Thursday, February 4, 2010
Be the Light!
Forgiveness and letting God's light shine within me through my actions. I know that forgiveness falls within the latter but it deserves to stand on its own per God's request.
You see, I have this issue with someone at my church. Nothing I instigated by any means but something that was done to me (on more than one occasion) that was unacceptable. I have tried to keep my distance from the person but they keep being thrust in my face. Obviously there is a reason for this. God is teaching me something:-). After hearing from God, I realized that I need to be the bigger person and reveal that God does dwell within me so I am going to talk with her to clear the air and show her that God has taught me very well. Matthew 5:14-16 (The Message) says: "Here's another way to put it: You're here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We're going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don't think I'm going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I'm putting you on a light stand. Now that I've put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand—shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you'll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven."
Well after reading that, I am reminded that I need to show the God in me versus the "sistah-girl" that wants to come out. She has her place just not in this situation:-). Now comes the forgiveness part. I have to keep God's word in mind at all times. That includes forgiveness. Matthew 5:23-24 (The Message) says: "This is how I want you to conduct yourself in these matters. If you enter your place of worship and, about to make an offering, you suddenly remember a grudge a friend has against you, abandon your offering, leave immediately, go to this friend and make things right. Then and only then, come back and work things out with God." I have to go to her to set things right. I have to forgive her for her actions and keep in mind that I have forgiven things far worse than this.
God wants to keep us on our toes. He wants us to remember that just because we have obeyed His commands before, doesn't mean we won't have to do it again. He wants us to show the world that He lives within us through our words and actions. Let's make Him proud. Let's do as we are commanded!
Let's have a wonderful New Year!!!!
Be blessed and know that I love you!!!
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
How do you love difficult people?
In spite of how I am treated, I am still obligated to show love because that is what God commanded of us and that is what He expects of us. I believe there is one God! But even the demons believe that – and shudder (James 7:19). This proves to me that I have to step up my game and be who God created me to be. I AM NO DEMON! So I will no longer put my focus on the actions of others, but I will look at myself and how I react to their actions. If my actions do not align with God’s word, then I need to change them. He lovingly tells us in Ephesians 4:2 to “Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.”
Dear Lord,
I sometimes come in contact with people who seem to be truly awful and hard to deal with. Help me see these difficult people as You see them. You created each of us in Your likeness with good qualities and a purpose for living. Let me look for the good in everyone and to find in each person their Christ-like traits. I pray, too, Lord, that these people find peace and happiness in their lives. Help me to accept and forgive others for their failing and to treat all people with the respect and love you expect.
Your word tells us in Matthew 7:7-8 to “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.” Father, I am asking for your help and guidance dealing with difficult people. Help me see them through your eyes. I am asking for strength and understanding regarding their behaviors. Above all, am also asking for your forgiveness for my reaction to their actions and not showing them the love you show me and commanded me to show them. I am asking for you to intercede on my behalf. I am seeking counsel from you regarding the difficult people in my life and I am knocking on your door for grace and mercy. My situation is in your hands now, Father! Let your will be done and not my own!
In Jesus’ name I pray, AMEN.
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
No Weapon Formed
I now work in an environment where personal agendas are rampant and if you are in the way, you will get ran over! What started out as the best job I have ever had is turning into the worst!!! I am miserable!!! My heart is heavy with frustration and I have no peace. There are strained relationships and it seems as if there is nothing I can do about it. I caught myself reverting back to the days of my old boss. But God...
I decided to take my problem to God, the problem solver! It's funny, because I knew that God had the solution before I ever had the problem! I should have known that if I asked, He would lead me to scriptures that would give me perspective on my problem and all I have to do is expect a solution.
My problem is that I internalize things. I have been taking their actions personally not realizing that I am just a casualty in their fight to reach a desired level of success. I can't really say for sure if their actions are not personally directed towards me but I cannot let that be my focus. God's word tells me in Isaiah 54:17 [that] "No weapon formed against [me] shall prosper, and every tongue which rises against [me] in judgement You shall condemn. This is the heritage of the servents of the Lord and their righteousness is from Me, says the Lord." If there is ever anything to internalize, it would need to be God's word! What a powerful message to me during this time. God just basically told me that there is nothing that they can do against me that will work. It will fail! They have made me so mad that I had to pray for them. Man cannot stand against God's word and succeed.
Then He led me to the book of James 3:13-18 which states: "13Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. 14But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. 15Such "wisdom" does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, of the devil. 16For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice. 17But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. 18Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness."
I believe God put me in this situation to make me stronger. As we all know, there is a lesson in every trial and every trial has an end so this too shall pass. I believe it took this situation to get me back on my knees and give God what is due Him which is my undivided attention. I have to pray and leave this mess in God's hands. I trust Him because He promised that I could and we all know He does not lie. So now I can wait in expectation for God's resolution to manifest itself in the natural.
God put me here to connect with people. I may not always find that common ground with everyone I meet but I thank God for the opportunity and I praise Him for being bigger than my problems! The difference between yesterday and today is that I truly know where my help comes from. It comes from the Lord (Psalm 121:2)
Be blessed and know that I love you!
Who are you to judge?
