Faith Journey: Chapter 3

Propelled

So I ended one of my last entries by stating,

"So here I am on my personal faith journey. I continue to plead and argue with God as he is leading me to the place where he wants me to go. I guess it's slowly happening, so like Abraham, I am beginning to understand that when the Main Dude speaks, he will do what he said he'll do. Period. I guess it's slowly happening, but like Abraham I want to be propelled to that level where I can live confidently knowing that regardless of the situation, circumstance, obstacle, whatever, I can not only say, not only believe, but trust and know that God will provide, that God has already provided."

I can confidently say that I have reached the beginning stages of this type of faith. I know there are deeper levels that I have yet to explore, but with what God has been showing me thus far, I can only say one thing: God IS good!

As a matter of fact, I can say another thing: I serve a LIVING God! The tomb IS empty!

Check it

I have made it a priority to allow God to use me as he wishes. I am the instrument; he is the Maestro, so who am I not to allow him to use me how he sees fit? In doing so, he has challenged me to challenge him. You see, when God tells me to trust in him; to be dependent on him; to rely on him; not to worry because he will provide; to seek the Kingdom of God first, he is indirectly telling me to challenge him directly...

I understand that. So, since he tells me to, I challenged him.

"The Lord will provide", I remember telling my mom when she asked me how I was going to get the money I needed. I needed money in order to move to the place where God would eventually lead me to. And I'm not talking about chump-change: $400-$600 in a matter of days! Sisters, mother, friends, one question: how are you getting the money?

Things were so bad during that week I received a phone call from a loan lending place. They were calling not to lend me money, but for me to repay or make a payment on money I borrowed for school. And I spoke honestly with the young lady, "I'm sorry, but I'm broke! And I doubt you guys want me to do something very illegal to get the money just to make a payment..." It was so silent on the phone you could hear crickets.

As the days were cruising by, my time for getting that amount of money was getting shorter and shorter. Still, I held tightly to the fact - I said fact - that indeed, the Lord would provide. So without money, I began packing my bags. I began making all the arrangements to make this huge move, to the place where God was leading me to.

Eventually my bags were packed and I had no more arrangements; still, no money. And it was a few days before my departure date. A part of me began to say, "Maybe God is trying to tell you something. Maybe you should push your departure date back until you do get the money." And I was right! God was trying to tell me something, but not that. He told me this:

I AM never early

I AM never late

I AM always on time

I AM...

He told me this while I was talking with my older sister one of my last evenings spent at home. I was telling her about the experience of an individual who chose to live his life trusting God entirely. As I was recounting the story, my mother stretches her arms towards me and hands me something. "God must really love you," she said, "here are $600."

I could not continue on with the story I was telling my sister. I had to worship my God with the tears that poured out of my eyes. I could not believe it.. I believed he would provide and God provided long before I even needed him to provide!

You see, the money came from my mother's car that had problems. Had her car not have any problems; had she not taken it to a garage to be sold; I would not have gotten my $600 - in that manner. I'm sure God would have still provided in another manner, but just to show that before we know what we want, before we ask for what we want, God has already given it to us in his way!

Before I left home, my older sister tells me, "...the change I've seen in your life has impacted me." My mother added, "...God is really doing wonderful things with you."

I am amazed because my simple act of faith... simply trusting that God had my back... he gave me $600 at the time I needed it! To further show me how amazingly powerful he is, he touched the heart of another to add $100 to the amount he'd already given me.

Do you see it?

$700 - SEVEN - God's perfection revealed numerically, in the hundreds..

I have been propelled to that level.

I serve a LIVING God, and yes! the tomb IS empty!

This song goes out to anyone who is going through rough times - personal, spiritual, financial, emotional, or in any other way.

Help Is On The Way - by Michael W. Smith

Faith Journey: Chapter 2

Who's Boss?

So I've already said how frustrating I have been in recent times, and I'm going to say it again. Some days are perfect. Most days are rough - and I'm being generous by saying that. And I am beginning to realize more and more the origin of my frustration.

Logic states that if you're doing something that really hurts, you stop doing it so that it doesn't continue hurting. Makes sense, right? And there are many examples which can be used to illustrate why this is very logical. So why is it so illogical when it comes to those things we simply cannot let go of mentally, emotionally?

I guess by now I've given away what I am referring to. Why is it that we - that I - cannot let go of things that hurt me? What makes it so difficult? Why does it seem so impossible? What's the deal with simply letting go..?


