UnShaded Revelations

 Began 12/7/2014…

2 Corinthians 5:7 – “For we walk by faith, not by sight”

What does it really mean to “Walk by Faith”?  Those of us who have been in church majority of our lives have heard this expression used quite often…

“Walking” by faith deals with how we choose to live our lives.  As Christians, its imperative that we see things through our spiritual eyes (faith). We believe God, regardless of what of we see with the physical eye.  My husband told us in one of his messages a few weeks ago, “When you can’t SEE, you rely on what He SAID”…

I’m not going to distort the truth and say this isn’t something I’ve struggled with.  This is something I have, well honestly speaking…I AM struggling with.  

Oftentimes, people feel as though leaders always have it together and unfortunately we tend to try to live up to those standards.  Truth is: It can be a true struggle to walk this faith thing out, especially with the seemingly added pressure of “all the world watching”.  I understand the discouragement, the pain, the anger, the disappointment, frustration, the second guessing,  and the neglectful feeling (God moving for everyone else, but you)…I’ve been there…my husband has been there…can I tell you it gets easier to do? No, but I {{TRUST GOD}} that it’ll get better…

Continued 12/8/14
While I was typing this last night, it felt as though God completely shut down my thought process and closed my ear gates…I couldn’t finish…and no matter how hard I tried…there was NOTHING.  I now know why.  I share this as tears fall down my face: what most people don’t know is that my husband and I have hit a financial block…part of his income has UNEXPECTEDLY stopped…I got to work this morning and realized our phones were off…while that may seem minuscule to some…for someone who has never had to deal with that…someone who has always had a solution…someone who has always had the income, for the most part…that’s major…crazy part is: that’s not the only bill due this week that we have no clue how we’re going to pay…{{FAITH}}. I’m not sharing this to garner sympathy, but to show you how GREAT our GOD is…Just as I was about to feel sorry for myself (and my husband), God wouldn’t allow me to…He reminded me what He just spoke to me Friday…”It could all be worse”…

So see my FAITH has been put into action and I have no choice, but to TRUST GOD…struggling, trying to make ends meet, or even living paycheck to paycheck is not what He’s shown me or my husband…Don’t misunderstand, we’re definitely NOT in ministry for the money, but struggling is not what we’ve been shown…

How do you stay encouraged when you’re not seeing the manifestation of what God has shown you?  What do you do? 

You can probably guess what my first piece of advice would be (and understand I’m talking to myself, as well):

1. PRAY – Ask God for His supernatural strength…2 Corinthians 12:9 – tells us that His strength is made perfect in our weakness…You can’t do this without Him…you can try, but you’re guaranteed to fail…Then ask Him to cover your mind – we understand that Satan’s goal is to STEAL, KILL, and DESTROY…well how does he do that?  Well if he attacks your mind first, everything else will fall into place…It’s much easier for him to attack your mind, when you’re dealing with more than you think you can handle…{{STRENGTH & COVERAGE}} Secondly, 
2. You can’t sit down when you ACTIVATE YOUR FAITH, you MUST keep WORKING…you keep doing what He’s instructed you to do…James 2:14-26 simply put explains “Faith Without Works is DEAD“…vs 17 of that passage says: “So you see, faith by itself isn’t enough. Unless it produces good deeds, it is dead and useless.” I think that’s somewhat self-explanatory…

Gracious God, Our Father, You are the Alpha and Omega, You’re worthy, You’re Awesome, You’re GREAT & Mighty…God I come first to thank you for all you’ve done and you’re getting ready to do in our lives.  God I confess every sin and ask for forgiveness. Lord, I offer this prayer for whoever may be discouraged, discontent or unsure…Lord, I ask that you would provide strength like no other…when we feel weak, send us small constant reminders that you’re there and we’re not alone…I pray for clarity of the mind, Father God…we ask that you would guard and cover our minds from the wiles of the enemy…Lord, I ask that you would guide our eyes and aigrettes…I ask that you would put on our spiritual blinders and help us see with our spiritual eye. God, we ask that you heighten our discernment in understanding this process…God I say thank you in advance, because we know it’s done…I say thank you again for just being God…In Your Son’s Name,  Amen.

Praying for you always,

Lady CMJ