Your Name Here
“Then the Lord said to Satan,
‘Have you considered my servant Job?’”
Job 1:8
Has your life ever been so full of ups, downs and misadventure that you’ve thought to yourself, “Surely the Lord has put my name in for a bid?” Kind of like Job when the Lord literally set him up.
Poor Job had to endure one thing after another. Have you ever had a season like that? Well I have. In fact, I’m smack dab in the middle of it right now. It actually started about a year ago, so for some strange reason, I thought that when the clock struck twelve on January 1, and the year 2016 began that all of the craziness of last year would magically end. That the season of crazy unbearable difficulty would suddenly end. Well, no such luck!
Since crazy is still happening in my life, the Lord reminded me of what gospel singer Israel Houghton said on one of his earliest CDs, “Seasons are not governed by clocks and calendars, but by revelation and truth.”
Hmm. You mean to tell me that just because the year has ended, that doesn’t mean my trouble will too? Who wrote these rules anyway?
Today, as I was reflecting on the last couple of days, the thought came to me that maybe God has put a bid in for my testing. Maybe, just like he did with Job, he said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Marlena?”
In your case He’d say, “Have you considered my servant [your name here]?”
I think God has more confidence in me than I do.
So if you are going through a rough patch, like me, just remind yourself of the promise of James 1:3,
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters,
whenever you face trials of many kinds,
because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.
Let perseverance finish its work
so that you may be mature and complete,
because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.
Let perseverance finish its work
so that you may be mature and complete,
not lacking anything.”
Well when this is all over, I will be mature and complete, and I’ll have the battle scars to prove it!
(Contributing Writer: Marlena Patterson)
Give Me a Break
“I will also give you rest from all your enemies.”
2 Samuel 7:11
I never thought I was a person who had enemies; just people who I didn’t like and who didn’t like me. That is until this past year. That’s when I realized that there are people who are actively against me. Their words, deeds and attitudes make their opposition very apparent in that sneaky, sly, “Hey girl I like your shoes” sort of way. (I’m giving the side eye.)
Just to give you a visual, I watch a lot of football. Whenever my favorite team plays (THE Dallas Cowboys by the way), I route for them to win. Although I am for the one team, I am not actively against the other. Sure there can only be one winner but I am not hoping for the failure of the opposing team. Does that make sense?
Unlike my football scenario, I realized there were people doing and saying things not just to elevate themselves, but to also diminish me in the mind of others.
So what can you do to catch a break?
Enemies, as they are, don’t commonly go on holiday. They keep pushing your buttons and wearing on your nerves without ceasing. But this scripture offers refreshing hope.
“I will also give you rest from all your enemies.”
Ahhhh! Like the fizz of a lemon-lime soda tickling your nose while sitting in a lawn chair at the beach on a warm summer day.
(Let’s enjoy this moment of peace.)
Now that we’ve woo-saa’d, let’s write this good word on the tablet of our hearts, or in S-Memo, either one works, and carry-on as if we know for certain that soon the Lord will give us rest.
(Contributing Writer: Marlena Patterson)
Abraham’s Top Secret Mission
“Take your son, your only son, whom you love—Isaac—and go to the region of Moriah.
Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on a mountain I will show you.”
Genesis 22:9
Has God ever asked you to do something so nuts-o that you couldn’t tell anyone about it? I mean, folk would seriously have you committed, or arrested, if they knew. Something so radical, that you had to do it first, or at least make an irreversible commitment, before even hinting to anyone about it.
Sure you consulted God’s Word and your “go-to” Godly counsel people (I hope) to make sure you weren’t completely out of your mind, but after that, you told no one.
Well that’s what happened to Abraham. He had a secret mission from God that he literally told no one about. Because they would’ve locked him up! Of course I’m talking about the infamous story where God provided a ram in the bush (Genesis 22) to sacrifice instead of his son. The son they prayed for all those years, the son of the promise, the son through whom a bunch of Ancestry.com leaves are supposed to come.
Y’all know he didn’t tell that boy’s mamma where he was going that day! And when it was over; after Abraham untied his son, you know he told him, “Now don’t tell you mom what happened today and we’ll stop and get Fig Newton’s on the way home.” Let my husband tell me God told him to kill my son. I do not think so!