Some dude came to Jesus and asked what he needed to do in order to be saved or have eternal life.

"Teacher, what good deed must I do to have eternal life?" Matthew 19:16

To sum up the story, Jesus told him that he needed keep the commandments. I imagine that the dude chuckled to himself and gave Jesus that look as if saying, "Are you for real?" Jesus saw the look and heard the chuckle, so he took it to the next level:

"If you want to be perfect, go and sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me." verse 21

The hardest thing for this dude to accept was the whole 'sell all your possessions' phrase.

Ever heard the saying 'money is power' and 'power yields control'? Which one of us, as humans, does not like to be in control... of absolutely anything?

Imagine: would you like someone to be in complete control of your health?
Would you like someone to be in complete control of your money?
Would you like someone to be in complete control of your person?
Do you even like it when someone else drives your car, if you have a car?

These may not mean absolutely anything... but I can't help to think that this is exactly what the dude was considering when Jesus told him to 'sell all of his possessions'. In essence, Jesus told him to 'let go', and when he added "follow me" he meant 'let God'.

"...go and sell your possessions" was Jesus' way of ridding this dude from all the stuff he simply could not let go of.

I remember watching a home improvement show on TV once and the homeowner wanted to remodel her home after/due to her husband's death. However, in order to raise enough money to buy new furniture and accessories, she was asked to sell some of the existing stuff in her house. There was one particular item - which I cannot remember what it was - that was of high sentimental value because it belonged to her deceased husband. It took some very powerful convincing from the part of the show host for this hurting widow to finally agree to selling the item.

Likewise, Jesus wanted to do the same for this dude.

"..go and sell all your possessions". In other words, "..go and let go all of the crap you're still holding on to. Rid yourself from everything that has nothing to do with me - which is everything you're currently holding to. Throw it all away! Let it go! Dude, clear your mind.. loosen your grip. They're pointless. They're old. They're worthless. Sell them! Give them away! I want you to have nothing; yes, nothing! I want you to have nothing because..."

"Then come, follow me." In other words, "then come, remember what I just told you? - 'you will have treasure in heaven' - which is nothing compared to all the crap you're still holding on to. Let me give you some of the good stuff that I have. But it goes deeper than that, follow me! Wherever I go you go. Whatever I say you say. Whatever I do you do. Let me control you. Yes, I mean just that. Let me control the way you think, the way you see, the way you speak, the way you dress, the way you breathe and eat and drink and walk. Let me control everything that defines you. Let me be in everything that is you. You're stuff is worthless but the things I'll give were paid for with blood - my blood! You're stuff is old but I make everything new! You're stuff is pointless but what I have to give you, what I want to do for you, what I want to do with you is all part of my perfect plan! Look, if I hold all things together, if I'm able to hold creation as a whole together, in perfect harmony, with my left hand, I will hold you and guide you with my mighty strong right hand. All you have to do is simply let go.. follow me. Me! And just let go, and allow me to be in total control. And I guarantee I will never let you down. But first, you must let go and let me be who I AM; and trust me, I AM YHWH!"

"The Lord replied, 'I will make all my goodness pass before you, and I will call out my name, Yahweh, before you.' " Exodus 33:19

"Then the Lord came down in a cloud and stood there with him; and he [the Lord] called out his own name, Yahweh." Exodus 34:5

"The Lord passed in front of Moses, calling out, 'Yahweh! The Lord! The God of compassion and mercy! I am slow to anger and filled with unfailing love and faithfulness.' " Exodus 34:6

So I find myself face to face with Jesus telling me, "If you want to be perfect, go and sell all your possessions...Then come, follow me." And I'm the one now who chuckles to myself, giving Jesus this look that's saying, "Are you for real, of course I want to be perfect!" I simply need to sell all my possessions, but don't know how to. And I refuse to "[go] away sad, for I had many possessions." Matthew 19:22

I must leave my possessions behind. I must leave my possessions way behind. Better yet, I must rid myself of my possessions - which are many. I must empty out myself of all the crap I still hold on to. I must loosen a grip and allow Yahweh to conduct every aspect of my being. I cannot have treasures in heaven unless I do so.

So this is where I am. I need to let go. Of it. Of them. Of me. I need to let Yahweh...

"Exalted" by Chris Tomlin

Please, if you pray for me, whether or not you know me,

find excuses to keep me in your prayers.

