God Can Accelerate Your Future

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. – Jeremiah 29:11.

When God formed and created you, he already knew what a wonderful future he had planned for you. His thoughts and plans are to give you the best life ever. He has equipped you with all the gifts and essentials you need to become all he wants you to be.

So, your life is moving at a snail’s pace and everything you have ever dreamed and hoped for appears to be non-existent. If things are slow for you right now, I have a secret for you, God Can Accelerate Your Future!

Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us. – Ephesians 3:20.

We all are always in such a rush to get to the destination we have dreamed of for our lives, but God is more concerned about the journey. Our thoughts are minuscule. God thinks on a much higher and wider plane than we do. We think of not just surviving but we want to thrive however God wants to provide us with “Overflow.”

For this to happen we must get on board with God’s plan for our lives. Just because things are not happening now that doesn’t mean that God has forgotten about you. God knows the correct time for you to step into the abundant life he has for you. Trust his timing. http://www.miraclebook.net

For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry. – Habakkuk 2:3

What do you do while you are waiting for God’s appointed time to accelerate your future? Pray unwavering, keep the Faith, Believe God’s promises, speak life into your future not death, which is negativity, keep Hope alive always, thank God & have Gratitude for everything God has done in your life because remember what you have and take for granted others are dreaming to have, and finally Trust God always and in all circumstances especially when things are not working out because even though you can’t see what God is up to he is always working behind the scenes. http://www.miraclebook.net

Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God. – Corrie Ten Boom

Run Your Own Race

You are unique, one of a kind, God’s masterpiece, you are the only one who has your set of fingerprints. Why try to be someone else?

Sometimes in the press you will hear that a copycat crime has been committed. Well, the word copycat in essence means an imitation. Now the word imitation means the action of using someone or something as a model. God designed you to be an original so why would you want to imitate another? http://www.miraclebook.net

When you were a youngster in school you no doubt played the game “Follow the Leader.” Follow the leader is a children’s game. Players first choose a leader or “head of the line” and the remaining players (the followers) all line up behind the leader. The leader then moves around, and all the players have to mimic the leader’s actions. Any players who fail to follow or mimic the leader are out of the game. When only one follower remains, that player then becomes the new leader, and the game begins anew with all players joining the line once again. – www.wikipedia.com.

When you are a child, you do childish things and when you become an adult you are to gain wisdom and stop following the leader and branch out on your own. It is time you start to run your own race. This is the time you need to stop being an imitation and start being an original. This is why God created you in the manner and fashion that he did. Now I’m not saying that if say for example acting is your calling well of course there are going to be millions of people who are actors and actresses but have your own style and bring your own twist to the camera. Learn to be the star of your own movie. http://www.miraclebook.net

Run your own race means just be you. Every time you try to duplicate someone else you are disrespecting God’s creation of making you. God is the ultimate Picasso. Michelangelo, and all the other great artists. He put all the things in you that are necessary to become what he wanted when he formed you in your mother’s womb. Let’s look at some of the ways you run your own race:

Stop trying to fulfill other people’s dreams for your life. One of the most prevalent examples is parents trying to get their children to do what they never accomplished. Define what “success” looks like for you. Strive to accomplish your own dreams, goals, and visions for your life.
Don’t compare yourself to others. You have your own set of characteristics and God was aware of them from the beginning and approved of them. Don’t look down on yourself or think less of yourself because you are not like someone you admire. What you don’t realize is that that same person has things about themselves they would love to change and wished they were someone else also. The best person to compare yourself with is who you were yesterday, or last year or 5 years ago.
Learn to accept the things that you cannot change or maybe I should say you shouldn’t be changing. If God wanted, you to have a breast size of HH he would have given it to you. Don’t be so quick to have breast implants and then later that causes other issues. Men don’t be so quick to do penis enlargement because of who you are with. You have no guarantee that that person will be there a year from now. Use what God gave you and be content. The Apostle Paul said in the book of Philippians chapter four, “I have learned to be content in any and every situation.
Work on what you can change. In the Bible Matthew Chapter 15:18-20 says, “But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man. For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies: these are the things which defile a man.” Being prideful, having racial hatred, jealousy, etc. are things you can work on and change.

