Love as Brothers

A woman hurt a young lady by turning her back on her. She did not take her phone calls or respond to her text messages. The young lady got a disturbing phone call that changed her life yet hurt her so deeply. She tried to call the woman that she thought was her friend but she could not be reached. She concluded that the woman had something to do with the phone call and could not bear to take her call.

Six months passed and the woman emailed the young lady and the young lady showed her no love, instead she showed her, the pain she had by not responding. She was quickly convicted while studying about love. As this young lady studied, she recalled being a child saying, “All God wants me to do is show love because no one knows how to love.”

This scenario furthered my thoughts to the instructions saying, “Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous: not returning evil for evil or insult for insult, but giving a blessing instead; for you were called for the very purpose that you might inherit a blessing” (1 Peter3:8-9).

These instructions are advising us to be sympathetic towards one another. We are instructed to have a open heart. It goes on to say love as brothers. To love your brother is a love that can’t be broken. A sibling is yours forever, you can’t go back and renegotiate the terms, you get what you get. What you get, you are called to love, for your siblings are gifts. No matter what your sibling does you are to love them and forget about what they did.

This is a hard concept to fathom but it is something we all have victory over. As my mind further studies this scripture I think of tenderhearted and courteous. When I am tender hearted, I am forgiving. When I am courteous, I am polite. Concluding this it says, we are called to love.

The young lady recalled being a child knowing her purpose, to display love, even when others hurt her. She accepted this calling; however, as she grew and had some people treat her like dirt her calling seemed far from her. She mixed her pain with love. The mixing of her pain was acting the law of selfishness, which hindered her to continue showing love to the one that hurt her.

God is gracious. His mercies are new every morning ( Lamentations 3:22-23) and because of that we should be merciful to others. When we adopt the ways of the world, displaying selfishness because all we are thinking of is “how they hurt me” it is as if we are having an affair with the world, over our relationship with Christ.

Relationships are falling apart because you won’t dare to love as brothers. You might have been hurt by your spouse, friend, co-worker or relative but God is saying love as brothers. Maybe you hurt someone and have not allowed the Lord in. Perhaps someone hurt you and all you can think of is the pain they caused you.

Vengeance is the Lord. Are you seeking the Lord to restore your pain? Consider taking communion and asking the Lord for forgiveness. Pray to God to forgive you for paying evil for evil. Call upon the Lord to give you strength to love beyond your pain. Ask the Father to guide you as you show love to those that hurt you. For selfishness causes lack.

Keep Moving

I have been working on my next endeavor and my daughter has being paying close attention to my every move. She amazes me because she is only 8 years old and she has so much tenacity. She came to me one day handing me this itinerary with much personality saying “this is what I want to be said at the opening of my conference.”

I was in awe but thought she can’t be serious. I smiled saying okay. Yesterday, she asked me about picking a date and a song to be sung to have her very own conference. I knew that moment the Lord gave her determination to pursue something to such a capacity for a 8 year old.

This morning as she awoke, she was still talking about her conference. She decided a date and said she would call a location to see if it was available. All I could say to her is "you have such childlike faith." She asked me to help her scheduling the conference. She did her part and I thought it would be most beneficial, for me to help push her as she is taking such an initiative in her life.

I considered her having childlike faith because her level of trust, and hope in knowing this can be done. She trusts my husband and I to make sure all things are possible. She has undoubting hope that it is already done.

For this I am amazed and reminded that we should have trust and hope that our heavenly Father will make all things possible. We should see the world as exiting as a child and worth pursuing.

As believers of Christ we have victory, if there are no if’s among us God will allow many miracles to occur. “Jesus said, "If? There are no 'ifs' among believers. Anything can happen" (Mark 9:23).

How are you displaying childlike faith? Are you moving on His word and trusting Him as you trust yourself to move closer to your calling? Are you doing what seems impossible with a heart of excitement?

Perhaps you keep telling yourself, I have to wait until I get the money? Maybe you say I have to wait until my appearance is on point? Possibly you tell yourself I am not worthy of such task. Yet, before you were even formed you were created to do the one thing God is calling you to do with what you have.

By faith all things are possible. There is value in our faith among anything else. It is the most important thing we have. When Abraham was tested, offered up Isaac. He was acting in faith, he was ready and willing to return the promises and offered up his only begotten son. He had to believe and trust God( Hebrews 11:17).

