Stinkin' Thinkin'

I think there is a saying that "thoughts become words and words become actions" or something like that; either way our thoughts have power. If we think on something long enough, whether good or bad, positive or negative, we're gonna end up acting on it. It has been stated so many times that "the mind is the battleground"; but I still sometimes get beat down because I'm not fighting with the right weapon which is the Word of God! As a result I end up with some stinkin' thinkin' which has led me to some nasty places with my flesh. 

I've struggled with perversion and lust; therefore, I have entertained pornography and promiscuity. However, I KNOW that the Word is one of the greatest weapon in any spiritual struggle. Being that I know that then I should not be struggling right? Right! I so agree and have decided, for real this time, to do better because of a recent experience that I DO NOT want to have again! FYI: When you entertain pornography, in any way, those images do not leave unless you replace them with some HOLY IMAGINATION! So, even though I had not watched any porn in weeks, maybe even months, the images were still there and "thinking about" and "meditating on" those images sent me on a porn binge, yep a porn binge...like an addict about to go into rehab for the final time. I went through video after video trying to satisfy my fleshly appetite! Later I realized that while I was trying to satisfy my flesh, I was only inviting more and more images into my head and making the struggle that much harder.

The flesh will not EVER be satisfied, which is why it is so important to bring it under subjection to the Spirit daily! This is the very reason why the Word tells us to "meditate on the Word DAY and Night" and to "think on those things that are true, just, pure, honest, of good report, virtuous, and praise-worthy". Meditating on the Word provides come-backs for that stinkin' thinkin'. However, we must make a decision not to allow the enemy no more room in that area by speaking that Word that we've meditated on when those thoughts or images come to our mind. There is power in the spoken word, according to Genesis 1 and 2 and so many other scriptures. Creation exists all from a spoken word. When God breathed breath into man, I believe that He gave us the same power to speak things into existence. So, let's not just meditate on what is right but confess it so that we can counteract that  ungodly and stinkin' thinkin'!

Peace, Blessings, and Favor

"God, help me live this life"

Paul says in Galatians 2:20, "I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now life in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me." 

One of the biggest and constant mistakes that I have made in my walk with God is trying to lead instead of follow. I've come to realize that there is no way that I can live this new life in Christ without help from the One Who gave me this life. So, I have to constantly and consciously submit all of my plans, desires, ideas, and opinions to God. When I do this, it opens my heart and mind to hear and receive God's plans, desires, ideas, and opinions for my life. Isaiah records in chapter 55 verse 8 that God's thoughts and ways are much higher than mine; therefore, I am clearly no match to Him. :) The greatest thing about this realization is that when I began to submit to God daily, my life became much more peaceful, meaningful, and fulfilled. Sometimes when the cares of life get demanding I tend to get anxious and try to handle things without consulting God. Of course, that only makes things worse, but whenever I just take the time to pause and pray, God always extends His loving hands to help. Oftentimes I don't want to consult God because He may not tell me what I want to hear; so in those times, I have to remind myself of Isaiah 55:8 and that God's way is the best way.

With God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit, we have everything we need to live our lives abundantly and successfully. We just have to access our available assistance. We do this by simply saying, "God, help me live this life".

Peace, Blessings, and Favor

"Raise Your Hand and I Will Make a Way"

"Then Moses raised his hand over the sea, and the Lord opened up a path through the water with a strong east wind." (Exodus 14:21 NLT) This is the infamous move of faith that parted the Red Sea so that the Israelites could cross over and get away from their enemy. Even though I have heard this story a lot of times, God showed me something new and great about His response to "actions of faith". When the Israelites got to the Red Sea they prayed to God and He told them to simply "move forward" which of course took faith because of this huge obstacle that was in front of them. God gave Moses instructions to pick up his staff and raise his hand over the sea and divide the water. Now I'm almost for sure that Moses humanistic side rose up before his faith because of the staff in his hand compared to this huge sea in front of him. It was not until Moses moved on his faith that the Lord made the way through the Red Sea. All the Lord wanted was for him to move forward, pick up his staff and raise his hand over the sea and God had the rest from there. I know that we all have our different Red Seas but they're no match to our faith nor our God. Raising your hand could be simply you saying "Lord, I surrender; I can't do it no more"; or "Lord, I lift my hands in worship to You as the only One who is able to do this"; or "Lord, I lift my hands for You to anoint them to do what it is that You have called me to do". Whichever way you interpret it, just know that God will make a way whenever you decide to raise your hand. Peace, Blessings, and Favor 

"Lovely Humiliation"

