There is no question that the enemy is not happy about this simple but profound message from the Lord.
After I finished typing the words given to me. . .I was about to depress the save button when the entire teaching disappeared. That has never happened to me before … so I know that we’re about to create some turbulence in the heavenlies and the enemy is not happy that one of his favorite tactics is about to be exposed.
Here’s what the Lord directed me to tell you. . .
The Lord wanted you to know that. . .
"Anything that can get you down is above you."
He said, "Tell my children that. . .
". . .if debt can get them down, it's above them.
". . .if lack can get them down, it's above them.
". . .if sickness can get them down, it's above them.
". . .if lack of a proper job or position can get them down, it's above them.
". . .if addiction to anything can get them down, it's above them.
". . .if rebellious children can get them down, they're above them.
". . .if the lack of customers or clients in their business is getting them down, it's above them.
". . .if what's happening politically in this country and around the world is getting them down, it's above them.
". . .if an unfaithful spouse can get them down, then the problem is above them.
I was instructed by the Lord to give you the following message.
"My children need to understand that they empower anything that can get them down.
"Tell my children that the only thing that should EVER be above them, is their love for Me and My Word.,
"Give My children the scriptures I'm stirring in your spirit right down. Assure them that I will lift them up and draw them unto me."
Proverbs 23:7 in the King James Version says:
"For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he. . ."
Psalm 40:17 in the New Living Translation says:
"As for me, I am poor and needy, but the Lord is thinking about me right now. You are my helper and my savior. Do not delay, O my God."
Proverbs 16:3 in the King James Version says:
"Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed."
Psalm 84:11 in the King James Version says:
"No good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.”
Proverbs 10:22 in the Classic Amplified Bible says:
“The blessing of the Lord—it makes [truly] rich, and He adds no sorrow with it [neither does toiling increase it].”
These are the five scriptures that I was directed to give to you.
My personal recommendation is for you to personalize these verses. . .put them in your smart phone, iPad, Tablet or other electronic toy. In fact, write them out on anything…a note card or whatever will give you ready access to them throughout the day.
Then I was lead to share with you seven ways to never let trouble or anything else be above you.
First, keep your heart and focus on the only One who can lift you up.
Let’s take a quick trip through Philippians 4.
Verse 1 in the Classic Amplified Bible says:
“Therefore, my brethren, whom I love and yearn to see, my delight and crown (wreath of victory), thus stand firm in the Lord, my beloved.
Verse 6 in the Classic Amplified Bible says:
“Do not fret or have any anxiety about anything, but in every circumstance and in everything, by prayer and petition (definite requests), with thanksgiving, continue to make your wants known to God.”
Verse 7 in The Living Bible says:
“If you do this, you will experience God’s peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will keep your thoughts and your hearts quiet and at rest as you trust in Christ Jesus.”
And verse 8 in the Classic Amplified Bible says:
“For the rest, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is worthy of reverence and is honorable and seemly, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely and lovable, whatever is kind and winsome and gracious, if there is any virtue and excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think on and weigh and take account of these things [fix your minds on them].”
With all the distractions of our electronic age. . .we can easily spend valuable time, energy and resources on things that have nothing to do with our dreams, goals or vision.
This scenario is what used to be referred to as majoring in the minors or simply said, wasting time on things that won’t change the quality or direction of your life. Otherwise, known as losing focus on where you’re going.
Distractions will come in life. . .but when we get distracted we break our focus and in so doing, can easily forget what the Word of God reveals is ours to pursue.
Proverbs 4:25-26 in the Amplified Bible says:
“Let your eyes look right on [with fixed purpose], and let your gaze be straight before you. Consider well the path of your feet, and let all your ways be established and ordered aright.”
Proverbs 4:27 in the New Living Translation says:
“Don’t get sidetracked; keep your feet from following evil.”
No matter how long it takes. . .hold fast to the Word and your confession of faith because God will not fail nor disappoint you.
Second, always respond to Him not them.
Lao Tzu, the Chinese philosopher, once said:
“Care about people’s approval and you will always be their prisoner.”
Never allow what other people think or say about you change your thoughts about your ability to achieve your dreams and goals.
It’s what you think about how and what God thinks about you. . .that will determine your destiny.
Every thought, word, action and reaction we experience begins in our mind.
