“Real Faith”

12/31/13

If you’re blessed enough to be reading this blog then this means against all odds, trials and tribulations, adversity, sickness, or other life interruption you are still here, GOD has brought you through to see 2014 and 2014 will be filled with GOD’s promises and plans that have been designed and set apart for each of us to be manifested through our Faith as we give GOD all the Glory.

Faith is confidence or trust in another.  In our seeking GOD we give GOD the opportunity to intervene and transform us.  HE intervenes in our lives and gives us what we need to overcome our fears and doubts. Faith convinces us that GOD is real and HE knows best. HE deserves our trust.

The Bible is explicit in telling us that we need not doubt and lack Faith.  We can develop real Faith, Faith that grows and flourishes daily as we feed it through reading HIS word along with Prayer.  There is no need for any of us to be one step away from belief.  The Bible says in Romans 10:10 “For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.” So it’s our hearts that GOD works in so we can be transformed as we strive to believe.  We must remember that there is a need for action on our part.  The book of James in chapter 2: verses 17, 20 and 26 (read them all) say ‘FAITH WITHOUT WORKS IS DEAD.”  When something is repeated three times in one chapter it shows great significance.  Faith produces a lifestyle pleasing to GOD, breeds obedience and builds our character.  

The old saying “ bigger is better” is overrated.  The world wants us to think that bigger is better.  A bigger house, bigger car, bigger bank account, etc.  But Faith isn’t like this.  Faith abounds even in the smallest form.  Matthew 17:20 reads “HE replied because you have so little Faith truly I say unto you, if you have Faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to the mountain move from here to there; and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.”

Our Faith doesn’t have to be as big as a billboard to be effective because even the smallest form of Faith will prevail.  A mustard seed is a little larger than the period at the end of this sentence.  That is all the Faith that any of us needs to move mountains.  Each of us may be facing some insurmountable mountains right now.  So where is our Faith? 

I declare 2014 as the year of Faith.  I know the things that I am facing right now, going into 2014, will require much Faith, total belief and action.  GOD has given us each a portion of Faith.  HE has given us a gift that is ours forever.  Romans 12:3 says “For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of Faith GOD has given you.”

We have to exercise the gift of Faith, trust GOD and let GOD be GOD.  When we chose to trust HIM, HE will transform our lives.  Let’s not make any New Year’s resolutions this year but let’s prepare ourselves for a New Year’s evolution as we evolve, grow in HIM and boldly express our Faith.  Hebrews 11:6 says “And without Faith it is impossible to please GOD, because anyone who comes to HIM must believe that HE exists and that HE rewards those who earnestly seek HIM.”  No matter what we do in deeds, or in service, if we don’t have Faith we have no hope in pleasing GOD.   

I challenge you to have Faith and believe in GOD and HIS purpose for your life in 2014 and see the impossible become possible.  I’d love to hear your testimonies from your Faith walk in 2014.  Please add comments to this blog and future blogs regarding what GOD is doing in your life.  As your Faith becomes founded on GOD continue to stand on HIS word and watch HIM answer your prayers and transform your life in ways you can’t even imagine.  2014 brings with it: answered prayers and fulfilled promises.  Live your life in Faith believing and expecting GOD to do marvelous things in 2014.  I am a witness to HIS faithfulness.  You can be too.

Have a blessed New Year

“Running the Race”

12/23/13

There are many marathons where thousands of runners from different cities, towns and  countries gather at a starting line somewhere in the world.

Prior to the event runners train to prepare for the race.  Most of the training is to prepare the runners to complete the full 26.5 miles while other runners train to beat their previous record.  There are many parallels between a marathon and the race Christians are called to run.

At the very beginning of our spiritual journey we find ourselves at the starting line and as soon as the starter pistol is fired (in our acceptance of JESUS CHRIST) we begin the race that lasts a lifetime.  As we enter the race we may find it easy to start, we run at a fast pace due to our excitement about JESUS. 

There are several places in the Bible that tells us that doing well in this type of race is only going to be accomplished by the willingness to not only enter the race but also to finish it.  Most runners in a physical marathon don’t run to win, they run to participate.  In the race we run we participate through obedience, endurance and steadfastness all accomplished through Faith.

