Holy Anticipation

The Batterson Blog - Thoughts on Life and Leadership

Posted: 03 Feb 2010 06:23 AM PST

I live my life with a holy anticipation. I genuinely believe that God could come out of nowhere at any given moment, invade the reality of my life, and change everything forever!


I'm reading in Ezekiel this week and I love the specificity of Ezekiel 40:1: "In the twenty-fifth year of our exile, at the beginning of the year, on the tenth day of the month, in the fourteenth year after the city was struck down, on that very day, the hand of the Lord was upon me."


In the margin of my Bible I wrote: this could be the day.

This could be the day that God gives you a vision. This could be the day you experience a breakthrough. This could be the day God does a miracle. This could be the day the hand of the Lord comes upon you.


I also like the New Testament version of this Old Testament truth. The Message translation of Philippians 4:4 says: He could show up any minute!


May we live with that holy anticipation.
 
Mark Batterson

Keep the Faith

This morning I read Hebrews 11. When I looked at that reference, I thought "hey, I've read that or part of that chapter before, I know what it's about". Last night I really felt like I was losing faith. In many things in my life...and if that's every happened to you, you know that's not a good thing. Losing faith can lead to a plethora of bad things: lack of motivation, hope, depression..the list could go on and on. One of my pet peeves is repetition, but Hebrews 11 does a good job of repeating things and I have to say, I like it. "By faith..." "By faith..." "By faith..." "By faith..."....Over and over and over. Various accounts of different people are told and how they did one thing or another "by faith". We can't have faith in circumstances or even people. Well, we can, but we shouldn't have the bulk of our faith there. Our faith, our hope needs to be in God, first and foremost, then it can trickle down into the other areas. If we lose hope in the small things, we need to remember that we should still have hope in God because He is the ultimate source of everything. Of our strength, our hope, our joy, and our faith. Every once in awhile, you may lose faith in what you are doing or people or whatever. If that happens, turn back to God. Ask Him to remind you of your faith in Him, or if you've even started to lose faith in Him, ask Him to restore your faith in Him. God's good at restoration...it's one of many things that He does. He'll restore you back to where you should be or need to be, all you have to do is seek Him. This morning, my prayer is that we will seek God in such a way that we regain our faith in everything. Starting with Him and flowing down to each and every area that is lacking or, if not lacking, giving it a little extra. You can never have too much.



Keep the Faith

Dove Sister Adeola Oyelabi

For God or To God?

From The Batterson Blog - Thoughts on Life and Leadership

Posted: 03 Feb 2010 05:16 AM PST

I read a verse that stopped me in my tracks this morning. The Holy Spirit arrested me. If I were completely honest, I'd have to admit that most of "my ministry" has been for God not to God. I don't think that is just semantics. It's a whole different paradigm. So many of us are so busy ministering for God that we rarely minister to God.


Ezekiel 44:16 wrecked me today: "They shall enter my sanctuary, and they shall approach my table, to minister to me, and they shall keep my charge." Makes me think of the original commission in Matthew 10. Before Jesus "sent them out" he called them "to him." I think one of the greatest dangers leaders face is this: we get focused on what God wants to do THROUGH us instead of what God wants to do IN us.


Are you ministering for God or to God?
I think it's both/and, but you better prioritize ministry to God.

Hello everyone! I just realized that it has been a while since I've updated you all on upcoming events. This week marks the beginning of our Virtuous Woman Campaign entitled THE HUNT. We are searching for the most wanted woman in the Kingdom. While most of these events are geared towards Wednesday, check out the panel and The White Room, where those of the male persuasion are greatly encouraged to attend, as it shall be poppin! Here goes:

Monday:
"A Woman's Worth" Dining With the Doves | Fuddruckers | 7pm meet in front of Blackburn

Tuesday:
"Who's That Lady?" Afternoon Tea | Chapel Lounge | 12-2pm

Wednesday:
"Career vs. Calling" Panel Discussion | Locke Auditorium | 7:29pm

Thursday:
The White Room: Virtuousity | East Ballroom | 7:29pm

Friday:
Prayer at the Flagpole 1pm
"High Maintenance" Pampering Session | Annex Seminar Room | 5-7pm

Saturday:
"Royalty" Princess Mentoring Session | Lincoln Heights | 10:30am-4pm

Hope to see yall there!!!!

