livenlife

Father I come to you once again asking that you wrap your loving arms around the children of this world. For those who don’t know you Lord I ask that you open their hearts and eyes to you. Father many are being raised in an enviroment where knowledge of you or the understanding of your sacrifice of love is unknown. I ask that you go into the homes touch the parents or caregivers of these children and bring them to your salvation. Let your loving presence be felt in these homes.

Teach us how to be positive role models not only for the children of the world that don’t know you but to all we come in contact with.

Father you said if you be lifted up you’d draw all men to you. Show us how to live our lives in a manner where you and your word is constantly being lifted up. I know you are a keeper of your word and one who has never made a promise you haven’t kept. You Lord will do as you have stated.

Father I thank you for life. I thank you for the loving me enough to bear my pain, sorrow, and sins. Father I thank you for putting this prayer on my heart. Lord many are looking for things or others to make them happy and/or provide in ways only you can. I lift you up Jesus knowing you are well able to provide in every situation and circumstance.

I ask that your will be done.

In Jesus name I pray. amen

James 1:2-4 (New International Version)
2Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. 4Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

Often time’s trials and despair can hinder our sight. Leading one to believe there’s no light at the end of the tunnel. Experience has taught me that with God there is always ‘light’ and through that tunnel may have been dark, dreary, and lonely for the true believer there’s always a lesson and/or progression in us through him. There was a time in my life when that was hard for me to understand. I thought being a Christian exonerated me from the sheer pain and heartache I’ve had to endure. As he open his word to me I not only learned trials must come but in every situation and circumstance he his truly there to provide the way out. That way out doesn’t always come when we want or expect it, but he always provides. During the difficult times in my life his expression of sheer love for me had never been so powerful. In times when all I had was his word in my heart wrapped with the belief and faith in him to provide and walk me through I realized that was all I needed.

When things in your life seem to be out of control and you don’t know where to turn, turn to the father.

1 Peter 1:5-7 (New King James Version)
5 who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
6 In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, 7 that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ,

Isaiah 1:18-20 (New King James Version)
18 “ Come now, and let us reason together,”
Says the LORD,

“ Though your sins are like scarlet,
They shall be as white as snow;
Though they are red like crimson,
They shall be as wool.
19 If you are willing and obedient,
You shall eat the good of the land;
20 But if you refuse and rebel,
You shall be devoured by the sword”;
For the mouth of the LORD has spoken.

God is speaking but are we listening? The bible says many are called but few are chosen. As followers of the one true and living God we must begin to ask ourselves the hard questions. Many seem to be looking at and paying more attention to the negatives that are going on in the nation than the Creator. Isn’t it time we examine ourselves and begin to look within to answer the hard questions?

Are we living the righteous life he speaks of? Or do we walk the common steps of those who don’t believe? Have we played a part in what appears to be the down fall of this country? Do we love in spite of? Give in spite of? And show compassion regardless of the situation or circumstance? Are our deeds honest and just?

If we the children of God hang our heads and choose to believe the lies of the enemy faith and trust is not in us. Are we obedient to the lord and seeking his face? Have we opened our hearts to him? Sisters and brothers, God is speaking, but can we say we’re actively and honestly listening and obeying.

Deuteronomy 32:4
He is the Rock, His work is perfect; For all His ways are justice, A God of truth and without injustice; Righteous and upright is He.

Psalm 25:5
Lead me in Your truth and teach me, For You are the God of my salvation; On You I wait all the day.

Today is a historic and overwhelming day as many anxiously await the transition of power from our former president to our newly elected. Somewhere in that crowd my daughter stands united with many who never believed this day would come.

This day brings to life the power of a dreamer covered in prayer. For African Americans it speaks to President Obama’s slogan, “Yes We Can,” and to Martin Luther King Jr., belief of a brighter tomorrow where equality shines in the face of resistance.

I can recall my mother telling me as a child many people may not like you just because of the color of your skin. She said some people would call me hateful name, and they did. She said they’d try to kill my spirit and attempt to make me feel as if I wasn’t good enough or as valuable as they felt they were (they tried), but she also told me that regardless of what anyone says, with God on my side, the only one who has the power to defeat or stop me from doing anything in life I want to do, was me. So with tears of joy I can only thank God for the wisdom He’s place in those who’ve trusted and never stop believing in Him and his awesome power.

It would be unfair and ignorant not to acknowledge and thank those who’ve opened their arms to there fellow brothers and sisters in love regardless of there race or background. We have so far to go but take a moment to look at the positive and see how far we’ve come.

Somewhere in that crowd my teenage daughter is tasting the sweetness of history and I tend to feel that because of this day, because of what God has allowed to transpire, and with God on our side new dreams will emerge.

But seek ( aim at and strive after) first of all His kingdom and His righteousness
(His way of doing and being right), and then all these things taken together will be given you besides. (Matthew 6:33)

Why, of all the scriptures He could have led me to, why this one? And what does he want me to know about the Kingdom ?

‘Lord open my eyes, I know I’m missing something.’

In the beginning, I took hold of His promises and blessings. I’d read a few chapters on trials and struggles, glanced by verse after verse of His unfailing love for His children, and was still missing something.

