Joy To The World

This is the perfect week for me to talk about Joy. Trust me, it's not just because we are so close to Christmas. This week is perfect because so many things have made me unhappy, but not one has stolen my joy. I have been unhappy at work more than once this week. I have been unhappy with random things throughout each day. Nevertheless, joy has been a permanent resident.

I'm sure many would wonder how can so many things make you unhappy without affecting your joy? Joy, unlike happiness, is not an ever changing external emotion. Joy is something that is deposited way down deep on the inside. Happiness, well happiness is Blue Bell homemade vanilla ice cream and red velvet cake.

A few months ago, we learned just how fleeting Blue Bell ice cream was. Something external got on the inside of the ice cream and changed the happiness associated with consuming it to complete dismay. People who were once happy with Blue Bell lost their lives. Just as quickly as they had experienced happiness, it was completely gone.

But, Joy withstands the strains of the external. Joy allows your external to bend without there ever being a threat of an internal break. Joy shoulders the weight of your poor choices and whispers "I got you". Joy transforms a river of tears into rivers of life. Joy lifts you up when you are bowed down. Joy is all that and then some. Sadly for many, joy is yet to be found.

Finding joy for some is as difficult as it has become to locate Blue Bell ice cream on grocery store shelves. The difficulty is not because Joy has a secret hiding place. Joy is one of few things that is available to everyone in the world. The thing about it though is you must believe to receive it. And this is the good part. Joy is our gift from God. It is a gift that He freely offers to the world, however it is only received by those who receive Him. Are you ready to receive your gift?

Adayinthelife :-)

Living With Purpose

There is a very popular book called The Purpose Driven Life. I will say up front that I have not read the book, however many speak about how it helped them to discover their purpose in life. If I could, I would change the book's title. The new title would be, The Heavenly Purpose Driven Life. The reason is simple. Anyone can live a purpose driven life, but everyone does not choose to live a Heavenly Purpose Driven Life.

Consider the number of times that you have selected a goal, developed a plan, and worked until your goal was reached. There was a purpose attached to each goal. You were driven to complete it. You most likely felt a sense of completion once it was accomplished. But, if you are anything like me, many of your goals were not heavenly driven. That reason alone is why it's so important to check where your motives lie. Are you content with just living a purpose driven life?

Living with a heavenly purpose is a lot easier than it may sound. Those who choose this path also have selected goals. They carefully develop plans and work until the goal is reached. What is different and coincidentally the thing that makes this path so easy is, these people choose simply to yield to God.

Yielding to God is essential to living with a heavenly purpose. His goal is to be reunited with His children in heaven. Your goal is to be there with Him. His plans have already been established for you. Your plan is to see that His plans for you come to fruition. Are you starting to see how this works?

Living with a Heavenly purpose is yielding yourself to fulfill the purpose of God. Now that you know what it takes, are you ready to yield?

Adayinthelife :-)

I Belong To You. Do You Belong To Me?

I sit quietly occupying the space. There are so many words that I want to pass between us. I love you are the easiest three, but I don't think that you believe them. I have been saying them and showing my love to you for years, but you continue to keep me at arm's length. I wish you understood how frustrating it is to say that I love you and not hear it in return. I wish you understood what it's like to know that the person who you give everything to is not willing to do the same. I belong to you, but I wonder do you belong to Me?

Loving you was easy at first. You had about you an innocence that allowed you to be completely open and transparent with me. When I spoke, you listened. When I encouraged you to do something, you understood the importance of completing the task right away. You listened intently to My voice. You waited for it. Sometimes hours would pass, but you would still be right there allowing our time together to be more than the sum of shared words. You spoke. I listened. I spoke. You listened. From the exchange, we were both filled with Hope. There was no question of our commitment to each other. I belonged to you and you belonged to Me.

Time has had its way with us. The openness that we once shared is one-sided. I see that you are hurting, but my attempts to comfort you are brushed away. I used to be able to whisper softly in your ear when you were anxious or confused. I still whisper, but you act as if you don't hear. Perhaps you no longer recognize my voice. Perhaps your ear is turned to another. Perhaps you truly no longer belong to Me.

But, I belong to you. I love you and it's more than words. I love you with all that I am. I will keep fighting for you. Remember, you were so special to Me that I gave up my life for you. That was the way that I showed you that I belonged to you then. Is knowing how much you mean to me enough to bring you back to Me again?

J.C.

Adayinthelife :-)

Fighting For Territory

"Bless me. Bless me. Oh Lord, bless me indeed..."

There comes a time in life when we are no longer satisfied with the place that we are in. It could be that we have outgrown our home, our career has become stagnant, or our relationships no longer fill up the space that they once did. These times usually make us uncomfortable. For me, sleepless nights ensue and I spend a great deal of time pondering what I will do next. I usually think about how great it will be to get that new thing. I also think about what it will cost me in time and effort. I think about so many details that I usually think my way right out of it. It never occurred to me that giving up was exactly what the devil ordered.

Scripture warns us that the thief comes to steal, kill, and destroy. We acknowledge that without considering all the different things that it means. When we are faced with the possibility of God enlarging our territory, the thief works to steal our drive, kill our faith in God, and destroy anything that looks like progress. Now that you know this, it's time to fight for your territory. 

It's time to fight for your territory. Yes, I said it again. I will keep saying it until the words spur you to action. It's time to fight for your territory. It is time to fight for the place that God wants you to occupy. It's time to fight for peace in your home. It's time to fight for kind conversations and camaraderie on your job. It's time to fight until the last morsel of doubt is transformed into an avalanche of renewed faith. 

