2013 Daniel Fast: Day 2

The Fast 
Yesterday, my church started our 2nd Daniel's Fast. Unfortunately, I have been under the weather for the last few days so I haven't really been cooking.Yesterday, I had a fatoussh salad. It was so good. It's just Romain lettuce and tabbouleh  Today, I was really wasn't feeling all that well. I didn't get up to eat till about 2pm. However, I had sala and chip (tortilla), broccoli and rice, and a wrap (chicken, spinach, and salsa on whole wheat tortilla). My children has already murdered all of the fruit I bought for the fast so I have to actually go shopping again.

Prayer Time - Focus

Today I was just really thank God for all that He has done for me. I didn't ask for anything! I just wanted to say thank you. Life has drastically changed for me since 2011. Where as I was at time unsure of God's undying love for me. Today, I am not only sure of it, but wallowing in it. So I just spent time saying thank you. Things are not idealistic for my family and I; however, I am beyond grateful for the transition that we are in. I know God loves us, and all things are working out for our good even when its seems like its not.

Engaging my Faith

Sunday Morning, as I was getting dressed, I heard Jessie Duplantis say "Life requires you to train your memory". I thought this was an awesome statement. In the last fast I journaled my prayers and I also blogged. This gave me the opportunity to go back see just how much God had done for me since the fast. Because I have point of reference to know that God does hear my prayers my faith is that much stronger to trust God when things are difficult in life. Instead of panicking, I gladly receive opposition as an opportunity.

Finding Your Self Worth in Christ

Never have you seen a piece of clothing hang itself up on a rack and gives itself value. Or anything else that has been created. The true value of something/someone is only known by its creator. The creation didn't make itself. It was the creator that had an idea about something the world needed, and so he took the time out to create formulas and models to fashion it to work and solve problems. That took the creators time energy and it hand print to bring into life.

You will never know what you are worth just by you alone. You will never know what problems you solve, what questions you have the answer to with out your creator. You're wonderfully made with a purpose. You may think you have great "Self-Worth" but if your worth is sourced from you only, then you can only be valued by the capacity of just you. God, your creator is timeless, take your worth from HIM who gave up the most precious thing to Him- His ONLY SON! Would you ever give up a child for someone else? Well He did.... He gave up a KING for you!

If you want to place a value on yourself find it out what you are really through Christ.
When we see this the true value in ourselves, we will gladly drop the drinking, smoking, hoeing, killing, and every other destructive extra curricular activity we participate in because our attitudes will be I worth more than Gold. Alcohol and Smoking tarnishes me, Hoeing devalues me, and I won't kill another human being because they just may be the person I need to fulfill my purpose and hear servant well done.

God Don't Love Me

A while back I remember telling my husband, "God couldn't possibly love me" (I'm a lil' ashamed to even share this). I was finding out some news and I was hoping for a different ending! What I was hoping for didn't happen at all! Instead what I feared most was unfolding before my eyes. Why would God be allowing this to happen to me? I was colliding into my greatest fears head on! Doesn't He know that this is too much for me?

This was/is a trick of the enemy! Satan tries his best to get us to believe that God doesn't love us. It is at that point of our lack of belief that we hit rock bottom the fastest! And I did, there were days that I couldn't hear myself think or couldn't even gather my thoughts for prayer! I was sliding down a a slope of depression fast and life was the absolute worse for me! I was plummeting!  I can remember one day I was screaming at the top of my lungs pleading with God to take me up out of here like He had did Enoch (a Beam me up Scotty situation). During all of my screaming the most gentlest voice I have ever heard said "Remain faithful"! I was little confused at first but after a while I dried my tears and I knew it was not me but God!

That was almost 2 years ago! I am still here, which means I have survived the storm! Today I repent  of ever opening my mouth to say or for even thinking that God didn't love me! I am so grateful today because I am so much better now than I was before I went into the storm. I am for certain that God loves me! He loves me so much that He won't leave me the same! Today, I believe all things are possible! He has shown me that He can do anything! I would have never got to this point with out my storm!

 

Today I want to encourage you! Many things happen in our lives that make absolutely no sense to us. It's hard to see God's purpose prevailing though all of the clouds, the rain, and the hail that comes with the storms that we go through. However, I have learned that God knows us better than we know ourselves! What we think will ultimately work to our demise, God uses to work out for our good! Storms are much like pruning plants and trees; they are necessary for our growth in our faith in God. Pruning plants is the cutting away of necessary branches so that the plant/tree can get the necessary nutrients it needs to grow tall and strong. God knows how to prune us to get us to get rooted into Him and His Words. He knows  the right amount of circumstance that will get us to depend on Him and increase our faith.

He doesn't do these things because He doesn't love us, but because He does. He loves us too much to leave us carnal! While many days last year I thought I was dying, in some sense I was. I was dying to my flesh! I was learning to trust God's will for  my life and to walk by the Holy Spirit. It is only when we allow God to stretch out in us that the Fruit of the Spirit begins to grow and mature! Joy, and Peace can and will take root in the midst of a storm. So don't give up! I promise you God loves you so very much! I was once told that God saves his hardest battles for His strongest Soldiers! Believe that if you are in it, then you have what it takes to get through it. God will not put more on you than you can bear. I have come to learn that test and trials come to pull up what is laying dormant in us that God want dominant in us! You will be a better person when this is all over.

