You Can't Come...

Why do we insist on trying to take people with us, even if it's to our own detriment?  We've tried it before and it didn't work, but yet we find ourselves doing it again.  The people that we are insisting on dragging into our future will eventually deplete us of our resources, drain our strength and decrease our motivation to excel.  However, for the sake of companionship, we accept things we know we shouldn't, make excuses for their behavior and try to make up for their shortcomings.  At the end of the day we are left feeling used, abused and confused.

Matthew 25 - this is the story in the Bible about the Ten Virgins (5 wise and 5 foolish).  The five wise virgins made the necessary preparations for their anticipation of the bridegroom, but the five foolish were not prepared.  When the resources of the foolish ran out, they asked that the five wise give to them.  Being wise, they answered correctly by saying no and for the foolish to go and seek out what they needed.  While gone to get what was needed the bridegroom came and it was too late for the foolish to go in.  What if the wise virgins had shared their resources?  They would have missed out on this opportunity as well.

What are we missing out on because we refuse to say no; because we refuse to leave the wrong people behind and just move on?  What is God not allowing to come into our lives because He knows that those wrong connections will consume it and misuse it?

It's time to step back and take an honest look at our lives and the people who occupy our time.  It's time to stand up and say, "no you can't come!"

Thought for the day...

"Lord help us not to complain about things we aren't willing to work on changing."
- Joyce Meyer

Too Much of Me...

This past week was a very trying week and I don't think a day went by where I didn't allow my emotions to control my actions.  I failed the test!  I could feel the knot in my stomach and the heat rising up from my neck to my ears, which ultimately changed my facial expression.  BUT, I'm supposed to be a representation of Christ!  Yes, I'm human and we all have our days, but there are simply no excuses...

Our lives are a witness to others who may or may not know Christ and many times they look to us to see how we behave and react in stressful times.  I realized that I still have too much of me in me and my flesh needs to die daily so that God can truly rule my life. 

The job of the enemy is to frustrate us so that we don't pray; so that we don't spend time with God; so that we don't reach out to help others because we are so consumed with our own affairs; so that we lose our witness.  He comes to steal, kill and to destroy our Joy in the Lord.

Romans 12:1 - I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

2 Corinthians 4:8 - We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair;

John 10:10 -The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

It is my responsibility as it is yours to recognize when the flesh is beginning to rise up in us and to quickly seek God to help us keep our cool.  God is in control and He will not leave us nor forsake us.  He knows the thoughts that He thinks towards us and He has a plan for our future.  As long as we keep this in mind, we'll be alright!

Thouht for the day...

"Stop leasing out space in your mind to the opinions of others."
- Marvin Jackson

It'll Be Okay...

I see in you what you don’t see, so never underestimate yourself.

You are a blessing to people that you come in contact with and you have helped to change so many people’s lives in a positive way.  Your smile is infectious and you have a heart of gold; your hugs are sincere and your words are full of wisdom. People look to you for strength, encouragement and kindness, so do not fail them.  Things might not be perfect in your life and they may not be going the way you thought they would go, but you are doing a whole lot better than many others.  So keep the complaints to a minimum and the praises at an all-time high.  There are so many people who are suffering all over the world, but God has rested His hands of Grace and Mercy on you and He watches over you day and night.  You were fearfully and wonderfully made and the path that your life will take has been specifically carved out just for your feed to tread. 

So hold your head up high, put a smile on your face, keep a song in your heart and march to the beat of your own drums.  You are a shining star!

I Love Me...

I am who I am; I love me; I love the woman that God has created me to be.  To envy another is to insult my Creator. 

 

I am different; I am unique.  God specially handcrafted me, as a porcelain doll that He has sat upon His shelf.  A dimple here, a scar there, my personality, the way that I walk, the way that I talk, the way that I think, my characteristics, my mannerisms and my moods are all what make me different.  I never wish to be another.  I am fearfully and wonderfully made.  I am special in God's eyes.  I love the way that I look, I love my shape, I love the color of my skin, I love the texture of my hair, I love the color of my eyes, I love the size of my feet.  God made me in His image.  I am a daughter of Zion, I am a woman of God.  I love me!

 

I am powerful, I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me, I am an over comer, I am inspiring, I am beautiful!

 

Embrace who are; fall in love with yourself over and over again.  Relish in the fact that God took the time to design every intricate detail of who you are; He left nothing out.  He never meant for you to be like anyone else. 

 

I love me - do you love you?

Seek God!!!

2 Chronicles 26:5....and as long as he sought the Lord, God made him to prosper.

Exodus 33:14....The Lord replied, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.”

Matthew 11:28...Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.