It Ain’t Just Lindsey Lohan! (Image Is Not Everything)

“The images that are carried about are burdensome, a burden for the weary. They stoop and bow down together; unable to rescue the burden, they themselves go off into captivity.” Isaiah 46:1-2 NIV


As I read a few chapters in Isaiah a couple verses stuck out to me beginning in chapter 46. God was warning Israel about their disobedient use of idols; mentioning that they are relievers of nothing and actually cause burdens and captivity. The NIV version of this scripture substituted the word idols with images which immediately struck a chord with me. I began thinking about the images that so many people build in order to become, themselves, gods; governing and shaping their own destiny. Accordingly, Christian Humanist have a similar philosophy to that of current pop culture. They believe that we (humans) have the power within ourselves to shape and control our destiny. Furthermore, they remove God from His supreme position, and give Him instead the job title of an Overseer who merely watches from above while humans exercise the real power. But, as mentioned in Isaiah these facades that are built under extremely false pretences become heavy burdens for those that buy into the hype.

I think of Lindsey Lohan and many others who have been plagued by the image-building-business necessary (by worldly standards) for survival in Tinsel Town. “Image is everything” is the heavily quoted mantra in several circles. Individuals even make entire careers out of creating other people’s images; they style your clothing, pump you with proper answers for interviews, prep you for impromptu paparazzi photo shoots etc. Thus, these consultants get paid to create personalities, and the looks to match them. But, what they don’t teach clients is how to remain whole after the cameras stop rolling, doors are closed, and one is left with real life to cope with. Moreover, Lindsey Lohan doesn’t understand that God is the only Way to the peace that she longs for, and not the boozing and addictions (of her image) that keep leading her into captivity! Sadly, this is the reality for many in today’s society. We rather focus on creating pristine outer images while our internal selves rot and corrode from improper spiritual nutrition. And Christians are just as guilty of this sick trend!

People are looking for answers that won’t buckle when all else fails; people are looking for Jesus, regardless of what they believe they are in search of. But, with Christians buying into the latest juicy gossip along with the world instead of praying that God provide answers to those who are lost, how will there ever be change? It’s time that phony images be busted to the white meat and revealed for what they really are; fake and dangerous. And they must be replaced with truth people of God! So take your mouth off of those that you have absolutely no clue what they are battling unless it’s a sincere petition to God to send help their way! Otherwise, shut your traps because I’m more than sure that just like individuals in the limelight, you are also carrying around burdensome images that can only be removed and delivered by God. Remove the tree from your own eye before you attempt to pick the splinter out of your brother’s. It’s time to cast out images people and allow God to reveal who He truly desires you to be!

Peace.

Nikki D

Counteracting Spiritual Ruts

As I sit here in a new place, time, and season of my life I began to notice that my routine had gotten me into a spiritual (and physical) rut. At a time in my life when I should be freely exploring my God-appointed options, I’m just not. Such a self evaluation got me to thinking. [SN: Know that thinking from the correct perspective is always good because it leads to revelation] I realized that in such a new and exciting arena in my life I was still hanging on to old habits and behaviors. And like the old adage goes “If you want something different you have to do something different!” I definitely realized that I needed to revisit some inner areas and have God clarify for me those spaces that were muddled and hidden because they were ultimately keeping me from progression.


It is necessary that we all be aware of our spiritual progression because it should be growing daily. Your spiritual life is a direct reflection of what your physical life looks like. Thus, I had to kick myself into gear and realize that mediocrity was NOT an option for the child of a King! I revisited those past declarations and affirmations that I made to myself and to God; realizing that they were achievable with action filled faith. The time is now for all believers to go forth and possess the land, but daily mind renewal is imperative. With a fresh perspective and outlook on life, all successes are up for grabs; however, that’s the key--- we must do the grabbing!

Put you game face on, run your plays, and score the winning goal today in life!

Nikki D

Can You Hear Me Now?

Do you ever feel like your connection with God is not as strong as it once was? Sometimes as Christians our communication with God can hit what I like to call roaming areas. Like cell phone usage, there are areas during communication where main carrier towers do not reach. Therefore, cellular service subscribers’ signals are bounced off of available towers until their home tower is again available for direct connection. Our communication with the Father is sometimes reminiscent of this bouncing from one tower to the next. God is constantly asking us, “can you hear Me know?” but sometimes our constant roaming leads to drop call status.


God is waiting for His children to become permanently attached to His tower of power. But, there are times when Christians feel it okay to roam, picking up partial signal from other sources, instead of being directly connected to The Source. Some of our partial service resources look and sound like educational accomplishments, advice from friends, self-help advice, fad diet episodes, and any other avenues that offer temporary reception (solutions) in our roaming. However, true believers soon find out that regardless of how far our roaming sometimes takes us, the airtime that it provides is never as strong or lasting as the signal provided by the Main Tower.

God wants to speak directly to His children, but we will never hear what He has to say if we constantly roam in other areas to find what can only be communicated to us by Him. Christians must stop looking at the plan we signed up for (accepting Jesus Christ as our Savior), and trying to terminate it early because the features are sometimes too complicated to understand. God has the perfect plan for each and every one of our lives but in order for us to know this we must hear what He has to say. And hearing comes from the Word of God (see Romans 10:17). Let God speak to you regarding every situation, problem, question; let His voice be the initial and final voice that rids your understanding of static. God wants to be involved in every aspect of your life so stop roaming and upgrading (as the world does) from popular trend to the latest fad, and stick with the tried and true Source of ALL knowledge.

