Forgiveness

I had an Aha moment this morning as I was reading a prayer out of The Power of a Praying Mom by Stormie Omartian. Most of us know that we are ALL sinners and have fallen short of the Glory of God. JESUS was and is the only perfect person to walk this earth and Jesus died on the Cross a blemishless pure perfect person with no sin to take on every last one of our sins in order for us to be able to be forgiven in the sight of God and live forever in Heaven. It’s a fairly mind blowing thing to understand but it’s real. Jesus forgave us. Totally. So why is it that we have such an excruciating time forgiving others? I have wronged and been wronged in the past. We all have at some point in time because we are human and we are not perfect. Sometimes we forgive and sometimes we don’t. Sometimes we say the words “I forgive you” and deep down we really didn’t and we continue to internally hold a grudge that eats at us. We don’t like being wronged and we think forgiving others let’s them off the hook with no recourse because it’s face it…they wronged us and they should be punished for it! Well that was my aha moment. I have always thought that my forgiving someone was their cleansing. Their end all be all and that my forgiveness of them was their cleansing. If I forgive them then they don’t get punished for their actions. That’s not true. My turning point this morning is this sentence in The Power of a Praying Mom prayer number 5 if you ever pick up the book. Stormie states, “I realize that my forgiving someone doesn’t make them right; it makes me free.” Wow. That’s Powerful. My forgiveness doesn’t wash them clean of consequence. It makes me free of what they did to me. Jesus will deal with them with whatever they did. That’s not our job to make them feel bad by withholding forgiveness or get revenge on them or create our own scenario of what they should go through to be punished. It’s not our job to divvy out the consequence, to judge, or to punish. Jesus will deal with them according to His justice. BUT it IS our job to forgive because we are forgiven by the Almighty God. I released a lot of anger and grudges this morning because of this aha moment that our forgiveness to someone isn’t their cleansing. It is OUR cleansing and Jesus will take care of the rest. Hallelujah.

Luke 6:37 Forgive and you will be forgiven.

Colossians 3:13 – Bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.

Matthew 7:1 Judge not, lest you be judged.

Romans 3:23 For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God

Ode to a New Decade

In Sept 2016, I heard Ephesians 3:20,21 in a special sermon at church. Then in my devotions, then on the radio and in other sermons and books I was reading. Over and over I heard these same verses. I thought this is no coincidence and so Jan 2017 I wrote them down and kept them on my bathroom mirror for 3 years. God is able and wants to give us more than we personally could ever dream of and ask for beyond our wildest dreams if we would just believe and trust in Him and in July 2019, I bought my dream house. I’ve owned many homes but this one was most special. Beyond my wildest dreams...on paper I signed all by myself but I’m here to say scripture, prayer and God is POWER. Words are powerful. If it weren’t for those words on my bathroom mirror for the last 3 years, I don’t know where I would be. So as I opened my devotional Jan 1, 2020 not only thinking of the year ahead but a whole new decade, this verse stared at me...”For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11. I am putting this up beside Eph 3:20,21. They will forever be burned in my spirit and wanted to share. Let’s be honest, the new decade will have good and bad, will have trials and triumphs but friends, take my hand and have peace with me in knowing God is ALWAYS in control. #2020

Ephesians 3:20,21

Jeremiah 29:11

Dominion over Fear and Anxiety

This blog is to speak out on anxiety and how crippling fear is.  Some may think I’m strong but I am weak. I have anxiety. And it’s not something easy to say or come out with. Because today we show everyone on social media that we have an amazing life. That everything is ok. We are strong. Everything is roses on Facebook. When someone asks ‘how are you?’ you say fine.  We show our best life to everyone. But what we don’t share is the darkest hours, the 2 am sleepless nites, the 6 am panic attacks right after waking up, the loneliness feelings wandering through the days. The crying spells bc I am alone. Where are those post on Facebook? They’re not. It’s something we hide from probably almost everyone except one or two closest friends or maybe one family member. But what we don’t realize is if we don’t tell anyone, no one can help. Speaking of our weakness is not weak. It’s an acknowledgement and empowers us to take dominion over it. Studies show 30% of Americans will or are diagnosed with some type of anxiety disorder or depression. So much more than in 1950. And what about the ones that don’t speak out. 

