Category: Inspire; Motivate; Encourage

There is a story in the Jewish Talmud about a King who sent two jesters on an errand, He wanted to be amused; so he then instructed the first jester “Foolish Simon, go and bring me back the best thing in the world; He then turned to the second jester and said “Silly John, you go and find me the worst thing in the world.

In didn’t take much time, as both clowns were came back suddenly, each waiting to bear their gifts to the King; Foolish Simon, bowed low and grinned – “Behold, King, I bring to you the best thing in the world. “His package contained a tongue.

Silly John, whom also couldn’t wait to share his gift – snickered as he quickly unwrapped his bundle; Behold, King, I bring to you the worst thing in the world. “His package also contained a tongue. The tongue can bring healing to a miserable soul, gladness to a down heart and joy to a drowning spirit; that same tongue can also bring hurt, unwanted sadness, chaos and confusion.

I recently had an encounter where I was feeling so down in the dumps, my mind was all over the place with thoughts, so much so it put a little damper in my spirit – as I was corresponding with someone and appreciating them for giving me some information that I really needed they in turn out of the blue wrote me back and stated how the feeling was mutual and how such a pleasant and helpful person I was to work with – the company is very lucky to have you they stated. The sprinkling of rain that was dropping on my head, immediately stopped and sunshine began to beam there instead. I was humbled, grateful and thankful for the words of encouragement as I really needed them.

When Jesus walked the Earth, No one (not even his enemy) could say that he spoke out of turn or spoke rudely to anyone. Every word that came out of his mouth was uplifting, encouraging, peaceful and full of LOVE! The bible tells us in Ephesians 4:29 about how we shouldn’t allow unwholesome talk to come out of our mouths, but should only speak those things that are going to bring forth encouragement and love. Have you said anything lately the proved to be unwholesome talk? Weather it was to a friend, a spouse, a co-worker or family member; we have to make sure that our words don’t cause harm but good to those that hear us.

Some people find it easy to speak negatively than positively, the bible says that out of the heart; the mouth speaks the issues of life, this means that whatever a person has in his heart – you can bet his or her mouth will speak it! I person cannot speak positively if it’s not in their heart to be positive, if they’re heart is cold; rest assured they will speak coldly, but if they’re heart is warm and full of love, the mouth will speak warmth and love.

When we speak kind words – we’re not only uplifting a downed head but also displaying the love of Christ, in which is what he approves of us to do. If we say we are a child of God; then we must not only live the way God wants us to live, but we must also talk the way he wants us to talk – when you accept Christ into your heart and you ask him to come in and reside in your body, you are giving up everything that you would l have done, you are giving up everything you would have once said, you are giving up everything you would l have once had thought, you give up the way you would have walked; PRIOR TO CHRIST! The bible says “Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature, the old things have passed away, behold, new things have come new. (2 Cor. 5:17)

So if you proclaim Christ as your father and the one that lives on the inside of you, then that means that you have given him the key to share a room with you inside your body; and because he’s there you don’t want to act, think or talk the same, if you’re serious about your relationship with him; you want to do everything possible to make sure he keeps residing within you. We don’t want a De-activated God living inside an Activated body. Would you want to go to your banking account and draw out funds that are not there?….The account is active but your funds are depleted; in order to keep an active account, you have to keep money in it otherwise – the bank will be sending you a letter indicating “account closure proceedings”..

When it comes to our words we must also consider not only the word choices we make but the attitude and heart in which they are being said. The next person you talk to could just be the person that needs “your good words” the most.

 

 Our Daily Prayer:

Dear God, How guilty we are of not using our words wisely, they cut like a sword, harming those we love the most. Remind us to think before we speak and meditate on your word daily, allowing it to take precedence over our many “bad” word choices. Allow your word to flourish within us so that our words would pour forth as an overflow of your heart. Bless and fill us with discernment in our many word choices.

In Jesus Name, I pray. Amen..

