Whether it's morning, midday, or evening when you read this, I wanted to point out that today is JULY 31st, 2007, the LAST day of July, which we'll never, I mean ever see again. So instead of looking at ALL the things you maybe don't have, that aren't working for you, begin to slowly walk down memory lane and just "thank God" for ALL the amazing things that you DO have, and that ARE working for you. Let's end this last day of July on a 'good note' together, one of thanksgiving, being thankful for 'where you are GOING!' Where He is taking YOU! Tomorrow is the 8th month of this year, the year of beginnings for us all. (That's another subj.) But right now, just praise your way out of today! Find time just today to give God your 'best praise'. Your morning break, or have lunch with Him, or your afternoon break. Some time today, let's do something FOR Him. . .He's ALWAYS doing for us. I leave now, on my way to a praise break! I'll catch you tomorrow.

Who is YOUR Confidence??

Each day we face life's challenges, changes, pressures and choices; all of which could actually, no almost with ALL probability cause one to react in a downward spiral. It is more clear now than ever that our nation, our government, even our own jobs cannot offer us the "hope" we need of having a secure future. This is why God offers himself thru his Son, Jesus Christ, as a 'sure hope' for any and all insecurities we may be facing. The ongoing ultimate question which often visits any one person's mind is, "What's going to happen to me?" "Will I make it?" This may cause us to scramble frantically in our thinking for measures of security and protection. Hebrews 10:35 says, "Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward. vs. 37 ...For yet a little while, and he that SHALL come WILL come, and will NOT tarry. There is encouragement in knowing that we have a 'hope' which produces. For every area of difficulty we face, God is our solution. He is concrete, foundational, totally reliable. Many others things are not, but He remains 'faithful' to all who love Him, and come to know Him. Allow Him to be YOUR confidence today!

What's YOUR Excuse? ? ?

At Bethune-Cookman University, I learned something very valuable to me, and I have adopted its principle and taught it to others as well down thru time.
This is the saying,
"EXCUSES are tools of incompetence, which build monuments of nothingness.
Those who use them, seldom do good at any thing else." --unknown
Our actions may not be intentional, whatever the reason, but they very much end up being just that, 'excuses'. I started out this year encouraging others not to 'waste time', but to savor every moment of every waking day. Try to avoid distractions, they come in all colors, shapes and sizes. Remain true to yourself and most of all, remain focused.
More importantly, let's stay away from 'excuses'.

"Be STILL! ! !"

We live in a time and society where everything is 'fast-paced'. We are driven to meet deadlines, talk fast, think fast, move fast, all directed to the need for 'speed'. People tend to dislike quietness, stillness. Teens seriously find it hard to deal with. In church, people have a tendancy to scramble to do something to cover up that quiet spot. In general and to be honest, it is sometimes very very difficult to just "be still". Psalms 46:10 says, "Be still, and know that I am God...". Here are 3 things that tell us we desperately need a major "SLOW DOWN:
1 Movement - We can have too much movement in our lives, far too many activities that distract our time, attention, even our devotion to the Lord. Should there be ANY movement in our lives, only let it be in purpose.
2 Management - Too many people or outside influences managing our business, our household, our finances, who's managing our children???
3 Monuments - Monuments are man-made; made by OUR hands (not God's). Built up, set up high for all to see. We begin to worship what 'we've' erected. Misplaced and Misdirected worship. God is highly and widely known for 'bringing down every 'high place'.
Let's remember to slow down, all the way way down. We can hear God more, get better clarity, better directions and understanding. Even teach our children that it's ok, it's alright and it's healthy, to learn to just sometimes, shhhhhhh, "Be STILL".

The LORD Keeps Me; Keeps Us ALL

Many times reflecting our achievements, accomplishments, and even our intellect, we tend to think WE are responsible for and thereby sustain the very core of our being. But according to Psalms 121:5, David zeroes in on a simple yet colossal principle that actually governs our day to day lives. He states that, "the LORD is my (our) keeper". It is the LORD who keeps 'us' ALIVE. As much as we'd like to believe, we cannot even 'keep' ourselves. It is God who keeps our minds operating, our bodies in good health, our children when they are separated from us, our homes in tact. It is God himself who keeps our entire nation from being overthrown or attacked from unseen enemies. Of a truth, it IS the LORD, who keeps us. He that keepeth us neither 'slumbers nor sleeps'. To be honest, I'm glad and thankful that it is the LORD who keeps us. For we, in all our human-ness, cannot 'keep' ourselves.

It's IMPERATIVE!

I cannot stress enough to believers everywhere, an ongoing 'factoid' focusing on our overall health and well-being. GETTING in the Word opens dimensions of our understanding how to walk in purpose, pleasing unto God. SPEAKING the Word shapes the world and atmosphere around us. PRAYING the Word keeps our prayers effective and in line with God's will. WARRING with the Word gives us dominion over the wiles, attacks, and victory in warfare against a cunning adversary.
Being the WINNERS we are, and MORE than Conqerors, it is absolutely imperative that we stay on top of our game. Apply these four points in your everyday life. Experience the abundant life already afforded to YOU!
Go ahead. . .Walk It Out today! !

AVOID THIS

One thing commonly known to "avoid" on your way to destiny is a spirit of "COMPARISONS". Staying focused on what God has told or given YOU to do costs your time, effort, and concentration daily! Looking to the left or right of you can cause great loss in these three areas. Momentum and morale both begin to decline, and to sum it all, you eventually lose focus of your vision. Remember, no vision, where is purpose???
So continue the race, your walk in Christ, confidently, in all totality, being ALL God has called you to be. Steer clear of "COMPARISONS".

What You Do Depends on YOU!

How HIGH you go, is your "ALTITUDE",

How FAR you go, is your "ATTITUDE",

Now what you do about BOTH this very moment

(and from now on),

Depends on YOU!

FORGIVENESS

In our everyday walk, we must learn to walk in 'forgiveness'. For it is our duty that Jesus set for our example in the Lord's prayer. To wit, unforgiveness has to be dealt with BEFORE forgiveness can take place. Hurting people hurt other people. Unforgiveness defiles you; brings on sickness, anger, resentment (to name a few). It also can cause adaptation of the same character as the one who hurt you. Forgiveness then, is the ability to cease from demanding punishment or restitution to another. It is also the ability to release someone who didn't even "ask you", wishing them no harm.
*Forgiveness MUST replace the thirst for revenge.
**The best revenge by far is "forgiveness".
Make sure you walk in forgiveness. Start today. It is the beginning of your healing.

THINK ON THIS

If you "HOLD OUT", you will "HOLD ON". - Endurance

If you "HOLD ON", you can "HOLD OUT". - Stedfastness