Trust Him, That much!

 

I recently had to give my baby girl some meds. She has some terrible allergies. This day in particular I had to give her more than one type of medication so it was important to give it to her correctly in dosage and time wise. All I had to do was call her into the kitchen and tell her, it was time for medicine. She’s a big girl now so there was not fight or fuss. She came right over and opened her mouth, trusting mommy to give her the right amount of medicine to help her feel better. The medicine doesn’t taste good but she still didn’t rebel.

Though she knows the power of prayer and knows all about Jesus as her ultimate healer, she also trusts mommy to give her things that are good for her. This got me to thinking …wow, this child trusts that what I’m giving her is ok, it’s good for her and won’t cause any harm. She has no doubt in her mind that I’m trying to do what’s best for her. She has no reservations, no questions, only…trust.

Just watching my baby come in the kitchen and simply take her medicine make me check my trust level with Jesus! When it comes to times of need, or trouble, or spiritual “sickness,” am I trusting Him without question, reservations or hesitation? Are you?

Do I fuss and fight when He is directing me to do something I may not want to do but that is better for me in the long run? Do you? Do I try to avoid following His instructions when He has my best interest at heart? Do you? Do I pretend I’m fine and don’t need words of wisdom He is sending though my man of God? Do you?

Often we may try to figure things out ourselves, leading to anxiety, fear, depression and or bad decisions when all we need to do is simply obey God’s word…and trust Him.

Proverbs 3:5- “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.”

Trusting Him lead to great results. Psalms 84:12 “O Lord of hosts, Blessed is the man who trusts in You!”

Think about it!

A Connected Life

Are you, or do you know someone who is constantly; scrolling, liking, commenting, posting, or sharing on social media? Are you or do you know someone that is often so engrossed in their device that they rarely look up while, walking, siting and even driving? Before I go further let me just say, “Yes” I use social media, I scroll, like, share, comment and post as well. That being said, it made me think…. what if everyone was as connected to their walk with Christ, and sharing, liking, posting His word as they are to just sharing, liking and commenting on videos, other’s thoughts, posts and likes? In our society, our world…nowadays, it seems rare to see positive images whether on social media or TV for that matter, (depending on the friends you have posting to your timeline.) Often you will find folk posting their hate or #staywoke, comments about religion only to try and detour others from it. We may find ourselves connected to things, thoughts and or ideas that we neglect the things we really need to be connected to. Never allow someone’s research to become all the proof you need of God’s existence. Know Him for yourself. Stop letting other’s post of the day become what makes or ruins your #mood. How much more joy would you have being more connected to Jesus than Facebook? How much more peace would surround you if you were more connected to Jesus than you are to TWITTER? John 3:36a “Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life…” I’m not telling you to stop posting, commenting, liking, sharing etc. I’m saying make sure you are connected to Jesus in a way that outweighs your connection to social media or anything else that will try to take His place in your heart. John 15:5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” Think about it.

Accept this!

 

In today’s society everyone seems to have either a gimmick or a qualm. Around every corner and on every social media site you will find that each and every individual in man-kind; is one of a kind. You can even find identical twins that are nothing, and look nothing alike!   One thing that the world seems to be big on these days is acceptance. We are asked to accept that fact that some people are shorter, fatter, smarter, or less educated than other.

We are told to respect each other’s eating habits, rituals and personal beliefs. We are even asked to accept the fact that boys now want to be girls and men now are becoming women. So why is that in a world where acceptance is supposed to be such a detrimental part of our being that so many refuse to accept the Word of God?

I mean really, if you say “don’t bully,” but you turn around and try to force other to accepts something they just simply don’t believe in aren’t you being the bully? Everybody wants to run around waving the “don’t just me flag,” while they are constantly judging others who believe that God is real. How is that fair? People write songs and blogs about how we must allow everyone to “be who they are.” OK, let’s go with that.

If we must allow everyone to be who they are, without judging or bullying them; then let Christians believe! We are supposed to sit back and listen to or watch the transitions of women into men but no one wants to listen to us sing the praises of a very real God! The word accept is defined as, the consent to receive. Everyone wants everyone to accept what they are dishing out but no one seems to want those same dishes served.

