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!

My Sister’s Keeper…

There is a story in the Bible where God asked one sibling about the whereabouts of another sibling and the person replied, “I know not, am I my brother’s keeper?”  Well those of us who know the story understand that he answered this way out of guilt due to something he had done wrong (Genesis 4:9).

Today I want to talk about being my “sister’s keeper.”  I’ll admit that I’ve been found guilty of not always having someone’s best interest at heart, but through prayer and conviction, God has given me a new outlook on some things.  How many of us have seen someone in error and going astray and did nothing about it.  We may have silently watched it happen or even commented to another that it was happening, but yet we did nothing. 

You may have said something to the effect of, “she’s grown” or “that’s her business” or even “she knows better.” 

I fully understand that some people want to do what they want to do when and how they want to do it, but if that’s your sister, does that person’s state of thinking eliminate the need for you to say something to them about it?  To at least pray for them that they would be restored?  There is a quote by Henry Ford that says, “Don’t find fault, find a remedy.”  While you may not be able to have an in depth conversation with that person about going astray, at least take it to God in prayer and not to others who have nothing to do with the situation. Remember that someone took out time with us and someone prayed for us.

Galatians 6:1 – 3(NLT)…” Dear brothers and sisters, if another believer is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path. And be careful not to fall into the same temptation yourself.  Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ.  If you think you are too important to help someone, you are only fooling yourself. You are not that important.”

James 5:19 – 20(NIV)… “My brothers and sisters, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring that person back, remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of their way will save them from death and cover over a multitude of sins.”

Thought For The Day...

“There comes a time in your life,
when you walk away from all the drama
and people who create it.
You surround yourself with people
who make you laugh.
Forget the bad, and focus on the good.
Love the people who treat you right,
pray for the ones who don’t.
Life is too short to be anything but happy.
Falling down is a part of life,
getting back up is living.”

~ Author Unknown

PRAISE BREAK...

After all we've been through lately I think we need to stop and take a praise break because if it had not been for the Lord who was on our side...You see I don't have time for foolishness right now - TELL ME WHAT THE WORD SAYS!!!

Psalm 118:24...This is the day which the LORD has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.

Lamentations 3:22-23...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.

Psalm 34:2...My soul shall make its boast in the LORD: the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad.

Isaiah 59:19...When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the LORD shall lift up a standard against him.

Matthew 5:8...Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.

II Corinthians 12:9...My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.

Romans 8:31...What shall we then say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?

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

And the list goes on and on.  Be blessed today; meditate on God's Holy word; remember that you are a child of the Most High God; remember your inheritance.  When the struggles and trials of life try to overtake you - just stop and take a PRAISE BREAK!