Rising Above Devotional (Week 1)

Week 1: January 19, 2010

When the enemy comes to bring disturbance in Your World, REJOICE. Why because that means the Set Apart Spirit in You and through you has brought a disturbance in His World. If you are reproached for the Name of Messiah, you are blessed, because the Spirit of esteem and of Elohim rests upon you. On their part He is blasphemed, but on your part He is praised. ( Apostle Janet L. Newell)

Blessed is the man who is persecuted for my name sake for his is the kingdom of Heaven. Matthew 5: 10

A lot of times we get so focus on what someone says, and does to get us upset. We begin to instantly think about how we feel and why it’s all an injustice!! Why are they treating me this way? Why do they have an attitude? Why didn’t they speak? I know they heard me say “hello, good morning”. What’s the deal? (As they say in LA)
We have to remember it’s not about you!

It’s about HIM!! His Will, His Purpose, and His Way. Many are called but few are chosen.
So remember if a sinless, humble, carpenter, builder, servant, Savior, Creator, Healer, Redeemer, The Way, The Truth, and The Life, Rose of Sharon, I am that I am, Deliver……………………

Was mock, crucified, beaten, spat on, curse at, set up and betrayed so much and more. How much shall we experience just being a forgiven follower of Christ? How much?

We need to remember when Christ our Wonderful Savior was going through. He didn’t allow nothing to stop him! Death couldn’t hold him, His enemies couldn’t overtake Him!!!! The gates of hell could not prevail against Him.

So Greater is He that is in you then he that is in the world!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Be encouraged…..

My sister a MIGHTY GOD IS INSIDE OF YOU!!!!!

Matthew 5 chapter

The Beginning of the Sermon on the Mount

5And seeing the multitudes, he went up into the mountain: and when he had sat down, his disciples came unto him: 2 and he opened his mouth and taught them, saying,

The Beatitudes

3 Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4 Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. 5 Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. 6 Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. 7 Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. 8 Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. 9 Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called sons of God. 10 Blessed are they that have been persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 Blessed are ye when [men] shall reproach you, and persecute you, and say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. 12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets that were before you.

Prayer for you SISTERS:

I want to thank you Jesus for who you are. You are faithful, loving, and an awesome God. I exalt your holy name there is none like you. You are my Healer, Counselor, Peace, Encourager, and my Savior.  I thank you Jesus!!

I pray for each and every woman who has received email. I pray that you will remind them that you are with them always. Through all things you are in the midst of it all. Give each woman peace that passes all understanding in Jesus name. I pray for each woman to receive fresh strength, and renew their minds through Christ Jesus.

Any lies, hurtful words that have been spoken against them. I pray that each word would be cancelled in Jesus Name.

I pray that each woman will receive and accept your view of who they are. Surround them with others who will uplift and encourage them everyday. I thank you Jesus that you are faithful and every word I’m praying right now is evident today in their lives.

L.D.W. I hope this devotional blessed you today. If so forward it to another SISTER who may need uplifting today. Let me know your thoughts about it/ feedback.  God Bless!!

Desire

Desire
Is to long for ..
To seek after..
To live for ..
Every breath is for ..       God
Every step is toward..
I see only..
My heart yearns to please ..
My hand writes to..
My stomach is empty without……
My life is lost without..
My heart hurts without..
My dreams die without ..
My family is lost without …
My past is my present without …
My nightmares become truth without …                

God
I feel invisible without …
I feel lonely without…
There’s no hope without …
There is no faith without…
No tomorrow without…
I can’t find my way without ….
Everything seems dark without….
GOD
I will love ….
I will chase after …
I will live for …
I will never turn away from..
I will seek after….
I will long for ….
Every breath is for ….
God

My steps are ordered by …
The one who guides me is …
The one who accepts me is …
The one who is merciful to me is ….
The one who loves me unconditional is ….
The who will never leave me is….
I will forever praise…
I will never turn around because of….

GOD

PSALMS 73:25

WHOM HAVE I IN HEAVEN BUT YOU? AND BESIDES YOU, I DESIRE NOTHING ON EARTH.

