Evangelist Lisa  

One of my greatest struggles is to be me.  To be everything that God has created me to be; no ifs ands or buts.  Today the world gives us so many pictures of a successful life, a perfect figure, the best foods, the finest car, or the job that “millions would kill for”.  Do you get the picture of my dilemma?

Me…being a minister of God, wife, mother, and grandmother…mentor, coach, friend…who has time to compete with the world.  But I find myself inching toward what the world calls the “good life”.

I remind myself often that there is no other life than the life that God has given me.  Be it humble or abounding, it is my life.  I have a responsibility to uphold what God has entrusted to me, and to bring to him an expected return of Glory for his investment.

Notice I speak in first person; because I know enough of my own weaknesses not to judge another unrighteously.  We judge in love; realizing our own short comings, we are able to see clearly to offer solutions and hope to those who need it so desperately.

Now don’t get me wrong, I do have a responsibility to act against sin.  But not pour salt on a wound, bring more pain and resistance; but with the balm of love and peace to bring recovery and healing to a lost soul.

I’m reminded of the story of a young man who left his father’s home with his possessions to strike out on his own.  The first few years were great.  He lived it up.  The best clothes, the best foods, the best women, the bling bling, and all that money could buy.  Keeping up with the Jones’.  The Good Life.  But one day something unexpected happened.  The market crashed, and everything he had was gone in an instant. 

You know the story; it’s found in Luke 15:11-32.  But look at the statement in Luke 15:17 “And he came to himself…”  Wow! I believe this is the most powerful statement of this story.  It is the pivotal point of this young man’s life.   As Oprah would say, it was his “ah ha” moment.  He remembered.  He remembered who he was, what he has, and what God had invested in him.  The good God life.  He returned home to the loving arms of a father who received him.  He didn’t judge him.  But openly welcomed him back into the fold.  He even threw a big party.  Now that’s the kind of celebration I’d like to receive every time I mess up.  And I do.   Heaven celebrates every time a “son” repents and returns home.

This young man had a life tailor made just for him.  But he had to experience life’s al carte of mishaps before he remembered just who he was.

Have you thought about your life today?  You ARE very special.  Your life was a predestined plan of God.  So it is a Good Life! 

Remember, there nothing wrong with living the good life; but it’s so much sweeter with the God life!

Be Blessed!  Shalom.

I was talking to a friend this morning on the way to work.  We covered a few topics, however, one such topic sealed the deal.

I begin to share that the attacks of satan don’t bother me as such, because I recognize who and what it is according to Ephesians 6:10-18.  But what does bother me is the fact that its someone that I love; be it spouse, child, mother, sister,…, or someone who has professed to be a Christian.

As we continued to talk, the Holy Spirit brought to my remembrance what Jesus said in Luke 14:25-33 (key passages being 26, 33).

Vs. 26 - If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.

Vs. 33 - So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.

In this chapter, Jesus is reasoning with a chief Pharisee and his guests about love of people, places, and things.  And it struck me, am I in love with people, places, and things more than God?  Otherwise, the effects of satan would not be so great, if my focus was not only on knowing satan’s methods, but knowing the measure or greatness of satan’s urgency to cut me off.  He will use whosoever; just like God, satan is no respecter of persons.  After all, his ultimate goal is to be god. Whomever gives him an inch, he will take it.

So what does satan want?  He wants my allegiance!  During those attacks, not only am I to recognize who is at the center of the attacks (Ephesians 6), but I have to remember what the attack is about….my allegiance to God.  What is allegiance?  The tie or obligation, implied or expressed, which a subject owes to his sovereign or government; the duty of fidelity to one's king, government, or state.  loyalty or devotion to some person, group, cause, or the like. 

So my allegiance is not my father, not my mother, not my sister or my brother, but my allegiance is to the one who holds my destiny in His hand; that’s God and only GOD!!!!

Let’s talk about hate.  The word hate means to feel hostility or animosity toward.  To detest.  To feel dislike or distaste for.

