Category Archives: Christian Living
Living Weak and perfect..
This year has been a great start for me. I have started taking classes in pursuit of a college degree. It has not been easy; but, anything worth doing is not easy. I am finding more about myself than at any other time in my life. I have noticed that I have a lot to learn about the process of college as well as learning the subject matter. For any working adult who is doing online school; meanwhile, supporting a family, I am praying for YOU. I want you to know that your not alone in the struggle. As you read further my prayer is that you are blessed but this friday focus.
2 Corinthians 12:9
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
Online education forces you to prioritize your time, no doubt about it. As I read the above scripture I was feeling low in my studies. I had a lot of pride in myself using past accomplishments as a false conception for school. Let me assure you that it was completely deflated within the first week. I am glad I can run to the bible for comfort.
Paul was feeling low too; although, his reasons were more severe. He did uncover a valuable truth: God’s power is made perfect in our weaknesses. His strength, his source is embodied in earthen vessels that are broken, and casted as refuse by society’s standards.
Think about that. In order for us to fully become perfected by God, we must be equally humbled and pursuaded that our source comes from our dependency upon the heavenly Father. It is this expession we can boldly claim the grace that paul revealed what was told to him bt the almighty.
When we fail, frustrated or overwhelmed. Recognize that the grace the Lord gives is sufficient for your situation. When you feel low please, meditate on that little nugget this week. If you are in ministry; consider those who may not know this gift of grace.
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….2016…
Amazing, we had a small celebration at the house this morning. This is the first year that my son has stayed up till midnight , the party was more for him. But we did have a great time. So this morning as I write you what I believe our theme is for the year many thoughts come to mind. I have been praying asking the Lord to guide me. I don’t want to follow what’s popular yet , I don’t want to be to spooky either, ha ha. So I believe my theme this year is “seek Him.”
Seek the Lord while he is able to be found! All that I hope and set out to do will glorify him this year. I resolve to know him more and to share with you the reader things that have struck and stay with me. You are in for a wild ride, maybe through the adventures that I share, it may bring you to know Him yourself. I hope you stick with me on the journey to fulfilling purpose and destiny. Not just in mine but yours as well. Take care and God bless you!
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Friday Focus: be quick to listen….
“Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:”James 1:19 KJV
http://bible.com/1/jas.1.19.kjv
Ever hear the old adage? “God gave you two ears so you can listen twice as much as you speak.” Now before you stop reading, hear me out(no pun intended).
As ministers and leaders this weekend lets really hear our brother and sisters real need. Go past the “I’m fine” and hear what the spirit is telling you. I’m going to share a story , I had a guy at work come up to me and said he needed to talk, we went to the flight line and he began to tell me that his mom was sick, he went into detail on how the doctors were checking out the lab work and later explained the painful process of recovery, if she survived the surgery. I tried to reassure him that everything would work out, though he shot down any form of hope. More on that later……
When folks speak to us are we really hearing what their need is? Jesus had Pastor-ed in this way, he preached the word but he also met the need, even to a fault. He gave them spiritual bread, but also met their physical hunger. We as followers of Christ are to meet both in order for the germination of their faith to take place. For example, we can preach on getting out of drugs or stop dealing in sin but never meet the need by helping them to rehab or helping them find alternatives to sin is as bad as, giving guns to solders without ammunition and sending them to the front of the battle hoping they will survive. Sorry about the rant, back to my story.
BE QUICK TO LISTEN..
Finally I said. “Brother, do you mind if we stop this conversation and just prayed that God would have his way and that we listen and agree to what He says.” He agreed. That opened up a door for the Holy Spirit to do what the word has promised. Sure enough , mom has since recovered and back to full speed. Why? Because I listened to what was the need. Which was pray and give the situation over to the Lord.
SLOW TO SPEAK …
Communication is actually threefold transaction between two groups. I have learned that there are three phases of effective communication and they are Sending the message. Receiving the message and, the Interpretation of the message. All transactions are needed. Additionally, If the triad is disrupted in either action to the remaining two? The consequences can be grievous. We combat this by first, listening to the message, getting a clear understanding of what was said and then, speaking. It is very hard to be slow to speak while listening to the dialog and formulating a response simultaneously .
Next week we will look at becoming slow to anger. So please join me as I share my thoughts next Friday. You are awesome Leaders and Pastors. You are blooming where you are planted and I firmly believe that the Lord is not done with you yet! The best is on its way look for the harvest not the lack. Pay attention to the leading of the spirit, not the empty pews. You are making it everyday don’t quit. I’m praying for you! What are your thoughts?
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