If You’re So Smart, Then Why …

Growing up, I bet I’ve heard that expression a thousand times, lol.

As I noted on yesterday, in my line of work, I interface with many people with titles.

Medical Doctors, Doctors of Philosophy, Psychiatrists, Ophthalmologists, Doctors of Pharmacy, others…

I also interface with Apostles, Preachers, Ministers, Teachers…

For the life of me, I just can’t understand:

1. With all of these ‘smart people’ the world has not made further advances. Not in science, health, or medicine, but in social and relational constructs.

2. If people are so ‘smart’ or have so many titles, why can we do we not have the ability to (or why do we simply refuse to) find a way to relate to all people.

– Are we so excited that we have arrived at being a ‘Dr’ or ‘Pastor’ or ‘Minister’ , etc. that we have forgotten that we are supposed to help people?

-Are we so intelligent and intellectual that we have forgotten our roots?  Have we forgotten that once we did not know how to read or multiply?  Have we forgotten that we were once in sin?

– Have we gotten so excited that we have ‘arrived’ that we forgot:

-Where we came from?

-Where we are supposed to be going?

The title of Doctor is supposed to be a means to an end, not a stopping point.  Ministerial titles are likewise.

When you have earned this credential or title, you have not arrived. What many consider as a ‘finish line’ is a mere starting line for the next phase of your life.   The type of behavior that I witness makes me question our motives as a collective body, are we chasing status or our desire to help people?

Why can’t we have a conversation with people without talking down to them?

Why can’t you find a few laymen’s terms to communicate what you trying are saying?

#SquareOne

#LordHelpUs

#BackToTheBasics

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A Note on Intelligence and Wisdom

In my line of work, I am around a significant amount of ‘smart people’.  People with multiple degrees, copious amounts of intellect, the ability to analyze, synthesize, and pulverize data, the ability to develop solutions to problems and implement procedures to eradicate world-wide issues and diseases.

Unfortunately, I see a tremendous disparity between what people know and how they behave – their knowledge and their wisdom.

Medical Doctors, Dentists, Orthodontists, Nurses who take care of cancer patients, but smoke…

Plastic Surgeons, Thoracic Surgeons, Critical Care Surgeons, and General Surgeons who endure grave academic training and work their daily lives to perform very detail-oriented surgeries but do not brush their teeth or don’t take the time to floss…

Optometrists and Ophthalmologists who ‘give sight to the blind’ but cannot see their way to have a sensible and polite conversation with a 12th grader …

I know that I am simplifying this but I hope you get my drift.  We need the Lord to help us with this disparity.

This is my prayer:

Lord, I ask that as you endow me with knowledge for this blog and for my life, that you also make me wise enough to apply the knowledge that you given me.

Thank you for showing that there is a difference between intelligence and wisdom, and for helping me bridge the gap.  Lord, I ask that you heal the minds of those who you have placed in leadership.

Teach your Ministers, Deacons, Pastors, Apostles, and Prophets and other leaders to apply what you teach them.  O, Lord, let us turn our focus toward you in every way.

In Jesus name, I pray, Amen.

Love

As you may have already noticed, the Lord has also been dealing with me about love. As this has been going on,  I’ve made it a point to quickly run to the written Word of God to see examples of and instruction related to love in days of old. It’s obvious that God wants us to love one another and love Him.

John 14:15
If ye love me, keep my commandments.

John 14:21
He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.

John 14:23
Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.

John 14:31
But that the world may know that I love the Father; and as the Father gave me commandment, even so I do. Arise, let us go hence.

John 15:9
As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love.

John 15:10
If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love.

John 15:12
This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.

John 15:13
Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

John 15:17
These things I command you, that ye love one another.

John 15:19
If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.

John 21:16
He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep.

John 21:17
He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.

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.

Titus 2:4
That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children,

Colossians 3:19
Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them.

Ephesians 5:25
Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;

 

#Love

#LoveIsCrucial

Love is in the Air

Single Ladies and Gentlemen:

As the old saying goes, love is in the air. This is true. So is lust and deceit.

As this time, be careful to not get interconnected with someone who does not have the same beliefs as you. Chances are that you won’t be able to convince him or her to love God if they don’t already.

When you know that the Lord deals with you every morning at 3:00am, or that He gives you random downloads all throughout the day, be sure to make sure that you don’t yoke up with someone who dislikes or makes snide remarks about your relationship with Christ.

#CanIGetAnAmen

#Amen

#AmenLights

#NoUnhealthySoulTies

#AintNobodyGotTimeForThat

Fear and Cross Intimidation

I resolve to:

be fearless.

live a life replete of fearful people.

be of good courage.

cast out fear with love.

Unfortunately,  my personal resolution does not enable me to stop encountering fear-full situations and fear-full people. It is also unfortunate that when many people are afraid to

-try new things,

-break bad habits,

-reach higher heights,

-get outside of their comfort zones,

… they try to plant seeds of fear in you.

Because they are intimidated by their own pasts, fear of success, fear of failure, current situations, their own failures, the failures of others, their own deficiencies, worries, lack of faith, lack of integrity, or even the amount of work that they have to put in to achieve a goal, they try to spread their disbelief onto you. They try to contaminate your thinking.  They try to contaminate your thinking.

I call it Cross Intimidation.  Before I reached the point where I am today, I faced these types of situations repeatedly.  Over time, I decided to be prepared.

I needed to prepare myself for:

1. what I would think about as they tried to plant doubt,

2. what I would say to them as they talked,

3. what I would think about after they left.

4. what I would do after they left.

When I interface with them, like clock-work, I do and say what I have prepared. Like a press conference, my words are ready.

If you don’t want to buy into their life style and their level of thinking. I invite you to commit to:

– love and not fear

– push yourself outside of your your belief system

– accomplish goals against popular thought

– accomplish more than your though accomplishable

– prepare your mind to respond (not react) to naysayers

– prepare a statement for your ‘press release’ or ‘press conference’

When I was growing up, my dad and granddad used to grow water melons. As kids, we would set outside and go to town with a big, thick slice of watermelon. Eating the yellow or red flesh, we would spit out the seeds …

When people say their opinions, try the spirit by the spirit whether it be of God.

Eat what is of God, spit out everything else!

By the authority that is invested in me, I spit out every seed of fear, doubt, or other similar spirit that people have tried to plant in my life. Cast them back into the pit of hell, where they came from, in the name of Jesus!

I am not afraid!

I am not afraid of success!

I am not afraid of failure!

I am going try my best!

I don’t care if others think it’s too hard!

I’ll either win or learn. Either way, I win!

#GoAllIn

#CantStop

#WontStop

#AllIDoIsWin

#AllIDoIsWinWinWin

#PressTowardTheMarkInChristJesus

Fear

Lately, the Lord has been dealing with me about fear also. As He was, I quickly ran to the written Word of God to see examples of this in days of old.   It’s obvious that God does not want us to be in fear.

Genesis 15:1
After these things the word of the LORD came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward.

Genesis 21:17
And God heard the voice of the lad; and the angel of God called to Hagar out of heaven, and said unto her, What aileth thee, Hagar? fear not; for God hath heard the voice of the lad where he is.

Genesis 26:24
And the LORD appeared unto him the same night, and said, I am the God of Abraham thy father: fear not, for I am with thee, and will bless thee, and multiply thy seed for my servant Abraham’s sake.

Genesis 35:17
And it came to pass, when she was in hard labour, that the midwife said unto her, Fear not; thou shalt have this son also.

Genesis 43:23
And he said, Peace be to you, fear not: your God, and the God of your father, hath given you treasure in your sacks: I had your money. And he brought Simeon out unto them.

Genesis 46:3
And he said, I am God, the God of thy father: fear not to go down into Egypt; for I will there make of thee a great nation:

Genesis 50:19
And Joseph said unto them, Fear not: for am I in the place of God?