Are you not moving because of doubt. The sooner you position the words out of your mouth “I believe” God will move. As my daughter made an initiative, I saw her faith, her determination and moved. God is waiting on you to make an initiative. He is waiting on you to show your trust in Him. I have joy in helping my daughter and I know He has joy in moving on your behalf.

Position yourself today. Cry out to the Lord to reveal what is blocking your faith. Wait for the LORD, call upon Him as your soul waits, and in His word hope. Wait more than those who watch for the morning…Yes, more than those who watch for the morning(Psalm 130:5-6). Pray to the Father to "help you with your doubts!" (Mark 9:23-24) For you were chose while in your mother’s womb, he chose and called you out of sheer generosity. So you would joyfully tell (Galatians 1:16).

Changing

One of my older sisters protected me as a child. Each time I had a problem I went to her. The time came for her to go to middle school and I was very disturbed about this. I did not understand why she had to go to another school. We had been going to school together and doing all things together since I could remember. Now she was to go to another school. No one asked me what I thought or how I felt. I was only told she is leaving and her schedule was changing. I was furious yet lacked from expressing my feelings because it seemed as if it only was affecting me.

This became the break down of our relationship. For years we walked around at odds with each other and treating one another as if we could not stand the mere presence of each other. We both graduated from high school. She went away again to college and I still had yet to tell her my true feelings. Eventually, I went to college. She was starting a family with a guy I felt was not fitting for her. I reframed from saying much for I knew her feelings towards him were deep.

Later, I became married and my family began. Years passed with our differences and one day after reading something she told me “we have to make a point to speak with each other, at least once a week, no matter what”. It was then, I knew my sister was changing.

Our relationship went from talking to each other once a month, to once a week. During this time she was removing layers expressing her self to me. She told me of the pain she experienced yet did not dare to complain because what good would it do.

More years went on as my sister revealed her self to me, I in return revealed how I went through a state of depression. I finally, told her how I felt when she went to middle school. We expressed our deepest secrets only to find a hidden treasure. We have always had a spirit that has not been able to be torn. I have always been able to sense when something is critical going on with her yet she never would say. She would always sense when I longed to hear my sisters’ voice even when we were distant.

When we were children we would write together but nothing ever came of it, for to us we were only playing. Yet as I ponder, I think what we considered playing was actually a time of practicing for what we would one day actually do. This sister that I spent over 7 years of my life thinking was my enemy has been a gift to me. We both took in what others would say about us and it divided us more and more. When the day came and she said she wanted us to talk more, I saw the Father making the crooked places straight (Isaiah 45:2).

That night I thought of the inheritance we have as siblings. I considered “A good man leaves an inheritance to his children's children, And the wealth of the sinner is stored up for the righteous”(Proverbs 13:22).

He is revealing the treasure of darkness we have within each other. It is a treasure of wealth of secret places that only can be revealed from the Father, so we may know who is the Father (Isaiah 45:3).

Do you have a sibling that you are at odds with? Have you tried reaching out to your sibling? Have they tried to reach to you and you turn away? Perhaps you have given up because you don’t wish to waste your life trying to fight the grain. Maybe you don’t view your sibling as a gift, so you would rather toss the relationship away.

Consider giving your relationship over to the Lord, so He can restore the relationship. Pray the desire to desire to have a relationship with your sibling. Call upon the Lord to reveal the hidden treasure of darkness that binds you together, so you may magnify the Lord together.

Rejection

During my life I have had many years of feeling rejected. I experienced many relationships that I was rejected from. I worked for several companies that I was rejected from. I even attended a church that rejected me. Through my walk of rejection I have learned so much.

Rejection is ejecting what is given. Some things are naturally automatically ejected because the two don’t click. When ejection takes place at times we are refusing the blessing, the miracle of the Lord.

I had many doors slammed in my face as a result I start rejecting my own self. I began doubting myself as a person. This process hindered me from blossoming and being a blessing to anyone else. I was the weed in my own garden.

