An Unexpected Interruption

Recently, I was in my office responding to pressing emails and trying to meet some deadlines when an employee, barged-in and insisted on talking to me without giving me the opportunity to say "Hey, I'm busy." 

As I reluctantly listened to her, she began to share a story of how God had saved her life in a car accident.  Although she had buckled her child in his car seat, she felt a strong prompting in her spirit not to take him with her on this particular trip.  She followed her spirit and left him at home with her husband.   Unfortunately, moments later she experienced a major car accident and sustained several injuries. 

Thankfully she had not taken her baby with her, she proceeded to say, "You can't tell me that God ain't Good'.  She concluded that from now on she knows that she will always try to follow the promptings in her spirit.  She left the office as quickly as she came saying, "I just felt like telling you that story".

Now much less annoyed by the intrusion, I reflected on her story.  I soon found myself thanking God for taking the time to personally interrupt my busyness to remind me of His Grace, His Mercy and especially His Greatness.  Like this very humble young lady who walked boldly into her boss' boss' office to share her testimony, I also desire to diligently follow the promptings of the Spirit that lives and breathes in me. 

I could say that I have no idea what made her come into my office that day, but that's not true.  She was still following the promptings of the Spirit and I thank God for His interruptions.   I also thank Him for using her so unexpectedly...which is what he does best.

Transitions

How tough are transitions? Is it the fear of the unknown that makes us anxious or is it letting go of the known that causes concern? Humm.. I believe in embracing change. Especially when it is a growth opportunity. We sometimes get so attached to the familiar until we forget to reevaluate our motives, our motivation and our purpose.

One thing I am becoming more clear of is we were created to connect with purpose. And for each individual, purpose can be as unique as a finger print. So transitions are not only important they are necessary.

God's Uncomfortable Holding Pattern

Have you ever felt as if God had you in a holding pattern and you just were not able to understand why? Does it feel as if you are going in circles, like everyone is making progress but you? You have dreams, goals and aspirations. But nothing seems to come to past. You sit in church service after church service, grabbing hold to your blessings but your circumstances remain the same. You cry, you pray, you pray, and you cry and still you are confused. You fight physical ailments as well as keep trying to remain strong in the Lord. But still you wonder if God is really concerned about you....Well, let me encourage you as I encourage myself. God is not slack concerning his promises. He is the God of the universe. Our mighty God. He is all-powerful and all-loving. He says he will never leave you nor forsake you. So guess what...in spite of your circumstances...HE WILL NEVER LEAVE YOU NOR FORSAKE YOU....So just believe God!!!

Come on Now....Focus on What's Important!

During a recent sermon, Pastor Thomas said that there are lifechanging moments for each of us. He mentioned that the day we got saved can be noted as a life-changing moment for some of us. And when we look back over our life we can see pivital points that changed our course of action.

This is indeed so true on so many levels. It's true in the physical because many of us know that if we had kept going to the places we were going and hanging out with the same people, we would be on the road to destruction. This is true in the spiritual also because if we had not met Jesus and accepted him as Lord of our lives...we'd still be headed for eternal damnation.

So right now I want to share with you what I consider a life-changing moment for me. One that blessed me on both levels. One that keeps me keeping on almost every day of my life.

This moment came by way of a sermon preached by Pastor Thomas over 10 years ago. In the sermon he referenced the text Romans 8:22-24 which gives the account of Jesus' healing of a blind man at Bethsaida.


Romans 22-2522They came to Bethsaida, and some people brought a blind man and begged Jesus to touch him. 23He took the blind man by the hand and led him outside the village. When he had spit on the man's eyes and put his hands on him, Jesus asked, "Do you see anything?"
24He looked up and said, "I see people; they look like trees walking around."
25Once more Jesus put his hands on the man's eyes. Then his eyes were opened, his sight was restored, and he saw everything clearly. 26Jesus sent him home, saying, "Don't go into the village."



I don't remember the exact way that way Pastor shared it over ten years ago. So, I'll just share it the way the Holy Spirit brings it to my rememberance on today. However, I believe Pastor was helping us (at least me) with our focus on Jesus.

In the text we see:

1 Jesus leading and the man following (not the other way around).

2 Jesus distancing the man from other people and the surroundings that
he had grown accustomed to.

3. The healing process begins, but the man's focus is on people and not Jesus.

4. Jesus takes additional measures to heal the man and his focus brings him
victory. He begins to see clearly.

The part that has kept me focused on Jesus all of these years is the revelation that Pastor Thomas made clear for me over 10 years ago... Your vision will never be clear if you watch people, So keep your focus on Jesus, no matter what or who comes your way.

