Saturday, July 28, 2012

It's nothing wrong with taking time to examine or re-examine our walk

There is a time in our lives that we have to really examine or re-examine ourselves.  It's OK to ask ourselves some questions?  In recent days my heart has become quite sadden by the things I have seen in this world but even more sadden by the things that is going on with the body of Christ.  The enemy has tried to discredit God in this season while so many of us have complicated our walk with God.     
 It’s funny because people are still trying to get delivered from the world but really need to be delivered from religion, man, traditions, and maybe even self.  Mark 7: 8 - You have let go of the commands of God and are holding on to the traditions of men”
It’s time for us to really examine the motive behind our ministry.  It’s time for us to examine or re-examine to see if we are seeking the Kingdom of God or the Kingdom of Self. 
When things that we do for God  is not received or if we preach a message that people don't like are we sad that people rejected God or is that they didn't receive us that really bothers us?   Do we care more about how we speak or preach than what we preach?
Are we trying to convince people who we are or who God is?
Do you ask God for direction but move before He answers? Then do we lead and tell God to follow?  Trying to do things that satisfies our need to be affirmed finding our hands doing things he didn't call us to.  There is a difference between a good idea and a God idea.  So many times we change the very thing about ourselves that will bring God fame to build up our own name. It has never been about works!
Are we constantly opening the front door of our sight only seeing the faults, failures, and issues of others while our unseen yet present issues are scratching at the back door of our souls begging for us to open up so they can get the attention and healing they deserve?  How long will we pretend that the sound of destruction knocking at our own door is just the wind?  So how long will we sit in the discomfort of our home and act like nothing in our lives is wrong instead of crying out to God and allowing Him to clean house and take total control?
Are we any different from the world? They thirst for fortune and fame but yet many of us search for power, titles, and a big name.  There is nothing wrong with wanting to be successful in life but too many people have gained success but didn't have the character to keep it. Did you know you can gain success and still be incomplete?  We increase when the knowing of who He is in us increases. The best part of you is Him!
Are we really happy when we see our sisters and brothers prospering? Or do we in the back of our mind began to resent them asking when is it my time?
Do you we value each other talents and gifts or is it only when we need them?
Are we constantly searching for a new revelation because the one we received is not the one we want?

Is our faith only strong when things are going right? and when we are in our wilderness experience and can't see or hear God do we become double-minded about His Promises and the things He spoke to us?

Do you hold back when it comes to your talents and gifts because you care about what others may think of you? Do you know when you don't know who you are it's easy for others to define you?  Be free of fear, opinions, and intimidation. You were not created to look or be like anyone else. You are unique! Give the world what God has given you ! Be Free to be you- Fearfully and Wonderfully made!
When we hear of tragedies such as the movie massacre do we fall on our faces and cry out to God?, do we take a moment to grieve for the lives lost and their love ones?, do we take time to even intercede or do we go through out our day worried about self as if God’s Spirit is not grieved?
We are ambassadors of the Kingdom of God! The Kingdom of God is in us, what are we revealing to others about the kingdom?  Are we representing what the Kingdom looks like well?
We are authorized messengers sent out to spread the good news, what message have you given to the lost lately? Is it that God sent His only begotten son for them?  Is it that God loves them? Is it that there is someone who understands? Is it that they can become a new creation in Christ? Is it that there is someone who will never leave or forsake them? Is it they don’t have to die in their sins, that there is no condemnation in Christ?  Or are we too busy trying to become great theologians; becoming great in our own eyes while rejecting the very message of God’s son? Are we too busy trying to show people we can break down His word instead of building up His Kingdom?   
We can’t guilt people to change but it’s through His Loving Kindness that will lead one to repentance.
Do we try to control people, situations, and circumstances? I say let go because where there is control there is fear.  His Perfect love cast out all fear so lets ask God to entangle us in His Love until we can’t escape. Let go of striving it will not get us any further.  I realized we no longer have to strive because remember the best part of us is Him!
There is an old saying.. You can’t continue to do the same thing and expect a different outcome!  Did you know you can't and won't fix anything if you don't realize it's not working.  Acknowledgment is a powerful beginning. It does not make you feel any less.  It will not upset or judge you but it matures you!
So if you didn't like some of your answers I say that's a good thing because that mean change can come.  So give it to God... you can't change by yourself,  you need him because apart from Him you can do nothing. Ask Him to make you over! Sometimes it's so hard starting from scratch but later down the line we find ourselves so grateful that we did!  Let’s ask God to tuck us away even if it’s for a day.   Our mind, body, and souls needs to rest, we need no distractions, what we need to just be one with Him. 

