Today, one of my friends shared with me what took place over the weekend concerning them. They had gone through doing what they needed to do in order to get their bills taken care of. When they got finished they realized that they left something really important out. (How many of us have been there?) They had promised God that they would sow a seed into their church that coming Sunday and all that weekend Satan was putting thoughts into their head. Here are some (see if you can identify)
1. Just call some of your creditors and make arrangements on your arrangements
2. You don't have to give all you said you were going to give this Sunday. You can
break it up. The important thing is that you give it at some point in time.
There were so many things and they kept telling themselves that God is my source and Lord you know my needs. I am going to trust you. They told themselves that all weekend, but Satan kept pressing. So they decided to give all that they had promised the Lord and just trust God.
Then they were supposed to go out to lunch with some church members after service. They all went and during lunch one of the church members handed everyone an envelope. In the envelope were 10 crisp one hundred (I typed it out so you wouldn't think there was a typo) dollar bills. For those who don't add that well...that's one thousand dollars. OMG!!!! And their lunch was paid for...God threw that one in just because! That's what we call an add-on.
Psalm 37:7(NLT) declares: Be still in the presence of the Lord, and wait patiently for him
to act.
I enlarged it because you need to embrace it. We are so busy looking for what we want God to do that we miss what He is doing. God is still in the blessing business and He is showing all over the world that He cares for us. He just wants us to trust Him more and more each day. Now the kicker is that the person that gave the money had been trying to do it for weeks. And what I shared was that God needed you guys to upgrade your faith and trust in Him. He already had the blessing for you, but you needed to be in the position that said "Lord I trust you!" I understand that waiting on God gets hard and sometimes Satan will give us ideas that make sense. But Samuel declared unto Saul that obedience is better than sacrifice. Out of all the promises you keep (and I pray you keep them all), honor the word that you gave unto the Father. For Isaiah 40:31 reminds us that:
they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.
God's unmerited favor is waiting to rest on you, when you make up your mind to rest in Him and trust Him!
Blessings and Love,
Pastor Nichica Melton
Monday, October 22, 2012
Friday, October 19, 2012
Just Thinking Out Loud
A couple of days ago I was watching a commercial for a new TV show or movie. I can't remember which one it was. But the person in the commercial said, "We only accept the love we think we are worthy of." OMG!!!!!
What a profound and true statement and when you say it out loud, it causes you to think about past relationships, whether they were family, boyfriend/girlfriend, marriages, etc. And you think about the crap that you allowed to happen and also the things that you enjoyed. Now based on this statement, the things we enjoyed were the things that we were willing to accept in our lives. The things we felt like that we should have or were worthy of. But the crap that we ALLOWED, was the mess that we also thought we should have in our lives and we didn't think we neither deserved better or could do better.
And before the necks start rolling and the teeth start smacking, think about your pattern. The pattern of people that you have allowed into your personal space. The people that really mattered and had the ability to hurt your heart or cause you to go from zero to ghetto in less than 5 seconds. The reason there is a pattern is because there was and possibly is a pattern in your thought process. Whether conscious or subconscious...I can't say, but it is there. That thought process told you what you were worthy of.
The Bible records that God loved us so much that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believed in Him would not perish, but would have the right to eternal life (John 3:16). The Bible also records that Jesus, the Son of God, came that we might have life and life more abundantly (John 10:10). That's a never ending abundantly. That means that joy you experienced yesterday does not compare to the joy that God has for you today. He has that much love for us and says that He wants to give us that love. Do you feel worthy of God's love? Is the reason that you have not given your life and heart to Christ because you don't feel worthy of that kind of love?
NEWSFLASH: WE ARE NOT WORTHY!!! With all of the sin in our lives there is not enough time in eternity to make us worthy of what God gives. But His love, which is the greatest love, is not based on worth. It is based on His love for us. He freely gives each and everyday. Don't let another moment pass you by, where you allow yourself to reject a love so great. A love that causes every hurt and pain in your life to be healed and washed away. A love that will embrace everything about you and encourage you to be better and greater than you ever imagined. A love that doesn't focus on your past, but propels you into your purpose!
Give Christ your heart today!
Blessings and Love,
Pastor Nichica Melton
What a profound and true statement and when you say it out loud, it causes you to think about past relationships, whether they were family, boyfriend/girlfriend, marriages, etc. And you think about the crap that you allowed to happen and also the things that you enjoyed. Now based on this statement, the things we enjoyed were the things that we were willing to accept in our lives. The things we felt like that we should have or were worthy of. But the crap that we ALLOWED, was the mess that we also thought we should have in our lives and we didn't think we neither deserved better or could do better.
And before the necks start rolling and the teeth start smacking, think about your pattern. The pattern of people that you have allowed into your personal space. The people that really mattered and had the ability to hurt your heart or cause you to go from zero to ghetto in less than 5 seconds. The reason there is a pattern is because there was and possibly is a pattern in your thought process. Whether conscious or subconscious...I can't say, but it is there. That thought process told you what you were worthy of.
The Bible records that God loved us so much that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believed in Him would not perish, but would have the right to eternal life (John 3:16). The Bible also records that Jesus, the Son of God, came that we might have life and life more abundantly (John 10:10). That's a never ending abundantly. That means that joy you experienced yesterday does not compare to the joy that God has for you today. He has that much love for us and says that He wants to give us that love. Do you feel worthy of God's love? Is the reason that you have not given your life and heart to Christ because you don't feel worthy of that kind of love?
NEWSFLASH: WE ARE NOT WORTHY!!! With all of the sin in our lives there is not enough time in eternity to make us worthy of what God gives. But His love, which is the greatest love, is not based on worth. It is based on His love for us. He freely gives each and everyday. Don't let another moment pass you by, where you allow yourself to reject a love so great. A love that causes every hurt and pain in your life to be healed and washed away. A love that will embrace everything about you and encourage you to be better and greater than you ever imagined. A love that doesn't focus on your past, but propels you into your purpose!
Give Christ your heart today!
Blessings and Love,
Pastor Nichica Melton
Friday, October 12, 2012
Thou Art Loosed
Today's entry is coming from a summation that was done by a couple of women that attended the 2012 'Woman Thou Art Loosed' conference. I intentionally left off "woman" in the title because there are several things that they highlighted, that will work for us all. Also, what they have mentioned ties into what I have been writing for the past week. When something like that happens, it is imperative that we pay attention.
Enjoy!
Enjoy!
The 2012 Women Thou Art Loosed Conference emphasized “The Pecking Order” in our lives. (Joshua 6:20-25). He used the illustration of a chicken. Chickens have a certain order they follow when the eggs are being hatched. There is a birthing process they follow when hatching. The beak is a very important part of the hatching process…..if the embryo has no beak then it cannot be birthed because he is unable to crack the shell and come out….and if he can’t come out of the shell then he dies. God wants to bring our lives into order as well. Sometimes it takes a while to get things in order. Throughout this process there are some things we have to ignore in order to focus. The beak is our strength. When we go through trials and tribulations in our lives (and we all do) then we need our beak (the Word of God) to break through these issues. If we don’t have a beak (the word/prayer) then we have nothing to fight with. When the baby chicken has a beak then he begins the process of birth by pecking away at the shell in order to get out. We must also “Peck” our way out of situations in our lives in order to be free/delivered/healed/etc. Take your position. “Peck” the letters in this stand for P-Position (You must get in position for your deliverance) E-Exposure (You must expose people to what you see – this may help with their deliverance), C-Courage (you must have courage to act on what He has and is saying to you regarding your situation), K-Knowledge (you must have knowledge beyond your perimeters; it must go beyond your situation). You must read the word like a pregnant women eats food. You need these four things in order to be used by God and be ready in season and out of season.
