How Will We Walk Out of Our Fire???

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were thrown into the fiery furnace because of their refusal to bow. That shows that they had a boldness about them that refused to bow to the enemy. BUT that situation was about far more than 3 men thrown into a fiery situation and coming out unharmed!! I can use my sanctified imagination to see how that would cause them to go to a whole other level of confidence and walking out their God given authority!!!

Having the boldness to not bow is important, but our lives are about so much more than merely not bowing. It takes a boldness to not bow yes, but can all those who choose not to BOW also WALK in strength??

We have to walk in our destiny! Walk in our authority! Walk in our boldness! God will often use fiery situations in our lives to refine us and mold our character!

After consulting with genius "Google" :) The tempering process is a process of heat treating, which is used to increase the toughness of iron-based alloys. Tempering is usually performed after hardening, to reduce some of the excess hardness, and is done by heating the metal to some temperature below the critical point for a certain period of time, then allowing it to cool in still air. The exact temperature determines the amount of hardness removed, and depends on both the specific composition of the alloy and on the desired properties in the finished product.

This world can make parts of us and our spirits hard, so God uses His process to soften us, but how completely amazing that His softening is also strengthening!!!

God knows which situations to allow us to walk through, how long to leave us there before reaching the critical point and how long we must remain to get the desired result. His presence was with those three men IN the furnace. He didn't let them walk through it alone. He won't let us either.

While we may not get thrown into actual fire, we STILL go through our own fiery situations TODAY! But we are never alone and my oh my the authority, tenaciousness, and boldness we will walk out with!!

Chosen ones, today instead of complaining about the fire, let's embrace what God is doing in us in this time. Let the refining process work and walk out ON FIRE for God without even smelling like smoke!! People are watching us in our fire and they're waiting to see how we'll walk out! Remember Nebuchadnezzar's response??

Taken from Daniel 3 - 
"28 Then Nebuchadnezzar spake, and said, Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who hath sent his angel, and delivered his servants that trusted in him, and have changed the king's word, and yielded their bodies, that they might not serve nor worship any god, except their own God.
29 Therefore I make a decree, That every people, nation, and language, which speak any thing amiss against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, shall be cut in pieces, and their houses shall be made a dunghill: because there is no other God that can deliver after this sort.

30 Then the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, in the province of Babylon."

Their fiery situation made a believer out of the very authority that placed them there and caused them to be promoted!! Will we let the fire mold or break us??

Let's walk out changed! Stronger! And ready to go!!!

Same Soil, Different Results

We know that in the early part of Matthew 13, the word of God gives examples of how seeds are planted. Some by the wayside & birds devour them. Some in stony places & immediately spring up, but when the sun was up were scorched and because of having no root, withered away. Some among thorns & they sprang up and chocked them, and others on good ground & yielded a harvest.

The point of this thought process and what I've realized is, sometimes seeds are misused.
In Matthew 13:24-30 Jesus refers to good seed being sown, but an enemy came and sowed weeds, so when the plants came up the weeds did as well.

"He put another parable before them, saying, “The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a man who sowed good seed in his field, 25 but while his men were sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat and went away. 26 So when the plants came up and bore grain, then the weeds appeared also. 27 And the servants of the master of the house came and said to him, ‘Master, did you not sow good seed in your field? How then does it have weeds?’ 28 He said to them, ‘An enemy has done this.’ So the servants said to him, ‘Then do you want us to go and gather them?’ 29 But he said, ‘No, lest in gathering the weeds you root up the wheat along with them. 30 Let both grow together until the harvest, and at harvest time I will tell the reapers, Gather the weeds first and bind them in bundles to be burned, but gather the wheat into my barn."

1st of all, there are sooo many lessons in these 7 verses. 

When we are planted in the right soil, it's not the sowers fault if there's no harvest, it's the seeds. The sower can do all they know to do to get the desired result, but sometimes we are our own seeds enemy. We need to ask ourselves, is our seed thriving or dying? 
I've also realized that everyone we are planted with, we won't be harvested with. We're planted in the same soil, but based on choices, have different results. Some will produce a plentiful harvest, while others may get cut off. 

To to make it plain/wake up moment, we know that faith without WORKS is DEAD!! 

So to use my sanctified imagination making this plain, one person sits in the service week after week hearing the good word but does nothing with it. Making them a spiritual sponge While another serves in the church week after week and even though they've missed out on that same good word, they are able to see the fruit of their labor. Which do you think has the greater reward? Sitting vs. serving.

While we're sitting in our churches on Sunday mornings receiving the word (seed) from our Pastors (the sower) what are we doing with it?? How are we planting and growing it? Are we just letting it sit and grow moldy? Going to church and sitting there week after week hearing the word and doing absolutely nothing with it. We also know we are to be doers of the word not hearers only. 

