Motherhood: Not for The Faint at Heart

Over the past several weeks I've dealt with a bike injury to my son's mouth that led to a bacterial infection, my baby girl's last immunization until school (can't believe how fast she's growing up), the same son had a cavity which led to a pulpectomy and two crowns, and finally the dreaded pink eye! 

On FB I read two new Mommies' posts about explosive poop and teething! 

These are only a few things that us mothers deal with on a daily basis.  How in the world do we do it??!!

As mothers, we constantly worry about our children.  We try to make sure that they have the best pediatrician, the best school, we hover over them during playtime making sure they don't get dirty, etc. 

Children are a gift from God (Psa.127:3).  They belong to Him, and us mothers are supposed to take care of them and oversee that they fulfill His purpose.  Far too many of us are too hard on ourselves. We stress ourselves out by trying to have too much control. 

However, today I want you to simply rest (yes, i said rest) in the fact that God has these same motherly attributes (Gen.1:27), and also how much more does He want to care and nurture for His children?!  Matthew 7:11 says, "If you then, imperfect as you are, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in Heaven give good things to those who ask Him!" (Weymouth New Testament).  He placed the gift of motherhood in us, and He assigned these children to us.  Therefore, He knows what's best for them and us.  

Motherhood is an attribute of God. Genesis 1:27 says that 'we were made in His image'.  As mothers we are faced with lots of different issues each and everyday when it comes to maintaining our homes and caring for our children.  It is not always easy, but I want to remind you that you have a God who shares your heart. I think that we often think of God as just another man. We recognize His masculinity... But Genesis 1:27 says that God created us both (male and female) in His image.  Therefore, He knows our feminine heart, and He is there to strengthen us.  

I have four children whose ages range from 1-16. (I'm no expert by far but) Over time, I've learned to just let things go when it comes to them.  I can not control every single aspect of each of their lives. They belong to God, and the only reason that I want the best for them is because God put that in me.  I am also learning that we are their greatest Intercessors, so we can't be distracted by our own plans and/or devices.
 
Faint-hearted is defined as Lacking conviction, boldness, or courage; timid; cowardly; fearful.  There are definitely times when we are going to feel fearful or weak, and that's okay because of God's grace; when we are weak, He is strong (2 Corinth.12:9-10). These are the times that we rely on the strength of His Heart.           

By understanding all of this, even when I have been to the doctor for the 5th week in a row; I trust that I can lean on Him! I know that these are His children, and He will provide what is needed for them.  I pray that you will do the same.

Happy Mother's Day! Be blessed!

Get Back in The Game

I know, I know that Pastor hurt you. The last place that you thought you would ever experience hurt was in the church. You are not alone. They've hurt us too. But sitting on the sidelines is NOT the answer! It's time to be real; so that you can heal & heal others too! You experienced that level of hurt so that you would not fall into the same oppressive & religious spirits. It was just enough to keep you close to God. Now you hunger and thirst after Him (not man)! 

Now, I can not promise you that you will never experience that type of hurt again, but I can promise that our God is a Healer (Jehovah-Rophe is His Name).  He has come to set the captives free and to heal the broken. 

Today, I charge YOU to GET BACK IN THE GAME! There are people out here waiting to hear from you. Simply You. Not the you they tried to make you into. The You that you were designed to be. No more religious routines. Dare to be different; that's what causes Inner-Changement (Chosen). 

And as for the ones that hurt you, don't worry. God knows all and sees all. Let Him handle that. He is faithful and He will do just what He says. Trust in Him! For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus (Phil.1:6).

Free to Be Me

For many years I was never comfortable in my own skin. Too black for white kids, too white for black. I spent several years trying to find my place. No one person could ever understand the pain of rejection, the shame, the loneliness that I hid behind my smile. I suffered many years in silence from the guilt and shame of childhood molestation. Of which I clung to; it was the one thing in my life that even looked like acceptance. I didn't even categorize it as abuse until later on in my life when my healing process began.