Anxiety comes from carrying something you weren’t meant to carry —Pastor Trey Taylor. What if we took charge of those feelings and pushed it into positive energy? Take all that energy that is put in your daily anxiety and refocus and coral that energy to the positive things in your life...focus on things you can control. And let go of the things you can’t. It’s not easy. But with focus you can change negativity into positivity. Surround yourself with the best of people and relationships. We rally together in happiness. 

Remember You’re not alone. Command fear and anxiety to move and transform into a positive moment and a daily peace will overcome your soul.

II Corinthians 12:9-10

 9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. 10 That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

Philippians 4:6-7

6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

I Peter 5:5-7

5 In the same way, you who are younger, submit yourselves to your elders. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because,

“God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.”

6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. 7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

A Firm Foundation

As many of you know my full time job is being a Realtor. I help people buy and sell homes year after year. I also deal with all the ends and outs of building a home from the ground up. I too live on the coast. That sometimes entails treacherous storms and hurricanes. A few years ago a new system of building was put into place that is called Gold Fortified construction. It means that a home can withstand up to 150MPH winds. That home is bolted, strapped and connected together essentially from the roof all the way to the foundation. 

We recently had an amazing nite of worship at my church and we sang the song Build my Life by Passion and the chorus lyrics are “I will build my life upon your love, it is a firm foundation. I will put my trust in You alone, and I will not be shaken!” Oh how true this is, I exclaim to you! All throughout the Bible Jesus tells us He’s the Rock, He’s the Foundation. He’s the Way, the Chief Cornerstone. If we build our life, our actions, our thoughts and our hearts, our homes on Him; on the Bible; on His purpose for our lives and not our own, We will not falter. We will not crumble. We will not be shaken! In Matthew 7, Jesus told a parable about a wise man and a foolish man. The wise man built his house upon a rock and the storms came and his house was saved but the foolish man built his house upon the sand and when the storms came his home fell to the ground. 

Open your heart today. Let Jesus be your Rock, your Cornerstone, your Gold Fortified construction and watch what He will do in your life! He is THE Firm Foundation.

Isaiah 28:16

Therefore thus says the Lord GOD, "Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone, a tested stone, A costly cornerstone for the foundation, firmly placed. He who believes in it will not be disturbed.

Psalm 71:3

Be my rock of refuge,

    to which I can always go;

give the command to save me,

    for you are my rock and my fortress.

John 14:6 

Jesus answered, “I am the Way, the Truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

Matthew 7:24-27 English Standard Version (ESV)

Build Your House on the Rock

24 “Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. 26 And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. 27 And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it.

Speak Life

There is So much negativity In this world. In politics, on social media readily and it seems the world is coming to an end. All is lost—everything is terrible. So much negativity ...but we are different. In Jesus though it’s different. We can command positivity, speak life. Stand firm. Stand ON the rock, stand on the Bible. If we are rooted in His word, in His presence in His love in His hands NOTHING can withstand us. Think of the impact of those words. Say them again. If God be for us WHO can be against us? 

I live on the coast. In a hurricane prone area. In life, storms will come. This is certain. These words remind me of a palm tree in a hurricane. There are gail force winds swirling round and round and blowing as hard as they can and the top of the tree is bending and flowing being beat with the wind and the rain but that trunk of that palm tree if it is strong it is rooted it is firm it is grounded deep in the soil and if it is strong it will stand firm like a rock.  It reminds me that in our lives it’s is certain and constant that storms will come. But it is during the storm that matters. Are we just good and pretty on the outside? So we put on a beautiful cascade? Or are we so deeply rooted in Gods word and his love and standing firm on his rock? Bc if we are we can endure every single storm. And like the palm tree after a hurricane it is stronger than ever before. 