God is calling you to a higher place of praise and reverence, but is the static of your constant roaming interrupting His signal? Reconnect today with the Main Tower on your chosen calling plan and watch the words of crystal clear conversation breathe new fruitfulness into your life. God is calling, can you hear Him?

Be blessed.

Nikki

Live Your Best Life Now!

As I watched the movie Last Holiday starring Queen Latifah and LL Cool J, I got a revelation that I never had when previously viewing the film. In the movie the character believes that she is fatally doomed, so she spends her final days (of life) doing the things that she had always overlooked and done without. The entire time of this journey, from diagnosis to end result, Georgia (Queen Latifah’s character) had open communication with God. She questioned His reasoning after being diagnosed and then wondered why she had never followed her inner heart motivations in life before.

This movie got me thinking about how many Christians are not living their BEST life. Jesus said that He came to give us life and life more abundantly (John 10:10). So why do so many Christians not resemble God’s best living? As the story pointed out, fear is the main reason why many of us constantly stash our God-given desires within and never attempt them. Fear is the enemy of faith; actually it’s a twisted faith imposed by Satan to detour abundant living. Georgia had for so long not gone after the things that she desired because she was unsure of where proactive actions could lead. Thus, she remained unfruitful until the threat of death forced her to swallow fear and experience the things that had been always been placed on reserve for another time or another day.

If we as Christians are going to live our best lives now, we must go forth and conquer the land! God commanded that we do so, and He also told us when we adhere to His word we will make our own way prosperous (Joshua 1:8 Amp.). Therefore, time out for blaming outsiders when your life is lackluster and non-representative of the Zoe life. God said we could have it; so what are we waiting for?! Live your best life now! Do everything for the glory of God, and the whirlwind of favor and abundance that will follow is immeasurable. Let’s do it people of God, no need to point the finger at anyone else but, the man (or woman) in the mirror if your life is dull and not filled with Christ-initiated/led spontaneity and excitement!

Be blessed good people! Do something fun and exciting today!

Nikki D

Love: The Heart of the Matter

With so many worldly and satanic outside influences it’s a wonder that the very thing that is killing off Christians is an internal conflict. We learn from the words of scripture that flesh and spirit war daily (Gal. 5:17). However, the conflict that many Christians have is a battle with showing their transparency and vulnerability to the world. Just last night I found myself operating in the spirit of annoyance. I was annoyed with everything; my life, my family, my surroundings, everything! I was determined to find scripture to combat such feelings because although no name (at the time) could precisely pinpoint these emotions I knew that they were robbing me of my joy. I began to read scripture in 1 John that spoke on the love of God and how as followers of God we are to love as He does. It became clear to me that the enemy attacks the very thing within me that God is using to bring me before great men and women; my loving heart.

My heart has always been huge and very receptive to the needs of others, even when my will wanted to make my heart tendencies cease (to exist). But, what God was (and is) revealing to me is that what I thought was a weakness of mine (my big loving heart), because of the vulnerability that it sometimes brought, was my greatest asset in His kingdom. People are never receptive to individuals who they feel do not care for them. Therefore, my constant wearing of my heart on my sleeves is the catalyst that draws the audiences when I speak and/or write.

However, the enemy has many believers feeling that to show the emotional workings of the heart is weak; and could possibly produce loss of ground in situations. This is a lie people! God loved David and brought promotion and favor to his life because he was a man after God’s own heart (Acts 13:22). God is love; thus, it is not until we tap into the essential love of God and begin to show it to the world that God’s favor will manifest. It’s time that people of God love with unrelenting, resilient love. In the face of opposition, love. When it makes you feel weak, love. Because love covers a multitude of sins (1 Peter 4:8); and those sins are both the people that you are loving on and those that you notice when the reflection in the mirror is yours.

Your greatest asset in the kingdom of God is your love capacity. How much do you love regardless of wrongdoing? In love you will find the missing link in your chain towards eternal success. Love breeds the character of champions!

Love you all,

Nikki D

It's Quite Okay... To Be Great

As I whiteness myself methodically and ever so slightly blooming, petal by petal, into the greatness that I am destined to be, I feel myself internally recoil. Even when the pullback is slight I am still very much aware of it. I asked God why it is the tendency of humans to drawback when we notice our ascension into the great and divine. The answer He gave me was, fear. Once I was able to put a title to this I began to quote all the fear-revoking scriptures that came to mind. These helped, but what cemented my acceptance of my grand transition was the heavily quoted Marianne Williamson quotation. However, it was not until now that I understood (completely) what her words were speaking to.

"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.” ~Marianne Williamson

This quote was definitely the result of God’s rhema (spoken) Word, and I truly thank Him for it. I thank God that He is continuously inspiring great thinkers, and that I now know it’s okay for me to take my rightful position in such a prestigious group. I must no longer sit still and hoard the God-breathed words which stir in me daily. So look out world, Nicole Stokes has something to say!

Nikki