Where?

"The only thing worse than being blind, is having sight but no visions." ~Helen Keller

I am forty-five years old and I still am not happy with were I am in my professional life.  As soon as I think that I may have found my vocation, the one place that I am to be planted and grow, the change happens and then the question, "Where do I belong?"

I hate this place, I really do, but yet I keep finding myself here.  Where does God want me? Where can I find myself fulfilled and moving in the right direction?  Will I ever have the answer to this questions or will I forever be stuck in this place of not knowing the, "where?"

"Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence? If I ascent into heaven, You are there; If I make my bed in heal, behold, You are there. If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there you hand shall lead me, and Your right hand shall hold me." ~Psalm 139:7-12

All though I feel so completely alone, in this pit, I know God is doing something amazing in me.  My only quest is to see it through to see what God will show me in the midst of this unbearable waiting room.  I look around and get the amazing opportunity to talk with, read about, or hear about people who have been in full force in a vocation for more than 20 years. Where now is that possible for me? I am too old, and I don't have a clue where I belong, at all.  

I do want a lucrative vocation, a fulfilling, fruitful vocation, A vocation that allows to be fully myself and fully in operative gift mode.  I want to be where I am free.  Does that freedom look like getting seen or heard, accepted and celebrated? Where does God see me free in my vocation?

Today, I am putting my unknown path into the hands of God, where it can be directed and molded by Him. He will not disappoint.  He will not leave His will incomplete in me.  He will do what He promised, no matter what it looks like to me.  

"Be on your guard, stand firm in the faith, be courageous, be strong." ~ 1 Corinthians 16:13

Disclaimer:The information contained in these blogs are for reflective purposes only, and may not apply to your situation. The author, publisher, distributor and provider provides no warranty about the content or accuracy of content enclosed. Information provided is subjective, but it contains an objective source. Keep this in mind when reviewing this blog and when considering using content for other purposes outside of this blog (http://www.easywritingtemplates.com/disclaimers/sample-disclaimer-statements/). Plagiarism is strongly discouraged. Studying the scriptures is
highly recommended. 

A Passionate Teacher

 If you always put limits on everything you do, physical or anything else; It will spread into your work and into your life. There are not limits. There are only plateaus, and you must not stay there, you must go beyond." ~Bruce Lee

For the longest time I did not want to accept what others saw so clearly in me-a teacher.  A teacher? Me? I always knew that I held a passion to see others receive the essences of any lesson presented and not just the fluff of it.  I always knew that in order for learning to become a sought after pursuit, one had to have a connection that ignited the soul with inspiration. Every passionate teacher knows that in order to see a student grow, they must inspire those they teach to go beyond the status quo, take risks that develop strengths, and find happiness in being oneself.

The status quo is a barrier to creativity. When teachers do not inspire those they teach to go beyond it, teacher’s stand in the way of what a student needs to fully grow in courage, faith, and individuality. Teacher’s should never partner with the status quo. If teachers want to see those they teach reach their full potential and break through attitudes of defeat, the status quo must never have an input. The current situation is an enemy to those who desire to learn and passionate teachers know how to show their true allegiance by inspiring their students to go beyond what is not etched in stone.

When those we teach take risks, they discover strengths they thought they never had. Excellent teachers encourage risk-taking, especially if it will inspire more learning for the student. Great teachers never allow those they teach to get comfortable or to choose a safe place. They want those they teach to stick their necks out, stand up for what is right, to boldly go where no one in their circle has ever gone.  Developed teachers show those they teach how to take risks in accordance to their strengths. 

The most valuable lesson that can be learned for any student is to be oneself. Gifted teachers know how to inspire those they teach to be happy with who they are, but never allowing those they teach to stay where they are.  When those we teach are happy with themselves we find them more open to being inspired and developed.  Talented teachers are skilled at encouraging those they teach to celebrate their strengths and make peace with their weaknesses.  When those we teach are themselves, they inspire us.

So what makes a passionate teacher so inspiring?  They are not partners with the status quo. They encourage risk-taking that develops strengths, and they make it easy for those they teach to be oneself.  This is inspiration. This is teaching. This is me.  

            Father, thank you for waiting for me.  Never giving up on me.  Coming to see about me.  You know the lives that will be touched when all of your creation is living in their purpose. Help us to shine bright as You shine for us each and everyday. In Jesus name, Amen. 

Disclaimer:The information contained in these blogs are for reflective purposes only, and may not apply to your situation. The author, publisher, distributor and provider provides no warranty about the content or accuracy of content enclosed. Information provided is subjective, but it contains an objective source. Keep this in mind when reviewing this blog and when considering using content for other purposes outside of this blog (http://www.easywritingtemplates.com/disclaimers/sample-disclaimer-statements/). Plagiarism is strongly discouraged. Studying the scriptures is highly recommended. 

