CELEBRATING YOU!

Now repent of your sins and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped away. Then times of refreshment will come from the presence of the Lord, and he will again send you Jesus, your appointed Messiah. (Acts 3:19, 20 NLT)

Even as I read through this scripture, I stood in a state of unbelief at the realization of a habit so greatly developed by society that if we are not careful, it will lead to further destruction and termination of lives- I am referring to the way we treat others. 

Now Acts 3 opens with the story of a lame man whom was brought by the Beautiful Gate or Solomon's Colonnade every day, to facilitate his begging money from those persons entering the temple. Enter in, Peter and John and this lame man's song does not change until the two disciples and ordained apostles declared him healed in Jesus' name. And as people sought to admire the miraculous works in this once- lame man's life, the two chastised them, setting the record straight as to the real reason/ person behind this man's healing. Fast forward to verse 17 to 19, the apostles specifically acknowledged that it was in ignorance that they had rejected the One by whom the man was healed. but now if they would simply repent,, turn from their sins and acknowledge God then God would (figuratively speaking) send them Jesus again.

The ironies of the scenario is that Jesus who once walked the earth, performing far above this many miracles was rejected by many who did not believe that He was indeed the Messiah. It had to take the inexistence of Christ (at least on earth) and God's authority to grant unto Him the glory that He so rightfully deserved. It had to take another's endorsement of a "dead" man's works in order to get people to believe in Him and to accept who He really was- exactly what He had been saying for the duration of His ministry. Given that, I am sure when many realized their faults in persecuting a righteous man- it was too late to approach Him- at least on a face-to-face basis and apologize for their reckless behavior (however they were free to receive Him in their hearts upon repentance). Not to mention, it was these people's attitudes and actions which led to Jesus' death through crucifixion in the first place. Does it ring a bell already? And yes- we all know that Jesus' death was predicted long before and that his life and death fulfilled these never ending prophecies. But pushing all that aside the highlighted problem in the opening paragraph comes to light AGAIN stemming from our inability to CELEBRATE EACH OTHER AT EVERY OPPORTUNITY! Fortunately we (like thoe many in the New Testamnet era) can have God "send Jesus"  if we follow the stipulated "process". But the same cannot be said for others- mere men- who no longer walk the soils of this earth. Once they're gone- that is it. Yet, we have developed a culture that celebrates someone's birthday, wedding (anniversary), pregnancy, promotion etc.... all the events that occur AT LEAST once a year. Let's face the music- not even our next minute is guaranteed, much less a year. 

Do you know that there is someone on the brink of committing suicide and your words of encouragement can alter their decision? Did you know that your generosity can squelch an angry spirit? Bet you did not realize the power of your smile could give someone hope. Or by you calling a woman "beautiful" can change her outlook on her whole life according to who God says she is. It does not have to take "hearing a word" from God to approach someone with transforming words or actions. You can start now! Hmmmm...... Does it really have you thinking?

Today, I dare you to be different- stand apart from this world's norms and celebrate someone today- a little goes a long way. Let's not wait until a body is lowered some six feet under to shower the tomb with countless flowers and conveniently choose such a time to share with others "how good of a person the deceased was". And so it is with this note I conclude is saying: I CELEBRATE YOU! Though I may have never met you, we may have shared glances or maybe we cross paths frequently; I had to let you know that YOU ARE IMPORTANT & A BLESSING TO MANY. YOUR PRESENCE IS VALUABLE AS YOU ARE APPRECIATED. I just had to tell you this whilst I had the chance, taking this opportunity to treat you right especially as I do not know what the morrow may bring.

