Don’t Be Add’n Stuff!

I have had many jobs in sales. I remember that, at the point of sale, it was important to get the customer to add an additional item to their purchase. In many instances, I’d make more commission on the add-on than the original item they wanted.

Today, when there are many things that are coming against the Kingdom of the Most High God, the people of God need to be careful not to add on anything to what said.

This is very important because we need to follow God’s word, not think of it as being overly complicated, or unsurmountable.  Even as I blog, I need to remember this, so really hits home, frfr.

Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you.  Deu 4:2.

And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book. Rev. 22:19

For we are not as many, which corrupt the word of God: but as of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God speak we in Christ.
II Corinthians

Remember this story?

God speaks to Adam and gives him instructions.

And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat:

But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.
Genesis 2:16-17
—
Meanwhile, Adams communicates this (or this with additional wording, to Eve)
Later:
—
And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden:

But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die.

And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die:

For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.

And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.
Genesis 3:2-6

Eve was mindful about the touching of the fruit… she touched it:
She saw that it was ‘good for food’
She saw that it was pleasant for the eyes
She saw that it was a tree to be desired to make one wise
She took it
She ate it.

Rather than focus on what God said, Thou shalt not eat of it.
there was an additional detail, touching it.

Because of this, her focus was derailed.

#TheTruth

#TheWholeTruth

#NothingButTheTruth

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Hey Girl, What You Doin?

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve said this:

I dunno how, but it’s become one of the first things I ask my closest friends when we speak over the phone. Horrible grammar, huh? Yeah, I know, but that’s not the point…

As I was reflecting on my tendency to ask this question, I felt led to push past this question…

Remembering who God is helps me put this in perspective.

1. I need to be doing what God has commanded me to do.

2. I need to ask Him for help doing it!

3. I can do all things through Christ! (Philippians 4:3)

4. Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ (Philippians 1:6)

5. Jesus is the Author and Finisher (Hebrews 12:2)

Author and Finisher? Yes! … We are His sons and daughters, therefore, we should manifest His character. We all love that feeling we get when we are about to finish things that we are doing.  🙂  It really feels great!

So with the question, ‘What you doing?’ ask others, ‘How’s it coming along?’ ‘What can  I do to help?’ ‘When is your completion goal?’

Also ask several other encouraging words and phrases like, ‘You got this!’ ‘Remember, since God brought you to this, He will bring you through this!’

You Are What You Do, Not What You Say!

You are what you do, not what you say!

There are over 3,573 promises in the Bible.
‪#‎Jesus‬ Our Lord makes promises and actually follows through with them.

As I ponder this, I think … each of them are not easy to keep. They are not!

Yet, He still made them and troubles Himself to honor each and every one! #Smile
Those who make promises but do not honor them

and

those who simply refuse to make promises are either afraid to put forth the required work or are unwilling to do the work that is required to get the job done!

Moreover, He has made these promises to over 2 trilion people, and honors them for us all!

How easy would it be for our Lord to still be called ‘Faithful,’ ‘Kind,’ ‘Awesome’ … or many other favorable names, but the fact that He voluntarily makes promises and keeps them is overwhelming my spirit today.

I hope that this blesses somebody today!

#DontBeAWimp #MakePromises #KeepThem

I Was Running

International star athlete, Forrest, Forrest Gump, popularized the statement, ‘I was running’ in the film Forrest Gump.

Image Source: Nike.com

 

As I reflect on the film, I thought of many races and games, and a couple of marathons I’ve ran. I think of challenges that I’ve faced and the things that I have been faced with.

I never want to get to the place where all I can say is I was running.  I want to be forever in the place where I run and move forward.

Progress is one of the most significant things that we can see in life.

Think about it. Progress, even a minuscule amount of it, can make the difference between you quitting, starting over again, staying at the same pace, or increasing speed.

Progress is important, when we assess the situation and are certain that we are progressing, we propel forward.

– Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain (I Corinthians 9:24).

