He Can Work It Out (If You Let Him)

What does God desire for His children?

Take a moment and seriously think about the answer to this question.

This morning on the way to work I was listening to the Yolanda Adams station on Pandora and the song Jesus Can Work It Out came on. Most of you reading this know the song.  The chorus simply says, 'Jesus Can Work It Out...If You Let Him...Jesus Can Work It Out.  The first verse goes on to say

That problem that I had, couldn't seem so solve. I tried and I tried and I kept getting deeper involved. Then I turned it over to Jesus and I stopped worrying about it.  I turned it over to the Lord and HE worked it out.  You are probably asking what this has to do with the question I asked at the beginning of this post.  Well let's start by agreeing that God wants what is best for His children.  Do you believe it?  Good...that's settled.  So why are you still worrying about that situation?  Stressing about something or somebody that you have no control over.  God has the solution to your problem but as the saying goes, 'we get in our own selves way'.  I have found that I tend to be my own worst enemy when it comes to letting God work things out for me.  God is either not fixing it the way I think He should or He is just taking too long.  And as a result of that thinking I take matters back into my own hands.  Shouldn't I have figured out by now that only delays my deliverance. 

Look at the children of Israel. God delivered them out of Egypt and led them across The Red Sea (on dry land), into the wilderness (where He sustained them), on the way to the Promised Land. Instead of surrendering to the will of God and the plan He had for them they continued to do evil in the sight of the Lord.  They didn't trust God with their future.  They didn't trust that there was a reason behind the route that they had to take.  That each location was designed to teach them something.  And as a result many of them did not enter the Promised Land.  Sound familiar?  It does to me.  Here I am complaining about the place I am now because in my mind it is taking God to long to deliver.  Every time I see just a smidgen of light I do something to self-sabotage my situation ensuring that I remain in my storm. How do I self-sabotage?  I take the problem back into my own hands, thinking I know the best way to solve the problem.  Forget God working it out, I tell myself I got this. What could be further from the truth?  If I had it and could figure it out on my own I wouldn't need God,  And I am the first person to admit I need God for everything. 

If I believe that the promises of God are Yea and Amen.  That if He said it in His Word it will come to pass.  That my God shall supply all my needs (mental, physical and spiritual) according to His riches in glory (Phil. 4:19).  That whatever I ask in Your name will be done so that the Father may be glorified in the Son (John 14:13).  That His plans are to prosper and not to harm you, to give you hope and a future (Jer. 29:11).  That I don't need to be anxious about anything, instead I should pray about everything and the peace of God will guard my heart and my mind in Christ Jesus (Phil 4:6-7).  Deliverance is not always about a change in circumstance.  Deliverance for me sometimes has just been about changing my way of thinking. Having true FAITH. There ought to be a difference in the way you, as a Child of God, look at a situation.  Why is it so easy for us to trust God with our eternal destiny but not  our everyday situations?  That problem that you are going through right now, God wants to work it out.  The question of the day is "Will you let Him?"  Will you trust Him with whatever the situation is, leaving it at the altar? 

Most Gracious Heavenly Father,

Thou who made me and knows everything about me.  Giver of grace and mercy.  My Comforter.  My Healer, My Waymaker. You done so much for me already and yet I still fail to trust You in everything.  Lord I all things I want you to get the glory out of my life through every trial and every storm.  Help me to trust You.  This situation I'm going through, I know that I can't handle it so I am standing on Your Word and believing that You know what's best for me.  I leaving it with You.  When I am tempted to pick it back up help me to instead pray for strength and peace.  I'm going to let You work it out for me and get ALL the glory.  In Jesus' Precious Name I pray Amen. 

The Long Way Around

'For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans to prosper and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future'.  Jeremiah 29:11

I know exactly what I wanted to be when I grew up by the time I was thirteen (and probably sooner). And from that point I mapped out my course and set the wheels in motion to make it happen.  Of course at that age I didn't know much about God's will and how to seek His face for direction.  I knew that I wasn't planning anything bad so God should be okay with my choices.  What I didn't realize was that even as a child God had a clear purpose and plan for my life and was just waiting on me to ask Him for direction in order to fulfill His purpose for my life.  (If I only knew then what I know now maybe I wouldn't have had to long way around to where I am now).  Of course you're probably wondering what I mean by that. 

Let's fast forward a few years to 2012.  I bet you are all wondering if all the things I set out to do and become have come to pass.  My answer to that question is "not quite".  Here is what actually happened.  I graduated from high school number one in my class, went to college at Oklahoma State University but didn't actually graduate from college until I was thirty-six.  I got married and divorced and then married again.  Instead of being a teacher I ended up working in Human Resources and teaching got pushed to the back burner.  But instead of being disappointed by things not turning out the way I planned, I am glad for everything that happened in my life. God had a master plan.  It just took me a little longer see it. Better yet it took me a little longer to ask Him what that plan was.  As I look back over my life I find that only when I stopped being true to the person I knew I was did I stray away from the path God had for me.  I haven't yet fully arrived but I am a bit wiser. I realize now that 'God's thoughts are not my thoughts, neither are His ways my ways'  (Isaiah 55:8)   And even with this knowledge I still don't always asked God for His input in the major decisions in my life. To be honest I don't even always ask Him about the less important decisions in my life either.  (You would think that I would know better by now.)  And because of this I find myself in situations I could have avoided or at least handled differently. My life could be considered a primary example of the phrase that says, 'we plan and God laughs'.  All too often it takes us longer than necessary to arrive at the place God intended for us to be at all along.  Now this is not a place devoid of storms but it is a place full of love, grace and mercy, shelter, refuge, peace and joy because through it all God is with us.  He will never leave us nor forsake us. Walking in His will and according to His plan for your life is the best place to be. 

The Bible says 'If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. (James 1:5) So why do we avoid asking God to direct our paths?  I can't answer this question for you but I can tell you why I avoid asking God at times.  Mainly because I don't really want to hear what He has to say.  There are some things I know that He is going to tell me not to do or not to say but at the time the decision feels right.  I'm going to take that job because it pays the right amount of money even though it keeps me away from my family and church. I am going to keep dating that man or that woman even though the more I hang with them the further away from God and the church I seem to get.  In fact I would much rather be laid up on Sunday morning than driving across town to church.  If I go to church, he/she may leave me.  I'm going to continue to hang with that friend who is not a positive influence because if I don't I won't have any other friends and I don't trust that God will bring people of a 'like mind' into my life.  Someone who will encourage me to be a better person, who will be honest with me and call me out on my mess. And plus, I may miss out on all the latest gossip. So I continue on with my plans, ignoring the voice of the Holy Spirit trying to steer me back on the right path. 

Now I know that I am not alone in this.  Many of us don't know any other way but to do it our way first and then allow God to whoop us into submission.  Today I want to give you something to think about - a new way of doing things.  Instead of doing things your way and making your own plans, try asking God first.  And when He responds contrary to what you have already planned just go with it.  This may sound a little crazy at first because maybe you think your life is working just fine doing things the way you are currently doing them.  Or maybe you are afraid that your life is about to completely change and you are afraid.  I read something the other day in the book 'On Mission with God - Living God's Purpose For His Glory' by Avery T. Willis, Jr. and Henry Blackaby and that 'You might not get to the destination you first had in mind, but you will get to HIS destination for your life - a far better arrival point then you had planned'.  And here's another secret that I will share with you, as you read His Word and allow it to change your life you will find that what you want for your life falls more in line with what God wants for you as well.  Funny how it works out that way.  Which is why I believe He says in His Word to 'seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and ALL these things shall be added unto you' (Matt. 6:33).  God stands ready, willing and able to not only meet your needs but also give you some of your wants.  We only have to trust Him.  I will tell you one thing I know for sure, the longer you avoid seeking God first you will continue to take the long way around to where God wants you to be. 

Most Gracious Heavenly Father:

Thank you for loving me and caring enough about me to allow me to come boldly before you asking anything, knowing that You will always answer me.  Right now I come to you seeking direction and guidance as I continue along this journey called life.  I know that I haven't always come to You first but I want to change all that.  I want to be all that you desire for me to be and on this day I surrender my all.  Help me to walk according to Your will and Your way.  In Jesus' Precious Name I pray Amen. 

