Success in Psalm 1

Have you ever seen a bicyclist pedaling down the interstate?

Have you seen a Lexus trying to drive down the sidewalk? Or use the bike lane?

Have you tried to drive a truck/bus with just a Class D driver's license?

There are all these circles I wanted to so badly to be in... There are some people I so desperately wanted to know. And many rooms I stood outside of dying to be let in. For a long time I was driven by the world's standards of progress and success (get a fine man, get a good job, live in a big house with a white picket fence, etc.).  As I was being driven by these standards of success, I found myself facing moments of depression when I realized I wasn't going to marry that fine man I had, my job wasn't going to complete me, a big house was no where in the budget, and most apartments don't come with white picket fences.

The lens that I had been using to view success had become tinted by the world... 
But this is what the Word says in Psalm 1:

1How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, Nor stand in the path of sinners, Nor sit in the seat of scoffers! 2But his delight is in the law of the Lord and in His law he meditates day and night. 3He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water, Which yields its fruit in its season and its leaf does not wither; And in whatever he does, he prospers.  4The wicked are not so, But they are like chaff which the wind drives away. 5Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, Nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous. 6For the LORD knows the way of the righteous, But the way of the wicked will perish.

God spoke to my heart and reminded me, "Girl, you have your own circle. Your own lane. Your own room. Your own zone.  I AM GOD.  I DEFINE YOUR SUCCESS."

1)  You are successful when your delight is in the WORD.
Verse 2 tells us that a man is blessed when his delight is in law of the Lord and and when he meditates on it day and night... Is it a struggle to read your Bible?  Do you find it hard to spend time with the Lord?  Or is it a delight to you?  The Lord wants us to to take delight in His word because He has already spoken a word for every situation in your life.  That's why he not only wants us to read it, but meditate on it day and night!

2)  You are successful when GOD plants you.
Other people may have plans for your life.  They may have assignments, visions, dreams for you.  However, verse 3 tells us that when we are consumed by God's word, He plants us.  He doesn't place us like other people have a tendency to.  But, He plants us.  He plants us in places where He knows we can grow and be nourished (beside streams of water).  He plants us in places where we can be fruitful.  If you aren't growing, if you aren't being nourished, if you aren't being fruitful, You should do an evaluation of your location.  Are you where GOD has planted you or where you placed myself?  Are you doing what GOD assigned for you or are you just keeping yourself busy?  Are you not being fruitful because you aren't in the right place or is this just not the right timing?

3)  You are successful when you trust God's SEASONS.
Don't rush the process, trust the process.  A flower doesn't bloom the day after the seed is planted.  A baby isn't born the day after it's conception.  Verse 3 informs us that the Lord not only plants us in places where we can be fruitful, but He times things perfectly.  Though we may be in a hurry, God understands that everything happens in its correct timing.   If you have a hard time understanding the importance of timing, talk to the mother of a pre-mature baby.  A baby born at 6 months runs the risks of having significantly more health challenges than a baby born at 7, 8, or 9 months.  Why is that?  Because timing is so important.  No matter how ready a woman may be in her 2nd trimester or beginning her 3rd, she understands the importance of delivering at full term.  Verse 3 tells us that the tree God plants will bring forth fruit IN ITS SEASON.

I said all that to say that your success isn't about what you want, it's about what God wants for your life.  The truth is God's success will far surpass what you have planned for yourself.  There are some rooms you're too big to fit in and forcing your way in will only minimize who you are.  The people who don't understand you maybe weren't meant for you in the first place or in this season.  Then there are other rooms you don't need to be in because it is not your season and you are not ready.  Everything has it's time and it's season...  a good thing at a bad time has the same toxins as a bad thing.  But when God does it, He does in such a way that everything we do will prosper (verse 3).

When God opens the door, walk in it. But, in the mean time, don't worry yourself about what you're missing.  God's timing is impeccable.  And if the door closes, praise God until the next one opens!  Don't worry yourself about the details. Don't get lost in wondering why it had to be that way or why things didn't turn out the way you expected.

