Hello RBT Readers!
I wasn’t inspired to write anything in particular on this last Sunday of February.
Unfortunately writers get mental blocks at times that silence our flow momentarily.
As I am investigating the culprit to the inspirational silence in my head, I thought I’d share a few quotes that encouraged me today….
Until Next Time, Happy Sunday!
She was REALLY loud! Her voice deep, raspy and rambunctious! When I turned to get a better look at this seemingly unruly character, her appearance literally matched the description of her tone!
She was late with a nerve to be disruptive! These were all my initial thoughts and impression of the the stranger that walked into my weekly women’s prayer group. Those in attendance were mostly the regulars. I think we were all taken aback by the presence of this very unique visitor.
As she signed in talking loudly the entire time, I felt the energy in the room shift in the same direction as my thoughts. What in the world? Who is she? Don’t she know better? Were again some of the extended thoughts obviously formulated by my flesh.
One of the usual attendees left her seat to try and settle things down. As this unlikely guest took a seat in the back, she continued to make bosturious but Godly responses of Amen’s, Hallalujah’s and Praise God’s at every other statement our Pastor uttered.
It was obvious to me that going at this rate would interrupt the spiritual flow of the meeting. The nuisance may even prevent Pastor from being able to effectively minister. I was growing majorly uncomfortable and increasingly annoyed. Again in my flesh…..
Then, a still small voice said “She is my child, just as you are, comfort her and make her feel welcomed.”
I knew it was The Lord because I felt resistance deep within. I sat there a few more moments and didn’t move.
Then a flash back came to my mind. I attended a church over the summer and in the middle of the service a mentally disturbed man came in off the street. He began praising God and cheering on the pastor to preach. The pastor stopped and ordered two ushers to remove the man from the building. I was completely offended by the behavior of the believers!
Didn’t Jesus minister to the sick, hang around with the unjust, raise the dead and heal the lame? Absolutely! He welcomed them all while religious observers stared, criticized and judged. I couldn’t get the look on the man’s face out of my mind for months thereafter. His look of pain and rejection was so sad and intense. No one tried to minister to him first before removing him. The effort was not even attempted.
At that moment I wondered what Jesus would do with this woman in our midst if He were here in the flesh. The still small voice returned at that thought and said, “love on her”. I don’t like to be used (By means of being taken advantage of by humans), but if I must, let it be by the direction, unction and instruction of Christ Jesus!
Without further hesitation, I left my seat and walked to her. I threw my arms around her neck. I instantly smell an overwhelming aroma of alcohol mixed with cigarettes and perfume. I proceeded to whisper in her ear that we are so glad that she’s here and want her to stay. She began to weep and I asked if she wanted me to sit with her. She simply lowered her head and shrugged her shoulders. I knew at that moment that I must stay with her and I did.
I kept my arm wrapped around her shoulder most of the time and gave her gentle squeezes or pats when she became too loud. She got the hints and apologized after each one. She cried the entire stay and often whispered “Yahweh, I love you!”
Although nauseously flooded by her mixed aroma, God kept me. I was even more overwhelmed with her heart. It was full of praise and genuine adoration for Christ. She may be struggling with alcoholism but it was clear to me that she loved, knew and depended on the same God as I.
I missed the essence of the message that night as I prayed for this stranger. By the end of the night I was completely drained but felt honored to have fellowshipped with this sister and used by my Heavenly Father.
Have you ever had an encounter similar to this one?
What did you do?
What did others around you do?
As believers, we must never reach a point where we forget what God has delivered us from. None of us have arrived! Without judgement, accusations, labels, or sneers, I couldn’t forget that I was once this woman in some shape, form or fashion. There are ministry opportunities all around us and God uses us to show His love to those in need.
Represent and Let Him Use You!
Until next time, Happy Sunday!
I am an avid believer that The Heavenly Father is incredibly merciful! There is nothing that compares to His Grace and His Mercy. He’s forgiving, gracious and provides multiple opportunities for each of His children to repent from sin and return to the safety of His arms.
