The same should be true with us in our faith walk with God. We pray. We fast. We pay our tithes and offering faithfully. But yet somehow, some of us still live life in defeat. We can’t see how God is going to pay the bills we have stacked up on the dining room table. It seems like everyone around us is getting the more abundant blessings and we just stumble upon the leftover crumbs from God. We lose our home or job and suddenly, God has vanished. I like to argue that God has not gone anywhere; your level of expectation has.

God is more than well able to do anything we could ask or think according to His divine purpose for our lives. But after so much of turmoil and strife coming into our lives, we no longer expect God to do anything miraculous for us. We don’t expect Him to show up in our situations. We don’t expect healing from past hurts and strongholds because He hasn’t done it up until this point, so why would He do it now? I like to believe a positive attitude of a person living in poverty can catapult them into prosperity, solely because of their attitude toward their current situation, their mindset, and their will to have something better. If you don’t expect God to do anything in your life, why should He? You think you are waiting on God, but He’s simply waiting on you to expect it.

Wake up daily with a spirit of expectancy. Expect God to do something awesome and out of the ordinary in your life today and every day. Live each day looking and searching for God in every situation. Even though you may have a daily routine, God can add surprises along the way. When you have a spirit of expectancy, you keep your mind stayed on Jesus, not your problems. You should be seeking to find out what God is going to miraculously do for you today? We should expect great things because God has promised great things for them that keep His commandments. Take your example from children. They always expect something! So today and every day, expect God to show up and show out like it's your birthday!

Be forever encouraged!

      This article contains an excerpt from the inspirational novel 100 Words of Encouragement: Tidbits of Inspiration. Purchase your copy today at www.soitiswritten.net.

Overwhelmed is the word that comes to mind. Should I even try to chip away the ice, are the streets passable, can I afford to miss another days’ work?  Please, I need someone to tell me what to do.

Have you ever felt overwhelmed?

Overwhelmed-to flow over the top of and submerge or cover somebody or something; to affect somebody’s emotions in a complete or irresistible way. It seems the stress of this situation has flowed over the top and that my emotions have been affected in an irresistible way.

Okay Lord, You know I need You. I need wisdom.

James 1:5 “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.”

Whatever the task, God says we are fully equipped. The enemy would rather we allow “overflowing” situations or out of control emotions. He has come to kill, steal and destroy, but remember the One greater is come that we may have life and that more abundantly (John 10:10).  

I sense from the Holy Spirit that I CAN do this. So, overwhelmed is beat back by one ice scraper chipping one piece of ice.

The Power of Your BUT!

By:

Tenita C. Johnson

Most of the time, the word BUT is used in a negative way. It is often the sign of some form of disappointment or opposition to whatever comes before the word BUT in a sentence. Consider these examples:

• I thought he was at home, BUT he wasn’t.
• I just knew I had the job, BUT they hired someone else.
• God I know you said you would never leave me nor forsake me, BUT why am I unemployed?
• I am hungry, BUT I don’t feel like cooking.

The miraculous thing about the word BUT is that it can be used in the exact same spot in a sentence, BUT carry a totally different meaning based on the order of the sentence. So now, consider these examples:

• I just lost my job, BUT my God has promised to supply all of my needs according to His riches and Glory.
• The sheriff is at my door with a foreclosure notice, BUT God said HE would be my shelter.
• I feel like I’m losing my mind, BUT God said He will keep my mind in perfect peace as long as it is stayed on Him.
• I don’t know how I’m going to make it, BUT I can do all things THROUGH CHRIST which strengthens me.

I think by now you get the point. Your thoughts determine your success or your failure. It is up to you to use the word BUT at your own risk. Some people say remove it from your vocabulary altogether; I argue that this powerful word can either catapult you into your destiny or send you into a whirlwind of depression and sadness. So be careful where you place your BUT. Where it lands could determine your success or ultimate failure.

Be forever encouraged!