In running a marathon there is potential for common injuries.  Some injuries so severe that the runner has to drop out.  There is no difference in our spiritual race.  We can also obtain injuries to our spirit.  These injuries may cause us to let go of GOD’s hand for a season due to circumstances that slow down our pace making it harder to compete and strive to complete our race.   Hebrews 12: 1 says: Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.  The race we are in is marked out for us.  It has been set before us by GOD.  Once we accept JESUS there’s no question on whether we will begin or even run the race but the true question is when will we begin?  Galatians 5:7 tells us how we can get side tracked:   You were running a good race. Who cut in on you to keep you from obeying the truth?  There will be distractions along the race route engineered by the enemy who has no intentions of letting us complete our race without throwing everything at us to get us to drop out and shake our faith.

The race we’re in will be completed by nothing less than our perseverance.  This takes deter-mination, endurance and unfaltering Faith.  There is an ongoing call throughout the Bible for believers to persevere and keep running.  

We are to maintain our motivation regardless of the season we are in.  We have to live by Faith daily because this race is a lifelong test.  Quitting is not an option.   We fail the test when we put ourselves on the sideline away from our coach (GOD) and our resources (reading the word, Fasting, Bible study, Prayer and Fellowship) and think of quitting.    There isn’t one of us that haven’t faced challenges which didn’t push us away from the race and our focus.  But getting back in the race is where we find what we need to continue.  This is where our Faith is restored.

GOD is training champions.  We are champions/disciples in training.  HE knew we would at one time or another, even several times, in our lifetime lose our position in the race this is why we have a training manual (the Bible) and access to GOD through prayer so that we can press on and finish well.     

There are no blue ribbons or trophies, at the end of our race, our prize is eternal.    

KEEP THE FAITH!

GOD BLESS.

MERRY CHRISTMAS, REMEMBER THE REASON 

FOR THIS SEASON

AND

CELEBRATE CHRIST'S BIRTH

                                                       

“Walking Routine” 12/16/13

Every year most of us make plans to do some sort of exercise.  Walking is the easiest and most common one chosen.  Why?  Because walking for exercise is the cheapest and easiest way to stay fit and healthy.  We can do it anywhere or at any time.  A walking workout routine helps us build endurance but our walk in life helps us build spiritual endurance.

So let’s talk about the Faith walk we take daily-the one that may be tested at any time.  Every day we walk among the enemy.  The workplace is more prone to this than any other environment. Let me clarify, NOT EVERY WORKPLACE AND NOT JUST IN THE WORKPLACE WILL WE FIND THE ENEMY.  We cry out to GOD and pray for this one to be transferred, that one to be placed in a cubicle far, far away.  Anywhere but where we are.  We ask for neighbors to relocate or other persons to be removed from our lives.

JESUS walked among HIS enemies daily.  In HIS praying there is no record of HIS praying for HIS enemies be removed.  HE walked among them without regard or fear because HE knew who HE was and who HIS FATHER was.  HE knew the power and authority that HE had and HIS purpose. 

If our prayers were answered and our enemies were removed, or persons we just don’t like or don’t want to be around, how would they be able to see what needs to be seen in us?  Sometimes GOD has us in a place or position so others can see who we are, see our light in a place of chaos and darkness.  Just think about how you react in the dark.  Even in the physical realm in normal conditions being in the dark puts us in a state of fear and unrest, it scares us.  Once we get to a light the light gives us a sense of ease and re-connection in our awareness and to our environment.  We like being in a place of comfort. 

The light we shine wherever we are is a good thing.  It’s also a GOD thing. Being with others that shine the same light is also good because we’re all going in the same direction.  But a place without our light won’t draw anyone to JESUS.  If we’re not willing to shine our light in a place of darkness, where is the witness?  Where then will the evidence of HIS love be displayed? 

Let’s not pray for the removal of the enemy, or someone we don’t like, pray for revelation in their mind and transformation of their heart.  GOD’s work in us should be seen in how we live in our work, at home, at play and in our community; even among those on the streets that we don’t know and people we have yet to meet.  The visual of our life may cause others to follow our lead.  The opportunity is always there to be the light on HIS behalf.  Let’s not fail to use every day as an opportunity to shine.  Where is your light shinning?

GOD BLESS

“Wake Up Call” 12/9/13

Many of us wake up in the morning and the first thing we do when we open our eyes is think about the agenda of the day.  Our busy work schedules, various meetings, errands, transporting kids here and there, doctors’ appointments, etc.  Where to eat lunch?   What to eat when we get there?  What to wear?  And the list goes on.  This is how many of us start our day. 

