Because God Said So

I’m a believer, always have been. But let me clarify what I mean by being a believer. As I young child I believed whatever a person of authority would say to me especially my parents. I thought my parents could do no wrong and why on earth would I think anyone would purposely mislead me? If my parents had said the moon was made of cheese I would have believed them, because they said so.  I trusted them. To my dismay, as I matured I learned not everyone was always as truthful as my parents. Go figure! I learned to consider the source and weigh information prior to determining whether or not I should believe it.

Christians are considered believers, believers in the word of God. When I gave my life to Christ I had a renewed since of belief. This time my belief was in someone that could not lie. My belief was in God, for as we read in Hebrews 6:18 it is impossible for God to lie. I believe everything He says and rightly so. He is the undisputable authority.

In Matthew chapter 8 we read the account of the centurion who came before Jesus and told him his servant was at home sick from palsy. Jesus replied to the centurion saying He would go and heal him. The centurion responded to Jesus saying “but speak the word, only and my servant shall be healed.” He continued basically saying to Jesus that he too was a man of authority and as such understands the power of speaking a word with authority. For he would say to one man come and he would come, to another go and he would go and to his servant do this and he would do it. In essence he was saying to Jesus. It’s not necessary for you to go to my servant. Just speak your word and I know he will be healed. Jesus was marveled at the faith of the centurion and said to him in verse 18 go thy way; and as thou hast believed, so be it done unto thee. And his servant was healed in the selfsame hour.

I think it’s important for us to recognize the faith of the centurion as did Jesus. The centurion believed his servant would be healed because Jesus said he would. God’s spoken word is written throughout the bible. Because His word has been spoken it is true and can come to pass, it is faith that causes the manifestation.

The woman with the issue of blood believed if she touched Jesus’ garment she would be made whole. Jesus recognizing He had been touched by someone with faith spoke to the woman saying to her thy faith had made thee whole.

Before slaying Goliath, David was advised by Saul he wasn’t able to fight the Philistine because he was just a youth and Goliath was a man from birth, in other words he was saying to him he’s huge, you’re small and you don’t have a chance. David confidently responded the Lord that delivered him out of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear would deliver him out of the hand of this Philistine. He believed God would deliver him, and he did.

Healing, deliverance, peace. Blessings, prosperity and strength. Everything you need God has already provided and spoken into existence.

What do the centurion, the woman with the issue of blood and David all have in common? They all believed in the power of God’s promises.

Why am I a believer? Because I believe in God’s promises. His promises for your life and mine were spoken into existence over 2000 years ago and I believe what He said.

Find God’s promise for your life in His word today, trust in His word and believe that He will bring it to pass…why? It’s simple, because He said so.

 

Who’s Looking Out For You?

Sometimes we are so busy being busy we don’t take time for ourselves. You may have time allocated for work, shopping, spending time with family and friends. You may even have time allocated for exercise and a spa day. But with all of these scheduled activities are you really taking time out for yourself?

If you are a caregiver or a giver that cares you often put others before yourself. In Philippians 2:3 we are admonished to esteem others higher than ourselves, but we also read in Proverbs 11:1 a false balance is abomination to the Lord: but a just weight is his delight. Anything that we do disproportionately is a false balance even when it comes to caring for others.

It’s unfortunate, but many times when caring for others we neglect ourselves. We put the welfare of others before our own welfare, but what we must take into consideration is what if we were not there to care for this person or these people? Who would care for them? It’s important to take care of yourself while caring for others. Not only must you consider who will take care of those you are caring for but you must also consider who will take care of you if you are in a situation that requires care.

A false balance can occur when you overextend yourself in any area of your life. Are you devoting too many hours to work? Are you devoting too many hours to play? Are you devoting too many hours to sleeping? Are you spending too many hours on habits that are counterproductive?

Take a close look at how you allocate your time. How much time do you spend in prayer or just sitting quietly? Are you too busy to listen to what God is saying? Many times when we say we can’t hear God it’s because we are not listening. We are too busy being busy. You may be thinking well if I don’t do this it won’t get done. Perhaps it won’t, but just remember all you can do is what you can do and you can’t do everything by yourself. Solicit help. Don’t ever think you are alone. Share what you are going through. Sometimes all you need is a listening ear or encouraging word to motivate you or strengthen you. There may be other times however when you require assistance. Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Requesting help does not mean you are unable to complete a task. To the contrary, it means you are smart enough to realize when assistance is required.

