Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! – 2 Corinthians 5:17
Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death. – Romans 8:1-2
I have accepted all and I am free. The inner chains are broken, as well as those outside. – C. F. Ramuz
Things turn out best for people who make the best of the way things turn out. – Anon.
And acceptance is the answer to all my problems today…. I can find no serenity until I accept that person, place, thing, or situation as being exactly the way it is supposed to be at this moment. – Alcoholics Anonymous
I have learnt the hard way that waiting for affirmations from my fellow man is a waste of time. Let’s face it, if you don’t like me – how does that change my lot in life? If you like and respect me now, won’t you change your mind the minute I do something that you do not agree with? Isn’t the truth that your approval is seasonal and based on what you think I ought to do and how you believe I ought to live?
It is so liberating when we understand who we really are and most importantly whose we are. The freedom that comes when we really understand that we are only on this realm to please one and one alone – Almighty God is un-explainable. In my experience, the only time you have a great big crowd around you is when things are going well and there is something to be gained. The minute you stop being an object that can be emulated, people start to drop like fleas! It is so important that we learn to embrace ourselves, just as we. Fully knowing that we are not a picture of perfection but a work in progress under the direction of the Lord. Regardless of what you do, someone is always going to have something to say. Don’t waste another minute responding to stuff that will never go away as long as you are breathing.
When you learn to embrace who you are, pleasing people becomes so irrelevant. You are comfortable with who you are and who God created you to be. People will always have their own opinions about you and rightly so. But those opinions should in no way shape neither your desires nor your goals. These should be shaped only by the Word of God alone. Keep your eye on the goal and never for once look up in an attempt to gather supporters to your cause. God will bring the right people your way as your entire focus rests on the things that he’s called you to do. Never attempt to dignify your critics with responses. When you do that, you’re telling them that they are important!
Learn to wrap your arms around yourself if no-one else will. God has his arms around you all the time. Embrace yourself and all that you are. Put all your energy on what God is trying to do in your life right now and where he is taking you. You cannot afford to be distracted by all the noise around you. Never let another dictate who or what you ought to be. If you do that, they may end up putting the right blessing on the wrong person. You need to be comfortable in your own skin. Be confident even when you are terribly misunderstood and disliked. Learn how to thrive in the midst of controversy.
Monday, March 31, 2008
Sunday, March 30, 2008
This Too Shall Pass
For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. – 2 Corinthians 4: 17-18
If matters go badly now, they will not always be so. – Horace
Experience cold or heat, pleasure or pain. These experiences are fleeting; they come and go. Bear them patiently. – Sri Krishna
The happy and efficient people in this world are those who accept trouble as a normal detail of human life and resolve to capitalize it when it comes long. – H. Bertram Lewis
We’ve all heard the famous saying “Tough times don’t last; but tough people do”. Life is full of ups and downs. There will always be times when we feel like we are on the mountain and sadly there are times that we feel like we are at the bottom of the valley. Everyone has difficult times – no one is exempt but degrees may vary. Regardless of the difficult or stressful situation you are grappling with right now, rest in the assurance that God never gives us more than we can bear. He’s always there to turn the heat down when things get too hot. Just when we feel like we cannot take another minute, God sends strength or some type of reprieve that enables us to go on.
It takes great courage to face some tough situations head on. It takes exceptional strength to capitalize on difficult times and use it for good. It’s so much easier to give up! It takes very little effort to sit and whine about how unfair life can be. It doesn’t take much strength to go around and complain to anyone that’ll listen. It does not take a morsel of resilience to give up and run away; run away to try something new whilst living under the ignorant illusion that new is better. Sometimes God allows specific situations in our lives to teach us a thing or two. I’ve never seen a warrior run away from trying times – warriors stay and fight especially when there is so much to gain from hanging on. We sometimes miss specific areas of blessings because we give up too quickly.
That child that is not doing well needs encouragement, don’t give up on him or her. Hang in there and watch God do a mighty work in your child. I know what you see now is not encouraging but focus on what you desire that is yet unseen. That wife that you discarded will turn out to be another man’s treasure simply because he was able to focus on the unseen. That husband that was no good to you will be manna from heaven to another woman who understands that tough times will surely come to pass.
We need to learn that whatever afflictions we are suffering is nothing compared to what Christ suffered to save you and I. We must know for sure that these issues will soon pass and will not be around forever. Whatever happens, God’s got it all under control. Strong people will always last long!
If matters go badly now, they will not always be so. – Horace
Experience cold or heat, pleasure or pain. These experiences are fleeting; they come and go. Bear them patiently. – Sri Krishna
The happy and efficient people in this world are those who accept trouble as a normal detail of human life and resolve to capitalize it when it comes long. – H. Bertram Lewis
We’ve all heard the famous saying “Tough times don’t last; but tough people do”. Life is full of ups and downs. There will always be times when we feel like we are on the mountain and sadly there are times that we feel like we are at the bottom of the valley. Everyone has difficult times – no one is exempt but degrees may vary. Regardless of the difficult or stressful situation you are grappling with right now, rest in the assurance that God never gives us more than we can bear. He’s always there to turn the heat down when things get too hot. Just when we feel like we cannot take another minute, God sends strength or some type of reprieve that enables us to go on.
It takes great courage to face some tough situations head on. It takes exceptional strength to capitalize on difficult times and use it for good. It’s so much easier to give up! It takes very little effort to sit and whine about how unfair life can be. It doesn’t take much strength to go around and complain to anyone that’ll listen. It does not take a morsel of resilience to give up and run away; run away to try something new whilst living under the ignorant illusion that new is better. Sometimes God allows specific situations in our lives to teach us a thing or two. I’ve never seen a warrior run away from trying times – warriors stay and fight especially when there is so much to gain from hanging on. We sometimes miss specific areas of blessings because we give up too quickly.
That child that is not doing well needs encouragement, don’t give up on him or her. Hang in there and watch God do a mighty work in your child. I know what you see now is not encouraging but focus on what you desire that is yet unseen. That wife that you discarded will turn out to be another man’s treasure simply because he was able to focus on the unseen. That husband that was no good to you will be manna from heaven to another woman who understands that tough times will surely come to pass.
We need to learn that whatever afflictions we are suffering is nothing compared to what Christ suffered to save you and I. We must know for sure that these issues will soon pass and will not be around forever. Whatever happens, God’s got it all under control. Strong people will always last long!
Saturday, March 29, 2008
Triumphant Despite Difficult Circumstances
Therefore we do not lose heart. Though inwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. – 2 Corinthians 4:16
The one law that does not change is that everything changes, and the hardships I was bearing today was only a breath away from the pleasures I would have tomorrow, and those pleasures would be all the richer because of the memories of this I was enduring. – Louis L’Amour
Over the last few years, my perspective of success has changed drastically. Success to me is very simple – first and foremost, to be a true worshipper of Almighty God; develop and enhance the gifts he’s given me and use them as best as I can to glorify his Holy Name. Secondly, to be caring and show the love of Christ to the ones God has been graceful enough to put in my care – my two daughters. I am doing my best to be successful in these two important areas of my life.
As time and age progresses, one cannot help and look beyond what we see in our immediate surroundings. I have now begun to understand and appreciate the concept of time and I am doing my very best not to waste another minute on immaterial things. I have made a decision to be triumphant despite the circumstances that life might throw at me. Not to live in the era of “name it and claim it” or in denial in any way but to be cognizant of the fact that difficult circumstances even when designed to destroy me and bring me down, do not necessarily have to be successful – unless I decide to allow it! It’s imperative that I am always honest and admit when life is testing while at the same time lifting my face up to heaven and ignoring all distractions that attempt to make my trials objects of focus.
My most difficult circumstances have turned out to be my fuel to grab life with both hands. Through tough times, I have been able to reach inside of me and search for the very purpose to which God has called me. As each day brings it’s trials to a single mother with two daughters, my mind is continually being renewed and powerful lessons are being learnt. I am living proof that it’s possible to have the best of times in the worst of times. It’s never over until God says that it’s over.
If you are having a difficult time in life, do your best to not lose your focus. Try to learn the lessons that life is trying so desperately to teach. Focus on the goal – never come of the wall to descend into the valley to have irrelevant and unfruitful conversations with roaches. Save your strength for the battles that are truly worth fighting for – and believe me those will come! Persevere through these hard times understanding that you are never alone. God is always with you as life challenges you.
The one law that does not change is that everything changes, and the hardships I was bearing today was only a breath away from the pleasures I would have tomorrow, and those pleasures would be all the richer because of the memories of this I was enduring. – Louis L’Amour
Over the last few years, my perspective of success has changed drastically. Success to me is very simple – first and foremost, to be a true worshipper of Almighty God; develop and enhance the gifts he’s given me and use them as best as I can to glorify his Holy Name. Secondly, to be caring and show the love of Christ to the ones God has been graceful enough to put in my care – my two daughters. I am doing my best to be successful in these two important areas of my life.
As time and age progresses, one cannot help and look beyond what we see in our immediate surroundings. I have now begun to understand and appreciate the concept of time and I am doing my very best not to waste another minute on immaterial things. I have made a decision to be triumphant despite the circumstances that life might throw at me. Not to live in the era of “name it and claim it” or in denial in any way but to be cognizant of the fact that difficult circumstances even when designed to destroy me and bring me down, do not necessarily have to be successful – unless I decide to allow it! It’s imperative that I am always honest and admit when life is testing while at the same time lifting my face up to heaven and ignoring all distractions that attempt to make my trials objects of focus.
My most difficult circumstances have turned out to be my fuel to grab life with both hands. Through tough times, I have been able to reach inside of me and search for the very purpose to which God has called me. As each day brings it’s trials to a single mother with two daughters, my mind is continually being renewed and powerful lessons are being learnt. I am living proof that it’s possible to have the best of times in the worst of times. It’s never over until God says that it’s over.
If you are having a difficult time in life, do your best to not lose your focus. Try to learn the lessons that life is trying so desperately to teach. Focus on the goal – never come of the wall to descend into the valley to have irrelevant and unfruitful conversations with roaches. Save your strength for the battles that are truly worth fighting for – and believe me those will come! Persevere through these hard times understanding that you are never alone. God is always with you as life challenges you.
Friday, March 28, 2008
Justified Boasting
But, “Let him who boasts boast in the Lord.” For it is not the one who commends himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends. – 2 Corinthians 10:17-18
God sets one up and puts another down. It’s dangerous to believe one’s own press because the minute you begin to believe you got where you are because you are smarter and better than the other guy, you may be brought down into total abasement. I once heard someone say “Pride is like a beard, you have to shave it everyday!” When we are doing well, we are never to gloat. Instead we are to give all glory and credit to Almighty God who sees us fit to be in the grand position that we are in. We are to boast only in the Lord and what he has done in our lives. We are to be proud of who we are and whose we are.
Similarly, the only approval we are to seek is God’s approval. What our friends and neighbors think is practically inconsequential. We are to be bold in proclaiming the work of God but show compassion in the same token. Showing compassion does not mean that we are weak or trying to please the world, it just shows that even though we are strong about our beliefs and will not compromise on them, we can still show mercy to those in the world that are lost. Our boasting in the Lord can appear to others as arrogance but if our attitude is right, we have nothing to worry about.
God sets one up and puts another down. It’s dangerous to believe one’s own press because the minute you begin to believe you got where you are because you are smarter and better than the other guy, you may be brought down into total abasement. I once heard someone say “Pride is like a beard, you have to shave it everyday!” When we are doing well, we are never to gloat. Instead we are to give all glory and credit to Almighty God who sees us fit to be in the grand position that we are in. We are to boast only in the Lord and what he has done in our lives. We are to be proud of who we are and whose we are.
Similarly, the only approval we are to seek is God’s approval. What our friends and neighbors think is practically inconsequential. We are to be bold in proclaiming the work of God but show compassion in the same token. Showing compassion does not mean that we are weak or trying to please the world, it just shows that even though we are strong about our beliefs and will not compromise on them, we can still show mercy to those in the world that are lost. Our boasting in the Lord can appear to others as arrogance but if our attitude is right, we have nothing to worry about.
Thursday, March 27, 2008
Sometimes Things Just Happen!
As he went along, he saw a blind man blind from birth. His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” “Neither this man nor his parents sinned,” said Jesus, “but this happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life.” – John 9:1-3
We always look for someone to blame during difficult circumstances. Sadly when we find no one to take the blame, we turn on ourselves. Critics will also be quick to show us areas where we have failed and point out how we could have avoided the situation in which we often find ourselves. But sometimes things just happen!