Pastor Cheryl Brady talked about “You Have It in You”, which is also the same title of her book (Phil 1:5). Pastor Brady came from the scripture about “He has begun a good work in you”. When God calls you to do something he has already equipped you to do it and has given you the grace to do it. There are some things in us that we can’t even see yet. The enemy fights us because he knows God has something in us that is powerful and we must declare war on anything that disturbs our peace. Check anxiety quickly because it can get out of control. Fear is not a necessary part of our lives…God didn’t give us a spirit of fear but of power, love and a sound mind. Just remember meekness is not weakness….it’s strength under control. Real beauty comes from the inside. God talks of a meek and quiet spirit. To have great peace you must have great faith. The Word is so important because what we feed ourselves and put in us today determines how we are going to react tomorrow. Watch your self-talk because what we say to ourselves is worse than what others say about us. We have the power to react or not react to what people say….it’s what we do with words is the key. Look at yourself in the mirror and encourage yourself in the Lord. The battle ground is ALWAYS internally. Understand YOU. God says to let a man examine himself.
Remember and keep the faith over things you have asked God for and not yet come to past. Remember Sarah (Genesis 18:9) and how she wanted a child and God gave it to her well in her 90’s. Be careful because you can get to the point where you have asked for something for so long and wanted it so bad and don’t have it yet….and you can get to the point where you don’t want it anymore. BUT wait on God. What you have rendered unconscious God is still going to do. Believe again….you have it in you! You can sometimes be your own abuser. You cannot die until you have fulfilled the gift in you.
Lastly, Dr. Cindy Trimm talked about not forcing open what God has shut. When we have clutter in our lives there is dysfunction. Get rid of what you don’t want in your life to make room for what you do want. Stop talking about what you don’t want and talk about what you do want. If you keep talking about what you don’t want you get pity and you undermine your testimony.
Pastor Paula White mentioned when God ushers a new purpose in your life there is always a shift (Judges 5:1-11), (Isaiah 49). Prepare yourself to make ready the change. To be virtuous women you have to go through something…what makes you virtuous is what you are able to withstand. Prepare to make ready…reposition…cycle…change. Everything you need is in you. Rise and come into your being. YOU are not going to stay broken. Take on Gods nature and know who you are in Christ. No matter how many times you mess up God still hears you and will deliver you. Don’t let anyone (the enemy, people) take your wealth (Spiritual). (Hebrews 12) Lay aside every weight that so easily besets us. God sees Himself in you.
Thursday, October 11, 2012
Patiently Waiting
"Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; do not fret when people succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes." Psalm 37:7 (NIV)
One of the hardest things to do is to wait. Especially when we feel like it is something that we need or something that we really, really, really, want. Waiting is the last thing that we want to do. Waiting on God is even harder, because we have to do things His way and according to His plan. If we don't, we prolong our blessing because of the detours that we decided to take. We also get frustrated with people who aren't living right, not living according to God's word, not allowing their lives to reflect God, etc. And because of that frustration we tend to want to try and make things happen on our own. That is the worst mistake ever! Here is what I have come to understand (basically from making many mistakes in this area), God doesn't work in the 'here and now'. He works in the 'back then'. What you are receiving now is a product of what God orchestrated 'back then' and all the pieces have to come together. All the people have to come together. So let's look at it from this perspective....a few months ago when God told you to step out on your faith or step out of your comfort zone and you either procrastinated, didn't do it, or didn't do it like He said....whose blessing did you delay, block, or detour? Your actions were a piece of someone else's puzzle. So the next time you want to get frustrated with God or think about taking matters into your own hands, I want you to stop. And take the time to pray for that person who may have had the same fear that you had. Or the same doubt that you have experienced. That person is holding a piece to your puzzle. Pray for them and continue to wait on God....He knows what He is doing. Remember...the Glory of Israel does not change His mind .........for those of you that read on a regular basis ;).
Blessings and Love!
Pastor Nichica Melton
One of the hardest things to do is to wait. Especially when we feel like it is something that we need or something that we really, really, really, want. Waiting is the last thing that we want to do. Waiting on God is even harder, because we have to do things His way and according to His plan. If we don't, we prolong our blessing because of the detours that we decided to take. We also get frustrated with people who aren't living right, not living according to God's word, not allowing their lives to reflect God, etc. And because of that frustration we tend to want to try and make things happen on our own. That is the worst mistake ever! Here is what I have come to understand (basically from making many mistakes in this area), God doesn't work in the 'here and now'. He works in the 'back then'. What you are receiving now is a product of what God orchestrated 'back then' and all the pieces have to come together. All the people have to come together. So let's look at it from this perspective....a few months ago when God told you to step out on your faith or step out of your comfort zone and you either procrastinated, didn't do it, or didn't do it like He said....whose blessing did you delay, block, or detour? Your actions were a piece of someone else's puzzle. So the next time you want to get frustrated with God or think about taking matters into your own hands, I want you to stop. And take the time to pray for that person who may have had the same fear that you had. Or the same doubt that you have experienced. That person is holding a piece to your puzzle. Pray for them and continue to wait on God....He knows what He is doing. Remember...the Glory of Israel does not change His mind .........for those of you that read on a regular basis ;).
Blessings and Love!
Pastor Nichica Melton
Wednesday, October 10, 2012
In Spite of.....
Praise the Lord, my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name. Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits— Psalm 103:1-2
In the above text, David had the right mindset that in spite of all he has been through, whether he brought it on himself or not, he was going to praise God. And the reason he was able to do this was because he remembered all that God had done for him and brought him through.
We as so called believers tend to forget that small, but important concept. We sing about it, preach about it, but don't live it. There are so many songs out there that say, Lord if don't do anything else for me...you've already done enough. Really?! Is that really how you feel? I don't think so. If God only took care of our need, as He says in His word, would we still worship Him...would He still be worthy of all the glory, honor and praise (in our eyes)? YES!!! But would we give it to Him...that is the real question. Pastor John P Kee used to say that there are only two times to praise the Lord.........
1. When you feel like it
2. When you don't
It is time for the Body of Christ to come out of our state of being SPOILED BRATS! We are so much like the Israelites in the Old Testament that it is scary. The God we serve is an awesome God and He has done so much for us and even orchestrated things that we have not even seen yet. There should be an aching in us to praise God and a frustration when we don't. It has often been said that when praises go up, blessings come down. I don't believe that. God has said that when we praise we release the blessings that are already around us and we open our eyes and our heart to the truth of His word. That is what I believe, for the Word of God says that "where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty" (2 Cor. 3:17). Well if God is always with us and His spirit resides in us, then why would He come to us empty handed? HE WOULDN'T! His blessings, miracles, and everything else are with Him.
So inspite of whatever and whomever.....BLESS THE LORD! Don't let your situation or the people around determine your level of praise. Let your love for your God, who has proven that He is your strength, your peace, your everything that you will allow Him to be.....let that determine your praise.
Blessings and Love,
Pastor Nichica Melton
In the above text, David had the right mindset that in spite of all he has been through, whether he brought it on himself or not, he was going to praise God. And the reason he was able to do this was because he remembered all that God had done for him and brought him through.
We as so called believers tend to forget that small, but important concept. We sing about it, preach about it, but don't live it. There are so many songs out there that say, Lord if don't do anything else for me...you've already done enough. Really?! Is that really how you feel? I don't think so. If God only took care of our need, as He says in His word, would we still worship Him...would He still be worthy of all the glory, honor and praise (in our eyes)? YES!!! But would we give it to Him...that is the real question. Pastor John P Kee used to say that there are only two times to praise the Lord.........
1. When you feel like it
2. When you don't
It is time for the Body of Christ to come out of our state of being SPOILED BRATS! We are so much like the Israelites in the Old Testament that it is scary. The God we serve is an awesome God and He has done so much for us and even orchestrated things that we have not even seen yet. There should be an aching in us to praise God and a frustration when we don't. It has often been said that when praises go up, blessings come down. I don't believe that. God has said that when we praise we release the blessings that are already around us and we open our eyes and our heart to the truth of His word. That is what I believe, for the Word of God says that "where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty" (2 Cor. 3:17). Well if God is always with us and His spirit resides in us, then why would He come to us empty handed? HE WOULDN'T! His blessings, miracles, and everything else are with Him.
