Divine Appointments!

“We can make our plans, but the LORD determines our steps.”  (Proverbs 16:9, NLT)

The promise was that the Messiah would be coming and he came in the most unusual way! God chose a common woman to be our Lords mother, born in an obscure place a rundown old manger no big earthly palace, no media with breaking news. The light shown leading the shepherds, the wise men followed a star and they showed up with no glamor, no media, just a simple man and woman holding a baby! What if they looked at each other and said, “What?! This was a waste of time!” I wonder what they would have missed out on personally on their journey of life if they failed to take the steps and learn from each moment.

Let’s personalize this story there are some people and opportunities that God has placed in our life to help us reach your destiny. They may not look the part or seem to have the resources we need or that we know very well, but they may provide you an opportunity, introduce you to someone you need to be connected with. They may have wisdom or advice that will thrust you forward in life. We have to remember that these divine appointments have been orchestrated by God Almighty. Divine appointments aren’t always the people you would expect. In fact, oftentimes they are the people you don’t expect — a person at the store, a person you don’t know, a person you may not even like or someone who may seem to be less influential. But God can give anyone an idea. God can use anyone to make a connection. We should always be open to receive from others. We should always treat everyone we encounter with dignity, honor and respect. You never know who God is going to use in your life to help you reach your destiny.

This Christmas season let’s remember what the experience at the manger did for the shepherds but also for all of mankind. We can be on the front end of movement or we can live trying to catch up to what God intended for us.

 

Blessings,

 

Decisions, Decisions, Decisions!

“O Lord; point out the road for me to follow.”(Psalms 25:4 NLT)

Even simple decisions can be stressful. Ever watch a child struggle to choose between chocolate or strawberry ice cream? And the bigger decisions, like whom to marry, which career to choose, whether to buy a house or to make a major move, etc. can be nerve-racking! Overwhelmed is an understatement. But how do we practically move forward and reduce the amount of stress we deal with?

We can reduce our stress level by following the Word of God and these principles: (1) Do the research. “Anyone who answers without listening is foolish and confused” (Proverbs 18:13 NCV). Get all the facts and avoid making decisions you’ll regret. Knowledge has never been more accessible; through the Internet, helpful books, and especially God’s Word: “Your commands…are my constant guide” (Psalms 119:98 NLT).

This one we take for granted. We minimize the power of (2) Trust God. “Show me the right path, O Lord; point out the road for me to follow.” Consulting God then trusting His word as our guide helps us prevent premature decisions, clarifies our priorities and prepares you to hear His plan. Is God interested in your decisions? Yes. “The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives” (Psalms 37:23 NLT).

This one is the most challenging because we struggle so much with change… (3) Be open to new ideas. Don’t get trapped in old mind-sets. “Wise men and women are always learning, always listening for fresh insights” (Proverbs 18:15 TM). Clinging to the familiar can be crippling. God may choose to lead you along a new path of fresh insight. So take a deep breathe, seek His wisdom, and open up your heart to receive it.

Lastly, I have been blessed with family and friends that invest in me and me in them and that has proven an amazing source of strength and provided good counsel that is supported by the Word of God. (4) Get advice from trusted friends. “It’s a hard road that’s walked alone,” says an old Celtic proverb. So follow Solomon’s counsel: “A fool thinks he needs no advice, but a wise man listens to others” (Proverbs 12:15 TLB).

By following these clear principles from God’s Word, we can relax, stop stressing out and give our worry to God. Then trust Him to work it out. After all, He has our back.

Blessings,

 

Working versus Striving

"So he said to me, 'This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: "Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit," says the Lord Almighty.'"  Zechariah 4:6 (NIV)

Your greatest obstacle in fulfilling God's purposes in your life is the skills you have acquired to perform well in your work life. One of the great paradoxes in Scripture relates to our need to depend on the Lord; yet at the same time, we're instructed to use the talents and abilities God gives us to accomplish the work He gives us to do. It has been one of the most difficult principles to live out. How do we know whether we have achieved by the power of the Holy Spirit versus our own abilities? And in there lies the difference. When we commit our talents and abilities to God and we reach a level of excellence and performance in our fields and it can become a testimony to seeing God's power manifested in our work. If on the other hand we are trying to perform based on our own abilities without committing it to God’s supernatural, then we trust the natural. When this happens, God retreats. You see, God allows us to develop skills, but these must be continually yielded to God's Spirit. There will be times when God will use these skills to accomplish His purposes. There will be other times that God will not use any of our skills just to ensure that we know it is by His power that we can do anything.

