Why Do People Follow Jesus

Why do you follow Jesus? I follow Him, because He is constant in my life, He never changes. My circumstances and situations change sometimes for better sometimes for worst. But Jesus never changes. I follow Him, because I trust and have Faith that He will do just what He said He would do.

Why are you following Jesus,? As stated in the writing below so many folllow Jesus because they need something from Him, and when things are good they place Him back in the book, back in the box, back on the shelf. Do you realize that is why some people call you friend. It's because of what you can do for them. Once you have done that they have no need for you. Have you not noticed that the contact is very scarce at this time? They have no use for you everything in their lives is going good at this time. These type of people fall into two categories they are either Fair Weather Friends or Frienemies. Everyone that follows you and spends time with you doesn't because they like you so well, for some it's because you make them look good. I mean you are on top and so they have an appearance of being on top. The flip silde is you are down so low, to it makes them look they are certainly on their A game. Sadly these people aren't reserved to friends, fair weather friends, and frienemies they are family members as well.

Be mindful of while you are following Jesus and notice if the people are following Him that are following you are following for the same reasons. I often try to imagine if I had the insight that Jesus had who would be in my circle. Can you imagine knowing that you have the devil in your circle handling your money knowing that when the time comes he is going to sell you to the highest bidder. Mind blowing, all I can say is nobody but Jesus can handle that.

I know that I am not where I was, but I am not by anyways where He is taking me and I would dismiss you so fast your head would spin. If I can look at you and know that you are sitting in wait. Setting me up for the kill. I am not deceived that everyone that follows me, everyone that pats me on the back is my corner because they are not. Some are trying to see how long this will last. Will it last when her struggle is over? Will it last if she somehow becomes well known behind this. Let me answer that for you, I have followed Jesus for sometime, I have always known that I don't have to go into the four walls of a church to be with Him. I spend time with Him in my car, in my Home, at my job. So if you following me to see when I will stop. You can stop now the answer is never.

I love the Lord, not for what He is doing for me, not for what He can do for me. But because He is worthy of love, I don't know anyone else who would have died for me. My parents love me, and I don't think they would just lay down their lives for me. I can say that because I love them and my children, and I know the first thing I would do is try to figure another way that this thing could be worked out without anyone having to die.t's the human side of us. Would we eventually do that for each other most likely, but as I said it wouldn't have been the way Jesus did. In this day, well Christianity seems to be the latest fad. Study to show yourself approved and I am sure you will have a laundry list of why you follow Jesus and why you will continue to follow Him.

Prayer: Father, God as this year is coming to a close I am expecting great things, I am expecting big miracles to be performed. I expecting, blind eyes to see, broken things to be restored, dead situations to be called from the grave and so many to accept you because they see you are the only way. God right now, I am expecting a Saul to Paul transformation for so many. So many think like Saul they already have it right, God I am asking that when they wake up in 3days they can see. That the blinders have been removed and truly know and want to know you. That they follow you because you are the only way.

Blessed to Be A Blessing
Shon Garner Cole www.realtalkwithshon@blogspot.com

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John 6: 22-71
67Then Jesus said unto the twelve, "Will ye also go away?"68Then Simon Peter answered Him, "Lord, to whom shall we go? Thou hast the words of eternal life,69and we believe and are sure that Thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God."70Jesus answered them, "Have not I chosen you twelve, and one of you is a devil?"71He spoke of Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon, for he it was who should betray Him, being one of the twelve.

When Jesus walked this earth, a vast multitude followed Him. They came for all sorts of reasons—some noble, some selfish. The same is true today. It’s important that we understand what motivates people to come to Christ, because not all who seek Him are really His followers. In fact, we each need to analyze our own walk with the Lord: What do we want from Him? How committed are we to being His disciples?

Many of the people who followed Jesus did so because they had urgent needs that He alone could meet. Everywhere He went, the sick and demon-possessed were brought to Him—this is one of the ways that God draws us to Himself. Those who can solve all their own problems never need a Savior.

Other folks came for sensationalism. They wanted to see the signs and miracles and feel a thrill of excitement. Today some people come to church or conferences to get pumped up, but mountaintop experiences are always followed by valleys. When hardships or challenges come, such people are quick to abandon the Lord.

But Jesus’ disciples followed Him because they genuinely believed He was the Messiah, the very Son of God (Matt. 16:16). Their commitment went beyond emotions or needs. They wanted to know Christ and walk closely with Him.

