We are
pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed. We are perplexed, but
not driven to despair. We are hunted down, but never abandoned by God. We get
knocked down, but we are not destroyed. ~ 2 Corinthians 4:8-9
As I read this passage, it says to me that our victory/breakthrough/healing is all predicated by how we use what we're going through. I find myself speaking oftentimes in this place of "going through". I guess the reality of it is that someone is always dealing with something all the time.
What amazes me about Paul in this passage is that no matter how much he went through or endured, he didn't focus on the pressures or even lose hope in them. He persevered and looked at the 'bright side'! He wants us to be encouraged even in our struggles, realize that they are temporary, and know that it's not as bad as it appears.
Further down in this chapter in verses 16-18, we see:
That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day. For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever! So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever.
Oh my...I'm blessed! I believe that once we change our perspective...once we begin to use our "stuff" as mere opportunities to watch God work in our lives, we will be in a much better place! So I want to encourage you and me, too - don't lose hope! Don't give up! You may be dying spiritually, emotionally, or even mentally. But the more you feast on the Word of God, your spirit man will be renewed and strengthened. This IS a light thing . Let it be used to glorify God. Let the power of Holy Spirit resonating on the inside of you stir up and propel you to go higher in Him! Whewwwww!
There's sooo much more I can say about this passage, but I want you to dig deeper in your spare time. Click here to read commentary on the above verses.
In Him,
~Tee
Tuesday, September 4, 2012
Thursday, August 16, 2012
The Plan For Your Life
"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
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
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
Thursday, July 26, 2012
Learning to be Content
I was in a work meeting earlier this week with a brother in the Lord. Close to the end of our meeting, I said to him that I just want my analysts to be "content" (pronounced kənˈtent) with a particular process. I honestly don't know where the word "content" came from other than the Holy Spirit, as I've never used that word in one of these meetings before.
When we hear the term "contentment" or "content", we think of it as a negative. Being content means being in a state of peaceful happiness. In Philippians 4:11, Paul said that he had learned to be content with "whatever state he was in". Here's the passage in context:
Philippians 4:10-13 (NLT)
10 How I praise the Lord that you are concerned about me again. I know you have always been concerned for me, but you didn’t have the chance to help me. 11 Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. 12 I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. 13 For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.
Think about that for just a moment. If we take the time to be content with where we are and/or with what we have, we'll be much better off. We may not have as much money as we want. We may not have the exact job we want. We may not even be in the type of relationship we want to be in. But when we embrace the fact that all things work together for our good (Romans 8:28), we know that it's really okay.
I think sometimes about where I am...the place I'm in. The moment I begin to allow the place to get me down, something stirs on the inside and reminds me that there's someone in a worse position than I'm in. So, my mindset and mood change almost instantly!
You may be asking yourself...'How do I learn to be content?' I know it's a lot easier said than done. But here are a few suggestions:
- Wake up every morning giving God praise and thanks for allowing you to see that day
- Focus on where you're going
- Literally look at what the Lord has done in, through you, and around you
- Look for the positive in every situation; think about what you can learn/gain from it
- When in what seems like a hardship or difficult situation, praise God right there and ask Him to sustain you
In summation, I'm learning (still) to be content with whatever state I'm in. You ought to try it. It's not as bad as you think. It's just a part of the process :)
Be blessed!
~Tee
When we hear the term "contentment" or "content", we think of it as a negative. Being content means being in a state of peaceful happiness. In Philippians 4:11, Paul said that he had learned to be content with "whatever state he was in". Here's the passage in context:
Philippians 4:10-13 (NLT)
10 How I praise the Lord that you are concerned about me again. I know you have always been concerned for me, but you didn’t have the chance to help me. 11 Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. 12 I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. 13 For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.
Think about that for just a moment. If we take the time to be content with where we are and/or with what we have, we'll be much better off. We may not have as much money as we want. We may not have the exact job we want. We may not even be in the type of relationship we want to be in. But when we embrace the fact that all things work together for our good (Romans 8:28), we know that it's really okay.
I think sometimes about where I am...the place I'm in. The moment I begin to allow the place to get me down, something stirs on the inside and reminds me that there's someone in a worse position than I'm in. So, my mindset and mood change almost instantly!
You may be asking yourself...'How do I learn to be content?' I know it's a lot easier said than done. But here are a few suggestions:
- Wake up every morning giving God praise and thanks for allowing you to see that day
- Focus on where you're going
- Literally look at what the Lord has done in, through you, and around you
- Look for the positive in every situation; think about what you can learn/gain from it
- When in what seems like a hardship or difficult situation, praise God right there and ask Him to sustain you
In summation, I'm learning (still) to be content with whatever state I'm in. You ought to try it. It's not as bad as you think. It's just a part of the process :)
Be blessed!
