When God Speaks

They say hindsight is 20/20.  If that's the case, then spiritual hindsight has to be 20/15.  I wrote this line in one of my books, "Color Me Blind:"  "You won’t always understand while you’re in the storm, but when you’re out of it, God’s hand will reveal itself to you more clearly than anything you have ever seen."

Courtesy of Google Images

                                     

My writing comes by the leading of the Holy Spirit, and I couldn't have written truer words.  As 2017 is coming to a close, I realized how challenging this year has been.  I mean I've dealt with the types of shenanigans that I never expected to hit my doorstep.  And I'm just talking about GMME world events, not actual world events, which as I'm sure you know has been just... Disturbing to say the least, but God remains sovereign.  I keep coming back to what I learned about when God speaks and yesterday it woke me up, so I'm going to share what I've learned on my journey of faith.

The Bible says that God's ways and thoughts are not ours and that they are higher than our own. So consider this, when He speaks, He speaks at the level of His ways and thoughts and not our understanding. It is up to us to seek Him for insight and revelation into what He is revealing to us.  In the recent past, I learned one of the most painful lessons ever.  As I often say, it's REAL in these spiritual streets.  I was impatient and decided that the opportunity in front of me was the promise I had been waiting for.  This was all based on MY understanding of what God had previously told me.  Even when I began to see little things that nagged me that did not line up with what I know God told/showed me, I ignored it.  I was trying to make a square peg fit in a round hole.  I was determined to make this situation fit God's promise to me.  It turned out to be one of those Father moments, I can show you better than I can tell you. 

Trust me when I tell you, that is NOT the place you want to be in when it comes to God.  After the situation came crumbling down, I threw my temper tantrum of being mad at God because He let this happen to me.  I received a phone call from a friend and God used her to politely rebuke the mess out of me.  She told me that I already knew that situation was counterfeit, but I chose not to accept it. BOOM!  I had no recourse to defend myself. So I went to my war room aka prayer closet and God began to go slap off on me.  I took what He said and ran with it based on what I thought He meant without getting further insight and revelation.  I was talking trash, but God You said this and You said that. His clap-back was, yes, but I didn't say it in reference to that. 

Sometimes, we get so comfortable in our relationship with God, we assume that how He worked the last time is going to be how He works this time.  YOU CANNOT PUT GOD IN  A BOX - HE'S TOO BIG!  God is a God of process.  He always lays out the promise in steps.  Once the first step is accomplished, He gives us the next.  In our impatience, we rush things or go in the wrong direction because we THINK we know how God is going to do something. Let me tell you, He is the ULTIMATE King of Plot Twists. You can't figure Him out, so don't assume you know His next move. Let be God be God. 

Many, many moons ago, I had a pastor tell me this guy I was SOOOOOOOOO in love with, was the one.  Never mind that when we met, I had just bought my house and he had just received another job and was moving to another state.  (First Clue) Because this "prophecy" lined up with MY will, I was here for it.  

Wait... pause, let me drop a little spiritual common sense real quick. Even though I believed that he was "the one" I never told him that "God said, he was the one."  We need to be careful how we throw in God said or the Holy Spirit said or the SPIRIT said (What spirit is that?). Often times people use that to manipulate or guilt people into doing things and I'm just gon call a spade a spade - that's witchcraft, plain and simple!  Even back when I was young in my faith, I had enough sense that if God could tell me, He would tell him and bring us together on one accord at the appointed time.  

