God is So Good...

Today is a great day! It's my last day here at my current job, and I'm excited to move forward to the next one.

I prayed long and hard about changing jobs. I knew that where I was did not fit what I wanted in life. I applied to so many places, and prayed for change. Yet, it seemed like I was going nowhere. I got no calls, no feedback, no interviews. I grew frustrated because I wanted a switch so badly, but I had no where to go.

I finally made my peace with God. I told Him that I would keep searching, but if He kept me where I was, I would be content with His decision. I didn't want to move to a place that was out of His will. And I asked Him to show me the reasons why He kept me in the same place.

God answered my prayers and showed me some things about my tenure at that job. He showed me the relationships that had developed and the lessons that I learned. He revealed how my attitude had matured and how my patience had been refined.

Then He answered the root prayer and gave me something that puts me right on the path I want to go! I could not be any more happier or excited. God is good! Thank you, Jesus!

So, don't get discouraged when it takes a while for your prayers to get answered. It may take some months (or years, like me), but God does hear you. He is setting you up with the perfect answer that suits you the best. Keep trusting and believing. It's not in vain.

Verse of the Day: In my distress I called upon the LORD, and cried unto my God: he heard my voice out of his temple, and my cry came before him, even into his ears...He brought me forth also into a large place; he delivered me, because he delighted in me. Psalm 6:18, 19

Ain't No Rock...

Good morning! I pray you all had a wonderful weekend. I sure did. Had a Holy Ghost party with my African brothers and sisters, went out to the zoo with my Goddaughter, and had a encouraging time in the Lord on yesterday. Then today God blessed me with favor to start of my day! Praise God for His many blessings.

While I was at the service on Friday, I was struck by the different forms of praise that went forth. Not everyone that touched the mic could hit a perfect key. Some of the people on the stage were clearly nervous. A few dancers might have missed a step or two.

But every person was making the effort to praise and worship God from their heart. One singer voiced it perfectly: I'm not gonna let the rocks cry out for me!

Their examples ministered to me so much.

Being a veteran church-goer, sometimes I find myself getting complacent in worship. I won't be swayed into standing on my feet unless the music moves me or the singer can really blow... I won't holler 'amen' unless the preacher gets it super hot... I find myself comparing the service to other ones that I've attended in the midst of the one I'm supposed to be engaged in at the moment.

I'm shaking my head at my own self.

The service on Friday reminded me. No matter what's going on... No matter how I may feel... God deserves my praise always. It's not my job to critique who's on the platform. It's my job to connect with the Spirit and enter into worship. At least those people have taken the huge step to publicly praise and magnify God. Who am I to sit back and judge? It's a worship service. Not American Idol.

No more will I sit on the sidelines and look for reasons to praise God with the person on stage. The very fact that they're praising God is reason enough for me to join in with them.

Verse of the Day: And he answered and said unto them, I tell you that, if these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out. Luke 19:40

Thanksgiving Friday!

Thank You, Jesus!

Happy Friday, Champions! It's been a great week, hasn't it? We are overcomers who are chasing after God, building up our spiritual reserves, and kicking out every lame regretful excuse so we can conquer! It's so exciting to be a part of the Kingdom of God!

Today I am thankful for God's encouragement. I have been encouraged in my ministry: God gave me the words to preach a wonderful sermon on Sunday (anytime the teens say they enjoyed the sermon, it was good!) and this blog has some more people following it and popping in every day. I'm happy. Thank you God for encouraging me in my gifts.

I'm also thankful for a NEW JOB!!!! I put in my notice on this past Monday, and my last day at my current job is this coming Tuesday. Saints, I have been praying, searching, and applying for quite some time, and God has finally opened the door for me to move on. Hallelujah! I am so excited to step into something new and better suited for what I want to do with my life. Thank you, Jesus!

Finally today I'm thankful for the internet. Yep. I said the internet. Thank you Jesus for the technology that allows me to see so much that's going on in the world, keep in touch with so many people, learn more about you through the research sites and reference pages available, and to have a more global vision. When you sit down and think about it, the internet is pretty wild. Thanks, Lord for the good it provides. Help us with the rest...

What are you thankful for this week? Let the Lord know! Have a great weekend.

Verse of the Day: O LORD, how great are thy works! and thy thoughts are very deep. Psalm 92:5

Shoulda, Coulda, Woulda

I shoulda done that
 when I had the chance!
Now look at me...

Shoulda, Coulda, and Woulda are a sneaky trio. They come sliding in to visit every now and then whispering their groans about how you Shoulda done this, and Coulda done that, and if you Woulda done something else you'd be better off. They cluck their tongues and shake their heads disapprovingly at the current state of your life.

