My Book Report (Chapter 14): Every Day A Friday

Chapter Fourteen

As the plug slips away from the socket, the light flickers and suddenly it becomes dark... What happened?! The right connection became no more as the plug and source of power, were no longer connected as one.

Beloved, today I come to you to share some insight into, "Connecting With The Right People." In chapter fourteen of Joel Osteen's Everyday A Friday, it made me explore a very personal look into my faith walk with the Lord as God illuminated the way through Joel's words.

As I read this chapter, I was reminded and encouraged of how God is. I too, like many, have received a word from God as a deposited promise for my life both current and for the future. In other words, God's promise towards my destiny. The Lord spoke to me concerning My life being a life of servitude. Concerning me "not being a rich man but a thankful man." Concerning me being called into ministry. Concerning the wife that is for me.

Not only has God exemplified in my life that He will never leave me, forget me or abandon me, but also, that His Word to me is His very promise and although others may abandon me, forget about me, and their word vanishes not to remain a promise to me, that in this world, all will vanish but the Lord's Word to me (to all of creation) will by no means disappear. Amen.

I am thankful to God just as Joel says, 'that I and God are a majority' because it has been proven over and over again to me. Others say no, but God said yes! Others could not see the vision, but God opened my eyes to see from His view of things. Doubt tried to settle in, yet His voice spoke encouragement into me. When a sea of despair was before me, the presence of the Almighty parted the doom & gloom and made a way for me to remain untouched by it. Amen!

Joel shares, "If you remove the negative people from your life, God will bring positive people into it." There may be many obstacles, and many people along the way who simply DO NOT have your best interest in mind, but as the Lord Jesus set the example for us, let us all clear out what isn't an encouragement to us, and is trying to keep us from pursuing, experiencing and accomplishing our God-given destiny. Amen. Joel further shares, "Do not waste time with people who don't value your gifts or appreciate what you have to offer. That's casting your pearls before swine." We all need to conceal what is holy, and surround ourselves with the right people. Not having an inner circle of friends and confidants may very well be what's keeping both you and I from pursuing, experiencing, and accomplishing something that will leave a lasting legacy and fulfill our God-given destiny.



My Takeaway:

Only what God has ordained and anointed for our lives will connect with the dream; the promise, that He deposited within us to start moving, come to life and see the light of day. Amen. 


Here's my prayer:


Father God, thank you for Your Word. A lasting promise to stand forever that You indeed have a plan that is not to harm us, but to give us a hope and future. Father, how amazing You truly are! May You help us O Father, to choose wisely those who we let in our lives, and those who we need to remove from our lives. That we may see the destiny we have in You become a reality and a blessing to You, to us and to all. In Jesus name, we pray. Amen.


Beloved, as always...YOU ARE LOVED.

Emergency Post: Hope Filled Words

Reflecting Me

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. (Jeremiah 29:11 NKV)


For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. (Jeremiah 29:11 NKJV)


For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. (Jeremiah 29:11 NIV)


For I know the thoughts and plans that I have for you, says the Lord, thoughts and plans for welfare and peace and not for evil, to give you hope in your final outcome. (Jeremiah 29:11 Amplified)




Today as I was talking with God, the verse above came to mind and it was shown to me in a whole new way. I have always heard this verse used in the context of the Good things God has in store for those who believe in Him. Today, as I shared some things that were scaring me with my Father in heaven, yet saying to God, "I will continue to place my hope in you," God shared this with me. 'Hope comes from what my Son Jesus did on the Cross for you, and for all others that would place their faith and lives in His hands, and my ability to always keep my Word.'


Then God shared His promise and declaration to all who have placed that trust in Him, with me, in which you see in the above verse in scripture in red. Those thoughts, those plans of hope for our futures; for our expected end God said comes through only One person- His one and only Son Jesus. 


As I thought of what God spoke into my heart, I started to see that verse in a whole different way. I saw those words of Truth from God Himself as a road map. A map that not only leads to Jesus at the Cross, but beyond that, through Jesus' resurrection. I saw that my hope does lie in Jesus Himself, and not only my hope, but my dreams for today and for tomorrow. That very future that I along with countless others, always want to be bright and filled with amazing and exciting things. 


