Today, I was riding in my car and was listening to my favorite holiday music station that plays continuous Christmas music starting around the week prior to Thanksgiving! I LOVE IT!!! It's something about the holidays that just make you feel all warm inside. Today, that warm and fuzzy feeling came all over me as I heard a particular clip of a previous broadcast and it got my mind going like a machine in a factory.
A lady called in and was sharing with Delilah that recently she would ask her mother what she wanted for Christmas and her mother told her that she had everything and didn't want anything. Her mother then suggested that her daughter use the money that she would otherwise spend on her mother to bless someone else. They both came up with the idea to adopt a family that was in need. Her daughter then remembered that one of their relatives was in need and went to a local Walmart, purchased a gift card for like $500 or something like that. She had the Walmart call her relative to tell them that they had a gift card waiting for them at the Walmart and that they could go and pick it up. And she was to remain anonymous to her relative as to who provided it. The young lady would also send her mother a card notifying her of the blessing that she had bestowed on her relative. She said her mother was so overjoyed about what had taken place and it has now become a new tradition for their family.
That is so "eye-opening". I wanted to blog about that because it gave me a warm and fuzzy feeling all inside and it was something that I wanted to share. But, while I was typing it, my mind began to think about the connection between that story and the love that God has for us. You know, He loved us enough to sacrifice someone who was so precious and dear so that we can have an eternal gain. And further more, the sacrifice that His son, Jesus made on the cross for us to have eternal life. That really is a gift that keeps on giving. And even in those times that I didn't deserve the blessings that I've had, He still saw fit to show mercy and grace, regardless of my actions. True GRACE, AMAZING GRACE... For some, this may seem like senseless words, but from my life and things that I've gone through, it makes no sense to argue over things that I know without a shadow of a doubt wouldn't have been done without the hand of God.
For some of us, this season may bring joy or it may bring pain. And if it does bring pain, I pray that God will bring people in your life that can be encouraging to you. If people are not bringing you joy, I pray that God will minister to you richly with his Holy Spirit for your situation the only way that God knows how to do it. And if you are hurting, I pray that your heart gets mended and healing takes place. I hope that I can find a way to be blessing to at least one person this season, to truly fulfill the real meaning of Christmas. It's not about me, but all about HIM.
Have a blessed holiday season of love, laughter, and giving.
Friday, December 5, 2008
Friday, October 17, 2008
Thursday, October 16, 2008
God doesn't always say YES, why should we?
A while back I was faced with a situation that I had to address with someone that I knew and they came back to me with the all famous "you're supposed to be a christian and I would think that you are supposed to giving and helping people". Not thinking at the time, I was stumped and didn't know how to react to that one.
To clarify and get things "off my chest" at the time, I shared a little of the background with another sister. And almost began to feel guilty again.
My sister then gave me a reply that set me FREE. She said that God doesn't always say YES and give us what we want. I could feel the chains breaking loose. See, God doesn't always give us what we ask for and what we want. He gives us what He knows is best for out lives and the situations that we face. He knows how we are designed and what is best. FATHER knows best. While it may hurt our feelings or make us feel bad that we didn't get what we wanted at that time, we must trust God that he has our best interest at heart. I can think of lots of times that I really wanted something, was close to having it and knew for sure I was getting it. Then, God added a little detour. That wasn't a road block, it was a detour.
To clarify and get things "off my chest" at the time, I shared a little of the background with another sister. And almost began to feel guilty again.
My sister then gave me a reply that set me FREE. She said that God doesn't always say YES and give us what we want. I could feel the chains breaking loose. See, God doesn't always give us what we ask for and what we want. He gives us what He knows is best for out lives and the situations that we face. He knows how we are designed and what is best. FATHER knows best. While it may hurt our feelings or make us feel bad that we didn't get what we wanted at that time, we must trust God that he has our best interest at heart. I can think of lots of times that I really wanted something, was close to having it and knew for sure I was getting it. Then, God added a little detour. That wasn't a road block, it was a detour.
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
What does it have to do with me?
Sunday was so awesome and I heard a message that blessed my soul so much. .
I tend to want to be the person who pleases everyone and tries to keep peace, even if I may think that I offended someone I try to apologize because I'm thinking about accountability to God. That is really not a good thing or a way to be in life because it opens the door for major disappointment and hurt.
In my observation of people (myself included), I've noticed that we all have our days and our moments and there are times that we really can't help ourselves. Well, lemme speak about myself. There are times that I really can't help myself.
I was concerning myself about someone that used to communicate with me and I thought that we had a pretty decent respect for one another and I'll just say that it is interesting how this person would talk to me about someone and I would not say anything abd would try to steer the conversation in a more positive direction, then I would end up picking up that stinky attitude that she had. The devil is a liar!!!