Not too long ago I told a young man that I liked him and wanted to get to know him better. Because I'm a pretty transparent and expressive person I found it quite harmless and almost exciting, until the next day. I realized that I had clearly acted impulsively and didn't quite think it through because I hadn't considered how I would feel if/when he responded. Before sharing this with him I thought I had processed it enough to the point where if I didn't get a mutual response that I would be okay. Nope, didn't happen. I thought damage control was necessary but there was nothing left to do but accept what I had done and move on. I didn't quite feel the humiliation until I shared it with another individual in an effort to get some type of emotional support. I already felt a certain kind of way about sharing this information with the young man but the effects of it didn't surface until I spoke with the other individual. The reason why I felt humiliated is because I was so for sure (in my own eyes) that it was the right thing to do, almost thinking that the person felt the same but was just being passive. I felt so justified in my actions although I'm a believer that men should pursue women but I figured that telling him how I felt would be harmless right? Maybe to him but not to me, especially since there was some level of insecurity present but overpowered by a moment of assurance. It was good that I experienced this though because it revealed a condition of my heart with regards to waiting on God to order my steps and direct my paths in this area. It was a lovely moment because I felt God's love and acceptance of this flaw in my soul...and His desire to fix it. So, even though it was humiliating, it was lovely because God was involved!

Peace, Blessings, and Favor

"You're not the only one"

On the other day, as I was leaving the parking lot of this new grocery store, I noticed several dark-colored spots in some of  the parking spaces. Now I'm sure those spots were illuminated, even  though it was dark out, because that is a freshly cemented lot. I immediately said to myself, "I'm not the only one with an oil-leak"! LOL! Now, I'm sure that ALL of those weren't oil-spots but I was for certain that they were from some type of  fluid-leak in a car. Either way, I saw that I wasn't alone. This may seem small to some but it was major for me to look pass the frustration of my leak to see that I'm not the only one with a leak. 

You see sometimes when "life" happens it has the potential to overwhelm us, especially when we focus more on our problems, circumstances, or situations. It is in those times when we have to simply pause and look around and we'll see that we're not the only one going through something. We may not all have the same issue but it's encouraging sometimes to see that we're not the only ones with an issue. Often times the enemy wants us to magnify our problem because when we do that, our focus is off to the point where we won't even see what God is trying to show us. God doesn't always show or give us a way out but He will definitely show or give us a way through. 

Even though I still have a leak, even after getting one of the lines fixed, it's quite encouraging to really KNOW that I'm not the only one. That honestly doesn't make it that major any more. Again, this may seem small to some but God knew what I needed to see in order to see what He needed me to see. I encourage you to take your eyes off of your problem for a minute and ask God to simply "show you something".

Peace, Blessings, and Favor

"Why do we abstain...for real?"

I have been afforded the opportunity to be one of the guest ministers for a youth conference this weekend. I've been taught to prepare by seeking God's specific will and plan prior to completing any assignment. In my time of preparation and seeking God, I fast, or abstain, from something that I know would keep me from hearing God clearly and being distracted from focusing on the assignment ahead. Yesterday, I was reminded that holiness requires discipline. Discipline to me is a consistent practice of abstinence from those things that would hinder me from living the life that I've been called to live...and that's holy. So during my time of meditation and abstaining in preparation for my upcoming assignment, I paused to checked my motives. In doing so, I asked myself, "why do you only 'consciously' abstain only when you have a 'particular' assignment?" That led to me asking myself, "why don't you have a consistent practice of abstaining simply because discipline is a requirement to living holy.'' I Peter 1:15-16 reads: But as He which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it it written, Be ye holy; for I am holy. In looking at this scripture, I see that I'm called to be holy before I am called to minister. Therefore, if holiness requires discipline then it should be like second nature to fast, or abstain, from those carnal things that satisfy ONLY the flesh. Fasting builds the spirit man and weakens the carnal man. So, if all of my time is spent satisfying my flesh, then my spirit man will grow weak, possibly to the point of death, which is what carried-out-sin causes. When one is 'walking' and 'living' by the flesh, then sin is its best friend. When one is walking an living by the Spirit, then one is always ready to hear and receive whatever God has to say about ANYTHING! So, tell me, why do you abstain? Is it for religious reasons or for relationship reasons? Do you desire to draw closer to God so that you become more like Him in every way? Do you desire to be so close to God that you can physically feel His presence? My friend, I encourage you to practice what you preach.

