The Test

Many times the aggravation we go through is because we know what the Word says and with all of the prayers, scripture reading, and as much as we believe it just seems like nothing is getting done or worse yet it looks like the situation is going in the opposite direction from which we were desiring. This includes looking at certain people who don't have nearly the same conviction in the faith as you have and they receive blessing upon blessing. This also includes the sinner who has no intention of being a Christian then there is a man in the moon. Yes, and still through it all God sees you and expects for you to maintain the faith (2 Corinthians 4:16 KJV). Its enough to make a grown man roll into a fetal position and cry. That is the best way I can describe frustration.

I enjoy the Word. I love learning the mysteries of God. When the discovery of revelation knowledge is feeding my Spirit, all I can do is sit in a quiet place and just soak all of the goodness in. Its just wonderful when you get something that you didn't know before, especially when you use it, have expectation, and watch it come to pass. It is just phenomenal! And then there are those times where when you receive the knowledge where the basis in receiving it is to wait for it to come to pass... we almost forget what we were waiting for. Then God reminds us after we have received it and has moved onto something else. It is the reason why we give thanks for all things just so that when life continues, we not take His blessings and the answers to our prayers for granted.

Worship and praise is so important in Kingdom Living for a myriad of reasons. One being it takes up some of that time in waiting and consumes those anxious feelings of reacting impulsively. Bishop T.D. Jakes taught that a part of our worship is doing the things that we are called to do. Those are acts of obedience as well. Praise squashes those thoughts of distraction that keep you from God's blessing. It is just necessary to do. He is more than worth our praise and worship.

With all of this in mind, it solidifies the new information received from God. It makes more sense for the things we go through and life is full of joy again. That necessary ingredient for Kingdom Living (Romans 14:17 KJV). So then why would the Holy Spirit lead Jesus in the wilderness to be tempted of the devil? Why would it be necessary? For years that scripture perturbed me. The Holy Spirit is our Comfort. Jesus is the Prince of Peace. It just made no sense to me and then that revelation knowledge came.

I don't like to be tested, especially those surprise pop quizzes. I really didn't like it on dates when the guy thought he was trying to see how I coped with problems and how I dealt with arguments. Yet when it is God, His purpose is for our good. It is for us to use what we have learned and not to forget. It is the strengthening of our armor and muscle building to wield the sword. It is why when the enemy came to Jesus, He used the Word in spite of being tempted with food when on a 40 day fast. How well do we fare with tests? Have we passed them all or do we go through the same quizzes again and again until we finally say those common words, "forget it, I give up. I'm too tired to keep doing this." Galatians 6:9 KJV

I was watching this Public Television program on how farmers and their vineyards produce wine. It was fascinating how these companies knew that they had so much opposition in order to develop a good crop to use in getting the end result. In fact, one farmer said unless it is in you to farm this particular crop - don't waste your time. He continued that because of the weather conditions, all that a farmer must do to protect the fruit, to know when it is the right time to harvest and the possibility of losing more than half of the product, a farmer doesn't really get any sort of profit for 3-5 years. I was amazed at what the workers were willing to do to check each and every cluster of grapes. Pesticides couldn't be used because they knew the end product wouldn't be at its best. There were some bugs they tolerated for a little while. They covered the fruit at certain times of the day so when the sun came up in the morning, it was good but for the remainder of the day, its heat was too much. They welcomed rain, but not too much. Too much rain took away the sugar in the fruit which was needed for the best wine. Frost was the enemy and was dealt with using torches and walking up and down each narrow path for the fruit to maintain. And just when you think it is all going well, each cluster is checked again. The farmer expects for the fruit to all be one size. If the fruit doesn't have the size, shape, and color that the farmer expects, it is pruned and thrown away.

At the end of the program, I cried (you will see why in a moment). I could see the Word and what God tells us all. I was afraid for a moment about my maturity in Christ and wondered if I had done (am doing) what is expected of me. I had to rebuke any fear for my children, because there comes a time where all that you tried to do as a parent must stand - just as what God does with us (Hebrews 12:5 AMP).

He is the farmer. He checks the crop seeing how well we are faring through the environment by which we live. The weather conditions change as with the seasons. He prunes back some of us so that we can be a stronger crop the next season. Fighting it isn't smart. Being stubborn because you couldn't get this or that only takes you from the blessing. You know what I mean. "You didn't do this for me, so I am not going to church anymore (or be nice to this person, or go back to the old life, or blame someone else, or reasoning for doing wrong). It is as if you refused the morning sun or drank too much of the rain and when the farmer came to check to see his crop knowing that if it isn't right, it has to go (Ephesians 3:13 KJV).

I still don't like tests; even with the better understanding of them in Christ. However, I know that when in college, tests came easy for me when I studied for them. When I formed the habit of going over the lecture notes and the notes I wrote from the text book on a daily basis, the tests were so easy. They were a lot easier when listening to the lecturer and hearing the emphasis in his/her voice. One of the subjects I detested was Philosophy. It made no sense to me. But as long as I was trying to make sense of it, I couldn't achieve anything higher then a C. As soon as I started to write the way the teacher was speaking, (jibberish - really), I got the A I was looking for. She even wrote on one of my compositions, "now you are getting it!" She has no idea that she didn't change my thinking, I just did what I needed to, to get the grade I was looking for.

But in life you can't just do the minimum to get the grade. God sees your heart. The test is continual so you can speak like Him, walk like Him, be more like Him. While the teacher was trying to do the same thing with me in Philosophy, I had no intention to speak and think like that. With God, I chose life. In doing so, I meant to  make that decision to do and have what He says I can have. Some Christians go through the motions and are well rehearsed with scripture but their lives are much like what I was doing in Philosophy class - just what it looks like and not what it actually is. Don't keep pretending - God is not mocked (Galatians 6:7 KJV). He does gather the wheat and will do away with the tares (Matthew 13:36-44 KJV). He can decipher the lambs from the goats (Matthew 25:32-46 KJV) and if the branch doesn't produce, it will be pruned. Now you know why I cried (Luke 10:2 KJV).

Skipping Steps

I was having this discussions with one of the residents living in the community from which I am employed. We were discussing the process that most things have to go through in order for success to be obtained. Although his hopes were that I didn't see the fact that he was making excuses for procrastinating, it nevertheless made a good topic for Kingdom Living and the spiritual growth of us all who believe.

I had wrote a blog a few months earlier about skipping steps coming from a sermon I heard a well known minister speak about. He specifically spoke about what God is able to do if you are willing to yield your will over to His. I wondered about it as members of the church and certainly visitors took the message, became excited, and started jumping, yelling, and running around the building with the information. I watched the television and contemplated on why God would do such a thing.

When using hormones to speed the process of producing beef, is the meat as healthy as it would be if the animal was allowed to go through the process? Because the business industry has this microwave mentality and has found ways to produce bigger products for less and charge more, is it a better product? Steps were skipped there too. Look at it from a natural perspective. Go to a staircase and skip three steps at a time to get to the top of the stairs. How easy was that? If we follow Jesus, His burden is easy and yoke is light (Matthew 11:30 KJV).

The discussion I had with this elderly man was about the venue he was going into. He was interested in taking a music score that was already produced and mix nature sounds into it. Then present it as a new piece of work to recording artists and executives. I had no desire to squash his dream even though one of the things I really detest is hearing or seeing the remake of something that didn't need any renovations. Once a classic has been created and everyone willing to hear it was more than satisfied with its outcome, why then 20 years later make it again as if the new spin is going to make it even better? Movies that have been laid to rest and every once in awhile take it out to see how people lived in those black and white versions and their plights back then, is refreshing. To change the story line to make it relevant for today's society, is just plain lazy. God is not out of witty inventions and ideas for believers to get something new. Still, I listened to him and even used the analogy of the seed growing in the ground. The seed doesn't immediately move to fruit, there is a process the seed has to go through in relationship with the soil and the environment from which the seed was planted (James 5:7 KJV). This is true for ever aspect in life (Matthew 13:1-7 KJV). It is why I believe the Lord has it in the bible so many times (Luke 8:1-15 AMP).

