Guest Writer: Laquisha Craig
Difficult times can bring out the best or worse in you depending on your faith. How many times have you been in a difficult, painful or overwhelming situation and with great despair cry out "Oh Lord, please get me out of this! This is killing me!" Good news!!! You are absolutely right! It IS killing you! It's killing everything in you that is not like God.
In Jeremiah 18, the Lord leads the prophet Jeremiah to a Potter's house. There he sees the Potter molding clay. Verse 4 tells us that the vessel was “marred in the Potter’s hand, and he made it into a different vessel as seemed good to him to make it."
Because the clay was not yet what he desired, the Potter had to stop, and mold it again. The encouraging news in this Scripture is that although the vessel was flawed it remained in the Potter's hand. God asked a question: "O house of Israel, can I not do with you as this Potter? Look, as the clay is in the Potter's hand, so are you in My hand, O house of Israel!" (v. 6) God wants to remove our faults and mold us into a beautiful vessel as we trust Him and rest in His hands.
Are you able to trust God in your painful, difficult place? Will you allow Him to mold you, no matter how hard or how long the process?
Consider the benefits of trusting God. There is a great exchange; your weakness for His strength, your worry for His peace, your confusion for His soundness of mind, your sadness for His joy, and your fear for faith from Him. It takes trust in GOD to be able to believe and receive God. Only the Spirit of God in you can respond to the things of God. He has to do away with your flesh so that He can get to Himself. So, the next time you feel like "it's killing you”... let it. God wants to reveal Himself in and to you. Embrace it, trust God and let your new declaration be: Thank You Lord! Hallelujah! This is killing ME! In order to be gold, we have to go through fire, for it destroys all impurities.
"O house of Israel, can I not do with you as this Potter? says the Lord. Behold, as the clay is in the Potter's hand, so are you in My hand, O house of Israel."
Jeremiah 18:6
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Serving Others
Lately, I have been thinking of Healing of a Broken Heart Ministry. I have considered how it was initially me just writing a book, but quickly turned to me serving others. I don’t have much to give but what I do have, I give with honor. In the past, I considered what I had was nothing, so giving the little I had was not the highlight of my day. However, since I have opened myself to the charge of this ministry, I feel like I can’t get enough of giving thanks to God.
These thoughts grasp my attention to the Apostle Paul’s writings, it states “For the ministry of this service is not only fully supplying the needs of the saints, but is also overflowing through many thanksgivings to God,”2 Corinthians 9:12.
Giving is a aspect of ministry. Ministry is service provided to others at the expense of the ones carrying out the commands of God to not only add to what is lacking in reference to property and resources, poverty, want, or need but overflowing in a large measure of thankfulness to God.
When you give, others will praise God for the obedience you have proven yourself unto God. Your kindness will be thought of forever.
Prior to verse 12, Paul states in the ninth verse that because you dispense blessings all over, giving to the poor, your righteousness will last forever. You will never be forgotten because you would have planted a seed bringing someone close to the Christ. The verses following say because you added seed, multiplying the harvest you will be spiritually rich resulting in thanking and glorifying our Heavenly Father.
Do you give? What gift has God given you for the building of the kingdom? Are you giving it for edification? What is your perspective of giving? Have you made up in your heart to give, what you give? Or do you feel obligated to give to get what you want?
Writing is something I enjoy. I find pleasure in writing and sharing with others how God has been faithful through my walk. I consider writing devotionals as a form of ministry which is serving others.
Paul advises us to do just as you have purposed in your heart, “not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver, ” (2 Corinthians 9:7). The righteous act is giving on your own. You should feel no sorrow, pain, grief, or mourn another because you have given. You should not feel under obligation as if it is a requirement, feeling forced by a situation or because everybody else is doing it. You should not give because it is the law and it would benefit you to give.
Consider giving without the condition that you will get a reward in return but give because you have already made up in your heart and mind that it is what you personally want to do. God loves the giver that is prompt to do anything and is happy about giving.
These thoughts grasp my attention to the Apostle Paul’s writings, it states “For the ministry of this service is not only fully supplying the needs of the saints, but is also overflowing through many thanksgivings to God,”2 Corinthians 9:12.
Giving is a aspect of ministry. Ministry is service provided to others at the expense of the ones carrying out the commands of God to not only add to what is lacking in reference to property and resources, poverty, want, or need but overflowing in a large measure of thankfulness to God.
