Category: life lesson

Consistency

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever (Heb.13:8)

Does your life ever feel like this weather report? One extreme to another? No consistency? My life has and still does at times. I can get to many irons in the fire and suddenly feel like I’m going from 90-nothing in seconds flat. I have moments of feeling like wonder woman and then find out her powers were not even real. Or, I get stuck in a rut of allowing my emotions to dictate my day vs allowing my helper; the Holy Spirit to direct me. I go from bad to worse until I look to God, then my life comes back into a constant sense of peace. The only way I can stay constant in my life is to rely on Him. God promises me that through consistent effort, particularly in obedience to Him, it will lead to fruitful results. Galatians 6:9: Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up”. If we will find ourselves imitating Jesus as in the scripture above; stay the same, how much more fruit might we bear? I don’t want to be like the wind, changing directions day to day. I think about the character of Jesus how trustworthy He is: yesterday; active in creation, today; offering salvation, and forever; reigning in heaven. I put my trust in Him fully and if I want others to trust me it’s important that I be consistent, that they may know what to expect from me at any given time. I think about my husband and all the times he has left for work not knowing who he was going to come back home to. Like I mentioned before I have allowed my emotions to be inconsistent, not a good thing. The fruit that was being produced was not even good enough to throw out to the wild animals. Don’t mistake consistency as we are never meant to change anything in our life or in ourself. There are times in life when we are waiting for change, yet we need to remain consistent in what we are doing in order to ensure the results we are aiming for, despite temporary setbacks. I am going through a situation right now that is requiring me to remain the same until the Lord shows me otherwise; I do not change. I am learning self-discipline through the waiting, not allowing my thoughts and my emotions and my timing to interfere with Gods. I am hoping the outcome of my reputation in this and the fact that I can be relied upon will be good fruit that I and all involved will glean from. I also, pray that through all of this that it will help strengthen me to be more consistent in other areas of my life, forming a new habit, making it easier to overcome obstacles in my life compared to being so sporadic. So when I think of change, this would be a good area to practice change. I’m not trying anymore to be perfect, I found that developing consistency is much more effective than perfection and it’s doable. My words will be enough when others see the consistency in them, they will know what to expect from me, (that’s just a note to self). I am tired of being tired mentally. I have found when I make consistency a part of my daily routine it allows me to stay focused on my goal and it reduces the stress. Last thing I have to say regarding this new habit of consistency is, follow through! Stay committed to your belief in your capability to achieve your goal, build that confidence that you can do all things through Christ Jesus who strengthens you (Philippians 4:13). He is our divine support, we can face any challenge and find contentment in all circumstances, and overcome any obstacle. The power comes from Christ, not from within ourselves.

Smoking

But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness and into His marvelous light; ( 1 Peter 2:9)

HE CHOSE US and WE MATTER!

Yesterday was the second annual fundraiser for my dear friends Non-Profit organization, which I have had the opportunity to help host both years. I also, am given the opportunity to sit in on these amazing guest speakers Break-Outs throughout the day. This conference is an emotional health conference for professionals. To help equip them to better serve their employees, co-workers, patients whatever field of work that might be. And more importantly learning how to better care for themselves so that they can be the best version of themselves doing what they do without the feeling of they are not enough, they do not matter or all to often …burnout. I tell you that to also say, I’m NOT a professional of any kind, but I MATTER. And because I matter and so do all the volunteers that come to help out in the conference we are ALL given the opportunity to sit in on any topic we feel might help us to be the best version of ourself. This picture of the chimney was from one of the Guest Speakers and I am sure she would not mind if I shared her name and or even a little bit about her. Lynette Thrower; her topic was on “The Matters of Mattering” which is also the name of her book she authored. “The Matters of Mattering: I, You, We Matter,” regarding belonging, validation, and emotional authenticity. Her teaching challenges us to reflect on how we assign our value, especially in relation to our performance, productivity, and personal worth. If you look her up on Instagram you can see how she defines herself; Lover of YHWH. Prayer warrior. Peaceful poet. She realizes her life matters and so does ours. The chimney was an illustration from a Highlight magazine back in the day. I didn’t get a picture of the first clip, but it was a large chimney telling the small chimney that he was to small to smoke. This was suppose to be a riddle in the magazine, but there was so much more to be taken from that photo than a riddle. Here was this happy little chimney doing what he knew he was suppose to do and then being told, your to little to smoke. The little chimney became afraid of his purpose so then refuses to smoke. And as you may already know, a chimney must smoke in order to keep the house from backing up with smoke, and from the air becoming toxic and people getting harmed. So there is purpose in a smoking chimney. If the chimney/we allow what others say to us we can find ourself withdrawing from our purpose, preoccupied with the criticism, and then our vision of ourself becomes distorted. We begin to feel insignificant, invisible or unimportant to others. We are then no longer doing what God created us for or our God-given gift or talent. When that kind of fear takes hold of us, we begin to distort how we see ourselves and our place in this world. We begin having false beliefs about the role we were designed to fulfill. I recently felt all of that in my blog writing. I called it writers remorse when telling my husband about it. As Lynette says, “Our lives are meant to be a beautiful symphony of purpose and belonging, but fear introduces a dissonance that can overwhelm our sense of mattering.” I’m not going to go into the complete teaching on this, but I wanted to share from the beginning because we do have purpose and we do matter and that “WE” is EVERYBODY. God says we are: Chosen (John 15:16), Loved (Jeremiah 31:3), Forgiven (1 John 1:9), Precious (Is. 43:4), Strong (Is. 40:31), Unique (Ps. 39:13), Important (1 Peter 2:9), Protected (Ps. 121:3), Enough (2 Cor. 12:9). So we are able to say, I am____________, you fill in the blank. Be that little chimney and SMOKE with your calling, gift or talent.