So, back to the story.  Six months in, he said he just wanted to be friends. I was devastated, BUT my faith was on high, not really, I was just young and foolish, but I digress.  So maybe a year later that SAME pastor had a word for me at prayer.  (This was the real word from God, not the flesh of man speaking into my life)  It was, "God said, when the brook dries up, move on." I'm like huh, what?! A body of water... bruh... what you talkin' bout?! Everybody around me was like that has to be about ol' boy. I said it can't be, it's a body of water PLUS God said, he's the one.  Chile, I'm doing all this fasting and praying while this negro is living his life, dating whoever and got me in the background as "the friend."  About three years into our back and forth, we hung out for my birthday, it was epic.  Had the best time ever.  I just KNEW my prayers had finally been answered and he was going to see what he had been missing.  When I got back, he went back to the same old shenanigans!  I was HOT!  I said I didn't have the tolerance for this crap anymore.  I was done.  God brought that word back to me.  It didn't make any sense still, but this time, the thought occurred to me there was a reason He said it.  I decided to look up the word brook.  According to Merriam Webster, this is the second definition of the word, the verb: 

brook (transitive verb) 

to stand for: tolerate ~ he would brook no interference with his plans

Human mind: When the brook dries up, move on

God's mind: When the tolerance dries up, move on

My mind was BLOWN!  First of all, who knew "brook" had such a meaning. Second of all, God sent word to get me out of this foolishness and save me from unnecessary heartache A LONG TIME AGO.  Third, I really tried myself and could NOT blame God. He did His part.  I had just said I didn't have anymore tolerance for this crap BUT the truth is, I had long ago lost my tolerance for it, I just didn't acknowledge it because I didn't want to let go of MY will. It was never God's will AND He gave me that word to free me from the lie of man.  Not only that, but used the same pastor to do it to get him straight too for prophelying. After God sent my word of freedom, it was on me to accept it.  I just used my faith as an excuse to justify my stubbornness of not letting go of my will, when everything around me was telling me, this isn't God.   Now I know you're thinking, why didn't God just say what He meant.  Well, He did.  His Word already told us His ways and thoughts are higher. It's not His fault if we choose to use our understanding over HIS understanding. His word says: Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

Those are some shining examples that stay at the forefront of my mind when I hear from God and how I proceed next.  Patience has become my new best friend.  I know she's a drag and no one REALLY likes her, but she's the real deal and you better not only get to know her, but embrace her in this walk otherwise you're setting yourself up for a lifetime of disappointments.  I am going to leave you with some things I've learned and prayerfully they'll keep you in the will of God and not led astray.

1) When God speaks, He's referring to what's to come, not what has been. Don't try to GO BACK and make it fit for something in the past, especially when you get impatient because it hasn't showed up yet. Don't get into the "well maybe He meant this" cycle. Just wait, it's coming.  Instead look ahead for His words to come to pass.  His word will not return to Him void.  God spoke so clearly to me in January of 2016.  What I heard only made sense in parts and I had to link it to past events in order for it to make the most sense, but it still didn't quite fit.  I was so desperate for this promise to be right now, I was going to make it work instead of letting God be God.  I did not receive insight and revelation until October of 2016. When He reminded me of the promise in October after many things transpired that year, everything was plain as day for me to see.  It's now November of 2017 and while I now have insight and revelation, I'm still waiting on parts of it to manifest. Let patience have her perfect work.  

2) When God speaks that doesn't automatically make it His Will. God deals in absolutes, if you ask Him something and He answers, He's going to tell you the truth because He knows the future. Ex: You ask God, "Will I get this job?"  He replies, "Yes."  However, His yes could be contingent on the fact that He knows they will offer you the job, but that doesn't make this job His will for you.  The follow up question to his "yes" should be, "Is this your will for me?" Then go from there.  

3) The timing of when God chooses to speak is not necessarily in reference to what you are going through/dealing with at the moment.  Ex: I have had God give me specific and direct instructions about my husband while dating a counterfeit.  Don't assume you know based on what's going around you.  His timing is His own and up to His choosing and there's nothing to be done about it except to govern yourself accordingly.

Always seek for insight and revelation so that you can avoid delays, disappointments, heartache, unnecessary spiritual battles AND their residue.  We are constantly trying to bring God down to our level when we should be ascending to His.  

Alright y'all, I'm out!

