Victim or Victor?

I am an optimist, a dreamer and expect happy endings. I always have and I always will.  Life is full of highs and lows, obstacles stumbling blocks and hiccups. Sometimes the trials and tribulations that affect our lives are created by our volition. It’s all about choices. We choose certain paths, relationships, jobs, homes, neighborhoods, etc. On the other had as Solomon said time and chance happen to us all.

Whether we have made a decision that has adversely affected our lives or the adverse affect was not caused by anything we have done ourselves how we choose to react to the consequences determine whether we are a victim or victor.

It’s easy to blame others whether it’s their fault of not for the things that we feel have adversely affected our lives. Sometimes it makes us feel better to place blame on others and the fault may belong to others but we are responsible for determining how we will react.

Have I always made the best decisions? No I have not. Have things occurred in my life at the hands of others that I could not avoid? Yes they have? Have I considered my self as a victim? Yes I have. Was my life, were my emotions or my state of mind improved or did I find solace when I saw myself as a victim? Perhaps momentarily, but being a victim prevented growth as well as helping me determine how or even why I found myself in the role of being a victim.

Once I decided to take an objective look at the circumstances which I felt caused me to be a victim I was able to change my status from victim to victor. I learned from decisions I’d made. I forgave those that hurt me and made a conscious decision to change my life.

Perhaps you have been hurt by someone you love and thought loved you. Maybe you were abandoned, lied to cheated on or stolen from. Maybe you were the offender and have caused family or friends to turn against you or could there be an offense you feel guilty for committing that no one knows about but God?

If you fall into any of these categories the first thing you need to do is determine what has caused you to feel like a victim. Once you have determined the cause if repenting is required repent, if forgiving is required forgive. Forgive yourself and forgive your offender. As long as you have not forgiven you are still a victim, victory comes with forgiving. Do not allow your offender whether it’s someone else or your own thoughts to hold you captive. Make a decision today to be victorious. Victory is yours. All you have to do is choose to be a victor rather than a victim.

 

 

 

 

Are You In Motion?

One of the definitions of motion is the action or process of moving or of changing place or position; movement. This process of moving, changing place or position can take you in different directions. But back to my original question are you in motion? Positive motion will propel you forward. It keeps you active and engaged in reaching your goals, your dreams, and your destiny. While negative motion will move you in the opposite direction.

Oftentimes interference or noise will turn our positive or forward motion into a negative or backward motion or even stop us from moving.  Have you ever listened to a radio station with a very clear signal then suddenly the signal weakens there may be static or you may even hear a completely different station. The radio frequency has changed because you are out of range.

When we lose our focus, our reason or purpose for seeking after our goals, dreams or destiny due to interference or noise we may feel what we have been striving for is out of range. You may have written a business plan, spent hours doing research but ran into a snag. Perhaps you have run out of funding. Maybe you are walking through the mall and see an idea that is similar to yours or everything is in place for a big contract that falls through at the last minute.

What do you do? Do you lose focus? If you were listening to the radio and were no longer able to listen to your favorite station what would you do? Do you play a CD or do you turn off the radio? If you are like me you may make your own music and sing.

We cannot be distracted by notice, interference or setbacks. As long as we are alive and striving to reach a goal there will be obstacles in our way so what do we do? We improvise. If your capital has fallen short find creative ways to come up with new capital. Have a garage sale, or sell unwanted or unneeded items on ebay. Perhaps you can barter with someone than needs what you have to offer. So what if someone has an idea that is similar to yours. I cannot say this enough. No one can do what you can do exactly the way you do it. If one contract falls through keep working towards the next one. As long as you are moving forward you will reach your destination, but the minute you stop moving your progression stops.

We all get side tracked from time to time but it’s imperative that you stay focused. Find an alternate route. It may take you longer to get there but you will get there eventually and guess what? You may even find your detour gets you there quicker.

 

 

Education + Preparation = Manifestation

Education + Preparation = Manifestation has become one of my principles for life. Its origin is derived from several different scriptures in the bible.

Proverbs3:5-6 Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

Matthew 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

Ephesians 6:13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

James 2:20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?

Luke 14:8 For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it?

Let me give you an example. Recently I had a photo shoot at a location I’d never visited. Before I go any further there a couple of things I must share with you. First, I hate driving especially on the expressway and I’m always nervous when I’m driving some place for the first time. I guess that’s more than one thing, but they are all related to driving. The second thing is that tardiness it a pet peeve of mine. I hate to be late because I don’t want to inconvenience anyone and I don’t like for others to be late. Once I had to drive to a meeting and was provided with bad directions. I gave myself an hour to get to my destination which should have taken 30 minutes. I drove around in circles becoming more and more frustrated. I stopped and asked for directions to no avail. I finally made it to my destination after driving 2 hours. The meeting was almost over but I was determined to get there and let my supervisor see my determination. By the way this was before GPS

Anyway back to my photo shoot. I asked a friend who had used the same photographer what would be the best route to reach the photography studio while avoiding the expressway.  My friend responded she was the wrong one to ask. I then mapped the directions online. I looked at the routes with and without the expressway. My goal was to arrive at my appointment at 9:00am for makeup. Traffic in Atlanta is horrible in the morning especially on the expressway. Using the expressway should have taken me about 35 minutes. Avoiding the expressway should have taken me 42 minutes. The photographer also provided directions advising the online directions did not provide the best exit.

