Chimere McKether

1 Corinthians 13: Love Series: Love Is Not Self-Seeking Part 7

2013-06-27T13:00:00.000-04:00

"If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing. Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears. When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. And now these three remain: faith, hope and love.But the greatest of these is love." - (1 Corinthians 13 NIV)

Happy Thriving Thursday!!!

Love is not self-seeking.

Oh, boy. I know I'll be stepping on toes with this devotion! However, the Lord wants to share with His people on why it's important not to self-seek in situations we face. Before we get defensive, this message even applies to me, too. I know it's going to sting, but God will definitely have His way with ministering to our hearts, and it will bless us for our good. So, smile, precious heart!

Self-seeking - 1. the seeking of one's own interest or selfish ends. 2. given to or characterized by self-seeking; selfish.

It's always vital to refresh our memories with definitions because it helps us to keep things in perspective, to comprehend its meaning, and to have clarity. In today's world, we're told that it's all about us and forget about others along the way, and it's magnified in ways, which is extremely vast for our minds to understand. It's really sad because this erroneous mentality is why the world is in the shape it’s in. Selfish motives destroy everything it touches. It doesn't edify God in any way. It always hurt others in the process. Even though, we can mean well with our intentions, but somewhere along the line, if we're not careful, it will lead to destruction in our relationships with others, whom God placed in our daily lives.

I want to be clear. There's nothing wrong with ambition. There's nothing wrong with accomplishments. There's nothing wrong with wanting to do better in life. Nonetheless, there is something wrong with over stepping our boundaries, when it comes to our morality. It doesn't matter who we are, morality plays a huge role in our lives, whether we want to admit it or not. The way we approach any situation will determine the outcome: positive or negative.

How we treat others will expose our true character and it will not remain camouflaged forever. How we seek opportunities, when it's presented before us, will open a door of prosperous or destructive living (and I don't mean financial prosperity). Needless to say, if we're being honest, some people do allow financial gain corrupt who they are and they don't care who they hurt to remain financially rich.

Here are some ways to know when we're falling into selfishness:

If I help ___________, what's in it for me? I refuse to go out my way if there isn't anything benefiting me in return.

I don't have time for anyone because no one has made time for me. Why should I even bother caring for others?

I never did like ____________. I will leave _____________ right where he or she is at. He or she put himself or herself in that predicament. He or she is not taking me down with him or her. Sorry, I got to do what’s right for me.

__________ is not appropriate in my circle. He or she will only sabotage my reputation. I must surround myself around people who will help me climb to the status I yearn to have.

These are a few examples. Of course, there are many more. I just wanted to list some, so we're aware of this trap. Self-seeking is a form of bondage. It may "encourage" us to believe we're doing the right thing by looking out for ourselves, on the surface, but if we delve deeper into this subject, we'll see clearly, in God's timing, that it can hurt us in the long run.

I don't want anyone to have misconceptions about not taking care of his or herself, for I believe in everyone taking care of themselves, and venturing things for their best interest, especially when it enhances their growth in life. No matter how old we are, we must steer clear of thinking we have come to a place where we know everything. Just because we develop some insight, it doesn't mean we're a “pro” when it comes to living life, not-by-a-long-shot. Just when we think we have it all together, this is where life knocks us off our feet, taking wind out of our breath. And then, we stop and ask ourselves, "What happened?" or "Where did I go wrong?" Hey, it happens. Life happens!

The sooner we prepare ourselves that life happens, the better we are equipped to handle what comes our way.

And this is where praying to God kicks in, my lovely friends. Once we surrender our lives to Jesus, He transforms us with new thinking and living, which benefits us to be the people we are destined to be. He desires for us to be more loving, even when we fall short. He longs for us to seek His face, when life deliriously rattles out of control. He wants us to embrace a selfless life, in which we can see His full glory shining in our daily living.

He didn't create us to keep to ourselves. We don't live to ourselves and we don't die to ourselves (Romans 14:7). Yes, there's a time when we should keep to ourselves, especially when someone is out to intentionally hurt us. On the other hand, God has created us to live in harmony and to help each other whenever we fall.

Whenever we're not certain about people's intentions, I highly encourage you on praying to God. God will never lie to you. He will always shed the light of what's surrounding our lives. He never keeps those in the dark, when they are seeking for truth, once they worship Him in Spirit and in truth (John 4:24).

Society convinces us if we focus on self, we will prosper. Society also persuades us that what's in it for us always promise us that we'll constantly reap benefits, because it is an even-trade whenever two or more make a deal, so everybody wins. Society "encourages" us to talk about our problems, but not consider that others have ordeals they face, too. What society doesn't tell us is, that only talking, and not listening, is form of self-seeking. Doing good deeds just to get something in return is another form of self-seeking. Trashing others and putting ourselves on a pedestal is another way of self-seeking. Telling haters to bow down to us is self-seeking. God's word doesn't tell us that our haters (enemies) should worship us. Yes, God will bless our enemies to be at peace with us, whenever we delight in Him and our ways please Him (Proverbs 16:7).

We must tread carefully, when we make statements about haters bowing down to us because we "made" it. Haters have to answer to God why they do what they do, not us. We are not God and we don't determine their fate. Only God does. When we want others to recognize what we have done consistently and not acknowledge others for their gifts and abilities, it's a form of self-seeking and idol worshipping. God has specifically made it clear that we don't bow down to anyone or serve things, or people as idols (Exodus 20: 5, Deuteronomy 5:9). They can't save us or redeem us the way He can.

Haters are human like we are. None of us have a Heaven or Hell to put anyone in. We all fall short and we all make mistakes. That's what makes us human. It's what we learn and how we get back up, after what has occurred in our lives, that truly counts.

So what does the Bible says to us about helping others?

"For, dear brothers (sisters), you have been given freedom: not freedom to do wrong, but freedom to love and serve each other." - (Galatians 5:13, parenthesis is mine for sisters).

To be clear, when Galatians 5:13 mentioned about serve each other, it's not referring to wrongful slavery. We're not slaves to anyone, for slavery is bondage. To serve each other is to help one another. And how do we assist someone? We step outside our world and allow Christ's love to transform us on genuinely caring about the people we see daily. And it takes God's Holy Spirit to do a new work in us, for it's hard to do this on our own, even if we think we can, somewhere along the way, we will fall into a trap of self-seeking, even when we think we're not.

To step out of selfish intentions, we must examine ourselves, not others, but ourselves. For it's good to reflect over our lives, and it motivates us to seek better opportunities in life with transforming our mindset into positive thinking.

We're poisoned to believe that it must be frequently something in it for us, whenever we're motivated to do things. I will be honest with you, whenever we do good things, we don't necessarily get something back in return. Sometimes, we get hurt for helping others, who are only out for self and they toss us away like yesterday's garbage.

This is what we need to keep in mind: whether you're rewarded or not, know that God is watching you and He sees your intentions. He knows you extremely well and He also knows you're doing the best you can, even though it seems like everything is falling apart for you. Know that because you are motivated with God's love, your actions are recorded in His Book of Life, for you will be rewarded in His timing and His way.

God usually rewards us when we least expect Him to. And even if He stops blessing us, we're still blessed because we know where and whom our help comes from, and He'll never leave nor forsake us, even when everyone else walks away from us. Whenever we're striving to be the best we can be, we must remember that it's God who is ordering our steps. Yes, when situations seem unexplainable, God has ordered it for His Divine purpose, so we can always rely on Him.

And we must also be wary of praying that we want only good things to happen to us, not there is anything wrong with that, but we can't expect for things to fall into our laps without doing what is required of us. To where much is given, much is required (Luke 12:48).

When we surrender our lives to God, our old way of living becomes extinct. When we are in Christ, we are new, and carnal desires die, along with our carnal thinking. Living the Christian life is daily. It's not a ritual like only going to church on Sunday, and then do evil works for the rest of the week, and then going back to church on Sunday, repeating the same cycle.

Praying selfish prayers is self-seeking, especially when it doesn't benefit everyone who is involved (see James 4:3). Always seeking the pastor for guidance is self-seeking. How? Thinking that ministers don't face adversity and that they don't need prayer is selfish. They need an outpour of God's love and guidance as well. They don't have all the answers either, for they are growing in God's grace, just like we are. This is something to think about.

Doing God's "work" in vain glory is self-seeking. What is doing God's work? Actively praying. Actively seeking His Will nonstop (whatever that will is, there is no specific will. What God's will is for one person, is not the same for another. No two individuals have the same mission. We're all created to bring diversity into this world). Actively examining our lives. Whenever we give ourselves a self check-up, this prevents us from falling into judging others. And once we spiritually discern our situations and ourselves, no one can judge us, even if they try, they can't, because God does the conviction, not them or us. Actively getting involved with others, if we able to help them in some way, and it doesn't always mean financially. Just encouraging someone is enough. You'll be surprised with the results by walking in obedience for God, when He touches your heart to uplift someone who is hurting.

Just being there for someone goes a long way than being rewarded for what we do. Some believe that being busy for God or being busy, in general, means we're being productive, and that's not usually the case. If we have our to-do lists and we complete them, and yet we still feel drained by the end of the day, it's not adding to our well-being. Being productive leads to positive results in the long run. How will you affect the people who need positive influence in their lives? And how will it help you grow as a person once you finish your journey on Earth?

Prayer: Father, I know sometimes I allow self to get in the way of what's truly important. Please forgive me when I seek for things, which involves something for me in return, even when I may not realize it. Show me where I am going wrong with myself. Show me how to be more like You. Help me to be more loving and caring for others. Help me to see needs and not faults in people, when they need encouragement and support. Show me how to seek for opportunities that will honor You in everything I say and do. Show me how to pray unselfishly and believe You know what's best for others and me, even when I don't see or understand. Bless me to become better. Birth something new in me, so I will continually draw closer to You, even when I stray away at times. Thank You for doing a new work in me. I believe by faith it is done. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

If you believe in this prayer, may God continue to bless you in every area of your life! Remember, this devotion isn't to knock anyone down, for we're all guilty of self-seeking. But this devotion is to remind us that we can easily fall into traps, the enemy daily schemes for our demise. Continue to be the best the person you can be. Your reward will come when you least expect it. And when God blesses you, He will draw you closer to Him, and bring out the best in you, which glorifies Him. Until next time, be blessed.

1 Corinthians 13: Love Series: Love Is Not Rude Part 6

2013-05-29T18:06:00.000-04:00

"If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing. Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears. When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love." - (1 Corinthians 13 NIV)

Happy Wonderful Wednesday!!!

Love is not rude.

Being rude is highly overrated in today's world. We reached to a point where we have lost a sense of human decency toward each other. It's extremely sad. I know the Lord has something to say, through me, to encourage and minister to His People, so you all can be blessed.

Before I further elaborate, I want to refresh our memories with the dictionary's meaning of rude. Rude - 1. discourteous or impolite, especially in a deliberate way. 3. rough in manners or behavior; unmannerly; uncouth.

I know ... that's how unpleasant rude is. Please excuse me, and I don't want to stomp on anyone's toes, but at some point in time, this subject must be addressed. Honestly speaking, rude is equated with the adjective's description of mean. Mean - 1. offensive, selfish, or unaccomodating; nasty; malicious. Again, that's how unpleasant mean truly is. They go hand-in-hand because being rude is being mean, if we think about it.

I will do my best to be delicate as possible, but I can't ignore what the Lord is pressing in my heart to say. I hope this devotion will shed light on your spiritual hearts and minds because being rude is offensive and it doesn't reflect God's character in any shape, fashion, or form. It amazes me how people are comfortable with magnifying rudeness in their daily lives. I don't know how they delude themselves to believe it's okay to pass brutal, nasty remarks to others and about others.

Satan utilizes this tool effectively because his sole purpose is to kill off humanity entirely. He loathes harmonious living in every way. And candidly speaking again, he doesn't care about us. Nope. Not one bit. And it's terrible. The Bible tells us in two scriptures: "The thief only comes to kill, steal, and destroy." (John 10:10). "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour." (1 Peter 5:8).

Yes, Satan's intention is to bring out the worst in us, not the best. I want to be clear. This isn't about judging others because who are we to throw stones? Can I be real with you? I know it's going to sting, but rude behavior is overused.

Talking about someone behind his or her back, not venting about a situation what a person has done to you, is being rude and hypocritical. Before you assume, I want you to think about it for one minute. Say for instance, Sally speaks to Abigail about how Roger is assassinating her character by deliberately provoking her to anger. And he succeeds for evoking a powerful emotion out of her because she is literally at her breaking point. And while Sally is explaining her predicament to Abigail, Abigail is simply listening to what Sally is saying. Abigail isn't encouraging gossip by repeating or twisting what is said. She understands, with God's compassion, that Sally is hurting and she needs someone to listen to her, not judge her or make her look worse for how she is feeling. If we don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all. Why? Because it doesn't make the person we're talking about look bad, but it makes us look bad. And that, my friend, unveils the ugliness roaming in our hearts.

That's one way of being rude.

Being overly critical about how a person does things, looks, feels, and doesn't see from our perspective is another way of being rude, when we intentionally criticize and dismiss everything about the individual.

I understand that, yes, we all have bad days, and sometimes our emotions run high because we have so much going on, and it causes us to be unintentionally rude (although rude is intentional, but in this case, it’s unintentional) to others without realizing it. When the other person catches it and walks away from us, realization hits us when we come to terms of what has occurred. And immediately, anyone who has a heart, we will feel bad for what we have done. I know I do whenever I react unseemly sometimes. I do my best not to make it constant. And once we are constantly rude, what does that say about our true character? Food for thought.

Mistreating a person because they aren't "hot" IS rude. Who are we to dismiss someone because we "feel" this person isn't attractive to us, or he or she doesn’t look the way we “think” he or she should? So, does it mean we shouldn't bother getting to know him or her at all? Yes, chemistry and interest is one thing, but being unbearably rotten to someone because we're not interested is another. Or even mistreating someone because we "believe" this person isn't important as our other friends. So, it gives us the right to mock them or only check up on them when we see it's convenient for us? And the list goes on and on.

I'm not trying to make anyone feel bad, but this really does happen if we're being truthful. This is conviction of God's Holy Spirit for us to check our erroneous thoughts, which is brewing in our hearts.

God's love is gentle, not weak. His love is kind, not nasty. His love is patient, not impatient. His love is considerate, not inconsiderate. His love encourages, not discourages. His love listens and it doesn't give a deaf ear when one is talking. His love finds something to positive to say about everyone, even if the person is irritating (laughing). We know this is true. We all have people in our lives rubbing us the wrong way! I don't know one person who doesn't. However, it doesn't give them or us the right to mistreat each other. It's a two-way street.

After all, the Bible clearly states: "Treat others the same way you want them to treat you." (Luke 6:31).

Before we jump into any conclusions, I want to clear any misunderstandings. What this scripture basically saying is, if we don’t like being mistreated, then why should we do it to others? It doesn’t make sense for people to give us respect, when we don’t show it first. If we respect ourselves, then it’s not hard to respect others. We’re all equal and we all have the same feelings. Just because two people respond to situations differently, it doesn’t make one superior or inferior over the other. We, as people, tend to take things out of context, especially when we don't take the time to absorb what is being said to us or what we read. That's why there is constant confusion because no one takes the time for anything anymore. God is not the Author of confusion (1 Corinthians 14:33).

We live in a hasty and cruel world. Why? I'll never comprehend it. One thing I do know is that I can't worry about or control others just because they consciously choose to mistreat me. I can only control my responses and my actions, even when I tend to mess up at times. And that's what makes me human, and you, too (smiling).

When we come over to Christ's side, it's a whole different ballgame. You will see people's truest colors coming out entirely. Why? Because God's light is shining brightly in you. And where God's light shines brightly, it drives out all darkness and evil forces. Everything is exposed for what it is. Whether it's behind closed doors or, I hate to say it, publicly. Whenever we don't correct our mistakes, we tend to keep on doing wrong. So, we think we don't need a makeover in our spirits. Beloved, there's always room for improvement. Always. And this is what a delusional spirit does, it makes us believe we're doing right, when in actuality, we're doing wrong. Only God can convict and bring us revelations about ourselves. Condemnation points fingers about a person's flaws and hangs it over their heads redundantly. Conviction taps at one's heart and shows his or her errors, and then blesses the person to make amends.

A true person of character constantly acknowledges his or her ways, once he or she comes into realization of what he or she has done. First, he or she repents to God. Second, he or she makes the wrong right with the people he or she has hurt. And last, he or she must forgives him or herself, and continually strives in living the life as a better human being. God delights in our honesty when we come to Him. Nothing moves God more, when we talk to Him about everything while being our true selves. Isn’t it lovely to know that we can carry everything to God in prayer? And after we have done this, He wraps us in His loving arms to let us know we will be all right and keep on living in Him.

If you are struggling with rude behavior or rude behavior is being directed toward you, I would love to pray for you.

Prayer: Father, I admit there are times I'm not my best. And I let my situations get the best of me. However, I'm coming to the conclusion, it doesn't excuse my behavior for being rude to others, when they don't mean me harm or when they do. I'm asking You to create in me a clean heart and renew a right spirit within me. I know it's through Jesus, I am redeemed and there is no condemnation to those who are in Jesus Christ. Help me to think carefully in what I do or say. But whenever I fall, please catch me and make the situation right. I'm truly sorry for how I behave because it doesn't glorify You whenever I rudely react to others. And for those who have been rude to me, Lord, I ask You to help and show them where they are making errors, too. Show them they don't have to embrace rudeness and hurt others in the process, but release whatever is stirring in their hearts to You. Redeem them, give them a new heart and mind, and bless them to make right decisions, which glorifies You wholeheartedly. In Jesus' name, Amen.

If you believe in this prayer, may you be healed and set free. Remember, how we react to situations and make our decisions is a daily thing. How you live is far more important than what you possess. Nothing is more precious than your soul, for you are unique and you are created for God's glory. Until next time, be blessed.

1 Corinthians 13: Love Series: Love Is Not Proud Part 5

2013-05-03T13:09:00.000-04:00

"If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing. Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears. When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love." - (1 Corinthians 13 NIV)

Happy Fantastic Friday!!!

Love is not proud.

Pride is something else ...

Before I elaborate on this topic, let's refresh our memories what the term proud means. Proud - 1. feeling pleasure or satisfaction over something regarded as highly honorable or creditable to oneself. 2. having, proceeding from, or showing a high opinion of one's own dignity, importance, or superiority.

Okay ... now I'm ready to discuss this subject as God's Holy Spirit is leading me to say to His People who are hungry and listening for His Truths. Like I mentioned in the last post, there is nothing wrong with being proud of the accomplishments we achieve, because it reflects our diligence and hard work which pays off to our benefit. And God desires for us to do everything in the glory of Him. (1 Corinthians 10:31).

Just to be clear, this isn't referring to doing foolish things which is considered as sin in God's eyes. Whatever gifts God gave you, do it for His Glory. Every good and perfect gift comes from Him. (James 1:17). And even with dark situations we see on TV or read in e-books or books, there are still revelations to learn, even if it is made for pure entertainment. It's not what enter a person, which defiles him or her, but what comes out of his or her heart, which defiles him or her. (Matthew 15:11).

In today's world, our actions betray us for who we are on the surface. Nonetheless, God sees deeper on why we do what we do, which directs us to make drastic decisions. I honestly don't believe people do what they do for no reason. There is something that provokes or motivates us to perform good or evil deeds.

Not trying to shift subjects, but I want to clarify my earlier statement before we understand why being proud doesn't glorify God or His Love. When 1 Corinthians 13 was referring to love is not proud, it's aiming toward the second definition, which God has an issue about our grotesque behavior when we allow worldly things to inflate our egos.

I will not deny that I have a pet peeve about people who are cocky and self-absorbed. This kind of attitude displays unpleasant results, which ruin relationships (no matter what kind) terribly.

This kind of pride, God abhors, destroys our character and it clouds our judgment, and it deceives us to believe we are right, when we're altogether wrong. I'm not trying to step on anyone's toes, but if we're truly candid about this topic, we know this hits home close to our hearts, because we all have been guilty of allowing pride ruling our nature.

When converting as a true believer, the Lord will make certain we don't stay same once we know who He truly is. There are stages in conversion. No one becomes Christ-like overnight. Anyone who says otherwise, the truth isn't in them. We won't truly be completed in Christ until we leave Earth. And that's when our mission is complete, and we have finally finish running this race with patience.

Pride stands in the way of God's truth.

Pride damages existing or blossoming relationships.

Pride deludes us to believe we're superior over others and it's all right to hurt others in the process while we seize after what life is offering to us.

Pride sabotages our souls daily, when we're not walking in the light while we're doing wrong.

Pride never listens to what the other party is saying and it never considers the other's point-of-view.

Pride is always right and refuses to apologize when in error.

Pride pulls us away from God, even though He is always present in our midst.

Pride relies on self instead of God.

Pride discourages others who are trying to find their way in life, while it boasts exceedingly what it can do versus what they can't do.

Pride persuades us to believe that others shouldn't be our family and friends because they view the world differently than we do, so we act like we don't know them or refuse to listen to them.

Pride is prejudiced to everything that doesn't fit into what it believes isn't "right" in its own world.

And who gets hurt when pride consumes one's soul? You do. I do. She does. He does. They do. We do.

In God's sight, we're all equal. (Galatians 3:28).

The enemy utilizes pride so effectively in us, where we can't see the ultimate damage until his scheme comes into full circle of what he is doing to us.

This is why I'm so glad that God helps uncover the truth while we're gradually walking out of darkness one-step-at-a-time. I'm also glad to know that He can deliver us out of this horrid sin, which truly wants to keep us bound and causes contention with our brothers and sisters. But how do we not get devoured by pride, I hear you asking me The answer is simple: humbling ourselves to God in prayer.

Our wild culture deludes us to believe that refusing to apologize somehow makes us stronger and wiser, when it screams the exact opposite with God. Pride is a selfish attitude, which is learned from watching others who fell into this horrible trap.

One thing I love about prayer, it breaks all barriers, which our natural eyes can't see. Prayer always open the door between God and us. Prayer always releases burdens we won't normally carry to our family and friends. Prayer is the ultimate healing which can set us free from having impure thoughts. Prayer is a sweet confession, which God and you only know about. Prayer connects with humility when we're releasing our troubles to our Heavenly Father.

When loved ones stop speaking to you, God is there.

When enemies are raging out of control, God will deliver you out of their clutches.

When you suffered from losing everything, God knows how to make the wrong right by birthing something new in you.

When you come into realization of what you have done to others or what others have done to you, God redeems you, them, and the relationship.

But when the relationship seems beyond repair, God can and will set you free, and bless you with new friends after His own heart. Not every relationship will last, especially when it's not in His will for your life, in the first place. And this has nothing to do with pride, sometimes, we must know and learn when to let go concerning our best interest at heart.

Pride hinders. Humility sets free.

Prayer: Father, I humble myself before you because I want to be delivered from having wrongful pride today. I admit that I didn't handle the situation appropriately, but I'm asking You to intervene on my behalf and set me free from arrogant and wayward thinking. Bless me to recognize when I fall short of possessing pride in my heart. Show me Your ways which glorifies you and deliver me from this struggle. I'm sorry for allowing self get in the way of what You are doing in my life. Show me how to make any relationship right, which I messed up in. And deliver people I know and love from any pride they're struggling with, too. Show them where they are making errors in hurting others. Bless them to be free of pride as well. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

If you believe in this prayer, may God comfort you and provide you the healing you need right now. Trade pride for humility, today. Walk in victory. Whom the Son set free, truly we are free, indeed. (John 8:36). Until next time, be blessed.

