There’s a old saying that goes: “April showers bring May flowers.”

Do you recall your Spring Season? The Spring showers didn’t seem as if they would produce a blooming of anything beautiful. Your attitude was detached and your behavior was dysfunctional. Whatever your mind could think, is what your mouth produced, without regard for anyone’s feeling. You were merely impossible to work with because your input was always pessimistic. You slowly began to detach from any and everything positive. You were ready to let go of it all- but someone extended a measure of grace to you.

Although you communicated that you no longer wanted to be apart of the group activities and even though you blamed everyone else for your circumstances, there was someone who pulled, tugged and nit-picked with you. When you stopped attending the company’s motivational outings for the team, there was that person or people would not allow you to isolate yourself because they knew that isolation is the foundation for the enemy’s playground of evil tactics to overtake and destroy you.

1. When you said no, I’m not participating, this person invited you anyway…
2. When you made excuses of who did not want to socialize with because the two of you didn’t see eye-to-eye, somehow you found yourself in the room anyway, because someone was praying for you…calling you, and getting on your nerves because you wanted to have a pity-party.
3. When you blamed obligations and life for your gradual departure away from anything positive, that person extended you a measure of grace.

We know better than anyone how stormy our Spring season was or still may be- so why is it that just as soon as the buds of the flowers appear – not even yet in full bloom, we revert back to our toxic thought patterns? When we receive a measurement of grace, we are to extend that to others.  Here is something interesting that the Word of God says of measurements:

Matthew 7:2 (NKJV)
For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you.

Here is another translation of the same scripture:

Matthew 7:2 (NLT)
For you will be treated as you treat others. The standard you use in judging is the standard by which you will be judged

Whatever measurement of grace you give, you will receive.
Whatever measurement of love you give, you will receive.
Whatever measure of compassion you give, you will receive.
Whatever measure of negative attitude you give, you will receive.
Whatever measure of mercy you give, you will receive.
Whatever measure of gossip you dish out – oh it’s coming back, you will receive.

Perhaps the person you’re speaking about or complaining about, or straining about, is going through something as well. Instead of judging their distance, extend grace. Their outward appearance may seem to be that they have it all together or are uninterested, but inwardly, they could be dying, waiting for someone to just care.

Assumptions get us into so much trouble; if we remember that everyone is battling something, maybe we could approach conflicts differently –  with more compassion. Talk with the person instead of about them.

On today, challenge yourself to not make assumptions, but rather to extend a hand of grace. Your hand could be the hand that would lead the very person you condemned and judged out of their stormy Spring Season.

Give what you desire to receive (peace, love, compassion, mercy, grace)  and it will be returned to you.

Luke 6:38 (NKJV)
Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.”

On my last corporate job, management would facilitate what were called PMR’s: Performance Management Reviews.

The intent of a PMR would be to determine if the employee was meeting professional, departmental, and company goals. This was also a time for the employee to express any concerns within a team or desires for individual professional progression.

PMR’s also assist with determining if raises and bonuses would be given at the end of the year and the percentages to each department, based on meeting the performance goals on varying levels.

Even when I KNEW when I had met or exceeded expectations or goals, there was always a bit of anxiety.

• Has management noticed the improvements?
• Did my manager report things accurately or did he side-swipe me?
• Will I leave the meeting eager to exceed expectations or frustrated that I put in so much work without benefit?
• How is this all going to end?

This process had me wondering: What would your today look like if you knew you had a PMR with Jesus tomorrow?

• Would you have a bit more patience today?
• Would you extend a little more mercy?
• Would you be more forgiving?
• Would you show a little more concern?
• Would you be more open to allowing bygones to be bygones?
• Would you sincerely repent and change your ways?
• Would you focus more on the word of God and His expectations (life goals) of us, His children?
• With all the root of bitterness and anger you’ve harbored, would you even show up?

The truth of the matter is, the Holy Spirit is preparing the documentation for the review- the performance management plan (PMP) for our PMR with Jesus. Since we do not know the exact date, it behooves us to always walk carefully, under the principles of the Bible.

