Write your love story, Lord

Genesis 24:40

“But he said to me,’ The Lord, before whom I walk, will send his angel with you and prosper your way; and you shall take a wife for my son from my family and from my father’s house.”

When Sarah (Abraham’s wife) had passed away, Abraham knew he would be leaving soon as well and was determined to find the God centered wife for his son from his family. He made his servant swear that he would get a wife from his homeland, who was part of his family. This is equivalent to not being unequally yoked and that a believer should not be with a non-believer. Not saying that anyone that is a non-believer is bad but that values should be the same to avoid conflict on very serious things like: marriage commitments, how to raise you children, will they be around if cancer hits, etc. these are things that need to be considered from the beginning or else things can go terribly wrong. So, as the story goes on the servant start to freak out and asks Abraham, “what if she doesn’t want to come back with me?” So, Abraham promised that if she did not want to come back with the servant then he would be released from his agreement but he also told him that the Lord would guide him to the right woman. Well, as his servant went back to his homeland, he sat by a well where the daughters of the household would come out to soon draw water. So, the servant prayed to the Lord that he guide the servant to the right woman and this is the sign that he would be given. The servant would ask for water and she would give him water plus give water to all his camels. Mind you, this woman would have to come to the well and not turn on a facet but put a bucket into a well and pull up the water for a man she doesn’t know plus as many camels as he had (remember now, Abraham was blessed, truly it could have been a lot of camels.) Plus she would still have to draw water for her family. That is a pretty hard core arm workout but the fact remains that this woman would truly have to go out of her way to serve this man she has never met and his camels, thus proving to have a servant’s heart. Before he even finished praying, Rebecca came along and did everything that was prayed for. God is a God of detail like that. Just to make sure the servant asked who her family was and asked about room and food for the night. So, when he was lead back to her family’s house, he spilled everything. How Abraham is a wealthy man that was looking for a wife for his daughter but this wife had to be of his family line and not a Canaanite and she would have to come back with the servant. Then the servant tells them about his prayer to God and how before the prayer ended Rebecca came along and did everything that he just prayed for. I mean, no one knew his prayer but the Lord and the Lord is faithful to always answer.  Yet, from the very beginning Abraham told him that the Lord would set his path to the right woman for his son. I just find that amazing because look at how much more that servant now believes in the Lord. Faith increase!!!!!!God is the same, yesterday, today and forever. The one who paved the way for Isaac’s wife paved the way for all the marriages to come.

God always had a specific man in mind for me. I was well aware of that, to the point where He even blessed me with a list of what my Mighty Man of God will be like. I remember being excited and immediately started looking for that guy. Yeah, it ended up being me trying to fit a square into a circle cut out hole; I was trying to fit every guy that was interested into my list. Let’s just say, it NEVER worked out. So, I remember reading this story last year and in actuality I just re-read my daily devotion from last year and I was amazed.

Genesis 24:67 Issac brought her into the tent of his mother Sarah, and he married Rebekah. So she became his wife, and he loved her; and Isaac was comforted after his mother’s death.

I remember receiving the revelation of serving the Lord and my mighty man of God would just come alongside me in God’s perfect timing. I love serving my God and in all honesty because my focus was so much on the Lord and serving Him out of nowhere this mighty man of God pops up and I’m shaking like a leaf and hiding under the Lord’s protection because I do not want to stray away from God. Yet, as he and I talked, laughed and joked I realized he is in every detail what my list is and I’m his list as well. Go figure. Looking back my devotion in Jan 2013, I realized 2 other things: Rebecca had a choice to leave immediately or stay a little while longer with her family. She chose to leave immediately. Lately, I have been getting Godly advice on how to handle this new found relationship so that we may not stray away from God, so God has allowed wise counsel into my life for that. I do hear others telling me, though that I need to be careful and this is may not be of God, etc. And in all honesty, it scares me all the more, and I just want to break away from him but then again, do I trust in man or the Lord? Reading last year’s devotion, I realized that I have the choice to go with God’s leading right now or lean on my spiritual family that may want to postpone me a little longer…Don’t get me wrong I’m not saying that you do not listen to wise counsel but I am saying that if God is pointing out signs that you need to take that step of faith and go…then you need to follow Him with no questions or concerns in mind. Guess whom I will always follow? Yup, my Lord.  Also, I received the revelation in my 2013 devotion that just as Rebecca was riding back with the servant she saw Isaac and asked the servant who is that man and when the servant responded his master’s son, Isaac. (Here’s a little advice I got a while back, if you asking about that person, then you are interested in that person.) Rebecca didn’t even know that was Isaac but somewhere in her the Spirit moved her to know that this is the man for her and as soon as Isaac laid eyes on her and heard about her, he married her and loved her. Am I encouraging eloping? Absolutely not! The revelation I got was that I would know that this was the man that I was meant to marry as he will also recognize that I am the woman that he will spend the rest of his life with. Before any of that could even be considered, he would have to be a son of God and I would have to be a daughter of God. Family. If you were to ask me, if I felt that this was my husband to be. I would boldly tell, that God is definitely in this relationship and that it will be as the Lord wants it to be.

Dear Father God,

Praise you for our time together! I love our moments together that you are just continually speaking into my life. Lord, I know that you want nothing but the best for me. And I’m thankful that you have given me nothing but the best soul, spirit and body. As my relationship with you soars, every relationship that you want to happen is flourishing but it will not survive without the vine for I am just the branches, God. You make relationships grow and flourish and you cut those off that do not produce good fruits. Father, I see your good fruits in all the relationships you have put in my life, especially my most recent one. Father God, we want to do things the correct way, though. Your way, not the world’s way. Lord, thank you for the example of Isaac and Rebecca. God, I pray that my brothers and sisters that are single, are given the strength and courage to wait on your best for them. Lord, I pray for the couples dating that they set boundaries and follow them for your boundaries are not restrict us but to protect us. Let my best friend and I be that example with your strength and wisdom, Oh Sovereign God.  I pray for the married couples that are continual examples of your love here on earth. Father, build them up so their family will have Your values. I’m excited for 2014, God! I love you beyond words. Father God, suit us up in your full armor. We love and honor you always. In Jesus Mighty and Matchless name, Amen!

Test into Testimony!

Luke 4:13-15
And when the devil had ended every temptation, he departed from him until an opportune time. And Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit of Galilee, and a report about him went out through all the surrounding country. And he taught in their synagogues, being glorified by all.

Right after Jesus got baptised by John the Holy Spirit guided him into the wilderness. Now when you think wilderness, do you think of a dry desolate place or perhaps a wild forest easily lost? Regardless, the wilderness was a place Jesus was being tempted by the devil himself. Jesus did not eat for 40 days, only when Jesus was hungry did the devil step in to tempt him.

Many times, when something good of God happens to you the devil knows that you will experience breakthrough and will encourage others to do the same. So, he will wait until you are in the wilderness, where the Spirit will lead you (because trials need to come for triumph), then the enemy will attack when your weak. You know those moments when you are tired, frustrated, hungry etc. Yup that’s those times. As the story goes on Jesus is not only tempted but is brought into question about his identity.

Vs. 3 -The devil said, if you are the Son of God, command this stone to turn into bread.

Has your identity in Christ ever been questioned by others or even in your own mind?

An acquaintance: if you are the daughter of God, why aren’t you on your knees praying 10 x a day

My mind: if I am a daughter of God, why do I keep breaking my boundaries with Nick

These types of thoughts and comments lead into condemnation and are not of God. Therefore, it is brushed away by the very Word of the Lord when it comes to  grace and mercy.

After Jesus was questioned to turn stones into bread, Jesus fought back with the Word. So, the enemy attenpted a new approach. He attempted to falsely give authority and power to Jesus IF Jesus worshiped him.

Think of those who worship materials- houses, cars, money, etc. All these things that distract us from the Lord. Just to clarify, I’m not saying that it’s not ok to have nice things but if you end up loving the blessing more than the Blessor then there is a problem because you end up finding joy in something that can easily be taken away instead of the Lord who will never leave or forsake you.

Jesus was tempted in this area as well and once again fought back with the Word of God.

The very last temptation was the devil twisting the Word of God so that Jesus would jump off of a building. Suicide rates are at an all time high and it’s over things that are replaceable and far from what God has for us. Yet, people think there is no escape, others words start to twist and in your mind you trick yourself into thinking that no one is there for you. Guess what? God is there and He never wants to leave your side no matter what is done. Nothing can separate us from the love of God.

Jesus once again fights back with the Word of God. Finally the enemy gives up that time.

Yet, be mindful because he will return. Now, after the temptation Jesus went right into town powered up by the Spirit to preach and teach so God would be glorified.

I’ve notice when God is about to use us mightly for something. We get tempted but when we pass the temptation with the very Word of God the devil has no choice but to flee. And with that test turned into a testimony, we are powered up by God himself to preach and teach all that was learned! Yet, still being mindful and cautious that the devil has not left us alone forever.

Have I been tempted, lately? Oh yes! Funny because it’s in one area of my life that I gave up a long time ago. God has blessed me with a wonderful man after His own heart. This man is amazing in so many ways that I don’t think he is even aware of how amazing he is. Now, the temptation is:
1) he is a very attractive man and affectionate but we want to honor the Lord with boundaries so we wrote them out. Have we been completely faithful to those boundaries…unfortunately not. Praise God for his grace and mercy because so we may get right back on track.
2) Making sure that the Lord is still #1 no matter what. I use to struggle with identity but now that I’m firm in my identity in Christ I notice I’m not trying to be someone else and I’m going to stick with who God made me to be.

Honestly, I know God has great plans for me and this man. Am I certain that this man is the one God designed for me to be with? The Lord will reveal that in time. Am fascinated to know that we are already inspiring my younger girls to stay faithful to the Lord and one  day when God is ready he will give them their Mighty man of God.

Dear Lord,
Thank you fot today and the awesomeness that will happen in it. I love you and await your timing God. I pray for your strength in all of us when temptation comes because it will come. Let our decisions be honoring to you, Lord. And when we fall let us get back up and move forward with you. Father God when the testimony comes let us move forward in boldness preaching your goodness and faithfulness. I am excited for you have planned. I leave it in your control Father for you are the Master planner. We love and honor you this day by surrending all. In Jesus Mighty and Matchless name, amen!

