Iron Sharpens Iron...

As we approach the transition into a new year, many of us have already begun to reflect back on 2012 to do an inspection of what went well and what didn't; what goals did we achieve and which ones we didn't; what people are still in our lives and which aren't.  So friendship is where I've decided to share my thoughts today.

2012 was a difficult year for many people!  If not a difficult year just personally, it was a difficult year for our nation and I'm sure there are many more difficult days ahead.  This is why your "close" associations are so imperative going forward.  You can think you are the strongest person in the world, but someone is going to impact you; someone is going to make you feel a certain way; someone is going to influence you; someone is going to motivate you...

• Proverbs 27:17... Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.
• Ecclesiastes 4:9... Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor:
• Luke 6:39...And he spake a parable unto them, Can the blind lead the blind? shall they not both fall into the ditch?

It's time for you to take a stand and make decisions for your own betterment.  You know who is good for you and who is not.  If you don't, you need to pray and ask God to show you.  With all that we have to face ahead, we need people around us who not only believe in prayer, but who pray fervantly.  We need people around us who are not just hearers of the word, but are doers of the word.  It's not enough anymore to just say you believe in God; it's time for your life, your fruits and your actions to show it.  Reflect back on my post titled, "Friends with Benefits," posted on August 12, 2012.  These are the people you want in your corner.  You want someone who will challenge you to fast and pray; who will challenge you to be positive rather than negative; who will challenge you to seek God rather than complain; who will love you past your pain.

Iron Sharpens Iron...

Anointed Passion...

We've all been passionate about something at one time or another in our lives, but have you ever asked God to anoint your passion?

Passion is a very strong feeling or a powerful/intense emotion.  Strong
convictions.

I've been passionate about my career and my education, but if I don't ask God to
anoint them, I won't be able to see the full manifestation of His glory through
my abilities.  I believe that God makes us passionate people because whatever
the passion is, that's the area where we can make the most influence.  I also
believe that some passions can jade our perception and cause us to veer away
from the right path.  Many passionate people may have started out with focus,
but lost their sense of direction along the way when that passion became
untamed.  Just look at the many singers that started out in the church choir,
but are now not good representatives of righteousness. 

Whatever you're passionate about, ask God to anoint that passion.  If it's His
desire and will for your life - He will make a way for you to flourish in it so
that He might receive all glory.  Because after all, it is our desire to be used
by and for God.

Simple Obedience…

Yesterday morning I woke up at 2 a.m. and I was mad.  I wanted to go back to sleep, but I couldn’t; I was wide awake.  As I prepared for bed last night I knew for sure that I’d sleep all the way through until my alarm clock went off, but nope!  2:57 a.m., my eyes popped open.  Wide awake again.  I tried to reason with God as to why I needed more sleep, seeing as how I didn’t get much the night before.  LOL – it didn’t work!  I should have learned my lesson from the last time this happened to me that God wanted to talk.  The last time this happened I woke up every day for a week the same time every morning before I finally decided to be obedient.  He doesn’t always pick times that are convenient for us when He wants to have a chat.  So out of bed I rolled and onto my knees, stopping to turn on some music to help my mind get right.

I began to just worship God.  Knowing there was a reason for Him waking me up this early two days in a row, I simply began to ask Him to show me what He wanted me to see.  “Make it plain to me God; tell me what I need to know.  Give me direction.  What message are you trying to get across to me?”  You know what?  He gave me exactly what I asked for.  So, as I got up off my knees and opened my Bible, I began to read and it was like a light bulb went off in my head.  My only response was, “Lord I’ll obey.”  1 Samuel 15:22…”To obey is better than sacrifice.”

What message is God trying to get across to you today?  What signs might you be ignoring?  Is there something that keeps coming up, like me being awaken in the wee hours of the morning consistently?  Simple obedience...

1 Samuel 15:22…”To obey is better than sacrifice.”

A Fresh Start...

