Sunday, August 24, 2014
It's all In Divine Order
Whenever I feel that I am confused or that my life is in disorder, I remember these words from the book of Proverbs: "Trust in the Lord with all your heart ... In all your ways acknowledge him and he will make straight your paths."These simple words reaffirm what I know in my heart is true: He is always with me, enfolding me in love and assuring me that all is in divine order. Divine order is His plan for me. Relying on my Higher Power calms my thoughts. I feel secure because I know that He will lead me to the people and events which will contribute to my spiritual growth and fulfillment. All is in divine order because He is the order that supports and surrounds me. ~ unknown
Scripture:
for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose. Philippians 2:13 (New International Version)
Saints of God, so often we give pause and reflect on the direction our lives are headed in. We seem to be moving right along through life, when something or someone happens to derail us from our chosen course. Well Saints of God, I am here to tell you; “It’s all in Divine Order.”
The job or career that you have chosen hasn’t worked out the way you thought it would. The house you wanted so much to buy was bought by someone else. The man or woman that you thought you were going to marry marries someone else. The dreams and goals that you had in life seem to have fallen by the wayside. I just want to tell you, “It’s all in Divine Order.”
So often the things that we want in life aren’t the things that God wants for us. The path that we ourselves have chosen isn’t necessarily the road that God wants us to travel. Even the person we thought we would spend the rest of our lives with, aren’t inevitably the person we are supposed to be yoked with.
Too often we go through life trying to do everything on our own without seeking a word from God. We set our sights on things that may turn out to be detrimental to our overall well being. We even fall in love with people who we will give our all to, but who themselves aren’t capable of loving us the way God wants them to love us.
I say all this to say, that no matter what obstacles are in your way. It doesn’t matter if your heart has been broken, that you lost your job, or that you are not at the place in your life you think you should be. “It’s all in Divine Order."
Sometimes things have to be the way they are because your plan for your life isn’t God’s plan for your life. Learn to be still, listen for His still small voice, and realize;
That’s it’s All in Divine Order!
Be blessed and be a blessing
Prayer:
Father God, we come once again with praises on our tongues and humility in our hearts, seeking Your face, Your grace and Your mercy. Lord, forgive us for doubting You when the things in our lives are not going according to our plans. We realize that everything that we want isn’t necessarily what You want for us. Help us to recognize the bad choices that we have made in our lives, correct them accept them and move on. Help us Father, to find our way. Lord, we pray ask for a spirit of discernment so that we can recognize when our will is not inline with Yours. Help us to remember to always seek you in everything that we do, before we make life altering choices and to be still in the midst of our storms. Thank you Father, for reminding us that You have provided the way out of darkness and into the light. Your Word and Your Son, Jesus Christ. Our Redeemer. It is in His name that we humbly submit our prayers. Amen
Scripture:
for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose. Philippians 2:13 (New International Version)
Saints of God, so often we give pause and reflect on the direction our lives are headed in. We seem to be moving right along through life, when something or someone happens to derail us from our chosen course. Well Saints of God, I am here to tell you; “It’s all in Divine Order.”
The job or career that you have chosen hasn’t worked out the way you thought it would. The house you wanted so much to buy was bought by someone else. The man or woman that you thought you were going to marry marries someone else. The dreams and goals that you had in life seem to have fallen by the wayside. I just want to tell you, “It’s all in Divine Order.”
So often the things that we want in life aren’t the things that God wants for us. The path that we ourselves have chosen isn’t necessarily the road that God wants us to travel. Even the person we thought we would spend the rest of our lives with, aren’t inevitably the person we are supposed to be yoked with.
Too often we go through life trying to do everything on our own without seeking a word from God. We set our sights on things that may turn out to be detrimental to our overall well being. We even fall in love with people who we will give our all to, but who themselves aren’t capable of loving us the way God wants them to love us.
I say all this to say, that no matter what obstacles are in your way. It doesn’t matter if your heart has been broken, that you lost your job, or that you are not at the place in your life you think you should be. “It’s all in Divine Order."
Sometimes things have to be the way they are because your plan for your life isn’t God’s plan for your life. Learn to be still, listen for His still small voice, and realize;
That’s it’s All in Divine Order!