Everything we do and say, will be accounted for and discussed in our PMR with Jesus and there will be no mistake. Not only is it the responsibility of The Holy Spirit to lead and guide us into all truths, but also, since He lives within us, He can accurately record every thought, action, attitude, and behavior. He is a witness- a true witness to all that we do. 

“And there are three that bear witness on earth: the Spirit, the water, and the blood; and these three agree as one.” ‭‭I John‬ ‭5:8‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Let us not wait until our eternal review- the day of judgment. Redeem (make the most) of your time now. On that day, it will be too late.

“See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil.” Ephesians‬ ‭5:15-16‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Have the recent tragedies of life caused you to forget your purpose? Have you found yourself questioning God rather than asking God to help you assist Him with the “preparations?”

What preparations, you may ask?
Preparing to see our Savior in peace. Whether you recognize it or no, with each passing day, we draw nearer to eternity with God our Father, and our Savior, Jesus Christ.

Our work should make for a smooth transition for Jesus to do His work in the lives of non believers. If we become entangled with worldly affairs, fulfilling our fleshly desires, drinking sociably, blending in- instead of standing out, dimming our light versus allowing it to shine- who then is preparing the way? Listen. I do not know how to say this any more clearer. It is IMPOSSIBLE to do you, drink, fornicate, lie, gossip, steal and think you are representing the Lord. Your loyalty is divided. God doesn’t take a backseat to anyone. There is NOBODY greater than God! He refuses to be an alternative. HE IS!! Let me stop. I’ll keep going. It bothers me to the core, to think that people feel justified by their actions and then think God will use them? Sin is God’s enemy. He hates sin. If we make ourselves a friend of the world, we become an enemy of Christ. We lose protection. We lose peace. We fell faint. We want to give up. We feel as if there is no hope. Yeah- you should, because you have disconnected from the True Vine. 

“The voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the LORD; Make His paths straight.’ ” Mark‬ ‭1:3‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Honey, John the Baptist is long gone. He prepared the people for the revelation of Jesus. But preparations are still needed because Jesus is preparing to reveal Himself again.

We, as believers, are now (supposed to be) preparing the way for the introduction of Jesus. We are the publicists. We tell folks about the upcoming event. We share with others our experiences. We pass out the invitations with excitement and expectancy.

Don’t lose your voice.

The world needs you and it needs you now! Your purpose is not just for you- it’s to save a young lady over in India, who believes that Jesus is the Son of God, but her family denounces Him. She sees your inspirational stats and it gives her hope.

Don’t lose your voice: someone over in the Caribbeans is losing their faith because they’ve loss everything in the recent storms and cannot fathom how and why God would allow so much disaster.

Don’t lose your voice: there is someone in your own family, who cannot see past who you used to be. That’s okay; your tasks is not to show them how much you’ve changed. You’re tasked with showing them who Jesus is.

Keep crying. 
Keep shouting. 
Keep warning. 
Keep pressing. 

Don’t lose your voice. Have you ever had s sore throats, which led to you losing your voice? You begin seeking all types of remedies, teas, and throat lozenges. But the solution maybe as simple as resting your voice. Shhhh be quiet. 

Stop seeking your own way, when Jesus said that He is the ONLY way. He said for us to come to Him and He will give us rest. 

Rest from the sin lodged in your throat when you gossip about another. 

Rest from seeking fulfillment when it is in and through Him. 

Don’t lose your voice. 

Before I take to write a devotion, I asked the Lord to give me something to say. If He does not give me anything, I do not provide a devotion. He gave me something so simple yet profound, if we really think about it.

I was thinking of all the craziness in the world and how things are happening everywhere. I then began to think about how, through the course of my life, God was there. He covered me. He shielded me. He protected me. He was a place of refuge. I am certain that if you stop and reflect for a moment on all the places you’ve gone, things you’ve done, without thought, you too can say: “There is NOBODY like God, our Father.”

My mind then began drifting back on the things happening in the country: terrorism, threats of war, natural disasters, children missing, people robbing others without regard for life, schools threatened by bomb scares –and honey…I haven’t even gotten to my own on personal battles.

But then God reminded me of this scripture – oh Father I thank you!