The “Still I Rise” Mentality

Many people are familiar with the poem Still I Rise written by one of the greatest poets, Maya Angelou. It is indeed one of her most popular pieces. From older generations who cherish it for its true meaning, to children all over the world reciting it in their classrooms and schools plays, this piece has found its way through the heart of history flowing from the tongues of many who may not even know who Maya Angelou is. Simply put, it’s the message. It speaks to the oppression of a people, who speak back with confidence saying, “Still I Rise.” But while this poem has only been around since 1978, doesn’t this sound like the message Christ has been trying to emphasize to His people for 2010 years? He speaks this not to a race, not to a gender, not to a class, but to His people as one.
The body of Christ lacks this “Still I Rise” Mentality. I’ve come to find that no matter how hard we say we go for Christ, it doesn’t take much to get us worried, anxious, or flustered. Oh, how we relinquish our peace so easily! Our prayer requests seem to exceed our praise reports, and whenever someone asks us how we are doing, our responses seem uncertain and begin with sayings like “under the circumstances…” As followers of the one true God who has different names to prove He is all that we need Him to be, why do we live below our means? Why do we seem so oppressed and much worse off than those of the world? To be honest, if I was a non-believer, I’m not so sure I would be so pressed to come follow the God that we speak so highly of. As one, we are not the representation that Christ intended. I mean, granted we are going to have some bad days. Think about it, the enemy hates each one of us personally and has been on a mission to destroy mankind since creation. The Bible itself never said that the weapon wouldn’t be formed…but it did, however, say that the formed weapon would not prosper! (Isaiah 54:17) One of my favorite passages in the bible comes from 2 Corinthians chapter 4. It talks about us as followers of Christ being hard pressed but not crushed. Perplexed but not in despair. Persecuted but not abandoned. Struck down but not destroyed. In other words, “STILL WE RISE!”




We must go through life with a “Still I Rise Mentality.” We must walk boldly in the confidence that comes with having a relationship with the father because we are called to be the salt and light of the world. We are called to be the examples, and in all of the above we are More than conquerors. So rise. Rise above every trial and tribulation, every disappointment and failure, every heartbreak, headache, and anything else the enemy throws to knock you off your square. Psalm 34:19 states that many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the Lord delivereth him out of them all! I hope the next time you read Maya Angelou’s poem, it speaks to a different side of you.






Still I Rise






You may write me down in history


With your bitter, twisted lies,


You may trod me in the very dirt


But still, like dust, I'll rise.






Does my sassiness upset you?


Why are you beset with gloom?


'Cause I walk like I've got oil wells


Pumping in my living room.






Just like moons and like suns,


With the certainty of tides,


Just like hopes springing high,


Still I'll rise.






Did you want to see me broken?


Bowed head and lowered eyes?


Shoulders falling down like teardrops.


Weakened by my soulful cries.






Does my haughtiness offend you?


Don't you take it awful hard


'Cause I laugh like I've got gold mines


Diggin' in my own back yard.






You may shoot me with your words,


You may cut me with your eyes,


You may kill me with your hatefulness,


But still, like air, I'll rise.






Does my sexiness upset you?


Does it come as a surprise


That I dance like I've got diamonds


At the meeting of my thighs?






Out of the huts of history's shame


I rise


Up from a past that's rooted in pain


I rise


I'm a black ocean, leaping and wide,


Welling and swelling I bear in the tide.


Leaving behind nights of terror and fear


I rise


Into a daybreak that's wondrously clear


I rise


Bringing the gifts that my ancestors gave,


I am the dream and the hope of the slave.


I rise


I rise


I rise.






~Maya Angelou


 
 
Dove Sister Dontaleisha Smith

He's Looking for You!

By Gloria Copeland


"For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him" (2 Chron. 16:9).


God is looking for you. That's right. If you'll read the Bible, you'll see that ever since the world began He's been looking for people who by faith and obedience would allow Him to bless them right here on the earth. He's been looking for people who would allow Him to demonstrate His power on their behalf - people whose supernaturally abundant lives would make them a walking advertisement of the mercy and power of God.


For example, look at the children of Israel in the Old Testament. God wanted them to be this kind of people. He prepared a marvelous land for them to enjoy. It was a land flowing with milk and honey (Ex. 3:8). It was a land of rest and abundance where no enemy could stand before them and no sickness or disease could stay on their bodies (Ex. 23:25).


In fact, as soon as they came out of slavery in Egypt, God wanted them to go to that land. It was a short journey. But they wouldn't go! Instead, they spent 40 years wandering around in the wilderness, getting nowhere.

All this happened thousands of years ago, but do you know what? God hasn't changed at all since then. He still wants to lead His people into a place of blessing and prosperity. The problem is that in many ways His people haven't changed that much either. The same thing that kept the children of Israel out of the Promised Land is keeping most believers out of their personal promised land today. The problem is unbelief.


"But Gloria, that can't apply to me. I believe in God." Israel believed in God too. But when the scouts sent into the Promised Land came back and reported there were giants there, the children of Israel became scared.