Probably the greatest word of advice I can give is, “Do not lean on the natural skill which you have been given. Let God manifest Himself in what you are doing." We need to learn the balance of skill and walking with God. Our father God’s desire to bless us and increase us is a testimony of who He is. Imagine taking the skills you have and placing them in God’s hands at the beginning of your day; then do your part and watch God honor His word.

Ask God to teach you what it means to walk according to the power of the Holy Spirit in your spiritual, personal and business life. Develop a listening ear to the small voice inside that wants to direct your efforts by His Spirit. “Let me hear of your unfailing love each morning, for I am trusting you. Show me where to walk, for I give myself to you.” Psalm 143:8 (NLT)

Prayer: God, I believe You are using circumstances and events to move me into a place of patient waiting as You put me in the place You desire for me. Help my soul to mature, my faith to grow, my life to be more pure and dedicated to You. James 1:2-4 tells me, "Count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing." Lord, I praise You in the midst of it all--my special trials and daily challenges--knowing that I must learn to be patient and content as I wait upon You. Thank You for being with me through every trial, every day. In Jesus' name I pray, amen.

 

Blessings,

 

Live Free!

I run in the paths of your commands, for you have set my heart free. Psalms 119:32 (NIV)

You and I were created to be free and that comes when we walk in his commands. When we become Christ followers a unique event transpires—we have been called, chosen if you will, to be free. Yet oddly enough to experience this freedom there must be a renewal of our inner man. “I ask him to strengthen you by his Spirit—not a brute strength but a glorious inner strength—that Christ will live in you as you open the door and invite him in.” Ephesians 3:16 (The Message)

This is how it is supposed to work… It is an adventure, a journey if you will, a walk filled with uncertainty because there are just some things that will take faith and excitement. We know we serve a God that is the real deal and HE has a plan that involves us and Him.

This journey will require many confessions and declarations, and this is a great place to begin: Be reminded the tongue holds the power of life and death and we must start speaking life to live life. “The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.” Proverbs 18:21 (NIV)

Remember God formed us in His image and then breathed life in us. God in himself is marked by character, when we lose the character of God in us we lose the life of God in us. But to have character we must first die to ourselves. To become like him is what it really means to live. Jesus did not come to be a warden. He came to be our deliverer. He was so committed to this that he was willing to die on a cross for our freedom.

Wow! That is a truth, and our values will shift. Our opinions will get in the right place. Our attitudes will get in line with God. How we live life becomes so much simpler and become much more powerful. Freedom in the simplest form is seen as the gift of serving out of love. That is exactly the model of Christ. Powerful is the point where freedom begins—where we become like Him. It’s here and only here that freedom exists without boundaries. We are free to love without limit, to forgive, to be merciful, to be generous, to be compassionate and risk the sacrifice to enjoy and live… And when you are free you know it!

Live Free!

 

Blessings,

 

 

 

At The End of Your Rope...

You’re blessed when you’re at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and his rule. Matthew 5 (The Message)

Life is not a 'bowl of cherries'—far from it. Sometimes it's the pits—not what we thought was promised to us. It almost leaves us hanging, dangling above the fire of our circumstances, swallowing us up. Life has a 'flavor' all its own, just like the cherry, and it's not always sweet. Sometimes we expect too much out of life. And when it doesn't deliver what we expected or what we truly wanted, we experience a sense of vulnerability. Things don't always go as we planned.

We need to recognize the fact that when we have done all we can do; now it is up to Him. But we have to move toward Him, not religiously but from a relational standpoint. Relationships are personal--we get to know the real person and their heart. That is what I am talking about. A lot of us have had a jaded point of view religiously but when we move toward him from this relational attitude, it is and will be different.

Matthew 11:28 -30 ( The Message):

“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.”