Peace, Blessings, and Favor

Work YOUR Faith

Jesus said in Matthew 17:20 "If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and NOTHING shall be impossible unto you (emphasis added). A mustard seed is so small until you almost need a magnifying glass just to see it in the palm of your own hand. To think that such a small amount of faith can move a huge mountain is like completely awesome right? Right! However, we need more than faith to move the mountain. We must move on that faith by speaking to the mountain. I believe that even though all one needs is a mustard-seed-size of faith we all have different "faith-sizes". Some people have golfball-size faith. Some have baseball-size faith. Some even have basketball-size faith. It doesn't matter what size your faith is; what matters is that you work it by moving on it. Since everyone does not have the same size of faith; we should not expect others to believe God like we do nor for the things we believe Him to do. Did you know that your faith can be affected by the faith of others, whether it's for the good or bad? Therefore, it's important that we guard our faith and work it according to how we believe. Be careful of who you share your dreams, visions, and even desires with because the doubt of others will negatively influence unguarded faith. Your faith will also be challenged. During those times, you must exercise your faith like never before. Just know that whenever you do work YOUR faith, NOTHING shall be impossible for you.
Peace, Blessings, and Favor

Passion Leak

For some reason I feel like there is a leak in my passion pump. I no longer desire to do the things that I feel I was once ''passionate'' about. Sometimes I feel that too much information about someone else who is doing what I used to do or would like to do has caused me to feel inferior and possibly less than qualified...even though I have experienced success. However, that is beyond believable because how can the knowledge of someone else cause one to question his/her ability to do the very thing that they were once successful at because of their passion. I've heard of dry seasons and such; so I'm not exactly ruling that out. I just know that something is missing. It almost makes me wonder if there is another passion that is on the rise, like for a cause in connection to an experience that I haven't shared just yet. Still, though, the things that I was once passionate about should be the objects of some kind of purpose-driven desire to move forward right? I remind myself of some things that I was told but wonder if those things were spoken because of what others saw on me or what they actually knew about me. This is definitely a moment of revelation into what really drives me to do what I do. It causes me to search my heart and identify the motives for doing the things that I once had a passion to do. At this point, I don't even seek a ''thing'' to pour passion into; but I seek passion for something that will drive me to simply ''do''. I have to find this leak, and soon, because I'm almost empty!

Peace, Blessings, and Favor

Petty Pity

Wow, it's been over two weeks since I posted! Geesh! That's a long time not to feel inspired enough to inspire someone else. Geesh! Well, I will admit that I've been attending one too many pity parties! What's even more tripped out is that I've been blowing balloons, spreading confetti, the whole nine! It's kinda hard to admit but it's the truth. On yesterday, I got a call from my Mama, who has got to be the best Mama in the world! She said that she had a feeling something was wrong so she wanted to check on me. I just broke down into tears when she asked how I was doing. I started singing my little ''woe-is-me'' song. When I finished, she began to tell me about the people in Alabama who ARE suffering as a result of those tornadoes. She began to paint a picture with her words to let me see just how fortunate and blessed I am, even though things are a little hard right now. She told me how people have been forced from their comfortable homes to cots in a shelter; from preparing meals whenever they desired one to not knowing when or how they would be fed; from walking on dry land to pushing through flood waters. Now, I'm not gonna lie and say that I immediately felt better, because I was so deep in my pity until I didn't wanna think about nobody else. Just selfish! Later on, I talked with one of my big brothers and he advised me to change my perspective, which, to me, was similar to what Mom had shared earlier. After pondering on all I had heard, I began to see just how petty my little discomforts were. It's bad enough to have uncalled-for-pity but for the pity to be over petty things is just down-right ridiculous! I appreciate my mom and big brother for allowing me to be honest about my emotions regarding my ''situation'' but I appreciate them so much more for not allowing me to stay in that place of petty pity. There are two major things that I took from those conversations on yesterday. (1) It's not as bad as it looks; I just have to change how I look at it. (2) There is always someone else experiencing much harder challenges that I.
Peace, Blessings, and Favor 

Trust Your Pilot (Repost)

How many times have you met or even seen the pilot of your flight to wherever you trusted him/her to take you? My answer, rarely! It probably would be nice to meet him/her but you don't ask do you? One thing that you probably do expect is to hear from them, right? Hearing from the pilot just seems to make the journey much more comforting because communication is so important when you know where you're going but not sure of the route to get you there. Question...how can we trust a man/woman, who we rarely see but hear, yet it's such a task to trust God whom we've never seen but know He's near. Spiritually and physically I am in a strange but familiar place but it's a part of my journey to destiny. I began this journey trusting God to get me to my destination safely. I have to be honest though and say that this place has definitely challenged my trust because it was not where I expected I would be. Today, during my flight from Baltimore to Chicago, I looked at my watch to record the time of a journal entry. My watch, of course, was still set for central time yet I was flying from an eastern time zone. In the middle of the air, I had no clue as to where I was better yet what time zone I was in; yet, I knew I was still on my way to Chicago and that my pilot was gonna get me there safely and on time. So I completed my entry, put my journal/pen away, and chillaxed. There are gonna be times when we will not have a clue as to what's going on while traveling on the journey to our destination. It is during those times that we must trust our Pilot. When you feel anxious, get out a pen and some paper and write because speaking through emotions can do some serious damage since there is so much power in the tongue. Don't wanna write, read. Get a Word about your present situation and start speaking that. Don't wanna write nor read, reMIND yourself of the Word God has already given you and begin to meditate on that. While you're at it, get a glass of juice or tea or coffee and chillaxed. Pay attention and be on the look out for those flight attendants that are there to make your ride a little more comfortable...i.e. your pastor, mentor, mom, dad, friend, etc. There is definitely peace in the midst of the chaos if you would only trust your Pilot and enjoy the ride.