My Tribute

'How can I say thanks for the things you have done for me; things so undeserved yet you gave to prove your love to me...' Andre Crouch

These words are the first to lines in the song My Tribute.  As I sit and reflect on my life a year ago, the words of this song keep running through my mind.  It makes me think about how precious it is for someone to care enough about you to be concerned with your spiritual life.  To want nothing more than to see you become more spiritually mature in Christ.  I have been fortunate enough to have several people who have poured into me spiritually. My parents were very instrumental in this during my childhood years.  But on this day there is one person who was the most instrumental in growing me up in the Lord during my young adult to adult years..  That person was none other than the late Pastor A. G. Woodberry.  He gave all he had to me and so many others and I will be eternally grateful.  I can't help but say 'To God be the glory"!

 

So many times I have questioned God in my life, wondering why certain things had to happen.  I have tried to live a pretty decent life.  Yes I messed up along the way a few times but overall I've been okay.  I remember as a child how much my parents poured into me the Word of God.  Scripture after scripture.  Sometimes I was like, "Will it ever be enough?"  But it wasn't until I begin to have my own set of tests and trials that the Word became alive.  I began to understand what it meant to pray Psalm 91 over myself and my family.  How many days the only thing that kept me going was 'dwelling in the secret place of the Most High'.  Getting to the point that I recognized my enemy for who he is - Satan - and because of that being sure to put on the whole armor of God everyday.  However those things only got me part of the way.  It was when I became a member of the Greater Mount Olive Baptist Church that I developed a hunger that went from Sunday morning worship to Wednesday night Bible Study to Fall Revival all the way to my living room, my bedroom, in my car, throughout my day.  I wanted to know more.  So much so that I started teaching. 

 

That is what this life is about.  Giving back to others.  Encouraging one another.  Putting others before ourselves.  I thank God for every opportunity I have to share the Good News of Jesus Christ. In fact my daily prayer is "Lord let your light so shine that others may see YOU in me and help me to see the unspoken need that I will be able to minister to those I come in contact with."  I wish that everyone would be saved and receive all the wonderful things that God wants them to have.  Stop wasting time.  Make each day count.  And when you give - give your all.  That is what Pastor Woodberry did.  I cannot remember a time when he did not give his ALL.  Even up until the day of his departure.  He cared enough about His flock to want us to see that no matter what was going on in your life (sickness to the point of daily pain) that God is still God!  He is sitting on the throne.  That our praise has nothing to do with our we feel.  All of these things are still helping me as I face trials in my life.  And I am grateful.  That is why I can say "To God be the glory!"  This is why I continue to serve the Lord.  That is why some days when I think things are so bad in my life and I think about him or hear his voice, I start to praise God through my pain. How many times have you heard that when you focus on God instead of your problem, the problem starts to get smaller?  Maybe you have heard it but never tried it.  Today I dare you to try it!  I'm not telling you what I heard but what I know.  Even as I type these words with somewhat of a heavy heart, I start praising God, humming 'I still have joy', knowing beyond a shadow of a doubt that EVERYTHING is going to be alright. 

 

 Most Gracious Heavenly Father,

Right now I don't know how to put into words what I'm feeling so I just want to say Thank You.  Thank you for thinking enough of me to place people in my path that encouraged me to grow spiritually.  Help me to be the kind of person that gives back to others what You have so graciously deposited in me.  In Jesus' Precious Name Amen. 

 

 

 

Press

...forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:13b-14, ESV

Some days no matter how hard I try it is difficult to move forward.  My entire life I have been harder on myself than anyone else could ever be.  So when something is out of order in my life or doesn't go according to plan, I struggle.  There...I said it.  Yes me, the Encourager, writer of this blog, struggles. I'm that one they talk about smiling on the outside while crying on the inside because I don't always know how to deal with the challenges that I have to face. I struggle to be all that God wants me to be, often times falling short.  The difference though in my struggle is that I choose not to give up.  Instead I continue to PRESS.  You see, I have an objective.  A goal ahead of me. My ultimate goal is heaven.  But in the meanwhile my goal is to continue steadfast in the ministry God has purposed me for. 

As of late this has been a little more difficult.  My life seems to be a constant battle of ups and downs.  For a while things seem to be going along well and then a shift in the wind occurs and I'm in storm once again.  And the hardest part for me in this storm is that I know that it is just a test.  God is taking me through to pull more out of me to be used for His glory.  It doesn't mean I like it though.  Sometimes in the midst of my storm I feel like I'm all churched out. (Tamela Mann - Take Me to the King).  I just need a minute to breathe.  Now I know there are some saints who may read this that may say this is not a very Christian response.  But I beg to differ.  Jesus Christ, when on the eve of the cross, when to His Heavenly Father, in agony asking 'if it be possible remove this cup from me, nevertheless, not my will but thine be done'.  God never said that it would be easy.  But He did tell us that we could make it through.  By leaning on the everlasting arms of Jesus.  By trusting in His Word.  There are times when I am afraid that this trial is going to be the one that finally overtakes me.  Yet I find a way to make it through.  I continue to PRESS.  I make a conscious decision to stay my course.  Through every disappointment, difficulty and discouragement - Heaven is my goal. 

How do I PRESS?  Mainly with praise.  These past few months have taught me that through every trial God is still good.  And once I begin praising Him I can't help but feel better.  I become a little bit more determined to continue on.  To finish my race.  Life happens.  Obstacles come.  But I don't have the option of stopping short of my goal.  I may be a little weak at times but that is when I begin to meditate day and night on my treasure chest of scriptures.  Verses likes II Corinthians 4:16-18, 'Therefore we do not lose heart, though outwardly we are are wasting away, inwardly we are being renewed day by day.  For our light and momentatry afflictions are achieving a far greater worth in glory, so I fix my eyes not on what I can be see but what I cannot see that is eternal' when I can't see past the hear and now.   Jeremiah 29:11, 'For I know the plans that I have for you, says the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future' when I start to feel like the situation is hopeless.  II Timothy 1:7,  'For God has not given me the Spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind' when the devil tries to play tricks on my mind. A good friend of mine shared with me this statement.  "The devil would like nothing better than for you to feel defeated without a fight". But didn't you know the devil's already been defeated at Calvary when they hung my Savior on the cross, put nails in His hands and feet, a crown of thorns on His head, pierced Him in the side, and buried Him in a borrowed tomb.  But thank God this story doesn't end there because three days later He got up with ALL POWER. And you and I can stand on this power.  We don't have to live a defeated life.  We just have to go to God and admit that we are weak, knowing that it is during our times of weakness that God shows Himself mighty and strong  Keep pressing on towards your goal and remember you are not alone.   

Most Gracious Heavenly Father,

Life for me lately hasn't been much fun.  It appears to be one struggle after another.  I've been close to giving up and throwing in the towel.  But then I remember that I am not in this by myself and You only want what's best for me.  And sometimes You have to push and poke and pull to get out of me what You have deposited in me.  So Lord help me to press on through every trial, praising Your Name all the way through.  In Jesus' Precious Name I pray Amen.

Joy Will Come

I've been told all my life not to question God.  However, when circumstances and situations in life start to overwhelm me and try to steal my joy, I have to be honest and say that I start to question the promises of God.  Namely one that at times seems cliche.  Ministers quote it in sermons. You hear it in Sunday School, Christian conferences, gospel sings, etc.  You know the one...'And we know that all things work together for the good of them who love the Lord; who are the called according to His purpose'. Romans 8:28. But I'll say again when your world get turned upside down with a statement made by someone you love, death in your family, loss of a job, a major illness, it is difficult to believe that "ALL THINGS" will work together for the good.  Maybe you are one of those Christians who has it all together and never questions God or has doubt but I need to have a moment of honesty and say that is not me one hundred percent of the time. And furthermore, I believe God knows that and it's alright. 

