Obedience is Better: #nofear

Life is full of choices that we must make and opportunities that we will be offered.  For some that sounds exciting and for others, stressful.  Maybe you have always made the right choices and never had second thoughts. OR maybe you and I are alike in that sometimes having too many options feels overwhelming and can bring on a fear of making the wrong decisions and fear of the unknown.  

I believe that very thing (fear) is what often keeps us from being obedient to what God has instructed us to do.  Of course fear isn't the only thing...  But, that's what I'm going to focus on today. :-p

There's greatness on the other side of your fear.  Every person who was ever great had to first face their fears...

Oprah had to face her fear of rejection before auditioning for a movie role.  Michael Jordan had to face his fear of failure before become a basketball star.  Soldiers must face their fear of dying before committing to serve on the battle field.  DO NOT LET FEAR STOP YOU OR SLOW YOU DOWN!

There are three types of fear:  (1) protecting,  (2) paralyzing, and, (3) reverencing.  

This first kind of fear can protect you from doing things that you feel could be dangerous or harmful.  This feeling may keep someone from getting on roller coasters because they don't want to fall.  This feeling may keep parents from allowing their child to go a certain place.  Or it may keep a single woman on the defense against anyone who tries to change her routine.  This feeling may keep a man from opening up to the woman who wants to know him in a deeper way. This feeling may keep a toddler from walking for fear of falling.  

But, that fear can easily become paralyzing if unmanaged or unreasonable.  If you never allow your children out of your sight, you may stunt their growth.  If you as a single woman never open your mind or heart, who will be able to capture it?  Sir, if you never open up to that woman how can you ever become her knight in shining armor?  If a toddler remains afraid of falling, then he'll be crawling into adulthood.   Imagine a world full of adults that never learned how to walk, crawling everywhere, asking others to pick them up when they're tired of crawling.  Nonsense.

A reverential fear, though, is what we should all have.  I love and respect my spiritual father.  He's been like a dad to me since I started high school in 2007.  I want to make him proud in every aspect of my life.  I take his advice, no matter how harsh, to heart.  Growing up, I avoided a lot of situations (not all) because I knew my daddy would not approve.  That's the type of fear we should have with our Heavenly Father.  A reverential fear of God moves you to listen when He speaks.  It causes you to seek His face and seek His counsel and advice.  It makes you consider His opinion before decision making.  Lastly, it leads you to seek His validation.  And if you have that, there's nothing more you need to move forward in your life. 

Delayed obedience--for whatever reason--is still disobedience.  

Scripture says quite a few things about fear:  

"For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind."   -2 Timothy 1:7 

"For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father."   -Romans 8:15

Obedience to God is better than bondage to fear.  Imagine all that God has in store for you if you would just move when He says move.  You'll never get to Step B without completing Step A.  If you are afraid, please know that God hasn't given you that fear.  So let's cast it back to the pits of hell!  Write that book.  Start that business.  Go on that trip.  Start that ministry.  Do what God has given instructions for you to do!  The enemy wants you to stay where you are.  The devil is constantly trying to destroy you, your future, and your destiny... Don't let him!  Everything you want is on the other side of your fear. But, more importantly, everything God wants for you is on the other side of that fear!  

I overcame my fear of failure and rejection by stepping out on faith... Over the past week, I've done a couple cool things:     (1) I have continued writing my first book which I haven't worked on in a couple months.  That book is entitled "The Consignment Christian" which is specifically geared to encourage the heart of young women everywhere who struggle in the areas of faith and identity. And (2) I started my YouTube Channel!  So check it out!    If I can overcome MY fears, you can overcome yours!  Keep me in your prayers.

Lord, help us today to not be controlled by fear when it is time to do what you've called us to do.  Let us be fully convinced that the time is now to do that thing.  Thank you for power, love, and a sound mind.  Thank you for making us your own.  Because we have your approval and validation we can run full speed into all you've called us to.  In Jesus name, Amen.

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Testing in Progress...