Step Out

"So they asked the LORD, 'Where is he?' And the LORD replied, 'He is hiding among the baggage."

-1 Samuel 10:22

This is my first and last post of the year, crazy right?   Where did the time go, I am still looking around me trying to figure that out. One moment it's the beginning of 2015 and the next, well I don't have to go to deep in that one. So here I am submitting my thoughts in a few paragraphs to say goodbye to another year and welcome to a new. 

I don't think of the new year as a time to get things right that I messed up throughout the previous year, I have each day that I am given to live to do that. However, I do get to take all of my experiences of the  year to charge me forward into a new year.  There is a small problem though, my experiences seem to have caused me to go into hiding, more than I like to admit.  I question myself so much I have run out of answers. It's defeating cycle, one that I am afraid will be carried over into 2016.  So what to do?

I will lift up my eyes unto the hills, from where does my help comes from? My help comes from the Lord that has made heaven and earth." -Psalms 121:1

This is the part where I get to encourage each of you and tell you, although  we have these mindsets that tends to penetrate our every move with paralysis, we have help to pull us through and not just any help, but help from the Creator of heaven and earth. We don't have to look to self to solve or fix things, we can look to our Creator. He is the one that will find us in our hiding places and He is the One that is calling us to step out.  

  

As  we say goodbye to 2015, let's look to 2016 with a hope that lies not within ourselves, but the One who sees us hiding. Hiding beneath heartache, disappointment, loss, exhaustion, or fear.  He wants us to step out, despite our circumstances.  He wants to see us depend a little more on Him and less on ourselves. He wants to show us that it's not about what we can do, but what He can do. I guarantee if we step out, we will see the Jordan part (Joshua 3:8) and we will never look back, because the place He has prepared for us all surpasses anything our minds could ever know. So let 2016 come and whatever baggage we bring with us or are hiding behind, we have a place to unload them and a Person who will carry them away. 

Ready or not 2016 here we come, baggage and all, and we have our Help.  

Father, we thank you for calling us out of our hiding places today.  We thank you that with You we can step out and walk the path that You have ordained for us.  Thank you for carrying all of our baggage for us and teaching us daily to rely on you for everything.  You are an awesome Creator and I thank you for creating us and offering us a life that is made fresh in You everyday. Amen.

(If you have been blessed, leave a comment. I would love to hear your heart.)

Disclaimer:The information contained in these blogs are for reflective purposes only, and may not apply to your situation. The author, publisher, distributor and provider provides no warranty about the content or accuracy of content enclosed. Information provided is subjective, but it contains an objective source. Keep this in mind when reviewing this blog and when considering using content for other purposes outside of this blog (http://www.easywritingtemplates.com/disclaimers/sample-disclaimer-statements/). Plagiarism is strongly discouraged. Studying the scriptures is highly recommended. 

  

Now That's Love

 "He brought me to the banqueting house, and his banner over me was love."

-Song of Solomon 1:4      

In February 2014 I took a leap of faith and signed up on two well known singles websites eHarmony and Okcupid. I thought it to be a great tool to expand my horizons out of my normal circle. I was nervous and excited.  I was a divorced mother of three teens exploring a new world of dating and  I was so very open to the new possibilities that lay before me. Little did I know this one step would be a long journey of mistakes and failures.

"I will instruct you and teach you in the way you are to go. I will guide you with my eye."
-Psalm 32:8

I was so hopeful that I would meet the next man who would capture my heart and embrace it for the rest of my life. He would be a godly man that believed in the power of God and was ready to love me like Christ loved the church. He would also be intelligent, witty, devastatingly handsome without knowing it, taller than me (it's my list), full of adventure and fruits of the spirit, and have some serious culinary and handy skills, with a love for outdoors. This list was easier written than produced I have to tell you. In fact, I found that the spiritual qualities on my list were not established in most, if not all of the men I was connecting with and they were professing Christians. Who was I kidding right? The more men I met online and offline,  the more I realized men where not looking to love and embrace a woman's heart, they were looking to fill a lonely void and feed their carnal appetites.

A few times I mistakenly thought that their issues were mine and I did more appeasing, than leaving. Other times, before I could even learn their last name they were gone. Then there were some that I believed could be the "One," only to realize I wasn't as ready as I thought I was to manage all of the feelings that came with connecting with someone on a real level-so I jumped ship. I did regret leaving, but it was too late to return

"The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked, who can know it?" 

-Jeremiah 17:9

This truth about the men I was meeting and the fears I was nursing was a tough pill to swallow. That's when I knew than that God used this new direction in my life to show me the condition of men's heart and my heart too. Our hearts are bottomless pits of insatiable lusts and fears. If we do not allow God to deal with us we will continue hurting ourselves and others, until finally we will "feel" no more. It has been said by many, that if we don't learn to love God first we cannot love others and we cannot give to others until we learn to receive from Him.  

