Category: Jesus

What If Mary Said, “NO!”

During a BIble Club meeting at school, I was talking about the birth of Jesus and the days leading up to His birth. I was telling them about how an angel came to Mary because God found favor with her and He wanted her to give birth to His son. She accepted and became the Mother of Jesus.

Luke 1:26-38(NIV)

The Birth of Jesus Foretold

26 In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, 27 to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. 28 The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.”

29 Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. 30 But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. 31 You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, 33 and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.”

34 “How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?”

35 The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called[a] the Son of God. 36 Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be unable to conceive is in her sixth month. 37 For no word from God will ever fail.”

38 “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Then the angel left her.

All of a sudden, I thought, but what if Mary said, “NO!”   What if she refused? What if she hesitated? What if she said, “Not, now Lord!” What if she said, “I’m not the one you’re looking for.” What if she didn’t feel strong enough or able or loved?  What if she felt dirty or unwanted, unworthy or insecure?

What if…………………………. Where would our Savior be?

I thought about all the times I said, “NO!” to God.  All the times I hesitated. All the times I feel that I’m not the one or unclean or unworthy.  I thought about all the opportunities I have missed for God. I thought about all the things I put before God and what He needs me to do.  I thought about all the people who are lost and need Jesus and how much my story can heal and help other people grow to know God more. I thought about who He created me to be for these children who so desperately need God and his love. I thought about how I need to change my mindset on Him and not worry about what I can’t do, but what He can do through me.

I spoke this message to these children just this way.  I offered them HOPE through knowing who God is and what He can do in their lives regardless of who they are and who they think they are.

God is REAL.  He is the one true living God!  He is waiting to use you and fulfill His purpose in your life if you will just say “I am the Lord’s servant, May your word to me be fulfilled!”  Thank God Mary said, “Yes!” Our Savior is born! Happy Birthday, Jesus!

If you do now know Jesus as your personal Savior, Please pray this prayer:

Jesus, I believe you came to Earth to save me from my sins. I confess all my sins to you and want you to come into my heart and be the Lord of my life.  I love you and I want you to lead me into the purpose you created me for. I am your servant! Thank you Jesus for loving and wanting me into your family.  In Jesus’ name, AMEN!

Welcome into God’s Family!  We are so glad you are here! Angels are rejoicing in Heaven right now of your homecoming! Praise God!

Happy Birthday to your new birth in Christ and Merry Christmas!

I See Jesus

I went walking around the Lake today for my cardio workout.  When I got there, there were only a few cars and some people sitting at tables under the picnic shelters.  I started walking and feeling insecure and scared because no one else was walking but me. I felt isolated and targeted.

But being stubborn and needing to get the workout done, I continued anyway.  I prayed, “Lord, please protect me and keep me safe.” Then I started to see Him.  I started to see Jesus!

He came as a butterfly as He always has to tell me that everything’s gonna be alright.  But He knows me too well. Around every bend, near every corner, every single time I felt unnerved, He came.  He came 9 times to reassure me that He had everything under control and that I was protected.  

I felt so loved, I smiled every time He came and said, “Hey Jesus!”  One time, He swirled around my feet like we were dancing together. He made me feel so protected and worthy.  

I know people see Jesus in nature and in other things.  But He always comes to me as a butterfly and today was no different.  Thank you, Jesus that you know me so well and love me so much.

Faithful

Happy Father’s Day!

Last night someone reminded me that there was a time when I didn’t know what I wanted to do with my life.  I couldn’t even imagine. I told them that was before I allowed God to” take over” my life and He turned it upside down.  When I “allowed” God to take over, He showed me my purpose which is to lead others to him through ways He created just for me.

God has given me a wonderful teaching career, serving at my church (Revolution Church) and two published children’s books (paperback and eBook) which serves many countries. They are on Amazon.

When you give your heart to Jesus, He will use you (in an awesome way) to lead others to Him through ways only He created just for you.

Don’t lead others to the enemy because you decide not to give your life to Jesus.  Be the example like my Dad did with his life. He went to be with Jesus June 15, 2019 at 9:50pm.  He introduced our family to Jesus, took us to church, taught us to sing for God’s glory and made sure we knew that God is our provider, comforter, healer and savior.  He gives us unconditional love, mercy and grace. He welcomes us back home, no matter where we’ve been or how long. He taught us that people are important. And no matter what, family is always family.

I am thankful for my Dad, even if I wasn’t always the best daughter.  He gave me the best gift that I have ever received: Jesus! I will forever be grateful for his gift and will re-gift it many times to everyone who will receive it.  

 Be faithful to the God who is faithful to you!

Waiting for Love

First of all, I’m not an expert.  I’m a failure at love. I am divorced from a failed marriage I chose to be in a long time ago.  But over the years, I’ve learned a lot of different things about love and about myself that has helped me to believe that it exists for me again.

 

 

  • Find out who God is and what He believes about you.-True Love

 

Your Heavenly Father loves you.  He created you just the way you are, but you can’t live without him and have the kind of love you desire or have the peaceful relationship you crave.  He gives you your heart’s desire. Psalm 37:4-7 -Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.  Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will do this: He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn, your vindication like the noonday sun.  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. (NIV) He wants the best for you, His best.  Why would you want anything less? Why would you settle?  Don’t settle! God has His best waiting for you and praying for you! Pray for your spouse, the one God is preparing just for you.  Be expectant, prepare yourself! Let God’s word speak into your life, so that when trouble comes, you and your spouse can overcome knowing God has put you together and will help you through any trouble because you both believe in God’s love, His word and His peace in your lives.  God is the only one who can fill the void you are feeling in your life right now. Let Him fill you with His love.

