A faith-walker must learn to live in an atmosphere where people are saying to them that what their seeing is wrong yet their response is, “you know what, I know what I am seeing, I know what this Word says, I know what God has promised me and I refuse to be moved.”
If you let people get in your ear who don't see what you see, you will lose heart. If you let people get in your ear who don't walk like you walk, you will lose heart. You will be spiritually schizophrenic. You will wake up one day and think everything is wonderful and by noon because so-and-so talked to you, you'll be saying, “I wonder what happened, I wonder where God is?”
You must get accustomed to this and learn to be comfortable with the incongruence between your faith and your circumstance. You must learn how to stand in the middle of a storm and say, "It’s going to be clear tomorrow." You are going to have to learn how to stand in the middle of doubt and unbelief and tell everybody around you that, “THIS is going to pass.”
The life of faith is a life of simultaneous death and life. If you are going to walk by faith there is going to be a SIMULTANEOUS happening in your life CONSTANTLY. Something is always going to be dying so that something else can live and if you focus on what's dying then you will lose heart, but if you focus on what is being brought to life you will be encouraged
The way to navigate, the way to NOT lose heart is to get certain principles down. Because THERE IS A PLACE, where your emotions are not going to carry you through, where what you feel is not going to be the determining factor as to whether you go on or not, where nothing in you will feel like getting up, where nothing in you will feel like going ON. THERE IS A PLACE, where you will feel like throwing in the towel, like nothing is working, like you might as well try something else, like the promise is never going to come to pass, and if you (rely on your emotions), you will lose heart.
Get and rely on the principle, “I SPEAK WHAT I BELIEVE!!!” And when all hell is breaking forth in your life, that is when you need to talk the loudest, when everything is going wrong in your life, that's when you need to lift up your voice and tell your friends, your enemies and anybody else, “Let ME TELL YOU what's going to happen in THIS situation.”
---"I Still Have the Heart for This" (BCEM)
Scripture Reference 2 Corinthians 4:1,7-16
THERE IS A FINE LINE BETWEEN GOD AND YOU. KNOW THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN YOUR CHOICES AND HIS DESTINY. SETTLE WHAT IS HIM IN YOUR LIFE. AND NO MATTER WHAT IT APPEARS OR HOW PEOPLE MAKE IT APPEAR STAND, BELIEVE, SPEAK, OBEY AND WATCH IT COME TO PASS. WHEN SOMETHING IS GOD YOU DON’T HAVE TO FORCE IT. IT WILL HAPPEN AT THE APPOINTED TIME AND IN DUE SEASON. DON’T STRIVE IN YOUR OWN STRENGTH, REST IN HIS GRACE AND IN HIS PRINCIPLES.
---RB Twist
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Have U made peace with who U R?
I was checking my “tweets” as my BFF and her hubby like to instruct me to do (LOL) and I saw a post from “the Secret daily” that read, “Just like the law of gravity, the law of attraction never slips up. If something came to you, you drew it, with prolonged thought.”
I chuckled because I think it funny that SO many jumped on “The Secret” bandwagon when “The Secret” is just Biblical Principles under a marketing idea that would sell to a bigger audience. As well as that the whole Name & Claim tactic, like some faith messages can borderline witchcraft if not careful. Before one can do any of this, whether through the latest trend, or through faith one must know what the Will is for their life. Not what Will they make because of desires and bad choices but the true Will otherwise you may end up with something you thought you wanted only to realize you don’t want it. (That is a whole other message/blog)
It then made me think of others boldness in what they believe and who they are. The Secret, good energy, Gumby (Inside Joke – LOL), etc. and how sometimes I shy away from who I really am because we can never be sure how others will respond or because we don’t want to step on anyone’s toes. And to be honest, a part of me shied away because life’s circumstances and twists have had me questioning who I really am. Am I really called to do what so many have spoken into me? Do I really want this? Do I really want that? Is this the truth? Is that a lie? Circumstances that contradict who you are, what you know, what you are made of and where you know you are to be will do this. Being around negative people, people who don’t know who you are and / or remaining in unhealthy relationships will do this. Life can do this. Life gets tiring. And I recently have gotten tired. I know I am in a transition, a wilderness so to speak but I’m just tired. And because of how I flow I am constantly being pulled on to pray for this individual, fast for this individual, agree with this individual, and deal with this individuals problems and that will tire a person out, especially when they are in this place of transition / wilderness. People often assume for those of us who flow like this that we don’t ever need to refill or have someone pray and hold our arms up. It’s not an easy balancing act to be everything to everybody and be who you need to be self but I have faith it can be accomplished. Otherwise Proverbs 31 wouldn’t exist. ;)