Be encouraged, God loves you so much that He has chosen to make you better, to improve you, refine you and make you shine like pure gold. While more than likely what you are going through didn't come from God; He doesn't miss an opportunity to use pain for His Glory! This will work out for your good! Don't give up, stay the course!

Hang in there!

Love Ro

Romans 8:37 Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. ³⁸ For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, ³⁹ nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Walk into your Destiny

Our destinies are promised and set up for us, however its our choice if we will get to them.

Let me paint the picture for you... God had already said that the Land of Canaan was the Israelite's It was for them to trust God to get them to the land. Instead, they complained and doubted because of the many oppositions they had to endure. Then when they got to spy on the land they became scared of the who had already possessed the land. Forgetting that God had promised the land to them.

Abraham was promised to be a father of many nations. He at one point thought it was taking to long. So his wife Sarah offered her handmaiden to produce a child. Yeah well that wasn't God's plan at all. However Abraham choose to believe God would do what He said. And finally Sarah gave birth to Issac who gave birth to Jacob and so forth..... Abraham walked into His destiny

So again our destiny is established already by God. Rather or not we get to walk into it is our choice. Choose to hold on to every word God says concerning your future. It will not be an easy road, and we may wait years before it materialize. We may even fall into temptation but never stop trusting God. He is faithful to do just what He said He would...

Enemies to Faith

Pessimism and close-mindedness are major development issues for faith! If you are always trying to rely on what your mind can come up with for God; you will miss Him every time.  Not to mention its quite prideful to think there is no other way for God to work other than what you can come up with.

Reminder 1 Cor 1:27 But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong.

God can do and use anything or anyone He wants for His purpose to be fulfilled. And Gratefully it is never up for debate! He will use ppl with learning disabilities, Ppl with horrid pasts, to do things we all would consider impossible and or unethical. He is God, and while we see only the physical; God sees potential and the heart of every man.

Open your mind to His infinite wisdom and knowledge instead of trying to fit God into yours. He will wow you every time.

Word of Encouragement:

Never let anyone tell you what you can't do or what can't happen! Never allow your circumstances or your past to define who you are or what God is capable of doing for you! God says you are More Than A Conquer and that All things are Possible with Him.
Tell them folks to kick rocks with Flip Flops and Watch God Get the Glory out of your Life.If you happen to be the Pessimistic and close-minded one hindering yourself. Do yourself a favor and just Shut up and cooperate with God.

Enjoy your day and grow in Grace!

Confidence in God

I think we will all agree that in our own power we mess up, fall short, miss the mark (sin). It's also Satan's underestimated devices, to keep us in the position to alway want to work in our own power, and trusting in ourselves. So now we have a society that is obsessed with Self-Confidence, Self-Esteem, Self-Empowerment... Ironically none of these thing are really possible to have without a breech without an identity in Christ. Even Self Control is a Fruit of the Spirit of God. He is the one who enables us to control ourselves.

Be Confident in the God in you, He will esteem you and empower you to keep you from displeasing Him and complete every assignment for your life. Take no confidence in your own ability, but Give God all of the credit and all of the Glory for the work He has done in You.

Proverbs 28:26 He who trusts in himself is a fool, but he who walks in wisdom is kept safe.

Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;in all your ways acknowledge him, and He will make your paths straight.

2 Tim 1:7 For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.

The Grace to Live Holy

While the Law enforces to live Holy for the Lord our God is Holy, Grace reinforces the ability to actually do it.

The Law shows us how wretched we are in our own ability and Grace shows us how powerful Christ is too keep us from falling

There is absolutely nothing God will require of us that He will not provide for us a way to get it done. That would be setting us up for failure.

Today stop trying in your own power to live Holy (it can't be done by you alone). Instead if you are going to do anything in your own power READ the Word... Get knowledge so that you can believe it is by grace that we are already the righteousness of God through our Faith. We just have to receive what Jesus has done for us and rely on Him.

And remember proof of faith is obedience! When we really believe that we are the righteousness of God it will show up in the choices we make. Choose to Study the Word, Choose, to believe the Word, Choose the Live the Word. And allow Grace to empower you to live holy!

2 Peter 1:3 His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.

Allow People to Change

Be sure to forget what you previously knew about someone, when you have confirmed they have changed! They are moving forward, don't try to hold them to their past! PPL do Change, you just have to open your eyes to see it! For us to believe that ppl don't change is to say that the Holy Spirit is incapable of doing His work in this dispensation! That would my friend, equate to being a non-believer!

Sometimes its hard to recognize change in others because we are still the same. We who are saved remain the same because we haven't yielded to the work of the Holy Spirit. Everyday w/ Him we should be looking more and more like the SON and less carnal!

Good Morning & Grow in Grace
Rofasho

Open Your Mouth

Matthew 24:14 will preach all by itself... What is it preaching?
Glad you asked? The end ain't coming until all believers open their mouths about the Kingdom of God.