So inspite of whatever and whomever.....BLESS THE LORD! Don't let your situation or the people around determine your level of praise. Let your love for your God, who has proven that He is your strength, your peace, your everything that you will allow Him to be.....let that determine your praise.
Blessings and Love,
Pastor Nichica Melton
Saturday, October 6, 2012
Change and Transition
1 Samuel 15:29
He who is the Glory of Israel does not lie or change his mind; for he is not a human being, that he should change his mind.” New International Version (NIV)
When I read this text I had to pause and read it again just to make sure I knew who and what Samuel was talking about and referring to. Just to catch you up, God is using Samuel to relay a message to Saul that he will no longer be king and God has found another that is a man after His heart. A man that will serve Him and do His will. ***CHANGE AND TRANSITION***
Now Saul's change and transition was brought about because of severe and consistent level of disobedience and the disobedience was over things that he KNEW God had told him. There was no question in what God said, the question was Saul's commitment to God. Our change does not always happen because we were disobedient. I know at times it seems like it because the place that God has taken us to doesn't feel better than the place we just left. There are times that we even question God and wonder why in the world would He take me through all this just to bring me here when I was happy, content, and satisfied over there.
I have been there, so I know the feeling. God is the Glory of Israel and the reason that He does not change His mind is because He does not make mistakes. God's infinite wisdom knows all possibilities for us. That includes every possible direction that we would take for every possible path that will come our way. So if you are struggling with where you are right now, then I would encourage you and challenge you to do this:
1. Admit out loud to God how you feel about your change and transition (get it all out and be totally honest. God can't help us unless we are honest with where we are. Delusional believers are pathetic believers)
2. Ask God to show you the walls and areas of fear that you have in regards to your change and transition (don't argue with Him about it and don't take it lightly. A barrier is a barrier)
3. Ask God to forgive you for doubting Him and to show you how to embrace where you are and where you are going. (We do this because often times we are ready to leave where we are, but we can't until we have learned what we need to learn. And sometimes that is learning how to trust God)
We often times sit in awe of the people that we read in the Bible....Joshua, Moses, Elijah, Elisha, Noah, Christ. The only thing that was amazing about them was their level of trust in God. Because they were able to trust God, they were able to obey God. And because they were able to obey God, the anointing and power of God flowed freely through them. GUESS WHAT????? They are no more awesome than you! Embrace your change and embrace your transition. You will not always understand it or understand why...but the Glory of Israel does not change His mind. Why? ......because He doesn't make mistakes.
Blessings and Love,
Pastor Nichica Melton
Thursday, October 4, 2012
Pressing Your Way Through
Recently I was reading in Romans 8 and there is a verse that says "The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace" (verse 6) That verse is so powerful and it brought into perspective some things that I am going through now, which is literally dealing with the scars from my past. What this scripture says to us is that if we allow our minds to be overtaken by negative thoughts, whoa-is-me type thoughts and emotions, allow fear to come in, etc...we will not make it through. That thing which conquered us before will do it again and again and again. Once the enemy is able to identify a weakness, he does not let up. BUT...the mind that allows it to be controlled by the Spirit of God is full of life and peace. That is how it is possible for us to be more than conquerors and that is why the Word of God reminds us that "He keeps him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on Him". (Isaiah 26:3)
There will be things in your life that trigger pains from your past. There will be people in your life that are pains from your past, but our job is to make sure we allow God in and to be in control. When the Spirit of God controls our mind, the foolishness of other people does not. And we all know, the longer we meditate on something it starts to consume us. So let us choose to meditate and absorb the Word of God. Even if it is one scripture per week and allow that Word to become a part of our thinking and eventually our behavior.
Last night in my prayer time, God gave me this to say and I want to share it with you all:
"I am my Heavenly Father's daughter. I am not under any generational curse because He is not cursed. I do not walk in pain and fear because He does not walk in pain and fear. I am my Heavenly Father's daughter and I reflect Him in what I do, what I say, and what I think. I am my Heavenly Father's daughter and I walk in His power and His authority."
Let that be yours and keep pressing your way through!
Blessings and Love,
Pastor Nichica Melton
There will be things in your life that trigger pains from your past. There will be people in your life that are pains from your past, but our job is to make sure we allow God in and to be in control. When the Spirit of God controls our mind, the foolishness of other people does not. And we all know, the longer we meditate on something it starts to consume us. So let us choose to meditate and absorb the Word of God. Even if it is one scripture per week and allow that Word to become a part of our thinking and eventually our behavior.
Last night in my prayer time, God gave me this to say and I want to share it with you all:
"I am my Heavenly Father's daughter. I am not under any generational curse because He is not cursed. I do not walk in pain and fear because He does not walk in pain and fear. I am my Heavenly Father's daughter and I reflect Him in what I do, what I say, and what I think. I am my Heavenly Father's daughter and I walk in His power and His authority."
Let that be yours and keep pressing your way through!
Blessings and Love,
Pastor Nichica Melton
Monday, May 7, 2012
Waiting Without Complaining
This past Sunday, my pastor preached a sermon concerning waiting without complaining. At the point that the sermon topic was given, the entire congregation seemed to groan. It was one of those groans that said, I need to hear this but I don't want to hear this.
Although my pastor was utilizing Galatians 5:22 (the Fruit of the Spirit), I am going to go to Psalm 27. In this text David is encouraging and reminding himself about the greatness of God and how it is his goal to seek God and to wait on His way and His instruction. This type of encouragement and reminding is needed on a daily basis. It is easy to get caught up in the situation or even get caught up in the things of the past that resemble what you are going through now. The mind is an extremely strong and powerful instrument that can be used for the glory of God and for our demise. The Bible says in Phillipians 4:8 "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things." (NIV). God instructs us to do this because in the midst of whatever we have to endure or wait on, complaining, moaning, groaning, etc have the potential of taking over the situation and creating or painting a picture that is different from what God wants us to focus on. In essence, the complaining starts a derailment! A detouring! Why pray so hard for God to move and for God to show you His path or direction just to derail or detour? That is a lot of work to flush down the toilet.
At this point, I want you to stop reading and turn to Psalm 27 (read the entire thing prior to continuing on with this blog entry). It starts out with a declaration of who God is. If we believe what is stated in Verse 1, then there is no need to complain because we know and understand that God knows what He is doing and we are trusting Him in the process. Verses 2 and 3 prepare us for what the enemy is going to try and set up and establish in our midst and then what God is going to do in response to the enemies attempt. Again, these verses are reaffirming for us the importance of allowing God to do it in His timing. It is not about torment or pressure for us! There are battles that God is fighting on our behalf! Enemies and adversaries that He is shutting down on our behalf! And He needs the time and our trust and faith so that He can do what He needs to do...FOR US!
Although my pastor was utilizing Galatians 5:22 (the Fruit of the Spirit), I am going to go to Psalm 27. In this text David is encouraging and reminding himself about the greatness of God and how it is his goal to seek God and to wait on His way and His instruction. This type of encouragement and reminding is needed on a daily basis. It is easy to get caught up in the situation or even get caught up in the things of the past that resemble what you are going through now. The mind is an extremely strong and powerful instrument that can be used for the glory of God and for our demise. The Bible says in Phillipians 4:8 "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things." (NIV). God instructs us to do this because in the midst of whatever we have to endure or wait on, complaining, moaning, groaning, etc have the potential of taking over the situation and creating or painting a picture that is different from what God wants us to focus on. In essence, the complaining starts a derailment! A detouring! Why pray so hard for God to move and for God to show you His path or direction just to derail or detour? That is a lot of work to flush down the toilet.
At this point, I want you to stop reading and turn to Psalm 27 (read the entire thing prior to continuing on with this blog entry). It starts out with a declaration of who God is. If we believe what is stated in Verse 1, then there is no need to complain because we know and understand that God knows what He is doing and we are trusting Him in the process. Verses 2 and 3 prepare us for what the enemy is going to try and set up and establish in our midst and then what God is going to do in response to the enemies attempt. Again, these verses are reaffirming for us the importance of allowing God to do it in His timing. It is not about torment or pressure for us! There are battles that God is fighting on our behalf! Enemies and adversaries that He is shutting down on our behalf! And He needs the time and our trust and faith so that He can do what He needs to do...FOR US!