Life is not a 'bouquet of roses'. It sometimes has its own bed of thorns! Thorns don't set too well with our tender flesh. They prickle our skin, and if the spot isn't cleaned thoroughly, it might begin to 'fester'. That's the same thing that happens with things in our everyday life. If we let a situation in our life put us in the 'pits', digging at us with its 'thorns', then we will begin to sink deeper and deeper into the mire. It will bring us down so fast, leaving us depressed, down on life, and a down and out Christian! We will be of no effect on the lives around us or even in our own lives.

I Timothy 6:11 (KJV): But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.

Life can be glorious, if you follow after the Lord and are obedient to him. It has its ups and downs, but he asks that we cast our cares upon him and let him shoulder our burdens. He is there in time of need, only a call away. But sometimes we fail to make our voices heard, to utter that simple prayer that GOD is waiting to hear from us. He wants only our willingness to turn to him - he already knows what we need.

Psalm 16:11 Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence [is] fulness of joy; at thy right hand [there are] pleasures for evermore.

Blessings,

 

 

Time to Rest...

“Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for Him...” (Psalm 37:7 NKJV)

Have you ever been at a point in your life when you felt boxed in and filled with conflict, chaos, confusion and you are looking for just a ray of light at any moment? If you have been there before and I have been there, then that gives us something in common! I don’t know your patterns of response to these situations but my default response can be taking control and trying to fix everything.

Well that sounds all well and good but it usually puts me in my place. I find myself getting frustrated with people and relationships weaken. In some cases my faith is even challenged. The next step that usually follows this downward spiral is really trying to make someone else change or live in the way I think is right.

Well if you are like me, you mean well and have good intentions. But if we are trying to orchestrate things to happen our way, on our timetable, we are only going to frustrate ourselves. At some point, we have to turn these circumstances and people over to God and trust that He has our best interest at heart.

Well that sure sounds easy, doesn’t it? Okay, so how do we turn things over to God? What I have learned is that I need to make the choice and declare my resolve. Simply say, “Father, I choose to let you be God of this situation. I take my hands off. I trust You Lord.” Then choose to worship Him. Worship is one of the best ways to set your heart and mind in the right place. (Psalm 96:1-13 KJV)  You can’t worry and worship at the same time! Worship is a sign that you are trusting God; worry is a sign that you are trying to control things. Find yourself a place where you are sharing life with other Christ-followers. That is where strength and the testimony of others can really encourage us more than we know. We need the relationships around us to be healthy, and this will allow us to get on the road of health.

Today, make the choice to take the pressure off yourselves and turn things over to God. Give Him control and let Him take your setbacks and turn them into comebacks. Remember, the God who holds the universe holds you in the palm of His hand. Trust Him and let God be God in every area of your life!

Blessings,

 

B

God Uses What Others Overlook

Do you sometimes feel invisible to those around you? Does it seem that you are insignificant or of no value to others? Well this may happen in the physical, BUT in God’s eyes He has a plan for us. To God, we play an important part in His plan. He has a place of honor for us. He values us.

1 Corinthians 12:12-27

We read here how each person is a part of the body of Christ. Just like the organs of our body, though all have different functions, they make up one whole body. No one is less important than the other. Each has a function in the church. Sometimes though, we go through times of feeling unappreciated for what we are doing for the Lord. There may be times when we feel that we aren't accomplishing as much as we would like, aren’t at the level we would like to be at, or feel that we go unnoticed.

These times can cause us much frustration and dismay. It's hard sometimes when we see an area where we could be used, but fail to be used there. It's hard to get others interested in what we can do--not everyone shares our enthusiasm.

How do we handle times like these? We need to remind ourselves of the fact that God has planted within us this desire to be used, and He has called us and desires to use us in His kingdom. It may not be our time yet. It just might be a time where God is working in us--helping us to develop more of a Christ-like character. I know it's hard to be in this place. But don't be dismayed. God notices you, and will cause others to as well, in His time. What God has birthed in you, He will bring it to pass… one day!

For as in one physical body we have many parts (organs, members) and all of these parts do not have the same function or use, so we, numerous as we are, are one body in Christ (the Messiah) and individually we are parts one of another [mutually dependent on one another]. ~ Romans 12:4-5

Instead of being frustrated because somebody is not celebrating your gifts, use your energy to follow God's plan.

YOUR TIME IS NOW!!

Blessings,

A Certain Man...

