Daily Devotional – 2/16/12 “It’s just a season change!”

I know that today somebody might be feeling like God isn’t hearing their prayers, but I am here to tell you that he is. When it seems like one moment you’re walking on top of the world and the next the world is on top of you, it’s simply your season changing. Don’t believe me? Then you need to read Ecclesiastes 3:1 which says, “To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven.” See, God works in seasons in our life, why do you think we have 4 seasons of weather? The same way we experience the season of winter, spring, summer and fall; we experience seasons in our Christian life. We experience winter when the storms that are raging in our lives cause ice to be on the ground which causes us to slip and fall back into worldly desires. The storm causes power outages, which is the light of God, from shining in our lives to keep us from doing right. The wind blows hard which causes us to turn back to some of the old things we use to do when we weren’t fit to live and too mean to die and the rain causes us to run and hide indoors instead of going to worship service and out into the world to tell folks about the goodness and the mercy of God. Yea, we experience a winter season, in our life, but it’s not meant to take us out it is simply preparing us for the next season, spring.

During the spring season, the storms are still there but they aren’t as bad as winter. Yea, you’ll experience a lot of rain but you’ve got used to it now, so you’re prepared with your rain boots and umbrella. Yea, you still have moments that cause you to hide inside when the thunder is so loud, it rattles the windows but you’re a little more capable of handling it, better than you were in the previous season. See, now when the rain falls in ways of more bills than money, a slight cold, a few gossiping friends and messy family members, you’re able to withstand because your light of God, is no longer out. It may not be shining as bright as it should but it’s still on and you even go to church a few Sunday’s during this season. You’ve started to pray a little now because you don’t feel like all hell is breaking loose in your world and you’ve started to see a little sun shining through the clouds because you read in the bible in 2 Corinthians 4:17, “For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.” You realize that even though the rain is falling, it’s still not meant to take you out, just making you a little stronger and preparing you for the next season, summer.

During the summer season, the storm clouds are few and far between and some days you wish for a few just so you can get a little shade from the sun that is shining constantly. You’re no longer hiding on the inside from the rain because you’re going to church more, bible study and Sunday school, you pray more for yourself and others and you even find yourself helping more. You realize that God wasn’t ignoring your requests; he was getting you ready to be able to handle the blessings that he was sending your way. During this season, your praise is more real than it has ever been, your marriage/relationship seems to be going good, the kids are acting right, you got a little money left after paying bills, you got the job you applied for (the one you wanted) and all seems to be well. You’ve had an occasional set-back but you realize that it’s just a set-up for what God has for you, so you don’t allow it to stop your praise. You are really enjoying this season in your life but soon, things start happening. The wind is picking up and it has blown the death angel into your home and he took momma with him. The leaves are falling outside and the tears are falling on the inside because the doctor says cancer. The weather is starting to get a little chilly and so is the relationship between you and your spouse because it seems like things were just going good, now you’re asking, “What’s happening?” The kids are acting up in school, job is stressful and the car keeps cutting off. This isn’t God taking his hands off of you; it’s simply you going into your fall season. See, during this season, the devil is trying to get you to fall so he’s keeping his hands on your back, pushing, but keep reading God’s word that says, “Though they stumble, they will never fall, for the LORD holds them by the hand (Psalm 37:24).” Then if you do happen to fall, read Psalm 20:8 that says, “They are brought to their knees and fall, but we rise up and stand firm.” God didn’t say you wouldn’t have moments of falling as long as you get back up. Don’t allow the fall season to take you out because it’s just getting you ready to go into your next season.

There isn’t a certain way our seasons appear and it really doesn’t matter how they come as long as you trust God through them. Don’t give up just because the weight on your shoulders seems to be getting heavier, hold on! Just because the sun isn’t shining all day like it was before, hold on! You weren’t meant to experience a summer of fun all of your life because how would you appreciate the sun without the rain? How would you appreciate not living paycheck to paycheck if you had all you needed all the time? How would you appreciate being well if you were never sick and how can you appreciate having when you’ve never been without? We all experience the different seasons of change but they are not meant to take us out, simply preparing us to face the next one. We don’t all experience them together like we do the seasons of weather but we still experience them. Just know, praise God in and out of your seasons because the SON can still shine when it’s raining! Haven’t you seen the rain falling and the sun shining at the same time, that’s God working. When the weather man says we will experience scattered showers, you can usually drive down the street and it’s raining, but if you keep driving through, the rain stops. Well, it’s the same way with God. If you keep driving through your storm, you’ll eventually drive out onto drive land and although you might not experience the sun because it’s still cloudy, you’re able to see better. Isn’t that good news? All you have to do to experience better visibility and sometimes even the sun, is to keep driving through your storm! God hasn’t given up on you when hard times come, it simply your season changing. Hold on!