Fight for your territory on the strength of God's promises. The word says "call on me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you will honor me." (Psalm 50:15) Stop seeing the bible as a book of words and recognize it as the book of life. Declare to God "You are my strength; I wait for you to rescue me, for you, O God, are my fortress." (Psalm 59:9) And the second that He tells you to move, don't hesitate. Don't allow the thief to steal your drive. Use everything that God has given you to FIGHT.

Adayinthelife :-)

You Are Not In This Alone

We live in a time of self sufficiency. We are expected to excel on our own, overcome on our own, and maintain all on our own. We declare that we can do bad by ourselves and that no one helped us on our race to the top. It is interesting how many of us say and actually believe these things.

I can do bad all by myself, but why would I want to? Who would actually choose to be in a bad situation with no one to encourage them to get out? Who would choose to struggle alone through a loss or walk solo through the halls of despair? In the midst of your struggle, you may feel like no one is there. You may experience pain in such a way that you cannot imagine it being shared. However, you are not in it alone.

In the center of your bad situation, was a stranger who smiled a hello. It was a smile that you saw and never even remembered. Yet and still, it was the smile that struck you on the inside and reminded you there was hope.

The same is true for success. The hard work and long hours put towards achieving a goal can seem lonely. You may only remember studying by yourself or moving forward in your career unaccompanied. But, you did not achieve it alone.

The test that you studied for was prepared by a teacher late one night. She stayed up making sure that each question would challenge but not break you. Each question was designed to push you forward and help you get to the next level. Each question, though difficult, was her way of reaching out to you. You were not in it alone.

And of course, there's God. He was there making sure you crossed paths with the stranger. Then, He made sure to prompt the stranger to smile. When your teacher felt like falling asleep, He revived her. He helped her to word the questions and then led you to study the exact same things. He was there helping each time that you needed Him. He was there even when you declared you did not. Regardless of what it looks like, you are not in this alone.

Adayinthelife :-)

I Pledge Allegiance

"I dedicate...I dedicate... I dedicate to you this song." As you are reading those words, imagine me singing in my Brandy voice circa 1994.

1994 was the year that I graduated high school. It was the year I turned 18. 1994 was also the first year that I dedicated myself someone. I swore to protect him. I swore to fight in whatever way it was necessary to defend him. I pledged my allegiance to him. And then, I quit.

I stopped fighting for my friend because it was too hard. I stopped fighting for him because sometimes he wasn't very nice to me. I stopped fighting for him because I was 18 and I didn't have any real idea what fighting for him or pledging my allegiance to him meant. I vowed to stand by him through everything, but I gave up.

This is the cycle that many of us take in life. We become passionate about a person or a cause and we pledge our undying allegiance. We say it is out of love or commitment. We dive headfirst into sustaining a friendship or raising awareness for a cause. We go through rituals designed to prove how strong our allegiance is. Then, we succumb to a change of feelings or the hands of time. We forget how important that person was to us when we first met. We forget how on fire we were to spread the word about breast cancer, recycling, or church. We forget that we pledged our allegiance in the presence of God.

I pledge allegiance means that my feelings will not dictate my faithfulness. I will not exert more energy when I am happy. I will not slack off when I am sad. I pledge allegiance means that I will not turn away when things get hard and I am weary. I pledge allegiance means that I will be rooted in my commitment and not falter. I will stand boldly in the trenches and fight even if it's from dusk til dawn.

I pledge allegiance and I will do any and everything to honor what I say. I will consider my commitment before I make it. I will be sure that for everything I pledge that I've counted the cost. I will recognize that even when I pledge my allegiance to a man, woman, boy, or girl that I am doing so in the presence of God.

It is a trap to dedicate something rashly and only later to consider one's vows.

Proverbs 20:25

Adayinthelife :-)

The Right Place At The Right Time

Regardless of where you are, you're at the right place at the right time to be a blessing.

I am sitting in my living room all alone writing. I am not meditating within the walls of the sanctuary or kneeling before the pulpit crying out to God. I am not out visiting the sick or feeding the homeless. However, I am in the right place at the right time to be a blessing.

From right where I am, I have the world at my fingertips. I can post "Jesus loves you" and lift someone off their sick bed. I can text "I forgive you" and mend a relationship long broken. I can stop typing and immediately go to God in prayer. Everything that I need to be a blessing is at my fingertips even right here in this place.

Regardless of where you are, you're at the right place at the right time to be a blessing.

We often think about being in the right place at the right time to receive a blessing. I completely understand that. We all have moments where our thoughts are only of ourselves, but I want you to think beyond that. Think about how your position can positively impact someone else.

Just today I was asked if I still wanted to be a social worker. I responded yes and no. I want to be a social worker, however I know that I am at the right place at the right time to be a blessing to the children that I serve. I'm at a place where I am challenged to put the needs of others before my own everyday. It is difficult at times. I have had moments where I wanted to give up. However, if I leave and God hasn't told me to leave, someone will miss out on what God had for them. It could be that I am to be used to shine the light for someone who hasn't seen God. It could even be that in the midst of it all God has someone positioned right where I am to shine His light for me.

Regardless of where you are, you're at the right place at the right time to be a blessing.

Adayinthelife :-)

It's By God's Grace

I have never met anyone who didn't seek the approval of loved ones or peers. We exude a great deal of effort to achieve more than our parents imagined we could. Our focus is on being the next best at everything and when we receive titles, promotions, and raises, we bask in the glory of what we have worked so hard to do. There are many things in my own life that I worked for, but the achievement of them was by God's grace.