As I consider this walk of rejection I think of Jesus being rejected from His own people, in His own hometown. He began to “teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were astonished, saying, "Where did this man get these things? What is the wisdom given to him? How are such mighty works done by his hands? Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary and brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon? And are not his sisters here with us?" And they took offense at him. And Jesus said to them, "A prophet is not without honor, except in his hometown and among his relatives and in his own household." And he could do no mighty work there, except that he laid his hands on a few sick people and healed them. And he marveled because of their unbelief” (Mark 6:1-6).

I imagine Jesus was hurt by His own people not being supportive of Him. I can see Him saying “what more must I do to get you to believe in me?” After He pondered over his people’s unbelief, He moved on. These people that surrounded Him was weighing Him down. He could not perform miracles where there was no faith.

There will be people who don’t agree with the very mission God sent you towards. There will be people that misjudge you but you have to keep your eyes on the Father to continue the mission of the Lord.

Do you get upset when you are rejected? Do you try to explain yourself in hopes that they will receive you? Consider not making a fuss, when others reject you, pray that the Father forgives them; for they are rejecting the one that sent you.

Jesus did not go on and on trying to make people from His hometown believe Him. He quietly left. Jesus wants us to understand that faith plus faith magnifies; however, when one of faith and one with no faith dwell the faith weakens.

Don’t think it is something wrong with you because someone is rejecting you. When you are lead to do something because it is what the Father asks of you, be slow to anger. Pray to God to blind you from focusing on the rejection. Call upon the Lord to have you channel yourself upon the most High. For He will direct you to places you’ve never seen and open doors beyond your imagination.

Blessing

My parents were divorced when I was a child and when my dad would come to visit us he would come bearing gifts. We were excited because we knew when dad came he was coming with a gift, we would go out on the town and have a great time with dad.

But after a while he would leave we knew he would leave again. Prior to him leaving, occasionally, some of us would start acting out as if we were watching the clock for him to leave. We would soon forget the same person that just gave us a gift; the same person we jumped up and down for is the one that blessed us. Some of us would be disrespectful when he would ask us to do something, being slow to move when he said move.

The rule was if one messed up, we were all in trouble. As a result the one that got out of line created us all to be punished, after all we were all blessed simultaneously and would be punished together also. As kids we were portraying that we were excited about the blessing but could care less about the one blessing because we wanted to know when he was leaving again, bringing another gift.

This scenario captures my mind to The Lord calling His children back to Him. “This is what the LORD Almighty says: 'Return to me,' declares the LORD Almighty, 'and I will return to you,' says the LORD Almighty” (Zechariah 1:3).

I see God saying “do as I say and I will continue to bless you but if you continue to act as if Satan is your father then let him give to you the disasters of your heart.” Anything the enemy gives is evil.

God does not wish upon His children to not prosper but to prosper. He says to us “Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth” (3 John1:2).

He is saying, “I want you to prosper in health, above all things but also spiritually”. Typically, a person takes in having all the things and being healthy but turn their head up to receiving growth spiritually from the Father. They demonstrate, I want you to give to me but I don’t want to give to you.

Do you know a person that is a taker and not a giver? Are you a taker and not a giver? Someone that runs the opposite way when you are calling on them, when they need a favor because their car broke down you are the only person they can count on. When they need some help around the house because it’s not enough of them to go around you seem to be the only person that will show up every time to help them. Yet when you need a ride in to work you can’t get them to answer the phone to take your phone call. They place orders for favors but never want to give out their helping hand.

The essence of the problem of taking and never giving is stealing. When you go to a store you get what you want, but it is upon paying for the item. If you go to the store get what you want and do not pay for it, it is stealing. When God blesses you with help and you never return helping the other you are stealing from God because He sent the help.

What is your stand today? Are you blessing or just looking for a blessing? Consider ways of being a blessing to someone and allow God to give on His own terms to you. Pray to God to forgive you for stealing. Call upon the Lord to help you discern when it is time for you to give. For God finds pleasure in blessing you as a giver not a thief.

Helping Hands

A friend shared with me about a death of a woman that died a few days after she gave birth to her child. My mind went to the thought of my great-grandmother who died after she gave birth to her ninth child.



When thinking of this tragedy, I considered my great- grand father who was left to raise nine children. In those days it was the place of the mother to tend to the children, while the father went out to provide for the family. However, this man was left with the responsibility to fulfill not only both tasks, but roles as well.


