Complete Your Calling

His Specific Word

Then Moses said to Aaron, “Tell the whole congregation of Israel, ‘Come before the LORD, for He has heard your grumbling.’ ” And as Aaron was speaking to the whole congregation of Israel, they looked toward the desert, and there in a cloud the glory of the LORD appeared. Then the LORD said to Moses, “I have heard the grumbling of the Israelites. Tell them, ‘At twilight you will eat meat, and in the morning you will be filled with bread. Then you will know that I am the LORD your God.’ ” Exodus 16:9-11(BSB)

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I cannot tell you how many times I have read these Bible verses before and of course in my quiet time with God, my spiritual ears perked up and I had this new found desire to read more. I find it interesting that I never really picked up before that God spoke directly to Moses in the cloud of glory, although the entire congregation of Israel, including Aaron were present.

The Lord even said to Moses, “Tell them”. I mean this is God, the most powerful and supreme being who created everything in the universe including us. He did not need a man to speak on His behalf, but He chose one man specifically for that time to be a conduit for His voice.

I thought to myself, “Wow, God, how moving”. This relationship between God and Moses points out a very important fact to me. If Moses did not have an intimate relationship with the Lord God, he may have been just like one of the spectators; watching the cloud from a distance in the desert, but not actually hearing the voice of God.

I started to think about many who are just like that today. People we know, love or maybe even dislike. Friends, family, colleagues, and acquaintances that are so distant from God, unable to receive a specific word from Him, which incidentally leads to that deep haunting feeling of being lost.

I was there a few times in my life, which was due to my stubbornness, blatant disobedience and inability to surrender. I wonder how many specific words I may have missed in those moments, but am grateful that God still desires to draw near to me as I draw near to Him (James 4:8). What about you my friend? Can you hear Him? Are you searching for Him or observing from a distance? I feel deeply the need to ask you to reconsider your relationship with our Father and go the distance by seeking Him first a little further.

Stay Encouraged.

Seek Him. Obey the Call. Complete Your Assignment.

Inner Sanctuary

And they are to make a sanctuary for Me, so that I may dwell among them. You must make the tabernacle and design all its furnishings according to the pattern I show you. Exodus 25:8-9 (BSB)

At the start of this year and to be quite honest, the end of last year, I started to think of a few words that would help me categorize what would represent 2023; a year I sense is even more profound than the ones previously. I settled on healing, intention, and transition. As the holidays passed and the birth of a new year encroached the horizon of time, I felt a bit lost, out of my element, like a baby deer trying to find her way out of a wilderness.

I searched and searched for God, tried to hear Him, see Him, and touch Him, recognizing that it was me all along pushing back on my ability to draw closer to Him due to my failed attempts at controlling things outside of my control. I began to ask Him why and He showed me the areas in my heart, wounded by life, time, self, and others that had never properly healed, filled with a temporary layer, like a cut with just a band-aid. So, I began a new journey, and set out to be more intentional on healing.

As I sat with God this morning, I began to ask Him to show me more about me that He has made that I forgot was there, and in my reading this morning, He pointed me back to these bible verses, which ironically, reminded me of a devotional that I wrote around this time last year entitled According to His Pattern. God directed me right back to the importance of my inner sanctuary, that needs to be emptied of placeholders, so that He can truly dwell within. This is the only way for true healing to begin and in my transition, I am reminded daily that I can only truly trust in Him.

As I journeyed down to the end of verse nine, I read His command to Moses. He made it clear that He would show Him exactly how He wanted things designed, and if He did it for Moses and the Israelites, then He will do the same for you and me, in His time.

Stay Encouraged.

Seek Him. Obey the Call. Complete Your Assignment.

The Heart Guard

Guard your heart with all diligence, for from it flow springs of life. (Proverbs 4:23) BSB

Not too long ago, I could feel my heart becoming more hardened by the injustice that is continually increasing. I am sure you can relate to seeing and almost feeling like the enemy is gaining ground. But then I felt the push to spend more time in worship, knowing that I just needed to redirect my focus on who matters most. I was thankful for the conviction to do so and to just forgive those who are obilivous to their aggregious actions.

I had to shift my attention to who God represents and think on His love. As I began to worship, my spirit was not connected to His presence and then I began to tune myself to His frequency which filled me with so much love and joy all I could do was continue to praise Him. I mentioned in previous devotionals that I was led to re-read Proverbs and now I know why.