God has a perfect plan and if we trust Him and continue to place our faith in Him, we will see that everything was well worth the wait.
Prayer:
Father God in the name of Jesus, forgive me for not placing consistent trust in you and your process. I speak to every part of my being and decree that my body, my soul, and my spirit shall be surrendered and submitted unto your will and your way. That your voice and your words shall be the trigger to shut down anything in my life that is speaking contrary to you. I decree from this day forward that I will wait on you and not press you to move according to my timeline. For your word tells me to be anxious for nothing, but in all things will prayer and supplication. In Jesus name I pray, Amen!
Thursday, March 29, 2012
Mistaken Identity
Has someone ever approached you and thought that you looked like someone else and then they were shocked to find out that you were not who they thought you were? Then they go on to tell you that you have a twin... a person that looks JUST like you. Everyone laughs it off and all the while you are thinking...ok..that person is tripping because they know good and doggone well that whoever they are talking about does not look like me.
It's comical when we think about it. But the same thing occurs in the spiritual...satan mistakes us alot of times for someone who is willing to accept defeat. Someone who looks like they are beaten down and broken in the midst of the storm. Someone who will give up on God when the going gets tough and things look dreary. Someone who constantly attends pity parties and cries woe is me all of the time. That's why he doesn't give up. He is constantly coming at us.
Let the enemy know right now, THAT AIN'T ME! Let him know that he has mistaken you for someone else. They may look like you at first glance, but if he would just look a little harder then he would see the Greater One on the inside of you.
Now I know that everyone reading this post is not speaking the things of God into their life and at times they are that person that satan is referring to. So if you are...SNAP OUT OF IT! You don't have to be that person anymore in your life. We all cry and we all have our moments, but it does not have to be how you are identified. You are a child of God and you have access to His power, His anointing, and His authority. That is your birthright!
Pray this prayer: Father God in the name of Jesus, I ask your forgiveness for all my sins. The times that I doubted you and I doubted your word concerning me. I decree right now and speak into my own spirit that I am YOUR child, and I shall walk in my birthright. No more believing just what I see, but I shall walk by faith and trust and believe that even in the midst of my storm..your favor is still following me where ever I go. Amen
NO MORE MISTAKEN IDENTITY!
It's comical when we think about it. But the same thing occurs in the spiritual...satan mistakes us alot of times for someone who is willing to accept defeat. Someone who looks like they are beaten down and broken in the midst of the storm. Someone who will give up on God when the going gets tough and things look dreary. Someone who constantly attends pity parties and cries woe is me all of the time. That's why he doesn't give up. He is constantly coming at us.
Let the enemy know right now, THAT AIN'T ME! Let him know that he has mistaken you for someone else. They may look like you at first glance, but if he would just look a little harder then he would see the Greater One on the inside of you.
Now I know that everyone reading this post is not speaking the things of God into their life and at times they are that person that satan is referring to. So if you are...SNAP OUT OF IT! You don't have to be that person anymore in your life. We all cry and we all have our moments, but it does not have to be how you are identified. You are a child of God and you have access to His power, His anointing, and His authority. That is your birthright!
Pray this prayer: Father God in the name of Jesus, I ask your forgiveness for all my sins. The times that I doubted you and I doubted your word concerning me. I decree right now and speak into my own spirit that I am YOUR child, and I shall walk in my birthright. No more believing just what I see, but I shall walk by faith and trust and believe that even in the midst of my storm..your favor is still following me where ever I go. Amen
NO MORE MISTAKEN IDENTITY!
Friday, February 24, 2012
What's The Point?
As we enter the Lenten Season people will start fasting and giving up things either on their own or because someone told them to. But really, what is the point? Why are you fasting? Because the preacher told you to? We must understand the purpose of this season and why Believer's (Disciples) all over the world honor this season.
Lent is a 40 day Season (not including Sunday's) and it starts on Ashe Wednesday. It leads up to the point of the crucifixion of Christ...The Ulitmate Sacrifice! Without His sacrifice and His obedience to the voice and will of God, we would all be messed up right now because we would not have access to salvation or the opportunity to be delivered from what ails us.
So as you think about honoring the sacrifice that Christ made think about this....what is standing in the way of me honoring God the way that I should? What is slowing me down from walking in my divine purpose? Whatever or whomever it is...that is what you should be fasting from and then when Lent is over ...YOU DON'T GO BACK TO IT LIKE YOU WERE DOING BEFORE! You don't allow it or them to become a hindrance in your life again. Don't allow it to come in between you and God! And yes, I understand that your Pastor may tell you what to fast about and you certainly want to do that. And then you go to God for you and let Him lead you in a personal consecration to Him!
Take this time to draw closer to God and stop allowing what we honor and believe in as Believer's become a cliche...something we just do to be doing it. God is worth more than that!
Blessings and Love!
Pastor Melton
Lent is a 40 day Season (not including Sunday's) and it starts on Ashe Wednesday. It leads up to the point of the crucifixion of Christ...The Ulitmate Sacrifice! Without His sacrifice and His obedience to the voice and will of God, we would all be messed up right now because we would not have access to salvation or the opportunity to be delivered from what ails us.
So as you think about honoring the sacrifice that Christ made think about this....what is standing in the way of me honoring God the way that I should? What is slowing me down from walking in my divine purpose? Whatever or whomever it is...that is what you should be fasting from and then when Lent is over ...YOU DON'T GO BACK TO IT LIKE YOU WERE DOING BEFORE! You don't allow it or them to become a hindrance in your life again. Don't allow it to come in between you and God! And yes, I understand that your Pastor may tell you what to fast about and you certainly want to do that. And then you go to God for you and let Him lead you in a personal consecration to Him!
Take this time to draw closer to God and stop allowing what we honor and believe in as Believer's become a cliche...something we just do to be doing it. God is worth more than that!
Blessings and Love!
Pastor Melton
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
My Feet Are Off The Ground
This post was sent to me by my cousin Barbara France. Please read and enjoy:
My Feet Are Off The Ground'
From Tyler Perry: Writer and Actor
This morning I awoke and was so frustrated about all of the stuff that I'm dealing with in trying to get this studio open. I was about to open my mouth & start complaining when I remembered something that happened to me a year ago.
I was walking to my car when this woman who appeared to be homeless started walking towards me. I'm ashamed to say this but I thought, 'I don't feel like being hustled today.' Then I got quickly convicted. I felt guilty so I started digging in my pocket for some money. As she got closer I noticed that she had the kindest eyes that I had ever seen.
As I was reaching into my pocket she started to speak. I thought, 'Here goes the sales pitch'. She said 'Excuse me sir, I need some shoes. Can you help me?' My eyes filled with water because I remember being out on the streets and having only one pair of run over shoes. I was taken aback for a second.
I took her inside the studio and had my wardrobe people find shoes in her size. As she put the shoes on she started crying, praising God and thanking Jesus, and saying, 'My feet are off the ground! My feet are off the ' ground! Several of the wardrobe people started crying. I was crying. But I never forgot those words. 'My feet are off the ground!' I thought, 'Wow! All she wanted was some shoes.' She quickly disappeared and never asked me for a dime. I realized that I still had the money in my hand so I went out looking for her. She was gone just that quick so I looked all around the neighbourhood for her. I found her standing on a corner looking down at her shoes, still crying. I was so touched. I asked her how she had gotten homeless. She told me that she had AIDS and that she was waiting to get into a shelter.. She said that her family had turned their backs on her and that she had no place to go, but she knew that God would make a way for her. I said to myself, 'He just did' Her faith and her praise moved me. I took her to a nearby hotel and put her up until she was able to get on her feet I had someone that worked for me to check on her from time to time and to make sure that she had food and clothes. After about a month or so we lost touch, but I never forgot her.
