A little testimony of mine

TESTIMONY

Hi all! I know I haven't written in some months. I took a vacation.. literally. :D
But, Inspirateur is back and will progress forward!


Today I want to emphasize on God's blessings. Everyone in some sort of way has experienced God's Blessing and today I want to share a testimony really of his goodness and his favour.


When on vacation, there were three things that really struck out to me.

1. I have a laid out a blue print for my life. So did God. But God has shown me that he can move things up for me. He has proven that whilst my blue print has flaws, his is perfect.
   
2. Even when you think you have no resources, He has proven to be Jehovah Jireh- My provider.
   
3. His Amazing Grace.
   

I honestly did not see myself travelling any time soon, providing that I am still in school. I planned it out for the time I get my job and I have the money to travel. But here, God has taken that plan and moved it up in my life. For a reason I am unsure of, but it happened. He has blessed me, without me asking for this opportunity to visit Ireland and London. I've seen God really show his skills off..i wont lie. And it dawned on me that we really do Sell God Short of His Miracles. We sometimes refuse to see his mighty hand working. Even in the smallest of ways, his grace is large.
He provides a way for us. He supplies all our needs. He sees us through the hard times in life, and rejoices with us in the Good times.


Being in Ireland, i've learn't a lot. Especially about the song Amazing Grace – By John Newton. I was able to visit Amazing Grace County, and see the shores in which he got shipwrecked when he decided to give himself to God. - Lough Swilly Bay. It was a person experience that I can't even describe for those out there. But this now world wide famous song is a autobiography of John Newton's life that I hold so close to my heart. I now sing/ listen to the song and there's a whole new meaning to the words. It's not just a hymn anymore.


It has taught me how truly amazing God's grace is. Lets give him a try today. “I was blind, but now I see” There's so much at stake if you don't believe in God. God is my hope, my light and my salvation. At times we falter, at times we fail, but his grace is made perfect in our weaknesses. He has truly blessed me, and he still continues to favor me and I give God all the Glory and Honor for that.

Hope you all have been blessed!

Be encouraged! Be Inspired!

:-)

Ready or Not

Job 1:21 states that the Lord giveth, and he taketh away. Blessed be the name of the Lord. In the good times, we give God the Glory, but it takes real strength to give God the glory when in our bad times. Everything Job had to go through, he never sinned. He remained righteous.

Recently there was the death of a Church member. Someone who lived out her purpose here on this earth. Happy I’m sure to be finally home, without pain, without troubles and at peace. At these times, we are fully reminded of how short life really is. It is in these times that we come to reality of Is there life after death? Questions arise of, If I ought to die now, Where am I going to spend eternity. When we die, it’s not the end of life. Our living is actually now beginning. This life we are living is just a phase. It’s just a passing through experience.

The real question I’m asking you today is, “Are you living out the purpose that you were sent here to accomplish, that if you were to die today, that your calling is an election sure one?”

Many people are not sure as to where they are going because they are not fulfilling the purpose God has placed them on earth to accomplish. I strongly encourage and urge each and every one of us. Life is too short to waste time trying to experience the things of this world. Why not spend all your time experiencing the joys of the Lord which is far better.

Today’s post is really short. It’s just a reminder really, that your life can be taken at any moment. It’s your responsibility to ensure that when you die, you will have your mansion in Glory. There are two destinations after death. Your lifestyle is what will determine where you will spend the rest of your life. Either in Heaven with the Lord and his entire host, or in Hell burning in the never quenching fire for the rest of your timeless life. The choice is yours. I urge you to make the right one. Live the lifestyle of worship to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Live and emulate the Life of Christ. Be a disciple for Jesus. We don’t have much time.

Be Blessed, Be Encouraged and Be Inspired!

Read Meeeee

How Often Do You Read?

