roxwill318 – With New Wings

Love

“Love” ~ an intense feeling of deep affection, to care for very much, to hold close, to adore, to be devoted, to dote on, to idolize, to worship.

Synonyms: Fondness, tenderness, warmth, intimacy, attachment, endearment, passion, yearning, infatuation.

From reading the definition and synonyms for the word love, we can safely say love is a fully loaded word, rich in terms and meaning. A very emotional word, just thinking of love in terms of the definition alone brings a sense of giddiness and warmth to the heart and mind. But where do we find the intense feeling of deep affection? Being honest, it is easy to initially have a feeling of deep affection for people, and for people to have deep feelings of affection for you is also usually relatively easy. The hard part is maintaining the intensity in any relationship is work, because after the newness wears off and being comfortable sets in we no longer feel intense, nor do we consistently work on creating opportunities to enhance or rebuild deep affection. Where do we go from here? Do we truly love anyone? Once lost, how do we regain the intense feelings of affection we are should constantly have?

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Mother Wings

Mother Wings II

Make sure you have first read Mother Wings Part I

“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.” (NIV)

Matthew 7:7-8

In a perfect world as a parent we would program our children to do exactly what we want them to do. Make the exact choices for their career, pick the perfect like-minded friends, and spouses and make sure they become scholars and excel at everything they attempt to do. Ahh how nice it would be to grant our children this perfect life reflecting our perfect parenting skills, and the perfect pathway we have set up for them. Unfortunately, this isn’t exactly how things work out well at least for most parents. No matter how well we do as parents, and even with the support and guidance we give our children, the guarantee that when they have the opportunity to make choices on their own they will make good choices is not always the case. I have learned from being a parent that this is the absolute most vulnerable job that we have that is never ending. I always say that being a parent is like having a portion of your heart outside of your body that travels down its own and may wind up being susceptible to all kinds of hurt, pain, and disappointment they will be out of our control. Being a parent is a Blessing even the bible says in Psalms 127:3-4 that “Children are a heritage from the Lord, offspring a reward from Him. Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are children born in one’s youth.” (NIV) It is no wonder that we want to shape and guide and direct the pathway we desire for them to go down, but sometimes maybe even more times then we care to admit our desire for our children may not very well be God’s desire or plan for them.

Remembering back to my own childhood, I always wanted to sing and write even though my passion was and still is writing but I also loved to sing so naturally I thought singing was the way to go. I believed singing was the path I was destined to be on, and of course I would write my own songs. When my mother signed me up for piano lessons I couldn’t understand what learning how to play the piano had to do with me learning how to sing. The piano teacher I had at the time was working for some very popular mainstream singers and she would say “Hey if you want to be a singer, you’ve got to sing and practice often you should want to know how to play the music on the piano you want to sing.” As a child I didn’t know what to do with that information because I’m listening to the radio and all I hear is singing beautiful voices making beautiful music, not knowing or realizing what it took for those singers to gain success. My mother would say every day “you should practice” and I might start off practicing in the beginning of the week, but by week’s end I wouldn’t practice. My mother heard my desire and supported me the best she could, but I didn’t listen to the teacher or my mother, and I never became a singer. When we are showing support for our children and they aren’t listening to the wise counsel, the best thing to do is Pray. When you Pray you are putting into place the effects of the powerful parent warrior within asking God above to direct this arrow (your child) to hit the marks that only God could have established for him/her. It is scary to think that there is nothing you can do or say that can direct your child along their chosen pathway, but Prayer is the most powerful that we can give and will be more likely received than solicited and unsolicited advice.

Most of the time children will want to establish themselves as an adult without your help because they are learning the world and what works for them. Therefore, often they become slightly or majorly rebellious against anything you say. I love the scripture that goes with this post because Jesus says in Matthew 7:7 “Ask and it will be given to you, seek and you will find, knock and the door will be opened to you.” (NIV) As a parent our job is to ask God for the protection for our children, to seek Him for the guidance for our children and to knock for direction for our children. Our children are God’s children before they were ours and even though He has entrusted us to be their earthly parent He is also entrusting us to come to Him as the head of our life, so He can give us what we need to adequately perform as a parent. It is true that the bible says if we train up our children in the Lord when they are old they won’t depart from their training, but maybe we didn’t receive God ourselves until we were older, and all our children were grown and already making decisions on their own. Be encouraged that is why it is so important that whatever point you are at in parenting whether your children are newborn, teenagers, or adults we can still have an impact on their life without ever even saying a word. We don’t ever need to take matters into our own hands concerning someone else’s life we should always consult God first! Ask Him, seek Him, and knock the door down with your request and your Praise and God will respond with giving you favor and leading you to receive the guidance and direction down the pathway He wants for you as a parent and what He desires for your children. Turn your parenting choices back over to God; the One with the Master plan.

