God's Plan For Your Life

The Bible shows us in so many places and says in so many ways, that God does have a plan for your life - For you and for your family. As much as He loves you and as much as He wants you to follow after His plans for your life, He will not force you to follow after Him, He just waits for you to accept His life's plan for you, His abundance, and His blessings, there is so much more God has in store for you than you can ever imagine, you just need to be willing to accept His will and follow after Him, after His Son.

There is a rather large question you and your family must ask yourselves, "Do you have plans for your life, if so, do your plans for your life, match up at all with the plans God has for you and your family?" As a child of God, He says in His word, "He that saith he abideth in Him ought himself also so to walk even as He walked." I John 2:6  so if we are saying we believe in Christ, and we are living for Him, then the more you are growing in God's love, the more you should be matching up your plans, your will, and your life after God's plans for your life.

"Furthermore then we beseech you, brethren, and exhort you by the Lord Jesus, that as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God, so ye would abound more and more." I Thes. 4:1

When you are feeling confused, lost on your present circumstances, your life, and the concerns of your future, you should encourage yourself, as David did, and begin and lift those concerns to God, you can go to Him and ask Him about His plans, about your dreams, goals and plans, ask Him to guide you and show you if your plans and dreams are in line with  His, and if not to show you His will for your life. The more closely you can walk with God's plans, the more you will be able to feel His presence in your life.

Your family most certainly has concerns about your present circumstances, and how you should be living your life and you should encourage your family to seek God in prayer, through reading His word, and waiting  upon the Lord to talk to Him about your plans and His plans for Your lives, about the dreams and goals your family has, as a whole and on individual levels. As you are making plans for your future, God should be included in those plans, He is the only one who can see your future and what is in store for your family, and He should be consulted when planning the future for any and all of you. Asking God to guide your steps, for you and your family is the least that you can do to the God and creator of your lives.

Remember for everything you do, that God has plans for you, He wants to and intends to use you as His child, it is up to you to accept His plans, follow after Him and seek after His will for your life. Encourage your children, your spouse, and other family members to seek Him in all they do, they will find the answers are closer to them than they think. When you find His plans for your life, you will see that the value you place on your life will be much greater than you can ever imagine. What about you? Are you ready to seek Him for the plans He has for your life? Go For It!

Holiness on God's Terms

Holiness is not just a term used in the bible to describe a Christian, it is a way of life. It is saying, "I am the righteousness of Christ, and I want to live separated, from this world, my mind is transformed on the things of God, and I long to be MORE like Christ everyday, I CHOOSE to live a life of uncompromising, sanctified, transformed holiness just as Christ did as He walked on this earth." 

It doesn't mean I am perfect, not by any means, it just means that we are to reach a standard of living that is as close to Jesus' life here on earth, as possible. 

Phil 3:13-14 - "Brethren, I count it not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the High Calling that is Christ Jesus."

We continue to daily choose to live for the Lord, reading His word, the Bible, and praying, renewing our mind and growing spiritually through the relationship with Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit. "You can do all things through Christ, who gives you strength." Phil 4:13. and by "Growing in Grace and in the Knowledge of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be glory both Now and Forever. Amen." II Pet 3:18.

Daddy's Little Girl

Janet and Her Big Sis 1972

I was thinking this morning about how when I was a child, I was known by everyone as, "Daddy's Little Girl." I thought that was such an amazing title at first, thought there is nothing more special than this, that they saw a special relationship between me and my father, and that no one would ever be able to break the bond between a father and his daughter, even in a family with five children, I never thought I would ever be displaced in that position of "Honor" with my dad. 

Then as I got older, it never seemed like being daddy's little girl was such a "great thing" anymore, because it seemed, in the days of fun, joking and kidding around, I was the butt of every joke, and when there was trouble, when others were arguing with each others, it seemed that somehow I was always drug into the middle of their argument for being so, or if they were arguing with me, it seemed I was always being accused of being sheltered because of being "daddy's little girl."