When you give, others will praise God for the obedience you have proven yourself unto God. Your kindness will be thought of forever.
Prior to verse 12, Paul states in the ninth verse that because you dispense blessings all over, giving to the poor, your righteousness will last forever. You will never be forgotten because you would have planted a seed bringing someone close to the Christ. The verses following say because you added seed, multiplying the harvest you will be spiritually rich resulting in thanking and glorifying our Heavenly Father.
Do you give? What gift has God given you for the building of the kingdom? Are you giving it for edification? What is your perspective of giving? Have you made up in your heart to give, what you give? Or do you feel obligated to give to get what you want?
Writing is something I enjoy. I find pleasure in writing and sharing with others how God has been faithful through my walk. I consider writing devotionals as a form of ministry which is serving others.
Paul advises us to do just as you have purposed in your heart, “not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver, ” (2 Corinthians 9:7). The righteous act is giving on your own. You should feel no sorrow, pain, grief, or mourn another because you have given. You should not feel under obligation as if it is a requirement, feeling forced by a situation or because everybody else is doing it. You should not give because it is the law and it would benefit you to give.
Consider giving without the condition that you will get a reward in return but give because you have already made up in your heart and mind that it is what you personally want to do. God loves the giver that is prompt to do anything and is happy about giving.
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Why Can't I Flow
Guest Writer: Heddie JI felt like I was beating myself up against a wall.
I know what I am supposed to do, but I would always fall.
Why do I feel so heavy, when I need to feel so free.
Maybe I am just not allowing forgiveness to flow in me.
I have the ability to do the will of God, when I can.
Yet, it still feels like it is not fully reaching Man.
I think I know that I need to repent because I am not perfect.
Thank you God for allowing repentance, to fight this fit.
As I consider this fight within, my mind is reminded of the words of Peter.
“The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance” 2 Peter 3:9.
This scripture is telling us that our master, God, renders slowly to what He has announced as the promised good or blessing. Some lead in a slow motion as if in a delayed position. However, our Heavenly Father is patient toward us because He has no desire to destroy us but allow us to retire of the old way and have a change of mind of our very purpose. God distributes slowly toward our blessings so that we may get rid of what we formed in our mind that is negative toward our destiny.
He called us all to do something on earth and desires for us to repent. Consistently, thinking bad of our self and making bad decisions is against the will of God. He doesn’t pride off putting an end to us, that we may perish. In life we will experience doing things that cause grief, but He looks to us to, just repent and have a sigh of relief.
What is in you that you do, that you need to let go?
Are you still in it, blocking off your flow?
Will you just repent and turn back from this sin?
Will you today and let the peace of God within?
Out of all the abilities that you may have within yourself
You can do nothing without God’s great help
You can try to fake this thing along the way
But with heaviness, you will only have a wasted day
Just try repenting and see if God gives you your flow
We are all called to it, now more truth you know.
© 2009 Heddie J.
Monday, August 3, 2009
Adding To Your Heart Desires
A grandmother wanted her children to come by and just sit with her once a day. She wanted the company of her children but none of them would slow down to come and talk to her. They would bring her food and gifts and drive off. Her granddaughter would cry every weekend and make a big fuss because she wanted to go see her grandmother. So she would convince her parents every weekend to go over her grandmother’s house. While she was there they would just talk as she brushed her long, wavy, gray, silky, hair. The grand mother would give her a dollar each time she came and cleaned her living room. Her mother would always tell her to give it back to her grandmother but the grandmother would always manage to put it back in her bag.
When the grandmother died all the children gathered to hear the details of the will. She left money to the church, gave different possessions to the children, but she left aside something far more great to her granddaughter. The will stated “for countless hours of weekend, after weekend, for spending time with me, I leave you my house and $ 1 million.”
I am reminded of the Psalm which David encourages the righteous to Delight in the Lord (Psalm 37:4). Delighting in the Lord involves spending intimate time with the Father; it’s no telling what miraculous miracle He has a waiting for you. But you have to spend time with Him. Blessing the food at the dinner table is not enough. Showing up on Sunday is not enough; your life style has to be built around a life time of dates with the Father.
David declares for 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).
Are you willing to trust the Lord? Will you stay away from the thoughts of doing something quick that’s not legit? Can you dwell where He says to dwell? Are you willing to feed on faithfulness so you can enjoy what He has for you?