"And there he found a certain man named Aeneas, which had kept his bed eight years, and was sick of the palsy.  And Peter said unto him, Aeneas, Jesus Christ maketh thee whole: arise, and make thy bed. And he arose immediately." (Acts 9:33-34 KJV)

 "And there sat a certain man at Lystra, impotent in his feet, being a cripple from his mother's womb, who never had walked:  The same heard Paul speak: who stedfastly beholding him, and perceiving that he had faith to be healed,  Said with a loud voice, Stand upright on thy feet. And he leaped and walked." (Acts 14:8-10 KJV)

"And a certain woman, which had an issue of blood twelve years, and had suffered many things of many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was nothing bettered, but rather grew worse. When she had heard of Jesus, came in the press behind, and touched his garment. And straightway the fountain of her blood was dried up; and she felt in her body that she was healed of that plague." (Mark 5: 25-27:29 KJV)

The bible, the Word of God is not just filled with fables it is an account of the journey of Christ and His workings providing us guidelines and a model for healthy overcoming living. We sometimes disconnect ourselves from these accounts; disqualifying ourselves from such experiences not because of God but because of us. NOT SO! The same miracles accounted for in the past are happening today and can happen in our lives.

The scripture states a certain man or woman! A specific, individual is being addressed in all these verses. Put your name after a certain________________.  Whatever the situation that's going on in your life today, you can rest in God knowing that change is coming. It's not always going to be like this. The certain man, who was lame from his mother’s womb, probably thought he'd be that way for life, but scripture shows us different!

 The certain woman with the issue of blood, tried everything she knew, but when Jesus came into the picture, the issue was over! Our specific situations can change because of our faith in Him. There was another certain woman whose creditors were going to place her sons into slavery. Elisha told her to gather all the vessels she could and fill them from one small pot of oil she had left. The challenge in our mind is that this is not physically possible. But through faith and obedience the oil didn't stop flowing until she ran out of vessels. She sold the oil, paid off her debt and had enough money left over for her family to live on. (2 Kings 4)  God took the little and turned it into more than enough!  When you see a certain man or woman in scripture, it usually precedes a miracle taking place in someone's life.  Good news, there is no situation beyond the reach of the Lord's miraculous power! So as we have now placed our name behind a certain_____________, start to bless the Lord now for working in your particular situation! Change is coming.

Blessings,

Allow God to Take Reign in Your Life!

He took bread, gave thanks and broke it. (Luke 22:19 NIV)

In the past weeks, I have noticed in most of my conversations people are saying “how much more do we have to take? I feel like I have nothing left in the tank!” Sound familiar? With what life can throw at us whether physically, emotionally; spiritually, or financially, it can leave us asking that same question. We can count on one thing: the battle is on. We have not lost. God might be asking for a little bit more but the best is yet to come!! My word for us is HANG ON!

I want us to move towards this though: Jesus while on earth never created something from nothing.

Jesus used water that was already there in order to make wine. He used a fish’s mouth to deliver a coin to pay taxes. He fed 5000 from loaves of bread and fish by giving thanks, breaking it then distributing it to the people. (John 2:1-3, Matthew 17:27 and Matthew 14:19 NIV)

 When Elijah needed food, he approached a starving widow (1 Kings 17:8-10 NIV), who said she had enough crust left only to feed herself and her son. He asked if she had oil. Her answer was the exact same. The power of this is that God has a way of meeting people where they are by hanging a thread then asking for more rope! When the trusting widow brought her jar of oil, the oil was miraculously multiplied leaving not just enough for her house but enough to start a business and sell it for profit for her and her son! God is interested in creating legacy and establishing the power of who HE is in your family!

Two principles:

1.    The first is that surrender of what you have is always required. Had the wedding caterers not been willing to bring the jars of water, there could have been no wine. Had the little boy not given up the lunch, there would have been no family picnic. Point is whatever God is asking of you please give it back.

2.    Whatever you offer is going to change form. It may look broken and or smashed to pieces in the process, but it will be multiplied.

The resources you began with will not be recognizable to you when you are through. Their essence may be the same, but they will be multiplied.

When the Lord was serving communion, the passage was representative of Christ being broken for the purpose of the message of grace and mercy and life change that would be multiplied throughout the whole world!
Stand strong. HE is in charge!!

