I Expect The New Now

DDC Readers,

We are weeks away from 2019 and I am still trying to get into 2018. I know that's bad, but I still feel like Daddy has something that He needs to do in 2018. With everything going on in the world, I really feel like He is waiting for someone to expect something from Him without waiting for the new year to arrive. I am that someone. In a message that I ministered at my church, I told the people that we get so caught up in waiting for the words "Happy New Year", that we missed the newness that Daddy is doing in our present. I love how he put it in Isaiah 43:18-19 (I am paraphrasing) He says. "forget all that I have done because I am doing a new thing"... Then He asked the question, "Don't you see it"? So let me go back, to give you the background of what is going on before we get to verses 18 and 19. So, in verses, 1-17 Daddy is telling the children or Israel what He has done for them, what they have done to Him, and the consequences of their actions. In other words, He is listing the history of their relationship with each other. By verse 18, He tells them to not dwell on the past because, in verse 19,  He is about to show them something new. From verse 19 until the end of the chapter He speaks of the new things that He is going to do and how they should be in a place of expecting, preparing, and experiencing the new now.

That's where I am when I say I am trying to get into 2018. I want to leave the first part of 2018 behind and enjoy the new that Daddy is doing now. I want to be in a place where I am not stuck on what He did that I miss what He is doing. But, can I be honest that's where a lot of us are. We love the fact that we have a track record with Daddy, but we forget that He is just like the energizer bunny... "He keeps going and going".  I know you are wondering... What's the moral of this blog? Well, good Question... The Moral of this blog is this: Dwelling on what He did will place us in three positions: 1) The looking back position. Looking back causes paralyzation. Genesis 19:26 we see that Lot's wife turn into a pillar of salt when she looked back. Which resulted in her being paralyzed in that position for life. 2) The Reminder position. This position tells us to remember what GOD has done but never expecting Him to do anything else. That's why in Isiaih 43:19 He says, "Do you not see it"? which brings me to the last position 3) The blind position. There are times where we can be so blinded by the new that we can't see the now. When it comes to this position I am reminded of Sarah and Abraham.  How when Sarah got the word that they would be pregnant and it did not happen when she wanted it too, she took matters into her own hands and created something new.  But, she missed the opportunity to trust Daddy and  His timing. Had Sarah not been so blinded by timing then she would have enjoyed the process of the new.

Prayer:  Daddy, thank you that you allow us the opportunity to enjoy the new things that you are doing in our lives. We pray that you will help us to never look back on your past track record with us that we aren't able to move forward in what you doing through, too, and for us. We pray that you will help us to remember that you do something new daily and we can't get stuck on yesterday's new in our now. We pray that you will help us to wait and enjoy the process of the now, that we don't become blinded by the new things we are expected from you later. In JESUS Name...AMEN!!


P.S.  I flunked #bloglikecrazy2018. Between motivation and schedule, it was not going to work. But guess what? It taught me that I need to pass myself and maybe even start my blogs in October and have them ready in November... I don't know but it was fun while it lasted. Maybe next year!

The Friction of Wind

So today while at prayer Daddy revealed to me the purpose of wind. No it's not just to circulate the pollen in the air or keep us cool. The wind at its greatest speed will cause a great friction to occur that will cause things that were hidden or unknown to be revealed. Don't believe me? Let me give you scripture to back it up. Mark4:38-41
³⁸ Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?”
³⁹ He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.
⁴⁰ He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?”
⁴¹ They were terrified and asked each other, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!”

Now I know you are saying what did the wind reveal in these verses? Well something great actually. Let's examine each verse to see how the wind revealed some great things starting with 38. In verse 38 we see two things that were revealed. The comfort, peace, and calmness of Jesus and the doubt of the disciples. Verse 39 we see the authority of Christ and the obedience of the wind. Verse 40 reveals the hearts of the disciples, their lack of faith, and dare I say it religious mindset. Ok let me pause because someone might get offended. But let me say this. These men had seen Jesus heal the sick, raise the dead, feed 5,000 with 2 fish and 5 loaves of bread with leftovers, and never went without anything. Yet they did not feel that Jesus the one that did all of this, could not save them from the strength of a might wind? This is the mindset of some believers (me included) if it's a great thing Daddy can do it but he does not specialize in the minor. WRONG!!! He specializes in all things concerning his children whether it is corporately or individually. Minor or Major. Religion in the sense I am talking about, is doing the action without the relationship. Or in disciples case seeing the work and going through the motions of following without realizing the work, works for them. I  know that sounds  heavy (in the words of my sister) so let me break this down in simple terms. That's like getting saved but not realizing it comes with benefits for the here and now. That's like having bluetooth capabilities and still holding the phone because you are not use to the accessibility that the bluetooth gives you. I hope you get it. So in summary, the disciples had access to Jesus and knew with him that miracle, signs, and wonders would happen but they forgot that it applied to them as well.... That's religion.... Ok, lets examine the last and final verse...Verse 41, which revealed three things... 1. That the disciples had allow the spirit of fear to consume them so much that even after Jesus gave them peace, they were still doubtful. 2. The disciples realized the authority of Jesus. 3. (Last, but not least) The disciples hearts had fail to realize who they were truly connected to. Isn't that crazy that after all that Jesus had done in these verses they were still left with questions. But that's like us, right. We ask Daddy to do something, give us a sign, or answer a prayer... He does it and we are still left questioning things about him. But I am here to tell you that the friction of the wind also creates space and opportunity for something new. Even thought verse 41 ends with a questions it also create the moment of growth that lead to so many great historical and biblical events. Events that gave us access to Daddy. So the questions now come: Are you ready for the friction of the wind in your life? Are you ready to see the heart that the wind will reveal when it comes to your relationship with Daddy? I know I am ready for the wind...it maybe painful, but it will at least create the opportunity and moment for me to passionately pursue JESUS and draw closer to Daddy.

Prayer: Daddy thank you, that though the winds in our lives may seem strong and unmanageable, we can call on the name JESUS and find peace, rest, and calmness. We thank you that it's at the name of JESUS that the winds must obey. We thank you, that we will never doubt or have little faith in the things of you Daddy.  Draw us closer to you through the winds of your glory, your peace, your grace and mercy. In Jesus Name, AMEN!

The Gift

Dear Future Husband:

There are times that I look at you and I  can't believe you are mines and I'm yours.  Your ability to make me feel valuable in the most valueless times gives me life.  There is nothing that I  can dream that you don't support.  Nothing I do that you don't prepare to be at.  Thank you for making your schedule flexible for me. The honor to wake in your presence daily reminds me of the Yes and Amen of God for my life.

In Awe of You,

Your Wife

Proud

Dear Future Husband:

You know the saying behind every great man is a great woman? I don't believe that. I believe that beside every great man is a woman willing to help him with life's challenges, protect him when he is frustrated, speak life to him when he is feeling useless, and be what he needs when he feels the world is against him. I believe together they become great and their marriage blooms into a beautiful example of love. Now society thinks that this a myth, especially in the black community, but I think we can prove them wrong and make it a fact.

Fist up, fro high,

Your Queen