He is well aware that the flesh our spirits live in presents an array of challenges daily! We will all make mistakes, stumble and sometimes fall. Picking ourselves up, turning away from what tempts us and seeking His refuge is what every Believer in the sacrifice of Christ Jesus should do.
However, the enemy has deceived many into becoming content in their premeditated and perpetual acts of sin. This may be in the areas of how we treat others, sexual immorality, adultery, abuse of substances, a repetitive lying tongue, arrogance, pride and so much more. Everyone of us, including myself have been challenged in all these areas at some point in our lives. When I look back over my own life and think about some of the circumstances I put myself in when I knew better and when I didn’t, again, I am overwhelmed by The goodness and protection of The Lord.
As Christians we fool no one, especially not God, when we make a conscious decision by refusing change. We make excuses telling ourselves that we are only human, God will always forgive me, everyone struggles with something and on and on….
It’s true that God will always forgive us but it is also true that He is well aware of the condition of our hearts and how sincere we are when we repent. He also knows if we are truly finished toying with matters that please our flesh but destroys our spirits within.
The RealBoldTruth is that the Grace and Mercy of God runs out! How long that takes is unique for each and every one of us but He will eventually let go and turn us over to our reprobated minds.
In my experience, He won’t do this without countless warnings first. Most of us know that what we do, especially in secret, grieves Him and is subject to destroy our lives. This can’t be more true relative to those fleshly acts we have been engaging in for years! After a time, we convince ourselves that what we do, we simply can’t stop. That’s a lie from the pit of Hell for Christ laying His life down,spilling His blood and giving up the ghost is all the power we need to put ANYTHING under our feet! God leaves the choice up to us whether we want to go from glory to glory.
If we are repetitively engaged in the same sins today as 10 years ago, we have compromised in that state, it’s become easier for us to stay there, and we are in denial, bondage or both. Deliverance is Necessary before Grace and Mercy ends for us!
There are real consequences to be paid if we refuse change. They include but are not all inclusive to losing our families, losing our health, losing our finances, and losing our lives to premature death.
We can continue to play around with this thing indefinitely, or make the choice to get all that God has for us on this side of Heaven. I don’t know about you but I want all The Lord has for me so crucifying my fleshly desires is how I shall live from this day forward.
Until next time, Happy Sunday!
I gave my life to Christ well over 20 years ago. I distinctly recall standing before a pastor, congregation and a small fleet of deacons at a modest baptist church. I willingly repeated the prayer of salvation and thought finally, I had it all together! The moment felt like a cleansing, a renewal, a refreshing as I asked the Lord to reside within my heart permanently.
I also remember leaving that place of worship that day the happiest I had ever been! But within days I experienced an incredible, deep, emotional low that seemed to threaten my committed confession to God. I remember asking myself, if I am now saved, why do I still feel so heavy, so worthless, so unwanted, so undeserving, so un-Christ-like? This mental contradiction would actually linger on for nearly two decades thereafter.
Periodically, throughout my Christian experience, I would hear the expression “Deliverance”. Unfortunately, I didn’t know what the term truly meant. As I struggled long-term with overwhelming bouts of depression, low self regard and thoughts of destruction, I wasn’t able to make the connection and often questioned God’s love for me. I was actually saved but not yet delivered.
Not Yet:
Delivered from ill thoughts
Delivered from fleshly struggles
Delivered from seeking value in man
Delivered from wanting things more than God Himself…..
Fast forward to today, I am completely filled, set free and and over the tormenting mindset of my past that has tried to limit and silence me. After giving my life to God, I didn’t know that to reach the position of freedom, I had to go through a deliverance process. That route for me meant getting consistent Word that counter-reacted my automatic state of mind. I had to reprogram every single thought, shift destructive behavior patterns and clean out my circle! In doing this, I had to become incredibly vulnerable by taking a chance with complete strangers. I let them into into my dark and guarded spaces. My secrets, my mistakes, my pain, my shame….. I had to commit to showing up regularly to places where help and mentorship was available no matter how uncomfortable I felt.
My flesh fought me long and hard in these areas but my spirit won for I wanted and needed to be free! I took the risk because life certainly had to get better than what I was experiencing. I wanted, needed and desired more of God.