I am no longer on the dating sites, seven months is long enough to know if somethings working for you are not. Right now, it seems the best position for me is on my knees in prayer interceding for our men,  "that they all will be strong in the Lord in the power of His might" and that they will no longer live after the flesh, but unto God.  Praying for myself that God's perfect love will remove all fear and I will walk in power, wisdom, and soundness of mind. I'm looking forward to the day I meet my "One," because I know he is praying for me and together in God's strength we will be victorious. Now that's love.

Father thank you for Your love for us. No matter how much we search this world we will never find a love like Yours. Your love is perfect and needs nothing added to it. As we open up our heart  to share our lives with that special someone, may we first receive from You so that we may know how to love one another with a steadfast sacrificial nurturing love. In Yeshuas name, Amen.

(If you have been blessed-leave a comment. I would love to hear your heart.)




Disclaimer:The information contained in these blogs are for reflective purposes only, and may not apply to your situation. The author, publisher, distributor and provider provides no warranty about the content or accuracy of content enclosed. Information provided is subjective, but it contains an objective source. Keep this in mind when reviewing this blog and when considering using content for other purposes outside of this blog (http://www.easywritingtemplates.com/disclaimers/sample-disclaimer-statements/). Plagiarism is strongly discouraged. Studying the scriptures is highly recommended. 

A New Thing

"Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old.
Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth;shall ye not know it?
I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert."
Isaiah 43:18-19 (KJV)

 

 

It has been a long time since I have written, and my does it feel good. I have been through a valley, looking for clarity of what Yahweh desires of my life and how to get there. The circumstances in which I was placed to be aligned with His vision, was harsh, to say the least. There was much disappointment and discouragement, but as always Yahweh prevails.

 

It is very refreshing when His view becomes yours and all that mess that seemed so big, becomes smaller compared to His love. The path that Yahweh mark's for each of us is unique because our relationship with Him is unique. His deepest desire for His children is to know and love Him for who He is-Faithful, Compassionate, Merciful, Loving, Forgiving, Holy, and Just. To really get to know these divine attributes takes much stripping, a stripping that He only orchestrates. He knows what we need in order for our knowledge and love for him to be pure. He knows the fight that we will put up while under construction.

 

When Yahweh takes us from one point to another, it is easy for us to recall all of the hurt, disappointment, shame, and  ciaos of our past. This paralyzes our faith.  It's can also be tempting to put Yahweh's former interventions in a box, which limits us from learning new things about Him. In the above scripture we read the prophet Isaiah speaking the words of the LORD. He is instructing the children of Israel not to look back on the former ways of the LORD, not to remember His past miracles. The LORD is going to do a new thing!  How comforting.

 

Our current situation can be so overwhelming, so depressing that out of sheer habit we can begin to pray the way we did before, expecting our LORD to show up in the same capacity. However, our LORD wants to move us from glory to glory. He wants us to grow up and bear much fruit, and again that takes pruning. Pruning does not feel good and we can begin to question what kind of a compassionate Father would allow His children to go through such turmoil? A just one would.

 

The LORD wants to be kept out of the box of our little minds and put on the throne of our decietful hearts so He can reign and not us. Our hearts that believe what our little minds tell us about our LORD. He is doing a new thing in us everyday, everyday. No matter what we are in or where we've been, the LORD is making a way for us and when He get's through with us, the former things will be transformed to a new thing.

 

 

Father, thank you for making all things new in our lives everyday. Despite what we feel. Despite what we see, You are still LORD.  You are moving in situations and You are changing situations everyday. Thank you for walking with us through the flood and fire (Isaiah 43:2). Our vision is limited, but You see everything. May we this day and everyday, rest in the arms that knows how to love and bless us. In Jesus name, Amen.  

(If you have been blessed-leave a comment. I would love to hear your heart.)

Disclaimer:The information contained in these blogs are for reflective purposes only, and may not apply to your situation. The author, publisher, distributor and provider provides no warranty about the content or accuracy of content enclosed. Information provided is subjective, but it contains an objective source. Keep this in mind when reviewing this blog and when considering using content for other purposes outside of this blog(http://www.easywritingtemplates.com/disclaimers/sample-disclaimer-statementss/). Plagiarism is strongly discourged. Studying the scriptures is highly recommended. 