Anyway, the more I thought of all this the more I thought, “Screw what people think. I respect others and their choices they can respect mine or have nothing to do with me.” THIS is what works for ME! I have tried it and I have found it to work and be true. Moving 3000 miles from home at the age of 18 not knowing anyone will force you to grab on to something. For me that was faith in the God I was introduced to growing up by my Nonna and my parents. And I have held on to that faith and it is that faith that keeps me when at times I feel lost or feel like I can’t go on. I’ve tried to get away from it and to be completely honest, at times have not been feeling it and questioned it. But in the end it is the light that ignites the fire in me. This IS who I am. This IS how I live and I refuse to shy away from it. This is how I look, how I am shaped and I am not going to make excuses for it. I have died too many deaths and been on the cross too many times to get where I am. If someone doesn’t like it or if someone is threatened or insecure with it, too bad. No one (well, some in my circle do) knows what I have been through, where I have come from, the sleepless nights interceding for others, the seeds sown in Word, Time and Monetary, the times spent fasting and seeking or the tears that have been shed. So why should I shy away when I have paid the price to walk in the Anointing that I walk in, the faith that I walk in? I won’t. Not anymore. And I encourage you to do the same. What price have you paid to get to where you are? Forget what society says or what people will think and just BE!
I believe it is in our times of wilderness, the unclear moments, the times of doubt and hurt that we truly find who we are and what we are made of. Never allow your circumstance, what you have been through or are going through, or what people speak of you to dictate who you are or where you are headed. Stop believing people’s lies. Not everything is as it appears. Misery loves company. Let their misery find other company. If someone walks away let them go. Don’t beg and plead. I’ve been there in my younger age and it is not pretty. Young girl, your worth is far ABOVE rubies. Start acting like it. Surround yourself with people who not only know who you are but appreciate you. Find your Dream Mates. Dream Mates speak the same and see the same as you. They don’t manipulate and see what they think you are seeing or speak what they think you are speaking or want to hear. I would rather have (3) people in my circle that know who I am, where I am headed and appreciate me than (50) people telling me “Bless You” and this and that for show and talking about me behind my back. Know who you are, speak consistently to who you are. See yourself where you are headed and walk in it before you get there. Don’t allow seasons of waiting or disappointments to throw you from this place. What we speak are seeds sown and seeds can only blossom and grow if they are watered. YOU are somebody. And if you are happy with you then don’t care what others think. Stop trying to please everyone and please yourself, please Him.
For a while, thanks to past (meaning years ago) relationships, I shied away from allowing my passion and love to come out in other relationships. On my last job I shied away from my Anointing and my gifts so as not to step on people’s toes. Thanks to people in certain sectors I shied away from doing me on the outward. However, in the midst of this past month I’ve come to realize this is who I am. Friends of mine have been telling me in the season I am in to settle what God promised me but to be honest what I really needed to settle is who God has called me to be and what He has called me to do. I had to accept that this is who I am and I am actually OK with it. I was created to be a comparable help to someone, just because this past individual couldn’t understand, accept, handle, or whatever doesn’t mean I should shy away from it and not take the risk to fully give of myself again to someone who deserves it and wants it. I came out of someone, I was seen in someone from the beginning and partook of that empowerment and I don’t care how long it takes, I will be re-joined (because that is what happens when you locate the one that came out of you or you came out of, a re-joining) to whoever he is. He could be a bum on the street, with all the Word I have out there, when it is time, he will be a King. I am passionate about (2) things in life, Love and Ministry. It is in these places that I am my best. If I am not in these places I feel unsatisfied, not alive, I feel lost. And the reason I can say that is because I have already dwelt in these places. I’ve seen what it looks like and experienced it. I’ve experienced what I thought could only exist for others even though I knew it existed. Whatever / whoever you are passionate about just do it. And if haters block or talk let them block and talk. Sometimes people hate simply because they know who you are and what you represent and they want to be there. Without putting in the work. Life is too short so do you (as my boy would always tell me) and do it well!