The thing is, I wasn't sheltered, even though they thought I was and didn't mind saying so. Having that title, as I got older, didn't keep me out of trouble at all, as a matter of fact, in our family, it kept me in hot water all the time.  I was dealt with more harshly, because it seemed, that having that "title" meant MORE was expected from me, than from the rest of the kids. I could not "get by" with more, I wasn't allowed to "get by" with anything. It seemed the title of "Daddy's Little Girl" as most kids hear it or as most adults mean when they say it to a little child or baby in the arms of their daddy, babying and cooing at them, standing in awe of the wonder of it all, that was NOT necessarily what my family meant by that title they so "lovingly" bestowed upon my head. As I grew up, I finally "lost" that title with my own father, which didn't really bother me at all because it was such a negative thing for me in my life. 

Pastor "J" Now Proud
"Daddy's Girl!" 

Looking Now to my adult life, I think about the day I was given that title, but this time in a more excellent and positive way. The day I gave Jesus Christ my heart, my soul, my spirit, and my body, that He gave me a new vision of what the title of "Daddy's Little Girl," was to Him. It was the most positive title I could have ever owned for myself. It was a new and wonderful position to be in for myself, and I found a deeper, most loving, caring and special relationship with my Heavenly father, than anything I had ever had with my own earthly father or to that degree, with any other person in my life. It was the first time in my life that I had truly felt loved, accepted, and that I was really special. That I wouldn't have a need to feel guarded or a need to protect myself against others because My God loved me and saw me as His own. 

Then I found out something wonderful, are you ready for this, I AM NOT the only one! I found out that God doesn't just hold this title out just for me, He loves all His children, all His creation, and He wants all His little girls to see Him as Daddy. Not just "father" but Daddy. There are so many, "religious" people that say, "you can't call God daddy, He is your God, He's your Heavenly Father, and He is your Savior, but it is sacrilegious to call God, "Daddy." All I can tell them is that I get to, as a child of God, I get the pleasure of calling on my God, and call Him, "Daddy." 

You see, even Christ when He was facing the Cross, He was praying out to God in the Garden of Gethsemane and cried out to God, "Abba, Father, all things are possible unto thee; take away this cup from me" nevertheless, not what I will, but what thou wilt."  Mark 14:36

Because I am a child of God, and the bible says I am joint heirs with Jesus, I get to see God as my father too, just like Christ does. 

Romans 8:14-17 - "For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry ABBA, Father. The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the Children of God. And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with Him, that we may be also glorified together."

Sharing a Message
"You Too Can Be
Daddy's Little Girl"

You see, Christ called out to His father, but He was looking at death by excruciating pain on a cross, torture, beatings, and a crown of thorns, He could see it all, knew it was coming and knew He as a man would face pain and it would be the worst pain possible, more than any other had suffered, and He had called on His Daddy to help Him. Abba, means Daddy. He was coming to Him as a plea, asking Him for help, asking Him, "is there another way?" You see, Christ was willing to lay down His life for us, because He loves us, but knowing what He was going to have to go through, knowing the pain, hurt and trials He would have to endure, and He knew He would have to face being on that cross, alone, forsaken, not just denied by the humans He was dying for, but that His own father was going to turn His back on Him, because God cannot look on the sin that Christ was going to have to take on, for our sake. It was a time when Christ knew, He would be completely separated from God, from the Spirit that had once fallen on Him, like a dove. He begged His father, His Daddy to help Him, to see if there was another way. 

Sort of like we do with our own dad. When you want something special for yourself, you want to borrow the car, didn't you go up to your dad, and bat your eyelashes and say, "Daddy, Pleassssssseeee " Or when you were facing punishment and you knew you did wrong, but wanted it to be less trouble, didn't you look at him and say, "Oh, Daddy, I am so sorry, I didn't mean it." It seemed if you came to him, and said "Daddy" in a sweet, innocent way, that your dad would just melt, he would be like, "Oh okay, it wasn't that bad of you..." right? That is how most people "tell me" that works when you are trying to get out of trouble with parents. Butter up to the one who is soft on you. 