Each of us has influence in a area or over ppl that someone else doesn't. If your mouth is closed that area has been left untouched. Please stop thinking its the job of Pastors to evangelize. Its the entire Body of Christ job. Hence the need to be on one accord! If everyone is talking about the Kingdom of, the Body of Christ will walk around the Globe in no time. (picture all believers standing together in the shape of a body, now picture the body walking harmoniously over the globe)-------OPEN YOUR MOUTH!

Do as you are told

In this season its imperative that we learn to obey God! Many times what He requires of us will not make sense to us or we may even receive back lash from our peers! However, do not be found in disobedience to save face from those who around you!

Remember no man opens doors or give promotion. It is God who touches man to do that. So it behooves us to please the Source of whom all blessing flow from.

Can God trust you to carry out this next assignment?

"Lo, I'm with you always"

We were promised that God will be with us always! The way we live shows rather or not we believe that. Some of us behave one way in church because we associate the building as being holy ground! And leave church and behave altogether differently.

Today, change your mind! Yes the church is suppose to be treated with respect! However it is a building made by man. We however are fashioned by God! Do not be "holy" only in a building but live holy because you are God's true temple. He didn't send His Son to die to live in bricks and vinyl siding! But to live in us!

He told the disciples I am sending you a Helper! The Holy Spirit is equal to God the Son and the Father but submissive in nature. If you also submit to the power of the Holy Spirit you will truly see POWER working in you! If you only believe.

Good Morning & Grow in Grace!

A Man with Just a Job or A Man with Purpose

Ladies we are often told when dating that we shouldn't consider to date a man without a job. Today, I want to open your minds to Kingdom relationships.

Yes a man with a job is a good thing, however a man with just a job is altogether different. Ladies, there is something far more important that we are over looking. We are forgetting the element of purpose.  First this must be addressed: Dating without purpose is no where visible in the bible. 

Wasting time with guys who will not be our husbands, is dangerous. Why am I saying dangerous? Because we get connected emotionally, and physically and then we see ourselves in compromising situations that are contrary to the Word of God. To eliminate putting ourselves in situations like this, its best to have a purpose for dating. There is nothing wrong with remaining friends with other guys but keep standards, and boundaries so that the those relationships never cross the line. Make sure whoever you are dating is marriage material and potential so that you don't waste time and that you safeguard your heart. 

Marriages struggle because of pasts! If we do things God's way we would actually enter marriage being virgins without even knowing what it is that we like sexually and don't like. We would grow with our mate sexually vs. coming together one burnt out sexually and the other blew out sexually. Get my drift! Marriage wouldn't be so hard if we didn't come into it with all the relational baggage that we bring from spending time in relationships with people who were never meant for us any way.

I digress! Back to the topic at hand. So okay we have a man and he is looking good for marriage material. He has a job, a car and a house. He can provide for you and all of that, but what will happen to this man is if all he has is a job. I will tell you--------> CRISIS! If all you have is a man with a good job, you are in trouble. Jobs are great but what is better is to have a man who knows his purpose. 

Its two different things to have a man with a job and a man with a job and a purpose. Take the job away from the man without a purpose, usually he will do WHATEVER it takes to keep things a float. He may even become enraged because he is unable to provide. He may feel feelings of failure and hopelessness. However, take the job away from a man who knows his purpose and there is a different outcome. This man will be relaxed, because the job wasn't going to be the end result for him anyway. He has direction because he has plans for his life that may or may not involve that job that was taken from him. If the job has nothing to do with his purpose more than likely he really didn't want to be there anyway. One things for sure when a man has purpose he knows what and what he doesn't have time for. More importantly purpose comes from God so he trusts God!

Ladies, having a man who knows his purpose is far more greater than having a man with just a job. As wives we are called to be a helpmeet.  Helpmeet to what? To the mans journey of becoming who God has called him to be. You can't be helpmeet to a man with just a job. If he loses his job then what? But a man with purpose, also has a plan and this what we are helping with. We are helping him get to the end result that God showed him of who he is to become. 

Work is defined as activity involving mental or physical effort done in order to achieve a purpose or result. Work is also a verb. Job is defined as in the verb form, do casual or occasional work. In the noun form, a paid position or regular employment. 

So ladies don't just be glad over a man with "a" job, because all he has is a paid position. Get excited over a man that is working to achieve an end result. Get excited over the man with the plan, who knows where he is going in life not just from 8-5pm daily. 

This is a true story... Im living witness that a man that knows his purpose is so much more easier to be a helpmeet too than man with just a job oblivious to what God has called him too!

