Daily Devotional – 12/14/11 “My Storm Shower!”

You’re facing a tough time in your life right now because the holidays are upon us and it may be the first one without a loved one, you may have more bills that seem to be hitting you all at once, your car may be acting up, children acting like strangers in your home and to top it off you may be sick.  Now you’re wondering if God is allowing all of these things to happen to you because of past mistakes that you’ve made, because you didn’t pay your tithes on Sunday or because you had some evil thoughts going through your mind.  I also know that you’ve probably heard the saying that either you are going through a storm, getting ready to go through a storm or coming out of a storm because it’s a part of what has been promised before you were even born, right?  Well, have you ever stopped to think that maybe the storm you’re going through is not punishment for things you did when you were 15 but because God is simply washing off all of the stuff that have been thrown on you by your enemies? If you have done things that you know you shouldn’t have done and you’ve repented for them, why would God come back now to punish you?  The bible says in Isaiah 43:18 “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past.” Yea, I know that you used to steal but that was just preparing you to steal away from other folks and have a one on one fellowship with God.  I know that you used to lie on folks but that was just prepping you to lie with the Father, The Son and The Holy Ghost.  I know that you used to step all over folk to get what you wanted but it was just preparing you to step out on Faith and believe in God’s word.  I know that you used to prey on folks to hurt them but that was just preparing you to now pray for folks.  Ezekiel 36:26 say “A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you a heart of flesh.”

I believe the things we go through, in our everyday life, are just God’s way of testing our faith, belief in him and our praise for him.  Just because it seems like you can never make ends meet now even though you were fine months ago, it doesn’t mean God has taken his hands off of you.  But he is simply trying to see if you will continue to trust that he’ll see you through.  You think that because your boyfriend left that it’s something you’ve done wrong and God must surely be punishing you, when you knew that God wasn’t anywhere in the relationship to begin with and if you be honest with yourself, you’ll see that while he was there he was more of a hindrance than a helpmate anyway, so it was time for him to be moved.  John 15:2 says “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.”  It was simply God’s way of removing the dead weight from your tree and now you have to stop trying to sew it back on because although the thread may hold for a moment, it won’t last and it’ll eventually break again.  God doesn’t have to keep track of the times you’ve made a mistake so that he’ll make you pay for them later, he doesn’t have to write down the number of times you cursed in one conversation or the many times you’ve lied to your parents because he doesn’t work that way.  John 15:3 says “You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you.”    

So, the next time the rain starts falling in your life, as it will, stop acting like you’re being whooped by God.  After you’ve worked all day in the yard and you’re sweaty, musty and got dirt all over you, don’t you take a shower?  Well, after folks have lied on you, talked about you, drug your name through the dirt, pushed you into a small dusty grave, stabbed you in the front & the back and counted you out; God sends the rain for you to shower in.  See, he washes away the dirt that has been thrown on you when folk say you won’t ever be anything worthy of your name.  He washes away the blood from all the cuts and scrapes you got when your best friend stabbed you in your back because she was jealous of your blessings.  He washes away the mud from under your nails from climbing out of the ditch that your family pushed you in because they didn’t think you deserved the elevation God has placed on your life.  It doesn’t matter about the number of times you see trials and tribulations as long as you come out of them renewed.  Psalm 71:20 says “Though you have made me see troubles, many and bitter, you will restore my life again; from the depths of the earth you will again bring me up.”  It doesn’t matter the number of times you get knocked down because God is only concerned about you standing back up.  If a baby decided to give up every time they fell, when learning to walk, I’d probably think they never would.  If you decided to give up every time you made a mistake, you probably wouldn’t be where you are.  Somebody you know, that’s probably close to you, doesn’t think you deserve the job you got, but look at God.  Somebody you know is still trying to figure out how you got approved for the car you got, but look at God working.  Somebody is wondering how you made it through cancer with the life you lived when others, they feel are better, died but look at God working this.  Somebody is questioning how you manage to still have money left over from paycheck to paycheck when all you do is shop but look at God working this thang!  Somebody is even trying to see how God could have picked somebody like you, who use to be on drugs, dancing in night clubs and sleeping with every man who could lay flat; clean you up and now you’re the minister of music at church but LOOK AT GOD WORKING THIS THANG OUT!  See, while they are trying to figure it out, God has already worked it out.  While they are counting your blessings, they are adding theirs to yours.  While they are counting you out, God is simply adding pegs to your footstool and lifting you higher! So go on and tell them to talk about you, lie on you, scandalize your name, try to ruin your relationship, and keep on digging that ditch for you because when it’s all over with God has you covered so all is surely well! Because when I no longer look at what I used to be or how I use to look, I see how I was meant to be.  I am who God has made me, so I will pray every day “Turn my eyes from worthless things, and give me life through your word,” Psalm 119:37.  

