God Said Okay Because You Said Okay

Do you meditate on an issue you are going through or do you pray about it and let it go? What if you were the reason for the issue and if you had not said, thought, or reacted in the way that you did, you wouldn't be going through what you are going through? Sounds like a riddle, doesn't it (1 Timothy 4 AMP)?

This came to me, as many things do when I write an entry to this blog or when I hear ministers preach. How can a minister, preacher, pastor, or evangelist have people come to the alter to cancel out the enemy's assignment if God told the enemy that he could be there? Let's just say that because of the power of God is on the minister, at the time, that the assignment is taken off of the person while at the alter. The person undoubtedly feels better but the moment he/she leaves the alter or the building, the issue, bad feeling, or problem comes back (Luke 11:21-26 AMP)? What does that person do?

Hmm. What actually happens, the person is distressed and/or anxious for those feelings to cease completely and begins to find some other solution. The Word tells us to seek a multiple of counselors for safety (Proverbs 11:4 AMP). That takes time not only to make an appointment but to see all of those people and hearing all of those opinions that may or may not come from God. In all of that time, the feelings or the issues continue. What is it and why is it lingering? Why didn't the prayer that the minister prayed over you stick?

Could Saul have felt that way when he was after David? There he was living in the palace and loving kingdom life when out of the blue, he started to feel anxious. David's singing and playing the lyre is what calmed him (1 Samuel 16:23 AMP). It calmed him so much that he had David travel with him. Fighting in wars, David was right there. David also learned from Saul, though he had power and strength of his own believing in God completely for everything. Isn't that the division between the two of them? We could see that when they came back from a fight and the people sung more favorably for David then they did for Saul. Saul's immediate reaction was to get rid of the very thing that gave him comfort but it also took away his notoriety in the people. When Saul was premeditating on the murder of David, and David knew about it, his focus was to protect the anointing that he believed was on Saul as well (1 Samuel 24:1-22 AMP).

Two different issues (anxiety and jealousy) and both are sin; yet one way of reacting only made the issue worse and the other destroyed the problem altogether. If you recall, when Saul was coming after David, those feelings came back. He couldn't have David come sing them away anymore and plot for his death at the same time so he sought after a psychic (1 Samuel 28:7 AMP). On the other hand, David tried to reason with Saul and even showed that if he desired to, he could have killed him. Ironically, Saul committed suicide in the middle of one of those wars (1 Samuel 31:1-8 AMP).

As Christians, we live in a palace as well (1 Corinthians 6:19 AMP). We are required to keep it holy. Why? Because greater is He that is in me (us), then he that is in the world. In so doing, we learn to be fruitful (in the Holy Spirit) and multiply. While we maintain the kingdom, we continue to do what we are called to do. This means that we continue to walk in the Spirit, crucify the flesh daily and pray unceasingly (1 Thessalonians 5:17 AMP). We are redeemed, the anointed, and the salt of the earth. We let our lights shine. So where would problems, issues, and trouble come from? Answer: Thinking, doing, and saying things outside of righteousness. God said not to give place to the devil. So then, why do we? Why do we react in anger? He has told us to be angry and sin not. Why do we speak profanely? Why do we use language so casually for God to damn this or that? Why when tested, we don't use the Word that was taught when going to church services every week? We have strange ways in reacting to common circumstances. When will we be the peculiar nation that God has set aside for Himself (Deuteronomy 14:2 AMP)?

The doctor says that you have such and so disease. You thank the doctor, receive the instructions given, and get radical!!! Now that you have the name of it, it has to bow to the name of Jesus. Everyday, get that Word out and do the battle that you have been fully armed for (Ephesians 6:11 AMP). Then ask God where this thing came from so you can change your behavior (thinking, saying, doing) and pull this thing up by the root.

Your spouse comes to you and says that he/she is not happy and would like a divorce. If that was an ambush and you didn't see it coming, do as the Word says to do. If there is nothing you can say, grant the peace God has called for you to have and get to praying if you desire for your family to stay together.

You are on a diet and live with your parents. They like fast food and constantly discourage you from losing that weight. If you are old enough and have a job, move out! Do what you need to keep the abundant life Jesus sacrificed to give to you and don't let anyone make you compromise those principles (Colossians 3:21 AMP).

You are new to the area and just found a friend that you think could be your best bud for life. Yet when in a department store your new found friend just lifted merchandise and pocketed it. Now he/she is looking to you to do the same thing. No one is around and you would never get caught. But God is watching you. Is it worth loosing the benefits of righteousness? How are you going to sleep tonight with that enemy knocking on your door ready to move in with 7 of his friends (Luke 11:26 AMP)? Do you really need that friendship that badly because if he/she did this with you, it is familiar and he/she will do it again. Are you ready to have the label of criminal or can you see a better way for yourself?

