Breakfast For Your Soul

  

Monday, September 12, 2011

  I, even I, am He that comforts you: who are you, that you should be afraid of a man that shall die, and of the son of man which shall be made as grass; And forget the LORD your maker, that has stretched forth the heavens, and laid the foundations of the earth; and has feared continually every day because of the fury of the oppressor, as if he were ready to destroy? and where is the fury of the oppressor? The captive exile hastened that he may be loosed, and that he should not die in the pit, nor that his bread should fail. But I am the LORD your God, that divided the sea, whose waves roared: The LORD of hosts is His name. And I have put My Words in your mouth, and I have covered you in the shadow of My Hand, that I may plant the Heavens, and lay the foundations of the earth, and say to Zion, you are My people.

  

[2 Chronicles 16:9]

I heard the funniest story yesteday.  A preacher told of a man who had been in and out of a back-slidden state for many years.  He would fall… repent.. fall.. repent ..over and over again.  The issue.. he believed that he had heard God say He wanted him to become a missionary in China.  The poor fellow didn’t want to go.  He later said, that he believed that if he stayed out of God’s presence, he wouldn’t have to hear God tell him to go to China, and he wouldn’t feel so bad about not going.  Of course, his strategy did not work and only served to make him completely miserable.  Finally, he just couldn’t take living outside of God’s will any longer.  He fell at the altar, crying and telling God, “I’ll go to China if you want me to!”.. The Lord answered, “I never told you to go to China, I wanted you to be willing to go to China!” All of those years of running.. for absolutely nothing!  The preacher said something really simple.. but so profound.  He said that obeying God is really the BEST thing for us.  We will be our most fulfilled when we follow His instructions.  It won’t always look like the best thing for us .. to us at the time.  Remember though, that God knows us.  He knows our frame.  He knows what we’re made of.  He knows our strengths, our gifts, our talents, our temperaments.  He KNOWS us.  He knows where we “fit” best.  All we know, is what we know.  We really don’t even fully know ourselves.  C’mon.. admit it, there are things you are doing now, that you never envisioned yourself doing years ago.  I was the shy, quiet kid from junior high to high school and now you can’t shut me up!  Well, just think of what you can accomplish next year.. next week… in the next few minutes.  No one is exempt from greatness, not as long as the Greater One lives on the inside of you.

 

“Bended Knee”, Dietrick Hadden

http://youtu.be/4BtwLRohVDI

“Rebuild Me”, J Moss

http://youtu.be/nyatKLJHPAM

“I Had A Talk With God”, Stephanie Mills

http://youtu.be/maAt7GeP1Gk

“You Hold My World In Your Hands”, Israel Houghton

http://youtu.be/P6_T29ZaxyE

“Good News”, Vanesa Bell Armstrong

  http://youtu.be/b4cjUMzcWPA

“Thank You”, Walter Hawkins

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HEQM2_MuDWw

“Back To You”, Dorinda Clark-Cole

http://youtu.be/lsMJtma8YIQ

[Isaiah 51:12-16]

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

For God has not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

[2 Timothy 1:7]

There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear: because fear has torment. He that fears is not made perfect in love. 
[1 John 4:18]
 

 Eroding The Sands of Fear Through Faith

And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear Him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.

[Matthew 10:28]

 

The Bible declares that the death of a saint of God is “precious” in God’s sight.  Why?  Because He knows what glory is waiting for them on the other side of eternity.  The Bible does its best to give us a glimpse of that glorious place called Heaven, but in our finite understanding we could never fully grasp it all.  We have nothing to compare it to.  From what I can understand, I REALLY want to go.. don’t you?  Left to its own devices, fear will er rode our faith.  However, if we diligently seek the face of our God, our faith will er rode our fear.  Little by little it will dissipate and we will be free from its grip.  A fearless child of God is dangerous to the kingdom of darkness.  There is nothing they won’t do in the name of God.  Jesus left Word for us to “occupy” until He comes.  Do business until He comes.  Help somebody until He comes.  Pray through all seasons until He comes.  Work hard until He comes.  Minister love until He comes.  Enjoy the abundant life He died to provide for us until He comes, and right on into forever.  You know, Atheists are coming out of the closets.  I’m starting to see more and more billboards of their ‘beliefs’.  A great preacher had a discussion with an atheist who asked him what he would do if he died and found out that none of his “God” thing was true.  The preacher said, “Well.  I really wouldn’t have lost anything.  I would have led a good life, loved people, cherished my family, been a good citizen, worked hard…  He continued, “If I’m wrong, I’ve lost nothing, but if you’re wrong, you’ve lost everything”.  Whether we transition on, or He comes back to get us, we want to hear these words…

