Have You Forgotten Who You Are?

Somedays we feel triumphant while other days, we feel like God isn’t listening. Maybe you have felt forsaken by God and by others. It’s on these very days that we forget who we are. We forget that we are the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus; we forget that there is an image of us in the palm of God’s hand, or we forget that God’s word never returns void. Here are some scriptures that are simply meant to remind you that you are God’s favored child whether you feel like or not. Your feelings will change, but God’s word will never change. Heaven and earth will pass away, but God’s word will never pass away.

Psalm 27:10

Your mother and father may forsake you, but God never will.

Psalm 138:8

God will perfect that which concerns you.

Jeremiah 29:11

God has a good plan for you, one of good and not of evil.

Isiah 64:24

Before you even called, God already answered.

Philippians 4:9

God will supply all of your needs.

Deuteronomy 28:13

You are the head and not the tale.

Psalm 23:1

The Lord is your Shepard and you shall not want.

Deuteronomy 28:12

God will bless the work of your hands.

Don’t just read these. State them aloud. Write them out and post them in every place you go. You need reminding of who you. My sister make sure that you walk in it.

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FAITH IN ACTION
“Is it No or Not Yet”

“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen” (Hebrews 11:1).

• Substance – that which stands under; foundation
• Evidence – proof

Unger’s Bible Dictionary defines faith as “not simply the assent of the intellect to revealed truth; it is the practical submission of the entire man to the guidance and control of such truth.”

Delays are not the same as Denials. Denials come as a result of a request that is not God’s will or in contradiction with God’s Word. Delays are often mistaken as such when in fact it is simply not the timing of God to manifest the promise.

“God is not a man, that He should lie, Nor a son of man that He should repent. Has he said, and will He not do? Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good?” (Numbers 23:19)

“Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will by no means pass away” (Matthew 24:35).

“For what if some did not believe? Will their unbelief make the faithfulness of God without effect? (Romans 3:3)

It’s not God that needs reminding of His faithfulness; it’s us.

Tempters to giving up:

Fear – “Then Caleb quieted the people before Moses, and said ‘Let us go up at once and take possession, for we are well able to overcome it. But the men who had gone up with him said “We are not able to go up against the people, for they are stronger than we” (Numbers 13:30-31).

Battle Fatigue – “in the mountain country, in the lowlands, in the Jordan plain, in the slopes, in the wilderness, and in the South – the Hittites, the Amorites, the Canaanites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites…”(Joshua 12:8).

Time – “Then the children of Judah came to Joshua at Gilgal. And Caleb the son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite and said to him: ‘You know the word which the Lord said to Moses the man of God concerning you and me in Kadesh Barnea.
I was forty years old when Moses the servant of the Lord sent me to Kadesh Barnea to spy out the land, and I brought back word to him as it was in my heart. Nevertheless my brethren who went up with me made the heart of the people melt, but I wholly followed the Lord my God….And now, behold, the Lord has kept me alive, as He said, these forty-five years, ever since the Lord spoke this word to Moses while Israel wandered in the wilderness; and now here I am this day, eighty-five years old…And Joshua blessed him, and gave Hebron to Caleb……” (Joshua 14:6-13).

Caleb’s promise did not come to pass for 45 years, but it remained God’s truth for him.

What do you do while you are waiting on the promise to manifest?

• Speak nothing, but God’s word

• Follow God with your whole heart

• Remember God’s faithfulness through every battle

• Remind yourself of His promises to you

My Credit Needs a Healing

What does God desire for us?

“Owe no man anything except to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law” (Romans 13:8).

“The Lord will open to you His good treasure, the heavens, to give the rain to your land in its season, and to bless all the work of your hand. You shall lend to many nations, but you shall not borrow” (Deuteronomy 28:12).

Reasons we get into excessive consumer debt. Consumer debt is debt accumulated outside of housing and education. We get into debt because of the following reasons:

• Loss of income
• Emergencies
• Inability to delay gratification
• Foolish choices

No matter the reason, there is hope for the future!

HOW TO READ A CREDIT REPORT:

Ranking of scores:
800-700 – Excellent
699 – 650 – Good
649 – 580 – Fair
579 – Below – High Risk

Types of accounts:
R= Revolving (i.e. credit cards)
I = Installment (i.e. car payments)
O= Open

Ratings:
1 = Excellent
2 = 30 days past due
3 = 60 days past due
4 = 90 days past due
5 = 120 days past due (some companies write off at this point)
6 = 180 days past due
7 = 210 days past due
8 = Third party agency (CCCS, Debt Consolidators)
9 = Write off

Helpful tips:
If you have already reached the 9 stage you cannot improve it, but you can settle the debt. Offer the company a percentage of the debt. You cannot improve your credit score, but it is a sign of your character to credit granting agencies.

