Think Like God

Sometimes I feel like a circus side show attraction.

"Hurry, hurry! Step right up to see the single, celibate lady who isn't pulling her hair out because she's not in a relationship! AND, ladies & gentlemen, she's a rarity: she's HAPPY!!"

I think my last straw has broken. First I received an unsolicited attempt to be "hooked up." Then, while fuming to a friend, I received unsolicited relationship advice. I wanted to scream....instead I emailed my advisers (being my mother & aunts). Then it dawned on me that people who do not have a relationship with God will never understand why I've made the choice that I have. Those who profess to love Him yet neglect Him and refuse to serve Him cannot comprehend that my first desire is to please Him. How can they? So, in all fairness I can't really be upset with the person.

I presented my issue to my advisers and posed the question: why is it so hard for people to understand my decision? Here's one of the responses:

Acts 5:29
Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.
This may not be content perfect but it bring the points that I am trying to make. Because Jesus redeemed us, paid for us with his blood, belong to Him, and we love Him, we are obedient to Him.

Psalm1:1-3
Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.
But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.
And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.


Ungodly advice and counsel need not be accepted. There's no need to offend the advice givers. In fact pray for them. The bible tells us to hold fast to that which is good. It sounds as if your friends probably speak with sincerity but they are simply carnal minded. It is good not to get involved with foolish debates when others try to cause you to back down from your beliefs and Godly principles. Once we are saved, we are spirit led but the flesh is still there. Paul said that it dies daily. It is normal for the flesh to have natural desires including desire for the opposite sex. However, if you take fire to your bosom you will be burned. No, it won't say dating is a sin but because the bible tells us that he that finds a wife finds a good thing. I believe that a godly man knows when he has found his wife and he doesn't have to experiment to find her. And I know you have heard, but here it is again-In all thy ways, acknowledge Him(God) and he shall direct your paths. It is not unusual for people to try to recruit you to do what they are doing even when it's wrong. It is a trick of the enemy and the nature of the sinner and people lacking in understanding. Be reminded: God is all knowing and all powerful. He has everything that we need-spouse included and he will not withhold any good things from those who walk upright. He gives us free choice and free will. No, I don't think that he will drop a husband down from heaven, but I believe if you live for and please him, you and ask what you will and it shall be done onto you. When praying in the Holy Ghost, he will direct your prayer life to the extent where you will pray according to His will and he will allow you to be content in whatever state you are in whether single, married, divorced, widowed, separated, etc...



I'm sure she doesn't mind me sharing. It is, after all, our responsibility as Christians to provide light where there is darkness. Perhaps the release of the current #1 blockbuster has brought relationships to the forefront of everyone's mind. My past experiences have taught me if you think as the world thinks and act as the world acts, you will receive what the world receives. I've been there and it simply was not enough. I would much rather have what God has to offer.



So, I'll leave you with this:

Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus (Philippians 2:5)

Great Expectations

I was looking forward to April because I was waiting to share a post that I felt was long overdue. But when I logged on to complete it, I got nothing; not one single word. I decided to log out and return to it later. Well, "later" is now and still....nothing. I am moved to go in a completely different direction. A spirit of expectation is consuming me today. This morning, while quietly going about my business, I almost lost it. I felt like running laps around the building--inside and outside. I looked up at a note taped to my cubicle wall written on February 5, 2009:

• The word for today is FAITH. Whatever God has promised or whatever you have asked according to His will is GOING TO HAPPEN. Regardless of what it looks like right now, it's GOT to happen. So if there's something that you want, ask in faith and let it go. If there's something you're still waiting on, keep waiting in faith. GOD HASN'T FORGOTTEN, YOU'RE STILL ON HIS MIND

We are constantly told to prepare for war in the time of peace but I'm telling you today: prepare for abundance in your time of lack. Prepare for promises manifested. Prepare to excel to the next level in every area of your life. To borrow from a  song, "Expect Your Great." Last month, I told you how I have come to understand the difference between giving up and surrendering. So, for this feeling to rise up at this time, during this moment in my life, is all in order. And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them (Romans 8:28 NLT).

I've been knocked down, trampled on and I've even had self inflicted wounds. But the beauty of all of that is it is all behind me. My mother has quoted Psalm 37:4 to me over and over: Delight thyself also in the LORD: and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart (KJV). I used to think that if I did what I was supposed to do like be faithful and establish a routine of praying and studying my bible that I would get the things on my prayer list (which was really a wish list). I remember during a time of frustration, I cried out to God, "I've done what I was supposed to do; where's my stuff?!!" Well not exactly in those words but definitely in the sentiment. I finally took my eyes off of God's hands and started to seek His face. That's when life began to make sense.

I'm excited; for me and for you. We can't see, hear or understand what's in store for us!