The Holy Spirit lives inside of all of us and if you will just call on him, he will guide your every step and help you remain uniquely you so you can Run Your Own Race daily.

Stop Disqualifying Yourself

Are you constantly playing over and over in your mind or even worst stating things like:

I am not worthy.

I am not good enough.

I am never going to accomplish that.

I am not beautiful.

I am never going to amount to anything.

I am poor and will always be that way.

I am never going to get married.

I am never going to have a business of my own.

I am never going to own a home.

I am never going to have children.

I am never going to own a brand-new car.

I am never going to accomplish my dream.

I am never going to go on a mission trip.

Wow! I don’t know about you, but I am already exhausted from all the negativity. Do you realize that those two words I Am are the most powerful words to ever be spoken? The words that you speak chart the course of your life. “Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.” – Proverbs 18:21. http://www.miraclebook.net

Yes, there will be challenging seasons, but you don’t need to add to them by disqualifying yourself believing that you can never do great things in life. Face your fears and come out of your comfort zone and charge forward.

Start saying what God says about you:

You are fearfully and wonderfully made. – Psalm 139:14

God says that you are the apple of his eye. – Deuteronomy 32:10

You can do all things through Christ which strengthens you. – Philippians 4:13

You are healed. – 1 Peter 2:24

You are not fearful. – Timothy 1:7

You are not abandoned. – Hebrews 13:5

You can have an abundant life. – John 10:10

You are chosen. – 1 Thessalonians 1:4

You are more than a conqueror. – Romans 8:37

You are victorious. – 1 Corinthians 15:57

You are beautiful. – Song of Solomon 4:7

You are blessed. – Psalm 84:4

You are God’s masterpiece. – Ephesians 2:10

Now that you have these reference points from the Bible stop disqualifying yourself and get out in life and enjoy the journey because God’s got your back and go fulfill the purpose, he has for you and live your dreams. http://www.miraclebook.net

Victory Is Closer Than You Think

Unfortunately, a lot of people believe that if something is not quick and easy then they will pass on it and find the next thing. We live in a society that wants everything lightning fast and overnight victories. Well, I hate to burst your bubble but that is not the way things happen 99% of the time. Joel Osteen says, “we all live in a microwave society, but we serve a crock pot God.” Steve Harvey says, “There is no elevator to the top, you’ve got to take the stairs in the world of success.”

There is one set of people who know this very well and they are fishermen. They recognize that the art of fishing has no time boundaries. You can cast your line and catch a fish quickly or you can be there for several hours, possibly days if you go out several days in a row. They realize that ultimately victory will come but there is no timetable. http://www.miraclebook.net

Too many people give up on things too quickly when victory is closer than they think. If you are looking for success it is a disciplined, consistent, made-up mind that you must have. You cannot just give up and run away from everything that does not materialize at warp speed. You must be prepared to dig your heels in, snap on your seat belt and enjoy the journey. Victory Is Closer Than You Think.

Sight is a beautiful thing, but it can sometimes warp the way you think. If you don’t see your destination directly ahead of you then you decide to go a different route or worse, you become complacent and do nothing at all and accept that this is your plight in life. http://www.miraclebook.net

When you are watching, for instance, a football game you can clearly see when the team is on the one-yard line, and they are close to a touchdown. Where God is concerned it is not sight but faith that you must have and trust in God that he will bring you to the abundant life he has for you in his appointed time. Victory Is Closer Than You Think.

We all must acquired patience in life just like the fishermen have because most things in life we have to wait for: the birth of a baby, to board a plane and have it take off, to get a degree from school, a car to come out of a car wash, a promotion from work, a business to finally be in the green and out of the red which normally is at least five years in the making etc. There are a host of other things that I can list but you get my gist.

Don’t be so quick to give up because victory is closer than you think.

God Gives You Beauty For Ashes

To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he might be glorified. – Isaiah 61:3

So, you feel like you are immersed in quicksand. Well, the good thing is that when you sink all the way down to the bottom there is no place to go but up and God is your hot air balloon to elevate you.

We all go through seasons in life (yes, I did say seasons with a plural) where things are awry or abase. It happens to all of us on this journey of life. These are the times when we must press into God and cast our care or else, we can wind up in the psychiatric care unit. God Gives You Beauty For Ashes.

