Salty?

I love to cook. I love to watch cooking shows on television. I like reading cookbooks and picking out recipes that I'd like to try one day. I follow a bunch of food blogs. I especially love to eat really good food.

One thing I've learned in my food explorations is that seasonings make a world of difference. Get the wrong flavors on your ingredients, and you mess up the meal. One of the best and most simplest seasonings a cook can use is salt. It's presence magnifies flavor bringing joy to the taste buds. It's absence is often quickly noted and sends one searching for the remedy.

Jesus called His followers the "salt of the earth". (Matthew 5:13) We are called to be a desired presence in the earth. We are called to permeate the world around us and change it for the better. The effects of our witness should be openly known.

Yet too many of us are hiding our flavor. We don't want to be judged, persecuted, or labeled as strange. So, we try to assimilate with the world around us. We don't go against the grain. We overlook what disagrees with God's Word. We shy away from openly standing up for godly principles.

Oh, we're okay being "salty" around other saints. We can preach, sing, and serve in the church. Our "amens" are loud and clear in the sanctuary. Our flavor is turned all the way up when we get in the church walls.

But, this behavior is ultimately defeating. No one eats salt by itself. No one has ever enjoyed a nice big ol' bowl of salt.

Salt is always used to affect something else. It flavors any type of food you can bring to the table. It's The same principle applies to your Christian walk.
effectiveness is only realized when it is applied.

If you aren't flavoring the world around you, you're not accomplishing what Christ wants you to do. In fact, Jesus says that a flavorless witness is "good for nothing". (read Matthew 5:13 again)

Are you being the "salt of the earth"? Is the world being impacted by your presence? When you show up, does change take place?

Don't let your Christianity be "good for nothing"!

Verse of the Day: Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. Matthew 5:13 (KJV)

How to Love

Despite receiving great love, it’s difficult at times to show love to others consistently. Let’s be honest: our first instinct is not to show love but to be selfish. If we feel like it, if it’s the right person, if it’s easy to do… then we’ll show love. If things don’t line up just so, we’ll be hard pressed to show any kind of love.

But, as Christians we are striving to be more like Jesus. We are His ambassadors, and He was the epitome of love. We have to learn how to give the same kind of love that He gave.

First, it starts with prayer. There’s no use trying to do anything without the help of the Holy Spirit! We’ve got to go before God and acknowledge that we want to change, we want to do better, and we want to show love. We have to ask for His help to soften our hearts toward others.

Once we ask Him to help us to change, He’s going to provide opportunities for us to live that change. People will start crossing our paths that need love. Situations are going to arise where we are going to be challenged to show love. God will place requests on our hearts for us to be love to others.

At first you may have to force yourself to do it. You may have to act out love even when you don’t genuinely feel it inside. As you keep practicing love, God will work the change in your heart.

Plus, there’s an added bonus: When you show love, you get it in return. Just like the Bible says, whatever you give out, you’re going to get back. (Galatians 6:7) When you push out love, you’re going to get a whole lot of love coming back your way. That should be a heap of encouragement to keep up the good work. Soon, love will become a habit, and after that second nature. Before you know it, the fruit of love will be evident in every area of your life!

Now, there will be times when you show love and don’t get it back in return. There is going to be that person who, no matter how much you try to show love, is going to throw a whole lot of hate back in your face. It is to those people that you should show the greatest love.

Jesus took the time - in the midst of the excruciating pain He was experiencing while He hung on the cross – to ask God to forgive those who had put Him there. He showed love down to the very person who had hammered the nails into His hands.

Jesus is our hero. He’s the One all of us should be trying to be like every day. If He can show love even to the folks who killed Him, the least we can do is love the people who hate on us. The more love we show, the more we become like Jesus. The more like Jesus we become, the prouder our Heavenly Father will be of us.

Verse of the Day: Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him? My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth. 1 John 3:16-18

Afternoon Ti: Changing Seasons

So, the weather is finally changing here in Chicagoland, and I'm thankful for a warmer breeze than what we've been getting. Yet, there are a few people around me that are not enjoying the changing tides: the allergy sufferers. Right now, their eyes are itching, noses are sneezing, and sinuses are acting up because of all the change going on. Their bodies are sensitive to the pollen in the air, and they have to suffer through the blooming of spring.