Knowing that the Lord would never go against His Word, why then would there be a sermon about skipping steps in a process by which we would have to use patience in order for anything to produce? I believe(now, as opposed to then) each person is different. Much like someone who was wrongfully convicted and had to do prison time for murder when in actuality he/she was there at the time of the crime but didn't report it. The prison time should have been an accessory to murder or obstruction. Both of those crimes would have a lesser sentence then murder. Yet because of the conviction this person spent 15 years of a 40 year sentence of their life. At a retrial, there is new evidence produced and the wrongfully accused receives a sentence of 3 years as opposed to the 40. Because of the 15 years served, the person is acquitted of all charges. So then how can he/she be compensated for the additional 12 years taken? In those 12 years he/she could have had a family, a career, a house, a business, had changed other lives, had an invention, discovered the cure to an incurable disease, and so forth and so on. Who can make amends for the time taken (Luke 18:27 NIV)? Who can make that wrong right?

This is where steps can be skipped. This is where our belief in God can take a a rag and make it useful. This is where a diamond can be found in a condemned house. This is where money is given for no other reason then hearing the voice of God. This is where doors are opened and opportunities are given unexpectedly to make those advances that only one can make by skipping steps. So when the time comes for the wilderness season (Matthew 4:1 AMP), the valley of the shadow of death camp (Psalm 23:4 KJV),and storms out of no where (Matthew 14:22-31 KJV) comes to an end be ready and willing to move. God will do the rest to get you over the hurdle that others are struggling to do.

Jehovah-Rohi

He is God. He is the One who heals those who believe (Exodus 15:25-26 KJV). Even with Him that is doing the healing, it doesn't take away from His character of who He is. He chooses the way He will do the healing (Psalm 25:4 AMP). All that is required of us in the way that pleases Him and what will cause Him to move is faith (Hebrews 11:6 KJV).

When the woman with an issue of blood decided to go see Jesus, she crouched down low so not to be noticed but also to get through the throngs of people. She had done all she knew to do and still the issue of blood plagued her (Luke 8:43-48 KJV). In the Old Testament, there is a passage of a man going to a physician for healing and died anyway because he sought help from a man rather than putting his trust in God (2 Chronicles 16:10-12 KJV). It wasn't the same for the this woman. It couldn't have been. She didn't all of a sudden have faith for Jesus to heal her. She had to have her faith at work or the same result would have occurred with her as it did with the man seeking the physician. Why then wasn't she healed in any of those previous 12 years? Why did God choose at that moment for her healing to take place?

A Christian woman was diagnosed with a number of chronic physical problems, sought God to be healed. Her condition got worse, according to her, and to add to her troubles, her family was experiencing the loss of a loved one. It was much for the woman to bare. She prayed crying out to the Lord for some peace or at least a reason why. One day she was slowly progressing through her day, she was about to have a meal with some people she knew. One of those people saw the food she ordered and made a private comment to her knowing her condition and that certain foods would only exacerbate the problem and cause her discomfort. The woman replied, "What? It's my favorite and the doctor said it was fine." What more could the person say to her if she was determined to do as she pleased?

There is healing in practical study. Whether it is in the scriptures or in textbook knowledge. God will choose how He decides to heal. What we must do is have the ears to hear (Mark 4:23 KJV).

Why be annoyed or irritated in accepting knowledge from someone younger if it is to assist in getting you to where you would like to be? If modern medicine isn't helping, is it insanity to keep using it and not change certain habits? If one has smoked cigarettes for years and is diagnosed with emphysema, why keep taking the meds while still smoking the cigarettes? It doesn't make sense!If bleached food items are the culprits to some diseases, why keep eating them? If carbonated drinks have no nutritional value, why drink them? If eliminating caffeine from a diet will cure migraine headaches, why not do it? Why does one choose to be in discomfort when Jesus left for the Comforter would come (John 16:7 KJV)?

Examine yourself (2 Corinthians 13:4-6 KJV). Being annoyed or irritated with someone for giving practical advise could be something you must eliminate and fight through to get to the healing you seek. It could be as simple as watching a comedy, so you can laugh (Proverbs 17:22 AMP). Pray about it and seek peace so there can be marrow to your bones and health to thy navel (Proverbs 3:7-8 KJV).

Venting

A vent is placed in a building or house for air to circulate. It keeps the house or building from being stuffy - assuming that the vent is open to fresh air. That same circulation can work against in keeping the rooms stuffy if there is smoke or a bad smell in one room or another - it begins to circulate and is in the entire building or house.

The terminology venting came from the world. It is used supposedly for health reasons so not to suppress feelings and issues that need to be let out and dealt with. Holding it in and not letting anyone know what the trouble is causes mental anguish, resentment, tension headaches and a host of other problems that no one would like to deal with. So once done, we are told that we feel better that the burden was discussed, resolved, and lifted off of the shoulders of the one carrying it. It felt so good that why not speak it out every single time an issue arises so mush so that there aren't any issues anymore? Sounds wonderful doesn't it - only even that becomes an issue. Why? Because of the attention that having an issue got. You've met them before. The kind that fabricate, or embellish stuff just to be a part of a conversation.

What is it called when the vented issue is resolved and it still needs to be mentioned? Isn't that complaining?

I thought that instead of venting to others about what bothered me, I could talk it over with Jesus. You know how the song goes, "talk it over with Jesus; tell Him about your troubles..." It did me the world of good when I was finished. I didn't have to say anything to anyone else. God handled it and that settles it. I began talking to the Lord about everything. I got so use to it, I decided I didn't have to go through the formalities of prayer, just having that alone time and letting it rip. Oh, there was so much that people would do that just got on my last nerve... and on and on and on and on. Phew! What a friend we have in Jesus. It just felt soooo good until I realized something. As much as I didn't like to nag to my children - they knew I would give them instruction and expect it to be done. There wasn't any reason to micro-manage. I trained them well, yet here I was sounding more of a nag in my venting to the Lord. What happened to my prayer life?

Well, what was I going to pray about? How such and such irritated and me and give them a clean heart O God? Or should I tell God how someone else needs this, that or the other and bless them Lord so they will stop asking me to pray for them every time they see me? Doesn't God already know these things? So there, I can go back and have my venting sessions. After all, its good for my mental health and there is some Spiritual happenings going on there too - right?

There is this resident in the building where I am employed. Every now and again, she comes to the office and tells me how she doesn't like a certain person in the building. It is over some mundane asinine reason, but I listened to her. Again and again she would tell me as if I didn't hear her the first time. That woman didn't open the door to the building when she was standing right there. Why didn't you have your key, I would ask. And she would say, "I had my key. That's not the point, she was right at the door and wouldn't open it!" Just get over it, I would say to her. I validated her point when she said it to me the first couple of times, but when I asked how long ago was that she said, "years ago." YEARS! I screamed in my mind. I just couldn't hear it anymore. Why come to me and tell me this over and over again? Wouldn't it be better to just forgive and forget it? No she wasn't having any of that. Oddly enough, the other woman with whom she was referring felt the same way. I asked them both to forgive the other or else how can God forgive you? The had no answer when put in that manner.

As time went on, short as it was, one of the women passed on. The other that used to come to the office to complain, found something else to complain about. Something completely arbitrary of her yet with the same intensity as she had with not being let in the front door. I asked her about the woman that passed that she complained about before. Her voice softened and she answered, "well, she wasn't so bad." "She wasn't so bad! SHE WASN'T SO BAD!!! Do you know how many times you complained about her to me much less to anyone else. I asked you to forgive her and you refused. Do you know how much she would have appreciated hearing you say a kind word to her? Why now when she can't hear it? Why say anything nice now?" "Well, she sheepishly began, she wasn't all bad." That's it! She had nothing else to say about the deceased woman. She would have rather complained about a person that says nothing to her and minds her own business.

How patient should I be to hear such foolishness? How long does one tolerate the words of others when you know they are wrong. When is there as much correction as there is foolish words and when does one just walk away leaving the person there to deal with their own mess?

God listened to me. He never left all the time while I went on and on. I had some one to listen to me and not interrupt with all of their issues. He heard everything I said and it felt so good to tell it without it coming back to bite me in the butt. There were no embellishments, there were no vague ambiguity, no nonsensical advice. He listened. Sometimes when things just were too frustrating to put into words, He gave me peace about it and Wisdom to overcome the situation. It was just so nice even with the faintest whisper of my confession or the prayer that I was to continually be in. I just like the talking all the more.