God always knows what we need to draw us back to Him and since His love is so welcoming, all I needed was to reflect back on his goodness and not be overcome by the filth of this worlds corruption. Today and everyday, we desperately need to be intentional about protecting our heart and that first begins with acknowledging who we have let in it. Even the most subtle comment or blatant act can distract us. If we are not careful in examining what is within us, we may be consumed by the evil around us.

God was reminding me again to be alert in this season, to stay focused on His presence, to be diligent about my thoughts and actions, to remain upright, to not lose sight and to allow His love to flow out like a spring as a representative of His light.

Stay Encouraged. Seek Him. Obey the Call. Complete Your Assignment.

His Understanding Will Guide You

For wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will delight your soul. Discretion will watch over you, and understanding will guard you, to deliver you from the way of evil, from the man who speaks perversity, from those who leave the straight paths to walk in the ways of darkness. Proverbs 2:10-13 (BSB)

Lady Wisdom will be your close friend, and Brother Knowledge your pleasant companion. Good sense will scout ahead for danger, insight will keep an eye out for you. They’ll keep you from making wrong turns, or following the bad directions. Of those who are lost themselves and can’t tell a trail from a tumbleweed. Proverbs 2:10-13(MSG)

Well, this morning, I realized why I was led to start re-reading Proverbs again, especially now. The need for divine wisdom and discernment for our own protection is such a critical priority, that the feeling will not leave me; drawing me into deeper intimacy. God has been waking me up earlier and earlier each day this week to highlight to me the importance of NOW. As I read these verses in different iterations, I kept thinking about the bible verse in 2 Thessalonians 2 regarding a strong delusion that will be sent during the end times to those who refuse to believe the truth.

It almost feels like that is where are right now. But God wants to deliver us from any way of evil that would try to ensnare us into darkness. And this can only be completed by becoming insistent on cultivating and strengthening our relationship with Him. This involves our seeking Him intentionally daily, minute by minute, and sometimes second by second so that we not only harness the fear of the Lord, but also that we being to receive much needed wisdom during this perilous season.

Harnessing knowledge creates a path that will keep us safe and provide a way of escape. It also gives us foresight, hindsight, and divine sight. We can see clearly through the dark and the murkiness of the atmosphere. We can remain calm and at peace in these unstable environments. We are more discerning of the time and lead life with Him at the forefront of our mind.

I encourage you to dive back into Proverbs. It literally enveloped me this morning in a deeper truth about what we are all witnesses to everyday. I know that we are all here for such a time as this. (Esther 4:14). Everyday, I am in awe of God more as He exposes me to certain realities and permits me to really see the hidden message by worldly messengers. He is teaching everyday that wisdom, knowledge, and understanding supersede offense, contention, and frustration. I pray as His children we become more aware of His leading, and that we take delight of how much He loves us and that even if we see differently in the natural, that He is ultimately in control.

Stay Encouraged and Stay Seeking Wisdom.

Seek Him. Obey the Call. Complete Your Assignment.

Intention over Idleness

She looks well to the ways of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. Proverbs 31:27 (ESV)

Let your eyes look directly forward, and your gaze be straight before you. Ponder the path of your feet; then all your ways will be sure. Do not swerve to the right or to the left; turn your foot away from evil. Proverbs 4: 25-27 (ESV)

A couple of weeks ago, in the midst of a conversation with a friend, I mentioned that I kept hearing the word intention bubbling within me, as I sensed that “being very intentional” next year would be critical. She too agreed as many decisions that will need to be made next year, start now as we posture ourselves correctly. Then this morning in my prayer time, the word idle came up as the antithesis of being intentional.

I began to think about ways to avoid idleness and was directed to the book in the Bible known for wisdom- Proverbs. I take it as a cue to start reading Proverbs this month as we approach a new year since the action steps in my path to get to this new year begin in this present time.

I think the reason this has been something on my mind recently is because I know God has many plans that if I am not invested in my development through Him and intentionally seeking Him, I might miss it. I asked God for His guidance to keep me on the narrow path and to not lose focus, to tend to my affairs, to remain rooted in Him and to be more intentional about what and who I am around, listening to, and interacting with.

I know for me that the only way my feet can remain sure is to tap into His instruction and guidance even more. But this requires dedicated time in His presence, a determination to act in intention, and focus on the decisions made day to day, that will in the end, impact the final destination.