It got me thinking to our own spiritual changing of seasons. They are those times when God is taking us to a higher level, requiring more out of our behavior, and asking us to submit fully to His will. Although we may bask in the joy of getting closer to the Lord and walking out our salvation, our flesh has issues.

Our bodies itch to get back to those sins we're trying to leave. Our eyes look back and remember how we used to do things. The burgeoning of righteousness makes our flesh suffer, and in order for us to move ahead - that fleshly will has got to die.

Is God changing any seasons in your spiritual life? Is your flesh having a hard time dealing with the change? Don't give in to your fleshly desires! Quench those symptoms with the word of God, and bring yourself into full submission of His will. As you follow after the change the Lord is offering, you will experience the benefits of being fully committed to Christ.

Verse of the Day: I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. Romans 12:1, 2

Change Your Mind

Yesterday I encouraged you to start now with those new things that you want to tackle this year. One of the first steps in embarking on something new is to get a new mindset. The Bible says that how a person thinks determines who they are. (Proverbs 23:7)

Many of us are stuck in the same situations, dealing with the same problems, tolerating the same negative people and thoughts because of our thinking. We think we are less than, we think we don't deserve better, we think that what we are doing is all that we can... Today, I want you to drop your old thoughts and come into the new!

Do you know what God thinks about you? The Bible says this: For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. (Jeremiah 29:11) Now, if God Himself is thinking thoughts of peace about you, why are you tolerating thoughts that bring you stress, distress, and depression?

Change your thinking right now to reflect what God thinks about you! Find some empowering verses that you can memorize, post around your space, and meditate on daily. Let the Word of God - the Truth - get down on the inside of you and change you for the better.

You can do all things through Christ who strengthens you! (Philippians 4:13) You are joint heirs with Christ! (Romans 8:17) You are more than a conqueror with Jesus on your side! (Romans 8:37)

Don't try and embark on your new thing until you get a new mind and a new outlook. If you stay in the same thinking that you've been utilizing, you will go nowhere and January 2014 will find you in the same spot you're in right now.

Verse of the Day: And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. Romans 12:2

You're NEW!

During this time  my church is meditating on the word new. Something new is a thing that has never been seen before.

We were made new creations in Christ. Therefore, we should be living in a way that is no way connected or reflective with our selves before Christ.

When Saul came to the Lord, he was completely made over. He even got a new name - Paul. And this man went from a person who was personally hunting down Christians to have them killed, to a man who risked his own life to preach and minister the gospel to the Gentiles. He went from labeling Christianity as blasphemy to declaring the sovereignty of Christ before councils and kings.

Jesus made Paul brand new.

What about you was made new when you met the Savior? What changed?

Today, think about your journey with Christ. Reflect on the newness He brought into your life. Remember the old you? Give God praise that that person no longer exists and you have a new life because of Jesus! Walk in your new life today. Go out and purposefully see things from a new perspective.

As you walk as a new creation in Christ, don't allow the '"old" you to spring up and participate. That "old" you has passed away. You are now a new creature: blessed, righteous, loving, and following the will of God. Don't fall back into your old ways - remember: you are new!

Verse of the Day: Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. 2 Corinthians 5:17

Remember Your Journey

Right now my church is in the midst of preparations to celebrate 25 years of ministry. When you think about it, God has kept us for a long while!

Looking back, it has been fun to reminisce about the wonderful times our church family has shared together. It's been inspiring to look back on memorable messages, conferences, and speakers. It's been impactful to see how God has carried us through trying times. It's been heart warming to see how the love of our congregation has matured and grown over the years.

Since I literally grew up in my church, looking back over the years I have seen how my own journey in Christ has developed. I've been blessed to see how I've grown and matured over the years. I can mark some things that I've overcome, and I can see those things that I have yet to conquer. I can mark how God has revealed to me and shaped my purpose. I can see how my love and relationship with Him has grown.

Do you ever look back on your Christian life? Do you think about how long the Lord has kept you or meditate on what He has helped you to overcome? Do you consider how much the Lord has revealed to you and how your relationship has grown?