There’s this little Sunday school song:

“ Read your Bible Pray every day,

Pray everyday, Pray everyday,

and you’ll grow grow grow

Don’t read your Bible,

Forget to pray

And you shrink shrink shrink”

Nothing can be more accurate than this little song. Sunday a minister came from Venezuela and shared the most accurate word to us. Reading our bible. What makes the difference between a believer and a Disciple. I must admit, that I’m guilty of not reading my Bible sometimes. But I’ve learnt that not reading is opening up an opportunity for the Devil to work in your life. When we are sad and depressed sometimes and think Why am I going through this Pain, sometimes its only because we left the door open for Satan to work in our lives.

The minister shared 5 simple steps.

    Read

    Hear

    See

    Memorize

    Mediate on all above.

If we read our bible, listen to the word, then we can see what God has to say. We then memorize his scriptures, and meditate on all the above. In this way, the devil can have no grip on Us. When we stand for the truth of Jesus Christ, The devil has no hold on our lives. He cannot snatch us out of our Father’s hand. We stand secure and strong in Our Lord and Saviour. But all it takes for us to do is to meditate on God’s Word. To read our bible.

Have you ever read an entire book that was not the bible?

Have you ever read the entire bible in all your years of going to church? ( I’m guilty of this :/ )

If you haven’t how do you know, If what is said in the Bible is the truth?

How do you know and experience the Holy Spirit – for sure the Holy spirit isn’t lazy. Then why are we lazy to share God’s word. Why are we lazy to read his Word?

Sometimes we just have to forget about getting the church filled. What makes the difference between believers and Disciples is that, disciples give God their ALL. They go out to the lost ones. Not just try to bring them to Church. They GO OUT INTO THE WORLD TEACHING AND PREACHING THE GOSPEL OF TRUTH. TEACHING TRUTH. NOT DOCTRIN, BUT THE TRUTH. The truth is the Lord Jesus.

When we sign up for Salvation, there isn’t a contract or listing for the things we like such as, “I like speaking in tongues, or I’d like the gift of prophesy, or I’d like the holy spirit, but I don’t want to evangelize – that’s too hard, or I don’t want to talk to random people cause they might be smelly”  No, Go out there. That’s what God’s calling you to do. You can’t just tick what you like, and expect to Grow. You have to bear fruits. Otherwise, if God has to take you out of his plan, so that his work can be done, he surely will do it!

This contract that you have signed on for (Speaking to all Christians out there) is not on your terms. It’s on God’s terms. Don’t allow yourselves to be held accountable for not carrying out God’s plan. It’s time to get out of your comfort zones. Become uncomfortable, so that a soul can be saved.

This word had blessed my heart. It tells me how much I have to work on my relationship with God. How can I fight spiritual battles and not know scriptures. Even when Jesus was tempted by satan, He used Scriptures, not the words out of his mouth, but he quoted Scriptures. Its ok to know that you are falling short of reading your bible, don’t get all defensive, because even I am guilty. I have much work to do. But I encourage you out there. Experience what God has for you. Seek out God’s vision. His Plan. Do the work that he has called you to do!

Just as this word has blessed my heart, I really hope that it has blessed yours. I hope you all have been encouraged, and Inspired.

:D

He is my daddy Ohh...

FATHERS AS PROPHETS

(A LITTLE OF MY TRIBUTE TO FATHERS ON FATHERS DAY.)

The week before was father’s day. The day given in which we can appreciate our Father’s just a little more. I was asked in the church that I attend, to share a little something, portraying fathers as Prophets. Today I’m going to share a little something of what I spoke on.

There is something called Munus Triplex. It’s a Latin phrase referring to the three fold offices of Christ – Being Prophet, Priest and King over the Church. Referring to this, a parallel relationship can be drawn between Christ being the Prophet, Priest and King over his church, and Our Fathers being Prophet Priest and King, over his wife and children.

My little message dealt with the Fathers taking the role as Prophet. Prophets just aren’t people who can see into the future. While having that ability and gift, they are called to be the spokesmen for God. Unlike a priest who is a mediator between God and the people speaking on behalf of the people, A prophet takes what God has to say, and relates that to the people.

