So You Failed The Test?

As I recorded the Week 4 series on Self Control I touched on God's tendency to send us tests. Boy must I say as soon as I put the finishing touches on the video, tests started coming back to back. Like literally in a 6 hr time span, after I finished the bible study, I was tested on everything mentioned during that 20min recording. I was glad that I was able to recognize the tests, but I really was not prepared for the magnitude to come of these freaking tests. I dare not blame the enemy for sending the test it was all God to test my Faith, but believers I tell you God's test can be intense. Well, I must be honest I failed miserably! I started out doing great, test one…Ace’d it! Test 2……another A, by test three I was a little thrown back by the recurring order of these tests so I fell off a bit, I’d give myself a C-, but that exit exam, that last test of the day, I failed it miserable. I began a downward spiral of doubting, fear, anger, frustration, you name it. A world wind of emotions rose in a 30 minute time span and during that time it was a fall out drag out situation with me and God.

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When I came to my senses, I could not believe that I had just failed my exit exam! I really believed that this huge test was God’s way of examining me to see if I qualified to transition from this level to the next one. "If I had just reacted differently within that last 30 minutes, I would be promoted by now" is the thought that ran though my head once I realized how badly I slaughtered that exam!. That is when the enemy stepped in with his condemnation and negative talk about my recent and past failures. Thank God for amazing people in your life, I was reminded through godly counsel and the Word, that God will never leave me nor forsake me. Even when I make the worse mistake I could ever think possible, in this case failing that “Exit Exam”, He will be right there with me.  I was reminded that up until the point of Jesus' last breathe there was doubt and confusion in His heart, but overall He knew He was completing the will of His Father.

I have no idea what test you have been facing this week. I promise those areas that you are trying to get under control God will shoal nuff send you a test, and by golly gee there is a possibility that you may FAIL that exam. But God!!!! He knows our strengths and weaknesses, and He says "if you come to me I will come to you. If you desire growth in an area, it may take a few times to get it right but my grace is sufficient to help you every step of the way". Isn’t that great news!! So what you failed the test, God is by your side to strengthen you for the next time around! With God all things are possible!   

BE ENCOURAGED!

Its backed in the Word..

2 Corinthians 12:9-10; Psalms 139:8; Mark 10:18; Hebrews 2:17-18; Romans 6:1-2; Matthew 27(especially verse 46)

Listen to our series on Self Control weeks 1-3. Week 4 will be loaded today at 3pm. www.lifeappministries.com!

Are You Too Intense?

To be calm is a practiced trait that has to be learned, ideally in early adulthood (but its never too late) by a willing individual who is fed up with the intensity and hustle and bustle of life. This drama free seeker understands the benefits of taking a poised approach to any matter at hand, thus benefiting greatly from the decision. Due to the rapid increase in technology, pilled on demands of extracurricular/extra- occupational duties, a recent overindulgence of this hustle and flow mentality, and so forth many people are just living life on edge. At any given moment people have the willingness to snap, many are less than two steps away from a panic attack, and inadvertently or not, individuals are projecting this sense of urgency with everything, and in return placing an unbearable pressure on everyone. Careful not to validate laziness as an alternative, I'd rather suggest that in Christ there is such a thing as a balanced, drama -free life, you just have to be willing to accept the following…….

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1)That God is in control of the situation and you can only control yourself. You are not, nor your spouse, kids, job, traffic, or any other resource that you place this unfair responsibility on, in control of any situation. None of the above, and I repeat.... NONE, was created to control any circumstance except for Christ.
2)  Nothing is really THAT SERIOUS, and if you are diligent in making sure your part is done, applying unnecessary pressure to yourself or anyone else is simply a distraction from the enemy to get you off course.
3) Being anal is not a character trait, its an annoyance that validates your sense of control over something or someone, sorta like projecting yourself in a "god seat", making you feel as if you have dominion over yourself, stuff, things, and people. Reality check—you can try but once again its not your responsibility.
4) God will never put more on you than you can bear. So regardless of what you are facing there is a way of escape, as well as an appointed end that will work in your favor, regardless if you are able to identify or agree with that end or not.  
5)Spending time with God does not = going to church on Sunday and Wednesday. Approximately 4 hours a week with God cannot help you navigate through the remanding 168 hours….. It just can’t—reprioritize your life, understand that your spouse, boy/girlfriend, children, job, and what ever else you define as making you happy, should not replace the implementation of Christ in your life. If any of them do you will remain a wreck, unable to utilize calmness in your day to day life, and peace will never be attained!