So why would I be frustrated with this woman (2 Corinthians 9:7 AMP)? She was only doing what I was doing to God (Galatians 6:7 KJV). Her issue seemed just as important to her as mine was to me. To God it is all nonsense unless spoken in the Spirit where we aren't using the lusts and affections of the flesh (Galatians 5:24 KJV). We like to hear our own selves talking. Not such a delicious thing to do when we don't understand what we are saying.

For Christ's Sake

There is this bible study at my place of employment. I had started it a couple of years ago because it seemed like something that was needed plus I was told they used to have it but the information was vague as to why they no longer did. When it began, I was truly enjoying getting the lessons together and the questions that stirred among those who attended. It caused them to study and question all that they thought was the truth over the years. I suppose it was necessary back then as we were babies but we just can't stay that way forever.

Be as it may, after only a few months, I had to give it up. It was the Lord telling me to do this. I hemmed and hawed and assumed because I was starting school. God knew better than I what I could handle, so I stopped it. One of the other residents felt that it was much too important to stop and continued with the classes but I didn't have peace about still attending. Two weeks later the administrator called me into his office to ask about said bible class and who gave me the permission to conduct it. I honestly proclaimed, "I am not conducting any bible study." With that he replied, "I don't care that you are having a bible study class, its just that it is not on the calendar and some of the residents have complained to the CEO as to why they cannot have a bible study class anymore?" I still repeated what I originally said. The matter was dropped.

Since then the class continues. The one who took it over reported to me how well things were going and even requested if I could make her some lesson plans to give to the other participants. I was only too happy to comply. Even though I wasn't in the class at least I can help with the lessons. I waited almost 2 years before seeing how the class was going. Some of the residents have left the building while new participants joined with a much more demonstrative personality. As I came in quietly, they all lifted their heads and acknowledged me in the room. They continued back with the class. I knew I couldn't just come in and resume where I left off but figured with some time, I could nudge my way in if things weren't flowing as smoothly.

I thought I could just sit there and listen, but the topic of suffering came up and that archaic way of thinking resurrected and I just couldn't keep quiet. I couldn't let them grow at the pace God had set for them. I had to put my ways in there so we all could be up to speed. So there I went. Spouting off the way God gave it to me. It was all fresh and new and they were all going to be grateful for getting that fresh spiritual food. It went well for the first 20 minutes. Everyone seemed happy. Then I realized that that a new resident took over the meeting and the one who was suppose to be conducting it, took a passive role. I didn't expect that. In fact I was a little annoyed that she thought she could do such a thing being new to the group and all. While she spoke, I prayed as I did before coming. After all, we are all children of the King; so we can hear His voice. When I finished praying in the Spirit, she was initially opposing my view but she stopped, smiled and said very little.

The next meeting, the really quiet ones had studied and came at me with scripture and verse. I was surprised and a little excited that there was actually some feedback to what I said from last week. The new leader also chimed in. We were still on the subject of suffering. We went back and forth with what I knew and what they learned. They were determined to suffer no matter what Jesus freed them from. Though I knew what they were saying and hoped they were getting what I was saying we both didn't disagree with the other knowing it did not promote righteousness. But that new resident, that was taking over the class, she kept using one derogatory statement after the other to undermine everything I was trying to say. I prayed like before in the Spirit, and it got worse instead of better. It got to the point where I was wasn't going to say anything just use my eyes and stare at her while she spoke. We established eye contact and she knew.

When the class was over, I don't know what the other participants thought. It wasn't on my mind. I continually sensed how I was annoying this woman and how much she was irritating me. When everyone else was gone, I spoke to her and told her that our behavior would have to stop. She asked me in class that because I was the newest member there she was going to extend for me to speak about the chapter reading first. I felt it was necessary for me to tell her that I was the one that opened the bible class before she got there and if anyone was new it was her. She told me boldly that I was annoying her. I didn't expect her to say that but I replied that I know. I also added that the repartee we were having had to stop. There was no reason for her to give a derogatory statement every time I said something. Though we were suppose to be making peace with one another, she was justifying what she had to say and why. I stopped defending myself and it became quiet. She hugged me and said that next week there would be a different topic that we wouldn't have to do that sort of discussion anymore. She decided that. She was able to justify herself. She was conducting the bible class. She took my peace offering and made it her own.

She walked away feeling better about the matter. It is what I was hoping for but at the same time get her to see that she has to let the class run according to the flow of the Holy Spirit (translation: give me back MY class!).

In a nutshell, it wasn't for me to go back to. They were perfectly happy at the pace they were going. I know I stirred things up a bit. When I came to the class the second time, the new woman conducting it, was falling asleep as the scriptures were being read. When I sat down the verses were still being read but she saw me and was wide awake after that. Before I came to those two sessions, she didn't have nothing but her bible. That second session she had a note book full and announced to the class she had been studying the lesson for 4 hours straight.

I smiled not because I saw the challenge but because she found it necessary to announce that. Why wasn't she studying like that before? She had to go over each verse that opposed mine. Why didn't she use the verses that agreed with me? So I listened and heard that the rest of the participants studied too. And they had questions of their own. I hope she studied enough to answer them. If not, God will have a bunch of people making requests that weren't before. Just like I did for more Spiritual food.

The point I was making in class and even here in that scenario, we suffer for Christ's sake. Not with whips and chains like it has been taught for so many years. If that is what we will have to go through, then why not let sinners know that when we witness to them? Why keep it secret until they are mature enough not to turn around? We suffer for Christ's sake because of the flesh. He said to pick up your cross and follow Me (Mark 8:34 KJV). The cross is where the flesh must die. We have ways that are not always right but we justify them as if that is enough of a defense. It is those new ways (God's way) that goes against the grain - the world's way of doing things. Some don't like change. Blessing those that spitefully use you (Matthew 5:44 KJV). Keeping quiet when our natural response is to defend ourselves (James 1:19 KJV). Allowing someone to take advantage of a situation and not raise a hand back against the other (Matthew 5:40 AMP). Winning an unbelieving spouse with our countenance when the flesh would rather go and get a divorce (1 Peter 3:1-2 KJV). You see there is a suffering for Christ's sake but it doesn't mean to be accepting of sickness and disease or enduring domestic violence.

Jesus came to set the captives free. And who the son has set free is free indeed.

Did God Say You Would Have Trouble?

Its just that when I hear a man or woman of God teach something that doesn't line up with the Word of God, I cringe. The cringe is a reminder of how long I believed lies that kept me from pursuing the true blessing. Truth delivers. Deceit deprives. What may sound good isn't, unless you can find it in the Word and know how to rightly divide it.

Let's take some lies that have been compounded (spoken again and again) in ministry where many heard and believed to be the truth (2 Peter 3:16-18 AMP). This list is small; however, it should get you started in studying and having your own reference materials to use when the lies try to contend with you:

The Lies
1. God didn't say that you wouldn't have trouble.
2. God may not come when you want Him but He is always right on time.
3. Marriage is hard and an eye opener.
4. The many things you can't do because you are a Christian.
5. Seeking God's perfect will in your life.
6. The list of foods a believer cannot eat.
7. Docile and introverted is the same as meek and humble.
8. The devil targets the righteous because he already has the sinner.
9. God never says no but always yes and amen.
10.It is good to use your imagination... what do you think God gave it to you for?

Alright, there you have it. There are some current ones in there that you probably just heard this week. I know there are some in there I just heard and had to correct my fellow sister in the Lord. She wasn't too happy about it in fact when a third party showed her the scripture that I was referring to and neither one of us could find, she changed her tune and acted as if it was what she was saying all along. There is no need to quarrel over it (James 1:20 AMP). If that mind is changed for the better, that is the goal. Not who said what first. Remember that, and also to pray before going over this or saying it to someone else. People are set in their ways for a reason and the allowance of that thought and feeding it, it isn't trying to be moved anytime soon. So get ready for the opposition - if you pray, it will be momentary.

Here is the truth:
1.  God didn't say that you wouldn't have trouble. God did say that if we seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness all these things will be added unto you (Matthew 6:33 KJV). We first then find out what the Kingdom of God is and go from there. The Kingdom of God is not meat and drink but joy and peace in the Holy Ghost (Romans 14:17 KJV). Peace is not trouble. Even if there is some trouble in our lives, don't we have the where withal to know the effect of righteousness ? Do we not have weapons for the battle? If trouble arises we have to question ourselves with what we thought, said, or did for this to come upon us. Joy comes in the morning - right?

