Clean on the Inside or Clean on the Outside?

In the bible text Matthew 15:18-20 it says, "But the things that come out of the mouth come from the heart, and these make a man 'unclean.'  For out of the heart come evil thoughs, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander.  These are what make a man 'unclean;' but eating with unwashed hands does not make him 'unclean.'"

What's better clean on the inside or clean on the outside?  In our world today we are bombarded with diseases, infections, and viruses that are being transmitted through the air and common interaction-touch!  We look to be clean if we want to stay healthy: we wash our hands, cover our mouths whatever it takes to stave off infection. 

But how often in our words and thoughts have we murdered, been unfaithful, committed sexual sin, stole, lied against, and mispoke against others??  Seems like it couldn't happen, yet I bet at least one time this very day the dirtiness of your heart spilled out or against someone.

Think about it....are you clean on the inside or clean on the outside?

Or are you just plain dirty???   You decide.

Blessings!

Connected

What holds you together when things go wrong?  Is it a significant other, loved one, food, smoking, drinking or some other habit?

The bible tells us those who are in Christ are connected to the true vine!  And if we remain in Him, He will remain in us!  He will stand by us and He will protect us!

Life is stressful enough, and when everything goes upside down we need to stay connected to a sure source!

Blessings!

Firm Foundation!

What is your life rooted in? If a major disaster hit your life, this day, this hour, this minute, would you be able to stand against the storms of life?

The Northeast United States just got pummelled with rain and flooding this past weekend.  The local news channels have flooded the tv with photos from all over of the damage the rains and winds have done in the area; downed telephone poles, electical power lines,and trees!

No one is exempt from the catastrophes that life can bring us!  Will  you be the one down after the storm?

As for me, my foundation is in God thru Christ Jesus.  With Christ on my side, I have an assurance that no matter what storm comes in my life, I will not be broken! 

So, think about what roots you and is there or if there is anything holding you together? 

Blessings!

Showing Up or Just Floating?

What is the status of your life right now?   Have you checked in lately?

We walk our walk everyday.  We wake up, we take care of our families, we work, we may worship God, take care of bills, etc.  But have we tapped into our life's passion yet?  Our daily can allow us to float from one day to the next for the most part in a very effortless fashion!

However, showing up, is a little different!  It requires figuring our what's going on in our lives, good or bad.  It means that after we do our evaluation of the state of our lives, we have to decide if this is actually working for us! 

We have to actually make plans for change!  And then an even bigger step, we actually have to carry out the change we neeed!

It may sound a little scary, but I think I prefer to show up in my life, because I just realized just a few short months ago that I had been floating and I didn't even know it!  I want to feel, experience, and deal with life:  its good, its challenges, whatever God has planned for me!

You won't know what's God's best if you allow this world to just let you float thru.  It may be time to wake yourself up and show up to the first day of your new life!

Blessings...

Excellent is His name in all the earth!

Psalm 8 gives us such wonderful imagery of God's wonderful creation.  We move so fast don't we?  We have obligations, places to be, things to do and yet we forget the wonderful creation that we exist in?

Yes, the latest snow storms have been challenging haven't they?  We no longer enjoy prancing around in the snow, sledding, throwing snowballs and making snow angels.  Instead, we make silent prayers that the weather would improve, that it will not snow too much or too hard.  We leave the house, that is if we leave the house, and are wary that we may fall, be too cold or God forbid, pray we don't fall.

But if you are ever up in the middle of the night, during a snow storm, take a moment and just stare at the snow falling against the night sky and try to remember that all that God created is so good, and so beautiful!

And God's name is excellent in all the earth!

It's Not Just About You

"Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others."  Phil. 2:4

It's easy to become isolated in the world we live in today.  We are affirmed to live out our own individuality to the point where so many of us are lonely individuals exerting their individuality!  We are driven, we are unique, we are all that, or so we think, but we are more times than not, all alone.

There is nothing wrong with our individuality, but how can we celebrate who we are and whom God so creatively created without others whom which to do it? 

It's not just about you, it's about the you and I that makes "we" or "us"!  The Bible says two are better than one!  Don't always sit at home alone, connect with your old friends.  Or better yet, step outside of your comfort zone and connect with someone new with similar interests! 

Life is so short to live it cooped up with just you...

Blessings!

Real Friends

"We have not stopped praying for you since the first day we heard about you.  In fact, we always pray that God will show you everything He wants you to do and that you may have all the wisdom and understanding that His Spirit gives." Col. 1:9-10

Friends, we all say we have them, but do we truly care for them?  Yes, we care in the midst of our fellowshipping; laughing and together times.  But what about when they are not in your presence?

