Life Changers

Have you changed someone’s life today? At first thought you may think not, but in actuality we change the lives of others on a continuous basis. When you smiled at the cashier this morning that may have been what he/she needed to push on. When you let someone in front of you in traffic , that may have helped them get to work on time. What we perceive as minute may indeed be huge in the life of someone else.

I am so incredibly blessed to have life changers in my life. I have the most incredible selfless friends. I know that without a shadow of a doubt, I can call on any of them in the time of need and they will come to my rescue. For example, at a moment’s notice, I can call and say can you grab my girls for me! That might seem small, but when you are in a crunch, that is monumental. One friend in particular is a life saver and she doesn’t even know it. She works full time, is back in college, a devoted mother and wife, and a dynamic anointed vocalist. She is gifted beyond measure but very humble. My girls are very close to her and consider her their other mom. It’s nothing for her to say, I got the girls today. She will swoop in and pick them up and keep them with her. Our girls are the same ages. They have an awesome time together. She doesn’t know how much she means to me and how much I appreciate the life changing affects the little things that she does has on me. I called on her for help just this morning and I want to say Thank you!

There are other Life Changers in the midst. When I don’t feel like pushing, Life Changers come to mind and I am revived. I think about someone that is pushing forward or has pushed forward in a situation that I couldn’t see myself pushing through. I think about my mother who pushed through to be valedictorian of her college class while raising my sister that she had during her sophomore year. Although they were married, my dad was away at A & T University. My mom speaks of studying with my sister in her lap. She is a Life Changer! I think about Dorothy Height that pushed through although after being accepted at Barnard College, they wouldn’t allow her to attend because they’d reached their quota of two African American students. Her life is a legacy. She is a Life Changer! I think of Delois Mitchell, a dear mother to many, who after surviving the removal of a 60 pound tumor, fighting cancer and illnesses, pushed through on Sunday, oxygen in tow to deliver the scripture. She pushed through, standing proud and strong. She is a Life Changer! When I’m down, I look around. If they can push forward so can I. We have the same Father! The Lord strong and mighty!

So the next time you are down, you too should look around you. There are many Life Changers in the midst. Look within yourself! You are one of them and you can make it through. As Always, Pushing Forward!

"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." Matthew 5:3

"Poor in spirit" means to be humble. Humility is the realization that all your gifts and blessings come from the grace of God

On a treadmill - Trying to Catch Up

The Treadmill

I know that whoever invented the treadmill felt like it was clever. Yes, it is a device that allows people to walk or run, indoors. It can go fast or slow. It can incline. It can be set for different levels of workout. Some even come with fans installed and openings to hold bottles. Everything is conveniently packaged to achieve the ultimate goal… working out. Think about it though. No matter how fast or slow you walk or run, that treadmill is not going anywhere. It is stationary.

Stressed!

That’s how I felt yesterday. I felt like I was on a treadmill trying to keep up with life. Running at full speed and getting nowhere fast. Nothing major mind you. It was just the ordinary, mundane, day to day things that we all do that had me discombobulated. Hurry, Hurry, Rush Rush, Stress Stress!! We basically know how much we can handle at one time. It’s those times when additional things are tossed in the mix that we tend to be thrown off balance. We are on the treadmill of life and here comes “extra” to mess it all up. We are almost at the goal that we have set for ourselves and here comes a cramp to cause us to slow down, pause or get off.

Pain!

Well people, maybe it was time to get off. Time to change things up a little bit. Time to do some strength building exercises! Our Father knows when we need a change and often times we are so focused on the goal that we have set for ourselves that we aren’t paying HIM any mind. He keeps sending little hints and we keep ignoring them. First there was a twinge in the muscle meaning “OKAY!! THAT’S ENOUGH!!” What do we do? We keep going. Then God finally says, “I am going to MAKE you listen!” BINGO!! CRAMP!! Forced stop and listen! LOL!! Why does HE have to give us some pain to get our attention? HE shouldn’t have to but since we are so doggone human, HE sometimes HAS to MAKE us see it HIS way! Nothing can force us to our knees quicker than pain.

Prayer!

