Love Notes

Romans 8:18
"For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us."



This weekend has been one of great memory. And still, I received some news that rocked my world to the core. I left a celebration to spend the day at the hospital with family. I sat for hours in the waiting room dealing with the fact that my grandmother, my heart, may never wake up on this side. I couldn't forget that in May of 2009 I lost my grandfather.

Yet, I heard God ask me, "Am I still worthy?" I just sat there a while and looked around and all I saw was family. I found assurance, because I realized that my grandmother knew the God that asked me this question. My mind went to Roman 8:18. And I read "for I consider", which means that is not a random though,t you had to sit there and put some time into it. This scripture was not a question, it was an conclusion.

So, the rest was a final thought. "That the suffering of this present age" I'm going through, but I'm not through. I don't praise Him because He only gives me sunny days, He keeps me in the suffering of this present age.

"...is not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us " To say we will have suffering is an understatement. The glory is coming and when it is revealed in me, the trouble I have right now won't have anything on what He is about to do in me.

So, do I trust Him? Yes. Do I still praise Him? Yes, because the one thing I have learned in this life is, God knows what He is doing.

DAILY LOVE FROM HIM ABOVE

The Fireman Principle

I thought to myself, while watching a very popular movie about firemen, there is something about them that I like. I realized that I liked them, not because they had super power, but because daily they run into situations that others run out of. They are not in it when it's all good and then, run out when it's bad. They going into it already knowing that things look bad.

While watching this, my mind started to wonder what is it that make the firemen run in after the fire is already hot? God showed me that it's not because firemen are so good, but it's because they're equipped with the right equipment.

As I watched the firemen, it came to me that I was watching the wrong thing. I should have been paying attention to watch they had on.

As Christian, we should be like those firemen. We should have the faith to run into situations that others run out of. If we find ourselves in a fire, we shouldn't panic and jump out of windows. We should go in and handle our business. Not, because we're perfect, but because we're prepared.

The Fireman Principle simply states that we go to church weekly for Bible Study, choir rehearsal and worship, not to become "perfect" but to become prepared. Whenever you have a fire in your life, you are not running around looking for someone else to come and save you, you already have your jars of life.

DAILY LOVE FROM HIM ABOVE

Love Notes

Recently, while out to eat with a friend, I saw a little boy walk up to the door of the restaurant. As he attempted to open the door, it seemed to be too much for him, so he stopped, rolled his sleeves up and tried again with what seemed to be with all his might. When it seemed as if this was not going to work in his favor, the little boy turned around and asked his father, "Can you help me please, dad?" The dad replied, "Only if you help me." The son smiled and said, "Daddy, it can't take both of us!" So, there he went pushing again, and the father joined in and pushed the door open with one hand.

Once the little boy was able to get into the restaurant, he asked to go to the restroom. As he approached the door, he soon found that the same problem seemed to have followed him. The restroom door didn't want to open for him. Fed up and discouraged, the little boy began to cry. The father just stood by and acted as if he didn't see or hear the groans of his son.

Me, being curious, got up and asked the father why he didn't help his son and why did he act as if he didn't hear him crying. The father began to explain to me that he is teaching him to ask for help when he needs it and not just give up. He stated, "I like it when he tries to do things on his own, but we all need help at times. All he had to do was ask and I would have helped him open the second door as well.

I stopped and thought about it. That's exactly how we do God. We keep trying to get in the room, then stop, pray He opens the door. But then, we get to the next door and don't even ask for help. We try to do it on our own, and when we can't do it,we forget to call our help. We begin to feel as if God just didn't want us to have it.

My question for you today is, what have you not gotten because it has proven to be too much for you, but you have not asked your FATHER to help you get it?

Push the door, but ask for help.

DAILY LOVE FROM HIM ABOVE

Love Notes

A passage in the Book of Philippians says, "In whatever state you find yourself, be content." I didn't really understand this, until I witnessed how the society finds trouble, issues and calamity. It appears no one is happy and there is constant complaining.