This past summer I was shooting 'Daddy's Little Girls' and this woman walks up to me smiling. I didn't recognize her face, but her eyes were familiar. She had on a really nice dress and her hair was done. It was her! She told me that the little help that I had given her had changed her life.
She was in a house now and doing very well. I said all of that to say this. After I met this woman, every time I think about complaining and mumbling I remember, 'My feet are off the ground!'
I wanted to share this with you just to let you know that when I say that I am thankful for you, I mean it. And when I say that you are a blessing to me, I mean it.
We take so much for granted sometimes that I just wanted all of you to know that I am grateful to God for you every day. Thank you for being in my life.
~Tyler Perry~
My Feet Are Off The Ground'
From Tyler Perry: Writer and Actor
This morning I awoke and was so frustrated about all of the stuff that I'm dealing with in trying to get this studio open. I was about to open my mouth & start complaining when I remembered something that happened to me a year ago.
I was walking to my car when this woman who appeared to be homeless started walking towards me. I'm ashamed to say this but I thought, 'I don't feel like being hustled today.' Then I got quickly convicted. I felt guilty so I started digging in my pocket for some money. As she got closer I noticed that she had the kindest eyes that I had ever seen.
As I was reaching into my pocket she started to speak. I thought, 'Here goes the sales pitch'. She said 'Excuse me sir, I need some shoes. Can you help me?' My eyes filled with water because I remember being out on the streets and having only one pair of run over shoes. I was taken aback for a second.
I took her inside the studio and had my wardrobe people find shoes in her size. As she put the shoes on she started crying, praising God and thanking Jesus, and saying, 'My feet are off the ground! My feet are off the ' ground! Several of the wardrobe people started crying. I was crying. But I never forgot those words. 'My feet are off the ground!' I thought, 'Wow! All she wanted was some shoes.' She quickly disappeared and never asked me for a dime. I realized that I still had the money in my hand so I went out looking for her. She was gone just that quick so I looked all around the neighbourhood for her. I found her standing on a corner looking down at her shoes, still crying. I was so touched. I asked her how she had gotten homeless. She told me that she had AIDS and that she was waiting to get into a shelter.. She said that her family had turned their backs on her and that she had no place to go, but she knew that God would make a way for her. I said to myself, 'He just did' Her faith and her praise moved me. I took her to a nearby hotel and put her up until she was able to get on her feet I had someone that worked for me to check on her from time to time and to make sure that she had food and clothes. After about a month or so we lost touch, but I never forgot her.
This past summer I was shooting 'Daddy's Little Girls' and this woman walks up to me smiling. I didn't recognize her face, but her eyes were familiar. She had on a really nice dress and her hair was done. It was her! She told me that the little help that I had given her had changed her life.
She was in a house now and doing very well. I said all of that to say this. After I met this woman, every time I think about complaining and mumbling I remember, 'My feet are off the ground!'
I wanted to share this with you just to let you know that when I say that I am thankful for you, I mean it. And when I say that you are a blessing to me, I mean it.
We take so much for granted sometimes that I just wanted all of you to know that I am grateful to God for you every day. Thank you for being in my life.
~Tyler Perry~
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
Freedom
The dictionary defines freedom this way:
3. the power to determine action without restraint.
4. political or national independence.
5. personal liberty, as opposed to bondage or slavery
Now as I compared this to Galatians 5:1 which reads: It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. I came to the realization that many believers spend alot of their time being slaves instead of being free. We are slaves to our jobs, slaves to our goals, slaves to our families, slaves to other peoples perceptions and views of us. REALLY?!? The word of God reminds us that whom the Son has set free is free indeed (John 8:36).
So why do we continuously allow ourselves to be placed in bondage? Is slavery so comfortable that freedom seems foreign to us? Freedom requires responsibility and accountability. It is the lack of excuses and scapegoating. It requires us to seek God for ourselves and not trying to find a priest or minister to go to Him for us.
We will not walk in the fullness of our gifts or our abundance while in slavery. It is just not possible. God can not be contained and he can not be boxed in....not even in the confines of our slave like existence. He must be free to move and do as He pleases and He desires that we be free as well. It is wonderful to have goals and objectives and family...but is God the head of it? Is He the one leading and guiding or are you trying to have Him follow your pace and your path?
Getting free is one thing...staying free is another! It is a conscious choice that has to be made consistently throughout the day...EVERY DAY!! So as you go through your day...choose to stand firm in your freedom within God ...knowing that He has placed you as the head and not the tail. Knowing that He has placed within you everything you need to fulfill your divine purpose. Knowing that when you call He will answer. Knowing that He will never leave you nor forsake you and that if you abide in Him, He will definitely abide in you!
Prayer:
Father God in the name of Jesus, we thank you for the sacrifice that you have given us in your son Jesus the Christ. We decree right now that we shall walk in freedom and shall no longer be in any form of slavery. We decree that every yoke and every form of bondage that has slowed us down, separated us from you, caused us to detour shall be terminated right now in the name of Jesus. Instead God we bind ourselves to your joy, your peace, your unfailing love, your perfect will...God we bind ourselves to YOU! We glorify you and exalt because you are truly wonderful and the best thing that continues to happen to us. In Jesus' name...Amen!
Friday, November 4, 2011
Get Out of Your Way
As I reflect this morning on various things happening in my life and past occurrences...I can't help but chuckle. I have listened to countless people and their issues..various Sunday morning sermons and there seems to be a pattern of the 'blame game'. But the reality is, the only obstacle in our way is US! If the Word of God is true, and I know it to be, it clearly states that "No Weapon Formed Against Me Shall Be Able To Prosper". It also states that "Greater Is He That Is In You Than He That Is In And Of The World". It also states that "If God Be For Me Then Who Can Stand Against Me" WOW! We are our own obstacle. Now I am not saying that trials and tribulations don't come and I am not saying that Satan isn't busy...but none of the above have any power over our promise or God's divine plan for our lives. It's almost like a mosquito bite...yes you felt it...yes it itches..and yes it leaves a mark but you don't stop pressing forward. Paul made the statement that "nothing shall separate me from the love of God which is Christ Jesus". NOTHING...not even himself. So encourage yourself today and know that nothing can get in the way of you and your God and His perfect plan for your life but you. Realize the awesomeness that God has placed in you and the authority and power that He has given you as His child and most precious possession. Everything that God says must come to pass and everything that He speaks is true.....so when He says that you are more than a conqueror....YOU ARE!
Prayer: Father God in the name of Jesus, I come before you God submitting my heart, my mind, my spirit to your way of thinking and your way of doing things. I encourage myself right now that I am fearfully and wonderfully made because you made me and you shaped me and you formed me. Regardless of the valleys that I must walk through and the mountains I must climb...I will trust you and I decree and declare that victory shall be mine! As of this moment, I get out of my way so you can have your way in every area of my life! Amen!
Blessings and Love!
Prayer: Father God in the name of Jesus, I come before you God submitting my heart, my mind, my spirit to your way of thinking and your way of doing things. I encourage myself right now that I am fearfully and wonderfully made because you made me and you shaped me and you formed me. Regardless of the valleys that I must walk through and the mountains I must climb...I will trust you and I decree and declare that victory shall be mine! As of this moment, I get out of my way so you can have your way in every area of my life! Amen!
Blessings and Love!
Thursday, September 29, 2011
Doing God's Plan Your Way
Doesn't the title in and of itself sound weird?! How in the world would someone think to do God's plan their way? The reality is that it happens all of the time ...honestly more often than not. What tends to happen is that we pray to God for guidance and for Vision and we get so excited about what He is doing that we start to rely on our past experiences and our skillsets to figure things out or implement parts of His Vision. OR..we find ourselves at a stopping point and instead of seeking God for the next steps and patiently waiting for his guidance and direction...we freestyle or play it by ear. If it closely resembles something that we have done before we go back to that and then wonder why we hit a wall or things began to fail. God says in Isaiah 43:19 "See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland"
Let's point a few things: He is doing it and it is NEW! Let God be God and meditate on this text as you make up in your mind daily to do His plan His way!
