We Live and We Learn

 

We experience many hardships and complexities of life
Many times we fail to understand
Whose really in control of all of the strife
We have to remember that God has all bases manned
We Live and We Learn

God has everything under control
There is no area known to man
That God can't play the role
It was taken care of from the beginning of the plan
We Live and We Learn

We wrestle not against flesh and blood
But against principalities and wickedness in high places
However our ultimate Father is in control of even the flood
He has it all laced better than your shoe laces
We Live and We Learn

We live through all of the trials
But we shall not be burned
Keep moving as God plows
If you keep praying, it will all be discerned
We Live and We Learn

He has the whole world in His hands
There is nothing He doesn't know
And our blessings are as many as we can number the grains of sands
We need to just go with the flow
We Live and We Learn

God has us set up in heavenly places
We shall everlasting, peace, comfort, love, and joy
It's He who our soul yearns and chases
Learn to speak what His words deploy
We Live and We Learn

His Word shall not return unto Him void
Trust and believe every word He has said
And life wouldn't seem so hard
It will be like laying in petals of roses in your bed
We Live and We Learn

I Look to the Hills Whence Cometh My Help

I look to hills whence cometh my help
That in itself puts a pep in my step!
No more Devil!
I'm digging your grave with a shovel!
You might want to stop here
Because I have no fear!
I'm going into your territory taking it ALL back!
Now I know God told you the story how my promises were in an infinity stack!
Yeah...I knew your plan
How you wanted me to be your #1 fan!
Ummm...not gonna happen, Doc!
I'm not a part of your flock!

Though the Storms Are Raging in Your Life...

Though the storms are raging in your life
And you are experiencing much strife!
Be encouraged to know that God is able
And in Him you are stable!
You won't die in this
Just blow God a kiss!
He has been so good!
Even if you feel misunderstood!
God is watching your soul
And He is the Only One who can make you whole!
Though the storms are raging in your life

Embrace the Moment

Embrace where you are today in life! Your life is what YOU make it out to be, In other words, seize life! Grab hold to your dreams and opportunities. Grab hold to the moment you are in right now. So many times, we put off our joy, enjoyment, and things we dream to do for tomorrow. What about today? So many times "tomorrow" never comes because you are not embracing today! If God can't trust us to be faithful and in joy with what we have to do today, then why would He give us more? You only have one life to live, make glad of the failures and use them as stepping stones to your success. There are many things set in store for you. In Jeremiah, God tells us, "For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end."

As believers, we've got to trust God on a deeper level. A level to where our faith is for real in action. We've got to go for what we know He can do IN and THROUGH us. We are given many opportunities to prosper and excel in the work(s) of the Lord and many times we sit comparing ourselves in relationships, works, talents, and/or dwelling in self pity. Put it all behind and whatsoever you can dream of, DO IT, and do it with all of your might. What are you going to do with the hand you were dealt. Work with what you got and make the best of it! If you put one foot forward, God will put 10 in addition to your one. Ephesians tells us, "Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever! Amen."-

You are already promised the victory, already promised that your latter will be greater than your former, already promised your treasures in heaven, so why not embrace today with your faith, works, and vision in mind that everything is going to be all gravy IF you CHOOSE to pursue the promises of today! See yourself in the future, but what you do today is what determines the outcome of your future!

True Love Conquers All

True love endures ALL things! It sustains through hurt, pain, shame, the good and the bad. True love does not hold resentment, bitterness, jealousy, envy, judgment or haughtiness. I'm not sure if we really know what it meansto love. Jesus on the cross endured the cross and the shame because He loved us. He had the prerequisite mindset that nothing will separate us from His love, therefore He had already prayed for us. No matter what we did, His love conquered it all.

As believers, many times, our hearts grow faint in well doing because of circumstances and situations. Our hearts grow faint because of past failures. Often times, we carry around the mindset, knowingly or unknowingly that "There is NOTHING in ME that a CHANGE in YOU won't fix." It is wrong mindset, wrong intention, and wrong agenda, if you really love God's people and we are ALL God's people (saved or unsaved). Our ultimate example which is God had all the reasons to not love us, but He endured the cross for you and for me all because He loved us.