“This storm is just a shower to cleanse me of the dirt that my haters throw on me.  I won’t be afraid to walk through the rain because when the SON shines, I’ll be renewed and through my renewal comes restoration and restoration is restoring me to my full potential so now I shine like pure gold!”

Daily Devotional – 12/13/11 “It’s all you!”

This morning when I rose I was so tired and it was almost like I hadn’t slept a wink, but I did.  I just couldn’t understand why I was feeling this way and then my best friend from work came in asking if I was in a better mood today than yesterday.  I had to stop and think because even though I didn’t realize the mood I was in, somebody did and it wasn’t fair to her.  See, many times we come into to work or even home with our issues on our face and in the way we walk and because we’ve been dealing with it for so long, we don’t even recognize it anymore.  We’ve become so accustom to the frown on our face or the cold demeanor in our attitude that we don’t call it an attitude, but it is and yet I’m reminded every day that things could be a whole lot worse.  I get upset at the kids about their bad grades but some mother or father is dealing with a teenager on drugs.  I wake up tired and complaining about my job when someone would love to be in my shoes because they’ve been without a job for over a year now.  I complain about the amount of bills that I have but I am the one that caused them so what’s to complain about?  I say the devil did this and that but if the truth should be told, some of this mess we got ourselves in.  The devil didn’t make you shop and run up your credit card bill, so stop blaming him for it.  The devil may have placed that fine man or woman in your path but he surely didn’t make you sleep with them.  Yea, the devil gets blamed for a lot of things but the only one that will keep you out of Heaven is you. 

Yea, I know that you think you got time to make it right and ask God for forgiveness for all the wrong you do each day, but what if you don’t?  You may find joy walking into stores and taking stuff that don’t belong to you but just as quickly as you can pop a tag on a shirt and stuff it into your purse, it’s the same way the Angel of Death can snatch the breath from your body.  At some point in time, you’ve got to make up in your mind that you want more from life than just what others can give or what you can take.  You are better than that no good boy (because he is not a man) that keeps leaving you every time some other girl whispers in his ear.  You are much better than that person that keeps putting his hands on you because he/she is neither mom nor dad.  You are much better than what folks call you.  I told my cousin the other day that it doesn’t matter what folk call you because the other thing that determines who or what you are is what you answer too.  1 Corinthians 6:11 says “Some of you were once like that. But you were cleansed; you were made holy; you were made right with God by calling on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.” Yea, you can call me out my name but that doesn’t mean that’s who I am.  You can talk about me all you please, but it doesn’t make me do the things you say I do.  It makes me feel good to know that folk talk about me because that means that I’m doing something right to make them notice.

I write these devotionals every day because this is the gift that God has given me.  Yea, I know I don’t have to write them just like I know that Jesus didn’t have to be tortured for our sins and I could easily close out my blog and go on about my daily life, like God isn’t trying to talk through me, but would it be fair to him when he sacrificed his Son so that I could have a life?  Yea, it would be easier because maybe then I wouldn’t have the devil on my doorstep every day, but when I started this walk I knew exactly what I was getting into because God prepared me.  Romans 8:29 says “For God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to become like his Son, so that his Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.” See, he made my knees strong enough to handle the extra time I would need kneeled in prayer.  He made my eyes stronger to endure the extra reading time I would need studying his word.  He made my mind stronger to be able to get a better understanding of his word and he opened my ears and made them stronger to hear and receive when he is saying to me.  I’ve learned that God doesn’t choose the qualified but he qualifies those that he has chosen.  Don’t believe me?  Read on down to Romans 8:30 that says “And having chosen them, he called them to come to him. And having called them, he gave them right standing with himself. And having given them right standing, he gave them his glory.” Whew! These verses send chills over my body because they make me appreciate my gift so much more.  The same way you should appreciate yours.