Stay Encouraged. Seek Him. Obey the Call. Complete Your Assignment.

Level Up

“So, Jeremiah, if you’re worn out in this footrace with men, what makes you think you can race against horses? And if you can’t keep your wits during times of calm, what’s going to happen when troubles break loose like the Jordan in flood?” Jeremiah 12:5 MSG

Have you ever complained to God about some difficulty, trial, or storm that you were dealing with and the response you received was to stay in it to win it? I am raising my hand right now as I typed this. I think this is why I can relate to this chapter in Jeremiah. Jeremiah was going through it and in the early verses of this chapter was complaining to God about the state of affairs. He was tired of the wickedness and those who were not of God prospering during his time. Sound familiar?

But there was something that stirred in my spirit when I reached down to this selection verse above. It made me think of the coming time when “the last will be first and the first will be last” (Matthew 20:16). And I sense we are getting very close to this revelation, but it takes preparation. One just doesn’t metaphorically race with horses. The fastest horse reported to date can run 55mph compared to the fastest human reported at 8 mph.

Remember, God knew what Jeremiah was capable of and why he placed him in that time and season. This is the same with us. We may be weary as we contend with men, but we are being built from the inside out when the spiritual chariots of horses come. We cannot jump to the end of our race, we have to go through it. We may fall, acquire callouses, and become discouraged, but in these times, allow God to grow you in your spirit. Things are breaking loose all around, and we need to be ready to occupy the areas that are becoming available.

Trust God in this season. He is the only one that possesses all revelation and spiritual reasoning. If weariness tries to overtake you as you interact with others this week, call on the name of Jesus, seek direction from the Holy Spirit, and walk in that way. We have to learn to crawl before we walk, walk before we run and run before we race. The beauty is that we are not alone. We are surrounded by others rooting for us, interceding on behalf of us and running with us.

Stay Encouraged. Seek Him. Obey the Call. Complete Your Assignment.

Prioritize Patience

By your patience possess your souls (Luke 21:19) NKJV

I was never one who particularly enjoyed patience. I guess that is the “go-go-go” nature within me. It was not until I was really forced to become patient a few years back after a health setback that I realized what you learn about yourself during the “long suffering” process. As I read Luke 21 this morning, and pondered on the disciples and Jesus’ interaction related to the sign of the times, this Bible verse positioned me right back to patience and I became enthralled about its priority in this season.

I know you may be experiencing some type of discomfort, a period of shaking, an uncertainty of what is next and even perhaps persecution by others. And these are all things that we must understand have to happen for what is to be revealed. Jesus provides information for His disciples during those times and since His Word is living, He is also giving us clues and comforts of what to expect.

Our soul; that piece of us that can either be run by the world (our flesh) or ruled by our spirit (connecting us to the leading of the Holy Spirit) is constantly being tested. Of course no one likes to experience of trials, afflictions, temptations, and storms, but during these times, we end up truly seeing who we rely on. I remember having a conversation with someone about not “fitting in” and I reminded the both of us that we can never truly fit into the world’s standards, if we are led by the Holy Spirit.

Possessing something means to have complete ownership of it. And if you just look around your current environment, on social media, on the television, you can see what this world is truly becoming-aggressively. Nothing makes sense these days, people are losing love and empathy and the world is becoming more manipulated by evil and greed. I had to ask myself a hard question as I thought about the tug of war on the soul. I asked, “what is all this world worth, for me to lose my soul to accomplish some man-made goal?” or to “live in alignment and one day in eternity with the One who sits on the throne?”

As you move through your week, I challenge you to read Luke 21. Identify outside influences that may be trying to steer you off guard and ask God to help you resist what He has not intended for you and consult the Holy Spirit for proper direction that must start within.

Stay encouraged and vigilent.

Seek Him. Obey the Call. Complete Your Assignment.

Revisit Your Prayer List

First of all, then I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for everyone, for kings and all who are in high positions, so that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and dignity. This is right and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires everyone to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. (1 Timothy 2: 1-4) NRSV

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I was recently in prayer recently with a group of students that I advise. I have been more intentional about including all leaders and everyone in positions of leadership on our prayer list. Being in a position of leadership requires a certain level of resolve and wisdom, that is not earthly derived. Some think that leadership and being in a position of power are the same thing.