Just as a side note, I wonder if Isaac looked at his dad differently after that adventure. I mean, if my dad tied me up, held a knife over me and was about to “sacrifice” me, I’m not going no where else with dad. EVER!
Anyway, here’s a few examples of why you just can’t tell people the sometimes strange things God asks you to do.
Once God led me to walk 60 miles in 3 days in the Susan G. Komen 3-Day to raise money and awareness for breast cancer. A worthy cause right? When I told people what I was doing, after I signed up by the way, although most people were supportive, I was met with some negative responses like “Why are you doing that?” and “Humph! I couldn’t do that. That’s doing too much.” Then, earlier this year, I told someone really close to me that I was doing The Daniel Fast, and they said, “Oh yeah? Well we’ll see how that goes.”
Really? I mean can a sista get some love here?
The point is, as you’re fasting this Lenten season, whatever it entails, tell only those people who are sure to support and encourage you. There will be some days when you’ll need to be uplifted and some when you’ll need some accountability. But whatever you do, don’t tell the naysayers.
If, by chance, you’ve already been unfortunate enough to have made that mistake, it’s okay. Acknowledge that they hurt your feelings for not being supportive, choose not to talk to them about it anymore and don’t hold it against them.
Once it’s all over, you can have some Fig Newtons.
(Contributing Writer: Marlena Patterson)Lent Is Here
“But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face,
so that it will not be obvious to others that you are fasting,
but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father,
but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father,
who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.”
Matthew 6:17-18
I am one of the biggest advocates of planning ahead. I preach it and I practice it and for the most part I’m consistent, except for when it comes to Lent.I just don’t know what it is. Every year the Lenten Season comes around the same time, and every year I’m surprised that it’s here. Then I spend the day before Ash Wednesday scrambling and scurrying to get prepared for the 40+ days ahead. If I’m going to fast, I very spiritually ask God to tell me what to fast, and if possible by the end of the day so I can stop at the store when I leave work. Then I write down what I want to “get out of my fast” and the “purpose” for which I’m fasting.
Rubbish! I mean seriously, most of us are fasting because that’s what we’re supposed to do at Lent. Unfortunately fasting has become less of a spiritual practice and more of a fad. Some people are so accustomed to it, that they haven’t asked God what their fast should consist of in years. They know they’re going to do The Daniel Fast, or stop drinking or give up Facebook because they do the same thing every single year.
And the reasons we fast are just as bad as the methods. Sure we say we’re doing The Daniel Fast so God can be our source. But it’s actually because we know we’ll lose at least 8 lbs. and reward ourselves with a cute new Easter outfit. We avoid (I mean abstain from) social media so we can finally do the stuff we’ve been putting off for the last month. We don’t watch TV because there’s nothing good on this time of year anyway. Well, except for The Walking Dead which returns this Sunday.
Sorry, I digressed.
If you find yourself fasting out of habit, or just so you can say you’re fasting, rededicate your fast to the Lord. Actually talk to your Heavenly Father about what He wants for you during this season. He will tell you. When he gives you the answer and you follow his lead, he will give you all the strength and support you need to successfully complete your fast and be victorious in the end.
(Contributing Writer: Marlena Patterson)
Read Your Bible (Particularly the Proverbs)
These are the proverbs of Solomon, the son of David and king of Israel. They will help you learn to be wise, to accept correction, and to understand wise sayings. They will teach you to develop your mind in the right way. You will learn to do what is right and to be honest and fair. These proverbs will make even those without education smart. They will teach young people what they need to know and how to use what they have learned. Even the wise could become wiser by listening to these proverbs. They will gain understanding and learn to solve difficult problems. These sayings will help you understand proverbs, stories with hidden meanings, words of the wise, and other difficult sayings.
Proverbs 1:1-6 (ERV)
The world would be a whole lot better if everyone just read the Proverbs in the morning instead of the newspaper or our social media news-feeds. I mean seriously. If everyone in the world, Christian or not, just adhered to the Wisdom of Solomon, we may not have half of the issues we have. Why? Because it’s all relevant.Here’s an example. Proverbs 7:6-23 (ERV) begins, “One day I was looking out my window at some foolish teenagers and noticed one who had no sense at all.” I mean seriously. How many times have you looked out your window and saw some teenagers acting nuts-o? And there’s generally one in every bunch that feels like they have to be the wildest.
