Spirit of Generosity

Ever feel the need to be refreshed?  Perhaps you’ve been working hard and long, or have a lot going on in your life and the idea of taking a vacation sounds heavenly.  Well, you don’t need a vacation to get refreshed.  Proverbs 11:25 says that “a generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.”  As ironic as it sounds, sometimes we have to bring refreshment to others lives in order to feel refreshed in our own lives. 

"The Wise Woman's Stone" - Author Unknown

A wise woman who was traveling in the mountains found a precious stone in a stream. The next day she met another traveler who was hungry, and the wise woman opened her bag to share her food. The hungry traveler saw the precious stone and asked the woman to give it to him. She did so without hesitation. The traveler left, rejoicing in his good fortune. He knew the stone was worth enough to give him security for a lifetime. But a few days later he came back to return the stone to the wise woman.

"I've been thinking," he said. "I know how valuable the stone is, but I give it back in the hope that you can give me something even more precious. Give me what you have within you that enabled you to give me the stone."

 

This woman had the spirit of generosity in her life.  As such, we shall all seek to be generous with one another, and believe that we shall be taken care of by the Almighty as we seek to bless others.

 

Do you consider yourself a label?

Why do we get caught up on labels?  These labels might be placed on us by society, our family, friends and even ourselves.  At times in our lives, we portray to be someone in the outside and hide what we are really feeling in the inside.  We label ourselves with negatives words that truly affect our being.  We let others label us as well, and in turn believe it in the end. 

 

All of the labels running in our heads are hindering God’s plan for us.  These are boundaries that we are p lacing in our lives.  We have to speak life not death.  God cannot be hindered on the boundaries you put on yourself.  Who are you in God?  Are you a label or have you passed on that torch and moved forward to accepting all the Lord has for, which is life in abundance? 

The labels carried out through our lives will leave us exasperated, and will cause us to spend all we have and leave us with nothing; no life.  Stop putting the labels or negativity in your life and if sin is holding you down, move forward from it, confess your sin, repent and accept the forgiveness of the Lord. Your labels will be shed in the name of Jesus.  Stop talking and listen to the Lord. He will give you one label, “My Son/ My daughter.” 

Sit back and think of the story of Moses…Moses was a blessing from the Lord since he was an infant.  He was given an abundant life and even though he went through trials with his ‘adoptive’ family, God blessed him and allowed him to see the Glory of God.  Moses was labeled and by allowing himself to be led by God, he was blessed.  Overcome your labels and move forward into God’s glory. 

 

Daddy Time

As much as our children need mommy time, they also need daddy time.  It is very important for our children to get the love and time they need with their fathers.  They need that bond.  In First Things First, Julie Baum Gardner, talks about an analysis of 100 studies, and here’s what they found out about the importance of “Daddy Time.”  “The benefits are significant for both father and child. Children with an involved, loving father are significantly more likely to do well in school, have healthy self-esteem, exhibit empathy and pro-social behavior, and avoid high-risk behaviors such as drug use, truancy, and criminal activity. Even though 18 years may seem like an eternity, children grow up really quickly so maximize precious moments with them.”

 

 

Sometimes fathers tend to think that a way they can be involved in their child’s life is through sports. There is nothing wrong with this, but if you don’t have that ability, spending some quality time talking, taking walks, riding a bicycle are other alternatives.  Daddies get all wrapped up in providing possessions for their children, but sometimes forget the mere importance of spending quality time with their children without interruptions. 

 

Children learn different qualities from mommies as they do from daddies.  As mothers, we also want the best for our children. At times, we might not have the possibility of having a daddy around, for various reasons.  If daddy is around, but not in the same household, allow the child to have personal time with daddy. He/she will forever be grateful to you when he/she gets older.  If there is no daddy, allow your child to spend time with another male figure whether it’s an uncle or grandfather.  Children need the fatherly bond.  Daddy time is a time of bonding and allowing your child to trust and be free in the outside world with one of their loves. J

 

 

Who or What Are You Anchored To?

When boat anchors were first invented, they were made out of rocks. Some were made out of baskets full of rocks and sand and others made out of logs.  The purpose of the anchor was to maintain the boat steady to its destined ground.

