Countdown to Christmas vlog

We started the countdown to Christmas vlog last week. We find that it is an interesting way to show how we weave the gospel and following Jesus Christ in our daily lives as a family. We hope you enjoy it!

Countdown to Christmas #12: http://youtu.be/DX6pzhCtoxQ

Marriage

Marriage.

That word brings many  emotions with it. It scares some people who are not ready and excites some who are looking forward to an anniversary. It brings mixed memories to those who may be divorced and anxiety to the singles who are still looking, waiting and wishing.

I have learned a few things as a wife that I want to share with you today.

Marriage is a gift.

The very idea of marriage between a man and a woman comes from God. The earth was formed from nothing and is sustained by the Creator. He gives it to man as a gift and the woman is a gift to man from God. Marriage is the covenant relationship that replaces man's aloneness with a relationship that God calls "Good". So since it is a gift, we ought to thank God for it. How? By enjoying it, making the most out of it and using it to glorify Him every day.

 Marriage is a journey.

Most people are aware that most marriages start in one place and end up somewhere else.They start happy and full of expectation for the path ahead. But then life happens and we realize that marriage is not always a vacation, but an adventure with highs and lows - a journey. It reminds me of Chronicles of Narnia. We embark on a quest that is fun and exciting only to realize that a lot of work is involved. We learn our strengths and weaknessess. We learn humility, dependence, patience and love.

Marriage is a commitment.

Contrary to popular belief, marriage is for life. It is the most significant relationship one can ever have. If you are not committed, you will never understand its richness. Everyone longs for a best friend, a confidante, mentor, playmate and lover. That is a spouse all rolled up together!

 Marriage is not for you.

Marriage is not for me, myself and I. It is not for you either unless you learn that it is for both. It is for us. It is for life. It is til death do us part.

Singles with Purpose

Yesterday I participated in a singles conference. When I was asked to speak, I kind of wondered what could this married woman have to say to other singles that would be of substance. To my amazement, God revealed something awesome to me and I would like to share it with you.

Singles With Purpose: Anita Mckaney: http://youtu.be/L6Mc2pLwZcw

Transcendence *spoiler alert*

Maurice and I watched this movie about a week ago. It was a very interesting and intriguing story. A very decorated Doctor of science and his wife devise a way to "download his intelligence" into a computer since he is dying. It works, and then spirals into an all-encompassing, limitless base of knowledge and understanding once he is connected to the internet - the largest base of knowledge and information known to man besides God. In fact, he is compared to God in the movie.

So let's say that the doctor represents Jesus here. He is a normal guy to everyone except for his genius intellect. There were those who opposed his ideas and thought he was rather radical. He even compared the possibility of his ideas to being god-like. This disturbed people. Even though he was respected, he also became feared in this movie.

Once people knew he was dead, they figured that the threat was over. But, they was a small sect of people who knew that he was still alive but in a different form. They tried to stop him from becoming so powerful. His wife however, stood by his side. Although they "warned" her and asked her to leave him, she would not. He had no human form but became so powerful that he began changing the atmosphere, atoms and people themselves. He told his wife that he wanted her to join him where he was.

The wife of the doctor knew that the only way she could be with him forever was to die when her intellect was "uploaded" with a virus that would shut down the internet. Pretty wild huh? I know, but it's just a movie. Lol.

So, you see where this is going in my mind by now. We are the church, the Bride of Christ. This movie hints that the doctor is a threat to the world. People are being healed and converted to think like him. They don't like it, but his wife still believes in him against all odds. 

When tempted to just curse God and die, we need to stand firm in our convictions. Everything God does is for our good. It is not to harm us, but to bless us and to give us an expected end. As worldwide persecution grows, we need to rely solely on the Holy Spirit for guidance. We may not "see" Him, but He sees us and He is always there!

Thoughts on Revelation

Here I share my thoughts on certain passages in the book of Revelation. Please share your comments, questions and reactions.

Gain by Trade

I am not very familiar with stocks, bonds and trading, but I do know that you need money to make money. I do know that you can increase your earnings by giving up what you have. I know there is risk involved and that the greater the risk, the greater your potential reward. There is a world trade organization, but God says what profit is there in "gaining the world and losing our souls".

