Hi everyone!
I wanted to share the new link to my blog. I decided to change it because its no longer about me...but about my life as God has so desired to direct it. I share with you what He lays on my heart, based on my personal experiences. I do hope they bless you and help you in some way. I encourage you to share them with whomever you please as I just want to let people know what God is doing in my life. Love you all and be encouraged!
Marquita
New link: http://lifeinspiredbygod.blogspot.com
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
Daily Devotion
When He Calls You to Act
"If you consent and obey, You will eat the best of the land;" Isaiah 1:19
Good evening!!! Well really morning haha! As the observance of the birth of our Lord and Savior nears, I feel myself being overcome with joy. I have a lot to be thankful for and I'm just glad to be where I am, at this very moment. I got a very special blessing tonight, and it served to remind me just how unworthy I am of God's favor. God has really, truly been good to me. Even in the midst of so much, God continues to favor me. Shout of praise!!!
Anyway, I felt lead tonight to share with you the importance of obedience. Of course, I have my own personal testimony to attribute to it. Two nights ago, I was up reading the Bible and this book on how we should live according to the Bible "God's Psychology" (I have been greatly blessed by it, and I think everyone should read it.) I had to call my mom--mind you it was 1:22 am. So in doing so, I had one of the most beautiful experiences of God in my life. I have no doubt of who God is and what ways He can manifest in your life. More importantly, I can trust that God does speak to and through us. Real testimony time: I went to Chicago Dec 3. God instructed me that week that I needed to mail out my Christmas cards but especially one to a very dear friend of mine. In that card, I was to put some money for her. I was like God, can I do it next week? No! I had the card in my car for a few days after I got the money out because I couldn't find a post office mail box to drop it in. I wanted to personally be sure I mailed it and not someone else. So I believe I finally mailed it last Monday, which was December 13 (I waited until I had gotten paid to put the money in the card.) The very next day, she posted a status about what was going on with her and it made my heart leap to know that God was using me to bless to be a blessing to her. That same day, one of my devotions I read spoke of being blessed in order to be a blessing to someone else--God has a way of confirming things. TODAY she finally got the card. And today, God used her to humble me and realize how truly blessed I am. I have never gone without something I really needed because of God. That was truly my Christmas present and I am grateful to God and my friend for restoring perspective to my life. My obedience will not only help her, but God always gives more to us than we do to Him! My taking one step opens the door for God to take more on my behalf.
God always, always provides for His children. All throughout the Bible, God directs us to be obedient to His instructions. All we have to do is consent and obey. We obey the law of the land in order to maintain our freedoms. Why not obey the One True God that can provide ways of escape in the midst of danger, the God that can make money manifest out of the air seemingly, the God that protects you from daily harm each and every day?? If we simply obey Him, we will eat the best, we will have the best. Simply read Deuteronomy 28 to know what God does for obedience. Psalm 37:4 says "Delight yourself in the LORD; And He will give you the desires of your heart." Translated it means seek your happiness in the Lord--how do you do that? Be obedient!! Do what He asks of you, and He will give you the desires of your heart--not only your needs, but your desires, the things you ask of Him (which, if you are obedient to God and His word, become aligned with His word, thus fulfilling His will for your life).
Everything I asked of God during the time surrounding my transplant, He provided. He made sure I did not have a single thing I was without. He opened the windows of heaven to me and rained on me every single need I had. But I had to take that first step of obedience. And being that God is not a respecter of persons--which means He doesn't care who you are, where you are from, who your mom, dad, or grandparents are--that He can and will do the same for you if you are obedient! Try God out and see if He won't do it for you! Be blessed my loves and keep listening for God's direction!
"Say to the righteous that it will go well with them, For they will eat the fruit of their actions." Isaiah 3:10
--
"No weapon formed against you shall prosper; and every tongue that rises against you in judgment you shall condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of God and their righteousness is of me," says the Lord. Isaiah 54:17
http://enterthemindofmarquita.blogspot.com
"If you consent and obey, You will eat the best of the land;" Isaiah 1:19
Good evening!!! Well really morning haha! As the observance of the birth of our Lord and Savior nears, I feel myself being overcome with joy. I have a lot to be thankful for and I'm just glad to be where I am, at this very moment. I got a very special blessing tonight, and it served to remind me just how unworthy I am of God's favor. God has really, truly been good to me. Even in the midst of so much, God continues to favor me. Shout of praise!!!
