GOD STILL WORKS MIRACLES

GOD STILL WORKS MIRACLES

I was inspired by the following teaching-testimony and thought it might be beneficial to share.

Have you ever been in a state where it seemed that God had gone mute to your prayers?  As a promising young businesswoman, I served God faithfully and was committed to doing his work early in life.  As I journeyed through my Christian life, many suitors came seeking for my hand in marriage, but none met my requirements for the kind of man I wanted.

After waiting a while, my husband-to-be showed up.  He was a very caring and lovely man.  We dated for a few months, he proposed and we got married.  It was a joyous moment for me, but little did I know that my happiness would be so fleeting.

My husband, who at first had been so faithful and God-fearing, became a hand-tool of the devil.  We waited two years for the Lord to bless us with children.  However, our situation only worsened when the doctor discovered I had a tumor and I might not be able to conceive.

Our lovely home soon fell apart.  My husband ended up sleeping around with strange women, got me infected with HIV/AIDS and forced me out of the house.

Those tragic moments embittered me against him.  “What am I going to do with my life and what am I living for?” was all I asked myself as I wet my pillows with tears every night.

Two weeks later, I visited the doctor for a checkup.  At the end of his investigation, I was diagnosed with blood cancer.  He advised me to go home and set my house in order, for I had only three months to live.

At that point, I knew that my end had come.  Like the prodigal son, I had to fall back to the Father for forgiveness.  I fasted and prayed for weeks, believing that God would somehow make things change.

But how can blood cancer, a tumor and HIV/AIDS disappear?  As I made up my mind to put my house in order, I heard a preacher on the radio.  He started by asking a question: “Whose report do you believe?  Who says you can’t fulfill your destiny?  If you have tried all prayer doors and none seems to work or open for you, WHY NOT TRY THE DOOR OF PRAISE?  God is found in praise, which gets Him committed into any situation.  When you pray, God assigns angels to answer.  But when you praise, God Himself steps in.  God is not through with you yet!”

When I heard those powerful words, my heart melted and I knew immediately that God was truly committed to restoring my lost glory.  Instead of giving up, I immediately declared seven days of dancing and praising God.  On the final night, a spirit of praise and worship swept through me.  I praised God as never before: I danced, shouted and praised Him.  It was a night of restoration and completion that I shall never forget.

After such joyous dancing, the peace I had been longing for saturated me like the cool morning dew.  While still in my mood of celebration, like a dream, a man walked into my room and greeted me:

“Peace be unto you, oh woman of praise!  Your day of celebration has finally come!”

“Who are you?  And how did you get here?” I asked with my lips trembling.

With a smile on his face he said, “I am he that has been sent to present your packaged blessings.  I came to answer your prayer requests, but was held back by evil spirits in your house.”

“Spirits?  Did you say spirits?” I asked while looking around to see if I could see any myself.

“Yes!  Evil spirits.” he responded.  “They are the spirits of bondage, unforgiveness and unbelief.  The unforgiving spirt you have long held against your husband is now after you.  The unbelieving spirit came at the point when you focused solely on your illnesses, and limited God’s healing ability over you.  They both tried to stop me, BUT when you praised and danced in the presence of God, He had to fulfill His Word.

Congratulations!  Every year you counted a waste has now been restored.  Those who viewed you as a source of mockery shall return to celebrate you.  Today, you had been made whole.”  It was right then and there that I knew my deliverance had started.  It was a night to remember.

Two days later, I went back to the doctor that had declared me a walking corpse.  And after running several tests on me, he could not find any trace of blood cancer, tumors or HIV/AIDS.  PRAISE GOD!  The mystery of praise turned my life around for good.  Soon afterwards, the doctor his co-workers gave their lives to Christ because they had never seen such a miracle.  “What a mystery!” was their constant refrain as they celebrated with me.  God is indeed faithful.

Moral Lessons:

-Never give up on yourself when God had not said so.

-The thickness of the night will never prevent the sun from rising and your spirit from shining.