Let’s take a Spiritual view on the anchors of back in the day.  The rocks represent Jesus, who is our Rock.  He is the giver of life.  He is the one who holds us together in time of trial and tribulations like the anchors hold down the boat even though there might be storms, or torturous waves. The boat may move back and worth, but it stays grounded to the bottom of the sea.  The Lord always takes us underneath His wings and even though there will be some rough spots during some seasons, we will maintain our ground.  The Lord wants you to maintain your ground, believe in Him, and let Him take control of the situation. 

The water the boats were in and the anchors were thrown into, were precious.  Water represents a blessing; the holiness and the purity of the circumstance.  Through the blessing of the trial, the Lord gives us many other blessings.  The sea holds many living creatures that were used and are still used to nourish our bodies.  These creatures contain many nutrients used to replenish and maintain healthy vitamins for our daily living.  These are the nutrients the Lord uses to uphold the blessings.  Being in the Spirit and allowing the Lord to replenish you when you are down, will bring your through the trial or tribulation.  “God did this so that, by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope set before us may be greatly encouraged. We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, where our forerunner, Jesus, has entered on our behalf. He has become a high priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek” (Hebrews 6:18-20). 

Now, I ask you, who or what is your Anchor?  Be blessed in his Spirit, and let yourself be anchored to Him.  He is will lead you to good. Let go of the bad anchors; they will only bring you sorrow, curse and even death. Don’t forget who you are anchored to.  Remember that no matter what anyone says you are important all by yourself… do not seek what you are not. “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.  Do not conform 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” (Romans 12:1-2).

God's Refuge

“He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty…He shall cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you shall take refuge; his truth shall be your shield and buckler” (Psalm 91:1, 4). It is so comforting to know that God promises us his refuge.

 

Below the staircase of where I live, we had a mommy duck have a little duckling. What was interesting to me was that the mommy duck stood in front of the duckling’s nest with a protective stance. As we approached the nest to peak, the mommy duck did not move an inch from that nest.  She was ready to protect her baby. Instantly, I thought of our Lord and the promise of Psalm 91.

 

 

The Lord promises that if we abide in him, in other words, if we build and maintain a relationship with him, he will protect us and we’ll be able to take refuge in him.  Your spouse may fail you, your employer may fire you, your family may reject you, your friends may betray you, but the Lord, He will never fail you! God promises that he “will never leave you nor forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5).

Don’t live life tortured by the trials that come your way. Abide in the Lord and seek his refuge.  Just like the duck protecting her duckling, the Lord will be right there by your side.  Protecting you and guarding you from all harm.  “No weapon formed against you shall prosper, and every tongue which rises against you in judgment you shall condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and their righteousness is from me, says the Lord” (Isaiah 54:17).

 

Giving to the Lord

Giving to the Lord might be a tough subject to comprehend and at times to handle.  In Deuteronomy 14:22, the Lord says, “[Tithe] Be sure to set aside a tenth of all that your fields produce each year.”  Tithing is one of the expectations the Lord adheres to for our spiritual life as Christians.  We should give to the Lord first before anyone or anything else.  He should be our first priority.  Once we have given to the Lord, have faith that the rest will come.  When you are true to His word, the Lord guarantees you the following: “Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5). I have tithed for a good part of my Christian life and I have seen God’s blessing over my household.  Yes, there have been tough times, but we have always been able to manage with what we have.  God always provides!

 

This topic came up when I went to see my tax accountant.  He told me that if I did get audited, it would be because I tithed.  I found it extremely ironic and said “God is good.”  I don’t have a problem getting audited for God. J  I have the paperwork that proves I paid my tithes and the blessings from the Lord are seen in my household.  That in its self would be a testimony to the auditors. You see, through times of hardship, my family has maintained faithful to the Lord while others questioned their situation and attempted to figure out how provision was possible. We know through trials and leaning on Him that he would never let us down.  Glory Be to God!

We see God’s faithfulness through the story of Abraham.  Through times of hardship and sacrifice, Abraham faced a tough challenge, “By faith Abraham, when God tested him, offered Isaac as a sacrifice. He who had embraced the promises was about to sacrifice his one and only son, even though God had said to him, It is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned” (Hebrews 11:17-18). We know that God intervened and didn’t allow Isaac to be sacrificed and Abraham proved his faithfulness to God. So I encourage you to be faithful to the Lord and you will see His provision in your life.

