UNTIL.....

Have you ever been sick and tired, of being sick and tired of an issue in your life? I think each of us has one thing that just won't go away. We try to solve it, pray it away, work though it, move past it, and even turn our back in hopes to ignore it; but when we turn back around, there it is, looking us right square in the face! How frustrating to have such an annoying issue that just won't go away.



Now, this is not a pity post whatsoever, so please don't interpret it that way. One of the purposes God has for this website is for me to just plain keep it real with you. Being a Christian is not an easy lifestyle to live when we reside in a world where so many people lack Christ and His love.


I have an issue in my life that I have dealt with since childhood. I felt that by now, it would just simply be resolved, but it is actually getting worse. When I go to all the places and talk to all the people that I am supposed to, to work towards figuring this thing out, I just feel like I am spinning around in directionless circles that are leading nowhere! In my frustration, I asked God when He was going to help me deal with this thing, and what I was supposed to do in the mean time. I began to wonder how long I was going to have to wait to at least feel like I was getting somewhere with this. His reply was....UNTIL!


The word until is an indefinite word, meaning that there is no set time for one to wrap their mind around; no countdown, no marking days off of the calendar...nothing. I just have to wait UNTIL! My until is not your until and your until is not someone else's until, but they are all God's untils!


Sometimes I forget just who it is that I belong to. Sometimes in the midst of the issue, I forget that my Father has all and knows all, and because of that I needn't worry about any thing. I also forget that it is He, and not me, who knows what's best for me! I forget that even with my issues, I am fearfully and wonderfully made! (Psalm 139:14)


I began to think about 2 Corinthians chapter 12, the thorn in the flesh. Paul has an undisclosed issue. There are several conclusions that have been drawn as to what this issue that Paul had was, including malaria and epilepsy. What the issue was is not important, but what is vital to this passage is that the issue kept Paul from living a fulfilling daily life, which included his work. Paul was hindered by this issue. Paul prayed and asked God to remove this "thorn: (i.e., the issue) from his flesh, but God refused. Instead, God decided to use Paul for His glory, thorn and all. He knew what was best for Paul. The thorn kept him humble and dependent upon God. Think about most Biblical figures, God used the weak ones to work through! WOW! Hence, when we are weak, it is then that we are strong because God is working through us!


What uplift this scripture gave me tonight. I'm not throwing a pity party about my pain because what may look like a weakness to others and even to myself is strategically placed in me by God!


So, I, like Paul, have prayed that God removes my thorn. When God told me I had to wait UNTIL... He was ready to remove it; I have comfort through the pain because I know that God has His own special purpose for the hurt. And, if He never chooses to remove the thorn; if UNTIL never comes until He calls me to spend eternity with Him, I will continue to follow His instruction and guidance and praise Him just simply because He is exactly who He is!


God Bless You on Your Journey...... and just continue to wait.....UNTIL!

A Love Letter to My Father

Dear Daddy,

I know that it hasn't been that long since we last spoke, but I really needed to write you this letter. I must confess that there is a slight tear in my spirit right now. I've had an issue that I've been trying to deal with without You, and I'm getting nowhere. I feel like I'm just spinning around in directionless circles. I turn it over to You now Father. I know that You have what it takes to handle it.


When I was on my way home today, I was thinking about You. I was thinking about the reasons that I love You so very much. There are so many, that I could not count them all, but I wanted to write this letter to You so I could let you know just how much I love You and why.

