Power Moves in a Pandemic

Posted on by Karolyn Miller

What are power moves?                              

Lauren McGoodwin at CareerContessa.com defines power moves as “the moves that take us out of our comfort zones and push us forward. They are the first steps that allow us to take many more steps.” If you are a video game player like my boys, power moves are the swift and simple actions that help you to defeat your enemy and come out on top.

Power moves are usually not announced or touted but performed in secret until it’s time to see the result. For example, T Mobile did not advertise on social media, “Hey- we’re looking for an acquisition that will give us a larger share of the telecommunications market.” No, they just made a power move and bought Sprint who already had the expansive network they needed. Consumers were not made aware until the merger was complete…power move!

Power moves are done in secret because once you announce your plans into the atmosphere, they are fair game for attack. Our adversary, the devil, is not all seeing or all knowing; only God has those characteristics. However, once you sound the alarm on your plans, they are open to scrutiny, criticism, obstacles, and competitors.

Even though we may physically be on lockdown because of a pandemic, there are still 4 power moves that we can make with our recent increase of free time. 

Power of Preparation

“For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.” – Jeremiah 29:11 (NLT)

This global shutdown is a unique opportunity given by God for us to rest, reset, and prepare for our next season. During this season of preparation, it is important to ask God for the plan. The above verse tells us that He already knows the plan; it is our objective to ask Him to unveil the plan to us. What I love about God’s plans is that they are good, not evil. Even if the enemy tries to derail them, I know because I love God and I’m called according to his purpose, it’s still going to work out for my good (Romans 8:28)!

God’s plans contain hope, peace, and a certain future or expected end. It’s best to consult Him for the plan because His thoughts are not like our thoughts; His ways are higher than our ways (Isaiah 55:8-9). When He gives you the plan, write it down so you can remember it and not veer away from His instructions. Then, began to prepare for it to come to fruition.

Do the research. Take the course. Learn the new skill. Practice, tweak, and improve. But, use this time wisely and get started!

Power of Prayer

In those days when you pray, I will listen. – Jeremiah 29:12 (NLT)

I remember before COVID-19, I wished that I had more time to fast and pray. I would try to fast, but it seemed like more of a diet plan because I would not have quality time to spend with the Lord while I was at work.

Well…I’m at home now and I have no excuse! Not only is prayer a power move, but coupled with fasting, it’s a slam dunk from the 3-point line!

Matthew 6:16-18 tells us that fasting should not be obvious, so no one will suspect. Yet, your Heavenly Father will see your secret personal pursuit and reward you openly.

Power of Pursuit

“If you look for me in earnest, you will find me when you seek me. I will be found by you,” says the Lord. – Jeremiah 29:13-14a (NLT)

The pandemic is a perfect catalyst to pursue God. While the world appears to be in chaos and flux, many are looking for answers, peace, stability, and assurance. The only place where you can find those things is in Christ Jesus and the Word of God.

Now is the time to pursue a real and intimate relationship with Holy Spirit. What’s holding you back? You’ve got time! Plus, you have a promise that when you seek for Him, you will find Him. 

Also, from a natural perspective, this is a great time to chase down parts of the plan. Whereas some only hear recession, God says “everything is on sale!”

It is a perfect time to pull your free credit report and start clearing up any discrepancies. Creditors may be willing to negotiate and settle during this time because their businesses need money too. If you ever wanted to buy stock, the time is now, while the market is down and trying to recover. Thinking of starting a business or buying a house? Now is the time. Interest rates are at an all-time low. The Cares Act has many benefits that may be able to help you financially reset and position yourself for the next season. 

Power of Positioning

“I will end your captivity and restore your fortunes. I will gather you out of the nations and bring you home again to your own land.” – Jeremiah 29:14b (NLT)

In the Old Testament, God took the Israelites through cycles of freedom and captivity – but they always came out blessed when they left captivity. For example, when Moses led the Israelites out of Egypt they left with flocks, herds, clothing, sliver, and gold. God made their enemies bless them and instead of leaving like slaves, they left looking like a victorious army (Exodus 12:36-38).

“Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in good health, even as thy soul prospereth.”- 3 John 1:2 (KJV)

The Word promises us prosperity and good health, but there is a condition. Even as is a conditional statement meaning “in proportion to, in the degree that.” Therefore, you can prosper in other areas of your life BUT FIRST your soul must prosper.

Captivity is the time to do the “soul work” so you can be positioned correctly on the other side of the exodus.

Final Thoughts…

There is nothing new under the sun according to Ecclesiastes 1:9. The current pandemic may have been a surprise to us, but it did not catch God off guard. In fact, our current crisis parallels the Israelites captivity by the Babylonians in Jeremiah, chapters 27-29. Read their account in your spare time.

In the meantime, what power moves will you make during this national shutdown to position yourself for the exodus?

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New Instructions at Meribah

Posted on by Karolyn Miller

It’s a new season! God is doing a new thing! It shall spring forth— shall you not see it? (ref. Isaiah 43:19)

…Well, maybe not…because if you are looking for God to do the same thing, the same way, in the same time frame, chances are that you are going to miss it. New means fresh, not old. Old paradigms are shifting. Acceleration is taking place in this season. What may have taken a long time before is accelerating in this new season. Don’t miss your entrance into the Promised Land because you are taking the previous season’s instructions and efforts into the new season.

In Exodus 17, Moses and the children of Israel were camped in the wilderness at Rephidim, but there was no water for the people to drink (vs 1). When Moses inquired of the Lord as to how to solve the water shortage issue, the Lord instructs Moses to take the staff and strike the rock at Horeb and water will come out so that the people may have something to drink (vs 6). 

In Numbers 20, Moses and the children of Israel are in the 40th and final year of their wilderness journey. They are living in Kadesh.  Next stop… the Promised Land! Once again, there was a problem with a water shortage. The congregation went into the same complaints and laments, instead of remembering that God had provided a solution once before.

Even though the children of Israel were physically facing the same situation, their season had changed!

New season…New instructions

God tells Moses to speak to the rock this time before the congregation ad water would begin to flow. However, in frustration and anger, Moses goes off on the people and while in the throngs of a soapbox rant, Moses strikes the rock with the rod twice, instead of speaking to the rock as the Lord had commanded (vs 11).

Last season’s instructions did work and water came out of the rock to bless the Lord’s people. Moses, however, was not blessed for his disobedience, becoming disqualified to enter the Promised Land. His actions produced water, but it didn’t produce the glory of God.

It’s a new season and God wants to display His glory in the earth through new avenues, new mediums, and new flows. Even though you may be standing at the same rock, facing the same situation again, don’t try what you did before. Solicit God for new instructions on how to make the water flow again.

For example, if you are in a financial drought, the second job, garage sales, or temporary loans may not be the answer in this new season. God may be speaking to you about praying in the Spirit or seeking Him at an unusual time of day.

Performing the same task or process expecting a different result is the definition of insanity. We would be insane to take our same effort, our same commitment, and our last set of instructions into this new season and expect a different result. God is ready to do bigger, better, and faster- for His glory. Don’t allow frustration, anger, laziness, complacency, or complaint to disqualify you from your Promised Land.

Stop and seek God for what He would have you to do in this season as you stand at Meribah…so His glory can be seen in you and through you.

Guaranteed Victory

Posted on by Karolyn Miller

“Through your glorious name and your awesome power, we can push through to any victory and defeat every enemy.”

– Psalm 44:5 (The Passion Translation)

After 3 years of controversial ministry, Jesus was officially recognized as the Son of God during His triumphal entry into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday. People rejoiced because they believed guaranteed victory was imminent. The long-awaited king that Isaiah had prophesied was now on the scene. The multitudes created a pathway of palm leaves and clothing while shouting, “Hosanna!” The Passion Translation records it as:

“Bring the victory, Lord, Son of David! He comes with the blessings of being sent from the Lord Yahweh! We celebrate with praises to God in the highest!”

