IMPACT!!!!

 

 

(I Timothy 4:12b - NLT) "Be an example to all believers in what you say, in the way you live, in your love, your faith, and your purity."

(Matt. 25: 42-45 NLT) "For I was hungry, and you didn’t feed me. I was thirsty, and you didn’t give me a drink. I was a stranger, and you didn’t invite me into your home. I was naked, and you didn’t give me clothing. I was sick and in prison, and you didn’t visit me. Then they will reply, ‘Lord, when did we ever see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and not help you?

And he will answer, ‘I tell you the truth, when you refused to help the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were refusing to help me."

 

 

Influence (To change something or someone)

Motivate (To be a motive or reason forsomething or someone)

Persuade (To urge or to cause someone to move by asking)

Accentuate (To intensify and give emphasis to something or someone)

Coach (To teach, train or instruct)

Transform (To change or alter something or someone)

 

          Take a moment and ask yourself, "Self, who have I impacted in my lifetime?" Who am I impacting now? Would others feel the impact I had on their lives even after I am no longer in the picture? Something to think about isn't it?  Jesus impacted his generation and the world and we should do the same.

          Each day we live we should make it our business to make an impact on someone. If it's nothing but a kind word, a complement, giving of our time, listening, sharing a laugh or a smile or just being there. We can take a step every day to try to impact someone else's life in a positive way. And although intentions of giving to others should be to help them, if done sincerely, this can be very rewarding and give us a great sense of accomplishment.

          Giving to others can be simple and really doesn't have to cost anything as some may believe.

What you accomplish will go way beyond the time spent in the act of helping. People remember back to how you helped them. If you are creative in what you do for them, this actually can be a great way for continuing to help them way beyond the time you actually donated.

          If we continually attempt to impact other people's lives in a positive way, we will be rewarded way beyond what we ever expected. Let us take the time and make time to impact SOMEONE ELSE's life today!  IMPACT!!!!

SELF-APPRAISAL
VS.
HIS-APPRAISAL

 

 

 Appraisal: an assessment or estimation of the worth, value, or quality of a person or thing

 

(Psalm 139:14) "I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well."

 

          Have you ever had anything appraised? Jewelry, Real Estate, vehicles, antiques, etc., are among just a few things that are examined or assessed to determined its worth or value. Sometimes in order for a seller or owner to obtain the best price for what they are offering, it is necessary for its appraisal to be outstanding. This also mean that improvements, enhancements and sometimes additions to the original piece is added to increase the value for a better appraisal. When the appraisal is lower than the actual value or worth of the item, it is necessary for the seller or owner to make adjustments. All of this refers to materialistic appraisals.

          Let's deal with Self-Appraisal.  There are so many people living with and among us that feel hopeless, worthless, useless, unwanted, and don't see much value about themselves. So many negative things can cause one to feel like they are not worth the bother or lack the ability to be appraised. One word embedded within the word "APPRAISED" is "PRAISE: to express approval of (someone or something). If one would stop and think about the scripture posted, it will soon be realized that God didn't make anything that was worthless or useless. He took the time to carefully make and create with specific details something so wonderful that man cannot recreate! YOU!. Every aspect of the body, down to the tiniest microscopic cell, reveals that we are fearfully and wonderfully made. People can try to put a price tag or value on a life, but there is no dollar amount that can appraise a life given by God. Let us stop trying to self-appraise ourselves or others because it will never amount to His - Appraisal!

 

 



GOING THROUGH THE THROUGH

(Special Salute to Survivors of Breast Cancer)

 

 

(Rom. 8:18,28) "For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. For we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to his purpose.

Suffering: The state or experience of one that suffers; to put up with; to endure death, pain or distress.

Endure: To undergo without giving in: To remain firm under suffering.

           As believers, are we exempted from suffering? When trauma and trials face us, do we feel like we've been dealt an unfair hand? Suffering comes--whether or not we earn it or whether or not we feel we shouldn't have to deal with it. Suffering is sometimes hard to understand. When we are experiencing it, we may ask, "What did I do to merit this suffering or Why am I going through this at this point in my life?" If Jesus had to endure suffering, does that mean we won't have to? Of course not! He was our example to show us that whatever he overcame, we could also.