Exodus 20:20
And Moses said unto the people, Fear not: for God is come to prove you, and that his fear may be before your faces, that ye sin not.

Deuteronomy 1:21 | Read whole chapter | See verse in context
Behold, the LORD thy God hath set the land before thee: go up and possess it, as the LORD God of thy fathers hath said unto thee; fear not, neither be discouraged.

Deuteronomy 20:3
And shall say unto them, Hear, O Israel, ye approach this day unto battle against your enemies: let not your hearts faint, fear not, and do not tremble, neither be ye terrified because of them;

Deuteronomy 31:6
Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.

Deuteronomy 31:8
And the LORD, he it is that doth go before thee; he will be with thee, he will not fail thee, neither forsake thee: fear not, neither be dismayed.

Joshua 8:1
And the LORD said unto Joshua, Fear not, neither be thou dismayed: take all the people of war with thee, and arise, go up to Ai: see, I have given into thy hand the king of Ai, and his people, and his city, and his land:

Joshua 10:25
And Joshua said unto them, Fear not, nor be dismayed, be strong and of good courage: for thus shall the LORD do to all your enemies against whom ye fight.

Judges 4:18
And Jael went out to meet Sisera, and said unto him, Turn in, my lord, turn in to me; fear not. And when he had turned in unto her into the tent, she covered him with a mantle.

Judges 6:10
And I said unto you, I am the LORD your God; fear not the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but ye have not obeyed my voice.

Judges 6:23
And the LORD said unto him, Peace be unto thee; fear not: thou shalt not die.

Ruth 3:11
And now, my daughter, fear not; I will do to thee all that thou requirest: for all the city of my people doth know that thou art a virtuous woman.

1 Samuel 4:20
And about the time of her death the women that stood by her said unto her, Fear not; for thou hast born a son. But she answered not, neither did she regard it.

1 Samuel 12:20
And Samuel said unto the people, Fear not: ye have done all this wickedness: yet turn not aside from following the LORD, but serve the LORD with all your heart;

1 Samuel 22:23
Abide thou with me, fear not: for he that seeketh my life seeketh thy life: but with me thou shalt be in safeguard.

1 Samuel 23:17
And he said unto him, Fear not: for the hand of Saul my father shall not find thee; and thou shalt be king over Israel, and I shall be next unto thee; and that also Saul my father knoweth.

2 Samuel 9:7
And David said unto him, Fear not: for I will surely shew thee kindness for Jonathan thy father’s sake, and will restore thee all the land of Saul thy father; and thou shalt eat bread at my table continually.

2 Samuel 13:28
Now Absalom had commanded his servants, saying, Mark ye now when Amnon’s heart is merry with wine, and when I say unto you, Smite Amnon; then kill him, fear not: have not I commanded you? be courageous, and be valiant.

1 Kings 17:13
And Elijah said unto her, Fear not; go and do as thou hast said: but make me thereof a little cake first, and bring it unto me, and after make for thee and for thy son.

2 Kings 6:16
And he answered, Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them.

2 Kings 17:34
Unto this day they do after the former manners: they fear not the LORD, neither do they after their statutes, or after their ordinances, or after the law and commandment which the LORD commanded the children of Jacob, whom he named Israel;

2 Kings 25:24
And Gedaliah sware to them, and to their men, and said unto them, Fear not to be the servants of the Chaldees: dwell in the land, and serve the king of Babylon; and it shall be well with you.

1 Chronicles 28:20
And David said to Solomon his son, Be strong and of good courage, and do it: fear not, nor be dismayed: for the LORD God, even my God, will be with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee, until thou hast finished all the work for the service of the house of the LORD.

2 Chronicles 20:17
Ye shall not need to fight in this battle: set yourselves, stand ye still, and see the salvation of the LORD with you, O Judah and Jerusalem: fear not, nor be dismayed; to morrow go out against them: for the LORD will be with you.

Psalms 55:19
God shall hear, and afflict them, even he that abideth of old. Selah. Because they have no changes, therefore they fear not God.

Psalms 64:4
That they may shoot in secret at the perfect: suddenly do they shoot at him, and fear not.

Isaiah 7:4
And say unto him, Take heed, and be quiet; fear not, neither be fainthearted for the two tails of these smoking firebrands, for the fierce anger of Rezin with Syria, and of the son of Remaliah.

Isaiah 35:4
Say to them that are of a fearful heart, Be strong, fear not: behold, your God will come with vengeance, even God with a recompence; he will come and save you.

Isaiah 41:13
For I the LORD thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee.

Isaiah 41:14
Fear not, thou worm Jacob, and ye men of Israel; I will help thee, saith the LORD, and thy redeemer, the Holy One of Israel.

Isaiah 43:1
But now thus saith the LORD that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine.

Isaiah 43:5
Fear not: for I am with thee: I will bring thy seed from the east, and gather thee from the west;

Isaiah 44:2
Thus saith the LORD that made thee, and formed thee from the womb, which will help thee; Fear not, O Jacob, my servant; and thou, Jesurun, whom I have chosen.

Isaiah 54:4
Fear not; for thou shalt not be ashamed: neither be thou confounded; for thou shalt not be put to shame: for thou shalt forget the shame of thy youth, and shalt not remember the reproach of thy widowhood any more.

Jeremiah 40:9
And Gedaliah the son of Ahikam the son of Shaphan sware unto them and to their men, saying, Fear not to serve the Chaldeans: dwell in the land, and serve the king of Babylon, and it shall be well with you.

Jeremiah 46:27
But fear not thou, O my servant Jacob, and be not dismayed, O Israel: for, behold, I will save thee from afar off, and thy seed from the land of their captivity; and Jacob shall return, and be in rest and at ease, and none shall make him afraid.

Lamentations 3:57
Thou drewest near in the day that I called upon thee: thou saidst, Fear not.

Daniel 10:12
Then said he unto me, Fear not, Daniel: for from the first day that thou didst set thine heart to understand, and to chasten thyself before thy God, thy words were heard, and I am come for thy words.

Daniel 10:19
And said, O man greatly beloved, fear not: peace be unto thee, be strong, yea, be strong. And when he had spoken unto me, I was strengthened, and said, Let my lord speak; for thou hast strengthened me.

Joel 2:21
Fear not, O land; be glad and rejoice: for the LORD will do great things.

Zechariah 8:13
And it shall come to pass, that as ye were a curse among the heathen, O house of Judah, and house of Israel; so will I save you, and ye shall be a blessing: fear not, but let your hands be strong.

Malachi 3:5
And I will come near to you to judgment; and I will be a swift witness against the sorcerers, and against the adulterers, and against false swearers, and against those that oppress the hireling in his wages, the widow, and the fatherless, and that turn aside the stranger from his right, and fear not me, saith the LORD of hosts.

Matthew 1:20
But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.

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

Matthew 28:5
And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified.

Luke 1:13
But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John.

Luke 1:30
And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God.

Luke 2:10
And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

Luke 5:10
And so was also James, and John, the sons of Zebedee, which were partners with Simon. And Jesus said unto Simon, Fear not; from henceforth thou shalt catch men.

Luke 8:50
But when Jesus heard it, he answered him, saying, Fear not: believe only, and she shall be made whole.

Luke 12:7
But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows.

Luke 12:32
Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.

Luke 18:4
And he would not for a while: but afterward he said within himself, Though I fear not God, nor regard man;

John 12:15
Fear not, daughter of Sion: behold, thy King cometh, sitting on an ass’s colt.

Acts 27:24
Saying, Fear not, Paul; thou must be brought before Caesar: and, lo, God hath given thee all them that sail with thee.

Revelation 1:17
And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last:

Courage

In addition to fear and love, the Lord has also been dealing with me about courage. As He was, again, I quickly ran to the writen Word of God to see examples of and instruction related to courage in days of old. It’s obvious that God wants us to stay away from fear, love one another and love him and be encouraged.