Sitting at work today and listening to my Richard Smallwood station on Pandora and the song 'Joy Will Come' came on and immediately my day turned around.  The chorus of the song simply says 'If you hold out til morning, I know that joy will come'.  Think about that for a minute.  Even when I may be having a moment of weakness, unable to control the circumstances of life, I continue to see God's hand guiding and directing me (even in something simple as a song).  Directing me back to the Word of God. The verse that say, "Weeping may endure for a night but joy cometh in the morning".  Psalm 30:5  My question for the day is "When is morning?" I have concluded during my thirty-eight years of life that the morning that the Psalmist was referring to is not confined to a twenty-four hour time frame.  For many of our storms, you don't lie down at night and wake up in the morning and everything is all better.  At least my night time experiences haven't always worked out that way.  Yet we are assured that morning is inevitable.  All we have to do is hold on. 

What does that mean for you?  That sorrow in life, no matter in what form, is always TEMPORARY!  Somebody say TEMPORARY with me.  That's how excited I was today when once again the Holy Spirit orchestrated a musical interlude in my mind that included a conversation that said, "Hold on just a little while longer. Rest assure that I, your God, am working behind the scenes on your situation and all I need you to do is submit to my directing.  Lean not on your own understanding.  Pray without ceasing. I Thess. 5:17  Rejoice in tribulation knowing that tribulation produces patience. And patience, experience; and experience, hope.  Rom. 5:3-4 Hope in what?  Hope in God!  Now I'm not a betting woman but I would bet that this is not your first storm.  So why are you stressing?  Hasn't God seen you through all the other storms?  I don't even know what you are going through right now but I know the answer to my previous question is a resounding YES!  God is faithful.  Man may disappoint you and let you down but my God has all power and He is not capable of going back on His Word.  No matter how dark the night, MORNING is on the way.  No cute sayings or three-point outlines today.  It wasn't what God spoke to me but what He did say is Hold on....JOY WILL COME!

Most gracious heavenly Father,

God you know me better than I know myself.  You know what's best for me; what I need better than anyone. And today I just want to thank You for your Word that says...'You will supply my needs according to Your riches in glory'.  Lord help me not to put parameters on the blessings You have in store for my life.  Expand my heart and mind to realize and accept the intangible benefits that you are able to meet as well.  Thank you Lord for grace. Create in me a clean heart and renew a right spirit within me.  In Jesus' Precious name Amen. 

Life Application:

What is going on in your life right now that is making you question God.  Be honest with yourself.
What is holding you back from turning the situation over to God?
Find three promises in God's Word that you can pray that will help you to release the situation to Almighty God.  Meditate on these verses morning, noon and night. 

If Only...I Will

For she said to herself, “If I only touch his garment, I will be made well.” Matthew 9:21

Have you ever been so full with something that the Lord has revealed to you that you just have to share it with somebody else?!?!  That is definitely how I feel today.  I can't take all the credit for the impregnation of this thought (Thank you Pastor Gaddis).  It is so awesome to be able to sit at work and listen to the Word.  And the more I sat and meditated on the verse above, the more the Holy Spirit began to reveal things to me.  I couldn't wait to get home from work so I could start writing. I don't know about you but one of the major struggles I have had in this Christian walk was my faith.  It seems that just as soon as I utter the words Amen the devil begins to try to creep into my thoughts telling me that it won't happen.  Relationship woes...I tell myself "nothing will ever change.  Financial difficulties...I tell myself  "I'm just not meant to have more than I have".   Major illness... I tell myself "I'm just going to learn to live with it".  There have been  times when I was at the end of my rope; I knew that I needed to pray so I did.  But my level of faith was no where near where it needed to be.  I may have uttered the same words as this woman with an issue of blood but instead of really trying to get to Jesus I was trying to figure out what I could do in my own strength. Anybody else been there? 

We've all heard this story in sermons for years. I remember reading it as a child in the collection of blue Bible story books my parents had.  Here we have a woman who has been dealing with this issue of blood for twelve long years.  We don't know what her day to day life was like but I like to imagine her just peddling along, going through the motions.  Not complaining, perhaps even comfortable.  Trying to make the best of the cards she had been dealt.  But on this day maybe she heard the chatter that Jesus had just healed a paralytic man and even now was headed through town to go see about the ruler's daughter so she began to move toward Jesus, maybe slowly at first but then as the excitement built in her spirit about who she was about to encounter her steps became more determined. (Sidenote: Our hearts should always be glad and excited at the thought of encountering Jesus.) There she was no longer embarassed by her situation or concerned with the delicate nature of her condition.  She had one goal - to get to Jesus.   Placing myself in her shoes, I'm thinking I probably would have prayed about it initially maybe even for a few years but twelve?  As the years rolled on I would have eventually said, "I'm just going to learn to live with it."  But that's not what she did.  Maybe there were times when her faith waivered.  Life will do that to you sometimes. But even after twelve long years she had enough faith to know that if she could just get to Jesus.  It makes me think about a bad, stressful beginning of the week at work and me thinking to myself if I can just get to Prayer Meeting and Bible Study, I know I will be able to make it through the rest of the week.  Or maybe when I've just gotten some bad news on Saturday and I go to bed thinking, If only I can get to church on Sunday morning, I know God will show up.  Or things not going right at home and I think to myself, If I can just get to my prayer closet and turn it over to Jesus, I know He will work it out!  Ever been there?

You see, I believe that there are just some things after a while you ought to know.  You shouldn't have the same faith you had when you first got saved. Where's your confidence?  The Bible tells us in Psalm 146:3, 'Do not put your trust in princes, in mortal men, who cannot save'. No matter what the situation you should be able to say that God is able.  I don't have to see it and no matter how long it takes I know that God is going to do it.  I don't worry about the method because I trust God's motives and that is 'all things are working together for my good' and His glory.  Whatever your situation, no matter how long it has been going on I dare you to say 'If only I can just get to Jesus, I know everything is going to be alright'.  And I challenge you not to stop there.  With an attitude of expecancy, start praising God. 

Most Gracious Heavenly Father,

Almighty God, Holy One, Redeemer, Waymaker. I just can't help but praise You, in spite of my situation You are still worthy.  Please forgive me for those times my faith has waivered. Lord increase my faith.  Help me to be persistent while I'm pressing my way to you. Because I know that once I turn the issue over to you everything is going to be alright.   Help me to encourage others who may be weak in their faith.   In Jesus' Precious Name I pray Amen. 

Life Application:

1.  What situation(s)  in my life right now am I trying to handle in my own strength? 

2.  In what ways can I be more effective in getting to Jesus, i.e. read my Bible more, pray more?

Perfect Peace

One of my favorite songs started playing on satellite radio on my way home today.  It was the remade version by Marvin Sapp but the words were still the same. The lyrics of the song are simple.  "I will keep you in perfect peace.  All whose mind is stayed on thee", taken from Isaiah 26:3, 'You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you'. But what is perfect peace?  My answer is simple - something most people long for but very seldom obtain.  Why?  Because we like to worry too much.  It's hard not to want to be in control of every aspect of our lives.  And when even the slightest thing gets out of sync, any peace you thought you had goes out the window.  At least that is what used to happen to me.  But now I get it.

I believe that there is one very important concept every Christian needs to know and that is 'in this life you will have trouble'. (John 16:33)  And as soon as you embrace that fact and stop trying to avoid it your life we get so much better.  Most of us spend our lives trying to avoid tests and trials.  We don't want to go through anything.  We want our lives to always be coming up roses.  Well I stopped by to tell you today, "It's not going to happen."  And furthermore, you shouldn't want it to.  I know that you may be comfortable with the person you are and may even think that you don't need any changes.  You may think that you have gone through enough and the lesson should be over.  Don't you know that it is through this process that you are made into the person God wants you to be so that He can get the glory out of your life.  Stop whining every time you go through something!  Instead 'Praise God' because He loves you so much that He doesn't want to leave you in that pitiful state.  He desires to mold you and make you into the image of His Son.

What is this 'perfect peace' thing Isaiah was talking about?  It is the confidence that we have in knowing that God has everything under control.  It is not becoming agitated through the process but instead praising your way through to the other side.  The actual definition of the word peace is a state of tranquility or freedom from disturbance.  So how do we get to a state of perfect peace?  We must keep our minds stayed on Jesus.  On His Promise, His Power and His Presence.  I've been spending time just going through the Word and meditating on God's promises to us. I realized for the first time how endless these promises are.  Oh my goodness there are so many and they are all for me (and YOU).  And then I start to think about His Power.  God is Omnipresent (He's everywhere at all times).  He's Omniscient (He knows everything). He's All Sufficient, the God who provides, my Healer, Almighty God.  All of these things pointing back to His power.  But none of these things matter more than to me than His presence.  I know now what the old folks meant when they used to say "I wouldn't want a religion that I couldn't feel sometimes." 

