AT THE CROSSROAD

Good Day!

When we get to a crossroad in life, we can become overwhelmed by decision making. Proverbs 3:5,6 (one of my favorite scriptures), says, 

5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
And lean not on your own understanding;
6 In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He shall direct your paths.

When you're at this place in life, don't move forward until you're sure God is directing your path. What looks and feels right doesn't mean it's right or right for you.

Be blessed.

JESUS CALMS THE STORM

I am reminded of a dream God gave me years ago. I was out in the middle of a dark scary ocean on a little row boat. I looked around and asked myself, " Will Jesus save me?" The next thing I knew, I looked up to the sky and Jesus came down and scooped me up out of the boat and out of the scary ocean. It was then I was assured within myself, "I am okay. Everything is alright now."

I just want to give you with some encouragement today. It does not matter how dark life seems or how bad the situation looks, Jesus can deliver you out of that dark place or that bad situation. Keep your eyes fixed on Him and know your help is on the way.

23 But as they sailed He fell asleep. And a windstorm came down on the lake, and they were filling with water, and were in jeopardy. 24 And they came to Him and awoke Him, saying, "Master, Master, we are perishing!" Then He arose and rebuked the wind and the raging of the water. And they ceased, and there was a calm. Luke 8:23,24

Be blessed.

THE LOVE OF GOD

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. John 3:16

How much does God love us? He loves us so much He sacrificed His only son for us so that we should live forever. No, not to live forever in this earth, but to live forever in heaven. 

We have hope of eternal life through the love of God and the death of Jesus, who hung on the cross and bore every one of our sins. 

Have you asked Jesus to come into your life? Have you repented of your sins? Do you believe Jesus was born, died on the cross for your sins, and rose from the grave? Jesus is knocking, will you let Him in?

Be blessed. 

POWERFUL WORDS

Our words are a powerful force. We can use them to encourage, destroy, help, heal, etc. 

Death and life are in the power of the tongue,

And those who love it will eat its fruit. Proverbs 18:21 

What are you saying to others? Are you using your words to build up others or are you destroying their character? Are you gossiping and spreading rumors or are you talking about the good qualities or personality they possess? We should be careful to use our words in a good way and not in a wicked or evil manner. 

God spoke the world into existence. 

Death and life are in the power of the tongue,

And those who love it will eat its fruit. Hebrews 11:3

Not only do our words have the power to affect others, they have the power to create our world. "I'm broke". "I'll never get out of this place." I hate my car." "I hate my job." When you put such negative words into the atmosphere, don't be shocked to find yourself in the red, in the same place you've always been, with a car that has mechanical issues, and losing your job. I use these as examples because using your words in such a way can create these realities in your life. 

Instead of speaking negative words, use positive ones. Speak your reality. Say what you want to happen in your life instead of what you do not want to happen. Speak it and expect it.

Be blessed.

A MIGHTY BIG GOD

We will face problems and obstacles in life. That is just the way it is. Some of the things we face will be huge. Oh yes! At some point in life, we will face something that will make us feel there is no way we can get out of it or overcome it. But God!

God is still on the throne. He is in control. God is much bigger than any problem or obstacle we will face in life. God is able to do what needs to be done. We are familiar with the following saying, "Don't tell God how big the problem is. Tell your problem how big God is." We say it, but do we really believe it? If you believe this and you know God is able to deliver in whatever situation you face, there is no reason to crumble when trouble comes.

God is a big God who does big things. Trust Him.

The Lord is good,
A stronghold in the day of trouble;
And He knows those who trust in Him. Nahum 1:7

Be blessed.

THE GIFT OF A NEW YEAR

Hello 2018!

Some of us will look back at 2017 and be pleased with how far we have come in life. Goals were reached, great things happened, and last year was good. On the flip side, others will not be pleased and may even find themselves in the same place now as they were on January 01, 2017. What happened? Did fear become an obstacle, keeping them from achieving their goals and moving to another level? Maybe they allowed distractions to throw them off course. Or maybe for whatever reason, they simply did not put forth the work or effort required to do what needed to be done.

