Ready to Explore

This will be my last post before I leave for India.  I won’t be able to write again until the first week of November.  Thank all of you are faithful in reading my blog.

I am ready to explore.  I am ready for an adventure of a lifetime.  I am ready to explore the heights and depths of God’s love, of His peace of His amazing Spirit.  I will walk by faith and give glory to the Almighty.  I will be thankful, I will praise, I will worship and I will be humbled.  I trust and have faith that He lives within me, going and doing as I do.  He goes before me and after me.  Let my hands, be His, let my eyes be His, let my words be His, let my steps be His and let my love portray His.  Birth within my soul the love of the Father to reach out into a world that I never knew existed because of being miles away, blinded by the chaotic world we live called life.  I go forward in leaping with faith and joy to a new level.  I will fear not!  I am ready to explore and when I return, I will share His wondrous works.

Melissa

Expect the Best

I had a person tell me once, “Expect the best but prepare for the worst”.  We can go through life expecting great things but shouldn’t be caught off guard when a circumstance hits us that tries to get us sidetracked.  For instance, when a new relationship starts between a man and women, we can expect the best for the future.  However, we must also prepare for how we will handle when an argument arises.  If you are not prepared it could result in more heartache.  When bad weather is approaching, you don’t go out and plan a picnic but you go to the basement.  You are expecting everything to be alright yet you are prepared for what may happen.  The point is, you just never know what surprises await you, but you have to do your best to be ready for the unknown. Some things are out of your control, but others can be prepared for, if you think ahead.  The most important factor is keep a positive attitude and learn from every unexpected instance.  How does one prepare for the worst?

One way to prepare is to think out of the box.  Don’t limit God in what He allows to happen to you or to the good He can bring to bad things that may happen.  I recently sat with a couple who got side swiped with a slew of crisis.  This brought living by faith into a new prospective for their walk with God. Both of them were hospitalized, unable to work, debt crisis, along with others having to tend to them didn’t bring any promises of hope at least for the moment.  However as time as passed, they both are up and about with their bodies recovering.  Through all of this tragedy, they gained a financial miracle and healing.  Although they may have expected the best for their lives because they were Christians could they have prepared for what happened?  Maybe not, but one thing for sure, they kept their head up, stayed positive and trusted in God.  That was the best way to prepare for the worst.

Maybe you are going through something at this moment in which you may not understand why God has allowed this circumstance to happen to you or your family.  Can you think out of the box and look down the road?  Can you look for the good that will come out of it?  Can you keep your head up and have a positive attitude in expecting the best?  God can turn things around for the good.  Wait patiently for Him to work the miracle.  With time, you can look back and know God was with you through all of the pain, hurts or crisis.  We might not always be the best prepared but with God, He carries us through difficult times.  Everyone can be prepared by knowing Him and having faith in Him.

Prayer:  Lord, I am always expecting the best in everything I do, everywhere I go and in every relationship.  I know I am prepared to face all things that may come against me because I have you on my side.  I thank you for your Spirit leading me into truth and wisdom, guiding me in direction, comforting me when I am down, filling me with boldness to do your work.  In Jesus Name.  Amen.

Hebrew 13:5  God said,  ”I will never abandon you or leave you.”

I Peter 1:13  Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed.

Walking

Have you ever taken a long walk.  I have found it quiet refreshing just to get away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.  As I walk I look around me and know that God is with me throughout this walk and through this walk of life.  I am thankful.  At times when I am frustrated or see myself getting a bad attitude then I know it is time for a walk.  Have you ever had to walk by faith?

Before I even knew I was pregnant with Lyle, I was in a car accident that should have killed both Jeff and I.  Just a few seconds earlier I had told Jeff to put his seat belt on.  We were passengers and if it hadn’t been for the seat belts or the hand of God, we would have been thrown from the car and it would have landed on top of us.  It was later, I had prayed the child within me would be alright, I had faith.  I have alway had faith to believe God would take care of me and our family.  Even through most of our difficult times, I knew God was there watching and waiting for us to fully surrender to him.  I had to walk, alone at times but with faith.