"And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus. Now all glory to God our Father forever and ever! Amen." Philippians 4:19,20

Mighty To Save

So I'm on YouTube listening to some music before the start of the Sabbath and this song comes on. And it's really very powerful song! As I listen to the words, I am realizing that there are many aspects in my life that have yet to understand the amazing fact that Jesus has conquered the grave and that, if he has already conquered the grave - think about it... he has conquered the grave! - there is no reason why my faith and confidence and trust in him should waver.

"I am the living one. I died, but look - I am alive forever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and hell." Revelations 1:18

That's amazing, to say the least. So here are the lyrics to the song and I've embedded the video for your meditation and delight.

Mighty To Save by Hillsong United


Everyone needs compassion,
Love that's never failing;
Let mercy fall on me.


Everyone needs forgiveness,
The kindness of a Saviour;
The Hope of nations.


Saviour, He can move the mountains,
My God is Mighty to save,
He is Mighty to save.


Forever, Author of salvation,
He rose and conquered the grave,
Jesus conquered the grave.


So take me as You find me,
All my fears and failures,
Fill my life again.


I give my life to follow
Everything I believe in,
Now I surrender.


My Saviour, He can move the mountains,
My God is Mighty to save,
He is Mighty to save.
Forever, Author of salvation,
He rose and conquered the grave,
Jesus conquered the grave.


Shine your light and let the whole world see,
We're singing for the glory of the risen King...Jesus (x2)


My Saviour, He can move the mountains,
My God is Mighty to save,
He is Mighty to save.
Forever, Author of salvation,
He rose and conquered the grave,
Jesus conquered the grave.


My Saviour, you can move the mountains,
You are mighty to save,
You are mighty to save.
Forever, Author of Salvation,
You rose and conquered the grave,
Yes you conquered the grave

Faith Journey: Chapter 1

"Faith is the substance of things hoped for;

the evidence of things not yet seen." Hebrews 11:1

I remember this once I was describing how I visualized faith to a friend. I told her that faith is standing at the edge of a ridiculously high diving board, in a pitch black room with a pool, not knowing whether or not the pool has water. And God says the craziest possible thing: jump. There is no way out, except you jump. No way of seeing below. No way of knowing. There may not even be water in the pool. There may not even be a pool. And God says the craziest possible thing: jump. No way to even know if it is God. No way of knowing how far up or how close to the bottom. No way of knowing if there is a bottom; a solid one, at least. How long is the diving board? How wide? Is there space to take a step back? Is there space to move around? You cannot see. Nothing around to feel. No smell. You echos respond to your cry. You can only hear God repeating the craziest possible thing: jump.

What do you do?

"Then the Lord said to him, 'No, your servant will not be your heir, for you will have a son of your own who will be your heir.' Then the Lord took Abram outside and said to him, 'Look up into the sky and count the stars if you can. That's how many descendants you will have!' And Abram believed the Lord, and the Lord counted him righteous because of his faith." Genesis 15:4-6

Then Isaac was born. Abram - now Abraham - and his wife Sarai - now Sarah - watched as their 'son-of-the-promise' grew. How many memories: his first steps; first time saying "mama" & "papa"; first time he smiled. The sleepless nights, the close calls, the moments of genuine innocence, the moments of a parent's discipline. Abraham, a very old man, chasing after his one and only son in the fields, teaching him the secrets of farming, the ins and outs of pasturing, how to connect with nature, how to see The Creator through nature. And the list goes on.

" 'Abraham!' God called. 'Yes,' he replied. 'Here I am.' 'Take your son, your only son - yes, Isaac, whom you love so much - and go to the land of Moriah. Go and sacrifice him as a burnt offering on one of the mountains, which I will show you.' " Genesis 22:1,2

No need to read between the lines in order to understand what God was demanding from Abraham. Go sacrifice him... as a burnt offering... your only son... Isaac... whom you love so much... why is God being so specific?

Abraham had another son, Ishmael. Obviously had God just left it as 'take your son and sacrifice him', Abraham could have simply taken Ishmy and called it a day; problem solved, the kid born out of wedlock is no more. That would have taken a huge load off Sarah's back, I'm sure.

But why Isaac? Isn't he the son-of-the-promise?

After receiving this news, Abraham had to step out of his tent and have a small chat with God, because this simply did not make any sense.

"Kelz!" God called.
"Yes, God, what's good?" I replied.
"I want you to become one of my soldiers - a preacher - with a message that I will give only to you. You down?"
"You know it! But this is how I'm going to do it..."
"Wait a minute there, cowboy, slow down. It's not on your terms but mine."
"Yeah, sure, but what I was saying is that I need these things to happen before I can go be who you want me to be. These things are important to me. By doing them, you'd be giving me a sign that this is truly what you want me to do."