Are you more interested in what Jesus can do for you than in just being with Him? Do you find it hard to stay committed without an emotional experience to sustain you? Our physical and emotional needs can draw us to the Lord, but they should never be the foundation for our walk with Him.

When the End Goal Seems too Hard

December 29, 2011




"...make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance..." 2 Peter 1:5a-6a (NIV)



No matter what your struggle has been, no matter what it looks like at this very moment,victory is possible today. Sadly, most of us don't think that's true. The problem is we tend to measure long term success while downplaying the absolute victory found in small successes.

Yesterday I got a positive response out of negative person and a negative situation. It didn't matter why they did it the success was in they did it. That's a victorious small success. Now, I can't say that we are as close as we use to be or that the elephant is not still in the room but he has moved closer to the door. But, if I build upon this small success - choice by choice, day by day - I will see positive changes.



As the New Year approaches, many of us make some kind of healthy eating commitment. But even if that's not your resolution, this principle applies to other struggles as well. This year I have resolved not to make resolutions but to make actual changes, things that can be done one step at a time and I know that each thing concurred each victory won will make all the difference in motivating me to keep working.



If I choose not to snap at my child and instead respond with tenderness, that's a victorious small success.

If I choose to pause before responding to the rude sales clerk, thus giving her a smile instead of perpetuating her smirk, that's a victorious small success.

If I choose to give my husband the benefit of the doubt rather than jumping to the conclusion he meant to hurt my feelings, that's a victorious small success.



I like the way our key verse puts it. In 2 Peter 1:5-6, we are reminded to "add" some things to our faith. Two of those additions are self-control and perseverance. For me, I have to decide to practice the self-control and perseverance that is mine since God's Spirit lives in me.

Think of it like a muscle. We have muscles as a part of our body. But we must add activity to those muscles to make them effective and strong. Our muscles will work for us if we exercise them. Self-control and perseverance will work for us as we practice these over and over. Start with the small victories and bigger victories will come.

Sometimes victory seems so far away because we measure it by the end goal. And end goals can seem overwhelmingly huge, daunting and just plain hard to reach. Instead, if we start measuring our victories by the smaller choices we make each day, victory won't seem so impossible. Big things are built one brick at a time.

Victories are achieved one choice at a time. A life well lived is chosen one day at a time. Because you allow the Holy Spirit to be your personal trainer in this exercise, you can stay motivated, you can celebrate at each success no matter how small in the end. It will be worth everything and I know the end result of trainer Name Jesus is awesome.



Dear Lord, I know that with You, victory is indeed possible. Day by day and choice by choice. Help me to believe this truth today. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

DON'T PUT HIM IN A BOX

In this day in time where going to church and given has become as easy as clicking a button and signing on the passage below is so needed. Why you say, because you have pastors that stand in church, in pulpits and want to convict their members for taking advantage of technology and the ability to worship God anywhere at anytime. I have even heard them speak of this technology as a trick of the enemy. But I have seen the flip side of it. I have seen people come to Christ and want a relationship with Him that never entered a church building. If we are honest most of us don't have that personal encounter with God in church anyway. I know I didn't it was a Thursday evening and I was sitting in my room listening at gospel music on the radio. So I say that as God was never in a box, we should not become so threatened by technology and place Him in a box starting today.

I am happy that now you can get Jesus 24/7 so to speak and you don't have to wait til the doors of the church open on Sunday to give yourself away so God can use you.

Blessed to Be A Blessing,
Shon Garner Cole


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December 28
Psalm 150:1
Praise ye the Lord. Praise God in his sanctuary: praise him in the firmament of his power.

Before there were churches, before there were preachers, before Christ came to this earth, God had created His sanctuaries. On the mountaintops, God was worshipped. In the valleys, God was worshipped. In the forests, by lakesides, in caves; wherever God's handiwork was found, there He was worshipped.

We can praise God anywhere. Church isn't a place, it is an entity made up of living parts.Wherever we gather in the name of God, there is His sanctuary. Lift your voices to the Lord. Praise Him wherever you may be. He is with you where you are.

Prayer: I will praise and worship You with all my heart and mind and soul. Hear my words, Lord, and be pleased by the love I have for You. Amen.