Lamentations 3:21-23..."This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope. It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness."

Because of this very scripture, I think it's an insult to God when we fail to acknowledge the abundance of grace that He shows to each of us, everyday.  I know that hurtful things have happened to us all, but to dwell there in that moment, is where we go wrong. 

"Don't rehearse the pains of your past so much so until you ignore the bountiful blessings right before you!"

Memories we will always have, but what we can't allow is for them to control where we are right now.  I watch this show called Hoarders and it's about people who literally live in filth and most often than not, they've experienced a painful event in their life and they got stuck.  The fear crippled them; it took over their lives.  Did you know that you can be a hoarder too?  You might not have an over abundance of items, cluttering up your home, but you might be hoarding feelings regret, unforgiveness, hate, pain and/or confusion, which in turn have you stuck and unable to move forward.

God's word reminds us that His mercies and compassion are new every morning, so guess what?!?!? - You now have a Fresh Start.  Be blessed today and remember, "Great is the Lord's faithfulness."

Prayer Request

Let us all pray for the victims and families involved in the tragic school shooting in CT today.

Am I Still in The Way?

God calls and you do not hear, for you are preoccupied with your own voice.

-A Course in Miracles

Most days I send out a thought for the day to my team at work and then I forward it on to a few others.  Well, back in late October I sent out this quote and it just made me stop and think for a moment.  This one didn’t cause me to have a quick response or reaction, but it prompted me to stop and just think.  It didn’t make me think of anyone else – just me.  As much as I love God and try to be obedient to His leading – I have to ask myself, how much of my own voice am I still relying on?  How much of my own logic am I still relying on?  How many times do I tell myself, “well the last time this happened, that happened?”

When I listen to my own voice, some of the following things most likely happen:

Ø  I am easily angered.

Ø  I am easily offended.

Ø  I complain.

Ø  I dwell on the negative.

Ø  I have a back up plan.

Ø  I consult others before I consult God.

Ø  I vent to others before I pray.

Ø  Fear easily grips me.

John 10:27 – 30…”My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand. I and my Father are one.” 

Jeremiah 29:11 – 13…”For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you. And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.” 

If I’ve been preoccupied with my own voice, how much have I missed?  Whose life didn’t I touch because I didn’t hear God?  What prayer didn’t I pray?  What offering didn’t I give? What difficult situation was extended because I didn’t hear?  How many times did I disappoint God?  How many excuses have I made?

Prayer Still Works…

I love when I hear the song in this video. I crank it up loud and sing along to the best of my ability.  LOL!  No matter how good or bad I may sound when I worship with this, I believe the words deep down in my heart – to my core!

PRAYER STILL WORKS… meditate on this today and be blessed.

 

 

 

 

Ensnaring Words…

I honestly think that many times we give the enemy ammunition to use against us, by the words and the confessions that fall from our lips.  Sometimes we just talk entirely too much!  We pray less and talk more to people who can’t do anything for us.

There is a quote that I love that says:

“Watch your thoughts, for they become words.
Watch your words, for they become actions.
Watch your actions, for they become habits.
Watch your habits, for they become character.
Watch your character, for it becomes your destiny.”

How true is this when you actually just think about it?!?!?!  Stop it at the thought and cast down the imagination.  Speak positively over any situation that you may be facing and allow God to do the work.  Remember – the battle is not yours; it’s the Lord’s.

Don’t ensnare yourself with words from your own mouth.  Speak life!

Watch Your Mouth

There’s a scripture in the bible that says, Everything is permissible"--but not everything is beneficial. "Everything is permissible"--but not everything is constructive. (I Corinthians 10:23, NIV)

This passage of scripture has been on my mind for a few days now and it serves to me as a reminder that  words can be spoken out, but cannot be taken back once in the air.  If  it’s not beneficial nor constructive, why speak them?  There is always an appropriate way to address any situation that you encounter, so think before you speak.  Ask yourself, what is my true motive or intent behind saying this.  Will I hurt someone or help them? 

