ACCESS DENIED

He is a shield for all those who take refuge in Him.

2 Samuel 22:31 NIV I had this password for years and tried using it for this particular login, over and over again I tried until I was completely locked out.

I no longer had access to the information, no longer had liberty to browse, no longer was able to have entrance to this particular site. I had to call the company, create a new login code but for a certain amount of time I did not have access. Not having access was very frustrating, uncomfortable and I no longer had freedom and liberty to this page.

There are some people that believe that God is saying access is denied, you no longer need access for one reason or the other, you no longer need access to those dark web accounts that are keeping you enslaved to sin. Access Denied!

There are times when no is a sign for us to slow down, wait or change directions. For years I had been waiting with expectation that God had the big bang right around the corner, the spouse or this quick fix to my problems. While I waited patiently one day and anxious the other, the Holy Spirit began working. There were some things that were being prompted in my spirit. Uncertain of what it meant I started in the direction. Elisha said to his mentor and pastor when you are being carried up I want double of your blessings, I would like an abundance of what you have. Fantastic, but Elisha was following a man of God who still had some character flaws. Elijah was miserable, he is the same guy that after being teased by kids he cursed them and they were killed by two female bears.

What are you asking God for today? You may have been praying and crying out to God even to the point of frustration. The wait is perfecting you, it is changing some things in you that would not have been dealt with otherwise. I heard a friend share a testimony weeks ago and it brought me to tears. God was speaking directly to my heart as she shared her testimony on pride. Pride? I don't have pride I thought to myself initially but by the end of her story I was washed away in tears. What was happening? I was being convicted. The Spirit of God was touching my heart through a word of truth, it was not forced nor was there even any preaching. It spoke directly to something within me. God used that testimony to give me an answer to a question I was asking.

God what do I need to do? Why am I still waiting?

God does not have to answer or give us all the answers but the response was through that word. I had some deep rooted things to work on. Had He not already uprooted everything else in me? What else could I possibly have to change? You may be asking yourself these questions but because our minds cannot conceptualize the things that God wants to do, we will not fully understand. After seeing how much God loved me through many blessings I knew I no longer needed to bambard God with my small minded questions. I began giving thanks for what He had been doing and was about to do. Elisha had to be tutored and taught by Elijah, following him from city to city, town to town to receive his blessing. He had to pay attention, He needed to discern movement and activity. Even the city prophets knew that Elijah was going to be taken up, "shhhh be quiet." Elisha just needed to see when Elijah was being taken up. Elijah tried to get away from Elisha a time or two, they got separated by a chariot and horses. Elijah was then taken up to heaven, Elijah was gone. Elisha took Elijah's cloak and his life was no longer the same. Within a few seconds Elisha's life was changed but he had to be there, he had to obey and honor to receive from the Lord. Don't get weary with the things God has placed in your hands, things for you to do in due season you will reap the rewards. The wait is not in vain, God's glory is seen within us when our flesh becomes weak, when we are no longer struggling to obey.

When I was first given the assignment to start 'Journey in Christ' I struggled and disobeyed for a while. God spoke to me a few times but I was not living righteous. I could not obey, I could not speak to people about Christ if I was still living in sin with no real plans to change. I cried out to God for help uncertain of how the help would come. He saved me, but I thought it would happen overnight, I thought it would be a quick fix. It was not nor do I think I could handle that overnight change. Within 3-4 years He perfected some things within me, I started to see who God had shown me in visions and dreams many years before, I made mistakes along the way and He kept showing me that He loved me. God is so considerate. He knew that as humans we will creep before we can run. When I was able to discern God more He spoke again and 'Journey in Christ' was birthed. What God wants to do in your life will take time and that's alright. When there is someone you can trust and you know the outcome will be even better than you can even imagine.

The no, the struggle, the pain brought about something that God could be proud of, someone that displays His goodness and glory.

There had been so many things that I held onto over the years that I never realized I was carrying. The years of being stalked had affected the way I think, the way I interacted with people and at times I called what was paranoia-God. One disappointment after another I began to feel resentment, bitter and low key anger...with God. I am dropping some truth and nuggets on y'all today.

Before the wait there was anger, bitterness, resentment and so many other emotions that had yet to be acknowledged. God knows how to deal with me, He knows how to deal with you, to love you, to help you, to direct and for you to heal. There are some things that have to be denied so there won't be misuse and abuse.

Dr. Myles Munroe said when purpose is unknown abuse is inevitable. When we do not know the purpose for our own lives, when we do not know what God's assignment is for us we will be abused by others and ourselves. Finding purpose gives us value.

Imagine centuries ago someone somewhere saw black water and wanted nothing to do with it because they wanted water to drink and it was not clean nor clear. Additionally, the same would be said years ago for diamonds undervalued and sold for a fraction of it's worth. I heard the diamond we see in stores was once dirty, without form or shape and undesirable. This is how God is perfecting you and I today. Turning the ugly parts of us into something that can be attractive, loved and cherished. Access denied is access to another level. Another level within ourselves, another point to grow, another place for change.

Access denied is a Father saying to His kids although I love you I cannot give you all of your inheritance yet. I cannot let you squander what is yours. There are so many blessings and favors in store for us. A good parent will not give the keys of a car to a seven year old when they scream anxiously to drive. A loving parent does not let their kids sit all day eating sweets knowing the outcome. There are some things that have to be denied so we can have access to another level. When you hear access denied or not you can celebrate because you know that there is something greater in store. For Elisha to receive the blessing he obeyed, he honored and paid attention.

#accessdenied #whenwehearno #denyisanotheravenueforblessing #favoraintfair

Scriptural Reference: 2 Kings 2, Galatians 6:9, 2 Corinthians 12:9, Philippians 3:15, Hebrews 13:20, 1 Peter 5:10, Psalm 18:30