Freedom from Emotions.....

So clearly, the devil wanna get a rise outta me this morning with silly little antics that used to set me off and ruin my entire day ------ And yet, I SMILE! The Lord has been working with me not being led by my emotions and it has not been an easy thing but I can see the growth Praise God! I am now starting to recognize the tools and techniques the enemy uses to suck and zap our joy, strength, peace, and trust in Christ. And what's really amazing is that A LOT of the sin/misery in our lives that we blame on the devil is not really his doing - he tempts us, makes suggestions, presents us with the opposite of what God has for us and then it is our OWN FREE WILL that allows it to move from temptation to sin. (James 1:14-24)

We all have a choice in our reactions to everything in life - negative or positive - and in that reaction we must understand that we also create our own reality. Negative or Positive. Your reaction affects your reality - if you react negatively, you will continue in that. If you change your focus and react positively, you will continue in that.

So many of us are unhappy and easily shaken by the natural hiccups of life. It's almost as if we're surprised every time things don't go our way or things come to upset us....and that leads me to ask, how long have we been here? Why are we so surprised by life or the truth that it's not all roses and butterflies?  It amazes me that humans can overcome so much in life and still have no freedom and joy due to our inability to control our emotions/reactions vs. them controlling us.

... My joy and peace are in the Lord, Who is stable and faithful no matter what. Once we learn not to be led by our emotions (or the emotions of other people - because many of us are), we're one step closer to overcoming the world through Christ.

As someone who has been diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder, I continue to thank God daily for His help in healing and growing me. I'm not saying I'm 100% perfect here - I still have manic episodes at times, but they are not long and no longer cause me to act out irrationally as they have in my past (for the most part, they now just make me really hyper and really silly - so I use that time to get a lot more done and laugh more). Depressive episodes are rare, but when they come they don't last long as I have found praise, worship, prayer and studying God's Word helps combat the irritations of the disorder. Keeping a constant connection throughout the day with my Father in prayer also keeps me in peace and joy in Him. Therefore, I know if He did it for me and I have peace in the midst of a serious mental disorder (and I have been functioning without medicine for about five years now) He will surely do it for you if you ask Him.

I'd also recommend reading Managing Your Emotions by Joyce Meyer (not affiliated with the ministry so not trying to get any type of payment - you buy it, you buy it, if you don't - you just don't - but those who DO it will bless you). I recently finished this book and I thank God for leading Joyce Meyer to write such a mind-transforming truth for His children.

Your reality is what you perceive it to be based on the way you go through life. If you have faith in only the negative things - you will see the negative. If you have faith that Our Father God is faithful and trustworthy, Christ - His Son is King and through His sacrifice and resurrection we have been promised an abundant life [in Christ]- you will see AND EXPERIENCE that!

You are what you believe....I am one with I AM because I believe He is.

Selah.

OMG...WHAT IS SHE WEARING?!?!

Why do we talk about how other people dress - style wise? For instance, when we see someone wearing something that doesn't fit our style why are we (humans) so hell bent on shaming, talking about and laughing at them? This is what we're really saying when we talk about people's attire: "Oh so and so has on such and such today and I would NEVER wear that, so let's make fun of them so I can feel superior." Really? That's lame.

If it's not your style and you're not the one wearing it...unless their outfit is inappropriate (i.e. not fully clothed, offensive slogan, etc.) WHY does it matter? I'm not singling people out - I am guilty of this as well -  but over the past year, God has really been dealing with me on things like this and I am recognizing just how much time we as humans waste degrading one another over things that don't matter anyway. When we were young, we were taught if you have nothing nice to say, just don't say anything....I think adults need a refresher in this. WEAK people put others down...STRONG people lift others up!

...the next time someone comes at you talking about someone flip the script by complimenting the person they are degrading...and then encourage your friend to do the same. LIFE...is NOT a competition. We're all in this together. Selah.

I've never seen a Lion laughing at a Zebra because of its stripes....yet humans are the superior ones.....think on that.

If you want to see the promise land....

We show our commitment to Christ through a willing spirit, obedience and patience. Sadly, too many of us fail to endure to the end with Christ because we live 20,30..even 50+ years of our lives in sin - then expect God to perfect our lives in a matter of months once we get "tired of the world" (or once life hits us hard and we have no where else to turn). That sounds sweet and wonderful...but it's not how God works (though many preach this, it's not true - everything is a process with God). We must endure in the pits, valleys and wildernesses of life [with patience and faith in Christ]...in order to enjoy the palaces, mountain tops and promise lands in Christ [with all glory and praise going to Christ].

1 Peter 5:10: And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.

Romans 5: 3-5 Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.

Philippians 1:29 For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him...

Acts 14:22 “We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God,”

We need to learn to SHUT UP!

Too many of us run to human ears with our mouths when we should be running to God with our hearts.

We need to learn to be quiet.

We (humans) have a bad habit of talking about our problems and making things worse then they are. When in the middle of hardship we'll go to and fro discussing our situations/circumstances/worries,etc. with anyone who will listen instead of standing in trust.

When we rehash our problems constantly & continuously,  we give those issues/circumstances power over us. They consume us - take our mind of Christ - take away our peace - and cause us even more stress. There is a major difference between speaking an issue with someone so they might pray with & for you, encourage you and stand in faith for God to deliver you vs. speaking an issue just so you can get your feelings out, vent your frustration/anger, or even just have something to say. Some of us don't actually want a change in the situation at all - we just like the attention the drama brings, though we'll don't admit this.

You can tell when a person simply wants prayer and encouragement in the Lord because that person will often be direct in their request. They'll also be more concerned with understanding WHAT GOD DESIRES TO TEACH THEM in this situation and also how He desires them to respond. They won't continuously rehash the topic with every person they meet, nor will it be the primary topic of conversation when they speak with you. Finally, they'll more than likely stand in silence (in regards to that topic) until they see the deliverance of the Lord.

The person seeking God in the midst of their hardship will find Wisdom and grow in the Lord, maturing in their emotions.

We can counter our faith with negative words, thoughts, complaints and attitudes (Exodus 16:8; Numbers 11:1; Psalm 106:25; 1 Corinth. 10:10; Philip.2:14-16, James 4:1-3)  or we can work with our faith and prayers by speaking life (Psalm 13:5, 37:5, 40:4, 56:3-5; Isaiah 26:3-4, 40:31; Philip 4:6-7)  - If you can't speak life, STAY SILENT until you are able to get in agreement with God and speak life (Exodus 14:14; Lamentations 3:25-26; Psalm 25:3, 27:13-14, 37:7, 130:5; Hosea 12:6; Isaiah 30:18, 64:4).

I used to be a person who always had to have a problem. If there wasn't a problem - I'd MAKE something into a problem just for the attention, just for the drama of it. As God began to deliver me from this need for attention and this addiction to drama (because yes, some of us are addicted to the dramatics) I started recognizing just how damaging this mindset was to my faith. My "problems" came out in my attitude and it STUNK. I frustrated people and burdened them with my life -  draining them of their peace, their joy, their wisdom, time and anything else I could get from them. Eventually, it came to a place where I found myself alone - not because people didn't care or didn't love me but because it was just too draining for anyone to deal with me. As I accepted this (without resentment towards people) I realized it's very unfair (and extremely selfish) to expect people to drop everything to constantly cater to your varying emotions on a whim - but CHRIST is always willing and ready to listen, comfort, encourage, support and even correct (so you can overcome) when necessary.

Since turning my life over to God and trusting Him with my problems I've found freedom in not needing to grasp for attention from the world. I'm not saying that I don't have moments where I feel overwhelmed and I enjoy having godly support from fellow brothers and sisters in Christ - but I now understand that the ultimate source of comfort, wisdom, help and anything else I need is CHRIST and HE should be my first and MAIN source of comfort. Not man. (Psalm 9:9, 55:22; 1 Pet. 5:6-7; John 14:16-18,26-27)

It's to Him I run and on days where I feel like just want to scream and complain - I SHUT UP, I RUN TO THE LORD & I SHUT OUT THE WORLD.....that He might restore, replenish and satisfy my needs without distraction or additional burdens from others [those who pour into others spiritually through ministry need to understand the importance of protecting your own spirit from being overburdened and drained, you also need to pull away as Christ did often, to spend time with Our Father and allow Him to strengthen you-  especially when you are in the midst of hardship yourself - but that's another topic for another day].