1 Corinthians 13: Love Series: Love Does Not Boast Part 4

2013-02-27T06:42:00.001-05:00

"If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing. Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears. When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love." - (1 Corinthians 13 NIV)

Happy Wonderful Wednesday!!!

I know it's been a minute. And it wasn't intentional for me to stay away so long. But in between working and writing my new e-book, God is still moving in my life, and I'm glad He has redeemed me with another chance. It's true that the prayers of the righteous availeth much! He dwells in my heart and in my praise. In spite of the enemy trying to kick me down at my job and in my personal life, but it's only because February 27th is my spiritual birthday of receiving Jesus as my personal Savior, and so far, He is still wonderful to me. I have a lot to rejoice about.

I really don't know what 2013 holds, but all I know is that my life is in God's Hands and no one will pluck me out of them.

Today, the Lord wants me to share with you about boasting.

Love does not boast.

My, how this word is used out-of-context and in a precarious manner! Boast is defined as speaking with exaggeration and in excessive (wrongful and ugly) pride. Parenthesis is mine.

Don't get me wrong. There is nothing wrong with being proud of our accomplishments because only we know what we endured to get where we are.

But God's ultimate definition about distasteful boasting stinks in His nostrils. And I can honestly see why. It causes us to excessively exalt ourselves in ways the human mind can't begin to fathom. Erroneous boasting leads to hideous arrogance, which can alter our personalities for the worst, instead of our best interest at heart. I know this is a hard pill to swallow, nevertheless, God is urging me to share this with you, so you can see for yourself how horrendous boasting is.

Extreme boasting inflates our egos to make us believe we're untouchable. It causes us to engage in sinful acts to betray and crush each other, just so we can be important and rule "forever."

No one lives forever. Not all the money in the world can bring you back from death. It is God and God alone, who determines our destiny, whether we get another chance at life or not. Playing as God is not recommended and it isn't healthy for our souls.

When we feel our lives slipping from us, we come to realize we're not as powerful as we think we are.

Selfish boasting leads to delusion in our thinking that we're better than everyone else. God abhors the pride of life. Pride of life manipulates us to believe that life is guaranteed to us if we get our way, forgetting the consequences.

In our current world, today, we're consumed in believing that waiting takes too long, that we're self-entitled without working hard for what we want, that waiting is for "losers" like you and me, when God has some dynamic blessings for us, which can change our lives for the better, when we step in His timing.

I've come to learn, beautiful friends, that waiting on God's timing is better than running ahead of Him or behind Him, just so I can get what I want. I want to be clear: waiting doesn't mean we should be idle!

Occupying our time is valuable because it teaches us discipline, grace, humility, and character. And no, we're not perfect, but it's vital that we possess these lovely qualities to make us become better and not bitter.

I will never forget, in 2004, I was extremely impatient about getting my place. I'm laughing about it now because I can't believe I was rushing for nothing. I thank God He was extremely patient with me and that He was teaching me about the beauty in having patience.

I was uncomfortable when I went into a women's shelter located in Brooklyn. I lived in Brownsville, at the time, and I was scared for my life, and yet, God has protected me from all harm's way. I wanted to get my blessing, which God has promised me while I was residing there. I didn't really have much life experience, and I still don't have much to a certain extent, because He is still working on me.

I didn't understand then why God wanted me to wait on Him.

Now reflecting back, I see why He desired for me to wait!

1. God was teaching me that if I wanted to have my own place, I had to save money accordingly, in order to have my own.

2. He was teaching me that rushing in life doesn't solve anything, but it causes too many freak accidents, which can be avoided in my life (and yours, too). We can't avoid everything. Nonetheless, some things can be avoided, if we take heed.

3. He was also teaching me that everything must be done decently and in order (1 Corinthians 14:40). Life can't thrive off chaos. Too much chaos can destroy a good thing, especially when it's not in our best interest.

4. And He was also teaching me that if He promised me something, it doesn't matter if it's 2 days or 2 years, He shall bring it to pass because He doesn't lie—at all! My friends, He really doesn't lie. Everything He told me would happen, really did take place! (Numbers 23:19).

And in His perfect timing, He granted my desire of having a place of my own on October 7th 2008. And I'm still living here. Yes, what a Mighty God I serve! :)

Dark boasting, in time, starts to make people see us in a different light, when they see us claiming to be something we're not. Ugly boasting is unattractive. It’s deceiving us to believe we're better than everyone else, who doesn't possess much. It’s disconcerting to one's soul. And it also abandons us into a dreary place of severe loneliness. Loneliness isn't good for anyone! Sometimes this happens because of our own doing, or God wants us in that place for a season, because He's doing something new in us, for His wonderful glory.

The only boasting God requires us to do is exalting Him. Psalms 34:2, 1 Corinthians 1:31, and 2 Corinthians 2:17 explain about boasting in God because He is Sovereign and no one takes His place. Throughout the Bible, God makes it painfully clear why we shouldn't serve false gods. Idols can't make rain fall out of the sky. They can't make a way out of no way like He can. And they certainly can't redeem us after we mess up royally!

I boast in God because I don't only know of Him, but I truly know Him for myself. I developed a personal relationship with Him through prayer. Beloved, we can't beat the power of prayer.

If we need a breakthrough, God is guaranteed to step-in-on-time, when we least expect Him to.

If we need healing, God will send us a Rhema Word at the appointed time, which is beneficial to our souls.

If we need understanding, when no one else understands us. Jesus is our Comforter whenever we're in trouble while feeling our lives slipping away from us.

We can try everything in the world, but nothing else compares when we try God for ourselves. And His guaranteed results, in a pricey and an unpredictable world, are priceless!

Prayer: Father, forgive me when I place my confidence in wrong things, which aren't definite to me. Help me to recognize the difference in rightful boasting in You and wrongful boasting in self. I'm sorry that I let my pride get in the way of what You're doing in my life. Bless me to rely on You more and not be caught up with today's gimmicks, which can disappear in my life tomorrow. I trust You alone, even when everything seems uncertain for me. Bless me to remember that You are in control and You are walking with me through my troubled times. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

If you believe in this prayer, may God continue to transform you the way He intends you to be, for your purposed life (whatever it may be). And may He bless you real good. Until next time, be blessed.

1 Corinthians 13: Love Series: Love Does Not Envy Part 3

2013-02-05T04:15:00.001-05:00

"If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing. Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears. When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love." - (1 Corinthians 13 NIV)

Happy Terrific Tuesday!!!

Love does not envy.

Envy and jealousy are correlated in ways words can't deeply express. And yet, they differ. We discuss about these two words and we believe with all our hearts this is completely natural to be envious and jealous of others all the time.

Right?

Wrong.

Before I delve into this subject, we're going to refresh our memories of the dictionary's meaning of envy. Envy - feeling of discontent or covetousness with regard to another's advantages, success, possessions, etc. It is also an object of envious feeling. Obsolete: ill will.

Jealous - feeling resentment against someone because of that person’s rivalry, success, or advantages. It’s also characterized by or proceeding from suspicious fears or envious resentment. And inclined to or troubled by suspicions or fears of rivalry, unfaithfulness, etc., as in love or aims.

I want to focus on envy because we all know that envious behavior does happen. While envy appears to be harmless on the surface, nonetheless, the Bible describes how hideous envy really is, especially when it's not dealt with properly.

What we fail to realize is, when we secretly hate what others have versus what we don't have, it can cause unnecessary drama and sever ties in relationships for years to come, all because we're focused on others' shining qualities instead of our own.

And I want to be clear, I'm not knocking anyone who is struggling in this area, for we all have struggles, including yours truly. You gotta love the media. They are pros when it comes to magnifying envy, jealousy, and strife because they lure their audience to watch and to make their shows intriguing, and it boosts ratings. (Hey, I'm just being honest.)

Although, it may be entertaining, but most shows have lessons to learn, if we strictly pay attention to what these actions display to us.

I truly believe we all have something to offer on Earth. God did create us for His Glory and He didn't make two individuals alike. He also didn't create us to cruelly devour others, just so we can be on top while they're left to die spiritually, mentally, and emotionally, and sometimes, physically.

Instead of us giving sincere compliments to people we run into on a daily basis, we're so quick of finding everything wrong with them, rather than finding positive things about them.

The spirit of envy is rooted from the enemy. Satan always uses comparisons to make us feel inadequate. He constantly uses vanity to make us believe if we look like the people we see on television, we'll truly be accepted in society.

If we have more money, we're deemed as highly important.

If we have more houses, cars, yachts, etc., we'll most likely have friends.

If we discard people we consider as "losers," it will boost our popularity level to an ultimate high.

I believe you know where I'm going with this.

Here's the important question I want you to ask yourself: Is coveting after another person's success, appearance, or social status worth it? Will this envious behavior broadcast me as positive or negative?

Just to be clear: there’s nothing wrong with having accomplishments or wanting to better ourselves. I'm all for that. No one desires to be in a constant rut. No one.

But bettering ourselves doesn't mean thinking we're above others. We all fall short!

Whatever God is saying to you, in this message, may it glorify Him and Him alone, you know you better than anyone, and He knows you better than you know yourself. Feeling envious over what some else has will only zap precious energy from you, beloved. And it will only leave you feeling worthless, when you actually do have worth: God's worth. God has made you for His Glory. Discover who you are and embrace it. There's room for everyone. To make this world a better place, it all starts with us.

Won't you join me to become better and not bitter?

Prayer: Father, I release my struggle of feeling envious to You. I can't help it, sometimes, because everywhere I turn, it seems like everyone is "rising to the top" but me. Lord, if I'm keeping up with others to have, just so I can have, then please forgive me and cleanse me of my sin. I want to be better in You. I know You will supply all my needs according to Your riches in Glory through Jesus Christ. Help me to find positive things to say about everyone I encounter with, instead of destroying them with vicious comments, which doesn't exalt You. Thank You for healing me from the spirit of envy and blessing me to love others and myself unconditionally. In Jesus' name, Amen.

If you believe in this prayer, and transformation has taken place, then you are forgiven. If not, continually give it over to God in prayer until you are delivered. He draws near to those who are broken in spirit and they're in need for genuine change. God loves all of us. As long as we're honest with Him, He will always guide us and show us what we need to do next for our success. Jesus truly loves you and I do as well. Until next time, be blessed.

1 Corinthians 13: Love Series: Love Is Kind Part 2

2013-01-16T09:20:00.002-05:00

Happy New Year and Happy Wonderful Wednesday!!!

I apologize for delaying on putting new updates on my blog. While I'm being busy with a new job, re-publishing my e-book, and working on my next e-book, I will still find the time to post here as much as I can. I'm still working on this Love Series because God wants you to know His love for yourself, and through His guidance, I will write what He wants me to say, so you can get the breakthrough you need, which is glorified in God, and God alone.

Love is kind.

The dictionary describes the term kind as affectionate, warm, helpful, and considerate. Some people associate nice with kind. Nice and kind don’t have the same meaning. Nice is defined as pleasing, agreeable, and even delightful.

Anyone can be nice, but not everyone is kind. Kindness is going out our way to help someone in need. Being kind reflects our characters on the inside.

Some people use flattery to get what they want and they misconstrue it with being kind.

A person who is displaying authentic kindness doesn't use manipulation to get what he or she wants, just because he or she believes that satisfaction is guaranteed while doing things his or her way.

Using consideration and showing genuine interest makes all the difference in the world. I often ask myself: Why do we feel we have to use "kindness” and believe we're entitled to getting something in return? Why should we mask our real feelings because we're afraid of how others might or might not respond to us?

Why are some people are frightened about showing true kindness?

The answer is simple: They're only acting out what they know and this is the way-of-life for them.

Let's admit it. When people come to us out of nowhere, our guards stand firm because we don't want our vulnerability to arise while they're standing in our faces. And then, we're constantly misunderstood because we remain nonchalant and we don't want anyone to see what we're feeling inside.

Kindness is checking on someone without any legitimate reason, and it shows that the individual actually cares.

Kindness is saying a prayer for someone when he or she is not able to pray for him or herself.

Kindness exhibits consideration and it doesn't assume.

Kindness is selfless and it ties in with love, as it seeks for nothing in return, because when unadulterated kindness arrives, the same gesture is returned back when least expected.

The best way to learn about someone is to simply listen to him or her, which will give you an indication of who that person is. I want to be clear, when a person is venting in anger, it doesn't necessarily mean that's who he or she is. That's how he or she is feeling at the moment. We're human, we all have a right to express ourselves without being ridiculed or ignored.

If a person dismisses what you're saying, but you're always listening to them, this attitude reflects selfish intention and this person is convinced that the world revolves around him or her.

God's love embraces us while He’s pressing us close to Him, letting us know we are loved and everything will be all right because He’s in control.

He is the One I run to, when I'm often misunderstood.

He is the One I call on, when I'm forgotten.

He is the One I can rely on, when I have no way out, and He keeps on coming to my rescue because He sees and knows my heart, even when I mess up.

He shows me what legitimate kindness truly is, when everyone abandons me in bad times, and I never feel lonely. That's why I'm not easily moved when people use the term "friends" loosely.

God is my Super Friend, like Mary Mary sings on The Sound, and He will never leave me nor forsake me, and the same goes for you, too. (smiling.)

He has shown me how to be kind even to the unlovely. He has shown me to look beyond a person's faults and give him or her a chance. But God also has shown me when to cut ties with certain relationships as well, especially when I'm the one who is constantly hurt. And that kind of friend I gotta let go, and this is where God's discernment comes in. Yes, He wants us to be gracious and forgiving, but He also wants us to step away for a season, just so we can heal and get His Perspective on particular situations we're facing. Reflection is always important because it tells us about the condition of our hearts.

The ultimate kindness God showed us when He sent His Son, Jesus, to die for us, so we won't perish. There is no gift that can top what God has done. And just for that, I'm truly grateful because when I received Jesus as my Personal Savior, that's when I found love and this is where He's washing me and making me over to be more like Him.

Prayer: Father, I admit there are days when I don't demonstrate true kindness, because there is a constant battle with making the right decisions daily. But this is where I need Your Help, Lord. I realize I can't do this on my own. Show me what being kind really is about, so when I pour Your kindness out to others, they’ll see You living inside me. I love You and Thank You for loving me first, when no one else loves me. Keep working on me. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

If you believe in this prayer, then May God continue to bless you in all you desire to know about Him. May 2013 bless you real good! Until next time, be blessed.

1 Corinthians 13: Love Series: Love Is Patient Part 1

2012-12-11T21:35:00.000-05:00

"If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing. Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears. When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man (woman), I put childish ways behind me. Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love." - (1 Corinthians 13 NIV)

Happy Terrific Tuesday!!!

I'm excited to write this love series because God wants me to share with you what love is truly about. We have various kinds of love. We have family love, platonic love, humanitarian love, romantic love, and then we have the ultimate love: God's love.

Don't get me wrong, there's nothing wrong with the four types of love I recently named. They're fine, but they're conditional. Eventually, at some point-in-time, these kinds of love run dry. Truthfully speaking, people can flip-flop in their personalities. They love you today and hate you tomorrow. But it's important to remember that God's love doesn't change.

I want to focus on this for a while because I desire for you to know that God's love is always available and you never have to worry about God leaving you nor forsaking you.

The first attribute of love I want to discuss is patience.

Boy, patience is extremely under-rated in our modern world. We're so anxious about everything, we don't have the time to stop and appreciate life. We're constantly demanding for right now. We're brainwashed to believe that having patience is a dull quality, which no one uses anymore. (Believe me, I know there are still patient people out there, but just walk with me on this!)

We're overly critical if some folks don't do things the way we like it. And this kind of attitude is sad, really, because our actions are screaming out that lacking patience is the way to be. I don’t want to be misconstrued, but I completely understand that some of us struggle in this area of obtaining patience. Believe me, when I'm extremely tired, my patience is short-fused at times. I'm not saying this should be an excuse, nevertheless, I know how I am when I don't get enough rest. On a good note, I'm happy that God has blessed me to develop patience gracefully.

I will explain to you why having patience is a blessed quality, and I pray this will shed some insight in your life, if you are struggling in this area, and it will assist you in possessing high tolerance throughout your life.

When we develop this exquisite quality of being patient toward others, we're sending non-verbal signals to the other party of how we're dealing with them. We're letting them know that they're worth our time and they're not a waste of space.

When we use patience to our benefit, this newly found character that Jesus is calling us to have, it will show us how to be more gracious in our verbal and physical expression.

Patience also teaches us to pace ourselves in situations we encounter with on a daily basis. I'm not saying we should move like a turtle! Nonetheless, whenever we're moving in a steadily pace, we usually perform our tasks in a more efficient manner. The job is well done and others will be pleased with our performances in life, and when we perform to our best ability, this effect usually leaves a lasting impression.

I remember when I used to work in retail jobs, and retail is the worst, God would test me to see how I would react in certain situations. Granted, there were some days I would pass the test and other days I would fail. I'm not ashamed to admit it, because I'm chuckling about it while typing this. I believe God is silently asking me through these situations, "Why am I moving too fast?" or "Why am I acting so hasty, when there is no urgent reason to catch a heart attack?" Is it truly a detrimental situation when I know that home is waiting for me once I arrive to my apartment?

If you're laughing at what I'm saying, then you're most likely seeing where I'm going with this or this had happened to you as well.

But seriously, why do we rush to get home after leaving work? Why do we rush while running errands? Why do we respond abruptly toward others because they don't operate the same as us? Are we being unfair to others who view the world differently when we’re lacking patience? Absolutely.

Impatience often turns into rude behavior, which is highly unpleasant and it can hinder us from being our best, and it will constantly show us at our worst!

Being impatient screams out we don't have time for anyone or anything, if it has nothing to do with us. Whenever it's all about us, we’re convinced that patience should submit itself to our ways. It's either our way or the highway. And this flawed attitude reflects a poor outlook on life. Impatience results to inconsiderate behavior. We're not mindful of how we respond to others or how we treat them. We become irate and nasty.

Here are some tips where you can increase your patience (if you don't know some of them already):

If you're in a long line and it seems like it won't budge, listen to music. This is a great way to kill impatience. It helps get your mind off how long you're waiting and it takes your mind to think about pleasant things, and you become cheerful in the process. (I always listen to music when I'm in line, I find myself being more at ease!)

Read a book or an e-book, if you're not a music lover.

Strike up a conversation with a friend, if you have your buddies with you, or even with a stranger. It doesn't cost a dime to be kind. However, if a person looks at you like you're on a different planet, then attend to your own affairs.

Make a list of what makes you impatience and find positive solutions to help you to remember that patience truly is a virtue.

If you find yourself struggling with patience, I encourage you to pray and ask God to show you what is causing your tolerance level to decrease. And once God shows you what it is, He will give you wisdom on how to adjust your busy lifestyle. Busyness comes in many forms. Don't be deceived on what is qualified as being "busy."

But what I love about the Lord is, He doesn't lose his cool with us. He doesn't condemn us when we're falling short in this area, and He doesn't make us feel like it's over, if we have blown it.

He sees and knows about all our struggles. He takes the time to polish us while the rust soon fades away from our hearts. He blesses us with His dynamic aroma of love, which captivates us to being better individuals. He takes the veils off our eyes, so we can see where we're making error with other people and ourselves.

He doesn't give up on us because we lack in areas we need help in. He loves us unconditionally and He loves us to gently remind us when we're losing sight on what's truly important.

Prayer: Father, I admit I struggle in this area and it's making me behave in ways that I didn't think is possible. Forgive me when I fall short of not being gracious toward others. Forgive me when I'm rush through life and not taking the time to appreciate all this beauty You created on Earth. Bless me with Your Wisdom and Understanding to respond correctly, which will glorify You. Bless me to remember how much You love me, even when I act unpleasant at times. Thank You for giving me another chance to make the wrong right. And most of all, thank You for showing me what true patience is all about. After all, I commend You greatly for putting up with me. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Working Out Our Own Salvation Part 2

2012-11-22T01:09:00.000-05:00

"Wherefore, my beloved, as ye (you) have obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling." - (Philippians 2:12 KJV)

Happy Thriving Thursday and Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Last time, in Working Out Our Own Salvation Part 1, I mentioned on how some people are focused on others and not themselves. I also talked about salvation and 10 steps to receive it. We're going to quickly review the first-half of these five steps, so we can continue with the second-half:

Step 1: Humility.

Step 2: Acknowledging we're sinners.

Step 3: Repenting for our sins.

Step 4: Surrendering our hearts over to Jesus.

Step 5: Believing Jesus has died for our sins.

And here is the second-half in receiving salvation:

Step 6: Forgetting what we "think" we know, or what we have already learned about God by others telling us about their experiences with Him. (It can be positive or negative.) Don't get me wrong. It's fine about hearing others' testimonies on knowing God for themselves. It's a beautiful thing and that's what draws people to know God even more. However, God desires for us to know Him for ourselves. There's nothing like developing a personal relationship with our Heavenly Father. There’s nothing like it. (I'm saying this with a smile on my face, that's how truly awesome being close to God is.)

Step 7: Sincerely hungering and thirsting for God by admitting we want to learn about His Ways. How do we learn about God's ways? We simply read God's Word for ourselves, so we won't be deceived. Every person you meet, who says they are of God, isn't always of Him. The LORD, Himself, will reveal to you if this spirit is from Him or not. Apples don't come from an orange tree, and oranges don't come from an apple tree.

Step 8: Praying to God daily. I want you to know it's not the quantity of time, which makes your relationship with God essential, but it's the quality of your time, which delivers you into all truth about Him.

Step 9: Praising God for all He has done in your life. Counting your blessings is vital. Hey, you're alive. That's enough to praise Him right there, in spite of going through an imperfect situation.

Step 10: Worshipping God wholeheartedly. Worship is a personal and profound adoration toward God of how much He means to you. Once you enter worship mode, this is where God reveals Himself to you in the most dynamic way. It’s a beautiful thing when we relish in His sweet, loving Presence. That's how wonderful God is. He gives you peace, even when you have storms all around you. Yes, His Peace passes all human understanding, which comes from God and God alone.

And once you receive His Peace, everything around you won’t matter because you have assurance that God's in control, and He won't abandon you or lose patience with you because you're feeling lonely. He's not insensitive like we, as people, tend to be at times. 1 Peter 5:7 reminds us to cast all our cares on Him, because He cares for us.

These were the necessary steps I did for myself on knowing God personally. If I hadn't taken these steps, I wouldn't be right where I am, today, to tell you how much I love Him with all my heart, mind, and soul. And I still apply these steps in my life because it humbly reminds me that I can easily fall into temptation and sin.

But thank you, Jesus, we have an Advocate who pardons our sins by forgiving us and tossing them into the sea of forgetfulness. When we acknowledge our errors and don't make excuses for our ways, He actually sees sincerity and remorse in our hearts, and this is where He does a new work in us, so we'll become more like Him.