The Lord has blessed us with a gift called new year. What will you do with it? Will you take the time to seek the Lord for direction for your life? Will you use the gifts and talents He blessed you with, knowing the return of Jesus is ever so near? Will you put in the work required to accomplish your goals? Take note of how precious time is and how you spend your days. Time is ticking away and is ticking away fast. 

There are many devices in a man's heart; nevertheless the counsel of the Lord, that shall stand. Proverbs 19:21

Be blessed.

SAY A PRAYER

Many people feel they have nothing to offer because their checking account is in the red or they cannot match the gift someone else is giving. Being a blessing to others go far beyond the money and stuff. Everyone has something to give to others and that is the gift or blessing of prayer. It does not cost us anything to remember someone in prayer.

Your prayers can touch someone thousands of miles away in a hospital room you have never visited. Your prayers can help turn a situation around for someone. In a lot of cases, your prayers can do what money and material stuff cannot do. 

If you ever think you have nothing to give, remember you can lift up someone in prayer. In fact, we should always take time to remember others in prayer. All of us are in need of it.

Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. 1 Timothy 2:1,2

Be blessed.

GOD'S REDIRECTION

I cannot begin to count the number of times I have made plans only to have them interrupted in order for me to go or do something altogether different. Honestly, the change is not always welcomed when it occurs, but later on, it makes perfect sense why it had to be. In times like this, I can fight against it and try to continue to do things on my own and in my own way or I can accept God's redirection and carry out my part in the plan He has designed.

God's redirection is always purposeful. Everything He does has purpose. We have to learn to flow with God even when it makes us uncomfortable or disrupts our lives in some way. His redirection leads us to someone who needs to hear life is worth living. His redirection leads us to families in need and we have what is necessary to meet the need. God's redirection takes you from one job to another job. Rejection is redirection. God's redirection leads us to the people, places, and things we should be.

I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go;
I will guide you with My eye. Psalm 32: 8

Be blessed.

DON'T WORRY, TRUST GOD

But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19


Worrying over this and that is something most people do. The constant tragic news stories and headlines regarding death, ups and downs in the stock market, and job lay offs are enough to cause many people to panic and worry if their trust is in other things and not the Lord. What benefit comes from worrying? Not one thing. God is able to meet every need we have. He is able to  give us more than enough. We look to our Father for our help, but many are doubting Him when they do it. They wonder if He will come through. They forget the countless times He has come through in the past.

God does not promise to supply all our desires, but He will meet our needs. In fact, He knows what you need before you even ask of Him. God is faithful. Do not focus on your problems but place your focus on the One who supplies all your needs. Your is help is here.

Be blessed. 

BETTER DAYS ARE HERE

We often hear the saying, "Better days are ahead or coming." As I glanced over a post I made years ago, I thought to myself, "No, better days are here....right now." Saying better days are ahead or coming means I am looking for these days to come. To say better days are here means I am no longer expecting but I am experiencing it. I know what you might be thinking. You may be going through a really rough time right now and cannot possibly visualize yourself experiencing a better day. 

I believe our words create worlds. If you are going through a trying time at this moment, tell yourself better days are here and believe what you say. Take the time to find something good or positive in your life to look to in order to encourage yourself. Although difficult at times, I do believe no matter the circumstances in life, one can always find something good.

Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear. Hebrews 11:3

Be blessed.

MOVING ON

I've talked a lot lately in my personal life about starting a new chapter. It's both exciting and uncomfortable but so necessary and very rewarding. So many people are constantly staring at the same page in the same book instead of turning the page, beginning a new chapter, or just closing the book and starting a new one. When a person decides to do one of these things, they choose to move on. 

Moving on means leaving some things behind. They become a part of our past. We have to cut ties to things that no longer serve a purpose in the new season of life. This also applies to people. As the saying goes, people are in our life for a season, reason, or a lifetime. 

Be prayerful about your life. Seek the Lord about where you should go, what you should do, and when you should do it. Just as important as it is to move on in life, it's just as important to move in His timing.

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Jeremiah 29:11

Be blessed.

THE LORD WILL DIRECT MY PATHS

It can be hard to give up control.  For the most part, we want to be able to control the what, when, how, or why. When we're trusting the Lord, we give up complete control to Him. We are patient in His timing and the process of the what, when, how, and why.

