TRUST THE DRIVER!

Have you ever visited a place where you were unfamiliar with the surroundings? Maybe you were visiting someone in another city or state and decided to go out for dinner or some other activity.  I can think of a time when I took a weekend getaway to visit my sister in a different city.  We had various plans for our girls’ weekend, so I immediately parked my car so that I could ride with her. Why? Because she was familiar with the area and knew how to get us to all the places we wanted to go.  I thought about that as it relates to our relationship with the Lord.  Many times, we find ourselves striving to reach a destination on our own instead of trusting the One who mapped out where we are headed and knows how to get us there.  I love the Scripture in Isaiah 46:10 which says that God declares the end from the beginning.  Our view is always limited, but God has the full perspective.  If we would simply trust Him, He will direct us in every situation we face.  It is very easy to relax when you know the person who is driving knows where he or she is going.  God is our all-knowing Father, and He has promised to lead us, but it requires us to relinquish control. In Proverbs 3:5-6, we are admonished to, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.” This means we must give Him permission because He will not take the wheel from us. I often declare these verses as it relates to direction for my life, “God understands the way to it and he alone knows where it dwells, for he views the ends of the earth and sees everything under the heavens.” (Job 28:23-24, NIV) In other words, God knows where I’m going, and He knows how to get me there. If you need direction in your life for any reason, I encourage you to move out of the driver’s seat and trust the One who already knows the way!

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SURRENDER

Next week we will host a Women’s Conference at our church with the theme, “Surrender.” I have been prayerfully focusing on what this truly means in my own life. The first thing that comes to my mind is that surrender must be done willingly. Some of the definitions for surrender are as follows:  to relinquish, to give in, give (oneself) up, yield, submit, to abandon oneself entirely to.  The last definition is the one that caught my attention. I believe that God is calling for TOTAL surrender and not just the parts that are easy for us to give up.  Jesus is our greatest example of surrender.  Let’s take a look at the prayer he prayed in Luke 22:41-42: And he was withdrawn from them about a stone’s throw, and he knelt down and prayed, saying, “Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless, not my will, but Yours, be done.”  Despite the agony he was experiencing, he was willing to surrender to the will of his Father undeterred by the discomfort of the flesh. There are things that God is calling for many of us to do that will not be comfortable for us. That is when we have to decide if we trust God enough to fully surrender to his plan for our life. Trust is key because it is not easy to surrender to someone you do not trust. We have to reach a place where we know without hesitation that God loves us and that he always has our best interest at heart.  When that happens, trust comes easily. I believe that God is going to show us places in our lives that are not fully surrendered or submitted to him.  In James 4:7, it says, “Therefore, submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.” Maybe you have been doing the second part of this verse and wondering why the devil is not fleeing.  Don’t skip past the first part! Many times, surrender is viewed in a negative context as if you are losing or giving up.  Surrender is about giving up to a purpose higher than your own so that his perfect will can be done. When we truly surrender to God, we put our own desires, plans, ideas, opinions, etc., aside and allow God to replace these things with what He wants to be there instead.

One of the things that makes it hard for me to surrender at times is when I don’t know all the details!  However, I am learning to say, “Lord, I don’t know what you’re doing, and I don’t understand what’s happening or why, but I trust you.”  When the angel appeared to Mary to announce God’s plan for her to carry the Savior, she questioned how the plan would happen. Though the angel explained that the Holy Spirit would overshadow her, that was all the explanation she received.  I love Mary’s response in Luke 1:38, “Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word.”  That is what surrender is all about. It is determining that whatever God is saying is what we want. I recall a time a few years ago when I felt that there were some things God wanted to do in my life, yet I had no idea what they were/are.  However, there was a yearning in my heart for whatever God wants for me, so I said, “God, I’m giving you an unconditional yes.”  That was scary because I did not know what that meant then, (and still don’t fully know everything that will entail), but I know I can trust him.  What I was telling God was I trust him enough to say yes even before I know what he will ask. Occasionally, something will come up and I have to decide if it’s something I should do, and I will hear the gentle reminder in my spirit, “This is one of those things you said yes to!” 

Surrender is a choice and not something that is imposed on us. It has to be a heart thing and not just an act.  Isaiah 1:19 talks about being willing and obedient. I’m sure we can all recall times when we have been obedient to do something when we really didn’t want to do it. When we surrender, it is about changing our “want to” because we can go through the motions of obedience and not be fully surrendered. True surrender is about releasing control and letting God be fully in charge.