Do you have an unsaved friend, one you know in your heart of hearts doesn't know Jesus and is going to burn in hell unless he/she accepts Christ?  If you do, then you should be sharing the Gospel and praying for that friend's salvation!

It's easy in good times to be a friend, but if we are real friends to one another, we are caring below the surface.  We remember that we all have souls and one day we all are going to die.  If you are sure that you'll be going to heaven, wouldn't you want the same for your "friend?"

Blessings!

No Matter What!

"We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed; always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that  the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body." 2 Cor. 4:8-10

This scripture rings so true to everyday life.  I mean we know life is not gloom and doom everyday; we have bright spots and wonderful moments between all the monotony.  But no matter what, despite our troubles, distress, and life's unfairness, we are carried thru because of Christ! 

Don't know what I'm talking about?  Maybe you just don't know Jesus!  It is because of Jesus, and the fact that He died for my sins, that I have hope for the future, even on my worst days! 

Want to know what I'm talking about; that's easy-Jesus is waiting on you!  Say a prayer, tell God you know you are a sinner, and that you are sorry!  Ask God thru Jesus to help you and accept His help! 

No matter what our daily or minute by minute circumstances, the Jesus in you can bring you through!

Getting New Bones!

"This is what the Sovereign Lord says to these bones: I will make breath enter you, and you will come to life...I will put my Spirit in you and you will live, and I will settle you in your own land.  Then you will know that I the Lord has spoken, and I have done it, declares the Lord."  Ezekiel 37:5 & 14.

How's your bones?

Are you feeling stiff, brittle or a little worn?  Is the new year starting to look a lot like last year but with a different date?  Looking to hydrate your life?  God in the book of Ezekiel chapter 37, prophesied through the prophet Ezekiel that He alone can literally provide new life where the old one use to be!  Do you believe it?

It may be high time to start changing thoughts and belief systems.  I love traditions, but I have been learning to shake up some traditions, add a little flavor, and make something new and improved out of the old.

Have you yet "stepped out of the box" this year?  A new hairstyle, self care, new reading material, or even cultivating new relationships?

Dear friends, with God anything and everthing is possible, if things are a little dry in your life, I bet a little Jesus can help!

Blessings!!

My Reflection

"Who is that girl (or guy) I see, staring straight back at me?  Why is my reflection someone I don't know?  Somehow I cannot hide who I am, though I tried.  When will my reflection show who I am inside?"  lyrics: David Zippel from the movie "Mulan"

It is the end of another work day for me and as I was able to take that "sigh" after another long day hard at work, I stopped in front of the mirror and took more than just a cursory look.  Now as I searched my big brown eyes I saw more than I've seen on any other day before in my life and what I saw though between me and God alone caused me to question on this day and in this hour, who is that girl I see, staring straight back at me??

The year 2010 is not even two months old yet, and for myself so much has changed!  The me I was at 11:59pm on December 31st is so different from the me at this moment and even my whole life circumstance is different; my perspectives and yet even my goals, dreams and hopes all changed, in a way!

Who is it that you-you see today?  Good or bad, the guy, the girl you greet every morning in the mirror is staring at you for guidance and direction.  Are you awake, equipped or even ready to take the lead in your own life?  What's the next step?  Where do you go from here?  What has God said to you about it?

We won't always have tomorrows, so while you have todays, check in on who you are and where you are going.

Blessings!

Tell Him What You Want

"In everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God."  Phillipians 4:6

If you need something out of your reach, why not ask God about it?  It's so easy to get wrapped up in our own strength and abilities!  You have to have strength, skills, and abilities to make it in this world; we either sink or swim.

But not so for those who know God, we have access to the ultimate power that this world has ever known!  We can ask God for what we want and we will get an answer!  Don't underestimate the power of God thru prayers, our requests and thanks to the one who makes all things possible--YOU CAN HAVE WHAT YOU WANT!

Just tell God what you want!

Serenity

"God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference."  Serenity Prayer

Are you truly ready for whatever life throws at you?  All at once life can deal you a hand that you never anticipated and not sure of how to play?

Life is just like this and there are so many things that come up in life that we have some control over and we should handle these situations as we feel led to do.  However, some things God allows that we go through that are totally outside of the realm of our control!

When this happens, we must discern that indeed we do not have any control, and decide to give it up to God and allow His Providential Care reign over the situation!  When you've done all you can, give it up and give it to God!

Putting Jesus On!

"Let the Lord Jesus Christ be as near to you as the clothes you wear.  Then you won't try to satisfy your selfish desires." Romans 13:14 (CEV)

If you find yourself having trouble sticking to a resolution, keeping your word or vows, consider putting Jesus on and see if you begin to have more resolve in your pursuits!