Life Boat

Gensis 7:16

So, those who entered, male and female of all flesh, went in as God has commanded him; and the Lord shut him in.

As the earth and people in it began to be fruitful and multiply, God saw the evil in their hearts. After the fall from grace, the disobedience in the Garden of Eden, mankind continued to sin because they were now of the flesh and not the Spirit. For when God had told Adam and Eve they would die if the ate the fruit of the tree, he did not mean physically but spiritually. So, as mankind continued to sin in their ways and heart, God grieved and wanted to wipe the slate clean of the earth. Yet, there was one man whom the Lord walked with and that man was Noah. Noah found favor with God so the Lord told him the plans that He had for the earth and him.

Side note: Imagine the Creator of all things- heaven and earth coming to you to tell you his plans for you and the earth. Good plans for you, bad plans for the earth. Wow! Imagine the closeness of someone you love telling you their deepest secrets knowing that you will tell no one. That was Noah’s relationship with the Lord.

God gave Noah specific instructions on how to build this boat, because God knew how much animals and people were going to be inside. Now, Noah could have said, “but I think it should be this size,” and built it the way that He wanted to. This is why the God didn’t randomly choose someone, he chose someone who walked with Him, knew His heart and was obedient in the little knowing He will still be faithful with the big.

Now, God has given us specific instructions for the boat of life in the book of life. B.I.B.L.E – Basic Instructions before leaving earth. Now, because Noah walked with the Lord, he was saved from the flood, guess what there is still many floods going on around the world and we are drowning it. You see people drowning in their finances, in their unhealthy relationships, in depression, in money etc. etc. This world is drowning God’s people. You possible could recall a time or you are possibly going through it, right now! God is faithful to those who are faithful. That is His character! God is who He says He is and God can do what He says He can do. He proved it by saving us as He continues to do that daily through His Words!

This is why it is important to keep the commandments on the tablet of your heart so when need be you can go back to it and protect yourself from the flood to come. Now because Noah knew God and followed His specific instructions, not only did Noah save him and his family but he also saved male and female of all flesh.

Think of it this way, when you walk with God and follow His instructions; you start to inspire people to be saved as well. So, then people start to wonder, “What do they have that I do not?” And we can smile and say with all genuine honesty say, “the Lord!” When we listen and obey the Lord, you cannot help but to see the life and countenance of that person. So, you inspire people to jump on that life boat as well.

Now, think of the God as your life boat. When He told Noah to go into the boat, the Lord shut him in. So, if God is the life boat, Noah was welcomed into the protection of the Lord. No matter the circumstances that was going on outside the ark, Noah was safe and stable from the situation because He hid in the Lord.

God will always want us to be protected but we need to be in one accord with him. We need to seek him daily through daily devotions, prayer, worship and being in constant fellowship with Him then as He reveals things we must keep the secrets of the Lord and be obedient to what he has told us and in the end we will always be protected from drowning in this world.

So, I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. Mark 11:24 NRSV

In all honesty, I want nothing more than to walk with the Lord in all His ways. I want Him to lead me and I will follow. This is confirmation for me that I am on the right path in my life. I’m excited because I look around everything is just falling into place without me forcing anything. I find that so amazing but then again we serve an amazing God, so it shouldn’t be that shocking. This past December has been far past my expectations for myself and I know it is all of God. I met someone that I truly love and adore because of his character. It has nothing to do with how old he is, his job, how he looks (though I personally think he is very attractive), etc. etc. all that outward stuff-Blah! He is a genuinely kind, honest, loving gentleman that seeks the Lord. Yet, I remember a time when I would walk with the Lord then became side tracked by a man. Yikes….yup that never told out well for me or the man. Anyways, a couple of months ago, I finally let go of the thought of finding “the perfect man,” and gave it to the Lord. I had but one request: let him be my best friend that loves you, Lord. Usually, I would just jump to anyone who gave me attention. So, as a couple years went by and I continued to walk with the Lord, stumbling here and there but getting right back up, he allowed some plans to be revealed and as little as they were I would do them. Example: pay for someone’s coffee, put my shopping cart back and grab one more that is off on a curb, show people His love and mercy, read His Word, write His Word on the tablet of my heart, give up old habits, create new God-centered ones etc. And so much more. He still does this daily with me and I enjoy every minute of it. Anyways, back to the gentleman, so God allow him into my life and I realize rather quickly that we are getting along so well. Instead of jumping at him, though (like my usual self) God has been telling to take my time and know this man for who he is. So, he is calling me to protect myself, not from the gentleman but from myself. In other words, I notice that past wounds still needed to be healed so that I do not taint this one. And in all honesty, I love everything that I see in him, the last thing I’d ever want to do is ruin something so beautiful because I mistake affection for physical only. So, we are becoming pretty close like best friend status. Yet, we are still waiting on the Lord to become an official couple with that, boundaries were created to honor God and respect the relationship that He gave us. There is a purpose in all things, because our God is a purposeful God. He does not randomly do things because He feels like it. In all honesty, I know that I am hidden in the Lord and I am safe in His arms as my heart will always be safe with my God. He will continue to be my refuge and strength. I find it fascinating though that, He is really so present in this current relationship that He has blessed me with. Even more fascinating is that, this gentleman is the awesome role model to what I want for the youth. He is respectful, kind, loving, etc. again character is amazing. If this is to go any further, which I truly am praying it will, I want this to glorify God by allowing the youth to know this is how a man should treat a woman out of love for her, not making out, or even touching but just being together and forwarding the Kingdom of God. I’m super excited beyond words for 2014. More than anything, I can see this relationship helping to save others and future relationships.

Dear Father,

I am speechless. I love you. I know that your plans are great and I thank you so much for surpassing every expectation I had for myself. I can’t thank you enough for the wonderful people you have blessed me with this past 2013 and as we go into 2014 we leave the former things and embrace the newness that you have for us. I love our times together, Lord God, you are such an awesome protector and Father. Thank you for everything you do in our lives. Father, I pray that we walk and follow you just like Noah did. Help us to faithful in the little knowing that in the long run we will be faithful with whatever you give to us. Father God, you re awesome and sovereign. You are Holy God. Please, Lord let us be that example of Christ so that others may be saved. Use us as your hands and feet here on earth. I love you more than words can say. You are so awesome, God! We wait on you. Please suit us up in your full armor God. We love and worship You alone. We surrender this day to you and all the days to come. In Jesus Mighty and Matchless name, Amen.

Life more abundant

John 21:6-7
And He said to them, “Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.” So they cast, and now they were not able to draw to in because of the multitude of fish. Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” Now when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on heard that it was the Lord, he put on his outer garment (for he had removed it), and plunged into the sea.
Jesus had been handed over to Pilate and crucified on the cross. On the third day, he had risen. Mary and a few of the women followers were the first to see Jesus alive. When they told the disciples, though they had a difficult time believing but they eventually rejoiced. Jesus also showed himself, to 11 of them but one was not present. Thomas. Now, since Thomas was not present when Jesus showed himself, Thomas did not believe that Jesus had rose.
Side note: A few weeks back a sermon was given on how to grow in faith. And one of the points mentioned was that we had to put ourselves in a place where our faith grows. The disciples were in a place where faith grows. Surrounded by other disciples and believers, Thomas was somewhere else. For me this is just a note to surround myself with fellow believers, ALWAYS! So, that testimonies can be shared and faith can grow.
Jesus came back to show himself real to Thomas but the Jesus states (John 20:29) “Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have NOT seen and have believed.”
Now the next day seems to be a recap on that lesson for all the disciples. Peter and John went out fishing the night before to catch. They went fishing all night, but did not catch one fish. That morning Jesus comes to ask if they caught anything. Yet, at the time they did not know it was Jesus. Then he tells them to cast the net in a particular spot then they will catch some fish.
Side note: I’ve always thought it funny that there had been several times after his death where his own disciples did not recognize him until later. And it is within these times that a lesson was taught. For this particular instance, he was just another man asking if they caught any fish. So, when he suggested to cast the net over to the side, they did not have to listen. Yet, in faith they did. And the result of that was a whole bunch of fish.
Think of it this was way. When we have trust in Jesus, no matter if he is using a disguise (as some random guy), and follow through in faith things will always turn out for the better of us because God always has the best in mind for us. Yet, we must pay attention to direction because God is a specific God. He is as detailed as can be. Jesus said specifically cast your net to the right side of the boat, now if they cast there net to the left side because they felt like it, they would have ended up with nothing. Yet, because they listened they ended up with an overabundance of fish. Jesus wants to lead us to an overabundant life, which he has in store for us, if we obey.
Last thing I observed with this scripture is that Peter, the disciple that denied Jesus 3 times, as soon as John had said, “It is the Lord!” without hesitation Peter grabs his coat and jumps into the water. I can just see him swimming so excitedly toward the Lord. The one disciple who was predicted by Jesus to deny Jesus 3 times understood his fault and went back to Christ anyway. Have you ever done something wrong to someone and tended to avoid them instead of going to them? Yeah, well Peter didn’t have that on his mind when he saw Jesus. So, many times we can quilt trip ourselves into thinking, “they’ll never forgive, now,” or “I’m not worth forgiving, didn’t you see what I did?” Well, I know I’ve been there but Peter’s reaction is what Christ always wants from us, no matter what we did wrong. I mean, he knows right? He knows our mistakes, our needs, our wants, our desires before we even come to him.
If you’ve ever wanted someone to know you, faults and all, and still accept you. Well, that is exactly who Christ is. And He is always patient, always kind, He does not envy, He does not boast. He is love.
I’m blessed to know the Lord. Truly know Him, not as a man in a book but someone to have a conversation with and that loving me guides and corrects me when need be. I’m just so amazed at all that He is. He loves me enough to set my path straight even when I wonder of sometimes (yeah, I do that). He still has great plans for me. Lately, I’ve been pretty off my goals and in all honesty I have no one else to blame but myself. I’m not condemning myself but it is good to know that I need to get back on track ASAP! God has guided me to a few things to do this year. Goals for 2014 are written out and need to be executed. Just as God wants an abundant life for me it all depends on my obedience, I got the map, all I need to do is follow it. Praise God for the Bible because I was super lost without it. Also, another thing that stood out was just like Peter I need to rush back to the Lord no matter what I’ve done. He will never leave or forsake me because nothing can separate us from the love of the Lord. It’s funny because this scripture somewhat reflects Sunday’s message.
1) Know and Believe in God’s promises. – Just as Mary believed in the promise that would be born from her, though there was no way possible a virgin could get pregnant.
-just like Peter and John had caught absolutely no fish the night before- in faith tossed the net on the right side of the boat.
2) Have an attitude of expectation to look for it. – The Magi were looking for the star and they found it.
– Peter and John looked for the Lord after the order was given and they found him with excitement!
3) Remind God of His promise. – God does not need to be reminded, we do.
-Imagine the faith that was built after one cast of their net, after a whole night of nothing. This is also a reminder of when they first met Jesus, he said, “Follow me and I will make you fishermen of men.”
God is great, therefore his plans are great. It was also suggested in the sermon that we look up all the promises He has for us because there is a lot of promises. Yesterday’s promise was that He has plans for a hope and a future for me. Today’s promise:
John 10:10
The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill and to destroy. I have come that they may have a life, and that they may have it more abundantly.
Dear Father God,
Thank you for an amazing weekend and thank you in advance for an awesome week! Father, you blow my mind sometimes, sir. I love you, I know I’ll never love you more than you love me and to be honest I’m so thankful for that. The love here is conditional, yours is not. Don’t get me wrong, I’m going to try to love you the best way I know how and that is by being obedient. Lord, you amaze me in ways I never thought possible. Thank you that you are who you say you are, you can do what you say you can do. Praise you that I am who you say I am. Thank you that I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength and thank you that your Word is alive and active in me. Father, I pray that I stay obedient to you and the mentors that you have put in my life because I know you put them here for me for a reason. Forgive me for the times I stray. Thank you for your mercy and grace, Lord God. I pray for our family that do not know the power that you have given us through Christ Jesus. The power to be more like You and less like our carnal selves. Father, equipped us to follow your directions for it leads us to a life more abundant! Thank you for your never failing love and grace, let us show that here to a world that so desperately needs you. Suit us up with your full armor, the helmet of salvation, the breastplate of righteousness, belt of truth, boots of peace, sword of the Word and Shield of faith. Father God let your will be done in our lives. You are so awesome! We love and honor you God. In Jesus Mighty name, Amen!

