Author: felicia0902
Heaven on My Mind
Words are thought provoking. It’s interesting to me how God can use someone’s words to get our focus back on track. My Mom asked me a question yesterday, “When you die will you leave that to me?” It stayed with me for most of the evening and then I realized the thought of heaven hasn’t been on my mind lately. I’m thankful that the words she asked were used by God to gain my focus, which in turn took my mind to this weekends message when my Pastor spoke of greatness and how its true reward isn’t here and then he asked the question, “Where are you living your life for?”
That’s thought provoking isn’t it?
In life deferred gratification causes us to live life differently and our perspective on the future impacts our decisions in the present and we give up something now to obtain a better reward in the future.
2 Corinthians 5:1 says, “For we know that if our earthly house, this tent, is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.”
In that case shouldn’t we be more focused on what comes next?
Life is eternal, we should live our brief time on this earth in light of the eternal realities by taking a different view, by changing our perspective, by instead of looking at the Now taking the long view. Our best life comes later and the life that we live now should reflect this very truth.
The bible says life is a vapor, here today and gone tomorrow. We may groan in this tent (2 Cor. 5:4) but it’s okay our best life is yet to come. The pain and joys we experience now are all temporary and if Heaven is the destination we are hoping for the joys we experience now are so small in comparison to the joys we will experience in Heaven.
Don’t be caught up in the NOW.
God’s word tells us to walk by faith and not by sight. A wonderful truth to cling to is that one day we will be walking by sight as we see the fulfillment of God’s promises to us.
Let’s have faith in what is to come. Let’s be able to say the world is not worthy of us (Hebrews 11:38) because our mindsets are not worldly focused and make it our aim to be pleasing to Him. It is the hope of being in the awestruck presence of God later that should lead the desires of our actions now. Eternity Matters. This life is a gift meant to be used in a way that glorifies God. When we do that we are pleasing Him and pleasing God matters most for eternity.
Where are you living your life for?
Life is short, make the most of each day.
Live Different and Take The Long View.
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TAKE THE LIMITS OFF
“God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work.”- 2 Corinthians 9:8
He makes a way, when there is no way. He is that good.
Does God give you the desires of your heart? Yes, and even more. It may be different plans or desires than you ever thought you wanted but, He has extraordinary plans when we simply put Him first in our life.
The key while we wait on Him, Isaiah says, is to continue to walk with God, getting on with life even if it’s a roller coaster and continuing to do good while we remain patient with God’s plan for our life. I’m Not saying that hope can’t be lost. IT CAN! We learn that in Acts chapter 27. Oh!! But that is when God can step in and show out!!! Even in the hard places, even in the storms, He is still good.
Praying just for your need to be met isn’t enough, God’s ways are not your ways. His ways are higher. -Isaiah 55:8 He wants more for you.
God is infinitely wiser than you are, really knowing that will help you demonstrate real faith, which is trusting in God even when due to our limited understanding we can’t comprehend why certain prayers seemingly go unanswered in our timing. He is still working on your behalf, He may not be answering the prayer as you thought He would or when you thought He would but, there is a reason for the process. There is a reason for the delay. A reason to let go and give it all to Him so that He will get all the glory from what He is working on in your life. He is just going bigger than you can understand, imagine, or comprehend. His word says He will provide MORE THAN ENOUGH for us. When you take the limits off God that is exactly what He does because with no limits so many doors can be opened and so many ways can be made. He did it for me and He will do it for you. He’s so good to me. Just take the limits off, thank Him for those things you don’t see and trust Him.
He is better than good.
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Godly Secrets
These words have remained on my mind are, “Sometimes secrets are Godly.” So I looked up a few scriptures in Deuteronomy, Proverbs, and Ecclesiastes and I also took another look at the lives of Sampson, Esther, and Joseph. From the time I have spent this morning here is what I have gathered in short form…
“The secret things belong to the Lord..”
“It is the glory of God to conceal a matter..”
“There is a time to be quiet and a time to speak..”
Secrets aren’t always good, right.? -BUT – That doesn’t mean that they are always wrong. There are some things people should know and some things that they shouldn’t. Why.?
GOD’S WAYS ARE NOT OUR WAYS. and HIS TIMING IS EVERYTHING.
If the Holy Spirit urges us to keep quiet it’s because the timing of that revelation in a situation or circumstance is not appropriate. We don’t always have to give an answer to people who are inquisitive about the things going on in our lives. There is so much going on in the field with the sower, the seed, and our faith. Not everyone is ready for it. Stop revealing the important stuff because you aren’t ready for responses you may get, even from Christians.
