Hi Everyone,
Wow! It’s been a good minute since I’ve written a new blog, but don’t worry because I’ve got a lot to cover and I will more than make up for it in my next two blogs, so there will be plenty to read. Let’s see, it is Friday, December 14, 2007 and the New Year is rapidly approaching. So much has changed in my life this year as well as around the world – so much so, that I don’t know where to begin. Well, I guess I’ve got to start somewhere… if you know anything about me, you know that the beginning of the year was very, very hard for me. My husband and I were living off of one income. I was in and out of the emergency room and going through bouts of stress and depression. Thank God for being a picker upper! It took some time, but I finally realized that nothing in my life would change until I decided that I wasn’t going to let what I was growing through get in me. With the help of the Holy Spirit, I began to encourage myself, and things eventually started turning around… (You thought that I was going to say immediately, hunh?) Nope! This year was all about God teaching me to keep my joy in spite of what was going on around me.
The year has been full of ups and downs, but nothing has been too hard for God to keep and sustain us through. The Lord blessed my husband and I with two new better paying jobs, but there were still waves of trouble to disturb our finances, and all I can say is that we’re still here! Over this year, I’ve seen many things that have broken my heart. I’ve seen friends have their hearts ripped apart by other friends and family members. I’ve seen co-workers and employees go from losing their possessions to losing their relatives, but through all of this, God has kept me! … Oh to be kept by Jesus!
Yet and still more disturbing, I have seen the testing and trying of the credibility of the Church and all it stands for. I’m sure I don’t have to recap the recent events that recently polluted the media. If you have a television and have watched the news even one time since June of this year, I’m sure you’ve caught one thing or another. As one of the few saved people on my job, people tend to look to me for an explanation when things like this happen. Most times, it’s not in a question, but in a statement or a look. If you’re saved and in a similar position, I know you know what I am talking about. You get statements like, “Did you see that Pastor so and so did so and so?” followed by a look that if could talk would say “Now what are you going to say to defend the church?” My answer… Well, I am so glad that I know Jesus for myself. I know Him for myself, so it doesn’t matter who says or does what. It is not going to sway my trust in God.
I must admit, recent events have sparked my curiosity and I have wanted to know why, and if not why, at least the full truth, but the only truth that can be found in all of this is still Jesus. If you are following anyone other than Jesus, your faith is sure to fail you. People will let you down, but there is one person who is always true, and that’s God. Let’s not forget however that all have sinned and come short of the glory of God. Just because someone you once believed in has made a mistake doesn’t disqualify all of the good they have done. We too have made mistakes, but just as God has forgiven us and given us another chance we also have to forgive. I don’t know about you, but I would hate to be thrown away based off of one mistake. Somebody thank God for being a forgiving God! (LOL… I get to preaching in the middle of my blogs – I think I picked that up from my mother.)
Anyway, I think that’s enough for one blog, take time to mediate on today’s scriptures:
1) Job 33:28 [God] has redeemed my life from going down to the pit, and my life shall see the light!
2) Psalm 16:11 You will show me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy, at Your right hand there are pleasures forevermore.
3) Ecclesiastes 9:8 Let your garments be always white, and let your head not lack oil [of gladness].
4) 2 Chronicles 6:30 Then hear from heaven, Your dwelling place, and forgive, and render to every man according to all his ways, whose heart You know; for You, You only, know men's hearts,
5) Psalm 85:2 You have forgiven and taken away the iniquity of Your people, You have covered all their sin. Selah [pause, and calmly realize what that means]!
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
Monday, June 11, 2007
Flavor of love Charm School
Hey Everyone!
If you didn't know already, I am a reality TV junkie, and yes, even I got hooked on Flavor of Love and I Love New York. Recently, a new spin off show has come on hosted by Monique called the Flavor of Love Charm School. The goal of the show is to teach the Flavor of Love rejects how to be classy and lady like. On this week's episode, the girls on the show were introduced to several different men. All of the men had different characteristics, but only one was a true urban Renaissance man, thus suitable to be a potential mate.