We all grow weary, even the strongest in their faith have their moments - that doesn't mean the aren't strong in their faith or they are somehow not "as saved as you thought" it means they are HUMAN. The mark of a believer steadfast in Christ is how they handle those moments....do they run in fear to every human ear they can find, or do they run in faith to God trusting Him to work. 

Those who run in faith to God will see the deliverance of the Lord. (Psalm 116:1-2)

Which are you? 

Psalm 46:10 "Be Still, and know that I AM GOD.

Selah.

Humility....

The most humbling act of Christ was giving up His life that we might live. This tells us the most humbling thing we can do for Christ is to give up our lives that He might live through us.

If we in Christ could only grasp this....only when we recognize and accept that our lives are not our own - but God's-  is when we'll truly begin to live in and for God. Selah.

When God Shows You Who He Is...BELIEVE HIM.

When God shows you who He is, believe Him!  King Nebuchadnezzar didn't.... and he was called out for it. 

In Daniel 3 we see King Nebuchadnezzar send Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego into the fiery pit because they refused to bow down to him. They even told the king that God could save them from the fire, but even IF HE DIDN'T - they still would not bow down and worship the king because he was not God (Daniel 3:13-23). 

The king had them thrown into the fire but God showed up and indeed saved them just as they believed. At the end of it all, the men were promoted and King Nebuchadnezzar gave praise and glory to God most High (Daniel 3:24-30)....but he still didn't submit to God. 

By Daniel 4 we encounter the king having a dream, which none can interpret but Daniel. Daniel courageously explains to the king that the dream is in reference to him being driven out to live in the wilderness like an animal, since he refuses to acknowledge God as the Most High (Daniel 4:24-25). The problem with King Nebuchadnezzar was pride and selfishness - he continued oppressing people, serving his false gods, and taking credit for everything he had (idolizing self) he had in spite of recognizing God's Power (Daniel 4:8, 27,30, 32). 

As a result, God did exactly what He warned (God always warns before He judges) and He sent king Nebuchadnezzar out in the wilderness to live as one of the animals until he would acknowledge that God is the most High God and everything He had was because of the grace of the Most High (Daniel 4:33). As soon as the king did this, He was restored  - not only to his former state - but to GREATER (Daniel 4:34-36)! 

Many people feel that God pursues them so they can have a miserable boring life, but there are numerous times in the bible where God shows His calling and His path worthy, He doesn't only glorify Himself when we walk faithfully with Him in obedience and trust - He glorifies and blesses the believer as well! Just look at the many people in the midst of this story who were glorified by God because of their faith - Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego were promoted after their trial, Daniel was as well, the King was given greater than he had before God......

God doesn't just burst in a door and expect you to believe in Him, He understands the human mind and our natural doubts, curiosities - and this is why He does things to show Himself to us that we might see and we might believe....yet so many of us SEE GOD and we recognize it's Him yet STILL refuse to turn away from the false idols in our lives - be they false religions, destructive addictions, bitterness and anger in our hearts, unforgiveness, pain, even the burden of controlling everything and trusting in our own strength and might.....

I'm compel you...I beg you....I stress with all the love I can....LET GO and trust GOD. If He has shown Himself to you time and time again - don't delay in acknowledging Him as the Most High and submitting your life to Him - His grace is a gift that is not meant to be ignored. 

Selah. 

God's Word is NOT for sale! Nor His salvation, Nor His Peace, or anything else that relates to Him!

I just visited the website of a "bishop" and the video on the homepage is him - asking - no actually INSISTING --  people donate "at least $1,000" to his cause, talking about what he's doing and what he needs and how everyone needs to donate.... there is NO TALK about the WORD OF GOD. NONE! God I weep for those being led astray by these false teachers who are only out to get....the WORD OF GOD is NOT FOR SALE. THE WORD OF GOD..IS NOT FOR SALE! God did NOT charge you money to receive His Christ and freedom in Christ so neither should we charge to bring people the word of God!

Now don't get me wrong - IT IS BIBLICAL that pastors/teachers/missionaries are to be SUPPORTED by the churches but supported does not mean new cars, building you a home, keeping you in designer clothes, mega sanctuaries, or more marketing for YOURSELF. Supported biblically means some church members may have opened their homes to give them a bed while they were traveling, they would provide food for them while they were in town ministering, things of that nature. Not to mention, they did this from the HEART they were LED on their own to give out of LOVE AND REVERENCE for GOD - not some preacher giving a guilt trip to compel people into giving. Never, not ever - not ONE place in the bible does God command people to honor their pastors in such a way that they lead these lavish lifestyles in the midst of parishioners who barely have enough to eat. NO SIR! Even CHRIST had NO WHERE TO LAY HIS HEAD - so what makes ministers think it okay to use church funds to build up their dreams and desires? ANYTHING we are blessed with is to glorify God and advance His kingdom...not to advance OURSELVES.

On the flip side,  it is also biblical that Jesus went without in humility and so did some of His greatest apostles! In fact the Apostle Paul often refused any support - working with his own hands - so that NO ONE could dare say he was in it for money! It IRKS MY NERVES when I see these "titles" (i.e. pastor, bishop, evangelist, etc.) out here ciphering money for a bigger church, bigger network, bigger ministry (in essence MORE GLORY FOR THEM...not GOD)- when the people in your very own church community and the community you should serve is suffering and in lack. STOP BUILDING BIGGER CHURCHES AND GET OUT THERE AND MINISTER LIKE GOD CALLED US! GEEESH I REFUSE to charge people to share what GOD GAVE ME FREE! - that's my pulpit rant for the day- I'm sorry y'all but that just BURNED ME UP this morning. You will NOT disparage sincere Christians for their faith and then turn around and use your faith to cipher money in the name of the LORD. NO SIR. That's not "enlightenment" that's thievery...and it's the work of the enemy and God is NOT in it. ....I have the good mind to go post this on his page in hopes that some of the people buying into his foolishness may see the truth. That is our job as Christians - to expose the darkness and tricks of the enemy (Ephesians 5:11), I'm NOT afraid to do it.

Matthew 10: 8-9 " Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy,[a] drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give."

2 Corinthians 9:7-8  "Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver."

1 Corinthians 9: 3-18 "I’m not shy in standing up to my critics. We who are on missionary assignments for God have a right to decent accommodations, and we have a right to support for us and our families....  But we’re not going to start demanding now what we’ve always had a perfect right to. Our decision all along has been to put up with anything rather than to get in the way or detract from the Message of Christ. ...You know, don’t you, that it’s always been taken for granted that those who work in the Temple live off the proceeds of the Temple, and that those who offer sacrifices at the altar eat their meals from what has been sacrificed? Along the same lines, the Master directed that those who spread the Message be supported by those who believe the Message. Still, I want it made clear that I’ve NEVER gotten anything out of this for myself, and that I’m not writing now to get something. I’d rather die than give anyone ammunition to discredit me or impugn my motives. If I proclaim the Message, it’s not to get something out of it for myself. I’m compelled to do it, and doomed if I don’t! IF THIS WAS MY OWN IDEA OF JUST ANOTHER WAY TO MAKE A LIVING, I'D EXPECT SOME PAY. BUT SINCE IT'S NOT MY IDEA BUT SOMETHING SOLEMNLY ENTRUSTED TO ME, WHY WOULD I EXPECT TO GET PAID? So am I getting anything out of it? Yes, as a matter of fact: the pleasure of proclaiming the Message AT NO COST TO YOU. You don’t even have to pay my expenses!" 

3 John 5-8, "Beloved, it is a faithful thing you do in all your efforts for these brothers, strangers as they are, who testified to your love before the church. You will do well to send them on their journey in a manner worthy of God. For they have gone out for the sake of the name, accepting nothing from the Gentiles [nonbelievers]. Therefore we ought to support people like these, that we may be fellow workers for the truth" (emphasis added)

2 Corinthians 2:15-17, "For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing, to one a fragrance from death to death, to the other a fragrance from life to life. Who is sufficient for these things? For we are not, like so many, peddlers of God's word, but as men of sincerity, as commissioned by God, in the sight of God we speak in Christ."

