The Time is Now

The time is now...Ready...Set.... GO! Are you ready?

The time is now to move forward with your dreams, plans, visions, persistent thoughts, whatever it is that has been placed in your heart to do. Do it! Don't miss your season of execution. If you do, you will have to wait until this season comes around again.

I've been thinking...

CAN WE REALLY BE ENTANGLED IN THIS CULTURE AND TRULY FOLLOW CHRIST?

This question has been floating around in my head over the past few days. I've seen some beautiful and powerful young people share their testimony and passion for living for Christ. And as I peruse their social media pages, I also see a resemblance (whether in style, expression, dress or likes) to the current trends of our culture. I'm optimistic for them as I admire their zeal and declaration for Christ in a time when many are openly defiant. However, I still can't help but hear that still quite voice ask, "do you think that you can do both?" It's a question that has put me on pause for a moment for deeper reflection.  And for that I defer back to the Lord and ask, can we do both?

SEASONS & TIMING

Sometimes we wonder if we will miss God's timing. We are fearful that we might be so distracted that we miss something. We may even wonder did we already miss it (the gift, the promise or answered prayer)? I just want to encourage you that if you remain in close fellowship with the Lord, rest assured that you will not miss anything that HE has in store for you!

The Lord is a God of seasons and time. The word says that He makes all things beautiful in its time (Eccl 3:18) and to every thing there is a season and time to every purpose under heaven (Eccl 3:1). So no, you have not been forgotten. 

Lord it's been 20 years- You have not been forgotten.

Lord, I have seen no movement in this area of my life- You have not been forgotten.

Lord, do you hear me or even care? - You have not been forgotten.

Life as I know it has been shaken for me over the last month. Nothing is stable except for the word of God in my life. The Lord has and is moving. He has yet again pushed me out of my comfort zone. He has created uncomfortable situations that has forced me to step out and do what I previously did not have the courage to do. He has opened locked doors and bestowed His favor among me in the land.

I have learned from this that when your season comes, YOU WILL KNOW!

When it's time for a change, There will be no denying it.

When He's ready to answer your prayer, You will NOT miss it! And you won't have to make things happen, it will be effortless. Trust God. Trust the Process. He has not forgotten you. He works in seasons. Wait on His timing!

Marriage Defined

God created this institution called marriage. It is a union that He takes very seriously. I personally believe that after accepting Christ as your personal savior this is one of the next most important decision that a person can make- choosing a life mate. For a decision that is so weighty, we MUST seek the Lord! I don't know any way around this. He knows all. He knows what's in the heart of man and He knows what lies ahead.

I was thinking about marriage this morning (which inspired this post). You have singles who desperately want to get into this union and married couples who desperately want to get out. We run from our single season not wanting to use it to sharpen us and in our married season want to run back to our independence and freedom. LOL, it is car-zy (not crazy) when you think about it! How can we bridge this gap? These two extremes suggest to me that there is a disconnect somewhere.

Disclaimer: I am not an expert and I don't have all the answers. As I inquire of the Lord on this matter, a lot of ideas and thoughts flood my head. What I deduce is that marriage should consist of: two imperfect individuals who have decided to rely solely on the Lord first in their own lives that then decide to unify and to rely solely on the Lord together. I don't believe this institution was created to function appropriately any other way.

We are now seeing the demise of many marriages both in the world and in the church. I believe that the Lord wants to revive and restore marriages especially in the church. But what will it take to get there?

We have to go back to a true dependence and personal relationship with God. It starts and ends there. This relationship includes reading his word to know what His thoughts are. Praying to Him, talking to Him, listening to what He has to say and waiting on Him for further instructions. When we get to this point and realize that we just can't do it without Him, then I believe, we will see true revival and restoration in marriage. The church should be setting an example to the world period not reflecting the same results or stats as it.

Instead of looking at our single season as a curse or not embracing it, use this time wisely. It's fleeting and goes by quickly especially when it's wasted. It can truly be one of the most beautiful time period in your life especially when you can see the treasure in it. Especially when you are able to view it from the Lord's lens. Remember the enemy wants to steal this truth away from you so he makes you want to reject it and feel that you are losing out on something. That is a lie. The fuel that you need to sustain a marriage starts in this single season.