In order to give the ladies time to choose the right man, Monique put together a prom. The girls could talk to as many of the guys as they wanted, and they did. They talked to everyone EXCEPT the urban Renaissance man. During the entire prom, one person actually took the time to talk to him, and even she found him to be boring.
What am I saying? Well...many times in life, we overlook what's good for us to get something that's no so good for us simply because it seems to be more intriguing or attractive. Take a lesson from the Flavor of Love's Charm School and don't leave the good thing in your life standing in the corner all by itself.
Be blessed!
Take some time to mediate on today's Scriptures:
Proverbs 8:11 For skillful and godly Wisdom is better than rubies or pearls, and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it. [Job 28:15; Ps 19:10; 119:127 ]
Psalm 63:3 Because Your loving-kindness is better than life, my lips shall praise You.
If you didn't know already, I am a reality TV junkie, and yes, even I got hooked on Flavor of Love and I Love New York. Recently, a new spin off show has come on hosted by Monique called the Flavor of Love Charm School. The goal of the show is to teach the Flavor of Love rejects how to be classy and lady like. On this week's episode, the girls on the show were introduced to several different men. All of the men had different characteristics, but only one was a true urban Renaissance man, thus suitable to be a potential mate.
In order to give the ladies time to choose the right man, Monique put together a prom. The girls could talk to as many of the guys as they wanted, and they did. They talked to everyone EXCEPT the urban Renaissance man. During the entire prom, one person actually took the time to talk to him, and even she found him to be boring.
What am I saying? Well...many times in life, we overlook what's good for us to get something that's no so good for us simply because it seems to be more intriguing or attractive. Take a lesson from the Flavor of Love's Charm School and don't leave the good thing in your life standing in the corner all by itself.
Be blessed!
Take some time to mediate on today's Scriptures:
Proverbs 8:11 For skillful and godly Wisdom is better than rubies or pearls, and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it. [Job 28:15; Ps 19:10; 119:127 ]
Psalm 63:3 Because Your loving-kindness is better than life, my lips shall praise You.
Thursday, June 7, 2007
What I’ve learned about marriage
Hello Everyone,
This post is for all of you who always ask “Well, what’s it like to be married?”
Well, these are a few of the things that I’ve learned...
1. Keep God first! This is not a cliché! You must make God the head of your marriage (especially because there are so many demons strategically set to attack families.) You will have days when you will not want to be married, but you must always remember your covenant to your marriage and most of all, your covenant before God.
2. No one’s marriage is exactly the same. If you’re single and wanting to know how to be a good wife. Honor your vow to God. Stay committed to him. Prepare yourself to be a wife by keeping yourself together and your house in order, but know that there is no such thing as the perfect marriage. There is no such thing as the perfect wife. You and your husband will grow together. You learn as you move into that area of marriage. Consequently, the best example to follow is God’s example. If you’re married and are wanting advice from another married couple, listen to wisdom, but also know that at the end of the day your marriage is unique. What works for one couple may not work for you. Be sensitive to the needs of your spouse. Hear God first, then hear each other. Consider advice.
3. If you can’t forgive and are always holding grudges, you are not ready for marriage. Your spouse will hurt your feelings. Your spouse will tick you off. You will hurt your spouse’s feelings. You will tick your spouse off. Learn to forgive, or forget it!
4. Never assume your spouse is happy. Ask questions about your spouses likes and dislikes. Ask your spouse how they feel about the meals you cook, your hair, or even your romantic gestures. Someone made the greatest statement in the world to me as it applies to marriage, they said “If you’re afraid to talk about it, it’s probably because you know there’s something you need to change.” I know, “Wow!”
