Day #21: God's Will Be Done

There had been an eerie quietness on my job for several days. I, along with many others, felt a bit uncomfortable. I felt an uneasiness on the morning I was told that there would be a reduction in staff. The night before I knew I would be let go, but I didn't know there would be others. Funny thing was although I felt a bit anxious because I didn't know what would take place, I was filled with the peace of God the entire time.

Now I am ready to pursue the bigger things God has waiting for me behind the next open door.

I'm clinging to God and trusting that although I don't see His plan, I know He is busy working on something for my good. He would never bring me this far just to leave me....never!

 

Day #19: Promise of God

The righteous shall flourish like a palm tree.

Day #16: Courage to Serve

Lord give me courage today, so that I can confidently face the challenges in my path. Let your sweet spirit engulf me and let Your love in me be seen by others who may need to be comforted by Your light.

Day #13: No Fear

I serve a sovereign God.  Why would I be afraid?

Day #12: In God I Trust

Today I got "removed" from my job. Thing is, I had been praying for a smooth move from my job for quite some time. Funny thing....those at the notification meeting didn't understand why I was "so gracious" about it all. God does do things in His time, and I am excited about my future. Praise God!

Day #11: I Will Stand

No matter what is shaking in my life....on Christ the solid Rock I stand.

Day #10 – Seasons: Follow the Instructions for Abundant Blessings

Each day I find myself wanting to know more about the plans God has for my life. Sometimes we think we know what God wants for us, but when the enemy puts wrong thoughts in our minds, we go off course or get confused about His plans. Firstly, of course, being in His will is His plan. Nevertheless, since I have been fasting and praying, I have the desire to know more about how and why I make the decisions the way I do. I want to make sure that I make the right decisions at the right time based on Biblical principles. Ecclesiastes 3:1 says there is a time and a place for everything on this earth, and everything is done in seasons.

Whenever seasons change, my attitude and perspective about life changes – either for the positive or the negative. The term, season, has several meanings. It can mean a suitable time or occasion, an indefinite period of time, or it could mean the time of year. The season of spring is new beginnings, a sense of freshness and hope. Summer (although many of us plan fun trips or make plans to relax) it is really the time for labor and planting. Fall is the time to harvest so we can prepare to see growth. Winter is the time for rest, sometimes the death of something that has come to an end, or it could mean reaping.

Just as seasons have a menaing in the natural, we must be aware of the meanings in the spiritual. Aside from the cold weather, I guess I understand why winter is my least favorite season of all. I have many times found myself wanting to hold onto irrelevant things in my life during this season, rather than letting them go. Another reason is that although I know I will reap the harvest and that abundant blessings will come, they are not yet manisfested. I have for many years, even as a child, heard the saying, “you will reap what you sow,” it was always in the negative connotation, not the positive. I’m grateful that I have become more knowledgeable of the reaping and sowing principle in God’s word. Just as a plant sometimes needs to rest from water or new soil in order to grow, in the winter we need to rest and prepare to look forward to the spiritual growth in us that is to come, especially at the end of a fast. When we fast and pray, we are resting more on His word, and trusting in God more than in the past so that we may hear directly, or indirectly, from Him. I no longer take the change in seasons lightly, for each one comes with direction and instructions

Day #9 – Learning to be patient.

Throughout the month of December, especially during the Christmas holidays, I did not take any days off from work.  Yesterday I took the day off because I wanted to do a little shopping for me with the gift cards I received. I enjoy being able to walk in the streets of New York City and into the stores without being pushed and without the hustle and bustle. And I love shopping when God shows me deep, deep discounts.

After I returned home I did what I usually do when I’m off from work. I checked my office emails so I could be on top of things when I return. One particular email from my supervisor sent to the attorneys I work for with a copy to me mentioned that someone would be sitting at my desk. No one ever covers for me when I’m out, so I thought this unusual.

Almost immediately, I began to think wrong thoughts. “Why is somone at my desk?” I asked out loud. But the holy spirit would not have it. Suddenly, I realized that nothing at my job belongs to me. I’m just utilizing the space. On a temporary basis. I soon thought nothing of it. However when I arrived in the office today, “my desk” was a bit messy, so I did express to my supervisor that consideration should be given..just as I would give had the tables been turned.

The day has been a great one. A blessed one. I learned that I am learning to be patient. I realized that had I not thought about the situation beforehand, and just blurted out how I felt about it instead, things could have been less comfortable and peaceful.

Fasting is not easy and it certainly is not fun. But the results can be pleasantly surprising. I just love it when I can see God working on and through me. Thinking before acting surely equals peace.

Day #5 – 1/11/13 – I Remember the Past, BUT

I will remember that my dreams for the future are greater.