Blessings,

The Bridge to Your Breakthrough

 “Even though the fig trees have no blossoms, and there are no grapes on the vines; even though the olive crop fails, and the fields lie empty and barren; even though the flocks die in the fields, and the cattle barns are empty, yet I will rejoice in the Lord! I will be joyful in the God of my salvation!” (Habakkuk 3:17–18, NLT)

Habakkuk knew what to do when things seemed completely hopeless. His world was literally falling apart around him. There was destruction everywhere he looked. That story sure does sound familiar! If you are like me, at different times in our lives we have experienced what appeared to be defeat, emptiness and lack. The challenge is not in the lack, but in responding rather reacting to what life throws at us.

The response of Habakkuk was based on the fact he knew God was bigger than his circumstances! So what did he do? He invited God into his circumstances by finding something to celebrate and praising the Lord. He made the choice to be joyful knowing that it would connect him to the One who would deliver him!

Today we might be facing a situation that seems dark and hopeless. No matter how difficult things may seem, God has a plan to bring us out into a place of victory. Our praise is the bridge that will carry us into that land of promise. The Bible tells us that God inhabits the praises of His people. (Psalms 22:3 NKJV) When the presence of God manifests, the enemy has to flee! The Bible also tells us that there is fullness of joy in His presence. (Psalms 16:11 NKJV) His joy empowers us to walk through any difficulty we may be facing. No matter how things may seem in the natural, you can rejoice today because God is working behind the scenes on your behalf. As you praise Him, He will fill you with His joy and pour out His abundant blessing in every area of your life.

Today join me in a closing prayer “I come to you God trusting that you are my deliverer. No matter what is going on around me, today I choose to bless and praise your holy name. I choose to connect to you God, knowing that you are the source of my strength, hope and freedom. And I thank you God for allowing me to grow through this opportunity!  Amen.

Blessings,

He Makes Up The Difference...

 “...for when I am weak [in human strength], then am I [truly] strong (able, powerful in divine strength).”(2 Corinthians 12:10, AMP)

Life sometimes presents us with challenges that seem insurmountable and even overwhelming to say the least! In this time we can feel weak but His word says that when I am weak, when I am in God the game changes and I become strong! Easier said than done, believe me I know BUT God can make up the difference. He does his part but we must do ours.

No matter what weakness we think we may have, no matter what inadequacies or setbacks we have encountered, God wants to give us His divine strength! He wants to make up the difference and put us further ahead than we ever thought possible. One time in the Old Testament, God simply multiplied the sound of four men’s footsteps and caused them to sound like a mighty army. When their enemies heard them, they took off running. There were thousands of enemy troops running for their lives, scared to death, thinking they were being attacked by a massive army when, in fact, it was just four people! What happened? God made up the difference.

There have been times in my life when God, when invited to take over, showed up in unique and powerful ways and changed the story from defeat to victory. Friend, God can make you seem bigger than you really are. He can make you look more powerful. He knows how to multiply your influence, your strength, your talent and your income. You don’t have to figure it all out; all you have to do is put your trust in Him. Lean on, trust in, and be confident in the Lord with all your heart and mind and do not rely on your own insight or understanding. (Proverbs 3:5, AMP). If you will release your faith for a supernatural year and wake up every day expecting God’s favor, then you’re going to see God show up and make the difference in every area of your life!

The word is trust the Lord and rest in Him. He is capable and can make up the difference.

Blessings,

Spilt Milk

"Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus." Philippians 3:13-14 (KJV)

Have you ever heard the phrase, “Why cry over spilt milk?” It's something we can visualize in our mind.  Imagine a person standing at a refrigerator door, thirsty, ready for that cold glass of milk, then while pouring the milk it goes all over the floor.  What can you do besides clean it up and pour again? Some would actually stand there and agonize over what they can't drink, because of what was lost. But what if it was the last bit of milk in the house? Then you just have to wait until it's restored in the morning!  There are situations in our lives that are rather like spilt milk.  We can't go back and change them or pretend like they never happened. We just have to allow the Lord to help us clean it up and go forward. Sometimes easier said than done but here is what works for me.

 "Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and He shall sustain thee; He shall never suffer the righteous to be moved." Psalm 55:22 (KJV) I love how it reads in The Message translation: “Pile your troubles on GOD's shoulders—he'll carry your load, he'll help you out. He'll never let good people topple into ruin.”