5. Marriage is about sacrifice and compromise. If you are spoiled and used to always getting your way, snap out of it! Give some to get some… (that goes for emotionally as well as physically)
6. Intimacy is about pleasing your partner. If both partners strive to please each other, everyone is satisfied.
7. (For those of you who still don’t know this) Marriage is not all about sex. If that’s all you have, then don’t get married…get saved and live holy! (If I offended you, I’m sorry, but it’s my blog and I can say what I want)
Here’s my breakdown:
Those of you that know me know that I’ve always strived to do the right thing, but I have fallen to temptation too. I’m not condemning anyone who has fallen. Temptation is real, and sometimes we fall. However, if we are children of God we have a responsibility to live the Word of God and speak the Word of God whether we are striving to master an area or have already mastered an area.
My story:
Although my husband and I made the commitment to abstain from sex while we were dating, there were times we failed to honor that same commitment. Consequently, we robbed ourselves of the newness of being one through intimacy. God has blessed us with a restored marriage and restored union, but there’s nothing like doing it His way in the beginning and all the way through. Believe me, it’s worth it!
Take some time to meditate on today's scripture:
2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.
This post is for all of you who always ask “Well, what’s it like to be married?”
Well, these are a few of the things that I’ve learned...
1. Keep God first! This is not a cliché! You must make God the head of your marriage (especially because there are so many demons strategically set to attack families.) You will have days when you will not want to be married, but you must always remember your covenant to your marriage and most of all, your covenant before God.
2. No one’s marriage is exactly the same. If you’re single and wanting to know how to be a good wife. Honor your vow to God. Stay committed to him. Prepare yourself to be a wife by keeping yourself together and your house in order, but know that there is no such thing as the perfect marriage. There is no such thing as the perfect wife. You and your husband will grow together. You learn as you move into that area of marriage. Consequently, the best example to follow is God’s example. If you’re married and are wanting advice from another married couple, listen to wisdom, but also know that at the end of the day your marriage is unique. What works for one couple may not work for you. Be sensitive to the needs of your spouse. Hear God first, then hear each other. Consider advice.
3. If you can’t forgive and are always holding grudges, you are not ready for marriage. Your spouse will hurt your feelings. Your spouse will tick you off. You will hurt your spouse’s feelings. You will tick your spouse off. Learn to forgive, or forget it!
4. Never assume your spouse is happy. Ask questions about your spouses likes and dislikes. Ask your spouse how they feel about the meals you cook, your hair, or even your romantic gestures. Someone made the greatest statement in the world to me as it applies to marriage, they said “If you’re afraid to talk about it, it’s probably because you know there’s something you need to change.” I know, “Wow!”
5. Marriage is about sacrifice and compromise. If you are spoiled and used to always getting your way, snap out of it! Give some to get some… (that goes for emotionally as well as physically)
6. Intimacy is about pleasing your partner. If both partners strive to please each other, everyone is satisfied.
7. (For those of you who still don’t know this) Marriage is not all about sex. If that’s all you have, then don’t get married…get saved and live holy! (If I offended you, I’m sorry, but it’s my blog and I can say what I want)
Here’s my breakdown:
Those of you that know me know that I’ve always strived to do the right thing, but I have fallen to temptation too. I’m not condemning anyone who has fallen. Temptation is real, and sometimes we fall. However, if we are children of God we have a responsibility to live the Word of God and speak the Word of God whether we are striving to master an area or have already mastered an area.
My story:
Although my husband and I made the commitment to abstain from sex while we were dating, there were times we failed to honor that same commitment. Consequently, we robbed ourselves of the newness of being one through intimacy. God has blessed us with a restored marriage and restored union, but there’s nothing like doing it His way in the beginning and all the way through. Believe me, it’s worth it!
Take some time to meditate on today's scripture:
2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.
Tuesday, May 29, 2007
"God,I need your help!"