Have you ever just been in a funk and then all of sudden you start to think about Jesus.  Maybe you start humming a song like 'Nobody greater, nobody greater, nobody greater than You'.  Or maybe you're more old school and you start to sing 'Can't nobody do me like Jesus' or even a simple song like Jesus loves me this I know for the Bible tells me so'.  Or maybe singing is not your thing so you instead start to remind yourself of the promises of God.  'And we know that ALL THINGS work together for the good of them who love the Lord'. (Rom 8:28)  'The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want'. (Ps. 23:1)   'For I know the plans that I have for you, saith the Lord, plans to prosper and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future'.  (Jer. 29:11) 'But my God shall supply ALL my needs according to His riches in glory'. (Phil. 4:19) And when you start to remind yourself of these promises something comes over you and you start to feel better.  And what is that feeling - Perfect Peace. You cannot keep your mind stayed on Jesus and be stressed out.  You can't worry about tomorrow thinking those thoughts that are pure, lovely, honest and of good report. Betrayal, financial distress, sickness, divorce, death...no matter what the situation you are not shaken.  There is no secret to having perfect peace.  It's available to us all. It's time out for putting your trust in your job, your spouse, or 'who you know'.  You must put your trust in God.  He will never let you down. 

Most Gracious Heavenly Father:

I praise Your Name today because You are holy, righteous, Omnipresent, Omniscient. I thank You because You're a forgiving God.   I ask that You forgive me of my sins...those commited in word, thought, or deed.  Life continues to go on around me.  So many things happening that I have no control over to me and to those I love.  But I thank You for being a God of Peace. When everything is falling apart all around me I can trust in You.  I need not worry about anything because I know You have it under control.  Help me to recognize it in all situations, no matter how big or small.  And help me to show others that they too can have perfect peace in You.  In Jesus' Name Amen. 

Life Application:

1.  Make a list of all the things that are causing you stress right now.  Say a prayer turning all those things over to Jesus.  If you are a visual person, ball the paper up and throw it in the trash, signifying your truly giving it over to God.

2.  Make a list of at least five promises in God's Word.  Make a commitment to memorize these verse this week. 

Walk Worthy of Your Calling, Part III

...to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. Ephesian 4:3

So how have you been doing on your self-examination through the eyes of the Word?  Me?  I've been doing okay some days and on other days I have to admit that I have failed horribly.  I have to do a better job with my tongue. (I'll be talking about that on different day.)  There are days when I ask myself what is it all for?  Paul ended these verses by answering that exact question.  Why must we be in the right position, with the right perspective and the right posture?  So that you can work toward the right purpose - 'to preserve the unity of the Spirit of the bond of peace'.  This means doing things not as men pleasers but unto the Lord.

I know that you may be thinking that all this is just too difficult.  Let me clue you in on something.  What Spirit is Paul talking about?  The Holy Spirit, of course.  You see, because of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit it's really not that difficult to get along with others as we think, especially our brothers and sisters in the body of Christ. Why not?  Because the Holy Spirit is the divine spiritual ligament that holds us together.  Put aside those petty differences and work at getting along.  He/she may have a different background or come from a different part of town.  You may find yourself irritated at the immaturity of some believers in the body of Christ.  Lest we forget, it took GOD and the Word to bring about a change in your life.  It's not about being the best of friends, when it comes to the cause of Christ we all must work together.  We must get past showing the qualities that Paul talked about in verse 2 to those we like only and move to showing them to those who we don't like or those who might not like us. 

True unity in the body of believers already exists through the work of the Holy Spirit but we must work hard to preserve it.  Be diligent - which suggests difficulty and a resolute determination to overcome the difficulty.  Simply put - WORK AT IT!  Take a moment to think about those things that are important to you.  Those relationships you hold near and dear.  The one's that you wouldn't want to end.  I bet you have had to show humility, gentleness, patience, tolerance and unconditional love in order to maintain those relationships.  Now God is challenging us to show those same qualities to everyone we come in contact with.  I know it seems difficult but remember God has provided each of us with the abilities we didn't have and given us every spiritual blessing. 

As children of God we should always be growing, asking God to examine our lives so that we can see those things within us that are not like Him.  It's not the easiest thing to apologize when you don't think you have done anything wrong, but you can.  And how do you handle the person who is smiling in your face while talking behind your back or about someone you love?  Will you still pray for that individual when he/she is going through?  With God you can!  Ask yourself the next time you are faced with a difficult situation - "How can I show humility, gentleness, and patience?  Help me Lord to show forbearance to my brother and my sister in love."  How else are we set apart from the world?  Jesus himself said, 'by this shall all men know that you are my disciples if you have love one for another'. 

Most Gracious Heavenly Father,

Thank You for the revelation through Your Word.  Let it be a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my pathway.  Help me to hide Your Word in my heart that I might not sin against you.  Help me to bring every ambition, thought, reaction to situations under the control of the Holy Spirit. I want to be conformed to the image of Your Son.  Give me the spirit of discernment in my relationships to always respond in love.  Continue to expose the sin in my life.  Thank You for another chance to do it right. Let my life be an example so that others may see You in me.  In Jesus' Name Amen.

Life Application:

1.  To walk worthy means being aware of all of our relationships. Identify those people who are  hindering your walk.  Things?  Pray and turn them over to God. 

2.  What immediate changes can I make to work at preserving unity in the body of Christ - in my church?  In my home?  On my job?  

Walk Worthy of Your Calling, Part II

...with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love. Ephesians 4:2

As we continue on our journey of self-examination, let me continue encouraging you to 'Walk Worthy of Your Calling'.  How do we do this? We must be deliberate to put away bad attitudes and actions, allowing the Word of God to have its pruning effect in our lives.  With that being said, there are some qualities that God will give us in order to this. First of all we need HUMILITY.  What is humility - pride's #1 enemy. It comes from the Greek word - tapeinophrosune (root word tapeinos meaning humble).  This word means you get down as flat as you possibly can get so nobody can see you at all.  To preserve unity, we must first get in the right position.  You know like the BIBLE says, not thinking of ourselves more highly than we ought to think.  I said it before, there is not one of us who does not stand in need of God's grace.  For everything that you are excited about that you don't do, let God be your reflection and each and every time you will see that you don't measure up.  That is why we need humility.  As soon as we start to get too high or begin to think of ourselves as better than someone else - read the Word.  It has a way of knocking you right back down, allowing you to see yourself as you truly are...far from perfect but being perfected.

One more thing about humility - when you're humble, you're Christ-sufficient instead of self-efficient.  I know the world teaches us that we must be self-sufficient and not depend on any one or anything because people will let you down.  Ain't that the truth?  So since we know this shouldn't it mean that Christians especially should be more apt to depend on God for everything.  If we are depending on God for everything then we won't put some much stake in that job, that house, or that car.  Everything we have comes from Him.  When you exhibit humility and truly are Christ-sufficient you don't lean on your own understanding, you acknowledge God in everything and allow Him to direct your path.  When disagreements occur you ask God to help you to see your fault in the situation instead of just pointing the finger and you even take it one step further by asking God to give you the strength to apologize. 

Now along with being in the right position, we also need the right perspective.  We have all been faced with times when someone rubs us the wrong way, says something that irritates us - and what is our first response - to lash out at them.  But does that reaction promote unity in the body of Christ?  Probably not and that is why in addition to humility we need to have gentleness. What is gentleness - in one word meekness.  More often than not we look at the world's definition of meekness and equate it with weakness.  But I want to give you another definition for meekness - STRENGTH UNDER CONTROL.  It's like a wild horse that has been tamed and is now comfortable int he reins of the on who has tamed it.  It is that calm spirit you are able to have in the midst of chaos.  It keeps you from being anxious.  It is the attitude of being broken in our wills, being submissive to whatever God is up to in our lives.  It shows when someone is talking about you or hurting you.  You don't have to respond in negativity because that inner calmness reminds you that God is in control and that He is going to use all that hurt and pain to continue to conform you into the image of His Son.  One who exhibits gentleness controls his/her temper and does not retaliate or seek revenge.  There is a true acceptance that the battle is not yours but God's.  The secret is that you must KNOW YOUR ENEMY!  For we wrestle not against flesh and blood and the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God.  That is why we must always be suited for battle.  How long will be bench warmers in church every Sunday and still not recognize Satan and be able to stand up boldly against him? 

