"An acorn can grow into an oak tree, but it cannot become a rose bush. You will always be you — a growing, healthy you or a languishing you — but God did not create you to be anybody else. He pre-wired your temperament. He determined your natural gifts and talents. He made you to feel certain passions and desires. He planned your body and mind. Your uniqueness is God-designed." - John Ortberg
Monday is not exactly everyone's favorite day of the week. Monday means it's time to start the week work again or for others it's time to recycle that hectic Monday through Friday schedule. There are some people who decide how the rest of their week is going to be, whether it's a good or bad one, depending on how their Monday turns out. It's the beginning of the end, sort of speak.
However, we should not have to dread Monday as often as we do. If anything we should embrace it. Since Monday is sort of the hardest day of the week to get through (for some it is), maybe we should double up on our God time. For example, add an extra five minutes (or more) to your prayer time. Write some warfare scriptures on index cards and read them every Monday before starting the day or even Sunday night before bed time. How about cranking up your praise and worship songs louder than normal....just shouting and praising to the Lord with a voice of triumph!!!
Mondays (or any other day for that matter) doesn't have to be as bad or as hard we tend to make it. We should rejoice in every day that the Lord has made and be glad in it!!! If we focus on the Monday (just the day itself) and not on God and what He has for us to do as far as being a blessing to someonne, we would miss a glorious opportunity because we are caught up in the...."Aaarrrgggghhh, it's Monday again!!!" syndrome.
I know this attitude towards Mondays may not exactly change overnight. It's a work in progress. However, it's a free will choice to acknowledge it and decide whether or not if this is an area you want or need to improve. Attitude is everything, especially when you're representing the Kingdom of God.
I pray this post has been a blessing to you and that you would look at Mondays from a whole new and different perspective. Blessings to you and HAPPY MONDAY!!!
I am thankful that my husband, my children (3), and me are in good health.
I am thankful for God giving me the desire to want to do His Will and increase in the knowledge of Him.
I am thankful for God giving a vision on how to enlarge my territory so that it give Him glory and edify the Kingdom of God.
I am thankful for knowing that the best is yet to come.
I am also thankful that it's a new season, it's a new day, and fresh anointing is coming my way.
Hallelujah and Amen!!! I have come to far to give up and turn back now in the name of Jesus!!!
Be bless in the mighty name of Jesus. Show God your appreciation by giving Him thanks for all He is doing and all He is about to do. Please join our Thankful Thursday Host - Lynn from Spiritually Unequal Marriage.
There's a song that's been quenching the thirst of my spirit. It's called - "I Need Your Help" by Deitrick Haddon. Listening to the song and lyrics help my realize that no matter what - I need the Lord's help. I need Him to give me strength to get me through each day. I need the Lord's help with every problem or situation. I need the Him to help me be the woman of God-He has called me to be. I need His help with my finances, with raising my children, to be the kind of wife I should be to my husband, the kind of mother He would have me to be for my children, etc. The list goes on and on. The bottom line is that (no matter what) in the good and the bad, I need the Lord's Help.
So, everytime I hear this song it's blessing to my spirit. Because I know, when I need His help, all I have to do is ask. It's just that simple. He is not going to abandon me in my time of need. He is faithful and trust, so I know He is always there by my side. "I will lift up my eyes to the hills-- From whence comes my help? My help [comes] from the LORD, Who made heaven and earth," (Psalm 121:1-2)
Here's the video for = "I Need Your Help - Deitrick Haddon" - Lyrics are below. I pray this song/video is a blessing to your spirit. PS - Please pause my playlist to the very bottom before you begin.
Verse 1: In Your presence by myself, its You and me Lord and no one else, and I don't have to say a whole lot of things. You already know I need Your help, my enemies want to see me fall, so they can say I told you so. Mmmm, Lord I don't mean to bother You with my small problems, but there is no where else I can go.
Ooohhh,oooohhh,oooohhh,oooohhh,ooohhhh.