 

“Well done good and faithful servant .. enter into the joy of your Lord” …

 

… and that Beloved is Good News!

 

Y Stress? … U Blessed!

Enjoy your day…

Regina

 

Japan’s Earthquake Shifted Balance of The Planet

http://news.yahoo.com/s/yblog_thelookout/20110314/ts_yblog_thelookout/japans-earthquake-shifted-balance-of-the-planet

 

Video of terrifying destruction in Japan hits the web http://news.yahoo.com/s/yblog_thelookout/20110314/us_yblog_thelookout/video-of-terrifying-destruction-in-japan-hits-the-web

“The Trust of a Child”

 

“He Knows”, Karen Clark Sheard

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CdnmkjGo0Y4

 

“Resting Place”, Dietrick Hadden

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QkwUZ4kCRBo

 

“He Reigns (Our God Is An Awesome God)”, Kirk Franklin featuring Papa San

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QkwUZ4kCRBo

 

“He Reigns”, Kevin LeVar & One Sound

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kPDUvrKIRtY

 

“Here I Am”, Kevin LeVar & One Sound

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=arJGD6qqPCo

 

“Power of One”, Israel Houghton

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nlmOzJ4rGck

 

“Prayed Up”, Karen Clark Sheard 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HgffKjjxXw8

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

WHOOPS! … Almost Slipped!

Ever felt like that?  Sure.  We all have at one time or another.  It may not be something that we even verbalize.  This verse is talking about the “wicked”, but what about when “normal” folks receive “our dream“, it can still hurt.  I don’t know about you, maybe it’s just me, (after all, I was raised as an only child), but I admit that there have been times that I’ve struggled with being “happy” for somebody who got what I wanted!  (*GASP*) .. WHAT!? You, Miss Positivity!? .. Yes .. me.  Case in point, I love weddings.  Not only am I a ”hopeful” romantic, but a strong advocate for the Holy institute of marriage.  I think it’s a beautiful thing.  However, as someone who has been in an extended state of singleness, weddings are a bittersweet subject for me.  On the one hand, I’m glad people are still getting married, on the other, my spirit says, “What about me?”.  The feeling only intensifies when some poor soul tells me how beautiful I am, and asks that fateful question, “why aren’t you married?” (I don’t think that people realize how annoying that question is to me… OK.. pause.. count to 10.. *breathe*!)  I’m reminded of when my baby cousin “Twinkles” was about 7 months old, a sister-in-Christ and I took her out to eat.  The service was extremely slow that night.  As we were talking, I looked over at Twinkles in her booster seat.  She looked down at the table, and then she looked around the restaurant… looked down at the table and began to scream to high heavens!  I understood her.  It was as if she were saying, “now wait a minute, I’ve been patient, but this is getting ridiculous!  I’ve had the same feeling as the baby.  I’ve heard the sermons, read the scripture passages, even ministered them to other people.  I’ve heard “Wait on the Lord” all my “saved” life from caring, well-meaning saints of the Most High God.  I hear them, but sometimes I  just wanna tell them that I’ve been waiting~decades! (.. and all of their “tips”.. well, lets just say.. I’ve been there, done that, got the tee-shirt, the mug and the key chain). Sometimes I feel like the children of Israel wondering around in the desert for 40 years!  Do I tell them?  Most of the time ..no.  Instead, I smile my sweetest “Christian” smile, bite my tongue and nod.  That is just my thing.  Everyone has their own “thing”.  We are living in a culture of frustrated and angry people.  People who feel abused, powerless, and disenfranchised.  Who feel over-worked, over-looked and under appreciated.  It is one thing when some lovely person that you love and admire gets the blessing you wanted before you do.  You still may feel the sting, but their being blessed makes “sense”.  However, when those who take advantage of people.  Those who swindle, lie, cheat and connive to “get it“  (whatever “it” is).  It can be a lil irritating.  I decided a long time ago to play by God’s rules. I won’t be a “wife” until I’m a “wife” (~ala Michelle McKinney Hammond).  God’s way is not just right.. it’s better.  I would be blind if I did not notice that there are women (in the Holy House of God), who engage in premarital sexual activity, get married and proceed to tell everybody else to get a man by being Holy.  In those times, I wanna bang on the table and say, “HEY! ~ What’s going on here!” … of course decorum demands that we don’t do such a thing.  I’ve been in Christ long enough to know that there will come a time in our life when we really don’t want to hear what anybody has to say on the subject… whatever our “subject” is.  It is during those times that the gentle loving voice of the Spirit (our Comforter), will speak life into our life.  If we suffered a broken leg, we would not allow someone who didn’t know what they were doing to just grab it all “willy nilly”.  But if that person were a doctor, that would make all of the difference in the world.  The Holy Spirit is our Internist.  He specializes in operating on us from the inside out.  As we are “shored up” and strengthed on the inside, we are better equipped to handle life’s challenges.  We can then focus our eyes on “things above“, and hold on to our faith knowing that “no good thing will He withhold from those who walk upright” .. the hardest part is remembering that it is in His time, according to His plan for our life… and whatever it is .. it is ultimately gonna work out for our good.