Have you experienced God’s provision? Tell us about it!   

Can't Sleep?

Do you have nights when you are not able to fall asleep regardless of what you do?  It happens too many of us since we tend to lay down thinking about all the things that we have to get done during the day/week. 

 

One way to get a good night’s rest is by calming your body and mind.  Try to get yourself into a routine; just like you would establish for your children. Make sure you schedule out your day to help ease the stress over your to-do list, and then plan some time at night to calm your body and mind.

Here are some things you can try:

1.     Take a hot shower or aromatic bath before bed

2.     Use aromatic incense before sleep

3.     Practice deep breathing or meditation

4.     Exercise during the day

5.     Sleep with soothing music

6.     Read before bedtime

7.     Journal about your day so you are able to express your feelings and not have so much on your mind

Now, cuddle up and enjoy the calming of your mind.  “But I have calmed and quieted myself, I am like a weaned child with its mother; like a weaned child I am content” (Psalm 131:2).

Emotions, Emotions, Emotions

We are so complex!  I think when the term “emotions” was invented it was designed to describe a woman.  Why are we so emotional and why does it have to impact every area of our life?  The truth is that emotions don’t have to rule over us; we can control them!

 

 

Okay, so yes, that would minimize our flipping out sessions, and it certainly throws out the ‘pmsing’ excuse out the window. And dare I say that the nights of eating like a savage, or drowning in our tears over a pint of ice-cream would seize to exist?  The great news is that if we practice self-control, we will benefit from much needed peace and joy!

 

I’m currently reading a book by Joyce Meyer called “Living Beyond Your Feelings”. One quote that stood out is: “you can feel wrong and still do what is right”.  Now, I’m sure some of you just rolled your eyes or took a deep sigh because I did when I first read it, but it’s a true statement.  We don’t have to live our lives governed by our feelings.  Our society is all about feelings.  We often hear the phrase “follow your heart” or “do what you feel” but doing what we ‘feel’ isn’t always combined with wisdom. 

Galatians 5:16 says: “So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.” We need to ensure that our actions are in line with the Word even if they aren’t in line with how we truly feel.  Now, you may say, “Well, I don’t want to act fake.”  It’s not about being fake, it’s about recognizing that when we accepted Christ as our savior, we were given a new nature (2 Corinthians 5:17) and because of this, we are expected to practice self-control and be Spirit-led.

 

So the next time you feel like lashing out, use it as an opportunity to practice self-control.  Quickly pray and ask God to help you.  Take a deep breath, multiple if you need to, and make the choice to react with wisdom.

Why Do We Doubt?

Why do we doubt?  God has promised us life, abundance and everlasting love. Yet, knowing all of this we still doubt His word and his promise.  As we go through life we have to learn to keep our heads up in whatever situation we might be going through.  Trials and tribulations will always arise, but know that God has promised us everlasting love.  Having FAITH in God will allow us to grow and know that no matter what is arising He is there to support us.

 

Stop and think! Ask yourself: “Last year when I went through tough times, did God get me through it?” The answer will be YES! Maybe you haven’t worked in the past 6 months, but God has sustained your family.  Perhaps your child has been sick in the past 3 weeks, but God has given you the insurance, the doctors and medications to help him or her get better. There is always a way through every trial and tribulation.

 

Be faithful to God by praying, reading His word and praising His name.  He will never leave you nor forsake you.  Through thick and thin He will sustain you and your family.  He is the source for our life; the energy we need to live each day.  Without oxygen we cannot breath nor have life but without God our soul is dead. Live life to the fullest and love God with all your might; He will never let you down.

Proclaim this word onto your family and you will see how God will move in your life! Psalm 144:12-15 says:

12 May our sons in their youth be like plants full grown, our daughters like corner pillars cut for the structure of a palace;
13 may our granaries be full, providing all kinds of produce; may our sheep bring forth thousands and ten thousands in our fields;
14 may our cattle be heavy with young, suffering no mishap or failure in bearing; may there be no cry of distress in our streets!
15 Blessed are the people to whom such blessings fall!  Blessed are the people whose God is the Lord!