Got Jesus?

How's your fruit?

"Likewise every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad treebears bad fruit.  A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit.  Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them." Matthew 7:17-20

What is the produce of your life?  Is it a wealth of family and friends, successful business, honesty, integrity, joy, peace happiness, love?

If your life does does not reflect this, maybe you need to consider the kind of fruit you are bearing.  Maybe it is time to start over, fertilize the soil of your heart and mind and allow God to plant new seeds that will bear the wonderful fruits described above.  After all, who really wants to be cut down???

At the end of the how do people recognize you?  Good Fruit or Bad?

Joy in the Morning

Psalm 30:5 says, "Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning."

 Weeping, crying or wailing are all expressions of deep sorrow.  It's not a fun activity, and certainly some men were taught as children not to cry, but to "be a man" and deal with their issues.

That says a lot about what the world thinks, but God wants us to express ourselves in all of our emotions!  I dare you to read the book of Psalms and see just how much emotion is expressed from happy to sad,  from peace to anger and every other emotion in between.

Know that you don't always have to put up a brave front!  Someone might need to see you weep, in order to comfort or to know that it is indeed okay to express themselves.  Weeping may be the only way to deal with your concerns!  So if you feel it, just do it and don't stop until it's done because God already promised us joy will come in the morning!

Blessings!

Doing What You Love, Loving What You Do

I got so tied up with work yesterday, I did not have an opportunity to submit a Thought for Today!  I enjoy submitting these blogs because for me, it is a part of my vocation: to share the Gospel of Christ first with my family, friends and then to the world!  It is my hope that this blog, though a small part of my ministry, a vital part in order to have a global reach to man and woman kind!  So, until God decides that He wants me to blog full-time, I continue to work the job God has blessed me with.

My situation brings to mind a scripture verse from Psalm 90:17, "And let the beauty of the Lord our God be upon us, and establish the work of our hands for us; yes establish the work of our hands."

When God called me to ministry nine years ago, I had such a zeal to leave the job I had at the time and I dreamed of full-time active ministry and all the good I would do in the name of the Lord!  Yet, God did not provide that open door to walk away from my secular job, and I waited, got frustrated, and continued to wait.

God eventually revealed to me that the ministry He has in mind for me is to let Christ shine through me everyday!  The work God has called me to secular and ministry is a sacred calling.  God will eventually open that door to a clergy position working full time as a Christian counselor, continuing to blog and participating in overseas ministry, but until then I continue to work willingly as though I were serving the Lord Himself and not just my earthly master. (Col. 3:23)

What about you?  Are you feeling a little antsy about moving on to the next chapter of your life?  Maybe not loving what you do right now?  Perhaps feeling like you were meant for more?  Consider asking God to establish the work of your hands and see where He takes you!

Blessings!

Remembering King?

What did your holiday weekend consist of?  I remember when so many people sought and fought to make Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King's birthday a holiday.  I have read extensively about the Civil Rights struggle and Dr. King's involvement and one would have to ask, why did it take so long for the holiday to come about?

Yet, the date was established as a national holiday and there was great celebration and even a popular R&B song was made about it.  We as a people made a great accomplishment!

Fast forward to 2010 and I again ask the question, What did your holiday weekend consist of?  Was there a service or program dedicated to the man that fought so hard for civil rights for our people?  Was there a discussion in the home of how far African Americans have come and where we have yet to go as a people?  Did you stop to ponder in what way have you contributed to the betterment of African Americans or to humanity as a whole?

Or was your holiday weekend a weekend of catching up on chores, sleeping or other mindless duties?

We must never forget that men and women died for us to have what we have!

Worth the Wait

"Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord." Psalm 27:14

The saying goes, "patience is a virtue" which is true, but who truly likes to wait?  Does the child on Christmas Eve desire to wait one more day to get his/her gifts?  Do you enjoy waiting on the line at the grocery store or any kind of store for that matter for the cashier to check your items?  How about at your favorite restaurant, is your wait for a table or to get served  a wonderful experience?

For most, waiting is frustrating, annoying and something one does not like to do.  I personally have grown into patience and have come to respect the "waiting period."  I was a go-getter from the time I was little, and when you think you can get something for yourself, waiting is hardly on the agenda.  But as I matured, I found that there is a reason and a season for everything!

The verse in Psalm 27 reminds us that there are indeed things worth waiting for!  God has so many promises of prosperity, happiness and contentment on this side of heaven and in heaven as well.  However many of those promises require that we wait for His movement and His timing!