The truth of the matter is most of us don't want to change.  We are comfortable in who we are and even feel justified in most of our actions.  We have surrounded ourselves with our own personal "Amen" corners.  You know those people who can't wait to hear the latest gossip and will never challenge us when we are wrong or encourage us to do better.  How many of you reading this have a true prayer partner?  I thank God for mine.  Which leads me to the last quality putting us in the right posture - forbearance in love.  This person doesn't  have short fuse but is long-tempered.  Forbearance literally means - you don't fold.  It is the ability to stand up and not let it knock you down not just when you are being provoked but until the whole provocation is over.  Forbearance is not a matter of maintaining a facade of courtesy while inwardly seething with resentment but it is a spirit empowered with positive love to those who irritate, disturb, or embarrass you.  It's a supernatural response.  Now I know you may be thinking how in the world am I supposed to do all this?  It's actually quite easy.  "I can do all things thru Christ who strengthens me". (Phil 4:13)  "For it is God who worketh in me both to will and to do of His good pleasure". (Phil. 2:13)  " For when I am weak, then I am strong".  (2 Corinthians 12:10) Stop trying to do it by yourself, you can't.  But the God I serve, can help you to do what seems to be impossible.  You must first submit to Him. With God 's help you will be able to do it in love.  Love is, after all, what knits and cements all of the other qualities together. 

Most Gracious Heavenly Father,

Humbly I bow before You today exposed in need of a makeover.  Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.  Forgive me for behaving like less than your child, ungrateful for the overwhelming overflow of your grace and new mercies every morning.  The bottom line is that I want to do better.  Search me and know my heart, try me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any hurtful way within me and lead me along the path everlasting.  Help me to be a steward of the Word and to seek Your face for guidance and wisdom.  I am thanking You in advance for answering this prayer.  Lord I submit to You. In Jesus' Name I pray Amen. 

Life Application:

1.  In what relationships can I exhibit more humility?  More gentleness?  More forbearance in love? 

2. What relationships have I damaged by not showing these qualities?  Ask God for forgiveness and strength to mend those relationships.

Walk Worthy of Your Calling, Part 1

A few weeks ago I was honored to share at the Women's Conference at the Bethlehem Star Baptist Church in Oklahoma City.  The theme for the event was 'Coming Together in Unity'.  This conference was not for those Christians who desired to stay on milk.  It was for the believer who desired to move from milk to meat or from ground beef to steak.  So today with my continuing theme of 'self-examination' I want to share some of those points with you over the next few days.

Ephesians 4:1-3 in the Message Bible says,  ^'In light of all this, here's what I want you to do. While I'm locked up here, a prisoner for the Master, I want you to get out there and walk—better yet, run!—on the road God called you to travel. I don't want any of you sitting around on your hands. I don't want anyone strolling off, down some path that goes nowhere. And mark that you do this with humility and discipline—not in fits and starts, but steadily, pouring yourselves out for each other in acts of love, alert at noticing differences and quick at mending fences'.

Do you know how important unity is to the body of Christ?  Very important...so much so that Jesus prayed for it just before He went to the cross in John 17:11.  You see, God is not concerned with your social status, where you work, or what car you drive but He is concerned  with us getting along, coming together for the cause of Christ.  Look at how Jesus lived when He was here on earth.  He had dinner with the tax collector, talked to the woman at the well. all the people with issues that so many of us stand in judgment of.  The people who tend to be the topic of our evening phone call or our workday text messages or dare I say our conversation during 11AM morning worship when our time should be focused on God.  Just think about the mixed message that unbelievers and babes in Christ are receiving from watching us.  We sit in church Sunday after Sunday listening to dynamic preaching and teaching, yet we continue to be some of the most judgmental individuals.

In these verses Paul is telling us that we have got to learn how to work together through our differences.  It's not about being the best of friends.  It's about joining together in unity and love for the edifying of the body of Christ.  How valuable is your salvation to you? I firmly believe that the way you live your life depicts your view of your salvation. In Ephesians 2:2-4 Paul says, 'you used to live in sin, just like the rest of the world, obeying the devil...all of us used to live that way, following the passionate desires and inclinations of our own sinful nature.  BUT GOD, so rich in mercy and he loved us so much that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised up Christ from the dead'.  Key words in these verses -ALL OF US....BUT GOD.  All of us stand in need of God's mercy and His grace. That is why Paul spent so much time in the first three chapters talking about our identity in Christ. (When you get a moment read those chapters - but for now I'll give you the Cleft Notes - we are Blessed, Chosen, Predestined, Adopted, Accepted, Redeemed, Forgiven and Filled with the Holy Spirit!)  And with that it seems only right that Paul moves from our identity to our responsibility...from doctrine to duty.  What is our responsibility?  Walk Worthy of Our Calling.  Why did Paul use the work 'walk'  - to indicate progress and purpose.  This is a lifelong process.  There are going to be setbacks but overall there should be a pattern of growth.  And furthermore, when you take a look at the word 'worthy', picture a weighted scale - on the one side your have the glorious gospel of God's grace towards us and on the other side our Godly conduct that should match our high calling.  When we walk worthy it becomes our lifestyle.  It's not that show face we put on Sunday morning but the way we live every single day of the week.  In our homes, on our jobs, and especially at church.  The calling Paul is referring to is found in 2 Timothy 2:9, one that is not according to works, but according to His own purpose and grace.  It's in these verses that we should learn that it's not what we look like but how we live.  It's not a matter of presentation but of perspective.  It's not an issue of appearance but of attitudes.  As a member of the body of Christ we should be proud to be Christians.  It should mean something.  It should show in the way we walk, in the way we talk, in the way we live.  My question for you today is "What's different about your life?  Are you walking worthy of your calling?"

Most Gracious Heavenly Father,

It's once more again that I come before you, realizing that I am unworthy.  I thank You that I can come boldly before you, asking anything according to Your will and it shall be done.  Lord today I want to ask forgiveness for the times I have let You down.  Those times when I haven't represented You well in my daily life.  Help me to dig deeper into Your Word to become the person that you want me to be in order to bring glory to Your Name.  In Jesus' Precious Name Amen.

Life Application:

1.  What changes have I noticed in my life since the day I was saved?
2.  What disciplines have I incorporated into my daily routine to continue to grow in my relationship with God?
3.  In what ways have I been guilty of judging others because of their mistakes?  Ask God to forgive you for these things.
4.  What disciplines can I implement going forward that will help me to walk worthy of my calling?  Make a commitment today.

Don't Sell Yourself Short

It's been a while since I have posted here on Encourage Yourself.  I have been in self-examination mode where I allowed myself to become naked before God and then took  a look at my nakedness through the eyes of the Word of God.  I must confess with you that it wasn't a good look.  But by taking a look at myself through the eyes of the Word I have come to see myself and love myself in the way God intended.  Which has brought me back to one of my first loves - writing. 

My Pastor said something in teacher's meeting tonight that just stuck with me.  The lesson was taken from the 23rd chapter of Exodus.  When you get  second go take a moment and read the first nine verses.  My belief is that God gives us the Word and then we are to take it and apply it to our everyday lives.  Verse 8 says 'And thou shalt take no gift: for the gift blindeth the wise, and perverteth the words of the righteous'.  I have never been a lover of the thee's and thou's in the King James version of the Bible.  So I was glad when Pastor Douglas broke it down in regular talk. Let me share with you what he said.  "Don't sell yourself short".  And then in Bible Study over King David and Psalm 51 he went on to say that 'we all have our own sphere of influence'.  You might wonder that these two statements have to do with each other.  I wasn't even sure until I was driving home and the Holy Spirit began to speak to me.  So let's take a look at these two statements a little closer. 

