Anything you can do, God can do Better!

So, I am still weathering this storm…  I find time to immerse myself in The Word as I work on The Epic.  It also helps to keep my spiritual armor in place. 

I have been very independent for my entire adult life.  I became a parent while in college.  I didn’t have the luxury of living off of my parents.  I had to be the parent.  I had to be an example to my child of what it is to be responsible, self-sufficient and successful.  So I made myself.  At least that is what I thought…

I spent so much time planning and developing myself like a piece of real estate.  I knew what success was to me and I wanted to be that.  I wanted to be Super Woman!  I actually came to a point in my life where I felt on top of the world.  I was able to provide for myself and my child without any help.  Or so I thought…

I look at my life now and I have all the elements of success.  I have an incredible husband who is by far the strongest and wisest man I know.  I have beautiful, intelligent, healthy children.  I am educated, talented and I have a “good government job” with great benefits.  I have built a picture of success for myself yet I feel I am lacking.  I feel incomplete.  I feel insufficient.

After Eve and Adam ate the “forbidden fruit”, their perspectives changed.  Instead of being pure, holy and without sin, they were now ashamed, cursed and mortal.  They didn’t see their bodies as perfect images of God Himself.  They saw themselves as naked and they tried to hide.  They made clothing out of leaves to cover their naked bodies.  They wanted to cover up all their vulnerabilities, their weaknesses, their guilt.  Just like I “made myself”, Eve made herself into something she thought was acceptable to look at. 

It is difficult for the human mind to accept the concept of being naked.  Who wants to expose their vulnerabilities to the world?  Not me!  So often we do what we think we should do to be the people we think we are supposed to be.  We make clothes for ourselves out of pitiful leaves to cover up the beauty and perfection that God created with His Mind, His Words and His Hands.  Instead of being true to the identity we have been given by our Creator, we let the forbidden fruit poison the well from which we drink.  We actually think we can make ourselves into something better than what God created us to be.  How preposterous it that?! 

So Eve, after having a nice long chat with Satan, agreed with him and his lies, and her mind was corrupted.  Satan convinced Eve she was inadequate and she felt ashamed.  She made herself a dress to cover up her shame.  Then God came and asked, “Why the heck are you wearing that ridiculous outfit?”  And Eve, instead of owning up to her mistake, blamed Satan for her dilemma.  I have done that.  Many times.  I have a thought and it sounds good in the moment but after I put the thought into action and it blows up like a grenade, I am quick to blame Satan.  No, he may have planted the seed but I should have known better.  And after I realized my mistake, I should’ve repented right away instead of putting on a leaf dress and making up excuses...

I love The Bible.  Especially the Old Testament.  I am sure Eve had no idea that her life story would be written in the most read book in the history of mankind.  I am confident that she is looking down from heaven and thankful that her experience has helped reshape the conscious mind to stop operating on our own power and rise up to our true identity in God.

I love my family.  I love myself.  I love everything I add to the world to make it a better place.  I know that all these elements are just icing on the cake of life.  No matter what happens, I know I have to seek God and trust in Him.  No matter how naked I feel.  He made me and I am perfect in His sight.  He knew every piece of me before I knew myself.  He knows what is best for me.  So I guess all that’s left for me to do is get rid of this raggedy leaf dress and let God clothe me in His Love.  

I need to change ME

“When I look back over my life

And I think things over

I can truly say that I’ve been blessed

I got a testimony…”  -Reverend Clay Evans

This has been a rough season in my life.  I have been through tough times before and I thank God that through His grace and mercy I am still alive and well.  Sometimes, I don’t feel well but God… Well let me tell you the story from the top.

So I was praying while on my way to work one day.  I was just pouring my heart out, crying, complaining, and reciting scriptures.  Begging the Lord to stop the pain I was feeling and calm the storms in my life so I can rest and have peace.  I got to a point where I became quiet in hopes I would hear a word from God.  He spoke to me just as loud and clear as if He were sitting in the car next to me.  He asked, “Does the sun stop shining during a storm?”

So I looked up at the sky.  It was a cloudy day and the dark clouds held threats of rain.  It was definitely day time however the clouds were blocking my view of the sun.  I knew the sun was there beyond the clouds.  I knew that because the sun is constant.  It never changes its position.  The moon revolves around the earth and the earth revolves around the sun but the sun never moves an inch.  The weather, seasons and times change due to the ever changing position of the earth and moon.  It has nothing to do with the sun. 