Melinda Michelle

Links to Get At Me

Personal Inventory

Was scrolling through my Facebook memories and this one popped up from two years ago. It's a bold in your face reminder of what this walk with Christ is all about.  It's also one I needed to revisit. It's funny how life, impatience and world events get in the way of focusing on what's really important. #Ouch

                                                                                                         Photo courtesy of Google images

My favorite scripture is Ephesians 3:20. I think about it all the time, trying to wrap my mind around how powerful it is. “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us.” Am I the only believer who feels like because I’m a believer my life should be extraordinary? I mean not necessarily fortune and fame, though some assignments/calling might lead there. I’m talking about walking in power, anointing and spiritual authority and God getting ALL the glory. I don’t feel like I’ll ever be satisfied in my Christian walk until the fruit of my life has tangible results in the form of people being healed, set free, delivered, and changed. Well maybe it’s just me, but if Christ said, “Greater works will we do, if we believe in him…um…yeah…it’s been like two thousand and fifteen years. I ain’t seen these greater works…at least not with any consistency or on any large scale. So then, why is that? Well that’s on us, the Body of Christ…ALL of us. In all honesty, we’re just lazy, selfish and fearful. We are too lazy to put in the work for our relationship with God that it can be more than surface or just lip service. That is spending one-on-one time with God daily, fasting, praying, etc. We love to say we don’t have any time, but we got time to complain and we got time to watch those around us perish. If God told you to do it, he will give you the strength, time and resources to do it. But that takes discipline… I think TV might be most of our problem. We definitely waste so much time watching other ppl work… Ijs. We are selfish because all we care about is our own salvation and our own ticket to the pearly gates. We don’t care if our brother right next to us is headed straight for hell. Which brings me to us being fearful… We are afraid of what it will take for us to have that spiritual authority. We are afraid about what we will have to give up to have that spiritual authority. We are afraid of what we will look like to others to have that spiritual authority. But aren’t we supposed to look different from everybody else? Are we not supposed to stick out from the crowd? We’ve become too accustomed to conforming to the world vs transforming it. When did the church become such a hateful place? There is a church with a website called “God hates fags.” SERIOUSLY? SERIOUSLY?! I am not here to condone anybody’s sin…including mine, but what happened to love? Not man’s made up definition for it…God’s love… you know the 16 characteristics he laid out in 1 Corinthians? God hates ALL SIN, but he LOVES every single person he created. I wouldn’t want to come to a church where you are openly hostile to my struggle, and think that your sin is less than mine because it yields a different consequence. Ppl should read the whole Bible. Try Ezekiel 16:49 for Sodom’s sin. Hmmm…sounds like America to me and it has nothing to do with THAT sin. Meanwhile… people are so concerned with the sins that are open for everyone to see, but not the ones hidden in our wicked hearts. It was that kind of stuff that kept the Children of Israel out of the Promised Land, Ijs. Yes our hearts are wicked and deceitful. What about that envy, lust, bitterness, jealousy, un-forgiveness, malice, RACISM, anger, drunkenness, complaining, selfishness, nasty attitudes, and all the other stuff we’re walking around holding on to. (Please note: I am ONLY talking to believers here) I have a question… Has holding on to any of this stuff, made your life better? Has it enhanced your life in ANY way, shape or form? Has it made you a better person…at all? I’m thinking…no… let it go. There’s too much at stake. Why would God put his anointing and power in us, when he can’t even trust us with the basic stuff about our walk? We want to participate in everything the world does and then we wonder why we have no power. I’m not anti-fun. I have fun all the doggone on time, but do I lose my WITNESS in this state of fun. That’s when the problem comes in. We are so comfortable in our sinful selves that we don’t want anybody correcting us. Some of us, can’t even FEEL the Holy Spirit’s conviction, we’re so far away from God. We are SO QUICK to say…Don’t judge me or only God can judge me… That baffles me. Have y’all read the Bible? Is God’s judgment something you really want brought on your life?! Seriously? 'Cause he won’t necessarily wait until the end of your life to judge you. Galatians 6:1 tells us we who are spiritual are to restore our brothers/sisters when fault has overtaken him in the spirit of meekness. It also says to consider ourselves unless we are also tempted. So…we GOTTA get that plank out of our eye before we come for the beam in yours…but make no mistake…that beam still has to go whether the plank remains or not. When we are judged we can’t say…well…well…what about what so and so did…it was worse…Nah bruh, that’s not how this works. See, we don’t have time to judge each other, but we do need to correct each other and hold each other accountable. Ezekiel tells us, if we are the watchman and we don’t warn, that blood is on our hands…Ijs… that’s the Word. There has GOT TO BE MORE. But are we willing to live a life of FAITH and OBEDIENCE to see it happen? Will there come a time when people just walk up to a believer and say, “There’s something different about you? What is that? Can you tell me how to get it?” Does our light ever shine? There won’t be any arguing about whether or not our God is real, because his signs and wonders will speak for themselves. Miracles should be so common place that we walk around like my late pastor saying “Who’s surprised?” Do you know there are actually Christians who believe that miracles and such was only in the Bible times? UGH!!! Listen…what is the point of this walk if all we do is live and die. Why even make the choice if we’re not going to go all in? Am I the only person who feels like there has to be more? But we must be willing to do more. When are we going to stop asking for God’s hand and seek his heart? When are we going to surrender our will to his? When are we going to stop fighting the yes in our spirit and JUST SURRENDER? I’m not saying it’s easy…'cause it’s not. But greatness never is. If it was everyone would do it. It’s time to get to work. I don’t know about y’all, but I want a life where evil has to stand down just because I am there, with the spiritual authority God has entrusted to me because I put myself in a position where God can trust me with his power. Every time we turn on the news, tragedy, tragedy, tragedy…and it doesn’t have to be. Anyways, those who have ears to hear, let him hear.

