Fitly Framed

God is building a home. He’s using us all—irrespective of how we got here–in what he is building. He used the apostles and prophets for the foundation. Now he’s using you, fitting you in brick by brick, stone by stone, with Christ Jesus as the cornerstone that holds all the parts together. We see it taking shape day after day—a holy temple built by God, all of us built into it, a temple in which God is quite at home.Ephesians 2: 19-22 (Message Bible)

The church has to be built according to the pattern that God gives. God is in the process of building His church. Once we are saved then we have to be fitly framed into God’s kingdom. That means you may have to team up with people you don’t get along with. This is where the chipping, cutting, and polishing begins. As you begin to mature you will be able to work with your teammates and get more done together than alone.

Fitly means in a proper manner, place, or at a proper time. To be fitted takes time. You might be fit in children’s ministry, but God may be fitting you somewhere else as well. Just fill in the blank with whatever area you are in. God has to do more work on us to get us ready for what He wants us to do.

Jesus had to be fitted to the cross. Someone had to nail His hands and feet. That was part of His assignment. He endured the cross as a man. He could have exercised His free will, and said He didn’t want to do it. What if Judas had not betrayed Jesus? What if Peter had not denied Jesus? It goes back to the message Apostle David preached, and how we can apply it to everyday life. I had been frustrated because God had not given me all I needed to finish this article. I was stuck!  I read what I had to my daughter, who said one thing, and it triggered the rest of my article. How awesome is that? God does not get in a hurry. He is always on time!

Don’t grieve God. Don’t break His heart. His Holy Spirit, moving and breathing in you, is the most intimate part of your life, making you fit for himself. Don’t take such a gift for granted. Ephesians 4:20-22

~Tammy Sanders

Image Credit: Tammy Sanders

Where is Your Focus?

“Focus, focus, focus, you have to learn to focus.” How many of you have ever heard that in your lifetime? I know that I have. I have also been guilty of saying that same phrase or something similar. How about you?

As a teacher, I catch myself saying something similar like keep your eyes on your job, quit watching what someone else is doing. I teach students with special needs where there is a lot of repetition to master each task. There is also a lot of redirection to keep the focus on their task at hand.

In my classroom there are a lot of opportunities for students to get distracted. The slightest movement, change in routine, visitor to the room can cause them to lose their focus on their task. How many of us have bee guilty of letting the little things come in to take our focus off of the task that God has on doing? I have been guilty of that and I am sure you have been to. You might look at the new car your neighbor just bought and start thinking and focusing on wanting one as well. Before you know it, your focus is off of the task God has for you and it is on a new car. In Matthew it tells us to seek FIRST the Kingdom of God. When we seek God first despite the distractions He will take care of all that we need. He will provide for us.

So the next time that a distraction or circumstance presents itself to you just remember to keep your focus on God. Continue to seek Him in spite of what your circumstances are saying and He will take care of you.

~Ronda Sullivan

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Thank God I’m Odd!

Growing up I never considered myself “normal” (if such a thing even exists). Some people embrace their uniqueness, but alas I cried many a night because I was different from everyone else in one way or another. But today, I can truly say that I am wonderfully blessed to be such an odd cookie! Let me share some of the ways God has used my quirks for His Kingdom.

 I took piano lessons for twelve years while growing up. None of the other boys at school played piano, but I seemed to enjoy it. Well, several years later, all of those lessons are paying off as God has been able to use me with the Praise and Worship team to minister to multiple people in a unique way that I would never have been a part of otherwise.

Another oddity about me is that I’m a gaming geek. I am 37 years old and I still love playing both video games and board games. Let me give one example of why I’m thankful for this! My best friend, who used to attend this church, had drifted away from God. Many people judged him, but I still cared for him as a friend. Fortunately, we both really enjoyed playing video games together, so periodically we would get together to play. For about two years, I simply loved him where he was and would confront him about his sinful lifestyle as I felt the prompting by Holy Ghost. Within a few years, he married and recommitted his life to Christ. He now has an active relationship with God and we are still best friends. I by no means take full credit, but God was able to use my “odd” passion for games to play a role in the restoration of my brother.

 Let me share one last quirk about me for which I thank God. I am a HUGE Survivor fan! (I’ve even planned out an audition tape for getting on the show.) I find the reality TV show absolutely fascinating. However, I have built relationships with people I would have never dreamed possible because of our common love for the show. In fact, I currently have influence in the life of both an atheist as well as a muslim because of our shared interests in Survivor. God has opened opportunities for me to demonstrate God’s love to those whom I would have had little in common with otherwise, all because of my weird obsession for a reality TV show.
Whether you now think I’m odd or not, I will guarantee you that you’ll never find another man just like me ever again. I am one odd cookie! But you know what? God celebrates the uniqueness of who I am, so why shouldn’t I? So I say, “Thank God I’m odd!”

 ~ Dr Matt

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Are You Prepared?

Our life here on earth is like a vapor of smoke. It appears for a little while, then vanishes away. We may live to be a hundred, compared to eternity it’s short.

