I recently heard a song by entitled Ca$hin' Out by Ca$h Out. Yes, I know its a trap song and I know some think that the good preacher shouldn't be listening to that kind of music according to the unwritten rules of being a preacher. But I don't dance to the tune of the masses. I dance to the beat of my Father, so those unwritten rules do not lead my life, the Spirt of God does. Now back to my thought. I was recently listening this song, and I am big on lyrics and as I listened to this song the lyrics struck me. No, not the curse words and the derogatory terms used for women. What stuck out was the examples Ca$h Out gave on how to live big, how he was determined to live in His dreams and the big vision he had for his life. And one point in the song it was preaching to his soul that he yelled "chuuuuch." I was lead to research the lyrics and as I read the lyrics of the song I realized he was truly laying out his dreams of having an abundant life. This song was recorded in 2012 and what I read in my research about Ca$h Out is that he is now broke. Yes, Cash Out is broke. He apparently was given a "signing bonus" and he owed his record company tons of money for what they gave him, unfortunately he did not have the record sales to sustain his living. We know that you can't live the big life if your records aren't selling and you are living on loan. And this made me think about how many of us are looking to cash out not realizing that the temporal things of this world can easily pass away and leave sorrow behind it. That's why when I heard this song my thoughts elevated and I said to my Father, I don't want to cash out, I want to be FAVORED OUT, because Your FAVOR is better than CA$H.

The writer of Proverbs says that he would rather chose "loving favor rather than silver and gold." (22:1) And I agree. There are some things that money cannot buy and favor is one of them. Favor is defined as a means to gaining approval, acceptance, or special benefits or blessings. The favor that human beings receive from God depends on his good pleasure and is often extended in response to prayer or righteous living.  Favor and grace are closely related.

When God's favor is on your life, great and mighty things will happen to you and for you. Favor will take you where nothing else can take you. Favor can open doors and prevent destruction. Favor can help you do more with less. Favor can make ways out of no way! I have witnessed the power of favor in my own life. Doors that men tried to shut, favor kicked them down. Opportunity the enemy tried to steal, favor made them reappear. Relationships in which the spirit of discord tried to destroy, favor brought reconciliation. Proverbs 16:7 says, "When a man's ways please the Lord, He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him." Our Father's favor on your life translates into favor with man as well. Even the unrighteous will say "yes" to you when they would have said "no" to someone else. Our Father will send His Spirit and His angels to cause favor to shine on you, from every direction and in all your ways. 

That's why in this season of my life, cashing out is not my focus nor does it drive me and I hope it's not your motivation. When you embrace our Father's Word, His principles and His wisdom all those things Ca$h Out is listing out on top of that dope track, will automatically find you with His favor. Proverbs 8:35 says, “For those who find me find life and receive favor from the LORD.” When you seek to have a good name, a good understanding and high esteem in the sight of God and as well as man His mercy, kindness, and truth will surround you. But I want you to understand this that when you are #FAVOREDOUT  favor will not only influence you, but everyone and every nation connected to you! 

I have personally seen in recent years that people are becoming more deceptive and manipulative and this is not just in the world, but the church has become a breeding ground for the spirits of deception, manipulation as well as the spirit that I loathe, taking advantage of people. If you watched my recent Vlog, the Fatal Attraction Series, I share how this fatal spirit has shown itself in my life on many occasions. But I am at a place in my life, I am always on guard against the user and manipulator. The Bible warns us to be on the alert. We must be on guard, so that we’re not deceived “with empty words” (Ephesians 5:6) or “with well-crafted arguments” (Colossians 2:4 NLT). And we must realize that we even can deceive ourselves (1 Corinthians 3:18). When we are not this spirit will attach itself, destroy us and harden our hearts.
 
There are some people in this world are selfish, lovers of money, or simply greedy and when they see a person is nice, wealthy, or whatever, and they make a decision to try to milk a person for what they can get out of them as long as they can. They will ask to borrow money, ask you to fix their car or do home repairs, ask you to babysit daily, and so forth and never offer anything in return. The more you do, they more they ask you to do. It is right to have a heart that would continually give to others, and it pleases God to see this wonderful characteristic in our lives, the Bible teaches that when we “give freely we become wealthier; when we are stingy we can lose everything. (Mark 8:34) However, in this area of giving and helping, it also teaches that we must have wise discernment (Matthew 10:16).
 
Our Father gives us certain standards that we must take into account when it comes to giving our time and money to others, so when it tells us we are to help others, the purpose is never for us to do this to the point where it becomes detrimental. So, there must be limits; we must use discernment and be cautious as giving is not always black and white. We must yield to the Spirit, use discernment when making the choice of whether to give, or how much to give. And we must remember that Satan is eager to deceive us. He constantly endeavors to plant ideas in our minds and manipulate our thoughts. As Jesus warned, “Whenever he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own nature, for he is a liar and the father of lies” (John 8:44). When we are walking in obedience to the voice of our Father, the Holy Spirit will move you and let you know when you should give and when you shouldn’t. Giving is a form of worship and it’s how we keep the flow of prosperity so don’t allow the enemy to block your flow.
 
