Intimate Relationship with God

Have you asked yourself how do I build an intimate relationship with God?  Well I pray this will insist you in doing just that.  So many times in the past I would wonder what people meant when they said they had an intimate relationship with God.  I would pray to God and ask Lord how this was even possible.  The whole concept was foreign and confusing to me.  Not that I haven’t experienced intimate relationship before this but those relationship was so full of pride on my end that I couldn’t draw a parallel to that same type of relationship with God but I was seeking a deeper experience with God.  Longing for what all these people had experienced and wanting to clearly hear his voice, I went on a search.  I decided to look up the definition of the words relationship and intimate and it states:

Relationship: The way in which two or more concepts, objects, or people are connected, or the state of being connected.

Intimate: Closely acquainted; familiar

So after reviewing these definitions I started thinking what came with being in a relationship.  Then I started thinking about when being in intimate relationships there is fellowship.  I thought what step do you take to truly fall in love with a person?  Then I was blessed with an answer at a woman’s conference at my church.  The woman of God that was speaking that night topic was, Relationship with God.  She described how she set-up a date night with God weekly.  She shared with us how when we are dating someone we get all dressed up.  We cook meals and clean our house.  We will go all out.  She asked us why we don’t give the same effort to God.  Why don’t we spend uninterrupted time with God?  She explained how she would set-up candles like a date.  This woman would talk and reveal her feelings to God.  She even described how she would sing and dance. 

I was so ecstatic that God had finally provided me with an answer to my prayers.  Giving it a try was the best thing I had ever done.  I dressed up and cooked a meal.  Lighting candles to set the mood was a must.  I turned my phone off and shut the television off.  God and I shared a personal praise and worship time.  This time allowed me to grow spiritually.  I realized that I could really express how I felt.  I would find different ways I could truly show God how much I appreciated him.  I was able to sit in silent with him and allowed him to become my best friend.  My week was not complete without my date night. 

Now that some years have passed I have gotten away from doing my date night.  As I reflect on that time in my life I was truly seeking God not for blessing but just to show how grateful I was because I am already blessed.  Entering a new transition in my life right now I feel God is calling me to his purpose and to surrender my all to him.  With the revelation that this life is not about me how can I not give God all my time.  Just like some relationship that have been together for a while we let the spark die and take our significant other for granted.  Well it’s time to put the flame back in my relationship.  It’s time to make every day date night and give God my life. 

I will recommend that no matter where you are in your walk with God that you invest more time with him and watch you mature spiritually.  Start slow if this is a new relationship for you.  Start off by committing to a date night a week.  Let the butterflies ring in your spirit like you would with any new relationship.  Tell your family and friends about him.  When that thought of him appear smile or just when a thought cross your mind give him a call just to say hi.

If you have been in your relationship a while, it’s time out for games and time to show God that nothing else matters but him.  You heard the saying the things you do to get them is the same thing you need to do to keep.  So what was your excitement level and effort when you first got saved?  Look, he has a purpose for your life and when you take your eyes off of him you are not walking in your full potential that you were created for.  Run back to your first love and rekindle the flame.

Love you guys

Freedom

Apology - Surrender All

Today I want to take the time out to apologize to God, my family, my friends and anyone that read the Freedom Speaks Blog.  I've lead you astray.  I have been selfish and for that I pray that God and you forgive me.  You see for so long I have made this life all about me.  I would write for God but even in that I was present.  My blog had a picture of me which I feel was telling you about me and my accomplishments.  I was even telling you how God was using me.  Do you see the pattern of self-centeredness flowing.  No longer do I like the words I or me.

This past week God gave me a revelation of how I have not truly surrendered my life to him.  I mean really giving him every area of my life.  This life has been about me much too long.  I don’t want a thought, a goal, a dream, a feeling, a career, a love life, a vehicle, family, friends, or even food to eat if God is not in the midst of it all.  I am not trying to sound mean but I don’t care about anything else but God and his purpose for my life.  I am at the point in my life that where ever he leads is all that matters.  No longer will I fear letting go of control of my life.  The crazy thing is I never had control in the first place.