Before we condemn others about their weaknesses, it's good to remember we're not perfect. I'm learning that cold-hearted and arrogant people are the most uncompassionate and least understanding people I know. They make harsh and irrational judgments about you, like there is something with you and not them. If this resonates with you, and you're reflecting on people, in your life, behaving this way toward you, then you know exactly what I mean. People, who fall into this category, don't listen to what you're saying. They have ears, but they're not hearing you. They're spiritual radars are dull and this is because someone did that to them. You can believe some people are the way they are, because of what was done to them. It's sad, but true. And then, they pass this venomous behavior to innocent people, who genuinely care about them, and this is how the vicious cycle begins. This is the main reason why the world is the way it is. We're so cruel to each other and the way we're behaving toward each other is alarming and deadly.

It's the content in our hearts what makes us clean or unclean—not being poor, homeless, or a failure. Our actions define who we are. This is a very important lesson to remember. People will not remember us for fame or fortune, but for the life we lived on Earth. The seeds we sow, whether it’s pleasure (good) or pain (evil), people will remember us by our deeds.

These 10 steps, I listed above to you, are here to help us stay on the right-track of working out our own salvation. These steps will also allow God to show us revelations about the very questions we have about people and our situations.

The girl who e-mailed me admitted to me when God showed her essential truths about her situations, she sees what is of God and what isn't. My friends, she is on the right-track to knowing God for herself, the way God created her. We're all unique. None of us communicate to God in the same manner, when we’re praying to Him. That's what makes us extremely special in His Eyes. He sees beyond our faults and meets our needs. If I were temperamental and self-absorbed with the girl who e-mails me about her progress of growing in God, she probably would have given up on God altogether. And this self-absorbed behavior is what pushes people away from God instead of going to Him.

That's why it irks me when some people in the world call themselves Christians, giving real Christians, like me, a bad name. I don't believe in hypocrisy or false prophecy. If you're going to be a non-believer, be one. If you're going to be a believer, go all the way. There is no half-stepping with God—it's either one or the other. Yes, there are times where we will feel divided because it's a part of life, but division shouldn't be consistent throughout our lives. This leads to being unstable in our ways.

And how you'll truly know who belongs to God and who doesn't, it's through the fruit we bear. "Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye (you) shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit." - (Matthew 7:15-18 KJV)

Basically, in plain English, we're either one or the other, and we can't display good actions, knowing deep down we perform evil ones instead, when we think no one is watching and vice versa. The truth of who we really are always comes out, no matter how hard we try to conceal it.

No, we can't judge anybody on things they do, when it’s evident that we make mistakes, too. Our judgment is not accurate by what we "think" we "see." Only God and that person know the whole story. So, before we say someone is desperate for attention, they need prayer, or they don't have certain "requirements" to be a Christian. We must, first, reflect what's in our hearts. What's rooting in our spirits when we're making wrongful statements about people? Is this coming from God's perspective or our perspective?

Here's God Perspective on a person who feels unloved and they are seeking attention in the wrong places: My child is hurting. Something or someone has made him or her react this way. He or she has experienced turmoil—he or she doesn't know who is really for or against him or her. I'm going to lift him or her up in prayer.

And this is how one would pray: Father, I ask You to help deliver ___________(person's name), and shower Your love on him or her right now. Bless him or her to overcome this struggle of needing acceptance. Bless him or her to see how valuable he or she is in Your Sight. Deliver him or her out of the hands of his or her enemies, who are wrongfully speaking evil against him or her. Show him or her how to effectively communicate where others are receptive, so You are glorified, and for others to understand him or her better. In Jesus' Name. Amen.

And here's our tainted perspective on the situation: Oh, this person is so desperate or hopeless. It doesn't make any sense what they're doing. They need prayer or help. Something is wrong with that person. What a loser! I would never act like that. I have my stuff together. I’m successful and this person is a failure. I have friends while this person is friendless. This person doesn't have a strong relationship with God. They have no spiritual insight. They need the Holy Spirit like I do.

If you're laughing at how I'm stating this, I'm just showing you, through example, how bad this really sounds and what judging someone sounds like! I don't know one person who hasn't come across a judging, cynical and critical hypocrite. I know it's somewhat blunt, but let's call it for what it is. How is God glorified in the second perspective? How does it encourage the hurting soul, who is in need of prayer? You see where I'm going with this? If so, I'm glad. This means you're growing gracefully in God along with me. We're in this together. My desire is to see you have a bountiful relationship with God, so no one will deter you from God's Truth. We must worship Him in Spirit and in Truth. "God is a Spirit: and they that worship must worship him in spirit and in truth." - (John 4:24 KJV)

Prayer: Father, I feel so isolated and trapped. I believe no one understands me. Lord, only You know that I'm doing the best I can with knowing You for myself. But it's hard dealing with people who don't understand me, even when they think they do. Continue to create in me a clean heart and renew a right spirit within me. I need Your help through Your Holy Spirit, because it's hard to do on my own. I know now that it's my salvation is what keeps me redeemed through Jesus, who saved me. I know I don't have all the answers, but Lord, I'm grateful with the revelations You show me whenever I pray to You. Father, forgive us, for we know not what we do. Thank You for caring about me when no one else does. Thank You for setting me free from my oppressors and haters. Thank You for dealing with them, on how harshly they're acting toward me and misconstruing who I am. Thank You for saving them, in advance, and blessing them to get to know Jesus as their personal Savior. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

If you believe in this prayer, you are redeemed and set free. Yes, we need deliverance daily, but in order to get deliverance, we must confess what we have done or how we feel inside on what others have done to us. And when we keep our hearts right before the Lord, praying according to God's Spirit and Truth, and not with our fleshly thoughts, He will hear our prayers. He will forgive us when we hurt others or ourselves and those who hurt us. Jesus loves you very much and I do, too! Until next time, be blessed.

Working Out Our Own Salvation Part 1

2012-11-18T20:45:00.000-05:00

"Wherefore, my beloved, as ye (you) have obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling." - (Philippians 2:12 KJV)

Happy Super Sunday!!!

I'm blessed to be alive and to be loved so much by my Heavenly Father because He genuinely cares for me. I honestly didn't know what to write, but after reading an e-mail from one of my readers, her experience prompted me to write this. It's extremely vital that we must focus on our flaws, instead of pointing out one’s struggles through mean-spirited and snide comments.

I find this scripture to be fitting because I’m astounded how people only want to do certain deeds when others are in their presence. Here’s a question to ask: But what if nobody is in our presence, will we still do what’s right? That's where our actions really count. It defines who we actually are. We tend to fabricate a show of what we "think" people want to see. When the truth is, we're not like our self-made alter egos.

Working out our own salvation becomes our lifestyles, once we totally surrender our lives to Christ. Working on individual salvation is crucial because when we read God's Word, it keeps our spirits in-check. It assists us to see what we need work in and where we're maturing in our walk with God.

This reader's story touched my heart profoundly, when she mentioned about my post Two Areas in Deliverance really hit home with her about people understanding us and not making us feel bad because we're spiritually lacking. And I knew right there that God wants me to speak what reaches the hearts of many, who are striving to live better on a day-to-day basis.

It's mean-spirited or arrogant, self-righteous folks who give people, like you and me, the ax, because we're being honest of how we feel. And it's completely wrong for the other party to not consider what you and I are saying. I'm only speaking what His Holy Spirit is revealing to me.

Many people "think" they get the meaning of trying to owe God, but here's what they're missing wholeheartedly. Good deeds are fine, but they aren't the official seal, which gets us into Heaven. It's our salvation, which is our ticket to Heaven. He's seeking for those who truly believe in Him.

There are 10 steps in (and of course more, but I’m listing 10 steps for now) receiving salvation. This will be a two-part devotion, there’s so much information God poured in my heart; I have to divide them. I will gladly share these steps from my personal experience of why God is so effective in my life.

Here's the most important step:

Step 1: Humility. Just to be clear, humility is not associated with weakness whatsoever. Humility is submitting our ways to God, setting aside our pride, self-absorbed knowledge, and attitude toward life, and to everyone else. It's a process to break what needs to be broken, so we can become better and not bitter. When we walk in humility, we're coming out of darkness and walking into the light, and it’s in our darkness where God illuminates His light in our lives. Humility gently teaches us that we can't go far in life by being set in our hideous ways, especially when it doesn't glorify God or encourage others who need healing for their souls. It's our motives in our hearts, which makes us altogether lovely or altogether crass.

Step 2: Acknowledging we're sinners. This means we're coming to terms that we're at the end of ourselves. We quickly learn after doing things our way for a while, we keep failing to try God's way, which is the key to constant deliverance from being in bondage.

Step 3: Repenting for our sins. After we repent for our sins, this is where we're submitting our erroneous ways over to Jesus. For it's hard to keep a pure heart and deliver pure actions on our own. It's His Holy Spirit, which leads us into all truth.

Step 4: Surrendering our hearts over to Jesus through believing He's Our Savior and Redeemer. Salvation is the key to redemption. God's unlimited merciful grace is what helps make our salvation stronger in Him by having a relationship with Him and continually confessing what's in our hearts to Him. Once we confess our faults, God really is faithful and just to forgive us for our sins.

Step 5: Believing Jesus has died for our sins, so we aren't perished or condemned, but to be saved by His mercy, grace, and unadulterated love for us. It's our belief is what makes us save. Not religious doctrines, speaking in tongues (Satan can mock speaking in an unknown language to make us think it's from God, when it isn't. As you grow in your walk with God, He will give you His Spiritual Discernment to know what's of Him and what isn't! That's where humbling ourselves come in), and not having haughty "spiritual" knowledge of God. Heavenly spiritual gifts come after we're saved. This is a sure sign we're growing in God.

I know this message ended quickly, but I promise you there’s more in part two. Please come back for this insightful conclusion, for your soul will be blessed. And if not, I pray God will open your heart in understanding Him and knowing Him personally for yourself. I pray the first-half of these steps are gently guiding you into His love, truth, peace, mercy and grace. My earnest desire is to assist those who desperately need a touch from Jesus. Jesus heals, delivers, and sets the captives free. I’m carrying on the legacy He left here to bless those in need.

Prayer: Father, I thank You for showing me Your ways in receiving my salvation so far. I hunger and thirst for Your pure love for me. Save me from myself, so I won’t harshly judge others, when I need to work out things, which aren’t right in me. Continue to create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. I long to have a heart like Yours. Thank You for today's message and bless me to grow gracefully in You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

If you believe in this prayer, you’re definitely on your way to learning more about this Wonderful, Loving God I serve. He truly is amazing, if you give Him a chance. He is Worthy to be Praised! Jesus is our Mediator between God and us because He knows what’s it is like to be human and what we're struggling with (smiling). I love you and Jesus loves you, too. Until next time, be blessed.

Two Categories in Deliverance

2012-11-07T05:25:00.001-05:00

"Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him (her) out of them all." - (Psalms 34:19 KJV)

Happy Wonderful Wednesday!!!

In spite of Hurricane Sandy devastating the East Coast, I asked God what would He like for me to say to His People this week. And it's strange because I was speaking with my sister Tiffany about two categories of deliverance, which the Lord dropped in my spirit. Here are the two categories: 1. Struggles. 2. Trouble. The Lord reminded me as long as I'm living on Earth, I am constantly going to need deliverance. And until God perfects His work in me of whom He wants me to be, that's when I know He'll welcome me in to Heaven saying, "Well done, thy good and faithful servant." Boy, what a day that will be when I see Jesus welcoming me home.

But I want to discuss about deliverance because there are many of us who desperately needs it. I don't know one person who doesn't need deliverance, when he or she actually does.

Struggles: This category falls under our shortcomings when we slip every now-and-then. It's important to recognize our struggles because it will help us become free of falling into constant trouble. Struggles can be addictions of any sort, and they don’t necessarily have to be addressed with alcohol or drugs. That's one way of looking at struggles. But here's another way of perceiving struggles. They can be associated with addictions in pornography, profanity, doubt, worry, fear, low self-esteem, anger, self-righteousness, wrongful judging, eating disorders, overeating, hoarding, overspending, lust, comparisons, perfection, obsession, sex, cheating, masturbation, holding grudges, etc. Forgive me, if I have forgotten any more struggles. However, this is a clue to help us understand ourselves better on why we do the things we do, or what trigger us to fall into these struggles.

It also helps us in becoming less judgmental and more understanding about who others are and we are as well. If any of these struggles I listed up here or not, grasp at your heart. You're reading the right message today.

So many are deceived to believe this saying, "Once your saved, you're always saved." Don't buy into that lie for one second. With just giving our lives to Christ, alone, is the first step, but it's staying saved is what makes it a challenge. I'm speaking to those who get what I'm saying here. Living in denial of thinking we hit the mark every time is not realistic and it's a pitfall to quickly fall into temptation of any form.

Our own righteousnesses, they are filthy rags. But when we're washed under God's righteousness and He declares us as righteous, no one can condemn or judge us, even though they try hard to, but it won't work because no weapon formed against us shall prosper. And even if the weapon succeeded, you better believe that scheme is bound to explode and cause dire consequences.

When we have people who are listening to us and understanding us, they totally get us and never make us feel bad because we're lacking spiritually. Those are the type of people you want to be around. Most people, whom I come across with, can easily talk to me about their problems, and it's because I have three simple codes I live by: listening, understanding, and not judging. Hey, we all make mistakes because we're human. We're not invincible. And that is the truth.

Once we listen, I mean really listen, we begin to understand others and ourselves more clearly, and our hearts will soften and we are more compassionate to those around us. We need more compassion. We must see needs and not faults. I always do my best to see a person's needs and not his or her faults, because I know we all need someone who gets us completely and still loves us unconditionally.

Now, there are some people, who won't receive us at all, no matter how hard we try to make the relationship work, some people believe we're constantly in the wrong, and they're not wrong—at all! And it's a sad way to live, if I'm being honest. I actually feel sorry for these types of people, who believe they're always right, or in the right, and what they don't realize is they're cutting off their blessings and relationships, which God wants to accomplish in their lives.

We can't have this mindset to disassociate ourselves with others simply because we don't like the way they look, or view life differently from us, or when they're gently and lovingly pointing out our errors, which can destroy us wholeheartedly, if we're not careful! We can't be impatient with others when they make slip-ups. And if God didn't do it to us, why should we do it to others? And that's something we must consider.

Trouble: Trouble is a situation that happens beyond our control, which causes us distress. Hurricane Sandy is a great example. There were some people who actually believed that Hurricane Sandy was going to be like Hurricane Irene. This is the ultimate reason why we shouldn't assume! And this is when trouble occurs; it's due to assumption. There's nothing worse than assuming, because when we assume, we're not making an accurate assessment about situations, and we usually wind up looking crazy, and others are hurt through having their reputations ruined for something they didn't do, just because we assume.

Trouble is finances, family related issues, a friendship ending, health failing, losing homes and cars, spreading rumors, recession, losing businesses, an untimely death, etc. And this type of trouble gets the best of us when our stress levels are extremely high. It causes us to judge our predicaments poorly because we're going by how we feel and not claiming life over our dead situations. Life happens.

But what happens when our struggles and trouble become one?

I know what you're thinking: "How is that possible?"

You can believe our struggles can easily turn into our trouble. When we don't get a hold over our struggles behind closed doors, they become exposed when it affects others around us, and not just ourselves. Our struggles turn into diseases, which blow out of proportion because we get to a place where no one can tell us anything. We know everything and we don't consider how they're feeling anymore. Our hearts grow hard and we don't even recognize who we are anymore.

We don't want to get to that place, and once we enter that place, we wind up living lonely. I want to be clear this kind of loneliness is not the same form of loneliness when God is taking you to a new level in your life, and He wants to bless you because He wants to use you for His Glory.

The wrong form of loneliness, I’m referring to, isolates us from those who really cares about us. When our addictions/struggles overtake us, we're not the same people we used to be, because we tend to shut everyone out who is simply trying to us help or understand us.

And how do we set ourselves free from our struggles and trouble?

By confessing to God about what we're feeling inside.

By constantly seeking God to show us what we're struggling in.

By praying about everything. Nothing should be overlooked or be considered as a promise for tomorrow, for nothing is promised.

And by correcting our mistakes once God brings to our attention of where we made error.

It's important to remember we take responsibility for our actions. When we are held accountable for our actions, this is the time to reconsider of what's really important. Small things always lead to big things. Every detail counts. It makes our outcome for what it is.

We can't always go by what we see, for things are not what they appear to be. There's always more to a circumstance than what meets the eye. We will know the truth and the truth will set us free. And once we ask God for His Perspective along with His Wisdom and Guidance, we can overcome anything with His Help, for God specializes in the impossible and turning it into possible.

Prayer: Lord, I surrender my struggles over to you right now. I ask You to help me recognize my weaknesses and strengthen me in them. Deliver me out of every struggle I encounter, so I can be closer to You in every way. Burn out anything in me that's not of You and bless me to have more of Your Spirit in everything I do, so You are glorified. Lord, I'm also facing trouble. I'm asking You to help recognize whether it's of my own doing or it's just an enemy attack. And if it's of my own doing, bless me to correct my mistakes. Lord, mend destroyed relationships, which are beyond repair. And if I'm in the wrong, open my eyes so I see clearly what I have done to hurt others. Open their hearts with Your compassion to let me in and forgive me. And if they’re in the wrong, I ask You, in Jesus' Name, to open their eyes and convict their spirits to make the wrong right. Help them in their struggles as well, so it won't lead them into unwanted trouble. Give them Your strength to acknowledge their ways and apologize to others or me, they hurt along the way. Restore broken relationships in their lives as well, so You are glorified. I know I will never be perfect, but I thank You for delivering me and setting me free. I believe by faith it's done. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

If you believe in this prayer, may God restore you and bless you in every trouble and struggle you're facing. May He bless you to grow in His Grace and to walk in His Love, so you are able to love others freely with His Love. Jesus loves you very much and I do, too. Until next time, be blessed.

A Clean Heart and A Right Spirit

2012-10-26T17:13:00.000-04:00

"Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me." - (Psalm 51:10 KJV)

Happy Fantastic Friday!!!

A clean heart. A right spirit. A better me.

Yep, I strongly desire of being a woman after God's own heart; the way David was a man after God's own heart. And you want to know why? It's because when we continually humble ourselves before the Lord, we acknowledge our infirmities, realizing we can't "clean" ours hearts on our own. We need God’s help.

I know most people don't want to talk about this, but how can we live a successful life if we're not being honest with ourselves, and most of all: with God?

I’m speaking to those who long to draw nearer to God and learn everything about who He is and how He graciously deals with us.

I never really like the phrase: "Fake it until you make it." There's something very erroneous about that statement. It's applauding hypocrisy and discouraging honesty. But that's just me.

I want to explore with you what the Lord has put in my spirit to share with you because He desires for His People to constantly stay clean with Him. Before we jump to conclusions, I'm being clear that staying clean is not associated with staying perfect. Period. It's impossible to be so-called "perfect."

Staying clean with God is to confess continually about everything that is in our hearts. Our souls become jaded overtime because we're so used to being conditioned in thinking that if we hold back, we're somehow tougher and wiser. And this is far from the truth. When we think wrong thoughts about ourselves, others, and situations, we tend to play the blame game and we're never in the wrong.

It's important to reflect over our lives because it will help us get a better understanding about ourselves, of where we need to be, about entering the next level God desires to take us. It's also important to do a heart check-up. God isn't concerned about our apparel, education, which trophy husband or wife pushes our success to higher depths in society, nor is He concerned about what we don't have. He's concerned about our thoughts, our reactions, and our souls, because our souls are precious to Him. We're valuable in His sight. After all, we were created for His Pleasure because He saw it was good.

The enemy likes to setup traps, which we have no intention of falling in. I honestly don't believe people do what they do for no reason. I don't believe anyone intends to fall into temptation and sin. If we're being realistic, we must recognize that life happens.

Sometimes, when we get caught up in our lives, whether things are going well with us or not, enticingly sinful opportunities arrive to knock us off our feet. And this happens because there is something going on with us emotionally, whether we realize it or not. When we tend to bury our emotions, we get lost in a whirlwind of trials, and it's to the point where we're not thinking clearly. Hey, it happens.

When we think we're making the "right" decisions because it "feels right," we find out later that the decisions we made weren't designed for us. And this is where our souls become quiet. We become strangers. We still look the same on the outside, but internally we're drowning in our turmoil because we're deceived to believe we can't go back, and that God will never love us and give us another chance.

Most of us are conditioned to believe this because we have wolves in sheep's clothing telling people the wrong idea about God. They get involved with man-made religions, thinking that going to church is what makes them safe with God. They clean themselves up, dressing the part and grooming themselves to manipulate others who don't have a relationship with God, that there is a certain way to come to God and they must abide to religion's rules.

Hang in there with me. God wants to set us free from wrongful thinking and conditional religions. This is where most of us fall, because we're brainwashed to believe that God is all about condemnation. And this, my friends, isn't true at all. Don't buy into the hype that attending church on designated days and getting involved with the church activities is what makes us right in the eyes of God. Don't believe that applying some scriptures of the Bible, in our lives, is what makes us love God more, and then the other parts don't apply to us when we slip and we refuse to see the error of our ways.

Religion is not a free pass to Heaven and nor is it a free ticket to get closer to God. The only way to receive salvation is acknowledging our sins, and recognizing that Jesus died for our sins so we won't be punished eternally. His blood was shed, so we won't be abandoned in our infirmities. Jesus is The Way, The Truth, and The Life. And no one can come to God our Father, unless they go through Jesus first. And if we try to come any other way, we're being thieves. I know it stings, but I don't want anyone walking in deception, for God will hold me accountable on not speaking the truth. Jesus is the Mediator between God and us because He is God's only Begotten Son and He understands what we're dealing with. As singer and Bishop Marvin L. Winans said in one of his sermons, "Salvation is free, but it isn't cheap." Amen.

You see, the hypocrites in church are designed to make you believe that once you confess your sins to God and you receive salvation—it stops right there. No, it doesn't. There's a cleansing process in our minds, hearts and souls. God strips us of anything that isn't like Him, so we can be the best we can be and live the life. I'm all about living this life because I realize that I may be the Only Jesus people see. Not everyone has the time to pick up a Bible. And since I am the salt of the Earth, I must let my light shine brightly, so I will draw all people unto God and they will glorify Him.

Living this life is not just at church, but everywhere we go. No one is perfect, but when we correct our mistakes and we do our best, this is where God has redeemed us. It's Jesus' blood, which washes away our sins. It's in His Name, Jesus, is when demons tremble and flee. It's Jesus who has compassion on us when others give up on us.

It's Jesus who grieves with us when we're going through. He collects our tears in a bottle, and then He pulls out His Book of Remembrance for what was done to us, and then He steps in and makes the wrong right. Having a personal relationship is what keeps our communication lines open with God. Praying to God is a daily thing and the amount of time you pray isn't what counts, but it's the quality of your prayer, which counts with Him.

I love how God deals with us so gracefully because He gives us enough time to learn and grow, and to become better before we leave here. He doesn't want to see us perish by letting the smallest things stand in our way, which will keep us from entering in Heaven.

This is why we must deal with our issues now. We mustn't allow others' opinions to stop us from communing with God. When we give our lives to Him, we must pick up our cross and bear it and deny self. And we do this when we crucify our flesh and increase our spirits in Him (this comes through living a consecrated life: fasting and praying). This means we have to always ask God for His Perspective on the situation, and this is where His Holy Spirit steps in, because when situations are spiritually discerned correctly, we will know what next step to take. And when we hear directly from the Lord, there is no confusion in our direction for our lives because God is not the Author of confusion: Satan is.

