Author: Author, Nicole L. Ross

Time

Author, Nicole L. Ross2 Comments

Amazing how things can change at the drop of a dime, literally.  If and when it does, one of the first things that come to mind is wishing we could have gotten that time back or wishing we could change the time we did have.  In the past month, two of my closest friends have lost their mother.  This has impacted me in a way that I could have never imagined.  Living in a different country and not being able to be there like I want to and even not understanding why it had to happen are two of the things I have been thinking about.  The one thing that did come out of these two situations has been that it truly is a reality check for me.  I have taken so many things for granted, never truly accepting the fact that tomorrow is not promised.  Having lost a parent nearly three years ago, you would think I have gotten this concept down pact but I guess in my healing and grieving process, I chose to overlook certain things instead of etch them in my heart and operate in that thing from now until the day I die.

The focus today is on time.  A long while ago, I came to learn that time was one of, if not the most valuable thing on the earth.  It is such a valuable and precious gift that God gives, and as we all know, it is irreplaceable so, once it is gone you can never get it back.  We hear people say often to use our time wisely, but it is not until we are able to fully comprehend just how valuable time is that we can truly apply this concept to our daily lives.  When you know better, you do better.  Once you have an experience for yourself in regards to time, such as going to school full-time while working a full-time job and raising two children then you are able to cherish and sincerely appreciate those free moments you have.

Too many things are taken for granted in life.  Like in my case for instance, it wasn’t until I had to deal with my husband being deployed for twelve months in the middle of a combat war zone, that I effusively realized the importance of treasuring the time I have now because I know what it is like to have that time taken away.  If you have children, you know and appreciate the younger years of a child’s life, because those moments are so precious and seem to go by much to quickly.

The bible reminds us in Ecclesiastes that there is a time and season for everything.  Time is indispensable and so is timing. While I write about understanding the value of time and how once it is gone, it’s gone.  It is also just as important to recognize the proper moments and seasons in life as well.  Seasons come and go in all of our lives on a regular basis, we just have to discern when this is happening and how to move forward.  All in all, God is the giver of time so whatever you do, be sure to include HIM, and give back at least a small portion of what He has given to you.  It does not have to be all day, but sometime throughout your day make an effort to spend time with God.  Talk to Him, read the bible, listen to a sermon.  Do something that is going to keep you connected to the source.  #iDeclare #timeisprecioususeitwisely

img-thing

 

Prayer:

Father God in the name of Jesus, I come first and foremost to say thank you for the precious gift of time.  Forgive me for taking it for granted and please help me Lord to always value and understand the importance of this gift that you have given me.  I decree and declare that from this day forward, I will take every day one day at a time and purpose in my heart to understand the correct timing and seasons in my life.  God I ask that you would transform my mind as it relates to time and timing. Increase my discernment God, in Jesus name I pray. Amen.

 

Scripture Reference:

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 NLT “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build,  a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance,  a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing, a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away,  a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak, a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace.”

Ephesians 5:16-17 NIV “making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.  Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.”

Keep It Real

Author, Nicole L. RossLeave a comment

One of the biggest problems in the body of Christ in my opinion is people who seem to want to fake and front and appear to be someone they really are not.  Although it really does bother me, I think it is important to identify and understand the real reason this sort of behavior takes place.  There was once a time in my life when I was younger, entering into adulthood, where I put up a front and pretended to be something I really wasn’t.  Whether or not anyone knew it or not, I don’t know, if they did they never called me out on it.  Nevertheless, I pretended to be something I wasn’t, and I can say with an honest and open heart that the reason why I did this is because I was not happy with myself.  I wasn’t happy with where I was in life, so I figured if I made it appear as though my life was bigger and better than it really was, I could cover up all the hurt, pain and struggle that I was dealing with internally.  I remember reading one day about the importance of understanding who we are in Christ.  Learning that I am an heir of God and a joint heir with Jesus Christ, I am above only and not beneath, I am the head and not the tail. All of these things sound great, but the revelation for me was that it is in the bible, which we know is the word of God and truly a word that I needed to stand on and believe.  When you believe in the word completely, no matter how many flaws you may feel you have, the desire to make things up and pretend should not exist.  It was at that moment when I found the ability to truly come to grips with myself by being completely transparent.  God changed my mindset about who I was in Him, which in turn changed my behavior.  He took the desire out of my heart to pretend, and placed the desire in my heart for me to love me again, imperfections and all.  To love all of me, no matter what the world standards appeared to be, love me by letting go of my past trusting God that no matter how bad it seemed in my eyes it was all predestined to bring me into the individual I am today.

