God is my source

Many times, we think we provide for ourselves and look no further. We have to stop thinking about ourselves, being selfish and truly look to the Creator, the Giver of Life because He is truly our Source. He, the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords, the Alpha and the Omega, the Lord, High and Lifted Up is my Source.

There has been pain and there has been joy. There has been fun and sadness. There has been love like never before. Time, passion and faith will see you through. Just hold onto the Lord's unchanging hand. I'm praising God for what I cannot see, in the meantime.

This song: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BojJTPjBhEk (Antwuan, Stanley - You are The Source) has kept me smiling no matter what has been going on.

I have been able to rest in the Lord like never before, refusing to be moved by what I see as I believe what His word tells me. I have reminded the Lord of His promises. He has brought me out. He has Redeemed me. He has Revived me. He has Reminded me of His Great Love for me. He is Restoring what the enemy has stolen. I am Coming Out on the other side of Greatness in God.

As I watch what God has done and is doing, I continue to be amazed at how Wonderful God continues to be to me. I know that I am not my own. I know that I work and serve Him. I know that I can Trust Him. I know that He Provides for me beyond my Greatest expectation.

I am truly Thankful, Grateful and continue to be filled with Love for God and His people. God has been Good to me. He has been there for me. He is chipping away at those areas in my life not like Him (Gal 5).  As He prunes me (Jn 15), I will continue to Believe, Hope and Have Faith with Love.

Gal 5 (NLT) gives us direction, correction and freedom in Christ:

So Christ has truly set us free. Now make sure that you stay free, and don’t get tied up again in slavery to the law.
² Listen! I, Paul, tell you this: If you are counting on circumcision to make you right with God, then Christ will be of no benefit to you. ³ I’ll say it again. If you are trying to find favor with God by being circumcised, you must obey every regulation in the whole law of Moses. ⁴ For if you are trying to make yourselves right with God by keeping the law, you have been cut off from Christ! You have fallen away from God’s grace.
⁵ But we who live by the Spirit eagerly wait to receive by faith the righteousness God has promised to us. ⁶ For when we place our faith in Christ Jesus, there is no benefit in being circumcised or being uncircumcised. What is important is faith expressing itself in love.
⁷ You were running the race so well. Who has held you back from following the truth? ⁸ It certainly isn’t God, for he is the one who called you to freedom. ⁹ This false teaching is like a little yeast that spreads through the whole batch of dough! ¹⁰ I am trusting the Lord to keep you from believing false teachings. God will judge that person, whoever he is, who has been confusing you.
¹¹ Dear brothers and sisters,^[a] if I were still preaching that you must be circumcised—as some say I do—why am I still being persecuted? If I were no longer preaching salvation through the cross of Christ, no one would be offended. ¹² I just wish that those troublemakers who want to mutilate you by circumcision would mutilate themselves.^[b]
13 For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don’t use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love. ¹⁴ For the whole law can be summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”^{[c] 15} But if you are always biting and devouring one another, watch out! Beware of destroying one another.

Living by the Spirit’s Power

¹⁶ So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves. ¹⁷ The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, so you are not free to carry out your good intentions. ¹⁸ But when you are directed by the Spirit, you are not under obligation to the law of Moses.

¹⁹ When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear: sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, ²⁰ idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, ²¹ envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God.
²² But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³ gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!
²⁴ Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there. ²⁵ Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives. ²⁶ Let us not become conceited, or provoke one another, or be jealous of one another.

John 15 also gives us direction and promise for our obedience:

“I am the true grapevine, and my Father is the gardener. ² He cuts off every branch of mine that doesn’t produce fruit, and he prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more. ³ You have already been pruned and purified by the message I have given you. ⁴ Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me.
⁵ “Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing. ⁶ Anyone who does not remain in me is thrown away like a useless branch and withers. Such branches are gathered into a pile to be burned. ⁷ But if you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted! ⁸ When you produce much fruit, you are my true disciples. This brings great glory to my Father.
⁹ “I have loved you even as the Father has loved me. Remain in my love. ¹⁰ When you obey my commandments, you remain in my love, just as I obey my Father’s commandments and remain in his love. ¹¹ I have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow! ¹² This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you. ¹³ There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. ¹⁴ You are my friends if you do what I command. ¹⁵ I no longer call you slaves, because a master doesn’t confide in his slaves. Now you are my friends, since I have told you everything the Father told me. ¹⁶ You didn’t choose me. I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce lasting fruit, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask for, using my name. ¹⁷ This is my command: Love each other.

