Daily Devotion

Stop Letting Dream Killers stop you

 

"Here comes that dreamer!" they said to each other.  Genesis 37:19

 

Hey y'all...  Today my heart is very heavy and for what I really haven't figured out yet.  I want to say something to my fellow dreamers:  stop letting the ignorance (Yes that is what they suffer from) of dream killers kill your dreams!  Believe in yourself, even when no one else does.  When you don't get the feedback and encouragement that you desire, keep going.  Keep fighting for that dream because once you give up on it, no one can get it back for you but you.

 

The only thing I wanted to do when I was younger is, quite honestly, was sing and dance and be a psychiatrist.  I ALWAYS danced, and I had a karaoke machine and was singing too.  I was also a Little Miss Dr. Phil too, trying to solve all the relationship problems in my family.  Now I don't claim to be the best of either and I am working on pursuing the correct variation of the latter, but when you may not have been encouraged to do that thing why would you pursue it?  All I heard all day long at school was you should be a doctor, you're so smart.  I really didn't know that being a dreamer and following my heart is the way we should go.  God put desires, talents, and gifts within each of us.  God knows His plans for us, and it's our responsibility NOT to allow anyone to change or deter them.(Jeremiah 29:11)  We should not question the things of our hearts, because that is where God resides.(Luke 24:38)  If anything is pure and true, it is what He put in our hearts.  Discouragement comes in some of the most unforeseen places, like from parents, friends, mentors, loved ones, anyone that you may hold close to your heart.  But that's where discernment comes in. "I delight to do Your will, O my God; Your Law is within my heart." Psalm 40:8

 

Now there is a difference between dreams, delusions, and hallucinations.  The good thing is you can pray for clarity on a thing, or even explore the Word for the validity of a dream.  Joseph's brothers sold him into slavery and tried to kill him because of his dreams.(Genesis 37-50)  Some people are intimidated by your dreams and the power that God has placed within them.  People called by God with great purposes will be targeted from every angle to kill the dreams.  They will even try to kill you to stop your dreams from coming to fruition. That is when you need to amp up your pursuit of your dreams and lean on God to guide you.

 

Stop your dream killers and go hard! lol  Be blessed!

Daily Devotion

Breaking Away from Tradition and Seeking God

'He answered them, "Why do you break the commandment of God because of your traditions?"' Matthew 15:3(GWT)

Afternoon people! I listened to so much stuff before my hour of lucidity this morning, that quite frankly I do not remember where this was inspired from. Lol I woke up like three times: at 5:40am and the radio was on with a sermon that I cannot recall, around 6:20 for the regular alarm and late alarms, then at about 7:50ish lol when I actually got out of the bed. Christ tells us that He will make us fishers of men(Matthew 4:19), that we are to preach the Good News and bring others to Him(2 Timothy 1:8); I guess He wanted me to go fishing early--I really gotta stop going to bed so late.

Traditionally, only men are pastors and ministers. In some religions, a person can only be considered a member if they convert or traditionally through the lineage and belief of one of the parents. In modern day traditions, there are denominations in churches. Traditionally, there is only one type of Christian music. In the world, traditionally only women are nurses, men are politicians, and sadly, traditionally in order to be successful as black people, you have to be an athlete or an entertainer.

I have always wondered why there is so much opposition to change. There has been problems with breaking "traditions" since forever, and including before Jesus came. Here at work I am certain much of the difficulty I am having with my supervisor is because traditionally, this is a white older male industry, in a traditionally white town where historically the black population was enslaved, ignorant, or very poor (So yes imagine the discomfort I have each day I am here in Charleston). But didn't God send many saints and prophets to change traditional thinking and to simply be obedient, i.e. Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel and John the Baptist to name a few. Before and after Jesus came, many were persecuted in His name and for preaching to the world to change and break away from their sin.(2 Timothy 3:12-13) Everybody wants to live their way, the same way they have lived for the last unknown number of years. Some things get brushed under the rug, hidden in the closet or ignored altogether because of tradition and refusal to go against it.

