Category: Uncategorized

Posted on

Your First Love

Love…so often spoken about…we speak the most about love in the context of romance.  Finding that “one” that is yours and you their’s.  A special relationship indeed.   According to the world, this is the greatest love we can find.  But I contest there is one greater…our first love.

 Having a relationship with God, I understand that I already belong to someone…I belong to God, the Creator of the universe, the one who holds the entire world in His hands…I belong to Him and He belongs to me.  He is my first love.

He is your first love, too.  Sinners, Saints, anyone in between, He is your first love, the one Who loved you from the very beginning.  The one who sees every mistake, fault, problem, frustration, crack…loves you.  It doesn’t matter what you have done, who you are, how far you have ran…you cannot go too far to exceed the bounds of His love!

David describes this part of God’s character:

“If I ascend into heaven, You are there; If I make my bed in hell, behold, You are there. If I take the wings of the morning, And dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, Even there Your hand shall lead me, And Your right hand shall hold me. If I say, “Surely the darkness shall fall on me,” Even the night shall be light about me; Indeed, the darkness shall not hide from You, But the night shines as the day; The darkness and the light are both alike to You.” Psalms‬ ‭139:8-12‬ ‭NKJV‬

God is love.  In that love He sent His Son to give us a chance at everlasting life:

“In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.” ‭‭I John‬ ‭4:9-10‬ ‭NKJV‬ (emphasis added).

If you ever feel insignificant, unimportant, forgotten, unloved…remember your first love. Remember that God loves you because you are His…you don’t have to do anything to obtain that love.  It was yours from the beginning.

Thank you, Father, for your love!

Be blessed, dear friends.

  
Haven’t accepted Christ as your Lord & Savior yet?  Pray this with me: 

Dear Lord, I am a sinner and am in need of a savior.  I ask that you forgive me of all my sins.  I ask Jesus to become my Lord & Savior and He makes a place in my heart.  I want to be made right with you.  Thank you, Lord, for loving me enough to save me.  Amen.

Posted on

Speak Life

Words – we use them every day, in every culture, race, gender, and country.  They can heal and they can harm.  We can use them to change the world or destroy it.  Words have power.

Have you ever asked yourself why?  Why can words destroy or repair, raise up or cut down?  How can our words be so powerful?  It’s simple – we are made in the image of God – the God whose words brought this world into existence.  A word from Him can change the entire universe in an instant.

When we understand that, as an image of our Creator, our words can change the course of our destiny, crush a relationship, or bring healing to a wounded soul – we understand the power we have.  You are powerful, my friend. No matter how insignificant you feel, life and death are in the power of your tongue.  Make your words worthwhile – bring life from your words.

So many times, I’ve said to myself – “I know (this) or (that) is going to happen!” and it does.  I just spoke things as if they were, whether it is good or bad.  If what I spoke was negative, I would be in trouble.  After a few hard lessons, I started to watch my negative speak.  I am a human so I fail from time to time, but I know the better I speak life, the more blessed I am.

I encourage you – if you have a bad habit of speaking death over yourself, I encourage you to take the rest of this week by only speaking life over yourself, your job, your family, your husband/wife, your children, and your friends.  Don’t allow your words to stunt you.  You hold the power to a better life – use it!

“Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it will eat its fruit.”

‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭18:21‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

  

Posted on

Leader = Servant

I had the amazing privilege of going to Dallas Baptist University for both my degrees.  It helped me understand ministry in a unique way.  I got the business side and the spiritual side.  One thing they spoke on in every class  was the concept of servant leadership – I’m not exaggerating, we spoke about it in math class.  That is how much they believe in this concept.

If we look at the life of Christ, we see that He was the greatest example of this idea.  The best example of His servant – leadership is found in John 13 where He, God in flesh, bends down and washes the dirtiest part of the disciple’s body-their feet.  If He were an Earthly king, that would be below Him.  But the Kimgdom of Heaven operates in paradox to this world.

You & I (if you consider yourself a Christian) are citizens of Jesus’ Kimgdom and are, therefore, servant-leaders.  I’m not just talking to Pastors, Ministry leaders, Worship leaders, Youth pastors, or anyone else that could be considered a leader in the church.  No, if you are a follower of Christ, then that makes you a leader!  

Christians, as leaders, we must set an example and show Christ to everyone.  You and I have a great duty to fulfill the call of action from our Lord:

“But Jesus called them to Himself and said to them, “You know that those who are considered rulers over the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you shall be your servant. And whoever of you desires to be first shall be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.””

‭‭Mark‬ ‭10:42-45‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Live your life in service of others.  Don’t worry about what they can & cannot give you.  That is not your worry.  God has you in His hands.

Let’s do something for someone else this week-no matter how small.  It could be opening a door for somebody, buying a person lunch, visiting a sick person, or helping someone in need.  You know what you can do – so do it!

Live fearlessly, dear friends, and be blessed!

  

Posted on

Freedom

Have you had to endure something hard in life?  Have problems dealing with those issues now?  Here are some words from scripture that will help you find freedom:

  
Whatever you have endured, know that God has a plan for it to work out for YOUR good. You just have to give it to Him.

  
Know that God has been there from the beginning. Know that He understands and wants to help. You must allow Him to…He doesn’t force Himself on us. That is what makes Him a good, good Father.

   
 
Give it over to God and let Him fight your battle. Don’t allow avoidance, anger or repression be your go to. Let the Father take it off your hands and start walking in freedom

Abide in love. Love is what changes the world – not violence, hate, addiction, etc….but LOVE. Walk in that Love and you will walk in Freedom

Be blessed everyone!