Your pearls are precious. Don’t let them get trampled. People will ask about things. Man always feels a need to find out stuff, God doesn’t. When they ask you things and you don’t share when the timing is wrong, don’t be surprised if you are accused of being self-righteous, holier-than-thou, weird, or even wrong. Don’t Worry! Know that the pushing results in frustration and discord but could cause doubt. So keep your focus and don’t give in to temptation. God wants to protect us from disbelief of others and He also wants to make sure we can handle opposition when we share of all His great works. We are not here to please man, but God. We have to be responsible.
There are times because of my personal insecurities that I want to divulge spiritual happenings that are going on in my life or things that God has shown me or said or what He’s doing, Only because I think they will consider me worthy, mature, and think well of me. Ummm, something sounds wrong there. Holy Spirit.? Can you help me.?
Let’s let God get all the glory. God will allow us to share in the appropriate time, in humility. That should always be our desire. Otherwise…
THAT’S CALLED OVERSTEPPING THE LINE!
Your self-worth shouldn’t be in the responses of others, unless you want your faith shaken.? I DON’T!! Without faith I can’t believe God, Without faith I can’t act on what God reveals, Without faith I can’t be the light God wants me to be.
I get it! Not everything is for sharing!
It’s in the secret moments God is training you in wisdom and patience. He’s making you strong and steady and totally under His authority. Bottom line somethings are nobody’s business. These moments are precious and are meant for only those that NEED to know and those involved in the process with God. Simply put, the process is God’s way to build your faith, comfort, and to bring you back to Him, and He has His reasons.
We don’t make anything happen.
Everything begins and ends with Jesus.
God can vindicate Himself.
Don’t speak on your own, be Spirit led. You are not in this alone, but you are in this with God and IT’S PERSONAL. Information should only be given on a need to know basis and received on a need to know basis.
Sometimes we just need to keep our mouth shut.
As Christians we can mess up, sometimes royally, and still gain God’s blessings for us. Because God is faithful even when we aren’t. We can’t corrupt His plans but we can side track them when we aren’t under His authority. You have a responsibility to keep the things of God a secret until the proper time. He will bring wisdom to you, take heart.
HE RESTORES.
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Have I Done All That I Can
“Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.”
You may be in the middle of a difficult situation or facing some type of challenge. WE all do right.? The most important thing is that we remind ourselves and never forget that God is fully aware of what we are going through and more than capable of giving us the answer to our problem. I know you may think that’s an old cliché and I can’t say I haven’t thought the same before.
So, in the difficulties, in the challenges we face in life (small and big)…When do we know that what we have done all that we can do and it’s time to leave it alone so that God can do what only He can.?
Never Give Up. Hope anchors our soul. Without hope we have hopelessness. Fear is the root of hopelessness and the epitome of destruction.
When we feel that we have done enough or all that we can. Truth is…we haven’t. We have to stay encouraged! We have to have hope! Because we have to promote the positive regardless of our feelings. Yes, the thoughts of surrendering seem much easier than staying in the fight. My Pastor said in his message last night, ” The same breath of God that breathed in you, sustains you.” We are equipped with all that we need to continue to fight. God sustains us for survival in spite of the difficulties in life.
When you feel you have done all that you can do. Stay hopeful. Endure and Conquer the challenges. No matter what choose to be happy. Finding good in all things defeats negative beliefs. Pick your battles. Work on what you can and then Let Go and Let God !
Ephesians 6:12, “Having done all…stand.” Reflect on your mistakes, let them go, release them and move forward with God. Take time to be alone for a refreshing. Make a choice to live, make the choice to laugh, and to love and yes, that includes loving yourself. (flaws and all)
Make goals and regardless if you get off track your plan we help you keep your focus. Don’t surrender to challenges. Because those challenges are opportunities that God gives us to grow and advance.
You have never done all that you can do if you haven’t taken control over your situations with your God given authority. Silence the enemy with your worship. Turn your heart to seek God, remind yourself of His covenant and His promises.
God has given you promises in His word for every situation, and His word will “not return void, but accomplish the purpose for which it was sent.” -Isaiah 55:11
Stand firm, believing, hoping, trusting, desiring, and stay encouraged. Regardless.
God hasn’t forgotten you. You hasn’t forsaken you. Your strength and resources may be gone but praise God that His strength and resources are unlimited.
Put a song of praise and worship on your lips and stand and see.
