Proverbs 4:7

"Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom. And in all your getting, get understanding." ~Proverbs 4:7




Thursday, August 29, 2013

Thinking of You

Dear my fellow readers,

I have been a long time not having made a post. But each and every day you have been on my mind. I feel that I should write today to let you know. I have been without a well functioning computer. This has served to make it challenging for me to write. I do however have fresh posts waiting to be published.

All of these days that I have not been able to write, I have felt as if I have been missing something. I've been missing you. Periodically, however, I do take out time to spend focused and much needed time in the Father's presence. This time though, has been due to a malfunctioning computer.

I am working on coming up with another way for me to be able to post on the blog site. Today, I am posting from my phone. I wanted you to know I was thinking of you. Be looking for an upcoming post. Sooner than you think will you hear from me again.

I leave you with this........ I pray that God blesses you and keeps you and causes His countenance to shine down upon you.

With love in Christ,

Erica

Monday, August 12, 2013

A Blessing with Your Name On It

Get Ready


Every Sunday in our worship service as we take up offering, we sing a song called "God's Got a Blessing".

"Get ready for your blessing. Get ready for your miracle!
God's got a blessing with your (my) name on it!"
 
Upon singing this song one Sunday morning not too long ago, it's like I kept hearing God speak to my heart. And what He was saying was "Prepare yourself!" I mean, in so many words, that's what the song says right? I heard the question, "If I have a blessing with your name on it, what are you doing to receive it? Prepare yourself!" Wow!
 
The Bible says that God calls us by our name.
 
"But now, thus says the LORD, who
created you, O Jacob, And He who formed you,
O Israel: "Fear not, for I have redeemed you;
I have called you by your name; You are Mine."
(Isaiah 43:1)
 
When Samuel was a young boy under the care of Eli the Priest, while sleeping, he heard the calling of his name (1 Samuel 3:3-10). This happened on more than one occasion. And each time, he thought that Eli was the one calling him. But Eli stated that he was not the one calling Samuel. He told him that it was God calling him. Eli told Samuel that the next time he heard the voice calling to answer Him. Upon further reading, we find that Samuel did just as he was told. God told Samuel that very day of something that He was going to do.
 
In these particular verses of scripture, you will see that God did not prophesy a blessing to Samuel that day. But the point that is being made is that He called Samuel by name. Friend, God does the same with you. He calls you by name. He calls you to bless you. God has a blessing with your name on it. What will you do to receive it? As my heart pondered over this question, I began to see all of the things that I could do to prepare myself for what God has for me. I want what He has for me. If my name is on it then it is mine. It wasn't meant for anyone else but me. My name is on it.
 
I write to tell you today that the blessing God has for you has your name on it. Seek His face. Ask God to show you the way in which He wants you to prepare to receive it. Cultivate the good ground for the seed of the blessing to be planted. Your harvest awaits! This blessing has come to make you rich in the things of God (Proverbs 10:22). Do you not want it? I believe that you do. And if you are like me, there are days when it seems that God couldn't want to bless you. In all your shortcomings, failures, and mistakes. But just like me, friend, you are wrong.
 
We are not supposed to focus on what is before us. We are not to try to figure out the how's and why's. No, that is to be left up to God. If He is the One saying that He is blessing you, who are you to say that He's not? "Prepare yourself!" Leave the rest to God.  There is a part you have to do. And as you do your part, trust and believe, God is going to do His. Receive the blessing.
 
"Now the LORD came and stood and called as at other times,
"Samuel! Samuel!" And Samuel answered,
"Speak, for Your servant hears."
(1 Samuel 3:10)
 
 
 

 


Friday, August 9, 2013

The Lives of Others

" 'Cast away from you all the transgressions which you have committed, and get yourselves a new heart and a new spirit. For why should you die, O house of Israel? For I have no pleasure in the death of one who dies,' says the Lord GOD. ' Therefore turn and live!' " (Ezekiel 18:31-32)
 
God has a reason for everything that takes place in life. He's the only God who can take your bad and turn it around for your good (Romans 8:28). He's the only God who, when you repent and confess your sins unto Him, has the power through His grace and mercy to forgive and remember them no more (Ezekiel 18:22). So then you should also know that He has a reason for your life.
 
Upon spending time with God, I discovered something profound about the scriptures above. We as children of God have a duty to cast away our transgressions. Not only do we have the duty unto ourselves, we also have the duty of warning others of theirs that they may do the same. The object of it all is to bring about the needed repentance that springs forth to life. All throughout His word, we see where God is concerned with our lives.
 
But God doesn't stop at just being concerned with our lives. The Bible says that He blesses us in order that we may be a blessing to someone else. Now you might say, "How is warning someone of their transgressions blessing them?" Because, my friend, in doing so, you offer them life. You offer them the chance to live and not die. Just as God has blessed you with life through your repentance of sins, He desires to do the same for others.
 
I don't know about you, but I have no pleasure in walking around knowing that I'm in God's kingdom and the very person that I sit next to may be in the kingdom of Satan. They are on their way to hell.  That gives me no thrill whatsoever. As hardhearted as people may be, they still have the chance to have life. God has given the choice to everyone. And He uses willing vessels to extend that chance to even the lowest of the lowest on earth. It's not our decision to choose who will be in God's kingdom. God already knows those whom He has called. He just wants us to be available in going to them when He says go. Yes, I'm saying we are to be concerned with the lives of others.
 
"For why should you die? Why should they die?" Why should they die because we fail not to tell them about Christ. We have every opportunity to let people know of the abundant life God has granted to them freely through Jesus Christ. Why not tell them? I remember a time in my life when I used to say that some people will never change. Then one day, I realized I was wrong for saying that. I counted God out instead of counting Him in. God is the only one who has the power to change anyone. Each time we open up our mouths to warn our brothers and sisters, unbelievers and the like, we offer them the chance at life. Make sure that you are giving them the uncompromised word of God. Your opinions is not what they need. The Word of God works. Give life, Share life, Live life, Love life.
 
"Do I have any pleasure at all that the wicked should die?"
says the Lord GOD, "and not that he should turn away
from his ways and live?" (Ezekiel 18:23)