Showing posts with label Jesus. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Jesus. Show all posts

Friday

Jesus Christ is Everywhere!

Jesus Christ asked me for money one day while I waited at the bus stop.
Jesus came to visit me while I was lying in a hospital bed.
Jesus said, "hello" to me when I got in his car.
Jesus picked me up of the dance floor and told me, "Let's go home."
Jesus ate with me at the dinner table and reminded me to say my prayers.
Jesus asked me to help him with some garden work outdoors.
Jesus called me to go to church.
Jesus shook my hand and told me the battle is won.
Jesus Christ, Jesus Christ is everywhere I go, everywhere I sit,
everywhere, everywhere
Jesus is everywhere!

Sunday

Embrace the People Who Come into Your Life for a Season...

Embrace the new people who come into your life for a season, but when things seem to have come to an end, rather than work to keep them in your life, be willing to let them go. This is a message I have learned through experience.

When I think about what I have just written, the people who overstayed their welcome in my life comes to mind. Their welcome should have been canceled years ago, but I fought to keep them there! You see, I am usually the person that reaches out to others, I have my good memory to thank for this. I am the kind of person that will take you back to a time you may have forgotten about and bring you back to it again (those from my former elementary, high school and college know this by the photos I have posted in my social networking photo albums.) Depending on where you were during that time of your life, you may have good memories or bad, but I don't intentionally set out to hurt people. So when someone comes into my life or vice versa, rather than hold my hand up in a cross formation and wonder, "What does this person want with me?" I watch them like a movie; I listen and learn. What they say for the time being may be pertinent to my life then again maybe not.

But what happens when the friendship or relationship has served its purpose? A series of warnings also known as "red flags" come up. Everything from promise after promise to meet one another but your gut says "don't" and arguments about one thing or another while neither party is willing to compromise.

I am one of those who try to keep relationships and friendships going long after the expiration date. What do you think usually happens when you keep a carton of milk past the expiration date? You got it, it spoils! Then when you dump it out, it stinks! That's how expired relationships and friendships eventually work out! When this happens, I am usually the one losing the most money and/or time. If a person promises to call, but doesn't, I would try to keep in touch anyway even though the writing on the wall would say, "Keep away." If a loved one invites me somewhere I rather not go, I would sometimes go against my better judgment and go. There are usually warning signs when it comes to these expired relationships and friendships, but at times I would still "give them the benefit..." However, there are those times when doubt would kick in and the safety warning would blink "back away," sometimes I would put an end to those connections and sometimes I wouldn't. I am learning as I go along in this journey called, "Life."

Everyone who comes into our lives are just not "meant to be!" That's why when I see these large networks of people online who claim "friendship", these huge mega churches, and other gigantic organizations, I can't help but think how many people are really meant to be in that person's life/network/group. How many of those people you are trying to reach are really a waste of time and energy? While one is fighting with a negative person who should have been gone out of his or her life a long time ago never to be reached again, others are building worthwhile connections that are getting them somewhere.

When people are "meant to be" in our lives, they bring gifts not excuses, attitudes, disagreements, and fights. That's not to say that you won't disagree with your quality connections, because you will, but you must know when to take heed to warning signs that a person has overstayed their welcome in your life.

Just as I have picked my share of people to disconnect from, there have been others that have disconnected from me. Rather than, feel like this is some great loss or a bad reflection on the woman "I am," I consider it a blessing, because for every one person that leaves there are two more that come into my life whether on or offline. I have had discussions in the past about this issue of "seasonal" friends and most will say that the relationship or friendship started off great, but then took an ugly turn. I must say from personal experience that ugly turns are just warnings to avoid opening the doors up again to a person or group unless you absolutely must (and usually the "must" part falls under the category of family--sometimes you don't have much of a choice especially if you know you need to resolve matters that are affecting others in your family circle.) However, making peace doesn't mean be a fool!

Now some people may have never had an "ugly turn" experience, but that doesn't mean that these same people are significant to your destiny, so why create a bad experience to get them out or wait until it gets to a negative point in the relationship or friendship? Just step away quietly. You don't have to go out with a bang! I have had some people who came into my life with a bang and went out with one as well! There simply is no need to keep gathering around the table with Judas. How many times did Judas sit at the table with Jesus? (Hello!)

These days I am welcoming those who are meant to be while dismissing those who aren't and avoiding the temptation to open up anymore doors that were meant to be closed and stay closed years ago. Not every door should or needs to be open. I rather have two friends I know are "meant to be" (God's will) then have ten that aren't.

Thursday

What's Inside of Me?

Created, manifested, edited, and rearranged
my life story
to try to fit
what others said I should become!

Thought about a butcher, a baker and a candlestick maker
from a storybook of long ago.

Heard someone say a doctor, a lawyer, a teacher, and an athlete
I knew that wasn't for me.

So I went to God to confirm my identity,
my destiny
meanwhile the world says
"you can't be rich."

So I kept my dream under lock and key for awhile
as I pursued what man said was best for me.

Told me my success was measured by dollars and cents
wouldn't ackowledge me as an expert without letters
didn't think much of me when I couldn't drive metal
said I was breaking the rules if I went off course.

Oh there is a river of words within me
streaming out daily
for I cannot rest
until I do my best
until I write my last word
until I give my last breath...

