Faith-Believe it or Not

What is Faith?

Faith means being sure of the things we hope for and knowing that something is real even if we do not see it. Faith is the reason we remember great people who lived in the past. It is by Faith we understand that the whole world was made by God's command so what we see was made by something that cannot be seen.

Some examples:

• By faith Abel offered God a better Sacrifice than Cain, God said he was pleased with the gifts Abel offered and called Abel a good man because of his faith. Abel died, but through his faith he is still speaking.
  
• It was by faith that Enoch was taken to heaven so he would not die. He could not be found cause God had taken him away.
• It was faith that Abraham obeyed God's call to go to another place God promised to give him. He left his own country not knowing where he was to go.
• It was by faith that Moses parents hid him for three month after he was born.
• It was by faith that Moses, when he grew up, refused to be called the son of the king of Egypt daughter. He chose to suffer with God's people instead of enjoying sin for a short time.
• It was by faith that Moses left Egypt and was not afraid of the kings anger, Moses continued strong as if he could see the God that no one can see.
• If was by faith that Moses prepared the Passover and spread the blood on the doors so the one who brings death would not kill the firstborn of Israel.
• It was by faith that the people crossed the Red Sea as if it were dry land.

So, Do I need to give more examples? I do not have time to tell you about Barak, Gideon, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel and the Prophets. Through their faith the defeated kingdoms. They did what was right, received God's promises and shut the mouths of lions. -hebrews 11:1-33 NCV

Is this something I can do

Letting go and letting God can be challenging.  I have experienced this from time to time in my past and currently in my present . However, I have learned that God positions me in situations that are favorable and teach me how intimate He wants to be with me. I love this time with him and I leave these moments different from when I began. My current lesson is learning how to be still and enjoy the relationships he is setting up in my life. Connecting with people who I have known but did not know them on a personal level. I am enjoying this learning experience and I am taking in each sweet moment. These are the precious times we share with our God, but never underestimate or overestimate these opportunities with Him. These are teaching moments. It is good to take in what He has for us, but first things are first and that simply is getting out of Gods way, so He can do what he does best and thats being God.

Fear and Trembling

I'm a Christian. I've been a Christian since 1996 although I knew of God in my childhood. I was baptized into the Baptist denomination as a child under the care of my mother. She instilled in my siblings and I the importance of a foundation. Not just any foundation but one that is built upon the Rock, the Rock of Jesus Christ. So, I knew God.

Now as an adult I find myself in a very different area in my relationship with my friend and Savior. Trembling would best describe what is going on within me. From the top of my head to the soles of my feet, my every being is trembling. I have a better understanding of the saying, Work out your Soul Salvation with fear and trembling". Philippians 2:12

So, why am I trembling? I am trembling at the thought of not being saved. (I will allow you to meditate on this for a moment)

I'm 36 years young and since I was a child I believed everyone had to go before the Ancient of Days for them self in Judgement. I pictured this big ending to the world, everyone standing, fearfully awaiting their turn to stand and be judged  and found just or unjust, sinner or saved. This ideology has been BLOWN clear out of the water for me tonight. So much so, I am shaking! You must be asking yourself why is she shaking. I'm shaking because I realized the Judgement that I thought I understood to be true is not going to take place at the end of the world because it is going on right now. For some reason my mind did not understand this before tonight. Either I did not understand the Word of God or maybe I was reading in the wrong places. However, my eyes have been opened. The house of God has to be judged first. Why did I think this was going to happen at the end, I dunno. But now I am beginning to  understand the 2ND advent and what it really means

I understand why John says "If any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous" 1 John 2:1. Jesus is pleading for(me and you) the subjects of His grace, Satan accuses them(me and you) before God as transgressors. My lone thought was, "Oh God" please do not let me be found wanting. This is so serious, everything and when I say everything I really mean EVERYTHING, is taken into account, some examples are every secret thing whether it be good or whether is be evil, every idle word we speak we give an account for, wasted moments unimproved opportunities, the influence exerted for good or for evil and its FAR-REACHING RESULTS. (that alone is enough to make one vomit, such as myself) These are just a few. Just like every good deed is recorded every evil deed is too.

