I'm Okay With It

Right now, there are a lot of things in my life that I would love to change. Previously, I was seeking God's face consistently to show me how to change my situations. More recently, however, I have taken a page from Paul and am now asking God to teach me to be content where I am.

I believe that there is a reason for everything. God takes us through certain things to teach us lessons, allow us to grow, and give us experiences that only those directions could provide. Yet, sometimes I get so caught up in everything that I forget to look for the reasons behind them. I miss out on appreciating my spiritual growth during those times. I downplay the daily miracles that occur in the midst of the storms.

If I'm following God's will and staying true to His commands, I have to trust that He is leading me down the right paths. Under God's direction, I should be content knowing that He has my best interests in mind. However long the journey, however painful the climb, my heart should be at rest with the faith that God is bringing me to an expected end.

So, I'm asking God to teach me contentment. Instead of constantly looking for the breakthrough or the answered prayer, I'm asking God to show me how to look for the lesson and the building of my character. Sometimes knowing how strong you are becoming helps you to weather the storm just a bit longer. Seeing how much you've grown encourages you that you can grow a bit larger.

Whatever situation you're facing today, ask the Lord to give you peace about it. Allow Him to settle your heart and mind with the pace that He has you walking towards your deliverance. Be content with the place you are in now knowing that God is working it all together for your good!

Verse of the Day: ...for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. Philippians 4:11b

Thanksgiving Friday!

I was riding in to work this morning, and I was irritated. Just thinking about coming into the office was making my brow furrow. This. Is. Not. The. Vision.

God is seriously nudging me. I've felt it for a while (ok, ok, a long while), and I it's really starting to dawn on me as of late. You know how you know something, but it just doesn't connect until one day you wake up and it's like you finally see it? That's where I am right now. I finally see it.

Now I have to push. I had a church service in the car where I was the preacher, congregation, choir, and the repentant soul coming to the altar at the end. I'm ready, Lord! Send me!

So, this morning I'd like to give God thanks for me finally waking up! I am primed and ready to run this thing that way God intended. No more excuses! No more putting it off! Let's go!

We are alive for a reason, a purpose, and a plan. What's yours? Do you know what it is, but aren't walking in it? Why not?

Wake up! Don't let any more time get wasted! God has given you an assignment! Get it finished for His glory!

You can see I'm pumped. Pray for me, saints. Pray I keep moving forward because I REFUSE to stay right here. This. Is. Not. The. Vision.

Changing lanes!

Have a blessed weekend.

Verse of the Day: This is all the more urgent, for you know how late it is; time is running out. Wake up, for our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. Romans 13:11 (NLT)

Let It Flow

God has a way of never letting us get too comfortable. He takes us through spiritual breakthroughs and lessons that give us the joy of seeing ourselves grow. We revel in our new maturity for a while and then He prods us gently to shift our place again. He is always pushing us to grow, expand, and develop to be good, better, and best.

We may think we have "arrived" only to have God show us another aspect of ourselves that isn't pleasing to Him or another facet of His Word that we need to implement into our lives. Until we leave this earth, there will always be something more that God wants us to develop in character.

When water stands still it grows stagnant. It becomes a prime breeding ground for bacteria and germs, and it can cause sickness in humans because of the parasites that it carries. Water must flow in order to stay fresh and full of life.

In the same manner, your spiritual life grows stagnant when you are not constantly submitting yourself to the pruning shears of the Father. If you are not working to bring some part of your flesh under control, challenging yourself to grow in some spiritual area, or applying a new revelation of the Word to your life, you are in danger of growing stagnant.

So, when you feel the nudges of God's Spirit asking you to come up to a higher level in Him, just go with the 'flow' and keep moving. You will experience a greater abundance of His "life" and you will keep the Enemy's bacteria and parasites at bay.

Verse of the Day: He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. John 7:38

There's Purpose in the Details

Esther is by far my favorite character of the Bible (aside from my Savior, of course.) There's something to be said for a woman who can fulfill her destiny with beauty and a banquet. I have read her story so many times, and still find new insights with each read.

Of course, Esther was not just beauty alone. She had a solid head on her shoulders. She respected the advice and wisdom of her cousin Mordecai, and she acknowledged the power and foresight of her God.

When the time came for Esther to fulfill her moment of destiny, her task seemed simple: Go and talk to the king and tell him not to have the Jews killed. Simple enough, right?

Yet Esther chose to fast for three days before she went forward with her task. Who knows what God shared with her during that fast?

Some things we do know: She did not present her request right in the king's throne room. She chose to have a banquet instead. She invited the very man that wanted her people killed as well. Once the banquet was in progress, she chose to postpone her question one more day.

Esther's spiritual eyes and ears were open. She knew exactly what was going on, and she went forward on purpose. Who can tell what was gained from having a banquet instead of just making her request? We can't know how it helped to postpone her question until the next day. As a result of her strategic actions, however, she was able to save the Jews from certain destruction and had her enemy destroyed at the same time.

