Inspiration – Page 29 – Nicole L. Ross ~ letstalkaboutlife365

Wisdom IS Available to YOU!

June 21, 2013 Author, Nicole L. Ross1 Comment

When you think about wisdom what is the first thing that comes to mind? For me it’s usually an elderly person. I know that not all elderly people are wise, but some are. I also know you don’t have to be old to be wise. Wisdom is a character trait we should all desire to have. Wisdom about life as a whole. What to do, when to do it, how to do it, etc. Not saying that if you make some wrong decisions you won’t have wisdom, I’m saying that as you attain wisdom you will be better at making decisions. Truthfully, speaking from experience, when you make choices that maybe aren’t so wise those are some of the best opportunities to learn. Wisdom is truly a gift from God and the best way to get it is to ask. That seems simple enough right? Yet, how many people actually ask God for wisdom? They don’t ask. You can also surround yourself with wise people. As the saying goes, ‘you are the company you keep’ and I truly believe this to be true. Those around you are a direct reflection of you, even if you aren’t doing the same thing when someone associates you with that person they will likewise associate your behavior. I love being around people who I can learn from. There are certain things in life I don’t want to have to go through and if I can learn from someone else’s mistakes then I want to do just that. I also thank God when He gives me the opportunity to share what I have been through with other people in hopes that they do not have to go through like I did. This journey in life is not about us anyway, so why not pay it forward?

As I mentioned earlier, wisdom is a gift from God and a lot of people do not realize that. It is a gift that is foundational to the church and it is clearly taught in the word of God. I always find it so powerful how when God asked Solomon what he wanted, Solomon could have requested anything in the world but his desire was that he might obtain wisdom. At his young age, he knew that by having wisdom it would help him to fulfill his destiny. The task that had been set before him as king was clearly not an easy one but having wisdom would be a great tool to help him accomplish his mission. The other beautiful part about it is that once you have it, no one can take it away. Wisdom is spiritual, not tangible.

The gift of wisdom is of the utmost importance for the Body of Christ. Having experience, knowledge and good judgment will help us to love God even more and love our neighbor. This will allow us to contribute tremendously to the church and to those outside of the church. Our love and the example we set by our actions will be another way of showing unbelievers what it means to be saved and prayerfully attract them to Christ. Wisdom is available to you. If you haven’t already asked, in your prayer time, ask God for it. It is a gift that He desires to give you. #iDeclare #wisdom

Prayer:

Father God, in the name of Jesus. I thank you for the gift of wisdom. It is a gift that I desire so please Lord impart wisdom into my spirit. I decree and declare that I will operate in a spirit of wisdom daily and I will use it for the Glory of God to uplift the Kingdom. As I am wise, I will pay it forward and share what I know with other people. Thank you Lord for this gift, in Jesus name, Amen.

Scripture Reading:

Ephesians 1:17 NLT “Asking God, the glorious Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, to give you spiritual wisdom and insight so that you might grow in your knowledge of God.”

James 1:5-6 NIV “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.”

Study! Research! Apply!

June 20, 2013 Author, Nicole L. Ross1 Comment

I can recall being a student in grade school and not having to study a whole lot to do well in class. Then as the years went on and I was placed in classes that were a bit tougher, the ability to excel became more challenging. I talked to my mom about my difficulties and the first thing she asked me was did I study? Well, no not really because I never really had to study before. She reminded me that I was now working at a level that I had not been in my past and in order for me to succeed like I had in the past it was going to take a little more effort and dedication. In other words, I was going to have to study. I was going to have to make a conscious effort to open up my books, read them, take notes and commit to memory the material. This revelation changed my mindset on so many different levels. It was then that I realized at a young age, in order for me to get something I had never gotten I had to do something I had never done. I had never dealt with work on such a high level, so therefore the effort I was giving in the past (which was very little to none) was no longer sufficient. If I was going to get out of the class what I expected to get, a few adjustments were going to have to be made.

God is trying to do the same thing in our lives. As we grow in Him more and more, there are going to be some thing’s that have to change. We are not going to be able to overcome the trials and tribulations of life by keeping the same routine day-by-day, month-by-month, year-by-year. God is calling us higher and an essential tool that is going to get us to where He is taking us is going to be us opening up the book. Not just opening it up, cause anybody can do that, but actually reading and mediating on it. The bible is God’s written instruction book on life. It provides light to avoid pitfalls in the path of life. Every situation you could possibly think of is in the bible. This is why God desires for us to familiarize ourselves with His word. It is not until we are able to fully appreciate it, will we be able to act upon it.