Root yourself in the right things. Dive deep into the word, praise God not only in church but daily. Let Him Shine brightly transparently through you to others. Speak positivity speak life and be the light.

Romans 8:31

If God be for us, who can be against us.

I Peter 3:10

For, "Whoever would love life and see good days must keep their tongue from evil and their lips from deceitful speech.”

II Cor 4:6

For God, who said, “Let there be light in the darkness,” has made this light shine in our hearts so we could know the glory of God that is seen in the face of Jesus Christ.

A Promise Realized

2 1/2-3 years ago I realized I was going to have to go this particular part of the journey alone. I struggled like a kid having a temper tantrum for 10 min in the floor of a store then realizing when they open their eyes it’s not so bad after all. Little did I know I was walking through intense strength, determination, discipline, patience, perseverance and unfailing faith one moment at a time. It truly is like a blob of clay ...ugly and grey when the potter starts. Then he begins his work fiercely molding and shaping, adds color and texture, puts into fire and the outcome is a beautiful piece of art. It doesn’t just magically happen like we want it to. That potter doesn’t just make it appear.  It takes extreme patience, discipline, intense fire, and a Creator who is ultimately in control of the whole process. As are we when faced with trials, struggles and certain moments in our life. To us we see the small picture. The ugly. The in the moment picture. Temporarily it’s ugly, dark and grim but If we let go and let God He will give us more than we can ever imagine beyond our wildest dreams. And for this particular part of my journey, today is that day.  To some people it’s just a new house. To me it’s the truth of a promise realized. Truly a dream come true. I am forever changed. 

#isaidyestotheaddress #letgoandletGod

Ephesians 3:20,21 

Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us. Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.

Isaiah 64:8

But now, O Lord, you are our Father; we are the clay, and you are our potter; we are all the work of your hand.

One Day at a Time

Each day of our life is so precious—A unique moment in time that no one can live but us. No one walks in our shoes. No one else can live your life. Each day is a gift from God. It will never be replicated nor repeated. He doesn’t spill out our whole life ahead of us either. Thank God he gives us knowledge of one step at a time. How daunting would that be to know what each and every day holds before it comes alive? Some days are amazing bursts of surprise full of Life, laughter and joy. A home run at the ball-field when you were younger, the first time you jumped into a pool, a first kiss, graduation day. A goal accomplished, A gentleman asking a woman to be his wife, the birth of a newborn baby. But some days wreak havoc in our lives...death of a loved one, a downward spiral of depression, crippling fear, a bad doctors report, an attack of dogs, a car accident. We live in a fallen world. We cannot avoid bad things happening; however the bad sheds new light on how good the good actually is. God’s got this! Because His promises are real and constant. So I challenge you to wake up each morning and smile for we have breath in our lungs!  Pray fervently for that day that lies ahead and give thanks for every step of the way and shout Hallelujah!  Because in Christ the day has already been won. One day. at. a. time. 

Romans 8:28  

For we know that ALL things works together for good to those who love him, who have been called according to His purpose. 

Lamentations 3:22-23 

Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed,   for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.

II Corinthians 5:7

For we walk by faith, not by sight.

Which way is the light pointing?

When the light is shining on you--like when you shine a flashlight on you--can you see where to go?  No, you can't.  I sing from time to time on platform at my church and one of my couple friends came to service that day and I asked, "Are y’all here?"  They replied, "Yes! 10 rows back from you on stage."  When I’m on stage singing and the lights are shining right on us, I cannot see my friends and family and everyone in front of me in church.  I realized ...What a great analogy!  It’s true in life itself.  When the light is shining on you you can’t see anything but YOU.  You can’t see where to go or anything in front of you.  Only until you turn the flashlight away from You and let the light shine from the flashlight forward is when you can see the next step to step in front of you.  You can’t see far but you can see.  It gives you just enough light to make a few steps and then the light shines as you move forward and you can see the next few steps and on and on. That’s the same with Jesus!  If you turn your focus off you and put it on Jesus then His light will shine THROUGH you and you will see the next few steps. And then the next few and the next few. AND not only can you see but when His Light is shining from You, others closest to you can see because you are shining. You’re a beacon for those around you.  So, do not forget to turn your flashlight off you and point it forward. 