When God Sits You Down...ENDURE. IT'S WORTH IT!

"....now the Lord is Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's Glory, are being transformed into His likeness with ever increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, Who is Spirit." - 2 Corinthians 3:17-18

The flesh is restricting, it's bondage - with all its demands and whims that are often conflicting/confusing and turn your attention from God to self (a most common form of idolatry). The flesh is bound to this world (we do not take the flesh with us in death and the flesh is not part of the "image of God" since God is not of flesh); and this world is under the control of the enemy (due to the curse of sin) (John 16:11, John 12:31, John 5:19 2 Corinth. 4:4). Therefore anyone living by the flesh is not free. They live in bondage.

The Spirit is God and is not restricted by the world. Spirit is not in bondage to the whims and demands of flesh because Spirit has no flesh and is not infected by sin. Spirit is all holy (1 Peter 1:6), all knowing, all powerful, all strength - none can compare to Spirit and none can lead, guide or question His methods for He is the Creator of all things and has designed all according to His purpose (Jeremiah 32:17, 27). Spirit does only the Will of God (John 16:13). The world (those who operate in the flesh) does not know, or accept, the Spirit (John 14:16-17). Those who accept the Spirit (sincerely) die to their flesh (and are freed from bondage) and live by the Spirit which brings freedom in Christ (Galatians 5:16-25, Romans 8:5-15).

Once we accept the Spirit into our lives and willingly allow Him to work in our hearts God literally pours His Spirit into His children who continuously seek Him. He also continues to increase our glory in Christ, as we continue to humble ourselves under His Mighty Hand and submit willingly to His LIFE TRANSFORMING POWER!

SUBMISSION TO GOD = OBEDIENCE. OBEDIENCE TO GOD = BLESSING! (Deuteronomy 28:2)

As we submit to God he transforms us into the image of His Perfect Son, Our Messiah, CHRIST the ONE TRUE KING! If that's not enough to get you praising, I don't know what is! To be made perfect like Christ by the hand of God - that is one marvelous gift!

While God does His work of transforming us, we should do our part by,  " renouncing the secret and shameful ways; ... not use deception...nor..distort the Word of God..." and instead, " set...forth the truth [of Christ] plainly..." (2 Corinth. 4:2).  Our lives should plainly reflect our commitment to Christ so our witness for Christ will be effective. If we say one thing, but live another we distort the Word of God and we are deceptive [ and hypocritical] because our words do not match our actions (and don't reflect our faith).

It is important for all believers to understand, in the midst of our transformation from the old self (our flesh) to the new self (Spirit/Image of Christ) we will endure hardship... "we are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed." (2 Corinth. 4:8-9)

Change is not always easy. Just as we didn't fall into sin and being led by the flesh overnight, neither will we come out of it overnight. It's not that God Himself makes it hard - rather the enemy, who desires to keep us in the flesh and separate from God. He will do everything he can to keep us from returning to Christ, and once we return, to keep us from staying in Christ victoriously.

Don't be alarmed when it seems like the more you desire to live for Christ, the more things come against you - this is temporary, this is common - but you can overcome because Christ already has. All of this is done to transform us into the image of Christ and free us from the bondage of sin, ultimately allowing us share in the resurrection of Christ into Eternal Life with our Father and Creator - El Elyon "God Most High", the Great I AM! HALLELUJAH!!!!

So, fellow believer and brother or sister in Christ, have faith! Most of all remember these things during those difficult seasons in Christ when you are tempted to give up, turn back and forfeit the work Christ has begun. HE, Christ, is faithful to see it through to the end (Phil 1:6) BUT YOU MUST BE WILLING TO ENDURE AND SEE IT THROUGH WITH HIM!

Trust God, He is faithful in His promises! The transformation from flesh to Spirit in Christ is not an easy path, nor always a comfortable one - but, it is the most REWARDING! I speak as a living testimony ...God stripped me bare of all I had accomplished in my flesh - apart from Him - and now that I have learned submission and obedience (and most important to Him - TRUST) He is blessing me in ways that I could never (and have never) imagined - spiritually and physically! It's so worth it....it's so worth it...it so...so...soooooo worth it! I can't stress this enough.

Stay the course my friends, you are NOT alone.

"Therefore, we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is sen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen, is eternal." - 2 Corinthians 4:16-18

"Let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God." - 2 Corinthians 7:1

When God Allows You To Go Into The Fire...... Don't Worry....

God's children may go in the fire, but KNOW THIS: HE IS IN THERE WITH US AND HIS [faithful] CHILDREN WILL COME OUT UNHARMED! Not a hair will be singed when you TRUST in THE MOST HIGH GOD (El Elyon)! See Daniel 3 - specifically v. 16-27.

Note: Many think "trust in the Lord" means you never battle with doubt or moments of weakness...not so! We're all human and susceptible to the temptations doubt, fear, anxiety, etc. God does NOT judge us for moments of doubt - it's WHAT WE DO in those moments that determine our maturity and devotion to Christ. Just because these moments come doesn't mean we have to dwell in them!

In moments of doubt/weakness/fear/worry (etc) what we should do is "approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may RECEIVE MERCY and FIND GRACE TO HELP US in our time of need." (Heb. 4:16) We must (1) confess our doubt/fear/worry(etc) to God asking for and receiving forgiveness for trusting in ourselves and (2) ask for and receive Holy Spirit's help to overcome our doubt/fear/worry (etc) with His Word/tools of His Spirit (His Power).

Remember - Christ "has been tempted in every way, just as we are..." so He is "able to sympathize with our weaknesses." (Heb. 4:15) Christ faced EVERY temptation known to man yet HE DID NOT SIN! Christ not only understands what we go through,  He actually sympathizes with us and wants to help us overcome into freedom (unlike humans who often only want to judge and condemn)! Therefore, we should seek Him out when we are tempted because He can guide us into freedom!

Praise God!!

Overcoming Anxiety/Fear: Learning what it really means TRUST GOD [Study of Hebrew/Greek words]

Anxiety and Fear are two great enemies of our faith in God and His Word. I’m not here to give a sermon on fear or anxiety,  I’m here to share is the meaning behind the words (as used in the Hebrew and Greek language) to help us better understand God’s command AND to recognize when we are operating in fear or anxiety and what it REALLY means to operate in trust.

Sadly, churches don’t spend much (if any) time teaching believers how to study the word for themselves, so believers tend to go off what they hear rather than what they have taken the time to learn for themselves. Word study in the bible is important because the Hebrew and Greek meanings of certain words are NOT ALWAYS THE SAME when it comes to the English equivalent of the word. While we may think we understand “worry”, “fear” and “trust” as simple terms – breaking them down brought new light to the situation. I quickly recognize when I’m operating in fear/worry so I can counter it with Scripture, ask for God’s help and forgiveness, and move into greater trust. I wanted to share this with you because I am not the only believer who battles in this area and it is my prayer that you too are blessed by this.

Fear: The primary Hebrew word for fear is “yare” meaning (1) afraid/frightened (2) terrible/terrifying.  Additional Hebrew words for fear are:

•         “gur” meaning to dread,
•         “dechal” meaning dreadful, made me fearful
•         “chath” meaning fear…loss
•         “mora” or “morah” meaning a fear, terror
•         “masah” meaning to melt with fear, consume, dissolve
•         “pachad” meaning to dread, be in dread or be in awe, panic, terror

The primary Greek word for fear is “phobeo” (from Greek word “phobos) meaning to put to flight, to terrify or frighten, terrify. Additional Greek words for fear are:

•         “ekphobos” meaning terrified, full of fear
•     “entromos” meaning terrified, shaking with fear, trembling with fear.
•         “ptoesis” ( from Greek word “ptoeo” meaning to terrify) meaning a fluttering excitement hence terror
•         “phobos” (from phebomai) to be put to flight) meaning panic flight, the causing of fear, terror, intimidation, sense of awe/reverence.

Therefore, operating in fear produces the following in our lives:

• Emotional Turmoil (emotions: terror, fright, dread) which steals Christ given peace.
• Idolatry (sense of awe/reverence) because we magnify the problem over God and put more trust in what we see/think/feel than God’s Faithfulness.  
• Cowardice (intimidation) because we allow ourselves to be intimidated by the enemy, the world, people, circumstances, etc. which keeps us bound in fear apart from God’s will.

