I thank God for second chances

Today's affirmation

For you, Lord, are good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy to all them that call on you. Psalm 85:5

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Good Morning! - Negative reflections

Good Morning! - Forgetting the Past

Grace and Mercy almost died

The 1993 Explorer a few days before the crash

Read: Job 1:6-12


And the Lord said to Satan, “Behold all that he has is in your power; only do not lay a hand on his person.” Job 1:12



I should be dead

I should be dead. The conditions were perfect for someone to die, but God intervened.

My mind’s eye often replays May 13, 1999. A sunny spring picturesque day until skies darken and the windows of heaven opened. Around 4:00 pm, a single cell thunderstorm burst through quickly dumping rain and high winds. Just as fast as the dark skies rolled in, so did a bright sunny day. The soaked roads and rush hour traffic made the conditions perfect for an accident.

While jockeying for space on the highway things changed from bad to worse. In my rear view mirror cars swiftly approached while the cars in front abruptly stopped. In the chaos, one clipped the left bumper of my 1993 Ford Explorer, propelling it into a 360 degree spin over four highway lanes.

It was a twister ride in slow motion but nothing was fun about it. I could see the faces in cars as I glided across each lane. My ride stopped when a van, in the HOV lane, T-boned me into the concrete median.



Grace and Mercy covered me

I should have been dead but it was the Lord that covered me – Grace and Mercy.

At the time of my accident I was going through a transitional period of seeking God and his wisdom. Satan knew it and did not want me to gain that knowledge. Once I realized how much God loved and protected me the life journey became more bearable.

God covers us

The first chapter of Job reminds me regardless how bad a situation may be God got me covered. No matter how much Satan dishes out God always has the final say.

I almost died that day. I never would have made it if God had not intervened. I often ponder what if May 13, 1999 was the day God said, “this day your soul shall be required.” My life as I known it would have ended. What would the world be like?

• Missed the birth of my son – October, 1999
• Preceded my mother in death – July, 2000
• Missed uncovering my purpose – July 2007
• Missed the launch of The Souls Remedy – April 2010
• Missed daughter graduating high school – May 2011
• Missed daughter realizing her purpose – December 2012
• Missed son perform with high school band - May 2013
• Missed song writing debut TheMusic Industry Camp – July 2013

The list can go on…

Count your blessings

I’m a firm believer that no matter how much Satan attempts to attack us God’s word still rings loud and clear. “Behold all that he has is in your power; only do not lay a hand on his person.” Once we realize this Satan cannot touch us. We control our destiny provided we stay in the Will of God.

Do you really count your blessings? Being grateful for the little things of life; rising each morning, ability to walk, talk, see, and ear? We know not the day or the hour when our creator will require our souls. Are you ready? Have you given your life to Christ? If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved Romans 10:9-13. And trust God at his word. It’s just that simple.



Prayer

Gracious Father, thank you for life. Thank you for the days given and the days before me. I apologize for taking them for granted because no day is promised. I will begin to praise and thank you for every blessing and day you have in store for me. Thank you for your Grace and Mercy. Amen.

Leave it behind in 2013

Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.  Philippians 3:13-14

But Lot’s wife looked back, and she became a pillar of salt.  Genesis 19:26

Leave it behind

Now is the time people reflect and assess how well 2013 was.  No matter your assessment – good or bad one thing for sure you are a live and have an opportunity to clean the slate, “turn the page” and leave it all behind in 2013. What can you leave behind in 2013?

Unfulfilled goals

Just because you did not LOOSE the desired WEIGHT, improve FINANCES, EXERCISE, get a new JOB, or eat HEALTHIER life still goes on.  Count your blessing and leave all unfulfilled goals behind and don’t look back. Where the mistake is made,  people tend to hang out in the past, waddling in their defeats, and disappointments.  They take on the spirit of Lot’s wife. 

God’s angels told Lot and his family to leave the wickedness of their past but one has to believe that there was something about the past that keep Lot’s wife looking back or standing and watching oppose to pressing toward the mark. The end result she was turned into a pillar of salt! As tempting as it may be let go of the past and follow God’s lead.

"Turning the page"

For the last sermon of 2013, Pastor Stafford Wicker used the aforementioned scripture from Philippians as a subject.  His message to the congregation was to “turn the page.”  His take away points were:

1. “Don’t be a slave to your past”
2. “Don’t let your past dictate your future”
3. “Keep your eye on your goal (God) and don’t turn back”
4. “Don’t be bitter get better”

In the book of Philippians Paul wrote  how faith can work in practical terms and during troubled times.  Paul had every right to be bitter, angry, and frustrated.  Because of his Crusade for Christ and letters to the first church, Paul was persecuted and placed under house arrest in the name of Jesus.  In his darkest hour he did not dwell on his current conditions. He forgot the past and reached forward to greater opportunities.  