Latter days

Job 42:12-13

Now the Lord blessed the latter days of Job more than his beginning; for he had fourteen thousand sheep, six thousand camels, one thousand female donkeys. he also had seven sons and three daughters.

Job had gone through many trials and it did not only last for a couple of days. No, these trials went on forever so it seemed for Job. Losing everything he had including his friends, God himself came down to have a few words with Job, but in the end even with his close friends rebuking him, Job did what was right before the Lord. Job stated in 42 verses 3,5-6

You asked. ‘Who is this who hides counsel without knowledge?’

Therefore I have uttered what I did not understand, Things too wonderful for me, which I do not know.

“I have heard of You by the hearing of the ear; but now my eyes sees You. Therefore I abhor myself,

And repent in dust and ashes.

Job admitted that the words he had spoken were words of misunderstanding towards the Lord. He realized what God was doign was far past his understanding as a man.

How many times have we gone through that? Just saying and thinking, ‘What is God doing up there? I’ve been faithful. I’ve been kind etc. Then why am I going through all these trials.’

I remember when I first started my journey, he tested me in some pretty sensative areas, relationship and finances. And there were times when I though God is going to flip things around for me. Yet, as every possible solution I had to my own scenerio didn’t pan out, I got more and more frustrated with God.  So, how do we react when we go through trials, especially when we have no clue what will happen next?

TRUST IN THE LORD!!! For the fear of the Lord is wisdom and the shunning of evil is understanding.

Job 28:28—”And  he said to man, The fear of the Lord—that is wisdom, and to shun evil is understanding.'”

Yet, it even took awhile for Job to give it up and say that he did not understanding the Lords ways, he strongly disliked himself for it. So, he did the wisest thing he could do. He repented before the Lord.

I was finally brought to the realization where I wasn’t trusting in God. In fact I was fearing my situations and not the Lord. I was embracing evil instead of shunning it. Because of this, I was brought to repentence and with it came restoration.

This is exactly what happened to Job. After the Lord had shared some words with Job, Job understood that he was not trusting in God and repented. Yet, there was one more step before God restored Job. Due to his friends rebuking Job, God told Job’s friends that they needed to gather offerings and have Job pray for them. Only then would God not punsih them.

What a humbling experiance for the men and not to mention one more test for Job.

These men had to go through the man that they had deemed a sinner. When in actuality they were the sinners. So, they had to eat some humblwe pie to ask Job, “Hey, man can you please forgive us and pray for us?”

At this point, the ball was in Job’s court. Job could have said, NO WAY! but instead knowing that God has just forgiven him for his sins, Job in turn had offered forgiveness and prayed for his friends.

Right after this, God blessed Job’s latter days moer than his beginning.

When we realize that God is good and all He has for us is good no matter the situation, our latter days will be better than our former. God has promised us abundance if we continue to walk with Him. What an invitation. Yet, more than anything when we are able to realize, “I messed up,” and come before the Lord and repent. How can God not want to reveal the awesome things He had planned for you, all along?

As for me, my latter days are most definietely greater than my former days. This week is the week before my birthday and I have truly been blessed with much more than I know I deserve. One of the sisters that I lived with once upon a time when I left my ex, she is my sister from another mister, I love her to pieces but last weekend she touched my heart in a way no one else ever did and I know it was because of God. She had wanted to take me to California for a weekend trip and she had everything covered. She said we were headed to the hotel and in the morning we would have breakfast, go on the boardwalk near the hotel, then go to the beach. Yet, as we drove down to California, I had commented on how I had no clue what was going to happen but I knew it was going to be the best weekend ever. She had then opened her heart and told me that she remembered what my 25th birthday meant for me. When I was younger I dreamed I would be married by the age of 25 years old and if I stayed with my ex that dream would have been fulfilled but I knew God had a purpose for me to leave my ex, which is when I got so close to my sister in the car. What astounded me more than anything was that she remembered, which really meant to me that God remembered. No one knew how hard this 25th birthday would be for me because I didn’t let it show. I didn’t want to mourn over it but the fact is that I still have fragments of that dream but after my 25th birthday that dream will be completely gone. Yet, I know 2 things from this very experience:

I need to let go of a dream completely so that I may embrace the promise God has for me

AND

The Lord will bless my latter day, more than the beginning.

Dear Father God,

I love you too. Thank you that you are so mindful of me. Praise you that you are truly all I need. Father God, I know that you have great plans for me because you have given me a hope and a future. Praise you, Lord for you are awesome and everything you do is awesome. Thank you that these sitautions we go through are what you need to get us to the next level. Lord, you are all we need in those times. Lord, I thank you for all the blessings that we are so generous in giving us. I pray, Lord that as we go through our trials that we keep in mind that our latter days with you will always be better and more abundant than our former days. Let us trust and fear you, God because you know what you are doing far past our own understanding. Glory to our Lord on High. Guide and protect us always, in Jesus Mighty name, Amen.

Where is your faith?

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Mark 4:39:40

 

Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace, be still!” And the wind ceased and there was a great calm. But He said to them, “Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?”

 

“Where is your faith?” Have you ever heard this phrase before? Whether it be by a person or you thinking it to yourself, this is truly an inspirational question verses a condemnation one. In other words, this question should be asked and received as a question that inspires you to remember your faith in Jesus.

 

Maybe whoever asked you meant it as a way to condemn; you can lovingly give them grace and just accept it as a heart check and ask yourself: Where is my faith?

 

It could be toward a situation or circumstance that you may be experiencing or it could simply be a reminder from God to check where your faith is because of an upcoming test.

 

At this point, Jesus has been through towns preaching the Word and He had given the Parable of the Sower. It is a Parable where seed (The Word) fall in 4 places: the road (where Satan takes it away easily), the rocks (where people receive the Word but because there is no root they die out), the thorns (where the receive the Word but the world easily sucks them back into it), and the good soil (where the people receive it, grow root, stay firm and watch it prosper.) So, as a disciple, which one would you think they would be in? The good soil, right?

 

Jesus moves forward preaching more parables about faith and the kingdom of God and guess what now it is time for a test for His dear disciples. They get into a boat to go to their next destination, Jesus falls asleep. Storms starts happening, even though Jesus is right there with them, quiet and still, but they still freak out. So, they try to wake him up by ask him, “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?” (vs.37)

 

How many times have we said that in the midst of our trials and testing?

 

“Lord, don’t you care that I am about to perish?”

 

Whether it be a big storm or a little storm, Jesus will never let You perish. Don’t get me wrong some things in our life have to pass away because they are not good for us or the time just isn’t right.  Yet, in this circumstance, the disciples knew Jesus was there with them and had seen all his miracles but were still frightened by their current situation. There are times in the gospel that Jesus tells everyone, “He who has eyes let him see and he has ears let him, hear.” Yet, in Chapter 4, He only stated, “He who has ears to hear let him hear,” (vs.9) and “if anyone has ears to hear, let him hear.”(vs. 23)

 

So, in other words, He did not want people to use their eyes in this case but their ears and what Jesus was telling them is what needed to be received and planted in good soil, so when they went through the testing they could reap the harvest. When the opportunity came to the disciples Jesus must have been just a little disappointed but wanted them to consider, “Where is your faith?”

