Daily Devotion

You're Looking at a Work in Progress

 

I'm convinced that God, who began this good work in you, will carry it through to completion on the day of Christ Jesus. Philippians 1:6(GWT)

 

Sometimes we have to remind ourselves that in the midst of all the confusion and disarray, that getting to where God wants you to be takes time.  There are stages of changing, and worrying nor complaining can speed them up.  We must accept that the work God has set forth in us will carry through until its completion.

 

Acceptance is the final stage of grief, whereas here it is the first step in yielding to God's will.  Once you accept that life will not go as you plan always, you have conquered a tremendous obstacle.  Its this part that is most difficult.  Mainly because we are used to most things going our way from birth: i.e, if we are hungry, our parents feed us, if we want to play, we get to play, if we are tired we go to sleep.  So we go about life until some major event breaks this pattern and shatters our way of thinking.  For some people it happens sooner than others, and because of the timing, this adjustment is not so difficult.  How do you get to acceptance?  You pray and cry out to God for His peace to cover you. "Now the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. May the Lord be with you all." 2 Thessalonians 3:16 BBE

 

Next, you must fortify your mind.  The enemy will continually try to turn you away from the truth, turn you away from God's word and His plan for your lives.  After you accept God's plan and come to terms with it, you better believe the devil will come after you.  "Now the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. May the Lord be with you all."  Acts 20:31

 

Lastly, remember the two above and repeat, because your battle with the devil is never ending.  The more God has planned for you, the harder the devil comes.  He comes harder each time you accept God's will and agree to live by it.  You must remember to continually choose God's will over your own.  Yes it is easy to give up and admit defeat; but where will it get you?  What can be gained from accepting failure and not standing on God's promises?  You are promised to win, because Isaiah 54:17 and Philippians 4:13 say so!

 

So accept, fortify, and remember...God has your back!  You are not doing this alone.

 

"What can we say about all of this? If God is for us, who can be against us?" Romans 8:31

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God loves you...He blesses you with another day so make the most of it!


Marquita B. Priester

Daily Devotion

You Can't Choose Your Own Way

"I know, O LORD, that a man's life is not his own; it is not for man to direct his steps." Jeremiah 10:23
"A man may make designs for his way, but the Lord is the guide of his steps." Proverbs 16:9 BBE

You can plan all day long, all week, all month, and all year long. But if you yield to God's voice, you will really know that you cannot choose your own way if it is out of line with God's will for your life. Like I said yesterday, I had planned to run more errands than I ended up doing after I left work. I actually planned to go buy 5 lbs of shrimp from a local stand (they sell em for $2.00 a pound lol), I planned to stop by another apartment complex and look around. But none of that happened! God guided me where He wanted me to go so that I could hear from Him in the most unexpected place. I've said a million times that I planned to go to medical school, meet my husband and get married; that definitely did not happen. I've planned several times before to do things that just didn't end up getting done. Now I will not say that all that I have planned to do was changed by me listening and yielding to God's will. In fact, sometimes I know I have deliberately disobeyed God's voice and done what I wanted to do. But as Romans 8:28 says, God will work all things together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose for them. So I can trust that He will work out my mistakes for my good as long as I obey Him and repent when I don't. Realizing that you do not have absolute control over your life is a total act of faith and trusting God.(Proverbs 3:5-6) Don't let your inner control freak get you off course!

"The way of the just is uprightness. You who are upright make the path of the righteous level." Isaiah 26:7 WEB

Daily Devotion--10/29/2009

I misspoke rather left out a word... Rather than say avoid, we sometimes assume that God readily forgives our unrepented sin...in fact we must repent. (I said correctly!)

Good night!

Daily Devotion--10/29/2009

I promise to tell the Truth, the Whole Truth, and Nothing but the Truth, so help me God

 

"Surely you desire truth in the inner parts; you teach me wisdom in the inmost place."  Psalm 51:6

 

Evening!  I don't know what's going on with me, but I can't go to sleep on time.  Especially tonight, because I had not taken the time to write my devotion.  I had an experience earlier with God.  As most of you know, I want to move.  I am actually at a crossroads because there is so much I want and feel I need to be doing, but I don't know where to start.  So its October 29, and mind you, my lease is up in the apartment I live in right now in December.  I am trying to find a more reasonable place so that I can save some money before I leave here in the summer.  So I had been looking online for apartments and places I would go look at.  I looked and remember I found a townhouse complex right off the marshes of the river down from where I live now.  The prices weren't too bad so I went to look.  For some reason, instead of making all the stops I had planned to make, I just listened to the voice in my head and went ahead.  Now confirmation is a crazy thing.  I fasted last week and came to my discovery this week.  I am going to go to school.  I looked up schools on Tuesday, recruited at a college for work yesterday--and one school I looked at was at the career fair and another that I had not looked up in Atlanta where I am looking to possibly go for school was there.  I usually have three signs before I accept something, so that was two.  The third came today.  So I arrived at the complex around 5:00; in our email conversation I had confused the days, but wasn't sure the leasing agent had gotten my reply.  So once I got there, something just lead me to talk with her.  She showed me the two floor plans I was looking at and then we went back to the office.  Everyone tells me I have the gift of gab (Smile!) and can talk to anyone.  So before I knew it, she sensed my burdens and prayed for me.  I could not fight the tears and just started crying.  It seemed like in the midst of her prayers, my every concern she addressed and it seemed as she was talking to me that God himself was speaking to me.  So my third sign of confirmation was that she teaches a women's bible study and is a Women's Counselor--addressing to an extent two of the things that I feel I am being called to do--teach and inspire God's people and help deliver their burdens to God--ministry and counseling.  I can honestly say right now that I feel everything I was concerned about and the source of my weariness were lifted.  And because I know the truth of God's word, I know that everything will be revealed to me in due time.  Now the issue of finding another apartment just in case...not quite settled. :P

 

What is the truth?  The truth is, that God is real (Acts 17:28), that Jesus is His son (Matthew 3:17, Mark 1:11), that Jesus was sent to give all of us salvation and redemption (1 Peter 3:18), that we will be born again and live eternally with God and Jesus if we accept Him (John 3:14-15, John 3:36).  God wants to carry our burdens (Matthew 11:28) and help make this journey easy for us.  There are also other truths.  One truth that we all try to avoid is that if we sin God will automatically forgive us if we are saved.  We must repent.  Some like to believe that the devil is not real and that God does not exist.(Psalm 14:1)  He wants us to believe that God does not care about us.  The truth in this is that this is the devil's goal, to get us to discount God's power and elevate him so that he can ultimately destroy us through our fleshly desires.(John 8:44, 2 Timothy 2:25-26)  He wants to be like God and have God's power; what better way then through denying us or convincing us that God's law is not true?

