1 Samuel 21:10-15

And David arose and fled that day for fear of Saul, and went to Achish the king of Gath. And the servants of Achish said unto him, Is not this David the king of the land? did they not sing one to another of him in dances, saying, Saul hath slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands? And David laid up these words in his heart, and was sore afraid of Achish the king of Gath. And he changed his behaviour before them, and feigned himself mad in their hands, and scrabbled on the doors of the gate, and let his spittle fall down upon his beard. Then said Achish unto his servants, Lo, ye see the man is mad: wherefore then have ye brought him to me? Have I need of mad men, that ye have brought this fellow to play the mad man in my presence? shall this fellow come into my house?

David, the servant of the Lord, had been on the run from his predecessor Saul and he ran to the house of God among the priests. After having been fed and given a weapon, he fled to Achish. Achish was in the midst of Philistine territory, amongst the enemies of the Israelites. The servants of Achish asked, Is this not David, king of the land? Even Achish and his servants knew spiritually that David was anointed to be king in the land. These known adversaries could have taken David prisoner or held him for ransom. David, being intimidated, changed his behavior and played as a mad man amongst Achish and his servants. Seeing he was unstable, they sent him on his way unharmed.

1 Samuel 22:1-5

David therefore departed thence, and escaped to the cave Adullam: and when his brethren and all his father’s house heard it, they went down thither to him. And every one that was in distress, and every one that was in debt, and every one that was discontented, gathered themselves unto him; and he became a captain over them: and there were with him about four hundred men. And David went thence to Mizpeh of Moab: and he said unto the king of Moab, Let my father and my mother, pray thee, come forth, and be with you, till I know what God will do for me. And he brought them before the king of Moab: and they dwelt with him all the while that David was in the hold. And the prophet Gad said unto David, Abide not in the hold; depart, and get thee into the land of Judah. Then David departed, and came into the forest of Hareth.

David, still on the run from Saul, does not take time to inquire of the Lord, but continues to operate in intimidation and fear. He escapes to a dark cave called Adullam. David starts fearless, bold, and courageous. He approaches affliction as a child would. He knew that it wasn’t in his own strength or might that he would overcome the giant, but that the battle belonged to the Lord. However, circumstances and the issues of life have David shaked with intimidation. He has taken refuge, but not into the spirit of God. He runs from one enemy to another. He doesn’t run back to the prophet Samuel, who was used to anoint him in the midst of all of his brothers. This reminds me of a similar account with the holy prophet Elijah. He was hiding because he was in the midst of a corrupt society and the prophets were being killed. Obadiah hid the prophets in caves by fifty and fed them. Elijah himself took refuge in a dark cave and the Lord sent an angel to ask, Why are you here? Why does it seem to be a consistent theme of the Lord’s anointed being pushed into a corner or a dark place, while it seems like the mockers and workers of iniquity seem to prosper in their way? David was anointed! He inquired about warfare often to confirm the Lord was with him, but the simplicity of matters like instruction concerning what he was anointed to do, we do not witness. He didn’t ask about being king or getting instructions concerning his calling. We often hear the words, “Shall we go up?” or “Will they deliver us up?” He has been an armor bearer to Saul. Saul has given him a wife, then took her back and gave her to someone else, and is on a mission to kill David. So David is in a cave. He’s in a spiritually dark place. He didn’t ask to be chosen. The people asked for a king, and the Lord sought him out. A servant after God’s own heart. The Lord’s servant who loves the Lord with all of his heart and all of his spirit and his might is in a cave. When his brethren heard of it, they went to him. They began to search for their king. He was ordained and anointed, and had once delivered all Israel from the hand of the Philistines. Although David wasn’t walking in his calling, everyone that was distressed, in debt, and discontented with their circumstances drew near to him, and he became captain of about four hundred men.