Consider spending more time with our heavenly Father. Become monogamous with God. Maybe you have been having a part time affair with the Lord hanging out with Him on Sunday and Monday and doing your own thing Tuesday through Saturday. Paul tells us we have a choice through believing and accepting the promises of God we should choose the right path (2 Corinthians 7:1). For those of you that are living in hell and you’re tired of running out in the world, wondering “when will I be free from this curse” I encourage you to commit your ways to the Lord. Choose the will of the Lord so He may add to your heart desires.
When the grandmother died all the children gathered to hear the details of the will. She left money to the church, gave different possessions to the children, but she left aside something far more great to her granddaughter. The will stated “for countless hours of weekend, after weekend, for spending time with me, I leave you my house and $ 1 million.”
I am reminded of the Psalm which David encourages the righteous to Delight in the Lord (Psalm 37:4). Delighting in the Lord involves spending intimate time with the Father; it’s no telling what miraculous miracle He has a waiting for you. But you have to spend time with Him. Blessing the food at the dinner table is not enough. Showing up on Sunday is not enough; your life style has to be built around a life time of dates with the Father.
David declares for 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).
Are you willing to trust the Lord? Will you stay away from the thoughts of doing something quick that’s not legit? Can you dwell where He says to dwell? Are you willing to feed on faithfulness so you can enjoy what He has for you?
Consider spending more time with our heavenly Father. Become monogamous with God. Maybe you have been having a part time affair with the Lord hanging out with Him on Sunday and Monday and doing your own thing Tuesday through Saturday. Paul tells us we have a choice through believing and accepting the promises of God we should choose the right path (2 Corinthians 7:1). For those of you that are living in hell and you’re tired of running out in the world, wondering “when will I be free from this curse” I encourage you to commit your ways to the Lord. Choose the will of the Lord so He may add to your heart desires.
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Trusting In God In Times of Hopelessness
There was a young lady walking down the middle of the road. She had a glare of death upon her face as she walked bare foot drenched in sweat with a baby on her hip. While talking on a cell phone, a driver on her way to the store noticed her as she traveled the opposite way. The driver thought it was peculiar to see such young person walking in the middle of the road with a baby on her hip.
She flagged the cars approaching her to let them know to slow down so they would not hit the young mother and baby. Quickly, she went to the store and thought I should have stopped. As she returned to journey back home she saw that young girl again this time in tears. The lady slowed down while a car was behind her, she rolled down her window and yelled, “What’s wrong sweetheart?”
The young girl lifted the baby on her hip with tears rolling down her eyes and said, “Nothing, mam, I am okay.” She then pulled over and said to her, “No, something is wrong, you are crying, walking in the heat of the morning, with a baby on your hip, tell me what’s wrong, it can’t be that bad?”
The lady invited her in the car to find that she was a teen mother, struggling to buy diapers for her 8 month old son. The young girl walked down that long heated road, crying and yelling on the inside distraught with her life. The father of the child was forbidden to be a part of their life and she felt the pressure of not being able to provide for her son. They drove back to the store and she asked the young girl what she needed. The young girl pulled out a wrinkled up $10 bill in tears and called out a list that the $10 would not come close to covering. The woman went in the store bought all the items she requested and returned her home, invited her to church saying “Everything will be just fine. It is going to be some hard days but trust in God and He will help you through, just as He did today.”
This scenario captures my attention to David’s Psalm, he wrote “Your mercy, O LORD, is in the heavens; and thy faithfulness reacheth unto the clouds,” Psalm 36:5. David was saying others may shut up their compassion, yet, with God there is always mercy available for the righteous. What great comfort there is to know our heavenly Father is merciful.
The young girl was distraught with her life. She had a baby and no father was there to help her support the child. She could not see any way to stretch the $10 she had to get her baby what she needed. I imagined she walked down the long road wishing she could change back the hands of time.
There are many things we have done against the will of the Father but God is still merciful and reaches out to us. Today many people who have made mistakes and walk around miserable wishing, “if I could go back to that moment prior to that decision.” Yet what is done is done.
Consider changing your focus on the mercy that waits for you from the Lord. Call upon God to meet you in your area of weakness. Ask the Father to hold you as you lift yourself to Him, trusting God while not being ashamed in your time of despair. Trust as David trusted “though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down; For the Lord upholds him with His hand,” (Psalm 37:24).