Key Thought: Our children are a precious gift from God and sometimes we want to direct their life the way we want to, but we as parents should always consult God for every choice concerning our children’s life so they will excel on the path God has for them.

Prayer: “Oh Lord I am asking for your guidance over my child(ren) I desire the best for them God but maybe my desires don’t line up with your will for their life. Teach me to give Godly support and guidance so my child(ren) will have all they need to achieve to their full potential in this life. I Pray for your protection over them from dangers seen and unseen. God keep them ever before your throne of Grace in Jesus name, Amen.”

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Mother Wings

Mother Winged

If only as a parent our children could gain access to the strings of our hearts or better yet our minds and see the desires we have for them. If they only knew that even though it may seem we were created as adults and never had a childhood, never experienced peer pressure, never made a bad choice, and never wanted to not take heed to the valuable advice that comes along with the age of wisdom offered by our own parents.

It feels like no matter how much we say “been there done that, got the t-shirt” our children still don’t grasp what we are trying to keep them from. They don’t understand how peer pressure can lead to unprepared pregnancy or possible drug addiction. They don’t understand how a bad choice can lead to incarceration, and they certainly don’t want to even acknowledge how the Bible says in Ecclesiastes 12:1 “Remember now your creator in the days of your youth serve me in your youth, before the difficult days come, and the years draw near when you say, I have no pleasure in them.” (NKJV) because it’s not cool it’s not popular to serve the Lord when your young people always think that’s for old people.

As mothers, we often take ownership of a sense of entitlement borderline possession when it comes to our children. Our children are a blessing, a gift from God but they do not belong to us, they are loaned to us for us to raise, to guide, to teach, to encourage, to nurture and to let go and be the God-fearing adults we have trained them to be. This is why the bible is so clear when it tells us in the book of Proverbs 22:6 to “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn away from it.”(NIV).

" Our children are a blessing, a gift from God but they do not belong to us, they are loaned to us for us to raise, to guide, to teach, to encourage, to nurture and to let go and be the God-fearing adults we have trained them to be."

Now this message is two-fold because I am aware that not every parent has reared their children with full knowledge of the fear of the Lord because some of us are just now learning that ourselves. Hold that thought I’ll get back to that message. For those parents who have done as it so clearly states in Proverbs take a deep breath and then if your child is over the age of 18 let go! That’s right let go, and let God step into his role of authority in your child’s life. Pray a sincere Prayer and politely relinquish control and give that child back to God knowing, believing, and trusting that God will work it out for their good. In the book of Jeremiah verse 29:11 the word of God says “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”(NIV) See this is just a reminder that just as God has plans for us, he also has plans for our children. He wants the absolute best for everyone, so instead of going backward and forwards with arguments and reasoning that goes in one ear and out the other. Talk to the man with the master plan our Lord and Savior and let him work it out for you and your child. The key is to trust and believe that God can and he will!

Now for the parent who has just come into their relationship with Christ and you missed the all-important opportunity to share the love of Christ with your child as they were growing up, and guilt is weighing heavy on your heart. First give that guilt back to the enemy he has no more holds over you, forgive yourself. Once you have sincerely accomplished those two steps live a righteous life, Seriously No Wavering! Because if you are setting an example of the newness and goodness of God in your life, then your life will speak a powerful testimony all on its own and those around you, children included, will begin to respect the God in you and want to give it a try. This is exactly why the Bible in Matthew 6:33 says: “But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and All these things will be given to you as well” (NIV emphasis added). You see when you are seeking God’s kingdom first you are building a relationship of trust, you are establishing a vulnerability between you and God. You are saying this is what I want, but I will trust you Lord First to supply my heart and soul with the healing it needs, and a pure devotion to you so my life can be a living testimony and not only my children but others will see the light of Christ in me, and choose to follow you.

Key Thought: Give your children over to the Lord, he is the man with a Master plan.