 

 

 

 

 

 

“Lord, Make Me Over”, Tonex

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kb1DovsFIsE

 

“Lord, You’re Holy”, Helen Baylor

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j4j7MlLSLfI

 

“Best In Me”, Marvin Sapp

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vgwt-UhPhhs

 

“Show Me”, Antwaun Stanley

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IInjwss-X0Q

 

“Worship You”, Antwaun Stanley

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JRYsGYB7nGo

 

“Reason”, Antwaun Stanley

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JK6q3jOT3UI

 

“Teach Me”, Antwaun Stanley

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tlcUS7FaCPI

 

“Let Go”, DeWayne Woods

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=76o4xhxIKfs

 

Standing On His Promises”, Bishop Norman Hutchins

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3RVAONfqaE4

 

“God’s Got A Blessing”, Bishop Norman Hutchins

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l-6HpdmIiZM

 

“Battlefield”, Bishop Norman Hutchins

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GW9ejLoHw54

 

“Holy Ghost Power”, Chicago Mass Choir

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=auyXYIuXo48

 

“God Has Not Forgot”, Tonex

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lLbAqTnV9h8

 

“Praise Him In Advance”, Marvin Sapp

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PvganA6nrf0

Wednesday, June 23, 2010

So Jesus said, “When you have lifted up the Son of Man on the cross, then you will understand that I Am He.  I do nothing on My own but say only what the Father taught Me. And the One who sent Me is with Me—He has not deserted Me. For I always do what pleases Him.” Then many who heard Him say these things believed in Him.  Jesus said to the people who believed in Him, “You are truly My disciples if you remain faithful to My teachings. And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

[John 8:28-31]

