Speak your Blessings today!

Good morning to all on this Wednesday morning. Another snow day in Atlanta and I am now sympathetic for the sick and shut-in. It has been a challenge to be indoors for three days. The YMCA is not open; it is not really smart to be playing Bowling With the Cars on the street so I have been at home cleaning closets, drawers and other "Honey Dos" that seem always to fall back to the back burner. Well, when the back burner is the only thing you have better fry something! I awakened late so immediately had calls to return (my wonderful husband) and emails to answer which is a way of dragging you into the "day" without properly greeting my Lord and Savior and having my quiet time. So I stopped, dropped and rolled right into the scriptures so that I could order my day and remain the person God intended. Continue to keep ET and his family in your prayers and JKS in your prayers. Please pray for Waine's safe travels back from Kingston Jamaica tomorrow.

I am continuing my journey in Philippians 1 verses 12 - 30 "Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel. As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ. And because of my chains, most of the brothers and sisters have become confident in the Lord and dare all the more to proclaim the gospel without fear. It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill. The latter do so out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains. But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice. Yes, and I will continue to rejoice, for I know that through your prayers and God’s provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance. I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death.  For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.  If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know!  I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far;  but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body. Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, so that through my being with you again your boasting in Christ Jesus will abound on account of me. Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in the one Spirit, striving together as one for the faith of the gospel without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you. This is a sign to them that they will be destroyed, but that you will be saved—and that by God. For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for Him, since you are going through the same struggle you saw I had, and now hear that I still have." Amen.

FOR ME TO LIVE IS CHRIST AND TO DIE IS GAIN! Many Christians quote this scripture in many circumstances. I actually think Paul was talking about his death not in a literal sense but in a metaphorical sense although because He new Jesus Paul longed to be rid of this life and start his new one with the Lord. When we live for Christ and are an example for others with our life then others will come to know Christ through us and we are then fulfilling our  mission of Kingdom building. I also think Paul is giving us a clue that to Live for Christ you have to Die to yourself. It is SELF that becomes the portal for Satan. Satan has no portal to you other than through your "self"--when you crucify YOU on a minute by minute basis, your new life from Christ can take over and you begin to manifest the fruits of the Spirit.

For example I really never talk about my personal victories for Christ but will share with you this little story because it fits. In my last job, I had a pretty tough job and had to manage alot of people. I don't know if you know this but when you work for certain companies or entities that care for the needs of the poor, some of the employees that work for you do not have an attitude of services even when they profess with their mouth that Jesus is Lord. They are as Paul describes in this chapter, that they "preach Christ out of envy and rivalry" and not out of goodwill. "They preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains. But what does it matter?, i.e for me to live is christ and to die is gain!These same "Christians" lie about their work ethic; they cheat their employers by arriving late and leaving early; they take company supplies like pen and paper and will complain about you because you are "making them work hard" and therefore are disrespecting their humanity. They will complain about you if you want to start a meeting with prayer and will use every ounce of their being to bring you down. But what does it matter, for me to live is Christ and to die is gain.

Now you can buy into that--it is hard on a day to day basis to take this level of negative thinking and pressure, but you have to remind yourself why GOD HAS YOU THERE. If you think you are in any situation because of your merit then you are not living your spiritual life. Even when you think bad things are happening to you evaluate what it is that you think is happening. Remember only Satan condemns--so if you are experiencing condemnation then ask God to forgive your fearful spirit and remember God never condemns you. He may convict you and convince you about the JUNK IN YOUR TRUNK but He never condemns--that is Satan and all you need do is rebuke the Devil with the WORD OF GOD and he will flee from that WORD and you. God need no help being God and He will keep you insituation or take you out for His Good and the Good of the Kingdom. Our life here is just a short way stop even in abundance.

As the child of the King use your knowledge and faith to overcome the obstacles that stand in the way of your abundant life. Speak God's truth to Power and if you cant say anything else just say the name of Jesus over and over. Christ has prepared a feast for you today so glorify at the banquet table and partake freely. Turn off the negative noise and speak your abundance into reality so that others will be blessed and God's Kingdom will be magnified.

May the LORD bless you and keep you; may the LORD make His face shine on you and be gracious to you; may the LORD turn His face toward you and give you peace! Number 6:24-26 I have spoken your blessing to you today. Give it to others.

Stephanie