Author: Anneta Pinto-Young

I am a trained Social Worker who currently provides professional leadership on a programme to support Social Work students and Newly Qualified Social Workers entering the Social Work Profession. Born and raised in Jamaica in a Christian family where my father is an ordained Pastor and Deacon who has served for over 50 years in the ministry. My father is also a trained musician and our family can be described as a musical family. I grew up in a small farming community in St. Peter’s, St. Andrew and my parents also have a small farm. I credit my gift of writing to my father who I watched and listened to over the years as he wrote sermons, poems and other recitals in his capacity in ministry. English has always been an easy subject for me and over the years I have developed an increased interest in writing. I am a Trainer, I sing and have a passion for worship, the spoken word and the free flow of the prophetic anointing. I am married to my best friend Andrew Christopher Young who is an advanced Musician and whose music you can find on YouTube and Facebook. I am a trained Coach and Mentor and I love experimenting with food so I love cooking. I enjoy trying cultural dishes from across the world and I view food as an entry into cultures and languages.

Refiner’s Fire

“But who can endure the day of his coming, and who can stand when he appears? For he is like a refiner’s fire and like fullers’ soap” (Malachi 3:2).

As a precursor to Chapter 3, in chapter 2 of Malachi, the people accused God of loving those who did evil. They questioned God’s willingness to execute justice for wrongdoing. Malachi responded by telling the people that God would indeed show up for judgement. He questioned their ability to withstand when he would take them through the refining process.

God is a God of justice and he will not allow his people to be mistreated. Sometimes we experience trials by fire and experience persecution which God does not cause. God wants to use us for his service which requires being set apart. To carry the mantle of his anointing requires refining. Refining sometimes include going through trials by fire and tests to prepare us to carry the weight of the anointing. “He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and he will purify the sons of Levi and refine them like gold and silver, and they will bring offerings in righteousness to the Lord” (Malachi 3:3).

God is able to preserve us and to keep us safe from harm. He has promised that even when we walk through the water, that we will not be overwhelmed and through the fire, we will not burn (Isaiah 43:2). Paul’s exposition says, “We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair” (2 Corinthians 4:8).

What the authors are saying is that we will experience trials and testing in this life. But when we have a relationship with God, he gives us the strength to endure and to overcome. A fire that would destroy others will serve to refine us and strengthen our weaknesses. This is similar to the process of refining gold as this is a material which is built to withstand the heat of a furnace. “But he knows the way that I take; when he has tried me, I shall come out as gold” (Job 23:10).

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The Blessing

“Blessed shall you be in the city, and blessed shall you be in the field” (Deuteronomy 28:3).

God made a covenant of blessing with Abraham and his offspring. Jacob descended from Abraham and went to Egypt with his children during a famine. The Israelites were slaves in Egypt and were mistreated by Pharoah until Moses and Aaron led them out by the hand of God. While the Israelites travelled through the wilderness, Moses taught them about the promises of God. He taught them about God’s promise to bless Abraham and his seed.

The blessing was conditional on their obedience and one of the promises was to set them high above all other nations (Exodus 28:1). What does this have to do with me you might ask, since I am not a Jew? That’s the good news my dear friends. When we accept Jesus Christ as Lord, we are adopted into the family of God and we share in the blessing of Abraham. “And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to promise” (Galatians‬ ‭3:29‬).

God also promised Abraham in Genesis, “I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed” (Genesis 12:3). Based on our confidence in these promises of blessings, we know for sure that nobody can curse us. We live today and everyday, knowing that we are blessed of God and we live and walk in the blessing. Whatever we put our hands to is blessed, where we live is blessed. We are blessed when we go to sleep and when we awake and everything that concerns us is blessed.

“Blessed shall you be when you come in, and blessed shall you be when you go out” (Deuteronomy 28:6).

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Strong Finish

“Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing” (2 Timothy 4:8).

Jamaican track and field sprint runners have dominated the olympics, over the years in both the one and two hundred meter races. Many Jamaicans remain glued to their televisions during olympics, to see our runners take home gold, silver and bronze in both male and female sprints. We also enjoy the 4×100 meter relays where our runners have generally dominated. Watching and listening to track and field commentators over the years has helped us to develop a greater understanding of the race. Mention is often made about some athletes strong starts compared to the incredibly strong finish of others.