The God of More than enough.
The God that has plans for me.
The God that would use me to assist in delivering others.
The God known as my Abba Father.
The God that really, truly loves me.
Are you a believer today still stuck in many ways, habits and thought processes that sent you to the alter giving your life to Christ in the first place? If so, the answer to move past this paralyzingly norm is to get DELIVERED!
At minimum, you need The Word of God specific to your issues. You need mentorship from those who have been in your shoes to help pull you through. You need a committed prayer life to hear the voice of the living God.
Deliverance is a serious process and won’t happen over night. You will have to be willing, patient, vulnerable and fight your flesh harder than you ever have before! It took me over two years to totally be free of over 30 years of all I’ve ever known in thought and deed. Every step was completely worth it! I’m so grateful and I’ll never go back!
Until next time, Happy Sunday!
This time last year, I was loosing my grip on a job that I initially thought was a tremendous blessing. Within 6 months of accepting the position, I had to make a painful choice to resign for the sake of my health. The entire process was painful and a new experience for me. It was also incredibly offensive and I was left devastated. I thought I lost it all.
Within 30 days of resigning, God opened a door to new employment satisfy my provisional needs. Now nearly 11 months in, I’ve discovered that I am in the midst of dry land; a dead place.
Don’t get me wrong, I am grateful without question! But I am also extremely progressive minded, seek and pursue higher opportunities and am wired to reach for more. I never find comfort with glass ceilings and mediocre states. The ability to advance, learn and grow are simply not present. I’m content with the way things are for the moment but when I consider and plan my future, I know this can’t be it…
I also have recognized that I truly am in the right type of job for what God has me currently doing outside of work. I have unlimited flexibility to function in my creative space and have accomplished much in this time! Yes, I’m grateful!
Subsequently, I have noticed that my co-workers often come to me for encouragement and I gladly give it! I have led at least one to The Lord, have prayed for and with several, and have offered advice to another who was going through a very difficult family time. I tried to take matters further by seeking ways to start a prayer group and have submitted encouraging articles to be featured on the company’s intranet website. (Free from too many Godly specifics of course!) Both requests have been rejected or have fallen on death ears so far…
I am at peace never-the-less while I wait for the next move of God and I’ll continue to seek ways to serve as a light in the middle of heavy darkness.
You know you are in a dead place if first you recognize that life is missing! Your uniqueness stands out when you see those around you settle and grow content in status quo. The same old same sickens you, makes you uncomfortable and you feel a strong urge to go against the grain.
But what do you do when you just can’t get out? That job, that business, that relationship, that Ministry, or that issue you have identified as a lingering problem? God is silent and not allowing change when you pray for it or try to force it. Stop fighting for it’s just not time!
You have a choice to become a complaining wanderer, join the deadness of others by just existing or Take a stand and LIVE!
Choose with me this day to live in that dead place for God has plans!
He ordered in His Word to Live and Not Die!
He will make a way of escape in due season!
He is a man that cannot lie and will never leave nor forsake!
If you are with me and are unable to leave your current situation, seek peace without compromising or conforming. Finding the balance is indeed tricky but will take spiritual, calculated and committed moves. Talk to the Lord about what your’s should be. If you look deeper, past your understanding, there is purpose in the dry and dead land and it’s all working for your good!
Until Next Time, Happy Sunday!
On this initial day of 2017, I feel incredibly peaceful. A state of wellbeing overdue and welcomed. As I take a moment to simply reflect, the word that sums up the sensation in my heart is “Gratefulness”.
There are many who did not cross over into this New Year and there are more who won’t see another dawning after today. For this not being my fate, I am grateful! I have yet another chance to make the most out of what God has given me. Yes indeed, I am grateful!
Furthermore, I want for nothing! My very essentials are indeed met without question. I have warm shelter. I have my husband by my side. I have thriving children. I have constant employment. I have reliable transportation. I have a few dependable friends. I have loving spiritual support, guidance and counsel. My health is stable, mind, body and spirit. I have family and haven’t lost anyone dear to my heart in a very long time. Although all that I have mentioned are far from perfect, I am thankful to possess them than to be without them.
