Count your blessings

**Count your blessings 😇
Have you ever been in a difficult spot and things were really tight, almost impossible to bear? Then something really good happened.  It might have been something small, or simple like a person bringing dinner, or taking you on a trip, or calling you to say hello. You light up for that moment and then go back to concern, frustration,  fear, or even panic at your situation.  Maybe, just maybe, we'll almost certainly,  God opened a window at that moment if blessing to let you take a breath of fresh air. A door may have closed, but breathe deeply through that open window. Hold on to that blessing and not your difficulties.  Acknowledge that God is still with you. Philippians 4:8. "...if anything is excellent or praiseworthy,  think about such things. "  **Count your blessings 🙏🏾

Does God really need our help?

Does God really need our help? " His thoughts are higher than our thoughts and His ways are higher than our ways." (Isaiah 55:8-9)  Yet we always try to figure out what he's showing or telling us, and if we think we know, instead of waiting on Him, we spring into action to "help" God.  Sarah tried to "help" God, when He promised her a son.  She told her husband Abraham to go have a child with her young handmaiden Hagar. Ishmael was born. He was not the child of the promise. He was the product of Hagar and Abraham when Sarah decided that God needed "help".  Now, more than 2000 years later the nations of the two brothers Isaac (son of Sarah  and Abraham, son of the promise), and Ishmael, (son of Sarah's handmaid and Abraham) are still fighting.
    The promises given in Isaiah 43:3 were proven when Moses led his people through the waters and they weren't drowned. ( Exodus) Shadrach, Meshack, and Abednego went through the fire, but they weren't burned. (Daniel 3). They let go and let God be God.  Be patient.  Whatever the promise was that God gave you in the quiet stillness of your heart is His to fulfill.  He doesn't need your help to do His work.  The Lord did not forget His promises to you.
He says to us, "God is not a man that He should lie." Numbers 23:19

In a strange land

Esther and her people were captured and carried off by a strong king.  She was taken from her only remaining relative and placed in the unfamiliar surroundings of the king's palace.  She must have been terrified and she may have felt abandoned and alone, but she had been strategically placed there by God. She was able to use her faith and the guidance of her uncle to save her people from slaughter.  If you find yourself in a position  or a place that is baffling or uncomfortable,  start looking for a sign from God.  He knows where you are and He may be using you to save your family, your job, a people,  or the future.  Instead of complaining fall on your knees and ask the Lord for guidance.  Trust that He knows where you are and that He knows what he's doing. You are not alone.

Fear Not

Isaiah 43:1-3

"Fear not, for I have redeemed you, I have called you by your name,  you are mine. When you pass through the waters,  I will be with you. And through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee, when you walk through the fire you shall not be burned.  Neither shall a flame kindle a fire on you, for I am the Lord your God."
The first thing that the Lord said was FEAR NOT because   I have claimed you for my own!  He goes on to tell us that there will be trials of fire and troubles in life.  It will feel like the flood waters are coming to drown us in troubles, BUT the troubles will not destroy us. Troubles are not bigger than our God. Fear Not. You are not facing troubles alone. The Lord God, the Almighty,  the everlasting Father IS with you.  You will not be overtaken. He is the Lord your God.

Endure to the end

It's easy to believe for blessings at the beginning when excitement is high and at the end when you can see the pieces all coming together, but what happens in the middle when you're in the midst of the work or struggle?  That's where some dreams die. When you start to bake a cake everyone is excited, and when it's almost done you can smell it, and once again belief that it will be delightful is strong, but what about when you have to go through the process of getting it together?  Collecting pans and ingredients takes a little time. Mixing the ingredients takes time, and then the baking time takes forever to the waiting participants. That's when some lose patience and attention starts to wander.  Sometimes God gives a dream, a vision, or a word and we're very excited in the beginning.  Toward the middle we start to wonder if it was real. Sometimes we allow ourselves to walk away from it. Our faith may wane.  Fight through the middle part. Stay in faith by reading scriptures out loud. Hang in until the end. It's worth it.  You can do it . Matthew 24:13 "but to those who endure to the end, they shall be saved."

2nd chance

Then the Lord told Moses,"chisel out two stone tablets like the first ones. I will write on them the same words that were on the tablets you smashed."  Exodus 34:1
Yes, He is a God of a second chance.  Moses smashed the first sacred tablets when he found the people had so quickly forgotten God and his mercy and had broken His laws.  God made a second set of tablets for Moses and the people. (10 commandments) Both Moses and his people who chose God instead of sin were given a second chance.  Have you fallen short of your goal? Do you feel like giving up? Did you make a misstep?  He is the God of a second chance. Get up. Try again. It's not over until HE says it's over. Be Blessed!

