012 - advance only when you are sure
PROTECT YOURSELF FROM CONFUSION
What you are learning in this teaching has cost me dearly in terms of:
Money
Confusion
Time
It is my prayer that you will learn from it, put it into practice … and NOT suffer consequences due to the enemy keeping you from advancement in INCREASE and GREATNESS for both:
The Kingdom of Messiah; and,
Yourself.
Your friend,
Prince Handley
______________________________________________________________
ADVANCE ONLY WHEN YOU ARE SURE - PROTECT YOURSELF FROM CONFUSION
Do
you have peace NOW because:
You backed away from advancement in fear, unbelief, or mental anxiety from the position or territory where the LORD wanted you to advance, and the devil is NOT bothering you about it (resisting you) anymore?
OR ...
You are in the will of God, and you are experiencing God’s peace?
Spiritual warfare is a “double edged” sword. We usually think of it as offensive; that is, on our part: resisting, opposing, and doing battle in prayer and the Holy Spirit against Satan and his forces.
What we do NOT contemplate, or weigh pragmatically as far as real time strategy to be analyzed, is that the enemy has a specific strategy in plan for our advancement(s) in the Kingdom … and especially for NEW frontier work.
We know the devil has devices he wants to use in opposition to our increase and greatness: especially for God’s Kingdom, but also for ourselves. However, even though we bind and loose … pray and resist … we fail many times to obtain the specifics of military tactics in use by the enemy.
This is where three (3) of the Gifts of the Holy Spirit come into play:
The Word of Knowledge;
The Word of Wisdom; and,
The Gift of Discernment.
Yet, even though we know what these gifts are and how they operate, it does NOT mean that by the knowledge of the same that we are receiving true, specific and accurate intelligence (military intel) about the enemy’s detailed plans – and, objectives – to restrain or contain us. I am NOT saying it is the fault of the Gifts … but that it is our fault for NOT being masters of the weaponry we have available. Knowing HOW to administer CPR is different than being SKILLFUL in administering the same effectively.
Let me say this unequivocally, and at the same time ... encourage and challenge you: YOUR JOB IS TO WIN AND TO HAVE PEACE CONTINUOUSLY.
When you are confused, it is NOT God’s fault. It is either YOUR fault or the devil’s fault. And when you boil it down, it is simply YOUR fault for allowing the enemy to do this to you. The purpose of this writing is NOT to condemn you, but rather to enlighten you to the fact that you CAN and SHOULD have peace continuously in your life. There are many verses on peace in the Holy Bible.
Isaiah 26:3 “You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is fixed on You, because he trusts in You.”
John 14:27 “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world gives, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” – Jesus
Philippians 4:6-7 “Be in anxiety about nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, shall guard your hearts and minds through Messiah Jesus.”
Let me present a major KEY to the reason for the confusion and lack of peace in many of YOUR plans, strategies, and advancement attempts for increase and greatness. The major key is not negative thinking (although that’s one source); it is not self-deprecation (although that can be a reason). But a major KEY is: You did not pray through at the start (before you initiated the advancement) until you had assurance - YOU WERE SURE - as to whether the LORD wanted you to do what you are attempting to do. If you really KNOW God wants you to do something, then there is NO confusion that can not be dealt with effectively with faith, the Word of God and prayer.
You can start a project, initiate a new business endeavor or ministry outreach, and when it is starting to form you can get confused: it scares the enemy even IF you weren’t supposed to do it. And, it scares the enemy even more IF you were supposed to do it. However, IF you KNOW it is of God, then you will have confidence to proceed no matter what or who comes against you.
Isaiah
30:21 is a KEY verse concerning opposition and confusion of and by
the enemy … and this same verse is a KEY verse concerning the
leading of the LORD.
“Your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, ‘This is the way, walk you in it;’ when you turn to the right hand, and when you turn to the left.”
It is so imperative that you understand this because many of God’s people … even some of His servants … have committed suicide because they were so oppressed mentally due to continuing in a path of confusion toward a good objective, but one they were NOT supposed to be pursuing.
Your mistake in this type of situation is that you were NOT supposed to be doing what you are / were doing in the first place!
Just because it is good or productive … or even helps advance the Kingdom … does NOT mean it is / or was what God wants you to be doing at this time in your life.
EXAMPLE
You might have even started out to do it before but then hesitated … NOT sure … and then ceased the advancement. Then, you started again (after convincing yourself). Possibly, you were subtly “influenced” to initiate this advancement due to the needs of others and the increase of what it would bring to both you and them.
FOLLOW YOUR HEART
If you are walking with God and living for Him, you can follow your heart: the inner man will lead you. You will be able to tell – or, to know – when things are “off”, or not “quite right.”
If you are NOT sure … then don’t!
Lots of people – even Christians – have travelled deeper into confusion because they continued on in a path they should NOT be traveling. I’m not talking about a path of sin, rebellion or ungodliness. It might be a path of good and productive effort with the goal in mind of contributing to the Kingdom of the Lord. However, not all paths are yours or mine to take!
