Death to Our Expectations 4 Life in His

This is a faithful saying: For if we died with Him, We shall also live with Him. If we endure, We shall also reign with Him. If we deny Him, He also will deny us. If we are faithless, He remains faithful; He cannot deny Himself. II Timothy 2:11‭-‬13 NKJV

*To me, this is a new year's resolution all by itself: Dying to self in order to go deeper in God. God has so much for us, and it is often depicted and given in ways we do not expect. However, we must die to our own expectations, and ask God what are His? Are your plans and resolutions of God, or of your own doing? Don't waste ANYMORE TIME & EFFORT ...

Continue to Do Good Regardless of Your Audience

And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. Galatians 6:9 NKJV

*Sometimes you grow tired of doing certain things, especially when the behavior is not reciprocated. However, if no one else acknowledges it, please know that God sees you. Allow the attention of the Most High to be the strength that keeps you going...Pleasing Him should be your focus, and He is ultimately the rewarder of those who serve Him with gladness.

Giving with Your Heart

“No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.

Matthew 6:24 NIV

I watched my parents give in order to not be selfish, and I listened to my great grandmother tell us "don't be tight as the nuts on London Bridge." lol I think those things, and growing deeper in my relationship with God inspire the desire to give...Plus, it's a rewarding feeling, and a constant reminder that "stuff" does not have you... God controls it. If your hand is empty and open from giving, you now have the ability to receive because there is nothing blocking your grip and ability to obtain something new. Be led in your giving by God, and watch your life style and heart grow...

Give for Him to Help Yourself

Psalm 50:14-15 (ESV)

14 “Offer to God a sacrifice of thanksgiving,
and perform your vows to the Most High,
15 and call upon me in the day of trouble;
I will deliver you, and you shall glorify me.”

*God wants us to teach us the importance of giving an order for us to be delivered from a situation, or give to receive a desire. He also wants us to rely on Him and look to Him first be it for a good or bad at scenario. It isn't that God needs your sacrifice/offering. He owns it. He desires a relationship with you, and to obtain your willingness to let go and let God. He just wants to show u how to help others, think beyond yourself, understand sacrifice to wrap your mind around how He sacrificed Jesus for you, and He stands by His word that what you sow is what you will reap. Open your hand to give for His sake, and you will have room to receive what you desire and more...

Sowing with Wisdom

Hebrews 13:16 (ESV)

16 Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God

*When people see scriptures like this, they often think of sharing their funds. These individuals may become pressed or concerned because of the lack there of...However, sharing a monetary gift is only a piece of what God is asking. You have the capability to share anything, even if it is as simple as a loving word. You don't know how much your obedience in sharing be it your time, money, words, love, wisdom, etc impacts another person. God has blessed you with these things, and He will lead you and press on you as to when and how to share if you are open. Plus, if you are guided by God, you don't have to worry about being taken advantage of because He has given you the wisdom on when to sow and whether you are sowing into good ground. We just have to make sure we are listening and have a free heart. God can turn your little into a lot if you open your hand and heart to let go...You will then have the room and ability to receive, if u let go of what someone else needs.

A Gift That Should Keep On Giving

2 Timothy 1:6-8 English Standard Version (ESV)

For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands, for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.

* Paul is reminding us that we all have a gift inside that has been tailor-made specifically for us, and it aligns with our purpose that God placed on our lives. The problem is that we do not explore the essence of that gift, the possibilities that come with it, try to uncover what it is, or are too busy to even dedicate that gift back to God. Instead, we may allow our degrees, careers, other people, or even mishaps in life to defer us from our gift that could potentially unlock our dreams and desires of our heart. The same power that Paul had with the laying of His hands, and ability to persevere and excel with His gift (regardless of the circumstance) is the same power that lives in us. We hold the power to spark a desire to explore our gift, share it with love, and implement it with a sound mind no matter what other titles people try to place on us or whether or not the gift is accepted. God gave it to you, and it was meant to be utilized...not just for the sake of enhancing God's kingdom, but to give you a rewarding experiencing of enhancing your life as well. How sweet is our God for wanting to bestow such a thing upon us? Therefore, don't let life pass you by through embracing what others try to place upon you because you are too afraid to step outside of the norm. Find freedom in embracing your gifts and talents, and allow God to guide you in this process of being authentic and a blessing for others.

