Embracing and discovering God

Embracing and discovering God is something many say they are doing. In the bible it states this…Psalm 105:4 -Keep your eyes open for God, watch for his works; be alert for signs of his presence.(MSG). What this reminds us to do is for watch Him, seek His works, and be aware of signs of His presence. This sounds easy enough. However, many struggle with this very thing, and reason is we do not release and risk. Release and risk!?!? Yes, let me explain. You cannot see God if you are focus on your understanding, and confined to your mode; it is difficult to discover or embrace God in this environment. He does not live in our understanding or perceptions, or modes. This is reiterated in the bible with these verses in Prov. 3:5-6 - Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding; think about Him in all your ways, and He will guide you on the right paths.(HSCB). The Lord will direct our path, if we are willing to release (submit and give over control), and risk (stop the fear and listening to imperfect logic and illogic connections that appear). You still do not understand? Let us look at some things – when there is a problem or a concern God or friend first?…Relationships issues (job, family, or friends or loved one or children) man or God? How about struggles or trials man, self, or God? You think someone is out to destroy you God or man? Morely than likely, man, people wins, over God...These are the kind of things keeping us stuck in convoluted, twisted situation that we should never have been in the first place; we lean to our own understanding.

When we let God ordained it, direct it, grow it, and we follow His instruction, even when it is a struggle to understand, we find peace and blessings resting upon us. We would find fewer divorces and make better friends and careers choices. Also, we would learn to let go when it is time, when we seek God out….I know it is a risk, and it ain’t easy but understand all our Saviour does for us come from a place of love, unconditional. even when it allowed for us to go through struggles. It is for our good, it is for our development and growth, because he sees and knows the future. Our unwillingness to risk and release to God because ‘that is not how we do it’, I do not think he/she likes me, this does not make any sense, it is not how so-so did it, it is not appropriate (look at your life and I am sure your find some inconsistencies in this one), etc. I think everyone gets the picture. Yet, to embrace and discover God, His righteousness, His will, ways, and truths, we must release and risk. Now, do not get this confused it does require a true seeking, not a Sunday or Saturday with another day thrown in seeking. We are talking about personal time with the word. Speaking to others who have different perspectives and can discuss without being disagreeable or intolerable, but discussion that enhance all parties involved. Individuals who understand the truth hurt, not because a dagger is thrown at you, but similar to the person cleaning a wound for you; it hurts because it is sensitive.

Embracing and discovering God takes trust, faith, and love in Him, and remembering he never fails and always give flawless advice, direction and guidance.

The words coming out of our mouth

Prov. 15: 4 - A soothing tongue is a tree of life, but perversion in it crushes the spirit. (NASB). Now this says it all for me. This verse is one powerful few words, isn’t it. Why is it the small phrases and short statements have the most powerful impact when spoken (.i.e Whatever, I love you, I hate you, yeah, if, didn’t think about it, etc). They send us in the epochal moment that could change our focus and mindset. What am I talking about here? Well, it is like this. The kind rhetoric, statement, words coming out of our mouth comes from a perverse or not so nice place creates chaotic mess. Our motivation does not match our statements. (You know we all have done it) We try to make a point, show our power, or get back others. It is also found when we say, we want to work things out or know what is wrong, when really all we desire to make the other(s) see our point, we really are not interested in their perspective, recollection, or opinion. It is just a ruse, we have brought into as a society to try get what we want without the person(s) knowing it. This process never works. The person(s) it is directed toward always respond to the hidden agenda, not the statement made, deed done, or actions demonstrated. Hence, negativity breeds negativity. You cannot see positive if you lens has no clarity. Usually our inability to move beyond it is grounded in our unwillingness to forgive honestly, to be authentic, and understand God order is disorder for us. See you cannot manipulate something pure, the truth, the right, then expect to triumph because lies never win, only find monetary victory that is hollow and feeds negativity that has no place with truth. You cannot defeat God favor, you cannot conspire and win against truth, and you cannot compromise prosperity where God has spoken life. Then wonder why change has not come, when change begins we decide ‘we will be the change, I wish to see in others because bitter people never get better; only more bitter’ Our Lord tries to explain this - Isa. 29:13 - Then the Lord said, "Because this people draw near with their words and honor Me with their lip service, but they remove their hearts far from Me, and their reverence for Me consists of tradition learned by rote. (NASB). See you cannot just say anything because it is the right thing to say or do, and not mean it. It will backfire on you. This why the Lord desires and requires for us to worship him in spirit and truth. Being authentic makes a difference it inherently understand mistakes are things done not knowing the possible outcome negative outcome. Whereas bad choices know, and do anyway because like sin, is easier on the front but disastrous on the back in. Now we know why God logic is illogical to us, he knows the end…the words coming out of our moth matter…smiling