That is what Christ was doing. He didn't want to call on God as God, and not the "Heavenly Father of All," but as His Only Begotten Son, He was calling on His Daddy. Asking Daddy to see if there may be a better way than His own death, the pain, but mostly the separation from God that He would have to endure. He was trying to say, "But daddy, I love these people, I love what we created together, and I know they need to be saved, and IF I am the ONLY WAY, then so be it, BUT DADDY, if you can find some other way to save them, pleassssssseeee, pick that way instead." We know, as well as Christ knew, there was not another way, the most excellent way for our redemption would include all the things Christ would have to suffer for Us. 

In doing this for me, I am so glad to share with you, that He did this for You too. I realized it doesn't matter how many people come to the Lord, how many turn their hearts and minds over to God, that Each one of us, ALL OF US, are HIS children. The fact that no matter what we face, we can come to Him and call out, "Abba, Father..." which is to say, "Daddy, Father!" We can call on Him for anything, He is there for us. Know this, That God loves each of us individually, totally, and wholly that He wanted each of us to be able to call out to Him, as Daddy. In His great love, He gives us a position of Sons and Daughters in Christ. In our relationship with Him, He has His special language, His individual and personal conversations, time, and attention on each of us, and He sent His Word, the Bible, so that we can know how to call on His name. That we can know that He is our Father, Our Daddy, and we can know Him in a very intimate and special way, as we begin to call on Him, as we spend time in prayer and fellowship with Him for ourselves.

If you never had a special relationship with a father or mother here on earth, it is hard to know the love of a Heavenly Father that is one-on-one, that His love is unconditional, and that it is free to all. If you never saw that type of love from your earthly father then it is hard to understand that type of love from a father you cannot see. Let me tell you, this love affair you have with your God, your Father, your Daddy, is far greater than any other relationship here on earth you could ever imagine. It is so personal, He knows all about you. He gives you peace, strength, and the ability to face and endure more than you could ever think possible, but He also, takes the burdens you give to Him. He will lift you up and carry you through the trials and temptations Satan throws in your way, you just have to call out to Him. "Daddy, Help me!" 

Never again will being "daddy's little girl" ever be a negative connotation for me, Never again will I hang my head in hurt or silence when someone says something about being "Daddy's Little Girl" ever again. My God is My father, He is My Daddy. I am happy to say so, I am privileged to be His child. and I am so glad to be serving Him today. It is an honor for Him when I call out to Him, "Daddy!" and He would love for you to do so as well. God wants to know you on an intimate level as well, Are you ready to call on Him today? Call out, "Daddy, I'm ready to call on you, to be forgiven, to claim you as my own!" He will be there for you.

Throw In the Towel or Give a Second Chance?

Some days I just want to throw my hands in the air and say, "I give up...!" I get so tired and weary, sad from all the things I see going on around me, that I want to say, "That's it, I'm done!" Not that I want to give up on serving my God, not that I am saying I don't want to be a Christian, don't want to live for Him, or be there when He calls for me to do something... No not at all! There are just some days you get fed up with people, in general. People will let you down every time if you put your trust in them, and some days I feel like saying to some of them, "good thing God wants to save your soul, because if it were me, I would have thrown my hands in the air and walked away a long time ago."

That isn't surprising that someone would feel that way, right? No it isn't. I am as human, and humans get frustrated, they get mad, they want to throw in the towel sometimes too. I can admit there have been times, not a lot of them, but times when I wondered if the price I was paying for what I am trying to do, is worth the heartache, frustration, and pain. Sometimes at first, I get so excited about a new venture when God says Go, then when I get there, I am trying hard, but can't see a redemptive quality in another person or group I am supposed to be working with, but I have to remind myself that God has a plan for them, just like He had for me, and whether I see the qualities or characteristics that God sees or not, it isn't for me to decide, it is up to God.

