"For I know the plans I have for you," says the Lord. "They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope." Jeremiah 29:11 (NLT)
I allowed a song to minister to me over the weekend that talked about this very thing...the plan for my life. God has a plan for me...for my life, and for you, too! He said in His Word that His plans are for good and not for disaster. Many times, things happen in our life that appear to be disastrous. However, they are actually for our good!
We read the Word, but do we really receive it and allow it to manifest in our lives? Psalm 139:13-16 shares how God fashioned our days even before we were born! And because of this very thing, He knows what's going to happen in our lives...every step of the way. It's difficult to receive this when we're going through drama or calamity. It's even more difficult when a loss is involved (e.g., loved one, job). But even in all of that, we must remember some of the promises He made...
- I will never leave you nor forsake you. Hebrews 13:5
- Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28
- I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you. Psalm 32:8
- Peace I leave with you, my peace I give you. I do not give as the world
gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. John 14:27
- And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your
hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:7
I hope someone is encouraged by this post. We must receive that no matter what happens in our lives, He's going to give us joy for our sorrow, hope for tomorrow, and STRENGTH for everything that we go through. He has a wonderful plan for our lives. Let's just trust Him for the divine instruction. Seek Him for guidance and ask Him for godly wisdom. He knows the plan...and it IS part of the process.
In Him,
Tee
Thursday, August 16, 2012
Monday, August 6, 2012
What's To Be Said About You?
I got a chance to visit a local church with some dear friends on yesterday. A young man (27-years old) brought forth the Word, as they were completing their Character Series at this particular church. His message was on the "Selflessness of Tabitha". When I looked at the leaflet for the service, I had no idea what I was in store for!
As he talked about Tabitha and her life, he gave her "two sentences": "In Joppa there was a certain disciple named Tabitha; she was always doing good and helping the poor." (Acts 9:36)
When you look at the latter part of this description of Tabitha, it says that she was always doing good and helping the poor. Tabitha was a servant of the Lord who loved Him. She also graciously served poor people, especially the widows. In the midst of all of her "doing", she still prioritized RELATIONSHIPS! The preacher said: "Don't be so caught up completing tasks that you neglect relationships." I must say this was a serious point to ponder for me.
How often do we get so busy with work and outreach and just doing that we forget about or don't put as much effort and thought into relationships? Even in the midst of working, do we think about the lives we're impacting? I love my job, and I love my employer, for example. There are times where I consciously tap into the personal side of me in a meeting just to let the person(s) I'm meeting with know, that it's all good. We're talking about work, but I'm not neglecting the fact that we're all human. You know?
This message sparked something in me that had just subsided for a moment - focus on relationships...the RIGHT relationships at that :) I know I've gotten to a place where I've just stopped talking to some people. Then there are just some people that I don't talk to as much. Then there are those that I don't put as much effort into the relationships as I should. But all along, I've kept my hands to the plow working like it's nobody's business. Not only that, I HAVE been consumed with tasks. So...it's time for me to regroup!
At the end of the message, he asked us to think about our "two sentences" in the story that God is writing. I'm still thinking about mine, but I want to encourage you to think about yours, too!
In Him,
~Tee
As he talked about Tabitha and her life, he gave her "two sentences": "In Joppa there was a certain disciple named Tabitha; she was always doing good and helping the poor." (Acts 9:36)
When you look at the latter part of this description of Tabitha, it says that she was always doing good and helping the poor. Tabitha was a servant of the Lord who loved Him. She also graciously served poor people, especially the widows. In the midst of all of her "doing", she still prioritized RELATIONSHIPS! The preacher said: "Don't be so caught up completing tasks that you neglect relationships." I must say this was a serious point to ponder for me.
How often do we get so busy with work and outreach and just doing that we forget about or don't put as much effort and thought into relationships? Even in the midst of working, do we think about the lives we're impacting? I love my job, and I love my employer, for example. There are times where I consciously tap into the personal side of me in a meeting just to let the person(s) I'm meeting with know, that it's all good. We're talking about work, but I'm not neglecting the fact that we're all human. You know?
This message sparked something in me that had just subsided for a moment - focus on relationships...the RIGHT relationships at that :) I know I've gotten to a place where I've just stopped talking to some people. Then there are just some people that I don't talk to as much. Then there are those that I don't put as much effort into the relationships as I should. But all along, I've kept my hands to the plow working like it's nobody's business. Not only that, I HAVE been consumed with tasks. So...it's time for me to regroup!
At the end of the message, he asked us to think about our "two sentences" in the story that God is writing. I'm still thinking about mine, but I want to encourage you to think about yours, too!
In Him,
~Tee
Wednesday, August 1, 2012
No Need to Panic
I recall growing up in the heart of South Memphis. We went to camp at the community center EVERY summer. It was hot as ever, but it was so fun (playing watermelon seed, sliding on the aluminum slide, and lunches in the Styrofoam containers)! We would oftentimes take trips to the pool that was just a few steps from the community center. Before I knew how to swim, I made it a point to not go near the 12ft end, which is where the diving board was. Even if I were in the 5ft, I had to be so careful to not "slip over" into the deep end because I didn't know whether or not I'd panic or be able to hold myself up.
Spiritually, we find ourselves in this very situations sometimes...not wanting to launch into the deep things of God. He already tells us that our ways are not His ways, and our thoughts are not His thoughts (Isaiah 55:8). But that doesn't mean that we can't dig deeper and want more of Him! We run into problems and panic when we lose our focus.
I'm reminded of the story in the Bible where Jesus bid Peter to come to him as He was walking on the water. The moment Peter saw the wind, he started panicking and began to sink. As long as Peter kept His eyes on Jesus, he, too, was walking on the water. Likewise, the more we keep our eyes on Him, the author and finisher of our faith, we will move forward and not sink! Glory to God!
Ephesians 3:20 (NLT): Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.
Psalm 121 (AMP): I will lift up my eyes to the hills [around Jerusalem, to sacred Mount Zion and Mount Moriah]—From whence shall my help come? My help comes from the Lord, Who made heaven and earth. He will not allow your foot to slip or to be moved; He Who keeps you will not slumber. Behold, He who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. The Lord is your keeper; the Lord is your shade on your right hand [the side not carrying a shield]. The sun shall not smite you by day, nor the moon by night. The Lord will keep you from all evil; He will keep your life. The Lord will keep your going out and your coming in from this time forth and forevermore.
I'm reminded of the story in the Bible where Jesus bid Peter to come to him as He was walking on the water. The moment Peter saw the wind, he started panicking and began to sink. As long as Peter kept His eyes on Jesus, he, too, was walking on the water. Likewise, the more we keep our eyes on Him, the author and finisher of our faith, we will move forward and not sink! Glory to God!
Ephesians 3:20 (NLT): Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.
Psalm 121 (AMP): I will lift up my eyes to the hills [around Jerusalem, to sacred Mount Zion and Mount Moriah]—From whence shall my help come? My help comes from the Lord, Who made heaven and earth. He will not allow your foot to slip or to be moved; He Who keeps you will not slumber. Behold, He who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. The Lord is your keeper; the Lord is your shade on your right hand [the side not carrying a shield]. The sun shall not smite you by day, nor the moon by night. The Lord will keep you from all evil; He will keep your life. The Lord will keep your going out and your coming in from this time forth and forevermore.
While we may think sometimes we can't hold ourselves 'up' when we're going through or running this 'race', know that we have a comforter who's there...bidding us to come! Look to Him...He won't leave you nor forsake you...no matter how bad the storm is raging!
Be blessed,
Tee
Be blessed,
Tee
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