Prayer: Father God in the name of Jesus, I praise you on this day that you know what you are doing not only in my life but you know what you are doing period. I praise you that you are consistently doing something new in my life. That you bless me, forgive me, strenthen me, and restore me daily. I decree right now that my body, soul, and spirit shall be on one accord with you and if ever I get to a point that I am not walking where I should, I give you permission to put me back where I should be. Continue to lead me and guide me as I run this race that you have placed before me. To the honor and glory of your name..Amen!
Blessings and Love,
Rev. Smith
Let's point a few things: He is doing it and it is NEW! Let God be God and meditate on this text as you make up in your mind daily to do His plan His way!
Prayer: Father God in the name of Jesus, I praise you on this day that you know what you are doing not only in my life but you know what you are doing period. I praise you that you are consistently doing something new in my life. That you bless me, forgive me, strenthen me, and restore me daily. I decree right now that my body, soul, and spirit shall be on one accord with you and if ever I get to a point that I am not walking where I should, I give you permission to put me back where I should be. Continue to lead me and guide me as I run this race that you have placed before me. To the honor and glory of your name..Amen!
Blessings and Love,
Rev. Smith
New Era Dawning
I have been asked several times about daily devotionals. Basically whether or not I offer them and I haven't in the past because of the hecticness of my life and because there are some revelations that God gives me and I forget to share them after I write them down in my journal. So I am going to try and start doing devotionals...I can't promise that they will be everyday...but they will be. LOL
I pray you enjoy them and please get the word out so that others can subscribe to this blog and get on our Virtual Bible Study every Wednesday. Join me on FB to find out the number to call and the exact times for your time zone.
Peace and Blessings!
Rev. Smith
I pray you enjoy them and please get the word out so that others can subscribe to this blog and get on our Virtual Bible Study every Wednesday. Join me on FB to find out the number to call and the exact times for your time zone.
Peace and Blessings!
Rev. Smith
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
Aha Moment
So this past Sunday, I attended Williams Memorial CME Church in High Point, NC where the pastor is Rev. Robert Williams Jr. And Rev. Williams said something in the middle of his sermon that has stuck with me. He said that our faith should be in the Gospel and not the gossiper. WOW! It really stopped and made me think for a second. Because we do put too much stock into what people say and receive it as the Gospel and will spread it like wildfire. And half of the time, the truth has not been told. The Bible reminds us that there is power in the tongue...life and death. Hmmmmm. So we must watch what we say and also guard what we allow to enter into our inner atmosphere. (If you have been on the Virtual Bible Study calls you would know what I am talking about ;) ) All of this affects our worship,which also affects our relationship with God. Put your stock in the Word of God and silence the gossip (er) in your life---even if it is YOU! It is a slow poison that will ultimately cause you grief, heartache, and pain.
Blessings and Love!
Blessings and Love!
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
State of Confusion
I just read an article concerning Lamar Odom and the tragic accident concerning a car that he was being driven in. According to the article Lamar was in NY for his cousin's funeral and he hired a transportation company to drive him around the city. The driver of the car hit a motorcycle and the motorcycle flew into the air and hit a 15 yr old pedestrian. The young man was rushed to the hospital but the head injuries were too severe. He died the next day. All I could say was "Oh My God!" It is times and situations like these that we ask God what was the purpose? Why did the 15 yr old boy have to die and why did this situation have to involve Lamar Odom? A person with such a huge heart! The frustrating thing is that we may never get the answers to these questions. There are things in our own lives that have happened to us or someone close to us and we don't know why they happened. None of it makes even the slightest bit of sense. So this is the time where our trust and faith in God has to kick in. We have to trust that God knows what He is doing and that He will bring comfort to all families involved. That they will have peace of mind inspite of this trajedy that came out of nowhere. I have heard testimonies of people who turned situations like this into something positive by donating organs or bringing awareness to things that people weren't paying attention to prior to the incident. I don't know what will come out of this but I am asking all believers and prayer warriors to lift these families up in prayer.
Blessings and Love!
Blessings and Love!
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Focusing on the Wrong Things
As a preacher of the gospel, a mentor, a teacher, a prophet, a spiritual mother...I often tell people to stay focused. Keep your eyes on God and don't let things distract you. I tell them that everyone slips and falls and stumbles, but if or when you do...learn from it, get up, and keep it moving. So I would be wrong to not share my slip and fall while I was have my intimate time with the Lord. As I was talking with the Lord and He was ministering to me I began to cry and tell the Lord that I was tired of this and tired of that. We all do it and it doesn't seem at the time that anything is wrong with it. Why? Because we are just expressing the truth to God. Well before I could finish...the Lord convicted me. He began to flood me with thoughts of things He worked out for me on my behalf...doors that only He would have been able to open and I immediately begged His forgiveness and began to praise Him! I felt like a spoiled brat complaining about trivial stuff that wasn't stopping any miracle from happening in my life.
Children of God let me help you....everything you are tired of pales in comparison to what God has done and is doing. If you were to line it up you would see that God has given you more joy and made more ways out of no way than you realized. So instead of focusing on what you are tired of....praise Him for what He has done and is doing. He is an awesome God and He is greater than any trial or tribulation that you have or are going through. He took you through THAT....so you would be ready to go through THIS. And because He brought you through THAT....you know THIS ain't nothing for Him!
As soon as I began to praise Him...the burden of my THIS went away and the joy of the Lord overpowered me! Stay focused on the right things so that you don't become a hinderance to yourself.
Blessings and Love,
Pastor Nichica Smith
Children of God let me help you....everything you are tired of pales in comparison to what God has done and is doing. If you were to line it up you would see that God has given you more joy and made more ways out of no way than you realized. So instead of focusing on what you are tired of....praise Him for what He has done and is doing. He is an awesome God and He is greater than any trial or tribulation that you have or are going through. He took you through THAT....so you would be ready to go through THIS. And because He brought you through THAT....you know THIS ain't nothing for Him!
As soon as I began to praise Him...the burden of my THIS went away and the joy of the Lord overpowered me! Stay focused on the right things so that you don't become a hinderance to yourself.
Blessings and Love,
Pastor Nichica Smith
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Boldness in the Lord
Boldness is a word that we often hear spoken in reference to Christians. It is used in various sermons throughout many churches and is used in reference to not walking in fear when it comes to your beliefs as a Christian and walking out the word in your life. As simple as it sounds, it is hard for alot of Christians. Especially when it comes time to be bold in front of friends and family who knew the "old" you. It is much easier to conform and blend in than it is to stand out in the crowd. But we as Christians, were not designed to blend in. Matthew 5:14 states that we are the light of the world and a city on a hill can not be hid.
We never know who is really watching us and wanting to talk about being a Christian or accepting Jesus Christ. So it is important that we not compromise and show people that living for Christ is the best thing in the world and that it is not okay to pick and choose which scriptures we want to enjoy and apply. We are not to live in a form of Godliness, but we are to live according to every word that has come out of the mouth of God. Only then will we know how truly great God is and how powerful His word can be in our lives.
Remember, nothing can stand against God's word and if you are living in the word...NOTHING CAN STAND AGAINST YOU!
Blessings and Love,
Pastor Nichica Smith
We never know who is really watching us and wanting to talk about being a Christian or accepting Jesus Christ. So it is important that we not compromise and show people that living for Christ is the best thing in the world and that it is not okay to pick and choose which scriptures we want to enjoy and apply. We are not to live in a form of Godliness, but we are to live according to every word that has come out of the mouth of God. Only then will we know how truly great God is and how powerful His word can be in our lives.
Remember, nothing can stand against God's word and if you are living in the word...NOTHING CAN STAND AGAINST YOU!
Blessings and Love,
Pastor Nichica Smith
Thursday, September 9, 2010
What is God up to?