If you can avoid going to third party agencies, such as consumer credit counseling, please do so. If you have good credit on some accounts, but have poor credit on other accounts going to a third party agency will reduce all of your accounts to poor credit. However, if all of your debt is unmanageable, then this is a good move for you.

Unless you have reached the 8 or 9 stage or it has been written off, you can make payments on time and not over the limit for 6 to 12 months and return your credit back to a 1 stage.

Don’t have your credit accessed frequently. Every time your credit is accessed it is considered an inquiry into your credit. These impact your credit score and remain on your credit for 2 years. Have you ever heard of someone shopping themselves out of a loan?

Remember all credit remains a part of your history for at least seven years, but if you work toward making it better creditors will see your previous state and be able to compare it to your current state.

If you don’t know what is on your credit report, you need to see what is there. Contact Equifax in one of the following three ways:

Order my credit report by phone
Call 1-800-685-1111

Dispute information in my credit report
Initiate a dispute online

Mail correspondence to:
Equifax Credit Information
Services, Inc.
P.O. Box 740241
Atlanta, GA 30374

If you are turned down for credit, once you have the letter confirming denial of credit you can request a copy using the letter.

Is cosigning a good idea? NO

“He who is surety for a stranger will suffer, but one who hates being surety is secure” (Proverbs 11:15). Surety is guaranteeing debt on behalf of another.

Release It

How many of you came into this year excited about God completing some things after all this is the seventh year of the new millennium. God I just know that this year you are going to bring some things to completion. You are looking at this year thinking it’s the second quarter of the year and you have been standing haven’t seen the manifestation yet.

Well, I’m here to tell you that it’s not over; its not through; there is still time for you to see manifestation of the promises of God this year.

In the scripture I read God gave this provision as a means to end poverty and increase community amongst the people of God, but it would only be given if there was obedience in the land. The people had to obey the commands of the Lord.

Several of us have been asking God for the release of our debts. Debt is considered something we owe someone else. However, as we expand the definition of debt…debt is a form of bondage. If we expand the definition of debt then we know if we are experiencing a form of bondage it is quite possible that is more than just financial. Bondage takes on many forms. Bondages of sickness and disease, marital problems, issues with your children. Bondage comes in many forms and all year long you have been believing God for release from the debt…well I am here to ask the question have we done all that was required of us to receive the cancellation of our debts.

See there are unconditional and conditional promises of God. Unconditional promises of God means that God will give to us regardless of actions, but conditional promises require full obedience to the commands of the Lord.

We may be experiencing some of the things we are experiencing because we have not sown the seed to reap the harvest.

Turn with me if you will to Matthew 18:21-35.

See in this parable Jesus is explaining how immediately after having our own debts released, we go directly back into bondage because we fail to release the debts of others.

We owed ten thousand talents (one talent is equal to 12,000 days of wages) and someone owed us one hundred denarii (one denarii is equal to one day of wages) and even though our debt was cancelled we held on to someone else’s debt.
We are good at identifying what someone else owes to us, but we forget about what we owe to others.

We receive mercy but extend no mercy. We receive kindness and selflessness but give selfishness and hard heartedness all because we are still harboring what we believe is owed to us.

Some of us won’t give because we believe God owes us something; however, God has spared you all of this time even though you have not tithed; what do you owe Him.

What do you owe Him. I don’t know about you, but I don’t want to miss the year of debt cancellation because I couldn’t forgive someone else’s debt to me.

Could it be that we have fasted and prayed all year long and still see nothing; the answer is yes because obedience is better than sacrifice.

We can readily sacrifice, but can we readily forgive others. Can we readily cancel their debt? Someone owes you five dollars, but it does not compare to what you owe others.

See God can intend a thing to happen, but because of our disobedience we don’t receive it. Saul was anointed as King but was rejected because he did not fully obey God and wait for Samuel to offer the sacrifice.

Could it be that we have our hands on things that are holy when we should not touch them at all?

Some of us are holding on to things for years and angry with God because of things we suffered….well what is most important today to remember what has not happened or grab a hold to that which can happen.

You can affect your future. Release it today! Release it! Release it! Release it.

This year is not going out without me receiving all that God has in store for me. I am not going to hold the tithe…I’m not going to harbor unforgiveness…I’m not going to hold on to anger because I believed God for something and hasn’t happened yet.

I am going to release it today…I am going to release it today….

I lay it all down today….because the only one that ends up in a prison is me. I’ve held on to doubt and unbelief long enough.