 

Sometimes the biggest mistake you can make is ignoring the opportunity to witness to someone else the truth of God.  You may never get another chance to shine God's life into that person's life.  If you love your family, share the truth of God with them.(1 John 3:18)  Share with them what God has done in your life.  Enlighten them with the wisdom of your heart and truly love them the way God loves you.(1 Peter 1:22)  I do not say that it will be easy always.  But No weapon formed against us shall prosper and we can do ALL things through Christ who strengthens us!(Isaiah 54:17, Philippians 4:13)  God loved us enough to allow Christ to die for us to have the truth!(John 3:16)

 

I love you!

Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.  Ephesians 6:14-15

Daily Devotion # 2

Sowing Seeds of the Word

 

For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.  And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.  Galatians 6:8,9

 

OMG!  People I am soo filled right now.  I stand (well write lol) before you right now and I will honestly work on my words.  I am going to paste this scripture on my desk, in my car, and in my house: "Let's not get tired of doing what is good, for at the right time we will reap a harvest-if we do not give up." Galatians 6:9(ISV)  I ask you to do the same.  The bible study sermon has just renewed me!  I have no doubt in my mind that words are powerful, and because I speak them that have no choice but to bring forth a good harvest in me!

 

Everything we do or say has a consequence.  Webster's has four definitions, with the second defining consequence as: something produced by a cause or necessarily following from a set of conditions.  Basically they are just the results.  When we say "oh I don't feel good" or "I'm gonna be broke" we plant seeds that causes our minds to harvest that result.  Or from a bad context, if all your life, people have told you that you wouldn't be anything, you wouldn't amount to anything, or you are going to end up with nothing, you may eventually believe it.  I remember being told that I would be like some of my supposedly weaker family members when I was little and how it hurt me.  I always told myself afterwards that I'm not them and I will be who I want to be--better yet, who God wants me to be.  I heard this a while ago and have been working on it; in fact I've gotten pretty good--I have my scriptures at my desk and around my apartment to reaffirm positive thinking and alignment with the Word of God.  But sometimes we are so caught up in our circumstances--and yes I have been there, my own doubt and the devil dragged me there these last few months--that we ignore the truth.  Speak the truth!  You have to sow good seed in your own garden because sometimes even your own family will plant weeds there.  The enemy will use whomever he can to destroy you--just like weeds destroy gardens and grass.

 

When we are saved, we confess with our mouths that Jesus is our Lord and Savior.(Matthew 10:32, Romans 10:9)  And from then on, we are Believers.  So whats so different about confessing the word; we confessed our belief in Jesus Christ but do not confess our belief in His word?  What is so different about speaking life, health, and prosperity over ourselves?  As Christians, we are to believe the Word and message that God revealed through Christ and use it to reaffirm our faith.  "Through him you believe in God, who raised him from the dead and glorified him, and so your faith and hope are in God." 1 Peter 1:21  And if we ask God for something in prayer, why do we not believe it?  Because it does not happen when we want?

 

We sow prosperity when we speak prosperity.  We sow life and health when we speak them.  The Bible is like a box of seeds.  If we plant the right ones, we can expect to harvest the right plants.  In Luke 11:28, Jesus says blessed are those who hear the word of God and obey it.  You hear the word when YOU SPEAK IT.  You plant it in your heart when you confess it.  Can you expect the good consequences of hearing the Word if you don't speak it?  I can help you look up scriptures or give you some of the ones I recite and listen to(I recorded them on my phone lol).  You can only expect a great a harvest as the one you sow.  Plants grow by giving them good, fertile soil (your heart), by being fed and watered(speaking, meditating, hearing, and confessing), and with love(loving God and trusting Him).

 

I just read something powerful.  1 Corinthians 15:36 says "You fool! The seed you plant doesn't come to life unless it dies first."  Its kinda like grass.  When you lay down new grass, in order to seed and take root, the grass dies first. But in the seed dying, in its ripping apart and destruction, out springs a root--a new body, a root to grow and become another plant that can bear a lot of fruit.(1 Corinthians15:37-38)  Likewise, if you plant the seed of the Word, it may seem like death to you in the amount of time it takes for a harvest to come forth.  But that seed has to die to be reborn in you--create a new you, with a different way of thinking and looking at things; die to yourself--to bring forth the type of thought life God needs to create your harvest.

 

Good night and be blessed!  Start speaking!  Sorry for the length just got caught up!!

Daily Devotion

Where's my cut?

Wow I just had to say this, as I posted this on the blog, the scripture I gave last night in the devotion is up on my blog as the scripture of the day! Talk about confirmation!!

Each of you must give what you have decided in your heart, not with regret or under compulsion, since God loves a cheerful giver. 2 Corinthians 9:7(ISV)

I was raised to always pay tithes. According to several places throughout the Old Testament, the tithe is 10% of what you have. In Leviticus 27:20, it says "And all the tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land, or of the fruit of the tree, is the LORD's: it is holy to the LORD." Some translations take this verse and say one-tenth. I do not think that the tithe is just financial, as it is clearly stated in the verse above. Nowadays many churches look at the tithe as only financial, the life-bread that keeps the church running. In Genesis 28:22, in the context of the story, Jacob asked God to keep watch over him throughout his journey and upon a rock that he designated to be the House of God, he declared he would give a tithe, or a tenth according to King James, of all he had. In Deuteronomy when God was telling the Israelites what they could eat, he mentioned the tithe of the grain and instructed them to eat it saying "Eat the tithe of your grain, new wine and oil, and the firstborn of your herds and flocks in the presence of the Lord your God at the place he will choose as a dwelling for his Name, so that you may learn to revere the Lord your God always." So giving the tithe is a form of reverence to God. The most "infamous" scriptures in the Bible on tithing come from Malachi 3:8-12--when we do not give God our proper tithes and offerings "pests" and "the devourer" that are out and about come after what we have. God lays a blessing on us when we do as He asks. In verse 10 God asks us to test Him in whether He will open the floodgates of blessings over us when we bring our whole tithe to the storehouse--meaning church people! I long wondered how churches ran and how the people that worked there got paid, and quite honestly, what did they do with that money, lol. I had the little pests attack me a few times when I did not pay my tithes. It actually lifted a burden off of me to do what God asked and pay my tithes. I'm not saying that you can always expect bad by not paying your tithes, but I am saying you can expect good! You can expect increase in your life.

Most of us have become accustomed to getting paid, paying our bills, and then if anything is left, giving an offering to God. We often do the same thing with our time. That is not right! Give what you have decided upon in your heart and let it reverence God! Don't give Him your leftovers! You never know what could happen, you can get an unexpected bill or get swamped at work or with family issues, as we sometimes do, and ignore God. If you set aside God's part ahead of time, like when you first get paid, and save it, you won't have to use that money for something else.(1 Cor 16:2) Likewise with a place in your life. If you reverence God with your money and time, don't you think He will bless you with more! And I say give God a tithe of everything you have, like Jacob. That includes your time! If you set aside time everyday to pray and talk with Him, even if you don't have any money, you are still tithing in some way. If you give God His cut first you can expect blessings!