Pain hits and what do we do? Down on our knees, “Lord HELP me please!” What a wonderful Father He is. He comes to our aid when we call. Even when it was our free will that caused the problem, He comes to help us. But notice this, He now has our attention. We need Him. We are depending on Him to save us and we are listening to what He has to say. He can now guide us in the direction that He wants us to go in. When He says go pick up that weight, we do it. We didn’t think we could do it in our own strength, but since He is there, we try. We keep trying and we get stronger. Eventually we are strong enough in that area that He doesn’t have to spot us anymore. We have learned how to handle it!

Relief!

Then we are so proud of our accomplishments that we start to go off on our own again. Do we repeat the cycle because we know He is close by to save us? I don’t know! I only know that I am grateful that He is there to lead and guide me in the right direction. I’ve learned that pain is sometimes necessary to force us to listen and learn. Thank you Father for your gift of love. Thank you for loving me more than I love myself. Thank you for always being there for me regardless as to whether I am thinking of you; and thank you for pulling me off of the treadmill. Now it’s on to getting stronger and Always Pushing Forward!

Jude 1:24-25 Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy,To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.

The Answer

Father I stretch my hand to thee! In thee I trust and I believe.


We don't have the answers. We are not purposed to have the answers. We are designed to trust in HIM with unwaivering faith. HE knows the end and the reasons why. We shouldn't spend another moment trying to figure it out. Ask HIM! He knows, so ask HIM. Then wait. Wait for the answer to your question. Don't rush it. Don't try go out and ask someone else. Wait. If HE wants the answer revealed to you through another, then HE will arrange for them to tell you. It will be HIM working through them to provide it. You will also get confirmation of the answer. Not your answer but HIS answer. Sometimes the answers are immediate. If you know the voice of God, then you may hear it in your spirit. Note this is not our answer, but HIS answer. Sometimes the answer comes slowly. It comes after things have taken place in such a manner that you will then recognize the answer. Nevertheless, if you ask, IN FAITH, in HIS will, in Jesus name, then you shall receive...the answer.

You say, " Well what if I don't understand the answer or wanted another answer. Take this one back and give me another one! " (smile) Once again, we are not designed to have the answers. HE has the answers. Ask HIM to make it plain. Make it clear for your understanding. Then continue to trust in HIM. Have faith in HIM. He is Our Father. Our Deliverer. Our Savior. Our Healer. Our Strength. Our Everything.

Even as you go through, HE is the answer. Even when you lose a loved one, HE is the answer. Even when you don't know what else to do, HE is the answer. Even when your eyes are filled with tears and you can't see your way, HE will see you through. Trust and depend on HIM and Always Push Forward!

1John 5:14-15 "And this is the confidence that we have in HIM, that, if we ask any thing according to HIS will, HE heareth us: and if we know that HE hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him."

Breaking the Line

A group of us were standing in a LONG line. We'd been standing there for at least 20 minutes, waiting for the doors to open. I watched as a couple strolled up and waited in the front. They were oblivious to all of us who'd been waiting. They had an air about them as if they were supposed to be in the front. As the doors opened I watched them waltz on in ahead of all of us. I started to get mad but then I realized that I was close to the front and there were plenty of seats. No need to worry or be concerned. I then had a quick thought about heaven. How great it will be when we enter the gates. We won't be angry. We won't care who is in the front. We will just be happy to be there. Then there will be a real praise party.




Then I thought about my Savior. Suppose He was to come back while I was standing outside in that line. I immediately felt my chest rise with pride. The Holy Spirit reminded me that I am entitled! Entitled to fellowship with Him now. Entitled to enjoy my relationship with Him. Entitled to bask in His presence. What an awesome feeling. If He were to crack the sky right then, the non-beleivers would be left behind standing in the line and whether or not someone else got in first wouldn't matter at all.



Sometimes we just have to stop and put things in perspective. Alot of the little things we worry about aren't worth a second thought. People around us do things that bother us, we get upset, and they go on about their lives unphased because they didn't even know they'd done anything. Let's make it a point to try and not sweat the small stuff. Yes, we are human with human emotions. We are going to get riled up every now and again but for the most part, let's focus on the BIG picture and as always push forward.