Anyway, I felt lead tonight to share with you the importance of obedience. Of course, I have my own personal testimony to attribute to it. Two nights ago, I was up reading the Bible and this book on how we should live according to the Bible "God's Psychology" (I have been greatly blessed by it, and I think everyone should read it.) I had to call my mom--mind you it was 1:22 am. So in doing so, I had one of the most beautiful experiences of God in my life. I have no doubt of who God is and what ways He can manifest in your life. More importantly, I can trust that God does speak to and through us. Real testimony time: I went to Chicago Dec 3. God instructed me that week that I needed to mail out my Christmas cards but especially one to a very dear friend of mine. In that card, I was to put some money for her. I was like God, can I do it next week? No! I had the card in my car for a few days after I got the money out because I couldn't find a post office mail box to drop it in. I wanted to personally be sure I mailed it and not someone else. So I believe I finally mailed it last Monday, which was December 13 (I waited until I had gotten paid to put the money in the card.) The very next day, she posted a status about what was going on with her and it made my heart leap to know that God was using me to bless to be a blessing to her. That same day, one of my devotions I read spoke of being blessed in order to be a blessing to someone else--God has a way of confirming things. TODAY she finally got the card. And today, God used her to humble me and realize how truly blessed I am. I have never gone without something I really needed because of God. That was truly my Christmas present and I am grateful to God and my friend for restoring perspective to my life. My obedience will not only help her, but God always gives more to us than we do to Him! My taking one step opens the door for God to take more on my behalf.
God always, always provides for His children. All throughout the Bible, God directs us to be obedient to His instructions. All we have to do is consent and obey. We obey the law of the land in order to maintain our freedoms. Why not obey the One True God that can provide ways of escape in the midst of danger, the God that can make money manifest out of the air seemingly, the God that protects you from daily harm each and every day?? If we simply obey Him, we will eat the best, we will have the best. Simply read Deuteronomy 28 to know what God does for obedience. Psalm 37:4 says "Delight yourself in the LORD; And He will give you the desires of your heart." Translated it means seek your happiness in the Lord--how do you do that? Be obedient!! Do what He asks of you, and He will give you the desires of your heart--not only your needs, but your desires, the things you ask of Him (which, if you are obedient to God and His word, become aligned with His word, thus fulfilling His will for your life).
Everything I asked of God during the time surrounding my transplant, He provided. He made sure I did not have a single thing I was without. He opened the windows of heaven to me and rained on me every single need I had. But I had to take that first step of obedience. And being that God is not a respecter of persons--which means He doesn't care who you are, where you are from, who your mom, dad, or grandparents are--that He can and will do the same for you if you are obedient! Try God out and see if He won't do it for you! Be blessed my loves and keep listening for God's direction!
"Say to the righteous that it will go well with them, For they will eat the fruit of their actions." Isaiah 3:10
--
"No weapon formed against you shall prosper; and every tongue that rises against you in judgment you shall condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of God and their righteousness is of me," says the Lord. Isaiah 54:17
http://enterthemindofmarquita.blogspot.com
Monday, December 20, 2010
Daily Devotion
Refuse to Go Backwards
"But thanks be to God that though you were slaves of sin, you became obedient from the heart to that form of teaching to which you were committed," Romans 6:17
The events of the past two weeks of my life served to remind me of what God delivered me from. The devil sought so hard to take me back to where I was earlier this year: an angry, bitter, broken, and callous woman. God delivered me from a lot, and I do not want to go back to where I was, to who I was at that time. Sometimes God's ways of cleansing us are harsh; if anyone had asked me this time last year where I would be and what would no longer be in my life...I know I couldn't have said the things I've been delivered from. What has God delivered you from? Who? And ask yourself the more important question: why?