Words carry more power than we know.

Moving On...

So I've been facilitating classes online for the past 4 years and I finally decided to resign.  Initially I felt like I was just being a quitter and was very reluctant to make the move.  It's something that I've been contemplating for a while now.  However, after speaking with a friend about it, she was like "you're not quitting, you're moving on."  She's absolutely right, I'm moving on.  Honestly I was beginning to lose the enjoyment behind what I was doing and I would have been more of a hindrance to the students than a help.  People can notice when your passion is gone.

Now, I won't say that you can just move on from anything, but there are many things that you can.  The decision to move one has left me feeling at peace.  Facilitating online classes served it's purpose in my life and I thank God for the ability to do it for as long as I did.

It's time for a new challenge in my life and time for me to develop new goals.  I'm moving on to my next assignment...

A Better Way...

Even though I know I'm not right about everything, I don't always like to admit it.  LOL!  This week we've been in a LEAN event and trying to find more efficient methods of performing our work processes.  I'd of course like to think that my team is performing optimally and no one can tell me otherwise.  Well, when you get a group of educated, impartial minds together, you'd be surprised at what you can achieve. 

Low and behold, as a group, we came up with a much better way to perform a crucial step to my team's performance.  So my lesson learned was to let go, let my guard down and trust a little.  The opinions and suggestions of the team proved to be invaluable.

Lesson learned for life... sometimes people standing on the outside can see things a little more clearly than we are when we are directly in it.  Don't be so quick to shut a person down for offering advice.

Thought For The Day...

What you allow will continue.
- Jonathan L. McKnight

Be Someone’s Strength

Galatians 6:2…Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.

We all have gone through periods in life where we felt that it was so hard to make it from one day to the next, but today – be strength for someone else.  How many times has another been there for you?  How many times has someone listened to your cries and frustrations and complaints?  Well, it's someone else’s turn.

Deuteronomy 2:3…Ye have compassed this mountain long enough: turn you northward.

We have a God who is great and faithful, who is full of mercy and grace.  As the scripture above says, you’ve gone through this season for far too long and it’s time to go higher.  How can we be encouragement to someone else if our eyes are always full of sorrowful tears and our mouths not yielding positive confessions about God’s ability to change a season? 

Romans 12:10… Be kindly affectionate one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another

This morning someone came to me just to vent because their heart was heavy, and rightfully so.  Instead of joining their Amen corner and crying with them, I was able to point them to God’s word and give them an exact scripture to meditate on to get through the trying moment.  That’s what we are here to do.  But we can’t do that if we are trying to outdo them complaining.   

Ephesians 4:29… Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.

In short....stop whining!

After My Aching Heart…

(A tribute to my Girlfriends, whom I love dearly...)

This last past month has been one of an aching heart for me, but yet at the same time, one of unexplainable strength.  God “blessed” me to be on the receiving end of so many sorrow filled conversations and at one point I cried out, because I was like God I don’t know how much more of this I can take. I shed many tears because people that I love so dearly were hurting and it hurt me that they hurt.

I use the term “blessed” because through this season, I’ve come to understand that God trusted me with intimate details of people’s lives and innermost secrets and I did what I was supposed to do – I prayed earnestly and fervently for them. Daily I whispered their names to the heavens, as if it were me, and petitioned heaven for blessings and victory. I was in the right place at the right time and I thank God for using me as His instrument.  My faith has been strengthened and I have become all the more encouraged.

Yesterday I began to receive good reports as a testament that prayer works.  So, after my aching heart came overwhelming joy.  Unspeakable joy.  Knowing that even though I don’t deserve His grace and mercy that He gives so freely, He provided a reprieve for my aching heart so that I can continue to used by and for Him!

Romans 12:10 Love one another with brotherly affection. Out do one another in showing honor.

Proverbs 17:17 A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.

