Scent of Water

The house was nicely kept but awefully quiet, everything was nicely arranged around the house. Katie bent down to play a worship song, she sat down with eyes closed as she sang the songs along, "he can move the mountain", she repeated the line of the lyrics of the song. She was struggling to build up faith in herself, "He can move the mountain, he can move the mountain". It seems as if she can not get her mind to accept the ability of God to remove mountains... Katie has been a Christian for a number of years and she seems to be loosing grip on everything, her husband walked out on her, with 3 children in University, she has been struggling to keep her head above the water. It is as if her woes came in tripples...

She lost her job a few months ago and has been trying to make ends meet, her Employment Insurance is about to run out in a month, she has sent out her resumes to almost every organization in the Financial world. Loneliness was the least of her problems, she repeated the lyrics of the song with tears rolling down her eyes she looked up to heaven and said "God, it is high time we have a serious conversation, I am not sure where to turn to, I am at my witts end, things have been hard and I have tried hard to hold on, will you not help me?" "You can move the mountains can't you? Hope deffered makes the heart weary, that is your word not mine, I am desperate!!!" She layed on the carpet with her face down, she wept and worshipped and eventually fell asleep. 

The evening was far gone by the time she woke up, she was tired and went to refresh herself. She listened to her telephone messages in order to clear her voice mail before retiring for the evening. She had been called for an interview at one of the five major banks in the country. She got her pen and wrote down the details of whom to contact, "when did this message come in she asked herself?" Her thoughts had clouded her mind that she was finding it difficult to function aright, it seems somewhere in her mind she was seeing closed doors everywhere she turned. 

Job 14:7-9 NKJV

“For there is hope for a tree,
If it is cut down, that it will sprout again,
And that its tender shoots will not cease.
⁸ Though its root may grow old in the earth,
And its stump may die in the ground,
⁹ Yet at the scent of water it will bud
And bring forth branches like a plant.

Katie attended the interview and she got the job, a level higher than her previous job. "Yes, you can move the mountains, she screamed and rolled and cried all at the same time after she got her job offer. It was too good to be true." She knew God had started his work of restoration... A couple of months after she started her new job, guess who called to congratulate her? Rick, yes her husband...he wanted to say hi... She smiled and said,"you can move the mountain"...

I do not know what area of your life you feel "cut down" like a tree and you know it will only take the scent of water to bring any form of hope. Jesus is the water that gushed out of the rock when Israel thirsted in the wilderness, He is purifier of every filth and dirt, He is the one who can sooth your pain and ache. Even though we are different our needs at the end of the day are somewhat similar and Jesus is the one stop solution to every problem. 

I encourage you today not to give up as you wait for the scent of the water to refresh your soul as well as revive you in your situation. For your career, He has all the connections, for the unborn children you are trusting Him for, children are His inheritance, for a good partner, He knows the heart of every man and can rightly bring you to your own flesh and bone and for your relationship that constantly gives you heart ache, the king's heart is in His hand. I have heard some testimonies of seemingly impossible situations that have been turned around. 

May you perceive the Scent of water you need to refresh you in your particular situation.

Have a blessed week ahead.

Shalom!

Upon my palms

The uniqueness of the lines on the human palm is intriguing. No two humans have the exact designs, each one is designed,customized and no one is a replica of the other. When I think about how God has created each and every human being I marvel at His awesomeness and attention to detail. 

 

This boosts my confidence that I am not a mistake, after thought or photocopy of any other. It also gives me the strength to go on knowing that I have been engraven upon the palms of His hand and am not erasable or forgettable. No matter how busy you are in a day, you will still have time or need to take a glance at your palm.

Isaiah 49:16 NKJV

"Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands;thy walls are continually before me". 

 

This speaks of the physical rememberance by God. You are constantly on the mind of God but just so that you know how important you are, He has engraven you on His palms where He can take a glance at you. He remembers you and he knows the appointed time for the fulfilment of His purpose in your life. It is challenging not to look sideways at others; friends, younger colleagues, brethren, siblings and when you weigh in your limited mind what is working for others, you switch to panic mode, "when will it be my turn"? I know my walls are continually before the Lord, my portion, inheritance and destiny and at the rightness of time He will satisfy me. 

