Fellowship...........Doing Life together!!

This past weekend was my church's 22nd anniversary. It was awesome!! It was amazing how God moved, the atmosphere of praise and worship, God's word that came forth, and the fellowship. God's presence was very evident. Words really can't describe it.

I really love to fellowship with my brothers and sisters in Christ. I love getting connected. There are no hidden agendas in true fellowship. There are no big i's and little you's. Everybody are one with the same game plan......to give God all the praise and glory, edifying one another, sharing God's word and/or testimonies, bearing each other's infirmities, and so much more.

According to the Webster-Merriam Dictionary, fellowship means to join in fellowship especially with a church member. There is power in fellowshipping with your brothers and sisters, mommies and daddys in Christ. God loves it when we gather together as one body ushering in His majestic and glorious presence. "For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them," (Matthew 18:20).

Gather means to bring together. When we fellowship, we gather or bring together our faith, our minds, our joy, our hurts and pains, our insecurities, our hope, our love, our hearts.......so that healing, miracles, blessings, restoration, transformation can take place.

Fellowship is the one thing that the devil doesn't want us to have. He knows that we are very powerful in numbers. Even if we gather in groups of 2's and 3's, we are too powerful for satan to overtake our joy, peace, love, hope, etc. and etc. "You'll chase out your enemies and defeat them: Five of you will chase a hundred, and a hundred of you will chase ten thousand and do away with them," (Lev. 26:8)

To fellowship with one another is to do life together. It's communion. It's being a family. Even what we do in cyber-space, is fellowshipping. We encourage, inspire, and pray for each other through our blogs and/or emails. I am thankful and so bless to have people at my church and even you to call my family, to fellowship with, and do life together.

"Think of ways to encourage one another to outbursts of love and good deeds. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage and warn each other, especially now that the day of his coming back again is drawing near," (Hebrews 10:24-25).

Your Sister (Always) in Christ and........

Walk, Walk, Walk

Just the other morning, I had to take my little girl's lunch to school because she accidentally left it home. But anyway, as I pull up to school, it seems the parking lot was still crowded from the morning rush traffic. I was trying to find a parking spot in front, but then the Holy Spirit prompted me to park in a spot where I had to walk a few feet in order to go through the front entrance of the school. It was a beautiful brisk morning. I wasn't in a rush or anything so I had no problem walking.

As I began to walk towards the front of the school, that's when God spoke to me and help me realize that a lot of us don't want to walk anymore. We just want to dash in and dash out. God was not referring to a physical walk (like a walk around the park), but spiritually walking with Him. We don't want to take the time to walk with Him and get to know Him, like you would do on a first date when you are getting to know each other for the first time.

God wants us to walk with Him; to take the time out of our busy schedule to talk, get to know Him, and build a relationship with Him. According to the Webster's Dictionary to walk means to pursue a course of action or way of life : conduct oneself. When you walk with God, you are pursuing Him, His way of life, which is a life of praise, worship, abundance, joy, hope, peace, love, and etc.

"Therefore you shall keep the commandments of the LORD your God, to walk in His ways and to fear Him." (Deut. 8:6)

"And now, Israel, what does the LORD your God require of you, but to fear the LORD your God, to walk in all His ways and to love Him, to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul." (Deut. 10:12)


In the bible, there's a lot of scriptures telling us to walk in one form or another. In my opinion, I think it's because walking allows you to stroll instead of running or rushing so that you will have time to stop and ponder, to hear the voice of God and take heed to what He is saying.


Just as walking can be effective to your body, when it comes to exercising; walking with God (instead of running) can be very effective in increasing and building your relationship with God. As your relationship increases with God, your love and the idea of knowing Him increases. When I talk about knowing God, I'm not talking about knowing Him as if God is a mere aquaintance, but knowing God (experiencing Him, His presence and all He has to offer).

The greek word for "know" is "ginosko." The Strong's Concordance number is 1097. In the W.E. Vines dictionary, ginosko means to be taking in knowledge, to come to know, recognize, understand," or "to understand completely." Knowing is about understanding God completely, the knowledge of His Truth and the importance of it.

