"It's Not Over"

I learned so much about victory watching the final game of Germany vs. Argentina in the World Cup last weekend. The last few moments of the game painted a clear picture of the way humans naturally respond to defeat. The reality is, we lose hope at the first sign of losing. Argentina played a rousing game against Germany. So much so, neither team was able to score any points until overtime. Yet, once Germany scored the first point, the Argentinian fans gave into their own team's defeat. They appeared to be mourning a loss that had yet to happen. How many times do we surrender to defeat before the buzzer?  Defeat is a state of mind and confidence has the power to conquer defeat.

Anyone can have confidence after a win. It takes a great amount of trust in Christ to remain confident when we appear to be losing. As believers, it is vital we keep our confidence in Christ when the stakes are high and the odds are against us. Moreover, when all else fails, we have the Kingdom advantage of not having to rely solely upon our own abilities win.  

Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us - Ephesians 3:20
 

Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, - See more at: http://bible.knowing-jesus.com/topics/Ability,-God~s-Power#sthash.JtlBmfnC.dpuf

Even though Germany scored, the game was up for grabs in the final moments. Maintaining confidence until the bitter end could have given Argentina the boost they needed to achieve the win!  This game was a mirrored reflection of the many times I've thrown in the towel before the game of life was actually over.  Staying in the battle is enough reason to hold our heads high and live to fight another day. Remember, God's timing is not like ours. He is the Father of time and can take us into overtime, turning the tables  in our favor every time!  Each day we are blessed to wake and rise is God's way of reminding us that "It's Not Over" and we have another opportunity to be victorious!

Faith Rocks, Season 2 "Vision Box"

Get into the Holiday Spirit by Nurturing your Spirit First

For many, the holiday season can trigger worry, loneliness and depression. With social media on the rise, we have become more and more accustomed to facing outwardly while missing the golden opportunity to check in with self. Do not let another season of gratitude pass by without fully tuning in to your personal station. If you were step outside of yourself, would you truly love and value the person you have become? When I asked myself the same question, I realized I didn’t love myself unconditionally. Underneath the self assured bubbly person I’ve always been had become a person who at best “likes” herself under certain conditions. When did my relationship with myself become jaded?

I used to live, subconsciously, under the belief that if I’m my biggest critic, there wont be much room for outside rejection and no one’s standards are higher for me than my own. I’ve been an overachiever with extremely high standards most of my life. Yet, somewhere along the way, in pursuit of success, I stopped being my own best friend. My self love was dependent upon how much I had or had not achieved. Moreover, I’d found it harder and harder to celebrate the small triumphs along the way because nothing measured up to my ideals of perfection. It was like climbing a never ending ladder and never taking time to breathe much less appreciate the ability to even climb. I’ve finally begun to stop and admire the fact that while I’ve not reached the top of the ladder, I’m able to see I’m much further up than when I started by simply checking in with myself and how far I’ve come on my personal journey.

Once acknowledging certain bitter truths about things I needed to work on, the words of a friend rang true, I simply wasn’t keeping up with myself. Some plants require more light, water, and food. More often than not, our spiritual/emotional lives require A LOT of water to be healthy and blossom.  You are the only one responsible of feeding your spirit. Having a solid inner life will provide more joy, light and emotional energy to share with others. Just as a flower needs daily water to grow, your soul needs daily affirmations and reassurance that it is loved and valued, by it’s biggest advocate, you. The happiness brought on by food, gifts and tangible items are fleeting. Even the sense of accomplishment that comes with personal improvements like weight loss, plastic surgery and promotions are fleeting.

The media is designed to make us believe we are in need of things to be complete. With so many subliminal messages, our soul is constantly being bombarded with toxic information. A golden rule amongst many different belief systems is to love your neighbor as you love yourself. How can we possibly love others, if our souls are starving from depravity and under-appreciation? We look for outside validation because we are deficient in the love we regularly practice towards ourselves. Reject the notion of selfishness being a bad thing. Take the time to work on your self esteem from the inside out. It is essential to your ability to fully love others and spread genuine holiday cheer.

Matthew 22:39

And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'
 

“Do It Unto God” 

 October 2013

 Colossians 3:23-24 (NIV) 23 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, 24 since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. 

 The majority of people live life feeling under paid and under appreciated. On the road to greatness, it is not uncommon to have to do things outside of your comfort zone. However, many of us have been placed in positions we've never imagined being at this junction of life; making it easy to become lazy, distracted, and bitter. Switching your focus to God and developing a Kingdom mind set will give your soul the freedom it so desperately longs for. Whatever you do, whether it be working, serving, parenting, going to school, working out or taking care of a loved one; do yourself a favor and “Do It Unto God”! Doing what you do unto God will not only enrich your character, it will improve your quality of life and raise your capacity for greatness.  

Week 1 Oct. 7 2013: No Dues, Just Due Season 

Don’t believe the hype about having to pay your dues to get to the top. Jesus has already paid your debts in full! You are free to serve God with your whole heart in pursuit of fulfilling your Kingdom purpose on Earth. Your due season is God’s predetermined time of blessing for you. In the meantime, while you’re doing what you do, remind yourself you are working for the most high God. Allow this God consciousness to effect your attitude and your gratitude. The Holy Spirit is there right beside you to comfort and guide in your day to day tasks. How much more would you achieve if you imagined God as your boss each day?

Activate your faith by remembering although you may be underpaid today, there is an inheritance from God coming as a reward to you which is the big pay off. Don’t break before the breakthrough! Remember, you will reap if you hang in there. In the meantime, you might as well serve with joy and faith. Wherever life takes you, your only job is to serve God with all your heart and not faint before your due season!