If there is something you do not understand while studying, research it. Ask questions, look it up online, read books do whatever you need to do until you get your answers. We have been blessed with new age technology so we have several tools available to us that will help us discover the meaning of anything we aren’t able to comprehend. I love to read books, so research does not bother me. I actually enjoy finding something in the bible I don’t understand because when I have to look it up I usually learn so much more than I would have expected. I love how God has gifted people all over the world to write books today, just as He did in the bible days.

Once you get what you are reading and have the understanding you desire, you must then apply it. As the saying goes, when you know better you do better. This is what God is looking for. As we learn about the word of God, we learn more about Him. Then we should be able to apply what we have learned to our lives. Apply it to our character. Apply it to our personality. That’s called transformation.

Reading the bible will do just that. It will transform you. Studying the word allows us to draw closer to God and teaches us how to live Godly lives. With the help of the Holy Spirit we also become equipped when we study the word. Equipped with what? Equipped with the tools needed to overcome the enemy. The enemy’s job is the kill, steal and destroy and you better believe he is going to be on his job whether you are in your word of not. He doesn’t want you to use your weapon, ie. The bible. Because he knows that if we take the time to get in our word the stronger we become. The stronger we are, we are able to put him in his place and walk in the victory that God has already given us.

Just so you know, you are held responsible for what you know. So as you learn and investigate the word of God you will be expected to do better. The book of James tells us specifically that ‘if we know good then we ought to do it and if we do not do it, it is a sin’. So be stubborn and learn the word but keep doing the same old thing if you want to, then you will be operating in sin. Apply it to your life and you will have a makeover take place right before your eyes and you might not even know it. God is not expecting you to do anything on your own, never forget that. In this whole process, He will be right there with you. He loves us just that much. #iDeclare #studyresearchapply

Prayer:

Heavenly Father in the name of Jesus, I thank for teaching me your word. I decree and declare that I will study, research and apply the word of God to my life. I understand the importance of studying and I will not take it for granted. I will not be afraid to ask questions. I will allow the word to transform me from the inside out. Thank you Jesus for your Holy Word. In your precious name I pray, Jesus name. Amen.

Scripture Reading:

2 Timothy 2:15 KJV “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”

Psalms 119:11 NLT “I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.”

The Perfect Transfer

June 19, 2013 Author, Nicole L. RossLeave a comment

Every good conversation has at least two people both being able to express their thoughts and opinions right? Well, yesterday I went into the importance of prayer and how it is essential that we take time to talk to God. An element that cannot be left out however, is the ability to listen. This is how the perfect transfer takes place. In order for communication to be fully effective, we have to be able to not only talk but listen. Both parties involved have to communicate with one another. God has so much to say to us if we would only be still for a moment and hear. I’ve been guilty on many occasions of pouring my heart out to God in prayer, then when I finish saying what I have to say I go on doing whatever I was doing. Wrong. God could have answered what I was praying about right then, but instead of me waiting for His response I just went about the rest of my day. Now that I know better I do better, but I have to be honest because I still don’t take the time to listen like I should. Crazy thing is, I desire to hear from Him. Which we all should. I’ve even prayed and asked Him to speak to me but I don’t do my part to actually listen. The good thing about communicating with God is that He speaks in so many different ways. Sometimes He speaks in a small voice within, but this is not the only way He talks to us. If you are riding down the street He may talk to you through a billboard or poster. He also speaks through songs, through the word of God and sometimes He speaks through other people.

The location where the transfer takes place does not matter. You can pray in your kitchen while washing dishes, in the bathroom or simply lying in your bed. God is with us at all times, wherever we are. He is just waiting for us to acknowledge His presence. When we talk to Him we do just that. I named this article ‘The Perfect Transfer’ because in whole that is what prayer is. We transfer information to God, He transfers information back to us. It should be a reciprocal exchange. So now the next thing I want you to do is when you pray, after you’ve said what you want to say take time to be quiet and hear what God has to say to you. This is how you have the perfect transfer. #iDeclare #theperfecttransfer

Prayer:

Father God, In the name of Jesus I come thanking you for teaching me about prayer. Teaching me how to have the perfect transfer with you. I decree and declare that in my prayer time I will not only talk but I will be quiet and listen. I desire to hear from you and I will put myself in a position to do just that. Thank you Jesus for all that you are doing in my life. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.

Scripture Reading:

Revelation 3:22 NLT “Anyone with ears to hear must listen to the Spirit and understand what he is saying to the churches.”

Jeremiah 7:23 ESV “But this command I gave them: ‘Obey my voice, and I will be your God, and you shall be my people. And walk in all the way that I command you, that it may be well with you.”

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