-If you have tried other doors, never forget to try praise for God is committed to fulfilling every promise concerning you.

Sisters and brothers, be continually blessed, and please (above all else) MAKE SURE YOU ARE READY TO MEET OUR SOON COMING KING.  Maranatha!

HEY YOU...THERE'S GREATNESS INSIDE!

HEY YOU…THERE’S GREATNESS INSIDE!

Traversing this journey called life, all of us run into occasional roadblocks or hurdles.  Sometimes we fail.  At other times, we manage to exceed our own expectations.  Each of these experiences is necessary and expedient to our personal development. 

Now hear this!  Take a look in inside for, quite arguably, the primary terror on our planet is internal (not external) in nature. 

My sister, my brother, are you afraid of yourself?  Are you terrified by your own possibilities?  Have you been gradually conditioned by your environment (or your associates) to believe that you can never break free from any and every chain that binds?  Are you like the proverbial elephant, tethered since birth to a tiny tree – never realizing your own power and potential to break free – because you are incarcerated in vague memories of a times long since past when you were so much less than your present self?

At the end of the day, it is the resolute power of your human will (augmented and assisted from above) that grants you the capacity to boldly declare, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:13)  Know this: YOU are infinitely MORE than any societal norms or family associations declare you to be!

In “A Return to Love: Reflections on the Principles of a Course in Miracles,” Marianne Williamson writes:  “Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.  Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.  It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us.  We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?  Actually, who are you not to be?  You are a child of God.  Your playing small does not serve the world.  There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you.  We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us.  It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone.  And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.  As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”

Wow!

So start today.  Start right now.  Be as fearless as David in your world, because Goliath is no match for you.

Be as courageous as Mary, standing unafraid to embrace your God-ordained destiny, with full knowledge that many may fail to understand the origin or meaning of “the holy thing” seeded within. (Luke 1:35)

HEY YOU…THERE’S GREATNESS INSIDE!

“fear not!” It’s a powerful phrase, oft repeated within The Holy Writ.  It challenges us to transform dismal days into bright tomorrows.  It summons us to sojourn out of ourselves – to a higher plane of knowledge and being – into awesome and appointed spaces where the will and Word of God eternally reside.

I feel the power.  I will not fight it.  Indeed, it is The Living Christ, who is resurrected and fully alive within my heart and within my spirit.  So I will be.  I will become.  I will stand.  I will triumph!

Sisters and brothers, be continually blessed, and please (above all else) MAKE SURE YOU ARE READY TO MEET OUR SOON COMING KING.  Maranatha!

THINK AND DO

THINK AND DO

King Solomon, the sage, penned these powerful words about the connection between one’s thoughts and one’s destiny: “As he thinks in his heart, so is he.” (Proverbs 23:7)  It is the foundational truth undergirding one of his more memorable insights: “Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life.” (Proverbs 4:23)  When we carefully reflect upon our lives, we recognize that every single thing (both good and bad) emerges from how we think.  How so?  Every decision springs from internal thought processes, and the actions that follow are merely reflections and realizations of what we think.

It naturally follows that our thinking should be (and must be) judiciously regulated.  Nevertheless, how are we to accomplish this when our senses are overwhelmed daily by a tidal wave of worldly inputs via the mass media and our interactions with others?

Firstly, we must adopt a higher compass by which to navigate and govern our lives.  King David’s prayer concerning this is key.  He petitioned God to “order my steps in Your word, and let no iniquity have dominion over me.” (Psalm 119:133)  It is the logical and practical way for us to fully embrace Solomon’s advice (reference above) to guard our hearts.  ONLY THE “WISE GOD” is consistently “able to keep you from falling.” (I Timothy 1:17 and Jude 1:24)

Why not ask GOD for help in filtering out all the background noise, the worldly distractions, the confusing voices and the media assault on our senses, so we are able to think wisely and super-naturally?  Indeed, this is absolutely necessary since the Word declares that “the carnal mind [the natural or unredeemed mind] is enmity [the enemy] against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.” (Romans 8:7)