– I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favour to men of skill; but time and chance happeneth to them all (Ecclesiastes 9:11).

I never want to speak of running this race in past tense.

Morover, I declare and I decree:

I will run the race that is set before me diligently (Hebrews 12:1).

I will press toward the mark (Philipians 4:13).

I will run, run, run, until the Lord says, ‘Well Done, My Good and Faithful Servant’

#FeelingDetermined

Love Mercy

Micah 6:8 states:

He has shown you, O man, what is good;
And what does the Lord require of you
But to do justly, To love mercy,
And to walk humbly with your God?

Image Source: http://drwryzekphd.wordpress.com/2012/08/06/on-the-meaning-of-mercy/

 

It’s funny how we all want the Lord to have mercy on us, but never on our adversary.  The Lord loves us, all of us. We should ask for all parties to receive mercy.

For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again (Matthew 7:2).

Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again (Luke 6:38).

I beseech you, sisters and brothers, love mercy- giving it and receiving it also.

#ChangedLives

#LoveMercy

 

 

Power!

God has given us Power!

Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all[b] the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” ²⁷ So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. ²⁸ Then God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth.” (Genesis 1:26-28)

For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind (II Timothy 1:17).

… and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power (Ephesians 1:19).

I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, ¹⁹ and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength ²⁰ he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, ²¹ far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come (Ephesians 1:18-20).

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us (Ephesians 3:20).

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” (Acts 1:8)

I can do all things through him who strengthens me (Phillipians 4:13).

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might (Ephesians 6:10).

For the kingdom of God does not consist in talk but in power (1 Corinthians 4:20)

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might (Ephesians 6:10).

For the kingdom of God does not consist in talk but in power (1 Corinthians 4:20).

May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy, (Colossians 1:11).

Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall hurt you (Luke 10:19).

Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, (Ephesians 3:20).

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me (2 Corinthians 12:9).

Because our gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction. You know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sake (1 Thessalonians 1:5).

And what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might (Ephesians 1:19).

That according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, (Ephesians 3:16).

🙂

Now use His power to do His work.

I’z Married Na!

I’z Married Na! I’z Married Na! I’z Married Na!

Image Source: http://www.youtube.com

Is a common phrase that me and some of my girls say at weddings. It’s a popular line from Alice Walker’s The movie, the Color Purple.

Earlier I wrote a post about being single. It’s funny that there is not one woman I know who has not at least once, longed to be married. Why is this. I have been searching my own heart and this is what I believe that the Lord is saying:

It was always His intention for us to be married.

In the creation account:

And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth (Genesis 1:26).

I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman (John 15:1).

And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken (Ecclesiastes 4:12).

And he called unto him the twelve, and began to send them forth by two and two; and gave them power over unclean spirits (Mark 6:7).

¹⁸ And the Lord God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him.

¹⁹ And out of the ground the Lord God formed every beast of the field, and every fowl of the air; and brought them unto Adam to see what he would call them: and whatsoever Adam called every living creature, that was the name thereof (Genesis 2:18-19). 

Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder (Mark 19:6).

See also: https://michelcockerham.wordpress.com/2015/02/20/lets-stay-together/

Ok, so, I can’t say that I have reached many other conclusions, but I am totally sure that God wants us to be together and He wants to be the one who places us together. 🙂

 

#LetGodPutYouTogether

#LetsStayTogether

#OneDayIllSayIzMarriedNaLol

 

 

Take It Back

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve taken things back to the store.

As a general rule, I don’t buy unless I really love it. … So I do not hesitate to return something if I’ve had a change of heart. I’ve taken back shoes, purses … lol. I guess I got that from my grandmother. When I was a child, I went to the store with her and she returned something to Winn Dixie, lol!!

It was amazing. She changed her mind, and took it back to the store. Lol. 🙂

Image Source: http://blog.unibulmerchantservices.com/best-practices-for-credit-card-transaction-receipts/

In this example with retail, we know that what we wanted from the store (that purse) is less valuable to us than the money ($20.00) that we used to purchase it.