 

The usefulness of the palm is another reason that gives me confidence that God has a reason for putting me on his palms. Whatever you do during the course of the day will require the use or support of your palms. So when God writes me on His palms, I know I am relevant to His purpose and He will never owe any man. If He uses me for His glory, He will reward me, He will cause His glory to be seen in my life. Do you feel unappreciated where you are and for the things you do, remember that you are written in the palms of God's hand and He will not forget your labour of love.

 

I pray in Jesus name that your weary heart will receive courage to move forward in Jesus name. You will not give up before you are celebrated in Jesus name.

 

Shalom!

Broken Walls

James was exhausted mentally, physically and emotionally, his drive, enthusiasm and go-getter attitude was not getting him anywhere. He was doing well in his career in his home country, but because he had been taught not to rest on his oars, he decided to seek for better opportunities and exposure by migrating to the Western world.

Ever since he relocated his family to Toronto, his story has been different, he wonders sometimes late at night whether he had been hasty by relocating. His first few months were spent being hopeful and improving himself. The phrase "lack of Canadian experience" has almost become a curse that follows him everywhere he goes. All his effort to get something slightly related to what he was doing at home had been futile and right now the only word that aptly describes him is frustration.

As if that is not enough, he has been having issues in his relationship with his wife as she does not seem to 'understand' what he is going through. Frank had told his wife that she has to keep the home front while he works outside, that way the children will be well taken care of. As things are right now, someone needs to be working to bring in some income. Toke approached her husband about getting a clerical position with one of the employment agencies as an administrative assistant, but his response was startling, he went livid and asked her what he was doing wrong and if she was hungry. She gently told him, "no dear, but I see we are struggling and you have always been there for us. This is not to spite you in anyway but to step up my role as a help meet". Frank's ego had been bruised, he new he was drowning but he would not want his wife to work to sustain the family, that is his responsibility and he is failing now he thought. There has been quite a bit of tension between him and his wife,"so what else will have to give way before I hit rock bottom...? he thought to himself.

I am not sure what area of your life feels as if you are failing and the walls are broken. Perhaps you feel your walls are already broken and destroyed by fire. You are the only one who feels and knows the pain and hurt of that broken wall and shattered hope. Perhaps you were looking forward to a greener pasture, better opportunities, living life at its best because you are willing to work hard. However, what you are facing now seems like ruins of your dreams, have you failed in anyway? Maybe your spouse has stopped commenting on anything you do because it does not matter how hard you work your result or effort is almost predictable (failure).

Perhaps you have heard some hurtful remarks made by friends you trust so much and you have made up your mind to severe your ties to most relationships you have. Perhaps your friends have become your enemies in your heart because they have all the things you are worrying and dying to have, you wonder without being able to confide in anyone why your lot is the way it is. Perhaps you feel your wall is broken on the inside, a deep seated hurt that goes way back to your youth still haunts you and holds you captive, regardless of how you are perceived on the outside you are still a captive in your mind.

As a woman you find yourself attracting the wrong men, abusers, lazy, ignorant,users men who are only here for the now. Maybe you are a good looking,hardworking gentleman but the only kind of girls you find around you are the selfish ones. Where do you go from here you ask?

Nehemiah 2:13 NKJV

"And I went out by night through the Valley Gate to the Serpent Well and the Refuse Gate, and viewed the walls of Jerusalem which were broken down and its gates which were burned with fire".

=>You need to assess your situation and be clear about what has gone wrong and what you need to do, do not generalize by saying "I have problems"

=>Refrain from a quick fix, bandage solution.

=>Are you able to sort some of the things out by meeting with other believers? People who are knowledgeable in that area of your challenge?

=>Prayerfully approach those you think can help. 