The World’s Hatred

¹⁸ “If the world hates you, remember that it hated me first. ¹⁹ The world would love you as one of its own if you belonged to it, but you are no longer part of the world. I chose you to come out of the world, so it hates you. ²⁰ Do you remember what I told you? ‘A slave is not greater than the master.’ Since they persecuted me, naturally they will persecute you. And if they had listened to me, they would listen to you. ²¹ They will do all this to you because of me, for they have rejected the one who sent me. ²² They would not be guilty if I had not come and spoken to them. But now they have no excuse for their sin. ²³ Anyone who hates me also hates my Father. ²⁴ If I hadn’t done such miraculous signs among them that no one else could do, they would not be guilty. But as it is, they have seen everything I did, yet they still hate me and my Father. ²⁵ This fulfills what is written in their Scriptures^[a]: ‘They hated me without cause.’

²⁶ “But I will send you the Advocate^[b]—the Spirit of truth. He will come to you from the Father and will testify all about me. ²⁷ And you must also testify about me because you have been with me from the beginning of my ministry.

scripture retrieved using google from biblegateway.com and video using google youtube

(c) princessjoyful

Leaving behind the old, looking forward to the new, renewing the mind and trusting God through it ALL

Today is the last day of 2013.

A lot has happened during the year of Transformation and the year of Promises Fulfilled, where we have had to press our way through while standing firm with faith. As the story continues to be written, a new chapter is being written.

 It's not over, it's just beginning. It's not over - Israel Houghton and New Breed
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aO9qJpX_BVc

I've been pondering this question for a while now and I've finally written my thoughts down:

 

Suicide! Why do people contemplate it and act on it?

Insecurity. Fear. Feeling unworthy. Tired of being demonized by others. Bullied. Put down by others. Rejected. Negative thoughts. Too much talk about vs. talking to and shown love, unconditional love. Love is action. People say it yet add nothing to prove it. So why should the despondent person trust that you will listen to them or even help them? They don't feel comfortable coming to you. You have to go to them to show them someone cares. Someone loves them. Someone misses them. There are many reasons a person needs someone in their corner, or multiple people in their corner: money, relationships with family, friends are the biggest reasons. None of us are islands and words have a profound effect on everyone, whether the person hear then or not. Positive speech is so important.

Negative speech kills spiritually, emotionally, and finally physically. Some say it is temporary so why make a permanent choice. The permanent choice is to stop the noise, the words, the negativity from getting to you any more. How do you get rid of the toxic waste? That is difficult. Look at the Fukushima nuclear plant. They are unable to stop the constant release of toxic fumes. It is reaching into far corners of the earth by the atmospheric pressure and the ocean tides. Words have that same effect. It can be positive or negative. How we hear and apply words. The lies told. The manipulation. The web weaved. What is the motivation? Jealousy? Envy? Hate? Anger? Bitterness? This green eyes monster has taken a lot of good people with it and robbed God of some of His most important children here on earth! Why? We become weak after being under constant attack. We have no one to hold us up. No one willing to stand with us, physically. We disconnect emotionally and spiritually. Unless someone is in our space to encourage us, we feel as if we have nothing. If we have nothing, why continue to pursue a purpose that seems to be elusive. Actions speak louder than words so we decide to show you how much you care about us by removing ourselves from the situation by suicide. If you cared you would be there physically, emotionally and spiritually. We are selfish just as you are selfish. Caring is showing the other person as much as loving is. No phone calls. A hurried email or text. No quality time is spent together. No understanding between you because time is not well spent getting to know the depths of our soul. What makes us tick? The things we love to do. Being real with each other. Removing the mask. Knowing and loving anyway. We all can't live together.

Sometimes you do have to give and give and give until a breakthrough is had. You can't give up on them because they will give up on themselves. You are their arms, eyes, ears, voice of reason. They need to depend on you until they have returned to full strength. You have to be willing to surrender you for them to live so you both can live and you don't become angry or bitter because they chose to commit suicide. We know God loves us. We believe His word that He will never leave us. What happens when life becomes so clouded that the very people who are supposed to be His hands, ears, eyes, feet and mouth don't do His will? Suicide. Then they want to know why and begin to ask questions. Look in the mirror and ask yourself, are you giving or are you only taking?