No Excuse for the Inexcusable

The excuses that you provide today for not being obedient or being doers of the word can cause your downfall later. God is not a mean individual who desires to restrict you from people and things. On the contrary, He desires to protect you. Therefore, if you know you have relationships of any type that are unequally yoked, your sowing could use work, your love walk is tattered, or your courage and integrity is sketchy, then it is time to reflect and revamp. In obtaining the desires of our heart, we must first do our job to get there. Nine times out of ten, if you feel bad bc you should or shouldn't be doing or saying something, then you probably need to investigate doing the opposite...

Luke 6:38 (NIV)
Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.

Blessed 2 Be a Blessing

God doesn't often just let things fall out of the sky...He will use us to help each other so that we can assist and grow with one another. This is how we sow seeds of faith to receive a continuous harvest...Are you a willing vessel?

Hebrews 13:16 NIV

And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.

Talented Success

1 Peter 4:10 ESV
As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace...

*We all have a gift on the inside of us that cannot only impact our success and wellbeing, but can assist in drawing others closer to God and build them up for His kingdom. The very gift is meant to take others higher in their thought process, their view of others, and bring more knowledge and understanding of how to do things the Godly way. We are not just individuals who roam the Earth to see what there is for us, but people of God who are attached to other individuals. We have a purpose to fulfil and assignments to take on as vessels for God. This can be a powerful source that allows others to experience a new life outside of darkness, and it was designed for you be able to continuously sow in order to continuously reap a harvest. Now, imagine if you aren't using your gift properly and especially for God's kingdom...That is how many souls and responsibilities that you missed out on, and will also be accountable for (Matt. 25:13-30). God is waiting to elevate our talents if we entrust Him with the privilege of guiding us, and ordering our steps to expand on our talents. If you are experiencing a stationary moment in this area, ask  yourself if you have anything in your life that is not of God? Perhaps your talents aren't able to flourish because of the nature you expose them to, the bondage you may be in from an a secular mistake, or perhaps you do not have confidence to believe in yourself. God can fix all this and more for you, but you must completely trust Him and let Him completely in to be engulfed by His success.

A Seed Will Meet Your Need and Theirs

(1/2) (1/2) 1 John 3:17- Love of God

But whoever has the world's goods, and beholds his brother in need and closes his heart against him, how does the love of (2/2) God (2/2) abide in him?

*There are times when we don't feel like doing something for another person, especially if we are going through our own thing. We may even have moments when we believe that the situation is not our business. However, reaching out to people to show the love of God IS actually our business...This is how u continue to reap a harvest by sowing seeds. Plus, God gave you the opportunity to witness the situation; therefore, how can you turn your back to it? Many times God will give us assignments to see how we will react. Plus, if He is asking you to do something, He is trying to also get a blessing to you. However, you must sow in order to reap continuously. This is also an opportunity to represent God and bring souls into His kingdom. He wants people to know that not everyone is selfish and all about themselves. After all, if you were in need, would u want people to be all about themselves and their timing? Don't get me wrong...Make sure you hear from God and not take on more then He is asking you to bare. However, faith without works is dead (James 2:14-26); therefore, work on God's behalf in order for things to be worked out for you. #NoDaysOff...God doesn't take days off to work for u...

Blessing Methodology

Spiritual Food for Thought:

Remember, some blessings can't occur if the space for it is already occupied...Have u made room? #CleanUp

Manifestation occurs based on how u act on what u believe...What are u believing God for today? #TakeAction #AskForGuidance #Sow #SpeakIntoExistence

Fearless Love

1 John 4:18 ESV
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.

*Behind every element of fear is the fear of punishment or that a negative consequence will occur...People are afraid of a negative result or outcome, which can lead to the demise of that particular area or situation. This is also what many preachers consider to be the lead in to death, which develops from demise. This could be death in your belief that whatever you are believing in is possible; death in itself; or feeling vulnerable to hurt, and leaving u the urge to reek havoc until that person "dies" to the thought of possibilities and can feel your hurt too. Don't allow the potential thought of punishment kill your ability to be susceptible to love, trust your instincts which are guided by the Holy Spirit if u invite Him in, or take away from the wisdom you have obtained to know and receive a good person or opportunity. If u are in fear, u are not perfected in love because you may not have forgiven and forgotten the hurt u have been through. U may also need more time to heal, and more time to renew your mind with God. This opens the ability to trust in supernatural possibilities and accept the promises He has for u. Don't miss out on anything because u are in fear. Fear is the devil's secret weapon that leads to complacency. You have the greatest weapon to combat it, and that is love.

