Author, Nicole L. Ross

Dare to Be Different

June 14, 2013 Author, Nicole L. RossLeave a comment

I used to be called different all the time growing up and would really get offended by it. Why you talk like that? Why you act like that? Why you do this? Why you do that? It offended me because I didn’t understand how I was different. Then of course as I got older I began to realize that the reality is, nine times out of ten everyone has a diverse perception of what ordinary is. I was different because I was supposed to be. We’ve got to stop trying to put people in a box. Everyone else will not conform to your little container of what you think is right or wrong or how you think it should be done. On that note, I’d also like to add, we have to learn to respect one another’s differences. We are all unique and special in our own way, so learn to embrace it. It is so sad now how our kids and even some adults look at so-called “celebrities” and mimic what they see. Why? They put their pants on one leg at a time just like you. Instead of trying to fit in, you set the standard.

The bible says that we are fearfully and wonderfully made. If you know that you are fearfully and wonderfully made, why not accept you? Don’t try to fit in and conform to what everyone else is doing. Some folks just won’t be able to handle you and that’s fine. Keep it moving. If they talk about you, so what. I look at it like this, haters are confirmation to me that I am doing the right thing. So when they talk, I think of it as a compliment. Their negative words push me even further along my journey. Look at Jesus. Think about how they talked about Him and treated Him because He was different. We are created in the image of God and are to have the mind of Christ, so if He went through you better believe you will too.

Follow the crown and not the crowd. Jesus wasn’t trying to be like everyone else. He came to show people a new way of life. As you proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ, there is no way you will be able to do so acting like everyone else. The more I get to know me and love me, the more I realize just how different I am and I love it. I have come to realize that there will never be another me, ever. Likewise, there will never be another you, ever. I am here to encourage you today to be different, I dare you. Be the greatest irreplaceable, exceptional, matchless you that you can be. Embrace you. Adore you. Love you, cause God sure does. #iDeclare #daretobedifferent

Prayer:

Father God in the name of Jesus, I come thanking you for making me to be a unique individual. I decree and declare that I am fearfully and wonderfully made. I will not try to be like anyone else. I will love me, and love who you created me to be at all times. I will not conform to this world, but I will be transformed by a renewing of my mind in Christ Jesus. Thank you God for all the naysayers, for I know they are confirmation that I am doing the right thing. In Jesus Name, Amen.

Scripture Readings:

Psalms 139:14 NLT “Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous–how well I know it.

Romans 12:2 NLT “Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.”

We Share In This House

June 13, 2013 Author, Nicole L. RossLeave a comment

Is it just me or do people seem to be stingy these days? I mean it just really seems like people are all about themselves and what they can get out of folks. This is one of the many things that seem to stick out to me now more than ever, not saying this doesn’t happen everywhere, but it has just become more prevalent in my environment. Maybe because for my whole life back in the states I pretty much stayed to myself and the people I did associate with were family or true friends I have had for quite a while. Granted, even some friends and family will still use and abuse if you let them, but for the most part I already know who operates like that, so I love on them from a distance. The law of reciprocity is vital in any functional relationship. There is give and take but it is not a one-way street, it comes from both ends. I remember reading a book a while ago and it talked about the different ways people love. I found this book to be very interesting because immediately I could point out one of the characteristics that fit me perfectly, and that was a giver. I have no problems giving to people, in particular people who I have a relationship with. Over the years though, God has shown me that I have to be very discerning in my giving spirit because the enemy will try to use that as a means to attack. At first I didn’t quite understand how the enemy could attack me in my giving, after all it was a choice I was making. The way the enemy moves is through people and what he will do is use people to try to take advantage of me. Let’s be clear, I am not simply talking about physical things either. Yes, when you think of a typical gift it’s something tangible, but tangible stuff doesn’t mean all that much to me. It can easily be replaced. If I give you a new shirt, I can go buy a new shirt tomorrow to replace it, no big deal. I’m talking about giving as a whole. Giving your time, your attention, making sacrifices for people, etc. All of the above is a form of giving because it requires you to take away from yourself.

Yes it hurts when I figure out that someone is only trying to get what they want out of me and I am sure it hurts you too, but what bothers me even more is when someone does this to God. As a servant of God and active member of my church, there have been so many people simply use God. Now of course, this is just my take on the situation because God knows what’s going to happen before it ever does, but it just seem like problem after problem people will come asking for this and that from God and as soon as they get what they want, they turn their back and walk away from Him. This makes me so angry. How can we do God like that? He is our daddy, our Heavenly Father who loves us so much but yet we only come to Him when we want something or when we are going through a tough time. As a parent, I can only imagine how this would make me feel. The crazy part about it is God is such a loving, gracious and merciful God. He knows what we are going to do and how we are going to do it, yet He still allows us to walk around His earth breathing in His air, eat His food, have a roof over our head not to mention all the other things we take for granted. The law of reciprocity should not only be applied towards other individuals, it should be applied towards God as well. I don’t have to ask what He’s done for you, but I will ask what have you done for Him lately? God is God, so there really isn’t much we can do for Him anyway, but we can pray and talk to Him, we can spend time with Him, we can tell other people about Him, overall we should at least do our best to have a true reciprocal relationship with Him.