Are we receiving the word (seed) and it gets in our spirit and it's a "good word" that we shout about and talk about for a little while, but we're not serving so it's grown up too fast with no roots so it withers and dies. 

Then are we like the referred to verse, some are seeds and some are weeds. They both grow together and will be revealed upon harvest. 
Remember not everyone we're planted with, will we be harvested with. Some people in our lives are seasonal. Did you catch that?? Seasonal. 

As I was talking to a trusted God given friend, they referred to people who sit in the congregation, knowing they are supposed to be serving somewhere in some ministry in the church, but they continue to sit and soak which turns the word they get to be pretty useless. It seems good for a moment, but after you've taken so much and given none out, what kind of Kingdom example is that? I've never heard the bible refer to us to be Godly sponges. Remember, faith without WORKS is dead.

It's more than just working your mouth (while saying we're sharing the word we got) It's more than just working your peace. It's more than just working your joy. While those are important and we must do them, do you see how many times it's about YOU? God calls us to be good stewards and that refers to more than just money. So if we're just sitting and soaking but not serving, and I mean more than a good Facebook post. Facebook has enough preachers. Don't get me wrong, it's great to post encouragement and the word on social media, but if we're not actively serving at our own church, what good is that Facebook word? What kind of a seed does that make us, when we know good and well God has told us to serve in that ministry but we continue to sit in the sanctuary and soak because we've had a hard week and we just need the word or we're too busy to commit to that ministry right now. That's continuing to make it about US and we're missing out on the blessing God has for us by SERVING. Even Jesus Himself came to the earth as the Son of God and SERVED. If He did, what in the world makes us think we don't have to?? It's time to wake up chosen ones! Time is running out and the choice is ours. 

The question is...What Kind of Harvest Do You Want??  

Grow Through the Wilderness. Avoid the Island

We all know that in life we go through different seasons and that each season holds a purpose and when we approach it correctly, prepares us for the next. Yesterday as I was thinking about some things, God showed me the wilderness and the island and how very different they are.

I've discovered in each of our journeys going through the wilderness is pretty inevitable, but being on an island has to be sought out.

The wilderness: is a place in the middle. We've come from somewhere and are walking through to another place. Often times, journeying alone and how long we're there is largely up to us. Sometimes while in the wilderness we can feel stuck, sometimes even that we're in quicksand. Even in the event of quicksand when we think we're sinking, all we have to do is remain calm, lean back and rise to the top. Just like life, when we face those sinking situations we should remain calm, lean back on God the source of our strength and freedom, and rise to the top of the thing.
Then mirages can appear causing us to think something is in the wilderness that isn't real. Such as, that person we were so sure was "the one" when they were really a 0. Or that job we were so excited about and positive was ours, only to get the email or call that they decided to go with another. These are only a couple of life's examples. I've learned that the wilderness can also be an emotion that is nothing more than something in our head. Sometimes God will take us through the wilderness to go to where He purposed us to be just like He did the Israelites, but they ended up looking at the situations around them rather than keeping their eyes on Him and ahead at the goal, and most of them died in the wilderness without entering the promise. So our choice is do we go through and grow through our wildernesses in life, or do we get stuck there because of a lack of faith and not see all the GREAT plans God has for our lives?!
"For the LORD thy God hath blessed thee in all the works of thy hand: he knoweth thy walking through this great wilderness: these forty years the LORD thy God hath been with thee; thou hast lacked nothing." 
- Deuteronomy 2:7

The island: is a desolate, removed place. You can't get there without purposing to, you can't get off without making an effort and it doesn't lead anywhere but itself. If we try to use it as a transition in our journey, we'll just end up walking in circles because that's all it offers. Now don't get me wrong, some people go to islands to vacation and have a time of refreshing, but most of the time (unless you live in Hawaii :) ) the time there is short and planned and once the time is up, you leave. The danger of the island is it can be used to separate us from our destination, our purpose and even God. When used incorrectly, the enemy can use the island to cause depression, loneliness, defeat and the stay can be longer than ever intended, and unlike quicksand, we have to push and make serious effort to leave.
"Whoever isolates himself seeks his own desire; he breaks out against all sound judgment" 
- Proverbs 18:1

The wilderness can be preparation and the island can be isolation.
Knowing the difference between the two, and which one we experience, is vital.