What is selling yourself short?  Anytime you compromise your convictions and values.  As a Christian we are held to a higher standard than the world and anytime we compromise those values for any reasons we are not living up to what God has called us to be.  Now this is not a blog post where I talk about what's right and what's wrong.  I will leave that up to you to read the Word for yourself and allow God to speak to your heart in that area.  What I can share with you are some areas where I know that I sold myself short.   I can recall times where I wanted to be accepted by others and because of that allowed myself to get caught up in gossip, backbiting, mistreating others, disliking someone just because someone else did. All the pettiness that women participate in to mask their own insecurities and ultimately was not being true to me.  I completely forgot about those times when I was ostracized because I was different or didn't having what someone else had.  At that time I didn't have the confidence to stand up to those who were doing the very things to others that I had went home many days crying about, sometimes even from church.  But thank God for the Word that convicted my heart to show me that I was not being the person God called me to be.  Even if sometimes it meant doing what was unpopular.  The Bible tells us in Romans 12:2, 'Be not conformed to this world but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind'.  What does this say to me?  It says that it's not okay to sell yourself short in the name of acceptance.  Stand true to the Word of God and the change that God has made and is continuing to make in your life. 

Why?  Because you never know who's watching.  At church every Sunday, quoting scriptures on Facebook and Twitter.  Walking around with that holier than thou attitude in your Sunday best, totally oblivious to the fact that people are watching you. Which brings me to my second statement -
Everybody has a sphere of influence.  The question that I have for you is are you using that influence in a positive or negative way?  Now you might come back and say that you aren't concerned with what other people think.  My response to that is "Are you concerned with what God thinks?"  What is the purpose of continuing to go to church Sunday after Sunday but not allowing the Word to have any changing effect in your life?  Why do you think you can sit in church while great singing and preaching are going on and all you do is talk about the other members sitting in the pews?  When do you finally make the decision that life as you have known it just isn't good enough.  When will you submit completely to God and allow Him to change your life?  My excuse for years was my fear of being alone.  It was not until God placed me in a situation where all I had was Him that I learned that He was truly all I needed.  And as I allowed Him to transform my life, He began to remove those people from me who I, at one time, thought I needed. All the while making room for some true, lasting friendships with women who spend more time encouraging one another than tearing each other down.  Isn't that what it's all about? 

My desire for those of you reading this post today is that I have given you something to think about.  All of us are in need of the mercy of God.  I don't even want to think about where I would be without it.  A true desire to change your lives should be your response to the overwhelming outpouring of God's grace.  Realizing that you will never be perfect but that you  are in the process of being perfected.  I will never forget a quote from a Tyler Perry movie where Madea says, 'Sometimes we are trying to hold on to the very things that God is trying to remove from our lives'.  Maybe you have become comfortable with your fake friendships, being the life of the party, always having the latest gossip and not being afraid to share it.  Here you are attending church out of habit, not participating in any real ministry, receiving your microwave fix but not allowing the Word to marinate in your spirit throughout the week.  My response to you is 'Don't sell yourself short'.  Allow the Word of God to change your life. 

Most Gracious Heavenly Father,

Thank you for being a forgiving God and a merciful God.  As I take a look at my life I realize there are some thing that I have allowed that have compromised my walk with you.  Today I want to make a change.  I want Your Word to have a changing effect in my life.  I pray for the spirit of discernment for all of the relationships in my life.  Give me the desire to want to spend more time in Your Word so that it changes my heart.  Make me aware of those I have influence over and help me to be a Godly example in their lives. In Jesus' Precious Name I pray Amen.

Life Application:
1.  What relationships do I currently have that I have compromised my belief in God to hold on to?
2. In what areas have I sold myself short in the name of acceptance?
3.  What steps am I willing to take today in order to be the person that God would have me to be in order to perform the work that He has for me?

My Guarantee

There are very few things in this world that has a guaranteed return on investment.  Just ask the individuals on Wall Street that lost everything a few years back.  With the start of the year many people decide to change their eating patterns and start exercising in the hope of losing weight.  While consistency in your exercise routine and cutting back on sweets and fried foods may cause your weight to decrease, it doesn't necessarily happen in the time frame that you want it to.  How many of us put money in a 401k plan hoping to save for retirement?  And what about Social Security...I'm beginning to think that I will never see any of that once I reach retirement age.  And for those of you who did decided to make a lifestyle change to improve your health, how many of you have stuck to it?

So why am I asking these questions?  I ask these questions because as Christians you and I have been instructed to do certain things each day, like pray and read our Bible, to receive certain benefits from God. Yet, like with most of our exercise routines that we may have started at the beginning of the year, we fall by the wayside.  We pray out of convenience or when we are faced with desparate situations.  But how much more of a peace of mind we would have if we prayed without ceasing.  Some of us are guilty of only reading our Bibles on Sunday at church.  How do you expect to become stronger as a Christian?  We should pray all day, everyday.  Talking with our Heavenly Father throughout the day.  Telling Him about the things that concern us.  Those things that cause anxiety and stress.  Thanking Him for the things that He does throughout our day that sometimes go unnoticed and acknowledged.  The Word of God is filled with His promises.  Truth that will cut the Believer to the core helping to remove those things that are not like Him.  Scriptures that help to grow our faith.  Stories of the 'heroes of faith' that have gone on before us.  And unlike the stock market or Social Security, these things have a GUARANTEED return on your investment.  Yes, God will continue to do things for you because of His faithfulness. 

Today, I want to share with you the benefit that I have found in being obedient to the God's Word.  Being faithful over a few things and being made ruler over many.  The good thing about God's guaranteee is that you don't have to wait until you get old and you die to receive your benefits.  You can receive them right now!  God is no respector of persons.  I thank God that I had parents that introduced me to Jesus Christ.  But now I have to stand on my own and I am reaping those benefits.  When circumstances seem hopeless, I continue to have hope.  Situations seem shipwrecked, Jesus is my lifeboat. I don't have to worry about going overboard for I know my Savior will rescue me.  Jesus is my Guarantee!

Most Gracious Heavenly Father,

Thank you today for your faithfulness.  Thank you for seeing past my faults to my needs.  Forgive me for those times when I have put other things before You.  Help me to be more committed to You.  I realize that is the only way real and lasting change are going to take place in my life.  Help me to prioritize my life, keeping You first.  Remove those distractions that hinder me from quality time with You.  In Jesus' Precious Name I pray Amen. 

God Didn't Do Anything

"God didn't do anything!"

These were the words uttered from a friend who was going through a very rough time.  While praying with her and for her, awaiting the outcome, she soon discovered that the outcome was not what she had expected.  After informing me of the decision, she immediately said, "God didn't do anything."  I don't know how many times in the past I have thought the very same thing. Working on a job that I didn't like praying continuously for God to give me a new job.  Instead things seemed to get worse.  In a relationship where you are doing all you can to improve yourself in order to be all that you can be for your partner.  All the while it seems like you are the only one trying to change.  What about the situation where your loved one is sick and you continue to pray for healing?  After a period of time your loved one dies. Did God answer your prayer? These are just a few situations that come to mind.  I am sure that you have your own. 

Now maybe you have never been disappointed by God but I surely have. Waiting and waiting on God to do something amazing that never happens.  I am so busy looking for the results in the situation that I don't see the change He is making in me.  Strengthening my faith.  Teaching me to be more loving. More forgiving.  How to have a little more patience.  God busy at work keeping His promises while I'm still complaining.  Didn't He say in His Word, 'Seek ye first the kingdom of God and all these things shall be added unto you'.  Matthew 6:33  What are all these things?  God wants to give you those things that make a true difference in your life.  Those things that allow you to have an impact on others so that He can be glorified.  What better way for God to be glorified than to show His child standing strong while in the midst  of the storm.  Ready to face, head-on, any given day whatever challenges you may face. And not only standing but accepting God's will.   Isn't that what it is really about?  Learning to trust God no matter what the outcome.  Letting go and letting God do what He does best.  Being confident that He has your best interest at heart and that He is always working on your behalf. What a great day when I discovered that those times God left me in that horrible situation He was producing for me a 'far greater weight in glory'.  He was giving me that 'stick-to-it-tive-ness' that has grown my faith.  As I look back over my life, I am so grateful.  And even in the present, those challenges that I currently face, I am exercising my faith.  Trusting God no matter what the outcome.  At my moment of weakness, He gives me just enough strength.  Each day I receive my portion of my daily bread and so far I have made it.  And so can you.  The next time you are tempted to say that 'God didn't do anything', take a minute to reflect and see the change that has taken place in your life over time.  The God I serve wants to give you the desires of your heart.  As you study the Word and grow a deeper relationship with God, your heart's desires will start to reflect what God wants for you as well.  That is why you need not worry.  At the end of the day it is just about trusting God. 