Hey People of God,
Yesterday, I had a very personal experience as it relates to my personal struggle, but I have decided to do my best to share it with you. Yesterday, I had to fight a strong hold. It was a strong hold that had me wishing to be dead. Now I know that most Christians have already began to condemn me as if they don’t have any troubles in life, but I have learned that the only way to be healed and completely free in life is to be honest…and yesterday, the devil began tormenting me early in the morning…. All I could see was everything that I wasn’t.
I began to cry, wishing that God would just take me out. I never fathomed taking my own life, but I just wanted God to reach down from heaven and pull me from this earth. I was hurting, and I felt so alone. Frustration rose up in me. “God!” I cried. “How can you expect me to go through this when I’m so broken and so alone?" How can you expect me to go through this when I’m so misunderstood?” I began to weep and sob. “I don’t want it,” I cried to him. “I don’t want it.”
I’m sure right now you’re thinking of all the times in your life you’ve felt like this. Right now you’re sympathizing with me. You may even think you’ve found your excuse to be sad and depressed, but my friends, I come to tell you that there is still Power in Prayer!
Even at my lowest on yesterday, I cried out for help and there was relief. I was so weak from crying, all I could manage to let out was a loud sob “God, I need your help,” and do you know that God is so awesome that He would not let me drop one more tear.
Sure, I was still down, but part of my being down was because I wanted to be down. I’ll be honest. After being pitiful for so long, I wanted to stay in self pity, but sometimes deliverance simply comes in strength. Sometimes, God says, “No, I’m not going to stop it, but I’m going to give you the strength to endure it,” and when he gives you the strength, you have to make the choice to endure.
All of life isn’t going to be easy. Sometimes, the cares of life will weigh on you so bad that you won’t want to go on, but it’s in these times that the strength of God is perfected in you.
So…friends, today, are you needing help? Do you feel like you’re at the bottom and can’t see how you’re coming up? Today, I admonish you. Don’t make that trip to the liquor store…Or don’t do like me on my worst days and make the visit to Wal-Mart and hide the bottle at the bottom of the basket because people know you are saved and you don’t want to lose your witness. After all, it’s only a temporary fix.
If you want help, cry out! Cry out to God. He may not answer your prayer by changing your situation, but He’ll take your weariness and give you strength. I pray that this has blessed you.
Take some time and mediate on today’s scriptures
Psalm 5:2 (Whole Chapter) Hear the sound of my cry, my King and my God, for to You do I pray.
Psalm 18:6 (Whole Chapter) In my distress I called upon the Lord and cried to my God; He heard my voice out of His temple, and my cry came before Him, into His ears.
Psalm 88:2 (Whole Chapter) Let my prayer come before You and really enter into Your presence; incline Your ear to my cry!
Romans 8:26 (Whole Chapter) So too the Spirit comes to our aid and bears us up in our weakness; for we do not know what prayer to offer nor how to offer it worthily as we ought, but the Spirit Himself goes to meet our supplication and pleads in our behalf with unspeakable yearnings and groanings too deep for utterance.
2 Corinthians 11:29 (Whole Chapter) Who is weak, and I do not feel weakness? Who is made to stumble and fall and have his faith hurt, and I am not on fire?
2 Corinthians 12:9 (Whole Chapter) But He said to me, My grace is enough for you; for My strength and power are made perfect and weakness. Therefore, I will all the more gladly glory in my weaknesses and infirmities, that the strength and power of Christ may rest upon me!
Yesterday, I had a very personal experience as it relates to my personal struggle, but I have decided to do my best to share it with you. Yesterday, I had to fight a strong hold. It was a strong hold that had me wishing to be dead. Now I know that most Christians have already began to condemn me as if they don’t have any troubles in life, but I have learned that the only way to be healed and completely free in life is to be honest…and yesterday, the devil began tormenting me early in the morning…. All I could see was everything that I wasn’t.
I began to cry, wishing that God would just take me out. I never fathomed taking my own life, but I just wanted God to reach down from heaven and pull me from this earth. I was hurting, and I felt so alone. Frustration rose up in me. “God!” I cried. “How can you expect me to go through this when I’m so broken and so alone?" How can you expect me to go through this when I’m so misunderstood?” I began to weep and sob. “I don’t want it,” I cried to him. “I don’t want it.”