For those of you that love school and are scholars and enjoy testing trust me the testing that life brings are very sharp, biting, and unpleasant. However, after you have suffered a little while God will give you beauty for ashes. Unfortunately, there is no timetable or tracking device to determine when he will lift the veil, but he will.

In the Bible is the story of Job and the hardships he endured that God allowed to prove to Satan that Job was a good man and would not buckle under immense pressure and stop serving God. http://www.miraclebook.net

“Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan came also among them. And the Lord said unto Satan, whence comest thou? Then Satan answered the Lord, and said, from going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it. And the Lord said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil? Then Satan answered the Lord, and said, Doth Job fear God for nought? Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? Thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land. But put forth thine hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will curse thee to thy face. And the Lord said unto Satan, Behold, all that he hath is in thy power; only upon himself put not forth thine hand. So, Satan went forth from the presence of the Lord. And there was a day when his sons and his daughters were eating and drinking wine in their eldest brother’s house: and there came a messenger unto Job, and said, The oxen were plowing, and the asses feeding beside them: and the Sabeans fell upon them, and took them away; yea, they have slain the servants with the edge of the sword; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee. While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, the fire of God is fallen from heaven, and hath burned up the sheep, and the servants, and consumed them; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee. While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, The Chaldeans made out three bands, and fell upon the camels, and have carried them away, yea, and slain the servants with the edge of the sword; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee. While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, thy sons and thy daughters were eating and drinking wine in their eldest brother’s house: and behold, there came a great wind from the wilderness, and smote the four corners of the house, and it fell upon the young men, and they are dead; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.” – Job 1:1-19.

So, as you can see here is this righteous man of God named Job that had to deal with very severe testing however at the end of his testing period God restored to him everything that he lost and gave him double for his trouble. “So the Lord blessed the latter end of Job more than his beginning: for he had fourteen thousand sheep, and six thousand camels, and a thousand yoke of oxen, and a thousand she asses. He had also seven sons and three daughters. And he called the name of the first, Jemima; and the name of the second, Kezia; and the name of the third, Kerenhappuch. And in all the land were no women found as fair as the daughters of Job: and their father gave them inheritance among their brethren. After this lived Job an hundred and forty years, and saw his sons, and his sons’ sons, even four generations. So, Job died, being old and full of days. http://www.miraclebook.net

So, as you can see God gave Job beauty for his ashes and because God is no respecter of persons, he will do the same for you. Whether you have tried multiple times to have a baby and it didn’t happen due to miscarriages don’t give up, keep trying God has a child with your name on it or maybe you can adopt and that will save you the nine months of hormone changes. Maybe you lost a home to foreclosure, fire, or a hurricane. God will restore you and give you another one. If you had your car totaled in a wreck or had it repossessed don’t panic God has a brand new shiny one waiting for you. If you lost, you job and the door was closed on you and you though you would retire from that job God has a new door and better position waiting for you. With the loss of that job, you had to cancel your dream vacation and now you think you will never have the opportunity to take that trip again. Don’t faint in heart God has it all worked out and not only that trip but several others you will embark on. Possibly the love of your life walked away from you, or they passed away. God knows you are lonely and hurting and he will bring you love again. You have been dealing with a long-standing health issue and now the last medical report is still unchanged, and the doctor tells you that you will have to live this this condition for the rest of your life or even worst you may not live very long. Remember God always has the final say and he will give you beauty for ashes.

Stay in faith, keep believing, keep trusting God, praise and worship God for the victory in advance. Don’t do like the children of Israel did and wait until they had crossed the Red Sea and then they broke out their tambourines and started to praise God. Your victory is coming, God Gives You Beauty For Ashes.

Jesus The Way Maker

Do you wish you had your own personal Houdini? You know the great escape artist! How many situations have you been in during your journey of life and didn’t see a way out?

At one time or another we have all wished to have our own personal magician that we could whip out at those critical times when we don’t see a way out of a situation that either we created or was just sprung on us. Well, I have great news for you that person has been with you always and he is called Jesus The Way Maker.

