Chasing Our Tales

Too many times people stop pursuing their dream or calling just because they think that it is too late. You feel like if it hasn’t happened yet then it will never happen but that is simply not true. There are many times that God will call someone at a young age but there are things that He has to take them through in order to use them. Sometimes it is for the testimony that will come out of them or maybe it is to build character, strength and wisdom. Either way, if He has called you to something He is well able to finish what He has called you to.

The reason that I titled this “Chasing Our Tales” is because it can have many meanings. If tales were spelled a different way, then it would be a perfect example of what we do a lot of the times. We chase after what we believe to be our purpose but because of circumstances we find ourselves going around and around in circles, similar to a dog chasing his tail. Many times when this happens we find out that we have been trying to do things on our own instead of being led by God. Anytime that we try to move in our own strength we will wind up running around in circles. God wants to lead and guide you and show you the way but you need to get out of your own way.

The other connotation that I wanted to impart with the title is the actual meaning of the word tale. Tales are stories that we listen to that cause us to go in one direction or another or to form a specific opinion about something.  There are tales that people will tell you like, “You will never be able to do that, or, you are too old”. It does matter what one person says to you. What you need to go on is whether or not God said you are able. We cannot listen to tales spoken by others to hold us back. We have to listen to the one who gave us the dream. The dream that God gave you may seem like a fairy tale but it doesn’t matter whether our minds can contain that dream, what matters is that in God’s kingdom, His dreams do come true. Take heart today knowing that what He has called you to, you are well able to accomplish through His strength and guidance.  Take a step out, now take another step, walk right past the fear that has been holding you back and walk right into your destiny.

The Blank Canvas

It’s funny, sometimes I sit down and start to write and the words just flow out onto the paper (document), but other times I sit down and just stare blankly at the white canvas that is this word document. As I sit here and start to type with no particular subject in mind, I feel unequal to the task but then I pray and ask God to just take over. When I think of the blank sheet in front of me it reminds me of our lives and how they are so much like this blank paper. We look at our lives and think about all the bad we have done and never think about the blood of Jesus which washed away our sin and made our lives like a blank canvas to be written and painted on. We have a new beginning in Him, so why is it so hard to see that. Well, I will tell you, it is hard to see that because we have an enemy that roams around like a roaring lion seeking whom he can devour. The enemy knows your past, do you really think that he will just let you forget it just because the sin has been washed away. What fun would that be for him? He has a plan and that plan is to destroy who God says you are before you even get started. What better way is there than to continually walk under condemnation. I have to admit, I have done that a lot over the years and if it’s not that, it’s the constant reminder of past hurts that try to hold me back. I can honestly say that I am so happy to be worshipping where God has planted us. The church I go to is such a healing body of believers and the Word that comes forth is extraordinary. The body of Christ should be life giving just like Jesus is. It should be a place of refuge from the storms but all too often it can be a place where the enemy uses us most. Why, because the enemy wants you to walk around without power.

 

Today, think about all of the things that the Lord has done in your life. Think about what He pulled you out of and how He has totally changed you and your life. Give Him thanks for this and ask Him to help you see that your sins have been washed away. Receive His forgiveness and walk in the strength and power that comes from living a life with Christ. Draw on the power of the Holy Spirit to guide you in all things and ask Him to show you who He has called you to be. Ask Him to open your eyes to the attacks of the enemy to see the attacks for what they are so that you know how to stand in the midst of the storm. He loves you and wants you to be empowered so that you can be a witness for Him to lead others to Him. Remember, prayer is not some religious exercise you do because you are Christian, prayer is a conversation with your Heavenly Father, it is a form of intimacy just like when you are talking to your husband or your best friend (mine are one in the same). You come to Him and give Him honor, giving Him thanks for who He is and then you talk to Him. It’s as simple as that. What great plans does God have in store for you? How does He plan to use you to win your city? Whose life does He want to touch through you? Don’t live under condemnation anymore, be the blank canvas and say, “Here I am Lord, send me!”

Spin Class

Have you ever been to a circus and watched as someone began spinning plates. It’s amazing to watch how the person puts one plate on a stick and starts it spinning and then another and another until finally there are multiple plates spinning. You watch closely as this person runs back and forth and touches each plate to keep it spinning ever mindful of any that are slowing down.

Today I was doing my Physics homework in Astronomy. It is a great subject and one that will make you think. I read how each of the planets were made (yes made because let’s face it, I believe God is our creator and not a big bang) and how each one had different characteristics and even how Venus, though it rotates around the Sun like the other planets, it actually spins in the opposite direction than the others. This got me to thinking about God. It amazes me that scientists believe that all of this resulted in a big bang and that none of it was made by a great creator. Really? Wow, I cannot read this without thinking of the greatness of God and how I can see Him speaking all of this into existence and how each and everything that was made was made unique like us. You see as a human being in order to spin so many plates we have to be ever watchful to make sure that nothing falls, but God created all of these planets to spin and move according to what He spoke and He stands back and watches and says, “It is good.” I also thought about the fact that scientists noticed years ago that with a radio telescope they could hear a constant hum or hiss and they never could figure out what it was so they wrote it off as being some type of gas that the radio waves were picking up. Funny, no matter how many times that they tested this and searched, they always found that it pointed to one specific point in the universe. I don’t know about you, but I believe that one point to be God.