I remember when my whole divorce drama started, well meaning folks were always at hand to offer advice – what I ought and ought not to do. I have to believe that they all meant well. Suggestions were coming from every part of the world, “Maybe if you had done this, that wouldn’t have done this; maybe you could have been more patient; maybe you could have been a bigger doormat; maybe if my parents had not separated when I was nine; only if I had not been a product of a broken home.” But I soon learnt that this wasn’t about me. The minute I started to meet women like me who were having trying times but still had their marriages intact, I decided to give myself a break.
Things happen in our lives sometimes that put our pain on public display. We become the talk of the neighborhood and the subject of discussion at every public gathering. But we have to believe that difficult circumstances do not define who we are but they can help build us up into who we are meant to be. Our pain and anguish is open for all to see so that God’s mighty works can be manifested and displayed in us.
I have finally accepted God’s grace and learnt that my predicaments are not because of what someone else did to me, because giving them any kind of power leads them to believe that what they did to me worked. The fact that the next man has a happy marriage and you don’t does not make them in any way better than you are – they just made different choices. My life story is not a surprise to God – nothing about me surprises Him. Everything that happens to me and to you is for a reason. God will reveal the reason for all our troubles in time.
If you are drowning in guilt, don’t blame yourself for bad situations – even if you could have made different choices to get different outcomes! What is done is done. You cannot un-scramble eggs! It’s time to move on. It’s time to turn the page to a new chapter in your life.
We always look for someone to blame during difficult circumstances. Sadly when we find no one to take the blame, we turn on ourselves. Critics will also be quick to show us areas where we have failed and point out how we could have avoided the situation in which we often find ourselves. But sometimes things just happen!
I remember when my whole divorce drama started, well meaning folks were always at hand to offer advice – what I ought and ought not to do. I have to believe that they all meant well. Suggestions were coming from every part of the world, “Maybe if you had done this, that wouldn’t have done this; maybe you could have been more patient; maybe you could have been a bigger doormat; maybe if my parents had not separated when I was nine; only if I had not been a product of a broken home.” But I soon learnt that this wasn’t about me. The minute I started to meet women like me who were having trying times but still had their marriages intact, I decided to give myself a break.
Things happen in our lives sometimes that put our pain on public display. We become the talk of the neighborhood and the subject of discussion at every public gathering. But we have to believe that difficult circumstances do not define who we are but they can help build us up into who we are meant to be. Our pain and anguish is open for all to see so that God’s mighty works can be manifested and displayed in us.
I have finally accepted God’s grace and learnt that my predicaments are not because of what someone else did to me, because giving them any kind of power leads them to believe that what they did to me worked. The fact that the next man has a happy marriage and you don’t does not make them in any way better than you are – they just made different choices. My life story is not a surprise to God – nothing about me surprises Him. Everything that happens to me and to you is for a reason. God will reveal the reason for all our troubles in time.
If you are drowning in guilt, don’t blame yourself for bad situations – even if you could have made different choices to get different outcomes! What is done is done. You cannot un-scramble eggs! It’s time to move on. It’s time to turn the page to a new chapter in your life.
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Make Hay While The Sun Shines
“As long as it is day, we must do the work of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work.” – John 9:4
He said to another man, “Follow me.” But the man replied, “Lord, first let me go and bury my father.” Jesus said to him, “Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and proclaim the kingdom of God.” Jesus replied, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.” – Luke 6:59-62
Our people must learn to devote themselves to doing what is good, in order that they may provide for daily necessities and not live unproductive lives. – Titus 3:14
Diana has a thriving law practice. She finally made partner 3 years ago – a dream that she had the minute she walked in the door; a dream that demanded huge sacrifices on her life and her marriage. It took her 8 long years to get here. Her and her husband Dave decided to put having children on hold. They loved kids and always wanted four but wanted to wait until Dave’s business took off and Diana was stable as a Senior Partner. Now Dave’s auto-mechanic business was thriving and Diana couldn’t rise any higher in her career but the pregnancy wouldn’t come. They had been trying for the last 2 years with no success. Diana was getting anxious and at 43 years of age, she needed to be. The doctors have given no explanation only that she was considered to be in the “Advanced Maternal Age”. At 43, pregnancy was not impossible to achieve but it could be challenging and may take time – time she didn’t really have.
We all tend to put things off. We delay a lot of things until later thinking in arrogance that tomorrow is really promised to us. I was surprised to find that procrastination is a huge problem. There are support groups and blogs all over the internet dealing with this issue. A huge problem that allows many to give up on the dreams and slowly watch their lives slip away. A disease through not harmful to the body, but eventually destroys the soul. A way of life that gives one the guarantee that old age will be filled with great cynicism and bitterness.
“In a few years, I’ll spend more time with my kids, I’ll attend church as soon as I get a better paying job, the minute I have more free time, I’ll go to college and get my degree and I’ll take care of my aged parents the minute I get rid of all these bills.” Then suddenly the kids are 18 and no longer need you, the better paying job takes over your life, you realize that starting a degree is so much easier than finishing one and your parents pass away without any care and attention from you. The list of things we put off can go on and on. The truth is there is a time for everything. Ecclesiastes 3:1 clearly states that there is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven. In essence, we must make hay while the sun shines.
Procrastination is man’s greatest enemy. It allows us to live in ignorance as we put off what can and should be done today for tomorrow. Even when we give our lives to God, it is possible to live a life of subtle procrastination. I have come to learn that it can sometimes be due to the fear of the unknown or the unwillingness to leave our comfort zone. Life often puts us in a box that we have now grown accustomed to and we are now reluctant to venture out and do more with what God has given us.
Unfortunately, one can only procrastinate for so long. There comes a time in life that we may have a desire in our hearts that we have either physically outgrown or the dream has now outgrown us.
He said to another man, “Follow me.” But the man replied, “Lord, first let me go and bury my father.” Jesus said to him, “Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and proclaim the kingdom of God.” Jesus replied, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.” – Luke 6:59-62
Our people must learn to devote themselves to doing what is good, in order that they may provide for daily necessities and not live unproductive lives. – Titus 3:14
Diana has a thriving law practice. She finally made partner 3 years ago – a dream that she had the minute she walked in the door; a dream that demanded huge sacrifices on her life and her marriage. It took her 8 long years to get here. Her and her husband Dave decided to put having children on hold. They loved kids and always wanted four but wanted to wait until Dave’s business took off and Diana was stable as a Senior Partner. Now Dave’s auto-mechanic business was thriving and Diana couldn’t rise any higher in her career but the pregnancy wouldn’t come. They had been trying for the last 2 years with no success. Diana was getting anxious and at 43 years of age, she needed to be. The doctors have given no explanation only that she was considered to be in the “Advanced Maternal Age”. At 43, pregnancy was not impossible to achieve but it could be challenging and may take time – time she didn’t really have.
We all tend to put things off. We delay a lot of things until later thinking in arrogance that tomorrow is really promised to us. I was surprised to find that procrastination is a huge problem. There are support groups and blogs all over the internet dealing with this issue. A huge problem that allows many to give up on the dreams and slowly watch their lives slip away. A disease through not harmful to the body, but eventually destroys the soul. A way of life that gives one the guarantee that old age will be filled with great cynicism and bitterness.
“In a few years, I’ll spend more time with my kids, I’ll attend church as soon as I get a better paying job, the minute I have more free time, I’ll go to college and get my degree and I’ll take care of my aged parents the minute I get rid of all these bills.” Then suddenly the kids are 18 and no longer need you, the better paying job takes over your life, you realize that starting a degree is so much easier than finishing one and your parents pass away without any care and attention from you. The list of things we put off can go on and on. The truth is there is a time for everything. Ecclesiastes 3:1 clearly states that there is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven. In essence, we must make hay while the sun shines.
Procrastination is man’s greatest enemy. It allows us to live in ignorance as we put off what can and should be done today for tomorrow. Even when we give our lives to God, it is possible to live a life of subtle procrastination. I have come to learn that it can sometimes be due to the fear of the unknown or the unwillingness to leave our comfort zone. Life often puts us in a box that we have now grown accustomed to and we are now reluctant to venture out and do more with what God has given us.
Unfortunately, one can only procrastinate for so long. There comes a time in life that we may have a desire in our hearts that we have either physically outgrown or the dream has now outgrown us.
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
Wait
Wait for the Lord; be strong, and take heart and wait for the Lord. – Psalm 27:14
Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; do not fret when men succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes. – Psalm 37:7
Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him. – Psalm 62:5
Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you; he rises to show you compassion. For the Lord is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him! – Psalm 30:18
But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. – Isaiah 40:31
Be patient, then brothers, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop and how patient he is for the autumn and spring rains. – James 5:7
In this age of microwave pizza and instant coffee, waiting seems to be history. We don’t want to wait for anything anymore. We have become a “want-it-now” generation. Unfortunately having a relationship with God will always involve waiting at some point. God does not work according to our schedule neither is He at our beck and call. Real prayer involves waiting – often times in complete silence. It involves cessation of all our DIY activities and simply waiting by his throne for guidance.
The hardest part about waiting on God is that when the answer comes, it may look like nothing we asked for! This is because what we want for ourselves isn’t necessarily what God wants to us. Sometimes God gives us things we never asked for. Waiting on God will mean that we have to trust Him – trust that He knows what is best for us and for our lives. I must admit that there is a certain level of peace and joy that comes with leaving situations in God’s hands. It eradicates a lot of anxiety and worry for me and I don’t have to handle life all on my own.
Even when life is demanding and stressful, the peace in waiting on God allows us to know for certainty that God is there in the midst of it all – going through it all with us. When we give control over to God, we must learn the gift of patience. The Gift of patience gives us the strength to endure such that we never give up on what we believe. If we ever get to a point when we are tempted to throw in the towel, it pays to take a moment and reflect on all the various things that God has brought us through. Remembering ought to give us comfort and great strength to keep on going. As we wait, we must spend time building up our strength through prayer and studying so that when what we are praying for shows up, we have the where withal to handle it.
Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; do not fret when men succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes. – Psalm 37:7
Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him. – Psalm 62:5
Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you; he rises to show you compassion. For the Lord is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him! – Psalm 30:18
But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. – Isaiah 40:31
Be patient, then brothers, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop and how patient he is for the autumn and spring rains. – James 5:7
In this age of microwave pizza and instant coffee, waiting seems to be history. We don’t want to wait for anything anymore. We have become a “want-it-now” generation. Unfortunately having a relationship with God will always involve waiting at some point. God does not work according to our schedule neither is He at our beck and call. Real prayer involves waiting – often times in complete silence. It involves cessation of all our DIY activities and simply waiting by his throne for guidance.
The hardest part about waiting on God is that when the answer comes, it may look like nothing we asked for! This is because what we want for ourselves isn’t necessarily what God wants to us. Sometimes God gives us things we never asked for. Waiting on God will mean that we have to trust Him – trust that He knows what is best for us and for our lives. I must admit that there is a certain level of peace and joy that comes with leaving situations in God’s hands. It eradicates a lot of anxiety and worry for me and I don’t have to handle life all on my own.
Even when life is demanding and stressful, the peace in waiting on God allows us to know for certainty that God is there in the midst of it all – going through it all with us. When we give control over to God, we must learn the gift of patience. The Gift of patience gives us the strength to endure such that we never give up on what we believe. If we ever get to a point when we are tempted to throw in the towel, it pays to take a moment and reflect on all the various things that God has brought us through. Remembering ought to give us comfort and great strength to keep on going. As we wait, we must spend time building up our strength through prayer and studying so that when what we are praying for shows up, we have the where withal to handle it.
Monday, March 24, 2008
The Power of Silence
In quietness and trust is your strength. – Isaiah 30:15
Be still, and know that I am God. - Psalm 46:10
The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still. – Exodus 14:14
The natural instinct when we face criticism is to try to explain our situation and get our critics to see our point of view. I have since learnt that this approach to life is pointless. Words are very powerful and sometimes we underestimate the strength of what we say. Not only is it possible that we are choosing the wrong words to explain how we feel and what we think, I can almost guarantee that what we said will never be translated in exactly the same way and with the same exact intent that we meant originally.
When we dignify our critics with responses, we are saying that they are important and that in some way their opinion matters to us. We un-intentionally give professional critics strong power that they do not deserve. We don’t need to have an answer to every accusation. The truth of the matter is that opinions are like butts – everyone has got one! Spending valuable time that one can never get back explaining situations to folks who have already made up their minds even before your explanations began serves no purpose.
