Women Celebrating Women

Celebrate the Small Things

Celebrations normally flow from a place of gratefulness when there are so many things to complain about, and to be distressed about so the effort to be grateful must be intentional.  

We serve God by serving others, so we must be diligent in supporting and encouraging each other in every aspect of life. It is easy to give in to the trials and upsets of life when our lives are void of encouragement, therefore, we must be deliberate about celebrating one another. Discouragement is the breeding ground for seeds of ungratefulness and ungratefulness breeds bitterness  then resentment and jealousy towards others. Expressing love and gratefulness for one another  would generate the desire to celebrate one another honestly  and joyfully.

Romans chapter 12:9a, 14-16 MSG "Love from the centre of who you are, don't fake it... Bless your enemies; no cursing under your breath. Laugh with your happy friends when they’re happy; share tears when they’re down. Get along with each other; don’t be stuck-up. Make friends with nobodies; don’t be the great somebody." 

Wow! how tempting it can be in wanting everyone’s focus and attention to be on ourselves all the time for some reason or another.  Then there are the few of us who would just wish we could walk around being invisible and it takes  someone who has the characteristics of Romans 12:9, 14-16 to ensure that the spotlight gets turned on others accordingly.  It is okay to share the spotlight every once in a while.   As Christians we can get caught up in the piety of being in the background always but then we grumble and complain when we are overlooked.  

Maybe for a moment that’s how Martha felt. There are two ways Martha’s response can be interpreted- Martha had the gift of hospitality so she operated in that capacity whenever the occasion presented itself; Mary on the other hand only wanted one thing, that was to sit at the feet of Jesus .  It was at Jesus’ feet she found life transformation. Martha began to feel left out, she loved helping and serving others, but she was not in the spotlight of things.                            

Luke 10:38-40 MSG “…, Jesus entered a village.  A woman by the name of Martha welcomed him and made him feel quite at home.  She had a sister, Mary, who sat before the Master, hanging on every word he said.  But Martha was pulled away by all she had to do in the kitchen.  Later, she stepped in, interrupting them. “Master, don’t you care that my sister has abandoned the kitchen to me? Tell her to lend me a hand.” ^41-42 The Master said, “Martha, dear Martha, you’re fussing far too much and getting yourself worked up over nothing.  One thing only is essential, and Mary has chosen it-it’s the main course, and won’t be taken from her.”

Not until Jesus explained it to Martha, that she sees the value in what Mary desired, she complained and wanted to discredit it. When we learn to see the value in ourselves, our gifts and qualities we will begin to shine and celebrate what God has placed inside of us and then those around us will see that light and celebrate (shame on those who try to put it out). When we can see beyond our own insecurities, realise and appreciate our value then we will be more forthcoming about celebrating others.  

If we serve in love, then celebrating one another should come easy to us, it generates encouragement. To celebrate does not necessarily have to be a great gathering of sorts, but acknowledging in word or conversation, affirming and congratulating or even seeking them out to share with others that special talent or quality.  

Some of us find it hard to celebrate another's accomplishments, talents and giftedness - Kudos to those who find joy in celebrating another, what you give from the abundance of your heart it will come back to you.   Luke 6:37,38 MSG - "Don't pick on people, jump on their failures, criticise their faults-unless of course, you want the same treatment.  Don't condemn those who are down; that hardness can boomerang. Be easy on people; you'll find life a lot easier. Give away your life; you'll find life given back, but not merely given back, but not merely_given back -given back with bonus and blessing.  Giving, not getting, is the way. Generosity begets generosity."  

By virtue, we as women are prime multitaskers and  excel at various skills and abilities so there is always an opportunity to celebrate one another.

Celebrate each other's life successes, victories even milestones

We should be quick to build each other up instead of tearing down. 1 Thessalonians 5:11 MSG "…So speak encouraging words to one another. Build up hope so you’ll all be together in this, no one left out, no one left behind. I know you’re already doing this; just keep on doing it."  So, when something good happens talk about it, let that be the subject of our conversations, find something good to say. 