However, there are many people in the world that are in positions of power, but are not equipped to be a leader. This can be devastating for any organization; especially in this volatile economy flooded with workplace instability. When I came across this verse, I was reminded by Paul, who was writing to his “spiritual son” Timothy about the need to pray, intercede and offer thanks for everyone. This led me to become more fervent about those I pray for daily, including those in positions of power.

I had to revisit my prayer list as there were those that I did not include but know the power of prayer and how deeply rooted we must be in prayer in order to navigate where we are and what is coming. Leaders without wisdom, discernment, or integrity are weapons that can be used by the enemy. I am sure you can think of a few leaders right now that you either know directly or indirectly that have been used by the enemy in this way, which created chaos, confusion, and many counterproductive environments.

But God desires that we lead a “quiet and peaceable life”, not one marred with unfruitfulness and strife. I thought to myself, “imagine what could happen if we all made the decision to pray for our leaders, pray for everyone that we encounter, and intercede for others?” If we are truly here to be lights, to be a representative of Christ, then let us consider who we include on our prayer list and thank God for that powerful gift of divine sight.

Stay encouraged and pray without ceasing.

Seek Him. Obey the Call. Complete Your Assignment.

Abound in Hope

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. (Romans 15:13) NRSV

Have you ever read a Bible verse and felt, “this is exactly what I need to read today”. Well, that was me this morning as the tiredness of the week attempted to steal the true joy, peace, and hope that only God can provide. As I read the word abound, I wanted to know more about it as it was linked to the word hope, which happens to be my middle name. I guess when my mom named me, she knew how important that word would resonate with me all my life.

The word abound correlates to overflow and what a wonderful existence to have an overflow of hope. Hope is the expectation of things to come that can provide great peace, even in the midst of adversity and weariness. Being filled with all joy can only be accomplished by allowing the Holy Spirit in, so that the power of the Holy Spirit can literally ooze out of us which can literally remove the worries and the cares of life that this current world beats down on us.

I had to read this verse about 7 times just to take in what was being delivered. I had to ask God to let it be rooted in me and to carry it with me through this month. As I am minding my business and being more intentional about that, I am also protecting my heart, which is linked to the feelings and the fruit that I produce. And I desire for the overflow of hope, that I be filled with God’s joy and peace and that I make every effort to invite the Holy Spirit in this journey of my life. But it takes the act of intention, the casting off of troubles and placing His armor on each and every day.

Can I get an Amen?

Stay Encouraged.

Seek Him. Obey the Call. Complete Your Assignment.

Mind Your Business

…But we urge you beloved, to do so more and more, to aspire to live quietly, to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands, as we directed you, so that you may behave properly toward outsiders and be dependent on no one. (1 Thessalonians 4:10-12) NRSV

Aspire to lead a calm and peaceful life as you mind your own business and earn your living, just as we’ve taught you. By doing this you will live an honorable life, influencing others and commanding respect of even the unbelievers. (1 Thessalonians 4:10-12) TPT

In my devotional time this morning, I read this verse in several versions and thought to myself, how practical the word of God really is for daily living. I chuckled to myself and thought, we are being told to “mind our own business“. This is something that we may say to others or think about when interacting with others and here in the living Word of God, we are told do just that. And to be honest, I cannot think of a time when this mattered more.

It is so easy to get “caught up” in what people are doing, not doing, pretending to be doing or blatantly disregarding, but at the end of the day, that’s not our business. We have so much more to be focused on… what God desires for us, which requires our focus, attention, and correct position. I needed this as a reminder after having a particularly frustrating day when my fleshy self wanted to react negatively about the actions and demonstrations of others and then I heard God say to me, “focus on what I have you to do”, which I interpreted as, “mind your business”.

There is something so freeing about walking this text out and to be transparent, when I read this, there was like a light bulb that went off and I had to get aligned to this instruction. It produces so much more in the long run as it provides the opportunity to not only be a light in this corrupt, evil and narcissistic world, but it even has influence on others that we interact with; even non-believers.

This was another wake up call as we enter a new month at the end of a very interesting year. I have decided to commit to this for the rest of this year and focus on being intentional about it. We cannot get back time and the world can be very demanding, but focusing on what God is asking you to do, must be primary, so lets focus on just that and prevent whatever or whomever comes to try to distract.

Seek Him. Obey the Call. Complete Your Assignment.

Stay Encouraged