We should learn to hold our peace and be quiet. I know it’s hard sometimes especially if you are like me and love to talk. But as I learned how powerful words are, I have learnt to speak less often. I have learnt to make less meaningless phone calls that do not strengthen nor edify my soul. I am growing in the knowledge that it is strength to be quiet – to say absolutely nothing and keep people wondering. Instead I use my words in my writing rather than in conversations. Speaking is a powerful tool but only when used in conjunction with purpose.
Be still, and know that I am God. - Psalm 46:10
The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still. – Exodus 14:14
The natural instinct when we face criticism is to try to explain our situation and get our critics to see our point of view. I have since learnt that this approach to life is pointless. Words are very powerful and sometimes we underestimate the strength of what we say. Not only is it possible that we are choosing the wrong words to explain how we feel and what we think, I can almost guarantee that what we said will never be translated in exactly the same way and with the same exact intent that we meant originally.
When we dignify our critics with responses, we are saying that they are important and that in some way their opinion matters to us. We un-intentionally give professional critics strong power that they do not deserve. We don’t need to have an answer to every accusation. The truth of the matter is that opinions are like butts – everyone has got one! Spending valuable time that one can never get back explaining situations to folks who have already made up their minds even before your explanations began serves no purpose.
We should learn to hold our peace and be quiet. I know it’s hard sometimes especially if you are like me and love to talk. But as I learned how powerful words are, I have learnt to speak less often. I have learnt to make less meaningless phone calls that do not strengthen nor edify my soul. I am growing in the knowledge that it is strength to be quiet – to say absolutely nothing and keep people wondering. Instead I use my words in my writing rather than in conversations. Speaking is a powerful tool but only when used in conjunction with purpose.
Sunday, March 23, 2008
My Foundation For Life
He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake. Through him you believe in God, who raised him from the dead and glorified him, so that your faith and hope are in God. – 1 Peter 1: 20-21
Now the God of hope fills you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope. – Romans 15:13
Hope arouses, as nothing else can arouse, a passion for the possible. – William Sloan Coffin, Jr.
I don’t know about you but today was another joyful reminder that I don’t need to be perfect. God gave His Only Son, Jesus Christ to get me a passage into heaven. We have all sinned and fallen short of the glory of God and the sin that makes us all sinners separates us from the love of God. The wages of sin is death but Jesus Christ took our wages upon his own body and died on the Cross – once and for all!
No-one can earn passage into heaven via works or good deeds as God judges each man’s work impartially. If you are trying to do it on your won, you will be judged just like the humble man who accepted Jesus Christ and presents the Holy One as his passport into heaven. Only the blood of Jesus saves. When you are under the blood, death will pass you over. As soon as you accept salvation given through grace, you are immediately under the blood and ultimate power of the Passover Lamb – Jesus Christ.
I am happy to say my hope beyond the grave is Jesus Christ. By his death, I have the gift of eternal life. A life that does not promise that I will live forever but one that assures that I will have a good quality of life – a life that allows me to serve others and help the ones who were once lost like me find their way. No-one can live without hope. A famous quote by LeRoy Douglas says “Hope is one of those things in life you can do without.”
Where does your hope lie?
Now the God of hope fills you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope. – Romans 15:13
Hope arouses, as nothing else can arouse, a passion for the possible. – William Sloan Coffin, Jr.
I don’t know about you but today was another joyful reminder that I don’t need to be perfect. God gave His Only Son, Jesus Christ to get me a passage into heaven. We have all sinned and fallen short of the glory of God and the sin that makes us all sinners separates us from the love of God. The wages of sin is death but Jesus Christ took our wages upon his own body and died on the Cross – once and for all!
No-one can earn passage into heaven via works or good deeds as God judges each man’s work impartially. If you are trying to do it on your won, you will be judged just like the humble man who accepted Jesus Christ and presents the Holy One as his passport into heaven. Only the blood of Jesus saves. When you are under the blood, death will pass you over. As soon as you accept salvation given through grace, you are immediately under the blood and ultimate power of the Passover Lamb – Jesus Christ.
I am happy to say my hope beyond the grave is Jesus Christ. By his death, I have the gift of eternal life. A life that does not promise that I will live forever but one that assures that I will have a good quality of life – a life that allows me to serve others and help the ones who were once lost like me find their way. No-one can live without hope. A famous quote by LeRoy Douglas says “Hope is one of those things in life you can do without.”
Where does your hope lie?
Saturday, March 22, 2008
Use Your Power Wisely
The evening meal was being served, and the devil had already prompted Judas Iscariot, son of Simon, to betray Jesus. Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him. – John 13: 2- 5
When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. ”Do you understand what I have done for you?” he asked them. “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord’, and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them. – John 13: 12-17
Jim was your typical male – overloaded with testosterone and eager to assert his rights within his kingdom. Lisa was shy, timid and much younger than Jim. They had gotten married at a time when Lisa was extremely vulnerable and had very little in terms of family to turn to. She was attracted to Jim because he reminded her so much of her father who was never really there for her. On the other hand, Jim thought he had found a woman who he could mould to be just like his mother was to his father. He was in a powerful position and he was using his power the only way he knew how – being a bully.
Lisa was disappointed. Jim was both verbally and emotionally abusive. Even though she waited on him hand and foot, he still wasn’t satisfied. He constantly talked down to her and treated her with disdain and contempt behind closed doors. You see, Jim was a regular church attendee. He grew up in the church, knew all the scriptures, walked and talked like a man of God but deep down he was a mean and vile man. Lisa had been praying for years that God would intervene in her misfortune. If he couldn’t rectify her situation supernaturally at least He could look upon her with mercy and give her a chance to escape. Talk about being stuck – Lisa was stranded in a very ugly situation.
One Sunday, while sitting in church, a picture of the perfect couple, the Pastor started to talk about the scripture verse above. Jesus was Lord; He had all the power of God at his fingertips. He did not have to wash anyone’s feet. But He chose to serve his disciples in this loving manner. True and Godly leadership is not controlling but serving. When you are a true leader as the head of a household, you look for opportunities to serve those that God has placed in your life. You never abuse them, mistreat them or take them for granted. The Pastor explained to all the men in the congregation how God would like them to be a man of service to their wives and family. Jim reached out for Lisa’s hand – something he had never done in the history of their marriage. He turned to look at her and said he was truly sorry. Jim didn’t know any better; he was simply replaying the history that he had lived. He was treating Lisa exactly the way his father treated his mother. Lisa forgave him instantly – she saw that he genuinely didn’t know.
We are all called to be of service to one another. Jesus Christ has given us the perfect example. He hung on a Cross for our sins – the sins of the entire world past, present and future. He didn’t have to allow himself to be taken. He had the power at his fingertips. He could have at any moment said “Enough!” But he chose to serve us instead. He used his power to save us. There isn’t a better place to truly serve as a disciple of Christ like in a position of leadership. Jesus Christ is the ultimate example of true leadership. If you are a father, mother, husband, wife, sister or brother, reach out and be of service to those around you. If our Lord can serve us, die on the Cross for us, what is stopping us from serving one another?
When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. ”Do you understand what I have done for you?” he asked them. “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord’, and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them. – John 13: 12-17
Jim was your typical male – overloaded with testosterone and eager to assert his rights within his kingdom. Lisa was shy, timid and much younger than Jim. They had gotten married at a time when Lisa was extremely vulnerable and had very little in terms of family to turn to. She was attracted to Jim because he reminded her so much of her father who was never really there for her. On the other hand, Jim thought he had found a woman who he could mould to be just like his mother was to his father. He was in a powerful position and he was using his power the only way he knew how – being a bully.
Lisa was disappointed. Jim was both verbally and emotionally abusive. Even though she waited on him hand and foot, he still wasn’t satisfied. He constantly talked down to her and treated her with disdain and contempt behind closed doors. You see, Jim was a regular church attendee. He grew up in the church, knew all the scriptures, walked and talked like a man of God but deep down he was a mean and vile man. Lisa had been praying for years that God would intervene in her misfortune. If he couldn’t rectify her situation supernaturally at least He could look upon her with mercy and give her a chance to escape. Talk about being stuck – Lisa was stranded in a very ugly situation.
One Sunday, while sitting in church, a picture of the perfect couple, the Pastor started to talk about the scripture verse above. Jesus was Lord; He had all the power of God at his fingertips. He did not have to wash anyone’s feet. But He chose to serve his disciples in this loving manner. True and Godly leadership is not controlling but serving. When you are a true leader as the head of a household, you look for opportunities to serve those that God has placed in your life. You never abuse them, mistreat them or take them for granted. The Pastor explained to all the men in the congregation how God would like them to be a man of service to their wives and family. Jim reached out for Lisa’s hand – something he had never done in the history of their marriage. He turned to look at her and said he was truly sorry. Jim didn’t know any better; he was simply replaying the history that he had lived. He was treating Lisa exactly the way his father treated his mother. Lisa forgave him instantly – she saw that he genuinely didn’t know.
We are all called to be of service to one another. Jesus Christ has given us the perfect example. He hung on a Cross for our sins – the sins of the entire world past, present and future. He didn’t have to allow himself to be taken. He had the power at his fingertips. He could have at any moment said “Enough!” But he chose to serve us instead. He used his power to save us. There isn’t a better place to truly serve as a disciple of Christ like in a position of leadership. Jesus Christ is the ultimate example of true leadership. If you are a father, mother, husband, wife, sister or brother, reach out and be of service to those around you. If our Lord can serve us, die on the Cross for us, what is stopping us from serving one another?
Friday, March 21, 2008
God’s Grace
I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me faithful, appointing me to his service. Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief. The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. – 1Timothy 1:12-14
My life has been one of great turmoil and pain but not without purpose. I am a great believer that God’s blessings are not always logical and sometimes cannot be explained. God brought me from the back of the line and placed me in the front row. He showed me mercy and set me in a fat place. It’s not because I’m perfect or I’ve always been right. If truth be told, I’ve made a lot of mistakes along the way but God is managing to turn all those errors around and use them for his glory.
God poured out his grace upon me in a mighty way. He picked me up from the arena of sin and dysfunction; he dusted me off and gave me a brand new beginning. Most importantly, he gave me a clear vision for my life and allowed me to see how much good can actually come from bad situations. Who ever thought that I could put pen to paper? Who ever thought that I will speak to others about the abundant love and grace of God? I didn’t see it coming but God definitely did!
Even as I face some of the biggest challenges of my life, God has given me great strength. I am thankful even when people think my life is hard. I am grateful that God saw me worthy to raise two beautiful children on my own. I am grateful because I know there are other women alone without the extensive privileges that God has afforded me. I have no doubt in my mind that God has great love for me. I continue to see evidence that He is going to give me double for all my troubles if I persevere and refuse to faint. That is why I rejoice despite tribulation.
What about you? What has God done for you? How has He shown you grace in your life? Share your story.
My life has been one of great turmoil and pain but not without purpose. I am a great believer that God’s blessings are not always logical and sometimes cannot be explained. God brought me from the back of the line and placed me in the front row. He showed me mercy and set me in a fat place. It’s not because I’m perfect or I’ve always been right. If truth be told, I’ve made a lot of mistakes along the way but God is managing to turn all those errors around and use them for his glory.
God poured out his grace upon me in a mighty way. He picked me up from the arena of sin and dysfunction; he dusted me off and gave me a brand new beginning. Most importantly, he gave me a clear vision for my life and allowed me to see how much good can actually come from bad situations. Who ever thought that I could put pen to paper? Who ever thought that I will speak to others about the abundant love and grace of God? I didn’t see it coming but God definitely did!
Even as I face some of the biggest challenges of my life, God has given me great strength. I am thankful even when people think my life is hard. I am grateful that God saw me worthy to raise two beautiful children on my own. I am grateful because I know there are other women alone without the extensive privileges that God has afforded me. I have no doubt in my mind that God has great love for me. I continue to see evidence that He is going to give me double for all my troubles if I persevere and refuse to faint. That is why I rejoice despite tribulation.
What about you? What has God done for you? How has He shown you grace in your life? Share your story.
Thursday, March 20, 2008
Pursue Excellence Always
Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. – Colossians 3:23-24
I know we all have big ambitions and big dreams. We often see ourselves more than where we currently are. We want to achieve more and are constantly demanding more from life. Ambition is a great thing as we should always aspire to move to the next level. But it is also important that we are content where God currently has us. We are often guilty of grumbling and complaining about our current job. We don’ want to be there are we are looking for the next big thing. Instead of giving our all to the current employer, we are busy complaining to everyone that will listen. I have met people who will constantly move from one employer to another – 5 employers in 3 years!