I have been meditating on Luke 19:11-27. It is the parable of the 10 pounds. Ten servants are given ten pounds and told to Occupy until the owner of the money returns. Only 3 of them had anything to say when He returned. What happened to the other seven?

One servant gains 10x what was entrusted to him, another 5x. A third servant "laid up in a napkin" the money given to him. The 3rd servant is rebuked for not presenting any gain and his money is taken from him and given to the servant that gained the most.

When we trade, or invest what God has given us, we gain His favor. All we have is the Lord's. He is coming to find good stewards of His time, money & possessions. We are to occupy (stay busy, fill up, get to work) until He comes. Many people have jobs. It is something they do to earn money. Other people have occupations. These are jobs they study and train for. They have useful skills and titles. God gives us skills, talents, abilities and the title of a child of God. Use what God has given you to give back to His kingdom. There is no better trade! Let's not waste what has been entrusted to us. He is coming back soon to reward those who have gained by trading.

Yielded

Are you yielding? What is there to show for your christian life? Watch this quick word about yielded and submission from a different perspective.

Balance

Balance has a new definition for me. It is more than just juggling several things well at once, it is being able to stand and not fall over. Balance is regulated internally, not externally. Its the inner ear that gives you balance, not the way you handle your day-to-day schedule.

If we are to be Titus 2 women, we need a proper balance in our lives. I mean, we should be able to stand for God when others are falling away. In such a quickly changing world where people are giving up quickly on hope, Jesus Christ is our hope, our rock, our stability. He is the one who brings balance from the chaos that is our lives. Every morning it is essential for your life to get marching orders from Him. Let it be the first order of the day.

Let Jesus be the weight that holds you down. So that your life will be in proper balance.

Ask God to keep you from falling, falling into sin, back into old habits and falling into any beds or ungodly relationships. He brings balance to the mind heart soul and spirit. The Bible says that we have all fallen short of the glory of God. We did not meet the right measurement. We have all fallen but God has placed us back into a state of balance once we accept him as our Savior. Once the center is secure everything around it will be. Gaining a centered mind and a centered heart is the key to balance.

Whatever holds the center is what controls you. Inner balance leave to outer balance. A balanced Christian life is the best life you can. Let everything revolve around Jesus.

Renewing the Reprobate Mind

When our conscious is "seared" as the Bible calls it, we become immune to the gentle tug of the Holy Spirit to lead us in the right direction. Like a person who has been burned, we are calloused to conviction. This is a dangerous place to be. One becomes so accustomed to sin in their lives that it does not worry them. It does not feel bad, it actually feels pretty good. The heart is incorrigible. You do not want to become numb to what is holy.

You know you have gone blind when you can "see nothing wrong" with something that God has called sin.

The definition of reprobate is an unprincipled person, destined to damnation and morally depraved. The only cure for the reprobate mind is the renewed mind. The old man must die completely. Renewal is the state of being made brand new.

Ezekiel 37:1-14 speaks of dead, dry bones being brought "back to life". When we are dead to Christ, we cannot hear, see or respond to God's love. However, a renewed life is awake and aware of its surroundings. It is fresh and refreshing to those around it. 

People say, "I can't hear God" or "I can't understand spiritual things", of course not, you are dead to it until you are born again. After repeated exposure to the world (which is the enemy of Christ) it acts as an anesthetic to your soul and spirit. You cannot feel until this condition is reversed. When we are becoming un-numb, it is often uncomfortable. It tingles as you awake from this sleep. There are sensations that you are becoming more aware of in the spirit when you are born again. It's like an infant who is born and screams at the change in environment. It's new, but you have to change and grow. God loves you too much to leave you as you are.

Lord, stir someone's dry bones today. Let them awake from their dead state. I also pray for those who are headed down a road that leads to a reprobate mind. Have mercy Lord and change their hearts and minds. I speak to those dead places in the hearts and minds of fools who say there is no God. Reveal your power to them and save the lost. Restore the spiritually dead. Keep them from becoming hard-hearted to your Love in Jesus name I pray, Amen!

Bones, Thugs and Harmony message

The Reaper is Coming

You reap what you sow. What you do comes back to you whether that is good or bad. But things are changing as the end times approach. Ministries are being birthed at an alarming rate. There is a famine for the truth when false teachers and prophets are so prevalent. No sooner than you can pray, God is answering those prayers!