Psalm 119:105

For your word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.

John 8:12

When Jesus spoke again to the people, He said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

Matthew 5:16

“Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your good Father which is in Heaven.”

II Cor 4:6

For God, who said, “light shall shine out of darkness,” is the one who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ

Don't Give Up

Just yesterday I had a dear friend tell me that the doctor says his mother only has about 6 months to live. She had been battling cancer and the most recent check up was not good. We all probably have someone close or a friends friend or family member that is battling cancer or a life threatening illness. Or maybe you’re the one reading this that has cancer.

What do we say? What are we to say? Don’t give up?

It hit home hard for me as I read those words from him and reminded me back to a time when my own sister was battling cancer. As many of you know, She is the inspiration of this ministry. My sister Teresa was 28 when she was diagnosed with breast cancer a high stage (I can’t remember) and had 50% chance of survival. She lived 9 more years thereafter. Even through she passed away at 37, she did not give up. 

But what do those words mean? Do not give up. Give up what? In order to explain further let’s look at to give up. The definition is to admit defeat, to abandon, to surrender, quit, relinquish, stop, to declare incurable or insoluble, to submit. Ok so, do not give up. Do not surrender what? For my sister, she did not surrender life and her walk with Christ. Her physical cancer in her physical body she was given on earth was incurable; however, in her soul she pursued life to the fullest in Every. Single. Day. She was given. She exuded endless love to her children her family and to strangers daily. She fed her body the most healthy of foods and water daily. She did not surrender. And above all she pursued with a vengeance the proclamation that Jesus is the Savior of each and everyone of us. Her ministry was children at her local church and she was teaching Awanas (the children’s ministry back then) the very Wednesday before her Passing on Monday! She had a drive like no other—a JOY in her heart. THAT is what it means Do not give up. In the midst of darkness, do not give up. In the dead of night, do not give up. In our sickest hour, Do not give up. Do not give up love. Do not give up hope. Do not give up the newness of every day we are daily given. Do not give up on the pursuit of happiness, joy and peace. And do not give up sharing the unfailing love of Jesus Christ our Savior because even in our darkest hour on earth we can rejoice that our life is eternal! Do. not. give. up.

John 3:16

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

I Peter 5:7

7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

Hebrews 12:2

We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God's throne.

John 16:22

So also you have sorrow now, but I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you.

Let Go and Let God

Ever find yourself trying to control a situation you’re in? Or Atleast you’re trying to control the outcome? I certainly do. It’s my nature and personality to try to control certain things, or be the leader if you will. Children, job, career, relationships. Perhaps whole life. For you maybe you’re trying to control a scenario or a moment that you’re in. Maybe you’re struggling through something and holding on to keep or gain control. For me a lot of times I’m trying to keep it all together as a single parent. Juggling life, career, the pursuit of happiness, health and Children together and if one goes wrong they all come crashing down. Do you find yourself frustrated, upset, or plain mad when what you thought you had in control goes sideways or not how you planned?

Have you ever wondered why we fight so hard to stay in control of situation or try to steer life and all the while God has been sitting right beside us asking us for Him to take over? Why in a million years would we continue to steer the reins when the God of the Universe is wanting us! Little ole me to surrender and let Him guide. Why do I ever question Him? We have nothing to lose and everything to Gain. The magnitude of His authority is beyond our wildest thoughts and He tells us very clearly He wants to give us more than we can ever imagine.

It brings me to these words that were given to me many years ago. Let go and let God. They have been put back in my heart this past week as I pursue new relationships, new goals and a new year. As we look into the horizon of this new year I challenge you to Let Go and Let God...

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.” –Proverbs 3:5-6

"For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways," declares the LORD. Isaiah 55:8

 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.” – Romans 8:28

Ephesians 3:20-21

20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.