“Stand and endure, God has a purpose, God has a plan.” – Donnie McClurkin
“The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” – Deuteronomy 31:8
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SHAME
“Anyone who trusts in Him will never be disgraced.” -Romans 10:11
I have shared how I faced rejection as a young girl from my father and the other struggles I faced as a child. I chose to forgive because I began to comprehend some of the pain in the heart of those who hurt me. God’s love in my heart made what seemed impossible, possible.
I found myself many times in unhealthy relationships and always lived in fear of rejection. There were times I made compromises that left me disappointed in myself. And I began to realize I felt shame in the depth of my soul and my life was being greatly affected. I was listening to the enemies lies about me and even began believing them.
Until I read this promise from God’s Word and hope sprang in my heart… “…being confident of this, that he who began a good work in me will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus” -Philippians 1:6
There is so much in my life God has given me victory over. So many regrets and so much shame I have been delivered from.
Shame can become the source root of many complex inner problems like depression, loneliness, isolation, and also compulsive disorders such as drug and alcohol addictions, eating disorders, gambling, sexual perversions, the list in endless. Shame can ruin us, but we don’t have to let it. When you believe in God and give your life to Him, He removes your shame.
It is important for you to know that when God touches your life and begins a good work in you, He is committed to you. He promises to carry on the good work in your heart until it is completed. God can not only help you forgive, but He will continue to help you root out the shame and the lies that keep you from being all you were meant to be.
“In you, O LORD, do I take refuge; let me never be put to shame; in your righteousness deliver me” Psalm 31:1
He loves you. Exchange your shame for forgiveness and hope.
Trust and Rely in Him, let Him take your shame away.
He is working on your heart choose to live freely in His presence.
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Grieving
Revelation 21:4 says, “And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.”
For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven. That includes the seasons when our loved ones leave us behind. This season for me and my family hasn’t been easy. It’s interesting that at church the beginning of this year the focus for 2016 was declaring our life is filled with God’s strength. “Start Strong . Stay Strong . Finish Strong.”
One of our Pastors also said, “this year would be a year of great blessings there will also be some unexpected events.” When she spoke of unexpected events I wasn’t anticipating two of my cousins passing on unexpectedly followed by my father in law. Not to mention the other deaths that were not in my family but involving neighbors and their family members. So much loss has taken place but I am changing my focus to what heaven has gained. Through this process I have realized the difference in my grieving and others. We don’t all grieve the same way but it is a part of moving on and it’s essential in life. In moments of grief I have found myself asking God tough questions and reflecting on my own mortality and my relationship with God.
Did you know that spiritual growth takes place more in difficult times than in easy times.?
He works all things for the good. It has been said, “An open casket can be worth a thousand sermons.” I can tell you that after seeing the movie “War Room” and losing my cousins I realized the importance of interceding for my husband, my children, my family, friends, Pastors, leaders, etc. So many times I have made excuses and not prayed as much as I should. So many times I chose to fight the battle instead of letting God fight for me. So many times I chose to do the less important things in life instead of the most important which was to meet with God in prayer. Don’t get me wrong I have always prayed but prayer is about so much more than sharing with God. It’s about all that He will share with you to help you grow spiritually. I’m so excited to have a set appointed time with the Lord everyday instead of only the prayers throughout the busy days He has blessed me with.
God knows our hearts and always knows best how to help us. All the answers to life and death questions are in His Word. When we are grief-stricken, if we will talk to God and read His Word, we will experience great comfort, hope, healing, and peace. Prayer and studying God’s word are the two things most important things we need to do every day.
My feelings and emotions may not be like everyone else’s. But that’s okay because I know God made me unique and my grieving process is a part of my own personal journey. So instead of dwelling on the sorrow I have been rejoicing. I have been worshiping and singing through it all and remain thankful for God’s word that says in Psalm 119:165, “Great peace have those who love Your law..” I am truly thankful to God for His peace that He has given us and as I remember my loved ones I will remember these words also…
I will never forget this awful time, as I grieve over my loss. Yet I still dare to hope remembering this: The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning. I say to myself, “The Lord is my inheritance; therefore, I will hope in him!” The Lord is good to those who depend on him, to those who search for him. For no one is abandoned by the Lord forever.Though he brings grief, he also shows compassion because of the greatness of his unfailing love.
-Lamentations Chapter 3
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Emotions
You should keep a clear mind in every situation. Don’t be afraid of suffering for the Lord. Work at telling others the Good News, and fully carry out the ministry God has given you. –2 Timothy 4:5
Sometimes, as believers, we can find ourselves being dragged around by our emotions rather than allowing the Spirit of God to lead us through our days. –Romans 8:14
God gave us the wonderful gift of Freedom.