She flagged the cars approaching her to let them know to slow down so they would not hit the young mother and baby. Quickly, she went to the store and thought I should have stopped. As she returned to journey back home she saw that young girl again this time in tears. The lady slowed down while a car was behind her, she rolled down her window and yelled, “What’s wrong sweetheart?”
The young girl lifted the baby on her hip with tears rolling down her eyes and said, “Nothing, mam, I am okay.” She then pulled over and said to her, “No, something is wrong, you are crying, walking in the heat of the morning, with a baby on your hip, tell me what’s wrong, it can’t be that bad?”
The lady invited her in the car to find that she was a teen mother, struggling to buy diapers for her 8 month old son. The young girl walked down that long heated road, crying and yelling on the inside distraught with her life. The father of the child was forbidden to be a part of their life and she felt the pressure of not being able to provide for her son. They drove back to the store and she asked the young girl what she needed. The young girl pulled out a wrinkled up $10 bill in tears and called out a list that the $10 would not come close to covering. The woman went in the store bought all the items she requested and returned her home, invited her to church saying “Everything will be just fine. It is going to be some hard days but trust in God and He will help you through, just as He did today.”
This scenario captures my attention to David’s Psalm, he wrote “Your mercy, O LORD, is in the heavens; and thy faithfulness reacheth unto the clouds,” Psalm 36:5. David was saying others may shut up their compassion, yet, with God there is always mercy available for the righteous. What great comfort there is to know our heavenly Father is merciful.
The young girl was distraught with her life. She had a baby and no father was there to help her support the child. She could not see any way to stretch the $10 she had to get her baby what she needed. I imagined she walked down the long road wishing she could change back the hands of time.
There are many things we have done against the will of the Father but God is still merciful and reaches out to us. Today many people who have made mistakes and walk around miserable wishing, “if I could go back to that moment prior to that decision.” Yet what is done is done.
Consider changing your focus on the mercy that waits for you from the Lord. Call upon God to meet you in your area of weakness. Ask the Father to hold you as you lift yourself to Him, trusting God while not being ashamed in your time of despair. Trust as David trusted “though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down; For the Lord upholds him with His hand,” (Psalm 37:24).
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Are You Planning
During a conversation a man told me his wife stepped out to buying groceries while he was home while the children napping. She takes her time grocery shopping as her cell phone rings consistently. After the 3rd ring tone she answers the phone. It was her husband in a panic saying, "the kids are up, what am I going to do with them?"
This scenario is common for many households. Once the parent that typically instructs the children is gone for a moment the other is seeking a plan to get the children out and about.
Often times many seek a plan after things are in motion, instead of prior. Before you were created God already had a plan in place for you. God does not create something and then set a plan in motion. He has a plan before the creation.
My mind is captured by the calling of Jeremiah. In the thirteenth year of the reign of Josiah God spoke to the Prophet Jeremiah saying "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations," Jeremiah 1:5.
God was basically saying to Jeremiah, prior to your birth I chose you and made you different and gave you the position as a prophet. He was to serve not only the Jews but neighboring nations also.
Jeremiah was a young boy and I imagine him wondering, who am I to follow out such task. God came to Jeremiah to give him confidence to let him know I have the blue print for the directions I have given you.
Have you wondered how to get to one point, yet not considered planning from the beginning? Maybe you are in motion to a certain destination and wonder why things are bumpy along the way. Possibly you jump into projects without reading the directions initially.
Consider seeking God first before setting out. Pray to God to guide you to your purpose. Ask God to reveal what He has positioned you to do in life, for we all have a purpose in life.
This scenario is common for many households. Once the parent that typically instructs the children is gone for a moment the other is seeking a plan to get the children out and about.
Often times many seek a plan after things are in motion, instead of prior. Before you were created God already had a plan in place for you. God does not create something and then set a plan in motion. He has a plan before the creation.
My mind is captured by the calling of Jeremiah. In the thirteenth year of the reign of Josiah God spoke to the Prophet Jeremiah saying "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations," Jeremiah 1:5.
God was basically saying to Jeremiah, prior to your birth I chose you and made you different and gave you the position as a prophet. He was to serve not only the Jews but neighboring nations also.
Jeremiah was a young boy and I imagine him wondering, who am I to follow out such task. God came to Jeremiah to give him confidence to let him know I have the blue print for the directions I have given you.
Have you wondered how to get to one point, yet not considered planning from the beginning? Maybe you are in motion to a certain destination and wonder why things are bumpy along the way. Possibly you jump into projects without reading the directions initially.