I can say these things because I've personally experienced both. I've walked through the wilderness alone, and God used it to prepare me, lean on Him, be able to hear His voice so much clearer, and keep my eyes fixed ahead not looking at the surrounding circumstances or getting sidetracked and stuck on a mirage. I've seen many mirages, gotten excited for them, only to get closer and find they were only an imagination, but still can be used for purpose. I've stayed in the wilderness longer than I was supposed to and have possibly missed out on a few things, but I know God is a restorer and I will eventually get the opportunity back and this time will get through faster. I've also CHOSEN to remove myself and go to the island and have a pity woe is me party when it was completely uncalled for and being used for no purpose at all. But now I can speak to both and hopefully help others grow through the wilderness and avoid the island.    

A few ideas to

Grow through the wilderness:

• Have periods of self reflection, making sure the wildness is God's purpose and not our own emotions. Be real with ourselves. Check yourself, before you wreck yourself :)   

• Make sure our focus is fixed on Him and don't be discouraged or deceived by the surroundings.

• Keep moving forward in faith. 

• Increase our prayer life asking for better discernment and really, REALLY listen to His voice so we know what are mirages and what is real. And if we miss it, don't get stuck there. Just keep moving and listen better next time.

• Avoid the "stuck" feeling, and if we feel ourselves sinking, remain calm, lean back, and rise above. 

Avoid the island: 

• Ask for help. Don't think we have to do it all on our own.

• Spend more time in the word and devotions. When our eyes are fixed on God, and our minds are being renewed, the chances of feeling isolated are less even slim to none.

• Evaluate the people in our lives who are TRUE confidants and the people who are leeches (people only there to suck everything they can out of us and when their done, move on) and people who have listening ears as well as running mouths and their own hidden motives. AVOID THEM 

• Spend quality time with those real people and be honest with them. Sometimes they'll tell us to suck it up, or stop feeling ourselves, and most importantly pray with us and provide sound Godly wisdom. 

• While with them, don't sugarcoat things. Be real, honest, and transparent with them. God provided us with specific people in our lives to be vulnerable with. Knowing who they are is the 1st important step, and then knowing their specific roles. As my Pastor Mom helped me see, some friends are for specific purposes. The friend at work, the friend you laugh and be silly with, the seasonal friend, the friend who you tell everything and are completely open with. Learn and be honest with ourselves of who is what. It doesn't make them any less than, it provides wisdom for us to have who is purposed and doesn't put pressure on and try to pull something out of someone who didn't have that purpose. 

Hope this encourages someone who may be going through the wilderness, and if your someone who's on the island, GET OFF!! :) 

Make today GREAT Chosen ones! :) 

Heartsick Vs. Hopeful in the Wait

"Hope deferred maketh the heart sick: but when the desire cometh, it is a tree of life." 

-Proverbs 13:12

In whatever season of life we're in, there is constantly "something" we're waiting for. In excited anticipation, often times it can feel like more than we can bear! 
 As a child those things seemed big, then once adulthood hits, another level of waiting comes. No matter what stage we're at in life, it is accompanied with "waiting" but what is our posture while waiting? Are we hopeful and trusting in the wait, or are we anxious and trying to hurry things along in our own timing?  

I've learned in my own waiting the difference of the two as I've been in both, hopeful and anxious, trying to move things in my own timing. But I've discovered the plan God has for my life is SO much bigger than I could imagine, so when I get anxious and tired of waiting and try to move things in my own timing, I end up messing things up because I can't see all of the important needed steps to take like He does. After all His word says, as my Pastor Mom quotes often :) "But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him." - 1 Corinthians 2:9. So that verse alone tells me that He's got so much planned and if I just trust the Master with His plan, it will work out. 

When I become more heartsick than hopeful, like the other day, I try my best to think on Proverbs 13:12 "Hope deferred maketh the heart sick: but when the desire cometh, it is a tree of life." My best friend Shana told me about the 2nd part of that verse a few months ago and it has been a constant reminder for me of how when we're waiting, we can be confident God already has it planned out. He knew the road would get long and we would grow weary, so He placed encouragement in His word to get us through those rough places. So many people stop at the 1st part of the verse, "hope deferred" but what POWER the 2nd part holds!! Let's break it down like I have to for my sometimes impatient self :) 
1st of all it says "WHEN" the desire cometh. So to me that says it IS in fact coming! We can be sure of it! We also know the bible says God knows the desires of our hearts, and He is faithful to complete them. 2nd, "it is a tree of life" After listening to teaching from Apostle Ron Carpenter, the power that the tree of life holds! God actually banished Adam and Eve from the garden to protect the tree of life from their grubby little hands not to punish them as we've thought for so many years. He had to protect the tree, a tree that was not rooted in the ground. The word talks about how it was in the midst of the garden, so the roots were not in the ground but rooted in heaven. Which showed me why we grow so much and receive so much power when we fast! We're removing the food we partake in from the ground and gaining soul food rooted in heaven! That's a topic to expand upon another time :) 