A Place of Contentment

For I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content. (Phil. 4:11)

I can be content and find peace by accepting situations, material things I have or don’t have as well as current relationships I’m in exactly as they are. Because I am not relying on what or they can or will do for me. Even though while being content with whatever my present situation may be, I am still striving for improvement and personal growth. I am still working on improving in the area of managing my stress, reducing my anxieties, trying to be more positive and calmer in specific situations. I am a work in progress. When I spend some mindful time meditating on being content, what exactly does that require of me? One of the first things that comes to mind is; what am I grateful for right now, this very minute? I have to start in the right now, my current situation. Because it is usually my current situation that has me feeling discontent. I have to avoid comparing myself to others. That is a huge one for me. I always feel like I don’t measure up, I see all my flaws whether anyone else does or not. If I am content, then I will have a quiet sense of peace and satisfaction in knowing I am enough. There is a very spiritual part in this that goes deep, it’s an inner sense of completeness, not relying on my eternal being, but instead who I am on the inside. That is … who I am. That is who God created me to be. I heard many times in life what I was not and what I was incompetent at, people have even shared their value of me. I don’t say that for pity sake, I say that because we need to learn to hear what our creator has to say about us, not others. We cannot be content with what others say, only what our Creator says. The One that gave you life, made you in His image, doesn’t make mistakes. The One that says, I have a plan for you and a hope for your future and it is GOOD. I know you may be thinking, “well yesterday you just spoke of how you were not content in your home here on earth. That contentment to you was your home in heaven.” And that is correct. Because that is truth. God has already explained to me the reason for the discontentment. This is not my home, I’m just traveling through, it’s a journey on my way home. By knowing this I can now be content. Truth allows you a sense of contentment, while wondering and worrying will bring you discontentment. “I give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” (1 Thess. 5:18). Contentment is learned (Phil. 4:11b) “….for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am.” I am making it a goal to set my mind on the things that are true, noble, just, pure, lovely, virtuous, and praiseworthy (Phil.4:8) and FIND the presence of the God of peace (Phil.4:9) I am learning to be content.

Perspective

“While we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.” (1 Cor. 4:18)

