Archive for Spiritual Development
What Are You Feeding Yourself?
Posted by: | CommentsWe live in a world today where we consume so many things. With technology, we’re given so much at the grip of our hands. We go home at the end of the day and there is so much to entertain us that our minds aren’t stimulated.
As soon as we get home, there’s the television to occupy our attention. For some, the internet has become the main focus of time.
With so much to consume our time, we have to ask ourselves is all this feeding us for the good or for the bad? I understand that everything we do should be done in moderation. But you have to realize that what goes in is going to come out.
What you choose to focus your time and attention on, is what you will reap more out of life. If you focus your thoughts on thoughts of negativity, thoughts of insecurity, or thoughts that cause worry and anxiety, then you’ll walk around depressed and fearful.
But the good news is that we have a choice on what we focus our time and attention on. For instance, if you study the Word of God daily and have an active prayer life, then that opens up the door for God to bring more increase into your life.
I love how Isaiah 55:8-9 says, ‘” My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the Lord. “And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. For just as the heavens are higher than the earth so my ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts.”‘
Therefore, if you’re looking for increase, make a choice to study the Word of the Lord. The Read More→
Open Door Policy
Posted by: | CommentsMost places of employment have what’s called an open door policy. That means that you can go to management at anytime about anything and they are there to hear your concerns. But I know someone who has the greatest open door policy of all and that’s our heavenly father.
Isn’t it nice to know that we can go to the father about anything and not only does he hear our concerns but just like the scripture says, He perfects those things which concern you. That means if you’re sick, He’s a healer. If you’re without, He’ll provide for you. If you’ve lost your way, He’s a way-maker. If you’re hungry, He’ll feed you.
We should all delight in the fact that He’s available to hear all the cries of the hurt and the broken. And not only that but He’s available at all hours of the day.
You see, on the job force management is available only during working hours. Your best friend may be a call away but sometimes even they don’t respond right away. Even your local spiritual leader may not be right there when you need him. But we’re talking about a God that is available every second of the day. That means in the wee hours of the night you can call Him and He’s readily available.
On holiday’s when all other doors close His door is wide open waiting for you. Even the hospital, which is open 24/7- 365 days a year, may lose power but for a few seconds. But much to your dismay, those seconds may be the most critical seconds. Know that our heavenly father never leaves your side. When you’re all alone, He’s Read More→
Be Transformed By The Renewing of Your Mind
Posted by: | CommentsRomans 12:2 says “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is–his good, pleasing and perfect will.”
Every since we were children we’ve allowed external circumstances to influence our spiritual being. For instance if someone called you a bad name and you weren’t confident enough or had enough sense to know better than to fall for it, then you would easily conform to that. As a result that could lower your self confidence and ruin your self-image.
If you were raised in an abusive household then naturally you might take on a destructive pattern of life.
It’s amazing how you can tell the lifestyle a person leads by their actions. If someone is rooted and grounded in the Word of God, their lifestyle will reflect that. If someone speaks positive words over their life and expects greatness then that will be reflected as well. On the contrary, if they’re strung out on drugs or leading a life of destruction then that becomes apparent also.
But it’s important for you to know that no matter what lifestyle you led in the past you can be tranformed. That negative thought pattern that you led can be Read More→
There Is Rest In Jesus
Posted by: | CommentsStress is like our body’s way of telling us that we need rest. Throughout the hustle and bustle of the day, we find ourselves looking for ways to wind down.
Some people seek bigger ways to quote on quote “get away.” They look toward vacations as a get away. They look for weekend retreats that provide a sense of peace and tranquility.
Others can settle for smaller ways to wind down. Depending on how much rest and relaxation they’re in need of, they can simply settle for an extra day off – or maybe a few extra hours of sleep. In the end we find ourselves more than willing to spend extra cash to vacation when rest is at our finger tips.
Matthew 11:28, Jesus says “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.”
My friend the good news is that you can find rest in Jesus. You see, He’s just a conversation away. You don’t have to pick up the phone and dial out. You don’t have to take a drive down to the beach or across country. You don’t have to fork up that extra vacation cash just to enjoy His service. No, He’s Read More→
You Can Be Free!
Posted by: | CommentsThe Israelites spent many years in bondage. Even when they became free, they still had the “bondage” mentality.
They had become used to the slave mind-set. They were conditioned to the limitations that were placed on them as a result of the time they spent in bondage – So much to the point that once they were freed, they didn’t realize the enormous weight that had been lifted off them. They didn’t know the true freedom that they had.
Like the Israelites, too many of us are living in a spiritual bondage. When God delivers us from our past, oftentimes we want to dwell on what used to be.
Those chains that have held you captive for years have placed limitations on the life God has for you. But you must believe that when God delivers you from your past you must relinquish the pastime mint-set.