When Bryson was born he was six weeks premature.  He weighed just a little over four pounds and was only sixteen inches long.  He had to wear a monitor for the first three months.  We had to take CPR classes so if he did stop breathing, we would know what to do.   During the pregnancy, he was breach and I had problems with labor and when my water broke, a C section was the solution.  I trusted God completely and always tried to make the best out of each circumstance He allowed me to go through.  I knew that in some way my experience could help someone else later in life.

Jordan was always getting hurt.  He broke his leg when he was three.  He has had numerous broken bones, bike wrecks and plenty of crazy accidents as a child.  I remember being thankful when Spencer was 12 years old, it was the first time in 19 years that I hadn’t called the poison control center or at least been to the ER in a year.  As a mother of four boys within seven years apart, I had to walk by faith.  It was almost as if I was in lala land.  I had patience and it seemed nothing bothered me much when it came to parenting.

During the teen years for Lyle, he was a very sneaky teen and always getting into things he shouldn’t have.  After numerous family fights we had to let him be on his own at eighteen years old.  Although we shed many tears and prayed much, we kept our faith in knowing God was going to use all this for His good and glory.  I had to walk by faith.

When you run out of resources and really don’t know what to do, I suggest take a walk.  It may be a hard walk and not always pleasant.  However the peace of mind in leaning on the One who does know the end result will help you through any season of life.  Remain faithful and consistent in this walk.  Walk by faith, the evidence not seen and then when you are on the other side you can be used to help someone else in encouragement.

Prayer:  Lord, I know there are times I must put my total trust in you and walk by faith and not by sight.  I walk with you daily, I walk without knowing the end result but fully trust in you to lead in me in the direction that is best for me.  I am thankful to walk this walk of faith.  In Jesus name.  amen.

2 Corinthians 5:7  We live by faith, not by sight.

2 Corinthians 4:18  So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

Life – Messy Football Game

This past Friday night I endured what most proud parent would. Not only did I stand in the rain for over two hours watching my son play football but also got to experience his joy of breaking his own and school record for rushing with 401 yards.  While holding an umbrella, my camera with a bag over it, a towel to keep my lens from rain drops, I found it quite multi-tasking. I should have been more prepared with a wet suit or hunters gear.  It was a challenge!  The wind was shooting from one side soaking what the umbrella could not cover.  I felt sorry for the girls who had on their homecoming dresses and spent hours fixing their hair and makeup to walk into a hurricane. Their legs were soaked, their heals will take days to dry and their hair was blowing around like a tornado!   I am sure they will treasure their picture in the yearbook.

Sometimes we can go through life and not expect or be prepared for what challenges we face.  I could have gone to the game, stayed in my truck or went home.  Instead, although my body was miserable I took in the rewarding experience.  It got muddy and messy.  It was frustrating at times. Life can be just like this football game.  At times it may seem like a mess with no solution in sight.  It may seem like we are playing a game in the middle of a storm and try to make the best out of it.  Just hold on, endure to the end.  If we could all understand, life is a series of seasons.  What is happening now might not be here tomorrow.  What we do today affects our tomorrows.  What we did yesterday is the ‘why’ we are where we are today.  Regardless of the weather of circumstances that may be beating down upon us, we all have a destination.  What is the ultimate end result?  To reach the goal, the goal of eternity.

I left with my pant legs soaked, chilled to the bone and my feet wet and muddy however I wouldn’t have traded it for the world.  The end result was definitely worth it!

Prayer:  Sometimes Lord it gets very frustrating in this game called life.  It is when I find myself in the middle of mud is when I call on you most.  I am thankful you always give us comfort, stamina and answers in the direction we should go.  Let us all depend upon you and reach the goal of eternity with you and for you.  In Jesus name, amen.