Doors

Body: OPEN AND CLOSED DOORS

We need to learn to thank the Lord for closed doors just as much as we
do for open doors. The reason God closes doors is because He has not
prepared anything over there for us.

If he didn’t close the wrong door we would never find our way to the
right door. Even when we don’t realize it, God directs our paths through
the closing and opening of doors. When one door closes, it forces us to
change our course. Another door closes; it forces us to change our
course yet again.

Then finally, we find the open door and walk right into our blessing.

But instead of praising God for the closed door (which kept us out of
trouble), we get upset because we “judge by the appearances.” And in our
own arrogance, or ignorance, we insist that we know what is right.

We have a very present help in the time of need who is always standing
guard. Because He walks ahead of us, He can see trouble down the road
and HE sets up road blocks and detours accordingly. But through our lack
of wisdom we try to tear down the roadblocks or push aside the detour
signs. Then the minute we get into trouble, we start crying

“Lord how could this happen to me?”

We have got to realize that the closed door was a blessing. Didn’t He
say that “No good thing will He withhold from them that love Him?”

If you get terminated from your job – don’t be down, instead thank God
for the new opportunities that will manifest themselves – it might be a
better job, or an opportunity to go to school. If that man or woman
won’t return your call – it might not be them, it might be the Lord
setting up a roadblock (just let it go).

One time a person had a bank he had been doing business with for many
years tell him “NO” for a $10,000 loan. The Lord led him to call another
bank.
That bank approved a $40,000 loan for him at a lower interest rate than
his own bank had advertised.

I’m so grateful, for the many times God has closed doors to me, just to
open them in the most unexpected places. “The steps of a good man are
ordered by the Lord, and He delights in his way.” (Psalms 37:23) The
mountain top is glorious, but it is in the Valley that I will grow!

And to my people of New Orleans We all are truly blessed even the ones who didn’t make it thru are blessed but we are blessed because we lived to tell about it.

Always Remember God gives you…
Enough Happiness to keep you Sweet
Enough Trials to keep you Strong
Enough Sorrows to keep you Human
Enough Hope to keep you Happy
Enough Failure to keep you Humble
Enough Success to keep you Eager
Enough Friends to give you Comfort
Enough Wealth to meet your Needs
Enough Enthusiasm to make you look forward Enough Faith to banish
depression, and Enough Determination to make each day a better day than
the last.

Life must be lived forward but can only be understood backwards. Commit
to the Lord in whatever you do and your plans will succeed. (Proverbs
16:3)
I’m sharing this message with you because God has blessed me
If you love God share this. He will continue to open and close doors for
you please believe me and THAT’S WHAT’S UP !!!!

My sister email this to me.I thought it was encouraging. What doors have God open or close in your life?

The Outlook Of The Church

Saturday, April 25, 2009

The Outlook Of The Church Jothany Blackwood“Behold, I am about to do a new thing! See, it has already begun…” Isaiah 43:19One of the hallmarks of the church is that it is the gathering place for people starting over. And starting over opens the door to being a part of something larger than ourselves. It offers an open invitation to all to come and do the necessary work to be better. And being better can be evidenced by birthing our dormant dreams and releasing our issues to welcome in better things. The church, by its very nature, represents tradition as well as signals new directions and destiny. It often requires that folks change their outlook in order to move into their destiny. This is critical in our Christian walk because a change in our outlook usually determines our outcome. Your current outlook is usually a good barometer of the direction of your life. When God tells you to look at what He is about to do, He is talking about vision. You have to be able to see that He is getting ready to change things. Next, the church positions us in a posture of expectancy that God will bring a new thing into our lives. Believe that He has already begun it so it can move from the spirit realm into your reality. Maybe you’ve been expecting something for a long time and yet find yourself in the same place. But when we ask God to change our outlook, then we are in a position to reframe our lives. And we can accept with certainty that the things around us will change, our dreams will come to pass, and our walk will begin to align with that expectation. Often our outlook is influenced by the people around us. So the church forces us to conduct an inspection of our connections. And this is so important because they can have profound impact on the depth and breadth of our vision. So we have to be intentional about the people we allow around us as they can abort our purpose, just by denying it’s even an option in our lives. And you have a responsibility not to miscarry God’s vision for your life. So if you desire to move into a higher dimension, then you need to get away from people who have your problem and around people that have your solution. The church strategically equips us with the power to bring our destiny to pass. And as we focus on more bowing down as a body, there will be less breaking down in our individual lives. And we would be better prepared to receive the new thing that God has promised us. God has sent a word that He will bring a new thing to our lives. And He will use the church to usher us into a greater destiny in Him!