Growing up my mom would say "keep your mouth shut if you can't find anything good to say”, that's what I am saying now. Be generous with your compliments - congratulate the promotion, the engagement, the achievement; compliment the new hairdo, the gorgeous shoes or the new dress or hat. If you like it then say so, if you heard something good has happened or is happening in a sister's life, talk about it; acknowledge it.  1 Thess. 5: ^13a “…Get along among yourselves, each of you doing your part,”

Individually, we all must recognise the value of our own successes and victories 

Sadly, sometimes we are selfish without even recognising it and kill the opportunity to celebrate each other. There are times when we hinder our own celebratory moments because of selfishness. We want to keep all that goodness to ourselves; a selfish attitude will stop our blessings. So, do not hide it, let us celebrate it. If we do not acknowledge all the goodness in our lives we even miss out on ministering opportunities.  Share the trials and the deliverances, share your story, and celebrate it and all the victories you experience along the way.

Parable of the Lost Coin - Luke 15:8-10 

The Story of the Lost Coin verses 8-10 “...Or imagine a woman who has ten coins and loses one. Won’t she light a lamp and scour the house, looking in every nook and cranny until she finds it? And when she finds it you can be sure she’ll call her friends and neighbours: ‘Celebrate with me! I found my lost coin!’ Count on it—that’s the kind of party God’s angels throw every time one lost soul turns to God.”  Celebrate the return of a wayward child, husband, new job, a deliverance, child's good grades, a new venture, answered prayer etc. Then there are those times when we are privy to some good news about someone that's worth sharing and celebrating, but yield to the temptation to grudgingly withhold the information from others and then there's a missed opportunity to celebrate a sister.   

Sadly, there is a tendency to quickly share the disturbing news, gossip which spreads like a wildfire.   By the grace of God let us resist this temptation.  Romans 12:9,10  ⁹Let love be without dissimulation, Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good. ¹⁰Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another; 

The premise for celebrating each other is LOVE. 

Loving each other allows for a natural and easy flow of being grateful, the desire to celebrate and encourage especially as children of God. The Word of God overflows with the command to love: - 

John 13:34-35 ³⁴ A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. ³⁵By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another. 

John 15:12 This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. 

John 15:17 These things I command you, that ye love one another. 

Romans 13:8 Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law. 

and one of my favourites

Galatians 5:13 For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.

Contemplate on Hebrew 10: 23-25 23 Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) 24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: 25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. 

 Connect

This article may have been directed to us as women but in truth everyone is worth celebrating.  Celebrating the people in our lives is so important particularly in fostering goodwill and loving our fellowmen. So, no matter who you are, wherever you may fit in humanity you are worth celebrating.  Parents, siblings, spouses, friends, colleagues you are valuable and the assurance rests in John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.  You cannot get it any better than that.

My heart's desire is to be grateful always, to celebrate the small victories in life always, to love unconditionally. To serve God wholeheartedly, to trust and to extend grace. I love you with the love of God and it is my prayer that we all grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. 

 

Prayer: 1 Thessalonians 3:11-13 MSG

May God our Father himself and our Master Jesus clear the road to you! And may the Master pour on the love so it fills your lives and splashes over on everyone around you, just as it does from us to you. May you be infused with strength and purity, filled with confidence in the presence of God our Father when our Master Jesus arrives with all his followers.

 I celebrate you my sisters, much love

Mauricia

 

When life seems unfair, remember purpose

I trust that 2021 is going well for you... by this time we have all gotten into the groove of this year's goals and anticipations and I wish you well and pray for good success for us all as we continue to navigate through these uncertain times. 

"Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and He will establish your plans." Proverbs 16:3NIV

With that being said, I have been asking God what He would have me share with you and what I believe was His response, I hope I am able to articulate it in such a way that we are all better and wiser for it. I mentioned to you in one of my previous posts that last year 2020, I lost my dad by a vicious act of crime and lost two ladies who were awfully close to my heart, to cancer. I miss them every day. This is where today’s post flows.

It's not that I've never lost anyone close to me before but at this stage in my life my dad and these two ladies were such an integral part of my life. When they passed I thought I would cease to be,  I felt lost and a part of me was gone.  I've managed to process a lot of it, but grieving is a process.  For me, I experience  grief in waves. When the loss comes back fresh and the tears flow, I thank God that I am not consumed by it.  If anything, it brings me closer to being okay. I am thankful to God for every day and all the blessings I have been able to enjoy. I am also grateful for the not-so-great moments of my life it was during those times I found refuge in Him literally. I have experienced and encountered God in new and amazing ways particularly in the last two years. 

But there is one thing that I have struggled with this past year and I've only now dared to verbalise and acknowledge it – allowing myself to express  all the emotions while  being thankful for life... my life particularly.  I've been feeling so guilty about that expression of gratefulness for life because when I do, I remember my dad and my two friends who are no longer here It sounds silly, I know, but that has been another part of my grieving process.  I am here and they are not. 