I know that you are now wondering if you have been blessed with a gift, your answer is in Ephesians 1:11 which say “In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will.” See, God chose you to be blessed with whatever gift he has given you because he knows you can handle it.  I know at times the going might get hard, but press on.  I know at times you may want to give up, but hold on.  I know at times, you want to throw in the towel, but fold that towel, wipe the sweat from your forehead and stick it back in your pocket and walk on.  I know that you may have been knocked down and the counter is almost to 10 but all you have to do is tag God in and he’ll finish the fight for you.  If you are still not convinced that you are worthy of the gift that he has given you, then read Romans 11:29 that say “God never changes his mind when he gives gifts or when he calls someone.” Why? Because he knows that you can handle it.  You are worthy because you are God’s child.  You don’t have to settle for the scraps and the leftovers because God has made you the lender and not the borrower.  Just because you have a little debt and you may be living paycheck to paycheck now, it doesn’t mean that’s the way it has to be.  Sit down and make a budget and stick to it.  Stop acting like you have something to prove to folk who are also struggling.  The only reason why you can’t see their struggle is because they know how to cover it up.  Yea, I may dress like I got money and I may even walk like it but that’s because I don’t have to look like my situation.  I may have cancer in my body but I don’t have to wear a shirt to broadcast it.  I may not have a job but that doesn’t mean I have to post it on Facebook every day.  I may even be without food but it doesn’t mean I have to look like it.  I’ve come to realize that God will send a blessing your way just when you least expect it.  When you are hungry, he’ll send a friend that will share her sandwich with you.  When you don’t have gas money, he’ll send a friend to pick you up.  When you need someone to talk to, he’ll send your neighbor by your house. When you feel like giving up, he’ll allow a movie to come on at the right time and on the station you just happen to be looking at and when you feel like God is not hearing your plea, he’ll send this devotional with a word that you need. 

So hold on my sister, hold on my brother!  Whatever you are facing at this very moment will get better.  I may not know what your situation is but I know a situation fixer.  I may not know what has you crying but I know a Man who can dry tears and he isn’t your boyfriend.  I may not know why your head is bowed or why your heart is broken but I know a Man who can fix what ails you and he isn’t a doctor.  I know a Man who can listen to your every plea and he isn’t a psychiatrist.  I know that friends may have walked out on you when times got hard but they weren’t your friends to begin with so let them walk.  Stop trying to hold on to something that isn’t yours to keep.  It’s like standing outside with a balloon in your hand and you know that you can barely hold it because it keeps slipping away but you keep trying.  Baby let go of the string and let it fly.  If it was meant to return to you then you would have been holding a boomerang instead.  Whatever is meant for you will be for you and they won’t leave.  Stop chasing after something that was never yours to begin with.  It’s as meaningless as a dog chasing the mail truck because you know they won’t ever catch it.  Whatever is meant for you is there always and never has to be looked for.  The only thing you are supposed to look for is a surprise that has been hidden and feelings shouldn’t be hidden.  If you have to wonder about anything or anyone, then you have your answer.  Let go of whatever is causing you pain because the only way for you to receive the blessing that God has, you have to make room for it.  Don’t you make room for the Christmas tree this time of year?  Then it may be time to make room for your blessing that you’ve been blocking all year-long.  Throw away the garbage and wipe away the dust and be ready and available for the blessing that is about to come into your life.  It’s been there all the time; God is just simply waiting on you to open the door.

Daily Devotional – 12/12/11 “You’ve got to endure to insure elevation!”

In the game of Monopoly, you have to pass GO before you move on and collect your $200 bonus, right?  Well, in my every day studying of God’s word, I’ve found this Christian journey to be almost the same because walking this path you’ll have to endure and go through stuff just like the things on the monopoly board in order to insure that you reach GO.  See, you’ll pass over railroad tracks called haters who may end up costing you unless you’ve already bought your ticket, you’ll land on other folk’s properties (by being in other folk’s business) and end up paying a price, you’ll land on chance or community chest and take a chance of whatever the situation ending up good or bad, you might end up in jail or may just be visiting and sometimes you’ll buy your own land and reap the benefits, if you use your money wisely and you may even land on boardwalk and receive an extra blessing.  But once you land on GO God rewards you again for your faithfulness because you endured through it all to make the full circle and now you stand with your head held up, ready to go again and every time you pass GO you receive an extra blessing in your bucket.  Isn’t that good news?  In Psalm 37: 5 it say “Commit everything you do to the LORD. Trust him, and he will help you.”

