Don't Bow

  Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to him, “King Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter.  If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and he will deliver us from Your Majesty’s hand.  But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.” ~Daniel 3:16-18

I go to church expecting to hear something that will feed my soul and embolden me to continue this journey with the Lord.  Last Sunday, I heard these words."  If you don't bow, you won't burn' Praise God!  The minister was referencing Daniel 3, the familiar story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.  Nebuchadnezzar had set up a golden image and he decreed that when the the horns, flutes and lyres sounded that people were to bow down and worship the golden image (Daniel 3:10)  But Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego refused.  If with the threat of their life they would not bow down.

Later in Daniel 3, we find that these three Hebrews were thrown into the furnace, but Nebuchadnezzar saw four.  They were walking around.  Daniel 3:25 records.. He said, “Look! I see four men walking around in the fire, unbound and unharmed, and the fourth looks like a son of the gods.”

Daniel 3 inspires me and has my spirit leap for joy.  When we do not bow down to worship anything other than God.  He will deliver us.  Yes, they went through the fire, but they were not burned because God was with them.  Jesus always stands ready to defend.

So now I'm asking what things do I need to not bow down to.  I will not bow down to sin, gossip, self-righteousness, oppression, fear, or anything that sets itself up against God.  I will not conform to this world, but rather be transformed by the renewing of my mind (Romans 12:2)  I will be resolute.

I may have to go through the fire, but I know I will not be alone.  I know that when I am called out I will be in a better position than I was before because God will use it for His glory. ( Daniel 3:28-30) Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego's faith showed the king just who God was(is) and that there is no God like him.  We can show the world that too.  God has been connecting the dots for me and I praise Him for it.  Hallelujah!

In three days many will not receive from the government the provisions they need for food security, Many are missing paychecks.  Scary times, but we can stand up for the vulnerable.  We can trust in God who is our provider to show up in mighty ways for people.  We can donate, work as a community, as the church to be the hands and feet of Jesus.  We can decree that God will show up for them as we face the fire.

Lord, there is nothing impossible for You.  I pray that as we stand for justice and righteousness that Your power will be manifested.  The enemy wants confusion and fear.  He wants us to bow down and worship the material and the temporal, but I decree that we will stand up and call on the name of the Lord.  Do what only You can do.  Move as only You can move.  Be our fourth in the fire.  In Jesus name.  Amen

Attitude adjustments

Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail.
23 They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. ~ Lamentations 3:23-24

I have found myself hitting the snooze button in the morning as of late.  I do not want to be disturbed from my slumber.  I am not yet ready to face the day.  If I am transparent, my days of work and toil are becoming burdensome. Yet I remember, as I asked the Spirit to convict me, to speak life.  To think on things that are good, so I switch my thinking around.

I do not have to go to work, I get to go to work.  I get to provide for myself and my family ( I keep Amazon happy.)  I do not  have to go to work, So many right now are not receiving pay or are struggling to find work that is steady. I get  a chance at work to speak into someone's life, to say good morning to a student.  I get to serve.

I don't have to wake up, I get to wake up.  I am blessed to have breath in my body and the use of of my limbs.  I may be slower than my youth, but I am still blessed to be above ground than beneath.  I do not have to get out of bed, I get to get out of bed and experience the world.  I could have been bed ridden.

I am not consumed.  My anxiety and struggles with depression have not conquered me because of the Lord's great mercy.  I experience His favor every day and I am grateful. Grateful to serve a faithful God.  A loving Father, who knows I need an attitude adjustment in the morning, a word from Him ( y daily bread).  So rather than a frown, I have a smile.  That's all God.

Thank You Lord for being great.  Thank You for being good.  Thank You for your compassion.  Thank You for Your love.  Bless your people during this shutdown.  In Jesus name, Amen

Speak Life

 The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit. ~ Proverbs 18:21

This Sunday the topic of the message was to "Speak the Word Only."  It was both a timely and powerful message for I was reminded that that there is power in what I speak over my life.  I have a choice to speak death or speak life.  

A question was raised, "Am I speaking words that are moving me forward or backwards?"  When I call myself names because of my weight or because I feel ill equipped to handle life stressors and I am pulling myself backwards.  I am not speaking the truth.  The Lord said that I am fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:14). He makes no mistakes.  He does not make ugly things so I should not speak ugly things over my life.  