White Flag

Early one morning during prayer time, I was seeking guidance about a particular thing that had been weighing pretty heavy on me for about five months. After I was done praying I turned on the radio and, not wanting to choose between the lackluster radio station options, I switched to my CD player unsure of what was in the current rotation. Now I know that some people are super sanctimonious and would probably disagree but I sincerely believe that God spoke to me through a secular song. A line from this song says, "I'm waving my white flag, said I'm taking my life back." It is about a woman who has given up on trying love someone, she's not equipped to do so. The song made me think about the difference between surrendering and giving up. Giving up means that you have not utilized, activated, or exercised the measure of faith God has given. To surrender mean the opposite.

I had given up on the promise that I wanted the most from God and started to devise a plan B (B in this case stood for "BIG mistake). God said, Daughter, you know I'm not happy about that decision! You know what Lord...neither am I. Not to say that I was not pleased with God; I wasn't pleased with me. I found myself again at the Master's feet, contrite and repentant. I had become exhausted from getting in my own way so I made a conscious decision to give up. Yet God, speaking ever so lovingly and gently asked me to hold on, to surrender all my feelings and disappointments, my expectations to Him. It has taken me a ridiculously long time to fully understand that my faith is my own. Our faith is like our fingerprints--no two peoples' are the same. We may be believing for the some of the same things yet we are not believing in the same way.

When we give up on a word or promise God has spoken to us, we are telling Him, "I don't believe You, God." God is not a man, so he does not lie. He is not human, so he does not change his mind. Has he ever spoken and failed to act? Has he ever promised and not carried it through? (Numbers 23:19 NLT).  2008  was the year I received my promise.  From that time to this, I have let go (as in given up) only to grab hold and let go (as in surrender), only to grab hold again. It was vicious cycle of doubt and belief; one that I was tired of. I know that the biggest thing keeping me from receiving my promise is me. But instead of changing my mind to align itself with God's will, I found myself trying to change things outside my control.

 If I start worrying about what might or might not happen tomorrow or question why something things didn't happen yesterday, I'll start doubting today. And the most that we can do is live for today; if it's full of doubt, that makes for a pretty unproductive day. I just read a church marquee that said, "We cannot alter our past but we can alter our future." What we do, how we believe today will definitely affect our tomorrow. What we surrender today will make us that much more lighter tomorrow.

 He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God (Romans 4:20 KJV). I love this scripture. When I think about staggering, I think about someone who isn't walking a straight line; one who veers off the path in front of him. I think about someone not following the directions she was given. I think about the "stagger not" part of this scripture. It means that the waiting was not easy; that there was something involved in the process where staggering was an option. Yet he (Abraham) didn't. I'm sure that when that ole stagger spirit came up, that's when he started giving glory. I can just hear the Enemy "You're not getting that son. You and your wife are old. I don't know why you even bother." Then I can hear Abraham "Thank You Jesus! Bless your Name; God you're worthy! Hallelujah!!"

I am encouraging you as I encourage myself: God has not forgotten what He promised. He will not release anything unless we release control, our wills, our existence to Him.

Keep It Moving

I'm not a big fan of change. Yet, I recognize its necessity. I like predictability and going with the norm. I find comfort in knowing that something is going along as planned. I stay the course...stick with the script...sometimes to my own detriment. One of my very best friends told me (more like yelled at me) "You gotta be more flexible. Learn to bend." Naturally I rolled my eyes and argued, "I'm flexible; I bend!" Well, I do if and when it makes sense. Which was basically saying I wasn't flexible at all. So, knowing the type of friend she is, I began to look within. I started asking God to help me be more flexible, help me roll with the punches, all with a pleasant disposition and an even better heart and spirit.

Well, God called my bluff, so to speak. He started to show me that I had become spiritually stagnant. I wanted to be better and do better and I started praying for God to make me better. For a long time, it seemed like my prayers were unanswered. I had been struggling--along with other things--about my involvement in ministry and how my attitude towards ministry had changed . I decided that I would remove myself from everything I was involved in and sit down and take in all the teachings offered at my church. I admit that I felt guilty but I knew that I would not be able to be effective in anything in the state that I was in: going through the motions and responding appropriately to "Christian stimuli."

As the end of 2011 neared, the Lord spoke to me to go to another church. It was so clear that there was no question that it was God speaking. About a month later my mom sent me an email which confirmed what God had already told me, yet I was still apprehensive. Going to another church was a big change for me. "Lord, you told me my husband was at this church and I'm still single. If I leave he won't be able to find me." A feeble excuse, but I had been at this church for seven years. I expected to get married there, raise a family there, be effective there.... Leaving just didn't make sense. So I talked to someone that I respected who cast some serious doubt and I starting questioning what I had heard.