I’m sure right now you’re thinking of all the times in your life you’ve felt like this. Right now you’re sympathizing with me. You may even think you’ve found your excuse to be sad and depressed, but my friends, I come to tell you that there is still Power in Prayer!
Even at my lowest on yesterday, I cried out for help and there was relief. I was so weak from crying, all I could manage to let out was a loud sob “God, I need your help,” and do you know that God is so awesome that He would not let me drop one more tear.
Sure, I was still down, but part of my being down was because I wanted to be down. I’ll be honest. After being pitiful for so long, I wanted to stay in self pity, but sometimes deliverance simply comes in strength. Sometimes, God says, “No, I’m not going to stop it, but I’m going to give you the strength to endure it,” and when he gives you the strength, you have to make the choice to endure.
All of life isn’t going to be easy. Sometimes, the cares of life will weigh on you so bad that you won’t want to go on, but it’s in these times that the strength of God is perfected in you.
So…friends, today, are you needing help? Do you feel like you’re at the bottom and can’t see how you’re coming up? Today, I admonish you. Don’t make that trip to the liquor store…Or don’t do like me on my worst days and make the visit to Wal-Mart and hide the bottle at the bottom of the basket because people know you are saved and you don’t want to lose your witness. After all, it’s only a temporary fix.
If you want help, cry out! Cry out to God. He may not answer your prayer by changing your situation, but He’ll take your weariness and give you strength. I pray that this has blessed you.
Take some time and mediate on today’s scriptures
Psalm 5:2 (Whole Chapter) Hear the sound of my cry, my King and my God, for to You do I pray.
Psalm 18:6 (Whole Chapter) In my distress I called upon the Lord and cried to my God; He heard my voice out of His temple, and my cry came before Him, into His ears.
Psalm 88:2 (Whole Chapter) Let my prayer come before You and really enter into Your presence; incline Your ear to my cry!
Romans 8:26 (Whole Chapter) So too the Spirit comes to our aid and bears us up in our weakness; for we do not know what prayer to offer nor how to offer it worthily as we ought, but the Spirit Himself goes to meet our supplication and pleads in our behalf with unspeakable yearnings and groanings too deep for utterance.
2 Corinthians 11:29 (Whole Chapter) Who is weak, and I do not feel weakness? Who is made to stumble and fall and have his faith hurt, and I am not on fire?
2 Corinthians 12:9 (Whole Chapter) But He said to me, My grace is enough for you; for My strength and power are made perfect and weakness. Therefore, I will all the more gladly glory in my weaknesses and infirmities, that the strength and power of Christ may rest upon me!
Sunday, May 20, 2007
Bedroom Ministry
Hey Readers,
This post is in response to something I came across on www.youtube.com. There was a blog bashing Prophetess Juanita Bynum and Bishop Thomas Weeks for speaking so openly about sex in their marriage/marriage preparation conference "Teach me how to love you." The writer suggested that the couple was going against the word of God by putting so much emphasis on sex. Huh?
Maybe they have a different version of the Bible, but the Bible I read states that the marriage bed is undefouled. In my opinion, one of the reason for divorce in the chuch (it's not the only reason, but it is one) is that Christians are too timid and shy and the women (and men) in the world are not.
Saved or unsaved, men are still men. They have desires for intimacy all day long. By not learning how to love our husbands (even in intimacy) we are giving a place to the devil. The devil will send someone else to do what you aren't doing.
Don't get me wrong. I'm not excusing perversion. The Bible says that the marriage bed is undefiled, and that means sex between you and your spouse. If you are seeking fulfillment outside of your marriage, (and this includes other partners or pornographical experieces) , it is perverted and outside of God's intentions for marriage.