Don’t walk around with the chains of yesterday on. No, realize that you have been freed from your past. Today is a new day. God is constantly doing new things in your life and bringing about change for you. It’s up to you to Read More→
Remove God from the Box
Posted by: | CommentsMany times we limit God to a certain area of our lives. We involve Him in our Sunday morning worship.
We include Him in our personal daily prayer. But we don’t involve Him in the commute to work or that lunch time with our co-workers.
Often times the times when God needs to be included are the times when we exclude Him. We should take Him into that meeting at work. He should be in our hearts before we take that test at school or make that presentation.
That job interview that you’ve got ahead, include God in that area of your life. When it seems like you don’t have the energy to fulfill those important obligations, He will give you the strength and stamina to follow through.
Too often we put God in that Sunday morning box. No, He should be included everyday of the week and in every activity.
Make a decision today that you will involve God in every area of your life. Trust Him in the good times and the bad times.
Trust Him in your finances. Trust Him when you’re weak. Don’t be Read More→
The Hardest Prayer to Pray
Posted by: | CommentsI believe that one of the hardest prayers to pray is to let God’s will be done in our lives. Generally we want things to happen in our lives based on what we want.
But our will is not always God’s will for our life. Therefore, it can be rather difficult to pray that God’s will be done in our lives.
In doing so we fear that God’s will is not what we want in life. God’s will might mean no to that person that isn’t meant for us to marry. It could mean no to that seemingly dream job. God’s will might mean that the time isn’t right to start that business.
However, regardless us what disappointment it may cause you, I encourage you to pray that prayer as you go through your journey. I believe it’s better to be in Read More→
Tune Into The Right Frequency
Posted by: | CommentsThe other day I was watching a National Geographic documentary on wolves. It turns out, that this very intelligent species of animals have a language of their own.
Often they hang in packs, therefore if you see one wolf chances are there’s another not too far away. Wolves have the awesome ability to tune into the howls of those in his own tribe. Even if there is another pack of wolves nearby, each wolf knows the call of his own.
Sometimes the alpha-male, the leader of the pack, will call out to all in his camp and signal them to assemble together.
He might communicate that it’s time to hunt prey. He may communicate that it’s feeding time. He might even signal that seasons are changing and it’s time to migrate south. Whatever he’s communicating, all the wolves in the pack know the call of their own.
They can filter out the howl of a nearby wolf who isn’t in their tribe. But they know to come running at the call of their own leader.
Like the wolves we should learn to tune into the voice of God. Stay true to your own – remain faithful. We should be reminded that we are the sons and daughters of the most high God. Therefore, when He calls we should hearken to His voice. He’s guiding us in the right direction.
Oftentimes the enemy may come and try to tempt you. He may try to throw Read More→
He Has The Last Say So!
Posted by: | CommentsOften enough when faced with disappointments in life, we have a tendency to dwell on the upset. We find ourselves focusing on the way things look instead up pushing forth to overcome whatever upset we may be facing.
In the interim, you may find yourself tempted to get upset and discouraged. But just like the scripture says, God has your steps ordered today! Another scripture says that He’s the Alpha and the Omega – the beginning and the end.
The enemy may be plotting an attack but remember, if God be for you who dare be against you. Know that God is on your side and He has the last say so. You see, the enemy may be constantly coming at you with ways to get you to crumble. But there is nothing the enemy can do to offset the plan of God for your life.
If God promised you that job then it’s yours! If He promised you that beautiful house on a hill then it’s yours!
I don’t know many people who I can honestly say that their word is the end all be all. But fortunately with Christ, He does indeed have the last say so.
Jeremiah 1:5 says “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.”
Know today that no matter what comes your way or how Read More→
Don’t Forget to Pray That Prayer
Posted by: | CommentsI say it all the time, when you pray all you’re doing is having a conversation to God. Know that you don’t have to be on bended knees or lying prostrate before God just to be in a moment of prayer.
You can be praying as you walk out the door in the morning. You can pray before the big test at school. You can go forth in prayer before that job interview. Even on that morning run you can offer up a word of prayer.
In fact, that’s the good thing about God – He meets you right where you are. He isn’t inconvenient. He’s not selfish with His time. No, He hears every thought you think, when you think them. And He even knows your heart!
You see God delights when you call on His name. The scripture says that He’s a jealous God. All He wants is for you to acknowledge Him. Always remember where your blessings come from.
You don’t have to know every scripture in the bible, or have the so called “prayer lingo” that your local minister or pastor has. No, God understands every word you say. He even knows your thoughts before you even think them.
The scripture says, The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. He hears your earnest prayer and He’ll respond to them.
You may be in traffic on the way to work. But just take a moment and focus your thoughts on Him. Simply thank Him for waking you up. Pray that He surrounds you all day with His loving-kindness and tender mercies. Pray that He grants you favor. Ask Him Read More→