 

As for me, my faith has been interesting. Sometimes, it goes on a rollercoaster ride with my emotions, other times it is hard for me to find, and other times its exactly where it needs to be in my arm as my shield so that I do not receive or perceive the lies of the enemy. So many times, I’ve heard we live by faith and not by sight and as long as we are not going through the testing we could jump for joy and shout, “Amen!” (Which isn’t a bad response at all) But, when the time comes to truly test that faith, I won’t lie and say that I’ve passed every test because there were times when I ran to my food looking for comfort rather than Jesus but eventually, I remember He is right here with me at all times. (By this time I have already realized I have not passed the test but praise God because the test will come, again.) My test of faith is still  going on in mainly my finances and fiancé. So, I still work to part-time jobs but I am really hoping to get a full-time position soon at NEIS and as long as I lean on Jesus and my God, who is my Provider, I know that job will come around soon enough. I still have financial debts but one day with God I have faith that all of that will be gone. As for the fiancé thing, it isn’t that big of a deal because I know God has a very special man out there for me a true Mighty Man of God that He designed specifically for His purpose to be a Pastor, Husband, Father, and my partner in to forward the Kingdom of God. I am getting tested faith wise because there is absolutely no one that I am interested in my church or outside of my church and for now that is how it has to be, Jesus needs to be the Center of my life, not a man, and the more our relationship builds eventually my earthly fiancé can come in. Yet, my heart is fully on the Lord and even when my earthy fiancé comes in, it truly needs to stay that way.

 

Dear Heavenly Host,

 

Thank you for all that you continue to do in our lives. Praise you for waking me up this morning for it means that I still have a purpose here for You, it is an honor and a privilege to serve you Lord. Father God, Praise you that you are always in control of every situation, even when we are not and that is when things always work out for the best because you got us. Jesus, praise you for your loving sacrifices on the cross so that we can be Your Bride. Lord, thank you for questioning us on where are Faith is, let it be among good soil and at times it may start off on another path but help us to move it where you want it to be so that after time it will be in good soil, be watered, grow deep roots and build up a harvest for the Kingdom of God. Lord, praise you that your plans for us are good and full of hope and a future. We have faith in you, Lord. Let this day and every moment of it belong to you, our One True King. In Jesus Mighty Name, Amen.

 

 

Delivered

Acts 12:11
And when Peter had come to himself, he said, “Now I know for certain that the Lord has sent His angel, and has delivered me from the hand of Herod and from all the expectation of the Jewish people.”

During this time Herod was king. He was harassing the church and put James to the sword. He found that this pleased the people very much. So, he intended to do the exact death to Peter. They found and arrested him, giving him to 4 squads of soldiers.

Ok. Hold on, 4 squads of soldiers was that necessary? I’d say absolutely this was a man that everyone, against the gospel, was after buy could never keep him bound. Why? Because the Lord was with Peter.
Also, think of the time frame he was captured. He was arrested during the time of the Unleavened Bread. So, no one could be executed, this is also why he was put in prison with so much guards because Herod must have thought that there is still a high risk of losing Peter so pack on the gaurds and chain Peter up.

Now, the night before his death. Peter was sleeping.

Could you imagine peace that surpass all understanding even when faced with death. Think about it, you losing sleep over: unpaid bills, lose of job, lose of boyfriend or girlfriend etc.

Peter might have been pretty certain he was going to die. Yet, He still had trust in the Lord that everything would go according to God’s plan.
Trust in the Lord = Peace that surpasses all understanding.

Could you imagine a time when the circumstances didn’t look good but you knew that Got will make a way, He did it for the Israelites by parting the Red Sea, why wouldn’t He do it, again?

Well, onward with the story, Peter was awakened by an angel by the angel striking (seems like a great wake up call-that was sarcastic) and the angel said, “Arise quickly.” In other words, “Yo, get up we gotta go, NOW.” At this time, the chains just fall off, they pass two guard posts unnoticed, and a huge gate opens for them. This whole time Peter thinks he is dreaming. (I would, too) but when he came to realize he was out, he gave all glory to God by stating:
“Now I know for certain that the Lord has sent His angel, and has delivered me from the hand of Herod and from all the expectation of the Jewish people.”

So, in other words God’s plan was to deliver him.

God has a plan for everything and everyone. God had a plan that Peter would live to preach the gospel because it was not in God’s time (and the church was earnestly praying for him) for Peter to come home, yet. Regardless, Peter needed to trust in the Lord to have his way with the situation no matter which way it went. In the end, Peter wakes up to realize that God had delivered him from the hand of His enemy AND all the expectations of the Jewish people.

Imagine being set free from the trials that you face, currently …like: financial debt, identity in someone else, even your dreams etc. these things can keep you in bondage. How? You put a limit on the One who is limitless. Peter understood that it would happen just the way that God wanted. Notice he does it verbally say it, but his actions says it all. Don’t you wish people could show more than they could say? Well, Peter did exactly that. He woke up thinking he was having a vision that he was getting out off his bondage when no it was happening all right in front of his eyes. Peter was able to see and witness to what God was doing because he didn’t expect God to save him not to mention he didn’t expect God to save him a specific way.

There was a man that shared a testimony on how he was in financial debt and he had a very specific plan on how to free himself from financial debt but it did not include tithing. Well, let’s just say his plan didn’t work and he got deeper and deeper into dept. He didn’t understand what was happening….car randomly breaking down, bills unexpectedly popping up. Well, one day his pastor challenged him to tithe and he did, guess what he unexpectedly would get the money back 100 fold, and next thing you know he is out of debt!

Here is the moral of the story. His plan didn’t work, but God’s plan did because God says to test him in your area of finances and watch His overflow happen. Though it did not make sense logically, it made sense with God not being limited to what a man could do.

It is not logical that Peter’s shackles would just fall off and he would unnoticeable walk past two guard posts. Peter did not put a limit or a specific structure on what God could do. So, why should we?

It is through trusting in God that we get to see His miracles and wonders, which tags along with peace that surpasses all understanding.

As for me, have I been trusting in the Lord, lately?

Let me be completely honest and human, right now…..nope. I’ve been trying to figure out this whole financial thing. It’s been giving me a headache, honestly but that is what happens when I thing I can do it on my own strength. So finally, my room mate and I sat down to talk about finances and I think we are on a better path now. As for my future husband, I am still attempting to grasp the concept that I am God’s Bride. I am unaware on what that looks like just, yet. This is probably due to the fact that I am still “keeping an eye out for my earthly husband.” Fact is that it will all happen in God’s timing.

I know I have been battling lately, though because my past has been popping up more and more. The weird thing is, is that I am okay with that because it is making me compare my life now to how it used to be. My life wouldn’t be anywhere near as awesome as it is right now, if I would have chose to stay where I was at. My Pastor’s wife gave an inspirational message today about two different extreme personalities:

Type A- driven, focused, time-management, leading to impatience.

Type B- cruises, perfectionist, leading to be lazy.

My Pastor’s wife had stated that she is a Type A personality while her husband is Type B personality.

The thing she brought to light is that TRUSTING IN THE LORD balances out these two personalities, and based on personalities that God has given them, she was designed as a Type A person to reach certain people, while her husband was designed as a Type B to reach others. I stopped for a moment to think about this.

If I did not trust in God, He would not have been able to use me as He is using me, now.

God allowed me to see the world through His eyes when I said, yes to Him and goodbye to my old ways. I could not have imagined any of this for myself. Amazing sisters that I am about to spend my 25th birthday with, awesome family in Christ that love on me through feeding me: mentally, spiritually, and physically. A career in helping children with disabilities. I have a roof over my head, food to eat, water to drink, my very own space for me to think and reflect on what the Lord is telling me. WOW! Before I used to have just a boyfriend (I say it like that because I would confide myself to just him and his group of friends not searching anywhere else so no girlfriends.) I used to go in and out of church, not really having a purpose to go but to know that it felt good to worship and hear an inspirational message, only to drop it at the door and go back to doing my life my way. Before I had a job, lying to people to get a sale or two so I wouldn’t be fired. I shared a roof, food, water, bed even with my ex, I had no time by myself to just stop and think. Not like I wasn’t grateful for that time but in the end, nothing beats what the Lord had in store for me and all I simply had to do was TRUST IN HIM. Just like Peter, just like the man in finical debt, just like my pastor’s wife. Just like I did back then.

Revelation is needed for moments when we struggle and I have been struggling but on my own strength because the Lord is truly the only One that can give me peace that surpasses all understanding. So, I will be still and know He is God.

Dear Lord,

I love you. My past seems to be creeping back into my life but I do not have to respond to it as my flesh would sometimes want me, too. You know kicking, screaming, crying because things didn’t go my way, impatient and having a typical type A personality. Father God, praise you that you are the one that keeps me together, because I look back into my life and realize that I am only here because you want me here. I remember when I thought my life was truly worth nothing but because you saved me, I am still here. Praise you that you are who you say you are. Lord, I pray that we simply trust in you because your promises will come to pass all in your wonderful timing. Lord God, you are all I need. Let my mind be on the things that you want it to be on. We surrender it all to you. In Jesus Mighty and Matchless name, Amen.

 

Who are you trusting in?

Psalm 108:12-13

Give us hep from trouble,

For the help of man is useless.

Through God we will do valiantly.

For it is He who shall tread down our enemies.

Valiantly- boldly courageous; worthy; excellent

Tread –to step, walk, or trample so as to press, crush, or injure something

 

Have you ever leaned on someone knowing they would eventually fail you?

Have you ever leaned on someone hoping they would not fail you?

As children you lean on your parents for food, house, etc. but eventually you grow up to the point where you are more than capable of taking care of yourself, right?

Not necessarily, God has created us to lean on each other as brothers and sisters in Christ to share laughter and tears with each other and hold each other up in hard times. Family. Family-in Christ to be more specific but then again you reach points in your life where not even family can help you. Sad but true because it all boils down to your decisions and commitments. No pressure. (That was a sarcastic comment) Yet, God never wanted us to go through troubles alone. In fact, he wants us to overcomers of those troubles. But how?

Well in the verse above David knows exactly what to do:

1) he asks God: “Give us help from trouble…”

Simple statement but one that is needed. There are times when you have done things a certain way so many times that you lean on it. Example: Living on your own you run int a financial hard spot,so you run to your parents to help and they help. Eventually though, your parents can’t handle the financial burden. So, you jump ship, who else can take care of you financially? Boyfriend, close friend etc. Guess what though God is going to bring you to a point where you have no one else to lean on? Why?

2) ” For the help of a man is useless.”

Men, women, children….people. They will fail us because they were not made to handle what only God can handle. They will break and it even may cause rifts in relationships because God should always be your source and no one else. And he takes you to a breaking point at times because….