           I'm reminded of these words from Andre' Crouch's song, "Through It All". He wrote, "If I never had a problem, how would I know that God could solve them. I'd never know what faith in His Word could do". Whatever we have to go through, God has already provided a safety net for us to overcome and win victory over it. Mind you, troubles and sufferings don't last always. When the rain falls from the sky or when the storms appear around us, there is nothing we can do but wait until they pass or cease. We have no control over the weather. It's all in God's hand. This is what we must remember when we are faced with our troubles or sufferings. They too shall pass.

           As long as we keep our focus on the situation, it will be hard for us to see God in them or working in them for us. We have to take our eyes off them and keep our focus on what He has promised He will do for us when we put our faith in Him and His Word. He never promised us we would never have to suffer or have trouble. He told us His yoke would be easy and His burden would be light and He'd never leave us nor forsake us.

           Sufferings can be hurtful and they can change the course of our lives. Yet, we must understand that we were made to withstand anything we face with God on our side. Be it sickness, cancer, life threatening trauma, financial problems, relationship or family issues, parenting issues, job issues, or whatever, God is there to help us through them all. If you never had to suffer or go through as a believer or non-believer, keep living! Suffering will make you strong and allows your faith in God to increase as well. Suffering doesn't feel good but many times it is working out for our good.

 

          In my closing, I want to give a huge shout-out to the many breast cancer survivors who are my friends and even to those who I don't know personally. The mere fact that you are survivors speak volumes. It says to me and people all over the world that you didn't allow your suffering to win over you but you endured what you had to endure to be who you are and where you are today. We are so proud of your fight and I pray that God's grace and His healing power will sustain you along the way. You have fought a good fight and you are overcomers!

IT’S IN THE END!

(Phil. 3:13b,14 NLT) “No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead. I press on to reach the end of the race….”

End: The cessation  of a course of action, pursuit or activity.

Every start has an end. When we start something, our goal is to complete it until the end. The end means that it is finished, done, completed and concluded. In the beginning (start point), there will be hurdles to jump, blockages, detours, interruptions or delays as we near the end. During our journey to our ENDINGS , it is not the time to turn around and go back but keep moving forward until we reach the finish line – the End. When one reads a book, there is an introduction, preface and chapters in between and then The End. The End lets us know the conclusion of the book or story written. Our life is like a story or book. No matter how hard it gets, what gets in our path after we start, the success and accomplishment  is when we END IT! The reward and feelings of accomplishment is when we END what we started! FINISH UNTIL THE END!

 

 

MAKE A "YOU" TURN!

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Psa. 37:23) "The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord."

(II Chron. 7:14) "If my people which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land." 

Modern technology has afforded us the opportunity to travel with ease anywhere in the world with the gadget called the GPS (Geographical Positioning System). What an awesome tool to have to direct you in unfamiliar territory and places for the first time!  Even when you miss a road or direction programmed, it will kindly tell you how to get back on the road by saying "Whenever possible, make a U turn". Most of us hate when this happens while driving because sometimes its difficult to make that turn at the moment or you may have to drive a bit far until you can make that turn.

God has us programmed with His own system when we get off track spiritually. His Holy Spirit speaks to us and alerts us when we are going the wrong way differently than what He has planned for us to go. It is up to us whether or not we will obey the directions and instructions to turn or we can choose to ignore them. If we ignore them, we will most likely encounter situations and drama we wished we hadn't had to deal with. If we had listened to His voice and directions given, we could have avoided a lot of heartache, loss, problems and drama. The next time we need some directions for our life or if we are headed somewhere without consulting God's wisdom, let us stop where we are...make a "YOU" turn and let Him recalculate our direction in the right way. "WHENEVER POSSIBLE, MAKE A "YOU" TURN!

 

 

RISK-TAKERS TO HISTORY-MAKERS

 

 

 

 

(Esther 4:16) "Go and gather together all the Jews of Susa and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. My maids  and I will do the same. And then, though it is against the law, I will go in to see the king. If I must die, I must die." 

Risk-Taker: Someone facing the possibility of loss

History-Maker: Someone who is responsible  for a significant cause or event to occur.

