Tag Archives: GOD’s love

Focus forward…

28 Monday Oct 2013

Posted by in Faith, Obedience, Relationship with GOD, Surrender, Trust

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0101-rev21.5_I saw it coming and I should’ve better prepared for it but like a train coming slowly down the track… it happened. My darling Noah, in all the beauty and glory of her terrible twos, had a temper tantrum. And not just any temper tantrum, my friend. This one was the tsunami of all tantrums.

The day had started off sweetly enough. We’d gone to Babies ‘R’ Us to buy a gift for her friend’s 3rd birthday party. Noah saw something she wanted, a seemingly innocent and innocuously cute toy. However, the warning label read that no child under 8 should handle it because of small pieces that could chock younger children. She initially asked for it politely. Seeing the perils of having such a ‘toy’ I told her no. Then came the begging and pleading. “Please Mommy! Please!” Then promises she surely couldn’t keep. “I promise I won’t ask again.” But I was lovingly firm. So when all else had failed Noah proceeded to lay on the floor kicking and screaming. I tell you, it was like right out of the movies.

Let’s admit it my friend, this is how we’ve responded one time or another to an unfavorable answer or a closed door. Perhaps you didn’t fall out on the floor kicking and screaming (or maybe you did), but we are all guilty at one time or another of blaming GOD, others, or ourselves, becoming angry and bitter or refusing to forgive. Perhaps, you got passed over for a position, the financing for the housing fell through or a relationship came to an abrupt and unexpected end. Whatever it was the door to an opportunity was closed shut.

pulling on closed doorI’ll be the first to admit that I have knocked, banged and pulled on closed doors. I have pleaded with GOD to open it, made Him promises, and looked longingly at it until I’d eventually come to accept it’s closure. But as I’ve mature spiritually I’ve come to understand the purpose and absolute necessity of closed doors. And today I am able to thank GOD for closed doors; past, present and future. In fact, some of the best opportunities came right after a huge disappointment.

My friend, what door has been closed for you?  Is it a foreclosed home, a lost job, or missed opportunity? Or could it be the ending of a relationship or the termination of something you’d given your all to? I am here to tell you that you no longer have to look angrily, sadly or longingly at the closed doors. GOD has extraordinary plans for you in the near future. The Bible says that we are not to look behind us or long for the ‘good ol days’ (Luke 9:62, Ecclesiastes 7:10, Isaiah 43:18-19). Our friend, Lot’s wife looked back and was turned into a pillar of salt; missing out on the blessings set before her (Genesis 19:26). So let’s give GOD glory for the good that we experienced within the door but focus forward in expectation for new doors (Psalm 32:8, Philippians 3:12-14). That which is behind you no longer requires your attention, time, investment and effort. GOD is doing a new thing and He is beckoning you forward, not backward. That which GOD has for you does not exist behind that door but lies ahead. Reach for it, my friend! Focus forward.

brand newClosed doors are actually preparations for where GOD wants to take you. Do not be angry, irritable, and down ridden. Do not blame the bank that misplaced your paperwork or your ex-spouse who didn’t meet your expectations. Let it go. GOD is beckoning you forward. He has arranged new opportunities, new possibilities and new relationships. He is opening doors that can’t be shut. Humble yourself before Him and allow Him to lead and direct you to your place of purpose, blessings and deliverance (Proverbs 3:5-6, Proverbs 16:9, James 1:5). My friend, let‘s resolve to trust GOD when doors close. As we come to view them through His eyes we are able to see that closed doors are actually an indication that something brand spanking new is springing up. 

My friend, I pray that this message truly blesses you. I see you going humbly before GOD. And although you are entering His presence with a heavy heart I see you coming out with joy, peace, and a new found hope in Almighty GOD, who is able to lovingly usher you forward to where He is making all things new.

How to make GOD smile…

21 Tuesday May 2013

Posted by in Faith, Relationship with GOD, Surrender

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GOD handing me His giftI remember like it was yesterday. It was Noah’s third Christmas and she’d wanted a doll house. But, not just any doll house, my friend. This doll house had all the bells and whistles: 3 ft tall, tri-story, pink, of course with beautiful, ornate furnishings. When she woke up that Christmas morning the smile on her face was priceless. In her amazement she was only able to utter five sweet words: “Is that really for me?” This beautiful memory has been indelibly etched into my brain and on my heart. I believe that GOD has placed in us a joy in receiving gifts because He too delights in receiving them. But, what can we offer GOD Almighty that He doesn’t already have? I mean, what do you offer Someone who already owns everything (Psalm 24:1)? Well, my friend GOD desires your time and your surrender.

The Bible says that when you delight yourself in the LORD by spending time with Him and seeking His face He will give you the desires of your heart (Psalm 37:4). So, it is good to go before the LORD with your deeply held hopes, dreams and ideal future. While in prayer one day I did just that. I went before the LORD and I presented to Him my ideal future. I mean I really did it big. Tears ran down my face as I imagined a life with every good thing I’d ever wanted. It was an extraordinary experience, my friend. But then something happened. Instead of holding this ‘life’ dear to my heart, I imagined putting all of these hopes and dreams into a huge box. I wrapped it beautifully with a big red bow and I offered it to GOD as my gift to Him. He smiled, my friend. I know He did! I made GOD smile. My gift to GOD was the surrendering of my hopes, dreams and future. In surrendering I gave it to Him to do as He saw fit. If this was the life He desired for me… Good. If it was not… Great because I trust that in His love and wisdom He’s got something much better!

If you’d like to make GOD smile set time aside, my friend to sit alone in His presence. Talk to Him about your day and then think of all of your hopes, dreams and ideal future. I mean dream big! After all, this is GOD. Let Him fill your heart and mind with His great vastness. Relax and enjoy this time with Him. Then place it all in a box. And with a pure heart give it over to Him. Surrender it all to Him.