Matthew 16:2-3  He replied, “When evening comes, you say, ‘It will be fair weather, for the sky is red,’and in the morning, ‘Today it will be stormy, for the sky is red and overcast.’ You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but you cannot interpret the signs of the times.  NIV

John 14:26  But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. NIV

Mark 13:13  All men will hate you because of me, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved. NIV

I See Heart Attacks Happen

There is not a day that goes by that I don’t see a heart attack happen or one on the verge.  I am not talking about the attack where your heart stops beating and you have to rush to the hospital.  I am talking about the spiritual and emotional attack on one’s heart.  What is your heart?  It is the essence of your soul, is the part of man which decides how you will respond to what you have learned through spirit, soul and body; through mind, through gifts and manifestations of the Holy Spirit, through the promptings of conscience, and through emotions. It is the volitional part of man.   Your mind controls the body, spirit, soul, conscience, heart, and emotions.

The enemy cannot capture your soul but he can however place an attack on it.  The soul or your heart is given to the enemy when you give it up for him.  It is when you get tired of spiritual battles and lay down the spiritual man and do what you want to do to please your flesh.  It is being rebellious in loving, in giving, in response to conviction, in attitude and in actions.  It is throwing in the towel and saying God is not big enough to fix my problems or help me in my present situation.  It is when you keep repeating over and over again things you know you need to change.  It is all a heart issue.  Next time you feel a little chest pain of doing what is right, just remember the enemy loves to attack the most precious thing he cannot have, your heart, your soul.  Your soul belongs to God for He created it.  Take care of it, guard your heart from the attack.  One of the quotes my husband said the other night was “We can all have knowledge to do right and that is good, however we must live and put forth our knowledge into action.  Just to know to feed the poor is one thing, it’s knowledge but to actually give to the poor is rooted in the heart.  Anyone can go around saying “Jesus did” but we should all go around doing as Jesus did and live it.”

Prayer:  Lord I pray that I can understand your heart with greater depth as I continue to seek you and to know you in closer relationship every day.  Praise you for your wonderful works in how you created us.  Let us love you as you love us.  In Jesus Name.  Amen.

Mark 12:30  Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.

Proverbs 4:23  Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.

Child Throwing Tantrum

I was in a store the other day and observed a child throwing a fit.  The Grandmother was on her cell phone, kept talking and continued to threaten the child with a beating if he didn’t stop interrupting her.  The child was around six to eight years old, old enough to know better but he knew what he could get away with.  He was yelling and demanding for her to buy him something.  He then started hitting her.  Her threats didn’t phase him and she didn’t seem to mind getting hit on. Everyone in the store was watching since they were causing a scene.  ”I am going to whoop you” she would say.

I have observed several times when a parent will ask a child, “Do you want a spanking” or “I am going to wear you out!”  Yet, they don’t really mean it.  I was always taught if you say something or tell somebody something and don’t follow through with it, either you are a liar or you can’t be trusted.  Parents wonder why their children go through a stage of lying when in fact they have had the best teachers, the parents.  Our children our prime examples of us, our actions, our words and to the core of who they are.  I also had a woman to state that her child was the example of “her fruit” she would say as if she was proud of her child.  What she didn’t know was all the turmoil and bad actions her child had been producing. Yes, from her actions of letting her temper flare up, her child was definitely a product of her.   Now I know children will always gravitate to doing what they want in their teen years and we don’t always know what is going on.  My boys were not perfect during this time nor did I claim them to be.  I had to cut the apron strings and have faith they would know what to do in any given situation.  I haven’t always been an over protective mom.  I let them be boys and we had fun doing all the boy stuff when they were young.