Prayer: “Oh Lord, my Sovereign God I come to you today thankful for the gift of being a parent and sincerely want you to take full control of our life. I will trust you, and have faith in you as never before that you can and you will make me and mold me Lord in to a woman of God that is most pleasing unto you, and that you oh Lord will continually Bless, and keep my child(ren) for just as your word says you know the plans you have for all of us, so please Lord place us on the pathway that leads to the plans you have established that are meant to prosper us, and not harm us, and to give us hope and a future Lord and we will be assured to give you all the Glory, and all the Praise, In Jesus Name, Amen."

Read : Mother Wings Part II

Word of Freedom

Level of Trust

“For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts.”

Isaiah 55: 8-9 (NKJV)

It is so easy to say “I TRUST God” and depending on our relationship with him many of us truly believe that we really do TRUST God. If you are one of those rare individuals who absolutely TRUST God for everything in your life, and I do mean everything without wavering or getting a second opinion from a friend or relative then “Kudos” to you! May we all learn to master an increased level of TRUST in God as you have managed to do. However, I have come to find that often times our TRUST in God depends on the circumstance or situation we are in.

We will TRUST him in circumstances we deem worthy enough to allow God to handle, but then there are those times when we TRUST wholeheartedly in our own understanding of the situation or circumstance. Usually because we have a self-desired outcome in mind. Proverbs 3:5-6 reminds us that we are to: “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" (NKJV, emphasis added). At the end of the verse it says paths which God himself has delighted so much in the plans for you that he has already established that no matter how many directions you may need him to go in, he is ready and willing to lead you down those path(s). So you can rest assured knowing he is always there, he is establishing your trust in Him.

How many of us have ever done something simple like losing your keys, or maybe misplacing your glasses? A simple task such as finding a lost item after we have searched and searched and tore apart the house, office, or car do we simply remember to say a quick prayer like “Lord I need you please to direct me to where my keys are!” Generally, most people don’t. Assuming that finding lost keys is such a senseless and easy task, why ask God? But on the other hand why suffer going around and around looking for something that you may have really lost or might just be overlooking. I can remember on several occasions pondering this scripture in my early walk with Christ, not believing or trusting in him for anything let alone trying to trust him for everything. Time and time again I would lose my keys, and other small items and work myself into mental exhaustion looking for them. It wasn’t until I seriously started pausing in the midst of the hunt and saying a quick Prayer asking God for help that I would get the direction I needed. This worked every single time. So I learned to become dependent and more trusting of God in all situations because I thought; “Well if he can lead me to the path where my keys are when I acknowledged him, then I am sure he can lead me down other paths", and choosing to trust in the Lord became easier.

".. we know we need to consult God for the direction and guidance down a path for a problem or a situation, but we choose to consult a friend or family member who most certainly does not have the wisdom, knowledge, or understanding of God."

Many times in our Christian walk we know we need to consult God for the direction and guidance down a path for a problem or a situation, but we choose to consult a friend or family member who most certainly does not have the wisdom, knowledge, or understanding of God. Only God knows the innermost parts of our hearts, and desires so why not turn every situation, circumstance, and problem into an opportunity to increase our TRUST in God which will most assuredly increase our Faith. If you are having differences with co-workers, or family, or anyone for that matter acknowledge God and let Him direct you on what to say, how to say it and when to say it to bring peace and understanding to the situation.

He will also instruct you to be silent if the time isn’t right. We aren’t always accustom to that level of blind TRUST because our human nature believes if we see it and we are a part of it; then we must know the best solution for that situation at that time. Especially since most people generally don’t like to feel out of control even if it means making things worse before they get better by leaning to their own understanding which I think we often forget is finite. As Christians, we will suffer or continue going around and around the same situation, and never going through it until we go back to what should have been done originally which is Pray to God. Once we do this we will open up our connection with Him, so He can lead us down whatever path we need to get an outcome that suits our needs and brings peace to our mind for that situation.

Learning to TRUST in God for everything will be easier for some than others because those who try God and see His plans work far better than our own learn sooner to establish TRUST in Him. But I encourage anyone who does not fully have blind TRUST in God to begin to build your level of TRUST by acknowledging him regarding everything! Even those tasks that may seem a little simple, or small because what we are doing is learning to TRUST Him, and establishing an increase in our Faith as well as strengthening our relationship with Him, that always will lead you down the right paths with the direction best for you. “For My Thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” says the Lord. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts.” Isaiah 55: 8-9 (NKJV).

