KEEP THE FAITH, YOU'RE ALMOST THERE!

source: http://www.what-secret-rapture-saith-the-lamb-of-god.com/imagefiles/dark-beach-wt-waves.jpg

       While growing up and being raised in the church there were many revivals where I had visited and heard many revivalist state, "as the old preacher has stated, 'you're either in a storm, heading to a storm or coming out of a storm'". With having heard this so many times, It has dawned on me just now since I have been called into the ministry, be it a year and a half with writing this "Rhema Topic", to see who this saying stems from! With having done proper research, I've come to conclude that it comes from the Rev. Dr. H. Beecher Hicks, Jr., senior pastor of the Metropolitan Baptist Church in Washington, D.C. Hicks wrote a book entitled Preaching through a storm (copyright 1987, Harper Collins Publishers) which examines the constructs by which a pastor of a church must endure and bring encouragement to the hearts of his congregation during trials and tribulations.

       The book let's its readers know that though it may seem like God will not clearly send a message during a storm, in actuality, it is through the message itself from the man or woman-of-God that God does address the issues at hand. With this, he is the preacher that the saying we're either "'coming out of a storm, in a storm, or heading for a storm'" is accredited to.

       If Rev. Dr. Hicks would allow me the opportunity, the Holy Ghost has given me the revelation that what he is speaking is the truth in this quote. The way I've come to use this quote in teaching platforms is through actually working through it backwards. Again, if he would allow, I like to say, we're either "heading to a storm, in a storm, or coming out of a storm." It's just being use in the reverse order. Let me clarify as to how the Holy Ghost has given me the revelation of this quote.

We're either...

"Heading to a storm" -Rev. Dr. H. Beecher Hicks, Jr.

Frederick Landy's translation of this part would be that we are "Heading to a 'state-of- transition.'" This means that we are heading to a process of changing from a previous state of, may it be education, job position, living condition, etc., in life. It means that one is about to enter into a process of changing.

EVIDENCE that one is "Heading to a 'state-of-transition'":

• When those who usually have something smart or negative to say about you seem to now be your best friend. You may just be heading to a 'state-of'-transition'.
• When those that usually are asking you for many favors are now the one's doing many favors for you, you may just be heading to a 'state-of-transition'.
• When your children who are usually "off-the-wall" are now "little angels", my friend you may just be heading to a 'state-of-transition'.

       These are just a few examples, but the reason why these are the most accurate examples, as given through my own previous experiences and the unctioning of the Holy Ghost, is because it's like the saying "it's always quietest before a storm." Think about it! The next time the meteorologist on your local news states that a major storm will begin around 6 p.m., go outside at about 5:30 p.m. or so and just observe how quiet it is. The birds are nowhere to be found and even your own dog or cat is in a place preparing to "weather the storm". Isn't it quite amazing how the animals have sense enough to prepare to weather the storm, yet most of mankind seems to just go about acting nonchalant or without worries.

       Please do understand me, I am not advising anyone to begin to worry or stress, but rather I am advising that when everything seems "too good to be true"," that is when we need to be praying the most. When things are going awesome, do rejoice because it is going to last for a while, but then that is when the next state will be coming along soon and that's being "In a storm."

***Please note that everyone does not experience these states at the same time. But for the ones that are "heading to a storm" as revealed through the Holy Ghost, just let others know "I'm heading to a 'state-of-transition'".

                      ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

   "In a storm" -Rev. Dr. H. Beecher Hicks, Jr.

Frederick Landy's translation of this part would be that we are "In a 'state-of- transition, close to reaching our destination.'" This means that we are currently in a storm but once being in the storm for a while (i. e., a couple of days, weeks, months or even year) there has to come a time to declare over ourselves that a destination will be reached, more sooner than later.

