Three Warnings/I Missed Them All

What a day! A friend of mine is here in Florida from New York because of her job and we were supposed to meet up for dinner this evening. So another friend offered me the use of her car so I could meet up with my visiting friend and honestly I had already planned to take the bus, but I accepted the offer to use her car. Big mistake.

Long story short I had an accident in Walmart’s parking lot and hit someones car as I was backing out of the parking spot. The car that I was driving sits up a little higher than what I am used to. It’s a Nissan Rouge and strangely enough the car has rear view cameras and I still didn’t see the person I hit! But it is what it is and now I will more than likely end up having to come out of my pocket to pay for the repairs. But that is not what I am upset about.

You see, God gave me 3 warnings to get me to avoid this accident and I missed all three. I know this may seem strange to some people and to other’s you may be able to identify. Warning number one: When my friend offered me the car and I got off the phone after accepting her offer, I felt troubled in my spirit. I mean heavily burdened. I recognized the burden, but didn’t get a clear understanding of what the burden was for. But I did get a fleeting thought that maybe I shouldn’t use the car.

Second warning: On the morning of the accident, I was going to Bible Study before my work from home job and I felt led to ask the lady who usually picks me up, to do so anyway even though the car I borrowed was parked down stairs in the parking lot. But I felt guilty for asking her to come to get me when I had the use of a car. But the Lord was prompting me to do so and I didn’t listen.

Third warning: I pulled into Walmart’s parking lot because I needed some cash back, but immediately felt to pull out the space and leave BEFORE I went in the store, but I ignored the prompting. That was my last warning because when I came out I backed out and hit another car. Bummer.

Of course no one wants to have an accident, especially not while using another persons car. I believe this was a learning experience and a reminder to be more sensitive and to pay attention to the still small voice of the Holy Spirit and obey!

1 Kings 19:11-13 New King James Version (NKJV)

God’s Revelation to Elijah

¹¹ Then He said, “Go out, and stand on the mountain before the Lord.” And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind tore into the mountains and broke the rocks in pieces before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake; ¹² and after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire a still small voice.

Course Corrections

Hearing from God is never easy. Even for people who feel as though they have a good track record in this area. I kind of feel that way. I have a good track record, but God recently showed me that I misunderstood what He was saying to me.

Recently I shared about moving and it all stemmed from me misinterpreting what God was saying to me. It wasn’t that God wasn’t speaking, it was just that I didn’t understand him.

I had tried to move to Georgia in the past and God spoke clearly and said “This is the place (Florida)  where your miracle is going to happen, this is the place where your prophecy is going to come to pass” and the minister tacked on: “and you don’t have to run up to Atlanta”. That word stands strong and clear. It still applies to this day.

So one night the Lord directed me to leave the television on (the Christian Station) and I woke up hearing Pastor John Gray share how he and his wife both moved to Atlanta and met in church. Well I assumed God was telling me that I needed to move, but what I now know is that God was simply telling me I would meet my mate in church! Simple enough. But I ran off on a tangent about Atlanta again.

So I hadn’t been able to get to my church regularly and started to visit another church on occasion and also was watching online and I started thinking that I was going to make the new church my home church. Long story short, through a series of unusual circumstances the Lord showed me that I am to return to my former church and that is where His promises will come to past. I had misinterpreted what God was saying, but the Lord got me back on track.

Not sure what God is saying? Keep asking, keep praying and more than anything ask for understanding. He will make His Will CLEAR!

Proverbs 3:6 King James Version (KJV)

⁶ In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

A New Memo

I remember years ago hearing a preacher say “check your mail because God has sent a new memo”. I can so identify with that statement because I feel as though I have gotten a new memo.

First, let me start by saying I have no problem saying I’m wrong about something, but I am pretty sure the Lord was prompting me to move and trying to see about my willingness about a move, but in the past week all of that has changed. Let’s say I thought that was what God was saying and was going to be both willing and obedient. But things suddenly changed and we can get new memos from God each and every day.

Let me say this. As far as I know, I am not going to be moving. I am not sure if someone is praying against my move, but I am not going. Honestly, when I said I was moving, I really didn’t have anything in mind other than obedience. I didn’t have a person in mind, I just had a vision of what God showed me the morning I woke up and saw Pastor John Gray saying he moved to Atlanta and so did his mate and that is where they connected. But I honestly did not and do not have the who in the vision. I felt I did a very long time ago, but I am wise enough to realize that the person I thought God was speaking to me about has no interest and honestly I have no interest in hanging onto someone who does not want me. That is simply not Gods will. In order for two people to marry, they both need to want to be together and that is just not the case. I’ve accepted that.

So looks like my new memo is saying to stay put. Actually, I am relieved about it. I remember years ago wanting to take a trip to Atlanta and fasting and praying and turning on Pastor Jentzen Franklin and hearing him say “this is the place where your miracle will happen, this is the place where your prophesy will come to pass, and God says you don’t have to run to Atlanta for it to happen”. lol I have held firmly to that word ever since and will continue to do so.