Open Up to Let More In

Proverbs 11:24-25
There is one who scatters, and yet increases all the more, and there is one who withholds what is justly due, and yet it results only in want. The generous man will be prosperous, and he who waters will himself be watered.

*How we treat others determines what is poured back into us. If u are a person who doesn't want to be bothered with people, never helped anyone out, or didn't believe in being friendly then do not be surprised if u are commonly treated poorly. While, if u walk in love and be obedient to God in giving then u will continuously reap the positivity that u sow because that's what was given off. Now, of course treat everyone with kindness, and be led as to your given...This is how u aren't abused or used. However, u can't expect a hand that stays gripped with stinginess to be open for receiving...You don't have any room in that hand to receive! Please, also note that sowing consists of more then monetary value...There is the act of giving kindness, pouring reassurance into people, checking on someone, or maybe even something as simple as learning to properly return a text or call. Everything we do towards others impacts how we will be treated and receive our blessings, so be joyous in the opportunity to be a manifestation of God in the life of someone else. U never know how God is setting up things for u...

Diligence in Giving

Luke 6:38 (KJV)
Give and it shall be given unto u; good measure,pressed down,and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete within it shall be measured to you again.

*In order to receive, you must open your hand and be able to give. An occupied space is unable to receive if there is no room provided by the recipient. However, notice that there is an emphasis not just on giving, but the measure of your giving. This often refers to how u give and the consistency of your giving. If u give sparingly, then u will only receive sparingly(2 Corinthians 9:6). If u give something with a grudge, then others may hold the same temperamental grudge with u when u ask for something. If u only contact ppl when u need something, then guess when u will be contacted? If u never pay your tithes to help God's house, how can u expect to receive help in your time of need? Your pockets are cursed when u know better and refuse to do better (Malachi 3:8-9). However, if u do the opposite of these things, u will always receive assistance and it will run over bc of your diligence. Remember, the average person loves to withdraw from ppl, but never make a deposit. This doesn't necessarily include money, but your time, how u treat others, your faithfulness to God, and other behaviors that u may lack in or do not contribute to...particularly through love. Be above average! Remember, if u keep taking from the well and never replenish, it will run dry. However, if u deposit into someone's love bank, spiritual heart, have financial accountability, and obedience to God in general when it comes to giving, then an overflow will always come your way...Don't be used, be led; don't be stingy, but be open to possibilities and all God has in store...

Give and It Shall Be Given Unto You

2 Corinthians 9:7-8 (KJV)

7 Every man according as he purposefully in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God Lovett a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work.

*We are capping off the year of great grace as we approach the end of 2013. Even if u have had trials, we were still blessed because we are above ground and have a testimony of how we are making it through. We can also consider ourselves as leaders that provide guidance on how to get through the tough times and still put a smile on your face bc you know God never left, and may have even sent someone to uplift u. Notice how the word speaks about grace abounding towards us to create sufficiency in ALL things. This is one of God's covenants, but in order to be covered u must do your part: GIVE. Verse seven discusses giving, but there are catches: U must not have an attitude when giving, or so much as feel like your giving is being forced or surrounds a "have to" mindset. Give as God instructs through discernment bc of the fact that you love Him so much, that you are willing to sacrifice and give because He is worthy. It is your act of love. The same way u love Him, u must love others. Keep in mind though that giving doesn't have to be from a monetary perspective. You can give time, energy, kindness, insight, and many other things. However, giving has meaning; therefore, do not give junk bc u are just trying to push the person off, clean out the closet, or receive something from God. If your left overs mean nothing to u, they mean nothing to Him. Giving is a symbol of love with meaning. It is something u wish to have should u be in need in that same manner. So, give with meaning and God will cover u with ALL the necessities your good works deserve. Remember, closed hands aren't open for receiving...let it go to gain more. God bless u.