The scriptural solution?  “Do not be conformed to this world, but BE TRANSFORMED BY THE RENEWING OF YOUR MIND, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” (Romans 12:2)  This may only be accomplished in the life of one who seeks to fully surrender to The Creator.  Thus David’s prayer: “Teach me, O Lord, the way of Your statutes, and I shall keep it to the end.  Give me understanding, and I shall keep Your law.  Indeed, I shall observe it with my whole heart.” (Psalm 119:33-34)

Paying attention to what we are thinking first involves paying attention to what we are hearing, what we are reading, what we are watching and what we are ultimately internalizing.  Back in ‘The Stone Age’ – when I was an elementary school student – we had English grammar workbooks entitled “Think and Do.””  It was an effective way to learn the fundamentals of our language.  Those practical workbooks taught us how to read and write well.  In truth, all of us would be better positioned for life if we would adopt a similar model.  Now hear this, my friends: TODAY…THINK AND DO!  Reflect on the right things, then follow the right path.  Your life will be infinitely better for it.

Sisters and brothers, be continually blessed, and please (above all else) MAKE SURE YOU ARE READY TO MEET OUR SOON COMING KING.  Maranatha!

HAPPY VETERAN'S DAY IN THE USA!

EDITOR’S NOTE:  Please accept my apology for the recent absence.  Unforeseen circumstances caused a necessary delay.  My dear sisters and brothers, be continually blessed!

HAPPY VETERAN’S DAY IN THE USA!

Following World War I, President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed November 11, 1919, as ARMISTICE DAY.  On June 1, 1954, President Dwight Eisenhower officially changed Armistice Day to VETERANS DAY in order to celebrate EVERY AMERICAN SOLDIER, whether on active duty, discharged, retired, living or deceased.  Currently, Americans commemorate this day with official ceremonies, the laying of memorial wreaths, speeches, parades and religious services.

As a veteran of the United States Army, it certainly pleases me that our nation reserves special tributes and ascribes high honors to those who have served in our armed forces, many of whom have surrendered their very lives in the process, the ultimate sacrifice.

Nevertheless, even though I am an Army veteran, I remain profoundly ambivalent regarding my feelings about our national involvements in WARFARE, itself.

With respect to the believer’s mandated response to violence, the teachings of Jesus are challenging, to say the least. Carefully consider Christ’s words:

Matthew 5:38-39
38 Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth:
39 But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.

An important question is begged, in connection with this scripture:
DOES THE CHRISTIAN BIBLE EITHER PROMOTE OR MANDATE ABSOLUTE PACIFISM?

According to Dictionary.com, PACIFISM is 1) opposition to war or violence of any kind; 2) refusal to engage in military activity because of one’s principles or beliefs; or, 3) the principle or policy that all differences among nations should be adjusted without recourse to war.

To wit, if Christianity absolutely demands PACIFISM, ‘What should be our personal response to HOME INVADERS who threaten the security and safety of our families?’  One logical extension of that same line of reasoning is this: ‘What should be our nation’s response to INVADING ENEMIES who threaten the security and safety of our government and citizens?

Please note that my ambivalence concerning warfare is directly related to the underlying REASONS and MOTIVES that result in military actions.  Recent history reveals a global tendency to resort to warfare for economic or abstract reasons, i.e. the acquisition or the security of non-renewable commodities (such as oil) or ideological expectations/requirements that certain nations to adhere to other nations’ governmental systems, standards or norms.

I am not naïve.  Clearly, warfare will persist on Planet Earth until the return of the Prince of Peace who “shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.” (Isaiah 2:4)  The second coming of Jesus Christ will radically transform our world and world system.

For now, however, there are times when evil must be directly confronted.  Augustine and Aquinas fostered the concept of a JUST WAR.  Augustine’s scriptural basis was the writings of the Apostle Paul, which suggest that it is entirely ‘Christian’ to enforce law and security via “the sword.”  The Apostle Paul describes such a person as “the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.” (Romans 13:4)  Augustine held that failure to defend one’s nation or one’s self in the face of any attack that could only be stopped by violence would be a reckless sin, in and of itself.

