My Search

I am at odds right now on what to do about my job search. I am working on my struggle with patience and I believe that God has a big plan for me but the wait is mind boggling. It's not like I have a lack of faith, because I believe I have received all I have asked for, but I just would like for it to be evident soon. My husband is hounding me about a job and money is tight. I am not worried about money because I know God has always come through for us and will continue but I am getting antsy about just having something more to do with myself. I also don't know whether I should stop sending out resumes and just wait for God to send something my way. It took me 6 years to finish college. After marriage and four kids, I thought I would never get my degree. But I did it. I try and think about how far God has brought me and I wish that was all I need to make these impatient feelings disappear. But when I have them, like I do now, I pray and thank God for all I have already and all that I will have. I also try and quote scripture to battle my inner struggles with patience. Like Psalm 40:1-2 I waited patiently for the LORD; he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. Also Romans 12:12, Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. May I not let my joy be stolen today, my affliction overwhelm me or keep me from giving up my requests before God.

Religious/Religion/Relationship

Am I a religious person? I don't think so. I don't like the connotations that go with "being religious" or "having religion" I don't think that Jesus wanted us to be religious or have religion but to have a relationship with Him and His Father. I have a relationship with Christ. I sit at His feet and listen to His words. I love Him and worship Him. I believe in all He has to offer so I anxiously want to share Him with others. I am not portraying myself as perfect and don't expect other christians to be. God knows we will make mistakes, if He didn't, then He never would have sent His son to give His life. He never would be the forgiving, loving God that He is. I believe the pharisees were what many "devout religious people" are today. They scrutinize and examine with their holy magnifying glasses trying to find every possible thing wrong with other christians. They try to make others forget that God is a loving, forgiving God and instead of passing out His promises they pass out guilt and condemnation. Jesus describes this perfectly in Matthew 15:8-9 after the pharisees accused their disciples for breaking the laws by not washing their hands. He quotes Isaiah by saying, " 'These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. They worship me in vain; their teachings are but rules taught by men." That's what I believe many of these religions come from, teachings made by the words of men instead of the words God. Satan uses condemnation to hold us back as christians and to make us feel guilty about not doing everything or following every letter in the Bible. I used to be that way, I used to feel so guilty thinking that the voice in my head that was telling me, "you didn't read enough of the Bible today, how can you witness to her or why do you call yourself a christian when you allowed yourself to get angry, you might as well be a sinner" was the voice of God. But according to the Word, we are set free from condemnation because of the love of Christ. We are loved so much that Jesus took all our condemnation and threw it away. "Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death." Romans 8:1-2. Let's look up to our Father and our Big Brother and allow them to wrap their arms around us and love us so that we are healed from guilt . When we naturally live in the spirit and walk with the love of God within us, we will automatically do what we are supposed to do and habits and sin will fall away.

The Prayer That Changes Everything

I am currently finishing up an excellent book, The Prayer That Changes Everything: The Hidden Power of Praising God by Stormie Omartian (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/search-handle-form/002-2702029-8064033) Oh how this book has opened up my eyes to praise and worship! It shows how giving God his well-deserved glory can sprout wings in your life. I always reserved praise for church and whenever I noticed an answer to my prayers or whenever I was saved from any kind of danger. I had to repent from this. I realized that everyday I wake up and look at my healthy children I should give God His praise. Even on those days I am upset and feeling tired, I should glorify God that I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Even when there is nothing to do and nothing going on , I should thank God for just being. Not only has that book showed me how I should be praising God anyway, it also shows how praise and worship defeats demons in your life. How the last thing Satan wants you to do is praise God. Hallelujah! I exalt the one true living God, His son, and the ever watchful Holy Spirit on High. Let's all stop and praise God no matter what is going on in our lives. Bow down, sacrifice, raise your voice, lift your hands and free yourself.

May the peoples praise you, O God; may all the peoples praise you. Psalm 67:3

The GREATEST commandment

If you noticed about me, I tend to bring up the same subject in most of my posts which is love. I feel that this is most commonly known but not emphasized between each other. Jesus said the greatest commandment is to love God and for us to love one another. That is the greatest commandment! Think about that for a moment. Out of all the commandments in the Bible, God wants you to love Him and to reach out to your neighbor despite his or her beliefs. Despite his or her politics. God loved all of us so much that He sent His son to die for our sins. So why are we constantly at odds with each other? Why can't we tell someone, hey God loves you and I love you and He wants you to accept Christ instead of, you are wrong and I am right and when you believe what I believe then I can be your friend. When we come before Him on judgement day will He ask us what political party were we for? Will he ask us who did we vote for in the last election? I know that this may sound basic but it's so important that we get this. Many like to find other scriptures in the Bible and base their actions on them. But no other commandment was said to be the greatest commandment but the commandment of love. All of God's promises to us are based on love. Praise God He loves us and continue to love us despite our many failings. So many are wasting their talents on debates and meaningless things. Use your talent to reach out to someone today and tell them about the overflow of love that they can receive from God and from you. Matthew 22:35-40

Why always go to the ghetto?

I used to attend a small church in Memphis. The ministers had vans and they would go to poor urban neighborhoods (the ghettos) of Memphis to win over lost souls. I used to always wonder why they never felt the need to venture to more well to do neighborhoods in Tennessee such as Cordova (which wasn't too far from Memphis) Why do most churches feel they only need to go to the poor neighborhoods to spread the news about Christ? I don't think money gives anyone an extra edge to christianity. Now that I am in Illinois, I see the same things. There are more people reaching out to non-christians in Chicago then the many northern suburbs. God doesn't look at status or race but that we are all His lost children. I am not saying that poor people don't need Jesus, we all do. But I know more people in the poorer neighborhoods pray and go to church then the ones who have more money and take life for granted. Remember Jesus telling that rich man to sell all his possessions and follow Him? He wouldn't do it, because he valued his possessions more. "Then Jesus said to His disciples, 'I tell you the truth, it is harder for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven.'" Matthew 19:23 NIV So let's go out and witness to all souls about the good news of Christ.