Sometimes I look at life with eyes of disbelief. How is it certain things in my life go the way they do? Or why do some people act the way they act? Heck, why do I act and think like I do? My precious Pearl girl here, she is always looking at things from a different perspective, she makes it seem so simple. I try to look at things from a different perspective because I/we naturally believe everyone sees things from my/our perspective, that is SO NOT true. I/ We tend to get caught up in the temporal things in life, when really, I/we should be more focused on what’s lasting, what is real, things we don’t have to question or at the least shouldn’t question. I am trying to make it my goal to be more like this scripture above. While looking at something or someone I actually consider certain factors such as what God might be up to. We don’t have a clue what God is doing, so to think one way and one way only doesn’t even make sense. There is always a BIGGER picture. My husband just gave me an illustration of Jonah. Jonah thought God should just wipe out the people of Nineveh, but that was not God’s perspective. So, you can see where perspective in this case would be getting a new perspective or end up in the belly of a whale for three days. Not only that, but Jonah’s perspective didn’t allow for the well-being of others. He could have caused a dire jeopardy for himself as well as others had he disobeyed God. Read the whole story in the book of Jonah. How about the story of Jesus and the devil where the devil says to Jesus, “If You are the Son of God, command this stone to become bread.” But Jesus answered him saying, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.” That was after 40 days in the dessert, no food, no water. (Luke 4:3-4) See the difference in how the devil perceived hunger vs how Jesus perceived hunger? The enemy as well as ourselves will get us focused on temporal things, even false things. We Christians must continually discipline ourselves to focus on eternal realities, instead of the temporal realities of this earth. We all could use a new view on things, a sense of awareness and understanding to the things and people around us. Maybe we should go deeper in our intuition, that place where the Holy Spirit dwells, where real discernment lives. That is just my perception of things.

Tired

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” (Matt. 11:28-30)

“Truly my soul finds rest in God; my salvation comes from Him.” (Ps. 62:1) “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.” (Ps. 46:1) “I will refresh the weary and satisfy the faint.” (Jer. 31:25)

Feelings of exhaustion this morning. I’ve been having crazy dreams at night, leaving me feeling like I didn’t even sleep when I get up. My physical body is overly worn from doing things that are better left for a woman half my age. Yet I find encouragement in knowing when it seems I have nothing left to give physically or mentally, that God never tires and He gives me strength when I need it. These verses are a reminder of that. As hard as it is to write this morning, I am reminded of the word I am holding myself accountable to this year is, “Intentional.” I have come to know the importance of submission and obedience to my Father, God. I know He is the Author of my faith and His Holy Spirit dwells inside of me, He gives me words to speak when I do not know what to say. This morning is one of those mornings. Of course I give Him glory for every writing, because I know without Him, I could never write anything in the first place. My service in writing this Blog is more of a service to the Lord, showing my diligence, not being lazy or doing it half-heartedly. I guess that’s the point of my writing today, stay diligent, don’t be lazy in doing what God has called you too. Give Him your best, He surely is giving you, His best.

“Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.” (Romans 12:11)

Don’t Look Back

Do not remember the former things, Nor consider the things of old. Behold I do a new thing, Now it shall spring forth Shall you not know it? I will even make a road in the wilderness And rivers in the desert. (Is. 43:18-19)

Looking back is often associated with turning back to sin, as in the photo above; Lot’s wife turning into a pillar of salt (Gen. 19:26) There was a time when I would look back at my early years in life and say, “those were the good ‘ole days.” A lot of those memories were full of carnal behaviors and my sinful nature. I may have been a bit like Lot’s wife; reluctant to leave. Oh, how I thank you Father for mercy & grace. I can see now, those really weren’t the good ‘ole days. My flesh was being fed, but my spirit man wasn’t. God had way better days in store for me. In (Isaiah 43:18) the Lord commanded the people not to remember the past, it would be of no significance, He was establishing something new. Just as we should no longer look back at our regrets, it can be dangerous in keeping us from our ability to follow Christ. Condemnation is not of God, conviction is. If God is convicting you about something from your past it is likely you simply need to fall to your knees and repent, so that you can receive freedom from that. Don’t keep going back and revisiting that past sin, habit or hurt. Allow God to forgive you, heal you and move on. (Be sure to forgive yourself to.) Paul expresses the need to let go of the past failures and move forward toward the goals in Christ (Philippians 3:13-14) (paraphrased) not to dwell on the past because God is doing a new work in us. If we spend too much time looking back, we can become discouraged and find ourselves right back in that sin or carnal thinking, etc. (2 Cor. 5:17) says, [Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold all things have become new.”] We as believers are being transformed into the likeness of Christ. Don’t go back digging up dirt, that old man is buried. I know at times I speak of things in my past that are not pretty. They are not pleasant for me to have to remember, but when I do it is only to give glory to God, because He saved me from those things, He set my feet upon the Rock and turned my life around. GLORY to Him! This is Productive Remembering: While negative dwelling is discouraged, the Bible advocates for looking back to remember God’s faithfulness and deeds, which encourages current trust (Psalm 136). Leave the past with God and walk forward in faith. Don’t Look Back!