I've been noticing that and it would often cause strife between that person that she would normally share her or supposed disdain with. But then after a while I notice that she is building a bond with those same people.
At first, I was a little puzzled by the situation. But, I praise God for the revelation He gave me as I had a chance to review my notes from church on Sunday. And I am determined to stop worrying about things that I no control over. It is not my fault that she is the way she is. I still love her.
I remember sharing with her snippets of a sermon that have ministered to me powerfully and she would look at me and ask me where that came from or what brought it on. And it could've been something that was enlightening to me. But, what fellowship does light have with the darkness. She is not walking with Christ so of course she couldn't understand.
So, with that said, I have to turn her over to God and I continue to lift her up to the Father because I can't do anything for her or about her circumstance(s). That is something that I leave to the Ultimate SuperHero (My God, my ABBA Father) to do... If I can't fix, I leave it to the One who can.
If you are facing a sitation that you know you can't control. Give it to God, He's got the real solution!!!!
HAhahahahaha! Funny, the title of the sermon was "You already have the solution!" Hallelujah!!!!
That is something to shout about! Glory to God!!!! He is worthy of the PRAISE!!!!
I tend to want to be the person who pleases everyone and tries to keep peace, even if I may think that I offended someone I try to apologize because I'm thinking about accountability to God. That is really not a good thing or a way to be in life because it opens the door for major disappointment and hurt.
In my observation of people (myself included), I've noticed that we all have our days and our moments and there are times that we really can't help ourselves. Well, lemme speak about myself. There are times that I really can't help myself.
I was concerning myself about someone that used to communicate with me and I thought that we had a pretty decent respect for one another and I'll just say that it is interesting how this person would talk to me about someone and I would not say anything abd would try to steer the conversation in a more positive direction, then I would end up picking up that stinky attitude that she had. The devil is a liar!!!
I've been noticing that and it would often cause strife between that person that she would normally share her or supposed disdain with. But then after a while I notice that she is building a bond with those same people.
At first, I was a little puzzled by the situation. But, I praise God for the revelation He gave me as I had a chance to review my notes from church on Sunday. And I am determined to stop worrying about things that I no control over. It is not my fault that she is the way she is. I still love her.
I remember sharing with her snippets of a sermon that have ministered to me powerfully and she would look at me and ask me where that came from or what brought it on. And it could've been something that was enlightening to me. But, what fellowship does light have with the darkness. She is not walking with Christ so of course she couldn't understand.
So, with that said, I have to turn her over to God and I continue to lift her up to the Father because I can't do anything for her or about her circumstance(s). That is something that I leave to the Ultimate SuperHero (My God, my ABBA Father) to do... If I can't fix, I leave it to the One who can.
If you are facing a sitation that you know you can't control. Give it to God, He's got the real solution!!!!
HAhahahahaha! Funny, the title of the sermon was "You already have the solution!" Hallelujah!!!!
That is something to shout about! Glory to God!!!! He is worthy of the PRAISE!!!!
Monday, October 6, 2008
Who do you identify with?
Who do you belong to? And what identifier do you use when you are witnessing to people?
Some like to say they identify with a church or a pastor. Some even like to identify themselves with various organizations.
My question to you is, who do you identify with?
It's okay to socialize and have relationships with other people but when you begin to put names of organizations that were started by man or groups of people, what are we saying of ourselves?
Is God getting the glory out of our lives when we pledge our loyalty to and are more dedicated to the events for these organizations?
Please understand, this is not a judgment, but I felt led to post this. Perhaps, there's someone who is torn between a decision that needs to be made about who to be in fellowship with and who not to. I believe that God has given you the wisdom to know what is best for your life and the your spiritual growth in Him.
Pray about it and seek true direction about what to do and what turn to make in your life. He is so faithful to show you the way that you should go.
Some like to say they identify with a church or a pastor. Some even like to identify themselves with various organizations.
My question to you is, who do you identify with?
It's okay to socialize and have relationships with other people but when you begin to put names of organizations that were started by man or groups of people, what are we saying of ourselves?
Is God getting the glory out of our lives when we pledge our loyalty to and are more dedicated to the events for these organizations?
Please understand, this is not a judgment, but I felt led to post this. Perhaps, there's someone who is torn between a decision that needs to be made about who to be in fellowship with and who not to. I believe that God has given you the wisdom to know what is best for your life and the your spiritual growth in Him.
Pray about it and seek true direction about what to do and what turn to make in your life. He is so faithful to show you the way that you should go.