Conventional wisdom would say that I am responsible for my success. I went to school. I got good grades. I worked hard and secured a job. But, the truth is I went to school because I thought that's what you're supposed to do. I did just enough to have what I thought was a respectable GPA. My efforts at finding a job were minuscule. Everything that I have was given to me most undeservedly by the grace of God.

So what is the grace of God? God's grace is His loving kindness. His grace is His favor. God's grace is seen in how we express sincere thanks. His grace is shown in how we live when we realize we are under His grace. And of course I must add that His grace is sufficient.

Now to tell you what that all really means. There is nothing that I could do to deserve God's love. There is nothing that I can do to deserve His favor. We receive God's grace at His word, His will, and His command. It is not our work or our goodness. It is the work that He does in us and His loving kindness flowing out of us. His grace is sufficient because He is sufficient. God is enough. Grace is enough.

The challenge is to view grace and life in the same vein. They are both remarkable gifts that should humble us and elevate God.


For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you.

Romans 12:3

Adayinthelife :-)

Love Is A Battlefield

My favorite movies are love stories. This has been true for as long as I can remember. I enjoy watching a man and a woman taking those first uncertain steps toward one another. It's the way that the two of them are drawn in. The looks that pass between them or the way one hangs on the other's every word. Love stories are simply the best. 

I must admit that many of my favorite love stories are those that take you through the struggle as well as the triumphs. I love being able to watch them navigate through the struggles that Hollywood tries so hard to make resemble our everyday lives. Even in the movies, there is a sense of who will give up and who will dig in their heels and fight. There is a sense of who believes that love is worth fighting for. Those are the stories that I gravitate to because love is not the sum of stolen kisses and passion filled nights. Love is a battlefield and those who wish to remain in it know that they must fight.

Sadly, most don't understand what it means to fight. We think that fighting involves yelling, name calling, and tears. We believe that the best fights involve withholding affection and at least 24 hours of the silent treatment. If we are in what we believe is a heated battle, we throw accusations that cripple what's left of our trust. Love is a battlefield.

But, when will we learn what it means to fight? When will we understand that the fight is not to wound the one we say we love? The battle that we wage is to reclaim them. The battle that we fight is to restore everything that has been broken. Love is patient. Love is kind. We say these words when it looks like we are fighting on the same team. Few understand how important patience and kindness are when the relationship is under attack. Love is a battlefield.

Are you willing to fight for love? Are you willing to dig in your heels and stand against attacks? Will you forgive without reservations? Will you set aside how you feel to lift the one you love in prayer so that they are restored? Will you run towards them when they hurt you and it seems like nothing will ever be alright? Love is a battlefield.


Then the LORD said to me, "Go and love your wife again, even though she commits adultery with another lover. This will illustrate that the LORD still loves Israel, even though the people have turned to other gods and love to worship them."

Hosea 3:1

"Love"

The following is a quick, but powerful post on love. Enjoy!

" LOVE means to:

Listen - Give ear to their voice and hear their heart.

Overlook - Look beyond their faults, past mistakes & failures.

Value - Embrace the gift that they are to bring life to others.

Encourage - Push them to fulfill their purpose and destiny in life and give them Hope.

This is what you do when you truly walk in LOVE."

Apostle Darrell Brooks ~ 9.28.12

Adayinthelife :-)

The Thrill of A Roller Coaster

I don't know about you, but the simplest things cause me to worry. If I wake up a little tired in the morning, I worry about making it to work on time or how my day will go. If I forget to say my prayers before I leave, I wonder if God will be upset because I say them when I am distracted in the car. Then there's worrying about if I'm doing a good job at work or within the ministry. There are so many things on a daily basis that get into my head and threaten to fill me with worry.

I won't tell you that I am always able to just shake it off. That would be completely untrue. I have had moments of uncertainty that took over my entire day. In those moments, it was like having an out of body experience. I knew that worrying wouldn't solve anything. I knew that whatever it was would at some point be alright. I would make it to work. My day would be just fine. God would hear me no matter where I prayed. But, knowing what would likely be didn't stop me from living those moments with uncertainty.

Living with uncertainty is like being on a roller-coaster ride. It starts out slowly, but before you know it you are whisked away in a seemingly unending series of twists and turns. Similarly, when faced with uncertainty, your thoughts go from clear and focused to a speeding mass of whys and how’s. A roller-coaster has a way of taking control in the same way we are swept up in a bout of uncertainty.

The thing is, getting on a roller-coaster is a choice. We decide to approach the ride. We decide to get on or keep walking right on by. We decide. We decide if we want to stay calm and focused. We decide if we want to allow our day to be a speeding mass of whys and how’s. Living with uncertainty is just like the thrill of a roller-coaster, but riding it is up to us. We decide.

Adayinthelife :-)

Are You Valuable To The Body Of Christ?

A question was recently posed that I believe we all should consider. Are you valuable to the body of Christ? This is not to be mistaken with are you valuable to Christ? We are all valuable to Him, but are you valuable to the body? Basically, are you working to build the kingdom? Is your labor bearing fruit for God?

As followers of Christ, we must think about the way that He lived. He lived a life of service and example. Jesus worked tirelessly to make sure that everyone who He encountered had a true experience with God. He worked to build faith, trust, and commitment in those who were wandering around without a clear purpose. His commitment to serve, helped the disciples to become servants. His example of love, transformed an adulteress, a tax collector, and a murder.