~Tee
Tuesday, July 3, 2012
Remember Whose You Are
As I stood in line today at a local Walmart, a lady dropped her keys in front of me. She began to stoop down and stopped. Seeing she was an older lady, I stooped down and motioned to get her keys. Looking me straight in my eyes and with the most evil tone, she said, "I don't need no strange person doing nothing for me. I can bend over." She then stomped her foot over her keys. I had the most shocked look on my face. She proceeded with her transaction, which was cashing a check. She then began staring at me...looking me over...and then threw a broken rubber band my way. The entire time, I had this shocked look on my face. I was thinking to myself, "It's so good to know Jesus cuz if this would have been a long time ago...". I'm sure some of you can finish that sentence! LOL!
When it was my turn, the young lady at the counter let out a loud "Whew" and began talking about how mean the lady was. My response - "She was evil." Both me and the young lady didn't allow the spirit in this woman to affect us. The young lady working in Walmart delivered good service to this customer regardless to her haughtiness towards her. I kept my composure and didn't "let this lady have it".
We are all going to be in situations where the spirit of God in us is tested. It is at these times where we have to remember whose we are. It's so easy to let loose and "let someone have it". What is this really going to accomplish? The reality of it is, while we may feel better emotionally, it's probably a missed opportunity to win someone to the Kingdom of God. I know...it's a lot easier said than done :) But we are encouraged to not repay evil with evil, but with kindness (1 Peter 3:9).
While it took me a minute to calm down after this, I was rejoicing spiritually. This was a sign of growth. For those that know me personally, they know that I have no problem telling someone how I feel or how they have affected me. This time was a bit different, though. I'm so glad the Holy Ghost in me STOOD UP at this very moment. The longer I stood in line, the following Scripture came to mind -
Keep on loving one another as brothers and sisters. Do not forget
to show hospitality to strangers, for
by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it. (Hebrews 13:1-2)
This encounter today has encouraged me to do just what the Word of God says...show hospitality to strangers. For all she knows, she encountered an "angel" today and didn't even know it! The principle of sowing and reaping is real (Galatians 6:7-9). I hope this posts plants a good seed in someone. Keep on doing good no matter what, remembering whose you are - a child of the Most High!
Abundant blessings,
~Tee
Sunday, July 1, 2012
The Second Half...
For some reason, I'm elated the first half of the year is over. I had so much going on last month, for instance, until I didn't know whether I was coming or going most days. But yet and still, I persevered! And so did you! I feel so good about July and the days to come. I set some personal goals while on vacation a couple weeks ago, and I know that it's time to just get 'er done!
When I woke this morning, I literally heard, "SECOND HALF". I began thinking about a game and what usually happens in the second half. I'm inclined to share with you what dropped in my spirit as I tried to make sense of this 'second half':
You've come to a point where you have to step it up. You have to work harder than before, focus like never before, and undergird yourself with the Word and a different level of determination. There has been a point in this process where I spoke to you and gave you clear instructions. I gave you the plan to move forward and WIN! It's now up to you. You thought you were losing. But in actuality, you've been winning. Don't worry about them, they're just about wore out. They exercised all their energy trying to "get you". Now...here's what you do. Stick to the plan. Seek Me and yield completely to My will. You may very well get a little behind, but no worries...you'll come out with the victory. Listen to Me and trust Me.
Whew...now with that said, I feel a shift in my spirit today. And it's all for a good reason. I refuse to look back, turn back, or even run. I'm excited about the 2nd half, and I know that greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world! I know that my latter is going to be greater than my past. And my past will NOT speak to my future (thanks, Mom!).
Let's get ready for the challenge, (wo)man up, and give this second half all we've got. After all, it's all a part of the process.
I'm ready. Are you? Let's get it!
~Tee
When I woke this morning, I literally heard, "SECOND HALF". I began thinking about a game and what usually happens in the second half. I'm inclined to share with you what dropped in my spirit as I tried to make sense of this 'second half':
You've come to a point where you have to step it up. You have to work harder than before, focus like never before, and undergird yourself with the Word and a different level of determination. There has been a point in this process where I spoke to you and gave you clear instructions. I gave you the plan to move forward and WIN! It's now up to you. You thought you were losing. But in actuality, you've been winning. Don't worry about them, they're just about wore out. They exercised all their energy trying to "get you". Now...here's what you do. Stick to the plan. Seek Me and yield completely to My will. You may very well get a little behind, but no worries...you'll come out with the victory. Listen to Me and trust Me.
Whew...now with that said, I feel a shift in my spirit today. And it's all for a good reason. I refuse to look back, turn back, or even run. I'm excited about the 2nd half, and I know that greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world! I know that my latter is going to be greater than my past. And my past will NOT speak to my future (thanks, Mom!).
Let's get ready for the challenge, (wo)man up, and give this second half all we've got. After all, it's all a part of the process.
I'm ready. Are you? Let's get it!
~Tee
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