Before I end, I want to point out that surrender is not a one-time thing.  There are times when there are major things that God may be requiring us to surrender, and other times when surrender can happen in the seemingly small things or simply in our daily routine. There is always purpose in surrender, so be sensitive to what he is leading you to do, large or small.

Take some time to quiet your spirit to hear what God is speaking to you personally. Is there something he needs you to let go? Is there something he wants you to do?  Remember, surrendering to God is not about what you lose, it’s what you gain by allowing him to do in and through you what he wills.  Trust him with the details and watch what is birthed through your willingness to totally surrender. 

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BE DETERMINED

I have not blogged in a while, but I wanted to share a lesson that I prepared for a women’s bible study. Determination is defined as a fixed purpose or intention; firmness of purpose, or perseverance.  There are many people in the Bible who exhibited this important quality, and I would like to take a look at three of them.

The first one is the lady with the issue of blood.  Her story is found in Mark 5:25-32.  This no-named lady was in a desperate situation, and oftentimes, desperation breeds determination.  She had an issue of blood for twelve years, she had spent all of her money on doctors, and instead of being healed, she had gotten worse. She made up her mind that she would touch the hem of Jesus’ robe and receive her healing. However, in order to accomplish this, she had a couple of very real hindrances to face. She had to break the law that was forbidding her from touching another person because she was considered unclean (Leviticus 15:25-27).  In addition to that, she had to press her way through a crowd.  It would have been easy for her to give up after so many years of disappointment, but she was determined that she would not give up until she touched Jesus!

What can we learn about determination from her story? First, don’t let what happened in the past stop you.  Just because it didn’t work before doesn’t mean it won’t work now.  That reminds me of the story in I Kings 18:41-45 when Elijah spoke to his servant to go up and look because he had declared to Ahab that there was a sound of an abundance of rain.  The servant looked six times and kept returning and saying, “there is nothing.”  But on the seventh time, he came back and said he saw a cloud like a man’s hand and then the rain came.  The servant could have gotten frustrated with going up doing the same thing with no change, but he was persistent.  That’s the way we must be even when it seems like there is no breakthrough on the horizon.  The second thing we can learn from this lady is not to let present conditions hold us back. 

The next person I want to look at who demonstrated determination is blind Bartimaeus in Mark 10:46-52.  Bartimaeus heard that Jesus was passing by, and he began to cry out.  Even though the crowd told him to be quiet, he cried out even more.  He didn’t let them hinder what he was determined to receive.  When Jesus called him, the act of throwing aside his beggar’s garment showed how determined he was to be healed.  That act showed that he confidently believed he would no longer need to sit on it and be dependent on others as a blind man.  What can we learn from his story? Number one, don’t let what people say stop you.  It may not make sense to them what God is telling you to do, but that doesn’t matter when you’ve heard from God.  Secondly, when you are determined, you prepare to accommodate what you are believing for. Just like Bartimaeus made preparation for what he was believing for, what do you need to cast off (or take) on to prepare for what you are believing God to do?

The last person we will look at is the paralytic in Mark 2:1-5. I actually want to focus on the actions of his friends. They were so determined to get him to Jesus that they didn’t let the fact that they couldn’t get near Jesus stop them. They uncovered the roof and let him down where Jesus was.  I want people with this kind of determination around my life who won’t take no for an answer and won’t give up when the answer doesn’t come easily. What can we learn about determination from this story? Don’t let limitations stop you, and don’t let what appears to be an impossibility cause you to give up.

I hope that these examples from the Bible encourage you to press in and be determined to receive all that God has for you!

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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! 

RECEIVE YOUR GIFT!

Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Luke 12:32  

We celebrated our daughter Alicia’s birthday last month. The month before her birthday, Alicia’s car required a major repair that ended up being very costly for us. As her birthday approached, she came and told me that she didn’t want us to get her anything for her birthday because we had already paid so much for the car repair. One of our traditions is opening gifts first thing on birthday mornings. When she opened our card, she immediately said, “Mom, you weren’t supposed to give me anything!” I smiled and simply said, “I couldn’t help it!”  The moment I said that, it hit me that God feels the same way about me and you.  He can’t help wanting to bless us because it gives him great pleasure to do so in the same way that I got pleasure from blessing my daughter.  It didn’t matter what I had already done for her or even the mistakes she had made in the past. My heart was to bless her simply because I love her. If you are a parent, you can surely relate to what I am saying.  However, sometimes, we forget that God is our Father, and He is no different.  In fact, the Word states, “If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!” (Matthew 7:11) Sometimes we don’t receive all that God has for us because we feel we are undeserving for whatever reason.  Or maybe we feel that he has already done so much that we shouldn’t expect more. We have to remind ourselves that God takes pleasure in blessing us. So let go of everything that hinders you from receiving from God, and give him some pleasure by simply receiving!