These dear individuals were making such a great impact on the lives of those around them and I felt like the world was cheated, that I was cheated when they died. I felt all the unfairness of life but who said that life was fair? I felt the loss of their lives selfishly as if they only mattered to me.  Thank God for grace because in all of life's unfairness grace abounds and purpose sets things in perspective. It clarifies relevance to what evades our broken hearts and the sadness that goes along with it.  

In our humanity we will have shortcomings and misgivings about our circumstances but let us not allow the difficult circumstances of life define who we are nor who we will become. Let us  allow it to help us to grow and to educate us. It is important to keep the focus where there are benefits and the benefits are set in the process not just in those moments which have the potential to cripple and stagnate us.  Yes! life seems unfair and we question God about circumstances and the outcomes, but very seldom do we ask God what it is He requires when He has our attention. We rarely ask about   the lesson He's teaching in the circumstance. Something we need to ask more for is that God would give us grace to go through our trials and circumstances and not to just solve it or take it away from us- of course He can do it.  Know that the journey, the process is worth it, the battle scars are honourable to God, the battle scars are our Ebenezer testimonials of His grace, mercies, and deliverance.  So, I dare you to not ask for the mountains to be removed but ask for the strength to climb and overcome it. That is your witness, bear your cross with dignity and grace hold your head high... God goes before us and walks beside us, we are not alone...

 

"Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;

I have summoned you by name; you are mine.

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;

and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you.

When you walk through the fire, you no be burned;

the flames will not set you ablaze.

For I am the Lord your God,..." Isaiah 43:1c-3a  

 

While you go through your process consider this question, "Is He truly my God, have I accepted Him as my personal Saviour?" If not, this is a great place to pause and say, "Lord Jesus, I accept you now as my personal Saviour, I cannot do this alone so I surrender everything to you now today I am made new in You. Amen."  Praise the Lord! Welcome into the family of God.

We have no say in the matter of God loving us, so know that His love is unfailing, and His strength is perfect He has given us everything we need to go through our individual journeys, our processes. He does all things well, walk in your God purpose He has already forgiven all your shortcomings, I know He has forgiven me all mine and I am thankful for life; I am thankful to be alive and that I am able to share my heart with you today.

 

Prayer:

Sovereign God, Faithful Father and Friend thank You for life full of grace, thank you for loving us, thank you for peace and comfort, thank You for strength, may Your will be done in our lives today and may we be light in this dark world honouring You always. In Jesus name Amen.

 

My journey continues,

Much love & blessings

Mauricia

 

 

 

 

Perspectives

I believe I have the best nieces and nephews in the world. They are kind and respectful, they are intelligent and independent, outside of them being intelligent they are very intellectual.  I love hanging out with them and having light and meaningful conversations with them.  The best part about it is that, as I say to them always, my conversations, my advice and consuls are no less than what I would have with my own children.  I find that I always take something away from our convos to contemplate on which brings me to the topic of this post. 

Perspective: a mental view of prospect; the interrelation in

which a subject or its parts are mentally viewed or point or view; the capacity to view things in their true relations or relative mportance.

diagram from metro.co.uk

  ~Dictionary

       I was in the kitchen one day naturally I began singing as I moved about and having a good go at it apparently, not loudly but distinctive enough to draw attention to myself. My nephew said surprisingly, “aunty you can sing, you can really sing.” I blushed and was taken aback as I did not realise, I was that audible and responded stuttering, “well I guess so”. My nephew had never heard me sing before and questioned me about it and it opened a door of conversation I had not had in a while. Realising that this was as good a time as ever to address it particularly for myself, I shared my story with them.

A much younger version of myself really did sing and I loved it. Trying not to sound boastful, I was a soloist, a song/worship leader carrying soprano to tenor and sometimes alto.  Being able to sing I believe was an unexpected gift and I embraced it for what it was, ‘a gift from God.’ In my late twenty’s early thirties, I remember discarding this gift from God, because of my distorted perspective at the time.  My perspective became clouded causing disappointment and eventually walking away from a means that God had given me to share his truth and bring comfort to others while honouring him. I loved singing and even wrote a few songs and attempted to set them to music. I even played the keyboard yes, I did, and I read a little music- more about this later.  The truth of my gift became a bit distorted and a ploy by Satan to kill all the potential that was wrapped up in the gift of music.  