 Galatians 6:9 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.  

 Check out the video version of "Faith Rocks on National Television"

Week 2 Oct. 13 2013: Your Gift Will Make Room for You  

In pursuit of your God given purpose, it’s easy to feel as if the walls are closing in on you and you have to fight your way to the top. Find comfort in knowing, it is your gift that will make room for you. Your gift will create space and freedom for you to be who God has uniquely called you to be. You don’t have to compromise your integrity or step on others to get ahead. What is more, you need not compete or force your way through an open door. When you “Do It Unto God”, your gift will make room for you! The talents God has placed within you are getting ready to break forth. You are no longer limited by your positioning. No matter where you are or what you are doing, your gift will get you to the next level. Trust it, nurture it and hold onto this word. It’s a simple one. Here is a daily mantra; “My gift is making room for me right now, in Jesus Name”. Now, that’s a powerful way to keep your "Faith Rocking"!

Proverbs 18:16 (KJV) A man's gift maketh room for him, and bringeth him before great men. 

"Kingdom Swag" Part 4

And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come. Matthew 24:14 When you are seeking God, learn to protect your eye gate. All entertainment is not good for your spiritual growth. As you are seeking God, you will begin to recognize where He is not. Your discernment to navigate through this world is key! Don't subject your spirit to any old thing. Some of us only use God as a life raft when we are deep trouble. We must learn to seek God first. God doesn't say we cannot pursue other things or activities, but He wants the first of our best- tithes, time, thoughts, talents. What should you be seeking you ask? The Kingdom of God and His righteousness. When you have Kingdom Swag, you realize there is nothing more valuable than seeking the Kingdom of God. The Kingdom of Heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. A Kingdom is defined as a state or government having a king or queen as its head and also defined as the spiritual sovereignty of God or Christ. Satan indeed has his own kingdom as well. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Ephesians 6:12 The Kingdom of God is the highest Kingdom where God is the King and Jesus sits at His right hand. We serve the only true and living God who is the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords. While Satan is in operation in the world, his reign in temporary. The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom. To him be glory for ever and ever. Amen. 2 Timothy 4:8 To seek His righteousness is to seek His sovereignty. The Kingdom of God is a monarchy with God as the head. His order has already been established. Worldly swag= arrogance,pride and ego. Kingdom Swag= Humility. Humility is required to be great in the Kingdom of God. Do everything to the glory of God. Jesus humbled Himself, even to the death of the cross. Whoever humbles himself like a child will be the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven. When you have Kingdom Swagger you have confidence in knowing the promises of God. He has promised that if we seek Him first, all these things shall be added unto you. Know that God's Kingdom will prevail! Every knee shall bow and every tongue shall confess that Jesus is Lord. Put your Kingdom Swag on now. Lastly, as Kingdom Ambassadors we have the keys to the Kingdom! I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven." Matthew 16:19. When you seek the Kingdom, heaven is on your side and standing by to back you. Pray and speak with power and authority.

"Kingdom Swag Part 3"

But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Matthew 6:3 The first step to gaining Kingdom Swag: 1. SEEK! People with Kingdom Swag are in pursuit of Kingdom Business. Seeking is active. "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. Matthew 7:7 This could be your season of finding, but you must first put the effort towards seeking the right thing. Now is the time to seek God and you will find Him. 2. Know that idleness is the enemy to your ability to seek. To be stagnate, is to stop flowing or moving. To procrastinate is to postpone something. Sound familiar? 3. Resist the temptation to become comfortable in your pursuit of seeking God. People with Kingdom Swag are on the move in their pursuit of God! There is nothing easy about it with so many distractions and obstacles along the way. 4. In your seeking, know that God will sometimes hide from His people. I will wait for the LORD, who is hiding his face from the descendants of Jacob. I will put my trust in him. Isaiah 8:17 Why would God hide from His people? Remember hide and seek? If someone isn't hiding, there would be no one to seek. While God is hiding, seek Him by faith, knowing that He will be found. 5. How we seek- with fervor and fun (as in playing the game). Be relentless, leave no stone unturned until you find God. 6. God hides to break us out of worry and to rid us from anxiety. God encourages us not to worry about food, clothing, shelter. These things are small to God. He has promised to never leave or forsake you. 7. You have Kingdom Swagger, when you realize GOD HAS YOUR BACK. He hides so that in due season, He can reveal Himself in unexpected ways, with unexpected blessings. 8. In your seeking, you will find God is revealed in the means of His grace, peace, favor, forgiveness and miracles. 9. SEEK God by going to His word. The word of God will always give you new revelation and life. 10. SEEK God through prayer. Communicate with Him often.

"Kingdom Swag Part 2"

But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Matthew 6:33 We all know what swag is right? T.I., Denzel Washington and Barak Obama all have a particular type of swag. They all flow with their own style and flavor. They all have their own brand. People with swag know who they are and are confident in themselves. The world doesn't want you to have Kingdom Swag. When you have Kingdom Swag you recognize you are a child of the King. Your brand becomes one of a Kingdom Ambassador. You become very clear about your purpose and your life begins to have a richer, fuller meaning. It's less about you and more about Him! When you gain Kingdom Swagger, you stop trying to imitate the world and begin seeking things above. You are now proud of the fact that you have been called out, anointed and appointed to do the will of God. You are about Kingdom Business which is God's business. Recognize being a child of God has many rights and privileges, benefits far greater than anything this world has to offer. We as Kingdom citizens, are heirs to the throne of the most high God and we should be confident in belonging to the Kingdom.