I am so glad God makes those decisions and not me or any other human being. I know I would have been given up on a long time ago, if it were up to someone else. When I do finally see a quality or something special about the person or group I am working with, I thank God that He gave me the strength and fortitude to stick it out and go on... I praise Him everyday that He gives me a love for Him that makes me want to serve Him no matter what, so that I don't want to really give up. I just get frustrated sometimes, like many out there in this world.

On days when I want to throw in the towel, I think about Jonah, when he went to Nineveh, told them that because of their wickedness that they would be destroyed in 30 days by the hand of God. He just figured, okay, I will go sit here and watch what happens, watch the destruction so I can start all over again sharing God with someone else when they are gone, since they are done for, they are never going to change their ways. Then, something that Jonah never counted on happened, the people in the city cried out and called on God, repenting, asking Him to forgive them, asking God to give them another chance, and God chose to spare their lives. He forgave them of their sins and they turned from their wicked ways to live for Him there after.

Oh boy, was Jonah mad. He was so angry with God. He thought, that wasn't fair, if you say you are gonna do something, then you should do it, even if they repented, you said you were going to destroy them, you should have done it. When God said, "But they repented and changed from their sins..." Jonah didn't care at all, he was arguing with God that they shouldn't get that second chance, just because they repented. I can just see Jonah saying something like, "What are you thinking God, if you don't destroy them, other wicked cities are never going to take you seriously." Jonah was so done with this city, that he didn't see that true repentance had taken place. He refused to look at it from God's point of view.

He needed to take a step back and look at it a different way. He was told to go to Nineveh, to tell them of their destruction, he didn't want to go because of their sin, because they were such a wicked city, he didn't want to go anywhere near them. So what did he do, he got on a boat, took off in the other direction, to "escape" God. Like he ever really could. God sent a storm, the men on the boat were preparing to their death, they couldn't figure out why such a storm hit them so hard... Jonah told them, "it is me, I am in disobedience to God and he sent this storm. Throw me over and it will stop." So they did what he told them to do, their lives were spared and the storm subsided for them.

God sent a great fish to swallow up Jonah, to get a hold of his heart. Jonah spent three nights in the belly of that fish, not dead, alive, he was in there, going over all that he had done, all he had refused to do, and all that God had told him to do and had done for Him through his life, and said, something like, "I am running from a God that is everywhere, he could have killed me right here and now, he could have even struck me dead before ever getting on the boat, but He let me live, so that I could set things right with Him and do what I am called to do in Nineveh." Talk about a God of second chances, Jonah called out to God, repented of his sin and rebellion, and asked God to forgive him and spare his life, so he could go to Nineveh on God's behalf.

When the fish coughed Jonah up, he landed right on the shores of Nineveh. Right where God had wanted him in the first place. He got the ultimate second chance, God sent this fish as not only a life raft, to save his life from the waters in the middle of nowhere, but he was also his transport to Nineveh. What an amazing God we serve!

It was so wrong that Jonah couldn't even think that Nineveh deserved a second chance after receiving his life in exchange for obedience? He didn't even remember his own moment of rebellion, sin and pride. All he could think about was, I came all this way to deliver a message and now God isn't going through with it, "that's just so wrong!" He was so above these people, because they were so wicked, even though his own life had been spared he couldn't see why God would spare theirs. What a contradiction.

When I get to point of wishing I could just throw my hands up in the air and say "I'm done, I quit! Lord, find someone else!" I look back and think about Jonah. I look at my own life, I think, how selfish and prideful would it be to think that I am so much better than they are, to receive all the second chances after second chances I have received, if I didn't press on and help others get the chance of redemption and restoration I have received in my own life from God. That is the redemptive quality I find in others. That is why God sent me here!

Am I My Brother's Keeper?

In all the days I have been on this earth, from the time I learned my first word, learned to walk, help others, and began growing up getting to know more about being a help to others, I cannot ever remember someone telling me that I lived in this world all on my own, that everything is all about me, and I didn't have a care in the world, nor another's life, cares, or problems to consider when making my choices in life. I don't ever remember my parents telling me, "Yes, we do have seven of us living here, but you take your time in the only bathroom in the house, take your time with dishes and stay up all hours of the night to disturb the ones you share a room with..." I don't ever remember ever thinking, "my life is my own, I can do what ever I want, and forget about everyone else in this world, they don't matter at all, ONLY I MATTER."

