A Season Of Gain!

When I heard of Chadwick Boseman’s death in August, I felt a certain heaviness. It felt like a gut punch. Here was a man, in his prime, who was suddenly lost at the hands of cancer. As a lover of the arts, it left like such a tremendous loss. As we look back over this year of 2020, it just seems like there is so much loss all around. There has been loss at the hands of disease: People are suddenly losing family members due to an unpredictable virus almost overnight with no end in sight. There has been economic loss with many losing their jobs, livelihoods, and homes. Sadly, many have lost hope and are taking their own lives as a result. For even the most steadfast believer, this year seems to be underscored with exceptionsl loss and many have written the year off. But, as a steadfast believer, we must also know this: the devil is the father of all lies. And accordingly, everything he says, the opposite is true. Instead of letting the enemy convince us that 2020 is a “dumpster fire” or that only loss can come out of this year, let’s believe the opposite – that 2020 is the year of gain! The year is not done, and neither is God. I declare that we will gain wisdom, faith, new beginnings, perspective, time, peace, and a deeper relationship with our Savior. 2020 is not about loss, it’s about gain!

To the tree being pruned, the cutting back of its branches felt like loss. But in the spring – its due season – the pruning looked like flourishing! Let us not grow weary in well doing, for in due season, we shall reap if we faint not. It’s not about what it feels like right now. It’s about what it’s going to look like in due season. Don’t get so caught up in how it feels to be in pruning season that you take your eyes off the due season ahead. That layoff feels like hardship, but in due season it will look like promotion. That application rejection feels like another disappointment right now, but in due season it will look like a launching pad into entrepreneurship. That diagnosis feels like the end, but in due season it will look like a testimony of God’s faithfulness. Not convinced? Consider the apostle Paul. In Philippians he said, “For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” Paul literally lost his sight and gained vision! (That will preach all by itself!) There is no loss in Christ Jesus because even death is gain! Hold fast to that! Change your perspective, prayer warriors. Know that what the enemy says to you today and henceforth, the opposite is true. Let that take root in your soul – that 2020 is the year of gain for the believer! Walk in expectation. God is not done – not even close!

I Believe God’s Report On This Morning!

We watch the news on television like we are being paid to be spectators. We spend time reading news articles as if we are going to get an extra ticket to heaven for every article that we click on. We let news outlets like CNN and MSNBC play in the background so much that they have become the soundtrack to our lives. For every hour we spend with Jake Tapper, Wolf Blitzer, and Chris Cuomo, what if we spend an hour with El Shaddai, Jehovah Jireh, and Yeshua? Or for every hour that we spend reading articles from The Washington Post or USA Today, we read scriptures in the Holy Bible, God’s Word?

At the end of the day it comes down to: Whose report do you believe? By “believe” He doesn’t mean whether you think the reports are true. The question means whose report are you going to allow to infiltrate your heart and mind, plant its seed, take root, and ultimately take residence?

CNN says that 60,000 people are going to die from Covid-19. But the Word says with long life He will satisfy me. Huffington Post says the economy is headed into a recession, if we aren’t already in one. But the Word tells me that my God shall supply ALL my needs according to HIS riches in glory. Anderson Cooper said there is chaos at even the highest levels of government in our nation. But the Word says that prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving grants me peace that surpasses all understanding. The CDC reports my age group has one of the highest instances of contracting Coronavirus. But the Word says that God’s favor surrounds me like a shield. It says no weapon formed against me shall prosper. It says that when the enemy comes in like a flood, the spirit of the Lord will lift up a standard against him. It says the enemy comes to steal, kill, and destroy, but He has come to give us life, and life more abundantly.

They say, “ain’t nothing on the news but the blues.” But I am reminded that Jesus came to bring us good news! The good news is we still have life, we still have peace, we still have clapping in our hands, we still have running in our feet, we still have jumping in our knees and legs, we still have a shout in our voices. Let’s shout with a voice of triumph! Let’s declare the name of Jesus and make every enemy bow down on this morning!

So, I will ask you again: Whose report do you believe? I believe God’s report on this morning!