"Actually, one of those things belongs to me, and I'm gonna need you to sacrifice it, for me. Yes, that thing - that only thing you love so much - I'm gonna need you to give me that. And I know you won't be able to under certain circumstances, so I'm telling you to go to a place I will show you."
"God are you serious?! Why this?! God, there is no way! You and I spoke about this, remember? What about what we spoke about that one time? God, please answer me and give me some clarity, because this is just insane..."

"Isaac? God are you sure? Didn't you make me look up at the sky before he was born and tell me that through him my descendants will be as numerous as these stars? You must be making a huge mistake. How can I possibly kill my own son! There has to be a mistake. Dude, I'm old! You don't expect me to have another son, do you? It took me a hundred years just to get this one! And now you want me to sacrifice him as a burnt offering? God, please answer me and give me some clarity, because this is just insane..."

"And Abraham believed the Lord, and the Lord counted him

as righteous because of his faith." Genesis 15:6

The next morning, Abraham, two of his servants, Isaac, and a donkey set out on a three day journey to the place where God was to show them. Although 'Abraham believed the Lord' I cannot ignore the fact that he was a human and a parent who, by the way, was walking around knowing he was about to sacrifice his only child. Each night they set camp before arriving to Moriah, I imagine Abraham still pleading and arguing with God.

"Are you sure you're not making a mistake, God? Can't you see you're contradicting yourself? Can't you see how confusing and frustrating this is? Why do you always take away the things we love most? I do not see how you're gonna work this one out, honestly. In what possible way could there be a way out of this one? Why are you doing this to me? Why couldn't be something else that I don't really care for? God, are you listening to me? Can you just answer me!"

"Put it like this, Kelz, if I didn't answer Abraham..."

"On the third day of their journey, Abraham looked up and saw the place in the distance. 'Stay here with the donkey,' Abraham told the servants. 'The boy and I will travel a little farther. We will worship there, and then we will come right back.' " Genesis 22:5

Conventional wisdom would say that Abraham was lying to his servants and to Isaac. And that's precisely why it's called conventional wisdom not divine wisdom. Speaking the way he spoke, Abraham listened to the craziest possible thing God could say, and jumped, not knowing where he would land, if he would land. But he jumped. And all it took was that jump to propel him to a level where was able to look square into his son's eyes and say, "God will provide a sheep for the burnt offering, my son." Genesis 22:8

In the time of God's silence, Abraham began to understand - and eventually understood - that when the Main Dude speaks, his words need no revision. God's promise to Abraham was met! He did not need to go back and revisit what he'd already told him, because when God speaks, he will do what he said he'll do. Period.


So here I am on my personal faith journey. I continue to plead and argue with God as he is leading me to the place where he wants me to go. I guess it's slowly happening, so like Abraham, I am beginning to understand that when the Main Dude speaks, he will do what he said he'll do. Period. I guess it's slowly happening, but like Abraham I want to be propelled to that level where I can live confidently knowing that regardless of the situation, circumstance, obstacle, whatever, I can not only say, not only believe, but trust and know that God will provide, that God has already provided.

I don't want to be given a title as prestigious as 'The Father of Faith' or 'A Man After God's Own Heart' - although that would be kinda cool. What I simply want is this:

Teach me your ways, O Lord,
that I may live according to your truth!
Grand me purity of heart,
so that I may honor you. Psalms 86:11

Enjoy "My Deliverer" by Chris Tomlin

Fo'Chisel

Last night 8 o'clock hit and I did nothing. So what, - you may be asking - , what's the big deal? The deal is that I left God hanging. I left him hanging because I was (and still am) very frustrated with myself. I've been asking God to teach me how to let go of certain things in my life. I've been asking him to teach me how to make my bed in him. I've been asking God to take control. Yet, I cannot seem to let him do what he has to do - in me.

And it's frustrating the heck out of me! Right now, in a way, I'm leaving him hanging again... I really just want to be able to, even for just one second, stop feeling. My mind is like a whirlwind. My thoughts cannot stop racing through my head. I want to trust in him - but I want to retain control. I want to 'let go and let God' but I want to play the role of God.