It's good to sit and take note of how far you've grown. It will encourage you in your faith walk, and it will inspire you to keep going! Remembering the trials of yesterday that you were able to overcome with the Lord will help you to face the situations of today. Remembering the times you felt hopeless and lost will help you to stand strong and walk with surety right now.

Make sure you take time to thank and honor God for how far He's brought you. Take a moment and look back over the road you've travelled. You've made it this far with God's help! Now, look forward to the challenges ahead. Is anything too hard for the Lord? If He brought you to this spot, He can most certainly take you to your goal!

Verse of the Day: I will remember the works of the LORD: surely I will remember thy wonders of old. Psalm 77:11

Season of Change

We are in the midst in a time of change. Graduation season is upon us and students across the nation are matriculating into the next phase of their lives or careers.

I can barely remember what was said during any of my graduations (college included). One thing I do remember is the feeling I had while sitting in my seat during the ceremony. I was so excited at the possibilities that were in front of me! First high school, then college, then my life! Everything was so full of promise.

Many people graduate with rose colored glasses only to have the harsh reality of life muddy their dreams. They allow the circumstances to take over, or they view the actual work of the dream as too hard and give up on those great treasures they held in their hearts.

But, instead of falling into a life of monotony, disappointment, or settling for the average, we can choose change! Every day is a new opportunity for us to step forward and grab hold of the promises in our hearts. No matter how long ago we dreamed our dream, if it's still there in our hearts, we've got to do it justice and put some work into seeing it fulfilled.

We can choose to live our dream. We can choose to embrace our passions. We can choose to work to see those great things in our minds realized.

Every breath we take is new. There's newness all around us. It's all in how we look at things. It's all in how our attitudes are focused.

What dream do you have that you think is as good as dead? Who says that it can't come true?

Today is a new day! Today you can choose to change! It's never too late, and changing your life is only one step away. Let's live a life we love and love the life we live. We can choose to change today.

Verse of the Day: ...the LORD thy God shall bless thee in all thine increase, and in all the works of thine hands, therefore thou shalt surely rejoice. Deuteronomy 16:15

Do What You Need To Do

Many of us are wise beyond our years. We always know what to do. We can counsel people through problems. We can offer sound suggestions to those who are confused. We read the news and shake our heads at the folly of others.

Yet, when it comes to our own lives, many of us embody the "do as I say, not as I do" lifestyle. Despite our wide berth of knowledge, we can't seem to connect it with what we actually do with our own lives.

I'll use myself as our example for the day:
I know that I should be eating healthier and exercising. Yet, I still choose to eat the junk food and desserts while telling myself that I'm too "tired" to exercise today. (I'm too tired every day.) I know better than to act certain ways, and I still find myself engaging in thoughts or behavior that I know is displeasing to the Lord. (Thank God for forgiveness!) Even where my purpose is concerned, there are things that I know I should be doing to prepare and position myself, but I keep procrastinating about what I have to get done.

What is it that you are lacking to do? Are you telling other people things that you are not living yourself? Are you wise on the inside, but foolish on the outside?

Today, let's shut our mouths and start to do. Let's be about the business of the Kingdom and align our actions with God's purpose for us. Let's not be hypocritical in how we live. If we know what's right, let's do what's right!

The Bible says that you will know a tree by it's fruit. (Luke 6:44) Many of us are fronting like we're healthy trees, but we just have a whole lot of leaves and no substance hanging on our branches. We don't want to turn out like the fruitless tree Jesus cursed! (Mark 11:13, 14)

We know better, so let's do better.

Verse of the Day: For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God... Colossians 1:9, 10

My Brilliant Plan

I'm a planner.

I like to think ahead, arrange things, organize items into neat little compartments, and then sit back assured that everything will go smoothly because I planned ahead.

More often than not, though, my well thought out plans get altered at the last minute or thrown out altogether. Life has a way of coming in and doing away with plans.

Some people like to "plan" their faith. They know ahead of time how much money they're willing to give, how many hours they're willing to serve, who they won't show love to, how much time they're willing to sit in service...

They even do the same thing to God directly. They "plan" what part of their lives they're going to give to the Lord, they direct how God is going to use them, they set up their own plans of how their prayers will be answered and how their breakthroughs will come.