 The meaning of Mizpeh (watchover) and the meaning of Moab (of my father). David was not ready to walk in his calling, and although they had appointed him captain, he left the cave and journeyed to the land of another known enemy of the children, Moab. He requested for the king to take in his flock until he knew what the Lord would do. Even then, he has a heart of a shepherd that he wants to be sure they are cared for even though he is not in a position of trust or surrender. So, he left his people with the kind, and he abode still in the stronghold.

What Is A Stronghold?
A hiding place. It is interesting that although the name of the town meant “watchtower of the father.” David didn’t go there to watch, to pray, or to prepare to overcome his adversary. He was anointed, called, and had fought several other battles. The Lord had shown himself to be a rock and fortress, but David goes to abide in the hold. Sometimes, we can abide in a place that is comfortable to the flesh, but it is not a place that we have been spiritually led to be. Although we know that the Lord is always with us, sometimes we choose a spiritual short cut for things. He could have taken the four hundred and trained them. He could have made a place for the Lord and came into unity and prayed for instruction, or for the Lord to intervene in regards to things. Instead, David chose to put the people in the hands of another leader and run for cover. The Lord then sends a messenger angel through the prophet Gad to intervene. He came with a simple word to encourage David and said do not abide in the hold; Get out of your place of comfort. I’m calling you to a higher place. Depart from here and get to the land of Judah. He gave an instruction. When I think of Judah, praise comes to mind. When we get to our own father’s house, and get to a higher place of praise, we start to see things clever. We elevate above problems and circumstances. Deliverance starts to take place. Spirits have to flee. Cleansing and a renewing of the mind begin to take place.

He departed to the forest of Hareth, meaning a place of good provision and protection. The wilderness is often a place of divine encounter. There is always an appointed time and purpose for all things. This was the time for David to really learn of the Lord and learn of the operation of the spirit of God within him. Sometimes, we can start out so well. We love the Lord. We get saved. We receive him with joy and go forth with zeal of the initial testimony of his healing, deliverance, or how he mended our brokenness. Then comes the wilderness training for survival. You are led there to learn his will. You learn the expectations of your spiritual father. That’s what the Lord’s design was, nevertheless, some people when they receive the orders or instruction don’t want to train for endurance until the end; to stay the course. We must be taught how to be king. The Lord uses the Apostle Paul to confirm this in his letters to the Romans.
Romans 10:1-3
Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved. For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.
We must be diligent to seek the face of God, seek after his Holy Spirit and to stay on the potter’s wheel. We must trust in his process and inquire always about what the Lord’s will is.
#KEEPTRUSTING #KEEPPRAISING #OBEDIENCE #WATCHANDPRAY