       While being in a 'state-of-transition' it is quite convincing to believe that God is nowhere around and that there is no support system to tap into in order to receive what one needs to endure to the end and get close to reaching the destination. Don't believe that hype, God is as much in control in a storm as He is when one is "heading to a storm". In that regard a destination is simply a change, promotion, new level or even dimension in life that has been revealed to you through the Holy Ghost. (I Corinthians 2:10)

       Hebrews 10:25 comes to mind in this state and it says, "not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching." We must not forget that the saints of God are the ones that we can find words of encouragement and above all it is definitely through the preached word, that confidence in knowing that we can endure until the end is achievable. What many fail to remember is II Timothy 2:3 where the apostle Paul urged Timothy, "Endure hardship with me as a good soldier of Christ Jesus". Notice the wording apostle Paul stated, a "good" soldier. To be a "good" soldier is to have one's comrades back in battle. A "good" soldier does not turn on his or her comrades and instead of shooting the enemy, shoots him or her. That is quite absurd!

       What I am saying is that during the time of being in a storm, we must seek counsel first and foremost from God through the Word of God (Holy Bible) and pray for strength through the power of the Holy Ghost to endure and persevere. From there get to the house-of-God to gain the strength from the saints and the preached Word of God, which is needed. The enemy along with our own minute thinking can cause us to become deceived into thinking that we can survive without the worship experience with the inclusion of the preached word at the local church which is a part of the universal church or the body-of-Christ (all of God's churches across this world as a whole).

       You may have noticed that I did not list any "EVIDENCES" of being "in a storm"/"'state-of'-transition, but close to reaching your destination'", and it is simply because we all know whether or not we're in a storm. The evidence is quite evident.  That will preach right there, "Evident evidence!" Though it may seem like the storm is not going to let up, keep the faith, because as it is written in Psalm 30:5, "For his anger is but for a moment, and his favor is for a lifetime. Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning.".

***Please note that everyone does not experience these states at the same time. But  for the ones that are "in a storm" as revealed through the Holy Ghost, just let others know "I'm in a 'state-of-transition, but I'm close to reaching my destination'".

       What we will realize is that just like in traveling may it be via the airplane, when the plane is behind schedule may it be because of weather conditions or to change the crews, the passengers that have just gotten off the previous plane preparing to aboard the next flight now have to wait longer than they had expected. As I like to say, when things like that occur and layovers happen in life, it really is "just like God!" Why? Think about when you are in a storm or layover, it presents opportunities for you to meet new people, which God himself had already pre-destined for you to meet, in order to gain knowledge and even assistance needed to launch your dreams and aspirations into full gear as given in the last stage of "coming out of a storm" or "reaching your destination."

       I like to put it like this: "Friends may come and friends may go, but that's ok, it just lets you know where God is taking you everybody can't go. But do be kind, still be nice; live your life, still treat them right, because you never know how they will help you grow." Never burn your bridges too fast, but do move readily into the future with the pre-destined assistance and all the new contacts that God has given to you. This leads me to the final state.

                     ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Coming out of a storm" -Rev. Dr. H. Beecher Hicks, Jr.

Frederick Landy's translation of this part would be that we have "Reached our destination." This does not in any way mean that we have "arrived", but simply that we have been tried in the fire and have come out as pure gold.

EVIDENCE that we have "Reached our destination":

       To fully understand this I will simply give the old saying, "it's always darkest before dawn." For the sake of explaining, it is a perfect saying for the context, but in all truth this actually would prove to be wrong. There is actually a little light before the sun rises in the morning. The only time, as one has researched, it can be darkest before dawn, in that sense, is when the moon has not been out during the particular night before. With that, it still holds to be true to this contextual usage.

       Think about it! When the Word of God, the Lamp unto our feet and Light unto our path as given in Psalm 119:105, is actively incorporated in a storm it becomes easier to come out of the storm stronger and more wiser than when once entering. To have "reached your destination" it simply means that the season of transition is now over and despite the layover you were able to aboard the next flight out to reach the next level in your life.