We are desperate for a change, something positive. We see suicide as positive. We see it as a change. We no longer feel like we will be a burden if we are not here, so we follow through. We think it out. We plan. We make it happen. We are taught to do what we think is right at all times. Integrity is important and necessary. This follows that thought. If we leave, no one can lie about us anymore. The negative talk will no longer hurt. No more bills to pay. No more worries about anything. Our love tank is depleted. We feel like we are invisible. Out of sight, out of mind.

As much pain as we may be going through to decide to end our life, one thing is for certain, God said that He will never leave us or forsake us and we have to have faith to believe it. He also said that He controls our destiny, Jer 29:11, and our faith must be activated to believe that as well. We cannot lose our faith, hope and love of and for God during times of trial. God determines the length of our life. Do we embrace what He has allowed us to have or do we throw it away by squandering it? Do we enjoy the fruit of our labor, being content where we are or do we ignore the blessings we currently have while continuing to chase dreams. There is nothing wrong with chasing our dreams, God is a dream giver, but do we chase dreams while ignoring what we have accomplished.

You have made my life no longer than the width of my hand.
    My entire lifetime is just a moment to you;
    at best, each of us is but a breath.” Interlude

⁶ We are merely moving shadows,
    and all our busy rushing ends in nothing.
We heap up wealth,
    not knowing who will spend it.

Ps 39:5-6 (NLT)

¹² The night is almost gone; the day of salvation will soon be here. So remove your dark deeds like dirty clothes, and put on the shining armor of right living.

Rm 13:12. (NLT)

We have to live right daily because we don't know how long we will have here on earth before we return home to heaven. We should desire to want to accomplish the will of God at every season of our life rather than fulfill selfish desires and calling them our dream. God' timing is perfect and He opens doors and closes doors or tells us to wait. Patience is hard yet there is a promise awaiting us if we are patient.

³⁶ Patient endurance is what you need now, so that you will continue to do God’s will. Then you will receive all that he has promised.

Heb 10:36 (NLT)

³ For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. ⁴ So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.

Jam 1:3-4 (NLT)

⁶ and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with patient endurance, and patient endurance with godliness,

2 Pet 1:6 (NLT)

So I say to all those who have contemplated suicide, want to complete the task of suicide that if you have faith, run your race well and be patient with God, He will work it all out for your good and His glory, better than you could ever imagine or think. There is hope and better, if not best, coming your way, just hold onto god's unchanging hand. Begin to seek God by praising Him in your darkest hour because that is when He will truly work on your behalf. Focus on God, place Him at the center so you are not looking at your circumstances but to Him for direction and guidance and He will begin to clear the fog, the depression, the negative place you are in. He will begin to open your eyes to see clearly, to revive your dreams, to move you into the path He has for you and it will be good. Amen!

Nothing Can Separate Us from God’s Love

³¹ What shall we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us? ³² Since he did not spare even his own Son but gave him up for us all, won’t he also give us everything else? ³³ Who dares accuse us whom God has chosen for his own? No one—for God himself has given us right standing with himself. ³⁴ Who then will condemn us? No one—for Christ Jesus died for us and was raised to life for us, and he is sitting in the place of honor at God’s right hand, pleading for us.

³⁵ Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death? ³⁶ (As the Scriptures say, “For your sake we are killed every day; we are being slaughtered like sheep.”^[a]) ³⁷ No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us.
³⁸ And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,^[b] neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. ³⁹ No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Rm 8:31-39 (NLT)

 I'll hold on - Tamela Mann
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tAVao2Bj9os


¹⁰ And he did rescue us from mortal danger, and he will rescue us again. We have placed our confidence in him, and he will continue to rescue us. 2 Cor 1:10 (NLT)

(c) princessjoyful 2013

A poem -- Alone, dejected, rejected

Alone, dejected, rejected

You say you love me, yet you are not in a position to marry me
You say you love me, yet you left me with nothing
You say you love me and never hugged me
You say you love me and never check on me
You say you love me and give me no time
You say you love me, yet all you did was take
You say you love me, yet I am alone
You say you love me, yet I had to find my own way
You say you love me, yet I could never live up to your standards
You say you love me and my dreams were too big
You say you love me, I am alone.

You say you love me, yet I find myself wondering
Wondering what I didn't do
Wondering what I did wrong
Wondering what I could change
Wondering how I could ease the pain
Wondering why I always put you first
Wondering why I am still alone.