THE MORE WE OPERATE IN FEAR, THE MORE WE'RE FILLED WITH FEAR!  IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO BE FILLED WITH FEAR AND HIS HOLY SPIRIT AT THE SAME TIME! Whichever you choose (key word, CHOOSE), determines how you operate (in the flesh or His Spirit).  When operating in fear you doubt God, which leads to questioning God and reasoning based on your own limited knowledge (grasped from our circumstances/situations/emotions/experiences/influences). As you begin to panic, you act ahead, outside, or against God’s Will in an attempt to resolve the issue yourself, which often leads to more stress, worry, and fear. The cycle continues. 

Closely connected to fear is “anxiety” – which comes from the Greek word “marimnao” meaning to care for in a concerned/worried way or worrying; which derived from the word “merimna” meaning concerned/worried. In the Hebrew language, it is associated with fear and shame.

Anxiety produces/includes:

1. Ongoing worry/concern which brings stress/restlessness (no peace)

2. Mental Stress due to restless thoughts that are negative/troubling (produced by the worry/concern) (no peace)

3. Hastened Acts – as you act out of emotion based on how you feel (no trust/self-reliance)

4. Fear & of confidence & security in God (no peace/self-reliance)

We counter fear and anxiety with TRUST. 

Trust is derived from the Old Testament Hebrew words: “batach” meaning confidence, secure, complacent and “mibtach” meaning confidence and secure/security.  The New Testament Greek words used for trust are:  “Peitho” meaning to persuade, to have confidence, and “elpizo” meaning to expect, to hope for.

Therefore, to TRUST IN the Lord (Proverbs 3:5) you must:

1. Have confidence in God, His love for you, His promises, and your salvation in Christ.

2. Be secure in Christ and in your Faith (salvation) – so secure that you seem complacent because you have no need to worry or stress. There is no “worry” when you are TRULY secure in something/someone.

3. Remain hopeful at all times, expecting God to honor His Word and His Promises to His Children as a whole (Israel & the Church) and you personally.

Anxiety & Fear zap our faith and God many times will not move while we operate in either. Anxiety and fear are the DIRECT OPPOSITE of TRUST. AS CHILDREN OF THE MOST HIGH GOD, WE ARE CALLED TO TRUST GOD (Prov. 3:5; Isa. 26:4; Psa. 37:3, 40:4, 62:8; John 14:1; Rom. 9:33, 15:13) BRING OUR ANXIETIES TO HIM (1 Pet. 5:7; Phil. 4:6-7; Prov. 12:25; Psa. 55:22, 94:19), and we are commanded to FEAR NOT (Duet. 31:6; Psa. 56: 3-4; Matt. 10:25; Rom. 8:15; 2 Tim. 1:7; Heb. 13: 5-6; 1 Pet. 3: 13-14; 1 John 4:18).

TRUST INCREASES FAITH AND MOVES GOD (Matthew 17:20)!  When you TRUST GOD you gain security and confidence, which develops peace and patience within as you continue with expectation/hope in His promises and Salvation. This opens the door for the guiding of His Holy Spirit and more of  His Wisdom which produce the fruit of His Spirit and helps you become “content in all circumstances” (Phil. 4: 11-13) with the “peace that surpasses all understanding" (Phil. 4:7) and opens you to receive that “life…..to the full” (John 10:10) as Christ promised. 

TRUST GOD….make a conscious effort to do so with the help of His Holy Spirit (pray and ask for help if you need to). Now that you understand the words, you can recognize when your actions don’t line up with “trust” and counter them with His word!

May God bless you as you claim freedom from fear/anxiety and move into greater TRUST in the Lord! There is freedom and peace in TRUST and YOU CAN ENJOY THIS TOO! Seek God in prayer. Selah.

Stick with Christ....don't be misled there is but ONE GOD. ONE CHRIST. ONE WAY. Selah.

 I'm not sure who this is for so I'm posting it in all my groups and on my main page that the one who needs to see this might receive it:

Remember - you must TRUST GOD through the storm in order to come out of it. How do I trust Him you say? Keep your eyes, ears, mind, and heart focused on HIM. You let HIM worry about the storm. The moment you move your focus to the storm and off God - the storm will overwhelm you. Stay focused on God through prayer, continuous study of His Word, filling your mind and spirit with His things (His music, His literature, His movies and shows, etc.) and you will find you are being strengthened, through Him. Each day, you'll be able to stand a little more, endure a little more...and one day you'll recognize the new strength, peace and maturity He has developed in You and your unshakable faith in Him and His promises.

TRUST GOD MY SISTERS & BROTHERS. HE IS FAITHFUL TO THOSE WHO ENDURE. DO NOT BE LED ASTRAY BY THE PROMISES OF FALSE TEACHING THAT SHOW YOU AN "EASIER" ROAD OR SEEM TO GIVE YOU THESE "QUICK" FORMULAS FOR BLESSING. There is only ONE GOD, ONE SAVIOR, ONE KING - only ONE who can bless, curse, redeem and destroy. If you seek Restoration, STICK WITH CHRIST, HE IS FAITHFUL TO RESTORE!

Notice: This is coming from a woman who once pledged allegiance to satan, studied wicca and voudou to the point of seeking out covens and "priestesses", yes I actually practiced magic performing "spells, charms, chants"and the likes. I worshiped the creation instead of the Creator. I read palms and tarot cards and used astrology for myself and others, studied and reveled in hedonism and anything that brought my flesh pleasure. I even went into the whole new age spirituality and with the "ONE WORLD FAITH" thing mixing the things of Christ with the things of the enemy, watering down His word and the Faith (not even realizing the bible EXPLICITLY speaks about that "one world faith" as a trick of the devil in the last days...). I'm here to tell you that in all those things, I found NOTHING. I was left empty, drained, and in worse shape than I was when I entered those false forms of "religion". I even attempted to mix and mingle spirituality and religion, I left God/Christ thinking I could get something better that fit what I wanted God to be...all I found were a bunch of cheap imitations that took more from me than they ever gave.So I repented, denounced those false idols and returned to the one true living God. MY GOD. THE GOD OF JACOB, THE GOD OF ISSAC, THE GOD OF ABRAHAM.

Many people slander Christianity because of the falseness of some men who have infiltrated (as the bible warned us in 2 Peter 2:1-3) and made a mockery of the faith. As if they don't know that men are flawed and it has nothing to do with God - but man. But God is raising up new harvesters, who will return to the TRUE FAITH as CHRIST taught. Not this man made, man tradition, religious-political lukewarm "Christianity" we see in America today, I mean TRUE FAITH. The kind of people who will LITERALLY DIE FOR CHRIST, who LOVE THEIR ENEMIES, WHO LITERALLY will turn the other cheek when struck and actually feed or help an enemy if they see them in need! It's insane by the world's standards, I know - but Christ doesn't live by the standards of the world - and neither do/should His followers [if they are true]! ALL shall see the true God, along with His love and His heart for HIS people.

What I can tell you from my own life, is that I have sacrificed a lot in my relationship with Christ - but He has given me double what I've sacrificed. I have a peace, I have growing trust in Him, I have the understanding that He will provide, cover, protect and care for me. I live for Christ and I don't care about what other people think of me any more, I don't care to impress them or fit into their little groups or compete - because of the confidence I have in Christ and the woman HE created me to be in Him.

In the event I must endure something uncomfortable or that sets me back - I remember that God is faithful in even the most difficult times and if He ever allows me in a tough space, it is for His glory and my spiritual maturity that I might walk in FREEDOM in CHRIST (James 1:2-4). FREEDOM.

FREEDOM. FREEDOM is what you find in Christ! IT IS! There is bondage in the world that binds and limits, but the freedom in Christ releases you from this bondage and the limits of man..... but we must always remember after years of being in bondage to sin, freedom doesn't come overnight. It is a process...God must pull out of you all that hinders your walk with Him. All that has been embedded from the world and that is no easy task when dealing with us stubborn humans who think we know better than the One Who Created us and our purpose.