There are a few things I'm currently waiting on and some have been for a long time. Biggest 1 and can be hardest, especially having waited for it my whole life. THE man God has chosen, pre-destined, and ordained to be my helpmate, husband, confidant, best friend, ministry partner, and much much more. I've been blessed with so many great Godly role models of marriage placed before me and I want exactly what God has planned not half of His plan. I haven't waited 27 years to settle for almost at the last minute when the whole package was right around the next corner. So I continue to wait and be hopeful for my future husband. Doesn't always make it easy and sometimes I get heartsick in the deferred moments, but I remind myself, he's out there somewhere looking for and waiting for me too, so I continue to pray for him and wait for God's perfect timing. Even then, when he comes and finds me :) there will continue to be things we wait for. Our wedding, house, having kids, career choices, trips, etc. 

Whatever we're waiting for, God already has it figured out. He's already done it. Jesus hung on the cross and with His last breath called out "It is finished" so every part of our lives, is finished. It's up to us to seek Him out and listen to that plan and follow each step correctly. Ephesians 1:3 says "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:" So everything we need, He's already given us. We just have to walk it out, by faith, not by sight. Even when we can't see it in the natural, we have to depend on our spiritual sight to see it before it's manifests itself. 

As one of my recent favorite songs, Sparrows by Jason Gray says, "If He can hold the world, He can hold this moment" 

Enjoy every moment, we won't get them back. Follow God's leading and His ordered steps and He will put us EXACTLY where we're supposed to be. Feel the emotion of waiting, wanting, desiring and even when we get heartsick (as He reminded me yesterday) tell Him, be honest with how we're feeling, just don't stay there. Be real with our emotions and then move on. 

God does things complete, He doesn't leave things lacking so what we're waiting on we can be confident of this, "that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ." - Philippians 1:6

Make today the best day Chosen ones!! :) 

SWOGS Single Woman Of God Saga - Installment 1

Keep telling my friends I'm gonna do this, so here goes! Welcome to #SWOGS .....Single Woman Of God Saga LOL 😄🙋🏽💁🏽👊🏼😂

As a single woman of God waiting on THE man God has for me, sometimes things happen that cause me to think, I'm grateful for the ability, and trust God's perfect timing, but dawg where is he at?!?! He could be doing these thing!! 3 major things so far...

1. Found a small spider had laid eggs on the outside of my sliding door on my balcony. While it was interesting to look at for about a day, Sis. Sarah reminded me eventually they will hatch & that won't be good, 😝 so I had to get the spider away from the eggs, kill the spider, smash the eggs (get grossed out) and then promptly flush them down the toilet about 10 billion times to be safe. 👊🏼🙋🏽😝

2. While getting fencing for our Dangerous stage set in Ignite, the people/dudes at Menards must think that since you're at Menards you must know where everything is located and can do it all yourself. At almost 10:00 at night, they direct me OUTSIDE  around the corner of the building, 👀👀  to where I pull up to a guard shack type thing, this guy scans my receipt and says "you know where to go?"
"Uhhhh no" "See it over to the right, that's where you go" So I proceed to drive to the right, where there are stacks and stacks of fencing among other things, I'm alone even though there are people not far off and try to decide which one is mine. Finally figure it out and lift it up and put it in my trunk. Drive back over, he checks to make sure I have what I bought (uhhh where were you 5 minutes ago? I could barely figure out what I bought let alone be able to take something I didn't!) "Have a good night" 👍🏼

3. My AC stopped working on one of our hottest days. I keep my apartment on 65 so when I walked in and to my surprise it was 79 I figured something must be wrong. Now in the machines defense, it probably had needed a filter change (it kept flashing that on the screen haha) for at least 2 months, but I mean come on man! It's hot! lol! 😂😇 So I take out the filter, nothing changes, the temperature continues to climb, so I just turn it off, thinking by this point it's cooler outside than in here. On the couch about 10 minutes later, this is not going to work! I'm about to be sweating in my house! So where do I turn, Prophet Google as my Pastor Dad calls it. Look up what could be the issue, find a couple things, then it hits me! I go to the living room, grab the bottle, pour Esther's anointing Oil on my hands and went and laid hands on that beast and prayed in tongues!! Needless to say, it never stood a chance and has been freezing cold ever since!! 🙌🏼👊🏼💃🏽🎉💪🏼💪🏼😄🙋🏽

So there's the 1st installment of #SWOGS Grateful to have an intelligent capable mind, but I say again, my (future) man could have taken care of these things! So where he at dough!! 💃🏽👀🙋🏽💁🏽👊🏼😂😂😄