Peace, Blessings, and Favor 

Trust Your Pilot

How many times have you met or even seen the pilot of your flight to wherever you trusted him/her to take you? My answer, rarely! It probably would be nice to meet him/her but you don't ask do you? One thing that you probably do expect is to hear from them, right? Hearing from the pilot just seems to make the journey much more comforting because communication is so important when you know where you're going but not sure of the route to get you there. Question...how can we trust a man/woman, who we rarely see but hear, yet it's such a task to trust God whom we've never seen but know He's near. Spiritually and physically I am in a strange but familiar place but it's a part of my journey to destiny. I began this journey trusting God to get me to my destination safely. I have to be honest though and say that this place has definitely challenged my trust because it was not where I expected I would be. Today, during my flight from Baltimore to Chicago, I looked at my watch to record the time of a journal entry. My watch, of course, was still set for central time yet I was flying from an eastern time zone. In the middle of the air, I had no clue as to where I was better yet what time zone I was in; yet, I knew I was still on my way to Chicago and that my pilot was gonna get me there safely and on time. So I completed my entry, put my journal/pen away, and chillaxed. There are gonna be times when we will not have a clue as to what's going on while traveling on the journey to our destination. It is during those times that we must trust our Pilot. When you feel anxious, get out a pen and some paper and write because speaking through emotions can do some serious damage since there is so much power in the tongue. Don't wanna write, read. Get a Word about your present situation and start speaking that. Don't wanna write nor read, reMIND yourself of the Word God has already given you and begin to meditate on that. While you're at it, get a glass of juice or tea or coffee and chillaxed. Pay attention and be on the look out for those flight attendants that are there to make your ride a little more comfortable...i.e. your pastor, mentor, mom, dad, friend, etc. There is definitely peace in the midst of the chaos if you would only trust your Pilot and enjoy the ride.
Peace, Blessings, and Favor 

Does size really matter?

Today, my best friend and I attended a multiracial/cultural church! It was such an amazing experience! I noticed the diversity of the ministry upon entering the sanctuary but I didn't realize just how ''international'' it was until it was time to receive the welcome. It was translated in Spanish and Korean and the translators were pastors in the ministry. Not only were they pastors but a musician and a praise and worship leader. The Korean pastor played the keyboard and the Spanish pastor led the song for the choir, which was also sang in Spanish. I had no clue what they were saying but I was completely blessed by their energy, excitement, and enthusiasm. Someone in that service knew exactly what they were saying; and I'm sure they were blessed even more! Then when it was time for the message, the bass player walked up to the podium wearing a lapel microphone. Yep, the bass player was also the pastor! At this point, I am for real floored at what I'm witnessing! It was such a beautiful site! On top of ALL of this, the Word was AWESOME! Now, had I judged this ministry from the outside-in I would have missed it all. It is, what we call today, a "store-front-church", meaning that it is in the same plaza with stores and such. This was not a 3,000-seat auditorium with balcony and an overflow. It did not have cameras everywhere with VIP seating either. In this ministry, I saw what some "mega-ministries" have spent years trying to accomplish and that's to become a place where all races/nationalities can come together and worship God! This place had the necessary components for everyone who was anyone to feel like someone and not out of place! This place had vision beyond huge edifices and  large congregations. Please don't misunderstand me as someone who criticizes other ministries that have those desires. I'm just saying that size shouldn't matter as much as I know it does to some pastors.  What should matter is whether  what we're doing is advancing the Kingdom of God. What should matter is that we become pastors after God's heart, not worrying about attendance on Sunday but how many will come into relationship with God through our ministry. Who will be honest and admit that you thought from the title that this blog had a physical connotation? If not, then that's great! If so, then it just really illuminates my point. We can't make  decisions based on what we see on the outside but what we experience from the inside. Who or what have you judged from the outside-in? Try seeing them/it through God's eyes. Peace, Blessings, and Favor

Who needs a good shaking???