God’s Fire…………

Sunday morning coming from work I was worshipping God and praying.

And the word Fire just continually coming into my heart.

I begin to ponder what is God telling me?

So I begin to study the significance of fire.

Fire-is as a symbol of God’s presence and power ( Gen 15:17-18)

Fire was kept burning continuously on the altars where burnt offerings were sacrificed.(Lev 6;13)

The consumption of the offering by the flame assured the acceptance.

Fire-was God way to guide His people. God spoke to Moses in the burning bush experience and called him to lead the children of Israel out Egyptian bondage.

The piller of fire from heaven to guide the m throught their travels.

Fire is God’s agent to purify,and illuminate.

SO MY NEW YEAR’S PRAYER :

I PRAY FOR GOD’S HOLY FIRE TO BE EVIDENT IN MY LIFE. GOD’S FIRE SYMBOLIZES GOD’S PRESENCE AND POWER IN MY LIFE.THAT GOD’S FIRE WILL CONSUME ME DAILY (DO AWAY WITH ME)  THAT HE WILL TAKE COMPLETE CONTROL. GOD’S FIRE WILL GUIDE, PURIFY ME AND ILLUMINATE TRUTH IN MY LIFE….

In Jesus name…..

COURT SETS ATHEIST HOLY DAY

COURT SETS ATHEIST HOLY DAY

In   Florida , an atheist created a case against the Easter & Passover holy days. He hired an attorney to bring a discrimination case against Christians, Jews & observances of their holy days.  The argument was, it was unfair that atheists had no such recognized day(s). The case was brought before a judge. After listening to the passionate presentation by the lawyer, the judge banged his gavel declaring, ‘Case dismissed.’

The lawyer immediately stood objecting to the ruling saying, ‘Your honor, how can you possibly dismiss this case?  The Christians have Christmas, Easter & others. The Jews have Passover, Yom Kippur & Hanukkah. Yet my client & all other atheists have no such holidays.’

The judge leaned forward in his chair saying, ‘But you do.  Your client, counsel, is woefully ignorant.’

The lawyer said, ‘Your Honor, we are unaware of any special observance or holiday for atheists.’

The judge said, ‘The calendar says April 1st is ‘April Fools Day.’ Psalm 14:1 states, ‘The fool says in his heart, there is no God.’  Thus, it is the opinion of this court, that if your client says there is no God, then he is a fool.  Therefore, April 1st is his day. Court is adjourned.

My Thanksgiving List

Our Great Pastor Robin Ask Us To Make Thanksgiving List And Here Is Mine:

1. I’m thankful first for the life Christ has given me a life of freedom,love,prosperity,grace,and peace. That I have freely everyday.

2. My Grandmother and Grandfather who gave me and my siblings the best they could. I thank God for the life I had with my Grandparents I love them and miss them.

3. My Husband who is a great Man Of God who is faithful to God and me. He is an awesome husband,father,protector etc I can go on and on. I LOVE YOU BABY!

4.My children who are a blessing from God. I never thought I would be a mother to these awesome kids I LOVE THEM SOOO MUCH!

5.My siblings Marcus,Alicia,Jennifer,and Cynthia I love y’all so much.

6. I thank you Lord for provision for our family.

7. I thank God for our AWESOME CHURCH FAMILY AND PASTOR ROBIN AND ERICA STEELE WE LOVE YOU SO MUCH. THANK YOU FOR BEING REAL.

8. I love you Lord for being The Lord Of My Life. I belong to you thank you for loving unconditionally. Thank you for making me a new creature in you. I see your reflection in me more and more each day.

9. I thank God for my mom and daddy I honor you.

Thank you Lord!!!!!!!