 

Just the other week, I was browsing the internet at home looking for other jobs; I do this from time to time, just to see what’s out there. As I was browsing; I began to look within the area in which I am already residing. A couple of things stood out, but really not worth the time of me updating a resume and references, as I closed out from looking there – It dawned on me; Why are you looking for a job where you’re already at, when you can do and have so much more?….I guess I really never thought of it that way!

I always play the safe route when it comes to jobs because if I can be honest, I have become really comfortable with where I am at; I’ve built relationships and networks, people either know me or of me and it’ll be easier to transition within my circle and plus I know the systems and don’t have to worry about learning anything extra or new; even though this isn’t the dream job I’ve always desired or my passion – I find it easier just swimming around in the same pond because I’m either unmotivated or lazy to go after what I really want because it will involve me to CHANGE!

How many times do we swim around within the same small pond, doing the exact same thing as everyone else and going on about life wishing and hoping to jump over into the bigger pond of opportunity but too afraid to let go of what you’ve felt like you have built. The small pond makes us think about the bills, our age, our limitations, past experiences or simply not having a degree; these issues keep us bound within the small pond – which makes us not willing to take a chance in a bigger arena.

The bible says in 2 Timothy 1:7 – For God has not given us the spirit of FEAR, but of POWER, LOVE & a SOUND MIND! So that means that if we’re living, walking and believing in Christ – although we might hesitate, FEAR should not be a part of our thought processes especially if we are to move from the small pond into the deep.

As I clicked off the website within my area, I begin to put in names for jobs that I really would love to have – the wave of excitement that came over me, just by looking through all the prospects was overwhelming; call it crazy but a sense of JOY & PEACE rushed through my body like an electric force. Wow! I thought to myself, if I got that pumped up just by looking at the prospect of something; it’s amazing how or what I would do if I actually tested the waters and applied.

The only thing that stops us from moving forward is ourselves; no one’s holding us hostage, no one’s got us tied up and no one is controlling our mind; If we could really have an out of body experience with ourselves and spend a day just watching our own actions, thought processes, motives and the people we hang out with (because that plays a big part in our moving forward as well); What notes would you take, what wrong thought patterns would you try to correct about yourself, who would the real culprit be in holding you back; take out a mirror and look into it, who do you see?…..Because the only person I see holding you back is YOU!

If you’re in the small pond because you feel and/or think you won’t obtain success if you move forward, then listen; while most people view success as a “materialized” word – true success is looking back over your life and seeing that you had the courage to take the necessary steps to get out of the small pond and jump over into the big sea; do you know how many people have stayed within their small pond, all because they were too afraid to TRY?!?

So what’s keeping you stuck in your own small pond today?; maybe it’s a relationship and you’re staying in it because you feel you can’t either do any better or you’ve invested so much time into it; until you don’t have the energy or the strength to jump elsewhere.  Maybe your small pond is a job – no matter how much you do, how much you sacrifice and how much of yourself you put to the side to get the job done; you seem to never get promoted or recognized for your efforts, you’re afraid to leave because you’ve invested so much time perfecting the job until you’ve lost focus on taking those talents elsewhere to another job that will  not only recognize your efforts but promote you as well.

Whatever “your” small pond might be from this point forward – begin to realize your potential, realize your greatness and invest in your worth because life is way too short to stay stuck in the small pond of life.

On this past Sunday there was an Easter special that came on FOX called “The Passion” the show was hosted by Tyler Perry in which hosted and assuredly directed the event – While the show was okay and surprising to how each of the characters were being portrayed, the most dramatic and inspiring thing that stood out to me was the many individuals whom chose to carry this huge cross across town to the stage in where Perry was hosting. I’m assuming this was marking the beginning of Jesus’s life all the way to the end, in which is where the cross was then laid down,

I began to look at all those people, whom were different colors, sizes, ethnicity and backgrounds coming together to carry the Cross, the raw emotion of some whom felt like it was something that they felt like they just had to do – was mesmerizing. As I looked at them all carry the cross, while others were walking in front of it and more behind; I began to get emotional.