Before every performance/ministering session I always prayed asking God to use me and let the message of every song be heard loud and clear.  I enjoyed it but I dreaded the attention it brought to me and I began to dread performances.  The last concert I remember participating in was a great success, largely attended and the audience was engaged and having a grand time. So, what was my problem?  I also took notice that they were praising me a whole lot and that made me uncomfortable and afraid.      

As I shared my reasons with my nephew and niece they listened intently, and this is the wisdom of what they ventured to share with me:     

"Not everyone will react or respond in the same way, and it does not mean you are doing anything wrong.  Some might have been carried away by you and your voice but there were others who were indeed enjoying the message and music.  To some it may have been a performance and to others it was ministry."  

At the time I took away only the negative, but they helped me to see that there were so many positives I could have taken away also. 

When I stopped singing, I was neglecting the God gift within, I was not walking in obedience to the call.  For a long time, I suppressed my voice and declined any opportunity to sing and of course with the dormancy I lost my singing ability.      

My perspective in that case allowed me only to see God as Elohim Qana (Jealous God)- I did not allow for Him to shine through in my life as Jehovah Shammah (God of Righteousness). The awesome thing about God is that no matter how small a box we put Him inside it does not change who He is and what He can do.

To be able to play a musical instrument was always a dream of mine and as a teenager I got that opportunity through my church music department. I was well on my way to achieving my dream to play.  I attended music class at our church and my music teacher was the incomparable Rev. Dr Conrad Howell, at the time he was just Bro. Conrad, or Bro. C.  He is now deceased, and I pause to pay homage to him and his gift of music.  

I was learning the piano and I loved it, I worked hard at it and embraced every opportunity to become good at playing.  I did not have a keyboard at home to practice on, so I devised a plan, and it was working well for a while.  With permission I would go down to the church early enough before each weeknight service and practice on the church’s keyboard. Thankfully for me we had service from Monday to Friday (and practice or Dorcas Club on Saturdays) so that worked out very well for me.  During my private practice sessions sometimes, I would have an audience of one (Bishop James who was Pastor then). He would always encourage me, and he would call out hymns from the hymn book for me to try. One of his favourites was Hand in Hand with Jesus.  This went on for a while, I never told anyone, not even my family. Maybe they figured I was very enthusiastic about going to church, yes, I was but the motivation to get there so early was so that I could put in some practice time. 

I remember winning an award for my diligence in music and Mr. Howell thought I had great potential. Sadly, that came to a halt and I know that he was disappointed in my decision to quit, and so was I.  I made the decision to quit because I was angry and hurt and ashamed all due to the opinion and false accusation of one solitary individual who sought to discourage and kill my sincere efforts.  One fateful day my dad confronted me about a rumour he heard about me using disguise of church attendance and practise to meet up with boys. To say the least he was furious and unhappy and even though I kind of explained myself, my dad of course being who he was, his intention was to keep the peace and avoid any contention, my permission was revoked from the early trek to the church on weeknights and attend when the rest of my family attended to avoid any more discord or hearsay. My practice time was confined to the allotted practice time with the regular music class sessions.  My dad did not say I was not allowed to play or attend the classes anymore, even though that is what I heard at the time because I felt betrayed by the instigator. 

Your perspective will either enlighten you or it will cloud your judgment.  For a while I allowed my perspective to cheat me of fulfilling a call and embracing wonderful gifting.  If your perspective is fuelled by another person’s opinion or lack of insight, you will always miss out on some great advances and opportunities. When you change that functionality, you will then be able to operate with confidence at the fullest potential God has placed within you.  

Not pursuing the art of music is a regret I choose not to linger on, there is still an opportunity to take it up again, and I can report that I lift my crackling voice making a joyful noise to the Lord, and sometimes I do hit the right notes.

  Excerpt from – The Mind  of  Jesus by John MacDuff 1870

How far short we are of such a criterion — our mournful experience can testify. But it is at least comforting to know that there is a day coming, when, in the full vision and fruition of the Glorious Original, the exhortation of our motto-verse will be needed no more; when we shall be able to say, in the words of an inspired apostle — "We have the MIND OF CHRIST!"     

"Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus." (Phil 2:5) "I am meek and lowly in heart." — Matthew 11:29. In great minds, there is often a beautiful blending of majesty and humility, magnanimity and lowliness. The mightiest and holiest of all Beings that ever trod our world — was the meekest of all.    ww.gracegems.org/MacDuff/Mind_of_Jesus.htm

 Read: Philippians 2 NIV - Imitating Christ’s Humility - Bible Gateway

Prayer: Sovereign God, Faithful Father and Friend, thank you for Your forgiveness and love every day.  Help us to grow in You with the mind of Christ walking in obedience to Your word and spreading the light of Your salvation to all. In Jesus name Amen.