Hold On

"Hold on, to me as we go
As we roll down this unfamiliar road
And although this wave is stringing us along
Just know you're not alone
Cause I'm going to make this place your home

Settle down, it'll all be clear
Don't pay no mind to the demons
They fill you with fear
The trouble it might drag you down
If you get lost, you can always be found

Just know you're not alone
Cause I'm going to make this place your home"

-Greg Holden, Andrew Pearson

Greg Holden and Andrew Pearson wrote a song that I just believe truly inspires the soul. Life is indeed filled with so much pain and turmoil, but it the midst of it all there is Someone on our side that is cheering us on and telling us to "hold on." Those words that are spoken so softly to us in a battle can bring such courage and peace. It can swing open the doors of our souls, that we almost believed was locked shut by doubt and fear. Yahweh is so precious to us in so many ways and when He takes the times to speak to us in our worst circumstances, we have assurance that we are indeed loved.

Yahweh is saying today to us, "Hold On!" "Hold on" even while under heavy persecution. "Hold On," even while faced with sickness, rejection, disappointment, and a broken heart. Yahewh is ready to turn our bitter water to sweet (Exodus 15:22-27) and our mourning to gladness (Psalms 30:11).  We don't have to run or change locations, Yahweh is going make a difference right were we are today and we will see it with our eyes and not believe it, but we will rejoice just the same.

So wherever we may find ourself at this moment, "we are not alone" Yahweh is going to make the place where we are, our home. He is only asking us right now to "Hold on."

Father, thank you so much for encouraging us in many various ways. The road can get rough and it is often tough. Even when we have what we assume is everything, the peace does not stay. Thank you for coming to us today and giving us a word of encouragement to "Hold On." You are the strength of the believer and Your love envelopes all of Your creation. As we Your people take courage in You today, when the storms of life rage, help us to remember to "Hold on," You are here. In Jesus name, Amen.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=94fTAsCDrGQ

(If you have been blessed-leave a comment. I would love to hear your heart.)

Disclaimer:The information contained in these blogs are for reflective purposes only, and may not apply to your situation. The author, publisher, distributor and provider provides no warranty about the content or accuracy of content enclosed. Information provided is subjective, but it contains an objective source. Keep this in mind when reviewing this blog and when considering using content for other purposes outside of this blog(http://www.easywritingtemplates.com/disclaimers/sample-disclaimer-statementss/). Plagiarism is strongly discourged. Studying the scriptures is highly recommended. 

Falling Over Distractions

"For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again: but the wicked shall fall into mischief."
-Proverbs 24:16

 

 

I really cannot recall learning how to ride a bike per se; I'll blame that memory lapse on the mileage, and not age. But I do recall falling a lot. I mean I fell a lot. Not too sure if it was due to the size of my bike or being easily distracted. Somehow when your young it doesn't matter the cause of the fall, just the impact of it. Sometimes I could shake it off and keep it moving, other times the bike was put up for another day. Now that I have grown in experience I can now conclude my source of falling was and is distraction. I don't fall off bikes (as much), but I do in my walk with Christ and knowing the source helps me to work on laying aside this weight with the power of the Holy Spirit.

Distraction is a big stumbling block for many of us. I think of Peter who at one point was so focused on Jesus that he stepped off the boat into the water and begin walking towards Him. Steady he was, until he got distracted by the bolstering winds and begin to sink (Matthew 14:22-23). Steady we are until we get distracted by the circumstances surrounding us. Circumstances will forever be changing, it is something we can count on, but it is during these times that we must remind ourselves that Jesus is with us. We don't have to check to see if He is. Unlike our parents that held on to our bikes for a short while before letting go, Jesus will never let go, never. Even when Peter begin to sink, Jesus was right there with His hand extended ready to save. 

We are going to fall in our walk with Christ, this does not surprise our Father one bit. The enemy would like to use our falls to heap guilt on us, but these tactics are distractions to keep us from confessing our sins and finding mercy with God. If we want to continue moving forward with more ease, we must push aside the distractions and make more room for God. He wants to be first in our lives. The more room He occupies, the more lighter our weight becomes, that's because He is carrying it all. Does this mean we won't fall anymore? No. But what it does mean is that our falls will become less and less as we lay aside the weight.

So let's not allow discouargement to set in when we fall. It's just another distraction. Let's just start practicing falling on our knees and looking up to Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith (Hebrews 12:2).

Father, thank You so much for being right there to pick us up when we fall, and we fall a lot. We thank You for taking the time to "perfect those things concerning us."(Psalms 138:8). We thank You for maturing us in the areas that causes us to fall.  Thank you for how You teach us to focus our eyes on Jesus so that when distraction comes, we can remain steady.  You are the reason for all good and perfect gifts-they all come from You and we are blessed. Forgive us for everytime we have fallen and did not look up to You, but looked to self. Continue to strengthen us against distractions and may Your mercy and goodness continue to follow us all the day of our lives (Psalms 23), In Jesus name, Amen.

(If you have been blessed-leave a comment. I would love to hear your heart.)