I know the years can take a toll on you and you are tempted over time to become numb to the things of God, but I am here to tell you to get rid of the debris today. Don’t hold on to anything. No one is denying the reality of your situation, but I am asking you is it worth your future. Is it worth being where you are for the rest of your life?

Again, it may not be money you are in need of. It may peace if your home or favor on your job, but in order to receive it you must fully obey the Lord your God.

Resting in a Place of Trust

Colossian 2:6-7

Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, 7 rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.

Each part of these scriptures is its own sustainable phrase. “Received Christ,” Walk in Him,” Rooted and Built Up in Him” and “Thanksgiving.” Each passage has its own deeply embedded meaning that we as Women of Christ can lay hold to and TRUST that God will lead us to a victorious place in him. That’s the place of beauty. That’s the place of REST.

The Apostle Paul authored the book of Colossians. He wrote this book to those living in the small city of Colossae. He had received word that errored teaching was going forth in Colossae. In other words, false wisdom was spreading throughout that region. This false teaching reduced the role of Christ which directly impacted the church in Colossae and in particular the new believers. Reducing the role of Christ also reduced the power of Christ and truly understanding the supremacy of the death, burial, and resurrection. Without this understanding, new believers could not grasp the understanding of eternal life and Christ’s victory over the grave.

Paul wrote to warn the church about these false teachings. He emphasized Christ’s power over all evil powers and that we as Christians share in this power. The interesting part of this is that Paul wrote this letter from jail. Paul is speaking about the power of Christ and warning against false teaching from a jail cell. Paul was not out walking in freedom as we know it, but he was experiencing a freedom in Christ that we are all still learning from today.

Paul’s warning is still a resounding word. Look at what the false teaching focused on “diminishing the role of Christ.” That is the same thing that is happening today when we move from a place of REST in Christ. That place of REST is complete TRUST in Christ. See, when we face overwhelming situations and circumstances or even begin to trust in our own authority, we move from a place of TRUST in Christ to a place of believing that Christ is not completely sovereign. We believe that we in and of ourselves are sovereign or that the influences of the world are sovereign. Whichever direction our belief drifts in, it takes us out of a place of REST into a place of challenged beliefs and self-reliance.

Everyone in this room has a testimony. We all have areas where our TRUST in God is stronger and areas where we can grow. Areas that we can face head on and begin to decree and declare, and areas where the enemy’s attacks look stronger than we could ever be. This is how Christ’s power begins to be diminished. When we meet those places, often we experience what appears as a winter season when there is no fruit being produced in that area of your life. Prayers seem to go unanswered. These seasons can last a short time or a long time. This season seems to bring us to a place of discomfort and anguish. Paul is reminding us that even during these times the role of Christ is not diminished, and we should be on guard against false teachings or anything that would seem to satisfy our flesh in the moment.

We’ve all been there. In that place of wanting relief so much that things that are contrary to God’s will seem like they will satisfy what we need in that moment and bring us REST. Whatever it is will bring us to a place of peace, only to find out that in just a short while that wasn’t REST at all and that temporary peace actually resulted in chaos that only made the problem worse. We’ve all heard the phrase jumping out of the frying pan into the fire.

I want to encourage every woman here to find that true place of REST that can only be found by TRUSTING God.

Trust is defined as a firm belief in the reliability, truth, ability, strength of someone or something. Even though this definition was taken from Merriam Webster’s Dictionary, it sounded like they were talking about God. But notice that the first word in the definition is “firm.” It is not a wavering belief; it is a firm belief. Abraham’s relationship with God reminds us of the importance of stable belief in God. “No unbelief made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God” (Romans 4:20). Abraham believed that whatever God said He would do, He would actually do.

Faith is defined in Merriam Webster’s as a complete trust or confidence in someone or something. Look at the similarities between faith and trust. Hebrews 11:1 tell us that “now faith is the assurance of things hoped for; the conviction of things not seen.” It is a deep abiding knowing of things to come.

Endurance in Greek is hupomone. It means perseverance, constancy, and steadfast. God’s word reminds us that endurance is also necessary to see God’s promises come to pass.

Paul encourages the church in Colossae and the church of today to not diminish the role of Christ, but to TRUST in the teachings of Christ. The teachings that remind us of the power and sovereignty of God. If Paul can do it from a jail cell, so can we.

You may say, Monique, you don’t know my story. You are right; I don’t know your story; however, I am going to give you an opportunity to share your story with your sister that is sitting next to you. (5 minutes to share each sisters’ story). Now that we know each other’s stories we know how to encourage each other and pray for one another.