I don’t know if I received a new memo, or went back to the old one, but right now, I want to say, I am staying right here!

Maybe it was just a test. What do you think? Have you had the Lord do the same to you?

Selfish or Self-less?

In the last couple of days, two people have referred to me as being selfish. One person said it indirectly and the other said it directly. Of course when you hear things like that and you feel you aren’t selfish, you immediately get on the defensive. But I decided to not to do that when I heard it today.

The person that said it to me indirectly is the lady that I have been caring for, for 2 1/2 years now. I have served her and others have said “waited on her hand and foot”. I have cooked everyday, served her meals, cleaned the kitchen daily, taken her to her many doctors appointments, did the food shopping, picked up her meds and the list goes on. Instead of being paid, I have paid the utilities and given her money as well. Sound selfish?

I didn’t pay it much mind because I have finally decided to move away. I have been self-less for the past 10 years. When I moved to Florida from New York City, I became the caregiver for my Dad. After he died, I ended up being in the same situation, but I am finally letting go and moving on. This is why she is calling me selfish. I’ve decided to “get my life”. It’s laughable.

Today, I was referred to as being selfish because in the past, I was fighting for something that I thought God said was for me. At this point, I have let that go, but I am still very concerned for the person who I was fighting for. I’m glad this was communicated to me because you never know how someone is thinking until they tell you.

Here is the deal. I want the person free and happy period. I am very clear that it would be nothing more than that. And one thing I do know. God has spoken about my role to help, so I believe that person knows that I am a friend and not a foe. So I can be lied on and maligned, it doesn’t matter. When the dust settles, I am a friend who knows that I can help and the time is now.

I did think about what was said, and I can see why a person would say “well you only want to help me because you are thinking how it will benefit you”. That was not my mindset ever, from my perspective. But I can help and move on. I know I can. Too much has happened for this to be a blessing, at least in my mind. If a man makes it clear he has no intention of making you a part of his life, there is nothing left to do but accept it. But I think we can see other people and still be a friends.

Selfish? I think not. Try self-less? My problem is I need to be more selfish.

The End of a Season

There are seasons of life that we all go through and when you live a surrendered life, God can do whatever He wants with you. Not many understand this, but I am here for those who walk this “prophetic walk”.

In 2005, I  moved from the city of my birth (NY) and landed in west Florida, living with my Dad. He was up in age and his health was beginning to decline. Initially, I came because I needed to, but God had a plan. I ended up staying and taking care of him until he died in 2011.

I went through a lot, especially in the area of my health. One of the worse things a caregiver can do is neglect themselves and sadly, that is what I did. I got a very good job, but left because of health issues. This took my life in a direction that I’m not so sure I was supposed to go. But God has a way of working things out for our good.

I ended up moving in with an elderly lady who really needed help and that was our arrangement. Again, I found myself as a caregiver. Now don’t think I went into this willingly. It’s one thing to take care of your parent. It’s another thing to take care of someone who is not a relative. But this lady had lost her 35-year-old daughter years ago and had no one to take care of her. So God placed me in that role and gave me enough confirmation to know, I was in the will of God.

Now, because I have heard a lot of gossip that this lady is saying behind my back, I know it’s time for me to make a move. God in his grace has secured a place for me in another city. Still in Florida, but about 30 minutes from where I now live. It’s amazing how you can make a sacrifice and it not really be appreciated. But I am not going to dwell on that. I know what I did was in obedience to God. But guess what? IT’S MY TIME!!

If my life doesn’t seem that interesting or glamorous, just keep watching. I am about to enter a new season and I believe that in this next season, all that has been laying dormant is about to come forth. I decree and declare that 2016 is indeed my year!! And if you can identify with anything I have said, let me tell you, open your mouth and declare that it’s your time too!

Psalm 126

Prayer and Fasting

I’m coming off a 10-day partial fast based on Daniel 1 which was when Daniel ate only vegetables. This is been the best experience as well as eye-opening.

Every believer should incorporate fasting into their spiritual life. It’s a game changer. There are times when we go through difficult circumstances and we need answers and there is nothing like powering up your prayers with fasting.

I am going to be honest and tell you that I have been a little lazy in this area. Have I fasted? Yes, I have fasted most of my spiritual walk, but there has been a mandate on me lately and I have missed the mark. For example this 10-day fast has been something I have been “trying” to complete since the beginning of the year. Seemed like I couldn’t get past four days. But praise God, I finally got the victory.

And even though I did complete the fast, I also want to be honest and say I messed up right toward the end of the fast. Not so much with food. But with something else. But God is merciful and he highlighted to me that this is an area that I must get victory over. And then He told me to keep going.

There was also something that God wanted to show me and not only did He give me spiritual insight, but he gave me a peace like I’ve not had before. God is indeed in control, no matter what it looks like.

Experiencing a crisis? Need to get answers, or draw closer to God, or want to hear His voice better? Fasting is the key! For you who have experienced fasting, who have gotten lazy, get back to it. For you who are starting for the first time, get some good literature on it and begin. Your life will never be the same!

Daniel 1