Behold, the days come,” saith the Lord, “that the plowman shall overtake the reaper, and the treader of grapes him that soweth seed; and the mountains shall drop sweet wine, and all the hills shall melt. Amos 9:13

There is coming a time when the reaper overtakes the sower. The plow breaks up the ground to prepare it for seed. The sower plants it in the ground. He will be faster than the person gathering the harvest.

One plants, one waters, but God gives the increase. The Bible tells us that the reapers are the angels. These are not "grim reapers" as portrayed in the movies, but reapers of the souls of those who are being gathered out of this world. When you enter seed in good ground, someone is blessed. The bible says that the one who gathers will overtake the interceders (enter-seeders). God is moving faster than you can pray.

Do not be intimidated by young or new ministries and baby christians who are moving faster than you. It is a sign of the times. Days are shorter. Harvest time is near. God is moving quickly.

There will be two working in the fields, one will be taken and the other one left. (Matthew 24:20) Ready or not, the King is coming!

 Then Jesus sent the multitude away, and went into the house: and his disciples came unto him, saying, Declare unto us the parable of the tares of the field. He answered and said unto them, He that soweth the good seed is the Son of man; the field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked one; the enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels. As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this world. The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity; and shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth. Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of theirFather. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear. Matthew 13:36-43

Inspiration & Expiration

When people refer to being inspired, it is often how they describe a feeling that motivates them to action. A word, poem, picture or nature are thought of as being inspirational. They cause us to be creative and give us big ideas. People often see inspirational people and think, "If they can do it, so can I"! People who inspire others don't often seek to be inspirational, they just are!

The Word of God tells us that it (the Bible) was inspired by the Holy Spirit. (2 Timothy 3:16). Men were impressed by God Himself to pen the Holy scriptures that we call the Bible today. It is God-breathed, or inspired. Well, while meditating on this, the Lord showed me the difference between inspiration and expiration. To inspire means to breath IN while to expire means to breath OUT. There is a regular, passive exchange happening in our bodies at all times. We don't think about breathing, we just do! It happens as a part of the respiratory cycle.

Every time we expire, we are closer to death. When we inspire, we are revived and are closer to life. In the christian life, while in these mortal bodies, we are always in this in-between state.

Paul says it like this:

Phillipians 1:21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

22 But if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labour: yet what I shall choose I wot not.

23 For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better:

24 Nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you.

Jesus Himself became death for us. He took the death punishment for our sins so that we may be made alive again. The Holy Spirit is our life, the God who dwells within us, to continually inspire us to live holy lives. What comes out is what went in!

When we receive Christ's gift of salvation into our lives by faith we die to our fleshly nature. We expire to sin and old habits and become inspired by the Holy Spirit who dwells within the believer. We are saved by grace through faith in order to be a living testimony for others to see so that they too may become inspired to follow Jesus Christ.

Let me explain.

The Bible is divided into an Old Testament and a New Testament. The word testament itself refers to a "last will and testament" of someone who is expired, or deceased. It does not go into effect until the death of the Testator (the one who enforces it). 

Hebrews 9:13 For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh:

14 How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?

15 And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance.

16 For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator.

17 For a testament is of force after men are dead: otherwise it is of no strength at all while the testator liveth.

So, our testimonies of how the Lord inspires us to live holy is not in effect until we have died to the flesh nature and have been inspired by the Holy Spirit Himself! We are living testimonies! To speak from a dead position is to have a testimony, to speak from a living position is prophecy (ok, too deep...let's back up). When we speak, we are letting out what was put in which is the Holy Spirit. God has spoken through his people and He continues to do so (Matthew10:20). We are channels for the Spirit of God. Now don't get all spooky on me. We are used of God. His people are not mediums, but are completely sold out to the One mediator between God and men, the man Jesus Christ! (I Timothy 2:5)

When you share your testimony with others, you are being a witness of God's resurrection power! When you disciple others, you show them how to breath and live in the Spirit. Our lives are an open book. (2 Corinthians 3:1-3) You see, this environment is not conductive to spiritual beings, namely, those of us who have been born again. We do not live in a Godly atmosphere. That is why the christian life is a struggle. The Holy Spirit is a "down payment of our inheritance" as children of God. 

