We have become experts at presenting ourselves to the world in a way that's flattering. We either show people around us our 'good side' only or we display falseness that we believe will cause them to accept us and love us. Truthfully, this image is void of the reality of who we really are and this great deception creates a series of reactions from others that are all built on a lie.
While it is good for us to express our wonderful characteristics and finer qualities, I think it would serve better if we would just be ourselves a bit more. Personally, I've found it too laborious 'puttin on aires' for others. We need to get over the fact that no matter what we do, try as we may, we will NEVER win the approval of EVERYONE!
David declared in Psalms 139:14, " I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful, I know that full well."
The amazing thing is that we are all incomplete as we strive to be who we want to be. We all have inabilities, inconsistencies, failures, and flaws. But, we have been wonderfully made by God who loves and accepts us just as we are; broken, wounded, and ragged. Despite are real selves, ALL of His works are wonderful... including you!
So as you live your life before others, don't forget to fill in the gaps so they see the full picture of who you are. I have a feeling they will like what they see!
Be Blessed!
Monday, February 20, 2012
Friday, February 17, 2012
Blog Update!
Hello friends,
Thank you for checking out the relaunch of my blog.
As you have seen over the past few weeks, my relauch was kicked off with daily blogs to get the word out about this ministry medium and to give you a foretaste of what you can expect.
I would like to inform you that now that the relaunch has successfully met its debut, beginning on Monday, February 20th, I will be blogging messages weekly rather than daily. Please don't miss the short messages that I know God will inspire me to prepare just for you! A word in season for what you need; a word that I know will be life altering and devil defeating!
Thank you again for your support of this ministry. You can help us spread the word by telling your friends and by clicking on the fb share icon each time you log in to load the link onto your fb page.
My wife and I are praying for each of you!
Be Blessed!
Pastor Franklyn
Thank you for checking out the relaunch of my blog.
As you have seen over the past few weeks, my relauch was kicked off with daily blogs to get the word out about this ministry medium and to give you a foretaste of what you can expect.
I would like to inform you that now that the relaunch has successfully met its debut, beginning on Monday, February 20th, I will be blogging messages weekly rather than daily. Please don't miss the short messages that I know God will inspire me to prepare just for you! A word in season for what you need; a word that I know will be life altering and devil defeating!
Thank you again for your support of this ministry. You can help us spread the word by telling your friends and by clicking on the fb share icon each time you log in to load the link onto your fb page.
My wife and I are praying for each of you!
Be Blessed!
Pastor Franklyn
Friday, February 10, 2012
Friendly Friday: Make a Friend
Here we are at the end of another work week.
I'm sure most of you all have already made plans for how you want to spend the weekend. Unfortunately, not everyone has friends who they can hang out with. Some of you reading this may be such ones!
We all know that good friends are hard to find. Most of the time we end up with 'fair weather friends', those who are only there in the good times.
I believe that your best friends are out there waiting for the encounter with you. How does that happen? Through God's divine connection. However, you must put yourselves in a position of opportunity by going out of your way to become friendly. There will be a weeding out process but in time the right friend will surface.
As you go about your weekend, try saying hello to someone you don't know or starting a conversation with a stranger (using wisdom and caution of course). You never know, you may find your best friend before Monday!
"A man who has friends must himself be friendly" - Proverbs 18:24
You will only have friends if you make yourself friendly. Have a Friendly Friday!
I'm sure most of you all have already made plans for how you want to spend the weekend. Unfortunately, not everyone has friends who they can hang out with. Some of you reading this may be such ones!
We all know that good friends are hard to find. Most of the time we end up with 'fair weather friends', those who are only there in the good times.
I believe that your best friends are out there waiting for the encounter with you. How does that happen? Through God's divine connection. However, you must put yourselves in a position of opportunity by going out of your way to become friendly. There will be a weeding out process but in time the right friend will surface.