If they had believed God, it wouldn't have mattered how big those giants were, they could have marched right in there expecting God to make those giants scatter in every direction. But they didn't believe God!


So often we try to be smart and figure things out instead of just trusting God and doing what He says. And as a result, we end up in disobedience-which always leads to unbelief. But God doesn't ask us to be smart. All He asks us to do is to listen to His Word and obey His voice. Why? Because He knows that if we don't, we'll end up living out our lives on this earth in a wilderness of defeat like that generation of Israelites did.


God is looking for you. Don't let the giants in your life scare you into hiding. Don't let them defeat you. Stand up and let God see you. Let Him know you'll be faithful and obedient. Let Him know you'll trust Him and His Word no matter what the circumstances say or look like. Then worship Him knowing you'll see Him demonstrate His power and faithfulness on your behalf!


Speak the Word: I keep my heart perfect toward God so that He shows Himself strong on my behalf. (2 Chron. 16:9)


For Further Study: Numbers 13:25-33
Daily Scripture Reading: 2 Kings 23-24; 1 Thessalonians 2

Source: Pursuit of His Presence by Kenneth and Gloria Copeland

Excerpt permission granted by Harrison House Publishers

embracing humanity

Is it me, or does it seem like “heartbreak season” for some reason? I know quite a few people, male and female alike who are experiencing some type of major relationship issue or bad breakup. Idk, I guess love itself, or what we think it to be, is always a common topic. It will always be the subject at hand for somebody, it never fails. In this stage of our young life, break ups and relationship issues are inevitable. Now I’m no “love guru” or relationship scholar, but through my own experiences with all of the above, I have learned that its best to embrace my humanity. Easier said than done, of course. But I’ve found that nothing can heal my broken my heart but God and time. And even God chooses to do so in the timeframe that He pleases! Why is this so?

I think it has a lot to do with God being more concerned with what needs to be learned during the process, rather than how you feel when you come out. By no means is this to say that He isn’t concerned at all, but to say that life itself is a process. One that requires learning from experiences in order to succeed. And God is so awesome, that even when we make dumb decisions with love and relationships out of our own free will, He still finds a way to teach us the lesson, and be blessed by it in the end!

Back to the point….I’ve learned that nothing has been able to heal my broken heart except God and time. And because I love hard, my heartbreaks are harder, so my healing could take a while. Lol. So as I wait for God to work His wonders, why not embrace my humanity? As a human being, I have a unique design. God has equipped me with a special component that allows me to be hurt in the very place from which I give love. If I was supposed to be immune to being hurt, then I wouldn’t be able to feel pain in the first place, or at least that’s what I believe.

Note: I AM NOT SPEAKING OF ABUSE. THAT IS AN ENTIRELY DIFFERENT SUBJECT..DONT BE FOOLED BY THE ENEMY!

...the key then is finding “value” in the “valley”. Seeking what is to be gained from your situation, and that may only come through the pain that it brings. In the past, my breakups went either one of two ways. A) I ignored the fact that I was hurting inside, acting as if my breakup didn’t have a true effect on me emotionally and physically as I appeared “good” to the world around me. All the while aware that I was running from my reality and ruining all of the other relationships that were and would be connected to me. Thus prolonging my healing and becoming more bitter by the moment. OR B) I embraced the fact that I was a human being, who was able to love and be loved, just as easy as I am able to hurt and be hurt. This allowed me to be comforted by those who could relate and become a better woman for the next person I would choose to give my heart to. I was able to heal the right way, and I learned so much about God, myself, love, and relationships. Oh, and I also discovered my artistic side as I found new ways to express what I was going through..who knew?!


God desires those who are willing to be real with Him about their situations. He’s the creator, so He knows the very aspects of our humanity that we try so hard to hide. The question is, do you know you???

“There is no way to slip through life dodging the hard things. Pain is as inevitable as breathing. Ever since sin came into creation, that’s how it’s been. People who live their lives trying to incubate themselves from painful experiences will find themselves so busy hiding from reality that they will miss the spontaneous joy of trusting God in the moment.” Claire Cloninger

So, what does embracing your humanity mean? Learn to be vulnerable. Roll with the punches. And although you may be nervous, don’t be afraid to love again.

Dove Sister Dontaleisha Smith

what is this thing?

It is the most beautiful thing in the entire world. There are no words that can be used to accurately describe it. It cannot be found in any store. It cannot be bought with any amount of money. It is priceless, yet it paid for your very life. It cannot be reproduced, imitated or duplicated. Many people think that they have it, but are deceived. It is the most coveted thing on earth. People have died and killed for it. It has been raped, counterfeit, beaten, blackmailed and misconstrued, yet it still lives on.



What is this thing?


Love.