You know how you can be watching TV and the notification comes on that says “This is a test of the emergency broadcasting system?” because they are trying to make sure you are within range when an actual emergency happens to be able to hear how to remain safe.  Well, when a storm comes in your life, it is simply a test of God’s “Emergency Saving System” to see if you are within range in order to hear his instructions on how to remain safe when an emergency comes in your life.  See, a test is usually given, in school, to see if you have learned what has been taught and it is generally given at the end of the week in order for them to move you to the next chapter.  Well, when God sends a test, it’s the same way.  He is trying to see if you have learned anything from the storms you’ve already endured and if you are actually ready to move on to the next chapter, you know to be elevated.  See, the next chapter is the next level up and it’s harder than the one you’re currently on, so in order to be elevated up you’ve got to be able to endure while you’re down.  Somebody will miss that so let me explain.  If every time you run out of money before all the bills are paid, you get depressed, you aren’t ready for a new car note.  If every month you complain about how high your MLGW bill is in the house you’re in now, you aren’t ready for a bigger house.  If you constantly complain about the job you got, the car you drive and the home you live in then chile, you aren’t ready for the next one.  You have to be able to endure small things before you can be elevated to receive big things.  If we were able to handle everything that is put in our path, why would God make us babies first?  He makes us small so that we can be taught and tested to handle bigger things as they come.  When you’re a baby, you use a baby spoon to eat because the spoon can give you the right amount for the size of your mouth and stomach but as you get bigger so does the size of your spoon because now your mouth and stomach is big enough to handle the amount that is going in.  If you are not able to handle the amount of food on a teaspoon then how can you handle a tablespoon size serving?  This is all that God is trying to see when he sends a storm cloud your way.  If you run at the sound of thunder, you surely wouldn’t be able to handle the rain. But if you read Psalm 18:2 it says, “The LORD is my rock, my fortress, and my savior; my God is my rock, in whom I find protection. He is my shield, the power that saves me, and my place of safety.” 

If you trust and believe in God, he won’t leave you in your time of need. See, even though trouble has been promised to us while we walk on this side of the dirt, it is not to take us out.  God has our lives already destined and designed for us so we have to trust him when he says he will not leave nor forsake us.  God’s test is setting you up, not to fail, but to succeed and in succeeding you get success and with success comes victory and victory makes you victorious over the enemy. The storm is not sent to wash your feet from under you but the rain is simply being used to wash off all the dirt that has been thrown on you by your haters, your enemies, the folk that say you won’t be nothing, those that are wishing death on your life and those digging a dusty grave to throw you in.  So don’t run and hide every time the rain begins to pour because it’s just a storm and with any storm it has to end.  You have to go on through the rain and come out clean and refreshed because once you’ve been refreshed you’ve been renewed and through renewal comes endurance and enduring gives us assurance that we are ready to be elevated!  I don’t know about you but every day I am asking God to enlarge my territory but in order for me to receive the increase, I have to be ready for it.  So, I’m weathering the storm and I keep getting up each time the enemy knocks me down because I’ve got my first aid kit in my purse (that’s God’s word) to bandage up any cut or bruise I get when I fall.  I’ve learned that it’s not about the times that you fall that God is concerned about just as long as you get back up better than you were when you fell because 2 Corinthians 5:17 tells me  “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” So it doesn’t matter about my past sins because they don’t count against me no way!

Daily Devotional – 12/9/11 “Why are you still whining?”

I’m reminded every minute of every day that things in my life could be much worse than they are! I am also reminded that the things in my family, friends and co-workers lives could be much worse than they are, but they aren’t.  See, my name could be the one hanging on the Angel Tree in need of assistance this holiday season, but it’s not.  I could be in a Red Cross shelter because fire came and consumed my home and all the things that I’ve worked for, but it hasn’t.  I could be spending my Christmas at St. Jude with a sick child, but I’m not.  I could be visiting my parents at the hospital, nursing home or cemetery, but I’m not.  I could be standing at the unemployment office, but I’m not.  I could be at the West Clinic 3-5 times per week for chemotherapy, but I’m not.  I could be getting dialysis or radiation therapy 5 times per week, but I’m not.  I could be bitter and alone, but I’m not.  I could be living under the overpass that you drive over every day, but I’m not.  I could be identifying a family member at the coroner’s office, but I’m not.  So, when I sit and think about the things I have to deal with and then I turn on the news or read the newspaper, I realize that my problems are absolutely meaningless, so I have no need to complain.  I know if I stand on God’s promises I’ll receive all he has for me, so I won’t complain! I won’t be jealous of my neighbor but I’ll try to be friendlier when I see them.  I won’t hate on my sister because she has more than me, I’ll just ask her for a little help if I seem to need it.  I won’t laugh when you are going through trouble, but I’ll be there for you if you need help.  I won’t tell your business when you call me, but I’ll pray for you when the conversation is over.  I won’t bite my tongue when it comes to telling you the truth, because I am your friend and that’s what I’m supposed to do.  Proverbs 17:17 says “A friend always loves, and a brother is born to share trouble.”