If you have small boys under the age of ten to twelve (before puberty starts) a mommy will be their hero but after they reach a certain age, daddy is their hero.  Mothers have a certain love they can give their child that only a mommy can give them.  This nourishing aspect must be instilled so strongly in them during this time, they will know how to love their own wives.  I have a motto in which I tell all new mothers, “You are a beautiful mother to this precious little one, your ministry is the child that God has given you.”  I encourage to spend time with a child when small because the time will come that mommy will become “mom” and mom is in my business.  My boys love children, they use to beg me to have more babies.  It is really sweet to see my boys run to babies and actually want to hold them, cuddle with them and play with toddlers.  They will make great fathers one day.  I was a stay home mom having fun with my boys.  Yes, I neglected my chores right up to the time before Jeff got home and then I became the tornado in fast action to get all the toys put away before he arrived.  During church, we took them every time the church doors were open.  Consistentcy and faithfulness is what we tried to instill.  Even when they were sick, we took them for prayer.  We depended upon God to heal because we had little income during those days for doctor visits.

Our children, are replicas of us.  Your children are your fruit.  If we say and do the right things, they too will follow in our footsteps.  They might stray off the path in teen years, but what has been instilled in them, they will not depart from it.  It is us that must keep the faith and not waver during difficult times.  It is up to us not to give in to the enemy in temptation because our children are watching.  If we worship Jesus with all we have and be not afraid to express ourselves, our children will too.  On the other hand, our language, our bad attitudes, our habits, our mistakes and our sins will be repeated through our children because they are “our fruit”.  Just like the little child throwing the tantrum, I wonder how many times the grandmother has thrown a fit in her lifetime?  We train our children whether we think we do or not.  If you find you don’t like yourself or your actions and want to change, think about what your children are learning from you.  Outside influences has a great impact too but if we can spend more time with them as they are small we have the best chance in raising the best children to make a difference in the world we live in.  The next time you throw a tantrum because you don’t get your way, look around to see who is watching.

Prayer:  Lord forgive us for the tantrums we have thrown in public or in our own homes in front of our children.  Teach us to be a child of yours, full of peace, holiness, grace and mercy.  Open our eyes to the fact of our  children being our fruit that you have given us to proclaim you in our world.  In Jesus Name, amen.

Psalms 127:3  Sons are a heritage from the LORD, children a reward from him.

Proverbs 22:6  Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.

James 1:18  He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of first fruits of all he created.

Slavery Still Exists Today

Some people have the wrong idea when it comes to marriage.  Upon pre-marital counseling we ask many questions.  We talk about expectations in how we believe each spouse’s role which is usually determined how their parents did it.  One of the things my mother pushed on me was, “the woman’s work is never done”, a woman was a slave so to speak.  I didn’t want to be a slave when I got married!  I wanted to be nourished, loved and taken care of.  However most of us go into marriage thinking it will complete us and we will live carefree and not of that our parents instilled in us.  The sign of reality is set up in the house and we begin to test our abilities, patience and love for one another.  One of the things my father did was always work.  He provided food from the gardens and he did the “man” role.  My mother did everything else.  So the frame of mind I had, was working to be loved and love didn’t just happen in a family.  Regardless if the woman worked outside the house and brought in extra income, she was still suppose to clean the house, do chores and take care of the children.  The man was just to provide for the household and do the man chores.  Whose idea was that?Generations have changed in the last sixty years.  Our culture however proves to be better than that of other countries, so I should be thankful.  Now here comes the attitude.  The attitude of love is giving and not just when we want to, but always.  We are not a slave but a lover.  We tend to sometimes carry this slavery mentality over in the church when we become a christian.

Within this realm of believers did you know there is a difference between a slave and a son?  Some Christians behave like a slave and some claim sonship.  It all starts with how you view God.  If you view Him as Old man with a stick of judgement or a daddy who is going to whip you into submission if you don’t obey, you will have a works mentality.  Several religious beliefs produce this type of legalistic form of doctrine that sometimes takes years to change frame of mind.  How can you tell if you have the attitude of slave?  See if you have the following characteristics.

