Blooming where you are planted

Rev 3:7 (NIV) - "Here is what I command you to write to the church in Philadelphia. Here are the words of the One who is holy and true. He holds the key of David. No one can shut what he opens. And no one can open what he shuts…”

Blooming where you are planted, this means to not worry about what another is not doing, but what you are supposed to do. Many times we decide we cannot because of spouse, friends, family, coworkers, unwillingness to change, circumstances, conditions, etc. However, nothing ever stops an individual from being you, doing the right thing, godly thing, follow after the promise in you. Except no one wants stand out, do what is hard, or the unfamiliar. Ever see a beautiful flower blooming in a place where there are weeds or ill-fitted environment for it to grow; it seems. You see nothing or no one ever told the flower it was not supposed to grow, and it did what it was meant to do, grow and bloom where it planted. Ever see greatness come out of those who did not do a new thing…me either…

See it is never the exactly right moment or conditions, but our indecisiveness, fear, unwillingness to change, and little faith puts a limit on what God does in our life. We all know what God says is true; it is not a matter of if …but a matter of when. We have to be prepared, be in a state of preparedness. Because to wait, wonder, seek man’s or my way is to disobey God’s way. The question we all must asked ourselves – Why disobey God when - No one can shut what he opens. And no one can open what he shuts…” So, what is really going on when we fail to do the what we have been told to do….fear…unpreparedness…giving away control to the wrong people…doing nothing…doing the same thing and hoping the new thing will fit in the old ways…Bloom where you planted, stop focusing on winning or outshining, just do the best you and God will bless you for it; more and abundantly…it hard but victory, greatness comes out of adversity and struggle…blooming where you planted and grow into the magnificent flower you are…

You must decide to ‘be’ before ‘being’

Matt 6:1 (HCSB) "Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of people, to be seen by them. Otherwise, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.

You must decide to ‘be’ before ‘being’. It is very difficult ‘being’ something, when you have not decided you desire ‘be’ it…However, you cannot receive, or you should not expect what you are unwilling to model, or do not believe. Do what is personally profitable, professionally beneficial, or politically correct; it garners you nothing. Everyone sees through it and response to the ‘lie’ with distrust or lip service; what you give is what you receive. There is not a reward in Heaven for you, and there is also no reward here for you with substance and longevity; only momentarily and weak. Thus, there is no reason to worry or cry about something you help to create. Know the righteous is never forsaken, or without. This is the reason God looks on the inward part of man, and reminds us where our heart is, this is where our treasures are. When you decided to be, you no longer spend unnecessary time and energy focusing on how you will be received, or if you will be believed. You do not worry when someone else gets a promotion, or a job you feel you are more qualified for, or get some material blessing you think you should get. Instead you begin seek the best for them to, and start encouraging yourself with the truth – what is for me, is for me at the time that I am ready to handle, and it is God’s time not mind…decide to be it, and then it will not be so difficult, and see how life, love, and trust reveal itself more readily to you

Walls Falling

Eph. 2:14-16 (NASB) For He Himself is our peace, who made both groups into one and broke down the barrier of the dividing wall, by abolishing in His flesh the enmity, which is the Law of commandments contained in ordinances, so that in Himself He might make the two into one new man, thus establishing peace, and might reconcile them both in one body to God through the cross, by it having put to death the enmity.
When we have the peace of God in our life walls of hostility comes down. God reconcile all into one, as light and darkness cannot coexist, neither can hostility and peace coexist. Therefore, when the peace of God arrives, enmity and all that it has been a source for dissipates. What does this mean? It means the wall created by our hurt, pain, abuse, shame, fear, insecurity, disappointment, battling, collision of expectations and reality, etc in our life, relationships, work place, church, families, and spirit are broke down. Glory! See, there are no real reasons to have them take up space, when we have what completely abolishes each and everyone. The thing we must understand, it does not take away the consequences, the fallout, or the residual effects of those negative things, we, ‘yes we’, allowed to take resident in our mind, spirit and heart. However, we need to understand God would not grant a peace without equipping us with the necessary resources to sustain, and He always affirms, confirms, and fortifies His truth in our lives. All the walls which currently separate can be taken down, abolished, and destroyed. See all walls, whether physical or psychological, tangible or intangible eventually are broken, totally destroyed; even though sometimes it is too late… Marvin Winans sings this song – ‘You Just Don’t Wanna Know’, and I recommend a listen to it. Let the words speak to you because it takes you to a place, reminding us of our actions that create our problems. Yet, he also follows it up with ‘I still believe’ reminding us no matter what happens, we should still need to believe, because of God’s unconditional love grants us peace, we seek…smiling…We just need to let go, and for those who do not want to move forward, it is not on you but them. So, we can let go of the things we assume protected us, or help us to stand, when they only really separated us from God’s peace and grace and the people we loved; have peace established…

I wrote this not just because it was a good ideas, it was something I had to address in my life. My spiritual growth was hindered as I held on the madness, I thought I was justified and okay for me to embrace. Then I realized, I like the individuals in my life, I did not want to know the truth lying in front me, or acknowledge it had manifested into an ugliness I had no control; it now controlled me…and the walls of fear began falling down, the foundation began crumbling as the insecurity wane weak, and the grounding poles cracked as the truth was revealed and settle let the dust around me….

