Daily Devotional – 10/10/11 “Though the storms rage … “

This song’s lyrics say: Though the storms keep on raging in my life; And sometimes it’s hard to tell the night from day; Still that hope that lies within is reassured As I keep my eyes upon the distant shore; I know He’ll lead me safely to that blessed place He has prepared.”

You may be standing on the edge of your dilemma and it feels as if you’re about to tumble over.  When you look around all you see is darkness and you can’t really tell if it is day or night.  You’ve prayed about the situation and it seems like your answer won’t come.  You know that the sun will shine again one day because God promised in his word that weeping might endure for a night but joy comes in the morning (Psalm 30:5), but you’re wondering where your morning is.  You keep drinking tears for water and you’re wondering will they ever stop or will your tear stain face bear witness to the pain you are feeling inside?  But Psalm 126:5 states, “Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy.”

The tears you are sowing now are only watering the harvest that you shall soon reap.  For when harvest time comes, you won’t shed anymore because you’ve sown enough to last you through that season.  Take for an example; you plant a garden of vegetables or plants for whatever season you’re in.  In order to get the nourishment they need you have to keep the soil watered enough.  You can’t place too much water on them because then they will die but you place just enough to last until it is watering time again.  If you place the right amount of water, light and nutrients in them once it is time to pluck them up or pick them, they are ripe enough for you to use.  Well, in your life it is the same way.  When you accepted the Lord into your life you were placed into his garden.  Your life became a branch on his tree and in order for you to grow he has to put the right amount of water, light and nutrients in you.  The water comes from the tears you shed because they flow down into the dirt in which you’re rooted in.  The light comes from God because his word says, “For the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light; and reproofs of instruction are the way of life,” Proverbs 6:23 and the nutrients comes from the studying of the word and you putting his word into action. 

Now, as I stated above, too much water and light can sometimes harm what you are growing so God allows the clouds to come and the day is sometimes dark and he allows the tears to stop even though the storm is not over.  It is not until you are ripe enough to use that he picks you off the branch.  He doesn’t remove you from his branch completely but he makes your vine long enough so that when he needs to water you, you’re within reaching distance.  Once you’re ripe enough he sets you down on solid ground and tell you to get to work.  He allows the storms and the circumstances that you’ve been through to be a testimony to someone who needs to hear it.  He made you strong enough to tell somebody else, yes I’ve been through an abusive relationship but God brought me out.  These scars that I have on my body are just part of my testimony for me to show you they made me stronger.  Yes, I’ve been lied on and I got scars on my knees from being dragged through the mud but it made me stronger.  Yes, I’ve got a scar on my back from being stabbed from so-called friends, but I’m stronger.  Yes, my heart has been worked on by Dr. Jesus and I got scars from going through reconstructive surgery but I’m stronger.  Yes, my eyes have been swollen from crying and tear stains on my face but I’m stronger.  Yes, my back has been bent and sometimes I can hardly stand but I’m not out! Yes, sometimes my shoulders are bogged down with the burdens of this world, but I’m not out.  Yes, I’ve been knocked down but not knocked out so I’m stronger.

Your storms may rage and at times it may seem like the sun will never shine but hold on! Momma & Daddy may be gone and it seems hard right now but hold on! Trouble won’t last always.  Praise your way through!  God says if you praise me while you’re going through, I will bless you when you come out.  Know that you are not alone.  When it seems like you’re all alone and you can no longer make it, God says look up to me because then I will carry you the rest of the way.  But you have to believe in the promises that he has made because he will not forsake you.  “Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.” Matthew 8:20

Galatians 6:9, “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up”

Daily Devotional – 10/9/11 “Won’t you be my neighbor?”

It’s a God’s Sunday morning, a beautiful day in the neighborhood; won’t you be my neighbor?