Hook: Lord, I need your help (x2)
Verse 2: Lord at thy feet I fall, and Lord I surrender all, and if You can forgive me of my sins, I know that I can start all over again, hey, Oohhh,oooohhh,ooohh,oooohhh You got it now sing it with me...
Hook: Lord (Say I) I (I really do) need (yeah) Your help (I tried to do it on my own but I found out) Lord (I need) I (I need ya) need Your help
Bridge: I traveled long on every side, there's no where to run or hide, won't You hear my humble cry (yeah!)
I love this Psalm because its full David's praises to God for who He is. As you read, you can see how David reminds God of His promises as well as David making promises to God. Not only do read about David's promises to God, you read a few requests that David made known to God.
This Psalm is full of inspiration and it stirs your spirit. Psalm 86 is one of those psalms that you have to read all the way through to reap the full benefit spiritually.
Psalm 86
A Prayer of David. Bow down Your ear,
O LORD, hear me; For I [am] poor and needy.
Preserve my life, for I [am] holy;
You are my God; Save Your servant who trusts in You!
Be merciful to me, O Lord,
For I cry to You all day long.
Rejoice the soul of Your servant,
For to You, O Lord, I lift up my soul.
For You, Lord, [are] good, and ready
to forgive, And abundant in mercy
to all those who call upon You.
Give ear, O LORD, to my prayer;
And attend to the voice of my supplications.
In the day of my trouble I will
call upon You, For You will answer me.
Among the gods [there is] none like You,
O Lord; Nor [are there any works] like Your works.
All nations whom You have made
Shall come and worship before You,
O Lord, And shall glorify Your name.
For You [are] great, and do
wondrous things; You alone [are] God.
Teach me Your way, O LORD;
I will walk in Your truth;
Unite my heart to fear Your name.
I will praise You, O Lord my God,
with all my heart, And I will
glorify Your name forevermore.
For great [is] Your mercy toward me,
And You have delivered my
soul from the depths of Sheol.
O God, the proud have risen against me,
And a mob of violent [men]
have sought my life, And
have not set You before them.
But You, O Lord, [are] a God
full of compassion, and gracious,
Longsuffering and abundant
in mercy and truth.
Oh, turn to me, and have
mercy on me! Give Your strength
to Your servant, And save the
son of Your maidservant.
Show me a sign for good,
That those who hate me may see
[it] and be ashamed,
Because You, LORD, have
helped me and comforted me.
May this psalm reading be a blessing to you mind, body, and spirit. Blessings, Peace, and Love to you always!!!!
I love sharing God's Word. Its full of life, encouragement, inspirations, wisdom, and joy. It's our guide or reference manual to how live a Godly life that is in the right standing with God. There's a scripture on almost everything you need to confirm. God's words says,"your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit [who is] in you, whom you have from God..," (1 Corinthians 6:19).
Throughout the bible, you can find little nuggets or spiritual health tips that will instruct on how to do this even down to controlling certain body parts/organs that can affect your spiritual growth and your relationship with God. Check out Proverb 4:20-27.
My son, give attention to my words; Incline your EAR to my sayings.
Do not let them depart from your EYES; Keep them in the midst of your heart;
For they [are] life to those who find them, And health to all their flesh.
Keep your HEART with all diligence, For out of it [spring] the issues of life.
Put away from you a deceitful MOUTH, And put perverse lips far from you.
Let your EYES look straight ahead, And your eyelids look right before you.
Ponder the path of your FEET, And let all your ways be established.
Do not turn to the right or the left; Remove your foot from evil.