Anyway, the scripture goes on to say that the teen with “no sense at all”, wound up walking through the neighborhood near “that” woman’s house. Some of you know exactly who “that woman” is. Now, even if you live in a wonderful neighborhood that doesn’t have a “that woman”, then you at least have heard stories about her from friends, or seen her on a popular prime-time television show that’s shown on Thursday nights. (I’m just sayin’.) You can pick one.
The boy knew he had no business over there in the first place. But it’s getting dark and the woman suddenly appears before him. He didn’t even have to read the Proverbs to know she was going to pop up, because in 1984 the prophet Whodini said the “Freaks Come Out at Night”.
Verse 10 says the woman was dressed in her booty shorts and stiletto sneakers because she had plans for him. What? That’s not what it says? So what’s the word the Bible uses? Hmm?
Brothers! Let me tell you something. Most of you are not as smooth as you think. It’s not likely that you “just happened” to notice her from across the room. It was probably planned.
Okay. Let’s jump down to verse 13. I’m going to translate what happens in 2015 while you read along in your Bible. But my version is much cleaner.
“She saw the young man and said, ‘Hey Tony. Where my hug at?’ Then she said, ‘I just got finished making that homemade lasagna and strawberry cheesecake. I told you I could throw down. You should come and get some while it’s hot.”
Know your Bible! Don’t get bamboozled! Now, “that” woman, is your baby mama and you’re stuck with her forever!
Now ladies. Before you jump down my throat, it works both ways. Except a man wouldn’t be called “that guy”, he’d be referred to as, “Girrrrl (with the roll of the eyes), you betta watch out for him because He. Is. A. Dog.” You see; the guys have it much worse. But in case you’re interested in reading it, that version takes place in 2 Samuel 11.
Anyway, you read the rest for yourself. All I’m saying is, read your Bible. Particularly the Proverbs. They can save your life.
(Contributing Writer: Marlena Patterson)Why We Read the Bible
Have you ever heard or said any of the following statements?“I’m a busy person with a lot to do. I don’t have time to read the Bible.”
“I already believe in Jesus Christ. I’ve already heard the Gospel. So I don’t need to read the Bible.”
“I don’t think I need to read the Bible as long as I’m a good person and I treat others with love.”
“I go to church on Sunday and Bible Study during the week. That’s enough Bible for me.”
Many people wonder why followers of Christ should read the bible. Others see it as something that’s good to do, but it’s not necessary. The following Scriptures should answer the question…
Why should I read the bible?
Jesus then said to the Jews who had believed in him, “If you continue in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.”
Don’t stop reading this book of the Law, but day and night think of what it says, so you can be careful to do everything written in it; then you will prosper and succeed.
“And now I entrust you to God and his care and to his wonderful words that are able to build your faith and give you all the inheritance of those who are set apart for himself.
But Jesus told him, “No! The Scriptures say, ‘People need more than bread for their life; they must feed on every word of God.'”
It is not the flesh that gives a person life. It is the spirit that gives life. The words I told you are spirit, and so they give life.
And the Scriptures were written to teach and encourage us by giving us hope.
Jesus answered him, “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word. Then my Father will love him, and we will go to him and make our home within him. The one who doesn’t love me doesn’t keep my words. The words that you’re hearing me say are not mine, but come from the Father who sent me.
All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It straightens us out and teaches us to do what is right. It is God’s way of preparing us in every way, fully equipped for every good thing God wants us to do.
For the word of God is full of living power. It is sharper than the sharpest knife, cutting deep into our innermost thoughts and desires. It exposes us for what we really are.
God’s Word is alive!
The more you expose yourself to it, the more it will expose itself to you. To know God better you must spend time hearing what He has to say. The Bible is His message to you. If you want Him to listen to what you have to say, you should also listen to what He has to say. Although God can also speak directly to your heart, you need to know His written Word so you can judge whether God is speaking to you, or the enemy is trying to deceive you.
God will not love you more because you read the Bible.
