Your grip on me is tenacious
Preventing me from slipping
Holding tightly You pull me up
Until my foot is firmly placed on solid ground.
Even when I think I can’t make it and want to walk away
Your love tenaciously constrains me
Giving me strength for another day
Had it not been for Your grip I would certainly fail
So I am eternally grateful for this tenacious love affair.
4/10/17 Dr.R.A.
Called to walk a path unknown
Forging through even crossroads
Along mountain sides and even valleys low
No giving into my feelings or the things I see
But instead, trusting You blindly to lead the way
To obtain the promise and possess an inheritance.
Some may think I am crazy walk so blindly
But I say “what is the need for hope if I can see it plainly?”
So I continue to trod while asking You to make my faith strong
Until I can tangibly touch that which You have designed and destined for me.
4/10/17 Dr.R.A.
As believers, we all like to give the impression that all of our prayers gets answered instantaneously. However, there are prayers that we have prayed that goes seemingly unanswered. I am not referring to those that were asked “amiss”, I am referring to those that were prayed based on a promise that God had given. Yet even though we already received a word that it was going to happen the manifestation seems unlikely to ever happen. Additionally, the more we pray and exercise effort in seeing the reality of those promises is the more it seem like it will never come to pass. Sometimes in these moments, we feel like we are alone and even question whether or not we heard correctly what was promised. This path is often very difficult to walk as each new day consist of facing the disappointment of unanswered prayers. The days turn into weeks, weeks to months, and months to years and our hearts becomes broken and filled with despair.
If you have ever had to experience this then you are very familiar with the anguish that it brings. Nevertheless, I want you to know that you are not alone, others have been there, some are at the exact place currently and other will be going to that place. Therefore, it behooves us to be an example in moments like these so that we can have a testimony that will bring us joy without regret.
So how do we face the disappointment of unanswered prayers and be joyful in the process, you may ask? Well, it is quite simple really – we realize that it is not about us. What? Yes, that which you are facing is not about you. I know it seems strange as we often think that everything is about us. We have the misconception that the sun rises and sets all because of our doing, but the fact of the matter remains IT IS NOT ABOUT US. The promise that we received is already done and will come to pass in God’s time. He made that promise to us for His purpose and His glory. We are just the recipients of the fringe benefits, as such, it is not about us.
Remember Joseph who was given a promise that he would be a ruler having even his family bow down to him? Do you remember all that he had to go through before it came to pass? Why? Because he made the mistake into thinking that it was about him. However, everything happened as promised when he came to the realization that it was all about God and His working. Remember Abraham who also waited years for the promised seed? He received the promise when he could see the bigger picture.
Do you have dreams that have not yet been fulfilled? Are you waiting for the promises made to you to be manifested? Well if it offers are consolation you are in good company. All you need to do is give it to God and allow Him to show you how to be victorious in waiting.
Prayers: Lord, today we give you our dreams again. Some of these dreams we have buried because of the disappointments and brokenness that we have experienced. Nevertheless, we come to You asking that you will resurrect that which we have allowed to die during the process of what seemed like unanswered prayers. Open our eyes to see the bigger picture of it being about You and not us. Please show us how to be victorious in the waiting process and grant us the patience we need to see the manifestation of Your promises. We say thanks. Amen
4/6/17 Dr.R.A.
Given the advancement in technology, it is easy to start a fire. However, there are key components that are required to keep that fire blazing, namely oxygen, fuel, and heat. If any of these elements are missing, then it will have an enormous impact on the intensity and even the existence of the flames. Sometimes at the beginning stage of a fire, the flames are most vehement, but as time rolls on, it begins to dwindle until it eventually goes out.
The same scenario can be used to describe our passion for God and the things of the kingdom. As we continue along the pilgrim’s pathway, the flame that was once filled with zeal and passion begins to lose its intensity. This can be a result of many factors such as disappointments, sickness, broken heart, fear, etc. However, regardless of the circumstances that cause us to lose fervor, whenever it occurs we find ourselves in a perilous zone.
The Apostle Paul was aware that this could take place as such he admonished Timothy to “fan into flame the gift of God.” What was the gift that God had given to Timothy? Was it fear? Was it timidity? Was it defeat? Was it hatred? Was it lack of self-control? No!!! Paul continued to “for God has not given a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and a sound mind.” This simple means that if we find ourselves at any point being fearful, envious, malicious, hating, not having self-discipline, etc., then the spirit we are operating in is not of God. We were never made to live in fear, cowering in shame and defeat, overwhelmed by depression or oppression and trembling because of inadequacies. Instead, we were created to live in victory, consistently displaying His power, love and wise discretion. Therefore, we should fan the flames by thinking about things that are praiseworthy, lovely, admirable, right, pure, true, noble, honest and of good report. Additionally, read and meditate on the word of God, and pray about everything.
Has your passion gone dim? Are you fearful of things? Do you have malice in your heart? This is a sign for you to draw closer to God and fan the flames of His gift.
