Happiness is a choice.We are not happy because everything around us is going according to plan all the time. We are happy because we choose to be. We make the choice each day not to be victims of our circumstances nor define our joy or happiness based on our circumstance but based on what we know.
Rom8:28"All things work together for Good to those that love God and are called according to his purpose".
After you have done all to stand, still stand for he who has promised is Faithful.
Wow! May God uphold them with his righteous hand strengthen them such that they would remain strong and immovable. I hope this inspires and encourages you to stand.
This past week, I had what many refer to as an epiphany or as some fondly call it,
an" Aha Moment". I know it may seem pretty obvious and glaring but have you really considered it.
You know how Growing up , many of us had dreams , even now, some of us have new dreams and we picture it so much that its basically all we see. We have aspirations, we picture ourselves doing certain things but that's where it stops.The truth is if we sit back and wish all we want , it will not happen. It is like believing that God will make your dream come to pass he will make you great but yet you sit at home all day and do nothing about it. Some of us are physically moving but are sitting on the inside. " Show me your faith apart from your works and I will show you my faith by my works" james 2:18.Basically what are we doing that shows we believe that dream will come to pass ;What Plans and Preparations are we making ? What steps Are we taking ?
A man could wish to be a pilot all he wants but if he doesn't take the necessary steps that need to be taken to achieve it, it will only be a dream.
I saw an illustration on television about this which stuck forever. A preacher had a jacket in his hands, holding the jacket in the air, he said imagine the suit is faith however without works "the suit dropping to the floor" is dead.It is not enough to just believe that I will change the world yet you sit all day on the couch or you are not doing anything in regards to it.
The Bible says in the book of Ecclesiastes that " A dream comes around through much activity" .Ecc5 :13 We need to take steps or work towards actualizing that dream. Take for instance a little kid who dreams about being a Neuro surgeon someday. No matter how fantastic the dream is , if he does not go to medical school and take the necessary professional exams. It will remain a dream. Things don't just happen . Where do you see yourself? what goals are being set towards achieving it? The Output we will get is as a result of the input we put in and God's Grace. Which is able to take us beyond what we could ever imagine or think of.
I love the story of The spider man lead actress Emma Stone. She had a dream to be an actress as a child but her parents lived outside L A .Rather than ponder and wish all day about it, she made a power point presentation for her parents convincing them to make the move to L A in order to pursue her dream and the rest is history.
The message here is ,nothing happens unless we move,. Our dream may not be as far off as we think. The Question is what are we doing about that dream?
This weeks song of the week is" Our God" by Chris Tomlin.
The lyrics are so Uplifting.
"And if our God is for us then who could ever stop us and if he is with us, what can stand against"
I just want to encourage you that no matter the size of the adversity , no matter the size of the challenge ,no matter how it may seem or look , If God is for us nothing can stand against us. I heard it for the first time on radio and I Frankly can't get it out of my mouth. It's such an amazing song. I sincerely apologize to my flatmates who had to bear me singing at the top of my lungs. I hope you guys love it too.
With lots of love Fv
Our God Is From The Album - Arriving
Lyrics
Water you turned into wine, opened the eyes of the blind there's no one like you, none like You!
Into the darkness you shine out of the ashes we rise there's no one like you none like You!
Our God is greater, our God is stronger, God you are higher than any other.
Our God is Healer, Awesome in Power, Our God! Our God!
Into the darkness you shine out of the ashes we rise there's no one like you, none like You!
Our God is greater, our God is stronger, God you are higher than any other.
Our God is Healer, Awesome in Power, Our God! Our God!
Our God is greater, our God is stronger, God you are higher than any other.
Our God is Healer, Awesome in Power, Our God! Our God!
And if our God is for us, then who could ever stop us.
And if our God is with us, then what could stand against.
And if our God is for us, then who could ever stop us.
And if our God is with us, then what could stand against.
What could stand against.
Our God is greater, our God is stronger, God you are higher than any other.
Our God is Healer, Awesome in Power, Our God! Our God!
Our God is greater, our God is stronger, God you are higher than any other.
Our God is Healer, Awesome in Power, Our God! Our God!
And if our God is for us, then who could ever stop us.
And if our God is with us, then what could stand against.
And if our God is for us, then who could ever stop us.
And if our God is with us, then what could stand against.
Then what could stand against.
Our God is greater, our God is stronger, God you are higher than any other.
Our God is Healer, Awesome in Power, Our God! Our God!
Our God is greater, our God is stronger, God you are higher than any other.
Our God is Healer, Awesome in Power, Our God! Our God!
Gen 50:20 " But as for you, you meant evil against me: but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it it is this day to save many people alive.
The scripture tells of Joseph a young seventeen year old boy who had a dream that his brothers and entire family will bow down to him. His brothers hated him because he was loved dearly by his father and by virtue of the dream ,they got so jealous and upset that they sold their youngest sibling into slavery.
It must have been hard for Joseph ,how do you start to comprehend why your loved ones would do such , how do you deal with such a a betrayal and pain ?the words may not even be able to come out of your mouth to explain it. His own brothers , his blood, the people that he should know he can always rely on, forsook him and sold him but Joseph chose not to dwell on that hurt and pain even after being thrown in prison for an act he did not commit, he remained humble and honored God .
Due to the fact that he did so, God lifted him up and that dream came to pass. Yes! there was a messy chapter in his life. Yes it was a horrible story but if his brothers never sold him into slavery he most likely wouldn't have ended up in Egypt and he being a citizen of another country other than Egypt would not have been given the position he held(Governor Of Egypt).It must have been difficult for him but there is always a way through every trial and temptation "for God will not allow us to be tempted beyond what we can handle" .I know sometimes its difficult after a betrayal or anything that must have caused so much pain but If there's anyone that knows what you have been through, If there is anyone that understands how your heart aches ,If there is anyone that can see you through and bring you out ,It is God. The Why me Questions, how could that have happened to me questions may arise,but they wouldn't solve anything.It only keeps you in the same place .Some of us have dwelt too long in that place of hurt and frankly think that's how it's going to be but I tell you today that it is not over until God says it.God is calling us out. His plans for us are good and not of evil.The enemy may try but God can turn things around for our good If we let him. " Many Are The Afflictions of the righteous but the lord delivers him out of them all" -Ps 34:19
Today, choose to cast your cares unto him the one who created you and knows how to mend and heal you. Choose to let go.Receive his peace that surpasses all understanding and let him turn your mess like he did for Joseph into your message.