The other thing I considered was how the family as well as community joined together to pray and help with the cooking, clothing, and tending to the children. Love was shown in a mighty way.

My mind jogs to Jesus speaking to the mother of Zebedees children with her sons. This mother desired a certain thing of Jesus.


Jesus called the boy and said "You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. It shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be your slave, even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."


I imagine, this father that lost his wife has desired a certain thing of Christ. I believe as his child cries for food, he is crying to the Father. When the child cries out for her mother at night, the person she grew inside of for the pass nine months, he is crying, pleading before Christ help me, help me.


As Christians you must acknowledge when help is needed, in this manner you look more Christ like. Jesus not only serviced His life to others but He gave His life. When you consider yielding your self to helping others you are not serving them you are implementing your standards to match with Christ standards.


Consider helping someone else that you know is praying to God for help. Allow God to use you to help another. Don’t just join them in prayer about their situation, yet ask the Lord, “How can you help?”



This father that is left with an infant and three other children is calling out for help. I pray that you take time today to see how you can help, if not this family someone. Ask the Lord to open your heart to yield your self to be serving to someone else. Call upon the Father to direct you clearly as of how He may use you to be there for someone else. For God wants us to “Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, and longsuffering” (Colossians 3:12).

Seek Truth

As I look upon the crowd joined together for such a historical moment, I can’t help but see God is in control. He gave a desire to W.E.B.Dubois which others labeled him as a radical for such hope. Dubois sought out truth about his own people. He desired to go to Harvard yet was blessed to go to Fisk College. Along side Dubois God gave a dream to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. to push the dream further.

It has been 40 years of people loosing their lives, risking their lives, walking streets proclaiming the dream which God laid upon the hearts of many to explore the truth.

Recently, I accomplished what I’d always desired since I was a child. Two weeks ago, my books arrived at my door. In this package unveiled the beginning of a dream which was embedded in me since, I was a little girl.

As I continue to think of the history that is taking place today, it lets me know, if God can gather 2 million people together to witness history, imagine the masses He will join to witness the coming of Christ.

Harriet Tubman, Sojourner Truth, Malcolm X, Rosa Parks, John F. Kennedy, L.B.Johnson, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. W.E.B.Dubois there are many before our time that knew to seek truth. They all knew there was more work to be done, as I knew with my dream there is still work to be done.

My mind is captured by the scripture “But every spirit who does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist. You have heard that he is coming, and now he is already in the world” (1 John 4:3).

All will join to see that Jesus is King. As you go about your day consider seeking the truth, recognize that there is still more work to be done, for God is not finish with you. You too have a miracle waiting for you.

Seek God for your part, your work. Pray to God that you channel your focus to Him. Call upon the Lord to strengthen you in His word so you can flow as He moves mountains, part seas just so you can complete your work. Ask the Lord to “bless you, and keep you; The Lord make His face shine on you, And be gracious to you; The Lord lift up His countenance on you, And give you peace.’ So you shall invoke His name and He then will bless them" (Numbers 6:22-27).

Prayer of Faith

Yesterday, a friend called she said, she was about to have an interview and felt she should call me. I was studying about the prayer of faith at the time and I just concluded how as children we ask our parents for things and we expect them to get them before they even answer us. I was thinking how there are conditions when we ask our parents for things, yet we still believe they will get what we ask.

As I listened to the friend, I read to her the scripture, “Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them” Mark 11:24.

It was so relevant that I knew no one could assure her but the Lord. I did not give her my words but I gave her the word. The scripture tells us if we desire something and believe that the Father will give it to us, it shall be done. However many of us forget that there are conditions to what we ask, as there are conditions when a child ask a parent for something.

When my children ask me for something I ask them, why, do you need it, when do you need it and what are you going to do to earn your request.

Telling me why they need the request clarifies the purpose. For instance, if my six year old child said I need some money to buy some food. I would tell my child I have food you can eat what I have. If the child continues and says “well it’s not what I want” I would get perturbed because they would be saying to me what you have is not good enough. I would then feel my child is ungrateful.

Yet, if my child asked me for a coat because they out grew the other coat they had, I would grant my child a coat.