2.  God may not come when you want Him but He is always right on time.That particular phrase frustrated me for years. I know of a woman who liked a certain type of house. She bought a starter home and was believing that God would give to her what she desired. She waited for years for God to move and give her what she asked for. It was getting to be 30 years at her wait and when asked why she never moved into her home, the tone in her voice would change and she would express anger at how she waited on God and He didn't do what she asked of Him. She wasn't ready to hear anything consoling from me, but I know that when we wait longer than we ever thought it necessary to do, it is because we practiced impatience in other areas of our lives. Patience is a necessary ingredient for the fruit of the Spirit. God is good. If He tells for fathers not to provoke your children to anger (Ephesians 6:4 KJV), do you think He would do this to His children? So then, why else would we wait an inordinate period of time? Had we done this to someone else? Why then do we expect for God to move so quickly when we have made people wait unnecessarily for us (Galatians 6:7 KJV)? It sounds like seed was sown but you don't like the harvest.The Word tells us that we have not because we ask not but when we ask we ask amiss. Judge yourselves. What have you missed in the sight of God? Now that with your asking, this time of waiting is really getting your attention - isn't it?

3. Marriage is hard and an eye opener. I have written about this before. If marriage is hard why would God have us do it? Jesus said to follow Me, My burden is easy and yoke is light. Did He add on, but unless you are married you are on your own? Of course not, so if marriage is hard, could it be because we did not do what God had planned for us? When Paul wrote that if you marry you would have trouble, was he just making it up as he went along? Man says marriage is hard. The word says to enjoy your own husband and husbands love your wives. Is the Word asking for us to do the impossible when man says one thing and Paul in as much agrees? No, none of which are in disagreement with the other. You would have trouble and it is hard if you marry for the purposes of having legal sex. If you did not practice walking in the Spirit (Galatians 5:16 KJV) in all that you do and love the Lord with all your heart, mind, and strength, then you will have to learn that with another person that you will be accountable for. Doesn't that sound hard to do? To keep peace in a house when you discover the person you married is a natural nagger, would be troublesome. How can you concentrate on the things God had destined for you when you did not seek these matters first (The Kingdom of God)?

4.  The many things you can't do because you are a Christian. There are many things you can do as a Christian. You can do all things through Christ which strengthens you (Philippians 4:13 KJV). If your heart is devising to do mischief and/or evil, then there are things you will have to put away until you are more mature to handle the matter. For instance, if you are a recovering alcoholic and still can easily be tempted, don't go into the bar under the guise of witnessing to people. Another example is, you can go into the casinos because they have a great breakfast bar there, but why tarnish your credibility with others who thought you were one way and considered being a Christian too until they saw you go into the casino. It can all be innocent, but would it be best for you to do that which is becoming of the Lord rather than yourself?

5.  Seeking God's perfect will in your life. To seek God's perfect will in your life would imply that there is a will that is imperfect. The imperfection is what you do because of outside influence (Ephesians 4:14 KJV). God has put in you what makes you happy. It gives you joy to do such and such. Others may scoff because they don't understand and even say out loud like, "you can't make any real money doing that." But God said that He will make room for you and place you before great men (Proverbs 18:16 KJV). His will is already destined and laid out for you. He is here and there. Whether or not you adhere to what He says. He said to choose life. Once you do, it will be perfect.

6. The list of foods a believer cannot eat. There are a list of foods that is mentioned in the Word (Leviticus 11 KJV). It clearly states that you cannot eat them in order to remain clean. In the New Testament Peter had a dream where he saw a blanket filled with different sorts of animals and the Lord told Peter that he could eat those foods (Acts 10:9-16 KJV). Right then Peter could have said, "I can, great! I was wondering what snake tastes like." But what Peter said was that he would not defile his body like that. He had a decision to make and made it. Now for anyone else who eats these foods, it is not a sin. For it is written, God would not tempt a man to evil (James 1:13 KJV). After all, lobster bisque sounds delicious and clam chowder is. Yet if we look at this matter scientifically, we can see why the list was made. There are certain animals that only consume dead things. Their job is the maintenance of the earth. They have special enzymes that our bodies don't have to break down decomposed matter. If we are to eat these animals in large quantities, much like having a lobster everyday or a crab cake for lunch 5 days a week, what would those enzymes do to our bodies? In not consuming those foods at all, would our health improve as well? God permits us to do as we choose to do. Is it the best in what we choose to do? Is it good for us? Yet we made a decision to do it or not? He said for us to choose life. When we do, then it is the decision for every aspect of it - life.

7.  Docile and introverted is the same as meek and humble. God did not give us a spirit of fear but of power, love and a sound mind (2 Timothy 1:7 KJV). The word fear, in this scripture is defined as timidity which is synonymous to being shy. To be docile is passive and allowing to let whatever happen whether you could do something about it or not. A woman said to me what is the purpose of praying for things to change when God said that these things would happen in the last days? I thought it was a stupid thing to say. It is as if your child falls ill to something. Does it mean you won't care for or pray for your child? Of course not. The last and evil days becomes more prominent when the spirit filled Christian doesn't do what he/she is called to do. The prophetic Word tells of the last days to motivate the children of God to stay strong. In that strength of and not to be moved, it is that humility and meekness that will have its reward.

8. The devil targets the righteous because he already has the sinner.  I have heard, the devil is vigilante after the righteous, for years. I am so tired of hearing all the wrong that a believer has to tolerate because of the devil. He didn't do it!!! The believer made a decision and apparently it was a bad one. Read the first chapter of Job and be delivered. The devil has to obtain permission in order to come after the righteous. Even he knew that there was a hedge of protection around Job. Stop talking about the devil. Who cares what he does. Just keep him out of your life by doing God's will and not your own (Ephesians 4:27 KJV).

9. God never says no but always yes and amen.  Actually, God will not give you the go ahead to do wrong. It is in His Word what you should and should not do. If you decide to do what you will without a plan and prayer to do it, you get what you get. The only time God will answer yes and amen is when you state your case before Him and remind Him of His Word when you do. He is not interested in hearing all of the noise of what you went through. He was there. He saw it all!  He isn't interested in your personal drama, your pity party, or all of the ways used to manipulate others (unless you are repenting and turning from those ways). It just doesn't work on Him. In order for you to get the response you are looking for, you have to know His Word. When you study it, you get to find out more about Him. When this happens, little did you know that your questions are answered and your supply was already met.

10. It is good to use your imagination... what do you think God gave it to you for?  This was the recent issue I had to contend with this week. I heard another minister use it in a message before and I was disappointed with the end of the sermon. I figured he just said those things to get our attention and then recall what the Word tells us about imagination, but he didn't. Instead he said that imagination is good and God wouldn't have given it to us if He didn't expect us to use it. Well, where is that written. I read that we should cast down imagination and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God. The minister said in the message, if we can see it then we can have it. It was the reason to use imagination, according to him. I thought that faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God (Romans 10:17 KJV). I thought that faith is the substance of things hoped for the evidence of things not seen.

There you have it. Just because the speaker is dynamic doesn't mean he has the dunamis power that God has given to us. We have to make sure that what we hear is the Word of God so that we can stay delivered and help others out of their dilemma. Honestly saints, be alert (Ephesians 6:18 AMP).

What Is Your Whale?

I was the moderator for a situation that happened on my job. I work as a resident emergency coordinator for an independent senior community. There were two men, one spoke Russian the other claimed to have Parkinson's disease. They both live on separate floors. One decides to go to his apartment and became disoriented. We found that they each have a key that fits the other's door. It was difficult to understand what the other was saying. Though I have tried to study Russian to make my job easier I get distracted, yet I was able to make out that he was ready to call the police believing that one elderly man in shorts and a cane stole from the other. It wasn't until the wife of the man with the Parkinson's disease came and explained what has happened and that it wasn't intentional. Her husband was disoriented. I understood this, but even with an interpreter there, it didn't deescalate a thing until the wife said the same thing I did only in Russian.

I suppose this is a convoluted way to make my point but bare with me. I had a discussion in a bible group where I got tired of the person leading the class referring to the devil as if he had some sort of credence on the lives of the righteous. She was making all of these warning signs and to make sure to have the whole armor of God on or else - dum-da-dumdum- da! I just got tired of it and had to say something. Enough is enough. If you have the faith that God said for us all to have then we can walk through trouble like Jesus did and nothing is able to touch us. We have the Holy Spirit guiding us, God never leaving us, mercy and grace behind us, and we are following Jesus - why are you thinking about the devil and what he can and will do? Jesus is our defense and the judge in any trial - what? I guess I spoke too fast or too long because there was quiet for a little while. The following bible study people had studied for hours and had scriptures to refute what I said. It was the coolest thing for me and sort of sad at the same time.