Alone to deal with this hurt
Alone to deal with this pain
Alone to make heads or tails
Alone to comfort myself
Alone to entertain me
Alone with my thoughts
Alone, dejected and rejected.

Rejected because I was different
Rejected because no one understands
Rejected because I was fair
Rejected and alone.

Dejected because all I want is love.
What kind of love, you ask?
Unconditional love.
A love that only God can give.
A love not found in humankind, yet possible in humankind because we are made in His image.
A love that has no conditions
A love that accepts all of me.

I love you enough to correct you
I love you enough to send you around the world
I love you enough to make your wish my command
I love you enough to encourage your dreams
I love you enough to support you with all of me
I love you enough to put my dreams on hold
I love you enough to give you the best
I love you enough to sacrifice myself
I love you enough to die for you
It seems as if it is not enough, nor am I good enough!

Where is the joy that you should bring
Where is the joy to make everything alright
Where is the joy to kiss away the tears
Where is the joy to fight the battles
Where is the joy with the answer
Where is the joy to ease the pain
Where is the joy and fulfillment that unconditional love should bring?

Love is patient
Love is kind
Love holds no grudges
Love forgives quickly
Love adds no sorrow
Love causes no pain
Love gives, expecting nothing in return!


(C) 29 Nov 2012 PrincessJoyful

Confession for my life

The Lord is my shepherd I shall not want.  He is my strength and song and is my salvation.  His words will sink deep into my heart first and I will listen to them carefully.  He restores my soul and leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name sake.  I am blessed because my sins are forgiven.  There is no guile in my spirit.  I have confessed my sins to the Lord and He has forgiven me.  Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivered me from them all.  I am highly favored and empowered to prosper.  By His stripes, He has healed all my diseases.  I will trust in the Lord with all my heart and do not depend on my own understanding, I will seek His will in all I do and He will direct my path.  I will cast all my cares upon the Lord for He cares for me.  I will resist the devil and he will flee from me for God has not given me a spirit of fear, but of power, of love and of a sound mind.  He will rebuke the devourer for my sake.  I will humble myself before the Lord for His divine power gives me everything I need for living a godly life.  I will abide in Him and His words will abide in me. I will seek the Lord in all things and heaven will fill my thoughts.  I know right from wrong and will cherish His law in my heart.  I will not be afraid of people's scorn or their slanderous talk.  I will call upon the Lord and He will answer me, I shall ask what I will, and it shall be done for me.  He will show me great and mighty things.  He is my shield, my glory and the lifter up of my head.  He has called me to receive His own glory and goodness.  Therefore He has given me exceeding and great and precious promises which I will make every effort to apply to my life.  They are my armor and protection.  Without faith, it is impossible for me to please God.  My faith will produce a life of moral excellence, knowing God better, self-control, patient endurance, godliness and love for myself, other christians and everyone else.  I have the Holy Spirit and I know all things for the Spirit teaches me those things.  The fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control will be produced in my life.  As the clay is in the potter's hand, so am I in the Lord's hand.  God is my hiding place and He shall preserve me from trouble.  He shall surround me with songs of victory.  He will shield me with His wings and shelter me with His feathers.  I will exalt the Lord among the heathen and He will be exalted in the earth.  I will bless those that persecute me.  I will overcome evil with good.  My enemy will not triumph over me.  I will wait patiently for the Lord, brave and courageous.  My strength shall be renewed.  I will mount up with wings as eagles, I will run and not be weary.  I will walk and not faint. I am blessed because I delight in the law of the Lord.  I meditate in it day and night.  I am like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, my leaf will not wither and whatsoever I do shall prosper.  God is good and His faithfulness endures forever.  I will thank Him always.  I love the Lord with all my heart, all my soul, and all that is within me.  I will hear what God the Lord will speak, for He will speak peace unto me and not let me turn again to folly.  The Lord God is my strength and He will make my feet like hinds' feet, and He will make me to walk upon mine high places.  By His mighty power at work in me, He is able to accomplish abundantly more than I could ever ask or think.  All nations will call me blessed.  His grace is sufficient for me.

INSPIRED BY the HOLY SPIRIT on 23 Mar 2001

My Bali experience - the island of the gods

Wow, what a journey 2012 has been already. Traveling has been the name of the game every month. I praise God for traveling mercies and allowing me to experience parts of Asia that I only dreamed about as a child.