In the spiritual realm, we have the authority to take things back also.  We know that what the enemy has is less valuable (hell, death, damnation) to us than that which we used to purchase it (our souls).

Unfortunately, God’s people perish for lack of knowledge, so let me help you know what you need to do do get your stuff back!!

First, know and acknowledge that it was yours in the first place.

Then acknowledged that it was taken and declare that it be restored unto you.

Next, set your mind that you want it back.

Repent for not taking authority and passively allowing (others and) the enemy of Christ to take things from us.

Stand on the word of God.

Call out what is being done to you!

– But if he be found, he shall restore sevenfold; he shall give all the substance of his house (Proverbs 6:31).

Decree the thing!

– Thou shalt also decree a thing, and it shall be established unto thee: and the light shall shine upon thy ways.(Job 2:28)

Call it!

– (As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations,) before him whom he believed, even God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were (Roman 4:17).

Possess it! Physically take it back! Manifest it!

#GoGetYourBlessing

It’s A Humbling,

so that none of us can boast.

Not long ago, I heard someone speak about humility. Humility is very important and as I grown to realize the full importance of humility, I think of the things that humble me.

In the city that I used to live in there stands a tall hill in one of the city parks.  After work, I would change into work-out attire and drive to the park and climb the hill, over and over again. Standing on the highest point of the hill did not allow me to see very much of the city at all really.  But, looking out at what I could see still made me feel small and insignificant.

Image Source: wikipedia.org

As I moved to the Atlanta area, I drove through the mountains and valleys of Tennessee. As I traveled, the views of my drive allow me to put a few things into perspective as well.

I already know, but these things remind me that I am nothing and no one.

Sometimes, going out the ocean makes me feel the same way …

A wise man once said, ‘The ocean is the king of 100 rivers because it is humble.’

Another familiar adage states, ‘the gentle outlast the strong’.

As I view the beauty of the land and thank God for all of His creation, I am humbled that He also took the time to create me. I pray that I am always making Him pleased that He has.

#Humbled

 

The Secret Place

Image Source: http://toddwarrenonline.com/top-secret-traffic-method-revealed/

One thing I have asked from the LORD, that I shall seek: That I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, To behold the beauty of the LORD And to meditate in His temple. 5For in the day of trouble He will conceal me in His tabernacle; In the secret place of His tent He will hide me; He will lift me up on a rock.

And now my head will be lifted up above my enemies around me, And I will offer in His tent sacrifices with shouts of joy; I will sing, yes, I will sing praises to the LORD.…

Proverbs 27:5-6

In the secret place of His tent He will hide me. 

I am so glad that:

1. I have found that secret place.

2. I know how to retreat there when I need Him.

3. I can retreat to Him, any time or any place- for this place is not a physical location.

4. I can hear Him clearly when I am there, if I only go there.

#LearningAndGrowing

#InChrist

#TheSecret

#TheSecretPlace

I Ain’t Doing This For You!

Lol. That is one of those statements that we don’t want to say out loud.

…It seems very brash and rude so we don’t say it often, right??

Right.

Sometimes in the quietness of our hearts we have to remember…

Image Source : https://www.pinterest.com/ninamclean/jon-courson/

 

We are not doing the things that we do for ourselves.

We’re not doing the things that we do for other people

Rather, we are doing them for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ!

Stand on the Word of God:
And whatsoever you do in word or deed do all in the name of the Lord Jesus giving thanks to God and the Father by Him (Colossians 3:17).

Don’t Miss Your Flight!

I absolutely love to travel.

It’s one of my favorite things to do! I think that I have been this way since I was a kid.

Road trips with friends are great, but I get car sick, so tend to like to travel by air more than driving.

For a while there, the only way that I could travel was via Buddi Pass, through Delta Airlines. If you don’t already know, using Buddi Passes require that you stand by. Chances are greater to make the trip when you arrive early.  Leaving on a 6:00 am flight requires that I arrive at the airport at about 4:00 am.