Ever since I took the decision of becoming a youth pastor, I have been getting my boat rocked! I have become a walking punching bag. I figure that it's God doing his thing, you know? Everyone I speak to has said the same thing: gold is purified through fire. Well, I've been getting roasted, ever so slowly, through this fire.

...and let me be honest in saying that I want to quit before I even start...

But I cannot. I must not. I will not. God wants to do something special with me.

Who am I not to allow the Maestro from performing with his instrument, if I am the instrument? So this is where my frustration and my internal war stem from...

[please, I beg you few who follow this blog, please, do not stop praying for me...]


Watch this video - several times if you have to - then read on.
Enjoy & be blessed

I want God to chisel away. I need God to chisel away... for his sake

At this point in my life, with everything that's been happening around me, I am just like that guy. Why does God want to use me? Why can't he pick someone else? Why is so persistent? Why does he not want to leave me alone? Why does he want to use me?

Why do I want him to use me? Why am I not running away? Why do I want him to persist? Why am I asking him to chisel away? Why do I want him to chisel away? Why do I need him to chisel away..?

You have no idea how frustrating this is and how frustrated I am. . . .

but like I said, who am I to prevent the Maestro from performing with his instrument if I am the instrument...?

Enjoy this video. This is what I need to allow God to do to me.

The song title is "Paint Your Picture" by Julie Meyer

I Have Yet To Learn

Read the story of how God brought the Israelites out of Egypt...

Take your time reading this amazing story and try to notice a trend. There was an on and off, up and down, left and right, -well, the point is made clear- relationship between the Israelites against God.

See if you can pick it out

Notice how God managed to bring them out of Egypt. Place yourself in the story and try to visualize the things, the signs God performed through Moses and Aaron. This stuff is unheard of in our times today...

Can you really imagine a friend txt'n u sumday sayn' he/she wuz takn' a shw'r n da water wuz blood?!

Or finding that in your microwave, all over your bed, all over your house, all around your 'hood, all up in your car, in/on your clothes, inside the fridge, I mean, A L L O V E R your crib: frogs!

Really, think about it, about all the plagues that fell on the Egyptians, while God's people (I said GOD'S PEOPLE) were not even affected by any of it! They were sheltered from the horrible things occurring to their Egyptian neighbors. It's not like it was a secret, either. E V E R Y O N E knew that they were God's chosen people (I said GOD'S CHOSEN PEOPLE) and that everything that was happening was happening because God wanted to do something really good for them..

I mean, the Egyptians knew it. The Israelites knew it.

And God did just that. Talk about showing off!

He parted an entire sea; as in, divided the sea into two sides;

as in, water on one side, a little runway, water on the other side;

as in, walls of water; as in, where have you even heard of that before?!

God not only took Israel from Egypt, he played the Egyptians... He made sure that his crew left with all the bling and the ice they could get their hands on... I mean, Israel, from the bit I get from the Bible, really helped shape Egypt! These dudes, one could say, really helped build Egypt during the time they were there! They were important to the growth and economy and really the productivity of what Egypt was at that time - kinda like blacks in America, back during slavery days... (I'll leave it as that).

So not only were the Egyptians loosing a valuable people, this people stripped them of their riches! All I can say is: don't mess with God's property, or else..

So after all of what God did for the Israelites, they get to a point in their short three days journey and they're a bit thirsty. They cannot find water. And they're walking around in a desert.. When they finally do, the water is too bitter to drink..! I can't even imagine that, honestly.

What happens next is extremely interesting:

Never mind the fact that "...he [Yahweh - I mean, God] guided them during the day with a pillar of cloud, and he provided light at night with a pillar of fire." Exodus 13:21

Never mind all of the other stuff he'd already done for them thus far

Never mind the fact that they just came from singing a song of deliverance because of what God had done to the Egyptian army

What happens next..?

I forget what God has just done for me.

I doubt. I complain. I turn against the same hand who brings me deliverance.. I point the finger at him. I curse him. I offend him.

Why do I continuously do that? Has God become that much of a joke, to me? Is this how seriously I really take him?

A few days ago I found myself doing the same exact thing, you know? And it really caught my attention; I had to pause and evaluate what I was doing. God has been doing such great things with me - more so recently. I have been talking to him and he has been answering. He's been revealing things to me and I've been slowly learning. He's shown me through amazing ways that he is with me!

He has shown me through tangible evidence that he does hear my cries and when I pray he really does listen. Through other people, he's been telling me that he wants to do amazing things with me. I mean, if there's ever been a time God's presence has been so strong in my life (and I pray it continues till I die), it's right now!