I'm so glad the Lord doesn't care one bit about our "plans." God has a way of stepping in and "messing up" all of our well-laid intentions. He has a way of entering into a situation and turning around to a totally different outcome.

And everything He touches turns to gold.

I'm sure the disciples had plans for their lives. They had already started walking down their paths. They were fishermen, tax collectors, and businessmen. They were already providing for their families and living out what they had determined was going to be their lot.

Yet, two words from Jesus put all their plans to an end: "Follow me." With those two words, all twelve disciples dropped what they were doing, put their plans to the side, and followed Jesus for the rest of their lives. And we all know what glorious examples they turned out to be.

I'm not saying it's bad to plan. It's always smart to have something together so life won't catch you unawares. What I am saying is to always make sure that the Lord has top billing, make sure He has the final say so over any plan you might make. If He comes in and wants to change up the show, your best move is to follow His directions.

Maybe right now the Lord is asking you to do something that doesn't quite fit into your game plan. Maybe it's something you've never seen yourself doing, or it involves doing something that you don't quite think you can do. But if God is asking you, why not trust in His sovereign wisdom and step out in faith? The worst thing that could happen...? Your life could become a shining example of God's miraculous power.

Verse of the Day: The LORD frustrates the plans of the nations and thwarts all their schemes. But the LORD’s plans stand firm forever; his intentions can never be shaken. What joy for the nation whose God is the LORD, whose people he has chosen as his inheritance. Psalm 33:10-12

Impact

When I was in elementary school, probably around 5th or 6th grade, we had an assembly where a woman came to speak to our school. I went to a Christian school, so this woman's angle was spiritual. I don't remember exactly what she talked about or how her presentation went. I do remember her altar call.

She had us stand and spoke words about the love of God. Then she prayed for us as we stood. I just remember feeling the presence of God to the point where tears started flowing down my cheeks. When we opened our eyes, my friends saw that I had been crying, and a couple asked what was wrong. They hadn't felt what I had felt, and I couldn't form my emotion into words.

All I knew was that I had felt the hand of God, and I wanted to have that kind of impact on other people in the same way.

Yesterday I talked about being the change that you seek. When thinking about how you want to impact the world, just consider what has impacted you. If that person hadn't said what they spoke to you, started the program that engaged you, or ministered to you in your time of need, how would your life be different?

I want to be able to make a difference in the life of a young person. I want to be a vehicle God can use to bring His touch to the heart of a teen. Even if all I reach is one soul, that is one soul whose heart will be changed for the better.

Take some time today to consider those people who have made impressions on your life that changed you for the better. As you appreciate their contribution to your existence, think about whether someone can have those same admirable thoughts about you. Can anyone say that they are better because of how you impacted them?

Verse of the Day: And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works... Hebrews 10:24

Be The Change

What is God showing you?

There's a saying: Be the change you seek. It should be my life's mantra.

Everywhere I look, there are so many things that I see that could be done better, more effectively, more creatively... I have so much that I would like to see improved, implemented, and invented.

I just have to get it through my skull that just thinking about something will not bring about results. I have to put some action with my thoughts.

One of the highlights of my life is a youth event that I started when I was a senior in high school. I wanted to have a night where different youth groups came together and presented their gifts in the arts to the Lord. For about five years I was blessed to see those nights happen on a yearly basis. Our church was packed with young people who came together to praise God. To this day, I still get requests on starting back the youth nights.

This all began because I had a neat idea. I saw something that I wanted to be happening in reality. But I didn't just sit and think on it. I acted on it, put in a lot of work, and saw God move. I became the change that I envisioned.

What things do you see around you that you would like changed? What can you do about them? Scratch that. What is stopping you from doing something about them? If the answer is merely yourself, you need to get up and be the change!

Let's go out and make this world a better place today!

Verse of the Day: Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee... For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. 2 Timothy 1:6a, 7

He's Brought Me From a Mighty Long Way...

We're back again for another week! I pray you had a blessed weekend. Seems like I was just here penning Friday's blog. Oh well, let's hop to it!

This weekend I had the opportunity to reflect on my growth in God thanks to a paper I had to write for class. Even though I've been saved all my life, God has matured me and changed me in so many ways.

