Now the Lord had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will shew thee: Genesis 12:1

This morning, I started singing “Take Me Back, by Andrae Crouch. I could hear our choir from the 80’s singing and my girl Vivian leading with a beautiful soulful rendition, but today, I had my own version. Initially, I had to laugh because the thought and the words came to me in reference to the weather. It was a very cold morning (27 degrees) and I was singing to the Lord to please take me back to the palm trees and warm sunshine. As I begin to think about the chorus of the song, “Take me back, take me back dear Lord, to the place where I first believed you. Take me back; take me back dear Lord where I first believed” it pricked my memory about the Bible study lesson last night which dealt with the very scripture the Lord showed to me before the process of my life changing transition. It’s amazing how a lesson will come back to you almost immediately and definitely when a reminder is needed. Even as wonderful as the words “take me back” sounded to my ears, I know that at this time this is not God’s plan nor is it an option for me. I'm moving forward toward God's purpose for my life, there's no going back!

The lesson spoke to our obedience to the call of God and how Abram heard from the Lord who told him to get up, you and your family and get out of your country, and away from your kindred and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will show you. Abram, a man who knew not God, yet trusted Him, packed up everything and left. He had no clue as to where he was going, what he’d be doing, yet, he had to believe and trust and go by faith that God would make every provision for him and his family. The teacher expounded beautifully in that unlike us today, we have a variety of places to stop for the things we need in order to make a move to another city or state or even a country – Abram did not have any of our modern day luxuries or conveniences, yet He made the move on just God's word. He, his family and servants had to walk, ride asses, and heave cattle for the journey; a journey that he had no idea as to how long it would take or where they were going. He wasn’t fortunate enough to have U-Haul service to transport his belongings, there were no mini marts for water, food or snacks; no hotels or motels for a nice warm bed for everyone or rest areas to stop along the way. There’s no mention in the scripture that Abram murmured or complained or said take me back Lord because He hadn’t given him a plan, or a roadmap or had shown him what was waiting for him once he reached his destination – he left his country with total dependence and trust in God. The rest of the story of Abraham’s faith is documented and counted as righteousness. However, God did exactly what He said He would for him in verses 2 and 3, And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.

Occasionally, not always, when we are in the midst of not understanding what the Lord is doing in our lives or His plan for our lives; when we are not necessarily questioning but perhaps doubting or wondering why sometimes, we might begin to think about going back to a comfortable place, a place where we are not out of our comfort zone; a familiar place. That place where I would call home, a place where my family and my kindred reside and a place where I was safe; a place where everybody knows my name. It’s hard sometimes even when we say we believe and we trust and have faith in God during a transition. Especially, when God has told us to get up and go to a place that He will show us; when we can’t see where we are going and when we don’t know why we are going or when we are unsure about the provisions made. Even though I know first hand how difficult letting go of what is familiar to you; to go where God has instructed without knowing the plan or the purpose; wanting to know some if not all of the details but not getting any info, I am encouraged as I am reminded of Abram's journey. If we are to be like Abram, then we have to trust God and be obedient in His leading. And like Abram, exercising total faith and not focusing in on the how, the when, why or what we will do or where we will walk in advance. Withoug doubt and without fear, knowing that God can and will provide for everything we need for His purpose. Not to mention that we have the Sprirt of God, something that Abram did not have; someone to lead us, guide us, keep us along our journey. The Spirit of God helping us to keep ourselves in the most holy faith and not be concerned with trying to figure out God's ways but as one who assures us while being patient and waiting for Him to guide our footsteps. He is sure to be on time and will never steer us wrong. God has a strategic plan for our lives and He knows who we are and who He wants us to be ... a blessing to Him, His people and to be used for His glory. We don't know whose life will be affected and changed because we allow the Lord to move us to where He has placed us to be a blessing.

I love what it says in Ephesians 1:11-13 and it keeps me remembering who I am and who God has purposed me to be: In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will: That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ. In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise. All I can think of today is Lord, I am not interested in you taking me back but I am excited about the places you are leading me on my journey as you did with Abram; places where I am excited and ready by faith to go wherever You say go! Take me back... not!