MM

Site

Books

The Prince of the Power of the Air: The Real Culprit

“The Strongman and all the demons that dwelled in the mansion began to screech and scream, thrown off by the unexpected presence of God’s most powerful emissary.  They didn’t want any parts of it.  The fact that his sword was out and his eyes were aflame told them this isn’t where they wanted to be.  At the moment, Michael didn’t engage them, but let them flee.  They didn’t get far because one sixth of a legion of naval angels sprang up out of the Pacific like golden flames.  They emerged in rank and file.  As one rank of 100 would come up out of the water, another would follow right behind them until there were 10 rows of 100 angels each. The water rolling off their wings sparkled like diamonds.  There were countless skin tones.  Their armor was golden and their luminous two sets of white wings had a 15-foot wingspan.  Their wings were tipped with gold.  They stood 13-feet tall.  They waited for their entire squadron to join them before they made their move.  In one mighty united snap of their wings, they began to fly towards the house where they formed a circle of brilliant golden fire around the house.” ~ Excerpt from “Saturday Showdown” Book 7 – A Chronicles of Warfare Novel

There’s a war going on people plain and simple.  So many wonder where God is in the chaos all around us.  My response… He’s everywhere.  He’s not on vacation and He’s not MIA.  He’s also in a place He’s always been, but often ignored – His Word!  The Bible tells us the following:

2 Corinthians 4:4: “Satan, who is the god of this world, has blinded the minds of those who don't believe. They are unable to see the glorious light of the Good News. They don't understand this message about the glory of Christ, who is the exact likeness of God.” (NLT)

Ephesians 2:1-2: “And you were dead in your trespasses and sin, in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience.” (NASB)

Proverbs 18:21: “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love its use will eat its fruit.” (NET Bible)

