When the newness wears off

Remember when you were young and Summer was coming to an end?  You started to get prepared for the new school year; new backpack, school clothes, supplies, etc.  If you were in Jr. High or Sr. High School you would go up to the school a few weeks before and get your schedules.  You normally planned to meet up with friends to see what everyone's schedules looked like.  Planned outfits for the first week and talked about everything.  Then along came "First Days of School Eve"; you sit your clothes out perfectly down to under garments, you load your backpack, make sure you and your friends have a plan to meet up somewhere before the bell rings, you can't sleep, you're full of anxiety and excitement and everything else.  You get to school and see you friends and parade around in new clothes like you're walking down the catwalk.  There's laughs, people joking around, jocks prepping for practice, so much chatter and business until the bell rings.  You go to your classes finish the day and then go home.  The further into the school year you get, the more the newness and excitement wears off and now you have troubl waking up and you have no motivation to get homework done (except the threat of a beat down from your parents).  You and your fiends start gowing apart a little because everyone is into different things.  Some are athletic, some are bookworms, some are "mr or mrs popular", and you seem to have become a bit of a loner.  So you decide not to care and just fall under the radar.  Building up resentment towards people because they are, seemingly, happier than you are.

As believers, this is what tends to happen when we decide to become too religious or over saved.  When we choose not to allow a mentor into our lives.  When we choose to be the "perfect" Christian and condemn others around us for the very things we used to do ourselves.  The word of God says the we are not to juge unless we will be judged ourselves.  Please understand that you are not alone in feelin this way.  You get saved and you do the "hallelujah and Amen" dance for a few months (if that) and then you slowly fade away.  You don't feel like getting up for church.  You hit snooze instead of getting up to pray, you would rather talk about a brother or sister in the church instead of praying for them.  Eventually, you just stop going all together and figure you can do it on your own...until you can't.

Now I'm not saying that you're going to hell if you miss a bible study or church event once in a while.  But I am saying that if you have a choice to prioitize, you should always prioritize God in your life.  It's so much easier to push God to the side and deal with things of the world.  Duh, satan wants you to fall and he is lord over things of this world so of course they are going to be way more glittery with flashing  lights to appeal to your flesh.  But if you take the road less traveled and yield to the word of God, I promise you won't miss out on a thing.  Worldly possessions are instat gratification, but God's word and His inheritence is eternal.

So while it does take some work to maintain a relationship in the word, know that it is well rewarded.  We are heirs and joint heirs with Jesus.  God has promised that we shall eat of the good of the land and inherit the kingdom...as long as we follow Him and obey his commandments.  Trust me when I say the world is not all its cracked up to be.  Instant gratification is not worth it...Eat of the good of the Land for eternity!

Who's Agenda is it anyway?

Your Kingdom come, Your will be done; On Earth as it is in Heaven... - Matt.6:10

In preparing for a meeting at church this evening I was getting some information together and writing down questions do that I had my agenda together and could speak intelligently.
I started praying in the car and began to speak in my Heavenly language. My heart desires to do so many things and the Holy Spirit began ministering to me about what was on my heart and I was so humbled. And I began to change my prayer and ask the Holy Spirit to let me go in with His agenda. Speak through me and use me as a vessel to use my gift to further the kingdom.
I'm sure we've all heard the saying "if you want to hear God laugh...tell him your plans." Its always made me chuckle and now I have so much more revelation in that. God gives us gifts, we all have a purpose and it's a choice that we make to use our gift to further the kingdom or solely for selfish gain.  Don't get me wrong taking care of yourself is not selfish...it's wisdom; but there must be a balance. 
So make sure you check your spirit before you enter into tasks and ask the Holy Spirit to move through you on His agenda, not your own.

Procrastinating your way into bondage

9 He who is slothful in his work Is a brother to him who is a great destroyer - Prov.18:9

The dictionary describes procrastination as: The act or habit of procrastinating, putting off or delaying, especially something requiring immediate attention.