Is your labor bearing fruit for God? Would you rather be served than serve? Do you find yourself putting your desires above others? Is your example of love stifled by the need to receive more love than you give? Is your labor bearing fruit for God?

The fruit of your labor is working for the opportunity to bring someone joy and not the thrill of a check. The fruit of your labor is seen after you have given yourself to the hungry and after you have satisfied the needs of the oppressed. 

Bring someone joy with a kind word, an unexpected gift, or a prayer said in earnest when they are down. Give yourself to the hungry by sharing the word that they need to fill their souls. Give yourself to the hungry by supplying a meal for a family who is less fortunate or a friend who simply enjoys your cooking. Satisfy the needs of the oppressed by standing up for the person who everyone else seeks to belittle. Doing these things might not seem important. You may not have ever thought of them as work, but all are essential to you laboring to bear good fruit for God.

Proverbs 24:11
Rescue those being led away to death; hold back those staggering toward slaughter.

Adayinthelife :-) 

Do You Know What You're Fighting For?

Here comes another moment when I can't clear my mind.
I can't begin to focus in on what I'm supposed to do.
In a week of so many triumphs, I just left my resolve behind.

I won't do it anymore. I won't allow that door to open.
But it happens and I convince myself
I was never actually focused.

I am fighting my feelings more than I ever have before.
I know what I am supposed to do,
but I do what my flesh wants more.

Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Cast down your strongholds.
Pray to God and He will hear you.
Face the fact that He already knows.

He knows that you're struggling. He wants you to fight.
He has equipped you for battle.
All you have to do is what's right.

You throw out a punch. First a left then a right...
Somehow you're still standing
If you focus you just might

Realize that you can't win
You can't overcome
You can't even begin

To gain ground on your enemy.
But, you swing and you miss.
You are so busy trying to land a blow, but the fight is within

Do you know what you're fighting for?

It's your spirit not your flesh.
It's peace, joy, and salvation.
It's holding on until you get blessed.

Do you know what you're fighting for?

The battle you fight is bigger than what you just did.
It's as expansive as the mountain
that mustard seed faith once hid.

Do you know what you're fighting for?

This fight is bigger than your love for that girl or that boy.
It is as fierce as the ocean
that swallowed the Titanic like it was a toy.

Do you know what you're fighting for?

It's not about one sin.
It's not about getting even with someone who hurt you.
It's not about arguing until you win.

Do you know what you're fighting for?

If you don't please consider the cross.
Consider the battle that you think you're fighting
Might be one satan has already lost.

Do you know what you're fighting for?

Adayinthelife :-)

A New Beginning

For the past month, my Facebook memories have reminded me of all the things that at one point were wrong in my life. There was a whole week where I was so sad because day after day and memory after memory I was forced to relive just how bad things were. In this past week's memories, I noticed a shift.  There was that point where it was so bad I didn't understand how I would be able to go forward. I can see now that God was pulling all of the bad stuff out of the way. I had to let go of all the things from my childhood. I had to let go of the old loves, the old hopes, and the old dreams. I had to let go of so many things before God would allow me to embrace my new beginning. The tone and direction of my posts shifted as my mind shifted.

My new beginning started September 4, 2011. In the midst of that new beginning, there have been many more new beginnings. I have experienced new things that have happened to shape and mold me. Some have caused me to be sad and wonder where was my hope. I wondered if this was the new beginning, why was everything so difficult? With each challenge and crisis that I faced, God was always there.

God reminded me that it wasn't the situation that was so bad. The problem was my perspective. I say to you today, new beginnings happen each and every time we decide to let go of something from the past. It could be a past relationship, a past disappointment, a past desire, or a past dream. Yes, we can be required to let go of dreams. Many of the things that we dream about are just not in God's plan for our lives. Once we embrace the fact that our dreams are not always aligned with God, that's a new beginning all in itself. We are made new every time we open ourselves to embrace what God wants.

God wants us to be blessed, but sometimes we think we are unworthy of His aid. God wants us to live free, but we are mentally held captive trying to conform to the world's standards. God wants us to be saved, but we are holding on to the thought that we can somehow save ourselves. 

Every moment has the potential to be a new beginning. Renewing our minds is the key to activating it. 

And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

Romans 12:2

Adayinthelife :-)

What Seeds Have You Been Planting?

I overheard a young girl say to a friend "I ain't coming to this school next year". I walked closer to her and asked her to repeat what she said. She put her head down and replied "nothing". I took two steps in the direction away from her and again I heard "I ain't coming to this school next year". I quickly turned around and told her "don't poison someone else with your negative thoughts". Her face showed her surprise, but I knew she understood completely what I was saying. In essence, stop planting negative seeds.

Witnessing the exchange between the two girls made me reflect on the role of an apostle. Apostles are called on to build up the church. They are charged with depositing the word of God in others. They must speak in a way that edifies God and strengthens the hearers faith. An apostle ensures that the word of God is heard and works to make sure that the foundation for a new congregation (group of believers) has  been established. Essentially, an apostle plants the words of God.

What seeds have you been planting? Have you found yourself whispering negative thoughts to others like the young girl? Perhaps you are unhappy at your job and thought it was alright to share this with a coworker. Maybe you spoke your displeasure with your spouse to a trusted friend. What seed were you planting when you talked your unwillingness to support the work of the ministry? 

