The Common Thread

This year's bible study committed to reading the bible in its entirety. This past week there has been a common thread as we plow our way through the book of II Chronicles. We have revisited King after King; some has prospered and then there are those who fell. What is the common thread “pride?” Throughout my life I have watched pride slither in like a venomous snake and change the course of a person’s life. The spirit of pride is subtle. It changes how we see ourselves and how we want others to see us. We put ourselves on the throne of our lives.

 II Chronicles 26:3-22 But after Uzziah became powerful, his pride lead to his downfall

Uzziah was sixteen years old when he became king. He did what was right in the sight of the Lord and he sought God, and as long as he sought God he was successful. When he became powerful and his fame spread far and wide people helped him, nevertheless, it ceased when pride slither into his heart. Have you ever been in a situation where your pride did not allow you to step back and change directions? Unfornuately, for Uzziah it lead to the end of his Kingship.

Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall. Proverbs 16:1

The saddest thing about Uzziah fall is that even when he was forewarned he yet fell. As Christian people how do we keep that spirit of pride at bay?

According to Romans 12:2, we must renew our minds. That starts with understanding where pride can lead us. It came topple a business, destroy families, end friendships and most importantly separate us for God. I am not saying we will not moment in our lives to be proud and yes, it is good to celebrate our successes.  But know this; God promotes and he demotes, whereever you are in life you did not get there alone.

Forgiveness of Self

I believe the hardest concept for mankind to get its mind around is forgiveness of self. We all fall short at one point in our lives or another. I know I have. What did Paul say, the things that I don’t want to do I do. Everyone knows the feeling of stepping off a curb and not landing just right. Then we go over in our mind what we should have done differently. Our focus is not that we didn’t fall but how we shouldn’t have twisted our ankle. I can almost guarantee we learned something; to look before we step down. The experience was worth the lesson. We can’t change what happen but we can make better choices in the future based on the experience. There is not a person living or dead that wished at one time or another that they could have done something different. We need to shed the baggage of our past mistakes, forgive ourselves, pick ourselves up, brush ourselves off and press on

Fill My Heart

Each time I have had the opportunity to stand in front of an audience; all I can do is hope and pray that God will fill my heart with the right words to say that will encourage others to press onward. When we are taking those first steps out into the world we don't recieve a handbook on life. If we can share one experience that prevents someone from stepping into a free fall it is worth the anxiety.
Today, it seems we are not arming our children with the tools needed to be successful because we are so busy living. They seem perplexed and confused regarding where they fit into the circle we call life. Often what I see is us trying to fix instead of rending possible solutions.
It is a hard feat stepping back and taking your hands off people who are struggling that you have grown to love. The pull to help will always be there but I have learned if you step back most of the time they will find a way; in turn, they will mature and grow.Life is about us finding peace and contentment in spite of our choices. That is why I love this story delivered by my Pastor when I needed it most.
There was a young missionary called to go to another country to set-up missions for young children. This would cause him to leave his beautiful fiancée.

He was in his London hotel praying asking God to confirm that it was him asking him to change his course in life. Across the street was another man praying asking God what can I do to serve you. The father told him to go stand on the balcony. The young man called to be a missionary prayed father if this is your will I will see someone on the streets of London. It was the wee hours of the morning and nobody should have been out. Every time the young missionary would step outside he would see the young man standing on the balcony. It was near dawn before the father released the man on the balcony to go bed. The young man went on to become a great missionary. The man on the balcony was killed later that day by a horse and buggy.

The young man went on to establish a number of missionary schools; however, he would not have done it if it was not for the willingness of the man that stood on the balcony.

We all can't touch the million but we can surely reach out and touch that one person that can change someone else life.

Guard That Which is Good

Today, my creativity is like riding on a highway.  A highway that holds a path that could have so many possiblities.  Conversely, I limit my creative possiblities by constantly driving in the fast lane; changing lanes at will and slowing down only enough to jot a thought down, draw a picture or write a muse; often only yielding to pressing ideas, ideas that seem to linger in my heart.  My night vision causes me to be dazed and drift away form the creative to what is acceptable.  Nonetheless, I police myself so my creativity will not be lost on this journey we call life.  I have placed STOP signs on the this highway and REST AREAS.  Places where I am forced to pull into and take a moment to reflect and nuture the true me because I have learned to guard that which is good.

Binding the Strong Man

LUKE 11:21-22

When a strong man, fully armed, guards his own palace, his goods are safe; 22. but when one stronger than he attacks him and overcomes him, he takes away his armor in which he trusted and divides his spoils.

During my time of prayer this scripture filled my heart, have you bound the strong man.

Gratitude Paved the Way!