What happens when reality do not match our expectations?

What happens when reality do not match our expectations? Do embrace the reality and the challenge to seek truth? Do we become angry and have our disappointment manifest itself in myriad ways; we forget why we are angry? Are do we release in the will of God, submit control, and be free from a self-imposed prison of fear draped anger? I will submit most of us will do the former, and not even consider the latter because we desire what we want, and not willing to accept anything less. What we do not realize in our refusal to accept the reality before us and seek truth, we begin a slippery slope of increase probability of disappointment and selfish focus perspective. While being provided with only glimpse, vignettes of a truth eluding us. All because we do not let the transformative power of Christ, which teaches all experiences speak, teach, and enrich, if we are the apt student who is willing to listen, seek, and acquiesce to God supreme reign and power. We then can act from the position of victory, not defeat. See, as long as our expectations dictate to us, what should be without seeking truth, we shall find ourselves engrossed in constant battles of unrest and disharmony...What happens when reality and expectations do not match? We are able to ‘see’ the diversity of our Lord’s unconditional love, become aware of his mercy tempered justice, and embrace his greatness and his compassionate heart as we have our lives change along with our perspective.

Change is serious business

I am about to get on a soapbox. Why? It is this word ‘change’. This word has been used as the buzz word, even before Obama. It was the key word used among religious and non-religious leader who have been pontificating about change for awhile. Well, first let us get one thing straight, change is the only thing that is a constant in this world. It is here, there, everywhere, whether we acknowledge it or not. Now, with that being said, let us all be clear about what changing is about. The bible states in Proverbs 27:17 - Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another (HSCB). Now what do you think this verse is talking about? Well there is going to be some conflict, disagreement, some spark will fly (ever seen iron sharpening iron?), struggle, clash, you all get the picture. Now which of us think of these things when we think about change? I would venture to say, nil to none. You also see nothing in it about being disagreeable, or being resistant or trying to convince another to your way, rather implies this is part of the change, growth and we should accept it. With that being said, how many people you know embrace the idea of change with the welcoming arms of ‘I am ready for this’. Or do you find change is desired but we are not willing to do the work to accomplish it because it is too much time, too hard, and too psychologically or emotionally taxing. All because it hits sensitive spots, someone does not think he/she needs to change, or you have been bitten by that dog before and know holding them accountable does not work. See, no one really wants to do what this verse says, Hebrews 12:1 Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us (NASB). True change requires for us to lay aside the things encumbering us, entangling us, and confining us, and fest up to the others who are looking at us as example in the flurry of this world (for they are many). WE have to let go of our self-righteous ego secure in the familiar, expectations grounded in our hurt, focus riddled with our unforgiveness, and perspective frame by our fear. We have to live this life with this verse in mind Rom. 12:2 - Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God. (HSCB), and come out on the other side with grace blessed peace and convergence merciful love.
REM: Bittler people do not get better, only more bitter (Bishop Tutu)

Delayed but not denied...confused but not confined...tested but not defeated...laugh at but loved...sacrficed but blessed...for the Father's mercy endures forever and his love is beyond our imagination...as his ways is above our understanding....

Behold

Acts 16:27-30 - When the jailer woke up and saw the doors of the prison open, he drew his sword and was going to kill himself, since he thought the prisoners had escaped. But Paul called out in a loud voice, "Don't harm yourself, because all of us are here!" Then the jailer called for lights, rushed in, and fell down trembling before Paul and Silas. Then he escorted them out and said, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" (HSCB)
Behold is not just to see, say, or do, it includes an awestruck all engulfing revelation that echoes through our entire being. It is an expectancy of greatness bore out of the little things. The courage to tell any storm, trial, or problem, how big our God is, not the other way around. It resonates in all as a majestic whisper that send chills. The melodic love touch the channels of mercy temper justice pulsating in our soul. The keen sense of an epochal moment has occurred as a spiritual awareness rest, and warm tears move smoothly upon your face. Our senses have been overwhelmed by the true price of love and sacrifice, it looks beyond the muck and disagreeable to meet the unmet need and unseen hurt releasing celestial peace.
Behold an alerted compassion consciousness of ‘another chance’ while raining blessing to teach. It illustrates our admittance of mistakes made, grants a higher purpose focus because failure is not finality in the Father’s hands. Behold the positive power of change that only the soul speaks, neither tongues men nor angels understand, the scales upon our eyes fall, and ownership of truth is given, not a maybe. Behold, the moment where humanity meets divinity and man sees what the life, death, and resurrection of Christ was all about….