Sorry it's taken me so long to post again; the past month has been hectic. But I'm grateful to God for His grace. Just wanna share this song that I heard from Kierra Sheard's new project, entitled "Free". It's the title track. Just receive what she's speaking and ask the Father to free your mind & give you power over fear. He is faithful to complete it.
In Him,
-DJR
Monday, October 24, 2011
Monday, October 10, 2011
You're So JUICY!
“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing." - John 15:1-5
The above passage is one of my favorite, yet one of the most convicting. How do we know that we are abiding and producing?
One way to produce is in being consistent in your walk with God.
Consistency is such a big deal, even within the Bible. Think about the children of Israel, when Moses went up to Mt. Sinai to receive the commandments. They got impatient that he was taking so long, and created their own idol god. They had forgotten the loyalty and faithfulness of Almighty God that brought them out of Egypt. There was no consistency because they were so wrapped up in themselves and their needs instead of believing, trusting, and abiding in the God that sustained them.
Jesus said that he prunes those who are producing in order that they may produce more. We are known to always ask God for "more of Him", which I think is funny. Have you used all you have now? Have you produced now? Are you ready to be pruned, ripped, and justified? We must abide in Jesus; that's when we get more of Him! That's how we produce more! It doesn't always come from a grind. It comes from being consumed by Jesus!
A pure anointing comes from abiding with Jesus and the realness of your relationship with Him. The man of God, Elijah, spent so much time with the Father that he could say one the word and what he spoke was so. Why? Because he knew how to abide with the Lord. Because of that, he walked in such a pure anointing that everyone respected him! Kings feared him! But God knew him!
Does God know you because you have a relationship with him? Has he revealed Himself to you on a personal level? Is the fruit that you produce rooted in the TRUE Vine?
Ask the Lord to show you what it means to abide in Him.
BE JUICY!
In Him,
-DJR
The above passage is one of my favorite, yet one of the most convicting. How do we know that we are abiding and producing?
One way to produce is in being consistent in your walk with God.
Consistency is such a big deal, even within the Bible. Think about the children of Israel, when Moses went up to Mt. Sinai to receive the commandments. They got impatient that he was taking so long, and created their own idol god. They had forgotten the loyalty and faithfulness of Almighty God that brought them out of Egypt. There was no consistency because they were so wrapped up in themselves and their needs instead of believing, trusting, and abiding in the God that sustained them.
Jesus said that he prunes those who are producing in order that they may produce more. We are known to always ask God for "more of Him", which I think is funny. Have you used all you have now? Have you produced now? Are you ready to be pruned, ripped, and justified? We must abide in Jesus; that's when we get more of Him! That's how we produce more! It doesn't always come from a grind. It comes from being consumed by Jesus!
A pure anointing comes from abiding with Jesus and the realness of your relationship with Him. The man of God, Elijah, spent so much time with the Father that he could say one the word and what he spoke was so. Why? Because he knew how to abide with the Lord. Because of that, he walked in such a pure anointing that everyone respected him! Kings feared him! But God knew him!
Does God know you because you have a relationship with him? Has he revealed Himself to you on a personal level? Is the fruit that you produce rooted in the TRUE Vine?
Ask the Lord to show you what it means to abide in Him.
BE JUICY!
In Him,
-DJR
Friday, October 7, 2011
Divinely Favored
This past Tuesday, I got a call to come in and interview for my DREAM JOB next week!!! (Yes, God is something else lol!)
To be honest, I'm still in awe that I even got a call, because I turned in my application and resume 3 days after the cut off date, didn't meet all the requirements as listed in the job description, but STILL got the call. Does that sound like favor or what?!
Yesterday, at breakfast, which is when I typically do my daily devotions, I found a scripture in Proverbs, that really struck me:
"Commit your work to the LORD, and your plans will be established. " - Proverbs 16:3
The Amplified says it like this:
"Roll your works upon the Lord [commit and trust them wholly to Him; He will cause your thoughts to become agreeable to His will, and] so shall your plans be established and succeed." - Proverbs 16:3
I believe that this post it not only for me, but for anyone who feels that God has not heard you. What we must understand is that God does not operate like we do (Isaiah 55:8). You may think you're not qualified, undeserving, unworthy, dishonorable, or just plain terrible, but God doesn't think so (1 Corinthians 1:28-29). He opens doors that cannot be shut and closes doors that cannot be opened!
"I know your works. Behold, I have set before you an open door, which no one is able to shut. I know that you have but little power, and yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name." - Revelation 3:8
We must remember that we are DIVINELY favored!! There are things that God is rewarding us NOW from keeping His Word years ago! He does not forget. So stop dwelling on what you haven't done and focus on what is to come. Don't let fear cripple you; don't let fear keep you from applying for the position. You just put work to your faith and let God have the final say!
I'm so excited about this interview next week. Please keep me lifted in prayer and pray that God's will is done. I know that it is mine and I've already claimed victory in Jesus Name!!