Disclaimer:The information contained in these blogs are for reflective purposes only, and may not apply to your situation. The author, publisher, distributor and provider provides no warranty about the content or accuracy of content enclosed. Information provided is subjective, but it contains an objective source.  Keep this in mind when reviewing this blog and when considering using content for other purposes outside of this blog(http://www.easywritingtemplates.com/disclaimers/sample-disclaimer-statementss/). Plagiarism is strongly discourged. Studying the scriptures is highly recommended.

 

 

 

 



Jesus in the Community

"But You ,O LORD, are a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter of my head."

~Psalms 3:3

 



 

I got off work on Friday and drove myself to a retail store to pick up a skirt for Sabbath service the next day. The weather had become increasingly warm and the only skirts that I had available were for fall and winter. So I drove into the parking lot and noticed a small, but focused crowd surrounded around a car that had been driven over the side of a steep curb and was now trapped. The driver, an elderly women sat there looking with disbelief and embarrassment; while the focused crowd, mostly men, studied how they were going to free this car with minimal or no damage.

 

I parked my car, my back facing the crowd, and begin to think of the selflessness of these men. These community of men making themselves available to assist a person in distress. I looked back at them through my side back window thinking, "that's Jesus." Jesus took the time out to assist many in need, many in distress. Here He was now doing it again, through these selfless men. Jesus, the community builder and healer. Jesus, always focused and always deliberate.

 

Those men with clothes undone and sweat blinding their eyes, got the car over the hump-together. They all burst out in shouts of jubilee, giving each other high five's for a job well done. They even went as far as checking underneath the car to be sure nothing was knocked loose or damaged. The women shook each of their hands and I am pretty sure began thanking God in her heart, that He showed up through community.

 

We are the hands and feet of Jesus, so the community of believers are now saying. Together we make a difference. Together we get cars over humps, feed the poor, clothe the naked, shelter the homeless, defend the innocent. We are the community and Jesus is in us changing our lives and the lives around us. Jesus is in the Community and we are that community.

 

Father, thank You for Jesus. Jesus who taught us how to make ourselves available so that we could make a difference in our communities. There are many who are in distress, many who are looking for You. You know the needs better than we, so we praise You for leading us and guiding us, and opening up our eyes to these endless opportunities to serve in love. Forgive us for every oppourtunity we ignored, and we confess there has been many times this has happened. Forgive us for judging without knowledge. Father, make us more like Your Son. Place us where Jesus is-in the community. In Jesus name, Amen.

 

  

(If you have been blessed-leave a comment. I would love to hear your heart.)

Disclaimer:The information contained in these blogs are for reflective purposes only, and may not apply to your situation. The author, publisher, distributor and provider provides no warranty about the content or accuracy of content enclosed. Information provided is subjective, but it contains an objective source. Keep this in mind when reviewing this blog and when considering using content for other purposes outside of this blog(http://www.easywritingtemplates.com/disclaimers/sample-disclaimer-statementss/). Plagiarism is strongly discourged. Studying the scriptures is highly recommended.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stop Hiding

"And Israel was greatly impoverished because of the Midianites, and the children of Israel cried unto the Lord."
~Judges 7:2 



 

I like the above verse, in fact I like the entire story of Gideon. I often find myself going back and reading bits and pieces, if not all of the story for insight, encouragement, direction, and solace. A story of an ordinary man, his family, and nation, burdened under the weight of oppression and given no peace. Life is hard and it's even harder when we have our sins and the sins of our "father's" resting on us. The weight can be unbearable, put us into hiding and often time just waiting to die. But God...

God know the history of His people, He was there from the beginning. He knows all about us and not one iota is hidden from His eyes-EL ROI (YAHWEH SEES). In the beginning of the story you find Gideon is threshing wheat behind the wine press to avoid the Midianites from consuming it. It's the way of life for him and the rest of the children of Israel. The Midianites have rearranged their whole lives and have made them miserable. Gideon has chosen to hide to avoid scrutiny and abuse, but God shows up where he is and calls him courageous. What a paradox.

We may be hiding today from something or someone to avoid rejection, disappointment, or failure. But God sees and is calling us out of hiding. He is calling us courageous, because with Him all things are possible (Matthew 19:26). We may believe that God does not care, but He squashed that belief when He sent His only Son to die for you and me. He loves us and He desire liberty for us.

Our lives are indeed improvised without God. No matter how much we try to tailor our lives to counteract this, it only brings more poverty, not just to ourselves but to others. We need God. We need Him in the center of our lives. Not just sometimes, but all of the time. There is not one single act outside of believing in His Son that will draw us closer to Him. God has made a way for peace. God has made a way for us to rise above the fears of our souls. The world may have its way of dealing with pain, but God wants us to cry out to Him like the children of Israel did.  We don't have to hide from anyone or anything for any reason. Let's be what God knows we are in Him-courageous, and let's stop hiding.