Not the “I want you, I need you, oh baby, oh baby” kind of love, but the beautiful, thriving, healing, love that lives and finds its origin through the Spirit. Before there was, there was Love. Love is the beginning of all things and love is ending of all sin. Love is the very heartbeat of God. Because of Love, you and I live.


So live in love.


1 Corinthians 13:4-8
4Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 8Love never fails.

As a Christian, we are called to honor the ones that we love everyday. And of course, as Christians we are called to love all people. This means that essentially, every day should be Valentine’s Day. We should go out of our way to show the love of God as much as we can to as many people as we can every single day. Granted, we don’t have to buy cards and candy and flowers for someone everyday, but most times, all people need to feel loved is to receive a “hey there” txt or a simple hug. Sometimes even a smile will suffice.



Matthew 22: 34-39
34Hearing that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, the Pharisees got together. 35One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: 36"Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?" 37Jesus replied: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' 38This is the first and greatest commandment. 39And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' 40All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments."


 


Dove Sister Ariel Pierson

Post Valentines

Valentines day has come and gone, and I will say it wasn't what I totally expected.



Valentines day is overrated completely but I love the day nonetheless. I look forward to when our society doesn't make Valentines day into this event where you have to buy expensive jewelry, go out to over priced restaurants, buy stuffed animals the size of Golden Retrievers that I say I love you for a boyfriend or girlfriend, and make others that are without feel less than. Like somethings wrong with those who don't have a romantic relationship.


The worse thing about it is, most people don't even know what Love is....if you don't know God's love you don't love. I'm sorry but you don't. He invented it, is the essence of it, and in my opinion the only one who can give it the way it's supposed to be given.


Valentines day should be about friends, family, boyfriends, girlfriends, line sisters, line bothers, husbands, wives, and children. It should be a time where you have a huge event/party inviting everyone that means something to you life.


In fact I'm done conforming to society....this is my second Valentines day with a boyfriend (and i wont lie neither been a fairytale dreams by far) and this is the second time I made it all about him....when it was never like that before.


From now on, I'm having Valentines Day Parties inviting everyone that mean something in my life, everyone who has touched me and made me feel special in someway.


And in my case, I have a hard time letting people in, so for those who I have....they mean more to me than they will ever know.


Well back to my Valentines Day....and the point of this entry. Why yesterday was special was God. Who never fails to disappoint me. It was at Chapel yesterday, with my Lovely Sisters and through the sermon of Rev. Dr. John Kinney, that God gave me a message He has been trying to give me for a while. I knew it was going to be a message for me because I woke up mad late that morning and said "I don't think I'm going to Call to Chapel, its too late" and everything stopped inside of me and said "you have to go"


What was I reminded....that God has a purpose and plan for me and my life, and if He says that this is what I'm going to do...then I can do it because He said it would come to pass.


See Dr. Rev. John Kinney read Jeremiah 1:4-8 "the word of the Lord came to me, saying, 'Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations' 'Ah Sovereign Lord,' I said, 'I do not know how to speak; I am only a child. But the Lord said to me, 'Do not say, I am only a child. you must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you. Do not be afraid of them for I am with you and will rescue you.' Declares the Lord."






His sermon made me realize that I am just like Jeremiah or Moses and etc and etc. I'm not saying I'm going to lead nations LOL far from it. But when God has been showing me what He wants from me...I answer...."I'm not a strong enough woman of God...not yet." "I can't help other out of their depression, and insecurities...not yet...let me get this being with out sin thing down pact first." WRONG


God can transform you in ways you never even knew....so when you think youre not good enough or not ready youre WRONG! Because God wants you right now at that moment. Not for what you are....or have been....but because what He is going to make you into. Remember that!!! I have to remember that!!!!


He has a divine purpose for our lives and it will come to pass if we just trust Him.
and that's my valentines day story!

Dove Sister Taylor Smith

Kissers & Clingers

C-Faith Daily Devotions

By Jesse Duplantis


St. Valentine's Day has grown to symbolize the world's view of love—kisses, chocolate candy, romantic music, poems and pledges of devotion. It represents love's softest, most gentle side. It's sweet but not too strong.


In reality, nothing could be further from the truth. St. Valentine was a Roman priest and physician who clung to his love for Jesus Christ in spite of persecution by Emperor Claudius Gothicus. It cost him his reputation. It cost him his career. It cost him his livelihood. Ultimately, when he refused to recant, it cost him his life.


The test of true love is not what is gained but what you are willing to give.


So what is the difference between carnal, worldly love, and strong, Godly love? It's the difference between being a kisser and a clinger. I discovered this while reading the first chapter of the book of Ruth. Notice verse 14,

And they lifted up their voice, and wept again: and Orpah kissed her mother-in-law; but Ruth clave unto her. Ruth 1:14


Orpah was a kisser. Ruth was a clinger. Orpah kissed the woman, wept tears and said, "I love you!" See emotionalism? That's religion for you.


