Expedition of 2023
Happy New Year’s family!
Wow, it’s been a wonderful 2023, one that reminds me of our local county fairs or a Six Flag experience – full of ups, down, all arounds, and all kinds of humor, silliness, and thrills… of course, packed full of risk, stretching our own boundaries, and digging deeper for fuller experiences of this life and the unseen.
As I have personally, so I believe that each of you have also been sharpened and matured in 2023. For a very brief moment, let’s revisit last year as we parachute down into 2024 and map out the road ahead.
Friends, with so many downfalls, pains, distractions, and unperceivable experiences around us, you and I are invited into the inner peace, hope, and perseverance, maturing in our character and expression of love as we get refined via afflictions, typically experienced via our close and loved ones as we practically and first-hand experience that “..our struggle is not against flesh and blood but rather against the rulers, authorities, and powers of this dark world: against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” {Ephesians 6:12}. Each of us has individually and jointly been invited into an intimate relationship, with and for God, “so that the manifold wisdom of God might be made known through the Ecclesia (united church body) to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places” {Ephesians 3:10-11}.
Godly Faith
We’ve studied how we must discover our strengths to control only the controllable and not give into the rest of circumstances and worldly expressions of experiences, and this is able to take place so long as there are no storms (conflicts) on the inside of our own heart space (minds). This is exactly why we all must go through personal inner healing first and foremost via continuation of diving deeper, personally, into the Creators heart and Word (Truth and His Promises). Stop worrying about changing your spouse and the things around you. The Word (Personality) of Christ must RICHLY dwell in you first. Be IN-TUNE with the spirit of God and therefore speak to the people around you what is to minister to their hearts. Share your story.
At the end of 2023, I invited each of you to set a personal goal in becoming leaders in your generation, mentors, coaches, and friends – people who edify your “neighbors” on a regular basis, pouring yourself out into others. Remember, that the true God is a giver, giving us all things for life and godliness to the brim!
Dreams Do Come True
We’ve reviewed how Joseph’s story reminded us that even when our dreams are seemingly shattered as we face insurmountable obstacles, yet God is still at work in our lives – always faithful to His promises and will use even the most difficult circumstances for our good and His glory. Even as we’re tempted to react in retaliation, we must reconcile, despite being greatly wronged, and must intentionally posture ourselves to pass on mercy to others, even as we reckon them undeserving, since truly, being in leadership specifically means that we’ll always get hurt by the wounded people around us.
As human beings we so often feel threatened which births disappointments, anger, jealousy, bitterness, and resentment. But as citizens of the heavenly kingdom, we are called to choose to not be offendable (to be humble), for we truly cannot control other people.
Developed Perspectives
Once you’ve reconciled yourself to the fact that the world and humanity are broken, and that we are exactly where God wants us all to be: surrendering our perceived ‘rights’, only then do we find true JOY in our calling and destinies, and therefore are able to stay confident in the True One who is still in control, for God is holy, righteous, just, and pure in love. Extending forgiveness for everyday offenses of life gets easier with practice, for it’s a simple discipline, and it becomes part of our everyday lifestyle.
Therefore, in order for us to be secure in this lifetime, we must therefore first learn how to be shepherded as obedient sheep, allowing Jesus to bring the blessing to us. For there’s one rule above all else for humanity – whatever comes, you face it on your feet, for you my friends are the lions and the lambs!
Focus is a Divine Empowerment to neutralize what God does not want you to notice. Focus is literally your key to stripping everything of its power, and creating anew!
NEW YEAR = NEW BLESSINGS AND INSIGHTS!
Friends, today is the 8th, which one way of understanding is the symbolization of the New Man, or manifestation of harvest. Today, I just wanted to share a testimony with you as an encouragement to each of you regarding the growth process that we’re encapsulated in. Last year I entered the year really praying for my family, marriage healing, and healing of all relationships, and I have been really diving deeper into the Lord, church, and small groups. Throughout the year it’s been really difficult experiences (I’m sure you each can relate) and yes, “all hell did break loose” in multiple ways; yet the Lord has been good and lovingly has brought me through 2023, maturing me and preparing my heart for stewarding His blessings. He’s restored some relationships, starting healing of other relationships, and has brought in many new relationships into my life!
