A PART

It’s amazing, when you try sinking back into what used to be comfortable shoes,

How they no longer fit

That’s what we so often refer to as growth

But I’m talking to you- Christian or not- yes you, who God has brought through seasonal changes

That have allowed for spiritual maturity and firmer foundation in Him & His word

Sometimes we question our stance, you know, “Who am I in Christ? How have I progressed? Where do I stand?”

But your answer comes when you find yourself in the midst of a once familiar flock

And realize the quality and value of their wool is no longer premium

Maybe market changes created a new and higher demand for your wool-

It’s whiter, softer, highly maintained, simply ensured by your Shepard

But it all really changed when you changed Caretakers’ hands

I am not belittling anybody or anything here-

But I’m encouraging you- embrace change,

No matter how painful [your tears constantly stain your pillow]

No matter how peculiar [your “friends” no longer acknowledge you]

No matter how angry [inconsideration at the hands of your very own family]

Simply embrace change- in God’s hands that is-

I know it is difficult at times-

Setting apart seems like RIPPING two pieces of cloth so closely knitted together- APART

Or literally tearing the flesh off a live human- OUCH!

Rest be assured, you will be restored

With a greater dignity and you will walk with continuous grace-

The world has no choice but to acknowledge that you no longer fit into their system

And they are right- you have promoted- to a higher, greater and better anointing

Child you are worth more than rubies, may I remind you

And if the blood of Christ is not enough to convince you- then I am not sure what will

But rest assured you are Called Out to Stand Out

Be encouraged, honored that you have been Set Apart by GOD

You're like a Diamond in the Rough- beautiful, rare, invaluable & precious!

REGRET- A Blessing/Appeaser or Curse?

'I REGRET knowing you'; 'I REGRET my relationship with him/her'; 'I REGRET the past 10 years of my life'; 'I REGRET....., I just REGRET it!'

Statements of such caliber may have crossed the minds of some- if not, many- at some point; especially in a more mature and wiser being's retrospective moment. But really, is 'regret' an excusable vocabulary on these instances?

Think about it- if you were retrospectively placed in these once 'regrettable' moments, under the same circumstances with a less mature, unwiser you- the same outcome would result. Alternatively, if the more mature you were retrospectively placed in the same situation bearing the aforesaid criteria- only then would the outcome be possibly alternated.

(FOOD FOR THOUGHT

The older, more mature you would in fact cease to exist... It was only your willingness to acknowledge error and allow positive change that produced your growth.)

So do you 'regret' because this action allows you to:

i.  deflect personal blame onto another party, thus appeasing an guilty (and maybe justifiable) thoughts and actions 

-OR- 

ii. provide an explanation as to why your spiritual, physical, emotional etc. growth has been curtailed/stunted (curse)?

Whatever the case, aren't you cursing God's will for your life? Think about that.

To assist in your analysis, I highlight ahead a personal experience. In my (rather short) life I have had some pretty enduring encounters- particularly where fornication is concerned. In almost all of these (so-called relationships) I have endured abuse- whether emotionally, psychologically, ALMOST physically and most importantly spiritually. But do any of these encounter justify the grounds for regret? My regret? NO! Through God, I have taken on the perspective "to regret a past occurrence is to regret every moment thereafter- that are branches/shoots from that root (which have borne good fruit)." Remember every good gift comes from God (James 1:17)! Can you allow God to change your "regret" or "regretful encounter"  into a gift? YES! In other words, if I regretted these moments, I would blindly regret God's salvation; will; the  healing He brought (& brings) to me; His love and the transformation He has brought to me- and others by extension. More shockingly I would be denying God of His very existence!

I challenge you: 

Change your outlook on life and its tests for the better- starting now- and watch God move and work miracles only He can. Like the apostle Paul acknowledged "Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus." (1 Thessalonians 5:18 NLT) The Message Bible blatantly declares: "...Thank God NO MATTER WHAT HAPPENS..."

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Father I pray that whomever reads this message will now see or continue to see Your grace over his/her life. I thank You for the abundance of life over him/her and whilst others have not been spared, his/her LIFE bears testimony of who You are- a merciful, omnipotent, omnipresent God. I declare the spirit of thanksgiving will manifest from within, crushing seeds of doubt and regret. I thank You for his/her healing and transformation in Jesus' name!

Yearning to Live in the Spirit

If only wishes came true!

Well, at least this one- a quest to live only in the spirit

Wishing the flesh never existed, that I never tasted sin; lusted after it

That this body never knew filth and the fight to remain holy never brewed or rared its ugly head

O Adam, why did you have to eat the fruit from that forbidden tree?

Why did you have to "open" my eyes? I mean, REALLY?!!

Even when I know that it was all part of the Master Plan-

I still have these itchy questions.

O Adam! *shaking my head*

Now I know sin and sin knows me

It pursues me but I try to run ahead of it

Sad to say though- it sometimes catches up with and bruises me in the race

Reminding me of me 'Oh So Imperfect' nature

Blah!

Kill it with the alarms already! Just kill it!

I need to move on, I WANT to move on with "my" life

Sin just let me be- I've had enough of you already!

I've changed my diet for the betterment of my health

The Doctor recommended a one-a-day dosage of Christ is sufficient

Yet in my search for medicine, the temptation continues to hang around-

Nakedly (yet undiscerning) on the supermarket's shelves 

These packages reveal only 45% of the recommended dosage

And the rest... a dilution to fill the storage container and give "ChristBits In A Jar" or "Almost Like Christ"

But reading the ingredients (which might I add, were too small to read from a distance) listed the additives: gossip, pain infliction, selfishness and lust of the flesh

Tout sa?!

I ain't no fool to realize what this product did- and in no way was it helping my situation

Almost like a heart attack waiting to happen

Forget it! I just need Christ

Nothing else, just Christ

*putting that bottle of sin down, running away arms waving and shouting*

Jesus! Sin wanted me; I picked it up but did not ingest it!

I just need You- You alone! 

Sin let me be for I found Christ my Master finally and I am free!