Daily Devotional – 2/15/12 “A little stress is sometimes necessary!”

I know that this title sounds crazy but let me explain. If your life was always easy what would you work hard for? If you woke up without needing anything, would you try hard to get more? See, sometimes having a little stress gives you a lot of reasons to relax. Stress makes you better because it makes you stronger and in your strength you are more determined to do and be better at whatever you strive for. When you have stress, you’ll thank God for being able to make a meal out of the few things you have in the refrigerator because you don’t want your family hungry. When you have stress about making it home with no gas and no money, you’ll thank God for letting you make it because you get paid the next day. When you have stress over your car not starting or not having a way here and there, it’ll make you appreciate the car you eventually get. Sometimes a little stress comes at the right time to let you know that all you have can be gone if you don’t appreciate and work hard for it.

Is all stress good, no because a lot of stress can lead to depression and/or suicide but I didn’t say you need a lot, just a little every now and then. See, when you work hard for the things you got/get, it makes you appreciate them more. When you work hard for your marriage you appreciate your spouse more for the small things and not just the big ones. When you hard work to get and keep the house you got, then you appreciate it by decorating and keeping it looking good. When you work hard on staying healthy and keeping your temple (your body) clean, then you’ll appreciate when you don’t get sick. See, when you work hard for things you have, you have a better chance of keeping them because whose willing to lose something they’ve invested years in or gained with their sweat and tears?

Now, don’t get me wrong I am not wishing stress on anyone because Philippians 4:6 says, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God,” but what I am saying is sometimes a little stress doesn’t hurt. See, its those times that you’re stressed that makes you talk to God more. Its those times that you’re stressed that makes you pray more and its those times that you’re stressed that makes you praise more. Having a little stress even makes you study God’s word more, so yea, sometimes a little stress is needed. Stress comes when you’re tired because you have a lot of stuff running through your mind about things you’ve got to do tomorrow but the bible says in Matthew 6:34, “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own” so make a list of things to do and go to bed. Stress comes at the moment you’re running late for an important meeting or doctors appointment, but it’ll teach you to get up a little earlier so you won’t have this problem again. Stress is present when you’re going through a sickness but it’ll make you appreciate your well days. Stress, also, shows up when you’re dealing with the death of a loved one but it’ll make you cherish the times and memories of them so much more.

A little stress makes you tough enough to endure the storms you’ll face in this life. With that little stress that you face you’re able to stand and look the devil and his followers in their face when they try to attack your life. Stress makes you strong and in your strength you gain salvation from the holy spirit who resides with you daily and in those moments when it seems like the stress is winning, the Holy Spirit intercedes on your behalf. The bible says in Romans 8:26, “In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express.” So, see dealing with and handling the little bit of stress that comes your way makes you capable of then handling the blessings that God is about to send your way. Think of it like this, stress leads to blessings because if you stress a little, you work harder to not endure the same stress again which makes you appreciate the blessings that God has in store for you! When all else fails, stressed spelled backwards is desserts, so have a few and let it go! Put it in God’s hands and let him work it out. Everything that you have or that you’ll get won’t come easily but it makes keeping them that much better!

Daily Devotional – 2/13/12 “We all have a time!”

It’s amazing how folks can condemn someone else to Heaven or Hell, when they are barely living right themselves. James 4:12 says, “There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the one who is able to save and destroy. But you–who are you to judge your neighbor?” You speculate over where I will go once the death angel comes, but it isn’t your place to know. It doesn’t matter how Whitney Houston died because the fact still remains that God sent the death angel to kiss her to sleep and when it’s time, she will stand in judgment in front of God and not man. Ecclesiastes 3:17 says, “I said in my heart, God will judge the righteous and the wicked, for there is a time for every matter and for every work.” See, God is the only one that determines where we spend eternity but we’ve gotten so caught up in worldly mess that we are missing God’s message because he states in Ecclesiastes 3:1, “There is an appointed time for everything. And there is a time for every event under heaven.” We all have to die; we just don’t know the date or time and it don’t matter how as long as we have a place to rest in afterwards. If we spent as much time focusing on making preparations to spend eternity with God as we do with mess, our lives will be better. We have to stop focusing on arguing with this person or fighting with that person because you may not have as much time here as you think. If you don’t believe me, read the obituaries in the paper and you’ll soon realize the ages of those dying are getting younger by the day at the hands of violence or suicide from peer pressure. We, as Christians, have to get it together. Spend time teaching the young folks how to pray and praise God instead of dancing and rapping. Teach them what it means to dance in church instead of a club on Saturday. Teach them what it means to shout Jesus when trouble comes instead of texting their gang for help. Teach the young and the old about the power of God and how he can give you rest when you’ve tossed and turned all night. Teach them how the goodness of God will allow $20 to stretch for 3 days when you didn’t think it would. Teach them how it’s wrong to sin and because they do sin, they have consequences to face. How can we expect our youth and young adults to be respectful and fearful of God if we never tell them what it means to be?

