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.

What’s in Your Inventory?

Several years ago I was a beauty consultant. I helped women select the best skin care and cosmetics based on their skin type and the undertones in their skin. The women I served were always excited with the results of their consultation and wanted to purchase the products that were used so they could maintain their new look.

My director with the company would always tell her consultants to keep inventory in stock so our clients could purchase at the time of service. If the products aren’t available you may lose a sale.

What’s in your inventory and are you servicing your clients? As Christians we have a great command as we read in Mark 16:15-18 and he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.  He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.  And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; they shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.

But as we read in Roman 10:14-15 how then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher?  And how shall they preach, except they be sent? We must study to show ourselves approved. How can we share God’s word if we don’t know His word? We should be instant in season and out. Always willing to provide a word of encouragement, pray with or for someone or lead them in prayer to receive Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.

What is the purpose of having a storehouse full of inventory or being full of the word of God if you are not serving it to those who are in need? We read in Matthew 5:15-16 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

Share God’s love by sharing His word you may never know how a few words can change a life or save a soul.

 

 

 

When Your Hands Are Tied

Have you ever been in a place where you have done everything you can do? You've prayed, cried, asked everyone you know for advice or simply keep whatever has you bound or perplexed to yourself. You may have tried to figure out what you or someone else could have done to end up with a different outcome. Then you finally realize your hands are tied. There is nothing you can do.

 

Oftentimes when we are in difficult situations we are quick to say 'well the devil is busy' but have you ever considered God may be trying to get your attention? He may be trying to move you out of the way so that He can have free reign in your life or the life of the person you are busy trying to fix.

 

It's our nature to try and fix everything and everybody. We just want things right, or at least right according to our standards. Unfortunately unless we or those that we try to protect never experience challenges neither we nor they will ever look to God for help. God wants us to depend on Him not on our thoughts or our efforts. He doesn't want us leaning on anyone except for Him. He shares His glory with no man and no man is capable of doing what He can do.

We spend countless hours worrying, losing sleep and sometimes even spending money trying to find a remedy for things that if given to God He can and will take care of for us. Does He always do it the way we would like to have it done or when we would like to have it done, maybe not, but one thing we can be assured of is that He will do it just when it needs to be done.

 

It’s easy for someone to tell you not to worry and it's easy for you to tell someone else not to worry when you are not the person that is worried, but when we worry we are saying God you can't handle this so I've got to figure it out when the opposite is actually true. We can't handle it.  That's why we are worrying. Our way of handling everything in life should be to seek Gods counsel then rest in Him and allow Him to take control. It is easier said than done, but once you come to that place where your hands are tied there is nothing else you can do. You might as well just rest in Him!

 

He’s Alive

Mothers are shopping for clothes and shoes for themselves and their children. They go from one grocery store or market to the next looking for the perfect ham, lamb, collard greens or green beans.

Eggs are boiled by the dozens and dipped in dye. Candies and baskets are purchased as cakes bake in the oven. Visits are made to the hair salons, nail salons and barbershops.

Church parking lots are filled and extra chairs are added to the pews to hold the many visitors who frequent the church on Easter Sunday.

When the church service ends some children hunt for Easter eggs before a grand Easter dinner. Families gather together to enjoy the feast.

There are some children and even adults that don’t give a thought about the celebration of Easter outside of their new attire and fine meals.

The fact of the matter is Jesus is alive! We are celebrating His resurrection. He never asked us to buy new clothes, have each hair in place or prepare a meal fit for a king. What He has asked is that we invite Him into our lives.

He wants to abide in us as we abide in Him. He was us to sup with Him to have a relationship with Him and share Him with everyone we meet.  He wants us to live our lives according to His word in righteousness and Holiness. He wants us to know the He loved us so much He gave His life for us so that we may have eternal life and one day see Him face to face.

On this and every day let us celebrate a risen Savior by following His example of showing love. As we read in 1 Corinthians 13 love or charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. Charity never faileth.

Happy Easter, Jesus is Alive!

Where the Spirit of the Lord is there is Liberty

When you give your life to Christ the Spirit of the Lord resides inside of you. Have you ever met someone saved or unsaved that has a woe is me mentality? The sun may be shining and they complain that it’s too hot outside. You share something exciting that God is doing in your life and they tell you to be careful. They rarely smile. These people will suck the joy right out of you if you let them.

The spirit of woe is me may be so heavy on them in your effort to comfort them that same spirit tries to attack you. Before you know it both of you are wearing a spirit of heaviness rather than a garment of praise.

Jesus said the thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

God wants us to be happy that is why He has filled up with His Holy Spirit. Where the Spirit of the Lord is there is liberty. There is also joy unspeakable and the peace of God that passes all understanding. 

Sure we have our ups and downs. That is why He tells us in Psalm 149:5 let the saints be joyful in glory: let them sing aloud upon their beds. It is also why He gives us the oil of joy for mourning and beauty for ashes.

Don’t allow anyone to steal your joy. As a matter of fact when that thief comes to steal your joy pray fervently for the person or situation that is the culprit. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

Rejoice and bask in the liberty that only God can provide. May His riches blessings be upon you today and always as you let the same mind that is in Christ Jesus be in you!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Where Are You On Your Journey?

Some of us know what God has called us to do while others of us do not. Those who know what God has called them to do and fully function in that calling even though they are still faced with life’s challenges have an advantage that others do not have.

Whether it always seems like it or not there is an anointing and there is a flow. Of course Gods’ anointing is what enables you to do what He has called you to do. The flow on the other hand is what keeps you moving even when the storm comes. It’s that burst of energy you receive when you can’t go on. It’s also the unspeakable joy that no one but others that are in the flow can understand.

Then there are the mid liners. Mid liners are those that know what God has called them to do but are only midway there. They may be employed in positions outside of their calling to support themselves financially or have only recently discovered their calling. The anointing is there while working in their calling but there is resistance from their flesh. The flesh does not want to continue working in positions of which they feel God has not called them. There are also attacks from the imps Satan has placed around them to prevent them from basking in the joy they should have just knowing they have discovered their calling. They can’t see it is only a matter of time before what God has already manifested in the spiritual realm will be manifested in the physical realm.

Mid liners are up some days and down other days because they are walking in the flesh instead of in the spirit. Nothing makes the devil angrier then when the saints of God lift up the name of Jesus and praise His name. God inhabits the praises of His people. It’s when you find yourself in a situation where it feels like a whole army of imps have been deployed against you that you gird up your loins and give God the highest praise. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

Praise God and love your enemies. That’s right. Love your enemies. Whether you realize it or not unless a person knows the love of God they do not know what real love is and may have never experienced it. Sure they may feel an emotional tie to someone and even care deeply for them but that is not love. Love or charity  suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.  Charity never faileth.

Finally there are the wanderers. Wanderers are not sure what God has called them to do. Some wanderers go from job to job, change careers, are self-employed, are underemployed or are often unemployed. If you are a wanderer seek God for His call on your life. Your call may not be in the church. Everyone has a job to do. There are not enough churches for everyone to be employed by a church. What’s your passion? What do you enjoy? Which accomplishments have put a smile on your face or joy in your heart? What lessons have you learned that you feel others could benefit from?  If you did not have one financial care in the world what would you do with your time?

It doesn’t matter if 1,000 people are doing it or if you are the only one that is doing it. Do whatever it is that God has chosen for you to do and do it with your whole heart.

Anytime you are not doing what God has called you to do and sometimes when you are you may find yourself working in a hostile environment. If you do find yourself working in a hostile environment let the fruits of the Spirit flow through your life. The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. When the fruit of the Spirit are manifested in your life it changes you, your environment and all those around you.