Thoughts have substance. The things you think about are the things you speak about. The things you speak about are the things you bring about.
Unfortunately, many people grow up thinking about the negative things others have expressed to them.
Theodore Geisel, better known as Dr. Seuss, liked to say:
“Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don’t matter and those who matter don’t mind.”
It’s time to stop letting other people use your head as a septic tank.
There are lots of nuggets in the Bible. . .one of the most important is this. . .what does God think about you and what and when do you think about Him?
And, of course, another important question is. . .
Some people spend lots of time and money trying to find themselves. These folks take personality tests, profile evaluators and other self-assessment stuff to find out if they are a Type A, B or C personality. . .an introvert or extrovert. . .a competitor or someone who just goes along to get along.
Here’s the question to end all questions about your personality and purpose.
…
What you need to know about who you are and who He is. . .can be found in three verses.
Genesis 1:26 in the Living Bible says:
“Then God said, “Let us make a man—someone like ourselves, to be the master of all life upon the earth and in the skies and in the seas.”
Galatians 3:26 in the Classic Amplified Bible says:
“For in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God through faith.”
John 1:12 in the Classic Amplified Bible says:
“But to as many as did receive and welcome Him, He gave the authority (power, privilege, right) to become the children of God, that is, to those who believe in (adhere to, trust in, and rely on) His name.”
Need a little more direction? Then get this next paragraph down in your spirit.
I am the Creator and you are my creation. I breathed into your nostrils the breath of life (Genesis 2:7).
I created you in my own image (Genesis 1:27).
My eyes saw your unformed substance (Psalm 139:16).
I knit you together in your mother’s womb (Psalm 139:13).
I know the number of hairs on your head, and before a word is on your tongue I know it (Matthew 10:30; Psalm 139:4).
You are fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:14).
I could go on. . .but time will not permit.
Third, the blessing of the Lord will track you down.
Deuteronomy 28:2 in the Classic Amplified Bible says:
“And all these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you if you heed the voice of the Lord your God.”
Instead of you having to chase God’s blessings . . . they will be chasing YOU!
If you read Deuteronomy 28:1-14 you see some of the blessings we can expect when we walk in the favor of God.
Favor in every place you go, whether in the city and in the country (v. 3).
Favor in the health of your body and the fruit of your labor (v. 4).
Favor with both your coming in and you’re going out (v. 6).
Favor providing you with victory over your enemies (v. 7).
Favor and blessing in everything you set your hand to (v. 8).
Favor establishing you as part of the Lord’s “holy people” (v. 9).
Favor giving you breakthroughs of God’s bounty and “His good treasure” (v. 11).
Favor so you are “the head and not the tail” (v. 13).
These promises of God are conditional. . .as listed to Deuteronomy 28:1 in the Classic Amplified Bible which says:
“If you will listen diligently to the voice of the Lord your God, being watchful to do all His commandments which I command you this day, the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations of the earth.”
What do you think the key word is in that verse. I’ll give you a hint it has two letters. . .and it’s the first word.
“If”
I’m not talking about the Old Testament law as much as I’m saying God’s commands are not suggestions. And many blessings are conditional on us doing what He says.
The point is … we have choices. . .we can choose to follow the Word or follow the world. The Word brings many benefits even more than we’ve just outlined in the first fourteen verses of Deuteronomy 28.
Deuteronomy 28:2 in the Classic Amplified Bible is a great verse to personalize. Listen to this and make personal to you.
“And all these blessings shall come upon <<Name>> and overtake <<him/her>> if <<he/she>> heeds the voice of the Lord <<his/her>> God.”
Fourth, realize that success take time and effort and perseverance.
What does it take to become championship material? Practice. . .being willing to pay the price for success.
Here is the practical and scriptural basis for becoming successful on a continuing basis?
Getting up early. . .. . .when you would rather be sleeping.
Spending quality time in the Word
Psalm 5:3 in the New Living Translation says:
“Listen to my voice in the morning, Lord. Each morning I bring my requests to you and wait expectantly.”
Spending time in His presence. . .whereas you use to spend your time somewhere else.
Ask the Holy Spirit to help you become more aware when the Lord is speaking…then stop what you’re doing to listen.
Proverbs 8:17 says:
“I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me.”
Psalm 145:18 Message Bible says:
“God's there, listening for all who pray, for all who pray and mean it.”