Last Saturday I decided to try another brand of cereal but with the same ingredients, like oats and raisins. On the front of the box was this picture of a tasty spoonful of "crunchy sweetened wheat flakes with oat clusters and raisins." Unfortunately, when I poured my first bowl, no raisins nor oat clusters came out with my flakes. So, I was like, "Millville cheated me out of my raisins and oats!" Thankfully, I had some raisins of my own to add to the cereal. After having to add raisins to a few bowls, I had concluded that this was a case of ''false advertisement''! Since I don't advocate throwing good food away I decided to keep the cereal and just continue to add raisins. This morning before pouring me a bowl, I decided to shake the box, really just to be shaking. Lo and behold when I opened the bag and peeped into it I saw a few raisins between some flakes! So I closed the box and gave it a few more shakes. After those shakes, the infamous oat clusters were there! Haa-le-lu-jah! Haa-le-lu-jah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Ha-le-ey-lu-jah! Yep, I was some kind of happy! My first spoonful almost looked like that one on the front of the box! I was like, ''it's true, it's true, there are raisins and oat clusters in the box"! (Smile) I immediately began to think about the shaking that I have been experiencing in my own life these last few months. I realized that it is all to bring up and out what is inside of me. God has placed inside of me everything that I need to accomplish His purpose for my life and sometimes He has to move me or some things/people around me in order for those things to surface. I'm working on my second CD project entitled "Wilderness Worship - The Transition". During this transition, I have learned to worship and praise God when everything around me says that I should be depressed and bitter. BUT...I believe that God HAD to place me in a wilderness experience in order for me to write the songs and poems I've written that I KNOW are gonna help someone else. Millville's intentions were to provide me, the consumer, with healthy bran flakes and some extra ingredients that will enhance the taste, as well as provide other nutrients. Nowhere on the box did it say ''shake before opening'' because Millville had done it's part by putting the ingredients in there. It was up to me to get to the good stuff....the substance. In order to get there, I had to shake the box. Does things seem to be spiraling out of control in your life? Are you losing things/people that you held very dear to your heart? Are you experiencing unexpected or 'out-of-the-blue' things? If so, then are these things 'shaking you up'? If so, then I would encourage you not to focus on the negative but dig deep into your heart and allow these things to make you better, not bitter. Allow God to pull out of you what He put into you when He created you. I would also admonish you to watch what you consume as well, naturally and spiritually. Be careful of what you watch on television, what you read in books, magazines, etc., what and who you listen to, because whatever is in you is gonna come out, sooner or later. If you're not being shaken, then ask yourself, do I need one? Peace, Blessings, and Favor

Obedience Releases The _____!!!

This morning I read about two different encounters Jesus had with lepers, as recorded in the Gospels according to Mark and Luke. In Mark 1:40-42, a leper was cleansed when Jesus touched him and declared him clean. Immediately the leprosy departed from him and he was cleansed. In Luke 17:12-14, ten lepers were cleansed because they obeyed a command from Jesus. When they asked Jesus for mercy, He commanded them to go show themselves unto the priests. As they went, they were cleansed. According to the law in Leviticus 13 and 14, lepers were required to follow very precise instructions, as well as make several sacrificial offerings, in order to be cleansed. Those lepers in Luke were given instructions but no offering was required. It is recorded in I Samuel 15:22 that it is better to obey than sacrifice. There have been times that I have made sacrifices through my giving, my praying, my praise, etc. I've come to understand though that those things mean very little if I am not willing to move at God's command. Sacrificial giving, praise, prayer, and fasting are all good spiritual exercises but can God trust us to do what He wants, when and how He wants it done? After reading Luke 17:14, I was so amazed at the words ''as they went''! Jesus said "go" and they went! I'm sure they were aware of the power He had to heal them with a touch but they obeyed without thought, without hesitation, without bargain, without murmuring or complaining. As they began to walk in obedience to the command of Jesus, they were healed!!! Sometimes we're not gonna see or experience the move of God in our lives or on a particular situation until we move at His command! Last Sunday, I shared some things we are required to do if we want God to move on our behalf. There are many commands in His Word that we must obey, as well as commands that He gives us individually. Either way, we are to obey!!! Peace, Blessings, and Favor

Listen For God

When you talk to God in prayer, do you pause to listen for Him to speak or do you just say ''amen'' and keep going? One day last week, during my prayer time, I asked God to speak to me about a particular issue that I was dealing with. I waited in His presence but heard nothing. Later on in that day, while chillin' on the sofa, I heard this strange sound outside the window. It was the sound of a bird singing. It reminded me of a sound effect I heard from a song by 1NC (One Nation Crew), one of Kirk Franklin's groups. The name of the song is "When You Fall". I began to sing the song in my head and was immediately encouraged. As I recalled the lyrics, I heard God speaking to me about the situation that I had prayed about earlier. It's really hard to put into words the amazement of that moment because it all began with one sound that I was not even listening for. I believe that my spiritual ears were still open from that morning; therefore, it was able to send a signal to my natural ears that God was speaking through His creation. When was the last time you paused and listened to the unusual sounds around you? They may have a song from Heaven for you about something that is on your mind or heart; but you have to listen for it. I've learned throughout my walk with God that I don't determine how He's gonna answer a prayer or how He's gonna speak to me. I'm simply need to listen for Him. Pause now and listen.

