Whatever You Do! Don't Lose Your Praise!! (w/video attacement)

I had a song on my heart this morning and it is called...I Never Lost My Praise!! For many of us, it is because of the goodness of Jesus, that we can make this boast in the Lord! When you think of all of the issues of life, and all of the heartaches, mixed with the varieties of storms that come, you can't help but wonder, "how in the world, am I still here?" "I thought that thing would cause me to lose my mind!" ....I'm telling you, if it was not for the goodness of Jesus and All that He has done for me! I would have lost my mind a long long time ago and I know for a fact that I have a witness out there!!! Hallelujah!! This isn't a long post, but just one to let you know that if you allow Jesus to be  the keeper of your mind...He will be the keeper of your praise!!!  I don't care what you're going through! DON'T LET GO OF YOUR PRAISE!!


A song for today: I Never Lost My Praise by Lady Tramaine Hawkins


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KOkwUKn_gfc

I'm Living the Good Life w/Jesus!

                                                                                                WITH JESUS!!!!!


From the first day that our children enter this world, we begin to think about their needs. Almost immediately, we must see to their immediate needs, such as feeding, diaper changes, and a place for them to lay their sweet little heads. Next, we begin to teach them how to walk and how to talk; followed by designating a formal place for them to begin their education. For the next decade and beyond we fill them up with wisdom, knowledge, and skills so that  they will have the necessary skills to make it in this World. Everything that we do for our children is geared towards enabling them to have a good life! Now, as parents, we know that, no matter what we do to prepare them or give instruction as to how to stay on the right path that leads to their future, it is ultimately up to them to secure a good life for themselves, which can be accomplished if they use what was given to them.
If you are a believer in Christ Jesus, have made Him Lord of your life, and have grabbed ahold of his promises, you should be living the good life. I mean, yeah, we have problems; some that we create, and some, that the enemy creates, and some that the Lord uses to mature us, but if we follow his instructions and trust in Him, the "good life" will be ours! He has had His hand on us from the time we entered this world and has given us complete instruction and wisdom on how to live a good life in Him! He started us on milk, and as time went on and we began to mature, his instruction became more detailed and clear as to how we could secure this "good life" in Him! 
I don't know about you, but I'm living the "good life".  I call it the "good life" when you don't have to fight your own battles, or when you have your own after hours physician that you can call on day or night; and having a lawyer who doesn't charge a dime, yet can win every case?! Or you have someone who promises to supply every need that you have! O' yeah, I'm living the good life! What about you? Always guaranteed food on my table from a God, who is able? And when I need an ear, having a God who is always there to hear my concerns! I am walking around with a smile, when the world is frowning; and filled with joy, both in and out of season! I have someone who walks with me and talks with me, and tells me that I am his own! What do I call this kind of life? It's the "good life"....and I'm living it! and lovin' it!!!!! What about you? Are you living the "good life?" ....If you are, tell the Lord, thank you!!

Well Done, My Good and Faithful Servant!!

How sweet the sound, when you hear your name mentioned in any type of recognition, whether at school, at work, or for any other type of activity or accomplishment! The feeling that you have done something well, and someone noticed! But, what about in our daily spiritual lives? Who takes notice of our day-to-day struggles with living the life that Christ has called us to? I mean, after all, that takes more than receiving employee of the month, or for selling the most cars this year, or even for placing 1st in the Olympics! I mean, those things are great and deserve recognition, but what about my daily walk with the Lord! I wonder if He really notices my efforts to please Him?! Ever felt this way? Well, I am here to set the record straight for you!

God knew you before you were even formed and He knew that He would call you to be one of his followers before your mother ever even realized what your name would be! He knows all about your childhood, and the struggles that made you feel below average or unloved; and He saw you grow into your teenage years with all of the doubts about whether or not you fit in, knowing, that you would fit in just fine for what He was calling you to! and now that you are older, and still pressing; still holding on, you're wondering if He has missed all of your hard work! (you know, the fruit of your labor!) Well, your Father in Heaven, has not missed one moment of your life! He was there for those heartaches and those heartbreaks; He was there for all of the mistakes and wrong choices that you made in life and STILL continue to beat yourself up over! (ouch!)

