It's a new day

For years I have been sitting watching my life pass me by instead of purposefully pursuing my destiny.   You know the dreams that you have that won't go away no matter what condition of life you find yourself in. Sure, I'd have moments of inspiration where I would make significant steps towards achieving my dreams, but more consistently  I have allowed circumstances, people, feelings and emotions, haves and have not's to deter me from following my God given destiny.

It has truly been a difficult road these last few years. At times I have wondered how I am even still alive. Nothing else to be said here except, God is good! So what do we do when our dreams seem unattainable or we can't pinpoint the who, what, when, where, and how of our big break? When confronted with hopelessness and despair will we continue sitting or will we get up and aggressively pursue our destiny? Your answer here will in some ways dictate how your 2012 will go! Are you going to take another lap around the mountain or will you enter into the promised land?

In the book of Numbers 13:27-31 ten spies were sent to survey the "promised land" and declared it to be an impossible task! But two other spies, Joshua and Caleb, went to survey the same land and declared, "We be well able!" or in some versions of the bible it reads "More than able!"  As a result of the confession of their faith Joshua and Caleb were able to enter into the promised land.  The others were not able to enter in because of their unbelief.

Unbelief will keep us on the couch, keep us in a dead end job, keep us in bondage to alcohol, pornography, gluttony, lying, etc. etc. etc.  We convince ourselves that "nothing will change, what's the use of trying, things will never get better!" When we doubt the promises and provisions of God, when we doubt that He will enable us to do what He called us to do, when we trust only in ourselves and our ability, we lose sight of the all-powerful God who's word (promises) can not return to him without having accomplished the purpose for which it was sent.  God can not fail!  God in us can not fail!   We must reset our mind to focus on the limitless possibilities in God versus focusing on our limited natural ability.  When our eyes are trained to only see the "giants in the land" we will never have enough courage to face those giants head on knowing that the King of Glory is going before us to make our victory sure!

In this new year I encourage you to take an assessment of your faith.  Are you a member of the We be well able's, or are you with the It's Impossible crew?   The world trains us to believe what we see.  I'm not getting anywhere, things aren't working out, bills keep coming, my spouse is acting crazy, the kids are tearing up, on and on go our days, weeks, and years.  We are constantly in a state of discontent and restlessness.  We buy into what we are told to believe.  Television and media venues encourage us to want more, desire more, and to always want the next best upgrade.  Our pursuit is often for things instead of dreams.

Think really hard about what dreams you have given up on or put on the back burner.  Is there ANY hope for this dream to live?  Is your God More than able in you to bring this dream to pass?  Are their people in your circle that will encourage you to go hard after your dreams?  There is power in agreement.  Find someone to agree with you that in this new year each day will be a new day to overcome the impossible and enter in to the promised land God has promised to you.  Each day a new day. Line upon line. Precept upon precept.  Get up and try again and again and again until you find yourself right smack in the midst of your dream.  No more taking laps around the mountain.  Stuck in the wilderness due to murmuring , complaining, and unbelief.  It is time to enter in.  To fully possess all that God has for you.  To aggressively take hold of those things that are rightfully yours.  Keep your eyes on God! With Christ, ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE to them that believe.  ONLY BELIEVE!

May God bless you with clear vision and a made up mind in 2012!  May your faith endure the trials and testing that you will face in pursuit of your destiny!

Blessings,
C.deChabert

Built for the Storm

This morning I had the pleasure of seeing a large bald eagle flying just a few car lengths ahead of me. It was surprising to all of us that an eagle would be flying around in our area, but before we could ask why the eagle suddenly turned around and began flying towards our car. Wow! we all shouted. We were amazed to see such a magnificent bird so close and flying directly over us.

