Watch Out!

As I'm sitting here on the couch, looking out the window and preparing for my time with the Lord, I see two birds frolicking in flight into my back patio. They were having so much fun that they didn't even notice the closed windows before them. Suddenly I heard a loud thump, and the fun was over. It's funny how the Lord can give us a message from such a small thing. If you'll pay attention, He often sends us messages in the most unlikely forms.

As we raised our children, we would warn them about the consequences of their actions and the tricks of the enemy. Just as the Lord sends us messages for our benefit, the enemy sets traps with tantalizing bait that bids for our attention and leads to destruction. We had one child that heeded to the instructions and another who had to learn from his own mistakes. Though God never wasted a crumb of our son's rebellion, his life certainly would have been much easier without all of the detours that eventually brought him to his destiny.

Likewise, our Father has given His children an instruction manual for living life to the fullest with the greatest impact on humanity. Though He never promised our existence would be void of trials, He did promise He'd be with us through it all and we would grow in the process.

Contrary to popular belief, we were not created simply to live life for own gain and pleasure. Christ did not sacrifice His life so He could become your genie in a bottle, responding to your every whim and desire. We were purchased with the greatest price ever paid! We were considered precious and valuable... designed and created with great purpose!

He has a divine plan for your life but you will not experience it unless you are paying attention... studying His Word and seeking His face. Continually looking for ways to please Him and sacrificing all that is pulling you back and weighing you down. Nothing but complete surrender will bring the peace, joy and fulfillment you are looking for! Watch out for the closed windows of distraction and destruction. Desire holiness and purity, chasing after Jesus with a heart of passion! That path will lead to His ultimate purpose for your life!!

Romans 12:1-2 (TPT) Beloved friends, what should be our proper response to God’s marvelous mercies? To surrender yourselves to God to be his sacred, living sacrifices. And live in holiness, experiencing all that delights his heart. For this becomes your genuine expression of worship. Stop imitating the ideals and opinions of the culture around you, but be inwardly transformed by the Holy Spirit through a total reformation of how you think. This will empower you to discern God’s will as you live a beautiful life, satisfying and perfect in his eyes.

2 Chronicles 16:9 (NKJV) For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him. In this you have done foolishly; therefore from now on you shall have wars.”

1 Peter 5:8-9 (NKJV) Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world.

Matthew 5:48 (AMP) You, therefore, will be perfect [growing into spiritual maturity both in mind and character, actively integrating godly values into your daily life], as your Heavenly Father is perfect.

James 1:2-3 (TPT) My fellow believers, when it seems as though you are facing nothing but difficulties, see it as an invaluable opportunity to experience the greatest joy that you can! For you know that when your faith is tested it stirs up in you the power of endurance.