I love You because You love me.
I love You because of who You are, My Father.
I love You because when I can't see what's in front of and all around me, You are my eyes.
I love You because You created me; specially designed I am made.
I love You because when I see problems and troubles that others have that I don't have the power to solve, You listen to me cry out for them.
I love You because You trust me with the lives of Your creations.
I love You because You chose me, even before I was born.
I love You because when I have a problem that I can't solve, You step right in and take over.
I love You because You are my hero. You always save the day!
I love You because when I don't understand something and when I am perplexed by my burdens, You allow me to pass them on to You.
I love You because when I am lonely and out casted, without a friend in the world, You remind me that You befriended me many years ago and that You have been with me every since.
I love You because You are my peace.
I love You because you bless me and provide for me, even though I don't deserve any of it.
I love You because I can do absolutely, positively nothing without You.
I love You because Your grace and mercy shower me daily.
I love You because You speak to me.
I love You because You understand me when I am misunderstood by others.
I love You because You want me to spend eternity with You, and gave up your Son Jesus just so I could.
I love You because You can take a nothing and create something super special.
I love You because You are God!!!


There are many more reasons that I love you, Daddy. I want You to know that it is within You that I have strength, knowledge, confidence, and a growing Christian character. Thank you, Daddy for all that You have done for me. I try to repay You in every way possible. I know that I never could. I feel so special to be Your daughter. Please continue to love me and guide me as I toddle along this journey. And, when I fall, please continue to help me up. I just can't make it without You! I am looking forward to speaking with You again soon. Love you lots!

Your Daughter,

LaVetta

Totally Exposed!!!

Psalm 32:5 (A Psalm of David) reads:


I have acknowledged my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the Lord; and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin. ( KJV)


Lately, I have been pondering upon how to improve my prayer life. I shared with you all a couple of weeks ago that I am currently stretching towards growing closer to Christ. I recognize that one of the major ways to grow closer to Christ is to spend time in conversation with Him, i.e. prayer.


I began to think upon the average prayers that I hear people pray in church and the prayers that have flowed from my soul. In our prayers, we always ask God to teach us how to pray and what to pray for. (I think I prayed that more as a child.) But, let's face it; prayer can be difficult at times.


One product of being flesh is that we have so many emotions that can be heightened at any given time. There are times, although not often I hope, that we feel too angry, too sad, too frustrated, and even too disappointed to have a conversation with Christ. We have taught that we must be in a certain condition physically, emotionally, and spiritually to pray. And, don't get me wrong, God does not always want us to approach us like we are having a conversation with our neighbor, but sometimes you have to go there because that is all you know to say in the moment. Often I am driving in my car talking to God as if He is physically sitting in the passenger seat. I'm sure some people have thought I was literally crazy for talking to myself as they sat at the stoplight beside me.


Regardless of how you pray or when you pray, it is my prayer that you pray! Prayer is our connection to God. Prayer allows us to petition for our desires. Prayer is also what creates a clean spirit within us, but only if we ask for forgiveness, which brings me to tonight's post.


Many times prayers end with the following statement, "And, with forgiveness of all of my sins in Your Son's Jesus Name I pray, Amen." Often we end our prayers asking for forgiveness. I began to think about how I could strengthen my prayers, and beginning them asking for forgiveness came into my mind, along with praying a total prayer for forgiveness.


As flesh, we sin so much that at times, we don't even realize that we have sinned. A sin is a sin whether it is intentional or unintentional. We should be constantly asking for forgiveness for our sins. Praying for forgiveness is one of the essential components that keep us in the right standing with our Heavenly Father, yet it is the last petition in our prayer. God is so good, that He forgives us regardless of our hastily method of asking for forgiveness.


I want to pray total prayers of forgiveness. When we pray for forgiveness, we confess our sins and ask God to look beyond what we have done to disappoint Him. I think it is ironic how we pray and ask for material things or opportunities, but we don't confess the sins that we knowingly have committed within the last conversation with Him. It is as if we attempt to hide our terrible transgressions from and all knowing God! IT just can't be done! God is omnipresent and omnipotent. He is always with us, which means He knows not only our every action, but our every inner thought as well. (And, yes, every now and then we need to ask for forgiveness for those thoughts!) We can hide absolutely, positively, nothing from God!!! Why not confess and ask for forgiveness and restore our right place with God daily? I have realized that confession is good for the soul. This may be why we always need to "vent" to someone when we are frustrated. Instead of venting to a friend or loved one, confess to God how you really feel, and receive forgiveness for your confession as you ask God to help you in that issue. We shoudl totally exposed ourselves to God. After all, He is our Father, and He will NEVER leave or forsake us, no matter how filthy and unrighteous our confessions are!