Although truly grateful, my Realboldtruth is that 2016 was far from being that manifested, NOTHING held back, Jubilee year for me personally. The prophetic word I heard midway through the year from a well known Pastor was that by Christmas your life will be so much different. My reality is, my life looked pretty much the same on that day.
Nothing over-the-top, mind blowing, unexpected or larger than life blessing happened last year after I received the revelation of it being a Jubilee season. I was incredibly humbled to have ministered to others on the topic and I began looking and expecting this incredible “thing” to happen for me before the end of December 31, 2016. What I received instead was simply peace. It’s priceless and I don’t take it lightly. For that, I’m grateful..
Even though 2016 did not unfold the way I interpreted the spiritual utterances I have heard, I recognize that I have so much and I’m filled to capacity. On this day, this truly is enough and I thank my Heavenly Father for his grace, his mercy, his protection, his provision and his presence. I have no expectations although I remain in faith for “Greater” but this time free from anxiety.
How are you feeling this New Year’s Day?
Are you disappointed about what didn’t happen last year?
If so it’s ok and perfectly human but don’t stay in that mindset because we still have a perfect God that is still very much for us.
Lord, I Love you and I trust you. Thank you for allowing me to see another year. I remain optimistic that the best for my life is still yet to come, just in your timing.
Until next time, Happy Sunday!
I sat talking to a friend who shared with me that a woman she knows in her late 30’s lost her life to lymphoma. She left behind a husband and 3 young children. I didn’t know her but the news completely broke my heart. I nearly wept while taking in the details. The thought of her babies waking up calling for her, needing her and looking for her is nothing short of devastation. Her husband longing for her and now faced with the incredible task of doing only what she could. I just don’t want to imagine the depth of it all….
The news chilled me as I watched my 5 year old son play near by. I realized that after waiting 22 years to obtain the title of Mother that a similar fate is indeed my greatest F.E.A.R! I can only pray that my Heavenly Father will allow me to see him through in the natural into adulthood.
Those who know me understand how driven and intense I can be at times. I’m a goal oriented, future seeking, plan pedaling individual. I find that I am the most content when I am working toward achieving something. Life doesn’t feel lived just by allowing days, weeks and months to go by with no purpose in mind. I do aim to find balance in my quests and am thankful for the few who help me to do just that!
I accredit my current mindset mostly to my past experiences . Now that I finally realize how much of my life I’ve allowed the enemy to steal from me, I’m on a spiritual mission to claim it all back! My life and things I’ve survived cannot be in vain! My story must end with God’s Glory!!
I don’t want to Leave this life prematurely and certainly not before His will in my life is complete. Like everyone else, I’m clueless of the day or the hour when He may call me home. What I do know for sure are the visions into my destiny that are coming from no one else but my Heavenly Father. They are all His, for the images my flesh struggles to perceive. What I am seeing line up with His truths and they shall come to pass!
But none of this without effort on my part! I can shout, nod and agree with the Gospel but if I don’t do my part naturally, I limit His supernatural, predesigned favor on my life!
I MUST write the vision and make it plain!
I MUST seek in order to find!
I MUST trust and not lean on my own thought processes!
I MUST take care of my temple!
All of the above are actions and scripture based. I have control over this if I consistently choose. My life WILL NOT be cut short as long as I do my part and stay focused.
Are you making the most out of everyday you are blessed to see? What actions are you dedicated to working towards to help bring about your expected and desires end? Rest for a while is a requirement but we must all DO something in order to usher in our destinies. It just won’t happen without a fighting effort! Don’t leave this life full of the treasures God sent you here to give away. Doing so would make this F.E.A.R. a gross reality!
Until Next Time, Happy Sunday!
While watching a news program that reported a very tragic event, a loved one made a comment that inspired this post.
A young woman was interviewed as a follow-up. She survived the terrorist attack in Orlando, FL earlier this year while the cousin she was with died from fatal gun shot wounds. She is indeed blessed that her life was spared and has since gone on and is preparing to do great things.