Psalm 35:27  Let them shout for joy and be glad, Who favor my righteous cause; And let them say continually, “Let the Lord be magnified, Who has pleasure in the prosperity of His servant.”

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Words for 2016

As we get ready to start 2016, I wanted to share some words that I feel God is saying for the New Year. This coming year is what is known as a “leap year.”  As I was thinking about that fact, God said this is prophetic because we will leap over things this year that would have tripped us up.  This is a year of acceleration.  What would have taken a year to happen, will take a month.  What would have taken days to heal or recover will be done in an instant.  This will be an Amos 9:13 year: “Behold, the days are coming,” says the Lord, “When the plowman shall overtake the reaper, and the treader of grapes him who sows seed…”  The Message Bible states it this way, “Yes indeed, it won’t be long now.” God’s Decree.  “Things are going to happen so fast your head will swim, one thing fast on the heels of the other.  You won’t be able to keep up.  Everything will be happening at once—and everywhere you look, blessings like wine pouring off the mountains and hills. I’ll make everything right again for my people Israel.” (December was a prelude to this!)

Isaiah 65:24 “It shall come to pass that before they call, I will answer; and while they are still speaking I will hear."

God is healing broken places and mending wounds.  Wounds that have continued to “bleed” will stop, and you will be healed because I am binding up the wounds.

It will be a year of God’s Grace.

Don’t go into 2016 disconnected…disconnected from the people you’re supposed to be connected to, the places where you’re supposed to be connected and the purposes of God for your life. 

Don’t let any lingering issues from 2015 carryover into 2016.  Release them and let them go.

Expect Nahum 1:9 healings this year.  “…he will make an utter end of it.  Affliction will not rise up a second time.”  No more recurring issues.  God is healing once and for all!

I pray that each of you have a blessed New Year and leap into 2016 with great expectations about what God has in store for you!

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WHAT IS YOUR FILTER?

When you hear the word “filter” many things probably come to mind. There are filters for the car, the air conditioner, water, etc. By definition, the word filter means to pass something through a device to remove unwanted material. For the purpose of this blog, I want to focus on another type of filter---the Word of God. There are so many filters that we pass information through as we deal with issues in our life. There is the filter of our upbringing, our culture, educational background, past experiences, etc. We reach conclusions based upon how we filter the things we face. If we filter information the wrong way, the outcome will also be wrong. Try filtering your air conditioner or water through a dirty filter and see what you get. The same thing happens when we don't filter things appropriately through the Word of God. There are many issues that arise seeking our response including political opinions, social media frenzies, cultural changes and more. The goal is to filter the information through the Word so that any ungodly material is removed. It is easy to respond based on our own opinion, wisdom, experience, what others are spouting, etc. However, instead of being quick to respond, we must embrace the challenge to be slow to speak (or post!) and ask the question, “What does the Word of God say about this?” That takes away the conflict, the mystery and even the heated debates. The Word of God will direct us in everything that we face and provide an answer for every question. In order for the Word to accomplish this, we must plant it in our hearts and allow it to be the final authority in every situation. Psalm 119:130 declares, “The entrance of your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple.” The spirit of compromise is so prevalent today that it is very easy to get caught up in the flow of the world. That is why in these days of worldviews filled with darkness, we must allow the Word of God to shine the light and guide us to Godly answers and solutions.  The Word is our filter.

“Your word is a lamp unto my feet and a light to my path.” Psalm 119:105

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WORDS FOR 2015

As we enter a new year, I wanted to share a few words that God has given me for 2015.

Many who have sown in tears in 2014 are about to reap a harvest of joy in 2015. You haven't seen anything yet! Theme song for the year will be, “Every time I turn around he keeps making a way!”