What is God up to? We often ask this question, especially when tragedy hits or things just start happening out of the blue that really doesn't make sense. The frustrating thing is that we don't always get the answer or at least not the answer that we are looking for in regards to an explanation of Why? What I have learned is that God does not desire that we be in the dark concerning anything. So if there is something that you are asking God about and you don't seem to be getting an answer keep the following in mind:
1. The answer may be more than you can handle or comprehend so you just need to trust God that He has it all under control
2. You may not be in a mental, emotional, or spiritual place to hear Him. You may just have too much going on and you can't hear that God is talking to you. So get yourself in a quiet place and just begin to read or meditate on his Word. Begin to praise Him and then you will be amazed at how He will begin to flood in over the next few weeks.
3. Your situation may be like Daniel's, when he prayed to God but the angel that was bringing the message was being detained by a demonic spirit.(Daniel Ch. 10) This just means that you need to keep praying and keep believing.
Either way, the message is still the same. Keep praying, keep believing, and keep trusting God. You can't go wrong by doing those things. God can not fail you! Remember that..so the next time you want to ask the question.."What is God is up to" just answer yourself by replying that He is up to blessing me and working out all of my situations in my favor!
Blessings and Love,
Pastor Nichica Smith
1. The answer may be more than you can handle or comprehend so you just need to trust God that He has it all under control
2. You may not be in a mental, emotional, or spiritual place to hear Him. You may just have too much going on and you can't hear that God is talking to you. So get yourself in a quiet place and just begin to read or meditate on his Word. Begin to praise Him and then you will be amazed at how He will begin to flood in over the next few weeks.
3. Your situation may be like Daniel's, when he prayed to God but the angel that was bringing the message was being detained by a demonic spirit.(Daniel Ch. 10) This just means that you need to keep praying and keep believing.
Either way, the message is still the same. Keep praying, keep believing, and keep trusting God. You can't go wrong by doing those things. God can not fail you! Remember that..so the next time you want to ask the question.."What is God is up to" just answer yourself by replying that He is up to blessing me and working out all of my situations in my favor!
Blessings and Love,
Pastor Nichica Smith
Friday, September 3, 2010
It's Been Awhile
It's been awhile since I have last posted on this blog and so much has happened. I am back in North Carolina now, but Mountain House Community Church in Tracy, CA is going strong and I thank God for that. Remember that anything built on a solid foundation can not be destroyed no matter what storms or winds come it's way. And that solid foundation has to be the Word of God. That is the only thing that stops Satan in his tracks and makes him back off of you and everything connected to you. So as you go through your day today, remember this prayer and pray it over yourself and your household..for the Word of God tells us that the effective, fervent prayer of the righteous availeth much.
Victory In Jesus Prayer
Heavenly Father, I thank you that we have received from Jesus Christ the victory over all disease, afflictions, infirmities, hindrances, persecutions, torments and lies that the enemy is trying to send our way now or in the future. We claim victory and deliverance from all demonic spirits, curses, hexes, vexes, enchantments, witchcraft prayers, psychic prayers, and spellls. We thank you that Jesus Christ is victorious through the power of His might against all the wiles of the devil; against principalities and powers and rulers of darkness of this world and against spiritual wickedness in hig places. (Eph 6:10-12) We claim our victory in faith through our salvation and His shed Blood of all these things now. We declare according to Job 22:27-28 that we are victorious through the shed Blood of Jesus Christ, in His Holy Name we pray. Amen.
Men and Women of God, continue to be blesses, continue to walk in your blessings, and know that God is for you. And because of that reason, nothing can stand against you!
Blessings and Love,
Pastor Nichica Smith
Victory In Jesus Prayer
Heavenly Father, I thank you that we have received from Jesus Christ the victory over all disease, afflictions, infirmities, hindrances, persecutions, torments and lies that the enemy is trying to send our way now or in the future. We claim victory and deliverance from all demonic spirits, curses, hexes, vexes, enchantments, witchcraft prayers, psychic prayers, and spellls. We thank you that Jesus Christ is victorious through the power of His might against all the wiles of the devil; against principalities and powers and rulers of darkness of this world and against spiritual wickedness in hig places. (Eph 6:10-12) We claim our victory in faith through our salvation and His shed Blood of all these things now. We declare according to Job 22:27-28 that we are victorious through the shed Blood of Jesus Christ, in His Holy Name we pray. Amen.
Men and Women of God, continue to be blesses, continue to walk in your blessings, and know that God is for you. And because of that reason, nothing can stand against you!
Blessings and Love,
Pastor Nichica Smith
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
To Obey or Not To Obey
For anyone that has stepped foot in a church you are constantly told to obey God. We are told that every believer is suppose to obey God no matter what. However, the logical would say that there are some situations that I would not listen to the voice of God, especially if it is telling me to do something that I am not comfortable with. However, the reality is rarely does not God instruct us to do something that we are comfortable with. The whole purpose of obedience is trust and God, who in His infinite wisdom already knows where our level of trust lies, will instruct us to do certain things just to show us where our relationship with Him is.
In the book of Acts 5 we find Peter and other apostles being thrown into prison because they were doing what they were instructed to do. The Sanhedrin (Elder Council) did not like the fact that they were preaching and teaching Jesus the Christ and the apostles were threatened with prison and ultimately death by the Sanhedrin. While in jail an Angel visited Peter and the apostles and let them out. However, the release also came with instructions to go and preach and an exact location was given. The Apostles were approached again by the Sanhedrin and this time the Sanhedrin were furious. However, when we obey, God always shows up and shows out and this was no exception. One of the Sanhedrin's own spoke up and said that they should leave these men alone because if it is of God, they (Sanhedrin)will not win. He told them that they would not win because it would be like fighting against God! Wow...what a statement! In other words, to be obedient to God causes a higher level of security and protection for you and those connected to you. And every time anyone tries to stand against you, they are literally fighting against God....which means that they can not win no matter how hard they try. That should be comfort to anyone who is debating as to whether or not they should do what they have been instructed to do. I would encourage you right now to never wrestle with what God is instructing you to do. Always do what God says, when He says it! Because if God is for you....then who can stand against you?
Blessings and Love,
Pastor Nichica Smith
In the book of Acts 5 we find Peter and other apostles being thrown into prison because they were doing what they were instructed to do. The Sanhedrin (Elder Council) did not like the fact that they were preaching and teaching Jesus the Christ and the apostles were threatened with prison and ultimately death by the Sanhedrin. While in jail an Angel visited Peter and the apostles and let them out. However, the release also came with instructions to go and preach and an exact location was given. The Apostles were approached again by the Sanhedrin and this time the Sanhedrin were furious. However, when we obey, God always shows up and shows out and this was no exception. One of the Sanhedrin's own spoke up and said that they should leave these men alone because if it is of God, they (Sanhedrin)will not win. He told them that they would not win because it would be like fighting against God! Wow...what a statement! In other words, to be obedient to God causes a higher level of security and protection for you and those connected to you. And every time anyone tries to stand against you, they are literally fighting against God....which means that they can not win no matter how hard they try. That should be comfort to anyone who is debating as to whether or not they should do what they have been instructed to do. I would encourage you right now to never wrestle with what God is instructing you to do. Always do what God says, when He says it! Because if God is for you....then who can stand against you?
Blessings and Love,
Pastor Nichica Smith
Friday, February 6, 2009
Together We Can Pray(11/2/08)
NORTHERN CALIFORNIA REGION
Department of Lay Ministry
My Brothers and my Sister, greeting in the Name above every name, Jesus the Christ. The only begotten of the Father!
Well, it is finally upon us. The most historic election in the history of the United States of America will take place on Tuesday, November 4, 2008. This will be the first time that a person of color will be the nominee of a major political party for the office of president of the USA. Whether you support Barak Obama or not, you must appreciate the precidence of this election.
I pray that everyone is registered to vote and will exercise that right. When we think of everything that our forefathers have gone through to give us that right to vote, we should not take it for granted!
* In 1776, George Washington led the revolutionary
army to gain our independence from England.
* In 1920, Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton
pushed for creation and passage of the Nineteenth Ad-
mendment to the Constitution that gave women the
right to vote.