It’s for your benefit — not required to make God love you. However, without reading the Bible, you will not grow spiritually, and you will be more easily deceived. Prayerfully reading the Scriptures yourself is the only real defense against being misled.
God’s Word is truth (John 17:17).
Do you want to know the truth? If so, don’t spend your time on lesser, unreliable things?
The promise of Jesus in John 8:31-32 is for you. If you continue in the Word of God, you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free!
Your spiritual life is important.
You always have time for what you consider important.
Only those who continue in God’s Word come to the place of knowing called faith. Faith comes by hearing the Word of God (Romans 10:17).
Jesus taught that God’s Word is a seed (Luke 8:11). Plant the seed of God’s Word in your life and you will reap blessings.
(Contributing Writer: Joy Patterson)Forgiveness
“But where sin increased, grace increased all the more,
so that, just as sin reigned in death, so also grace might reign
through righteousness to bring eternal life
through Jesus Christ our Lord.”
Romans 5:20-21
The thing about forgiveness is that it goes two, three or even four ways. First, the offender needs to seek forgiveness from God. That’s number one. Next, the offender needs to seek forgiveness from the person to whom they caused harm. That’s a given. But then, the offender, and sometimes the person harmed, needs to forgive him/herself. That is always difficult. Finally, the world (whether it’s family, friends, coworkers, neighbors, or people on Facebook) needs to forgive the offender. That folks, is near impossible! Not because we’re incapable of forgiving, but because we are unwilling.Sometimes we forget that Christ was literally nailed to two posts of wood, beaten to a pulp, and had to walk dang near naked in front of EVERYONE. We forget that he was humiliated, falsely accused, cursed at, spat on, and probably worse, just so that God could forgive us and we could be reconciled to the Father. Sometimes we forget that “at just the right time, when we were still sinners, Christ died for US.” Sometimes we forget that to God sin does not have degrees; it is all just sin.
So, regardless of how bad the offense, we need to forgive one another. The Apostle Paul wrote, “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ, God forgave you.” For some reason, we think kindness and compassion is only for those who are innocent. Just like we tend to think that church is only for those who are “Saved”.
Now I’m sure someone will say, “Well I can forgive, but I won’t forget.” That’s fine. You should remember so that you can learn and grow from that experience. But you still need to forgive them. And when you do, don’t bring it up at every Thanksgiving dinner, or summertime cookout. And don’t go around telling everyone you meet what happened, under the disguise of a “testimony” when your motives are not to lift up, but to tear down.
So what’s point?
Forgive your offender. Let them of the hook.
Let the issue go, and give them a chance to change.
And most importantly, give God a chance to heal them and you.
(Contributing Writer: Marlena Patterson)I Need You to Survive
The eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you!”
And the head cannot say to the feet, “I don’t need you!”
…God has put the body together, giving greater honor to the parts that lacked it,
so that there should be no division in the body,
but that its parts should have equal concern for each other.
1 Corinthians 12: 21, 24b-25
Have you ever asked someone to do something for you and they said, “Sure. No problem. I’ll do it.” Then, sometime later, you ask that person to do the same thing for you and they say, “Sure. No problem. I’ll do it.” Then again, at a later date, you ask them again and they say, “Sure. No problem. I was just thinking about that. I’m going to do it today.” Finally, when you decide to simply do it yourself, the person says, “I was just about to do it.” After you give them that look (you know the one) you say, “Oh that’s alright. Don’t worry about it. It’s no big deal.” Then, you vow that you will NEVER ask them to do anything for you ever again.
But God…
(Church say, “But God.”)
But God places you in a position where you need that very person again. (UGH!) When you realize it, you do EVERYTHING in your power to avoid asking them for help. But, despite your greatest effort, you must swallow your pride and break the vow you made to yourself. In agony, you ask the person for help, and this time they come through for you. Now doesn’t that make you feel better about them?
NOPE! If you’re anything like me, you’re still holding on to that first impression of them not being dependable, and that vow you made too. It’s really hard to let someone “off the hook” once you’ve nailed them up there.
So what do you do?
First, let go of that vow you made, and all those “nevers” along with it.
