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, and silky hair. The grandmother 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 spending time with me, I leave you my house and 1 million dollars.
This story reminds me of the psalmist David saying, "Delight yourself in the LORD and He will give you the desires of your heart," Psalm 37:4.
When we delight in intimate time with the Father it’s no telling what miraculous miracle He has a waiting for us. 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; our life style has to be built around a life time of dates with the Father.
When we delight in Him we are happy, as if we have a crush on the Lord. Our delighting in God should be as a crush that we can’t get enough of; as a result, 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).
Are you willing to trust the Lord? Will you spend time with Him, daily? Maybe you’re tired of living in hell and drained of running out in the world. Perhaps, you’re exhausted of listening to everyone else, wondering “when will I be free from this curse,” I encourage you to commit your ways to the Lord.
Consider delighting in the Lord. Possibly, 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). Accept Christ in your heart and trust Him today. Choose the will of the Lord, so He may add to your heart desires.
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Thursday, October 15, 2009
I Need to be Filled
As a young child my parents, divorced. Consequently, I spent over twenty years with my emotional tank half way full. I had a hard time accepting change, making friends, asking for what I needed and controlling my emotions.
By the time I was 27 I thought I was going crazy. Any sudden rush of change would send me into a rage. I was so heartbroken that a wall surrounded me, blocking others’ to attempt to get to know me. My emotions were on fire and only God could put out the flames.
For many years I sought a path that would lead me to a place where I could be loved, but the brokenness I felt made it difficult for me to identify, accept or give love. Over time, though, I came to know the greatest Love, I now know where to go when I get low. When it seems impossible to turn the other cheek – so that I may remain meek – I go to the Father.
I am reminded of the passage in the book of Isaiah where the prophet wrote what God said to Israel: "Since you were precious in My sight, you have been honored, and I have loved you; Therefore I will give men for you, and people for your life,” (Isaiah 43:4).
Isaiah was saying, God created you, he was reminding Israel of the love that God has for them. Christians are God’s people. For all those who have confessed Christ as their Savior, God has a love for you that only He can fulfill. Just as God has affection for those of Israel, He has that same affection for all His people.
Later in chapter 63 Isaiah wrote “in His love and His pity He redeemed them,” Christ is still loving and redeeming us today. No matter what your affliction is, He loves you.
Can others see the love of Christ in you? Do you know the love of Christ? Have you ever been so broken that you seek for love, try to give love only to find that you yourself are just half way full? Love is like a foreign language, if you have never learned it, it is complicated to speak. If you only know a little you can only give a little.
Consider filling up today. Come to know the love of Christ so you may give the love of Christ to others. Allow Christ in your heart. Give over the brokenness you hold inside and allow Him to just love on you, for you are precious in His sight.
By the time I was 27 I thought I was going crazy. Any sudden rush of change would send me into a rage. I was so heartbroken that a wall surrounded me, blocking others’ to attempt to get to know me. My emotions were on fire and only God could put out the flames.
For many years I sought a path that would lead me to a place where I could be loved, but the brokenness I felt made it difficult for me to identify, accept or give love. Over time, though, I came to know the greatest Love, I now know where to go when I get low. When it seems impossible to turn the other cheek – so that I may remain meek – I go to the Father.
I am reminded of the passage in the book of Isaiah where the prophet wrote what God said to Israel: "Since you were precious in My sight, you have been honored, and I have loved you; Therefore I will give men for you, and people for your life,” (Isaiah 43:4).
Isaiah was saying, God created you, he was reminding Israel of the love that God has for them. Christians are God’s people. For all those who have confessed Christ as their Savior, God has a love for you that only He can fulfill. Just as God has affection for those of Israel, He has that same affection for all His people.
Later in chapter 63 Isaiah wrote “in His love and His pity He redeemed them,” Christ is still loving and redeeming us today. No matter what your affliction is, He loves you.
Can others see the love of Christ in you? Do you know the love of Christ? Have you ever been so broken that you seek for love, try to give love only to find that you yourself are just half way full? Love is like a foreign language, if you have never learned it, it is complicated to speak. If you only know a little you can only give a little.
Consider filling up today. Come to know the love of Christ so you may give the love of Christ to others. Allow Christ in your heart. Give over the brokenness you hold inside and allow Him to just love on you, for you are precious in His sight.
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Fighting to Love
Guest Writer: Heddie J
I am told to love my neighbor as myself,
Lord this is hard and I really need your help.
My co-worker got on my nerves at work today,
It is just so hard to love her back when she’s this way.
Then my neighbor gave complete liberty to her dog,
He did his job with no problem all over my yard.
Going home in traffic today, this man cut in front of me,
Now tell me how I am to love these people back and be free.
As I really ponder this one, I could see Jesus just sharing His love as He moved along His way.
We are commanded first, to love. “Love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength. The second commandment states, Thou shall love thy neighbor as thyself. There is no other commandment greater than these” (Mark 12:30-31).
