If the Lord isn’t the glue that holds everything together, I don’t know who is.  Each time a difficult trial showed up at my front door, it took everything in me not to crumble and fall apart.  So many times, uninvited, Satan wanted me to break down at the sight of a disconnect notice, foreclosure or repossession letter, fiancé calling off engagement, or another neurological onset destructively impacting my life long-term: slurred speech and swollen feet.  Many days I couldn’t wear normal shoes; flip flops year-round, cane in tow and knee brace to control the swelling while my puffy feet dragged the ground as I attempted to walk and look as normal as possible. And each time an unwelcome disturbance made a selfish appearance stealing one more piece of me during my season of back-to-back, prolonged illness—it came in tow—with excess baggage cutting deeper than the last time it showed up unrequested.

Loneliness seat in.

Sadness took root.

Fear became my best unloved rival.

God is more than just a keeper.  He’s a lifeline.  Nothing moves Him more than seeing one of His own in pain.  What an awesome testimony Psalm 120:1 (Amplified Bible) provides, “In my trouble I cried to the Lord, And He answered me.”  To know that God won’t hesitate to show up and assist you when you’re brokenhearted or feel as if you’re alone.  2 Kings 4 talks about a widow woman who was fearful the creditors would take her two sons and place them in slavery to clear the debt of her deceased husband.  Can you say…

Interruption.

Turmoil.

Division.

Chaos.

  Disruption doesn’t care who it hurts.  Whose life it shatters.  Nor does disruption care how low or hard you fall from grace, but God does.  God cares about every interruption or piece of confusion sent by Satan to cause a rift.  That’s why God allows disruption to show up uninvited.  By design, He uses our disruptions to effectively shift us to communicate more effectively with Him. 

People ask me all the time; how do I find my purpose—as if purpose was lost.  I giggle to myself and enthusiastically respond by saying, “You’re the key that unlocks the door to discovering your purpose and living your best life!”  You would be amazed at the people who spend most of their lives searching for purpose.  These people frequent spiritual conferences and workshops.  They spend tons of money purchasing self-help or Christian based books.  But unfortunately, they never put two and two together after countless money spent on self-development.  What I’ve come to realize after ministering and coaching countless people that most lack faith!  Yes.  It’s that simple.  They weakly walk by sight and not by faith.  They say they believe until their faith is put to the test.  And trust me, when you’re not used to operating in the supernatural, fighting invisible principalities when strike by unexplainable or illicit forces, there is no time to doubt God. 

As God shifts the body of Christ, He’s calling attention to the heighten spiritual warfare that’s attacking His people to stop them from birthing purpose.  It’s not by accident that you noticed a new level of spiritual warfare manifesting in your life.  Ephesians 6:12 (NIV) reminds us that “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.”  If you believe this scripture, then you need to understand ‘why’ the warfare is so great in your life.   It’s happening because the enemy has caught a glimpse of God’s vision concerning your purpose.  Do you remember Herod in the Bible who sought the life of the baby Jesus?  Matthew 2:16 (NIV) shares a glimpse of his horrid plan “When Herod realized that he had been outwitted by the Magi, he was furious, and he gave orders to kill all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity who were two years old and under, in accordance with the time he had learned from the Magi.”  Wow!  The lengths the enemy will go to keep you from birthing purpose.    That’s right!  Your life is changing in time and space because you decided to answer your call and follow Christ.  That’s why the attacks are more frequent and more intrusive.   That’s why modern-day Herod’s are in search of destroying your destiny.   The more the enemy attempts to devalue your worth and oppress your voice in the body of Christ like the Egyptians harsh attempt to silence the Israelites, God knowing all, sympathetic to all, recalling all is showing up on your behalf, prepared to strike the head of Egypt every time they revolt against you.

It’s not by accident that you noticed a new level of spiritual warfare manifesting in your life.

He Yahweh is the Great I AM who prepares a table in the presence of your enemy.  He is Abba Father, who multiplies your favor or increases your influence in foreign lands and territories to produce the works needed to move the body forward in the kingdom.  Never doubt the move of God.  Don’t you under that you were built to spread your wings and soar higher?  Even though Herod put out a decree to destroy every male child two years old and younger, his plan didn’t work.  Yes!  There was an evil onslaught of unnecessary murders, but God’s work still prevailed.  As you pick up your cross and follow Christ, don’t become one of those people (a doubter or follower of the world) who misses their divine appointment big time because you are too busy pursuing the world or its standards and therefore you wholeheartedly terminate your divine assignment.  Take a few moments to reevaluate your life.  Matthew 6:13 (NIV) declares, “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” 

God will not waste one thing you’ve been through.  Every lie.  Every spiritual delay.  Every binding, backbreaking attack.  Every word curse.  Every financial loss.  Every demotion.  Every shameful mistake.  These weren’t just life events; these powerful situations God used to strategically position you to pick up your cross and follow Him so you can impact the kingdom with His holy ghost fire. 

Listen! 

Everybody wants to talk purpose or teach destiny. 

But, few kingdom leaders are willing to discuss spiritual conditions attached to God’s kingdom assignment when you make a decision to truly follow Christ.  Unfortunately, some leaders who aren’t chosen doesn’t care, like Herod who dies in the body of Christ as long as they get what they want.  Herod didn’t care that he placed a decree upon a child’s life.  All that mattered was he felt betrayed by the wise men.  How dare they trick him?  Fear consumed Herod.  And because he allowed fear to consume him, he was willing without just cause, to order his soldiers to carry out such a severe punishment against innocent souls. 

When you surrender fully to God, ready and willing to follow Him, you must clearly understand that conditions come with the job.  Let’s define the word condition.  A condition is a particular circumstance which can negatively or positively impact how a person reacts, co-exist, live, or work in a certain environment or situation.  For example, the more you ask from God: responsibility, innovation, blessings, opportunities, miracles, or favor…you open yourself to spiritual conditions that are binding to heaven.  John 14:14 (ESV) affirms, “If you ask me God anything in my name, I will do it.”  But, let’s be clear, asking God means that the Father will require something in return.  For every petition laid before God, you must understand that certain conditions apply.  It’s just like applying for a credit card.  You make an earthly agreement with the company stating you will make all payments on time.  Or, if you default on your line of credit, like the minimum payment due, the bank or funding agency has every right to take legal action.  The institution can apply late fees, charge-off your card, or report you to all three credit bureaus if you’re 30 days late.  Well, the same theory, so to speak (contractual disclaimers), applies in heaven.  In fact, compensation for the Father can mean a lifestyle change, persecution, a season of loneliness, jealousy, ridicule, health issues, loss of employment, marital issues, or rejection.   These conditions may seem severe, but remember, whatever it takes for you to answer the call, God will use in this season to birth a winner who is sold out for the kingdom.  Remember: God is all about birthing miracles and champions who aren’t afraid to slay Goliaths and exercise their kingdom authority. 

When you don’t comply with God’s promises concerning your life, do you feel guilty? 

What actions can you immediately put in place to ensure you’re complying with God’s spiritual conditions concerning your life?

What strategies can you implement to assure you avoid stiff spiritual penalties or pitfalls so you’re not tempted by the enemy?

 

Activity: Just like you know the name of your credit card issuer, you need to know God’s conditions for every request you lay before Him.  Recall ten conditions and promises God spoke in the Bible that will remind you of His goodness.

Name Biblical Character and Book

Condition(s)

Promise(s)

 
Ex: Abram (Genesis 12:1-3)
 

“Now the Lord has said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from they father’s house, unto a land that I will shew thee:…”

“And I will make of thee a great nation and I will bless thee, and make they name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.”