But as I included four different translations I am reminded of how intentional God is. Those four translations aren't meant to confuse us at all. Nope! They're meant to point out the obvious. What is that obvious?! We all have different perspectives, and God is willing to speak to each and every one of us personally. How amazing is that?!


So, as I wrap this amazing blessing that God gave to me, to not only enjoy and experience the treasury of my heart grow, but also, to share it with all of you. Nothing I receive from God will ever be of worth unless I share it. That's the true gift that keeps on giving...a willing heart. 


God bless you all, with a prosperous future through an expectant hope for a wonderful outcome. In Jesus name, Amen.

A Beautiful Attitude (Part 6): A Pure Heart

"A pure heart"

Today I'm continuing with Part 6 of "A Beautiful Attitude" where we are discovering the Beatitudes Jesus spoke in part of the most famous sermon of all time- The Sermon on the Mount. 


Just a recap of what Beatitudes are. Beatitudes are staples for good living and the blessings that go along with them.


Let us begin with this amazing verse in scripture. Truly a triumph echoing throughout the pages of history. "Blessed are the pure in heart, For they shall see God." (Matthew 5:8 NKJV)


A pure heart is something that is rarely seen. What can be said of a pure heart? Who has a pure heart? Is someone who has a pure heart merely one who does good for others? Someone who donates to charities? Someone who gives gifts on birthdays and holidays? 


These may be ripples of someone who has a pure heart, but what does the life of Jesus show us on who has a pure heart? We wouldn't have to go far. The Beatitudes in and of themselves speak a defining truth to one who has a pure heart. Let us recap on the Beatitudes shall we.

Those who have a Pure Heart are: Those who are poor in spirit (Matthew 5:3); Those who mourn (Matthew 5:4); Those who are meek (Matthew 5:5); Those who hunger and thirst for righteousness (Matthew 5:6); Those who are merciful (Matthew 5:7); Those who are peacemakers (Matthew 5:9); Those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake (Matthew 5:10); Those who are insulted, persecuted, and all kinds of evil and false things are said of them for the Lord Jesus' sake (Matthew 5:11)

Although the above statements of truth don't seem particularly inviting, let these words of promise from the Lord Jesus Himself ease your anxieties, "Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you." (Matthew 5:12 emphasis added)

All of the above doesn't come over night but many of them happen to those who are hurting, and are in pain and sorrow over the terrible things they have done to others and the terrible things that have been done to them. How do I know this? I am one of those individuals who was filled with so much hurt, pain and anger that it was too great to handle and only the love of God through the Lord Jesus Christ could heal what was causing me massive hurt, pain, anger, guilt...you name it!

When I was asking God to give me the words to write towards this portion of the Beatitudes I went to a reference in my study Bible which was (1 John 3:2-3). This verse in scripture says "Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure."

The Word of God proclaims this promise. Anyone who is in Christ is a new creation. What is a new creation? A new creation is a child of God. I don't know about you but that thought of seeing God face-to-face finally has me tickled pink (Ha!). I look forward to that moment with all that I am. I have shed great tears of joy envisioning that moment when the One who has known me as He created me is before me and I before Him. It has caused me to tremble with excitement. That thought has kept me speechless with a brimming smile that could blot out the sun, and has caused me to dance with great jubilation (mind you I am not a dancer). Even now as I think of Him I shiver with delight. To see and be with my God forever is something that although we, His children, will all experience the above to some degree, that overwhelming love from a pure heart being a child of God will make it all worth it. Amen!

Beloved, as the end of this series of writings on the beautiful Beatitudes come to a close it's bitter sweet for me. Bitter as it will have been a grand journey to knowing and accepting the love of God through His One and only Son Jesus coming to a close. Yet sweet, as I have many more blessings to share with you coming down the pipeline. Amen.

As always...YOU ARE LOVED.