I have a new found respect for musical pioneers like Kirk Franklin to some recent talent like Canton Jones and Mary Mary. Reach me how God wants you to! Don't make me conform to a traditional way of thinking. Our purpose is to share God's word and the salvation given by Jesus Christ; not to put God in a box called Methodist or in a container called Gospel.(2 Timothy 4:2) Think about it, were there such stiff traditions as we have today in the New Testament? Yes there were, hence the Pharisees plot to kill Jesus; they didn't like the change He was bringing and the light He shed on their evil ways. But Jesus preached from boats, in people's homes, the temples and synagogues, wherever the Father had him go.(Luke 5:1, Luke 5:3, Luke 5:17, Luke 6:6) The only way to know what God wants you to know is by reading His word, interpreting it and discussing it with mature Christians. Don't accept someones way of thinking, be influenced in a negative way because of a tradition or let it define how you view God: seek Him yourself, because He desires an intimate relationship with each of us. I think that was one of the best things about me going to Clark; my school was Methodist, I grew up Baptist, I ended up attending a nondenominational church and seeking God from many different backgrounds. I seek my own personal understanding.

The whole new testament in its entirety is a break away from tradition. Many people did not accept Jesus, hence His crucifixion for our sins! I'm glad that God saw fit to break away from man-made tradition to save me, don't you?(Romans 5:6) Because if tradition still stood, we would not know Christ; salvation was not originally entitled to the Gentiles.(Ephesians 2:13) Ask yourself, why would God create so many different people from diverse backgrounds if He did not want to save us all?(1 Timothy 2:3-4, Romans 10:12-13) We are all justified to seek Him!(Romans 5:9)

Be blessed and think outside of the world's box and on the glory of God!

Daily Devotion

Surrounded by Adversity

 

 "Troubles are round us on every side, but we are not shut in; things are hard for us, but we see a way out of them; We are cruelly attacked, but not without hope; we are made low, but we are not without help;"  2 Corinthians 4:8-9

 

Isn't it great how one scripture can have so many applications?  Lol anyway, don't get frustrated with me for beating the same horse, but quite frankly, people of God suffer!  We face all kinds of troubles and stress, pain and strife, problems and troubles, and every other name you have for them.  We lose jobs, houses, mothers, fathers, brothers and sisters, cousins, other relatives, our minds, money, everything!  I don't know about you, but if I really sat down and counted, I'm sure there is something that happens to bother me everyday.  But the difference is, I do not dwell on it; because I know God's reward.  Yes yes yes there are some DAYS, I mean, SOME DAYS, that I would pray and pray and pray that God change it in an instant.  But the power is in the Word, and having mountain-moving faith in His promises.(Luke 17:6) 

 

1 Peter 4:13 says "Rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed."  Really!  This is not something that you can often do alone.  In the midst of all my suffering, I cried out to God many many times.  Finally, I have a peace that I cannot explain.  He promises to deliver us!(2 Timothy 4:18,   I know that God is going to reveal His glory at the end of all of this.  Now I'm not going to ask for more, lol, because who would?  But I will ask that in spite, God give me the strength of Christ to sustain me, His grace and favor to maintain me, and that I stand still in the midst.  In these times you must just trust God to get you through it!

 

"Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps."  1 Peter 2:21

Daily Devotion

Steadfast in God's Promises

 

"But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness."  2 Peter 3:13

 

I'm not sure how many of us know what is entitled to us as Christians through Christ and as Children of God, but I wanted to share some scriptural promises with you. 

 

One that I hold most dear, and you should to is that God promises to supply our need. (Philippians 4:19).  Even when things seem almost insurmountable for me, I hold true to this scripture because looking back, God has gotten me through these same types of circumstances before.

 

God tells us that His grace is sufficient for us in our weakness, and that we can do all things through His son Jesus who gives us strength.  Even when we are too proud to call on Him or give the problems to Him, God's grace is there for us!  (2 Corinthians 12:9, Philippians 4:13)

 

God promises that when difficulties get too hard, that He will do many things: He will provide us a way of escape, He will carry the burdens for us, and He will deliver us from evil!  So trust and know that your prayers are heard and they work!(1 Corinthians 10:13, Matthew 11:28, 2 Timothy 4:18)

 

God promises us that we will live and not die.  All redeemed shall only fall asleep and be lifted from the curse of death.  (1 Corinthians 15:3-4, Psalm 118:17)

 

Probably the most important of these is salvation and everlasting life!  Jesus died for us; He did to redeem us from sin and the curse of the law.  He died to bring us into the fold and extend salvation to those of us not covered.  (John 3:16, Romans 10:9, Acts 2:38)

 

And God promises to make it work out for our good!  "And we know that God causes all things to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose for them."  Romans 8:28  We are partakers in the Holy Inheritance, so live these promises and call on God when you need them! (Ephesians 1:11)

 

Good night and walk in these promises!