I know, because of conversations with many, that a great deal are tired, questioning, and I am sure at some point all of us have gotten tired, doubted, been hurt, been the one doing the hurting, missed the mark, made a mistake, had to deal with insecurities, shame, fear, guilt, pride, lost of identity, (feel free to input yours here), etc. But that is life. It is in these that we also find healing, faith, certainty, courage, strength, peace (feel free to input yours here), etc. So instead of complaining, hiding or questioning EMBRACE and EMERGE into the beautiful individual you were called and destined to be. Be not just joyful but HAPPY! Get out of your valley, whether it is an unhealthy relationship, your emotions, debt, depression, (feel free to input yours here) and ENJOY waking up every day and all the opportunities that day may hold. Rise, take up your bed and WALK!
I truly believe that 2011 is going to be the year that Jehovah Himself steps in and shows Himself as King and in His Sovereignty. For too long, especially the church, we have been mistreating God’s chosen, God’s gifts and appointing those with no Anointing to handle the things of God. That has to change in order for His work to be done and if we won’t do it then He will step in and do it Himself.
I chuckled because I think it funny that SO many jumped on “The Secret” bandwagon when “The Secret” is just Biblical Principles under a marketing idea that would sell to a bigger audience. As well as that the whole Name & Claim tactic, like some faith messages can borderline witchcraft if not careful. Before one can do any of this, whether through the latest trend, or through faith one must know what the Will is for their life. Not what Will they make because of desires and bad choices but the true Will otherwise you may end up with something you thought you wanted only to realize you don’t want it. (That is a whole other message/blog)
It then made me think of others boldness in what they believe and who they are. The Secret, good energy, Gumby (Inside Joke – LOL), etc. and how sometimes I shy away from who I really am because we can never be sure how others will respond or because we don’t want to step on anyone’s toes. And to be honest, a part of me shied away because life’s circumstances and twists have had me questioning who I really am. Am I really called to do what so many have spoken into me? Do I really want this? Do I really want that? Is this the truth? Is that a lie? Circumstances that contradict who you are, what you know, what you are made of and where you know you are to be will do this. Being around negative people, people who don’t know who you are and / or remaining in unhealthy relationships will do this. Life can do this. Life gets tiring. And I recently have gotten tired. I know I am in a transition, a wilderness so to speak but I’m just tired. And because of how I flow I am constantly being pulled on to pray for this individual, fast for this individual, agree with this individual, and deal with this individuals problems and that will tire a person out, especially when they are in this place of transition / wilderness. People often assume for those of us who flow like this that we don’t ever need to refill or have someone pray and hold our arms up. It’s not an easy balancing act to be everything to everybody and be who you need to be self but I have faith it can be accomplished. Otherwise Proverbs 31 wouldn’t exist. ;)
Anyway, the more I thought of all this the more I thought, “Screw what people think. I respect others and their choices they can respect mine or have nothing to do with me.” THIS is what works for ME! I have tried it and I have found it to work and be true. Moving 3000 miles from home at the age of 18 not knowing anyone will force you to grab on to something. For me that was faith in the God I was introduced to growing up by my Nonna and my parents. And I have held on to that faith and it is that faith that keeps me when at times I feel lost or feel like I can’t go on. I’ve tried to get away from it and to be completely honest, at times have not been feeling it and questioned it. But in the end it is the light that ignites the fire in me. This IS who I am. This IS how I live and I refuse to shy away from it. This is how I look, how I am shaped and I am not going to make excuses for it. I have died too many deaths and been on the cross too many times to get where I am. If someone doesn’t like it or if someone is threatened or insecure with it, too bad. No one (well, some in my circle do) knows what I have been through, where I have come from, the sleepless nights interceding for others, the seeds sown in Word, Time and Monetary, the times spent fasting and seeking or the tears that have been shed. So why should I shy away when I have paid the price to walk in the Anointing that I walk in, the faith that I walk in? I won’t. Not anymore. And I encourage you to do the same. What price have you paid to get to where you are? Forget what society says or what people will think and just BE!
