The One who called you is completely dependable. If he said it, he'll do it! 1 Thess 5:24  MSG

Many times other people see our greatness before we do. Parents in particular can pick up on their children’s strengths and place them in a position to sharpen their gifts. God, being our heavenly Father has full view of our greatness because he placed it inside of each of us. However, in order for us to have a clear view we must be transformed in God’s likeness that changes our perspective so the negativity and incorrect thinking of ourselves is changed. The enemy consistently fights us with negative defeating thoughts. His goal is to make us feel hopeless and lose faith in God. We must fight for our destiny knowing we already have the victory and claim it by what we think, say and do. We have to be tenacious not passive and look the enemy in the eye (whatever that enemy maybe) and declare, I WIN! No matter where I am right now, I WIN, regardless of the circumstance, I WIN, if anyone hasn’t told you let me have the pleasure of telling you, YOU WIN, WIN, WIN!! Jesus won the fight for us. It’s our responsibility to focus on the words God has spoken over our life and allow it to transform us into the manifestation of HIS glory, our God given purpose.  

How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, nor stand in the path of sinners, nor sit in the seat of scoffers! But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and in His law he meditates day and night. He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither, and in whatever he does, he prospers. Psalm 1:1-3

The word of God bears truth to the fact that God never leaves his children in the same physical, or mental state, he constantly moves in their life and takes every experience to elevate them. No matter how bad a situation appears God has the power to take our experiences and turn them around for us to reach higher in every area of our life, “they meant it for evil but God turned it around for my good.” I have learned that every tactic used to test my faith was turned into a situation that elevated me higher and I don’t necessarily mean in tangible ways, but in wisdom, knowledge, and a closer relationship with God. God’s power, character, and awesomeness are demonstrated in our test and trails. We have to trust God to the point where we let go of self, what you have known and done all your life and allow Jesus to lead and guide you. Life is a process you can’t get around it, there are no quick fixes. Character, integrity, and most of all a personal relationship with God takes time and experiences, and the most difficult experiences teaches us the most valuable lessons. Stay firmly rooted in your relationship with Christ and watch how he moves in your life. He will take you to places you never imagined because prosperity in every area of your life has been promised.
“…and in whatever you do, God will make it prosper”

You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother’s womb. Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it. You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion, as I was woven together in the dark of the womb. You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed. Psalm 139:13-16 NLT

There is nowhere in the word of God that we are asked to be a carbon copy of someone else. We were never created to be like the crowd. God made each of us individually with unique gifts and talents and when collaboratively joined together we can accomplish great things. When you know who you are in Christ and walk in who God made you to be you will accomplish things you’ve never imagined. Step out of the status quo, God has placed amazing goals and dreams inside of you. Do what you were born to do! God has already laid the plan out and will supernaturally do what you cannot do. Trust and believe him in all things his word cannot return to him void, declare it in the atmosphere “it will happen.”

Jonathan said to his armor bearers. Perhaps the LORD will help us, for nothing can hinder the LORD. He can win a battle whether he has many warriors or only a few. I Sam 14:6 ESV

 While fighting in a physical war Jonathan places his faith in the only one he knew could help in a desperate time.  When Jonathan exclaimed “Perhaps the Lord will help us,” that was faith kicking into a situation that looked hopeless.  Not only did Jonathan exhibit faith but he also displayed confidence in God and begins to brag on God by saying “nothing can hinder him” regardless of the situation. Jonathan sets a great example of how we should respond when it appears that things are not in our favor. When you know God is for you, you can rest in him and speak victory over every obstacle: “perhaps”, certainly, definitely, surely, conceivably, imaginably the Lord will cause me to triumph. Only God can manipulate or supernaturally turn a situation around. Why worry or become frustrated believe by faith that God will change and elevate your life in a way that no man could ever explain.

 Believing by faith produces unexplainable victory!

So much of who we are and ultimately what we will become starts with our thinking. Many of us have been conditioned to believe many things that are not true and this misinformation develops into bad decisions and habits. “As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he.” (Prov 23:7). One misconception the world teaches is that you are not whole until you have a mate. From my own personal experience I had to learn that having a mate is not the ultimate prize, we were created and made whole in Christ. …”and in Him you have been made COMPLETE, and He is the head over all rule and authority.” (Col 2:10 NAS) Our most important relationship is with Jesus Christ and self. We are transformed into Christ likeness so that his purpose in creating us is fulfilled on this earth. Our value is predicated on the love that Christ has for us; if we place it on anything else we will be disappointed. To be transparent it has taken many hard lessons to grasp my value and worth through Christ, my prayer is that for individuals who struggle with self-worth to seek the one who is love Jesus Christ like you have never done before so truth will be revealed concerning God’s love for you which will ultimately builds a loving and healthy relationship with self. You will never go wrong with seeking & trusting God, try him. J

Psalm 23

The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He takes me to lush pastures, he leads me to refreshing water. He restores my strength. He leads me down the right paths for the sake of his reputation. Even when I must walk through the darkest valley, I fear no danger, for you are with me; your rod and your staff reassure me. You prepare a feast before me in plain sight of my enemies. You refresh my head with oil; my cup is completely full. Surely your goodness and faithfulness will pursue me all my days, and I will live in the Lord’s house for the rest of my life. (NET)

The 23rd Psalm brings so much comfort and reassurance that no matter what the circumstances we are covered by the Shepherd Jesus Christ. However, in order to be covered we must surrender and allow him to lead us in every aspect of our lives. Without surrendering our will for his will we haven’t made him our Shepherd. We can stay in the green pastures under God’s care or we can wander on our own where we are ultimately lost. We all need his protection, love, and guidance but he allows us to make the decision on the leadership we will follow. The choice will ultimately determine your destiny.

My Pastor, Solomon Kinloch Jr. made a statement in Bible study that pierced my heart he said “you can only bow to one thing at a time, you can bow to death or you can bow to faith.” What a profound statement. God in his love gave us the gift to choose how we will live our lives. “I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live.” (Deut 30:19) God even gives us a hint on the best option because he knows by choosing life every single promise he has made is guaranteed, not because of anything we could do or have done but because of his love and faithfulness. So, what choice will you make?