Ephesians 1:11 In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:

12 That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.

13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,

14 Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.

We have inherited just the first part of the Will of God people. That is why these old bodies have to go! To die is GAIN - eternal life in new bodies. No more cycles of inspiration and expiration will be needed in that heavenly paradise.

But.......

While we are here on this earth, in these bodies, we need to learn to breathe in the Holy Spirit of God day by day, hour by hour, moment by moment. It is the only way to survive. Our purpose is to accomplish the mission for which we were sent - winning souls, making disciples of Jesus Christ and establishing the Kingdom of our Great God one breath at a time. Have you been inspired yet? I'd love to hear about it!

I Know My Body

Do you remember the little girl Rudy Huxtable from the Cosby Show, or was it her cousin Olivia? In one episode, she emphatically states "I KNOW my body" referring to understanding its function as if she were grown. This series spins from off of that memory.

In the Body of Christ, we have many members, functions and opportunities to serve and be served by one another. Being a nurse, I have a unique perspective on the body - inside and out. I have seen bodies in great shape and in poor health alike. In all of the things that I have learned about the body, one thing remains the same. It is the same for all of us. Although many things vary from eye color to muscle tone, skin color to number of limbs, we all use our bodies in the same way, for the same purposes mostly.

Meditating on the Body of Christ has led me to the same conclusions. We have one head, Jesus Christ. We are varied in our use and function in the body itself. We can build others parts while others never move. Some parts need to be covered while others are not. Some parts of the body we care greatly for whereas others, we don't really know exist.

Now let's think about the Church. We are one body, one building. We are joined to Christ as His bride and are still ONE body as spouses should be. Knowing this, how we function together is paramount to our survival, our growth and our movement. Also, knowing how we operate in dysfunction is equally crucial because as we all know, some body parts are very good at repairing themselves, whereas others need much more help and support.

The body grows from infancy to adulthood and then stops and reverses to a dead state. This is where our physical and spiritual bodies differ. Similarities stop here. The spiritual body of Christ is built to be lifelong and then eternal.

For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. 2 Corinthians 5:1

In this next series "I Know My Body", I will be exploring the Body of Christ through the eyes of a nurse. I believe that we should all be sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ in the way that it is revealed to us by God. Preachers are really just other members of the body who share what they have learned with the other parts. I am thrilled to share what God is showing me.

You can see the first video in the series here:

 

Wise Dating

The Bible can be used as a guideline £or dating, because wisdom comes

£rom God. God included wisdom in the Bible and we are to live by every

word o£ God. (Eph. 5:15-17)

The £ollowing dating guideline is a paraphrase o£ something I heard

over a decade ago and is the best approach to dating in every situation

for everyone involved.

There are four levels of a wise dating relationship:

LEVEL ONE Platonic friends: Dating and making a point of having various

CHRISTIAN £riends of the opposite sex. Guarding your a££ections (giving

equal time to each friend, and not being totally alone with your date)

have RECIPROCAL friendships. It is very important to, regardless o£ how

much you like someone, be honest with yoursel£ and remain platonic

friends £or a minimum of (I believe) six months. 1 Cor. 6:14-18. Amos

3:3, Song 8:4, Prov. 4:23, 18:13. 2 Tim. 3:5-7, Matt. 7:20-21

LEVEL TWO PIatonic special £riends ("boyfriend and girlfriend", or best

friends): A£ter £inding someone reasonably similar, exclusively dating

them, talking about marriage, counseling with a minister, or if possible

taking a marriage compatibility test. (Prov. 11:14, 15:22)

LEVEL THREE Platonic engagement: Making plans and setting up the marital

arrangements. The engagement period should be short.

LEVEL FOUR Christian marriage: Till death do you part, with the only

exception for divorce being adultery (Matt. 5:31-32).

Your goal and desire in marriage shouldn't be to find the person of YOUR dreams (which doesn't exist), but to find the one God can bless you with.  Also it's unwise to claim you’re in love at first sight or have a "world wind relationship". There is no wise or legitimate reason to speed up the time it takes to develop a relationship, even if you were stranded on a

deserted island with the person of your dreams; realistically if you were

stranded on a island, you wouldn't know for sure how long you would be

stranded. By dating this way a man and woman could marry anywhere from

seven months to fifty plus years o£ meeting; Or remain platonic as

friends or best £riends (1st or 2nd level) £or the rest of their lives.