Nope, don't remember that at all.

I do remember, however, that my parents taught us to be loving, kind, and compassionate. I remember my family being taught the Bible in our home, at church, and any other time the opportunity came up, my parents would find some kind of lesson to teach us about life in our daily action or routine. I remember my parents talking about consideration for other's space, things, thoughts, trials, and their homes. I remember, they would tells us that the total sum of US was more important than the ONE. I also remember, they showed us that when others are in trouble, you should find some way to help them, whether you could do something yourself to help, give them a name or address of a place that could help, call your pastor to see if your church could help, or just take the time to pray for them, and allow God to work through your prayers and the promises in His Word.

Always Ready to Volunteer where needed!

I remember that my parents taught us about community minded, try as long as you can to keep neighborhoods a neighborhood, talk to people in your community, get involved with your kids at school. When there is an immediate need for someone in your community or in their family, help them, if you can; pray for them if you can't do more than that, it is a good start. They never taught me to turn my back on someone in need, to ignore the "dirty and smelly" person who walks up to you and asks for a dollar, they just said, "help if you can, if not, tell them I'm sorry I can't, but I will pray for you." They don't always like that answer, but when you try your best and do what you can, you can live with yourself at night, that is for sure.

Mark 12:29-31 - "And Jesus answered Him, The first of all commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord: And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all they heart, with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these." 

Teaching Our Children and Youth to Pray!

God tells us that we are to love everyone we see and/or know. That God is who we are to love with everything that is in us, and that we are to give love, show love and be love to all those we come into contact with... He also says we are to "Ye have heard, that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbor, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love our enemy, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you." Matt. 5:43-44

God did not want us to single out our friends and families, to choose who we help and who we don't. God wants us to love and do for anyone and everyone. The bible tells us He is not a respecter of persons, which means, He doesn't pick and choose who He likes or chooses to help, His gift and love is for all. Anyone who chooses to call on Him. We are to live our lives the same way, give to all, help anyone who needs help, if you can, and not turn anyone away, for anything, who needs help.

In Luke 6:35 - 38 "But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again" and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for He is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil. Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful. Judge not, and ye shall not be judged; condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive and ye shall be forgiven. Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again. 

 God sees your intentions, He knows your heart. He wants you to reach out to others, be a missionary in your own town, in your own neighborhood. When you see a need, hear of someone that could use a friend, reach out to them, I tell people all the time, "People see a message, MUCH BETTER than they can Hear one." We are God's hands and arms, we are tangible and physical evidence of the Love of the Lord. Love is an ACTION Word, we are to show love by taking action and showing them how God would have us to be. In your home, in your community, church, and in your town. Are you ready to give God yourself, to be that extension of Him for others? I AM!

Whether it is singing for the Lord at a nursing home

Or working with the Youth in a community

Or making Hats and Scarves for those in need... Or Whatever God has for me to do, I AM READY... To Give Him my all and Show others, that there are others that love for no reason, other than because I can.

Walk In the Spirit!

“Be in the world, not of the world…” 

"Let your mind be like the mind of Christ," 

"Be saved and baptized, then your life will be great, and the Devil can't hurt you."

Wow, we hear over and over again, big statements like these, people say these almost flippantly to tell people how to live for God, but does that mean anything to you? Does it make any sense?

What does it all really mean? Are they serious? People go around quoting scriptures to new or weaker Christians, like they are supposed to know how to do what they are saying, that these scriptures make any sense in the "real world today," We tend to throw around scriptures like other people throw around Cliché’s, quips, and quotes in the world today. "Spend money to make money," "A Penny saved is a penny earned." "Blind as a bat," "Quiet as a mouse." You know, people use these sayings and sometimes they don't really know what they mean OR they use them the wrong way just to sound like they have something to say.

