2Timothy 4:7-8

I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.

Excursion defined:

• A temporary deviation from a regular course or pattern.

Paul tells us that he finished his course. In order for Paul to finish his course he had to stay focused and not deviate from God’s original plan for his life. The scriptures reveal to us in Psalms 37:23-24, “The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth him with his hand.”

An excursion is a temporary deviation from a regular course. This means that we can get back on track even if we have brief moments of digression. However, it must be understood that excursions are not built –in or add-on side journeys that God includes in our destinies. An excursion is something we step aside to do that was not part of the master plan.

Several years ago our family went on a Caribbean cruise. On this cruise we decided to book some excursions at the different port of calls we were to stop at. The time allotted for the excursion was not to exceed the time the ship was to be docked at the port. At one particular port some passengers that were aboard the ship decided to go on an extended excursion meaning they went further and stay longer than they should have and the ship captain was not pleased that he had to wait for them and announced his displeasure over the intercom. As a matter of fact he was two seconds from leaving them when he got a call saying they were on their way, they had some car trouble.

Sometimes when people decide to veer from the plans and purposes of God they don’t take into consideration that they may not make it back. Excursions may seem fun for the time being but they are not worth the risk of getting left behind.

Mark 5:39-42

And when he was come in, he saith unto them, Why make ye this ado, and weep? the damsel is not dead, but sleepeth. And they laughed him to scorn. But when he had put them all out, he taketh the father and the mother of the damsel, and them that were with him, and entereth in where the damsel was lying. And he took the damsel by the hand, and said unto her, Talitha cumi; which is, being interpreted, Damsel, I say unto thee, arise. And straightway the damsel arose, and walked; for she was of the age of twelve years. And they were astonished with a great astonishment.

Never take personal an opportunity where God can use you to be powerful in Him.

This account of the miracle in Mark 5 where Jesus raised Jairus daughter from the dead is a perfect example of how we will be presented with opportunities to be powerful in God, if we don’t choose to take the assault of the enemy personally. Jesus came to do good but there were people there that laughed Him to scorn. He could have yielded to the temptation to be selfish and focus on the intended offense but He took the high road and yielded to the plan of God and a girl was raised from the dead, PRAISE BE TO GOD!

Many times people become self centered during a trial or in the midst of persecution from the enemy. They begin to take personal the attack, allowing the situation to govern there mind, will and emotions, allowing a flood of wrong thoughts and inappropriate behavior to follow. If we would only take a minute, step back ( stop, look and listen) and yield to God in total surrender and deep fellowship we would find strength and direction in the midst of the storm, resulting in us being a powerful witness for God. We need to hear what the Spirit is saying to us and then quickly follow His guidance. His strength empowers us to demand absolute surrender and death to the flesh and selfishness. It allows you to see the door of opportunity to be powerful in God and glorify His name.

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There is but One True God. He is Mighty. He is unmatchable. He is Love. Love never fails. Therefore you need not fear, ever. For the Lord our God is with you to protect you, no matter where you go. He is our defense, no one is bigger than our God. He is great and powerful!

God has promised never to leave nor forsake us. Just think about that, if God is always with us, who or what can defeat God/ Well of course the answer is nothing can or ever will defeat God, He is the undefeatable Champion!!

What need is there to fear, fret or panic about anything? When you know that God is with you 24/7, perfect love cast out fear. Jesus told the disciples many thimes during His earthly ministry, “Be not afraid! Fear not! Why are you fearful? ,,,etc”

Do you think God was trying to tell us something? YES! Never give place to fear in your life, it is not from God. Fear bring torment, not peace. Fear does not belong to you, it is an enemy not a friend. Cast it out, evict it and never let it in again. There is no room in our life for fear. Don’t let it come in an live in your guest room for awhile. Put your foot down and say no. No to fear everyday of your life!

So enter everyday with confidence, not in your own strength but in His great faithfulness!