By

Tenita C. Johnson, Author of 100 Words of Encouragement 

      God has planted spiritual seeds in all of us. But it is up to God when those seeds come to fruition and begin to manifest in the natural realm. When a woman becomes pregnant, there are various symptoms. Most of the time, the symptoms are minimal signs of pain or discomfort in the body. She may experience morning sickness from time to time or even lose her appetite altogether. She is often tired; maybe even feeling like she is weighted down with 10-pound weights. But through all of the pain, discomfort and burden, she knows that this pregnancy is just for a season. For in due time, she will bring forth a child through the process of delivery. She doesn’t give up in the middle of the pregnancy. She has no choice but to continue to push forward until her due date.

      Just like a pregnant woman, you too can know when you are pregnant—that is, spiritually pregnant with something that God has planted in you for an appointed season. The struggle with a spiritual pregnancy is that one never knows when God will allow the delivery to take place. In a natural pregnancy, the appointed time is usually within nine months. Sometimes the delivery can take place earlier or later than the exact nine month period to the date, but usually by only a few days or a couple of weeks. With a spiritual pregnancy, an early delivery could cause utter chaos in one’s life or even destruction if the seed is forced to be birthed before its time. On the contrary, if a spiritual seed lies dormant for too long—meaning one either does not recognize the seed that is planted within or simply does not want to carry the seed—the pregnancy can be aborted.

      When you are spiritually pregnant, you too will have symptoms. These may include spiritual attacks on your family or household. It may include a physical attack through a car accident or armed robbery. For some, it involves the loss of a job or house. For others, it may involve the loss of a loved one and for many, it entails financial struggles. The attacks may start off minimal in the early stages of the pregnancy, but as you get closer to the promise and delivery, the attacks will come harder and faster. It will seem as though everything is coming at you at the same time. The enemy is trying his best to discourage you and get you to abort the seed God has impregnated you with.

      But through it all, as the Word of God says, stand still and know that He is God. He will never put more on you than you can bear. If He planted something in you, and gives you specific tasks to accomplish, know that He has already equipped you with everything you need to bring it to fruition. Don’t let the cares of this world force you into a spiritual abortion. Endure the labor and delivery for what is on the other side is priceless—and that is new life!

      Be forever encouraged!

      This article contains an excerpt from the inspirational novel 100 Words of Encouragement: Tidbits of Inspiration. Purchase your copy today at www.soitiswritten.net.

As I got closer I saw a man leaned up against the wall outside the church. He was almost laying down as if he was asleep. He had on a long trench coat that was almost in shreds and a hat topped his head, pulled down so you could not see his face. He wore shoes that looked 30 years old, too small for his feet, with holes all over them, his toes stuck out.

I assumed this man was homeless, and asleep, so I walked on by through the doors of the church. ]]> gctalk@cox.net (www.epistle.us) Motivational Thoughts Fri, 12 Mar 2010 01:44:24 +0000 http://gctalk.com/inspiration/motivational-thoughts/379-for-the-rest-of-my-life http://gctalk.com/inspiration/motivational-thoughts/379-for-the-rest-of-my-life The Rest Of Tour Life.

In this day and time we are running to and fro sometimes accomplishing NOT A THING!  Is that how God would have us to live our life or be an example to the world?  I not only think not but know not.

(Exodus 23:12) "Six days you shall do your work, and on the seventh day you shall rest, that your ox and your donkey may rest, and the son of your female servant and the stranger may be refreshed.  Everything is called to rest in this passage of scripture which falls into the purpose and plan that helps us dwell on this earth.  Isn't it amazing that the creater knows exactly what we need and orchestrated it that we would be sufficient in all things concerning our lives- needs and desires?  How are we following the "Master's Plan."

(Exodus 33:14) And He said, "My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest."

Now this might be one of the main reasons that our lives don't have any rest.  We don't have the one who gives rest with or in us.  You know when you don't have what you need for something specific aggitation arrises, frustration flows and mistakes manifest in what we do and say.  As we rest in God, meaning taking time to acknowledge him there is a peace upon you that makes you know all is well and no need to stress.