“But why did God only save her and not her family member?” I was asked. Why does God pick and choose this way? I’m sure the other young woman was just as precious. We’re the statements and more addressed in my presence with offense and so unexpectedly.
Many people travel through life with a distorted perspective of the reasons behind the troubles we face. As a result, an inconsistent, topsy turvy, on again / off again relationship is developed with God. It’s unhealthy, unproductive and robbing of life’s finest.
People tend to blame God for everything! They question His dignity, His love, His intentions and certainly His power!
If He is so big, all knowing and for sees our end before it begins, then why doesn’t He prevent or even allow so many adverse things to occur? Certainly He has the authority to do all things, right??
It is true that God is the Great I Am and all that He says that He is. But that does not erase or dismiss the fact that we ARE indeed in a great Spiritual fight. This brawl involves a consistent and jealous, foe with no other goal but to take us out!
The Enemy (Lucifer, Satan, the Devil) is after us the day we take our initial breath. He constantly lurks around to see who he can use, choose and confuse. He NEVER stops! Disturbing but true never-the-less!
My Realboldtruth is that I too use to think along the same lines as my loved one. Especially during some of the darkest and most questionable times in my life. Certainly God is not for me. For every horrible thing that came my way ,He knew it was coming and yet did nothing to intervene. As a result of this thinking, I became angry and bitter at Him. Unable to consistently trust in Him or anyone who was supposed to have my best interest at hand.
As I am growing in His understanding versus my own, I am learning just how intense this spiritual fight is. If and when people allow themselves to be persuaded by evil demonic forces, bad things WILL unfortunately occur. The full armor of God which includes how to discern and fight in the spirit is critical for the longevity and survival of the saints.
That shooter in that club was certainly under the influence of the enemy. He roamed, plotted, executed and allowed himself to be overtaken with the mindset of demonic presences. This happens everyday!
When a man or woman decides to harm a child, it’s the influence of evil.
When a person allows themselves to constantly be persuaded with substance abuse, it’s the influence of evil.
When a person decides to become unfaithful to their spouse and drown in lust from another, it’s the influence of evil.
When a person allows themselves to purposely hurt another with their words and character, it’s the influence…..
It’s ALL the repulsive influence outside of the realm that our natural eyes can see. The enemy is constantly at work! It’s not God’s fault and we MUST stop blaming Him. He will never affect the human life’s ability to choose life or death, good or bad, Him or the enemy. We as individuals must do that and make it our personal constant.
This is true even when matters seem to happen that don’t appear to be the influence of another like an unexpected illness. This too is still the influence of evil and must be addressed in the Spirit.
It is very sad that sometimes the enemy wins battles. On the contrary I am so grateful that the ultimate finale; the final spiritual war will be won by Him, by us as believers upon His return.
Until then, stop blaming God for all things, but get angry enough at the devil to fight back in the spirit for he is the true one to blame.
Until next time, Happy Sunday!
Making Oppression Vanish Eternally!
I have battled with depression for more than half of my life. Over the past several years, I can confidently share that I have the condition under control. I’ve been more consistently optimistic than downcast and I absolutely give all the credit to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! I finally know who I am in Him and that He has called me for such a time as this!
The state of depression, however does not go away for those who suffer. I believe this to be true for most mental health disorders. The condition(s) must be managed daily or being sucked back into that deep, dark, isolated mindset of hopelessness is inevitable.
For some, management may be defined by being under a doctor’s care with prescription medication. I’ve been there and it wasn’t the formula that worked to fix my pretty little head! Counseling, addressing the root of my sorrow and monitoring my thoughts through the Word of God has proven more effective than anything else for me personally. It work consistently; if I work it!
I distinctly recall one day waking up angry enough to MOVE! I no longer wanted to live my life as some weak believer being an ineffective witness to the power that lies in the sacrifice of Christ. I was certainly sane enough to make the shift on my own and so desperately needing to try something different.
Certainly my existence is no error despite the circumstances of my past!
I began to ask; What if I dared to truly believe that I am of importance and have something great to contribute to this world and the lives of others!