Encouragement to those labeled "Super Saved"

Today Encouragement goes out to the people who have been labeled "Super Saved":
Listen, people are always going to have something to say about you rather good or bad. Know who you are and know whose you are! Live balanced, but by all means living balanced doesn't involve living carnal in any way! Living balanced means understanding that nothing comes into the natural without first being manifested in the spiritual realm. Living balance is recognizing that you're Spirit Man is superior than your physical man and the physical man must be under subjection to the Spirit Man. Not the other way around. Living balanced is understanding Matthew 4:4 says  we don't live by bread alone, but by every word that comes out of the mouth of God. Living balanced recognizes that we have to be so connected to God that we don't miss one word coming out of His mouth. It also means that we are able to comprehend what He is saying and we are able to apply what God is speaking. We are also led by God because He speaks to us the plan for our life. Living Balanced means that we are the Salt and the Light of the Earth. We are effective and efficient for the Kingdom of God! We have to be up to date with what is happening in the World so that we maybe able to bring new believers into the Kingdom of God. We understand that what worked in 1970 will not work in 2012.We do not partake in the world's way of doing things. We don't have to, because we are  attached to the Creator. We have endless means of creativity and innovation.

Do not let people entice you to go the other way just because they are not on your level. The bible says when we search for God with our whole heart that's when we will find Him. This means things have to be given up; nothing matters more to us than seeking God. He comes first.  The disciples asked Jesus why he spoke in parables to the people. Jesus said that He spoke that way so that those who really wanted to know would unravel the truth for themselves. A parable is simply a way of telling a story about the truth but its hidden in the story. Its up to the listener to find the treasure in the story.  So why were the disciples privilege to the truth? They had given up careers, left families to become students of Jesus Christ. Walking with Jesus isn't free, it cost something. We are all supposed to become students of Jesus Christ just like the disciples were. Upon there training they moved from "student"(disciple) to  "sent ones" (Apostles), going out to make more disciples (students). We can't study the Savior and remain the same. We are to grow and develop. Some people will never understand this. Some people are spiritually blinded to this process. Further down in the text Jesus tells the disciple: "Through seeing, they do not see; Through hearing, they do not hear or understand" (Matthew 13:13). We will only understand God to the level of our thirst for him. So don't get discouraged when you hear people labeling you.


 Satan's strategies to keep us from being victorious is to keep us flesh focused. We can't get to the things of the Spirit when we are bound to our flesh. We want power, but power comes from fasting and praying and spending countless hours with God. It's amazing that it took seconds for Jesus to heal people, and cast our demons; however he spent hours praying to the Father. So keep pressing toward Christ, live out every Word. Pray for those who misuse you and talk about you! The spiritual man knows that at all time there are two kingdoms at war and they never stop waring just because we are sleep, partying, praying, or whatever. This is why the Word of God reminds us to be self controlled and alert, because the enemy is on the prowl looking to devour who he can... The only way he can is when we are not walking in the Spirit.

At some point in time those that made fun of you will see you operating from another dimension while they are still struggling with the flesh. Jesus said that He was leaving and that those that believed would do greater things than He did. I assure you those things will only get done by continuously seeking Him as He did the Father. Live your life, never mind the nay-sayers! Listen for the voice of God and let Him lead you to your destiny!

Roman 8:6 For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.

1Cor 2:14 The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned.

Reputation vs. Character

Daily Wisdom: Your repuatation may get you in the door, but character is what you are going to need to keep you from being put out of it. ~Rofasho~

Thoughts for today: We can always lie our way in/out of things just as long as people don't mind a surface relationships with us. However, there will come a time when someone will genuinely want to know us below the surface. What exactly will they find? Will what they have heard, assumed of us and/or believed what we have said about ourselves line up with who we really are? Or will they be sadly disappointed to find out our reputation is a front and the "real" us is the total opposite?

Plan of Action: Work hard everyday to get to know our strengths and our weakness. Be honest with ourselves and others. There is only one carbon copy of us all. God fashioned us to be different for a reason! So enjoy your uniqueness, by allowing others to enjoy and beneifit from knowing who we really are. It doesn't make much sense to make people believe we are something that we really are not. More importantly, we have to stop lying to ourselves. If what we see in the mirror isn't to our liking; then its as simple as changing what we do not like. Put your best foot forward to being the best YOU that you can be. You will be glad you did, those around you will also. Live up to being YOU!

Grow in Grace & Blessing in your Sweet Experience of Growth and Change!

Rofasho

The Price of Greatness

The price of greatness is responsibility- Winston Churchill

As I continue reflecting over this year, I recognize the areas in my life where I didn't excell. There were many areas that I only did what was required of me. This happens to the best of us. Not always, do we short change our ablity to work in the spirit of excellence because we are just simply lazy. However,  in most cases that is the main reason. Sometimes, situations arise that kill our zeal and excitement for doing our best.  Today I want to encourage you to continue strong.

I was just laying in my bed thinking about a conversation my husband and I were having in regards to a situation that had arised in our lives and a few things came to mind.

As believers, we are to believe that we can do all things through Christ basically because He is working on the inside of us. This means to me that being average is not my only choice I have. I can be great at everything I put my hands to and I can also be attributed greatness by the people I come in contact with. How? Im glad you asked!  As I sat and pondered who I considered to be great, I found one common thing in each individual.  They all went over and beyond what was required of them in some area of their life.

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"Let us consider the nature of true greatness in men. The people that can catch hold of men's minds and feelings and inspire them to do things bigger than themselves are the people who remembered in history... those who stir feelings and imaginations and make men struggle towards perfection."