Psalms 27 :1-6

The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? When the wicked, even mine enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up my flesh, they stumbled and fell. Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident. One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to enquire in his temple. For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock. And now shall mine head be lifted up above mine enemies round about me: therefore will I offer in his tabernacle sacrifices of joy; I will sing, yea, I will sing praises unto the LORD.

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Stranded defined:

• To put or leave somebody in a difficult or helpless position.

Have you ever been trapped, cut off, marooned, left high and dry, stuck or abandoned? Well all of those situations just mentioned are words related to the word stranded.

Have you ever locked your keys in your car and could not get in contact with anyone? Now if you think about it most people have spare keys to their cars, houses, offices, etc. but most often times you don’t have the spare with you when you need it most. Spare keys are generally kept in “safe places” or with people you could readily contact if you lost your keys or locked yourself out. Spare keys are usually not in your pocket. Having a spare key at home in your closet does not seem helpful when you are at the grocery store locked out of your car. Actually at that moment it may seem useless and silly to have a spare key that you can’t get to. How inconvenienced it may seem to have to call or wait on someone to take you to get that key.

In a similar way, sometimes people become stranded in a spiritual test or trial because they left their faith at home in a safe place, “the bible.” They find themselves in the middle of a hard situation and realize that the faith they need to go forward is at home in their bible. They begin to call people on their emergency “faith” call list to give them a spare but no one is at home. “Where is faith when you need it?” they replied. It’s in the pages of your bible where you left it.

Now it came to pass on a certain day, that he went into a ship with his disciples: and he said unto them, Let us go over unto the other side of the lake. And they launched forth. But as they sailed he fell asleep: and there came down a storm of wind on the lake; and they were filled with water, and were in jeopardy. And they came to him, and awoke him, saying, Master, master, we perish. Then he arose, and rebuked the wind and the raging of the water: and they ceased, and there was a calm. And he said unto them, Where is your faith? And they being afraid wondered, saying one to another, What manner of man is this! for he commandeth even the winds and water, and they obey him. Luke 8:22-25

We must be those who keep our lights burning and our faith on full so that we are never stranded by circumstances!

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God is a promise keeper. Whenever He says He will do a thing you best know He will come through and do what He said He will do. God is a covenant keeper. The word covenant means a solemn agreement that is binding on all parties. God will never forsake or negate His word but will always fulfill His part.

The bible declares in 2Timothy 3:1-5, that people would become lovers of themselves in the last days. Selfishness is the root of covenant breaking. When we see alerting divorce rates soaring high, this is a resort of selfishness. Selfishness is a work of the flesh, the lower sinful nature of man. The nature of sin was passed down to all man-kind from Adam after he was separated from God. The nature of sin was born out of hatred and evil, its father is Satan.

When we are born-again into the family of God, God gives us a new nature, the nature of Love. God is Love. The scripture says whatever is born of God overcomes the world. When we are living a life of love, there is no room in our heart for selfishness.

To be a covenant keeper we must live a life of love and selflessness. Love always believes the best of every person. Love always puts others before itself. Love always keeps its word because love is of God.

God promised us that He would Redeem man by sending His only Son to die for our sins…………and He did just what He said He would do.

God promised that He would never leave us nor forsake us……….and He never has and He never will.

God promised that He would one day send Jesus back to get His church……………………and He will.

God is a promise keeper.God does not just say things to gain our friendship or favor. He is faithful to His word. God has never spoken an idle word, He will always be true to you, and He cannot lie. God is a promise keeper, so whatever He has told you that He will do in your life, He will keep His promise……….always.

We are God’s children if we are born-again. We should look like our Father in every way. If you grow up in a home with a mother and father present the children begin to mimick their parents. The begin to talk like them and walk like them and think like them and act like them. We are born of God therefore we should look like Him and act like Him. God has never done or said anything that He would not want us to hear or see. He has always provided for us an example of excellence and holiness. He has always exemplied purity and self-control. He has always given us an example of faithfulness and honesty. We have never seen Him cheating or wrongly treating anyone. He has never spoken a vain, slanderous or corrupt word. His words are always pure. We have the best example to follow in our Father. He is my hero.