BETWEEN THE PROMISE AND THE PROMISE LAND

That is where I am right at this moment. I am between my promise and the promise land, how do I know because things get harder, crazier, people are harder to deal with. Well, I want to encourage you as I encourage me, just hold on and see what the end is going to be. Don't be worrying about what the right now looks like if God said then no man can make him a liar.

I am Blessed to Be A Blessing,
Shon Garner Cole
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"Remember how the LORD your God led you all the way in the wilderness these forty years, to humble and test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep his commands." Deuteronomy 8:2 (NIV)

In Genesis, God promised Abraham (known as Abram at this time) that a great nation would descend from him, and they would have a place of their own ... the "Promised Land" (Gen. 12:1-4).
So Abraham gathered up his family and possessions and traveled to this wonderful land. He arrived in Canaan and for the most part lived happily ever after, dying at the age of 175 after seeing God's promises fulfilled.
If that were the end of the story, this message would be wrapped up in a pretty bow. If only all promises were so easily achieved.
Sadly, not all of Abraham's descendants enjoyed the same long life in the Promised Land. Due to a famine, God's people left Canaan for Egypt and there the story takes a dramatic turn with their enslavement for 400 years.
But they never forgot God's promise of a home of their own. I imagine they held on to that promise during days of back-breaking work and persecution. So when God set them free from slavery through Moses, they must have been ecstatic! Finally, the fulfillment of God's promise!
If I were them, I would have expected to be whisked right into that wonderful piece of land after suffering for so long. Instead they ended up in a desert. For 40 years. And that's where our story sits for a while. In the desert. Wondering what happened to God's promise.
I've been there before ... in that desert. It's the place where it's not so fun to obey any more. The healthy eating plan gets hard. Parenting a willful child is frustrating. Writing that tithe check makes me cringe with worry. Forgiving someone who has betrayed me just "feels" wrong.
I'd much rather move through the desert ... quickly ... and get on to the good stuff.
In my times in the desert, I've found myself harboring bitterness, doubt, complaining and pouting. Here's what those responses get me: more time in the desert. That's what happened to the Israelites too. In fact, they complained so much, God forbade that whole grumbling generation from entering the Promised Land.
But I've also discovered the desert of waiting can be a fruitful place. Our key verse shows us that God used the desert time to test His followers' hearts. This wasn't to be a time of empty suffering. It was a time to demonstrate trust and obedience.
When we look at it that way, the desert can be a place of personal growth. But, this only happens when I choose to trust that God will fulfill His promises in His perfect way and time. The fruit of that choice is patience, discipline, obedience, an increased alertness to God's involvement in my life, and a deeper dependence upon Him.
God gave the Israelites their Promised Land through a miraculous conquering of the city. But between the promise and the Promised Land there was a desert - for them and us. And that desert is fertile ground. The decision we all have to make is whether we will grow in faith and character, or negativity.
Dear Lord, thank You for Your faithfulness - to Your followers of old and to me. Thank You for always keeping your promises. Forgive me times when I have doubted You. I want to have faithful patience and a gracious spirit during times in the desert. Please help me. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

I Pursued, The Enemy Was Exposed, I was Promised, It's My Time

Isaiah 54:6-17
6 (A)For the LORD has called you like a wife deserted and grieved in spirit, like a wife of youth when she is cast off, says your God. 7 (B)For a brief moment I deserted you,
but with great compassion I will gather you. 8 (C)In overflowing anger for a moment
I hid my face from you, (D)but with everlasting love I will have compassion on you,”
says the LORD, your Redeemer. 9 “This is like (E)the days of Noah[a] to me:
as I swore that the waters of Noah should no more go over the earth, so I have sworn that I will not be angry with you, and will not rebuke you.


What does pursue mean to me? To me pursue means to set my eye on my goal and obtain it. At this time in my life I have joy, because God gave it to me and no man/woman can take it away. I am in pursuit of restoration and happiness for my family as a whole. Anyone who really knows me knows that I am big on family. So the fact that my family as far as I am concerned is divided makes me blue, I won't say I am sad because this is a result of actions taken by each of us and if we didn't take an action our part of this equation was in the reaction.

Well I have pursued, I am pursuing, I know the enemies plan, I know God's promise, So it's my time to make a move. I want expose my plan because like the enemy I am wise as a serpent but unlike him I am gentle as a lamb. I have questioned myself so many times on God I know that I am your child; I know that I am connected, I know I have covenant relationship with you, please let me know that I am not acting on my own will, but I truly have been hearing from you and you answered. I was given the above passage of scriptures and I want to concentrate on the ones I noted but in your spare time go back and read them all.

