IS IT THEM OR IS IT YOU?

How many of you expect people to behave the same way that you behave? How many of you have certain expectations of people or certain behaviors that you consider as suitable? I think we all have a few expectations when it comes to others. For example, if you are a hard worker you expect others to be hard workers. If you are happy go lucky, you expect other people to be happy go lucky. Sometimes it may be difficult to understand why other people’s thoughts, behaviors and values differ vastly from our own. But when our expectations are not met, are we not judging others? Are we not finding fault with others thoughts, behaviors and values because they differ from ours?

Just because someone does not agree with us, or their thoughts, behaviors and values differ from ours does not make them wrong and us right, or vice versa.

One definition of self-righteous reads

Confident of one's own righteousness, especially when smugly moralistic and intolerant of the opinions and behavior of others. Ouch!

It may not be intentional, but sometimes our behaviors may be considered as self-righteous.

Each of us strive to walk in spirit, to exhibit the fruit of the spirit, love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance. However, our flesh as we know is enmity against our spirit and causes a war between the two.

Paul said in Romans 7:19-20 For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do.  Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.

It’s the flesh, the carnal nature that is quick to act, to judge, to condemn, to think and speak things that are contrary to the truth, or the spirit.

James admonishes us in chapter 1 verse 19 to be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath.

Why does James say this? He says this because it’s the nature of our flesh to do just the opposite. Oftentimes we begin our rebuttal, our answer, or our solution while someone is still speaking. How can we hear if we are thinking about what we are going to say? Sometimes we speak without even thinking about what we are going to say. We just react without weighing our thoughts. Unfortunately our reaction at times may even be out of anger, because we have not been swift to hear, slow to speak, and slow to wrath.

Do you count yourself among those that speak without knowing the entire situation? I think most of us do at some time. How could we not? Only God knows everything.

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Chosen

God has created each of us as individuals to make a contribution to the kingdom. If He had not chosen you, you would not be here. If you do not remember anything else, please remember this. I cannot say it enough. No one can do what you can do exactly the way that you can do it.

God created you for a specific purpose.

Each of us have our own journey in life, our own God given and God purposed assignments, gifts and talents. Our own portion.

What God has for you is for you and no man can take it away from you.

In 1 Samuel 16:6-7 we read  And it came to pass, when they were come, that he looked on Eliab, and said, Surely the Lord's anointed is before him. But the Lord said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart.

Man looks at the outside, but God looks at the heart. How often a judgement, a decision or a choice is made based solely on an outward appearance. I am so glad God knows each and every one of us. He selects us based on His knowledge of who He has chosen and created us to be. Samuel didn’t know anything about Eliab, but in his mind, or with his rationale, or carnal way of thinking, he just knew Eliab was God’s anointed. A decision based solely on his appearance.

It doesn’t matter what you, or anyone else sees in you. What matters is what God sees in you, what God says about you and what God knows about you.

You are Gods choice. You were not chosen by man, nor did you appoint yourself. The only qualification God is looking for is your faith, your obedience to His call. Your willingness to follow His path for your life, to go where He sends you and to do what He has chosen for you to do.

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Why Ask Why?

Have you ever asked God why me, or why now? Have you ever been so overwhelmed, bogged down or stressed out by things that were not your own doing, or perhaps they were your own doing, but either way you feel like you are hanging on by the skin of your teeth. God wants me to tell you to let go. When you feel like you are hanging on by the skin of your teeth, just let go. When you are hanging on by the skin of your teeth you are relying on your own strength and your own ability. When you let go, you are relying on Gods strength and His ability and we all know that He is able, more than able. He is more than capable. Whatever your situation, He knew you would be right where you are, as well as when you would be there. And He never allows you to be in a place where you are not under his mercy, grace and protection.

God wanted me to share these prophetic words with you.

“You are chosen for a purpose and everything that you go through is meant to strengthen you. Count it not strange, the things that you endure, for you are more than capable as I am with you to carry you through. You can, and you will make it through. Trust in Me and believe. I am always with you. It's all in My hands. I am the answer that you are searching for.”

Psalm 37:34 though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the Lord upholdeth him with his hand.

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It's Not Just About You

As difficult as it may seem at the time that you are going through trials and tribulations, what I want you to understand, is that the trials and tribulations you encounter on your journey have a dual purpose. Part of the purpose is to strengthen and mature you and your relationship with Christ. The other part of Gods purpose is your testimony. Sharing your experience with others so they may be encouraged.

We must always remember that people are watching us. Everyone that is watching you is watching because of the Christ in you, but the motives people have for watching you may differ. Some may watch in awe because of your countenance, your peace, your joy, your faith, your strength. Others may watch because they are waiting for you to fall or fail. The enemy, usually unbeknownst to them is having his way in them, using them to wreak havoc.

As you continue on your journey and are faced with trials and tribulations, rather than think about yourself and what you are going through, think about how your testimony will help someone else, weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning.

Morning is when you see the light. When you recognize that whatever you are going through Jesus Christ is your hope.

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Wait On The Lord

Have you ever prayed for something then decided God was taking too long? Or, maybe God wasn’t doing things the way you wanted them to be done, so you decided to help him out.

Well, believe it or not, God never has and never will need our help.