 -Henry Erying-

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After thorougly examining who I thought could be attributed greatness, I realized that the spirit of excellence was also at work in them. The spirit of excellence is never just concerned with the big picture or the end results. However, the spirit of excellence is detailed- oriented. The spirit of excellence is concerned about every little step that makes up the journey of the big picture. The spirit of excellence doesn't rest at just doing the job, but it effortlessly works at doing the job right and in order. More importantly, the spirit of excellence works at its best and never just at what is good. The spirit of excellence isn't just working in just one area of someone's life or an organization, but its seeps through every facet of who or what possesses it. This is because the spirit of excellence becomes a habit. It's something that is work at to be obtained. Once it is obtain, it becomes second nature to always work in it. 

Let me give you examples of greatness and the spirit of excellence! 

Harriet Tubman, was a lady who was burdened by the weight of slavery amongst African- American people. She really didn't have to help others get free from slavery, but the greatness in her called for her to think of others before herself. The spirit of excellence called for her to work the vision in such a way that 300 slaves was able to obtain freedom. 

Dr. James Naismith, was the inventor of the sport basketball in 1891. He wrote the first basketball rulebook. He also founded the University of Kansans first basketball program. Dr. Naismith is attributed with releasing an idea that has impacted men and women across our world. Today basketball is a billion dollar industry. The spirit of excellence in him gave way to not only manifesting a vision but teaching others about his vision. This has enable thousands of people to dream and obtain careers in the basket ball industry. 

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Great minds discuss idea, average minds discuss events, and small minds discuss people

-Hyman Rickover-

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Being attributed greatness, nor working in the spirit of excelles, will prevent you from making bad decisions or mistakes. These are apart of life and vital to our growth. However, being attributed greatness and the spirit of excellence will cause one to go over and above what is required to rectify any mistake or bad decisions made.  This is called being responsible. No one who has ever been atrributed greatness or the spirit of excellence, has not ever been a responsible individual, or organization. 

Today I admonsish you, to work on your legacy of greatness by always working in a spirit of excellence. Rather it be in school, ministry, family life, friendships, or careers; work to be the best and to do it with class. People never really remember what you have said or what you have done, but they alway remember how you made them feel. In your journey towards being great, set your heights towards doing things that will leave a legacy for others to follow behind in your footsteps. Set a standard for yourself and always make sure you keep your word, and esteem others higher than yourself. We will come in contact with many wonderful people in our lifetime, but the ones who go beyond themselves to impact others and make the lives of others easier are always who will be remembered. 

Merry Christmas Everyone, Make 2012 the year you set the foundation for a Great Legacy!

Rofasho

Character, Integrity, & Reputation

Today's blog is about three important words! At some point in our adult lives we should have a working understanding about. Those three words are  Character, Integrity and Reputation. The three words are very important and vital to each individual human being. However we need to know what is our responsibility on grooming and protecting the three.

Character- The combination of qualities or features that distinguishes on person, group, or thing from another

A person with character, has certain qualities that stand out to others. These qualities generally attribute to this person of being, reputable, trustworthy, responsible, loving, and law-abiding.  These attributes are things that a person has worked hard at obtaining. Therefore these things are in their control and no one else's. More than likely the person who has these attributes has been raise to respect and value character. The positive thing about having character, is that once you have obtained it can not be taken away. You can relinquish your character, but no one actually has the power to take it away.  

Integrity-  adherence to moral and ethical principles; soundness of moral character; honest

Integrity is basically, meaning what you say and saying what you mean. A person is attributed integrity when their moral beliefs matches up with their daily activities and speech.  Again, this is in the control of the individual who wishes to obtain integrity. Much like character, integrity can not be taken away from a person unless the person relinquishes it. This is simply done by not keeping your word, speaking without intentions, doing the opposite of what you profess to believe is rights or having no moral values at all. 

Reputation-  the estimation in which a person or thing is held, especially by the community, or the public generally; repute

Reputation is important but not nearly as character and integrity. Character and integrity is worked on by the person who wishes to have it. However, reputation is the gathered image of what people think/feel about who you are. A reputation can be true or false! You can have a fantastic reputation and have no character at all. How is this possible? I am glad you ask! You could do something nice for one person and the one person tells everyone they know about what you did for them. Now everyone believes this is what you do all the time. Or you can have terrible reputation, and actually have great character. You could have made a bad decision once and the wrong person found out about; and exposed it. Ultimately, leading everyone to believe that the one bad decision is who you are and what you do all the time. 

Unfortunately, our society is reputation driven. Its so much easier and takes less time to just take the word of someone else about another person, rather than getting to know someone for ourselves. Learning some one's character is not an overnight process. The great thing about people with character, they have no problem with taking that time to find out the truth about a person. People with character will protect their character and integrity at all cost, so they do not immediately attach themselves to everyone. Again we live in a reputation driven society, so you don't see to many people with character and good reputations hanging around people with terrible reputations and no character at all. 