In this passage I see me a young wife desolate and feeling alone, a wife feeling that at some point God turned away from me. But look I no longer doubt that HE called me, I know my reaction to a lot of things that have happened in my life lately were not pleasing in His sight,but I was expecting mercy after all I was the one who was being mistreated. Was I just supposed to sit and be treated like I had never been anything to these people. Was I supposed to let them take my love for granted and treat me like a common stranger actually they would have treated a common stranger better than I was being treated. BUT GOD, the darkest moments were when I felt like He was angry with me too,not for what happened but how I reacted and I cried out to HIM have you forsaken me and why? But do you see the promises in there, He will have compassion, He will never allow me feel forsaken again, nor rebuke me again' nor be angry with me. I have come to the realization that He is control, that He allowed this and He gave me the permission to pursue He also promised me that I would be victorious in my pursuit.

On yesterday I was given two passages of scripture that I would like you to read in your time one being 1 Peter 4: 12-16, and then Psalm 128. God uses who He will to give you what you need. Thank each of you for sharing. God is equipping me with all the word and arsenal I need. I can truly say that I see the manifestation of God's promises coming to pass as in Psalm 128 especially where my children are concerned.

I come to tell you that God is about to do a shifting in the atmosphere, and it has started I am pushing out the blessings of God, I can't reveal them to you it's too early and I can't be deceived that even though enemy has been exposed, he has not given up. If we as Christians were as relentless as him we would have driven in insane by now.

My prayer as I close is this, reflect over your situation, accept the part you played and on tomorrow give the best gift that you can give to enjoy being whisked into; you are about to receive a triple portion of your blessings and promises. That you are about to walk in overflow. That you have been the chosen one. That your trials represent the Christ in you. So on tomorrow give love. Give it in His name in the same way He would give it and you have a Merry Christmas remember change starts tomorrow and it starts with you.

I am Blessed to Be A Blessing.
Shon Garner Cole

I Pursued; The Enemy's Deception Exposed; I Was Promised

7 (F)And David said to Abiathar the priest, the son of Ahimelech, “Bring me the ephod.” So Abiathar brought the ephod to David. 8 (G)And David inquired of the LORD, “Shall I pursue after this (H)band? Shall I overtake them?” He answered him, “Pursue, for you shall surely overtake (I)and shall surely rescue.” 9 So David set out, and (J)the six hundred men who were with him, and they came to the brook Besor, where those who were left behind stayed. 10 But David pursued, he and four hundred men. (K)Two hundred stayed behind, who were too exhausted to cross the brook Besor.

I am not sure why God gives me messages in a series form but He does. Until this morning I had been wondering why He no longer allowed me to sleep late. I got the answer. It's the time that you freely give to me, when I arise early, no one is stirring, no one is needing my time, so it's uninterrupted time where I pray and talk with God. Y'all amazing is an understatement as to what being in His presence and talking with Him feels like.

In the passage of scripture above, David has already found that the enemy has come in and stolen his family, destroyed his home and he has now cried out and asked God does he need to pursue? God has given him a definite answer and promise. Yes, and then He says surely you will overtake the enemy (be successful) and surely you will rescue (get back what the enemy took). How awesome is that in pursuing your stuff? To know that I have the victory going in, I don't know about you but it gives me a hold new boldness, not arrogance just boldness, because I have divine word from God; a promise that I will be successful and return with what I went in for. However when you read this chapter in it's entirety and I have been reading it since Saturday over and over again. It's so packed with stuff. I find that not only am I getting my stuff, but double, triple portion.

The not so good news is that everyone that starts out with me won't finish with me, some because they are not where I am at they aren't strong enough to face the enemy, some they just don't want to go, everyone that's following you is not for you, some are following you to see where you going, and what you are doing, so they can give a report and help plan your next defeat. OH BUT GOD. Yes, I am shouting BUT GOD. You see when you know that you have God in your midst He is a part of the army and arsenal you head out with, nothing else matters. Besides He has given me His word, that I will be successful in my mission and I will be blessed abundantly.