This year, as you are faced with issues, assignments, etc., before you do anything, factor God into the equation. I call it the God factor. In Acts 10:38 it states, “How God anointed Jesus with the Holy Spirit and with power and he went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him.” Don't focus on your limitations, focus on the greater one on the inside of you. (As God said in Joshua 1:9 he says to us today: “...do not be afraid, nor dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”)

Philippians 4:13 – I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me

Zechariah 4:6 – Not by might, nor my power, but by my spirit says the Lord of hosts.

It is a year to get in position and listen intently to the voice of God. It will be extremely important to be where God wants you to be and keep your ear tuned to His voice. If you're out of place, you'll miss vital instructions. Make time to abide in His presence regularly. Don't allow distractions to keep you away from His presence. It is a year to fully align with God's plan for your life. If you see that there are areas that are not aligned, correct them immediately. As you align with His presence, He will give you the direction, protection and provision that you need. (See St John 15: 1-7)

A year to draw closer to Him by feeding on His Word and spending time in prayer like never before. A spirit of deception has been released, and it is extremely subtle. Therefore, to stay in truth, stay in His presence.

The worlds were framed by the Word of God. In the same manner, our words have creative power. Be mindful to speak right words out of your mouth this year over your life.

Hebrews 11:3 – By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible

Proverbs 18:21 – Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.

Isaiah 57:19 – I create the fruit of the lips.

Job 22:28 – You will decree a thing, and it will be established for you.

Matthew 12:37 – For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.

Don't allow anything to shake or rattle you this year. Instead, roll every care and concern immediately over on the Lord and keep rolling!! As you cast your cares, you will continue to move and not get stuck where you are and lose traction.

I pray these words encourage you. I look forward to sharing His Word with you this year!

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THAT'S NONE OF MY BUSINESS!

I have been noticing the Kermit memes that have been making the rounds on social media. The Kermit meme features shots of Kermit the Frog typically sipping tea and calling out individuals in a passive-aggressive manner. I actually didn't even know what a meme was so I had to look it up! It's a sarcastic expression used as a post script to an insult or disrespectful remark. They usually poke fun at a range of questionable behaviors. As I was reading a few of these, it hit me that the devil uses this tactic so often. He likes to taunt us where the promises of God are concerned to cause us to doubt whether the Word will work or get us to figure out how it will come to pass specifically. It goes something like this:

God says He will supply all of your needs...the devils asks, “How are your bills going to be paid?”

God says you are healed by His stripes...the devil asks, “How is your healing going to manifest?”

God says He has given you peace...the devil asks, “How are you going to figure this out?”

When the devil comes to question how God is going to bring the Word of God to pass in our life, we have to be like Kermit and say, “That's none of my business!” But this is not just some sarcastic statement for us. It really is none of our business. Our part is to pray. The answer is God's part. Philippians 4:6-7 states, “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Once we cast our cares or concerns over to the Lord (1 Peter 5:7), there is no striving on our part to make things happen. Our duty is to leave the method of how the prayer will be answered up to Him. Hebrews 4:9-10 states, “There remains therefore a rest for the people of God. For he who has entered His rest has himself ceased from his own works as God did from His.” The key point in this verse is that we have to cease from our own works, plans, etc., and trust God to honor his Word in our life. So when the enemy comes to get you stressed over how God is going to do something that you have prayed about, pick up your tea (or coffee) cup, sit back, relax and tell him, “God's got this...so that's none of my business!”

KEEP MOVING

I have not blogged in quite a while. Many topics have come to mind, but the burning desire to write did not come along with them!  Lately, a subject has been stirring in my spirit that I feel led to share.  I don't know about you, but I have been in a season of change, transition and regrouping in many areas of my life. Seasons like this can be so uncomfortable that the tendency is to simply stop.  That's the easy way out and the option the enemy loves to entice us with.  As I was driving home from work last week, the Lord gave me some insight that encouraged me and reminded me to press on even through the storms of life.  I was on the interstate headed home when all of sudden I ran into a terrible rain storm.  It was one of those where visibility became extremely limited as the rain was beating against the windshield.  I initially considered pulling over since I was already traveling at a snail's pace with my emergency blinkers flashing.  Before pulling over, I called home to let my family know what was going on and find out what the weather was like there.  When my daughter answered, I asked about the weather and her response was, “It’s all clear here.”  After hearing that report, I felt a new desire to keep driving now that I knew what was up ahead.  As I continued to drive, the weather subsided the closer I got to our house, and by the time I arrived, the weather was perfectly clear.  That's when God spoke to me.  He said that we do the same thing in our spiritual walk.  When we face storms in life, we often take what appears to be the easy way out and pull over and get out of the race.  However, if we simply keep moving, we will ride out the storm until we arrive at the destination he has for us.  If I had stopped on the interstate, I would have prolonged the time I had to deal with the downpour and delayed my arrival to clear weather. I know how hard it is to survive what I have termed the “gut punches” of life---those things that come against us unexpectedly to knock the spiritual wind out of us.  What God was saying to me was that we cannot allow those things to stop us.  Just like when I kept driving through the storm, we have to keep pressing through hard places that come against us to cause us to give up. I've actually had moments when I have said out loud, “I give up!” (As my pastor would often say, “Maybe you’re more spiritual than I am and never had moments like that!”) Thank God I was able to shake off the despair and not camp out in that place. Instead of focusing on current circumstances that may be disappointing, frustrating, hurtful, etc., we have to remain focused on the promises of God concerning what's ahead. I want to encourage those who have been bombarded with the storms of life to keep moving and don't give up.  After all, it's hard to hit a moving target!  Remember, all is clear up ahead.