I prepare all of my items the night before, I make sure that my carry on has the right sized toiletry items, and that my bad is at the proper weight I have even slept in my travel clothes, lol.

Image Source: www.stopfryingyourbrain.com

Along the same lines, I want to be ready to meet my maker.

I will do what I need to do to make sure that my heart and mind are prepared to meet with Him Today.

Don’t Go Kicking and Screaming, Ease On Down the Road!

Image Sources: http://www.blu-ray.com and http://www.youtube.com

 

If the Lord is tugging on your heart to do something, do it!

I remember two recent things that were difficult for me to let go of:

Secular music

My residence in Indiana.

Both of these things were very, very difficult for me to let go of, but I know that the Lord was leading me away from them. I wish that I had let those two things go months earlier.

Don’t resist God. His love for us is impeccable.

He loves us- He knows the end from the beginning, He is Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the Ending, and He promises to never leave us or forsake us.

Don’t kick against His will for you life, embark into it.

Case your cares upon Him- His yoke it easy, our burdens are light unto Him.

#DontKickandScream #EaseOnDownTheRoad

Empowered to Breakthrough

God has given us strength to Breakthrough. That is, to break through, overcome, withstand, and escape!

Even little peas are required to break through.

Their stems grow,

break through their exterior,

reach towards the light.

absorb nutrients,

grow,

take root,

and stretch out beyond the confines of the soil, pot, and into the air.

Image source: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/118641771407469913/

Part of this ‘breakthrough stuff’ means breaking through the ‘tough exterior’ that many of us have around us and actually doing something worthwhile.

It means being able to overcome our own deficiencies and hiccups- leaving those things behind to focus on becoming more like Christ.

It means being spiritually strong enough to bear or see or feel or hear some crazy stuff and continue to walk with the Lord.

It even means being delivered from our own selves- our own toxic thought and behavior patterns.

And God said Let the earth bring forth grass and herb yielding seed and the fruit tree yielding fruit after his kind, who seed is in itself upon the earth and it was so (Genesis 1:11).

So, yes! God has given us what we need already. It was planted within the soil of our minds, we dare grow it, so that we may breakthrough!

#SeedIsInItself #AndGodSaidLetThereBe #Breakthrough

My Moma Didn’t Raise No Fool!

Today has been coined ‘April Fool’s Day!’  I’ve been thinking of the fun I’ve had since I was a kid, playing jokes on people on this day. I remember that my mom never wanted us to call each other fools.  Thinking on these things, my mind eventually ventured off to the Word of God. I thought of what the bible says about being foolish.  All in all, there is truly nothing good about being a fool.

Psalm 14:1 states:

To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good.

– Fools fail to acknowledge that God is.

 

Ecclesiastes 7:9 states:

Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry: for anger resteth in the bosom of fools.

-Fools do not trust in God, that He is and is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him (Hebrews 11:6).  We dare not let anger rest in our hearts, cast our cares upon Jesus, for He cares for us (I Peter 5:7).

 

Matthew 25:1-13 states:

1 Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. 

² And five of them were wise, and five were foolish.

³ They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them:

⁴ But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.

⁵ While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept.

⁶ And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.

⁷ Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps.

⁸ And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out.

⁹ But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves.

¹⁰ And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut.

¹¹ Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us.

¹² But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.

¹³ Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.

– Because fools do not believe that God is, they do not trust Him, and they do not.

From these scriptures, I assess that if we do not want to be foolish, but want, rather to be wise, we need to acknowledge God, diligently seek Him, have a relationship with Him, and keep His commands.  I’ll do it, after all, my Moma didn’t raise no fool!

Heart Check

What is it that you are seeking but have not yet asked for? What has the Lord set in your heart and mind to do?

Approach the throne with purity and boldness: He knows our hearts- Sometimes, He will answer before we ask aloud. Whooo-Hooo!!