"The first of all the first fruits of every kind and every contribution of every kind, from all your contributions, shall be for the priests; you shall also give to the priest the first of your dough to cause a blessing to rest on your house." Ezekiel 44:30

I advise you to look at the commentary on this page: http://bible.cc/leviticus/27-31.htm, below the scriptures. Then if you want more on tithing, click on "Tithes" under the "Jump to Next" header on the right. Love ya!

Daily Devotion

Clear Your Head

 

Then an act of righteousness will bring about peace, calm, and safety forever.(GWT)

The fruit of righteousness will be peace; the effect of righteousness will be quietness and confidence forever.(NIV) Isaiah 32:17

 

Sometimes there is just too much junk around!  You have to get by yourself or just relax to clear your head sometimes.  But I really like that when we live right, we are rewarded with God's peace and our just compensation is peace and quiet.  Quiet thoughts and the confidence in knowing that its gonna work out.  Life is full of discouraging, disheartening and downright disappointing moments, but give yourself the peace of knowing that God loves you and is going to work it out for your good.  Be blessed!

 

"Those who love your law have great peace. Nothing causes them to stumble." Psalm 119:165(WEB)

Daily Devotion

The Delusion of Normalcy

"I have told you this so that through me you may have peace. In the world you will have trouble, but be courageous-I have overcome the world." John 16:33 (IST)

What does it mean to be normal? What defines a good day for you--no problems, no arguments, no trouble? What standards are you living by that includes these types of thoughts?

Quite honestly, I have come to believe that normal does not exist. We were all created with differences; different upbringings, different cultural experiences, different ways of thinking. There is no one like you in the whole world. There may be people that look like you--they may have similarities in features anyway. Broadening that argument to your everyday life--who's to say that your day may be good or bad? Because you face tough challenges?

Jesus tells us above that we WILL have trouble. Not may, possibility, might, could be, chance, but WILL. Now I am not telling you its okay to be pessimistic or look at every problem you face as an opportunity to complain. I am telling you that experiencing hard times or "bad days" is something that should be expected because we live in a world over run with sin. I am telling you to look at the promise and the benefit of knowing Jesus: through Him we can have peace to get us through the hard times.(John 14:27) We can give our concerns, anxieties, and frustrations to Him.(Matthew 11:28, 1 Peter 5:7) We can expect our prayers to be answered by petitioning God through Jesus.(John 14:13, John 15:7) Lastly, these things cannot last because Jesus has overcome the world.(Rev 3:21) We have conquered through Christ!(2 Cor 2:14, Romans 8:37) Just realize that the troubles you face are normal to you but God is not normal, He is extraordinary. He does increasingly beyond our wildest dreams and promises to keep you in perfect peace!(Isaiah 26:3)

"Cast your burden upon the Lord and He will sustain you; He will never allow the righteous to be shaken." Psalm 55:22

Daily Devotion

Crippled by the Past

"For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 8:38-39

You wake up, and you remember what happened the last time. You either stumbled and misspoke, or if it was a test, you second-guessed yourself and marked the wrong answer. When you could have said something, you didn't. You didn't help someone that you could have helped, you didn't give when you could have given. And when that opportunity comes to you again, you freeze and sulk away in defeat. You allow the devil's tool of nervousness, his words of discouragement to shake your faith in yourself and your faith in what God says about you. Or even worse, you second-guess that you are not prepared to handle it. So you give up, concede defeat, and avoid that situation again. Don't be disobedient!

This is not the way to live! Believe me I know. In life God calls each of us for something. We may share the same callings, but our roads to get there are unique. I have a great friend that has been called into the ministry. She endured some of the same difficulties I went through while in college, for instance unknown illnesses, and disobeyed God's obvious instructions to her. And because of her choice not to follow His leading, she went in a circle to get back where He wanted her all along. After finishing school she will eventually become a pastor, and write the visions into the hearts of many. In my case, God has been telling me to write ever since I was young. I see the words flash before my eyes and hear the words over and over in my ears. Me feeling like that's not what I want to do, I ignored it; I also was disobedient when He told me to change my major junior year, but that's another story lol. But don't you know when God places something in your heart and spirit, you will eventually do it. I have written a little bit here and there, then I will stop for months at a time. I guess that's why the devotions come naturally for me--its part of God's will for my life. I have been avoiding writing like the Plague, and of course in the midst of the disobedience I have been realizing my other callings. Yet until I am obedient and do what He says--and that means going in His order, nothing will truly manifest about the other plans God has for me.

Don't be disobedient! Its so much easier for you to simply listen the first time around. Our stubborn human minds prevent us sometimes from the fulfillment of such greatness that we cannot often fathom it. Often after that, we are faced with things that are for our preparation and chastisement at the same times. But remember Paul's words to Timothy in this verse: "For this reason I also suffer these things, but I am not ashamed; for I know whom I have believed and I am convinced that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him until that day." 2 Timothy 1:12-13. God promises to hear our cries, but it is not one-sided. We must not let our failures in the past cripple what He wants us to be doing. We must not let distractions and road blocks thrown by the devil keep us confused and uncertain of the path He wishes for us to take. Be determined to overcome and rest on the word of God. Don't be anxious to do your own thing or go about life your own way, because along the road are things that will cripple us. Remember God's grace is sufficient!(2 Cor 12:9) Be blessed!

"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things." Philippians 4:6-8

Daily Devotion

Don't Worry, Be Happy!

"So never worry about tomorrow, because tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." Matthew 6:34(IST)

I remember being a worrier ever since I was 8 years old. I had just transferred to John P. Thomas--we moved to Denny Terrace, but they didn't have AAP(Advanced Academic Program for you non-RCD1, non-SC resident folks. I took the advanced placement tests in 2nd grade and was put into AAP because I was not being challenged with the other work. Anyway, I remember I started cracking my knuckles and said something to my teacher Mrs. Gaither. She was so amazed and bewildered by what I had said that she took me to the librarian that was over OM--Odyssey of the Mind. I was very creative and loved art and expressing myself; yep, a little drama queen in the making. But whatever I said, the simple fact of my cracking my knuckles and I guess my worried expression was enough.

All of that stuck out clearly in my mind. Worry is not of God. According to a sermon I heard, worry is only negative meditation. Worry is a form of fear and be that fear of the unknown, of whether you have enough money, enough food, time whatever, worry is not good for you! It ages you--look at all these old-looking young people and other people that time has not been so kind to if you need evidence. Worrying makes you sick! In Hebrew, God is called El Shaddai, the God of more than enough, more than sufficient. God supplies us with all that we need, and if we need more, we should just ask Him! James 4:2 says "...You do not have, because you do not ask God."(NIV) Why worry about things when God will give it? In my case, I have been worrying nearly 20 years, but I am working to stop! If I have to paste sticky notes in my car, in my bathroom, on my desk at work, I will give it to God and ask of Him! I don't want to look like a fossil when I'm 40. I want to keep looking 12, well not that young but close to it!

Don't worry because God provides! Be happy because you are the FAVORED of the Lord! I love you! Don't worry, Be happy! I think I'm going to download that song and listen to it over and over again!

"Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you." 1 Peter 5:7

Daily Devotion

When Insecurity Grabs Hold of You

And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit. 2 Corinthians 3:18

Afternoon! I hope you are having a fantabulous day! I am trying, but this fickle weather is irking me. Oh well! Day 2 of my fast and yes I'm hungry! But I've been downing my water and drinking Slim Fast--dual edged sword haha. But I just want some chocolate...guess hot cocoa will have to suffice. Anyway, I have been thinking of all things I have to do for my pageant. I'm going to have to cover up my tattoos, stria--really bad stretch marks, and scars. My little body has been through a lot. I remember when I was on really high doses of prednisone---I tell you that stuff is poison, God forgive me and I hope it only does the good that it is supposed to from now on. When I was taking like 40 mg a day, over the course of three months I gained about 30 lbs. So as my skin stretched in every place imaginable to accommodate the weight, it literally ripped. The itching and the pain from it along with some of the other things I dealt with tormented me mentally and physically. But what made me look pass it was one day I was in KMart at home and a little boy told his mom I was pretty. I started crying immediately and had to run out of the store. As I type I'm tearing up. Because it was very painful to have no control over what was happening, but more so because I was insecure about it. I didn't want to go outside, I didn't want to go anywhere. From my perspective, I was not the same Marquita. I was someone else trapped in a shell I could not fix. Riddled with additional side effects like really bad shakes and acne now I realize that it was only the devil. The devil attacks your body and your mind to distract you and get you off balance. What better tools than your own body and mind right?

Many times throughout the Bible God has His authors tell us that we are made in His image.(Genesis 1:26-27, 1 Corinthians 15:49) God's image is perfect and great, so since we reflect His likeness, what stops us from being great? What stops us from accepting the wrapper that He gave us? Because of what someone else thinks? No!!! Don't you do it! Each one of us is crowned with God's glory and honor.(Psalm 8:5). I told myself everyday for months that I am created in God's likeness until I believed it. God made us all!(Proverbs 22:2) The only reason insecurities take over is because we allow them to. Don't make yourself live by some unrealistic standard of beauty or intelligence created by someone who doesn't look like or think like you. You are smart enough, you are strong enough, you are pretty or handsome enough because you are the reflection of God! "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."(Philippians 4:13) My scars are my war wounds, because I'm still here for His work and will be until it's done! Be blessed!

In this way, love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment, because in this world we are like him. 1 John 4:17

Daily Devotion

Time to Repent

 

God is just: He will pay back trouble to those who trouble you and give relief to you who are troubled, and to us as well. This will happen when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven in blazing fire with his powerful angels.  2 Thessalonians 1:6-7

 

Evening!!!  I hope that you had a great day!  My day wasn't bad, just very long.  But I thought about this:  how can you expect to receive the benefits and forgiveness God promises if you don't ask for forgiveness?  Also in turn how can you expect to receive forgiveness without forgiving those who wrong you?

 

Those who oppose him he must gently instruct, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will.  2 Timothy 2:25-26

 

Our repentance leads us to a knowledge of the truth--the truth of the possibilities that abound when we follow God's will.(2 Timothy 2:25-26)  Sin holds us captive to the devil's will.  When we continue to succumb to the desires of our flesh, we keep ourselves in bondage. We are the lost sheep that God seeks, the ones He sought to redeem with the gift of Christ.

 

We are also lead to the truth of how our lives will benefit from the guidance of the Holy Spirit.(Acts 2:38)  The Holy Spirit intercedes on our behalf in prayer and in the forgiveness of our sins.  And because of Jesus, God has given him to us forever when we repent and accept Christ.  The Holy Spirit says in Hebrews 10:17 that "and I will never again remember their sins and their lawless deeds."(GWT)  When we repent, our sins are wiped out and forgotten.  We are refreshed when we repent, and that is promise enough to get me through!(Act 3:19-20)  That refreshing is not just when we repent, but as Christians when the battles get too tough, God promises to carry our burdens.  He gives us breaks to refresh us.  But the best of all these promises is that Jesus Christ will be sent back for us.  Repentance leads us to heaven, the ultimate goal.(Luke 15:7)  I know I wanna go there!  All of the struggles and troubles are worth it when the end gift is salvation!  Be blessed!  Good night!

http://enterthemindofmarquita.blogspot.com

Daily Devotion

You Don't Know What I've Been Through

 

"Be strong and courageous, do not be afraid or tremble at them, for the LORD your God is the one who goes with you. He will not fail you or forsake you." Deuteronomy 31:6

 

"After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen, and establish you."  1 Peter 5:10

 

Evening!  I just watched this documentary about child immigrants from Mexico and Central America that are trying to get to the United States.  It just reminds me of how little we know about the person standing next to us.  We don't know their personal struggles and the daily battles they fight.  I'm going to work on not making first impression judgments of people anymore at all. 

 

Has this ever happened to you:  well, I went to get a pedicure one day in one of my funky little summer sundresses that probably showed one of my tattoos.  Awkward stares for several reasons: probably number one, simply because of the large tattoo on my back I may look like I could be classified in a certain demographic.  But the minute I open my mouth to speak with intelligence, the looks begin to reflect bewilderment--because I can speak and express myself with intelligence and articulation.  If the judgmental onlookers would look more closely, they would see that my tattoos are expressions of triumph and all identify a particular period in my life.  All are spiritual expressions of some thing I have overcome.  Even further, the few curiously pursue a conversation and venture to ask the forbidden: "Young lady, why do you have such a thing on you?"  I would love to do nothing but yell, but I decide to kill them with kindness and educate them.  I have the large tattoo of a cross on my back with Psalm 27:1 inscribed in the scroll with African violets adorning it for several reasons--1. I am not afraid because God is my lord.  2. I carry my own cross daily and I am a living example of God's goodness and that He still operates in miracles.  3. I am reminded that I have nothing to fear because He loves me.  4. With the help and beauty of a special group of "violets" I realized this and overcame.  5. Lastly, I love art because I am an artist at heart and this is simply an expression of my love for God.  This earthly body I inhabit will eventually fade away, so I am going to take care of it as I please and "decorate" it as such.  I ended up having a very spirited conversation with one of the few, but it just goes to show we don't know the story of the person in front of us.

 

Long story, but simply, we don't know what other people go through.  The bible tells plenty of times not to judge others.  But when we are the target of harsh and unnecessary judgments, we must remind ourselves that God goes with us, that we are not to be afraid or to even care about the words of others.  Life is not going to afford us the opportunity to prove everyone who judges us wrong, but in the midst of those situations we must turn to the wisdom of God's word to get through.  God's promises do hold true and He will do what He says.  Be encouraged!

 

"Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me"  John 14:1

 

Marquita

Daily Devotion

You are Who God Created You to Be

 

For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. Psalm 139:13-14

 

Hey There!!  I hope you had a wonderful weekend.  My weekend was eventful; traveling back to South Carolina on Friday and returning home to pack and come to Columbia; time out with my bff this weekend, and seeing another bff and Jordy-poo today!  I am very tired and return to work/normal life tomorrow.  But I couldn't start the week/end the weekend without a devotion.