Prayer: Lord, please help us to be confident in Your Word so that we can be confident and victorious in every aspect of our lives. Realign our thoughts so that we can focus on the things that promote growth within us and make us better individuals. Empower us to draw closer to you so that our feet can be planted on higher ground. Wherever our flame of Your gift has gone out, I pray that You will rekindle. Show us the areas that have gone dim so that we can fan them into flames. Amen.
4/5/17 Dr.R.A.
On the cusp standing firm on Your word
My will totally surrender to Yours
Heart racing because of all the expected changes
Yet there is a peace that resides on the inside
As I look ahead, I smile
In my mind’s eye, all I see is rainbow
Reminding me of the surety of Your promises
I inhale and exhale deeply
As my diaphragm expand and contract, I am assured of Your very present spirit
I am ready for the journey
So I step off the cusp onto the path that You have destined for me
4.4.17 Dr.RA.
Whether or not we want to admit it there are things we carve especially in moments of vulnerability. If we decide that we are going to exclude things from our diet, then our bodies begin to crave the exclusions. It seems like everywhere we go that the things we decide not to consume are the only things that are available. They jump out at every angle ass if they are begging to be consumed. Sometimes in the avoidance process, we become so vulnerable that we cave into the demands. Much effort has to be exerted to stick to our new diet.
As it is in the natural realm, so it is in the spiritual realm. There are things that we crave and often struggle as the enemy of our souls have a way to show up armed when we are most vulnerable. He comes and offers that which will satisfy our appetite whenever we are most hungry. Truth be told this often poses a challenge as the temptation to satisfy such cravings is seemingly overwhelming but know that we should not partake as the consequences of such actions will be too great.
Often we are misguided into thinking that the temptation(s) of the enemy is just on a large scale basis. As such, we often guard ourselves against the “big sins” (fornication, murder adultery, etc.a great) attack and overlook the “little sins” (malice, envy, strife, worrying, doubt, gossiping, people-pleasing, etc.). We tend to forget that a little leaven will have a significant impact on the whole. Did I just include people-pleasing? Is that even a sin? Yes it is a sin! Galatians 1:10 posed the question “am I now striving to win the approval of human beings, or of God?” Sometimes we become so caught up in becoming accepted socially that it clouds our judgment. And anything that is put before God is an idol. But we will delve into that more deeply another time.
So how do we overcome these cravings? Well, we are often misguided into thinking that avoidance is all that will be required. We try to convince ourselves that if we ignore these things, then they will just vanish. However, more effort is needed to overcome things. To overcome something by definition is to succeed by dealing with it. There is no way to ignore and overcome. So how can we overcome? Lets cut to the chase – we use the word of God.
Sounds simple right? It is somewhat harder than we think because of our perception of the Word of God. This is because we generally perceive the Word of God as a light to our path (which it is) and not as the weapon that it is (two-edged sword). Whenever we view the word of God as only light to our path, we miss its real power. That is because when you are traveling in the wilderness, the torch (which gives light) is also used to ward off insects and reptiles that will attack (a weapon). Therefore, our perception of the word of God needs to be broadened.
Jesus knew that the word of God was a weapon. Therefore, when He was tempted by Satan in His most vulnerable state, He drew the sword (the word of God), wield it skillfully and cut the enemy to pieces. The word of God was the best weapon available to defeat the tactical schemes of the enemy. It empowered Him to overcome the cravings of His flesh.
Have the walls of your mind’s eyes been expanded to see the word of God as more than just light? Do you know what the word of God has to say about that which you crave? Are you capable of wielding its truth skillfully to your defense?
Prayer: Lord, please remove the scales from our eyes as it pertains to Your words. Cause the minds of our understanding to become enlightened. Help us to recognize that it is in knowing the truth of Your word that we will experience true freedom and victory. Empower us to study Your word so that we be able to pick up its sword and practice with it until we are able to overcome whatever comes our way. Thank You for reminding us that we can be victorious and overcome our cravings. Amen.
4/4/17 Dr.R.A.
It is often said there are no certainties in life except for change. I want to add to say that facing the unknown is also a guarantee. The longer we walk this journey called life, the more we will face the unknown. Whenever these situations present themselves panic often set in our minds. We start to hyperventilate because of fear, our heartbeat race and our limbs begin to feel incapacitated. However, stepping into the unknown does not need to be scary. All we need to walk into the unknown with confidence is God because He knows exactly what the future holds. Additionally, the best part about walking into the unknown with God is that He is a God that is loving, kind, merciful, who has good thoughts towards you, a God that will give you an expected end, and a God that can be trusted. Therefore we can have faith in Him and step into the unknown. F.Buechner states “Faith is stepping into the unknown with nothing to guide us but a hand just beyond our grasp.”
In the Bible, we read about a young woman called Ruth who after suffering the loss of a loved one still clung to God and walked into the unknown. She made up her mind that she would follow her mother in law back to her homeland. Her mother-in-law tried to persuade her not to because she believed she had nothing more to offer her. Nevertheless, Ruth declared emphatically, “entreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God.”
