We walk around like we are owed something not knowing if this day will be our last. We walk past folk & won’t speak because we are having a bad day, but have you watched the news lately, your day could be worse? We see somebody in trouble & won’t stop because we are too busy but while you are rushing you might be missing your blessing. We have this but won’t share that because we are too selfish to offer the little that God has blessed us with but have you read the paper lately, you could be one of the thousands homeless. We know it & won’t tell it because we are scared that folks will know that you love the Lord. Yet you wonder your territory is still the same size! Haven’t you heard that God inhabits the praise of his people (Psalm 22:3)? Now inhabits means to live or to be found in something or a particular place. Simply saying, if you praise God then he’ll be in you. Now, I know that God is everywhere, but if you praise him he’ll be IN YOU! Don’t you realize or do you even care that we are here today and gone today? Yet you continue being hateful, stepping on folk trying to get to the top and then when you get there, it’s nothing like you thought it would be and now you’re reaching for somebody’s hand to help you down. Have you not heard about Jesus, the man who struggled to bear a cross even though he never sinned, a man drug from judgment hall to judgment hall, even though he’d done no wrong? A man made to wear a crown of thorns even though he was the Son of a King. A man who was beaten all night long even after he saved folks, healed illnesses and rebuked enemies. A man, who went to Calvary, was hung, pierced in his side, hands and feet but still managed to ask for the forgiveness of those who hung with him. A man who saved a simple little wretch like you and me even when we don’t deserve it and a man, who still comes when we call his name no matter how long it’s been. If you don’t know the man you should get 2 know him before your time draws near. There’s no sense living in Hell only to die and go to Hell!
It’s time out for foolishness and now time to say goodbye to all the things that keeps us bound in sin. I am reposting a devotion I shared a few months back entitled Dear John Letter. See, I think it’s fitting for today because with the way the world is now, as Christians, we’ve got to get it together. I heard on last night that the number eleven (11), in the bible, means chaos and the number twelve (12) means divine authority or appointment. So, if your 2011 was chaotic, then in 2012 it’s time to receive your divine authority. You have to say goodbye to all those things than contributed to the chaos in 2011. Say goodbye to all the people and things that held in you chaos in 2011 and receive the divine authority and appointment that God has for you. Leave this letter for all the things you want to leave in the past and move!
Dear John, (Jealousy. Obstacles. Hurt. Negativity)
If you’re reading this letter it’s because I’ve had enough and this is goodbye. To you our time together has been great but to me, not so much. You only come around to destroy and make me unhappy and I can no longer take it. See, I’ve found this Man who has promised me Joy if I trust him. He said he would be my umbrella when you show up with your rain, thunder and lightning. He said he would give me strength on the days you’re in my way. Those days when you folk mean things for my bad. This Man has always been there for me to find but I couldn’t see his grace because I was worried about you and your jealousy. I couldn’t see his mercy because of what folk were saying and I was so busy worried about you & folks of this world that I almost missed out on the praise that was hidden in my heart. I was so used to your negativity that I haven’t even used the gifts that I he gave me.
But, I must thank you. I thank you for the times you have showed up because you’ve made me strong enough to handle you. When folk talk about me, this Man gives me prayer to handle it. When your storm starts he has given me faith to praise my way through it. When you place obstacles he has given me strength to climb them. When you speak negativity he has given me a spirit of discernment to know the difference. So, I can’t say I’ve enjoyed the time together but I appreciate what you’ve taken me through because I’m stronger now. I know now that I’m worthy of being blessed, I know now that trouble doesn’t last always and I know now that I can do all things through Christ because he strengthens me.
Who is this Man of whom I speak? Who is this Man who gives me joy the world can’t take? Who is this Man that blesses me even when I don’t deserve? Who is this Man who has taken your place? His name is Jesus and it’s the sweetest name I know. He gives me this feeling deep down in my soul that makes me want to run when no one is chasing me. He makes me want to dance when there is no music. He makes me want to shout in the midst of a crowd. This Man has a hold on me that I don’t want to let go of. He told me to pack your bags. I’ve placed them on the curb by the street. Don’t worry about the keys because the locks have been changed and you’re no longer welcome. You don’t have to go home but you have to get Hell out of here because there’s no room for you here! If you happen to stop by and see the house rocking, it’s a praise party that you’re cordially invited too. I’m not worried about you causing a scene because he’ll be there to cut you off. So come on by, because when you knock he’ll answer!
Sincerely,
God’s Child
See, it’s time that we allow the word to work for us. Isaiah 40:8 says “The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever.” When you have God, you’re built upon a firm foundation that cannot be moved. Yea, the enemy will attack but it won’t matter because God’s word is handling it all. Matthew 7:25 says “The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock.” Donald Lawrence says in his song, “Let the Word do the Work,” One word away! One word away! The power of life and death is in what you say. One word away! One word away! If you start confessing, you will start possessing the key to your success is a word away! Read the word for yourself and if you don’t understand it, ask somebody. We are our brother’s and our sister’s keepers. Let the word handle the folks on your job, in your house and your enemies. God’s is much more powerful than we could ever be!
Lakisha, the Author 