What becomes EVIDENCE that we have "Reached our destination" can be simply summed up in all of the "Heading to a storm" EVIDENCES becoming reversed. Consider...

Instead of...

• Those that usually have something smart or negative to say about you seeming to be your best friend, they turn back to being your "worst enemy."

       Be mindful, it's not them, but it is the spirit of error working in them. What will also happen is, though these individuals may not even be around once you've "reached your destination" someone else will seem to, in a sense, "take their place." Take note of how fast those around you begin to envy and belittle you, even if you have just taken that new position or moved to a new department on your job; new ministry within the church: Worship Leader, Chairman of the Deacons, let alone now preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ; being the new addition to a new neighborhood in a new city and state. Isn't it amazing how people who barely know you begin to make obscene gestures and odd comments toward you? Don't worry, God's got it all in control!

Instead of...

• Those who are usually asking you for many favors, doing you favors, they end up going back to asking favors from you. The reason is because since they see that you have now "reached your destination", they feel that even though you can give them more than what you had given before. The thing about this is you may not even be physically in the same department or functioning within a previous position on the job anymore; you may not even be physically staying in the same city or state anymore, yet they still feel obligated to ask for favors and at the same time want you to comply right then and there. 

       Consider it! This is how you know you have "reached your destination." With this state we have to, through the power of the Holy Ghost, staying consistent in the Word of God and in prayer, let the enemy know, I am not who I use to be! I've been elevated! Stop trying to belittle me! Let me advise you though, if you feel the urge to say this to someone, please have sought the counsel of the Lord as given by Proverbs 19:21, because you may get your feelings hurt. It's like the seven sons of Sceva who were commanding demons to come out and the demons told them in Acts 19:13-16, "We know Jesus and we know Paul, but who are you?" Be discerning! 

• When your children who are usually "off-the-wall" are back to being "off-the-wall", my friend, just pray even the more for your children. You have "reached your destination."

       Think about it! What children, especially if you've taken a new job offer and have moved to a new state, let alone to a foreign country, away from their friends, grandma and grandpa, the church they really felt at home at, will not begin to act out? It is quite normal for children to have challenges in adjusting to a new place.

       Not even that, let's say you take a new position and you decide to let the children stay with their mother or father (given both or in the home), but if not, they stay with their grandparents or a close relative (your brother or sister), the child(ren) will still be longing to see your face, but because you're traveling so much it brings about the conflict of direct physical communication. We all know technology has closed the gap in having direct communication, but when I say "direct physical communication" I mean "direct physical communication", such as a physical hug and kiss. Believe God for the move or destination and pray that He sanctions it even the more and everything will be just fine!

       Lastly, once you've "reached your destination" don't just "check-in at the hotel" and sit around and watch the same television shows that you usually watch back at home. You may want to do that later on, but what I'm saying is do "check-in at the hotel", but before venturing off into new territory take the time to give God thanks and establish a "bethel" (Genesis 35). Now this is the most important, in one's opinion, having been "in a storm/"'state-of-transition', but close to reaching your destination". Think about this, there were others that did not make it to their proper flight on time because they ending up losing their baggage, had too many restricted things in their baggage or was too busy talking to the wrong people during the layover, which in turn caused them to be, unfortunately still in their storm.

       With knowing this, it does not mean we must become proud and boastful, but rather humbled in knowing that it was because of the grace of God that we have "reached our destination". This is the most important part! Why would we not give God all the praise, glory and honor which is due Him anyway? We've taken on the mentality that God did not really do too much in helping us. God forbid, to go on with that mentality. Give God what is due Him! He is worthy of all the praise, glory and honor.

       When others see you worship Him in such a radical and authentic way they may try to figure out your worship, but it's as Bishop Larry Trotter & The Holy Spirit Choir would say from the song "My Worship is For real", you can simply say or sing, "You don't know my story and all the things I've been through. You can't feel my pain, what I had to go through to get here. You'll never understand my praise, don't try to figure it out, because my worship, my worship is for real." Plainly put! I challenge you to apply the proper declaration to whatever state you may be in right now in your life!