Most Gracious Heavenly Father,

Father grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change and the wisdom to know that difference.  Help me to stop fighting against Your will for my life and accept the changes that You are trying to make in my life.  Forgive me for those times I became discouraged thinking that you didn't do anything on my behalf.  For I know that you are always working on my behalf, seeing the big picture.  Looking ahead to my future while sustaining me in the right now.  Thank you Lord.  In Jesus' Precious Name I pray Amen. 

Exposed

Remember when you were a child and you did something that your parents told you not to do.  Remember dreading that moment when they would find out. Or perhaps it was time for report cards to come home and your grades were not the best. Did you drop your report card in the trash down the street like my oldest sister did?  I never quite figured out why she did that because my mom and dad found out every time, especially since I was running home to show my report card. None of us could hide anything from them. As I drove home today and thought about this, one central theme kept ringing in my ear. That central theme was - "Exposure".  For some reason everything I have read the past few days has been about 'change'.  Why am I so afraid of it?  At my age I am just so comfortable in who I am.  I am set in my ways and for the most part I like who I am.  But then I start to talk to God and as I listen to Him speak to me I realize that everything is not as fine and dandy as I think it is. 

For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires. Hebrews 4:12

The more I become a steward of the Word of God the more it works to expose some things in me that just aren't right.  Things in my heart that causes the ugly to come out at times.  Things that cause me not to see myself the way God sees me.  The truth of the matter is no matter what front I may put up, when in the eyes of others, at the end of the day when it's just me and God, He sees the truth.  He has those moments when He is proud of me and then those moments when He is disappointed in me, but through it all He loves me just the same.  And that is why I decided to go all in and ask God to expose those things in me that are not like Him.  If there is anything in my heart, soul, or spirit, I just don't want it there anymore.  I want to live my life being all that I can with the help of the Lord.  This is a scary thought.  There are just some things that I don't want anyone to know.  And even though God already knows everything about me, it's still scary admitting that those things are inside of me.  The scariest things are my thoughts. I have always been a person to hold things inside thinking that I'm somewhat better than those people who just fly off the handle, saying everything they think.  But what would happen if for one day those same people had an opportunity to read the thoughts in my head.  Have you heard the saying, "If looks could kill..."  Well I know that my thoughts could.   And then there is that negative, complaining spirit. My lack of tolerance for people who continue to do the same thing over and over again. That desire to be in control all the time and control the lives of others.  This is just the start of my list of things I try so hard to hide from others.

But at the end of the day, as much as I love my family and friends, making this change is not about any of them. It really doesn't matter to me what any of them think.  I am not living my life to please them. As my Pastor used to say, "None of them have a heaven or hell to put you in."   I must live my life to please God.  And that is why I must allow Him to come in and cut out those things that are not like Him.  Accepting the pain, realizing the results.  What about you? What are those things that you are trying so hard to hide?  I don't need to know what they are but I challenge you to pull down the shade.  Be proactive.  Ask God to expose those things in you that are not like Him..  Allow Him to come in and help you.  When you give Him total control to make those changes, they turn out to be lasting changes instead of band-aid fixes.  He takes it to the core and replaces them with a loving heart, a forgiving spirit, the mind of Christ.  This is not something you can do on your own but with the help of the Holy Spirit, it is possible.  'Now unto Him that is able to do exceedingly, abundantly above all you could ever ask or think..'  That one thing that you have been trying so hard to change, God is able.  Just give it to Him.  Others may have given up on you saying that you are always going to be that way.  From experience, don't try to tell me what God can't do.  He has a proven tract record of turning things around, changing the seemingly unchangeable. 


(I borrowed this prayer from my devotional and thought I would share.),

Lord show me what is in my heart, soul, mind, spirit, and life that shouldn’t be there.  Teach me what I am not understanding.  Convict me where I am missing the mark.  Tear down my arrogance, pride, fear, and insecurities, and help me to see the truth about myself, my life, and my circumstances.  Expose me to myself, Lord.  I can take it.  Enable me to correct the error of my ways.  Help me to replace lies with truth and make changes that last. In Jesus' Precious Name Amen.

No Limit

There is a statement from Bible study this week that keeps resonating in my mind.  The statement was simply about how our lack of faith when we pray can limit the power of God.  Have you ever stopped to think about how much you truly believe that God is going to answer your prayer?  Now let's take this question one step further...do your actions match this level of faith?  If I am being honest with myself right now I would have to say that my actions haven't always showed that I believed that God was able.  Instead it was more about me still having control of the situation trying to orchestrate my own outcome.  But what good did that do? Have you ever stopped to think that God may have had something bigger and better planned for you? As I look back over my life I think about all the times I had prayed about a decision and moved before I heard from the Lord.  I may have taken a job or started a relationship.  I may have started a discussion that later turned into a heated argument because I decided that I couldn't wait patiently on the Lord to change the other person.  The change needed to be immediate. But at the end of the day that is not what I had prayed for.  I wanted lasting change and from my experience only God  could bring about lasting change.  You see, He is able to change a man's heart. 

Most of the time we believe that an 'answered prayer' is a prayer where we get exactly what we ask for.  Even when we pray 'not my will but thine be done'.  Of course I can only speak for myself, but somewhere in the back of my mind I have already decided what God's will is. (And this is not because I have been so wrapped up in the Word of God and had a consistent prayer life.)  It's more like, I know because I have really only prayed to ease my conscious so that I can go ahead and do what I want to do. 'Can I get a witness?!'  If I pray telling God that I'm tired of being lonely and ask Him to help me feel that void and that man/woman that is showing me just a little bit more interest right now must be the one that I should give my time to.  I just can't take it any more on this job so Lord please open a door so I can leave this place where I am so unappreciated.  The call comes and without even a second thought we leave.  We never stop to think that God may move the person that is giving you the grief and elevate you to an even higher position.

At the end of the day it is all about having faith in God.  And I have decided that I am no longer going to limit the power of God in my life.  The words that I pray are going to reflect in my actions.  And I'm not going to move to the right or to the left until I am sure that I hear the voice of the Lord.  More than anything I want to live my life in the will of my Heavenly Father.  My challenge to you is to do the same.  God wants to do amazing things in your life.  Will you trust Him?  We will never experience the true mighty power of God until we truly trust Him.  Leaning not unto our own understanding but allowing Him to direct our paths.  Say it with me, "Yes Lord."

Most Graciously Heavenly Father,

O Lord, my God how majestic is thy name in all the earth.  You are holy, mighty, and righteous.  A God of peace.  My Shepherd.  Lord I praise you for all that you've done in my life and for what you are going to do in my life.  I want to trust you more.  My life is in Your hands.  Forgive me for those times that I've moved ahead of Your plan for my life.  I surrender all.  In Jesus' Precious name I pray Amen. 

Insanity

There is a popular workout series that's out right now called 'Insanity'.  My sister and brother-in-law did it and I have decided to start it.  As I sat there contemplating on when I was going to start my latest exercise routine, the Word of God begin to quicken my spirit.  I begin to think about all the insane things that I have done over the years.  Albert Einstein stated that the definition of insanity is 'doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results'.  I begin to think about how many times I have done just that.  The times when I attempted to take back control of my life from God, trying to do things in my own strength.  Each and every time achieving the same meaningless results. Often times taking the long way around to the blessing God had for me.  There were many reasons that I took back control (or at least thought I took back control), the primary one being that God was just taking too long.  In my opinion, 'I had been in the storm too long'.