Purifying our minds and hearts is a continual process. Even when we fall, God picks us up and He reassures us that He is still with us, and He will not let us perish in our mistakes. He'll never leave us nor forsake us. He inclines His ears to those who sincerely cry out to Him. He loves to fix what is broken in us, and beautify us to the people He knows we're destined to be: more like Him.

I yearn to love with a Godly love. God's love is unadulterated. His love is available 24/7 and He won't flip on you, the way people will.

I yearn to keep my heart pure before Him, so I can think with a sober mind and please Him.

I yearn to keep my relationship with the Lord open, because I know when I release my cares on Him, I can leave them there without being exposed to the world. Thank you, Jesus, that He doesn't expose our dirt, the way we do. Thank you, Jesus, when He forgives us, He doesn't condemn us and remind us of what we done over and over, the way Satan does.

It doesn't matter what we do. What matters is, as long as we can humble ourselves before the Lord and we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive our sins, and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. However, this doesn't mean we should abuse God's grace. We shouldn't knowingly rebel and give room to the devil, and then we believe, without change in our hearts, that everything is okay. That's not true repentance or redemption. When we fall, something must be learned from our situations in order to be better people in Him.

A wicked heart refuses to see the errors, which have been made. A wicked heart believes to pair up with "convenient Christians", so it is still "spared" from consequences.

Whether we want to admit it or not, we can't avoid consequences. And even if we're getting "blessed" with opportunities and we didn't make the wrongs right, there is a day when our evil actions will slap us hard in our faces, for not considering our behavior toward others. And when that day arrives, and believe me, friends, it will arrive. It’ll either help us recognize our faults and bless us to become better, or our ways will grow colder and we depart from God. Once we leave Earth, people will remember how we hurt them or help them. They won't care about how much success we made along the way. All they will remember is what we did to them. And we don’t want to be remembered this way. This is definitely food for thought.

Our presence does affect those around us: good or evil.

Beloved, it's not okay to continually hurt others and think we're not going to reap what we sowed for what we did to them.

Beloved, it's not okay to bury our sins and not confess them to God. We'll become cold-hearted and calloused in our ways.

Beloved, it's not okay for others to hurt us and they think that they are so-called "blessed" because they have "opportunities" landing in their laps. Those are perks, which comes with the territory when we pursue what we love to do. Blessings are realizing who we are in Jesus Christ, because He died for us and He loved us first. Blessings are growing rich in God by worshiping Him in Spirit and in Truth. Blessings are humbling ourselves daily before Him to make sure our hearts are right with Him, so we can do what we're purposed to do. Blessings are treating each other right without prejudice in all forms. Blessings are when we acknowledge of our ways and then apologize for our errors.

We're living in a lost world where wrong is right and right is wrong. And beloved, it's not okay.

If you yearn to know Jesus as your Personal Savior or you desire to grow more graciously in Him, I will pray with you and for you.

Prayer: Father, I surrender all to You because I realize I’m lost without You. Help me in areas where I'm weak, and continue to strengthen me in Your Grace. Continue to convict my heart when I do things, which aren't pleasing in Your Sight. Create in me a clean heart and renew a right spirit within me. Bless me to see Your Perspective on things, for my perspective is tainted and I don't always make the best decisions. Open my spiritual eyes, ears, and heart to recognize the errors of my ways, so I can become better and not bitter. Lord, bless me to forgive those who knowingly hurt me and deal with their hearts, and show them the error of their ways, so they can be better, too. Most of all, bless them to get to know You as their Personal Savior and save them. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

I pray this message will strengthen you and encourage you to be all you can be in God. Love more. Hate less. Listen more. Talk less. Help more. Hurt less. No, we won't get it right all the time, but if we remain honest with God, God can turn our disasters into miracles and blessings. Draw closer to Him as He draws closer to you. He loves you very much and I do, too. Until next time, be blessed.

Renewing Our Minds: It's All About Perspective

2012-10-19T16:45:00.001-04:00

"Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will." - (Romans 12:2 NIV)

Happy Fantastic Friday!!!

You're probably wondering why I named this post about renewing our minds. And you can believe it's for a good reason. I asked God what would He like for me to say to His People again this week. And surely, He gave me a topic to write about, because there are many of us who long to get a new perspective in our lives, our minds, and most of all, our hearts. Gaining a new outlook on life can assist us to choose life (positive) or death (negative).

Many people are accustomed to how they were raised and they actually believe it is the "way-of-life." Oh, but we know this isn't true. When we grow up, everything we "learned" isn't pure truth. Sometimes, it takes life experiences to help us see that we don't know everything like we "think" we do.

I want to explore in this topic, because there are people out here who are severely hurting emotionally due to tragic situations. And sometimes discouragement takes its course, because of how we are wired to believe. Negative perspectives are formed through family members, friends, co-workers, bosses, and enemies. Why? Because someone passes it to them, and they think this is how the cycle continues on.

But thank God, it stops here with us. And I want to be clear. It doesn't matter how old we are, what color we are, what backgrounds we come from, and what we are told to believe. When God gave us life, He gave us free will. He wants us to make decisions in everything we do and these decisions can be good or bad. And you bet there are consequences behind the choices we make.

How our choices are formed? Through our perspective.

Just because we receive bad news, it doesn't mean we have to accept bad news as a permanent result for our lives. We have the power to speak life over that dead situation. We don't have to stay in the same rut forever. And how do we change our negative events?

We change it by saying, "We shall live and not die."

"This too shall pass."

We must remember that trouble won't be here always. It is only temporary, even though it seems like the fiery trial continually persists on and on. But it doesn't mean we need to die with our deadly problems.

Encouraging discouragement leads to a negative perspective and it damages who we are. And when we refuse to recognize condemning words, which are spoken over our lives, or we refuse to acknowledge the original source (Satan) where condemnation is originated, we begin to blame ourselves. We start resorting to low self-esteem and we tend to believe this is natural for us to think this way.

We believe when others are overly critical about us, that there is something "wrong" with us. We feel we can never measure up because someone is always complaining about every little thing we do. It sucks to be under a microscope and we can't be ourselves without someone pointing a finger at us, or make us feel like we don't belong.

But here's what I want you to consider: is it natural to constantly hurt each other with condemnation?

Is it natural to tear each other down, just so we can feel better about ourselves, because we're suffering from insecurities and we're allowing wrongful pride to hinder us from admitting it?

Is it natural to favor one person over the other, just because we love the way a person speaks, looks, moves, and captures our hearts because they have a worldly aura?

Is it natural to believe about the worst, because bad things happen to us, and then we constantly feed into negativity that our situations won't change?

Is it natural to always criticize someone when he or she is giving his or her all, just because we're not happy with the results?

If you pondered about this and you answered "no" to these questions, then you're on the road to recovery if you were conditioned to feel or think a certain way.

I want to flip-it-and-reverse-it and give us something else to think about: Should we enlarge a person's ego by encouraging him or her on what they want to do, so he or she can make it, but he or she doesn’t thinks we won't make it in life?

Should we accept the situation as it is, because it "appears" as no-way-out?

Should we tolerate negative influence just because the people in our lives don't want to see us succeed, all because they failed somewhere in their lives?

Should we entertain disgruntled thoughts, which doesn't glorify God or edify our spirits to keep pressing forward?

Should we stop praying just because others don't believe in the power of prayer?

Should we give up because we have too many opponents knocking us down, and wanting to keep us down just because they "feel" they should be the only ones succeeding?

Should we stop living because others have wronged us and they're "succeeding" before our very eyes?

Should we prolong deadly words, which can cripple us, in our hearts, minds, and souls because no one believes in us?

Beloved, the answer is "NO!"

God has taught me this in some experiences I faced. And when I gave my life to Him, I had to forget what I thought I knew about God and I started to know Him. And when I truly believed that Jesus died for my sins, and He did it because He loved me. Boy, did my perspective change in a great way. And I want you to know, nothing happens overnight. We must take it one-day-at-a-time. Anyone who is in Christ is a new creature. Old things have passed away (worldly rotten perception) and everything becomes new.

The Lord wants me to share this with you because we have too many "convenient Christians." They’re too comfortable in their mess. And there is no progression in that lifestyle—at all! Granted, we all make mistakes because we're flawed human beings, and this is a part of life. And it's understandable if we're going through; we're not sober-minded. And when we're not thinking clearly, let's admit it, we tend to do some CRAZY THINGS!!!

And I will break it down about “convenient Christians” or religious folks, for that matter. People who fall into this category only take bits-and-pieces of the Bible and benefit it for their vain glory, because they actually delude themselves to think they're not bad as such-and-such, or they believe wholeheartedly, there is no room for growth in having a relationship with God. They’re “fine” just the way they are. There are two types of Christians. There is one who stays sedentary in his or her relationship with God, and then there is one who grows gracefully in God and allows God to do necessary stripping in his or her qualities, which doesn't reflect Him. So, God blesses him or her to become more like Him in His Character. (I will speak more on this in my next post.)

It's not God's will for us to take captive in negative thoughts and constantly feed into them daily, for life and death is in the power of the tongue. Whatever we claim, it shall be. When God created the Earth in six days, He called everything into existence and it came to pass. That's how much power words possess, my friends.

I'm not saying this is an easy process to reprogram our way-of-thinking, but starting somewhere is better than nothing at all. And please know it’s not my intention to step on some toes. However, I’m speaking to you in God’s love to help set you free from any form of bondage. We can’t stay stuck emotionally and then expect for things to start happening without change.

When we start thinking, "I can't do anything right." Philippians 4:13 states that we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us.

When we start believing the bad is outweighing the good, Romans 8:28 tells us that all things work together for the good and to them who love God and they’re called according to His Purpose.

When someone criticizes us about our appearance, no matter what it is, Psalms 139:14 tells us, we are fearfully and wonderfully made. God didn't make a mistake on any of us. And don't let Satan deceive you with all this hype in the 21st Century that this is the way to be, in order to get ahead in life.

We don't have to cheat to get ahead. We don't have to hurt others, just to feel important so no one thinks we're not weak. We don't have to tear each other down with criticism, so we can feel better about ourselves because we don't want anyone to see our struggles. We don't have to bow down and accept our current situation saying this is our end, when God is just beginning something new in us.

Anytime we start feeling low about situations, or ourselves, we must assess our thinking with God's Word. We don't find it anywhere in the Bible where God encourages His People to discourage one another in all aspects of their lives. If anything, when God chosen whom He wants to get the job done for His Will in their lives, the enemy was attacking them and discouraging them.

When Jesus changed our fate by outsmarting Satan with death through resurrection, He did it so we can have eternal life when we leave here, and live life here on Earth and make a difference in each other's lives. Nothing can get done if we're at each other’s throats by competing with each other, gossiping about each other, or discouraging each other. And the next time we come across a situation like this, We should ask ourselves and think for a moment, "Does it glorify God? Is God the author of confusion? How does it make me feel when I hurt someone or someone hurts me?"

And that, my friends, is how we keep the enemy under our feet. Resist the devil and he will flee from us. Once we're aware of Satan's schemes, we're no longer ignorant to his devices. And once we recognize what they are, we know how to defeat it through the power of prayer. The effectual fervent prayers of the righteous avail each and every time.

Prayer: Father, I come to You because I'm struggling in this area about renewing my mind. And it's hard because I face these battles daily. But, Lord, I'm humbling myself before You, and I'm asking You to encourage me with Your Word and give me Your Insight how to defeat the enemy when he sends discouraging situations and people my way to throw me off-course. Lord, bless me and renew me. Restore the broken areas in my life. Turn what the devil mean for evil and work it out for my good. Forgive me when I think wrong thoughts, which doesn't encourage me or glorify You. I release my burdens to You right now. I believe by faith You will set things back in order for me. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

If you believe in this prayer, and you want to start anew with your life with God, He will show you everything you need to know concerning your life, so you can succeed and He gets the glory out of everything that happens to you. Jesus loves you very much and I do, too. Until next time, be blessed.

After You Done All You Can: Stand.

2012-10-15T19:49:00.000-04:00

"Finally, my brethren (and sisters), be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of darkness of this age, against spiritual host of wickedness in heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand." - (Ephesians 6:10-13 KJV)

Happy Marvelous Monday!!!

I can't express enough how blessed we are to have another chance to be alive and live each day to its fullest. As I was contemplating about what to write for this week (not to mention, I'm still revising my e-book), I asked the Lord what would He like for me to speak to His People this week. And it's funny, because I had no clue what to write until He gave me what to discuss on.

During these tough times in recession, we're trying to grasp on something substantial. And it's no surprise that the enemy is busy. The devil is always lurking around, seeking whom he may devour, because his agenda is to make sure that no one is living the potential God has given him or her.

But on to the matter at hand, the Lord wants me to speak to you about doing all you can, and what happens after we have done all we can. And when we're at the end of our rope, what must we do in order to survive the next minute, hour, day, week, or the month, for that matter!!

When life pulls the rug from underneath us, we tend to fall hard, because sometimes life deals us a hideous hand, and we're not sure if we can cope with all we're enduring. It seems like after we overcome one situation, here comes another and another.

But what if society paints a picture to us that we're not doing enough?

What if society says once you mess up, you can't make it up, no matter how hard you try?

What if friends turn their backs on you when you're at your lowest point?

What if your friends or family members misunderstand you, and they don't want to try to understand you?

What if you're on a different lane from everyone else and they think you're crazy for doing something that absolutely makes no sense?

What if you do your best to search for a job and it appears like no one wants to hire you?

What happens when politicians makes their speeches so appealing, to oppose the current President in office, which they "believe" this is what the nation wants to "hear?"

What if people are mad at you for no reason, and they swear with all their might, you're the one who is wrong, when it's actually them?

What happens when our perspective turns sour just because life isn't going as plan?

Well, beloved, I have some answers that will not only assist you to put things into perspective, but to help you recognize if what you're facing is holding you back or helping you move forward. And I want to be clear. I don't have all the answers and I don't know everything, but what I do know is that I love the Lord very much and He's been keeping me this far, and He is blessing me to hang on. The enemy is trying to destroy me, because he doesn't want me to encourage you for a greater hope which comes from God, and God alone.

Whenever things on Earth seems promising, let's remember, it's only temporary. We can enjoy them while they’re here, but possessions don't make us complete. It's what is going inside our hearts is what makes us complete. Having a peace from God, which passes all human understanding, is what carries us through.

In our darkest times, we can rest assure that God is really in control, even when it appears like it's beyond our control. When people act up on you for no reason, rest assured, beloved, this means God is taking you to a new place in your life. And some people you have to leave behind, so you won't miss out what God has for you, even if they don't like what God is doing with you and in you.

I'm learning that God is removing certain people out of my life for a reason, because they're just a hindrance in wanting to keep me discouraged and to make me look bad. I'm learning that God wants to do a new work in me, so He can get the glory out of my life, for I'm being about my Father's business. If I learn to do the small things that He's asking of me, I'm sure there is a greater reward for me by walking in obedience.

Sometimes, God has to send us to an isolated place, so He can do what needs to be done in us, and in our lives, and to let us know He's God. He wants us to be in place, so we can receive all that He has for us.

We can't receive when self is standing in the way. When self is in our way, self tends to cloud rightly judgment. Self tends to boast in limited human powers and makes us believe we're invincible, and we're excluded from trials and tribulations, and everybody around us isn't. Wrongful pride makes us believe that nothing can stop us just because we finally found our "success." Just to be clear. When we reach success, you better believe the higher the level, the bigger the devil. And he will send his accomplices to throw you off-course.

But it's up to us to recognize, with God's true discernment, when the adversary is near. When you face dire predicaments that have no explanation, this means that God's got some explosive blessings for you.

It's important to remember when situations happen; we must take notice of our predicaments. And here are three ways to know when problems arise in our lives: 1. We caused it to happen because we choose to rebel somewhere in our lives. 2. It isn't our fault and it's an enemy attack. 3. God is testing our faith by removing whatever qualities are in us, which doesn't reflect Him, and to bring us in a new level of trust in Him. I know this stings a bit, but even I have to come to terms with this.

Whenever we mess up, God will gently bring it to our attention of what we did wrong. Life happens. We don't intend to get caught up in crazy situations, but sometimes when we're vulnerable we fall in traps, which we think will give us a temporary fix to our problems. And when we realize what we have done, God gives us time to regroup ourselves by learning from our situations, and taking the good and leaving the bad behind. And how do we leave the bad behind? By growing from our mistakes and vowing to become a better person, even though we're not perfect. As long as we're living, we will continually make mistakes because we're human. And as long as we're learning from our mistakes and making the wrong right, we will become better and not bitter.

An enemy attack is when Satan gets upset while we're on our way to victory. He sends us detours, whether they are people or circumstances, which is beyond our control. The enemy's mission is to abort your purpose. When you're on Christ's side, you can believe, you will be tried on every side, but God will deliver you out of every affliction you encounter, my friend. And you want to know why? What you're facing is only temporary. Another way to discover an enemy attack is when you're in a different place in your life, and you don't view things the same anymore, and God is maturing you through faith, so you can receive His bountiful blessings. He wants to bless you above all you can ask or think, not just physically, but spiritually as well.

And finally, when God is testing our faith. Sometimes, we will have situations where it causes us to go into isolation, because these fiery trials are designed to refine us, renew us, revive us, and bless us. So, when we come out of our circumstances, we come out as pure gold. When gold is melted in the fire, the gold's beauty becomes pure, because all the rust disappears, and this is when gold appeals the eyes because it is birth into something new.

And this is what God is doing in us, to birth something new in us. He strips away whatever is hindering our walk and relationship with Him. If there are people who aren't sent by God to throw us off-track, God will remove them by hardening their hearts toward you because they don't have the same mind as you. God desires us to be with like-minded people, who doesn't only want to succeed, but for us to succeed as well. When a person is all about them, they don't care about your well-being—at all. Beloved, I'm speaking from personal experience: you don't need them!

All they will do is exalt self and kick you down while you're going through. That's definitely not a friend. God wants better for you and I do, too. This is why I'm sharing with you what God shared with me. God doesn't want you to have the same old pals in your corner, because their motives aren't always sincere. And you can believe God will expose them for who they really are, in ways you can't begin to fathom.

If evil whisperers are separating people whom you were once tight with, this tells you right there that the people, your friends are hanging with, is jealous because they see God in you, and they don’t want your friends to draw closer to God, but far away from Him. They try to damper your shine and they deceive themselves thinking they’re walking in the light. And that's how Satan operates, he comes as an angel of light, using God's Word out of context, to get you to think these people are for you, when they're actually against you. And if you're questioning on what I'm saying to you, I encourage you to pray about it. When God wants you to know about something that's hiding in the dark, He will bring mystery to the light in the biggest way. And it's up to us by asking God to prepare our hearts for the truth, when we ask Him about situations or people we're not certain of.

While we're in our pits, God will show us things about ourselves, which we are or aren't aware of. And this is where devoting our time to pray come in. With His Holy Spirit, and His Holy Spirit alone, we can become better human beings, the way God intends us to be. We will be walking in love and harmony, treating each other fairly, and helping one another, and most of all, not judging or looking down on each other, but encouraging our brothers and sisters (yes, the human race, not races).

And the other part of testing our faith, God wants us to believe in Him, and most importantly to believe Him. When walking in faith, we can't go by what we see. Of course, we can't deny what's in front of us. That's not what I'm saying at all, because in order to be set free, we must confess and confront what the issue really is. Deliverance is effective when we're being real, and being real means being honest—not giving people a piece of our minds. It's important we know the difference between the two.

He wants to come to Him with everything, which concerns us, and He wants to show Himself strong in our lives for the merciful, loving God He is. Make no mistake, God is forgiving, loving, and graceful, but He is also a fair and a righteous God. God loathes evil-doing: period. And you want to know why? He loathes evil acts because it hurts us and we receive agony, not peace when evil manifests itself in our lives. He also desires for us to gain a new outlook in life, so we can be ready for what God plans for us to do while we're here on Earth. He wants us to find purpose in everything we do. He wants us to learn and grow, and to constantly accept change for the better in our lives because life is all about change. Nothing stays the same.

When we're at our lowest point, the Lord will sing us a new song in our strange land.

When we give it our best shot to seek new opportunities and we failed, the Lord will make a way out of no way when we least expect it.

When friends aren't the same anymore and they always look at you like you're the enemy, God is a friend who will love you unconditionally and be there for you regardless of your circumstances.

When everything else fails, and you've done all you can, this is where you must stand and look to Heaven, and know that God has already worked out your situation for your good. His Word is filled with real promises and encouragement, which will sustain you and bless you. His Word is not a quick fix, but it's a healing balm to your wounded soul.

And His Word is never out of season. When you stumble upon a scripture that speaks exactly how you feel (book of Psalms, for instance), God will bring you a revelation that will not only deliver encouragement, but real hope that God is always on your side. And I can agree with King David, I haven't seen the righteous forsaken, nor will we beg for bread. God hasn't forgotten about you.

Prayer: Father, I come to You with a broken heart and an uncertain future. I honestly don't know what tomorrow brings or who will betray me. But, Lord, I'm leaning on You to come through for me, even though it seems like my situation is hopeless. Lord, I'm doing all I know how to make it, but I'm humbling myself and I'm admitting that I'm at the end of myself. Show Yourself strong in my life, and move by Your Spirit, Lord. I need a breakthrough, which comes from You and You alone. I give thanks to You, for bringing me this far and You're keeping me. Thank You for everything You've done in my life. I believe by faith you will bring me out of my situation. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

If you believe in this prayer, that God will come to your rescue. Just have faith and know He won't let you fall, for your life is in His hands. May He bless you with miracles and supply all your needs according to His Riches in Glory through Jesus Christ. Know that Jesus loves you and I do, too. Until next time, be blessed.

When Hurt Leads to Anger, Bitterness, Revenge, and Grudges

2012-10-03T19:04:00.000-04:00

"In your anger do not sin": Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry." - (Ephesians 4:26 NIV)

Happy Wonderful Wednesday!!!

Oh, it's another day to be alive and we have a lot to be grateful for. While I was revising my e-book early this week, I asked the Lord what would He like for me to write for His people. And believe me, I had no clue until I read my e-mails. And this person's request inspired me to write this message, for I'm too familiar with this subject, and I know how difficult refraining from situations and people can be.

Do you ever feel like life is being unfair to you?

Do you feel like taking matters into your own hands?

Do you feel like throwing in the towel because the pressure of time isn’t granting you enough grace?

Have you ever held a grudge against someone who wasn't sorry for what he or she has done to you?

Have you ever felt so bitter that every time you turn around, everyone else is getting blessed but you?

Well, precious heart, you stopped by to read this devotion today. I feel God is prompting me to tell you that He desires for you to release all your hurt, anger, bitterness, and grudges over to Him.

When God sent His Only and Begotten Son to die for our sins, He made sure that Jesus fulfilled God's Will on Earth, so we won't have to bear everything ourselves. He wants you to know there is a Mediator, a Comforter, to advocate on your behalf. You want to know why, beloved? It's because He first loved you!

When Jesus came down in the flesh, He did it so He can understand what we're going through. He endured agony, persecution, betrayal, and adoration from those who needed Ultimate Healing from whatever bondages they had. He knew that we were going to need a Comforter in our times of trouble. John 14:18 (KJV) states, "I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you."