Now, I'm not trembling because I don't believe my name is not in the book of life, I trembling because I want to be sure my name remains in the book of life, no one knows when his or her name is going to come before God, is there anything that I have not repented for, ask for forgiveness for that would remove my name from the book of life. One sin not repented of can wipe out all of your righteous deeds. (Again, something to think about) Now your probably saying, That is not the kind of God I serve. My God is a forgiving God. I will not disagree with this, He is a forgiving God, his word says so, however, you have to do your part and ask for the forgiveness so you can receive the forgiveness. You can only be pardoned if you ask to be.

So, you see why this is so important. I couldn't sleep tonight because I was going over in my thoughts, my life, my actions, my deeds, my misgivings, my unfinished business, broken promises, idled time, unimproved opportunities, and sinful deeds. My love, good deeds, the talents I have been given and questioning if I have used them and not buried them.  I needed to share this with you.

The law of God is the standard by which the characters and the lives of men will be tested in the judgement says the wise man: "Fear God and keep His commandments: for this is the whole duty of man for God shall bring every work into judgement." Ecclesiastes 12:13,14

 For other reference read Malachi 3:16, Revelation 20:12, Luke 10:20, and Philippians 4:3 however there are so many more.

I leave you with this, and this is my prayer, "Remember me, O my God, concerning this, and do not wipe out my good deeds that I have done for the house of my God and for his service." Nehemiah 13:14.

I hope this provides you with insight enough to take into account from this moment forward how you intend to carry out your life. I'm also speaking to MYSELF!

A whispered Prayer and A Timely reply

A while back, I remembered a devotional thought I had read, it came as a random thought but what I remembered most about the story is the guy washing toilets. I can't pinpoint the exact time when I had read the story, but I remember saying , it would be nice to read it again. 

Well, this morning as I was breezing through my emails, I see, "Washing Toilets". I said, with the excited quivering in my spirit, I read this before and low and behold when I clicked on the link it was the same story. 

Why am I telling you this? Because, God is timely! a quiet thought within,was heard by God; The Holy Spirit.  Months had passed and today was the day He gave me the story again. God is timely in all that He does for us. I hope my sharing this with you, this morning, you will see He is timely for you as well.

Be blessed my friends. 

Washing Toilets
TGIF Today God Is First Volume 2, by Os Hillman
05-15-2009

..."those he wanted to promote, he promoted; and those he wanted to humble, he humbled' (Dan 5:19).

Paul desired a career in the building industry. Early in his career, he was working with a large ministry to help direct several of their construction projects. As the projects were completed, Paul was asked to stay on for future projects. To keep him busy he was given a number of jobs - one of which was cleaning toilets. He recalls getting down on his knees each day and complaining to the Lord, "Lord, I'm a college graduate!" Discouraged, Paul told the Lord, "I will not leave here until You promote me. Please give me contentment with my circumstance."Paul felt totally forgotten by God. A few months later, Paul received a phone call from a man in the Midwest who owned five successful businesses who wanted to interview Paul for a job. This came as a total surprise to Paul. As he drove to the interview, he told the Lord, "I only want your will in my life, nothing else. I am content to remain obscure for the rest of my life if I have You. You must override my lack of experience for me to get this job."

The owner of the company asked Paul a surprising question: "If I asked you to clean a toilet, what would you do?" Paul sat there, stunned. He wanted to burst out laughing. Paul assured him that he would simply pick up a sponge and start cleaning. Amazingly, Paul was hired even though other candidates were more qualified. After several months of success Paul asked his boss why he hired him. His boss replied, "Paul, I still have a large stack of applications from people who wanted this job. Do you remember the first question I asked you in the interview? I asked each one the same question. You were the only one who said he would clean the toilet. Paul, I am a wealthy man, but I grew up dirt poor. I clean my own toilets at home. I can't have people running my businesses who are too proud to clean a toilet." Sometimes God places us in situations to see if we will be faithful in those before He is willing to promote us to greater things.