But Ruth was a clinger. She knew that Naomi served the Living God, and she was determined to live among His children. Ruth put her past behind her. She left her home. She left her family. She left her country. Her love wasn't weak. She didn't know what the future held, but she was willing to pay any price.


The kisser, Orpah, is a perfect representation of the religious individual who walks into church crying, "I give up everything!" They are willing to give up their own plans until the past begins to pull on them. Then suddenly, the past has more allure than the plan God has for their future.


It's possible to go a long way toward Christianity and not be a Christian. Sadly, many people who go to church are not saved and have never met Jesus. They don't understand Jesus, because Jesus wasn't a kisser. Judas was a kisser. Jesus was a clinger.


Orpah acted like Ruth. She did everything Ruth did. She wept, she bawled, she squalled and she walked out of the city with her mother-in-law just like Ruth did. But, there came a point in time when it was evident that this was emotional religion. She hadn't had a vital change. She was a kisser. After that parting, Orpah's name was never mentioned in the Bible again.


Ruth clung to Naomi because she had made up her mind. 'I'm going to embrace this God, Jehovah. I may not understand all His ways, but I will accept them. I will live for Him.'


You see, her affections were set on things above. It is not what you say with your mouth but what you are willing to do with your life that makes you a clinger. A clinger is one who has totally surrendered to God. I'm not talking about a hasty resolution. God is not interested in rash promises. He is interested in a love so complete that it forgets those things that are behind.


Ruth turned her back on her past and moved forward with God. In those days, it was unthinkable for a Moabite to be in the Jewish race. Yet, God accepted her and used her in the lineage of the Messiah. Why? Because she was a clinger.


I see a lot of kissers. They embrace the Gospel only for what they can get out of it, and they end up with nothing.


I have also known many great men and women of God who were clingers. They embraced the Gospel because of the love of Jesus. They embrace the Gospel because of the love of Jesus, and some are walking the streets of Heaven today because they clung to the Gospel of Jesus Christ and were obedient to his plan for their future.


What about you? Have you determined in your heart to cling to God no matter lies what ahead?
Give it all up and cling to Jesus.
That's true love.

Jesse Duplantis Ministries

All rights reserved. Used by permission.

happy birthday .. Jesus?

This was something I wrote over my Christmas break. It’s funny how even when not in school, God always manages to teach us lessons. This break he taught me a few things. Patience (as always), trusting in Him to provide all of my needs and how to be at peace, were just a few of the lessons on the curriculum for the past couple of weeks. I think this applies to our lives for more than just the Christmas season. We need to carry the “CHRISTmas” spirit always. Everyday should be a day in which we celebrate the birth, life and death of CHRIST. It is, after all, the very reason we are here.


this week i have found myself in much distress trying to find the perfect gifts to give my many family members and friends. not only did i have to buy my gifts, i also had to do my father's shopping. if that wasn't enough, my mother entrusted me with the task of "running errands" (i.e. doing her christmas shopping) as well.


christmas shopping for three persons
+ crazy crowds
+ long lines
+ crazy traffic
- MY patience
= little christmas cheer .
needless to say, this past couple of days, i have been thinking about the wrong things.
but of course, God (who disciplines those whom he loves) was quick to correct me.
the other night i was wrapping gifts and thinking about how excited the recipients would be to receive them. laughing with glee, i crossed off names from my loooong list, feeling relieved as i scratched off each name.
then i thought about it .. i had forgotten one person - what was I going to get God for Christmas? it occurred to me that though we are supposed to be celebrating "CHRIST," i had barely given Him much thought.
i wonder how it feels for everyone to receive gifts except for the one who is actually having the birthday.
must be rough.
this gave me something to think about ... do i live a life on the daily that is an acceptable gift unto the King?
.. do you?


Dove Sister Ariel Pierson

insecurities

Romans 8: 5-8 “Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace; the sinful mind is hostile to God. It does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. Those controlled by the sinful nature cannot please God.”


I did not fully grasp the concept of this scripture until I sincerely asked God to show me things about myself that did not need to be there. When I first looked at this scripture, I just thought the desires of a sinful nature were tangible. However, further studying this scripture allowed me to see that this could be applied to all aspects of a desire. For instance, if someone is struggling with insecurities (e.g. low self-esteem or validation issues), naturally that person may respond to that insecurity so that they will no longer be uncomfortable.
How we respond goes two ways. Either we seek God to help us deal with that insecurity, or we please that insecurity. In a situation in which we please our insecurity, we may act out in anger, have an eating issue, be depressed, etc. When we respond in this way, we are not only being controlled by our sinful nature but our minds are set on what that nature desires.
When we have insecurities, God is the only one who can tell you that that insecurity does not identify you. God sees past that insecurity; He sees you for who He made you to be. Therefore, only He can show you the root and heal whatever is causing this insecurity to control you. By seeking God willingly to solve our problems and help us deal with certain issues, we are not only submitting to His will for our lives, but we are also allowing Him to renew our minds. A renewed mind will help bring deliverance and bring you peace.