For me, I know God could not use me as I was. I was very naive, I was very impressionable, still even at that time. I was still carrying around so much hurt, and truthfully, God could not use that person to do His work. Now don't get me wrong, I still have a great ways to go, but I am moving forward. I have become obedient, in many areas, to what He is molding me for. I have truly learned that resisting God is much worse than obeying Him, because some of the consequences are worse than one can imagine. Looking at the scripture above, God has called us all from a life of sin--from a life without Him. How can we dare go back?? How can we turn back to a life of certain death--a life without His favor, His grace, and His mercies? How can you turn back to a life that damns you to His wrath? Going back to things you had once done, to a way you once lived, to something that leaves you without hope separates you from God. It dawned on me how God has favored me--it took something one of my best friends said--look at how God has blessed you. I refuse to turn back, to go back to that person I used to be. My life is so much better now, to abide everyday in God's presence, to be filled with His joy, peace, and love is like no other love I have ever felt. I ask you tonight to look at your life and be cognizant of where God has brought you from. Look at the areas that the enemy tries to attack you in and ask God for strength to stay on the path He has laid before you. Even if that life separates you from people you once knew, go in the footsteps of the Lord and keep walking on your journey. He has blessed my life with new friends, family, and loved ones so that I do not turn back. He will give you WHATEVER it is that you need to keep you going to that prepared place He has for you.
"But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves to God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life." Romans 6:22 NIV
--
"No weapon formed against you shall prosper; and every tongue that rises against you in judgment you shall condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of God and their righteousness is of me," says the Lord. Isaiah 54:17
http://enterthemindofmarquita.blogspot.com
--
"No weapon formed against you shall prosper; and every tongue that rises against you in judgment you shall condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of God and their righteousness is of me," says the Lord. Isaiah 54:17
http://enterthemindofmarquita.blogspot.com
Saturday, December 11, 2010
Daily Devotion #3
Forgiving and Forgetting
"For I will be merciful regarding their wrong deeds, and I will never again remember their sins." Hebrews 8:12 ISV
God tells us He will forgive us and forget our sins. He tells us that we are to do the same--well explicitly with forgiveness. But why is it that we can forgive things, but but there are some things that we seem incapable of forgetting?
There are many small indiscretions such as someone stepping on your foot are easy to forget, or someone bumping into you, but those more personal attacks against your heart are more difficult to throw away. I've learned that it is easy to forgive once you actually make the decision to do so, but it is much more difficult to forget because God equipped us with a memory. The sad thing is though, we seldom remember all of the sins we have committed against God, but don't forget when so and so said those hurtful things to you or about you. I've forgiven those who have hurt me, but there are just things that have been said and done that I must take a conscious mental note of.
The importance of remembering some things rang out to me in simplicity--the old saying "fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice, shame on me." You don't want to be made a fool of. However for those things that attack the core of your being, your heart and your character, they are much more difficult to simply cast off and with reason. I myself prayed that God help me forget a very painful situation from my childhood and I have not been able to do so yet. Maybe I'm not trying hard enough, maybe I have not fully let go, or maybe I haven't fully forgiven those involved...and I do pray to God for that. But there is an importance of remembering certain things; maybe that is part of your ministry and calling here. I know that I am supposed to encourage others, teach and break down the Word, and among other things, help others heal through my own pain. The relevance of that situation is that I can minister to a group of people that not many others can because of my suffering. I have forgiven those involved, but I can now give healing and encouraging words through my own experiences. Be cognizant of that, because by you dwelling on that situation and not looking for the opportunity to minister to someone, you miss that chance to heal for yourself and you miss out on working for God!!
Sometimes God allows us to completely forget a situation in which forgiveness has played its part. Now don't misconstrue suppression or repression of the past for forgetting--you are simply ignoring the event and not operating in forgiveness. Pray to God for the path He wants you to take. But most of all remember that your pain is never your own; it is for you to share with others as a ministry. The tests we pass equip us to guide someone else through their own test. We are all here to help one another get into the Kingdom, even if it is through your own pain. Love y'all!
"He comforts us whenever we suffer. That is why whenever other people suffer, we are able to comfort them by using the same comfort we have received from God." 2 Corinthians 1:4 GWT
--
"No weapon formed against you shall prosper; and every tongue that rises against you in judgment you shall condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of God and their righteousness is of me," says the Lord. Isaiah 54:17
http://enterthemindofmarquita.blogspot.com
"For I will be merciful regarding their wrong deeds, and I will never again remember their sins." Hebrews 8:12 ISV
God tells us He will forgive us and forget our sins. He tells us that we are to do the same--well explicitly with forgiveness. But why is it that we can forgive things, but but there are some things that we seem incapable of forgetting?
