Doing Good Works

DREAM:

"I'm in a clothing store with an older black man with grey hair. I’m trying on white shirts the man is picking out for me. The shirts are very modest. He picked one I liked then went off to help someone else. Now I’m in the dressing room looking at myself in the mirror. I was surprised to see that the shirt I had on had deep cleavage and was way sexier than the modest shirt I was given. Then I remembered I already had a white shirt like the one the old man gave me. I waited to ask him if I could get the sexy one instead."

Symbolism:

Old Man: God, Chief Shepherd 
Clothing Store: Spiritual need
Shirt: Covering (to clothe ourselves in…)
Modest White Shirt: Humility, Righteous
Sexy White Shirt: Self Righteous, Flesh

Interpretation:

When the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory. You younger men, likewise, be subject to your elders; and all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, for God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble. Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time. - 1 Peter 5:4

This was a self condition dream regarding the motives of my heart and personal agenda. I was struggling with being humble (spiritually modest) in a position God had me serving in. God allowed me to inspect myself as I looked in the mirror, and I liked what I saw.. but HE didn't. The shirt with cleavage that I wanted to keep, screamed... Hey look at me! Look at what I have to offer! I’m qualified too! In real life I was moving in the flesh. I started out humble but somewhere along the way self righteousness crept in and God had to remind me to put that modest shirt back on! I'm definitely a work in progress. Clothing ourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience - Colossians 3:12 is the attire that pleases God.

Many of us are gifted and talented with the call of God on our lives, but we will go through seasons of humbling. You may have gifts and spiritual abilities that are amazing and will impact a populous of people, but a time will come when that anointed gift of yours will be overlooked. You may not be able to make full use of all your capabilities, you’ll sense that your bright light has been dimmed, and you'll begin to question your giftedness. You might even say, "I'm not used to this!" Yeah, those are all blows to the ego but it’s necessary in order to keep us from being puffed up and prideful. God also uses those seasons to stretch us and move us out of our comfort zone to learn new things. It’s not about me or you. It’s about God, following his agenda, and focusing on doing good works (with the proper attitude) in whatever capacity the Lord has you serving at the time.

What is Good Works?

Good works is serving, giving to charity, and participating in positive acts that glorify God, AND will have a lasting effect in the earth long after you're gone. If one person’s life is affected in a positive way as a result of a book you wrote, a song you recorded, or quality time spent with someone - then mission accomplished!! What if your good works result in ONE person’s salvation? The bible says the angels rejoice over one soul that comes to Christ - Luke 15:10.

Doing good works is great! But we ALL must be mindful of our motives behind them. Are they meant to produce fruit for God or for self? Is anyone truly benefiting from your work? Did God give the green light on whatever work you’re doing?

Our works will be Judged:

“Each one’s work will be clearly shown for what it is; for the day of judgment will disclose it, because it is to be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality and character and worth of each person’s work. If any person’s work which he has built on this foundation (Christianity), that is, any outcome of his effort remains and survives this test, he will receive a reward. But if any person’s work is burned up by the test, he will suffer the loss of his reward; yet he himself will be saved, but only as one who has barely escaped through fire.”

Don’t be the one who barely gets by. Start checking your motives. Clothe yourself in humility. Let 2017 be the year of doing good works for God. The bible says, "Whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus."

Blessings,
Tytenisha

Seasons of Life - God Requires Obedience!

God Requires Obedience!

Even though Jesus was God's Son, he learned obedience from the things he suffered.

-Hebrews 5:8

Now that Gods got your attention, what is he personally requiring of you? As I shared in the previous post God Wants your Attention! God told me to stop doing a certain thing that I enjoyed doing. What I enjoyed doing was not sinful but not beneficial either. God used the affliction I suffered in my body to drive me to my knees so that I could be in a position to listen to God and obey his commands. God doesn't tell us to do things for no reason. The Lord was preparing me for the greater issue at hand, the true battle I had to face. 

In order to be victorious in whatever season you're in or whatever battle you're facing, you need to be clean. God was cleaning my house of anything that would hinder victory and it starts with obedience. Everyone wants to be victorious but we need to be clean vessels that God can work through. We have to walk in obedience and we have to follow God's commands. I soon began to see that I was facing a vicious spiritual battle for someone that I love. I began to pray fervently crying out to God morning, noon and night. Following that fervent prayer I received this dream:

I was sitting in a class room with other students. There was a huge mirror at the front of the class leaning against the desk as if it were the teacher. The mirror was dirty, spotted and streaked. I could see myself in the mirror from where I was sitting. I said to the lady in front of me, "Eww, that mirror is dirty"! She agreed and said, "You better believe that WILL be cleaned."