3) “Through God we will do valiantly,” or as stated in NIV “With God we will gain the victory,”

There are things in our life that we will run to others for help but they fail because we need to understand that the victory will be gained with God and God alone. He does this so that the glory will go to God, not your friend, not your boy/girlfriend, but God. All glory to God. For everything that stands in our way…

4) “For it is He who shall tread down our enemies.”

God brings down the house, literally. Everything that is stopping you from victory, God will take care of it. We have to trust and obey Him, though. Obviously, if you are trying to get over a drinking habit, you need to trust that he does not want you hanging out with friends that want to drink, and obey God by not going to hang out with them.

Recently, I’ve still been struggling with this “weight” thing but not it is getting clearer and clearer that God doesn’t care about my weight, I care about my weight, God cares about my health though. He cares that I take care of my body, but it is not supposed to be a religious thing. In other words, I would take it to the point where I would do whatever it takes, pills, shots, bulimia, etc. to lose weight. Does that sound healthy to you? I didn’t think so. This body was made to eat healthy because in the days before fast food, it thrived off of homemade meals. Back in the day, imagine having to walk everywhere without the proper food in your stomach. It would have caused someone to faint, possibly die etc. Also, food was scarce you didn’t have the luxury of wasting food or over eating. You ate until your stomach was satisfied. I find it interesting that along the way, society’s way of crunching meal time into a 5 minute wait at a fast food restaurant did the opposite it was intended to do. Fast food was made to help us crunch time, and we do when it comes to meals but soon enough we fill it with other things. Weird, right? Anyway, I’m starting to realize that this is not my battle and it has never been my battle or my roomates battle. She has been doing a great job helping me to stay on track for the Prism program but my thing is that this is Gods victor not ours. If I will be boasting in anything, it would be the weaknesses that I face so that God’s strength can be made known.

I’ve also still been struggling with finances and to be honest it is the roll off of the relationship between my food and I. I went out to starbucks with a friend, convincing myself that I needed to get something in order to stay there. This is a true statement but just now I realized I could have gone to the library or somewhere else close by that I didn’t to buy anything at. Well, now I know but I know that I will have to answer to my roommate about it because at this point in time. I owe her money. And I still need gas in my car.

Ok, if you haven’t caught it, yet: I’ve been leaning on my sister in Christ, but the fact of the matter is, she help me out as much as she can. I need to stop or else she will break and there goes our relationship. God has been tapping on me to lean on Him, and only Him. It seems so strange because I have done it before but these two areas have always been hard. Food and finances.

So, guess what that means…surrendering. God has His way, sometimes we trust and obey, other times we attempt to fight against the trusting and obeying. Yeah, that is never good, right? We see in the bible the devastating effects of not trusting in God. I don’t want to be like them. So, in that case, here we go surrendering once more and from moment to moment if I need to.

Dear Lord,

Thank you for this day. Thank you for this reminder that my victory is in you and you alone. Praise you that you forgive me for trusting in someone else verses trusting in you. Lord, give us help from trouble, for the help of man is useless, through You we will do valiantly, for it is you who shall tread our enemies. Father God, let us do more than read these words, let us put them into action. God, I love you so much. I know no one could ever compare to you, because you have always been my Rock, my Refuge, my Provider and so much more. Suit us up with your full armor. I love you more than words could say, so let my actions show it. In Jesus Mighty and Matchless name, Amen.

 

 

 

What will you take into account?

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2 Corinthians 5:10 NLT

For we must all stand before Christ to be judged. We will each receive whatever we deserve for the good or evil we have done in our bodies.

Can you believe that one day, we would have to take in account for all that we have done in our life time. There is a cd series story called Affabel by John Bevere, it all centers around 8 characters:

King Father –God

King Jalyen –Jesus Christ

Sages –Holy Spirit

Independent- someone who does not believe in Christ Jesus

Deceived – someone who acknowledges Jesus as Lord but lives contrary to the will of God.

Faint Heart – someone who genuinely gives their life to Christ but does not endure until the end.

Selfish –a believer in Christ that fails to live up to their potential.

Charity –true believer in Christ Jesus. She lived her life in obedience to the will of God.

Now, this is a series you really need to check out because when it came down to Judgment day, they all had something to account for some good, some bad, some things they even thought would save them from hell, unfortunetly that wasn’t the case. I will let you check it out for yourself and you will understand what I mean and what is meant in 2 Corinthians 5:10.

Think of it this way…what if you were to die like right now?

Could you say that you lived the life that you wanted? Or the way that God wanted for you? Any regrets?

Fact of the matter is judgment day will come. Period. I’ve always wondered that if God were to take me home, today, if I have done all I can do to glorify His Name. There are things here and there that I would have honestly liked to correct because we will receive whatever we deserve for the good or evil we have done in our bodies. Every action we do or say reflects on how much God means to us, how much we mean to ourselves and how much others mean to us.

I bring this to light because of His Word:

Mark 12:30-31 NASB

and you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.’  The second is this, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”

When you love the Lord God with all you have then you sacrifice all that you have for Him, just like He sacrificed all He had for us. When you love yourself, then it is so much easier for others to see how to love themselves and love others. If you don’t love God and yourself, how could you in turn love others. I don’t doubt that you are capable of loving but the world’s version of love is limited.

World’s love: I love you if ….

God’s love: I love you no matter what.

Which statement would you rather be loved with? Right, God’s love. See there is a condition with the world’s love with God there is no condition for Him to love you. God is willing to love you where you are currently at and He wants you to love you where you are currently at.

Who else finds that last part challenging?

Who has two thumbs and is writing this blog? THIS GIRL!

So, if I were to be called home to God right now, my regret would be, not loving me for where I am at. I’ve always thought that I would have to be certain weight or height to obtain love.

God: Nope, I love you no matter what.

See, if I could only love me. I love on others don’t get me wrong and I see there reflection of love as well. They all tell me I am beautiful inside and out. Yet, why is it that I find this concept so hard to grasp for myself because I do find my love conditional to some and it is because of the mere fact that I do not love me, first.

I will have to take this in to account unless I learn to love me and the first thing I will do to love on myself is take better care of my body. The outside is no use if the inside is not clean, right?

I am trying to accept the outer appearance more as well. I’m liking my hair, eyes and shape more. This is honestly a big step for me, constantly fighting the lies that my hair makes me look like a French poodle, my eyes are way too chinky and my hips and stomach pop out way too much (aka I think I am fat.) Here is the fact of the matter though, God wants me to love me, right now, no matter the weight thing. So, I’ve been challenged to not weight myself, simply eat healthier and stay as active as possible (I currently have a sprained ankle, I’m icing it while I typing.) This is so that I can go before the Lord and be held accountable for showing how much I loved him, how much I loved me so that I could love upon others.

Dear Lord,

Thank you for this day and the time that I had with my little sister in Christ. Father God, praise you that you will always know what’s best for us. Praise you for spending more time with me, I do love our times together and all the things that you bring to my attention. Lord, I believe that an encounter with you will bring about change. I know my ankle is sprained but I know you are bringing about healing as we speak. Praise you God that I have a loving sister in Christ that is taking care of me. Lord, bless her abundantly in all the areas that she is praying for. Let her get closer to you in every way. Father God, no matter what goes down, you are always in control. I pray Lord that my brothers and sisters in Christ, really reflect on the question above on if they went home to be with you, what would they have to account for, so if there is anything in the bad we can change it, right now. Praise you for your never ending mercy and grace. Lord, forgive us for our sins for the ones we know of and the ones we do not. God, let us have an encounter with you daily, so that we can meet with you face to face. Keep our eyes open to what you want us to see, keep our ears open to what you want us to hear and keep our hearts open and ready to receive. In Jesus Mighty and Matchless name, Amen.

Encounter with Jesus

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Acts 9:6

SO he, trembling and astonished, said, “Lord, what do You want me to do?” Then the Lord said to him, “Arise and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”

Saul was a man zealous to destroy the believers of Christ Jesus. He was the man that “watched men cloaks,” as the stoned the Stephen to death. He was so zealous as a Pharisee that he would go into believers of Christ houses and drag them out, men and women, then toss them into jail. Saul went out to arrest as much as he could and persecute them all in Jerusalem. So, he had requested with letters to do the same in Damascus (another town), with permission he headed out, little did he know he was about to get an encounter with the One he persecuted.

Encounter – to come face- to face

Around noon time, Saul saw a bright light and out of it spoke his name and a question,

“Saul, Saul, Why do you persecute Me? ” (verse 4)

When Saul asked who the bright light was, He answered, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. It is hard for you to kick against the goads.”

Goads- something that urges into action: spurs

Yikes, spurs not so fun when you are getting pricked by them. What Jesus was letting Saul know was that it is useless to kick against something that will prick him back. So, now it was Saul’s move, he could have kicked and screamed but instead, he chose the smarter route. He asked the Lord what do you want me to do?

Saul ends up following Jesus’s instructions because well he was blinded for three days until another believer came and gave him his sight back and baptized Saul in the Holy Spirit. After this, Saul was now zealous for the Lord.

In other words, Christ, the One Saul was persecuting, had come down to urge him into action. This is what happens when you have an encounter with Christ Jesus. When you look at the lives of all those that followed Christ when He was on earth, they all had an encounter, not just a meeting but an encounter, this caused him to be urged into action. Peter and Andrew on a boat doing what they do (fish) and along comes Jesus that extends his invitation, follow me and I will make you fishermen of men. They left everything they lived on to follow, they were longer fishermen of fish, but fisher men of men. The women that reached out to touch Jesus cloak and was immediately healed by her faith in Christ

What was your encounter with Jesus? It is funny that all it takes is that one true encounter with God to truly want to change your life for Him, for the better.

My true encounter with Christ was the day that I asked Jesus for a sign that if my ex was not meant to be my husband then he would show me. I wanted to know the TRUTH. Oh, he showed me alright. I was once blind but in that moment I was able to see how my ex really felt about me. I didn’t like what I saw or felt. I remember crying even the next morning, wondering how I could have been so blind all these years but there was an overwhelming peace in it all. I knew what I was doing was of the Lord. Jesus had previously asked me to leave my ex. In fact my very words were….