That CROSS is a representation of JESUS, whom came into the world not to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved (John 3:17). He didn’t come to just save the Blacks, He didn’t come to just save the Whites, He didn’t come to just save the Hispanics, Latino’s, Mexicans nor the Internationals – when he muttered the very last words on the cross and said, “IT IS FINISHED” that death was for EVERYONE! No exclusions – The Cross was for you honey…

When Jesus walked the earth, he didn’t have favorites – he was a man that LOVED everyone, including his enemies, yes; he came to die for them too. No one is left out from having a deeper relationship with him, NO ONE is excluded from that invitation!

When Jesus asked the Disciples to take up their cross and follow him, they each immediately took up the cross and followed him, there is a passage of scripture that stood out to me in the bible – Jesus came across a man by the name of Matthew, sitting in the tax collectors booth – Matthew’s job was not looked upon as a Godly profession, as a tax collector in those times as well as this one; are considered to be cheaters and robbers. But when Jesus saw Matthew sitting – he approached him and asked that he “follow him” what stood out to me was how Matthew without question, hesitation or instant regret, got up immediately and followed him. Today God is asking that we pick up our cross and follow him in the same way.

And He was saying to them all, “If anyone wishes to follow Me [as My disciple], he must deny himself [set aside selfish interests], and take up his cross daily [expressing a willingness to endure whatever may come] and follow Me [believing in Me, conforming to My example in living and, if need be, suffering or perhaps dying because of faith in Me]. Luke 9:23 AMP

Most of us have issues and trouble with following this task, due to the fact that we have accumulated so much and can’t withstand to leave anything behind – We have too much to give up; kind of like the rich young ruler whom told the Jesus how he had kept the commandments from his youth up but Jesus knew the rich man’s heart as he asked him to then, Go and sell all of his valued goods – give to the poor and you will have riches in heaven, come “follow me” – The rich man walked away saddened, because he knew he had worked too hard for his possessions and couldn’t bear to give them up. (Luke 18:18)

Where are you today in the cross you’re bearing – there’s a song that says “Must Jesus Bear the Cross Alone?…Must he be the only one that carry’s it, Surely you are helping him to carry it in your walk, your talk, your lifestyle, your actions, your words, deeds and etc.

Jesus made the world’s biggest contribution to society when he died for you, for me and everyone else in society. While we could never match what he did, we do have the right and ability to make that contribution not seem one-sided; by taking up our cross and giving back to him what he so preciously did for us – like die to the things that make him sad, come out from amongst the things that keep us trapped in bondage from moving forward into life everlasting and build a true authentic relationship with him, we should be willing to walk like he walked and spread love, joy, peace and happiness and healing just like he did. Are you ready to take up your cross?…

 

But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19

 

Sometimes in life we struggle with what with our needs because it’s not what we really want, our needs become second best to the things that God really wants for us to have in our life. I can’t tell you how many times in life I went after my wants to only get dissatisfied, disappointed and discouraged by the choice – I never really had the patience to wait on God for what I needed; because what I needed wasn’t what I exactly wanted.

A lot of times we settle on our wants until our needs come into place. But I have to say A NEED & A WANT cannot be in the same room together, you’re going to have to choose one and let the other GO! Otherwise they will be competing with one another, with one pulling your right arm and the other pulling at your left arm; that’s confusion – 1 Corinthians 14:33 (Amplified Bible) says – For God is not a God of Confusion and disorder but of PEACE and ORDER.

So if your situation is dysfunctional, trust me; God is not a part of it – God is only a part of situations and circumstances that he ordains or has called us to partake in, complete and do. If it’s not ordered by God or if he didn’t give you the go ahead to do it, then he’s not a part of it and whatever circumstance or disruptive situation that comes from it will be on you, not him.

It’s very important to take time and listen to the voice of God; Yes! We all want microwave answers and popcorn results – I know I do sometimes, but the answers and results that come too quickly and fast are usually the ones, that cause the most damage and harm to not only our spirits but our lives in general. Learn to allow your needs to slow roast, put them on 350 degrees and let them simmer for a while, trust me it’ll be worth it in the end.

