Tag: God

Spiritual

Tasted Years

Dr. R. A.

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Often times the trajectory for our life’s goals seems to be offset by unplanned ‘life activities”, such s the dissolution of a marriage, losing a job, having a baby, losing a loved one, developing health issues, etc.  These breaks in our advancement often leave us in a state of contemplation, wondering whether or not we had made the right decision and how can we progress from where we find ourselves.  In the midst of reflecting despair set in as we feel like moving forward is impossible and the vision of progress has been shattered.  If we should muster the courage to take steps towards moving forward we are often faced with roadblocks which further reinforces our insecurities of how irrelevant we are.  Although these vulnerabilities are as thick as the Jericho wall we must never forget that these walls came tumbling down by the power of God.

As a believer, we should never allow ourselves to become utterly despaired as we serve a God that is all-powerful, One who keeps us as the apple of His eyes. No matter how bleak it seems if we continue to trust Him, He will show us just how relevant we are and always will be. The enemy’s plan is always to convince us of how many years have been wasted and how we can never recover all. However, with God, our years will never be wasted only tasted. With each year God allows us to gain valuable experiences,  expertise, and learning. He affords us the opportunity to become filled with wisdom even in our most trying and painful circumstances.  These experiences will certify us for our specific calling in the fulness of time and make us extremely relevant.  If you don’t believe me ask David, Moses, and Joseph. David spent most of his years out in the field attending to sheep which seemed irrelevant, but when the time was right he was appointed as king over a nation. Moses had to run away from all that he knew, he lost it all and was confined to the backside of the desert, but in the fullness of time, he was called to be the freedom leader of a nation.  Joseph, he too lost it all family, friends, etc,  and was sent to a strange land to perform strange task. He was also, thrown in prison for doing the right thing, but in the fullness of time, he was promoted to being second in command over a nation.  All of them thought that their life was going to be irrelevant but God proved that none of their experiences was ever going to be wasted only tasted.

The scripture says taste and see that the Lord is good. He is the One that will work all things together for our good as long as we love Him. Your years with God will never be wasted only tasted!

5/18/2018 dr. R. A.

Spiritual

Spiritually Malnourished

Dr. R. A.

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In an era where being health conscious is the order of the day the spiritual man is often neglected. The focal point of being healthy is on the physical man, while the theocentric part of man is left famished. Keen attention is directed to what should be consumed and its quantity. While this is good and important, I dare to say that we have missed the mark as it is not what enters a man that defiles him but what comes out. As such much focus should be given to the spiritual man.

The Bible characterizes humans as being able to display two types of reactions, namely the characteristics of the fruit of the spirit or the manifestation of the works of the flesh. Whichever is fed the more will be the strongest and more dominant in an individual. Although we all like to wear a mask and act like we are the epitome of perfection truth be told we are struggling have the correct characteristics on display at all times. The constant war within our members often leaves us critically wounded.  Unfortunately, our embedded pride will not allow us to admit or seek help to bind up the deep lacerations.

These spiritual injuries, however, are a result of us nibbling at the feast spread set before us by the master. We pick at the lettuce of love, gnaw at the jackfruit of joy, snack on the papaya of peace and the pineapple of patience. Also, we pinch on the kale of kindness and nip on the guava of goodness and the grape of gentleness.  Additionally, we nibble on the fig of faithfulness and masticate on the spinach of self-control. Even worst, often we turn a blind eye to the invitation to come and dine at the master’s table which leaves our soul famished and results in us being spiritually malnourished. Instead, we sadly turn to the landfill of sin and rummage for the alcohol of adultery, fornication, uncleanness, revellings, and lasciviousness. Seek for the whopper of witchcraft, idolatry, emulations, variance, and seditions.  Hunt for soda of strife, hatred, heresies, and wrath. Scour for the M&M’s of murder, drunkenness, envyings and such like. All of which leaves us even more depraved and spiritually faint.

 

Today, let us examine ourselves, remove the masks and choose to consistently dine at the Master’s table. Let us use our ability of craving to yearn for more of Him and His ways. Decided to redirect our misguided needs to the One who is more than capable of satiating every desire. Afterall, this path does provide both physical and spiritual benefits.