Steps to a Happier New Year

The dawning of a new year – 2014 – is on the horizon.  Press toward the mark (God) by setting new goals and aspirations. Here are a few steps that can help make 2014 a Happier Year.

1. Leave the past in the past
2. Keep eyes focused on future – God
3. Surround yourself with positive and spirit filled people who encourage
4. Praise God always – during the good and bad times

Redirect your thoughts by focusing on the savior and not the past.  He will direct your path and lead you into a happier new year in 2014!

Prayer

Dear heavenly father,

I look around and see a beautiful world which you have given me. I thank you for seeing me through 2013 – the good, the bad, and misfortunes.  Despite it all your Grace and Mercy kept me.  Thank you for allowing me to see the dawning of a new year. May this year be prosperous – filled with good health, joy, blessing and your favor!  This I claim in your son Jesus Christ name. Amen. 

Keep holding on: God will sustain thee

Holding on

We glory in tribulations also knowing that tribulation work patience; and patience experience and experience hope. And hope makes us not ashamed because the love of God is shed aboard in our hearts by the Holy Ghost.  Romans 5:3-5


 Setbacks has inflected everyone, if it has not just keep living. Disappointments can range from work, illness, or financial dilemmas which can cause life altering hardships. 

Misfortunes can breed a spirit of withdrawal as well as excluding God from the problem. In an attempt to maroon God, stress builds up and runs rampant in a person’s life, often times consuming their strength and well-being which ultimately causes health issues. Yes, we all have struggles but through the mist of the storm we have to learn how to hold on to God’s hand and his word.

When you evaluate your life, the mind’s eye depicts failure. You have not reached the personal level of success desired. The life goals are way off the mark, thus making you feel like a failure. Your steps over the years became more arduous and existing seems to be futile. You may think the highway to ‘success’ has ended but one thing prevails, God is not dead. Christ’s unchanging love and intent for His children never changes, he wants us all to succeed! We have to follow the Master’s plan and cast our burdens upon God and he will sustain us Psalms 55:22

The most excellent way to end your battle is to get in line with God; it is never too late! Let pass adversities and doubt stay behind. Stop telling yourself you are too old or God has forsaken you. Part of your re-connection to God’s Life Line, keep holding on to the unseen faith. God is always waiting on His children to return, seek, praise, honor and adore Him! When you stop and absorb these words one has to realize that God is truly in your corner! Just keep holding on have faith daily! Your journey is not easy but Glory to God our Father will never leave us or forsake us through the tribulations. The Lord has brought up your soul from the grave, kept you alive so that you should not go down to the pit. Psalms 30 1-12


Let us pray: Our Father which is in heaven thank you for your mercy and grace and keeping us covered daily. Teach us to hold on to our faith and realize that you are with us through the joy and pain of our lives. We love you and may we glorify you in the name of Jesus. Amen

Tigner


http://thesoulsremedy.blogspot.com


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Tracks of Life



Photo: Tigner J.

Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it.  Proverbs 22:6

Train tracks can be seen as a metaphor of life. The locomotive has rails to guide and keep it on course, a conductor who navigates the heavy load through turns, storms, tunnels, over bridges, as well as the darkness of night. Though rare, it is not uncommon for a train or part of its load to derail causing major delays in reaching the destination. Despite the fact that there is a disruption, the tracks are still in place which gives opportunity to clean up and continue the journey.

The same is applicable in the training of our children or young impressionable minds. If we guide and teach them in the way they should go based on a good foundation of life, God, Biblical and moral principles they will not stray far from it. The bible is the tool which is needed to develop and lay the tracks for life in which they should pass through. Sure some will stray off course however God, the conductor can pick up, dust off and place them back on the right track pointed in the precise direction.

This picture reminds me of how the Tracks of Life is a journey which can be a long and lonely expedition. However, preparation and training from Sunday School teachers, parents, educators and adults all can assist in molding and shaping lives so they cannot depart far from God’s foundation.

You may feel that your training is in vain don’t give up and don’t let go. Just as the Little Engine who thought he could so can you! It took time for the Little Engine to build up speed for pulling the heavy load so like wise don’t stop teaching. Seize every moment to develop your children so they to can stay the course of life. Stay in encouraged, keep them covered with your prayers and in time, God the Father will not allow them to stray far from the truth!

Tigner J.

For more posts check http://thesoulsremedy.blogspot.com/