PSALM 69
SAVE ME O’ GOD, FOR THE WATERS ARE COME INTO MY SOUL
I SINK IN DEEP MIRE, WHERE THERE IS NO STANDING: IAM COMING INTO DEEP WATERS, WHERE THE FLOODS OVERFLOW ME.
I AM WEARY OF MY CRYING: MY THROAT IS DRIED: MINE EYES FAIL WHILE I WAIT FOR MY GOD.
THEY THAT HATE ME WITHOUT CAUSE ARE MORE THAN THE HAIRS OF MINE HEAD: THEY THAT WOULD DESTROY ME, BEING MINE ENEMIES WRONGFULLY, ARE MIGHTY: THEN I RESTORED THAT WHICH I TOOK NOT AWAY.
O GOD, THOU KNOWEST MY FOOLISHNESS; AND MY SINS ARE NOT HID FROM THEE.
LET NOT THEM THAT WAIT ON THEE, O ‘ LORD GOD OF HOSTS, BE ASHAMED FOR MY SAKE. LET NOT THOSE THAT SEEK THEE BE CONFOUNDED FOR MY SAKE, O GOD OF ISRAEL.
BECAUSE FOR THY SAKE I HAVE BORNE REPROACH; SHAME HATH COVERED MY FACE.
I HAVE BECOME A STRANGER UNTO MY BRETHREN, AND AN ALIEN UNTO MY MOTHER’ S CHILDREN.
FOR THE ZEAL OF THINE HOUSE HATH EATEN ME UP; AND THE REPROACHES OF THEM THAT REPROACHED THEE ARE FALLEN UPON ME.’WHEN I WEPT, AND CHASTENED MY SOUL WITH FASTING, THAT WAS TO MY REPROACH.
To the persecuted church. To the crushed ones who have surrendered to the truth and refuse to give in the falsehood; know that the Lord Jesus is with you. He has not brought waters upon you to overtake you, but that He may be glorified and bring you to higher heights and deeper depths in him. The Lord hears our humble cries and has been touched with all of our weaknesses. Oh how we desire to do the Lord’s will and truly the zeal of thine house has eaten us up.
The Lord is a refuge, a very present help in the time of trouble. We must call upon the name of the Lord while he is yet near. Be faithful over a few things and he will make your ruler over many. Meaning, be faithful over the natural things, but most importantly over the spiritual gifts. Some if us may feel like we are not carrying a whole sack of gifts  from above. Yet the gifts that we have been given have made room. Therefore, we must allow the Lord to stir us up in the one gift and maximize the ability to pour upon others and allow the Lord to shape you and perfect you in that one thing. With obedience you’ll find he has enlarged your territory and magnified himself in the midst of it. These gifts and talents are pressed down, shaken together, and then they run over. The crushing in the midst of circumstance reveals the heart and the fruit therein. That’s why the Lord says to store up in the last days and to seek those things which be above. Store up the patience, long suffering, gentleness, self-control etc. Hide his word in thy heart that you may not sin against him. Be reminded of the scripture in the book of Revelation the he knows our work, tribulation, and poverty (Rev2:9) Hold fast to the testimony of Jesus Christ until the end. Those who endure unto the end shall be saved. #fruitsthatremain #trust
 

A WORD OF ENCOURAGEMENT FOR THE HOME SCHOOLING PARENTS
 
It has been a journey. We have been privileged with a powerful tool to educate the way the Lord intended with the leading of the Holy Spirit. I’m thankful for such favor. We have endured hindrances, obstacles, tests, trials and we have been strengthened at this appointed time to stand in the finishing spirit of the Lord with confidence that he has set the standard and paved the way. To teach private home school is an ordination and you’re called to a higher standard of excellence, the Lord equips you handle such a role. Initially I must admit that I didn’t realize the many fruits I was lacking, but through obedience the Lord shaped me into being a better parent and teacher. I learned patience, longsuffering, gentleness, but more importantly he taught me how to prepare a generation to do a greater work and exceed our personal expectations. I have been blessed to be in the presence of many of tomorrow’s future leaders and entrepreneurs that will be empowered to go forth with boldness, confidence, and no fear of failure. Therefore, if I can be of any encouragement, just remember to take what you’ve been given by the word and hide in your heart that you may not sin against God, but go on unto perfection in Him. Remember the Lord is with you always even until the end of days and when you’re going through life’s tests and trials know that Jesus is just a prayer away. Call upon his name and he will answer you. 