So instead, build and strengthen your relationship with the Lord. Let Him love on you, heal you, talk to you and console you. He will, if you let Him. I'm learning that in our single season our relationship with the Lord should be a reflection of our earthly relationship with our spouse just like our relationship with our spouse should be a reflection of God's relationship with the church. And when we can grab on to that fact in our single season, we will be ready and able to ensure that our marriage will be reflective of what the Lord truly intended it to be.  Wowsers, I didn't intend to get this deep guys :) !

Stay tuned...

Waiting.........on the Lord

Waiting on the Lord to answer a question, a prayer or a need is never easy. We can believe, confess, pray and fast but when it comes to waiting on the Lord for something that we are desiring deeply...it can be challenging. First let me say, do not allow the enemy or people to make you feel bad about becoming frustrated with the wait. It doesn't mean that you are less holy or lacking true faith. If we are all honest with ourselves, we can admit that waiting on the Lord at times can become tiresome. I guess that's why so many decide not to wait for His best, His answer and/or His timing....

With that said, the Lord sees the bigger picture. He knows all the pieces to the puzzle. He also knows how to strategically put the pieces together perfectly in His time.

Many of us right now, have become weary.
Many of us right now, are debating giving up.
Many of us right now, are struggling to stand.

I want to encourage us all to Wait on the Lord! The writer of Psalms said:

I would have lost heart, unless I had believed 
That I would see the goodness of the Lord
In the land of the living (Psalms 27:13 NKJV).

The 21st century KJV says:

I would have fainted, unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of 
the Lord in the land of the living.

It gets tough sometimes saints but through these tough times, let's decide to trust God. Let's decide to take a stand. God is building our faith as we wait. Let's decide to wait on Him until it is manifested. BE ENCOURAGED!

Be Still and KNOW

Be Still and KNOW that I AM GOD. 

Be still and KNOW that I AM in control.

Be still and KNOW, I know your needs before you need them.

Be still and KNOW that I care. 

Be still and KNOW, I AM Creator God of the Universe.

Be still and KNOW that I am still in control.

Be Still and KNOW that I will never leave you nor forsake. 

Be still and KNOW that I have made you sit with Me in heavenly places.

Be still and KNOW, I AM rest for your soul.

Be still and KNOW that I still answer prayers.
Be still and KNOW that my peace is not like the world's.
Be still and KNOW that I AM not surprised by your situation.

Be still and KNOW that I enjoy personal time with you.

Be still and KNOW that there is a bigger purpose and plan.

Be still and KNOW that in due season, you will reap if you faint not.

Be still and KNOW that I heal and deliver.
Be still and KNOW that this battle is preparing you for what lies ahead.

Be still and KNOW that I break free from bondage.

Be still and KNOW that I conquered death.
Be still and KNOW that I AM working it out for your good.

Be still and KNOW that as you take care of my business, I am taking care of your business.

Be still and KNOW that my Son is interceding for you right now.
Be still and KNOW there is purpose in your pain.

Be still and KNOW that I AM with you even until the end of this world.

Be still and KNOW that I AM protecting you from harms way even now.

Be still and KNOW that I see all.

Be still and KNOW that my love is everlasting.

Be still and KNOW that I hear your thoughts.
Be still and KNOW that joy comes in the morning.
Be still and KNOW that I AM building your faith.

Be still and KNOW, I AM the answer to all of your questions and all of your problems.

Be still and KNOW that this battle is not yours.

Be still and KNOW that it's not over until I say it's done.

Be still 

and 

remind yourself.

The other side of pain is purpose

Imagine for a moment that God is really working all things out for your good. That even in the midst of your trials and pain, He is allowing it to bring about a greater good. Maybe, there is purpose on the other side of pain. If we can change the way we view our struggles, does it make it less afflicting? 

Just know ~ the Lord does not waste a thing; all of our experiences, our trials our every day encounters ~ is not wasted. It is a part of a bigger plan. And for those who love Him and are called by Him rest assured that even though you can't see it right now, He is working on a bigger picture. No matter the battle fatigue, Keep Looking Up.