Let’s take the state of America today.  Any person with a modicum of common sense can see that there is something very wrong in America 2016.  The worst of human nature has reared its ugly head while causing division and strife among those who are supposed to be the citizens of the UNITED States of America.  I submit to you that like the Bible says, Satan is the prince of the power of the air and death and life is in the power of our tongues.  So let’s look at the air all around us.  What is saturating our airwaves?  What words have been spoken or are being spoken over America?  The 24-hour news cycle and music that is more attainable than ever before. We walk around with personal computers as our communication devices.  The whole world is in the palm of our hands.  On those devices, we are in constant communication with the world around us, 24 hours a day and seven days a week.  Let’s start with the words that are written in the history books of America.  What do those books glorify?  What do those books leave out?  What lies have those books told?  It doesn’t matter, we’ve all been indoctrinated to believe it’s the truth.  Those centuries old lies have birthed the reality we live in today.  Those words were spoken and created our atmosphere.  Let’s talk about the mainstream media – and this is right, left or in between.  Pay close attention at the words they use to describe one set of people versus another for the same exact crimes and offenses.  Discern the photographs they use to sway public opinion of one group of people over another.  It wasn’t by accident, it was by design.  Satan knows what he’s doing and people have fallen for his lies and manipulations over and over again. His version is so loud that the truth gets tossed aside as paranoia and conspiracies.  Either his lies are so convincing or the hearts of those that want to believe his lies are so deceived they dismiss the truth that’s right in their face.

Is God actually missing or is it perhaps that our world has been shaped by the words we have used for centuries.  From the lies in the history books to the strategic manipulation of the mainstream media to the fruitless lyrics of today’s music disguised in a clever beat to the negative words we speak to and over ourselves and our fellow man.  Meanwhile, Satan and his minions continue to stir the atmosphere because our hearts go unchecked.  If we want to see change then we need to check our hearts. What nasty little emotions and thoughts are there that Satan can use to further his agenda?  Maybe it’s time to stop blaming God for all of problems and realize we bring it on ourselves.  It’s greed, hatred, fear and superiority complexes that have led us down this path.  The truth is out there, thanks to the internet but who’s going to be bold enough to tell it?  

For the saints who are praying, my suggested strategy is for God to expose the prince of the power of the air for what he is – a liar, a thief, and a killer.  Let’s ask God to let the truth resound in the hearts of men, women and children.  Let’s pray for the spirit of greed to be exposed and dealt with. Let’s pray for the spirit of hatred to be extinguished.  Let’s pray for the spirit of fear to be annihilated.  Let’s pray for the belief that one is better or superior to others be vanquished from the hearts of men, women and children.  And last, but certainly, not least, let’s pray against the spirit of division.  There is so much division in these United States of America it’s hard to call this country by name without feeling like a liar.  

So many times in life we are waiting on God or asking His whereabouts when He’s waiting on us, asking where have we been.  In Matthew 22, the Bible states: 36 Master, which is the great commandment in the law? 37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. 38 This is the first and great commandment. 39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets. I think before we ask where God is, we need to ask ourselves, His body of Christ, where have we been.  These two commands are a prerequisite to the other laws.  The main ingredient for the two greatest commandments in the Bible is love.  I think we can all agree that is the ONE thing missing from this country.  I believe if we start with love – true, unconditional love, then the rest will fall in place. 

Those who are in the Body of Christ, I challenge you for SEVEN days to cut off the prince of the power of the air from your life.  Turn off the news, turn off the radio, avoid social media if it fuels anything ugly in your heart. Fall on your face and ask God to show YOU everything in your heart that’s not like Him. Ask Him to show you every area your heart is not pleasing to Him and harmful to others. Then pray and ask Him for the courage and strength to go through the process required to change it, as well as the humility to seek forgiveness from those your misguided heart has injured.  