Sunday, October 5, 2008
Call to Prayer... Shall we continue? God forbid...
Gas prices are soaring, but wait, what gas?! In some places, gas is scarce. Stock markets are taking a nose dive and our country is waging a war for God only knows what that seems to have no end.
Tell me, what are we to do in these perilous times?
Some might suggest that we flee to another country, others have reason to believe that the answer is in going to the polls and pushing the right button.
Don't get me wrong, I know who I would like to vote for in hopes that it would make a change for the better.
But true hope and trust belongs to Jesus Christ. While the world is in a chaotic rut and our economy dwindles out of control, we can rest assure that we can have peace in the midst of the storm.
Have you ever walked into a church anxious and hungry with an expectancy to hear the word of God that would minister to all of us in time to remind us that we are yet victorious because God sent His Son Jesus Christ to die on the cross for our sins. And when he hung on the cross and mumbled the words, "It is finished" that was meant that the cause that He came for was already taken care of.
John 19:30
When he had received the drink, Jesus said, "It is finished." With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.
It's time to take action on our knees to pray for a release of the Holy Spirit upon the church to empower us to reach out to those that are lost.
Every few seconds people are dying and don't even know that there is a God who loves them enough that He sent His only son to die on the cross and whatever sin they are in the midst of and are bound by, they no longer have to be bound by it.
See, most people continue in their sin and wish they had a way out. But many don't know that God has prepared a way of escape.
(1 Corinthians 10:13
No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.)
Time is out for playing church if you are not honoring God or teaching people how to walk in victory each and every day through the Word of God.
We need to pray!!! We need to pray!!!
I don't want to hear about the kind of car you drive, how many houses you have, how many people you have in your social ring... I want to know how I can walk in Victory in my life, I want to know how I can have peace in the midst of the storm, I want to know how to witness the Love of Jesus Christ to those that don't know Him, and all the things that I'm entitled to as a result of totally submitting myself to the will of God.
We need to get to the point where man doesn't matter. Please don't feed me this emotionally charged garbage that doesn't mean a hill of beans to me or my salvation. Either stand up and accept the mandate for the calling on your life or step down before you ruin the souls of people who need to know the Lord for themselves in a real way.
Let's pray for those pastors, preachers, teachers and leaders that they will develop a deeper walk with the Lord and that they will have more a desire to see souls get saved.
It's time for a CHANGE within the body of Christ. The world cannot change until the most powerful institution in the world makes a change first. It's until then that we can make an effective impact on the world.
Tell me, what are we to do in these perilous times?
Some might suggest that we flee to another country, others have reason to believe that the answer is in going to the polls and pushing the right button.
Don't get me wrong, I know who I would like to vote for in hopes that it would make a change for the better.
But true hope and trust belongs to Jesus Christ. While the world is in a chaotic rut and our economy dwindles out of control, we can rest assure that we can have peace in the midst of the storm.
Have you ever walked into a church anxious and hungry with an expectancy to hear the word of God that would minister to all of us in time to remind us that we are yet victorious because God sent His Son Jesus Christ to die on the cross for our sins. And when he hung on the cross and mumbled the words, "It is finished" that was meant that the cause that He came for was already taken care of.
John 19:30
When he had received the drink, Jesus said, "It is finished." With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.
It's time to take action on our knees to pray for a release of the Holy Spirit upon the church to empower us to reach out to those that are lost.
Every few seconds people are dying and don't even know that there is a God who loves them enough that He sent His only son to die on the cross and whatever sin they are in the midst of and are bound by, they no longer have to be bound by it.
See, most people continue in their sin and wish they had a way out. But many don't know that God has prepared a way of escape.
(1 Corinthians 10:13
No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.)
Time is out for playing church if you are not honoring God or teaching people how to walk in victory each and every day through the Word of God.
We need to pray!!! We need to pray!!!
I don't want to hear about the kind of car you drive, how many houses you have, how many people you have in your social ring... I want to know how I can walk in Victory in my life, I want to know how I can have peace in the midst of the storm, I want to know how to witness the Love of Jesus Christ to those that don't know Him, and all the things that I'm entitled to as a result of totally submitting myself to the will of God.
We need to get to the point where man doesn't matter. Please don't feed me this emotionally charged garbage that doesn't mean a hill of beans to me or my salvation. Either stand up and accept the mandate for the calling on your life or step down before you ruin the souls of people who need to know the Lord for themselves in a real way.
Let's pray for those pastors, preachers, teachers and leaders that they will develop a deeper walk with the Lord and that they will have more a desire to see souls get saved.