It is important to note that I was on the verge of crying at this time. Tired, frustrated, worn out by life and strife, I found myself in a hopeless spot. Lord, why won't things get better? Lord, when will things get better? Lord, how will things get better? Too worn out to hope, yet too committed to quit. I was exhausted. Seeing the eagle made me remember the fact that the eagles wingspan is actually created to soar in the storm. When the storm comes most of the other birds will scurry to find shelter from the rain and strong winds, but the eagle sees this as an opportunity to have a little fun, sharpen his skills, accelerate his capabilities. The storm is not his battlefield, but his playground. He realizes that he in fact was built for the storm, so he faces it head on with great anticipation.

The bible talks about those who wait upon the Lord mounting up with wings as eagles in the book of Isaiah. Our patience and trust in God in times of trouble and hardship will build in us a tenaciousness and strength that will be able to face obstacles that others run from. I realized today what I have forgotten for so long. I realized that when God created me he did not create a pigeon or a parrot but he created me with the same strength and vigor of the eagle. In Christ I am not easily broken. In Christ the storm does not destroy me, it only makes me stronger. In Christ the strength my wings have gained through flying through difficult times enable me to soar higher and longer than those around me. I realized that I was not build to avoid the storm, but to face it head on. I WAS BUILT FOR THE STORM AND I CAN HANDLE IT!

The devil tries so hard to keep us discouraged. Eyes down, hearts heavy, and vision depleted. He knows that if we ever fully understand and embrace who God has created us to be that he is truly in trouble. I pray that we will lay down our Eeyore mentalities and embrace the fact that our divine creator has granted us the ability to soar high above our problems and difficulties. He has gifted us with supernatural stamina that the world can not understand. People will look at you and not understand how you are STILL married. They won't be able to comprehend how you are STILL praising God after all that you have been through. As we mount up with wings as eagles, we will run and not grow weary, we will walk and will not faint. (Isaiah 63)

Just as that beautiful bald eagle demanded our attention and awe, your testimony and example will grab the attention of those around you who need to know that Jesus is STILL Lord, that God is STILL able, and that their life is not over because of the storm. The storm is only there to make you stronger! We are not as weak as we think! Turn and face your storm. Look to God for strength and direction and buckle in for a wild, exciting ride! Nobody said it would be easy, but it will be WORTH IT!!!! Selah.

To live is Christ...to die is gain

Yesterday the world learned of the passing of Apple mogul Steve Jobs.  Mr. Jobs was responsible for developing a great deal of technology that has impacted billions of people all over he world. The ipod and ipad totally revolutionized how people listen to music & communicate at the touch of a finger.  People held candlelight vigils outside of the Apple gates, posted facebook messages and made mention of how grateful they were for his contribution to society. 

It is a wonderful thing for a man to be celebrated at the end of his days.  To have triumphed in life and made a difference must make one feel a sense of comfort and achievement.  However, once you have breathed your last breath the only accolades that will matter will be those spoken to you by God.  Have you done well in his eyes or not?  The apostle Paul said in the book of Philippians, "For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain."  This is a message of faith in the fact that his life was a sacrifice to the name of Christ.  All that he did and all that he was belonged to Him.  He states that even in his death he wins!  Why would he say that?  What about living for Christ and dying in him brings gain?

When we think of all of those who have passed on this year-Steve Jobs & Michael Jackson to name a few, we have to wonder if in all of their glory in life they have found gain in death.  The bible says, "For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?" Mark 8:36  Great inventions, the Forbes list, being voted most beautiful, etc.  all of these things falls away at deaths door.  The old saying, "You can't take it with you" is true when we are talking about things accumulated in this world.  Yet, those things that we do for Christ will last into the next world.  Our salvation, accomplishing what He has called us to do, changing lives, loving people, obeying His Word, etc.  these things will bring a reward in the life to come that even death can't take away. 

Those who are wise among us will seek after the things that are eternal.  Excel in this life, fulfill your potential while alive on the earth, but don't forget the great thing-to live your life with an eternity mindset.  If I die today will God be pleased with what I did with what He gave me?  Our hope is not in the earth.  I hope is in the promise of things to come.

Be encouraged everyone.  Know that your labour down here is not in vain.  Continue to lay up treasures in heaven and live this life to the fullest.  Bring God glory in all that you do, and at the end of your days, may you find great gain.

