Tag Archive | encouragement

What’s Love Got To Do With It

Feb14

Have you ever noticed how much we are bombarded with commercials showing what the world thinks about love? Buy this product and she’ll love you. Or buy that product and she’ll love you. The world likes to portray love as you do this and they’ll do that. You scratch my back, I’ll scratch yours. This isn’t love!

At one point in life or another, most of us have tried to “buy” love or looked for love in all the wrong places. We get excited when we meet someone and we’ll do anything to show them we care. But then slowly it begins to fade and the deep void within begins to grow bigger until you realize something is missing. Now, I’m not saying that doing or buying nice things is bad. What I’m saying is that if you had a void before love and you still have a void when you are in love then there is something deeper going on and no matter how many gifts you purchase; none of them will be fulfilling.

Most people think that if they find a mate, life will be perfect. Or they think, if only I had more money, I would feel happier. Nothing could be further from the truth. For we can not expect someone or something to make us happy. If we are unhappy with ourselves, then how could they possibly make us happy. It just isn’t possible and we are setting them and ourselves up for failure.

Let’s take a cat or dog, for an example. Say you have been gone all day long. You open the door to find that loving pet excited to see you. Whether they are jumping up and down or jumping into your lap, they trusted you to come home and they are excited to show you how much they love and missed you. It is completely unconditional. They are just happy to see you, without getting anything in return.

Well, that is how God loves us. We can’t earn God’s love nor do we deserve it. He just simply loves us! It is unconditional. (Ephesians 3:14-19)  He doesn’t care if we are short, tall, black, white, brown, overweight, skinny or have pimples. He loves us RIGHT NOW, NO MATTER WHAT!

We can’t truly love until we feel loved ourselves. We need to learn that God loves us. We need to feel that God loves us. We have to have a deep knowing that we are loved and it doesn’t matter what we say or do! Otherwise, we are just spinning our wheels getting nowhere because no one else could possibly fill the void but God!

God Loves You 2

When we start experiencing this type of love, then and only then, can we possibly begin showing love for others. This kind of love doesn’t depend on if the person deserves our love or not, nor does it depend on what gifts they will give us. We simply realize that God loves us and He loves them too. When you start loving this way, nothing and I do mean nothing can take the place of it. THIS IS TRUE LOVE!

You are a one-of-a-kind person. God made you and sent His Amazing Son to die for you. No one is like you. So why don’t you start seeing just how special you truly are and love yourself as God loves you. Once you do, you’ll begin to experience the most incredible, amazing, loving relationships that you desperately crave! And the best part is you won’t have to go looking for it. God will bring it to you at the right place, at the right time, and at the perfect moment! It will be simply PERFECT!

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Your Mess Turned to Message

Jan19

God is My HopeWars raging. Epidemics spreading. Volcanoes exploding. Persecutions and attacks. Devastation every where you turn these days. People’s lives are in utter chaos and disarray. Heart-breaking and gut-wrenching photos and video, streaming live throughout the world. Reporters losing their emotional battle while attempting to bring us the horrific stories. Instantly, lives are changed and we all feel the impact.

Yet, in their darkest hour, citizens show amazing courage, strength, hope, love, and compassion. With every dramatic scene; another story of heroism emerges. Neighbors, strangers, and first-responders, frantically trying to help those affected. Hoping they can help save one more person.

Everyday, somewhere and in some way, someone is showing the essence of heroism, hope, and encouragement. None of these people are looking for fame. None of them realize their simple act is impacting someone else deeply.

There are countless stories of how teachers keep calm and shielded their precious children. Men and women who have lost everything in a devastating storm can thank God they are alive and have the courage to say “I knew my maker and I had hope in Him. God protected us. We are alive and everything else can be rebuilt.”

Don't Let Go

That is a powerful reminder to us all. No matter what you are facing today, God can make a way. Whatever you have lost, God can rebuild. There is absolutely nothing more important than to know your maker. It is in times like these that we are to show true courage, hope, and faith that in the midst of all the chaos, one small glimpse of hope can make all the difference.

Life is the most precious commodity and everything else can be rebuilt. So today, no matter what you face, allow your light to shine brightly upon others. Because in the midst of all your chaos, “The Lord is good, a Strength and Stronghold in the day of trouble.” (Nahum 1:7)

And, you never know when He will take your mess and create the most BEAUTIFUL MESSAGE for everyone else to see.