By the time we place our feet on the floor, we’re exhausted from going over our day’s agenda and speculating what could, if anything, go wrong.  Our minds are so geared up to jump start our morning with these issues that there’s no question of why we can’t find peace or rest in GOD during the day.

Where is GOD in our awakening? In the beginning of our day?  GOD deserves more than our time and energy spent on the daily agenda of our physical world.  If we do nothing but say, “Thank you GOD for watching over me and my family last night.  Thank you for loving me and giving me grace and mercy to see this day.  Thank you for another chance for me to try to get it right.”  If we do nothing more than this, then we can say that we have had the most important conversation, meeting or appointment of the day BEFORE THE DAY BEGINS.

Including GOD in our day, at the beginning of the day is a necessity and a choice.  Most things we see, hear or read are designed to keep us busy and keep us out of relationship with GOD or delay our focus on GOD.  We get too busy to speak to HIM, hear HIM, share with HIM or consult with HIM regarding decisions in our work or private life.  We just won’t make time.  The world is constantly inventing new technology, electronics, gadgets that do more, perform better or intrigue us to keep us too occupied for the one who created time.

We work from 9-5, are stuck in traffic for hours, have dinner, shower and then make an attempt at what we call relaxation.  We sit for hours allowing the outside world into our homes with all of its flaws and actions/reactions through television, satellite, internet or cable.  There is no break in the chaos and madness that’s around us.  And we go to bed and start it all over again at the sound of the alarm clock the next morning.     

While we’re doing all of this and taking in all of that, GOD is saying, “Look at ME, I’m over here.  See ME in the flowers and the beauty of a butterfly’s wings.  Feel ME in the warmth of the sun.  Hear me in the birds chirping.  Take note of ME in your neighbor’s smile, the love seen in the eyes of your children and even in the breath you take.  Look at ME I’m all around you.  I AM HERE!  In the evening if we look at the skyline or the sunset we’ll see GOD.  At night we can see the stars as bright as flawless diamonds and the wind may blow across our face as if GOD was gently kissing us goodnight.  THIS IS GOD!  We may have started out our day without talking to HIM but HE’s everywhere trying to communicate with us, trying to have that conversation that we didn’t have time for.

When we have an opportunity to look out at the city and see the lights we might stop and think what a beautiful city this is at night.  Or even looking out a window we may see something awesome that catches our eye but in that same instance if we hear a siren or a helicopter we are quickly reminded of the physical world and the times we’re living in. 

When we settle in for the night and get ready to close our eyes let’s begin to long for the conversation that we may have been once too busy to have.  Let the last conversation of the day remind us of one that we should chose to begin our day with-our conversation with GOD. 

GOD BLESS

“Our Book”

12/3/13

Our lives are books where our names are the title and from the very first page in the first chapter to the very end of the book our life’s story has been written.  This book is the story line of our lives, unscripted.

Every page turned is equal to the days, months and years in a chapter of our lives.  We are the lead character but we don’t know the plot, or the other characters we will be introduced to throughout our life time.  

We don’t know the adventures of life that we will experience.  We don’t know the highs or lows, the pain and suffering, the joy and peace, the agony and/or defeat, the good or bad times, the happy or sad occasions, the victories, successes or failures that we  may encounter. 

But just like any other book that captivates our attention, to a point that we can’t put it down, we turn each page with expectation and anticipation, holding our breath, waiting, hoping, praying for the next chapter to be better than the last.  It has to get better.

Regardless of the size of the book (in years spent on this earth) and no matter how many twists and turns or how much the plot of the story thickens we continue to look for that happy ending. 

As we get closer towards the latter chapters it becomes quite clear that all through the pages turned and the years passed there may have been a sense of something missing or something not quite finished.  There were some chapters that we felt could have had more meaning or had emphasis on the things that really mattered.  Yet, the book had been written, edited, and approved by the author long before our life began.  And no one but the author knows how the story ends. 

It is human nature to want to skip to the back of the book and see just how the final chapter ends.  As the one who the book was written about, we see that there is a substantial amount of information in the pages of the chapters of our lives that are quite accurate in how we’ve lived.  There is not much left out.  There is nothing to question or dispute. But in those same pages we find periods of regret and some things we were able to rectify and peace now reigns.  While there were other things or opportunities to make it right that were lost and couldn’t be recovered.

Now that I’m almost at the end of my book my most desirous want is to do something great for GOD.  But what would that be?  What would it look like? And if I did it, how would I recognize it?