Taking and making notes of what you’ve read, heard and learned from the Lord as opposed to what you read in the newspaper, heard on the television and learned from the world.
2 Timothy 2:15 says:
“Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”
The scripture says “study.” It doesn’t say “read once,” “glance over,” or “speed read through.” The Word says “study” and I know the Holy Spirit used that Word for a reason.
Study is defined in dictionary.com as “application of the mind to the acquisition of knowledge, as by reading, investigation, or reflection.”
As I read that definition of “study,” it quickened in my spirit that the real process of “studying to show yourself approved” is contained in this definition.
Finally, for you to experience lasting success. . .you must allow someone else to direct your path.
Proverbs 3:5-6 says:
"Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths."
Fifth, don’t waste your time on things or individuals that refuse to recognize your potential.
Jim Rohn, the motivational speaker, once said:
“You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with”
You should always be one of the five people that others want in their circle of blessing.
You’ll find that as you encourage others. . .your own life will be improving.
Make friends and spend time with those who are like minded in their pursuits. Together you can encourage, edify, lift each other up because both of you sincerely want to be all God created you to be.
As you do, you will find that others will recognize that you have God’s favor and blessing on your life … the God kind that changes the well-being of others as well.
In Genesis 39:5, the scripture says:
“... the Egyptian [Potiphar] was blessed because Joseph was in his house.”
In Genesis 30:27, Laban said to Jacob:
“... I have learned by experience that God blessed me for your sake.”
Spend your time with people who can challenge you to even greater levels of accomplishment because they have the same goal.
If you are caught in a position where you must be the Joseph or Jacob on your job, then rely on God to make you the example just as they were to Potiphar and Laban. The Holy Spirit will bring you out with a high hand. Don’t give in when the going gets tough. Look to the Holy Spirit to guide you through every situation.
Remember this. . .if people are trying to bring you down. . .it only means you are above them.
Sixth, when you focus on helping others. . .you’ll always be above and not beneath.
What makes a man or woman great?
Is it being sworn in as President of the United States?
Is it being listed first in the Forbes magazine list of the 400 wealthiest people in the world?
Is it being awarded the Most Valuable Player trophy in the Super Bowl?
Is it being the #1 talk show host in your local radio market?
Is it being pastor of the largest church in town?
The answer to these questions is “yes” and “no.” Greatness is not determined by the position a person occupies but rather an attitude of the heart.
Some of the greatest people I know may never receive earthly recognition or accolades for their efforts.
How about the single Mom who works two jobs but still makes time to raise her four children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord?
The man who performs repairs for the widows in the local church but will never take money for his services.
Women like Dorcas who was always doing good and helping others (Acts 9:36.)
Greatness is not measured by public perception but rather a deliberate decision to serve others as God directs you.
Mark 9:35 in the King James Version says:
“And he sat down, and called the twelve, and saith unto them, If any man desire to be first, the same shall be last of all, and servant of all.”
If you want to be above your problems. . .then do it God’s way.
Seventh, don’t waste your time on things that don’t matter. . .to you or Him.
Why were you born?
I can tell you. . .it wasn’t just because your Mom and Dad wanted to have a beautiful baby.
It wasn’t so you could spend hours upon hours browsing social media and the internet.
You were born for a purpose. . .God knew you before you were formed in your mother’s womb.
Yet, too few believers understand their purpose or why they were born.
Ephesians 5:14:
“Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.”
According to Strong’s Concordance the word sleepest (G2528) means “to fall asleep” but it also means:
“to yield to sloth and sin” and “to be indifferent to one's salvation.”
The Lord kept bringing the phrase “indifferent to one’s salvation” back to my remembrance and I was prompted to ask this question.
What does it mean to be “indifferent to one’s salvation?”
The Message Bible gives Ephesians 5:14 even greater clarity and plainly outlines our responsibility as believers.
“Wake up from your sleep, Climb out of your coffins; Christ will show you the light! So watch your step. Use your head. Make the most of every chance you get. These are desperate times!”
I can tell you with absolute certainty if we’re making the most of every chance we get . . . then there’s nothing above us or between us and God.
The scripture says that you and I are to “make the most of every chance we get.”
So here’s the question for day and the rest of this year . . .
How do we make the most of every chance we get?
Harold Herring