Men are called to be the spiritual heads of their homes as seen in 1 Corinthians 11. (In which you can read for yourselves. :D ) The same instructions was given by Paul in Ephesians 5:22-25.

²² Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands as you do to the Lord. ²³ For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior. ²⁴ Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything.

²⁵ Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her 

Every time, most times, that people read this scripture, Women especially are all defensive. Most times take it the wrong way. I’m guilty of that to. But while preparing this passage for my little tribute to fathers, I discovered a new perspective – The wives have the responsibility of subjecting/submitting to their husbands. However, what I gathered was that the Man is given the greater responsibility here, hence his role as Head. He is given the responsibility to Love his Wife, as Christ Loved the Church and Gave himself for it. Even though Christ commanded us all to love one another, this is specifically given to Husbands in this scripture. Having a Christ like love and fulfilling that kind of Love is a huge responsibility and a difficult task in itself.

“A husband is to be the family prophet. He represents God to his wife and, by extension, his family. When his wife reacts emotionally, he calms her with God's wisdom. He proclaims the gospel of faith to his family. He provides biblical instruction and training to his wife and children without becoming legalistic. He prepares family devotions and encourages private devotions. He is the arbiter of family values. He insists on regular church attendance. He is a messenger from God to his family.” (Charismagazine 2013)

I used the above explanation of husbands taking the role as prophets in the home, because in that little paragraph, it says it all. As fathers, one should listen and hear what God has to say, he should direct his family and he should lead his family in the ways of the Lord.

Hope you all have been blessed and inspired! Fathers be encouraged to take the roles of Prophet Priest and King. Take up your responsibility to love. To have the Kind of Love for your family as Christ has for us! 

Are you a giver? Or has greed taken over?

WE ARE THE DISTRIBUTION CENTRE OF GOD'S WEALTH

Just recently, I was going through my Facebook news feed, and came upon an interesting status. And the one thing that was said that stayed with me throughout the week, was that, If we give out of our needs, for we are the distribution centre of God's wealth in faith, He will shower us with his blessings.

In our times of need, God is Jehovah Jireh. He is our Provider. He meets us at the POINT of our need. Not when WE want it, but when it is truly needed, he's just ON TIME.

Giving, blessings someone, brings joy even in YOUR sad and hurtful times. It's a sacrifice sometimes to give, but in the end, it's worth it. Sometimes the time that you give, may end up being the worst week for you. The time you end up in a lot of debt, and then you think back and say, “ you know, I should not have given pastor my only $100.” But it's in those perilous times that God says, “Hey I am God, Trust in my mighty hand, for I am here for you, Have a little Faith.” And then, sometimes, those debts are cleared before you even know it.

I encourage those out there though, Give unto God what is God's and Give unto Caesar what is Caesar's. In other words WORK! Many people are lazy. They have a limp, they have a broken hand, so they use the excuse that they are unable to work, But let me those out there who thinks in that way; I say to Work. Work with a passion for God! Give your tides and offerings. You have to sweat. God sees your sacrifice and he rewards you, but don't let that be your motivation. Do it out of love and compassion. Have you ever heard that God helps those who help themselves? Well its true, and even I can testify to that.

Giving is like a blessing. From experience, and from testimonies of people close to me, I have seen God's mighty hand at work when it is you give. Even if it's only a dollar, given out of sacrifice, and love brings joy to your heart and soul. You don't care anymore for a reward, because you feel as though that reward is making the receiver smile. Anything after that Is just a bonus.

The key to many successful people is their acts of giving what they don't have. That Is how you can move up. When God sees your willingness to accomplish his work through your giving, he rewards you accordingly.

Whatever we have, it's actually God's own. Without him, we are nothing. Hence, when we give in faith, We are considered to be his distribution centre of HIS wealth. And honestly, I don't mind being his distribution Centre. I count it a joy and privilege. The little that I have and give, makes me feel fulfilled. Seeing a little child smile, seeing an elder say, “God bless you my child, thank you!” is enough.