Keep the faith, you're almost there!    -fal

Sources:

Hicks, H. Beecher Jr. Preaching through a storm. Grand Rapids: Harper Collins, 1987. E-book.

Gibson, Daryl R. Darkest before dawn. Amazon, 7 March 2005. www.weekdaywisdom. 03 June 2011. 

Trotter, Bishop Larry & the Sweet Holy Spirit Combined Choirs. "My Worship is For real". Tell the devil I'm back. USA: Tyscot Records, 2001.

God is in control

       As we all can tell by just looking at the headline news in the newspaper or looking at the top stories on the local news, it can be confirmed even the more that the devil is on the loose, going to and fro through the earth as a roaring lion seeking whom he can devour (I Peter 5:8). We must be self-controlled and alert as the apostle Peter reminds the Bible readers and doers here and as the apostle Paul lets us know, we should not be overtaken by every wind of doctrine (Ephesians 4:14). Now is the time more than ever for every saint of God to know that despite the things going on around us, GOD IS IN CONTROL. There is a part we must play and it's having a five letter word active in our lives every day and that word is faith.

        Hebrews 11:1 states, "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen" and then verse 6 declares, "But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him." We have to have faith in these last and evil days and declare to every situation and mentality not of God that comes forth that even though it may not "feel good" being in such a trial or tribulation, we must remind ourselves that it is working out "for our good." Thanks be unto God for His grace and mercy that only comes through Christ Jesus our Lord and through the power and presence of the Holy Ghost. The word-of-God declares that we are more than conquerors through Jesus Christ (Romans 8:31-19)! I want to take the time out to share with you a story that really blessed me in the Gospel according to Mark chapter 9 verses 14-29 (New American Standard Bible, NASB):

14When they came back to the disciples, they saw a large crowd around them, and some scribes arguing with them. 15Immediately, when the entire crowd saw Him, they were amazed and began running up to greet Him. 16And He asked them, “What are you discussing with them?” 17And one of the crowd answered Him, “Teacher, I brought You my son, possessed with a spirit which makes him mute; 18and whenever it seizes him, it slams him to the ground and he foams at the mouth, and grinds his teeth and stiffens out. I told Your disciples to cast it out, and they could not do it.” 19And He answered them and said, “O unbelieving generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring him to Me!” 20They brought the boy to Him. When he saw Him, immediately the spirit threw him into a convulsion, and falling to the ground, he began rolling around and foaming at the mouth. 21And He asked his father, “How long has this been happening to him?” And he said, “From childhood. 22“It has often thrown him both into the fire and into the water to destroy him. But if You can do anything, take pity on us and help us!” 23And Jesus said to him, “ ‘If You can?’ All things are possible to him who believes.” 24Immediately the boy’s father cried out and said, “I do believe; help my unbelief.” 25When Jesus saw that a crowd was rapidly gathering, He rebuked the unclean spirit, saying to it, “You deaf and mute spirit, I command you, come out of him and do not enter him again.” 26After crying out and throwing him into terrible convulsions, it came out; and the boy became so much like a corpse that most of them said, “He is dead!” 27But Jesus took him by the hand and raised him; and he got up. 28 When He came into the house, His disciples began questioning Him privately, “Why could we not drive it out?” 29And He said to them, “This kind cannot come out by anything but prayer.”
 

        What we see in this passage is Jesus returning from the mountain-side with Peter, James and John who have just witnessed the Transfiguration of Jesus Christ and with that they were commanded not to release what they had seen until the Son of man had arose from the dead (v. 9). Then what we read in verse 14 is that there was a man, who had brought attention to the scribes and many in the area, in the debating of whether or not the men before them who could not cast the demon out of his son were really Jesus' disciples. So Jesus asks them what is going on and that is when the man, who is not named, speaks up and says that his son has been possessed with a demon that tries to kill him through drowning him, throwing him into the fire and by seizing the boy and having him foaming at the mouth (vv. 17-18).