Jonah had this calling on his life where he was suppose to speak to a group of people. God specifically told him to go there. Jonah didn't want to go. He said the people weren't going to believe him anyway so why should he waste his time. In some respects I could relate (people can be irritating) to what he was saying but still - God told him directly. This is irrefutable. So no matter the warnings Jonah received, he still got on a boat to go where he chose to go. The storms that came the fishermen knew something was wrong (Jonah 1:5 KJV). How did they know this, not being believers themselves? They were all going to die because of the disobedience of one man and they knew it. Jonah agreed to be thrown out of the boat for their salvation. The whale that came to swallow Jonah was a direct result of his disobedience. He was there alive in the belly of a whale slowly being digested. Jonah was going to die unless he changed his mind to do as God told him to do. He did and when he did, Jonah moved with a quickness (Jonah 3:3-4 KJV).

Why does it have to get to that point to be obedient? Do people have to go through some sort of storm, illness, ailment, trouble, issue, problem, financial, or family loss to realize that if they had done what was on their mind and heart to do, all of that could have been avoided? The Word tells us that when sin matures it looks for its wage - death.

What about people with these incurable diseases? Where do they come from? Doctors say that they are genetic - its in the blood - a generational thing. What if it was just a change of behavior? What if we got all of the stroke patients together and found the common thread in all of them? What if the common thread was pretending to be ill when there is absolutely nothing wrong with you or seeking unnecessary attention because of low self esteem? In this senior community, I am finding common threads in people (aside from them being elderly). There are personality traits that seem familiar even when the two people aren't related.

The Parkinson's diseased residents have wives of whom I initially felt sorry for. But in watching them, they move so quickly as if they are pleased that they are needed. In that bible study group one woman is disabled from a stroke. She sits in a wheelchair. Her legs move but she assists one arm with the other. Another woman claims that she must go to dialysis treatments. She also says she is diabetic and according to the doctors, she can eat what I know would not be good for her condition. I tried to tell her about nutrition and she became annoyed with me. Her deciding not to listen was annoying to me as well. I look at them and pray knowing that God is good and His mercy endures forever (Psalm 136:1 AMP).

What would be your whale? Where is it that you decided your way is better then what God said to do? He is there and here and knows the better path. What is in your prayer closet that you confessed to Him and keep picking it back up to worry over? Is it as simple as studying a language to make a job or living environment easier or getting some counseling to improve on your self esteem? Could it be not embellishing on facts or falsifying documents that you think no one else will know or see? Sin does mature just like a seed in rich soil. Without confession and repentance, the harvest will manifest. Why should digestive juices begin to decompose your body before you do what is right?

Fashionably Late

I don't really know or understand why the term "Fashionably Late" came into being. It became a way of showing up for the rich when they were seen on the red carpet and coming to highly publicized soirees.I suppose the point of it being when the person who was anticipated in showing up finally did, he/she had the attention of the room and now the party and/or event can begin. As if it wasn't anything until then.

Well, how arrogant for anyone to come to an invited event intentionally late for the purpose of taking the attention away from the purpose of having the event. Does any of us in the body of Christ do such things? Would we dare have the arrogance as to keep people waiting for the purpose of having their undivided attention?

Personally, it would not be tolerated. I didn't do such things to obtain employment, in keeping an appointment, nor attending church services. I was trained this way as a child. It is the polite thing to do. It should be expected. If I am kept waiting, I leave. I don't like it when the doctor's receptionists deliberately overbook the patients for the slightest chance that someone would cancel their appointment. What if they didn't? What about the possibility that everyone made the appointment given and the waiting room is so full that the medical staff doesn't have the man hours to attend to everyone in that same given day that he/she set the appointment? What about the inconvenience of the patient that is sitting there expecting to get medical attention? Can the patient be as cavalier about paying the bill?

This also happens in church services. I visited a ministry one Sunday morning with my mother. I don't like church hopping because I don't know what to expect especially if the ministry doesn't practice basic principles set in the Word. We were ushered to the front of the sanctuary, being friends of a friend of the pastor. There we sat waiting for the choir to begin singing. They had congregated in their usual positions and the choir director waited for the designated soloist to come to the front of the pulpit. "Oh, me...now? Oh...okay." What? She didn't know she was singing this morning? Why did the congregants have to view that dramatic scene? After the soloist sung her song, they were ready for the second selection. The same singer remained in place and the rest of the choir rustled around as if they didn't know what to do. At least 10 minutes passed that I was never going to see again, when the two sisters of the soloist came and joined her to sing. If I had not been with my mother, I would have left. It wasn't cute. It did not keep me captivated and church time is not the time for anyone to launch their acting career.

This also happened at another ministry. Oddly enough, it was a choir event. I was apart of that choir and was excited at our first music program. The choir and the directors were all ready. The church was full. All that was needed was for the director to give the organist the cue to begin our marching music to come into the sanctuary. He peered in to see if the organist was where he was assigned to be. No one was there. We were all given specific instruction to be and have on what we all were supposed to do and have. We did as we were told. Now the very one who was a pinnacle part of our assembly was missing. Why? He never was missing for regular services. After 15 minutes we no longer thought that he was in a car accident but was deliberately trying to make a scene when he finally showed up. It was 20 minutes that we waited and tried to keep the audience pacified. The organist came in with beige ridding pants,(you know, what the equestrians wear), leather boots to the knee (it was July), and a cane. He gave the cane to the director, made no apologies, and opened both doors to walk down the middle aisle, take his time to get adjusted on the organ bench, and then began playing his version of our march in song. The director contemplated for us to do the entire program acapella.

There is a term that is irritating to me in the Christian circuit that has been said for many, many years: God may not come when you want Him, but He is always right on time. There is absolutely no scripture for that phrase and I thank God there isn't. Why wouldn't God come when I need Him? Maybe because I annoyed my brothers and sisters in Christ being fashionably late. It is the fruit by which some of us have chosen to live (Proverbs 1:31 KJV). You can't complain when God takes His time with you no matter how long it is. If you would like the timing changed - YOU CHANGE FIRST!!!

Food Spoils, Not Children

I have heard grown people speak about children in a variety of ways. If they are good, there is some sort of tangible reward and for the moment it makes the child and parent feel compensated for their works. But if the child doesn't meet any of the adult's expectations, that one issue, work, behavior, or event, is expounded upon in detail. Words are spoken over and over. If the child is offended or angry, there is a possibility of the child speaking back harshly in defense or it is suppressed for someone weaker. In this, sticks and stones break bones but words can, in as much, kill the spirit of a child.

When a child has special priveleges because of the financial status of the parent, it is the training the child receives that takes him to social acceptability. Looking at the nurturing of the child from God's perspective, He tells us to state our case and remind Him of His Word (Isaiah 43:25-27 KJV). We know that He hears the prayers of the righteous (1 Peter 3:12 KJV). We know that it is our faith that pleases Him; and we also know that the answers to our prayers is yea and amen (2 Corinthians 1:18-20 KJV). So when we remind Him of the promises that He has for us in His Word. He answers yay and amen being delighted that we are using our faith which comes by hearing and hearing the Word of God (Romans 10:17 KJV).

As babes in Christ, we want for nothing (Psalm 23:1 KJV). As children of God, we were taught how to deal with a spiritual walk in a world driven by a wallowing pool of self (flesh) (2 John 1:5-7 KJV) (Galatians 5:16 KJV). We are learning of scriptures, which pleases God because of our efforts; however, as sons of God, reaching some sort of maturity, having teeth to chew into the meat of the Word, God's expectations for us has changed because of that growth. The Word remains and now we can endure tests to see if we are moved by temptation or still in the faith (James 1:12-15 KJV). Will patience have her perfect work in entirety with us wanting nothing (James 1:4 KJV) or will we resent all of the time we put into a belief system that doesn't give immediate results?

When a child begins a statement, "but you said..." the parent has the obligation to fulfill what he/she said that would be done. Otherwise, why be a parent if all you intend to do is frustrate the child (Ephesians 6:4 KJV)? How do you expect for God to move and change matters for you when the seed you have sown in your child is resentment? The process God has for us leads to patience (Hebrews 12:1-14 KJV). We don't come out of the womb running.