I used to have an ugly attitude. I mean ugly. I could be the nicest girl when things were going okay, but don't let me get mad at you! I've had some 'scenes' in my day that I am not too proud of. And I've said some things out of pocket that still bring a little twinge of regret to this day.

On top of that, I could hold a grudge. You wanna talk about a long memory? I had it, and I used it. I would not easily forget an offense toward myself, family, or friends. Once a person made my list, it was nearly impossible to get off it.

I could be a mean little girl...

But thank God for His mercy and grace! Thank God for allowing me to change!

It was definitely not easy (especially the grudge part), but I recognized that I needed to change. I realized how ugly my behavior was. I saw how my witness and example were being affected by my non-godly ways. And I resolved to change.

Changing was a humbling experience. I had to apologize a lot. I had to bite (sometimes literally!) my tongue a lot. I had to spend a lot of time in prayer and study before the presence of God to allow His Spirit to make me over.

It's so sweet to know that there's nothing impossible for Him! Thank You, Lord, for continuing to mold me into Your image!

How has the Lord changed your life? What things can you see that God has helped bring you out of? Take some time today to give thanks to God for helping you to get rid of your sinful ways!

Verse of the Day:  But now, O LORD, thou art our father; we are the clay, and thou our potter; and we all are the work of thy hand. Isaiah 64:8

I Know...

These past few months, I've made some decisions to make some changes in my life. I decided to exercise more. I decided to eat healthier. I decided to spend more time with the Lord aside from just preparing for ministry.

So, how many of these things have I done?

Not. A. One.

I'm really embarrassed about the third item.

It seems to be a pattern with me. I know what I'm supposed to do (exercise), I'll see the negativity of my not doing the said thing (getting a bit soft in the middle), yet I still will not change my behavior. I'm wondering my own self what it will take for me to change....

But I already know the answer to that.

It takes a made-up mind. A determined effort. A will to succeed.

It's amazing how many things in life we will make up our minds to accomplish. Since I've started back in school, I have stayed at work a couple of hours late daily to make sure my readings are complete and my assignments are finished. As much as I love getting off at an earlier time, I love getting A's more.

Soooo.... I need to have a "come to Jesus" moment. If I don't make a determination to change, nothing will change. I can sit and shake my head at myself and sad how sad I am all I want. It changes nothing. I have to make some moves that will make the difference.

Are you making the effort to change what you know needs to be changed in your life? Have you made up your mind to succeed?

Let's not have a list of things we never got around to doing. Let's go out and succeed!

Verse of the Day: For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I. Romans 7:15

It's Raining Rings!

I'm so happy for you!
Really... I am.

It is my heart's desire to be married one day to a wonderful man of God. Currently, there is no one on the premises that even hints at filling that role in my life. So I'm learning how to be content.

While I'm learning to be content and letting patience have its perfect work in my life, it seems like a majority of my single friends and acquaintances are getting engaged and/or married. For the last few weeks, it's like I was getting marital news every other day. No. Lie. It's raining rings all around me.

In prior years, this would seriously have made me question my existence. I would spend days wondering if I was on the right track, if God really heard my prayers, and be spending some serious time before God's throne trying to get a sense of when my turn was ever going to pop up.

However, I can honestly say that I am content. My time with the Lord has shown me things about myself, about Him, and about my purpose right now that lets me know that everything is exactly where it's supposed to be right now. I have no reason to complain. My day is coming.

It took a while to get to this spot. But this spot is much better than the envious/worried/anxious place I used to reside in. Right here, I can celebrate the changes in the lives of others while cherishing my own corner of the world.

Can you celebrate with someone who gets exactly what you've been believing God for? If your friends popped up with a new fiance/job/car/house/insertyourprayerrequesthere could you honestly praise God with them? Or would a piece of your heart be breaking because they got it, and you're still waiting?

Depending on your answer, you might need to spend some more time talking to the Captain of your ship. Because no matter how your life pans out, you should be content, trusting that God has you right where you are supposed to be.

Verse of the Day: But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. I Timothy 6:6, 7

Still on the Pottery Wheel...

It's one thing to know God's Word. It's another thing to live God's Word.