2 Samuel 10:12
Be of good courage, and let us play the men for our people, and for the cities of our God: and the LORD do that which seemeth him good.

1 Chronicles 19:13
Be of good courage, and let us behave ourselves valiantly for our people, and for the cities of our God: and let the LORD do that which is good in his sight.

Ezra 10:4
Arise; for this matter belongeth unto thee: we also will be with thee: be of good courage, and do it.

Psalms 27:14
Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.

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

Isaiah 41:6
They helped every one his neighbour; and every one said to his brother, Be of good courage.

Matthew 9:2
And, behold, they brought to him a man sick of the palsy, lying on a bed: and Jesus seeing their faith said unto the sick of the palsy; Son, be of good cheer; thy sins be forgiven thee.

Matthew 9:22
But Jesus turned him about, and when he saw her, he said, Daughter, be of good comfort; thy faith hath made thee whole. And the woman was made whole from that hour.

Matthew 14:27
But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid.

Mark 6:50 t
For they all saw him, and were troubled. And immediately he talked with them, and saith unto them, Be of good cheer: it is I; be not afraid.

Mark 10:49
And Jesus stood still, and commanded him to be called. And they call the blind man, saying unto him, Be of good comfort, rise; he calleth thee.

Luke 8:48
And he said unto her, Daughter, be of good comfort: thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace.

John 16:33
These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

Acts 23:11
And the night following the Lord stood by him, and said, Be of good cheer, Paul: for as thou hast testified of me in Jerusalem, so must thou bear witness also at Rome.

Acts 27:22
And now I exhort you to be of good cheer: for there shall be no loss of any man’s life among you, but of the ship.

Acts 27:25
Wherefore, sirs, be of good cheer: for I believe God, that it shall be even as it was told me.

Love Is An Action Word

Jesus said, If you love me, feed my sheep (John 21:17).

If we love the Lord, our love should be accompanied by a series of actions that correspond with our love.

If we love the Lord, we should research or recall what he has required of us, and do that thing.

Ladies, if your man says he loves you,  you want him to do something. Maybe you have never said it, but you would like for him to take action. Rather than sitting on the couch all day, reminiscing on the love you share, you want him to do the things that please you: help take care of the house, help take care of the kids, finish school, work, etc.

If we love the Lord, we need to get up off of the sideline of life and do what He has called us to do.

We care called to draw other sheep into the fold, and that is what we need to do, if we love Christ.

Command the Day

After reading the word as it relates to commanding the day countless times, I now know that God has given me the power to Command the Day.  Last night, in a conference call, I was reminded to Command the Day! I want to share my commands with you!

Then I will command my blessing upon you in the sixth year, and it shall bring forth fruit for three years (Leviticus 25:21 KJV).

The LORD shall command the blessing upon thee in thy storehouses, and in all that thou settest thine hand unto; and he shall bless thee in the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee (Deuteronomy 28:8 KJV).

Because of my new understanding, I have sought the Lord and now command the morning!

I hunger and thirst after righteousness
I am meek
I am good
I am organized
I am lively
I am confident in Christ
I am gentle
I am well coordinated
I am full of positive ideas and energy
I am pure in heart
I am holy
I am bold
I am agile
I am full of joy
I am kind
I am only persecuted for righteousness sake
I am rich
I am meriful
I am humble
I am mentally acute
I am a pacemaker
I am loving
I am manifester of temperance
I am marked by my ability to think quickly
I am wealthy
I am healthy
I am faithful
I am beautiful
I am loving
I am generous
I am helpful
I am a contributor
I am submissive and obedient to the Lord
I am aware
I am a kingdom seeker
I am patient

I allow the spirit of the Lord to control my body, mind, and spirit.
I bind any spirit that would try to counteract the will of the father in my life, and the execution of the Lord’s perfect will in my life.
I cast them back to the pit of hell, forever, in Jesus name!

Do You Trust Me or Not?

At this time, I hear the Lord saying: You need to either trust me and shut up, or just keep talking. Pick One!

I hope that this helps somebody today, it sure is helping me. 🙂

#StudyToBeQuiet #StandStillAndSeeTheSalvationOfTheLord

 

 

Father, Father, Father!

Father.

Possibly one of the most powerful relationships that we can have with another human being.  Our father can be our provider. He can teach a man or woman what to accept from the person of the opposite gender.

I am writing a book on my relationship with my father and have summarized some of  the first things that I have noticed about the relationship between folks and their fathers.

Those who do not have a relationship with their earthly father have difficulty relating with their spiritual father.

Those who rebel against their earthly father also rebel against their spiritual father.

Those who conspire to collude against their earthly father will also collude against other authority- at work, school, etc.

… These are just a few of my recent thoughts.

What are your thoughts?

Count It All Joy

Sometimes, our experiences can lead us to feel sad or confused. Sometimes, individuals fall into depression because they are ‘too close to the mirror’. Because we stand so close, we cannot see the picture. There is a familiar adage that about those who “can’t see the forest for the trees.”

We must remember that God loves us (Romans 8:37) and He cares; He is rich in mercy (Ephesians 2:4-5). He said that He will never leave us or forsake us (Deuteronomy 31:8 & Hebrews 13:5) . We are important to Him. He knows the end and the beginning (Isaiah 46:10 & Revelation 22:13) and is the author and finisher of our faith (Hebrews 2:12).

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose (Romans 8:28).

In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you (I Thessalonians 5:18).

My brethren, count it all joy, when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing (James 1:2-4).

In the accounting world, we have the prerogative of serving the best interest of the company board. In this case the accounting team reasons together to determine which number goes into which column.  The accountant makes a decision to which area they will count a given dollar amount.

I dare say that as Christians we have more authority to do this that other groups. My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations (James 1:2). We have the prerogative and obligation to count everything that happens to us as part of God’s divine plan for our lives.

In the moment, we may characterize something as ‘good or bad’, what ever you think, proactively use it to be closer to Christ.

#HappyHappyJoyJoy

#CountItAllJoy

#Winans

#Closer

 

A Few Thoughts on Complaining

Why do people complain?

… I mean, what are some of the prerequisites of the complaining spirit?

– Staying away from God and His word

– Letting the enemy get in your ear

– Believing anything (lies) more than God (The Truth)

– Not monitoring faith and trust levels

What does the bible show are some of the consequences of complaining?

1. Consider the angels. Satan complained, rebelled and then got himself kicked out of heaven.  Later many angels listened to satan and became dissatisfied with heaven and were kicked out. Can you imagine being kicked out of a ‘good place’ (to say the least) like heaven?

2. Consider Adam and Eve. They listened to one of the fallen angels, distrusted God, and disobeyed God. Although they did not formally complain, they showed their dislike and distrust of His word.  They got kicked out of the Garden of Eden.

3. Consider the Children of Israel. Murmuring and complaining, they wondered in the wilderness for 40 years because of their thinking and their words.

4. Consider  Ananias and Sapphira they rebelled against God and did not follow the standard that was set for them. Moreover, they lied about it and were killed.

(I’ve noticed that many complainers are ‘In the House’. Those who are outside don’t complain because they don’t care to or because they don’t understand ‘who they should complain to’. Notice that each of the points above were individuals or groups who were connected with closely connected to God or know someone who is closely connected with God.)

5. Complaining spreads unbelief.

a. Satan complained, rebelled and then got himself kicked out of heaven.

b. Satan was disgruntled and then spread his doubt of God and His word onto Adam and Eve.

c.  Adam and Eve’s son, Cain was displeased with life and rebelled against God’s standard for offerings. Cain killed His brother, Abel (Genesis 4:1-8).

d.  Notice that when when the group was asked to survey Canaan, when they returned, most of them complained. Only a two said, ‘we can do it’ (Numbers 13: 30-31).

Numbers 13:3-16 clearly states that 12 men surveyed.

