It's Time to Give Birth !!!!!

PREGNANT WITH PURPOSE


Isaiah 26:17-18
Like as a woman with child, that draweth near the time of her delivery is in pain, and crieth out in her pangs; so have we been in thy sight, O Lord. We have been with child, we have been in pain, we have as it were brought forth wind; we have not wrought any deliverance in the earth; neither have the inhabitants of the world fallen.


The vision, an embryo, conceived by the spirit of God
Implanted in the womb of the spirit receives nourishment from the word of God,
Via the umbilical cord of faith.
Although there may not be outward signs
In the spirit something monumental has occurred.

There are some common signs of pregnancy before one begins to “show”
Some experience digestive problems--the body begins to reject food it once loved
while others experience an increased appetite, and or,
an intense craving for a particular food.
Not to mention the hormonal changes that causes the pendulum to
swing abruptly from one emotion to another.
And what of the timing of this event--
Is it an inconvenience?
And if declared to be such, easily aborted.

If the pregnancy is allowed to continue and crosses the hurdle of miscarriage,
Soon after the first flutterings are felt and there’s no doubt-
YOU’RE HAVING A BABY.

You’re nine months now. Feet are swollen
You waddle here and there, you’re weary, heavy and ready for this baby to come.

The first stirrings signal that labor has begun.
During the night the baby has positioned himself to enter the world.
The contractions begin slow and steady and increase in intensity and duration.
Between contractions you try to rest and regroup awaiting the next contraction that will usher you into destiny.

You have resisted the temptation to abort the mission
Because of fear and pressure and the urge to please.
You have not allowed past failures to cause you to miscarry.


Now you face the greatest attack--you’re so close to giving birth
Yet exhaustion from the loss of blood and pain endured(there was no epidural),
You find you’re so close, but you’re strength has been depleted
And the urgency you felt is diminished.

But if you listen closely, you’ll hear your coach(paraclete, helper) say:
PUSH!
Your spirit will arise and say, “ Your deliverance is in this baby, purpose and destiny are in this baby”
You’ll be able to plant your feet firmly in the “stirrups of promise”
And begin to bear down with the next contraction.

Against Frustrations and Attacks from the adversary-
PUSH!
Against Oppression and Depression-
PUSH!
I can hear the midwife say; “I see the head! A few more good pushes,
And we’ll have a baby.”
Against Opposition-
PUSH!
Disappointments and Tears-
PUSH!
Until at last you hold in your arms, your purpose that allows you to walk in your destiny.


Isaiah 66:7-9
Before she travailed, she brought forth; before her pains came, she was delivered of a manchild. Who hath heard such things? Who hath seen such things? Shall the earth be made to bring forth in one day? Or shall a nation be born at once? For as soon as Zion travailed, she brought forth her children. Shall I bring to the birth, and not cause to bring forth? Saith the Lord: shall I cause to bring forth, and shut the womb? Saith thy God.

Copyright (2004-2006) The Oil & The Wine



This was written around 2004-2005. It's now 2010. That's a long time to be pregnant.... at least in the natural sense. Some would even argue that in the spiritual realm it's still a lenghty period of time. Yet, most of us can testify to having dreams, visions, goals, and destines that have been in the incubator even longer than 6 years. Many of us even placate ourselves by saying; "It's not time yet..." "When God gets ready, it'll happen.." The list goes on.

We could live in the land of excuses, and rest by the river 'denial' and refuse to realize that the spiritual is paralleled by the natural.
How does a woman know that she is in labor? PAIN !!! CONTRACTIONS !!!! These signals are precursors of an overwhelming urge to push. In the spiritual, pain and contractions also signal that you have outgrown the space/place/position/circumstance that you are in, and that it is indeed time to give birth.

So, Sista: If you're experiencing pain at this time- it may very well be that you are about to give birth to something significant! Go ahead girlfriend...PUSH !!!

No Weights......Desperately Seeking Peace.

In a time when many are searching for meaning and purpose in life...it appears that instead of lightening our loads, we are adding more to our plates on a daily basis--and we wonder why we're so tired.