True love causes you to improve your character, your integrity, and your actions towards one another. True love does not fail in difficult and challenging times. True love forgives the offender. True love has grace and mercy. Some of us have grace with no mercy. Grace without mercy islike peanut butter and no jelly. Some of us will give you their time(grace), but there is no compassion or kindness (mercy). What would we do if God did us the same way??? Where would we be if it had not been for thelove of Jesus Christ??? Could we imagine...probably not... Let's be encouraged to love one another whether it be a stranger, your spouse, a family member, a friend, a co-worker, or whoever it might be, but true love conquers all!

Reference Scriptures:1 Corinthians 13; Romans 8:36-39; Hebrews 12:2

Your Worst Nightmare Could Be Your Best Dream Ever!

God will only go as far as you choose to believe! Your manifestation of your dream(s) is awaiting for your faith AND works. God is hovering over you in the area of your dream and is awaiting for you to grab hold with belief! The very thing or area that is challenging you the most which some might consider a nightmare could be your best dream that could ever come true. It could be your miracle or blessing in disguise.

It is God who placed in us dreams to pursue.

To pursue means to follow in order to overtake the enemy's camp in your life, to capture your promise, and to kill anything that comes against what God says concerning your promise. We are to proceed in accordance to the plan of God. The dream(s) that were not just for your own personal benefit, but it is for the Kingdom of God. In regular terms, we say it is to make a difference in the world today. Our individual dreams are to come together and make a difference on the "big screen". There are other people that awaiting for your dream to manifest in order to help them get to where they need to be in life as well. There is a need that when you sow (time, effort, finances) in an area, there must be an unwavering belief or it will only fall on stony ground (unable to take root) or by the wayside.

If you truly believe in something, you will diligently work towards it. Your right and your will have to be denied for the benefit of your dream coming true. The past is yesterday or a moment ago, what will you choose to do today? Many of us abort our dreams by rebellion, stubbornness, laziness, procrastination, excuses because of circumstances, situations, and thus far. These are selfish excuses that cause our promises not to manifest. However, I believe we are held accountable for the dream(s) that we are given because its purpose is to further the Kingdom of God. You are only a vessel that God has chosen and you were bought with a price including the dream:) Therefore, your dream is no longer your own, but it is God's dream. Your dream may look like a nightmare because of your unbelief. It is the very thing or area the enemy uses to come against you with or in and cause you to "feel" defeated. God cannot work in an area where you refuse to believe He is able to manifest. The world is awaiting for you and your dream to manifest.

Your worst nightmare could be your best dream ever! Just Believe!

Matthew 13:58 58 And He did not do many works of power there, because of their unbelief (their lack of faith in the divine mission of Jesus).

The Devil is a Lie!

The enemy's job is to whisper lies in your ear to defer you from your focus to your destiny. He wants to stop your progress. He desires to sift you as wheat, but God says no, you shall live and not die! Don't believe the lies the enemy is telling you about you. You are prosperous, more than a conqueror, above and not beneath, the head and not the tail, but most of you are a Child of the Most High God! Nothing can stop you, nothing shall separate you from the love of God, and what you cannot uphold, God's grace is sufficient. Tell Satan he is a lie from the pit of hell and put him in his place which is under your feet! Don't trip off of what you see! Hewants you to believe you will never receive the promises of God, therefore you won't pursue if you believe this lie. The Devil is a lie! You shall have EVERYTHING he has stolen from you! This is spiritual warfare and Satan uses distractions to distract you from your purpose in the Kingdom of God.
Emotional distress...distraction...circumstances...distraction...issues...distraction...
sickness...distraction! He is not playing with us and we can't play with him. The Kingdom of heaven suffereth violence and the violent taketh by forces, the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but are mighty with the pulling down of strongholds! We are Kings, Queens, and High Priests clothed in royalty, but right now we are camouflaged with mess! Get rid of the mess! Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. Don't lie down in self pity, come to yourself, and PURSUE GOD's PROMISES CONCERNING YOU! With this is mind...