Life is very fragile, to be handled with care. Many times we take it for granted. Everything can be going great, enjoying peace and prosperity. Suddenly our world can be turned upside down with turmoil and disaster. One phone call in the middle of the night, a bad doctor’s report, a car wreck. Any number of scenarios can change our lives in an instant.

Where do you turn when disaster happens? Everybody has seen programs on television. They advise us to prepare an emergency kit. We all know certain things needed to be placed in the kits. Extra water, food, medical supplies, batteries, anything we may need to sustain our family.

All of us need to be prepared for an emergency just in case. The Bible is a book filled with all kinds of wisdom, knowledge, and understanding. Not only for our spiritual life, but our natural life also. A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself, but the simple pass on, and are punished. ( Proverbs 27:12) That’s good advice for all.

When my world gets turned upside down I’ve learned to run to the Lord for help. He is my peace at all times. He is my refuge and help in the time of trouble.

How many times have we all cried out, Lord please help me out of this trouble? I know I’ve done it many times in the past. Most of us have asked Him to help, but soon as the trouble passes we forget Him.

I’ve learned to abide in His presence at all times. So when challenges come, I don’t have to go searching for Him. The name of the Lord is a strong tower. The righteous run into it and are safe. (Proverbs 18:10)

~Ricky Robinson

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Birthing

In this season of birthing as you look around and see all the births taking place, it’s easy to get caught up in the here and now and forget that there was a process that took place for that birth to occur. Now, we all know that a beginning process must take place before birthing can even be thought about. It first starts with a seed being planted. From there you have the process of nurturing that which is in you, making sure you’re feeding it. Not just any old junk, but feeding it things that will help in its development. You go through the struggles of carrying it day after day, week after week, and month after month. As changes occur in you, you find you have to adjust the things that you once did and what you were used to and adapt to doing things a little different.

There’s one thing through the whole birthing process that doesn’t get a lot of attention, but yet is also something that a birthing cannot take place without: Exposure. If a mother doesn’t allow herself to be “exposed” to the doctor who has been sent there to help and guide her in the birthing process, closes herself off and refuses to push, then the birth will not happen. It’s the same way with something that God has planted in you.

You’ve carried that vision around with you for months and done the things to nurture it. When it’s time for that birthing to take place, if you haven’t gotten to the place where you can let your guard down and allow yourself be exposed, birth will not happen. It can only and will only happen when these two things are intertwined. The perseverance of you pushing and not giving up no matter how things look in the natural you believe on what is to come.

Just as a mother pushes harder the deeper she gets into delivery because she believes if she just keeps on pushing that baby will come.  Likewise you must allow yourself to be exposed; God can’t use you when you’re hiding yourself! How can you expect the birthing of what God put in you to occur if at every turn you are shying away or putting up a façade? If pride still rules in your life, you have not let yourself be exposed to God. You are still walking around with a façade that closes Him off to helping you. Don’t let fear keep you from birthing the gifts God has placed on the inside of you. Trust the process of faith, even if your miracle hasn’t manifested yet!

 

~Jevallye’ Beverly

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I Have a Right to Praise Him!

Have you ever wondered, “What right do I have to praise God?” Maybe you do not have to deal with thoughts like that. I know I have had to deal with this myself throughout my walk. How could I possibly praise Him when I mess up so often and do a good job when I do?

The other morning, about 3:00 am, I couldn’t sleep. I decided to pray in tongues and worship. During my time of worship, these words bubbled up into my head, “You have a right to praise Him.” Like many of you, I have sang that song over and over many times during worship. Like a lot of people, I was singing the song and not really letting the words register into my spirit. During this prayer time, IT REGISTERED!

My right to praise is not based on my being good enough. If so, I would never be able to praise Him because I will never be good enough. My right to praise Him comes from the fact that I am HIS CHILD because I have received HIS SON as my Lord and Savior.

Because of what Jesus did for me on the Cross and my believing in that and receiving Him as my Lord and Savior GIVES ME THE RIGHT TO PRAISE HIM! I have been adopted into the FAMILY OF GOD!

~Ronda Sullivan

Image Credit © Tammy Sanders

The Prodigal Parent

Most of us have heard the story of the prodigal son. He decided to leave his father’s house and take off on his own. It is good to know that the story ends with the son returning home. That gives hope to other families. My story is the opposite. My father left when I was a baby. I grew up with a lot of questions. I dreamed of what it would be like to be “Daddy’s little girl.” My father came to visit about once every four years.I never knew what town he was living in, or how to find him. His short visits were exciting to me. I loved my dad very much.

I will never forget the last phone call I received from him. I had not heard from him in a long time. He was usually cheerful when he phoned or visited. This time was different. He told me he had some bad news. He had cancer. The doctors said he had three months to live. Even as I write this, I can still feel the pain of that conversation.He told me where he was living. It was only an hour away. I began driving to his house every day. I held his hand. I kissed his forehead. I knew he was in pain. He tried to keep a smile on his face. Some days, he could talk more than others.