Consider seeking God first before setting out. Pray to God to guide you to your purpose. Ask God to reveal what He has positioned you to do in life, for we all have a purpose in life.
Friday, June 12, 2009
Let The Sheppard
I have been instructing a writer’s camp for children and after the first week I got sick. It was Friday and all of a sudden, I was sick. At the same time the ministry God placed upon my heart was being attacked. The enemy was out to get me and destroy my perspective of what my Sheppard, the Lord has been establishing within me.
I had another week to instruct the children so I thought I have to do something for a speedy recovery. I finally decided to go to the doctor and I sat down. I did absolutely nothing during the weekend but pray, rest and pray some more.
On Sunday, I began to feel better and I was able to go on through the next week. I had to continue to call on God because in my Spirit I knew it was deeper but I could not put my hands on it. I found myself totally dependent on God for each day knowing a spiritual battle was taking place. As I knelt to pray today, I prayed to the Sheppard.
I was drawn to Psalm 23; most people learn this psalm as a child. I never understood it as a child.
It says, “The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.”
As I have grown, I am learning more of what David was really saying. I imagine David saying “My Sheppard can meet my spiritual needs and so much more.” As your life feels like it is strenuous the Sheppard can restore your soul.
When you feel like you can go no longer and your soul is dry look to God to make you lie down. Maybe you are in a dry season as God is positioning you to a place of rest. Sometimes our Sheppard crafts a circumstance that makes you give up all of your ability to fix whatever has drained your life, so you are completely resting on Him. Possibly you are in a circumstance you can’t get out of it is because you are not suppose to be doing the fixing.
God presents to us our insufficiency by our faults. God is saying sit down so He can restore you from what is draining you. Our Sheppard is sufficient but when we refrain from yielding and continue to go on and on our soul is not being restored by our Sheppard.
If you are trying to tally up enough money to pay your house note, opening up your piggy bank in hopes for just enough for gas for the day, running to your bed to rest for a moment and do it all over again perhaps you are drained. As you look around can you continuously see how insufficient you are? Do you seek God as you are on your way to your next destination hoping He will shine some light so you can make it through?
Consider your insufficiency alerting you to lie down in His green pastures. Allow the Sheppard to restore you in the midst of His green pastures and stop looking at the still water and let Him pour the living water in you. Ask God to halt your thoughts. Pray to the Father to make you weak so He may give your soul what it has been thirsting. For God is able.
I had another week to instruct the children so I thought I have to do something for a speedy recovery. I finally decided to go to the doctor and I sat down. I did absolutely nothing during the weekend but pray, rest and pray some more.
On Sunday, I began to feel better and I was able to go on through the next week. I had to continue to call on God because in my Spirit I knew it was deeper but I could not put my hands on it. I found myself totally dependent on God for each day knowing a spiritual battle was taking place. As I knelt to pray today, I prayed to the Sheppard.
I was drawn to Psalm 23; most people learn this psalm as a child. I never understood it as a child.
It says, “The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.”
As I have grown, I am learning more of what David was really saying. I imagine David saying “My Sheppard can meet my spiritual needs and so much more.” As your life feels like it is strenuous the Sheppard can restore your soul.
When you feel like you can go no longer and your soul is dry look to God to make you lie down. Maybe you are in a dry season as God is positioning you to a place of rest. Sometimes our Sheppard crafts a circumstance that makes you give up all of your ability to fix whatever has drained your life, so you are completely resting on Him. Possibly you are in a circumstance you can’t get out of it is because you are not suppose to be doing the fixing.
God presents to us our insufficiency by our faults. God is saying sit down so He can restore you from what is draining you. Our Sheppard is sufficient but when we refrain from yielding and continue to go on and on our soul is not being restored by our Sheppard.
If you are trying to tally up enough money to pay your house note, opening up your piggy bank in hopes for just enough for gas for the day, running to your bed to rest for a moment and do it all over again perhaps you are drained. As you look around can you continuously see how insufficient you are? Do you seek God as you are on your way to your next destination hoping He will shine some light so you can make it through?
Consider your insufficiency alerting you to lie down in His green pastures. Allow the Sheppard to restore you in the midst of His green pastures and stop looking at the still water and let Him pour the living water in you. Ask God to halt your thoughts. Pray to the Father to make you weak so He may give your soul what it has been thirsting. For God is able.
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