There are many small indiscretions such as someone stepping on your foot are easy to forget, or someone bumping into you, but those more personal attacks against your heart are more difficult to throw away. I've learned that it is easy to forgive once you actually make the decision to do so, but it is much more difficult to forget because God equipped us with a memory. The sad thing is though, we seldom remember all of the sins we have committed against God, but don't forget when so and so said those hurtful things to you or about you. I've forgiven those who have hurt me, but there are just things that have been said and done that I must take a conscious mental note of.
The importance of remembering some things rang out to me in simplicity--the old saying "fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice, shame on me." You don't want to be made a fool of. However for those things that attack the core of your being, your heart and your character, they are much more difficult to simply cast off and with reason. I myself prayed that God help me forget a very painful situation from my childhood and I have not been able to do so yet. Maybe I'm not trying hard enough, maybe I have not fully let go, or maybe I haven't fully forgiven those involved...and I do pray to God for that. But there is an importance of remembering certain things; maybe that is part of your ministry and calling here. I know that I am supposed to encourage others, teach and break down the Word, and among other things, help others heal through my own pain. The relevance of that situation is that I can minister to a group of people that not many others can because of my suffering. I have forgiven those involved, but I can now give healing and encouraging words through my own experiences. Be cognizant of that, because by you dwelling on that situation and not looking for the opportunity to minister to someone, you miss that chance to heal for yourself and you miss out on working for God!!
Sometimes God allows us to completely forget a situation in which forgiveness has played its part. Now don't misconstrue suppression or repression of the past for forgetting--you are simply ignoring the event and not operating in forgiveness. Pray to God for the path He wants you to take. But most of all remember that your pain is never your own; it is for you to share with others as a ministry. The tests we pass equip us to guide someone else through their own test. We are all here to help one another get into the Kingdom, even if it is through your own pain. Love y'all!
"He comforts us whenever we suffer. That is why whenever other people suffer, we are able to comfort them by using the same comfort we have received from God." 2 Corinthians 1:4 GWT
--
"No weapon formed against you shall prosper; and every tongue that rises against you in judgment you shall condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of God and their righteousness is of me," says the Lord. Isaiah 54:17
http://enterthemindofmarquita.blogspot.com
Daily Devotion #2
Blurred Focus
"Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand." Ephesians 6:11-13
I used to complain so much. I complained about how hard life was, complained about being sick, complained about just how unfair things were. That was before I started really understanding what I would read in the Bible. I was like the seeds that fell on the thorns because I would hear something powerful but it would get choked up by all the anger, hurt and bitterness I had inside; I might even say it a few times. Not to say I am completely delivered from this, because I still slip up from time to time. I just thank God for the discernment to catch myself now. I'll complain and say something crazy and usually before I get it all the way out of my mouth, I say that's a lie and God forgive me. I am not whatever I was complaining about or confessing.
Too many times in our flesh we complain or point out some difficulty we are facing. We pine over it and just mull it over, meditating on that thing. And that is where we lose the battle. We focus on that thing negatively instead of remembering what God can do. We do the exact thing God tells us to do with His Word except with a thought sent from the enemy! Isn't that funny??? Well I think it is, because I recognize that we throw in the towel in our minds before we ever use our hands! It is disheartening to realize that. But its never too late to change!
I am all for acknowledging the things we face. Like, I am vertically challenged, lol. I had a kidney transplant. I have a family predisposition to high blood pressure. All true statements. But I'm not going to complain about or dwell on being short, or having had a kidney problem, or that I can't eat too much salty foods to prevent high blood pressure...nope I won't. I'll just get a stool, make sure I take my meds regularly, and check the sodium levels on my foods and drink lots of water. Or if I'm in a trying situation, I will find scriptures to align my mind with what God says and make sure that I reach out to other believers for prayer. Now I don't always immediately think of scripture, I want to complain!! But I pray to God for the strength and focus. Like Isaiah 54:17--No weapon formed against me shall prosper; and every tongue that rises against you in judgment you shall condemn. The power God gives us is in our tongue!!!! We can confess scriptures, we can pray and Lord knows that is a mighty weapon within itself, we can declare our own victory in very situation. In Mark 11:23 Jesus tells the disciples this: "Truly I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, 'Be taken up and cast into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says is going to happen, it will be granted him." You have to speak--speak to cast out doubt, speak to lift up praise, speak to confess the Word.