So....be at ease my friend. Know that Christ loves you and in His loves He will not forsake you and He will certainly NEVER leave you....as long as you stay faithful to Him (Matthew 28:20), He will see you through and fill you with His peace, love and joy like never before (John 10:10). I am a living witness and testimony to this! I tried the other things, I found nothing. I returned to Christ and found and felt Everything. Come, join us in Christ. He IS the Faithful Shepherd who protects and cares for His sheep - beyond death! My God died for me....would your "god" do that? Selah.

Matthew 14:22-33 New International Version (NIV)
22 Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd. 23 After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. Later that night, he was there alone, 24 and the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it.

25 Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. 26 When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear. 27 But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”

28 “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.” 29 “Come,” he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus.30 But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” 31 Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said,“why did you doubt?”

32 And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. 33 Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.

To God be the glory for any person who reads this and wants to commend me because you needed it - DO NOT COMMEND ME, praise God- HE SENT THIS FOR YOU.

In Prayer, Doubt = Loss!

Many times we pray to God, then turn around and make a back up plan...worrying it won't happen (I am guilty of this myself). But this is NOT faith and it blocks our prayers! Some prayers are not answered simply because we are double minded - meaning, we don't trust God completely. Those who don't trust God...don't receive from God. Period. Sometimes He might move (for His glory) that we might see He is faithful and turn/return to Him - but most times, even that doesn't lead people to God---- after the excitement of His blessing wears off, we go right back to ignoring, disparaging, doubting Him. FAITH and OBEDIENCE are REQUIREMENTS, not options, when it comes to receiving from God.

James 1:5-8:
 "If you don’t know what you’re doing, pray to the Father. He loves to help. You’ll get his help, and won’t be condescended to when you ask for it. Ask boldly, believingly, without a second thought. People who “worry their prayers” are like wind-whipped waves. Don’t think you’re going to get anything from the Master that way, adrift at sea, keeping all your options open." - The Message Bible

"If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. 6 But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. 7 That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. 8 Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do:" - New International Version
 

Don't be afraid of the fire.....

Yesterday a word came from God that it was time to go into the fire for a refining process...but He said "do not fear". Well that was easier said than done as God knows me, He knew this would be hard! I feared the fire meant a greater struggle and I (like many believers) am tired of struggle (who isn't)!  So, in fear I [silently] began to panic! Thankfully, God stepped in (as always) and reminded me to rely/trust in Him, and reiterated His command - "DO NOT FEAR". In obedience, I decided to seek Him for better understanding and this is what He revealed to me:

"Don't be afraid of the fire, my daughter. Not many people make it to the fire. The fire is where you will see God more clearly than ever before...." - God 

If you read Daniel 3, you'll notice they were thrown into the furnace for blending in with the world or putting themselves first. They were thrown in the furnace for being TOTALLY sold out to God...HIS will...HIS way...not their own. Even in the face of death, they stood for God proving they served God with their WHOLE HEARTS and not with their words or for what they thought they could get from Him.

It is at that point, the point in which they showed they were completely sold out for God, that they were thrown into the fire. Once inside they came face to face with the Living God, Who kept them in the fire and brought them out with His glory into a place of promotion!

O dear children of God, when He tells you the fire is coming, REJOICE for the fire is a place not many people go because they are unwilling to sacrifice themselves to get to that place.

Selah.

Why many prayers AREN'T answered.

We all have those moments, where we pray and have faith for something…sometimes we might even fast for it…and nothing happens. God doesn’t move, doesn’t speak, and doesn’t even whisper on it.  I have spent a lot of time in this place, praying for things to come to pass…listening to popular preachers talking about how the time is “now”, this is the “new season”, and the blessing is “right around the corner”. If you were to listen to them, you’d swear we had a new season every week and we should be rolling in [earthly] “blessings” right now (these blessings being things of the flesh, not spiritual blessings)….but what happens when you look up a year or two down the line, and you’re still hearing these same promises but don’t see the results? Well, one of few things could be happening:

1. The  preachers are teaching a word not led by His Holy Spirit, catering to what people want to hear, instead of what God is truly speaking, or

2. God is moving, the promise is true, but like Abraham and Sarai, you may have to wait longer than you thought, longer than expected, to receive the blessing, or

3. God is not moving, simply because there is sin in your life that needs to be dealt with, that you are refusing to deal with…. God has already made you aware of this…it’s you who refuses to acknowledge and deal.

To figure out which it is one must spend time in prayer asking God’s help to understand. Sometimes it might be that you need only to wait, just like Abraham, and trust God. If this is the case, He will tell you so, send a confirming word and give you peace in your heart about this (the kind of peace that no one can shake).

If it’s preachers, just preaching what people want to hear, if you ask God’s help in identifying true teachers from false teachers, He’ll help you identify who is teaching for Him vs. themselves. One thing that stands out about false teachers is that they tell you want you want to hear. The messages are always about prospering, favor, getting a breakthrough or blessing right around the corner. How God wants to make YOUR dreams come to pass (key word, YOUR dreams), when the reality is, we are here to serve God and make His Kingdom plans come to pass (and if God sees fit to bless us by making some of our dreams a reality (that fall in line with His plans) then praise God for that kind of favor, but that is NOT the reason we are here on this earth as ambassadors for Christ).

God is a good, forgiving and loving God; but, He is also a vengeful, just and jealous God who does NOT tolerate sin and will make all children (those who serve Him and those who turn their backs on Him) deal with the consequences of their sinful choices (though in His grace, He may not make the consequences as severe as they should be/would have been).  We would all do well to remember this.

Finally, the most common reason is that there is sin in our lives hindering our prayers (and my reason for this post). Sin that we refuse to deal with for whatever reason, some sins that we don’t even acknowledge because “it is just who we are”. I read Isaiah 58 this morning and it talked about those who fast, but their prayers don’t get heard/answered. It discussed how the people were praying and fasting to God, but He wasn’t receiving the prayers because their actions were counterproductive to the faith.  Oh, I’m sure you’re thinking about the “big sins” (all sin is sin, but we know humans rank sin as if some are worse than others) sex outside of marriage, murder, adultery, etc. and those are indeed included, but what about those sins we consider the “lesser” sins? These are the things spoken of in Isaiah, gossiping, slandering, lying, bickering with the “haters”, trying to be better than other people, arrogance, not helping those in need, talking about other people’s sin like we don’t sin, hating family members, etc…. 

Actually, let me break this down in today’s terms so we really get it: Being on Facebook blasting people you don’t like, cursing people out, putting people’s business in the streets, gossiping about folk whether you know them or not (celebrities or not), one minute we’re posting scripture and the next we posting sexual, vulgar, graphic, violent, etc. We make fun of people we don’t know without thought of how it makes them feel, and then flip out when someone makes one comment about our life, what we do, how we do it, etc. Oh and I’m NOT just talking about YOU, this is myself included, I’m guilty of many things here as well.

We share all kinds of stories and hold “discussions” about the poor, homeless, hungry….but we won’t actually help them. We walk by them on the streets every day, can see them panhandling on the corner and appease ourselves by saying “they just gone use it on drugs and/or booze anyway” instead of just giving and letting God deal with the rest. We spend thousands/millions of dollars [over our lifetime] on weaves, nails, new shoes, clothes, eating out, going out, buying snacks, getting that extra cable channel, game systems, cars, furniture, trying to keep up with the Joneses and …and make people think we have more than we have. 

Yet, when the church asks for some money, the first thing out our mouths is “the church always begging” or, “I aint got it” REALLY? Even if you don’t want to give it to a church, what’s stopping you from setting aside 10% of your income to help people in your local community who may not have as much as you do? Why not donate to some of the nonprofits you know are out here helping people. What about a family member in need? If you don’t have money, why not volunteer your time to go to the food pantries, homeless shelters, hospitals, schools, etc – go where you are needed and give what you can? We ALL have time.

We go to church and miss the word because we have to make a spectacle out of going to church these days, we must announce it as if that makes a difference. The rest of the week, we calling out people, running around with a nasty attitude, telling people “we not gone change”, what we “not gone do” and “if people don’t like it they can go to hell” cause “we not Jesus, we human” etc. etc. and at the same time, we’ll turn around and claim we’re loved and favored by God and we love Him sooooooo much.   We don’t live the word, oh no not at all….and when someone actually does TRY to live out His word, we must make fun of them, call them Jesus freaks, holier than thou, holy rollers…or we tell them they take this Jesus thang “too serious” and call them judgmental or claim they “think they better than” when they refuse to participate in old things because of their relationship with Christ. Instead of following the example of Christ and those who are trying to do this, we shun them and make them out to be deluded fools who have lost touch with reality…..