Proverbs 27:17 Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.

Psalms 30:5…weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning.

Help Lord...

Psalms 61:1-4

¹ O God, listen to my cry!
Hear my prayer!

² From the ends of the earth,
I cry to you for help
when my heart is overwhelmed.
Lead me to the towering rock of safety,

³ for you are my safe refuge,
a fortress where my enemies cannot reach me.

⁴ Let me live forever in your sanctuary,    safe beneath the shelter of your wings!

Thought For The Day...

"Man's extremity is God's opportunity to work a miracle."
- Larry D. Mitchell


Luke 1:37..."For with God nothing shall be impossible."

A Wealthy Place...

This weekend, I had the privilege of attending a women's retreat that ushered my mind to a "wealthy place."  Being in a wealthy place of peace and rest and having a wealth of gratitude and appreciation, is just as important as being wealthy financially.  

It was an opportunity to step away from the normalcy of life and just breathe; just to take in the beauty of God's awesome creations.  Once we arrived at our destination, we were met with excellence.  Please know that being in a wealthy place and operating in excellence is a "state of mind." 

In order to go where you've never gone or to do what you've never done or to be what you've never been - you have to think differently.  Our minds can be as limiting or as limitless as we allow them to be.  If you can imagine it, then with God, you can do it.  

Let's journey together to a wealthy place. 

 

Psalms 66:12...Thou hast caused men to ride over our heads; we went through fire and through water: but thou broughtest us out into a wealthy place.

Empty Your Heart…

Empty out your heart.  Tell God exactly how you feel.  Tell God exactly where it hurts and exactly why it hurts.  Don’t hold back.  He wants to hear from you. 

It’s more powerful when you verbalize it.  You can sit and think about it all day long, but sometimes it doesn’t mean anything if you don’t open your mouth and say it.  You ever had a time when you know you needed to have a conversation with someone and you recounted what you wanted to say in your mind over and over again?  However, it wasn’t until you said what you needed to say that you truly felt better.  Well, I imagine it to be that way with God.  He wants to hear from you.

Now, after you’ve said it, take a break and be silent; sit still. 

It’s His turn to talk back to you.  Listen intently because you don’t want to miss a word of His response.  Now that you’ve emptied out your heart, allow Him to refill it with what He wants to be there.  Allow the freshness of His Holy Spirit to renew you, to overtake you, to make you whole.  Just say “yes” to His leading.  Now that your heart is full of Him, it’s time for you to be what He’s called you to be. 

Lily In The Valley...

Down in the valley, the lily grows
No one sees it, no one knows
Look at it flourish
Look at it bloom
It receives it's nourishment
By the light from the moon
It seems to be happy
It seems to smile
I wonder what it's thinking
Growing free and wild
What if I could be that way
Free to walk, run, jump and play
Lie in the sun and rest all day
Does it have worries
No one knows
But down in the valley
The lily grows

 - SoSerene 

 

God is Here, Part III

This morning Psalms 37:25 dropped into my Spirit and weighed heavily on me.  The scripture say, "I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread."  This entire chapter is so inspiring that I would encourage you all to take some time out to read it and meditate on it. 

God will never leave us and He will never forsake us; He will do just what He said!  I believe God - I trust God - I stand on His precious promises.  Why would I serve a God that I didn't wholeheartedly trust?  Why would you? 

Times are tough and the devil is busy.  Many of the end time Bible prophecies are taking place right before our very eyes, BUT God is here!  Many of us are encountering situations in our lives that we've never imagined, but I challenge you to trust rather than be in despair.  Pray rather than talk!  Seek God more rather than giving up!

It may even appear that the wicked are prospering in their way, but know that God has your life in His hands.  You don't have to do what others do to get ahead.  All you have to do is keep the faith and be righteous.  God is here and He will take care of you!

Thought for the day...

"The diversity of who we are is the beauty of who God is."
- Jonathan L. McKnight

Thought for the day...