If haven't already, try walking with God. He's already walking with us. He just waiting for some of us to acknowledge His presence. God knows us already. "I knew you before I formed you in your mother's womb. Before you were born I set you apart and appointed you as my spokesman to the world." He loved us since day one," (Jer. 1:5). And the love He has for us go far and beyond any love a person can give. "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life," (John 3:16).

After reading this, I pray that you will take time to walk with God, hold His Hand, get to know Him, experience Him and His beautiful and majestic presence. Here are a few scripture in reference "to walk":


"For the LORD God [is] a sun and shield; The LORD will give grace and glory; No good [thing] will He withhold From those who walk uprightly." - (Psalm 84:11)

"Teach me Your way, O LORD; I will walk in Your truth; Unite my heart to fear Your name." (Psalm 86:11)

"Blessed [are] the people who know the joyful sound! They walk, O LORD, in the light of Your countenance." - (Psalm 89:15)

"Blessed [are] the undefiled in the way, Who walk in the law of the LORD!" - (Psalm 119:1)

"I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh." - (Galatian 5:16)

"This is love, that we walk according to His commandments. This is the commandment, that as you have heard from the beginning, you should walk in it." (2 John1:6)

It's A New Season!!

I know that fall season began in September, but it didn't seem official to me until this month. In October, that's when you really begin to see the leaves turning to beautiful red, yellow and orange colors. It's a beautiful earthy transition.

"To everything there is a season...." (Ecc. 3:1). This scripture is very much true. There is a season for everything. They may be seasons where things are undeniable hard and chaotic. It seems like if it is not one thing it's another.

However there can be seasons when things seem to be going your way. Bills are paid on time; you or spouse gets a job promotion; money is in the bank when you need it.

Of course, you know and I know that there are good seasons and not so good seasons. The point I am trying to make is that you must remember to praise God and give Him glory in and out season, during the good and the bad times, during the summer, during the winter, during the spring, and during the fall.

Everytime it's a new season, look at it as being a new day (good or bad). It's about embracing and preparing for what may come next in your life. We must believe that every season we go through is part of God's plan for us. But what if that's season is bad? God has way of turning our bad seasons into good seasons. "And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to [His] purpose," (Romans 8:28).

"For I know the plans I have for you," says the LORD. "They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope," (Jeremiah 29:11)

There's always a chance to prosper no matter the season. But the question really is.....Is it your season to prosper? (I'm talking spiritual prosperity.) It's all in God's timing as well as being spiritually prepared and ready to receive what God has for you. Think about this scenario. When someone joins the army, they don't automatically become a 5-star general. That person has to work their way to that level. Even though each level gets harder and harder, that person has to remember not give up, if their goal is to be a 5-star general. And when that season comes, after years of enduring and working hard, it will pay off in the end.

As for the spiritual aspect, we have to go through many seasons to grow spiritually from a baby Christian to a mature Christian. But as we go through many growth stages (or many seasons), there will be many challenges we have to face. However, we must stand on our firm foundation and refuse to give up and not be move. "Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord," (1 Cor. 15:58).

"In His kindness God called you to His eternal glory by means of Jesus Christ. After you have suffered a little while, He will restore, support, and strengthen you, and He will place you on a firm foundation," (1 Peter 5:10).

"And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart," (Galatians 6:9).



"You shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, That brings forth its fruit in its season, Whose leaf also shall not wither; And whatever you do shall prosper," (Psalm 1:1).

What can man do to you?!?

"......Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you. So we say with confidence, 'The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?" (Hebrews 13:5-6)


This scripture has been part of my daily bible reading for about a couple of weeks.

This is one of many scriptures that needs to be embedded in our spirits. Knowing that God will never leave me nor will He ever forsake me, is more than enough to give me confidence of who my God is. And to top it off with a bold affirmation, "
I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?"

If God has our backs, why should we be afraid? There is nothing or no one to fear, but God. He is the Alpha and Omega, our Prince of Peace, our Everlasting Father, the Lion of the Tribe of Judah. He is everything and so much more. God's word says, "What then shall we say to these things? If God [is] for us, who [can be] against us?" (Romans 8:31)

and

"For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind," (2 Timothy 1:7).