Familiar Spirits

Just a  thought passing through my mind and I thought I would share.

You know when you have been delivered from some drastic habit, sin (secret or not) or that one thing you just know you will never return too. Nothing could persuade you to return to that thing that kept you down so long that you care not to remember the amount of time. Well, hold on too that thought.

What happens when you know you know that you will not return there, things are going well in your life and then it happens. That THING rears its ugly head. You are entertained for a few moments, the flesh is enjoying the momentary thoughts and then The Spirit of God intervenes into  your joyful thoughts (of what if's and maybe I might) and  gently you hear "Is this a door you would choose to open again" Your flesh toys with that for a moment, you contemplate "well maybe this is how its suppose to be". Then ever so gently the Spirit of God says, "don't open a door that has been shut nor one where you have no power to close again".

Here is my thought. Opening  a pandora box of emotions, feelings, regrets,  to a familiar spirit can be devastating to your soul. It can cost you your life physically and/or spiritually. How willing are you to return to that which you once knew? Is it that intriguing that you would turn your back on the Man who delivered you. It's something to think about.

Never, ever, ever, underestimate the power of familiar spirits. In other words never underestimate the evil ones schemes to entice you. He KNOWS what you like, what makes you feel good, what makes you cry, and what makes you beg. It is that deep. 

You have to train yourself (study) to recognize the familiar spirit for whom it is and call it by name and rebuke it in the Sovereign name of Jesus.  If you find yourself "stuck" in a sense call someone who is  God fearing to help you Spiritually to remember from whence you came and why you do not want to return.

Thank you too my God fearing friend who reminded me of such things and helped me to remember just how close I am to my blessing. Praise God for my Good Friend.

Whose Fight is it anyway...Part 2

Every day that I draw nearer to the manifestation of the promise of my return to Andrews University God made to me 7 years ago things which are not of my own doing or under my own control have been coming my way.

I began this week with one of my students who struggles with conflict resolution. She is determined to settle all her issues with beat downs. I finally said to her that you young lady have not time to waste. Your on your last leg literally in this school and one minor infraction and you will oust yourself right out of school with only 35 days left of the year. I told her in simple terms in which she understands, XXX, you are to have No Distractions, No Attractions, and No Infractions. This is your mantra for the next 35 days. (Unbeknownst to her it only takes 21 days to make or break a habit) I'm helping her daily to make this a good habit. In doing this, I realized that I not only was speaking to her but God in turn was speaking to me.

"Nothing, Reshana, can distract you from your purpose". Nothing! absolutely, positively nothing. (emphasis mine). So, I have paid close attention to all that has transpired in the last few weeks of my life. My youngest son, who is distracted by demonic activity but gives them other names such as anger, frustration, etc, my eldest son who seems to have lost a sensible respect for me and doesn't realize it until a day or so later when he calls and apologizes, and my daughter who although successful in her education, has a issue with appreciation of the blessings God has bestowed upon her, and me dealing with the demon called depression who continually works at keeping me focused on the loss of my father instead of me celebrating the legacy he left behind that has passed along to me. 

I had been struggling since mid March, a quietness came over me and hovered there for a while, I could'nt pray, or I didn't want to pray but in my mind I knew God could see beyond the exterior into what was really going on in my heart. He reminded me of conversations I had with a friend who said "God hurts with you and he understands your anger, he understands your not wanting to talk to Him, He understands" it was then that I began to remember that My Father knows me, He loves me and I love Him, and we have a relationship that is just for us. During this time, I also realized that I did not know what I liked to do for pleasure anymore. I couldn't remember the things that made me happy, the things I liked to do. I talked to God and told him I'm lost within myself. I have forgotten the things I love. I turned my head and looked toward my plants. I touched the leaves, put my hand in the soil and I remembered, I love the smell of fresh soil on plants, I love the things that are alive and support life, I love to read and write but I had not taken time to do so. I began to remember.