"Life is change. Growth is optional. Choose wisely."

~ Karen Kaiser Clark

"Church-ianity"

I heard Iyanla Vanzant use the term "churchianity" during an airing of Super Soul Sunday with Oprah Winfrey.  It made me laugh because of a topic I had been contemplating writing about.  I thought to call it Matters of the Heart II, but I like this better.

The scripture that I wanted to base my opinion on is Proverbs 21:3 (NIV) that says, "To do what is right and just is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice."  So many times we think we are doing something so right and so noble because we "sacrifice" our time and go to church or to bible study or to prayer meeting - but when we get home, are we doing what is right and just?  Lately I've been just paying attention to what's going on with a lot of people and what I see is a lot of jumping and shouting in church, but a lack of integrity and character on the outside.  So this scripture helps me to understand that just because you're taking time out to assemble yourself under the roof of a church, doesn't negate your obligation to live right and just.  God pays attention to you more than just on Sunday!  

Remember that we are to be doers of the Word and not just hearers.  

Other scriptures of interest:
Proverbs 15:8
Isaiah 1:11-17
Hosea 6:6
Micah 6:6-8
I Samuel 15:22
Jeremiah 7:21-23
Mark 12:33

Do You Know?

So many times we take what others say as face value, but do you know for certainty yourself?  Have you ever been sitting in church and the preacher quoted a scripture and you found yourself quoting it just like they did, but only later to find out that it was all wrong????  LOL!

It doesn't even have to be church related, it can be life related.  On your job, in your home or even out with your friends.  Why are we so quick to repeat what we don't know to be absolute?  Why are we so quick to follow, but not quick to lead?

I read Romans 14 (NIV) and it talked about debating over different matters in life, but the one scripture that really stood out to me was verse 5 that says, "Each of them should be fully convinced in their own mind..."

So what I got out of this was to know what you're talking about before you say it and instead of just meaningless talk - actually have something substantive to say.

Thought for the day...

Knowing is not enough; we must apply.
Willing is not enough; we must do.- Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Tolerance…

Today I noticed a situation here at work that made me stop what I was doing and just ponder it for a moment.  I saw how the tolerance of someone with more knowledge was short when it came to the person that didn’t have as much knowledge.  And then I had to check myself because I made a comment that wasn’t very nice.

Hebrews 13:1 – 3 (NIV)…”Keep on loving one another as brothers and sisters.  Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it. Continue to remember those in prison as if you were together with them in prison, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering.”

I was taught this scripture as a child to always serve as a reminder to just be nice to people.  Today this scripture came back to my remembrance as a reminder that God is watching how we treat each other; those we know and don’t know.  There may be times when people get on our nerves, unbeknownst to them, but how many times have we irritated someone unbeknownst to us?  The situation you encounter may not be the same as mine, but all and all – just be nice to people. 

Proverbs 15:1…A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.

So today when you want to make a snide remark like I did – step back and think about it and decide against it because it doesn’t hurt to show a little more tolerance.  I mean, think of how much tolerance (GRACE) Jesus HAS AND IS showing you!

Friends w/Benefits

Many of us have heard this saying before, but I’m sure it wasn’t in the context that I want to relate today.

I recall the story in Mark chapter 2 when a man with palsy was trying to get in to see Jesus, but there were so many people in the room until his friends couldn’t get him in.  So, being persistent enough to get their friend the help needed from the source they knew could help him – they tore up the roof and let him down that way.  Now you talk about loving your friend!  Hence, I like to use the phrase, “friends with benefits.”  The benefit to this man was obviously that his friends were mobile and had the ability to carry him before the presence of greatness and the source of restoration and healing.  Another benefit of the friends was compassion.  As long as they saw that their friend wanted to change, they felt for his misfortune and did what it took to help him get better. 