God created sex for three reasons (1) for conception (2) to symbolize the unity of husband and wife (3) for husbands and wives to enjoy each other in marriage.
God gives us several scriptures in the Bible that tell us how we are to conduct ourselves sexually in marriage, and if He openly talked about it in the Word, then why can't we openly talk about it between husbands and wives in the church?
It's time out for Christians being so shy and "hush, hush" about sex. Too many covenants are being broken because of sexual dissatisfaction when God never meant for it to be so.
So...I say thank you to Prophetess Bynum and Bishop Weeks for breaking the barriers and telling us what we need to hear.
I'm in love with my husband and I want to keep him happy. I want to to romance him. I want to please him. And...I want to please God.
For the married, mediate on these scriptures:
Hebrews 13:4 Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.
1 Corinthians 7:5
Defraud ye not one the other, except it be with consent for a time, that ye may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again, that Satan tempt you not for your incontinency.
Genesis 1:28 And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.
This post is in response to something I came across on www.youtube.com. There was a blog bashing Prophetess Juanita Bynum and Bishop Thomas Weeks for speaking so openly about sex in their marriage/marriage preparation conference "Teach me how to love you." The writer suggested that the couple was going against the word of God by putting so much emphasis on sex. Huh?
Maybe they have a different version of the Bible, but the Bible I read states that the marriage bed is undefouled. In my opinion, one of the reason for divorce in the chuch (it's not the only reason, but it is one) is that Christians are too timid and shy and the women (and men) in the world are not.
Saved or unsaved, men are still men. They have desires for intimacy all day long. By not learning how to love our husbands (even in intimacy) we are giving a place to the devil. The devil will send someone else to do what you aren't doing.
Don't get me wrong. I'm not excusing perversion. The Bible says that the marriage bed is undefiled, and that means sex between you and your spouse. If you are seeking fulfillment outside of your marriage, (and this includes other partners or pornographical experieces) , it is perverted and outside of God's intentions for marriage.
God created sex for three reasons (1) for conception (2) to symbolize the unity of husband and wife (3) for husbands and wives to enjoy each other in marriage.
God gives us several scriptures in the Bible that tell us how we are to conduct ourselves sexually in marriage, and if He openly talked about it in the Word, then why can't we openly talk about it between husbands and wives in the church?
It's time out for Christians being so shy and "hush, hush" about sex. Too many covenants are being broken because of sexual dissatisfaction when God never meant for it to be so.
So...I say thank you to Prophetess Bynum and Bishop Weeks for breaking the barriers and telling us what we need to hear.
I'm in love with my husband and I want to keep him happy. I want to to romance him. I want to please him. And...I want to please God.
For the married, mediate on these scriptures:
Hebrews 13:4 Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.
1 Corinthians 7:5
Defraud ye not one the other, except it be with consent for a time, that ye may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again, that Satan tempt you not for your incontinency.
Genesis 1:28 And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.
Wednesday, April 4, 2007
Choosing Joy
In the ups and downs of life, God is still there…
Hi Readers,
Today isn’t the best day for me emotionally. It seems as if everything that is wrong in my life or hasn’t come to pass yet is flashing before my eyes.
You know, it’s very funny how we intend for our lives to be perfect just because we are saved. God never said things would work this way. In this life, there are heartaches. There are letdowns. There are also disappointments.
Joy is not a feeling; it is a choice. We have to choose to count our blessings and rejoice. Last night, I was feeling a little down after receiving some disappointing news. My initial reaction was to sit in my bedroom and cry, but then I began to reflect on the goodness of God. I remembered how I used to live in a dingy one-bedroom apartment. I remembered how terrible the neighborhood used to be. I began to walk through my house saying, “God I thank you for your protection. I thank you for moving me to a better neighborhood. I thank you for a change in scenery. I thank you for a beautiful home. I thank you for a loving husband.”