 Well, today God is saying, "are you still thinking on those things of the past? after I have given you the things that I want you to think on? (Philippians 4:8), I have given you those things to think on, so that you can enjoy your life and not have to carry around your past and other painful circumstances! I haven't missed one moment of your life; I was there during the abuse, when you cried out to me, because you didn't know whether to stay or leave; I was there for that failed pregnancy and how empty you felt as a result; My heart ached for you during that painful divorce, following years of what you hoped would be marital bliss; And I know how bad it felt when you lost that loved one, and didn't know how you would make it! I was there when the child that you gave birth to, hurt you more than life itself;  Oh! and that job that I gave you because I knew that you would make a difference in someone's life? I knew that using you for my Glory would be uncomfortable, but I don't make mistakes and I knew who I created you to be and that you would be perfect for it! I just needed someone who I could trust to shine my light in a place of darkness; I know about the self-esteem issues that you have regarding what you feel is "imperfect"! Well, what you call imperfect and flawed, I call pure perfection! because I don't create anything that is flawed! And those financial hardships? I even know about those! How you have trusted me, when your money was gone; and paid your tithes, when you didn't have the light bill covered, and how you have lost jobs and homes, and dreams and visions!....
Well, I HAVE noticed! I have noticed that no matter what has come your way! you have pressed your way through! and I have noticed all of your tears over the years, and how you allowed me to wipe them away every time! and how you bounced back, when you said that you weren't going to make it, because you held on to my promises! and how day after day, you continue to thank me for waking you up, even when you don't want to face your day; and how you press your way to worship service in the rain, sleet, or snow! just to hear a Word from Me!.....I have noticed how you pray for others more than you pray for yourself! even though it is YOU standing in the need of prayer! and how you are so giving to those who have less! and all the time praying that I would send a blessing your way; and I will never forget how there were times when you gave me your last dime, not knowing where your next one would come from! ...and how you still love and trust me through it all! Well, today I want to say, WELL DONE, for your faithfulness! WELL DONE! for being steadfast! WELL DONE! for getting up, every time you fell down!...For standing up for your belief in My Word, even when it seemed at times that I wasn't standing up for you! And how you continued to listen for my voice, even when you didn't hear anything, during my seasons of silence! Just know that I have noticed! I do see you! I haven't missed a thing! I do hear you! I've heard every word! and I am STILL your greatest supporter in life! And I Just want you to know, my faithful Servant, that your continued support and love for me and my Word, is EXACTLY, WHY I HAVE CALLED YOU BY NAME! Thank you, for being my mouth, when someone needed encouragement! and thank you for being my hands, when someone needed help; thank you for being my arms, when someone needed to be held tight....I HAVE NOTICED! Thank you for reading MY WORD, because it is the greatest letter that I've ever written and I had YOU in mind.as I breathed life onto every page...All of My promises are yours! Because I HAVE NOTICED, that you have been, a good and faithful Servant! So faithful over a few things; Therefore, I will put you in charge of many things, all because! I HAVE noticed!! (Matthew 25:21) 

I present to you, the faithful women of the S.I.S Prayer Line, this certificate of spiritual accomplishment! For being steadfast, unmovable, and always abounding in the things of the Lord! God bless each one of you for your loving faithfulness to the Master!

"G" is for Confidence!

For the LORD will be your confidence,
And will keep your foot from being caught."
Proverbs 3:26 (NKJV)


For today's post, I want you to throw everything you know about spelling out of the window! We are going to talk about the letter "G"....and though a little odd, "G" will stand for the words, God and "Confidence"
Now, I know that you are wondering why I would represent the word confidence with a letter G, and there is a reason that I will share with you in just a little bit! Let's first look at the definition of the word:
Confidence means to trust or rely on someone or something.  
As we go through life we have a number of things and people who we have come to rely on or trust. The problem is, that we also have found that the confidence that we have had in people or things can be destroyed and shattered. Now, this is not a deep devotional, but more of a friendly reminder that confidence that is misplaced can land you in a hard place. A place of detriment, a place of hopelessness, a place of anger, depression, or even loneliness! The reason is because, when we place our confidence in something and it fails, we no longer want anything to do with it!! It can leave us feeling kind of silly that we ever trusted in it in the first place! Or how about when we put our confidence in a person? and they fail us? What feelings do you remember having, if that person failed you? It's not a good feeling at all, and as a matter of fact, it is bound to bring bitterness or forgiveness, if not dealt with.  How often do we put our trust in something or someone, only to be let down? disappointed? and left bewildered? Well, I can tell you that I have put my trust in things and people and have learned the hard way, that things and people have "failure" capabilities! And I don't care what you have placed your faith and confidence in today, if it is not G-O-D, you can expect to be disappointed on many occasions.
This brings me to why "G" stands for Confidence!  "G" stands for GOD! and He is my Confidence! He has no failure rate and I can rely on Him to do just what He says that He will do! As a matter of fact, God, replaces my definition of Many things: Let me explain!

