Is It Me?

"Everywhere I go, there I am..."
- Unknown

I heard this saying once from a co-worker and within the past few weeks, it has been ringing in my ears.   I am pretty sure that I have written on this before, but feel the need to circle back.  I've encountered many people on my life's journey due to the professional position that I hold and I've made many observations.  One of which is that people do exactly what they want to do.  It is as simple as that.  We all have the right to make choices in life and one of those choices is our demeanor; our attitude; our behavior. And in having an intimate relationship with Christ, we as believers are held to a higher standard when it comes to the choices we make.  

As a result of this intimate relationship with Christ, I have an advantage over many others who have no hope.  For I know that I have a Savior who can and will deliver me from anything negative that I might encounter, but it is my choice to accept that deliverance and go happily on my way.  Or I can choose to remain in a state of discontentment as if I have no hope.  

“Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad? I will put my hope in God! I will praise Him again— my Savior and my God! Now I am deeply discouraged, but I will remember you— even from distant Mount Hermon, the source of the Jordan, from the land of Mount Mizar. I hear the tumult of the raging seas as your waves and surging tides sweep over me. But each day the LORD pours His unfailing love upon me, and through each night I sing His songs, praying to God who gives me life.”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭42:5-8‬ ‭NLT

“I think myself happy....”

‭‭Acts‬ ‭26:2‬ ‭KJV‬‬

“And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be delivered...”

‭‭Joel‬ ‭2:32 ‭KJV‬‬

As indicated in the scriptures, I have a choice in my demeanor; I have to take action and that action is to call upon the name of the Lord, to meditate on His word and His goodness and He will avail Himself to me.  As a result, I do not have to stay the same.  

Everywhere I go, there I am... Change starts with you!  It starts with you wanting to be different, to think differently, to act differently.  You have all the help you need and that help is in Christ Jesus.  So stop dwelling on the past misfortunes of life and willingly receive God's deliverance for your life, because you just might be the only thing holding you hostage.  Therefore, since we know that people do what they want to do - change will come when you change.    

Modern Day Idolatry

Writing about this topic has been on my mind for a few weeks now and I thought it important enough to share.  When we think of the word idolatry, oftentimes our minds go back to the Bible days when the people built altars and made images of precious metals to worship in lieu of God.  

Idolatry - extreme admiration, love, or reverence for something or someone; worship of idols

Exodus 20:3 - Thou shalt have no other Gods before me.

However, idolatry is anything that we place before God in worship or extreme reverence.  Therefore, take a moment and think about your own life and what you are making more valuable than God.  Is it work, is it making money, is it material things or a relationship?  There should be nothing that means more to you than a life devoted to worshipping the Lord our Savior.  I’ve had to take inventory of my own life to ensure that I reprioritize things.  Yes, I need a job so that I can make money to support my family, but the time I devote to working or pursuing my own interests should not consume so much of my time that I’m too tired to give to God first.

Exodus 34:14 - For thou shalt worship no other god; for the Lord, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God.

If we put things in life in the proper perspective, we can have what we desire, because God will give it to us.  Society does not dictate what a priority in our lives is, so we need to go back to what truly matters and that’s seeking the Lord and allowing Him to direct our paths so that we don’t become attached to the things of this world.

Luke 12:31 - But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

Thought For The Day,,,

"I do not have to accept everything that comes my way.  I have the right to refuse your foolishness!"

-SoSerene

Know Who You Are...

"Don't let someone determine your value and worth, when they didn't create you!"

- SoSerene

Psalms 139:14...

Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex!Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it.

Jeremiah 1:5...

“I knew you before I formed you in your mother’s womb.  Before you were born I set you apart and appointed you as my prophet to the nations.”

To my sisters struggling with their esteem and self worth - you were not a mistake and your life matters! God has a specific purpose for your life.  Know who you are and who made you! Don't allow the opinions of others about you, ring louder in your ears than the truth of the God who created you.  

Unleash Your Potential...

This past weekend we concluded our women's bible study on the Kingdom Woman by Chrystal Evans Hurst.  The last section was about the Potential of the Kingdom Woman.  As I prepared to review this lesson with my study group, many thoughts came to mind.  If I may start backwards, I left my group with a question to ponder and to pray about and that was, "what area of our lives have we not allowed God full control;  where are we still displaying a lack of faith?"

When I think of our potential in God, I don't believe that you have to be on a platform in front of hundreds of people to make an impact.  There are people in your home, in your community, on your job, etc that are in need of encouragement.  Think of it this way, it's like paying it forward.  Think of the people who have spoken words of faith and encouragement to you and think about the impact that had on you.  Now - someone is waiting on you to do the same for them.  We cannot always be on the receiving end of a word!

Roman 2:11... For there is no respect of persons with God.

Hebrews 13:8... Jesus Christ the same yesterday and today and forever.  

When you reflect on these two passages of scripture, we see that God can use us, just like he can use anyone else.   Don't exclude yourself from being an active witness for Christ.  

"No matter where you are, don't despise what you can do right now.   A kingdom woman is not a perfect woman. She's willing to say yes."

- Chrystal Evans Hurst

Finally, surround yourself with people who will help support the work of God in your life.  Not people who are comfortable seeing you settle for less.  Remember how Elisabeth confirmed what the angel of the Lord spoke to Mary.  We all need to be reminded from time to time that what God has done for one, He will do for another.  We must stop making excuses and stop feeling sorry for ourselves and get up and be about our Father's business. 

Unleash your God-Given potential!

Thought For The Day...

"You will never fully trust God when someone else is your back up plan."

-SoSerene

Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take. (‭Proverbs‬ ‭3‬:‭5-6‬ NLT)

Thought For The Day...

"Don't get mad and blame God when you begin to face the consequences of your actions."

-SoSerene