I believe when we ask the Father He likewise gives us conditions. He tells us to delight in Him (psalm 37:4). When we delight in Him we are happy, satisfied with Him being our Father, we spend time with Him and trust Him. He tells us to commit our way to Him, trust in him, and he will act (Psalm 37:5). When we dedicate our self to Him, we display our trust to Him. As a result He does supply all needs (Philippians 4:19).

Often times adults consider their desire yet neglect to focus on the purpose of the desire. It is not wise to ask for something and display ungratefulness for what He has given. We display that we don’t appreciate what He has supplied when we are not content and complain about it, don’t enjoy it, don’t take care of it and will not accept it.

When we out grow what He has given us I believe it is there waiting for us because we have matured and are ready.


When you are praying the prayer of faith it is wise to focus on what you believe the Father to supply, not the problem. If you ask God for something and as result worry yourself about it you display to God that you never trusted Him to begin.

Consider believing in what you ask for. Ask the Father to bring you closer in worship with Him. Pray to the Lord that you give thanksgiving unto Him for supplying your request. Call upon the Lord to help you meet the conditions so you can continue to focus on Him and not the problem, so you may trust Him.

Just Trust

The other day I was traveling with my baby in the car. I turned from one road going east and there was a car in front of me. The car in front of me turned into a parking lot and out came this car right in front of me as I was proceeding east with my child in the car. Initially got upset but I continued on.

As I drove, I thought more and more about what happen but my mind took me to the Lord. I felt as if this is what the Lord wants me to master. He wants me to know there will be some distractions trying to get in my way. There will be things that try to stop me dead in my tracks but just press on.

Today my child woke up with a fever and my tasks increased. I took my two year old to the doctor, only to find that I would have to bring all 4 of them back to the doctor.

Now I could easily get upset because spending my day at the doctor’s office was not on my agenda. I made no plans to take all my children to the doctor but it is what it is. I paused read a scripture given to me and it said “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well” (Matthew 6:33).

I thought more of this verse and it said to me to seek out what God wants first. As I sat there thinking of my list of things I was supposed to do I asked myself, what does God want?

Again, God is pressing me to press forward because He is saying, it will be alright. Often times we stand crying as He is saying Trust Me. We react in a radical manner and He is saying don’t Doubt Me. We go astray even when He says “I have part the sea for you to be blessed.” And we stand before Him still with our hands out wide saying “Lord Help me, but I don’t trust you. Lord help me but I doubt you.”

We put our self on a roller coaster time after time. We ask for strength but say I don’t trust you. We ask for clarity and we say I doubt you. My, my, my we ask but we don’t trust. Because we don’t seek as we must.

What is the point of asking if you don’t believe, what is the point of praying to the most powerful almighty God, if you don’t have faith in Him? Why call on Him, why stretch your arms, why say I want it, I need it and you doubt His grace.

Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, "The LORD is my portion; therefore I will wait for him." The LORD is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him” (Lamentations 3:22-25).

Instead of looking deep into what is bothering you or hurting you seek first what God wants and He shall add to you. Pray to seek God first each day. Call upon the Lord to give you understanding as of what it is He wants. Ask God to show you how to know Him in a more intimate way so you can just trust Him.

Trust Him...?

Yesterday, my daughter came to me saying, “Mommy this girl in my class, no one likes her but me. The class said they will not be my friend because I am her friend.” I asked my daughter “has your friend ever done anything to hurt you?” “No she is very nice and she always helps me when no one else will,” she replied.

I told her you have to make a decision, “Are you going to allow the others to tell you she can’t be your friend or will you stand by her side as she as been your friend, when others weren’t so nice to you?”

She thought about it a bit more and said, “Mommy I think I should be her friend and not worry about what others say. She is nice to me and God would want me to be nice to her.”

Relationships can be tricky. When I consider the relationships in my life I have to always ask God is this relationship for just a season or a life time. I believe all that comes in my life is for Gods purpose. There are times that I am displayed as the testimony and then there are times that God uses the other as evidence that He is Almighty.

When determining your role and if a person is heaven sent we should reflect upon the person’s character as my daughter did, not our assumptions. Focusing on their character will draw you to their heart. The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart" (1 Samuel 16:7b).