Everyday he leads me through the Red Sea.
Everyday he defeats Pharaoh and his army.
Everyday he is a pillar of cloud and fire.
Everyday he brings me deliverance.

As long as he keeps providing, I'll keep riding the wave, huh?... because once I get to that oasis of bitter water, I complain, among other more offensive things.

...there's something seriously wrong with that picture

I have yet to learn how to fully trust in the Lord

"Cristo Yo Creo En Ti" by Jessica Landaverde

Can't Touch This!

So I've been doing more Bible reading recently, and I have to say that truly, the Bible is the word of God. Period.

So since it is God's word talking to me, whenever I read anything: a verse, psalm, chapter, book, anything at all, I place myself in there somewhere, somehow. The results are cool. Powerful!

Let's see if you agree...

Psalm 91

Everyone and their momma should know this Psalm. I remember memorizing it at a young age, when I lived in Venezuela. The funny thing is that whenever I read it, still to this day, regardless of the language I read it in, I read it to a particular tune which is the tune I memorized it with...

Good times.. Good times..

Anyway, this is what you're going to do, it's simple: change each sentence and make it personal.

Example: Verse 7 reads, "Though a thousand falls at your side..."

Instead of 'YOUR', replace it with 'MY'

Now the verse should sound like this: "Though a thousand fall at my side..."

Easy, right? But be careful, always keep in mind who is the one speaking; it's not always going to be you.

So now let's see how powerful God's word really is

"Those who live in the shelter of the Most High

will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
This I declare about the Lord: He alone is my refuge, my place
of safety; he is my God, and I trust him.
For he will rescue me from every trap
and protect me from deadly disease.
He will cover me with his feathers.
He will shelter me with his wings.
His faithful promises are my armor and protection.

"I will not be afraid of the terrors of
the night, nor the arrow that flies in the day.
I will not dread the disease that stalks
in darkness, nor the disaster that strikes
at midday. Though a thousand fall
at my side, though ten thousand
are dying around me, these evils will not
touch me. I will open my eyes and see
how the wicked are punished.

"If I make the Lord my refuge,
if I make the Most High my shelter,
no evil will conquer me; no plague
will come near my home.
For he will order his angels to protect me
wherever I go. They will hold me up with
their hands so I won't even
hurt my foot on a stone.

I will trample upon lions and cobras;
I will crush fierce lions and serpents
under my feet!

"The Lord says, 'I will rescue those who love me.
I will protect those who trust in my name.
When they call on me, I will answer.
I will be with them in trouble.
I will rescue and honor them.
I will reward them with a long life
and give them my salvation.' "

WOW!

Take a minute and let it sink..

This is where I was blown away, verse 13:

"I will trample upon lions and cobras; I will crush

fierce lions and serpents under my feet!"

I wear a size 10 in shoes. On a good day, 10.5 maybe even 11.

I also know that lions are HUGE animals! And I wouldn't mess with a serpent,
let alone a cobra with a ten foot pole, or even if you payed me to do it!

So what the heck is this dude talking about trampling and crushing lions and cobras and stuff?

I know David was brave and all, but how about those of us who didn't kill Goliath..?

That's not what he was referring to..

The Amplified Bible version reads, "And I will put enmity between you [the serpent] and the woman, and between your offspring and her Offspring; He will bruise and tread your head underfoot, and you will lie in wait and bruise His heel." Genesis 3:15

"Then there was war in heaven. Michael and his angels fought against the dragon and his angels. And the dragon lost the battle, and he and his angels were forced out of heaven. This great dragon - the ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, the one deceiving the whole world - was thrown down to the earth with all his angels." Revelations 12:7-9

"Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour." 1 Peter 5:8

Check it

"If I make the Lord my refuge, if I make the Most High my shelter..." I will trample and crush that fierce lion and cobra, that old ancient son-of-a-gun, the devil - called Satan. In other words, I will be picking his gooey brain from under my shoes! In other words, through the power God has given me, this dude cannot touch me! In other words, ... get it?

Now check out how AWESOME my God is:

count the number of promises he will deliver on..

The Lord says:

1. I will rescue...

2. I will protect...

3. I will answer...

4. I will be with...
5. I will honor...
6. I will reward with a long life
7. I will give them my salvation

Seven. God's perfect number.

This can only mean one thing: God will always deliver, as he always does

Dudes and Dudettes, God's word is only powerful if I claim it for me.

"God of Wonders" by Third Day