It's time for a CHANGE within the body of Christ. The world cannot change until the most powerful institution in the world makes a change first. It's until then that we can make an effective impact on the world.
Outpouring of my heart
My heavenly Father,
I come to you today with a heavy heart and begging you to hear my prayer for my sister who needs you this hour. I knew of her condition but I didn't know the severity of the condition and after seeing her in the hospital after having a stroke, my faith is not gone but truly weakened.
From this situation, I'm learning more and more of the importance of taking time out to talk to people and not to take for granted one moment the time that we will have with one another. Please, my Father, not for me but for her son, heal and restore her health. She is a mighty woman of God that adds great value to the kingdom of God and still has more work to do. Please let this opportunity be a witness and a testimony to the doctors and the nurses that will work with her to see your glory revealed when she is totally restored. I trust you to do just that and believe to share the testimony of her healing. Lord, I thank you. And I believe that it is done, in Jesus' name. Amen.
This prayer was written for a dear sister of mine that is in the hospital in ICU. I went to see her yesterday and to take her a rose because she was heavily on my heart. I had not clue, even though I called the hospital to make sure that she could have visitors, that only immediate family was allowed in. I was, however, able to see her through a window to her room. There was some hope when I saw her moving her legs but I was really hurt to see my friend laying there and I couldn't talk to her or hug her.
Our friendship has a lot of meaning because when I first met her, we used to walk past one another and never speak. And it was two years ago that I asked he is she knew where I could find a phone to call my husband and she let me use hers. From then on, we talked and she was a great encouragement for me. At one point, I hadn't heard from her and that was when I learned that she battles with sickle cell anemia from time to time and her crises come often. She is such a fighter and when I wouldn't hear from her, she would call me and tell me that why I haven't heard from her is because she was dealing with another crises. Her struggles with these crises have caused her to want to give up but I'm glad that she continues to fight and hang in there. I truly thank God for allowing me to look past my own selfish thoughts and to open the door for me to meet a jewel that I've found in my sister. This has taught me to really learn to love on people like it's nobody's business because we don't know what people are going through, what pains they are fighting against, and what they deal with when they're alone.
If you see someone that you may think is unapproachable, take a chance and love on them... you never know, they may be the best friend that you ever will have. My dear friend and sister is from West Africa and through her I've met her beautifully sweet family. And know that when she pulls through this, we're going to talk and rejoice over God's goodness. Thank you for letting me share and pour out my heart.
God bless you...
I come to you today with a heavy heart and begging you to hear my prayer for my sister who needs you this hour. I knew of her condition but I didn't know the severity of the condition and after seeing her in the hospital after having a stroke, my faith is not gone but truly weakened.
From this situation, I'm learning more and more of the importance of taking time out to talk to people and not to take for granted one moment the time that we will have with one another. Please, my Father, not for me but for her son, heal and restore her health. She is a mighty woman of God that adds great value to the kingdom of God and still has more work to do. Please let this opportunity be a witness and a testimony to the doctors and the nurses that will work with her to see your glory revealed when she is totally restored. I trust you to do just that and believe to share the testimony of her healing. Lord, I thank you. And I believe that it is done, in Jesus' name. Amen.
This prayer was written for a dear sister of mine that is in the hospital in ICU. I went to see her yesterday and to take her a rose because she was heavily on my heart. I had not clue, even though I called the hospital to make sure that she could have visitors, that only immediate family was allowed in. I was, however, able to see her through a window to her room. There was some hope when I saw her moving her legs but I was really hurt to see my friend laying there and I couldn't talk to her or hug her.
Our friendship has a lot of meaning because when I first met her, we used to walk past one another and never speak. And it was two years ago that I asked he is she knew where I could find a phone to call my husband and she let me use hers. From then on, we talked and she was a great encouragement for me. At one point, I hadn't heard from her and that was when I learned that she battles with sickle cell anemia from time to time and her crises come often. She is such a fighter and when I wouldn't hear from her, she would call me and tell me that why I haven't heard from her is because she was dealing with another crises. Her struggles with these crises have caused her to want to give up but I'm glad that she continues to fight and hang in there. I truly thank God for allowing me to look past my own selfish thoughts and to open the door for me to meet a jewel that I've found in my sister. This has taught me to really learn to love on people like it's nobody's business because we don't know what people are going through, what pains they are fighting against, and what they deal with when they're alone.
If you see someone that you may think is unapproachable, take a chance and love on them... you never know, they may be the best friend that you ever will have. My dear friend and sister is from West Africa and through her I've met her beautifully sweet family. And know that when she pulls through this, we're going to talk and rejoice over God's goodness. Thank you for letting me share and pour out my heart.
God bless you...
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