In the scripture verses above, God clearly commands us that we work at what we are doing right now with excellence. When we work like God wants us to, we bring something unique to the table. People notice that there is something different about us. The light of God in us shines through clearly for all to see. It is easy for us to improve our attitude to our current position, if we truly understand that we are indeed working for God and not for man. What we are working for is by faith and not by sight. Sure, we get a paycheck to simply sustain us in this realm but we have a much bigger inheritance in the realm to come.
So regardless of what you are doing now and how much you believe that you deserve more, apply yourself consistently with excellence. To whom much is given; much is expected. God is the one who sets one up and brings down another. He is always working behind the scenes - God will surely promote you when the time is right. In the meantime while you wait, build on your attitude and your knowledge – be like a sponge eager to take things in. God is watching us as we do our best at the tasks we currently are assigned in life.
I know we all have big ambitions and big dreams. We often see ourselves more than where we currently are. We want to achieve more and are constantly demanding more from life. Ambition is a great thing as we should always aspire to move to the next level. But it is also important that we are content where God currently has us. We are often guilty of grumbling and complaining about our current job. We don’ want to be there are we are looking for the next big thing. Instead of giving our all to the current employer, we are busy complaining to everyone that will listen. I have met people who will constantly move from one employer to another – 5 employers in 3 years!
In the scripture verses above, God clearly commands us that we work at what we are doing right now with excellence. When we work like God wants us to, we bring something unique to the table. People notice that there is something different about us. The light of God in us shines through clearly for all to see. It is easy for us to improve our attitude to our current position, if we truly understand that we are indeed working for God and not for man. What we are working for is by faith and not by sight. Sure, we get a paycheck to simply sustain us in this realm but we have a much bigger inheritance in the realm to come.
So regardless of what you are doing now and how much you believe that you deserve more, apply yourself consistently with excellence. To whom much is given; much is expected. God is the one who sets one up and brings down another. He is always working behind the scenes - God will surely promote you when the time is right. In the meantime while you wait, build on your attitude and your knowledge – be like a sponge eager to take things in. God is watching us as we do our best at the tasks we currently are assigned in life.
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
The Truth on Hypocrisy
You hypocrites! Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you: “These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. They worship me in vain; their teachings are but rules taught by men.” – Matthew 15: 7-9
I have had the opportunity to meet a lot of people who are well versed in Biblical scriptures but in real life are as hateful as a burnt cat. They quote the scriptures remarkably well but have no real heart felt understanding of what the scriptures really mean. When we have a real encounter with God, it changes who we really are. Our core becomes different. We cannot be angry for long and we are quick to extend the gift of forgiveness. Even when people hurt us and break our hearts, we still have something inside of us that gives us the ability to get pass all of the pain and show kindness.
Only the presence and the workings of the Holy Spirit give us the ability to line up the words of our mouth with the actions we display. Only the Holy Spirit allows us to not simply know the Word of God but to also know the God of the Word. Religiosity being displayed but denying the power of God is rampant in the Christian community today. Mean and hateful behavior towards others; showing no compassion to others and what our actions may do to them is common place. Selfishness and an open disregard to the commands of God while using culture as an escape clause becomes second nature. I have learnt the hard way that tradition and culture has rendered the Word of God in-effective in the lives of many.
We must spend time in prayer asking God to speak to our hearts. A great knowledge of the Bible with no inner change to the heart is worthless. Our hearts must be surrendered to God and love must be our greatest priority. As believers, we must rid ourselves of hypocrisy. Fortunately, we can’t hide anything from God. He is not interested in our outward exhibitions – He is after our hearts. It doesn’t matter how well we pretend to others, God see through us all the time.
I have had the opportunity to meet a lot of people who are well versed in Biblical scriptures but in real life are as hateful as a burnt cat. They quote the scriptures remarkably well but have no real heart felt understanding of what the scriptures really mean. When we have a real encounter with God, it changes who we really are. Our core becomes different. We cannot be angry for long and we are quick to extend the gift of forgiveness. Even when people hurt us and break our hearts, we still have something inside of us that gives us the ability to get pass all of the pain and show kindness.
Only the presence and the workings of the Holy Spirit give us the ability to line up the words of our mouth with the actions we display. Only the Holy Spirit allows us to not simply know the Word of God but to also know the God of the Word. Religiosity being displayed but denying the power of God is rampant in the Christian community today. Mean and hateful behavior towards others; showing no compassion to others and what our actions may do to them is common place. Selfishness and an open disregard to the commands of God while using culture as an escape clause becomes second nature. I have learnt the hard way that tradition and culture has rendered the Word of God in-effective in the lives of many.
We must spend time in prayer asking God to speak to our hearts. A great knowledge of the Bible with no inner change to the heart is worthless. Our hearts must be surrendered to God and love must be our greatest priority. As believers, we must rid ourselves of hypocrisy. Fortunately, we can’t hide anything from God. He is not interested in our outward exhibitions – He is after our hearts. It doesn’t matter how well we pretend to others, God see through us all the time.
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
The Destructive Spirit of Bitterness
Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. – Ephesians 4:31-32
So the two women went on until they came to Bethlehem. When they arrived in Bethlehem, the whole town was stirred because of them, and the women exclaimed, “Can this be Naomi?” “Don’t call me Naomi,” she told them. “Call me Mara, because the Almighty has made my life very bitter. I went away full but the Lord has brought me back empty. Why call me Naomi? The Lord has afflicted me; the Almighty has brought misfortune upon me.” – Ruth 1:20-21
Naomi definitely had a right to be bitter. She is a woman who had gone through a lot. Her husband and two sons were dead, leaving her all alone. She had left her home town with a husband and two children and is now returning without them. When in reality the expectation is that she would return home with her husband, sons, their wives and her grandchildren, she was coming back with only one daughter-in-law. People were probably gossiping about her – wondering what happened to the rest of family. Naomi was angry and most of all, she was angry at God! But God has a plan for Naomi. He had great things ahead for her life. But God’s ways are never free from affliction.
The process to becoming all you ever wanted to be is not an easy one. Just as success is never by accident, real success is never instantaneous. There is a time requirement tied to achieving anything great. I myself am very anxious to move into the great things God has planned for my life. The kind of things that would finally explain to the world some of the things that I always believed to be true – God had a unique and important purpose to all my suffering.
Investing time and following the process can however be hard so many people give up on their dreams and take the easy way out. But the easy way can lead to a lot of bitterness down the road. At 65, you suddenly realize that due to fear and the inability to persevere and press past opposition and trial, you have missed your turn. You are old and gray and most tragically all the things you ever wanted to do were never done. You become bitter. You are negative and cynical. You begin to have that horrible feeling that your life is over. Bitterness is destructive. It eats away at the very core of one’s being. It slowly seeps into your heart and you start to blame everyone around you for your failures. I have met women who blamed their spouses and their children for not following their dreams. Children who blame the way they were raised for the calamities that befell them in life. Bitterness allows you to buy into the lie that what someone else did to you actually worked.
If you are reading this today and have dreams that you have been putting on hold, it’s time to re-evaluate and re-prioritize. Putting things on hold is not in of itself a bad idea – especially if like me you have children and you are waiting for them to be of school age before you start whatever projects you’ve been dreaming about. But don’t put your dreams on hold forever – understand God’s timing to everything and don’t miss your turn.
So the two women went on until they came to Bethlehem. When they arrived in Bethlehem, the whole town was stirred because of them, and the women exclaimed, “Can this be Naomi?” “Don’t call me Naomi,” she told them. “Call me Mara, because the Almighty has made my life very bitter. I went away full but the Lord has brought me back empty. Why call me Naomi? The Lord has afflicted me; the Almighty has brought misfortune upon me.” – Ruth 1:20-21
Naomi definitely had a right to be bitter. She is a woman who had gone through a lot. Her husband and two sons were dead, leaving her all alone. She had left her home town with a husband and two children and is now returning without them. When in reality the expectation is that she would return home with her husband, sons, their wives and her grandchildren, she was coming back with only one daughter-in-law. People were probably gossiping about her – wondering what happened to the rest of family. Naomi was angry and most of all, she was angry at God! But God has a plan for Naomi. He had great things ahead for her life. But God’s ways are never free from affliction.
The process to becoming all you ever wanted to be is not an easy one. Just as success is never by accident, real success is never instantaneous. There is a time requirement tied to achieving anything great. I myself am very anxious to move into the great things God has planned for my life. The kind of things that would finally explain to the world some of the things that I always believed to be true – God had a unique and important purpose to all my suffering.
Investing time and following the process can however be hard so many people give up on their dreams and take the easy way out. But the easy way can lead to a lot of bitterness down the road. At 65, you suddenly realize that due to fear and the inability to persevere and press past opposition and trial, you have missed your turn. You are old and gray and most tragically all the things you ever wanted to do were never done. You become bitter. You are negative and cynical. You begin to have that horrible feeling that your life is over. Bitterness is destructive. It eats away at the very core of one’s being. It slowly seeps into your heart and you start to blame everyone around you for your failures. I have met women who blamed their spouses and their children for not following their dreams. Children who blame the way they were raised for the calamities that befell them in life. Bitterness allows you to buy into the lie that what someone else did to you actually worked.
If you are reading this today and have dreams that you have been putting on hold, it’s time to re-evaluate and re-prioritize. Putting things on hold is not in of itself a bad idea – especially if like me you have children and you are waiting for them to be of school age before you start whatever projects you’ve been dreaming about. But don’t put your dreams on hold forever – understand God’s timing to everything and don’t miss your turn.
Monday, March 17, 2008
The Greatest Teacher
Teach me your way, O Lord, and I will walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name. – Psalm 86:11
When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them and healed their sick. – Matthew 14:14
At the ripe old age of thirty-seven, I have been taught by a lot of teachers. Some good, some average and some – simply appalling. Till today, I still have fond memories of a couple of my school teachers – the ones who managed to leave an impression. But no-one teaches me like Jesus does. Everyday I spend in his presence is an opportunity to learn something new. Every verse of scripture tells me something important and even different every time I read it. Revelations are brand new and ever increasing. I am grateful for his Word and His teachings. Since I started to study and get understanding with the help of the Holy Spirit, my mind is being renewed and transformed every single time.
I have also seen a lot of preachers preach the Word of God but no-one can preach like Our Lord Jesus Christ. When Jesus preaches, crowds gather to hear the Word of the Lord. Rooms are packed full such that folks are coming in through the roof! When Jesus is in the house, lives are transformed and nothing remains the same. The sick are healed and the bound are set free.
I will encourage anyone who needs a great teacher to consider the One and Only true Teacher – Jesus Christ. Acquaint yourself with him through His Holy Word.
When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them and healed their sick. – Matthew 14:14
At the ripe old age of thirty-seven, I have been taught by a lot of teachers. Some good, some average and some – simply appalling. Till today, I still have fond memories of a couple of my school teachers – the ones who managed to leave an impression. But no-one teaches me like Jesus does. Everyday I spend in his presence is an opportunity to learn something new. Every verse of scripture tells me something important and even different every time I read it. Revelations are brand new and ever increasing. I am grateful for his Word and His teachings. Since I started to study and get understanding with the help of the Holy Spirit, my mind is being renewed and transformed every single time.
I have also seen a lot of preachers preach the Word of God but no-one can preach like Our Lord Jesus Christ. When Jesus preaches, crowds gather to hear the Word of the Lord. Rooms are packed full such that folks are coming in through the roof! When Jesus is in the house, lives are transformed and nothing remains the same. The sick are healed and the bound are set free.
I will encourage anyone who needs a great teacher to consider the One and Only true Teacher – Jesus Christ. Acquaint yourself with him through His Holy Word.
Sunday, March 16, 2008
Real Wisdom
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline. – Proverbs 1:7
I consider myself a pretty good planner. I’m organized and I can’t help but wonder how people who aren’t as organized as I am function, let alone succeed. But as a believer I have come to understand that all my goals, charts and plans mean absolutely nothing without the anointing of God. I have also learnt to fear the Lord but not the ugly fear similar to being afraid of a monster or the anxious fear of what tomorrow will bring but a good fear. The kind of fear that allows me to firmly acknowledge that I can be nothing and can do nothing without the help of my Heavenly Father. The fear that keeps me grounded and on the straight and narrow. The fear that allows me to choose wisely when I come to crossroads in my life.