Philippians 3:13-14  Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, ¹⁴ I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

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God's GPS

In my last blog, I mentioned that I would be exploring the topic that I am calling, “God’s GPS.” I have had many issues arise lately related to the subject of direction. As Christians, we don’t have to wander aimlessly through life because God desires to direct us according to His will. I am using the GPS as an analogy. We use a GPS to provide directions when we are traveling to unfamiliar locations. The Global Positioning System tells us where we are, where we are going, the best way to get there and when we can expect to arrive. I would like to change the letters for our purposes to stand for God’s Protective System. This system assures us of Grace, Protection and Sustenance because there is always protection and provision in the will of God. It is easy to take a course of action or make a decision based on what we feel is right or based on current circumstances. However, just because it looks right or feels right doesn’t always mean that it is right. Proverbs 14:12 states, “There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.” I've learned to say to God, “I don’t want the way that seems right; I want the way that is right.” 

In order for the GPS to get us to our destination, we have to enter the address for where we are going. In our analogy, the GPS is activated as we follow the instruction in Proverbs 3:5-6, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.” This means that we lay aside our pre-conceived ideas and plans and allow God to lead us.  

One thing I love about using a GPS is that it re-routes me when I get off track. After a wrong turn, the voice immediately comes on and says, “re-routing.” Oh how I appreciate the “re-routings” of God.  At first, I may not be happy about them when I am heading in a direction that I believe is right. Nevertheless, when I obey His leading, I end up exactly where He wants me to be while avoiding the consequences of a bad decision. To give you a practical example of how this works, I’ll share something from my own life.

Several years ago, I was believing God for a job. I had a list of things that I needed related to the job, including pay range. I interviewed for a job that fit all of my qualifications. The first interview went well, and I was called back for a second interview. I was then asked to come back so that they could obtain necessary information for a background check.  At this point, I just knew this was my job! A few days later, I received a letter in the mail that I did not get the job. I was extremely disappointed. (If you remember the episode in the sitcom Good Times when Florida was trying to cope after James’ funeral, you will get an idea of my reaction.  Replace the punch bowl with a dozen eggs, remove the profanity, and you’ll get the picture!) Sometime after that ordeal, I was informed about another job in a field I had never heard of. I applied, interviewed and was offered the job.  The only hitch was that it did not quite meet the pay qualifications that I needed. However, the Holy Spirit directed me to take the position and told me that there was more to it than I could see.  I had no idea what that meant, but I followed His direction. A little over a month later, an unexpected 6% increase was given across the board. Additionally, the next year, I received a job reclassification and a substantial raise. I knew none of this when I accepted the job, but God did. This happened because as I was headed down a road that was not God’s best for me, He re-routed me to my current position.  Now I can look back and be grateful for the divine “re-routing.” 

This is just one of many examples that I can share about how God has intervened and led me in various instances in my life. I encourage you to allow God to speak to your heart about every decision you are facing no matter how large or small it may be.  In Job 23:10, it states that He knows the way that we take. That means that He not only sees where we are; He knows the final destination, and He has the plan to get us there. His GPS is 100% accurate, so activate it today and get His direction for your life.

