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.

 

Vanities of Vanities

 

You know it’s interesting. We get up each day and go about our daily business whether inside or outside of our homes. Those of us that are blessed to have employment often complain about our jobs, our income, and our commute back and forth to work.

We complain about taxes, the economy and global warming. We even complain or at least become wearied when we must figure out what to wear or what to eat. Vanities of vanities as Solomon said. All is vanity.

Take a look around at the people who are bustling around you. Sometimes they bump into you in the streets, stores or elevators, some apologize and some do not while others may not even notice they have touched you.

There are so many things they plague our minds day in and day out. It’s a challenge for some of us to get out of bed each day. We may be ailing emotionally, physically, financially or spiritually but we persevere. Some of us put on our smile the way many women put on lipstick. It’s painted on and stays on until we are away from the masses when our smile is wiped away and we can be ourselves.

Others may not put on a smile at all. They shuffle through the day barely making it through so bogged down they don’t know what to do. When we see people’s lives in shambles it makes some of our challenges seem so miniscule.

Our hearts and minds should be on those that don’t know left from right or day from night. They are in a whirlpool which seems to have no end. Not only should we pray for them but we must share Gods words with them to encourage them.

Jesus came for the lost. It is not God’s will for any of us to be so caught up in the things of this world that they literally affect our lives. God says if we keep our mind on Him He will keep us in perfect peace. Easier said than done? Oftentimes it may seem that way but you must as He says taste and see that the Lord is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.

We read in Hebrews 11:6 but without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

If you don’t have a relationship with God invite Him into your heart. Confess Him with your mouth as your Lord and Savior and ask Him to forgive you of your sins.  If you do have a relationship with Him share His love with someone who does not know Him.

 

A New Year A New You?

Well, we are already into February. My how time flies! Some of you may be wondering why I’ve waited until February to speak of the New Year. Many of us make New Year’s resolutions, promises, goals or whatever you choose to call them that normally begin on January 1^st, although some wait until January 2^nd if dieting is involved because they want to enjoy their New Year’s Day meal.

Just like some of you I have made a commitment to exercising and healthy eating. My eating habit has always been pretty good but I’ve gotten addicted to hot chocolate during the cold days of winter. Exercising on the other hand is something I’ve still trying to figure out. I’m a morning person and have been for the past five years or so as I’ve mentioned previously I rose early in the morning and put in an hour of exercise prior to starting my workday. A lack of sleep at night however made me come to an abrupt stop in November and I have yet to return to a new routine. I tried exercising in the afternoon but that ended after two days. I think I will go back to my morning routine in February.

 

What about you? Have you set any goals, commitments etc. that you haven’t started or have already given up?

 

Another one of my goals was to finish a book that I started years ago. Funny thing is I have completed a book but it’s a completely different book. God began dealing with me in a few areas of my life that I know He wants me to share so here’s a new project that believe it or not for those of you who know my history of procrastination and failure to complete a project has been completed.

 I’m now in the process of editing and agent hunting, a whole new world for me. It’s amazing how God uses different situations in your life to not only help you to understand others but to also understand yourself.

I was calling my sister to vent about a situation when God showed me I was venting about one of the things that makes me angry with her. My sister is a giver and expects, no let me change that to assumes that people will do for her what she does for them. I know she gives from her heart but if she needs someone to do something for her it angers her that they do not do it.

I had an expectation of someone that was not fulfilled. I became angry but then realized everyone is not the same. Just because I did something for someone I cannot expect that person to do the same thing for me. I called my sister and shared this with her. My sister being the loving sister that she is replied well that person still could have done that for you. We both laughed.

I have a new outlook and hope she does to. Give expecting nothing in return but the joy of giving.

 

 

What's Driving You?

 

When asked what drives you some of you may respond, family, faith or job. Some of you may even say you are driven by your goals, passions, or maybe even money.

Whatever drives you is usually where you spend the majority of your time whether you’re driven by internal or external forces.

What are external forces? External forces are things like the economy, life situations, demands placed on you by your job or family. You may be driven by your job not because you enjoy it, but because of its demand on your time as well as your salary and or benefits. You may be driven by family obligations even though you may not have the time or energy to meet them.

What are internal forces? An internal force is that thing inside of you that pushes you and gives you peace. It’s what gives you energy even when you have none. It could be your job because you love what you do. It could be your family, friends or an organization you support because of your compassion. It may also be an idea that you just can’t shake, something you are committed to seeing through to fruition.

Whatever drives you, you cannot let it overwhelm you. Whether the force that drives you is external or internal you must have balance. Most of you have heard all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy. Some of you have read or heard Proverbs 11:1 a false balance is abomination to the Lord: but a just weight is His delight. Too much of anything isn’t good for you. You’ve got to find balance if you are too heavily weighted in one area or another.

Take a little time to examine your life. What is driving you? Do you have a false balance? Life is too short not to take advantage of all God has to offer. You can only do so much, and guess what God has already determined exactly what you are going to accomplish. Relax, enjoy the journey, and remember the journey is just as important as the destination.

Encouraging your financial, emotional and physical wellness

Greta

 

How Do You Spend Your Time?

 I usually spend 30 minutes on the elliptical each morning. The number of calories I burn depends on my effort. If I increase my pace and resistance I burn more calories. If I exercise at a slower pace I burn fewer calories. I said all this to say it’s the same 30 minutes but what I get out of it depends on me.

 Many of us end each day saying ‘there just isn’t enough time in the day’ or ‘I just wish I had a few more hours’.

What are you doing with your time? There are 24 hours in each day. The recommended amount of time for sleeping is 6.50 hours however I’m sure some of you get more and some of you get less. Let’s just say you average 7 hours of sleep. That leaves 17 waking hours. What activities do you have during a normal work week? Most people spend about 9 hours a day on the job and depending on your commute may spend an hour or two driving to and from work. That leaves about 6 hours.  If you spend an hour at the gym, shopping, cooking or doing other activities that may leave you with 5 hours.  

 What are you doing with your 5 hours? A lot of you are adult learners and are spending a lot of your time studying. But what about those of you who at not hitting the books? Are you spending your time on the telephone, on facebook, or watching television?

Are you using your time wisely? Time once spent cannot be recaptured. Some of you may remember a commercial for I believe it was AT&T’s cell phone service. If all of the minutes were not used during the month they would rollover into the next month.

 

Wouldn’t it be nice if the time that we waste could be rolled over and used for more productive activities? Well it can’t! I’ve wasted more Saturdays than I care to remember watching movies all day. My how I’d like to roll that time over and use it for more productive activity. Bearing that in mind I’ve made a conscious decision to allocate a certain amount of my time each day for more productive activity. I have a set time, one that I know I will be able to use that won’t interfere with other activities. I am also not making the amount of time too lengthy so I don’t set myself up for failure. This will prevent me from neglecting my production time to attend to other tasks. Lastly, I’ve outlined what I would like to do during this time and set a goal for myself for accountability. By the way, I’m using my productivity time to write this blog.

My challenge to you is for you to allocate time each day to be more productive and accomplish something that you have been putting off because you didn't think you had time to do it.

Encouraging your financial, emotional and physical wellness

Greta