Consider what it would be to embrace the work of an apostle. Take the time to purposefully deposit the word of God into another. Speak words of praise to God. Carefully consider the building of someone else's faith. For example saying "The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want" requires the same number of words as "I'm so tired of living from paycheck to paycheck". The difference is in the seed that is planted. What seeds have you been planting?

I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow.

1 Corinthians 3:6

Preach, Preacher

When was the last time you said "preach preacher" in the middle of a service? Was it the time when pastor was laying out those people who are always cussing and fussing and pretending to be saved? Or was it when he was preaching on how the crooked men are always finding a way to talk somebody out of their money? "Preach preacher! Go ahead and lay 'em out" you said. That is until the preacher started talking about how y'all unmarried women need to keep them men out your beds. At that moment, you didn't say a word or nod your head. It was as if the preacher's words were suddenly filled with lead. God ahead and yell "Preach preacher!" The word is true even if it pushes you to the edge.

But, that's not what we want to hear. That's not what we want to cosign or line our thoughts up with. We think the role of the preacher is to call everyone else to the carpet. We are saved and they are sinners. We are set aside. We are called. We are too holy to ever be the subject of a message that pulls back the cloak and exposes our sins. "Preach preacher!" is our war cry just as long as it does not require us to look within.

We challenge what the preacher says about our faults because it is the preacher who says it. In those moments, he is just a man or she is just a woman. We forget that if the preacher's words line up with the word of God, then the preacher is only God's messenger. The preacher exposes our wrongs to give us the space to seek God. The preacher delivers the good news that cussing is wrong, being dishonest with money is wrong, sex before marriage is wrong. It is up to each of us to receive the correction that we are given. The pastor can not save you, but the pastor's message should lead you to seek salvation from God.

Adayinthelife :-)

The Prophet Spoke, But Did You Hear Him?

If you are even a casual church goer, you have at some point heard a word of prophecy. You have heard someone speak concerning the things of God. You yourself may have even stood to share what God had placed in your spirit. It could have been that you were called on to lead devotion or recite a certain scripture. Words of prophecy are delivered in so many ways and God truly does use various people to share His word. My question for you today is when the Prophet spoke, did you hear Him?

Did you perceive His voice? Did you hearken to His command? When He spoke, were you motivated to act? Were you able to receive the message that was delivered? Did you know that a prophecy was going forth? A prophecy is a prediction or a forecast of what's to come. When the Prophet speaks, His words transform all who hear them.

So, if I asked you to open the bible and read the words, would you be able to hear the Prophet? Would you be able to hear the Lord laying out the plan that He has for this world? Would you understand that His word from "in the beginning to Amen" is the prophecy and He is the prophet? He is the one who sees beyond our present circumstance. He is the one who delivers warnings. He is the one who is guiding us. He is the Prophet.

God has uniquely equipped some to serve as prophets, but it is at His command that they speak. Prophets are called to share His Word, provide insight, and tell of what is to come. Not one can operate without His Spirit. Not one can share what He has not allowed them the sight to see. Each man or woman that God calls has called to serve , though uniquely gifted, has only one voice when they are speaking on behalf of God. As you sit listening intently to the word from your leader, pastor, preacher, and or teacher, remember the Prophet has already spoken. Did you hear Him?

Adayinthelife :-)

The Master Teacher

Master teachers will sacrifice themselves for the benefit of a student. Jesus showed us many examples of this. One of my favorite examples is Jesus' relationship with Judas. Through this relationship, Jesus taught us to love a person regardless of what they had done. He knew that Judas would betray Him, but He still walked with him. Jesus still shared the truth of who God was with Him. He still sat with him over a meal and washed his feet. The scripture could have simply said Jesus was betrayed, however the master teacher wanted to make sure that we had a clear lesson of what love looked like. He wanted to make sure that we learned that love requires us to be open, humble, and forgiving.

Another example of Jesus being a master teacher, is when He commanded Peter to walk on water. Jesus was teaching Peter how to have faith in the impossible. He was teaching Him how to believe in the power of God. Peter had already witnessed miracles performed. He had already heard Jesus speak. Jesus commanding him to walk on water was personal. In this, Peter (and all of us) were taught the importance of making the lesson personal. Peter believed that Jesus could do wondrous things for others. Jesus commanding him to walk on water taught Him how to believe in wondrous things for himself.

Jesus, the master teacher, taught us many other lessons throughout the bible. He taught us how to be calm in the midst of a storm. He taught us how to speak boldly when the house of the Lord was being disrespected. Jesus also taught the importance of a listening ear and a servant's heart. If we, who are called to teach, would only follow His example. We would understand that sacrificing our time for the good of the lesson is required. We would embrace the length of time spent preparing because we would understand it's positive impact on those receiving the lesson. We would seek God's direction and not conform to the teaching standards of man. We would live lives as Jesus did realizing that our actions are where our lessons begin.

Adayinthelife :-)

The Church Has Left The Building

There are two types of people who are universally avoided. These people are door to door solicitors and Jehovah's Witnesses. I haven't met anyone who gladly welcomed either into their home. We were told to run and hide or just ignore them when they came to our door. Imagine what it would be like if you were the person standing on the other side of the door. Would you remain standing if you heard the pitter patter of feet running to hide? Would you keep knocking if you knew you were being ignored?

Regardless of how many of you say yes, the real answer is no. We are too comfortable with the status quo to subject ourselves to being ignored. We are too comfortable sitting next to our saved friends in our air conditioned churches to even consider going outside to witness let alone going door to door to deposit the word of God. We are too comfortable to be seen anywhere spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, but that is exactly what we have been commanded to do.