Philippians 4:6-8 (Amplified Bible)
6 Do not fret or have any anxiety about anything, but in every circumstance and in everything, by prayer and petition definite requests), with thanksgiving, continue to make your wants known to God. 7 And God's peace [shall be yours, that [b]tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ, and so fearing nothing from God and being content with its earthly lot of whatever sort that is, that peace]which transcends all understanding shall garrison and mount guard over your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. 8 For the rest, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is worthy of reverence and is honorable and seemly, whatever is just, whatever is pure,whatever is lovely and lovable, whatever is kind and winsome and gracious, if there is any virtue and excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think on and weigh and take account of these things [fix your minds on them].

A Sound of Praise (In Memory of My Mom-Mary Ann Hill Jones)

At the beginning of the year 2011, I made no new year's resolutions, I only made a vow to God that I would praise Him in spite of what I was going to experienced, and no matter what I faced on this year. The scriptures I used in reference to my vow on this year were Psalms 34:1-3. On February 26, 2011, I received the phone call of my mom's passing.  God peacefully brought my vow back to my remembrance and I wrote this poem below in memory of my mom to place in her obituary and to say at her homegoing celebration.

No Words can express the sudden emptiness,

                                                     yet the fullness of peace and love in my heart. 

   No one has the words that completely

comforts me in this time of need.

Yet the Word of God lives and keeps my spirit well.

Nothing can replace my love for my mom,

Yet her love lives in me forevermore.

God is so excellent in His ways to give me a treasured vessel

such as my mom to be my mom.

There is a sound a praise that says,

"I will bless the Lord at ALL times and His praise

shall continually be in my mouth.

My soul shall make her boast in the Lord:

the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad.

O magnify the Lord with me,

and let us exalt His name together."

It's a sound of praise that is on my lips

that blasts off into the heavenlies like a trumpet

that the angels can't sing that says,

'IT IS WELL, IT IS WELL, IT IS WELL WITH MY SOUL!'

Rest in peace mom, I love you, I miss you and I know that we will meet again.  May the God of peace with you and me forevermore.  I will do my best and be my best according to God's Will ordained upon my life that you may be able look down and be proud of my brother and I.  Again, I love you forevermore.  Rest in God's loving arms, mom.

Welcome Home!

We are in a place where we have to learn to lean and depend on God.  A place where the enemy can't pluck us up, where we are so deeply rooted and grounded that every distraction, circumstance, and situation can't move us nor cause us to waver in the promises of God.  The things that we have been through and are going through is for God to ripen our victory.  Don't even fear death, for death is swallowed up in victory! "Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, immoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye that your labour is not in vain in the Lord." 1 Cor 15:58. As believers, we must die believing.  Nothing should be able to shake our foundation. When we get into a place with God, realizing we are covered in His blood, saturated with the Holy Spirit, and that truly no weapon formed against us shall prosper, we have come home.  We must realize every fiber of our being belong to God.  I've found myself in times past in my life, wrestling with the Will of God for my life, wanting to shrink back in my walk with Him knowing that it would not be pleasing to Him, asking God, why won't you just let me go in my own way, operate out of my flesh and enjoy my flesh, and He simply responded, "You are not your own, you were bought with a price."  I finally came to place where I realized in God was my freedom.  He designed it that way.  Flesh was only temporal and it made you feel good to operate out of flesh, but yet still, there was some aftermath, and it will only leave you feeling empty and nothingless.  I realized in Him, I lived, moved, and had my being, and without Him, I was nothing.  A powerful and yet wonderful lesson to learn in life. I learned that He was really the Way, the True, and the Light.  God is Sovereign and All-knowing, He truly knows the end from the very beginning.  Many times, we take it as by-words, but if we could just rest in God's promises, and take up His yoke which is easy, we would have no worries, our faith will continue to increase, our worship will be for real, and it's nothing the devil can do about it.  It is simply a place of worship.  A place where we give God our all, hold back on nothing, turn everything over to Him realizing He is The Deliverer, The Waymaker, The Peacemaker, The Counsellor, The Alpha and the Omega, The Beginning and the End, and The True Lover of our Soul!  We can do nothing without Him!  Once we come into this place, there are the angels and God with out-stretched arms of love awaiting to say, "Welcome Home, my dear child." Welcome home to your breakthrough, welcome home to your deliverance, welcome home to your peace, welcome home to your joy, welcome home to your riches, and just simply, Welcome Home!