July 27, 2009
Recently I had a conversation with a friend who, being single, has decided to invest in a book called Act Like A Lady, Think Like A Man by comedian Steve Harvey. This book was created to help women understand the complex nature of a man. To read his 'signals' and learn how to play the player - so to speak. I had to reflect on my own past when I'd purchased Dr Phil's book Love Smart after leaving my daughters father. On the surface I wanted the book to teach me about myself, help me figure men out and how to make them want me and truly love me... but subconsciously all I really wanted was to learn how to make a man love me. {Fast Foward: The book didn't do that, but it does make for great bathroom reading}
That was over 3 years ago. Looking back I can tell you that I did actually find the answers I was looking for in a great book - the Bible. The book is a bestseller, it's written by the ultimate self-help guide and can teach you not only how to live on this Earth - but more importantly how to earn life forever. How cool is that?
If you just found yourself rolling your eyes or beginning to click that little X in the top right corner of your page - LISTEN UP. This blog was written for you. That's right. This morning as I listened to my church Pastor I actually scrambled to pull out my pen and write down words that I truly feel helped tranform my mind about alot of those I know & love. He said that the most cynical men are those who were once full of hope [from religion] but were ultimately greatly disappointed the most. Those words spoke to me. They moved me. -- I mean I wrote them down didn't I?!
The Lord never promised to anyone that life would be easy. In fact -there is no way to promise you anything about walking by faith. I cannot tell you how many times I've tripped over stones [that seemed as big as mountains at the time] and thought that God had forsaken me. 'How could this happen to me?" "I thought I asked you not to let this happen!" "Please fix this!" "Why? What did I do?" .."Are you even listening to me?!"
I've come to realize two things: First - it's that we cannot change the world around us or those we love. We can, and should, pray for them and hope for the best. Life happens though and the fact of the matter is we cannot control what happens around us. All we can do is to be in continual prayer. It is when we stop praying and stop turning to God for love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control and let Satan get a foothold to say "I thought he said this kind of thing wouldn't happen" that we lose sight of God, lose our faith in Him and allow the world to suck us in.
Second is this - it is all too easy to see the world in a negative light, it's easy to get wrapped up in self-pity, anger, wrath, temptation, gluttony, depression and all of the other ailments and despairs that the enemy would loveto have us feel.
The only thing you can do is to be full of Spirit. 
Do not take offense, do not grumble - make a decision DAILY to Die To Self. How amazing would it be to be able to say "I am controlled by my faith". Wow. What if we, instead of seeing only a dollar in our wallet, give preference to others and see only the man standing outside the McDonald's with a "Homeless and Hungry" sign and see the potential to make a difference in that man's life today? Buy him a sandwich, the glass of water is free - say nothing but God Bless and hand him that food. Plant the seed. Many of us are so afraid to share our faith with others - but we can show our faith by our actions & our words. The old addage says "actions speak louder than words". Think about it. Remember how you felt when you watched Pay It Forward and do it within the means of your own life. Have Faith. Your reward is promised!
Today I want to encourage you to remember that our God is the God of forgiveness and He does not condemn. When you ask for forgiveness - you've got it. If the enemy tries to sneak that thought back into your mind - rebuke him!
Be Blessed - and I MEAN that!