Vultures.

Friends,

I took the liberty of posting this song on my page. I wanted to share something with you and this song might help me do exactly that.

Vultures – John Mayer

Some of us, we're hardly ever here
The rest of us, we're born to disappear
How do I stop myself from
Being just a number
How will I hold my head
To keep from going under

So far, this song sounds pretty cliché. It’s the “daily grind, the same ‘ol, the rat race.” It’s no secret that we face trials in our lives.

No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. Romans 8:37 (NIV)

We were not put on this earth to live as victims and without purpose. God put us here to live as MORE than conquerors.

Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. James 1:2-4 (NIV)

The trials will come; and they come for a reason. God puts us in some unpleasant circumstances to help us grow, but He always supplies us with the resources. Consider the children of Israel. As Moses led them to the Promiseland, God supplied them with bread and water. Yet, they were so focused on the discomfort of their journey, the 11-day trip turned into 40 years. How many times do we walk around our mountains? God can move them! Look what it says in Isaiah.

Every valley shall be raised up, every mountain and hill made low; the rough ground shall become level, the rugged places a plain. And the glory of the Lord will be revealed, and all mankind together will see it. For the mouth of the Lord has spoken. Isaiah 40:4-5 (NIV)

Down to the wire
I wanted water but
I'll walk through the fire

How often do we tell God when He is going to bless us? I know I do. I’m starting to learn my lesson about that, too. When it gets “down to the wire,” what do we do?

One of my favorite events in the Old Testament takes place in the book of Daniel. It’s the story of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. It’s actually the second time this week that I’ll be visiting this story. Someone very close and special to me recently shared a message about this event in The Bible. Maybe I’ll be able to post it, soon? ;-)

King Nebuchadnezzar had built an idol and commanded the three men to bow to it. The men were told that if they did not, they would be thrown in the fiery furnace.

Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves in this matter. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O king. But even if he does not, we want you to know, o king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.” Daniel 3:16-18

Notice the three men said, “the God we serve IS ABLE to save us from it.” They did not say, the God we serve WILL save us from it. We have to stop putting God in a box. We have to stop overriding His will with ours’.

If this is what it takes
To take me even higher
Then I'll come through
Like I do
When the world keeps
Testing me, testing me, testing me

Even when we think we can’t walk another step, we have to take one. If we trip or fall, God will pick us up. Our faith will be tested and tried - that is a promise.

For we do not have a high priest among us who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are – yet was without sin. Hebrews 4:15 (NIV)

The thief comes only to steal, kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. John 10:10 (NIV)

The finished work of the cross is a give and take event. God took our sin, our shame, our transgressions and our pain. He then gave us love, life and strength to overcome anything. We will be tested. We will succeed. We will live eternally.

How did they find me here
What do they want from me
All of these vultures hiding
Right outside my door
I hear them whisperin’
They're tryin’ to ride it out
They've never gone this long
Without a kill before

I love this verse! I can only imagine how frustrated the enemy must be when we live with Christ in us. Satan has to wait longer for his kills these days. When I fall, I fall to my knees and allow God’s grace to bring me back again. If we all lived as followers of Christ, Satan would be out of a job! Could you imagine if Jesus was the Lord of the world’s hearts. Satan would have to retire!

Down to the wire
I wanted water but
I'll walk through the fire
If this is what it takes
To take me even higher
Then I'll come through
Like I do
When the world keeps
Testing me, testing me, testing me

Wheels up
I got to leave this evening
Can't seem to shake these vultures
Off of my trail
Power is made, by power being taken
So I keep on running
To protect my situation

The only power Satan has is the power we give him. Power is NOT made. Power came with God in the beginning. He then blessed His creation with power. Unfortunately, we’re so quick to give it to the enemy. Why do we do this? We should be holding on to the power God gave us.

Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing by any means shall hurt you. Luke 10:19 (NKJV)

Down to the wire
I wanted water but
I'll walk through the fire
If this is what it takes
To take me even higher
Then I'll come through
Like I do
When the world keeps
Testing me, testing me

Oooooooooooo
Oooooooooooo
Oooooooooooo
Oooooooooooo

Whatcha gonna do about it
Whatcha gonna do about it
Whatcha gonna do about it

Don't give up give up
Don't give up give up give up
Don't give up give up
Don't give up give up give up

I can’t begin to tell you the trials I’ve faced this week. However, I can say I took a stand.

Therefore, put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, TO STAND. Ephesians 6:13

The question really is what we choose to do. Remember, God will give you the strength to overcome your trials, the tools (armor) that you need to do so and bless you like it was all your doing! What a wonderful God we serve!

In Christ,

James