Beloved, whenever we go to the altar of our hearts and we pray to God about our troubles, He's releasing the Holy Spirit, which makes intercession for us while we feel we're at the end of our ropes. And this means God will come to your rescue when you least expect Him to.

God doesn't want us withholding our feelings and walking around with bitterness in our hearts.

Why? I hear you asking me.

I'm about to explain. You see, when we're tempted to hold grudges, this feeling reserves a seat for bitterness, and then rage starts settling in our hearts. And this leads to a slower process of being healed. When we don't confess our true feelings to God, we slowly allow the enemy to take a hold on us to seek revenge because we were wronged or we “believe” we were wronged.

And, dear heart, it's natural to feel this way because we're human. God created us to have emotions. Nonetheless, we weren't created to keep our emotions bottled forever. And holding back our feelings, for a long period of time, lead to the unseen: bitterness, vengeance, anger, and grudges. It's easy to point out what's seen, because we automatically believe that only the seen is considered as "bad," which isn't true.

Just to be clear. It's all right to feel hurt and it's all right to feel angry, because we can't help how we feel. When it hurts, it hurts. Sucking in hurt every time isn't healthy and it doesn't resolve the issues at hand. Burying our emotions can only lead to destruction and despair.

Whenever bitterness rushes in like a flood, this is where I immediately go to God and I confess my deepest thoughts, which no one knows about, and I'm honest with Him because I know He's in charge, and He knows exactly how I feel.

Even though, He has the ultimate power to judge me, but I love how He pardons my emotions with His mercy and grace, because He sees ands knows my heart. He knows what I did do and what I didn't do. He knows what others did to me and what they didn't do to me. He knows about my fears and my struggles, and even my troubles. And the same applies to you as well. Beloved, whenever we go to God in prayer, there's a supernatural release that comes to our rescue when we feel like we're drowning.

Whenever I feel like striking back at those who caused me misery, the Lord reminds me that vengeance belongs to Him. He wants me to know that He had already seen what they did to me and He will deal with them accordingly to how He sees fit.

But whenever we pray, it's good to remember to ask God for forgiveness because this is how we're feeling at the moment. Remember: emotions change constantly, but God's Word remains forever and true.

God has the final say about everything. He's in charge. Whenever we're tempted to harbor bitterness toward those who hurt us, it’s imperative that we surrender our pain to Jesus. Whatsoever we ask in His name, He will do it and God will be glorified, and He will wash away our hidden pain we struggle with daily.

He will never leave us nor forsake us. Our lives are in His Hands. And this is what the Lord is saying to you today:

I know this person deceived you and betrayed you. My Child, hand it over to Me, for I will make this wrong right.

I know you're bitter about the unfair circumstances that hindered you from many opportunities, but if you surrender all you're hiding in your heart, I will set you free and give you a blessed life you longed to have.

I know you're holding a grudge for what was done to you, but why hold on to it, when it's only stealing your life away? I AM GOD. Cleave to what is good and refrain from evil, for vengeance is mine and I will repay to all who do evil against you.

I know you were sorely mistreated, but know that you’re latter is greater than your former. Release your cares unto Me and I will take care of you, if you trust Me.

I see your tears and pain. I see your anger and shame. I see your struggles and troubles. I see your heart and I know you're not out to hurt anyone. You want a chance at life. But know I'm giving you life more abundantly above all you can ask or think.

I know this situation is consuming you mentally, emotionally, spiritually, and physically. But if you tell Me how you feel, I can turn what the devil mean for evil and work it out for your good.

I know you don't want to forgive them, but hear Me when I say, you must forgive them, not for their sakes, but for your sake so you’ll be set free. Whom the Son set free, surely you are free indeed.

Why are you trying to fight these battles on your own? Don't you know I'm on your side? These battles are not yours, they are Mine. Don't fight back, but be still and know that I am God.

For your life is in My Hands, and the plans I have for you will prosper and it will work out for your good because I'm doing a new thing in you.

Just give your burdens over to Me, and I will turn it around in your favor.

Beloved, if you received God's message, and it was personally meant for you, then surrender all your feelings to Him right now and He will move on your behalf.

Prayer: Father, I come to You with all the hurt, resentment, bitterness, and grudges I’m holding in my heart. They are keeping me bound and I don't know what to do anymore. I'm having such a hard time of letting go and it's hard to see those who wronged me get away with evil and they're prospering without feeling guilty. Lord, I surrender my anger, bitterness, and my need for revenge to You right now, in Jesus' name. I ask You to deliver me and set me free. I don't want to carry this pain in my heart anymore. I want to have all that You have for me. I want to walk in Your Love, Peace, and Joy. Forgive me when I hold on to buried emotions, which keep me bound. Forgive me when I don't come to You first about my problems. Forgive me when I think wrong thoughts, which don’t glorify You. Save me from my troubles and deliver me out of my struggles. Bless me to forgive those who betrayed me and mistreated me. Bless me to love more and hate less. Bless me to continually seek You in all things, even when I don't understand why these things are happening to me. And Lord, open my enemies' eyes and hearts to see how bad they hurt me. Have Your way with their hearts and show them the error of their ways. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

If you believe in this prayer, and you know that God has heard your cry, then you will see the salvation of the Lord coming to assist you. May He supply all your needs according to His riches in glory through Jesus Christ. May your heart be healed and delivered from whatever feelings, which are keeping you oppressed and bound. May He bless you real good this week. And know that I love you with the love of Christ. Until next time, be blessed.

The Little Things

2012-09-25T18:49:00.001-04:00

"Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you." - (1 Peter 5:7 KJV)

Happy Terrific Tuesday!!!

Ah, the little things. Yes, I named this post correctly because the little things can be overlooked or they can be blown out of proportion. You're probably wondering why I'm discussing this. And you can believe there's a reason behind this post. Last week, I encountered a situation at the grocery store while shopping for daily items I need to survive for the week. I was extremely exhausted and I was having a bad day, a really bad day.

I know everyone can relate to this: who doesn't have a bad day?

After contemplating over my issues, I decided to put them behind me once I headed out my apartment and I went about my business to run errands. I walked to the grocery store, picking up a couple of items, so I can hurry up and return to my home because I wanted to rest. I was listening to spiritual music to lift up my soul and it was helping me to think positive in spite of how I was feeling that particular day.

I strolled to register 11 and I stopped to wait in line. At first, I thought I was hallucinating when the cashier was explaining to the older man about having too many items. The line was 12 items or less. The man's walk wasn't usual; he had a problem with his legs. He pushed the large cart where a few customers and I were still standing in. I felt sorry for him. She didn't have to make him leave. So, I tried my best to brush it off and continued listening to my favorite songs. By the time it was my turn, the Lord allowed me to discern the cashier's spirit. On the surface, it seemed like she was having a bad day, but after analyzing the situation, I saw that she has a bad attitude.

There were three women behind me, an older woman who was in front of me, and another older woman who was facing me while she was packing her objects in the shopping bags. The cashier asked me curtly, "How many items do you have?"

And right there, I didn't appreciate her condescending tone. The woman before me watched me, and she wanted to see if I was going to make a scene. I didn't. I remained quiet because I wanted to go home. I humored the cashier with counting the items, but it happened so fast, I didn't really sum up the total until after I left the store, the line was getting longer and I didn't want the customers to grow impatient.

I sensed I was slightly over the limit in items. I looked underneath the cashier's station to find a basket, but none were available, one of the workers had already picked up the baskets. The third woman, in line, saw that I was looking for a basket and she walked over to the next lane to pick one up. By the time I tried to grab it—it was too late. The cashier was already ringing up my things while shaking her head. That's when I felt my anger rising and I knew the Lord was helping me to stay calm despite of being tempted to say something. I'm learning to never act like a fool with a fool. I'm sorry if I’m sounding blunt, but if you can relate to this, you know exactly what I mean.

And here's when my anger rose to another level, her response was asinine and condescending, "Next time have twelve items or less." I ignored her comment and handed her my money. After she gave me my change, she had the audacity to not place my food in the shopping bags! Nonetheless, I quickly watched her placing the next customer's three items in the bag.

So, I walked down to the end of the booth where the other shopping bags were located and I bagged them myself. The older woman, about my mother's age, who was standing beside me, marched over to see what the cashier was doing. She made a face and shook her head, and she started laughing when I caught her response because I was also laughing. We recognized what was wrong with the scenario, and I'm pretty sure the other women noticed it, too.

The cashier finally picked up what we were laughing about, and now all-of-a-sudden she wants to help me. She angrily questioned me. "You got it?"

I was so furious I couldn't respond. I took the items from her hand because I was already finished with packing my things. I shook my head and walked away. I caught up with the woman and we started talking. I immediately asked her, "Did you see that?"

She was laughing in disbelief, shaking her again. "Yes, I did. I can't believe she was making a big deal about your items. It's not like you had a lot of things. It's just stuff."

Bingo. It's just stuff. They don't live and breathe like we do. We are the ones who matter, and don't me wrong, it's nice to have things , but material things really don't matter. It can't save you from death, illnesses, untimely accidents, or losing your job or home.

After the woman and I laughed, we said our goodbyes and tended to our own affairs. While I was walking home, I was hurt emotionally because I didn’t like the cashier's approach in the situation, and I definitely didn’t appreciate how she was trying to make an example out of me, about going over the recommended number for the express lane.

It's not a good feeling when people try to make you look bad, and they believe with all their might they’re in the right because of “technicality,” when their attitudes display how they handled the situation poorly. It's important to remember that how we set up the atmosphere with our presence does affect those around us.

And in that moment, before I left the store, I wanted to turn around with the bags in my hand to report her. But the Lord stopped me and He wanted me to have a time-out and recollect my thoughts before going to the manager about the cashier.

When I arrived at my apartment, I landed the bags on the counter and I recounted the items. Boy, you would have been laughing if you saw the look on my face. I couldn't believe the nerve of that woman. Can you believe I was only five items over??? Oh, the little things.

I prayed to the Lord to help calm me down because I could literally feel I was going to burst into tears. (I was really having a bad day!)

I returned to the store and asked for the manager. Once the manager approached me, I explained the situation to him, and I stated that even the other customers noticed the cashier was wrong for what she did to me. And he agreed with me how some people allow the smallest things tip them over-the-edge.

And that's when I told him how I had an atrocious year. He gave his deepest apologies and I told him I wouldn't wish it on anyone, for what happened to me. He explained to me that he would pull her to the side and talk to her about what happened.

After I had left the store, I felt better for releasing my feelings about what occurred earlier that day. At this point, I don't know if the manager talked to the cashier or not. But what I do know is, that whenever our days start spinning out-of-control, our perspectives get bent out-of-shape because everything is not going our way.

It's the little things that make us lose perspective on what's really important. How we adjust our attitudes on small situations can determine how we handle the big predicaments that head our way.

Here's what putting things in perspective is like:

Does losing a dollar seem detrimental as losing your life in a freak-accident?

When red wine is staining your white carpet, does it seem detrimental as finding out you only have six months to live because of cancer?

Does having issues with a co-worker seem detrimental as discovering your loved one won't recover from an illness that isn't curable because it isn't seen?

Does going over five items at the 12-item express lane seem detrimental as not finding a job in this tough economy?

If you answered "no" to all these questions, you're correct. And you want to know why? There are other things in life that are far more upsetting than material things. Going over the limit at the express lane isn't as serious as worrying about your next meal. Not having the latest fashion is not as serious as having a deadly disease. Acting ballistic about things beyond your control isn't as serious as being paralyzed for the rest-of-your-life.

Oh, the little things we get upset about doesn't compare to what others are facing.

And now, I'm going to flip-the-other-side-of-the-coin.

But what I love most about praying to God is, that He doesn't grumble or hate to see me coming whenever I talk to Him about what's going on in my life. He doesn't ignore me or treat me like I'm not important or my feelings don’t count, the way people do.

I love how He sees and knows everything that goes in our lives, because He knows our stories and He knows how to solve our problems which appears unsolvable.

You see, beloved, God is concerned with the intent of our hearts. He's concerned about how we perceive things and how we respond. He's concerned about how we interact with others whether it’s good or bad. He's concerned about how others respond to us, too.

He doesn't mind when we're coming to Him in need of things, just to help us get by in life. He doesn't mind when we're baring our souls before Him, so He can fix whatever is broken in our lives. He doesn't mind wiping our tears when others offend us, or when we offend them. He doesn't mind coming to our rescue and being our Hero.

When someone is being rude to you, for no reason, cast your cares on Jesus.

When someone is trying to sabotage the God-given plans in your heart and you want to see them coming into fruition, cast your cares on Jesus.

When bills aren't being paid on-time, cast your cares on Jesus.

When you don't have food to eat, cast your cares on Jesus.

Whenever you're having a bad day, cast your cares on Jesus.

When your funds are short for the week, cast your cares on Jesus.

You want to know why I'm saying this, dear heart? It's because Jesus is Our Mediator between God and us. He was in the flesh, just like we are right now, and He understands and knows all about our afflictions and the situations we face. There's nobody like Jesus. Nobody can love you like Jesus can. Nobody can take care of you like Jesus can. Nobody can protect you from all hurt, harm, and danger, seen and unseen, like Jesus can. Nobody can fight your battles like Jesus can.

And when God steps in and save us from our troubles, my God, He does it well! He is so awesome and as my sister said to me on Sunday, "God is swag-nificent!" Yes, He is. He is altogether lovely. He is our Healer, Deliverer, and Our Best Friend. He's Sovereign. He reigns forever. Everything else will fall apart, but God's Word stands forever and He lives forever!

Let's Pray: Father, I come before You with my broken heart and I'm casting all my cares on You because Your Word says You care for me. Bless me to overcome daily battles of dealing with various behaviors wherever I am. Bless me to rely on you whenever I feel helpless. Lord, my bills are due and I need You to supply all my needs according to Your Riches in Glory through Jesus Christ. Bless me to smile in spite of the troubles I'm facing. Soothe my doubts and calm my fears, Lord, for I don't know what tomorrow brings. Fight my battles for me, even though it seems like I'm defeated. I need You to move by Your Spirit, Lord. Move every hindering obstacle out of my way. And assure me that everything will be all right, because You are on my side. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

If you believe in this prayer, you must know it's already done, and God will take care of you. Be encouraged and know that Jesus loves you and I do, too. There's nothing too hard for God and it doesn't matter if the situation is big or small. God has your back! Until next time, be blessed.

When We Mess Up : God's Mercy Triumphs Over Impossible Situations

2012-09-21T20:25:00.000-04:00

"Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need." - (Hebrews 4:16 KJV)

Happy Fantastic and Fabulous Friday!!!

You're probably why I named this title and I have good reason to name it. I want to discuss on what happens when we make mistakes. And these questions swirl around our minds constantly. And I'm going to ask them, so you can recognize if this happened to you, or it is happening to you right now.

What happens when we make life-altering decisions that not only affect us, but those around us?

What happens we say things out of the heat-of-the-moment?

What happens we mistakenly accuse others for things while we're not sober-minded?

What happens when people give up on us and they never want to contact us again?

What happens when it seems like there is no hope after a colossal incident drastically alters our usual routine in living?

What happens if we're not forgiven?

If any of these questions hit home with you, then I'm glad you're reading today's message. I'm excited you're getting the spiritual assistance you need in your time of distress. Many times we're told to make right choices. Many times we're told, if we don’t qualify for certain positions in life, no one would take a chance on us. Many times we're told, if we do things perfectly, we'll be accepted in "cliques" forever, all because we fear loneliness or rejection when others don't approve who we really are.

Have you ever heard someone say to you: "You're not doing this right. Let me take over. You're always screwing up what I planned out for days." or "Stop being so clumsy. No one likes a klutz." or "Why must you always be so reckless when you make decisions that can affect you for the rest of your life? Or "Why can't you keep your mouth shut? Don't you know this job is the only job that pays bills?"

And whether we want to admit it or not, questions filled with doubt usually enter our minds constantly. And when we failed, we feel that we’re disappointing others, if we're not living the life they "planned" out for us. It's easy to surrender into peer pressure when we want to be accepted. It's easy to bite our tongue when we witness someone getting wrongfully terminated. It's easy to place blame on others for mistakes we made or ourselves when our situations fall apart.

It's easy to fall into addictions and never return to the life we once knew. It's easy to find comfort in the arms of another when we hate returning to an empty house or apartment. It's easy to reject others and mock them because we want to feel better about ourselves, convincing ourselves that we'll never end up like those who are "born-to-lose." It's easy to fall in depression when life keeps knocking us off our feet. It's easy to lose our minds when the pressure is crushing our necks. It's easy to possess pride and arrogance once we obtain our achievements we work so hard for, thinking they'll last forever, and then only to find the company we're working for is going bankrupt, and we wind up losing the very things we take heart in, and ultimately we need to start anew because of internal errors that our bosses made simply because of greed.

Yes, we're living in an unfair and a spiteful world. And if we're not cut out for certain opportunities, we might as well call it quits. But I want to inform you that no matter what you have done, there is an Advocate who will fight on your behalf.

There is Someone we can turn to, when all else fails. There is a Throne of Grace that will supply God’s Mercy and Grace when we're at our lowest point. There is a Redeemer who can make the wrong right and give you double for your trouble after all the chaos you endured. His Name is Jesus.

It's Jesus who pours compassion on us, when we enter our secret place confessing all our faults, disappointments, failures, and everything else that seems to come undone in our lives.

The Lord is merciful to all who call Him. He's here to answer our prayers when we exhausted every solution possible. He's the One who can soothe our doubts and calm our fears when all else fails. He's the One who can restore what's been broken or stolen in our lives.

He's near to those who are brokenhearted and of a contrite spirit. He loves us when we confess our heartfelt pleas to Him. He loves us when we open our hearts to Him and tell Him everything that concerns us. And He gives us Comfort like no other when we're forsaken, and when we're defeated. He knows how to make us whole when we give up on ourselves. He pours His Holy Spirit when He hears our cries and gives us the healing we need to survive another day.

He considers our issues, which weighs heavily on us. He rightly judges our predicaments and finds us justice, even when we're in our mess. He pardons our sins when we confess them to Him, and then He cleanses us from all unrighteousness and wipes our slates clean, so we can begin again without forgetting how He came to our rescue, and He’s making us whole when others say it's over for us.

Beloved, I want you to know it's not over until God says: It's over. As long as you're breathing, there's always hope. It doesn't matter if the economy is falling apart; God is able to take care of you. It doesn't matter if you're lonely, rejected, and despised, God will send you people after His own heart to give you a new definition in friendship.

It doesn't matter what you've done, God will redeem you and bless you in newness, so that your life will impact others. God is Almighty and no one can touch His Glory. Yes, God got swagger like that. No person's "swagger" can compare to God's swagger. He's bad like that. He has that lovely aroma about Him where He'll let you know it was nobody but Him, who worked it out for your good. He knows how come to your rescue and sweep you off your feet. He knows how to turn what's broken into something new. He knows how to make your enemies be at peace with you. He knows how to fight your battles for you when you're not able to defend yourself. He will love you better than your so-called friends and family who claim they will always be there for you.

God knows you will come across some people who will betray you. God knows you will have disappointments you didn't see coming. God knows you are doing the best you can, even when it seems like things are falling apart. God knows you're not out to hurt anybody, but you want to live a life He has already purposed for you. God knows every event that will take place in your life before you know about it, because He's God. God knows your future, for He has given you an expected end, a future filled with hope, and you best believe, He's already working it out for your good. And that right there, my friend, is when God’s Mercy triumphs over our impossible situations.

Let's Pray: Father, I come to You as I am, and my soul is bare before you. I'm facing an uncertain future that scares me to death because I've made choices in the past that defined me as a failure. Lord, I'm asking You to help me make the right decisions, which pleases You. Help me to recognize that I will not get it right every time, but bless me to walk by Your Mercy and Grace when I need it. Bless me with Your Divine Favor. Open doors that no one can shut and continue to protect me each day. Lord, make the wrong right and bless me with another chance to live again. In Jesus' name, Amen.

If you believe in this prayer, then God will restore you and bless you to press forward in a promising future only He can provide. I pray that you are healed and redeemed. Don't worry about what others are thinking about you or what they’re saying behind your back. Don't worry about what you will eat or wear tomorrow, for God will supply all your needs according to His Riches in Glory through Christ Jesus. Know that I love you with the love of Christ. Until next time, be blessed.

Releasing Your Burdens and Finding Rest: Keep Pressing On

2012-09-15T22:33:00.000-04:00

"Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest for unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." - (Matthew 11:28-30 KJV)

Happy Stompin' Saturday!!!

Do you feel like throwing in the towel?

Are you still suffering from past events or current ones in your life?

Do you ask yourself: What is the point of going on, when life keeps on throwing me curve balls?

Are you tired of being weary and angry?

Are you tired of carrying these burdens, which seems to overtake you?

If you are, I'm glad you stopped by to read this message. In today's text, it's talking about casting your burdens to The One who is able to set you free and leaving your problems in His Hands. You're probably wondering why I'm writing this to you today. It's because the Lord showed me there are people who are feeling weary and they’re wondering when will their storms end. But I've come to tell you to look no more, as God's Spirit is upon me, He wants you to know you are not alone and He will see you through. When Jesus was talking about our problems, He never mentioned about what type of problems we should bear to Him. Thank God.

God wants you to know He is here for you. He doesn't want you to carry your burdens alone. He didn't design us to bear our struggles and situations alone. He desires us to seek Him in everything we encounter. Why? Because He knows how to solve the unexplainable and He takes pleasure in assisting us, as we sincerely reach out to Him. He delights in us when we let down our guard and swallow our pride, and to acknowledge this-is-too-much-to-handle-on-our-own. Our disappointments become God's Divine Appointments.

Beloved, it doesn't matter what people are saying behind your back. It doesn't matter if your plans go twenty steps backwards instead of forward. It doesn't matter if the doctor says you only have six months to live. It doesn't matter if recession is kicking you left-and-right. And it doesn't matter if it appears that all hope is gone. You need to know within your heart that God is able to meet your every need above all you can ask or think.

Sometimes, it's easy to get sidetracked when we take a day-cation or vacation from our original plans. And it may be due to the fact of hanging around with the wrong crowd, or life-altering events swallowing us whole. It may be due to the fact that we're seeking consolation from other sources when life gets unbearable for us. We seek other people to fill-in what we're escaping from, or we’re trying to over-indulge in possessions, which is only a temporary-fix, to keep us feeling valuable, or we seek for other solutions like prescribed medication, alcohol, drugs, and any kind of addictions to keep us from losing our minds.

I'm being honest here. If we take a deeper look within our hearts, we all know that life happens. And it's sad to say, we actually have some people who can't accept, or don't want to believe, that life really does happen.

Not everything goes according to our plans. And if we're being real with ourselves, for one minute, we can actually say, "It sucks."

And yes, it does!

Just when we think we're delivered out of one scenario, here comes another one and another one, and another one until we hit rock bottom. And that's where we become unglued. This is where our true feelings come to surface about what's really going on in our lives. We begin to grumble and we become unpleasant, and we find ourselves losing every battle because we, as humans, hate to admit defeat.

Precious heart, I want you to know there is nothing wrong with admitting defeat, especially when our trials and tribulations are overtaking us. If you can relate to what I'm saying, at least give a "that's true" nod while reading this. We love to solve things for ourselves because society molds us to believe that if we ask for help, then it makes us appear weak, which equates to us being as "losers."