After a while, my blues seemed to fade away. It’s amazing how a single moment of gratitude will change your whole outlook on life. Of course, yesterday’s gratitude did not sustain me through today. I woke up this morning confronted with the same situation. Depression tried to sneak up on me, but I remembered that joy is a choice. I choose to have the joy of the Lord. I choose to let him fight my battles. I choose to trust him. I choose to stay in love with Him.
Do you have joy? If you don’t, you can get it today. All you have to do is choose to take your eyes off of your situation and focus your eyes on Christ. Choose to have an attitude of gratitude. The best way to forget about your problems is to think on your blessings.
Spend some time meditating on today’s scriptures:
Psalm 28:7 The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song.
Exodus 14:14 The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still."
Psalm 42:5 Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior
Need more encouragement? Stop by http://www.spiritualperspective.wordpress.com/.
Hi Readers,
Today isn’t the best day for me emotionally. It seems as if everything that is wrong in my life or hasn’t come to pass yet is flashing before my eyes.
You know, it’s very funny how we intend for our lives to be perfect just because we are saved. God never said things would work this way. In this life, there are heartaches. There are letdowns. There are also disappointments.
Joy is not a feeling; it is a choice. We have to choose to count our blessings and rejoice. Last night, I was feeling a little down after receiving some disappointing news. My initial reaction was to sit in my bedroom and cry, but then I began to reflect on the goodness of God. I remembered how I used to live in a dingy one-bedroom apartment. I remembered how terrible the neighborhood used to be. I began to walk through my house saying, “God I thank you for your protection. I thank you for moving me to a better neighborhood. I thank you for a change in scenery. I thank you for a beautiful home. I thank you for a loving husband.”
After a while, my blues seemed to fade away. It’s amazing how a single moment of gratitude will change your whole outlook on life. Of course, yesterday’s gratitude did not sustain me through today. I woke up this morning confronted with the same situation. Depression tried to sneak up on me, but I remembered that joy is a choice. I choose to have the joy of the Lord. I choose to let him fight my battles. I choose to trust him. I choose to stay in love with Him.
Do you have joy? If you don’t, you can get it today. All you have to do is choose to take your eyes off of your situation and focus your eyes on Christ. Choose to have an attitude of gratitude. The best way to forget about your problems is to think on your blessings.
Spend some time meditating on today’s scriptures:
Psalm 28:7 The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song.
Exodus 14:14 The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still."
Psalm 42:5 Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior
Need more encouragement? Stop by http://www.spiritualperspective.wordpress.com/.
Thursday, March 1, 2007
Restored Faith
Many times, problems arise that cause even the deepest rooted Christians to question their faith. It may seem as if you are being tested beyond your limit and you do not know if God is going to come through for you. In these times, it is important that you use all of the strength you have to still hold on to God.
Reflect on past times in your life when you thought you were not going to make it through. Did the Lord God not come to your rescue?
This trial you are going through may be a little harder than what you’ve had to go through before, but know if the Lord brought you out then, He’ll bring you through this. There is nothing too hard for God.
As I write this today, I minister to myself as well as to anyone that might be reading this. Several test and trials have come into my life that have caused me to question if God was on my side, but then, I remember that He promised me that He would not put more on me than I can bear. If I’m going through this, I can handle this! Be encouraged!
Take some time to reflect on this week's scripture:
Jeremiah 31:25
For I have given rest to the weary and joy to the sorrowing.”
Reflect on past times in your life when you thought you were not going to make it through. Did the Lord God not come to your rescue?
This trial you are going through may be a little harder than what you’ve had to go through before, but know if the Lord brought you out then, He’ll bring you through this. There is nothing too hard for God.
As I write this today, I minister to myself as well as to anyone that might be reading this. Several test and trials have come into my life that have caused me to question if God was on my side, but then, I remember that He promised me that He would not put more on me than I can bear. If I’m going through this, I can handle this! Be encouraged!
Take some time to reflect on this week's scripture:
Jeremiah 31:25
For I have given rest to the weary and joy to the sorrowing.”
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