I had to check myself and remember that I too judged people before I walked in their shoes. I use to make comments about my friend and her children. If they did something that I thought was inappropriate I opened my mouth. When I had Kennedy and noticed that she was not as perfect as I had hoped she would be, I had to feel my way through being her mom. I am still feeling my way but I know her better than anyone else and it irritates me when someone else who doesn't know her like I do makes comments that are out of line. Interesting! I got to walk in my friend's shoes. I finally knew what it was like to be on the receiving end and it did not feel good. I knew what it was like to be judged the way I judged!
Well, one day I began reading the book of Matthew and came across this scripture (which obviously can be applied to any situation): Matthew 7:1-5 (The Message) says: "Don't pick on people, jump on their failures, criticize their faults— unless, of course, you want the same treatment. That critical spirit has a way of boomeranging. It's easy to see a smudge on your neighbor's face and be oblivious to the ugly sneer on your own. Do you have the nerve to say, 'Let me wash your face for you,' when your own face is distorted by contempt? It's this whole traveling road-show mentality all over again, playing a holier-than-thou part instead of just living your part. Wipe that ugly sneer off your own face, and you might be fit to offer a washcloth to your neighbor." I tell you, sometimes the word can really smack you in the face!
I have learned that there are two types of judgment: Condemning Judgment and Discerning Judgment.
Condemning Judgment is self explanatory. It is when someone finds fault with everyone but themselves.
Discerning Judgment is a skill and a positive contribution based on good judgment and experience!
Some people don't see the distinction between discernment and condemnation. They think they are helping but ultimately they are hurting, especially when they have no true experience in the matter themselves!
Who was I to say something when I had not walked in my friend's shoes? Who am I to judge anyone? Based on God's word, I have no right! I am not the expert! I will leave judgment to God and continue to feel my way through life with God's help. My only advice is...BE CAREFUL! You think you know better than someone, but you don't! Your way is not always the best way for everyone! When you judge someone, you put yourself in the line of fire. Remember, you too will be judged so watch out!
Be blessed and know that I love you!!!
Thursday, January 21, 2010
A Financial Prayer
Father, we send up a prayer request for financial blessing for not only ourselves, but for all that are in need. And the power of joined prayer by those who believe and trust in you is more powerful than anything. We thank you in advance for your blessings.
Father God, deliver us right now from debt and debt burdens. Be our debt-canceller. We ask for provision in the name of Jehova-Jireh. Release your Godly wisdom that we may be good stewards over all that You have given us Father, for we know how wonderful and mighty you are and how if we just obey you and walk in your word and have the faith of a mustard seed that you will pour out blessings.
We thank you now Lord for the recent blessings we have received and for the blessings yet to come because we know you are not done with us yet.
In Jesus name, we pray.
Amen.
A Wife's Prayer For Her Husband
How Precious We Are to God!
During my bible study, God led me to the book of Hebrews. This book tells us how much we mean to God. It talks about the fact that Jesus became the sacrifice for our sins. Because He redeemed our lives, we can “have the confidence to enter the Most Holy place by the blood of Jesus” (Heb. 10:19). He tells us in Hebrews 4:16 that we can “come boldly to the throne of grace so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need”.
You see, I thought that because I had done some terrible things in my past and that God wouldn’t want to use me anymore. I asked for forgiveness but I got no breakthroughs. I forgot about the basics of His promises and walked away from His grace and mercy. What He has been showing me is that “there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and its consequence of death” (Romans 8:1-2). He took me to 2 Corinthians 1:20 which reads: “No matter how many promises God has made, they are ‘Yes’ in Christ”. “This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him” (1 John 5:14-15).
We are all dealing with personal needs. Whether they be financial (probably the biggest one this day and age), physical, emotional, mental, etc., God wants us to know He is there. Because God revealed these things to me, I am sharing them with you! He wants us to rely solely on Him and gives us the power to do so by the name of His Son, Jesus Christ! Please know that God has many attributes and characteristics. The two He is revealing to me at this time are:
Jehova-Jireh (the Provider)
Jehova-Rapha (the Healer)
When you pray in the name of Jesus, remember to pray to the attribute that reflects your need.
Example: If I love You and obey Your commands Jehova-Jireh, I can ask and believe in the name of Jesus for you to “supply all my needs according to your riches in glory in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19). I am in need of my debts being cancelled and my utilities being paid. You are my debt-canceller! You are my utility-payer, You are my complete provider. Please forgive me for not being a good steward of the blessings you have given me. Thank you for your forgiveness! I will wait in expectation for the manifestation of your blessings based on the truth of your word that “no matter how many promises You [have] made, they are ‘Yes” in Christ” (2 Cor 1:20). I ask for Your wisdom in regards to my finances so I can honor You with the blessings that are to come. In Jesus Name! Amen!
I am not saying that there is a magic formula to get your prayers answered but I am saying that God is true to His word! Look at what He did for us through the death of Jesus! He gave us a means of communicating with Him and a promise to meet our every need! He gave us an opportunity to have a fruitful relationship with Him and He wants to be our EVERYTHING! This is how precious we are to Him. Now, let’s believe in His word and have FAITH that what He has promised will come to pass, because it will. I can’t wait to hear your praise report!
With Love!