Yes, we all have an appointed time with death which is why you live your funeral daily. It doesn’t really matter about the ending date on your headstone but it’s about what you did while you lived, so live a life that’s worth the words that folks will speak over you in death. Don’t live a meaningless life and then have folks to lie over your casket. Leave a life that is worth speaking about so that when you leave this world, we can gladly say, “Take you rest until it is time to rejoice in Heaven.” Just because you write Rest in Peace, doesn’t mean this will actually happen if you’ve served the devil all your life. If you are not able to say, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing (2 Timothy 4:7-8),” then you have some work to do. Start today.

  • First step, invite God into your life; Revelation 3:20 says, “Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.”
  • Second step, repent for your sins because the bible tells us in Acts 3:19, “Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord.”
  • Third step, keep God’s commandments, for John 15:10 says, “If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father’s commands and remain in his love.”
  • Fourth step, love your neighbor, help those in need, pray for those who are afflicted, study God’s word and humble yourself. 2 Chronicles 7:14 says, “if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”
  • Fifth step, tell the world about God because you are responsible for bringing other souls to Christ to be redeemed because James 5:20 says, “ remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of his way will save him from death and cover over a multitude of sins.” It is up to us, as Christians, to save others. I don’t mean beating them down when you catch them doing wrong, but if you live a life that is pleasing to God every time they see you, and then they will want to get to know God for themselves.

    • We have to get back to doing God’s business. Will the road always be easy to travel, no but the reward that awaits you is worth enduring the bumps. Will all your days be sunny and full of happiness, no but God has equipped you with the things needed to handle the storm and God is your joy. Will you always get what you ask for no matter how big or small, no but when God shows up he is always on time. Will the enemy stop his attacks the moment you let God in, no because then his attacks gets harder, but God is your strength and I know it to be true that what Gods ordains, he gives you the means to maintain. We all have a time to die from this world but it’ll be alright if you’re on the Lord’s side because to be absent from this body means you are present with the Lord. It’s time to get ourselves right because no matter how/when we die, we all have to stand in the judgment line before God and it is then and only then will our destination be decided. Man can’t send you to Heaven or Hell because Man didn’t create it, only God has the power. Isaiah 33:22 says, <strong>“For the LORD is our judge, the LORD is our lawgiver, the LORD is our king; it is he who will save us.” God is the only one with the final say and I just pray that when the train to Glory is getting ready to leave, you’re on board!

    Daily Devotional – 2/10/12 “Keep Living!”