There will be times when we must say Lord, I don’t have good motives about this or that, please change that about me. I want to be pure.

He’s such a gentleman, we wants to do it for us. He just wants us to be honest!

Moreover, I will give you what you have not asked for–both wealth and honor–so that in your lifetime you will have no equal among kings (I Kings 3:13)

And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear (Isaiah 65:24).

When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures (James 4:3)

#ReceiveThat

#ProverbialWomen

#WorthIsFarMoreThanRubies

#ShiningBrightLikeDiamonds

Image Source: American Heart Association

You Grow, Girl!

One of the biggest themes in my life is personal growth.

I want to grow and be a better person every day; I also feel compelled to help others to do the same.  In this vein, many of the things that I am doing now is sharing my experiences as I grow.  One thing that is surpassing my understanding is the formation and execution of the B4 Women’s Empowerment Network.  I’m excited to be working with these ladies … it’s definitely a God thing!!!  One of the things that I have been directed to do is share many of the things that the Lord has shared with me about my growth in Him.

Here’s a tidbit:

As we we walk with Christ, He shines His light to show us who we are AND who we need to be.

The difference between one person and the next is the way we respond when the Lord shows us. 

When He shows us our faults, listen, and move in obedience – the humble response to His will for your life.

Don’t be angry.

Don’t ignore Him.

Don’t let your heart wax cold to His word.

He loves you, He cares, and He will never leave or forsake you!

I’ve noticed that the quicker we obey, the better we are, and the quicker we will obey on His next request- growth is increasing at an increasing rate!

#Grow!

Source: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/419327415277026737/

 

 

Overthrow!

 

As people of the Most High God, one of the most powerful things that we can do is intentionally overthrow evil, sin, and death.

Somethings are more clear than others:

In Ephesians 5, the bible tells us to:

Flee fornication. Every sin that a man does is outside the body; but he that commits fornication sins against his own body (I Corinthians 6:18) and But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints; (Ephesians 5:3).

Also, Romans 1:21-32 tells us other tells us other things that we should overthrow.

21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.

22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,

23 And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.

24 Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves:

25 Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.

26 For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature:

27 And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet.

28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;

29 Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers,

30 Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,

31 Without understanding, covenant breakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful:

32 Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.

#OverthrowEvil

#OverthrowSin

#OverthrowGodlessness

I could get more money if I claimed my friend’s son on my taxes I overthrow that idea and deliberately choose to follow Christ.

He is cute and married um, um, um!!! … I overthrow that idea and deliberately choose to follow Christ.

I wonder what I would be like to be a woman … I overthrow that idea and deliberately choose to follow Christ.

I could cheat on this test and make a higher score … I overthrow that idea and deliberately choose to follow Christ.

I will use profanity ‘when I get mad’ … I  overthrow that idea and deliberately choose to follow Christ.

I will get that tattoo, my body is not really a temple! … I  overthrow that idea and deliberately choose to follow Christ.

Oh, nooooo she didn’t she called me Michel, she know’s I’m Dr. Michel Cockerham!!! She’s about to get told! …  I  overthrow that idea and deliberately choose to follow Christ.  I will live humbly.

Lol, sometimes, I just simply say, I ain’t doing that!

 

Image Source: http://www.overthrowmerch.bigcartel.com/product/overthrow-a-ghost-in-the-machine

 

 

 

God Creates Great People ….

And they make themselves small.

“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, ‘Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?’ Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It’s not just in some of us; it’s in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”
― Marianne Williamson, A Return to Love: Reflections on the Principles of “A Course in Miracles”

 

Image Source: soupbelly.com

Why is this?

I am not sure. I have heard many answers:

1. False humility.

2. Fear

3. Self-imposed limitations

4. Doubt

5. Lack of Courage

6. Lack of Funds

7. Confusion regarding ‘how to’

In my opinion, if nothing else as people of God, we must follow His example.

He looked at the joy that was set before Him and dedicated His life, at all cost, to be about His father’s business.