As I prayed this morning and told the Lord that He has my total trust, the following scripture came to mind:

5 Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.

6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Proverbs 3:5,6

I spoke it aloud and made it personal for me:

"Lord, I trust you with my whole heart and I will not lean on my own understanding. I acknowledge You in all my ways and You will direct my paths."

I don't know what tomorrow will bring, but my focus is on this day. I want to be where the Lord wants me to be and do what He wants me to do. I can't become anxious about tomorrow or even the next hour. I must look at what's before me and flow with Him. When I seek Him daily for His guidance, instruction, and I am attentive and obedient to His voice, I can't go wrong. I won't be led astray. I will accomplish what I am to accomplish for the day.

Stay encouraged. Be blessed.

THE PUSH

Note: As I looked over my past posts, I discovered a similar entry I wrote in May 2015 regarding the push out of the comfort zone. I do not think it is a coincidence that I am writing a very similar post almost one year later. This tells me it is important to remind myself and all of you of the necessary push we all need at some time or another. 

The comfort zone is exactly that, a comfortable place to be. Remaining in the comfort zone stunts growth. There are no challenges and a person is not able to expand beyond what one already knows. Gifts and talents remain hidden because of a lack of opportunity to expose them. Most people will remain in this position if left alone. Others will push themselves beyond this zone or receive a push from some other source.

I can personally speak about being pushed out of my comfort zone. I spent many years living in a place of comfort because I was afraid of the unfamiliar that waited me outside of the box. I call my comfort zone a box because that is what it felt like to me. Being trapped in a box. I am a leader and I know it. It is a miserable feeling to be a leader, feeling as though your hands are tied, and trapped in a box. I cannot blame anyone for putting me in that box because God had given me the power to escape, but I came up with every excuse possible as to why I needed to be there. I do understand there was a set time I was to remain in that place to have my life touched and to touch the lives of others, but when it was time to branch out, I remained.

At the beginning of this year, I promised myself this year would not be the same as last year or the year before because I needed a change. I was going to use the power and authority I was given to change 2016. Not long after making this promise, here comes the push. I will not spend time explaining all of the details regarding the push, but just know that due to a series of events, I am happy to say that I have taken a great leap of faith and escaped the box. I have left the comfort zone that I permitted to stunt my growth and keep my gifts and talents hidden from the world. I am so happy and at peace with my decision. I cannot begin to explain how freeing it feels to stretch beyond the familiar.

There are many people we have to reach using our God given gifts and talents and staying in a place of comfort prevents us from reaching them. It is up to each one of us to use the faith we were given to go beyond this place of comfort. 

Be blessed.

KEEP CALM AND TRUST GOD

There are times when we question God. I do not mean questioning His existence, but the typical questions of why or why not? When? Where? You know, those type of questions. Today might be one of those days for you. I hope you are encouraged by my post.

Today I donned one of my favorite t-shirts (see picture below).  I had to stop by a few places today and during most of my visits at least one person stopped me just to say, "I like your shirt." In fact, a gentleman took time to walk from one side of the store to another just to tell me so. The first compliment did not make me think about it so much, but after the fourth compliment I could no longer deny the message God was sending to me. 

I have worn this shirt many times before and on some days nobody acknowledged the shirt and other days a person or two. On this day, the compliments kept coming and I thought to myself it seemed a little unusual. Then it became crystal clear to me that God wanted me to keep calm and trust Him. I wore this shirt displaying a message that reminds others to keep calm and trust God but He reminded me that I needed to do the same. 

It does not matter what you are facing today. Do not panic. Do not stress. Do not give up. Do not move in haste without seeking God's guidance. Do have faith. Do hold on. Do seek His face. Keep calm and trust God.

Be blessed.

JESUS NEVER CHANGES

Change is constantly taking place around us. Sometimes we flow with change and other times we fight it. Either way, change is inevitable. 

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Hebrews 13:8

In this world of constant change, we can take great comfort in trusting in Jesus who never changes. The same Jesus who brought you of the storm yesterday will bring you out of the storm today. The same Jesus who healed you on yesterday will heal you today. I do not know how you feel about it, but I am excited about this fact. It brings me great joy just thinking about it.