 

Of all the things that were covered at the service I went to today, the only things that stuck out clearly in mind was the above.  We are who God created us to be.  The circumstances we face, the intricate things that make us unique, the ups and downs of life, all of these things make us who we are, who God created us to be.  It is when we accept these things that the difficulities of life become easier to deal with.  It becomes easier to handle disappointments at work, irritations at home because we learn to accept people as they are.  We learn that troubles are not singling us out (although at times of bombardment it seems like they do).  In accepting yourself for who you are, and who God intended you to be, you eliminate every issue from low self esteem to comparing yourself to others.  You are unique and precious, there is no one else in the world like you.  So love yourself as you are!

 

Since you are precious to me, you are honored and I love you. I will exchange others for you. Nations will be the price I pay for your life.  Isaiah 43:4

Daily Devotion

Be Free From Your Complaints

 

"Who has trouble? Who has misery? Who has quarrels? Who has a complaint? Who has wounds for no reason? Who has bloodshot eyes?"  Proverbs 23:29

 

When people face troubles, they react with either crying, anger, or complaining.  Life is full of them, and many times throughout the Bible, we are informed of the possibility of suffering.  Some things are brought on by our own doing as the consequence (good or bad) of a decision we made.  Some things happen just as tools of discouragement sent from the devil.  Some things are allowed to happen to test and strengthen our faith.  In the Bible, people were free from their complaints by exercising their faith.  In Mark 5:29, the woman with the 12 year hemorrhage was healed and the flow stopped by her faith.  Throughout the book of Job relied on his faith and in the end God restored everything he had lost.

 

"I'm not saying this because I'm in any need. I've learned to be content in whatever situation I'm in."  Philippians 4:11

 

This is a great verse, but, this IS hard to do.  It is hard to practice contentment when you are trying to do it alone.  We must die to ourselves daily in order to not allow our shortcomings, issues, and disappointments to dominate our thoughts.  We must purposefully use the strength that God gives us daily to remove negativity from our thoughts.  Because the only way we can survive and overcome our complaints--which, by the way in turn means to surrender them to God for His hands to move them--is to rely on God's power.  We all have things that we go through, or areas that we allow ourselves to fixate negative energy.  But by the word of God, we have grace!(2 Corinthians 9:8)  We can overcome with His power to lead us.(2 Corinthians 12:9, 10)  So be free from your complaints--give them over to God to work them out.  Be content and wherever you fall short, allow God to empower you.(1 Timothy 6:6)

 

"so that your faith would not rest on the wisdom of men, but on the power of God." 1 Corinthians 2:5

 

Have a wonderful rest of your day, be blessed and empowered today!  I'm working on giving my complaints and issues fully to God.  Because quite frankly, He is the only one that can change them or get me to a place where I can change them or they don't matter anymore.

Daily Devotion

Hindsight is Always 20/20

Wisdom is sweet to your soul; if you find it, there is a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off. Proverbs 24:14

I say this probably 8-10 times a day. Hindsight is always 20/20. But to be more correct, in looking back, sometimes people don't get clarity. They don't understand. They don't change or they do not allow themselves to be humbled by the experience. Idn life with every experience you are supposed to get wiser. But if you don't open yourself up to go through the situation and grow--in difficulty, stress, and strife--you can almost certainly expect to miss what you are supposed to learn. Look at the verse above: if you find wisdom, there is a future hope for you. You can help someone else, you can avoid the situation if it comes around again, you can progress into whatever comes next adequately prepared. And you can have hope. Looking back at all that I have survived and overcame just in the last 6 years, I am truly blessed. And you are too; whatever troubles and strifes that have come in your life, you are here. God saw fit to keep you here to minister to others through your success. Be encouraged and don't give up.

Surely there is a future, And your hope will not be cut off. Proverbs 23:18

Daily Devotion

Not a Cake Walk

"In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials," 1 Peter 1:6

The Christian walk is not easy. We have good days, good weeks, good months sometimes and then we get bombarded with the devil's attacks. He hates losing to God! However, because we are saved and believe in the redemption given to us through Christ. Suffering is a part of the journey because Christ suffered. Suffering is not only a tool of the devil, but a way that God can mold us, prune us, and prepare us for His work. All throughout the new testament we are told of how out suffering in Jesus' name entitles us to the reward later. In 1 Peter 5:10 it says "After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you." That's one great promise. So stick it out and tough it out, life is NOT a cake walk! We are counted blessed for enduring!!

James 5:11 Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.

A few more: James 1:2, Romans 5:2, Matthew 5:12, 1 Peter 3:17, James 1:12.

http://enterthemindofmarquita.blogspot.com

"The joy of the Lord is your strength." Nehemiah 8:10
Marquita B. Priester

Daily Devotion--10/12/2009

A Forecast of Unexpected Delays

Hahaha only I would send a BLANK email. But I'm gonna keep it short and sweet.

Are you waiting for something or a change? Well I have been experiencing unexpected weather delays in my flights. Spending all this time in the airport gave me time to reflect. Sometimes there are delayed blessings, delays that may be self-imposed, like being late, delays of supernatural origin, like the weather, and delays of external causes, like structural or mechanical failures. Whatever the reason may be, that's no reason to give up or quit. God may choose to delay your blessing because you simply may not be ready to handle it. You may need more grooming and preparation to experience it. God may delay your blessing because you doubt Him and do not deserve it yet. God may delay your blessing because there is some external circumstance, i.e. the devil adding confusion. Whatever your situation is, be sure to consider everything, and give thanks and praise until it does come, because if it's for you it's going to come!

http://enterthemindofmarquita.blogspot.com/

"The joy of the Lord is your strength." Nehemiah 8:10
Marquita B. Priester

Daily Devotion

God Favors Me

 

For the LORD God is a sun and shield; the LORD bestows favor and honor; no good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless. Psalm 84:11 NIV

 

After two "pep" talks and really these were more like, hmmmm uhmmm, thought realignment talks you know kinda stern, some crying, and a powerful sermon at church I'm almost back to normal.  Nothing like a little heat to make you go crazy huh?  Well, I'm thankful because I could be in a much worse position.  I have a job, I have food, clothes, and shelter.  I have family and friends that truly love me and in spite of how I feel--gotta get these thoughts and emotions in line, haha--I am truly blessed and favored by God.  As my cousin said, believers are equipped with the tools to get through tough times.  And we are blessed with the Holy Spirit to intercede for us.  Here it is in Romans 8:26 GWT:  "At the same time the Spirit also helps us in our weakness, because we don't know how to pray for what we need. But the Spirit intercedes along with our groans that cannot be expressed in words."  Although I have not received the leading I need to leave yet,  rather than run without counsel and direction I will wait.  God knows I detest and loathe SC--so just from looking at those two words of extreme hatred lets you know how I feel riiiighttt?  But I digress because I seek God's will not my own.  I will kick around a few rocks though, trust, lol.