#BeGreat Don’t settle being anyone less than who God seeded into you to be.

#FeelingDetermined

 

Sure? Unsure?

I remember that there was a commercial advertising deodorant years ago.  In it, there was a stadium or auditorium full of people.  Those who were ‘sure’ lifted their hands, those who were not ‘sure’ did not lift theirs.

Image Source: Sure.com

There is nothing more important in this lifetime than being sure of our salvation.

Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling (Philippians 2:12).

Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ (Philippians 1:6).

… being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus (Philippians 1:8).

 

I decree and I declare, that we be confident in Christ!

#Sure

#ConfidentInChrist

And Standing At the Root of the Tree

And standing at the root of the tree was an axe, ready to cut down every part of vegetation that need not be there. I had let so many things grow that needed to go!

Image Source: http://www.en.wikipedia.org

 

-And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire (Matthew 3:10).

It is important to always be ready to purge/ be purged. being ok with loosing parts of ‘you’ is difficult but imperative in order to be more like Christ.

– Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul; (I Peter 2:11).

– Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him (I John 2:15).

– And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God (Romans 12:2).

And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell (Matthew 5:29).

All in all, it’ll be worth it, because we are intentionally remembering that doing so will push us closer to who God has purposed us to be. 🙂

#DoIt

#LetGo

Help Me!

Back in December, I promised to continue a blog post about receiving help from the Lord.   Recently, I was scrolling in some posts on Facebook and I noticed a video clip of Family Fued. The question was  about what things men have a hard time asking for.

 

Image Source: Desktopaper.com

I dunno, but for the life of me, why sometimes for men and women  to ask God for help.  I’ve noticed this and have been proactively working trying to be better about asking God for help.

After all, He is the Author and Finisher. He is Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the Ending.

… Most importantly, He Loves Us, O How, He Loves!

Now, Lord, I want you to help me.

Help me be a better daughter, grand daughter, neice, sister, friend, aunt, employee, co-worker, girlfriend, neighbor, citizen, member…

Help me be a better thinker, reader, listener …

Help me better identify what areas of my life I need to change- those secret things.

Help me see what you see.

Help me see what others see that I don’t see.

Help me be swift to make changes that place me closer to you.

In Jesus name, I pray, Amen.

 

Let’s Stay Together!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Let’s_Stay_Together_(TV_series)

 

It is clear that God places great importance on people coming being on one accord. We need to come together, unify, fellowship, work together well, and stay together, fulfilling His purpose for our lives.

And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth (Genesis 1:26).

And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken (Ecclesiastes 4:12).

And he called unto him the twelve, and began to send them forth by two and two; and gave them power over unclean spirits; (Mark 6:7).

Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10).

Can two walk together, except they be agreed?
(Amos 3:3).

I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman (John 15:1).

And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him (Genesis 2:8).

And five of you shall chase a hundred, and a hundred of you shall put ten thousand to flight: and your enemies shall fall before you by the sword (Leviticus 26:8).  In other words, ‘the mo, the merrier’, lol.

How could one man chase a thousand, or two put ten thousand to flight, unless their Rock had sold them, unless the LORD had given them up? (Deuteronomy 32:30)

Again, if two lie together, then they have heat: but how can one be warm alone? (Ecclesiastes 4:11).

Other scriptures passages indicate the power of unity:

The Day of Penecost

1. And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.
2. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.
3. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.
4. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance (Acts 2:1-4).

The Tower of Babel

11 And the whole earth was of one language, and of one speech.

2 And it came to pass, as they journeyed from the east, that they found a plain in the land of Shinar; and they dwelt there.

3 And they said one to another, Go to, let us make brick, and burn them thoroughly. And they had brick for stone, and slime had they for morter.

4 And they said, Go to, let us build us a city and a tower, whose top may reach unto heaven; and let us make us a name, lest we be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth.

5 And the Lord came down to see the city and the tower, which the children of men builded.

6 And the Lord said, Behold, the people is one, and they have all one language; and this they begin to do: and now nothing will be restrained from them, which they have imagined to do (Genesis 11:1-6).