Lord, I just want to thank you right now for showing me that I should put more emphasis on asking for Your forgiveness in my prayers. I realize that this is what keeps me close to You and demonstrates Your love, grace, and mercy towards me. I ask that You forgive me for making asking for forgiveness a simple part of my prayer when it should be a monumental part. I love you just because of who You are! Thank you again for your forgiveness today!!!
Amen.

Positioned to Be Blessed!

Have you ever prayed for something, but it seemed like the more you prayed for it, the farther away you come to it? Maybe it was a new job, maybe it was a mate, or maybe it was a material necessity such as a car or home that you prayed for. Let's face it, we have all prayed and asked God to bless us with something, whether it is an object, a relationship with a certain person, or an opportunity. We pray and petition to God for His blessings because we recognize that He holds the power that determines whether or not we receive what we so deeply desire after. Sometimes we feel like when we pray for a specific need or want, (usually a want) and nothing happens that God is not listening or acting upon our desires. And, after not receiving what we think of as a sign that our blessing is on the way, we stop praying and can sometimes harden our heart toward God.


I began to think upon people who have shared with me that they are praying for a specific purpose. They have shared with me what they desired and why. They have also shared their frustration after the patience of waiting on God began to wear thin. They would ask the question "why" am I not getting what I desire. I am not God, so therefore could render no definite answer, but this question has been one that has been on my mind for the past couple of days. I asked God, why is it that some things that we pray for, we don't receive.


Now, remember, God is our Father. He knows what is best for us, and what it will take for us to become what He has ordained us to be.


I came to the realization that many times, we are not positioned to be blessed with what we have petitioned God for. For example, if you are not humble with the titles that you currently hold, God will not bless and entrust you to become the leader over more. If you are praying for a spouse, God will not bless you with one if you are not living righteously in your singleness. If you are praying for more finances, God will not bless you with more money if you are making poor financial decisions with your current income. God will not give us blessings to abuse! If He knows we can't handle it, or we are not ready for it, then we will not receive it.


On the other hand, people do receive things that do not come from God. A person can obtain all of the above without God because the devil blesses too! But, only what comes from God will last and prosper. I can obtain more money illegally, which will not last. I can marry the first person that I meet, and the marriage may not last. I can become a leader in an underhanded way, but my leadership will eventually crumble.
Many times we are not in a position to be blessed because we are not mature enough spiritually, our heart may still contain selfishness, or we are not even grateful for what we currently have.

The position that we should be in as a Christian is a position of worship. Our minds and hearts should be Christ focused. When we are focused on growing closer to our Lord, our assignment to build His kingdom, and strengthening our relationship with him, it is then that we are in a position to be blessed.

I can't help but to think of the story of Mary and Martha. Jesus arrived at the home of sisters Mary and Martha. Martha was totally focused on making a good impression on Jesus. She was focused on what the house looked like, what the food was going to taste like, etc... Yet, her sister Mary was focused on Jesus. She got as low as she could (at His feet) in order to offer Him the highest form of service and worship. She washed His feet with her perfumed oil, which she could have sold for money since she was considered a poor woman, and her hair. What a position of worship and service she was in to be blessed. She was poor and could have taken this opportunity to ask Jesus for the things in life she felt deficit of, such as money, but yet, she chose to worship Him instead! (John 12 KJV)

Won't you get in position with me today? With Christmas around the corner, we often find ourselves praying for money or material things that we think will make us and those around us enjoy the holiday. However, I challenge you to focus on Christ. Get into a position of total praise and worship in your prayers! Jesus is the center of my joy! When we have Him, everything we need is supplied to us!