Rough Conditions

Count it all joy because He has given us all we need for life and godliness lacking no good thing! (James 1:2-4, 2 Peter 1:3, and Psalm 34:10) 

When I woke up today and looked outside, I saw rain clouds and heard the wind blowing. Immediately, I knew, today will not be perfect conditions for stand up paddling.  

Please allow me to explain, I really like glassy conditions. Glassy conditions are peaceful. Rough conditions…not so much.

I really wanted to go paddling so I sucked it up and went. As soon as I unloaded my board, a friend and fellow (seasoned) paddler said, "It's rough today, stay close to shore." I listened to him because he has paddled way more than I have. And he had already been out. So he has "been there". 

As I paddled in the rough water, against the wind, I envisioned my heart, lungs, and core getting stronger. I was actually joyful during the "fight". Not exactly the conditions I would've chosen for myself; however, I made a conscious choice to mediate on the advantages instead of meditating on all the disadvantages.

The wind was blowing me around and the water was bumpy but I saw something I had never seen before while on the water. I saw three water spouts. They were very small (Approximately three feet in height and approximately fifteen feet from me.) but big enough to knock me off my board if they got too close. 

I reached for my phone (in it's waterproof case) because I thought, "What a great video!" Then wisdom kicked in and I thought, "Ok, if the turbulence from the water spout knocks me off my board, I most likely need my paddle, not my camera in my hand." And, I really didn't want to see my phone drown.

The first two water spouts went past me from a safe distance.  I looked up and the third water spout was headed straight for me. Wisdom kicked in again and I thought, "I do not want to get caught in that"...although, in hindsight,  it would make for a great story if accompanied by video. Perhaps it's time for me to invest in a Go Pro Cam! 

Back to the waterspout. I didn't want to get beat up today. I just wanted to paddle. So I looked at the spout directly in front of me and I said, "You may NOT come near me in the name of Jesus." 

True story...the water spout immediately changed course and turned away from me, passing me from a safe distance.

I've said it before, I'll say it again…stand up paddling is a lot like every day life. 

• Some days are perfect conditions. 
• Other days are rough conditions. 

Thank God who has given us our friends, and apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers who have gone before us. They've "been there" and as we heed their advice, we walk in wisdom and stay "close to shore" not being blown out to sea. (Proverbs 27:9, Ephesians 4:11)

Thank God for spiritual authority and for teaching us to speak to the "mountain" and/or water spouts. (Luke 10:19, Mark 11:23)

Thank God for teaching us to count it all joy when (notice that verse does not say, if) we experience rough times because of His promises to work all things for our good. And since He be for us, who can be against us? (James 1:2-4, Romans 8:28, Romans 8:31)

What are your conditions like today?

Screeching Halt

And He said to them, “ I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven". (Luke 10:18, NLT)

Yesterday, my family and I took stand up paddle lessons. A stand up board is similar to a surf board except it is longer and wider. For momentum, a paddle is used in a similar manner as when paddling a canoe while the boarder is standing up.

Our instructor was excellent and she had us paddling within minutes. After paddling for a short time, I felt so confident I was ready to paddle outside the buoys and go fast! The weather was beautiful, the water was so clear I could see to the bottom, and the tropical breezes were making for a perfect day. I saw tropical fish, turtles and a whale. I was gliding through the water like a boss having a wonderful time when, quite unexpectedly, the fin of my board hit a reef. Instantly, my board came to a screeching halt. I however, did not. I catapulted off my board and landed partially on my board and partly on the reef with a big, "Ummmph!" All the sudden, I became very thankful for the seat-belts in my car and wished I had had one on my board.

I caught my breath and surveyed the damage. My foot was bleeding so I paddled back in. Once back at shore, I saw I had a small knick on my left hand, bruised my foot, and had ripped the skin off several places on the ball of my foot.

While I was washing the sand off at the shower, ("licking my wounds"...add a little whine because I was hurt) I thought, "That's exactly how the enemy attacks us at times." We are going about our lives, having a great time, when all the sudden...Ummmph!

But then the Lord brought to my remembrance, "I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven." (Luke 10:18, NLT) Even though I was still bleeding at the shower, even though my hand and foot was still hurting, my spirit leaped! And I corrected myself and said, "No, this is how we wrestle not with flesh and blood!" I will explain.

For we are not wrestling against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. (Ephesians 6:12, NLT)

As we speak God's living, powerful Word, we catapult ourselves into His perfect plan for us! (Hebrews 4:12) His plan for us is perfect because He is perfect!

As we, put on God’s whole armor [the armor of a heavy-armed soldier which God supplies], we successfully stand up against [all] the strategies and the deceits of the devil. (Ephesians 6:11, AMP)

With every faith filled word we speak, the enemy's schemes experience a great big Ummmph!

An easy qualifier is:
When we speak negatively, it's death.
When we speak positively, it's life.
(Deuteronomy 30:19, Matthew 12:37, Proverbs 6:2)

But, we mustn't waver. (James 1:6)
We cannot say:
By His stripes I was healed! (Isaiah 53:5)
But I don't feel healed.
God works all things out for my good! (Romans 8:28)
Things don't look good.
I walk by faith and not by sight! (2 Corinthians 5:7)
I don't see how this can ever work out.

That's division. (James 1:6)

I believe God's Word is so powerful, at times it takes our circumstances a little while to catch up to that power. (James 1:5). That's why we hold fast to our confession and waver not. He is faithful! (Hebrews 10:23)

Just like the bruising on my foot, I will allow my flesh (current circumstance) time to "catch up" with God's Word. God's Word never fails. (Isaiah 55:11, 1 John 5:15) Even though it is currently bruised and requires bandaging, (not where I want to be) I will continue to keep my mouth under submission only saying, "Like I've been saying, By His stripes I have been healed and made whole." (Where I want to be.) Imitating my Father. (Ephesians 5:1, Romans 4:17)

His Word can be applied to every circumstance because nothing is impossible to Believers. (Mark 9:23)

Every day:
find "your" scripture
keep your confession
don't waver

Delivering an Ummmph to the negative situation and praising God as He turns it around for your good!

Many of you have written me. I know many have had a hard week, month and some, a very hard year. Today, you are one day closer to victory than you were yesterday. Next week, you will be one week closer to victory than you were this week. Don't give up now. (Galatians 6:9)


Father God, in the name of Jesus, I ask for every reader to allow the eyes of their hearts be enlightened in how to refuse to be divided and hold tight to their confession catapulting their life into excessive abundance, know the hope of Your calling, and walk in the riches of Your glorious inheritance! (Ephesians 1:18, John 10:10) I pray love and kindness never leave them as they bind them around their necks finding favor with You and man. (Proverbs 3:3, 4) And when they've done all to stand, stand! (Ephesians 6:13)