Do you find yourself only being accepted on the basis of what you do or what you have or can do for others?  Should you do a certain thing or perform a certain way before you “fit in”?   This could be in the form of talent or knowledge to help in certain areas.    Is your purpose to meet a need of someone else?    Do you only seek after comfort and happiness?   Are you expected to be successful, that is slavery.    Do you need to prove your worth?  If you have to prove to someone else that you are good enough, then you run your walk with slavery mentality.   When a crisis or problem hits and it causes you pain, do you run from it?  Do others put pressure on you to be successful?  When you do things for others do you expect a pay back?  Do you avoid problems?  Do you talk about yourself and what you are dealing with in daily conversations?  Do you expect more from others than you do yourself?  Are you intimidated?  Do you find yourself manipulating others to be recognized for your talents, work or services?  Do you use or seek the supernatural for self ?  Do you just focus on the now, what is going on today?  Do you do things because it is your job or duty not because you want to?   These questions hit me several times and I have found myself answering true to some of these questions in my past and they all have the form of slavery.  I have even enforced the slave mentality on others.  A slave is in bondage.  A slave may live with a family but not part of it.  A slave always have to strive to fit in the family and his heart is not in it.  A slave knows he will get beat or rejected for not doing the right things or for not meeting the right requirements in which the family as enforced.  A slave will also force others to be like himself to be approved.  A slave will judge others for not meeting up to standards in the way he thinks others should.  The spirit of slavery is driving, striving, working and performing.  It produces burnout in the natural and spiritual.  It makes one driven by guilt to perform.  Slavery comes from a wrong view of who you think God is and a life built on substance that holds no truth.   A slave looks like part of the family but inward the heart is cold and not that of the Father.

How do you know if you are a son or daughter to the most high will reflect these below:

A child of God knows he/she must find God’s purpose and fulfill it. As a son/daughter you will seek fulfillment not just happiness or comfort for the now .  You are expected to be faithful.  A family is faithful to one another and learns to be loyal finding secure love of his family.  It is not a second guess whether you love God, or if He loves you, or if you are good enough or worth to receive His love.  There is no questioning God’s love.  Having a sonship attitude is knowing you are accepted for who you are and appreciated for it in relationship not just use you for what you can do.  You are secure in your relationship with God and others.  You won’t be double-minded or inconsistent with your walk.  You will show favor and favor is poured out on you.  You will see opportunity in problems that can be solved.  Your focus will be on the team and the bigger picture not just the crisis or your life at the moment.  You will walk in confidence and rest in faith, trusting God with every circumstance and being thankful for all things.  You will know your gifts and use them for growing the family, using supernatural for others compassion.  You sow into the future with perseverance to go and last long term.  You are directed by love in everything you do.  You worship because you have God’s favor and you are spontaneous instead of structured.

Take this back into marriage or to family. Don’t you love your children unconditionally?   You don’t have to prove your worth to your spouse or children. Do they need to prove their love to you?  Of course not.  When you became married you became one, that is just it, you are one.  His faults are your faults, his greatness is your greatness.  You both should love each other as a family not expecting slave mentality.  Seek God together for answers.  Walk together in unity and pursue future goals, sow into your future not just looking at the today.  The here and now may be tough sometimes but as one, you can connect spiritually to the One who can bring fulfillment into your lives.  Do not force the other person to change but seek to change yourself in loving and giving as Jesus did.  You don’t withhold your love from a child just because the misbehaved do you?  Do you withhold love because they didn’t do what you told them to do?   That is what being part of the family is, accepting and loving the other one without demanding change.  You can guide a child to adulthood with love, teaching and being the example for them.  Let us all be able to see if we are of slavery or of sonship and seek to be more like Jesus.  Let us be a real Christian.

