Spirit of Humility

"And whoever exalts himself shall be humbled; and whoever humbles himself shall be exalted."  (Matthew 23:12)

     

     I don’t know how many of you have/have had pets, but I am learning that they can teach you some of the same skills/techniques that are needed for parenting. Even with pets, there are moments of laughter, joy, disappointments, and sadness. There is a need for training, instruction, guidance, and patience. One of the things I noticed about my fur-child, Zoe, is that when I call her name, she starts out running and wagging her tail. But as she gets closer, she bows down low and remains that way until I do something to make her look up at me. 

     Now you may be wondering why I am telling you this and what this has to do with you, especially if you don’t have any pets? Let’s first look at the dynamics of the relationship that I have developed with Zoe. When she was a puppy, she had to learn what was acceptable and not acceptable. She had to learn who was responsible for her, who it was that she could trust to feed her, love her, take care of her, and protect her. Over time, the relationship of trust and reverence deepened and at some point, she felt the need to start bowing before me whenever she was in my presence. 

     Isn't that how we are as children of God? When we start out in our relationship with God, we are guided and instructed on how to function in life and how to grow in our walk with the Lord. As this relationship grows, our trust and reverence for God should deepen. So let me ask you—when was the last time that you approached God in a spirit of humility? How often do you bow down in adoration and reverence for the One who is faithful to provide our daily needs? 

     Sometimes we get to that place in our lives where we forget to thank God for the simple, everyday things. It’s funny that some people only see the value in something when they no longer have it. But what about approaching God in a spirit of humility when we mess up? Sometimes we just shrug it off and say, “Oh, well, I messed up. But God will forgive me. God knows my heart.” 

     A spirit of humility means to approach God in a way that shows that you understand there is Someone greater than yourself. Someone that you owe your life and well-being to. Someone who has walked with you through YOUR moments of laughter, joy, disappointments, and sadness. Someone who has shown love and patience as YOUR Trainer, YOUR Guide, and YOUR Instructor. 

     The next time you have an opportunity to be alone with God without any distractions, approach God with a humble attitude, a grateful heart, and a deep reverence for who God is. I guarantee that not only will you learn to walk in a spirit of humility, but you will also learn that everything that YOU ARE is because of who GOD IS!! 

Praise In The Storm

 “After the devil had done all he could do to tempt Jesus, being unsuccessful, 

he departed from him for a season (Luke 4:13).” 

     Many of us are familiar with the story of Jesus being tempted in the wilderness by the devil. But what is sometimes overlooked is that Jesus was tempted “for a season.”

     The devil is busy! He is always plotting ways to trap, hinder and set you up for failure. Consider some of the storms you have experienced in your life. 9 times out of 10, the storm was not created by just one issue, but multiple things that seem to happen at once. Something you must understand is that although you may transition from seasons of storms to seasons of peace, don’t be fooled into thinking that the devil is finished with you. He is just waiting for the moment that you let your guard down and then he’s back.

     How can you be prepared in advance for the next storm that may come your way? First and most important is to PRAY, PRAY, and PRAY SOME MORE!! Pray for guidance and direction on how to avoid letting the storm consume you. Second, learn to praise God when you’re in the valley, as well as, on the mountaintop. We always run to God and beg for help when we’re going through rough times. But when all is well in our lives and there is peace, God is placed on a shelf until we need help again.

     Finally, ask God what lessons you are supposed to learn from the storm, especially if the storm is familiar. A familiar storm is when you keep going through the same thing over and over. We pray and ask God to help us get through it, yet we fail to ask what lesson is to be learned from that storm so that we don’t have to keep going down that same road again. And can I be honest? Some of these storms are not sent to us because God just wants to test us and make our lives miserable. Sometimes our actions are the cause of the storm, and because we haven’t learned how to make better choices, we bring it on ourselves.

     Storms are meant to come and go, but the devil will continue to come after anyone who is trying to operate in the will of God. The temptation of Jesus was not the only time that the devil came after him, but we can read all through the Gospels to see when Jesus’ character was attacked, when His authority was questioned, and most importantly, when the devil entered Judas and used him to betray Christ. I encourage you to stay prayed up, be prepared, and stay on guard. God never promised that life would be easy, but God did promise that you would never be abandoned or forgotten (Heb. 13:5). Only with Christ can you weather the storms of life!

Cast It Out!!