Its important to know that your focus can bring you to victory or defeat. Focus on people and you'll always be in confusion. But focus on Jesus and he'll lead you to victory over any situation.

I know you want to say that it's easier said than done, and you are right it is. However, it is still possible to do if you try. You have to make a conscientious decision to not focus on people or situations but focus on the one who controls every situation! What is the Holy Spirit telling you? What is He teaching you? What is it that you need to understand through the sitation? Remember all things works for good to them who loves God and who are called according to his purpose.
KEEP YOUR EYES ON JESUS...JUST BELIEVE GOD!

Stop Faking and Be Happy for Real!

Have you ever wanted to be truly happy? Not that fake I'm okay, you're okay, kind of foolishness! I mean truly happy down on the inside; happy to the point where you can actually say within yourself that your joy is not based on external circumstances; happy to the point that you are filled with inner peace; happy to the point where things that used to bother you...are really rather insignificant.
Well let me help you get there if you are not already there. It's simple. True happiness can only come from God himself. No person on this earth can bring you continuous joy and peace like God can. And to be honest, it's unfair for us to place the burden of our happiness on someone else when they are just as flawed as we are. True happiness can only come for God!
I was reading C.S. Lewis' book titled Mere Christianity, which by the way is a great book, and I got to the place where he talks about our human design. Lewis writes:
"God made us: invented us as man invents an engine. A car is made to run on petrol, and it would not run properly on anything else. Now God designed the human machine to run on Himself. He Himself is the fuel our spirits were designed to burn, or the food our spirits were designed to feed on. There is no other.....God can not give us happiness and peace apart from Himself, because it is not there. There is no such thing."
What powerful words and meaning to our existence. We are fuelled by God Himself, just as a car runs on gasoline! We need God everyday and in every way. Let me encourage you. Get as close to God as you possibly can. The word of the Lord in James 4:8 declares that if you draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. The more of Him you have, the better your engine will run, even without additives!! You do realize that people sometimes seek additives and substitutes instead of God; such as drugs, alcohol, fleeting friendships, sex, hobbies, work and if we are not careful, religious activities can also be a substitute for a real relationship with God.
Don't run on fumes or let your engine keep knocking without giving it the proper attention it needs and deserves. You were designed to run on God. Isaiah 55:6 Seek the LORD while he may be found; call on him while he is near. He's provided the Way to Himself by way of His son Jesus Christ, our path to our Heaveny Father. Pray often! Be Blessed! Be Truly Happy and JUST BELIEVE GOD for all things.

What People Are Reading

The Shack by William P. Young --#1 on the Eboni Sims must read list!

Mackenzie Allen Phillips' youngest daughter, Missy, has been abducted during a family vacation and evidence that she may have been brutally murdered is found in an abandoned shack deep in the Oregon wilderness. Four years later in the midst of his Great Sadness, Mack receives a suspicious note, apparently from God, inviting him back to that shack for a weekend. Against his better judgment he arrives at the shack on a wintry afternoon and walks back into his darkest nightmare. What he finds there will change Mack's world forever. In a world where religion seems to grow increasingly irrelevant, "The Shack" wrestles with the timeless question, "Where is God in a world so filled with unspeakable pain?" The answers Mack gets will astound you and perhaps transform you as much as it did him.

Awesome book, life-changing, a must read---Eboni Sims

And Just Who Do U Think U R?

Well according to the word of God, you are:
A child of God John 1:12;
A branch of the True Vine John 15:5,
Dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Rom. 6:11
Joint-heir with Christ Rom. 8:17
Redeemed from the curse of the law Gal. 3:13
Seated in heavenly places in Christ Eph. 2:6
Covered by the shadow of His Hand Isa 49:16
A member of the Household of Faith Gal. 6:10
Complete in Him Col. 2:10
Hidden with Christ in God Col. 3:3
The light of the world Matt. 5:14 & Eph. 5:8
Free from condemnation Rom. 8:1
The righteousness of God in Christ 2Cor. 5:21
Delivered from sin Rom. 6:7
Loved by God as much as he loves Jesus Matt. 17:23
In God's hand and none can pluck you out!!! John 10:28
I Just Believe God!!!