Lately my cry has been Psalm 51:10 - Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. It seems like I am encountering situations that are making my fleshly side sit up at attention. I'm recognizing my reactions and responses, and I know that God is not pleased. Shoot, I'm not pleased!

I was in prayer on yesterday asking God to cleanse my heart and make me more like Him. I realized that God was allowing these circumstances to come to show me the places where I still need work and deliverance.

I was just thanking God for my progress and celebrating my spiritual growth, and God shifted me back into the repair lane. He showed me that I wasn't as together as I thought I was.

I can only be grateful. My God loves me so much that He wants me to be the best I can be! He cares that I embody His love fully, and that I live my life as a total witness to what His transforming power can do.

Don't lose heart when God allows you to go through His purifying fire. Yes, it is painful to see our faults. It is difficult to change into the image of Christ. Our flesh doesn't want to follow God's ways, and it chafes under His pruning hand.

However, there is joy in knowing that we are living in a way that pleases the Father! There is peace when we know that our every action brings a smile to His face! It also boots our witness when we can share honestly how the Word has changed us and transformed us into new creatures.

Stay in the fire! Don't give in. You're being made into His image.

Verse of the Day: But now, O LORD, thou art our father; we are the clay, and thou our potter; and we all are the work of thy hand. Isaiah 64:8

Zip the Lips!

Currently I am on a quest to diminish and eventually eradicate my complaining. It's gotten to the point where I notice when I'm in the middle of the complaint, and I get ticked at myself for what I'm saying. It's just so unnecessary. Half the time nobody's around to hear me groan anyway.

Things are bound to happen that we don't appreciate, and people are going to act in ways that make us cringe. There is a time and place to acknowledge those moments. However, every little thing that rubs us the wrong way does not need an accompanying comment of derision.

As Christians, we are the salt of the earth. (Matthew 5:13) We are supposed to be living our lives in a way that "seasons" the world with God's love. Walking around spreading our sour grapes is counter-intuitive to our mission. We should be speaking life. We should be recognizing the good in others. We should be praising and uplifting those around us.

Also, we have been blessed with the privilege to live our lives in direct fellowship with the Creator of this universe! We live with the benefit of being His children and with the knowledge that we will spend eternity in heavenly splendor! Every moment we breathe should embody our remembrance and gratitude for these things.

So, that one person messed up. - A-gain. Yeah, it's extremely hot out, and you hate the heat. Your boss is getting on your nerves with the same old foolishness. Yes, you have to repeat the same thing to the same people over and over and over again!

Trust me - out of anybody - I GET IT! But, we also need to get an understanding of Whose we are and what we have been blessed with.

We're King's kids! Blessed by the Best and headed for eternal glory. Those other things are minuscule in comparison! Let's zip our lips and keep it moving.

Verse of the Day: Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. Ephesians 4:29

Change Starts With Me

I've been listening to my girl Joyce Meyer, and she has been preaching to me! This week she is airing some throwbacks, and the messages are on change.

Lately, my heart's cry has been for change. In every area of my life - literally - I see the need for change. My job, ministry, personal life... All of it is in need of a change.

However, in Joyce's messages, she made some good points. Often we cry out for change, but do nothing. Then we come back around the bend again, and complain about how things still need to change.

Change begins with us. When we cry out for change, that is an indicator for us to change something. Change is not just going to drop out of the sky simply because we recognized the need for it.

We have to change our thoughts, our behavior, our friends, whatever it may be, and it is our action that will spur the change that we seek. Even if all we can do is fast and pray about it, that is still a change in our behavior. Once we make the change in ourselves, we get in the position for God to work out the completion of that change. Joyce said it well: "When you do what you can, God will do what you cannot."

I have a lot of change that I'm seeking. Thus, I have a lot of things I need to get in motion. If I don't move, I really don't want the change. If I don't move, I really don't have a right to complain about how things are not the way I would like them to be. Change starts with me.

Verse of the Day: He that observeth the wind shall not sow; and he that regardeth the clouds shall not reap. Ecclesiastes 11:4

I'm Growing!

I had a moment this past holiday weekend. I allowed myself to get caught up in some drama that was swirling around me, and, for a moment, I was carried away by it all. I took on a negative attitude, said some negative things, and acted in a negative manner towards some folks.