(Psalms 94:12-14) Blessed is the man whom You instruct, O LORD, And teach out of Your law, {13} That You may give him rest from the days of adversity, Until the pit is dug for the wicked. {14} For the LORD will not cast off His people, Nor will He forsake His inheritance.

Another aspect of having rest in our lives comes from following the instructions.  When traveling and you have instructions, you know where you are going and when you will reach your destination without incident or having to stop ask questions, turn around and get back on the right road. No time or money was wasted.  That gives me peace just thinking about it.  So when we as Children of God trust and obey our God we are empowered and receive rest from what you know is in this world to distract you from where God is taking you. 

Lent is a season of soul-searching and it is a season for reflection and taking stock.

Lent - 2010:   Feb. 17th - Apr. 3th

It is the forty days prior to Easter.    Lent begins on Ash Wednesday and concludes on the Great Vigil of Easter. It lasts for 40 days.  The last week of Lent is known as Holy Week.  During this holiest time of the liturgical year, the church relives the final week of our Lord's life. The high points of this week are Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and the Great Vigil – The Resurrection.

What is the Purpose of Lent?

The purpose of Lent is the preparation of the believer—through prayer, penitence, almsgiving and self-denial—for the annual commemoration during Holy Week of the Death and Resurrection of Jesus.  Lent offers us all a very special opportunity to grow in our relationship with God and to deepen our commitment to a way of life, rooted in our baptism.  In our busy world, Lent provides us with an opportunity to reflect upon our patterns, to pray more deeply, experience sorrow for what we've done and failed to do, and to be generous to those in need.  If during Lent Christians choose to give up something or rededicate themselves to helping those in need as a way to proclaim the salvation Christ has won for all by His suffering and death, then such activities are sacrifices that glorify God.  However, it is essential to remember that nothing we do through self-denial or good works can ever earn the Lord's forgiveness or repay Him for what He accomplished for us.  Lent is not about our giving up something to please God.  Lent is about what Jesus Christ gave up to pay the penalty for the sins of the world -- His holy and innocent life.

When did Lent Originate?

Lent originated in the very earliest days of the Church as a preparatory time for Easter, when the faithful rededicated themselves and when converts were instructed in the faith and prepared for baptism. By observing the forty days of Lent, the individual Christian imitates Jesus’ withdrawal into the wilderness for forty days.

What is the significance of 40 days in the bible?

The number forty has many Biblical references:

• The forty days Moses spent on Mount Sinai with God (Exodus 24:18);
• The forty days and nights Elijah spent walking to Mount Horeb (1 Kings 19:8);
• God made it rain for forty days and forty nights in the days of Noah (Genesis 7:4);
• The Hebrew people wandered forty years traveling to the Promised Land (Numbers 14:33);
• Jonah in his prophecy of judgment gave the city of Nineveh forty days in which to repent (Jonah 3:4).
• Jesus retreated into the desert, where he fasted for forty days, and was tempted by the devil.  (Matthew 4:1-2, Mark 1:12-13, Luke 4:1-2).  Jesus overcame all three of Satan's temptations by citing scripture to the devil, at which point the devil left him, angels ministered to Jesus, and he began his ministry.

I thought it would make my life better. Maybe I was missing something. Surely there had to be a better life on the ‘other side’ that I never had the privilege to know anything about. But even at the age of 30, I stand before you (in the form of this written word) still missing some important pieces to this puzzle called life.

            That main missing piece to the puzzle is my father. I was no different than hundreds, if not thousands, of individuals who longed and searched for a biological parent they have never met. I often watched the daily television talk shows where hosts would pay for families to be reunited, whether it was with a father, mother or other siblings. That gave me hope that I too could one day appear on a talk show and from behind the curtain or down the steps would come a man who gave me life, but chose not to be a part of it for whatever reason. My TV debut never came, of course.  Growing up, I was fortunate enough to have many father figures who attempted to fill the void. Even though my biological father wasn’t there physically, there still was no need that went unmet.