A Global Vision

Posted on May 18, 2012 by Leah

But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. – Matthew 6:33

Would you say that you have a local or a global vision? A good indication is determined by examining how many times you say I, me or mine in a given day. Many times the struggles we face in life cast a shadow and skew our vision of a grander scheme. When this happens, it creates a wall that keeps us boxed in to a local setting. In our mind’s eye, it appears that there is absolutely nothing beyond those confines.

In order to open our minds up to think globally, it will require a conscious effort on our part. It requires great discernment so that we can rise above our circumstances and not getting draw into the world wind of extinguishing every fire that come our way, in which I might add is a popular tactic of the enemy. If he can keep us preoccupied and distracted then our vision stays trapped in the here and now.

Obtaining a global vision is such a freeing experience. It opens up a world of opportunities. It make past worries seem miniscule as things are put in its proper perspective. It beckons one to let go of the reigns of the things that he or she is essentially powerless over anyway and realize that God is truly in control. As we look outside of self and care about the things that are close to God’s heart, it frees Him up to care about the things that are close to our hearts.

Prayer

Lord, I thank You for leaving me with an instruction manual that tells me how You expect me to conduct life. Help me to keep my eyes and heart fixed on the global vision of advancing Your kingdom.

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Self Gratification or Godly Satisfaction?

Posted on May 17, 2012 by Leah

In the morning, LORD, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly. – Psalm 5:3 (NIV)

 If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! – Matthew 7:11

Would you pride yourself as possessing the ability to see what you want and go out and get it? We live in a society where instant gratification is so prevalent. As a matter of fact, it is the force that drives many to carry out their everyday actions. There is a deep longing to feed an internal desire to get what is wanted, right now.

Some work harder and longer to attain their heart’s desires, even to the point of not really being able to enjoy it. Others attempt to take shortcuts by engaging in “get rich quick” schemes. Still others engage in illegal acts because making an honest living doesn’t necessarily accommodate instant gratification.

I have come to realize that the best gifts are those that have been unexpectedly provided for me by the Lord. As a matter of fact, it has gotten to the point that I typically refrain from rewarding myself because nothing that I can get on my own comes remotely close to what God can and will provide. Be encouraged to resist falling prey to instant gratification…wait on the Lord and allow Him to wow you by the good gifts that only He can provide.

Prayer

Lord, I thank You that instant gratification has failed to me leave me feeling satisfied but has instead left me feeling more empty than before. It has allowed me to experience Your goodness at a whole new level in which I equate to as Godly satisfaction.

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Cutting and Pruning

Posted on May 16, 2012 by Leah

He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. – John 15:2 (NIV)

Has a season in your life come to an end…possibly a relationship or a job? At times, it can feel like a death of some sort has occurred. Do you find yourself staring into the tomb in hopeful expectation that what has just come to an end will be restored back to life?

An important thing to remember is that the tomb is not where God intends for you to encamp. It should only serve as a brief stop in your entire journey. God cuts off from our lives people and things that are not essential elements of our destiny. Believe it or not, this is actually for our benefit. If He did not do so, it would be like dragging along a heavy sand bag every where we go.

It is time to lift your head up. You can trust God even though you don’t fully understand His methods. He is trust worthy because He always has your best interest on the forefront of His mind. Gaze upon the things in your life that He has pruned…before long you will see new growth and be amazed at the way He has worked things out.

Prayer

Lord, I thank You above all that You know what is best for my life. I place my trust in You as You cut away everything in my life that would only weigh me down and You prune the things that will enhance my service to You.

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God Always Provides Enough

Posted on May 15, 2012 by Leah

What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? – Romans 8:31-32 (NIV)

Do you feel that you lack the resources to carry out the assignment that God has given to you? Are you tired of struggling and wondering how you will make it? When you have surrendered your life and are doing everything in your power to serve God, shouldn’t your circumstances become easier instead of becoming more difficult?

The truth of the matter is that there is an enemy that is opposed to God and until Jesus returns in glory, we will have to function with this opposition pressing in on us. Even though God has the power to annihilate the enemy, He chooses to use his tactics and turn them into a workout session to build our spiritual muscles and increase our faith.