As you go about your weekend, try saying hello to someone you don't know or starting a conversation with a stranger (using wisdom and caution of course). You never know, you may find your best friend before Monday!
"A man who has friends must himself be friendly" - Proverbs 18:24
You will only have friends if you make yourself friendly. Have a Friendly Friday!
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Wacky Wednesday: Do Something Crazy!
Thank you for checking out today's message themed Wacky Wednesday.
The word wacky means, crazy; unusual. I like this because I believe that today is the day you step out of the box and dare to do something you've never done before! Today is the day you dare to be different. Yes, right in the middle of the week is where you push past normal and step into supernatural.
In the book of 2 Samuel there was a man by the name of Benaiah who was put in charge of David's bodyguards. The reason... this guy was crazy! He single handedly took down two of his enemy's best men, crawled down into a pit on a snowy day and killed a lion, then killed an Egyptian who was about twice his size, with his own spear!
God loves people that are crazy enough to do the impossible. If you know that He is with you, why not step out in boldness and watch God go to work on your behalf?
Romans 8:31 asks this question, "...If God is for us, who can be against us?" There is no enemy that can defeat you if you go in Jesus' name. Go for it my friend!
"...they that know their God shall be strong and do great exploits." - Daniel 11:32
Have a Wacky Wednesday!
The word wacky means, crazy; unusual. I like this because I believe that today is the day you step out of the box and dare to do something you've never done before! Today is the day you dare to be different. Yes, right in the middle of the week is where you push past normal and step into supernatural.
In the book of 2 Samuel there was a man by the name of Benaiah who was put in charge of David's bodyguards. The reason... this guy was crazy! He single handedly took down two of his enemy's best men, crawled down into a pit on a snowy day and killed a lion, then killed an Egyptian who was about twice his size, with his own spear!
God loves people that are crazy enough to do the impossible. If you know that He is with you, why not step out in boldness and watch God go to work on your behalf?
Romans 8:31 asks this question, "...If God is for us, who can be against us?" There is no enemy that can defeat you if you go in Jesus' name. Go for it my friend!
"...they that know their God shall be strong and do great exploits." - Daniel 11:32
Have a Wacky Wednesday!
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
Tactical Tuesday: Outsmart Your Enemy
Today's theme is Tactical Tuesday because today we don't fight hard... we fight smart.
I don't know about you but I'm tired of becoming weary from fighting battles the hard way. There are ways we can outsmart our adversary, the devil, without exhausting ourselves.
Ephesians 6:10-11 says, 10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.
Never leave home without your armor! Put on salvation which is your helmit to protect your mind from ungodly thoughts. Put on righteousness which is your breastplate to protect your heart from devising evil. Put on truth which is your belt because Jesus is truth and truth makes you free. Put on a readiness to witness the gospel which are you shoes to take you where you need to go. Take faith with you for this is your shield to protect you from whatever the enemy shoots at you, and finally, take the Word of God as your sword to thrust into your enemy's heart!
Satan and his band of cohorts are limited in their power. They cannot read your mind nor can they appear in more than one place at a time. Only God possess those abilities! That levels the playing field already. They can, however, hear the words you speak so speak words of power to defeat them! Proverbs 18:21 declares that your tongue holds the power of life and death so you get to chose which one you will speak into existance! You speak life by simply saying what God says - speak His word over yourself, and by doing so you not only come into agreement with Him, but you release those words into the atmosphere like bullets leaving a gun! This is how we fight smart.
So don't try to fist fight the devil today...outsmart and defeat him by getting to him before he gets to you!
Have a Tactical Tuesday!
I don't know about you but I'm tired of becoming weary from fighting battles the hard way. There are ways we can outsmart our adversary, the devil, without exhausting ourselves.
Ephesians 6:10-11 says, 10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.