As I thought of this scripture, I thought that it is not about the outward being as much as it is about the inward. The scripture has more to do with God and not with us. Think about it. If you are broke, God is good. If you are rich, God is good. If you have a friend, God is good. If you are all alone, God is still good. Don't be content with things, be content with the Savior.

If you find yourself having a bad day, think about all God has done for you and all the ways He has made. Think about what He has done, not to give you more stuff, but to give you salvation. Don't think where you are right now is where you'll always be. Yet, have hope. Because, where you are right now isn't where you've always been. This isn't the first time you've been broke. But, God has made a way for you. Think of it as the "roller coaster theory." As you approach a big, scary roller coaster, take joy in the fact that someone got on the roller coaster before you and they got off. Find peace in the middle of your storm in the fact that this isn't the first time someone has been on this ride before. You've witnessed people before that were broke, but they made it. So, why would you think God would leave you in that state?

Whatever state you find yourself in be content.

DAILY LOVE FROM HIM ABOVE

Love Notes

Let Everything That Hath Breath, Praise the Lord.

I recently heard a popular minister's sermon via the internet. He began by saying, no matter what situation you're in, God is still good. Then, the organ began to play and my one year old started to wave her hand.I thought to myself, how blessed are we that a one year old can recognize when to wave her hand, but those of us in later generations, who have been through some things, can't always attest to the fact that God has been good?

If we don't lift our hands, the rocks will cry out. And, I've witnessed that if we don't lift our hands, then a one year old will cry out.

Recognize the fact that God is good. If you can't recognize it, witness it through your kids.

DAILY LOVE FROM HIM ABOVE

"I'm Here For A Reason"

I was thinking about why we face some of the trials that we go through and I tried to equate the natural with the spiritual. God showed me in natural life, there are two reasons why a teacher gives you a test; to see how much that has been taught is being retained and a test to see if what you've been taught is good enough to take you to the next level.

I feel as if God does the same with us. Sometimes He teaches us a lesson, then He gives us a test over the lesson. Not to take us down or hurt us, but to see our grade. Sometime God wants to know how we'd react if something that we thought we couldn't live without was taken from us.

Then, there is another test that God gives us. Not only is there a test to evaluate you, but to elevate you. Some of us are at this point in our lives. We are supposed to be elevated, but we are still in evaluation because we keep failing. God is saying that He cannot elevate us until we pass the evaluation. We want the reward without the responsibility.

Today's question today is, Are you passing the test? Are you just wanting a reward without the work? If you are willing to do the work, trust me, the reqard is well worth the price you've paid.

DAILY LOVE FROM HIM ABOVE

It Could Have Been Me

"Goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life."
Psalm 23:6

While listening to "Thank You Lord" by the late Walter Hawkins, I began to think about the fact that "it could have been me".

I know there are many scriptures in the Bible that will "automatically make us shout," such as, "weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning" or "now unto Him who is able to do exceedingly, abundantly above all that we ask or think" or "I can do all things through Christ which stengthens me."

Yet, I couldn't help but be reminded that "it could have been me." I began to think of all the things that I thought were not going right in my life, things that I felt shouldn't be happening to me.

As the song continued to play, I was reminded that "it could have been me, outdoors with no food or no clothes.....left all alone without a friend, or just another number, with a tragic end....

We've sung these words for years and have become numb to the fact that it could have been us the writer was talking about. It's not because we've been so good or because we've been so kind. Because, we know that there are times when we are not good.

However, the song goes on to say, "God didn't see fit to let none of these things be....."

So, today I want to encourage you to praise God, because we are blessed! If you're reading this, chances are you aren't homeless. If you're reading things, chances are you aren't without lights. Some way you are receiving this message, so you are blessed.

As long as you know that it's not you, but it could've been you, you have something to shout about!

DAILY LOVE FROM HIM ABOVE