Thank God, this isn't true. When we come to the end of ourselves, it’s because we can't keep running forever. At some point-in-time, we need to stop and regroup ourselves. We need to get a new focus on life. We need to discover where we're making errors and when we need to eliminate those negative-spewing folks who love to rain on our parade, when we're motivated to do something new in our lives. That's when we need to run far away and get in a circle with like-minded folks who believe the way we believe.

Dear heart, not every person who is with you, is for you. Not every person wants to see you live beyond your wildest dreams. Why? It's because God gave you a dream to live your life to the fullest, and your life brings Glory to Him. Not every person wants you to discover the secret things God placed in your heart to find, when you're going through and getting to. You see, once they see you realizing the very thing they're trying to keep you from, they want to make sure you don't look better than them. (Don’t get me wrong—everyone has his or her season. When it’s your time to shine, allow yourself to shine wholeheartedly.) They believe they should always be number one! They believe that everything is all about them and they don't owe anything back in return.

Here's a little secret I want to share with you: People who believe it's all about themselves, finds themselves by themselves. Why? Because they believe they don't need help. They believe they're invincible and they can hurt whomever they please. They believe the more they get, the more they'll be respected.

Here's what I want you to ponder about, but what if a person does achieve everything he or she desires, and the people who entered in his or her life, along the way, recall how unpleasant he or she was to them? Does that sound like a truly successful person to you? No.

This is a severe care of narcissism. This type of person believes he or she will sit on top of the world forever, and he or she is convinced that he or she is exempt from frustrations, tribulations, illnesses, losing finances, and the list goes on and on. If you know anybody like this, you know what you have to do. Run! Run! RUN! Run away from people who want to devour you and want to keep you trapped when God has already appointed your season to flourish the way it's supposed to. Run away from those who have-not, and they don't want you to have because they don't have. Run away from those who always try to outshine you because they believe they are smarter than you, prettier than you, richer than you, or faster than you. Run away from those who don’t want to encourage you and from those who think you're a-nobody. Run away from those who always find negativity in everything.

Just because you're in your pit right now, it doesn't mean you'll always be there forever. There's a season for every situation that comes your way. But know when these pit-seasons arrive, they have a wonderful purpose; they are to refine you, mature you, bless you, and give you a new perspective on things you never knew was there before. And this is where we meet God at the altar. Now, church folks believe the altar is only within the church. I want to clarify there is a difference between religious person and a true believer. Religious people believe wholeheartedly that it's their religion dignifies them and they actually believe they're “made right” in God's eyes, and they're already positioned in Him. Oh, boy, they're in for a rude-awakening! They believe once a person falls, there is no redemption and the person deserves to be punished for his or her deeds forever, and the person should never be forgiven.

A true believer knows that religion doesn’t save you, but it's a personal relationship with Our Savior who is up in Heaven, sitting on the Right Hand throne of God, to be our Intercessor in our time of need. We also know we make mistakes and others make mistakes as well. We also know that God’s Redemption is available to all who believe and need it. We also know that God makes the impossible, the unexplainable, and the unbearable into possible, explainable (once we’re coming out of our storm or still enduring it.), and bearable.

The altar, beloved, can be also in the privacy of your own home where no one sees what you have to endure. The altar is that secret place only you and God know about. He longs for us to confess the root of our problems. He wants to know everything we're feeling. And God won't take offense, because He understands and knows all! Believe me, whenever I go to God, praying about everything I'm concerned about, I say, "Lord, please forgive me for feeling this way about such-and-such, but this is how I'm feeling at the moment, and I want You to know I'm livid about what happened to me. And it isn't fair at all!" And He pardons my anger. In Ephesians 4:26 (NIV) tells us, "In your anger, do not sin": Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry." God wants us to release how we feel, as long as we don't proceed with wrongful actions, which causes us to sin and end up in prison or dead somewhere! If anger is not handled properly, it can be misconstrued, and it can control us when we least expect it. And this is why we carry everything to God in prayer. At least, when confess our deepest fears and thoughts; it's safe with Him.

As we go to the Lord, He's allowing us to be ourselves in Him. He's giving us another opportunity in life while we’re in our secret closet (praying to God), when others say it's over for us. With God, it's never over because He's the Author and Finisher of our faith.

And this is what God wants to do with all of us. He wants us to come to the end of ourselves, so He can remove the wrong qualities we're possessing and replace them with His lovely attributes. He wants us to learn from our situation. He wants us to re-examine what went wrong. He wants us to pour our hearts to Him and fight our battles for us. He desires to orchestrate miracles on our behalf in the spiritual realm, while we're going through in the natural realm.

Beloved, it's in our darkest hours is where God reveals His Light to us. He wants us to see our situations in a new light like never before. He wants to equip us for the blessings He has in store for our lives. He longs for us to release our cares to Him because He truly wants His best for us: the gifts He puts inside you and to live your purposed life.

And while we release our concerns to God, this is when He blesses us to come out as pure gold after being tried through the fire. And then, we become wiser, we become less irritated when our blessings are on the waiting list. Remember: Our blessings are delayed—not denied. And when God doesn't answer certain prayers right away, He gently opens our eyes to see it wasn't for our best interest, and then we thank Him for not even permitting some of our requests coming in to fruition. Every thing that looks good to us is not good for us.

So, keep pressing on and don't give up or give in. When God wants to bless you, He's giving you His very best. If we have to wait for a little while, then let it be. There are precious treasures of insight He wants to share with us when we're doomed and trapped in our current situations. He wants us to see clearly about the people we hang with, about ourselves, about our emotions and why we feel this way, about our turmoil, and about our plans.

If you need prayer today about your troubles refusing to move, you're at the right place.

Let's Pray: Lord, I lift my hands to You in complete surrender about everything I'm enduring. I will be honest with You. I don't like where I'm at right now, but Lord, I’m asking you to lead and guide me of where You want me to be. I'm tired of being held back by others who don't want to see me succeed. I'm tired of everything going wrong in my life. My situation is getting the best of me and I'm not ashamed to ask for Your help. Lord, keep my perspective right before You and help me to recognize when You are moving on my behalf, even when it seems like nothing is working out for me. Bless me to trust in You, even when I'm afraid. Please don't let bitterness and anger overtake me. Instead, let me feel Your love. Bless me to walk by Your Mercy and Grace each day. I understand and realize that I don't get it right every time. And I also realize that I need You constantly in my life. Right now, I release my cares to You and even though I'm afraid, I'm asking You, in Jesus' Name, to reassure me that everything will be all right, and You are in control no matter what. I decree it by faith is done, In Jesus' name, Amen.

If you believe in this prayer, and that God is working it out for your good, God will provide a miracle for you. Be patient, if it doesn't come right away. They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength. He may not come when you want Him, but He'll be there right on time! He's always-on time and that, my friend, you can count on. Know that I love you with the love of Christ. Until next time, be blessed.

Beloved, Think it Not Strange Part 2

2012-09-09T18:14:00.000-04:00

"Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice inasmuch ye (you) are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye (you) may be glad with exceeding joy." - (1 Peter 4:12-13 KJV)

Happy Super and Serene Sunday!!!

I'm back and The Lord won't let me rest until I write part two of this message. As His Holy Spirit is upon me, I must say, God wants me to give you refreshment for your weary soul. And when you are weary, you want to surrender and walk away while everything and everyone gave up on you. Is this resonating with you? If so, then you're reading the right message. I'm so sensitive to God's Spirit that I want His Message to saturate your soul. I desire to please God on resuming with this mission He placed in my heart to do for Him. I don't take my call lightly and I don't play church just to appease others, so they can "like" me. It's not effective and it's not being real. I'm sorry, I don't mean to step on any toes, but I must keep it real, but in a way, where it speaks to your heart and gives you something to reflect on.

My heart is filled with so much joy because the Lord is moving in my life, even though in the natural, my situation appears bleak. But I thank God, I walk by faith and not by sight. I hear the Lord saying, He is looking for those who are willing to commit themselves to Him, and Him alone.

Being faithful to God, even when you slip, wins and woos His Heart for you each and every time. You want to know why? Because when you rely on God, God can't fail you, the way people will fail you. God won't betray you or toss you out once you do things for Him, or even when you fall occasionally. His pure love for you is why you're alive today.

You see, I'm fully committed to God even when situations go south for me.

"Why?" I hear you asking me.

I've come to an absolute conclusion and I have certainty that God will always come to my rescue, in spite of the devil's intentions to make me look bad. In the last post, I've stated I don't find it strange about things that happened to me anymore, because I'm learning that as long as I'm on Jesus' team, I will be lied on, laughed at, misunderstood, and persecuted. But it’s all to the Glory of God.

The year before I gave my life to the Lord, the enemy literally tried to choke me in my sleep when I used to live in my parents' home. I was sleeping with a blanket on. I started suffocating when I felt a strong force around my neck. But I fought back and called on Jesus, in my mind, and the enemy's evil spiritual hands were off my neck. When I woke up, I thought there was a thief in the house. But it was no one there. It was just my sisters who were sound asleep while I stayed awake, feeling terrified. Yes, this is true because Satan saw it coming that I would eventually give my life to God and I would be sold out for Him. And I still am. (Smiling.)

So, the devil is on my case. He knew that I had plans with someone I love dearly and I still have plans with this person because we made a covenant with God, to stick to the plans He has for us. That's why Satan gladly used them, whom were an opened vessel, last year, to get me fired. Satan didn't want me to see my loved ones again, because if I were still working, I would be on vacation right now, seeing my immediate family.

Now looking back, I'm glad God allowed it to happen because I was hurting so bad. I really didn't have time to grieve all the turmoil that happened to my family and to me. God wanted me to commune with Him and get into that secret place in Him. And yes, it is working out for my good. So, God wants to me write for Him, in the meantime, until my change comes. The enemy brought sickness on me last month, because he hates it when I pour out what the Lord wants me to share with you, so you can be set free. Whom the Son sets free, surely he or she is free, indeed.

And despite what the devil concocted for me, in 2011, he didn't win the battle because God has already settled my current situation, and now I'm waiting for the results to come in to fruition. I love how God brings people my way, in a bizarre way, because I know it is God, who is making these wrongs right.

You want to know why God keeps coming my rescue, it's because I really, really love Him and I'm totally committed to Him. He knows how to fill-in voids when I'm lonely, afraid, or hurting. He knows how to comfort me when I call on His Name. As Jesus said in John 14:18 (KJV), "I will not leave you comfortless; I will come to you." God has given us a Comforter, which is His Holy Spirit, and His Holy Spirit is what makes intercessions for us, when we don't know what to pray for.

When people deny you and start acting crazy on you, God is there for you.

When people say you can't make it, God says your dreams will come to pass.

When people doubt what God has anointed you to do, He automatically makes His Presence known through His Glory shining brightly in your life.

When people talk junk about you, let them go about their business, for God saw what they did and heard what they said. God is not mocked, and they will reap what they sow. And you can take that to your bank account.

When people focus on making you unhappy because they're unhappy, make yourself scarce from them, all they will do is bring you down and they want you to stay there. But know that God's plan for you will come true, because God doesn't lie, the way people do.

When people are concentrating on crushing your dreams, know their evil schemes will be destroyed, because God will not let your fiery trial take you under.

Don't you find it strange when people are coming against you, and they promise they will always be there for you?

You will come across situations that will make your scratch your head once you're thrown in the metaphorical fire. You will feel the flames turning up higher, as you struggle to hang on to God's Promises for your life.

Beloved, I stopped scratching my head last year and came to the conclusion, that I'm closer to my blessing than I think. That's right. I know I am.

And I'm going to say it again. I don't find it strange anymore when backstabbers betray me.

I don't find it strange anymore when God revealed all the clues He wanted me to see what happened in 2011. And the more I reflect what happened to me, the more it makes sense.

I don't find it strange anymore when God keeps showing me that things are not what they always appear to be.

I don't find it strange anymore when people act up on me with no legitmate reason, and it's because they see God in me.

I don't find it strange anymore when Satan tries to discourage my sisters and abort their dreams, because God will always use me for His Glory to encourage them that they will go on and God will show Himself strong in their lives and mine, too.

I don't find it strange anymore when God shows me about certain folks, who were in my life last year, and what they have done behind my back; and they actually delude themselves to believe they're getting away with what they did to me. Yes, God loves us unconditionally, but I want to be clear, He doesn’t condone wickedness, when evil deeds hurt innocent bystanders.

Beloved, I'm telling you it's all right, because God has already ordered my steps before I entered my mother's womb. God has already set-it-in-motion for my life, for greater and better things to come my way, no matter how long I'm waiting on His Promises to come into fruition. My blessings are delayed, not denied. Your blessings are delayed, not denied. And when I look back, I have never seen God not delivering His Promises to me. When He revealed to me people would apologize to me, back in 2007 and 2008, it came true.

When He told me I would get my apartment through Section 8, yes, beloved, that came true as well. And I'm still living in my home, as we speak!

When He told me and showed me how the woman would betray me in church, and when and where it would take place, back in 2007, yes, beloved, it came true!

When He revealed the mysteries of last year's unnecessary sufferings that was brought in my life, yes, they came true, too, because they happened exactly like God said, and He revealed to me what was in my enemies' hearts. Yes, they hate me so much—they desire to see me fall.

But guess what? I'm still here. And it's truly by the grace of God. Family will turn on you. Friends will walk away. Enemies will always connive diabolical plans to hurt you, but I come to here to tell you that God is on your side. Rejoice and know He's coming to your rescue. Rejoice and know He'll never leave you nor forsake you. Rejoice and know that God is faithful and true. Rejoice and know that all things work together for the good of them that love the Lord and they are called according to His Purpose. Beloved, rejoice and know that when God arises, your enemies will scatter! Is there anything too hard for God? He turns the impossible into possible. He knows how to make a way out of no way! When you’re down to your last dime, God always steps-in-on-time!

He knows how to wipe your tears and calm your fears when your back’s against the wall. He knows how to send you assistance when it seems like everyone has forsaken you. He knows how to love you. He makes His Presence known in your life daily, that He's here for you. When you wake up out of bed, you're blessed to see another day. When you can get up and clean for yourself, shower for yourself, put clothes on your back, and even have food to eat, you're blessed. When you receive threatening letters about eviction or shut-off notices, God finds a way to keep you safe and you're still living in the home He blessed you to have.

God is God. He is Alpha and Omega. He is our Redeemer. He is our Healer. He is Sovereign. God will do whatever He wants to, whenever He wants to, because He is God.

So, beloved, the next time you find it strange when things start happening out-of-the-blue, rejoice with exceeding joy to know God is working it out for your good. He's cleaning up situations in your life and He's getting ready to do a new thing in you. Don't be discouraged and don't be dismayed, God is here for you. Behind every dark cloud, there's a silver lining. And when the storm is over, you will see the sun shining. I'm learning to praise God in spite of the frustrations I've endured. I'm learning to be in His Presence through talking to Him daily about everything in my life. I'm learning to lean on my faith, because my human intellect can only carry me so far, but with my faith in God will exceed beyond my wildest dreams, because I dare to believe God even if it sounds crazy. Yes, I believe God. When He says He will make my enemies pay for what they did to me in 2011, oh yes, you best believe vengeance belongs to Him, because He is the ultimate Judge and He has the final say.

In your bitterness, beloved, be honest with Him and don't leave anything out. It's okay to be real with God because He understands you, He knows you, and He cares about you.

Stay away from evil. Don’t get even because they harmed you. It will not benefit anything for your soul. Let God fight your battles for you. When He fights your battles for you, He always comes out victorious.

Delight yourself in God and do good, and He will give you the desires of your heart, when it lines up with His Will for your life.

And finally, after you've done all you can, stand. Stand on His Word. Stand on His Promises. I guarantee you, when God delivers you out of your situation, you'll be extremely satisfied with the results, because He loves you and He truly wants what is best for you.

Prayer: Lord, I give thanks to You because You are God. I know You are Mighty and Able. I trust and know You have already worked out my situation for my good. Lord, deliver me and give me peace, a peace that passes all understanding. Bless me to always be honest with you, no matter how bad my problems offend me. Bless me to overcome this battle with Your help and strengthen me in my time of weakness. For when I am weak, that is when You make me strong in You. I believe by faith it's already done. In Jesus' name, Amen.

May your hearts be encouraged! Continue to fight the good fight of faith! Don't let anyone deter you from pursuing whatever God placed in your heart to do on Earth. Cleave to what is good and have no dealings with evil. The enemy comes to steal, kill, and destroy, but as long as you have Jesus on your side, you will live your life abundantly above all you can ask or think. And know I love you with the love of Christ. Until next time, be blessed.

Beloved, Think it Not Strange Part 1

2012-09-08T21:24:00.000-04:00

"Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye (you) are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye (you) be glad with exceeding joy." - (1 Peter 4:12-13 KJV)

Happy Stompin' Saturday!!!!

Oh, it's a lovely day in spite of the rain showering its way through New York. But I'm glad to be alive. As many of you know, I caught a terrible cold and for a minute there, I didn't think I would recover, but thanks be unto God, He healed me. I owe it all to Him. I don't take it for granted to get out of bed when He wakes me up. I don't take it for granted that He blessed me with another year to live in my apartment despite what my enemies did to me last year. God is a good God!!!!

Forgive me for my excitement, but the Lord's Spirit is resting on me to nourish you with encouragement, while you are hurting from past or current situations. Today's text is talking about think it not strange about fiery trials (yes, I'm using plural, because most of us have more than one situation swinging baseballs our way!), which are to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you. I pray that God has His Way in this post and you are tremendously blessed with what the Lord is saying to you, precious heart. You need to know when things are occurring bizarrely in your life, and sometimes when this happens, it can be of our own doing, but the majority of trials that come our way are not our fault.

Hang in there with me. You're probably wondering why I'm saying this. I'm going to elaborate. You see, speaking from a Christian's point-of-view, you do your best to live a blameless life, and the enemy doesn't like it—at all!

When you surrendered your life over to Christ, who died for our sins, and acknowledged to God you need Him in every aspect of your life, His Holy Spirit births something new in your soul. You no longer carry worldly traits of what the world says, "It's the right thing to do when someone attacks you." The battles on Earth doesn't belong to you anymore, they belong to God, and God alone.

When you're in a pit, whatever pit it may be, God will show you things you haven't noticed before when you were in a difficult position with the adversary (the devil). He begins to uncover clues that were standing right in your face the entire time. And yes, He will reveal your answers in the biggest way possible!

You see, I'm learning that we, as people, tend to think we can manipulate others who we perceive as "naïve." Oh, this couldn't be further from the truth. The Holy Spirit is there to take the blinders off our eyes to really see what we've been ignoring all along. But what I love about God is, when He makes a promise, He never goes back on His Word and His Word never returns to us void. One thing is solid and true: God's Word.

And it's up to us, beloved, to open our spiritual eyes and actually see what the Lord is revealing to us about our situations and people in our lives.

All weekend long, I've been giving God ridiculous praise because He's getting ready to clean up what the devil meant for evil in my life last year. And oh yeah, I'm getting the last laugh because God is in control. When God comes to deliver you, He does it, in a way, where it's quick and He'll convict your heart to know that it was nobody but Him. That's what I love about the Lord, He always make the wrong right. We, humans, mess up situations royally, but God fixes our situations abundantly above all we can ask or think because He's God. Everything He does, He does it well. I love to boast about God because He's my Deliverer, my Best Friend, and He's my WORLD!!!

God made a promise to me last year that He’s going to repay those who caused me misery in my life with the same measure, but one thousand times worse, because what they did was wicked in His Sight. You see, when I came to New York, in late 2003, the Lord visited me and told me, like He did with Abraham in Genesis 12:3 (KJV): I will bless them that bless you, and curse them that curse you. God takes offense when someone comes against His elect and intentionally harms him or her because of the Holy Communion he or she has with God. It’s dangerous territory messing with God’s anointed (all who believe in Him, this has nothing to do with rank. God knows who sincerely loves Him) and His Word tells us this. “Touch not mine anointed, and do my prophets no harm.” – (1 Chronicles 16:22, Psalms 105:15 KJV). And this line up with the scripture, in Galatians 6:10 (KJV), about being good to every one, especially to the household of faith, “As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good to all men (people), especially unto them who are of the household of faith.” It’s clear that God doesn’t want us to mistreat each other, saved or not. I want you to know I don't rejoice in people's downfalls, because we all fall short! Only God judges accurately about our situations accordingly to how He sees fit, in Him there is no lie. He sees the whole picture clearly. However, it's up to us to recognize when we make mistakes that we must make the wrong right and learn from our shortcomings. That's what makes a person redeemed in God's eyes and then He reveals His Glory to the people around him or her to know He is real in his or her life.

I know what I'm talking about because God has redeemed me in the past. And He's still redeeming me right now, even when others, who wanted me to fall flat on my face, can't see it. When the enemy sends people to throw you off-track or condemn you, you must know it's not from God. For God is not about condemnation, but He is about justice and liberty! God doesn't want us bound, whether you believe in God or not, He wants us free in Him, so we can enjoy life the way He intends us to for His Good Pleasure.

Beloved, one thing I'm learning I don't find it strange when others smile in my face, thinking they're slick, and they delude themselves thinking I can't tell when they're lying to me. God shows me exactly what they’re hiding from me, even when they can’t look at me straight.

I don't find it strange when those who are close to you betray you in the most upsetting way.

I don't find it strange when people hold grudges against you and then open Satan's door to be used for evil and make you fall in their trap. Hey, we all hold grudges in our hearts, especially when the person is not sorry for intentionally hurting us, in the first place. And that is a normal feeling, but if the person realizes what he or she has done and he or she corrects the mistake, forgive him or her. We’re all human and we all make mistakes and we all deserve forgiveness. Think of it this way: if the situation were reversed, we would want to be forgiven. Nonetheless, holding grudges too long will open the door for evil, if we don’t check it early by being honest with God on how we feel what others have done to us.

I don't find it strange when people try to use you only when it suits them, and then they drop you like a bad-habit after they get what they can out of you.

I don't find it strange in this world, we're living in today, that chaotic things are happening when we turn on the news to learn about tragic events.

I don't find it strange when you have a personal relationship with God, and the enemy comes to sift you and leaves you destitute spiritually; convincing you to believe that all hope is gone.

I don't find it strange when backstabbers call themselves "a friend" or “family” when all they want to devour what God gave to you, and you alone.

I don't find it strange when others mock you because they see God's Hand over your life and He blesses you with His Anointing you paid a high price for, and they don't know what you had to surrender—in order to get His Anointing.

If you're hurting, dear heart, know your change is coming soon. Remember: God's timing is not our timing and when He delivers us on His time, He does it for a reason. I can hear you asking, "What do you mean, Chimere?"

I'm about to explain. During your time for deliverance, He's molding you, maturing you, blessing you, helping you, and answering your prayers while going through. And during this dark phase in your life, He wants you to be closer to Him than ever, so when good times come, you don't take them for granted and still keep God in your heart. It's easy to get lost in this sin-filled world and to think that material things, people, and other situations are supposed to make us "whole" or "special." We are already special because God had us in mind and He loved us first, when He created us, beloved.

I'm learning that when I have or don't have, God is enough. When people betray me or forsake me, yes, precious heart, God is enough. And He knows how to give you everlasting joy that comes from Him, and Him alone. He knows how to sing you a song in a strange land. He knows how to soothe your doubts and calm your fears when it seems like there is no way out. He is a Way-Maker, a Keeper, and a Deliverer. He's a Provider, He's a Healer, and He's our Peace-Maker. Whenever you're in trouble and you feel like you're about to lose your mind, call on Jesus, and He always steps-in-on-time!

