MARK YOUR TERRITORY in 2016 !!!

     Last month, we had a major ice storm in Oklahoma City.  Power lines snapped under the weight of the ice.   Trees that had been there for years were now split into two.  It was strange that we would get that type of weather so early in the winter.  This usually doesn't happen until January or February.  The weather personalities from Al Roker to our local reporters in the City have been talking about "El Nino" causing such extraordinary weather patterns across the globe.  Anyway soon after the thaw, Arby and I decided to venture out for a walk.  He sniffed every tree, bush and seemingly every patch of grass along the way. During some of our walks together, it seemed as if his head never left the ground because he was so busy sniffing.  (Come on boy, let's walk already. Good grief!)

     One evening, I waited really late to walk him.  It was already dark outside, so instead of walking our normal path, we chose a shorter path that was in ear shot of our house.  I noticed that there were piles of leaves along our path and wouldn't you know it.....Arby sniffed every pile.  He'd sniff and prance away, sniff and prance away.  This was the pattern for most of the walk.  Since we had chosen a shorter route, I decided to do several laps so we could still make it a full mile.  Sniff and prance, sniff and prance..... WAIT!  He actually lingered over one particular pile of leaves.  Eventually we moved on.....1st lap done.  On the second lap, we approached this same pile of leaves and he kicked his leg up in the air, and urinated on the top of the pile.  Third lap....he kicked that leg up again and did the same thing.  I started to laugh and realized that he was marking his territory.

     What caused him to do this? I did some reading and it mentioned that you can tell a lot about a dog through their urine odor.  It's not necessarily meant for humans to decipher, but it is definitely something that other 4-legged creatures understand.  When a dog wants to appear large and in charge, it will leave his/her scent for the next dog by leaning to the side, kicking the leg high and then urinating.  The higher up the scent is on the tree or pole, the larger the dog appears to the next approaching animal.  Interesting!!!

    What was particularly fascinating to me was the next evening, we went out again after dark and chose the identical path as the previous night.  Sniff and prance, sniff and prance....WAIT!  We reached the same pile of leaves and YES............Arby kicked his leg up and marked the territory again.  It was at this time that I realized that God was talking to me and I want to share it with you.

     There have been things in our life that we've all had to experience.  Some great joys, some great sorrows, health scares, marital strife, overbearing parents, disobedient children, disloyal friends, ungrateful employers, divorce, death or financial difficulty.  Hopefully, you have not had to deal with all of these things at the same time, but I can almost guarantee that you've experienced at least 2 of these.  Arby's "pissing contest" (pardon me...)  gave me insight into how to deal with some of these issues.

It's time to mark your territory!

     As we enter 2016, it's time to speak up for yourself and let everyone know that you mean business.  It's time to mark the territory and tell the enemy that the little tricks and distractions that have been used against you before, CANNOT and WILL NOT work this time!!!  It's time for battle, not physically, but spiritually and emotionally.

     Perhaps you've been dealing with sickness in your body....mark your territory with Exodus 23:25 that says, Worship the LORD your God, and his blessing will be on your food and water. I will take away sickness from among you".

     Perhaps you've been dealing with mental instability...mark your territory with 2 Timothy 1:7 which states, "For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind."

     Heartbreak?...Mark your territory with Psalms 147:3, " He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds."


     Financial problems?... Mark your territory with Philippians 4:19, "And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus."

     Dealing with difficult people?... Mark your territory with the thought that "People can not love, support or believe in you beyond their capacity."  Keep loving them, but love from afar.

     Dealing with patience?...Mark your territory with Isaiah 40:31, "But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint."  But you must also learn to worship and work, as you wait.

     Issue with forgiving yourself for your past?...  Mark your territory with Isaiah 43:18-19, “Do not remember the former things, nor consider the things of old.  Behold, I will do a new thing, now it shall spring forth; Shall you not know it?  I will even make a road in the wilderness and rivers in the desert. Let that thing go Baby!

     The bottom line is this...God has so much in store for you and it is His good pleasure to give you the kingdom.  However, God is not forceful!  If you don't invite Him into your situation, He'll stand back and watch you make a mess out of it.  His desire is that you would find that pole and just pee already.  Mark your spot!  Make your claim!  Establish your territory! Claim your domain!  Invite God in and keep the enemy out.  (Out of your mind, out of your body, out of your circumstance, out of your family, out of your bank account....OUT, OUT, OUT)

     2016 can be a year of promise and fulfillment.  It can be a year of making dreams come true and not just daydreaming.  Let 2016 be the year that you move closer with more boldness and determination towards your destiny.  It can and it will, if you mark your territory today!

Now walk it out..........go find the nearest pole, tree or pile of leaves and pee....Mark your territory!!! 

Blessed New Year !!!