FIRST THINGS FIRST

                                           

 

Psalm 138:8: NKJV
The Lord will perfect that which concerns me. Your mercy, O Lord, endures forever. Do not forsake the works of Your hands. 

I woke this morning to the gritting of my teeth.  My jaws seemingly locked shut from the thoughts of "what ifs" running through my mind.  I heard the Holy Spirit say, "Come spend some time with Me."- but the stress of my circumstances seemed to great to focus on spending time instead I needed an answer.  I prayed vaguely and  read a few passages in the Word, yet still was uncomfortable.  Lord, how am I going to be able to do this? I questioned before listening. I stressed again and again.

"Come, spend some time with Me....take a shower, get dressed and let's spend our time together.  Go out today and get your coffee. - But Father, (I so rudely interrupted) I have coffee right here!  - "No, go out, besides you really don't like that coffee anyway."  

     I had been hearing lately, "Don't throw everything [mail] away before looking at it." 

So I had a free coffee coupon on my table and didn't even realize it!  

Still gritting my teeth, entering my car -  my tire light is shining bright to tell me something is wrong.  I make my way to the coffee shop with my engine humming to the tune of needing an oil change.  

I quickly remind myself of the principles of the Word: My God shall supply all of my needs.....I started to vaguely pray for others...praying in the Spirit. Yet still my jaws are tight with fear.

     I walk into the coffee shop to three beautiful young ladies behind the counter who are extremely stressed.  I order my free coffee and with the most polite mannerisms I've seen in young people they began to serve me. "Yes ma'am. Thank you...Do you want to upgrade?" They were so beautifully sincere. 

Waiting for my coffee, I hear the stress in their voices of the concerns of college life.  "I may not even be able to go to school next semester" - "I know, I'm failing two of my classes, I'm just hoping I pass"...."Right, me too!" I don't know with my schedule and having to work...." The conversation made my heart heavy. 

     My immediate thought was  - girls it isn't that bad - don't speak so negatively! So, I opened my mouth with the authority of God behind me: "Girls, it will be o.k. - don't stress.  I have a daughter who will be 21 this year and is a senior...we've not had to pay......"

I began to tell them my testimony and encourage them. Their faces turned from stress to hope all of the while continuing to serve me. Speaking sincerely and looking to help me. As I leave I began to pray:

Father in the matchless name of Jesus Christ,  I call to the Your grace and ask that you would bless those young women to be able to go to college as you have done for my daughter!  I declare  You would pour out your wisdom upon them and give them understanding to be able to finish and finish strong.  Father, I declare that the resources are there for them to be able to go to school.  This day, I declare and speak { Daniel }  over them - and because they have shown me kindness with sincerity - You Lord God would show them Your favor. I declare that you would send your ministering spirits to surround them such that stress does not overtake them and they would find You in such a time as this!  I continued as I pulled into my parking space. 

     You see, I felt more blessed and at peace about my own circumstances now that I've spent time with God. I would have missed the fact that I just had a free coffee in my hands with superior service behind it.  I would have missed an opportunity to encourage someone else that which I have overcome! I know what He can do, yet they have not seen the glory of the Lord? Now, is my situation/circumstance really that bad compared to never knowing God? Or is it just where I had my focus that magnified the problem more than magnifying the Master? 

So I turned my face from my problems and focused on my God.  

God is not a man that He should lie.  He fully is capable of keeping His promises! Focus on Him today.  Focus on His power more than your circumstances.  Yes, absolutely it is easier said than done, but serve Him and it will put things right back into perspective.  It's first things first! Focus on what He wants you to do- what you are called to do.  It doesn't make your problems disappear, it puts them into perspective.  He knows, He sees- yet spend some time with Him (whatever that may look like including witnessing to others') and watch how He will take care of you!  First spend some time with Him and what He wants to do - first things first! 

Surround yourself with others' who will keep you encouraged - remember some have not even seen the glory of the Lord!  And for those who may be reading this, do you know Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior? If you confess with your mouth and believe in your heart, you too shall be saved - the right to access to the Master for your circumstances and problems!  

Will you pray this with me today -  

Father, I may not know you now, but I believe that Jesus died on the cross for my sins.  I ask You to come into my heart today to help me with those things that concern me.  I believe that as I have opened my mouth and accepted You in to my life, I am now saved by Your grace through faith.  

In Jesus name Amen.  

Get connected to a body of believers' and allow God into every area of your life! 

Isaiah 60:1 

60 Arise, shine;

For your light has come!

And the glory of the Lord is risen upon you.

² For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth,

And deep darkness the people;

But the Lord will arise over you,

And His glory will be seen upon you.

³ The Gentiles shall come to your light,

And kings to the brightness of your rising.  

It's time to grow,

Dee-Dee Lee

TO DO OR NOT TO DO (A QUICK THOUGHT)

     In my meditation time, I’ve found that for me, all my major decisions need to be rooted and grounded in prayer by the Word of God. I can recall (looking back) one major life decision I made that caused me more heartache than I would even like to mention.  I found myself in a position where my decision was based upon emotions not wisdom. It was based upon the opinions of others’, not godly counsel. It was based upon fear, not trust in God. It was based upon focused attention towards my inability to help myself, rather than God’s ability to help me. It was based upon the “quirky” similarities or the “moon aligning” just right, not based upon knowledge and understanding of the Truth. 