It matters whose your friend

Proverbs 27:17 (KJV) - Iron sharpenth iron; so a man sharpenth the countenance of his friend. It matters whose your friend (blood relations does not make you friends) because true friends do not let their friend move in the direction of detriment or self-destructions. Even if it means, or requires risking losing the relationship because there is geniune love for you, and concern for your wellbeing. It is not the brutal honestly, but rather authentic truth when asked, or when it is needed. True friends know that you do not have to be alike to be friends if you understand the difference in outlook, or perspective helps both to grow into the best you. The clashing is not destructive, but improving one another as it comes from a place of grace. Iron sharpens iron.... It is those people in your life that do not buy into your ego, or let you get caught up in your pride. Nor are they persuaded by your prolific and awesome abilities granted by grace. They speak righteous, truth from a positive place in their hearts. It is not easy, it is not always desired, it is sometimes humbling, and it sometimes hurt but is all for your good. Yet, it allows you to live your destiny as those around you breathe life in you. Do not get me wrong, it is not always correction, but having only and craving only 'yes men/women' around you, take from you, not give you anything but a good feeling. Those who are dependent on mankind's response pulls away from God truly always. Like disciple, what God has prepared for you, He requires of you. The word in our lives and those in our lives, allows iron to sharpen our soul, hone our skills, as growth appears without declaration, heralding to the world, it is seen in your actions that you are sharpen in the faith loving approach directed by Jesus, and affirmed by God, as you are reminded by the Holy Spirit....iron sharpens iron

Tears

Tears appear as a result of a hurt or pain that comes when we go through changes of letting go, moving on, understanding when others do it, or acknowledging what has been done. This comes because the soul (spirit), the heart (emotions), the body, or the mind (psychological) has been pierced. Tears are the windows into the essence of a person, their passion, and their importance. When someone bring forth tears if it was from a free flowing water fall unhindered, or a quiet brook streaming silently from a overflowing pool. You see and feel their ache; no one has to tells you, you just know it. One sees the tears and not always want to continue with the actions, the words spoken, or the decisions made because we do not want to see the tears, or wish that they would stop. It makes most people uncomfortable to see tears, some times we stop because of what we feel, and while other times we plow ahead not wanting to succumb or seem weak, so that the point is made, we have been heard, or not knowing what to do so we keep babbling on without rhyme of reason. Tears show us many times what we are not prepare to know, or understand but the person knows. Rem John 11:35 - Jesus Wept; Knew this foreshadowing and gave validity to Ecc 1:18 -Because in much wisdom is much grief, and increase of knowledge is increase of sorrow.
Tears the window to the core value, and shows us the to the road less travel, the life not lived, the way and the how, and moves us to the next level if we let go and let God. Matt 27:50 -Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost.