We too can be like our Father in being a promise keeper. I am honored to look just like my Heavenly DAD!

Numbers 23:19

God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?

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Authentic means genuine and original, as opposed to being a fake or reproduction.

To be authentic is to be real, valid, bona fide, true, reliable, and dependable as opposed to fake or counterfeit. Jesus said:

John 15:1-3

I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. 

Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. 

Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you

Jesus let us know through His teachings and demonstrated by outward display of works that He was the real not a phony or a want to be. When you are authentic your life will bear fruit of the trueness of your words.

John 14:11 (amp)

Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father in Me; or else believe Me for the sake of the [very] works themselves. [If you cannot trust Me, at least let these works that I do in My Father’s name convince you.]

Jesus was indeed who He said He was regardless if anybody believed Him or not. The proof of who He was was not based on the opinions of others but rather the life He lived. His life consistently mirrored the scriptures that prophesied of Him and the union He had with the Father. If God is in you then everything you do and say should be proof that He lives there. The book of Revelations declares that there would be those who had a name that they lived but yet were dead. (Revelations 3:1)

To be phony is to give a false impression, to make something appear to be genuine when it is not. It also can be putting on a false show of something such as sincerity or expertise.

A phony can only be detected when you know the real and genuine. Refusing to become familiar with the true can make you vulnerable to the fake. Take time to cultivate in your life the knowledge and ways of the True Vine and you will never be deceived by the counterfeit vine.

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We all have natural physical and spiritual appetites.

Appetite defined::

• A strong desire or craving for something.

Similar words hunger, craving, taste, desire and passion. These words express the strength of the word. There are many things that govern people appetites. Culture, race, family traditions, geographic location, relationships, past experiences, etc. Most people don’t crave something they never had. The Bible says, oh taste and see that the Lord is good. God knows that once someone experiences Him, for real, they will want more. In the same light drug dealers, food advertisements , etc, want you to taste, see, feel , hear, smell what they have to offer , hoping you will develop an appetite for their product. Once appetites are established people will often be loyal to them.

We must develop in our spiritual appetite for God, it doesn’t just happen. We must continue to consistently partake of Him. Reading the Word of God and spending time alone with Him. God will begin to manifest Himself to us and we begin to want more and more.

However the enemy, Satan, wants to suppress your appetite for God through deceptive devices and strategies meant to drive you away from God and shipwreck your destiny. In the natural appetite supressants causes a lack or decrease in hunger. When someone doesn’t eat the lose weight or stored body mass. The same holds true in the spirit. When we allow the enemies devices to suppress our appetite for God and His Kingdom we suffer lose. We begin to lose spiritual things that are vital for our victory and relationship with God. When we allow our appetite to be suppressed we stop eating the Word of God like we should or we just nibble on it with little or no desire or interest.

We must maintain a regular diet of the Word of God in our lives to be strong and effective in God’s Kingdom. We need strength to finish our God given courses and when we don’t eat spiritually our fruit begins to dry up. Little or no joy produces little or no strength.

When someone or something is suppressed it implies that they are; overpowered, overwhelmed, overturned, conquered, defeated, destroyed, subdued, crushed, put down, clamp down on, controlled and dominated.

You are loved of God! It is not Gods will for you to be suppressed in anyway. Begin to increase your desire and appetite for God and His Kingdom by positioning yourself everyday to partake from His table, which is, reading His Word and enjoying His fellowship. Cultivate an appetite for your spirit man that produces a greater desire to know God!

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Daniel 5:12

Forasmuch as an excellent spirit, and knowledge, and understanding, interpreting of dreams, and shewing of hard sentences, and dissolving of doubts, were found in the same Daniel, whom the king named Belteshazzar: now let Daniel be called, and he will shew the interpretation. 

In today’s society sloppy, mediocre living is so very acceptable. However, we (Christians) are in this world but not of this world; we are from a far greater kingdom.