       Watch the wording in verse 17, the man stated that he had brought Jesus his son, but with reading this text in all simplicity, Jesus was nowhere around (He was walking up to them with Peter, James and John from the mountain-side), so really what this is saying is that the man's faith was so radical that he brought his son to the disciples of Jesus Christ of Nazareth who represented the ministry of Jesus Christ. Since he could not find Jesus, he found those closest in connection with Jesus. This right here prompts a question, "Can people see and really discern within their spirit that you are a child of God?", meaning can they say, "that guy or girl; man or woman is full of faith and the Holy Ghost and since I see it in their actions I'm going to ask him or her to pray for me and/or my family!" Or, "They have a way about them that is different and I know it is the spirit of the Lord living within them!" This is quite profound in its giving, but we must go deeper into the text.

       From there we now see the father of the demon-possessed son talking to Jesus, the Son of the Living God. Take note of this, he had strong faith at first but begin to doubt when the disciples could not cast the demon out of his son. It can be felt in the text that even though he was looking at the Son of the Living God who has been given all power from His Father to bind and loose; heal and deliver; and above all save, he begins to doubt even if Jesus Christ could help! Now, isn't that something? Read through verses 19-22 and see how the father then tells Jesus, "But if You can do anything, take pity on us and help us!” Now what type of comment is that? He was basically telling Jesus that He did not have much power to do what he was seeking to have done; but look at what Jesus says to the man with much authority given to Him from His Father in verse 23, "And Jesus said to him, “‘If You can?’ All things are possible to him who believes.” Then that is when the father cries out in verse 24, "I do believe, Lord help my unbelief".

       I believe that this is what we as saints of God should declare in times of trouble, trials and tribulations, "Lord, help my unbelief". Yes, it may be hard and you may feel like giving up and don't think God is going to answer your prayers, but keep the faith and know that God is in control. From there we read that Jesus asks the father to bring Him his son and with that Jesus commanded the spirit to come out of the boy and, of course, it did! Watch what happens in the following verses, the people standing around thought that the boy was dead, and it really was because they only recognized him while the demonic spirit was within him, but now that it had been casted out, they could not recognize him.

       Think about it! When you're going through you know how you look at the house praying before God, and I mean literally. There are many tears flowing down your face sometimes, you may even find yourself just letting loose and begin stomping on the enemy throughout your place of residency or you may even find yourself just moaning and singing hymns and spirituals because of the concerns of this life. Others don't know this though! I believe that whatever brings the breakthrough for you is what is necessary. Anointing yourself with the oil and binding and loosing. But when those that are being controlled by a spirit or mentality, others can in most cases discern that they are. You may hear a concerned individual say, "You're not yourself today!" or for people they don't know after discernment and spiritual battles, they will just simply say "Something is not too right about that person!" 

       Furthermore, when we are being controlled by a spirit or mentality not of God, people see us and see us as we are at that present time. The thing that we as disciples of Jesus Christ must understand is that when that controlling spirit or mentality is casted out, i.e., through the laying of hands from the man or woman-of-God or even through you anointing yourself with the oil and laying your own hands on yourself, when happens it that when one becomes delivered and set free through the blood of Jesus, guess what, they will not look like themselves anymore! They become a new person than when that spirit or mentality have overtaken them (II Corinthians 5:17). Once again, everybody thought that the boy was dead because he had now become a part of the I Peter 2:9 movement, "But you are A CHOSEN RACE, A ROYAL PRIESTHOOD, A HOLY NATION, A PEOPLE FOR God’s OWN POSSESSION, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;" 