Ear - You must be conscious of what you subject your listening ear(s) to...from the kind of music you listen to all the way down to listening to certain people's conversations and so on."Incline your ear, and come to Me. Hear, and your soul shall live; And I will make an everlasting covenant with you...," (Isaiah 55:3). "If you diligently heed the voice of the LORD your God and do what is right in His sight, give ear to His commandments and keep all His statutes,..."(Exodus 15:26)
Feet- "The steps of a [good] man are ordered by the LORD, And He delights in his way," (Psalm 37:23). Allow God to lead you in the path He would have you to walk. In order to walk on the pathway to your purpose and destiny, you have let God order your footsteps and direct your path."Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths," (Proverb 3:5-6). And when you walk in obedience, God will not allow your foot to be moved. "He will not allow your foot to be moved; He who keeps you will not slumber,..." (Psalm 121:3).
Eyes - We must keep our eyes on Jesus and focus on His Ways, His Word, and keep them front and center. In addition, we must be mindful of what we watch as far as movies and TV shows. It is God whom we look up to in His Presence for strength, guidance, and even clarity. But how can we see, if we subject our eyes to see and focus on things that are contradictory to God's Word. God wants us look up to Him just like the author of Psalm 121 did."I will lift up my eyes to the hills-- From whence comes my help? My help [comes] from the LORD, Who made heaven and earth," (Psalm 121:1-2). "Unto You I lift up my eyes, O You who dwell in the heavens," (Psalm 123:1).
Mouth - The mouth is known to get a lot of people in trouble in more ways than one, which is why we should be mindful of what we say to and around people (of all ages). We have a choice of rather or not to let our words be words of encouragement, joy, positive affirmations instead of deceit, discordness, or insult. Death and life are in the power of tongue (Proverb 18:21). And where does the tongue live? That's right...inside the mouth. To be effective in the Kingdom of God, we must use the power of our tongues to speak life so that we can be soul winners and soul losers. Not only that, we must be mindful of how we use our mouths in conversations. Our mouths are not use for gossiping, cussing, or degrading others. It is for preaching the gospel (the Good News) to all nations."Let your conversation be gracious and effective so that you will have the right answer for everyone," (Colossians 4:6).
Heart - The heart is not only a vital organ in our physical growth but for our spiritual growth and relationship with God. We listen to the Holy Spirit with our hearts. With that in mind, we have to be good stewards over it. "Keep your heart with all diligence, For out of it [spring] the issues of life." Spending time with God by praying, reading His Word, praising His Name, and Worshipping Him are ways to sustain your heart from spiritual corruption. Because if satan can grab a hold of our heart, he can try to distort our walk with Christ.
Here's a thought: Grab a hold of your anointing oil(if you have any) and anoint your ears, your eyes, your feet, your mouth, and chest (your heart).
In reading this, I pray that we use what God has given us to edify our spirits as well as the body of Christ. Also, that we will not be ignorant to satan devices and not give him access to our spirits through our mouth, ears, eyes, and etc. That we use them to bring glory to God's Kingdom. We live and move and have our being through You. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
"I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser.
Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit.
You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you.
Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me.
I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.
If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned.
If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.
By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples." (John 15:1-8)
My prayer is that we continue to grow in Christ.
That we bear fruit that is pleasing to God, whereas He can be
glorified through His Son, Jesus' name. In the process of bearing
fruit, I pray that we would always humble ourselves and open our
hearts to pruning so that in turn we can maintain a sold-out,
non-compromising relationship with our Vinedresser.
Finally, I pray that we will abide with the True and Living Vine, Jesus and always remain and stay forever in His Presence. In hopes, that we will experience a glorious opportunity to grow and be productive in the Kingdom of God. Amen.
No matter how many times you try ponder, or figure out "why me" or "how could this happen to me" it can be so hard to wrap your head around things. You may or may not get the answer you're looking for, but the bottomline is that you should never lean to your own understanding or logic of things. You should trust God and acknowledge Him for who He is according to Proverb 3:5-6.
And also try to remember all of God's promises He made for His children. He promised a life of abundance, joy, and so much more. However, in that there will be trials and tribulation to test your faith. So you must choose to breakthrough in victory rather than breakdown in defeat. I choose victory because I am more than a conqueror through Christ Jesus-Hallelujah!