Only two of the 12 believed: Caleb and Joshua hath faith and believed that they could take the land.

With this lopsided ratio, the complaining took prevalence, and as a result, many others were disgruntled and complained, although they did not actually see the land for themselves, they still murmured and complained, the bible says:

And all the congregation lifted up their voice, and cried; and the people wept that night. And all the children of Israel murmured against Moses and against Aaron: and the whole congregation said unto them, Would God that we had died in the land of Egypt! or would God we had died in this wilderness! And wherefore hath the LORD brought us unto this land, to fall by the sword, that our wives and our children should be a prey? were it not better for us to return into Egypt? And they said one to another, Let us make a captain, and let us return into Egypt (Numbers 14:1-4).

The familiar adage is true: One bad apple can spoil the whole bag!

What are some of the things that you can do to help yourself stop complaining? 

1. Stay in the Word. Read the word, meditate on the word, this reinforces the promises of the Lord. Make sure that you think of His promises than on the situation you are facing.

2. Encourage yourself. Speak life over yourself and avoid people who say things to discourage themselves, you, or other people.  Remember that life and death is in the power of your words: Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof (Proverbs 18:21).

3. Encourage others.  When you encourage others, you inadvertently encourage yourself.

4. In faith, speak those things that are not as though they are. When given an opportunity, rather than being overwhelmed and full of gloom or doom, be faithful and trust God, saying, ‘Yes, with the Lord, I can!’

5. As the Lord to reveal your team to you:

And when the servant of the man of God was risen early, and gone forth, behold, an host compassed the city both with horses and chariots. And his servant said unto him, Alas, my master! how shall we do? And he answered, Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them. And Elisha prayed, and said, LORD, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see. And the LORD opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha (II King 6:15-17).

Wherefore, seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us (Hebrews 12:1).

Consider Preventive Measures

The only way that I can think to explain this clearly is to do so in terms of my life. Today, I have many things that I want God to do. My salvation is important. I ask God to keep my mind everyday. I want to walk upright. I want every one in my family to be healthy, saved, and prosperous. I have business loans that I want to push through, I want businesses deals to close, various applications that I want to be approved quickly- overall, I want my businesses to grow and flourish. I’m asking God for an abundance in my personal life so that I will be able to seed into the lives of people. I also ask for a long life, so that I may live to see my seeds grow. I need Him in all of these ways!

I refuse to complain, or develop the mindset of a complainer because I need God.

I will not be ungrateful. I will not. I don’t want to live beneath the level of prosperity that God has for me and get ‘kicked out’ of my life’s garden. I don’t want it to take longer than necessary to get what God has for me. I don’t want to die prematurely.

Because I don’t want to exist in the same manner of the the fallen angels, Children of Israel, Adam and Eve, and others that I can’t let myself worry, doubt, live faithless, stop trusting God, or complain.  Simply put, complaining would poison my life.

Finally, complaining is contrary to giving God glory. Every time we complain, we have missed an opportunity to give God praise, honor, and glory. SMH!!

Prayer

Lord,  deal with me when I begin to allow myself to slip away from your word. Deal with me when my faith is challenged.  Keep me in your word so that I may I never begin to complain. Develop trust in you, deep and wide.  Let me never spread distrust in You. Deal with me about all of these things.

In Jesus name, I pray, Amen.

Discipline

Discipline is the process of training that is used to develop obedience (http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/obedience?s=t, rev.).  As a disciple of Jesus Christ, I must discipline myself to obey His will and word. There are times when I have asked Him for the desire to be disciplined (wow!). I honestly did not want to!  I have to purposely:

1. Proactively seek after ways to please the Lord.

2. Stay out of perpetual sin.

3. Rid myself of weights, distractions, frustrations…

4. In regular intervals, separate myself from food, drink, and seek Him all the more.

5. Encourage others to do 1-4, above.

I have noticed that the more I push away from flesh and carnality, the more power I have to do His work.

He gives me more peace, joy, grace, strategy, power, wisdom, humility …

He teaches me warfare.

His teaches me His will for my life.

#Grateful

#Discipline

Broke, Broken, Humble

Not long ago, I heard someone say that they don’t drive, don’t have a vehicle, don’t have lots of clothes, don’t have a job. They said, you see, ‘I live a humble life’.

Since that time, I have been praying about what they said. I have been praying about making sure that I have a good understanding of what humility is … And what it is not.   The following is what I believe that the Lord is telling me on this wise.

Humility is not being broke.

Humility is not having one pair of shoes/one hand bag or only one outfit to wear.

Humility is knowing that whatever you have or have access to is not because of your own efforts.

If you have 1 cent or one million dollars, it’s because God’s mercies toward you.

If you have 1 pair of shoes or 100 pairs, it’s because God’s mercies toward you.

You have a roof over your head- in a shelter or in Martha’s Vineyard- you have that roof because of God’s mercies toward you.

Humility is knowing that it is not your intellect, job, family lineage, or anything that has to do with you that you have what you have.

Humility is knowing that God allowed you to:

go to high school

finish high school

enter into college, trade school, etc.

complete your program/graduate

get a job

wake up and go to work

stay long enough to earn a check

beat depression and get out of bed and go to work… etc.

Or simply inherit a silver spoon.

Only God. Not you. For the bible states: But thou shalt remember the Lord thy God: for it is He that giveth thee power to get wealth, that he may establish His covenant which he sware unto thy fathers, as it is this day (Deuteronomy 8:18).

When God chooses to bless your life, there is nothing that you can do. Behold, I have received commandment to bless: and he hath blessed; and cannot reverse it (Numbers 23:7).

If being humble is about not having possessions or having access to things, how can the blessed be humble? Always give God praise and honor for everything, acknowledging that it was His provisions, not yours.

I can understand how someone could think that a person who does not have many things is humble. But it is possible for the human element to be prideful having one item.  Furthermore, one may develop self-righteousness with that one item, thinking or saying that they have it because their own efforts. When we know all that is good and perfect comes from God (James 1:7) and that elevation and promotion is from the Lord also (Psalm 75:6).

Lord,

Thank  you for showing me that there is a difference between being humble and being broke or broken. Teach  me to love you, honor you, love all people, and cherish my relationship with you when I have and when I do not have.  Teach me to acknowledge your role as you move across my entire life.  Take away every ounce of pride that I have.  Let me be more humble in each passing day.  Lead me to always be grateful for your many blessings.  Teach me to give, wanting nothing in return. Help me to always know that you are the source of my help.  Give me an abundance and I will share as you direct me. Then Lord, teach me to always be thankful for all that you do and never ashamed to give you glory. In the precious name of Jesus, I pray, Amen.

Don’t Catch the Wrong Bus!

In some earlier posts, I discussed how the Lord is a Great Prepare-er.

I thank God for preparing me for His work. I am grateful for this journey that we are on together: I am also, very glad that He has brought me to the place where I have these types of thoughts about Him.

As a single woman, I long for companionship. Sometimes, more than other times.  Lol, sometimes, not at all!  But generally speaking, I do.  In prayer and meditation about this recently, I heard the Lord say that He has invested far too much time in me for me to get on the first train smoking.  Lol…

I had to share this!!

Ladies and gentlemen, be honest your journey with the Lord.  Take the time to remember what He has brought you through and be grateful.  Smile and know that just as He has taken so much time and effort to prepare you, He has taken the same amount, if not more, to prepare your partner for life.