       From there comes the best part of this entire text, in my opinion, and it's in verse 27, "But Jesus took him by the hand and raised him; and he got up." Isn't it "just like God?" Doesn't God through His Son Jesus pick us up out of our situations that others said we would never get out of? Doesn't God promote and sponsor us from the Heavens above, when others did not want to support our vision (Genesis 12:2; Jeremiah 29:11; Psalm 23; Psalm 24)? Doesn't God give us confidence in knowing that He will be a Father when father has walked out and a Mother when mother has turned her back and others are saying that we will never be anything because of our father or mother's wayward reputation? Be reminded, my friend, that through faith we can and will receive those things we ask God for, on His timing (John 14:12-15; Matthew 7:11)! For God is in control! It does not matter what we go through, it is only for a moment. David lets us know that in Psalm 30:5 (NASB),

"For His anger is but for a moment,
         His favor is for a lifetime;
         Weeping may last for the night,
         But a shout of joy comes in the morning."

       I decree and declare that your morning is coming more sooner than later, but while you're waiting for the Son to rise even the more in your life and for His Glory to rain down, ask the Lord as the father in the above text did to "Help [your] unbelief!" When it seems like your goals and dreams are never going to become a reality and that God seems to be so far from bringing a deliverance, healing or even salvation for a loved one or close friend, and those thoughts must be cast out. Change is right around the corner! It's yours for the asking! All I need to do now is just declare to you, "Go and 'receive from the Lord'" (Psalm 24:5)! 

^{"WE WRESTLE NOT AGAINST FLESH AND BLOOD"}                                  

^{Ephesians 6:12a}

^{source: http://www.orthocuban.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/Archangel-Michael-battle-gear.jpg}

       ^{Spiritual warfare is what the universal church or the collective body-of-Christ is being faced with now more than ever. To begin this Rhema topic lets look at what Apostle Paul told the church in Ephesus in Ephesians 6:10-19 (NKJV):}

¹⁰ Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. ¹¹ Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. ¹² For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. ¹³ Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
¹⁴ Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, ¹⁵ and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; ¹⁶ above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. ¹⁷ And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; ¹⁸ praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints— ¹⁹ and for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel, ²⁰ for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.
 

       Now is the time saints of God to put on the full armor, because it is not the people that we wrestle against, but rather the spirits of opposition to the Word of God and Jesus Christ our Lord. Having not been yet filled with the Holy Ghost, one is liable to do many things that are contrary to the Word of God.

       We all have had moments and even seasons in our lives where we were living opposite to how the Word of God states we should live and then there are those that were not "trained up in the way they should go" (Proverbs 22:6), so now that they are old he or she has nothing to remind them of how God loves them and wants them to live a life pleasing in His sight.

       Witnessing and evangelizing is a must in these last and evil days! Apostle Paul reminds us in this passage of scripture that one must be fully dressed to fight the "principalities, powers, rulers of the darkness of this age, and the spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places." v. 12.

       Apostle Paul told Timothy in II Timothy 3:1, to paraphrase, "terrible times will come in the last days." My brothers and sisters, just look around, these truly are terrible times, yet the saints are not to be surprised! The saints or holy ones as Webster defines this title, are to be in much prayer because the devil is doing many things rapidly now, because he knows that his time is winding down.

       In Mark 9:29, "this kind comes by prayer", Jesus states this to his disciples when they could not release the demon out of a certain man's son. The man was questioning why the disciples of Jesus were not able and then he transferred that unbelief to Jesus himself. "If you can [Jesus], can you help us?" said the man. Now that is just like many of us today, asking God, "If He can!", as if we have forgotten that God has all power in His hand! My God!

        Faith is a must and to know that spiritual warfare is going to be here until Jesus Christ descends in the clouds, we must take the proper procedures as saints of God to "trample upon the snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy" as Jesus Christ stated we have been given the power to do through Luke 10:19.

       May God bless you and keep you, is my prayer! Go and serve the Lord! Preach, "Repent for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!"  -fal