Flash Your Badge!

You’ve seen the movies.

An unmarked car races up the street and whips into the fire lane in the front of a business entrance. The driver hops out, and just as police officers swarm to reprimand him about parking illegally they suddenly back off and allow him to proceed into the building.

What happened? Why did the police allow someone parked illegally to override the law?

Well the answer is clear. With a quick flip of the wrist the driver presented credentials that automatically overrode the authority of the officers. In one fluid motion and a single phrase, “F.B.I.”, he was given full access to assess the premises as he pleased.

This idea got me to thinking as I arose this morning. Too many Christians fall prey to the advances of the enemy and his shenanigans because we forget to flash our credentials. In these last days, God is requiring that believers boldly enter into enemy territory and bring out the people that He has marked as His own. However, those assigned to drive their cars into the fire lane, hop out the car, and retrieve the lost have failed to pack their all important credentials. The word of God is our weapon. When we wield it with precision these words have the power slice, cut, and avert any opposition that attempts to harm us. The Bible is not called a Christian's sword for nothing.

However, only physically carrying the Bible into dark and evil situations is going to do you no good. So for those individuals impersonating Christian officials, understand when you “hop out the car” in the dark you may not come out alive. Hence, do yourself a favor and really be who your credentials say you are. Otherwise, when the demons, witches, warlocks, principalities, etc. call your bluff you’ll be the fool stripped naked and sent running in the other direction like the exorcists in Paul’s days (see Acts 19:12-16).

This battle is real and God is looking for the REAL A. O. G.’s—Agents Of the Gospel. Now is not the time to flex your theological degrees and ministry experience, when you lack the heart change that makes you a genuine follower of Christ. Fakes will be found out as the heat turns, and death, insanity, and the like will be the identifying markers of posers. Don’t get caught slipping without your credentials! Satan knows who’s a threat to his kingdom and who’s full of hot air. Stop playing folks, because now is not the time. Lives are on the line!

Where’s your badge?!

Nikki D

"Knoweldge" by Nikki D (spoken word poetry leak)

"Knoweldge" by Nikki D (spoken word poetry leak)

In The Storm...

Have you ever been in a place where all hell has broke loose? Everything about you and your life is in utter disarray? Well, we’ve all been there at some time or another. But, the question of the day is, what do you do in the midst of total destruction, malignant turmoil, and sorrowful despair?

Answer: You praise God for His word.

Now, I will not lie and say that this does not sound absolutely crazy to me! How on earth is one to praise and be joyful when hell fires are beckoning to consume and drive insane?

Reading Acts 27 today truly brought revelation to this entire issue for me, and I pray it helps you as well. As we examine the Apostle Paul on a ship headed inevitably towards destruction he gives a word of hope to the other petrified passengers:

“So, dear friends, take heart. I believe God will do exactly what he told me. But we're going to shipwreck on some island or other.”Ver. 25-26 MSG

Now this message is great and all because Paul confirms that no life will be lost in this storm, but he never says that destruction will desist. How are we to handle such a message? In reading the entirety of this chapter we see that the men had already thrown overboard all their food and resources in an attempt to make the ship lighter. So, not only are they fearful when Paul delivers this semi-comforting message, they are also extremely hungry and absent of all earthly provisions.

What does all this mean?

There are times when God destines for us to shipwreck on a certain island in our lives. And before the actual grand “tada” of the explosion, He requires that we strip ourselves of all man-made provisions that we plan into our journey. God does this because He wants us solely dependent upon Him. But, even in the midst of being stripped of everything, God still sometimes sends word that destruction is a part of His plan. Wow!

It is during this time that many of us wave the white flag and give up, questioning how such a loving God would cause us to be destroyed. But, I am here today to proclaim to you as Paul, “Be of good cheer, for I believe that God will do exactly what He told you!” I know the possibility of success looks dismal in the storm, but be of good cheer. I know you question whether or not God loves you, but be of good cheer. I know that you question whether or not you are still in God’s will, but BE OF GOOD CHEER!

God has you right where He wants you; in sole dependence on Him alone. He wants us to have full faith and trust in Him only, even outside the realm of the wisdom that He has given us. This radical faith is what fuels the radical-unadulterated-makes-absolutely-no-sense worship that God desires. In moments like this spirit and truth meet seamlessly in our worship and God is well pleased!

So, be of good cheer my friend regardless of what storm threatens you today. Know that God sees and hears you; and you are exactly where He wants you. It’s time to throw your understanding, your wisdom, your degrees, and your form and fashion out the window because God desires a raw and uncut worship from you. You’ll weather this storm and come out brand new—even though you’ll pick up a few bumps and bruises from the shipwreck. But, God is with you so…

BE OF GOOD CHEER!

Nikki D