They could have easily said “oh we’re praying for you and wishing the best for you,” but they took it a step further to physically HELP him get there.  Friends with benefits back up their words with actions.  Do you have any friends with benefits?  Do you have a friend that will take you by the hand and show you how to get the help you need?  Who will sacrifice their time for you because they genuinely love and care for you?

LOL! I heard someone say once that you can make your mouth fry chicken!!!!  BUT when it comes time to put those words into action, where are they?    I don’t mean this in the sense that the friend with the benefit is always the one giving, but the “right God connected” friend with the benefits understands that it is better to give than to receive and they also understand that you reap what you sow and they also understand that  God isn’t requiring anything of them that He hasn’t already done Himself.

Hope vs. Faith

Hope - the feeling that what is wanted can be had or that events will turn out for the best; to feel that something desired may happen

Faith - confidence or trust in a person or thing; belief that is not based on proof; strong or unshakeable belief in something; complete confidence or trust in a person

Someone said to me this morning, “I think a lot of Christians are hopeful and not faithful…”  So, I had to stop and ponder that for a moment, which then led me to look up the definition of both words.  Is there truly a difference between the two words?  I looked up a few scriptures to try and find a true distinction, but the words seem so close in meaning.  However, the difference that I’m able to detect is that hope is based on feelings and faith is based on knowing.  When I’m sure of something and I have faith that it will happen, I say it with confidence.  When I’m not so sure, but hoping, I may not say it with as much confidence. 

Hab 2:4 Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith.

Hebrews 11: 6…But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

Romans 3: 28…Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.

Hebrews 10: 38… Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.

Hebrews 11: 1… Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

Psalm 31: 24…Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the Lord.

Romans 8: 24-25…For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for?  But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.

Psalm 71: 14…But I will hope continually, and will yet praise thee more and more.

What do you think?

Beyond What I See…

There is a song by Yolanda Adams that says, “sight beyond what I see You know what’s best for me…”  I know for myself that when I’m caught up in something or I have my mind set on accomplishing something, it’s hard for me to deviate from my plans.  However, there are times when what I was set so intently on accomplishing didn’t work out that later on I saw exactly why it didn’t. 

I had been contemplating writing this particular blog for a few weeks now and had my notes all written out and I was going to title it, “Wait God, I Got This…”  However, for now “Beyond What I See” is more befitting.  When I arrived to work I had an e-mail from a staff member titled testimonial.  Now this person had been set on moving into a new home and going back to school and she was determined to accomplish it all.  Days came and went, frustrations came and went, and tears came and went over the entire process.  Well things fell through with the house and they decided now is not the right time, so we’ll stop looking and just wait on God.  So come to find out the financial aid from school didn’t go through, so if they had continued with the house she wouldn’t have had the money to be able to go back to school.  Moving into a house wasn’t that big of a deal – just a want – but going back to school was major to this person.  God knew the outcome all along and set it up so that what was most important is now able to be accomplished.

So I ask you today, what is not working that you are trying to make work?  Is it a job, buying a new home, buying a new car, a relationship?   God can see beyond what we can see and although it may be hard to let go and let God, trust that He has your best interest at heart and one day you’ll know exactly why things happened the way they did.

Thought For The Day...

"Stop changing who you are to suit the expectations of others and change yourself to meet the expectations of Christ..."

Respond Correctly…

I’m a firm believer that God pays attention to how we respond to life events and circumstances.  So, make sure you respond correctly!

Literally, as I started to write this blog today, I received message that said, “today is not the day for people to get on my nerves – start praying.”  I chuckled to myself because I’m like, “okay Lord I hear you!”  So to me that meant this is truly the message that God wants to get out to His people today. 

Some of the people that I’m very close with in life are going through some really trying times right now; whether it be on their jobs, in their homes, with their children, finances or what have you – they are just going through.  However, I do believe God is allowing this to see how we will respond. 

I Peter 4:12-13…Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.

Psalm 34:1 – 4…I will bless the Lord at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth.  My soul shall make her boast in the Lord: the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad.  O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together.  I sought the Lord, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.