Be blessed and be a blessing
Prayer:
Father God, we come once again with praises on our tongues and humility in our hearts, seeking Your face, Your grace and Your mercy. Lord, forgive us for doubting You when the things in our lives are not going according to our plans. We realize that everything that we want isn’t necessarily what You want for us. Help us to recognize the bad choices that we have made in our lives, correct them accept them and move on. Help us Father, to find our way. Lord, we pray ask for a spirit of discernment so that we can recognize when our will is not inline with Yours. Help us to remember to always seek you in everything that we do, before we make life altering choices and to be still in the midst of our storms. Thank you Father, for reminding us that You have provided the way out of darkness and into the light. Your Word and Your Son, Jesus Christ. Our Redeemer. It is in His name that we humbly submit our prayers. Amen
Sunday, August 17, 2014
Overcoming Bad Habits
Remember, Bad habits are like a comfortable bed, easy to get into, but hard to get out of. ~ Anonymous
Scripture:
Thus they bring judgment on themselves, because they have broken their first pledge. Besides, they get into the habit of being idle and going about from house to house. And not only do they become idlers, but also gossips and busybodies, saying things they ought not to. 1 Timothy 5:12-14 (New International Version)
Recently, a friend forwarded to me an article entitled, “Things Women do to each Other.” It was an article that listed the most common offenses that women perpetrated against one another. It talked about gossiping, fighting for men, joining cliques, undermining each other, competing against one another and a few more offenses.
I found the article very interesting on many levels. As I sat there reading this piece, I could see women in my life that fit into these roles. You know them too. They are the office gossips, your girlfriends who want to confront the “other woman” for sleeping with her man, or even the usher board that you belong to has become cliquish. I can truthfully say that I may have fit into one or two of these categories myself at one time or another.
Today I will pick on the gossiper since I too have been one of those who talked about others behind their backs. Gossiping is an easy habit to develop. Usually, our curiosity will get the best of us as soon as someone asks, “did you hear about….. Our ears perk up and we become overwhelmed with the desire to know someone else’s little secret.
Then one day it hit me. If I am listening to someone else talking about another’s little secret, whose to say that the office gossiper, isn’t repeating my little secret? Or, if I am a part of or member of any group that omits another because, well, they just don’t like them, I too am guilty of becoming cliquish.
Saints of God, far too often we fall into these traps of wrong behavior because we need to feel as though we belong, or our own lives are so mundane that we enjoy hearing about the misfortunes of others. We then develop the illusion of feeling better about ourselves. And before we know it, these things have developed into bad habits.
Today I would like to remind you that it takes a very strong person to overcome these bad habits and His name is Jesus. If you truly believe that He abides in you, then overcoming these bad habits aren't so hard after all. All you have to do is ask for His help.
And remember, Watch your Thoughts, they become words. Watch your words, they become actions. Watch your actions, they become habits. Watch your Habits, they become character. Watch your Character, for it becomes your Destiny.
Be Blessed and be a blessing
Prayer:
When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." Father, we thank You for the light that was given unto us so that we may never walk in darkness. We come once again, seeking Your face and Your favor. Hear our prayers and lend ear to our petitions. Lord, today is a new day. May something that I say or do cause someone else to seek You first. Father God, help me to see the dark places of my life. To let go of those things that are not of You and to live a more Christ like existence. Continue to keep or family, friends and loved ones in perfect peace. Touch our brothers and sisters who have asked for prayer. Guide us once again through the valley, keeping us once again safe in Your Arms. Thank You Lord, for a new day full of new hope and promises. We love You Lord, because You loved us enough to sacrifice Your Son for our sake. Thank You Lord. In the name of Jesus we Pray. Amen.
Scripture:
Thus they bring judgment on themselves, because they have broken their first pledge. Besides, they get into the habit of being idle and going about from house to house. And not only do they become idlers, but also gossips and busybodies, saying things they ought not to. 1 Timothy 5:12-14 (New International Version)
Recently, a friend forwarded to me an article entitled, “Things Women do to each Other.” It was an article that listed the most common offenses that women perpetrated against one another. It talked about gossiping, fighting for men, joining cliques, undermining each other, competing against one another and a few more offenses.