 

Anyway, I attended a wonderful service at church today, entitled "A Testimony You can see."  I won't go into detail too much because I only want the reference of God's power.  When Jesus did not hurry upon Mary and Martha's call about Lazarus' illness, Lazarus eventually died in John 11.  Jesus got there after Lazarus had been dead for 4 days and already had begun to decay.  After He wept, Jesus told Lazarus to come forth and the funeral clothes to let him loose.  Lazarus was raised from the dead.  In the next chapter, John 12, several people gathered to their home to see Jesus and the "testimony" of a once dead Lazarus alive again.  Hearing this sermon was great!  I had been in a depressed state off and on since my cousin's passing and with receiving different types of bad news, and just confusion all around, I forgot just how blessed and favored I am.  First and foremost, I am alive.  God saw fit to keep me here for some reason and in doing so delivered me from the devil's attempts to destroy my body, my faith, and my spirit.  In the midst of the battle, we need to realize that it is for a reason; its not God doing it, but its for your good because God will make it so.(Romans 8:28, Ephesians 1:11)  I really had to cry then because sometimes we get so wrapped up in the attack that we can't see the path through it.  God can do anything!  Nothing limits His power.  Again today, 2 days in a row, trusting God was said again.  I don't know about you, but I have always had a problem trusting people, so this is currently something I am battling with.  But I'm getting it, painfully.  TRUST.  It's very, very easy to spell, but one of the hardest things to do especially when you've been hurt in the past.  We have got to put God's word in action fully--Proverbs 3:5,6 GWT says "Trust the LORD with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding.  In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths smooth."  I'm listening to Darwin Hobb's song, He's Able and part of the hook says "Don't give up on God cause He won't give up on you."  God's promises are real, we just have to listen to Him, and do His will and they are PROMISED to us.  Listen to Hezekiah Walker's "God Favored Me" Pt. 1 and 2...  Let Him lead you and carry your burdens so your difficult roads will be easy.  Be blessed and know that you are the favored of the Lord!  He will give you the peace to get through it.

Daily Devotion

The Boiling Point

 

Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you; but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that also at the revelation of His glory you may rejoice with exultation.  1 Peter 4:12-13

 

Hey!  Hope you are having a great weekend.  As I stood in the bathroom doing my hair this morning/afternoon, this came to my mind.  I hope it blesses you!

 

In science, there are three states of matter: a solid, liquid, and gas.  The process of changing from one state to another can only occur if the element is heated or cooled.  For example, take plain ole water.  The solid state of water as we commonly know it is called ice.  Ice is made when water freezes and solidifies at 32°F/0°C.  Ice melts to become water(liquid) when the surrounding temperature is higher than that (and a few other physics ideals not needed here).  Water becomes the oh not so friendly steam (gas) when it is heated to 212°F/100°C.  It can begin to separate into its elemental parts, hydrogen and oxygen, when heated beyond that.  Because you cannot really tell how hot steam is, that is why its always a warning to be careful; ever had a steam burn...VERY painful.  Steam condenses into water when said surrounding temperature falls below that as well.  Okay, well when a solid element reaches its boiling point, it changes phase.  After pressure and high temperatures are applied, it liquefies and often becomes easier to work with; i.e. liquid gold is used to make jewelry. 

 

God has a way of making and organizing situations in life get us to our various boiling points---no person's boiling point is the same---so that we can become easier for Him to work with.  One situation after another comes at us, slowly raising our temperature so that we eventually change phase; we liquefy so that He can do a great work in us.  Now if I were gold, whose boiling point is at 5084.6 °F/2807.0 °C---mind you it is already a liquid at this point, it melts from what we wear at 1947.9741 °F---I'm sure I could take a lot more than 100°F outside to get irritable.  In fact some of us have very high boiling points.  You may have experienced death of a loved one, love loss, job loss, someone in your family driving you crazy, and then, simply someone cutting you off is the ignition to your fire. 

 

Sadly, I cannot tell you exactly what God is trying to teach you, because our lessons are often not the same and have different applications.  In my case it can be to trust Him, that I cannot help everyone and quite simply some people do not want to be helped or to change, and to be patient.  Sometimes we reach our boiling point several times only to cool down too much and have to be reheated again.  I will tell you that God gives us hope!  So rest in knowing that it is for your good; do not resist the boiling point, because after all the impurities evaporate during boiling, you will be perfectly prepared for His work.  Changing for God is good!

 

 

So let us seize and hold fast and retain without wavering the hope we cherish and confess and our acknowledgement of it, for He Who promised is reliable (sure) and faithful to His word. Hebrews 10: 23

Daily Devotion

It Ain't Over

"Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer." Romans 12:12

OMG! Hey people! Happy Friday!!! So you know I'm getting bombarded with stuff: my mentee is out of control, STRESS in every other aspect of my life, and just confusion. But I know that it's not over until God gives me victory. If you ONLY knew…but I digress. I prayed to God on what to do about all this stuff and I gave it all to Him last night. This morning the first song I heard as I got in the car said…"It ain't over, till God says its over; It ain't over until God says its done. It ain't over, till God says its over; Keep fighting, till your victory is won!" So because of this I know that God will give me the strength to see all of this through.

The reference scripture I chose says "Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer." Man that is powerful. I use a few websites and books I have to write these. So I looked up Romans 12:12 and look at the related scriptures. Hebrews 10:32 and Hebrews 10:36 were two of the verses that were listed. Hebrews 10:32 says "But remember the former days, when, after being enlightened, you endured a great conflict of sufferings,"--looking at this makes me wanna holler because if there was ever a truer statement than that just hit me lol. Just Kidding! But me, I know what that scripture means! Here I am, trying to do what God has told me to do, but not without trouble! The devil is a dirty liar and evil and he has gone full force against me and I'm certain all of you at some point. Yeah, I'm tired, but I learned a valuable lesson: you cannot fix everything for everybody. I can't help wanting to help people. If I could I would fix everyone's problems. But God did not want us to do that, that's His job.

Hebrews 10:36 says "For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God, you may receive what was promised." This is confirmation for me. Be joyful in hope, because God wants us to have joy. Be patient in affliction--and endure through tribulation because He is grooming you and preparing you for what's to come. But even better yet, once we do what He wants us to do, we will receive the fruits of His promises.(Ephesians 1:11, Acts 20:32) All of this happens through being steadfast and faithful in prayer. We cannot expect these if we do not pray and believe what we have received. This is like giving an empty promise. It is in difficult times that you must exercise your faith, you must continually and persistently come before God in prayer and leave your problems at His feet. It is the only way that you will receive the breakthrough and victory you desire.