Bali - a small island that is a part of a larger island nation and chain called Indonesia. A lot of our clothing is made in Indonesia. After much research, I traveled there with a friend to find a place that reminds me of home, Barbados. A place where the locals worship their hindu gods beginning at 6 am and ending at 6 pm. They were faithful in their dedication to setting out their daily offerings as well as the mandatory temple visits every 15 days. What if we, children of God, worshiped our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ the same way? What if we worshiped Him upon waking, as we should, and before going to bed, as we should? The Balinese exhibited what we should all be doing, albeit to their idols. I saw men, riding scooters, stop in the middle of the day to pray before the stone idol outside the temple. The design in some of their clothing gave reference to what they believed in. No one was offended by their openness and their daily worship. Why do we, as Christians, afraid of being bold for Christ? Why do we scamper away at the first sign of someone taking offense at our worship? Why can we not say Jesus for our own hearing without someone getting upset? One thing I learned is that I will be Bold for Jesus.



Upon our arrival, we took a short nap, about 4 hours, then we set off for the local market. There is not many parking spaces for cars, many for scooters though. Their main mode of transportation is the scooter. I saw them carry two large speakers on a scooter. Four people, two adults and two children under the age of 3, were on one scooter. What a life? The appreciate the little things. How about us?
We walked through the market, as it was closing, and I discovered many fruit and vegetables similar to those found in Barbados. I was at home. One observation that I found is that they do not have a lot of refrigeration or the cooling for meat, as we are accustomed to in the United States. Purchase meat and fish at your own expense of experiencing Bali belly later...

We then checked in and surveyed our surroundings. We had the beach, when the tide was low, in front of us. We were situated on a road that had many turns. If you did not know where you were going, you would be lost. I loved the colors in the hotel room - my favorite - burgundy, gold and white. Just awesome when used together. We saw many beautiful sunsets and felt many cool breezes at our little spot in Candi Dasa.

Resurrection Sunday found us praising God, dancing and singing His praises as we read the word for our devotions. It was a day to bask in the Son and His presence. My word for the day was "Be slow to speak", Ecc 5:2. Wow, just sitting on my balcony, looking at the ocean and the restaurant below, surveying the land, I was continually reminded of God's beauty and creation, even if we all don't worship Him in Spirit and in Truth. He created us all and we are able to work together, putting our differences aside, even on the day we celebrate His rising from the grave so we would be reconciled back to Him!

We then set off for the oldest village in the island where there are still about 200 people living who make pashmina scarves along with other cothing. Their shop is in their home. It was interesting to see how they live. The bedrooms are all on one side, there is a covering over the middle and the kitchen is on the opposite end of the structure. Lots of free flowing throughout the house. There was no bathroom readily or easily seen. From what I can tell, they may still have outhouses. The toilets that I used at White Sandy Beach had a toilet, I believe to appease visitors, however you had to flush by pouring water into the bowl when you were finished your business.

We had another day of rest, enjoyed the pool, read a book and expressed my desire for local fruit and local adventures. I was introduced to mangosteen, such a wonderful flavor and taste, durian, which I did not get an opportunity to taste as well as reintroduced to sugar apple  and passion fruit (Bajan name). They were lovely. I also go to drink fresh coconut water, straight out of the nut from the tree. Not store bought. Freshly picked right there for me. The wonders of my Daddy and how He loves me so. He gave me the desire of my heart. I had one daily. It was refreshing.

My desire led me to ask our driver to take us to a waterfall. We got the waterfall, a beautiful sight, that was about quarter of a mile away. It was gorgeous. We also got to see the smaller of the three largest mountains on the island as it continues to have lava escaping around its side. There was a green oasis in the middle of the lava and I could only think of the miracle of God and how He protects us so when we least expect it.

I then had another day of rest, while continuing to bask in the goodness of God. The weather reports had listed thunderstorms for three days and we had yet to see one drop of rain. The sea came in only so far and no further, again allowing me to be amazed at my Daddy and His creation. High tides were in the morning, some days the waves were choppy, other days, they were smooth. More examples of how we are not really in control of anything, God is in control of it all and He directs and orchestrates our path.