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Shakened Confidence?

Jan15

Angry_God's PromiseHave you ever notice that when you choose to follow Jesus…instead of finding life like a bed of roses, you seem to encounter some of the most difficult times in your lives? Is it coincidence or something else?

Like many others, these past years have been difficult. I too had two very special people in my life called home to heaven. First, my amazing grandbaby. My son had just surprised my mom and I with an unexpected visit. His purpose was to visit mom (aka grams), pray over her and just spend some quality time with us. as she was battling cancer. We had all just started getting ready for bed when his cellphone rang. The next thing I knew, we were rushing him to the airport as my daughter-in-law had been hospitalized. Unfortunately my first grandbaby, Christopher Lamar Tovar was not going to get a chance to live his wonderful life as he was called to be with the Lord instead. Within a few months, my mom was rushed to the hospital on Mother’s Day. To add insult to injury, she too was called to heaven. She had battled cancer for four very long years. She wasn’t going down without a fight. She had a warrior spirit within her that gave her courage, strength and much love through it all. She was the epitome of “fighting the good fight of faith”. But none the less, God chose to call her home.

It’s during times like these, we are reminded how valuable and special life really is. However, it’s also a time when you find yourself battling to remain rooted in faith. It’s the ultimate battle of the mind where you feel your confidence shaken to its very core? It’s about all the “why’s” in life that seem to go unanswered? It’s when doubt creeps in and you can’t seem to find stability or grasp the reasoning.

Life is a very precious commodity and none of us know how long God has us planned on this earth. It is during the unpleasant and heartbreaking situations that we can find our confidence shaken. Not just in ourselves but also in the Lord. You find yourself wondering why God did not miraculously heal them or why He didn’t show up when you expected and in the way you expected.

It’s easy to believe God is a good when everything is going our way. It’s when your faith and confidence is shaken so badly you truly find out what you believe. You will either believe He is truly there no matter what you face, or you will believe that you must being doing something wrong because things aren’t working out, or worse…you will begin to wonder if God really exists.

We will have trials and tribulations in our lives. Good and evil happen to us all. However, our God is a loving and caring God. He wants our lives filled with love, kindness, happiness and wholeness. He wants the absolute best for you; actually more than you can imagine. We might not understand why bad things happen…BUT THE GOOD NEWS IS…when you find yourself in battles that are beyond your comprehension…you have someone who understands it even when you don’t. You have someone that will provide you the strength and perseverance to get through it when you’re struggling to get your head off the bed.

God’s plan is bigger and higher than we can imagine. We don’t have to understand it. We don’t have to go through it alone. Instead, we can tell God exactly how we feel and He will understand. He wants you to enjoy life. Stop trying to figure it all out! Some things we may not understand until we find ourselves in heaven. Our loved ones will be waiting for us. They have been blessed to be called home sooner than we are. They have completed their course no matter how big or small their time was here on Earth. They no longer have the cares of this world. Instead they are with the Creator of the Universe and that’s a pretty amazing thing, isn’t it?

We must choose every day if we are going to believe every word of the Bible or just pick and choose scripture that we like. Will you follow God’s lead and choose to walk it out no matter what you face? Will you be bold against all odds? Will you be like David, Job, Joseph, Paul or Ester who went through difficult times yet found the strength to overcome? Just because things don’t seem to be working out like you thought, it doesn’t mean God has turned His back on you. Don’t fall into the negativity traps of the mind. Your faith is a necessary component to manifesting and healing. Choose your path wisely and choose to stand on the Word of God. You are more powerful than you think! There is always a time to mourn, to dance, to love, to care, and most importantly, a time to fulfill your destiny. Be an overcomer today! You are a child of the Most High!  Your confidence is not in your circumstances but in the Lord Almighty!

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Hebrews 10:35-36 “Therefore do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised.”

Joshua 1:9 “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

1 Corinthians 2:3-5 “And I was with you in weakness and in fear and much trembling, and my speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.”

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Jehovah Jireh ~ Lord My Provider

Jan12

battle_fight_cartoonHave you been brought to your knees with nowhere to go? Have you found yourself fighting a battle that seems to only intensify? Are you drowning in debt with no relief in sight? Have you lost loved ones unexpectedly? Have things in your life continued to spiral downward and you find yourself at the bottom of a pit?