Key Thought: TRUST in the Lord, and learn to lean not on your own understanding, so your ways and your thoughts will line up with God’s divine plan down whatever paths are needed for your life.

Prayer: “Dear Lord, I am struggling with learning to trust you, I lean more to my own ways and my own understanding and I really want to lean on you. Help me to turn everything in my life over to you because just as you say in your word your thoughts are not my thoughts and I know whatever plans you have are far better than any I could have, so please Lord teach me and guide me to a level of increased trust in you. In Jesus name, Amen."

Word of Freedom

God Will Bring Justice For You

“And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off?"

Luke 18:8 (NIV)

Many times we Pray and ask God to fix a situation or a problem, but because he doesn’t answer how or when we want him to we began to lose faith, and trust in His plan and process for us. When we are crying out to the Lord, we must believe that He definitely hears our Prayers, but all too often we begin to waiver in our hearts and mind if God takes too long answering, or It’s not the right answer to the problem or situation that we had in mind. In the book of Jeremiah 33:3 the Bible says; “Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.” God may not always answer our Prayers when we want Him to, or how we want Him to but He will answer in a mysterious way to let you know that He is God. To tell you the “GREAT” and unsearchable things you do not know.

While we are waiting for God’s response, we should be careful to not get caught up in our own desires, or the response of others that will usually lead to great disappointment. When our will is lined up with the will of our Father in Heaven, He will then grant you the desires of your heart Psalms 37:4. God is Faithful and just, if only we could be as faithful patient, and just towards Him. Let’s face it even when we Pray, sometimes we are selfishly seeking fleshly desires. Even Jesus in the garden of Gethsemane when He was about to be sentenced to death, He said to God, “Not my will, but thy will be done!” (Mark 14:36) Jesus wanted justice from God, but he wanted God’s justice to be God’s will for his life. It is hard to Pray and trust that however the answer comes it will be best for us especially when we are requesting specific things that we have already chosen specific results that we desire, even if it may not be right for us, or good for us. Who are we to present our Prayers of entitlement to God, as if we deserve what we are even asking for? God is our creator, our lives should always be lined up with His will. We should be grateful for his mercy, grateful for his grace, and grateful he is the God that exemplifies unfailing love, and faithfulness towards a race of people who are often full of their own self-seeking desires.

In John 10:10 Jesus reminds us that God allowed his Son to come and refute the job satan has to steal from us, to kill us, and to destroy us. Oh, but Jesus reminds us in this scripture that he came that we may have life, and have it abundantly. Since God’s desire is for us to have an abundant (plentiful, prolific, rich, lavish, bountiful, liberal, generous, great, overflowing) life and live it abundantly, then He will command justice into our life over our situations over our family, and at our jobs in His time. Don’t ever give up seeking God’s justice even when you are at what feels like your lowest point because God will not forget your request nor will he forget to answer. The beautiful thing about God answering our cries is that we may expect it or even desire it to happen in our way, but God’s answer to our Prayers and justice always turns out to be the better way. Thank you God for answering in the right time and in the perfect way.

Key thought: When we Pray to God we want immediate answers and results. Sometimes God is strengthening during the waiting period teaching us how to draw closer to him, or maybe building up patience so we can be more grateful for his faithfulness in our lives. Don’t take your relationship with God for granted, he will give you justice just make sure you remember to give him all the glory and praise due to his name.

Prayer: “Heavenly Father, please forgive me for any self-seeking desires that pollute my mind that are not lined up with your will and what you want for my life. Teach me how to desire those things that are best for me and all those around me. I declare that your justice will rule in my life in every situation, and prepare me to receive the abundant life you have for me. In Jesus name, Amen!”

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Grounded Wings

Grounded With Wings II

Make sure you have first read Grounded With Wings Part I

“Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much” (NIV).

Luke 16:10

Do you ever have that feeling that no matter how hard you try, or how much you do that you never seem to get ahead? That you are not quite in the position that you want to be in. The more you do, the less progress you see.

It appears that things are not moving on your behalf in the way you would like them to fast enough. You are trying your best to do things in a “Godly” fashion, but it appears that in the world around you everyone is getting Blessed walking into their new, but you are just right there stuck in limbo.

Yes, God has given you Blessings, but you feel like you are ready for the next level of Blessings and nothing seems to be happening, well at least not at the rate you believe they should be happening anyway.