There are many names for Jesus but that would be a blog for another time. However, no matter what situation or crisis you find yourself in just call on the name of Jesus and he will fix it. Now don’t get me wrong he may not fix it immediately or in the way you want it fixed but he will do what is best for you and his best is unmatched to anything you think you can do on your own. http://www.miraclebook.net

On this journey of life, we will all encounter challenges, trials, testing of all types but the good news is that Jesus already has your solution even before the problem arises and he will make a way out for you. The Bible says so, “No temptation regardless of its source has overtaken or enticed you that is not common to human experience nor is any temptation unusual or beyond human resistance; but God is faithful to His word. He is compassionate and trustworthy, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability to resist, but along with the temptation he has in the past and is now and will always provide the way out as well, so that you will be able to endure it without yielding and will overcome temptation with joy.” – 1 Corinthians 10:13.

We all have at one time, or another called on everybody to save us except the one person who can really help us, bail us out, and place our feet on sturdy ground and that is Jesus The Way Maker. For those of us who are daring like myself and will try almost anything once like (Octopus Salad) invest in trying the real thing. All of us if we will just place our faith and trust in Jesus will be on cruise control. “Trust in and rely confidently on the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own insight or understanding. In all your ways know and acknowledge and recognize him, and he will make your paths straight and smooth removing obstacles that block your way. – Proverbs 3:5-6. http://www.miraclebook.net

The Despondency Test

Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance. – Psalm 42:5

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. – Jeremiah 29:11

Expected – to anticipate or look forward to the coming or occurrence of. – https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/expected.

According to Jeremiah 29:11 God has an expected end for all of us and according to the dictionary that is something we all should be looking forward to. So then why are so despondent? http://www.miraclebook.net

Despondent – means having lost all or nearly all hope. Implies a deep dejection arising from a conviction of the uselessness of further effort.

From the time God created the world he gave us all free will and with that we believe everything should always go our way and that we should always be living on easy street. When that does not happen and when we are going through extended seasons of challenges, trials, discomfort etc. we become despondent. We all want things to happen fast, quick like warp speed for the star trek fans reading this but that is not the way God operates. He expects a degree of FAITH, TRUST, BELIEF from us all. When we do not have those, we can expect to sink into the abyss.

According to our God given heavenly assignment in life not the man-made ones we decide God is going to keep us on the potter’s wheel until we are what we need to be to complete those assignments. Being on the potter’s wheel means we are being shaped, molded, refined into what God knows we need to be. It is what you would call the HOT SEAT! Don’t try to escape it because no one does. God created all of us and either we do things his way or we will be in the gutter. http://www.miraclebook.net

Jesus said, “I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.” There are many different tests in life that we will be expected to pass and one of the big ones is the despondency test. If we are always going to moan, complain, despise when God is trying to do a good work in us and get us prepared for the abundance, he has for us then we will never attain all that he wants for us and what we want for ourselves. We will be like the children of Israel that never made it into the promise land and died in the wilderness.

So, what do you do when things are not going your way? Pray, keep doing good, keep going to church, keep helping and serving people, keep tithing, keep reading your Bible, keep up your praise and worship to God, always have gratitude. At the appointed time God will lift the clouds and bring you into the abundant life he has in store for you. We all think we know when we are ready to level up, but we don’t. You don’t want to go to a higher level of influence and success when you are not ready or mature for it because the platform that was built for you will just crumble. http://www.miraclebook.net

Trust God’s timing and pass the despondency test and make the devil mad as hell so when you are elevated like David, Job, Moses, Joseph, Abraham, Esther, Ruth and many other heroes in the Bible the devil will have to turn aside and look for his next victim, but it will not be YOU!