Now, let’s wrap this up.  Verse 8 of Psalm 139 says, “If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there.”  This verse tells me there is nowhere I can be that He is not.  So, while Satan may be the prince of the power of the air, he’s still restricted and under the sovereign rule and authority of the Great I AM.  Maybe it’s time we snatched back the atmosphere around us and filled it with love, life and truth.  Maybe we can stop asking God where He is and show God where we are.  It starts in the heart. It begins with love. It ends in victory.  

Until Next Time,

Melinda Michelle

www.melindamichelle21.com

For the Single Christian Woman Who's Tired of THAT Question

Hi, my name is Gwendolyn Evans. I am thirty...cough...ahem years old and I am SINGLE. Yep, that's right.  My left ring finger is naked, except for when I rock one of my fabulous rings.  Meanwhile, when I say single, I mean, like for real, for real...single.  I am not entertaining a male acquaintance, it's not going down in my DMs and I don't have a "friend" around just for companionship.  

For me, being single at this point in my life is by divine appointment.  Just to clarify, my meaning of divine... I'm talking about Yahweh, Jesus' dad.  Let me be clear, yes I do want to get married and have a family someday, but in the meantime... I'm good.  I know it's hard for some people to grasp this concept, but I really am okay.  Why you ask?  Because I live my life on, in and about purpose.  

I believe that God put me here on this earth to do something great.  So that's what I'm doing. The thing that works my nerve about folk, specifically church folk and family folk, is this constant questioning of the status of my left finger and/or my uterus.  Now look here, I understand some of it is genuine concern, but most of it is just plain old busybodied-ness.  Is that a word?  Well it's going to be one today.  

Listen, I am NOT here for your personal love connection skills, which by the way SUCK!  At some point these people ASSUMED that because my life wasn't moving at THEIR expected pace that I need their UNSOLICITED help.  Oh. Em. Gee! The "candidates" that have been brought to my attention make me want to say, "Do you even like me?  Do you know anything about me?  How much thought did you put into that before you approached me with this option?  Why do you insist on trying my life?"  

It's like come on people... I'm good.  Unless you see me around here moping, behaving in a thirsty manner, or suicidal on Facebook due to loneliness, ASSUME that I'm good. ASSUME that I'm happy.  ASSUME that I'm content in my single life.  ASSUME that I'm having fun. ASSUME that I believe the Bible that I confess to believe in and that I'm not worried because I know God's got me. 

My Bible tells me in 1 Corinthians 7:34 that, "The unmarried woman careth for the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit..."  My life revolves around doing what God told me to do (see www.melindamichelle21.com for documented proof), enjoying my family, enjoying my friends, traveling and pretty much selfishly spending my time the way I want to with no regard for anyone else's opinion.  I am enjoying my season of singleness because guess what, I am going to enjoy the mess out of my married life. That's right people. It's important to enjoy whatever season you're in because seasons change.  

So if you are a part of the "folk" that harass the single person about their status in life... STOP IT I SAY. Why don't you pray that God sends them the godly spouse that you're so desperate for them to have and give them encouragement on how to be a good spouse when that person arrives.  If you're the single person who is tired of being harassed, cornered and questioned, I say it's time to cut off the un-edifying chatter and LIVE YOUR LIFE!  Besides, once you get married they're going to ask you when you're having a baby.  Then as soon as you give them this baby, they're going to ask you when are you having another one.  See the pattern? People cannot be satisfied, so you have to be.  

Go live your life. Stop waiting on a spouse to validate you, God has already done that. Find your purpose and get your Kingdom Grind on.  I'm on mine and I'm telling you it's a wild ride that NEVER has a dull moment.  I'll leave you with this. Cyrus Flanagan, one of the greatest men I have ever known said, "You don't marry a person, you marry a destiny." Therefore, your marriage is an assignment from God.  If you're not able to focus on your assignment as a single person, how will you ever be able to focus on your assignment as a married person with all the things that will be added to your plate when you say, "I Do."  To everything there is a season (Ecclesiastes 3:1).

Until Next Time,

GMME