But I don’t feel like doing it…

 I promised God that I would give Him my best this year. I woke up this morning feeling weary, I didn't feel like running; I didn't feel like eating right. I didn't feel motivated to do the very things that I promised to do. Then I heard “Michelle, remember why you started”. I soon realized that I was letting my emotions control me. I had to make a choice between doing what is convenient to me or doing what is right. I had to remind myself that it’s not about what I feel but rather who I am.

If I claim to be the precious daughter of the Most High God, I ought to behave like one of His. This means killing my flesh and living from His spirit daily. Sometimes, I find it difficult to stay on track. Many times I felt like giving up. I have to be honest; the Christian life is not easy. I think becoming a Christian is easy but it’s very challenging to remain one. You would tell me: But God doesn't expect me to be perfect. Yes! You’re right! God doesn't expect me to be perfect but He expects me to do my best because He has given me everything that I need.

I have Jesus, I have Jesus!! Yet, I feel weary… But why? Because I LOST FOCUS.  Whenever I focus on me, I am discontent, weary, jealous, selfish, unproductive…you name it. But when I shift my focus back onto Jesus, I find joy in whatever circumstance. He is the author and the finisher of my faith. He has begun a good work in me and He wants to finish it.  I need to corporate with him in order for him to do what he wants to do in and through me. God would never force His son on me. He gave me the option to choose between life and death. It’s either I dwell in my misery or I live victoriously from Jesus’ point of view.

I can’t control what life drops in but I can control my emotions. I can either let my emotions be the cause of my unfaithfulness to God or I can own my emotions and remain faithful to God.

 I thank God for His amazing grace. I thank God for giving me the power of choice and I decide to guard my heart from the issues of life. It’s not about striving for perfection but being comfortable in the person God made me to be. I am grateful that God is teaching me how to own my soul, just like David.

“Why, my soul, are you downcast?

Why so disturbed within me?

Put your hope in God,

For I will yet praise him,

My savior and my God” (Psalm 42:11)

David knew what it was to feel depressed, despondent and dejected but he decided to own his soul. David frankly admitted that he was downcast but he decided to share his experience with God. By pouring his heart to God, he not only put his whole trust in God but he affirmed his faith. This is what God wants me to do. Whenever I feel despondent or dejected I must declare my faith in Him and express it. Once I express it, I need to be still and know He would do what only He can do. Faith has to be exercised. Faith is not just a mental conception, but it is reaching out and trusting God to do what He waits, wants and promises to do for us

If you are reading this, I want to encourage you to keep your focus on Jesus. I guarantee you that you will be led towards all that’s good for your lives. If you have going through a rough day, I pray that God helps you to live in the reality of His truth.

Let’s make a whole hearted commitment to follow Jesus this year!! And remember, to follow someone successfully, you need to keep your eyes on where their heading!!

From the Holy Spirit...

During my quiet time with God this morning, I felt led by the Holy Spirit to write this post that I would like to share with you. The format might be different but I pray and hope that the content would stir a faith of gold in you that would transform your life and therefore would push you to maximize your potential as an individual made in God’s perfect image.

 ^“If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. ⁸ This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.” (John 15:7-8)

From the Holy Spirit to me:

It is my Father's will that I bear fruit because He wants to prove through me that I am a disciple of His son Jesus Christ. 

“Father, the hour has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you.² For you granted him authority over all people that he might give eternal life to all those you have given him. ³ Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. ⁴ I have brought you glory on earth by finishing the work you gave me to do. ⁵ And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began.”

 From the Holy Spirit to me:

God purposefully sent me on earth at this time so that I may believe in His work through His Son Jesus Christ in me. God has entrusted Jesus Christ with me so that He may complete the assignment through me and be glorified.

**The secret is: to remain connected to Jesus in order to be in alignment with God. 

What it means to me: I need to remain in Jesus and his word needs to remain in me so that if I ask whatever I wish, it will be done for me. I need to understand that in order to be eligible for God’s Kingdom, I have to allow God’s grace to free me and mold me into Jesus’ image. 

Now in John 15:9 Jesus says

"As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love."

To remain in Jesus’ love is to understand the importance of God’s grace. Jesus loved me enough to lay down his life for me, when I didn't deserve it. He loved me when I ignored him. He loved me FIRST! 
So no matter what I go through in life, I have to humbly recognize that God's constant love, through His Son, is enough for me to endure any challenge. God sees me in the image of His Son Jesus, who has overcome the world. So, if I see life the way Jesus sees life, I will always overcome.  But when I refuse to look at life from Jesus’ perspective I allow pride to settle in and I automatically invite the enemy to get me worried and troubled.

In John16:33, Jesus goes on and says:

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

I don't have to carry burdens on my own because God's grace has already carried all the weight away. All I have to do is to rest in Jesus because once I am truly connected to Him; I have direct access to the Kingdom of God by grace. 

I love how Steven Furtick puts it:” The secret of sustainable success is not your ability to maintain love for Jesus but your willingness to remain in His love for you. He is the constant vine. God is the constant gardener. I am just the branch.”

It's for the Father's glory that I bear everlasting fruit through His son.