Although reputations is carried by others by word of mouth; character and integrity isn't. If you want character and integrity it comes with responsibility of your own actions.  As I have stated before we hear of people getting there character slandered and defamed; however, that isn't actually possible to be done. Yes people can lie on you, but a lie with out proof for a person with character and track record of doing the right thing doesn't really have chance to stand up in court. Your character and integrity can only be slandered and defamed if you yourself actually compromise it. What do I mean? I'm glad you asked. Bill Clinton for the most part had a great rapport with the United States until he compromised it with Monica Lewinsky. No one actually slandered President Clinton, he simply compromised his integrity and character for oral sex. The only thing that happen was someone exposed what he compromised to. As you can see that Bill Clinton was in control of being slandered or not, by simply taking a moment to think things through. Now his reputation is known for receiving oral sex while holding the presidential office. This doesn't take away from the fact that while holding office our economy was at its best that we have seen in a 20 year span.  However, because of one bad decision, his reputation is overshadowed by his character  and integrity as probably one of the best Presidents the United States has ever had. 

So if you are having an issue of people always "slandering" you, take look at what have you compromised and allowed someone to expose. There are times when people have nothing on you and simply just like to talk about you, however that isn't slandering, that's what I call negative admiration.  Protect your character and integrity ladies and gentlemen, by thinking about the effects of your actions before you execute them. In most cases you can prevent people from damaging your reputation by not giving them something to use against you. Remember just because you think no one knows doesn't mean that the truth will not get out. If you happen to make a mistake or a bad decision, maintain your integrity and admit that you were wrong or at fault.  Always be truthful when there is a breech in your moral beliefs and your daily activities. No matter what don't stop building character and integrity because no matter how people view you, God always knows who you really are and the condition of your heart. People will always have something to say if you make a bad decision, but remember even if they don't forgive you, God always does. Keep striving to make God pleased with you!

Be honest, Be respectful, Be caring, Be loving, Respect Authority, Mean what you say and say what you mean!

God Bless and Grow in Grace

Rofasho

2011 Reflection- Accepting the Call

At the end of every year, most people spend time reflecting on their triumphs and defeats, their accomplishments, and unsuccessfull attempts. As 2011 is swiftly coming to an end, I am following suit with the old traditions of yearly reflection.


I usually learn at least one new trade or pick up one new hobbie every year. I'm kind of one of those people who likes to be a jack of all trades. However this year as I reflect I didn't do any of that. In fact, I stepped a way from the things that I had previously picked up. In 2010, I started learning how to properly apply make-up and doing youtube tutorial videos. This year was nothing like any other year.

I didn't pick up any new hobbies, no new trades, didn't take on new adventures, or a new vacation spots.  However, I  did embark upon facilitating a University Expereience for my church home. This was a vision given to me to assist my Pastor in materializing his vision for his church to come to pass. So far it has been a success. It doesn't have full participation yet, but those who do participate are very dedicated. I am anxiously awaiting what was shown to me by God to completely materialize.

I did also take some steps to walk in to the my calling. For many of you who know me, I have said a million times, that many have always said that I would end up a "preacher's wife" and also an Evangelist. For years, I didn't really believe it or shall I say recieve it; however it didn't matter what I believed or recieved. My husband, has been actively working in his calling for ministry since April of this year. It was like one day he wasn't a preacher and the next day he was on the grind, teaching all the time. It was only a matter of time before the rest of the prophecy would  come to pass.

In the summer of 2010, I had ask God to clarify if He was calling me into ministry. I did it with the hopes of hearing nothing. I asked for God to reveal it through my husband. My husband had told me already that he knew I was being called to teach God's word. I ask for my husband to be the one to confirm it because he isn't a man that repeats the obvious. And the joke was on me. I ask God on a Saturday. That following Monday out of the blue my husband calls me while he is at work, crying. He called to tell me that God has so much in store for me and that I was great woman of God and that the ministry in me had to go forth. Of course he says "I don't know why I'm telling you this, but I had to call you"! I just cried the whole day and humbly accepted the confirmation of the call.

This year my church family embarked upon a Daniel's Fast and this is where the clarity came into play. I really began to seek God on what He was calling me to do specifically. In a previous blog, I explained that God gave me the word "Discipleship". But that still wasn't enough. In the second  quarter of the year, Prophet after Prophet began to prophesy the exact same things. Even people without titles kept pulling me to the side telling me the same thing the Prophets where telling. Over and over I heard "Ministry must go forth this year"! And its finally clear, after much running, praying and more running, that I am to teach the Word of God. Other things were prophesied about the ministry God has called me to,  that I have not yet been able to wrap my mind around nor do I see the capacity for. However if its the Word of the Lord, I will just put it on shelf and wait for God to manifest His will for me. In the third quarter of the 2011, I gave my pastor my first sermon to critique and go over. I stop running, because clearly there is no where to run to when you are running from God. I'm learning to just get into obedience and just wait for God to do what only He can. This one I  am not really all that anxious about. When the times comes, the door will open and I will walk into it. In the meantime Im just preparing myself. Furthermore I'm am a firm believer, that the greatest message I could ever preach to someone is the example that I live. Being called to the pulpit is great, but its also nullified if the life I live outside of the pulpit is contrary to being in it.