Here are some additional scriptures to encourage you as you pursue God's success for your life:

• "I can do all this through him who gives me strength." - Phil. 4:13
• "Delight yourself in the LORD; And He will give you the desires of your heart." - Psalm 37:4

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God is STILL Good!!!

Happy New Year!  I'm late, but Happy New Year to you!!!

YOU MADE IT!  That's right... Regardless of how challenging 2016 may have been, you have officially made it to 2017.  I don't know about you, but I am excited about that.  2016 was filled with highs and lows for a lot of people, including me, so don't feel like you're alone.  But that year has passed and we've begun anew.

I've always loved New Years!  My church has a Watch Night Service every year that begins at 10pm and is filled with testimonies, songs, praying and preaching.  It's like a grand finale for the passing year and a grand opening for the new year.  As we embrace the transition from one calendar year into another, I feel the excitement to embrace newness.

I just wanted to encourage you not to associate God's character with any circumstance going on in your life.  We are often so quick to say that God is good when things are going well.  And then we question God's goodness when things aren't going so well in our lives.  God is good all the time.

He is good even when your bank account looks empty.

He is good even when your test results don't come back as well as you wanted.

He is good even when you're having car trouble.

He is good even when your children are misbehaving.

He is good even when your friends turn their back on you.

He is good even when you lose your car.

He is good even when you lose your house.

He is good even when you lose your job.

How do I know that?  Well, here are a few things I have found comfort in from God's Word:

1)  God knows what you need.  “And when you are praying, do not use meaningless repetition as the Gentiles do, for they suppose that they will be heard for their many words. "So do not be like them; for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him." - Matthew 6:7-8

Have you ever found yourself in a conversation where someone is going on and on and on about something?  Then before you know you you've missed a very important detail because you zoned out.  I'm not saying God zones out on us... but, I am saying that God knows what we need before we ask.  Our prayer can show our faith, but it doesn't inform God of anything he doesn't already know.

When you pray, pray in faith.  Don't pray in fear that He doesn't hear or doesn't know.

2)  God will provide.  "And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus." - Philippians 4:19

We may lose things in life. Friends, money, jobs, homes, etc.  But, at the end of the day, we have to trust that God will supply what we need and it won't be late.  I repeat, it won't be late, because God's timing is always perfect.  Sometimes the Lord allows us to lose the things that we think we need to show us that what we really need is Him.  I remember one week my vehicle was down and I was so frustrated because I didn't have the money I needed to fix my car.  What I thought I needed was my car, but what I really needed was to be humbled so I could embrace the help of others.  I lost a friend and the Lord really wanted to show me that He is my friend.

When you suffer a loss, ask God to open your eyes to what He wants you to gain and/or other ways He has already provided instead.

3)  God will put the pieces of your life together. "And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose."  - Romans 8:28

That's right.  It may seem hard to believe, but even when the pieces of your life are scattered all around you, God will cause all things to work together for your good!  There's nothing that God cannot use in your life.  There's no tragedy or triumph that cannot be used for your good and for God's glory.  When Joseph was sold into slavery by his brothers in the book of Genesis, he nor them had any idea that later what they meant for evil God would use for good.  Glory to God!  No matter what is going on, God can and will get the glory out of it.  Don't try to make sense of it.  Let God handle it in His own timing.

When things fall apart, trust that God will put it all together.

"Lord, help us to rest in your goodness.  Help us to be anchored and held together by your goodness alone.  Help us to not associate your goodness with our circumstances, so that our thoughts and convictions about you will never be fickle or childlike.  Help us to be strong in you. In Jesus Name. Amen."

I hope that this encouraged you somehow.  If you have any prayer requests, feel free to send them to rlavletteb93@gmail.com or comment them below.

Find me on Facebook, Instagram, & Twitter. Take a moment to say Hi!  God bless you.

Ricki

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Fishbowl Faith

I recently moved into a new apartment.  I'm super excited about it because it's closer to my job, close to my mom's job, close to the law school, I've got it nice and cozy and although everything isn't exactly unpacked, I know that I already love my new home.  As I was in the process of moving, I knew that I wanted to buy a fish.  I have had a few goldfish in my life, but I wanted something a little different.  Something 'easy' but beautiful.  At the pet store my heart was set on this betta fish.  It is burgundy, blue, and black.  It's very responsive and when his tail spreads, it is a beautiful site.