Both of these techniques of starting strong and ending well, seemed to have served these athletes in dominating the sprints. Some critics argue that a strong start is good because when an athlete shoots out of the starring blocks in lighting speed, that it’s hard to catch them down the track. We have seen other athletes start poorly and use their long strides to advance and pass other runners at the finish line. Paul has made many comparisons with running to our Christian journey. “You were running [the race] well; who has interfered and prevented you from obeying the truth” (Galatians 5:7)? In Galatians, Paul was perturbed that some believers who had started well, seemed to have gone astray by false teachings.

The Christian journey isn’t by any means a one hundred meter dash. It is synonymous to a combination of races and obstacle challenges along narrow and windy roads. I’ve watched races such as the hurdles, when athletes banged their legs against the hurdles and crash to the ground. At the end of a race like this, the name of the athlete may appear with did not finish (DNF) on the scoreboard. Other athletes may have a hamstring or other injuries, that are aggravated during running and fail to finish their races. In most races though, only contestants who place first, second or third win a medal or an award. Either way, most athletes aim to complete races, even if they finish behind everyone else.

We have to aim to finish our Christian race and gain our crowns of righteousness. The opposite of this is a crown of eternal damnation. It is sad to see many believers who were once on fire for God, become lukewarm and living in a backslidden state. “For a righteous man falls seven times, and rises again, But the wicked stumble in time of disaster and collapse” (Proverbs 24:16). Solomon once said that the righteous person falls down seven times, but rises again. Even if we fall, Jesus Christ is faithful and just to forgive us of our sins and to cleanse us of all unrighteousness, when we confess our sins (1 John 1:9). You are one confession away from right standing with God, so don’t tarry in a fallen state. Repent, renounce the sin or failure and continue to run your salvation race, in order to reap an eternal reward.

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Let Us Run

“Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us” (Hebrews 12:1).

Paul likened this life and our Christian journey to a race. A race to the finish where the test is not one of speed but endurance. Everyone who completes the race will receive the prize and the reward is a place in heaven. We cannot run with everyone and athletes train with others who can motivate and help them. I am not talking about becoming self seeking, but there are others who are not determined to run or who anticipate you carrying them along. We should stop to aid wounded friends and time spent to nurture those that are wounded will not cost us in the race. We have to be wise because there are some who choose not to run and you cannot slow down the pace to accommodate them.

Paul warns us to lay aside the weights and distractions that would become a stumbling block in our way. So that when we run we are lighter and not weighed down by heaviness. When you run, you have keep looking ahead. “Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God (Hebrews 12:2).

When our eyes are fixed on him then we will not stumble. When Peter walked on water he had to take his eyes off the storm and fix them on Jesus, in order to stay afloat (Matthew 14:22-33). I know the storm and tide around you can at times be dreadful, but don’t you know that Jesus can speak to the wind and they obey. Keep your eyes on him and run your race to finish and win, so that in the end we can testify like Paul. “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith” (2 Timothy‬ ‭4‬:‭7‬).

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Dealing with Rejection (2)

“If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you” (John 15:18).

Jesus taught his disciples how to handle rejection and there are things that we must learn from his teachings. He reminded his disciples that he was hated by those who hated the things of God. It is possible to do everything within your power to be at peace with others and still experience rejection. We all make relationship mistakes and at times we can act in ways that cause offence. If you are aware of an action that you did that caused offence, then you can apologise and try to make amends.

Sometimes you may not even be aware of what is causing others to be offended. Once you know that you have done the best that you can do, then be at peace with yourself. When Jesus sent out his disciples to minister in different towns, this was his advice to them. “And if anyone will not receive you or listen to your words, shake off the dust from your feet when you leave that house or town” (Matthew 10:14).

Jesus was saying to his disciples, that not everyone will accept you or accept what you have to offer and that is ok. Take your gifts and talents somewhere else and don’t hang around hoping to be accepted. We have to know when to keep it moving, as we can waste precious time in the wrong places, when there are others who will gladly embrace what we have to offer.

Rejection can also come in the form of persecution or lead to us being persecuted. ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you (John 15:20). Jesus also warned us that persecution would come, but he also promised that we are blessed when we are persecuted for the sake of righteousness. Jesus says that we should rejoice because we have a great reward in heaven (Matthew 5:10-12).

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Dealing with Rejection

“Do not give what is holy to the dogs; nor cast your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you in pieces” (Matthew 7:6).