We too often focus on the negative or the obstacle we face. And if you've been doing that for a long time, you have to break through all the crap that has been planted to truly plant the Word. We fight against the manipulation of our mind!!! Our minds are inclined to go against the Spirit. But don't you know Jesus has given us the keys!!! In Matthew 16:19, He said "I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; and whatever you bind on earth shall have been bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall have been loosed in heaven." So bind up defeat, right now and loose your victory, because through Christ we already have won!!!!! Know the tools and weapons God has for you so that you can win.
"Be on the alert, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong." 1 Corinthians 16:13
http://enterthemindofmarquita.blogspot.com
"Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand." Ephesians 6:11-13
I used to complain so much. I complained about how hard life was, complained about being sick, complained about just how unfair things were. That was before I started really understanding what I would read in the Bible. I was like the seeds that fell on the thorns because I would hear something powerful but it would get choked up by all the anger, hurt and bitterness I had inside; I might even say it a few times. Not to say I am completely delivered from this, because I still slip up from time to time. I just thank God for the discernment to catch myself now. I'll complain and say something crazy and usually before I get it all the way out of my mouth, I say that's a lie and God forgive me. I am not whatever I was complaining about or confessing.
Too many times in our flesh we complain or point out some difficulty we are facing. We pine over it and just mull it over, meditating on that thing. And that is where we lose the battle. We focus on that thing negatively instead of remembering what God can do. We do the exact thing God tells us to do with His Word except with a thought sent from the enemy! Isn't that funny??? Well I think it is, because I recognize that we throw in the towel in our minds before we ever use our hands! It is disheartening to realize that. But its never too late to change!
I am all for acknowledging the things we face. Like, I am vertically challenged, lol. I had a kidney transplant. I have a family predisposition to high blood pressure. All true statements. But I'm not going to complain about or dwell on being short, or having had a kidney problem, or that I can't eat too much salty foods to prevent high blood pressure...nope I won't. I'll just get a stool, make sure I take my meds regularly, and check the sodium levels on my foods and drink lots of water. Or if I'm in a trying situation, I will find scriptures to align my mind with what God says and make sure that I reach out to other believers for prayer. Now I don't always immediately think of scripture, I want to complain!! But I pray to God for the strength and focus. Like Isaiah 54:17--No weapon formed against me shall prosper; and every tongue that rises against you in judgment you shall condemn. The power God gives us is in our tongue!!!! We can confess scriptures, we can pray and Lord knows that is a mighty weapon within itself, we can declare our own victory in very situation. In Mark 11:23 Jesus tells the disciples this: "Truly I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, 'Be taken up and cast into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says is going to happen, it will be granted him." You have to speak--speak to cast out doubt, speak to lift up praise, speak to confess the Word.
We too often focus on the negative or the obstacle we face. And if you've been doing that for a long time, you have to break through all the crap that has been planted to truly plant the Word. We fight against the manipulation of our mind!!! Our minds are inclined to go against the Spirit. But don't you know Jesus has given us the keys!!! In Matthew 16:19, He said "I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; and whatever you bind on earth shall have been bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall have been loosed in heaven." So bind up defeat, right now and loose your victory, because through Christ we already have won!!!!! Know the tools and weapons God has for you so that you can win.
"Be on the alert, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong." 1 Corinthians 16:13
http://enterthemindofmarquita.blogspot.com
Daily Devotion
At the Edge of Breakthrough
"Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary." Galatians 6:9
In the last few weeks, I have heard so many examples of tried patience. Even in my own life and family, we have been pushed to the edge of ending faith...and by ending faith I mean there seems to be very little left to keep going. Because it is Christmas time, many families are struggling and having difficult times making ends meet so that they can share of themselves with their loved ones. But people are not just suffering financially; the battles I am hearing of are spiritual. Have you been to the place where it seems you just don't have the strength, courage or faith enough to keep going? It seems like every obstacle known to man is testing your patience, and trying your faith. Have you gotten to rock bottom where your only options are to give up or just stand still? Are you at the place where there is little that you can do but wait on the Lord? You get to that place, that critical point, and you are in the place where you can grow your faith or overthrow it.