I feel like I am rambling but all I’m trying to say is accept this…

Philippians 2:10-11New King James Version (NKJV)

“That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth,  and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”

John 3:16King James Version (KJV)

 “For God so loved the world,  that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

Case Closed!

We live in a society and a world filled with diversity. There are so many different races no one can count or name them all. We also live in a world where acceptance is a major barrier. Children and adults are committing suicide because they are being bullied and not accepted.

It is the premise of acceptance that prompted me to write this article. I recently saw some social media rants based on many debating different issues surrounding acceptance. Is it acceptable for a teacher to wear body hugging clothing? Do we accept it because her body may be fuller set than others? Is it acceptable for male, born a male, now believing he is a female be allowed in the restroom with other females, though he is still male? Do we accept it because we don’t want to offend him? Is it acceptable for a football player to refuse to stand because he feels his country has disrespected his race? Do we accept his right to protest when that is what the land of the free is supposed to be all about?

Many have opinions on so many different things and they will say everyone must accept their opinions on those subjects in the same sentence where they refuse to accept someone’s different opinion on that very subject!

I saw someone post a list of “what if’s,” things like; what if religion is a waste of time? What if there is not God? So if I pose the question, “what if God is real, why should that be a problem? If I am supposed to accept another’s right not to believe, don’t they have to accept my right to believe? Everyone always says “don’t judge, but at that moment they are judging, because they assume I am judging…it’s all exhausting.  So let’s look to scripture.

II Corinthians 5:9-10

Therefore we make it our aim, whether present or absent, to be well pleasing to Him. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.

At the end of the day only acceptance of Christ matters. Case Closed. If I’m wrong…you better be right!
Think about it!

 

It’s Automatic

 

Many call us the microwave generation. The children of today are considered, those born in the age of technology. Everything runs fast and, seemingly all the know-how you could ever need is just a “Google” away.

If you know someone who still have dial up internet or a land-line communication device (telephone- LOL), these days that’s pretty much prehistoric. There are so many devices and conveniences in our day and age, it interests…me what will be next.

I was recently eating lunch with my family and went into the restroom before eating. When I rose from the toilet, it flushed…automatically. When I approached the sink I placed my hand under the soap dispenser and soap landed on my palm…automatically. Once I had soap I only needed to place my hand under the facet and guess what…the water came out…automatically!

Of course this is the norm but on this particular day it made me think. Of all the things in life that are automatic, how often do we recognize that, that’s how God’s forgiveness and grace work as well?

The water in the sink didn’t question me about how dirty my hands were; a toilet doesn’t refuse to flush based on what was dumped into it. When you step on an automatic door, you don’t stop to survey whether or not the door will allow you to enter based on your past.

Let us remember that when it comes to God’s grace. Christ was crucified and raised from the dead for the very reason of offering automatic forgiveness. All we need to do is ask.

Now if I approach a sink knowing water will come out but I never stretch out my hand to receive the water what will I get? Nothing. Likewise, you can’t expect forgiveness, or change in your life if you do nothing. 1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness, as simple as that. It’s automatic.

Think about it.

Faith that does not hesitate, like Abraham

At age 100 Abraham and his wife Sarah welcomed their first child together. I’m sure though they were old they must have been overjoyed to have a new life in the family. The bible doesn’t specify but Isaac was still a boy with God Himself made a request, or requirement if you will, of Abraham. Gen. 22:2 “Then He said, “Take now your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you.”
The instructions were very specific. There was no need to question what God wanted Abraham to do, kill his son. What stood out to me was Abraham’s responses in this text; first there is his initial response to the instructions.
Gen. 22:3 “So Abraham rose early in the morning and saddled his donkey, and took two of his young men with him, and Isaac his son; and he split the wood for the burnt offering, and arose and went to the place of which God had told him.” There is no text between verses two and three, to me this says Abraham did not question God, he did not debate whether he would do as instructed, he did not consult with anyone as to what he should do next and he did not hesitate to obey! How many times have we been given instruction directly or indirectly from God and hesitated to obey, wondered if we heard correctly or asked someone if we should or should not follow through?
So Abraham journeyed as instructed prepared to follow through with God’s order. Once they arrived though, Isaac, who had been raised in the faith and I’m sure had been to many sacrifices noticed something was missing and he questioned his father. Gen. 22: 7 Then he said, “Look, the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?” But again Abraham does not hesitate, he answers his son in faith Gen. 22:8 “And Abraham said, “My son, God will provide for Himself the lamb for a burnt offering.” Here we can see that Abraham has taught his son to be obedient just as he is obedient. We know this because Isaac follows his father’s instruction without further question. Finally they arrive at the place for sacrifice and Abraham continues to impress with his unwavering obedience and faith. Gen. 22:8-9 says, “Then they came to the place of which God had told him. And Abraham built an altar there and placed the wood in order; and he bound Isaac his son and laid him on the altar, upon the wood. And Abraham stretched out his hand and took the knife to slay his son.”
And because of his unhesitanting faith, of course God does what HE does best, He provided for Abraham and spared Isaac. An angel calls out to Abraham and stops him from slaying Isaac, then provides a ram in a nearby bush for the sacrifice. After this, God pronounces blessings upon Abraham and his descendants!
I hear people say all the time, “Abraham’s blessing are mine.” Now I want to ask, if you expect to receive the blessings of Abraham, are you operating in non-hesitating faith and obedience as he did?
Think about it!

