by YOU as a “pawn” to bring about awareness to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth regardless of the reluctance of others to hear the truth and change their ways. Initially, hearing the word pawn, I let my emotions get the better of me in thinking how YOU could be so cruel to sacrifice me in this manner. But as I was being enlightened through Rev. Washington, I took a deeper look at the honor and privilege of being deemed worthy by YOU for such a position. This is my comfort and consolation in my affliction: that YOUR WORD has revived me and given me life [~ Psalm 119:50]. I jumped up, shouted, cried and ran through the house like a crazy person on steroids running a race. I needed so desperately to hear a WORD that spoke directly to my situation to include who I AM at heart as created by YOU. Thank YOU for loving me so much that YOU would orchestrate my steps in allowing me to hear at that precise moment what was most needed to give me a better understanding of what YOU see in me; YOUR courageous one!
Be not afraid of their faces: for I [am] with thee to deliver thee,
saith the LORD. Then the LORD put forth his hand,
and touched my mouth. And the LORD said unto me,
Behold, I have put my words in thy mouth.
~ Jeremiah 1:8-9 [KJV]
Rev. Washington broke that thing downnnnnnnnn; it could get no simpler than that! I should not feel ashamed or afraid to deliver whatever message YOU entrust in me to carry-out regardless of my position in battle (spiritual warfare) or as perceived by others. When I prepare to tell the truth to those in positions of power or leadership, I might as well prepare to lose my life, be talked about, lied on and viewed as an outcast. But a divine outcast! If I AM called to deliver the truth in the name of Jesus Christ with a SPIRIT OF EXCELLENCE [in truth and in love], I AM not accountable to man – I AM ACCOUNTABLE TO YOU to do just that; to tell the truth and keep it moving no matter the retaliation from man! As further pointed out by Rev. Washington, truth comes with a high premium. And should YOUR children be persons of integrity amongst those who have found it so easy to do the opposite, we must get ready to be picked apart and criticized for telling the truth. But if YOU (God) be for me, who can be against me!
But now ye seek to kill me, a man that hath told you the truth,
which I have heard of God: this did not Abraham.
~ John 8:40 [KJV]
Wanting to receive a copy of the sermon for my personal library to listen to over and over again to increase the fire within when needed, I set out to find Reid Temple. Arriving late, so I thought, there were no parking spaces from what I could see. But suddenly, on the third row to the right of the entrance there was an available space. Nobody but YOU God could plan my Sunday morning for me with such poise and precision. Not only was the parking lot crowded and full, the sanctuary was packed. Standing and awaiting the ushers to show me to a seat, to the left was a corner seat waiting just for me. However late for the beginning of the service, although right on time, the WORD was just getting underway. And the title was, God Himself Will Provide as taken from Genesis 22 and Hebrews 11:17-19!
Abraham said, My son,
GodHimself will provide
a lamb for the burnt offering. So the two went on together.
~ Genesis 22:8-9 [AMPLIED]
When an item of value is pawned, it is rendered as security in exchange for something else of equal or greater value. It is YOU who truly loves me and values me. There is no man on this earth who loves me and values me as much as YOU do to offer or provide the security YOU extend to me! So why should I be afraid to tell the truth as expected and commanded by YOU? Have YOU not always provided for me and protected me? Have YOU not always been by my side to carry me when I was too weak to carry myself? Whatever YOU ask of me, it is my desire to oblige YOU. I AM forever indebted to YOU and take my relationship with YOU to be of great importance!
Thou therefore gird up thy loins,
and arise, and speak unto them all that I command thee:
be not dismayed at their faces, lest I confound thee before them.
~ Jeremiah 1:17 [KJV]
GOD HIMSELF WILL PROVIDE
Although man attempts to limit my growth and potential for promotion by denying me the necessary training needed to move me beyond where I AM, Lord I thank YOU for YOU are nothing like man! Any door opened by YOU cannot be closed by man. And any door closed by YOU cannot be opened by man. YOU have all power in YOUR hands and YOU can turn any situation around at any time. For YOU have allowed my current situation of discomfort to shake me, beat me, and press me on all sides to strengthen me for my greater that’s coming! YOU are preparing me for my greater deliverance, anointing, power, healing, my promotion and my greater destiny. Thank YOU for YOUR continued willingness to teach me through my tests and trials otherwise known as training to stretch me beyond my comfort level to equip me for what’s coming. I decree, declare and receive my greater as the windows of heaven open to pour upon me my greater restorer and redeemer. For God I live and for God I die!
After these things the word of the LORD
came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not,
Abram: I [am] thy shield, [and]
thy exceeding great reward.
~ Genesis 15:1 [KJV]
Written on November 11, 2012
Posted on July 20, 2013
Ann Gwen Mack
Posted By: Ann Mack
Saturday, July 20th 2013 at 8:49PM
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