Every Christian has been given the charge to go into all the world and spread the good news. That means we are to go door to door soliciting (entreating/pleading) with people to accept the gift of salvation through Christ Jesus. I know I just received a collective side eye so let me help you. This means we are to knock on doors, strike up conversations in the elevator, send text messages, emails, or place calls. We are to hand out bibles, encourage others with daily scriptures, or write inspirational messages on our blogs ;-)

There are so many ways to spread the good news that none of us have to be limited to the confined reach of one or overwhelmed by the large scope of another. The important thing is to get up out of the comfort of your church and share. Find a way to let everyone know that Christ our Savior lives.

Adayinthelife :-)

Tell The Truth and Shame The Devil

Have you ever looked someone in the eye and told them a lie? Of course you have. We all have. It is something that begins when we are small children and continues on unchecked for most if not all of our lives. Many of us say we hate liars, but we are all liars. Do you hate yourself? I know that question might jar you, but remember this is tell the truth and shame the devil.

The truth is you don't hate yourself. I don't hate myself. We all have a healthy degree of regard for who we are, but we are all a bit naive. If I say that I weigh 130 pounds when the scale says 140, I am a liar. If I tell a friend I was sleeping when they called while I was watching a movie, I am still a liar. If I tell a story in a way that I look blameless when I am actually guilty, I am a liar. Liars align with and glorify the father of lies. But, I am a Christian. Right?

Telling the truth about myself is difficult. It is hard to admit that I have told lies without even thinking of them. I have allowed people to assume things. I have had to then lie for the sake of the implied lie that they believed. I'm not boasting here. I am actually doing what we all have to do. We must tell the truth and shame the devil.

We must admit that we have a problem and seek God's help to fix it. Saying I've lied about my weight or my age or whatever it is pleases God and brings shame to the devil. Speaking the truth allows us to hold one another accountable so that we can turn away from lying and turn back to the freedom that is found in the truth. Telling the truth requires a repentant heart. One that convicts you the moment that you lie. One that pushes you to seek God's face. One that won't allow you to continually speak untruthfully. One that forces you to speak God's truth and bring the devil shame.

All Your words are true; all Your righteous laws are eternal. ~ Psalm 119:160

Adayinthelife :-)

I Need Thee

I remember how the church mothers used to sing "I need Thee. Oh, I need Thee. Every hour I need Thee. Oh bless me now my Savior. I come to Thee." I can hear distinctive voices throughout the sanctuary crying out to God in song. Their voices were not in perfect harmony or key, however their voices were sincere. Their voices reflected the urgency of each woman's individual need. I need Thee. Oh, I need Thee.

Every time they would cry out to God, all the kids would sit quiet. The sermon might not have kept us still. The choir might not have always held our attention, but I need Thee. Oh, I need Thee. These were words that we somehow knew signaled something different. The mood was different. The atmosphere was different. We were different.

We sat waiting for God to respond. We waited not knowing what anyone needed except God. I need Thee. Oh, I need Thee. Seven words that touched me as a child and changed me as an adult. I grew past sitting and watching to crying out myself. I need Thee. Oh, I need Thee. Every hour I need Thee. Oh bless me now my Savior. I come to Thee. I cried out to God in the sanctuary. I cried out to God in my car. I cried out to Him on my job. I need Thee. Oh, I need Thee. 

I didn't have an audience of children staring waiting for something to happen. All that I had was a song in my heart and a desire to be closer to God. He heard me and He comforted me. He heard me and He saved me. He heard me and He completely changed my life. 

He answered me as I read the scriptures. He answered me as I went to Him in prayer. He answered me often in the words as they were sung. I need Thee. Oh, I need Thee. Even now, I know He hears me. I sit waiting for Him to answer my heart's song...... I need Thee. Oh, I need Thee. Every hour I need Thee. Oh bless me now my Savior. I come to Thee.

Adayinthelife :-)

The Art of Giving

If you were challenged to give every time someone asked, would you be able to do it? Would you be able to respond favorably to every request for money, affection, or time? Would you be able to change your mindset from I will give what I have to I will give to all who are in need? Think about it. How different would your life be if your objective was to give without hesitation, question, or condition?

Could you allow your eyes to be opened enough to see the need and not the person? Could you respond to the deficit without allowing your assessment of the situation to hinder your progress? Could you give in response to a request where what was requested looked different than what you thought was needed? Could you live solely to give?

The questions surrounding giving are as vast as our opportunities to give. Each of us is afforded opportunities to give on a daily basis. Often we focus on the times when giving requires something tangible instead of the endless supply of opportunities that we have to give those things which are intangible. Giving our attention, a listening ear, a sincere smile, or a comforting hug are all that many ask of us. Yet, we fail to give. We fail to recognize the moments where what is needed is as simple as hello and as empowering as God bless you after a sneeze. I know that many of you paused at empowering, but ever time we say "God bless you" we have activated something in the spirit realm. We have given a blessing to the one who has sneezed.

So why do we resist it? Why do we hang on so tight to the things that we have been so freely given? God gave you your smile. He gave you the ability to bring comfort with your embrace. He gave you the power to bless and uplift. Every good thing comes from Him and as freely as He has given to us, He expects us to give.  We must arrive at the point where we give with the heart and mind of God and not for the thrill or recognition that may come with it.

Let all that you do be done in love. ~ 1 Corinthians 16:14

Adayinthelife :-)

Whose Law Governs Your Life?

I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul. God is the head of my life. I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul. But, God, He is the head of my life. I surrender everything to His control.