Make sure that you are not settling, but rather that you are truly waiting for the Lord to give you the man or woman that HE has destined for you to be with.  (For the most part, these are my preferences, but you get the drift.)  I whole heartedly believe that He who God has for me is the type of person:
Who is full of the Holy Spirit

Who admires what I pour my heart into, not the person who dreads what I love

Who is proactive and a hard worker

Who understands my personality and likes it

Who is patient, kind

Who expects to live a long life

Who makes healthy food choices

Who ‘gets me’

Who is strong and confident, but willing to let me help him

Who is a natural-born provider

Whose line of work compliments mine; He never competes with me

Who always has something positive to say or add

Who is a healthy lover

Who thinks what I do is important

Who is proud to know me

Who speaks life over me

Who is not physically or emotionally or financially, etc… yoked with another woman

Who is never sarcastic or rude

Who has a long-standing relationship with Christ

Who loves the Word of God

Who thinks that Kingdom work is important

Who never shares our conversations with others

Who is in love with me, not the idea of me

Who never exploits people and is not manipulative or vindictive

Who thinks that my pet peeves are important

Who is kind, without thinking of himself

Who never gossips or backbites; only edifies people

Who loves to read and write

Who is cool-tempered, passionate

Who likes the finer things in life.

Who loves to take mission trips, give, share, and do

Who is physically attractive and is physically attracted to me

Who is cheerful and friendly, never meets a stranger

Who does not drink or smoke and it’s perfectly ok with him- is a ‘non-issue’

Who I don’t have to convince to pay his tithe, cheerfully give an offering

Who understands the importance of gainful income

Who is well kept, combs his hair, takes showers (had to throw this one in there, lol)

Who understands the importance of setting up a retirement fund, establishing a funeral account, finishing his degree program, etc

Who is always thinking of and planning for the future

Is completely against pre-maritial sex

Who is a savvy business man

Who values the time that we spend together, instead of thinking that other things are more important

—

As people of God, we need to make sure that we don’t settle and catch the wrong bus.

“Have a little talk with Jesus” and ask Jesus what you need to want in a life partner.

Write the vision and make it plain!

The person who we yoke up for life with is too important to leave to chance, or to make a decision about while intoxicated by sex, drugs, or alcohol. Be prayerful, sober and diligent.

On this journey called life, don’t get on the wrong bus!  Get on the bus that God has prepared for you.

#BeBlessed

#DontMissTheBus

#AndThatIsSomethingIWillNeverDoAgain

If You Can Use Anything, Lord, You Can Use Me

For quite some time now, the Lord has been waking me up in the wee hours of the morning, and startled, I’ve yelled: ‘Lord, let my life bring Glory to your name!’

I say, If you can use anything, Lord, you can use me.

You used a big fish – Jonah 1:7

You used a gourd – Jonah

You used a little fish – Matthew 24:27

You used the stars and moon – Genesis 1:4, Psalm 19:1, Isiah 13:10, Mark 13:25, Joel 3:15

You used an ass –  Numbers 22:21-31

You used iron – II Kings 6:6

You used seas and bodies of water – Exodus 14:21, Amos:5:8, Psalm 136:13

You used trees, mountains, and hills – Isaiah 55:12

… just to name a few.

Lord Jesus, use me to bring Glory to your name, O Heavenly Father!   I submit my will to yours. Not my will, Lord, but thine will be done- on earth, as it is in heaven.  In Jesus name, I pray, Amen.

 

 

Put It On the Shelf

A few months ago, I bought two small white shelves.

I wanted to place a couple encouraging placards on them.

Periodically, I would buy things and say to myself, “Put this on there. Put that on there.”

Two boxes of business cards,

Two sets of DVDs,

Two books,

Another book,

Another book,

In a few days, it was over 13 items on them…

In the quiet of the day, I heard a crash.

It was the book shelf, falling down to the floor.

Oops! I think that I threw away the info about those shelves- what was the weight limit?

In this life, we don’t know our weight limit, I sure am glad that the Lord knows mine. I may be small, but He has fortified me from the inside out. He will not put more on me than I can bear: He promised to never leave me or forsake me.

 

It’s a Non-Issue

When the Lord brings you to something, know that He also wants to bring you through it.

Resolve to pass the test; refuse to fail.

Lean on Him for divine strategy to overcome.

Lean on Him for energy to endure.

Lean on Him for longsuffering when you want to quit.

Lean on Him to fight for you.

Lean in Him to give you the victory!

When you have passed, also make sure that when this circumstance comes again, it’s a non-issue.

No, I’m not having sex before marriage.

No, I’m not stealing.

No, I’m not going to lie, even though its going to be embarrassing.

No, I’m not going to backbite.

No, I’m not going to be jealous.

No, I’m not going to be a glutton.

No, I’m not going to do anything that the Lord hates.

No, I’m not going to gossip.

No, I’m not going to live life in fear.

No, I’m not going to hold on to things that God has delivered me from.

No, I’m not. …Why?? Because it’s a non issue for me.

I already passed that test.

… It wasn’t just me passing it, The Lord of Hosts, the Lord Mighty in Battle was with me.

And He’s with me right now, as I proclaim:

Satan, the Lord rebukes thee! This is a non-issue!

#MovingRightAlong

 

The Law of Large Numbers

In probability theory, the law of large numbers (LLN) is a theorem that describes the result of performing the same experiment a large number of times. According to the law, the average of the results obtained from a large number of trials should be close to the expected value, and will tend to become closer as more trials are performed (wikipedia.org/lawoflargenumbers).  The law is commonly expressed in these terms:

Further, in simpler terms, in order to get a desired value over time, one has to start off with a large number.  Over time, the number will dwindle. In the end, the large number shrinks to the desired value.

What does God’s Holy Word say about this scientific tendency?

– Gideon’s army was shrunk from 22,000 to 10,000 to 300 (Judges 6-8).

– Scholars estimate that Sodom and Gomorrah had 200,000 inhabitants. But during the departure from the city only Lot, his wife, and two daughters left the city.  Biblical accounts indicate that Lot’s wife was changed into a pillar of salt because she looked back.   In the end, only Lot and his two daughters were saved  (Genesis 19).

– Statisticians and economists agree that at this time in history, approximately 2 Trillion people were born, are living or have lived on earth. Yet, the bible states, Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it (Luke 7:13-14).

– Many are called, few are chosen (Matthew 22:14).

– Many people may plant seeds in your life. Many may water the seeds. Only God gives the increase (I Corinthians 3:6-7).

– Through the ministry of our Lord, as He lived here on earth, many people were healed- there were so many people healed that there could have been more written. More specifically, the bible states, And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written (John 1:25)! However, only 4 sympathetic people were at the food of the cross (John 19).

– Again, throughout the ministry of Jesus Christ, he fed 5,000, (Matthew 14:31-21) then 4,000 (Mark 8:1-10). But only between 120 to 3000 were in the upper room or temple receiving the Holy Spirit.

The bible is always right, for it is divinely inspired. Why is it that, in the spiritual and in the natural, these numbers dwindle so?  I am not sure, but pray that come what may, I am always counted amongst those who are following God. This is my prayer:

O Lord, I pray that you purge my heart. Cleanse me from all unrighteousness, line me up with your will, teach me to obey, let me be obedient, and even as the numbers dwindle, let me be counted among your righteous.  In Jesus name, I pray, Amen.

#GladToBeInTheNumber

Let Freedom Ring

This past weekend, I went to see Selma. Selma was recently released to theatres and will remain open through the Martin Luther King Holiday Weekend.  Great cinematography, great film!

It was very painful to watch many of the scenes.  I cried. It was very emotional for me to see what happened to so many people.

Moreover, my mom was an activist. She did a set-in, was taken in custody, etc. She shared her story with us (her kids) when I was growing up.

As I reflect on the sacrifices that they made and the lives that were lost, I think of the sacrifice that our Lord made to deliver us from sin.

Lord, thank you for coming to earth to live as a man.

Thank you for suffering greatly for us, even though many of us take you and your sacrifice for granted.

Thank you for accepting such a horrible death.

Thank you for the blood that you shed.

May I never take anything you did for granted.

I accept the freedom that you purchased for me with your blood.

Let Freedom Ring!

If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed (John 8:36).

Abba, Father

I cry Abba, Father!

Jesus, you are my God. My father, my all.

All dominion and authority belongs to you.