Luke 8: 26-39 tells us the story of a man who was possessed with multiple demons, and because he was violent, he was bound with chains, cast out of the community, and lived alone in the countryside. He approached Jesus naked and trembling, not because of anger or violence raging inside of him. He trembled because the demons within him recognized who Jesus was, causing the man to fall on his knees and beg for mercy.

This story is often read with the disbelief that people can actually be consumed by spirits. With all of the Exorcism-type movies, people often have the misconception that demonic spirits are just something exaggerated by Hollywood, full of special effects and super talented actors. While that may be true in some cases, demonic spirits are very real and can target anyone, even people of faith. 

But let’s look at this from another angle. Demonic and ungodly spirits do not always present themselves as causing one’s head to rotate 360 degrees, puking green stuff, and talking in a deep and unworldly voice. Sometimes ungodly spirits come in the form of gossiping, adultery, deception, addictions, etc. Even the most faithful child of God can struggle with a spirit of lying, manipulation, stealing or fornication. This can consume them in a way that causes them to be cast out from their families, friends, and even their communities.

We all have been “possessed” and struggled with some spirits that have created wedges between us and God. It is possible that the man in the Scripture text may have wanted to be delivered from his condition. Yet, because no one took the time to get close to him and try to meet his need, he may have given up on being whole again, settling for his condition to become his new identity. No one invested in his deliverance until Jesus came along, and I am being used to invest in you today.

If you are struggling with a spirit of un-forgiveness, CAST IT OUT!!!! If you are struggling with a spirit of addiction, CAST IT OUT!!! If you are struggling with a spirit of unfaithfulness to another person or even to God, CAST IT OUT!!! Whatever spirit consumes you and prohibits you from walking in the fullness of the destiny that God has designed just for you, CAST IT OUT!!!! Allow God to help you cast out those hindrances, and once it is gone, never allow it to come back into your life. Name it, cast it out, and be made whole in Jesus name. Amen! 

A Light In Dark Places

Have you ever had a job where you worked with moody, rude, and insensitive people? You try to be nice, but it seems like people are always grumpy or ignore you altogether. What about those times that you have to wait in line in a store or at the doctor’s office. Doesn't it seem that when one person complains, it becomes a ripple effect and others start to complain, as well. If you’re not careful, the negative behaviors of other people can rub off on you in such a way that you might develop an attitude of impatience.

Scripture reminds us in Matthew 5:14 that we are the light of the world, and encourages us to be a light in dark places. But what does it mean to be a “light?” It simply means that if you find yourself in an atmosphere of chaos or conflict, you can be a peacemaker and help change the atmosphere. Sometimes just a simple smile can make even the most irritable person calm down and become rational.

When things get stressful and you notice that someone is having a bad day, speaking a word of encouragement can make all the world of difference. This week, I encourage you to seek ways in which you can be a light in dark places. Seek out opportunities where you can speak words of encouragement to someone, and can help in ways that will allow the Light of Christ to be visible in your daily walk. 

God Is Not Finished!!

I praise God for another year of life and making it through 2012. There have been some highs and lows, including joys & sorrow, but I am grateful for God's presence through it all, and the effectual & fervent prayers of the people in my life. While we strive to make the new year different from the previous year, be mindful that there are some things in 2012 that you CANNOT leave behind. There are some things that is necessary to carry into the new year with you because God is still doing a work in your life through that situation.

The year 2012 is finished, but God is not. As difficult as it may be, ask God what it is that you are supposed to learn while you walk through those fires in your life. We often learn the lesson AFTER the fact, but sometimes it is important to seek out the lessons in the MIDDLE of the trenches so that you can see God in a way like never before. I know this from personal experience!

Let's be realistic--A new year doesn't mean you will be problem-free, and the hell (yes, I said H-E-L-L) you went through last year may still be an issue for you right now.  But it can create an opportunity for you to develop a different perspective as you look at your circumstances, and a greater opportunity to lean on the One who is faithful to stick by you when you're on the mountain, as well as, in the valley.

Blessings to you all in 2013. Strive to do better, be better, and if you haven't already, start working on what kind of legacy you will leave behind. What will people say about you when you leave this life? Will they say that you cared, were you always bitter, did you love life? This is your challenge--start NOW!! :-)

                         WATCH OUT!!