Its just time out in blaming God for what has transpired in your life and for the bad choices you have made. He is the Author and Finisher of your faith, still it is up to you to use it (Hebrews 12:2 KJV). If you know to do better, why do wrong and expect God to clean it up for you? It just doesn't work like that. You accepted Jesus as Lord. He tells you to be holy for He is holy. You attend church to be taught the Word of God and a better way in walking out this life. If your patience wears thin, its no one else's fault but your own. If you become frustrated because you don't wish to study the guide by which teaches you a better way, its your fault. If opposition meets you at every turn and your answer is to run away, opposition will keep meeting you until you face it. This is life. Embrace it and allow Jesus to be Lord over it. It is the only way.

Consider

I write another blog for Christian singles. In it I make sure to show all of the reasons why a person should marry, why a person shouldn't and the warning signs for the decision made. The goal is for no one to go through rough patches and to struggle to get to the abundant life that Jesus promised we can all have (John 10:10 KJV). With every life given to Jesus there has to be some sort of significance for it. What sacrifice was made? What did the person do to assist someone else in making their life better? I use these blogs to partially answer those questions. It is a sacrifice for a writer to do what he/she does. The material and how much of it to write takes time. To do so with the right conditions has its own sacrifices. Personally, if one person's life is changed by the words written here, it was all worth it (Luke 15:3-7 KJV).

As Christians, we have much to consider, not only about ourselves but for those that watch and are influenced by what we do. The bible tells us to watch and pray (Ephesians 6:18 KJV). Prayer as we know is a humongous part of the faith life style. The watching part has much to do with specifics. Exactly, what are we watching and for what and for how long (Luke 21:36 KJV)? We watch the way people treat one another. We watch current events and the prophetic word come to life. We watch where to walk and when it is the best time. We watch the fruit a tree bears and govern ourselves accordingly. We watch how to conduct our own lives to be pleasing unto God. Basically, we watch what to pray for and the changes that are made because of those prayers (James 5:16 KJV).

With that simple instruction, why would there be any anxiety or a reason to be discontent about anything? I listened to Joel Osteen, pastor of Lakewood Church in Texas, last Sunday. He talked about all he use to go through with constructing a sermon before he became computer savvy. As many times as I have heard him, all of the messages he ever spoke on seem to be simple and care free. It wasn't like he had to develop anything. Most of the time, it's as if he was just talking rather then reciting something that he had to create. Very simple instructions on having a joy filled life. Such practical application, almost as if it were common sense and yet too many people make mention of how he is tickling the ears of his listeners (2 Timothy 4:3-4 MSG). He doesn't talk about Jesus as he should and why He died for the sins of others, they say. The criticism for not being so hard core like all of the other pastors before him and even now is almost comical. I didn't debate these view points with the individual; however, I did tell him that if Joel Osteen wasn't for him, he could move on to someone that was. For all of those that came to listen, their lives had to change for the better other wise, why keep returning? Applaud his efforts rather than try to put your foot on his throat. He has a coliseum full of people every week!

What efforts do you make to have that joy-filled life? Have you given up and decided to crap on someone else's parade because no one came to see yours? Did you lend a helping hand or do something else to be productive or did you criticize and delude yourself in thinking that would be your version of productivity? The point is, there are very simple matters that could take your life from the mundane blahs as it has been into something you could look forward to. I noticed something so simple and that most people would more then likely not even give a second thought, nevertheless, have you ever noticed the effort that someone takes  after giving you an invitation somewhere...anywhere. The fact that they thought about you at all is pretty nice, but when they make certain accommodations for you because it was you that was on their mind, most people try to reciprocate those efforts. This came to my attention when I was asked to certain places and these people (all separate occasions) said that they would pick me up and do the driving. When I came to the passenger side of the car, it was filled with something. If it wasn't a purse, it was their meal from hours earlier. If not that, then it was all of their crap from days prior. I felt like I was more of a burden then a welcomed guest. My question was, if you didn't want me there, why ask? One person did this so often, now, if she asks to take me anywhere, I decline the invitation. It was a small change, but it made my life easier.

What changes can you find to make your life easier and more joy-filled? How many changes will there be? Will it get you closer to the abundant life that Jesus promised or did you think it was suppose to happen with a snap of your fingers, if that much effort at all (James 1:22 KJV). The word tells us to examine ourselves and consider our ways. If this is instruction for us to do, why scoff at it?

The second part of the holidays are practically breathing down our necks. There will be family reunions and gatherings that is the highlight to some and for others a reason to crouch in their closets, close the door and start mumbling to themselves. Why do it, if there is no joy in it? So what if your family will expect you there. Would you rather compromise your peace and joy to make your family happy for those few hours or would you rather be happy for the entire time? Did you enjoy your childhood or is it something you would rather forget? Memory Lane isn't for everyone. This could be one of the those small changes that can be made. Make some new family traditions of your own. Who are you allowing to write your story. Let it be you and make your own happy ending. Live forever after. Amen.