Ending last year and starting the new 2024 year, my heart has really been focused on His goodness, while at the same time I’ve been really troubled and in pain as my most prized relationships haven’t seemed like they’ve budged, and seemingly appeared to have worsened (although much other growth has taken place).
Early in the year I had to put in some serious working hours (over 100hrs/wk) and was very emotionally and physically exhausted, finding myself really drifting into a dark inner space. We’re so often in that spot where we look back and around us, and we don’t see that our prayers have actually been answered, as we tend to focus on the Giants and Walls of Jericho still in front of us, and we thus so often just give up and give into those feelings of depression, further pain, bitterness, etc.. and all darkness which engulfs us.
Today, I want to remind you (as I have been reminded) to recognize and engage in the 3 principles that the Lord spoke to Joshua as He brought him (and the people) through the 40yr journey and brought them up to their promise land, in order to bring them into it!
The 3 WWW’s:
Friends, here are the 3 key principles I want to share with you for 2024 as you start your resolutions and planning, in order to keep in your mind as you take the next steps forward:
- Worship: praise and lift His name on High for He is forever faithful. It’s His faithfulness that bought us and His faithfulness that takes us through the earth’s journey and into eternity. Therefore we are called to Lift our eyes and “look and see” {Joshua 6:2} for a new perspective shift: to get a correct perspective – that this is truly first and foremost a spiritual battle, not a physical one or of the natural realm. God shows up and exchanges swords with us! He takes our carnal weapons and equips us with spiritual artillery. God truly fights our battles, but we must show up and participate as partners and allow Him to lead!
- Walk: our journey and growth is all about obedience, about walking in what He’s called me to walk in. 6 days walking = man’s responsibility. It’s not normal walking though, rather “marching”.. around the city of Jericho (the difficult situation or circumstance that we’re facing). There’s a cadence (rhythm) in marching. It is orderly, connected, and under command of the leader. Stay plugged in with your church, small groups, etc. How desperate are you for a true impactful change in your life?! Show up for it all, realize the “cadence”, the “beat of His heart”. Show up until your giants/mountains are gone – for there is another spit coming! Remember the miracle Jesus performed with ‘spitting’?! Walk for 6 days until you’re free, until whatever God has promised is manifested and experienced as reality! “Those who endure will be given the crown of life..” Don’t stop short, revive your perspectives and hope. Get re-energized. Allow that follow-up “spit” to cleanse your perspective further.
- War: How often are we giving into things that we’re called to confront?! The #1 way to get defeated by the problem is to focus on the problem! In Hebrews 11:30 we read “by Faith the walls of Jericho fell down”! Learn and adapt (practice) to Speak the word! Speak the word against that oppression, speak against those walls! This is the sword of the spirit: when the Bible in my heart comes out via my mouth! Truly it’s a war, it’s not a game. Wage your war strategically for He is on your side!
2024 Head-start
So that is my recent experience y’all. I started this year by staring at my vision board and filling it with more scripture and promises. Then I sat around it during my mornings and nights speaking out loud the promises, blessings, and scriptures. Through these three WWW’s, He’s been teaching and instilling into me all last year so that it’d be 2nd nature by now (truly 1st nature, for we are heavenly beings in earthly vessels.)
Therefor I implore each of you to continue and stay true to your faith, stand tall, worship Him for He is forever good and faithful, walk in cadence and do your part showing up before the throne of grace allowing Holy Spirit to lead, and wage this war with His sword, His truth, His promises, and His faithfulness will continue manifesting in its due time, for He is never late.
Let the following highlights of truth be your guide for 2024:
◦ God miraculously rescues people; He still does miracles today – but there’s often a process attached to it
◦ Most miracles aren’t instantaneous and are often attached to other people around us
◦ Don’t give up because “I believed for the instantaneous”, endure till the end
◦ We’re called to “participate” in order to receive miracles: “as they (lepers) went…” they were healed
Let’s all keep on pressing in and running this race together! Love y’all and I am excited to see what miracles and wonders 2024 manifests in our lives and families. 
Please feel free to comment and leave feedback of your experiences. It is all welcomed and inspiring to my heart!
“Divinely attuned and consciously ripe in this present moment who embody absolute clarity and purified perception to recognize the Single Nature of Life, for they shall realize their Oneness within God”
– Jesus Christ.
> > Friends, check out the new Melodies section for uplifting music, and Resources for life changing books. < <
WRITER – FATHER – SON