My definition of Confidence is ...God!
My definition of Reliability is ....God!
My definition of Dependability is ...God!
My definition of Favor is ....God!
My definition of Hope ...God! ....... getting the picture? God is everything that you need and the ONLY one who is truly "Confidence" Approved! He won't let you down! and will never change His location on you! You can confide in Him both day and night and you don't have to worry about what people are going to say, because He is not a gossiper!  Isn't that wonderful? So, I just wanted to simply remind most of you, and let the rest of you know that when you put your confidence in God, God is obligated to take care of you!  This year homes will depreciate, cars will break down, jobs will come and go, finances will fail, and  people will still lack the ability to meet all of your needs; So, the next time you get ready to put your confidence in something or someone, if it's not "God-Approved Confidence" don't trust it to last! Instead....look to God! and let him be your confidence in 2013!

I really just wanted to encourage you to trust God this year in all that you do. If you trusted something last year and it wasn't the answer; it won't be the answer this year either. Seek God for your what, your where, and your when this year and experience God on a different level! Stop getting mad at people when things don't go your way! Why is a person your "way maker?"  ....stop being so mean because the World doesn't dance to your drum beat! Dance to God's drum beat and others will dance with you! Smile more this year because of the God that you serve! Share more, give more, laugh more, live more, and love more! Because of the confidence that you have in Jesus!

Distracted, But Determined!

DISTRACTED BUT DETERMINED
Note: "Distractions can seem important at the time, although later, you realize that it was what was around it, that  was important!"

This title came to me as a result of being on a recent prayer line call. Every now and then, there is a distracting static sound due to the sensitivity of the line, and we are forced to continue our conference call, regardless of the irritation that it is causing. The first thing that comes to mind would be to end the call and try again right? Well, most of the time, we press through the call no matter what! The reason? Well, it is due to our determination to accomplish what we have been called to do.
Isn't it just like that in life? All of the many distractions that arise when we are trying to get something of importance done? or just when we want to focus on something? It reminds me of a movie scene, I believe it was Rush Hour,where a young woman on the force was in training to disarm bombs. With sweat pouring down her face, she nervously tried to figure out which wire to cut and was very focused upon the task before her; However, when her silly co-star saw her determination, he took his fist and pounded on the observation window, causing her to jump and ultimately cut the wrong wire, causing the mock bomb to explode in her face! When the trainer, reprimanded her for losing focus, she told him that her failure was due to the fact that she had been distracted! Can you imagine, the consequence, if she had been in a real life situation?

God wants us to know, that sometimes there will be distractions; some small, and some great; but whatever the distraction, He wants you and I to remain focused on HIM!  Sometimes distractions are aimed directly at us, and at other times, they are just ordinary distractions, but we must be sure not to allow them to deter us from being focused and alert on what God has called us to do! Some distractions are sent to check your determination level, and some are sent to measure your strength or sensitivity towards something! The one thing that is for certain, is that distractions can bring us either to a place of defeat or to a place  of determination, depending on our response to them. And by the way, in real life, a bomb expert must have a very high tolerance level for distractions! Much like us as believers. They must learn to "master" the task of  "determination over distraction" ....it could be a matter of life or death!  So, be determined today! that come what may, distractions will NOT overpower your focus! Focus on God's promises to you and what He has called you to and stare distractions in the face, with eyes of DETERMINATION!!!

James 1:12 says, "Blessed is the man who perseveres under trials, because, when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life, that God has promised to those who love him."

