Reasons to Relax: #1

We’re going to start a little series on the reasons we can relax!

Reason #1 – God is not going to let me miss or mess up any of the plans He has for me as long as I am truly seeking Him.

“A man’s heart plans his way, But the LORD directs his steps.” Proverbs 16:9

This verse became a huge changing point in my life during my last year of college. I was so worked up about what I was “supposed” to do. Where was I supposed to go? What job was I supposed to have? If I took the wrong path would I miss God’s best for me and (God forbid) miss “the one” I was supposed to marry and the family I was supposed to have?

I lived under such stress and anxiety and then one day the Spirit led me to this verse. I know that God knows my heart. He knows that my greatest desire is for His plans to be worked out in my life. This verse helped me realized that God was going to take care of it! I could finally breathe!!!

So my new policy was (is) to seek God, go in the direction I felt most excited about (after having prayed) and then trust that God would shut and open any doors along the way to ensure that His will was done in my life. (Ps. 37:4-5) And so far it has worked beautifully!

WOW! What a relief!

True Love

“For the love of Christ controls and urges and impels us, because we are of the opinion and conviction that [if] One died for all, then all died; And He died for all, so that all those who live might live no longer to and for themselves, but to and for Him Who died and was raised again for their sake. Consequently, from now on we estimate and regard no one from a [purely] human point of view [in terms of natural standards of value].” 2 Corinthians 5:14-16a (emphasis added)

WOW! This scripture really grabbed me this week. What if we were completely controlled by the love of Christ? What if, in being thus controlled, we no longer sought to live for ourselves but for the One Who gave Himself for us? And what if we no longer viewed others as mere humans (seeing first their flaws and shortcomings) but rather we first saw each person in light of the fact that Christ loved them enough to die for them?

This perspective could change my life! It could totally revolutionize how I relate to others and how they relate to me.

In John 14:34 Christ issues a huge challenge: “I give you a new commandment: that you should love one another. Just as I have loved you, so you too should love one another.” He doesn’t just tell us to love one another. He tells us to love others the way He loves us!

Let’s spend the next few days keeping these verses in the forefront of our minds. Meditate on them. Think about how you think about others. How do you see them? Regardless of what we like or don’t like in another person, Christ saw them as special enough to die for. And we are called to love them with that same love.

Think about it…

Be on Fire!

So, I just found this verse, and it has become my new theme! I have tried to explain this burning, passionate, greater than myself, feeling I have inside for God and for seeing people come into a powerful walk with Him, but never have I been able to put it as well as Jeremiah did here:

“If I say, I will not make mention of [the Lord] or speak any more in His name, in my mind and heart it is as if there were a burning fire shut up in my bones. And I am weary of enduring and holding it in; I cannot [contain it any longer].” Jeremiah 20:9

WOW!! That just makes me want to shout! For those who know me well, you have witnessed the fact that the more I feel the Spirit, and the more “holy excitement” I get, the more I start to bounce. J And this verse explains exactly why. There is a fire in my bones that I simply cannot contain!

So, you may be asking, “How did you get it?” Maybe you don’t have that excitement. Perhaps you even feel bored with your walk with the Lord. Trust me…my zeal is not something that comes from myself but from the power of the Living God on the inside of me. If you have accepted Christ, you have that exact same Spirit in you. But you have to stir yourself up! (Jude 1:20; 2 Tim. 1:6)

Go on, let it out!! Raise your hands in worship to your God, not because you feel like it, but because He is worthy of your praise. Let Him have all of you. The scripture says that our God inhabits the praises of His people. (Psalm 22:3) So you don’t wait to feel Him and then praise, rather you praise and then you’ll feel Him!

Give it some thought. And also know that again, none of this just happens overnight. To develop a real, on fire excitement for God you have to spend time getting to know Him. Talk to Him. Read His Word. Commit your entire life to Him, not just a few hours on Sunday morning. Then watch and see what He does in you as you become more and more sold out for Him. Hold on to your seat…if you can stay in it!

Hey Now...

When Mikaela was a little younger, too young for conversation, but old enough to understand “no,” I learned a phrase that my sister was using with my niece. It was comical, yet very effective. When the girls would begin to get into something that was off limits or start to through a little tantrum, we would say, “Hey now…” It sounded funny, but that quick little phrase, said in a nonthreatening tone, was enough to grab their attention and make them stop what they were doing.