I opted for the photographers directions but also used my GPS. By the way did I mention a down pour was predicted during the time of my drive? I left my house at 7:30 to ensure I reached my destination by 9:00. I was feeling pretty confident about my drive. It wasn’t raining traffic was heavy but I was on schedule then it happened, a detour that I was not aware of. I took what I thought was the correct exit and made the correct turn then I encountered road construction and detours. I drove around in a circle before I asked one of the guys doing the construction work how to reach the street I was looking for. I followed his directions then followed my GPS. I arrived at my destination at 8:30 just as a light rain began. Mission accomplished!

The Education associated with the task was finding the best route to my destination. The Preparation was allowing ample time taking into consideration traffic as well as the possibility of rain. The Manifestation of course was reaching my goal with time to spare. Although I did not mention it I always pray in my car before leaving my home and thank God for reaching my destination upon arrival.

 As previously stated this principle can be applied to every area of life. We should not go about anything we do in life haphazardly. Whether it’s a relationship, employment, an investment or a purchase we need to do our homework. Part of that homework can be found in the scriptures we just read. Seek ye first the Kingdom of God. What does the bible say about that particular situation? Acknowledge God and allow Him to direct your path. What do you already know or what information can you find? What do you need to do to prepare yourself? Do you believe you can achieve your goal? What are you doing to reach your goal? Faith without works is dead. Have you done everything you can do? If so then stand in full belief. Don’t waver. A double minded man is unstable in all his ways and should expect nothing form the Lord.

Begin applying the principle of Education + Preparation = Manifestation in your life today and watch the results!

 

 

BE STILL AND KNOW THAT I AM GOD

We are living in a microwave society. Today’s technology is so advanced. We can start our cars and have them warm in the winter before we open the car door. If we forget to set our alarm on our home we can set it from wherever we are with our smart phone. If we type as I’m typing now and misspell a word the spelling is corrected before we move on to the next word.

The ability to move at such a fast pace has created impatience that years before the technology referenced above as well as other technology did not exist. Not only do we want what we want when we want it we also have an expectation that often turns to disappointment when things don’t go according to our plans, our desires or when we want and expect them to happen.

We read in the book of James my brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.

Oftentimes these divers temptations are Gods way of getting our attention and telling us to slow down! So often we like to put the cart before the horse then can’t understand why the cart isn’t moving. Do we expect the horse to push the cart? God is a God of order. He has a plan, a plan for your life and a plan for my life. Nothing is done randomly. There is a reason behind everything He does.

Unfortunately we sometimes become impatient and when we do we try to speed things up. Our speeding things up can sometimes mess things up. We may be at the brink of our breakthrough or the door may be opening right in front of us but our impatience may prevent our breakthrough from occurring at what we think is that opportune time or it may keep that door closed just a little while longer.

Does that mean God has postponed His plan for our lives? No it does not. God knew we were going to try and help Him out before the thought even entered our minds. What God is doing is teaching us patience and giving us time to realize it’s not by might nor by power but by God’s spirit. It is His plan and will be completed in His timing not ours.

The next time you become anxious or impatient just be still and wait on God. Know that everything is on track according to His plan and as James says count it all joy. Rejoice in what you know God has already completed in the spiritual realm as you await the manifestation in the physical realm.

 

 

Second Chances

We read in the beginning of the bible starting in the book of Genesis how God spoke the world into existence. The earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. The Spirit of God was upon the face of the waters.


And God said:
Let there be light and there was light. He divided the light from darkness. He called the light day and the darkness night.
And God said:
Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters and let it divide the waters from the waters. And God made the firmament, and divided the waters which were under the firmament from the waters which were above the firmament. And God called the firmament heaven.
And God said:
Let the waters under the heaven be gathered together unto one place and let the dry land appear. And God called the dry land earth and the gathering of the waters He called seas.


He then spoke forth grass, herb yielding seed, tree yielding fruit. He spoke the sun, moon stars and seasons into existence.


He spoke into existence the sea life, the fowls and the animals and finally He created man in His image and after His own likeness to have dominion over all He had created.


Adam and Eve had free reign. The only thing forbidden from them was eating fruit from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. But as we know they ate the fruit and sin entered into the earth.