The wisdom that can be gleaned from the Word of God is endless. Ever since I started to study and listen to the word, it seemed as if my brain increased in size! The Bible to me is the greatest book that was ever and will ever be written. Any other book worth reading to me is based on some principle in the Bible. I am grateful to be a believer of Jesus Christ because it has changed my life. It has enlightened me that all I ever thought I knew before I came to the knowledge of the Lord is worth nothing. I have finally learnt the great value of the real wisdom that can only come from God. I find myself making better decisions and persevering in the midst of great adversity. I see myself being a shoulder to lean, forgiving more and offering Godly counsel.
I am convinced that the fear of God will keep me grounded as my foundation is being carefully rebuilt. It has not been easy to replace all the errors I had learnt in my past with the new lessons God has for me but I am making progress daily with the help of the Holy Spirit.
I consider myself a pretty good planner. I’m organized and I can’t help but wonder how people who aren’t as organized as I am function, let alone succeed. But as a believer I have come to understand that all my goals, charts and plans mean absolutely nothing without the anointing of God. I have also learnt to fear the Lord but not the ugly fear similar to being afraid of a monster or the anxious fear of what tomorrow will bring but a good fear. The kind of fear that allows me to firmly acknowledge that I can be nothing and can do nothing without the help of my Heavenly Father. The fear that keeps me grounded and on the straight and narrow. The fear that allows me to choose wisely when I come to crossroads in my life.
The wisdom that can be gleaned from the Word of God is endless. Ever since I started to study and listen to the word, it seemed as if my brain increased in size! The Bible to me is the greatest book that was ever and will ever be written. Any other book worth reading to me is based on some principle in the Bible. I am grateful to be a believer of Jesus Christ because it has changed my life. It has enlightened me that all I ever thought I knew before I came to the knowledge of the Lord is worth nothing. I have finally learnt the great value of the real wisdom that can only come from God. I find myself making better decisions and persevering in the midst of great adversity. I see myself being a shoulder to lean, forgiving more and offering Godly counsel.
I am convinced that the fear of God will keep me grounded as my foundation is being carefully rebuilt. It has not been easy to replace all the errors I had learnt in my past with the new lessons God has for me but I am making progress daily with the help of the Holy Spirit.
Saturday, March 15, 2008
The Good Shepherd Watches Over Me
The lord is my shepherd; I shall not be in want. – Psalm 23:1
“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. The hired hand is not the shepherd who owns the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep.
I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me – just as the Father knows me and I know the Father – and I lay down my life for the sheep. I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd. – John 10: 11-16
Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God which he bought with his won blood. I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. – Acts 20:28-29
Even though we may feel alone sometimes, we never are. Our present circumstances often has a way of making us view our lives as a sum total of where we currently are but if we take the time and look back at some of the things God has brought us through, it ought to encourage us and give us the strength to keep on riding. As believers, we are always protected because we have had an encounter with the Lamb of God. It doesn’t matter what life throws at us, who treats us badly or what sickness or disease ravages our bodies, our souls are still protected.
We must understand that the current trial that we are going through is simply another “Egypt” and God will get us out. He may not get us out in the way that we want but he will rescue us. Remember that He lay down his life for you; He will not abandon you now. You may be in “Egypt” for a time but you will not be staying forever. Just as God rescued the Israelites, He will surely rescue you.
God is interested in each and every one of us. He is constantly concerned about us and about our lives. He is the good shepherd and we are the sheep. We are to empower ourselves through his Word and get very acquainted with His voice lest we fall prey to the devices of the enemy. Those of us who have managed to crawl out of some form of “Egypt” ought to reach out and help others. We ought to make ourselves available to help watch over the sheep as we have been empowered by the Holy Spirit. It is not God’s will that all we do is look out for “myself and I”. It is important that we also be shepherds just like Jesus.
“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. The hired hand is not the shepherd who owns the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep.
I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me – just as the Father knows me and I know the Father – and I lay down my life for the sheep. I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd. – John 10: 11-16
Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God which he bought with his won blood. I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. – Acts 20:28-29
Even though we may feel alone sometimes, we never are. Our present circumstances often has a way of making us view our lives as a sum total of where we currently are but if we take the time and look back at some of the things God has brought us through, it ought to encourage us and give us the strength to keep on riding. As believers, we are always protected because we have had an encounter with the Lamb of God. It doesn’t matter what life throws at us, who treats us badly or what sickness or disease ravages our bodies, our souls are still protected.
We must understand that the current trial that we are going through is simply another “Egypt” and God will get us out. He may not get us out in the way that we want but he will rescue us. Remember that He lay down his life for you; He will not abandon you now. You may be in “Egypt” for a time but you will not be staying forever. Just as God rescued the Israelites, He will surely rescue you.
God is interested in each and every one of us. He is constantly concerned about us and about our lives. He is the good shepherd and we are the sheep. We are to empower ourselves through his Word and get very acquainted with His voice lest we fall prey to the devices of the enemy. Those of us who have managed to crawl out of some form of “Egypt” ought to reach out and help others. We ought to make ourselves available to help watch over the sheep as we have been empowered by the Holy Spirit. It is not God’s will that all we do is look out for “myself and I”. It is important that we also be shepherds just like Jesus.
Friday, March 14, 2008
Start Over With God
Seek the Lord while he may be found; call on him while he is near. Let the wicked forsake his way and the evil man his thoughts. Let him turn to the Lord, and he will have mercy on him, and to our God, for he will freely pardon. – Isaiah 55: 6-7
We all go astray sometimes. I have come to understand that the life of a Christian is one of continuous repentance. We all make mistakes and need God’s forgiveness all the time. The important thing is when we are wrong to show remorse and admit wrong-doing. To be arrogant in error interprets a sense of entitlement to the bad behavior that we exhibit. We must also take steps to change the situation and make amends where possible.
God always give his children the opportunity to start afresh, the issue is his children don’t always accept it. Some continue in un-repentance because of guilt – they may believe that they’ve gone too far this time and that God will never accept them now. But no-one has ever gone to far. The only un-forgivable sin is the failure to accept the work that Jesus Christ did on the Cross for us to have abundant lives. So if you are concerned that God will not accept you, believe today that He is waiting to hear from you. God’s mercy never runs out!
The scripture above encourages us to seek the Lord now and not later. We must return to him and accept his forgiveness. We must do all we can to abhor sin in our thoughts and actions. God sees our hearts and He is the Only One who truly recognizes humility and a repentant heart. Make today a day of new beginnings. Make it the start of renewal and reaffirmation of your love and trust for Jesus Christ.
We all go astray sometimes. I have come to understand that the life of a Christian is one of continuous repentance. We all make mistakes and need God’s forgiveness all the time. The important thing is when we are wrong to show remorse and admit wrong-doing. To be arrogant in error interprets a sense of entitlement to the bad behavior that we exhibit. We must also take steps to change the situation and make amends where possible.
God always give his children the opportunity to start afresh, the issue is his children don’t always accept it. Some continue in un-repentance because of guilt – they may believe that they’ve gone too far this time and that God will never accept them now. But no-one has ever gone to far. The only un-forgivable sin is the failure to accept the work that Jesus Christ did on the Cross for us to have abundant lives. So if you are concerned that God will not accept you, believe today that He is waiting to hear from you. God’s mercy never runs out!
The scripture above encourages us to seek the Lord now and not later. We must return to him and accept his forgiveness. We must do all we can to abhor sin in our thoughts and actions. God sees our hearts and He is the Only One who truly recognizes humility and a repentant heart. Make today a day of new beginnings. Make it the start of renewal and reaffirmation of your love and trust for Jesus Christ.
Thursday, March 13, 2008
One Man’s Trash is God’s Treasure
For the Lord will not reject his people; he will never forsake his inheritance. – Psalm 94:14
I will put you dwelling place among you and I will not abhor you. – Leviticus 26:11
I took you from the ends of the earth from its farthest corners I called you. I said, ‘You are my servant’; I have chosen you and have not rejected you. – Isaiah 41:9
We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down but not destroyed. – 2 Corinthians 4: 9-10
Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you. – Hebrews 13:5
Human beings, like plants grow in the soil of acceptance, not in the atmosphere of rejection. – John Powell
We keep going back, stronger. Not weaker, because we will not allow rejection to beat us down. It will only strengthen our resolve. To be successful there is no other way. – Earl G. Graves
Even though deep down we crave love, acceptance and unity with others, we all face rejection at some point in our lives in one form or another. It could be physical violence, abusive authority, personal absence, verbal threats, public humiliation, name-calling, criticism, ridicule or negativism, absence of recognition or praise or forced responsibility. Whatever the form(s) of rejection we’ve experienced, it is vital that we understand that people rejecting us does not mean that God has rejected us. God has promised never to reject us, leave nor forsake us. He has promised to always be there for us when no-one else is. Believe in the deep recesses of your heart that God’s got your back!
There are a lot of negative responses that as human beings we can display as a result of rejection. We may react negatively by fighting those that have rejected us. We may turn around and play the “victim predator” role and reject others consciously or unconsciously. God wants us to approach rejection differently. He wants us to never look for recognition or acceptance from others. God is delighted only when we find our acceptance and identity in His Son, Jesus Christ and regardless of who has rejected us, we must rise above the hurt and always accept others. When we understand who God says we are. We need not be worried about what others think or say. It may hurt us but it can never destroy us. It’s what God says about us that matters. Remember that you are accepted in the beloved and whether your next door neighbor accepts you or not is irrelevant.
I will put you dwelling place among you and I will not abhor you. – Leviticus 26:11
I took you from the ends of the earth from its farthest corners I called you. I said, ‘You are my servant’; I have chosen you and have not rejected you. – Isaiah 41:9
We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down but not destroyed. – 2 Corinthians 4: 9-10
Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you. – Hebrews 13:5
Human beings, like plants grow in the soil of acceptance, not in the atmosphere of rejection. – John Powell
We keep going back, stronger. Not weaker, because we will not allow rejection to beat us down. It will only strengthen our resolve. To be successful there is no other way. – Earl G. Graves
Even though deep down we crave love, acceptance and unity with others, we all face rejection at some point in our lives in one form or another. It could be physical violence, abusive authority, personal absence, verbal threats, public humiliation, name-calling, criticism, ridicule or negativism, absence of recognition or praise or forced responsibility. Whatever the form(s) of rejection we’ve experienced, it is vital that we understand that people rejecting us does not mean that God has rejected us. God has promised never to reject us, leave nor forsake us. He has promised to always be there for us when no-one else is. Believe in the deep recesses of your heart that God’s got your back!
There are a lot of negative responses that as human beings we can display as a result of rejection. We may react negatively by fighting those that have rejected us. We may turn around and play the “victim predator” role and reject others consciously or unconsciously. God wants us to approach rejection differently. He wants us to never look for recognition or acceptance from others. God is delighted only when we find our acceptance and identity in His Son, Jesus Christ and regardless of who has rejected us, we must rise above the hurt and always accept others. When we understand who God says we are. We need not be worried about what others think or say. It may hurt us but it can never destroy us. It’s what God says about us that matters. Remember that you are accepted in the beloved and whether your next door neighbor accepts you or not is irrelevant.
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
God Hears Your Tears
I am worn out from groaning; all night long I flood my bed with weeping and drench my couch with tears. My eyes grow weak with sorrow; they fail because of all my foes. – Psalm 6: 6-7
As the deer pants for the streams of water so my soul pants for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God? My tears have been my food day and night. While men say to me all day long, “Where is your God?” – Psalm 42: 1-3
The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and a contrite heart, O god, you will not despise. – Psalm 51:17
Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy. He who goes out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with him. – Psalm 126: 5-6
Pain is part of being alive, and we need to learn that. Pain does not last forever, nor is it necessarily unbearable, and we need to be taught that. – Rabbi Harold Kushner
An unbroken person cannot be trusted. – Gary Rosberg
Weeping and mourning are an essential part of life. How else do we heal and get rest if we do not weep? We cry and mourn for various reasons – the loss of a loved one, a broken relationship, concern for another, disappointment, loneliness, unrequited love and guilt. I have learnt through personal experience that expressing sorrow through tears helps to release the burden of pain that one is carrying and helps to set the wheels of healing in motion.
In Matthew 5:4, the Bible says “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted”. This scripture verse, amongst many others, gave me peace. I realized that God cared about my tears. The fact that I was sad and remorseful over some poor choices meant something to my Savior. My tears were not because I was lonely or because I was disappointed but because earlier on in my life, I refused to acknowledge God in my choices and took matters into my own hands – that made me sad. I did a lot of DIY jobs that ended in a huge catastrophic mess, which not only affected my life but the lives of my innocent daughters. At the same time, my tears were also tears of joy because God saw me so broke down and still picked me up and showed me mercy.