My heart aches when I see a person striving for change and change fails to come.  If you are looking for change and  it's not peeking over the horizon, then begin to look inward.  Several years ago, I was seeking a new job position.  I needed this job change because I was a newly divorced mother of one.  I could not see myself surviving due to the lose of half of my house hold income.  I set my plan in motion on how I was going to move forward.  There was two thing standing in my way. A written and practical test.  I had received my technical degree so it should not have been a problem.  Guess again!  I failed the practical twice. Because so much time has passed between the time I passed the written and was up to take the practical again, it disqualified me from the written.  The standards changed. I was heart broken.  All that time in school for what, to only face disappointment.  Success does not come without disappointment.  Today, I can still feel that weight that I bore. I finally had to come to terms with what if I didn't pass.  I began to look back and I realized that I was not only surviving but I was thriving. In spite of my circumstances, God had blessed me to take care of my family.  I stopped right then and thank him and prayed "Father, I know if I don't conqueror this test this time you will continue to take care of me and mine."  I had peace.  I took the written test and passed. No problem! The true test would be the practical test.  They say the 3rd time is a charm.  They must be right!  I went on to pass the practical and become one of the best technicians in my group. Later, lead the team to win several awards.  Sometimes change comes when gratitude paves the way. Find peace where you are and change will peek over the horizon.

Red Sea Moments

People often say, I don't understand how the Israelites could continue to fall away from God's commandments when they witness miracle after miracle.  My response is we all have Red Sea Moments in our lives.  They are moments where God has intervened and turned our circumstance or situation around.

Yet, just like the Israelites how soon we forget what God has done for us.  We go back to grumbling and complaining.  Often looking at the glass half-empty instead of looking at it half-full.

What I want people to grab hold of is that people have not changed since the old testament days; people are still people. Thank God, for his grace and mercy, amen! What are some of your Red Sea Moments?  It is always good to look back and remember what God has brought you through.  Have you ever noticed that God continues to remind the Isrealites that he is the God that delivered them out of the hands of the Eygptians.

If I look back and remind myself of what God has done for me' this is some of things I would see:

He is the God that delivered me out of bad relationships that includes any co-dependent relationship.
He is the God that delivered me out of debt.
He is the God that delivered me from sickness.
He is the God that delivered me from bad choices.

I could go on for hours telling you what type of God I serve.  It is now time for you to tell yourself what type of God you serve.

If you have a prayer request, leave it in the comment section.  I will be happy to join my faith with yours; may God bless the reader of this blog and continue to order your footsteps.

The Ability to DISCERN

I have bowed my head many times and asked God to bless me with the "Spirit of Discernment."  Often, it has been at a turning point in my life; some like to call it a fork in the road.  Whatever you call it.  It is during a time where your choices will affect your life and/or the people around you.

 

What exactly is discernment?   It is the ability to look beyond your emotions and circumstances and make good sound decisions.  For example, Recently, I was selected as a juror.  As a juror, a person has no prior knowledge of the circumstances or the situation.  A juror has to make a sound judgment about someone's life based on the evidence and testimony.  As I researched the word “discernment” I believe the best definition I found “is the ability to recognize and understand truth and then know what to do with it.” 

Note: that it is a two-folded process……….

If I take the example above and apply the definition: I would have to recognize and understand what is true and then know what to do with my insight.  Based on our judicial system it would be to find a person innocent or guilty of all charges and possibly render a sentence.  It seems pretty cut and dry on paper; yet, we can’t eliminate the emotional aspect.This is where things can become fussy……understanding truth.  Truth to each of us can be different and it is all based on our moral belief system.  Truth can be clouded by our experiences and we can slowly reason truth away.  I believe that is why we go through the juror selection process; as painful as it can be.

My belief system as you all know is scripture based.  Nonetheless, just because I know what is right does not mean doing what is right will always come easy. Once more, that takes us back to our definition…what to do with this truth.   I can honestly say my heart wept for both of the individuals as I went through the juror process.  So why is discernment taken lodge in my heart; choices we make in life is not as cut and dry as the laws that are put in place to support the judicial system.

We make choices everyday that affect the lives of others.  Whether that business partner is the correct person? We can let personal relationships cloud our judgment. Whether that is the correct person to marry?  We can allow our emotions to push signs that we see to the back of our minds. Whether that job offer is for me?  The desire to succeed can cause use to make unwise choices regarding our family life.

Discernment is more than looking at a person's character.   It is discerning what is right and acting upon that choice. Let's not be a people where we get so caught up in the things that are going on around us; and forget to dig beneath the surface and discern what is truth.

We are living during a precarious time. We want to make sure-footed steps toward our destination.  Having the ability to have keen insight and judgment; allows us to make the determination that what we see on the outside is reflective of what is on the inside.

If we do not have the ability to discern and understand truth, then we will suffer losses in our lives that possibly could have been prevented; causing our hearts to weep.

LOCKED WITHIN MY HEART

In my mind’s eye, I can see me and my oldest sister lying in my grandmother’s iron bed.  It is Sunday night and it is time for prayer and everyone has gathered in her room.   She is on bended knee, hand pressed against her forehead; my grandfather kneeling at a chair across the room. She starts off…Most Heaven Everlasting, to Everlasting though art God.  It is again and again Lord that we come to you.  The sounds and groans my grandfather make is not understandable but undeniably he is helping to prepare the way for my grandmother’s uttered prayer. 