– Matthew 21:9b

They expected for Jesus to overthrow Roman rule and establish another kingdom where the Jewish people thrived without oppression. Imagine their anger & frustration when their deliverance did not appear the way they had imagined.

Sound familiar? How is your temperance when God doesn’t show up on your timetable? How do you feel when deliverance doesn’t look the way you had designed it in your head?

In just a few days, the people got mad at God… just like us. The crowd went from singing His praises to shouting, “Crucify Him!” all in the same week. The disgruntled crowd did not understand the process to guaranteed victory.

So, don’t get mad at the haters or the obstacles in your life, they are needed to press you forward to victory!

It Doesn’t Look Like Victory  

Although the people cried for Jesus to bring them the victory, the process was totally unexpected. The cross didn’t look like victory, it looked like finality. It didn’t look like triumph, it looked like travail. Even Christ, who came in human form so that He could identify, feel, and conquer the same trials and temptations as us, thought at some point during His agony that His suffering didn’t look like victory…

“And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani? Which is, being interpreted, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?

– Mark 15:34 (KJV)

During the process of the crucifixion, Jesus makes this fourth saying from the cross. Even though His power and deity were never in question, his flesh cried out because the process felt more like pain and punishment. The path to victory looked like defeat. Victory was starting to look like frustration, perhaps even loneliness. What do you do when victory looks like persecution…like a constant attack…like a fight you can’t win?

Jesus cried out because He could no longer feel the Father’s presence. Even though He knew God was still there, He still felt isolated from the Father’s reach.

“Yet I am never alone, for the Father is always with me. And everything I’ve taught you is so the peace which is in Me will be in you and will give you great confidences as you rest in Me. For in this unbelieving world you will experience trouble and sorrows, but you must be courageous, for I have conquered the world.”

– John 16:32b-33 (The Passion Translation)

The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are distinctively different and yet inherently one. The Son could in no way be separated from His Father because they were still one. On the pathway to victory, we may feel as though we are alone and absent from our Father. His voice may be still and His presence withdrawn. Like Jesus, who bore all our sins on the cross, our unconfessed blemishes may keep His glorious holiness from coming close.

When God feels far away and calling on the name of the Lord seems futile, we must remember that Holy Spirit lives on the inside of us. Whereas the three members of the Godhead are distinctively different, they are inherently one. He is still with us on the rugged path to victory.

“It Is Finished”

This sixth saying of Jesus from the cross brought despair to onlookers. It obviously looked like the enemy was the victor. Jesus was dead—the leader of the reformation was gone and certainly the movement was dead…finished…kaput…. fine’…done…. complete…

Right?

However, what appeared to be the end was just the beginning.

It’s time to shift our perspective and stop viewing the end of some assignments, relationships, and routines as defeat.

It is finished was a statement of victory!

Jesus had accomplished the mission. The sacrifice was complete. His assignment was complete. He had won the battle over sin, death, and ultimately satan. Three days later, He claimed victory over the grave as He walked out of the tomb leaving His grave clothes folded neatly behind.

The veil in the temple was torn, access was granted, and His kingdom was established with a regenerated access point for you and me.

Where is your victory? It’s in the Blood of Jesus!

“But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.

– Isaiah 53:5 (KJV)”

Jesus’ blood ran down the outside of his body for our transgressions, or sins that we would commit in action or deed. He was bruised, meaning that blood was trapped under the skin’s surface, for iniquities that would be hidden in our hearts, feelings/emotions, or bloodlines. Because of the blood of Jesus, we are forgiven, healed, and set free!

Adoption, peace, love, joy, healing, prosperity, protection, divine intervention, access, authority, inheritance and may other benefits were purchased with the blood. Our Passover lamb was slain that we might have victory over every situation and circumstance that we might incur.

We do not contend for victory, we fight from a position of victory.

That’s Not All Folks!

“And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever…” – John 14:16 (KJV)

“I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.”- John 14:18 (KJV)

An arisen Jesus tells His followers to wait in the upper room for more. Just when you thought it couldn’t get any better, there was more!