Has God forgotten about me? Have I done things, or said things that are unpleasing to him? What have I done that makes me think God is not moving on my behalf right now? The answer to these questions is simple. No! God has not forgotten about you, No! You may not have done anything necessarily unpleasing to him, and God is ALWAYS moving on your behalf.

" God has not forgotten about you.... A relationship of trust is being established because sometimes in order for us to receive lots we’ve got to be assessed with how we are handling the little amounts we are given to work with."

A relationship of trust is being established because sometimes in order for us to receive lots we’ve got to be assessed with how we are handling the little amounts we are given to work with.

I know that when we look around and see that things may be going a lot easier for someone who has low or no faith, or even worse no acknowledgment or belief in God that it can become frustrating and we want to know God where are you? He is right there whispering, hold on your breakthrough is coming. The Holy Spirit will encourage us to stand strong and not to give up because the Bible reminds us in Numbers 23:19 (NIV) that our God the living God is not a man that he should lie, nor will He speak and not act, nor will He promise and not fulfill. God will bring everything to pass, just as He originally told you He would. The beautiful thing about God is that I don’t care how many times I try to figure out how He is going to Bless me, or when He is going to Bless me, it never comes when or how I think it should, because the timing and the Blessing is always perfect the way He delivers it to me.

It is not healthy to look at the way God is Blessing someone else or to envy another’s path or choices because that may only set you back. It is always the wise thing to do and praise God and celebrate the accomplishments of others to show God that you are excited for the way He is working in someone else’s life so that the celebration will be all the sweeter when God has delivered to you what He said He would.

Continue to walk in obedience to His will and His way within your life. The Bible speaks of countless factors of walking in obedience and what that obedience brings. My favorite chapter on the

"....we don’t have time to look at how someone else might be becoming established because God has so much more to equip you with to walk in and be able to receive your own Blessing."

"God’s promises are real, we just have to wait until God says it is the right time for us to excel."

Continue to walk in obedience to His will and His way within your life. The Bible speaks of countless factors of walking in obedience and what that obedience brings.

My favorite chapter on the Blessings of obedience is in Deuteronomy 28, because from the very beginning of the chapter the Bible reminds us that “If you fully obey the Lord your God and carefully follow all His commands He gives you today, the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations on the earth” (Verse 1 NIV).

This specifically reminds us that we don’t have time to look at how someone else might be becoming established because God has so much more to equip you with to walk in and be able to receive your own Blessing.

Be encouraged to keep praising God and thanking Him for what you have already received. Continue to Pray and ask for direction as to what you need to do to get completely prepared for your Blessing. The reason I like to remind you to keep Praying over your new is because in Daniel chapter 10: 5-13 these particular verses are dealing with Daniel and when he prayed to God for something specific, and an angel came and told him to look, "God heard you the very first time you Prayed, but the prince of the Persian kingdom (the enemy) has been resisting me from getting to you for 21 days." It wasn’t until Michael the chief prince (an archangel) had to come to assist the other angel to be able to get the message back to Daniel. Daniel never stopped being steadfast, he wasn’t doubting God. Daniel continued to Pray and wait. He knew when the exact moment was right God was going to use his testimony to make sure God received the glory for His faithfulness. Daniel had been trusted with very little in the beginning but because of his faithfulness to God with the very little, Daniel was established with very much and a very high esteemed position.

In Galatians 6:9 the Bible encourages us to not become weary in doing good, because in the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Don’t give up hold fast to God’s promises and be diligent in the commands He has given you about walking in obedience in your life. His word will not return void, and He will set you up in due season and you will reap a harvest continually.

Key Thought: Believe that God has not forgotten about His promises to you, stay diligent in your walk of obedience towards Him and He will set you up in high places He has established just for you.

Prayer: "Lord help me to remain trustworthy in the little you have given me, help me to remain focused on the Blessings and the harvest you have in store for me. I am grateful to see your hands at work in the lives of other people, and I will praise you for the great things you have in store for me. In Jesus name, Amen."

Word of Freedom

Hope

“Hope” ~ means to embrace both the expectation and the desire for the expected thing.