People, we tend to focus on such trivial things.  We go to God with requests that are so shallow.  God please don’t let this person on my job get on my nerves today, please let me get this new job or a job, God please let me get the car I want or that house I love so much, or Lord allow me to be able to pay my bills.  Do you realize there is this big world we reside in with people who wish they had your problems?  Their prayers are Lord if you can find it in your heart to just provide one more day of food for me and my family, Lord please give us clean drinking water, Lord please give me shoes for my feet and one of the biggest Lord please give me or someone in my family the opportunity to go to the United States. 

I have a friend who family is from Iraq.  He told me the story of how his grandmother actually watched her son hanged.  When he spoke it was evident that this was not out of the ordinary and we have the nerve to complain.  We are spoiled and don’t know what it means to struggle for real.  Do you realize you can freely worship God every day without harm?  There are fellow Christian brothers and sisters that are being killed every day just saying the name Jesus.  Our selfish behind will tell God I am too tired to get up in the morning to give him 5 minutes to say thank you, man our priorities are so off track.

Please don’t get me started on the excuses we use for not doing God’s work.  Too many of us can’t go anywhere if it is not a “Christian” event.  Our ears may be too sensitive to hear the words that may come from the world.  I thought as children of God we are supposed to influence the world not the other way around.  Jesus got up with all power but our weak behinds stay in the comfort of our church, our concerts, our programs and the world is going to hell faster than we can blink.  Our new walk has made us blind to how we use to be, has made us think too high of ourselves, and clearly made us forget what our purpose is.  Jesus hung out with the sinners so he could show them the proper way to go.  If all of us are hanging around are fellow Christians, who life is being affected by God living in you. 

Today is the day to surrender your all to God.  This very moment is the time you need realize that the only thing that matters is God and him getting all the praise in everything we do and say.  Every day you should remember Jesus dying on the cross for you and the resurrection.  Every moment should be a thought of how can I please you Lord.  Wake up every moment asking what he wants from you rather than requesting things.  There should be an authentic chase after his purpose.  Your heart should long for nothing else but pleasing him.  Are you going to get serious for God today?

Romans 12: 1-6 (The Message) – Meditate on this scripture.

Place Your Life Before God

^1-2 So here's what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. Don't become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You'll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you.

³I'm speaking to you out of deep gratitude for all that God has given me, and especially as I have responsibilities in relation to you. Living then, as every one of you does, in pure grace, it's important that you not misinterpret yourselves as people who are bringing this goodness to God. No, God brings it all to you. The only accurate way to understand ourselves is by what God is and by what he does for us, not by what we are and what we do for him.

^4-6In this way we are like the various parts of a human body. Each part gets its meaning from the body as a whole, not the other way around. The body we're talking about is Christ's body of chosen people. Each of us finds our meaning and function as a part of his body. But as a chopped-off finger or cut-off toe we wouldn't amount to much, would we? So since we find ourselves fashioned into all these excellently formed and marvelously functioning parts in Christ's body, let's just go ahead and be what we were made to be, without enviously or pridefully comparing ourselves with each other, or trying to be something we aren't.

Victim to Your Trial - 4/11/12

There are so many times we give testimony of our trials.  We wear them like a badge of honor.  But I have seen and experienced where I have become a victim of my trial.  Let me give you an example.  As some of you may know I had an abortion years ago and it cause me a deep depression.  At first God allowed me to share to help others.  But I feel that God was trying to move me past that ordeal and instead I continue to testify about the trial.  I would tell people like I had to impress people and showed how God had used me and brought me to through the ordeal.  Now if you pay attention to my last statement please realize how many times I used me.  See I had made this trial about me and not about God.  I feel God allow us to go through things to show his power and strength.  To remind us that he has our back.  I am not saying you can’t give a testimony to help other but take it for all its worth and move forward.  God should get all the glory.  In one of my favorite songs there is a line that says, “In Christ alone I place my trust and find my glory in the power of the cross. In every victory let it be said of me my source of strength, my source of hope is Christ alone.”  

