The Glamorous Life?

I'll admit it: I'm a celeb watcher. I think it's more because I like "being in the know" than I actually like the celebrities. I enjoy knowing what's going on with everything everywhere. Celebs just fall into that broad category.

Lately I've been wondering really what's so great about being a celebrity. It seems like the majority of them have some pretty chaotic lives. If it's not going to rehab, it's going to jail. They're getting divorces and fighting over children. Paparazzi follow their every motion. They face lawsuits from people trying to squeeze them for millions of dollars over nothing.

Not too glamorous.

Yet, we as a society put them on a pedestal. We accentuate the positive. We gloss over the dirt and revel in the glitz and showcase imagining how nice it would be for us to "live the life." We 'ooh' and 'ahh' over their clothes, cars, and homes. We wonder what it would be like to have our own private planes travelling to exotic islands across the seas.

The Bible tells us that we shouldn't envy the rich, and I can see why. Often these people live Godless lives which end in tragedy and despair. Many of the people basking in the bright lights live in fear, depression, and hopelessness.

We have been blessed with the richness of God's love. We may never walk a red carpet or ride in a private jet. We may never see our name in lights or own a mansion. Yet we still have so much more than those who do. We have God's love and an intimate relationship with Him. As a result, we live in peace and joy. There's nothing in this world that can top that.

Verse of the Day: Let not thine heart envy sinners: but be thou in the fear of the LORD all the day long. For surely there is an end; and thine expectation shall not be cut off. Proverbs 23:17, 18

It Doesn't Matter... God's Plan Will Prevail!

This morning in my devotions Psalm 33:11 was my focus scripture: But the Lord’s plans stand firm forever; his intentions can never be shaken. (NLT)

This verse blessed me so much! In spite of how much things appear to be out of order, late, or even non-existent, God's plans for me will continue to stand firm! What He has ordained for me will come to pass! I don't have to be concerned about what is or isn't happening, who is or isn't acting right, or what I do or don't have. The Lord's plans will stand firm.

Whatever you may be going through, hold on to what God has spoken over your life! Don't give up out of frustration or fear! The Lord's plans will override whatever obstacles, interruptions, or detours that hit your path. In fact, the very thing that is frustrating you may be a part of God's omniscient plan.

Take heart and know that the Lord always has the last say. Even if we messed it up ourselves, we cannot stop God's plans from unfolding. If He said it, He will do it!

That just made my week! I can smile both inside and out knowing that God's plans are the ones that will prevail. Hallelujah!

Verse of the Day: Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ... Philippians 1:6

Thanksgiving Friday!

Hey Everyone!

We have made it through another work week. To God be all the glory!

I woke up smiling this morning. That's a feat in and of itself! I don't know why I was smiling... I didn't have a really cool dream or hear any fabulous news. I'm just going to thank God for the happy mood and keep it moving. Maybe my spirit knows something my mind doesn't.

I'm thankful that I only have one more week of this class to go! After this one, I'm taking off for the semester. I need to take a break to catch up on all the other items that I've placed on the back burner. Pray for me, everyone, I will have to work to get an 'A' in this one.

I'm especially thankful this week for forgiveness. God has been helping me to forgive some folks, and I am experiencing the freedom and joy that comes along with it. I have a penchant for keeping up a long memory, but God is helping my heart and my mind to just let some things go.

What are you thankful for this week? What has the Lord done for you? Feel free to share!

Have a great weekend everyone!

Verse of the Day: And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses. But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses. Mark 11:25, 26

Pressing Rewind

Right now, I wish I had a remote that could rewind time to about 12 hours ago when I was snug in my bed fast asleep. Or, I take a fast forward to later on this evening after all my running around is through when I'll get to sit down and relax for a minute.

Sadly for me, that is not life. Yet there are times where God brings back some "rewind" moments to let us know how much we've grown (or how much we're still the same).

You know those times. Like the man you know was not God's plan, the one that had you straight off the path of God, the one you promised God you would leave alone and never get down with again... yeah, him. He's suddenly hitting you up on Facebook, or blowing up your phone. What are you doing?

Or, the times where you have the opportunity to engage in the behavior that you've testified that God has delivered you from. The one that had the vice-grip on your life. And now, space and opportunity have afforded you a prime moment to slip back in without anyone knowing. What are you doing?

Most challenging of all are those times in life when your at your lowest, feeling your weakest, or after a crushing blow from the enemy. It's then that our own minds sometimes push the rewind button and offer up solutions to ease the pain with all of those things that we embraced before we fell in love with the Father. What are you doing?