Never leave home without your armor! Put on salvation which is your helmit to protect your mind from ungodly thoughts. Put on righteousness which is your breastplate to protect your heart from devising evil. Put on truth which is your belt because Jesus is truth and truth makes you free. Put on a readiness to witness the gospel which are you shoes to take you where you need to go. Take faith with you for this is your shield to protect you from whatever the enemy shoots at you, and finally, take the Word of God as your sword to thrust into your enemy's heart!
Satan and his band of cohorts are limited in their power. They cannot read your mind nor can they appear in more than one place at a time. Only God possess those abilities! That levels the playing field already. They can, however, hear the words you speak so speak words of power to defeat them! Proverbs 18:21 declares that your tongue holds the power of life and death so you get to chose which one you will speak into existance! You speak life by simply saying what God says - speak His word over yourself, and by doing so you not only come into agreement with Him, but you release those words into the atmosphere like bullets leaving a gun! This is how we fight smart.
So don't try to fist fight the devil today...outsmart and defeat him by getting to him before he gets to you!
Have a Tactical Tuesday!
Monday, February 6, 2012
Motivational Monday: You Can Make It!
Welcome to the beginning of another blog week.
I'm calling today Motivational Monday as I believe most of you may need just a little push to help you start your engines this week.
Let me begin by declaring that if there has ever been a day that you have victory in your life, it's today! I believe in you but just know that God believe's in you even more! I admonish you not tolet the burdens of life deceive you into thinking that you won't make it or that you can't do it (whatver it is). Sometimes God allows you the displeasure of having to walk through the hard things rather than removing them from your pathway, but only because of His great desire to show Himself strong. Your problems are not signs of God's absence, they are opportunities to prove His faithfulness, grace, and love.
So go ahead and walk through whatever may be in front of you by declaring as David did in the twenty third Psalm, "Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me..."
There was nothing profound about today's message but in it's simplicity I know you have renewed hope.
I leave you with this scripture...
"Show me your ways, O LORD, teach me your paths; guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long. Remember, O LORD, your great mercy and love, for they are from of old. Remember not the sins of my youth and my rebellious ways; according to your love remember me, for you are good, O LORD."
Psalm 25:4-7
I'm calling today Motivational Monday as I believe most of you may need just a little push to help you start your engines this week.
Let me begin by declaring that if there has ever been a day that you have victory in your life, it's today! I believe in you but just know that God believe's in you even more! I admonish you not tolet the burdens of life deceive you into thinking that you won't make it or that you can't do it (whatver it is). Sometimes God allows you the displeasure of having to walk through the hard things rather than removing them from your pathway, but only because of His great desire to show Himself strong. Your problems are not signs of God's absence, they are opportunities to prove His faithfulness, grace, and love.
So go ahead and walk through whatever may be in front of you by declaring as David did in the twenty third Psalm, "Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me..."
There was nothing profound about today's message but in it's simplicity I know you have renewed hope.
I leave you with this scripture...
"Show me your ways, O LORD, teach me your paths; guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long. Remember, O LORD, your great mercy and love, for they are from of old. Remember not the sins of my youth and my rebellious ways; according to your love remember me, for you are good, O LORD."
Psalm 25:4-7
Friday, February 3, 2012
Fearless Friday: Strength & Courage
Today is Friday, the day most of you have waited for all week. It marks the unofficial begnning of your weekend, and whether you are a weekend worrior of all things household or you are a part of the weekend work force, Friday is usually the day you mark your week by. Certain things must happen by Friday. Specific amounts of money are usually needed by Friday. We often hear, "I can't wait 'til Friday because..." Most of the important things are earmarked for a Friday; things like rent that needs to be paid or someone we must see, or maybe just much needed rest after an exhausting week.
Regardless of the problems you face, you must neutralize your nerves and apprehend your anxieties. Take on strength and courage to face your end-of-week situation.
God spoke to Joshua when he about to replace Moses as the leader of nearly one million people. He said these words...