Posted on

You are enough

Be you.  No one else can be you.  You were created for a purpose, a plan, there is a reason you are here.

I stated in my bio that I have always been considered a little strange.  It’s true.  I dance to my own beat, do my own thing.  I have always been that way.  Some people get me, love me.  But I have had my critics as well. 

 As I finish my last few months of my 20’s, I have to admit – I no longer care how weird people think I am because I am fearfully and wonderfully made.  Designed by my Father to be who I am.  And so are you!

Be bold enough to be you.  Forget who everyone else says you are.  God holds your true identity.  Let His opinion rule!

I am loved.  You are loved.  Not for the things you & I do, but because we exist, were created, and am who we are.  Do not ever forget that!

“O LORD, You have searched me and known me. You know my sitting down and my rising up; You understand my thought afar off. You comprehend my path and my lying down, And are acquainted with all my ways. For there is not a word on my tongue, But behold, O LORD, You know it altogether. You have hedged me behind and before, And laid Your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; It is high, I cannot attain it. Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence? If I ascend into heaven, You are there; If I make my bed in hell, behold, You are there. If I take the wings of the morning, And dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, Even there Your hand shall lead me, And Your right hand shall hold me. If I say, “Surely the darkness shall fall on me,” Even the night shall be light about me; Indeed, the darkness shall not hide from You, But the night shines as the day; The darkness and the light are both alike to You. For You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother’s womb. I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works, And that my soul knows very well. My frame was not hidden from You, When I was made in secret, And skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed. And in Your book they all were written, The days fashioned for me, When as yet there were none of them. How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God! How great is the sum of them! If I should count them, they would be more in number than the sand; When I awake, I am still with You.” ‭‭Psalms‬ ‭139:1-18‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Be blessed, dear friends, and live fearlessly!

  

Posted on

Peace

This world is full of chaos, problems, violence and hate.  It is on every corner, in every family, group of friends, and even in the church.  We are humans, therefore filled with sin.  That is a fact so naturally, peace is not a quality we are free to live in.

So, how in the world can we expect to live in peace?  How can we, in any way, be able to sleep at night after a young man, obviously disturbed, walks into a community college and kills people for being Christians?  It is not something we can do on our own, live with peace.  If we rely on our own ability, peace will never come.  

Peace comes from the Father, the one who created this world, who is all knowing, all powerful, all loving.    If we place our trust in knowing that He has it in control, He knows what is going on, and He cares for us – we can be free to live in peace.

“Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”” ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭11:28-30‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

“These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”” John‬ ‭16:33‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Philippians‬ ‭4:6-7‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Give up your worry, chaos, unforgiveness, pain, issues over to God and allow yourself to rest in His peace.

Live boldly, dear friends, and be blessed.

  

Posted on

Redemption – part 2

For those that desire redemption & grace must learn to give it.  Don’t allow yourself to be an agent of the enemy.  Let go & move on!!  

We can start a movement.  As I stated in my last post – our society has no place for redemption.  Let’s find a place for it.  Let’s love boldly and unconditionally.  

This is the only way to win the war against our advisory.

Remember: “There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.” Romans‬ ‭8:1‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

  

  

Posted on

Don’t Grow Weary

I used to have a desire to be seen in doing good.  I wanted a chance to “be something” and would not always treat people like I should.  I am not saying I was ruthless or even malicious.  I am saying I was prideful and impatient.  I wanted my reward now.  I was also insecure – I wanted to know I was needed by people.  Man, it was a stressful season for me…because I never got what I wanted.  I did good, but grew weary.

It wasn’t until a faithful mentor in my life explained to me that it doesn’t require me to overwork myself to get things done – in essence – I am not that great.  Ouch!  But oh so true!  I grew weary because my focus was not on what it should be.  I was doing good for the soul reason to further myself when I should be doing good because that is what I am supposed to be doing.

I should do everything unto God and not worry about who sees it…He sees it.  This revelation began to birth in me a peace that allowed me to love people like I never have because I no longer looked to them for my worth.  I looked to be a blessing to them.  I learned that, at the end of the day, God has my back and I don’t need to be noticed, seen, or praised by others.  Don’t get me wrong, those things are great, but they are not necessary to fulfil the calling on my life.

Being faithful unto God, leaning on Him, learning that it takes all of us to get the work done has been an epiphany that set me free.  I no longer allow myself to become weary because my source is Him.  Pride can suffocate you like nothing else.

I know you are asking yourself why I decided to share this with you…here is why – because the way our society is set up, we can get lost in the desire of others’ approval and it become our downfall.  We see it in celebrities all the time.  The church and those of faith cannot follow that pattern.  We must remain humble and under the hand of God.  That way, we do not seek something from a fellow person that they cannot give.  

I know there are going to be days that I will fail at this and fall back to my old ways, but know that I need to find my way back.  Will you join me on this journey?

Live your life free of expecting things from others.  God will ensure that you are taken care of.  He will make sure you get what you need.  Just keep doing good.

“And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.”‭‭Galatians‬ ‭6:9-10‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

  

Posted on

Be still

“The LORD will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace.””‭‭Exodus‬ ‭14:14‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

I went and saw War Room this weekend.  Great movie.  It speaks on the notion of prayer and how we need to do our battling in that realm rather than trying to do it ourselves.

It got me thinking so I wanted to encourage you because it encouraged me – go to God with your problems and let Him take care of it.  He is the only one who can make things right – I have learned this the hard way.

Have faith and trust in Him.  You only need to be still….

  

Posted on

What are you made of?

“My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.”‭‭James‬ ‭1:2-4‬ ‭NKJV‬‬