As the message sank into my brain and I began to grasp what God was trying to teach me, tears streamed down my face.  God isn’t going to do a thing for me that He hasn’t already done.  He has already healed me.  He has already saved me.  He has already given me His Spirit and He has forgiven me of my sins.  He has redeemed me, restored me renewed me through the blood of His Son Jesus Christ.  He has done all He can for me so how do I end this pain?  I have to change my position!  Just like the earth and the moon line up a certain way and then suddenly winter turns into spring.  All that was dead comes to life.  All that was in hibernation is awakened.  I need to change and let the glow of God’s goodness make a rainbow from the rain. 

Now I am praising Him in this storm.  I am thankful for the lesson He is teaching me.  I am grateful for this test turning into a testimony.  I am worn out from battling but I am not weary.  I am tired but I find rest in my Savior.  I am renewed daily and I am filled to overflowing with the joy and strength of God.  But that is all by choice.  I can choose to cry in the storm or I can choose to laugh.  Why be depressed when I can be happy?  I just think of all the things I have overcome, all that God has blessed me with.  I have so much to be thankful for!  I have a million reasons to smile and rejoice and be glad!

Are you going through a tough season?  Are you traveling in a storm?  Just look to the sky and see the glory of God through the clouds.  He is constant and He is here.  He isn’t going anywhere.  You just need to change your own perspective and get in line with God.  

Me And You Will Never Part

God created man.  We are God’s creation. 

When God created Adam, they walked together and talked like friends.  Adam was constantly in the presence of the Creator of everything!  Yet, he was not satisfied.  Adam longed for something different, something more. 

God eventually gave Adam a woman.  A like-partner, created from Adam’s own body.  Eve was literally created by God for Adam yet their relationship, imperfect and flawed, led to their dismissal from the Garden of Eden. 

Before I knew my parents - before I even knew myself - God knew me.  My first relationship was with God, my Creator.  Ultimately, God comes first above any relationship.  My relationship with God should be is the most important relationship I have.  I can lose favor with man but God said in His word that He would never leave me nor forsake me (Deuteronomy 31:6), He is always with me (Matthew 28:20) and nothing can separate me from Him (Romans 8:38-39).

Why then is He not good enough for me?  Why is my relationship with Him not fulfilling?  Why do I long to have man’s love and approval more than I long for God?

God, our Creator, designed us with the ability to make choices.  We all know very early on that there is a void in our lives.  Some try to fill the void with success and wealth, others try to fill the void with addictions and perversions.  Some of us try to fill the void with relationships – a romantic partner, a parent, a child, a friend.  We seek approval and love through things that were made by our Creator instead of seeking a relationship with the only one who can fill that void.  He created us so naturally He should know what we need and be capable of providing it.        

As Christians, we already know all this – mentally.  I feel kind of shameful to even admit that I have known what God requires of me yet I chose not to do my part because…well…it just didn’t make sense.  I needed someone I could physically feel, someone who I could talk to and hear them talk to me.  I wanted, like Adam, another human to walk with because walking with God just wasn’t cutting the mustard for me.  It wasn’t until recently that the light bulb came on for me.  I put my earthly relationships above my relationship with God.  When my earthly relationships began to crumble, I felt myself falling apart.  I was so dependent upon people that when they let me down, I felt that void grow even deeper and wider than it had ever been before.  God showed me my errors.

First, I was disobeying His commandments by putting other “gods” before Him.  Second, I believed with my head and not my heart.  My heart belonged to the world. I knew God but I didn’t really know God.  Also, I needed to change if I expect to have the life God wants me to have.  God said He is my provider – not man.  God said He is my protector – not man.  God said He is my joy – not man.  God said He is my peace – not man.

And the journey continues…  I am telling you, this road has not been easy but I can finally see the finish line.  I will finish this race.  I will finish strong!  I have my battle scars but none of my wounds have been fatal thanks to God.  He gives me strength to keep going and I thank Him for every step that He takes with me.  May God strengthen you on your journey also as you grow and mature in Him. 

We...Can Be...New

I have been obsessed with Amel Larrieux for several years.  Her voice is so magical, I am confident it holds the cure for every disease.  You just have to listen to her to understand… Prepare to be blown away!

One of my favorite songs by Amel is “We Can Be New”.  Yes, it is a love song but to me, it is much more than a romantic ballad.  To me, it is a song of hope.  It inspires the listener not to dwell on the past –hurts, fears, disappointments, loss – but to look forward to experiencing love, healing, restoration and happiness.  In order to “get over” the past, you have to leave it all behind.  Amel says to shed it off like trees do with leaves.  In the fall, those dead leaves fall off and expose a vulnerable, naked tree.  Eventually the spring comes with life and new leaves to make the tree appear stronger and more beautiful than before!