The amount that you have to work with may make your situation a bit tight, but with God it is always right. If it is a God-ordained assignment, He will always provide enough. Don’t fret! God has an ulterior motive to see His dream become a reality. Be flexible…it may require you to tap into God’s creativity to stretch what you have in order to make it enough.

Prayer

Lord, I thank You that despite opposition I can always count on You to provide enough so that I can carry out your mission in my life.

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Happy Mother’s Day

Posted on May 11, 2012 by Leah

She gets up while it is still night; she provides food for her family and portions for her female servants. She considers a field and buys it; out of her earnings she plants a vineyard. She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks.  –  Proverbs 31:15-17 (NIV)

Do you ever covet the excellent attributes of this Proverbs 31 woman? I don’t know about you but on days that I try the hardest, those are the days that I seem to fail miserably. I put on my super woman cape on each morning and vow to be excellent at everything I put my hands to. How could it be that, at least in one area, I typically experience a neon sign overhead flashing “failure”?

Who would be better at answering these questions than God himself? One thing that I have come to realize is that God is never short of answers. I have also come to realize that if I am going to ask these questions, then I need to be ready to respond accordingly. God revealed to me that I must check my motives which precede my every action.

Many times, as women, we compare ourselves to the ideal woman. In order to measure up, we typically fill our schedules with task that were never intended for us to take on. Also, we allow our emotions to dictate our actions…after all, we want to please the people we are serving. The Proverbs 31 woman may have worn many hats but her accomplishments were precisely prescribed by God. She performed well what the Lord had called her to because her heart was bent on her actions pleasing the Lord, not man.

Prayer

Lord, I thank You for granting me the privilege to be a mother. Give me the fortitude necessary to allow You to dictate what gets placed on my to do list and to realize that as long as I do it all unto You then that is sufficient.

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From Victim to Victor

Posted on May 10, 2012 by Leah

But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. – 1 Corinthians 15:57 (NIV)

Are you a victim of someone’s self-centered reckless behavior? Perhaps your personhood has been violated emotionally and or physically. Doesn’t the perpetrator know that there are well defined boundaries that he or she should not be crossed? What possesses them to think that they actually have a right to overstep those boundaries?

If experiencing the act itself were not painful enough, in order to receive healing, one must work through a process to receive freedom from the offense. Many begin to work through the issue but once they feel the sting of the wound beginning to reopen they stop short of receiving complete healing. Unfortunately, time is of the essence. It seems that the more time that is allowed to go by, the deeper the wound gets.

The truth of the matter is that holding on to a victim mentality will only rob you of experiencing the victory God has in store for you. If you haven’t done so yet, forgive the perpetrator (it may be that this act is done just between you and God). Forgiving and releasing doesn’t excuse the perpetrator, it merely releases the anchor that has been weighing you down all this time. It also provides a healing balm that will heal the wound from the inside out.

Prayer

Lord, I thank You that with Your help I can receive victory in exchange for the victimization. I thank You that You are singing a victory song over me right now.

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Transforming Disappointments into Divine Appointments

Posted on May 8, 2012 by Leah

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. – Romans 8:28 (NIV)

Have you experienced a disappointment in your life? Odds are, if you have not experienced one lately you probably will in the near future. Life is filled with disappointments. In no way am I trying to be pessimistic. Even Jesus experienced disappointments. Part of being human and living in this fallen world, means that you will not experience total perfection here.

If we fail to accept that disappointments on this side of heaven are inevitable, then we tend to “white knuckle” it throughout life. Essentially, we hang on for dear life. The sooner we accept the fact that disappointments are to be expected then we can loosen up and enjoy the ride in life.

God would like to take our disappointments and transform them into divine appointments. What I mean to say is that nothing we go through, no matter how bad, has to be wasted. We have the opportunity to not allow the disappointments to keep us down but we can allow God to use them as setups for a comeback.