Are you in a power struggle today with your wants vs. your needs?…If so, listen closely to the voice of God and follow it, I promise his answer may not yield what you wanted, but it’s guaranteed to be exactly what you needed.

Declare this Today:

Father in the name of Jesus, You say in your word to wait on you and be of good courage, therefore to wait on you. God I am struggling today with a decision of what I want vs. what I need; Father I don’t have the knowledge nor the ability to see long-term of how either will affect me in the long run, but God you know what’s best for me and I trust you to give me just that. Help me to listen to your voice and help me to choose your way vs. my way. I Love you; In Jesus name I pray. AMEN!

About 3 years ago I was working a job in Social Services, on this job I was pretty much the jack of all trades, I knew how to do almost everything from receptionist, to time-sheets, to financial reports, to processing bills – Oh and yeah, computer re-bootee and printer fixer; If it was broken or down I was the number one person people called on to come and get it or fix it. During that time we had this pre-historic printer called “The Dinosaur” the department had, had this printer for what seemed like centuries; this printer was so old and out of date until they didn’t even sell the parts to it anymore and it gave everyone the blues because all of the second wing which consisted of 5 or more people used this printer, you could actually print something – wait 30 min to go get it only to find it probably just coming out of the printer, Yes; it was that slow.

The department ended up getting rid of the printer after quite some time and got another printer that was satisfying to everyone’s needs; when I left that job and went elsewhere to work – the first thing I noticed when I got into my new office was that same pre-historic printer that was at my other job, Oh Brother; I thought – thinking “The Dinosaur” had somewhat found me again after all those years. I surely will ask for a new one once I get settled I thought…

But a new printer never came, “The department don’t have the funds” – “We can get someone to fix it” – “It’s really not a bad printer” – “All you have to do is cut it off and on again” – We really don’t have the funds again this year. That was all I heard for the two years I had been in that position, I finally gave up on asking again and just dealt with the cards that were given to me. When I moved up into another office, the printer there was okay and didn’t give me as much trouble as the printer I had left given me, so I made myself content and was pleased that I had something that worked much better. About two weeks ago, a young lady in the office put in an order for a new printer toner, the purchaser that keyed in the order mistakenly purchased a printer instead of the toner (how that came to be, I couldn’t tell ya). When the printer came in, I told the purchaser that the young lady wanted toner, not a printer! – “Well, it’s more trouble to return it, they told me – couldn’t someone in your department use it?…..Well, we do need another printer for the reception area; I thought and if the boss approves; I guess I could take this one and give up the one I have, needless to say the boss did approve and therefore I now have a brand new printer – with all the bells and whistles, just like I wanted 3 years ago.

I said all of that to say, even though I couldn’t get the printer I so desired for my other job – no matter how much it was requested, God didn’t forget me and sent a printer my way; A printer that I wasn’t expecting or even looking to receive; and just when I had forgotten all about it, My God didn’t. This story may be about a printer, but what things have you requested over and over again and/or desired in your life and still have not received it as of yet, It could be something as small as a printer or as big as a major financial need, husband, wife, a child, a home, a new car, to be recovered from an addiction or to overcome a terminal illness or sickness and so much more. Your heart’s desire may not have come when you felt like it should have come but take comfort in knowing that God has not forgotten about you and that your desire is still in his view. A lot of times we get discouraged when things don’t happen on our timeline and begin to question God about his; Trust that God knows just the right moment, time and place when things need to happen in your life; God is God, he knows what he is doing, when you can’t trace his hand trust his heart and his plan.

The Apostle Paul says in Philippians 4:11(NKJV) – Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content. Only when we are truly content, will God surprise you with the biggest gift – Your Hearts Desire, All because he remembers; he really does remember.

 

Declare this today:

Father In the name of Jesus, your word says that you’ll never leave me nor forsake me; Father I know you haven’t forgotten about me nor my need – Today, I take comfort and pleasure in knowing that you will fulfill it at the right time and during the right moment in my life. I trust you and no matter how long it takes, let me remember that you have my best interest at heart. I love you; In Jesus name I pray. Amen