 

When I attended school, we were taught History. This class entailed us learning about our American history, its beginning, its struggles, wars and those who were the History-makers. Before history was made, there had to be risks taken first. Anytime you want to achieve, conquer or get to another level where you've never been before, there are risks involved. It's not an easy-street altogether. There's are times when one has to sacrifice to get what they want. Some even have to consider risking their life if it came to that decision to make. Thomas Jefferson said, “If you want something you’ve never had, you must be willing to do something you’ve never done.” That's taking a risk!

 

We take risks everyday. Taking risks involve having faith in something or someone. Many times one is not guaranteed the outcome. Security is what we all want in our lives even if there are no guarantees attached. Only when we place our trust and security in God can we see His manifestation take place and history is made and a story is there to tell.

 

Esther, was a Jewish young woman who was selected along with other women to become the next Queen if chosen by King Xerxes of Persia. Eventually, Esther pleased the King and she became the new queen despite the fact she was a Jew. She kept her identity hidden from the king until the appropriate time. The king had been persuaded by one of his leading servants to kill all the Jews in this province. In order that her people would be spared from death, Queen Esther risked going before the king without him requesting her presence. This was an automatic death sentence. Just because she was the queen didn't guarantee her that the king would even see her. (Read the book of Esther). Because of Queen Esther's courageous act, a whole nation was saved. She was a Risk-taker and a History-maker. As in Esther's case, her possessions, reputation, position and life was at risk. She was willing to take the risk and trust the God of her forefathers and yes He did deliver His people. This Risk-taker Esther truly became a History-maker!  Are we willing to be Risk-Takers and History-makers?



TOO HIGH...TIME TO COME DOWN

(Part Two)

(Psa. 75:6-7) "For promotion cometh neither from the east, nor from the west, nor from the south. But God is the judge: he putteth down one, and setteth up another."

          When you are placed in a position of power and authority, it’s best to remain humble. One must avoid being prideful, arrogant and not misuse their authority, position and elevation to abuse or look down on others (especially those who helped them to get where they are). If one does, they will come down eventually.

          King Nebuchadnezzar was brought down by the Lord. God was actually being merciful to Nebuchadnezzar by taking away his kingdom (Daniel 5:17-23). Nebuchadnezzar’s pride had caused his heart to be far from God. Nebuchadnezzar thought he did not need God. So God wanted to show the King that it was God who was in control of all things. King Nebuchadnezzar would be FAR better off losing his kingdom and finding God, than keeping his kingdom and staying separated from his loving Creator. Without God, Nebuchadnezzar could do NOTHING! In time, the former King lost his mind; he went crazy. Nebuchadnezzar lived like a wild animal for seven years. He was without God and without a clear mind.

          Satan (Lucifer) became so prideful and lifted up in who he was that he thought he was greater than God. His boastfulness and egotistical attitude caused him to lose what he had in heaven. I will ascend to the heavens; I will raise my throne above the stars of God; I will sit enthroned on the mount of assembly, on the utmost heights of Mount Zaphon. I will ascend above the tops of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High. But you are brought down to the realm of the dead, to the depths of the pit." (Isa. 14:12-15) Well, if you don't know, now you know that Satan was kicked out of his "high " position down to earth. He continues to try to rule and influence others to go against God and the things of God even though his position and place he held will never be anymore.
          Saul before he became Paul were breathing murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples and was responsible for persecuting and arresting them. (Acts 9:1-4)  He went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any there who belonged to the Way, whether men or women, he might take them as prisoners to Jerusalem. Little did he know as he prepared for this journey that he was going to have an encounter with Jesus. It was time for Saul to come down because he had gotten lifted up in his position and cared little about what he was doing to the people of God. If we get too high, God has a way of bringing us down to humble us. The light was so bright that it caused him to fall to the ground off his horse. Sometimes we have to be brought low on our knees in order to look up! After this divine encounter, Paul became one of the most notable apostle for Jesus Christ!

          Let us never allow where we are or who we are to cause our hearts to be lifted up in pride and feel we do not need God or others help. Remember the cliché’ “Don’t forget the bridge that brought you over.” Stay true and humble to yourself, to God and to those who is around and under you.