Are you having an affair?

By Regina D. “Gena-Mae” Wells

Deuteronomy 6:5 “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.”

Last year I watched the movie “Addicted” by Zane and I wrote an article with the same title. Recently I watched a Lifetime called, “The Perfect Girlfriend.” These two movies have a lot of things in common but the thing that struck me as worthy of an article is this; the individuals in each film were totally obsessed with someone. So much so that they became, ill, depressed, violent, etcetera; when they couldn’t be with the person they desired. They felt they could not live without their significate other even when that person didn’t want to be with them any longer.

Much like be addicted to drugs their desires for the person they loved utterly consumed them. They were not able to properly function. In both cases these addictions were a result of an affair. These affairs became so important to them that they began to become careless of any and everything else going on around them, nothing was as important to them as their affair.

This makes me wonder; who’s having an affair on God? Christians worldwide proclaim their love for Christ yet they spend more time on their phone than in prayer or on Facebook than sharing their faith. I’m not perfect by any means; and yes writing this makes me take a long look in the mirror, because the last thing I ever want to do is “cheat on God!” My God has done so much for me! Though I have never seen Him in person, I know He lives and reigns in my life.

I am devoted to Him and I want Him to know it. How about you? Check your relationship with the Lord for a few seconds. Does He know how much you need and love Him? Do you spend time with Him, talking to Him and loving on Him? Or is God your “side chick or dude?”

Do you only call on Him when who or what you primarily focus on is unavailable or uncooperative? As in any relationship, our relationship with Jesus needs attention. This is why I disagree with people who say they don’t “need to or have to, go to a physical church.” How can you cultivate your relationship with someone if you never take them out, never visit their house, never spend time with them outside your living room, same difference with Jesus.

We must invest time in our relationship with Him in order for it to flourish and grow. Would you consider yourself in a real relationship with someone you never talked too? Never mentioned to others? Never expressed love for openly? Then how can this work with Jesus?

See, He already showed His love for us by giving His life as the ultimate sacrifice for us, and He continually shows His love for us by; waking us daily, as well as protecting us from dangers seen and unseen.

If your husband, wife, boyfriend or girlfriend ONLY acknowledged you when they needed something would you stay in a relationship with them? I doubt it. So let’s remember, our relationship with Jesus needs more than a monthly scripture post on social media. It needs quality time, devotion and open adoration. Are you really in love with Jesus, or are you having an affair? Think about it!

 

Watching over you!

 

I recently read a parable and it really made me think, so I wanted to share it. The author of the story is unknown. As a rite of passage from boyhood to manhood, a young boy was taken into the forest by his father at night and left on a stump blindfolded. The boy was instructed not to move, not to remove the blindfold and not even cry out for help. If he made it through the night the next morning he would be considered a man. Standing there throughout the night, no doubt, the young boy must have been very afraid of the things he could not see but could hear in the darkness all around him. The story concludes by saying the next morning the young boy saw rays of sunshine coming through the blindfold and knew he had accomplished the task and was now a man! Removing the blindfold, however, he found his father sitting next to him, as he had been the entire night.

