Daily Post, life, Spiritual

Climbing

Dr. R. A.

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Using both hands and feet

Climbing over hills and mountains so steep

Mountains and hills that seem impossible to climb

Like fears, doubts, hurt, past failures and even lies

Lies uttered regarding my demise

That want to take over and layer the foundation of the thoughts in my mind

Yet I persist

Although sometimes I feel like I am being punished

Suffering bruises due to slipping while missing my grip

Nevertheless, I muster up the courage to persevere

Using every ounce of strength from within

Knowing that glory awaits at the top of my mount

I place a downpayment using my faith as currency

Trusting to believe that I am who You say that I am

And I will achieve everything that You have destined for me

4/16/17 Dr.R.A.

via Daily Prompt: Climbing

Daily Post, Spiritual

Measure

Dr. R. A.

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There is no way to measure Your love for me

Your love is wider than all the oceans and the seas combined

Your love is higher than even the heavens above

Your love has captivated me

You shower me with limitless fringe benefits

And expose me to the beauty that is beyond the horizons

You have kept me warm and safe through the winds and rains

And bestow upon me Your immeasurable supply of grace

When I reflect on who You are I cannot help but give You boundless praise.

 

4/15/17 Dr.R.A.

via Daily Prompt: Measure

Daily Post, life, Self Esteem, Spiritual

Timely

Dr. R. A.

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Often we think that we should say whatever we feel or whatever we want at any given point. However, I say although you have the ability to speak words should be spoken with caution. This is because words are one of the most powerful weapons that an individual possess. One word may have a profound impact on a person and shape the trajectory of their life. Words can be used as weapons of mass destruction or building tools. When uttered they can never be taken back. Instead, they live on in a person psyche, either propelling them or crippling them from progressing. Remember we live in a voice activated kingdom. As such, we should endeavor to speak a word so timely that it will lessen stress and heal and bless.

4.14.17 Dr.R.A.

via Daily Prompt: Timely

life, Spiritual

A Crown of Life

Dr. R. A.

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The society in which we live is saturated with the notion of everyone being royalty. Almost everyone refers to themselves as queens/kings or princess/prince.  Yet although this is being professed the fact still remains that they wear no actual crown in this life. However, there is an opportunity to obtain a crown to wear. This crown will require us to “go through.”

To hear that one has to endure testing and temptations does not sound very enticing.  If the question should be asked who wants to undergo intense periods of testing, no one will volunteer. Nevertheless to obtain this crown then one has to endure these things. God designed this training regiment to build us up in our most holy faith. As such, the Bible declares that we should count it all joy when we fall into diverse temptation. It is only through these difficult periods of suffering and our faith being tested that our need for patience/endurance is developed.

Developing endurance is very critical as we as when endurance is fully developed we will be perfect and complete, needing nothing. And who really does not want to perfect and complete? Who does not want to have no need of anything? I am in no wise saying that enduring testings will be easy, but I say, it is doable. When persons join the army or the navy, then they usually go through a period of rigorous testing, and if they do not quit, they get the honor of serving their country. It is the same way with believers if we do not quit then we will receive a crown of life. Then we can definitely declare without the shadow of a doubt that we are royalty.

Do you find that you are currently going through diverse testing and temptations? Has the trials and temptation been so overwhelming that you want to quit? Do you love God enough to endure the testing phase? Would you like to one day receive a crown of life?

Prayer: Lord life can become so overwhelming at times because of its various testing and although we want to serve You wholeheartedly our flesh becomes weak. We are frail and sometimes are not able to withstand the fierce winds that are blowing. As such, we ask that You take our weakness during this phase of testing and give us Your strength. Empower us to endure these diverse temptations so that we can obtain a crown of life. Lift every spirit of being overwhelmed and give us the clarity that we need to see the purpose. Help us to fix our eyes on You so that we do no sink in these troubled waters. We ask for Your divine provision and guidance. Your word admonished us to ask if we lack anything and so we stand on the principles of Your word and look to You with an expectation to receive. Do in our lives only that which You can do and we say thanks. Amen.

4/13/17 Dr.R.A.

Daily Post, life, Self Esteem, Spiritual

Unravel

Dr. R. A.

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You unraveled the negative thoughts that I had tightly woven of myself

Thoughts solidified by the lies told by voices both internally and externally

Thoughts that left me constantly carrying the weight of  feelings of  defeat, unworthiness, regret and shame

You liberated me from defining myself by the wreckage of my past

My name is no longer, broken, shattered, forsaken, unlovable, wretched, undone, etc

You continue to unravel my true identity

I now walk in liberty because of the stripes that You bore for me and the fact that You hung on Calvary’s tree

I am forever grateful for the price that You paid for me

4/11/17 Dr.R.A.

via Daily Prompt: Unravel

Spiritual

Thankful in the In-betweens

Dr. R. A.

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Being thankful always is not the easiest thing to do, especially when things are not going according to our desires. It is difficult to stay positive or be grateful in the “dark times” in our lives. To be thankful during times of sickness, death, rejection, failure, etc. can seem impossible. However, truth be told there is always something to be grateful for even during those trials of life.

Unfortunately, sometimes we also struggle are not thankful when we have that which we desire. This is because our society’s culture is that of consumerism. It teaches us to find fault with what we have so that we can get a newer model with the latest improvements. Which leaves us constantly discontent and unhappy, not being able to recognize that there so many things to be grateful for even when we do not see it.

Having an attitude of gratitude even in times of despair can be very beneficial to our entire being.  Sometimes it is embracing a grateful spirit that will empower us to get through difficult moments. So how do we possess gratitude during difficult times? How to we remain grateful in the in-betweens of life?

  1. Be Intentional. Being thankful is not going happen arbitrarily. It is something that we are going to have to do on purpose. Especially on days when the sky is falling, and we want to complain about everything we have to purposefully display an attitude of gratitude. So in these moments, we have to intentionally count our blessings.
  2. Be Humble. When we are clothed with the spirit of humility, then we will be able to to be thankful for what we already possess. Sometimes because our vision is not aligned right, we tend to focus on what we do not have instead of the things we already have.
  3. Serve. When we learn to serve others instead of being served, we will discover the true joy. Serving others will also take our minds off our own issues as sometimes we will see that there are others who are more in need.
  4. Huddle. When we get together with others (family and friends), it strengthens us. It gives us a better view of the picture and helps us to recognize that we are not alone. Often why we become unthankful is because our peripheral view only consists of ourselves. We think we are the only ones going through what we are facing and that we have to bear the burden alone. However, we need to remember that no man is an island. We need each other, so spend time with family and friends.
  5. Break the mold. Find ways of doing things differently. When we get stuck in the same routine, our lives can seem mundane and that there is nothing to be thankful for. Breaking the mold will cause us to step out of our comfort zone and discover new things, people, and culture that can be very pleasing.

When we practice these things we will recognize that the in-betweens are not as bad as it seems. Additionally, we will understand that we are operating in a controlled environment. Remember the word of God admonishes us that we should be thankful in everything for it is the will of God as it pertains to our lives. Happiness may not cause us to be thankful but being thankful will make us happy.

4.11.17 Dr.R.A.

Daily Post, Spiritual

Tenacious

Dr. R. A.

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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.

via Daily Prompt: Tenacious

Daily Post, Spiritual

Blindly

Dr. R. A.

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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.

via Daily Prompt: Blindly

Spiritual

Facing Unanswered Prayers

Dr. R. A.

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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.

 

life, Spiritual

Fan into Flame

Dr. R. A.

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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.