Not everyone will accept us for who we are and not everyone will appreciate our gifts and talents. In fact, it can be the main reason why some people will resent us. Jesus was our example and the more miracles that he performed, the more the Pharisees hated him. In fact, He came unto his own and his own people did not receive or accept him. “But to those that received Jesus he gave power to become the sons of God. The sons were not necessarily born of flesh and blood but of God” (John 1:11-13).

The reality is that our gifts can cause some people to feel insecure and resentful. We are all gifted and talented in different ways, but insecurities can cause us not to accept and appreciate what we have been given. Instead of nurturing what God has given to us and relying on him to maximize our potential, we can waste precious time being envious of another person’s gift.

Let us examine how Jesus responded when the Jews and Pharisees resented him. He went to those who would receive him and to them he gave power. Do not waste your time waiting and wishing for acceptance from people. Some people don’t even accept themselves and can easily transfer their insecurities and self hatred unto others. Surround yourself with people who appreciate and accept what you have to offer. Your gifts and talents were made for a purpose and you were created to bless others. Find out where your gifts can be used and focus on using your gifts in that area.

“So do not let what you regard as good be spoken of as evil” (Romans‬ ‭14:16‬).

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Overcoming Giants

“Then David ran and stood beside him. He took Goliath’s sword out of its holder and killed him by cutting off his head” (1 Samuel 17:51).

In 1 Samuel 17, the Philistine army came to fight against Isreal. “And there came out from the camp of the Philistines a champion named Goliath of Gath, whose height was six cubits and a span” (1 Samuel 17:4). This giant sent fear into the soldiers of Isreal, as he challenged any soldier to come out for a duel. “If he is able to fight with me and kill me, then we will be your servants. But if I prevail against him and kill him, then you shall be our servants and serve us” (1 Samuel 17:9). When David came to bring provisions to his brothers, he heard Goliath’s challenge and he also saw the fear in the soldiers. This situation stirred something in David, so that he challenged the Philistine.

“Then David said to the Philistine, “You come to me with a sword and with a spear and with a javelin, but I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied” (1 Samuel 17:45). David struck the Philistine and sent him to the ground, with one stone and a slingshot. In addition to that, David used Goliath’s own sword to cut off his head. God will give us the wisdom to use our enemy’s own devices against him. At times we have to cut the head off of some situations, to stop it from coming back to haunt us.

There are challenges that we face that resembles a giant or the spirit of a serpent of deception. We do not need to fear but step on its head and crush that adversary by the power given unto us in the name of Jesus. God has given us authority to tread upon serpents and scorpions and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means harm us (Luke 10:19). No weapons can prevail against us and no one can accuse us falsely. Jesus died to blot out the handwriting of ordinances that was written against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; and having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a show of them openly, triumphing over them in it (Colossians 2:14-15).

God will bring our enemies to open shame and fight against those who fight against us. Who can stand against God and who can stand against us when we come in the power of the name of Jesus.

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Spoils of War!

“When Jehoshaphat and his people came to take their spoil, they found among them, in great numbers, goods, clothing, and precious things, which they took for themselves until they could carry no more. They were three days in taking the spoil, it was so much” (2 Chronicles 20:25).

We are familiar with the story of Jehoshaphat and the army who won the battle against their enemies. God fought and won the battle for Jehoshaphat and his people didn’t even need to fight. After the battle, the people took the spoils, which included in large quantities, goods, clothing and precious things. My assumption is that the precious things would have included items such as gold and silver. God defeated the armies to give them victory and also gave them a great reward. In 2 Kings 6, the Syrian army had encamped against Samaria so that they were not able to move freely in order to trade. This caused a great famine in the land and people were so desperate that they resorted to cannibalism.

“But Elisha said, “Hear the word of the Lord: thus says the Lord, Tomorrow about this time a seah of fine flour shall be sold for a shekel, and two seahs of barley for a shekel, at the gate of Samaria”” (2 Kings 7:1). God caused four lepers to approach the camp of the Syrians and multiplied their footsteps. The Syrians ran away in great fear leaving behind their tents which was loaded with food, drink, clothing, gold and silver. “Then the people went out and plundered the camp of the Syrians. So a seah of fine flour was sold for a shekel, and two seahs of barley for a shekel, according to the word of the Lord”(2 Kings 7:16). The possessions of the Syrians was enough to end the famine in Samaria.