2/3/2018 Dr. R.A.

Spiritual

Unrestrained Pleasure

Dr. R. A.

UNRESTRAINED

Pleasure is good. However, when pleasure is unrestrained, then it becomes a problem. For example, if eating chocolate gives pleasure then it can be viewed as a good thing, but when too much is consumed, then it becomes a problem for the body. Whenever we indulge in anything, it means that we are allowing that thing to take control of us. Additionally, it means that we are relying on the satisfaction of that thing more than we are relying on God.

We have all been there where we believed that we had to have what we desired. This often leaves us with an enormous price to pay. For example, the cost of losing weight, paying off debt, guilt, etc.

The Bible tells of a man called David who was anointed king of Israel. One day while his men were at war he remained home. He was on his balcony when he saw a beautiful lady bathing. He decided to himself that he had to have her although he knew she was someone else’s wife. His unrestrained pleasure led to an even graver issue as he had to indirectly commit murder in an effort to cover up his wrong.  David, however, did not remain in this state. When confronted by the prophet Nathan he repented for giving in to unrestrained pleasure.

Like David, we too must be willing to turn from giving into unrestrained pleasure. We should purpose in ourselves to surrender all to God. I mean really surrender to the point where we make radical changes for the sake of our spiritual health. Every pleasurable action that we give in to may not be a sin, however, some may just be the weight that is keeping us anchored in the flesh instead of soaring in the spirit.

Today, let us examine ourselves to see what unrestricted pleasure we are indulging in and make significant steps to change. It is time to recalibrate your soul.

2/1/2018 Dr. R.A.

life, Spiritual

Dream Stealers

Dr. R. A.

Have you ever noticed that when you have a goal in mind to accomplish that the actual pathway is paved with obstacles? With each step, you are bombarded with one hurdle after the other. These barriers often seem insurmountable.  If you focus on the challenges, however, you will become daunted and never accomplish the goal. This will result in your dreams being stolen.

Dream stealers come in various innumerable shapes and forms. They are usually disguised as “well-wishers” (family, friends, relatives, society, etc.). The Bible outlined a story of a man named Joseph who had a dream that his family would one day bow down to him. This resulted in his brothers hating him even the more. His brothers hated him to the point that they wanted him dead. One day as he was on his way to see them the saw him afar off and decided that they would kill him when he got closer and see what would become of his dreams. Looking at this story, you may be able to relate as you may have had several experiences of others trying to kill your dream. Nevertheless, dream stealers are not always external. In fact, I would dare to say that the biggest and most potent dream stealers are internal.

It may seem quite alarming, however, that dream stealers can be disguised as your very self. What? You might be saying to yourself that “I am the dreamer how can I be the dream stealer?” Well, to answer your question is very simple. You can be your own dream stealer as you allow the negative thoughts in your mind to dissuade you from taking the first step or to prevent you from continuing along the road to the destination in mind. These thoughts are usually anchored in the soil of guilt and fear and are consistently watered by insecurities.  Hear this may cause you to feel very hopeless. However, all is not lost. I dare to even declare that you will be victorious and your dream of greatness will manifest. How do I know this? Well, because you are still alive and there is still hope while you live.

So what do you need to do? This answer is quite simple.

  1. Simply get up. Get up from where you are. Make a move. Take a step towards that which you want to accomplish.
  2. Put blinders on so that you can focus on the dream and not the peripheral view.
  3. With each step change your mindset from a victim to a victor.

Most importantly remember you were born to win. The victory is already yours as the battle has already been won by the Champion of champions.

1/21/2018 Dr.R.A.

life, Spiritual

It is not what it seems

Dr. R. A.

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Things are not always what they seem. Our perceptions of things are not always are accurate as we are led to believe. Sometimes our situation seems like we have to go through great waters and great troubles all by ourselves. At other times it seems like we are going through great fire and we are being utterly consumed by the vehement flames. However, I’m here to say don’t focus on what it seems like. Instead, focus on the one who can turn things around or even keep you protected in the midst of it all.