The Rain Falls On The Just & The Unjust – Hold On

Are you the acrobatic type? Can you visualize yourself doing a high wire circus act? Or maybe hanging from the side of a cliff? Well, this is what you are doing when you are dealing with life’s tests, challenges, and uncertainty. What do you do when this happens? You hold on. The Rain Falls On The Just & The Unjust – Hold On

God never promises us crystal clear water and smooth sailing everyday of our lives. If Jesus had tribulation when he was here on earth what makes you think you will be exempt from them? You think to yourself I am a believer, I go to church regularly, I serve at church, I pay my tithes and give offerings. Spoiler alert, The Rain Falls On The Just & The Unjust.” https://www.amazon.com/Rain-Falls-Just-Unjust/dp/B0BQ59CRW8

In the Bible there was a woman by the name of Hannah whose womb was closed up and barren. Her husband loved her dearly, but he had another wife who was very fertile and was able to have baby after baby and she mercilessly taunted Hannah because she couldn’t have children. One day Hannah was at the temple and was crying and praying to God and said that if God gave her a son, she would care for him until he was old enough and then bring him to the temple and give him back to God to use as he chose. God heard her prayer and opened her womb and a year later she gave birth to the prophet Samuel. Hannah kept her word and God blessed her with four other children. Hannah kept the faith and held on and was blessed mightily. The Rain Falls On The Just & The Unjust – Hold On

Now here in modern day there is an actor named Trevor Donovan who also had to hold on tightly to his dream. Trevor always wanted to be an actor but every time he was in front of a camera he froze up and couldn’t read his lines. He got the job of a lifetime with the soap opera “Days of our Lives” with a three-year contract but was eventually fired because he would freeze and panic when he needed to read his lines. Just when he was about to give up on acting and give up his apartment in Los Angeles his agent called him and advised him that he secured a job with the show “90210”. Ever since that time Trevor’s career has just taken off and become very fruitful.

The Bible says in the book of Proverbs the book of Wisdom, “If thou faint in the day of adversity, thy strength is small.” – Proverbs 24:10. As soon as adversity rears its ugly head most people want to scamper, run, and hide. Most of us don’t like to be outside of our comfort zone, but you will never receive all God has for you if you don’t stretch yourself. Remember what God tells us, “Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.” – Isaiah 41:10. Hold On. The Rain Falls On The Just & The Unjust – Hold On

Christian Books – Donna Louis – Anxiety & Depression

“I found that with depression, one of the most important things you can realize is that you’re not alone. You’re not the first to go through it, you’re not gonna be the last to go through it,” — Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson

“There is hope, even when your brain tells you there isn’t.” ― John Green

“I keep moving ahead, as always, knowing deep down inside that I am a good person and that I am worthy of a good life.” ― Jonathan Harnisch

“If you have been brutally broken but still have the courage to be gentle to other living beings, then you’re a badass with a heart of an angel.” — Keanu Reeves

Mental Health is a real issue that we all need to take seriously. If you know someone who may be suffering, then reach out to them and show them love. No man is an island and we all at some point in our lives must lean on someone else. If you see a person that is suffering don’t just shake your head and turn the other way. Don’t think that they are just a weakling so whatever happens to them they deserve. You might live to regret those unsavory thoughts. If Jesus had done that when he was here walking the earth where would we all be now? Check out my website

If you are a person dealing with mental health issues, please reach out and get help. Don’t think that you are the only one dealing with these issues. People in the Bible dealt with mental health issues as well. Christian Books – Donna Louis – Anxiety & Depression

Kind David battled depression, despair, fear, guilt, loneliness, anguish and much more. He detailed all of this in the Book of Psalms. ““My guilt has overwhelmed me like a burden too heavy to bear.” – Psalm 38:4. “Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.” – Psalm 42:11. He also spoke about his grief regarding the loss of his son in the book of 2 Samuel Chapter 12. David sinned a great sin against God by sleeping with a married woman named Bathsheba and killed her husband Uriah and then married her and she conceived. God struck and killed his son even though David prayed for forgiveness and fasted. Check out my website

Elijah the prophet who had a multitude of spiritual victories was fearful, tired, and distraught and ran away and said, “I have had enough Lord, he said. Take my life, I am not better than my ancestors.” 1 Kings 19:4. Christian Books – Donna Louis – Anxiety & Depression

Jonah who ran from God when he asked him to go to Nineveh to preach to the people was ultimately swallowed by a whale. After three days God had the whale spit Jonah out and he headed to Nineveh. He had great success there with the people, but he was angry instead and said, “Now O Lord, take away my life, for it is better for me to die than to live.” Jonah 4:3. And God said to Jonah, Doest thou well to be angry for the gourd? And he said, I do well to be angry, even unto death.” – Jonah 4:9.