BELIEF IN THE MIDST OF A SEA OF UNBELIEF

Good Morning Beloved,

What a beautiful day!  I hope you’re having a good one.  “The people who believed in Him”, grabs my attention in this text.  To fully appreciate this, we have to read the whole chapter.  Remember the woman caught in the act of adultury?  Yeah… this exchange occurred after that.  The Pharisees questioned Jesus… relentlessly.  They were always trying to find a fault in Him.  Hoping that He would slip up and say or do something they could use against Him.  What ended up happening?  People in the crowd heard the truth and believed on Him.  In the middle of all of the great thinkers, powerful leaders and naysayers, people still believed.  In our society, the “great thinkers and powerful leaders” have become increasing wise and subtle in their tactics.  Same spirit… different methods.  Their goal is still to discredit Jesus.  Another strategy that I’ve noticed is to make Jesus seem boring and “uncool” (which is crazy… Jesus is the epitome of “cool”).  Have you noticed how folks are able to take somthing that should be common sense, and completely switch it upside down? (good evil.. evil good) My family and I love Orlando Florida.  While on vacation at Universal Studios, it began to downpour.  We’re used to seeing that, but what caught my attention… was that there was an entertainer on stage.. and the show was not canceled.  In the midst of pouring rain, lightning, and thunder … nobody moved.  They continued to rock to the guy on stage who spoke of all that was “messed up”.  He talked about current events… the oil spill, the wars, the immigration laws.  His solution to the problems… “give me some liquor in a big ‘ole cup so you and me can be what… Messed Up!” … seriously… that’s what he actually said.  I thought about how many folks skip church when it rains, or if it is too hot or too cold.  If someone gets on our nerves or we feel tired we skip it.  Interesting.  Not only were these folks braving the elements to see their guy, but they were HAPPY about it.  Mind you… the vast population had no umbrella or covering, but they were smiling, laughing, dancing and jumping up and down in excitement.  Nothing “dampened” their joy.  This is how it was with “the people” who heard Jesus, and how it should be with us as 21st century disciples of Jesus.  Food for thought, how do we present Jesus in our everyday life.  Honestly, are we unwittingly presenting Jesus as boring? ..an afterthought?  Do we carry the attitude that I’ve had my “fun” back in the day, now I’ve settled down, gotten serious and I’m living for God.  Is there something that is more interesting to us than God?  Do we not realize that God desires to be part of everything that we are part of ().  YEP.  We are, as Paul describes, “an ambassador in bonds”.  Think of it like this.. we’re handcuffed to Jesus.  Wherever we go, He goes.. Whatever we’re doing .. He’s doing.  Does that strike fear or faith in your heart?  He’s our friend to no end.  He is not frowning at us as we relax by the pool.  He is not standing outside when we’re in the annual Board Meeting.  He is a part of us.. so is His Word.  The goal is soul winning and the Bible tells us that those who win souls are wise.  He will use our personality and His Word that is imbedded in our heart to reach those around us.  Jesus said He would never leave nor forsake us. He also said that whoever is ashamed of Him, He will be ashamed of in front of His Father and the Angels.  Stuff that tends to grab our headlines will be completely meaningless then.  We won’t care who’s sleeping with whom, how much so and so made in their last film, or the latest piece of juicy gossip.  It will all seem so silly.  We will see that it was all basically a distraction to keep us from what was truly important.  The Pharisees were well-educated and sharply dressed.  They appeared Holy men who had it “going on”.  Yet, people were able to look past their brilliance and see the Truth.  The good news is that we have the ability to do the same.  No matter what is going on around us, we are able to see Jesus.  We see His brilliance.  We believe Him even though we’ve never physically seen Him.  We know Him to be real.  We know His Word to be Truth.  We know that after all is said and done, He will stand alone … triumphant over every other school of thought.  We are blessed to know Him.  Let us be the ones who can stand in the storms of life, dancing, singing and smiling… knowing that the God of our Salvation has everything in control and will take that mess and squeeze a blessing out of it…

… and that Beloved is Good News!

Y Stress? … U Blessed!

Have A Fabulous Day

Regina

“He Reigns”, Kevin LaVar & One Sound

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kPDUvrKIRtY

“Like Never Before”, William Murphy

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0aNRxUDxfsI

“All Hail The King”, Shekinah Glory

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TwB-Q4F89RM

“Well Done”, Tye Tribbett & GA

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I3uwlVfReVA

“I Desire More”, Crystal Aiken

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u3nWrD2nF9o

Good Morning Beloved,

“Peace”….. what a lovely word… “Peace” …

And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever.   [Isaiah 32:17]

You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You: because he trusts in You.   [Isaiah 26:3]

Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you: not as the world gives, give I to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.  [John 14:27]

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. [Luke 2:14]