 Stay aware and be confident in yourself and your God given abilities and shine.

Love and Blessings

Mauricia

Letting Go

 Letting go has always been an issue for me no matter what that was.

Letting go somehow represented the end of things for me, it represented dismissal. I realised that letting go took away any control I may have over a situation surrounding my life and that did not sit well with me. 

I have held on to things not grudgingly but as validation that something happened, my way of acknowledging it happened particularly if I felt it was overlooked, dismissed, or disregarded as important.

I’ve held on to hurts and disappointments because it helped me to feel, I didn’t want to feel numb and invisible- those feelings reminded me that I was alive, because there were times when I wished I was not or that I never existed.  I have always felt things deeply, emotionally and at times it would seem as if I would be consumed by it so I would figure out how to rein it in and control it.

I have experienced grief in many different forms, and in each of those instances I’ve held onto it controlling it and not wanting to let go of it because I felt if I did I would forget, or that what I was grieving the experiences of  what I had lost would be gone forever.  I have grieved the loss of close friends, relatives and what may seem neurotic to you, parts of my life.  I have held on to it all because I did not want to lose the memories, the experiences I have had with those individuals or those life moments.

Realisations

•  I realise for a long time I was grieving the loss of my career life, even  though the decision to leave the secular work (9 to 5) was  a personal conscious and convicted decision, I was grieving the loss of what that entailed.  I loved the work I did, I loved knowing that each day what awaited me were challenges I took joy in figuring out, I loved problem shooting and problem solving, I loved sharing that knowledge with my colleagues and the daily interactions.
•   I realised that I was grieving the loss of my youth, I was excited when I turned 40yrs old, but then I began to reflect and wondered what the next half of my life would be like and I couldn’t see anything worthwhile so I tried to hold on to what I had already experienced.  Even though I’ve gotten beyond that point in my life and enjoying being 50 plus it was quite a journey getting here and learning many things about myself along the way and growing in such a way I could never imagined.  I would have never found and loved 50 plus me if I had not learned to let go and live.
• I realise that I was grieving the fact that I no longer had adolescent children, they were grown and independent and found that instead of cutting the apron strings, I was only extending them on each of my beautiful children.  Bless their hearts they have been patient with me and given me time to get to that place of gradually cutting those strings at my own pace.  I am enjoying a wonderful adult relationship with each of them.  Imagine what I would have been missing out on if I had not learned to let go.  I am still a work in progress.
• I realised that I have been grieving the loss of a few friendships, but eventually relinquished the idea of those friendships and held on to the season’s blessings they were in my life. Room was made for greater.
•   I realised that I was grieving the loss of my freedom, yep my freedom. This was a recent occurrence when I lost about 80% of the vision in one of my eyes including peripheral and I was dealing with an illness that practically took away all my independence.  I could not drive, and I had to limit my exposure to regular daily normal life interactions, and it frightened me. With some adjustments to create my new normal of functioning and navigating through it all I am regaining some independence. I realised that all was and is not lost.
•  I have lost some incredibly special people in my life, a few, some time ago and a few most recently and the reality of those losses carried such a weight that at times it just seems as if I would go under and stay under.  I tried to control my grieving process because I felt it, I could not bear the thought of living life without each of them.  I held on to my grief because I felt if I did, I was not ready to accept the reality of them really being gone. I Thought if I didn't hold on to the grief that I would forget them and I was not ready for that.  I tortured myself with what could have and what should have happened. 

The turning point for me really and strangely was the death of my dad.  Losing my dad was the worst thing I have ever experienced in my life and do not wish it on anyone, but such is life.  Losing dad was so indescribable, I realise I could not do it alone, it was surely beyond me and I needed help. I could not hold on to the grief or it would destroy me.  I found such a deliverance through this process of grieving for my dad.  A lot of hidden stuff began to surface that could not be ignored, I had to face them once and for all.  For the first time I reached out to some important people in my life, I opened a door that some of them had never been allowed to walk through,  I remember one of them saying to me – “it is time for you to let folks be there for you, the way you’ve always been there for them, let me be to you what you’ve been to me” they were saying lean on me, I am here for you.  I found a greater bond with some amazing sisters and sister-friends, even brother-friends.