 

'Certainly, Christ made God's many promises come true. For that reason, because of our message, people also honor God by saying, "Amen!"'  2 Corinthians 1:20(GWT)

Daily Devotion

Fighting an Uphill Battle

 

"They strengthened the disciples in these cities and encouraged the disciples to remain faithful. Paul and Barnabas told them, "We must suffer a lot to enter the kingdom of God."  Acts 14:22(GWT)

 

Shoutout Numbers and Founders yay!  LOL  Anyway, how are you?  I know I had a mini breakdown today.  Difficulties abound but because I know His Word I cannot doubt Him.  But its hard fighting something that seems unwinnable (impossible to win) lol.  But because there is nothing that is impossible for God, I know that I am in the wake of my breakthrough.  Change is a-coming!  I can feel it!

 

It is hard to persevere sometimes when you feel all alone outside of your comfort zone.  The devil has chosen you on his list of people to attack today and he's going hard on you!  He ramped up in his attacks, often taking you to the brink of breaking, like a good breeze would knock you down.  He wants you to fail because he HATES you, he wants you to be defeated so that he can gloat to God--look at the book of Job in the first 3 chapters if you don't believe me.  A very wise lady from my job and I were talking and she said something that makes this crystal clear:  why would the devil attack the wicked, those that are living outside of God's will?  He already has them doing what he wants so he can spend his extra energy attacking you!

 

Its at these hard times that you should build your team and share the weight with your teammates.  You already have three in your starting lineup: The Father, The Son our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit that are here with you everyday!  When troubles stretch you to the point of breaking, its time for you to go to other mature Christians and gain some perspective.  Vent to them, and allow them to reflect back to you with words of wisdom from God.  In Proverbs 19:20-21, the Lord tells us to seek wise counsel.  You will solve two things at once:  you get the relieve the pressure of carrying your burdens alone, and you receive the truth only to be found in God's word.  We are going to experience suffering in God's name, but we must not give up!  We must use the tools and resources God gave us through the Holy Spirit, His Word, and other members of His body.  Keep fighting until your victory is won--God knows I love that song!  Good night!

 

"so that no one would be disturbed by these afflictions; for you yourselves know that we have been destined for this." 1 Thessalonians 3:3

Daily Devotion--11/1/2009

When the Seasons Change

 

"I, the LORD, never change. That is why you descendants of Jacob haven't been destroyed yet." Malachi 3:6

"Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows." James 1:7

 

I don't know about you, but when it's time to "Fall Back", I brace myself for the change in season.  The leaves if any are left on the trees, fall rapidly.  They go from the vivid colors of the fall to the naked trees of the winter.  It gets darker sooner, the sun only graces us with its presence for a short time, and it gets cold.  As drastic (to me) as changes in season are, our own human change is usually not.  Human behavior does not mirror that of the changing world because we do not naturally like change.  Over time, we get accustomed to it, but who in their right mind would welcome it?

 

The only steadfast and permanent thing in life is God's love, presence, and whole state of being.  God does not change.  Neither does His love, plan, and goal for us.  God does not change like our shadows.  He does not fluctuate like our weight, and He does not waver!  The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit are one and their promise to be there for us is still valid.  The seasons change and are the opportunity for us to grow in God.  Good night and I love you!  Keep me in your prayers and I will do the same!

 

"Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and for ever."  Hebrews 13:8

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


Marquita B. Priester

Yesterday's Daily Devotion

I copied the wrong scripture for Acts 20:31...guess I highlighted it
and didn't select the copy key. That's why I always try to reread
these on the same day. But if you wait till the last minute...but I
caught it! Yeah there are scriptures in the bible that say the same
thing but not that much alike lol!

"So be on your guard! Remember that for three years I never stopped
warning each if you night and day with tears.". Acts 20:31

http://enterthemindofmarquita.blogspot.com

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

Marquita B. Priester