I purposely purchased two books, one for pleasure and one that was recommended for my youngest son to read. The first book called The Shack and the other called This Present Darkness. I devoured The Shack it was so good. A wonderful page turner. I gleaned alot from that experience. However, when I decided I would read the second book this disdain came over me and I couldn't pick up the book lest known read it. Every time I passed the book, I would hear a light voice say read the book. I knew who the voice belong too. I replied, something is keeping me from picking this book up. It was about a week later, the light voice returned and said read the book. So I moved past what I was feeling and picked up the book. I opened the book and began reading and this overwhelming heaviness sat on me. I put the book down and the heaviness lifted. I didn't pick the book up again until a few days later. I read past my feelings, fears and anxieties. The book was slow to me in the beginning, and I was losing interest. But again the light voice said keep reading. I reached chapter 5 and my eyes began to open. I understood that depression had called complacency to assist him in keeping me from reading this book.

I read last night and fatigue came over me, I prayed and continued to read, in the middle of the chapter I was impressed to call my youngest son and have a conversation with him about not giving up or giving in to anything or anyone who was not of God. He understood. He shared that he was praying more, talking to God more and reading His word. I told him to continue to do this, because your battle is not against flesh and blood son, its against the rulers and principalities and spirits in high places. He asked me to continue to pray for him and we hung up the phone. I prayed, and prayed and prayed some more...after awhile, I began to break out in these red blotches on my skin. My body became itchy and I got out of bed and laid hands on myself. Rebuking the enemy in Jesus name. Anointed myself, prayed some more and went back to reading the book.

I share this experience with you for one purpose and one purpose only, that you would not be deceived. Satan is REAL. He dispatches legions of demons to distract us from the call God has on our lives. That is his soul purpose for his existence here. To take any and everyone he can out with him to death. He attacks those who fight against him in prayer and supplication to God. He works to wear down the Saints of God. I realized for over a month I had been giving in to my feelings. Giving in to depression and to those spiritual things that are not of God. The Holy Spirit never left my side, I was protected the entire time but it was my responsibility  to choose whom I was going to listen too. I am thankful that I know the voice of God and that I adhere to Him.

I share those experiences regarding my children not to oust them in anyway but to hopefully be a witness to you that demons show up in any fashion in which to keep you off kilter. He comes through life experiences, trials, tribulations, friends, family, co-workers, Pastors, Elders, Deacons, Members, Politicians, Racism, Movies, Music, Even YOU.  You name it, if you give him a venue he is going to take it. Keep praying for those you love, your prayers don't die. Prayers of my family members before me are still being answered today, and when I am gone my prayers will be answered as well until God returns. If you don't glean anything else from this testimony, glean this, No Distractions, No Attractions and No Infractions. Remember the story of Sampson and Delilah.

Blessings my friends, and to close, I would like to share that God has shown me the deliverance of my youngest son, and promised me years ago through his word Isaiah 54:13 that, "All your sons will be taught by the LORD, and great will be your children's peace". That is a promise my friends, one that I remember and hold on too when what I see doesn't come close to what is promised. Thank God seeing is not Believing. Hold on until your change comes.

Whose fight is it anyway?

There are struggles you would not understand if you were not walking with Jesus. I'm not referring to the everyday issues...you know the flesh and blood kind. I'm speaking to those things which you have no control over. I was struggling for a few weeks, wavering in my trust in him because what I felt and seen seemed impossible to overcome.
I was sent a reminder that inspite of my feelings, inspite of what I have seen before me, inspite of the very dim light I may have seen at the end of the tunnel, inspite of myself, I have to rely on the only person who is able to handle all my situations and see me through. Especially, those in which I personally did not place myself into. Being obedient to God is a good thing, it's better than sacrifice and fasting. In obedience you may suffer consequences. I have been obedient. I have done what God has instructed me to do and because of my obedience I have been attack from every direction.

