Reflections (T.O.T.G)

Posted on by conquerorshots

This year has seen many events. There are many themes – political, social, economic, environmental – the world has experienced an eventful year.  Personally, I continue to live in a series of life-changing events all of which were designed to give me the comfort of Conqueror lifestyle. God is ALWAYS GOOD.

On this day everyone will, in one way or another, find themselves reflecting on 2011. It’s part of the process in the celebration of a New Year.  Celebration takes on many different forms. I love a good party with good music, dancing, laughter and an atmosphere of gratitude. If I search in the world I could find it in a club……….or  I could find it in a “house party”…………..  .  The world has conditioned us to have a certain expectation on how to “bring in the New Year.” We do it and it does what it does. Life goes on-we hope.

Today I hope that you can include in the process of your reflections one VITAL act:

  THINK ON THE GOOD!!!

Philippians 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I say, rejoice!
4:5 Let everyone see your gentleness. The Lord is near!
4:6 Do not be anxious about anything. Instead, in every situation, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, tell your requests to God.
4:7 And the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

4:8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is worthy of respect, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if something is excellent or praiseworthy, think about these things.

 4:9 And what you learned and received and heard and saw in me, do these things. And the God of peace will be with you.

As for me, I will find the party in a worship service at my home church here in Atlanta where I will freely engage in a corporate spirit of praise for all He has brought me through in 2011 and ALL that He has provided for me, prepared for me, purposed for me and I can appreciate them all when I THINK ON THE GOOD!

Happy New Year

 

Perseverance is Boss

Posted on by conquerorshots

 I continue to experience the reality of God’s Sovereignty in and over my life.  You know what I mean? There are times when things come up and you have to immediately respond.  Sometimes you may deal with the change willingly – with a peaceful tone; but when you are engrossed in the current situation and God allows something to surface that requires your immediate attention, a harsher response is often times the case.  Why is that? 

Change is not comfortable.  Change is not always the best choice.  However, CHANGE IS NECESSARY.  If one is not changing that begs the question “are you living?”   In my life the matter of change can surface with simplicity.  I can be walking one moment and needing to sit down the next.  Now I want to continue to walk but pain will cause me to have to stop walking.  There is nothing I can do about that other than SIT DOWN.  Amazingly, I have put myself through so much more difficulty because of this dilemma of not wanting to change.  See I had worked hard at gaining the momentum in my mobility. I had a particular goal in mind and my walking was required for me to arrive at the planned destination.  So I learned the importance of perseverance.  
That principle helps me to keep God present during the hardship and endure it like a soldier engaged in battle.  When the battle becomes intense the soldier can’t just lay down and say “I am not going to fight any more!!!”  He has to stand in the circumstance, realize his mission and persevere through the intensity and employ all of his skills and training to emerge victoriously.  Being More Than A Conqueror means that, just like the soldier, you too stand in the situation – REALIZE YOUR MISSION (trust God, stand on His Word), ALLOW THE HOLY SPIRIT TO INFLUENCE EVERY THOUGHT, DECISION, PLAN AND GOAL, and  BELIEVE THAT, just like Christ resurrected from the grave, WE ARE ABLE TO CONQUER ALL HARDSHIPS VICTORIOUSLY.  “If God be for us, WHO (what) CAN BE AGAINST US.
You know how you get when you are NEEDING to call someone and talk?  The friend I call on is Jesus  I did not get to complete my message about “MY Friend”.  Just review the words to the hymn “What a Friend We Have In Jesus”  
  1. What a friend we have in Jesus,
    All our sins and griefs to bear!
    What a privilege to carry
    Everything to God in prayer!
    Oh, what peace we often forfeit,
    Oh, what needless pain we bear,
    All because we do not carry
    Everything to God in prayer!
  2. Have we trials and temptations?
    Is there trouble anywhere?
    We should never be discouraged—
    Take it to the Lord in prayer.
    Can we find a friend so faithful,
    Who will all our sorrows share?
    Jesus knows our every weakness;
    Take it to the Lord in prayer.
  3. Are we weak and heavy-laden,
    Cumbered with a load of care?
    Precious Savior, still our refuge—
    Take it to the Lord in prayer.
    Do thy friends despise, forsake thee?
    Take it to the Lord in prayer!
    In His arms He’ll take and shield thee,
    Thou wilt find a solace there.
  4. Blessed Savior, Thou hast promised
    Thou wilt all our burdens bear;
    May we ever, Lord, be bringing
    All to Thee in earnest prayer.
    Soon in glory bright, unclouded,
    There will be no need for prayer—
    Rapture, praise, and endless worship
    Will be our sweet portion there.
I pray that you will develop a thirst for the Word and a hunger for His Presence. I also hope that you will continue to support this ministry as it develops.
God bless you.