Finders Keepers

“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you REST. (Matthew 11:28).

I thank God daily (literally all day!) because of this new journey of self-exploration that He has initiated in my life. I’m growing more into myself (the Nicole I was created to be), and my desires, priorities, and understanding are growing by leaps and bounds! As mentioned, in my last entry I am reading The Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren, and this experience has been nothing less than amazing. I find myself wanting to hurry to the next chapter, but I’m learning greater self-control because we are asked to read only one chapter a day. And this recommendation has really had an effect on my life. I’m learning to savor the things of God and not be in such a rush to “get through (yet) another lesson”.

God is teaching me that slowing things down does not always equal a hindrance that needs to be bound up. I think that as bold Christians, we get used to always being on the defensive side of spiritual warfare. We’re always READY to rebuke, bind, cast out, and send the enemy packing! And this is great, but I’ve learned something quite valuable on this journey. If we daily prepare ourselves with God’s word through reading, meditation, and savoring, we create an atmosphere which discourages the enemy from even looking in our direction! He glances at us in this prepared state, shrugs his shoulders, and moves on to someone who is not as certain of their position in God’s heart. Why? Because we have entered into the rest of God, and Satan understands that regardless of how much of a great sandstorm he whirls around us, we’ll only snuggle closer to our Heavenly Father and laugh at his childish antics! He figures “what’s the use if there is no reaction?”

People, I have found my golden ticket in the Wonka Bar, but where I’m granted access into is far better than some trippy candy factory! I have found God’s rest, and here the minute things happening on earth don’t phase me, and neither does Nicole (the worrying nag I must refer to in the third person) blow a strong enough wind to move even a wisp of my carefree hair. I love it here in God’s rest and will be staying here indefinitely until I meet King Jesus face to face (“in case yo momma asked”---> inside joke). But, the great part is you can join me. There is plenty room and you don’t even have to eat a million candy bars to get an admission ticket.

Finders Keepers!

Nikki D

Jesus…Got An App For That?

With advances in technology surfacing every other millisecond, the world has grown accustomed to instant gratification. Instant gratification has now even got a microwave version called Quick Response. Translation—RIGHT NOW! As one of few earthlings who has yet to join the society of smartphone users, I surprisingly don’t feel at a lost. While the world goes around uploading videos, scanning company barcodes, and updating Twitter feeds, I reserve the right to live a simple life. And this vow is simply joyous! My life lacks the toil of trying to remain on top of the up-and-coming; however, I remain keenly aware of the space and time in which I reside. The lack of empty distractions has allowed me to locate my purpose and destiny. Thus, I have progressively been downloading what I’ll dub my Jesus App into my “smart” dome—head that is.

I marvel at people constantly found clicking on their phones, “living” technologically-sound and busy lives. They download game apps for happiness, music apps for relaxation, news feed apps for up-to-date information, and apps for this, and apps for that. But I, with my regular phone, am doing just fine with my one Jesus App! He supplies all of my needs and this is accomplished without the dogged stress that the world endures as they toil to make things happen. My Jesus App equips me for every avenue in life and supplies me with the grace to handle its hiccups. Moreover, when I employ my Jesus App work seems like play, and attempted turmoil; misdirected victory.

With Jesus, all I do is win! Therefore, I suggest that today you clear your schedule, erase some of those screen cluttering life apps, and download a user friendly Jesus App. Allow Him to transfer His grace, mercy, salvation, love, peace, and joy into your spirit today. And as you freely upload your feelings, desires and prayers, Jesus will download your daily bread. Finally, stop the app downloading frenzy that the world requires, and tap into God’s zoe life by today downloading your own Jesus App.

Approve This Download?

Lord I thank you for making clear today the things that are necessary in life. I thank you for de-cluttering my existence so that I can really start living. Thank you for helping me understand that I’m nothing without you, and that only you can supply me with the Bread of Life.

In Jesus Name. Amen.

Blessings good people,

Nikki D

Much Needed Rest and Relaxation

As Christians we need to concentrate on entering the rest of God. This should be our main mission in life because it follows the example of our heavenly Father. God created the world in six days and then rested from His work. Many believers toil and work themselves ragged in an attempt to win or obtain the things that God already created and left as an inheritance to those who believe. Hebrews 4:12 reads: “for the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any two edge sword” (NIV). This verse is quoted religiously by the Church, but is rarely fully understood for its true implications. What Paul was saying to the Hebrews was what God had tried to get the children of Israel to understand during their 4o year stent in the desert. We must come to a place of rest with (and in) God, and allow His “active and living” Word to handle our daily toil.

Christians become stressed, broke, busted and disgusted when we attempt to re-create the wheel, so to speak. We work our minds, bodies, and spirits into complete and utter exhaustion trying to make life happen. But, we forget that God’s word is life and what He did in six days is what we eternally long for. There is no need to slave and toil for life’s abundance as if we’re still sanctioned under the curse of Adam. Jesus Christ revoked all curses, which now gives us free reign to enter into God’s rest forever. Let the word do the work! All we need to do is study, profess, believe, and then expectantly tarry for the Word’s manifestations.

As believers, we have to use what’s been given to us by the Father to our advantage. Looking at the world’s way of achieving success is the complete opposite of God’s way. It is up to us whether we choose to enter the world’s rat race or God’s rest. In the end, only the word will reign supreme and bring lasting success.

Let God’s word do the work while you enter His rest.

Nikki D