It was not until God reaffirmed His word in me through a friend that I realized I serve an Almighty God. The following helped me to understand that God will send help from the Sanctuary, Empower you by his Spirit, Move Obstacles out of your way and give you Hope about your future.

He says “This is what the Lord says to Zerubbabel: It is not by force nor by strength, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies. 7 Nothing, not even a mighty mountain, will stand in Zerubbabel’s way; it will become a level plain before him! And when Zerubbabel sets the final stone of the Temple in place, the people will shout: ‘May God bless it! May God bless it!”

5in view of your participation in the gospel from the first day until now. 6For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus. 7For it is only right for me to feel this way about you all, because I have you in my heart, since both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, you all are partakers of grace with me. Philippians 1:5-7

1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. Hebrews 12:1-3

Need I say more...Nope.

Be Blessed my friends.

TPP:The Pruning Process

Since my last entry on the 15th, I've studied John 15: 1-11 in conjunction with Bruce Wilkinson's book Secrets of The Vine. I read this book some years ago and gleaned what I needed from it. However, when God has a word for you, you have to go with it. The conversation I had with God regarding the true vine and the vine dresser was the beginning of a continued conversation that began a few years prior when I read Wilkinson's book. Funny how the lord picks up right where he left off, no time has passed for him spiritually speaking, because he is time, however that's a whole different conversation, but time has passed for me. Not enough that I forgot what we discussed then but enough to allow me to process, digest and excrete the gifts in which he stored in me then.

The pruning process can be a very painful experience. The strength of the pain all depends on your response to the cutting. However, it is still a painful process. As I refreshed myself in the book, I read and read and read some more until God spoke and said "this is where you are". The author, begins by breaking down the word of who the true vine and vine dresser are. He continues by discussing the array of fruit that grows on the vines which hang from the branches.

Now imagine, you're standing in a beautiful orchard of grapes. The most gorgeous green leafy vines and plump purple grapes. You look down and you see the vine, you think to yourself, "this is Jesus", your eyes move up toward the branches, "this is me" you turn to your left and then to your right and you notice the green leaves and the bunches of fruit that are hanging from the branches "fruit, those things in my life that are produced because of my love for God, some through good works, because of my faith and obedience" then you hold your head up and notice the many rows of vines and its various amount of fruit, "God The Father he attends to the vineyard". "Jesus, the true vine, the vine dresser is his Father, God, I am the branches and the fruit is what I produce".

Your next thought is why, why should I have to endure the pruning shears when I am doing so well. Well there was a time when you produced no fruit at all, you felt the pain in various ways but you didn't know exactly why. Somewhere deep down inside you get to the point where you have no other alternatives and you call on God, realizing he should have been your first call. "If your life consistently bears no fruit, God will intervene to discipline you".

So you have cleaned up your act and now you are bearing some fruit. But how much fruit are you bearing. Before your basket was empty, so you had "no fruit", now your basket has a few grapes in it, awe you have "fruit", but that's not enough because you desire "more fruit" well if your life bears some fruit, God will intervene to prune you, why, because you asked to bear more fruit. Okay, so now, you have arrived your okay with the amount of fruit you have grown and harvested, all is well, God is pleased and I'm good. You have met your hearts desire.

So what happens when Gods desire for you intervenes again so you can bear "much fruit" for him. This is where I am. A few months ago, I began to talk to God about my desire to openly pray at work without the feeling I would be fired for opening our meeting up in prayer before we began. I told the lord how I felt and that this was a struggle for me because I needed to do this but I cant do it in the position I'm in now I will be fired. I shared with God that I know without a shadow of a doubt that I am in the right field of work, however, I realize I am working for the wrong organization. I continued by pleading with God to fix this for me.

Little did I realize that I had opened the door to another pruning adventure. The first two to 40 + times were hard and painful enough, now what have I got myself into. I said, see that is why you have to be careful what you ask for, why couldn't I just be content with where I was. And a still small voice said, because you desire more and more means growing.