So here you are a wise dating strategy that's totally fool and game

proo£.

Let me know what you think.

P.S.

Wisdom is ...

W> orkable  (practical)

I> nsightful  (grasping inner things)

S> ound  (logical)  

D> iscerning (distinguishing truth from error)

O> bserving  (quick & keen perception)

M> oral  (principled in right & wrong)

Proverbs 8 says that wisdom dwells together with prudence, and walks in the way of righteousness along the paths of justice.

Maurice, 1998

It's a Turnover

Some people have a love affair with bread, pastries and carbohydrates in general. We are hearing more and more how we should cut back on carbs. They are filling, bloating & make you gain weight. But they taste so good!

The Bible says that Jesus is the Bread of Life. He is our nourishment and sustenance. Putting this Living Word, Living Bread into our lives yields incredible results! As He was, so are we in this world. Jesus was the Light, we are lights of the world. Jesus was the Bread of Life, we are the bread as well.

When life punches you in the face and you go through intensely heated situations as a christian,  just know that it's because you are Bread. God needs people who are willing to be "kneaded", those whom He can "fire up" for the Kingdom work ahead.

You may be thinking, "I'm toast", useless, ill-equipped. You may even be scared to be used by God! Let me encourage you.

Read Judges 7. It's the story of Gideon. He was a timid warrior until he heard about how scared his enemy was! He overheard a dream from the enemy camp in which a mere piece of bread destroyed their tents. Their soldiers were intimidated by the God Gideon served. This increased his faith. He overthrew the army with a mere 300 men!

Be encouraged today. God has already planned a turnover for you. You are about to upset the enemy!

A woman asked Jesus for a miracle. He said "It's not right for me to take the bread of the children and give it to dogs" She boldly replied, "Yes, but even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from the master's table." He commended her faith and she was healed. You may feel like the underdog in your situation but the game is about to be upset. Your enemy is afraid of you and he is already defeated.

The disciples were a band of unlearned, ordinary men who "turned the world upside down" it says in the Word of God! Whatever you are facing that may seem impossible is being overturned in Jesus name. It's a turnover!

In French the word for bread is "le pain". The pain you experience now is leading to a win. Endure it as a good soldier. The victory is ours in Christ Jesus!

For Generations Following

We are the RE-Generation. We are the called out ones. We are the Church.

If you are a mom or dad, you have a special responsibility to make sure that your children become disciples of Jesus Christ. Just as God disciplines His sons and daughters, we ought to discipline ours. No discipline at the time seems pleasant but yields fruit of righteousness in those who have been trained by it. My grandfather has often told me of stories about how he had to whoop kids who weren't even His!! Lol. A parent knows discipline is important because noo child stays that way forever. How would it look if a grown man acted like a 10 year old? We should be growing, maturing and reproducing more disciples. 

Within the word generation is the word generate. You may rely on a source to give you strength and energy to do what you have to do, but as you grow you also rely more and more on the Source (the Re-Generator) who is God Himself and less and less on others.

When babies are born they are completely dependent on their mothers to sustain them. As they grow they learn to feed and take care of themselves. When grown and mature, they reproduce. They regenerate. It then becomes their job to continue the regeneration.

Watch this video clip of myself and a friend as we discussed regeneration.

Jesus be a Plumber

We have a problem at our house. Our kitchen sink is clogged. So you know what that means. My dishes are backed up and there are too many to put in the dishwasher. I actually have to wash them by hand. What??!!

I know. Back in the day this was not a big deal. Get your hands dirty wash the dishes. But I'm spoiled. I don't want to get my hands dirty. I don't want to mess up my manicure. Even though I have a dishwasher I still don't want to wash the remaining dishes by hand. However, to ignore the clog or not handle the results of it would be a huge mistake!

Thank God that Jesus was not so particular. He came in the form of human and got down and dirty for us. He did what none of the rest of us could do. He was perfect and yet he got himself dirty in order to redeem us and bring us back to God. Sin clogs up our flow with God. It keeps us from being useful in the Kingdom. It brings movement to a halt and attracts our enemies - pests!