It was time to leave after six glorious days and I began to really praise and thank God for the experience. I felt right at home. The motto of the resort is "Unique, Friendly and Relaxing" and I can say that it was truly that for me and more. I am a little more brown than usual, more like honey ginger caramel rather than just honey colored. My daily massages allowed me to experience relaxation like no other. My books that I read, "The Walk" by Shaun Alexander and "Be still and know" by Sietta Jefferson, reinforced for me that when I was an Unbeliever, God was there. God led me to become a Believer and an Example. He is teaching me how to become a Teacher, while I learn to Impart to those He sends my way. I continue to be an Example as I Teach and Impart as I sit at His feet, learning how to be Still and Wait on the Promises He has for me.

Thank you Lord for an awesome time experiencing who You are to me, for me and in me!

Out with the Old

“Moving Forward” by Israel Houghton

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OM8eVnrf8OQ

Oh, hey, what a moment You have brought me to?
Such a freedom I have found in You
You're the healer who makes all things new, yeah, yeah, yeah

I'm not going back, I'm moving ahead
Here to declare to You my past is over in You
All things are made new, surrendered my life to Christ
I'm moving, moving forward, oh

You have risen with all power in Your hands
You have given me a second chance
Hallelujah, hallelujah, yeah, yeah, yeah
Oh yeah, yeah, yeah, oh

I'm not going back, I'm moving ahead
Here to declare to You my past is over in You
All things are made new, surrendered my life to Christ
I'm moving

Not going back, moving ahead
Here to declare to You, my past is over in You
All things are made new, surrendered my life to Christ
I'm moving, moving forward
Said I'm moving forward, oh yeah

Singing You make all things new
Yes, You make all things new and I will follow You forward, oh
You make all things new
You make all things new and I will follow You forward

You make all things new
Yes, You make all things new and I will follow You forward
You make all things new
Yes, You make all things new and I will follow You forward

I will follow You forward, yeah, oh, oh

(retrieved online via google)

Deciding I Should Correct Indestructible Pleasures,

Learning I am a New Example for others -

DISCIP-LINE

 the ocean renews itself every time a wave hits the shore
North Shore Kauai

Life must be renewed. As women, every month our menstrual cycle is renewed. Annually we have Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter. In Spring, the new leaves on trees begin to appear, being renewed. In the Fall, the old leaves fall away.

Our minds must be renewed according to scripture (Rom 12:2 - Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. NLT).

Old things must pass away as it does every fall, with the death of a loved one who is advanced in years, as it is with our menstrual cycle.

What does this have to do with Discipline? Moving forward?

We have to discipline ourselves to pray, study the word of God and praise God no matter the circumstances in order to know the word of God so that we can pray the will of God. We must embrace change. We must surrender our will to that of the Father. Allow the Holy Spirit to be our lead and our guide.

How can we stay on the path God has for us, Jer 29:11-12, if we do not go to the Lord to ask His direction at all times through prayer. God brings us to many moments in Him, are we listening for them, watching for them, allowing our hearts to be changed by Him in order to enjoy those moments.

If we stay humble and disciplined, God will show us favor with Himself and with man. We must be obedient. We must walk according to His way, His will whether it feels good or not.

Sometimes I do not like to wake up early because I like to sleep. I must be disciplined to wake up early in order to spend time with the Lord before I start my day through praying and studying the word of God. If I don’t do so, I will not have a good day. I will not have the word of God hidden in my heart to keep me as I meet various people and meet various situations with people. I must seek Him early in the morning. I must give Him first place in my life through discipline. If I don’t discipline myself, the Lord will have no problem disciplining me because He loves me. If He disciplines me, He will wake me up at 0 dark thirty to pray, read my word or for Him to speak to my heart. Once I am obedient in that, He may allow me to get the rest that I need. It is so much better when I do it than when He has to do it…I love my Daddy anyhow.

How can we grow if we do not release the past, release the fear, releasing faith instead and embracing the new? We have to allow God to heal the broken pieces of our lives, tie a knot in the rope, so that we can be repaired and grow closer to Him. Growing closer to Him allows us to enjoy His presence like never before. His presence will give us peace and joy, it will surround us with grace and favor, and it will change us, shape us and mold us to be who we are called to be in Him.

We have to lose the shackles that easily bind us up. Those things that the enemy meant for bad, yet God turned around for our good so that we can have a greater anointing in Him.

