The things of this world should evoke no emotional response within you! When you know that your seat has been confirmed in heaven, why sweat the temporary foolishness? The things of this world are only able to expand so far because they have an expiration date. But, the things of God are eternal. Set your mind on eternal outcomes and the temporary things will cease to exist or have relevance to you. You will begin to come out of trials and circumstances unscathed and stress free because your spirit saw the end result; so you were already there! You walked through that thing to the completion and missed the trial because you were focused on the prize!
When you have tunnel vision for the things of God and you only see His magnificent end; nothing that the enemy throws at you will even begin to phase you. He’ll throw fear your way, you keep walking! He’ll throw envy your way, you keep walking! He’ll throw offense your way, you keep walking! He’ll throw doubt and worry your way, YOU KEEP WALKING! The enemy knows the end result of what you will accomplish when you remain on the straight and narrow path that God has ordained you to follow. He doesn’t want you to succeed, so he throws every spiritual weapon from his arsenal to try to detour you off track. He understands that if you make it through the trial while staying focused on God this will cement one of the most detrimental things to his kingdom in your mind: a memory!
Oh, when you can just think back to an instance when the Lord brought you through, the reassurance that GOD IS helps you to proceed. Not proceed with caution, but proceed boldly because you know (that you know) God has your front and your back. God never changes! He’s the same God who spared you ten years ago, and He’s the same One whose guiding your steps this day! Stay focused on what it is that God has called you to do! Don’t allow the enemy’s temporary weapon formation frighten you off God’s final destination for your life. No weapon formed against you shall prosper (Isaiah 54:17). So, yes it will form; the gun will look like a gun; the possibility of failure will look like failure, the slander of your character will sound like slander, but (My God, My God) it will not prosper! The gun WILL jam and misfire, the possible failure WILL lead to success, the slander of your character WILL lead to promotion!
So let the weapons form, let the enemy take his best shot! Don’t cower and buy into the hype, because the enemy can only SHOW you what he’s working with. But, when you are focused on the ending destination, and receive God’s stamp of approval, Satan MUST pack up his weapons and wait for God to give him permission to try you again. A thousand may fall at thy right side and ten thousand at the right had but NONE shall come near thee (Psalm 91:7)!
Join the eternally victorious team people, it’s so much better on this side.
Love you!
Nikki D
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Monday, April 26, 2010
Transitions
If God can change the heart of man, why do we as believers worry about situations and circumstances that we encounter here on this earth? God never said that once we chose Him there would no longer be problems. We strive for an eternal destiny that does entitle us to this existence, but until we transition from our earthly nature into our spiritual nature we WILL meet complications along the way! However, why does the uneven pavement on our road towards glory birth in us qualities that are out of the character and nature of God?
In order to answer this question we must fully understand our nature (carnal; born in sin and shaped in iniquity) and the nature of God (fruits of His spirit). Nothing that God births in the Spirit can be completed in the flesh. (Galatians 3:1-5) This phenomenon is impossible. But back to the original question why do we as Christians become afraid when the idea of transitioning from what we find familiar and comfortable is presented to us from the throne of grace. We constantly ask God to elevate us or take us to the next level, and when He attempts to grant our request all He gets is backtalk! We know, or at least we say we know, that God has everything in control and that all things will work out for our good (Romans 8:28); thus, what is the disconnect between speaking and then modeling the very words spoken?
It starts with faith people of God! And I cannot stress this enough; either you are going to have full faith in God or He will transition your life to where you become fully dependent on Him. Here, your faith will be tested into growing. It’s all or nothing with God. Either you are going to put your trust in Him or you are going to put your trust in your own capabilities, bank account, education etc. God allows you to borrow all of these things; therefore, how can you then flip the script and put your trust in borrowed goods?
It seems so simple when expressed, but I struggle with this disconnect daily. I love God and I trust Him with my life and my well being, but as soon as something doesn’t feel right I’m asking questions. Not necessarily wavering in my faith, but definitely murmuring. God does not tolerate this either. How dare we question an almighty God who has our very life in His hands? People, God desires the best for us, but we must trust His word as valid when He says I know the thoughts that I have concerning you (Jeremiah 29:11). We can read the scriptures, recite them, and genuinely have them grafted within our heart; however, until we decide to become doers and radical believers of His word before, during, and after transition periods, there will always remain the disconnect between speaking and the manifestation of that word.
Good Day!
Nikki
In order to answer this question we must fully understand our nature (carnal; born in sin and shaped in iniquity) and the nature of God (fruits of His spirit). Nothing that God births in the Spirit can be completed in the flesh. (Galatians 3:1-5) This phenomenon is impossible. But back to the original question why do we as Christians become afraid when the idea of transitioning from what we find familiar and comfortable is presented to us from the throne of grace. We constantly ask God to elevate us or take us to the next level, and when He attempts to grant our request all He gets is backtalk! We know, or at least we say we know, that God has everything in control and that all things will work out for our good (Romans 8:28); thus, what is the disconnect between speaking and then modeling the very words spoken?