“what do you want me to do?”

For months the scriptures that Christ placed in my heart were about trusting in him. During that time he asked me to leave my very well paying job and I did. Yet, when it came to my ex, whom I was living with at the time, there was a lot of hesitation. Yet, looking back then to now, my life cannot compare. Never would I have imagined the life that I am living right now with Christ in my life. I have a career helping families that have children with disabilities and these children are the sweetest and absolutely adorable beyond comprehension. I have sisters in Christ that pray and love on me beyond compare. I have sisters that in all honesty would beat someone up if they ever even had the idea of hurting me. (Not like I would ever encourage that.) I have this awesome apartment that I have my own queen size bed in and this beautiful desk that I am currently typing. I am on my way to a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology then onto being an Occupational Therapist. Oh my….that is definitely a lot of things that I never would have thought for myself. This was the encounter that started it all but he doesn’t stop there, oh no….He is always present.

My most recent encounter was about 10 minutes ago. It was a simple one but one none the less. I have been trying to watch what I eat but for the past almost 2 weeks I have not had good eating habits resulting in overspending to go out to eat. I rely on food when I am stressed but lately my cravings of eating sweets or breads have been more on the lines of …just because eating….in other words, I am not hungry nor am I truly craving it but my mind is on it and therefore just because it’s there I eat it. I’ve in all honesty wanted to stop but the addiction keeps getting worse. Anyway, last night I made a whole batch of cookie dough and only baked some cookies. I’ve admitted to my older sister (who has been attempting to help me eat healthier) that I wanted the cookie dough out of the house because “I will devour it.” This is not an understatement. I need to get my eating habits under control but not my control but God’s control. He is a lot better in controlling things than I am. Also, there are times when my sister kind of doesn’t do things right away so with that in mind and her now out of the house, half way through this very daily devotion, I was craving that cookie dough and as much as I tried to fight myself out of it, I got up and ran to the fridge only to find that it was gone. SHE TOOK IT! There was a small part that thought, “aawwww shucks,” but there was bigger part that spoke, “Thanks God. You always know what I need.”

God: Yes, I do. So, just make some cereal with stevia and it’ll satisfy your sweet cravings.

And so, I listened. I like actually like that cereal and almond milk. And my stomach is more than satisfied then it would be with cookie dough. Not to mention it is a point to the God’s direction with food. It urges me to take action in my eating habits to make it healthy and glorifying to him by taking care of the temple of God.

Think of the last encounter you had with Him?

Did it move you to action? What action?

Dear Lord,

Thank you for waking me up and saving me from myself. You know how often those thoughts can consume my mind but you know that I do not have to follow through with those thoughts. Praise you that you always offer me a way out when it comes to getting back on the right track. Let all my focus be on You so that I may eat to live not live to eat. Father, I trust in all you do. I pray Lord that Your children have a life-changing encounter with you and a daily one to know that you are always there. Let us always seek you and what you want for us in our one-on-one time with you. Let us always seek first the Kingdom of God. Suit us up with the Armor of God to stay protected from the flaming arrows of the enemy. Let us live each day for you and you alone. We love and honor you God. In Jesus Mighty and Matchless name, Amen.

What’s your response to adversity?

Job 1:22, Job 2:10
In all this Job did not sin nor charge God with wrong.
But he said to her, “You speak as one of the foolish women speaks. Shall we indeed accept good from God, and shall we not accept adversity?” In all this Job did not sin with his lips.

Imagine being described by God, himself as “…My servant, that there is none like him on earth, a blameless and upright man, one who fears God and shuns evil…”

Pretty prestigious description, don’t you think?

And rightly so, this chapter opens up describing Job as blameless, upright, one who fear God and shunned evil. Job had 10 children, 11,000 live stock, and a very large household. Looking at all he had, it was very obvious that he was blessed by the Lord.

In this the Lord had asked of Satan have you ever considered Job.

Pause. Why would God want Satan to consider Job?

Fact is there are times in our lives that we are upright, blameless, fear God and shun evil, which are all amazing descriptions. Yet, will it stand against the trials? This test for us more than God. He always knows where we are at but we need to know, where we are at with Him.

Not to mention to be considered for the next level. Think of it, if you are on a video game you beat the 5th level now it’s time to go to level 6 right? But, don’t you remember that you learned new moves and gained new knowledge in level 5 that you need for level 6. Can’t move up without first being tested.

Moving forward. Satan comments that if God took away everything Job had, that Job would curse God to His face. So, God gives Satan permission to test his theory on Job as long as Satan does not harm him.

So, full fledge attack- household, children, livestock, all gone. He recieved this news one right after the other.

Have you ever had those times? One bad news right after the other…can’t make the mortgage payments, then getting involuntarily laid off from your job, children no longer following God and your household is a mess mentally, spiritually and physically. No clue what to do. Pretty much what Job was experiencing. Yet, his response was to worship the Lord, still.
So, guess what Satan did not win that bet. God acknowledged Job once more to Satan. So, this time Satan says strike his health then he shall turn away from you.

So, God gave him permission once more but Satan was not allowed to take Job’s life. So, Satan inflicts Job with health problems. To add insult to injury, Job’s own wife tells him, “Curse God and Die!”

Such loving response isn’t it. (That was a sarcastic statement) Anyway, Job rebukes her and asks:
“…Shall we indeed accept good from God, and shall we not accept adversity?”

Adversity- calamity or distress.

How many times do we praise God when everything is going good but as soon as calamity enters, we shun God and embrace evil. Job did the opposite, even in his time of suffering he stated the question, most choose to ignore. Would we accept God only when things are looking good but not accept the bad that will eventually be good, because all things work for the good of those who love God.

How do we respond to adversity? Do we embrace God and shun evil or shun God and embrace evil?

My spiritual mom is such a Proverbs 31 women. She is a women I could totally see God describing as, “My servant, none like her in all the earth, blamess and upright that fears Me and shuns evil.” As everyone has there own things to work through, God has done a mighty work in her and is continuing to do so. She inspires me in more ways that she will ever know. God has placed her in my life to inspire me as well as a foreshadow on what to do in times of adversity. She is a modern day, Job. She has been inflicted with health problems, recently but in the end God is still in control.
As for my response to adversity, it has been up and down based on my emotions verses trusting in God. I’ve ran to food and friends etc. I praise God but I questioned Him as well. Uncertainty is not something I like. I want to know what will happen so that I can prep for what is coming. Well, looking into God’s Word, He has done a great job in letting me know what to expect. Just as in Job, my take away is this:

I will have times of prosperity because God loves His children and wants to see them prosper. Then again, I will also have times of testing so that I know where I am at and so that I could get ready for the next level (whatever that may be.) Also, my response should be like Job’s, loving and praising God no matter what is happening around me. Yes, I run to food and friends instead of God, but no matter what goes down, God is continually building me up with love and encouragement through His words, the words and prayers of my sisters in Christ. God is good like that. Therefore no matter what is happening right now, His results will always be good.

Dear Savior,
Praise you for your reminder on how our response should be to adversity. Lord, you see how hard times are for Your children, how much more do you want us to see that through Christ Jesus strength we can past these trials and tests with flying colors. You are truly all we need God. Father, let us not lean on our own understanding and to just simply trust in you. Lord, we surrender it all too you, our lives, our thoughts, our decisions, let it be all of you and none of us. Equip us with your full armor. In Jesus Matchless name, Amen.

Malachi 3:10-12NASB

 Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, so that there may be food in My house, and test Me now in this,” says the Lord of hosts, “if I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you a blessing until it overflows. Then I will rebuke the devourer for you, so that it will not destroy the fruits of the ground; nor will your vine in the field cast its grapes,” says the Lord of hosts. “All the nations will call you blessed, for you shall be a delightful land,” says the Lord of hosts.

When it comes to tithing the bottom line is that God loves us enough to share His riches but asks that we faithfully give back at the very least 10%, you are allowed the other 90%. Do you think the God of heaven and earth needs that 10%? Nope, I mean He is the One that made money, why would he actually need it? BUT, His House does need it.

Now when we refer to house this does in fact mean a church but it also means, YOU!

1 Corinthians 3:16 NASB

Do you know that you are a temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?

Acts 20:28 ESV

Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood.

God knows our needs and the needs His church. He knows that we have bills to pay. He knows that we have mouths to feed, including our own but will we think twice of giving our tithes when it comes to barely making ends meet or not being able to make ends meet at all. Now, that is some trust in the Lord right there. So, many times we look at our situation before we look to our God and to believe that He is who He says He is: Provider, Care-taker, Lover of Our Souls, Prince of Peace etc.

If there is anything God wants us to test Him on it is our finances. Would you agree, that anywhere you invest your time AND money into, your heart truly lies?

You wouldn’t spend time AND money on scuba diving when you dislike going into the ocean, right? But, you would invest time and money by on dance, singing, and acting classes, if you have heart for Musical Theater.

I point out time AND money because it takes time to go to work, it takes time at work to get that money and it even takes time if you are at home still thinking about your job and about money. You work hard for that money and God knows that, He was the one that blessed you with that job.

Yet, let’s not forget how hard it must have been to take lashes for someone that wasn’t even born, yet. I wonder how much beads of sweat came off of Jesus’s head carrying that cross that was never supposed to be his. Not to mention taking nails and being hung on that very cross.

Jesus worked hard then and He is working pretty hard right now being the Lord and Savior.

Could you believe that He didn’t get paid a dime for all that. Yet, He is more than satisfied with the results on what God has Promised. He helped to fulfill all of that.

We get the same opportunity by investing time AND money into the church so that He can take care of us. Jesus sacrificed for His house. Are you willing to sacrifice time and money for His House?

Put what THERE’S MORE!

God doesn’t only say test Him in this. He makes 3 promises after you test Him in your area of finances:

1) “if I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you a blessing until it overflows…”

So, He promises to give you back WAY more than what you out in.

2) “…Then I will rebuke the devourer for you, so that it will not destroy the fruits of the ground; nor will your vine in the field cast its grapes,”

He will make sure that what He gives you stays abundant. (nothing and no one can take it away from you but you have a part to play as well.)