I believe it is in our times of wilderness, the unclear moments, the times of doubt and hurt that we truly find who we are and what we are made of. Never allow your circumstance, what you have been through or are going through, or what people speak of you to dictate who you are or where you are headed. Stop believing people’s lies. Not everything is as it appears. Misery loves company. Let their misery find other company. If someone walks away let them go. Don’t beg and plead. I’ve been there in my younger age and it is not pretty. Young girl, your worth is far ABOVE rubies. Start acting like it. Surround yourself with people who not only know who you are but appreciate you. Find your Dream Mates. Dream Mates speak the same and see the same as you. They don’t manipulate and see what they think you are seeing or speak what they think you are speaking or want to hear. I would rather have (3) people in my circle that know who I am, where I am headed and appreciate me than (50) people telling me “Bless You” and this and that for show and talking about me behind my back. Know who you are, speak consistently to who you are. See yourself where you are headed and walk in it before you get there. Don’t allow seasons of waiting or disappointments to throw you from this place. What we speak are seeds sown and seeds can only blossom and grow if they are watered. YOU are somebody. And if you are happy with you then don’t care what others think. Stop trying to please everyone and please yourself, please Him.
For a while, thanks to past (meaning years ago) relationships, I shied away from allowing my passion and love to come out in other relationships. On my last job I shied away from my Anointing and my gifts so as not to step on people’s toes. Thanks to people in certain sectors I shied away from doing me on the outward. However, in the midst of this past month I’ve come to realize this is who I am. Friends of mine have been telling me in the season I am in to settle what God promised me but to be honest what I really needed to settle is who God has called me to be and what He has called me to do. I had to accept that this is who I am and I am actually OK with it. I was created to be a comparable help to someone, just because this past individual couldn’t understand, accept, handle, or whatever doesn’t mean I should shy away from it and not take the risk to fully give of myself again to someone who deserves it and wants it. I came out of someone, I was seen in someone from the beginning and partook of that empowerment and I don’t care how long it takes, I will be re-joined (because that is what happens when you locate the one that came out of you or you came out of, a re-joining) to whoever he is. He could be a bum on the street, with all the Word I have out there, when it is time, he will be a King. I am passionate about (2) things in life, Love and Ministry. It is in these places that I am my best. If I am not in these places I feel unsatisfied, not alive, I feel lost. And the reason I can say that is because I have already dwelt in these places. I’ve seen what it looks like and experienced it. I’ve experienced what I thought could only exist for others even though I knew it existed. Whatever / whoever you are passionate about just do it. And if haters block or talk let them block and talk. Sometimes people hate simply because they know who you are and what you represent and they want to be there. Without putting in the work. Life is too short so do you (as my boy would always tell me) and do it well!
I know, because of conversations with many, that a great deal are tired, questioning, and I am sure at some point all of us have gotten tired, doubted, been hurt, been the one doing the hurting, missed the mark, made a mistake, had to deal with insecurities, shame, fear, guilt, pride, lost of identity, (feel free to input yours here), etc. But that is life. It is in these that we also find healing, faith, certainty, courage, strength, peace (feel free to input yours here), etc. So instead of complaining, hiding or questioning EMBRACE and EMERGE into the beautiful individual you were called and destined to be. Be not just joyful but HAPPY! Get out of your valley, whether it is an unhealthy relationship, your emotions, debt, depression, (feel free to input yours here) and ENJOY waking up every day and all the opportunities that day may hold. Rise, take up your bed and WALK!
I truly believe that 2011 is going to be the year that Jehovah Himself steps in and shows Himself as King and in His Sovereignty. For too long, especially the church, we have been mistreating God’s chosen, God’s gifts and appointing those with no Anointing to handle the things of God. That has to change in order for His work to be done and if we won’t do it then He will step in and do it Himself.
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
I've come to realize...
Recently, I went back through the time line of the past so many years of my life. Decisions made, words spoken, revelation received, seeds sown, etc. My life seemed to have been moving in so many areas and then all of a sudden it seemed like the motion stopped or went in another direction or even more so went backwards.
For some time I didn’t ask the tough questions out of fear of what the answers would be. It is funny though how He knows even our thoughts. Without even speaking the questions He knew what they were and through reading and studying I got my answers without even having to speak the questions.
When you seek His Word things aren’t always as black and white as religion makes them to be. There is so much more depth and truth. Much that we don’t like to talk about or even teach because it isn’t the black and white message religion teaches us. We wonder, "Can that really be God's mindset behind that Word?" Why yes, it can!