When fasting, I reflect more on God, but I also reflect on myself. My prayer is that God make the changes He needs to make in me so that I will be able to make a change or a difference in the world. I realize my gifts and talents are not just for me to enjoy, but to be shared with the world. I refuse to just sit on what God has given me. Last year I promised myself that I would not waste my gifts and talents, but would put my gift for singing, compassion and encouraging others in action. When God assigned me to sing in the subway last summer, I discovered just how many hurt, disappointed and lonely people there are with no one to care. It became more than just a way to work my chops, but I found myself ministering to individuals more and more. In fact, there are those who seem to depend on me being there. I praise God for setting me free from sin so that I can lead others to Him.

It's never too late to go after and pursue you dreams. Currently, I am working on a recording project because it has been my dream. When you seek the kingdom of God and His righteousness, He will add blessings to your life. I will remember the past, but I will keep my sight on the prize God has for me.

Day #4 - I'm Different

Fasting not only brings me closer to God, but it always brings me inside myself. Today I recognize that the harm that others can do to me is limited because I am protected by God’s divine purpose. As much as I sometimes like to adjust to this world system, I was not made to fit into the world. I was born to stand out.  (Rom 12:2)

 

“Our earthly culture is pagan to the core…God left us here for a purpose…to demonstrate what it’s like to be a member of another country, to have a citizenship in another land, that we might create a desire for others to emigrate.” – Jentezen Franklin.org

 

Day #3 - I Will Love My Neighbor As Myself

Last night I prayed that God would forgive me. I have not been reading or studying His word for many, many months now. I have been so caught up in searching for a new place to live that I forgot to allow God to have a say in the matter. I have been feeling sorry for myself and wallowing in self-absorption. I’ve been trying to get satisfaction by watching television, especially Reality TV.

 

Now that’s a switch. Since when have I been so concerned about what other people are doing in their lives that I cannot work on getting my own spiritual life together. So last night I prayed that God would forgive me and I promised that I would work on my being more discipline about reading His Word more often than I have.

 

My prayer (since the close of last year) has been that God make me more kind and gentle toward my neighbors, even my enemies. As a matter of fact, regarding the latter, since praying for the one person who has caused me much grief last year, I found the relationship to be tolerable now. In fact, it may be considered one of ministry for me. Now don't tell me God doesn't answer prayers!

It’s a bit harder today. My body seems tired. I’m feeling pangs of hunger more. Good news….I have been more reading the Word more frequently today.

 

Day #2 - I Will Trust Him More

Today is the day I put things in order and begin planning how each day is to unfold during my Consecration. I’m still ironing out the kinks though, since I am working. Although my fasting is a one meal a day fast, I take supplements, so I don’t do a complete fast. I have an apple and a cup of tea in the morning. Today as I was eating, I began reading fasting materials, but my mind started to wonder as I picked up my smartphone to check emails. Before I knew it I was on the social network….Facebook. I had to quickly shut it down. I believe reading without eating is the best way to start the day from here on in.

Today was a good day. I have been having pain in my left trapezius muscle, something I struggled with during the spring of last year. I contacted my doctor so I could get a script filled for a pain reliever. I have to take it ½ hour before eating. It’s now 5:16pm, so I will end this writing to wind down the day. I will then prepare to go to the lunchroom on my job and eat my first real meal of the day, then go to prayer.

Day #1 - Thank You Lord

On Day #1 of my 21-Day Corporate Consecration, I was not sure how to begin. However, I am so grateful, so I began by saying “Thank You Lord.”  

Yes, I say this every single day that I awake, but today is different. See, I always have this thought in mind ahead of time that I will not be able to discipline myself., that I will not be able to complete it. With this type of thinking, I’ve already given up. I am already defeated, which is just what the devil would like me to believe. But I’m on my way. I’m preparing reading materials, and planning to leave work early today so that I can prepare and plan my meals for the week. On this first day, the atmosphere at work was peaceful. No distractions. No indifferences. In fact, I am even more thankful because those who would have caused strife and distractions during this time, are no longer here or have changed their ways. Praise God!  

The feeling of starting something and not finishing it haunts me from time to time. This evening I wondered what the end result would be concerning my recording project. I have been working on a recording project for the last couple of months. It’s almost finished, however on this evening, negative thoughts about why my project will not be completed entered my mind. These thoughts remained in my head for about 10 minutes when I realized that I was not praying at all. Fasting and praying go hand in hand. How could I hear from God about what was to be in my life if I was not praying and tuning in to Him? I immediately pushed those thoughts aside and started asking God to cleanse my mind. Instead of being glued to the television, I went to my room and began finding scriptures to read. Something I have been neglecting for quite some time. On this night, I realized that I needed to Trust Him more.