But now that I look back on things, I have to ask myself where did it really get me?  To know better is to do better, I can hear my mom and dad and my second grade teacher, Mrs. Douglass say.  And I most certainly knew right from wrong.  I could clearly feel the Spirit speaking to me telling me to "But you will not even need to fight. Take your positions; then stand still and watch the LORD's victory." II Chronicles 20:17  As I reflect on different relationships in my life and my need to get my point across when clearly the Lord was telling me to "Be silent. Pray my child."  Yet and still I insisted on speaking up for fear of being walked on.  Or what about when God clearly showed me that someone was not good for me and yet I continued participating in the negative activities that always seemed to come about in their company.  I have taken jobs without praying and have been miserable.  I have failed to read my  Bible regularly and pray regularly only to experience a period of drought, feeling like God had forsaken me.  Even when I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that 'God will never leave me nor forsake me'.  There are times that I have felt like a failure because I had not achieved certain goals so I would complain all the time.  I had forgotten the scripture that said  'God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns'. Philippians 1:6 

As a child of the King, we must remember that nothing that we do is about us.  It is all about glorifying God.  When we are at work, when we are at church, in our homes, at the grocery store, driving in our cars...someone is always watching waiting to see what your response will be and more times than not, some of them are hoping that you will fail.  But don't get discouraged.  There may be a lot of things that you and I have done over and over again hoping to achieve different results but there is one thing I know that will always achieve a positive outcome and that is PRAYER. Your own direct channel to the Almighty God.  Your access is not limited, call on Him anytime.  In fact the Bible tells us to  'Pray without ceasing'.  I Thess. 5:17  What does that mean to the saints?  Keep on praying.  And as you continue to pray, let your prayer become praise.  There is just something about knowing that I can talk to the Father and He hears me.  I used to hear the preacher say, "He's never to busy. He may not come when you want Him, but He's always on time."

Most Gracious Heavenly,

Help me to remember the spiritual discipline of prayer.  Before I move to explore any other avenues let me first turn to You.  Grant me sustaining power to make it through the storm.  Let me remember that no matter how dark the night, daylight is coming.  I will forever give You all the glory, honor and the praise You so richly deserve.  In Jesus' precious name I pray Amen. 

Just For Me

'The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results'.  James 5:16b

As I was sitting tonight and talking with my mom she reminded me of a simple fact.  What is that one fact you ask?  'That God honors the prayers of the faithful'.  Even though you may be surrounded by people who have their own agenda in mind and may not be praying that God's will be done, God holds true to His Word and He can make things happen when the odds seem stacked against you.  When man has made plans and it seems that those plans are beginning to come to fruition...Watch out now!  Because that is when God shows up!  He can throw a monkey wrench in man's plans anytime He sees fit.  And that is why you must keep right on praying.  As she and I sat there and talked she begin to tell me the testimony of a lady who was scheduled to go in to meet with her boss, knowing very well that she was getting ready to be laid off. The rest of her department had been laid off  earlier that morning and yesterday. But she was a praying woman.  Each night she had prayed that God's will be done.  But she needed her job.  It was the only income she had to support her family.  As she walked into her boss's office, she had made up in her mind that she was okay with whatever happened.  As her boss begin to speak she immediately begin to cry and praise God.  You see, she was not laid off.  There had been a position created for her in another department.  Are you praising Him yet? 

Do you know that most Christians believe that the God of miracles lived only in Bible times?  I wouldn't go as far to say that person was me.  But I will say that I expected God to do it in other people's lives and not mine.  Yes I would pray but I didn't expect God to do the impossible.  I would pray safe prayers.  As I continue to mature as a Christian I realize that there are some things God is going to do 'just for me'.  There are people attached to my life who will be blessed because of my faithfulness.  Why?  Because God honors my prayers.  Not because I have lived such a holy life but because of His faithfulness.  So when I become bothered with the things I see going on around me, wondering if it will ever get better, I don't open my mouth to complain.  I talk to my Heavenly Father.  And I believe that because I have turned it over to Him, everything will turn out alright.  There are a lot of uncertainties going on around me and I could become frustrated, throw up my hands and just say whatever.  But I can't.  As I take a walk through the Bible I see time after time how the children of Israel continued to try to do things on there on and at time they were disciplined because of it.  But there were also times that their judgment was spared because of a few individuals who prayed. 

So what is my challenge to you today?  Don't stop praying. In fact, during uncertain times you should pray more.  Don't allow the naysayers and the negative people around you to make you think that you are resigned to settle. That you have to give in and go with the majority.  Remember that you and God are a majority not a minority.  Resist the urge to get caught up in petty arguments or even discussions with those who don't have a say in the final analysis of the situation.  Take your concerns directly to God and let Him work it out.  He can and He will

Most Gracious Heavenly Father,

How excellent is thy name in all the earth.  Lord I praise you because you are holy.  You are righteous.  You are worthy.  You alone are God and You don't need my help.  Forgive me of my sins. Thank You for your forgiveness. Thank You Father for the reminder that You have the final say. In spite of what man thinks and how they may plot and scheme, you have the final say.  Help me not to become discouraged.  Even though there may be times that I feel like I am all alone, let me remember that You and I are a majority and that nothing is impossible with You.  So Lord I am going to keep on praying knowing that You will sustain me through it all.  In Jesus' Precious Name I pray Amen.

One, Two...Punch

'Pray continually'.  I Thessalonians 5:17

My Saturday's for the past month have been spent taking two of my daughters to basketball games.  This past Saturday while enjoying my youngest daughter's game, the Holy Spirit began to speak to me. (Thank God that I am in tune with the Holy Spirit and I can hear Him talking to me no mater where I am.)  This is her first year playing basketball. In spite of this she has picked up the game very well.  During this particular game I watched as she raced up and down the court.  On several possessions she played the roll of the point guard and like clockwork as she dribbled up and down the court looking for one of her teammates, she would pass the ball and SWOOSH a layup.  Her sisters' and I started saying, "Babygirl got that one, two, punch."  And as the Holy Spirit spoke to me I started thinking about how this relates to my prayer life.  Each and every time I pray I'm giving the assist up to God, giving Him total control to make the finishing move, scoring every time.  There was one unique piece of her point guard play. She only passed the ball to one particular teammate.  You see, she had confidence that this person was going to make the correct move.  She was not going to turn the ball over.  She was going to make decisions that was best for the team.  Isn't that just like God?

The problem arises when we decide to skip our quiet time with God.  We decide that our way is a much better way.  We don't pray.  And if we do pray, it's just about asking for something and not an attempt to build your  relationship with God.  There is no assist. Instead we take our lives in our own hands becoming a 'ball hog' by always driving to the basket and not seeking the help from the One who has proven to have a guaranteed return.  You see, my daughter has come to rely on her teammate.  She spends time with her in practice.  At this point in the season, she has played several games with her and her role in the game has been proven. And if you ask yourself hasn't God already proven Himself to you?  Hasn't he answered your prayer time and time and again? Proven Himself to be consistent in your life?  If we are to make it in this life we must do so by keeping God first in our lives.  Let prayer be the assist that takes us to the life we have always wanted and the life that God wants for us.  A life in line with the will of God.  A life that even when trials come we continue to shine and trust God to make decisions that our best for our life. During my daughter's season there will be times that my daughter dribbles down the court and passes the ball to her teammate and she misses.  But glory be to God, that when we pray we never have to worry about a negative result.  The mere fact that we know that God is always listening is a win-win for the believer. God is the one who has our best interest at heart.  He wants nothing but the best for us and will push us to become better if we let Him.  We must give up control and not be a 'ball hog'.  Pray always and allow God to make the difference. You and God together will have that One, Two...Punch. 

Most Gracious Heavenly Father,

Thank You for the privilege of prayer.  Thank You for being a merciful God. A God of grace. I want to become a person of prayer, realizing that nothing happens when I don't pray and everything happens when I do pray. Father, I realize that in order for things to change in my life...for me to become the person You want me to be I must seek Your will.  Please forgive me for the times I have been disobedient, neglecting my prayer life. Those times when I have tried to do things on my own.  I submit to Your will and to Your way. Change me in the way You see fit. In Jesus' Precious Name I pray Amen.