Peace, Blessings, and Favor

New Level...More Humility

I Peter 5:5 & 6 exhorts us to be clothed with humility, for God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble; therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time (NJKV). Everyone has a ''due time'' but it will not manifest until we humble ourselves. Even when we humble ourselves, we must remain humble for God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble. I'm sure you've heard the phrase ''new level, new devil''. I disagree with that statement because there is only one devil and he's not smart enough to come up with anything new. We can keep him in his place by submitting our lives to God. I believe, according to James 4:7, that submitting to God releases the power to resist the devil and send him steppin'! So, if you have a new devil on your new level, then you might wanna check your submission rate. I mean, I'm just saying. Earlier today I was having a major pity party because of some discomforts that I am experiencing in this ''new place''...a.k.a. ''new level''. One of the major discomforts is not having my own vehicle. It seems that every time I get to another place, geographically, something happens to my vehicle! This is the first time though that I have embraced it by appreciating my two feet and the activity of my limbs. I needed to go a couple of places today so I decided to walk. Now, the walk started out heavy and dreary because I had a 'woe-is-me' attitude. Things began to lighten up when I realized that I hadn't really surrendered all to God 'in this place' because I 'expected' to be in another place. Since I expected to be somewhere else, then this is not where I 'wanna' be BUT this is where 'GOD' has me. If you would be honest, then you would agree that you are not in the best mood nor attitude when you are somewhere you do not want to be either. However, if I want to fulfill God's purpose for my life, then this is the time for me to yield my 'wants' to God's 'will' and 'way'. His will is the safest place to be and His way is the best way to go. After I realized that, my vision changed. I took my eyes off of my situation and began to see what God is doing in me through this situation...and that's humbling me. I said once before that I would not be able to appreciate all of the things that I see in this place if I was driving or riding in a car.  When I'm walking, I stop and marvel at God's creation, which actually makes me appreciate Him more. Even though I'm in another place, I still have to stick with the basics and that's remain humble. I must remain in a place where God can teach me and show me new things. I must always be swift to hear and slow to speak. I must always be a doer and not just a hearer of His Word. These are requirements on every level because I need God to be with me on every level. I don't want God to resist me so I must resist the urge to pout, murmur, and complain about the place where God, the Almighty, has chosen for me to be. To be chosen is to be honored. To be honored is to be humbled.

Peace, Blessings, and Favor

Say What You Need To Say...NOW!!!

A few weeks ago I was touched in a very unique way by a song that was featured on the new Karate Kid movie. At first I was intrigued by the voice of the artist; but once I heard the full song, I was touched very deeply by the lyrics. The name of the song is simply "Say" and the lyrics are:  

Take all of your wasted honour, every little past frustration;
Take all of your so-called problems, better put'em in quotations;
Say what you need to say
Walking like a one-man army, fighting with the shadows in your head;
Living out the same ole moment, knowing you'll be better off instead if you would only;
Say what you need to say
Have no fear for giving in; Have no fear for giving over,
It's better to know that in the end,
It's better to say too much
than never to say what you need to say again,
Even if your hands are shaking, and your faith is broken,
Even as the eyes are closing, do it with a heart wide open, why?
Say what you need to say.

John Mayer wrote this song for the movie "Bucket List", starring Morgan Freeman and Jack Nicholson. It's so unfortunate that it sometimes takes a terminal illness, a sudden change in health, or even death for us to share our love and affection with our loved ones. Over the last month or so I have had several dear friends to lose some very dear people. One of my friends lost her mother and she told me later that all she wanted was the chance to talk to her before she passed away.  We don't know when the death angel is gonna come for us nor our loved ones. Therefore, let's start letting our loves one know how we feel about them, how much we appreciate them, and how thankful we are for them. We also need to forgive and let go of bitterness, anger, malice, and all negative emotions that keep us from living in peace with others. It's really time to stop living in yesterday, embrace today, and prepare for tomorrow in the event that it never comes for us, simply by making sure that we have said what we needed to say.
Peace, Blessings, and Favor

If you will...then I will...