"Haven't I commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified, do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go." - Joshua 1:9
I don't know what your Friday dilema may be today. It could be a rent, mortgage, or child support payment you have to come up with by end of day, or it could be a major problem you have to solve before nightfall. Whatever it is... be strong and courageous! Ask God to guide you through it, to help you find a solution, to make available every resourse you need. Then leave it alone! Remind yourself that it's not by YOUR might or power but only by HIS spirit!
So face your Friday with your head high and your shoulders square. Fear not...for this is Fearless Friday, and God is at work on your behalf!
Regardless of the problems you face, you must neutralize your nerves and apprehend your anxieties. Take on strength and courage to face your end-of-week situation.
God spoke to Joshua when he about to replace Moses as the leader of nearly one million people. He said these words...
"Haven't I commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified, do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go." - Joshua 1:9
I don't know what your Friday dilema may be today. It could be a rent, mortgage, or child support payment you have to come up with by end of day, or it could be a major problem you have to solve before nightfall. Whatever it is... be strong and courageous! Ask God to guide you through it, to help you find a solution, to make available every resourse you need. Then leave it alone! Remind yourself that it's not by YOUR might or power but only by HIS spirit!
So face your Friday with your head high and your shoulders square. Fear not...for this is Fearless Friday, and God is at work on your behalf!
Thursday, February 2, 2012
Thinking Thursday: Identity Theft
I know you've already concluded by my title that today is Thinking Thursday. Bravo!
Today I want to challenge you to consider something you may not have thought about before. I'm willing to bet (metaphorically of course) that my title 'Identity Theft' is sparking your curiosity just a bit. It does not, however hold the conventional meaning in this dissertation.
I want to grab your attention to talk about something that is prevelent throughout our world today. We see it in every genre of society; in every sect; in every corner, and in all people. Identity theft!
Let me qualify this misnomer...
Everywhere you turn throughout our world today you will find everyday, unassuming people, walking around with someone else's identity! that's right! Even you might be one of the latest culprits of this alluring and easy to hide wrongdoing. I'm not talking about stolen credit cards and drivers' licenses, this is a greater evil with further reaching effects. To put it simply, we have all been guilty of wanting to be like someone else to the point of taking on their characteristics and personality, leaving our true selves on a shelf somewhere, collecting dust.
'What is the great offense?' you ask - Well, we rob this world of who God has created us to be, doing a dis-service to those who need us for who we really are. This my friend, is a grave injustice.
YOU are a gift from God to others! I know you've heard it many times before that there is no one else like you, with your fingerprint blah, blah blah...but it's true! Your are unique! You may think being yourself doesn't accomplish much but Suzy Sunshine has it all together so why not be like her. No! Do you not know that the very ones you imitate are most likely trying to imitate you!
In short, don't try to be someone that you were never meant to be. This is not only false advertising but you are burdening yourself with the unnecessary stress of going totally against what should be natural for you.
Consider this Psalm of David - "For you created my inmost being, you knit me together in my mother's womb, I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made...my frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be." - Ps 139:13-16 (NIV)
Now don't you think if God spent that much time, thought, and effort creating someone as wonderful as you, that something really special happened and someone really awesome was born? please don't insult Him by refusing His gift. Determine to be the greatest YOU you possibly can.
Just be yourself...the world is waiting!!
Today I want to challenge you to consider something you may not have thought about before. I'm willing to bet (metaphorically of course) that my title 'Identity Theft' is sparking your curiosity just a bit. It does not, however hold the conventional meaning in this dissertation.
I want to grab your attention to talk about something that is prevelent throughout our world today. We see it in every genre of society; in every sect; in every corner, and in all people. Identity theft!
Let me qualify this misnomer...
Everywhere you turn throughout our world today you will find everyday, unassuming people, walking around with someone else's identity! that's right! Even you might be one of the latest culprits of this alluring and easy to hide wrongdoing. I'm not talking about stolen credit cards and drivers' licenses, this is a greater evil with further reaching effects. To put it simply, we have all been guilty of wanting to be like someone else to the point of taking on their characteristics and personality, leaving our true selves on a shelf somewhere, collecting dust.