Whatever it is you're going through today, know that God has already worked out your problems for you in advance. And if you believe by faith, that it's already done, then give God praise right now.

So, don't be discouraged when fiery trials come in like a flood, attempting to drown you. Know that God will not let the fire consume you or let the water take you under. He will always rescue you because your life is in His Hands and no one will pluck you out of His Hands.

For those who need prayer for deliverance, you're at the right place and I pray that you are healed, in Jesus' Name, and He will set you free and fight your battles for you.

Let's Pray: Father, I come to You for my deliverance. I'm bound by so many situations, I feel like I can't breathe. But I ask you, in Jesus' Name, to set me free from my current heartaches, to set me free from the hands of my enemies while they pursue me relentlessly, and to hide me in Your Pavilion and bless me to not be bitter, even when times I still feel bitter and angry for the unfair treatment I received and I'm still receiving in my life, bless me to be better in You. Save me from my troubles, and please don't hide Your Face from me anymore. Answer me, Lord, and I'll receive all that You have for me. I decree it by faith that it's already done, in Jesus' Name. Amen.

If you believe in this prayer that God has already worked it out for your good, then thank Him in advance and wait for your miracles to arrive. May you be encouraged and fight the good fight of faith. And know that I love you with the love of Christ. Until next time, be blessed.

Mocking is Bullying

2012-07-19T03:55:00.002-04:00

Boy, it's been a minute since I posted on here. I caught a terrible cold, but the good news is, I made some chamomile mint tea with honey and ginger, and I'm starting to feel better. I know this topic will have your attention because the Lord has been weighing the word mockery on my spirit for two days. Apparently, He wants me to share this with you, because you need to know that someone's petty attitude toward you have nothing to do with you, but with the insecurities they're dealing with, when he or she believes no one is looking.

Bullying is a serious issue and this situation must always be addressed. I don't think some people are aware of the dangerous effects bullying and mocking can cause on others. I'm calling it for what it is, and you don't have to agree with me and that's fine, but bullying is PURE EVIL. How is God glorified in bullying???

We're all created in His Image and He didn't make any mistakes on us! And don't let a deceiver tell you otherwise. Bullying just doesn't happen; it starts from somewhere. Bullying is a learned behavior. As the saying goes, "More is caught than taught."

I honestly believe the spirit of bullying is encouraged from those who were bullied, and then, they turn around and do the same thing to other innocent people. Can two wrongs make a right? Absolutely not!

I don't understand why some people feel empowered to bully those, who they consider as "weak" or a "loser."

I'm going to stand up for all those who aren't able to stand up for themselves. To all those who bully: you’re only hurting yourselves in the long run! Not the victims you prey on. When you make fun or talk about others, it shows how un-productive you really are. People who bully are simply bored and they enjoy making others feel inferior to them or they want to hurt others the way their bullies hurt them.

To the first-part of those who enjoy bullying others. These people who fall in this category are emotional thieves. When they see what you're weaknesses are, they try to use them against you like they won the “battle.” In actuality, if you're sitting on the other end, those who intentionally bully, the joke is always on them. Always.

Why? I hear you asking. I'll tell you why. I'll never forget in summer 2005, I was working at a job, and a supervisor (who was promoted prematurely) who thought she was better than me and she felt she could trample all over me as she pleased. She knew I wasn't going to humiliate myself in front of the customers like she did to me, so she honestly believe she was winning. She was envious of me and she had seen God in me. I'm calling it for what it is. You see, the scribes and Pharisees tried to put Jesus in the same pit they dug for Him, but every time they attempted to set Him up, they fell in their pits each and every time. Oh, yes I get a kick out of those who intentionally cause misery for others because they are spiritually foolish. And because they are not sorry for bullying people like you and me, they delude themselves thinking this blissful ride will last forever. Nothing last forever, my friend.

I want to be clear, I don't relish in seeing people fall, for it's a horrible feeling and sometimes, it isn't their fault due to circumstances. Life happens. Anyone who has a heart of compassion knows this, however, for those who aren't sorry for what they have done, you best believe evil is waiting for them in the future, because they're refusing to change and they don't care who they hurt, as long as they are number one. Hey, if you think I'm lying, humor me and watch the person who constantly is cruel to you, and really observe them to see if they "got-it-all" like they claim. The power of observation is a lifesaver and you should always use it to your advantage. Remember: actions speak louder than words. It's what they're not saying that let's you know what they actually think of you. Anyone who believes they have to manipulate a situation by bullying others to get what they want, they're living in a world of delusion. And everything they schemed over to make you look bad will come tumbling down.

Anyways, back to my story, I remember her words clear as yesterday when I was hired at another company: "Oh, you think you're something now that you got a new job. Just because you're getting a new job, you still have to do your job here."

The nerve of her and anyone who truly has worked with me will tell you I always get the job done. You can take that to the bank because I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. You see, she believed because I was hired elsewhere due to customers would always speak to me versus her. (A customer helped me get the other job. Hey, it doesn’t cost a dime to be kind!) And even if that was the case, I take this simple golden rule with me everywhere I go: treat others how you want to be treated. But here's the thing she failed to realize, it's not because I have favor with people. I quickly learned that people's favor constantly flip-flop. But God's Favor never changes. Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning. (Psalms 30:5)

Let's forward to summer 2009, I was taking a temp-job and guess who I saw at the job I was hired to do? Yep, you guessed correctly, the supervisor who caused me grief. That shows you right there God isn't fond of ugly behavior. It’s important to know when you should pick-and-choose your battles. Godly wisdom makes all the difference. Our wisdom will always fail us, but when we rely on God’s wisdom, our situations will continually work out for our good. I’m speaking on what I know, or else I wouldn’t be saying this to you. Let God fight your battles for you. When people make assumptions about a situation they clearly know nothing about, of course, they would make foolish statements, and then they have the nerve to use Jesus as their strong suit, about when a person should have backbone. Only a fool is quick to fight back with his or her adversary. But a wise person quickly agrees with his or her nemesis and remembers who does the judging: God. I asked her what happened and she told me she was laid off. I noticed her arrogant behavior was stripped from her and God has definitely matured me spiritually from 2005 to 2009. (He is still working on me!) I felt sorry her because the very thing she put confidence in, she lost it.

And sometimes God has to break those who bully us to get their attention. And yes, in every situation there is a lesson learned. It's up to us to recognize it. And let's remember this: what one person's lesson to learn is not the same for the next individual. God created us accordingly to our unique identities. And this is a good thing. :)

So, know the haughty ones will always fall because they think they're untouchable.

If you can process anything I'm saying to you in this post, I pray you are healed, in Jesus' name, and remember the problem is in the one who is bullying you—not you. And ask God to take the blinders off the bully's eyes. For God knows how to convict a wicked heart. He can tap in anytime He pleases because He's God. God always bring those who harmed me in my path because I will do the right thing to forgive them. (When enough time has passed.)

I will be honest, when you're going through it's hard to forgive those who torture you because your emotional wounds are so deep, you don't know whether to turn left or right. And you're not in that place to receive the one who hurt you. This is completely understandable. You can't force a run-in with those who harmed you. Only God has the power to allow you to run into your adversary on His Timing. Not the adversary's and not yours. When God makes a wrong right, He does it well, and He will let you feel a peace about it, even when you are afraid. And when you make peace with your enemy, God performs a dynamic miracle where you'll know it was nobody but God. Yeah, God is awesome like that!

I will always be real with you because I love you enough to tell you the truth as God is directing me to, so you can be set free. I'm not here to persuade you to believe the way I believe. No, for we all have free will to do as we please. However, I will always write what God places in my heart what concerns Him about His creation: us.

Anyone who believes mocking is cool, it is not cool.

Anyone who enjoys belittling others and believes it is cool, I'm going to say it again, it is not cool.

Life and death (positive and negative) is in the power of our mouths. Whatever we profess, so it shall be. This is food for thought. Please stop speaking deadly things over those you think won't make it. You are not God and you didn't give them life. Their lives are in God's Hands—not yours!

I'm learning to embrace everyone as they are because we're all precious in God's sight. This sick, chaotic world we're living in is not Heaven. All these evil reports of people dying, being kidnapped, and being bullied to death is not of God. God is all about love and forgiveness. And yes, He's all about justice, too. I love how my sister eloquently states this, "Some people think God is on vacation." It sounds humorous, but she's right. God sees everything and when He judges, He judges accordingly to how He sees fit, not on what we think the person deserves because we need to keep this in mind: we make mistakes, too.

And it's by God's mercy and grace that we're still here. True transformation takes place when we learn from our mistakes and keep growing the way God intends us to grow in our daily lives. And I will pray for those who suffer from bullying and those who do bully.

Prayer for those who are bullied: Father, I stretch my hands to You. There are people in my life who constantly pick on me because I don't fit in their circle. I’m hurting daily, Lord. And it bothers me when my bully is/bullies are making fun of me and I can't even be myself without someone finding something "wrong" with me. Heal my broken heart. There are days where I don't want to face my bullies because all they do is cause me grief instead of joy. Lord, strengthen me in my time of weakness and have mercy on me. Bless me to fight the good fight of faith and save me from those who causes me agony! Fight my battles for me and encourage me to know I am fearfully and wonderfully made. In Jesus' name, I pray, Amen.

Prayer for those who bully: Father, I'm intervening on those who bully the innocent. Lord, I ask in Jesus' Name, to show them the error of their ways. Convict their hearts and show them how they caused their victims grief. Turn their stony hearts into compassionate hearts. Lord, whatever issues they are dealing with at home, show the bullies how to turn their negative situations into positive ones. Lord, show them that You don’t make mistakes on Your Creations! Help them in their time of weakness as well. If they are using bullying as a defense mechanism, help them to put an end to it, and may their hearts be encouraged from whatever they’re facing. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

I pray this message is helpful to whoever reads this. If you know anyone who is being bullied, pass this along to them and let them know there is hope in God, and it will get better, and they shouldn't throw their lives away, they have something to live for. I love you with the love of Christ. Be blessed.

Be Not Weary ... Victory is Coming!

2012-06-30T20:53:00.000-04:00

And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. (Galatians 6:9 KJV)

Happy Super Saturday!

I know the Lord inspired me, once again, to encourage anyone who needs to know that despite your troubles, there's always victory waiting at the end of your tunnel. Believe me, I totally get about feeling left behind, even feeling forgotten while others are carrying on with their lives without a care. But I'm here to tell you that no one is exempt from problems. No one.

Just because someone's situation appears "fine" on the outside, it doesn't mean that the cup he or she is drinking from quenches his or her thirst. You'll be surprised what goes on behind closed doors, when no one is looking. You have every right to be frustrated, if you've been struggling for quite some time. You have every right to feel like you deserve some reward for making some effort in what you do. And this may be true.

But can I go deep about what's going on inside?

Do you feel like throwing in the towel?

Do you feel like escaping from reality?

Do you feel isolated? Afraid? Uncertain?

If so, you're not alone. Sometimes I ask myself, "Why does it seem like the bad guys are always winning?" or "Why is it every time I try to get somewhere in my life, here comes another tragedy?"

There are days when I feel like no one truly cares. There are times when I feel like drowning in my sorrow because of all the agony I've endured within the past year, but somehow, God is sustaining me through it all. I had a lovely prayer with God earlier today. Yes, you can believe I was shedding tears because I wasn't only praying for myself, but also for whom I love dearly.

In spite of the setbacks and disappointments, God managed to make my trials bearable. I love the fact that I can call on Him 24/7. I love the fact He doesn't snicker at me or belittle my feelings. I love the fact that He is available for anyone who calls on Him. He is compassionate to those who call on Him; for something appeals God about those who are in a bind and they feel there is no way out.

But what God reminded me throughout every circumstance I faced, He brought me through and out of them, and also, these situations are temporary—not permanent. I want to be clear, I'm not saying walk around like nothing happened, when you know deep down you're still hurting; for it's not healthy to be in denial. The first step to deliverance is acknowledging your problem is too much to bear.

When we come clean and we carry everything to God in prayer, there's always consolation in return, even when it doesn't seem like nothing is happening right now.

You can be rest assured in knowing that God has already worked it out for you. I pray this is lifting your soul. While I'm still in my dark phase of my life, God is doing something beautiful for me. I'm learning to turn my curses into blessings. Yes, with me losing my job appears to be a curse, but writing to you is my blessing. And if you relate to what I'm saying, I'm glad God's message is resonating with you and I want you to hang in there with me. I know it's difficult and recession is kicking the unemployed left-and-right. But it's also tough on the employed with making money for business.

Times are hard and there are hungry souls out there searching for something more meaningful. You have many out there, who believe all hope is gone because it seems like everything their hands touch turns into dirt.

Beloved, please know God sees and knows your circumstances. He understands and He cares. I know you feel like you're by yourself. But you're not alone. God will never leave you or forsake you. Jobs change. Seasons change. People change. You change. One thing is accurate: God doesn't change!

I love when I can call on Him in my times of distress. And you want to know why? Because when the good times arrive, I'll appreciate them better and treat others how I want to be treated and shower them with God's everlasting compassion. This world is dying in greed, narcissism, treachery, murder, and vanity. All the things God abhors because it ruins our spiritual being.

It really does. These reports we hear on the news bring devastation—not deliverance. The handwriting is on the wall that people are crying for help. They are seeking for something deeper. They want something to fill in their voids. And the only void-filler is Jesus and Jesus alone. In the Bible (read John 4), when people were trashing the Samaritan woman, at the well, because she had five husbands and she was an outcast, Jesus didn't think He was better than her and He didn't look at her track record with men. He did something better. He offered her a drink that would satisfy her forever and she would never thirst again to search for a love she'd been longing for, in what she thought she could find with her fifth husband.

When I pray to God there is a peace that passes all human understanding. There's comfort in knowing that no matter what happens to me, I can count on God. I call on Him whenever I need Him and He is there. And you want to know why? He's got all the love I need and more.

You see, God, in my past experiences, has proven Himself strong to me. And He's still doing it now. Even though it seems like everything is slipping from me, I know He's got me covered.

I love His policy that He will take care of me and He will do the same for you. There are times in our lives when we must learn and know when to pick-and-choose our battles. When our incidents are colossal, that's where God steps in. He knows how to turn travesty into triumph. It doesn't matter what the doctor says about your condition. It doesn't matter if you're losing your job, and it doesn't matter if you’re on the verge of losing your home. I'm telling you today, the God I serve will see you through. Your miracle is on the way and you will receive a breakthrough.

Keep walking in your dark tunnel. Yes, you're walking in your deathly valley, but God is with you. When others turn their backs on you and walk away from you, you best believe God is still with you. When no one sees your tears in the midnight hour, He hears you praying, even if you don't know how to pray. God is your Super Hero. Nobody can turn devastation into joy like God can. Nobody can soothe your doubts and calm your fears like God can. Nobody can give you songs of deliverance and rock-you-in-your-sleep like God can. And it's through Jesus' name, your impossible situations can be solved, because Jesus died for your sins and He wants you to know you don't have to go through it alone anymore.

When people say, "No." God says, "Yes."

When evil seems to trample over your happiness, God will give you joy in your time of sorrow.

When you've been abandoned and mocked, God have been with you the entire time, and it didn't surprise Him that your so-called friends and family have forsaken you. God is your friend. His Love is pure and He won't let you fall when you're hanging at the end of your proverbial cliff.

God is calling you today to surrender your current situation right now. He desires for you to hand it over to Him, for nobody can solve your problems like He can. God wants you to let go and leave your burdens there in His Mighty Hands. He has all power that no other false god can provide. He can hold off the rain, if you ask Him to and He'll do it. He did it for me!

I never forgot when I didn't have an umbrella with me and I was sitting in my cousin's car and I remember her words clearly after I said, "I wish God could hold off the rain for us."

Her snide comment, "Now, Chimere, God doesn't hold the rain for you and me, we're nobody. We're not that special for Him to do it."

Yes, she doesn’t serve the same God like I do, even though our grandmother, may she rest-in-peace, serve the same God I believe in. But I had a triumphant smile on my face to prove her erroneous statement wrong. So, I held my peace and my mind went back to the story of Elijah when God said He wouldn't let it rain. And God didn't let it rain for three years because wicked Ahab (see 1 Kings 16-18) did evil before Him, and it didn't please Him, and plus, Ahab worshiped a false idol named Baal. Ahab was convinced that Elijah's God couldn't do what Baal could do. God wanted to prove that He is the only God who has the final say with everything we face in our lives. There was a severe famine in Samaria and God sent Elijah back for the third year to tell Ahab that it will rain, and God allowed it to rain.

So, I quietly prayed to the Lord that He would hold off the rain until my cousin and I come back from running errands. And as soon as I prayed, God, indeed, stopped the rain and to my cousin's dismay, she was condemned. This is proof right here that God does answer prayers. I know He heard my cry for the past year—and I know He will bring me out. It doesn't matter how terrified I am, but deep down, I still trust Him, even if I don't understand His plan right now.

Oh, my wonderful friends, you must know God is coming to your rescue. He will meet your needs and He will see you through. Please know there is nothing too hard for God. I have a personal relationship with God to tell you this. I know Him for myself and I didn't went by what others told me about Him. My testimonies are here to show you how real He is to me, so you can try Him for yourself. God deals with everyone differently and this is a beautiful thing. He will make your bitter moments better. He will work out what the devil mean for evil and use it for your good.

Trusting God is hard because we only see what's in front of us. Hey, we're mortal, but God is immortal. Is there anything too hard for God? No.

In the midst of my trials, I'm learning to give thanks in every situation because I could be far worse. By God's mercy and grace, He's keeping me. But if you haven't been spared by your situation, know there is hope in your strange land. Victory is coming!

That's right you're reading this correctly. Your victory is just around the corner. God is waiting on you to open the door after He performs the miracle. He wants you to believe with all your heart that the impossible is possible. Give God a try today and I promise you, you will come out a winner!

But if you're facing severe trouble and you can't see your way out, I'm here to pray for you. May this prayer console you and give you hope for a better tomorrow:

Father, with all the troubles I'm facing, it seems like I can't catch a break. I need You to move on my behalf, for I'm afraid and I don't know what tomorrow brings. Lord, I'm releasing all my fears to You right now, in Jesus' name, because I have no one else to turn to. Save me from my troubles! I'm calling on You to provide a way for my loved ones and me. We need hope, real hope that You are sending help our way. Lord, I thank You for performing my miracles in advance and I thank You for answering my prayers. I decree it by faith it is done. Let Your will be done in my life. In Jesus' Name, I pray Amen.

If you believe with your whole heart that God is moving on your behalf, your miracle is here. And if you're still afraid, know that I believe in God for you; and I touch and agree with you that God has already fought your battles for you. Remember: you're already victorious! So, don’t give up don't give in! Your destiny is waiting for you. And if God be for you, who can be against you? Be still and know that He is God. (See Psalms 46:10.)

Only For a Season: God Will Take Care of You

2012-06-29T17:14:00.000-04:00

For his (God's) anger endureth but a moment; in his (God's) favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning. (Psalms 30:5 KJV)

Then Jesus said to his disciples: "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. Life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?

"Consider how the lilies grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow thrown in the fire, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little of faith! And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it. For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them. But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.

"Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven will not be exhausted, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. (Luke 12:22-34 NIV)

Happy Fantastic Friday!

It's a beautiful day and I'm glad to be alive. It's a blessing to be in the land of the living. God inspired me to write this post today, for many reasons. I won't lie to you; worry comes with the territory of being human. It's a natural response when things are beyond your control. But I want to assure you today that, yes, God will take care of you, no matter how bleak your situation may seem.

Back in Summer 2006, I was worried and frankly, I was behind rent and I was on the verge of being evicted. I was living in a Single Room Occupancy (SRO), at the time, and everything "seemed" dark for me. But while I was in my secret closet with God, He directed me to Luke 12:22-34. He wanted me to grasp something valuable from this message. He wanted me to absorb what the scriptures were saying to me. And I did absorb the message, in a way, that led me to a new level of trust in Him. And sure enough, God did bring me out of my situation in December 2006. I'm learning each day that God is definitely in control, no matter how out-of-control my situation may seem.

Hey, maybe you are facing a similar situation or worse. But I come to tell you today, God knows all about you and He's very much in your business, my dear friend. Know that God will take care of you. Yes, there are some things we can handle within our human limits, but there are some things we need to leave to God and God alone. Easier said than done, right? Right.

I'm learning that when I learn to trust in God, He makes all the scattered pieces come together even when I can only see my present. I'm so glad God sees a promising future for me than I can, because He is God. And there is none like Him. People tell you all these quick fixes that appeal your eyes temporarily, but when the cracks get wider, these worldly suggestions doesn't work anymore. You need something more sustaining for your soul that will get you through the tough times. True Christianity is not popular in these modern times, but I can say for myself, as a living witness for God: His Ways always work. Always.

There are no shortcuts in Him. His Ways are higher than our ways and He knows what works best for us. If we want to know what God wants us to do next, so we can get out of the current rut we're in, this is where Proverbs 3:5,6 comes in. The first step in drawing closer to God is acknowledging this problem is bigger than you and you need His solution.

Next, total surrender. It's okay if we don't have-it-together all the time. Everyone comes to the end of him or herself. That's the great thing about getting to know Jesus as your personal Savior. I don’t mean to step on anyone’s toes and it’s not my intentions, so please forgive me, but many religions say that, "Jesus is just a man." No, He isn't. He outsmarted Satan in death through resurrection, and this was through the Power of God because He is God’s Only Begotten Son, so we’ll have life and not perish. If their philosophies were true, how can they explain Jesus turning water into wine, in the Bible? They can’t! The Hand of God is everywhere. Every thing on Earth has God’s fingerprints stamped all over it, including you and me. Yes, my friend, God is real. Jesus is the only way to get closer to God. He is our advocate to plead our cases to God. Yes, we can get God to change His Mind. God is full of compassion and forgiveness, but let's also remember God is also fair and He does not condone evil in any form. Evil is Satan's specialty.

God wants you to succeed in your life on Earth. He wants you to live out all He placed in you. You are one-of-a-kind.

Believe in the impossible, for with God all things are possible. There's nothing too hard for God. I've been unemployed for a year and I'm starting to wonder what God is doing and why this season in my life is taking so long? Only God knows.

I'm learning He's working on me and smoothing out the kinks in me that is not of Him and depositing His qualities. He's making me better, and wiser, and stronger in Him. I can't depend on me. Every time I do, I fail miserably. One thing is for sure: I can totally depend on God. God is truly amazing in my life. Even though, I'm facing a bitter time in my life, God is still working my current situation for my good.

It may not look like it right now, but He really is working it out for my good. All the people who are against me and they’re not speaking to me, yes, God is working it out.

I’m searching for a job to assist my daily needs. Yes, God is working it out.

My need to be healed from all the hurt I've experienced in 2011, you best believe, He's working it out.

Precious heart, you must claim words of life in your situation. You must say to yourself, "___________ (your name), This is only temporary. My situation isn't permanent. Even though, I'm terrified, but God have something better for me and He's working it out for my good."

This statement right here is putting your faith into action! Claim things into existence before your victory get here. Every passing day, even through my struggles, I'm claiming that everything will be all right. As long as I have God by side, I know He will not fail me. There is no failure in God.