“And you will hear of wars and threats of wars, but don’t panic. Yes, these things must take place, but the end won’t follow immediately.”  Mark 13: 7 (NLT)

These are the words that Jesus spoke to some of His disciples, who questioned His prediction that the Temple would one day be destroyed. They asked Jesus, “When will this destruction happen? Will there be a sign?” Jesus answered them by saying that they would hear stories of wars, famine, earthquakes, and family discord. Yet, He encouraged them not to panic, but to be ready, be prepared, and be on guard.   

In this life, we often find ourselves looking for signs and wonders to explain things that are going on in the world. In our minds, we may believe that things don’t “just happen.” There has to be a reason for everything, right? Two days from now will be December 21, and we have been constantly hearing about how the Mayans predicted that the world would end on that date.

With everything that has been happening in our recent history with school shootings, devastating hurricanes and  terrorism, it can create a wave of panic so severe that even Christians have started to fall victim to this mass paranoia.  As believers, we know that the Bible says in Mark 13:32 that “not even the Son of Man knows when the end will come.” Only God knows, and so our job is not to panic and not to create our own explanations for these events, but to be on guard and to stay alert.

What does that mean for those of us who are trying to balance all of these questions in the midst of our fears? Jesus promised in Hebrews 13:5 that He will never leave us or abandon us. Life will have its ups and downs, but Jesus can be our peace and comfort when things get chaotic.

During this holiday season, take some time to really think about how Jesus has been a peace in the storms in your own life.  Reflect on the times that you may have felt hopeless and alone, yet at the same time, you felt the arms of Jesus surround you with love and protection. We are human, so it is perfectly normal to experience anxiety when things come your way that you are not prepared for. Moving forward, make it a priority to be ETERNALLY prepared in regards to your relationship with God. If it’s God’s will for the world to end on Dec. 21 or another future date, I have no need to fear whatever may come because I am confident in Jesus Christ, my Savior. Are you?

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.~~John 14:27 (NIV)

                                  Hope For The Holidays

Is it just me or does it seem like the moment we reach the month of October, we begin a rollercoaster ride straight into a new year? As we approach this fast-paced journey through the holiday season, there are mixed emotions that we all seem to experience. There is the excitement of the fall season, the beauty of leaves in warm colors that unfold before our eyes, the crisp air, and not to mention that one extra hour of sleep! There is also the time of preparation for family gatherings, shopping, gift exchanges, and carrying out traditions that have been a foundation in our lives.

However, there are also emotions that we face that involve grief, bitterness, loneliness, and loss. When we think of grief, it is often in reference to losing someone that you love, but there are other life changes that bring about grief. There is the loss of jobs, relationships, health, finances, opportunities, all of which can make the holidays seem unbearable to get through.

There are a few things that you must know as you prepare for this holiday season. The first and most important thing is to understand that you are not alone. Sometimes you may feel that no one understands what you are going through and that no one cares. We forget that God also knows what it’s like to experience grief because of the sacrifice of God’s only Son, Jesus. God knows what it feels like to be hurt, angry, and grieve in the same ways that we do, which can help us find comfort in the One who understands.

Secondly, the emotions you are experiencing are perfectly normal. People may tell you that you need to get over it and move on, but what they fail to realize is that you never get over your loss, but with God’s help, you can get through it and your ability to cope will become a little easier.

Third, we all have experienced those moments in which we try to find quick and easy solutions to our problems. Whether it is turning to alcohol, drugs, overeating, rebellion or any other type of destructive behavior, it is important to understand that those are not solutions, but cover ups. It’s like putting a band-aid on a broken arm—it doesn’t get to the root of the problem in order to bring healing. Be aware of those “cover ups” that you rely on, and try to find positive ways to deal with your emotions, such as taking a walk, talking to a friend, writing, painting, or things that will help you cope and avoid destructive behavior.

Finally, make a promise to yourself that you will do your best to make it through the holidays. This is not to say that you have to lie or be phony, but even if you don’t feel like getting into the holiday spirit, determine to do the best that you can to keep a positive attitude. If you tell yourself that the holidays will always be a miserable and unpleasant time for you, then they will be. Sometimes people work through their losses by helping others. Knowing that you can bless the lives of someone else can bring healing to you in ways that you could never imagine.

As you prepare for this holiday season, be comforted in knowing that God has not abandoned you. Whatever your loss is, God will help you through it, and will continue to heal those areas within you that have been deeply wounded. Just take it one day at a time, continue to move forward in life, and allow God to do the rest. By doing so, you will be a little closer to truly experiencing hope for the holidays.