Didn't I just write a post about how people are watching the saints?! Tsk tsk.

Somewhere in the midst of it all, I came to myself and realized that I was letting myself descend to a level I am not supposed to be on as a child of God. I stopped myself, took a deep breath, said a prayer, and changed up my behavior that second.

I was so disappointed in myself, though. I knew that God was not pleased with how I had handled things initially. Thank God for His mercy and forgiveness!

I'm also thankful for maturity as well. There was a time where I would have been caught up in that negative cloud for days. A time where I would never have thought to say a prayer asking God to help me. A time where I wouldn't have had the courage to apologize and switch up my behavior in the midst of the drama - even if I knew I was wrong!

So, I'm grateful for the evidence that I am growing in the grace and knowledge of God's word. As you continue to meditate on the Word of God and spend time in His presence, you can't help but be changed! You can't help but to be more aware of what doesn't please God, and you will only want to make Him smile.

Spending more time talking to God and hearing from Him, only makes you all the more aware that He is with you everywhere, seeing all that you do and say. That realization will push you to live in a manner that acknowledges His place in your life.

So keep spending time with your Heavenly Father and take note of the positive changes you see. Rejoice when you see yourself grow as you let go of sinful behavior. Continue to pray over and work on the things that are harder to overcome. As we spend more time with God, He will help fashion us more and more into His image.

Verse of the Day: But now, O LORD, thou art our father; we are the clay, and thou our potter; and we all are the work of thy hand. Isaiah 64:8

Just Wondering...

Right now I am in a state of wonder. Not the wonder where you’re in awe of something. The wonder where I’m wondering what just happened.


You know, like those times where you know you were living right, doing right, talking right, and something comes and slaps you back? The times where you’re wondering how all of your staying on track got you halfway in left field?

That’s where I am right now.

I’m trying not to wallow in it, but I can’t help the wondering.

Was I right? Was I wrong? Did I hear God correctly? If so, then why am I here? Questions, questions, questions.

It made me think of how the disciples must have felt those three days while Jesus was dead. They had believed that He was the Messiah. They had heard His profound teaching. They experienced His love firsthand. They had been there with Him when He performed miracles in front of their eyes!

Yet, they had watched their Messiah die a lowly death on the cross. To them, it was all over.

So they locked themselves up in a room and drifted into wonder. Had they been wrong? Was it all a dream? Was Jesus just another prophet? Did they give up everything for nothing?

It was probably exhilarating to feel the exuberant joy and find that they were right all along in following Jesus! One can only imagine their happiness in realizing that the Savior had risen!

Even though I am in a state of wonder right now, I have to hold on to the faith that I have in Jesus. No matter how my life twists and turns, I have to trust that God is ultimately in control. As long as I continue to follow after His Word and obey what He is requiring of me, I’ll be alright come what may…that is the confidence I have in spite of everything.

Verse of the Day: And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28

Inspired to...?

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been inspired in my life.


It’s happened through watching someone perform at their very best… reading a profound passage in a book I came across… listening to a sermon from an anointed preacher… hearing how someone was able to become rich from following their passion…I could go on and on.

Yet inspiration in my life has taken a long time to put down roots and grow into positive change in my life. I’ve successfully accomplished a few goals I took on after being inspired, but if I had fully driven myself from all the inspirations I’ve received over the years… I might be on some Oprah type level right now.

It’s one thing to feel inspired. It’s a whole different story to be inspired.

What has inspired you in your life? Have you done anything positive because of it? Are you just feeling the inspiration for a moment and then continuing to live the same way?

Back in the day, many people were inspired by the lives of Jesus. They were so inspired that they went throughout their countries proclaiming His gospel, working miracles, and leading sinners to the cross.

Some men were inspired to write, and with their words, we have become witnesses to Christ’s love as well. Paul didn’t even personally know Jesus when He was on earth, yet Paul wound up writing a majority of our New Testament!

So we can’t just let inspiration slip through our fingers. We can’t sit idly by and dream about what we could do, who we could be, or where we could go.

Let’s go out and do it! Let’s go live our lives and inspire someone else.

God didn’t create us just to be spectators. We’ve got our own amazing story to live!

Verse of the Day: And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works… Hebrews 10:24