In Isaiah 43 the Bible lets us know that the Lord promised that those who abide in him will never be left alone or be consumed with that which was designed to kill. It admonished us to take courage knowing that when we go through the great waters and troubles they will not overflow us, we will not sink, we will not drown, our situation will not get the best of us. The flaming situations that we encounter occasionally will not consume us, we will not be burned, as a matter of fact, we will not even smell like smoke.  Now it may seem impossible to be in the midst of fire and not be burned or worst not smell like smoke, but the God that we serve specializes in things that are impossible.

It doesn’t matter what the enemy is trying. Yes, the enemy may come in like a flood but the Spirit of the Lord will lift up a standard. God will be your defense in the in the midst of it all. Why would He do it? Well simply because He is your Savior. He is God who is your father and your defense. He also promised that He would never leave us or forsake us. He will never leave because the situation is really bad.  He will never forsake even when we are in the wrong. So no matter the situation resist the urge to panic and fight in your flesh. Instead, rest on God and watch him handle your situation. God can handle it better than Olivia Pope. … trust God and consider your case handled! !!!

1/16/2018 Dr. R.A.

Daily Post, Spiritual

Carve

Dr. R. A.

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Carve me out until I reflect the design You have in mind

You are the Potter, and I am the clay

So I say no to my will and yes to Your way

I admit that removing chunks of my lump will hurt

All the straightening, curving, bending, gouging and flattening

Will alter my shape significantly

The quick deep cuts may produce a sharp squeal

But I am assured that my beauty, in the end, will compensate

So carve me

Put me on Your sculpting board and carve me

Carve me until a reflection of You is all I see in me

1/11/2018 Dr.R.A.

via Daily Prompt: Carve

life, Spiritual

Get your sense back

Dr. R. A.

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Senses play a significant role in our everyday life. Without them, we would be utterly unaware of our surrounding environment. We would not be able to behold the beauty in the seasons of life. Neither would we be able to distinguish the exquisitely exotic flavors of life. We would not be able to perceive the vibrating percussion or the flattering rhythmically sound of music. Life would be extraordinarily uneventful and outright dull.

Unfortunately, however, we take these gifts of senses for granted and allow ourselves to be deceived into thinking that they are not essential and serve no real purpose. The glitter and the glamour of what is displayed as “good life” trick us into giving up or walking away from that which profits the most. Leaving us cold and empty as we have been robbed of what life’s splendor genuinely consist.

A story was told in the book of Luke chapter 15 about a father who had two sons. He was a wise man who ensured that he had an inheritance for his children. When the younger came of age, he decided that what the father had to offer in his household was mundane and there was no way he could spend the rest of his life that way. As such, he asked for his portion of the inheritance that he would receive so that he could go out and “live life” the way it was meant to be lived. He allowed himself to be deceived while passing through vanity fair street. Unknowingly to him, all that glitters was not gold. As he prolonged on the street, he lost all he had and everything he hoped to achieve and found himself lacking and in need. He, however, came to his senses as he was partaking of that which only pigs eat. He remembered that things were actually better in his father’s house and even his father’s servant had a better life than he did currently. Therefore, he arose and returned to his father’s house.

Sometimes like the younger son, we allow the enemy of our soul to trick is into thinking there is more to be done and better to be found outside of the father’s house. Upon leaving the house for the “better,” we realize experientially that everything that was shown to us was just a mirage. As we progress throughout this year, it is imperative that we do not allow ourselves to be fooled by the enemy’s tricks as they are always the same (the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the pride of life). Instead, we put on blinders on your senses. Keep our eyes fixed on the precepts and statutes of the word of God as we continue to trod. However, if you have been enticed by the mirage come to your senses and return to the father’s house where his arms are outstretched. You don’t have to live without. Remember that even the hired servants in the father’s house have food to spare. There is abundance in the father’s house so don’t live in lack. GET YOUR SENSES BACK!!

01/09/2018 Dr. R.A.

Spiritual

What’s in Your Cup

Dr. R. A.

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If we should be asked the question “what is in your cup?” our minds would automatically gravitate to contents that usually occupy a cup, such as, water, coffee, alcohol, etc. However, the question is being posed for us to take a deeper introspection of our lives.