unfinished life

An unfinished life is when we stop living, giving, loving, doing, and believing, and not just die. Because the life you have, is not the life desired, or planned. An unfinished life is an unfulfilled, uncomplete, or untrue life. It is like walking around being dead to the changes happening in the world around you. Breathing, eating, taking up space, and having God's love but not understanding or realizing what a wonderful all-encompassing gift given. Forgetting there is reason for everything that happen to us, around us, and in our lives but none of it was meant to be dwelled on, rather learn from and teaches us that giving allows us to grow. We are to never let the disappointment, pain, shame, hurt, and/or trial become the driving force behind our actions but an unfinished life does. Nor should we live with the bitterness that dictate our actions because we assume 'the world owes me because _______' or with a woe-me attitude. We should embrace the life given trusting God seeks the best for you, and if you the faith, trusting, and allowing Him to lead, not man, your latter day will be greater...Psalm1:3 - He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water, Which yields its fruit in its season. (NIV) (God times, not your time, mother or father time, friends time, or anyone else). And its leaf does not wither; And in whatever he does, he prospers. (letting God direct)
An unfinished life says we react, and not respond to happenings in life as we look at life through bleak covered lenses that impedes the light from shining through, reaching you, touching your soul, and changing our lives for the better. This type of life does not allow you to live beyond our own self all-knowing, fear of finding out our way is not the right way, self-importance, and and refusing to see it is destroying it host. An unfinished life never allows one to see everything that happens to us good or bad, happy or sad, success or loss, triumph and disaster are to teach us, inspire us, and show us truth, help us to grow and evolve. If we take the time to see, seek to understand, and walk in those places that are uncomfortable to travel, we will see some of what we endure is because we are 'ye of little faith...and we doubt?' as we think we know better, try to handle what was never meant for us to handle, or live and speak through hurt. We do not realize someone praying for us to have a more positive, fufilled, and live our truth.
An unfinished life does not see or understand the meaning in these verses in James -1:2-8 - Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But he must ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind. For that man ought not to expect that he will receive anything from the Lord, being a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.(NIV)An unfinished life is not living true to the God sacrificial offering of his Son, Christ.....as this holidays season approaches let all live a full and complete life that venerates that gift.

God didn't give up on me‏

This weekend as I watched sunday gospel video Detrick Haddon came on - God didn't give up on me. Now in the video it depicts a minister who has made a mistake and his struggles, but really anyone in the limelight. I began to wonder why we forget that ministers, bishops, priests, singer, actor/actress, presidents, educators, etc are people just like us. Imperfect beings and will sins just like each of us, and we do not want God to give up on us...we do not want mankind, our family, friends, loved ones to give up on us either..Yes, I know that they are role models and many time that means they are put on a pedestal (some expect it, some do not, all enjoy the privileges that bring, who wouldn't), but aren't we all role models to someone. There are people who put each of us on pedestal and we enjoy it as well..Does that surprise you, it shouldn't..Someone is looking at you and thinking - i would love to be like (fill in the blank) because s/he seem so on top of it..John 21:15-17 (NIV)
15 Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?" "Yes, Lord," Peter replied, "you know I love you."
"Then feed my lambs," Jesus told him.
16Jesus repeated the question: "Simon son of John, do you love me?" "Yes, Lord," Peter said, "you know I love you."
"Then take care of my sheep," Jesus said.
17Once more he asked him, "Simon son of John, do you love me?" Peter was grieved that Jesus asked the question a third time. He said, "Lord, you know everything. You know I love you." Jesus said, "Then feed my sheep.
The purpose of this scripture, Jesus knew that Peter had betrayed him, he foretold it, but Jesus did not give up on him... I do not say that it is okay, or that we should take advantage of any situation or people when in power. The duty of care heightens when you are seen as a public role model or assume certain responsibilities but it does not mean we are not fallible, imperfect, and susceptible to errors just as anyone...as God did not give up on Peter but only loved him, and continue work through him...
we are all role models, we all want forgiveness, and we all want to move forward with our lives, thus do not to others you would not want done to you. think about that before you put someone on a pedestal or you get up on one, because it truly is the best of times and the worst of times..but living your destiny inspite of and continuing to love God is the blessed of times, all the times...
these ideas are strictly opinions of the writer, no one has to agreed with them or believe with them...as with a glass of water...same vision different experiences - one half full, another half empty...it is all in your perspective.