Ruth was completely unaware of what she was walking into. She was not familiar with the land, its customs or its people. Notwithstanding she was trusting God to keep her safe and guide her footsteps into the unknown. The outcome of stepping into the unknown with God was beyond her expectations. She became the wife of a very wealthy man, a man of prominence (Boaz) and had children. She was also able to turn her mother-in-law’s sorrow into joy. Additionally, it was through her lineage that Christ came. She was given quite a legacy because she entrusted her life to God and stepped into the unknown with Him.
Looking at your life right now you may not be where you had hoped. Your life may have been filled with disappointments and broken dreams. You too like Ruth may have encountered loss and you may feel there is no reason to carry on. Those who surround you may be encouraging you to remain in your place of loss. They may be encouraging you to play your life safe and remain in your comfort zone. However, life only begins when we step out of our comfort zone.
What unknown situation(s) are you faced with? Are you allowing fear to cripple you from stepping into the unknown? Do you have the courage to go wherever God leads so that you can receive the blessings that He has in store for you? Are you willing to step into the unknown with God?
Prayer: God please help us to be willing to let go of all our inhibitions and entrust our lives completely to you. Break off all the limitations from our lives and everything that will leave us feeling incapacitated. Breathe your strength and joy into our lives. Help us to recognize that as long as you are with us then there is nothing to fear. Empower us to walk confidently into the unknown with you, knowing that we already have the victory. Amen.
4/3/17 Dr.R.A.
Life is filled with constant hustling and bustling. It is a whirlwind of decisions to make, things to do, people to meet, problems to solve, places to go, dreams to accomplish, etc., that leaves an individual in a frenzy. One can hardly find time to catch their breath with the consistent demands for attention and affection. This result in one feeling pressured and downright obligated to continually be dressed in the “superhero cape.” Notwithstanding, the need for pause is quite eminent. As Mark Twain stated, “the right word may be effective, but not as effective as a rightly timed pause.”
Pausing gives us time to breathe and to have clarity of thoughts so that the right decisions can be made. It also affords us the privilege of not operating from an emotional standpoint. Additionally, when we pause, we get more accomplished. Usually, when we succumb to external forces and make a decision, we encounter more harm than necessary.
In the book of Ruth, we learn about a man who left his home with his wife and kids to live in a strange land. At the time he made that decision his homeland was experiencing the severe duress of famine. The external condition caused him to make a decision that would not benefit him as planned. The Bible lets us know that he died in the land of Moab along with his two sons, leaving behind his wife and children’s wives. The story continued making us aware that the wife and one daughter-in-law went back to their homeland and actually prospered in that land. One can only wonder what if he had implemented a pause before making such a decision. What if he had waited like the other inhabitants of that land? Would he not have experienced the overflowing abundance like the others?
Moral of the story is to implement the “pause” when making a decision. Do not let the pressure of external factor influence your decision-making process. Take time and breathe before making a decision. A pause could save your life.
4/2/17 Dr.R.A.
The first thing that Abraham did when he came into the promised land was to build an altar. This may not seem significant but it it is of utmost importance. Generally, humans tend to look out for themselves and seek ways of satisfying their needs first. However, after traveling for such a long period of time and although he may have been quite tired from the journey he put himself aside and build an altar unto the Lord. Putting one’s self and feelings aside is not an easy task and require great sacrifice one’s part. In essence, it demands that one be dead to their fleshly desires.
An altar represents something permanent. Abraham’s first desire was to offer to God something that would be lasting. He was determined to offer something to God that was indestructible and would remain unchanged indefinitely. It also represents a place of sacrifice and worship. Abraham was basically saying, God, I will put you first and permanently lay down my life as a sacrifice of worship unto you. His lifestyle of putting God first was also transferred to his son Issac.
In the book of Genesis, the Bible states that “Isaac built an altar there and called on the name of the LORD. There he pitched his tent, and there his servants dug a well” Gen 26:25. The significance of this text I believe is that Isaac built an altar unto the Lord and pitched his tent. I say this because Isaac offered unto God that which was permanent(an altar) and built for himself something that was temporary (tent). A tent is something that can easily be erected and removed. Isaac was stating emphatically by his actions that the things of God were more important that anything and would always be permanent. Whereas, the things caters to his needs are temporary. He understood that they could be easily established and removed. He was also demonstrating that he was depending on the leading of God for his life and was willing to move whenever and wherever God wanted him to. He displayed that his life really belonged to God and that he would honor Him even with his body.
The word admonishes us to present our bodies as living sacrifices holy and acceptable unto God. Won’t you build an altar unto God with your life? Won’t you permanently lay down your life as a sacrifice of worship unto God? Won’t you give God that which is permanent as it pertains to your life?
4/1/17 Dr.R.A.
Issues from the Heart 