What am I going to do when I get to the enemy's camp? Well first God is going to let the one that's in there that is going along to get along be found out, and left behind. They are going to say you know what you are weak, you are surely going to get us caught for you this is the end of the road. Then the Lord God is going to allow me to stumble on this person. He/she in their conviction wants one thing from me promise you want tell them who told you the plan, who told you where they are. I can make that promise because my intent is just to restore what's mind, to reclaim and make it better than it was before. Yes, I can let you know that I ain't about to sell you out. But their mindset is such because they have been running with the enemy too long.

So glory be to God, I am in the enemies camp and they are so busy celebrating they didn't see me and my army coming and I took them out. Yes, I got back what I came for and some more. Yes, Lord you might be looking at this like did she well, it's too early to reveal all I got but know that I got it in abundance and in time, when He says I can tell it. I will. Just like Moses was hidden and Jesus was hidden, I have to hide this because if I tell it to early some folks that are following me that aren't for me, going to be setting another trap. So God gave me this a divine word, exposed the enemy and gave me a promise. I am confident in my victory even though now I have sit for a few moments and rock steady, keep it to myself, because the time has not come yet to share it. Yes it's enough to share. Enough to bless and I am so confident because GOD SAID IT AND THAT'S ENOUGH.

I am Blessed to Be A Blessing,
Shon Garner Cole

The Enemy's Deception

On yesterday I told you to pursue and got quite a few responses the one that stuck out the most was don't go without your aresnal. So when this word came this morning about the enemy's deception I crossed referenced it. The word of God can be dangerous if not used right. I am not implying that he didn't use it right just that there was so much more there that I needed. I crossed referenced it and got this: 16 (A)“Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be (B)wise as serpents and (C)innocent as doves. Matt 10:16 Well this is important because I am pursuing and this is what I need to remember it's my aresnal. The enemy has gotten into our families and his entire strategy is to divide and conquer. Now that I have equipped you with the knowledge you decide what to do with it. I once heard a sermon the most dangerous lie is one that has a hint of the truth in it. When you look at the scripture below in it's entirety do you see how satan lied but added a hint of truth.

This is happening everyday in families I know it is in mine. I know I am often misunderstood, as I can say others in my family are. That's what happens when you have a family full of strongwilled people. Don't be fooled and sometimes you have to recognize the enemy at work and remember when you are in battle with one family member or another that you are not fighting them but the enemy and spiritual wickedness that they have fallen prey to either knowingly or unknowingly they are being used.

Let me give you an example a separation of husband and wife in family will divide an entire family right down the middle. Because the first things people say is I don't want to choose sides, but they do. One person tells their story the way the believe it to be , the other tells theirs either the way it really it is or the way they believe to be and the family is left to decide who was the most convincing. Before you know they have picked their side without knowing or saying a word. I have watched and experienced it so I speak from knowledge not what I heard.

Another example is a family member does something to another and again the family is split down the middle who was right who was wrong. Instead we should rally around each other pray. We should rebuke the devour come together and pray, because prayer is powerful and it does change things. I remember when my grandfather died, the family was split right down the middle. It was horrible but before the end of the night of his burial we had mended our woes and were a family again.

People God designed family because we are not to be alone. He wants us to love each other support each other knowing that trials and tribulations come. Stop always wanting to be the right one, sometimes being right means just giving in even if you weren't wrong but for peace sake you say okay it's done, it can't be undone let's move on.

Christmas is in three days and I pray that for Christmas God heals and restores every broken family. It can happen if everyone is sincere and truly loves the Lord as you say you do. Because I can tell you this, you can go to church 7 days a week. You can quote scripture and still not have Jesus or love in your heart. The word says how can you say you love God whom you have never seen but despise your brother whom you see daily? For Christmas I am giving out love unconditional and forgiveness no matter what was done. I am not taking foolishness and mess home with me and I am not taking it into 2012 either.

I am Blessed to Be a Blessing,
Shon Garner Cole
Merry Christmas


NOTE: the lie is highlighted remember before this we were without sin and would have eternal life.

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In HIS Presence; The serpent was more crafty [shrewd] than any beast of the field (Genesis 3:1).
1 Now (A)the serpent was more crafty than any other beast of the field that the LORD God had made.
He said to the woman, “Did God actually say, ‘You[a] shall not eat of any tree in the garden’?” 2 And the woman said to the serpent, “We may eat of the fruit of the trees in the garden, 3 but God said, (B)‘You shall not eat of the fruit of the tree that is in the midst of the garden, neither shall you touch it, lest you die.’” 4 (C)But the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die. 5 For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” English Standard Version


We may mistakenly believe that we get to decide what our families do and don't do. However, God is the architect of the family. When we choose to bypass His principles, we set ourselves up for failure. Adam and Eve discovered this in a very painful way. They knew what God had commanded them to do. Yet they made a choice to do the opposite.

