Could You Pass this Test ?!
What's up beautiful people?! Hello. Bonjour. Que pasa!
I'm sitting here having a moment with the father just reflecting on things as I typically do. In the midst of my singing and thanking God for the life he has given me. My mom flashes in my head. Warm tears begin to stream down my face and the music stops (The singing I was doing haha). I love my mom. I love her so much.
Yet, if I love her more than I love the Father, Jesus Christ, I'd be found unworthy of him (Matthew 10:37-38). Isn't that something?!
It's truly a rough pill to digest. Yet, would you be found worthy?! The Bible talks about how there will be a separation between Father and son, mother and daughter, etc, etc (Luke 12:53). I know for a fact that it's hard being away from people you love. Yet, even when we are, we are not alone because God is with us.
I'm reminded of this YouTube clip of TD Jakes with his family standing behind him. There had just been news spread around the media bringing up old photos and videos while he attended a party of an individual who had been sued for some deviant acts. Yet and still his family and some of his congregation continued to stand behind him. The image of the family coming together was nice.
Most people are raised to stand up for their family. To love and support them. “If one fight, we all fight” type situation. It's hard to break that mindset. Hard to break that bond. Yet, when walking with and for Christ there will come a time when you'll need to decide if you're truly worthy of him. The test just might be. . . will you continue to stand with your family knowing they are doing things outside the will of God?! Where God has called us to be set apart. God’s children are called to be different and to stand ten toes in the differences concerning how we carry ourselves and show up in the world.
Could you pass the test of being set apart if it meant that you would have to disconnect from the very individuals you love and grew up with? I hope one day you will be able to say that you can.
Till next time.
Love ya later,
Shya.
Interconnected
Hello Beautiful people and others. I pray all has been well in your lives. I want to dive in and share something I’ve found pretty dope.
Earlier today I was sitting doing my hair and the baptism of Jesus by John the Baptist dropped in my spirit. As I was sitting viewing the image of this special event in time. The holy spirit began to highlight to me the heart and humility of being chosen. When I sat and listened to God talk to me about how John the Baptist was chosen to baptize Christ. Yes, John had performed other baptisms, but not everyone gets to baptize Jesus Christ.
See, anytime I think of John the Baptist, I always immediately see him sitting in the wilderness minding his business. I love what his life and walk illustrates. His life is the true image of not having a care in the world about outside opinions and perspectives simply because he was so tapped into his relationship with Christ. John spent much of his ministry in the wilderness; by himself. He would eventually have those he was called to help meet him where he was, in the wilderness. He did not look like society would expect a person to carry themselves and he had not a care to do so. (Mark 1:4-7)
As God continued to talk to me, he highlighted how people today struggle to have the same humility John did. So many of the current church leaders would have chose to profit off of their fame of baptizing Jesus Christ. Would’ve established a world renown course and updated their social media to ensure they have the “certifications” broadcast to their audience. Yet, John hesitated when first asked to baptize Jesus and reverenced him, stating that Jesus should be baptizing him (Matt 3:14). He didn’t see himself as worthy. But Jesus did.
Isn’t it amazing the things God calls us to he has already qualified us to do?
As God continued to talk to me about the heart and humility of being chosen, he highlighted the relationship of Jesus and Elijah. He took me back to the time when Elijah was overwhelmed with the work God had called him to do; God gave him rest in the wilderness while sending an angel to nourish him with bread and water (1 King 19: 3-7). Once Elijah had rested and been nourished, he was strengthened enough to head on his journey. In this recollection God was showing me his heart for those he chooses. God loved Elijah just as he loves us. Despite our hesitations and fears God provides us with enough grace and mercy to pull thru.
God further highlighted the connection between these very two different moments. There is no John without Elijah. (Matt 17: 12-13; Luke 1:17) There is no Elijah without Christ Jesus. All have a very special and unique connection. The thing that stood out about all individuals involved the heart of their mission.
There are many of us called, but indeed a few are chosen. So many of us want to do great things and be great in the sight of man without meeting the requirements of what it means to be great in the sight of God. In the sight of Jesus Christ. To obtain that honor it requires a heart check. Could you imagine being loved by Christ so much that every time he returns for his people, he sends the same person to clear his path? Being chosen is tough work as we see with the lives of the individuals discussed in this blog. However, the beauty of being chosen is found in the heart of the individuals. Jesus loves us.
Chose to love yourself today by establishing a relationship with Jesus Christ. Come home before it’s too late. He wants to love on you.
Love ya later.
More and Mightier than “THEM”
Hello, Bonjour, Que Pasa! How’s it going good people and others?
Have you ever noticed that your oppressors always use the same tactics to keep you in bondage and fear? Whew! Could I dive into some personal experiences on this topic but I’m going to keep it Bible for you today. I’ll share some personal L’s on this subject at a later time; maybe. Gone head and grab your bibles and turn to the book of Exodus. Let’s dive in!