Psalm 23:4 (NKJV)
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.

 

• I can understand being fearful, if I had to walk through the valley alone.
• I could understand being afraid if I had no comforter.
• I could understand being frightened if the person who was with me was just as afraid as me.

But oh my God!!! We do not have to fear the darkness of the night. We don’t have to fear the evil that we see as we ride up and down the streets of our cities because God HIMSELF is with us.

It is an oxymoron to have fear and the Spirit of the living God with you – at the same time. The two contradict one another.

By no means will I place myself in harm’s way; but I do recognize that if an issue arises and I am placed in not so good circumstances, My Father, will comfort and keep me. He will reassure me that He has me and that I will be fine.

Then the word of God says, not only does He have the power to keep me and to protect me, but also, He will feed me in the midst of my enemies. In the midst of the storm, as children of the most High God and Jesus as our Savior, we can sit down at this table and dine with confidence, knowing that we will eat with perfect security. Honey…I call that favor!

As we begin our week, let us remember who is in control. Let us truly learn who we say that we are representatives of. When things seem to be out of order and out of place, recognize that the Lord is setting things in order. He is ordaining something special just for you, amidst the same people who expected you to fall or to succumb to the negative circumstances presented to you through life. Oh My God – even while in the midst of the attack, God is still providing – just so your enemy knows who is fighting for you.

Exodus 14:14 (NKJV)
The Lord will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace.

God is not afraid of anything; and since He is with us, neither should we be. When faced with challenges this week, say with strong conviction:

He is with me…
He is with me…
God is with ME!

We are taught to obtain education for knowledge in the field of our choice which is supposed to lead to a higher paying job. However, thousands of graduates seek for employment in their field to know avail.

We are taught to have mental toughness to get through life’s journey of tragedy and triumphs, but what happens when you have a mental breakdown?

We are told that physical stamina is needed to remain healthy and to increase a person’s self-esteem, but what happens when you are diagnosed with an illness that takes away your will to be strong and your desire to be healthy?

We are taught to improve upon our knowledge for education, workout for health and strength but what type of conditioning is given for spiritual endurance? All the other things are compliments to the spirit and it is through the Spirit of the living God that we prevail in every area of our lives.

Getting through life requires the aid of the Holy Spirit. Through Him and Him alone do we prevail. 

Zechariah 4:6 Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the LORD unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts.

Zerubbabel, governor of Jerusalem, was faced with what seemed to be an impossible task. God had spoken to his heart and told him to rebuild the temple. It is one thing to build one time but to rebuild poses unexpected challenges.

The Lord may be calling you and stretching you to complete something for His glory. Why would the Lord ask you to complete something if you were unequipped to do it? And not only do it, but to excel. Nothing God does is ever incomplete. He fulfills His promises. 

You may feel unequipped, but the job will be completed not by your physical strength, not by power or influence, but by the aid of Spirit – who you will have to rely upon for guidance on successful execution of His purpose through you.  We must rely upon the Spirit so that God gets the glory through it all. 

How many times have we blamed the Lord for bad situations in our lives?

How often have we gotten an “attitude” with God because we did not get what we wanted, when we wanted it and how we wanted The Lord to grant our request?

It is easy to blame someone or talk about someone who we feel is not physically present to defend themselves. We see it happen daily, which is how gossip occurs. A story is told about an event and if the key people in the event are not there, you can be certain that one of those people will be blamed. The difference here though is the Holy Spirit is everywhere and He hears and sees everything. Jesus told us who is behind all of the turmoil:

“The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.” John‬ ‭10:10‬ ‭NLT

We are so eager to question the Lord, His decisions and His whereabouts in our lives but…what if the Lord has some questions? Just what if He needed to ask you some questions such as:

1. Where were you, when He needed someone to minister to the spiritual needs of a lost or hurting soul, but you talked about them?
2. Where were you when God had a direct word for your situation, through His minister and you decided not to attend service?
3. Where were you when God gave you a thought to read or study in His word, that would reaffirm and establish your relationship with Him, or something to use to encourage that person you would run into on that very same day (to prepare you for the conversation). Instead, you chose to do it later, only to forget the thought, go to bed, or watch your favorite show?
4. Where were you when God needed you to speak His word into someone’s life but you chose to speak and transfer gossip about the man or woman of God?
5. Where were you when God needed you to make the purpose He has given you a priority in your life, but instead you chose to place your personal agenda before His?
6. Where were you when the Lord gave you clear direction on how to bless someone and now all of a sudden, you’re uncertain of His voice?