3) “All the nations will call you blessed, for you shall be a delightful land,”

You will be blessed by those around you and have great pleasure in the land.

I don’t know about you but these sound like awesome Promises and I know the Lord is ALWAYS GOOD TO KEEP THOSE PROMISES. Look back into your life, has God promised you something in the past and you got it (even if it wasn’t the way you thought it would be.) God is TRUE to keep His Promises. So, why not test Him in this and show Him where your heart truly lies?

As for me, tithing was a really big problem with me when I first started coming to church because that was my money. I worked hard for it and it was mine. Not to mention, I had bills to pay (LOTS OF BILLS). Yet, I was challenged by my pastor to test the Lord in this and I did.

Well, I can’t even begin to describe the abundance of finances I received during that time and after.

Lately, I’m going to be honest, I still tithe with a giving heart because I love God, no amount of money could ever compare to what He has, is and will do for me. I’m not going to lie about this either, money is scarce. Praise God that I have my jobs but it’s getting interesting because I am leaning on God (which I am used to) but another person is in the mix. What I mean by that is that God has brought an amazing sister into my life that has agreed to take care of my food and rent money. This is very, very, very new and awkward for me. I dislike leaning on other people ( God has also shown me that this is a pride thing of mine that we are working on fixing.) I’ve been getting used to it but lately I’ve noticed my increasingly bad spending habits when it comes to the other 90% of money. I pay for other things that I am responsible for: car payments, insurance etc. but when I get stressed out I run to food and I am willing to dip into my savings over it. Right not exactly a smart move. So, currently God is pointing out a lot of things on how to be faithful in my finances not only in my tithe but with my other 90% as well. Yes, he gives me full permission to do what ever I want with that 90%, but with Christ everything is permissible but not everything is beneficial. The extra food spending is not permissible when it comes to my financial debt in other areas. Partnering with God on that one but I know for a fact that I have to do by part in it, which would really be to listen and obey what He says and all will be good.

Dear Lord,

Praise you for your forgiveness on the way that I spend my 90%. Lord, thank for my jobs that you have blessed me with they are both hard work but so fun. Praise you that asked to be tested in this Lord. Please, give us strength to have faith in what you say is ALWAYS TRUE. Forgive us for the times of doubt. Our Savior, please save us from continuing to not tithe the trade off for tithing will always be more than what we could ever comprehend. We love you Lord, suit us up with your full armor and let this day be all about you. Be the center of it all. In Jesus Mighty name, Amen.

Test God in this….

What do you meditate on day and night?

Psalms 1:2

But his delight is in the law of the LORD,

And in His law he meditates day and night.

 

Delight:a high degree of pleasure or enjoyment; joy; rapture (ecstatic joy)

Meditate: to engage in thought or contemplation; reflect.

Righteous: characterized by uprightness or morality.

Perish: to suffer destruction or ruin

The psalmist speaks about those who are blessed because they do not walk in the counsel of the wicked, stand in the path of sinners, or sit in the seat of the scornful.

But wait, Jesus did all that, right?

This is a true statement but remember this was after Jesus has gone through His temptation trials and had passed with flying colors. In other words, Christ was so Spirit -led He would not sin, nor follower the path of Satan. So:

a) What is counsel from the wicked?

Would you take marriage/love advice from a friend that had gone through 3 divorces because they fell out of love with their husband?It is the wicked who attempt to make it seem like their way is the best way out of your “situation.” They may honestly want to help but the fact remains the only truly reliable counsel is God’s counsel.

b) What is standing in the path of the sinners?

Have you ever tried helping a unsaved friend avoid a bad road by telling them that “the bible says….” ? In other words, bible bashing by taking the Word that was meant to encourage and you push the Word onto someone to discourage. Prime example: People that shout are on the Las Vegas strip shouting, “Turn or Burn! Accept Jesus Christ NOW!” This discourages people to accept Christ and more than often encourages the sinner to stay on the path they are on. Has anyone ever tried to tell you not to do something and all the more you wanted to do it? Same concept. “So, don’t protest the sin, but proclaim the gospel.” (Ron Daniel 2006)

c) What is sit in the seat of scornful?

Scorn is disdain, belittling etc. Have you ever went to hang out with friends and all the did was talk bad about someone or others? Yeah, that would be sitting in the seat of the scornful. And in all honesty, it is such an easy topic, it’s like the small talk. I bet more than half of you do not even notice that you may unintentionally tag onto scorning alongside with your friends comments. Picture this: sitting down with your friends drinking coffee when all of a sudden a girl walks in with very short attire, and immediately you all are talking about where she got her clothes or why she is wearing that etc. etc. etc.

So, more than likely it would be wise to not seek counsel from the wicked, not stand in the path of sinners, or sit in the seat of the scornful.

Mind you, I have experienced all three f these things: I attempted to take advice from a friend who did not have God’s counsel in mind when he wanted to “hang out.” (Yeah, that friendship ended with a quickness) Before receiving Christ, I would see people on the Las Vegas strip shoving bibles in people’s faces and saying, “turn or burn…don’t be a seed of Satan, any longer.” That honestly lead me far, far, far (on the other side of the street status) away from them and there church. I accepted Christ through love, which is why I am still dedicated to the church that I was saved at. As for sitting with the scornful, I’ve just recently figured that one out. Apparently some of my friends that I’ve been sitting with are a bit scornful. Have I fallen into the trap of talking mess? yes, I have. I’m not perfect but now that I am aware, something has to be done and that is as simple as no longer meeting with them for now. Until God allows me to see certain friends again, I need to steer clear and that is where that is at.

Don’t think these things are done for no reason. God wants us to prosper, this is why the psalmist states:

But his delight is in the law of the LORD,

And in His law he meditates day and night.

So, to find great pleasure in the law of the LORD, and in His law he reflects day and night. Just a thought, have you ever taken pleasure in the law? Whether it be the Law of the Lord or the law in your very own state?

When it comes to the Law of the Lord, people associate it with no longer having fun while the law in your state you follow because you avoid consequences and it is for your safety. Well, guess what the state law is only a reflection of the Law of the Lord. God wants us to avoid the harsh consequences of this world. NO SEX BEFORE MARRIAGE- I get it this one is harsh but the fact is, when there is sex before marriage, what happens?

• a couple getting married when they really don’t care for each other like that
• a woman being left alone to care for her child by herself
• a man being left to care for his child by himself
• a child ending up being put into an orphanage possibly never knowing who their real parents are

• Abortion- baby dies and the mother is left with a gaping whole in her heart soon after realizing she agreed (out of fear) to not have her child.

These are things that can be avoid by following the Law of the Lord. Praise God that He is the redeemer of all things. I wasn’t exactly the most innocent before I accepted Christ, but I will let you know this: it does not matter how far you have fallen away, GOD STILL WANTS YOU BACK. As His children He wants nothing but the best for us. He wants us to prosper in all we do but it must first start with a solid foundation and that is the Cornerstone (Christ Jesus) and to built up by the Word of God. This is why it is important to really keep the Word of the Lord in your heart and especially His Law. 

Love the Lord God with all your heart mind, body and soul, and love your neighbor as you love yourself.

And let us not forget the 10 commandments, but there is always more godly wisdom like this one in psalms because if you meditate on the Law of the Lord day and night you shall prosper (Psalms 1:3).

God wants nothing but the best for His children but we need to listen to what He has to say. How easy it is to play the ignorant role?

ignorant: lacking in knowledge or training; unlearned

I will answer first, it is super easy to take this role! I know because I’ve done it on more than one occasion. (I’m just being honest) I’ve played the role where God is telling me to focus on one thing but I chose to focus on something else. Why? Because I am stubborn and prideful at times. Yes, I have moments when I think I know what’s best for me more than God. Yeah, that NEVER turns out good. Fact is here is the track record:

GOD is ALWAYS GOOD

I am well….not that good at knowing what’s good.

Therefore, my good can never compare to God’s good.

So, when God says, obey your father and mother, it is usually best to obey your father and mother (unless there is a life threatening situation you need to tell someone ASAP). When God says do not have any other God’s before me, we need to put everything else on the back burner….boyfriend/girlfriend, food, working out, etc. When you have an option to spend money on yourself or someone else…question yourself: Am I loving my neighbor as I love myself?

So this bring us to  the question of the day: What do you (I) meditate on day and night?

MY SELF IMAGE AND FOOD. Let me explain…

Self image: Since I was young I was consistently teased for being fat and ugly. So, naturally I grew up thinking I a fat and ugly. This leads to deeper issues like bulimia and thinking I would never receive love unless I did something for love. Well, their was a time when I was 120 lbs and in all honesty I want to get back to that weight but just recently I sprained my ankle very badly. Now, because of this I continue to find excuses to eat more and more. Pity Party Status and I am the only one invited. Fact is, I have a dream to be back around my “right weight,” but only God (with my participation) can help me get there. Yet, I am learning that my “right weight,” has nothing to do with my value. When I was a child I received the thought that I am ugly and fat, therefore I would be valuable if I was no longer fat or ugly and I could accomplish this by losing weight. So, my thoughts lately have been on weight loss, which would reason out to why my thoughts have been on food.

Have you ever attempted to avoid something physically only for it to increase in your mind mentally? In other words, you try to avoid it in actuality then you end up thinking more on it?

” I have to avoid this, I can not eat that….guh, now I want it more.”

Right, that doesn’t help out the situation, either because somewhere in your subconscious you think you will never ever, ever be allowed to have it and you  panic and shove as many of them in your mouth as possible! Well that’s what happens to me.

Yet, what is the best thing to meditate on instead? The Law. Fact is I need God’s Word to meditate on to keep my on track to where he wants me to be. Here are my goals this season:

Health – I am asthmatic and my asthma doesn’t bother me as much if I work out and eat right. (Go Figure)

School -so far I am excelling in this area. I want to head for straight A’s this semester first.

 Minsitry – ok, this one I am still a little stumped. In other words, I need to find out where God wants this one to go because I’ve been on the Preforming Arts team but never actually over saw other ministries. Yet, I need to be in prayer about it because I need this to be all for God, I just get to have a part in His Big Plan!!! Yeah!!! Go God.