How can one live life according to their own terms while still being subject to God’s law? It would seem to be impossible. I am the master of my fate suggests that I am in complete control. My actions are my choosing. I move at my own command. I have control of everything that happens. There is no need or room for God.

Think about how truly limiting that is. Living a life that is directed by self instead of by God. This is a life of selfishness. This is a life of thoughtlessness. This is a life devoid of Love. However, it is a life that many choose to live. I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul.

I am the one who decides which law I will follow and which truth I will uphold. I am the one who determines how I will treat someone. I am the one who I will rely on. I am the captain of my soul. I am the gauge for what is right. I am the measure for how far I stretch myself and how much of me you get to hold. I am the master of my fate. I live according to what’s in my own soul.

But God is the head of my life. He is in complete control. His word comforts me when I am low. His word teaches me how to live. His word teaches me how to love. I read it and I am inspired. I read it and I am empowered. I read it and I am made whole. His word is a lamp unto my feet. His word is food for my soul.

I wrestle with what to do. I wrestle with whose law I want to uphold. How can I be the master of my fate if I’ve already given God my soul?

It is God’s will that your good lives should silence those who foolishly condemn the Gospel without knowing what it can do for them, having never experienced its power.

1 Peter 2:15 (TLB)

Adayinthelife :-)

Sound The Alarm!

SOUND THE ALARM! SOUND THE ALARM! SOUND THE ALARM! Do I have your attention yet? Are you waiting to see just why I would scream and yell at you? Does it matter what I have to say? Will you receive it? Will you hear me or decide to just go on about your day? SOUND THE ALARM!

I can barely turn on the t.v. without another image staring at me that is contrary to what I believe. Transgender athletes and transgender children are celebrated with their own t.v. shows, magazine covers, and congratulatory posts. However, there is nothing but backlash for Christians who say God does not celebrate this. He gave us life and He makes no mistakes. SOUND THE ALARM!

Christian families are labeled as cult members for professing God and living lives that honor His word. They are vilified for refusing to date every Tom, Dick, and Harry before marriage. The world says they must be under mind control. I ask who is controlling the children of the world whose choices kept programs like 16 and Pregnant and Teen Mom going strong?

SOUND THE ALARM! The Lord God directs us to refrain from sex before marriage. Instead of celebrating that, we celebrate condoms designed to alert us for the presence of STI's. If we followed God's word, not a one of us would be risking our lives.

SOUND THE ALARM! The bible warns us to be sober minded and vigilant, but we read that and associate it with everything except refraining from having a drink. Jesus turned water into wine right? He also raised the dead and caused the blind to see. But not once in my life have my friends or I been healed when we were out drinking.

SOUND THE ALARM! It's time that we all equip ourselves for this spiritual fight. That means loving each other enough to share God's word regardless of what we feel is right. It means understanding that to grow we have to let go of the hate and embrace the truth that's in His word before it is too late. SOUND THE ALARM!

Adayinthelife :-)

Loyalty

I am loyal to a fault. I will go to war for my family and friends. If I love you, there is nothing that I won't do for you. These words that I've spoken countless times are not just words. They are truth. They are my truth and anyone who has ever stood under the umbrella of my love can testify about just how true they are. Loyalty to me is not an option. Loyalty is a requirement.

It is a requirement in every relationship. Loyalty is second only to love. Love is patient. Love is kind. Love is not jealous, but loyalty...Loyalty is possessive, it is determined, and it is unwavering. Loyalty says I will fight for you even when you don't know how to. Loyalty says I will stand in, stand up, even stand out if it means that my standing will help you. 

Loyalty like love is endless. It is resolute and true. It is all of these things, but like true love it is not fueled by emotion. No, true loyalty is based in a commitment that does not exist because of how you feel. It exists despite the feelings that come and go. It is rooted and grounded in a principle that many of us profess, but fail to understand. I am loyal to my family and friends, but true loyalty is rooted and grounded in God's love. God's love is not selective and exclusive. God's love is inclusive. His love reaches beyond those who we have bonded with and covers every corner of the earth.

God's love is a covenant between Him and each and every one of us. His love is restorative. His love is unconditional and does not require us to love Him first, back, or at all. This is the love that loyalty is built on.

I am loyal, but if that loyalty is not built on the colorless, emotionless, faceless love of God it is not truly loyalty at all.

I will maintain my love to him forever, and my covenant with him will never fail.

Psalms 89:28

Adayinthelife :-)

Avoiding Foolishness

How many times have you had to face yourself in the mirror after a momentary meltdown? Was it three or four last week? For some of us it was three or four in rush hour traffic this morning. Regardless of when it was or how many times it happened, the end result was the same. You moved on. You might have cursed the driver in front of you. You might have told your boyfriend's ex exactly where she could go and how to get there. You might have even yelled at the person who made your food wrong or the bill collector that kept calling your house. But what is true of everyone who is reading this is, we all eclipsed the moment. So I have to ask why not just sidestep the drama in the first place?

Why not just avoid giving in to the foolishness that we are faced with day after day? Rush hour didn't go any smoother just because you cursed the driver. Your man's ex is still just that...his EX. You either ate the improperly made food or you did not. And we all know that a bill won't get paid until we are good and ready to pay it. So why get angry? Why exhibit character that is not pleasing or edifying to God? Why allow how we feel in a moment to take control of the course of our day?