"By your endurance you will gain your lives." Luke 21:19
"But the one who endures to the end, he will be saved." Matthew 24:13
And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; Romans 5:3
...knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. James 1:3

Daily Devotion

Everybody Has A Story To Tell

You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses…to the ends of the earth. Acts 1:8

How many times have you heard someone say, "Well you don't know what I've been through…" as an excuse for something they are doing? That's true in essence. We don't always know the next person's story. But we are to testify about what God said He will do, what He has done in the past, what He has done in our own lives and what He can do for them! (Matthew 28:19-20, Mark 16:15)

Some people will not always respond to scripture and people threatening them with the punishment of God. But truth be told, when someone honestly and wholeheartedly tells others what they have gone through and what God has done to bring them over, it often has a stronger and lingering effect for the better. Many others can turn to God through hearing your story. Take me for example…all I can say is that I am more than my transplant, just ask me, I'll tell it all. God has gotten me through lots more--several near-death encounters, the effects of alcoholism, low self-esteem, molestation, just to name a few--and is leading me through things right now. Quite frankly, the devil tries to kill believers everyday just somedays he is bolder than usual, lol. You are going through and have gone through everything in your life for God to get you to the point where is He can fully use you.(Romans 8:28) Point of clarity, God did not do those bad things to you, but He will use them for your eventual, overall good. John 10:10(BBE) says "The thief comes only to take the sheep and to put them to death: he comes for their destruction: I have come so that they may have life and have it in greater measure." You have been misled, abused, used, deceived, abandoned, lied to and on, hurt, and many more things. But how can it do you any good if you don't use your triumph to bless someone else? Sometimes, in my case especially, healing only comes when you share your story with others. I have been able to truly forgive those who have hurt me and lied to me because God led me to share that painful situation with others. Don't block your blessing by keeping your story to yourself and holding onto that pain! If you continue to hold onto the hurt, you may eventually hurt others, including those you love and continue that cycle. Don't let me start--potential rant on the problems plaguing the Black community. Release it to God, and let it go!

"No one who has left home or wife or brothers or parents or children for the sake of the kingdom of God will fail to receive many times as much in this age and, in the age to come, eternal life."

Don't you love this promise??? I do!!! I love you!!! Be blessed!

Daily Devotion--10/02/2009

So I Choose to Be Happy


Phil 4:7
7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. (KJV)

Ahh! Today is a great day in spite of the weather. I'm back in Atlanta and I hope to see all of my loves. My friends, my linesisters, my numbers, and just being here makes me so happy. I even missed my hair stylist and just being around them--so of course I went by and got my hair laid out!

Sometimes in life we will not always be happy, pleasant, joyful, or enthusiastic. There is no guarantee that we will not experience suffering in life but God promises us a great reward in heaven.(1 Peter 3:14) Troubles come and go but you should rest in that promise of eternal happiness. I sure have experienced my fair share of unhappiness, but God surely has blessed me tremendously so that I cannot complain. God's peace will rest on you and get you through.(Romans 5:2, Phil 4:7) In every difficult or trying situation I have gone through, earnestly praying for peace has helped me to survive and not get defeated.

So choose to be happy today and enjoy the plentiful blessings God gave you, even if things may be hard right now. I love you!

Ps 144:15
15 Happy is that people, that is in such a case: yea, happy is that people, whose God is the LORD. (KJV)

Daily Devotion--10/01/2009

In Due Time

"Just keep your faith in me
Don't act impatiently
You'll get where you need to be, in due time
Even when things are slow
Hold on and don't let go
I'll give you what I owe, in due time" OutKast f/ Goodie Mob In Due Time

"He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." Philippians 1:6

I love OutKast! Yeah, I listen to rap. I have always listened to OutKast. Since I have gotten older, I listen to the words of the songs I listen to because you cannot just let anything or anyone plant seeds in your mind. OutKast is pretty good, Goodie Mob too. But the chorus of this stuck out to me when I was thinking of what to talk about today. In due time all things will work out, all situations will resolve themselves--this applies to a lot of things.(Romans 8:28) Primarily waiting on God to act on a situation. One of the issues I have been dealing with is my desire to be challenged and grow in anything I involve myself in. Currently, I am having to search for projects to work on, looking all over for different projects. However, it gets discouraging because I want to do something I like, something that I can learn from, something that will continue to give me flexibility and room for growth. I have even gone as far as looking for things outside the box but to no avail. Sadly I went through this same ordeal before I had my surgery last year and became very disheartened. But I will be humble and patiently await what He has in store for me. We can trust that if we desire to follow God's will for our lives that He will make it plain for us.(Psalm 27:11)

When you feel like this, stop and think about these things: God loves you , He and Jesus want us to trust them, and God does not want your heart to be troubled.(John 14:1) But thinking about God and His plan, He always gets us where He wants us, which is where we need to be. He always promises to give us strength, encouragement, or anything we need in order to fulfill His will for our lives.(Philippians 4:13, Colossians 1:9) Hebrews 13:20-21 says "May the God of peace...equip you with everything good for doing His will, and may He work in us what is pleasing to Him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen." The thing to do in situations like this is to submit to God and trust Him.(James 4:7) You can also know that if you do not give up, you will reap the harvest for everything you have sown.(Galatians 6:9)

I say this to you because regardless of what you may be facing, it will eventually be over. Regardless of whats going on at home or if someone has done something to you, you were allowed to go through it for a reason and to get you to a particular place. Don't give up and don't let go because God promises to complete His work in you!

"You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what He has promised." Hebrews 10:36

Daily Devotion--9/30/2009

In The World

Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For everything in the world--the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does--comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever. 1 John 2:15-17 NIV

I do not believe in hate. There are many things I do not agree with, but I respect differences. However, in the world we live in, there are two extremes, extreme acceptance and passivism, and extreme hatred and disdain for differences, for instance skin color. In fact, a huge reason that slavery was legal for so long was because slave owners bended God's Word to make excuses for it! Now people do the same thing, just to condone whatever it is--being selfish, abusing others, stealing, cheating and adultery, lying, alternative lifestyles. Yes God forgives, but why do it in the first place if you know its wrong! When I do something wrong, well first I try not to think about God which makes me think about Him more--go figure, second, I'll immediately ask for forgiveness and then try to shut it out of my mind. I'll give a lightweight example. I am a recovering road Rage-R--I used to be a lot worse, threatening to throw rocks at people or cursing them out in my car. Of course, it was nothing drastic--I value my life!--although I know people that have followed people or gotten out of the car. I think one time I flipped somebody off. Then I realized how angry I was getting and how bad I would feel later. I started praying that God delivers me from it--I still battle with it DAILY because these country bumpkins are not used to gravel haha, and I have gotten better. I take that approach with all the things I struggle with.