Father, we cry out to You today, right now. Save us! We have been impoverished by our sins and often times by the sins of others.  We have allowed these sins to put us into hiding, but we ask in Jesus name, that You will forgive us, as we forgive them. We ask that we will come forward and live according to Your word. We want to be who You say we are, we want to be courageous. We want to live an abundant life, the life that Your Son died for us all to have. We want that life and we ask that You will fulfill that desire today, In Jesus name, Amen.

(If you have been blessed-leave a comment. I would love to hear your heart.)

Disclaimer:The information contained in these blogs are for reflective purposes only, and may not apply to your situation. The author, publisher, distributor and provider provides no warranty about the content or accuracy of content enclosed. Information provided is subjective, but it contains an objective source. Keep this in mind when reviewing this blog and when considering using content for other purposes outside of this blog(http://www.easywritingtemplates.com/disclaimers/sample-disclaimer-statementss/). Plagiarism is strongly discourged. Studying the scriptures is highly recommended.

 

What About Them?

As you do not know the path of the wind, or how the body is formed in a mother's womb, so you cannot understand the work of God, the Maker of all things.

~Ecclesiastes 11:5

 



The world is made up of some pretty amazing people. All around the world there are men, women, boys, and girls doing some incredible things-living above the odds and taken on some monumental feats. As spectators we look at these people wondering were we can improve or maybe at least touch a small portion of what they have taken a hold of. Some of us have enough on our plates, some of us want more, some of us are trying to push off our plate what has been allotted to us, but no matter our position we still are amazing. Why? Because God created us.  

 

Often times we can look at life through such a small glass when we try to define it and its quality. We can even lose our peripheral vision not even spotting the lives that are around us. This is a huge problem, one that needs to be worked on consistently in order not to push people out of the way because of our limited vision.We should always be careful not to assume that other's see us so they should move, for if our vision is limited what does it say about others? We must not forget there are those who are completely dependent on others for everything. Like a fetus or infant, most young and older adults need assistance in the same manner. When we think of great achievement we tend to think of the caregiver. Do we ever think of the life that needs to be cared for? What about them? Is the fetus or infant not as important as the parents? Are the mentally or physically challenged not achievers in their own right?

 

When we convince ourselves that a life that does not contribute is not life at all, we have just found ourselves living dead smack in a warped zone.Every life has purpose, every life achieves something great in it's time, whether it's broadcasted or not. Every life brings elements to our lives that would not have transpired in otherway. Every life contributes something of value to our society in some capacity.  Life is not brought forth for us to decide the quality of it, but to value it and cherish it in all of its many forms. What we may consider a burden can be a time of great relief as we learn to see broader and deeper into the lives that are all around us. It may hurt many of us to be stretched to this capacity, but what about them?  How do they feel? How do they relate to pain? We can't bypass these real and serious questions. They must be asked, they must be remedied in a way that brings healing. As long as we live life in a place that carries our own view we will have to ask the question-what about them?


Father, our wonderful Creator, thank You for changing our vision to see life the way you see it-precious, valulable, and simply amazing.  Up to now we have not been the best at sharing and sacrifising, so we are asking for Your forgiviness. We confess our lives have been lived with a limited vision and if any one can broaden that vision it is You.  Streatch us Yahwah, make us to behold others in a way that brings new life and restoration no matter the state. You know how to relate to Your creation better then we ever will be, show us how to make a difference with those You have placed in our proximity.  For Your honor, for Your praise, and for their liberity.  In Jesus name, Amen.

(If you have been blessed-leave a comment. I would love to hear your heart.)

Disclaimer:The information contained in these blogs are for reflective purposes only, and may not apply to your situation. The author, publisher, distributor and provider provides no warranty about the content or accuracy of content enclosed. Information provided is subjective, but it contains an objective source. Keep this in mind when reviewing this blog and when considering using content for other purposes outside of this blog(http://www.easywritingtemplates.com/disclaimers/sample-disclaimer-statementss/). Plagiarism is strongly discourged. Studying the scriptures is highly recommended.

 

 

Mindy McCready

"The thief comes not, but for to steal, kill, and destroy; I come that they might have life and have it more abundantly."

~John 10:10

 

 

As I read the article of Mindy McCready(http://music.msn.com/music/article.aspx?news=791263) death and the battles that surrounded her during her career and after, it brought my mind to the above scripture.  I thought of Whitney Houston, Michael Jackson, and many before them, who lost the battle to their inward struggles. The enemy of our souls is relentless and comes not only but to steal, kill, and destroy. No matter how much talent, money, status, family, and friends we have the enemy still preys on us. He is very familiar with the weak, simple, desperate, prideful, and bruised. He studies us and offers us what we believe at that moment will grant us peace, happiness, approval, and acceptance. We receive his poison as Snow White did the red delicious apple, but once we bit into it our lives are forever changed. Like Mindy McCready, the more battles that come the more we try to hide behind what the enemy once offered us to quiet our souls, but it only brings more disruption, more noise. The enemies delicacies can never satisfy, it drags us deeper and deeper into despair and desperation. We long for peace, but the enemy keeps us busy and distracted so we believe that we finally have captured it. His ways are strategically designed to kills us, to keep us on an abusive roller coaster of denial and confusion.