Please feel free to share your experiences with following God’s GPS in the comments or on the Facebook Page! https://www.facebook.com/wordbasedliving

Father to the Fatherless

For some reason, I have a knack for remembering dates and numbers.  For example, I can remember the phone number we had when I was growing up at home…as well as the phone number for our neighbors who lived down the street! I also still remember birthdays and anniversaries for people I haven’t talked to in years. Well, today is one of those dates that I always remember. It is the date my father was killed in a car accident 41 years ago. It was the day life suddenly changed for my mom, sister and me. I’m sure it was not what my mom imagined for her life when they married almost 7 years before that day. Looking back, I realize that it could have been an event that set my family on a course that would greatly impact our identity since my father was no longer there. In some ways we were impacted. However, what I focus on today is the redeeming power of God. He did not leave us alone on March 31,1973. God provided for us through the years, and we never went without. We had tremendous support from our extended families on both sides. My sister and I were even blessed to graduate from college despite the fact that we did not have the funds to do so. God has been there all along and has given us His identity. The three of us are serving God and happily married, and my sister and I now have families of our own. Yes, we missed a lot not growing up with our father in the home, but we found God to be the Father to the fatherless! Our path was certainly not one that we would have chosen, but I don’t reflect with regret. I rejoice in God’s power to see us through and establish his glorious plan in our lives despite the path we had to take to get to where we are now.

I encourage those of you who may have experienced an unexpected event in your life or those who feel that you are “off course” to trust God to manifest his plan and purpose in your life in spite of where you are right now. Stay tuned for future blogs as I explore the topic, “God’s GPS.”

Spiritual Pampering

We are getting ready for our annual women’s conference at my church this weekend. We have women from various states and even other countries who come to experience the presence of God. Our Priceless Conference Team works hard to create an environment where women can come and be encouraged, transformed, and even be pampered while they are here. We have anointed speakers who bring a fresh word to us each year. We have a huge welcome team to greet our guests and make them feel comfortable. There are awesome giveaways each service to make the women feel special and a fabulous party at the end of the conference with food, music, fun, and other surprises. Just as we need pampering in the natural, there is also a need for spiritual pampering. By the way, this is for men as well! God wants to pamper us by…

·    Letting us know who we are in Christ

2 Corinthians 5:21 For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

Ephesians 2:10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.

·   Letting us know the benefits we have as his daughters/sons

Psalm 103:1-5 Bless the Lord, O my soul;
And all that is within me, bless His holy name!
² Bless the Lord, O my soul,
And forget not all His benefits:
³ Who forgives all your iniquities,
Who heals all your diseases,
⁴ Who redeems your life from destruction,
Who crowns you with loving kindness and tender mercies,
⁵ Who satisfies your mouth with good things,
So that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

St John 10:10 The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.

·    Allowing us to experience the unconditional love he has for us

Romans 5:8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Ephesians 2:4-5 But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us,⁵ even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved)...

·    Showing us the awesome plan he has for our lives

Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.

Psalm 139:15-16 My frame was not hidden from You, when I was made in secret, and skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.¹⁶ Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed. And in Your book they all were written,the days fashioned for me,when as yet there were none of them.

·    Showing us how much he wants to bless us

Luke 12:32 Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.

Psalm 35:27 Let them shout for joy and be glad,who favor my righteous cause; and let them say continually “Let the Lord be magnified, who has pleasure in the prosperity of His servant."

·    Showing us our true value

Matthew 6:26 Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?

Zechariah 2:8 For thus says the Lord of hosts: “He sent Me after glory, to the nations which plunder you; for he who touches you touches the apple of His eye.

·   Teaching us the power of his grace

Romans 5:20 Moreover the law entered that the offense might abound. But where sin abounded, grace abounded much more,

Ephesians 2:8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God,

·    Giving us total freedom so that all bondage is broken

St John 8:32  And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”

Nahum 1:9 What do you conspire against the Lord? He will make an utter end of it. Affliction will not rise up a second time.

·    Teaching us how to receive his forgiveness and mercy

1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Hebrews 8:12  For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more.

·    Teaching us how to walk in the Spirit and be led by him

Romans 8:14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.

St John 10:3-4 To him the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear his voice; and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 And when he brings out his own sheep, he goes before them; and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice.

I hope that you will take time to meditate on these Scripture references and allow the Holy Spirit to minister to you even more. These are just a snapshot of the heart of God for your life. Go ahead, pamper yourself!

For more information about the women’s conference at Jubilee International Ministries, you may check out our website at www.pricelessconference.com. 

Are You Listening?