As you can see my mind has been fixed on God, ministry and the will He has for my life. Other than those three, I have just been preoccupied with making sure my family is built on solid foundation and that God is leading us. As much as I would like to say that this year I was unproductive because I didn't do what I normally did. I was indeed more productive than I have ever been. Finding out my purpose in life and what I am called to do is productivity at its best. I now know what I do and don't have time for in life. More importantly, I no longer have to blindly find my way to God's will for me. Trying everything to see what feels right.

This was by far the worst year I have every lived and the hardest. There were days that I really would have just rather been dead. Yet even with all of the oppostion, I can still say that this year wasn't a total lost. In even though it was the worst year I had ever seen, it was the most important year of my life. This was my year of transitioning me towards my tranformation.

Rofasho.

Keep Pressing

 As we grow in grace and the love of Christ, there are many challenges that will present themselves to us. One of the most important challenge is of course, conforming to the image of the Son (Romans 12:2; Romans 8:29). This is the first priority of any Christian, rather we preach, teach, or prophesy. No one is exempt from this one task.  Conforming to the image of the Son is work, but it doesn't come without its own opposition.

As we learn more about who our Lord and Savior is and His character; we are able to measure ourselves up to our example of what we as Christians should be. The process in which we go through to be come more like Him, has its greatest results in the form of test, trials and tribulations. It seems like through testing we produce an overwhelming show of the fruit of the Spirit versus just reading the Word of God alone. Change is usallly the result of a crisis. Though many will resisit it change at first, its  inevitable if you are in Christ Jesus (2 Corinthians 5:17). As if this isn't hard enough to do, the opposition of change; is dealing with the people you love who will not accept it.

The way we were and what we want to become are  two different things. Many times we would like to just forget the old us. Yet, there is always one person or two who will have no problem with reminding us who we were. I want to encourage you today to not give up on conforming into the image of the Son, no matter who isn't able to recognize your  progress of change.

Did you know that Mary Magdelene, the woman that basically financed Jesus's ministry was possessed with seven demons; this was the complex illness that Jesus healed her of. I'm sure that the people that knew Marry Magdelene while she was possessed never imagined her as a follower of the Messiah. Or did they think she would become a vitally important and beloved disciple to our Lord and Savior. I am confident that they would have never thought that Son of God would choose her to be the first person to see Jesus after resurrecting from the dead. To top it all off, its been suggested that Mary Magdelene may have also been a prostitute before joining the ministry of Jesus Christ.  This lady was kinda jacked up don't you think, yet her ending was so honorable!

Today, I want to assure you no matter what you have done, or who you may have been in the past; its not beyond Jesus' ability to redeem you to the Kingdom. No matter what people see, God always sees you as what your are purposed to be (Jeremiah 29:11). People will remind you of what you have done, and said; but don't let it weight you down. You have a race to run and you must get to the finish line (Philippians 3:14). You can't get there looking backwards, you must look foward. Keep perspective, get the Word concerning your life. Believe God! Whatever He said you are, you will have to press to become it.

It's my prayer that Mary Magdelene's life will encourage you. We all know that we are not worthy, but I am sure that we are all  thankful that God still finds us useful for the Kingdom.

God Bless,
Rofasho

2011 Marriage Retreat Secondary Post Review

A day or two after Wings of Love's 2011 Marriage Retreat I posted my thoughts about what was expereienced at the Marriage Retreat. Today, I want to share with you how the marriage retreat prepared me to make the right decisions for my marriage for 2011. Cedric and I attended the How to Love Your Spouse while Working it Out & Managing Finances in Unison course at the Marriage Retreat this year. We had no idea that what we had learned in those courses we would soon be tested on.

The first class was How to Love Your Spouse While Working it Out and without exposing the instructors business and my business also; there story was more like mines then I knew at the time I was in the course. I can remember my husband having an issue with an employee at work  during the session and he was talking my earb off. Until the instructors began to become seriously transparent about an event that had occured in their marriage that almost seperated them; then my husband abrubptly became queit and started listening. The class was very personal and the instructors shared stuff that they had did that most wouldn't even dare to share with their own spouses. Their story was soon to be our story.  Less than two weeks the Lord had placed it in my heart to come clean about some hurtful things I had done, which gave my husband the avenue to be honest with me about somethings he had done as well. The second class we took was Managing Finances in Unison. Shortly after the Marrige Retreat my husband was let go from his job. He was the only one bringing in the bacon. I am a stay at home mom and full time student, with a couple hustles on the side. So instantly everything that we had learned from both course was put to the test. Not to mention, my husband was preaching his first sermon less than two weeks after all of this had come to the surface.  If my walls could talk, I'm sure you would get a good cry and a laugh or two.