It occurred to me one day that this is much the way God deals with us when we start to get off course. We learn that, in 1 Kings 19:11-12, despite what we may wish for, God’s most frequent method of speaking to us is a still small voice. Rarely does He grab us by the shoulders and shout His directions, correction, or plans into our ears. Nope, He is more likely to just give a gentle warning, and we have to be still enough to pay attention (Psalm 46:10). That is a huge reason why being in the Word and giving time to prayer is so important. If we are not getting to know Him on a regular basis we may not recognize His voice. And this is why being still (quieting our minds and our souls) is so important. If we are completely engulfed in our own thoughts and actions we could miss that gentle nudging.

The point is, our lives would be a lot simpler and easier to navigate if we would learn to heed the “Hey now...” warnings of our Lord.  Think about it.

To My Sisters,

I apologize to everyone for the delay in the past few posts. I have been wrapped up in something very exciting…

2nd Annual

Women of Providence

women's conference

 

Live It!

9.24.11

"As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him." Colossians 2:6

For those of you not familiar with the conference it is held at Providence Baptist Church in McLean, VA. Last year was a great success and this promises to be even more exciting.

Through powerful music, exciting speakers, and small group breakout sessions on a wide range of topics, you are sure to find the tools and inspiration you need to dive into the awesome life God has for you!

Special guests include:

Gospel recording artist, speaker and co-founder of Life Waters Ministries, Dr. Negleatha Johnson.

Renowned Gospel singer/songwriter, Alyce Metallo.

Author, speaker, historian and TV News analyst, Jane Hampton Cook.

 

And a special session of unique musical styling and original poetry with published poet and entertainer, Cheryl Crockett.

And I’ll have the privilege of hosting as well as singing and speaking a bit myself.

 

Register Online Today!

http://www.wix.com/providencetoday/liveit

$20 early-registration fee

(includes a wonderful lunch and gift)

15% discount for groups of 5 or more!

 For more information:

Email us at WomenofProvidence@gmail.com or call the church office. 703-893-5330

Providence Baptist Church

8980 Brook Road, McLean, VA 22102

 

If at all possible I hope to see you there. Please help spread the word about this exciting opportunity to grow in the Lord and have a lot of fun together!

Generosity: The answer is “Yes!"

Have you ever had that awkward moment where you wondered, “Do you tip this person?” or “Should I pick up the tab?” or “Should I give a little in this offering even though it’s not my church?”

Well, allow me to put your mind at rest…the answer to these questions is simply “Yes!” If the thought comes to your mind, and it is not going to be financially unwise for you to do so, the answer is yes. One time God told me, “Just do it! It’s just money, and it’s really not yours anyway.”

And what about that Salvation Army bucket? Have you ever tried to sneak in the shore, rushing by, careful not to make eye contact with the poor freezing soul ringing that little bell, pretending to be on the phone or focused on something you see on the other side of the walk way? We’ve all been there. Try this, just give a couple dollars and smile. Chances are you won’t miss the money, but God will reward your giving with the ability to walk in and out of the store guilt free! J

I used to get worried and anxious over these little things. But I have been set free. And it is a wonderful feeling. The scripture says that God loves a cheerful giver. (2 Cor. 9:7) And I felt God say, “You’re asking if you should bless someone…what do you think my answer is going to be?” And I realized that worrying over whether I should give someone $5 for taking my bag, or tip the server 20% instead of 15% was robbing me of the joy of giving. The extra few dollars was not going to put me in financial straits and yet the simple act of giving could bring as much joy and fulfillment to me as to the receiver, if not more.

So just think about this as you go throughout your day. Of course we have to be wise and be good stewards, but in most instances when we are questioning whether or not to bless someone, the answer is simply, “Go for it!” The small amount it will cost you will not compare to the huge amount of joy and love you feel coming back at you. I firmly believe we are blessed to be a blessing, not to sit on it! It is God’s money anyway. Hold it loosely and allow Him to use it anyway He wants!

Note: I am not talking about giving a $100 bill to a “begger” with brand new $150 tennis shoes…I am talking about the many little opportunities we have each day to reach out and show love just by living with a generous heart and an open hand. It is great freedom!
 

“And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” Acts 20:35