Tag: Jesus

Wisdom IS Available to YOU!

Author, Nicole L. Ross1 Comment

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            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

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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!

Author, Nicole L. Ross1 Comment

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             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

 

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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.”

Dare to Be Different

Author, Nicole L. RossLeave a comment

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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

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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.”