I also realized the more I focused on the trial the more my emotions remain attached to the event.  I would relive the trial over and over again.  God is trying to release us from the trial.  The more we hold on to it the more the door can’t be closed and another one open.

As time has passed I have learned that some trials are you to share with others and some are lessons for you.  I also learned that if you be silent and let God lead he will tell you what to do with the trial so you don’t have to fall victim to your trial.  If you find yourself as a victim turn your attention back to God and he will show you the way to move forward.  

Steps to Maturity - 4/11/12

Well family I have been thinking about relationships lately.  As I am maturing in my walk with Christ I have realized so much about myself dealing with past relationships.  I use to blame men for my hurt.  I have come to the conclusion that it was not the men fault.  I didn’t love myself and truly didn’t love the men in my life like they should have been loved.  There are three categories of men that I have experienced in my life.

The first men were what I called frogs.  You know the story of princess and the frog.  But this frog never turned into a prince.  At the time the frog had the right to hurt me because I allowed it.  I kissed some frogs but I realized that during this time I was a frog myself.  I also didn’t know my self-worth.  I can say now that I truly do appreciate the experience with the frogs because it makes me appreciate the great man God will send to me. 

The next set of men that I have experienced I would say is a mixed of a frog and a prince.  This is the time in my life where I was confused about what I wanted.  So I allowed a man that was confused to enter my life.  I knew I didn’t love myself and was searching for love that men could never give me.  I was happy that God showed me what real love is and allowed me to realize I needed to grow. 

The last group of men is the prince.  Now these men were awesome but was not the prince for me.  I want to say thank you for showing me what a Godly man looks like.  You showed me how I should be treated even though I was not ready for you at the time.  I always said I was ready for love but when it came God showed me I had some growing to do.  So I took the mature way out and worked on me. 

Today, I am truly ready for love because I am whole, thanks to God.  I know my worth and know God is true love.  I am ready to give love and not expect anything in return because I know that is what God intended for us all.  I know I can love a person right where they are because we are all a work in progress.  So to my Prince, I know that this is not a fairytale but real life.  I know there are up and down in relationship but I promise to work hard at our future and will not give up.  So whoever you are I am waiting with open arms and an open heart.

So if you can recognize any of these experience or categories in your life I pray God reveals truth to you.  I pray that God make you whole so you can really experience love and truly appreciate it.  Love you guys

Freedom

Universal Language

While traveling a couple weeks ago I came across the key to an easy life. I seen people of all backgrounds, all colors, different religion to express the key. The one thing that I noticed in people interaction was the universal language, LOVE. Yes I feel LOVE is the key to life. If God is love (Agape) and he instructs us to love one another as Christ loved the church or love thy neighbor as yourself, then I believe God was given us a hint to how to solve every problem we have today.

Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all offenses. Proverbs 10:12

Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us. By this we know that we abide in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit. And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God. So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him. By this is love perfected with us, so that we may have confidence for the day of judgment, because as he is so also are we in this world. There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love. We love because he first loved us. If anyone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen. And this commandment we have from him: whoever loves God must also love his brother. 1 John 4:7-21

With my own personal testimony, I can look back and see when I didn't know real love in my life and was on a search for it I allowed all hell to break loose and thought it was ok to experience some bad things if it meant I could have what I thought was love. When I didn't love myself thats when most of my problems existed. It's not like I didn't grow up with a loving family. My family told me everyday that they loved me and still do to this day. But it was a void I was trying to fill through men, negative attention, being a follower and not a leader, and just letting low self-esteem consume me. I was searching for the one thing that only God could give, LOVE (Agape).