By yielding to Satan's wicked scheme, they lost everything—their home, the opportunity for a safe family environment, and, most importantly, the loving fellowship they once had with God. Suddenly, they felt emotions that they did not know existed—guilt, fear and isolation.
Under no circumstances is sin acceptable. For example, adultery is always wrong. Yet often, what we see portrayed in our society is the opposite of this. Why? The Enemy wants to trick us into believing that sin is just a normal part of life, and God is the one who is out of touch with reality.

The family is under Satan's full attack today. In fact, from that moment in the garden of Eden, the Enemy has been seeking to destroy what God created because he knows it is the very best and will lead to eternal joy and fulfillment.
If you have fallen prey to his attack, ask the Lord to forgive you. Turn back to God's principles, love your spouse and joy will return to your heart.
One Minute Please:
Satan must destroy the family in order for his plan to work.

PURSUE

Read 1 Samuel: 30

1 Samuel 30:8 So David inquired of the Lord, saying shall I pursue this troop ? Shall I overtake them ? And He(GOD) answered him, Pursue for you shall surely overtake them and without fail recover all.

Like David, I am one after God’s own heart; like David many are my afflictions, but God delivers me from them all, like David it seems that I am in constant battle and I find myself crying out to the Lord until I am to weary to do anything but cry. However I take comfort in the fact that just like with David, God always answers me. I believe like David, Shon Garner Cole is the apple of God’s eye. One may look at my life and say how I so? But I know what I know and I know what God has brought me out of. In this particular chapter of the book David has arrived at Ziklag to find mass destruction. He has found that the enemy has attempted to steal and destroy his family. When you read further you find that it was merely an attempt, because David finds them unharmed.

Now David cried out to God do I pursue? And God said yes. Yesterday, I reflected over my family situation with the help of my son, and I said Lord do I pursue and He said yes, surely you shall recover them all. Now I know this pursuit of happiness, and restoration will not be easy, I know because of pride, stubbornness, and a desire just to be mean and not let me be the one, I will meet opposition. BUT GOD has said Shon Garner Cole pursue. He has told me He has my back. SO as long as He is working on the scene and I am just merely the messenger everything will be alright. To those of you who read my words daily and follow my blogs, you may say I speak of my family often and at first glance we seem a bit dysfunctional I challenge you to find one that doesn’t have its own share of problems and dysfunction and I will award you a million dollars. I can say that with confidence because one I know one day I will have million to give and most importantly there is no perfect family. But I love mine even if sometimes it’s from a distance.

In June I got to the brook in my life and some people got left behind they couldn’t or wouldn’t go the other side with me. At first I was mad about it then after reading this chapter in entirety, realized they weren’t up to the battle. They may not have trusted and believed in the Father like I do. I so trust God, that if tells me tomorrow you resign and you are to stay at home and pray night and day for seven days. I would most surely do it. Why because He is not a man that can lie, and as long as I do what He says HE IS OBLIGATED TO PROVIDE. I bet you didn’t know that huh? God is obligated to keep His word as long we walk according to His will. Now, I am about to go in the enemies camp so to speak but I am coming back with my family. I coming back with everything the enemy stole and some more. Just keep watching look especially for my first post of the year there will be a praise report in it of that I am certain.

I am Blessed to Be A Blessing
Shon Garner Cole

HIS PRESENCE

His Presence there is nothing like being in and feeling His presence. I love, love basking in His presence. Now are there times when He feels far away yes, and that is because God created us as natural beings who get the joy of experiencing supernatural experiences when we decide to live according to His purpose for our lives.

Just last night, I was in presence weeping and wailing saying Oh GOD, Oh GOD, how much longer, I am so tired and this hurts so much, it seems like before I can take another breath something else punches me in the stomach and takes my breath away. What happened is going to blow you away. I got tired of crying but I couldn’t stop it. I turned on Bishop Jakes and these were the words he said, I don’t know who you are, but God said don’t abort, you are in the last trimester, you have come this far don’t you dare abort what God is trying to birth out of you. What? I know it hurts that’s the labor pains, and the closer you get to delivery the faster and harder the pain comes, but hold on you are going to be able to push any minute. I was looking at the TV tears streaming down my face, mouth open and moving but nothing came out. I finally was able to whisper God thank you. You see, He loves me so much He immediately sent me comfort.