Greetings Friends!  Welcome back to my blog... This is my second post this week.  I told you that Part two was coming behind Class is in Session.  If you read that blog, you've read some tools of how to survive life class.  

Not only does God teach us throughout life, but, He also tests us on what we have learned.  Quiz.  Pop Quiz.  Unit Exam.  Final Test.... Do those words sound appealing to you?  Maybe.  Maybe NOT!!!  Tests aren't the most fun things, but they're always purposeful.  No matter what season of life you're in, no matter what test you may be facing, keep a few things in mind before you get discouraged:

1)  The TEACHER is never surprised by a pop quiz.  I’m not going to panic if God’s not panicking.  This may be a surprise to me, but never to Him.  God knew before this test was coming.  I can have peace and trust that He loves me enough to get me through this!

**Hebrews 4:12 tells us that “there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are open and laid bare to the eyes of Him with whom we have to do.”

2)  The TEACHER has specifically customized your test to assess what's in you.  How sweet is it to know that God has predestined according to His purpose to work things after His will for our lives.  There’s always continuity in what God does even if we don’t see or understand it.

**Ephesians 1:11 says, “also we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to His purpose who works all things after the counsel of His will.”

3)  The TEACHER never gives a test that He hasn't previously prepared you for.  The Lord gave the Israelites a series of test after test after test after test.  But, it was all intentionally for His glory.  Each test was preparing them for the next and the next and the next.  Don’t be like the Israelites, though, who had to keep learning some of the same lessons over and over.

**Deuteronomy 8:2, “and you shall remember that the Lord your God led you all the way these forty years in the wilderness, to humble you and test you, to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep His commandments or not.”

4)  The TEACHER made the test, so He has the answer key.  You can rest assured that God has all the answers and He loves us so much so that He will give us what we need and He’ll give good gifts to those who ask Him.  No, that doesn’t mean we get everything we want, but we can be sure that it means when we need our Heavenly Father, He is there‼

**Mathew 7:11 says, “if you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask him.”

5)  Use your memory bank.  So often we forget the things that God has done for us in the past.  We get caught up in our present storm that we forget the storms that God has brought us through.  Don’t fall so deep in the pit of this situation that you can no longer look around and see what God has done for you and for others.

**Hebrews 10:32 & 35 say, "But remember the former days, when, after being enlightened, you endured a great conflict of sufferings, ... do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward."

6)  If you fail the test, the TEACHER will make you retake it.  There’s nothing like going through absolute hell and then having to go back through the same hell you just went through all because you didn’t learn your lesson the first time.  The Israelite people didn’t trust God to get them out of Egypt.  Then when they got out of Egypt, they didn’t trust God to provide food when they were hungry.  Once they were fed, they didn’t trust God to get them into the Promised Land… God kept testing them.  Don’t be like them‼!

7)  The test is open Book.  :-)  Psalm 119:105, “Your word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.”

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Class is in Session...

Whether you're aware of it or not, there just may be a test coming your way.  Unfortunately, we don't get to choose when or how tests come!  However, I believe there are some important things we can do to be prepared at all times.

1)  Pay attention in class... Nothing happens for no reason!  Everything God does is strategic.  If you pay attention now, you will be equipped with all you need for the test.  Don’t be caught off guard or distracted, as you learn along the way, keep in mind that it is for you to be tested.

**1 Peter 4:12, Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you;

2)  Get to know the Teacher Before you Need the Teacher…  God loves you and wants to know you.  Get to know Him.  Ask Him for help if you need it.  But, don't just wait until the struggles come to seek God... build a relationship with Him even before you're in a tough spot.  No one likes to be used.  So don’t use God as your ‘get out of jail free card.’

**1 Chronicles 16:11 tells us, "Seek the LORD and His strength; Seek His face continually."

3) Study. Study. Study…  Daily. Consistently.  Don't wait until the night before a test to cram all the information in because you need your sleep.  Or worse, don't get thrown off by a pop quiz.  Studying consistently will ensure that you are ready at all times for whatever may come your way.  Study the Word of God.  It’s the ammunition you need to fight off the enemy.