James 5:7 says "Be patient, then, brothers, until the Lord's coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop and how patient he is for the autumn and spring rains." I take this not only to mean waiting on the Lord's return, but waiting until He acts on your behalf. Wait until God moves that mountain you are believing to be moved. Wait until He moves all of those people you used to hang with, wait until He clears all the obstacles from your view so that you can see clearly. In these situations it is most certainly hard to believe and it is difficult to trust in Him. But this is what you know, you're supposed to trust and wait on God. The question is how. And my answer to how is based on not knowing a particular solution, but just staying in God's presence in prayer until He did something.
Well I will recount the last 15 months of my life to you. In September, I lost one of the cousins I loved most. She had a beautiful spirit about her, and I had the pleasure of growing spiritually with her. So I was distraught and heartbroken after her unexpected passing. Then I had a very difficult relationship I was in--it seemed like everything I did could not help the situation. Next my dad's health began to rapidly decline. Every weekend I went home my dad was getting sicker. I was having difficulties at work, and could not get it worked out for me to work from Columbia to spend more time with my family. Then on New Years Eve, my mom is told my dad had less than 2 months to live. Talk about a way to start the New Year...and the sermon focused on New Beginnings. The 10th year is supposed to be a year of new beginnings. Well so that relationship went south, and then as I am on travel, my dad is put on hospice, saying that he would pass away soon. I am broken in every area, with no one to talk about my feelings but God, who seemed to have left me or at least was not answering my voice mails, lol. My dad survived his 2 month death sentence and lived past the death sentence issued by his brother...gosh I miss my dad. But imagine this, every area of your life, failing--oh not to mention my own health woes, I had just had a transplant the year before. Then to culminate that: my family acts ignorant around my dad's death, my supervisor puts me on leave --WITHOUT PAY (yes I still have bills and work), and many of the people I thought I could count on become flakes or issue out ignorant statements that just simply shouldn't be said at this point. I was there. I just was so fed up. I asked God why, why, why me. All I can say is thank God that He reminds us of His many blessings. Throughout all of that, I was delivered from an unhealthy relationship, things worked out at work that I had enough donated leave, I was able to spend time with my dad and get closer to him before he passed, and God definitely showed me my family's true colors and the people I no longer needed as a part of my life. Furthermore, He revealed to me why; I had to be stripped of all that hurt and past hurts to be able to heal whole. And today, without a single doubt, I know that God can do anything if you trust Him to do so.
Your why may be different from my why. I had to experience those things to be sensitive and supportive of others in that situation. I had to experience that so that I can minister to others who have lost someone they loved. I had to be purged of some things and people. And that was a breaking down process so that I could receive what God had next for me. God is so amazing, and I thank Him for that experience because He grew my faith. I never thought I could get through that, because I felt dead inside. I felt as I was just going through the motions of life, not feeling anything because emotionally I had been battered by everything you can think of. But little did I know my breakthrough sat right in front of me. If the devil would have had his way, my life would be over. Think of your most stressful moments and how they have negatively affected you. Stress kills!! And yes I was weary...I was so tired. But God loved me enough to take my hand and guide me through it. He reminded me of the blessings I have received and that He has the final say.
God is not a respecter of persons. Your situation could be much worse than my own, and He will do a mighty, great work in your life. Hey, look at Job!!! God restored him way beyond what he originally had. He gave him a full reward. If you will keep your eyes on Him when you get to the edge, He will let you walk on water, like Peter, and take you the rest of the way. Trust Him, and stretch your faith. God can do far beyond anything you imagine. Our suffering is not our own, but to help someone else. Press through it so you can be rewarded in the end.
"Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart." Hebrews 12:3
"Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary." Galatians 6:9
In the last few weeks, I have heard so many examples of tried patience. Even in my own life and family, we have been pushed to the edge of ending faith...and by ending faith I mean there seems to be very little left to keep going. Because it is Christmas time, many families are struggling and having difficult times making ends meet so that they can share of themselves with their loved ones. But people are not just suffering financially; the battles I am hearing of are spiritual. Have you been to the place where it seems you just don't have the strength, courage or faith enough to keep going? It seems like every obstacle known to man is testing your patience, and trying your faith. Have you gotten to rock bottom where your only options are to give up or just stand still? Are you at the place where there is little that you can do but wait on the Lord? You get to that place, that critical point, and you are in the place where you can grow your faith or overthrow it.