God needed me to move somethings out of my life. Things that distracted me, things that I needed to heal from, things that I had to let go of, like fear the reverencing kind. He needed me to trust him more. I already trusted him. I trusted him to take care of me and my family, my job, my ministry everything. But God said, More, I desire more of you. Soon after my journey began. Things began to test my faith, some I passed and some I didn't. I began to journal my experiences with God, some of which you have been privy too. One of my entry I wrote to Him saying "Father how much of whats mine have you already asked for and I have given it it you". I've surrendered my life, my relationships, my right to marriage, my children and grandchildren, my sex life, my job. Lord what else do I have to give. Is there anything I need to give to you that I have not given?

His response, was a little overwhelming. Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. This was a two part response from God, he wants me to accept the first part of this statement literally. Secondly, I need act on the second part of the statement. I responded, more of me lord, more of me. I need you.

Therefore, this area of pruning is a process of love, He desires for me to abide in him. To be able to remain, closely connected, settling in for the long term of being together. (now that was deep for me). Bruce Wilkinson's stated, In the seasoning of chastising and pruning, the vine dresser is proactive. He pursues, He initiates. Our role is to respond.

So, how does one abide? There is a 180 degree shift in who initiates the movement toward fruit fullness at the highest level. To abide we must act. Abiding is not, I repeat not doing more to make more fruit, however, we must do something and it wont come easily. In abiding, its always our move.

*There is a promise and practice of abiding.

*If you stay connected to him, if you draw spiritual nourishment from him, if you allow the power that flows through him to flow through you, nothing will hold you back from reaching the most abundant life possible.

*How many of us have been serving Jesus a long time and your not tired yet?

*In abiding, what happens on the surface doesn't count; its whats happening inside that does.

Abiding begins with visible spiritual disciplines, prayer, bible reading, and daily meditation are just few. I read Gods word, I read Bruce Wilkinson's book and what I have written is a portion of my experience. It's not about how I feel, its about my need for more of God. How about you?

Warning, Warning.....think it not strange.

Warning, warning, think it not strange.....waking up in the middle of the night, walking to the bathroom, I hear "think it not strange", I said, Lord, I know this text. I don't know where it is though. I said James maybe, then I proceeded back to my living room floor, as I decided to camp out there. "Think it not strange...hmmm, diverse temptation...James, I don't know. Okay Lord, I will look it up when I get up in the morning".
I awake a few hours later, the words blaring loudly in my mind, I greet my Father, His Son and the Holy Spirit...and I look for my Word. Praying, I open the book and turn to James chpt 5. I said, "well its not James, close but not". I pick up my phone and call my sister. She answers, "Good morning gurl", I reply, the same....I said "I can't find this text, think it not strange, I was thinking James but that's not it", she said "well, let us look up the text on Bible gateway", I said "okay". She said, "It 1 Peter 4:12" I said "okay thanks". We chatted a little and then hung up.
Reading 1 Peter, I wondered in my mind what I need not to think strange....I prayed some more and realized, its a warning, something is going to happen. I put the bible down and moved on with my morning.

A couple of nights later, while sleeping, I dream of vines. Beautiful ones, fresh, green and most beautiful deep green I have ever seen, then I hear, "I am the vine". I said, "I know these words"....I repeated them in my dream, "I am the vine, my father is the vine dresser". I awoke. I said, "okay again, I know the text, not sure where to find it". So I called my sister again. This time she says, "Good morning gurl" and I reply, "I am the vine" she says with an awe of surprise and nervousness "Awww what did I do now, what is it....you have something to tell me" I said, "No, no, I'm sorry, I cant find the text...I am the vine...that all the lord gave me." She said, "oh, girl I thought you had a word for me, don't do that" with a little chuckle she continued, "its found in John 15." I said, "thanks, one of my favorite books." I told her I would call her later.