It doesn't matter if you have past mistakes or even current ones, God still loves you and His Arms are open and ready to give you all the loving you need and MORE. He desires to bless you abundantly above all you can ask or think. Most people think about earthly things, but I'm also referring to who you are spiritually, emotionally, and mentally. When we set our hearts on things in Earth, we'll constantly be disappointed, but when we run to God, one thing is for certain, His Word stands forever. There are encouraging scriptures that will always meet your need and will sustain you until your deliverance comes through!

Link up with like-minded people: people who think like you think. Negative and positive don't mix! They have nothing in common. Negative is associated with darkness (evil) and positive is associated with light (God).

If you're not able to pray for yourself, ask God to send you someone who will pray for you, who will actually get a prayer through for you! Don't get someone who says, "Oh, I will pray for you." and he or she doesn't actually do it. Because his or her intentions may not line up with God, and he or she can do you more harm than good. You can feel when someone is really praying for you because you notice things in the natural realm are gradually changing.

Nothing happens overnight in the natural, but in the spiritual realm, your crisis is always changing in heaven. Something about a sincere broken cry moves God, and you want to know why? Because God loves coming to your rescue, He won't let you fall even when others intend for you to slip. And even when the incident occurs, God is still working a blessing in the midst of your turmoil.

You know what gets me through when I'm not sure my daily needs aren't met. I simply rely on Philippians 4:19 KJV: But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. I make it personal to me like this: "But You shall supply all my needs according to Your riches in glory by Christ Jesus." Yes, make it personal, so you can connect with God. This is how you grow closer in Him.

Another scripture that helps make my prayer life effective is relying on Matthew 21:22 KJV: And all things, whatsoever ye (you) shall ask in prayer, believing, ye (you) shall receive.

If you're lacking in faith, it's okay to admit your struggle to God, and be honest! You have to go deep on what caused you to doubt God. I know it will be painful, but it is the only way for your deliverance. That's how God delivered me. I'm not saying you won't have days, because you will have moments. That's what makes us human!

Know that whatever you're facing right now, God is here for you. He has all the solutions to your problems. Lean on Him. If you're not able to pray for yourself, I will be more than gladly to pray for you and with you:

Father, I come to You today, releasing all my cares on You. It seems like no matter which direction I turn, it's one disaster after the next. But Lord, I'm counting on You because I'm out of solutions and I'm not sure what tomorrow will bring for me. I have a hard time trusting and believing in You. Help me to get past my doubts and bless me to rely on you regardless of my situation. I need a breakthrough and I want You to perform miracles in my life daily. Thank you for answering my prayers and meeting my needs in advance, in Jesus' Name, I pray, Amen.

If you believe in this prayer and you receive your miracle, then it's already done. Be patient and wait to see the salvation of the Lord work it out on your behalf! Know that I love you with the love of Christ and we're in this together. It's a privilege to share you what's going on in my life, to let you know, yes, we, Christians, struggle too, just like anyone, and it's okay to confess it! In order to be strong, you must acknowledge you're weak. And in your weakness, that is where God will make you strong. Keep your head up and don't stop believing for the best in your life. If God be for you, who can be against you? Enjoy your day, beloved, and keep pressing on.

Errors Interviewers, Managers, and Co-Workers Make

2012-06-28T19:44:00.001-04:00

I decided to write this today because yesterday's interview along with Monday's appointment at the unemployment office inspired me to say what the Lord wants me to share with you. I find it interesting how the interviewers, who set up the posts on job searching sites, desire to hire those who meet their qualifications, but once they contact you to come in, they’re not what you expect them to be or they’re what you expect them to be. And category two applies to me. I'll explain why in a minute.

Yesterday, I had other business to attend before my interview. It was urgent and I couldn't delay it. Yes, it was that serious. That's what life is about. You have to do things you don't want to, in order to survive until something better comes along.

Okay, forwarding to the interview. I was riding on the 6 Train, (for those of you who never lived in New York, it's the Lexington Line on the East Side of Manhattan) and I arrived there on time. To my surprise, it wasn't a typical interview. It was a group interview. I felt awkward because I was dreading the questions she was going to ask. On the contrary, the interviewer's dog ran to me and her pet automatically likes me. Rocky was licking my ankle while I was petting his head. He really made my day in spite of the anxiety I was feeling.

When the interviewer asked me what happened to my last job. I couldn't lie, so I briefly told the truth, "Wrongful termination." As soon as I said it, the other candidates dropped their heads and evidently, I knew they felt my pain. Here is where the interview went sour for me. I noticed the interviewer was showing more favoritism towards the other interviewees versus me. Here is where she went wrong: she was wrong to assume that I caused it. You might say that is expected, but technically and legally speaking it is ignorant and narrow-minded. You can't assume because someone is terminated that he or she initially is the problem. Things are not what they appear to be.

And internally, I was loathing this interview more and more. She interrupted me while I was talking and kept undermining me when I was pointing out my strongest points as a worker. I felt empty and like trash. She was talking about no drama and she cursed in the interview, "Excuse me for saying this but I want no bull****. It is not allowed. We're friendly and close, and we like to keep it that way."

And no one can blame her for saying this, but it was her delivery that troubled me. God showed me a revelation while I was sitting at the table why DRAMA starts in the workforce: people do unnecessary things spiritually that upsets the tone in the work atmosphere.

Humor me for a moment and ponder what I'm saying here. If you've been in my shoes, then I'm glad you know where I'm heading. If not, hang tight. Maybe this message needs to enlighten you on this sensitive subject, my friend!

Here are some ways to know when you're poorly mistreated and not being respected as the worker you are:

1. Favoritism.

This is the number one, at least in my work experiences, what causes segregation and lousy performance in workers. Tension and strife, resentment and under-appreciation, wrongful whistle blowing and scheming is what causes overwhelming job losses.

I always keep God Word, as a reminder and a golden rule, hidden in my heart when it comes to treating others. "So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets." (Matthew 7:12 NIV)

In other words, treat others how you want to be treated. If you don't like people talking harsh to you, don't talk harshly to them. I don't know why most people forget this rule, but sometimes I honestly believe they deliberately choose to be ignorant because they don't want others to see their insecurities.

2. Lack of Respect.

Several co-workers and managers make these common mistakes. When the manager sets an example of treating certain employees better than others, this is where disrespect comes in. When a "Suzie" or "Mark" is always being chummy with the boss, but wrongly mistreat you behind the manager's back. This is where misconception about you is being brought to the “light.”

You could be minding your own business and doing what you’re supposed to do, so you can survive until your dreams come into fruition. Dreams don't happen overnight, they are work-in-progress and they need to be nurtured carefully, so you can be the person God intends you to be, whatever it is you have a passion for.

3. Gossiping and Slander.

People who love to gossip confuses venting with gossiping. Venting and gossiping isn't the same thing. If a person is venting or complaining about a particular problem that is affecting his or her work performance, this means he or she is crying out for help. He or she is not causing chaos. He or she wants a solution!

How many times have you been misunderstood for something you said and backbiters twist your words to make you look evil, when that isn't what you said at all? Let's be real here, this happens all the time in the workforce and we do nothing about it and allow innocent by-standers lose their jobs in the process.

When a person is causing you grief and making you seem like a monster, he or she doesn't want anyone to know it's really him or her stirring the drama—not you. And then, other co-workers look at you like you have stolen something precious from them and they don’t speak to you in the same manner anymore. It's sad, but this often happens.

There is nothing cute about intentionally defaming one's character. I go by this policy, "If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all." Hey, it keeps you out of the conspiring group!

4. No communication and not listening.

The reason why no one communicates properly is because no one takes the time to listen and understand. These two terms goes hand-in-hand. One person is doing the talking while the other is listening and absorbing what he or she is saying. In order to understand, it's important to ask questions so we can get clarity of what other individuals are saying to us.

The reason for wrongful termination is because the manager refuses to comprehend and to have compassion for the emotionally injured party. It doesn't matter if the manager likes the worker or not, the manager's job is supposed to be fair—at all times.

Right is right and wrong is wrong. And I want you to know, please don't be afraid of speaking the truth, but handle the truth gracefully, if you can help it. Managers and Shift Supervisors are titles, not humans with names and emotions. It's not who you are and that is not your name. Your name identifies you as the unique person you are and separates you from others. You are truly special and never let anyone tell you otherwise. You are important and you have plenty to offer to those who are available to have you in their lives.

5. Don't discriminate.

Most people believe this term only refers to race or gender. But I use this word broadly because discrimination comes in many forms, which is based on personal biased opinions that are not based on facts.

These are the facts: You know what you can bring to the table and you know your strengths and weaknesses in the workforce. You know what you will and will not do. You know that everything you do in life, you must be the best person you can be. Always give it your all—no matter what profession you are in.

Don't let others look down on you because you are not "favorable" in their sight. What's important is you have God's Favor. God's Favor is undeniable. That's what I love about Him. As David so eloquently states in Psalms 30:5 KJV, "For his (God's) anger endureth but a moment; in his (God's) favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning." (I put the emphasis on life and joy because God's results are always promising and permanent.)

I'm breaking this down for you, so you can get a clearer understanding and grasp these golden nuggets to help you go on with your life. God doesn't hold a grudge the way we, humans, do. And I'm so glad because He is quick to forgive and He doesn't hold your past against you. This is why He sent His Son Jesus to die for our sins, in our place instead, and bless us with God's eternal forgiveness.

Whatever your tears are caused by, please know, precious heart, it is only a season. And this is what the woman, at the unemployment office, said to the group on Monday about being unemployed, it's only for a season. It's all about perspective. Just because this is what I'm facing right now, it doesn't mean this is my permanent outcome!

A person who read my post sent me an encouraging e-mail and her words lift up my heart, indeed. Saying encouraging words, in season, will always benefit your soul. It's like eating golden apples that is satisfying, not only, to your stomach, but to your soul.

It's disappointing when we have more people who discourage others than encourage them.

I won't be moved if the interviewer contacts me or not, because I know what type of company I won't work for. I refuse to work for a company who will not allow my abilities to shine and help make its business productive. And if she rejects me, it's her loss. And I'm okay with that. I see it this way: God's got a better job that is suited for me.

And the same applies to you. God always will have Favor with you, but He does not show favoritism to one versus the other. He's fair in an unfair world. He will fight your battles for you. And when I explained my wrongful termination to the woman at the unemployment office, I noticed she listened carefully while I was shedding tears, and she said, "The problem is in her (my former co-worker), not you."

I needed to hear this and know this, because the enemy wants me to believe that I'm the blame. And I knew this was correct because when I prayed last year over this incident, the Lord revealed the same answer that I'm innocent and the problem is in my former co-worker. And what's so fascinating God used this woman, on Monday, to confirm what I told my former co-worker that what goes around comes around and there is nothing she can do about it. And when it happens to her, it will hit her hard and she won't know how to handle it, because she deliberately hurt others to lose their jobs (no, I'm not the only person she did this to. Others were fired because of her dastardly behavior).

I want you to know that no workplace is perfect, but it doesn't mean we have to partake in any drama, which others bring because of simple boredom in their lives. Usually when others cause trouble in your life at work, it's because they have nothing else better to do. And I'm saying this because the girl who caused me to get fired confessed this to me that she has no life. It's evident she has issues, but who doesn't have issues? The difference is in how you handle your problems.

I hope something resonated well with you today. If so, then God gets the Glory in my life, for speaking this to you. And if you're still hurting, I will gladly pray for you:

Father, I come to You as a broken vessel because I'm hurting and I'm afraid. I'm doing the best I can in this recession, but I can only do so much. Help me to remember that You are in control and You will not let this situation take me under. Be my Guide, my Comforter, my Friend, and my Provider. Bless me to trust You, even though I'm not certain of the outcome. I release my current situation over to You. In Jesus' Name, I pray, Amen.

Eagle vs. Pigeon

2012-06-19T18:21:00.003-04:00

"But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint." (Isaiah 40:31 KJV)

I know it's been a while. I've been dealing with a lot lately and I've been questioning my dark season. Honestly, I'm not sure how much more I can bear. But today, God inspired me to write this post. Maybe you're going through a dark period in your life as well. You're probably wondering why I named this post: Eagle vs. Pigeon. Believe me, it's with good reason. I'm smiling as I write this and I pray this message will marinate well in your soul.

My mind went back to 2011, where everything went sour for me. And a particular man comes to my mind as I write this. Although, I will not reveal who he is, but this is fitting for what God wants to say to you. Several people misconstrue eagle with pigeon. I will explain why, so hang in there with me. You're in for a wonderful ride.

The Lord poured this revelation in my spirit because many believe that being an "eagle" means to crush and destroy those around us just so we can rise to the top. Too many are caught up in the hype that, "If I become rich and famous, I'm a somebody." And this statement is not necessarily true. You have plenty of rich and famous stars who are struggling daily in their personal lives, trying to live the best lives they can. And I don't blame them. They're trying to hang on to the little reality they have left in their homes, where no one can see what's going on inside.

Just because everything appears rosy on the outside, it doesn't mean everything is well on the inside. This man desires to be an actor and somehow he's deluding himself to believe that if he cuts me out of his life, he will still make it in Hollywood. One thing I've learned quickly that pride always comes before destruction—always!

On the surface, things are going "well" for him, but I know for certain what he has done to me will slap him hard in the face. And he won't buy his way out of it either. He's not sorry for what he has done to me and he makes it no secret he gets a kick out of hurting me and embarrassing me. And to be honest, God frowns on this kind of behavior. This guy believes he is an eagle, but in reality he is a pigeon because of his way-of-thinking.

An eagle is a team player and encourages others to hang in there when life gets tough.

A pigeon gets a kick out of hurting others and believes the world owes him or her what's due to him or her.

An eagle is humble and always remembers that life changes in an instant and the seeds he or she sow, which he or she will also reap. Good things will harvest to those who do their best to live their lives, and never hurt their brothers and sisters in the process.

A pigeon is selfish and thinks he or she can use money or other bargaining tools to win others over just to make him or her look "good" in the sight of others (seeking false approval).

An eagle is considerate and is never afraid to soar when others believe he or she will fail, when God says he or she will overcome this battle he or she is currently facing.

A pigeon manipulates others to get what he or she can for a moment, but his or her foolishness reaps a lifetime of turmoil and agony.

An eagle realizes when he or she makes a mistake and not afraid to correct it. An eagle understands that before success arrives, failure always makes its presence known before his or her time to shine appears.

An eagle learns from his or her mistakes and makes amends to those he or she offends. An eagle learns humility through his or her trying times and becomes better not bitter.

A pigeon cares about being with the in-crowd and falling under the pressure to please others and wants approval to feel his or her worth.

An eagle finds his or her worth in his or her pit. An eagle finds the strength to spread his or her wings, and he or she is not afraid of the challenges he or she faces because God is right there with him or her—every step of the way.

You see where I'm going with this? I hope so.

Think of it this way: eagles soar alone while pigeons fly in a group.

Which one will you be today? I choose to be an eagle. And being an eagle is not only brave to spread its wings, but is not afraid to soar and think big with the possibilities while flying with God when others say, “It’s impossible.” When you put your hand in God's Hand, you won't fail because there is no failure in God.

He loves you and sees your struggles. He knows your disappointments and failures, but He is right there with you. He'll never leave you or forsake you. And nothing shall separate you from the love of God. Don't fall in the pigeon category. Yes, “pigeons” fly, but they are limited in thinking. Think like an “eagle,” so you can soar and that every person, you come across, will either soar with you or fly south.

Eagles recognize eagles. It's quite clear the guy who dissed me is a “pigeon.” He only wants to be around others when times are good and ditches them when times are bad. He's definitely a fair-weather friend and I'm so glad he is out of my life. And when the time comes and we will run into each other, because God has a wild sense of humor like that, the man will be sorry that he misjudged me and mistreated me. And you know what? I will forgive him—so I will be blessed and continue to remain blessed, because a person like him will never find true success in hurting others just so he can make it. And he will learn it the hard way. So I'm stepping out of the way and I will continue trusting in God. I already know, in my soul, He's already working out my situation in my favor.

I hope this resonates well with you today. If not, I will say a prayer for you:

Father, I stretch my hands to you. I'm having a hard time believing You're working things out for my good. It seems like everything is going from bad to worse. I'm not sure how much more I can bear. I'm not sure if I can hang on anymore. Move by Your Spirit, LORD. Move on my behalf and others who are struggling, too. Strengthen me in my time of weakness. I believe by faith You already worked my situation out for my good. In Jesus' Name, I pray, Amen.

Continue to follow your dreams and never be afraid to help someone else along the way. You'll be surprised how this favor returns to you when you least expect it.

Working Out for Your Good

2012-06-01T20:42:00.000-04:00

Happy Fantastic Friday!

As I'm taking a break from brushing up with grammar testing, learning an online course of Cleaning Your Copy (which is helpful, by the way), editing and revising my e-book, which will go back up for sale at the appointed time, I want to take the time to encourage you today. The Lord pressed this upon my heart because, lately, I've been dealing with some discouragement and I’m not ashamed to admit it. I've learned when you're real with yourself; life will work itself out through God’s Hands. He's in control, no matter how much we try to "maneuver" our own path. Yes, we can make plans, but it must line up with God, so He can make provision on what necessary steps we need to take. "In his (her) heart a man (a woman) plans his (her) course, but the LORD determines his (her) steps." (Proverbs 16:9 NIV)

Am I losing you? I hope not.

If you’re following me, then I'm glad we're on the same page.

I won't lie to you; job searching is a pain-in-the-neck for me. Last year, what happened to me wasn't my fault (too many details to get into). It was a clear sign that the enemy doesn't want me to achieve what God has already orchestrated for me to do: to inspire you!

I know without a shadow of a doubt—I'm on the right track. The enemy used many people in my path of 2011, and yet, I'm still here by God's grace.

My heart isn't grieving as much like last year (yes, 2011 was a horrendous year for me).

Somehow, God managed to keep me in spite of all the agony I went through and still going through, to a certain extent. I don't know about you, but I'm certainly scared for my future because I can't see far ahead! However, I know this much that God gave me power to speak what I want to happen in my life. You see, when walking in faith, faith defies logic!

Huh?

Yes, faith really does. I will explain why.

I want to clarify you can't rule out logic entirely, but when it comes to certain circumstances in your life, and you've done all you can to make a situation work, this is where surrendering your burdens to the Lord comes in.

I can practically hear you saying, "But, Chimere. It's easier said than done. I can't ignore what's in front of me. Are you suggesting to me that I need to forget what I know?"

Yep. When it comes to entering God's throne of grace, our superior knowledge, filled with education or life experiences, can't compare with God's Wisdom. He is a Way Maker and nothing surprises God, and nothing or no one can outsmart Him.

He is all knowing and He already knows what's going on with you and me. I'm at the end of my rope and I need God to perform a miracle for me ... well, a couple of miracles for me. My faith is challenged through the fire and I honestly don't know how much more heat I can bear (laughing dryly).

But God already has a plan for me. Even though, I can't see His provision, but I know He's working it out for my good because this is what He promised me. I realize my situation is beyond my control and I can only do so much what God allows me to do with my human limitations.

We, as humans, have limits—but God doesn't. I love the sound of this. I feel confident in knowing He is moving on my behalf. He knows my heart and my intentions. Granted, I make mistakes, but the Lord knows I'm pure in heart. But what happens if you made a terrible mistake and you're not sure you can be redeemed?

I can answer this confidently: as long as you're sincere with God and you mean it with your whole heart, God will always redeem you with His Forgiveness.

1 John 1:9 K.J.V. tells us, "If we confess our sins, he (God) is faithful and just to forgive our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." And this is true, I know, because there were times when I've slipped and came clean with God and He washed me and purified me like a Loving Father does. Remember: God doesn't condemn, Satan does.

Satan always tries to place blame and bring up your past, to make you feel inadequate. Religious folks will put on a façade, acting like they are holier-than-thou, "believing" they have it all together, which isn’t true.

I have a problem when certain people who are "convinced" they are ordained by God and wrongfully throw daggers at us imperfect folks, who are trying to do the best we can. Synthetic rules just don't apply when it comes to seeking God's face like never before.

I've been having alone time with God and I've been pondering where everything went wrong for me in 2011. Lord knows I've tried, I really tried doing and being my best. I've also come to realize that sometimes our best is all we can provide. We can't solve everything. Some situations are best left in God's Hands—not ours.

That's why I love God because He is a miracle worker. He knows how to triumph the enemy's plan, which Satan uses against us. Glory to God! He knows how to step in and rescue us at our faintest hour. He is better than Superman. He's our Super Friend (like Mary Mary sings on their CD: The Sound). He's more powerful than any tornado and war that occurs in our world. He's much sweeter than honey on a honeycomb. He's all I could ask for and more.

No matter what happens to me, I know God got my back (I know this isn’t correct, but I’m making a point). God always make a way out of no way. When people mean you for evil; God, somehow, constructs a way to surpass the hurt that intends to harm you. And surprisingly, in time's own way, God ensures a way where Satan is left confounded and frustrated.

Is there anything too hard for God? No.

I feel God moving on my behalf in the spirit realm, even though, it doesn't appear this way in the natural realm. No matter how afraid you are, you must know God is working it out for your good. It may not look like it right now, but know it's working out for your good.

Don't worry about the "Goliath" standing in your way. And whatever "Goliath" desires to remain constant in your life, please know that God has already destroyed the mountain in advance!

I'm learning to praise God in the midst of my storms. You see, happiness is based on circumstances and not what dwells in your soul. If you take away the big houses, fancy cars, and other perks that's been added in your life, can you truly say you will find a reason to smile?

I can.

Don’t get me wrong, who doesn’t want nice things and to achieve it? Nonetheless, objects can’t fill the voids in your life, but having a relationship with God can!

Joy exceeds happiness. Happiness is based on condition, but joy isn't. For instance, today when I came home from job searching, I saw a little boy; he couldn't be no more than 2-years-old or 3. I laughed at him when he held his little arm out while walking away from the moving car (the boy was on the sidewalk) that was parking in the empty spot. He said, "You're not waiting for me to move."

I couldn't stop laughing, but his comment brought a smile to face. And I know in spite of my current situation, God is in control. It’s like God is illustrating to me about moving on His timing. God's timing is everything. I'm learning I can't move ahead of Him nor can I move behind Him, but beside Him. God and I are in this together. Wherever He wants me to go—I'm there. God is carrying me through my trials and tribulations. He's being my main confidant through it all.

God is so awesome. He's magnificent and He's altogether lovely. He's perfect when I'm not. Amen? He knows what step I'm taking before I'm considering it. He protects me from situations I cannot see or people who seeks to hurt me. He warns me, when needed, and He comforts me when I have no one to console me. I can always rely on His Word. Because, in His Word, there is peace, love, and joy.

When friends turn their backs on me. When enemies seek to annihilate my soul. When things seem to fall apart, I know God is here. And He's here right now. Maybe you, too, are ready to throw in the towel. Maybe you feel like no one is listening and no one cares. But I come here to tell you God is moving on your behalf. Don't give up and don't give in, no matter how detrimental your situation may seem. Hang in there and know God's help is on the way. In due time, you will see how your tumultuous situation is working out for your good.

"And we know that all things work for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his (God's) purpose." Romans 8:28 (K.J.V.)

Enough said.