Prepare to Declare

Alignment is imperative! "Don't waste any more time trying to figure it out when God has already worked it out!" The heart of David shows us this! David the little Shepard boy would one day become King of Israel. 

Embrace who you are and where you are today. Diligence and perseverance in your mindset is all you need. God cares about the most minute details in your life. Tomorrow has enough worries for itself(Matt6:34). Be about your Father's business because He is already about yours, and never ever let anyone change your heart's desire to please your God (Luke2:49).

The will of God will never take you where the grace of God can't protect you. "It's better to be obedient than sacrifice." So, listen attentively and hear where His spirit is drawing you! He's calling but are you listening? It's called alignment and obedience (1Sam 15:22). Now act upon it!

#putyourfaithinfrontofyou

#yourpassionisyourcalling

#backgroundnoiseisonlytreble #yourheartbeatiedtoGod'sisthebass

#letsmakemusic

#yourministryismusictoGod'sears

#youareawaterwalker

Perfected Praise

In all things.."Give Thanks" (1Thess 5:18). Praising God through our problems show Him that we reverence Him and not the problems that we face. In turn, those problems seem much smaller when we look down on them from His perspective!!! 

"He inhabits our praises and takes our problems"(Psalms 22:3).  What a Mighty God we serve! I refuse to let a rock cry out for me (Luke 19:40). How can we keep quiet? David admonished, "Let everything that has breath praise the Lord" (Psalms 150:6).

The next time you feel like saying "life stinks" try saying,"the Lord is Greater than all my problems..I am blessed and highly favored." 

Two things will happen. You will feel an immediate shift as you focus on Him as the Prince of Peace comes in. Next, He is a perfect gentleman so He never comes empty handed. He always has what you need!!! 

Praising the Lord prepares your heart to receive your blessing and it pleases God with your adoration. That's right, we show Him love when we can praise Him despite our circumstances. So, go on praise Him for what He has already done, for what He is doing right now, and for what He will do in the future! He is worthy of your praise! I love you all, but God loves you more!

The 6 P's of Prayer

On my last blog post, I wrote about the essentials of prayer in the Christian's life. This week I will discuss how we should pray. We are all familiar with the Lord's prayer found in Matthew 6:9-13. This is a wonderful guideline to how we should pray. The Lord begins the chapter by telling us how we should not pray to be seen but, that when we pray, we should enter the throne room in secret. In other words,  prayer is intimate between you and God. It's where you expose matters of your heart. However, there is a method in doing so. 

Preparation/Mental Alignment 

Prayer is a way of communicating to God, but it is also a way for God to communicate to us. Verse 8 says that God already knows what we have need of before we even ask Him.

Praise

So, because God alone is holy, we enter His courts acknowledging and honoring Him with praise because He alone is worthy of our praise (v9). "Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name."

Power 

As we enter before the throne seated with Christ, we enter under His submission and with authority in Christ (vs 10). "Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven."

Petition/ Provision

Ask boldly for what you have need of. God seeks to provide for you and meet your needs daily "Give us this day our daily bread" (vs11). He loves and cares for you. Remember, He gave his only son to die for you, so that you could live in Him."

Penitence/ Pardon

Verse 12 "And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors." Forgiveness is for you! We must forgive others if we want God's forgiveness. Once we do this, we may repent from sin within our own hearts.

Protection

Verse 13 "Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and power, and glory, forever. Amen." God can take care of us much better than we can take care of ourselves. 

Perhaps, this is why it's been said that worry is really a sin for a Christian. Acknowledging Him as the Protector  allows Him to be our Savior and Deliverer from evil, harm, and danger that we may not even be aware of.  Finally, we close in prayer acknowledging God as Majesty...kingdom, power, and glory forever. In His Son Jesus' name Amen! 

There is nothing God cannot do except fail. Trust Him. Love Him. Obey Him. Honor Him.

I love you all, but God loves you more!