Thomas Aquinas taught that a JUST WAR can only be waged by proper authorities, such as state or nation.  Secondly, it must occur for good and just purposes, as opposed to the demonstration of sheer power or the acquisition of material gain.  Thirdly, its ultimate goal must be a return to peace for all parties.  Israel’s right to defend itself from any nation that overtly threatens its extinction would be an example of a just war in our age.

Throughout world history, colonial empires had, as their primary motivation, the acquisition of lands, human resources, and/or precious gems and metals.  These empires’ quest for global domination was fueled mostly by ambition, power or greed.  Contemporary nations are not nearly as ‘naked’ in their imperial pursuits.  Question: Are we now acting in just ways as proper citizens of the world community (or) are our actions merely extensions of nation-building or empire-building?

It is not the intent of this devotional to deflate or elevate any political party or nation.  However, it is the responsibility of every American (and certainly every Christian) to critically evaluate our politics and policies to assure that they are in alignment with the global good, and ultimately with the sovereign will of the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords.

With all of that in mind, I wish to express a very heartfelt “Happy Veterans Day” to every current and former service member, who sacrificially serves/served on behalf of our nation’s security, safety and freedom.

Sisters and brothers, be continually blessed, and please (above all else) MAKE SURE YOU ARE READY TO MEET OUR SOON COMING KING.  Maranatha!

ENLIGHTENMENT - ENCOURAGEMENT - EMPOWERMENT (Part III)

ENLIGHTENMENT – EMPOWERMENT – ENCOURAGEMENT (Part III)

There is only one way to avoid criticism: do nothing, say nothing, and be nothing. –Aristotle

Ask and it will be given to you; search, and you will find; knock and the door will be opened for you. –Jesus Christ

The only person you are destined to become is the person you decide to be. –Ralph Waldo Emerson

Go confidently in the direction of your dreams.   Live the life you have imagined. –Henry David Thoreau

When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left and could say, I used everything you gave me. –Erma Bombeck

Few things can help an individual more than to place responsibility on him, and to let him know that you trust him.  –Booker T. Washington

Certain things catch your eye, but pursue only those that capture the heart. – Ancient Indian Proverb

Believe you can and you’re halfway there. –Theodore Roosevelt

Everything you’ve ever wanted is on the other side of fear. –George Addair

We can easily forgive a child who is afraid of the dark; the real tragedy of life is when men are afraid of the light. –Plato

Teach thy tongue to say, “I do not know,” and thou shalt progress. –Maimonides

Start where you are.  Use what you have.  Do what you can. –Arthur Ashe

When one door of happiness closes, another opens, but often we look so long at the closed door that we do not see the one that has been opened for us. –Helen Keller

How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world. –Anne Frank

Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away. –Maya Angelou

If the wind will not serve, take to the oars. –Latin Proverb

You can’t fall if you don’t climb.  But there’s no joy in living your whole life on the ground. –Unknown

We must believe that we are gifted for something, and that this thing, at whatever cost, must be attained. –Marie Curie

Too many of us are not living our dreams because we are living our fears. –Les Brown

Challenges are what make life interesting and overcoming them is what makes life meaningful. –Joshua J. Marine

If you want to lift yourself up, lift up someone else. –Booker T. Washington

I have been impressed with the urgency of doing.  Knowing is not enough; we must apply.  Being willing is not enough; we must do. –Leonardo da Vinci

Fall seven times and stand up eight. –Japanese Proverb

Sisters and brothers, be continually blessed, and please (above all else) MAKE SURE YOU ARE READY TO MEET OUR SOON COMING KING. Maranatha!

ENLIGHTENMENT - EMPOWERMENT - ENCOURAGEMENT (Part II)

ENLIGHTENMENT – EMPOWERMENT – ENCOURAGEMENT (Part II)

Here are some more inspirational quotes to ponder and practice.  Enjoy!