**Psalm 119:11 says, " Your word I have treasured in my heart, That I may not sin against You.."

4)  Memorize those main ideas.   As God is teaching you, know that it’s not in vain.  So, when you’re going through things you don’t understand, instead of whining and complaining, make sure you remember what God is trying to teach you.

**Romans 8:28 tells us, "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." 

5)  Eat well.  Even Jesus knew how important it was to eat well… Not just naturally, but spiritually.  What you put in is what comes out.  So feed your spirit with things of the spirit.  Feed your spirit with the Word, testimonies of the saints, inspiration books and television. 

**In Matthew 4:4, Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.'”

6)  Get plenty of rest... Rest in God, that is.  Honor the Sabbath.  Dedicate your Saturdays to the Lord if you can.  Get your work done in the week so that you can rest on that day if at all possible.  If God can build the world in 6 days and rest on the 7^th, we can follow his pattern.  But, even outside of that, practice resting in God.  Don’t rest in your finances, friends or family, but rest in God.  He’s a sure foundation. 

**Ps. 62:5 says, "Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from him."

7)  Get rid of the waste... Naturally, it's helpful to go to the restroom before you enter an exam room.  The most annoying thing is to get in the groove of test taking just to have to stop what you’re doing to release what has built up in you.  Spiritually, we get weighed down with things we should have gotten rid of a long time ago.  Get rid of waste on a consistent basis, don't let it build up inside of you. 

**Psalm 51:2 says, "Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity And cleanse me from my sin."


STAY TUNED FOR PART 2... "Testing in Progress"

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Who I am & What I do!

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Judge Nothing Before the Time

"For I know nothing by myself; yet am I not hereby justified: but he that judgeth me is the Lord.  Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God."  - 1 Corinthians 4:4-5

Have you ever quit too soon?  Was it taking too long? Was God taking too long to do whatever you expected?  Did you not get that promotion soon enough?  Did your spouse not come soon enough?  Did your child not obey soon enough?

It is easy to misjudge a thing.  It's easy to leave a job just before getting your promotion.  It's easier to walk away than to wait it out.

Paul reminds the Corinthian Church (and us today) of something very valuable...  The one who judges is the Lord, the one who stands outside of time and space.  And when we judge the timing of a thing, it is usually from an uninformed perspective.  Sure, an 8 month pregnant woman is tired of being pregnant... but she also understands the importance of having a full term pregnancy.

You may get weary in the season you're in.  God may be taking too long to do what you'd hope he would have done sooner.  But, keep in mind that God is loving and kind.  He loves you too much to let you (and your uninformed perspective) call all of the shots.

When the timing is right, God will bring light to hidden things of darkness and reveal what is in people's hearts.  Sit back.  Relax.  Trust God!

Love you all!

Ricki

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Sometimes God Says, "No."

There is a little lady that I call my God-daughter.  Her mother was my best friend for about 3 years before she died on February 5, 2015.  I've been blessed with a close relationship with her family and still get to spend a lot of time with them.  Anyway, baby girl is like me.  She hates, and I mean despises, being told no.

Can I have candy? No.

Can I watch television a little longer? No.

Can I have this or that toy? No.

Each no is typically followed by a little bit of pouting.  She is 4 going on 40 and hates being told no.

But, there's a reason why we answered no to these questions. She wanted candy because she didn't know that her favorite meal had already been prepared for dinner.  She wanted to watch television after bedtime but we knew that she'd never get enough sleep to get up on time for school.  She wanted a new barbie, but she didn't know that her grand-mother had already ordered 12 barbies for her for Christmas.

If God always said yes when we pray, we would get whatever we want.  That may be okay with some people.    It may even be okay with us temporarily.  But we must remember that what we want has nothing on what God wants for us.   Ephesians 3:20 tells us that "God is able to do exceedingly and abundantly above all we could ask or even think."  Even the very best thing that you could ask of God has no comparison to His limitless possibilities in our lives.