Two days later, both text seemed to ring loudly in my spirit....Think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you. I am the true vine and my father is the vine dresser. Two text, Two day apart, Two day of processing....If nothing else, I knew it was a sure thing.
(and it was, and it is)
So, why am I taking my leisure to share this experience with you because, God is the kind of God who loves his children and he speaks to them. I was able to discern his warning that I was going to be attacked soon, but he didn't want me to worry or be afraid, or feel like "this is strange, I don't know why this is happening". He assured me that He is with me with the follow up text that came two day after the warning text. "I am the true vine, and my father is the vine dresser". In layman's terms. It means, I am with you, attending to your need. I looked up the words vine and vine dresser. Although I had to research them separately. A vine is a plant who stem requires support, which climbs or trails along the ground. A Dresser(n) is one who dresses or attends. God was telling me, "Shana, a fiery trial is coming upon you but be not dismayed because I am the true vine and my father is the vine dresser, we will attend and support you through this time."

My role in all of this is to stay focused and faithful to the true vine and the vine dresser, because he says, every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit. He continues, "I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in Him, bears much fruit." So, he is saying to me, "Keep doing what your doing for me, By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit"

Staying faithful to God in a time that "feels" awful can be trying when you have the assurances of God. I can't begin to imagine what it would be like to be in a trial, not know God and be unaware that his assurance is there for the asking but you not know him to ask him.

Walking with God means you too will endure what he endured her on this earth. He has overcome sin and because of Him you can too.

picture used courtesy of FreeFoto.com

Divine Conversations

Today, as I read my daily devotional from Os Hillman, I reflected on how God and I communicate. I realized I work diligently to be in tune with him through his word and prayer. The devotional spoke to this, "Knowing and Discerning Gods Will". God has never steered me wrong. My faith and trust in him has grown and my desire to be like the tree planted firmly by the rivers of water becomes more real to me day by day.

Trees are so significant to me, I don't quite remember when I fell in love with them but they speak of Gods nature and my existence here on this earth. Psalms 1 speaks of the a tree that is planted firmly, what does this mean? Personally, its the assurance of knowing my foundational belief in a God who created this world out of nothing by speaking it into something from the nothing that it was made from keeps me in a steadfast immovable state with him.

In his mercy and grace he blanketed this world with trees,various kinds those that are liken to a faith walk of sorts. Some are seedlings just being planted, looking forward to the day they will grow big and strong, however, they have to weather some storms and heat waves to make it. Some are plucked up by strong winds, knocked over from heavy rains, break under the weight of ice or die from the scorching heat. Then there are those who make it through any type of weather because they are firmly rooted and hold on when the various waves of weather come along.

There is a tree planted here in Upstate New York on the 90 going west, planted a few miles after thruway exit 39. It's a beautiful tree, I am reminded of my desire to be more like Jesus with every passing of this tree. I call it the Uni bi Uni tree. It has the appearance of being one no matter what the season, with leaves and without. It isn't until you are right up on the tree that you realize there's a second planted directly next to it.

I remember the first time I saw the tree, I whispered a prayer for my relationship with a man to be as these two trees. So close and unified that you can't tell its two until your there in front of them. It wasn't until sometime later I understood my prayer was answered and realized that man was God.

It's in Christ that we find out who we are and what we are living for. Long before we heard of Christ and got our hopes up, he had his eye on us, had designs on us for glorious living, part of the overall purpose he is working out in everything and everyone. (Ephesians 11:1 The Message Bible)

So closely knit that you can discern Gods will without having to ask him "Whats next", you just follow Him. That is where I am striving to be. It is a life walk of faith and trust in God, the one who created the heavens and the earth in 6 days and rested on the 7th.