II Chronicles 7:14 reads: If my people who are called by my name will humble themselves, and pray and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land (NKJV). These words came from God. I placed the three periods behind 'will' because there is something that we must do if we want God to do something for us. A couple of weeks ago I read a marquee that said something about how people expect a million-dollar answer for a ten-cent prayer. To me this said that we have to do more than just ask God for what we want and then expect Him to do it suddenly and in a big way. It's so funny how we make such big requests to God, expecting Him to do it, yet we are not willing to do what He requires of us. God's love is definitely unconditional; however, some of His blessings come with conditions. In the scripture above there are four things that  I must do before I can expect God to do what I need Him to do and they are: (1) humble myself; (2) pray; (3) seek His face; and (4) turn from my wicked ways. When I do these things I can expect God to forgive  and heal, not just me but others as well. Prayer before God puts me in a posture of humility because I've recognized and realized that God is Sovereign and the Only One Who can do what needs to be done. Not only must I pray but I must seek His face by reading, studying, and meditating on His Word. Not only must I pray and seek His face but I must renounce my evil way of life. I must acknowledge my sins and seek God's forgiveness. Once I have received His forgiveness, I must turn away from that sin and never go back. Hebrews 4:12 reads: For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of the soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart (NKJV). When I meditate on and apply the Word, my whole man is effected...mind, body, soul, and spirit. I also learn about God promises to those who believe, trust, and obey Him. God has sooooo many great blessings, miracles, and promises that He wants to release into our lives but we must do what is required of us. We must yield our will to His will and depend on Him to work His will His way. God is saying: If you will....then I will; and He will do EXACTLY what He said He would. Numbers 23:19 reads: God is not a man, that He should lie, Nor a son of man, that He should repent, Has He said, and He not do? Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good (NKJV)? If you're waiting on God to do something in your life or someone else, then make sure that you have done He requires of you.

Peace, Blessings, and Favor

The Designated Driver

A designated driver is understood to be a person that drives for someone who has one too many alcoholic beverages. This person is designated because they are equipped to assist, I'm sure with driver's license and knowledge of the route to their destination. They can be trusted behind the wheel, to get their friend to their destination safe. For a couple of months now I've been the passenger more than I've been the driver because I don't have a vehicle of my own...yet.  To be honest, it gets frustrating sometimes because I'm so used to taking certain routes to places and simply, driving a certain kind of way. So, I have to trust the driver's route and their way of getting me to my destination. The Word of God encourages us in Proverbs 3:5, 6 to trust the Lord with all of our heart and not lean to our own understanding, but to acknowledge God in all of our ways and He will direct our paths. King David often prayed for God to show him the right path and way he should walk because he trusted that God knew what was ahead; therefore, He was well qualified and equipped to lead him right and get him to his destination. Can you say that you trust God enough to stop the vehicle, take your hands off of the wheel, and  yield it to God? A couple of years ago I wrote a song entitled "FinallYes". It's a song about giving up my will for the will of God and allowing Him to show me His way to fulfilling His will for my life. I am confident that God can be trusted because He has always done exactly what He said He would do if I stepped out by faith and walked in the way He had already paved for me. I am a passenger in the natural and in the spirit. My car was totaled in January and I know that God blocked some things from occurring during that accident. About a week or so after the accident I wrote a poem entitled "He Drives For Me". The major thought behind that poem is that God knows my future and the way in which I should go to get there. When a person allows another person to drive for them, especially if their incoherent, or tired, or not feeling well, then they're saying "I trust you with my life for how ever long it takes to reach my destination". They are also saying "I trust your way to get me there, even if I know an alternate route". My main purpose with this thought is to express that God is willing and well able to take care of you when you completely surrender your life to Him. I promise you that your days will be sweeter. Your ride will be a lot more smooth. Even if a few lumps and bumps come along the way, God has a way of getting you through as long as you stay in place and in your seat. Can your designated driver be trusted to get you to that place you're supposed to me? Are they equipped and qualified enough to get you there safe? It's never too late to stop and yield the wheel to God, which is simply letting go of your will for His will.