What happens when we don’t cast our burdens upon the Lord and also keep everyone else's burdens?  We carry unnecessary weight. We live looking backwards wishing things were different. Instead, we should move forward from our past, and move into what God has for us. That is what it means to let Jesus carry our load.  We don’t need to become emotional junk haulers constantly trying to fix ourselves when we are not capable of doing so. Just remember that the burden needs to be released to the Lord, He can handle it. 

It's more than memories--it's also fixating on what we could have, or what we believe we are entitled to. Some actually get a mindset of, “that was my last chance at happiness.” But if God is our Father, He's our joy and knows what we need at all times. We should stop crying over spilt milk and move on.  We have to release ourselves from standing and looking at the puddle. We can't afford to keep reliving the past, because if we do, we may miss what God has for us. The spill, as painful as it may be, is not the end of us. God has the last say so on our lives, not a job, relationship, business, etc. It's time to stop crying over spilt milk… Past is past and the new he wants us to walk into is right in front of us. Let’s not miss it because we are weighed down looking backwards.

Blessings,

How to Live with Hope!

In life we face many opportunities to overcome opposition. This is a different attitude toward adversity in the sense of looking at it as an opportunity rather than as defeating opposition or insurmountable odds. We sometimes face situations that seem impossible, or at least know someone who does. The key is: don’t spend your time talking about how big the problem is or confessing that you’re never going to make it. No, on the contrary, start declaring, “The hand of God is upon my life!” When we realize God’s hand of favor is upon us, our understanding of hope and the power of renewed hope will lift us up.

I love the passage in Hebrews 6:18-20a (The Message) “We who have run for our very lives to God have every reason to grab the promised hope with both hands and never let go. It's an unbreakable spiritual lifeline, reaching past all appearances right to the very presence of God” When we have been through these experiences we know the power of God and the strength, peace and hope that HE gives is something we can only experience in Him. If we would only choose to hang onto the truth of who God declares himself to be and trust that we can expect our world to change. Remember hope is based on our faith in God. We don’t hope in someone or something—our hope is in Jesus Christ! You and I have a testimony and that testimony is a confession of who our Lord is and what He has done! Look back and see what all He has done in our lives. Do you really think He would leave you now?

When those thoughts of doubt come, declare the truth of God’s Word! How are we going to get healed out from under the weight of debt? “The hand of God is upon my life.” How are we going to break that addiction? “The hand of God.” How are we going to accomplish our dreams? “The hand of God!” In Ezra 7:28 (NIV) Ezra declares, “Because the hand of the Lord my God was on me, I took courage and gathered leaders from Israel to go up with me.” God’s hand on our lives never leaves us.

The more we recognize God’s favor, the more we declare and believe His promises. Then we will see God’s hand at work in every part of our lives. As we stand in faith and hope in Him, we will see His promises become visible in our life. We will experience His favor and victory and have an overwhelming sense of balance in our daily life!

Blessings,

Let Go!

In the midst of a really tough situation, God clearly gave me the verse from Psalms "Be still and know that I am God" (Psalm 46:10). As I thought about this verse, I saw that "be still" could be translated "let go, relax." It also means not moving and being quiet. How often do we ask God for everything, but we don't stop to listen or to be still? The act of being still and getting quiet becomes more of a challenge in our hectic world.

I had been doing everything I knew to do, everything I could do, in order to fix this painful situation--and then came the Word of God: "Be still, Joel... let go... know that I am God." God's Word was clear. I couldn't fix it, and I needed to stop trying. I had struggled. I had prayed. I had tried to make things right. I had searched my heart, rehearsed all my failings, and experienced the pain of them all, nothing had worked. The situation hadn't changed; the frustration and disappointment had not gone away.

Now it was clear. If I were to walk in faith, and live by faith, I had to let God be God. I had to be the person God created me to be and trust Him to guide my steps. I was to quit trying to fix it and allow God to see it through as He saw fit. I thought God wasn’t moving but I failed to see "the rest of the story." My part in this situation was simply "to be" rather than "to do."

Terri and I have learned many things through this journey. We stand in it together and have seen God do the most incredible things--things we couldn't dream of--and we know that He, and He alone, has done them. He has done them apart from my planning, my control, my manipulating. My part was simply to allow the unconditional love of God to flow through me.

