We all reach a place in our lives where we finally recognize who we are, and who God intends for us to be. In order to walk in this, we have to resolve in our hearts and minds that there are some people and things we're just gonna have to say, "to hell with that". Don't judge me until you've read to the end.
You see, to hell with it in this context means I will no longer pay attention to anything or anyone who does not have my best interest at heart. As you know, Satan lives in the pits of hell; and I am convinced he has demons assigned to each one of us. Those demons come in so many faces until sometimes its hard to distinguish. My experience has been with people who say things and when you finally catch on to them, they immediately say something like, "oh I was only joking" or "I didn't mean it like that." Sister girls let me help you out here. The Bible tells us in Matthew 15:18, "But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man." Pay attention honey, and don't be fooled. This is a clear warning of the things people say are manifested in the heart. For example, it irritates me to no end for someone to sarcastically speak against something I am wearing. When I give them a sarcastic comeback, immediately I get, "that's not what I meant." If that is not what you meant then where did it come from? Are you saying God's word is a lie? I no longer have time to the time, the energy, or the desire to entertain anything other than positive energy around me; and when you get to that point, I am certain you will join me and say, "to hell with it". Romans 12:2 tells us, "And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God." In Tonia-nese that means it's time out for entertaining and engaging foolishness. Psalm 94:16 asks the ultimately question, "Who will rise up for me against the evildoers? or who will stand up for me against the workers of iniquity?" Is it you? Let me warn you. When you take this stand, it is going to seem like one of the loneliest places on earth. But, don't be discouraged, the Bible tells us in Genesis 28:15, "And, behold, I am with thee, and will keep thee in all places whither thou goest, and will bring thee again into this land; for I will not leave thee, until I have done that which I have spoken to thee of." What does it mean to feel entitled? It means believing oneself to be inherently deserving of privileges or special treatment. In other words, someone who has an attitude of being entitled feels sure that they are permanently worthy of being treated in a special way. Each of us know someone like this; or, perhaps its us. Even though God has given us everything He has, there are some people who are bold enough to have this sense of entitlement towards Him. Let me remind you honey, God does not owe you anything. Remember, if it was not for Him, you would not be here today. It was God who breathed the breath of life into all of us. Genesis 2:7 tells us, "And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul." Now, if someone gave you life, how can you think they owe you more? The reason this happens is because our focus is not in the right place. Continuously, we spend our time on the issues of life. For example, why am I going through this? Lord, here we go again? Why me Lord? You know, the infamous pity parties we throw when things don't go the way we think they should go; when we can't have or don't get what we believe we are inherently deserving of. A good example of this is working more than one job to acquire "stuff and things". I am guilty of this myself. There was a time when I almost always worked two jobs. But, when I took inventory of my "stuff and things", I realized there was something seriously wrong. You see, working two jobs to pay for things you don't have finances for is a direct correlation of an attitude of entitlement. As it relates to relationships, when we spend more time in a dead end relationship than we do with courting God, that is a direct correlation of a sense of entitlement. Why do you say that? I hear someone asking. Simply because it shows our inability to be married to self first; and if you can't be fully committed to you, how will you ever be fully committed to God? You must be able to decrease and allow God to increase in your total being before you can become healthily involved with someone. The point I am trying to make is having a clear understanding that every good thing we have in our lives is because of God, makes us incredibly blessed. We begin to have an attitude of gratitude; and not entitlement. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above,
and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. James 1:17 I woke up this morning with this ringing in my spirit: "You have not, because you ask not." Of course, I don't know exactly who is struggling right now but, I do know its someone. I want to take this opportunity to whisper a prayer on your behalf. I want to ask God to intervene in your life and erase all of your concerns. Dear God, humbly I approach your throne today to thank you for allowing me to see this day. Thanking you for giving me this opportunity and this platform to reach out to you on behalf of some who may not know how to do so for themselves. I pray you will cleanse my heart and help me to speak directly to you regarding the needs and concerns of my supporters. You tell us in Matthew 18:19, "Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven." Although we are not physically present in the same location, I am confident there are some others who will agree with me today. With so much happening around us Lord we want to make sure we bath everything about us in your Holy Spirit. First God I ask that you will forgive us for the sins we have committed, and even those we have omitted. We acknowledge that we are not perfect. We are not even worthy or deserving of the blessings you give us each day. But God, because of your new mercies we receive everyday, we are grateful. Lord, I pray against anything that is not like you that is trying to attack anyone who may be reading this today. Whether it is sickness, financial distress, mental illness, confusion or whatever, I ask that you will break the chains right now. I ask you Lord because you told me in John 14:14, "If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it." Therefore God, I am asking that we will surrender to you and that we will allow your will to be done in our lives. God, this prayer is not about me, nor is it for me (although I need it too), this prayer is for the person who feels they are too inadequate to speak to you on their own. Restore them Lord that they may begin to see you in everything they do. Help them Lord to understand you already know and you understand. Whatever they need this day, Lord, I ask that you will be their Jehovah Jireh, "The Lord who provides". I thank you in advance for the doors you are about to open, and the ways you are about to make. Most importantly Lord, I am praising you right now on their behalf because I know you are going to come through for them; just like you did for me. This is my prayer for my supporters, in the name of Jesus. Amen! 42 And the Lord said, Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his lord shall make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of meat in due season? 43 Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing. 44 Of a truth I say unto you, that he will make him ruler over all that he hath. 45 But and if that servant say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; and shall begin to beat the menservants and maidens, and to eat and drink, and to be drunken; 46 The lord of that servant will come in a day when he looketh not for him, and at an hour when he is not aware, and will cut him in sunder, and will appoint him his portion with the unbelievers. 47 And that servant, which knew his lord's will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes. 48 But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more. Luke 12:42-48 For some reason, I keep reflecting on this specific event in my life. When my dad was sick, he became immobile. We were approaching the winter season; and as you know, in North Carolina the winter season sometimes bring snow. Because I wanted to make sure I was there for my dad as much as possible, I grew very concerned about how we would be able to get medical attention should he need it, and it snowed. Of course, God in His infinite wisdom knew I was starting to feel anxiety because of this. As badly as I hated to lose my dad, God relieved us both. He welcomed by dad into heaven on December 18, 2014; and believe it or not, we had a snow storm in January 2015 that sat us all down for about a week. The amazing thing about this is the night before it snowed, I saw my dad in a dream. He was his happy jovial self. He was sitting up and smiling like he does; and honestly, he said "Nay Nay, I'm alright now." Even more amazing than that, the next day we woke up to snow. God never ceases to amaze me. The bible tells us in Exodus 33:14 the LORD replied, "My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest." I shared this to encourage you. Whenever you feel anxiety about a situation, trust God to make a way. Remember what the Bible says in Philippians 4:6-7, "Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." Not just that, 1 Peter 5:6-7 tell us, "Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you." |
In Memory of: Charles T. Wilcox
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