However, today is a different day! I thank God for the freedom to be able to be comfortable with the image staring back at me in the mirror. Christ is the only one who understands the years of rejection, hurt, and abuse. It is through Him, that I now understand that True Beauty is way more than skin deep. It's a heart thing. A heart at rest is the most beautiful thing a person could ever have. No more striving or people pleasing! I am now living life on purpose, I am now free!

To this day I am still asked the dreaded question, "Where are you from?" in other words, WHAT ARE YOU??!!! Now I can truly smile and graciously respond that I am Jackie from a small town called Madison, NC. I am mixed/bi-racial/a half-breed. My Dad is black, my Mom is white, and I am beautiful, Beautifully Me.

The Chase

 Your Beauty and Love chase after me every day of my life. Psalm 23:6 (MSG)

Wow!  It has almost been a complete year since I have publicly posted anything here.  A lot has transpired during this time, however I am excited for the release to be able to share with you today!  I woke up this morning with God's Love on my heart, and how He chases us down with His Love! 

It is simply amazing (and freeing) to know that I do not have to chase Him, and that He is forever chasing me!  His Love never fails!  Once you truly grasp that, then you will understand that you do not have to strive.  You do not have to keep trying or working hard for God's Love.  Once you experience this, then you will be free to just be you.

Yes, I know that it is so hard to understand how God can love you just the way you are.  Paul said it best when he said,"O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Romans 7:24, 25)
Yes, it is through The Son that we receive this infallible Love.  It is not for us to try to understand, it is just simply given through His Grace.  We can spend the rest of our lives trying to figure this out, but what good is that going to do for us?  We will never be able to figure out God, because He is God!  Simple and plain.  

He chooses who He wishes to choose.  Our minds are not even capable of understanding His Ways or His Thoughts.  So today, choose to Just Be.  Simply Be who He has designed you to be.  No more striving.
Striving means: to Make great efforts to achieve or obtain something and/or to Struggle or fight vigorously.  No more struggling against Him.  Be free on today.  Freed by His Love!

Father, I just want to thank You for Your Love.  Even when we do not understand how or why God, we still trust You.  Lord, I pray that this reaches down deep in whoever stumbles across this message.  I pray that they will begin to see that there is no need for them to work for Your Love, but that it is just freely given.  We were all created for a Purpose; created out of Love, and I pray that each of us begin to embrace this even more in Jesus' Name.  Amen.

Shhh!!! Don't Wake the Baby

Still Discouraged???

Joshua 1:9 (NIV) "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go."

Ephesians 6:10-11 (NIV)  Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.

Last week we were reminded in "Down But Not Out", that we have the victory through Christ who is Our Corner Man.  Also, that we will not win this final round in our strength - but through His.  Well, He never said that the enemy was going to give up in this last round of the fight.  On the contrary, he seems to be throwing even more punches than before!  Because, he is also aware that there is not much time left on the clock for the final round of this match.

Psalm 37:7 (NIV) Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him; do not fret when people succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes.

Psalm 37:12-13  The wicked plot against the righteous and gnash their teeth at them; but the Lord laughs at the wicked, for he knows their day is coming.

I encourage you to read Psalm 37 in it's entirety for you to gain even more understanding on the plight of our enemy.  But for the sake of blog space, I am only going to notate the verses above.
We are to be still and wait patiently for The Lord, even though it seems as though the enemy is winning this round.  It says that the wicked plot against the righteous and that they gnash their teeth....sounds like someone is blowing a bunch of smoke to me.  (Side Note: the weapon may form, but it WILL NOT prosper ~ Isaiah 54:17).  Look at The Lord's reaction in verse 13, it says He laughs!!!  He laughs at our enemy, because He knows that we are in a 'fixed fight'!  He has already gone before us to give us the VICTORY!
But don't start praising just yet...