You may have already spent time and money initiating the process in which you are involved– or, the path which you are traveling. CAUTION: If you feel NOW that you should NOT be doing this, then get off the path … TURN AROUND … go back to where you had peace before: even if it costs you!
We read an interesting experience that happened in the life of Amaziah, the king of Judah (the portion of Scripture in 2 Chronicles 25:5-9). He had gathered 300,000 men from Judah to go to war, plus another 100,000 from Israel for 100 talents of silver.
“But there came a man of God to him, saying, O king, don't let the army of Israel go with you; for the LORD is not with Israel, with all the children of Ephraim.
But if you will go, do valiantly, and be strong for the battle: God will cast you down before the enemy; for God has power to help, and to cast down.
Amaziah said to the man of God, 'But what shall we do for the hundred talents which I have given to the army of Israel?' The man of God answered, 'The LORD is able to give you much more than this.'”
King Amaziah obeyed the man of God and experienced victory.
If you are wondering if you are being “double minded,” you need to make sure of this decision. Conversely, this is EXACTLY WHY you should have made sure of the decision before you initiated the advancement. (I will cover more on this later in this message.)
Our beloved Jewish brother James says:
“If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all men with an open hand, and without an unkind word; and it shall be given him.
But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavers is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.
For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.
A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.”
Brit Chadashah: James 1:5-8
At this point you may think you are unstable by being “double minded.” Well, ask yourself this question. Am I better off continuing in this endeavor if I do NOT have peace about it … or am I better off to turn back to the place where I had peace before.
THIS BRINGS TO THE FRONT A SITUATION FOR WHICH YOU MUST HAVE DISCERNMENT
Is it the devil trying to discourage me through doubt? Is the devil afraid of the great rewards that will be reaped by my continuing on in the advancement have initiated?
OR …
Did I make a mistake by initiating an advancement that:
I was to start at another time (a later date)?
I was NOT to initiate?
ANSWER: After praying, what do you have peace about doing? Continuing on? ... Or, turning around?
Let's look at Isaiah 30:21 again. We read a beautiful record of the leading of God.
“Your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, ‘This is the way, walk you in it;’ when you turn to the right hand, and when you turn to the left.”
Learn to listen to the voice of the LORD: “This is the way; you walk in this direction.”
NOTICE: I had to do this one time. It not only cost me lots of money that I would have made, but it also cost me lots of money to “turn around.”
Another thing to consider is that maybe your body – or, your mind – is telling you to turn around. There may be a physiological problem that could occur up the road, and God is trying to warn you ahead of time.
The psychosomatic and neurological complexes of your mind and body influence each other: but … unknown to many … also help monitor your physiological processes in a way which can be helpful. God can speak to you through them if you listen. This does NOT contradict divine healing … or the fact that there is healing in The Atonement purchased by the BLOOD of Mashiach Yeshua (Messiah Jesus). But, just like the auto mechanic can repair cars, a clanking piston may be an indication of a broken piston rod that needs repair.
This is WHY you have to MAKE SURE at the beginning – BEFORE YOU START –that you WANT TO … you’re supposed to … do this thing. You need to KNOW that you are to initiate, carry forward and FINISH the proposed advancement.
This way, when confusion or doubt enter in, you will be able – you will WANT TO – resist them in faith and with confidence ... and continue the advancement.
“Now faith is assurance of things hoped for, proof of things not seen. For by this, the elders obtained testimony.” (Brit Chadashah: Hebrews 11:1 – New Testament)
“And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance forever.” (Tanakh: Isaiah 32:17 – Old Testament)
“Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.” (Brit Chadashah: Hebrews 10:22)
When you KNOW FOR SURE you are on the divinely inspired route for a particular advancement ... whenever doubt or unbelief or fear arise to challenge you ... simply CLAIM and DO the following:
“Be in anxiety about nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, shall keep – shall guard - your hearts and minds through Messiah Jesus.” (Brit Chadashah: Philippians 4:6-7)
In
this petition you can ask God:
1. To help you;
2. To give you wisdom if you do NOT know how to operate in the advancement; and,
3. To encourage you all the way to VICTORY. Remember to THANK HIM during your request because you KNOW He is going to answer you!
I
trust this teaching has … and will … help you, my friend. We are
living in an age which is very volatile spiritually. The People of
God - true Messianic believers - are making great advancements in and for the Kingdom through
divine intelligence and strategy. This is WHY the enemy is so
frustrated and wants to unleash vigorous attacks upon your mind and
effort.
REMEMBER: The victory has already been purchased by our Leader, Messiah Yeshua. It is finished. You have been given the KEYS to Heaven and Hell: the KEYS of binding and loosing. Just make sure that the advancements you propose are FOR SURE according to the Will of God before you start them.
GO FORWARD!!!
Your
friend,
Prince Handley
President / Regent
University of
Excellence
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