This year was most definitely pivotal for our marriage, family and our faith in God. This year our vows were tested like it was nobody's business. It wasn't easy to make the decisions I had to make nor for himself either. However, we couldn't help but think of how awesome God truly is to have set us up for success. Im not sure how this year would have turned out if I hadn't attended the Marriage Retreat. Maybe we would still be walking around with secrets. Nevertheless, we are were we are. I have to believe this is God-ordained. We survived the storms and all though we are still in the aftermath a bit, we can definitley see the breaking of day. I'm looking forward to next year's retreat and all the couples that will join us in embarking upon having succesful marriages the way God intended.

As always I'd like to encourage you to put God first and remain obedient in everything you do. Even when you don't understand the things you go through, trust that God holds your world in His hands. He promised that He would never put more on us than we can bear. Hang in there and what ever you do don't give up!




If you are interested in taking part in the 2012 Wings of Love Ministries Marriage Retreat, you may email info@wingsoflovemi.org or visit Wings of Love Ministries on Facebook. 
The retreat will be held at The Great Wolf Lodge in the beautiful Traverse City on April 20-22, 2012. Registration is $440/couple. Registrations includes, lodging, entrance into the water park, food, classes and class materials. Yes, all of that for only 220/person.  You do not need to be a member of Wings of Love Ministries to attend and if you are engaged you are welcomed to take part.



God Bless,

Rofasho

The Power of Your Testimony

In my 30 years of living, I have learned that there is no escaping test and trials. They are going to come either from God or they may be brought on by ourselves. Whichever way they come,  God doesn't waste anything we go through. He will use it all for our growth (Romans 8:28). I have gone through quite a few hurtful & devastating things in my life, some out of my control and many that I could have prevented. At the time of the tests and trials I was in, I couldn't see the purpose for them. We almost never can! However days or years after surviving them, someone I'll come in contact with will have the same issues I had survived.  At that very moment it all makes sense!

We know that test and trials come to make us strong when they are from God. Sometimes they come for correction of erroneous thinking or to produce fruit of the Spirit. However we overlook, tests and trials come to give us power and authority to help change lives. As believers we are not our own. We are bought with a price. Nothing we do is for us per say, but the Glory of God. When we go through, its so that God can get the glory out of our lives: that we may be able to draw men unto Him. 

What good are we if we have been somewhere and we know the place is desolate. Yet we see our neighbor traveling towards a desolate land and we keep quiet. You have knowledge that you neighbor needs to know. It would be wise to advise your neighbor " Hey, you are headed to a place where its dry and no food, you may die there"! It would be selfish and unloving to keep the knowledge to yourself and allow your neighbor to journey to a place where you could have prevented hardship. 

Our testimonies are the same way. We ought not keep them to ourselves. We do not go through just for us, but we go through so that we can help others. In school we are taught that knowledge is power! The bible teaches us that we are destroyed because of a lack of knowledge (Hosea 4:6).  Most of our acquired knowledge is learned by what others have learned or gone through. 

Here is a couple of example to help you understand what I am trying to convey:

If I am a student in school and I am struggling in my class. My teacher/professor knows I am struggling, but never comes to me and let me know I'm failing. What good was my teacher to me? They have passed the necessary tests to make them a teacher. It's their job to assist me in excelling in the class, because they have the knowledge that I don't have. Now its up to me to apply what they give me. But its up to them to disburse the knowledge that they have.

If I am member at a church and I struggling living a saved life. My pastor and clergy men  knows it, but never says anything to me. What good are they to me? They have been commissioned to lead people into righteous living. They have knowledge that I either don't know or won't apply. In the book of Hebrews we are told that they watch over our souls, so its their job to help me where Im struggling rather I want help our not. 

As such the same for every believer with a testimony. Don't leave your neighbor in the same rut you left. You have been given power and authority to uproot and tear down erroneous thinking, because you have been somewhere. You have experience somethings.  We can't expect God to give us power to raise the dead and heal the sick, if we won't first use the power of something simple like a testimony. Sometimes what we have gone through is embarrassing but don't be selfish with your testimony. Don't keep it to yourself and go pray for them! This is your chance to be used by God! This is your chance to walk in power and authority. It's your chance to do something great with your life. This is the chance to make all the pain and hell you have gone through worth going through it.  Share it, so your neighbor doesn't have to go through what you did. Share it, so your neighbor will know that they can survive what they are in. Share it, so your neighbor will know that God hasn't left them! Share it, and give your neighbor power (knowledge) to change his/her environment.

You have power and it in your testimony. Please don't keep it to yourself! Be a blessing to the Body of Christ and people who may not believe in God! Help others, you are called to do that. Hebrews 13:6 says: Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such scarifices are pleasing to God.  Romans 15:1 says: We who are strong have an obligation bear with the failing of the weak and not to please ourselves. 

Everyone is not going to want to hear your testimony. People are more receptive to testimonies when they are in it the test and trial- its consoling! However, if you give your testimony as a warning to prevent the test and trial, most won't be receptive. This is not grounds to keep it to yourself. Plant the seed and God will do the rest. How many times have your mother told you, you were going in the wrong direction. You didn't wanna hear it but later down the line you wished you had listened. You can't force people to do apply anything, but you can at least plant the seed.  Be loving in everything you do and use the power God has given you - Your Testimony.

God Bless,
Rofasho