When the sin of our lives gets backed up, it will be revealed eventually. We wonder why our prayers are not answered. We wonder why we are not excited about reading the Bible anymore. We are stagnant. We are slow and ineffective. We need to repent!

Repentance is identifying what is causing the stopping of the flow of the Holy Spirit in our lives and unclogging the situation. Oftentimes, a plumber, one skilled in helping you see what you cannot, is helpful. The Holy Spirit convicts us of sin, brings it to our attention and brings us to a place of remorse or Godly sorrow.

We must make the time to examine ourselves. It is also helpful to have someone who will hold you accountable It's great to have a mentor that you give permission to examine your life as well. For whatever reason, it is easier for someone else to see your flaws than for you to see your own. 

 none of us are hiding from deeply rooted issues in our lives. You cannot be completely healed until you are honest with yourself and God. Let's take the time during this Holy week to re-examine our lives "under the sink". Ask God to identify and uproot anything or any person that is hindering you from being a useful vessel for the service of the Lord! 

Lust

It's not just "a guy thing"







This video is taken from the "Woman 2 Woman" conference hosted by Changed Hearts: I Am Woman (www.changedheartsunited.com)

Confirmation and Affirmation

When asked by others if you love Jesus do you say yes?

When asked if you desire to be used by Him do you say yes?

When asked IF He can use you, do you say yes?

Some people have difficulty with these questions. We often feel unprepared to do what God requires of us, but we shouldn't! 

I Corinthians 1:4-9

We are equipped with Great Confirmation for the Great Commission. God gives us perfect affirmation through Christ who lives within us.

The power to obey is not something we work up. It's not a conjured spell or the power of positive thinking. It is God working in you to do of His good pleasure. Any good in us is His doing. The power to do good is His as well.

Matthew 3:17

With Jesus, God is well-pleased.

We all desire to please God, to make Him smile but often still see ourselves as unfit to be in leadership or to be called a disciple of Jesus. Why is that? Sometimes, it really is our pride, or a false humility. "I'm so sinful, I could never be used by a great God". The Bible tells us otherwise.

It's impossible to please God without His own holiness invading your life! Our righteousness is as filthy rags.

Ephesians 3:20

God's power works in us to make us "able to do..".

God enables you! He indwells to enable. That is the power of the Holy Spirit in the believer. God can boldly tell us to make disciples because everything we need is given to us already.

God says I AM
God says He WILL
God says He HAS
God says I CAN

Colossians 2:5-7

So, no more excuses. Let's be productive for the Kingdom of God!

To be Equally Yoked

We always talk about what it is to be unequally yoked, but what about Walking Together. Consider these things:

Spiritual gifts

As husband and wife, our spiritual gifts will naturally complement each other because they are both of the Spirit. Fruit on the same tree may look slightly different,  but we are attached to the same supply!

Business

Spouses are mutual benefactors from financial prosperity. We are one body and the support of your spouse in business translates to tons of growth (economically and for future generations). When you sow together, you reap together and twice as much!

Dreams & Aspirations

No one should be a bigger cheerleader of your dreams than your spouse! Do your part to support and encourage. You do not want to be the person who kills the dream.

Ministry

Like in business, sowing and reaping together has its benefits. We must always pray for one another that we will be directed by God as a couple. Your marriage has purpose and ministering together will always be effective!

Soul Tied (in the best way)

Sex! Have lots of it. If you are not single, make it your goal to keep your marriage spicy. Soul ties involve your whole being - mind, body & soul. Be unforgettable for your spouse and be ready to get back that favor in return! 

A Shower of Praise! (Miriam)

As I drove home in the rain today, I was thanking God for another "car wash"..lol. My car was filthy from the previous snow storm and in need of a shower from heaven. It was great to know that I was safe and dry inside while the Lord was making Jackie (that's my car's name) all clean again. She looked like she just came from the car wash minus the wax. I was inspired to get cleaned up myself!

Maybe I am the only one who gets their praise on in the shower. There is just something about being clean and pure before God that lends itself to praise. Many people sing in the shower. It's refreshing and there is a certain "newness" and "freedom" one can express while getting all clean. While taking my shower, the Lord reminded me of this past week's Wifestyle Image Network Youversion study on Miriam (http://www.a.youversion.com/events/320058). I could suddenly relate!