Seasons

Have you ever taken the time and watched the seasons change? I mean really see the trees and the flowers go and come again? Does your mood change along with the seasons? Do you feel better or worse? Are you happy when the change happens or do you regret the change? Here's a better question that most can relate to, do you think of what could have been?

A woman who keeps a garden every year told me that when she picks her collard greens it is just at the beginning of frost. She said the greens are almost sweet when she waits for the time to come rather than being impatient and picking them just because they seem to be large and ready for the harvest. I had a garden too but I wasn't as experienced as she is and didn't take what she said to mean anything else but what she initially said, "don't pick the collards before the first frost." Fine, I planted spinach. It was a variety that grew hardy and very quick. It wasn't long before I had bushels in the kitchen ready to wash and have set in the deep freezer. I kept a bushel out for that night's dinner. I washed and prepared them as I would do any green leafy vegetable. Then I took a taste of them after been seasoned and cooked for the appropriate time. I expected one thing and the taste I received wasn't that. I couldn't even describe what that taste was. Bitter would be too tame of a word. They smelled good. Looked good. But tasted as if I didn't know how to cook. I tried to doctor them up... you know, try to remedy whatever was wrong. There was no use. As much as I detest waste, there was only one place for them. It was much later in life I recalled what that woman said about those collards. I realized it was true for all green leafy vegetables. Well, why didn't she just say that?

Actually, the whole ordeal proved to be a life lesson. When my husband and I divorced, I had to take my children and move back home. It was one of those rock and a hard place situations. I went back to school and finished my education so I could get a good job and get a place of my own for my children. Once I got the job, everything got in the way of me finishing my goal. Children have all of their needs met not to mention the expectations of the schools they attended. As hard as I tried including working double shifts, I couldn't get past living paycheck to paycheck (back then). When I saved, something happend and the savings were pilfered until there was nothing left. As much as I was still determined to find that home for my children, landlords weren't so eager to have a single woman with five children come and stay in their property. It was the most frustrating time in my life; and more than likely not a picnic for my mother either. I wailed during those years when I prayed and just when I got close to getting a property, something would jossle that landlord in his sleep for him to change his mind.

It took years before moving. I still can't think of those days and laugh, neither can my children - well, not yet anyway. During that time, I heard of a woman who attended the same church I was, had taken what little she had in the bank, packed up her children and left to go to a state where she had never been and had no family there. She prospered. I heard several stories just like that and as much as I tried not to look up and ask, I couldn't help myself.

After graduating I got a job that I really liked more than any position I ever had. I received an accomodation letter, people that trained me came and praised my work to my superiors, I was going to keep this job no matter what. No sooner did the thought pass my mind, trouble came with both barrels and a mixing bowl on the side. I was investigated and as much as the director stated she tried to find another position in the company, I was regretfully let go. The use of profanity, something I stopped soooo long ago came for me to use. It would have been so simple the choice words and phrases that for the most part I only thought about - I said, for the most part. My car got stripped. I got another car, it got a flat and then stolen. I had no money, no car, no job, and barely a place to live.

And then something changed. After 2 years and so many hundreds of resumes later, I got a job but it wasn't for the right person and I had no choice but to leave. I then packed what I could to see if I could do what that other woman did and leave to a state where I had no family just to start all over. It was one of the worst decisions I ever made. Before all of my money was gone, I moved back. Too tired to do any more wailing in frustration, I got quiet, got still, and waited.

God said we are like trees planted by the rivers of the living water (Psalm 1:3 KJV). Trees don't grow over night. I had to stop panicking and see what resources I already have and use them. Nothing else was working for me at the time. My anxious efforts weren't doing well (Provebs 12:25 NIV). I gained some insight from my neice who started making purses from simple materials. I knew I had other talents and once I became still, I drew from them and was able to gain other insights into other things I had allow myself to be dormant. One of those insights you see here with the art displayed.

The point is gaining the information to use in the best way possible. The woman with the collards had the information she needed. Whether she knew that same thing for all leafy vegetables was neither here nor there. She knew it for the crop she was going to harvest (Hosea 4:6 AMP). I didn't know the info for my particular harvest and because of that, I didn't have one.

The same is true for anything in life (Ecclesiastes 3:1 AMP). There is time for everything. For some, it is the time for their skills in a particular company and once that time passes those skills are needed elsewhere. How do you find out where? Don't panic and wait on the Lord. He knows where you need to be better then you do. Fear will keep you from hearing that inward witness and if you maintain in that state of panic or anxiety (Philippians 4:6 NIV), the time will pass you completely and you will wait longer for the next season.

How long have you been waiting for your breakthrough? Did you ever wonder if God has forgotten about you? Have you contemplated going back out in the world? Is it taking too long for the frost to come? Know that Jesus studied for all of that time until He was in his 30's before he started His 3 year ministry. What are you doing in your time of wait? Aren't we following Jesus? Shall we do different than what He did? Can you still stand when the storm arises? Will trouble find you down and out? Can you count it all joy when divers temptations are all around you (James 1:2 KJV)?