THE PLOW

A plow can be viewed as both a burden and a blessing; all depending upon how we as individuals perceive it to be.  Oftentimes the blessing is disguised as a burden.  Work is a burden but it feeds us, clothes and provides for us; it gives us purpose and hope for a harvest in the new season. 

When Elisha was out plowing in his family field and the Prophet Elijah came by, it wasn't a coincidence or happenstance that he came upon him.  Most children in biblical times didn't study and sit at the feet of scribes or Holy men but instead were instrumental in keeping in line with the family business.  However, I do believe that what Elisha was doing during his time walking the line and life laid out before him in a line of rows – one after the other – endless, boring and monotonous – was that he prayed as he took every deliberate step to stay in-line, on pace and on course.

God had heard his prayers and had, in his perfect timing sent the Prophet Elijah to change the course of history and diverted his path to a life coloring outside the black and white lines of a regimented life that was preset by generations before him.

There is a miserable comfort in doing what we have always done and what our forefathers have done before us.  There is honor in following in the footsteps of those that preceded you but there is great blessing and favor of God the Father when we pray, wait and receive what had been hidden and unspoken in the heart of a believer.

Jesus taught that once we put our hands to the plow, that we shouldn't look back.  Elisha was plowing straight ahead, doing what a good child would do in his situation.  It was the man of God that showed up and tossed his mantle upon him.  He ran after the Prophet because he knew that his prayers had finally come to fruition and that it was now time for him to step into a realm that many often don’t see; and that is to see God do what he said he would do.  Many are watching and waiting to see if God will do it in another’s life, all while wasting their prayer time that could be used for their own good; that is, waiting and trusting God for the answers they seek for their own life. 

Jesus said take his yolk upon us, for his yolk is easy.  In all actuality, the oxen are really doing all the strenuous work; they are the beast of burden.  Our job is to follow in behind them.  Jesus is doing all the work, we just have to follow in behind him and wait for the opportunity to run after.  It’s coming – that is if you keep on praying!

NO GRAVITY!

When you enter that place of prayer with God and everything that was pulling on you seems to effortlessly abate, have you ever noticed that there is a reverse gravitational pull?  All the issues that once weighed a ton have seemingly evaporated or no longer exist while you are in God’s presence; an ethereal, atmospheric or even buoyant experience – where neither gravity or weight or circumstance – or even your fears can breakthrough your spiritual force field.  The only word synonymous with that state-of-being is called PEACE and that only comes from God.  Only God can give us that kind of comfort that gives us the strength to live on and fight another doggone day.  If you don’t know God for yourself or have not enjoyed that time in him where no time even exists, I recommend you try him for yourself.  I guarantee you will never be the same. 

Keep Calm - Trust God

Have you ever been as lost as you could be but being found at the very same time? Oh God I don t know what you are doing most of the time but I trust you - all of the time.

Yolanda's Book Tour

By Invitation Only

Did you ask God for the ability to walk on the water, like Peter, and when he told you to “Come” as he did Peter, you started off on good faith and then found yourself sinking?  If it wasn't in the cards for Peter to walk on the water then I think that Jesus would have simply told him that it wasn't for him, as he told James and John when they asked could either of them sit on his left or his right when he went to Heaven.  There wasn't much that Jesus didn't perform when asked point-blank for a blessing and one would think that if walking on water – defying gravity and nature would have been one of those “no” times but all Jesus said was ”Come”.  Now had Peter stepped out onto the water without permission, it is fair to say that he might not have had the success that he did but when Jesus bid him to do as he had requested, there was nothing that stopped him except his faith.  Miracles are giving on a case-by-case basis but it is also given at the Lord’s discretion and it is “By Invitation Only”.  If he told you to “Come” then just keep on walking!

Fatigue

Fatigue is the antithesis of Faith.  Lord only knows where I would be right now mentally had I not had hope in “something” else other than where I currently am right now.  Where I am is where I prayed to be and I am both thankful and grateful for all that God has done however if all that I am going to receive is already in existence – then it would be pointless to continue on in faith – and a complete and utter miserable state of existence entirely.  My God is not into cruel and unusual punishment – though sometimes we tend to think that he is attempting to kill us.  The Bible mentions growing weary often and his word is admonishing and warning of what is – and what is to come.  If the great and deep things of God were so easily accessible everyone and their Mother would have all they ever wanted and satisfactorily full in spirit and body; but that is not the case.  All things that come from God are released at his discretion.  For some he accelerates the process – while others have to take the long route – but his promises are still “Yea and Amen” for all that seek him.  The struggle is indeed real – but so are his blessings. 

HARD FACTS!!!

Searching for the blessings and promises of God will send us on a journey and if we are not careful, we will find ourselves in search of facts.  Fact finding can dissuade your faith-walk and then sends you on a wild goose chase to find something that isn't for us to figure out but rather walk out by faith.  Ask yourself a really serious question and then answer it.  Am I on a fact-finding mission or are you walking by faith?  If you could figure it out, it wouldn't be called faith but rather a scavenger hunt.  God will give us clues as to how best to navigate our walk but it must be by faith.  “For faith is the substance of things hoped for; and the evidence of things not seen”.  If you can see it coming down the pipeline then what is coming aren't those deep things of God that only can be revealed by his spirit.  Our valuables that are most dear to us are not readily accessible to anyone who may enter our house as a guest or looky-loo but only those close to us are made privy to the where our cache of family heirlooms and valuables are kept safe from thieves and prying eyes.  Our enemy has come that he might steal, kill and destroy.  God is much aware of the tricks and snares of the enemy.  Quite honestly, I am thankful that he didn't give me anything that I truly desired until I was able to understand somewhat of his reasoning’s behind why he does the things that he does because had I received them earlier – I would be bankrupt spiritually and left destitute of all blessings that he would have bestowed because I didn't understand faith, his character or the process.  Trust that the Father knows best – that is the only fact worth finding out.