Take ten chickens, any ten. Put them in a pen together, and spread a little chicken feed. Soon you will witness something an amazing. In a matter of minutes, the chickens, previously strangers, will form a hierarchy based on dominance or, in everyday language, they will establish a Pecking Order.  Instinctively, they will determine, through a series of skirmishes, who the Number One chicken will be; then the Number Two; the Number Three; all the way down to the unlucky Number Ten chicken. Much is at stake in this dance of domination. Chicken Number One pecks at and intimidates Chicken Number Two, without experiencing any kind of retribution from Chicken Number Two. Chicken Number Two will take it from Chicken Number One but will turn around and peck away at Chicken Number Three, who will in turn, take out its frustration on Chicken Number Four. The Pecking Order continues all the way down to Chicken Number Ten, who, needless to say, has a pretty miserable life, he is pecked, but has no one to peck.

We all have the tendency to look at others in terms of their profession, education, wardrobe, cars, homes, and subconsciously we fit them into the Pecking Order.
So, what’s the problem? It’s natural. Every time the disciples tried to set up a Pecking Order, Jesus rebuked them and taught them they needed to be servants. “If anyone desires to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all.” (Mark 9:35).  A true leader serves those under his responsibility and does not cause undue hardship to them by exercising his authority over them, and by revelation and grace he helps bring out their individual gifts and talents.

Refrain from indulging in the pecking order and see every person as someone who Jesus Christ has died for and it doesn’t matter what they have been called to do or what their position is in our society, we all have a plan and purpose to achieve.  God loves you as much as he loves me and he loves me as much as he loves you.  One is not greater than the other regardless if you are a street cleaner or a pastor of a 10,000 member congregation.  God doesn’t favor any one more than the other.  We are all important to him and the same blood that has saved you has also saved the worst sinner.

Do you want to be great in the eyes of God?  Serve mankind.  Jesus told us that God will honor those who serve (John 12:26).  Jesus Christ is sitting at the right hand of his Father because he came to this earth not only to save but to serve.  Follow the Lord’s example and don’t let opportunities to serve pass you by and may the God of all peace reward you and bless you for having a servant heart.

Well, it’s that time of the year when we come together as a family to reflect on the blessings of God. But I suppose that there are some who believe that in our society today, there is very little to be thankful for but they are wrong.  Every person who knows Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior has a lot to be thankful for.  God is good and His mercies endure forever, and it is because of His mercy that we have been delivered and set free from the enemy of our soul.  The blood of Jesus has redeemed those who are called by His name, and just in case you neglect to tell Jesus on your own how grateful you are, a day has been designated for that very thing.

Recognize how truly blessed you are.  Reflect on how God has provided what you needed when you needed it.  You might not have everything you want but your basic needs are being met.  Focus on the positive in your life.  Everyone faces challenges but Jesus has promised to never leave us alone, and we are never alone when we have to face trials and tribulations.  God is bigger than our problems and there is nothing too hard for Him.  If God doesn’t calm your storm, His grace is sufficient to give you peace  in the midst of the storm and remember that His eye is always upon the sparrow.

God is faithful and this is a wonderful time to stop and give thanks.  Give thanks for your family and friends; for your job and for the home that keeps you and your family safe.  Give thanks for your health.  Give thanks that what the enemy meant for evil God has turned it around for your good and above all, give thanks for your salvation.  You didn’t choose God but God chose you.  He called you by name and saved you and gave you eternal life.  Give thanks that you can trust God and that He is faithful.

Live with a thankful spirit and daily give thanks for the goodness of God in your life.  You can do nothing without Him, but with Him all things are possible.  What shall you render unto God for all of His benefits toward you? Thankfulness is a good start!

1 Thessalonians 5:18 “in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God

                                       in Christ Jesus for you.”

Do you realize that God has given every believer the keys to unlock or remove every hinderance they encounter on this earth?  The keys are there to heal you, to promote you and to give you the power to overcome life’s challenges.  Unfortunately, many Christians are not taught that they have the power and the authority to speak to the mountain standing in their way and it will move.  At the name of Jesus every knee will bow and there is nothing you will every face that is stronger than the power of God.

When you are weak God will show himself strong in your life if you submit to his will and his way.  The grace of God is more than sufficient for you and it will work in your life in such a way that you will see yourself changing and becoming more and more like the Lord.  But being an overcomer takes consecration; it takes humility and it will involve brokenness.  When you are broken you totally submit yourself to God and you trust him completely.  His will becomes your will and you press on and you press through the trials in your life.  Satan comes to steal, kill and destroy but Jesus came to give you life and life more abundantly.

If you want to go further than you could ever dream, put your hand into the hands of the Lord and walk with him every day of your life.  Use your keys of faith and speak with authority to every hinderance standing in your way.  Renew your mind so that you have the mind of Christ and nothing will be able to stop you.  God loves you and he wants only the best for you.  Trust him at all times and never give up.  The keys you possess will unlock every door.  Don’t perish due to a lack of knowledge.  Take the word of God and guard it in your heart and you will possess all that God has for you.

Obedience to God is unconditional; obedience to man is conditional. God expects us to obey Him in all things and at all times.  The Bible tells us that obedience is better than sacrifice.  What some people do not realize is that when we disobey God we are in rebellion and it is a spirit of witchcraft.  This is a serious matter and should not be taken lightly. Our love for God should cause us to deny ourselves ,and when you deny yourself you’re denying your mind, your emotions, and your will to obey the inner spirit man in every area of life.

Obedience to God includes doing what God has told you to do even if it looks impossible.  When God spoke to Noah and told him to build an ark, it took an enormous amount of faith for Noah to obey but if your heart is set on doing the will of God, God will give you the grace to perform.  There is an anointing that comes upon you to avoid trying to logically make sense out of what God said, but rather focus on the task at hand.  Your mind will play games with you and try to make you think that you didn’t really hear from God, but do not be deceived.  Rely on the Holy Spirit to guide you in the path you should take.

An unconditional surrender to God is the mark of a mature Believer.  Jesus Christ surrendered to the will of God even though it cost him his life.  Believers must follow that example and take up their cross if they are to be a disciple of Jesus.  You might have to let go of something, but anything that you give up will be given back to you in greater measure.  Therefore, set your mind and heart to obey God.  Your total submission to God will not go unnoticed but will be rewarded in this life and in the life to come.

“Those who are planted in the house of the Lord shall flourish in the courts of our God.  They shall still bear fruit in old age; they shall be fresh and flourishing.” (Psalm 92:13-14).

God wants you to be planted in a local church; He does not want you to be transient and move from place to place. God intends to grow you and the local church is where are hearts are challenged to rise up to new levels in Christ.  Statistics from Barna Research Group state that 11% of people who claim to attend church at least once a month plan to change their place of worship in the coming year. That represents 15 million people changing their church homes in the next 12 months.  Evidently, many people are not devoted to their current church and feel it is okay to move from place to place but what will this accomplish?  God’s desire is that every Believer get plugged into a local church body, support it in every way they can and grow in their faith and in  their relationship to the Lord.

God’s blessings will be upon those who are planted, who don’t move from place to place. The spirit of God is there to guide you and help you to recognize your place in the body of Christ and use your gifts and  talents to minister to others around you.  They need you and you need them.  The church is made up of many members but all belong to one body with Jesus Christ as the head with all authority.  If you are still searching for the place God has for you, ask Him to lead you to the one place where you belong.  Once there, allow your roots to go down deep and your walk with the Lord will be amazing.