#allthingsworktogetherforthegood #holdfasttothetruth

​ECCLESIASTES 8:4-10
WHERE THE WORD OF A KING IS, THERE IS POWER: AND WHO MAY SAY UNTO HIM, WHAT DOEST THOU?
WHOSO KEEPETH THE COMMANDMENT SHALL FEEL NO EVIL THING: AND A WISE MAN’S HEART DISCERNETH BOTH TIME AND JUDGMENT.
BECAUSE TO EVERY PURPOSE IS TIME AND JUDGEMNT, THEREFORE THE MISERY OF MAN IS GREAT UPON HIM.
FOR HE KNOWETH NOT THAT WHICH SHALL BE: FOR WHO CAN TELL HIM WHEN IT SHALL BE?
THERE IS NO MAN THAT POWER OVER THE SPIRIT TO RETAIN THE SPIRIT; NEITHER HATH THE POWER IN THE DAY OF DEATH: AND THERE IS NO DISCHARGE IN THAT WAR; NEITHER SHALL WICKEDNESS DELIVER THOSE THAT ARE GIVEN TO IT.
ALL THIS HAVE I SEEN, AND APPLIED MY HEART UNTO EVERY GOOD WORK THAT IS DONE UNDER THE SUN, THERE IS A TIME WHEREIN ONE MAN RULETH OVER ANOTHER TO HIS OWN HURT.
AND SO I SAW THE WICKED BURIED, WHO HAD COME AND GONE FORMT HE PLACES OF THE HOLY, AND THEY WERE FORGOTTEN IN THE CITY WHERE THEY HAD SO DONE; THIS IS ALSO VANITY.
Jesus Christ is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords and his word is accompanied by the power of the Holy Ghost. He has given power to believe it with signs following. The Lord is the potter and we are the clay and although we are humbled and reverence him enough not to question what the potter is doing the word says that the Lord called us friends and because we are his chosen, He shares his will. He shared with the preacher Solomon that if we keep the Lord’s commands, He will shield us from evil. The Lord is the good sheppard. Those he as blessed with the spirit of wisdom shall understand time and judgement. The Lord has revealed that the time is not long. We are living in the end times. The time is appointed to surrender and to seek for the Spirit of God. The time is a time to repent and turn from your wicked way. These times are a time to forgive our brethren and bring your gift to the alter. The time is to pray like you’ve never prayed before. The time is to praise past the pain, disappointment and to breakthrough the warfare. The time is appointed for just judgment to come forth. It’s a time to love the Lord Jesus Christ with all your heart and believe able to do all things but fail.  There is a time and judgment for every purpose. Our laboring is not in vain. It can be miserable for a man who is patiently waiting for just judgment, but thanks be to the most high who has freely given his spirit to know the mind of Christ and his timing for things; that spirit convicts and we don’t have to wonder what shall be, The Lord orders our steps and guides us in the paths of all truths.
It can seem sometimes when we are in warfare that the war again your spirit man will never come to an end and enemies will attempt confuse with beliefs that you have no control to retain your spirit. However, the Lord’s spirit is Holy and the adversary cannot control the Holy Ghost. His spirit is not temporary. The heavens cannot contain or retain Him. He will never leave you nor forsake you. Remember, these are the days where there are great amount falling away. The adversary has no power unless we surrender it by feeding into the seducing spirits and winds of false doctrine. We must allow his Holy Spirit to reign completely so that we stay within the hedge of protection. Remember, the Lord allows the tests to refine us that we come out pure as gold. So continue to trust in the Lord and do good. The preacher says he saw the wicked buried who had gone from the holy place. Many have gone from us but yet were not of us, even they have an appointment with death. The Lord will handle those who trouble us. Know that judgment is coming and is set in the heavenlies. Stay the course, finish the race and know that the Lord is with you no matter the circumstance or situation. #trust #faith