I heard the words let it go again and this time I really listened, and I have been learning to let go.  I realise that in trying to control every aspect of my life, I was taking away my own freedom.

Learning to let go has also been a spiritual journey for me, it has allowed for me to experience the Grace of God in such a powerful lifechanging way. I have experienced a new level of surrendering and embracing what God’s purpose is for my life in the earth.  I realise that there is so much more He requires of me, so much more He has purposed for me and I just have to let go and let God do the work in and through me.  What a liberating feeling that is.  I am not there yet, but I am on an amazing path experiencing an amazing journey in Christ Jesus.  In letting go of my stuff, it allows me to be vulnerable and there is no shame in that. It is not a sign of weakness, but it shows my humanity.

I gained freedom in letting go and I found my identity, in letting go I am finding out more of my purpose, in letting go I am finding my deliverance,  in letting go I am finding God…

Grief is an emotion that will encompass our lives continuously, it will vary considering the circumstances but what matters is how we manage it. 

I have found several ways that helps me to give way to my varying grief scenarios.

1.     Writing/journaling I write what I feel sometimes, and I can share what I write and sometimes it is just for self-therapy.

2.     Singing and listening to music, songs that uplift and tells a story that I can identify with, songs that allows me to worship God while going through the process.

3.     Reading inspirational writings and better yet scriptures and meditating on it.  Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path Ps 119:11 has been so true and relevant to me recently.  When I am low in spirit a scripture comes to mind and I would read and meditate on it and it brings me comfort and clarity; I gives me directions and instructs me accordingly.

4.     Prayer, it is the key _ I have found prayer – talking with God - so vital in my process.  My prayer has become more and more intimate conversations with Him, and I know He is listening because I can feel his presence even when I have no audible words.  Because His Spirit is within me, He knows my heart and understand when I have no words to say (Rom. 8:14-16)

5.     Talking to someone sharing what I feel has helped.  This was a big one for me also, I am good at keeping things bottled up suppressing it until it reaches boiling point. But I have been learning to be open about a lot of things and letting go gives way to being completely honest and transparent with oneself and others.

6.    Tears – in allowing myself to cry it helps to release the pent-up pain, unresolved hurts, and disappointments, alleviates the sorrow that comes with the grief.  (this is still a work in progress for me though) because sometimes I feel once I start to cry the tears will not stop flowing, but they eventually do until another time.  The tears that I cry kind of brings relief and allows the joy to flow from my soul. It feels cleansing and refreshing and it seems to make the weight a little lighter.  I believe that the psychology of humanity affirms that tears is beneficial to a person’s emotional wellbeing and dealing with life’s traumatic experiences. I read recently that “crying is a natural response humans have to a range of emotions, including sadness, grief, joy and frustration; and that emotional tears contains a higher level of stress hormones than other types of tears.”  _{Online Article excerpt from Medical News Today}

But beyond the psychological aspect of it scripture records a time in David’s life when in despair he found comfort in knowing that God did not disregard his tears – Psalms 56:8 NLT You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in your bottle. You have recorded each one in your book. My tears are important to God, He understands every tear drop.    

Letting go to Life’s Seasons

When God created this earth He also designed the seasons, Spring a time of  birthing, newness, and planting; Summer, a time for growth and development while we enjoy what Spring has brought to us it also allows time for the seeds planted in the Spring to grow; Autumn/Fall, when the harvest comes what was planted has now come to maturity, and we reap the joys and fruits that Spring has promised, it also signifies the end of the crops with hopes to plant again so, the crops are harvested and everything changes and becomes lifeless until… Winter  comes and compacts the ground again (in some places snow and ice) which keeps the ground wet and nourished until the new season of Spring comes again and the cycle continues.  What am I saying? there are seasons in our lives and we have to learn to identify with each of  them; Spring lets go to Summer- Summer lets go to Autumn and Autumn lets go to Winter and so on to keep the cycle of life going.  It is the same in our lives, but we tend to want to hold on to what was because of fear, ignorance or whatever not realising we cannot enjoy what is next until we move away from what was.  God can breathe life into anything, any situation because He is life but there are some things He has to remove from our lives and remove us from so that His purpose can be fulfilled in and through us.  In some instance that was my realisation, that I was holding on to some dead stuff in my life which was keeping me from moving into my purpose. Not until I relinquished my hold on those things am I able to experience the fullness of His presence and will in my life.  Letting go is not an easy thing to do, it is a process, but you have to begin from some place and that is what I did.  I made a step, and you know what I am not alone, when I let go, I know that God has still got me.