While the sister in the picture is building up physical strength by lifting weights, our spiritual growth is accelerated as we lay aside weights. As she lifts the 'bar bells' and her biceps after feeling the strain of pain and as the weight is increased, so her muscles respond in strength and in size. As we lay aside weight, we will also experience pain (as we let go of people, places, and things)as our spiritual muscles are flexed, and they too expand in size.

What Weights ????

Worry: So do not worry, saying, What shall we eat, or What shall we drink or What shall we wear? Matthew 6:31.

Stress: And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:16.

Fear: God has not given us the spirit of fear! For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love, and self-discipline. II Timothy 1:7.

Doubt: I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me Philippians 4:13...Greater is He who is in you than he that is in the world. I John 4:4.

Discouragement: But David encouraged (found strength) himself in the Lord his God. I Samuel 30:6.

I know when we hear that scripture (Let us lay aside every weight and the sin that does so easily beset us ( Hebrews 12:1)..we usually think of fornication, adultery...etc. But the things listed above are ...SIN!

We can also allow others to dump weights (gossip,confusion, gripes, and complaints...) on us. Refuse to be a dumpster for others' trash. Don't be a landfill...be a reservoir!

My Motto: No weights- I refuse to carry my own problems...my Daddy's got that!

Any weights you need to lay aside????

The Missing Ingredient: Gratitude !!!

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus (NLT).>



If you have children you're probably all too familiar with the term...'ungrateful'. All too often it appears that the more we give,the more they want, and the less they want to do in response to what they ask for and what they end up receiving.

Does the average child really consider the sacrifices that are made to get them that brand name pair of shoes that they've just gotta have? Even if they don't whine and moan until you purchase it...then there's the whole psychological-societal guilt trip that if you don't get your child everything they want...you're not a good mommy....and if God-forbid they're not wearing the latest designer labels you're somehow a failure.

In a time when more non-working high-school, middle-school, and even elementary- school children are wearing Guess, ....carrying Coach, Gucci...and have their own cars---and the parents are making the payments...The pressure to keep up with the Jones' (or is it the Kardashians now?)is immense!

How many of us in the name of 'fitting in' and 'lookin' the look' are skipping mortgage and rent, car payments and electrical bills...and the list goes on---yeah I know..not you and me--OK it seems out there, but it's happening. As an educator I can't even tell you how many students I pass in the hallways wearing the aforementioned items, yet don't have paper and pencil to write with, and move more than once a year! Priorities!

Don't get me wrong. I wouldn't mind some labels too. I just don't want to lie (Yes, I am the only working adult in the household...), eat PB & J everyday, live in the "ghetto" and drive a BMW just to impress folks who really don't care about me either way.


Sometimes when I'm thinking of how it seems that my own children are ungrateful, I wonder if God is using them to show me how ungrateful I am. While I'm asking for him to do things for me...how often do I whine and complain...have pity parties, and min-tantrums (okay...so they're not mini-tantrums..lol) because things are not going the way I want them to.

If you're like me, you love being able to give...especially to those you love, and feel sad when you're not able to be a blessing because of financial constraints. Abba Father is like that too. He truly desires to give good gifts to his children.

I'm reminded that while God took the children of Israel out of bondage and promised (and fulfilled his promise) them a land flowing with milk and honey, what should have only been a 40 day journey ended up being a 40 year delay because disobedience, murmuring and complaining. Actually the earth opened up and swallowed many because of murmuring and complaining -- and it still is today. The 'earth' (the world system) is swallowing up the gifts and blessings that God bestows upon his children because we are so blinded by what others have that we can't see what we have-therefore we fail to be thankful(Exodus chapters 15-16, Numbers 12, Numbers 16, & 1 Corinthians 10:10).


There's so much to be thankful for:
1. a home - even if it's not a mansion
2. a job - even if it's not the dream job, and doesn't pay nearly enough
3. your family -OK..maybe they're a little off---but they love you-and you know you're a little off too :)
4. children - even when they're ungrateful --some people would kill to have them
5. health - OK you're not a size four---somebody loves your size, but you won't know it till you love you..


And this list goes on...

So in the midst of asking and waiting to receive, let's add the missing ingredient-Gratitude! Let's try at all cost to be thankful for what we have. It may be that when we do so, we will see our desires manifested sooner.