See, God made this life just for you and you know, because I’ve said it times before, that he didn’t promise joy all the time.  If you don’t believe me, study the word for yourself because in Ecclesiastes 11:8, it 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.”  Yes, everything that you deal with while walking on this side of the dirt is meaningless, because this life is not your last, for Jesus said in John 14:3, “If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also.”  See, he wasn’t speaking about a place that is built by man’s hands, but of a place where there is no weeping, no heartache, no lying and backbiting, no hate and jealousy, no being misused, no fake folk and no death but all life.  But in order to see this place, you have to endure the pain on this side.  So, on your good days enjoy life and even on the bad days, enjoy life.  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 you got paid today and you’re still in the hole but I can guarantee you the bills you have now, will still be there when you leave here so stop whining. 

You do know that laughter is good for the soul and it is Friday!  You’ve been wound up all week-long and you are letting life pass you by.  Stop allowing that job to kill you and use some of that vacation time you got saved because you can’t take it with you and you do know that you’ll be replaced at the job before the dust settles on your grave, right?  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 you!  Your life has meaning and that whining is only blocking the blessings that God is trying to send your way.  Go by and get you a $6 bottle of wine and a few movies and relax.  There isn’t a thing wrong with drinking a little wine because you’re a Christian; the sin is in getting drunk. (You know I have a scripture for that, too!)  Read for yourself in Ecclesiastes 8:15 that say “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.” You can have a great time without making a fool of yourself.  Put on a cute dress or a nice suit and go dancing.  Just because you’re a Christian, again, it doesn’t mean you stop living.  God simply said in Romans 12:2 “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.”  Just because you hang around with folk that smoke weed, it doesn’t mean you have too.  You have to be your own leader and not a follower.  Ephesians 5:17 say “So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.”  So, stop whining every time trouble knocks at your door because, baby, you are not the only one that trouble finds. Grandma always say that either you’re in a storm, about to go through a storm or just coming out of one.  But just because you are being attacked by the devil, it doesn’t mean you have to look like it.  If you don’t have the money for the hair salon, it doesn’t mean you stop combing your hair.  Polish your own nails until your next payday.  Go to some of the Goodwill stores and shop for clothes, because they have some good stuff in most of them (and for cheap).  Play some games at home with the kids or find a movie channel and pop some popcorn.  You can still enjoy life without spending a fortune.  God won’t ever bring you to anything that he is not capable of bringing you through.  Trust him and stop whining, because whining is for babies anyway and most times that works your nerves so imagine what the whining from a 30-year-old adult does!  Your life could be much worse, but it’s not so stop acting like it!

Daily Devotional – 12/8/11 “Whose voice are you listening too?”

When I begin using this gift that God has bestowed upon me, I had no idea what I was getting myself into, but I stepped out on faith and after I took the first step, God has never left my side.  Now if you want to know if the devil has been busy, the answer is yes, multiplied by 3.  It seems that he is trying to attack every way he can, but I am not deterred because I knew this would surely be a part of it, so I welcome the games and tricks because I’m covered by the blood, so all is well.  I know that I don’t usually get too personal in my devotionals, but I couldn’t help but share because of the word that God has given me to give to you on this morning.  See, when I asked the question of whose voice are you listening too, I am not speaking of a physical voice from family and friends, but I am referring to the voice of God or the devil.  As a Christian, we are all able to hear God speaking to us, but we have to be able to distinguish it from the fast paced life that we live.  I, too, am busy handling the multiple things that I have already planned and the few unexpected situations, so sometimes I become too busy to hear God talking.  But I’ve learned to slow down since I started this blog because I want to be able to hear his word clearly, especially if I am being a blessing to you.  This is even added to my morning prayer before I begin to type one letter.   