Prayer is Essential

Prayer is essential in the life of every Christian. There are many ways to pray, but some may ask, "Why do I need to pray if God is already aware of my situation?"

Well, prayer is a means of communication to God, but it is also a means of God communicating to us.  Prayer is mainly for the enrichment of our spiritual lives. It is an invaluable tool that grants the Believer direct access to our God. Let's look at what the word of God says in regard to prayer. 

1 Thess 5:17 says that we should "pray without ceasing." A life steeped in continuous prayer allows the Christian to endure "all things" (Romans 8:28). Though things may seem out of control around you, the Prince of Peace shall sustain you. There is peace in God's presence that overrides our level of understanding about situations (Phil 4:7).

We can rest assured knowing that if God brought us to it; He will surely see us through it. This establishes trust in the relationship. The more time we spend in God's presence, the more our thoughts will be established for what is good and acceptable within our lives. What about those situations that we find ourselves in that are not good and acceptable? 

Hebrews 4:16 says, "Let us come bodily unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need." Prayer gives God permission to work on our behalf or, if we are interceding; on behalf of others. We bring our petition before the Lord boldly and this pleases God. "Why?"

You have acknowledged that He alone is Lord in and over your life, and He can make things happen according to your faith that you exercised when you asked. Remember, it is impossible to please God without faith (Heb 11:6). However, even mustard seed size faith moves mountains  when it's acted upon (Matt 17:20). Prayer is faith in action! 

I love you all, but God loves you more!

"The Struggle" is Real

Recently, I met a young lady in my class that said she awoke that morning to do battle. She had purposed in her heart that she was going to avenge her father's murderer, and anyone that harmed her brother especially would pay. Nothing was going to stop her because she was "locked in." 

She was on a journey; a warpath and she shared how God had recently spared her life in an incident that could have ended her life very similar to how her father was killed. She acknowledged that she impulsively stood up and walked to the other side of the room as flying bullets merely missed her. She reluctantly called 911, because there were several warrants out for her arrest. However, when she did; the very ones whom she had considered an enemy actually saved her life. 

Know Your Opponent 

Ephesians 6:12 says, "For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places."

The police told her that someone else had called 911 before she had, and that they knew of her outstanding warrants. Nevertheless, they were there to protect her and they told her to stay on the ambulance. This was the second miracle, because she had already envisioned jail in her mind.  Still perplexed about her current situation, it wasn't until she heard the word of God in class, and felt him drawing her through His truths about her life that she understood that her vision was not God's vision for her life.

This reminds me of Saul. He was so convinced that he was doing the work of God and fixated on "his mission" that he didn't see what God was doing (Acts 9). While we know that "where there's no vision the people perish" (Prov 29:18), with a clear vision and a determined heart, mighty things can be done! In Saul's case, the outcome would have been disastrous. Saul who had been named after King Saul; had the Right God, the Right Word, and the Wrong Vision, the Lord in his love, grace and mercy blinded Saul temporarily to save him from himself.

The Lord asked him, (4)" Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?" And Saul replies, "Who art thou, Lord?" The Lord replies (5)"I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks." Thank God for interruptions! (Interrupt me Jesus, anytime). We read on and see how later God changes Saul's name to Paul; which means small or little, thus showing God's Diety and Christ' Lordship which matches his new identity in Christ. 

The Battle Is Not Yours

He now has the Right God, the Right Word, and the Right Vision...some could call him the Right Reverend, Lol! Paul goes on and does some amazing things for God, and so can you. You shall because God's word says, "Greater works shall you do in my name"(John 14:12). I'm so excited to partner with this new student on her journey and she is too! She understands that she is in the right place at the right time and now she has the right vision! As Believers, prayer is our first line of defense, but whatever God has for her, may He be glorified. 

This is an admonishing to all of us to stay focused, but not so fixated that God can't interrupt or interject! After all, He knows exactly what we need. 

I love you all, but God loves you more!