Let me take a minute to say that having the knowledge that we are fighting a fixed fight can mess us up if we let it.  We can easily get puffed up, and start making some showboat moves in the ring without Godly Wisdom and Proper Balance.  Showboating means to have a visibly exaggerated idea of ones own skills, talents, or abilities.  Not so, don't lose focus!  Moves like that will get you knocked out in the ring every time.  Remember, we are to STAND against the devil's schemes (Ephesians 6).  It is not about us...we are only able to stand through the strength that is found in The Lord.       

Psalm 131 (NIV) My heart is not proud, LORD, my eyes are not haughty; I do not concern myself with great matters or things too wonderful for me. But I have calmed and quieted myself, I am like a weaned child with its mother; like a weaned child I am content. Israel, put your hope in the LORD both now and forevermore.

In a fight like this, it's easy for our emotions to be going crazy.  One minute - up, next minute - down!  That's why it is essential for The Lord to be our Corner Man.  We must allow Him to sit on the seat of our emotions/heart/soul.  We must calm and quiet ourselves just like David did.  David came to a place where he was no longer trying to figure things out.  He said that his soul was as calm and quiet as a baby resting against its mother.  That is the kind of rest that is found in The Lord, no matter what is going on around you.  We must come to the understanding that our ways and thoughts are not like His (Isaiah 55:8).  We must rest in His Omniscience (the capacity to know everything infinitely).  It is okay for us to not know it all, because He does!     

So today, God has spoken that this will be the last post on Discouragement per Ephesians 6:10's usage of the word Finally (the end).  Praise God for putting an end to discouragement!  We are moving forward!  With that said, I urge you to settle your heart and find rest in Him.  Rest assured knowing that He is going to bring you out of this, just as He has time and time before.  Quiet your soul today just like a sleeping baby with its mother, and do not allow any distractions to awaken that baby.  

Today, I pray that we find our proper balance in God just like David.  That we REST in Him like never before, and that we put our Hope in The Lord from this day forward knowing that He is going to see us through.  May His Grace and Peace be with you in Jesus' Name - Amen.        

        

Down But Not Out!!!

It's been a little over a week since my last blog, and so many things have transpired (both in the natural and in the spirit).  I have been in prayer about when and what to blog about...and it seems as though The Remnant is still in need of encouragement.  Our warfare has truly heightened since last week, but we must not quit.  The thing about being set apart is that we are set a-p-a-r-t!  There is not a whole host of people cheering us on, but allow me (through God) to be your Corner (Wo)Man on today.

First, let's take a look at what a Corner Man is...in Boxing Terminology, a Corner Man is located at the junction of the ropes (a corner of the ring) where a boxer rests between rounds, the corner man advises him, gives him water, tries to reduce swelling and stop bleeding.

Psalm 42:10-11 (NASB)
As a shattering of my bones, my adversaries revile me, 
While they say to me all day long, “Where is your God?” 
Why are you in despair, O my soul? 
And why have you become disturbed within me? 
Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him, 
The help of my countenance and my God.

Again, with spiritual warfare seeming to have reached record heights in this past week, despair is knocking on our doors again.  Remember from the last blog "Discouraging Discourage" that despair is coming in forms of messages from the enemy for us to give up, to lose all hope, and for us to be overcome with a sense of defeat.  Not only has our opponent been hitting us with blows of discouragement and despair...now he is throwing in exhaustion and anxiety/fear!

Isaiah 35:3-4 (NASB)
Encourage the exhausted, and strengthen the feeble. Say to those with anxious heart, 
“Take courage, fear not. 
Behold, your God will come with vengeance; 
The recompense of God will come, 
But He will save you.”

Our opponent's desire is to wear us out completely and to get us to where we are lacking strength (weak).  Once we are in this position of wallowing in our weakness, that's when we allow ourselves to get overcome with anxiety/worry.  Our opponent's desire is to steal, kill, and destroy (John 10:10).  Do not get discouraged and take your focus off of God who is your source of strength.  My brother or My Sister, please get back to your corner!!!  I have come to tell YOU on TODAY, that we are in the last round of this fight.  That's why it seems so hard, that's why we are becoming anxious, that's why we are exhausted!  THE Corner Man (God) is waiting on you right there at the junction (a place where two things meet) of the ropes.  He is right there, ready and waiting to meet you - to advise you, to give you water (which represents the refreshing flow of The Holy Spirit), and to bind up your wounds.  This is not the time to throw in the towel, this is the last round of the fight!  Get your strength back up in your corner with God for His Recompense is surely going to come once you've prevailed.  Don't miss your award, Remnant.  Don't turn back, you are right there!      