Now, in order to hear God’s word, you have to first know God and to know him you must study his word.  It isn’t like meeting a friend who you can talk to and they tell you all about themselves, but God has left all you need to know about him in his book, the bible.  James 1:18 says “He chose to give birth to us by giving us his true word. And we, out of all creation, became his prized possession.”  If we study God’s word, then we get to know him and in getting to know him we know the word.  Many times we are often led astray because we follow those who say they are working for God.  But how do you know if your Pastor is actually studying the word if you don’t?  If I wrote these devotionals without studying, I could tell you anything and if you didn’t study for yourself, then how would you know if I was leading you the right way?  Just by reading the word that God has given me, it alone won’t save you because you have to give an account for yourself and using the excuse that I made you do it, won’t work at the gates.  2 Timothy 2:15 say “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”  See, while studying the word, you also get an understanding of the word.  Don’t get me wrong, this is not an easy task and it won’t happen overnight but don’t give up.  I’m learning every day and every day it’s exciting.  It’s like taking a class for school or even a training class at work.  When you first begin, you might not have a full understanding, but if you continue to study its then that you gain a better understanding of what you’re studying.  Proverbs 4:7 says “Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.”  Studying God’s word for yourself gives you better clarity.  Yea, I’ve also found that have it broken down by others helps too, but it’s their opinion. You have to form your own understanding because when you have understanding, you open your ears to hear God and in order to hear him, you have to come to him with your ears and heart open ready to receive what he places in your spirit.  In Isaiah 55:3 it says, “Come to me with your ears wide open. Listen and you will find life. I will make an everlasting covenant with you. I will give you all the unfailing love I promised to David.” See, God made David a ruler over nations because he listened.  How many blessings have you passed on because you didn’t listen to the voice inside of you?

Now, hold on, wait one second because not all voices are good voices.  Take for an example, you’re married but you and your spouse are having problems.  You don’t give him the time he needs and he doesn’t give you the time you need.  You go to work every day tired of the same old argument and the lack of concern that he or she shows you.  They haven’t even noticed your new haircut, suit or tie but your co-worker did.  He or She walks by every morning to pay you a compliment on your clothes, hair and even your smell.  They’ve invited you out for lunch a few times and you’ve always said no, because you’re married.  But Friday, you’re fed up with home and the voice inside is saying “It’s just lunch,” and before they can finish the question, you’ve said yes.  Now you’re sitting across from them at lunch, fantasizing, because they are saying all the things you are missing at home.  The voice again says, “What one won’t do..,” and now you’re having an affair.  Baby, you knew before you accepted lunch that this wasn’t God speaking but the first thing you say, “God knows my heart!”  Yes, God may know your heart but it doesn’t mean it isn’t filled with sin and unless you repent with your mouth, the sin that YOU’VE committed, you won’t be forgiven for it.  See, the devil knows your wants and he has wrapped them all up in a blue suit or dress and sat them on your doorstep and you’ve unwrapped the bow without giving it a second thought.  You have to decipher the voice that you hear for yourself because you’ve been warned in John 10:10 “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.”  The thief, in my context, is the devil.  He doesn’t send you blessings (yes, the devils blesses too) because he wants you to blessed but because he wants you to spend eternity with him and if you sin, without repenting, that’s exactly where you’ll be.

You know how you see somebody begging for money, an ad asking for volunteers, a request for prayer from a friend or a person in need and you have this tugging on the inside that’s pushing you to do it – that’s God.  When you see something in a store that you just have to have and you know you don’t have the money, and a voice says get it and you take it anyway – that’s the devil.  When you see a friend, who you know has been going through some things, headed your way and you feel the need to stop and give them a hug – that’s God.  But when you see somebody, who you know has been going through some things, and you feel the need to give them a hug yet you don’t want to be bothered, so you go the other way – that’s the devil.  If God is in you and you’re a Christian like you talk to be, then it’s your duty to help always and not just when it is convenient for you.  Proverbs 17:17 says “A friend always loves, and a brother is born to share trouble.” Also, as friends, true friends, we are supposed to tell each other the truth regardless if it hurts or not.  You knew your friend looked a hot mess before you all left the house or when your spouse asked you how he looked and you said fine when you knew those pants were too short, that voice said to say something but you didn’t because you didn’t want to hurt their feelings, now folks are looking at them crazy and you pretend not to notice.  Chile, stop it! The bible says in Proverbs 27:6 “Wounds made by a friend are intended to help, but an enemy’s kisses are too much to bear.”

Before you listen to that voice that is inside of you, you must pray for a spirit of discernment.  Discernment is described as the activity of determining the value and quality of a certain subject or event.  When you pray for discernment, God will give you a spirit that will distinguish between what is good and what is not.  But again you have to be open and ready to receive that for which you pray for because he will give you just what you asked for.  So, to sum it all up you have to receive God, get to know God by studying his word, put his word into practice, open your ears and mind to receive God’s word and then work.  There is no sense in asking God to speak to you and then you sit on what he asks you to do.  Sometimes, he’ll ask you to go when you just got home and comfortable on the couch but go anyway because God will go for you even when you don’t deserve it.