Until the morning, be blessed,
Cynde

There are many devices in a man's heart; nevertheless the counsel of the LORD, that shall stand. Proverbs 19:21

My heart, sometimes feels a plethora of emotions; so many things at different times; excitement, joy, tension, enthusiasm, unrest, anxiety, strain, frustration, stress, happiness, concern, and yes, sometimes sadness. How is that possible you might say? Well, I would probably venture out and respond, “other than the fact that I am still human, I’m not really sure how I permit that to happen.” Especially, since I know that it is necessary to exercise my faith and obedience in the midst of all things, while not allowing my mind to wander into the abyss. A person, such as me, who studied psychology, might have a different opinion given the opportunity to counsel. But trust me, I’m sane. However I am, as mentioned previously, a thinker. I occasionally think myself into a stupor by analyzing, over analyzing and over evaluating instead of just relaxing and resting in the counsel of the Lord instead of my own. Perhaps, it’s not the same for you, and maybe it’s never been; but honestly, we are always at all times experiencing or pondering something in our heart and mind. If we give this manner of thought some careful consideration, you will understand the place from which I speak.

Reflection is deemed as careful thought, especially the process of reconsidering previous actions (second guessing), events, or decisions and then also the manifestation, expression, evidence, or considered thought; even musing, which is to think about something in a deep, serious, dreamy, or theoretical way. Since I have always had a vivid imagination; I see, visualize and meditate on the pros and cons of every situation or circumstance. Needless to say, I tire myself out quite a bit as you can tell by the different emotions listed above. I believe those characteristics might fall into the mental makeup category of a thinker. Thank God for becoming new creature, seasoned and matured in Christ, with only some recurring relapses in this area, which are now far less than more often. I deemed it necessary to share this today because we oftentimes fall short and even the most deeply grounded in Christ should be able to express that at any given time that “I’m not perfect, yet I strive toward perfection in Christ” (Heb 6:1). Not saying it's right, I'm just saying, it happens. But God, in His infinite wisdom and mercy is able to gently nudge us (me) back to where He needs us to be in order to be used for His purpose.

The scripture today tells us that many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails or at least it should be. God’s purpose for our life should always win through and triumph over all the thoughts and feelings of our heart. Scripture tells us to bring every thought into captivity (2 Cor 10:5-7) because it is certainly not about a feeling or our thoughts about a matter. At the end of the scripture in verse 7, it says, “Do ye look on things after the outward appearance? If any man trust to himself that he is Christ's, let him of himself think this again, that, as he is Christ's, even so are we Christ's." Now, if we could remind ourselves to remember just that at all times, amen? Remembering that God has already made provisions for everything we face, every trial, every tribulation, every circumstance, and every situation. He already knows the outcome and He reminds us through Jeremiah 29:11, “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.” God already has His thoughts toward us, He already knows our expected end, He already knows His purpose for our lives. In that purpose comes molding and shaping. No, it doesn't always feel good and we certainly might not like it but we must be tried through the fire in order for us to be found unto the praise and honour and glory of Christ at His return.

However, we sometimes hinder that progress by what we say, what we think (Proverbs 23:7) or do or the lack thereof. It is not about what I think and no matter how things may look, I must keep my mind on God's purpose for my life; I must remember that He is the one who is in control of all things. I can’t keep hindering my own blessings with my emotions because I don’t understand what God is doing, or why. Keeping that thought in the forefront of my mind is what's most important. I’ve got to change my way of thinking and change my attitude. I heard that our attitude affects our altitude. If we are trying to go higher in the Lord, we don’t want to stand in our own way and not allow Him to work out whatever He is trying to do for us in this season. We’ve got to remember Jesus' example to us at Gethsemane. He said, “O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.” No matter what we are facing, we have to say the same, “nevertheless not as I will, but as Your will be done. God allows things to happen so that we can experience it and then be able to witness to others who are going through the same thing. To let them know that Jesus is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we could ask and tell them that the Lord is an ever present help in the time of need. He’s Jehovah Jireh, our provider; Jehovah Rophe, our healer; Jehovah Shalom, our peace; Jehovah Shammah meaning our God is there… whenever we need Him and or call on Him. Not to mention that He has already given us all power (Acts 1:8) and the authority to go into the world and lead others to Christ because He has qualified and equipped us for service. We must use what He has already given us and trying to do in us so that we can go out and be a blessing to someone else.

In spite of the contrast of the many reflections of my heart, the shifting and changing of emotions, from good to bad, from worse to better. Nevertheless, I will remember from this moment that I will heed to the unchanging and righteous counsel and leading of the Lord; I will commit my works unto Him, and therefore my thoughts shall be established (Proverbs 16:3); also knowing and keeping in my heart that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. For whom He did foreknow, He also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom He did predestinate, them He also called: and whom He called, them He also justified: and whom He justified, them He also glorified. What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? And let the church say, Amen!

Until the morning, be blessed,
Cynde