Eternal Perspective; Seasonal Purpose

Perspective is everything! When we lose a proper perspective on life, we lose purpose! Remember, a season does not determine your overall outcome. For, within your greatest trials lie some of your most valuable possessions. Let the season you're in make you wiser, stronger, or perhaps more courageous." Your destiny and others' may depend on it.

Jesus was blameless but it did not change his course of action. His perspective remained clear. Likewise, fickleness allowed Barabbas, a well-known criminal to be set free.

Yes, the same justice system that was used to put him away allowed him freedom because the citizens' perspective had changed. "They cried out, "Give us Barabbas," because they abhorred even the possibility of another truth!" They simply wanted what they wanted at the time!

Let's be a people of authenticity! A real people with a proper perspective. Let's be a people that will make a difference in our lives, and the lives of those that matter. Let's be a people with a purpose (2Chron7:14). Let's be a people on the move...let's be a people of prayer. Let's P.U.S.H--pray until something happens! Faith without works is dead (James 2:26). Love God, love people. Powerful God; Poweful People. "Align your faith with the proper perspective in this season and take back what is rightfully yours."

I love you all, but God loves you more!

Kingdom Building : Investing; "Method or Madness"

Kingdom Building : Investing; "Method or Madness": Are you goal-oriented? What are you investing in...mentally, physically, spiritually, emotionally, and financially? Make sure your investmen...

Investing; "Method or Madness"

Are you goal-oriented? What are you investing in...mentally, physically, spiritually, emotionally, and/or financially? Make sure your investments are in alignment with your goals. 

By this, I mean re-visit your goals often (daily if needed) to ensure that your investments are linear with them.  An example; "Say you have a goal to get fit in 6 months, but you find distractions are hindering your progress." You may need to plan purposeful for the distraction or re-arrange your schedule to accomadate your plan.

By quickly assessing this, you are able to re-frame and refocus which allows you to recover time and resources that you would otherwise lose so when time matures, you will meet or exceed your goal rather than fall short of it. 

God's word admonishes Christians to use resources wisely (Luke 12:42-46). This also includes our time, talents, and treasues. I love you all, but God loves you more!

Giving Birth

Just reminscing a bit..I remember when I said, "I didn't  want to have any children." I thank God for knowing all things! I remember thinking how my life was going to change drastically when I found out that I was going to be a mother! I was petrified when I realized that I would be responsible for another soul. Then, as time went on I bonded with the little life inside of me and I knew that I was going to do everything in my power to make life better for my precious child. 

 I remember having to overcome so many obstacles and setbacks but in light of what I had to look foward to, they seemed miniscule. Then, my well anticipated due date came and went, and then another week went by, and another week came...I knew something wasn't right! Every mom "just knows" when something just "aint right." Well, I was checked in L&D and placed on pitocin to induce my labor. After 2 days of laboring still nothing! Doctors were going to send me home and I was not happy! While waiting to be released I heard...code blue, code blue, and I was oblivious as to why everyone was moving like lightening and I heard the "Chief OB" doctor being paged to L&D. (This was not my original doctor but he was the best one on staff). 

Then, a nurse comes in and tells me that I must turn over! I asked her what was going on and she couldn't answer my questions but her face had a look of fear all over it. I was told "You are having an emergency C-Section now because we have lost your baby's heartbeat." At that moment I know my heart skipped a beat too..I remember having the same petrified feeling months earlier when I learned that I was going to be a mom. All I could think was "Jesus" please don't let this baby die! 

I learned that the baby had aged in my womb. The umbilical cord was wrapped around her neck twice and she was controlling her own bowels. It seemed like forever as I waited for her arrival. There was a long pause of silence and then I heard a loud cry!!! A tear fell from my eyes with relief. Then, the doctor went on to tell me of the miracle. "Your daughter is breathing on her own, she is a fighter! We don't know how long she had been under that type of distress but her life sustainment in the womb was no longer an environment in which she could thrive." She had literally outgrown her environment. It was time for her to live outside of the womb and she was trying to come but she had been hindered!