- Dove Sister Janelle Guy

the devil is in the details

ive heard...the devil is in the details.

but ive also heard that God is in the details.
so which one is it?


i think both. Most people dont look at the small things the devil does: laziness, pride, spirits of depression and loneliness, attitudes. hes a sneaky buster.


i was thinking about this, and something came to my mind. now im not a very holy person, i would say. in that i mean, i just dont automatically think of things in spiritual terms. we are spirit, soul, and body, but unfortunately, sometimes i tend to focus on the more obvious soul and body portions of my life...anyway. back to what i was thinking.


i started noticing that whenever i would pray, just me and God, with no music, no noise, nothing but me and God, alone, or when i really really wanted to do some intercessory prayer, i tend to get sleepy. doesn't matter if i was sleepy or not. i would find myself fallin asleep on God! not cool.


then i thought about it more. how come if i was silent doing anything else, i could stay awake? i mean, i pull all nighters pretty frequently. why can't i stay awake for the most important thing in my life? could it be...maybe...the devil?


now at first, i thought, ok DeAnna, youre really OD now. this is something so small, so minute, really, the devil tho? but the devil...is in the details.


ephesians 6:10-18


im not wrestling against my flesh and blood. im wrestling against powers, principalities, rulers of the darkness of this world, spiritual wickedness in high places.

what does the deivl hate the most? our intimacy with God.


so he would try anything to keep me from that. he aint stupid. he knows that im not gonna fall for some obvious thing. uhuh. i love my God too much, im too smart for that. and im also too smart to notice the small things that keep me from developing a deeper relationship with God. which is why he would go that route, lol. bc i think im too smart to fall for something. (i should have recalled this scripture: Romans 12:3 ....Don’t think you are better than you really are. Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves, measuring yourselves by the faith God has given us.)


so what do i do?


i realize that i have to search closely, look at the details, and stab him. i have to put on my whole armour...i especially need my shield of faith to quench his fiery darts, and to always be in the spirit so i can sling him off with my sword.


only by always being ready, always being watchful for that stupid devil, can i kill him straight off. And reveal the true details:


the little things God does in my life to assure my peace, joy, and well being. the little things He does to cultivate our intimacy.




Dove Sister DeAnna Rhodes!

Like Fine Wine

So I was in my art appreciation class today, listening to my professor lecture about the different elements of art. Giving a small spill about each piece of artwork created by artists I had never even heard of. After a while, the paintings all seemed to look alike to me. One after the next, some colors, some blotches, some lines..whatever. And then, there it was. An PURE image so unique, peculiar, standing out from all the rest. It was a beauty. I stared at this work, tilting my head from side to side, trying to grasp an understanding of its intricate design. The colors were just right, shape and form, amazing. I am the least of those that appreciate art, but here I am; eyes locked, an unusual admiration, captivated by this…by this…..what is it? Assuming by the class response, everyone else saw nothing “admirable” about it. Some even mocking it, saying that it was not true art, and that it is a work that they could have done themselves. The professor went on to tell us of its worth. As you can probably guess, it was worth millions. Some ridiculous price. Apparently, this was a piece that had been around for years becoming more beautiful and valuable over time. It had been showcased in art galleries all over the world. Yet, no duplication. So what’s the secret to this piece? She, my professor, smiled and said, “When being created, the brush never touched the canvas.” I thought to myself, this is how I want my marriage to be. Sacred. Valuable. Honored. Looked upon and smiled at by God, the original creator. I want it to grow and get better over time. Like fine wine, I suppose. So complicated, but yet simple. Beauty that cannot be defined, because it flows distinctively throughout, from beginning to end. Withstanding the test of time. Something to be admired and showcased. An example for both the future, and those that shall follow. The first, last, and only of its kind. I’m not too much, he’s not too less, but together we are just right, making lasting impressions upon the heart of God from which it will come. Marriage is art. Like a piece of work. Astounding beauty anointed by God, its creator, WITHOUT premarital sex.



Dove Sister Dontaleisha Smith

Act in Faith

 By Kenneth E. Hagin

And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform.
(Rom. 4:21)

When the pastor said, "Amen," I said in faith, "Thank God, it's gone." What does it mean to say something in faith? It means to call those things that be not as though they were. Many honest Christians are afraid to act because they don't know what faith is.