It starts with faith people of God! And I cannot stress this enough; either you are going to have full faith in God or He will transition your life to where you become fully dependent on Him. Here, your faith will be tested into growing. It’s all or nothing with God. Either you are going to put your trust in Him or you are going to put your trust in your own capabilities, bank account, education etc. God allows you to borrow all of these things; therefore, how can you then flip the script and put your trust in borrowed goods?
It seems so simple when expressed, but I struggle with this disconnect daily. I love God and I trust Him with my life and my well being, but as soon as something doesn’t feel right I’m asking questions. Not necessarily wavering in my faith, but definitely murmuring. God does not tolerate this either. How dare we question an almighty God who has our very life in His hands? People, God desires the best for us, but we must trust His word as valid when He says I know the thoughts that I have concerning you (Jeremiah 29:11). We can read the scriptures, recite them, and genuinely have them grafted within our heart; however, until we decide to become doers and radical believers of His word before, during, and after transition periods, there will always remain the disconnect between speaking and the manifestation of that word.
Good Day!
Nikki
Thursday, April 15, 2010
The Missing Link
O ye of little faith!
As I recite the words of Jesus Christ, I am reminded of the many people that I encounter daily who have little to no faith in God. Startling enough, these are not unbelievers, but are those who claim to live out this Christian lifestyle. Where is the disconnect? Why does the Christian's living, financial, emotional, and spiritual situations resemble that of those who blatantly disregard God? As I begin to meditate, the missing link in this chain is the faith level of my Christian brothers and sisters.
Therefore, my next question is where do you think godly faith originates from? Well, the answer lies in the pages of God's holy word: "Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God." (Romans 10:17) Aha! Your faith is found in the word; furthermore, there is no way to possess the faith that God REQUIRES of his people without reading his word! It is here that we will find examples of faith modeled by great men and women of God. We will witness how God helped them in difficult situations and how their faith helped them to persevere. Then our spirits become reassured because of the word that is in our heart. Therefore, in tough situations we will begin to say, "God did it for Abraham, so I know he'll do it for me!"
However, so many proclaimed Christians do not read the bible daily! Do you not understand that this is a requirement to be apart of the community of believers. How in the world are you supposed to know what the Shepherd requires of you if you don't even know what he said? This is absolutely ludicrous to me! Yet still, many can repeat verbatim what Oprah recommended about certain situations. Mind you now, this "knowledge" about marriage and relationships comes from a woman who herself is not married, and who had the audacity to start her own religion!
The spirit of Antichrist is here people! Many are waiting for some leader to rise up and call themselves the Antichrist, but are missing the spirit that is already present within the world. People are publicly and boldly denying God daily: Jay Z said in his song that "Christ can't save you", Kanye West said he sold his soul to the devil, books about witches, warlocks, vampires are at the peak of popularity (see Harry Potter, Twilight etc.). Yet still the people of God are missing the spirit of Antichrist because they won't read and meditate on God's word daily!
In the meantime, while the "saints" play church, the devil has free roam to manifest in the future (our children). Then when they begin to act "crazy" we send them to a psych clinic to be evaluated. There is no evaluation needed! Start reading your Bible, praying fervently, and building your faith in God and he will work out every situation. O but ye of little faith who continue to conform to the world's way of thinking will continue to be deceived! The are two choices: either we read and become doers of the word, or we can sit back, don't read the word and be deceived! However, if you choose the latter don't be mad with God when the manifestations of his glory and favor are showered down on those who diligently follow and trust him. You made your choice!
Wake up people and choose life!
Nikki D
As I recite the words of Jesus Christ, I am reminded of the many people that I encounter daily who have little to no faith in God. Startling enough, these are not unbelievers, but are those who claim to live out this Christian lifestyle. Where is the disconnect? Why does the Christian's living, financial, emotional, and spiritual situations resemble that of those who blatantly disregard God? As I begin to meditate, the missing link in this chain is the faith level of my Christian brothers and sisters.
Therefore, my next question is where do you think godly faith originates from? Well, the answer lies in the pages of God's holy word: "Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God." (Romans 10:17) Aha! Your faith is found in the word; furthermore, there is no way to possess the faith that God REQUIRES of his people without reading his word! It is here that we will find examples of faith modeled by great men and women of God. We will witness how God helped them in difficult situations and how their faith helped them to persevere. Then our spirits become reassured because of the word that is in our heart. Therefore, in tough situations we will begin to say, "God did it for Abraham, so I know he'll do it for me!"
However, so many proclaimed Christians do not read the bible daily! Do you not understand that this is a requirement to be apart of the community of believers. How in the world are you supposed to know what the Shepherd requires of you if you don't even know what he said? This is absolutely ludicrous to me! Yet still, many can repeat verbatim what Oprah recommended about certain situations. Mind you now, this "knowledge" about marriage and relationships comes from a woman who herself is not married, and who had the audacity to start her own religion!