2 Corinthians 12:9-10 (NASB)
And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ’s sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong.
Therefore, it is okay when the enemy has shattered our bones (which represents our strength) for it's in our weakness that God stands up strong in us!  You are not a failure because of your weaknesses!  We all have weaknesses...if we were all perfect in our own strength, then why would we need a Savior?
So today, Remnant, I pray that you would give God your weaknesses in your corner time with Him.  I pray that your soul is watered and refreshed, that your mind finds peace/rest, and that you are strengthened in His Presence like never before so you can get back in the fight and come out not only Victorious but with Your Reward in Jesus' Name!        

Discouraging Discouragement

This morning when I woke up I heard three words: 
Lonely, Despair, and Discourage

Once I heard these words I immediately knew that these were not the words of God, so I grabbed my weapon...I began to research these three words in The Word of God.

 Many of us have started off this year with a bang for The Kingdom!  Many have experienced great confidence in the work that God has called them to do and with that there is much spiritual warfare that is coming against this.  The enemy's desire is to divide us, to have us feel like we are the only one (lonely).  Serving The Lord can indeed 'feel' lonely at times, but these are vital times when we are to be in much prayer.  Luke 5:16 states that Jesus would go away to lonely places, where He prayed.  Also, we should note that it was during times when Jesus was fasting & praying by himself that the devil would try to tempt Jesus with his words.

 Now let's look at the word despair.  2 Corinthians 4:8-9 says We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed.  We are perplexed, but not driven to despair.  We are hunted down, but never abandoned by God.  We get knocked down, but we are not destroyed.  SN: Notice verse 9 says 'but never abandoned by God', take that loneliness and despair!  Despair means to lose all hope or to be overcome by a sense of defeat.  All it takes is for us to start looking at our situations, circumstances, or our troubles with our natural eyes and we lose focus on what God is doing.

 Which brings me to our last word discourage.  In Nehemiah Chapter 6, the first verse opens up to show us that the word was out to Nehemiah's enemies that he had rebuilt the wall.  Verse 1 states that he had rebuilt the wall, and that no breach remained in it, although at that time he had not set up the doors in the gates.  It was at that point, when his enemies began sending messages for him to come down and meet with them so they could talk him out of completing his task from God.  And this is the point, as I stated before, where we are right now in the spirit...We have rebuilt the wall (which is our foundation and our protection from God through prayer & intercession) and so far, we have not allowed any breaches or gaps for our enemies to penetrate.  However, the messages are still being sent to us.  We all know that Nehemiah would not come down from doing the 'good work' of The Lord (vs.3) The bible states that his enemies sent messengers to him 4 times, and on the 5th time Nehemiah responded to his enemy in verse 8.  Nehemiah 6:9 says For all of them were trying to frighten us, thinking, "they will become discouraged with the work and it will not be done."  But now, O God, strengthen my hands.  The number 5 represents God's Grace, He recognized that these voices were not the voice of God and he was given the 'Grace to Speak' to his enemies.  Discouragement means to deprive of confidence, hope, or spirit or to try to prevent by expressing disapproval or objections.  Nehemiah did not lose his confidence or hope in God.

 It is very important for us in this season to be able to discern not only the voices but also to be able to discern when He is giving us the grace to use ours.  This is imperative for us even if it means pressing through the messages of loneliness, despair, and discouragement.  The enemy's plan is to cause division and to take away our confidence and hope in God.  Now is the time for us to recognize our authority through Christ, and to speak to our enemies once and for all to set up the doors in the gates of our temples which will complete the work.   
Praying that our God will continue to strengthen our hands for the work in Jesus' Name.