What are you battling today? What is missing in your life? What illness, loss, addiction are you fighting? What has a hold on you?

Satan came to steal, kill and destroy us. He will do everything in his power to stop God’s plan for your life. Whether he steals your job, home, car, relationships or destroys those around us with sickness, addictions and disease. He has one purpose and one purpose only…and that is to sway you away from your faith by constantly bombarding your life with difficulties and tragedies; making you wonder where God is or why God would allow such things to happen.

Nowhere in the Bible does it say only good things happen to those who love the Lord. It actually says just the opposite…

…Luke 6:21 “Blessed are you who hunger now, for you shall be satisfied. Blessed are you who weep now, for you shall laugh. 22“Blessed are you when men hate you, and ostracize you, and insult you, and scorn your name as evil, for the sake of the Son of Man. 23 “Be glad in that day and leap for joy, for behold, your reward is great in heaven.”

Jesus came to give us life and life more abundantly. (John 10:10) He wants the absolutely best for you and your loved ones. Jesus took our sinful place on the cross so that believing in Him, we are made righteous and right-standing with our Heavenly Father. We don’t have to earn His love…He already loves us. We don’t have to change…He’ll change us. We won’t lose our salvation…Jesus is our salvation.

Satan is a liar and today, we are standing in faith that Jesus is Lord of Lords and Kings of Kings. He is our Jehovah Jireh. God’s eternal grace, continual provision and all-encompassing wisdom is available to all those who believe. Jehovah-Jireh is not “The LORD Might Provide,” but “The LORD Will Provide.” His name doesn’t simply indicate that He provided once and won’t do it again. No…it anticipates a future action, a constant help. God is, was, and will always be the same. He doesn’t change.

jehovah-jireh-blessing

When satan’s fiery darts are constantly shaking your world, it is so important that you do not weaken in your faith. Our God is our provider and is more than capable to provide, satisfy, and help you overcome. You might not see a way but our God has a way. Don’t let your faith waver or unbelief creep in. Stand boldly at the feet of Jesus. Give Him your worries and doubts. Let Him know that through it all, you will praise His name above all else. It doesn’t matter what we see, what matters is who lives within us. He is far greater than anything that comes against you.

So today, let’s stand in faith together. Whatever your need is today, ask God for it in prayer and then believe that you receive it. (Romans 4:18-21) It doesn’t matter if your circumstances don’t fit what you’re asking for. God is not limited by our circumstances. He created the whole universe and has unlimited power. He wants us to ask, believe and know without a shadow of any doubt, He can provide you with unlimited resources. It’s not for us to show off but it’s for His glory!

Think of it this way…

  • Is your vehicle broken and run down? Ask God for a debt-free vehicle and then say out loud…Thank you Lord for providing my awesome new vehicle. I believe that I receive a debt-free vehicle that is top of the line in the name of Jesus.  You are the all powerful, almighty, all loving God and I praise your name.
  • Do you need a home to call your own or something larger to fit your family’s needs? Ask God for the perfect debt-free home and then say out loud…Thank you Lord for providing my family’s incredible home. I believe that I receive a debt-free home right now in the name of Jesus. You are the all powerful, almighty, all loving God and I praise your name.
  • Do you or someone you love need healing? One small touch from God is all it takes. Ask God for His swift healing and then say out loud…Thank you Lord for providing my healing. By Jesus stripes we are now healed. I believe that I receive your healing, in the name of Jesus. You are the all powerful, almighty, all loving God and I praise your name.

Whatever you need, God can provide. The key is to stand in faith and keep believing until everything is manifested and restored in your life. Don’t let satan steal your joy anymore. Stand strong and keep the faith for your Jehovah Jireh can and will provide. It’s not about being able to boast about your new job, car or home…it’s about receiving an incredible testimony about what God did for you to share with others. Because you will know that you know it was your Heavenly Father that provided and there was absolutely nothing you could have done to make it happen. It will defy all human logic.

God gives you breath and grace that is sufficient every single day. Why wouldn’t He give you your heart’s desires in order to Praise His Name? (Psalm 37:4) He is and will forever be…all you need! Don’t let fear and doubt stop you anymore. Take the limits off God and see His mighty hand swiftly come upon you.

Speak up ~ Thank up ~ And Get Ready To Share Your Testimony!

jehovah-jireh

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