We get falling down drunk, kill ourselves with drugs, and sleep around with whoever, whenever, however without a second thought sometimes more than one person at a given time! We break up families and homes; covet other people’s success, blessings, families, careers, etc. We complain, we never have enough, we don’t appreciate stuff and are constantly looking out for “me and mine” EVEN THOUGH…EVEN THOUGH…we KNOW this is the COMPLETE OPPOSITE of what Christ did when on earth and what He commanded us to do. We even fight and bicker with our families, won’t talk to them, won’t practice forgiveness with them (or anyone for that matter), we hold grudges, cut them off, talk about them and judge them…and in spite of all this, we still get up in church and shout and praise like our hearts are so pure, when we know better.

The church has even become a show! We put on shows, not worship. People promote their churches more than they do the Lord! People serve, praise and worship their pastors much more than they do God. The churches are filled with cliques, slander, backbiting, lying! Pastors getting rich off their flocks, building monumental churches while people in the communities suffer in need…further teaching their flock to do the same thing by preaching all these prosperity messages and leading us away from helping those in need to stockpiling prayers for God to do for us and our families. And we wonder why people don’t readily accept and welcome our Savior into their lives? THEY CAN’T SEE HIM FOR ALL THE FOOLERY OF OUR HUMAN FLESH!

…and the worst of all, we don’t make time for God. A few of us do.  A rare few, but most of us spend our days running to and fro doing what we want to accomplish our dreams. We’re not seeking God for His plan because we’re not seeking God at all! We do fly by night devotionals in which we forget what we read as soon as we read it, because we’re rushing through it just to say we did it instead of carving out time in our day to actually give God His due.  Everyone wants church quicker, shorter. We “don’t have time” for church services or to listen to sermons, read books, study the bible or even to pray – sincerely. When we do pray, our prayers are self-centered and all about what WE want, what we [think] WE need. Not at all focused on God’s kingdom, His plans for our lives, His wants for us, or His command that we go forth and spread His word and introduce others to Christ, no! We are so consumed with what we WANT from God that we don’t even realize how easily we can become nothing more than common pimps, peddling the word of God in prayer as a means to get what we want. But God says, not so.

God will NOT be mocked. Much of the church is in confusion today because those who make up the church (and some who lead) are not focused on God, but themselves.  Just like the Pharisees and Sadducees of the New Testament day, we’re holding people to the law in one area, but completely ignoring the laws in the other areas. LOVE was the greatest commandment of all the commands given, yet that’s the last commandment we’ll follow.  Don’t lie, don’t talk negatively about people, love your enemies, help the poor, feed the hungry, shelter the homeless, seek God with your WHOLE heart, don’t straddle the fence between the world and Christ, don’t gossip, don’t revel in doing wrong…all these are also commands…yet, we have NO problem ignoring them as if they don’t exist.

And….as long as we do, God has no problem ignoring our prayers as if they don’t exist. Not because He wants to, simply because He will NOT be mocked. God is not a genie in a bottle who works for US. WE ARE CALLED TO SERVE GOD. We’ve somehow gotten this confused in this age, but God has not.

I will leave you with Isaiah 58 (The Message Bible):  [Why] Your Prayers Won’t Get Off the Ground

(God Speaking) 1-3 “Shout! A full-throated shout! Hold nothing back—a trumpet-blast shout! Tell My people what’s wrong with their lives; face My family Jacob with their sins! They’re busy, busy, busy at worship, and love studying all about Me. To all appearances they’re a nation of right-living people— law-abiding, God-honoring. They ask Me, ‘What’s the right thing to do?’ and love having Me on their side. But they also complain, ‘Why do we fast and You don’t look our way? Why do we humble ourselves and You don’t even notice?’

3-5 “Well, here’s why: “The bottom line on your ‘fast days’ is profit. You drive your employees much too hard. You fast, but at the same time you bicker and fight. You fast, but you swing a mean fist. The kind of fasting you do won’t get your prayers off the ground. Do you think this is the kind of fast day I’m after: a day to show off humility; to put on a pious long face and parade around solemnly in black? Do you call that fasting, a fast day that I, God, would like?

6-9 “This is the kind of fast day I’m after:  to break the chains of injustice, get rid of exploitation in the workplace, free the oppressed, cancel debts. What I’m interested in seeing you do is: sharing your food with the hungry, inviting the homeless poor into your homes, putting clothes on the shivering ill-clad, being available to your own families. Do this and the lights will turn on, and your lives will turn around at once. Your righteousness will pave your way.  The God of glory will secure your passage. Then when you pray, God will answer. You’ll call out for help and I’ll say, ‘Here I am.’

9-12 “If you get rid of unfair practices, quit blaming victims; quit gossiping about other people’s sins, if you are generous with the hungry and start giving yourselves to the down-and-out, your lives will begin to glow in the darkness, your shadowed lives will be bathed in sunlight. I will always show you where to go. I’ll give you a full life in the emptiest of places, firm muscles, and strong bones. You’ll be like a well-watered garden, a gurgling spring that never runs dry. You’ll use the old rubble of past lives to build a new, rebuild the foundations from out of your past. You’ll be known as those who can fix anything, restore old ruins, rebuild and renovate, make the community livable again.

13-14 “If you watch your step on the Sabbath  and don’t use My holy day for personal advantage, if you treat the Sabbath as a day of joy, God’s Holy Day as a celebration, if you honor it by refusing ‘business as usual,’ making money, running here and there— Then you’ll be free to enjoy God! Oh, I’ll make you ride high and soar above it all. I’ll make you feast on the inheritance of your ancestor Jacob.”  Yes! God says so!”

God isn't here to make everyone rich!

I thank God for Shayna Ashley and Sharenell Harris. This morning I was so frustrated that I couldn't even read His word or pray with sincerity. My mind was cluttered. But God used those two people (and my momma) to remind me:

1. Who I am in Christ
2. What I was called to do
3. that He is indeed faithful
4. The walk is NOT easy at all, but it is well worth it to endure.
5. Your circumstances are not at all a reflection of God's love for you or your relationship with Him.

Something else I'm starting to learn...much of the preaching we hear today leads people to seek God to get the desires of their heart. This is detrimental to the faith because when God doesn't deliver on this, people become disgruntled with God, not realizing it's not God but man painting God's promises incorrectly. God is primarily concerned with our Spirit, with our hearts for Him, accepting His salvation and turning from sin with a repentant heart - accepting His forgiveness. His riches are not silver and gold...but spiritual riches of the fruits of His Spirit as listed in Galatians 5:22 - 23.

 What if someone told you that God wasn't interested in making you rich on this earth (materially)...and that you'd endure struggle, lack, pain, etc. for the rest of your [human] life. There's no major breakthrough that's gonna take your family from the "pit" to the "palace" (from just getting by to being wealthy and able to live the life we often admire or dream about). You'll live, you'll thrive, you'll have moments of joy but overall, life will just be life?

What if I told you it can't be God's plan for EVERYONE to be rich? Throughout the bible there are poor, there are sick, there are homeless, hungry, etc. Clearly, it's not God's intention to make everyone rich and successful because if that were the case we'd see that numerous times in His word. We don't. Though preachers will preach this to millions of people throughout the word, as much as we want it to be true, it's simply not.

What if I told you God is a good, wonderful great God, but His love for us is all the same. He doesn't look on the "Christian" with more love, grace, joy, peace, mercy.... than He does the "atheist" He sees us all the same as we're all sinners and He extended His grace to all of us. So Christians cannot expect to be exempt from struggle, pain, lack, hate, slander, lies...even violence. Yes, we are soldiers for Christ....God's is pleased with our love for Him and desire to serve Him...but that doesn't mean He's giving self identified Christians, even those who actually live out His word, any type of special treatment....what would you say?

Would you still serve Him...would you still seek Him with your whole heart...would you still praise His great name and claim Him as your God? If you hesitate to answer this or if your first thought was no.... take it to God in prayer.  We must serve God from a place of pureness. Not to get. Only to give. We give to God. We give to others. We give until we have nothing left (as Christ gave until his own death)...and then, when it's all said and done, we shall see the face of God and receive all that He has promised  (as Christ received His Glory upon resurrection).