             ---------------- CHEERS TO YOU!-------------------

A Common Mistake

Do not quench the Spirit. (1 Thessalonians 5:19 NKJV)

Quench: - verb "... to subdue or destroy; overcome; quell: to quench an uprising..." 
(www.dictionary.com)

Yesterday my team and I experienced a slight issue, which did have some of us in strong disagreement as to the manner in which the situation was managed. The issue was the sudden interruption of an almost finalized  schedule of events to accommodate another group's plans without any proper notice. Some of you may wonder why couldn't we just go ahead with our original plans? Well we can't because of the authority and strong influence behind the (sudden) group's structural plans. Thus this group's plans would receive a higher priority than ours.
From my perspective, whilst we all recognized authority and the need to adhere to its set rules- it is no excuse for such a late interruption of schedule when the matter could have definitely been handled differently. Especially as we could have notified earlier of the change given that the other team knew of their plans beforehand.I mean how would you feel if your boss told you at 9a.m. today that you swould need to relocate to another country and the flight leaves departs the island at 7p.m. this evening. To add insult to injury, you discover that he knew of the relocation four months prior! I mean, REALLY!?! Even if you are single, it still gives him no excuse to use his authority so recklessly and abusively.

Now that you understand the "issue", the Lord showed me something in it and to this moment, the thought still holds me captive- how much we often quench the Spirit. A common place this may occur- WITHIN THE CHURCH. Due to the need to move according to what the clock says (i.e. service must be over by 11 a.m. In order to accommodate the second service) , there is a hindrance of the free flow of Holy Spirit for a much needed breakthrough, deliverance, healing, worship etc.
Reaching closer to home- how often do we plan the events of the day and calculate our movements that we leave little or no room for interruption. We tend to push God so far off our schedule that we do leave room for His sovereignty- allow Him to be God. Daily prayers and requests are made to Him for answers, guidance, desires of the heart (and the list goes on) but when God instructs us to do something that is beyond our schedule or challenges us out of our comfort zone, we tend to "silence that still voice" - as far as we are concerned "the devil is a liar and it is impossible that God will instruct us to such a thing". A higher authority has spoken, and we are disobedient. Because we have quenched the spirit we have missed the answer to the exact thing we have been praying for. If we are not swift in recognizing our error, changing our actions and repenting of our actions, we may continue to miss our breakthrough over and over again.The only time we believe God should speak to us is in that private moment we spend (if any) with Him in prayer. God is not being rude or in compassionate about your plans, but He is trying to show you how He moves and that there is a need to include Him in even the intricacy of our plans. This brings to mind the phrase: STOP PUTTING GOD IN A BOX! Remember ".... the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men. (1 Corinthians 1:25 NKJV). So just because you believe that you can't do something, do not think that God would not ask you to do it. After all, how would you uncover your strength and abilities?It with this note, I encourage you to not disregard the still voice that speaks to your spirit. If you listen to and recognize authority when it is given/spoken, that authority will work in your favor because no man can surpass that authority that is God. For in Him all things are possible and once we remaining the path of obedience, He will grant us the desires of our hearts according to His will for our lives. You are blessed beyond measure, uncover them by choosing God's view over man's (including yours!)

What STAR?

They call you a star, but are you illuminating light?

The world seems to look up to you

So tell me- from where do you shine? 

You know you got them all eating from the palm of your hand

You are a source

In their eyes, maybe you're life itself

Still you got me wondering: 

"With that kind of demeanor, are you being a resource-

Being fed by another source- and I mean the ONLY source?"

Who's your Master? Cuz your slaves, they're not getting better

Only dying

Keep believing in your falsehood (or reality- according to the blind)

Just a pity cuz you are falling thinking you're rising

Yea

Thanking God for the trophy in your hand when you never even consider Him to be your Head

Uh-oh! 

Did I surprise you? Did the words of the King's mouth really smack you?

You got the concept wrong- thanking God means living for Him

Breathing, sleeping, speaking, moving or even.... just being still

Oh yea

Bet you never knew that being a star means being a servant

Need I remind you that not even those in the sky shine by the own might, 

Nor in their own right

Check your status before you assume your title

Because if you lead people to the light

Might as well change your status: 

You are officially fallen

Remember Satan?