If your walk is on track with God I say Glory !!!! Continue to be a living example so the world can see what the Kingdom of God is suppose to look like and so those who are lost can find a place where they truly belong.
We are one body! So I am writing to encourage you because I too am in a place that I want more of Him and less of me!  (Remember the answers lies within the questions you dare to ask)
Be Blessed :)

Wednesday, July 11, 2012

Go Deep!

 I woke up this morning reading 1 Peter.  As I was reading I read the scripture that states " Above All, love each other deeply, because Love covers a multitude of sins. I was reminded once again how powerful "Love" is.  The words "I love you"  is becoming just as futile as the statement " God bless you" after a person sneezes. We throw it around so lightly as if to say those words really carry no weight because we have become such a surface generation where everything is based off what we see or what is presented. No one takes the time to go deep. Peter challenges us not just to Love but to love each other deeply (well within or beneath the surface; to a thorough extent or profound degree). 
 
We have been trained by the old saying, "what you see is what you get". Believing that's all it is to a person making it almost impossible to really love deeply.  You know it's quite easy to take your shoes off, stand in the shallow waters trying to grasp the beauty of the ocean from afar. Trying to guess if there is anything under the glare of the oceans face, under the trash, stench, and pollution from those who didn't really appreciate or understand it's beauty or existance only seeing it as a body of water, or even trying to see if it still holds any value because it's become so crowed by people and things.
 
What would happen if we took the time to invest in what we needed to feel safe, secure, and equipped to go deep! I've heard some remarkable stories about the elaborate treasures found at the bottom of the ocean or valuables recovered from sunken vessels. Yes to find these treasures and these valuables that have been lost its going to take a lot more than taking off your shoes but the experience is well worth the time it took for you to learn how to go deep, well worth the equipment you invested in that is needed to really explore and survive in the deep!
 
One day I was challenged and I try to challenge those around me to ask yourself a question when it comes to relationships whether it be marriage, friendship, church, or business, "Is the core of who a person is worth fighting for?" Most people can't answer that question because when someone hurts us our first response usually is to hurt them back or walk away, when someone lie to us we refuse to trust them again, when someone make a mistake we really don't forgive them, or when people show us a part of themselves that we don't like or understand we go to our "what we see is what we get" mode and we judge! Now I'm not saying we are not suppose to use wisdom. There are some places that divers know is not safe nor worth the dive and they simply don't.  
 
I also know we are living in a world where it is so hard to go deep but does that mean we hang up our gear and never attempt to find what lies beneath the bank of the ocean?  I can tell you the ocean of life is far more than we can grasp a hold of from the distant shore. 
 
I can tell you from my going deep experiences I have recovered some very valuable things from sunken vessels. You know what I mean...from people that have been misunderstood, mistreated, pre-judged, labeled, out-casted, over looked, lost and forgotten. They are the most precious vessels sometimes with the most valuable treasures. The hurt, pain, bitterness, and hardness is on the surface but man underneath is Gold! Now many will read this and say, "what ever Tiffany..." more than likely it's because you never went deep within the ocean of your own soul to find out you too are a remarkable treasure or you have forgotten that you were once lost but God used an experienced diver willing to go deep to uncover or recover you. Maybe you read this and say, "been here done that and will never again." I say to you that divers get disappointed all the time but they go back and examine their expedition see what went wrong but most importantly what they did right. They learn, they find out what they need to go deep again that they didn't have the first time, they make sure they have the right team or should this next adventure be one they have to take alone.  Maybe you realize you've been on the shallow end so afraid of going deep I say ask God to give you His full gear (armor) and get ready to be astounded
 
Lets learn to love each other deeply beyond what our shallow eyes can see. That includes loving for ourselves and loving God. There is depths to God that most people including us who are saved and go to church will never come to know because we are too afraid to go deep, we have been disappointed and don't want to go back again, or those who rather live by "what you see is what you get" method even with God. I believe there is a bounty of treasure in the deep that will never been found because not too many will ever do what is needed to go deep!
 
Remember you can't go deep without being equipped because the pressure in the depths of the ocean is too much for you to handle on your own and like so many you will loose yourself and die before you reach the ocean floor.  You need your fathers Holy Spirit with you at all times in the deep! He can equip you and take you further than you ever imagine in Love for others. Remember Perfect Love cast out all Fear so Go Deep! Change the world, help those who seem like a hopeless case, uncover treasure you didn't even know existed in your current relationships, lets be a true reflection of God's love, and I can go on ...but instead I will say again,  Go Deep!
 
 
Tiffany James, Encouraging Touch Enterprise
"Give a gift that creates a Legacy to Encourage, Inspire, and Bless those you love for a life time"