1 Thessalonians 4:15-17...and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air.

Forward Focused Faith

No matter what happened before you went to sleep, the morning brings brand new mercies. Before I open my eyes in the mornings, I tell the Lord, “Thank you for another day. Another opportunity to get it right! (SMILE)
I read this is Judy Jacobs’s book today and it spoke to me. It was so powerful; I wanted to share it with you all. It said, “Don’t let regrets make you miss your moment. Let the past go and forget it. Don't get stalled in regrets. Do not allow the distraction of looking at the past cause you to miss enjoying your now.
That's powerful people. How often does the enemy bring to your remembrance something that occurred in your past just as you are enjoying your present? He is quick to remind you of something that has long passed. There is nothing that you can do about it now. It's over. It's done with. You can't go backward. My pastor always said, "If you are driving while looking in the rear view mirror you are going to hit something. The windshield is big for a reason. It's there for you to look forward."

Instead of focusing on what happened or could have or should have happened, focus on what is going to happen. Follow God’s example and speak those things into existence. In Romans 4, It states “…God, who giveth life to the dead, and calleth the things that are not, as though they were…..” Focus on the power within you and follow through on the plans that are ahead. In the book the Power of Focus by Jack Canfield, it states, "Everything you want is on the other side of fear!" Picture a wall that you need to get over and what you want is on the other side. That wall is called FEAR. If you are afraid to even approach the wall then how are you going to get to the other side? Fear is one of the enemy's weapons. If he can prevent you from trying he doesn't have to worry about your accomplishments. Then he throws in some doubt plus worry and what do you have nothing. That's right. You are stalled. Stuck and unable to move forward!

There is a solution. You can get over that wall by talking a leap of FAITH! Faith in GOD! Hebrews 11:1 says, “Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see. (New Living Translation)” In the book, “Putting your Faith into Action Today” there is a poem which states,”Faith is leaping across the gaps between the known and the unknown! The actual and the possible-the grasp and the reach! There is always a chasm between where you are and where you are going-by faith make the leap forward.

When you find yourself stalled out, repeat this phrase. “FORWARD, FOCUSED, FAITH”. Pushing forward, focusing on my future, with faith in my GOD! That’s cause for a praise break!

Father God,

Thank you for another day. Thank you for allowing me another opportunity to be your willing vessel and praise your name. Thank you for keeping my mind focused on you. I pray right now that all that are reading this are blessed beyond measure. Bless their coming and going. Cover them in every aspect of their lives. You are all powerful and able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we may ask or think. You know the desires of our hearts Lord. Grant us that Forward Focused Faith. In Jesus most precious, magnificent, matchless name. Amen!

I WILL GO

Would you do it? Would you volunteer? You know…...to lay down your life! To die for someone else! You know for folks that have done wrong. Sinners! You know those people. The ones that lie, cheat, steal, gossip. People that are mean spirited, evil and malicious. The ones that smile in your face and talk about you behind your back. Would you do it? Could you do it? Would you even consider it?


HE did! He died so that we might live. Live an eternal life with our FATHER. Galatians 4:4-5 says: “But when the appropriate time had come, God sent out his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we may be adopted as sons with full rights.” Did you hear that? So that we, you and me could become HIS children, joint heirs with full rights! All for us!

That’s so powerful. He was born, lived, preached, healed, saved , tortured, beaten, bruised, crucified and raised from the dead with ALL POWER so that we can have ETERNAL life. So that we can call GOD our FATHER! So that we can say “Father, I’m sorry! Please forgive me for I have sinned.” And because we are imperfect humans, we do it again and we say, “Father, I am such a wretch Lord, I have sinned again. I continue to sin Lord, please forgive me and He does!” Isn’t that awesome! He loves us just that much. Unconditional love. Agape love. There is rest in HIM. Peace in HIM. Hope in HIM. LIFE in HIM!

As we celebrate Maundy Thursday…. The commemoration of the Last Supper, take a moment and think of all that HE continues to do for you. How HE blesses you. Thank him for your right mind, your sight, your ……… (take it from here..fill in the blanks)! The blessings become too numerous to count. I am thankful for Jesus, for you, my friends and family. I love you and continue to Push Forward!