Next, try talking to the person before you write them off. Explain that it’s important to you that they keep their word, and that they’re honest about their ability and willingness to help. Or, at the very least, to let you know if they’re having difficulty doing what you asked. That way, you can make other arrangements if you need to, and it removes any extra pressure from them.
Finally, read 1 Corinthians 12 and remind yourself that although we don’t think we need those people who disappoint us, we really do. Remember that each person is part of the body of Christ, and is vital to His mission.
Realize that God has placed them in your life for a reason. Not just to do that one thing you can’t do for yourself, but also to remind you, as Hezekiah Walker sang, that we need each other to survive.
(Contributing Writer: Marlena Patterson)He’s Preparing Me (and You Too)
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord,
“plans to prosper you and not to harm you,
plans to give you hope and a future.”
Jeremiah 29:11
“plans to prosper you and not to harm you,
plans to give you hope and a future.”
Jeremiah 29:11
Have you ever been in a place where you’re just going through a whole lot all at once? I mean, before you even have a chance to process one thing, here comes something else. Seriously.Have you sometimes felt that God is piling SO MUCH on you that you might actually, physically break?
So what do you do about it?
Probably, like many of us, you just deal with it. You take the hit and keep on movin’. After all, you’re a busy person. You have work stuff, and home stuff, and family stuff, and church stuff, and more church stuff. Not only do you not have the energy, you don’t have time to DEAL WITH IT. But eventually. (Church say “eventually”.) You will HAVE to deal with it.
Eventually, you will reach a point where you will just have to STOP. When you do, it’ll all flood you at once and you’ll have to release it. But that’s not the end. Once you’ve had your release you’ll think about EVERYTHING you’re going through and you’ll ask the magic question.
God, why?
Why are you putting me through ALL of this right now? Why do I have to go through any of this at all? Why does it seem like everything is falling apart? Why? Why? Why?
Now I won’t pretend to know what the answer is, or what God’s personal answer will be to you. What I do know is what the Word says. And despite what I feel, I MUST believe that its’ true.
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
When I’m going through a whole lot all at once, here’s a song that helps me, and I pray it’ll help you too.
Listen to the song and be encouraged.
(Contributing Writer: Marlena Patterson)Watch Your Back
“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your god. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
Isaiah 41:10
Have you ever felt, or known, that someone was out to get you? That they were trying to defame your good name, ruin your reputation, conspiring against you, or at the very least, using your flaws (your humanness) to try to make themselves look just a little better than you?Whether the sabotage is taking place on your job, in your home, or at church (yes I said “at church”), it is always hurtful, and it takes a toll on you mentally and emotionally. You begin to wonder what was said about you, who is involved, how this will affect your other relationships, and what people think of you.
So how do you get through it?
If you’ve been saved and walkin’ with Jesus a while, you pray; and watch your back. If you’re a new Christian who’s still honeymooning with Jesus, you think, “Man if I wasn’t saved!” Then you pray and watch your back. If you’re on your way to the Alter but haven’t quite gotten there, you make a plan of how you’re going to curse them out and take them down before they get you. Then you remember that you’re trying this Jesus thing so you probably shouldn’t do that, so you call a church member instead. After it takes them 30 minutes to calm you down, you pray and watch your back. (Yep. You know that’s how it happens.)
I know someone, who is constantly trying to make me look bad and defame my character to make themselves look better. (Isn’t that something?) Although they’ve been doing it for years, it’s still hurtful because I’ve worked so hard to remake myself into a woman of integrity (Oh I was a big fat liar). But I want people to make their own opinion of me based on our interaction, not the opinion of someone else.
So how do I get through it?
First. I let my work, attitude, and actions speak for themselves. I am the same me at church, at work, on a job interview, at home, everywhere. My character, speech, ethics, passions, and standards are the same everywhere I go because I always try to “conduct myself in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ”.
Second. I have a Post-It note with a scripture like this one (Jeremiah 1:8), that reminds me:
(1) don’t be afraid;
(2) God is with me;
(3) God will strengthen me when I’m weak;
(4) He will help me when I need it;
(5) and if stuff gets sticky, and it will, God will rescue me.
Third. I pray and watch my back.
(Contributing Writer: Marlena Patterson)