It seems as though this acting, is extremely prevalent in the church.  As the body of Christ, we are supposed to reach the lost and draw people in.  How can we do that when we are so busy turning our noses up at people because they have on a tight dress or smell like alcohol.  If we aren’t doing turning up our noses, then we are trying to make them believe we are something we aren’t and they don’t even see Jesus in us because they too busy trying to look beyond all the foolishness.   We can’t be a reflection of God until we look in the mirror and take a true reflection of ourselves first and ask God to change whatever it is within us that is not like Him.  He does not expect us to do it on our own, He just wants you to acknowledge the reality of who you are in Him.  How do you begin to know who you are in Him?  Study your word. It’s all written in the bible.  Once you study your word and see what it says, you must then believe what it says.  Believe that there is a King in you.  Believe that you are a royal priesthood. Believe that nothing, absolutely nothing can ever separate you from the love of God.  Find your identity in Christ alone and you won’t have to struggle with being fake or phony.  Love you just the way you are.  Your creator sure does.  #iDeclare #keepitreal

filepicker_Gw4aY4VjRsGRCvFqStvm_keep_it_real

Prayer:

Father God in the Name of Jesus, I come now thanking you for showing me who I am.  Forgive me Lord for times I have appeared or acted in a way that was false.  Help me to find my true identity in you Lord.  I decree and declare that I am the head and not the tail, that I am above only and not beneath and that there is a King in me.  I am a royal priesthood.  Help me to do what you have called me to do, so that when people see me they will see you.  I die to myself right now in the name of Jesus and I thank that you that I will never have to be fake or phony another day in my life.  I embrace the real me, the person you created me to be and I love me.  Thank you Jesus for hearing my prayer and for life changing transformation.  In Jesus name I pray, Amen.

Scripture Reference:

Deuteronomy 28:13 KJV” And the Lord shall make thee the head, and not the tail; and thou shalt be above only, and thou shalt not be beneath; if that thou hearken unto the commandments of the Lord thy God, which I command thee this day, to observe and to do them:”

2 Corinthians 5:17 NKJV “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.”

Rain Falls on Just and Unjust

Author, Nicole L. RossLeave a comment

It is never a good idea to look at someone while they are in a bad situation and just assume that they are doing something wrong.  I have really come to learn that a lot of times people don’t want to share their story or truly open their heart to other people for just that reason.  They don’t want to reach out for help because in spite of the crazy situation going on at that time, they are more concerned about what people are going to think of them, or if they are going to judge them.  This rationale is why a lot of people feel as though they have to go through things alone, and that is just where the enemy would want you to be.  Satan wants to isolate you, because that is where you are more vulnerable. We must do our parts to make sure this does not happen.  As children of God, our love and compassion for people must be unconditional and more importantly unrestricted.  No matter what the situation is or the circumstances surrounding that situation, we must never judge or look down upon someone.  We are to be a living, walking, talking, breathing, example of Him and that means having genuine compassion for people.  More than ever, in their time of need.

If an individual confides in you, nine times out of ten that is God placing you in a position for you to show that person the love of God.  For you to help, comfort, and give them the encouragement and support they need to get back on track.

Everyone goes through different seasons in their life, so while you are looking down on somebody else be mindful that your season could be just around the corner. The word of God declares that the rain falls on the just AND the unjust, so don’t think just because you saved or you are living right that there won’t be obstacles you have to overcome.

Now, let’s go a little deeper.  While reading this, you may be thinking to yourself that you don’t feel that you look down on people or judge anyone.  Carefully think and have a serious time of self-reflection.  Even if you have done it secretly or in your mind, but maybe not said it there is still room for improvement because the fact of the matter is, it’s still in your heart.  Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks, or sometimes thinks, but nevertheless it is still inside of you.  Pray and repent and ask God to help you. Acknowledging that the fault is there is first, but you have to understand that is it not something that you can change on your own.  Only God can do it.  Ask Him to help take those dark places out of your heart. Then replace it with supernatural love and kindness.  It is then that God will truly be able to use you, as we so often ask Him to do.   You reap what you sow, and that biblical principle does not only apply to tangible things.  If you treat people right when problems come your way, God will in turn send someone your way to allow you to sow that same love.  #iDeclare #therainfallsonjustandunjust

LoveNeighbor

Prayer:

Father God in the name of Jesus, I come asking that you help me Lord.  Help me God to get any dark areas out of my heart.  Forgive me Lord for my sin.  Help me to not be judgmental Lord or think bad about anyone.  Fill my heart with your supernatural love and kindness.  I decree and declare that from this day forward I will not judge another person or think negatively about any situation or circumstance they may be in.  I will love them no matter what.  Use me Lord as a vessel to show the people of this world your love.  Use me as a living example of just who you are.  When the rain comes my way God, I ask that you send someone else with that same supernatural love and kindness to help me get through.  Thank you Jesus for all that you do and for who you are in my life.  In Jesus name I pray, Amen.

Scripture Reference:

Matthew 5:45 NLT  “In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and the unjust alike.”

James 4:12 NIV “ There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the one who is able to save and destroy. But you—who are you to judge your neighbor?”