Ephesians 6:12…For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

A few years ago I applied for a position that I know that I know that I know I was more than qualified to receive, but how about I didn’t get it, and people around me were more upset than I was.  I just told myself that what God has for me will be for me.    Well within no time, I was offered (I didn’t apply) a position even greater than what I had applied for AND the position that I was offered (of course I accepted) set me up for where I am now!  My Pastor back home used to always tells us that there is a devil on every level.  If this is the case, know that the higher you climb, the more you’ll be tried. 

SO, learn the lesson and respond correctly today so that God can continue  to elevate you that He might receive the glory…

Attraction…

There is something called the Law of Attraction and its basic premise is that “like attracts like.” 

If this is the case, what is attracted to you and what are you attracted to?  Take a look around you at your core group of friends and/or associates.  Do they uphold and embody what you believe and display?  Do you all share similar virtues, values and ethics?  Can you be the same when you are around different settings of people, or do you change to fit the group?

If you say that you’re not a gossip, then why do you constantly find yourself connected with people that gossip?   

If you say that you’re a happy, joyful person, then why do you constantly find yourself surrounded by people who generate negativity? 

If you say you have faith, then why are you connected with people that constantly doubt? 

If you say you’re “Saved,” then why are you connected with people not living for God and you never try and tell them the right way to go?

Like attracts like… what is attracted to you and what are you attracted to? 

Purpose For The Pain...

I've heard people say that when you're going through trials and tribulations in life that it could be God's way of ensuring that He can trust you to completely depend on Him for everything and to not embarrass Him when you get to where He is trying to take you.  And then I also wonder if He asks,  "will you execute MY will for your life, when you get there,  with a Spirit of Excellence and set a standard for others that are watching you?"

At the Olympics Men's basketball game the US played against Spain.  The sports commentator said "you gotta to go through a lot of heartache in life to feel joy." He was referring to  Lebron James who was named MVP of the league, MVP of the finals and now has his first MBA title and second gold medal.  Just think of all the ridicule he's been through; however, look at where he is now. What we can say is that Lebron is an extremely talented ball player, but what has God called for you to be? 

Are you ready to prove to God that you Trust His leading, in knowing that there is a purpose for the pain in your life?

Romans 8:18...For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.

I Corinthians 10:13 (NLT)...The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure.

What Would You Say?

If someone asked you today why you believe in Jesus, what would you say?

What Happened To You?

In discussing matters of the heart, I pose the question of, “what happened to you?”  What happened to the way you used to serve God?  What happened to the way you used to pray?  What happened to the love you used to have for Him and the way you used to go after Him?  You "used" to be SO on fire for God!

“O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth…” Galatians 3:1

Who have you connected with that has led you astray?

I hear people say it and I’ve said it as well that, “well God knows my heart.”  Yes He does, but at some point you have to stop using this saying as a crutch for not being accountable to living according to the standards set forth in His Word.  The Bible tells us in Matthew 12:34 that out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks.  Well – you speak more than just with your mouth; you speak with your actions too.  Having a perfect heart towards God, in my opinion, refers to your true motives and intentions.  When you truly and intentionally love someone, you do things to make them happy, you compromise and you sacrifice for their sake; you prefer them and their desires above your own.  So again, what happened to you?

What is outside the will of God that is so intriguing to you?  The Bible also tells us on more than one occasion that we are not to have any other gods before Him.  So if there is something that is capturing your attention more than the Lord Jesus Christ – you need to step back and reconsider.  Are you paying more attention to yourself and your own wants and desires more than God?  You may be having fun now, but what about the end result?

I Samuel 15:22-23 (NIV)…”To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams. For rebellion is like the sin of divination, and arrogance like the evil of idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the Lord, he has rejected you as king.”

Renew your commitment to Christ today…

Matters Of The Heart...