It might not come on earth, it might not. Can you still trust God and serve Him anyway? Those who do/will....shall see the face of God and receive the crown of glory. He is true. He is faithful. Endure. Selah.

Are you witnessing for Christ?

Do you notice in John 1:35-46, each time someone “found” Jesus, they’d immediately go back and tell someone else and bring them to Jesus too….when’s the last time you introduced someone to Christ and offered them His Salvation? Selah.

John 1: The Message Bible

^35-36 The next day John was back at his post with two disciples, who were watching. He looked up, saw Jesus walking nearby, and said, “Here he is, God’s Passover Lamb.”

^37-38 The two disciples heard him and went after Jesus. Jesus looked over his shoulder and said to them, “What are you after?”

They said, “Rabbi” (which means “Teacher”), “where are you staying?”

³⁹ He replied, “Come along and see for yourself.”

They came, saw where he was living, and ended up staying with him for the day. It was late afternoon when this happened.

^40-42 Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, was one of the two who heard John’s witness and followed Jesus. The first thing he did after finding where Jesus lived was find his own brother, Simon, telling him, “We’ve found the Messiah” (that is, “Christ”). He immediately led him to Jesus.

Jesus took one look up and said, “You’re John’s son, Simon? From now on your name is Cephas” (or Peter, which means “Rock”).

^43-44 The next day Jesus decided to go to Galilee. When he got there, he ran across Philip and said, “Come, follow me.” (Philip’s hometown was Bethsaida, the same as Andrew and Peter.)

^45-46 Philip went and found Nathanael and told him, “We’ve found the One Moses wrote of in the Law, the One preached by the prophets. It’s Jesus, Joseph’s son, the one from Nazareth!” Nathanael said, “Nazareth? You’ve got to be kidding.”

But Philip said, “Come, see for yourself.”

Jada Pinkett Smith: The New Model for "black" Motherhood? Not in my book.....

So I read this article that said black parents need to adopt a parenting style more like Jada Pinkett-Smith. Ummm WHO? I decided to read through the many comments supporting the statement to try to understand the mind behind this. But two things continue to concern me:

1. We are praising a woman on "raising her children" who are STILL in the process of being raised! How can we with all certainty applaud what she's doing, calling it "better" when we have yet to see the results of said parenting?

2. Many people are saying this after a photo is released of Willow laying in bed with a 20 year old shirtless man. I'm not sure where anyone else is from, but where I'm from - grown people don't lay in bed with children...if they do, they are looked at suspiciously. If it is okay for a 20 year old man to lay in bed shirtless with Willow Smith, then was it okay for Michael Jackson to lay in bed with little boys as a grown man? I mean, he did say they were only playing...right? Yea....

Many black people are chiming in on this applauding Jada and Will and disparaging the way our parents raised us as if our lives are gone to hell in a hand basket because our parents set boundaries and whipped our behinds when we got out of line. I can't agree with that. I'm sorry.

I was allowed to have an opinion in my home, but I was also given boundaries and I understood that I can't just do whatever I want in the name of "having an opinion" or "knowing myself". I'm a strong woman who knows who she is and my mom disciplined and set boundaries for me, as are many of my friends/family who also had boundaries. Children are children and they need boundaries I'm not saying all beat the child and shut them up but at the same time, remember your responsibility as a parent to guide your child. A child can have an opinion, know who he/she is as a person, and still make choices on their own without allowing the child to act like a complete adult. a 13 year old child in bed with a shirtless 20 year old man, close family friend or not, it's inappropriate this day in age.

Not to mention, people tend to forget that those like Willow Smith have opportunities everyday little black kids don't have. So where they might let their kids dye hair green, lay in bed with grown men, go about without supervision (or maybe only a bodyguard) and all these things... in everyday life one slip could change a child's life forever. The odds are set in willow's favor, her mom and dad can buy her freedom if she messes up. She will still get opportunities with green hair and wild clothes....but Tamika Robinson and Dereon Johnson...we already know the deal, we have to work harder, work smarter and show ourselves twice as worthy if you are wealthy and black, three times if you are black and low income. It's not the same. It's not. Let's not act like the children of Will and Jada Smith are dealing with the same obstacles that the average black child must endure.

I really think people are missing the point in all this. It's not about the fact that she gives her kids choices, we make it sound like our parents treated us like old slaves like our lives were horrid because we had boundaries. What's even more amazing to me is that it's not people who are still struggling, hooked on drugs trying to deal with the abuse of their childhood, kids who have become adults unable to get their lives together so they lose themselves in alcohol/drugs trying to numb the pain, until there's nothing left. No, it's people who are doing something with their lives, who have opportunities, who are intelligent enough to understand it is important for children to have boundaries, not because we want to "rule" the child, simply because it's what's best for a (key word) CHILD.

I don't think this was about how white children turn out vs. how black children turn out rather it was a hit at black parents as if our parents - all of them, every single one - were wrong for raising us as they did and I personally can't agree with that. I don't think my mom was perfect and yes, there were times she could have talked more and whipped less...but she raised me as a mother should and was the one who played a huge role in molding me into the woman I am today....and I knew when to voice my opinion and when to shut up...because in life you need to learn this. I knew the world did NOT revolve around me and that I did NOT always get my way, because in life, you don't! I knew boundaries were necessary because consequences are REAL and when parents give kids too much freedom, they become self absorbed spoiled little brats, who turn into self absorbed spoiled adults....at which point, people want to ask "where were her parents"?

Well...

p.s. Why it gotta be black parenting and white parenting? Geesh, I'm black but I do agree sometimes my people make EVERYTHING about race...not all black parents are strict disciplinarians, and not all non-black parents are pushovers.

Are you judging, instead of helping? (From my "God, for Sinners" Devotional Series)

Something God told me this morning: "Don't be so busy judging others that you fail to help them."

Matthew 7:1-2 “Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”

Re: God introduced a young woman into my life that isn't the typical type of woman I'd associate with. In fact, the young lady reminded me of some of the people I had come in contact with during my time in the world. I remember thinking to myself upon introduction, O.K. this girl and I have nothing in common so I won't be hanging with her...in fact, I'll be honest, I called her "ratchet" in my mind and wrote her off.

A few weeks later, I ran into the girl again and we chatted a bit. I learned the young woman was actually quite intelligent, she had goals, dreams, etc. she'd just had a really tough life and no one to help her understand Christ loved her and she was valuable and could be made whole (in Him). So I thought, okay God, maybe I'll give it a try. Not long after, the young woman got involved with some old influences (and new one) and the behaviors I'd seen initially returned. The things she'd talk about were all things the old me would revel in, but who I am today, would not...could not. So, I distanced myself, yet again, and this time I didn't bother to change my opinion. Based on some statements she' made about a good friend of hers who was trying to help her (and how she "wasn't changing for nobody") I figured she was a lost cause and moved on with my life.

I'd hear things about the girl and shake my head in judgment (as if my sins were any less offensive to God) and reiterate why I didn't develop a friendship with her using whatever I'd just learned as justification - but it was nothing but condemnation and I have no right to condemn anyone....especially turning up my nose to the very people Christ would have witnessed to and died for!

 “The Spirit of God, the Master, is on Me [Christ] because God anointed Me. He sent Me to preach good news to the poor, heal the heartbroken, announce freedom to all captives, pardon all prisoners.” Isaiah 61:1

So this morning in my devotion time, God started to speak and explain some things ....why I had been enduring some things that I did not understand. In the process, He touched on some of the places He's moved us and the people we have come in contact with - along with the reasons why. He showed me all the people whom He put in my path to plant a seed for Him that another brother or sister in Christ would later water and His Holy Spirit would grow to maturity. Out of all the people God had brought across my path, this particular young woman stood out in my head…she was one of those people I was to plant a seed within, but I’d gotten so wrapped up in my pain and "self-righteousness" that I couldn't see this young woman as the child of God she is. Instead...all I saw was her sin. How ignorant and arrogant of me? As a result I’ve missed NUMEROUS opportunities to share the good news of Christ with this young woman and testify to the truth of how He totally transformed my life! As I type this…I realize, even now, it’s not too late.