Come A Little Closer

“Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you” (James 4:8)

When I have difficulty seeing something, I will often use my magnifying glass to get a closer look. Today I am getting a closer look at God and relationship with Him. In this scripture we have a biblical promise highlighting a reciprocal relationship: as believers move toward God through prayer, repentance, and obedience, He moves toward them. It is a two-way relationship. Have you ever tried being in a relationship with just yourself? What do you have to offer yourself? What can you receive from yourself? At any point in this one way relationship is there anything tangible? What are you building by yourself? When we align our lives with God, we can be assured of His presence, strength, and grace, which helps build character and faith. When we humble ourself before the Lord, He promises to lift us up. How good are you at lifting yourself up? I know I cannot bring about joy to myself, I cannot do anything in my own strength, it requires an act of God, literally, for things to come out right in my life. If you want to get closer to God it is going to require cultivating a deeper, more intentional relationship through daily spiritual disciplines. Some things you can put into practice are; studying scripture, persistent prayer and worship. Surrender is a Big one, give control of your life back to God, especially during the difficult times. Learn to understand the nature of God and the life of Jesus, His teachings and the miracles He did. Approach God with reverence, respect the Divine Holiness, recognizing Him as both a loving parent and a sovereign authority. God is always close, constant and unchanging, how close are you in relationship with yourself? I know at times I have even lied to myself. God is not man, therefore He cannot lie. How surefooted are you? do you ever change? Can you really count on yourself? Can you remove all fear from yourself? God can and will. Why do we pretend to have it all together and think we can do this life on our own? Truth is, we will never succeed at it without God’s help. According to the Bible, God created humans in His image to have intimate fellowship with Him. This relational purpose means humanity was designed to walk with God and with others, rather than to exist in isolation. So, draw near to Him, and He will draw near to you.

Living On A Prayer, Just Not Mine

The effective fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. (James 5:16b)

This is me when I was a baby. I don’t know who was the first to begin praying for me, whether before I was born, after or even now I don’t know everyone that prays for me. What I do know is there has always been someone praying for me. I also know my life would have turned out very differently had they not been. There is real purpose in prayer, if that were not true why would God tell us to pray for each other? Here are a few reasons why we pray for others: Protection, strength when they are weak, to know God’s will and to grow in wisdom, for boldness to share the Gospel. I just received a message today from a friend, asking me to pray just that for her. She wanted me to pray for opportunities as well as boldness & clarity as she entered the streets to spread the Gospel, we call it “Street-ministry.” The Word says in, (Colossians 4:3-4) “At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison-that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak.” That scripture makes it clear to me, I had a responsibility to pray the prayer of agreement in that area for her. We should also pray for missionaries and church leaders, our government official’s, our President, all who have been given charge over us. The Bible calls this kind of prayer intercession -a responsibility, a command, and an act of love. I can say now, I was loved from the beginning of time, my time that is. First, God loved me enough that He thought it was necessary for me to be born. Side note to self, “I have purpose.” Then He gave charge or the responsibility of those who loved me to intercede on my behalf. My life was not a fairy tale by no means. I was not a planned pregnancy and to hear my mother tell me how I was conceived was very sad. I would have liked to believe my life began as a love story, but not so. I have heard both sides of the story from both my parents and neither side is one anyone would want. There were attacks on my life right from the start, beginning with a tumor that they were having trouble diagnosing, praise be to God for discernment on the doctors part that determined what it was and surgery was a win for me. I lived through some really tough times as a child of an extremely young mother and a stepfather that was rather hateful towards me most of my childhood, which I will not go into details, but I will say, I ended up in foster care for a period of time. My biofather was sexually abusive to me so that caused a whole other set of issues for me then, as well as later in life. By 15, I was trying to end my life. Obviously someone was praying, someone or someones had been praying all along. So, you see even though people are praying for you, doesn’t mean you won’t go through things in life. What it does mean, God is hearing those petitioning Him on your behalf and He is making a way for you to get through it. This is important, I believe, in my sharing of my childhood; when I was 12 I received Jesus into my heart, obviously I did not know Him then like I do now, but He was with me everyday from that day forward. I have heard, 12 is the age of accountability, so it looks like my first right choice in life had been made. Meanwhile this I do know, my step-grandfather was the first person to my knowing that was praying for me, that is considered an act of love; and a responsibility, being he was a Minister of a Church, which by the way I was spending the week with him and my grandmother for Vacation Bible School when I gave my life to Jesus. Quick summary of the next 20 years; after attempted suicide, I got hooked on drugs and alcohol. I’d be here all day if I went into all the places in life that took me, but I will share more of that at a later time. “People are praying!” Fast forward, I’m now 32 and about to rededicate my life to the Lord. See He never left me, not one minute in those 20 years, He was closer than a brother, I just wasn’t aware of that, though I’m about to be. Next, I’m Thirty-three, I’m down on my knees surrendering ALL not knowing how I made it this far, when I am reminded by an aunt, all the days before this, that my family had been praying for me. Today I am 63 years old and I pray for everyone. I have come to know the importance of prayer in a persons life first hand. Prayer is a powerful tool and like I said before, an act of love. If you love someone pray for them, If someone you love hurt you, pray for them, there is power in that prayer. You will open the door for restoration, deliverance, reconciliation, so many other things through fervent/heartfelt prayer. Food for thought: Imitate Christ, who is continually interceding for us who believe, and carry each other’s burdens through prayer.