It is not in our spiritual DNA to be a afraid. Fear is a weapon the devil uses to distort our faith and contradict God's Holy Word. But if we grab hold of Hebrews 13:5-6 and say with boldness and immeasurable confidence that..."God will never leave me nor will He never forsake me; He is my Helper; I will not be afraid; What can man do to me?", we will have devil quaking in his boots. The devil is afraid of bold and confident Christians because we know who we are in Christ and stand firm on all of God's promises in the bible.

And to answer the question in Hebrews 13:6, 'What can man do to you?'............Nothing! A big fat nothing. "No weapon formed against you shall prosper, And every tongue [which] rises against you in judgment You shall condemn...," (Isaiah 54:17).



I pray that this a blessing to your spirit. Remember, to stand firm and be bold. There is nothing to fear. Let the devil know that fear is no longer part of your vocabulary. Hallelujah!!

I'm Heading In a New Direction

In a previous post, I talk about taking my blog in a different direction with more insight and instructions from God. And one of the things he placed upon my heart is to put more of me (my heart and soul) in my posts. This will give you an opportunity to get to know me better and my relationship with God.

As I put more of self and more of God's word in my blog, I pray someone will be truly blessed, saved, inspired, empowered, and so much more. I believe that our testimonies are other people's hope. There are so many people who are in a desperate need of hope and even a speck of light in their dark world. If not a testimony, a word from God send to us (His vessels) to be share with His people, so that He can be glorified.

God is such a faithful and merciful God. And as He blesses and shares with Me, I want to bless and share with others. So as I pray for you, please pray for me that I will stay on this path God has intended for me and that I would take heed to every instruction and plan He has for my life and my blog.


Blessings to you always!!!

"Teach me your way, O Lord, and I will walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name. I will praise you, O Lord my God, with all my heart; I will glorify your name forever." (Psalm 86:11-12)



Your Sister in Christ,
Toia

Get Some Rest....If Needed

Well, it's Monday...again. But, it's all good. I woke up this morning with it raining outside. It's been raining pretty much all day. Sometimes, I kind of struggle with getting out of my bed on Monday mornings. But I didn't. I got right out of bed. Maybe it has something to do with being in bed since 10pm last night.

10 o'clock at night is very early for me to go to bed, especially when I'm so use to going to bed at 11 pm or 12 am. Trust me, going to bed around that time every night has the tendacy of catching up with you and not in a good way. So, I definitely don't make it habit of going to bed that late each night.

Going to bed that late sometimes, can make you feel really tired and sluggish. If or when I am feeling that way, when I get off of work, I definitely try to squeeze in a nap. Otherwise, I am no good for my family the rest of the evening, since I do have to help with homework, prepare and cook dinner, and on and on and on.


Many people don't realize that you cannot neglect your body when it come to getting some rest. I know with a busy schedule it's easier said than done. However, if don't take the time to give your body the rest it so desperately needs, your body will shut down and force you to make the time. And if it ever gets to that point, that means your immune system has very high and possibly chance of becoming weak, which will make your body vulnerable to the flu, infections, and etc.

So be wise with your body as I will be wise with mine and get enough rest or sleep. Remember, no matter how much we try, we are not superwoman.


Blessings to you all, always!!


Your Sister in Christ,
Toia

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For these past couple of months, I think I was trying to get a grip on reality as far as school starting, getting back to work after a nice two month summer vacation, and etc. and etc. Even though I was not posting, my heart never left blogging and still felt connected with everyone. My heart was forever drawn.

At one point, I think I got too comfortable and complacent, not to mention a little lazy. After things began to run a little smoothly, I found myself making my way back to the computer with little time here and there. It was as if I was taking baby steps back to what I love. And now, here I am.....again.

I really don't know what direction my blog is going to go in, whether or not it will be like it was before or 360 turn. I'm just waiting and listening for instructions from God. In the meantime, I will take it one day at a time or should I say one post at a time.

Blessings to you all, always!!


Your Sister in Christ,
Toia

Hello...Again!!

I am getting back in sync slowly but surely. I will be making my rounds to see what all of you've been up to. Thanks for all your prayers and love. Have a bless weekend!!




Your Sister in Christ,
Toia