Remember when the angels appeared to the shepherds, and let them know that “peace” was born.  The Messiah had arrived.  God’s love-gift wrapped in His only Begotten Son, swaddled in rags, lying in a feeding troth.  The best gift mankind ever received. There is so much chaos world-wide that it is difficult to see that there is peace here…. but it is.  Peace came over 2000 years, when Jesus came.  God’s assurance that He was determined not to lose His beloved creation.  There have been wars, famine, pestilence, you name it.  But peace has been here all along.  Peace is patient.  Whether globally, nationally or personally.  It will wait until it is accepted.  Peace cannot be forced on a person.  It is a choice that comes from the heart.    I know there have been times in my life where I have ‘kirked out’… ‘went off’ and it was as if I could hear peace calling me, and telling me to calm down.  I don’t know about you, but something happens to my hearing when I’m seeing red.  My perspective is skewed, and I am in danger of making a rash and foolish decision.  When I let the peace of God enfold me, my thinking is clearer, my head doesn’t hurt and my stomach is not upset.  Sometimes we just need to breathe… count to 10… take a walk…go in the bathroom… sing a worship song…. hum a Broadway show tune, whatever you have to do…. HOLD ONTO YOUR PEACE! …and pray that others will open themselves up to experience peace in their lives as well.

U Blessed,

Have A Fabulous Day!

Regina

Cartoonist’s Comment:

Even in the midst of a stormy sea of trouble, we can have peace in Jesus, a peace as solid as a rock. But if we give in to worry and fear, we will be in danger of sinking.

Good Morning Beloved,

Stretch out and enlarge your territory… something you’ve been meaning to do… do it.  Everywhere you look people are running scared.  Scared of the economy… scared of terrorists… scared of the government…scared of global warming… scared, scared, scared of everything.  Any wonder why God’s Word instructs us to fear not.  He knew that we would have plenty of opportunity to live in fear.  Remember He knows the end from the beginning… nothing shakes or surprises Him.  Regardless of what happens… remember the end of The Book….. WE’VE WON!  Everything we go through is strengthening us for the next leg of the journey… exercising our “spiritual muscles”…. Also, remember the saying “necessity is the mother of invention”.  There are still inventions yet to be created, children to be raised and nurtured, people to be cared for, houses and land yet to be possessed, ideas yet to come into fruition, scripts yet to be written, songs of strength yet to be released into the atmosphere.  I’m a living witness that when you’re “down to nothing… God is up to something”.  Be encouraged Beloved of God…. you’re going to make it.

Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, “Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let Your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain.” And God granted his request. (1 Chronicles 4:10)

Cartoonist’s Comment:

If your mind is being bombarded by fear and worry and doubt, seek the shelter of God’s peace by going to Him in prayer.

Thursday, May 1, 2008

Good Morning Beloved,

I pray your morning is moving along swimmingly LOL!  This morning’s message is short and sweet (and all God’s people said….. AMEN!)…. Fear not!  That’s it… fear not…. yes these are the last days, and the news gets worse daily.  Yes, these are the days that ‘try men’s’ souls’.  Yes gas is high, there are wars going on, food prices are escalating, joblessness is high, leaders are tripping, families splintering, pain, rage, hopelessness are on the rise.  The True and Living God of the Bible is being replaced in the hearts and minds of the deceived, by a man-created facade.  Whew!…. Especially in these days and times, we have to make up our mind that we will not allow fear to overtake us.  Do what we must… tighten up where we should, but do not panic “as those who have no hope” (1 Thessalonians 4:13).  As we talked about yesterday with the “Joseph chronicles” in Genesis, nothing ever has or ever will take God by surprise.  Isn’t it funny that God, who is all-knowing, still told us to “count it all joy when we fall into divers temptations..” (James 1:2), and that “no good thing will He withhold from them that walk upright“, (Psalm 84:11) and that ”greater is He that is within us, then he that is in world” (1 John 4:4).  Remember the truth stated in Matthew 10:28, “Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell”.  Kinda puts everything in proper prospective right?  Fear is our greatest enemy, so when confronted with fear, we need to take courage.  Courage will push through fear and get the job done.  God is, as He was with Abraham our “shield and exceeding great reward” (Genesis 15:1).

U BLESSED,

Have A Fabulous Day!

Regina