At the time I didn’t know, if we were ending the week or starting a week nor if there were troubles that only they knew about but I did know it was prayer time, a time to give reverence to God.

Sunday night prayer was something that happened every week until my grandfather went home to be with the Lord.  Afterwards, I would hear my grandmother in her room praying late at night, in church services and my favorite was New Year’s Eve.  Thanking God, for another year, another day, another hour, another minute, and yes, another second.  Why, because some of us didn’t make it.

How appropriate as I approach another Birthday that I remember that the next second is not promised. Throughout this journey we call life there will be trails and tribulation; there will be heart aches and heart break, the bible tells us in Matthew 5:45, that God sends rain on the just and on the unjust.

The past two weeks has given a new meaning to having a regulated mind.  Keeping your mind stayed on Jesus Christ impedes the opportunity for the enemy to slip into your life and cause havoc.  It allows the Fathe to order your footsteps so you can walk in his divine providence.

 I know that pieces of my granny prayers ride on the wings of a dove and they surface at the right time to encourage me and my family; to let us know that God is a heart fixer, a mind regulator and an anchor in times of trouble.  Her prayers are locked within my heart.

I am not sure that being her caretaker was for her benefit or was it more for mine, again, only time will tell.

Sure-footed FAITH

 “When a person maintains their Faith; success is sure to follow” Marilyn Stewart                

Don’t laugh, but early Thursday morning these are the words I heard running through my mind.  It wasn’t a dream or a vision; it was a voice. It has been a while since I have received a word of wisdom dropped deep within my spirit.

Yes, I do believe God still speaks today.

If God can use a donkey to speak to his servant (Number 22:23-30), I believe he can use whatever medium he wants to speak to his children.

Deliberately, I began to repeat what I had heard so I would not forget and be able to record it in my journal.

The last word I recall being dropped in my spirit.  I was in a whirlpool of change; surrounded with negativity.  Negativity can be like a cancer to your soul.  It can suck the very breath out of you.  The words I heard pulled me out of a cesspool of negativity.

“Situations can change; don’t let your situation’s change you” Marilyn Stewart

Yes, my situation did change and I walked away a better person I believe.

So why now…..

I know according to Hebrews 11:1 “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seem. I believe God knows that I want to continue to live a life of “Purpose” it is evident that there are some things I am “hoping” will come to pass in my life.  Yet, as I age and I begin to see more time behind me; that natural notion that time is slipping away haunts me.

Isn’t it wonderful that God will take time out of his busy schedule to encourage us in our daily walk?

Let me be clear, I didn’t hear I was going to “definitely” be successful in ALL that I do but I did hear that I could be sure- footed about my steps.  The genus of a true Mountain Goat; he stands at high elevation and he is a sure-footed climber often resting on rocky cliffs that predators cannot reach

Steady, Not subject to change or variation, not liable to error in judgment or action, proceeding surely.  I began to break down each word:

·         Maintain – to continue

·          Sure – confident

·         Success – favorable or desired outcome

I’ve learned in times past that it is not what is dropped in my spirit but the journey that I must take in understanding what God is speaking to me.

"It is the glory of GOD to conceal a matter, but the glory of kings is to search out a matter"  Proverbs 25:2

After much meditation……..I concluded that…..When a person continues in their walk of faith, they can be confident, sure-footed, that success will follow” Marilyn Stewart

He Is The Conductor

Isaiah 55:8 “For my thoughts are not your thought, nor are your ways my ways, says the LORD”.

I am in a place in my life where I often find myself asking the Lord the question, WHY or looking at a situation and saying, LORD, I don’t understand. 

The questions on my heart are not just about my life but things that I have observed as I live.

There are times when I believe I see and understand what God is doing and then there are times when I am not sure; a lot of it centered around change.  As various doors open and close, I am inflated and deflated.

Inflated, yes, this is finally coming to past; Deflated, this is not where I thought this door was taking me.

I see the path that I believe I should take BUT……….things or not quite falling into place.

In fact, Life often leaves me with this feeling as if I am in this holding pattern; this time of flux.

Well, this morning I had the privilege of sharing some time with a dear friend.  I call conversations such as this one a divine connection orchestrated by GOD.  It is a reminder to me that GOD is the conductor and I need to follow his leading.

We (my friend and I) walked hand in hand (not literally) as she reminded me how God had worked in her life as well as mine.  I can hear her now; Marilyn, let me tell you how good GOD is.  In our messes, choices, he has given us the VICTORY even when we are reluctant to follow his leading.  We strolled down Employment Lane, Commitment Avenue and Maturity Court. 