Now, why would Jesus tell me in vs. 26, If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.  You know why?  Because at times our allegiance is twisted.  We love people, places, and things so much, that we will overlook the detestable sinfulness of that person, place, or thing.  You have got to hate enough to protect your allegiance to God.  He said in Exodus 20:3 "You shall have no other gods before me.  My friend when put people, places, and things is a prime position…guess what?  You just made that thing god.  A lot of people are filled with hate; but it’s an unrighteous hatred.  This is not what Jesus is talking about. It is a righteous hatred.  You can’t hate righteously without the Righteous One – and He is Jesus Christ.

So the next time satan comes in full array of his trickery, just ask yourself, “Who do you love?

It is a great thing to do and be everything that God has created you to be.  After all, it is He who knew us, created us, gave gifts to us; and it pleases him when walk boldly in the manner he has so designed.

I have a friend who is a powerful man of God.  You see it in his overall presentation; if you could see him you would know what I’m talking about.  His sermons are laced with the boldness and exactness.  His determination to live “above reproach” is clearly evident.  He is full of wisdom beyond his years, and his counsel is solely directed by the Word of God.  Wow, what a vessel of God.  All this compacted within the four-walls of the church he pastors.

You see he’s fighting a very real battle among some men and women of God – staying in a place where we feel safe, where we can maintain.  Limited by choice.

Jesus told his disciples in John 13 that he was going away.  This was shocking to the disciples.  After all, they had been with Jesus.  He was their constant companion and confidant.  How could they be without His presence; what would they do?  But the time had come for Jesus to move on so that the greater works could be manifested in the earth.  It was proving time.  However, Jesus made a promise that he would leave a helper-the Holy Spirit.  To comfort, be a giver of truth, and to be a source of power.  It took some time for this to sink into the finite minds of the disciples, but it came to pass on the day of Pentecost.  The promise of the Holy Spirit was made manifest, and they received power from on high.  They were now equipped to do the “greater works” that Jesus said they would do.  Without fear, weakness, limits, prerequisite, or intimidation.

Absolutely amazing!  We have been powered from on high to break free and be all that God has created us to be.  We cannot waste time wondering if I should or shouldn’t.  You’ve got to know that you know you are His vessel, and received a charge to preach the word.  Be instant, in season out of season, in the church, out of the church, by the water, in the water.  Wherever, be excellent all the way.

1.  Break free of the limits.  Who cares what others will think?  Use your own brain to think.  This is between you and God. 

2.  Balance – learn as Paul to be abased or abound, but where ever be content that God has called you to the “greater works”.

3.  Pray and seek the Lord for opportunities to make use of your gifts and talents outside of what you are used to. 

4.  Be bold!  Challenge yourself!  Do as Jabez did ask for your territory to be enlarged, and ask for the wisdom to march righteously as God commands.

You have nothing to lose, but God will gain the Glory!

I have adopted the motto "Do It Scared!" At times we are afraid to venture out and try new things or even pursue our dreams and desires.  Simply because we are fearful of the unknown, or that something bad will happen, or just hearing the word NO.

As I drove in to work today, I began thinking about all the people I know who are talented, creative, and highly skilled in areas where others struggle.  And the only link I could connect with each of these people was FEAR!  Be it fear of failure, fear of rejection, fear of hearing no, or just plain ol' fear.

Fear has been acronymed as F-alse, E-vidence, A-ppearing, R-eal [Is acronymed a word? who cares this is my blog].  See, get the picture? I could have immediately become fearful of the thoughts and opinions of others about my choice of using acronymed.  But, I have chosen (without disrespect) to make my own path, to dispel the curses of childhood taunting, verbal abuse, and other things that crush our vision of our destinies.  I'm moving cautiously ahead beyond the bounds of fear, and doing it scared.

Now let me be very clear, I am not saying that I am this fearless wonder, and fear never creeps its ugly head into my matters; ah…it does.  However, I have been supplied with a weapon against fear.  And it is the Word of God.  The bible says in 2 Timothy 1:17 “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.”   Praise God!  This is encouraging. 
 

God has given you and I power against the forces of darkness, and that’s through His love, and keeping our mind on Him.  He says in Isaiah 26:3 “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.”

So, if you're looking for some magic formula; there is not one.  Saints, we’ve got to have our minds renewed to stay, trust, and obey.  It’s just that simple.
 

Be encouraged, and keep moving!