Shalom.

Pathway to Freedom

At some point in our lives we all feel stuck.  The feeling of being in bondage or trapped in an unwanted location, circumstance, or state of being can almost be maddening.  No one wants to feel helpless.  Our society prides itself on being self-starters, self-motivators, etc. etc., but what happens when you find yourself in a situation where nothing you do seems to bring about your desired change.  It seems in fact that you are going in circles.

If you've ever watched a dog chase it's tail you may have wondered to yourself, "what's the point in that?" or you may have even judged the activity as stupid or mindless.  Oftentimes when we find ourselves chasing our own tails through life we feel the same way.  "What's wrong with me?" "What's the point of life?" "Will things ever change?" These are all things we say to ourselves as the negative tapes of defeat play in our minds.  It is not until we determine in our minds that we have gone in circles long enough that true change can come.

So what's a guy or a gal to do?  You've been dealing with this situation for awhile now.  You are comfortable with it even though it is destroying you.  Sadly, it has become a part of who you are.  The very thing you run to for pleasure is destroying your peace.  Will you continue to go in circles or will you make a conscious decision to stop dead in your tracks and declare..."I will never be the same again!  This is a new day in my life, a day of freedom and liberation.  Christ has set me free and I STAND FIRM in that freedom!"

So, how do we get free?  We must first acknowledge that we are in bondage.  Identify the area(s) of your life that are bringing death and destruction to you.  Confront the issues head on.  Don't icing coat it.  This thing is out to steal your dream and it must die a miserable death!  Be honest with yourself and with God.  Sure, God already knows the magnitude of what you are dealing with, He just wants to know that you know.  1 John 1:9 "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness."  You can not move passed the sin if you do not acknowledge it!

Secondly, we must take steps towards freedom and recovery.  Begin to do things that this bondage would not allow you to do.  If you were in bondage to fear, begin to step out in faith in areas that you were afraid of.  If you were in bondage to bitterness, begin to open your heart to the love of God and be willing to give and receive love to those you meet.  The enemy desires to stifle all that God has created us to do.  He is shameless in his efforts and will use anything in his power to do it.  His greatest sphere of influence is in our mind.  We must renew our mind thorough the Word of God daily in order to stay free from this bondage.  Whatever your issue is pursue it in the Word.  Find scriptures that will help you focus on your goal of freedom from that sin and confess them daily until they take root in your heart.  This is a serious battle we are in.  If the enemy can get our mind in bondage our bodies are soon to follow.  We must be committed to undoing the old way of thinking and beginning anew.  Ephesians 4:23 "And be renewed in the spirit of your mind." One of my favorite scriptures in the book of Isaiah is Isaiah 43:18-19 "Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland."  This scripture is awesome!  It is a promise that God is moving in our dry desert place even if we don't perceive it.  But we are told to first forget the former things- our mess, our junk, our failures and shortcomings.  Do not dwell on the past-stop running in circles trying to get free, stop rehearsing the painful thing that someone did or said to you,  stop allowing yesterday to suffocate your today & tomorrow!  Why? Because God is making a way in the desert and streams (wetness,water, life) in the wasteland!  Now we know there ain't nothing good coming out of a wasteland...until God touches it!  Lord open our eyes in these dry places to see that you are with us and that you have already prepared a way for us that is good, fruitful, and pleasing for us.  We MUST renew our minds.

Next, we need to set goals that will drive us forward towards our true destiny.  We were believing the lie, but now we are standing firm on the truth of God's word and need to know how to press ahead.  Pastor Joel Osteen has to be one of the most positive guys out there.  At least, that is the perception we get from him when he speaks.  He talks a lot about the power of a positive confession and he is right.  After we have released the past we need to begin to declare to our future the great and mighty things we are believing God to bring to pass.  Replace those negative thoughts with healthy, Christ-centered confessions about your character, goals, and destiny.  Thank God in advance for the good things He desires to bring into your life, and continue to press out of bondage towards your goals and freedom in Christ.