In Matthew 22:39 it says, “thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself”. When I was growing up in my grandparent’s neighborhood the neighbors acted like family. When someone was in need, they came together to fill it. When there was a death, we went from door to door taking up a donation that went to the family. When summer came all the children in the neighborhood were in the street playing instead of being stuck in the house. When somebody did anything wrong, whoever house they were in front of had the approval to discipline them and then they got in trouble again once they got home. When one neighbor was sick, they were never alone or even had to worry about dinner because it was cooked and sent to them. There were no robberies or break-ins; there were no gang violence and disrespectful children because folk came together. You know the saying it takes a village.

Now, we barely get to know our neighbors. We don’t stop and take the time to ask their name or even speak when we pass them outside. We try to run in the house because we think they will want to borrow something. We don’t know when they are going through because we don’t care and we surely don’t ask. Shouldn’t we be our brother’s keeper? If the 2nd commandment is to love thy neighbor as thyself, God must have meant it. (Matthew 19:19; Mark 12:31) But we don’t. We are Christians but inky keep the commandments that we think we should and not abide by all. I’m guilty of not getting to know my neighbors but I’m working to get better. Shouldn’t we all strive to do a little better? I’m not saying throw a party for the entire neighborhood or hold the next neighborhood meeting but I’m saying start with a smile or a wave.

Take the time to check on your elderly neighbors because for some it’s the only companionship they receive. Speak to your neighbor if you see them out or smile at them because sometimes a smile can brighten somebody’s day. Don’t be quick to run the child off that always end up at your house, you may not know that he/she is hungry and they always show up because they know that you’ll offer to feed them. Take a moment to look at your neighbors. Just step out on a sunny day when most are out washing cars or cutting their yard. Look around and see the blessing that God had placed around you. You never know, you could meet the best friends you’ll ever have if you stop running in the house.

We should start back the neighborhood block parties and fellowshipping and the neighborhood watch. We should start back waving at one another or being approachable enough for somebody to come to ask to borrow a cup of sugar or a few eggs. We should start caring for and loving our neighbors again. I know that times are not like they use to be but not all people are bad. You won’t see the good in them if you’re already looking for the bad. If you’ve already judged them to be outcasts how can you see them as the good people they are. Don’t be too quick to hate on the neighbors because one day they may not be the one in need because it could be you.

Leviticus 19:18 says “Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: I am the Lord”

Daily Devotional – 10/8/11 “It’s so hard to say goodbye”

As a child you may have had a favorite toy or blanket that you never wanted to part with. As a teenager it was probably somebody you considered a best friends or that one special person that you thought would last. As an adult, it tends to be materials things or family members because it’s then we learn the real value of family. All these things seem so hard to say goodbye to.

When your favorite car breaks down and it’s not worth the money to fix, you don’t want to say goodbye to it. When your best friend moves away with family or with a job, you don’t want to say goodbye. But when mom, dad, sister, brother, cousin, niece, nephew dies it makes you wonder if some of the things you’ve placed a value on really matter.

When you’re standing over that casket saying goodbye, it puts a lot of things into perspective.  Like that no good significant other who isn’t worth the tears anymore. That dead end job is not worth the stress anymore. Those begging friends that always have their hands out aren’t worth it anymore either. You’ve come to realize that life is too short and it is worth living.

Appreciate the family and friends that you have today because the next minute of anyone’s life isn’t promised. I, personally, haven’t had to deal with the death of a close family member in the past 11 years, and for that I know I’m blessed. God has covered our family with his blood and protected us for so long that when it is time to say goodbye it is even harder. But I’m thankful for all that I’ve been taught by a praying grandma who is still strong and whose faith I’ve never seen waiver. I’m thankful for praying family and friends that keep my name on their lips, not because of gossip but because they are praying for me. I return the favor every chance I get. Yes, I pray for you every day even without calling your name. I don’t have to know your situation personally because I know a situation fixer.