Miriam, who was Moses's sister is remembered for leading the women in praise after the miraculous crossing the Red Sea. The Lord identified who was for Him and who was against Him through the water. I love the symbolism in the Bible. Water is used a lot to describe the Holy Spirit. (Mark 1:10, Matthew 3:11, John 3:5, Luke 3:16)

The water, the Holy Spirit of God will either be working for you or against you. It has the power to cleanse you and protect you, but it also has the power to submerge you. You can allow God to do the work to refresh you or be a tsunami to break you. Make no mistake, God is a rescuer, but He is also judge. We will all stand naked before Him and the shower of the Holy Spirit will reveal your dirt. We can either get clean now or be drowned later. I think I will keep praising Him in the shower.

Provision

God is a Provider!

We all have those moments where we are unsure that God is leading and guiding our lives and relationships, marriages and careers. Often, we can only see so far ahead. In our frailty and sin, we tend to doubt and question God's concern for our future.

Jeremiah 29:11-13 KJV

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord , thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you. And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.

God has an "expected end" and destination for us. When we stay in His will for our lives daily, we will not drown or be led off course as we navigate through life. Even in the storms of life, God in his sovereignty has paved the way!

Each morning,  seeking His face and praying over our day, sets the course. When I wake up, I look at my map to determine if I am still headed in the right direction or if I need to turn around and correct mistakes. God is always preparing us for what is next. That goes for every facet of life.

When I was single woman , I had to learn to not try to move ahead of God and rush marriage. The Lord had already laid out His plan for me. When I searched for Him with all my heart, He added the blessing of a husband to my life.

As a married woman, I am learning that staying in this boat with my husband and allowing him to steer is God's best. As a couple, God is navigating us.

Comparing journeys with others is not wise. There is simplicity in trusting God for your unknown. We always know that God leads us best, but sometimes we feel that life is too fast, too slow or we should be where someone else is. 

Proverbs 23:17-18 KJV

Let not thine heart envy sinners: but be thou in the fear of the Lord all the day long. For surely there is an end; and thine expectation shall not be cut off.

My prayer for us is that we accept and trust God's plan for us because He is good. We could not map out a better route for ourselves. May be learn to be led by the One who always provides the Way.

Women carrying the Seed (Tamar/Potiphar's Wife)

In this video, I discuss Genesis 38 & 39 which tell the stories of Tamar (Judah ' s daughter-in-law) and Potiphar's wife.




Here are some other things to think about:

What all does this seed represent?

What things in your life are acting to prevent the seed from growing or developing?

There are seasons of seed-bearing and harvest. Where do you find yourself now? How do you know?

I would love to hear your feedback on this study as well as questions and/or comments!

Rachel's Period.

Rachel did it! She stole the idols from her father and hid them in her tent. Then she covered them up and sat on top. When her dad comes to see if they have been stolen she says "Forgive me for not getting up dad, I'm on my period. You know how that is". He believes her and moves on.

Have you ever just told a straight out lie to someone's face, even someone you love and care about? Unfortunately,  I have and I bet I'm not alone.

Rachel ' s sin, like ours most times, started way before the lie however. She wanted and coveted an IDOL! Perhaps she was hoping that the god of fertility would give her more babies or that her sister would stop competing with her for Jacob ' s affections. In any case, she did not seek God, she wanted a false god and lied to protect it. How twisted!

Idolatry is putting anything in place of the One, True God. The bible never says that Rachel repented. We may never know, but we do know what we covet after in our own hearts. What thing would you turn your back on God to have? Would it truly be worth it?

Rachel attempts to cover her own sin by her blood, but only Christ's blood is pure enough to hide our sins.

If you are hiding your secret sins, don't cover up any longer. Your blood is not powerful enough to shield your wrongs. Confess your sins to God who abundantly pardons, heals and forgives.

Praise be to God for His blood that never loses its power!

Leah's Baby Mama Drama

This week we are taking a closer look at Leah. She was the tender-eyed sister of Rachel who Jacob loved even though they were both married to him by trickery of her father. If that was not enough family drama, we see a constant rivalry between these two sisters over who can have the most children by Jacob.