I love you and praise your name, forever more!

Like a new born babe, I was slapped into my senses and cry out a noise unto you!

My Proclamation!

I made this proclamation in 2013, and proudly make it again today:

I love the Lord with my whole heart!

I am humbled to know that he loves me to the extent to let me want Him, so…

I’m not play’n w my salvation!

I’m not playing with the Lord’s Mercies or His grace!

I’m giving this my best shot!

I will walk in the spirit of the Lord, repent and forgive quickly!

I will live holy, for without holiness shall no man see the Lord!

I will spread His gospel with diligence.

I will love His people.

I will love His kingdom!

Pay It Forward

Pay it Forward.

Popular thought has emphasized giving finances.  Yes, it is important to do that, but as a person who has been in academia 28 years,  I realize that some times you just don’t have money …  therefore, NO, it is not necessary that everything that is ‘paid forward’ is paid with cash, credit, or debit cards.

If you have money, yes, you should pay your tithes and give an offering. 
Give other tangibles like food, or possessions when you know it’s your last.

Show genuine kindness and love to people you know hate your guts.
Smile when you know you wanna cry.
Volunteer your ‘much-needed’ time to serve a Godly cause.
Have a cheerful attitude in a difficult circumstance.

Shut up when you know you could have the last word.

Give, pay it forward, for God loves a cheerful giver. II Corinthians 9:7

 

 

Some People

There are some people who walk into your life and immediately add value.

You find yourself wanting to be stronger,

You feel better,

You think clearer,

You do better,

You become stronger.

Every good quality about you seems to be enhanced.

When you’re around them alot, you seem to feel better.

You encourage the people around you to be better …

And the people that you encourage encourage their peers to do the same.

… it spreads like a wildfire.

 

Unfortunately, there are others who do the opposite.

Are you a lifter, or do you pull people down?

Are you a sustainer or a drainer?

Are you a contributor or do you look to be a beneficiary?

O Lord, please make me the type of person who genuinely adds value to the lives of others.

Take away every toxic perspective or attitude that I carry and give me a heart like yours!

In Jesus name, I pray, Amen.

#PressingOn

#PressingIn

You Betta Sing!

Paul and Silas were delivered when they were INSIDE the jail. While they were there, they sang praises unto the Lord.

Shadrach, Meschch, and Abendego were protected when they were INSIDE the fiery furnace.  Their hearts sang, Lord, you will deliver us, if it is in your will.

David was delivered from the wrath of Saul when he was INSIDE the cave.  He was a hard-core psalmist!

Lord, please help me learn what I need to learn. Let your lessons become part of me.

Lord, now, put a song in my heart and on my lips.

Deliver me from this place and as you will, I will be better, not bitter with a praise on my lips!

#YouBetterSing

#TheCagedBirdSingsBecauseSheKnowsSomething

 

 

Step Out On Faith

---

When you step out on faith, don’t let everybody in your business.

The faithless will not understand.

If everybody could understand, then everybody would be doing it.

If everybody was doing it, you would not need faith!

#ThatsRight

Give and I’ll Give It Back To You

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

And he said unto them, Take heed what ye hear: with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you: and unto you that hear shall more be given. Mark 4:24

You give love, affection …

You have ‘smart’ comments to say to or about people …

You gossip or backbite about people …

You forgive people real quick …

You share even when you don’t know where you next meal is coming from …

Good or bad, You’re going to get what ever you are planting.  God is not a man that He should lie.

Harvest time is not always so exciting, huh?

Lord, Teach Us Your Way!

 

This Is My Season

I have heard the song about this being ‘my season’ over and over again over the past week- before that, I had never heard it.  Listening to it, and see in everyone get extremely excited makes me think…

I sure hope there were good seeds planted; I hope that the things are desirable are planted, because the law of God says that we reap what we sow.

Lord, let us recognize that all of the seeds we’ve planted have not been good.

Lord, let us acknowledge the wrong we’ve done.

Lord, let us acknowledge that we’ve sinned against you and men.

Lord, let us repent and return to your perfect will for our lives.

Lord, have mercy upon us and let us reap the harvest of the good we have sown.

Lord, let us love you all the more and long to stay in your presence forevermore, in Jesus name Amen!

Wrestle Not!

We wrestle not against flesh and blood but principalities… Eph 6:12

We overcome through the blood of the lamb and the word of our testimonies… Rev 12:11

Stand and see the salvation of the LORD. Exodus 14:13 and II Chronicles 20:17

We’d rather hear someone say, ‘Yeah, you told me that!’ than to hear them testify that God changed their hearts, that God delivered them, that they are saved by God’s grace, that they thank God for doing this or that…

Wrestle Not!

We’ve got to learn to be quiet.
Be quiet and hear God.
Be quiet and let people hear God not our motor mouths.

The more you talk the more you exacerbate or worsen your situation.

It is better to dwell in a corner of the rooftop than with a brawling (or
in some translations- a nagging or contentious) woman. Proverbs 21:9

Sarcastic talking, combativeness, and strife, saying things ‘tit-for-tat’
can set you back years in the past and rob the function of the anointing.

Either you trust in your mouth or you trust in the spirit of the Lord.
Choose ye this day who you will serve! Joshua 24:25

One of the main reasons that we are not overcoming and we are not healing others because we want to take credit in some manner. On the contrary, all glory belongs to God.

Look back over your life and be honest about where your have mouth has gotten you…
Verses
Where the Lord has taken you…

And shut up!

Zechariah sat in silence:

… waiting for he who would usher in the Lord.
… waiting for he who would be the voice crying in the wilderness.

Let us sit in silence now, trusting in God to do His work.

Henceforth, now and forevermore, let the Holy Spirit work. Rather than talking, trying to convince people let the Holy Spirit convict them- the change will be significant to them and more meaningful, and  permanent.

Don’t be caught up on getting everything ‘off your chest’ or receiving credit but rather give God glory!!

Wrestle not!

I want, I want, I want…

I want, I want, I want!

Me, Me, Me.

My, My, My.

Watching Captain Hook say these things in annoyance of the kids…

I set and think: Many of us want things-
iphones, ipads, ideas,
To see the World,
World Peace,
To End Hunger,

While these things are desirable- right now I ask you, Lord- please change our preferences so that we may want more of you. I declare that I want:

…be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith (Philippians 3:9)

When we accept Christ as our Savior, take on His name and take in His spirit, His righteousness is placed upon us. It is not our own semblance of righteousness (which is as filthy rags) that clothes us, but Christ’s own perfection (which is as robes of white).

My Prayer: Thank you, Lord, for Your love that allows me to be clothed in Your righteousness! May I never take it for granted! May I be found wanting more of you. In Jesus name, I pray, Amen.
(adapted, blueletterbible.org)

Killing Christ

Like, Saul I was killing the Christians

I was killing Christians because I was killing the Christ in me

I was doing everything and anything that I could possibly do to drown out the voice of God.

Loud music

Always watching television

Always doing this or doing that

Who can focus and hear God when they are continually drowned by the noises of the world?

But like Paul, on the road to Damascus, was drawn to Him

Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did [it] ignorantly in unbelief (I Timothy 1:13)

No I am free from that. I vow to never stray, my Lord

Just a few thoughts.

… to be continued…

 

Ease On Down The Road

Day two of my travel, I decided that I would pace myself and “Ease on Down the Road.”

After two days of back-to-back rush here, rush there, I resolved to take my time doing things today.

LOL!

With only two hours left to my destination, I woke up casually, and at a moderate speed, prepared to get some breakfast from the Hyatt buffet downstairs, load my car, and move on south. As I drove, I put Diana Ross and Michael’s song on repeat and thought about its message.

1. Keep it moving.

2. Get rid of weight and things that might be a load.

This move, this vision is not mine. I am now seeing that when the vision is not yours, but rather the Lord’s the plan is not yours either.