At times we have to look back to see where we have been, learn from it and move forward. We cannot stay in the past. We can use the past for our testimonies, learning from our mistakes and our successes, yet we must be disciplined enough to say ‘Yes’ Lord and do what He has called us to do at this time and at this season. There will be a blessing in the obedience and joyful acceptance of what He is doing in and through you. Others will be blessed by your presence.

You will be blessed by your obedience and the residue of your obedience by those people that God allows to cross your path.

If it were not for the Lord, you would not be where you are at today, so give Him some praise for what He has brought you through in 2011 and look forward to His governing in 2012.

Watch and see what the Lord will do, write it all down and watch!

© princess joyful

 

“I won’t go back” by William McDowell

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NZNj8B6z64U

I've been changed
Healed
Freed
Delivered

I've found joy
Peace
Grace
And favor

[William McDowell] I've been changed [Choir] I've been changed
[William McDowell] In the presence of the lord, I have been: Healed
[William McDowell] Freed; [Choir] freed
[William McDowell] Delivered; [Choir] delivered

[William McDowell] In your presence of the lord:
I've found joy
Peace
[William McDowell] Grace; [Choir] Grace
[William McDowell] And favor; [Choir] and favor

[William McDowell] And right now; [Choir] right now is the moment
[William McDowell] Today; Today is the day
[William McDowell] I've been changed; [Choir] I've been changed
[William McDowell] I've been changed; [Choir] I've been changed
[William McDowell] And I have waited; [Choir] I have waited for this moment to come
And I won't let it pass me by...

[Chorus]
[William McDowell] So we say
[Choir] I won't go back, can't go back, to the way it used to be
Before your presence; came and changed me
[William McDowell] Say I won't
[Choir] I won't go back, I can't go back, to the way it used to be
Before your presence came and changed me

[Verse 2]
[Choir]
All my shame
Guilt
Sins
[William McDowell] They've been forgiven, [Choir] Forgiven

No more chains
Fear
[William McDowell] My past [Choir] My past [William McDowell] is over [Choir] is over

[William McDowell] Say right now; [Choir] right now is the moment
[William McDowell] Today; Today is the day
[William McDowell] I've been changed; [Choir] I've been changed
[William McDowell] Come on someone declare that, I've been changed; [Choir] I've been changed
[William McDowell] I have waited; [Choir] I have waited for this moment [William McDowell] this moment right here I have waited all my life [Choir] to come
And I won't let it pass me by...

[Chorus]
[William McDowell] So we say
[Choir] I won't go back, can't go back, to the way it used to be
Before your presence came and changed me
[William McDowell] Would you lift up your voices as loud as you can and say?
[Choir] I won't go back, can't go back, to the way it used to be
Before your presence came and changed me
[William McDowell] Come on, somebody, lift your voice and declare it and say
[Choir] I won't go back, can't go back, to the way it used to be
Before your presence came and changed me
[William McDowell] Somebody say... I won't go back, say
[Choir soft] I won't go back, can't go back, to the way it used to be
Before your presence came and changed me

(retrieved online via google)

All roads lead to God!

Have you ever wondered why you do the things you do? What about the things that come to you so naturally? We all have a path to walk, according to the divine plan that God has for us. (Jer 29:11)

Many times, when we take that step of faith (Heb 11:1) we begin the journey that God has planned for us without really knowing where we will end up. I never would have dreamed that I would end up living in Japan, North eastern Japan, mind you, in the Northern Pacific Ocean, so far away, in my mind, from my home, my place of birth, Barbados, a small island nation in the middle of the Caribbean Sea on the Western side and on the Eastern shore by the Atlantic Ocean. The middle of the Atlantic Ocean. The closest Caribbean island nation to the African continent. Wow…

God knew me before I was formed in my mother’s womb. He knew that on this day, I would be here. Thankful, joyful, faithful, loving Him as only I can love Him. Just truly grateful for who He is in my life. My Creator. My Healer. My Restorer. My Rescuer. My Waymaker. My Provider. My Banner. My Protector. My Guide. My Teacher.

What can separate me from God? Nothing.  Rom 8:38 - 39 state, “And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. ³⁹ No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

I know that no matter what happens in my life, whether a supervisor despises me, a stranger has ill will or ill thoughts towards me, an acquaintance wishes evil upon me, God has full knowledge and control over me, over my life and will use my enemies as my footstool. All things work together for the good of those who are in Christ Jesus, those who Love God, those who are called according to His purpose – my paraphrase. (Rom 8:28)

Ps 136 is so defining for me of who God is, especially when I believe in my heart that “His faithful love endures forever and I continually give Him thanks. He is the Creator, the Conqueror and the Compassionate One:

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good!
His faithful love endures forever.
² Give thanks to the God of gods.
His faithful love endures forever.
³ Give thanks to the Lord of lords.
His faithful love endures forever.