So when a baby cries for food, attention, or to get a diaper changed - go do it! You are not spoiling him. You are meeting his expectations just as you would your Heavenly Father do for you. To do otherwise comes from the pit of hell causing deception, loss of favor in God, and pilfering from your blessing.

FarmTown (c)

I opened an account with Facebook(C)about a year ago for purposes completely void of playing games. Eventually I got into some of them and others I didn't see the amusement in. However, there is a game that I believe is so closely related to the bible, I became fascinated with the dynamics of it.

Let me first explain why I chose this topic to write about. I am employed to work in a senior community that is predominant in a particular ethnicity. Though I have a college education, the position doesn't require one and therefore there are many preconceived notions not only because of my position but ethnicity as well. I have worked with a variety of nationalities and am not one to sterotype people because of how it feels when it is done to me. With this in mind, picture it: I was sitting in a common area using the computer when the maintenance guy said that he had to clean the room for a meeting. I then started to finish what I was doing on the computer to leave. The women from the same company that I am employed started coming in for the meeting with files and various materials in hand. They spoke to each other when entering the room but said nothing to me. They are very aware that I work for the same company or they would have said something about me being in that room using the computer. But they said nothing. Not even a good morning. I was offended and left so they could have their meeting.

Earlier in the month, the company hired a new social worker. She does the same work I went to school to do. She was introduced to all of the other employees in the building, including myself. Though there were many who interviewed for the job, she obtained it because of her familiarity with the nationality and their observances. As racist as that may have sounded - it is what the administrator said to me. Be as it may, a few weeks into the job, I noticed this same woman only speaking to certain people and not others. While in the small office area, about to start my shift, the new social worker was also in the office speaking to the receptionist. When she was finished, the receptionist said hello and the new social worker said nothing. I said hello, and still not one word. I then stood in her face and resonated my voice. She immediately turned red and spoke. She heard me the first time. Why did I have to go through embarrassing her for her to be civil?

In a meeting that I was apart of where we discussed the residents in the building, with my position there isn't a whole lot to be said. But because of my training, I can spot domestic violence when others wouldn't really notice it much. I brought the subject up to the new social worker only after giving her a brief synapse of my resume. It became quiet and she said if she and I could speak in her office. After that day, it was apparent that my other co-workers forgot that my employment here isn't because it was all I could do. The mood was different and I was treated with respect that I didn't realize was absent from them.

This dynamic with people has also been found virtually as well. We don't see each other (just a personally created avatar) in this game of FarmTown, nevertheless the abilities and attitudes of our environment, genetics, and stereotypes seem to follow no matter what others may think. Those that have achieved a certain status in the game, when they hire workers they aren't as forth coming to speak. They only wish for the worker to get the job done and move on. The worker could have a PhD but who would know that? I have achieved a certain status and have hired people on my farm as well. I speak to them but when they see my farm, they aren't very talkative. I had a woman work for me in the several businesses that I have. She just looked at how I designed my farm and commented on it. Funny, both of us were cordial to one another, she wouldn't extend her conversation any farther then vague information. This was not the case when I began the game and at the beginner's levels.

Now where does the Word fit in this? To be meek and humble (Matthew 5:5 KJV) is a decision as with obtaining life as opposed to death (Proverbs 18:21 NKJV); however, when we make up our minds to be ourselves with people no matter what the status, this comes from the Word as well (James 2:2-4 KJV). The problem is, once achieving a certain level of social or financial status, we can't help but behave and speak differently from those who have not. The Word says, let the Words of my mouth and meditation of my heart be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength and redeemer (Psalm 19:14 KJV). Well, isn't it obvious that people with a higher social and financial status had a different vision than someone on a lesser level. With a different vision comes a different language - doesn't it? Tycoons don't hem and haw, they get the job completed. It is obvious in real life, as I depicted here and in a virtual game where people don't know where you are from, the color of your skin, or the gender unless you tell them. How could I be offended with them being so rude? They see me at a specific age doing a job that doesn't require a college education. True, they are assuming, but wouldn't you?

Personally in the game, I don't hire as many people as I used to. The men wouldn't complete the task and the women started to get uppity. By that I mean, if I hired more than just the one woman, she would pitch a fit for her to do the job herself or she would leave without completing what I hired her for. For myself, I don't usually accept jobs from other farmers unless I am trying to increase my level. I have more than enough money to do whatever it is that I need to do. Even in the game, it feels good.

The working on the farm with the plowing, sowing seed and harvesting to get to where you are trying to go is just a life lesson for a Christian all the way around. See what God says to you.

For The Love of Money...

... is the root of all evil (1 Timothy 6:10 KJV). This is written in the scriptures and we have heard it translated in a number of ways. Though God doesn't hate money, He hates what it does. That interpretation is the one that fits the bill the best to me. The thing is, with this understanding, the principle of the matter is still neglected. When did this love affair begin and when will you call it quits?

First establish why there is such a love of a thing that can only produce evil. It all began using the barter system. Back in the early years people bartered for goods by giving other goods or services. Some weren't as forthcoming as others and a handshake wasn't good enough. There use to be a gentlemen's agreement that is no longer in use unless you have the so called "blue blood". It came a time where people were banking that others would be naive enough to still use a handshake or a verbal agreement. With so many deals going awry, there had to be something else in place. Contracts that were notorized and witnessed was one sort of means, yet people were stiffed by those as well. Though enforceable by law, it took time to retrieve the goods that were stolen or retained. Now, there is the money factor. When money exchanged hands,or sought in zeros and decimal points, a once thought of as a bum with money, is treated with respect in hopes a monetary tip is given or at least some sort of business relationship established.

The bible states that as long as a man has money he has friends (Proverbs 14:20 KJV). The bible also speaks of those who are poor (Proverbs 19:4 KJV). Oddly enough, it is not always in a bad light because at least the poor man can be honored by good. Jesus stated that it was easier for a camel to get through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to make it to heaven (Matthew 19:24 NIV). With these few scriptures (even though there are more), wouldn't just these detour a believer from ever getting to the point of hoarding, obsessing, and finding ways to make even more of it?

Alright, let's get back to the love affair and where it began. It all started with school. I could say our parents but there comes a time in our lives that we will have to make our own decisions. Our parents raised us. Whether it was in the will of God becomes well known after finding what the will of God is in our own lives. Our parents can start us off as to what they believe, but in our hearts it is what we know and what God sees. This becomes well known when we are influenced by what is taught and who we associate ourselves. I recall in high school when I made known to some class mates what I believed was a comfortable salary, at the time, and the kind of career I would like to go to college for. I might as well have been booed. The comments I got back were, "That's no kind of money! You can't make big money with that kind of job! Why would you waste your time like that?" Depending on how secure you are after that display would also be a critical point whether you choose to be a lover of the mere suggestion - big money.

A mere suggestion can be as bold as a Mack truck or as flimsy as a feather. With career choices initiated in high school, it was a Mack truck! Having the lessons reiterated over and over about jobs and careers especially getting the education. College costs but once graduated the kind of money one can make and pay back any and all loans became attractive. The benefits of certain careers as opposed to others became a lure and quite enticing. Songs were made that it makes the world go round, some people got to have it - some people really need it - but you... all you have to do is this and then you will never be in need again. Can't you hear the smooth words beckoning you to come hither or has it become the norm to do?

For me the economy was never really bothersome. I was always employed having favor with my boss and didn't have many problems no matter where I was needed. I went to school for what I believed I was called to do. Then something happened. Companies started to downsize with the rise of upgraded computer software. Costs went up and spending went down. I became unemployed?!! I wasn't worried initially , all I had to do was go pound the pavement as I had done before. I am an educated woman and as I was told in high demand. Funny thing while I was busy being employed, other generations were also getting an education. The high in demand that once was is no longer. It wasn't as important that people got all of the treatment that they use to (counseling, emotional therapy, mental resources for treatment, etc). The government stopped paying for services in order to control the budget. Now what? How are my bills going to get paid? What about my car? What's going to happen to my family? Aren't these questions asked when a divorce is about to occur? Who got divorced? In this case, money left me.