    There was a man, an attorney, who was always in a rush. He got up in the morning rushing to shower, brush his teeth, dress, and eat breakfast only to rush to the car. He drove fast to whatever destination always blowing the horn when someone wasn’t driving fast enough in front of him. He would always rush to get to his desk so that he could check email messages, voicemails and to get a jump start before his co-workers arrived because he was the top attorney in the office and he felt like nothing could stop him. One day he received a memo about the upcoming changes in the law firm because of the death of the owner but he didn’t care because he had heard about the owner’s wife and she was “godly” and this was something he didn’t believe in. So, a few days later, while rushing off the elevator, he bumped into this woman who was waiting to get on and not having the time to even see if she was alright, he said sorry and kept on running. She tried to stop him to talk but he didn’t have the time. The next morning, the same woman was in the office at the exact same spot as yesterday and again she tried speaking to him but he was in too much of a rush to even notice, but she did. See, that memo that he received talk about the new owner of the law firm and how she would be in the office every morning to meet the members of her staff but he had thrown it away without reading it completely. She was recently widowed and her husband was the owner of the firm and since he was no longer alive, the ownership shifted to her. Now, on the 3rd day of her being at the elevator when he got off, she finally stopped him. She went to introduce herself but he told her he didn’t have time at the moment and if she needed anything to see the receptionist but again she tried to talk. Now, he was really frustrated and finally asked, with his voice raised, what he could do for her? She looked him in the eye and told him simply, “Get your stuff out of your office because your services are no longer needed here!” He couldn’t believe it but then he realized who it was that he had been passing the last 3 days and his cockiness kicked in full gear. He asked, “Do you know who I am? I am the top performer at this law firm because I don’t lose cases. I don’t call in sick because I am healthy and I don’t have issues that keep me from doing my job and if you don’t believe me check my numbers! How can you fire me? You surely must be mistaken!” She then interrupted him to say, “Yea, I know who you are but do you know who I am? While you are pushing pass folks running to get here and there, you were passing your blessing. Yea, I understand that you think you are the top performer at this office but I beg to differ. See, just because you don’t call in sick now, keep living. Just because you don’t face issues like the others right now, keep living. Just because you think you have it all figured out right now, keep living.” He replied with a smirk saying, “I am living and I have a very good life one that I’ve built for myself without the help of your God and if you want to throw it all away by firing me, go ahead because I won’t be out of work long and it’ll be your lost.” She replied, “Yea, it may be my lost but that’s a chance I am willing to take. While you are busy fighting the world and paying the devil for the blessings he’s giving you, they’ll run out and you’ll be back walking in a slower pace trying to get to know my God but until then you keep living and do it well!” See, it’s easy to brush people off, not answer phone/text because you don’t want to be bothered or act a fool when someone is not doing things your way but have you ever stopped to think that maybe they are going through something or trying to give you something? That person you waved off could be the blessing you’ve been waiting for, but how would you know? You go to get your car tags renewed and never even ask the lady at the counter how her day is because you want her to hurry up and serve you but did you know that maybe she recently had a death in the family? Or you’re driving on the interstate and a car swerves into your lane and there you go cursing, throwing finger signs and waving your hand like crazy but that person could have spent all night at the ER with a sick child, did that cross your mind? Maybe the person that is asking you for spare change is an angel that God has sent into your path to see if you would actually be a blessing. The bible states in Hebrews 13:6 “Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.” See, when you take the time to be a blessing, God will take the time to return the favor. Luke 6:38 says, “Give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.” Yea, I know that you may not have but a few dollars in your pocket but the person asking don’t have any and if you share the little that you have God will increase what you have left. Don’t be quick to say that the folks standing at the liquor stores or sleeping outside should go and get a job because at one point they were just like you and one illness or death turned their world upside down and now they have to beg to eat and if you don’t think it can happen to you, keep living! If you think you’ll never be the one asking somebody for food, keep living. If you don’t think one day you can end up in the hospital or in a grave just as quick as you blink, keep living. Grandma always say, even on your well days you are sick enough to die, so just keep living! Stop acting like folks owe you anything! Yea, I know your time is precious but if you can spend all day getting your hair done or cut and sit in the nail shop for hours, you can surely give folks a few extra minutes. You go out to eat because you’re too lazy to cook and then you get impatient with the waiter/waitress because your food is taking longer than you thought but it’s not their fault because they aren’t cooking it. You get mad when the kids get home a few minutes later from school but they don’t drive the bus. You get upset at the doctor because you had to wait but I know you saw the waiting room full of people when you walked in, so you should have known you would have to wait! If you are living in this world, whether you are a Christian or not, you will have trouble because the bible says in Job 14:1, “A person who is born of a woman is short-lived and is full of trouble.” This scripture didn’t say a Christian born of a woman but it says a person, so it doesn’t matter who you believe in because trouble is still promised. Stop acting like you’ve never ate roman noodles, potted meat, Vienna sausages or cold-cuts because if you haven’t keep living. If you never ran out of gas because the money ran out before payday, keep living. If you’ve never been scared that MLGW was going to cut your lights off, keep living. If you’ve never received a bad report from the doctor, keep living. If your child never does anything wrong, in your eyes, keep living. Smile when folks walk by, say a simple hello when you walk in the room or goodbye when you leave out, offer prayer instead of always gossiping, share the message from Sunday instead of entertaining mess, help somebody in need instead of hindering progress and lead, don’t follow. When you bless someone, God blesses you. Don’t act like you got it all together when you see folks in need because you’ll need somebody else too. Just because today isn’t the day you have to go through a storm, keep living because either you’re going through a storm now, getting ready to go through one or just coming out of one so don’t be quick to talk about others!

    Daily Devotional – 2/9/12 “Laugh Sometime!”