The most surprising thing in all this, I didn’t even realize I had developed this attitude/mindset against this woman. I grew up in the hood, finances were always strained in the home, when I was in my early 20’s/late teens I was totally “ratchet” and went out of my way to be “hood”, so it wasn’t a case of classism. I pre-judged her desire to know God and willingness to accept Him before even giving her the opportunity to hear of His love, mercy and grace. I’d done to her what people had done to me: I pre-judged this girl, held her trial, condemned her to death, had the funeral, and buried the casket in hell. I, in essence, had allowed myself to take the place of God when it came to this woman and refused to even associate with her; because, I assumed (through my erroneous judgment based on EXTREMELY LIMITED KNOWLEDGE/OPINIONS) that she was not fit for God. Ohhh, the number of people who have told me I was not/am not fit for God and how angry it made me! How could I ever do that to someone else?

It's so amazing how we can become self-righteous and indignant within ourselves when it comes to looking at what someone else is doing. In fact, someone is reading this right now judging me for this (though I have repented and received God’s forgiveness and I now write to you that you may also be free) instead of looking within themselves to see what God may be saying to them through this message! There’s a reason you’re reading this, you know? And it’s not just because you clicked the link, or saw a status…you saw this because God meant for you to see it. Ask Him, why?

I thank God so much for making this clear to me today that I might repent and share the word with my fellow brothers & sisters in Christ. We are called to a great commission and on the surface some of those God tells us to witness too may seem like they have NO interest in what you have to say about God. They may live lives that are totally against God, they might not even acknowledge Him as real, or true, or the Only – but that is neither here nor there as far as we are concerned. We are to share His truth with ALL PEOPLE...and the worse you think the sinner may be (key words you think, all sin is equally abominable before our Holy Father) the MORE we should desire and be willing to witness to them! Afterall, isn’t that why Christ came …

 “God looked out from his high holy place; from heaven he surveyed the earth. He listened to the groans of the doomed, he opened the doors of their death cells.” Psalm 102:19-20 (MSG)

“God frees prisoners—He gives sight to the blind, He lifts up the fallen.” Psalm 146:9 (MSG)

God came for all of us, therefore we are called to witness to ALL PEOPLE. We’re all so deep in sin that we need Him and without Him we can’t come into the light. We do NOT have the liberty or authority to choose whom we’ll share the gospel with, and we do NOT have the authority and/or liberty to judge and condemn. It’s not like we are sinless…even as children of God. And imagine, what if God had looked at you and judged without sharing His truth? Jesus went so far to save us that He gave His LIFE for people who treated Him as an enemy! How far are you willing to go for your fellow man (regardless how they act or treat you)….better yet, how far are you willing to go for Christ? Selah.

Remember 1 Corinthians 1:26-31J 

“Take a good look, friends, at who you were when you got called into this life. I don’t see many of “the brightest and the best” among you, not many influential, not many from high-society families. Isn’t it obvious that God deliberately chose men and women that the culture overlooks and exploits and abuses, chose these “nobodies” to expose the hollow pretensions of the “somebodies”? That makes it quite clear that none of you can get by with blowing your own horn before God. Everything that we have—right thinking and right living, a clean slate and a fresh start—comes from God by way of Jesus Christ. That’s why we have the saying, “If you’re going to blow a horn, blow a trumpet for God.” 1 Corinthians 1:26-31 (MSG)

Friends in Christ!

It is so refreshing...and fulfilling...to come across people who are as excited about and in love with God as you are. Sometimes, when you don't have these people...you can be surrounded by many and feel so alone because His Spirit within longs for fellowship, with those who are also in Him.

I'm not talking about "fellowship" with "religious/church folk" on Sunday then the rest of the week we living like heathens and aint got but 3 minutes for Jesus ...I'm talking about fellowship with people who are serving God in Spirit and Truth...sacrificing their own life...will...desires...time...energy...all that they are to Him, for Him, by His might. It's such a gift when God brings these people into your life. Cherish them, dearly...they are few. Those who are will understand.

It's not "easter" it's Resurrection Sunday. We must unlearn tradition, and learn TRUTH.

This article troubles me...intensely. Why? The bible tells us God's people are destroyed for lack of knowledge (Hos 4:6). Sadly, many churches don't teach this (the origin of many of the holidays we celebrate and the proper festivals we as believers should actually celebrate) and many christians don't take it upon themselves to "study to show ourselves approved" (2 Timothy 2:15). So we ignorantly celebrate holidays named after the very pagan god/godesses we stand against. It's sad, this holiday is more about the easter bunny, eggs, baskets, the fashion show and eating than what it should be about for christians - the Resurrection of Christ. I only recently became aware myself of the true origin and error of me celebrating this tradition. Thank God for making me aware...now to make others aware.

...thank God for His Holy Spirit....

Do you struggle with doubt in your walk with Christ? You are not alone!

Do you struggle with doubt in your walk with Christ? You are not alone.

When you face doubt, be like the father in Mark 9 who was honest enough to admit his doubt and ask for Christ's help in believing. Christ is our High Priest, He is our intercessor, He gave His life for us!

Do you think He did all that just to let you fail when you have a moment of doubt? NO! Ask God to help, and He WILL help you! I am a living witness to this truth. Selah.

Mark 9 (The Message Bible)
23 Jesus said, “If? There are no ‘ifs’ among believers. Anything can happen.”

24 No sooner were the words out of his mouth than the father cried, “Then I believe. Help me with my doubts!”

I get weary in my Faith too....

I think people erroneously think at times that I have this super faith....like it's never shaken....that's not true. My trust in God is day by day...sometimes minute by minute. Sometimes I don't even "feel" it. I battle with doubt at times when things don't go a certain way. I get frustrated seeing people lead lives that don't at all glorify Him - and yet they continue to prosper. People who claim His name yet their lives don't reflect this and they attack, slander and lie on those whose lives do. Sometimes I pray and God moves before I even finish. Other times I pray and I await the answer....and await the answer....and even now, I still wait.

There things that people have said about me - horrible things, terrible lies, utter bull crap - for anyone who truly knows me - and being a woman of God I can't retaliate like I'd done in the past..sometimes God tells me to shuttup altogether and won't even let me acknowledge the foolishness...though I hear it, every bit of it. Even the words people think are "private".You think I always want to hold my tongue against the accusations, especially when I know they are untrue? Absolutely not, yet - God reminds me Whose I am and that I am called to act in accordance with His Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23) and NOT in the ways of the flesh (Galatians 5:19-21).

Sometimes I look at the world and see all these people living however they want.... I get glimpses into the world of wealth and see all the frivolous spending of the wealthy who at the same time complain about higher taxes and discounted health insurance - congress members claiming they need a raise....while children of God barely make ends meet...and I have to ask God, how can we reach people in all of this? How can we help people to see you when bills are backed up, baby crying for food, home is in foreclosure and momma aint had a job in 9 months - and her unemployment has run out --- I say God....it's all just too much at times.

So when I talk about my God, don't think I'm doing it from a place of naivety or I'm some Jesus fanatic who has lost touch reality. I speak from experience as someone who is enduring with God in spite of what my flesh wants to do. And no it's not always easy. I don't always "feel like" praying, reading His word, or praising and worshiping....I don't always want to take the high road and let things go...or be the social outcast when I can't do the things everyone else does...even when they tell me "oh, it's okay" because they don't fully get it...no, it is NOT always fun being the godly one....and sometimes I even wonder if it's all worth it...

...but when I think of going back to who I used to be - with all those insecurities, all that anger, fear, always wanting to be better than and feeling the need to "prove myself" to people who don't matter.... the mess, the drama...the fact that I was foolish enough to care and how it all came crashing down without warning...and those people who claimed to care - were actually the ones laughing and sharing with anyone who would listen........na, nevermind. I'd rather stick with my God - trusting Him with peace in my boring old "Jesus" life...than to be out there in the world stressed, frustrated and pissed off without Him. So, I endure.

You can too, little by little...day by day...minute by minute. And you will get tired, sometimes you'll question God. Sometimes you might even doubt and think your former life is better - but I encourage you, as a sister in Christ. ENDURE.

"And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you."-  1 Peter 5:10