I remember the day God first showed me the depths of his love for me. I was in the sanctuary in a deep depression due to an abortion. It was so bad that I had thoughts of leaving this world. The depression had me so blind that I was in the presence of God and felt nothing. I felt I was already dead. But God, let me say that again, BUT GOD. I cry every time I think about that day. He whispered, Crystal I have not left you and I have forgiven you why can't you forgive yourself. I felt that God had wrapped his arms around and engulfed me with a LOVE I had never experienced. Instantly the sadness that had taken over my life had faded away. Don't get me wrong I had my days where I had to tell myself (flesh) the depression was gone and I didn't have to live like this but when those times came I thought about God's love and helped me to get to where I am today. I will suggest that if you are experiencing sadness, confusion or depression run to God and express every feeling. His LOVE will bring you unspeakable joy.

In my opinion I feel that if we just truly fall in love with God, I mean get a true understanding of how much God loves us, it will make it easy to love others no matter where a person is in their life. You will love them right where they are and know God is working in their lives. You can pray for someone that hurt you and love on them because you know as much as you don't deserve God's love it is always there for you. I mean think of the times when you weren't even thinking about God and he got you out of a situations where you know you should have died. So today why not show everyone, yes that mean your enemies, some love today. Give them the key that God give to you, unconditionally LOVE.

Love Freedom

Why Do You Attend Church

I have been thinking a lot lately why people actually go to church. I see tons of people on Sunday morning heading to there choosen place of worship and I wondered why? Is it to get a word and encouragement for the upcoming week? Is it to see their favorite preacher? Are they attending to see friends or is it to serve God in every area of their lives?

Now what brought this thought on is because I have encountered so many people that leave there church home for some interesting reasons. Now, can you call a place your home and leave over simple things. If your toilet clog up at home you don't just pack up and leave. No you stick it out and fix the problem or call on the experts to fix it on your behalf. So why not allow God to give you patience to deal with church issues. Why not love the church body right where they are, just as Jesus did. Do you remember the fruit of the spirit, long suffering? No wonder people get a divorce quickly they don't know how to stick around over simple things, how can they maintain a marriage, but thats a topic for another day.

Here are some of the reasons I have heard personally why people left their church. “Well the church wanted to much of my time and I am not getting anything in return.” “The church is always asking me for money.” “He hurt my feelings and he is suppose to be a christian.” “I don't want to be around my ex-mate/friend.” Last but not least, “the pastor, first lady or other leaders in the church weren't there personally for me when I needed them and I give my money and time to the church.”

Now for the reasons I have received I have prayed for the individuals involved cause I know how it feels to go through each encounter but God has allowed me to see things differently and want me to share with you. You see, I don't go to church expecting perfection from people who are still a work in progress. This also includes the leaders of the house. The leaders are sheep, just as well as we are, following one shepherd (Jesus). I go to church for God, to build a deeper relationship with him, and corporate worship with my sisters and brothers. God allowed us the opportunity to base our walk on a foundation that is rooted in him rather than people in a church building (also remember the church is in you please). So stop judging your fellow christians please. Instead pray that God move in you and show you your flaws so you can work on the person in the mirror and love everyone in the body of Christ, no matter where they are in their walk. Then pray for your sisters and brothers that may have hurt your feelings, that God will get bigger in them.

Now this is not to judge anyone that have left the church for reasons above. I have expereinced the same things and more. I mean pain from people in church that made me cry and I wanted to flee. But God never gave me instructions to leave my church home instead he increase my duties to help me manifest the fruits of the spirit  (love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance - Galatians 5:22-23) which Jesus instilled in me that day he died on the cross. When it all bowls down to it, it hurts me to see people leave and go from one church to the next because I know that they are not allowing God to teach them some important life lessons. The are running from a great lesson of enduring the pain. They are running from the true relationship with God, that can help them with every encounter they may have at church. So ask yourself right now, what is my reason for going to church and meditate on it.