Whatever happens, I know that I am to continue to rest, relax and remember that He is God. I am to walk by faith and remember that I am not God, that I cannot fix this situation or any other in my life. My responsibility is simply to trust, obey and to be what He wants me to be. I am to embrace truth and live by it. I can't live by my emotions, my dwelling upon my past, or by focusing on my inadequacies, weaknesses, and failures. I am not to fear what the future holds, for the future is God's. I am just privileged to live it out. So... be still... and know... that He is God.

Psalm 23 says, “Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.”
(Psalms 23:6 NIV)

Blessings,

Anchor Your Life in Hope!

Anchor Your Life in Hope!

We all face times when things don’t go as expected in life. Relationships seem to be breaking down. We are hit with unexpected expenses. The job or promotion we've been waiting for goes to someone else. Our health or the health of a loved one is challenged. We cannot depend on ourselves or those around us to sustain us during the rough times in life. But in the face of it all, we can hope in God. Hebrews 6:19 gives us this promise "… hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls" (NLT). The Psalms are filled with how we are to put our hope in God and God alone. “Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad? I will put my hope in God! I will praise him again— my Savior and my God!” (Psalms 42:11 NLT)

Hope comes from God. God’s favor and goodness give us the ability to expect great things, even when the challenges we face look overwhelming. Terri and I face the same challenges as you and we have recognized that the hope we have is entirely centered in Christ! This is not just a statement—it works. However it takes faith and focus! Making the choice to be a Christ-follower not in name only but in active relationship allows us to experience hope first hand.

Hope is not some emotional thing—it is a foundational gift that affects the way we view life. The way we speak and share life with others is a good indication of where our hope lies. James tells us to be “quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to anger.” (James 1:19) This a practical life lesson on how to build hope by learning from God’s Word and listening to others. Life itself will always bring us back to face the hope question. In who or what do you place your hope? Hope is a requirement in our lives and without it we can sway away from our destination and focus, and slip into a place of defeat or even depression.

We know that we are called to plant seeds of hope wherever we are and in whatever we do. We have the God-given opportunity to plant seeds in our heart first then in others every day. This only happens when you and I partner together with God‘s plan. We've got to do our part. Jesus' hope was never meant to be enjoyed alone—it was intended and will always find its greatest expression when you share the story by action and word.

No one should go without hearing about how much God loves them and the hope that He has for each one of us.

“Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal comfort and a wonderful hope, comfort you and strengthen you in every good thing you do and say.” (2 Thessalonians 2:16-17, NLT)

Blessings,

Believe it or not He's working in You!

"…He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus" (Philippians 1:6 NIV).

Where are you? What are you doing? Do you understand who you are? “Why are you asking these questions?” you might say. Because in the midst of our busy world we can lose sight of who we are and what we are to be doing. Distraction has become the new norm. We get caught up with what happened yesterday and are preoccupied with what may happen tomorrow.

Imagine in the midst of all the challenges of life we can be living a life of peace and hope based on the confidence that God has our best interest in mind! We recognize that life is not always fair. But when God is doing a work in our lives, things can get a little uncomfortable and challenging. And sometimes it’s hard to see beyond the challenges. During this journey we may encounter people who are hard to get along with, or have circumstances that seem beyond our control. Our tendency is to complain, get angry, try to change everything around us, and voice our disappointment and dissatisfaction with what God is apparently doing in us.

Take a deep breath. Step back. Is God working in us? Or is what we are experiencing a result of our choices? Maybe we should look deep inside and say, "Lord, thank You for doing a work in me." See, I've learned over time that God is more interested in changing me than He is in changing my circumstances. If I choose to stay sour because I'm not getting my way, or discouraged because things aren't happening on my time table, that is going to keep me stuck in a vicious cycle. “[Not in your own strength] for it is God Who is all the while [a]effectually at work in you [energizing and creating in you the power and desire], both to will and to work for His good pleasure and satisfaction and [b] delight.” (Philippians 2:13) Amplified Bible

If you want to see change, it begins with embracing what God has put squarely in front of you, and taking positive steps towards achieving it. The question we have to answer is, “Do we want to see God open up new doors or not?” This is the key is to growing right where you've been planted. You can't wait until everything gets better before you decide to have a good attitude. You have to be the best that you can be right where you are. When you choose to grow where you're planted, you're allowing God to work in you. He will be faithful to complete what He's started in you! Where you want to be tomorrow begins with what you do today!!