If we're not careful, we can find ourselves entertaining them, inviting them to have a seat in our minds. We let them stay awhile, and before we know it, we're in a depressed mood lamenting the perfection that Shoulda, Coulda, and Woulda been.

Yeah, you might have missed a few opportunities. Okay, so if you would have done some things differently, you might be at a different spot. Don't let these three take you hostage! Stand strong against their onslaught of disappointment and regret.

There's nothing you can do about the past. Today is what you have, and this day was made for you to rejoice in! (Psalm 118:24) Remember that the Lord is ordering your steps. (Psalm 37:23) He is in full control. As long as you're following His lead, you can rest assured that you are in the perfect spot for you right now.

So, stop listening to Shoulda, Coulda, and Woulda! Kick them out of your thoughts! Evict them out of the corners of your mind. Keep the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost as the primary residents of your soul instead, and watch what you accomplish moving forward!

Can, Will, Do, and Did will become your new best friends!

Verse of the Day: ...This one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:13, 14

Check Your Reserves!

Is your spirit running on Empty?

As we go through life, there are times we have to dip into our "spiritual reserves" and pull up the inspiration, faith, resolve, or strength we need to help us get through a situation. It may be for us, it may be for someone else. But it's always good to have some spiritual ammo.

Sometimes, however, we notice that our reserves are low. We find ourselves scraping around at the bottom of barrel searching for something, anything to help us in our time of need. We cling to what little scrap we find and hold on for dear life.

Then there are those times when we find nothing. We find no word, no scripture, not even a prayer we can speak to let God know we need Him. (Hopefully these times are rare.)

It's always good to keep our reserves stocked full of spiritual sustenance for whatever may come our way. Spending time in the word, having conversations with God in prayer, attending a Bible teaching church, and other faith filled activities can help keep our larders filled.

Life has a way of taking over, and it can be difficult to find time to invest in our spiritual health. But it is an investment. And the return is valuable beyond measure.

Who knows what today holds? Who knows who may come across your path in need of a touch from God? Who knows what circumstance you will have to walk through?

Make sure you consistently make deposits into your "spiritual reserves." If your spirit is full of God's word and wisdom, you can face anything that comes your way!

Verse of the Day: He taught me also, and said unto me, Let thine heart retain my words: keep my commandments, and live. Proverbs 4:4

Chasing After God

One of my favorite songs right now is Vashawn Mitchell's version of Chasing After You. The song talks about running after God out of a deep need for more of Him. No matter what this person has to do, they are going to keep on pressing to get more from the Lord.

What's so great about going after God is that He allows Himself to be found! And He always has something more to reveal about Himself. He shares more revelation, more anointing, more wise insights, more facets of your purpose... whatever He feels is right for you in that moment, He will bless you with it.

God is immeasurable, unfathomable, and cannot be contained. Yet, as long as we're willing to pursue who He is, He is willing to share with us His greatness. The more we press into His presence, the more of Himself He shares with us. The more we study His word, the more He reveals to us it's true meaning.

It's so exciting! We can never get bored following a God like this!

Are you taking advantage of your all-access pass? Are you chasing after your God? Do you desire more and more of Him?

No matter how much you know about the Lord, there's still even more to discover! Make sure you take advantage every day to go after more of Him.

Verse of the Day: Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. James 4:8a

Winners vs. Champions

Yesterday I was privileged to minister a message for our church's Youth Sunday. I spoke on how we can choose to just be a Winner, or we can upgrade to Champion status.

As Christians, our faith in God has automatically granted us the name of a Winner through Christ's death and resurrection. We don't have to fear death because we know that we will live eternally with Christ.

However, a lot of us miss out on the chance to be victorious in every situation, not just our spiritual redemption.

A Champion is one who has overcome every opponent. They are undefeated. Every challenge they have faced, they have won. Every winner can't say that they're a Champion.

As believers, God has promised us that we can be Champions too! 1 John 5:4 states: For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. If you have been born of God, you can overcome the world!

Yet, so many times we let situations and circumstances tell us that we are going to lose. We believe the lie of the enemy and give up the fight - or, even worse, we do not fight at all. We settle to just be winners over those things that we believe we can do when we can be Champions over it all.

Don't let the world talk you out of your fight. Ignore the circumstances that tell you that you don't have the strength, the money, the connections, the health... whatever it is that they say you need. You have everything you need in Christ Jesus!

Greater is He that is in you than the he that is in the world! (1 John 4:4) And the He that is in you has told you that you can overcome the world!

So, don't choose to lose! Stand and fight. Keep pressing. Keep believing. Keep your faith strong. In the end: YOU WIN! You are a CHAMPION!

Verse of the Day: But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 15:57