Today, remember that you will face many forms of manipulation. This is why you must base your life on God’s Word and be rooted and grounded in His truth. Don’t allow the past experiences of those who have used your gift of generosity keep you from operating in your gift of giving. Let it make you better as Matthew 5:41-45 says: 
 
“And if someone takes unfair advantage of you, use the occasion to practice the servant life. No more tit-for-tat stuff. Live generously. "You're familiar with the old written law, 'Love your friend,' and its unwritten companion, 'Hate your enemy.' I'm challenging that. I'm telling you to love your enemies. Let them bring out the best in you, not the worst. When someone gives you a hard time, respond with the energies of prayer, for then you are working out of your true selves, your God-created selves."
 
I love the Message translation of this passage. It challenges us to use the experience with the user as an opportunity to become better. That’s why we need to discern between an opportunity and a distraction. ​We must be alert, filled with the Spirit and sensitive to His leading and His warnings. The Holy Spirit has given us a powerful prayer language that we can use as a weapon against the whiles of this enemy and that is prayer. Join me today to pray against the deception and manipulation of the user.

I was recently listening to Tasha Cobbs-Leonard new song “Gracefully Broken,” and when I heard these lyrics I could do nothing but worship as it resonated deep within me:
 
God will break you to position YOU
Break you to promote you
And break you to put you in your right place
But when He breaks you He doesn't hurt you, He doesn't
When He breaks you He doesn't destroy you, He does it with; grace
Anybody been gracefully broken?
Thank You, Lord, thank You
So Father tonight, we're broken before You
Thank You for handling us with grace
Just lift your worship right there in this moment
 
Why would anyone choose to be broken? Why would you check into a hospital and allow the surgeon to start cutting? Because you know that surgery is one of the ways you can experience healing and to be physically restored. What makes a woman willing to endure long hours of intense labor? She knows that beyond the labor there will be the joy of a new life.

So why would anyone choose brokenness? Because brokenness brings blessedness.

Brokenness is God’s requirement for maximum usefulness. The Father uses adversity to break our self-will and transform us into useful vessels for His kingdom. Usually when people think about facing hardship, they focus on the suffering and pain involved. But what exactly is brokenness? What is its purpose? And is there any way to avoid it and still be useful to God?

Christ came, and He was broken to bring us the blessing of grace, mercy and power. The Apostle Paul’s “thorn in the flesh” kept him from exalting himself, despite his impressive credentials. I was broken into many pieces from the loss of relationships, jobs, personal possessions and my health. And through the brokenness I found my divine purpose, destiny and fulfillment. 

Brokenness is the Lord’s method of dealing with our self-reliance—that desire within us to act independently from Him. God wants us to bring every area of our lives into submission to His will, and He uses our trials to lead us to a point of total surrender.

In brokenness, God desires to break our self-will so that we can be fully devoted servants. This means that brokenness is not chastisement or punishment. For His children, brokenness isn’t a penalty, but an act of mercy intended to bring one into right standing with Him. Brokenness is about the future. The Father deals with our attitude for the purpose of conforming us to His will and making us effective ministers to others (Eph. 2:8-10).

And this is achieved through adversity and challenges, our Father targets the areas of self-will in our lives. He wants to break the attitudes that do not honor Him—such as self-righteousness, self-reliance, and self-centeredness, pride, ignorance, fear, worldly entanglements, unhealthy relationships, rebelliousness, and strongholds of the enemy.

We are only as useful to God as we are obedient to Him. Whether He allows difficulties to arise in our family, finances, or health, He does so out of love. When we resist brokenness, we hinder our relationship with the Lord. We delay the fulfillment of God’s will in our lives. 
 
What does the Father keep targeting in your life? Is it your self-reliance? If so, submit to the process of brokenness, and allow Him to control every area of your life. Let Him determine what remains and what must go. Yes, there is suffering in surrendering to the Lord, which may include physical, emotional, spiritual, and even relational pain. But remember we have the grace to be broken so that the blessings on the other side of brokenness can flow freely!

If you have been reeling from betrayals, exhausted by chronic pain, shamed by their foolish choices, disillusioned with ministry, loneliness in yr marriage, enslaved by an addiction, or just flat out weary from the demands and busyness of life, pray this prayer with me.
 
Dear Lord,

Though there have been seasons and will be season where throwing in the towel, finding another story, or just flat running away are certainly attractive, but I realize that I have nowhere to go. You alone give the words of life, the sufficient grace, and the hope of glory. May your voice be ten times louder than the complaining around me and the grumblings inside me. So with my palms up as an act of surrender, I offer freely this earthen vessel.