The spirit of Antichrist is here people! Many are waiting for some leader to rise up and call themselves the Antichrist, but are missing the spirit that is already present within the world. People are publicly and boldly denying God daily: Jay Z said in his song that "Christ can't save you", Kanye West said he sold his soul to the devil, books about witches, warlocks, vampires are at the peak of popularity (see Harry Potter, Twilight etc.). Yet still the people of God are missing the spirit of Antichrist because they won't read and meditate on God's word daily!
In the meantime, while the "saints" play church, the devil has free roam to manifest in the future (our children). Then when they begin to act "crazy" we send them to a psych clinic to be evaluated. There is no evaluation needed! Start reading your Bible, praying fervently, and building your faith in God and he will work out every situation. O but ye of little faith who continue to conform to the world's way of thinking will continue to be deceived! The are two choices: either we read and become doers of the word, or we can sit back, don't read the word and be deceived! However, if you choose the latter don't be mad with God when the manifestations of his glory and favor are showered down on those who diligently follow and trust him. You made your choice!
Wake up people and choose life!
Nikki D
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
Balancing Act: Living In This World w/o Being of This World
~Matthew 11:28-30~
Hey Everyone!
As I sit here contemplating on the mental states of people in this world, I begin to thank God for having stability and balance in my life. I have come to the conclusion, after reading comments on facebook and listening to individuals speak, that following the trends of this world only lead to schizophrenia or bi-polar syndrome! People are just all over the place as they attempt to ascend the ladder towards success; however, they are lacking true inner peace. The Word precisely says that "a double-minded man is unstable in all his ways." (James 1:8) Moreover, as I draw closer to God, and mature physically, as well as spiritually, I am beginning to, even the more notice, the sad reality of a life lived without Christ.
People have no balance without Christ's spirit living within; they are up and down, hot and cold. Thus, you never know what to expect when you offer a causal salutation to your fellow human being nowadays. Personally, my "hellos" and "how are you doings?" have been met with scowls, blank looks, and, far in between, a reciprocated greeting. Humanity is no longer a sought after quality in today's society as folks plagued with stress try desperately to keep up with the masses. What would happen if everyone were introduced to their true identity and role in life? Wow, what a change such a phenomenon would bring to this earth!
People constantly flaunt their degrees and know-all as if these are their golden tickets into Willy Wonka's Chocolate Factory. They follow the world's system of rules and regulations like well-oiled, brain-washed robots; hoping to one day arrive at wherever their intended destination. Inversely, I find it unnecessary to flaunt what I have accomplished or am well literate/read in, because I understand that none of this worldly hoopla matters anyway. I do everything to bring glory and honor to my Father in heaven who is keeping a running account of every scene that I perform on this earthly stage. Thus, since I'm center stage, I believe that I should try my best to please the One who really matters and controls the very breath in my body.
Get your minds right people (and I cannot stress this enough)! No one really cares how much educational, medical, scientific etc. jargon you have accumulated! What have you done for God lately, who have you touched with the spirit of Christ living within you? Once people realize what's really important and their priorities are put into proper perspective, they will achieve balance! However people, you will never get this by "going harder and going stronger" or "getting it how you live." God can only supply the peaceful balance needed to survive/thrive in a world where the carnal and the internal spirit war daily! Choose God or become another mental case statistic... the ball is definitely in your court!
Think about it!
Nikki
Saturday, April 3, 2010
Write the Vision Make It Plain
Greetings Everyone!
So I was just sitting here and thinking about the avenues that my life has taken over the course of my twenty-four years here on this earth. I came to the conclusion that I am closer to where I would like to be than I thought. You know the enemy never has anything positive to say, so it's a wonder why so many take heed to his words. Moreover, he is a coward, and will disguise his voice as you; thus having you think that you are only being analytical of the situation. But, I say that to say this, God has a specific plan for each and every one's life. However, in order to be cognoscente of it, we must first quiet ourselves to hear and recognize that still, small voice that resonates within.
As I was going over my goals, and the vision that I mapped out on paper, I realized that my vision needs some tweaking. There are things that have been added, as well as, things that need to be taken away as I more clearly understand the plan that God has chosen for my life. Accordingly, I decided to blog this journey because I know that so many people are in the same area of life whether they want to admit to it or not. Thus, I have provided some steps towards writing and making the vision plain that God has predestined for your life.
1. You must go into such a task prayerfully. Ask God to reveal those things within you (talents, gifts, desires) that can be utilized for the up building of his kingdom.
2. Journal what God has revealed to you about yourself and then visually make a representation of these findings.
3. Post your "vision board" in a place where you can see it and meditate on it daily. (Be sure to include scriptures on the board that deal directly with the areas God showed you and meditate on these scriptures)
4. Walk it out people! (lol I just saw people start to dance) No, I'm referring to you all going out and doing what God has called you to do.
5. Continue to give thanks and seek guidance from God, no matter the amount of victories and disappointments that may arise on this journey. Remember, God controls the universe!
Thus, go forth people and posses your God given land!
Be blessed
Nikki
Scriptures To Think About
"Commit to the LORD whatever you do,and your plans will succeed." Proverbs 16:3 NIV
"Write down the revelation and make it plain on tablets so that a herald may run with it." Habakkuk 2:2 NIV
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11 NIV
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