My funds were depleted from my savings in no time. Friends? What friends. Family? Ha, I had one member that gave me a book entitled, "Finding the Thing That's Keeping You Down", or something like that. Was that supposed to be encouraging? Then I was told by family that I should look for janitorial jobs or fast food positions. There is no shame in that. Sure, we can say it and sound all noble but God sees my heart and it wasn't trying to be all noble. I did not struggle through school so I could flip burgers and fry chicken. Clean toilets and sweep floors with a degree? How much sense does that make? But to get that paycheck, I actually completed the application and even changed my category choices on the computer search to include food service type jobs. As is said, money is money.

Not one nibble. My utilities were shut off. My children had to move elsewhere. I was forced to accept live in positions with hardly no pay. The thought of not having was messing with my mind. Prayer? I prayed more than I ever did. Speaking the Word? It is how I know what righteousness is and the benefits thereof. I made a new confession because of that study. Worship and praise? Eh, not so much. What? This is someone's fault and I did what I was supposed to do.

Isn't that whats taught in church services? God will do what you can't. He will put His super on your natural. Well, I went to school. I applied myself and did what I was suppose to do. It is time for Him to do what the men and women of God said He was going to do. I remembered to give and it shall be given unto me... so I gave and gave and gave and gave. Where was the good measure, pressed down and shaken together? When were men going to give unto my bossom? I casted my bread out unto the waters and after many a days it will return. Well, actually how many days was that going to be? A seed will meet my need. So I was suppose to sow a seed in order for it to grow and I could reap a harvest from that seed. Alright, I found some more money to give and then the harvest - right? Well,... how long does it take for "seed money" to grow?

Yes, even in ministry the lure had seeped in and now we were listening to scripture and verse being taught to give the money up to get more of it. Is the money too attractive to resist? I cannot blame ministers for what they do. There is a pressure they endure to be charasmatic. How do they know that they did well with a message? By how many tapes and CD's are sold after every service? Couldn't they also be satisfied with the well being that God is pleased with their obedience?

Warren Buffet, one of the richest men in the country, resides in the same house he had before he started his career. He raised his children in that house. I suppose it keeps him humble. He knows that he should give back and everyone has their hand out. So instead of ruining others, he gives whatever Bill Gates has given in charitable donations and tells Bill Gates to do with the donation as he sees fit. Is that the love of money or Wisdom?

Without proper employment, I thought I was going to crack up. No one would hire me and I was getting tired of trying to be upbeat for the sake of non-believers to see that my faith is still at work - they have jobs!!! I tried to concentrate on the gifts and talents God has given me and found such comfort. With the silence of not buckling under corporate pressures nor having an alarm to tell me when to go to bed and get up, I could then appreciate my relationship with God. Oddly enough, He did not interfere with what I had with money - not until I could realize what I had done (Revelation 2: 3-5 NIV).

Epiphany!

I have been writing for quite awhile about pastors preaching messages that have led people out of the will of God, whether intentional or not. I was angry and made it my point to make some changes based on my own experiences and what I studied in the Word that was much different than what was taught to me. Then this morning I got up and realized something that I taught my children and no doubt have said in conversation and have counseled to my clients and it wasn't right. Even knowing only apart of the truth, wasn't the whole truth so deception could be used through the process of elimination, assumption, and deduction. I had to make this wrong right.

I believed that if we try to escape from a situation that is not favorable, then we will eventually be met with the same situation again because we had not learned from our mistakes. For instance, if Job continually behaved in such a way where his punishment for the behavior was him being out in the field scraping his sores with chard and contemplating why he was born, without change he was going to be out in the field again. I thought this to be true with those who dated out of pity or believing no one else would understand the person but you. Then maturing you realize you made the biggest mistake of your life because pity is how the he/she got along in life and you fell for it too. Should you run or teach the person a lesson so not to do this with anyone else?

If you ran, I believed the situation would be incomplete and something you would face again because you could be tricked again. Running would be conducive to fear. God would not be pleased with this sort of action. But then, isn't that what Joseph did when Potiphar's wife began to seduce him? Would God have been more pleased if he sat down and tried to reason with her? You know, quote scripture to convince her of her evil ways? Would she be less attracted to him and not try to seduce him again any other young man? Why contemplate? Just run!!!

I write this because Solomon wrote that there is nothing new under the sun and I believe that someone else might have an epiphany as well but not be thoroughly convinced that there are others like you who thought the same thing. If you realize that you have a weakness in a certain thing, know that there are others who can pick up on that and will take advantage. There are predators who wait for timid people who won't speak up themselves for a reason. Pimps at bus terminals wait for the runaways for a reason. Drugs are given away free to newbies for a reason. Older men marry very young girls for a reason. You see, the weakness here is not knowing. It is witten those who don't know perish. You won't repeat the same mistake if you run. Running isn't necessarily operating in fear but in many cases it is using Wisdom and keeping Peace.

Tighten It Up!

It is a phrase that is used when there is too much slack in a particular thing. I also use this term when telling my youngest son to clean his room. In this blog excerpt, I am using this term in that very manner. It's over due for Spring Cleaning.

Some people do this every season. It is why you see when the garbage truck comes around some have more junk at the curb then others. Then you have those who can find a use for everything they have whether it is broken up or just so old no one else can see a use for it. When the revelation knowledge comes for them to give up some things then there is a pityful garage sale a little too late. No one can use certain technological products that are obsolete. It's a waste of time having a garage sale when you waited too long to get rid of stuff.

Personally, I look at my closet that can get stuffed from time to time. I like to keep certain garments just to see if I can still get into them after so many years. But when they get too big and its been more than three years, I see no purpose in keeping them. I purchase mostly classical pieces that can stay in style for a longer length of time and are a blessing to those who can recieve them.

Spiritually though, it takes that time with the Lord in being quiet and hearing what He says (1 Kings 19:12 KJV). Then after that hearing, we are suppose to act on what we heard (Romans 10:17 NIV). Whether it is not to talk so much, use the talents you have instead of getting a second job, or clearing stuff off of your desk, closet, or house. It's the smallest of things to do and you would be surprised at how much more clearly one can think when those things are cleared away.

I have been watching a few shows about Hoarders and how they behave or what made them hoarders to begin with. Many times it was something traumatic that made them react in such a way. Your trauma may not be as horrific as someone else's and yet the reaction can be the same - or can it? Does hoarding happen all at once? Some became hoarders because of how they lived as children. But I believe once you establish a home of your own, you make certain decisions and maintain them. For the most part, it is a mental disease and has to be treated as such.

Spiritually; however, there are those who have attachments to things and have kept them within, thinking no one will know or see those things but them. You would be wrong. God sees the hearts of men and if He is the greater one living on the inside of others (1 John 4:4 KJV), they see it too. Not to forget that the truth always comes to light (Luke 12:2 KJV). So that which you believe is secret, when angry or reacting in some other emotion, that which is hoarded on the inside will be blurted right out. How does one clean that up when it has been exposed for all to see?

When Mel Gibson left his first wife with all of those children. I felt sorry for her that he would do such a thing when she had been with him all of that time. I even thought he was more attractive that he had so many children with the same woman and decided to stay with her for all of those years. Then when creating The Passion of Christ, he just reached another level of suave and debonair. Alright, he got drunk and said some things. It wasn't his best moment, but still - he created the movie about Jesus! Wow - right? Then this week his second wife released some audio tape of him going on and on about how he was really feeling about her. It was hateful, demeaning, and it exposed what he had been harboring about certain people for a long time. She had heard all of this before or her reaction would have been much different. What had his first wife been through for all of those years? I no longer felt sorry for her but could actually envision her dance of relief and utter joy that he finally left her for someone else. Mel Gibson's career after the inward appearance of his heart has been exposed to all? Its pretty obvious - isn't it?

It is a good example for us as Christians to keep a vigilant watch over our selves and those God would have us get up in the wee hours of the morning to pray for (Ephesians 6:18 AMP). Having unforgiveness in our hearts about a matter or person will lead to a lack in some other place in our lives (Matthew 6:14-15 KJV). It will start off very subtle and before you know it because you got use to it, it has become a mountain (Mark 11:23 KJV). Naturally we tend to view (think, ponder, speak, hash and rehash) the problem more then the solution. This practice is magnifying the situation we would rather get rid of. God is the All Mighty not the situation.