P.S. When you respond to this post continue the 'thankful' list...Stay Blessed!

I'm Still Being Processed.......

HE’S NOT THROUGH WITH ME YET


He’s still working on my building Making the foundation sure, and building walls of faith, to shelter me from storms. He’s putting on the roof - the helmet of salvation, also he’s making windows and doors; my way of escape. He’s still sweeping the dirt off the floor, and making sure the table (heart) is clean! He checks to see if my stairs are clean-if I walk upright, He’s checking through the closets of my mind Where the dirty laundry abides. He’s mopping up the mistakes I’ve made and helping me to overcome. He’s taking out the garbage (whatever is not expedient) He sure is cleaning house! He still goes through my dresser drawers, and searches for hidden things. My mirror he cleans with Windex (word) so I can see myself--and he opens up my blinds and curtains so I’m reminded from whence I came. He checks my shoes to see where I’ve been and investigates my pockets and purses to see if I’ve taken other lovers. He’s such a jealous God! We’ve started spring cleaning early, and winter’s baggage is packed, I’ve checked it into Jesus, he’s able to handle that. But he’s still not finished yet, there lots of vacuum cleaning (purging) dusting and redecorating going on. He’s still not through with me yet.

Jeremiah 18: 4
And the vessel that he made of clay was marred in the hand of the potter: so he made it again another vessel, as seemed good to the potter to make it.



The above mentioned poem, was written years ago, however it still rings very true. Even after all I've been through....even in the areas of growth, the process is not over. I have to confess...I Haven't Arrived! I'm not as strong as I wish Not as good as I should be Not as holy as I aspire to be Not always kind Not always loving Not always true Not always pure My faith wavers... My hope gets diminished My confidence wanes... My steps falter... My zeal cools off I have more questions than answers... I don't cast my cares like I should Don't pray enough Don't fast enough Don't study enough Don't give enough... I can be selfish, inconsiderate and unkind... Quite a list isn't it...and that's just the tip of the iceberg. Not trying to discourage you..just being real. The word lets us know that open confession is good for the soul, and we'll never get healed if we don't admit we're diseased. Wounds that are exposed can be healed...wow looks like God's got his work cut out for him:)!!! So Glad He's up to the task, and HE'S NOT THROUGH WITH ME YET!

Who am I ?

With all the information that is constantly bombarding our senses, and the carefully aimed darts that the enemy fires at our minds, not to mention our own fickle emotions, at times we need to ask and answer the question:
Who am I?


In determining who I am, I must be cognizant of who I am not.

Who I am not:

I am not my ethnicity or race
I am not my sex
I am not my size or weight
I am not my socioeconomic status
I am not my education and degrees
I am not my job title
I am not my church title
I am not a democratic or a republican
I am not what my family or friends say I am.....
I am not a mistake
I am not an accident


I am who God says I am!

God says:

I am fearfully and wonderfully made- Psalms 139:14
I am the head and not the tail, first and not the last- Matthew 19:30
I am blessed when I go out and when I come in- Deuteronomy 28:6
I am blessed in the city and in the field- Deuteronomy 28:3
I am the seed of Abraham and heir to the promise - Galatians 3:29
I am a joint heir with Christ Jesus -Galatians 4:7
I am more than a conqueror - Romans 8:35-39
I have favor with God and man- I Samuel 2:26
I am a lender and not a borrower -Deuteronomy 15:6- read 'amplified'
I can do all things through Christ -Philippians 4:13
I am the righteousness of God- II Corinthians 5:21
God has a good plan for my life- Jeremiah 29:11

...and that only scratches the surface of the good things that God says about us!

In the face of what our senses receive, why not replace those thoughts and begin to confess (say aloud) the things that God says about us?

What is your confession? I shared part of mine...post a comment and share yours....continue to be blessed as you pursue the purpose and promise of God for your life.

Lord..Give Us A Do-Over!

Joel 1:3-4

Tell ye your children of it, and let your children tell their children, and their children another generation. That which the palmerworm hath left hath the locust eaten, and that which the locust had left had the cankerworm eaten: and that which the cankerworm hath left hath the caterpillar eaten.