If you are weeping today, understand that God sees and hears every single tear your cry. Psalm 30:5 says that “Weeping may remain for a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning”. Rest in the comfort that you will surely heal the minute you accept the Balm of Gilead and help from God our Healer. Understand that circumstances will change but thankfully God never does. There may not be an instantaneous change to your situation. Refuse to be discouraged if things don’t change, instead try and figure out what the lessons to be learnt are. Your source of tears and mourning could be your ministry. You may be able to encourage someone else down the very same road.
As the deer pants for the streams of water so my soul pants for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God? My tears have been my food day and night. While men say to me all day long, “Where is your God?” – Psalm 42: 1-3
The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and a contrite heart, O god, you will not despise. – Psalm 51:17
Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy. He who goes out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with him. – Psalm 126: 5-6
Pain is part of being alive, and we need to learn that. Pain does not last forever, nor is it necessarily unbearable, and we need to be taught that. – Rabbi Harold Kushner
An unbroken person cannot be trusted. – Gary Rosberg
Weeping and mourning are an essential part of life. How else do we heal and get rest if we do not weep? We cry and mourn for various reasons – the loss of a loved one, a broken relationship, concern for another, disappointment, loneliness, unrequited love and guilt. I have learnt through personal experience that expressing sorrow through tears helps to release the burden of pain that one is carrying and helps to set the wheels of healing in motion.
In Matthew 5:4, the Bible says “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted”. This scripture verse, amongst many others, gave me peace. I realized that God cared about my tears. The fact that I was sad and remorseful over some poor choices meant something to my Savior. My tears were not because I was lonely or because I was disappointed but because earlier on in my life, I refused to acknowledge God in my choices and took matters into my own hands – that made me sad. I did a lot of DIY jobs that ended in a huge catastrophic mess, which not only affected my life but the lives of my innocent daughters. At the same time, my tears were also tears of joy because God saw me so broke down and still picked me up and showed me mercy.
If you are weeping today, understand that God sees and hears every single tear your cry. Psalm 30:5 says that “Weeping may remain for a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning”. Rest in the comfort that you will surely heal the minute you accept the Balm of Gilead and help from God our Healer. Understand that circumstances will change but thankfully God never does. There may not be an instantaneous change to your situation. Refuse to be discouraged if things don’t change, instead try and figure out what the lessons to be learnt are. Your source of tears and mourning could be your ministry. You may be able to encourage someone else down the very same road.
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
Don’t Pray and Worry
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. – Philippians 4: 6-7
There is nothing so wretched or foolish as to anticipate misfortunes. What madness is it in expecting evil before it arrives? – Marcus Annaeus Seneca
Worry is a thin stream of fear trickling through the mind. If encouraged, it cuts a channel into which all other thoughts are drained. – Arthur Somers Roche
Let nothing disturb thee, Let nothing affright thee, All things are passing, God changeth never. – Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
I made some pretty life changing decisions lately that have caused me to worry. Even though I am walking with God through every step, I began to get anxious and was diagnosed with a panic disorder. Thank God for the Holy Spirit – I refused to take the prescribed medication and decided to step back and change the underlying causes of the anxiety instead. I found out that I was wasting my time worrying about things that haven’t even happened yet!
We all worry from time to time even after we have prayed and left things in God’s hands simply because we are human. We want to know what is coming around the corner and we want the assurance that everything will be ok. But scripture never promised a bird’s eye view into the future as only God knows tomorrow but it does remind us that no-one can add an extra day to their life through worrying. God takes care of the animals in the wild so we must rest in the security that He will look out for us. Even if things get tough, God’s joy becomes our strength.
Once we pray and leave our problems and issues at the altar, we must quit pondering over them. We must trust in the Lord that he has our best interest at heart. We must break out in thanksgiving to God for what He has done and what He is going to do. We must learn to be confident that even when we make a mistake, take a wrong turn or choose the wrong decision, God has a way of turning things around for our good and His glory.
There is nothing so wretched or foolish as to anticipate misfortunes. What madness is it in expecting evil before it arrives? – Marcus Annaeus Seneca
Worry is a thin stream of fear trickling through the mind. If encouraged, it cuts a channel into which all other thoughts are drained. – Arthur Somers Roche
Let nothing disturb thee, Let nothing affright thee, All things are passing, God changeth never. – Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
I made some pretty life changing decisions lately that have caused me to worry. Even though I am walking with God through every step, I began to get anxious and was diagnosed with a panic disorder. Thank God for the Holy Spirit – I refused to take the prescribed medication and decided to step back and change the underlying causes of the anxiety instead. I found out that I was wasting my time worrying about things that haven’t even happened yet!
We all worry from time to time even after we have prayed and left things in God’s hands simply because we are human. We want to know what is coming around the corner and we want the assurance that everything will be ok. But scripture never promised a bird’s eye view into the future as only God knows tomorrow but it does remind us that no-one can add an extra day to their life through worrying. God takes care of the animals in the wild so we must rest in the security that He will look out for us. Even if things get tough, God’s joy becomes our strength.
Once we pray and leave our problems and issues at the altar, we must quit pondering over them. We must trust in the Lord that he has our best interest at heart. We must break out in thanksgiving to God for what He has done and what He is going to do. We must learn to be confident that even when we make a mistake, take a wrong turn or choose the wrong decision, God has a way of turning things around for our good and His glory.
Monday, March 10, 2008
Alien in a Foreign Land
After Moses had sent away his wife Zipporah his father-in-law Jethro received her and her two sons. One son was named Gershom, for Moses said, ‘I have become an alien in a foreign land”; and the other was named Eliezer, for he said, “My father’s God was my helper; he saved me from the sword of Pharaoh.” – Exodus 18:2-4
In life we will encounter problems and circumstances but it is important for us to know that what we are going through does not need to define who we are. We may be in trouble but we are not of trouble. Hold on to the promise that you will get through whatever you are dealing with. The circumstance or trial may be here right now; it may be crippling and painful but it will not be staying forever. I may be lonely right now but loneliness will not be staying for long. I may be anxious right now but anxiety will soon pass. I may be fearful right now but fear will never own me. We must make a conscious decision that regardless of the trouble that we are currently encountering, it does not own us and quite frankly never will. We are simply aliens in a foreign land and we will not be staying too long.
The only way to come out of adversity is through God’s anointing – a power that can only come through faith and faith comes from hearing the Word of God. By faith, we ought to focus on where we are headed and not where we are. This is why it is always important that we have a clear vision for our lives. We may not have the “how” facts ironed out but we are confident on the “what”. The task of reconciling what we see in our vision with where we currently reside can be daunting and may sometimes seem impossible but with God anything is possible. It is crucial that our vision is clear in our minds and hearts. We need to command authority via the Word of God about our future and not dwell too much on our current predicament.
When we eventually make it through whatever the current trial is, we must never fail to give all the credit to God. We must never take ownership for our deliverance. David in 1 Samuel 17 verse 46 gives credit of the impending victory over the Philistines to God. We often think that the reason we make it in a world where many do not is because we are somewhat smarter, wiser, faster, more creative and more intelligent than everybody else. But the truth is without God in our lives, we will be in the same place that others who did not make it ended up. Give glory to God for all your successes and when there is failure, give God the glory anyway. The Bible tells us to rejoice at all times – we should never forget that!
In life we will encounter problems and circumstances but it is important for us to know that what we are going through does not need to define who we are. We may be in trouble but we are not of trouble. Hold on to the promise that you will get through whatever you are dealing with. The circumstance or trial may be here right now; it may be crippling and painful but it will not be staying forever. I may be lonely right now but loneliness will not be staying for long. I may be anxious right now but anxiety will soon pass. I may be fearful right now but fear will never own me. We must make a conscious decision that regardless of the trouble that we are currently encountering, it does not own us and quite frankly never will. We are simply aliens in a foreign land and we will not be staying too long.
The only way to come out of adversity is through God’s anointing – a power that can only come through faith and faith comes from hearing the Word of God. By faith, we ought to focus on where we are headed and not where we are. This is why it is always important that we have a clear vision for our lives. We may not have the “how” facts ironed out but we are confident on the “what”. The task of reconciling what we see in our vision with where we currently reside can be daunting and may sometimes seem impossible but with God anything is possible. It is crucial that our vision is clear in our minds and hearts. We need to command authority via the Word of God about our future and not dwell too much on our current predicament.
When we eventually make it through whatever the current trial is, we must never fail to give all the credit to God. We must never take ownership for our deliverance. David in 1 Samuel 17 verse 46 gives credit of the impending victory over the Philistines to God. We often think that the reason we make it in a world where many do not is because we are somewhat smarter, wiser, faster, more creative and more intelligent than everybody else. But the truth is without God in our lives, we will be in the same place that others who did not make it ended up. Give glory to God for all your successes and when there is failure, give God the glory anyway. The Bible tells us to rejoice at all times – we should never forget that!
Sunday, March 9, 2008
Don’t Fear Your Goliaths
A champion named Goliath, who was from Gath, came out of the Philistine camp. He was over nine feet tall. He had a bronze helmet on his head and wore a coat of scale armor of bronze weighing five thousand shekels; on his legs he wore bronze greaves and a bronze javelin was slung on his back. His spear shaft was like a weaver’s rod, and its iron point weighed six hundred shekels. His shield bearer went ahead of him. – 1 Samuel 17: 4-7
David said to Saul, “Let no one lose heart on account of this Philistine; your servant will go and fight him.” Saul replied, “You are not able to out against this Philistine and fight him; you are only a boy, and he has been a fighting man from his youth.” – 1 Samuel 17: 32-33
David said to the Philistine, “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. This day the Lord will hand you over to me and I’ll strike you down and cut off your head. Today I will give the carcasses of the Philistine army to the birds of the air and the beasts of the earth, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel. All those gathered here will know that the Lord saves; for the battle is the Lord’s and he will give all of you into our hands.” - 1 Samuel 17: 45-47
So David triumphed over the Philistine with a sling and a stone; without a sword in his hand he struck down the Philistine and killed him. David ran and stood over him. He took hold of the Philistine’s sword and drew it from the scabbard. After he killed him, he cut off his head with the sword. When the Philistines saw that their hero was dead, they turned and ran. - 1 Samuel 17: 50-51
We all face giants in our lives. They come in many forms – intimidating circumstances, people and situations. We encounter times when we feel as if all our hope is lost. But God never gives us more than we can handle or more than we can bear. David was truly a man after God’s heart. He is an encouragement to all of us regardless of our circumstances that we should never give up. He reminds us that we do not have to be perfect but we must have a heart that longs for God and not above continuous repentance.
David was definitely anointed by God. He understood that any victory that he achieved truly belonged to God. He knew he was simply a tool in the hands of the Master. God created him for such a time as this. Goliath existence was simply to prove David’s anointing. True anointing is only revealed during adversity. How can we tell how God stands for you if you have never been afflicted? Your level of anointing is only defined through trials and tribulations. Real anointing is revealed when we do more with less. David did not have all the high-tech weapons that Goliath hinged his hopes of victory upon. All David had on him was a sling and some stones. Not only did he kill him with these simple weapons but he used the very sword that Goliath was planning to use on the children on Israel to cut off his head!
That is why we should never be intimidated by the “Goliaths” that we will face in our lives. In actuality we should run towards them and face them head-on. The very thing that the enemy plans to use against us, God will turn around and use for his glory.
David said to Saul, “Let no one lose heart on account of this Philistine; your servant will go and fight him.” Saul replied, “You are not able to out against this Philistine and fight him; you are only a boy, and he has been a fighting man from his youth.” – 1 Samuel 17: 32-33
David said to the Philistine, “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. This day the Lord will hand you over to me and I’ll strike you down and cut off your head. Today I will give the carcasses of the Philistine army to the birds of the air and the beasts of the earth, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel. All those gathered here will know that the Lord saves; for the battle is the Lord’s and he will give all of you into our hands.” - 1 Samuel 17: 45-47
So David triumphed over the Philistine with a sling and a stone; without a sword in his hand he struck down the Philistine and killed him. David ran and stood over him. He took hold of the Philistine’s sword and drew it from the scabbard. After he killed him, he cut off his head with the sword. When the Philistines saw that their hero was dead, they turned and ran. - 1 Samuel 17: 50-51
We all face giants in our lives. They come in many forms – intimidating circumstances, people and situations. We encounter times when we feel as if all our hope is lost. But God never gives us more than we can handle or more than we can bear. David was truly a man after God’s heart. He is an encouragement to all of us regardless of our circumstances that we should never give up. He reminds us that we do not have to be perfect but we must have a heart that longs for God and not above continuous repentance.