​PHILIPPIANS 1:6
BEING CONFIDENT OF THIS VERY THING, THAT HE WHICH HAS BEGUN A GOOD WORK IN YOU WILL PERFORM IT UNTIL THE DAY OF JESUS CHRIST.
HEBREWS 12:1-2
WHEREFORE SEEING WE ALSO ARE COMPASSED ABOUT WITH SO GREAT A CLOUD OF WITNESSES, LET US LAY ASIDE EVERY WEIGHT, AND THE SIN WHICH DOTH SO EASILY BESET US, AND LET US RUN WITH PATIENCE THE RACE THAT IS SET BEFORE US, FOR THE JOY THAT WAS SET BEFORE HIM ENDURED THE CROSS, DESPISING THE SHAME, AND IS SET DOWN AT THE RIGHT HAND OF THE THRONE OF GOD.
I thank God for a finishing Spirit. Before I encountered the Lord Jesus I attempted to accomplish a lot of things without the leading of the Holy Spirit, but the Lord turned things that were meant for my bad and made all things work together for the good for the personal and business endeavors. However, when I allowed the Lord to do a work in my life there was a spiritual shifting and the focus moved to pleasing God and understanding the Lord’s will and purpose for my life. Because I was surrendered to the leading of the spirit, there was the accompaniment of assurance and confidence because it was the Lord and not me. Paul also testifies that He prayed with joy for our fellowship of the gospel and that his spirit was confident and assured that the Lord Jesus who has began a good work would perform it.
This is a distance journey. Yet, the Lord Jesus Christ has strengthened us to endure and run with patience to the finish line. He strengthens us to the finish. The Lord Jesus set the standard for us by enduring the cross and nailing the shame and all the sin to it. He has given us the invitation to come boldly to the throne of grace and ask anything according to his will and he will do it.
Romans 9:26-28
And it shall come to pass, that in the place where it was said unto them, ye are not my people; there shall they be called the children of the living God.
Esaias also cried concerning Israel, though the number of the children of Israel be as the sand of the sea, a remnant shall be saved.
For he will finish the work and cut it short in righteousness: because a short work will the Lord make upon the earth.
We have encountered and endured many offences with people who have conspired, lied, and hated without cause. Yet, the Lord has strengthened us to grow and elevate above the cares of this world. He has endowed us with heavenly treasures in the midst of these earthen vessels to include the fruits of long suffering, patience, self-control, gentleness, and love without dissimulation. Many have counted the persecuted and afflicted Christians as cast aways and sheep for the slaughter. The have counted us as not His people based on what they thought they knew and what they have assumed. However, the Lord Jesus Christ has stated that there will always be a remnant no matter how they attempt to eliminate and substitute for the true spirit of the Lord. He is always saving, healing, delivering, and doing the works of the spirit. He will finish the work that he has established in us before the foundation of the world. Even when the Lord cuts things short with his coming, the end result is still righteousness in the sight of the Most high God. Likewise, with the Lord’s chosen, we must endure the cross…carry the cross. The guilt and shame has been put to death. There is no shame in giving yourself unto Jesus as a living sacrifice that is acceptable unto God. I am full persuaded that what Jesus has spoken by His Holy Spirit and promised, He is more than able to perform it. He will do it. #FAITH #HOPE #LOVE
  

​Matthew 5:1
Blessed are the poor in spirit; for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.
What does is really mean to be poor in spirit?
The Lord desires for us to be humble meaning always carrying the desire to do his will and to do his purpose, not our own. To be poor has a notation meaning to not have much of something. Therefore, if we are to be poor in spirit, we are compared to a vessel that has been tilted in the heavenlies and used to pour and is consistently pouring what the spirit has deposited. Therefore, we are never full of ourselves but constantly pouring upon others and the reward of this obedience is the kingdom of Heaven. Freely he has given and freely we ought to also give just as well.
            The Lord says that there are certain requirements to enter the kingdom of Heaven. We must enter as a child.
Matthew 18:3-4
And said, Verily, I say unto you, except you be converted and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of Heaven.
Whosoever therefore shall humble themselves as this little child, the same is the greatest in the Kingdom of heaven.
Therefore, the Lord says to please him we must come to him humbly and teachable. The Lord says that spirit is ever so willing but the flesh is weak. We must place our flesh under subjection to the spirit to receive the teaching of the spirit. For the spirit will teach us all things, the very deep things of God.
I Cor 2:12-14
Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.
Which things also we speak, no tin the words which man’s wisdom teaches, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.
But the natural man receiveth not the things of the spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can we know them because they are spiritually discerned.
​#KEEPPRAYING #KEEPSEEKING #KEEPPRAISING #TRUST