I joined my former church with the mindset that I just wanted to help where needed. I remember at one point in my life, I was at church Sunday to Thursday. Sure sometimes I was exhausted and felt unappreciated. I missed a lot of things in my family's life and even my personal life. I was convinced that being a good Christan meant being a busy Christan.

Luke 10:38-41 notes, As Jesus and the disciples continued on their way to Jerusalem, they came to a certain village where a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home. ³⁹ Her sister, Mary, sat at the Lord’s feet, listening to what he taught. ⁴⁰ But Martha was distracted by the big dinner she was preparing. She came to Jesus and said, “Lord, doesn’t it seem unfair to you that my sister just sits here while I do all the work? Tell her to come and help me.” ⁴¹ But the Lord said to her, “My dear Martha, you are worried and upset over all these details! ⁴² There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her.”

I see a little of myself in Martha. I understand her frustration. It is very difficult to see people grow around you and get what God has for them and your situation doesn't change. The Lord revealed to me (just now actually) that overworking was taking away from my ability to chase after Him. I was too tired or too angry or too disappointed to get what I needed to push me into the place where my promises were to be manifested. I was standing still, my due season within view. But I lacked the motivation to move towards it.

I tried to simultaneously do what I wanted and what God wanted. Of course, that was a colossal fail. I literally felt uncomfortable in my own church (or should I say I was uncomfortable doing my own thing). It was devastating. No one had hurt my feelings or threw me under the bus. The pastor didn't preach about something I didn't like or agree with. None of the things happened that normally prompt people to go to another church.. So I set a deadline and the closer the deadline came, the more hesitant I became. Then I had an Old Testament experience. I had a recurring dream, so in a dream, I asked God,"Why do I keep having this dream?" And He answered; when I awoke the next morning I remembered: Because this change is for you. Wouldn't you know it? I didn't have the dream again after.

Working for the kingdom is good; working yourself to death for the kingdom...not so much. So the Sunday following my dream, I obeyed. Since that day, things in my life have literally turned around. Some things I had forgotten about, things I had given up on were coming to pass. I stepped into this new church and all of my apprehension and confusion vanished. It has been my experience that when we do something contrary to God's will, there is usually a sense of conviction . I felt comfortable. The pastor declared to the house that this year is a year of great growth...a year a jubilee...this year is the beginning of my best years.

What's the Plan?

For most, the first two weeks of a new year are quite busy. This is when everyone resolves to lose weight, get the finances in order, and so on and so forth. But around March or April, we tend to forget the resolutions made. I don't believe in making resolutions. I am a person who is incapable of reaching long term goals. I don't know if that's a good thing or a bad thing. However, if I decide to do something and I really, REALLY want to do it, then I will. I would like to simply live one day at a time and to make the most of every moment that I am given.

I don't know about anyone else, but I my 2011 wasn't at all what I thought it would be. One thing last year taught me was that sometimes, my plan of action isn't always the best plan of action. I had so many expectations this time last year. And it started off pretty good but somewhere around April things began to fall apart. I heard a mini sermon today on the radio that sounded so much like my life as it was in 2011. The speaker was talking about how we plan our lives according to our age. We expected to do XYZ by the time we're 25, 30, 40 and when those milestones pass and we haven't attained that thing or the things that we aspired to, we get confused and question God. She went on to point out that we fail because our plans aren't in line with God's plan. He tells us in Jeremiah 29:11: For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope (NLT).  In God's great plan, we all live on a "need to know" basis. If He shows you the end result, maybe you won't try as hard in the process; perhaps you'll burn a few bridges. Or worse, you may forget who's really in charge and take all of the credit for yourself.

Now people love to quote the above scripture. Okay... I love to quote the above scripture. It's my favorite. It sounds good and it can fit any situation but today, I find myself looking back and knowing in my heart of hearts, that I never really hid this particular word in my heart. As I type, I'm realizing (God is revealing) that it's about trust. Trust that you are doing what you're supposed to be doing in this moment, on this day, for this year. Forget about everything else.

Tis the Season

When I was a little girl, every year before Christmas, my mother would give each of us an opportunity to look through the catalog Wish Book and write down everything we wanted. (We always knew that Santa Claus didn’t exist). Oh how I loved going through that book, pencil and one subject notebook in hand, neatly writing the item number, color and page number of all those wonderful toys. I’d like to believe that as a child I was somewhat of a realist. I knew that I wouldn’t get all of the items on my wish list, so I put the most desired things first on list. My mother would pick a few things to get from the list and keep them in the trunk of her car until she had a chance to wrap them to be placed under the tree.  I remember one year I wanted a doll—come to think of it, I always wanted a doll—but this doll was special. She was a “big girl” doll. I knew that if I was on my best behavior, or didn’t give my mother any grief, that doll was mine. But then again, I was always a good child (smile). 