As I read and studied, the Lord began to reveal to me how women often respond when they are hated by the men who are supposed to love them. What happens when you are the unloved wife. In the world's gospel, everyone deserves to be loved and if you are not, you need to ditch that zero and find a hero! However, in bible times, it was not that simplistic at all, and what was even MORE important than a healthy marriage was a healthy baby.

Now He Will Love Me

Once married to Jacob, Leah had several sons and with each birth, she thought that surely she would know her husband's love. Notice that sex was not love to her. She desired his heart. No all of us wives have the heart of our husbands, especially if another woman has children by him. It can be a trying situation to say the least. Will we ever be The One? The bible never says that Leah was truly loved by Jacob.

Earning His Love

She even gave her maid Zilpah to Jacob when it seemed that she could no longer earn his love through having children of her own. How many times have women pushed their husbands into the hands of another man through their unrestrained emotions? By taking matters into our own hands, we complicate God's gift of marriage. When we make a covenant with more than one person (sexually speaking), it drives them further away, not closer to us.

Hiring His Love

When Leah's firstborn son finds mandrakes in the field and gives them to her, she uses this blessing as a manipulative tool to get pregnant once again. She literally prostitutes her husband to her sister! Many women do the same - using their children as pawns to get a man in bed!

We can learn some valuable things from Leah:

1. It is God who brings any good thing into your marriage. Realize that He is the source of every good blessing!

2. God can bring fruit out of an unfruitful situation. When her sister Rachel (although loved by her husband) was barren, God gave Leah children. She was fruitful. She contributed half the tribe of Israel including Jacob's firstborn. Not only that, but her son Judah continued the lineage all the way to Jesus Christ Himself!

3. The last shall be first and the first shall be last. We may be hated, despised, rejected and unloved, but so was Christ. We must continue to praise God in the middle of our storms. Leah was Jacob's first wife and the last of his wives to die. She was buried in the cave of the other matriarchs and left a legacy that is incomparable.

No matter if you are loved or hated by a man, God's love for you is what matter most.

Communion, Sex and the Church of Jesus Christ

Questions for Discussion & Reflection

1. Have you taken of communion unworthily? How can you change that?

2. Fasting is essential. Are you holding fast or taking communion? Is this what you should be doing at this time?

3. If you are married, communion should be part of your lifestyle. How can you improve your sex life to the glory of God?

4. Unity in the body was the prayer of Jesus in the book of John chapter 17. Read this prayer and pray with Christ!

Rebekah's Heart Problems

Rebekah was a hard working girl. She had her priorities in order and was doing what she was supposed to be doing. While drawing water from the well she showed a stranger generosity and hospitality. Little did she know that her act of kindness would be a blessing in her life and that she would be married in the next few days!

When we focus on the path that God has given us at the moment, we open doors of opportunity for blessings to come and overtake our lives. 

Rebekah was not afraid to take a chance on God. When God speaks we should obey immediately. When we are in right position then we can move quickly in obedience to God's will for our lives. 

Unfortunately, like most of us, Rebecca did not stay in right position all of her life. Her heart began to sway towards one of her sons in particular. Her focus changes. The Bible says that our hearts are deceitfully wicked. Rebecca allowed her affections for one of her sons to distract her and caused her to be deceptive. She used her blessings as manipulation to feed her own desires. She caused her older son Esau to hate his brother Jacob, who she loved best. 

Sometimes the repercussions of our actions against God's will are so severe that we struggle with the results for the rest of our lives. Small things can make a big difference!

This is what I learned from Rebekah's life:

1. Work hard. We serve God, not man.

2. Attitude is everything. It may be one step away or towards the next blessing in your life.

3. Be ready to move into whatever position the Lord has prepared for you. Walk by faith.

4. Guard your heart! Examine your affections. Are you placing anyone or anything in God's place in your heart?

5. Stop to reflect on the results of your actions. Is what you are about to do going to bring glory to God?

I'm so glad that God shows us characters in the Bible with their flaws and all. None of us are perfect and even though we start out on the right path we can easily be turned out of the way. Let's be determined to trust God with our whole heart and lean not to your own understanding.

* See my vlog on this topic at Wifestyle Image Network on Youtube. *