He only is my rock and my salvation; he is my defense; I shall not be greatly moved. (Psalm 62:2 KJV)
Ministry for me does not begin and end on Sunday, as a matter of fact, it is just getting started. Lately, I have been receiving phone calls from individuals seeking prayer, advice, and direction. I can draw from scripture and my life experience, but I believe people can chart their course, although I am here to encourage as much as possible. Frankly, I consider it an honor.
One of the most significant components of having faith and belief in God, it keeps many of us on a firm foundation; knowing there is something greater than a man that is a light unto my feet and a lamp unto my path. I can go to God in prayer, some might think it sounds crazy, but what I think is crazy is people left to their thoughts, fears, and anxiety and that’s what they act on, no roots in anything. If they are unhappy or something is not going right, they leave relationships, quit jobs, destroy friendships and the like. When things get overwhelming or fear starts to creep in, I have my faith, I wait on the Lord as the scripture states, and remain encouraged that I will have the victory and hear the voice of God to navigate challenging situations and circumstances in and around life. I know like the psalmist David wrote, God is my rock and my salvation I will be safe and victorious because God is my refuge.
I am grateful for the love of God and promised protection. There are so many people in this world who have no direction, guidance and moral compass and their life reflects it. Whatever I have gone through in life God has kept my mind though it all. Job had a hedge of protection, and I thank God for that same protection. To those who believe in God, stay connected and stay encouraged because your life will be abundantly blessed for your belief and connection to the vine, which is Christ. God Bless
Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. 1st Peter 5:8 (NKJV)
Many of us who read our scripture and attend church on a regular basis, have heard on numerous occasions paraphrased and otherwise that we must be vigilant because the enemy is going to and from seeking whom he may devour. How many Christians have experienced something just awful and you start having a pity party woe is me, why is this happening to me. I did not consider the enemy on many occasions when unpleasant situations were going on in my life. I would of course pray, but I would get angry. It did not matter who would encourage me and tell me you’re an anointed woman of God; there’s something on the other side of this obstacle, I was not hearing them, I was in the wilderness of confusion and talking crazy.
Just recently, I experienced something, and I said: “Oh that’s just the enemy on my heels, mad because the Lord is using me for his glory.” I wish I made the connection before and I would not have felt like a victim. Many of us have been in church most of our lives. We have heard countless sermons, sang songs of victory and read many scriptures, but until you go through a few things and come out victorious on the other side of the pain and mature in Christ, we will continue to be a victim; instead of walking through your situation victorious. Knowing that on the other side it will get better because ultimately God is in control. That is why the scripture in 1st Peter reminds us to be vigilant, keep watch, stop walking around sleep walking. Songs of victory are not just for the other person, we are more than conquerors, and we are victorious; regardless of how the enemy is on the prowl, God bless you and stay encouraged.
But they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint. Isaiah 40:31(KJV)
There will be times in life when you feel like you are on one big roller coaster ride and you are wondering when will this ride stop and let me off. There are highs and lows on a roller coaster ride. There are safety measures in place, but there is still danger, as we sometimes see on the evening news. We can cry on these rides, scream and laugh with glee. Life can be one big adventure, and some people look at your life and think you have it all together, but at any time and in any given situation things can be unraveling at the seams. Such as unrealistic deadlines for work or school, uncooperative employees, not enough hands on deck for church projects, calling people who can help you and they are unavailable, children acting up in school, the list can go on and on. I am grateful that God is with me through it all and everything tends to work out just fine when I wait on the Lord and allow God to renew my strength.
Somehow the Lord allows me to stay focus and keep going and not retreat and throw my hands up and say “forget about it.” The scripture says they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint. In Isaiah, God is speaking to the people of Israel to keep trusting in him. Knowing that in his timing he will provide the direction we seek, but at the same time do not give up and keep going. Knowing I have the strength of the Lord is comforting when things are becoming overwhelming. One of the reasons I love the Lord, my faith reminds me to stay encourage and every move I make the Lord is with me, and I know that I will have the victory at the finish line. Beloved stay the course and allow God to order your steps; the Lord will provide you with renewed strength to remain in the struggle and allow God to get the glory out of your life. God bless.
And I set my face unto the Lord God, to seek by prayer and supplications, with fasting, and sackcloth, and ashes: Daniel 9:3 KJV
The season of Lent in the Church is known as a time for fasting and prayer. Many have strayed away from this time of seeking a closer walk and developing one’s relationship with the Lord. Maybe the season of Lent is even trivialized by giving up something to gain something in return, but we were already given the gift of salvation when Christ went to the cross. Daniel needed to hear from the Lord, and he reverenced God through prayer fasting and adorning himself with a harsh material such as sackcloth. Until you develop your relationship and learn about the good news of our risen savior, fasting will be a chore, fasting will be burdensome, but as you grow in the knowledge of God, the relationship will supersede what you sacrifice, because there was no greater sacrifice than what the Lord has done.
Frances J. Crosby penned the song: Draw Me Nearer and it speaks to what I am seeking and what I need in the service of the Lord “Consecrate me now to Thy service, Lord, By the power of grace divine; Let my soul look up with a steadfast hope, and I my will be lost in Thine. Draw me nearer precious Lord to the cross where thou hast died, draw me nearer to thy precious bleeding side. Precious bleeding side.” The Lord has been good to me, blessings too numerous to name; as a matter of fact, the Lord is blessing me right now. I hope that you take this time to reflect upon Gods overflowing grace and mercy, and if you are on this side of glory, still have life, there is an opportunity for God’s forgiveness and reflection about putting God first. If it had not been for Gods goodness and mercy towards us, I do not know where I would be or what my life would look like without God. God Bless.
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