Faithful No!

Lamentations 3:22-24 (CSB)

Because of the LORD’s faithful love we do not perish, for his mercies never end. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness! I say, “The LORD is my portion, therefore I will put my hope in him.”

Over and over I had to keep calling my answered prayer a "Blessing". This was not the blessing that you run around a room and shout for joy. This was the blessing that God shut a door and ended a long season of a battle I did NOT win.

Daily I had to speak the blood over and through me, asking God to cleanse me of any and all selfish or secret motives that were not in God's plan, knowing and unknowing. I spent my day singing: "This is the day that the Lord has made! I will rejoice and be glad in it!!" Odd to sing about rejoicing in the middle of your devastation of God's "No". I had no other choice but to call God's answer a blessing.

David did the same thing. After David's adulterous acts toward Bathsheba and his murderous plot toward Bathsheba's husband Uriah due to a scandalous pregnancy. God was displeased because David took matters into his own hands and the son that Bathsheba bore, the Lord struck him with sickness. David repented [changed his mind] before the Lord. David fasted and lamented day and night for his son until he died. After, David got up, washed, worshiped the Lord and ate. Davids attendants were confused by his actions. Long story short David basically said to them, in other words, "God has the final say and there is nothing I can do about it". David and Bathsheba eventually give birth to another son, Solomon, who is in the lineage of Jesus.

What happens when you have faith that moves mountains but you do not have the authority to move that mountain? You take actions into your own hands because you are "moving by faith" when in reality you are moving by your own manipulation. Pastor Ron Carpenter just recently said in his Sunday service that "God will not let it rain on seed that you do not have the ability to manage. What you can manage you can have." You praise. Praise is different from worship. Worship is reverencing God with your time, talent and treasure. Acknowledging that He is Lord over your life and you serve Him with your whole being. Praise usually precedes worship. Praise has to do with our telling God and others who and how wonderful God is. Praise is to bless the Lord at all times and continual praise to be in your mouth (Psalm 34:1). Your worship and praise is the key that unlocks doors. You enter His courts with praise thanksgiving, He will enter your situation with Power and Authority. Praise is what you are and do when nobody is looking. This is between you and God. Your praise is what draws God. Praise does not always align with your circumstances. There is a praise that comes out of your mouth that is a "faith praise" in the middle of crazy circumstances that do not look or feel right. Praise changes the atmosphere, heals you and turns your life around. God has never left me and lets out a sound to let heaven know that I still believe in you Lord NO MATTER WHAT!! Crazy praises to say I know you God are faithful! If your answer is yes or no or you have a totally different plan for me than what I have ever expected I will bless the Lord at ALL TIMES! It is not about me but about You Lord! His plans are better than my plans! His ways are better than my ways! So if God says "No!" Even though it crushed me to the core, it is a blessing because God has a plan, a miracle, direction, purpose. Praise the Lord because He IS faithful! Father, I come to you in the name of Jesus. I know right now it is extremely hard to pray, but Lord I trust you, all I got right now is a praise unto You. You are faithful and always good. You know the plans you have for me. Plans of hope and a future. (Jeremiah 29:11) I lay and surrender all my hopes, desires to submit and be obedient to your ways. Your ways are perfect. You are my Strength and my source. (Psalm 28:7) I thank you that Your decisions are always perfect. Guide my steps as I let loose the grips of my carnal ways. I ask in Jesus name Amen.

Psalm 18:30 (NIV)

As for God, his way is perfect: The Lord’s word is flawless; he shields all who take refuge in him

Numbers 23:19 (ISV)

God is not a human male—

he doesn't lie, nor is he a human being—

he never vacillates [change His mind].

Once he speaks up, he's going to act, isn't he?

Once he makes a promise, he'll fulfill it, won't he?