Don't Pout, Just Shout

So many times life seemingly throws some hard curveballs and circumstances at us. Things come up without any warning or expectation that throws our regular way of living into a tailspin; causing us to have to re-evaluate and readjust our lives. When these things occur in our lives they seem to create so many additional problems for us, however some of the problems are avoidable if we choose to maintain the proper perspective.
Having a proper perspective as a child of God is key when learning how to deal with the situations of life, and understanding that God allows these situations to either test us, try us or prune us but never to hurt us. The problem is we don't take on these situations head on equipped with the word and the power of God, instead we allow our emotions to get in the forefront and lead us through this season which always leaves us feeling empty, frustrated and misunderstood. Even worse we miss and hinder the purpose of the circumstance by blinding ourselves to Gods will in that season by being led by our emotions.
What does being led by our emotions look like in hard times? I'm glad you asked. It may look something like this. "Oh God why me?" "This ain't fair!" "Why is it that Sally Mae downs the street gets what she wants and she doesn't even acknowledge you?" While this may seem like a natural response, complaining & murmuring should never be the way of a child of God.
Why should we never respond in this natural sense? Well because Philippians 2:14a (NKJV) tells us "Do all things without complaining and disputing. Part of the all things we are to do without complaining is how we handle our hard times.
Need further proof? James 1:2 says (NKJV) "My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials". Gods word does not say fall to pieces crying and complaining but REJOICE. Psalms 68:3 (NKJV) also says "But let the righteous be glad; let them rejoice before God: yea, let them exceedingly rejoice."So when hard times come, don't cry, stomp, be mad or pout, instead just trust God & shout! Shout because you know Your God is all powerful & is working things together for your good. Shout because you know He's bringing you through for His purpose, your growth and His Glory.


Be Blessed

Follow Instructions

There are many times in life where we choose to hold on to the advise of others. Loved ones, trusted friends, motivational speakers, all because we believe their words will provide for us what we are looking for. While the encouragement of others has it place, we often fail to put it into place. We make the mistake of placing all our value in what they have to say while neglecting to put any value in what God has to say. We assume because they have been in similar situations that they know best, or we feel what worked for them will also work for us. Sometimes we find ourselves in sticky situations because we have not sought the counsel of God before seeking the counsel of man.
But who knows what's best for us better than God? Who can give us better direction than God? No one!! No matter how well intending people are and how much wisdom they have, no one can give us better words for our lives. No one can provide any promises with their instructions other than God. Now I know what you may be saying I've read the word, I've heard what God has said but it doesn't seem to be working. Well I have a question? What are you doing while your listening & waiting?
Proverbs 4:10-13 (NKJV) says: Hear, my son, and receive my sayings, And the years of your life will be many. I have taught you in the way of wisdom; I have led you in right paths. When you walk, your steps will not be hindered, And when you run, you will not stumble. Take firm hold of instruction, do not let go; Keep her, for she is your life.

How do we respond properly to His instructions?

First Receive His instructions: He will protect us as we follow Him. He says because he has taught us wisdom & leads us on the right paths our steps will be not be hindered, we will be able to move forward without any blockage. Further we can run moving we can move forward swiftly full steam ahead and not worry about falling.
Second Take Firm Hold & Don't let go!! We must fully embrace that God's Word contains everything we need to make it through this journey! Once we embrace that we must hold on to His Word for dear life!

Be Blessed

Respond in Faith

Peter said to Him, "Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water." And He said, "Come!" And Peter got out of the boat, and walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But seeing the wind, he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, "Lord, save me!" Immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and took hold of him, and said to him, "You of little faith, why did you doubt?" (Matthew 14: 28-31 NASB)

How many times have you and I asked God for a sign for his presence? Some inclination that the little voice we heard was him? We declare God I will do whatever you tell me to do, whenever you tell me. We start off with so much fire and determination but more often than we care to admit we have Peter moments.

Peter was in the boat trying to find comfort in the midst of the storm and saw Jesus afar off. Peter grappled with whether or not the presence he saw on the water was the master or a ghost. Being unsure he made this petition for a sign; Lord if it is you command me to come. Peter specifically asked Jesus to confirm His presence by a specific request but when He did Peter did not respond in the same faith he previously petition Jesus. When Jesus commanded him to come Peter initially stepped out on faith, started moving forward toward Jesus but then got distracted but what he saw and felt and began to sink into the water.

Many of us are like Peter we petition God with full trust asking Him to move but when he does our response doesn't match our request. When you stand in faith and ask The Lord for what you need don't allow the circumstances of your life overwhelm you and distract you from the Masters Voice. Like Peter God is commanding us to manifest things in our lives but we must stand steadfast in trusting Him despite what we feel or how things seem. We must learn to follow His voice no matter what, or we face the same fate as Peter, we will begin to sink in the things God gave us power to work on. Know when you respond in faith God will supernaturally make things work on your behalf; for your good and His glory!

Be Blessed!

Gifted For His Glory!

What do you know how to do? What are you passionate about? Are you good at it? Know someone in the same field as you? Feel threatened? Well you shouldn't! All of us have been giving gifts, talents and abilities that have the dual purpose of glorifying God and edifying each other. But too often we become envious of others when we see they have the same or similar gifts and talents as us. However, we have no right to get territorial about the gifts we have because we did nothing to receive them. 1 Corinthians 12:11 says “But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills.” (NKJV) No one has the right to feel negative towards another person because they feel someone else walks in their God given gifts better than they do.

