Embracing 50!

This time 50 years ago, my mom was nearing the end of 48 hours of labor.  Her water broke on a Friday, and I was not born until Sunday!  When I reminded her today of my grand entrance, she said, “It was pain, but once it was over, it was a blessing!  Love my mom.  As I reflect on turning the big 5-0 tomorrow, I thought of how blessed my life has been. Of course, having lived half a century, I have had my share of bad days and disappointments.  However, I choose to focus on the good because it far outweighs the bad.

The number 50 symbolizes deliverance or freedom from a burden.  God commanded Israel that every 50^th year should be declared a year of Jubilee.  During the Jubilee year, all debts were settled in favor of the debtor, and inheritances were returned to their rightful owners.  With that in mind, I am proclaiming my Jubilee year and believing God that the latter half of my life will be even better than the first.

It may seem a bit strange for me to share my age. I will admit that the welcome packet from AARP was quite annoying! Many women choose to reach an age and hold steady every year after that.  You might hear, “I’m 39 and holding” or something similar!  I just made the decision to embrace where God has blessed me to be.  Many don’t live to see it. I am counting the many blessings in my life including a wonderful husband and family and so much more.  This blog would be too long to read if I start naming it all. I’m most thankful for that moment nearly 30 years ago when I made the best decision of all to surrender my life to the Lord.

So, as I prepare to celebrate turning 50, I do so with a thankful heart for all that God has done for me.  I also do so with great expectation for what God has in store.

BETWEEN GOOD FRIDAY AND RESURRECTION SUNDAY!

As I sit here on the day between Good Friday and Resurrection Sunday, I think about what must have been going through the mind of Jesus’ executioners. They no doubt thought they had accomplished their goal to kill him. When the stone was placed over the tomb, they knew his fate was finally sealed. But that was not how the story would end! When the ground began to shake and the stone was rolled away, it was clear that Jesus was not where they left him. 

 It dawned on me that this is how things sometime appear in our life.  It looks like the enemy has got the best of us, and God’s plan will not come forth. However, we have to remember what God said and trust him that no matter what happens that looks contrary to God’s destiny for our life, the story does not end there. Never forget in the dark times what God told you when the sun was shining. When things seem to be at a stand-still and all around is quiet, remind yourself of that period between Good Friday and Resurrection Sunday when defeat seemed obvious and hope appeared to be lost. God’s plan was still in motion even though there was no evidence that anything was happening. Even when you can’t see or hear what God is doing, let him finish your story.  He always wins.  Sunday is coming!

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DON'T VOID THE WARRANTY!

When you have a manufacturer’s warranty, the condition usually applies that if you try to fix a problem yourself instead of sending it to the manufacturer, it voids the warranty.  For example, I have a diamond bond on my wedding ring that requires me to take it back in April and October to the jewelry store where it was originally purchased so that it can be inspected.  If I fail to do that or take it to another jewelry store to have a repair or other service done, it voids the warranty for the ring, and they will no longer cover the diamond.

As Christians, our manufacturer (God) has put His “warranty” in the Word of God. Don’t void the warranty by taking matters into your own hands.  Give every problem and concern to Him immediately and let Him fix it. If we choose to do things in our own strength, God will allow it, but He desires that we come to Him and trust Him to move on our behalf. Don’t take actions on your own and then say, “I’ve tried everything else, so all I can do is trust God now.” Save yourself the stress, worry, etc., and look to Him first, not after working your plan and coming up empty. We must remind ourselves that no matter how much we think we know as it relates to our problems, God always knows best!

What makes our “warranty” even better than a manufacturer is that there is no expiration date. The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God stands forever! (Isaiah 40:8)

USER-FRIENDLY

I heard these words in my spirit this morning, "Be user-friendly." When something is user-friendly, it is easy to use and understand. God wants us to be people who are easy for HIM to use without bad attitudes, wrong motives, stubbornness, rebellion, etc.  We have to be pliable in his hands. He is the potter; we are the clay. Even as it relates to working with and for others, we have to keep in mind who we are working for. Colossians 3:23-24 states, “Whatever you do [whatever your task may be], work from the soul [that is, put in your very best effort], as [something done] for the Lord and not for men, knowing [with all certainty] that it is from the Lord [not from men] that you will receive the inheritance which is your [greatest] reward. It is the Lord Christ whom you [actually] serve.” (AMP)

Allow the potter to have his way in your life. Be user-friendly!

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Words for 2017

Happy New Year!  I am very excited about what God has in store for 2017!  Throughout the month of December, the Lord shared several things with me as it relates to the coming year.  I am a person who truly values everything God speaks to me even if it's a word or simple phrase.  Listed below, I share the things God gave me for the new year.

Words for 2017

On December 12, 2016, God gave me the word, “2017 will be the year of the open door.”  On 12/31/16, one of the prophets at our church (Kevin Leal) confirmed this word as God had given him the same thing.  I heard the Lord say this is the year to knock and the door will be open. 

On December 18, 2016, the Lord dropped this simple phrase in my spirit during prayer, “About this time next year.”  Later on December 22, 2016, he explained that “about this time” doesn’t mean it won’t happen until next year but that we will look back and say, “I remember this time last year, and oh what a change has come!”

December 23, 2016:  Isaiah 55:12 – For you shall go out with joy, and be led out with peace.  This is how you are leaving 2016.

December 31, 2016: God is going to move immediately in 2017.  Expect it. (Earlier in the month, I was driving behind several cards whose driver did not use a turn signal.  After it kept occurring, God spoke to me through it and said, “I am about to move suddenly and unexpectedly and will turn things around quickly!)

December 31, 2016: Drying tears in 2017. Don’t expect to cry this year like you did last year.  I am turning tears of sorrow into tears of joy.

I'm encouraging each of you to make a list of all the things you want to see happen in 2017 and live each day in expectancy!