Flee from the enemy’s chokehold on your life and potential, get off the edge of self destruction and tendency to practice people destruction, minimize the intensity in your life, and practice being calm and embrace peace every day until you get it right. All of this is possible with Christ!

Its backed in the Word
Psalms 34:14; 1 Peter 5:1-6; Exodus 20:3-5; Romans 16:17-20

Resurrection Sunday??

As we approach this Resurrection Sunday, force yourself to shift the spotlight beyond the bunnies, eggs, candy, and even family and focus on Jesus Christ. The sacrifice He made on the cross for our sins is the greatest celebration we’d ever be privy to because if received it separates us from the penalty of death to life. Man created this Easter celebration to intentionally take the focus off Jesus Christ, hence the brightly colored store isle, one day dress sales (that in reality lasts for days), and Easter brunch groupons. It’s obvious that the  lure of bright colors, sweet treats, games, and fancy clothes creates a better motivator to bring out the crowds and cash, than the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ….if you don’t believe me ask the economy.

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To create an illusion, on the flip side we have the church wanting to combat the enemy and pump up the name of Jesus Christ as opposed to the Easter bunny; a method designed to take peoples primary focus off the glitz and glamour of it all and move that thrill to second place as opposed to first place--which includes honoring God with a name change, “Resurrection Sunday” and following up with the same traditions of “Easter Sunday”. I guess as a means to bring the issue to the forefront, how can we impact the world when we are so busy trying to fit in with them, because the same people who holler Resurrection still celebrate Easter at the end of the day creating a shift in the race, allowing evil  to dominate the likelihood of winning  first place. The hearts intention is what matters most (the scariest part) , and while we dress up and go to church, leave and take our kids Easter egg hunting, from a people’s perspective you may look alright and even noble. But please do not think for any stretch of the imagination that God does not see the true motivation of your heart! Please know that He is not fooled. Please understand that a day supposedly created to celebrate His Resurrection means absolutely nothing to Him if your heart is not stayed on Jesus Christ and the celebration of His resurrection does not manifest both in and outside of your life on a daily basis! It’s all fun and games now, bunnies and candy……..but the cheap thrill will have to be accounted for sooner or later! #Heart Check

Its backed in the Word

(NLT) Proverbs 16:25; (NLT) 1 Thessalonians 2:1-6; (NLT) Isaiah 29:1-4;13-16: Galatians 1:10; Matthew 10:37-39

Visit the site www.lifeappministries.com for online bible studies, notes, and daily devotionals! 

Blessed

As we grow in the Lord we are commanded to help others. It is easy to help those in whom you see an immediate need, but how is your insight? There are people who are dressed to the nines, smiles and jokes plenty yet are internally broken. How can we tell? A faraway look in their eyes, occasionally drifting away from what’s happening around them and more often than not, we can simply listening more than we talk.

 

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Most people are not the great deceivers they would like to think they are. We are all open books to the  Holy Spirit and when you operate your life in in the shadow of Him you can see what is not always visible to the naked eye.

Today I challenge you to tune into someone else’s spirit and see what God has for you to do there. Caution, please listen to the Spirit and follow His instructions not your own. We are truly blessed to be a blessing.

Its backed in the Word:

Mathew 28:16-18; Luke 12:37; Acts3:5-7; 2 Corinthians 9:8-12

Check out our series on Self Control today on the website www.lifeappministries.com.

The Desperate

There is a time and a place for everything and the Bible clearly emphasizes there’s a proper timing for various “life events”. It speaks of a time for planting, and a time for reaping, a time for plucking out what was planted, and a time for living, it authorizes a time for crying, and even emphasizes that at some  point things, stuff, & even people will have to die. However the world we live in empowers a holistic alternative, the idea that we have some level of dictatorship—the ability to  name it, claim it, grind it out, or escape it, even getting so detailed as to suggest that one can  pin point the specifics such as, the when, the where, and the how, these “life events” will take place…..wrong notion. By resorting to the above, we expose our desperation, and our holistic alternative quickly becomes the serpent that lures us into separation. Separation gives way to 

desperation, and desperation outside of Christ resorts to a lonely and unfulfilled existence.

