"Give Him the Glory!"

“It happened for the glory of God so that the Son of God will receive glory from this.” (John 11:4)

One of the strongest characteristics of human nature is the urge to think about and question things.  The urge to ask “why?”  “Why is this happening?; Why did you do that?; and Why did that happen?”   There are an infinite number of why questions for sure, but what I’ve come to understand is that there is not always a specific answer for those questions, no matter how many times you ask or how passionate or frustrated you get!

Lately, I’ve been thinking about the story of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead.  One of the first questions asked when Jesus arrived was “why did you wait four days before coming?”  This is so familiar to me because I often ask the Lord the same thing in my daily life.  Small and big trials lead me to ask “what is this all about?” or  “why are you taking so long?”  Sometimes an answer comes eventually but most times I have to find comfort in knowing that I might not understand the reason but God always does.  One of my parents has been very ill over the last few years and there have been so many times that I asked God what was happening and why.  Today, as I was reading the story of Lazarus the above scripture stuck with me. 

God wants us to know that He is in control of all things, including life and death.  Usually when we are blessed with a new job; with a new relationship; with a healthy child; with a new home etc., people congratulate us as if it’s something we did to gain these blessings.  We always say thank you, but the truth of the matter is that we should be saying , "give all thanks and praises to God!"  I thank God today that I know that nothing I have or am is due to my effort!  I am perpetually imperfect and incapable, so I know all that I am is only because of God’s love, grace and mercy.  God blesses us and answers our prayers because He wants us to know his faithfulness and to praise Him as we share our testimony with others that don’t know Him in the way that we do!  It’s really not about us…hard to believe right??...It’s not about you!!! 

Just as in the story of Lazarus, the trials; the people we've written off; the dreams we think are dead and buried can all be resurrected with one touch from God!  Even if it’s been months or years, that doesn't mean that the Lord won't stop by and make all things new.  So during your current trial(s) or during the one(s) to come remember this, no one season of joy or pain lasts forever!  Get ready to give Him the glory!

Song to listen to: “Give me a clean heart” –Greater Mount Calvary Church

" Be You!"

"I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made." (Psalm 139: 14)

I often wonder what my true purpose is on this earth.  I wonder what I'm supposed to do; where I'm supposed to live; and what mark I'm supposed to make in my life.  I've been able to come up with small purposes, or what I consider to be "small purposes," but I still feel like my bigger purpose is a mystery.

I'm a very "thought-full" person, as one of my friends pointed out to me recently.  I think a whole lot about a whole lot of things...sometimes I annoy myself with how "thought-full" I am!  Sometimes I wish I could turn off my brain and just not think about anything!  In the last few years, I've become a pretty good observer of character because of my depth of thought, LOL!  My sister has on many occasions said "Some people were sent, and some just went!"  This is so funny to me, but also very true.  As I think about my purpose and what God wants to do through me here on earth, I believe that part of my purpose is connected to ministry.  Not so much to getting up on a pulpit and preaching the gospel but to minister in some other way that will connect to people and somehow bring them closer to God.  Many times, I see those people my sister talks about.  I see ministers presenting sermons that are dry and void of emotion; I see teachers presenting lessons with no enthusiasm; and daily I see people doing jobs they are clearly not meant to do!  "Some are sent and some just went!!!"

I understand that sometimes we have to do things we don't feel joyful about to get to where we are truly meant to be, but other times, I believe we try to force ourselves to fit into places, relationships and situations because we think that's what we want or we believe that's what others see as successful and meaningful.  I'm guilty of this, I am drawn into this, and I often think way too much about what people are thinking of me instead of what God thinks of me and has created me for.

What I have learned in all of this is that there is a perfect plan for each one of us...my plan may be and look very different from yours, but that doesn't make it any less valuable or useful in this world.  I don't want to be one of those people who's determined to force myself into a mold, position or role to prove something to the people who should feel blessed to be in my life :-).  I sincerely want to be the person God created me to be...flaws, annoyances and all!  My life so far has definitely not played out as I thought it would or should but I know it's played out the way God knew it would and there is purpose in every inch of it!

Let's take time today to get excited about  how God is going to get us to where He wants us to go in this world and let's try to think less and rely more on God as the driver and let's be conceited about how fearfully and wonderfully He has made us! Be You! No one else can Be a better You!

Song to listen to:  "God's Gift" -Jeff Majors (feat. Kelly Price)

Disappointed?

"Anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.." (Hebrews 11:6)

Do you often find yourself feeling disappointed with where your life has taken you so far?  Are you disappointed today that what you had planned didn't or hasn't worked out the way you thought it would?  If you're anything like me, you can answer both with a "YES!"  It's ok...don't beat yourself up over how you feel or feel that you are being ungrateful because you have these feelings.  Even if you deny that you've felt this way, God knows the truth...your truth.  I struggle with these feelings often and even today I'm trying to push past what I feel.  Some days it's real easy to shift my thinking to a more positive and grateful place, but other days it seems to hold onto me like a leech.  
I've read a lot of the bible in the last 10 years and the strongest weapon I've found are scriptures to fight this war on disappointment.  I've committed some to memory that are very powerful in speaking to feelings that attack our minds and can lead to hopelessness and even depression.  As Christians, we are not called to be perfect, pain-free, fearless and without worry but we are called to use the weapons we have in God's word to fight these battles for us. "For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword." (Hebrews 4:12).  I know that it is not easy, especially when you are doing all that you can to live according to God's word yet you don't see, in the here and now, any benefit in it.  When I feel this way, I meditate on the scripture that says "No good thing does He withhold from those who do what is right" (Psalms 84:11).  As funny as it sounds, I do believe that if I do my best, God will do the rest :-) .  On those days when I feel like a fool; when I feel like everyone is looking at me and pitying me; when I think every enemy I've ever had is laughing at me and my faith, I meditate on the scripture that says, "Anyone who believes in Him will never be put to shame." (Romans 10:11).  And when I feel overwhelmed with feelings that I'm just not progressing, like I'm stuck in a holding pattern, like life is passing me by, I mediate on the scripture that says, "All things work together for good to them that love God." (Romans 8:28)...Even the things that seem bad to us...even when we see others receiving the blessings we want to see in our own lives...even when it seems like nothing is ever gonna change, we have to deliberately remember that all of these thoughts and feelings are lies.  I love what some preachers have said "Fear is False-Evidence-Appearing-Real."  Let's remember that these lies are only the enemy's lies to cause fear in us and to make us give up on God and His promises.  Today, make some time to go through the bible and find more scriptures that you can use on this battlefield.  The more scriptures you have in your memory, the stronger you'll be and the more power you'll have to overcome the feelings and fears that creep up on you.. 

Song to listen to: "I Understand" - Smokie Norful

He Has Us!

"Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." (Isaiah 41:10)

I don't know why it is, but I tend to forget that nothing happening in my life is a secret from God...nothing has happened or will happen without His approval.  He has the master blueprint; the final script; and all executive rights to add, delete or revise my life story as He sees fit.  

I know that I am not the only absentminded one out there because my close family and friends also encounter situations on a daily basis that I hear about, where just like me, they try to figure out how to solve the problem or how to get this person or that person to change their mind or how to get themselves out of  uncomfortable or unbearable seasons of life.  When I get to the end of my rope (of myself) and throw up my hands, I often remember "God is In control!"  God already knows my today, tomorrow, and beyond.  

I've heard more than once that if we only knew all that God was doing on our behalf; all the battles He's fighting; all the obstacles He's moving; all the people He's creating; and all the pieces He's placing at just the perfect points  along our specific journeys, it would be too overwhelming for us to  digest or comprehend.  It would literally blow our minds!

I believe, we'd all be a lot healthier and a lot happier if we woke up every morning and remembered right away that God already has the day planned.  If we remembered that all we had to do was to step into the day of blessings already prepared by Him.  If we could only remember to begin each day with sincere thanks and praise to our Father who knows every hair on our head, how much greater would our lives be?

That's my prayer for me and everyone reading this today, that God would help us to remember more about His power in our lives and less about the people, places and things that serve as the backdrop to  the extraordinary plan and purpose that He has for each of us.  

Decide today to move forward, knowing that He is our God and He is upholding us with His righteous hand!

Song to listen to:  "Incredible God, Incredible Praise"  -The Praise, The Worship feat. James Hairston

Holidays, Hopes and New Years...

"My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from Him." (Psalm 62:5)

December has somehow made its way back around again!  When I notice the year is nearly over, I always ask myself, where did the time go???  It seems that just yesterday, I was on the beach, basking in the sun and now it's cold and snowflakes will be falling sooner than I want to believe!  The holidays are here again and everything and everyone is moving at record speeds!

This time of year has been bitter-sweet for me for several years now.  Christmas has always been my favorite holiday and I look forward to the songs, holiday movies, shopping and just the whole joyful spirit that takes control of everyone.  Since I entered my 30s, the bitter has merged with the sweet though!  My 30s have added a sense of angst in me; a sense of sadness; and a bit of discouragement  when it comes to the holidays and the end of an old year and the approach of a new one.