Every set back, every failure, everything is part of God’s wonderful orchestration of your life.

Ease on down the road, He’s got you!

More Than Semantics

The name of Jesus is emphatically significant.

His name is the most important name that you have ever heard or will ever hear.

If I were to write a check, the store and the bank both require than my name is on the check.

If I were to win a contest and was due to receive $1 million, the company would require than I show them some identification with my name printed on it.

If a family member were to pass away, the will would be required to have the names of the individuals who were due to receive goods- the will could not only say ‘my son’, ‘my father’, ‘my cousin’, ‘my worker’, ‘my aunt’, ‘my friend’.  The drafter of the will would require the will to include the names of the individuals.

Why is His name so important?

His name is exhalted above all others (Philippians 2:9).

Above sickness, tiredness, cancer, HIV/AIDS, hepatitis, sorrow, grief, depression, anxiety, headache, migraines, heartache, death, grief, cancer. Above ALL names!

Bless His holy name!

Bless your food in His name.

Pray in His name.

When you are in danger, call on His name – His name alone is a strong tower, the righteous run into it and are safe (Proverbs 18:10).

His name is the only name under heaven, whereby we must be saved (Acts 4:12).

Cover your entire life with His precious name by getting baptized by water and fire in his name!

#JesusName

#MakingTheNameOfJesusFamous

#ILoveTheLordAndIWontTakeItBack

Stand at the Gate and Watch

As those who are of God to present themselves before God, so came the enemies of God (Job 1:6 and Job 2:1). As our Lord stands at the door and knocks (Revelation 3:20), the enemies of God do the same. The enemy always tries to present himself as an angel of light (II Corinthians 11:14).

Moreover, as a people of God, we must watch who stands at the door of our hearts.

We must stand at the gates of our physical and spiritual ears, noses, bodies, ears, and mouths  and watch!

Be honest, if this means that we have to stop:

– Interacting with some people, so be it.

– Visiting some social media websites, so be it.

– Stop going to certain places, so be it.

If thy right hand offend you, cut it off (Matthew 5:30). Watch the gate!

#CantStop

#WontStop

#AnyMeansNeccessary

#NoTimeForFoolishness

#AintNoBodyGotTimeForThat

#AnyMeansNeccessarySalvation

 

 

Not Fully Dressed Without His Smile

Watching the movie Annie with a friend a song plays that says, “Not fully dressed without a smile.”

I decree and I declare:

I need the Lord to smile upon me.

I need His smile- His seal of approval.

He sees past my:

long skirt,

closed toe shoes,

bunned hair,

solemn face,

He sees through my shades,

makeup,

lashes,

skinny jeans,

Tee,

… He sees my heart.

If I allow him to clean up my heart, He’ll smile and that’s all I need.

Broken Families

As controversial as this may be, I dare to post it. There has been an influx of divorce, separation, and shared custody. Perhaps many of the reasons why many broken families are broken is because the adults and children don’t know how to treat one another.

Broken love, broken care, broken time together… has seemed to have changed their tempers, attitudes, and abilities to suffer long.   This inability to fellowship and commune renders families to now not be able to see one another on a regular basis and to resolve to treat each other with kindness and respect.

Idk, maybe all of the turmoil of separation and divorce has changed us …

Did it ‘take all of that’ for you be able to spoil your kids with attention and love?

Did it ‘take all of that’ to stop complaining and giving him or her a piece of your mind?

No one every told me this, but life taught me: Death is like divorce.

Ever notice how people are so nice at a funeral? Enemies hug and suck up the small stuff.

Ever notice how people who are not close get close at the time of death or hurricane or similar calamity.

I hope that it does not always ‘take all of that’ for us to get our love in check- to get our peace in check.

To finally get it together and talk to people like they are just that people.

Lord, forgive me for the instances when I did not know how to treat people that I love. Forgive me for being my fickle self.  Cleanse me. Purge me with hyssop, that I may be white as snow.   And, Lord, before our relationships and families break in separation, divorce,or death let us be knitted together. When we are together, let us be together in love, joy, and peace.  Let us cherish our time together, for flesh is grass.  Let this happen so that we also desire to give love and care and especially spend time together in your presence.  In Jesus name, I pray, Amen.

Braces Hurt

There is a familiar adage that states, “You can’t teach an old dog new tricks.”

Imagine the difference between wearing braces on your teeth as a 2nd grader verses wearing them as an adult.

Imagine the difference between wearing braces your feet/legs as a 5th grader verses wearing them as an adult.

The bible makes mentions of adult men being circumcised. Oh, the pain of that experience!

I cannot fathom living in sin or living for years in some manner, sincerely wrong before learning the right way. My heart now understands what Paul endured. After a life of thinking he was serving the Lord, he was serving satan, killing Christians.

I pray, Lord cut back our evil, our sin, and weights before we get used to the weight, before we get entrenched in ungodly structures.  After a life time of serving myself, I was afforded the opportunity to get it right. Now, I finally take on the opportunity to serve Christ through serving others.

Lord, always lead me down the paths to serve you. I need to please you. Let my heart never wax cold. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.

I Ain’t Wasting No Time

I decree and I declare that I will stop wasting my most precious commodity.

More precious than rubies

diamonds,

my salary,

homes,

land,

vehicles,

… is my time.

I vow to spend my time and energy advancing the Kingdom of Jesus Christ.

I’ve heard people say, “If it ain’t fun, I ain’t doing it.”

Well, I say, “If ain’t advancing the Kingdom of God, I ain’t doing it!”

A Made Up Mind

As I prepare to travel across the country, I know that the path before me is full of hills, mountains, buildings, and skyscrapers.

I know that no matter how large the building or how gigantic the mountain, there is nothing more powerful than the mind that the Lord has given to me to travel around and through them.

I know that there is nothing that is more powerful than the determination that is inside of me when I make up my mind to do a thing.

I decree and I declare that I will let my mind be as the mind of Christ Jesus.

I will give God:

Glory with my life.

Praise with my lips.

Honor with my actions.

Do that which pleases my Lord.

– Be about my heavenly Father’s business!

2015 New Year’s Prayer

O Lord I come to you this morning thanking you for this day. I thank you for the opportunity to pray as we walk into the new year. Lord forgive me for my sins, known & unknown. Purge me with hyssop.

Now Lord, Let your Word burn, like fire in my heart!
Manifest your tangible word in my life! Show me your glory!

Give me & show me my permanent place in you and in your kingdom.
Show me your vision.
Let me walk in  your way & your purpose for my life.
Fight for me, please Lord.

The tare influences the wheat by emotion, manipulation, and guilt.
I decree & declare I am wheat!

I decree & declare that I will never be influenced by manipulative people, neither will I be a manipulator.

I refuse to be entangled with people whose 2015 is just like 2014.
I refuse to be an audience for foolishness or partake in things that are sinful or that are not like You.

I decree and I declare God will separate me from people:
With recurring disobedience,
Who refuse to be disciplined,
Who want to carry baggage,
Who refuse to listen to God tell them how to let go of baggage!

Who refuse to forgive themselves or others,
Who steal my time, energy, effort, resources or ideas,
Who refuse to be naked before God,
Who serve God with their lips but their hearts are far from You.

Speak death, turmoil, or evil over their own lives and mine.
Destroy themselves and me with their words,
Whose life is dull, drab, complacent & purposeless,
Who camouflages fear with ‘waiting on the Lord’
Whose lives are laced with or full of fear & hesitation,
Who rely on words more than the spirit of the Lord.
… for the Word says the letter killeth but the Spirit brings forth life!

Instead, Lord make me keen- sharpen my discernment.
Keep the words from my mouth few, guide them that they always be true.
Have me to quickly obey the Word that comes to me from the Spirit of Jesus Christ.
Strengthen me. That I may not be afraid of the words of mere men- whether they be true or untrue.
Help me love you more each day.
In the mighty name of Jesus, Amen!