I remember saying to my kids over and over again, “Be in the world and not of the world,” and thinking they all knew exactly what I was saying. Then my daughter 14 years old looks at me and says, “Mom, I have heard this saying from you my entire life, what does it mean?”  I was like, really, you don’t know? I had to explain to her, that they don’t have to wear their hair and clothes exactly the way other kids in town do, that you don’t have to be like everyone else, that we are to live like God, we are to put God and His ways ahead of everyone else and leave it all up to God.

"But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned." I Cor 2:14

"This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh." Gal.5:16

Here we are reading about walking in the spirit, but you know, a new convert, a new or spiritually immature, Christian that is still drinking the milk of the word and hasn't even tried pureed meat yet, may not even know what this would mean. I can tell you, after going up in the Church, watching my family minister and serve God my entire life, I am still learning what so many of the things that are said in the Bible actually means.

He wants you to have fun, be different, and to be the amazing, special, gift that He has made you to be. He wants You to live for Him, to want to be that person He knows you can be, but it takes spending time with God, spending time, reading the Bible and learning, no discerning from Him, through the Holy Spirit what God wants you to be, and how to be as His child.

It doesn't take a genius or a scholar to find out what discernment of the scriptures mean; it takes discernment through the Holy Spirit. Discernment means Judge carefully what is being said in the scriptures. It means that when you are reading the Bible. The first thing you should do is call on God in the power of the Holy Spirit to help you understand what the scriptures are saying. It helps you to JUDGE exactly what that verse means and who it was meant for when it was being written. You see, I don't need someone to sit beside me when I read my Bible, to tell me what it means, the Holy Spirit is right there when I call on Him to help me. He will guide my heart and mind, showing me what is real, speaking to my spirit when I am straying from the true meaning.

"And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess, but be filled with the spirit." Eph 5:18

Being filled with the Spirit is to allow the Holy Spirit to guide your life and show you the way to go and the way to live. This scripture above tells us not to be drunk with wine, to where you are intoxicated, because then you are letting something else take over your mind, your person and letting it control you, taking away your ability to control your own actions. God wants you to let HIM control you.

We have to take the time to allow the Lord to show us through the scriptures, through prayer and through His conviction on your heart to show you exactly what God is trying to show you, teach you, and convict you how to live as His child. To be that Heavenly Father that guides you in all things, that keeps you walking, talking, and living a life that is pleasing to Him. Are you ready to let God lead your life today? Are you ready to ask the Holy Spirit to guide you, to show you and help you understand the scriptures, to talk to you and help you to know what God has for your life? Let Him in today, call on Him, ask Him to guide you.

Dear Lord,

Thank you for being Lord of my life. I ask you now, as your child, that you come into my whole being, Spirit, Body, and Mind, to allow your Holy Spirit to dwell inside of me, allow Him to take over my thoughts and my life. To be able to show me your Word, what you are telling me through your scriptures, and please let my life, be a life that gives you the Honor and Glory you deserve as My God and Creator… My LOVING Father. 

In Jesus Name I pray, Amen.

Where's Your Faith Anchored In the Storm?

Someday's it is the storm clouds overhead you watch carefully to see what comes next, others it is the person you call friend, you thought would be there to lift you up, encourage you, but turns out to be the one to betray the very essence of what you thought was a good relationship...

I say, if you put your faith in this earth, in the people you know and love around you, you will be disappointed everytime, but when you put your trust, your faith in the ONE AND ONLY GOD, the True God of all God's, the Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the END, put your whole heart, mind, soul and spirit into His Word, His Promises, and in His Son, the Lord, Jesus Christ... You will NEVER be disappointed.

Even though HE doesn't always answer your prayers the instant you pray them, He is always working in the moment, He is ALWAYS there for you, working on your behalf, holding back the tormentor that wants to come in and make everything worse... Yes, the God of all Gods may not be working in YOUR time frame, but He is ALWAYS the God of JUST IN TIME. AMEN for THAT!!!