The King and Queen threw their royal weight behind Nehemiah's project and provided for his need even though he was a servant in the palace. God is able to send you destiny helpers from quarters you can not imagine. Ensure you do your research about your area of challenge, do not accept what everyone is saying "They do not consider immigrant for that position, you have an accent, you have not worked long enough with the company" all these are excuses that you need to put aside and focus on what the Big God can do.

Nehemiah 6:9 NKJV

"For they all were trying to make us afraid, saying, “Their hands will be weakened in the work, and it will not be done.”

You will always have mockers whenever you attempt to build your broken walls. You need to block your ears to side comments that discourage and weary the heart. It may not look like it when you start but can you see a beautifully built city? You will have to battle, physically as well as in the place of prayer. Whatever you do, do not give in to the devil's discouragement. Nehemiah completed his task, YOU will accomplish yours and testify in Jesus name. May your RUINS become RICHES in Jesus name.

Shalom!

Check Your Plank

Improvement is important in all areas of our lives especially our relationships. I observed something minute that almost cost me my peace some years back.... my husband does not press the shower knob to turn off the faucet, that means the next person who touches the shower knob will be showered automatically... What's the big deal you ask? Ask a woman who has spent over 4 hours at the salon what the big deal is to have water poured straight on part of her newly done hairdo....

 

This almost bred resentment in me everytime I think about going into the shower, why can't he just press this tab, its not as if he requires energy to do it!! Well, the Holy spirit asked me why I couldnt add that to one of the checks I make before stepping into the shower? I too could press the knob down to ensure I do not get sprayed.

Well, that did it!!

Everytime I am about to step into the shower, I check to see if the knob is turned on or off. It has become second nature, it does not matter where I go... You can't imagine how much aggravation that has saved me.

 

What habit does your spouse possess that is making you loose your mind? The Lord made me realise that the fact that my husband does not list or highlight all of the things I do wrong or emphasize my habits that upsets him does not make me an angel... Food for thought!

 

Work for peace and learn to overlook shortcomings. Stop sweating the small stuff so you can have time for fun and joy. It is very easy to see what the other party is doing wrong forgetting that you too have a lot of habits, attitude that could use some amendment.

 

Jesus know us quite well and that is why he has this to say about hypocrisy; Luke 6:41

 

“Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?"

 

So before you nag and get into undue tension with your spouse check the plank in your eye...lol

 

Have a fun-filled weekend!

Mirage?

Sandra walked in to the sitting room, the TV set was on and very loud, she looked around and saw the remote control lying on the dining table. She picked it up and reduced the volume of the television just in time to hear her husband's voice from the kitchen "I wanted it that loud please". Hi dear, she managed and he responded with a cold grunt "hm'.

She was exhausted and tired of living like an inmate with this man. It was this same man who had 'swept her off her feet' seventeen years ago. They have built a lovely home and her heart blesses the Lord each time she considers her husband's devotion to the Lord and to their family. They have a peaceful home and three lovely children.

The way things have been going in the last few months have been from bad to worse. She had asked a friend to join her in prayers. Each time they meet and pray it is as if her prayers fuels the fire of a great fight. They can not seem to agree on anything, even the slightest thing around the house. Sandra had tried to speak with Frank about how things are but he seems to be in his own world, controlled by some forces that Sandra can not understand.

Today is a nice sunny day and Sandra was hanging out with the children at the park. She was pondering over the events of the last two weeks and her mind is swirling wondering where she had missed it. Right choice? Right man? Has she been living a dream? Is it all going to end? Will God not hear her prayers?

A man of God in a difficult situation once doubted his purpose,what he once preached... Luke 7:20

"When the men came to Jesus, they said, “John the Baptist sent us to you to ask, ‘Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?’”

Sometimes our situations cloud our perception and we are tempted to doubt even the word of eternal life that we have believe and handled. The only reality is the Word of God, regardless of what ugly picture your situation paints. Do not give in to the destructive suggestions of the enemy, hold on to the word of God. Yes you may face storm while crossing to your 'other side' but with Jesus in your boat you are bound to smile at the storm.

Welcome to July the month of completion and perfection, be assured that the Lord will perfect all that concerns you in Jesus name.

Shalom!