* During the 1950's and 60's, Rev. Dr.Martin Luther King,
Jr. was beaten, jailed and humilited to get Black Amer- icans the right to vote.
With all that those people had to endure to make it possible for us to have the right to vote; we should vote, if for no other reason than, to honor their memory. It has been reported that 180 million citizens have registered to vote, so it may take some time to get everyone to a voting machine. Be patient and plan to stand it line for this historic election.
For this week, let's pray for this election. We should pray that the elections will be done fairly and that the will of the people will be enforced. We should pray for the safety of each candidate. Let's pray that God will put a fence around them to keep them safe from any hurt, harm or danger. Lastly, let's pray that the candidates, when elected, will be God lead in their actions and decisions.
Department of Lay Ministry
My Brothers and my Sister, greeting in the Name above every name, Jesus the Christ. The only begotten of the Father!
Well, it is finally upon us. The most historic election in the history of the United States of America will take place on Tuesday, November 4, 2008. This will be the first time that a person of color will be the nominee of a major political party for the office of president of the USA. Whether you support Barak Obama or not, you must appreciate the precidence of this election.
I pray that everyone is registered to vote and will exercise that right. When we think of everything that our forefathers have gone through to give us that right to vote, we should not take it for granted!
* In 1776, George Washington led the revolutionary
army to gain our independence from England.
* In 1920, Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton
pushed for creation and passage of the Nineteenth Ad-
mendment to the Constitution that gave women the
right to vote.
* During the 1950's and 60's, Rev. Dr.Martin Luther King,
Jr. was beaten, jailed and humilited to get Black Amer- icans the right to vote.
With all that those people had to endure to make it possible for us to have the right to vote; we should vote, if for no other reason than, to honor their memory. It has been reported that 180 million citizens have registered to vote, so it may take some time to get everyone to a voting machine. Be patient and plan to stand it line for this historic election.
For this week, let's pray for this election. We should pray that the elections will be done fairly and that the will of the people will be enforced. We should pray for the safety of each candidate. Let's pray that God will put a fence around them to keep them safe from any hurt, harm or danger. Lastly, let's pray that the candidates, when elected, will be God lead in their actions and decisions.
Together We Can Pray (10/27/08)
NORTHERN CALIFORNIA REGION
Department of Lay Ministry
Greetings, in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus The Christ!
I was at a service on Sunday and the preacher took his text. The text concerned Jesus praying. I began to think about all the times in the Gospels that Jesus prayed. It seems that Jesus was always going off somewhere to pray:
Mt 26:39 And He went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed
Mr 1:35 And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, He went out, and
departed into a solitary place, and there prayed.
Mr 14:39 And again He went away, and prayed
Lu 5:16 And He withdrew himself into the wilderness, and prayed.
Lu 22:41 And He was withdrawn from them about a stone's cast, and kneeled
down, and prayed,
Mt 26:36 Then cometh Jesus with them unto a place called Gethsemane, and saith unto the disciples, Sit ye here, while I go and pray yonder.
I began to think, what was Jesus always praying about? Just as soon as I asked the question, the answer appeared: Jesus was always praying for someone else. He prayed for His disciples; He prayed for Jairus' daughter; He prayed for Lazarus and He prayed for each one of us that we might have everlasting life.
This week let's think of someone we can pray for. That person could be a family member or friend. It could also be someone who has misused you. Matthew 5:44b says, pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you.
Department of Lay Ministry
Greetings, in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus The Christ!
I was at a service on Sunday and the preacher took his text. The text concerned Jesus praying. I began to think about all the times in the Gospels that Jesus prayed. It seems that Jesus was always going off somewhere to pray:
Mt 26:39 And He went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed
Mr 1:35 And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, He went out, and
departed into a solitary place, and there prayed.
Mr 14:39 And again He went away, and prayed
Lu 5:16 And He withdrew himself into the wilderness, and prayed.
Lu 22:41 And He was withdrawn from them about a stone's cast, and kneeled
down, and prayed,
Mt 26:36 Then cometh Jesus with them unto a place called Gethsemane, and saith unto the disciples, Sit ye here, while I go and pray yonder.
I began to think, what was Jesus always praying about? Just as soon as I asked the question, the answer appeared: Jesus was always praying for someone else. He prayed for His disciples; He prayed for Jairus' daughter; He prayed for Lazarus and He prayed for each one of us that we might have everlasting life.
This week let's think of someone we can pray for. That person could be a family member or friend. It could also be someone who has misused you. Matthew 5:44b says, pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you.
Together We Can Pray--Written by Odell Tolliver Lay President of the Northern California Region
Every week, Odell will send out these writings to everyone on his emai list. He has given me permission to put them on the blog. So please enjoy.
NORTHERN CALIFORNIA REGION
Department of Lay Ministry
And he saith unto them, Because of your little faith: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you. But this kind goeth not out save by prayer and fasting. (Matt 17:20-21-ASV)
Greetings in the Name of Jesus the Christ, the only begotten of the Father!
The above passage of Scripture reminds us of the power that we have through our faith. Jesus speaks of the faith of a grain of mustard seed. Some people believe Jesus is refering to the size of the mustard seed; others believe Jesus is thinking of the potential of a mustard seed (see Matt 13:31, 32). That tiny mustard seed must believe that it will grow into a mighty tree. In the same sense, we must believe that we can move mountains, there can be no doubt in our mind.
Starting at verse 14, a man comes to Jesus stating that his son has seizures and falls into the fire or into the water. The man says he has brought his son to the Disciples, but they could not heal him (verse 15, 16). Jesus rebuked the demon and it came out of the boy. In verse 19, the Disciples asked Jesus why He could drive out the demon but they could not. Jesus tells them in verse 21 that this kind goeth not out save by prayer and fasting. Here, Jesus reminds us that prayer and fasting are the basics of our faith! Our faith gives us the power to remove mountains, but that faith come by prayer and fasting!
For this week let's spend some time fasting and praying. I realize that some of us cannot do without food for medical reasons, but we can fast in other ways. Fasting means to give up something for a period of time. We should give up something, such as watching television or eating a certain type of food that we really enjoy. We could give up an activity, such as shopping. Those things that we give up for a period of time, we should replace them with prayer. When it is time to watch our favorite television program, we would spend that time praying. Instead of having that piece of cake or pie that we would spend that time in prayer. We call this getting back to basics.
NORTHERN CALIFORNIA REGION
Department of Lay Ministry
And he saith unto them, Because of your little faith: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you. But this kind goeth not out save by prayer and fasting. (Matt 17:20-21-ASV)
Greetings in the Name of Jesus the Christ, the only begotten of the Father!
The above passage of Scripture reminds us of the power that we have through our faith. Jesus speaks of the faith of a grain of mustard seed. Some people believe Jesus is refering to the size of the mustard seed; others believe Jesus is thinking of the potential of a mustard seed (see Matt 13:31, 32). That tiny mustard seed must believe that it will grow into a mighty tree. In the same sense, we must believe that we can move mountains, there can be no doubt in our mind.
Starting at verse 14, a man comes to Jesus stating that his son has seizures and falls into the fire or into the water. The man says he has brought his son to the Disciples, but they could not heal him (verse 15, 16). Jesus rebuked the demon and it came out of the boy. In verse 19, the Disciples asked Jesus why He could drive out the demon but they could not. Jesus tells them in verse 21 that this kind goeth not out save by prayer and fasting. Here, Jesus reminds us that prayer and fasting are the basics of our faith! Our faith gives us the power to remove mountains, but that faith come by prayer and fasting!
For this week let's spend some time fasting and praying. I realize that some of us cannot do without food for medical reasons, but we can fast in other ways. Fasting means to give up something for a period of time. We should give up something, such as watching television or eating a certain type of food that we really enjoy. We could give up an activity, such as shopping. Those things that we give up for a period of time, we should replace them with prayer. When it is time to watch our favorite television program, we would spend that time praying. Instead of having that piece of cake or pie that we would spend that time in prayer. We call this getting back to basics.
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