Where were you, when God needed YOU?

“The LORD looks down from heaven on the entire human race; he looks to see if anyone is truly wise, if anyone seeks God.” ‭‭Psalms‬ ‭14:2‬ ‭NLT

‬‬Do we seek God out of a pure heart? Do we seek Him for favor with man or with Him? Do we seek Him for our own personal gain?

God has been there! No, He is here now, seeking for you! Where are you? He is seeking to save those who are lost. He desires for us to show the lost how they can be found- through our experiences. 

Where are you?

“For the Son of Man came to seek and save those who are lost.” Luke‬ ‭19:10‬ ‭NLT‬‬

What will it take for you to really live for the Lord?

Why is it that He has to “do” something for you, take something (or someone) away from you, or allow the enemy to test you, before you adhere to His word?

Why is it that after He moves on your behalf, you develop amnesia and return back to the source of your pain?

To receive a full paycheck, you have to earn it by working a full work week. How come you feel it should be good enough to give the Lord part of you and still receive His full benefits?

How is it that you KNOW the doors opened for you are from the Lord and you openly express this, but yet your heart is so far away from Him?

How is it that seeking Him is not a priority but when you felt as if you were going to lose your mind from your own inward battles and demons, you stayed on your knees and in your word? Now that the storm has eased up a bit, you’re back associated with the same people, or types of people, who initially separated you from the love of God?

When we develop these types of behaviors, bartering with God carnal things in exchange for spiritual blessings, I am afraid we have only made contact with the Savior- but we have not CONNECTED with the Savior.

A contact can change your entire life, for the rest of your life, if you are sincere. The woman with the Lord issue only touched jesus’ clothing and instantly her issue was gone. So there is power in contact. But is your contact sincere?

A point of contact is an occurrence of communication but oh my God- oooh I just got excited- a connection….is when you become joined to someone or something or you have the same cause, the same motives, or same beliefs. Oh Jesus I thank you! A connection implies that there is some sort of relationship; there is personal intimacy, you’re relatable. Oh Jeeesusss!

I am not quite certain that we understand what it really means to have power in a name. There is power in the name of Jesus. The Bible says:

“that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth,” Philippians‬ ‭2:10‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

At the mention of His name, things will shift. How is it that we are giving power to another authority to whose name there is no such power? The enemy does not have power equal to that of God. I mentioned in the last devotion that there is no one beside God. There is no one on His level. There is no one who compares to Him. He controls everything. God is independent, yet everything depends on Him. Everything derives (or comes) from God.

When you connect with the true vine, you disconnect from everything that is NOT connected TO him and you do it willingly because you know what you were saved from.

When you are CONNECTED with the Savior, it is not about you and your little life and your little knowledge that you think you got on your own but it was ONLY GOD that opened up your understanding to have the spirit of wisdom.

“For the LORD gives wisdom; From His mouth come knowledge and understanding;” ‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭2:6‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

When you are CONNECTED with the Savior, you desire to do what He did and that was to do the will of our Father, God – who is in Heaven.

Here I go. I recall a moment in the Bible where Jacob wrestled with the angel. Jacob made contact and his spirit resonated or connected with the angel. Jacob realized that what the angel had access to, he himself needed. Jacob would not let go! 

“And He said, “Let Me go, for the day breaks.” But he said, “I will not let You go unless You bless me!” ‭‭Genesis‬ ‭32:26‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

I’m only trying to tell you this: Don’t let go of Jesus. If you let go now, you may miss out on your peace. If you let now, you may miss out on your healing. If you let go now, you may miss out on your second chance. If you let go now, you may miss out on your promotion. If you let go now, you may miss out on being in His presence. 

Make Jesus your point of contact and get connected.

“Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.” ‭‭John‬ ‭15:4-5‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Make contact and get connected. 

It’s Friday. Time to clean up, get to the grocery store and enjoy the weekend. During your cleanup time, don’t forget to hit those closets:

• Straighten the towels and the sheets.

• Organize your shoes

• Tell those children of yours to get the hangers off the floor and stop doubling up clothes in one hanger. If they pick up the hangers sitting on top of the shoes that are preventing the closet doors from shutting, there would be enough hangers (yes I know what I’m saying- these children of mine are special)

While they’re cleaning their closet, don’t forget about yours:

Get rid of doubt…

Get rid of fear…

Get rid of shame…

Get rid of hurt…

Get rid of anger…

Get rid of lying…

Get rid of sin…

Hang up hope…

Hang up love…

Hang up forgiveness…

Hang up righteousness…

Hang up character…

Hang up sincerity…

PUT ON JESUS

Behold, You desire truth in the inward parts, And in the hidden part You will make me to know wisdom. Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me. (Psalm 51:6, 10 NKJV)

Making decisions is probably the most crucial act of all in our lives. In fact, the Lord gave us the ability to even choose if we want to be with Him. Although He is loving and demonstrates it everyday, it’s almost as if God is saying: “Okay, if you think you will find something better, go right ahead.”

“But if it seems wrong in your opinion to serve the LORD, then choose today whom you will serve. Choose the gods whom your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you live. But my family and I will serve the LORD.” Joshua‬ ‭24:15‬ ‭CEB‬‬

Doing and following through on your decisions is equally important. Your decisions have a major impact on your life.

Life basically boils down to this: Making the right decisions and the follow through. Making the right decision, however, depends on your emotional state. Having the wrong frame of mind will cause you to make the wrong decision, thinking it’s the best decision for your life. This produces what I’d like to call a “dysfunctional decision.”

A dysfunctional decision a condition of having poor, unhealthy behaviors and attitudes which can cause a person to function in an abnormal or unusual way.

The Bible shares with us a story two sons and their dad, in the book of Luke, the 15th chapter. For the purposes of this devotion, we focus on the younger son. The younger son asks his dad for his share of his inheritance because he was out- he was done!!! He was getting away from his father, his older brother and everything he knew. He was ready to “do him” and live it up, on his own and do his own thing. Here is what I wonder: The young man had it made. What prompted him to even desire to leave? I have no idea but the audacity of him. First of all, inheritance was typically given to the older son and the older was in control- unless the dad had already communicated what was gone be when he passed on. Hence the second point: The dad was STILL living. I could imagine the dad thinking: “So you asking for rights to something while I’m still here?” 🤔

Dad didn’t get an attitude. He granted his younger son’s request and the son went on his way. Pretty soon, after all the money is gone and the so called “best friends” have moved on, the younger son recognizes that he acted on impulse. He made a dysfunctional decision.

The prodigal (young) son made a dysfunctional decision that led him to hang out with the little piggies. However, hanging out with the little piggies actually worked on his behalf because the irrational and dysfunctional patterns disappeared- when the prodigal son was left with nothing but his thoughts; thoughts of who really loved him and not what he possessed. Thoughts of what really mattered in life.

Have you ever found yourself in a state of reality? After you had done all that you could think to do, deviating from the right thing, you were left alone to deal with the consequences of your behavior. And guess who was waiting? Your Father. He saw how the world was trying to beat you to a pulp. He could have intervened but he wanted you to want Him. When you came to your senses, your Father didn’t bring up your past. Although you had to suffer from choices you made, he welcomed you home with open arms. Just to have his son/daughter…safe in His arms, was all that mattered.

Do not allow yourself to have a “brain fart” as this young mad did. Sin is like a spiritual disease that corrupts our hearts and minds, causing dysfunctional behavior.

Let us not get entangled in the worldly behaviors. Truth be told, we aren’t from here. We need to begin conducting ourselves as visitors and not permanent residents.

“I have given them Your word; and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth. As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world. And for their sakes I sanctify Myself, that they also may be sanctified by the truth.” ‭‭John‬ ‭17:14-19‬ ‭NKJV‬‬