So when it comes time for you to say goodbye to something or someone know that it’s God’s doing. As we travel to lay our cousin Christann Arnett to rest, I take comfort in knowing that she was a soldier for God so her living wasn’t in vain. She has prepared herself for this so it is well! When it’s time to say goodbye to her, it won’t be hard because I know that if I live right I’ll see her again.

When God takes something from your grasp, let it go! He means it for your good even though you can’t see it at the time. Love and live like there’s no tomorrow.

Daily Devotional – 10/7/11 “Whose side are you on?”

Let’s get ready to rumble!!  In the red corner we have temptations, hate, strife, tears, pain, and suffering, stuff that tears you down, steps on you and people who stab you in the back.  People, who try to speak death in your life, dig you an early grave, through dirt on you when you’re down, like to see you down and out, laugh when you ask for things and take joy in seeing the tears you shed.  He has had many fights in the ring, some have resulted in knock-outs but many times they end in a draw because he is good at hitting you when your head is down or when you’re off-balance.  He takes pride in hitting you below the belt and kicking you when you’re down.  For those that don’t know him, in this corner we have “The World.”

In the white corner we have a man who has numerous accolades already under his belt.  He has given healing to the sick, sight to the blind and fed multitudes with a small dinner.  He doesn’t specialize in knock-outs but in picking you up.  He allows his opponents to throw all the punches because eventually they will get tired.  He has faced this opponent many times and each time the white corner is victorious.  Most times, he has to go all 10 rounds, because not all battles are easy to win.  There are storms, circumstances and situations that arise that make each round difficult, but he maintains.  Even when the enemy beat him all night long, he maintained.  When they placed a crown of thorns on his head, he maintained.  When he had to endure a cross that would normally take multiple people to carry, he maintained.  When they hung him on that same cross by nailing his hands & feet, he maintained.  When they speared him in his side, he maintained.  Even while going through all of this, he never wavered.  Who is this you ask in the white corner? It’s Jesus.

Now as you stand in the middle, choose the side on which you plan to cheer.  Will it be the red or white side?  Joshua 24:15 states, “If you think it is wrong to serve the Lord, choose today whom you will serve. Choose the gods your fathers worshiped on the other side of the river, or choose the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living. But as for me and my family, we will serve the Lord.”

The red side offers death but the white side gives life.  The red side offers sleepless nights but the white side offers rest.  The red side gives storms but the white side gives shelter during the storm.  The red side gives heartache but the white side gives mercy.  The red side gives sickness but the white side gives healing.  The red side gives pain but the white side turns it into praise.  The red side gives suffering while the white side gives salvation.  The red side gives grief but the white side gives grace.  Whose side will you choose?

Now the red side will make it look like it is all roses until you reach for the stem and get pricked with a thorn.  He will make you think that all the days are sunny until you walk out your door with no umbrella.  He will even make you think that the road is always paved until you have to walk over bumps and rocks to get to your destination.  Don’t get me wrong, there are some struggles on the white side that were promised from the Garden of Eden.  For in Genesis 3:17, the word states “To Adam he said, “Because you listened to your wife and ate from the tree about which I commanded you, ‘You must not eat of it,’ “Cursed is the ground because of you; through painful toil you will eat of it all the days of your life.”  But Jesus has promised that on your darkest days, he’ll be there.  When you ask of him, he will come and when you can no longer stand that he’ll carry you.  Isn’t this good news? In Matthew 28:20 states, “…lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.”

You have to decide which side of the ring you’ll cheer on.  You can’t keep straddling the fence because eventually you’ll either fall or get a splinter in your butt.  Either way it won’t be good.  You can’t keep one foot in the world and one in the word because soon you will need to make a choice.  I suggest you do it while the blood is still warm in your body because once it’s cold the choice is no longer yours. 

Deuteronomy 28:10 – And all people of the earth shall see that thou art called by the name of the LORD; and they shall be afraid of thee.

Daily Devotional – 10/6/11 “God won’t bless your mess!”