What’s the worst that can happen if I MOVE!
Beyond the thoughts that naturally play in my mind…
Beyond the facts and events of times in my life that I could not control…
Beyond mistakes I have made and some repeatedly….
Beyond the negative critics that judge and look down on me…
Beyond those that have tried to minimize my voice and presence by stepping and looking over me…
What’s the worst that can happen if I MOVE!
Well truth be told, the worst is now that I have embraced the boldness to MOVE, I’ve faced finding myself in unfamiliar and uncomfortable territory! I’ve been stretched, challenged and forced to deal with the pain of my past that I’ve buried kicking and screaming still very much alive! I’ve had to go through the turmoil of reprogramming my own sense of logic and replace all with the mind of Christ.
The process has been long and excruciating but has set me on a path that I had no idea was close to being mine. It’s called Destiny! I’m walking in blind child-like faith but can’t turn around for there is nothing behind me that I wish to ever return to. I must continue to MOVE!
Are you stuck in a vicious cycle of mental torture which cripples you from living a productive life and moving forward? Have you buried things that you really need to address and kill first in order to embrace the life that you so well deserve?
You do have the power to change your circumstances but you have to MOVE! It will be the fight of your life, won’t be easy and certainly won’t happen overnight! If you purpose to discover the formula that works for you and keep at it daily, I promise that you will one day look in the mirror and actually love the one staring back at you! Ask yourself if you dare to finally take back your spirit, soul, and mind, what’s the worst that can happen?
Until next time, happy Sunday!
As we all know, our country has been faced with dramatic and unpredicted changes recently. It’s unfortunate and distressing when considering the alarming number of crushed hearts of at least half of all Americans. An intense level of betrayal, deceit and devastation concerning the reality of our government system is felt today by hundreds of thousands of people.
Have our voices been silenced? Do we have a say? Have our concerns been diminished to trivial values amongst those who have never had to be concerned about economic provision, healthcare, workforce security and other means of survivor essentials? These and many more are the questions of the middle class and a percentage of others who feel disrespected by recent outcomes.
In spite of it all; our perceptions, feelings and personal predictions, we really have no other choice but to make plans to move forward. There is no benefit of remaining stuck and planted in a dead place of division.
I personally have tried desperately not to speak on this matter after seeing the incredible outpour on the news and on social media. I initially took the position that if I can’t say anything of worth then I must remain silent until wisdom prevails.
So today I will address the matter indirectly and more so from my spirit. I will share that my greatest concern to date is that our international adversaries are watching, finding humor and pleasure in our partition. They are scrutinizing our conduct closely and have deemed our nation as less powerful than we use to be. In my opinion, if we don’t get a grip we are creating a man-made perfect storm for disaster that we have yet to experience. While our backs are turned pointing fingers, causing riots and hating one another, they plot to scheme and destroy.
My words do indeed mimic those of others who have encouraged our country to come together as a united front in this very hour. We need as many voices of reason as possible. The greatest of these is from The word of God who has not changed His mind or position concerning us, His children.
“In God We Trust” is a more powerful statement today for me personally as a believer. It should be for us all. It’s not just a cliche scribed on our monetary exchange or just something to say because other words are far and few. Our Nation was established on the saying and analyzing what it TRULY means is more critical now than ever before.
It means that if we do not, we will remain devastated, hopeless and face failure in countless areas of our lives. Emptiness will remain:
If your trust is in your job.
If your trust is in your money.
If your trust is in making your own way.
If your trust lies in one man in the Oval Office.
If your trust solely depends on your Pastor, teacher, mentor and others wrapped in human flesh that have been placed on a pedestal only meant for The Lord!
None of these have the ability to affect, change or redirect what was already predestined for your life!
Developing and being rooted in Trusting a God that we cannot see can be difficult living in the natural. But when the odds are weighed we cannot afford to operate in this realm indefinitely. Focus on the spirit within you to quiet the noise, fuss and opinions you hear in order to elevate that assuring small voice who is sure to remind you, “I’ve got this, STILL!”
Until next time, Happy Sunday!