Sometimes we forget why we are here. We are here to tell people about Jesus and guide them in the way to receiving Jesus and salvation.(John 6:40) Yes we all have our weaknesses and shortcomings--we all have things that we do that are wrong. But think about it, who better than imperfect people are best to rescue other imperfect people! The problem lies in our refusing to admit our wrongs and turn away from them.(Acts 3:19) We must continually turn away from them because Satan will continue to attack us through our weaknesses.(1 Corinthians 15:58) Ask yourself, is your act of condoning or if it’s a personal situation, accepting certain things really helping? Do you say, "That's just how I am."--NOT! That’s who you CHOOSE to be. Is that obedience? Instead of avoiding and ignoring a problem, as Christians we are responsible for trying to save our brothers and sisters--extend that to members of the Body of Christ, who are our brothers and sisters.(Matthew 18:11-14) So when you/they do wrong, do not just overlook it, instead pray without ceasing that God guides you/them in the way He would have you/them go.(Romans 15:30-33, 1 Thessalonians 5:11-18) If we practiced living in God's love, caring for the wellbeing of others more and being obedient to Jesus' instructions instead of living selfishly, we would make a major impact and bring millions to Jesus.


I SHOUT TO YOU ALL, I'm not perfect; in fact in an imperfect, sinful world, who can be perfect but Jesus? In fact I have many weaknesses and things that I struggle with daily--personal imperfections that we all have; but I or others remind myself of my salvation and not to fear or doubt God. I then come before God whose power is perfected in my weakness and repent, even when I don't want to.(2 Corinthians 12:9) This is open to you as well and God can right those wrongs. I apologize if it seems judgmental, but it was just heavy on my heart. Be blessed and may God cover you and carry you through it all!

These people belong to the world. That's why they speak the thoughts of the world, and the world listens to them. 1 John 4:5 NASB
"If you were of the world, the world would love its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, because of this the world hates you." John 15:19

Daily Devotion--9/28/2009

Refocusing your mind

"I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus." Philippians 3:13-14

My mind has been all over the place this month. I couldn't even say a few weeks because since September 2 I have been getting thrown at! I've been struggling to regain my focus amidst all the drama, but this has been very hard. However, I'm going to embark on a new approach: trying to "subliminally" refocus my thoughts. I have plenty of inspiration all around me, but if I don't enact some of these things and try different approaches, how can I truly get back on focus. So I'm going to record different scriptures and play them to myself at night in my sleep and see how that affects my day.

You may not need to go to as drastic an approach as that, but we all need motivation and variety to refocus our thoughts. Sometimes we get discouraged or disenchanted by all the struggles and pains of life. Simply knowing that God loves us and is there does not always ease those thoughts. Sometimes you need to surround yourself with God-filled, encouraging people. Sometimes you need to hear that one thing you've been needing to hear to get you out of your funk. Sometimes you only need a listening ear. But whatever it is, remember that we can ask God for anything in Jesus' name--especially if it is going to help keep us focused on His will for our lives. Be encouraged--if you need a listening ear, a word of inspiration, encouragement, whatever--I am here for you!

Love ya!


Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. Galatians 6:2
I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. Romans 8:18
We also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. Romans 5:3-4

Daily Devotion--9/29/2009 Devotion

Motivation

"Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But the man who looks intently in the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing--he will be blessed in what he does." James 1:23-25

As I looked in the mirror at the pudge protruding from my midsection I cried out in utter horror, LORD I need to lose weight, I GOTTA work out. (Y'all know I'm dramatic so just imagine what this sounded like.) Now mind you, I have been PIGGING out all summer and only sported my two piece once because I didn't feel like having to go through all the motions with getting in the pool. So now I'm on a serious grind to work out, Slim Fast and all, to lose what I think is necessary. I made some progress, starting last Friday and continuing yesterday, especially after I ate so many mustard greens on Sunday I was nearly sick. I even went to bed before 12 last night and would have been on time to work were it not for my having to get labs.

I'm gonna stop right here. Because some of us have more motivation for losing weight, working, getting up on time in the morning than we do for spending time with God and doing His will. We want to do what WE want, not what HE says. I admit, I have probably been one of the most disobedient people in the last month than anyone. Sporadically reading, not really writing my devotions---yes I have reasons for my disobedience but excuses, which they are, do nothing for the fact that I should have done it. Don't allow your circumstances, because we all have them, to make you miss an opportunity for divine advancement. (MBP haha..copying and pasting this one into my personal quote file) All I can do now is drop to my knees and beg for God's forgiveness and trust that he will continue to guide me.(Psalm 32:8) That's the beautiful part of it all, God will forgive us. (1 John 1:9, Psalm 32:5) So now what? We need to put our lives into proper perspective: God, God's mission and purpose for your life, then whatever else you deem important--as long as it does not go against the word. My motivation is to please God with everything--my life, maintaining my health, blessing others and following His will for my life. (Matthew 6:33) Sometimes you need a little help from someone else--a motivation partner--and don't you know God is committed to that!! Jesus tells us in Matthew 28:20 that "...And remember, I am with you each and every day until the end of the age."(ISV)

So my current weight crisis fits right in as well as me setting new habits for myself; God and the mirror will motivate me to stay on track. Being obedient does not just include following God's will in your personal lives, but at work, at church, and in your entire life for that matter. Make sure you have the RIGHT motivation--pleasing God--not ANYTHING else!

"Therefore do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day." 2 Corinthians 4:16

Love ya!

Daily Devotion

Focus

"So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." 2 Corinthians 4:18

Wait wait wait!! I apologize but the devil is a liar!! I tried to find an easy way to send these and block-copied email addresses only for my phone to truncate them. I just realized all my devotions from last week were not posted or emailed out to everyone! But I'm even more focused and renewed to keep writing them! I'm also going to post all the missed ones too.

As I try not to cough because my throat hurts badly, I realize that I can only look straight ahead--my eyes hurt whenever I try to look in any other direction than straight so I have to turn my head a lot or just close my eyes. My equilibrium is off thanks to this sinus bafoolery but the irony of it all, I had an epiphany and revelation all at once: STRAIGHT-AHEAD is where I should be looking, STRAIGHT-AHEAD is where I should be focused. I haven't had a sinus infection in over 2 years because I was always able to catch them and head it off. Unfortunately I was sorely unprepared and focused on the fun I was gonna (and did) have at homecoming. It was on that long rainy ride back to my parents that it hit me. When I got home, I tried to take something but it didn't help at all!

Focusing is not always an easy thing to do, and for several reasons. Namely, because there are many things to distract us from the tasks that God gives us, being obedient, or following through with things we should be doing. The devil sends in his imps of despair, depression, disgust, and self-loathing to blind you from appreciating what you do have. Fortunately, we are saved and redeemed because of God!(Romans 8:24) God can lead us back to where we are supposed to be, He can refocus our attention upward and on Him. He promises to guide us--and sometimes that leading is not so gentle to get you back on track.(Proverbs 4:11, Psalm 25:5)

So maybe my being able to only look in the direction my head is turned is a blessing in disguise. At least I will be able to ignore the sideways attempts of those that wish to distract me from God's plan for my life. Maybe if we all apply this kind of thinking and have that "tunnel vision", we can stay focused on the path that lies ahead. Be blessed! Love always!

"Do you have contempt for God, who is very kind to you, puts up with you, and deals patiently with you? Don't you realize that it is God's kindness that is trying to lead you to him and change the way you think and act?" Romans 2:4 GWT