Glory!

I feel like the Lord has given me an amber’s light of understanding  of what it means to give Him glory. Thank you for loving me.

Being my friend, touching my life, leading me, providing me, fighting my battles for me, speaking up for me.

O Lord, teach me to give you the glory for all things.

-To appreciate you for your love & kingdom & etc. intangible and tangible blessings.

-To defeat the temptations to accept praise for doing things myself, and sit in silence.

-To see that even “bad things”have happened to allow me to solidify my  choice of loving you.

-Time after time, teach me to choose to give you all the glory, in Jesus name!!

… To be continued…

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

LORD, I need your help!

I am thankful that you have shown me that I need your help.

You and I both see my deficiencies and know that I need you.

I sing, Lord, Lord, I need you to help me!

Thank you for loving me, knowing that I have many:

faults,

weakness,

deficiencies,

hopeless situations,

threats,

setbacks,

insufficiencies,

instabilities …

Thank you for showing me that I need you despite my perception of my:

abilities,

opportunities,

strengths,

intelligence…

 

… to be continued …

 

 

This Past Year, I Found…

This past year I found my Lord to be a Great Prepare-er.

“Just as I took many days to prepare a place for man everything I did to create earth and to make earth a place for man to dwell in creation,  Just as I prepared Eve’s womb to bear children and throughout the years, millions of other women … and your mom before she knew she’d get pregnant” …

He led me to the story of Jonah:

The Lord prepared the great fish to swallow up Jonah (Jonah 1:17).

He prepared a tempest to come and make the seas rough (Jonah 1:4).

He prepared the lots to fall upon Jonah.

The Lord prepared a ship and crew to throw him off board.

He prepared the gourd to grow and serve its purpose (Jonah 4:6).

The Lord prepared the hearts of the people in Nineveh to accept the Word of God, preached by Jonah.

The Lord is now preparing a place for His people to dwell and worship: But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear hath heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love Him (I Corinthians 2:9).

He said, “I am away right now, in heaven, preparing a place for you with many mansions “…

“I am currently preparing a place for those that love me to worship me!”

He showed me that everything that has happened in my life is preparing me for who he would have me to become is just a few moons. He’s preparing me for kingdom work and for work when this life is over.

I am honored by His presence, His diligence in preparing me – preparing me to use me in His great kingdom.

He is a Great Prepare-er!

 

 

Whose Birthday Is it Anyway?

I remember years ago, traveling into the city to celebrate my Aunt’s Birthday.

When we reached her, she smiled and hurried to the car.  Her cheeks were lifted, demeanor was cheerful and friendly.  When she got into the car,  the car filled with upbeat conversation.

My aunt quickly asked, ‘Where are we going?’

We all quickly and cheerfully began to ask her questions and make comments:

Where do you wanna go? … Yeah, it’s your birthday, you decide … Just name it, any place! … Where do you wanna go? …  What do you have a taste for? … What have you been craving? …  Just tell us, we’ll go!

She named her first choice.

Someone said… ‘You wanna go where? No … Let’s go somewhere nice, I mean, it’s your birthday, let’s go set down at a nice restaurant!’

She said, ‘Oh, ok, ok!!’ Still grinning and busting with excitement. “Let’s go to… ” (some other place).

Someone quickly said, “I really don’t like’ (the restaurant) ‘Can we go somewhere on the other side of town, I mean, it is your birthday, we don’t wanna get robbed!!!’

She said, ‘Ok, let me think: Hum.’ How about… ”

I said, ‘Man, Tee, I was hoping thinking that we’d go some place where we could all find a healthy option.’

She said, ‘Oh, ok, ok. Ummmm .. anybody ever tried (some other place)?’

A couple people replied with some other comments about how they have never tried it because of some reason or another…

With a confused look on her face, she finally said, ‘Well, why don’t ya’ll decide, then … ” LOL.

 

Can you imagine experiencing this scenario on your birthday?

Looking on this with my sisters and mom, we laugh but surely we could have done better.

Can we ‘suck up’ our personal preferences when it’s their birthday and you are treating them to a meal to celebrate their birth and life?  This is very sad actually.

This year, as we celebrate the Birth of Jesus Christ, let us do what HE would have for us to do.

Seek His face, ask Him what He would have for you to do, today, and everyday!

Merry Christ-mas = More of Christ 😉

Amen!

Christmas Reflections

Today, I am opting to check myself, and see if I’ve grown.  I’ve pasted some of my public Christmas reflections, below.

December 25, 2012:
I searched and I found Him to be a mighty counselor-
More wise and viligent that I could ever be.
Away from the manger,

Waxed strong in spirit,
He has erected a tower-
Strong and mighty all round about me.
No, no, no
He is the tower, mighty in battle!!!

Jesus your name is a strong arm of protection.
My God
The author an finisher gives perfect counsel
And hath smeared a path-
Through the city and field
Hath made every crooked path straight
Lifted valleys and hath made mountains low.
I have found him to be a mighty counselor.
No need to trust in self,
For I am to be about His business.
I need to listen to The Mighty Counselor.
I have found Him to be my Mighty Counselor.
December 2013:
I am thankful that my Lord Jesus loved me so much that He came down from the heavens
In the form of a man to live as an example for me.

I am grateful that He knew he’d suffer greatly in life and in death,
But still chose to come here for me.
I am humbled as I ponder the sacrifice He made to come and live here for a season.
I am thankful to have had an opportunity to share this Christmas with my family to share the remebrance of His great sacrifice.
I am thankful that much of my family was able to be away from work and free to spend time together.
I am thankful for the time we spent in prayer, playing games, and sharing.
… And falling on the floor laughing.
When I remember His sacrifice, I am compelled to declare that:
Henceforth, everyday I will strive to have:
CHRIST MAS = More of Christ

In every area of my life, more of Christ.
Not more of who I want to be.
More of who He is.
Less of who He is not.
Merry Christ Mas 🙂

Prepare Him Room

Preparing for Christmas, I’ve heard many Christmas Carols. As an adult, carols that I have been listening

to have much more meaning then iv’e imagined for years past.While listening to Joy to the World, I

noticed the part of the song that I sung “Let every heart purpose his room”

Oh Lord, empty me of me, that I may be filled with you.

Clear my calendar, that I may do what you would have for me to do.

In Jesus,name,

Amen

 

 

 

We Have Come This Far By Faith

Singing, ‘We have come this far by faith’ …

This song is stuck in my head, lol. I’m actually glad that it is.

It reminds me of how I got this far and how I need to move forward. I am glad to remember: my life is not my own.

It reminds me that I need to take up my cross put it on my plow, keep my hands on the plow and not look back, less I turn into pillar of salt.

Just Enough

Sometimes in relationships, we show affection to our significant other just enough for them not to leave us

We may say I love you just enough for them to know that we love them

We may say or we may do certain things just enough for the relationship to remain intact

At your job, you may come in just enough for them to know that you still work there

With regard to your duties or responsibilities, you may do things that you supposed to do just enough that you can keep your job

Likewise, your employer may pay you just enough to keep you from looking for another job

You may come in late, or leave early but do it just enough times to avoid getting written up or fired

When unbelievers date saved folks, they often attend church/ pray/read their bible just enough to make the believer think that they love the Lord

… All of these things may be true,

but in our relationships with our significant others

and in your relationship with Christ, you can’t just do just enough. 

You can’t go to church just enough to make yourself ‘feel good’ about your relationship with God

We can’t go to church and experience just enough of the presence of the Lord and then leave and return to our wicked ways …

We cannot do just enough to get into the kingdom of God!!

We cannot do just enough.

Simply, He has done far too much for us to give Him any minimal amount of any thing- praise, worship, time … nothing.

#HeIsMoreThanEnough

#GiveHimMoreMoreMore

#NinetyNineAndAHalfWontDo

#WorshipHimInSpiritAndInTruth