I can do...gonna say it again.. I can do ALL things through Christ who strengthens me.  Its not my strength , its His and He does not fail.  His arm is not too short to save ( Isaiah 59:11a)  God will perfect that which concerns me ( Psalm  138:8)  So rather than saying I can't... I say I can through Christ.

When I am weak, I will say I am strong ( Joel 3:10).  I will say that His grace is sufficient for me (2 Corinthians 12:9)  I will not lie about my circumstances, but I a trusting God with them,  I am speaking His word, which I know He will honor.(Jeremiah 1:12) I will walk by faith and not by sight (2 Corinthians 5:7).  God is my provider, so I speak increase in my finances as well as spiritual growth.  No weapon form against me shall prosper, so I speak authority over the schemes of the enemy and disease.  I speak the Word.

In order for words to speak life, I have to be thinking life.  Philippians 4: 8 ..Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.  I am filtering my thoughts to reject the negativity that the enemy would bring my way and focusing on God and His goodness.  As pastor Steve Furtick put it, I am catching a thought.  I'm letting my thoughts lead me to where Jesus would have me go and have me be.

I am staying in His presence and letting the river of life flow through me.  Hallelujah.

Jesus, I thank You for Your word and your truth.  I thank You for the authority of your Word.  I thank You for dwelling among us and showing us the way.  I thank You for Your Spirit.  Convict me when I start speaking death.  Let me speak life over my family, students, and neighbors.  In Jesus name.  Amen

Getting victory over depression

  You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the Lord will give you, Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the Lord will be with you.’”~2 Chronicles 20:17

Depression is a mood disorder that causes a persistent feeling of sadness and loss of interest. Also called major depressive disorder or clinical depression, it affects how you feel, think and behave and can lead to a variety of emotional and physical problems. You may have trouble doing normal day-to-day activities, and sometimes you may feel as if life isn't worth living.

Depression is an attack of the enemy.  I shared with a dear sister that I was depressed.  As always, she prayed for me and God power saw me through the day.  Depression is not something you just snap out of.  Its not sadness.  It deals with a chemical imbalance in the brain.  However, God is showing me how to get victory over depression despite my feelings. 

First, seek Him in prayer.  Go to Him and ask Him to sort your feelings.  What are they indicators of. What would He have you to do.  Connect to Him, do not run away from Him.  There is no shame.(2 Chronicles 20:3)

Next, take your position and stand firm.  Take a position that God is good.  Take a position that You are more than conquerors in Christ Jesus ( Romans 8:37).  Put on the full armor of God (Ephesians 6:11).  Do not be afraid of the enemy for God is with You and He fights for you. (2 Chronicles 20:17).  We fight from a place of victory.  It may not feel like it, but it is the truth and the truth is what we proclaim.

Lord You are near.  We need not be afraid.  I pray for healing of the mind.  I pray for your strength, peace, and love.  Help all who are depressed experience the victory You have already obtained for us.  Let us hold on until we do.  In Jesus name.  Amen

Soul Quencher

On the last and greatest day of the festival, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink.  Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them. ~John 7:37-38

I have been waking up weary; mentally exhausted.  Yet, I have been pushing through, running on fumes.  I have been honest with God, but I think I have been trying to "white knuckle" it.   Determined to not give in, but this morning something else happened.  I experienced what it means to drink of God's living water.

I shared with a dear sister that I was struggling.  I did not tell her the how or what, but she prayed for me.  She sent me a voice text with a beautiful sweet prayer asking God to provide for my needs; asking God to heal me wherever I was in need.  A fellow sister on First5 prayed as well.  While listening to her prayer tears came to my eyes and I felt a release as I shifted from my strength to His.

Nourishment from the Holy Spirit tended to me.  It fed my soul.  My Father, once again, amazes me, but I should not be surprised.  Supernatural strength and peace reign over my body and mind.  A refreshing to do His will has been poured into my spirit.  I thank God for His living water.  I thank God for prayer.

Lord, thank You for meeting me in my need.  Thank You for prayer warriors.  Thank You for your Spirit.  In Jesus name. Amen