What or whom do we really have hope in? Usually our “hope” rest in what or how we expect people to respond or react to a given situation. When we put that type of expectation in people 9 times out of 10 we will usually get disappointed. I’m sure if we are honest we can make a list of things or people we have placed hope in. Is it fair to really place hope in people knowing that if they do not give us the desired expectation we will become disappointed in them? Not necessarily because the person is trying to disappoint us intentionally but generally it’s because we have put so much hope in that person that we set ourselves up for a huge let down when things don’t go the way we planned. Is our main hope in the assurance of Jesus or is it something/someone else?

“Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.”

Romans 5:5 (NKJV)

Since we have learned the definition of hope means to embrace both the expectation and the desire for that expected thing. Instead of placing our “hope” in people or the expectation of the desired thing what if we focus on redirecting what and whom we have hope in so that we can reduce continual feelings of misplaced anger, hurt, shame, and disappointment.

"...what if we focus on redirecting what and whom we have hope in so that we can reduce continual feelings of misplaced anger, hurt, shame, and disappointment."

I am not saying to never believe that people will not do what they say they are going to do – No! I’m saying if people or situations disappoint you because you had “hope” for an expected thing, expressing your hurt is a natural reaction, but then after you’ve expressed your hurt or disappointment release the situation or person, forgive and move on.

If only our hope could solely rest in the assurance of Christ Jesus then what we would lose? Nothing because our expectation and our desire for the expected thing would be filled knowing that with great assurance JESUS is the only safe place to Hope, to Expect or to Desire.

When our “Hope” is in Jesus we can’t go wrong. This week, as we read the scriptures, let’s try to establish a new Hope in Christ Jesus, and let go of everything else!

Scriptures Related to Hope:

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade – kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.”-1 Peter 1:3-5

“For you have been my hope, O Sovereign Lord, my confidence since my youth.”-Psalms 71:5

“For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he already has?"

-Romans 8:24

“Therefore since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God." -Romans 5:1-2

“There is one body and one Spirit- just as you were called to one hope when you were called- one Lord, one hope, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all." -Ephesians 4-6

“This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which enters the Presence behind the veil,”-Hebrews 6:19

Grounded Wings

Grounded With Wings

One of my favorite scriptures as a new believer was Romans 7:15-25. I loved that Paul, the author of Romans, knew exactly what we as Christians had to be experiencing. Romans 7:15 says: “For what I am doing I do not understand. For what I will to do, that I do not practice; but what I hate, that I do."

Man oh man can I ever relate to that! So many times I would find myself doing exactly what I said I wasn’t going to do again, and make promises about what I was going to do and never did it. What a vicious cycle. I eventually learned that my flesh was at war with my spirit, and as my spirit desired a closer walk with the Lord my flesh wanted me to stay grounded in sin. I wanted so eagerly to turn from my wicked ways and declare a new life in Christ and mean it, but any declaration I dared to make would mean I would honestly, seriously, and completely let go of my connections to the pleasures my flesh had grown to love and desire. How? How then could I do this? How could I honestly make a commitment to God, and please my flesh at the same time? I couldn’t, no matter what my connections were in the world if I desired a true and real relationship with God I had to choose.

In reality, I could get dressed up and appear changed on the outside and go to church and pretend that all is well. Then when I get home back to my comfort zone resume normal fleshly desired activities. Only God and I would know my sins. The problem with this type of common thinking is that many of us do this and think no harm no foul meaning if I’m only harming myself then I should be allowed to do what I choose to do. This is only beneficial for you if you aspire nothing more than an average or ordinary grounded relationship in Christ. Because if you are expecting extraordinary results from an extraordinary God then we surely must do more than just think and act commonly. When we allow our flesh to rule our minds and actions it usually ends in poor choices and regrettable decisions.

Thus begins the vicious cycle again, pleasing our flesh and ignoring our relationship with God, or even worse pretending that all is well when really all is H***! If deep inside your heart you know you were created for something special, but you just can’t figure out what it is maybe God is withholding that portion of your intended Blessings until he has all of you.

"...he is a jealous God. He wants and desires our whole heart so he can unfold the entire plan he has for our Blessings."

"....I’m not giving into your desires that separate me from God. This day I will focus on thoughts that are lovely, pure and perfect.."

God reminds us in his commandments that he is a jealous God. He wants and desires our whole heart so he can unfold the entire plan he has for our Blessings. When we are stuck in a vicious sin cycle that we can’t break; it makes it difficult to truly tune into what God requires so we can get to the level of understanding necessary to access a deeper walk with him.