Someone might ask, "Well, was the paralysis gone?"

"No, the right side of my face was still dead."


"You were lying, then," someone might respond. No! I was acting on the Word.


After the service, everyone rushed up to me. They said, "Did the Lord really heal you when Pastor laid his hands on you and anointed you with oil?"


I said, "He sure did."


"Well, you don't look any different. Do you feel any different?" they asked.


"Not that I can tell," I said.


They said, "If you don't look any different and you don't feel any different, what makes you think the Lord has healed you?"


I said, "I don't think He has; I know He has."


What was I doing? I was acting in faith. I dare you to do it. We used to say in Texas, "I double-dog dare you!" I challenge you to act on the Word.


Are you afraid that maybe God lied? No, He didn't lie. You have to be convinced in your own spirit, though. It won't work just out of your head. It won't work trying to do what I did. I didn't try it. I did it!
Confession:


I act in faith. No matter what I see with my eyes, no matter what I feel in my body, I act on the Word in faith. I believe that I receive when I pray.

Source: Health Food Devotions by Kenneth E. Hagin.

Excerpt permission granted by Faith Library Publications

Christ in Me

by Max Lucado
Like Mary, you and I are indwelt by Christ.


Find that hard to believe? How much more did Mary? No one was more surprised by this miracle than she was. And no one more passive than she was. God did everything. Mary didn't volunteer to help. What did she have to offer? She offered no assistance.

And she offered no resistance. Instead she said, "Behold, the bond- slave of the Lord; may it be done to me according to your word" (Luke 1:38).
Unlike Mary, we tend to assist God, assuming our part is as important as his. Or we resist, thinking we are too bad or too busy. Yet when we assist or resist, we miss God's great grace. We miss out on the reason we were placed on earth-to be so pregnant with heaven's child that he lives through us. To be so full of him that we could say with Paul, "It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me." (Gal. 2:20)


What would that be like? To have a child within is a miracle, but to have Christ within?


To have my voice, but him speaking.
My steps, but Christ leading.
My heart, but his love beating
in me, through me, with me.

What's it like to have Christ on the inside?


To tap his strength when mine expires
or feel the force of heaven's fires
raging, purging wrong desires.
Could Christ become my self entire?


So much him, so little me
That in my eyes it's him they see.
What's it like to a Mary be?
No longer I, but Christ in me.

From Next Door Savior

Copyright (Thomas Nelson, 2003) Max Lucado

just a few things...

sometimes, i just need to be reminded of things. today, I was reading through my personal notes, and I realized how many reminders I had. so i felt like i should share just a few...

How can you expect a man to be faithful if he has no faith?

Psalm 126:5 Those who plant in tears will harvest with shouts of joy

If God allows it, it means He already has a plan to bring you out.

YOU are ministry

You didn't create yourself, so there's no way you can tell yourself what you were created for...  ~The Purpose Driven Life

The times you feel the worst are the times you can know Him the best.

Christ is my everything, or He isn't anything

I'm running; if I can't walk then I'll crawl, and I'll get up when I fall, trying to get to whereYou are...  ~Mary Mary "I'm Running"

We all need a little dirt to grow...  ~Mary Mary "Dirt"

Proverbs 4:23 Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life

(on Psalm 23) His rod and His staff comforts me. a rod: to beat back the enemy, heavy enough to strike a big blow. a staff: long enough to pull His sheep back in when we stray too far ... we're walking THRU the valley, not TO it ... it says "thou preparest me a table in the presence of mine enemies" if you have no enemies, you have no table ... Dwell in the house of the Lord; DWELL, not visit.

When you think that you can, His hands are tied and He can't. But when you know that you cannot, that is when He can.

God didn't create sin; the devil and man permitted it.

Repentence is an everyday thing. It is your weapon. It is power. It is our spiritual shower....if you dont take it, you will stink!

Carry your cross...as we grow in Christ, the cross does not get smaller; it gets bigger as we become more self aware

Go means you just leave, untethered, floating around. SENT means you've got support, a home, a purpose. It means you can always come back to people who love you. You're a warrior, with something to do.

You can either wallow in the situation you're in right now, or seek to understand/discern why God has you in that situation.  ~my nu fave quote giver

Hope this blesses your life!

Dove Sister DeAnna

PUSH

PUSH...Pray Until Something Happens...that's something that is seen and/or said fairly often right?



