Getting Ahead?< ?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>

1Samuel 16:1-7

It does not matter how close you walk in the Lord when He gives you direction to go ahead on His assignment, you must not get ahead of Him in your going. God directed Samuel to go and anoint David as king. 1 Samuel 16:6, ÒSo it was, when they came, that he looked at Eliab and said, ÔSurely the LORDÕs anointed is before Him!ÕÓ Samuel, a giant in the hand of the Lord, attempted to get ahead in GodÕs direction; he was looking at the physical. So many are missing in the area of following through when GodÕs gives direction. Many started well but failed in getting through with GodÕs assignment. Samuel could have caused the whole nation an unpardonable mistake if he had went further and anointed Eliab. 1 Samuel 16:7, ÒBut the LORD said to Samuel, ÔDo not look at his appearance or at his physical stature, because I have refused him for the LORD does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.ÕÓ At the time that the Lord corrected Samuel, many people would have rushed through and missed the voice of God, and wrong choice would have taken over. It took the grace of God and a consistent walk in the Lord for redirection to have its way in Samuel not getting ahead of God. When you trace your step back to see where you have been wrong in the area of decision making, it could be that you have moved by what you see in the physical. If you will sincerely ask God to take over in every area that you have been getting ahead in His calling for your life, God will not fail you; He will answer you.

Compelled by Fear

1 Samuel 13:11-15 Psalm 14:1< ?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>

When you lose focus, when fear begins to reign, when you cannot wait for God to move, when you are in a hurry for needs, when you think you can do it, when you are paying too much attention to the time in your hand instead of the One who gives time, and when you begin to go outside of your assignment to get results that are not in your control, it is an indication that you are compelled by fear. King Saul was to wait for Samuel to carry out a burnt offering but he could not wait because he felt compelled by fear. In his explanation for why he carried out a burnt offering that was meant for the priest, he said in 1 Samuel 13:12, ÒThen I said, the Philistines will now come on me at Gilgal, and I have not made  supplication to the LORD. Therefore I felt compelled, and offered a burnt offering.Ó The anointed of God became another one of the crowd. He forgot his roots; he did not remember that it was a search for a donkey that led him to become a servant for the LORD. You cannot forget how you became saved; it is the driving force for where you are going. The day you forget how your salvation came about is the day you are no longer on course in your journey. Samuel responded to SaulÕs excuse, 1 Samuel < ?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>13:13, ÒAnd Samuel said to Saul, you have done foolishly. You have not kept the commandment of the LORD your God, which He commanded you. For now the LORD would have established your Kingdom over Israel forever.Ó It is important to pray to God for deliverance from every compelling force that causes man to act foolishly. Foolishness does not have a place before God because it is like saying there is no God. Psalm 14:1, ÒThe fool has said in his heart, ÔThere is no God.ÕÓ. To be compelled by fear is an act of foolishness.

Favor and Wisdom< ?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>

Acts 7: 9-14

Joseph had deliverance upon deliverance. His brothers stood against him because God added color to him, and envy rapped his brothers up. Joseph was delivered from death when his brothers attempted to kill him, but their mind was switched to selling him. Joseph was delivered from his brothersÕ wickedness, delivered from false accusation in the hand of PotipharÕs wife, and was delivered from prison. God delivered Joseph out of every trouble that came before him. God had a plan for his life and Joseph did not take any step to derail himself out of GodÕs plan for his life. To be in constant deliverance, you need to keep yourself in consistent devotion unto to God, and He will deliver you out of all your trouble. Acts 7:9-10, ÒAnd the patriarchs, becoming envious sold Joseph into < ?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>Egypt. But God was with him ÔAnd delivered him out of all his troubles and gave him favor and wisdom in the presence of Pharaoh, king of Egypt; and he made him governor over Egypt and all his house.Ó Favor and wisdom gave Joseph an open door to the entire house and it made him governor over all his territories. What would it be like if you can get an open door in a house where you are not allowed or where you are not accepted, or a land that is foreign to you in all areas of life? You can also become a governor on a land that was distant to your home. Ask God to endue you with favor and wisdom that will cause you to inherit and possess wherever you step on.   

Only Trust< ?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>

Psalm 32, 34

Do you wonder why it is taking this long for all that is causing your tears to give up on you? Despite the fact that you are God fearing, the wicked one did not stop shooting at you. There is never a late time for GodÕs hand to intervene. God will not sit back for your expectation to be cut off. Psalm 32:10, ÒMany sorrows shall be to the wicked; But he who trusts in the LORD, mercy shall surround him.Ó Do you believe that God will intervene in your situation? If you do, then know for sure that God is with you and He will always see you through. Psalm 34:19, ÒMany are the afflictions of the righteous, But the LORD delivers him out of them all.Ó He is a faithful God, He will do what He said He will do, and all that you need to do is what is required of you. In this season of your challenges, in this season that you are wondering, do not deceive or be deceived by your own understanding. If you lean on your own, it will not get you out from the hand of the wicked ones. Leaning on your own understanding is an indication of you trusting yourself. Proverb 3:5, ÒTrust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him.Ó God was true to His word yesterday, He is true to His word today, and He will be true to His word forever. Hold on to Him and He will carry you through whatever it is that is causing you tears. God will never fail.

Accepted Christ?< ?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>

Job 1:1-12

What can God say about you? God has some things to say about you, can you figure it out? God said about Job in Job 1:8, ÒThen the LORD said to Satan, ÔHave you considered My servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, one who fears God and shuns evil?ÕÓ A blameless and upright man is the one that fears God and constantly walks away from anything that does not represent God. This confirmation by God is not limited to just the ones that have lived in the past.  With the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, this is the standard of expectation in getting to the expected end of your journey on the face earth. The Lord is coming back for a church with no spot or wrinkle. Ephesians 5:27, ÒThat He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish.Ó God will not lower His standard of qualification for any man. He has brought down Himself in Christ Jesus for you to be lifted high and qualified. Have you accepted Jesus Christ into your life? There is no hide-and-seek with God, the eyes of God is everywhere. 2 Chronicles 16:9, ÒFor the eyes of God runs to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him. In this you have done foolishly; therefore from now on you shall have wars.Ó It is not possible to hide from God. Either you want Him to say anything about you or not, He will eventually say what He has for you at His time. Ask for grace to live for Him now.