Let us know what you are thankful for I know that there are so much God has done, but share a little.

I hope your thanksgiving is Great..

New Mindset

New Mindset
Our Mindset enables or disables us in everything that we do. A New Mindset is an essential part of who we are, how we act, and what we say.
Getting to the root of our way of thinking
Traditions; our upbringing, teaching, environment is always foundational. It’s the slab that is poured before the building begins. Depending on who the builder is depends on the stability of the house.
• What was a foundational belief in your childhood home (relationships, school, God)? Do you still have that same belief?
• What was the best advice someone has given you in you teenage years? Did it benefit you or not?

• What was common in the lifestyle of your neighbors, friends in your neighborhood? Do you practice any of those actions today?
These questions are just to give you an idea of foundational myths/truths that possible shaped you in a positive or negative way.
Every one of us have been shaped in some way positive/ negative because of our upbringing, teaching, and environment. Those are the roots that begin to shape the way that we think our mindset.
Example: When a mother tells her children no don’t touch that is hot. Instantly that child knows every time she sees that stove she will remember her mother’s words. (teaching)
The same child sees her mother feeding her baby brother with a bottle she begins to model/copy what mommy is doing with her doll. Dad always comes home angry and screaming at her mother. The child response is to comfort her mother, and to dislike men with the same characteristics. (environment)
Those three aspects of our lives shape our mindset, our perception/ view of things. Some things are obvious and some are invisible. Part of getting a new mind is identifying what shape it from the beginning.

Check this link out it is great.

It reminds us of what God has done for us.

http://www.maximumreferrals.com/bridge

Commitment

We are doing the Purpose Driven Life Book by Rick Warren in our home group.
Last night was a great lesson in chapter 14 (When God Seems Distant)
And one of the questions was have you ever felt like God was distant and if so how did you respond?
This question stirred something so with in me so deep. Because I have been in a place where I felt like God was very distant. I didn’t understand what was going on and why,
I felt like I was on a road that was pitch dark and if I turned to the left or the right I couldn’t see. I didn’t know how this would turn out.

But I was so committed to God, to Jesus I won’t turn back, I can’t go back!!
NO matter what it takes God I love you so much that I will never let go.
You mean so much to me I can’t ever imagine my life without you.
You are my everything Jesus, you saved me from Hell itself I will worship you ALWAYS!

You are the blood that runs through my vein
You are the one who makes my heart beat
You are the one who gave me sight
You gave me the ability to breath
And every breath that I take is yours
All that I am, All that I’m not I’M YOURS LORD!!!!
I will worship you in the storm
I will praise you in that dark place
All that is within me I will bless your Holy Name!

You first loved me when I didn’t even acknowledge you as God.
The most I can do is Love you,
I’ll give you everything. (My life)

Kirk Franklin Song: The Appeal
You are my soul
It’s your love that keeps me strong
You are my light
In the darkness of my night
I’m lost without you
Broken without you
Oh how I need you
You make life worth living
Your grace always keeps giving
I’m lost without you
I’m broken without you
Oh how I need you
Life begins and life will end with you

This states it all!
So I ask you have you ever felt like God was distant. What was your response?

Self Confidence

Decisions that affect your self confidence

· We must make the DECISION to wake up and invite change into our lives.

· I can speak from my experience and say that when my self-esteem was definitely low, it affected the way I used money, my relationships, and my career choices. It determined how I dressed, communicated and what I saw when I looked in the mirror. Even though I look the same now as I did then, back during that time I thought of myself as ugly.

· As I became more aware that the ‘negative’ stories that I created or had inherited were simply not the Truth, my life shifted and continues to shift to a place that I believe is more reflective of my rightful heritage as a Child of God.

1. Decide to accept God’s Plan for you (Jer 29:11)

2. Don’t wait for someone to take care of you, or compliment you

3. Evaluate the things in your life that add value to you

4. Let go of the things that don’t. ( don’t settle for less than the best)

5. You deserve God’s best

6. Decide to invest in yourself

7. Make personal goals

8. Ask your self questions

9. Always be open minded to new things