'What is the great offense?' you ask - Well, we rob this world of who God has created us to be, doing a dis-service to those who need us for who we really are. This my friend, is a grave injustice.
YOU are a gift from God to others! I know you've heard it many times before that there is no one else like you, with your fingerprint blah, blah blah...but it's true! Your are unique! You may think being yourself doesn't accomplish much but Suzy Sunshine has it all together so why not be like her. No! Do you not know that the very ones you imitate are most likely trying to imitate you!
In short, don't try to be someone that you were never meant to be. This is not only false advertising but you are burdening yourself with the unnecessary stress of going totally against what should be natural for you.
Consider this Psalm of David - "For you created my inmost being, you knit me together in my mother's womb, I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made...my frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be." - Ps 139:13-16 (NIV)
Now don't you think if God spent that much time, thought, and effort creating someone as wonderful as you, that something really special happened and someone really awesome was born? please don't insult Him by refusing His gift. Determine to be the greatest YOU you possibly can.
Just be yourself...the world is waiting!!
Winning Wednesday: Wooden Bowls
There is a story about a frail old man who lived with his son, daughter-in-law, and four-year-old grandson.
The family would eat together nightly but the elderly grandfather's shaky hands and failing sight made it difficult to eat without spilling food and milk onto the floor and dropping his spoon, creating a great mess.
The son and daughter-in-law soon became very irritated at the mess each night. The son said, "we have got to do something about grandfather". The daughter-in-law agreed, "I'm tired of his milk spilling and noisy eating." So the couple set a table over in the corner so grandfather could eat alone, away from them. They had given him a wooden bowl to eat from so he wouldn't break any more plates. Each night as they would glance over at him they would notice tears falling from his face into the wooden bowl as he ate alone.
One day the father observed their four year old sitting on the floor playing with wooden scraps. He asked him curiously, "what are you making son?" The boy replied, "I'm making wooden bowls for when you and mommy get old."
Jesus gives us instructions on how we should treat others. Luke 6:31 says, "Do to others as you would have them do to you." (NIV)
What wooden bowls have you given to others? How would you feel if someone gave one to you?Today is Winning Wednesday and this little reminder of a simple truth will do well to help us win today!
Remember...every action yields a reward or a repercussion. Wouldn't you like to see kindness and mercy extended to you as a result of you giving it to others? What a lonely and unfulfilled life we would live if we did nothing for others and lived to please ourselves.
"And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works." - Heb 10:24 (ESV)
Go on winning friends!
The family would eat together nightly but the elderly grandfather's shaky hands and failing sight made it difficult to eat without spilling food and milk onto the floor and dropping his spoon, creating a great mess.
The son and daughter-in-law soon became very irritated at the mess each night. The son said, "we have got to do something about grandfather". The daughter-in-law agreed, "I'm tired of his milk spilling and noisy eating." So the couple set a table over in the corner so grandfather could eat alone, away from them. They had given him a wooden bowl to eat from so he wouldn't break any more plates. Each night as they would glance over at him they would notice tears falling from his face into the wooden bowl as he ate alone.
One day the father observed their four year old sitting on the floor playing with wooden scraps. He asked him curiously, "what are you making son?" The boy replied, "I'm making wooden bowls for when you and mommy get old."
Jesus gives us instructions on how we should treat others. Luke 6:31 says, "Do to others as you would have them do to you." (NIV)
What wooden bowls have you given to others? How would you feel if someone gave one to you?Today is Winning Wednesday and this little reminder of a simple truth will do well to help us win today!
Remember...every action yields a reward or a repercussion. Wouldn't you like to see kindness and mercy extended to you as a result of you giving it to others? What a lonely and unfulfilled life we would live if we did nothing for others and lived to please ourselves.
"And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works." - Heb 10:24 (ESV)
Go on winning friends!
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