Just to make sure that we had the victory, He would endow every believer with a part of Himself, the Holy Spirit. The presence of Holy Spirit is a constant reminder that we are victorious. The blood of Jesus grants us authority and Holy Spirit backs it up with power.

The lawmakers and critics thought they were stopping the movement of Christianity by killing Jesus. Apparently, they had never listened to any of His teachings about seed time and harvest.

“Let me make this clear: A single grain of wheat will never be more than a single grain of wheat unless it drops into the ground and dies. Because then it sprouts and produces a great harvest of wheat—all because one grain died.”

– John 12:24 (The Passion Translation)

Jesus was the seed that had to die for a harvest of many who would carry on the movement.

On the Day of Pentecost, Holy Spirit fell and 3,000 souls were added to the church that day. The church grew from being one person, in one location, representing one nation to a movement that multiplied through each and every believer that was filled.

The process of the cross was ultimately the multiplication factor of victory!

Be encouraged friend. Yes, the process may be uncomfortable. Some things, traits, habits, mindsets, and attachments must die. The previous season must end. It may feel like a cold, lonely grave. Darkness may have limited your sight, quenched your fire, and made you doubt. But take heart my friend —- say it with me…

My Name is Victory!

Not only is Jesus victorious, but the same victory has been imputed on to you! YOUR name is victory! You walk in victory. Victory is your portion. You have guaranteed victory through Jesus Christ.

“Yes, God raised Jesus to life! And since God’s Spirit of Resurrection lives in you, he will also raise your dying body to life by the same Spirit that breathes life into you!”

– Romans 8:11 (The Passion Translation)

Reframe your perspective and speak to your situation. With holy boldness, remind the enemy that your name is victory through the blood of Jesus Christ.

 “But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

– 1 Corinthians 15:57 (KJV)

The plan is not for us to live in victory alone, but to share our story of victory with someone who is still walking in the bondage of darkness. Let others know through the power of Holy Spirit that Jesus died for them to be victorious as well. Also, walking in victory helps other believers as well. If you have victory in a certain area, your testimony increases the faith of others to believe they can win in that same area.

Through the powerful, glorious name of Jesus, we can push through to any victory and defeat any enemy!

In what area of your life do you need to see victory? Let me know in the comments…I’d love to pray with you 😊

What Will the "New Thing" Cost You?

What Will the “New Thing” Cost You?

Posted on by Karolyn Miller

Is it almost May already? We are well into the 2nd quarter of 2019. I pray most of you have been faithful to begin the assignment that the Lord has given you in this new year. I also pray that momentum is still moving you forward- even if you have had some challenges with consistency along the way. Don’t get discouraged – transition in any form can be challenging.

For example, during childbirth, the third stage of labor is called transition. It is the most intense part of the childbirth process. The intensity of the contractions is harder, the frequency more furious, and the pain becomes more intense. It’s the final phase before the pushing begins.

I have noticed that this time of transition from the old season into the new mimics the transition phase of childbirth A LOT! Why shouldn’t it? We are about to birth something new!

God is doing a new thing!

We speak that phrase almost as a colloquialism. It’s a phrase that builds hope, excitement, and an increase in faith…however, it does require a transition.

Out with the old…in with the new

Just like the birth of a new baby changes the lives of the parents, the new thing requires the same demand for change. It’s hard to do a new thing while you’re still doing the old thing. More time and effort are required due to the learning curve. Money and a different set of skills and resources may also be required to birth the new thing. The children of Israel found themselves in a transition period as they left Egypt and journeyed to the Promised Land.

The rabble with them began to crave other food, and again the Israelites started wailing and said, “If only we had meat to eat!  We remember the fish we ate in Egypt at no cost—also the cucumbers, melons, leeks, onions and garlic. -Numbers 11:4-5 (NIV)

They began to complain about the wonderful food they had while they were enslaved…at no cost.