There are remaining chapters left in each of our books.  Some chapters are longer than others but the pages still remain uncensored and unscripted written and approved by the author (GOD).  As we turn the remaining pages let’s pray for wisdom, favor and endurance to finish the book with the words “Well Done” instead of the words, “The End.”  We may not be able to write the remaining chapters of our book as we would like to but we can surely live our lives as the author intended.  This may make a difference in the reviews by those who read our book throughout the years as we live a life pleasing and devoted to HIS purpose and this may also bear witness on how the author brings our book to an end. 

Where are you in your book?  How do your chapters read?  The next time you’re reading a book and turning the pages keep this analogy in mind.  It just may change how you look at your life, the chapters therein and those left to come.

And yes, I have found one of my great things to do for GOD: you’re reading it.  You have just by the reading of this first post become a part of my service and my great thing for GOD. 

GOD BLESS

BOTTOM LINE CIRCUMSTANCE, FRONTLINE FAITH 12/2/13

By Dr. Sheila A. De Gruy

Welcome to the pre-first blog posting of Bottom Line Circumstance: Frontline Faith.  Before you decide to close the window and keep surfing let me stop you.  YOU ARE ON THE RIGHT PAGE AND THE RIGHT TIME, IN YOUR SEASON.

The title may make you curious enough to make the first visit but that’s what GOD intended.  This was HIS plan.  You may think this title has nothing to do with you but it has everything to do with you and me.  And the postings will deal with everyday issues, life and those things that may test us.

The dictionary defines bottom line as: an unavoidable factor: the most important factor that must be accepted, however reluctantly.  

We each have challenges, situations, circumstances, and experiences that may weigh upon us even when we know there is hope in GOD to change these circumstances. But at the same time the enemy is telling us that this is the bottom line and that there’s NOTHING this side of heaven that can be done.  It is final.  EVERYTHING THAT IS ANYTHING HAS TO BE ACCEPTED.  BUT FAITH says NOTHING IS FINAL, GOD HAS THE FINAL SAY.

Now let’s get to the best part of the name:  Frontline Faith.  These days it’s not good enough to just have Faith; we have to have Front Line Faith.  What is front line Faith?  I’m glad you asked.

The dictionary defines frontline as: forward line: the forward line of a battle, position, or formation; advanced position: the most advanced, important position in any situation; at limits of attainment.   

During this time together, we are going to meditate upon many things, share our experiences and move towards obtaining Frontline Faith and advance our position to obtain the highest level of Faith that we can.  We’re going to learn about each other and develop true Fellowship, unlike most sites.  This is a fellowship site, not a social network.  And when I say WE I mean WE.  I need you and your input and I am also stepping up to participate in this fellowship.

This is a time when we all have to take it up a notch and be REAL IN OUR FAITH, accept our weaknesses and allow GOD to be our strength.  The times we’re living in call for pressing forward to the line of battle, not retreating even when we want to give up because we think we can’t make it or take it anymore.   We can use this forum as an opportunity to move into a position of Faith stronger than ever and remain in position together as sisters and brothers in CHRIST side by side lifting up one another.

This is not your run of the mill blog site. This site’s goal is it to be a place where you to come and be a Blessing (by your input) and receive a blessing as well.  A place where you can be encouraged, feel love and know that someone, somewhere is going through the same thing as you are, they understand and just may need a word, YOUR WORDS.  It doesn’t matter what the posting is on whether it’s regarding life’s unexpected challenges, or the weather, every new circumstance, change in our present circumstances and we must remember that total resolution begins with Faith.  This is a time for Fellowship.  This site is to become a setting where True Fellowship will arise, soar like an eagle and be taken to new heights in the shadow of GOD’s wings.

How precious is your unfailing love, O GOD!

All humanity finds shelter in the shadow of YOUR wings.

Psalm 36:7 (New Living Translation)

You have a chance to touch the lives of others.  To minister to someone who is in need of a kind word and meet them where they are in their situation and produce fruit for the Kingdom.  Your comments, or Bible verse, or GOD BLESS YOU can help bring comfort and strengthen someone’s situation but most of all show GOD’s unfailing love.  Please share this blog site with family, friends and acquaintances.  This site is for GOD’s GLORY, HONOR AND PRAISE.

COME BACK TOMORROW FOR THE FIRST POST OF BOTTOM LINE CIRCUMSTANCE: FRONTLINE FATIH.  This week there is this intro and a posting.  Beginning next week, check back each Monday for new blogs.

GOD BLESS