When Things Dont Go As Planned

Ps 37:5 Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.

I am the type of person who likes to plan things to a certain point. This past week proved to be very challenging for me. Whenever I encounter a problem, I like to figure out a solution to the problem. I realize that some things are outside of our control. Psalms 37 says we can plan, but we must commit our way unto the Lord. The next part of the verse says trust also in him. Sometimes we plan our days without asking God what he would have us to accomplish that day. There are many reasons our days do not go as planned. Often times, we get distracted, or have unexpected events to occur; things that just knock us off track.

Recently, I went to an area of a City I was not familiar with. I map quested the directions to my destination and made it there okay. But on the way back, I had to call for help as the directions could not get me back home. The next day I had to make a second trip to the same location. This time I had a GPS system. The GPS system not only helped me get to my destination; but it helped me find my way back. The Word of God is like a GPS system, it not only helps you to accomplish a task, but it provides life changing information should you need to “recalculate” your route.

Psalm 37 provides wise steps to take as you face crises and decisions. The Word of God brings eternal perspective and long term vision that prevents mistakes in short term decisions. We are to trust in the Lord and do good. We are to take delight in the Lord and to commit everything we have and do to him. But how do we do this? Committing ourselves to the Lord means: entrusting everything our lives; families, jobs, possessions to his control and guidance. To commit ourselves to the Lord means to trust him believing that he can care for us better than we can ourselves. We should be willing to wait for him to work what is best for us. When things don’t go as we planned:

1. Trust in the Lord and do good; do what is right despite what others do

2. Cultivate faithfulness and don’t move too quickly; in other words don’t rush into anything

3. Prioritize God and His values: He will reward and satisfy you in the end

4. Commit your plans to him and trust him; the results are in his hand

5. Be Quiet and patient; perspective comes when we grow still and think

These are just a few things to help you better your life and relationship with the Lord. You are not alone. I too, am trusting in the Lord. I started out my year with goals, plans to accomplish some very specific things this year and already I have run into obstacles. I don’t expect everything to be easy and without challenges. Even the strongest person encounters frustration and sometimes disappointment when things don’t go as planned. We must view obstacles as opportunities for our Heavenly Father to do exceedingly, abundantly, above all that we ask or think. Psalm 37:23 – The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord; and he delighteth in his way. A good person is one who follows God, trusts him and tries to do his will. God watches over and directs every step that person takes. If you would like to have God direct your way, then seek his advice before you step. When things don’t go as we planned; maybe it’s because God has a better plan. Hold on and be strong!

“Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.” ~ Winston Churchill. God Loves You and so do I…… Pastor Tammy

Knocked Down But Not Knocked Out

2 Cor 4:8-9: “We may be troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed.

In the sport of boxing a boxer can be considered technically knocked out, if a boxer is knocked down, and unable to get up to his feet and gain his balance and composure before the referee counts to 10. If and when he gets to his feet, he’s given a standing 8 count. If the referee feels that although the fighter is on his feet but he’s in no condition to continue the fight, the referee will stop the fight, and the boxer is considered technically knocked out. Then there’s the three knock down rule.

The book of Proverbs says a righteous man falls seven times and rises up again. It is good to know that no matter how many times we get knocked down, we can get back up again. And the good thing is we may not have our full balance and composure, but just the mere effort of us trying to get up, grabs God immediate attention.

The Bible teaches us that it’s in our weakest state that God’s strength is made perfect. And because of this promise, God always shows up in our weakest moments. Every time we’re knocked down in life by some tribulation, some disappointment, some heart break, or by trials, and even the storms of life, we are not distressed.

We've been surrounded and battered by troubles, but we're not demoralized; we're not sure what to do, but we know that God knows what to do; we've been spiritually terrorized, but God hasn't left our side; we've been thrown down, but we haven't broken.

We may feel hedged in on every side and troubles and oppressions may be present in every way, but we are not crushed. God knows how much we can bear. Perhaps today you might be feeling perplexed which simply means confused bewildered and cannot seem to find a way out. Despair means to be hopeless. Or maybe you are being persecuted; harassed in a way that causes suffering because of principles or religious beliefs. There are many who are forsaken or forgotten about.

God never promised us a life free from troubles. Like a good boxing match we are going to take some punches. We must also learn to defend ourselves by arming ourselves with the Word of God. Not just quoting the word but having faith in God and his promises.

Paul reminded us in our scripture today that though we may be at the end of our rope, we are never at the end of hope. Our perishable bodies are subject to sin and suffering. But God never abandons us. Because Christ won victory over death, we have eternal life. All our risks, humiliations and trials are opportunities for Christ to demonstrate his power and presence through us.