She went on to share this story that about a dear friend of hers.  How she moved to Texas to change her life; her husband had passed away.  She found a job within her field and took care of her children and worked on her home.  Unknowingly, the investment bank that held the mortgage to her house was having financial issues and she began to receive foreclosure notices.  Of course, she was assured by the investment company that she was not at risk.  Then she received the notice to vacate the residence.  She began to pray for direction and God spoke to her heart and said, I gave you a home.  This home however was not in Texas it was in Tennessee; the place she had left.  The place she decided was not the place for her.  However, she made the decision to follow God’s leading; selling everything and headed back to Tennessee. Doors began to open; she was hired back at her old job.  My friend began to explain how her friend was a walker; she could walk for miles.  Will by the grace of God you ran into a young man (everyone is a young man to me) who use to see her walking through the neighborhood. I bet you know how this story ended….yes, they are married.  The pieces just fall into place.

I asked the question, “What if she did not follow God’s leading”?  How many times have I been to the altar (there should have been a spot there with my name on it) seeking his guidance but not liking the answer?  I chuckle now at my reluctance.

My reluctance in accepting a job position that later would became my life line to employment.

I was reminded today that the successes I have seen in life were due to God leading me.  When I wanted to go left he was telling me to go right. 

My beautiful daughter….God’s Plan, my home…God’s Plan and the Ministry he has called me to…….God’s Plan.

Leading me into unfamiliar territory……positioning me to experience things I would not choose for myself.

From one day to the next we don’t know if we are living through a recession or depression.   Whether our children will meet the education standards; not to mention our moral values are not what they once were.  

Nonetheless, we can all rest assured, knowing God’s thoughts and ways are nothing like ours.

Wisdom Has No Age Limit

Today, I thought it only appropriate to share something that is near and dear to my heart…..a story about my daughter since this is our Mother, Father & Daughter….Table Topic Luncheon.

There are a number of things that stood out in my mind but only one thing that was dropped in my SPIRIT.   Don’t worry she has heard me tell this story a number of times because I wanted her to know that she has been a living example for me; just as much as I’ve been a living example for her.

I am going to take you back about eighteen years. It was late one Saturday evening and I was sitting in my den.  When this little straggle girl turned the corner and asked me this question.  Mom, why don’t you go to church like you use to?  Somewhere along the way between work, family and school I had put on the back burner, what was most important to me; my spiritual life.

Of course, it struck a cord in my heart and I said, Keturah, you want to go to church.  Don’t get me wrong; I don’t believe the church building holds any magical powers; other than, people that love God.  (Attending church does not make us righteous; but, righteous people do not forsake the assembling of themselves together.

I looked into her eyes and told her we will go tomorrow.  I was good to my word and we rose early the next day headed to the Sunday morning service.   

This is where my lesson began.  When I think about that day it is not how everyone welcomed us back, nor the message that was delivered that Sunday morning. 

But the little girl sitting next to me asking me “Mom, can I go up”.  See my Pastor asked did anyone have something to share.  I could sense the urgency in her little voice and I was not one to stop her for sharing what was on her heart.  With her hands by her side and tears steaming down her face she said, My mom hasn’t been to church in a long time.  I just wanted to say I am glad she is back.  I don’t have to tell you I was an emotional mess and so was everyone around me.

From that point forward, I made a commitment to myself never to allow life’s struggles to interfere with my convictions.  At this point, I was going to say I never looked back but that is not true. I often looked back as a reminder.

I encourage you today.  Whatever struggles you are facing; I challenge you to be true to your convictions.  Whether it is your family, your business, or like me your spiritual growth….you chose.

One last comment I want to leave with you….

Mothers, Fathers and Daughters,  we can learn from each other……remember…..wisdom does not have a age limit.

Living a Balance Life by Design

In the article, "Seeking a Balanced Life," by Donald L. Hallstrom in the August 2003 Ensign, he states, "Leading a balanced life can be difficult for any of us. There is not an exact pattern that works for everyone, and even our own blueprint may change during different phases of life

In 1995, I was in a place where I knew I needed to take inventory of where I was headed.

For one,  I saw myself becoming one of those parents whose life was all about their child and I realized if I didn’t do something different not only would my life be off balance but my daughter’s life would be affected too. 

I begin to formulate a plan. A plan that I believed would set me up for success.

By 2000, things were coming together.  I bought a house.  I  had taken a new job in procurement ( with a pay cut – promising by year end my salary would surpasses what I was then making).  My daughter was entering high school.  I thought I would be well prepared when she went off to college.

How many of you know, even the best laid plans often don't turn out the way you expect. 

This is where the story gets interesting……….

Within a year, the bottom had fallen out of the telecommunication industry; layoffs, restructuring and retirement packages; resources were drying up quickly.  It couldn’t have been the worse time.  

  

By the time, a year had passed I was financially busted.  I had accumulated over $100,000 in credit card debit and this is just an estimate.  I was doing everything to keep my head above water.  But that was only the tip of the iceberg.

Late one night, I get a call, it is my 92 year old grandmother. "I can’t live by myself anymore and I chose you" is what she said.

My life was a mess.  What was I going to do?  I packed up my car drove 300 miles and picked my granny up.