      I don’t regret the decision I made although it was one that altered the direction of my destiny path. I took the scenic route if I may say so myself.  But today, I’m thankful to God for allowing this decision to teach me how to properly seek Him in my decision-making process. I’m also grateful because He is God, He can redeem time lost by acceleration in manifestation when I submit to His good and perfect will. Now, before any final decision, I seek what His Word has to say on the matter, seek godly counsel and scan my past. Scan, not re-live it.   Scanning for the results of previous decisions similar to the current one.  I consider whom the decision may affect, I consider the cost and consequences of my decision. Besides, my decisions don’t affect just me; I don’t selfishly think it only matters what I want from any given situation. Most of all, I don't do anything based upon my feelings or my emotions; those things have cost me enough.  I put them on the shelf  and I wait to hear from God. I don’t move until He answers or I am at peace with the wisdom-based decision I have made.

In other words, I do my research…my homework…. then I take action towards my decision. 
     I know with all certainty, God knows what’s best for me. The Word says, “ For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you…not harm you….to give you hope…future” (Jeremiah 29:11).   I want to follow God’s way not my own, even when it temporarily hurts or I don't understand fully His way of doing things.

     My Bishop teaches that restriction will bring conviction. So I restrict my flesh (wild imaginations, thoughts and emotions…for example) through fasting and prayer so conviction may come, not condemnation about what is about to take place. I spend time  specifically meditating upon the Word of God and putting away things of the world (secular television and music, etc.).  There are areas ahead of me that only God Himself can see. I don’t allow some things to enter into my ears during this time (worldly gossip and discontentment )  and especially not near my heart. I guard my heart with great vengeance.

     So here I am today, looking to make a major life decision. Lord, I thank You for teaching me how to make a decision with You. I thank You that when You answer, I will hear clearly the direction I am supposed to go. I’m not afraid to make a “left turn” because even if I thought I heard from You and turned left by mistake, thank You for proving to me You will get me back on the right path. I love You, my Lord and Savior and await Your answer. Yes, my life is in Your hands and I take my hands off my life. IJN Amen.

Be Blessed,

Dee-Dee

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A note from Dee-Dee:

It's not always easy to follow God's way or fully understand His way of doing things.  Sometimes we want to put a question mark where God is putting a period.  Sometimes, we left before God could fix a given situation. Sometimes we have emotions so strong we miss what God really has for us and accept what doesn't belong in our lives.  I know for myself all of these things to be true in my own life.   I encourage you today to "take your hands off of your life" and allow God to lead the way...It is my sincere prayer that you make good God-fearing, wisdom-based, godly-counsel sought...made in peace decisions. But remember, even if you made a left turn, He can always bring you back!  Be blessed and receive all God has just for you! It's well worth it! Trust Him and see!

With the love of Christ,

Dee-Dee Lee

　

F.O.G.

      It’s been a long road in my walk with God; looking back at the paradigms of my existence needing His grace. I don’t wonder anymore how I arrived here because it’s obvious to me now. I choose not to wonder how You will keep me here, just please continue. Willing for more disciplines to be put into place.

     I’ve submitted, re-submitted and corrected. I’ve adjusted and walked away. I’ve cried and denied only to regain Your strength to try again. I’ve put away and put off, yet to (for a time) still remain in a trough.
     I’ve committed, subjected, resurrected like the daily sun. I’ve let go, put down, picked up, turned around to be no more. I’ve listened and heeded only for it to be repeated. I questioned and guessed with complete unrest.
     I’ve been tormented, hated, humiliated and berated. I’ve been cheated on, gossiped over, pushed out and ignored. I’ve been mistreated, deleted, blocked and caught rocks…throwing my own through someone’s heart. Laughed at, cheered on in sin...pointed at, snickered at with the depths of despair at my door. 
     I’ve seen death closely; experienced too much mostly, why yes, hurt beyond compare. I’ve lost, regained hoping never to be the same only to return once more. I've spewed, viewed in tainted waters and assumed too much like a hot air balloon.
I've refused to back down, yet still touched the ground, bounced back through another closed door.

      Today, as a Believer approached me at work: “Dolores, I wanted to share with you… (she) approached me today and told me how you witnessed to her. She explained how you stopped, took the time to talk with her about the situation and gave her the Word. She also expressed how she felt about it  (He continued to nod his head in a yes motion…). Wow. She received it well, I mean really received it well. Praise God.”

      Father, I thank You,  each seed given is given by only You. To seed, water or till, it's by Your doing.  You have refined me like silver to my core.  Sharpened me to be an effective witness to someone who looks just like I once did. No Dad, never in pride shall I stand but in complete humility. I’m in complete awe of Your magnificent power. More so, no judgment (the deciding of her fate) shall fall upon her from me; remembering every opportunity You could have done the same towards me. Every ounce and bit of change in which You completed (and continue to) in me was (is) well worth the fiery furnace called the Christian life. To look at her beautiful face; eyes with tears in them wondering will she receive this Word from You and will it touch her heart? As I hoped to do more? Dad - Wow! - You send a confirming word which you are not obligated to do!….Wow to that!! Thanks Lord, for what Jesus Christ did on the cross, but more so, allowing me to participate in Your great works. It is a certainly a privilege.

     Thank you for bringing me through the days of continuous fog and to being (in the) Focused On God. Let me never remain the same, even as I am today. In Jesus mighty name Amen and Amen; and Amen again. 

Be blessed

With God’s Love

Dee-Dee Lee

08/2012

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