Keep in mind that at our weakest, God is the strongest. If we choose to cling to Him in the midst of the "rewind" moments, if we choose to ignore our flesh that is crying out for a release, if we stand on the Word and squeeze off the life force to the flesh... we can continue to overcome, continue to experience victory, and continue to grow in God.

We will know that God is able to trust us, and we will see how much we've grown in Him. As we keep passing the "rewind" moments, they begin to lose their power giving us confidence, and the next one is easier to pass through.

Even if we fail the "rewind" moments, rest assured that our loving God will show forgiveness and love us still. We don't have to dwell in condemnation. We just have to move forward determined to continue in God's will, Word, and way surrendering ourselves to the purging fire of His love.

Verse of the Day: I have discovered this principle of life—that when I want to do what is right, I inevitably do what is wrong... Oh, what a miserable person I am! Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin and death? Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord. Romans 8:21, 24-25a (NLT)

Birds of a Feather Flock Together

Have you examined your "flock" lately?

What kinds of people are in your inner circle? What elements do they bring into your life? Are they helping you, harming you, or keeping you in the same spot? Do they reflect what you're trying to be about right now?

I was just thinking about these things this morning as I was giving God praise for my "flock." My group of friends may not be large, but I can say that each one of them brings strength, wisdom, motivation, and a Godly viewpoint to my existence.

When you are trying to grow, be better, do better, and attain a higher level, it helps to have people around you who are going to help you get to that place.

Sometimes we have to change up our "flock" in order to attain our goals in life. We have to let go of some friends and go find some new friends in order to reach new places and goals. It can be difficult to let them go, and sometimes they might not want you to let them go. Yet, we have to be wise in this one life we get. We can't waste time and energy with people who ultimately do us no good.

Today, take a look at the "flock" you've been hanging with. Are they representing you well? Do you need to change up your roster? Are you grateful to God for who's around you right now?

Take some time and talk to the Lord about your "flock." Good or bad, I'm sure He has some insight for you about them. Have a great day!

Verse of the Day: Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? 2 Corinthians 6:14

Choose Joy, Get Strength

There's a reason why the Bible says the joy of the Lord gives strength. (Nehemiah 8:10) Something happens when you are filled with a joy that comes from God. Despite situations, challenges, physical tedium, and other seemingly negative instances, God's joy has a way of making you smile, laugh, and feel light regardless of it all.

Currently my father is battling sickness in his body. In spite of being confined to a wheelchair and losing mobility in his extremities, my father has not sunk into a depression. He doesn't complain about his present hardship.

He has chosen to embrace the joy of the Lord. As a result, he has remained his happy, sunshine-smiling self. He always has something positive to say. He continues to preach every Sunday and Thursday. He always has an encouraging word. I believe that it is this choice to dwell in God's joy that has strengthened my father to defy the statistics that would have had him in the grave long ago.

We all can take a lesson from my father's choice. In the face of  whatever hardship, we can choose to embrace the joy of God. We can pass over despair and depression and cling to the joy of our Heavenly Father.

As we remember His almighty power, love for us, and divine plan, we have no need to despair. We can rest assured knowing that He will bring us to our expected end.

Verse of the Day: But let all those that put their trust in thee rejoice: let them ever shout for joy, because thou defendest them: let them also that love thy name be joyful in thee. Psalm 5:11

It's Really All His

Many Christians use the phrases: My life is not my own and I'm living for Jesus and It's not about me. Yet many of us fail to understand the gravity of those types of statements.

Every facet of our existence is possible because of the love and power of God. There is nothing in, on, of, or about us that we had any power in placing there ourselves. Down to our very bodies, we own nothing of 'our' lives. We actually serve as stewards over the lives God has given us.

A steward is one who takes care of the affairs of another. Our role is to take care of God's affairs via the bodily vessels God has granted us. We each recieved a unique body, unique abilities, unique talents, unique families, and other qualities in order to fulfill our one-of-a-kind assignment. It is our job to make sure that our Heavenly Father's purpose is carried out in a manner pleasing to Him.

We should live our lives purposefully choosing to honor our true Owner's wishes. Our actions should reflect choices that are in His best interests. Any major decision we make should go through a consulting session with the true Stockholder, our Lord and Savior.

When we truly live our lives in a manner that reflects God's ownership, we can't help but see the favor and blessings of God. As we die to our selfish wishes, we will see more of our own desires fulfilled because of our obedience to the Father.

Verse of the Day: For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it. Matthew 16:25