Praying for you always

Love Freedom

Are You Affecting Lives

So lately I have been thinking am I making a change in this world for God. I mean is my life affecting others in a positive way and making God proud at the same time. You see there was a time when I thought I couldn't be a major affect in this world without a lot of money. Then God showed me that a penny can change a life. Then I thought I didn't have enough knowledge of the bible to change the world. I mean I know people that can quote the whole bible but God showed me he can use a rock or a donkey to get the job done. I thought to myself I didn't speak with flare so who would want to listen to me. But he showed me that I have the holy spirit and he can control every word that come out of my mouth. I even questioned my writing skills because I make grammar errors but God put a burning urge in my to write and every time I do he feeds me the words to help somebody.

So I came to the conclusion that I was finding flaws in myself and God showed me that I was made in his image and I can do all things through Christ. So I decided to do everything I can to help change this world. Whatever he need me to do I will do. I stopped looking at things I do for God as simple and not enough and realized that the simple things can change a life and even the world.

Let me give you a few examples. I remember one summer, for a few days, I was a camp counselor. I had anywhere from 6-10 girls. We had conversation, laughed, prayed and talked about life. I shared with the young ladies personal experiences. I had to leave early to go back to work but enjoyed every minute of it. The following year I couldn't go to camp but went to the departure spot for the campers to drop my niece off, who had taken my spot as a counselor. While standing outside I heard out of the blue, “Mom that's her, thats Crystal.” I turned around and the girl was one of my campers from the previous year but I didn't remember her name. She had tears in her eyes and hugged me so tight. Her mom came to me and said thank you for helping my daughter last year and changing her life. I was speechless because I didn't even remember what I did. I didn't do anything spectacular. Everything I did was simple but this young lady thought it was major.

God allowed me to see another example of simple things changing lives through my dad. The other day my mom told the UPS delivery guy that my dad had pasted away, since they use to have conversation all the time. The man started crying in disbelief. He said my dad was always so nice to him. He shared with my mom that my dad told him that if he ever needed safety or got into any trouble to know he could always knock on our door. Now he stated that this wasn't the first time somebody told him that but my dad was truly sincere and he could feel it. He even said he went back to his church and told the congregation about my dad and how nice of a man he was.

Now these two simple examples are God's way of showing us that it doesn't take much to change a life or the world. All it takes is a willing heart and you walking in the spirit. Look, you never know who is watching you. Your actions throughout the day could change somebody life. So give somebody a smile, stop and speak to the delivery guy, give that .50 in the cup holder to the man on the corner or simple give a hug and watch God move in the simplest things. I will end with one of my favorite quotes, “How many people are better of because you live?” Think about it and get to moving.

Love

Freedom

Do You Ask

So this week God has been dealing with me about asking him for things.  I had become so independent that it was hard for me to ask people for anything.  It had gotten so bad that I will go without rather than ask for help.   Growing up in a one income home taught me not to be wasteful, to appreciate what you have, and work hard.  But what it also taught me that I didn't want to be a burden on anyone and I would provide for myself.  You see I grew up in a General Motors home.  This means we have experienced layoffs and plant shut downs.  My dad was a hustler, he made a way for us to not go without, but that didn't mean I didn't notice the struggles. 

So as soon as I got old enough to work I did.  At the age of 14 I had my first job and haven't stopped since.  I also kept my grades up in school so my parent wouldn't have to pay for college.  The first school that offered me a scholarship I took (thanks Wayne State University).  I decided not to apply know where else because I didn't want my parents to pay application fees.  I didn't want to go out of state because I didn't want my parents to have to send me money for things.  So as you can see at a young age I became independent. 

Well today God is working on me to depend on him completely.  I went through a stage in my life were I lost all material things I owned and was in debt.  Instead of worrying I casted my cares on him and didn't stress cause I knew God had a plan for me.  I no longer stressed about things.  Then God showed me I might have passed that challenge but I still didn't ask him for anything.  So he had me sit and think about who I asked for things.  I realized that I had a hard time to ask even the very intimate people in my life for anything.  If I asked you for something it meant I was really in need.  He even took me back to times I had chances to ask my dad for things and I would go to my mom instead (even that was difficult).  The crazy thing was she would always turn around and say ask your dad.  In hinds sight God was preparing me then for this lesson.  He showed me that I have not learned how to receive. 