I was taught that I pray for something and then continue to thank God in advance for it coming to pass...my mom would be like "He heard you the first time" lol
I'm reading this book entitled, "Did you think to pray? How to listen and talk to God everyday about everything" by R.T. Kendall. I'm almost halfway through and it is very interesting. I think sometimes it's easy to forget about prayer in some aspects. Prayer is one of way of communicating with God. Some people just talk to Him like they would to a friend in prayer, some people write it down, maybe others sing or anything like that. But one thing that I learned growing up is that in order to live life as God would have us live, we need to completely give ourselves and our lives to Him. That means that, essentially, our spiritual life and our natural lives are so intertwined, that they may as well be, they are one.
As my uncle says, we are spirits, we have a soul, and we live inside of a physical body. The stuff going on down here on Earth is only temporary. Prayer is a big part of your walk. We need to talk to God. We definitely can about everything and anything. He will always listen, let us have a tantrum..or when we don't want to talk to Him, He will always take us back. Despite all of that, a lot of times I find it incredibly hard to pray. Even when I know that I know that I KNOW that I should. Sometimes I just forget...have you ever done that? Even when things are going wrong, there's so much going on, but for that very reason I forget to. I want my first reaction to be running to God. God has blessed me to have an amazing family and amazing friends. I have a biological sister and a plethora of other brothers and sisters. People that I know I can talk to and even some that I know, without a shadow of a doubt, that God put them here so I can talk to them. If you knew me a few years ago, I wouldn't talk to anyone. About anything. No matter what was going on inside me, it stayed inside. Now I have people I can talk to, people that know me so well, it's amazing...because a few years ago, people really just thought they knew. But they had no idea (lol hadda say it...stay with me).


The point is, yes, God gives us people, friends, sisters, brothers, cousins, to talk to, but we need to know that we need to run to Him first. Sometimes even in prayer, He can lead you to the right person to talk to. God wants us to talk to Him. He wants us to come before Him and just be. To talk to Him the way we talk to our closest friends or family members. God isn't some big bully (shout out to Advisor Sneed) or some being that's way out and up there above us. He's very real and very close to us and just wants to be closer. God will do His part, but are we doing ours? You don't have to pray the way the deacon at your church does, the way your mother does, or anything. You talk to God the way you're comfortable, but do talk to Him. And as you do, you will find not only God drawing nigh to you, but you drawing nigh to Him. So much so that it will be as if He is sitting and talking to you face to face. I want to be a woman after God's own heart, to talk with Him like Moses did...all it takes is one step.



Dove Sister Adeola Oyelabi

In the Zone

In the Zone of the Rest of God

By Keith Butler
"Let us therefore be zealous and exert ourselves and strive diligently to enter that rest [of God, to know and experience it for ourselves], that no one may fall or perish by the same kind of unbelief and disobedience [into which those in the wilderness fell]" (Heb. 4:11 AMP).

The rest of God deals with when you are in contrary circumstance. Your being able to operate in full peace and assurance, being able to complete the mission God has sent your way, not to be disquieted or upset or full of anxiety or worry or concern or trouble. In other words, you can sleep at night.
Christians ought to be able to sleep at night. Now, I'm not talking about, I mean, if you ate too much pizza at midnight. You aren't going to sleep tonight. But that's different than not sleeping because of worry, concern, or fear. There is a place of rest for anyone who is born again.


I want you to notice the Scripture tells us that the place of rest is not automatic (Heb. 4:1). That place of comfort, that place of peace, that place of assurance, that place of quietness must be labored to get into.


Notice what it said. Let us labor to enter into that rest. Now, that takes a responsibility of whether or not you walk in the place of rest that is reserved for you is not God's fault. And it's not God's problem. It's up to you.


So it said that we must labor to enter into that rest. That means we have to strive, we have to get with it. It says that we must be zealous and exert ourselves to enter into this place of rest. I like to call it the zone.


In athletics they talk about how a basketball player gets in a zone. And that is, when he comes to a place where nothing that he throws up misses. It seems to him that the basket is three feet wide and everything he throws up goes in.


Well, there is a zone for the people of God whereby they know that their faith is on the line and they know that God's Word is so, and it doesn't matter what the enemy seems to do. Whatever they do seems to come out all right when they are in the zone of the rest of God. There is a place of rest, but it's up to you to walk in it.




Scripture Reference: Psalm 95:3-11

Keith Butler Ministries. All rights reserved. Used by permission.

food for thought (or lack thereof)

this jumped off the pages of my little brown&black bible this morning:
then jesus entered a house, and again a crowd gathered, so that he and his disciples were not able to eat . - mark 3:20 (niv)


yo .. he couldn't even find time or space to eat because he was healing the people.


i get annoyed when my friends ask if they can have a bite of my food - jesus was skipping whole meals on behalf of people who ended up betraying him !
.. his sacrifice is so real.
what do I sacrifice for the Kingdom?


Dove Sister Ariel Pierson