To analyze the heart we must understand the importance of our hearts to the Father. "Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life" (Proverbs 4:23). The Lord views your heart as the center of your being. I believe when Jesus said "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God." Jesus was saying, once you allow Him access to every part of your life, your mind, your will and emotions then He can purify you so you may see more of Him.

Until we give the Father that access we will continue not seeing what God is doing for us, and lack surrendering ourselves to be used for His glory.

When our hearts are contaminated with yoke and consequences of wrongdoing we are not able to see God. Those with tainted thoughts or motives are able of display godliness behavior… however, cannot be blessed until their actions and heart aligns with pleasing the Father instead of themselves.

Today, God is sending people in your life to uplift you through the hard times, to help push you through the struggle and you dare to stand in His face and say I don’t trust you. When you run away those that God send; you are not only saying I don’t only trust the one He sent but you say to God I don’t Trust you.

You say to God I can’t accept you as a true friend because I can’t stop from believing what is familiar for me to believe. I can’t stop from believing that you would send someone to love me unconditionally no matter my faults. I don’t believe you would send someone to forgive me when I mess up. Each time you allow the enemy to dwell within your mind and think false things towards someone He has sent to you to sharpen you, you let the enemy win.

Satan is in a corner laughing at you because you keep flicking off those that God sends to you, because you will not make a decision to Trust Him.

Instead of doubting the Lord, make a decision to trust Him. Pray to God when He says I am here, that you believe Him. Pray when God says “It is alright” you do not doubt Him. Call upon the Lord that you believe what He says because He is I Am, He is El Shadi, sufficient for all needs, He is a way maker, He is Jehovah Ropheka, a healer, Jehovah Shalom, peace, He is Love so Trust Him. Make a decision today; don’t go on any longer doubting the Father and Trust Him, right now Trust Him, Trust Him.

Seek and Speak Truth

When I was younger I dated this guy, he was an athlete, over 6 feet tall and he was no good for me. I was crazy about him and he was crazy about every other girl.

I dated him for over a year. Our relationship relinquished in due time. I start dating this other guy that was completely opposite from what I thought I was attracted to. The interesting thing is the guy I no longer dated was furious with me. He would do silly things to try to get me to react but I never gave in to his childish ways.

A year passed and I was still involved with the other guy but my X came around expecting me to stop what I was doing and come back to him. I thought this guy has some nerve; he was the most controlling guy I knew in my life. I accepted him based on desiring my father. My dad was an athlete, over 6 feet tall and meant what he said all the time. As a young lady I thought he reminded me of my dad in a good way. The difference between this guy and my dad is my father loves me and the guy only loved chasing after me.

Yet, I was confident with who I was with and politely turned away from him. I never realized when I was dating him that he had a problem with being insecure. I didn’t realize the reason why he continuously asked where I was going and what time I would be back was because he was emotionally affected by his mother and father’s relationship.

His parents split because of one were cheating on the other. It took me years to discover this guy was so controlling because of his childrearing. He had the aspect that he had to always know where his woman was and where she was going as if she was a bank account.

This guy had a spirit of not only jealousy but insecurity. It took me a while to realize this because I only wanted to see what I wanted and not the truth. God warns his people about our belief in spirits. “Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God,” (1 John 4:1).

God is love therefore His Spirit is noticeable by love. This first guy I dated spirit did not align with love. His spirit was only about himself. He displayed what control and never considered me. When I looked at him I never saw sacrifice it was controlling mannerisms. God gave us choice and He sacrificed His only son for us.

When I began to date the other guy, I was able to discern that he was a better fit because of how loving he was. When I needed someone to listen to, he was there. When I needed someone to pray with he prayed with me and for me. When I needed transportation he was there. This guy displayed many attributes which aligned with the Spirit of God.

It was then I realized who was best for me. Being insecure can demolish your pure thoughts, of holiness. It can cause you to believe things of the world and even combine things of the world with the word of God to attempt to justify it.

I attempted to justify dating this guy because he reminded me of my father. I looked at his physical appearance and did not focus on his heart. It was not until I closely looked at his heart that I was able to discern he was not love.

When we focus on a person’s character we can discern the person. Scripture tells us that “you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you heard was coming and now is in the world already” (1 John 4:2-3).

Do you know someone that is struggling with controlling ways? Have you come to know one that has a spirit of being insecure? Perhaps you should evaluate their spirit. Possibly, their spirit is of God yet they struggle overcoming insecurities.