You don't believe me? Give it a try. And if it's your worst week ever after that, then you know you did the right thing! Just wait and see God's work at hand! Be a giver!

“Greed and selfishness are sins that we must work toward abolishing. Although this might be difficult to do, as Christians, we should try our very best to live a holy life. Think not of what you can do for yourself - but think of what you can do for others. After all, God gave his only begotten Son to save us from our sins!

No one is perfect, but that doesn't mean we shouldn't try to avoid greed throughout our life. We should spend our days giving to others and not keeping score. This is so hard to do. We should try to reflect on all of the times in our lives that we were completely selfless. It's hard to think of times, isn't it? That's why we need to be better Christians every day of our lives!

It's important to be willing to give, both to the Lord and His Church and to other people in need.” (Godvine.com)

Some verses on Giving from the Bible:

• Deuteronomy 15:10 You shall surely give him, and your heart shall not be grieved when you give to him: because that for this thing the LORD your God shall bless you in all your works, and in all that you put your hand to.

• 1 Chronicles 29:9 Then the people rejoiced, for that they offered willingly, because with perfect heart they offered willingly to the LORD: and David the king also rejoiced with great joy.

• Malachi 3:10 Bring you all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in my house, and prove me now herewith, said the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.

• Acts 20:35 I have showed you all things, how that so laboring you ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive. 

I HOPE THIS BLOG POST HAS BEEN AN INSPIRATION AND ENCOURAGEMENT TO YOU IN TERMS OF GIVING. BEING A GIVER IS A JOY, DON'T MISS OUT ON YOUR BLESSINGS BY BEING GREEDY.

HOPE THE POST HAS BLESSED YOUR HEARTS!

BE BLESSED! BE ENCOURAGED! BE INSPIRED!

Who's our Hope? Who's Our Anchor?

OUR ANCHOR

When I was a little younger, one of my favourite songs was a song written by Ray Boltz. The following words of the song, I still apply in my life.

“The anchor holds
Though the ship is battered
The anchor holds
Though the sails are torn
I have fallen on my knees
As I faced the raging seas
The anchor holds
In spite of the storm”

When you feel all hope is lost. When you feel as though your head is in some deep waters, Just remember your Anchor. It helps keeps you in Place.

What or who may be your anchor? Who keeps you in place? Who guides you in the right direction? When your walls are tumbling down, and your world is burning to the ground, Who is there to keep your mind intact?

Is it your Parents? Is it your Best Friend? Is it your pastor? Is it all three?

It can be all of the above. But speaking on a personal level, In my weakest times, I needed the strongest anchor of all. His name is Jesus. He was my Hope. He was my Anchor!

When times were really rough, and I was tossed around and about in the sea, In the tempest, His anchoring love carried me to the shore. He has never failed me. When I need someone to talk to, Jesus is There. When I cry in secret, or in Prayer, He's there to understand.

I hear many times people say, “Well you know, God isn't here physically. I need someone to talk to who I can see, touch, see their expressions etc.”

My answer to that is, Whereas God is always there for you, and you feel that way, That's the reason he has given us Parents, Teacher, Pastors, Friends that look out and care for us. Sometimes even Complete strangers. God doesn't give you more than you can handle, and even if you feel as though you can't handle the situation you're placed in, He positions people into that aspect of your life to help you through.

Through it all, learn to trust in Jesus. Through it all, learn to depend upon God's word. You can do all things through Christ.

Jeremiah 29:11 states that God has plans for you. He has plans to prosper you and not to harm you. Plans to give you hope and a future.

God knows all things concerning you. He will never leave you nor forsake you. When friends give up on you, or Family gives up on you, His loves never fails.

Sometimes in life we are broken into a million and one pieces, Speaking from personal experience, but at the end of it all, I saw why things had to happen the way it did. I saw that if it was not for those hurtful situations, God alone knows how my life would have been. But now I've seen the outcome, I have gone through the process, and now I can say that I have been refined. I look at things differently, I strive to live daily in God's light. All because, through those trying times, God had been my anchor. God is able to bring hope into your life, even when everything seems hopeless!