Prayer: Thank You God for doing a work in me. I choose to align myself with Your plan by blooming where I'm planted. Help me, by Your Spirit, to be an example of Your love and life everywhere I go. Amen.

Blessings,

Now Faith Is...

 “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” (Hebrews 11:1, KJV)

The Bible says that faith gives substance to the things you hope for. In other words, faith brings those things into your life. Notice this verse starts by saying, “Now faith...” It’s not “later” faith or “one day” faith. It’s faith for today, right now.

So, what does it mean to have “now” faith? The basic definition of faith, according to the Bible, is simply believing in God’s goodness and believing that He guides, empowers, and encourages the people who seek after Him. It is confidence, reliance, assurance and conviction in His Word as truth—right now. As challenged as you are right now, can you believe that God wants to move you forward starting today?

For me I believe there are marked moments in time that are designed to grow us forward in our journey of Faith. The challenge is that we must recognize them as opportunities God affords us and then do something with them. You see, ignoring them is as much a choice as doing something with them.

In Ecclesiastes 9:11, AMP version,“...time and chance happen to them all.” In the NIrV version it reads, “…God controls the timing of every event. He also controls how things turn out.”

Before the foundations of the world, God laid out a plan for your life. He created you with a purpose, for a purpose, and for you to be successful! He has marked moments already laid out that are going to come across your path. These moments are not ordinary. They are destiny-altering moments. They are designed to thrust you years ahead. But it takes faith to believe.

Ecclesiastes tells us that time and chance come together for every person. That means you will have opportunities to grow closer to Christ and trust Him and HE will lead your steps. You will find yourself in the right place at the right time to meet the right people, have opportunities to share your faith, advance in your career, and to fulfill your dreams. God has already prearranged for you times of increase, promotion and blessing.

Today, open your eyes of faith and see the good things God has in store for your future. Thank Him for what He’s doing and what He’s about to do. Thank Him for divine connections and marked moments because He is ready and willing to fulfill every dream and desire He’s placed within your heart!

Whatever you are hoping for, open your heart and expect that God is working on your behalf, right now. Dare to believe that God will come through for you today. Stand strong and declare that the victory is yours, now! Let your words put action behind your “now” faith and receive His strength and power to see victory in every area of your life! The LORD is my strength and my song; he has given me victory. (Psalms 118:14 NLT)

Blessings,

God's Masterpiece!

The fact remains that 2011 is history. For some of us we have regrets and disappointments. Fact remains, it is now history! For 2012 we are praying that you focus on a truth that can change the way you view life! You were created and fashioned by our God. He made you just the way you are, and He has a specific and amazing plan for you--a destiny for your life. I love what the Bible says in the book of Ephesians. It says, “For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.” (Ephesians 2:10 NLT)

Today, God calls you His masterpiece! You have seeds of greatness inside of you. You may be able to easily spot the greatness in others, but today I want you to see the greatness God has put in you. You have a destiny, a unique call, a special purpose that God created just for you. It’s there waiting for you. It has always been there. The Bible says that He planned it for you long ago.

It’s easy to hear it, but it can be a lot harder to actually receive it. It is easier to believe it for somebody else. You believe God’s best for your friends and the loved ones in your life. You encourage and support them as they pursue their destiny, but you struggle to receive it in your own heart. Why that happens is we tend to default to our weaknesses, areas of lack; and then we lose focus and really don’t know how to move forward. So then how do we receive His plan for us? How do we learn to live it out?  How do we move forward?  Well for me, I believe 2012 is going to be year where I am focused on how to “strive to thrive”--finding the truths from God’s word to make this step by step action plan! Imagine 2012 a year marked with living in complete health, spiritually, emotionally and physically! That is my hope and plan, and I pray you will join me in this process.

And today, God is saying, “it’s time!” It is time for you to start seeing yourself the way He sees you and striving to live that out daily.  No matter what God has called you to, you are filled with His greatness so you may as well learn how to live in that truth!  Terri and I want to encourage you to let this truth really sink in and let it change the way you think, and ultimately the way you live.

Blessings,