Are you willing to go through whatever it takes to be free or do you want to stay in your mess for the rest of your life?
Start doing what God wants you to do, one step at a time. Eventually you will walk out of your messes. Stay calm, cool and steady!
If you get upset, don’t let it ruin your life, turn it to good. If you want to overcome evil and anger pray for those who hurt or abuse you. When the enemy tries to stir up your emotions, calm down and do what God has called you to do. If anything use your emotions as a tool to know what is going on inside your heart. Ask God for peace in your heart and direction in your steps.
We are all susceptible to times of ugly emotions but God wants us to discover His ways that enable us to resist and become free from destructive tendencies. Don’t let your emotions make your decisions. – Colossians 3:15
Every weakness we have is an opportunity for God to show His strength in our lives. Counter feelings of selfishness by doing something good for someone else.
Choose to remain calm, cool, and steady. Pray for spiritual maturity in your life and make it a primary goal.
Emotions are the product of a heart, are saturating your heart with scripture.?
Learn to manage your emotions, don’t rely on them.
Live with principle. Be spiritually led not emotionally.
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Obeying The Father
“…Humble yourself and become obedient…” -Philippians 2:8
I have been a part of a ministry for a long time and I am so thankful for all God has done during that time, but God has been nudging me to step out of that position in order to begin something new. He loves to make all things new. So I am beginning a new season. It wasn’t an easy decision to make. There was fear in some forms that God finally forced me to deal with and now because of His push and encouragement through others, I have stepped out.
This is the beginning of a decision that He has used to call me out of my comfort zone (He calls us to the uncomfortable) and is also made by faith and trusting God’s plan for my life. I want to obey my Father and submit to His will.
Jesus tells us to desire to do the Father’s will. Matthew 6:9-10 says “Pray, then, in this way: ‘Our Father, who art in heaven, . . . thy will be done”. Obeying the Father was supremely important to Jesus. He lived a life of complete obedience.- Hebrews 10:7 God wants us to honor His authority by our own obedience. In fact, Jesus makes obedience to the Father a condition of our relationship with Him: “For whoever does the will of My Father who is in heaven, he is My brother and sister and mother”. –Matthew 12:50
Jesus’ life is an illustration of the life and path we are to choose. Obedience is the response of faith to any instruction from God and if you’re not willing to step out of your comfort zone, He will move you out of it. Jesus taught that true faith will always be manifested in obedience to God’s revealed will. To be successful in my Christian life I know I must seek God, know His will, and then do it in faith. –Hebrews 4:16
I desire for my life to be completely in line with the Word of God and the Will of God.
I’m choosing to adopt Mary’s attitude. I’m choosing to submit my plans and my future to God’s will because if the stars and elements He created obey His voice, shouldn’t I.?
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Give Credit Where Credit Is Due
“But you, O Lord, are a shield around me; you are my glory, the one who holds my head high.” -Psalm 3:3
It’s easy for us to give ourselves credit when we come up with an idea and it works out well or when we acquire things that we need. Isn’t it..? Until we are driven to our knees.
The things we are created to accomplish can be amazing if we will just take the focus off of getting the credit. Yes, there may be times we long for recognition and appreciation because we want others to think highly of us and to praise us for our accomplishments but if you think about it doesn’t that longing easily identify with those in the days of the Tower of Babel. “let us make for ourselves a name.”- Genesis 11:4 or what about in Deuteronomy chapter 8 where God wanted Israel to remember that it was His power, not merely their own, that enabled them to get wealth. We can’t let our thoughts or words mimic those of King Nebuchadnezzar. “Is this not Babylon the great, which I myself have built as a royal residence by the might of my power and for the glory of my majesty?” -Dan. 4:30
The credit belongs to the Lord. He is the giver of all good things.- 1 Timothy 6:17
The Holy Spirit gifts to each of us in special ways to bring forth fruit that would be impossible for us to produce in any natural sense. It is the goodness of the living God who has graciously performed the impossible. In other words it’s His work done through you. Be aware and observant regarding what God is and can accomplish in you, through you, and around you.
Honor the Lord. Never take credit for something He has done through you.
Are there areas of accomplishment in your life.?
How were those moments used to glorify God.?
What can you do now to to tactfully give God credit in the future.?
Thank God for the opportunity and opportunities he has given you to use the talents He has blessed you with. It may be a good idea to keep a record of God’s goodness, and thank Him daily for all He has done and for those countless tiny joys. Doing so will remind you that you are not self-sufficient. Every blessing in all ways and forms are from the hand of God.
No matter how big or small the blessing…
Give credit where credit is due—give it to God!
My Morning with God 