Take time for yourself, set realistic goals, don’t place undue pressure on yourself. Remind yourself daily I can of mine own self do nothing, (John5:30; Philippians 4:13) but I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

Cast all of your cares and rest in God. Casting your cares does not mean you are not concerned. It means you know your limits and you are leaving things in the hands of the only One that can handle them. You will be amazed at the amount of peace you will have when your trust is in God instead of in yourself.

Who’s looking out for you? God is looking out for you. Allow Him to do His job!

 

Are You Doing All You Can Do?

Before you start complaining that you are not where you would like to be, things are not going the way you would like for them to go or you just can’t get a break, ask yourself this question. Are you doing all you can do?  We read in Ephesians 6:15…and having done all, to stand. Are you waiting for something to happen that will propel you forward into your destiny when you have not done all that you can do?

As I have mentioned previously I am a dreamer and a believer. I believe Gods Word in its entirety. I believe He has great plans for me just as He has great plans for you as stated in Jeremiah 29:11 for I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. Jeremiah 1: 5 before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee.

What more do you need to be encouraged? What more do you need than the assurance that before you were even born God had plans for you that are greater than you can imagine. Isaiah 55:9 for as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher that your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. God is able to do exceeding abundantly above all we can ask or think according to the power that worketh in us. What is that power that worketh in us? It is the Holy Spirit that was sent to provide us with everything we need to succeed. It is the measure of faith that He has given each of us.

You were born with everything you need to succeed, but first you must recognize that you are unique and God does have a plan for you. You must believe and trust in God’s promises. You have to be confident in Him and His ability to fulfill His plan for your life. You have to “act like it’s so.” You must put forth an effort and be an active participant in God’s plan. You must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those that diligently seek Him. The emphasis here is not on reward, but on diligence. Think of a time when you accomplished a goal. If you can’t think of anything let me help you. You probably don’t remember when this occurred in your own life, but you may have witnessed a child learning to walk. A child learning to walk will take small guarded steps. S/he may hold on to someone or something nearby. S/he will fall a few times but continues to put forth an effort and eventually succeeds. Is the child afraid while trying, of course, but does not give up. Without even realizing it the child is exercising faith. God tells us to have childlike faith. Childlike faith believes nothing is impossible.

What effort are you putting forth? Are you taking small guarded steps, or are you taking any steps at all? Are you taking an active role in God’s plan for your life? Activity includes but is not limited to prayer. Seek God’s direction and move towards it. You will be amazed at what will happen when you do all that you can do.

 

It’s Time to get off the Sofa

Let’s face it, there are times when we may feel so weighed down by life that we just don’t want to do anything but curl up on the sofa, read a good book, watch a movie or eat our way out of our funk. But how many of you know that nothing I have just described has ever solved anything. To the contrary, because these behaviors have used up the one resource we can never get back we often regret wasting our time on such unprofitable acts…and let’s not talk about eating our way out of our funk. Although I’m not a stress eater I have watched a movie or two, or three, or four (and I’m stopping there), while indulging in a few snacks that I have yet to work off.

 

But enough, we may not be able to redeem the time we have lost, but we can put the error of our ways behind us and move forward. Unless we share our thoughts, bad habits and for lack of a better word, wastefulness, with others we are usually the only ones that know we are off our game, not doing what we know we should be doing or missing a step. And believe me we do know, but don’t let knowing cause you to beat yourself up, grab your favorite snack and get back on the sofa.

 

Recognize and acknowledge you are not doing what you know you should be doing. Maybe the year didn’t start of the way you expected. Perhaps you were expecting a new job or new relationship. Maybe you received disappointing news, or even something more devastating that has caused you to lie down on the sofa.

 

The sofa is just an analogy for the place you go to hide, sulk, rest, or remove yourself from your ‘real life’, the life God has predestined for you. The trials, tribulations; defeats that we face in this life are ‘world experiences’ but you my friend are a spirit living in a body. Your body, emotions; thoughts are impacted by the world, but your spirit is not. We read in Galatians 5:17 for the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.

 

I think Paul says it best in Romans 7:15, for that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I. How many times have you said just one more chapter when reading that book, or I just want to see how this ends while watching a movie?  Perhaps you are eating your favorite snack and make a decision to finish it all so it will no longer be a temptation, only to find yourself purchasing a replacement the next time you are shopping, then vow you will eat the replacement snack only in moderation.

Well it’s time to get off of the sofa, time to move away from whatever has immobilized you and is preventing you from doing what God has called you to do. How many times have you said tomorrow, next week, or next month I will…

 

Today is your tomorrow, your next week and your next month. There is no time like the present.  You may not be able to take the bull by the horns and move full force into what you need to do, depending on what it is you are working on, how long you have been away from it, or what it’s going to take to move you to the next level.  Take baby steps. Any step is better than no step at all.