Failing to avoid foolishness means we give over control of who we are in Christ and entice others to do the same. Scripture tells us to avoid putting a stumbling block in front of another sister or brother. When we choose to curse, yell, or tell someone off, we are lowering ourselves beneath God's threshold of approval and creating the space for someone else to fail. Is someone else's salvation worth the 30 seconds it took you to let off some steam? Would you still do it if you knew it meant you were the person that caused someone else to get so far out of character that they could not make their way back to God? We might think the release is worth the risk, but even that line of thought is foolishness to God.

Adayinthelife :-)

Why Do People Cheat?

Why do people cheat is the type of question that immediately draws a reaction from whoever is being asked. Some people respond out of the depths of their own experiences. Others respond based on what they know to be true from observations of family or friends. Everyone has at least one readily accessible explanation for why men cheat or why women cheat, but my question was why do people cheat? It may seem like I'm just splitting hairs, however if we focus on why people cheat our answers will change.

For example, we say that men cheat because they are dogs and women cheat because the man cheated first. We might add a story or some small antidote to bolster what we are saying, but fundamentally we believe the behavior of cheating is dependent on someone else's actions. If women weren't loose, men wouldn't be dogs who are prone to cheat. If men weren't cheating dogs, their significant others would have no reason to cheat. I think you get the picture.

The truth is that cheating is an individual decision that involves another person, but is not dependent on that person's actions. What I mean is people decide to cheat because of what they want not because of what someone else has to offer or what someone else has already done. Scripture explains this in James 1:14

"but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their OWN evil desire and enticed."

It may be easier to to say I cheated and give a reason that is based on someone else, but it would not be truthful. We each must reach a point of maturity that allows us to look inward instead of outward. We must reach the point where we are accountable for our choices. We must reach the point where we can look at why people cheat (why we individually cheat) as the sum of our own actions and not an external equation that we are forced to live by. 

Adayinthelife :-)

Marriage is Sacred

****Guest Post Alert! Guest Post Alert!****

Save the excuses. Save the explanations. Just know that God would never send you someone who is already married, but satan will. Just because it feels good please don't assume that God has His hands on it. Just because God allows it please don't assume that He initiated and approves of it. God allows temptations because He has supplied us with a survival kit called "Faith" and instructions called "Obedience", it's just up to us to use them.. Married Folk are much like that tree in the Garden of Eden that we shouldn't eat from. Now we talk about what Adam and Eve did, so why are we repeating history. There are many other trees to eat from, leave the (Married tree) alone.. ~ Mr. Carr

Adayinthelife :-)

Standing In The Gap

There are few stories from the bible as widely spoken about as the story of Sodom and Gomorrah. It is the one story that I have found is referenced commonly both inside and outside of Christian circles. Often when I've heard someone speak of it, they mentioned how unfair it was for God to destroy an entire city. It may seem unfair on the surface, but before God destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah He looked for someone to stand in the gap. He looked for someone who was righteous or of good character. He looked for someone who could stand between His anger at the people for living so far outside of His commands.

A part of the story includes Abraham speaking to God on behalf of the city. He asked God if He would spare the city for the sake of the righteous found there. Abraham illustrated what it was to stand in the gap. He spoke to God on behalf of those who were not in position to speak to God for themselves. God assured Abraham that He would save the city if there were righteous found there. While some choose to focus on the fact that the city was destroyed, I turn your attention to Abraham and what He did to stand in the gap.

Abraham saw that there was a need, recognized that he was in position to speak to God about the need, and immediately acted. He stood in the gap without anything to gain from the situation. God saving the city would not have political or financial gain for Abraham. He wanted God to save the city simply because if there were righteous among them saving the city would have been what was right.

Think about the things that God has placed in your path. Have you stood in the gap for someone? Have you saw a need, positioned yourself before God, and immediately acted to change the situation? Did you remove the thought of what you might gain from being of help? If you are not able to answer yes, earnestly seek God about ways that you can help. Before it is all said and done, we will all need someone to stand in the gap.

“I looked for someone among them who would build up the wall and stand before me in the gap on behalf of the land so I would not have to destroy it, but I found no one."

Ezekiel 22:30

Adayinthelife :-)

Real Love

Adayinthelife:-)

I've Been Running From Jesus A Long Time....And I'm Not Tired Yet

I have so many fond memories from high school. There were parties, football games, tons of shopping and hanging out with friends. I can remember just how amazing it was to hold hands or share a first kiss. All of these were memories that I knew would last forever. I cherish them and do my best to recite them in my mind so that I remember them. The one memory that sticks with me without rehearsal or the smallest drop of nostalgia is the day that my friend's aunt looked me square in the eye and said "you're going to be an evangelist". She might as well have said "ready, set, go!".

That was the day that I began running away from Jesus. I put on the best pair of spiritual running shoes and ran right up outta there. I ran away from the conversation. I ran away from the church. I ran away from any and everything that looked like it might represent God. I'm going to be an evangelist???? No thank you.

Truth be told, I had no idea what an evangelist was. All I knew was that it had something to do with God or the bible or both. I was a teenager who knew about God and the bible, but what I wanted to be was free. I wanted to be free from Him speaking to me through the scriptures. I wanted to be free from Him showing me things in my dreams. I wanted to be free from the weight of visions that I didn't want or understand. So I ran.

It started out like I was trying to set the world record in the 40, but then I settled in and paced myself like a trained marathon runner. I slowed down at times. I even made sure that I could still hear God....just a little. But never, not once ever did I stop running. 

I've been running from Jesus a long time..... (to be continued)

Adayinthelife ;-)