 

We as human beings are no match for the enemies tactics, we will never win against his ploys-never. No matter how many great ideas we come up with, how many scientific breakthroughs, how many rallies, marches, technology advancement, government assistance, or church's we build,  the enemy will always have us where he wants us-deceived. Understanding this one fact, shows us why we need Truth, why we need Jesus. Why Jesus came. Why He died. He did not come to give us a bigger house, a better job, more money, fame, more friends, status, a perfect spouse, He came "that we might have life, and have it more abundantly." Jesus' life is not found in what the world deems life, it is found in knowing Him and believing on who He says He is-"the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6). Everything outside of Jesus, the enemy controls and he comes to kill us. Nothing and I mean nothing the enemy will ever offer us will save us nor grant us peace. He will lie to us, he will abuse us, and he will blame us for it all.

 

Mindy McCready life was stolen. She may have had a choice like so many before her and like many of us today, but when we don't choose Jesus, every other choice we make will always be the same-death.  Jesus wants us to know today, that His love is available and the life we are living is not the life He died for us to live.  He wants our hearts and He wants to heal them and He can and will-just believe.  Anything and I mean anything that we do apart from Christ means nothing and that even includes our best intentions. Let's not be like Mindy, Whitney, or Michael, covering up our pain with what the enemy offers, let's choose Jesus and find everything our heart every wanted and so much more.

Father, oh how we need You. Oh how we desperately need You. More than money, more than fame, more than friends, more than family, more than comfort, we need You. The enemy has lied to us and we have believed him. We have accepted his lesser ways into our lives and today we are paying for it. Our family, friends, community, and world are paying for it. Your Son came that we might have life and have it more abundantly. Forgive us O Lord for living below this standard, forgive us for doing what we wanted to do in order to maintain our idols. Father I am asking You today in Jesus name to take away everything and everyone that is not bearing fruit in our lives. We know that whatever you cut out of our lives, You replace with eternal blessings beyond our imaginations. Show us the areas that still need to be confessed and help us to turn from those things once they have been revealed. Thank You Father for sending us Your Son, so that we no longer live unto ourselves or the enemies lies. Thank You for setting us free in Jesus.  Amen.

(If you have been blessed-leave a comment. Would love to hear your heart.)

Disclaimer:The information contained in these blogs are for reflective purposes only, and may not apply to your situation. The author, publisher, distributor and provider provides no warranty about the content or accuracy of content enclosed. Information provided is subjective. Keep this in mind when reviewing this blog and when considering using content for other purposes outside of this blog(http://www.easywritingtemplates.com/disclaimers/sample-disclaimer-statementss/). Plagiarism is strongly discourged. Studying the scriptures is highly recommended.


 

Sorry

For godly sorrow works repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world works death."

 ~2 Corinthians 7:10

 

 

I was in elementary when I got caught stealing, red-handed. I remember the consequence better then the actual item that brought me to sorrow. I remember the security person who was a part of my fate, she was a women and I remember the look on my mother's face-murder. I also remember my heart beating so hard against my chest I could hear it. Every thought possible raced through my head, but the one thought that gave me the most chills was having to face my dad. I just knew my mom was going to tell him, and she did.  My mom and I left that store in silence, but it was my first lesson in being sorrowful, not for hurting my mom and dad, but for getting caught.

 

Does this sound familiar? Many of us have been here, or still is here. We go forth in doing or saying things that we know goes against the laws of God, but we press anyway. When we get caught, we are immediately stunned that it even happened. Our first thought is not about the hurt we have caused God, but rather on how we are going to redeem ourselves from the current situation. We think of what we are going to lose-reputation, position, family, opportunity, etc., but God is no where in our thoughts, only self. When we sin, the first offended is God. They are His laws, they are His precepts that we violate. We tend to get our wires criss-crossed in the process.  We work harder to salvage self, then we do trying to make things right with God.

 

King David (2 Samuel 11 & 12), after committing adultery and murder, found it impossible to have right relationship with anyone, not even himself, until he confessed his sin before God. There are many of us that have bypassed this crucial step and do not have peace of mind. We are full of guilt and the result is anger, overcompensation, and denial. Some of us have become hard and truth is no longer permitted into our hearts. Both of these places need to be confessed in order for us to have peace with God and our fellow man. When David's sin was brought before him by the prophet Nathan, David did not try to salvage self, instead he confessed His sin to God and allowed God to rectify the situation His way.