 

Each of us has a purpose, and as I often say ‘no one can do what you can do exactly the way that you can do it.’

 

Learn from the past.  Your experience is your testimony. It should be used to encourage yourself as well as others, but it’s just that, the past. Forgive yourself for lying on the sofa, get up, get moving and don’t look back.

 

Are You Waiting for The Other Shoe to Drop?

Solomon, who is credited for being the wisest man that ever walked the face of the earth, said in Ecclesiastes 9:11I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favour to men of skill; but time and chance happeneth to them all.

Have you ever heard anyone say if it wasn’t for bad luck they wouldn’t have any luck at all? Well my friend, first I’d like to assure you that there is no such thing as luck, neither bad nor good. As Solomon so wisely stated, sometimes things just happen. And even those things just happen nothing happens that God does not already know is going to happen. Things may take you by surprise, but nothing is a surprise to God.

Sure, each of us encounter experiences in life that are less than favorable, and often times we wonder why. We read in James 1:2-4 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 work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. Believe it or not our less than favorable experiences build character. They are the foundation of our testimony; our encouragement for others.

We read in Proverbs 23:7 for as he thinketh in his heart, so is he. If you are going around thinking that because you have experienced a couple, a few or even several less than favorable encounters that you are doomed and nothing good is ever going to happen to you, then guess what, you are going to get exactly what you are thinking. Change your mindset and change your future.

Jeremiah 29:11reads for I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. Stop waiting for the other shoe to drop. Stop expecting bad things to happen. Stop walking around sad and depressed thinking things will never get better. Negative thoughts tie Gods hands and prolong the blessings and abundant life He wants each and every one of His children to possess.

If you have been waiting for the other shoe to drop I ask you to make a conscious decision today to change your way of thinking. Jesus said in John 10:10 I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. Take hold of what is your inherent right. Grasp hold of the abundant life today. Don’t waste another moment sulking, hold your head up high, stir up the joy inside of you and live the abundant life!

 

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Nothing’s Changed

We read in Isaiah 55:10-12 for as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watererth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater: so shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it. For ye shall go out with joy, and be led forth with peace: the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.

How many times have you received a word from the Lord, but when things seemed to go contrary to what He has said you get that sinking feeling in your stomach and begin to lose hope?

After receiving not so favorable news I started getting that sinking feeling in my stomach. As I readied myself for my pity party The Lord quickly reminded me “nothing’s changed.” The word that He had previously spoken to me remained steadfast. It could not and would not change.

How often we are swayed by the thoughts that go through our mind, but they are simply that…thoughts! There is no validity. Our carnal senses have persuaded that what we think might happen is reality when truly it is not. Our mind, based on what we have heard or what we have seen has come to a conclusion on its own, but where are the facts?

The fact is if God has spoken, as we have just read, His word shall not return unto Him void, but will accomplish what He pleases. The fact is as Christians we are to exercise our faith. Now faith is the substance of things hoped for…things hoped for. The things that we hope for are things that prosper us, things that have a good ending, things that bring peace, joy and comfort. If the thoughts that are going through your mind are contrary to the things that you are hoping for then they are not rooted in faith.

While our mind is wandering, conjuring up the worst thing we can imagine our spirit fights back reminding us of what God has said in His word. We read in 2Corintians 10:5 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.

As Christians we have the authority to call those things which be not as though they were. Take a stand. Refuse to believe the thoughts the enemy tries to shoot through your mind that are contrary to what you know is Gods truth. Stand firm. Don’t give in to worry, stress, anxiety or fear. When has worry, stress, anxiety or fear ever caused something to turn in your favor?

What God was telling me and what I am telling you is that it doesn’t matter what you’re facing, or what anyone says or does. When God speaks He already knows what you are going to face in the future. When your future becomes your right now His word is still valid. It has not changed. Whatever His word to you was, it still is. Now faith is the substance of things hoped for. Faith if for now. Faith is for the time that you want to give up, cave in and quit. Faith is for the time things look like they are not going to change. Faith is for this moment. The moment that you receive bad news, the moment you think you can’t go on.

God is saying nothing’s changed, so don’t you change. He hasn’t changed his mind about what He has said He is going to do, so don’t you change your expectation.

Secret Thoughts - Things We Are Afraid To Say Out Loud



What are your Secret Thoughts?

 

What are you afraid to say out loud?

 

Lean how to release your secret thoughts without fear of embarrassment, ridicule, envy or jealousy, and become empowered to speak out loud.

 

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Saturday November 8th from 2-5

 

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