In the book of Exodus 1:7-11, we see the story of Israel in Egypt told. Jacob and his generation had passed, and the children of Israel had grown numerously; taking over the entirety of the region. Eventually a new king comes on the scene in Egypt and is intimidated by the size of Israel. He begins to converse with his people (the Egyptians) and informs them that there needs to be something done about the Israelites. He begins to plot how they can wisely “contain” and '“get rid” of the Israelites.
Quick question: Do you know your enemies have sized you up? My apologies, I stated I had a quick question, but truthfully, I have a few. Do you realize that the size of your community intimidates your oppressors? Do you know your oppressor is currently plotting to take you out and to intentionally afflict you with burdens just to keep you in line? Do you know your oppressor is concerned that you will realize the magnitude of power that you possess as a community to upset their kingdom?
I’m sure some of you do. Yet, there are others who have yet to truly see that the power is truly in the hands of the Israelites. The 12 tribes standing together on business for the Kingdom of Jesus Christ.
See the new king knew that the plans he conspired against the Israelites had to be implemented wisely. He knew that strategy was the best way to control his chances on keeping the Israelites in line. When we look at verse 10 it states, “Come on, let us deal wisely with them.” Your oppressor knows that you are intelligent. So much so that they know to deal with you wisely. The rest of verse 10 goes on to state “lest they multiply, and it come to pass, that, when there falleth out any war, they join also unto our enemies, and fight against us, and so get them up out the land.”
In verse 10 the new king was concerned about a few things. Let’s highlight them.
Awareness. He knew he needed strategy to keep the Israelites distracted from the truth.
The size. He knew that the Israelites outnumbered them.
War/Wakeup. He feared the Israelites waking up to turn on them during a time of war.
Removing the Israelites from the land.
When we look at the world today…is there much unity in the land amongst the Israelites? Or has there been a strategy put in place against us to keep us burdened down and distracted? Let me make some of the burdens and distractions clear to you below:
Celebrity drama
Financial stressors
Political drama
Overworked and Underpaid
Lack of Rest
Could you imagine a world where you were absent of these things and able to live out the fullness of life that God has intended for us? In the land he has intended for us. See the Egyptians didn’t want the Israelites to necessarily leave the land. They wanted to control the Israelites within the land. They wanted to keep the Israelites blind, def and dumb to the plays that were being executed to their detriment. In Exodus 1:9 it states, “And he said unto his people, Behold, the people of the children of Israel are more and mightier than we.” Your enemy knows you are mightier! Your enemy knows that if you ever wake up to the schemes, they have concocted to keep you burdened and in bondage that you will rise to leave Egypt.
The oppressors’ (the enemy) tactics haven’t changed. They want to distract you with burdens. To control where you put your focus. To never realize your true power against them. To afflict you. To stay within their control.
Children of Israel. Children of Jesus Christ. We are more and mightier than them!
Love ya later.
The Grace isn’t Unlimited!
Hello, Bonjour, Que Pasa! How are you all today? I pray all is well with you.
Today I wanted to talk about The Grace Isn’t Unlimited!
Many of us have grown up in homes, churches and vast communities where we have established connections and loving relationships. Some of us have grown up in not so loving relationships. Yet, we have found the strength to heal and continue to move forward. For those of us who have endured different things in life I’m sure we can attest to the fact that “Grace isn’t always unlimited.”
When we look at the word of God in Psalms 78 we see where God was dealing with the Israelites thirsting in the wilderness. God provided for them numerous times. Numerous times. Yet, the Israelites continued in their complaints and their request for more from God with a lack of thanks. Have any of you ever been giving and giving and giving and no one ever took a moment to simply say “thank you” for the work or services you have provided for them? I’m not sure if many people understand the complex simplicity that “thank you” provides. Thank you is one of the most simple and profound things you can say to someone.
Thank you gives. It gives in ways that will uplift and encourage the giver to give more because they feel appreciated. God wants us to appreciate his love for us. Some of us take for granted the love that God provides. I believe this is the case because we get comfortable in his works for us. Much like the Israelites did in the Bible. (Psalms 78:42) They had become so expectant of God being God in their lives that they didn’t even acknowledge that he was doing miraculous deeds to ensure they were fed. They didn’t even acknowledge that God was feeding them heavenly food.
Could you imagine being fed bread from heaven and believing that you are just naturally deserving of such a meal? (Psalms 78:24) As if you created the heavens and the earth in 7 days yourself. Eventually, people get tired. Just as God himself gets tired. We see in the Bible where God had given to the point where he was fed up. He then turns and smites the Israelites right when they were about to feast on the manna he had provided. (Psalms 78:31)
The grace God allots us is not unlimited. We as believers believe that all we have to do is “repent”. Let some of your celebrity Pastors tell it. However, true repentance is turning away from your sins. Meaning leaving them in the past. Turning away from them. Allowing God to establish you as a new creature in him. When we get comfortable in walking in our sins we are playing with fire. God’s consuming fire! Whether we take his warnings seriously or not….do we really want the smoke that God gives?! Don’t take God’s grace for granted. One day you won’t have time to repent and get your life in order. Start today!
God’s grace is not unlimited!