The coming of a new year is supposed to be filled with hope and excitement but for me it has been a time of assessing all that hasn't happened yet; all the prayers that still can't be checked off the list as DONE.  It's December 2, 2014 today, so that means if God wants to end my year with a miraculous BANG, He has 29 days to make it happen!  My heart believes that He can but the other parts of me are pulling in the opposite direction, toward feelings of discouragement and disappointment.  So what do I do?  I could cry, sulk, and let Satan have his way with me or I can stay on my knees, praying day and night; fasting through the close of this year and seeking more of God's strength with the hope that God will show his faithfulness in greater ways during the last days of this year.  I'll keep trusting that He is the Great I Am and not the Great I Will Be! He is faithful to His word!  There's still time and nothing's too hard for my God :-)

Song to listen to: "Hold On, Help Is On the Way" -Whitney Houston/The Preacher's Wife

What Is Your Purpose?

"I cry out to God Most High, to God who will fulfill His purpose for me." -Psalm 57:2 (NLT)

From time to time, I've heard sermons or read devotionals that ask people if they know what their God given purpose is, my answer has always been NO!  As I look around at the people God has placed in my life, I can kind of answer this question for them...I mean most of my circle has children, and to me, that represents at least one significant  purpose.  On the other hand I'm two steps from 40 years old and I haven't been blessed in that area yet.

Even my friends who have children complain that they still don't see the purpose God has for them; they say "there's got to be more to life than being a mother."  I am blessed to know at least two people who seem to have found their purpose in their careers, which they decided upon very early in life and now love dearly even on those days when everyone at their job gets on their nerves!  I envy them though because I've struggled for quite some time with this whole concept of "PURPOSE." Purpose, in my career; purpose in my singleness; purpose in my existence...

Unfortunately, I have not ever worked in a job that I just knew was my calling.  My work has been necessary, maybe even important but never exciting, interesting or fulfilling to me.  I've often asked God to show me my purpose; to open my spiritual eyes and help me to see but as I sit here typing today...I still wait for the answer.

So, what do we do while we wait on God to show us our purpose?  What I've decided to do is to keep crying out, keep asking him, in prayer, to lead me and show me.  I feel like a broken record on some days when I am constantly having an internal talk with God all day asking the same things over and over but I've truly come to a place in my life where I don't know where else to turn or who else to go to.  There's something that's missing, some piece of my puzzle that's missing and I feel the void of that empty space everyday. I believe that we all long for that space that nags at us to be filled...to be filled with true purpose and joy.  I know that the first step is the true knowledge of God and the building of a relationship with Him but I'm learning day by day that there are many more steps that come after that.

To be real, I'm feeling pretty exhausted today and I feel like I can't take another step but giving up is not an option for me so instead, I'll keep crying out because Isaiah 14:24 says," As I have planned, so it will be, and as I have purposed, so it will happen."  God has a plan and purpose for each of us and for some of us, I know it seems like a not-so-fun game of hide and seek but just keep trusting and believing and the big reveal will surely come!

Song to listen to: "Hold On" -James Fortune & Fiya

Keep Asking, Seeking and Knocking!

"Pray without ceasing...for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." - 1 Thessolonians 5:17

During the last two years of my life, an exhaustion has settled in.  Since coming to know God almost a decade ago, there have been things in my life that haven't gone as planned; that haven't turned out the way I thought they would; that have brought much disappointment and times hopelessness to my spirit.  I am a Christian, and I do have a close relationship with God but I am also a human being with human feelings and human emotions.

I've read many devotionals that have said my feelings and emotions take control because my eyes are not fixed on Jesus and I know this to be true but again my human tendencies cause me to be drawn to what I can physically see instead of what I cannot.  I haven't always looked through my eyes of faith and at times I am ashamed of that but in all of this I've created a huge sense of exhaustion, to the point where I feel like I can't even pray some days.  The exhaustion has come mostly from  God not meeting my timeline.  Time and patience have been my worst enemies and throughout this time I've learned that God's time and our time is usually never aligned!  I recently heard Joyce Meyer say "God is always on time but he's rarely early."  Waiting on God to answer has been a struggle.  My long list of prayers have far-surpassed their due dates and although I don't understand why, I believe God does.  He can see what I can't and I am certain even as I struggle with wanting all the desires of my heart today, God is protecting me and making sure that every piece of my life's puzzle is just right to perfectly fit together.  Until I see the manifestation of my prayers, God asks for one thing, that I "pray without ceasing."

It is very difficult some days to find the strength to pray the same ole prayers.  It's very difficult to wake up hopeful that today is the day and go to sleep tonight without seeing the answers but in all of the trials and tribulations of this life, I've got to make a deliberate choice to keep on asking, keep on seeking, and keep on knocking until I see answers.  I know God will answer one day, so I will continue to do my part even when it feels useless, even when I feel alone, even when it seems things will never turn around.  I'm choosing to trust God even when I can't hear or feel Him and I am holding Him to his word for He has said that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. I'm putting my energy today into trusting Him more and believing that He will do "exceedingly, abundantly, above all I can ask or think!"

Song to listen to:  "Turning around for me" -Vashawn Mitchell