The nurse asked if I had a name for her? I had planned to name her something different, but I heard the Lord say, "her name is Gabrielle." She was named after the archangel Gabriel because it was clear that the "Lord was her strength." At the time, I did not know the meaning  or significance of naming her Gabrielle, but God knew what I did not know. My daughter is indeed a fighter and she thrives when she is helping others! She has blessed me in so many ways.

There are times when I think, "Lord, help me with this child, because she is so strong and independent," but God has a job for her to do, just as HE does for each of us. He knew what was best for me! And everything has worked in His Timing, not mines.

Wherever you are in your birthing process, just remember that God is in control!! In all things "give thanks," and when it is time for you to give birth, you must! Or, you are only hindering you! God has something amazing for you! Just wait on the Lord and don't give place to fear! Just remember, Perfect Love cast out all fear. Faith has no place for fear! Have a blessed day!

I love you all, but God loves you more!

Know Love, No Fear

My class was recently discussing fear and God's love and how marks of others knowing that we are truly becoming (His) disciple indeed is that we share that love (agape) one to another. I emphasized "His" because though I teach them and may influence them, becoming my disciple should not be their goal! It's important to me that they know what His word says because He is the truth, the way, and the light and I am only a vessel or conduit to "His" disciple. 

My role is not to point them to me, but that they may see Jesus! Perhaps, this is why many will cry "Lord, Lord, I did many things in your name only to hear, "Depart from me you worker of iniquity/lawlessness I never knew you (Matt 7:21-23). I want them to know Him and only identify with me. Ok, back on topic. 

A New Command I Give You. 

Love is not an option, but it is a Commandment for a Christian! 

John 13:34 "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. 35"By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another."This brings me to my next point....Relationships! 

Have you ever heard anyone say, "I love you, but I just don't trust you!" I know I have. Keeping it real, I have said it myself! The thing is, "We have been reared in a society where we have learned to separate the two in order to survive!" Every last one of my students can tell you that they learned to live with a pattern of behavior that fostered this dysfunctional way of thinking. Many of us even made exceptions and enabled the abuser because it came from someone who "loved us"or whom we thought had our "best interest" in mind. 

Perhaps, we even suffered mind battles of guilt and shame when we thought our pain would make others view our abusers as such, because we loved them and we knew they loved us in a "twisted" way, but God's way is not man's way. While I recall one time in my life, long after salvation; when I was dealing with a great deal of fear. I quoted scripture, (2Tim 1:7) "For God hath not given us a spirit of fear but of power, love, and a sound mind." 

A Christian should never be bound by fear. I recalled praying one day and hearing God say, "If IAM your Lord, what's up with this fear?!" Wow, this got my attention. I read and studied the bible, but I could not shake fear. The word said in (1John 4:18) "There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love."

I had learned to identify with God the way I identified with man. Man's love had not been made perfect in my life, therefore, I had identified with God the way I learned to identify with man. I couldn't trust man, so I had not fully been trusting God. Fear and faith simply cannot operate simultaneously! 

Some of you may never be able to relate to this, and praise God for that! But many of us had to learn to survive at an early age. Little did I know, God would use everything I went through to help others be delivered and overcome. 

Trust God with your whole heart. (Proverbs 3:5-6).

In order to fully be free we must trust God. He loves all of us so much! He sees and knows all about your issues and problems and he cares. (Jeremiah1:5) "Before you were formed in the womb He knew you." All things are working for your good (Romans 8:28). What you have gone through may have been to help someone else overcome. (Rev 12:11) "They overcome by the blood of the Lamb and by their testimony...)Your labors are not in vane (1 Corin 15:58).

Deliverance is just that deliverance...only "The Truth will Set You Free" (John 8:31-32) "So Jesus was saying to those Jews who had believed Him, "If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free. 

Trust Him on your journey. He knows the mistakes that you will make because He alone is perfect, but His plumb line of truth will always deliver you safely to your destiny!

I love you all, but God loves you more!