A Leap Of Faith?

I once had someone say to me, “I'm having some issues with my job and I'm really contemplating taking a leap of faith and walking away from this place. Financially, I'm in a crunch but being here drains me and also doesn't allow me the opportunity to do what I love so much.” This was my response…

Before you take that "Leap of Faith" make sure it’s what God wants you to do. Not what you want to do because if it's not God's will it can cause your situation to get worse instead of better. Make sure God has opened a door before you leap. The last thing you want to do is leap into a closed door.

Do you know the reason why God sent you to your place of employment? If you don't then maybe it's NOT time to go. You should only leave after you have received or completed God’s purpose for sending you there.

He may have sent you there to learn how to deal with hostile environments. He may be preparing you for what you’re about to leap into.

Maybe God sent you there to help someone or to bring "Light" Into a "Dark" situation. Maybe God has positioned you there as an example. Maybe He is using you to make an impression on someone He is trying to reach.

See, we tend to think God places us in certain positions for "US". It could be for "OTHERS" or to prepare us for another place. God does not always intend for us to prosper the way we anticipate. The type of prosperity, which God may intend for us to gain, could be spiritual. He could be preparing us for what He has for us. That's why Romans 8:28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose NOT OURS.

As for being in a financial crunch, God promised to supply your needs. He made a way for you thus far, so you know he will continue doing so. Whenever you’re drained and feel like opportunity is not in your corner, understand that your faith is being tested. God wants to see whose report you will believe…HIS or MAN’s?

Don't allow your ambitions, goals, and passions to run ahead of God. I promise you God has a plan and you will be delivered from Egypt. Just be patient. Doing what you love so much will come with a price. God's timing is everything. So be patient and wait on the Lord. He will let you know it’s time by opening up a door. That’s when you take your leap of faith.

Your Walls Must Come Down

I often tell people who have habits of building up walls that they are creating something which will place them in isolation as well as in desolation. What do I mean? Glad you asked. ? Isolation is when one separates from another substance to become free from a situation or state. Isolation normally brings about desolation which is a forsaken or lonely state. Basically, when we place up walls, isolation begins to change our character, which can affect a person’s rational way of thinking. This can cause us to experience the illness called loneliness.

They say it takes 21 days to form or break a habit. The last thing you want is for your character to be changed due to placing yourself in isolation. Isolation is guaranteed to change you and form habits which are not healthy. NO ONE who has hurt you in any way is worth changing your character or motives in life. Your behavior should change for the better, due to learning from past mistakes, but if you go into isolation, you’re not allowing yourself the opportunity for others to see your value or worth.

Finally, walls obscure a person’s vision. What do I mean? Glad you asked. ? Walls are usually solid or very difficult to see through. Walls are designed to protect, keep private, or used as a boundary. When it comes to relationships, walls are only good when you want to keep SOMETHING or SOMEONE out of your life. However, in doing so it becomes unfortunate for others, because now this wall which was created to keep out the bad…becomes an obstacle for good. Unfortunately, someone who is good is now forced to endure the hardship and possibly place themselves in danger, by climbing a wall, in order to reach something or someone who purposely placed themselves in isolation.

How can anyone see or know a persons value, unless they climb the wall and join them in isolation? The only way to find out is to TAKE A CHANCE. We can take reasonable chances in life by thinking smarter. This especially applies to the individual, who is behind the wall; the one who is in isolation.

Instead of building a wall and placing yourself in isolation…how about finding other ways of protecting yourself. What other way could there be? Glad you asked. How about installing a security system? People can then see your value/worth instead of having it blocked by a wall/isolation. In other words, people can try all they want to kill, steal, hurt or destroy your joy but they will never succeed without knowing the code. They can view your heart but can’t touch it.

Allow your security system to be God/Jesus/Angels and the Holy Spirit. They will protect and keep you safe. They will work together by sounding an alarm in your heart and mind to inform you there is danger lurking. Allow God to guard your heart and not a wall. Again, you should always want people to see your value and worth. Install a security system and take down the walls. Jesus is all the protection you need. Even a thief can climb over or tear down a wall. Remember walls are man made. Your security system is supernatural. Allow Jesus to have the key/code to your heart. It’s time for YOUR WALLS TO COME DOWN!!!

Undeserved Love

It’s funny how “Man/Humanity’s” definition of love always ends up with conditions instead of being what love truly is...unconditional. If we love with the love of Christ, we should know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to His purpose.

A Blessing from God is given to us through unconditional love. Just like Grace it's actually undeserved but God loves us enough to provide it. I often wondered why the greatest commandment (Matthew 22:37-39), which sounds so simple, is difficult for many to keep. I realize it's because some people’s heart are not PURE enough to love someone with the type of Love Jesus spoke of and exemplified. The type of love He commands us to have is unconditional and cannot have stipulations if it's pure.

On the flip side, if I know someone loves me with the love of Christ and I push them away…that would be denying a Blessing, which was sent by God through Grace. Though I did not earn or even deserve it, God still loved me enough to present it as a gift. Who gives back or turns away a gift that’s genuine. Anything which God gives us is indeed genuine and works for our good.

Agape love shows no favor and has no respect of person. It judges not your name whether your deaf, dumb, blind or lame, even where you live or from whence you came, one thing will remain God’s love is unconditional and will forever stay the same. Man’s love is imperfect and changes like the season (It’s always contingent upon something).

A pure heart has no conditions and does not follow traditions and will never undergo a transition. It will always stay the same…PURE (containing nothing that does not properly belong). We as Christians should pray and ask God to purify our hearts so we can love unconditionally. A pure heart guarantees you are giving that significant other, family member, friend, acquaintance or colleague....THE LOVE OF CHRIST. Do we deserve His love? Certainly not…yet we receive it! Truly God is Love. So how can we place conditions on something which is underserved?

1 John 3:16-17 (NIV)
16This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers. 17If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him?

1 Corinthians 13:1-13