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.

This morning, I felt the Lord directing me to encourage you in your struggles. It was like He said to tell you that you may be down, but take heart . . . encourage yourself in His Word.

Are you feeling down or out? Well… get ready cause You’re Coming Up.

My fine wife, Bev, and I understand being down. We’ve been there several times. Working together like we do, we’ve both lost our jobs at the same time . . . more than once! We could have been down for the count . . . BUT God.

That’s right, no matter how far you’ve been down or what evil has come against you . . .God is well able to bring you up and out.

Proverbs 24: 15,16 in the Message Bible warns anyone who comes against His own:

“Don't interfere with good people's lives; don't try to get the best of them. No matter how many times you trip them up, God-loyal people don't stay down long; Soon they're up on their feet, while the wicked end up flat on their faces.”

When it seems there is no hope. . .He is your hope.

Fortunately, that’s all you need.

Psalm 31:24 in the King James Version says:

“Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the LORD.”

Nothing just happens automatically.

No vision. . .no matter how divinely inspired is self-fulfilling.

No calling. . .no matter how needed is ever fulfilled on its own.

No goal. . .no matter how excellent is ever accomplished without effort.

Every purpose birthed in the heart of man will require specific steps of faith and action.

It’s one thing to talk about being successful or even becoming a millionaire but it is entirely another thing to take the steps necessary to achieve the position God envisions for you in His Word and in the world.

To improve your position in life. . .to increase your possibilities for success. . .you must rely upon the Word of God and demonstrate a willingness to implement certain Biblical strategies.

Proverbs 24:3-4 in The Living Bible says:

Have you ever had someone say. . . “I’ve been thinking about you.”

While we assume those thoughts are good. . .we have no idea what they’re thinking or how long they even thought about us.

There is a pick-up line that single men sometimes use on single women. It goes like this.

“Girl, I’m so tired. . .because you’ve been running through my mind all day.”

By the way ladies, if a man ever uses that line on you. . .be flattered but quickly ask him. . .if he has a job. . .does he have a five-year plan for the future. . .if he doesn’t answer “yes” to both those questions. . .leave him in the rearview mirror of your life.

On a spiritual level. . .God does bring people to our minds. . .people he wants us to pray for.

In this teaching, I want to talk about someone who thinks about you 24/7.

1 Peter 5:7 in The Living Bible says:

One of the biggest reasons many Christians don’t enter into the fullness of God’s Word is that they read the Word of God as a spectator.

It is no doubt a fascinating collection of people, stories, miracles and events. . .but it’s much more. It is alive and interactive when we apply it to our lives.

In reading a red-letter edition of the Bible you will find that Jesus asked over 173 questions during His earthly ministry. While I found the number of questions Jesus asked interesting. . .I found why He asked them. . .profound.

God asked questions. . .because He wanted His listeners to think. . .it facilitates the learning process in each of us.

As I was studying this a few days ago, my fine wife, Bev and I agreed to reduce the number of questions to seven. . .for the purpose of this teaching. Seven. . .do you find that an interesting number?

Number one…what do you think?

Without a doubt. . .one of the best learning methods is to ask questions. After all, this technique was utilized by the greatest teacher of all. . .our Lord and Savior.

There are at least four recorded instances where He said to His disciples “what do you think?” He also asked “how think ye”, “won’t he” as well as other word choices to involve the disciples in the parable and to provoke their thinking.