As Gods children, we have to remember we are from God and have overcome insecurities, jealousy, fear and deception, for He who is in you is greater than He who is in the world. They are from the world; therefore they speak from the world, and the world listens to them. ...

If you are struggling in this area allow God to heal you. Pray to God to sustain you and carry you through. Call upon the Lord to release you from such controlling ways. Ask God to cause you to meditate on His word, for He has not spoken in secret, from somewhere in a land of darkness; He has not said to Jacob's descendants, "Seek me in vain." I, the Lord, speak the truth; I declare what is right (Isaiah 45:19).

Try Him

As I sit in deep thought of you my Lord, I search you and there you are. I have tried you for myself and I know you. I know you as compassionate, for when my grandmother was dying you waited, just for me. I know you as a great teacher, for when I have no clue you design the course just for me. I know you as a healer, for when my mind was slipping you fetched it in place. I know you are love, for when I was rejected by many you stood there loving me.

I know that you understand, for when I did not understand your ways, you waited until I did. I know that you are my hero, for you always rescue me from harm. I know you as a provider, for when it seems it’s not enough you stretch it to take care of all my needs. I know so much about my Lord. I know God for myself.

Each day I seek you, there you are. No one could make me doubt my Lord because there is too much I know about Him. Every time I need Him, He is there before the need is needed. I have tried Him and there is no one like Him. With Him life gets better and better. Even when struggles come my way, life is still a delight because there, I still have life for with Him, life is ever lasting.

I remember when I did not know much about God. I have always known of Him but I never met with Him in the morning to get to know Him for myself. I never called on Him in the midnight hour and tried Him for myself. As seasons have passed my faith has increased. I have learned so much from the best, the Lord, Almighty.

One of the great things about God is as we try Him, He tries us. “For You have tried us, O God; You have refined us as silver is refined” (Psalm 66:10). As He tries us we do get wiser and better. We go from running from Him to pleading for His guidance, “Correct me, O LORD, but with justice; Not with Your anger or You will bring me to nothing” (Jeremiah 10:24).

As you reflect upon yourself my friend, I ask that you be honest. Appreciate what you are no longer and strive to be more like Christ. Ask God to cleanse you this day. Pray to know God in a different way. Call upon the Lord to know Him in a more intimate way for you shall be refreshed, refined and impressed with what the Lord will do.

Do You Understand?

A man had been preparing for ministering yet he went to a funeral to say goodbye to a close one. While at the funeral his car was broken in and his wife’s purse was stolen. He was disappointed, not understanding what is going on in his life. “It is the beginning of a new year and it starts off on the rocks,” he thought.

This man attempted to prepare for ministering yet the obstacle of his car being broken in was heavy on his mind. He even broke down and broke his fast. As a result his preparation was postponed. He continued on several days later and still this heaviness was upon him and his systematizing concept was slowly falling out of order.

His day that God would use him was approaching and I imagine this man was still wondering “Why am I being attacked in such way? He probably thought “Is my best not good enough? Do you see what I am going through, Lord?”

I think as he thought of the money it would take to fix his problem, he felt alone. Perhaps he could do no more and needed strength to make it through.

But in the midst of his preparation and dilemma, I believe God was telling him “I understand my son. You are not alone. Your best is best.” I envision God telling him “move one more step, it’s only one more day, for you are preparing but I am preparing you for me. I understand my son.”

My mind is captured of Jesus crying on the cross before God. He said to the Father “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, so far from the words of my groaning” (Psalm 22:1)?

Jesus was saying to the Father, Daddy, I am calling on you, but where are you, you’re not answering me. I called you late in the midnight hour but my God you were only silent.

You the greatest I Am, You the Almighty, You King of all kings whom our fathers have trusted and you delivered them. Oh my Father, why are you so distant from me. You saved them my Lord and they trusted you and had no disappointment.

“But I am a worm and not a man, scorned by men and despised by the people” (Psalm 22:6).

They are laughing at me because I trust in you and you say not a word. “But you, O LORD, be not far off; O my Strength, come quickly to help me” (Psalm 22:19).

I can see Jesus on the cross weeping to the Father. Then as I turn I glance at this man preparing to minister, I see him being beat up by the world. I see the lions roaring to take his identity in Christ, to steal his very focus of the Lord.