I found the article very interesting on many levels. As I sat there reading this piece, I could see women in my life that fit into these roles. You know them too. They are the office gossips, your girlfriends who want to confront the “other woman” for sleeping with her man, or even the usher board that you belong to has become cliquish. I can truthfully say that I may have fit into one or two of these categories myself at one time or another.
Today I will pick on the gossiper since I too have been one of those who talked about others behind their backs. Gossiping is an easy habit to develop. Usually, our curiosity will get the best of us as soon as someone asks, “did you hear about….. Our ears perk up and we become overwhelmed with the desire to know someone else’s little secret.
Then one day it hit me. If I am listening to someone else talking about another’s little secret, whose to say that the office gossiper, isn’t repeating my little secret? Or, if I am a part of or member of any group that omits another because, well, they just don’t like them, I too am guilty of becoming cliquish.
Saints of God, far too often we fall into these traps of wrong behavior because we need to feel as though we belong, or our own lives are so mundane that we enjoy hearing about the misfortunes of others. We then develop the illusion of feeling better about ourselves. And before we know it, these things have developed into bad habits.
Today I would like to remind you that it takes a very strong person to overcome these bad habits and His name is Jesus. If you truly believe that He abides in you, then overcoming these bad habits aren't so hard after all. All you have to do is ask for His help.
And remember, Watch your Thoughts, they become words. Watch your words, they become actions. Watch your actions, they become habits. Watch your Habits, they become character. Watch your Character, for it becomes your Destiny.
Be Blessed and be a blessing
Prayer:
When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." Father, we thank You for the light that was given unto us so that we may never walk in darkness. We come once again, seeking Your face and Your favor. Hear our prayers and lend ear to our petitions. Lord, today is a new day. May something that I say or do cause someone else to seek You first. Father God, help me to see the dark places of my life. To let go of those things that are not of You and to live a more Christ like existence. Continue to keep or family, friends and loved ones in perfect peace. Touch our brothers and sisters who have asked for prayer. Guide us once again through the valley, keeping us once again safe in Your Arms. Thank You Lord, for a new day full of new hope and promises. We love You Lord, because You loved us enough to sacrifice Your Son for our sake. Thank You Lord. In the name of Jesus we Pray. Amen.
Sunday, August 10, 2014
A Cure for the Blues
I had the blues because I had no shoes until upon the street, I met a man who had no feet.” ~ Denis Waitley
Scripture:
For the LORD shall comfort Zion: he will comfort all her waste places; and he will make her wilderness like Eden, and her desert like the garden of the LORD; joy and gladness shall be found therein, thanksgiving, and the voice of melody. Isaiah 51:3
Saints, do you sometimes find yourselves filled with the blues? You know your soul is singing "They call it Stormy Monday But Tuesdays Just as Bad", "Everyday, I Sing the Blues", or "Cry Me a River?"
Well I am here to tell you, when you find yourself feeling sorry for yourselves, or feeling sorry about your circumstances, I know a place where the you can find comfort. The word of God. The word of God is not just something that you read on Sunday and then forget about on Monday. The word of God has everything you need to chase away those blues.
When life seems to be getting you down, turn to your favorite scriptures, or your favorite book of the bible, (I personally find the book of Psalms to be very uplifting and encouraging). There is hope for today and tomorrow in the word of God. There is unspeakable joy and encouragement in the word of God.
There is a victory and a breakthrough somewhere in those 66 books that can chase away even the deepest darkest blues. All you have to do is look.
Be Blessed and be a blessing
Prayer:
Father, in the name of Jesus we come seeking a word to comfort our war torn souls. We come seeking peace and solace in Your word. We come seeking encouragement in Your word. Father, we know that You have said we can do all things through Jesus Christ who strengthens us. We come asking right now, for a word that can chase away our blues. Touch, bless, and anoint all of Your saints today. May each and every one of us find a word to hide in our hearts. Father, we love You even in our time of distress. We come giving You all praise, honor, and Glory. We ask these things in the name of Your son, Jesus Christ. Amen.
Scripture:
For the LORD shall comfort Zion: he will comfort all her waste places; and he will make her wilderness like Eden, and her desert like the garden of the LORD; joy and gladness shall be found therein, thanksgiving, and the voice of melody. Isaiah 51:3
Saints, do you sometimes find yourselves filled with the blues? You know your soul is singing "They call it Stormy Monday But Tuesdays Just as Bad", "Everyday, I Sing the Blues", or "Cry Me a River?"