Prayer:  Lord I pray that I recognize the slavery mentality whenever I may practice it or when it is enforced on me.  I pray that we love as you love.  I pray that everyone who reads this today, their eyes may be opened to know your love, your heart and you will accept us as we are.  Let us realize we do the things for you because we love you not to earn your love, your blessings or your favor including working for our salvation.  I believe you paid it all for us when you said, “It is finished.”    I am thankful Lord to be your daughter and part of the family.  In Jesus Name. amen

Romans 8:14 …those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.

Escape Routes

Escaping reality is just another way to run.  Yesterday I wrote about running and I wasn’t talking about exercising.  Escape routes are everywhere.  I am talking about the great need to escape reality, to be in a different life than that of the present.  Do you want to know how many people find themselves in a mess after indulging in activities that are not conductive or healthy to a Christian lifestyle?  They live everyday with two personalities.  

Just ask the person who is having an affair.  Affairs could be not only physical but also emotionally.  When a person expresses personal information or gives time more to the opposite sex other than their spouse it usually leads to an escape.  Escape to what if?  The grass is not greener on the other side, although maybe more exciting and enticing at first, it just brings mental anguish in the long run.  The dual personalities manifest when a person wants to take this route.  Double lifestyle equals double trouble along with many painful memories that affect more than just two people.

When people find themselves under pressure, stress, frustrated relationships or painful memories they can do one of two things.  One, they choose to make a change, forgive and trust in the comfort of the Spirit of God by accessing in relationship.  Two, they choose to escape the present by living in a world of fantasy, living double minded, refusing to learn to better themselves and neglect responsibility with blame shifting.  A person can only takes this for so long, for it breaks down the inner man causing eventually a fall resulting by exposure to sin.  Ask the drug addict, the alcoholic or the abuser.  It starts with experimenting what ifs, to acting out.  One doesn’t just start out in life stating they want to be a prostitute, a drug addict or an adulterer.

Escape routes prove to be disastrous.  Why does one think the escape routes work?  Escape reality routes are only short term relief when it comes to doing something against the word of God and when we choose to please ourselves.  We can just look around us and see the effects of overeating.  Why do people overeat?  Cause they can!  Food is a comfort but only a temporary one when we eat more than our body can use.  It is an escape reality route until you reach the end of the road at reality check pointe.  This doesn’t happen overnight but when the body develops sickness or disease.  Buying things can be fun and exciting but when the bills come in, reality check sign pops us in the head.

For some reason when we see the sign reality check, we want to go the other way to escape reality.  However, we will never be able to escape reality.  This life is reality until it becomes eternal life.  Take a look at your life right now.  How would you describe it?  Have you been escaping reality?  For many of us, we all have been there and those times we wish to forget.  If you are looking for peace and stability, balance and truth there is more to life than trying to escape it.  You can have a new life if you stop running down the escape route.  It is found in the faith of Jesus Christ.  Take the opportunity to experience perfect grace, favor and true love through personal relationship with Him.  Don’t settle for the fallacy of short term counterfeit happiness, it is not the real thing.

Prayer:  Show us Lord when we tend to look at the escape reality route and turn the other way toward you.  Show me the path of holiness and righteousness that leads to your peace and love.  In Jesus name. Amen.

Galatians 2:20  I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ lives in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

Ephesians 2:8  For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith–and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God.

Running

People run all the time but not always in the form of exercising.  We all run from things at one time or another in life.  When we run, excuses are formed.  When a person constantly has excuses it is usually because they are running from something.  For some it could be minor projects such as cleaning out a closet or your car, or it could be something major like organizing the garage or motivating a group.  For others it could be running from responsibility such as wanting to work, pay bills, put food on the table or take care of children. The blame game is always the cause.  For some it could be running from self in the way internally process life in general.  We sometimes don’t want to look in the mirror in fear of what we will see.  When we look around, we can see that everyone fits into one of these categories in different seasons of life.  Running can also be in the form of just being busy without taking time for the important things in life.  Important things such as spiritual life, loving others and health for your body.  It seems that the time is not just right to make the change, so running never stops.