I’ve come to realize that in some situations, what we deal with is not a result of our choices / decisions but of those connected to us. How do we know the difference? Guilt doesn’t exist just the need for a solution.
I've come to realize, through re-reading Kathryn Kuhlman’s story, that disobedience can cause one to be in situations / deal with situations they were never supposed to be in / deal with. Disobedience leaves room for props and counterfeits, spirits to enter into one's atmosphere. (And remember, counterfeits look like the real thing but they will hold no real value even though they can be used for a purpose. I believe some situations look like repeat cycles in people's lives because the first time around they were dealing with the counterfeit.) Now, even though His Grace & Mercy still covers, one will never experience the fullness until one comes to complete surrender and out of their disobedience. It wasn’t until Kathryn came out of her disobedience that her ministry surpassed where it had been before she lost everything, and that she moved in an Anointing she had yet to experience. It also shows there is life after death!
Through the story of Ruth I've come to realize, among other things, that stuff must be done in ORDER, otherwise it can make a complete mess and cause one to spend years repairing what they spent prior years to build. Also, if you are not aware of what is happening on the other side of your situation the best thing to do is Ruth 3:18, “Sit still, my daughter, until you know how the matter will turn out; for the man (situation) will not rest until he (it) has concluded the matter this day.” There are times when space is necessary, sometimes not always embraced, but necessary. Necessary so that ORDER can put in place. However, if not careful during this time space can become a place of uncertainty, confusion, etc. because it is sometimes a space of wilderness and it can cause people to make permanent decisions in temporary situations so guard yourself and your vulnerability during this time.
Lastly, during this past month I’ve come to realize that it one thing to know but it is a whole other thing to do something with what one knows. I personally think Christians get fed way too much. The next Word comes before they have even digested, and dare I say, worked the last Word given. Let’s work the answers to our questions (even if uncomfortable) and move in the knowledge / revelation we receive (even if uncomfortable). Otherwise, what’s the point to all of this?
For some time I didn’t ask the tough questions out of fear of what the answers would be. It is funny though how He knows even our thoughts. Without even speaking the questions He knew what they were and through reading and studying I got my answers without even having to speak the questions.
When you seek His Word things aren’t always as black and white as religion makes them to be. There is so much more depth and truth. Much that we don’t like to talk about or even teach because it isn’t the black and white message religion teaches us. We wonder, "Can that really be God's mindset behind that Word?" Why yes, it can!
I’ve come to realize that in some situations, what we deal with is not a result of our choices / decisions but of those connected to us. How do we know the difference? Guilt doesn’t exist just the need for a solution.
I've come to realize, through re-reading Kathryn Kuhlman’s story, that disobedience can cause one to be in situations / deal with situations they were never supposed to be in / deal with. Disobedience leaves room for props and counterfeits, spirits to enter into one's atmosphere. (And remember, counterfeits look like the real thing but they will hold no real value even though they can be used for a purpose. I believe some situations look like repeat cycles in people's lives because the first time around they were dealing with the counterfeit.) Now, even though His Grace & Mercy still covers, one will never experience the fullness until one comes to complete surrender and out of their disobedience. It wasn’t until Kathryn came out of her disobedience that her ministry surpassed where it had been before she lost everything, and that she moved in an Anointing she had yet to experience. It also shows there is life after death!
Through the story of Ruth I've come to realize, among other things, that stuff must be done in ORDER, otherwise it can make a complete mess and cause one to spend years repairing what they spent prior years to build. Also, if you are not aware of what is happening on the other side of your situation the best thing to do is Ruth 3:18, “Sit still, my daughter, until you know how the matter will turn out; for the man (situation) will not rest until he (it) has concluded the matter this day.” There are times when space is necessary, sometimes not always embraced, but necessary. Necessary so that ORDER can put in place. However, if not careful during this time space can become a place of uncertainty, confusion, etc. because it is sometimes a space of wilderness and it can cause people to make permanent decisions in temporary situations so guard yourself and your vulnerability during this time.
Lastly, during this past month I’ve come to realize that it one thing to know but it is a whole other thing to do something with what one knows. I personally think Christians get fed way too much. The next Word comes before they have even digested, and dare I say, worked the last Word given. Let’s work the answers to our questions (even if uncomfortable) and move in the knowledge / revelation we receive (even if uncomfortable). Otherwise, what’s the point to all of this?
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