That helps us to better understand when God says no!

God wants to bless us and keep us, prosper us and call us to higher.  He wants us to have good things... But, even good things at a bad time can become a burden or weight. A baby is a beautiful thing, a gift from God, but we don't usually want to see the baby until after he or she has spent 9 months in the womb.  Even the most anxious expecting mothers understand that that time is crucial. Time is crucial.  

When you pray, pray with understanding and submission.  Pray with an open mind and heart.  Don't pray to change God's mind or God's heart, but pray for God to change your mind and your heart. Pray because God will only tell you know when it's not time or when He just has something better.

God is trustworthy.  God is faithful.  His love for us is sure.

Matthew 7:9-11 says this, “What man is there among you who, when his son asks for a loaf, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, he will not give him a snake, will he? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give what is good to those who ask Him!”

God, help us today to trust your timing.  Help us not to seek only for you to say yes.  Help us to ask for your guidance and direction, submitting to your perfect timing and perfect will.   Thank you for being a God who doesn't always say yes.  Thank you for being a God who is not controlled, but in control.  Thank you for your DIVINE no.  Thank you for your DIVINE timing.  We trust you now, God.  In Jesus' name, AMEN.

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The Baby Monitor

My boyfriend and I went to one of my college professor's house for coffee and desert last Monday night.  I absolutely love this family... the Naylors.  The Naylors came to CIU officially my sophomore year (3ish years ago), although I met them that previous semester when they visited to candidate for the professorship.  I knew them from brief interactions.  But,  them coming to CIU provided many more opportunities to get to know them.  They'd have me over for dinner from time to time, I'd babysit their kids on rare occasions... And they're just such a joy to be around.

Ok, back to Monday night... Nothing happened out of the ordinary.  No strange occurrences.  But, one thing I've always noticed (that really stood out to me this visit) was the Naylors' use of baby monitors.  There was one in each or the childrens' rooms & the receivers were in a location that Mom and Dad could hear at all times. This isn't the first time I've seen the baby monitor... but, this time it struck a chord.

I'm writing this without permission, so I won't include too much detailed information.  But, let me tell you about this baby monitor...

Through this baby monitor, Dr & Mrs Naylor can hear everything that goes on in their children's rooms throughout the evening.  If one of them sneezes, they can hear.  If one of them is talking to his or herself, they can hear.  If someone is singing their self to sleep, they can hear it.  That monitor becomes their ears in the room that Mom and Dad can't be at bedtime.

I was fascinated by the proficiency of their listening skills.  From the other room, Mrs. Naylor can hear the faintest cry, "Mama!" and know exactly where it came from... (she may not get it right every time, but I haven't seen her get it wrong yet)!  Even under the sound of coffee, conversation and cheesecake, Dr. Naylor can hear the softest cry, "Daddy!"  

They're always soft cries.  The kids never yell from their bedrooms... they know they don't have to.  They know that their cries are heard the first time & no matter how long it takes Mama or Daddy, they know that help is on the way.

I know it may seem totally irrelevant to some... but, the way that has ministered to me since Monday night... oh my!  See, God hears us when we call.  We may not always see or feel Him, but we can rest assured that He is there.  We may not always sense His presence, but He's always with us.  Just like the Naylor kids, all we have to do is cry out to our Heavenly Father.  And God, just like the Naylor parents, will come when it's time.  

Wherever you are and whatever you're going through, trust and believe that God has His ears towards you.  He's listening.  He's watching.  He's moving on your behalf. God himself is everywhere at all times.  Here are some scriptures that tell me so:  

Ps. 46:1, God is our refuge and strength. A very present help in the time of trouble.

Deut. 31:6, Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the LORD your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.”

1 John 5:14, And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us.

Ps. 34:17, The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles.

God, help me to trust you.  Help me to rest assured that you hear me when I call.  I know that you can always hear me. I know that you are always there.  I love you, Lord. Amen.

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