    I am often reminded that today could very well be my last day, this could be my last week, month or year on this earth so shouldn’t I enjoy it? If I spend all of my time frowned up, talking negative and acting all anti-social, I might just miss on out enjoying this thing called life. I cherish the time that I have with my husband, kids, momma, sisters and the rest of my family. Why, because, we aren’t promised the next minute of our lives. It can be any one of us, gone, at any moment. So laugh more. Take the time to enjoy life, stop rushing and stop to smell the roses because if you are rushing all the time, you may just miss the blessing God is trying to send your way.

    There was a woman who would visit this pet store 2-3 times per week. Each time she visited and got ready to leave, a parrot at the front of the store would always say, “Hey Lady!” She would say, “Yes?” He’d reply, “You shoal is ugly” and then laugh. After numerous times of this happening, she finally had enough. She went to the owner and said, “You know I visit your store a lot and I am one of your best customers but every time I come in, that bird, that Parrot offends me so either you do something or I won’t be back!” The owner went to this parrot and said, “Look, she is one of my best customers and I cannot lose her business, from now on stop calling her ugly.” The parrot nodded in agreement. The next time the lady walks in the store, she goes to get the things she needs, pays for them and was just about to leave when the parrot yelled, “Hey Lady!” The lady rolled her eyes and replied with an attitude, “What do you want now?” He said, “You know!” Now that’s funny! The parrot was told to stop calling her ugly but he wasn’t told not to remind her that she was. (HAHA) You do know that laughter is good for the soul and its Thursday, one day closer to the weekend! You’ve been wound up all week long and just because it’s 10:00AM, it doesn’t mean you can’t laugh. Just because you’re a Christian, you are not sinning if you have a little fun. Sometimes, when you’re going through a lot you have to just let go! For some it may be an hour with a book and glass of wine and for others an entire weekend, but whatever you choose do it and do it well. Ecclesiastes 9:7 states, “Go thy way, eat thy bread with joy, and drink thy wine with a merry heart; for God now accepteth thy works.” Now this doesn’t mean run out and get so drunk that you forget where you are because Ephesians 5:18 states, “And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit.” See, even though it is acceptable for a Christian to drink, the sin is in getting drunk. Plus, being drunk doesn’t look good on a man or woman, so please don’t do it. Grab your spouse or a few friends and go dancing, go to see a movie or have a night in with food and drinks. Just laugh! Rent a few great comedy movies and laugh!

    See, God made this life for you. He didn’t say it would always be good but he did say to enjoy it while you have time. If you don’t believe me, study the word for yourself. Ecclesiastes 11:8, states, “However many years a man may live, let him enjoy them all. But let him remember the days of darkness, for they will be many. Everything to come is meaningless.” So, on your good days enjoy life and even on the bad days, enjoy life. You only have one to live. Ecclesiastes 8:15 says, “So I recommend having fun, because there is nothing better for people in this world than to eat, drink, and enjoy life. That way they will experience some happiness along with all the hard work God gives them under the sun.” Don’t live your life with regrets because the next minute is not promised. If there is something you want to do, do it! If there is a restaurant you want to try, try it! If there is a dress/suit you want, buy it! I know that it seems like every time you get paid you’re still in the hole but I can guarantee you the bills you have now, will still be there when you leave here. Stop letting life pass you by. Stop allowing that job to kill you. Use some of that vacation time you got saved because you’re be replaced at the job before the dust settles on your grave. Enjoy the life that you’ve been blessed with, the day you’ve been blessed to see and the family & friends that are blessed to have. Live! Laugh! Love! A smile is a simple gesture that can turn a person’s bad day into a good one. See, a Christian’s life is one that should be carried as a Christian. If a sinner, a doubter or a backslider sees you each day with a frown on your face, how can you convince them that serving God is their best choice? Yes, in your Christian walk you will face obstacles, storms, situations and circumstances but the bibles says, “The joy of the Lord is your strength (Nehemiah 8:10),” and when you have the Lord, you have joy and this joy can take you through anything you face while walking on top of the dirt. Proverbs 17:22 says, “A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit saps a person’s strength,” and Psalm 32:11 says, “Rejoice in the LORD and be glad, you righteous; sing, all you who are upright in heart!”

    Stop making this mean world even harder on yourself by letting life pass you by! Laugh more! Enjoy your folks and family more! Decide, today, that you will stop being so uptight. You only have one life to live, so live it to the fullest. No one knows when their time here will be up, so live everyday like it’s your last!