Yesterday as I was leaving my office for the grocery store, I felt in my spirit that I should not go.  It really wasn’t anything dramatic like a sound from heaven or a bright light shinning into the car.  I just had the slightest impression that it was not something I needed to do.   My routine every other week is grocery shopping during lunch for all of my non-perishables and then finishing up with the perishables on the way home.  I know, it sounds a bit much, but I like for the stop on the way home to be quick and easy!  So when I initially felt led not to go, it would have been easy to shrug it off in order to follow my pre-planned schedule. I have no idea why I wasn’t supposed to go and probably will never know. Maybe He was diverting me from an accident, or maybe He just wanted me to obey Him because He said so.   All I know is that I had to change my plan.

But I have to admit, it doesn’t always flow that perfectly.  Last night as I was getting ready to check my work email to see if there was a response to an email I sent earlier that day,  I felt that I should not check it because there would be something I would see that I didn’t need to deal with at that moment.  But I decided to take a quick look anyway.  Sure enough, there was an email with something aggravating that I had no grace to deal with that time of night!  Had I obeyed the prompting, I never would have had it crowding my thoughts. God cares about even the details of our life.  He knows that it is hard for me to start something and not finish it, so he was trying to keep me from bringing unnecessary stress into my relaxation time. By His grace, I was able to shut it out of my mind so that I could deal with it today.

Being led by God’s Spirit is so important. These events reminded me of the story in 1 Kings 19:11-12 where Elijah was listening for direction from God.  “Then He said, ‘Go out, and stand on the mountain before the Lord.’ And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind tore into the mountains and broke the rocks in pieces before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake;  ¹² and after the earthquake a fire,  but the Lord  was not in the fire; and after the fire a still small voice.”  Many times we miss God listening for the spectacular.  I can’t say that I’ve ever heard the audible voice of God.  The usual way we are led is by an inward witness in our spirit.  I like to call it an impression.  The events yesterday were not major life events, but I believe “practice runs” like these are exercises to keep us in tune to hearing His voice.  I’m thankful that He gives me opportunities to sharpen my sensitivity.  God is always speaking.  We just have to make the decision to listen to what He is saying…and obey!

What Do You Think?

Thoughts are very important. The following well-known quote makes this point very well:

Watch your thoughts, for they become words.

Watch your words, for they become actions.

Watch your actions, for they become habits.

Watch your habits, for they become your character.

Watch your character, for it becomes your destiny.

What we think, we become.

There is a direct connection between our words and our destiny.  Throughout the Word of God, we find instructions regarding our thought life.  Invariably, when we are experiencing a lack of peace, it is because we have been focusing our attention on negativity.  Philippians 4:8 gives us the recipe for maintaining a peaceful thought life, “Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.” No matter what is going on in our lives, there is no productivity in dwelling on it and allowing our spirits to become heavy and distracted.  Isaiah 26:3 tells us that God will keep us in perfect peace as our minds are stayed on Him, not our problems. Instead of continually thinking on our problems, we must follow the instructions in Philippians 4:8 and use that as a filter for every thought that comes to our mind.

Proverbs 23:7 tells us that as we think in our heart, so are we.  That is confirmation that our thoughts really do impact our destiny.  What is important to realize is that we have authority over our thoughts.  Just because thoughts come doesn’t mean we have to entertain them or act upon them.  2 Corinthians 10:5 states, “Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.” (KJV)  We do this by speaking the Word of God.  When thoughts enter our mind that do not line up with the will of God, we speak the Word in response.  I love the example that I have heard used to illustrate this point.  The speaker tells the audience to start counting to 10 or some other number in their head.  At some point he tells them to speak their name out loud.  He then shows them that their thoughts had to stop once their mouth spoke.  In the same manner, we interrupt negative thoughts by speaking the Word.  There have been times when the assault against my mind has been so severe that I have stopped whatever I was doing and said out loud, “Shut up Satan, those are not my thoughts!”  Then I would speak words that countered the negative thoughts. We have to do whatever it takes to keep our thoughts in line with the Word of God.

What thoughts have you been thinking that have brought on stress, worry, insecurity, etc., in your life? Maybe you felt heaviness in your spirit and you didn't know why.  Check the thought traffic that has been allowed to roam freely in your head.  The more we dwell on wrong thoughts, the greater the likelihood that we will speak negatively and put those thoughts into action.  Take a thought assessment this week. Make a commitment to watch what you think and focus on changing any unhealthy thought patterns.  All it takes is a quality decision.  Change your thoughts…change your life!