In Proverbs it talks about being slothful in your work.  That means to procrastinate.  Procrastination is a spirit of laziness.  You put it off because you don't feel like it or you're dreading it.  This can easily become a form of bondage for you and it is in your spirit to procrastinate until you feel a sense of urgency or until the pressure is on you to get something done.  Then we fall into the art of blaming others for things not being done in excellence.  Because of the fact that we delegate something late in the game.  You cannot expect things to be done in excellence if you don't start them in excellence.  Yes we are children of God and yes we have favor in the Lord and ALL things are possible through him.  BUT, don't test the Lord and think that He is going to pull off a miracle to help you when you haven't tried to help yourself.  You have to take care of business and make moves so that what's already loosed in heaven can manifest here in the natural. 

This all falls into being a good steward as well.  If you procrastinate and let things fall to the wayside like: weight, health, household chores, your appearence, car maintenance or anything else - then how can you expect God to bless you with new things?  If a church is growing and needs a new building but the members are not good stewards over the sanctuary that is there already; meaning no one is sowing time or money into the kingdom and if so it is not with a cheerful heart, then how can you expect God to provide a bigger one?  If a woman is not a good steward over her health and her body - but wants a baby - how can God bless her with another life to take care of and she won't take care of her own?  These are all choices that we make family and procrastination holds us back, keeps us in bondage and blocks us from inheriting all the good that God promised us.
When you procrastinate, you might as well tell God to have a seat because you have better plans.  You invite strife, doubt, fear and a host of other blockages into the mix and they are all giving satan a standing ovation.  When the Holy Spirit brings a blessing to you or is speaking to you; make moves!  Procrastination can be a matter of life or death in the natural and spiritually.  I promise you come out on top when you decide to do what you need to do expeditiously!  The Holy Spirit is already leading you and God has you under His wing.  Don't sleep on what you are called to do!  God has a blessing and has called you to be nothing less than Great.  Be the King's kid that you are!!!

Is your faith in the Fridge?

 

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.2 For by it the elders obtained a good testimony.3 By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible.  - Hebrews 11:1-3

I was cleaning some stuff out of the refrigerator the other day and making space for new groceries and such. I made sure that everything was able to fit that needed to be refrigerated or frozen so that nothing would spoil.  It occurred to me that I put a lot of effort in making sure that my food doesn't go bad because that's just wasted money and time (I hate grocery shopping).  I received a revelation from the Holy Spirit about my faith...
We talk about faith and having strong faith and the importance of faith but so many of us don't do what it takes to preserve our faith.  The word tells us that we need to walk in faith and love and have faith in calling those things that are not as though they are (Romans 4:17).  We're on fire for a little while and then it starts to dwindle and we still go through the motions of going to church and we Amen and high-five on Sundays and keep it pushing.  It is important to do what we need to do to preserve our faith.  It is perishable if you don't take care of it.  If you don't put ice cream in the freezer it melts and becomes flavored milk and it is no good.  If you leave milk sitting out it spoils.  Leave a box of cereal on the shelf too long and it gets stale.  We can't do this to our faith.  We need to spend time in the word feeding our faith, spend time in prayer fueling our faith.  Spend time building our faith. 

as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, - 2 Peter 1:3

2 Peter lets you know that God gave us ALL the tools we need to build our faith and walk in the ways of the righteous.

Exercising our faith is important to.  Calling situations to life, sowing into someone and/or the ministry.  Being led by the Holy Spirit and obedient in making a move that you wouldn't otherwise do without a back-up plan.  When we don't exercise our faith - like our bodies - it becomes heavy our of shape and it becomes harder to exercise it or even be in the mood to.   When we allow our faith to get bent out of shape it gets heavy with burdens, stress, doubt, depression and all the weights of the world settle in and make it hard to speak life.  It makes us not want to get up and go to church, bible study or anything else.  It's not even about satan getting in our heads and making us feel these things - we're doing it to ourselves. 
I encourage your family to exercise and preserve your faith.  Don't let your spirit man get bent out of shape. 