Life is life.  Life is not always fair.  People grow old. People are successful and some people never change.  People have faults and fail.  Some willing to change and some keep running.  Life is not forever, it is just a vapor. People run and continue to make excuses until they get honest with themselves.  What we do in life is not about making money, having the best car or house, being a star or hero, who has the biggest church or who has the most friends.  It is about the real you.  Who you are and the relationship you have with the Almighty God.  It is about your very core, your heart.  It is about the very air you breath in, the spirit man you feed.  Your soul doesn’t want to run but to be in intimacy with its Creator.  What we know in God becomes our boundaries.  A person lives from the perspective of his or her own world.  When we look at the world and life in general, we see only problems and continue to run.  However if we look at the Spiritual we live by faith, expand our boundaries and elevate the anointing to live above this world.  It is then we stop running and find rest.

Prayer:  Lord help us all to find that place of rest and stop running.  Forgive our excuses, our attitudes, our heart for not being or knowing who we are as a child of God.  Elevate us all into the very place of relationship and fellowship in intimacy with you.  I want to run after you.  Jesus name I pray.  Amen.

II Thessalonians 3:16  Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you.

You Have Potential

Don’t you just love it when someone says, “You have potential.”  What does that really mean?  It means you have the ability to pursue and conquer anything you put your mind to.  It means you have gifts and talents dormant waiting to be manifested.  It means you have the ability which may be just under developed.  Or is it simply having the courage to live out one’s personal dreams, perhaps an impossible one that one shall never attain but still a dream dreamed with courage.  It is a dream that one attempts to bring to reality, no matter how likely to fail.  So living out your potential is in the striving, in the trying, or at least daring to.   It lies in following your heart, in daring to fight your own personal battle, in striving to bring your own personal dream to life.  If we are aware of the potential that is locked within each one of us crying out for exposure and ready to be fulfilled, how do we release it?

Many people go to their grave with potential.  Do you know what your potential in life is?  What keeps us from reaching our potential?  It could be lack of pursuing, knowledge or fear of failure.   It could be holding on to internal excuses.  It could be goals are small and don’t test our limits.  We must be willing to identify it, claim it, plan it, start it, support it, practice it and have gratitude for it.   In order to reach that potential, there is a transformation that we must go through. We cannot go through this transformation without Jesus Christ.  I recently read an article that contains steps to release your potential.

The first step is to know your source.  In business to be successful in that business, you must have knowledge of your product, how it works, what it is made of and how to effectively sell it.  Violation of not knowing the product produces failure to succeed in what you hoped for.  The same is the relationship you have with God.   God guarantees the maximum performance of our potential if we know who we are in Him.  He gives out promises to succeed if we remain in Him and follow His standards.  We must know that God created us in His image and we do have the potential to be like Him and have within us the potential of His power to speak as an authority of Him and the potential to heal using His name.

We must strive to be like Jesus Christ in order to reach our full potential.  We sell ourselves short when we don’t.  Some people start the walk but then turn and leave without pursuing.  People normally don’t want to be teachable or willing to change unless they are unhappy or hungry for more.

With God all things are possible!  You have potential to reach beyond of what you think.  It is in your grasp.  The very thing you have been praying for, or wishing right now, God has placed it in your heart to show you that He is capable of giving it to you if you believe.  To believe is simply to put in action.  Anyone can have head knowledge of a thought, dream or fact but putting it into action is a step of faith.  Without faith it is impossible to please God.  Start today and walk out in faith, pursue your talents and let your potential escape!

Prayer:  Open up our blinded eyes of each one of our potentials that lie captive within us Lord.  Expose our potentials to be used for your glory.  Give us the courage to step out in faith and walk everyday with you ready to change and wanting more of your wisdom.  In Jesus name.  amen

Luke 1:37  For nothing is impossible with God.