Have you ever felt like all you did for the Lord, was no good? Did you ever say to God, do you understand? Can you hear my cry? Maybe God is telling you “one more day my child; one more step for I am preparing you for my will.” Possibly your obstacle is merely a test, to get you in line with His plan.

Meditate on changing your focus to the Lord. Don’t ask yourself “what is wrong with me?” Consider praying to the most High to deliver your life from the sword (Psalm 22:18). Ask the Lord to rescue you from the mouth of the lions; save you from the horns of the wild oxen (Psalm 22:20-21). So you then will proclaim praises to His majesty name.

I Made It

The hours are growing to the day that God will use me
I step out of me
look at me…staring and say
“Wow, how you have grown…
I say “Wow, how you have learned to depend on Him …when I step out of me.
I wrestle with sleep
waking in heaviness, wondering am I doubting you my Lord,
am I trusting you my Lord,
am I obeying you my Lord.

I praise Him,
praise Him for giving me strength for a new day,
praise Him for keeping His promises,
praise Him for using me
and stand before Him with my arms stretched needing Him,
knowing I can’t do it all by myself, needing Him right now.
I know He has done so much for me.
When I search His credibility
His score out shines the rest for He is the best
I know even when I look at myself and see how I have grown
I still need Him,
I need Him, yes I need Him.
I can stand here and say here I am Lord, take me;
but, I must be clear and let Him know I can’t do this without Him.

So As I reflect upon myself
I see I made it through the storm, set to wipe me out
I made it when the load was heavy and I yet weak
I made it while pressing and all was pulling at me
I made it when I thought my mind was slipping, feeling I could lose it all
I made it
I made it
But it was with He that made it, so ye could say, I made it
I made it,
You Made It
We Made it
I Made It…
All Praises To Him…

Needing Him

The hours are growing to the day that God will use me in a mighty way. It is strange because I am so in shock with what the Lord is doing with me. If I could step out of me I would look at me…staring and say to myself,” Wow, how you have grown…I would say “Wow, how you have learned to depend on Him …If I could step out of me.

Though I wrestle with sleep and wake up in heaviness, I wonder am I doubting you my Lord, am I trusting you my Lord, am I obeying you Lord. I get out the bed and praise Him, praise Him for giving me strength to see a new day, praise Him for keeping His promises, praise Him for using me and I stand before Him while the house is still quiet and I stretch my arms to Him, needing Him, knowing I can’t do it all by myself, needing Him right now.

I know He has done so much for me. When I search His credibility record He has restored relationships that have been broken. He has healed my children and me when sick. He has given my clarity in my mind when I was loosing it all. I know even when I look at myself and see how I have grown I still need Him, I need Him, yes I need Him.

I can stand here and say here I am Lord, take me; but, I must be clear and let Him know I can’t do this without Him.

As I study His word, scripture reminds me to “Give thanks unto the LORD; call upon his name: make known his deeds among the people. Sing unto him, sing psalms unto him: talk ye of all his wondrous works. Glory ye in his holy name: let the heart of them rejoice that seek the LORD. Seek the LORD, and his strength: seek his face evermore. Remember his marvelous works that he hath done; his wonders, and the judgments of his mouth; (Psalm 105:1-5).

God is calling many to go out in the by ways but as He calls He wants you to remember your need of Him. It is suppose to seem impossible, for why would all things be possible with Christ, (Philippians 4:13). As the seconds grows to hours, hours grow to days in the midst of keeping up with the “to do list” remember needing Him. You remembering Him keeps you from boasting in yourself. You needing Him displays your reliance upon Him strengthening your faith.

What He has called of you your understanding can’t fathom alone nor handle alone. Jesus comes to us saying "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. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light" (Matthew 11:28-30).

I know I am not alone. I know there is someone else that feels resting seems impossible. Are you carrying a load as He is commissioning you? Are you pulling while pressing? Jesus is saying come to me.

Don’t continue feeling alone. Don’t neglect the one calling you to reflect and call on Him. Pray to Him and give Him your burdens. Call upon the Lord and tell Him you need Him at this moment, right now. Allow no more time to flow before you say I need you Lord, I need you Lord.