The story made me think of how often in life we may feel we are alone. We may become frightened because of what we cannot see or because of things we hear. We may be subjected to very dark times and feel paralyzed. But at the end of the day we must remember what the word says about our Almighty Creator. Deut. 31:6NKJV says, “Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the Lord your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave nor forsake you.”

In times of distress, when you feel all alone remember God is with you. He may not say a word, but He is there. Our God wants to see us prosper. He created us to live for Him and praise His name. God is a perfect father. Matt 7:9-12 says, “Or what man is there among you who, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him?”

Notice the scripture here doesn’t end with a question mark but with an exclamation, because this is not a question but a statement of God’s love for His children. Are you one? If you know you are a child of God why do you fear because He is watching over you! Think about it!

 

The Power of what you believe!

The definition for belief is the state of mind in which a person thinks something to be the case, with or without there being empirical evidence to prove that something is the case with factual certainty. To believe is defined as to have confidence in the truth, the existence, or the reliability of something; although without absolute proof that one is right in doing so.

I recently saw a video called Spirit of Python. This is a powerful video with a variety of scriptural teaching for teens based on Acts 16:16 but I recommend everyone see it. One of the inserts in the video was on the effects of marijuana. In the video the speakers talked about the power of this drug that many feel is harmless. He spoke on how if used long term it can alter one’s brain activity substantially, killing brain cells.  In the video he also spoke about an experiment that inspired this article.

An unnamed college conducted an experiment in which it allowed several select students to smoke pot every day for one month, and every day the students were high. However what the student didn’t know was that at the end of the month, the ingredient that causes the high was removed from the joints, nevertheless the students still functioned as if they were high…why because they believed they were.

I have also heard of doctors doing studies where they place patients on prescription drugs for a certain period of time, and do not inform the patient that at some point they are simply taking sugar or water pills that only look like the prescription they are sure is making them feel better. Studies have shown that those patients continued to “feel better,” why…because they believe the medicine they are taking is helping.
I said all of that to convey my point that entitles this article; there is great power in what you believe! I find it funny yet saddening that millions believe in the power of the internet, money, self-worth and other things that they can or cannot see; yet the criticize those who believe in God!

I am reminded of Thomas in scripture. What a reflection of our world his statement was when he said in John 20, “Unless I see in His hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe.” When Jesus showed up, true to his word Thomas believed, but Jesus had something to say about that in verse 29, “Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”
I submit to you that, if you can believe all things are possible! Furthermore I submit to you the belief in God Almighty, not some random “higher power,” contains a power that is unlimited and everlasting. Don’t believe me…try it for yourself!

Think about it

Stop Crying…Stand up!

Problems in life are a part of life. I was recently talking to a close friend of mine who had been going through some tough times and I tried to encourage them to keep the faith, fast, pray and just deny themselves, but most of all to trust God in whatever came their way.

Shortly after this conversation, I saw a video on FACEBOOK. It was a young child, a boy, who looked to be about seven or eight years old. He was in water; it looked like a lake or deep pond. He was holding on to a rope crying because he feared if he let go of the rope he would drown. In the video I could see adults standing around the child and I of course wondered why they were standing by letting this child cry and fear for his life. A few seconds into the video a woman, apparently his mother stepped in and what happened next made my mouth drop.

She did not pick her child up to safety, or comfort him in her arms. She bent down and reaching into the water she pushed his legs down. Immediately you can see the “light bulb go off,” as he realizes all he had to do was stand up, the water was barely above his waistline!

When his light bulb went off so did mine, hence this article!

How many times are we walking around crying about our situation instead of trusting our all-powerful God and standing on His word? The little boy in the video, like me didn’t understand why the adults around him that he thought he trusted were letting him dangle in the water for his very life.  Often times we may not understand why God is allowing us to go through what we are going through; but the scripture is very clear, Proverbs 3:5 says “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not to your own understanding.” Verse 6 goes on to say “Acknowledge Him and He will direct your path.”

That day in the video I believe the little boy learned a few things.

1. His mother would never stand by and watch him drown.
2. He needed to stop focusing so much on his fear.

Can we learn something similar from this video and the scripture?  God is willing, able and ready to move for us but we have to first BELIEVE and ACKNOWLDEGE. When you spend all day focusing on your problem you are wasting time and spinning your wheels but not getting any results. Stop crying and stand on God’s word for your life!

Think about it!