You also may know exactly what you have to do in order to meet your moment of destiny. But take a cue from Esther, and take some time to get before God anyway. Allow Him to show you the details of what you may need to get in place before you move forward.

You may be thinking to make your request in the throne room, but God may want a banquet setting instead. You may want to only have the ones you love around you, but God may just have you invite the haters to make an open show of the enemy.

Our God is a God of order, and He always has your best interests in mind. Though you may know His final will for your life, take some time with God and make sure you go over the steps you must make to arrive there as well. He can direct you to a far better end than you could ever imagine.

Verse of the Day: He revealeth the deep and secret things: he knoweth what is in the darkness, and the light dwelleth with him. Daniel 2:22

Now, Run Tell That!

Today is another day that the Lord has made, and I am so glad to be in it!

This morning I was reminded of the scripture: My soul shall make her boast in the LORD: the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad. (Psalm 34:2) It got me thinking of how we saints love telling when God does great things for us to each other. It seems like whenever there's a Testimony Service, the line is extra long full of people excited to share their personal story of God's goodness.

But when was the last time we bragged on God to someone that didn't know Him? When was the last time we were excited to share our testimony with our unsaved co-workers or friends? Why do we clam up about the God's favor, when we speak with those who don't know Him?

For me, it was a fear of appearing to 'churchy' or 'religious'. Plus, I didn't want to offend anyone or make them feel like I was pushing my religion on them. So, even when I would tell the stories of my testimony, I would omit certain key words or phrases to make things more palatable for them in my mind.

Yet, when you think about it, sharing how good God has been is the best way to shine His light! What better way to prove the greatness of your God than to share things He has actually done expressly for you?

People today need proof in order to believe. For someone who's searching for the answer, your testimony and boasting in God can be just the key they need to enter into a relationship with Him.

So, you know what the challenge for today is, right?

Let's all make a point to 'boast in the Lord' to someone who doesn't know Him today! Let's give God the honor He is due with someone who doesn't know who God is. Let's shine forth His light in the darkness!

Who knows? By the end of the day, we may have another testimony of how our sharing helped bring someone else into the Kingdom!

Verse of the Day: O Zion, that bringest good tidings, get thee up into the high mountain; O Jerusalem, that bringest good tidings, lift up thy voice with strength; lift it up, be not afraid; say unto the cities of Judah, Behold your God! Isaiah 40:9

Don't Block Your Own Blessing!

A lot of us have big dreams. We have our plans written up, our proposals ready to present, and our end stories gloriously spelled out in the imaginations of our minds.

As we journey toward those expected ends, we while our time away in our current situations seeing them as mere stepping stones to the greatness ahead. However, while we are stepping toward our success, we need to be mindful of what kind of trail we leave in our wake. These times at the bottom of the mountain have more of an effect on our mountain peak experience than we might recognize.

Say you're looking to own your own company one day. What kind of employee are you being now for someone else? Are you providing excellent work or only mediocre effort? Can your boss depend on you to showcase respect and diligence, or are you the one leading the gossip circle?

Whether you realize it or not, your current behavior is sowing seeds that you will reap later. Your present interactions are dictating your future joys and pain.

Are you sowing seeds that you'll happily reap from? Or, will you be crying tears of disappointment and heartache?

Jesus said in a parable that those who are faithful over the little things will then become the rulers over much. (Matthew 25:21) Don't let reactions to the 'little' things you're presently facing keep you from the greatness you see for your future!

Verse of the Day: for the LORD preserveth the faithful, and plentifully rewardeth the proud doer. Psalm 31:23

Thanksgiving Friday!

Well, it's the culmination of another week and we're still standing. Hallelujah! God is still good all the time.

This week I'm thankful for the vision of the Lord. We were instructed on Sunday at my church to be still and listen to God. I've been doing that, and He certainly has had a lot to say! I even laid in my bed early this morning listening to God's thoughts about an area of my life. It's so good to have a more clarified vision to step out into.

Lord, I thank you for caring enough about me to share Your vision with me! Thank you for loving me enough to personally share Your thoughts with me!

I am also thankful for my church's Bible study. I haven't been able to attend as much because I'm in school, but I was able to go this week. I'll probably expand more on what was taught next week, but here's a nugget: Stop being so nosy about how your blessing is going to come! Just as farmers plant their seed and don't fret about how that plant's going to grow, don't you fret about those seeds you've sown in God's kingdom.

Trust God's process. You've done your part, allow Him to do His. Your harvest is coming, and that is a fact. Stop worrying about the how/when/where/what of it all. (I really needed to hear that message. I was getting a little antsy with some things.)

Thank You Jesus for placing me in a church that gives solid revelation of Your Word. Thank You for speaking to me in my situation and giving me wisdom to have success.

I pray all of you have a blessed weekend. Make sure you offer up your own thanksgiving praise today!

Verse of the Day: The secret things belong unto the LORD our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law. Deuteronomy 29:29