Daniel was a man in who was found an excellent spirit. He served God with pure motives and genuine devotion. He was a man of courage and passion. He did not allow society to dictate his life. Daniel proved his loyalty to the one and only true God. He did not compromise just to be accepted in this world’s system. He lived a life worth of praise though he never received man’s praise for his inward qualities.

Daniel lived and displayed a lifestyle of honor. Excellence speaks of integrity. It is a priceless virtue that cannot be faked. An excellent spirit shuns mediocrity and laughs at defeat. It bows its knee only to the one True God who is worthy. Excellence knows no fear. It is humble, never driven by foolish pride or earthly cheer. A person who possesses an excellent spirit governs their life by the standard of the Word of God. They think like God and always endeavor to please Him. They do not fill their spirit and soul with the filthy conversation of the world; they keep themselves unspotted from the evil influences of the world. They are stalwart and unmovable in what they believe and refuse to bend at every wind of persecution and adversity. They say no to laziness and slack, they march forward never looking back. An excellent spirit is never dishonest but rather always trustworthy.

A person who is of an excellent spirit does not gossip or complain; they shun vanity and crucify shame. They walk in the fear of the Lord and in His name they conquer every enemy far and near. They are strong and obedient to their God who is supreme; they give up everything in honor of their King.

An excellent spirit cannot be inherited from our earthly bloodline nor acquired in a dream; it is imparted to us freely when we receive the nature of God. However, we must be willing to cultivate and practice it, to help it grow.

Excellent defined:

• The quality or state of being outstanding and superior.

• A feature or respect in which somebody or something is superior and outstanding.

Remember the words of the Apostle Peter:

But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light;

 (1Peter 2:9)

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Many years ago there was a TV commercial that had a jiggle that said, “Wake up to Folgers in your cup.” The intent of the coffee manufacturer was to persuade people as soon as they woke up in the morning to fill up on their brand of coffee. They wanted their coffee to be the first thing on your mind when you opened your eyes every morning. I’m sure many were persuaded by the jiggles ever so friendly tone and homely approach. Many people across the United States woke up every morning and headed right for the kitchen and began their day with one or more cups of Folgers coffee. After many days, weeks, months and years of following this pattern of behavior many people are still practicing the same routine today. As a matter of fact they may even get upset if their daily routine of waking up to Folgers in their cup is interrupted or delayed. They become grumpy and irritable and sometimes downright hostile to others all because they did not fill their cup when they first woke up. Some people will even warn you not to talk or approach them until they have had their morning cup of choice. Now, I know you may be thinking that I am against coffee drinkers but I certainly am not, I am just making a point. If you are a morning coffee drinker be not offended :).

Cups are containers or vessels and only become useful when something is put in them. Cups can only give what they receive. Trash in, trash out. Gold in, gold out. When you put something into a cup it doesn’t change it into something else.

The scripture says in the 23rd Psalms that when God anoints our head with oil our cups run over. Oh my, what an awesome revelation! If you consider what God said here you can see the parallel. Man is being compared to a vessel or cup. The top of our head representing the mouth of the cup. God pours the oil in from the top into the rest of our being, just like you would fill a cup. Then He doesn’t stop pouring until you overflow with oil,and begin running over, Hallelujah! God did not create us to be empty vessels but overflowing wells! Isn’t it better to wake up overflowing with God in your cup everyday!

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Psalms 37:23-24

The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way. 

Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth him with his hand.

A step is a short movement made by raising one foot and lowering it ahead of the other foot. Putting one foot in front of the other is the safest way to go forward. When our stride is off or out of sync we are at risk of stumbling and eventually falling. We need harmony in our steps even if it seems like we are not moving very fast or going far. We need to always make sure that one foot is securely down before we raise the other foot. The above scripture says the steps not just one step but many, indicating a particular manner of walking, not running, skipping or jumping. Those other forms of movement are not forbidden in and of themselves but one must learn to walk before he can run. Allow God to order and arrange your steps and watch your life prosper and be a delight along the way.

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