Then Him knowing our heart will grant us exactly what we need first, and then desire if our desires are lined up with his will.

No one wants to go through life feeling as if their full potential is never achieved and we never get our basket of Blessings emptied out upon us simply because we can’t shake the sin(s) that so easily entangle us and hold us into captivity. If you want to walk into the full favor of God, and not let a sin cycle block you from your Blessings then begin by telling the enemy NO! No you can’t control my flesh today, No you can’t control my thoughts today, and No I’m not giving into your desires that separate me from God. This day I will focus on thoughts that are lovely, pure and perfect, this day I will dedicate my spare time to building a stronger relationship with God, and this day I will be thankful as God Almighty delivers me from that vicious sin cycle that keeps trying to keep me grounded.

Key Thought: Break that vicious sin cycle by dedicating your whole heart and life to God, and he will Bless you according to the riches of his Kingdom. God is in the Blessing business don’t miss out on what he has for you and stay grounded - Rise above.

Prayer: "Father God in the name of Jesus I love you Lord, and honestly I find myself doing those things I don’t want to do, and never committing and doing those things I should do. Help me Lord to break this vicious sin cycle, and to no longer remain grounded in sin but to develop a stronger relationship in you so I can receive all the Blessings you have in store for me. In Jesus name Amen!"

Read : Grounded With Wings Part II

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First Lady Wings

“Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.” Proverbs 31:29

Chosen to be a “First Lady” of a church is a very intricate position. It is an honor and a privilege to be placed in a position to be in close service to the body of Christ. Sure each and every week there may be women coming who will smile in your face and ultimately might have a desire to take your position. Take courage woman of God when God has opened a door for you especially one as noble as being a “First Lady” of his people. He has chosen you to set an example of supreme leadership.

In the book of Proverbs 31: 25-31, in particular, the word speaks of this noble and virtuous woman who is clothed with strength and dignity and is so assured in her relationship with God. When everyone else is concerned about days to come, she is laughing because if this woman has nothing else she has established her Faith!

"Take courage woman of God when God has opened a door for you especially one as noble as being a “First Lady” of his people. He has chosen you to set an example of supreme leadership."

This woman when she speaks it is with wisdom and faithful instruction she can boldly tell other women in her midst thus says the Lord because she is strongly leading a victorious life by example. She is being mindful of everything that is going on in her home where she lays her head, and the sanctuary where God has chosen her to be “First Lady”. Nothing is getting passed her because the spirit is revealing where her Prayers need to go daily, and who needs calls of encouragement and words of wisdom.

Keeping busy with the orderliness of home, church, and personal affairs. This type of woman is receiving accolades and praise from her children, and her husband because this woman of God is taking the time to educate her children and guiding them in the ways of the Lord, and making sure her husband’s cup is filled spiritually, emotionally, mentally, and physically.

"..many women may do great things in Christ, many women may do great things in their professional life...us all as “First Ladies” we are to surpass them all!"

Being a “First Lady” is an important and tough role to fill if you are desiring to be a good “First Lady”. Before you said your vows to your husband whose union gave you the official title “First Lady” you made a vow to God. I believe Proverbs 31:29 is the word reaffirming what God wants from us, and what it really means to be chosen to be a “First Lady” because many women may do great things in Christ, many women may do great things in their professional life, many women may excel in their personal life but here this is where I truly believe the Lord is clearly reminding us all as “First Ladies” we are to surpass them all! By not ever giving in to the temptation of having a poor attitude, by always, always, always being the first one to volunteer or participate when help is needed, never taking an attack personally but being a peacemaker even when it hurts. Sharing your experiences and life lessons as they very well might encourage, and Bless someone else. Never fitting in but always rising above with choices and showing pure examples of the love of God.

It’s easy to be fake, and easy to get dressed up and apply make-up but the “First Lady” who truly fears the Lord will be recognized, and the beautiful and honorable spirit that you cultivate daily as being a “First Lady” will be rewarded with Praise in front of many. Being a “First Lady” may come naturally to some of us, and not so naturally to others. The most important thing to remember is we were chosen by God to represent him by being a woman of noble and elite characteristics it is easy to be average and regular, but how awesome it is to choose the elite pathway and truly walk in the ways of God.

Key Thought: Be encouraged woman of God, you were chosen for a purpose, to serve, to lead, and to shine in the excellence of Christ.