One of my favorite testimonies of hope is the story of Joseph in the Old Testament.  He was his father’s favorite child and was probably spoiled beyond imagination.  He faced adversity from his jealous siblings and ultimately they got rid of him and told their father he was dead.  Joseph spent some time in prison and spent some time as a servant.  During those low times, the spoiled son of a wealthy man could have wallowed in sadness and despair but he chose to be hopeful.  Eventually, he experiences a change in his life and he was appointed to a position of royalty!  He was reunited with his family and they all lived happily ever after.  Living happily ever after was a choice.  If he had held on to anger and unforgiveness, his story would have turned out much different.  I am glad he chose to turn something bad into something good.  Now Joseph’s story inspires millions of people around the world and across generations.   

Life is filled with hardships but I am a firm believer that no matter what you are faced with, you must figure out how to overcome and move on.  I don’t like to lose when I am very passionate and committed to something.  Heck, I don’t believe anyone does!  When I experience loss and disappointment, I usually take it pretty hard and wallow in my feelings for a while.  I am learning to stop wallowing and expedite the healing.  I expedite the healing by thinking and speaking words of positivity and hope in reference to my situation.  If I am sad and speak and think sadness, I will stay sad.  If I am sad but speak and think joy, I will have joy.  It’s about as magical as Amel’s voice.  You just have to try it to understand…  Prepare to be blown away!

Heirs Of God's Kingdom

The world has a nasty habit of dividing us.  We are all categorized based on our race, our religion, our age, our gender, etc.  Even in our family relationships, we are divided. 

Coming from a blended family myself, I can testify that the world attempted to divide us.  I never recognized my older sister as a “half sister”, even though we had different biological fathers.  I never heard my father referred to as her “step father”.  Those categories did not exist in my family though outsiders attempted to force the world’s labels and categories on us.  I never felt like my older sister was less of my sister because of our different biology.  To me, she was and still is just my sister. 

It bothers me to hear families divided into categories.  There should be no “step”, “half”, “foster”, “adopted”, etc.  You are either a part of the family or you’re not.  Plain and simple.  I have recently realized this way of thinking, my way of thinking, is not the world’s way.  It is the Kingdom Way.

Romans 4 details that Abraham was credited with righteousness because of his faith; not because he was a Jew.  There are many passages in the New Testament Epistles where Paul explains to Christians that being a Jew or being circumcised doesn’t automatically give you favor with God.  Your faith is what sets you apart and gives you salvation.  After Jesus Christ was sacrificed for our sins, His blood covered us all.  His blood made all believers heirs of God.  So I don’t have to be born into a Jewish blood line or get myself circumcised to attain salvation.  I just need faith (to start with anyway…).

Romans 8 states that those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God.  We must obey God and carry ourselves like we are His children because we are!  In a household with natural born children, stepchildren and foster children, you will find that they all have different levels of respect and obedience towards the parent/guardian.  The natural born children know they belong to the family and therefore are more likely to be obedient and show respect to the parent.  The stepchildren may be obedient and show respect when it’s convenient.  The foster children, knowing this is a temporary home, may have zero respect and obedience toward their guardian.   Likewise, the natural parent will stop at nothing to provide for their children.  The step parent or foster parent may not feel the same obligation or responsibility for the children in their care.  Now, this is based on the world’s standard.  If it doesn’t apply to your situation, that’s great!  But we all know that the world operates opposite than God operates.

I am so thankful that God, my Father, is not like an earthly father.  And though I am a Gentile, I am not treated with neglect or abuse.  He loves me with the same love He had for Abraham, because I am saved by grace through faith.  All of us are under the penalty of death through the sin of Adam but because of Jesus’ death and resurrection, we can be born again, made new and receive eternal life as an heir to the kingdom of God! 

So stop acting like God’s step child!  He is waiting for you to walk in faith that you have a seat at the dinner table with Jesus.  Get rid of the doubt that clouds your mind.  That is the devil trying to destroy you and bring you back into your sinful nature.  You are a rightful heir and salvation is yours.      

iHarmony: Live to Love

I just couldn’t let the month of February go by without writing a little “sumthin-sumthin” about love.  Last week, I had the most amazing, inspiring topic in my head.  As I powered up my laptop and sat down to write, my love child demanded my attention and the whole thing left my mind as quickly as it came.  In moments like these, I thank God that he gave me a such a remarkable brain.  Though something great may get deleted, something greater will come later.  (insert cheesy smile)

Sooooooooo…

This morning, during my devotional, I came across good ol’ Galatians 5.  Reading “The Fruits of The Spirit” on a daily basis helps me stay grounded in what my purpose is on this planet.  I rarely even read the prior section that discusses “The Fruits of The Flesh”.  Before I get too deep into that, let’s take a look at the word “HARMONY”.