People make the mistake of becoming personal managers over their gifts, thinking they can do whatever they want because they own that right. Instead they need to come to the understanding that these gifts are not something you work hard to get, because they’re not yours but Gods. However, while we can't work to get them we must work hard to maintain them as stewards for God. We have been entrusted by God with these gifts to bring Him glory and help others, that's it. They are not given for self-gain, however when we are faithful God will allow the fruit of your stewardship to bless you.

There's yet another reason we don't have to be envious of anyone else's gifts. Proverbs 18:16 teaches us “A man’s gift makes room for him, And brings him before great men.” (NKJV)You never have to worry that there will be no use for your gifts because another person is operating in it. The word says a man's gift will make room for them, meaning that each person’s gifting will make room for them. It does not say we have to compete, worry or diminish another person for what God has called them to do. As each person remains faithful, obedient, and disciplined working in their area of gifting, talents and abilities God will make sure opportunities will open up specifically designed for them. Our gifts, even if similar, are given to complement each other as we work in the kingdom to glorify God!

Be Blessed

Seek don't Look

In 1980 Johnny Lee sung the title track for Urban Cowboys that became a vey popular song both lyrically and comically. Looking for love in all the wrong places became a popular song that was not only redone but was even done as a comedy skit on Saturday Night Live. This line became a running joke amongst friends who suffered poor relationships and used as the excuse.

But if we were to take a longer deeper look at this line, we will sadly find that this line shines light as to why so many people live such despondent & hopeless lives. Looking for love in all the wrong places is a true life statement that has misled, damaged and confused people and let them in a place where they don't know who they are or what they can have. Many people wind up looking for love due to a myriad of circumstances. Maybe they were abandoned as a child by both parents, maybe they were abused by someone they loved them. Maybe they had many people Round them, but had no one ever affirm who they were; all of these scenarios could leave a person void and looking for love, but in all the wrong places.

Places like alcoholic beverages, places like gangs or abusive relationships, places like immoral or illicit relationships; or simply places that leave them emotionally, spiritually and mentally bankrupt. Places that leave them helpless, hopeless, despondent & discouraged feeling like there is no hope for them. All because they are looking for love, acceptance and purpose in things and people that were not designed to provide it for them. They may have began looking in the wrong places, but praise God they have the opportunity to turn it around. How?

The step towards joy, peace, wholeness &purpose is to Seek God First!! In Matthew 6:33 we find Jesus preaching on the topic advises us not to worry. He says " But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. (NKJV) at the time he was discussing the external needs of man, but we serve a savior who came to meet ALL of our needs! He tells us don't worry God knows what you need in every area but you must seek Him first! Watch when you seek Him first He will fill you forever.

Be Blessed

Are you on Guard??

Family issues, bills, overwhelming workload, missed dreams, past hurts, broken relationships and future hopes. Throughout the course of a day we are all bombarded by a barrage of thoughts that can seemingly overwhelm us. Not only can these thoughts overwhelm us, but if we’re not mindful of their presence and careful of their power we can find ourselves led into a myriad of emotions and actions we never intended to feel or do.

Many people find themselves in places and situations all because they've failed to stay on guard. Proverbs 4:23 says “Keep your heart with all diligence, For out of it spring the issues of life.” (NKJV) So many people spend a considerable amount of time guarding worldly possessions and things that they have high regard for, but leave the most important parts of their being unguarded.

Consider for a moment, what do you possess more vital and valuable than your mind and heart? What could possibly hold more value to you than the two things that have the ability to drive your every action? Let me just make it clear; nothing you ever inherit, purchase or find will be more important or worthy of guarding than your mind and heart. Why? Because the succession to living begins with the mind and heart; and if we’re not careful the pattern can lead us into a destructive end.

What in the world is the succession to living and how does it work? Well, in an unguarded life the succession looks like this; thoughts lead to damaging emotions, damaging emotions lead to unwise actions and unwise actions lead to consequences. Don't believe me? We'll think of a time in your life where you found yourself dealing with severe consequences that either came very close to or may have destroyed a part of your life. I'm pretty sure if you trace your steps back to how you started on that destructive path it'll lead you to some unguarded thoughts and feelings. Likewise think about a time in your life where you had the enjoyment of fulfilling a goal or watching the fruit of wise decisions unfold in your life. When you stop and recall how you got to these great results you will find that you had specific thoughts in your mind that led to healthy and fruitful emotions that led to proper actions.

Want to live a purposeful life; I admonish you to stay on guard

He's Trustworthy

Many people walk around looking for validation from others, opening themselves up to people in hopes that they would be trustworthy with their hearts & lives. Unfortunately more often than not these people are let down because the ones they entrusted themselves to, did nothing to garner such a honor nor did they give any assurance that trusting in them would reap any benefits. When given the responsibility of caring for someone who trust them, many regretfully take advantage of that persons vulnerability and hurt them instead of helping them. Gratefully as believers the same doesn't ring true for our relationship with God.
When making the choice to trust in God you never have to worry or consider that your trust in Him will end up hurting or damaging you in any way. First He has already proven his love and desire for you but giving you the best gift you could ever receive. John 3:16 says in (NKJV) For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.We are reminded further of his love in Romans 5:8 NKJV But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Not only do we see how much he loved us even before we loved Him but we also have assurances of what trusting Him will bring Proverbs 3:5,6 reminds us 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 (NJKV). Trusting in God not only gives us peace, security and hope but it also leads to clear direction for your life. We are able to talk with God, walk with Him, trust in Him and follow after Him because of Christ made it possible.
When I think of summing up our ability to trust in God I'm reminded of the so writer who penned: ’Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus,
Just to take Him at His word;
Just to rest upon His promise;
Just to know, Thus saith The Lord.

Be blessed