Moses excuses -God's love

*Moses Excuses - God's love *
Who are you to speak to important people?  You're royalty, a child of the most high God 🙌🏾
Who will believe you? All those whom God has touched!☝🏽
Should God send someone instead of you? NO. Remember Jonah and the whale!  Those were Moses excuses and sometimes they are ours.  Moses faced trials along the way, but because God called him, he was victorious.  God delivered them from every trap.  Go talk to your boss, that teacher, the youth group,  your family, write that poetry, write that book, get up and speak out. Be bold! If God has put an assignment in your heart and on your mind you will succeed.  You may face trials, but God will deliver you from every one of them. Don't procrastinate! Don't compromise!  Put that shy feeling on the shelf. You can do it!  Check out Exodus chapter 3 for those excuses and then don't use them. God is faithful and He loves you.   HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY! 💖

No more excuses

The Lord prepared the time for deliverance of His people  when Moses was born.  It was no accident that Moses mother sent him to the king's palace where he was adopted by a princess.  He grew up in a palace and the young Pharoah considered Moses his brother.  Of course the young Pharoah wouldn't turn his brother away. God is a planner! !
When Moses was grown 40
  years God called him. Moses gave God 3 excuses because he was afraid to step out in faith. "Who am I to talk to Pharoah?"  "What if the people don't believe me?"  Finally Moses begged, "I can't talk, PLEASE send someone else! Do those excuses sound familiar?
Has God given you something to do that you've procrastinated about? Does it rise up in your spirit but you push it down? God has a plan for you. He's equipped  you. Obey that little reminder  that continually rises up. Moses was finally successful.  You will be, too. God is a planner.  The only piece missing is you.  NO MORE EXCUSES. 😇 🙏🏾

Never alone

"Be strong and courageous,  do not be afraid or panic in front of your enemies for the  Lord your God will personally go ahead of you. He will never fail you, nor will He abandon you."  Deuteronomy 31: 6.
Nuff said.

Faith is never wasted

Faith is not wasted.  Hope is not lost. Love is not painful    And you are not forsaken.
God is love. God is love.  God is love.
You can see Him in a baby's smile.  You can hear Him in the deep silence of the night. You can feel him in the hug of a family member. If you say His name with love, your soul is set free.  Faith in Him is not wasted. It is "the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen. "  Hebrews 11:1

Like Jesus

Today I was relaxing and watching Star Wars and it hit my spirit that Luke went after a person who was filled with darkness because he wanted to bring him to the light.  He represented hope and light in this movie and his dad was in darkness.  He didn't avoid him or run from him, or ignore him. Luke wouldn't fight on his dad's terms. He kept saying,"I see the good in you."  Well it reminded me of how Jesus went after the tax collectors in Luke 19:1-10 , the sick Matthew 8 and the demon possessed Mark 1:23-25. He didn't avoid or ignore them because He wanted to bring them to the light. That made me think that we, too should go toward people who are lost and show them kindness because we represent the light of God.  We should want them to know the light, because He is our hope and our salvation. In Him we have light and life.

Sleep well

The evening has come.   "Never let the sun go down on your anger"  Ephesians 4:26.  The bible tells us not to go to sleep with anger in our hearts or in our heads. Psychologists say that anger creates certain hormonal changes in our bodies. They say that the neurotransmitters in our brains work overtime and cause your heart to beat faster, your blood pressure to rise and your mind has an altered state which blocks logic and rational thinking.  None of that is restful. You have blocked that" peace that passes all understanding."  Your subconscious doesn't rest and you may wake up just as angry. This continual emotion creates a rift in personal relationships and because you're not thinking rationally, you may say and do things that only make the situation worse.  Resolve your conflicts,  say your prayers, ask forgiveness and also forgive. Be obedient to God's Word.  For your physical,  emotional and spiritual health,  do not go to bed angry.

We Can Do It!

Today is Sunday.  Let's provide something for those in need today in any way that we can. Carry a blanket,  sweater, coat, or an extra bottle of water  in your car to give away. Mail in a check to a charity like St Judes, or a local charity.  Let's actively practice Christianity today.  Matthew 25:35 "When I was hungry, you fed me, when I was thirsty you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me." These are the words of Christ.

Worship

Worship the Lord with me today!    Holy, Holy Holy  Lord,  God of power and might. Heaven and earth are full of your glory, Hosanna in the highest! ! Holy, Holy, are you Lord God Almighty!  Worthy is the lamb, worthy is the lamb! You are Holy!

Expect a miracle

Stop saying, "it will never happen for me." Instead- anticipate the inevitable, supernatural intervention of God! Expect a miracle!  Consider this - we rush to get things that our loved ones really want. We continually remind ourselves of how they are counting on whatever it is. Well, God is that way about us! He says," if you being a sinner can give good gifts, how much more can your father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask it of Him."  Matthew 7:11
Count on seeing a miracle. It CAN happen for you!😀 😇 😊 🤗 🙌🏾 👏🏽 🙏🏾 ☝🏽