David was definitely anointed by God. He understood that any victory that he achieved truly belonged to God. He knew he was simply a tool in the hands of the Master. God created him for such a time as this. Goliath existence was simply to prove David’s anointing. True anointing is only revealed during adversity. How can we tell how God stands for you if you have never been afflicted? Your level of anointing is only defined through trials and tribulations. Real anointing is revealed when we do more with less. David did not have all the high-tech weapons that Goliath hinged his hopes of victory upon. All David had on him was a sling and some stones. Not only did he kill him with these simple weapons but he used the very sword that Goliath was planning to use on the children on Israel to cut off his head!
That is why we should never be intimidated by the “Goliaths” that we will face in our lives. In actuality we should run towards them and face them head-on. The very thing that the enemy plans to use against us, God will turn around and use for his glory.
Saturday, March 8, 2008
Trust God’s Timing
There is time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven:
A time to be born and a time to die,
A time to plant and a time to uproot,
A time to kill and a time to heal,
A time to tear down and a time to build,
A time to weep and a time to laugh,
A time to mourn and a time to dance,
A time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
A time to embrace and a time to refrain,
A time to search and a time to give up,
A time to keep and a time to throw away,
A time to tear and a time to mend,
A time to be silent and a time to speak,
A time to love and a time to hate,
A time for war and a time for peace. – Ecclesiastes 3: 1-8
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There is a time and a season for everything under the sun simply because God designed things that way. You cannot sow apple seeds to day and reap the fruits immediately. Looking at the ground underneath which the seeds lay will not show any evidence of what lies beneath. That is why we should be careful never to judge anything before it’s time. Who knows whether the planted apple seeds will yield apples with savory apple juice or not? No-one knows; only time will tell.
But as humans, we judge one another based on what we saw at the moment and not what could be. We compartmentalize one another in neat little boxes with labels based on our own measuring standards. Thankfully God does not meet with the “Neighborhood Board of Critics” in order to determine who He will bless and who He would not. God blesses as he chooses. Hallelujah to Almighty God for His merciful grace upon our lives! He sees us not as we are but as what we could be.
Understanding God’s timing is extremely crucial. We have to learn how to be patient as we wait on the Lord. We must be patient before we can see God’s promises come to pass. Waiting is hard and the enemy knows that so he tries to question our faith as well as insinuate that God is not real. In Galatians 6:9, the Bible says – “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.
It is important that while we wait we spend time renewing our strength. How do we do this? By ensuring that our hope lies in the Lord and Him alone. We must spend the waiting time building up our strength and our faith using the Word of God.
But as humans, we judge one another based on what we saw at the moment and not what could be. We compartmentalize one another in neat little boxes with labels based on our own measuring standards. Thankfully God does not meet with the “Neighborhood Board of Critics” in order to determine who He will bless and who He would not. God blesses as he chooses. Hallelujah to Almighty God for His merciful grace upon our lives! He sees us not as we are but as what we could be.
Understanding God’s timing is extremely crucial. We have to learn how to be patient as we wait on the Lord. We must be patient before we can see God’s promises come to pass. Waiting is hard and the enemy knows that so he tries to question our faith as well as insinuate that God is not real. In Galatians 6:9, the Bible says – “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.
It is important that while we wait we spend time renewing our strength. How do we do this? By ensuring that our hope lies in the Lord and Him alone. We must spend the waiting time building up our strength and our faith using the Word of God.
Friday, March 7, 2008
Tell Yourself – “I’m Coming Out Of This!”
Trouble and distress have come upon me, but your commands are my delight. Your statutes are forever right; give me understanding that I may live. – Psalm 119: 143-144
The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles. The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. – Psalm 34:17-18
Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the Lord, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior; I give Egypt for your ransom, Cush and Seba in your stead. Since you are precious and honored in my sight, and because I love you, I will give men in exchange for you, and people in exchange for your life. Do not be afraid, for I am with you; I will bring your children from the east and gather you from the west. I will say to the north, ‘Give them up!’ and to the south, ‘Do not hold them back.’ Bring my sons from afar and my daughters from the ends of the earth – everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made. – Isaiah 43: 1-7
We all face different attacks at different levels from the enemies of our souls. But we must know in our hearts that we will get out of whatever trouble we are facing. We may not know when or how, but we must remain confident that God is bringing us out.
Let’s face it; you wouldn’t need faith if you looked like you were going to win. When trouble seems so enormous that everyone around you gives up on you and is convinced that you will never come out of it is when you really need to let your faith kick in. You need faith when the odds are stacked against you. You must believe that even though you may be cast down right now, God has not forgotten you.
I love the scripture verses above from Isaiah 43. Why should we be afraid when God himself has called us by name? It may get pretty hot as we walk through the fires that life can bring but it is comforting to know that we will never be burnt. God has already determined our end from the beginning. Things will change dramatically when God shows up on our behalf. People who appeared to be unmovable and relentless in their efforts to bring us down will be moved out of the way.
But we must first believe that we are coming out. We must rejoice now as if we are already out; proclaiming those things that are not as though they were. We don’t need some magic in the sky to let us know God will save us; it says so every clearly in his word. It’s no longer a question of “if” but “when” and “how”.
The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles. The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. – Psalm 34:17-18
Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the Lord, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior; I give Egypt for your ransom, Cush and Seba in your stead. Since you are precious and honored in my sight, and because I love you, I will give men in exchange for you, and people in exchange for your life. Do not be afraid, for I am with you; I will bring your children from the east and gather you from the west. I will say to the north, ‘Give them up!’ and to the south, ‘Do not hold them back.’ Bring my sons from afar and my daughters from the ends of the earth – everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made. – Isaiah 43: 1-7
We all face different attacks at different levels from the enemies of our souls. But we must know in our hearts that we will get out of whatever trouble we are facing. We may not know when or how, but we must remain confident that God is bringing us out.
Let’s face it; you wouldn’t need faith if you looked like you were going to win. When trouble seems so enormous that everyone around you gives up on you and is convinced that you will never come out of it is when you really need to let your faith kick in. You need faith when the odds are stacked against you. You must believe that even though you may be cast down right now, God has not forgotten you.
I love the scripture verses above from Isaiah 43. Why should we be afraid when God himself has called us by name? It may get pretty hot as we walk through the fires that life can bring but it is comforting to know that we will never be burnt. God has already determined our end from the beginning. Things will change dramatically when God shows up on our behalf. People who appeared to be unmovable and relentless in their efforts to bring us down will be moved out of the way.
But we must first believe that we are coming out. We must rejoice now as if we are already out; proclaiming those things that are not as though they were. We don’t need some magic in the sky to let us know God will save us; it says so every clearly in his word. It’s no longer a question of “if” but “when” and “how”.
Thursday, March 6, 2008
Isolation Has Benefits
Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord;
O Lord, hear my voice.
Let your ears be attentive to my cry for mercy.
If you, O Lord, kept a record of sins,
O Lord, who could stand?
But with you there is forgiveness;
Therefore you are feared.
I wait for the Lord, my soul waits and in his word I put my hope.
My soul waits for the Lord more than watchmen wait for the morning,
More than watchmen wait for the morning. – Psalm 130: 1-6
The one law that does not change is that everything changes, and the hardships I was bearing today was only a breath away from the pleasures I would have tomorrow, and those pleasures would be all the richer because of the memories of this I was enduring. – Louis L’ Amour
O Lord, hear my voice.
Let your ears be attentive to my cry for mercy.
If you, O Lord, kept a record of sins,
O Lord, who could stand?
But with you there is forgiveness;
Therefore you are feared.
I wait for the Lord, my soul waits and in his word I put my hope.
My soul waits for the Lord more than watchmen wait for the morning,
More than watchmen wait for the morning. – Psalm 130: 1-6
The one law that does not change is that everything changes, and the hardships I was bearing today was only a breath away from the pleasures I would have tomorrow, and those pleasures would be all the richer because of the memories of this I was enduring. – Louis L’ Amour
We all heal differently. Some when in pain want to have people around them all the time as they fear to be alone. If you are like me, you want to be alone. When my mind is in turmoil, I’m like a hybrid seed buried deep within the ground. I need time and space to recover and to renew my mind. It’s important for me to shut myself away, buckle down and deal with what I am experiencing head on. I am a great believer that temporary isolation has tremendous benefits. It allows you to face your fears and deal with your pain. I think that is the only way one can be completely healed. I am not afraid to ignore all the phone calls and emails and I make no apologies for it.
When I am isolated, I am able to see God more clearly through his word. I am glad about the isolation. God built me in such a way that I need very little social interaction to thrive. I am an avid thinker, reader and writer so time is limited. I am of the opinion that you can’t really know God unless you get in trouble. Trouble has a way of revealing God more clearly to us.
If you are alone and isolated because you got into some kind of trouble, don’t despair. As David says in Psalm 130:3 – if God kept a record of sins, who can stand? I know you’ll meet the sanctimonious and religious folks who will insist that the reason you got into trouble was because you faith was too small or you didn’t pray enough – pay them no mind. Only God can see your faith, no-one else can. Just hang in there with God; he’s always on time to help us in our time of need. Use this time to build your faith so that the God you serve will have such a great presence in your life that the problems you are facing begin to seem very small.
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
You Are Better Than This
Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. – Romans 12:2a
Progress is impossible without change, and those who cannot change their minds cannot change anything. – George Bernard Shaw
There is nobody who totally lacks the courage to change. – Rollo May
When patterns are broken, new worlds emerge. – Tuli Kupferberg
In between the start and finish of life is often a place called stuck. A place where there is no moisture and no lubrication; a place in life where everything seems dry and dull. Things are stagnant and we feel as if we are stuck in a rut. It seems that we’ve been in the same position for years. We know in our spirit that God has something better for us. We have read his word and accepted that all the promises in the bible are for us – by faith. Yet we are living a mediocre life. There is a winner inside of us dying to get out but he is buried amidst all sorts of dysfunction.
We want to be healed and we are desperate to win but we don’t know how. We keep going round and round the mulberry bush moving from one new venture to another. We have this false conception that new is better when it is only a matter of time before we find ourselves right back where we began. We fail to see that the number 1 common denominator in all our circumstances is us. We keep going round with the same mindset creating the same dysfunction over and over again. Worse still, we keep recruiting innocent victims to share in our demise.
In order to get healed, we must get real. It’s time to stop blaming everyone and their brother for our miserable life. It’s time to take responsibility and acknowledge that we have a problem. The first step in receiving healing is confronting the situation – we all know that we can never change what we don’t confront. We can’t change the way the world will treat us but we can definitely choose our reactions. We can decide enough is enough and demand a change. But change is often a difficult process that will test our commitment. The mind is synonymous to the wilderness in the Old Testament; it is very resistant to change.
To win the war over our minds and to replace bad thoughts with good thoughts, we need the power of God. We cannot do it in our own strength using will power. Whatever change we achieve will not last if God is not involved. We have to see ourselves as being better than the position we are right now. We have to be dissatisfied with the level that we are at and yearn for more.
Progress is impossible without change, and those who cannot change their minds cannot change anything. – George Bernard Shaw
There is nobody who totally lacks the courage to change. – Rollo May
When patterns are broken, new worlds emerge. – Tuli Kupferberg
In between the start and finish of life is often a place called stuck. A place where there is no moisture and no lubrication; a place in life where everything seems dry and dull. Things are stagnant and we feel as if we are stuck in a rut. It seems that we’ve been in the same position for years. We know in our spirit that God has something better for us. We have read his word and accepted that all the promises in the bible are for us – by faith. Yet we are living a mediocre life. There is a winner inside of us dying to get out but he is buried amidst all sorts of dysfunction.
We want to be healed and we are desperate to win but we don’t know how. We keep going round and round the mulberry bush moving from one new venture to another. We have this false conception that new is better when it is only a matter of time before we find ourselves right back where we began. We fail to see that the number 1 common denominator in all our circumstances is us. We keep going round with the same mindset creating the same dysfunction over and over again. Worse still, we keep recruiting innocent victims to share in our demise.
In order to get healed, we must get real. It’s time to stop blaming everyone and their brother for our miserable life. It’s time to take responsibility and acknowledge that we have a problem. The first step in receiving healing is confronting the situation – we all know that we can never change what we don’t confront. We can’t change the way the world will treat us but we can definitely choose our reactions. We can decide enough is enough and demand a change. But change is often a difficult process that will test our commitment. The mind is synonymous to the wilderness in the Old Testament; it is very resistant to change.