In order to experience the art of giving or being in love; or rather, to “activate” love, we must first hand love over to God our Father. Before we can actually give love, we have to commit our heart, soul, mind and strength to doing so. We can not harbor hate, have a bad mind set or have our inner self doing what we think is right. While our mind, body and soul strengthen our desire to love, there still must be a connection with the Spirit of God. It is like the insertion of a key into the ignition of a car, causing it to start. Uniting our mind, body and soul with the Spirit of God sets fire to the art of giving and experiencing love freely.
What have you allowed into your heart that must come out? Are you refusing to let go of whatever causes you to cry out? Will you yield your will and change your mind for Christ? Consider your ways,in order to love and give love out, you must!
Let go of your problems in your mind.
Letting go will evict hate while you become more kind.
Find your strength within the Father as you learn to love, I promise – you will love as you should, for it will flow from above.
I am told to love my neighbor as myself,
Lord this is hard and I really need your help.
My co-worker got on my nerves at work today,
It is just so hard to love her back when she’s this way.
Then my neighbor gave complete liberty to her dog,
He did his job with no problem all over my yard.
Going home in traffic today, this man cut in front of me,
Now tell me how I am to love these people back and be free.
As I really ponder this one, I could see Jesus just sharing His love as He moved along His way.
We are commanded first, to love. “Love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength. The second commandment states, Thou shall love thy neighbor as thyself. There is no other commandment greater than these” (Mark 12:30-31).
In order to experience the art of giving or being in love; or rather, to “activate” love, we must first hand love over to God our Father. Before we can actually give love, we have to commit our heart, soul, mind and strength to doing so. We can not harbor hate, have a bad mind set or have our inner self doing what we think is right. While our mind, body and soul strengthen our desire to love, there still must be a connection with the Spirit of God. It is like the insertion of a key into the ignition of a car, causing it to start. Uniting our mind, body and soul with the Spirit of God sets fire to the art of giving and experiencing love freely.
What have you allowed into your heart that must come out? Are you refusing to let go of whatever causes you to cry out? Will you yield your will and change your mind for Christ? Consider your ways,in order to love and give love out, you must!
Let go of your problems in your mind.
Letting go will evict hate while you become more kind.
Find your strength within the Father as you learn to love, I promise – you will love as you should, for it will flow from above.
Thursday, October 8, 2009
I Should Have Died, But God
An older woman fell down and broke her neck, lying in one position for twelve hours. A few weeks ago, I was told a 23 year old mother of two children had a stroke. Almost a month ago a friend of mine was having a stroke and did not know. Two months ago my cousin and his co-workers were on their way to work as their truck flipped over, everyone died, except for him.
As I reflect on how God has a purpose for all of our lives, my mind is captured by the Psalm of David. “The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, and He delights in his way. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down; For the Lord uphold him with His hand,” Psalm 37:23-24.
Consider a parent directing their child and as the child follows directions the parent is happy. David was saying that God directs the righteous step by step, as a parent guides their child throughout the course of their life. When we fall down, either in sin or into trouble, God will not allow us to be reduced to rubble by our falls. We will not be ruined. Instead, I believe God releases angels to shield us as He defends and supports us with His hand because His plan will not be made void.
Interestingly, all four of the people mentioned previously are still alive. I can see God in my sanctified imagination holding the face of the woman who fell, sustaining the two who had a stroke, defending my cousin from death. I can see God getting their undivided attention to move to the next step so that His plan could move forward. Have you ever had a near death experience? Is it obvious why you did not die?
What plan has God directed for you? Do you feel like there is no point of preparing because you’re not making the money or you don’t have the support? Have you fallen or you can’t see through the forest? God has His hand there upholding you; He has not and will not let you go.
Consider not letting go of God but pressing forward, following His steps. Ask God to help you see His purpose. Pray that you yield to His plan. Thank Him for not letting you die when you could have, should have died. Thank Him that you can say “But God has a plan.”
As I reflect on how God has a purpose for all of our lives, my mind is captured by the Psalm of David. “The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, and He delights in his way. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down; For the Lord uphold him with His hand,” Psalm 37:23-24.
Consider a parent directing their child and as the child follows directions the parent is happy. David was saying that God directs the righteous step by step, as a parent guides their child throughout the course of their life. When we fall down, either in sin or into trouble, God will not allow us to be reduced to rubble by our falls. We will not be ruined. Instead, I believe God releases angels to shield us as He defends and supports us with His hand because His plan will not be made void.
Interestingly, all four of the people mentioned previously are still alive. I can see God in my sanctified imagination holding the face of the woman who fell, sustaining the two who had a stroke, defending my cousin from death. I can see God getting their undivided attention to move to the next step so that His plan could move forward. Have you ever had a near death experience? Is it obvious why you did not die?
What plan has God directed for you? Do you feel like there is no point of preparing because you’re not making the money or you don’t have the support? Have you fallen or you can’t see through the forest? God has His hand there upholding you; He has not and will not let you go.
Consider not letting go of God but pressing forward, following His steps. Ask God to help you see His purpose. Pray that you yield to His plan. Thank Him for not letting you die when you could have, should have died. Thank Him that you can say “But God has a plan.”
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Hallelujah! This Is Killing Me!
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
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, 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.
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