 We’ve all heard the saying before, “When God takes something from your grasp, He’s not punishing you, but merely opening your hands to receive something better!”  But have you ever stopped to think that God is simply saying, you know you don’t need that? 

For instance, you apply for a car, even though you already got one that’s working fine, and you know the price is a little high but you’ve just got to have it.  You know the monthly note will make things tighter than they are now, but it’s what you want.  You wait for the salesman to come back and when he does, he tells you he can’t get you approved without more money down or a co-signer.  You then go running home to momma or daddy and get mad when they say no. You have yet to stop and think that maybe God is keeping you from years of debt that you know you can’t afford.  But instead, you’re now mad at your parent(s) because, “they never do anything for me!”  Chile, stop it!  You ought to be glad you didn’t get yourself stuck into something that you can’t get out of.  You should be thankful that you dodged 5 years of paying for something that probably wasn’t worth the money anyway.

Now maybe that’s not you.  Let me try this.  You’ve been in a relationship with this man or women for years now.  Every once in a while things are going great and they are even talking about marriage, you couldn’t be happier.  But 90%, well maybe 80% of the time you all are arguing & fighting, he/she is leaving because they’re done, you keep hearing about them being unfaithful or when things are down & out, they can’t take it.  But oh, when they hear of things going good in your life or you got a little money in your pocket, they come running and each time you let them back in.  When things get hard again or the money is gone, so is she or he and you’re left crying asking God why he keeps punishing you.  Chile, cut it out! You keep praying for God to send you the person that he has for you but each time you’re too busy looking at the devil’s blessing that God doesn’t have a chance to get his in.  God isn’t the one doing this to you because you’ve got that covered all by yourself.  You pray and ask God to remove those that want to do harm to your life and each time he sends this person away, you go looking for them.  You need to open your eyes and realize, this isn’t something you deserve in your life.  You are destined for much greater things.  Proverbs 12:4 states, “A wife of noble character is her husband’s crown, but a disgraceful wife is like decay in his bones.”  This goes the same for man! For Proverbs 31:11, states “Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value.” A husband or wife is ordained by God and a position that should not be taken lightly.  If you’ve married under the convent of God, you should abide by the vows that you’ve taken.  If you’re not married, you shouldn’t just settle for anything.  God has made all of us in his image and a helpmate for each of us but in order to receive your blessing you have to first remove what is blocking you from getting it. 

It’s like you’re reaching for something but every time you extend your arm, you hit a barrier.  Instead of trying to knock it out or open it up, you give up and say you’ll try again later.  But what you need to do is get something heavy enough to break down the barriers that stand in your way.  If it’s a window, pry it open.  If it’s a wall, tear it down or build up your strength and climb over it.  You may get a few scraps and cuts on your hands and legs, but they’ll heal and the scars can be a living testimony of how you made it over.  If it’s a degree you need for the job you want, sacrifice the time and get it.  If it’s a move to another city or state, do it! There are all types of transportation that can bring you home to visit.  If it means changing the environment in which your kids grow up in, do it! They’ll get over it.  Stop making excuses for not having or doing.  God has made you capable and strong to withstand a lot of things.  If you don’t believe me, read the story of Job in Job 1.  After all the tests and trials that he was put through, his faith did not waiver.  So why is yours waving like a flag?

Strap up your boots, tighten your helmet, put on your breastplate of righteousness and your salvation and prepare for war.  Not the war in Iraq but the war that you’ve been fighting.  Tear down those strongholds that are keeping you bound, shake off the chains that keep you in bondage in the world and shake off the dirt of the haters!  God can do an amazing work in your life but you have to let him in and have faith.  You also have to work! When you get tired of trusting in the world and in man, trust God.  He never makes a promise he can’t keep and he won’t let you down.  All days won’t be easy because Job 14:1 says, “Man that is born of a woman is of few days, and full of trouble.” But if you trust in God, he’ll give you exactly what you need to handle it.  You can do it because I know you can!