Connected by Connection

Yesterday I chatted with a Facebook friend who I thought was someone from my hometown until I noticed that we had mutual friends in North Carolina. So, after discovering he was not my homeboy I asked him how did he know me and how did he know so many of my friends. Come to find out he was born, reared, and currently lives in Nigeria and has not ever been in the states! He sent me a friend request because my profile was interesting. After we became friends, he sent requests to some of my friends.  He believes that my friends accepted his request because he was friends with me. Immediately, I began to look at that in the spirit, even though I was a little nervous about this connection to someone that I clearly don't know. (Smile) Anyway, I was like what kind of impact would I have on the world by staying connected to God? When I commune with God, whether it's through prayer or studying/meditating on His Word, my whole being (my profile) is transformed and His light will shine through me. That light will attract the world and cause them to desire to be connected (send a friend request) to the source of that light. Over 30 of that young man's friends are mutual friends of mine and that was because of one accepted friend request. Jesus is a Friend that sticks closer than a brother. He is that Friend that laid down His life for us to become friends instead of enemies of God. One connection to Jesus has the power to draw others to connect with Him and accept Him into their lives. We all know that no electronic device...i.e. television, radio, DVD player, etc., will operate without batteries unless it is connected to some type of power source, whether it's a wall socket or an extension cord. That's just how we are when we don't connect to God, powerless and inoperable. There are times that I commune with God on the floor next to a wall socket or extension cord. It is a creative way of reminding myself that I need to stay connected to the power source if I'm gonna  be effective in making a difference in this world. It's imperative that we get connected and stay connected because someone is depending on our connection in order to connect with the All Powerful One!

Peace, Blessings, and Favor

The Weight Hinders The Run

Two scriptures come to mind as I begin to share this thought, Hebrews 12:1 and Galatians 5:7. Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,  (Hebrews 12:1).  Ye did run well; who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth? (Galatians 5:7) Because of the climate I am currently in I have to bundle up when I run. Unfortunately, I don't have the proper jacket for running purposes; so I've been wearing a  sweatshirt-like hooded jacket. Now it's a great jacket to keep me warm but it's too heavy to run with. It felt like I was running with weights on my back and arms; thus hindering my speed and endurance. I began to think that this is how sin affects my run and walk with God when I choose not to lay it aside...in other words, repent and never turn back!  It also hinders my ability to be an effective Kingdom-worker. Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin. (James 4:17) When I choose wrong over right, I pick up a weight. When I choose bad over good, I pick up a weight. When I choose to disobey, I pick up a weight. Every time I do what the Word of God tells me not to do or not do what the Word of God tells me to do, I pick up a weight. If I want to be an effective runner on this path with God, then I must lay aside those weights that I have picked up along the way. I do this by staying connected to God, confessing my sins, asking for and receiving His forgiveness, and never picking up that thing again. Instead of wearing the weight of sin, I will constantly clothe myself with the armor of God. The armor of God equips me with everything necessary to effectively run this race to eternal life with Jesus Christ. If you're tired and ready to give up on your run/walk with God, then it may be time to check your running gear for weights and remove them quickly! There is too much Kingdom Work to be done!
Peace, Blessings, and Favor

An Unhappy Temple

A couple of years ago I was afforded the opportunity to attend one of my church's many physical-fitness boot camps. The trainer's vision was to promote a complete lifestyle change: mind, body, soul, and spirit. She wanted us to come out transformed! Two of her favorite scriptures were: I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me (Philippians 4:13). and ...with God all things are possible...to them that believe (Mark 10:27 emphasis added). During those six-plus weeks, I did things that I've never done and thought I never could do. Even now, when I run or workout, I can hear Doella saying, "PUSH!" or "YOU CAN DO IT, RONI!" One time during cool-down, which was something like yoga, she said "Listen to your body." Now, I was familiar with listening to the preacher, the teacher, the Holy Spirit, the Word of the Lord but not my body. Because I trusted her knowledge and heart concerning my physical, mental, emotion, and spiritual health, I started listening. I realized that my headaches, constant fatigue, occasional shortness of breath, etc., were statements from my body. My body was letting me know that I needed to make some changes for it to be happy again. What I put into my body ultimately determined what I would get out of my body. I realized that I would not be effective in LIFE if I didn't treat my body right.  Paul poses a question in I Corinthians 6:19: What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?  For this very reason alone, we should take better care of our bodies. We clean our homes, cars, churches, offices, inside out because those are places that we dwell. We can get way more work done when our surroundings are clean and neat, right?  Well, why not treat our bodies the same way, since it is the dwelling place for God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit, Who fills us with the attributes necessary to make us better people. While on my morning run I listened to my body...and it's not happy.  Before I could get down four blocks, I was already tired and ready to stop. My body was letting me know that it wasn't happy and I knew why. I have not been eating, drinking, nor sleeping right. Yes, I've been praying, meditating, and fasting but those all benefit my spirit man. I must do the right thing by my body so that it will be a healthy place for my spirit to dwell, thus making me more effective to do the work that I've been called to do. We focus so much on the outward man with clothes, shoes, hats, earrings, purses, make-up, etc.; yet, we neglect the inner us...physically and spiritually.  If you know that you have an unhappy body, then change what you're doing to it. It's definitely talking; but are you listening? 

Peace, Blessings, and Favor