Oprah had a hoarder on her show. She was a mother of three grown children. She knew that the problem started when her children were leaving the home to establish lives of their own. So she began purchasing and collecting things to fill her empty nest. Her husband remained quiet. He just believed her shopping was making his wife happy and he allowed for the clutter to overwhelm him, her and their home. When she was ready to receive the help that she needed and finally relinguished her hold on all of the stuff, the therapist gathered and sorted through the mounds and mounds of things and categorized them in a warehouse for her to see. The family including her, marveled at how much she packed into a three bedroom, three garage home. The warehouse was the size of a football field. Then while she was coming down from the horrific sight, they walked over to another large room that the therapist covered with a curtain. He revealed all of the appliances and televisions that couldn't fit in the warehouse. The entire family began to cry.

Why does it have to get to that point? Why do we have to get so angry that all of the suppressed rage comes out to where families are destroyed, feelings are hurt, and relationships are damaged beyond repair. Wait... look at those descriptive words. Destroyed...hurt... and damaged. Who does that (John 10:10 KJV)? What would you have to do with him? Is he your friend? Does he give you comfort? Who are you listening to? Who haven't you forgiven? When did you stop watching? Why aren't you vigilant anymore (1 Peter 5:8 AMP)? When did you slack up on your responsibilities? What is it going to take?

Do you see your mess now? Are there some things that you can let go of? Do you see the purpose of blessing those who spitefully use you? Now can you pick up the slack and really tighten it up this time.

Insignificance

My job furnishes me with a 2 bedroom apartment for which I am grateful. The necessities that one requires to make their haven safe has been amply supplied by little to hardly any expense from me. Truely a blessing from the Lord. However, what I find that most of us, if not all, have been guilty of is the complacent of the blessing over a given period of time. If there be the least of things that comes against the initial comfort, do we consider it a test or is the first thing spoken a complaint? Has any of us ever believed that we would have been far more grateful for what God did if we were in the shoes of the children of Israel?

I was sitting at my dining table that I did not buy but was given to me and across the table slithering between the fabric and the wood of the chair was a small worm looking thing. If nothing else was creepy and trying to find a shadow. I know I couldn't catch it to kill before slithering into another crevice. That sight detoured me from using the dining set for awhile. I prayed and forced myself to believe it was gone in the name of Jesus; though I asked over and over where did it come from? Later a thought came to mind that the people who gave me the set had a dog. The dog brought some parasite from outside ... well, know that the thought was creepier than the worm and without rebuking it with the Word (extinguishing the fiery dart)(Ephesians 6:16 KJV), I just stayed away from using the dining table for awhile allowing my faith filled prayers to take effect.

It took some time before I could believe the angels were sent from heaven (as if having nothing else better to do) to crush that creepy worm - yes, angels sent to crush the worm. I began to use the dining table again, not only to eat but write, draw, read, and study. Just then I happened to look from my materials and to the right at the front door, looking down at the carpet and where one of my runners were placed, came that same looking tiny creepy worm out of the lit hallway and into my hall closet. Trying not to do the mental creepy dance, I also didn't know how to kill what was staying so low and close into the fibers of the carpet. I prayed some more and kept from the hall closet for awhile.

During that time where I abstained from a portion of my apartment, my job was going through some changes that were, if nothing else, annoying. After one, it really didn't matter so much, then came another and another, After it got to 5 or 6, I had started believing the complaints of co-workers and those living within the community. I had in as much rallied along the band wagon.

Annoyed, frustrated, and seemingly couldn't stop myself from fussing, I forgot all about that worm. I got up in the wee hours of the morning, comfortable enough not to wear shoes or slippers when getting out of bed momentarily to use the bathroom. I flicked on the lights to use the facilities and there was that worm slithering from one area rug and out the door in the hall were it was dark. I would have stomped on it, but I wasn't wearing slippers or shoes, so I prayed for its annihilation trying not to do the creepy dance while going back to bed. Sleep didn't return for the thoughts of slither troubled me. I laid there looking at my bedroom doorway; oddly enough.

The next morning I saw an ant. Completely prepared with shoes on, I stomped on it so hard thinking that it was a baby worm, that when I lifted my foot there was no evidence of it. The morning after that I saw the worm again weaving in and out of the area rug trying to get to the hallway. I crushed it not giving it any opportunity in being hidden under any shadows....

And then I heard the voice of the Lord reminding me of His Word:

First, He reminded me not to forget Him when I received houses that I did not build (Deuteronomy 6:10-12 KJV). When we complain, essentially that is what we are doing (Philippians 2:14 KJV). How dare I? With all that we have been blessed with, any sort of discomfort should cause us to question within ourselves if we did anything to cause it or gave place to the enemy. Would that it could be a test of endurance allowing patience to have her perfect work? Is your faith so small that you would not think you caused the discomfort on yourself?

Second, God told us that we would be astonished at the insignificance of the size of the enemy. Why wouldn't I have seen that tiny creepy thing as being a warning to what is to come? Those annoying changes on my job. Had I remembered the insignificance of it and not fed into the creepiness, I would have also recalled the Word and stayed in Peace when the changes tried to occur.

Finally, I wasn't prepared for its true anihillation the first time, the second time, or the third time though I prayed and God heard me. I was concentrating so not to be creeped about the thing. When I put my shoes on, I could do what God gave me the ability to do (Ephesians 6:10-18 KJV). What about you?

Apologize!

Would it just be me if I write that I don't understand why people do what they do? I mean I can understand that if you give the enemy place then sin will take you farther than you ever thought you would go. After all the enemy is going to do what he is assigned to do (John 10:10 NIV). Its just that if you believe to receive in order to have and we walk in the spirit so not to fulfill the lust of the flesh, knowing that God sees all then why when we see our faults and know what the results of the consequences are, won't the behavior also change? Really? Is it so much easier to ask God for forgiveness and not do the same to the person(s)who experienced the offense? Is not the greater One on the inside of him as well?

The catalyst for this entry was realizing how the last generation kept so many secrets and would not tell what they should have. In fact they taught their children to do the same. I have family members who took family information to the grave and it would have been beneficial for us all to know what happened. Its just that we are born again believers and in the Word (the truth by which we base our faith) tells us to tell the younger generation of what our forefathers have done (Job 8:8-13; Nehemiah 9:13-36 AMP). The purpose of this instruction to the children of Israel is so that they could live righteous lives and not make the same mistakes over and over. Why would that instruction be different from today? To do otherwise, I would have to question if the love of God is in you at all? Is it more important for pride to be in tact then it is to help someone out of turmoil (Proverbs 16:18 KJV)?

Oh puh-leeze, this isn't just isolated to family but if you are to behave one way with those that are closest to you, wouldn't you do the same - if not worse to those who don't have an invested interest in your welfare? Doesn't charity begin at home (1 Corinthians 13:2 KJV) ? And isn't charity euphemised love (1 Corinthians 13:13 KJV)? Why then when pastors, prophets, evangelists, teachers, and/or apostles tell an entire group of people his/her translation of the Word or the revelation knowledge they believed God told them (without proving) (1 Thessalonians 5:21 KJV)but finding that they made a mistake won't come back and apologize for making such the faux pas? Don't they realize when some people write those things down, they actually study and live it based on what the pastor taught and so why wouldn't the listener believe it as truth? Would that a pastor (or anyone from the 5-fold ministry)have one child of God led astray (Matthew 18:6 NIV)? Is that one person expendable? Does pride really have such a strong-hold on the lives of spiritual leaders?

There is this humongeous oil spill in the gulf. It is the fault of someone. We see the industry of those who depended on that income be destroyed. We see natural wild life being destroyed because of the oil. We see people voicing their frustrations because of a skipped step in procedure. People are even blaming the President, who didn't have anything to do with the industry's mistake. We waited for weeks to hear or see someone step up from the multi-billion dollar company say a few words of remorse... something! But it didn't happen. The President made a speech last week voicing his anger and the consequences the oil company will have to endure because of their costly mistake. I just don't think it will stop there, but how much difference would a few words made had they been said. Angry people will speculate and say, "not much!' If that at all. Hind sight in this case, isn't 20/20 without the Word. I believe there would have been an out pouring of assistance from our society. We just won't experience that because no one seemed apologetic for what happened.

But we are not of the world and I write for my brothers and sisters in the faith. What will it take for the meek to inherit the earth (Matthew 5:5 KJV)? Oh, I know... to be meek. Pride is not one of those ingredients in the meek department(Psalms 10:2 AMP). Pride is in the specific recipe of giving the enemy place (Proverbs 11:2 AMP). Would that you lose it all before saying, "please forgive me?"