First of all, I must say this is the first Valentines (Schmalentine LOL) that I have survived fully intact for the first time ever in my life. Every time that "I am lonely and don't have a husband" feeling came over me I would pray it away with the QUICKNESS!! I almost got caught off guard a time or two, the tears would sting my eyes quickly (cuz Satan moves QUICK doesn't he? LOL) and I would just pray it away!!!So I went to church this morning very upbeat, joyful, happy, thankful... all that good stuff and once again my Pastor delivered a word I would swear twice on the Holy Bible was just for ME!!!! Pastor has a way of doing that to ya...
The word for today was simply titled "Obstacles" and I have to share it and pray it will be a blessing for someone else as it was for me!!!
Hebrews 12:1-2 (Amp)
1. Therefore then, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses [who have born testimony to the Truth], let us strip off and throw aside every encumbrance (unnecessary weight) and that sin which so readily (deftly and cleverly) clings to and entangles us, and let us run with patient endurance and steady and active persistence the appointed course of the race that is set before us.
2. Looking away [from all that will distract] to Jesus, Who is the Leader and the Source of our faith [giving the first incentive for our belief] and is also its Finisher [bringing it to maturity and perfection]. He, for the joy {of obtaining the prize] that was set before Him, endured the Cross, despising and ignoring the shame, and is now seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
The enemy is waiting to pick you apart, make you feel sorry for yourself, wait until you feel your worse and make you think there could not possibly be a positive outcome and he will stop at NOTHING to put obstacles in your way!!! when you put your trust and faith in God, He will direct your path and keep you safe from those obstacles...
You must look at your obstacles as blessings because it lets you know that you are on the right path and Satan is ALWAYS BUSY tying to keep you from being on the right path!
Pastor said to keep your eye ABOVE your obstacles and keep you eyes fixed up Jesus Christ, the Author and Finisher of our fate!
So many times, we have our eyes on Christ while obstacles are being thrown on our way but we are still feeling down below with our hands because we are still lacking the faith that God is gonna FIX IT or while we are feeling around below something feels good to us and we are quickly knocked off course from going down the right path.
Its always easier to do what feels good instead of doing what we know is right isn't it?
Every obstacle that Christ leads you to overcome makes you stronger for the next obstacle because Satan is never finished throwing obstacles in our path.
So the question that begs to be asked is If you had your way 20 years ago and got what you wanted then for yourself right now, would you be where you are right now spiritually?
I know for me the answer is a resounding HECKIE NAWWWW!!!!
For some, the obstacle itself can make us still for we get succumbed by it... We can't see past it in order to move forward towards our destiny. I believe that I would still be the same ungrateful, unthankful, mean person that I used to be and it took for those obstacles constantly being thrown in my path to beat me down and HUMBLE ME. If I had every thing I wanted when i wanted I wouldn't have learned how to be grateful, thankful, or have humility and patience, kindness, etc, etc... Once I put more of my faith in God and His Son and less on myself, my obstacles became made me stronger and stronger, day by day and has given me a clearer vision as to what my destiny is.
The more you trust in God our Father and His Son, the more He will give you. Life is the obstacle course for Eternity.
Amen??? AMEN!!!!!