Job was a righteous man and loved God, but he lost almost everything enduring great devastation and physical illness. “Then said his wife unto him, Dost thou still retain thine integrity? curse God, and die.” – Job 2:9. He then said, “Why did I not perish at birth, and die as I came from the womb?” Job 3:11.” Job also said, “I have no peace, no quietness, I have no rest, but only turmoil.” Job 3:26. Job continued to also say, “I loathe my very life; therefore, I will give free rein to my complaint and speak out in the bitterness of my soul.” Job 10:1. Christian Books – Donna Louis – Anxiety & Depression

Jesus was deeply depressed and distraught knowing the things that he had to deal with including the cross. Jesus prayed to God saying, and saith unto them, my soul is exceeding sorrowful unto death: tarry ye here, and watch. And he went forward a little, and fell on the ground, and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him. And he said, Abba, Father, all things are possible unto thee; take away this cup from me: nevertheless, not what I will, but what thou wilt. – Mark 14:34-36.

If you see something say something. If you are the person suffering you speak up and say something. No matter how it may appear there is still more good in this world than bad and there are people waiting to extend their arms and help you to overcome. Remember God says, “I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.”.

Christian Books – Enjoy The Journey

Whether you are commuting to church, work, school, a friend’s home, the grocery store, the bank, the gym to work out, the movies, a restaurant for dinner, an amusement park, or going on vacation or host of other things you are on a journey. A journey is an act or instance of traveling from one place to another. Christian Books – Enjoy The Journey. http://www.miraclebook.net

In the same way that we have an earthly journey we have a spiritual journey as well. We are traveling day by day until we are called home to our maker. A spiritual journey just like an earthly journey is made up of choices. However, because God placed us all here with a purpose and have given us all gifts and talents that we are to use to glorify his kingdom if we start to go astray, he will rearrange our choices and implement the correct ones so we will stay on the course he designed for us before he formed us in our mother’s womb. Christian Books – Enjoy The Journey. http://www.miraclebook.net

It is equally important that we enjoy the journey as well as the destination. All of us want to be successful and thrive in life but we must remember that when we plant a seed for flowers, or fruits, or vegetables, or whatever there is a journey that the seed must go through before it becomes all it is meant to be. There will be peaks and valleys, straight roads and curved roads, mountains and flat terrain, in essence joys and sadness, but all of that is necessary so you can become the person you are meant to be just like the seed. My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into diver’s temptations, knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. A double minded man is unstable in all his ways. – James 1:1-8. If you don’t quite understand what that means let me simplify it for you – to everything there is a season, and an appointed time and God is the one who determines that time so don’t get frustrated just enjoy the journey. You will get to where you are meant to be if you don’t give up. So, what should we do while on our journey? I love to work with acronyms so let’s take a look. Christian Books – Enjoy The Journey

J = Joy. Well, we don’t have to go back far because just a few sentences ago in James 1:1 it said to count it all joy when ye fall into diver’s temptations. Trials are just a test that we must pass so God will bless us with what we’re asking for. Just like a small child has a Christmas list for Santa we as adults have an everyday Christmas list for God. We want, and want, and want some more. Well, the same way a parent is not going to give their car to a six-year-old to drive because they know the child is not capable of handling the vehicle is the same way God is not going to give us what we want unless we are prepared to handle what goes along with it. Just because you don’t receive what you are asking for in the time frame that you want it doesn’t mean it won’t happen so keep your joy always.

O = Observant. It is very important that you are observant while on your journey because sometimes tests actually get repeated. There is a story called The Potter’s Wheel – The Teacup by an unknown author who spoke about how this potter who owned an antique shop and a couple came inside to look because they liked antiques and saw this beautiful teacup unlike anything they had ever seen and asked the potter if they could see it. He handed it to them and walked away and they marveled about how beautiful the teacup was. At the exact moment the teacup spoke to them and said it was not always a teacup. The teacup explained how it had been placed by the potter on this wheel being spun back and forth and then how it was placed in this oven to be refined and every time it screamed to get out the potter opened the oven and checked on it and placed it back in saying it wasn’t ready yet. This is how God is with us. However, with the testing we endure we need to make sure that if we failed a test previously because of a lack of patience or something else we must be observant when that test comes back and make the right choice so we will move forward and not have to keep repeating it and going around and around. As a child there was a song kids would sing called “Here we go round the Mulberry Bush.” Several kids would join hands in a circle and skip around a tree or bush and sing as they went around. We must be careful and observant not to repeat our mistakes just like the children of Israel did why it took them 40 years to get to the promise land instead of 11 days.

