God gave us a simple guide for behavior in Matthew 7:1-5 (The Message) which 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.” In this, I am able to see my faults. I am able to see that although I perceive myself as someone who shows love to everyone...I really don’t! Lately, when someone wrongs me, I feel the need to fight back and show no empathy for that person or what they could be dealing with behind the scenes. I am allowing the difficult people in my life to control my feelings which is causing me to disobey God’s command which clearly states: "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (John 13:34-35).
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.
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
No Weapon Formed
Over the years, I have been the champion of building relationships. No matter where I am or who I'm with, it has rarely been an issue for me to find a connection. We spend majority of our adult lives at work, so it stands to reason that one would want positive relationships in that environment. I can recall an experience I had early in my career with a former boss who I just could not please no matter how many kudos I got from our business parnters. She was never satisfied. We would butt heads and it got so bad that I had to file EEO complaints against her. I was a believer of our Heavenly Father at the time but not actively worshiping Him, so I didn't rely on Him as I should have. I probably would have avoided so much drama if I had. But, I guess it had to happen that way to prepare me for today...
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!
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?
It is so hard to keep my mouth shut sometimes! I am weak when I see someone else doing something I "would never do". I think about all the things I would do if it were me. Like parenting. Before I had Kennedy, I use to make all these judgments on mothers when I would see them doing something that I thought was wrong. Now we all know that there are common sense things parents should and shouldn't be doing. But before I had Kennedy, I had no clue (although I thought I did)! There is no handbook for parenting. There is no cookie-cutter way to parent. What works for one parent doesn't always work for others. I now get offended when someone tells me to do something with my child as if they think they know her better than me! It is a little insulting! I then think, "Who are you to judge me!" "Who are you to tell me what to do with my family when you are not in my shoes."
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!!!
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
Heavenly Father, most Gracious and Loving God, we pray to you that you abundantly bless us and our families. We know that you recognize that a family is more than just a mother, father, sister, brother, husband and wife, but all who believe and trust in you.
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.
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
Lord God, before You and man I was joined together with my husband and we are now flesh of my flesh and bone of my bone through the holy bonds of matrimony. Therefore I pray for my husband and ask that Your peace and blessings be upon him.I pray Lord God, that I do no harm to him and that I do not hinder him from the God ordained role of spiritual head of the household. May he flourish in this role and be under subjection to You. May he treat me as Christ would treat me and may I treat him as I would our Lord.I pray Lord God, for my husband as provider and protector in this marriage. May it please You to use him in both these capacities. May I accept with gratitude this position in which he functions.I pray Lord God, for my husband's spiritual well-being. May he never lose his hunger and thirst for You. May we be supportive of each other's individual walk, and may we join together in unity in worshipping and serving You.I pray Lord God, for my husband's financial planning decisions. May he receive showers of blessings from You as he makes Godly decisions that will affect us both. May his decisions be wise and appropriate.I pray Lord God, for my husband’s health. I pray that You will keep him in perfect health and that he remain well and whole. When he needs that care taking from me, may I be as supportive, loving and compassionate as I would have him be with me.I pray Lord God, for my husband's safety. May You place a hedge around him and keep him from harm's way. May Your ministering angels protect him in his time of need.I pray Lord God, for all other things that affect him. Work, children, friendships, relatives and even recreation. May I serve by his side and see to it that all these areas of his life be lived in harmony.I pray Lord God that he might always find me attractive within and outwardly as we keep our marriage alive, through Jesus Christ who brought us together. Amen
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!
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