Dear Lord,

Thank you for the awesome sleep and a loving wake up call. Lord, thank you that through you we are overcomers and victors in Christ. Father God, I’m sorry for the times that I think I know what is best for me because in all actuality I really don’t. How about you lead and I follow. Lord, let me truly listen to your voice, today no matter what you may be telling me to do. God, forgive us for our sins for we know we have many but through the blood of the lamb we are made new. Thank you for a new day and a  new beginning. God, let us meditate on your Word day and night. Let our soul, spirit and body be used by you in every way. Jesus, thank you that we are your Bride, train us to serve not to be served and to sacrifice just as you sacrificed for us. We love you, be in every though that we have today. In Jesus Mighty name, Amen

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What time is it?

Acts 1:6-7 Therefore, when they had come together, they asked Him, saying, “Lord, will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?”

And He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has put in His own authority.”

In Acts 1, the author was given in introductory on where they left out in the previous book. He focused more on the Holy Spirit being promised before, Jesus descended to heaven. Now, Jesus gave clear instructions to the people present to not to leave Jerusalem, “but to wait for the Promises of the Father, which, He said, ‘you have heard from me.’ ”

Alright, integrity check on this question: Who likes waiting???

(cricket cricket) Right, nobody! But, what if what you waited for was far past everything you wanted and more. Still does the time frame matter? Of course, it does. This is why a natural question would come like the one in the chosen verse:

“Lord, will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?”

That was definitely a Promise but lets get a little more personal with this question, shall we.

“Lord, if I wait, will You at this time give me a more abundant life?”

or

“Lord, if I wait, will You at this time restore my dream of going to this college?”

or

“Lord, if I wait, will You at this time restore my relationship with my family?”

or

“Lord, if I wait, will You at this time restore my dream of being a bride?”

God has Promised us a life more abundant, save us, provide for us and so much more but there is a prerequisite for the promise and it is to wait until His timing is right. No matter what it is You need to wait for if you:

Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him, and he will act. Psalm 37:5

This is why Jesus responds: “It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has put in His own authority.”

I can’t help but to notice more and more that God continues to point out for me to trust in Him. It is not like I do not already but more as He is about t take this to a whole different level. I noticed that even my pastors still get tested in trusting the Lord. How so? Well, at this current time, we are trying to buy our building or get removed from there. So, we are putting full force toward the “Go Poses building fund.” Yet, numbers are still not adding up and it looks pretty hopeless. Put as long as we have hope in the Lord, we shall prevail. I love the church that God has put me in because our pastor never hesitates to share his heart. He tells us that just like every other human, he doubts because of the physical but with his wife by his side, she encourages him to truly believe that God is who He says He is and that God can do what He says He can do. Together, as pastors and as a married couples, aspire toward the kingdom of God so that they may inspire the congregation to do the same.

Our pastors go first into battle so that we know what to do with those battles as well. Yet, it all started with the B.I.B.L.E. Yes, that’s the book for me. All the people that went through things showed in their own circumstances, how to wait and trust in the Lord.

I read the Word daily because it fills me with hope in the Lord that I need to get through the day, at times due to circumstances surrounding me. Yet, I am reminded by the Spirit in me, the Word, and testimonies that God has a time and place for everything, and I do mean everything, that needs to take place in my life at the appointed time. My head is still reeling over the fact that I would have been married by MY marriage age (which was 25) if I stayed with a man that in all honesty I have just recently realized, never deserved me. We would have been married and more than possible, we would have both been miserable. Fact is, he did not want to pursue God and I did. This doesn’t mean that I wish less than the best for him, in fact I pray that he gets the encounter he needs to be with Christ, because there will never be anyone that loves him like the One True King. Yet, I realized God wants nothing but the best for me and that best for me right now is strictly being Jesus’ Bride. I can honestly tell I am not to sure what exactly that entails just, yet but so far trusting Him on a whole different level is a great place to start.

Dear Lord,

I love you, too. Thank you for waking me this morning. You are so awesome. Thank you for all you continue to do in our lives. Father, only you will know the appropriate timing for all things. Let us put our trust in you always. Praise you Jesus for your mercy and grace that you gave us at the cross so that we may be able to speak to God our Father. I pray for those going through rough circumstance that are wondering, ‘when is this going to end?’ Lord give them the strength needed to make it through for you are our Rock and Refuge. Lord God, you are all we need. Thank you for who You are and the promises that you have made for it will always come to pass in your perfect timing. In Jesus Mighty and Matchless name, Amen.

 

 

Are you hoping in the Lord?

Psalm 146: 5-7

Happy is he who has the God of Jacob for his help,

Whose hope is in the Lord his God,

Who made heaven and earth,

The sea, and all that is in them;

Who keeps truth forever,

Who executes justice for the oppressed,

Who gives food to the hungry.

The Lord gives freedom to the prisoners.

Happy –characterized by or indicative of pleasure, contentment, or joy

Help– to give or provide what is necessary to accomplish a task or satisfy a need.

Hope-the feeling that what is wanted can be had or that events will turn out for the best.

executes-carry outs

oppressed-to burden with cruel or unjust impositions or restraints..

freedom–the state of being free or at liberty rather than in confinement or under physical restraint.

Bottom line the psalmist wanted it to be understood that whomever hoped in the Lord, would be happy no matter what was going on around them because the Lord provides all that is needed. As we all know we need to eat, we have bills to pay, etc. even though we didn’t get the raise you were hoping for that would have helped financially. Guess how much God knows you need that as well? He is the Sun and Shield, He has got you covered because God owns everything! He is the Creator of heaven and earth, and the sea and all that is in it, which means even the finances. So, in all honesty when it comes to finances, there is no burden on our shoulders because God helps us always, which is why our hope in the Lord is vital. Yet, wait he does more than just provide financially, He provides spiritually and mentally as well. How so? Well, if you are oppressed it can be done physically but it will also affect you: spiritually and mentally. Imagine your worst day at work, I mean everyone just oppressing you left and right, do this or do that without even a thank you, it would be hard to experience this every single day of your life, right?

Well, good thing revenge is the Lord’s. God is in the very original justice league.

Sorry, Superman. When it comes down to executing (no note killing, it means carrying out) justice, He does it with fairness on both ends. That customer that yelled at you, would you have ever guessed that their mom is in the hospital on the verge of death due to cancer. You wouldn’t have known that, but God would. You know that person that cut you off, did you know that he is going through a divorce  with a women that he loved through more than half of his lifetime and has no clue what he did wrong? For this very reason is why revenge is the Lord’s.

I will not say that this is an excuse for unexceptionable behavior, especially if it is life threatening. Yet, I highly doubt people want to wake saying, “ok, whose life can I seriously screw up, today.” If you know someone that actually does that, just pray for them. Take this in to consideration, though: if you are being oppressed, God provides deliverance no matter what. He will also, give punishment on your behalf, if necessary (for there is always a lesson to learn.). Our worst move is taking things into our own hands because we are blatantly saying, “Lord, I do not trust you to handle this, therefore I will do it by myself.” Yeah, the Lord has the road map of our lives, so it would possibly be a great idea to follow His advice because He truly does see what we are prisoner to and when we are prisoner to it. It is only through Christ Jesus that we are set free.

For who the Son sets free is free indeed.

It’s always weird how I can write things like this as if I did not struggle with things. That must be the future me talking…the overcomer and victor in me because as I look around at my situations I am lost for words. This whole past week I have decided to ignore Gods advice on continuing my healthy eating journey. I had 6 weeks of eating super clean and then to “celebrate” I ate whatever I wanted. the next day I continued you the eating habit, then I ended up spraining my ankle very bad, so no more working out. This meant that I needed to watch what I ate all the more, right? Though, the Spirit agreed, my body did not. Anyway, it came to a point where this morning, he lovingly and firmly stated, “Alright, it is time to get back on to Prism and report to your group leader.” I did exactly that and I am feeling really great about that decision. I ate all that God had allowed me to eat, and I feel great! Imagine if I kept this up. I still want to do some type of work out, though because I don’t want to fall completely off the ban wagon plus it is a great release from my stress. This leads me to whole different area of struggle: finances. I’m currently working 2 part-time jobs and still can’t seem to make the rent but my roommate has been gracious enough to buy groceries, gas, and even lend me her car while I am in shop. I keep having this fear that she will despise me because of how much money she is truly spending on me. Yet, I know God has blessed her financially so she can in turn bless others. For some odd reason, I’ve always felt weird receiving rather than giving when it came to finances. God is truly taking me through a season of humbling me and truly trusting in Him. And the last thing, I struggle with…the earthly husband thing. I look around and see others getting married, if they are not already married (newlyweds) and somewhat envy them in a way. Yet, Christ has been very, very gracious in His time with me. He hugs and holds me whenever I am feeling envious of others being held or just loved on. He loves me all the deeper.

For me it all boils down to me hoping in the Lord. Will He help me through my struggles with food? YES! I just have to play my part. 1) Make my healthy meals in advance. 2) Pack the healthy food. 3) Eat what I packed and nothing more or less. It sounds so simple but trust and believe without Christ, you try to convince yourself of straying from the simplest plans. As for my finances, I’ll talk to my roommate that we are good. The conversation will be more for me than her, though since I’m the one thinking those thoughts. I just want to make sure we are all on the same page. As for my earthly husband, fact is I know God has Him out there for me. We are both going through seasons of refining fire and training knowing that we will one day be together to assist in building the kingdom of God. I know along the way we will stumble, while being formed into Christs likeness but regardless God will have His way and the timing will be as perfect as He wanted it to be.

Dear Lord,

I love you. Thank you for being so generous in your time even when I am not. Thank you for your forgiveness and loving correction to move forward with the commitment I made to You and the Prism program. Lord, praise you that you continue to provide everything we need, not want, but need. Father God, I thank you in advance for the provision that is coming for us, for You are truly all we need to live. You are our Bread of Life. Lord God, I pray that you keep strengthen our hope in You. Father, you know what is best and when it is best. I love you so much! Lord, we surrender it all to You. Lord, have your way in us. We Love and honor you in all we do. In Jesus Mighty and Matchless name, Amen.