There is another story 1 Samuel 30, when the Amalekites raided David’s camp, took all of the people and burnt the camp. David was instructed by the Lord to pursue the army, to overtake them and recover his possessions. “And David inquired of the Lord, “Shall I pursue after this band? Shall I overtake them?” He answered him, “Pursue, for you shall surely overtake and shall surely rescue”” (1 Samuel 30:8). David pursued the army with his men and recovered all that had been taken from his camp. “David also captured all the flocks and herds, and the people drove the livestock before him, and said, “This is David’s spoil”” (1 Samuel 30:20).

God loves justice and hates evil. He also hates it when people decide to gang up on his children and takes pleasure in fighting our battles. Not only does God help us to win, he also wants us to have recompense and restitution. Recompense and restitution for God’s people comes in the form of spoils of war, which is enemy possession taken lawfully. When the enemy comes after us, we pray and allow God to fight our battles. God will give us the strategies to be victorious over the attacks. As we win each battle, there are spoils of war which God will give to us as recompense for damages. “Say to those who have an anxious heart, “Be strong; fear not! Behold, your God will come with vengeance, with the recompense of God. He will come and save you”” (Isaiah 35:4).

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Take Possession

“And they said to Joshua, “Truly the Lord has given all the land into our hands. And also, all the inhabitants of the land melt away because of us”” ‭‭(Joshua‬ ‭2:24‬).

The Amalekites were the nation that encamped near Canaan and brought the first challenge against Israel as they neared the promised land. Moses told Aaron to choose men who could fight, while he stood at the top of the hill with the staff of God in his hand. (Exodus 17:8-16) The Israelites defeated the Amalekites and continued their journey into promise. When Moses shared with his father-in-law the victory he had over the Amalekites and how God has delivered them from Egypt, his father-in-law said. “Now I know that the Lord is greater than all the gods; for in the very thing in which they behaved proudly, He was above them” (Exodus 18:11).

God had an inheritance for the children of Israel, which had been entrusted by God to Abraham for his descendants. After the Israelites were freed from slavery, Moses led them towards the promised land until he died and Joshua took over leading the people. The people mourned for several days after Moses died and then God commanded Joshua to move forward with the people to take possession of the land. “Moses my servant is dead. Now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, you and all this people, into the land that I am giving to them, to the people of Israel” (Joshua 1:2). God also reminded Joshua what he had promised 40 years earlier, when he and Caleb brought back a good report after spying out the land. “Every place that the sole of your foot will tread upon I have given to you, just as I promised to Moses” (Joshua 1:3).

The enemy has been sitting on, standing on and occupying positions that belong to the children of God. God is not slack concerning his promises and there are things that God has promised us that he needs us to go forward and take possession of. Hold fast to your faith, use the word to decree what shall be established and fight for that territory on your knees. What God has said will come to pass so do not settle for less than what God has promised. “No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life. Just as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you or forsake you”
‭‭(Joshua‬ ‭1‬:‭5‬).

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Entering His Rest

“And the Lord gave them rest on every side just as he had sworn to their fathers. Not one of all their enemies had withstood them, for the Lord had given all their enemies into their hands” (Joshua 21:44).

As you read the end of the book of Joshua, we learn that the Israelites had driven out the inhabitants from their promised land. The land was divided among the tribes of Israel, so that each tribe had their own lands to establish their people. Once again, God had fulfilled his covenant promise to Abraham’s seed. The people were now settled and no longer needed to fight for what God had promised them. They could rest in their land and have freedom and peace from their enemies.

“Not one word of all the good promises that the Lord had made to the house of Israel had failed; all came to pass” (Joshua 21:45). God looks forward to keeping his promises to us. Most times, God is waiting for us to move forward and do what he says. The generation of Israelites in the book of Joshua, did not make the same mistakes that their parents made. Their parents were too afraid to move forward to possess the land, when God told them that it was time. The result was that they died in the wilderness while their enemies lived in their land for another forty years.

We are grateful to God that he restores. So a missed, opportunity due to fear or lack of faith, will often present itself again. That is how faithful God is and he will create many opportunities for us to walk in his will. We sometimes miss out on the rest and peace of God through lack of faith. There are burdens that we have carried for longer than necessary, because we have not entrusted them to God. There are opportunities that we have missed out on, because we have chosen to take matters into our own hands. “Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart” (Psalm 37:4).

Our God is faithful despite our human failings and he is ready to forgive and to cleanse us from all disobedience (1 John 1:9). We can choose to start over at any time and once we submit ourselves to God, he makes all things new. “for whoever has entered God’s rest has also rested from his works as God did from his” (Hebrews 4:10).

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