We can start with reminding ourselves about who God is:

• God is Jehovah Jireh (Our Provider): Genesis 22:14
• God is Jehovah Nissi (Our Banner): Exodus 17:15
• God is Jehovah Rapha (Our Healer): Psalm 41:3
• God is Jehovah Shalom (Our Peace): Judges 6:24
• God is Jehovah Rohi (Our Shephard): Psalm 23:1
So, when you need a reminder about who God is, these are just a few. Reminding ourselves about who God is helps us to walk in TRUST and faith which leads us to a place of REST.

Another way to remind yourself about God’s power is to remember His goodness in your life. Take the handout and write down at least three times you can remember that God has been good to you (5 – 10 minutes). Remember goodness and mercy shall follow you all the days of your life (Psalm 23:6).

Now take that same handout and write down one area you know you need to TRUST God in today (5 minutes). Now share that area with your sister (5 minutes). After you have shared, agree to pray with your sister about this area. We will pray before we close out today.

Finally, there may also be an area that needs to be addressed before you feel you can TRUST God. It could be:

• Fear
• Past hurts
• Disappointment
• Putting limits on God
• Not believing you are worthy of God’s promises
We have all been there at some time in our life and if you haven’t just keep living. Even Sarah had to receive strength to conceive. “By faith Sarah herself received power to conceive, even when she was past the age, since she considered him faithful who had promised” (Hebrews 11:11). You may need to receive strength to conceive. For us this may mean conceiving spiritually in any area of our life. Just like Sarah you need strength. That’s why we are here this weekend. We need strength. We need to get back to a place of REST and TRUST. We need a time of refreshing that can only be found in the presence of the Lord.

Don’t fall prey to false teachings or something that will give a temporary comfort, see this season through by TRUSTING God and knowing that God will do exactly what He said He will do.

Close with Prayer and Thanksgiving with the Donnie McClurkin’s “I’ll Trust You Lord” playing in the background.

WHAT DO I DO NOW?

“So, David said to Nathan, ‘I have sinned against the Lord.’ And Nathan said to David, “The Lord also has put away your sin; you shall not die. However, because by this deed you have given great occasion to the enemies of the Lord to blaspheme, the child also who is born to you shall surely die.’ …….. And the Lord struck the child that Uriah’s wife bore to David, and it became ill. David pleaded with God for the child, and David fasted and went in and lay all night on the ground…. The seventh day it came to pass that the child died. And the servants of David were afraid to tell him that the child was dead. For they said ‘Indeed, while the child was alive, we spoke to him, and he would not heed our voice. How can we tell him that the child is dead? He may do some harm!’ When David saw that his servants were whispering, David perceived that the child was dead. Therefore, David said to his servants, ‘Is the child dead?’ and they said, ‘He is dead.’ SO, DAVID AROSE FROM THE GROUND, WASHED AND ANOINTED HIMSELF AND CHANGED HIS CLOTHES; AND HE WENT INTO THE HOUSE OF THE LORD AND WORSHIPPED……… And he said, ‘While the child was alive, I fasted and wept; for I said who can tell whether the Lord will be gracious to me, that the child may live?” (2 Samuel 12: 13-22)

Tragedy and disappointment produce different types of emotions:

• Anger – a strong feeling of displeasure and belligerence aroused by a wrong

• Bitterness – hard to bear; grievous; distressful; characterized by intense antagonism or hostility

• Unforgiveness – failure to grant pardon for or remission of (an offense, debt, etc.); absolve

• Grief – emotion of loss associated with the anguish or sorrow caused by a negative event

All of which after prolonged periods of time stagnate the will of God for our lives.

Question:
Has anyone ever asked the question HOW DO I MOVE ON?

A Lesson from David

After the death of his son David did the following:

1. Arose – Got up from where he was (on the ground)

2. Washed himself – Removed the debris from himself
3. Anointed himself – Consecrated himself

4. Worshipped – Turned toward God and not away from God

David never denied the reality (the fact) of what had taken place. David also knew that there was truth.

The truth lies within the Word of God. The truth is that GOD PROMISES TO RESTORE YOUR SOUL (Psalm 23: 3).

The truth is that ALL THINGS WORK TOGETHER FOR THE GOOD TO THOSE WHO LOVE GOD, TO THOSE WHO ARE CALLED ACCORDING TO HIS PURPOSE (Romans 8:28).

David trusted God enough to turn back to HIM even though his son did not live. DO WE TRUST GOD ENOUGH TO TURN BACK TO HIM AND TRUST HIM EVEN WHEN OUR CIRCUMSTANCES ARE NOT WHAT WE DESIRE?

Because David turned back to God Solomon was born; the wisest man to ever live.

Question:
What do you need to turn away from in order to turn back to God?

