Monday, April 16, 2012

"Get Me a Plate To Go, Please"

John 6:12, "So when they were filled, He said to His disciples, "Gather up the fragments that remain, so that nothing is lost."

There will be seasons of lack we all will have to encounter and how we position ourselves is directly tied to the success of our obedience. Obedience is truly better than sacrifice. Jesus had just finished feeding the 5,000 men who were accounted for, however the women and children were not calculated. We often are quick to leave a venue when we feel we aren't noticed or when we feel we should have been on the VIP list. We have to be ever so careful of focusing on being counted in by man and less concerned about being counted out by God. Ask God to show you the season you are currently in through His eyes and not your own. We are to walk by faith and not by what our enemies want us to see. Even those who walk with the Lord may question the hand you have been dealt with as they did Jesus, but know that God is always willing to make the most of  the hand He has dealt you! To man, they only could see 2 fish and 5 loaves of bread, however God saw an opportunity to provide His children with the overflow of His blessings! Don't be quick to leave the scene without receiving the overflow of what God has for you-stay and wait patiently for your to-go plate! When God blesses you, it's His desire to allow your cup to not just be filled, but to run completely over! God wants you SATISFIED-not FULL. Waiting on overflow may seem BENEATH you, but I assure you nothing is ABOVE God!

Saturday, April 14, 2012

"Don't Even Go There!!!"

John 8:14-15, "Jesus answered and said to them, "Even if I bear witness of Myself, My Witness is true, for I know where I came from and where I am going; but you do not know where I come from and where I am going. You judge according to the flesh; I judge no one."


No matter how we try to convey our circumstances, past, and blessings from God to others, they will never truly understand where you have came from, but more importantly the place God is taking you. Your story is your intimate relationship and encounters with God and we can't expect those around us nor in our families and inner circles to fully understand nor appreciate the magnitude of our pains, struggles, and triumphs. Jesus told the crowd that even if He were to tell them of how He became who He was and how God was using Him, they would take issue with Him and find fault because they were judging Him according to their flesh instead of in the spirit. Jesus made it clear to them that in spite of how they may perceived Him and the task and journey God called Him to do, He wasn't going to come down to their level nor would He judge them for being ignorant. Understand that we have to appreciate our testimonies and journey in spite of others having to say something about it and not appreciating the work God is doing in us and through us.  Most who bring up your past, don't have a clear understanding of where they should be presently. Make no apologies for your growth and know that no matter how you try to make people "get you"-they won't. That's why we have to always be ever so so careful of growing in the Lord and maintaining our relationship with Him and not Them. God is the author and finisher of your faith, meaning He "gets you" because He "created you." He already knows your story and what you will have to endure. Maintain an attitude of gratitude with Him and by doing so the concern you have for others understanding you will weaken because your mind will become strengthened in peace out of your efforts to keep your focus steadfast on God.
  

Monday, April 9, 2012

"Common Sense ain't Common"

Job 28:12, "But where can wisdom be found? And where is the place of understanding?"

We often go about our daily lives trying to figure out why people don't use common sense and we attempt to get an understanding of how they come up with the foolishness they present to us. Wisdom is a gift from God, however understanding is given freely to those who are willing to seek it. The Bible tells us in all things to get an understanding. Lack of understanding causes a heap of drama that can easily be avoided by us being persistent in seeking God's Counsel. We often focus on the Gossip of others instead of focusing on the Gospel of Christ. Wisdom and understanding are weapons of mass destruction for those who attain them. God is pleased when we ask Him for things we NEED instead of what we WANT. God moves swiftly when we seek Him concerning gifts that will enlarge His Kingdom and our Territory. Also, God gives His wisdom freely. You can study any person in the Bible who asked God for wisdom and the pattern you will soon discover is that He granted them wisdom instantly. King Solomon could have asked for anything when He received the favor of God over his life, but out of wisdom Solomon knew he would need something to carry Him in the long-term. Wisdom will sustain the favor of God in your life. Because Solomon sought God for wisdom and knowledge, there was never a man before him nor after him as wise as he was nor wealthy. If you ever want to know how a successful person remains so, I assure you that wisdom was their compass. Always remember,wisdom is the answer key to understanding. Be blessed and encouraged!