He told me about his childhood. I asked about his first love. He told me about his first car. I never asked why he left those many years ago. It didn’t matter. What mattered was that I had another day to be with him. I wish my childhood had been different. I always wanted to be “Daddy’s girl.” I was his girl for three months. The most precious visits were the ones when we talked about Heaven. We both found comfort in knowing that someday we will be together forever. I would tell adults who have been abandoned by a parent to keep an open heart. People make mistakes. Time is precious. If a prodigal parent comes home, please don’t reject them.

Maybe you are a parent who wasn’t there for your child. I urge you to contact them. Go to them. There is never an age that your child doesn’t need you. I have memories of my dad now. I know the touch of his hand. I am “Daddy’s girl.”

~Connie Robinson

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The God Kind of Love

It’s been almost sixteen years since the day I had been beaten. Everything I had known for many years was suddenly jerked out from under me. Put yourself in my shoes. How would you have felt? I wanted revenge.

As I think back to that day I was sitting on the stand looking my accuser in the face, Hoping and praying the justice system would punish him for what he did to me. I remember the judge reading the charges and in my mind I could just see my accuser behind bars. The judge says, “The verdict is not guilty.”

All I can remember was this big smile coming across my face as I stepped down off the platform. Walking out of the courtroom, and as I sat down in my car, the gravity of the situation finally registered in my mind. How could they say he was not guilty I wondered? What about all the bruising, not to mention the mental anguish I had been through?

I just broke down sobbing uncontrollably. I let it all out, and I believe that day was a turning point in my life. God was working on my love walk even then. Some people have asked me about the smile when  everything was done.  Of all times to smile! I probably looked crazy to the other people in the courtroom.  All I can say is it had to be God because in my own strength I could never have done that.

That seemingly insignificant act let me know that God was in control even if I didn’t see how any good could come from that situation. I was not even filled with Holy Ghost yet, just full of God and starting to let Him rule and reign in my life as much as I knew how. It says in God’s word He will give us what to say, and that day He also gave me the action to go with it.

Choosing not to walk in love toward my ex-husband put a ceiling on my life, and I didn’t even know it. I came to realize love is not based on a feeling. The God kind of love is unconditional. Even though I was still hurting on the inside, one day God let me see my ex-husband how he saw him. God didn’t see him as my abuser. God sees us all broken in need of a savior. As I was able to comprehend what He was showing me, it was easier for me to walk in love towards him because I remember what a mess I was before someone reached out to me. God has healed me emotionally and that has helped my ex-husband to see how much God really loved him, even if he doesn’t understand it.  God gives us chances everyday to walk in love.  We need to be willing to do the same for others.

Yes, this means we have to be willing to be hurt again. It’s also a chance to grow. The Bible says, “Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you.”

~Tammy Sanders

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Influences In Life

Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old, he will not depart from it. Proverbs 22:6

We all have been influenced by the way we were raised. Our family, friends, teachers, and environment  The entertainment industry is geared to develop certain mindsets. All the experiences of life serve to effect our thinking and behaviors.

Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in  the seat of the scornful. Psalm 1:1 Our attitudes toward life, family, friends, and God have been shaped by the influences of life.

I was doing some soul searching, reflection on different people who have had a great effect on my life. I recalled a Sunday school teacher. Mrs. Cox was the pastor’s wife. I was around twelve.  One morning whe she was teaching. She said, “Reading the Bible everyday would impact our lives in ways we could never imagine.” She said, “ God has a plan and purpose for everyone to fulfill.”

She knew we were young and easy to embarrass. What she suggested was for us to keep a copy of the Bible in our bathroom. It would be a private place to get alone with God and His word. I began doing as she had told us. To some this may seem trival or unimportant. She might not even remember saying it. I can testify, it has had a great impact on my life.

I love reading God’s word. It has changed my life and wrong mindsets. His word is my daily bread. It’s my strength when i’m weak and my hope when i’m down. His word is truly Spirit and Life.

We all have an influence over people in our lives. We need to share life’s lessons with others. You may never know what you might say or do that is going to impact someones life.

We are to be salt and light to the world. Let your light shine to help someone find the way.

~Ricky Robinson

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New Lifestyle

Jesus led by example, He didn’t go around shouting, “Do this, and do that.” He gave them an opportunity to change every day. He sought the Father’s will for three years, and then He turned the world upside down.

I’ve been through many seeking times, and when time was up I would always go back to what I had been fasting. I thought to myself, I just have a few more days, and then I’m going to eat or whatever it was I was not doing for the last forty days.

I’ve heard Apostle David say many times “If you keep doing what you’ve always done, you will keep getting what you’ve always got.” I kept praying about what I needed to do even after the seeking time was over.

In my spirit I heard, “Are you going to go back and do the same again?”  As you could imagine He got my attention. Instead of reverting back to my old lifestyle, I have chosen to let those things I fasted die in me. I got to thinking, “Why would I want to keep living my life the way I’ve always done?”  I had just fasted another forty days and I wanted more of God and not the pleasures of the world. What about you?

And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and appetites and desires.

Galatians 5:24 ( Amplified Bible)

~Tammy Sanders

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