Hope you have been blessed and encouraged. Let God Be your support today! Yes he has placed people in your life to help you get by, but they should not be the center of your life. With Those smaller anchors, the ropes can easily burst. But with The ultimate Anchor, Your life will forever be in his hands.

Hope you all were Blessed, Encouraged and Inspired!

:)

Practice Humility

HUMILITY

1 Peter 5:5b

“Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”

Humble refers to being not proud or arrogant.

We have many people today in the world who considers themselves humble but really and truly they're people who portray falsified humility. But as Peter says, God opposes the proud, and grace Is given to the humble.

What is humility? It is a correct estimation of who you are in light of who God is; it means being without pretension.

To be humble by no means, refers to being trampled over, or pushed to the bottom of the pile as some perceive it to be. It is not a sign of weakness.

If someone disrespects you by saying something bad to your face, being a humble person does not mean that you are allowing them to have Power over you. But rather, you just ignoring what was said and turning the other cheek, is really the Power you have over them. The power of your own impulses to ignore.

Today in the churches, you may hardly find those that are humble. But that should not stop or rather hinder your relationship with God. You are in Church to follow God's example of Charity (Love) and humility.

Travelling the path of Humility Is an experience. One that sometimes is painful and rough, because of those potholes and bumps in the road called Pride. Humility is a way of yielding to the Mighty Hand of God. It is a sign of resisting Person Pride, one in which as God's word said we will be exalted for in due time.

Getting by in this day and age is hard, if you are to be a humble person. In work even in school, the only way you may obtain a promotion or even be recognized is if you “push up” yourselves. But this view is contradicted in the Bible, so What is the right thing to do? (Reflect upon this question when you come upon the situation)

“Pride and humility and the consequences of each are a recurring theme in the book of Proverbs as well as in the rest of the Bible. Pride is associated with arrogance, pretension, destruction, and humiliation while humility is associated with wisdom, honor, and rewards. When we have pride because of our accomplishments or our jobs or our wealth, we have forgotten that it is the Lord who gives us our ability, our opportunities, and our health. Without Him, nothing would be possible. Pride causes us to take credit that belongs to God.” (Bible.org)

As a young person, i'm struggling each and every day to overcome the pride that swells my head. It's like a balloon. When you pump air into it, and it becomes really big, one touch may pop that balloon. So to, before every fall, is Pride. Hence the importance of staying Humble.

A humble person is one in my opinion, who:

1. Acknowledges that they are human, and have faults.
2. Acknowledges, and FEARS the Lord. People today do not fear God. They just dump him to the side, and the work of God is put on Hold. Sometimes, even in churches, people have a form of Godliness, but No God. They are so busy doing the work of God, that they actually forget about God, and Who he really Is.
3. Even though they turn the other cheek and it hurts as hell, never forget your sense of self-worth
4. Accepts their shortcomings as people with dignity and grace.
5. Is Caring, Kind, Considerate and an Attentive Person
6. Is a GIVER – Personally, I've seen the hand of God work in the lives of givers. Giving is a sacrifice for some. God sees, and he rewards. However, do not give and expect anything in return. Do it out of your own good heart and will. Let God do the rest.

Practice Humility today! Hope this blog post has blessed your hearts and you are on your way to obeying God's word and striving for humility.

I by no means am a perfect person, and I've got pride at times. But as I have said before, nothing is wrong with that. Nothing is wrong in striving to perfect our imperfections.

Note that it is a journey in life. A stepping stone to something greater, bigger and better. It is all a process that we have to go through, and no one is perfect. No one is righteous on this earth. But we can strive be humble like Jesus was. Through his love and humility, we are here today worshiping and Glorifying his name. Because of The heart of God on Calvary, we have been offered an alternative. We have been offered the gift of Salvation.

Hope you all have been Blessed, Encouraged and Inspired! :)