Saturday, January 22, 2011

Jesus- The way out!

Praise the Lord brothers and sisters in Christ and future siblings in the Kingdom!!!

I want to share with you all a fresh revelation the Lord gave me this week. This past month or so has been really difficult for me. I was not myself, I was feeling down, shameful, disappointed and even sorry for myself. Now we know these feelings are not from our Father God! Now, there is a season for mourning, the bible tells us that, even if its for a day, week or some months. God understands sometimes we need to vent and all. However, if all we do is feel sorry for ourselves and get upset, this is a distraction and it will hold us back from where God is trying to lead us. I refuse to be like the children of Israel, who were headed to the promised land and because of their murmuring, complaining and lack of faith; it took them 40 years to make a 11 day trip. NO THANKS, I cannot let this be me. I don't want this to be you either!

This week at work, I was sitting at my desk and began to think of my life over the past few years . I begin to murmur and complain and "woe is me" type of thoughts. So much that I began to cry at my desk, I mean tears streaming! I ran to the bathroom fell on my knees and began to cry out to God: "Lord, I refuse to live my life in frustration and unfullfillment". "I need your help Lord, please tell me what to dooooo!" As I was sobbing in the company bathroom, Holy Spirit dropped in my mind 1 Corinthians 10:13:


"No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it."

So, I began crying even more: "Lord, tell me, show me my way out. Even if it's just one word, I NEED YOU". Then in that still small voice with so much peace I heard: "Jesus"! That's it, Jesus is my way out and He is yours too! You know how sometimes we know something or someone so well that if we are not careful it looses its significance or impact to us?!

Why would we feel sorry for ourselves when Jesus loves us so much that He died just for you and just for me! He thought of you, when He was on that cross. Do you know what that means? Is there any greater love than this?

Self-Pity, insecurity, depression and so on are traps of the devil. When we really think about Jesus, dying on the cross for our sins, if it were not for Him we would either be wallowing in our sin or dead!! He came that we might have life and have it to the abundance! HALLELUJAH. Not only did He die for us, but He got out of the grave with all power in His hands and is now our intercessor, standing at the right hand of the Mighty Father! Who better to have as our prayer partner and intercessor than Jesus Christ? I'm getting so excited, that when I finish typing this. I'm gonna run around this house!!! I'm still not done, not only did He die for us and is our chief intercessor, because of Him we are heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ!!

I could go on and on, but know that Jesus is the way and the only way! Because of him we can be free and have liberty, but we have to receive it. We don't have to be in bondage of anything (i.e debt, sickness, generational curses, past hurts/mistakes, etc.).

This year one of my personal goals is to learn more about the cross and what it means for me. I encourage you to do the same. God has a plan for us all and He has given us gifts and talents to use for His glory. Don't let your gifts be buried because your focusing on the have nots and wants and when he's going to do this or that. I truly believe our blessings are in our purpose, so start moving forward. I know I am! And I don't want to do it by myself, that's not as fun ;-). I want you to join me. Let's use those gifts our Father has freely given us and give it back to Him by using them for HIS glory!!

As Bro. Dave Ramsey says, " This is the year to be weird and do accomplish or at least begin accomplishing those things we have been Talking about for years"!

Love y'all!


****SPECIAL UPDATE: The Praise and Worship Him blog has some exciting things coming up. Starting March 2011. There will be at least 2 posts a month, one being a video. There will be some mighty men and women of God featured on the blog and I am SO excited to see what they have to share with us! Stay tuned :)

Monday, January 3, 2011

True Worship or True Wanderer...

Worship- A feeling of profound love and admiration. (word net web). Turning our lives toward the One whom we believe to be the Way, the Truth, and the Life (ayneumc.org). Living our lives individually and corporately as living sacrifices to the glory of a person or thing. (theresurgence.com).

Wander- to deviate in conduct, belief, to go astray: to move, pass, or turn idly. to stray from a path, to ramble without a definite purpose or objective.

True- real; genuine; authentic; honest; conforming to or consistent with a standard, pattern, or the like. (dictionary.com).

Happy New Year Everyone!!! So after reading these three definitions, what is your first reaction/thoughts? Lately, I have really been thirsty for a greater understanding of what true worship is and to live a lifestyle of it. You know the worship that Jesus talks about in John 4:23 - 24. I have learned that there have been times when I thought I was worshipping God in Spirit and in Truth (SAT) and indeed, I was not!
The reason why I gave the definition for wandering is because the times that I was not worshipping God in SAT, was because I had strayed from the true purpose and act of worship. We do this often believe it or not. Let me give you a few examples of mistakes we make that cause us to be "true wanderers" instead of "true worshippers":
  • Not knowing what worship is and how to worship.
  • Not dealing with things in our heart that need to be removed (not repenting).
  • To stray from the true purpose and meaning of our existence.
  • Putting others or things before God.
  • Mastering what looks like worship to others (lifting of hands, dancing, shouting praises), without our hearts even being genuine.
  • Thinking that Worship is only limited to songs and emotions.

It is so easy for us to shift our focus from God and onto something else, that's why we must ask Him to help us to fully surrender. Holy Spirit will actually show us those areas that God wants to refine, it's up to us to respond! When we think about it, it truly is an honor for God to desire our worship. Let me repeat that: God in all His greatness and all that He has so freely given us, desires us to worship Him. So, instead of offering up a half-hearted praise or worshipping other things instead of God, lets worship HIM in Spirit and in Truth!

Let me ask you this question: Are you a true worshipper or a true wanderer?