⁴ Give thanks to him who alone does mighty miracles.
His faithful love endures forever.
⁵ Give thanks to him who made the heavens so skillfully.
His faithful love endures forever.
⁶ Give thanks to him who placed the earth among the waters.
His faithful love endures forever.
⁷ Give thanks to him who made the heavenly lights—
His faithful love endures forever.
⁸ the sun to rule the day,
His faithful love endures forever.
⁹ and the moon and stars to rule the night.
His faithful love endures forever.

¹⁰ Give thanks to him who killed the firstborn of Egypt.
His faithful love endures forever.
¹¹ He brought Israel out of Egypt.
His faithful love endures forever.
¹² He acted with a strong hand and powerful arm.
His faithful love endures forever.
¹³ Give thanks to him who parted the Red Sea.
His faithful love endures forever.
¹⁴ He led Israel safely through,
His faithful love endures forever.
¹⁵ but he hurled Pharaoh and his army into the Red Sea.
His faithful love endures forever.
¹⁶ Give thanks to him who led his people through the wilderness.
His faithful love endures forever.

¹⁷ Give thanks to him who struck down mighty kings.
His faithful love endures forever.
¹⁸ He killed powerful kings—
His faithful love endures forever.
¹⁹ Sihon king of the Amorites,
His faithful love endures forever.
²⁰ and Og king of Bashan.
His faithful love endures forever.
²¹ God gave the land of these kings as an inheritance—
His faithful love endures forever.
²² a special possession to his servant Israel.
His faithful love endures forever.

²³ He remembered us in our weakness.
His faithful love endures forever.
²⁴ He saved us from our enemies.
His faithful love endures forever.
²⁵ He gives food to every living thing.
His faithful love endures forever.
²⁶ Give thanks to the God of heaven.
His faithful love endures forever.

We have nothing to fear when we walk with God. We are to first have Faith. Then we must Believe. We must also Trust. Then we have Hope. Then we stay in Prayer and Praise. Sometimes we must renew our minds. We must have the vision that God has given to us. We must accept it. We must be content where we are at on the way to where we are going.

 

Have Faith – Heb 11:1 -- Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see. (NLT)

Trust – Prov 3;5-6 -- Trust in the Lord with all your heart;
do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take. (NLT)

Believe – Mark 11:23 - 24 -- I tell you the truth, you can say to this mountain, ‘May you be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ and it will happen. But you must really believe it will happen and have no doubt in your heart. I tell you, you can pray for anything, and if you believe that you’ve received it, it will be yours. (NLT)

Forgive – Mark 11: 25 -- But when you are praying, first forgive anyone you are holding a grudge against, so that your Father in heaven will forgive your sins, too. (NLT)

Pray – Matt 6:33 -- Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. (NLT)

Pray, Praise and Peace – Phil 4:6- 7 -- Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. (NLT)

We live with Love for others at all times. Unconditional Love. Unfailing Love.

When we walk with God, we are not perfect, we are not fearful. He is the only perfect one. He gives us Love. He gives us Power. He gives us a Sound Mind. He perfects us in His timing according to His divine will and divine plan for our lives. We are walking out our soul salvation. We are allowing Him to make us over by reading our word. He Transforms Us. He Restores Us. We are allowing Him to do a new thing by singing His praises. What we put into our heart will come out of our mouth. Our actions will tell the story of our lives.

Our legacy will be based upon the things we do. We speak life to our situations. In the beginning God spoke. The earth was created. What are you speaking today? What you speak frames the life that you live and experience.

Faith – Do you have it?           (Matt 17:20)                                    

Vision – Do you write it down?        (Hab 2:2)                      

Renewal – Are you reading your word daily? (Ps 1:2)

No matter what you are dealing with today, God sees, God hears, God knows and if you bow your knees, let go of your pride, ask Him for help, submit to Him, All roads will lead to the One who Created you for His purpose and His plan.

He Is, I AM!

scripture verses are taken from www.biblegateway.com

© Princess of Faith 2011.