If it is anger: identify the source, confront it, and release it.

If it is bitterness: realize it is harmful to you, examine the consequences, and choose between bondage and liberation.

If it is unforgiveness: acknowledge it, confront it, and release the pain to God

If it is grief: allow yourself to grieve, don’t be ashamed to hurt, and commit to an end of the grief.

You maybe experiencing these feelings toward someone, yourself, or even God. However, don’t stay where you are; make the change today.

DO YOU WANT A NEW BEGINNING; IT CAN START TODAY!

Would I Take Anything for My Journey?

This week we are going to expect God’s restoration to spring forth in our lives. Remember that all things can become new.

1Peter 5:8 – 11

We have all taken different routes to get to where we are in the Lord. To answer the call of God on our lives; however, we realize that it has not been an easy journey at all.

How many can attest to that? It has not been an easy journey. The journey has taken us down many roads. Some roads were smooth, while others were hard and rough. Rocky roads if you will. Whichever terrain we have traveled down, we are here now. We are here now. We are here now.

Some may ask the question, now that I am here what is it that God wants to do with me now. I may know the call of God on my life, but I don’t know how I am going to get to where God desires for us to be. I may have surrendered but what do I do with my journey.

Your journey was for God’s will. As we all know, some things are ordained and some things are allowed. Even if we have traveled down a road of things God has allowed, he can still use it. He can use it for his glory. Then there is the road of things God has ordained. It’s difficult for us to grasp that we would travel down a road where God would allow us to go through some things. Some suffering if you will. Even that is not just for the sake of going through it; it is for his glory. I submit to you today that after you have suffered a little there is something God wants to do in your life.

1Peter 5:10

The suffering Peter is referring to here is the suffering for the cause of Christ. The persecution that comes as a result of following Christ. The suffering that comes because we have said no to self and yes to God. God promises that after we have done so that He desires to do some specific things in our lives.

1st thing is to perfect you – To perfect means to bring to completion. What ever God has promised to do in your life, when you line up with the will of God it has no choice but to come to pass. Heaven and earth will pass away, but His word will by no means pass away. God will perfect that which concerns me. Repeat after me, God will perfect that which concerns me. I don’t know what you have been waiting for, but God will bring it to pass. That settles it; it is done; that is the conclusion of the matter.

2nd thing is to establish – Establish means to build up. To build up a thing and give it substance. When you hear people say he or she is well established, that means they are solid and known for having achieved a level of success in that particular area. Success may not mean as much fame and notoriety as much as it means grounded and well respected for what they do and others know it. God promised to make the descendents of Abraham’s name great. Making our name great means something.
3rd thing is to strengthen – after you have suffered a little while you may be tired from the journey. I know I am tired sometimes, but God has promised to strengthen you for what lies ahead. You can’t accomplish tomorrow’s assignment on today’s strength. We need God to renew our strength daily. Our strength daily requires that we depend on Him and only Him to do what He has promised in our lives. We need strength to carry out the assignment.

4th thing is to settle – settling means to resolve, to reconcile, to clear up. The matter needs to be settled. Some of us are still carrying things about in us that we have never settled. That we have never settled that we have never settled. We may not have forgiven someone or ourselves; or we may have never come to a place of healing over something that has happened in our childhood. Never done the things we need to do to move forward. God will move in our lives, but it is our responsibility to allow him to do so. Before we take communion this morning, we make up in our hearts and minds that this settles this thing in my life forever. I’m not going to touch it; I refuse to dwell on it in my mind. I will not go back down that path again. How many are refusing to move forward on something because of fear; fear of man, fear of rejection, fear of opinions, or fear of letting go. Whatever is going on with you allow God to settle it with you today.

I had an opportunity to become offended yesterday, but I made the choice to let it go. People don’t often mean anything. When are you going to make the decision to let it go. Let go of everything that is behind you and reach to what is ahead of you. Is it worth it; is it worth. Psalm 115: 15 states do not touch My anointed ones and do my prophets no harm. Is it worth it to keep something that we should let go of. Stop it today and settled the matter once and for all. Your matter may be with God. It may be the length of your journey, and you stopped trusting God in your heart. I had reached a place like that, where I did not trust God and I could tell because of my actions. I tried to make things happen. I had believed God for some thing I believed He promised me and it did not come to pass in the manner in which I thought it should, but it will.

You have been holding on for a while, but you have not seen it. See I’m not talking to the general congregation; I’m talking to leaders. The ones that believe God for everyone else but still can’t believe God themselves. I’m talking to the ones that are wounded but still must keep going. It’s not worth it today. Allow God to settle it. Believe that God will restore and He will.