U = Unique. When something is unique it is distinctively characteristic. This is the way you must see yourself. You are God’s masterpiece and when he created you, he broke the mold. Just like you hear fingerprint experts say that no one has the same set of fingerprints that is true because each one of us is unique in our own way. God designed us that way and so the gifts and talents that he gave to you are specific to you and what he wants you to accomplish in life so don’t compare yourself to others because what you can do easily maybe a huge chore for someone else.

R = Rest. The same way that you hear health experts say you should get at least eight hours of sleep per night so your body can function properly and replenish itself is exactly what God did when he created the earth. He worked six days and then rested on the seventh. We also must rest. Sometimes we keep ourselves so busy that we are spinning out of control. Trust God and allow him to take the reigns of your life and you will see things will run more smoothly. When we allow God to have the lead role and be our pilot things work out better. Since the dawn of time and the creation of the earth God gave us choices and he has always been a gentleman where he will not invoke his power on us. If we insist of being in control, he will allow us to do that and just take a back seat and wait until we are completely worn out and spent and cry out for his help and then he will step back in. “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” – James 4:7. Rest and let God do the work.

N = New. “It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.” – Lamentations 3:22-23. The Bible says that we all fall short of the glory of God, but this above verse let’s us know that no matter what his mercy and compassion for us fail not. Each day that God provides the breath of life in your body is a new day to be grateful and go forward asking him to guide and direct your steps. Pray Lord thank you for your favor in everything you do. Every day is a new day with a new opportunity to do better while we are on this journey. For the entire six days that it took God to create the earth everyday he improved and did better. This is what he expects of us and if we will remove the stress and take off the pressure it will allow us to greatly improve with each new day. Each day is a gift, and we need to choose wisely to do better than what we did yesterday. Don’t say it’s too hard because the Bible says you can do all things through Christ which strengthens you.

E = Expectant. “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.” – Jeremiah 29:11. God is clearly telling you here that he is not thinking evil thoughts about you and wants to give you peace and an expected end so if God is thinking and saying that why are you saying the opposite? You must be expecting the best every day. Miracles can happen at any moment but if you are thinking that nothing good ever happens to me that is exactly what will keep happening. The book of Job in the Bible talks about a righteous man who lost everything, but God let him know, “Though thy beginning was small, yet thy latter end should greatly increase.” – Job 8:7. Don’t think my time has passed it is too late for me to have anything good happen to me always have an expectant attitude.

Y = Yes. Yes – used as a function word to express assent or agreement. Do you know what the most powerful word in the English language is? It is the word YES. A lot of people believe that NO is the most powerful word but that would be wrong. The word NO shows closed-mindedness and fear but, the word YES shows true strength and courage. The word YES signals interest and respect. When you say the word YES you look at what is presented to you and simply look at the problem in front of you in a fresh way. The word YES is a positive affirmation. It reflects in your body language and makes you feel valued. The word YES stretches you, challenges, energizes, creates safety and trust, and fuels creativity. There are many people in the bible that knew the power of the word YES. God used everyday people who said yes to him in the Bible. Noah said yes when God asked him to build an ark. Abraham said yes when God asked him to sacrifice his only son. However, God spared his life. Moses said yes when God told him to ask Pharaoh to let the Israelites go. Mary said yes when the angel asked her to carry Jesus, the only Son of God. The disciples said yes when Jesus asked them to leave everything behind and follow Him. Paul, who once persecuted Christians as Saul, said yes when God asked him to deliver the Good News of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles. These people were not extraordinary people with great fortitude and toughness. They were normal people who tolerated, wrestled, and wept but still said yes to God and His will. The biggest one of all is Jesus who said YES to being crucified on the cross. What was his reward? He now sits on the throne on the right side of the Father. Try it for yourself say YES to God and see how much smoother your journey will be. Christian Books – Enjoy The Journey.