EXCUSE ME? While the Israelites may not have paid an observable or quantifiable cost, they paid a high imputed cost…the cost was their FREEDOM!

The Israelites entered Egypt fruitful, prosperous, mighty, and strong in numbers. The new Pharaoh saw how blessed they were and became threatened. He enslaved the Israelites and made their lives bitter with hard bondage. The Egyptians were ruthless in their dealings with the Israelites (Exodus 1:6-13). Yet, when faced with the beginning of a new thing, they longed for the more comfortable and familiar place, even if it was bondage.

What bondage are you craving?

Is it a high-stress job that required long hours, made you work overtime and on the weekends, but paid more than your current gig?

Is it a bad relationship that you exited, but now you are reminiscing on the good times and willing to overlook the toxicity, just to fill a void?

Perhaps you are craving a place of routine and safety while God is stretching you and calling you out of your comfort zone.

The cravings stem from an often-overlooked place of change and transition…your mindset.

The Israelites, a once prosperous people were now enslaved —not by taskmasters anymore, but by a poverty mentality. They were ready to trade their new-found freedom for the meat of old.

Remember, it’s a NEW thing!

Behold, the former things are come to pass, and new things do I declare: before they spring forth I tell you of them. – Isaiah 42:9 (KJV)

Like us, the Israelites didn’t focus on the first part of the verse. Before the new thing can be established, the former things must “come to pass”. This means that something must end, cease, or modify from its original state. Former things are just that – former. They have fulfilled their purpose, manifested in their season, and transpired to bring you into the next place on your journey. Conflict arises when we try to bring former things into the season of the new thing.

God takes the Israelites on a journey through the wilderness to shed the former paradigms of Egypt before they enter the Promised Land. Instead of meat and vegetables at the cost of their freedom, God shows himself as provider and sustainer by providing them fresh manna from heaven and water from a rock. Instead of looking to their slave masters as lords, God wants to redirect the Israelites to trust to him as Lord.

God is doing the same thing as He calls you to leave safe, familiar territory and trust Him for the new thing. It is imperative to shed the restrictive mindset of old to embrace the download of new plans and strategies. And, although you can’t see the Promised Land, it is vital to believe He is faithful to lead you to the new thing which He promised.

Change is good and necessary!

In this new season, you may have to release some people, places, and things. Let me tell you from experience- God has challenged me to leave some places & things in this new season that were good…no, great….even wonderful! In all their splendor, they were still former things. I had to release them to follow God into the new thing, believing what He had for me was greater.

God may even be calling you to leave a physical or geographical location. Some of your relationships may even end or modify in nature. Look for new people to come into your life with keys and resources for the next stage of your journey. Divine shifts and realignments are occurring during this time. Pray and ask God for wisdom and instruction so you may be able to have balance and steward the transition well.

Just like the mother who gives birth to her child after 14 hours of labor, 2 epidurals, and an inevitable C-section, the pain of the journey is all erased when you stare face to face with the awesome new gift that God has given you! 

Walk It Like I Talk It

Walk It Like I Talk It

Posted on by Karolyn Miller

“Hope will fall like rain when you speak life with the words you say.” – TobyMac

Walk it Like I Talk It is a 2018 release by Migos, nominated by BET for Video of the Year. As I watched their performance on the BET awards, the hook of the song stood out to me. (Probably because I couldn’t understand anything else that they were saying 😉)

Walk it like I talk it…walk it like I talk it….

I heard God say, “So, how is that working out for you?”

I realized it was time to have a conversation with the Lord.

Made in His Image

When God made man, there was no creature in existence like him. He was a unique creation…the only one that had a prototype.

So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. Genesis 1:27 (NKJV)

Being made in the image of God means that we are like Him. We are carriers of His DNA…carriers of His Spirit…carriers of His power and authority (Luke 10:19). God created the world in 6 days, not with the labor of his hands, but with the power of His words. Whatever He spoke manifested into reality. “Let there be”…and it was…”and it was good.”

If we are made in His image and carriers of His power, we have the same ability to speak and watch it manifest before our very eyes!