The holiday season is upon us once again and we’re all hustling and bustling, rushing and running to buy gifts; praying we have enough money and time to do so. Another year is about to end and soon we will face a new year and venture into the unknown.  I always take a retrospective glance over the things that I’ve said, done, thought, and, wished. Last night an image flashed in my mind: an abundance of gifts set aside for me that I couldn’t access.  God revealed to me that my obedience is required, ALL of it, not just in spurts or little bit at a time. I cannot or will never receive the blessings that He has for me until I get in line. Isaiah 1:19 says, “If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land:” (KJV).  It’s been no surprise that I’ve had a difficult time with some things but it’s to be expected. I haven’t been obedient.   

I realized last week that the things that God has asked me to do are for my own good: let go of some people who don’t have my best interest at heart; step out on faith and use my talent (my God given talent); be consistent in every area of my life. Sometimes things aren't as simple as they seem, but in this case it was. So I made a decision not to take certain people, attitudes, and behaviors into the new year.

The Lord told me years ago,  Look past man and see Me. He won't lead us down the wrong path, He's simply leading us to the "good of the land." My mother always told us obedience was better than sacrifice. I've found that to be true, especially these last few years. And I'll be the first to tell you that the good of the land is much better than the bottom of the barrel. No thing or person is worth my inability to access what God as set aside specifically for me. What about you? Will you aim to please people  in 2012 or strive to please God?

Fight!

Jesus went with him, and all the people followed, crowding around him. A woman in the crowd had suffered for twelve years with constant bleeding. She had suffered a great deal from many doctors, and over the years she had spent everything she had to pay them, but she had gotten no better. In fact, she had gotten worse. She had heard about Jesus, so she came up behind him through the crowd and touched his robe. For she thought to herself, “If I can just touch his robe, I will be healed.” Immediately the bleeding stopped, and she could feel in her body that she had been healed of her terrible condition. (Mark 5:26-29 NLT)

The woman with the issue of blood has been on my mind lately. I've heard this story so many times down through the years but today, during this month, in this year, it takes on a whole new meaning. I never realized until now that she was a fighter. She wanted--desperately needed--a move of God. And she got it. She got it only because she felt the risk was worth taking. In my not too distant past, a series of events caused my faith to falter. This was my "issue." But I didn't know until the Lord woke me up in the middle of the night to read the story about the woman with the issue of blood.

As I read, I saw myself standing next to this woman, pale, tired, slumped over; moving slow because she lacked energy. I watched her fight the swarm of people. She was bumped, brushed up against, even knocked down. But she kept going. I watched her get closer and closer to the Son. As I watched her I realized something: I was still standing in the same spot. I had no fight left in me. I told myself that I would remain where I was. I chose to give up.
Yet while I had settled in this place that God had NOT designed for me to be, something really amazing happened. Someone close to me was diagnosed with an advanced stage of breast cancer. The doctor talked about how aggressive the treatments would be; how taking a bite out of the cancer would take a bite out of her. I watched her lose weight, I went with her to a treatment and sat with her in the hospital. I saw the toll it taking on her body. All this time she never felt sorry for herself. She never complained and constantly speaks life into this situation. That cancer knocked  her down, shoved her, has made her tired but she keeps going. Her faith never, ever faltered. She's a fighter.

All this month  I've been thinking about countless women who fight breast cancer everyday. If they have it in them to keep pressing despite what's happening to them,  then so could I. "Fight! Fight! Fight! Fight!" resonated in my spirit like the chanting crowd drawn to a school yard scuffle. It is Satan who wants us to give up. It is Satan who wants us to camp out in the wilderness and stay in the season of lack. But it is up to us to fight: the Enemy, our circumstances, sometimes even ourselves.

This woman in my life will never know the magnitude of how grateful I am for her. She has inspired me in a way I thought was lost. I want to fight. I need to fight. Imagine how the crowd was impacted by the woman with the issue of blood. True, she needed health and healing but what about those skeptics who didn't believe in Jesus's power who saw her instantly be healed just by touching His hem. Think about Jairus who was there, waiting for Jesus to heal his daughter and how hopeful he must have been witnessing that woman with her issue being healed.

I encourage everyone reading this to fight, whatever the situation may be. Just like a boxer must guard himself, we must guard our anointing. Fight! Belive that it is worth it. Faith is an action word. The woman with the issue of blood received a trifold blessing:  And he said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace. Your suffering is over (Mark 5:34 NLT).  She was healed, he spoke peace into her life, and her suffering was ended all becuase she was willing to fight.

For more information on how you can help fight against breast cancer, visit http://ww5.komen.org/ or American Cancer Society http://www.cancer.org/