There was times when I didn’t know if I was going or coming. I don't know how many times my electric was disconnected. It became a familiar sight to see foreclosure notices in the mailbox.

It was many times I almost acted on emotion and just walked away from everything.

Yet, my relationship with God …...allowed me to hold on.  

My beliefs and value system helped me to re-align my life and get things back into perspective. 

To truly understand balance, we have to recognize that it is through constant incremental movement; when things and people maintain their balance.

It is like riding bicycle, all things will work together.  You have to take into consideration the weather condition and the bumps in the road.  It is easier to make incremental adjustments and maintain your balance.  

It takes more work after your knocked off your bike to get back up and start again.

Things to take into consideration when faced with challenges:

1. Establish a foundation that will help you stand true to your values and believes

2. Drop unnecessary activities

3. Be accountable for where you are in life

4. Protect your private time

5. Accept help to maintain your perceptive

6. Talk with some who is willing to let you know you are going in the wrong direction

7. Plan fun and relax

Roman 8:28 stated that “all things works together for good to them that love him and are called according to his purpose.

Isaiah 54:17  
No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is from me, saith the LORD

Proverbs 3:5-6
"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^[a] your paths.

Purple

 Undeniably, I have arrayed the shoulders of the proud and cushioned the knees of the unassuming. It is perplexing that I am a mixture of unconquerable red and light emitting blue. I’m an emblem of honor for those who have made sacrifices and a declaration of knowledge for the academic lecturer.  I am known to have lined the parchment of the Gospel scriptures, woven into the robe of kings, draping the walls of tabernacles, and sold by a merchant called Lydia. There are few words that rhyme with me. All the same, I am found throughout varies genres.  Cited frequently in the poem penned by Edgar Allan Poe; The Raven. I represent transformation; transformation of nations, hearts and the human spirit.  I am nobility. I am the color purple

Plowing the Way

I praise God that I live in a country where we have the liberty to gather together and study God’s word. It is during the Sunday morning service or Bible Study that the Holy Spirit will draw my attention to a certain verse or even a phrase and I will continue to mediate upon that verse or phrase until God’s message for me has been revealed.

This week the Holy Spirit laid on my heart the phrase “Plowing the Field”.
What was quicken to my heart was that throughout Paul's journey the church was back in Antioch praying and fasting; sending prayers before them, plowing the way?

I began to ponder in my heart who is plowing the way for us.

Before my Grandmother went home to be with the Lord, she plowed the way for her family daily by praying continuously; asking God's protection. She planted so many seeds of prayer that they are still in affect today.

I equate “plowing the field” to preparedness.

This message is about preparedness. There are two types of preparedness.

1. Preparedness of the heart to receive the message (Mark 4:13-20)
2. Preparedness for the messengers; those who are commissioned to preach the gospel. (Mark 16:15}

We are going to focus on the second type of preparedness.
When I speak of preparedness I am not talking about ensuring that there is food, clothes or money in your pockets; although, that is a part of preparedness but not the major part.
Preparedness refers to the state of being prepared for specific or unpredictable events or situations. Preparedness is an important quality when you trying to avoid and/or mitigate negative outcomes.

Note that I said mitigate negative outcomes. I did not say mitigate negative situation.
Often we think that in our attempt to be prepared if we pray, fast and spend time with God that we will not have to go through the fire. But sometimes we have to go through the fire to burn off the chains that bind us in this life; whether it be our friends, family or our carnel ways.

The Psalmist said in Psalms 66:10 – For thou, O God, hast proved us: thou has tried us, as silver is tried. (Mark 14:32-41)

The question I am asking today is who is plowing the way?

Who is sitting forth the plow, tilling the soil, breaking the furrow, fertilizing and weeding the soil, purging it and making it clean?

God did not give us the Gospel just to save us. He did not give us the Gospel so that we could horde it up, keep it to ourselves and shout about the blessing we have.

Every farmer knows that it is only as he plows the field and tends the growing crop, keeping out the thorns and weeds, that the tender plants will have a chance to grow.

Who is plowing the way for the lost?
Who is plowing the way for the sick?
Who is plowing the way for the afflicted?

God has a purpose and plan for this world. He has elected to use us; human instruments.

However, the human instrument must also elect to be used;
In Isaiah 6:1-8 God asked who I will send.

Here am I, send me.

This is a true story about a church in Somerville, New Jersey. John Vredenburg was the preacher there for many years. He felt his ministry was a failure, and so did others, although he faithfully preached the Gospel. He died discouraged. A little while after his death, there was a great spiritual awakening in that town. One Sunday, two hundred came forward to the altar to accept Jesus as their Savior. What was notable was that nearly all of those people dated their own birth in Christ from the ministry of John Vredenburgh, the man who thought his ministry a failure. Nothing that we do in God's name and spirit is too small to be used in his kingdom.

Everyone can be part of helping the kingdom to grow. From the least to the greatest, we can all make a conscious effort to do what we can to plow the way for the kingdom of God.