 

 

  • Find out who you are and what you believe about yourself. -Self-Love

 

Question yourself.  What are your likes and dislikes?  Learn to say NO! Do something you like!  STOP pleasing people! Please yourself! Make a checklist: likes/dislikes.  Go on adventures! Travel! Workout! Hangout with friends, true friends! Be your own Cheerleader.   All these things I’ve done and am continuing to do. It takes time. Be patient! You will learn to love yourself and find new loves about you.  You will not be able to sit still and think about anything else because you will be so busy planning what you are going to do next. How exciting!!

 

 

  • Find out what you love to do and are good at and do that!-Purpose

 

Maybe you’re in the wrong profession, maybe you need to add a profession, maybe you have a hobby you can turn into a profession.  Or maybe you love your profession and you can turn your hobby into a second profession. Ask God what His purpose for your life is. Knowing God and knowing His purpose for your life helps everything fit together.

 

 

  • Set goals and accomplish them

 

One goal or ten, you decide!  But make sure they are YOUR goals.  They are for you first! And not to get a guy/girl.  Real goals! Purposed goals! YOU goals! Short-term or long-term goals! You decide!

 

 

  • Dream

 

Dream BIG!  Whatever you’ve always wanted!  No matter how ridiculous, crazy, silly or annoying!  Dream that! Be that!

 

Set yourself up for a successful relationship by believing in God, having faith in yourself and no matter what happens:  you’re going to be just fine! You’re gonna love YOU and God’s best for you will see just that!

 

One Word 2019

Jesus loves us with no strings attached.  I wanna be like that! Our purpose is to love others the way we want others to love us.  Unconditional, like Jesus loves us. Strive for that! In 2019, that’s my One Word—-Love!

In thinking of my goals for the coming year, I’ve been thinking how I like to be treated: consistent respect, loved unconditionally, forgiven, carried, hugged, positive encouragement, having a growth mindset, cheerleader, always believing, always hoping, always loving, never giving up, striving, changing for the better.

I make goals starting in August because I am a Teacher.  I have 6 goals that run from 2018-2020, short-term goals.  I have 5 out of 6 goals running  right now simultaneously   because they all fit together and I’m a very blessed and favored girl.   All of these goals are not out of selfish intent. These are goals affect other people as well as myself.

  1. Begin to pay off debt (starting in 2019)
  2. Get books published and write new ones (started)
  3. Become healthier in spirit, mind and body (started)
  4. Love my students and help them love learning (started)
  5. Fall in love with my best friend (started)
  6. Start National Board Certified Teacher Program (started)

Within each goal, are smaller goals that help these big goals seem not so big.  Things that I need to do to accomplish each goal. It may seem I’m a type A, but it helps me know what needs to be done.  

IMG_20181211_100746

While accomplishing these goals, I am asserting my One Word—Love!  Love for myself and others, but I need to be make sure I’m aware of my love for myself and others as the year progresses.  I need to be intentional. I need to be patient. I need to stop overthinking situations. I need to forgive myself and others and move on when it’s not returned or accepted.  I need to not put people in categories; we are all God’s children. I need to encourage, be inspirational, supportive and show compassion.

Goals help us to accomplish what we deem important to us and therefore, become important to those who matter.

 

God’s Glory

Having to be transparent at times a little difficult for me.  I am not an open book. But when God uses my difficulties as a story for his people and those that are not His, I must be transparent to show you how awesome and loving He is.

Being a Teacher means that I only get paid once a month and sometimes that is hard. Being Single Mom makes it all the more difficult in making sure all the bills get paid and we have food  to eat and gas to go places. Sometimes everything gets paid and sometimes something get left unpaid.

Recently in August right before school started, I put off paying the electric bill because of thinking I would get paid before school started.  I used that money to buy things I needed for my classroom because Teachers have to buy their own stuff. I postponed it 10 days after the due date and then found out I was not getting paid until the day school started (27th).  The bill was due on the 24th, a Friday. I wouldn’t get paid until that Monday.

I tried to figure out something.  I felt horrible, but there was nothing I could do, but pray. I prepared for the worst (no electricity). I made arrangement to stay at a friend’s home.  I found my kids places to stay. I packed all the food in the refrigerator to take to my friend’s house.  I cleaned, took out all the trash, washed all the clothes and waited. I went to school that morning and then back home expecting the electricity to be off, but it wasn’t.  I called my friend to let her know that I was waiting for it to be cut off. So I waited and waited and waited on Friday evening, Saturday morning, Saturday evening and Sunday morning.  The electric company workers can come at any time, even on the weekends to cut it off. Sunday morning, I checked my account balance at the bank because I needed some gas and I knew I had a least $10 in it.  But Glory be, my school check was in there, posted and ready to use. I immediately posted a payment with the electric company and thanked God for showing me His glory, grace, mercy and favor.

God showed me his glory.  He showed me how to prepared for things that could happen and recently for things I want to happen.  God showed up and showed out so that I could show you His greatness and love for his children. Just like He did this weekend when Hurricane Florence hit North Carolina, where I live.  He show His glory by calming the storm through prayers by people who love Him and people that don’t. Think about how many people who don’t know Him saw His glory through prayer. Now they know and hopefully they will have a change of heart about him.  You can too! Just ask Him. He loves you and wants you to see his glory, too!