Does life ever seem to continue to take from you? Just when you think you have something left, whether it is in the area of finances, peace, hope, joy, faith, or friends, a situation, circumstance, or event comes along and begins to eat at what you have left. Just when you think, "Ok I survived that, and I've got just a little left, but if one more thing happens..that's gonna be it." And then another thing happens, and another, and you wonder if there is anything of worth left. Well God has an answer...yes there is something of value left!

In 2010 let's stop looking at what 2009 has taken away from us, and let's start looking at what we have left. What you have left is sufficient for God to move you from promise to purpose!

We are going to look at seven words that God gave me that are critical to possessing the promise.
Notice the pre-fix ( beginning) of each word!

REMAIN: to stay (verb).
Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God. Remember therefore how thy hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee. Revelation 3:2-3.

Being watchful signifies an alertness to danger, and one's surroundings. It also suggests an investigative nature. What remains in your life? What is the one constant? What is left that is dying? Notice he says that there are things that are ready to die...but they are not they are not dead yet! What is God saying? Simple. If we remain (stay) where we are planted, and are watchful, and taking care to strengthen, and build up - nourish the things (gifts, talents) that are ready to die, and don't forget to repent for our imperfect works, there is hope for what remains.

REMNANT: something left over (noun).
Except the Lord of hosts had left unto us a very small remnant, we should have been as Sodom, and we should have been like unto Gomorrah. Isaiah 1:9

And I will gather the remnant of my flock out of all countries whither I have driven them, and will bring them again to their fold; and they shall be fruitful and increase. Jeremiah 23:3.

Esaias also crieth concerning Israel, Though the number of the children of Israel be as the sand of the sea, a remnant shall be saved. Romans 9:27.

The leftovers! We have all eaten leftovers at one point or another. Many times the leftovers are better than the original meal. Consider that the seasonings had more time to ingratiate themselves into the final product, and therefore the flavor has matured. Isn't that what we do with wine, cheese, etc. allow them to mature and age? That is also what God does with our "leftovers". There is a blessing in the leftover. The widow had only had enough meal to make one cake, the woman who only had the cruise of oil, the 12 baskets that were 'left over" after feeding the 5,000 men (not to mention women and children). What leftovers do you have in your house? Perhaps you're looking for something from the outside to bless you, but your blessing and increase is not from without, but from within. God uses the leftovers to bless and increase us.

RETURN: noun 1)to go to a place and come back from it ), 2)the income from an investment, 3)a response, in kind (verb),4) to give or put something back, 5)to go back to the same place, 6)to reply.

And she shall follow after her lovers, but she shall not overtake them; and she shall seek them, but shall not find them: then she shall say, I will go and return to my first husband; for then it was better with me than now. Hosea 2:7.

Our Father has always promised that he would never leave or forsake us. Yet many times we leave and forsake him. How? By following after other lovers. Pursuing our selfish wants and desires, trying to 'fix' everything, rather than submitting our will to his. What are you seeking, while putting the will of God on the back burner? Are the things that you are pursuing in line with God's plan for your life? Are you on your own agenda or his? Thankfully his call is that we return. in other words --repent -which simply means to turn. We can all use a turn from doing things our way and return to doing things God's way. After all, his way is best.

REVIVE: to bring back to life or to regain strength (verb).
Wilt thou not revive us again: that thy people may rejoice in thee? Psalms 85:6

The things that are ready to die can be revived! They can be brought back to life! The same God that caused Jeremiah to prophesy to the dry bones in the valley, is yet speaking and prophesying to the things in your life that are ready to die, and he is saying; "LIVE"! The things that remain can be raised up to the predestined greatness they were created to be, if you like Jeremiah would hear the word of the Lord, and begin to prophesy (which means to say what God is saying..call those things that be not as though they were...)to what remains.

RENEW: (verb) 1) to bring up to date, 2) to start again.

But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. Isaiah 40:31

Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. Psalms 51:10.

Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's. Psalms 103:5

How many times have you wished you could turn back the hands of time? Or if you could go back in time with the wisdom and knowledge that you have now, how much more would you have accomplished for the kingdom? Or if you're like me, each new year and approaching birthday is a time of reflection and refocus, when I look at where I have progressed and ascertain how much further I have to go and do.
Thankfully God has a plan to bring us up to date. Regardless of our past mistakes and failures, and the instructions we neglected to follow, God has a way to accomplish his good will in us, by giving us the zeal to begin again.

RESTORE: verb 1) to revive, 2) to bring back to a former condition, to reinstate, 3) to give back, to return.

And I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten, the cankerworm, and the caterpillar, and the palmerworm, and my great army which I sent among you. And ye shall eat in plenty, and be satisfied, and praise the name of the Lord your God, that hath dealth wondrously with you: and my people shall never be ashamed. Joel 2: 25-26

There's a song that says everything that the devil stole I want it back...I don't! Devil you can have it! He only took what God allowed and it is working out for my good! I don't want it back...I want a double portion, a Joseph blessing, a Job return on my investment. How about you? Restore also suggest re-stocking as one would a store, and the shelves in it, or re-filling a container. What I do want is a restoration (restock, refill) of joy, peace, hope, anointing...but double for my trouble! Actually, I'll take more than double---there are no limits on God's return and restoration policy ( ok..I'm a little greedy..but HE promises to satisfy the hungry soul...).

REWARD: noun 1) something given to praise good work, kindness or bravery, (verb) 2) to give a prize in appreciation of good work.

Moreover by them (the law, fear of the Lord, statues of the Lord) is thy servant warned, and in keeping of them there is great reward. Psalms 19:11.

But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. Hebrews 11:6.

There is a reward! God is the one who rewards! I don't know about you, but that gives me comfort. There is a reward for keeping his statues and law and walking in the fear of the Lord - no matter what others around us are doing, and God gives good gifts to his children, if they diligently, and consistently seek him. I like getting gifts, especially when its purchased with me in mind (takes into consideration my likes, and desires). However, God wants us to seek HIM, and not the gift/s. That means, seek his FACE, and not his Hands. Remember, you can easily get what he has in his hands if you're always in his face!

To wrap-up:

The pre-fix RE- means to do over, God specializes in the Do-over!

Examine what remains, don't be discouraged by the remnant, return to your first works, then He will revive, renew ,and restore you to your rightful place, and you will walk in your reward!

Thank God for the Do-Over, and Walk it out Sisters!

God Has A Good Plan For Us

Jeremiah: 29:11

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil to give you an expected end. (KJV).

For I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future. (NIV).

For I know the thoughts and plans I have for you, says the Lord, thoughts and plans for welfare and peace and not evil, to give you hope in your final outcome. (Amp).

WOW!!!!

God has a GOOD plan for me! God also has a GOOD plan for you!

Isn't it a wonderful comfort to know that despite the economy, wars, rumors of wars, famine, end-time prophecy, and doomsday prophets, terrorist plots, failed and struggling relationships, lost family members and friends, disappointments, past failures and regrets....and the list goes on...that God has and has always had a good plan for our lives.

Wouldn't it be awesome if we could see our final arrival at the point of purpose and promise that God has pre-ordained for our lives right now? Would we even be able to contain and or fathom it? Would we be able at this stage to maintain it? Do we have the current integrity to sustain the promised purpose that God has for us?

That fact is that the process is critical to us being able to sustain the promise of God when destiny and purpose meet. The experiences, circumstances and even every painful moment was intricately designed that we may be equipped to be propelled into and sustained in destiny.

What an awesome God, who specializes in turning pain into promise! Where is your pain today....Where is your test...? Don't focus on the pain, or the test, but rather on how it can be used for the glory of God, that you may seek and discover his purpose and good plan for your life.

Get excited about God's plan for you. Realize and expect him to accomplish his plan in your life. Remember...it's up to us to submit our will to him, and it is God who is responsible for bringing to past what he has spoken. That statement really blesses me...I don't have to figure out how it will happen- thats on God, and he's more than capable of bringing to pass what he has spoken.

In 2010, I have resolved that I will live a life that is poured-out. That means that all that God has invested in me (talents, gifts) I will dig up and allow to be manifested so that the plan and purpose of God may be evident in my life. How about You?