Merely going to church on Sundays wasn’t enough. Expecting the preacher to preach a sermon and/or speak a word that would carry me to the next Sunday, wasn’t enough.

We have to open the book. Stay in prayer and ask God for direction, wisdom, and understanding.

It is God’s desire that we love Him for who He is. Not for what He can do for us or give us, but simply because He first loved us.

The only way I could attain my goal and live out my purpose was to spend time with Him. To spend time in His word (bible), in prayer, meditation, and worship. Then and only then did He allow my eyes to be open to the splendor of Him.

Father I thank you for your love. I thank you for opening up your word as a guide and reference to your children. Lord I am so grateful that you love us regardless of our faults. I am thankful that within our faults you find opportunity to mold us into the vessel you want us to be. We need you lord, during the good and bad times, we need you. In season and out of season, we need you. I thank you for covering us with your grace and mercy. Lord I pray you will open the eyes of all who need you and place a desire for you and your unfailing love in every individuals heart. In Jesus name I pray.

How does one live a purpose driven life? If purpose is defined as an intent or end to be attain. I suppose the next question one must ask is what is it we’re trying to attain? What’s the intent? For example, my goal (intent) is to live a life pleasing to God. To be able to do this I had to find out what pleases Him.

To give you a little back story into my life, I had an agenda. I didn’t realize it in the beginning, but being a young Christian, I was wrapped up in what I could get from Him, not purposely, but I wanted the wealth, health, and life in abundance.
I’m ashamed to say that I thought if I had these things it would prove how much God loved me.

As I prayed for guidance He provided me with the answer. Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness…. (Matthew 6:33).

This was the first step in understanding how to forfill my purpose.

(to be continued)

Previously we looked at Luke 17:15-19. Examining the actions of the Samaritian and how his faith and worship pleased God.(Did He Touch You? pg2)

Today I’d like to look at the woman in Mark 5:25-34

The bible doesn’t tell us her name, but describes her plight. Can you imagine going to see one physician after another and being told there’s no hope? Can you also imagine after twelve years and spending your last dollar, feeling worse than you did before?

Mark 5:27-29 She had heard the reports concerning Jesus, and she came up behind Him in the throng and touched His garments. 28. For she kept saying, If I only touch His garments, I shall be restored to health.

What I love about this woman, is she didn’t give up. She was down but refused to be out. I can’t say I can relate to being physically sick, especially for twelve years, but I can relate to being down. I know how it feels to give something your best and come up empty. To feel alone and so far from hope, and God.

The bible tells us that when she touched Jesus she felt her body being healed.

Mark 5:30, And Jesus, recognizing in Himself that the power proceeding out from Him had gone forth, turned around immediately in the crowd and said. Who touched My clothes?

With a multitude gathered around Him he ask ‘who touch me.’ He acknowledged her presence among the multitude. He felt his power leave him by the strength of her faith.

Mark 5:34 And He said to her, Daughter, your faith (your trust and confidence in Me, springing from faith in God) has restored you to health. Go in peace and be continually healed and freed from your (distressing bodily) disease.

Do you recall what He said to the Samaritan who’d return thank him for his healing?

And he said to him, get up and go on your way. Your faith (your trust and confidence that spring from your belief in God) has restored you to health. Luke 17:19

Their act of faith and trust in God caused Him to move on there behalf.

I imagine the Samaritan knew Jesus could cure him. He’d heard of the miracles Jesus had performed, but a tiny part of him probably felt Jesus wouldn’t help him because of who he was (Samaritan), an alien, not worthy.

Isn’t it interesting the labels we allow others to put on us, and take them for truth. Yet, when he realize God had blessed him, inspite of the negative labels others had attach to him, he turned back.

Luke 17:16-19
And he fell prostrate at Jesus feet thanking Him [over and over]. And he was a Samaritan. 17. Then Jesus asked, Where not [all] ten cleansed? Where are the nine? 18. Was there no one found to return and to recognize and give thanks and praise to God except this alien? 19. And He said to him, Get up and go on your way. Your faith [your trust and confidence that spring from your belief in God] has restored you to health.

He believed he could be cured (healed) and when he realized he was cured he worshipped the Lord. His actions (faith & worship) ushered in health (wholeness) from God.

(to be continued)

(more…)

Have the dreams of the past finally come to the for-front? As Dr. Martin Luther King spoke of a tomorrow he did not live to see. With eyes of hope, spirit and truth, was he not God’s messenger then speaking to our now? It’s been a long journey but, one worth taking. I wish my grandparents were alive to witness it, and also my uncle’s who would have cherished the day.

Are we able to judge on the content of character and not the color of skin? I’d say on November 4th, we took a giant leap into the mirror of Martin’s dream.
On November 4th, vindication, admiration, respect and unspeakable love was found. As a nation we looked beyond the color of skin and into the heart of man. On November 4th, prayers were answered and dreams became a reality.
On November 4th a chance to rock the nation was created. Let us continue to step with strong legs and sound judgement. Let us flourish as a people with love for all, respect for all, and patience for all.
God Bless & keep dreaming