I find it funny that we always try to explain things away and never truly see that there is a creator that created all things and He is in all things. Everything that He created points to Him and yet we chose to not see it. Honestly, I think that He continues to create new things every time the scientists believe they have it figured out. Why? Because He is God and His ways are higher than ours. He wants us to believe in Him and He wants us to see Him but most of the time we are looking for any other explanation than the only one that matters. He is God and He is all in all. I cannot wait to see Him one day face to face. Though I enjoy learning of God’s creation, it will never take the place in my mind of the one that created it all. You see, “The heavens declare the Glory of God and the firmament showeth His handiwork.” Ps. 19:1. 

Everything that we try to figure out and explain away only needs one word, Faith. You see I have faith that He exists, I don’t need to see the wind to believe it is there, I can feel it. Just like I can feel Him. I am the type of person that analyzes and tries to figure everything out but with that in mind, I have known Him intimately and I know by experience that He has been with me since the beginning. He has reminded me time and time again that He was always there trying to lead me and guide me toward Him. He confirms that He is talking to me when I pray about things and talk to Him about what is going on and then I hear my answer in a sermon. I know you are thinking that is coincidence but when He uses some of the same words and terminology or scriptures that I was speaking to Him about through the person preaching, to me that is Him speaking. Other times I will hear a song on the radio, or in talking with someone He will use them to talk to me. You can try to explain why certain things happen or you can just give in and say, “Ok God, I believe, show me who you are and reveal yourself to me.” I promise you, He will. He has been waiting for you before He even formed you in your mother’s womb. All He has ever wanted was to be a part of your life. You know that longing that you have in your heart for someone to love you and for someone to see you. Well, He loves you and He sees you. Just step out on faith and allow the God of the universe to reach down and touch you right where you are at. He loves you!!!!

The Island of Misfit Toys

Today was a great day in service. You ever find yourself in a situation and it takes you back in time to something that you read or saw. Well, today reminded me of Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer and the Island of Misfit Toys. Strange right. Let me explain but first I will have to take you to a strange place, my mind. You see during praise and worship I was praying and asking God, "Lord, how can you possibly use me when I have so much wrong with me. I want so badly to be pleasing in your sight and to do your works to be a blessing to others and to preach your message. I know that there is no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus but it doesn't change the fact that the enemy attacks us so much by pointing out our short comings." Then I asked Him, "Please I know that you give us a free will, but I place that free will in your hands ask that you mold me to look like you."

Fast forward a few minutes later and the word that comes forth from our worship leader is coming straight from the mouth of God, an answer to prayer. It's funny we generally feel as though we are the only ones going through what we are going through but if we open our eyes and hearts we will see that each one of us are struggling with basically the same thing. The enemy of our souls does not want us victorious and he certainly doesn't want us to function in the gifts that God has given us. The way that he ensures that we are not stepping out and not doing what we are called to do is by attacking our identity. Now you are wondering what that has to do with the title of this particular post. Well, I am glad you asked. You see we are all, or we all see ourselves in the same way as the misfit toys on the show. There is something wrong with us in one area or another and we feel like because of that one blemish we couldn't possibly be useful. That is entirely not true. Let me ask you a question, have you ever seen a banana that had a bruise on it? Well would you throw away the whole banana just because there was one bruise or would you cut that piece out and eat the rest. We are the banana, we have some bruises and blemishes but that doesn't stop us from being useful.

I will submit something else to you, unlike the banana, God can take our bruises that were once useless and turn it into something useful in order to bless others with. You are not useless and this is not the island of misfit toys, or maybe it is. Maybe we need to see ourselves as broken vessels that God uses in order to help others because our imperfections are actually tools to help us be more merciful to others when they have imperfects. Just maybe, all the things that you have gone through has happened in order that you would become a blessing to others. The reason that the enemy attacks you there is to keep you from helping others by making you think you are crippled. Stop seeing yourself in that light and see yourself as an overcomer. Jesus took 12 misfits and changed the world, none of his disciples had it all together so we can't expect that we would have it all together either. If Jesus used them to change the world, what could He do with you if you would just let Him. He's waiting for you to step out. Are you ready? 

Pressing toward the mark!

Today I decided to log into my blog and rearrange some things and read through some of my old posts. I have to say that I am really disappointed that it has been quite a while since I have posted. I contribute this to a couple of things. One, being too busy and not setting aside time to write. Two, it's a ploy by the enemy to keep me from writing which points back to point one.