So, where do I go from here, I keep moving forward, I keep trusting God, I keep leaning into Him because His love and grace sustains me, and I am not alone. I realise that when I let go, I experience the joy of being carried and hidden in God’s secret place, and I am content.

 

Prayer 

 Sovereign God, Faithful Father, thank You

Thou art my hiding place and my shield; I hope in thy word. Ps 119:114 Amen

 

Let it go my friends

Much love Mauricia

 

 

 

The Lifestye of set-apartness

In the societies of the world today, there is extraordinarily little regard for what the Word of God has to say about daily living.  It is all about self needs, self-love, do what makes you feel good, what gives you the edge as a trendy individual, and fitting into the mold of what everyone else is doing.  Keep reading there is something here for the Christian and the non-Christian.  I believe there is a word for you today.

The ideology of religion and Christianity has been confused and intertwined by the masses to confuse and hide the truth and of course this is foremost on Satan’s agenda to bring confusion into the minds of people and deter them from the truth-God. 

I will not attempt to use the fancy and sometimes confusing theological terminologies (I have nothing against that if it is your cup of tea) but there are times when a matter calls for just being plain and simple. 

Religion - the idea of a greater source or power, God beyond humankind, something which orders the greater scheme of things.  There are those that incorporate and dictate certain disciplines but lack the spiritual connection with the Sovereign God. There are also some religions that involve the worshipping and praying to various gods relative to creation, earth’s elements and in some cases a self or culture selection of a divine human being.  They also indicate that one is in control of one’s own destiny and that one is a god in and of oneself.

Christianity - the obvious difference is Christ the person, with the belief and conviction that He dwells in the hearts of men who accepts Him as their personal Saviour.  His earthly story begins when He came from heaven to earth, born as a baby to the virgin Mary.  The main purpose for coming to earth was to reconcile mankind back to God.  It does not end there but in Christianity there is a hope that we will have eternal life in heaven with God; should we remain on the path of righteousness until death or until He returns.  This brings me to the purpose of this writ the concept of living a life of purity.

I imagine that when Jesus delivered the Sermon  on the Mount/Beatitudes (Matt. 5:1-12, 13-14) it was a really bright and sunny day and having his disciples, along with the crowds that followed him, sitting on a grassy hillside Jesus paused  thinking; this is the perfect time to render a teaching on the moralities of life and Christian living. 

Purity – to be chase; to abstain from immoral sexual conduct,  modes; plain decency, innocent; void of guilt, not given to trickery in any dealings…Matthew 5: 8 states, “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God” simply put right? But for further clarification I love how my Thomas Nelson Woman’s Study Bible (a beautiful birthday gift from my family) puts it ‘a lifestyle of set-apartness, including thoughts and actions’.  This speaks to the lifestyle of a Christian“…, Holiness without which no man shall see the Lord.” The Sermon on the Mount is for everyone, but it speaks directly to the expectation of Christian living.  Having a religious perspective would move one to memorise and recite the beatitudes and maybe try to live by most of it, but as a Christian the perspective towards character building and transformation.   Carrying the label of Christianity states that one has accepted Jesus as Saviour with the assurance of the indwelling of God’s Holy Spirit in one’s life.  The Holy Spirit dwells within to give direction and strength and boldness to live this type of life out loud among family, friends, and colleagues alike. Living a life of purity is nothing that can be achieved alone with self-will and discipline but by The Spirit of God who lives within.  So, purity, what does that look like in the life of a Christian?

Purity - A lifestyle of set-apartness, including thoughts and actions -

Lifestyle indicates a day to day function that identifies the individual with a set of morals and character standing that sets you apart from a non-Christian, your convictions and ideas, your interactions with others.  Psalms 24:4:6NIV He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who has not lifted up his soul to falsehood and has not sworn deceitfully. He shall receive a blessing from the God of his salvation. This is the generation of those who seek Him, _ even Jacob.   David in one of his many rhetoric, of the wonder of Sovereign God and feeling his smallness and unworthiness before Him, asks and answers the question, vs 3&4 “who may ascend into the hill of the Lord? Who may stand in his holy place? When you come to the realisation of the sovereignty of God self-reliance is no longer part of your life’s equation. Self-introspection causes you to question, “who am I?, to think that I could control my destiny and live selfishly after my own worldly desires most of which goes against God’s plan and purpose for my life.  We live in a world that tells us:

1. it is okay to tell a lie if it is for a good reason, meaning if it will benefit the individual's personal agenda;
2. it is okay to see wrong-doing and not do or say anything about it, when it does not affect your personal well-being;
3. nobody is interested in your stand on what is right from wrong;
4. it is nobody's business that I am having an extramarital affair, we are both accountable adults;
5. it is okay to have a sexual relationship with my boyfriend/girlfriend we love each other / we are engaged (we are practically married);
6. we can't control  who we fall in love with, the heart wants what it wants no matter what including homosexual and adulterous relationships;
7. revenge is justifiable and sweet;
8. prey on the weak and despise the less fortunate.
9. It is okay to cheat as long as it does not hurt anyone as along as I come out on top.
10. I did not act on it, I just thought about it.

There are so much more that can be added to this list, but I dare to say that these are all lies from the pit of hell from the voice of the enemy of our souls, Satan. Satan is the father of lies and he will use every opportunity to infiltrate our hearts and our lives to turn us away from Father God.  Of ourselves we are no match against Satan, we cannot resist his evil intents but by the grace of God when we fail, we are brought to a place of forgiveness and wholeness through Jesus Christ.  Purity - A lifestyle of set-apartness, including thoughts and actions is a daily endeavour for a child of God.  Each day God gives us grace for what faces us to overcome the challenges of the day.  We should live our lives with the mind and desire to please God in all that we do, to receive His approval at the end of it all.  Nathan’s reprimand by the Spirit of God to David after his tryst with Bathsheba and the successful plot to kill her husband, was cutting and also healing.  David prayed a prayer that we as Christians should pray daily, we have a tendency to be caught up in self-righteousness, (thank you Sovereign Father for your grace and mercies).

“Create in me a pure heart, O God,

And renew a steadfast spirit within me.

Do not cast me away from Your presence

And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me.

Restore to me the joy of Your salvation

And sustain me with a willing spirit.

 Then I will teach transgressors Your ways,

And sinners will be converted to You.

Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God,

the God of my salvation;

then my tongue will joyfully sing of Your righteousness.”

Psalms 51:10-14

Surrendering of our wills, should be a part of our daily exercise in Christian living. God knows the mind and heart of mankind. Surrendering mind, body and spirit to the will of God; who wants only all that is good for his children. He knows our beginning and our end, so when He directs, you’d better believe He knows what He’s doing and yield in obedience.  David continued his prayer in Psalms 51:15-17 to say 

“Ó Lord, open my lips that my mouth may declare Your praise.  

For You delight in sacrifice, otherwise I would give it; 

You are not pleased alone with burnt offering. 

The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit;

 a broken and contrite (repentant) heart, 

O God, You will not despise.”

My fellow Christian Believers, it is possible to live a pure life without reproach in this world, because the Spirit of God dwells within us giving us all that we need for our individual journeys.

If you have been struggling in your walk with God or maybe you’ve  given up because it all seems impossible here is Christ’s personal response to you: “…My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.” And I hope that your response to Him would be, “Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” 2 Corinthians 12:9  When you are weak and find yourself no match for the enemy’s temptations in the form of peer pressure and influences, circumstances of life, then you will be strong because God’s grace is indeed sufficient.

Maybe, all of the above is why you have been putting off accepting Jesus as your saviour. Satan has be showing you what you will miss out on, and of course he will never show you the the benefits of trusting God. You are loved by God and it is not His will that you perish, He gave His only son to die for you so that you may live. That you would live a life full and free from guilt, and free of the weight of sin...why not give your life to Jesus. Let God take care of those vices that enemy tells you that you can't live without.  Let God lead your heart, so far you've made some really bad choices, but Sovereign God says to you today, "I AM the LORD who heals and delivers, I AM the Restorer, I can make all things new".  Why not give Him your heart today.  His love for you is unending and His mercies are new every morning_"It is of the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness." Lamentaions  3:22,23

Prayer: Sovereign God, I give you honour and glory because of who You are, thank You for the gift of your Son, Jesus Christ, and His shed blood for our sins.  Thank you for new mercies every day that brings us into fellowship with You every day of our lives.  Lord that we may live a surrendered life to You daily, being light to those that we encounter on our life’s journey and that by our life living, You would be glorified and mankind would come to know you personally in Jesus’ name. Amen

May the peace of God which passes all understand keep your hearts and mind through Christ Jesus.

 Love and Blessings

Mauricia