Prayer: "Dear Lord thank you for choosing me and placing me in the esteemed position as a First Lady, oh Lord hear my cry and teach me to be the woman of God you need me to be. Help me in my areas of weakness, let them become your strength. Guide me Lord so that I will walk after your will and your way only as I do my best to excel and set examples for every woman you have placed under my leadership. In Jesus Name, Amen"

Daughter Wings

Daughters With Wings

"I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well."

Psalm 139:14

To be a daughter of the Lord is such an honor, however, to know your worth and your value as a woman of God is even greater. Psalms 139: 13-16 speaks to each of us as daughters in God of our formation, our value, our substance, and our worth. Many times people try to discount our dreams, and our value because of their secret agenda for us. Usually someone else’s secret agenda for you is never meant to do you any good. That is why this scripture here in the book of Psalms is valuable to us as women and daughters in Christ so that we never forget our value, and exactly what the Lord himself thinks of each of us.

This Psalm was written by David, and David was professing how much God loved us, and how well he knows us intimately regardless of what the world is saying to us. Especially in this particular Psalm in chapter 139 focusing on verses 13 – 16.

We are being reminded that each one of us was delicately and intricately formed inside of our mother’s womb that God took the time to put every detail and every portion of our bodies and minds together for his glory. How awesome is that concept! That each of us was chosen for a special purpose to glorify God. Many times the enemy will use people even those close to us to try to stop us from realizing our purpose so we won’t ever come into the full glory of God’s plan for us. But this is the time when we should take heart and praise God all the more knowing that he has such an awesome plan for you that the enemy had to put people close to you to try to stop God’s perfect will from being done in your life.

"...each of us was chosen for a special purpose to glorify God."

"...if we were fearfully and wonderfully made at birth then, that means that we were born with powerful forces from God equipped with the ability to remove the enemy and his forces from our lives. "

Verse 14 in Psalms 139 says “I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works, And that my soul knows very well.” This verse speaks volumes to me as a woman of God, and a daughter of the King Of Kings because if we were fearfully and wonderfully made at birth then, that means that we were born with powerful forces from God equipped with the ability to remove the enemy and his forces from our lives.

How? You might ask what the definition of fear means; “causing or capable of causing fear” in other words since we were created in the image of God we were created with the knowledge and the power to bring fear upon the enemy. Usually the enemy flips that concept of fear around on us, knowing that many of us have not read our word to equip ourselves with the needed knowledge to defeat him and instead of us bringing about fear on him the enemy brings about fear in our lives. This fear is often debilitating, or paralyzing stopping us from professing and walking in the wonders God has made inside of us. Our soul knows very well how Marvelous God’s creation was when he created us whether we were made in secret or planned we were all meant to be a part of God’s plan.

This plan that God has for each of our lives is individual. He gave each of us a different substance to build on to accomplish a different work he has for everyone. Sometimes we might get caught up in looking at the success of others and feeling jealousy or maybe even coveting what they have at that time. When you know how Marvelous God’s plan and desire for your own life is, you won’t have the time to watch what someone else may be doing. You will only want what he has in store for you. Each day of our life was fashioned, created, established for each of us individually. No matter how similar no two plans or two lives will be exactly alike. That’s the beauty of who and how wonderful God is and how he thinks so valuable of our creation. God created your pathway long before you were ever even born, the only thing we as daughters of God need to do is get to know him intimately and trust that his plan is ultimately better than any that we may have had for ourselves. Even if you love the direction your life is going in now as it says in Proverbs 16:3 “Commit to the Lord whatever you do and your plans will succeed.” How could I not use a plan that has been enhanced, and approved by God?

We as daughters in the Lord need to never allow people with their sometimes cunning, negative and destructive ways tear you down or stop you from moving forward. Always remember that you are fearfully and wonderfully made. Marvelous is the works of God in you. God did not make you Marvelous to not be successful, NO! He made you Marvelous to glorify the good in you which will glorify who He is in your life.

Key Thought: Be encouraged you were created to do GREAT things, never let anyone make you believe differently. Marvelous were the works of God the day he created you fearfully and wonderfully is how you were created.

Prayer: “Father God in the name of Jesus thank you Lord for creating me fearfully, and wonderfully Marvelous are your works in me. Help me Lord to establish and commit my plans to you so that all I am supposed to do will succeed and be Blessed by you. Strengthen me every day that I will follow after your desires for me In Jesus Name Amen.”

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