Father, in the coming hours and days, weeks and years, prove the wonders of your love in my midst I ask that your redeeming purposes will be most fully realized through my brokenness, and I surrender to you. In Jesus Matchless Name I pray, with expectancy, Amen.

Several years ago, I read Benny Hinn's book, "Good Morning Holy Spirit."  It was one of my Father's book and at the time I didn't desire a close relationship with God but just wanted to read something of substance. But little did I know that I would recall that book in the darkest moments of my life. After the passing of my father and aunt, I referred back to what I read in that book and I realized that I did not have that intimacy with the Lord. I didn't know the Holy Spirit beyond the teachings I'd received. I knew His work and His presence, but I didn't know His character. After the passing of my dad and aunt, over the next year, I would find my FLOW. It first was a nudge and then it developed into a hunger in me. I pursued Him with every ounce of strength I possessed, and this is what He wanted from me. He brought me to the place in my life that I was so broken that I hungered to flow with Him instead of against Him; and being in His flow has brought a transformation that is undeniable.
 
My life now is so much different since I have gotten into His Flow! I have flowed from the obstacles of great trial, distress and stress; financial issues, the deterioration of relationships, the bonds of depression, through sickness and disease, and in the face of death to a peace of mind and an inner fulfillment that surpasses my understanding. The more yielded, empty, broken, and obedient I became, the more the power of the Holy Spirit flowed in my life.
 
He's just waiting for you to FLOW with Him the same way. Our Father gave us His Spirit so that we can experience intimacy and commune with Him now.

The Greek word for communion used in Scriptures is referred to as "koininia." Koininia means unity, a close association, fellowship, close bond, or a partnership. 
 
I have a koininia relationship with the Holy Spirit. 
 
I encourage you to have one as well. When we give to God what He desires of us, He will give us what we desire of Him. I am a living witness to that. I am now living the life I always wanted and desired. I am accomplishing goals and plans that I once thought I would never achieve. I dialogue with Him constantly. I have a bond with the Spirit that is so close I can't even describe it. We share, talk, ask questions of each other, communicate openly and He surely brings correction. I ask Him questions and He give me answers. There is a freedom in our fellowship. He's like my Father, my comforter, my counselor, my protector and my closest friend. He is with me at all times. And I don't have to wait for Him to come upon me or manifest in some way; I just know He's there. Many desire a move of the Spirit.

The Spirit of our Father is available to FLOW to you a peace of mind in the face of great trial, distress and stress; financial issues, the deterioration of relationships, the bonds of depression, through sickness and disease, and in the face of death. It desires to reach down inside of us, remove obstructions to our wholeness, and heal our pain. He wants to fill our souls with our Father's peace, but there’s a distinct way in which that peace flows. The more yielded, empty, broken, and obedient you can become, the more the power of the Holy Spirit can FLOW in your life. He's just waiting for you to open your heart to Get Your Flow! I assure you it will be worth it. 

How many times though do we miss the opportunity to experience the "greater"? What I have realized as I have journeyed through this life is that many of us are too quick to settle for mediocrity, ready to accept that this is all there is. We then settle in for less than the greater promised to us! 

Why do we miss it? We miss it because of feelings, emotions, folk’s opinions and our inability to step out of comfort zone. Greater isn't found in the echelons of comfort but in the pressing, crushing, beating and breaking. 

Just like the audience of Jesus' time, and the sad part is that Jesus audience was missing it when the “something greater” was standing in their midst. In the Matthew chapter twelve, Jesus tells His audience three times, “Something greater is here.”  Yes, three times. The implication was that in spite of how they think they have everything figured out that they were missing “something greater.”  The truth is Jesus’ coming was so that God could be “with us”, Emmanuel, (Matthew 1:23).  The problem is we are too often unaware of that very simple fact. The simplicity of Jesus message was that wherever we are and whatever we are doing there is always “something greater here”. He said, “It is here”, that is, within our grasp. It is near us, around us, surrounding us.  

Prior to our “21 Day Fast" and our Blessed Blanket Initiative we were instructed to prepare for our "breakthrough." We fasted and sacrificed our bodies and it was without a doubt a shaking, testing and beating. We then sacrificed of our treasures which we know breaks many of our pockets when we sacrifice with the knowledge that we will not get an immediate return. But it is because of the sacrifice we are now seeing an unprecedented barrage of blessings over us!  He promised to do a new thing in us (Isaiah 43:19), and that new thing has manifested. Our GREATER is with us.

No, 28 days was not the easiest. We all became a little weary on day seven.

Yes, it was a sacrifice to sow into the initiative for some as the fiscal challenges are real in these streets!

The first two months of 2018 we were challenged but we pressed through and the anointing and the power of God has come in great abundance and is supernaturally renewing our strength. Strongholds were shattered, ties were loosed, curses were broken, healing and deliverance took place. Jesus message was then and still is “something greater is here.”