Moses’ friends held his arms up:
8 Then came Amalek, and fought with Israel in Rephidim.
9 And Moses said unto Joshua, Choose us out men, and go out, fight with Amalek: to morrow I will stand on the top of the hill with the rod of God in mine hand.
10 So Joshua did as Moses had said to him, and fought with Amalek: and Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill.
11 And it came to pass, when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed: and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed.
12 But Moses’ hands were heavy; and they took a stone, and put it under him, and he sat thereon; and Aaron and Hur stayed up his hands, the one on the one side, and the other on the other side; and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun.
13 And Joshua discomfited Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword.
14 And the LORD said unto Moses, Write this for a memorial in a book, and rehearse it in the ears of Joshua: for I will utterly put out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven.
15 And Moses built an altar, and called the name of it Jehovahnissi:
16 For he said, Because the LORD hath sworn that the LORD will have war with Amalek from generation to generation (Exodous 17:8-16).

The lame man’s friends helped him get healed:
17 And it came to pass on a certain day, as he was teaching, that there were Pharisees and doctors of the law sitting by, which were come out of every town of Galilee, and Judaea, and Jerusalem: and the power of the Lord was present to heal them.
18 And, behold, men brought in a bed a man which was taken with a palsy: and they sought means to bring him in, and to lay him before him.
19 And when they could not find by what way they might bring him in because of the multitude, they went upon the housetop, and let him down through the tiling with his couch into the midst before Jesus.
20 And when he  (Jesus) saw their (his friends) faith, he said unto him, Man, thy sins are forgiven thee (Luke 5:17-20).

Another important point:

We need to stay together, in love … Ever seen a couple who’s been married 50 years who argue and fight all day? They might as well have divorced 49 years ago…

Congratulations, you simply never got a divorce!! Same goes for other relationships. Don’t just be with folks because you can’t stand to be apart, but rather because you enjoy their company and you each encourage the other to grow and flourish.

#LetsStayTogther

Who’s Your Daddy?

In the movie Life Eddie Murphy and Martin Lawrence were in a scene when prisoners were lined up and asked if they were the father of a baby.  This was a comical scene, but very important to the grandfather of the child.  It is very important who we yoke up with, but that’s another story…

Image Source: https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0CAYQjB0&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.abelleinbrooklyn.com%2Faskfm-update-but-whos-the-father%2F&ei=w1o2VbPXJsWksAXb1oGICw&bvm=bv.91071109,d.cWc&psig=AFQjCNEpmaLm2vOY11VNZPbe-rU-YzeR1A&ust=1429711935668354

In the movie, someone stepped up and said ‘I Da Pappy’. Lol. It was evident that he was not.

This movie reminded me of a conversation that I had with a friend about her position teaching Pre-K at a public school. My friend said that some of the 2-3 year old kids use profanity.  (She’s a very humble women and does not judge people.)  She told me about how, during open house and other periods of visitation, she can easily match your parents with their children without and before being formally introduced. Using only…

common phrases and expressions

the use of profanity

she even chuckled that she can almost pair kids and parents by which words are used.

body language and gestures

other words that are not ‘cursing’, or ‘profanity’, but are simply unkind.

 

So the question is, people of God …

What indicators are there to indicate who our father is?

-Do you curse or use profanity or lie or deceive??

-Do we behave unseemly?

-Do we consistently manifest Jesus Christ in every way?

-Do we positively or negatively influence people?

-Do we always have something negative to say or add?

-Do we add value to the lives of the people who are in our circle of influence?

After viewing our lives, our thoughts, our behavior, would God claim us?

Or are we the child of another?

Chose Christ!

 

I challenge you to manifest His behavior in every arena.

I challenge Christians to spend more time with the Lord – to spend more time in His word.

And to do it so much so that we are His reflection. 🙂

 

#YouLookJustLikeYoDaddy

#IDaPappy