Harmony, as it applies to music, is a bunch of different instruments, or even a bunch of different voices, coming together to create one sound.  And not just any sound, but a well-blended, beautiful sound.  A sound that is pleasing to the ears.  Harmony, as it applies to people, is to agree and be on one accord.  The opposite of harmony, in either music or people is fighting, opposition, discord, disagreement, imbalance, instability, etc.  The first thing I thought of when I read the definition is that whether the word is applied to music or people, it describes relationships.

Harmony is the main component in “The Fruits of The Spirit”.  Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness and Self Control are all behaviors we express to others.  In our relationships, we must demonstrate “The Fruits of The Spirit” not only as a means of treating others well but also because it is the exact opposite of “The Fruits of The Flesh”.

Galatians 5 describes maybe 15-17 “Fruits of The Flesh”, depending on which translation you are reading.  Some of those are sexual immorality, hatred, discord, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions, envy and drunkenness.  These are all behaviors that have a negative impact on our relationships.  When we practice these behaviors, we are not living in harmony and therefore doing the opposite of what God has called us to do and therefore verse 21 states “those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.”

Matthew 7:21-23 states (from the mouth of Jesus Christ Himself), “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.  Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’  Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’”  Jesus gave us the blueprint on what we must do to fulfill the will of His Father, Our Father, in heaven.  When we operate in the flesh, it is impossible to set our sights on spiritual things and we fall short of living in harmony with others.  We must set our hearts and minds on operating in the spirit so that we can have harmony in our relationships and ultimately inherit the kingdom God has prepared for those who obey Him.

The world can bash our faith, our lifestyle and say that Christianity is “an opiate for the people” but we know better.  We don’t have blind faith.  We have a tangible faith.  The saints of the Old Testament trusted in God’s word and His word was manifested in time.  We have access to countless testimonies in the Bible, in our lives and in the lives of other saints around us.  We are not just hoping that God will fulfill His promises; we know for a fact that He will!  He is not a man that He should lie and He has a consistent record of fulfilling His promises. 

The Month of Love is now coming to a close but as we bid farewell to February, let’s remember the greatest command God gave us.  LOVE!  After all, it is a verb… 

You do this and I'll do that

At various moments in life, we all find ourselves in need of supernatural intervention.  Whether you are saved or not, we all experience seasons of hardship that we can’t overcome on our own strength.  Fortunately, I am saved (and I pray you are too) and I can call on my Heavenly Father to assist me during hard times.

I recently read 2 Chronicles 7:14 during my devotional time and it truly inspired me.  This scripture gave me clarity on my relationship with God.  It’s pretty selfish of me to constantly ask for help from God without giving anything in return.  This scripture showed me that my relationship with God is give and take, similar to any of our natural relationships.

God seeks certain behavior from His people just like parents expect certain behavior from the children in their care.  We teach our children to be obedient and to honor us.  Likewise, God has instructed us to honor and obey Him.  We are not perfect parents but we have high expectations of our children.  If those expectations aren’t met, consequences are often applied.  God is perfection and He has the highest expectations for us.  Of course there are consequences for disobedience but oh what blessings come to those who obey!

In 2 Chronicles 7:14, God says we must do four things during times of hardship and in return, God will do three things.  So what did God tell us to do?

We – as God’s chosen people – must

1          1.)    Humble ourselves (James 4:6, Psalm 25:9)

2          2.)    Pray (1 Thessalonians 5:17, Jeremiah 33:3, Matthew 6:5-15)

3          3.)    Seek His face (Matthew 6:33, John 14:15, Isaiah 55:6-7)

4          4.)    Turn from our wicked ways (Acts 3:19, Deuteronomy 10:12-13)

If we do those things, what did God promise to do in return?

He will

1         1.)    Hear from heaven (1 John 5:14, John 9:31, Psalm 66:17-20)

2         2.)    Forgive our sins (1 John 1:9, Psalm 34:17-20)

3         3.)    Restore our land (Job 42:10, Deuteronomy 30:3-4, Acts 15:16, Isaiah 19:22, Zechariah 1:3)

So if you are in the midst of a rough season, look to The Word to give you guidance and wisdom on how to make it through.  Follow God’s instructions and He will deliver you and make you better than you were before!  Remember, you must do your part in your relationship with God to receive the blessings He is able and willing to offer.