I Corinthians 12:12 –
For as the body is one and has many.

v.intr.
1. To break and turn up earth with a plow.
2. To move or progress with driving force: The attackers formed a wedge and plowed through the enemy line.
3. To proceed laboriously

Let proceed laboriously to plow the way for God's Kingdom

Walking in Victory (Victory vs.Victim)

Text from May 17, 2009 Message

Walking in victory does not mean that there will always be enough money in the bank; nor, does it mean death will not come. It does not mean that your children will always make good choices or you won't have trails on the job or in your marriage.

(John 16:33) Peter said, "Don't consider it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing has happened unto you"

Yet, it does mean no matter what circumstance or situation you are facing today; that you know in your heart ( you heard the message and it took root in your heart) and understand that Jesus Christ is on the throne and he has empowered you through his death to be the victory and not the victim.

Let's look at Colossians 2:13-15

When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your sinful nature God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the written code, with its regulations, that was against us and that stood opposed to us; he took it away, nailing it to the cross. and having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.


Let's talk about the word "Victory"; according to Webster's Dictionary

A little history... Noah Webster was a devout Christian. His 1828 American Dictionary contained the greatest number of Biblical definitions given in any reference volume. In 1833 Webster released his own edition of the Bible called the Common Version not to be confused with the Common Bible. Modern critics were surprised by just how little Webster varied from the King James Version of the Bible.

Victory is.....

1. The overcoming of an enemy or antagonist (According to Colossians 2:13-15; Jesus took care of the enemy on the cross); referring to "having disarmed the powers and authorities"

In the Greek ..... overcome - katakyrieuō (kä-tä-kü-rē-yü'-ō (Key)) exercise dominion over

I John 5:4 says that for everyone born of God overcometh the world: This is the victory that overcometh the world, [even] our faith.

In World War II, when the Allied troops landed on Normandy establishing a beachhead there and then moving into Europe this was the decisive battle/event and it won the war in Europe for the Allied Command. There were still battles to be fought, but the outcome of the war was certain; once the allies landed on French soil and started moving inland step by step toward Germany.

Although, there are still battles we have to fight as Christian; we know that the outcome of this war is certain.

2. Achievement of mastery or success in a struggle or endeavor against odds or difficulties.
Mastery: The knowledge that makes one a master of a situation......

Let's change our focus for a minute and look at the word "Victim"

Victim......

1. One that is acted on and usually adversely affected by a force or agent a.(1) one that is injured, destroyed or sacrificed under any of various conditions(2): one that is subjected to oppression, hardship, or mistreatment b: one that is tricked or duped

Satan uses his many devises to deceive and dupe us. Because of his powers of deception we take the very power that Jesus took from Satan on Cavalry Cross and we give it back to him.

Often I look at the series "Law and Order - Special Victims Unit"

There was an episode where a young girls' father had kidnapped her and locked her in a room. Over time he began to let her roam around the house; however, she still had the mindset of being locked in that room. Because of her mindset she did not utilize the opportunities before her to break away from him and be set free. That is why it is so important for us to renew our minds by the washing of the word.

As men and women of God we are being DUPED; we are living defeated lives because we have been deceived by the enemy. We have been set free and we are living as if we are still in bondage. Stand up and strip off that victim mentality like Blind Bartimaeus in Luke 18:35-43 and put on your robe of victory.

Then began to walk in victory.

There are three actions we must take if we are to live a life of victory.

1. Stand firm in your faith - in your belief in a never failing God
   Rom 3:4
   God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written, That thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art judged
2. Let nothing move you - tough times nor personal tragedy
   1Cor 15:58
   Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.
3. Give yourself to the work of the Lord - who are you living for YOURSELF or GOD and does it show in your actions, purpose and life.Psa 51:10
   Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.

Summary:

Joseph, was a man who walked in "Victory".

It is interesting how that God can sum up a person's life with just a few words: "The LORD was with Joseph". That's the story of his life.

It remind me of the comment from "fiddler on the roof"where the fellow says: "Lord, I know we're the chosen people but would you mind choosing somebody else for a while", because of all of the things that are happening. The Lord was with Joseph but it is interesting that the Lord being with him did not spare him the hatred of his brothers, the jealousy. Did not spare him being sold by his brothers. It did not spare him from slavery. It did not spare him from false accusations. It did not spare him from temptation. It did not spare him from false imprisonment.

How do I know Joseph walked in "Victory"?

It is what he said to his brothers in Genesis 50: 19-20.

19. Joseph said to them, "Do not be afraid, for [am] I in the place of God? 20.But as for you, you meant evil against me; [but] God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as [it is] this day, to save many people alive.

Are you in the place of God? Do you have peace in your situation? Only a person walking in victory can put aside the hurts and disappointment of this life to move forward so they can fulfill the purpose to which God has called them.

I challenge you today.......

Fill My Cup

I had an opportunity to sit down and have an in-depth conversation with a friend. A conversation that would lead me to look backwards to share "what God has brought me through", forward to reveal where he is leading me and inward to share my heart.