HE Knows your Worth: Even when you don't

 

For what have I to do with judging those also who are outside? Do you not judge those who are inside? - 1Cor.5:12

Please understand that Christianity does not equal perfection.  Don't become so religious that you are no worldly good!  If it is not your life, it is not your business to pass judgement.  Pray for one another and talk to God.  Don't gossip and then ask God to help that person.  Flick the plank out of your own eye first!  That word came on my heart the other day and I wrote it down.  In re-writing it, it has ministered and convicted my spirit.  The first time I heard it and was obedient in sharing it with some folks...this time I heard it and I'm being obedient in adhearing to it myself.  I thanks the Lord daily for continual revelation and understanding.  He knows I am no where near perfect.  He also knows my heart like no one else. I have to learn that just because He has put something on my heart and given me a gift to use to further the kingdom, doesn't mean that the path will not be bumpy nor the journey weary. 
There has to be a lot of patience put into being obedient so that you are making moves at the right time.  There has to be a lot of silence in obedience so that you can hear when the Holy Spirit is giving you further instruction.  There needs to be trust in obedience because God will require you to step out on faith in areas.  Don't worry He knows your worth even when you do not. 
So many times we (myself included) want to wait for the "right" opportunity to be used.  "When I get that million dollars, I'll sow into the kingdom."  "Once I'm where I want to be in life, I'll help in the ministry." I'm not where I want to be spiritually..." that's like getting in shape to go to the gym!  Don't harp on where you feel you may be spiritually.  98% of the time where you feel you are spiritually is based on your observations of others in the ministry and/or around you.  They may be able to flip to a bible verse faster, speak longer, articulate better, or do something that you cannot do BUT, when God wants you to do something it's because He knows your worth.  He knows that you can speak out boldly, He knows that you can manage a department, He knows that you can committ to being there.  He doesn't call people by mistake.  In all of our imperfection, God's will in us is perfection.  God does not call the qualified because we are ALL qualified and called to be kings and priests.  We are all called to further the kingdom in any way that we can. 
 Corinthinans 12:12-31 talks about unity and diversity within the body of Christ and how we all have different functions, gifts and assignments just as your physical body does.  If we all did the same thing and has the same function and purpose how would we be productive in many areas?  It's the desire for immediate recognition and praise of the flesh that becomes the demise of kingdom business.  If you entertain a vain thought for just a second it opens the door to strife, lust and carnal intentions.  People think of being concerned with looks and fashion when they hear vanity and that's why it is such a dangerous spirit.  Vanity is let in when you get a little irritated because someone didn't mention your name to the congregation.  "Pastor said thank you in private but didn't tell everyone what I did."  "Why is her name ahead of mine..." "I talk to Pastor all the time why did he help them..." Those are vain thoughts.  Romans 12:3-8 talks about not thinking too highly of yourself. 
Let God reward your works...you have to know that they are not going unseen.  Instant gratification is just that and it is gone just as quickly as it came...in an instant! You will be rewarded for every good work...your heart needs to be in the right place.  Do it because God loves you and has done so many things for you in the midst of your disobedience and beliees in the good in you...2Corinthians 9:8. 
I intended for this blog to go a completely different direction.  I have been struggling with feeling blocked and I was planning to write more or less out of frustration.  In the first few words I typed out the Holy Spirit began to minister to me and a calm came over my spirit and I thank God for it.  Continue to be obedient in what God has called you to do and keep pressing through.  He didn't promise smooth sailing, but He did say that we can walk on water!

Patience is Love & Love is Patience

Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal.2 And though I have the gift of  prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing.4 Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up;5 does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil;6 does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth;7 bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.8 Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away.9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part.10 But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away.11 When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things.12 For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known.13 And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.

Patience and love go hand in hand.  This scripture has been on my heart but it was a reflection of patience for me.  As I continually grow both physically and spiritually, milestones in my life cause me to reflect.  I reflect on who I am, where I am going and what I am doing to get there.  Patience has been a word that my close friends and family used to describe me on many occasions.  However, It was a conditional patience that I possessed.  1 Corinthians describes love as the greatest thing to have and if you do not have it, you have nothing.  God's love - agape love - is unconditional and his patience is everlasting.  Patience, like love, is necessary in all situations.  In order to truly forgive - you must be patient.  In order to truly maintain love - you must be patient.  Butterflies, bells and whistles of love come naturally as you start to develop feelings; but there's a patience that has to come along with it in order to maintain the natural high of love.  Relationships take patience and developing a calm patience, ironically enough, takes patience.  If God had no patience, what a world of trouble we would be in!