Surrendering requires great faith. It means to remove all of your control over it and releasing preconceived ideas on how things will pan out. It is to give it to GOD trusting that He has your best interest at heart, even if you don’t get everything you want. But surrender also means that you no longer have to worry about how things will work because you have just given full control over to the King of kings and Lord of lords. Surrendering is not easy, my friend so let GOD prepare your heart for it and when you’re ready – Give it up and over to Him. He will smile! He will draw close to you! And the GOD who keeps the universe intact with perfect precision will rejoice over you (Zephaniah 3:17).

So, my friend what does your dream future look like? Is there deliverance from strife, family problems and debt? Is it for a promotion at work, a thriving ministry, or the restoration of a relationship? Could it be the opportunity to spend more time with your family or return to school? Perhaps, it’s to settle down, get married and have children. Whatever your hopes, dreams and future consist of GOD desires to see that you receive His very best, which greatly surpasses our best. He is a GOD that blesses His children. The Bible says that the LORD bestows favor and honor. And no good thing does He withhold from those who walk uprightly (Psalm 84:11). He is a faithful GOD who rewards those who put their trust in Him (Psalm 9:10). If you would surrender your future to Him He will order your steps (Psalm 37:23). He will make every single situation turn out for your good (Romans 8:28). He will make sure that His will is done on earth as it is in Heaven (Matthew 6:10). And you’ll come to see that in return He will see to it that you receive the gifts of peace, purpose, joy, and a future that exceeds your expectations. So humble yourself before Him today and let the Creator of all that is seen and unseen map out your life. You will not regret it. I promise.

I truly hope this message blesses you. I see you dreaming big and surrendering it all over to GOD. And because of your faith I see that He is setting the stage for the unfolding of the most beautiful future that only He can offer. I’m beyond excited for you, my friend. I really am.

Earthquake shift…

13 Monday May 2013

Posted by in Faith, Relationship with GOD, Surrender

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earthquake pictureThe other day a friend of mine wrote on his Facebook page that ‘sometimes you’ve got to lose to gain.’ Yeah, well we’ve all heard or read that somewhere before but it really hits home when you’re currently in the midst of experiencing it. And everyone has at one point or another experienced it. Recently, I received some unexpected news and I must admit that it shook my world for a few hours. Questions of What, Where, Who, and the inevitable Why quickly raced through my brain. But I have learned to make what I call “earthquake shifts.”

As we know earthquakes are unexpected, unpredictable, disruptive and scary. And they can range anywhere between 1 and 10 on the Earthquake Richter Scale depending on their severity and potential damage they may cause. And so it is with our lives. At times, we experience situations or circumstances that range from annoyances and minor disruptions to level 10 life-changing experiences that instill fear and leave us questioning our ability to recover. Earthquakes are inevitable, but shifts require work.

To shift is to change our perspective on the situation. It is to voluntarily transition from seeing things through our limited, natural vision to seeing them through the eyes of GOD. Shifting often doesn’t come easy because it’s quite unnatural. It is unnatural to see loss as gain. And at times shifting may require that we forgive the unforgivable. Shifting requires faith that despite what we see GOD is in control (Psalm 24:1), that He has a future plan on the other side of our ‘earthquake’ (Jeremiah 29:11) and that He is capable of working everything out for our good (Romans 8:28). Shifts are necessary for our mental, emotional and spiritual well being. Because without shifting we get stuck and are left to re-experience the earthquakes time and time again, with no Heavenly support. This is painful and unnecessary. So, shifting is a choice to surrender. Surrender requires faith. And faith, my friend pleases GOD (Hebrews 11:6).

We are so blessed to have a Savior who is touched by our infirmities as He, Himself has experienced what can be seen as an ‘earthquake shift.’ In the book of Luke it is written that while in the garden of Gethsemane Jesus ‘being in agony, He prayed more earnestly. Then His sweat became like drops of blood falling down to the ground.’ It weighed so heavily on His heart that He was about to experience separation from GOD (Psalm 22:1, Matthew 27:46), undergo excruciating physical pain (Isaiah 52:14), and receive rejection, hatred and ridicule from those He was so madly in love with (John 1:11). But in His wisdom, He made a shift and surrendered it all to His Father as He said, “Not My will but Your will be done.” It was at that moment that He no longer focused on the earthquake but shifted His focus on what was on the other side of the earthquake (our salvation). (Luke 22:39-46) So, to shift is to focus forward towards the future. And as you see GOD knows, my friend how painful life earthquakes can be. He wants you to surrender that pain to Him today. He wants to show you the extraordinary future He has ahead of you.

So, my friend what earthquakes are you in need of shifting? A layoff, 30 days to vacate, or an unexpected break-up? Perhaps it’s that something you desperately hoped for fell apart? Or could it be the loss of a loved one or unfavorable news from the doctor? Whatever range your earthquake falls, the Holy Spirit is the Comforter and He longs to soothe and repair all of the damage the earthquake’s caused. Shifts can only come by allowing GOD to work through you. Are you ready to surrender the fear, anger, anxiety and hopelessness? Are you willing to make the shift to seeing things through the eyes of GOD? He is waiting to restore your hope in the future. He is ready to replace your fear with faith. And He is able to give you indescribable peace. But you must go before Him in prayer and ask Him to help you make the shift from relying on your own wisdom and strength to leaning on His everlasting love, wisdom, power, and might. It is then that He can make beauty of your ashes (Isaiah 61:3).

I truly hope this message blesses you. I see you allowing GOD to restore and repair any and all damage that life’s earthquakes may have caused. I see you surrendering all the broken pieces to Him and in return GOD showing you the blessings on the other side. And boy am I ever so excited for you!