God is so gracious. It took me about a week to understand what God was saying in the dream. The Lord said, "This mirror is a reflection of you and many others. You are spotted and streaked just like the person you are praying for". I knew exactly what the Lord was talking about. There was unconfessed sin I needed to deal with. I quickly and sincerely asked God for forgiveness and thanked him for bringing those areas to my remembrance. I read PSALM 51 out loud several times to express to God how sorry I was. Side note: I did not commit the sin King David committed in psalm 51. I love how King David expressed remorse for the sin he committed.   

If you are facing a wilderness season, dry season or a spiritual battle - especially if the battle you're facing is for someone else because the Lord has placed that burden upon you - It is very important for you to examine yourself. The same issue that the person you are praying for may be an issue of your own and you won't see victory until that issue is taken care of. Make sure there are no open doors in your life that will hinder your prayers. 

It's very important to acknowledge unconfessed sin and ask for forgiveness. It will hinder your prayers. The bible says," But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness" (1 John 1:9). Ask God to reveal the issue/s that you need to confess, confront, change or stop doing altogether. 

Another area that God deals with us in is un-forgiveness. Un-forgiveness will hinder answered prayer. If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins. - Matthew 6:14-15

Wow! If you don't forgive, God will not forgive you!" That's serious stuff. We need God's forgiveness every day! Forgiveness is a process but it is imperative that at some point we forgive.

So if you are presenting a sacrifice at the altar in the Temple and you suddenly remember that someone has something against you, leave your sacrifice there at the altar. Go and be reconciled to that person. Then come and offer your sacrifice to God"  - Matthew 5:23

Is there is a relationship you need to reconcile? Don't delay in doing it. It doesn't matter who is right or wrong. Make things right with your brother or sister so you're not left to wander around in the season you're in. You don't have to be best friends with the person/s but you do have to love them. Oh, and pray for them too! I didn't say it, Jesus said it. 

God is loving, gracious, merciful, compassionate and extremely patient. God gives us plenty of time and space to just be. When God is ready for you to come out of that space he will begin to speak to you and you need to respond. It may be a specific command from the Lord, maybe you need to confront unconfessed sin or maybe you need to forgive someone that caused you pain. Whatever it is, be obedient to what God is asking you to do.

God is not a tyrant who roams around seeking perfection. He's looking for broken and contrite hearts. This means he wants you to desire righteousness and a spirit of humility. He wants you to walk in holiness and separate yourself from the world. He wants you to be free from the clutches of the enemy who has had a hold on certain areas of your life. God wants you to be everything He has called and purposed for you to be! You will get through this! You are more than a conqueror, you are victorious! Search your heart and ask God to remove anything in you that is not like him. Here is a great scripture to pray for God to reveal those hidden sins in our hearts.

Search me, O God and know my heart; try me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there be any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.  

- Psalm 139:23-24

 

Next post will be on Prayer and Fasting

Blessings,

Tytenisha

 

 

Are You Humble?

"For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted" Luke 18:14

 

I think humility is one of the greatest characteristics a person can possess. Unfortunately, many of us are prideful, especially in areas we are qualified or gifted in. Humility is not proud or arrogant, but modest, respectful and courteous (dictionary.com). Some people are naturally born with this quality but for many of us, it takes a conscience effort to walk in humility. Our human desires want to be recognized for our talents and contributions, but when we are prideful and feel entitled because of our status or successes, it's only a matter of time before we fall. Jesus said, "If you exalt yourself, you will be brought down, but if you humble yourself you will be lifted up."

I remember a humbling experience at my old church. I'm an experienced vocalist who has sung most of my life. I've done studio work for artists, I've recorded a couple of my own songs, I've sung in several choirs and I've performed at many engagements. When I came to that church, I wanted to be on the worship team and lead worship. The director of worship was not aware of my motives. To tell you the truth, I had never lead worship before, but because of my background, I felt "qualified" to lead worship.

I joined the worship team and was placed in the background to sing behind the worship leader. Yeah, I was annoyed lol! I could have been arrogant by running down my experience but something wouldn't let me. It didn't seem right to do that. I kept my mouth shut even when others were encouraging me to make my experience known. While chillin' in the background, I learned that leading worship is different from singing a solo. It's not about "me" and all about reverencing God with a clean heart and right motives. As a worship leader, you are responsible for creating an atmosphere that God would want to dwell in. I took everything in by watching and learning.

After some months of singing background, the Director of Worship asked me if I would like to start leading worship. I said yes and thanked God I didn't bum rush my way into that role. I wasn't ready and would have made a complete fool out of myself. God humbled me and I quickly adjusted because I knew my attitude was wrong. 

Are you walking in humility? It's never too late to start. Arrogance and self-entitlement will only hold you back. Strive to be humble even to those who don't seem to appreciate or recognize what you have to offer. Remember, "A mans gift makes room for him and brings him before great men" Proverbs 18:6.  Your gift will speak for itself. God sees all and in due season you will be elevated and rewarded for your humility.

Blessings,
Tytenisha