 

God wants to see us free today. If we don't have the godly sorrow that brings about true repentance we can ask God to give it to us. He wants us to ask. He wants to see us healthy and whole. We don't have to live a life trying to preserve self, God wants to preserve us and can do a better job doing it then we ever could. Let's set ourself free today, let's confess our sins and repent, and find the rest our soul so desperately needs.

 

Father, thank You again, for all that you do in us. Thank you for what You desire to do in us. We know that more than we like to admit, we don't consider You when we sin, but just ourselves. We don't even think of how what we did hurt Your heart-Jesus. He who gave His life, so that we may have life more abudant (John 10:10). Forgive us O Lord. We confess that we have tried to cover our sins, deny our sins, justify our sins, blame shift our sins, but You know the truth. Thank you for showing us how much You love us by showing us our sins, so that we may confess them and find rest. You desire to heal us, heal us now O Lord as we confess our sins and repent. In Jesus Name, Amen.

(If you have been blessed-leave a comment. Would love to hear your heart.) 

Disclaimer:The information contained in these blogs are for reflective purposes only, and may not apply to your situation. The author, publisher, distributor and provider provides no warranty about the content or accuracy of content enclosed. Information provided is subjective, but it contains an objective source. Keep this in mind when reviewing this blog and when considering using content for other purposes outside of this blog(http://www.easywritingtemplates.com/disclaimers/sample-disclaimer-statementss/). Plagiarism is strongly discourged. Studying the scriptures is highly recommended.  



STOP

"...Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads." And I said, "Who are you, Lord?" And the Lord said, "I am Jesus whom you are persecuting"(Acts 9:4-5).

 

 

Have you ever wonder why as human beings when told to do something we tend to be tempted to want to do the opposite? This desire starts at a very early age. Tell a toddler not to touch something, not to eat something, not to go out there, to sit,..yeah very early. This behavior grows right up with us and the older we get, the more unwise we seem to become, because for some reason we now believe we know better. I don't know better then what, but we really believe we know better. Do we?

 

Looking a little more closer at the life of Saul, later named Paul, we see that in all of his zeal he really  believed that his actions were justified, even got a stamp of approval from the synagogue itself to take out all follower's of Christ(Read Acts 9:1-2). He was moving right along strongly in his resolve only to come to a complete stop. That ever happened to you?  Your moving in a direction that you believe is right, you even have the approval of others, and then BAM?! That's what happened to Paul and that is what has happened to many of us. Our resolve was shattered. Our ideas were smashed. Our plans got stopped dead in their tracks. It happened so suddenly to us, that all we could do was submit, and that was just the right posture for us to receive instructions.

Paul's life was never the same after Jesus stopped him in his tracks, never. His mind was made up and he knew whom he believed(2Timothy 1:12). That same resolve he had in self, was now rooted in Christ and what an amazing change was made in him. When Christ stops us we will be forever changed as we submit. There are many who try to "kick against the goads" only to find themselves more exhausted, bruised, and depleted. The image of us trying to fight against God after He stops us reminds me of a Broadway musical, "Your Arms Too Short to Box with God: Soaring Celebration in Song and Dance." I did a little research and found out where that title originated from, and it was taken from  published sermons by James Waldon Johnson titled, "The Prodigal Son" in "God's Trombones: Seven Negro Sermons in Verse"-1927. It reads like this:

Young man-
Young man-
Your arms too short to box with God.
But Jesus spake in a parable, and he said:
A certain man had two sons,
Jesus didn't give this man a name,
But his is God Almighty.
And Jesus didn't call these sons by name,
But every young man,
Every where,
Is on of these two sons

 

God loves us too much to keep us moving in a direction that was never designed for us to travel on. If you been fighting against God, just stop, you are no match for Him. Sooner or later you will stop and may Jesus be the one you meet on that road.

Father, thank You for stopping us. Thank You for caring enough to stop us. Thank you for your arms that are opened wide and for Your love that runs deep. There are many of us who are kicking against the goads and don't want to submit, but I pray that submission will soon come and fighting will cease against You. We need You, and I thank You that You know this, and that is why You tell us today-STOP. May we submit to Your word, so that we will receive new instructions and be forever changed. In Jesus name, Amen.



Disclaimer:The information contained in these blogs are for reflective purposes only, and may not apply to your situation. The author, publisher, distributor and provider provides no warranty about the content or accuracy of content enclosed. Information provided is subjective, but it contains an objective source. Keep this in mind when reviewing this blog and when considering using content for other purposes outside of this blog(http://www.easywritingtemplates.com/disclaimers/sample-disclaimer-statementss/). Plagiarism is strongly discourged. Studying the scriptures is highly recommended.