Patience also comes in our everyday actions and/or decisions.  People (including myself) struggle to save money in so many areas because of a lack of patience.  In today's society everything is about convenience.  Fast food, Faster food, Jiffy Lube, Drive thru coffee and more.  If we took a little time out of our busy schedules to be patient and do a few things ourselves; not only would we save money but we would learn lessons in developing patience along the way.  I recently taught myself how to braid hair.  I started out practicing on my fiance's daughter and right after I finished I called and made a hair appointment to get mine braided.  It was recently time to get it redone and I was having a meltdown because I HAD to get my hair done and I didn't know how it was going to fit into my schedule and so on and so forth.  Patience fell heavy on my heart and I woke up the next day and decided to try braiding it myself.  I did it, it's not professional but I know I will get there.  With practice and patience.  The enemy went to work on my mind saying that I couldn't do it, It was going to take to long and - my favorite statement - "I don't have the patience for that..." the thing is, I DO have the patience for it if I choose to have it.

Patience, like love and so many other things is a choice we make.  A state of mind that you choose to have. For all the control freaks out there...to not have patience is a lack of control over your mind.  So renew your mind and get your thoughts in order.  To be absent of love is to have nothing, but without patience true love will not surface. 

Brew coffee at home, make a home cooked meal...What can you do in your daily life routine to allow yourself a lesson in patience?

Submission is not weak: Don't be the O.T.H.E.R woman!



¹⁰ Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.
¹¹ The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.
¹² She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.
¹³ She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.
¹⁴ She is like the merchants' ships; she bringeth her food from afar.
¹⁵ She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens.
¹⁶ She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.
¹⁷ She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms.
¹⁸ She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night.
¹⁹ She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.
²⁰ She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.
²¹ She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet.
²² She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple.
²³ Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land.
²⁴ She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.
²⁵ Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.
²⁶ She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.
²⁷ She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.
²⁸ Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.
²⁹ Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.
³⁰ Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised.
³¹ Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.

- Proverbs 31:10-31



^{Society has taught women that the description, above, is weak.  To be submissive is to be a doormat.  The word tells us to strive to be that woman ladies.  To do anything less is not lining up with the will of God.  No we are not perfect, and yes the Proverbs 31 woman is a super woman basically.  You may never be able to do it 100% but don't ever let someone else tell you that your desire to be this woman is wrong.  You can work and take care of home, or just take care of home or do things however you do them.  Taking care of business is what we are born to do.  A strong woman doesn't always do what  she WANTS to do, we do what we HAVE to do and take necessary steps to make sure that we are pleasing God and our home front!} 

^{Females let’s be clear and REAL...a man isn't cheating with you because you are so good at being the other woman.  He's cheating with you because you are NOT good enough to be THE woman.  I laugh at women who brag about being the "go to" woman when the man gets bored at home.  You try to put down a submissive woman for being who GOD designed her to be.  Learn what submission really means.  A submissive woman is FAR from weak.  A true submissive woman knows how to carry the load for him and her both without him even having to know it.  She knows how to speak to his spirit and not his lusts.  She knows how to push him to his dreams instead of pulling him to his destruction.  She knows how to pray WITH him and not PLAY with him.  She knows how to be quiet even when her flesh wants to speak.  She knows the vcalue of his hard work and not JUST of his dollar.  A submissive woman is his LIFETIME while the "other" woman is just a GOOD TIME and that's all you'll ever be.  He knows that he can throw a few dollars and material possessions your way and that's all you will ever expect.  The other woman makes it easy for a man.  The submissive woman makes it easy for herself by making him EARN her...not BUY her.  You are the O.T.H.E.R woman...an Overplayed Toy He Eventually Releases!  Get a clue and change the game ladies!}