It’s funny because while God placed this on my heart to write about, I keep hearing my three-year old daughter in the back of my head saying, “we share in this house”. That is what her dad and I taught her when we had our youngest daughter so they can learn to share with one another. One of the best things about having children is that you can lay the foundation early and teach them how to share. I want my babies to know how to have a reciprocal relationship with people and I hope and pray that they teach their children to do the same. God has been too good to us to just take, take, take and not want to give anything back to anyone in return. Count your blessings, then start passing them out to others, I know I will. After all, my baby girl said it best, “we share in this house”. #iDeclare #weshareinthishouse

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, I come first and foremost repenting. Please forgive me for times when I have thought only about myself. Forgive me for always taking, but not wanting to give in return. You have been so good to me God, please forgive me. I decree and declare that from this day forward I will operate in the law of reciprocity. I will not just be a taker, but I will be a giver as well. In Jesus name, Amen.

Scripture Reading:

Hebrews 13:16 NIV “And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.”

1 Timothy 6:18 NLT “Tell them to use their money to do good. They should be rich in good works and generous to those in need, always being ready to share with others.”

Get A Life!

June 12, 2013 Author, Nicole L. RossLeave a comment

What does your typical day consist of? Do you get up and go to work or maybe stay home and take care of your family? In the midst of all that you do for everyone else, do you actually have a life? What do you do for yourself? Having a job that you go to every day is understood and so is staying home to be a homemaker but if that is all your life consists of, we have a problem. I titled this article ‘Get a Life’ because so many people in my path seem to live lives that revolve around others. I used to be that same way until I realized that my loved ones and friends lives should be a nice addition to my own. It should accent and compliment what I already love to do. This means that if they are not in the picture for one reason or another, I can still be content with doing me. Prior to meeting my husband, this was something that God dealt with me on in regards to mates. It seemed as though when I would date someone, all of a sudden my life became immersed with whatever they had going on. I specifically remember praying and crying out to God one day and He said as clear as day, ‘Get a Life’. I was a bit taken back because I thought I had a life, but when I sat down and deliberated for a moment I realized God was right, I didn’t. Yeah I went to work and even went church and took an occasional shopping trip here and there, but that wasn’t much of a life. I had to think about some things that I really loved to do, just for fun and do them. My goal today is to encourage you and really push you to go out there and have some fun. What is something you’ve always wanted to do but never got around to it? What’s holding you back? I’ll answer the second question for you, NOTHING. Go skydiving, ice skating, bungee jumping, white water kayaking, zip lining, travel the world! Whatever it is just do something. Life is too short to just stick to the same ole, same ole everyday all day.

An interesting piece that I wanted to add is directly related to the body of Christ. On numerous occasions I have talked to people about being saved and living for God and one of the first things that comes out of their mouth is that being saved looks boring. They don’t feel like they can have a relationship with Jesus Christ and have fun. I always laugh at this response because it couldn’t be farther from the truth. The unfortunate part about it though is that this is the image that is projected by people in the church and who claim to be saved all the time. Anytime somebody halfway talk about doing something that’s not read your bible they want to look down upon or condemn folks. Let me first say this, nowhere in the bible does it say that we have to read our bibles all day everyday. But my theory is this, examine your motives. I’m not gone look down on you. If you like to dance, do your thing cause so do I but does that mean you have to be in the club dancing until three in the morning every Saturday night, not so much. I had a blast when I was in the world, so I figure I’m gone do it even harder now that I’m saved. I just got a different partner. I’m rolling with Jesus now, so my approach is gone be a little more discrete. You might catch me in a dance class instead of in the club where the atmosphere is a little different. Whatever your thing is, examine your motives because when you accept Jesus into your life as your personal savior and begin to have a true relationship with Him, your spirit will become more sensitive to things and there will be certain places and certain things you won’t want to do anymore because you know that He is living inside of you. That being said, there are still lots of ways you can have fun and still be saved, many of which I listed earlier. Even if those things aren’t of interest to you find something that is and do it. Have fun. Get out and do something different. Get A Life. You’re worth it. And I promise you, God wouldn’t want it any other way. #iDeclare #getalife

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, thank you for this life you have given me. Help me to get a life. Show me ways I can go do fun things that I’ve wanted to do for a long time but never got around to it. I decree and declare that from this day forward my life will not revolve around other people. I will have fun. I will do something different and I will enjoy it. Thank you God for showing me that I can have fun and live righteous at the same time. In Jesus name, Amen.

Scripture Readings:

John 10:10 KJV “The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.”

Psalms 118:17 NLT “I will not die; instead, I will live to tell what the LORD has done.”

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