Now I don’t know about you, but sometimes when I hear from God I want to see, and expect to see results immediately. As a matter of fact one day God said to me, you can be excited, but don’t be anxious. I guess He knows, well of course He does. He knows how I am. He knows that I can be impatient, and He wants me to learn to wait on Him.

Psalm 24:14 Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord.

Oftentimes the decisions we make are out of desperation. Our heart may be weakened from stress, or worry. We don’t know how a matter may turn out, we are concerned, so we act based on fear of the unknown rather than waiting on God.  

Psalm 37:34 Wait on the Lord, and keep his way, and he shall exalt thee to inherit the land: when the wicked are cut off, thou shalt see it.

Psalm 37:9 For evildoers shall be cut off: but those that wait upon the Lord, they shall inherit the earth.

God will bring to pass what He has in store for us, and we will witness the demise, or ill will that may come to those that mock our belief in Him.

Isaiah 40:31 But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

Isaiah 49:23… and thou shalt know that I am the Lord: for they shall not be ashamed that wait for me.

When we wait on God things will come to pass exactly the way He wants them to come to pass. We will not be ashamed, disappointed or embarrassed by the outcome that He has for us. We will be strengthen by our trust in God. We will persevere and we will prevail.

God’s plan is God’s plan. It doesn’t matter how we try to help him out or manipulate things. Lamentations 3:37 Who is he that saith, and it cometh to pass, when the Lord commandeth it not?

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Determination

Last week we talked about believing is doing, and how when we have faith or believe, we will do. We will place action behind our faith or what it is that we believe.

Several weeks ago we talked about the sower sowing the seed, and how when the seed is sown the thief comes immediately to steal it. As you hear the word each week and make a decision to act on what you are hearing don’t be surprised if the very thing you hear you will be tested on. For as we read in Mark 4:15 and these are they by the way side, where the word is sown; but when they have heard, Satan cometh immediately, and taketh away the word that was sown in their hearts.

Don’t let the words that you hear be taken away by Satan. Be a doer and not a hearer only.

How many times have you made a decision that you were going to do something, or that you were going to act on the word that you have head. You say to yourself or maybe even someone else, this time I’m serious, or this time I’m sticking with it.

As we talk about sharing what you are going to do with someone else I want to say two things. Oftentimes it helps to share what you are going to do with someone else. That person can help hold you accountable. It’s easy to disappoint yourself, but not quite as easy to disappoint someone else. We never want to hear I told you so, I thought you said, or when are you going to.

I’ve shared with you how I would tell my mother all of my great ideas, and how she would ask me are you going to finish it this time.

Her words are still with me today, and when I speak with her sisters they remind me of her words, and how proud of me she would be to know that I am pressing forward.

The second thing I want to say about sharing what you are doing is, be careful with whom you share. Everyone is not going to be as enthusiastic as you are about what you are doing. Some people may not even understand what you are doing or why you are doing it. They may even try to talk you out of doing whatever it is you are going to do. Never allow anyone to dissuade you.

Romans 8:30-31 Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified. What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?

For a guide on how to share and with whom you can share safely I recommend the Power to Speak Out Loud guide which can be found in my book, Secret Thoughts, Things We Are Afraid To Say Out Loud.

Determination is the act of coming to a decision or of fixing or settling a purpose.

If we have made up our minds that we are going to act out on our faith or what we believe, that we are going to be doers and not hearer only, then we must be determined and hunker down and do so.

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Believing Is Doing

Are you a doer or just a believer? If you believe without following through are you really a believer?

As Christians we are often referred to as believers.

One definition of believe is to have confidence in the truth, the existence, or the reliability of something, although without absolute proof that one is right in doing so.

Well we know Jesus is the way the truth and the life and our confidence is in Him. I’m going to change this definition of believe somewhat to read the reliability of someone instead of something, with that someone being God. And I will replace without absolute proof that one is right, because our faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. And as believers, we are right in having our belief or faith in God.

We read in James 1:22 But be ye doers of the word, or act on what you have heard, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. You’re not fooling anyone, you’re only fooling yourself when you are not acting on what you hear, or what you say you believe. And you’re certainly not fooling God.

It’s kind of like me telling myself I’m going to exercise when I come home from work. I am morning person. When I exercise I exercise in the morning before going to work. I can count the number of times on one hand that I have actually exercised after work. It’s just not going to happen, so why waste my time even saying I’m going to do it. I’m only deceiving myself.

What about you? Are you deceiving yourself? Are you hearing the word but not acting on it, or acting like you believe it?

We also read in James 2:26 …so faith without works is dead also.

If you don’t have works, or place action behind your faith or belief, then your faith or belief has no merit.

When you truly believe you will act, or as I like to say, you will act like it’s so. I must say I’m guilty of not always acting like it’s so. I have my moments of believing without acting. But when you think about it, what do you actually have to lose by putting action behind your faith? You have nothing to lose, and a whole lot to gain.

You see, we can’t act on what we believe without knowing in whom we believe. Our belief represents our faith and as 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.

As I just mentioned, you have a whole lot to gain!

Now let me ask you this. Why is it so easy for us to place action behind what we think we know rather than what we believe, or what our faith tells us?

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