We have been having amazing teachings at our church lately and it has stirred up a fire in me that, I have to be honest, was on the verge of going out. I have been in love with my Lord and savior since the day that He saved me and changed my life. The problem with getting saved though is that you are immediately on the enemies radar and if you do not keep watch, he will definitely do his best to stop the call on your life and the impact you could have. I am reminded of Gideon, when the angel of the Lord visited him and called him a mighty man of valor. It's funny, Gideon had the same reaction that I think most of us would have. Basically it was like, "Who? Me?" The issue is that we do not see in ourselves what God does, we tend to believe the lie of the enemy which tells us that we are no good and that we will never amount to anything. However, it is simply that, a lie.

This morning Pastor was talking about the fire of God. God immediately brought to mind the blog that I started many years ago. Pastor even mentioned the scripture that I used for this blog, "It's like fire shut up in my bones!" Where has this fire been? What happened to the enthusiasm that I once had? I will tell you where it is has been, it has been caught up in the business of life.  I love the Lord and want to be pleasing in His sight. I want to stand before Him one day and have Him say, "Well done, thy good and faithful servant."

One thing I have asked from the Lord, that I shall seek: That I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord and to meditate in His temple. Psalm 27:4

It's time to put first things first, regardless of what your friends and family think. What does it profit us to gain the whole world and lose our souls. I am ready to press toward that mark, to reach for the high calling of God and allow Him to use me in whatever way He sees fit. I am calling out to the part of you that has that call on your life as well. What are you waiting for? Join me in pressing in and pursuing all that God has for you and for others. Let's make an impact on the world. God didn't give you and I these gifts to sit idly by and allow them to go to waste. We have been placed on this earth at this time in history to impact a group of people that no one else can.

I declare this day, I will start writing again and will proclaim whatever word that God places on my lips. I pray that God stirs up the gifts that He has placed in each and every person who is reading this. I will press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ. My question is, will you join me?

The Way We Should Live

When the missionary E. Stanley Jones met with Gandhi he asked him, "Mr. Gandhi, though you quote the words of Christ often, why is that you appear to so adamantly reject becoming his follower?"

Gandhi replied, "Oh, I don't reject Christ. I love Christ. It's just that so many of you Christians are so unlike Christ."

“If Christians would really live according to the ...teachings of Christ, as found in the Bible, all of India would be Christian today,” he added.

This is such a sad commentary on our times. It is such a sad commentary on our walk. If we were to truly follow Jesus and act like Him, loving others and trying our best to live according to His word, people would not run in the other direction away from Him. It is our job to be witnesses to the world but in most cases we are not even witnesses to our own family. Why would anyone want to follow Jesus if this is the example that they see? I am not trying condemn you but I am trying to wake you up if you are calling yourself a Christian but not even striving to act like Him.

In the end, it boils down to one thing. We are ambassadors of Christ. Which means that we directly represent Him. I can still hear an old friends saying in my head, “You can put your boots in the oven but it don’t make them biscuits.” Well you can sit a person in a pew and it doesn’t make them a Christian.

For those that have walked away from God because of stupid people that label themselves as Christians, come back, not to people but to God. There are knuckle heads all over the world but we don’t stop being friends with a whole city because of one person. There will be people who let you down wherever you go but quite frankly, it should be about our walk and not about theirs. If they are messed up, pray for them and move on. You can’t change who they are but you can definitely change how you perceive them. God loves you and He misses you. Come back to Him and forget the foolishness of some of His children that have yet to learn how to walk on their own.

There's God for That!

So, usually the blogs that I post are for guidance or instruction but today I felt the need to tell you about my wonderful Abba. For those that don’t know, that stands for father in Aramaic from the New Testament. In our current day of technological advances we so often go to our iPhone or iPad or any other available device in order to look up definitions and guidance for ...any given subject. If you can’t find what you are looking for then, rest assured that there is an App for that. Well I’m here to tell you that no matter what you are going through or what you are facing, there is a God for that and His name is Abba (Father). Jesus came to this earth and made a way for us to turn to our heavenly father with every need or every issue that we may have. God is not some distant Father that you cannot reach, it says in His word that He is our ever present help in our time of need. If we could not reach him then why would He tell us this? My father has come through for me and my family so many times. He always knows the need that you have even before you ask. So, if that is the case you may be wondering why you even have to ask. Well, that’s simple; He wants you to ask so that you know firstly that your help came from Him. Secondly, and maybe most importantly, He wants you to ask as a demonstration of your faith in His ability to take care of you.

I cannot begin to tell you the love that I have in my heart for Him. I know to some of you this may seem strange because how can you love and feel so strongly for a God you cannot see. Well a wise Pastor once said, a man with an experience is not at the mercy of a man with an argument. See, I have experienced the love and compassion of a living and loving God and I cannot imagine my life without Him. I cannot tell you how much it grieves my soul to know that there are people out there that do not know Him.

If you don’t know Him then I encourage you to get to know Him. If you want to know how, send me a message and I will tell you how. All you have to do is just turn to Jesus and give your heart to Him and He will show you the father. Remember, if you don’t know where to turn or how to answer the current issue you are facing, there’s a God for that.