Prayer

Lord, I thank You that You are in the recycling business. Inevitable disappointments are not meant to keep me down. They are meant to be transformed into divine appointments to be used as a platform to stage miraculous comebacks.

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Don’t Broadcast Your Forecast

Posted on May 7, 2012 by Leah

This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly. But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. – Matthew 1:18-20; 24 (NIV)

Has God given you a vision of what He wants to do in and through your life? The forecast is generally given in order to prepare our hearts and shape our lives to receive the promise. Since God’s ways are higher than ours, most times it takes the entire preparation process before we fully understand how the forecast He gave us in the spirit will equate to in the natural. If we are not careful, we will try to sift it through our finite reasoning system based on our present level of understanding. God character is multi-faceted so where He is trying to take us will always require a fresh new level of understanding.

One problem you may face, which is a lesson I had to learn the hard way, is that you feel a need to broadcast the forecast you received from God. In my case, I felt the need to explain it before hand so that when it did happen people would know it was the move of God and not something I fabricated. That possesses another problem…if can’t fully comprehend it yourself, how can you expect another person to receive it?

One thing to remember is that if the forecast was indeed from God, He will make it come to pass despite any and all opposition. Also, He is fully capable of confirming His message to those in need of receiving confirmation. Once it comes to pass, there still may be many who will not understand or accept the mission God has called you to. That is perfectly fine. The objective is to stay focused and to walk out in obedience the vision God has called you to.

Prayer

Lord, I thank You that You have given me a forecast of what You plan to do in and through my life. Help me to hold it close to my heart as You shape my life in a manner to take hold of that calling. I thank You that I can leave it up to the Holy Spirit to broadcast the message in due time to whomever You so choose.

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God is Still in Control

Posted on May 4, 2012 by Leah

You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. – Matthew 24:6 (NIV)
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. – Romans 8:28 (NIV)

Like me, do you find it depressing to watch the news? It is saturated with reports of one breathtaking injustice after another. Based on these reports, it appears that the moral fabric of our world is unraveling before our very eyes. From a worldly perspective, it appears that evil is winning.

When watching the news, it is essential to find a happy medium when absorbing all this information. The object is to become better informed about our surroundings, but not to the point that we feel inundated. If we allow it to inundate us, then we are lured into the enemy’s territory which beckons that we minimize God’s power and falsely elevate satan’s power.

The reason why things have not yet totally unraveled is because of God’s sovereignty…He is still large, in charge and in control. He is the mastermind behind the scene who consistently takes bad situations and yields beautiful masterpieces. He is in the restoration business, whereas He can take a grim situation and give us a restored finished product. He is also well known for His ability to reach into nothingness and bring forth something that He considers “very good”.

Prayer

Lord, I thank You that You function as an independent being Who is not rendered motionless when evil appears to prevail. You have the uncanny ability of allowing things to play out, but yet at the appropriate time step into the forefront and turn things around for the good.

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The Cross Precedes the Crown

Posted on May 3, 2012 by Leah

Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory. – Romans 8:17 (NIV)

Has God revealed to you how He is going to do a great and mighty work in and through you? As a Christ follower, if you still have breath, God wants to do something great in and through you in order to advance His kingdom. None of us was put on this earth for mere existence, but instead we were put here to know Christ and to make Him known.

A pattern I have observed in my own life has been that God gives me a vision of the end result of what He wants to accomplish through me. Over time I have learned to count the cost of what the process will entail for God to take me from point A to point B. From my own experience, it has always involved a cross in order to get to the crown, whereas the vision is brought to complete fruition.

I don’t speak of counting the cost as a means of saying “no thank You” to God. Counting the cost is a process I go through in order to anchor down and not get thrown totally off course when trouble comes my way. If Jesus, the One who knew no sin, had to carry a cross in order to receive the crown, what does that say for you and me?

Prayer

Lord, I am honored that You would choose to use me, a mere human, as an instrument to carry out Your purpose and plan. Help me to count the cost before I accept the invitation to join in Your work. In that way, I will be less likely to abort the mission when things don’t go as smooth as I had planned.

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