My word for 2009

"RISK"

• The chance that my investment's actual return will be different than expected.
• The use of my gifts and talents to be used in anyway God sees fit.
• Trusting in the historical accounts of my life; where God has led me.
• The outcome/state/result/value is not known, however, In faith you know God is there.
• Walking in accordance to Gods leading.
• Giving God everything you have because its not yours anyway (thanks pastor:)
  

A few Conversations on Faith

Tonight, I listened as my friend spoke about her faith experience. I was able to share Gods word regarding those who diligently seek Him, and how God is a rewarder of those who do. I appreciate the small gestures of faith that I have witness from friends. Today, I listened to one of my students share her faith and hope for one of her friend who died last night. 15 years young he died from a gunshot wound to his head. She was hoping and believed he would end up in a "good place" as she called it. She shared how she prayed and prayed for him, how the weather was gloomy all the days he was in the hospital and the morning she found out he died, the sun was shining brightly. She said, "It was his time to go, and on one of the most beautiful days of this week, the sun was shining." He died, January 8Th at 6pm.

Witnessing hope, an assurance of things to come from small gestures such as a conversation on ones experience helps me to realize, how God's son, The Word, is the living, Walking, Breathing experience. God is real, alive and even the faith of a mustard seed provides a savor worth returning too.

I shared this Inspirational thought from Max Lucado with my friends, I will share it here in hopes that someone will be blessed by The Word also known as Jesus Christ Our Risen Savior.

INSPIRATION

Faith is the belief that God is real and that God is good...It is a choice to believe that the one who made it all hasn't left all and that he still sends light into the shadows and responds to gestures of faith....Faith is the belief that God will do what is right."Blessed are the dirt-poor, nothing-to-give, trapped-in-a-corner, destitute, diseased" Jesus said, "for theirs is the kingdom of heaven" (authors translation- Max Lucado) Matt. 5:6 God says that the more hopeless your circumstances, the more likely your salvation, The greater your cares, the more genuine your prayers. The darker the room, the greater the need for light...God help is near and always available, but it is only given to those who seek it. Nothing results from apathy...Compared to God's part, our part is minuscule but necessary...Do something that demonstrates faith. For faith with no effort is no faith at all. God will respond. He has never rejected a genuine gesture of faith. Never.

A quote from one of my favorite Authors....

“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”-Marianne Williamson

Closing thought...

I'm ending with this, I was reminded yesterday that it's okay to be nervous, but it's not okay to fear or reverence the fear, because fear is not of God. I stepped out on faith yesterday and completed an application that will be the door opener to my desire to return to a place I have longed to be for the last 7 years. Remembering, God's Word does not return void and without faith it is impossible to please him: for he/she that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. Heb. 11:6

Codename:Operation Faith Walk

My weapons of choice......

My Bible, (two to three versions of course),a couple of devotionals, some great books, God (The Father, The Son, The Holy Spirit) and a Journal.

For the last few months I have had the overwhelming desire to return to the environment that felt like home. I knew 7 years ago that one day I would return, however, if you asked me when I could not have provided you with an answer. This place provided me with such peace. You know the peace that surpasses all your human understanding. Trees and green grass all around, people who believe like you believe, freedom to be all you know how to be for and in God. Where is this place...

Well, walk with me through my journey. A journey of faith, love, instruction, correction, growth and trust.

It started for me in January 2008, the year of or for new beginnings. Twenty-o-eight was definitely that for me. I learned to live truly for the first time in my adult years. I learned to trust in a God who could identify with my heart-felt pain and anguish. I learned to live again after dying slowly day by day from grief. I learned to trust in strangers who had nothing but my best interest at heart. I learn to lean on friends and let go and let God. I grew deeper in my faith, dealt with my own (dis)belief system and the realities thereof. I accepted that I had to keep moving forward so I would not be sidetracked from what God had in store for me.

I learned to get up and get out...and too follow God. It was not an easy journey. There were times I could not pray, did not want to pray, refused to pray, too angry to pray. However, as the saying goes..."Somebody prayed for me, had me on their mind, they took the time to pray for me".

All I can say is....I'm GLAD they prayed for me and not preyed on me. 2008 was the preparation for Twenty-0-nine....