In Him,
-DJR
To be honest, I'm still in awe that I even got a call, because I turned in my application and resume 3 days after the cut off date, didn't meet all the requirements as listed in the job description, but STILL got the call. Does that sound like favor or what?!
Yesterday, at breakfast, which is when I typically do my daily devotions, I found a scripture in Proverbs, that really struck me:
"Commit your work to the LORD, and your plans will be established. " - Proverbs 16:3
The Amplified says it like this:
"Roll your works upon the Lord [commit and trust them wholly to Him; He will cause your thoughts to become agreeable to His will, and] so shall your plans be established and succeed." - Proverbs 16:3
I believe that this post it not only for me, but for anyone who feels that God has not heard you. What we must understand is that God does not operate like we do (Isaiah 55:8). You may think you're not qualified, undeserving, unworthy, dishonorable, or just plain terrible, but God doesn't think so (1 Corinthians 1:28-29). He opens doors that cannot be shut and closes doors that cannot be opened!
"I know your works. Behold, I have set before you an open door, which no one is able to shut. I know that you have but little power, and yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name." - Revelation 3:8
We must remember that we are DIVINELY favored!! There are things that God is rewarding us NOW from keeping His Word years ago! He does not forget. So stop dwelling on what you haven't done and focus on what is to come. Don't let fear cripple you; don't let fear keep you from applying for the position. You just put work to your faith and let God have the final say!
I'm so excited about this interview next week. Please keep me lifted in prayer and pray that God's will is done. I know that it is mine and I've already claimed victory in Jesus Name!!
In Him,
-DJR
Monday, October 3, 2011
No Other gods
Yesterday was an amazing day!
On the worship team that I lead, we had a new girl. She brings so much energy to the team; she has a great voice, such a team player, and so much of a true worshiper that she'll take her shoes off to worship! (I love it lol) Before we started service yesterday, I went to sit by her as we waited. I asked her was her husband coming to service today, if so I'll find another seat. She said "My husband's not coming. He left me three days ago."
After service, I went to the College & Young Professionals Bible study. It was so wonderful being around young people like myself, who love God's word. Our instructor was such an amazing teacher and really broke it down for us. Before we concluded our class for the day, our teacher told us this: "I am so blessed!! Three years ago, I found out I had cancer. This past July, it came back. I am so blessed. God is revealing Himself to me and He is carrying me on a new journey."
Think about both of those situations. Could you imagine your husband leaving you 3 days ago, yet you have the audacity to kick your shoes off, lift your hands, cry out before the Lord, and worship Him?!? Could you imagine finding out that the cancer came back after you defeated it three years ago, but have the audacity to lead a Bible study with energy, praising God the entire time?!
The Holy Spirit spoke to me on my way home, and revealed to me of how selfish we can get; we allow the enemy to plant fear in our minds over man-made material, when our Father in Heaven holds the world in His hands. Instead of being fearful, try be thankful; turn your thanksgiving into your worship! You have more reasons to trust and praise God than you do to feel sorry for yourself!
The word tells us that we ought to put no other gods before Our God; has your sickness become your god? Has your marriage become your god? Has your money become your god? What is it that has your mind, your heart, and your life trapped in fear?
Don't allow anything in this world to keep you out of touch with the Creator of this world!
On the worship team that I lead, we had a new girl. She brings so much energy to the team; she has a great voice, such a team player, and so much of a true worshiper that she'll take her shoes off to worship! (I love it lol) Before we started service yesterday, I went to sit by her as we waited. I asked her was her husband coming to service today, if so I'll find another seat. She said "My husband's not coming. He left me three days ago."
After service, I went to the College & Young Professionals Bible study. It was so wonderful being around young people like myself, who love God's word. Our instructor was such an amazing teacher and really broke it down for us. Before we concluded our class for the day, our teacher told us this: "I am so blessed!! Three years ago, I found out I had cancer. This past July, it came back. I am so blessed. God is revealing Himself to me and He is carrying me on a new journey."
Think about both of those situations. Could you imagine your husband leaving you 3 days ago, yet you have the audacity to kick your shoes off, lift your hands, cry out before the Lord, and worship Him?!? Could you imagine finding out that the cancer came back after you defeated it three years ago, but have the audacity to lead a Bible study with energy, praising God the entire time?!
The Holy Spirit spoke to me on my way home, and revealed to me of how selfish we can get; we allow the enemy to plant fear in our minds over man-made material, when our Father in Heaven holds the world in His hands. Instead of being fearful, try be thankful; turn your thanksgiving into your worship! You have more reasons to trust and praise God than you do to feel sorry for yourself!
The word tells us that we ought to put no other gods before Our God; has your sickness become your god? Has your marriage become your god? Has your money become your god? What is it that has your mind, your heart, and your life trapped in fear?
Don't allow anything in this world to keep you out of touch with the Creator of this world!
"And God spoke all these words: “I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. “You shall have no other gods before me.“You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing love to a thousand [generations] of those who love me and keep my commandments" - Exodus 20:1-6
In Him,
-DJR
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