Stay In The Ring

         As everyone knows, I'm a sports fan. Today, I was thinking about my life currently and the metaphor of boxing came to mind. I'm partial to some of the great boxers I grew up with Like Joe Frazier, Mohammed Ali, Sugar Ray, Alexander Holyfield, and Mike Tyson.  

    The last three years my life has been in transition. The recession hit and God put it in my heart to reposition myself for the next level in my life. I went back to school to complete my Bachelors degree I started so many years ago.  God directed me to move across the county.  I entered graduate school.    All new beginnings, which is what I blog about.

    The years have been filled with excitement, but also filled with plenty of hard work.  I've watch God do the impossible in so many areas of my life. I pinch myself at times. I'm in awe of just how great God is.  God can transform anything and anyone! I’m a living witness.  And the truth is that God is not done with me yet! Praise Him!  This journey has taken much faith and hard work on my part.  The result is living glory to glory, level to level, & manifestation.  Yes, faith and hard work. I keep stressing this because I believe we often miss it by not understand that Faith without works is dead. (James 2). Faith moves mountains, but God requires His wisdom, our hard work, and practical knowledge when applicable.

Looking over my life, I have to admit, I didn't get into my forties without having to fight for some things along the way. I’m sure you can relate.  I also remember being knocked out a few times, BUT getting back up again. The key is to keep fighting. Stay in the game.

Just recently, I have to admit, I feel like another heavy weight named Goliath is in the ring kicking my tail.  But my faith and the Word of God tell me who I am. I have made a quality decision to press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. (Phil 3:12).  Therefore, quitting is not an option, even when tempted to do so.

Dearhearts, it’s so crucial to remain focused just before victory. Often, this is when we are vulnerable the most.  We get tired of fight and waiting on God.  Recently, I’ve seen some big smoke screens by the enemy. Things that are designed by the enemy to catch you off guard. But, I have learned to just #StayInTheRing

If you #StayInTheRing , you will reap your harvest.  If you #StayInTheRing, victory will be yours! If you #StayInTheRing your Goliaths will come down!

Just keep fighting! Stand on God's Word. Speak God’s Word by faith. Dispatch your angels!  Yes, you will get tired. But, faint not! The Joy of the Lord is your strength.  If you #StayInTheRing that mountain will be removed!

Dearhearts, your harvest time is near! Don't let the devil or circumstances trick you out of your harvest! You've come too far! #StayInTheRing

The Sleeping Church

Revelations 3:1-6

And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead.2 Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God.3 Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee.4 Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy.5 He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.6 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

        After recent events, I find myself growing less tolerant and angrier about two things: 1) ignorance and 2) slumber.  Disclaimer: continue to read at your own risk.  This blog is not similar to most other blogs where I encourage you to do your best. I believe in encouragement.  Yet, there is a season for every thing.

 According to   Ecclesiastes 3:1-8, To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:2 A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;s3 A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;4 A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;5 A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;s6 A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;s7 A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;8 A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace. 

Currently, it is time to sound the alarm!  It has been way past time, but some of us are still sleeping.   As a nation, we slept through two decades of greed that led us to the current global economic crisis.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iFfTcAcGjcU   As Church, we continue to sleep while issues like New York becoming the 6th state to legalize gay marriage are now reality.  http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2011/06/25/earlyshow/saturday/main20074349.shtml    We are called to have dominion over this earth?  But where is the evidence? 

Additionally, Proverbs 13:22, states that A good man leaveth an inheritance to his children's children.  When I was raising my son, at a certain age, we watched the news as a family. I did not shelter him. He was going to be in the world soon enough and it was my job to train him on how to Biblically approach issues.  So, we would watch the news, discuss the event, and intercede.

  What this practice is a young man who is not ignorant to the issues of the day and armed with the ability to call on Jesus. What happened to the intercessors on the Wall? I am calling you out to rise up once more again!

   As a child, I remember studying current events in school and discussion at home around the dinner table.  Tell me why we have nation of people who can’t discuss issues for lack of knowledge and understanding?   If I hear  one more well meaning Christians tell me they don’t know what is going on because they, “don’t watch the news”, I’m gonna scream!!!  How else are you going to WATCH & pray.  Yes, we are to watch in the spirit. But, we cannot afford to be ignorant in the natural as well.  There are numerous scriptures that warn against God’s people being ignorant and lacking of knowledge.

Dearhearts, let me help you dispel a myth.  Seeking earthly knowledge is NOT a sin.  Just don’t exalt it above God’s wisdom. We seek natural knowledge all the time.  For example, we in enroll in college to earn a degree. Knowledge in beneficial to position ourselves to fulfill what God has assigned to us.