To win the war over our minds and to replace bad thoughts with good thoughts, we need the power of God. We cannot do it in our own strength using will power. Whatever change we achieve will not last if God is not involved. We have to see ourselves as being better than the position we are right now. We have to be dissatisfied with the level that we are at and yearn for more.
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
Accepted in the Beloved
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ. According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love. Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will - to the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace. – Ephesians 1: 3-7
Your whole life changes when you begin to develop a personal intimate relationship with God. When you start to see God for who He really is, all fear and intimidation disappears. You begin to know and understand what it means that before you were even formed in your mother’s womb, God knew you. He had predestined you and appointed you to be a prophet to the nations. You begin to not only know the Word but you start to know the God of the Word. You know that this is not like trying out to join some club or fraternity. You are not hoping that you are good enough or cool enough to be picked; you already understand that you are chosen before the foundations of the world. How awesome is that!
For the first time in my life, I get the license to boast – not in myself but in what God has done for me. I can talk about it from dawn to dusk. I never tire from hearing it. As I say it to people, faith is built up in my heart as we all know faith comes from hearing. As I share the wonders that God has performed in my life, my heart is healed and my mind is transformed. Hallelujah to Almighty God. Indeed I am accepted in the beloved. I don’t know if you accept me – to be honest, that is neither here nor there, but to know that God accepts me just the way that I am and that He is working on me to get me to where he wants me to be is very liberating to my soul.
I know we all want to be accepted by others but I am grateful that I am at a place where it is not a requirement for me anymore. I no longer worry about the need to set critics straight. I am too busy with the work God has called me to and the role he has called me to play. If you are struggling with the need to feel like you belong, understand that you belong to the coolest family of all – God’s Family and rest in the peace that being a part of this wonderful family brings. Press on with the important task of living for God and all other things will fall into place.
Your whole life changes when you begin to develop a personal intimate relationship with God. When you start to see God for who He really is, all fear and intimidation disappears. You begin to know and understand what it means that before you were even formed in your mother’s womb, God knew you. He had predestined you and appointed you to be a prophet to the nations. You begin to not only know the Word but you start to know the God of the Word. You know that this is not like trying out to join some club or fraternity. You are not hoping that you are good enough or cool enough to be picked; you already understand that you are chosen before the foundations of the world. How awesome is that!
For the first time in my life, I get the license to boast – not in myself but in what God has done for me. I can talk about it from dawn to dusk. I never tire from hearing it. As I say it to people, faith is built up in my heart as we all know faith comes from hearing. As I share the wonders that God has performed in my life, my heart is healed and my mind is transformed. Hallelujah to Almighty God. Indeed I am accepted in the beloved. I don’t know if you accept me – to be honest, that is neither here nor there, but to know that God accepts me just the way that I am and that He is working on me to get me to where he wants me to be is very liberating to my soul.
I know we all want to be accepted by others but I am grateful that I am at a place where it is not a requirement for me anymore. I no longer worry about the need to set critics straight. I am too busy with the work God has called me to and the role he has called me to play. If you are struggling with the need to feel like you belong, understand that you belong to the coolest family of all – God’s Family and rest in the peace that being a part of this wonderful family brings. Press on with the important task of living for God and all other things will fall into place.
Monday, March 3, 2008
Be All God Wants You To Be
The Lord will make you the head, not the tail. If you pay attention to the commands of the Lord your God that I give you this day and carefully follow them, you will always be at the top, never at the bottom. Do not turn aside from any of the commands I give you today, to the right or to the left, following other gods and serving them. – Deuteronomy 28: 13-14
To be all God wants us to be and to have all God wants us to have, we must follow the examples in the Bible. Jesus Christ gave his life on the Cross for us; it should have been us but he stood for us as a substitute. What an awesome gift God gave us all; a gift that must be accepted by faith and not by works. No-one can earn his or her salvation. It’s a free gift from God so no-one can boost to be better than the other. Once we are saved a partnership comes into play where we join hands with God and are committed to following his lead. If we decide to still do our own thing, we will be saved all right but we will never be free.
The Bible is full of examples of people who lived by faith. David was a man after God’s heart. David was not perfect but he had a repentant heart and lived a life of worship. The bible names other examples of great faith like Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Sarah, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, Gideon and Samuel. Even the prostitute Rahab made it to the Hall of Fame! God is not looking for perfection; he is looking at the heart. God takes you from where you are and elevates to where he wants you to be – by his loving grace.
When I felt the calling of God upon my life, I did not fit the bill. I had all excuses under the sun why I should not be called. I didn’t think I was good enough, holy enough, smart enough or from the right pedigree to serve God. I knew other women that appeared to be holier than I was. I even suggested a few to God! And besides, I am doing fine in my circular Job. Why would I give all that up? God told me if I would not give it up willingly, it can all be taken away in a heartbeat!
His word promised that if only I would believe, he will take me to incredible heights; levels that I cannot begin to imagine. He promised to restore more than I lost and I believe Him with all my heart. More often than not, to be all God will have us be, we must leave what we are kin to and our comfort zone and be prepared to venture into new things. We must do what God tells us to do obediently so that we can be all He wants us to be and have all that He wants us to have.
To be all God wants us to be and to have all God wants us to have, we must follow the examples in the Bible. Jesus Christ gave his life on the Cross for us; it should have been us but he stood for us as a substitute. What an awesome gift God gave us all; a gift that must be accepted by faith and not by works. No-one can earn his or her salvation. It’s a free gift from God so no-one can boost to be better than the other. Once we are saved a partnership comes into play where we join hands with God and are committed to following his lead. If we decide to still do our own thing, we will be saved all right but we will never be free.
The Bible is full of examples of people who lived by faith. David was a man after God’s heart. David was not perfect but he had a repentant heart and lived a life of worship. The bible names other examples of great faith like Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Sarah, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, Gideon and Samuel. Even the prostitute Rahab made it to the Hall of Fame! God is not looking for perfection; he is looking at the heart. God takes you from where you are and elevates to where he wants you to be – by his loving grace.
When I felt the calling of God upon my life, I did not fit the bill. I had all excuses under the sun why I should not be called. I didn’t think I was good enough, holy enough, smart enough or from the right pedigree to serve God. I knew other women that appeared to be holier than I was. I even suggested a few to God! And besides, I am doing fine in my circular Job. Why would I give all that up? God told me if I would not give it up willingly, it can all be taken away in a heartbeat!
His word promised that if only I would believe, he will take me to incredible heights; levels that I cannot begin to imagine. He promised to restore more than I lost and I believe Him with all my heart. More often than not, to be all God will have us be, we must leave what we are kin to and our comfort zone and be prepared to venture into new things. We must do what God tells us to do obediently so that we can be all He wants us to be and have all that He wants us to have.
Sunday, March 2, 2008
Rise
We are hard pressed on every side, but not in despair; down but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. – 2 Corinthians 4:8-9
If you survive, life will sometimes hurt you. People you care and love may disappoint you but chose to rise in spite of it all. Jesus lived a blameless life yet the world could not handle his presence hence he gave his life so that we might live. So why do we think that we will never face opposition in our lifetime? No matter how nice you are or how considerate you’ve been to others, you will always have criticisms. Not every one will like you. Truth be told, others may hurt you as you choose to be what they dreamt that they could be. Not everyone that criticizes you is really against you – some just find it safer and easier to be part of the majority. Whatever you are going through, choose to rise.
You may say “Oh you don’t know how bad I feel”. And you are right to some degree. But let me assure you that pain and suffering is a universal language. I may not know the specifics in your case but I’ve had my own share of grief. I rest in the knowledge that favor from God is only plain to see based on the adversity that one has overcome. How can one proclaim to know if you’ve never had the chance to show the innate ability to succeed over adversity?
So reach deep inside yourself and search your spirit, that secret place reserved only for God and draw your much needed strength. We may be shattered but we are not broken. We may have been wounded but by the stripes of the Lord Jesus Christ we are indeed healed. We may have been shaken to the core but by the strength of his spirit that lives in us we will stand strong. We may be tired and weary from the heavy load that we carry but we arise and press on. When we pressed on, the life of Jesus in us becomes evident for all to see.
If you survive, life will sometimes hurt you. People you care and love may disappoint you but chose to rise in spite of it all. Jesus lived a blameless life yet the world could not handle his presence hence he gave his life so that we might live. So why do we think that we will never face opposition in our lifetime? No matter how nice you are or how considerate you’ve been to others, you will always have criticisms. Not every one will like you. Truth be told, others may hurt you as you choose to be what they dreamt that they could be. Not everyone that criticizes you is really against you – some just find it safer and easier to be part of the majority. Whatever you are going through, choose to rise.
You may say “Oh you don’t know how bad I feel”. And you are right to some degree. But let me assure you that pain and suffering is a universal language. I may not know the specifics in your case but I’ve had my own share of grief. I rest in the knowledge that favor from God is only plain to see based on the adversity that one has overcome. How can one proclaim to know if you’ve never had the chance to show the innate ability to succeed over adversity?
So reach deep inside yourself and search your spirit, that secret place reserved only for God and draw your much needed strength. We may be shattered but we are not broken. We may have been wounded but by the stripes of the Lord Jesus Christ we are indeed healed. We may have been shaken to the core but by the strength of his spirit that lives in us we will stand strong. We may be tired and weary from the heavy load that we carry but we arise and press on. When we pressed on, the life of Jesus in us becomes evident for all to see.
Saturday, March 1, 2008
Don’t Look Back!
As soon as they had brought them out, one of them said, “Flee for your lives! Don’t look back, and don’t stop anywhere in the plain! Flee to the mountains or you will be swept away!”
Then the Lord rained down burning sulfur on Sodom and Gomorrah – form the Lord out of the heavens. Thus he overthrew those cities and the entire plain, including all those living in the cities – and also the vegetation in the land. But Lot’s wife looked back and she became a pillar of salt. – Genesis 19: verses 17 and 24-26
Jesus replied, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God. – Luke 9:62
It is extremely important that once you come to the knowledge of Jesus Christ and accepted his gift of salvation by faith that you continue to look straight ahead on the calling that God has upon your life. There will be distractions and circumstances that try to take you off your course but as you learn more by reading the scriptures, you can easily these distractions as they raise their ugly heads. Remember that your job is not to explain and justify your decisions and actions to your critics but to focus all your attention on what God ahs for you to do. If you don’t know how to use your time wisely, people will always come up with ideas on how you can waste it!
In the case of Lot’s wife in the Bible, she wasn’t distracted by just people but by things as well. God had given her an avenue to escape and live but she chose to look back at the evil cities of Sodom and Gomorrah. I can only speculate that she was still attracted to the physical things and probably some people she knew in the evil cities. It could be she simply loved the things of the world more than she loved God. God gave Lot’s wife the same two options he gives all his children – choose life or death – and Lot chose death.
For you Sodom and Gomorrah may not necessarily be the city that you live in. It might be a life style or choices. Whatever it is, leave it behind and trust that the God who brought you out will sustain you. He will never bring you out and then leave you.
Then the Lord rained down burning sulfur on Sodom and Gomorrah – form the Lord out of the heavens. Thus he overthrew those cities and the entire plain, including all those living in the cities – and also the vegetation in the land. But Lot’s wife looked back and she became a pillar of salt. – Genesis 19: verses 17 and 24-26
Jesus replied, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God. – Luke 9:62
It is extremely important that once you come to the knowledge of Jesus Christ and accepted his gift of salvation by faith that you continue to look straight ahead on the calling that God has upon your life. There will be distractions and circumstances that try to take you off your course but as you learn more by reading the scriptures, you can easily these distractions as they raise their ugly heads. Remember that your job is not to explain and justify your decisions and actions to your critics but to focus all your attention on what God ahs for you to do. If you don’t know how to use your time wisely, people will always come up with ideas on how you can waste it!
In the case of Lot’s wife in the Bible, she wasn’t distracted by just people but by things as well. God had given her an avenue to escape and live but she chose to look back at the evil cities of Sodom and Gomorrah. I can only speculate that she was still attracted to the physical things and probably some people she knew in the evil cities. It could be she simply loved the things of the world more than she loved God. God gave Lot’s wife the same two options he gives all his children – choose life or death – and Lot chose death.
For you Sodom and Gomorrah may not necessarily be the city that you live in. It might be a life style or choices. Whatever it is, leave it behind and trust that the God who brought you out will sustain you. He will never bring you out and then leave you.
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