Be encouraged today.

Be blessed.

JESUS IS ALIVE

Resurrection Sunday serves as a reminder that the Lord can give life to a dead thing. Whatever it is, you can give it over to Him and see restoration take place. Through Him hope is restored. Through Him peace is restored. Through Him joy is restored. With Him, nothing is impossible.

God, I thank you for Jesus! Because You loved us so much, You sent Your only begotten Son to pay the price for our sins. He died to pay the price for your sins and mine. Although He died, He did not stay in the tomb. He rose and He still lives.

Let us be reminded not only today but every day of this wonderful gift we were given. 

HAPPY RESURRECTION SUNDAY!

5 But the angel answered and said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. 6 He is not here; for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay." Matthew 28:5,6

Be blessed.

THE PUSH INTO YOUR PURPOSE

At times we have to be pushed to the place we ought to be. The push comes  in many forms. It does not always feel good. In fact, it can be quite uncomfortable when we choose to remain is such a stable and comfortable place then are pushed out of that place. Although uncomfortable and sometimes painful, the push is necessary.

God is more concerned with our purpose than comfort. He will stir things up to push us into our purpose. God does not do these things to make us miserable, but He is doing it to push us into our purpose. I can personally say that I have recently experienced a chain of events that have prompted me to take the steps to not just flip the page to a new chapter in a book, so to speak, but to close the book. I can honestly say I do not know how much longer I would have chosen to remain in this stagnated, unhappy, comfortable place if those specific events had not happened.

We may not recognize the push for what it is or even appreciate it at the time, but one day we will be so grateful for it.

Be blessed.

THE SMALL THINGS

We serve such a mighty God! We hear about His awesome works though testimonies. The bible contains pages and pages of just how great He is. Because God is who He is, some assume such a mighty big God is not concerned with the things we consider small. How wrong is this assumption!

God is not only concerned about the major issues we face or go through but He is concerned about any and all things that concern us. He is the God with no limits and while He is handling a major issue for one, He is handling the "smaller" issue for another. Yes! At the same time! Remember, we serve a powerful and awesome God.

Involve Him in your daily life. Everything about us interest Him and He is intimately familiar with our ways:

O Lord, You have searched me and known me.
2 You know my sitting down and my rising up;
You understand my thought afar off.
3 You comprehend my path and my lying down,
And are acquainted with all my ways.
4 For there is not a word on my tongue,
But behold, O Lord, You know it altogether.
5 You have hedged me behind and before,
And laid Your hand upon me. Psalm 139:1-5

Be Blessed.

HE IS RISEN

2 Very early in the morning, on the first day of the week, they came to the tomb when the sun had risen. 3 And they said among themselves, “Who will roll away the stone from the door of the tomb for us?” 4 But when they looked up, they saw that the stone had been rolled away—for it was very large. 5 And entering the tomb, they saw a young man clothed in a long white robe sitting on the right side; and they were alarmed.

6 But he said to them, “Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He is risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid Him.7 But go, tell His disciples—and Peter—that He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him, as He said to you.” Mark 16:2-7

Jesus hung on  the cross for your sins and mine. He died for you and me. He paid the ultimate price so that we could have eternal life. This is the most precious gift. The greatest gift. Although Jesus died and was buried, He rose. He is alive. True and living, Jesus is. 

Let us take the opportunity to remember all Jesus endured for us. We cannot forget just how good He is and the love He has for us.  Jesus lives. Jesus is not dead. He is risen!

Happy Resurrection Day! 

Be blessed.

SPRING FORWARD

Spring forward. Most of us were required to adjust our clocks by moving them forward one hour. Spring forward is what we call it. It's close to the time of the year when flowers bloom, the grass is green, and we consistently receive pleasant weather. I look forward to this time of year each year, but this year I feel more excited. I feel excited because it's time to spring forward not only in time but in life.

Yes! It's time to spring into action and dust off the plans I put to the side. It's time to spring forward with new beginnings. I feel a sense of springing within and I'm totally excited about it. Are you excited about the new season? Are you ready to spring forward? Is it time for you to take great leaps in faith and let God take you to where He wants you to go? Let's spring forward into a new thing.

Be blessed.