A story was told of a man carrying a cup of coffee. As he walked someone, accidentally collided with him and the coffee was spilled making a colossal mess. When asked why he spilled his coffee his initial reaction was to blame the person who bumped into him saying that it was his fault that his coffee was spilled. However, truth be told if he carefully analyzed the question he would realize that the coffee was spilled because coffee was in his cup. Whatever the contents of his cup was that is what would have spilled with any collision. It went on to explain that the collision that took place is just like life and whenever “life happens” then we will be shaken. The important thing, however, is not to focus on the shake but to pay keen attention to what spills out because only the contents of the cup can be spilled from the impact of a collision.

Starting today and continuing daily, I want us to not think of literal cups but to think of ourselves as cups and ask ourselves the question what is in my cup.  Whenever we experience a collision what intrinsically spills out of us? Under extreme pressure does the characteristics of the fruit of the spirit spills out of us naturally or does the manifestation of the works of the flesh become more intrinsic? Does our fundamental reaction consist of harsh (curse) words, anger, bitterness, hatred, malice, envy, unforgiveness, etc.?

In Matthew 23 Jesus made reference to the Scribes and Pharisees as only paying attention to the outside of the cup, ensuring that the outside is clean and presentable, while the inside of the cup is filthy. Have we become a people who are more concerned with our outward appearance and ignoring the contents that are within us and flows out of us without a second thought? When we are overwhelmed by the vicissitudes of life wouldn’t it be more satisfying and pleasing if love, gratefulness, joy, meekness, temperance, humility, and peace spilled out of us?

We all have choices and life is filled with them with every scenario that we are faced with. What will you choose? What fruits will you decide to bear? What contents will you allow to spill out of you when encountering the impact of a collision?

In my Captain Planet voice “THE CHOICE IS YOURS!!!”

May your year be filled with prosperity and good success, and you choose to display Godlike characteristics daily.

01/01/2018 Dr. R.A.

Spiritual

Manifest

Dr. R. A.

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Manifest speaks to readily perceiving as it pertains to the sense of sight. Often in our life circumstances and situation causes our view to become clouded.  Our authentic self is surrounded by clouds of obscurity, brought on by broken dreams, shattered hearts, fragmented hopes, and splintered emotions. This results in us groping around in darkness and accepting labels that have been imposed on us by the perceptions of others and even ourselves. Our true identity has been robbed by life’s daunting experiences. Flashes of unpleasant memories plague our minds. As such, we live below our privileges and often suffocate by the weight of the world, and momentarily gasp for air that sustains us while we try to survive in an environment that we were not designed to live in. However, God has ordained for us to live. He came and died that we may have abundant life. 

When He died, He gave us the power to become sons of God.  Some treasures were placed on the inside of us waiting to be discovered and unveiled in the world. The opportunity to walk in freedom, accepting the gift of abundant life was placed at our feet.  All that is required is for us to break free from the labor of sin that only rewards with the wages of death. 

Regardless of what has been said and what your present or past has been, you have been chosen to be set free. It is high time to become that which you were designed to be. You are stronger and more equipped than you think. Turn your eyes on the Creator and place your ears close to His lips so that He can reinforce your true identity. Creation has held its breath waiting for you to manifest.

11/4/2017 Dr. R.A.

Spiritual

Purifying Trials

Dr. R. A.

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Sometimes it seems like the trials you are going through is going to destroy you. They come at you from various angles swiftly. The sudden blows sucker punches the air from your lungs, leaving you curled up in a ball squirming and unable to breathe.Every time the impact of each blows lessens, and you manage to stagger to your feet, without notice you find yourself once again face down to the ground. This leaves you not wanting to muster up the courage to stand up again to fight.

Sometimes you even question in your mind whether or not it has a purpose. But I’m here to remind you that nothing in your life happens haphazardly.  Every step and every situation has been purposefully designed. The trials you face are just to purify, cleanse and refine you. God’s objective is to make you clean and shiny. He is ensuring that you become more and more like Him. Guaranteeing that you are without spot, blemish or wrinkles. Yes, you were created in His image, but His nature is being developed in you. He does not want you to be just a form without power. As such, the pressure comes so that the oil can flow. So that when you see yourself and others see you they can’t help but give Him glory. Be encouraged your trials are a part of the process of you being a reflection of God! !!!

9/30/17 Dr.R.A.