James 5:7 says "Be patient, then, brothers, until the Lord's coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop and how patient he is for the autumn and spring rains." I take this not only to mean waiting on the Lord's return, but waiting until He acts on your behalf. Wait until God moves that mountain you are believing to be moved. Wait until He moves all of those people you used to hang with, wait until He clears all the obstacles from your view so that you can see clearly. In these situations it is most certainly hard to believe and it is difficult to trust in Him. But this is what you know, you're supposed to trust and wait on God. The question is how. And my answer to how is based on not knowing a particular solution, but just staying in God's presence in prayer until He did something.
Well I will recount the last 15 months of my life to you. In September, I lost one of the cousins I loved most. She had a beautiful spirit about her, and I had the pleasure of growing spiritually with her. So I was distraught and heartbroken after her unexpected passing. Then I had a very difficult relationship I was in--it seemed like everything I did could not help the situation. Next my dad's health began to rapidly decline. Every weekend I went home my dad was getting sicker. I was having difficulties at work, and could not get it worked out for me to work from Columbia to spend more time with my family. Then on New Years Eve, my mom is told my dad had less than 2 months to live. Talk about a way to start the New Year...and the sermon focused on New Beginnings. The 10th year is supposed to be a year of new beginnings. Well so that relationship went south, and then as I am on travel, my dad is put on hospice, saying that he would pass away soon. I am broken in every area, with no one to talk about my feelings but God, who seemed to have left me or at least was not answering my voice mails, lol. My dad survived his 2 month death sentence and lived past the death sentence issued by his brother...gosh I miss my dad. But imagine this, every area of your life, failing--oh not to mention my own health woes, I had just had a transplant the year before. Then to culminate that: my family acts ignorant around my dad's death, my supervisor puts me on leave --WITHOUT PAY (yes I still have bills and work), and many of the people I thought I could count on become flakes or issue out ignorant statements that just simply shouldn't be said at this point. I was there. I just was so fed up. I asked God why, why, why me. All I can say is thank God that He reminds us of His many blessings. Throughout all of that, I was delivered from an unhealthy relationship, things worked out at work that I had enough donated leave, I was able to spend time with my dad and get closer to him before he passed, and God definitely showed me my family's true colors and the people I no longer needed as a part of my life. Furthermore, He revealed to me why; I had to be stripped of all that hurt and past hurts to be able to heal whole. And today, without a single doubt, I know that God can do anything if you trust Him to do so.
Your why may be different from my why. I had to experience those things to be sensitive and supportive of others in that situation. I had to experience that so that I can minister to others who have lost someone they loved. I had to be purged of some things and people. And that was a breaking down process so that I could receive what God had next for me. God is so amazing, and I thank Him for that experience because He grew my faith. I never thought I could get through that, because I felt dead inside. I felt as I was just going through the motions of life, not feeling anything because emotionally I had been battered by everything you can think of. But little did I know my breakthrough sat right in front of me. If the devil would have had his way, my life would be over. Think of your most stressful moments and how they have negatively affected you. Stress kills!! And yes I was weary...I was so tired. But God loved me enough to take my hand and guide me through it. He reminded me of the blessings I have received and that He has the final say.
God is not a respecter of persons. Your situation could be much worse than my own, and He will do a mighty, great work in your life. Hey, look at Job!!! God restored him way beyond what he originally had. He gave him a full reward. If you will keep your eyes on Him when you get to the edge, He will let you walk on water, like Peter, and take you the rest of the way. Trust Him, and stretch your faith. God can do far beyond anything you imagine. Our suffering is not our own, but to help someone else. Press through it so you can be rewarded in the end.
"Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart." Hebrews 12:3
Friday, December 3, 2010
Daily Devotion
Get Over Yourself!