During this past week so many people were so giving to me and my family in our time of lost.  Then he made me ask for something as simple as deserts for my dad’s repast.  Man was that a challenge to type a message to people I loved and ask for simple support.  Then I turned on Joyce Meyer and she was discussing Hindrance in Prayer.  The number 1 hindrance was asking.  Man just blew me away.  Now the first thought was that God wanted me to know that he is my provider.  He told me to ask him for something from him multiple times a day.  God want me to get comfortable asking cause he know I had thoughts that he have more important things to worry about my small problems.  But he let me know I am his child and have inherited all he has. 

Then he revealed to me that the only way I could ask him for anything is to seek him and commune with him more.  Now don't get me wrong, I wake up and thank God for everything that come to mind.  I read scripture and not afraid to worship God at all times.  But he wants me to be in the middle of my work day, commune with him and ask.  He want while I am pumping gas to commune with him and ask.  He wants me to seek him more, stay focused on him all the times and get comfortable asking.  So I challenge you to search the bible and just see how many times God has said ask.  Then search yourself to see do you ask.

Peace In Death

As you may or may not know my dad went to be with God on January 5^th. This is the first time I have experienced death so close and fully understood everything. When the doctors told us he wouldn't make it but a day or so I prayed for God's will to be done. So when he took his last breath I trusted fully that God wanted him home with him. Now I would be lying if I didn't tell you that my emotions were trying to control me but I knew God know exactly what he is doing. So I shed tears and then I started worshiping right in the hospital. I was crying with a smile because I knew my daddy was cracking jokes with Jesus. I realized that my dad didn't have to deal with chemotherapy anymore. He didn't have to walk with a cane. He was no longer in pain and truly free.

Now I know everyone mourns differently but I am here to tell you you can experience peace in death. If you allow God to move in your heart. If you call on him in your time of despair and be honest by telling him you need him, peace will consume you. Please notice I didn't say he will give you peace. You already have it through the holy ghost the question is are you conscious of it.

I remember the first time I experienced the peace that passed all understanding. I had being praying for God to reveal truth concerning a relationship. Well lets just say he slapped me in the face with the truth and reminded me that I already knew what was going on all along. Well my anger was so intense, lets just say I understood how crimes of passion happen, but God. Well just when the anger was about to explode he whispered in my ear you got what you prayed for and peace consumed me. I mean the anger disappeared just like that. I could actually smile.

Well this is the same peace I experienced in the hospital. This is the same peace you can experience today. Even when I have my moments through out the day where I cry it doesn't take away my peace. I just remember the great daddy I had and realize I am so blessed. I know my daddy is still with me and he is forever locked in my heart. So today I say whatever you are going through, rather you lost someone, rather you are stressed about a relationship, a job, children, whatever the circumstance call on God right now and watch his peace consume you.

Love you guys and may you experience peace everyday

Freedom

RIP: Daddy

Experience God Right Now

So over the Christmas vacation my goal was to stay in God's presence at all times. Not that God ever leaves us but we become unconscious of him by focusing on the day. My goal was to realize no matter was going on that I can constantly exist with the holy spirit and realize that I am one with everyone. Doing this have changed my life even more. I feel good, so at peace, and receiving favor everywhere I go. For example my experience at the airport was awesome. There were no lines, security opened up a lane so I wouldn't have to wait and I met great people that offered good conversation, food and love. I seen how easy it is to really love everyone. It truly is in his strength and not our own. When you are walking with God, I mean really making him your focus of every thought you have no problems. The fruits of the spirit (love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control) comes with ease.

One thing I did realize was how many people complained and spoke things into there lives. Now I can understand if you don't have the holy spirit or should I say unconscious of him I expect you to be stuck in the matrix of the mind. But the people that I was hearing complain were Christians. The crazy thing was they were making things that weren't problems into problems. I understood this totally cause I user to do the same thing. I use to complain about everything. I complained about money, even though God always made a way. I complained about my car not running right even though God had blessed me with a car. I complained about the job and the people at the job. I can go on and on as you can see.