Life isn’t about getting and having, it’s about giving and being. –Kevin Kruse

Whatever the mind of man can conceive and believe, it can achieve. –Napoleon Hill

Strive not to be a success, but rather to be of value. –Albert Einstein

Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—I took the one less traveled by, and that has made all the difference.  –Robert Frost

I attribute my success to this: I never gave or took any excuse. –Florence Nightingale

You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take. –Wayne Gretzky

The most difficult thing is the decision to act, the rest is merely tenacity. –Amelia Earhart

Every strike brings me closer to the next home run. –Babe Ruth

Definiteness of purpose is the starting point of all achievement. –W. Clement Stone

Life is what happens to you while you’re busy making other plans. –John Lennon

We become what we think about. –Earl Nightingale

Life is 10% what happens to me and 90% of how I react to it. –Charles Swindoll

The most common way people give up their power is by thinking they don’t have any. –Alice Walker

The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now. –Chinese Proverb

An unexamined life is not worth living. –Socrates

Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life. –Steve Jobs

Winning isn’t everything, but wanting to win is. –Vince Lombardi

I am not a product of my circumstances. I am a product of my decisions. –Stephen Covey

Every child is an artist.  The problem is how to remain an artist once he grows up. –Pablo Picasso

I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel. –Maya Angelou

The two most important days in your life are the day you are born and the day you find out why. –Mark Twain

Sisters and brothers, be continually blessed, and please (above all else) MAKE SURE YOU ARE READY TO MEET OUR SOON COMING KING. Maranatha!

IF I WERE ONLY ME

IF I WERE ONLY ME

Recently, I encountered a perfect stranger at the mall.  He walked up and enthusiastically greeted me as if we were lifelong friends.  My first thought was “What is he selling?”  Nevertheless, because his candor and intellect intrigued me, and since I had no pressing engagements, we conversed for quite some time.  This young man, likely late-twenties in age,  rattled on and on, sharing personal insights and opinions on politics and religion, family and friends, failures and successes, a full menu of life experiences.

One memorable remark caught my attention.  He casually referred to himself as “Chameleon Man.”  When I asked why, he responded “I have the uncanny ability to change myself completely, to totally adapt to any situation.  In fact, I can BE anybody…so I AM everybody!”

I paused to reflect and then countered, “That’s an interesting point of view.  However, since you change so significantly and so often, do YOU ever get lost in the sauce – carried away by your own extensive repertoire of emotional disguises?”  He laughed loudly.  “That’s clever!” he replied with much more volume that the environment warranted.  “Come to think of it,” he continued, “yes, there are times when I’m not sure WHO I am.”  We talked a while longer; I prayed with him and invited him to church.

During my drive home, I contemplated our wide-ranging discourse and came to the realization that there are multiplied millions who could honestly self-identify as “Chameleon Man,” or “Woman” as the case may be.  Indeed, most of us try a bit too hard to fit in neatly with the masses.  Let’s be clear.  I’m not advocating for anyone to adopt a rebellious or contentious spirit.  But it’s apparent that so many do not embrace our God-created distinctives due to some vague notion or need for conformity and the societal pressure to FIT IN.

This mindset is synonymous with FEAR.  It deprives us of uniqueness, erodes self-esteem and produces a herd-mentality, i.e. what I call “GROUP THINK.”

GOD FORMED YOU FOR HIS PLEASURE AND THEN THREW AWAY THE MOLD.  There’s nobody else exactly like you.  Consider this.  Fashion dictates conformity to this season’s colors, fabrics and styles.  YOU are infinitely more than that, so stay out of the superficial lane when it comes down to identifying and actualizing your God-ordained reasons for being alive and present on the planet.

Hey YOU…show up!  Human life, from Heaven’s perspective, is a chameleon-free zone!

Why?  Firstly, God requires and is glorified by YOU.  Secondly, sitting on your rocker in the twilight of your years, you never want to languish in regret, looking back and thinking “IF I WERE ONLY ME”…

Sisters and brothers, be continually blessed, and please (above all else) MAKE SURE YOU ARE READY TO MEET OUR SOON COMING KING.  Maranatha!