The Definition of Me!

THE DEFINITION OF ME:

We go through life defining everything! All through school we would have vocabulary test and it never failed that, just when we learned how to spell something, the teacher would then, ask of the definition! Although remembering definitions was a bit challenging for some, it proved to be very key in knowing how a word is to be used. Have you ever used a word in the wrong context or situation and people tried to figure out what you were talking about? knowing that if they stopped to ask you, what does that word mean or represent, you would be totally embarrassed!  Why is "defining" so key in our lives? Let's find out: The word "definition" actually, has a definition and it is this:


1. To state the precise meaning of;  
2. To describe the nature or basic qualities of; 
3. To give form or meaning to.....


 I had  to think about these things for a moment, because, as I was trying to think of the definition of something, I thought to myself: "If I had a definition, what would be the definition of me?" ....I mean, really! How would I define myself or better yet; How would God define me? Would I even want Him to define me, right now, the way that I am? Would His definition be one that I would be proud of? Would my definition find me obedient to God? Would it define me as full of love? self-less? forgiving? and patient? What is the definition of Me? Let's look at #1: Do I have a "precise" meaning? meaning, do I have a definite way about me? Am I "precise" in the things that God has called me to do; or do I go through life, in a fog; not sure or not ready to be exactly what God has called me to be? ....And what about #2: When it comes to the nature or basic qualities that I possess; will my nature and my qualities check out to be, similar to my Savior? or closer to the nature and qualities that I have picked up from the World? ummmm...what is the definition of me?  Now, to #3; My definition will give form or meaning to who I am! Well, what if I am not stable? I mean, what if there is meaning to my life one minute, but no real outlook on life the next? Can I be unstable in my thinking, yet defined?


I am pretty confident that God has definitions for us all, but what definitions would He give for who we are right now! Would he be able to define me as steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in His works? Would His definition of me include descriptions such as, mighty, faithful, and forgiving?  I believe that as we go through life, we add to or take away from the definition that
God has given us. As children of God, we need to be sure that we are ever so mindful of what we are adding or taking away from the definition that God has given us. If God has called you a child of His..then walk as a son/daughter of the Most High King; If God says that He is the Vine and defined you as a branch....yield as much fruit as you can! If God has defined you as redeemed; stop living like you have nothing to live for! If the Holy Spirit has defined you as a temple; then clear out the clutter and make Him feel at home; If God has defined you as a new creature; stop looking at your past and embrace your future!!  
God has a definition of you! and He has a definition of Me! All we have to do is walk into our true definitions, by making sure that we live a life of Christian consistency, and watch God add true meaning to our lives through Him!

STAND FIRM!!! (Includes video)

THIS SONG CAME TO MIND AS I SAT AT MY COMPUTER AND IT ALWAYS BLESSES ME WHEN THINGS GET HARD IN LIFE!! JUST THOUGHT THAT I WOULD SHARE! ALWAYS KNOW THAT GOD IS BIGGER THAN ANY PROBLEM THAT YOU COULD EVER FACE, BUT IF WE DON'T CONTINUE TO STAND, WE WILL NEVER KNOW JUST HOW FAITHFUL HE REALLY IS!!


I Corinthians 16:13, says: 
Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong.

What do you do? when you've done all you can, and, it seems like it's never enough?And what do you say? when your friends turn away, And you're all alone, ALL alone? Tell me, what do you give? when you've given your all? And it seems like you can't make it through?
Well, you just stand!  when there's nothing left to do, You just stand, watch the Lord see you through; Yes, after you've done all you can, you just stand!
Tell me, how do you handle the guilt of your past? Tell me, how do you deal with the shame? And how can you smile, while your heart has been broken And filled with pain?, so filled with pain! Tell me what do you give?  when you've given your all and, Seems like you can't make it through?
my Child, you just stand, when there's nothing left to do, You just stand, watch the Lord see you through; Yes, after you've done all you can, you just stand.


Allow God to minister your heart through this song:

Read more: DONNIE MCCLURKIN - STAND LYRICS http://www.metrolyrics.com/stand-lyrics-donnie-mcclurkin.html#ixzz1uUM3d34J
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