Speak negative things into my life was natural. I was so oblivious to the power of my tongue. I allowed myself and other to abuse me verbally. I would say negative things about myself and absorb everything everyone else said about me. My thoughts were flowing 100 miles per hours but they were never uplifting thoughts. No wonder low self-esteem was my name. But God......

I am so grateful I started praying for a deeper relationship with God. I asked him to open my eyes and ears so I can truly be with him all the time. With this request he revealed some lessons to me. He showed me my thoughts first, teaching me how important it is to watch my thoughts. God showed me what I was giving thought to was what was controlling me and taking over my heart. Isaiah 26:3 states,

3 You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You.

Romans 1:28-31 states,

28 And even as they refused to have God in their knowledge, God gave them up unto a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not fitting;

29 being filled with all unrighteousness, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, malignity; whisperers,

30 backbiters, hateful to God, insolent, haughty, boastful, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,

31 without understanding, covenant-breakers, without natural affection, unmerciful

Review your thoughts at this very moment. What are you focusing on? Our those thought adding joy to your life or stealing the very life out of your body?

The second lesson he revealed was to listen to the words I was speaking. I remember before I was blessed with financial literacy I use to always say I was broke or I didn't have enough money. I can also remember joking with friend about being poor. Please pay close attention to your words. My words had me living from paycheck to paycheck. I only had enough just to pay bills and get through to the next check came. I felt terrible when I did a budget. On top of my negative words my thought were always saying it will be this way again when the next check come and sure enough it was. Then I got tired of being tired and I prayed to God for a change and he introduced me to a world of living debt free and taught me Proverbs 18:21,

21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits.

What words are you just letting flow out of your mouth? What are you complaining about? I mean really when you look at your situation do you really have problems? Are you always talking about illness, not having enough, and negative word just being spoken freely?

The third lesson I have learned was was I really trusting God and have faith in him and his promise. So many people quote scriptures everyday but don't live by the words. I mean how many of you have scripture on your walls, as a screen saver, and recite them as if the were written on the back of your hand but when it comes to applying them to your life you seem to have amnesia. By your actions I am assuming you tell yourself it was just a saying that Jesus said back in his day but it don't apply now. Lets take Luke 17:6.

He replied, "If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, 'Be uprooted and planted in the sea,' and it will obey you.

How many of you are believing, without a doubt, that you can have a life without problems. I mean a life that is so full of power that you laugh whenever a negative thought try to creep your way. What about this one, 2 Corinthians 5:7

7 For we walk by faith, not by sight.

This is a famous scripture in the church. I hear people shout this one to the mountain top but when you are home or at work you have no faith in God being a provider while you are looking at that bill in your hand or the boss getting on your nerves cause he trying to overwork you for less pay. Then you come back to church on Sunday praying/complaining (there is no difference now a days) on how things are not working out for you.

God is trying to get you to see that it is already done. Christ got up with all power. He left you the holy spirit (the power inside of you) so you have already overcome every obstacle. Here are 4 steps that can assist you to stop complaining and help you to really start focusing on God. Step 1: ask God for what you want. You want an abundant life ask for it. James 4:2 states,

2 You desire but do not have, so you kill. You covet but you cannot get what you want, so you quarrel and fight. You do not have because you do not ask God.

Step 2: believe without a doubt (at the end of the post I have attached a picture of a mustard seed just to remind you how much faith God is asking you for). Step 3: is to receive. I am not just saying have your hand out but receive in your heart. Feel it deep inside and feel good no matter what. Finally Step 4: is gratitude. Be grateful for what you have right now. This actually should be step one. When you can think of something to be grateful for it makes you feel good automatically. You can't be grateful and complaining at the same time. So I ask you to stop complaining and start living. Experience God right now.