The Bible says, "All good things come from the Lord!" and I believe this to be a true statement for all of us who would believe, but are you willing to wait for God to make manifest His vision for your life- in your life?

Yes, the world says whatever you want-right now; but are you willing to take a leap of faith and trust God enough to wait on His wonderful and glorious blessings??

My friend, I am a witness to what God can do in His time and He is more than worth the wait!

Father, be with us as we become weary in the wait.  Help us have greater faith in what You can do!  In Jesus' name, Amen.

Real Wealth

"But godliness with contentment is great gain." 1 Timothy 6:6"

Every night on my way home, I gaze out of the express bus window and see the huge sign set up by the state lottery system  that indicates how much the lottery is offering for the next drawing.  I admittedly allow myself to wonder what I would do with the large amounts of money that are offered.  How my life and lifestyle could improve in certain areas, how I can bless my family and friends. 

In 1 Timothy 6:6-10, Paul writes to Timothy and lets him know that better and more valuable than any money or possessions you may have, with godlieness and contentment there is great gain!  Paul closes this section telling Timothy that the love of money is the root of all evil.

We live in a material oriented world and let's face it, there is very little one can do in this life without money.  But if you have been blessed with reasonable means to make a living, and have what you need to live and support your family why not be content with what God has blessed you with?

How do you define real wealth?  Is it the millions that can be one with the lottery, the massive homes, cars, clothes and all the trimmings?  Or is it the love and care of your family and friends, good health, a job, a roof over your head and safety?

Decide what will be your barometer for real wealth!

Enduring Until the End!

What are you striving for??

Yes, every new year there are so many people who make resolutions for the days ahead.  And even those of us who decided in 2010 they would not make any New Year's Resolutions, still have in mind what they would like to accomplish this year--I know I do!

Whether or not you make a resolution or have goals for the future, the point is that you don't give up!

In the Bible, Paul wrote in the letter to the Philippians 3:12-14, " Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.  Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one think I do:  Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus."

If you have a God-given dream or goal, we must endure to the end for it!!  In Paul's case, it was enduring in the Christian life and being fruitful in that life.  We must make sure and stay clear of whatever keeps us from following God and our dreams wholeheartedly!

Try to keep your load light; it is not hard to get caught up in nonsense: yours (or anothers), but instead stay focused!  Forget what the world would have you buy into:  material possesions and seeking accolades that do not last! 

But do strive for those things: integrity, honesty, self respect -things that God can look at and say, "Well done my good and faithful servant!"

"To Him who is able to keep you from falling and present you before His glorious presence without fault and with great joy..."

New Every Morning!

What is the first thing you do and think about each morning?  Do you turn on the radio or reach for the television remote to find out what the weather will be?  Do you workout or think about all the things you have to do for the day?  Do you pray and meditate?

Well, during my morning devotions, I considered Lamentations 3:22-23, "Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail.  The are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness."

We take for granted that despite what we may have gone through yesterday, God's great love, His mercies never fail!  We take for granted that we are not consumed, that though our circumstances and situations may not be great, every morning God gives a new chance!  We have an opportunity for new perspectives, new vision, new dreams!

What new thing has God given you today?

Becoming like a slave

Without question, the word "slave" has such negative connotations!  As an African American who is well aware of her culture's history it certainly stirs us some harsh feelings in me.  However, as I read my Bible today, I came across the scripture passage in Romans 6:22-23: "But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves to God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life.  For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." (NIV)

How many of you considered that if you decided to give your life to Christ, you can indeed be free from the chains of sin!  If you are already a believer, how many of you have felt defeated because now as a saved Christian, you still fall into the same sin as before you knew Christ?  It is through repentance and faith that God thru Jesus Christ can really deliver you from that sin that makes the difference!!

You don't have to remain in the state you are in, set yourself free by becoming a slave to God in Christ!

Will this be a New Year for you??

Last night I attended a Watchnight Service at my church and the sermon came from Luke 18:1-8; the parable of the persistent widow. The title of the sermon was "Pray and Never Give Up!"

As I looked and searched my own soul in the days prior to New Year's Eve, I pondered at the particular challenges and mistakes I made in 2009, where I missed the mark, the areas I really excelled in, I realized that with every new year there is new potential!

For me, as last night's sermon reached me, I resolved not to give up, and to continue to pray without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:17)!

It is easy to get up when those things you resolve to do, does not work out the way you plan or at all. This is the same thing that happens every year, and therefore our opportunity for a new year is lost.

So, on this first day of the year 2010, consider doing things differently! Instead of rushing into the same resolutions from your past that did not work in your present, spend some time in prayer to determine what God would have you to do in this New Year!

Make this year a truly New Year just for you!!!