I realized that my current life position was directly related to the atmosphere I had created with my words.

Walk it like I talk it…

What Are You Talking About?

After my revelation, I became intentional to listen to my words during daily conversations:

“I seem to catch every germ and virus that comes along.”

“We can’t afford that!”

“I am just so tired and overwhelmed.”

“Yes, but…”

I listened to the words of others as well.

“I think I’m losing my mind.”

“Girl, come on and join the broke club.”

“It is what it is.”

Ironically enough, the situations we were all complaining about had a lot to do with the manifestation of our confession. We were eating the fruit of our words.

Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof. – Proverbs 18:24 (KJV)

We can either speak words of life or death, negativity or positivity. Creating a different atmosphere or trajectory for your life can start with the simple task of changing your words. Your words create thoughts, thoughts produce feelings, feelings inspire choices, choices generate actions, and actions determine habits.

Therefore…negative thoughts produce negative feelings. Negative feelings inspire poor choices. Continual negative actions arise and become habits, leaving us in a downward spiral of despair.

What is the solution?  A pity party, new hair style, or a pint of Ben & Jerry’s?

No- Watch your mouth and change what you are talking about!

(Side note: You may also need to watch who you are talking with because misery loves company 😉)

Return to Sender

Sound produces movement. Just as God spoke the world into existence and Jesus spoke healing for many, our words produce movement in the spiritual realm. For example, Daniel fasted and prayed for 21 days. On the first day that he prayed, angels were dispatched on his behalf. Daniel’s words caused movement in the heavenlies!

Then said he unto me, Fear not, Daniel: for from the first day that thou didst set thine heart to understand, and to chasten thyself before thy God, thy words were heard, and I am come for thy words. – Daniel 10:12 (KJV)

We often speak idly not realizing that our words, just like Daniel’s, cause movement in the heavenlies. How many times has an angel been on its way to your location with a blessing in hand, but your negative, faithless words marked the package, “Return to Sender?”

You Will Have What You Say

It is interesting how many people will underestimate the power of a positive confession. If the natural world can utilize the concept and create changes in their outlook, how much more can a vessel of the Holy Spirit achieve with a consistent, faith-filled confession?

For truly I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be thrown into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says will come to pass, he will have whatever he says. -Mark 11:23 (MEV)

The Word of God tells us that we can have whatever we say, we just need to make sure that we are saying and believing the correct confession. How do you know if what you are speaking is correct? Go back and look at the prototype.

…the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life. – John 6:63b (KJV)

You don’t have to come up with something new…name it & claim it, blab it & grab it, and any other gimmicky catch phrase. You just need to speak the Word! His Word is filled with promises for you – and they are life giving. It’s hard to go wrong with speaking what He has already said.

            The joy of the Lord is my strength (Nehemiah 8:10).

            I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me (Philippians 4:19).

            Let this mind be in me that is in Christ Jesus (Philippians 2:5).

When we speak negative and faithless words, we make God’s Word of non-effect. You must be able to see past the natural and speak from the spiritual. Abraham gives us a great example:

He is our example and father, for in God’s presence he believed that God can raise the dead and call into being things that don’t even exist yet. Romans 4:17 (TPT)

God said that Abraham would be the father of many nations when his wife was barren and there was no apparent heir. He stood on that promise by faith and “called those things which be not as though they were.” By speaking what God said, he saw what God said.

Speak It By Faith!

Think about the situation that is causing you frustration right now.

What have you been saying about that situation? Have you been magnifying it with your words? Have you been using hopeless, defeated, self-sabotaging language when you talk about it?

Make a conscious effort to change your outcome by changing how you speak about your situation. Grab a promise from God’s Word pertaining to your situation to declare & decree over your life. Keep speaking the words by faith and thanking God in advance for the manifestation. Be patient, your package may need heavenly rerouting from Grumbling Boulevard to Praise Parkway.😊

I’d love to know how you plan to “Walk It Like I Talk It”. Post your decree in the comments below.