How many times have you been provided with opportunities, advantages and even favor? But rather than do what appears to be easy and obviously what is most advantageous you chose as Adam and Eve to go against what God has instructed, maybe against the rules, the right way to do things or perhaps even against the law?


The entire world has suffered for Adam and Eves decision but what about your decisions? Who have they adversely affected? Sometimes we think our decisions only affect ourselves, but what about those around us? Our decisions may affect our co-workers, neighbors, friends, family and those that we may not even know are watching.


God oftentimes will give us a second chance, a third chance and possibly a fourth or fifth chance. Let's think about those second chances. You may have heard you only have one chance to make a first impression. If you choose to make the wrong decision during someones first observation or introduction to you what do you think that person who does not know you or has never met you will think about you? Maybe you will have an opportunity to correct your actions and maybe you will not.


We serve a forgiving God. He forgives and forgets. People on the other hand are not so forgiving. Some even enjoy reminding you of your past indiscretions.


None of us are perfect. For all have sinned and fall short of the Glory of God. We will make mistakes but part of acknowledging God in all we do and allowing Him to direct our path provides us with an opportunity to get it right the first time so we may not need a second chance.


Why not make a decision today to follow Gods plan rather than your own, seek Him first and acknowledge Him in all you do. Maybe you won't need that second chance after all.

It’s All Part of the Journey

I, like many of you have not transformed completely into Gods full destiny for my life. I am still employed in a full time job while I await the full manifestation of what He has in store for me. Sitting at my desk frustrated I began writing a text to my cousin asking what it would take for her to be exactly where God wants her to be. Before I could even finish my text The Holy Spirit reminded me the journey was just as important as arriving. As a matter of fact you cannot arrive without a journey.

The idiosyncrasies, trials, tribulations and oh yes the things that we hate the most, or cause us the most pain are exactly what are being used to make us exactly who God wants us to be. We have all heard you have to crawl before you walk. Well along with crawling and taking those first steps come a few skinned knees. But remembering the pain from the skinned knees helps us avoid some of the steps that we may have skipped or encourage us to slow our stride to prevent additional boo boos as we used to refer to them.

One of the many lessons I have learned along the way is that recounting my challenges to others not only makes me stronger but may prevent someone else from making the same mistakes I’ve made.

Oh how wonderful it would be to go from A to Z, but it’s all of the alphabets in between that even allow us to get to Z.  Paul tells us to count it all joy when we fall into diverse temptations. Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire wanting nothing.

Many are the afflictions of the righteous but God delivers us from them all and guess what? The journey isn’t all that bad! He walks right along with us and many times in front of us to ensure we get there. So the next time you start feeling frustrated or maybe even like your feet are in quick sand reach for the hand of God that is reaching towards you and allow Him to pull you through.

 

 

 

 

 

 

It Starts In The Home

The thief cometh not but for to steal and for to kill and to destroy. Many of you may have heard me or another pastor quote this scripture or perhaps you've read it somewhere in reference to the enemies desire to destroy the families that belong to God. He uses the husband. He uses the wife. He uses the children and he uses outside influences. These influences can be family members, friends, the media and even people who confessed to be Christians.

 

Unfortunately there are single family homes with only a father or a mother due to circumstances beyond the control of the individual parent. If you are a single parent and the child’s father or mother is in a position to be a part of the child’s life without adversely affecting the child then by all means that person should be a part of the child’s life.

 

If parents are living together but not married you are out of order and setting the wrong example for your child. If you are cohabiting but you don’t have children you are out of order and again setting the wrong example.

 

If you are married you need to follows Gods plan for marriage and family. Husbands love your wife like Christ loves the church. Wives reverence your husbands. Husbands and wives submit to each other.

 

Husbands do not allow your wife to be the spiritual head of your home. You are out of order and setting the wrong example for your children. If your wife is a more seasoned Christian seek God, ask him to mature you. Read your bible and pray. Have study and prayer time with your wife and with your family.

 

Wives do not usurp spiritual headship over your husband just because you are a seasoned Christian. If you are really seasoned you know better. Pray for your husband support him in his role as husband and father so your children will know their roles as husbands and wives as they mature in the Lord.

Whatever example you set in your home will be the example your children will follow. Will your children always follow your example as you train them in the word of God? Children are free agents just as you as their parents are free agents and are responsible for making their own decision to follow Christ just as you did, but God has promised us that if we train up a child in the way he should go when he is old he will not depart from it.

 

Sure children as they mature in age may stray and do things you would not want them to do or even believe they would ever do, but God cannot lie. He says they will not depart and they will not depart.

Pray for your children, their friends and the youth of this and every nation for God to send laborers into their paths. The harvest is truly plentiful but the laborers are few.

Start by being an example in your home and allow God to use you.