This day was like any other day....peoples lives were changing. There was a sense of restlessness and uncertainty in the air.

Our conversation was lite; it was a surface converstion. However, somewhere along the way the spirit began to move.

Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord Almighty.....Zechariah 4:6

The conversation took a turn that would lead me back to one question.

Is the body of Christ doing what Christ commissioned us to do?

Let me preface my story:

My friend and I touched on one topic after another. Then, the comment that was shared that saddened my heart.

You know I went to church "Easter Sunday" but I felt so alone"; so you are a CME. I picked up the acronym from a Pastor of a church I was visiting a few weeks prior. He referenced it to individuals who only attend Sunday Morning Services on Christmas, Mother's Day and Easter.......so you are a CME.

Yes, but the only reason why is ( here is the show stopper) it seems during the service they ( the church leaders) put more emphasis on what teams are playing on Sunday. I want to attend a church like I use to attend when I was young. In my heart, I was saying me too.
"
She raised her hands expressively. When I leave a service I should be full. I should feel different about myself. My cup is not being filled.

Each of us cry daily "Fill My Cup" oh, Lord.

In John 21:15-17, Jesus asked Peter three times, "Do You Love Me?"...... Feed My Sheep.

Sunday after Sunday I sit and watch a body who is content with being pew warmers. A body who is being deceived by the enemy into believing the Church is meeting the needs of believers.

I must admit I chuckled when the Pastor said bring your CMEs friends to church on Easter. God showed me the question I should have been asking myself is, why? And as the body of Christ what can we do differently to meet the needs of Gods people.

No one should feel alone when they are surrounded by God's children.

I knew there was a sense of restlessness in the air and the restlessness was in me.

The only witness I know is through my life.

Acting Christ Like

What do you think?

Was it common courtesy or just acting Christ like; maybe, it was luck but I choose to believe it was God's favor?

I wasn't sitting in 1st class; however, I was receiving 1st class treatment. Why? Because while going through secruity at the Airport in New Jersey; my actions affected the lives of two other people. In every experience in life, we can see God's favor.

Philippians 2:4
Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.

Let me explain....

The security line was long and people were trying to make their connecting flights. It was like being stuck in traffic; you can see the exit but you can't reach it.

Yet, the approach to the conveyor belt was slow and steady and as quickly as I approached my turn; things began to unfold. An airport employee busily doing his job brought an elderly man in a wheelchair to the front of the line. The gentleman in front of me began muttering do you understand this; I shrugged my shoulders. It is evident by his reaction that we live in an "it's all about me" society. The airport employee was apologtic and proceeded to help the elderly gentleman through the security line.

Seconds later, three flight attendents were trying to pass through the line. "What somebody else", the gentleman stated. His feathers was ruffled. One of the flight attendents pressed on through while the other two stared in disbelief. He said NO, like a kid whose toy was being taken away. The only thing he didn't do was stomp his foot and cry. He voiced I am not moving and began to put his things on the convoyer belt.

I preceded to stepback and let them through. I heard one of them comment "Hope he is not on our flight". I thought why would anyone be rude to a flight attendent or anyone. My parents always told me not to cut off my nose to spite my face.

As things settled down, I struck up a conversation with the ladies and to our surprise we were on the same flight. In fact, one of them was named Marilyn ( what a co-incidence). As they walked away they told me we are going to take care of you.

They were definitely true to their word.

There I sat with a glass of wine ( let's not get stuck on the wine) enjoying my book; nibbling on cheese and crackers; later, served some warm cookies.

What did it cost me to put others interest before mine? Nothing

What I did gain? Some would call it luck but again I call it God's favor.

Are We Any Different?

Are we any different from the Isralite children?

They saw miracle after miracle and experienced God's blessing everyday. I have heard people say; if I lived during those times and experienced and saw what they experienced, I would never forget what God has done for me.

Day after day I see the blessings of God flowing in Christian lives; Individual's marriages restored, families delivered from financial bondage, children blessed, people healed etc.

Yet, just like the Isralite children when the pressure is off and when everything is going good. We start grumbling and complainting or worse; we forget we are called to build his Kingdom and not build our own personal kingdom.

I challenge you today to acknowledge God's mercies. Thank him, for his many blessing and work in his kingdom so others experience his goodness.

There is nothing like being in the presence of God; being blanketed with his love. His love binds us together like a fine woven quilt. Each patch representative of our testimonies as we press forward.

We can be different if we chose to be ....

Can you be in your Promised Land?

A Bible Study is suppose to generate thoughts that make you go ......Humm. I had one of those moments during the Tuesday night study. The group is now at Romans 9:1-29. The title of the Lesson was "The Potter & His Clay from the Lifeguide bible study "Becoming New in Christ" by Jack Kuhatschek.