Ordinary People, Extraordinary Life‏

Ordinary people, extraordinary life is simply put - living a commited life on faith. In I Cor. 1:9- But it is written eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. Walking, living, having your being in and on faith because although you have not seen or heard it before, your faith tells you, it shall come to pass.
There are many people in the bible and in our life today that demonstrate this for us. I have chosen a few from both. In the old testaments we have Joshua, he started as slave and ended as a leader all because he believed, inspite of circumstance and popular opinion. then we have the new testament, paul. Paul who changed from a pursuer and destroyer of christians to a proclaimer, who heralded Jesus' legacy with the vigor and zeal unmatch or uncompromising as he walked in uncharted waters to reach the masses. All because he believed, and let his faith in God ordered his steps, and it was not always fun, pretty or without pain. Lastly, we have Oprah Winfrey (this is not about liking her or not), concieved in happenstance, and borne in circumstances that the majority would not see as fertile ground for success. However, she now has iconic status, midas touch, and unlimited influence. I am sure we all have people we know, or can name that is not in the public eye that lead extraordinary lives because of their immutable faith, inspite of circumstance and did not let what is known or understood stop them.
People who live extraordinary lives change the bench mark, and create best practices for living beyond your circumstances. They do not just sit contemplating what should be changed or improved. They understand just as faith without works is worthless, so it talking without doing changes nothing. Matt 12:34 - O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh (KJV). So, is the abundance of your faith in God, one lives an extraordinary. It is not always easy, you will not always be accepted, many will not understand, you will have to say goodbye to many, and you see life in a new light but know where God leads, He also provide for you.

Remember

Isa. 51:1 - Listen to Me, you who pursue righteousness, you who seek the LORD. Look to the rock from which you were cut, and to the quarry from which you were dug. (HSCB)

We must remember the fabric, the tapestry or the source from which we were developed or made from because it instructs our way. It is not so we can boast, or be ashamed, but for us use as an instrument to heal, to instruct, to assist, and it fertilizes our growth. See nothing we have gone through, or done is a waste; it is for our good. Whether it is generational curse(s) or generational blessings(s), we need to understand foundationally so we do not forget whose we are, and from, which we came. See remembering, knowing our history is a necessity for growth not so we can live in the vain glory of its existence, or use as an excuse to not do or continue to do, or even to think I cannot make it. Know, seeking the Lord and his righteous is important for us to understand, we are loved for us; nothing allowed in our life is without purpose or God cannot use in His intentional work. The good, the bad, the imperfect, the crazy, the depressive episode, and he never discounts or tries to destroy you as a result of it; it for your future work. All because we must worship the Lord in spirit and in truth, but this cannot be done if we try to deny our truth, or hide our truth or ignore our truth because it is too painful to endure. This results in an untrue representation of who you are, and creates an opening for negativity to breed. God already knows who you are, plans to use where you come from and what you did or did not do as part of your message to others, and the compassion of your work for him. So why listen to those you know are not loving you or speaking life into you because it is not about you anyway. The muddle mine, the hole, creates a fertile ground that allows self-destructive end, and constant need or search for love unfulfilled. You cannot get something true, when you look through lens that are distorted…Mark Twain - – ‘You can’t depend on your eyes when your imagination is out of focus...Too many times our eyes are out of focus because we have become enamored, captivated with our self (accomplishments, intellect, material attainment, know-it-all attitude, etc), or we have become caught up in our own negative or selfish mindset (woe-is-me, past hurts, justified unforgiveness, labels that have stuck, etc). We have not quite grasped, we can all inspire enthusiasm for God’s glory while developing our own individual gifts when we remember - our overcoming inspite of, or our consciousness of our favor, blessing others to do the same and more…Remember