When life knocks you down, remember you are more than a conqueror through Christ Jesus, so get back up again. If God be for us who can be against us? Yes, I may get knocked down, but thank God I am not knocked out. God Loves You and so do I ~Pastor Tammy

Stop Giving Your Past Permission To Speak

Jer 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” NIV

God has a plan for your life. And that plan is to prosper not harm; to give hope and a future. What an awesome plan!!! God’s Word teaches us that He loves us and wants the best for us. God is ever present and always watchful. He does not consult your past to justify his blessings on your future.

It is difficult to look towards our future when we are constantly allowing our past to speak. Maybe mistakes have been made in the past. Failure is not final, but it can be used as fertilizer to help us grow. We must take the adversities of this life and allow them to become stepping stones into our future. No one has ever become great overnight.

There are many celebrities who have overcome obstacles in their past and pushed forward into their future. James Earl Jones overcame a stuttering problem as a child, now we have the pleasure of hearing him speak in a deep baritone voice. Halle Berry, well known actress was diagnosed with diabetes and fell into a diabetic coma 7 years ago. Michael Jordan, cut from his high school basket ball team, later to become one of the greatest NBA players. These celebrities did not allow their past to speak into their future. They continued moving towards the future that was ahead of them becoming men and women we all know and love.

Zig Zigler said: “Sometimes adversity is what you need to face in order to become successful”. Successful people do not allow the past to tell them what can or cannot be done. Today, make a non-negotiable decision you will not allow your past to speak into your future. The first thing we must do is change our mind. The bible says be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind. You are what you think! Some of us have given up on our dreams because of what others have said. We have to encourage ourselves with the knowledge that God has a good plan for our lives and even if we don’t understand the plan we can trust it.

We must be prayerfully persistent. Or as I like to say, we must watch and pray. Maybe we got off on the wrong road or made an wrong turn, or possibly headed down a one way street, it’s okay if we have to make a U-Turn or change directions. The point is it is God who will lead and guide us. A man’s heart devises’ his ways but the Lord orders his steps. It’s time to re-position yourself. Expect something great out of life today. Don’t get comfortable with compromise. The only person that can stop you from becoming all you were destined to be is YOU…. God Loves You and so do I….. Pastor Tammy

Shake Us Again

Shake Us Again
“I am blessed to be a blessing”
Neh 5:1-13

Are you a person who believes that your money is just for you and to pay your bills? Do you give to the poor? Is there someone in need around you? Or do you feel that times are just so incredibly tough it is difficult to give? Maybe you pay your tithes or even give an offering to the church but do you look for opportunities to be a blessing to someone else.

In Nehemiah’s day, the people who had money or were considered wealthy were actually taking advantage of their brothers and sisters. They were charging very high interest rates. When the people could no longer afford to pay, the wealthy took their land and vineyards. When the people could no longer support themselves they eventually had to sell their children to try and survive. Nehemiah eventually told the people they were doing was not right. Ultimately, the wealthy people agreed with Nehemiah and gave back the land and the vineyards and the interest they took. Now there is a thought, what if the credit card companies gave back all the interest they have charged, some of the credit cards would be paid off. Nehemiah asked the Lord to shake them out if they did not keep their promise.

In our economy today, we might not find ourselves selling our children. However, it is my understanding that human trafficing is still a problem in our world. Some of us like the children of Isreal have taken multiple mortgages out on our homes. According to a consumer report the average American has at least 7 credit cards, a mortgage, car loan and other unsecured debts. I am not here to stand and judge. I am simply stating when you take a look at this picture, it is hard to see yourself as being blessed to be a blessing. But that is who God created us to be. We are to be lenders and not borrowers. We are the head and not the tail. We are blessed going out and coming in. It is not God’s will for you to be consumed by debt or that every dollar you earn goes into things (debts) that are not a blessing to anyone, especially you. Lay not up for yourselves treasures on earth, but lay your treasures up in heaven where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt or where thieves can break through and steal. Where your treasure is there will your heart be also. So where are our hearts today? Are you any happier because you have a really big house, a nice car, and nice clothes? Or would you exchange some of these luxuries for a peace of mind and to be able to bless someone else.

God told us in his word, my ways are not your ways, my thoughts are not your thoughts. And the way to get out of debt is to GIVE. St. Luke 6:38 states “Give and it shall be given unto you, a good measure pressed down shaken together and running over shall men give into your bosoms.” There are countless testimonies of people who were hundreds of thousands of dollars in debt and God brought them out. They are now blessed to be a blessing. Do you know that if you could save $1,000 a month that in 7 years you could afford to pay cash for a $120,000 home? If you could sacrifice 7 years, you could live debt free in a home. It may not be the biggest or the fanciest house, but it would be a home that you own debt free. And the best part about it; you will be blessed to be a blessing to someone else, because all your income is not going into debts. Over the next few days, think about where you are, where you would like to be. Pray About It! Ask God to give you a vision how to get from where you are to where he desires you to be and how you can become a blessing to someone else” I am blessed to be a blessing.……..A divine blessing from a divine Diva. God loves you and so do I.