Focus

And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart. (Jeremiah 29:13)

I have often spent hours and at times days looking for God. “Where are You, Lord?” “I can’t see you anywhere” “Have you left me? Do you not care what I’m going through?” That is some of the questions I would find myself saying, all the while knowing He is there, He hears me, He loves me, He cares what I am going through. But I really wasn’t focused on finding Him, I was in panic mode. At times I would be looking at my problems like that needle in the haystack, they were so BIG that was all I could see. Instead of looking at God, who is even BIGGER than that. That scripture in Jeremiah speaks that to me; when I search for Him with all my heart, I’ll find Him. Not when I’m so focused on my problem or situation I’m going through, NO, when I am whole-heartedly seeking after Him, FOCUSED on finding Him! God is always waiting on us to cry out to Him, but with our whole heart, trusting Him, not just hoping He will hear us or show up. I can’t tell you how many times over my life span, I’ve worried about finances. Before I was a believer well of course I was my own god, so I’d just try to figure it all out and if it worked great; if not I’d try something else, but when I became a believer in Christ, that made the real change. Not saying I didn’t get off kilter at times, but I now knew who was my source and who to go searching for over my finances. Can I just say, EVERY time I have searched with my whole heart, God has shown up. I’m not saying every time my finances where in dire straight did He bail me out immediately, but He did give me direction as to what to do and what not to do anymore, if I didn’t want to go through that again. Ya know, He’s a Daddy, just tak’n care of His girl, daddy’s have to do a little correcting at times. So, God is not a needle in the haystack, if He were He’d be like the one in the picture above. God is accessible, he desires to be found, and a rewarder of those who diligently seek His presence, strength and righteousness. Here are just a few other scriptures you can refer too; (Deut. 4:29): “But if from there you seek the Lord your God, you will find him if you seek him with all your heart and with all your soul. (Hebrews 11:6): …he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him”. and one more I’ll share, (Matt. 7:7-8): :Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will opened to you.” So remember, it is your “whole heart” He is after and if you will search for Him with that, you will find Him.

Standing On the Rock

And the Lord said, “Here is a place by Me, and you shall stand on the rock.” (Exodus 33:21)

Isn’t is amazing that Moses would experience the Lord who is the Rock, while standing on the rock. Moses was known by God and found grace in His sight (Ex. 33:12-13). It’s almost like reading a love story. First Moses sees and talks to God as one would to a friend. From a distance, the people saw the pillar and recognized the presence of God, but only Moses could come near the pillar, God’s Prescence. “My Presence” means literally in Hebrew, “MY Face.” God’s promise of His Presence with His people was ultimately fulfilled in Jesus, which is where we get “On the Rock, I stand” (1 Cor. 10:4). Christ is the Rock on which I stand. He provides me with stability during the rough times in my life when I don’t think I can stand anymore (Matt. 7:24-26) He is my refuge, shelter and source of strength when I am feeling weak and scared. (Ps. 18:2) In times of temptation He has made a way for me to escape, that I may be able to bear it (1 Cor. 10:13) Here is a promise for you; He will give every believer the grace and power to endure. If you are feeling stress, fear, anxiety, uncertainty, lack of direction, instability, weak or unloved; He’s your Rock. Stand in Him, His Word, His truths, His love. His Love never fails (1 Cor.13:8 ) “He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand” (Psalm 40:2) That’s not just scripture; that’s what He did for me! He is not a respecter of persons, if He did it for me, He’ll do it for you.