"When my heart is right towards God, He is obligated to orchestrate the situations, circumstances and the events of my life to bring me into the knowledge of the things that I need to know, and the people that I need to know that are critical to the fulfillment of my purpose and destiny in life."

- Unknown

Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.

(Proverbs 4:23 NLT)

 

And you must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength.

 (Mark 12:30 NLT)

 Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land. My eyes will be open and my ears attentive to every prayer made in this place.

(2 Chronicles 7:14, 15 NLT)

Please The Right ONE!

Growing up I was one of those kids who wanted to please everyone and make everybody happy.  Whatever it took – I did it, as long as they were happy!  I worked hard and earned good grades; went to church and did as was told; didn’t get into trouble and tried as much as possible to keep a low profile.  If someone was upset with me, my whole world was turned upside down.  It would eat away at me.  I couldn’t sleep.  I had knots in my stomach.  I was nervous and anxious. 

Well wouldn’t you know it, that people pleasing spirit followed me right into adulthood and I was miserable on the inside; I was sad and depressed;  I didn’t know who I was, what I liked or where I was going.  My life had always been about taking the path I thought I was supposed to take – based on everyone else’s opinions.  What I failed to realize was that the one that I should have been seeking to please – I was neglecting.  While trying to nourish relationship with people – I was starving my relationship with Christ.  While trying to be everything to everyone else – I was being nothing to Him.  BUT one day through the power of prayer, I was set free and it was instantaneous.  When you want a change bad enough – all deliverance doesn’t have to take all day to manifest. 

Now that my focus is on pleasing the One that matters, I’m free.  I can smile for real.  I know who I am and where I’m going.  I’m happy with myself, knowing that it’s okay for someone else to be in disagreement with me, as long as I’m in agreement with Him.

Matthew 6:33…But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

Matthew 10:28…And fear not them who kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.

“Care about what other people think and you will always be their prisoner.”

 ~ Lao Tzu

Patiently Waiting...

Psalm 62:1..."...Truly my soul waiteth upon God"

"No man is worth your tears, but once you find one that is, he won't make you cry."
- Unknown


"Ladies, place your heart in the hands of God and He will place it in the hands of a man who He knows deserves it."
- Unknown


"One day God will bring someone into your life and make you see why it never worked out with anyone else..."
- Unknown

No Place for Fear!

Job 3:25…”For the thing which I greatly feared is come upon me, and that which I was afraid of is come unto me.”

Fear is crippling, debilitating and tormenting.  There are things in life that we fear and we verbalize it to others.  It could be a fear of flying, of insects or dogs and cats, but there is a fear that is deep rooted in some of us that we dare not speak about.  A fear that halts the progress that we should be making in life.  A fear that we take to God in our secret closets time and time again.  A fear that tries to disguise itself in many other forms, but yet it’s still fear. 

It could be a fear of failure, so we overcompensate and overachieve and run ourselves into the ground day in and day out.  Or we don’t even try and decide to remain in our “safe zone” because I know what I know.

It could be a fear of rejection, so we keep up our guard and don’t allow others to get too close because if I keep you at a distance you can’t hurt me.

It could be a fear of being alone, so unbeknownst to us we cling to people and things to a point of agitation to others.  Or we don’t confront what we know is wrong, so I’ll take whatever you dish out because I’m afraid that you’ll leave.

2 Timothy 1:7…”For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.”

1 John 4:18…”There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.”

Whatever it is today – face your fear!  If you trust and believe in God, there is No Place for Fear in your life!  Fear fights your faith and the Word tells us that without Faith it is impossible to please God.  With all that Job went through – sickness, death, loss of wealth, etc. – he made a bold stance and said, “Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him…”

We must come to grips with knowing that things and situations and highs and lows will happen in this life, but we can’t allow fear to stop us from trusting the one who holds our future in His hands.  Today, start living the life that God has purposed for you to live and tell the enemy that in your life, there is No Place for Fear!