Well I am here to tell you, when you find yourself feeling sorry for yourselves, or feeling sorry about your circumstances, I know a place where the you can find comfort. The word of God. The word of God is not just something that you read on Sunday and then forget about on Monday. The word of God has everything you need to chase away those blues.
When life seems to be getting you down, turn to your favorite scriptures, or your favorite book of the bible, (I personally find the book of Psalms to be very uplifting and encouraging). There is hope for today and tomorrow in the word of God. There is unspeakable joy and encouragement in the word of God.
There is a victory and a breakthrough somewhere in those 66 books that can chase away even the deepest darkest blues. All you have to do is look.
Be Blessed and be a blessing
Prayer:
Father, in the name of Jesus we come seeking a word to comfort our war torn souls. We come seeking peace and solace in Your word. We come seeking encouragement in Your word. Father, we know that You have said we can do all things through Jesus Christ who strengthens us. We come asking right now, for a word that can chase away our blues. Touch, bless, and anoint all of Your saints today. May each and every one of us find a word to hide in our hearts. Father, we love You even in our time of distress. We come giving You all praise, honor, and Glory. We ask these things in the name of Your son, Jesus Christ. Amen.
Monday, August 04, 2014
Learning to Pause
Learn to pause ... or nothing worthwhile will catch up to you. ~ Doug King
Scripture:
I waited patiently for the LORD; He turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; He set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear and put their trust in the LORD. Psalm 40:1-3 (New International Version)
I waited patiently for the LORD; He turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; He set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear and put their trust in the LORD. Psalm 40:1-3 (New International Version)
So often we find ourselves running through life, going from one place to another in search of something or someone that will fulfill us and make us happy. We start as children sprinting into our teenaged years. Looking for our next milestone, thirteen, sixteen, eighteen and then finally, twenty-one; expecting something miraculous to happen that will change our lives. We can’t wait until we are grown and on our own.
Then we find ourselves in search of love; looking for that special someone who will fulfill all of our fairy-tale dreams in the hopes of living happily ever after. In the meantime, we run towards the right education, job, car, neighborhood, and the world around us continues to churn, as we search for the things that are supposed to make us content.
Somewhere down life’s road, we begin to realize that neither people nor things can truly fulfill us or make us happy. So we often find that we have been running around in circles, searching, waiting, wondering, when will it happen for us.
We find ourselves so busy running after things, that we forget to just pause and appreciate where we are right now. I often reflect back on “The good old days” when life seemed to be less complicated and realize that I am the one who complicated it looking for that “something” to complete me. It wasn't until I realized that the only thing that could truly complete me was God that I learned to pause and live in the moment.
So my friends, today I urge you to pause and let something good catch up to you.
Be blessed and be a blessing
Prayer:
Father, too often I found myself looking for that something or someone that I thought would make me happy. I looked high and low but couldn’t find it anywhere. It wasn’t until You found me that my life began to change. Thank You Lord, for finding me in the slimy pits of life. Thank You father for placing my feet on solid rock, giving me a firm place to stand. Thank You Lord for reaching down and reaching out Your hand to me. Lord, thank You for loving me enough by giving me the gift of eternal life through Christ Jesus. Now Lord, I ask that You would continue to bless those who come seeking a word of encouragement. Speak to our hearts Holy Spirit. Helping us to always be mindful to pause, and enjoy the moment in Christ Jesus. We love You Lord, we bless Your name. We give thanks, glory, honor and praise; in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.
Father, too often I found myself looking for that something or someone that I thought would make me happy. I looked high and low but couldn’t find it anywhere. It wasn’t until You found me that my life began to change. Thank You Lord, for finding me in the slimy pits of life. Thank You father for placing my feet on solid rock, giving me a firm place to stand. Thank You Lord for reaching down and reaching out Your hand to me. Lord, thank You for loving me enough by giving me the gift of eternal life through Christ Jesus. Now Lord, I ask that You would continue to bless those who come seeking a word of encouragement. Speak to our hearts Holy Spirit. Helping us to always be mindful to pause, and enjoy the moment in Christ Jesus. We love You Lord, we bless Your name. We give thanks, glory, honor and praise; in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.