The chapter opens with Paul being filled with sorrow for his people because they did not receive Christ and he reminds us of their heritage and the blessings that God bestowed upon them as his children. He goes on to define who are God's children. The summary of this lesson is we are God's children. Why? Because we are born of his spirit; his spiritual children.

My thought took me back to when God spoke to Abraham and told him to leave Haran and his family and his father's house and go to the land he had promised and God would make him a great nation. He was obedient in part. He did leave, however, he took his nephew Lot along with him. It took time and a separting; from Lot. Then God told Abraham to lift up his eyes and look to the north, south, east and west; all that he could see God would give to him.

This is the thought that made me go hummmm. How many of us are already in our promised land? God has spoke his instructions for our life; yet, we are not fully obedient. Walking in partial obedience is being disobedient. We are trying to live a resurrected life but we are taking along our worldly friends and the world's ways. Consequently, we can't move forward and step into the promises that God has dropped into our hearts. God is tell us to come out from among them and lift up our eyes to the north, south, east and west and all we can see he will give to us.

It is time for us to re-position ourselves and step into the promise of God; the living waters where the blessing flow.

Lesson 2 - Discussion Responds

1.

1. Ungodliness and unrighteousness of men
2. Faill to recognize the sovereignty of God by compressing the truth
3. Unthankful
4. Man being wise in their on eyes, Lust of their own heart
5. Fornication, wickness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whispers.
6. Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents.
7. Without understanding, covenant breakers ( don't recognize any authority), with natural affection, implacable, unmercifull

2. That humanity needed a Savior due to our inability to control the carnal nature

3. It is in man and has been revealed to man the nature of God; through creation.

Comment: It is engrained in mankinds DNA.

4. All people respond differently; some have a spiritual respond and others suppress the knowledge they have of God

5. Respond (a): Reject God, Make up ideas, Fall into sin and Grow to hate God

Respond (b):God gave them over in the lusts of their hearts to impurity; God gave them over to degrading passions; and God gave them over to a depraved (reprobate) mind.

6. The moral degeneration is reflected in our values as a nation, same sex relationships; what use to be shocking is not acceptable - violence, vulgar language, inappropriate dress and behavior; wrong has become right..

7. By their peoples behavior, accordimg to these verse. it reflect God removing his hand off their lives

8. Majority Consensus ......No, the verse show that we all have the ability to be the thing.

9. There is available to every man certain knowledge of God. This knowledge is attainable by observing his creation. (Verse 20)

Psalm 19:1-2

1. The heavens declare the glory of God; the sky displays his handiwork.
2. Day after day it speaks out; night after night it reveals his greatness.

10. People need to hear the gospel so it can bring change in their lives; and we are the ambassdors for Christ.

Leeson 2 - The Wrath of God

1. According to verses 18-32, what are some of the reasons God wrath is being revealed?
2. What questions of feeling do you have when you read about God's wrath in verse 18?
3. What does everyone know about God, according to verses 19-20? How di they know these these things?
4. How do people respond to the knowledge they posses about God ( vv. 18,21)?
5. Verses 21-32 describe the downward spiral of sin. How would you summarize each level of descent? How might each level lead to the next?
6. What evidence do you see of this moral degenerations today?
7. It is common to think of God's wrath primarily in terms of future judgement. Yet, verse 18 states that God's wrath is now being revealed. How is this evident form verses 24-32?
8. Do you think verses 18-32 refute the notion that people are basically good? Explain.
9. People often raise the questiom of how God could condemn those who have never heard of him. How does this passage address that question?
10. How might this passage make you less ashamed of the gospel and more eager to preach it?

Pray that God would be revealed powerfully to those who are rejecting him.

Lesson 1 - Answers

Romans - Becoming New in Christ

Last week, the bible study began a new book "Romans". I will be posting the questions and comments. This blog is a resource to help you mature in your Christian walk. The church has become complacent on teaching Christian they have to live a morally upright life. We are to focused on dipping out of God bags of gifts instead of developing a relationship with a living Savior.

Chapter 1 - Good News from God

1. Imagine that verses 1 and 5 are the only information you posses about Paul. Describe everything you would know about him
2. In verses 1-5 Paul gives a summary of the gospel for which he has been set apart. What do we learn about the gospel from these verses:
3. What do verses 8-13 reveal about Paul's attitude toward the Romans?Why do you think he was so encouraged and motivated/
4. Because he was an apostel ( one who is sent ), Paul felt obligated to preach the gospel to everyone ( v. 14 ). Whom do you have the greatest opportunity of reaching with the gospel?
5. What steps can you take to reach them?
6. Paul says we can be eager to preach the gospel or be ashamed of it (vv. 15-16). What might lead us to adopt one attitude or the other"
7. In verse 16 Paul describes the gospel as "the power of God" for salvation. How have you seen this power demonstrated in your lfie or the lives of others?
8. Martin Luther wrote that verse 17 to him " a gateway to heaven" What's so significant about the ideas in this verse?
9. What do you think it means to "live by faith"? (v 17)
10. In what areas do you struggle to live by faith?