Can't leave it up to God to tell my story
that's why he called me
front page news give God the glory!

My name will be...
My Father I am
the first and the last
oh how they will remember me!

My face on television
the wealthy will speak my name!
My children will call me blessed
for I am highly favored
bought with a price
more than a conqueror
through Christ who strengthens me!

For seeds I have sown for so many years
are sprouting green because of my tears!
The ground beneath me a solid rock I stand
no devil in hell can shake me!

My blessing will be running over
my house will have more room than I need
my car will shine
and someone out there will call me "mine."

Then I will reflect on this day
of how he blessed me with an idea
that sold millions
that delivered thousands
that appointed hundreds
for many are called
but chosen are few.

So I wait...and I wait
as God serves me my plate
and I will feast in the presence of mine enemies.

God will restore what was stolen from me
God will bless me like he did Job
a new day is coming...
"God grant me the serenity..."
I remember the note I posted upon my wall
and the time will come that I will need it!

For the crowds are on their way
the lights will be flashing
the pain of not having enough
will be far gone from my head!

My heart will no longer be heavy
my children won't have to hear "no"
and God, oh yes God...will answer my prayers!

Monday

Jesus Loves the Little Children

The song, "Jesus Loves the Little Children" is powerful! It reminds us that we are children in the eyes of God irregardless of our skin tone! Just as good parents love and care for their children in spite of..., God does the same for us. However, what separates babies and adults is the ability that adults have to make decisions on their own whereas a baby can do nothing more than wait for someone to help them.

I think of Matthew 18 when Jesus sits the child upon his lap and tells his followers, "Unless you turn to God from your sins and become as little children, you will never get into the Kingdom of Heaven." Now this statement would be difficult for one to understand if he or she has never been in the presence of children. What I can tell you about children from personal experience, is they are eager to learn new things. When they really want to know something they will keep their mouths closed and do as they are told. They will also ask questions and apply what they have learned to their lives. Unfortunately, when most children grow older they become know-it-alls and do not want anyone telling them anything. I think even after life experiences we should have learned from, there is still a know-it-all spirit within us that isn't asking questions like a child, but is actually presenting oneself before God, church, family, friends,and strangers as if he or she already knows the answer! This has been the downfall of many Christians in the faith, we get a little meat and run with it never thinking to go back and learn how to cook it for ourselves and then distribute it to others.

We don't act like children when it comes to going to God for answers. Rather, we go to God thinking we already know what we are supposed to do in a situation or already have some idea what we are going to do before we wait on God to give us an answer. Instead, we should be open minded before Him and realize that God wants to guide us and teach us something different so that we can apply it to our lives.

Have you ever wondered why some children are so much smarter than others? The answer isn't always about whether the child has a parent who is a genius, but oftentimes the intelligence of the child is developed because someone took the time to explain or teach them new things. If the child was the strong-willed type and was never taught to tame the beast within, then he or she will not be open to advice or learning anything different without objection. I think that sometimes as Christians we don't want to learn anything new or different, because we know that we are responsible for the knowledge that we obtain. Sometimes playing ignorant, at least for some Christians, is a good excuse not to do what you are supposed to do in the Kingdom.

The way I see it, if I don't bother to go to God like a little child asking questions and being willing to apply the answers to my life, then I am not doing anything for the Kingdom on earth and I can forget about going to the Kingdom after I die. In summary, be as a little child and go to God with your questions, unlike humans he won't be offended, and will be more than happy to assist!

When It Happens

When pain comes like a rolling sea
Joy is found and you are free.

When bills are due and money is short
There God is standing in your court.

When trouble knocks on your door
Your old heart He does restore.

When bad news rings your black phone
Let it drop, here catch a dial tone.

When there is no comfy car
That’s okay the bus ain’t far.

When the laptop is in the shop
You’ll still make it to the top.

When he has gone and left the house
Forget about the ingrate louse.

When mom is not feeling her best
Remind her that it’s just a test.

When bad dad is stinkin' drunk
Don’t let him get you in a funk.

When your looking for a mate
Pray for love it's not too late.

When the children fight and whine
Call for help, go out and dine.

When time is sinking like quicksand
God is there to lend a hand.

Prayer for A Change Of Heart

An opportunity to be released
From heartache, and a headache.

Desiring, wishing,
Waiting – a long term commitment.

People watching, wondering
Who stole your heart?

Fear what isn’t.
Ponder what is.
Hope that everything between us will be alright.

And It Too Came To Pass...

It came to pass and you won’t call.
An issue of right and wrong, this is not.
An issue of fortune-telling and psychic
ability this is not.

Your life, my life if I don’t tell
is at stake...God told me.
But you don’t believe...
and it came to pass
now you won’t call.

I guess you can handle it all
by yourself. My season is finished
and yours has just begun.

Does the enemy have your hands
tied behind your back and tape
over your mouth?

It came to pass and you doubted.
You told me God doesn’t speak that often.

God doesn’t, God won’t, God hasn’t...
and it too came to pass.

Offended

Holding a gun to your head,
read the Bible
do what it says.
You know I haven't treated you this way.
It's all in your head.

Conversations about Jesus.
Not permitted.
Don’t force your beliefs on me
you say.
Whose forcing?

New Audio Spiritual Messages by Nicholl