That place where merely wanting a job becomes desperate, or anticipating that call back creates anxiety. Frequently checking that inbox for the emailed response from a “ very important person” puts you on edge, and desiring to be in a relationship brings you to the brink of tears. Desperately wanting that check in the mail which leads to a bad attitude until it’s in your hand, and so forth—all desperate mediums that are designed to usurp the authority of God into your dominion which will never yield the God results needed for fulfilled living. Ever wondered why a famous person would commit suicide? A person with all the money, men/women, fame, fortune, and “living the dream”, decides to end it all, and for what? Simply put, they were desperate. Desperate for more, never satisfied with what they had, desperate for love and attention, fame, success, and sometimes even a better way of life. Nonetheless desperate people, for anything other than God,never fully realize that God is their source of strength and means to success and aside from him at best they can produce a poor imitation. With that, wait I say on the Lord and be of good cheer! You will reap your harvest if you faint not, and cease the desperation! 

It's backed in the Word

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 Psalms 27:14 Jeremiah 2:27-28 Galatians 6:8-10 Matthew 6:31-34

You Are A Survivor

You cannot give up now because the world is counting on you. Before you were born God placed a unique calling on your life, complete with an assignment for you to perform, and a wealth of people for you to impact. Your influence is greater than you can imagine and your next move is determined by the move you make now. You have to continue moving forward although things appear unhopeful; God has something just for you beyond that challenging hitch you are facing. Don’t step in the quick sand; the enemy has created an illusion to devour you. You are alive and that is a sure indication that there is more work to be done inside you. Don’t kill yourself off the island while God consistantly provides you with a fresh survival kit daily. It’s quite presumptuous and selfish of you to spit in the face of God, as you murder your potential while He is alive and working inside you!  Despite its packaging and arrival time, you  wake up with breath in your body, proper nourishment, and a travel guide, the Bible at your disposal  to help you navigate through these seemingly rough times in life.  This journey you are facing is called life, nothing more nothing less --there is no need to over complicate things because life is simply what you make it. No matter what you are facing there is an end somewhere in the distance, it may be near or it may be far, but one thing is certain as long as you are alive you have more than enough time to figure it out. Grow during your experience, become a better person, challenge you stubbornness, make do with what you have, draw nearer to Christ and watch the peak of the palace surface just beyond the distance of your jungle.

 

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Be Encouraged

It backed in the Word…..

-Jeremiah 17:7-8  -Isaiah 35:4; 41:13  -2 Corinthians 4:16-18

 

Check out our online bible study! Currently in week 3 of the Self Control series. Avalaible online NOW! www.lifeappministries.com

What Tree Are You From?

 There is a time in every believer’s life that they must change. Change their thinking, way of life, and even their appearance. We all know that God knows our heart and He does not judge us from the outward parts. Yet, there is evidence of the inside residing on the outside of you. If you say you love Him and disobey Him then you are not a child of His but a child of the evil one. Change your thinking! God has plans for you that you have not realized yet simply because you will not trust Him.

If you say He knows your heart, and you continually make excuses for everything you do contrary to His instruction, you do not reflect His love and you are a liar --   the father of all lies is Satan. Change your way of life!  Live in truth. For He is the way, the truth, and the life.

If you say He knows your heart, and you tear down the temple, of your body with drugs, alcohol and food. Change your appearance! For did you know that your body is the Temple of Holy Spirit, meaning the Holy Spirit resides there -- so how do you keep your home, that place you dwell in, better than you keep your body, that place the most important Person of your life dwells in, the Holy Spirit.

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The gift of your salvation is, you have been given the privilege to represent the Father, (origin), Son (renewal) the Holy Spirit (actions).

 

ALL OF THIS LEADS TO BLESSINGS AND GENERATIONAL BLESSINGS FOR YOU AND YOUR FAMILY THAT FOLLOWS.

Don’t give all that God has for you away for temporary good times and pleasures. It is a tool that Satan has to blind your eyes and it doesn’t amount to anything.   If you have lived on this earth for any small amount of time you know this to be truth. So face it!

 

It’s backed in the Word

Genesis 25; 2 Kings 20; 1 and 2 Peter; 1 Corinthians 6:18-20; John 8:44; Matthew 22:33

 

Check out the online bible study series on Self-Control on the website www.lifeappministries.com