I spent almost an hour looking at about 25 different betta fish, but this one was the one I wanted.  I had already bought the rocks the day before and I wanted to buy him a new bowl to go in at home. I knew where I would put the bowl and how I wanted it to look. So, last night after I got the bowl all set up and put him on my night table, I just watched him embrace his new environment.  And the Lord spoke to me so clearly...

1) I thought about this fish long before I found it, like God thought about us long before we were created.

"Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, And before you were born I consecrated you; I have appointed you a prophet to the nations." - Jeremiah 1:5

I know a few people who were born after years and years of their parents trying to conceive.  I also know friends who were a complete surprise to their parents.  I know some people have been referred to as accidents.  But, you were not an accident to God.  He was very intentional when He made you, he knew you before your mother knew your father, he formed you before you mother knew she had conceived.  You were consecrated, separated, set apart, and given an assignment by God.  Time is not a factor to God.  So whether you were early, late, or unexpected to MAN, rest assured that God did everything in His perfect timing.

2) I chose this fish, like God chose us.

"You did not choose Me but I chose you, and appointed you that you would go and bear fruit, and that your fruit would remain, so that whatever you ask of the Father in My name He may give to you." - John 15:16

Jesus tells the disciples then and us now that we didn't choose Him, but He chose us.  That may seem insignificant to you, but I know what it's like to NOT get chosen.  I've been the last one picked for the team.  I've been the rebound.  I've been the last choice.  I've been the one that nobody really wanted.  I know that feeling of rejection and loneliness.  I also know that what people say is not important because our Father in heaven chose me and appointed me for a specific assignment and purpose.

3)  I purchased this fish, like Jesus purchased us.

"And they sang a new song, saying, "Worthy are You to take the book and to break its seals; for You were slain, and purchased for God with Your blood men from every tribe and tongue and people and nation." -Revelation 5:9

My fish was not very costly.  But, I was.  Can you believe that Jesus purchased us for God?  He was perfect.  He knew no sin.  He loved us so much that He laid down his life so that we could live in Him and live for Him.  He was the perfect sacrifice.  Only He was able to bridge the gap made by sin between us and God.  Jesus' blood bought men from every tribe and nation.  We take pride in the things that we work hard to obtain just like Jesus takes pride in having us as His own.

4) I prepared a place for this fish, like Jesus has a place prepared for us.

"If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also." - John 14:3

Jesus came to earth for the sole purpose of dying on the cross for our sins and being raised from the dead so that He could return to Heaven.  He said in His word that He was going to prepare a place for us AND He's coming back to get us one day to take us to that place.  If you feel misplaced, that's why.  If you're constantly searching for home, that's why.  Earth is not your home.  This world and the things of this world will temporarily satisfy an eternal longing for heaven.

5) It is my pleasure to watch this fish thrive, like it is God's pleasure to watch us thrive.

Do you have children?  Have you ever sat and watched your child sleep?  or play?  or laugh?  Doesn't it just do something to you to see them happy and healthy and whole?   When you labor over the preparation of a meal, don't you love it when someone compliments it, enjoys it and appreciates it?  If an earthly parent does, how much more do you think our heavenly parent does?

When we find ourselves in God, get joy from His word, find rest in Him, love on Him and embrace His love, God is pleased.  He takes pleasure when His children are successful and joyful.  No, that doesn't mean life will be easy, but its a reminder that God truly does want what is best for us.

This may sound silly, but it's what I'll forever call FISHBOWL FAITH!!!

God, thank you for using a simple fish to blow my mind.  You love me so much that you planned for me, you chose me, you purchased me, you prepared a place for me and you take pleasure in my wellbeing.  Thank you for loving me.  Help me to always thrive in the spaces you have created for me to be a part of: every job, every school, every church.  Let my life be a pleasure to you.  In Jesus' name, Amen.

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