"For I swear, dear brothers and sisters, that I face death daily. This is as certain as my pride in what Christ Jesus our Lord has done in you." 1 Corinthians 15:31
I reread this scripture over and over again the last few days and could not see the relevant connection. But when I couldn't fall asleep until I wrote down this title and part of the scripture, I knew it had a purpose beyond my expression. Many times as we walk on this road of life, we have our battles, struggled and difficulties. There are hurdles to jump over, mountains to climb, and bridges to cross. We get those "bumps in the road" or those big nasty potholes along the way...like the ones that can mess up your alignment, lol. Yet, a lot of the time, we don't recognize our own hand in the situation. We don't see how if we had prayed about that decision or asked God what to do in that situation, how things may have turned out completely different. We fail to wait on God to move in our spirit man and go ahead and make a decision based on the flesh man's impulses.
I had to read a few commentaries to get the revelation of this scripture. Prior to today, I had always thought that this referred to dying to your own desires. Yes in a sense it does. But the greater meaning of this scripture is in the simplicity of the words: "I face death daily." In the literal sense, the apostle Paul was willing to die in the name of Jesus Christ. He was willing to lay down his own life, as Christ did, in order that he fulfill the calling on his life. He was willing to be stoned to death, hung, whipped, beaten, stabbed and cut up, even crucified, in the name of our Lord and Savior for the purpose of spreading the Good News to the Gentiles. The greater part of this scripture is that Paul gave up everything, even his very life, in the name of God. When we give all to God, we must let go of everything, even the lives we live to truly gain. We cannot have any sort of motivation towards our own personal gain in our hearts when we say we are working for God. You cannot truly expect Him to move on your behalf if you are working for yourself. You cannot expect God to elevate you and you definitely cannot expect Him to truly use you. Get over yourself--meaning stop looking for a way to get over or a way to misuse whatever gifts and talents God has given you for personal gratification. Get over yourself and truly willing to die for Christ, because after that point, nothing can separate you from Him!
"Just as it is written, "FOR YOUR SAKE WE ARE BEING PUT TO DEATH ALL DAY LONG; WE WERE CONSIDERED AS SHEEP TO BE SLAUGHTERED."' Romans 8:36
"For I swear, dear brothers and sisters, that I face death daily. This is as certain as my pride in what Christ Jesus our Lord has done in you." 1 Corinthians 15:31
I reread this scripture over and over again the last few days and could not see the relevant connection. But when I couldn't fall asleep until I wrote down this title and part of the scripture, I knew it had a purpose beyond my expression. Many times as we walk on this road of life, we have our battles, struggled and difficulties. There are hurdles to jump over, mountains to climb, and bridges to cross. We get those "bumps in the road" or those big nasty potholes along the way...like the ones that can mess up your alignment, lol. Yet, a lot of the time, we don't recognize our own hand in the situation. We don't see how if we had prayed about that decision or asked God what to do in that situation, how things may have turned out completely different. We fail to wait on God to move in our spirit man and go ahead and make a decision based on the flesh man's impulses.
I had to read a few commentaries to get the revelation of this scripture. Prior to today, I had always thought that this referred to dying to your own desires. Yes in a sense it does. But the greater meaning of this scripture is in the simplicity of the words: "I face death daily." In the literal sense, the apostle Paul was willing to die in the name of Jesus Christ. He was willing to lay down his own life, as Christ did, in order that he fulfill the calling on his life. He was willing to be stoned to death, hung, whipped, beaten, stabbed and cut up, even crucified, in the name of our Lord and Savior for the purpose of spreading the Good News to the Gentiles. The greater part of this scripture is that Paul gave up everything, even his very life, in the name of God. When we give all to God, we must let go of everything, even the lives we live to truly gain. We cannot have any sort of motivation towards our own personal gain in our hearts when we say we are working for God. You cannot truly expect Him to move on your behalf if you are working for yourself. You cannot expect God to elevate you and you definitely cannot expect Him to truly use you. Get over yourself--meaning stop looking for a way to get over or a way to misuse whatever gifts and talents God has given you for personal gratification. Get over yourself and truly willing to die for Christ, because after that point, nothing can separate you from Him!
"Just as it is written, "FOR YOUR SAKE WE ARE BEING PUT TO DEATH ALL DAY LONG; WE WERE CONSIDERED AS SHEEP TO BE SLAUGHTERED."' Romans 8:36
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)