Originally published Monday, 27 January 2014.
www.insideoutwithcourtnaye.org
Do you want to be successful in everything that you do? I would imagine so. I mean, who really wants to fail, right? However, whether we’re doing or preparing for what God has called us to do, we definitely want God to bless our efforts. I know that I certainly do. But with that being said, as we do this, we have to understand that we will experience some unexpected obstacles every now and then. Yes, they will try to get in our way to create a distraction, diversion, detour, or even possible destruction (hopefully not), but we have to know that when these things present themselves, that we can overcome them. So let’s find out how…
Again, as you embark upon doing anything awesome in your life (especially in ministry), you have to know that there will be some form of opposition. Jesus experienced it before He started His ministry. Satan tempted Him three times before He went out to do a great work for His Father. Matthew 4:1-3 tells us, “Then Jesus was led out into the wilderness by the Holy Spirit to be tempted there by the devil. For forty days and forty nights he ate nothing and became very hungry. Then the devil came and said to him, ‘If you are the Son of God, change these stones into loaves of bread.’ But Jesus said, ‘No! The Scriptures say, “People need more than bread for life; they must feed on every word of God.’” (NLT)
Ha! Did you get that? He said “No!” And then He spoke the word to the devil. The devil actually tried two more times to tempt Jesus to sin against His Father (HINT: before he went out to do a GREAT work), but He rejected his notion every time! The Word is powerful! And because of it, He overcame every obstacle and was successful in His ministry!
Now let’s go a little bit deeper and make it personal. Sometimes the opposition and the obstacles that we face can be us. Oh yes! It’s true. And it stems from the iniquities within. It’s the hidden sins that are buried deep within our hearts, which can actually hinder our progress and God’s favor on our lives. Sometimes its sins that we are aware of, yet have decided to bury ourselves (like David and Bathsheba’s sin of adultery). And other times it can be things that we didn’t even really know were wrong (like offending someone unintentionally, but still having to make it right with God and the other person).
When you or I are in error in some form or fashion with the Lord, the Holy Spirit will then prompt us to get it right with Him whether it’s known or unknown sin from the heart. The Bible tells us in Jeremiah 17:9-10, “The human heart is most deceitful and desperately wicked. Who really knows how bad it is? But I know! I, the Lord, search all hearts and examine secret motives. I give all people their due rewards, according to what their actions deserve.” (NLT) The lesson here is that God knows exactly where we are because of our hearts. There’s absolutely no hiding from Him. So once the Holy Spirit reveals to us the error of our ways through our heart-to-heart talk with God, then it’s our job not to suppress it even deeper. Instead, we must allow Jesus to help us deal with it through prayer, confession, godly sorrow, and genuine repentance. Then we can experience true freedom and begin to encounter success in our endeavors!
Point of fact: I remember a time when I was about to embark upon something new for the Lord, and I began to get super excited about going forward with it. However, the next day, I woke up sick! As I lay in bed, I began asking God, “What are you doing here with this sickness?” And as time went on, the Lord began to reveal to me why He slowed me down. It was because there was something that He wanted to show me about myself before I ran full speed ahead. He showed me that it’s not just about works. He wanted me to draw closer to Him. He wanted me to know that I can do nothing without Him. Meaning, “Sure, the works are great, but I want you.” God was saying to me, “I want us to be closer than we’ve ever been before, Courtnaye.” And personally, I love that about Him! That He can show me when I’m off key with Him. This is a RELATIONSHIP! And you better believe that I’ve stepped up my game in my fellowship with my Father.
For you, it may be something completely different! But the message here is that in order for us to be successful in anything that we’re doing or preparing to do, we must make sure that our hearts are pure. Matthew 5:8 assures us that, “Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.” I’m sure that you want to see God revealed in your life and be blessed. So if God begins to reveal any bitterness, unforgiveness, jealousy, envy, attitude, lying, hypocrisy, or whatever is not like Him within you, then let Him clean you up through your honest confession. You can pray His word saying, “Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.” Psalm 51:10. Remember speaking the Word has great power!
Lastly, know that success will happen when you study the Bible, meditate on His word, and obey God. No doubt, living for God is a sacrifice and a complete commitment. But at the end of the day, it will all be worth it! So hold on and allow Him to change you from the inside out, my sister…from the heart. And when you do, you’ll have the power to overcome any obstacle that comes your way. Jesus loves you and know that you are more than a conqueror! (*Check out a video below on this topic).
Word for the Week
“Study this Book of the Law continually. Meditate on it day and night so that you may be sure to obey all that is written in it. Only then will you succeed.” (NLT)
~Joshua 1:8
Remember, Jesus is coming back soon! And those who endure unto the end shall be saved. So let’s get ready from the Inside Out!
~Courtnaye
*Watch & Listen to the video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NY41Lm9-OtI
*Thanks for reading! I hope and pray that you’ve been enlightened from this post. Feel absolutely free to leave a comment or for questions you can email me directly at insideoutwithcourtnaye@gmail.com, and I will respond promptly. Also, tune in every Monday at 7:30am for new posts! Don’t forget to “Like” my Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/InsideOutWCourtnaye) and share this blog with friends, family, co-workers, or your women’s group or ministry. I’d love to stay connected and help more women grow in the Lord! Thanks again and may God be with you!
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