Allow Him To Lead

Sometimes we get caught in the trap of confusion, b/c we can’t see where we’re going or how we’ll get there. We get stumped by what we see and don’t see and we’re haunted by where we’ve been. Saints, this renders us useless. 

I want to challenge you today. Stop worrying about the how's, the when's and the why's and just trust Him! Allow Him to lead & guide you, trusting He knows the way!!

Great News!!

Guess what?!?!?! 

 

 

Great News!!!! 

 

 

 

 

JESUS IS COMING!!!!

Exhortation

If there's ever been a time when I know, like I know my name, Jesus could come, it's today. Saints, there's no time to play. There's a lost world all around us who need to know HE LOVES them. It's time to unite, put our armor on & move forward together in one mind (HIS MIND), one Spirit (HIS SPIRIT) & one mission (HIS MISSION)!!! Are you ready?!??!?!?!

Realizing the Dream

“And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” Romans 8:28 NASB

When God plants dreams within our hearts, they take root and grow. Then passion and confidence collide and a beautiful explosion sets off some pretty amazing chain reactions. Believing He can make those dreams reality, we set out to explore uncharted waters, engage in scary, yet exciting excursions; the road is endless and the sky is the limit. However, a few miles into this expedition, we find ourselves staring at a detour sign, but I like what one preacher recently said, “We get frustrated by those men in orange vests and want them to get out of our way, but the fact of the matter is, they’re there to warn us the bridge is out. If you plow on through, you’re headed for danger.”

It’s true, when taking a trip, we often map out our destination by choosing the quickest routes and looking for the fast lanes of the interstate, but we’re completely oblivious to any danger awaiting us on the roads.  Eager and excited to get where we’re going, we accept the distance but quickly grow frustrated by any detours, even though we know they’re set up to protect us.

Satan, the enemy of our soul, will do whatever he possibly can to create pot holes in our lives. He’ll tear down bridges between relationships, create storms to drop debris in our path; he’ll even, try washing the road right out from under us, making us feel isolated and alone. None of these things take God by surprise. In fact, if He allows us to go through the storms, He’ll turn the opposition into opportunities to reveal His strength and glory.

It’s imperative that we remember God has a plan. He creates and gives life to the dreams He’s given us. He’s mapped out our course and will bring us to His destination. It may not be the quickest way or the route we would have chosen, but must trust Him. He’s already paved the way before us! The detours we come to our not stop signs or U-turns, but are reminders that He’s with us, protecting us and leading the way.

One of Life's Little Lessons

This morning I saw, what I thought was, a nasty dead bug lying on the floor. I grabbed a paper towel to pick him up, when immediately and to my surprise, I found he was not dead, but very much alive. I jumped, I screamed and after regaining my composure, snatched his hide up and flushed him down the toilet. I shivered from head to toe at the though that he had invaded my house. I watched with pleasure, as that little intruder floated aimlessly away. I don’t know how it got in, but I knew it couldn’t stay. This is MY house and there’s just simply no room for him and the nastiness he brings!

Feeling violated, I was reminded that no matter how clean I try to keep my home, those little pests are relentless. They’ll stop at nothing to look for ways to get in. After all, it’s what they do. They like to claim everything as their own, so they raid and steal. Sound like anyone else you know?

The Word of God describes our adversary, Satan, as a thief who comes to steal, kill and destroy (John 10:10). He’s like a roaring lion roaming to and fro, seeking whom he may devour (1 Peter 5:8). He’s a stalker. He studies our behavior, watches every move we make and skillfully devises a plan to steal from us, with his ultimate goal being to destroy us if allowed. No matter how clean or well-constructed we are, he manages to find “cracks” to slip through, but take note, we’re not ignorant concerning his devices (2 Corinthians 2:11). We can be armed and ready for his attack, if we’ll prepare our minds for action and keep sober in spirit (1 Peter 1:13). Even then, it’s not enough to crush the enemy and send him on his way. We’ve got to deal how he got in and the aftermath he leaves behind.

As I sprayed the bleach and wiped the floor, cleaning up bug remnants, I began to feel this clean kind of freedom.  I mean, before, I questioned where the bug had been and wondered if everything around me was contaminated by its nastiness. Satan has the same effect. Satan thrives off of fear so it’s imperative that we put him in his place, for God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind (2 Timothy 1:7) and, although I’ve cleaned my house extra hard, I realized there were more drastic measures to take.

It’s not enough to just spray the outside of my home (that’s a whole other devotion for a whole other day), I must spray inside my home and on a regular basis! It's important to cover all our bases. Where one bug got in, if not dealt with, it's there for another bug to enter. But if you deal with the problem head on, you'll save yourself a lot of time and headache!

You can be assured; Satan has perfected his craft,  so do not give him opportunity (Ephesians 4:27); remain sober and vigilant (1 Peter 5:8). We must equip ourselves for battle (Ephesians 6:11), knowing that he’s waiting for our most vulnerable moments, those long nights when the lights are low and we're off guard, he'll start sneaking in. 

Don’t be caught off guard! Keep your eyes open and stay prepared!

1 Thessalonians 5:23

“Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Fight the Good Fight!

1 Timothy 6:12-16 NASB
"Fight the good fight of faith; take hold of the eternal life to which you were called, and you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. I charge you in the presence of God, who gives life to all things, and of Christ Jesus, who testified the good confession before Pontius Pilate, that you keep the commandment without stain or reproach until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, which He will bring about at the proper time—He who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone possesses immortality and dwells in unapproachable light, whom no man has seen or can see. To Him be honor and eternal dominion! Amen."

I have such a burden for ministers & their families. You're called of God to give your life, blood, sweat and tears. Your sacrifices so often go unnoticed, but remember, your rewards are not down here. God knows right where you are. He sees your faithfulness and obedience and the strength you may feel is fleeting, is being renewed daily by His.

Don't give up! Keep fighting the good fight of faith! There are too many around us needing to hear the message that Jesus loves them, so keep marching on!! My prayers are with you!

Walking in the Rain: Waiting for His purpose

“For everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven” (Ecc.3:1)


It was a cool autumn morning, I wanted to crawl back in bed and go to sleep. I had so much to do, but felt so blah. No amount of coffee could pull me out of these blues. I needed sunlight! It had been raining for days. Much like my life at the time, I craved a silver lining, but all I received was the cold, dark, stormy days and nights. It seemed almost ironic; the weather symbolizing my life.

As I stepped out to face the day, I began to equate this with our Spiritual journey. Oh, how we bask in the sunshine and dance in the cool breeze of the days when life is good! It’s not hard to find solace when our dreams are realized; but in the garden of life, sometimes the clouds hang low and the rain must fall.

I’m reminded of that seed planted deep within the dark, moist, soil. Hidden away from the sun's rays, fighting for life, the seed is watered and begins to grow. It brings forth life in the darkness and presses forward endlessly until it breaks through to the sun. Like the flower, God knows how much rain it takes to sustain us. It’s in those dark lonely hours we give birth to the dreams He places within us. He gives us the strength to endure the pressures all around us as we press toward His light.

With tears streaming down my face, I closed my umbrella and looked to the sky. My whole perspective had changed! No longer was I focused on all the hindrances of the rain, but on its benefits. No longer was I drawn aside by its distractions, but attracted to its rewards.

This Holiday Season, don’t be swept away by the hustle and bustle of life. Stop and take a moment to reflect on the goodness of the Lord, giving thanks for the seasons of laughter and the seasons of tears knowing that He loves you and believes in you. He’s created you with a special purpose that no one else can fulfill. So trust Him and enjoy the sunshine or a walk in the rain, as He plants His purpose in you.