Once that was done my phone rang and I wasn’t going to answer but I am glad I did it was my academic advisor and he wanted to finish my enrollment in school. He said you sound different now I have only had one other conversation with this man. I said yeah I am weary. I asked how did his wife’s doctor’s appointment go and he said great. He said wow Mrs. Cole, God has truly given you a heart for people I am impressed you remembered that. He then told me that they went to the hospital twice in two days because she kept having contractions. The baby is due the 2nd week in Feb. I told him that it didn’t sound like she would go until then but the baby was going to be fine and so were they. We completed everything and ended the call with a prayer. He said before we hung up by this time I had told him to please call me Shon. He said Shon, God is about to do something supernatural in you, I am going to be proud to say I met you on the ground floor. He said though it won’t change you one bit, God is already preparing you for success and moving those who won’t be able to handle your success. I said oh thank you and we ended the call.

I then let tears fall again because I was like God you promised me and here it is merely 2 weeks left and it seems like this may not happen, but I trust you and you said your word would not and could not return void can you let me feel you. I got chills like you can’t explain, my face got flush and I knew He was right there. I was just all of sudden at peace. The depression I was feeling was gone. I turned the TV back on and went to the church service I recorded Sunday. The preacher started with God told me to tell you, that what you are about to birth is too big to get through an open door. So He has to take the door down. He has to move some people, be glad these people are rejecting you. Because as sure if they were here with you now, they’d be trying to get God’s glory, I did this for her and I did that for her and I was just shaking my head because he was saying her. I smiled and I just kept playing it over and over, then he said this I know at the beginning of the year God made you a promise and the devil threw in a curve ball, it’s a curve ball that God allowed, so that He gets that much more glory out the story. He let it come at you, because He knows you are not all about me, and what I did, you already say look at what God did. So hold on, I know we have just a few days before 2012, but it will come to pass the promise you were made is coming to pass. Don’t be disappointed at who doesn’t return because God moved them, because they can’t share your stage. God moved them because they can’t handle who you are in Jesus. With His presence holding me, I again cried out thank you and the next thing I know it was 5:45a.m. People God is good.

I am Blessed to be a Blessing,
Shon Garner Cole
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December 20
And you will again see the distinction between the righteous and the wicked, between those who serve God and those who do not (Mal 3:18).
"Good morning," I said to the woman behind the counter as she asked if she could take my order. "You're a Christian, aren't you?" "I can see Him in you!" I boldly proclaimed. "Yes, I am," she replied with a beaming smile. I could literally see the presence of God in her countenance in the way she related to me and others.
When Moses led the people out of Egypt he had several crisis moments during those forty years. His greatest crisis was when he came back from the mountain and discovered the people had made a golden calf. It was after this he came to a profound conclusion.
"Then Moses said to him, 'If your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here.' What else will distinguish me and your people from all the other people on the face of the earth?" (Ex 33:15,16).
The difference between a Christian in the workplace and a non-believer should be that the Christian brings the presence of God with him to work. However, this is not always the case. A Christian can shut out the presence of God by his behavior. Like the Israelites who experienced great miracles in their lives but began to worship idols, we can move away from God. Sin separates us from God. His presence moves away from us. Moses realized, he too had to have the presence of God with him to lead such a people.
The prophet Malachi was saying a day is coming when you'll be able to recognize a clear difference between the righteous and the unrighteous. Would your co-workers be able to recognize a difference in you from others? Ask God to fill you with His overflowing presence in all you do today.

You Can't Fool God

The passage below had no title in reading it and praying I asked God what would you have me call it. Well here it is ,"You Can't Fool God". That is the truth, I can imagine if God said or even for some of us merely our pastors said they were coming looking for someone to have dinner with the airs is what my granny use to say some would put on. I would caution you this, that God sees all and knows all. Even what your pastor doesn't know about how you living God does. Truth is pastors that are truly after God's own heart, who are in tune and have a covenant relationship with God they know you too. Don't be fooled by the fact that they don't put you on blast in front of the congregation, but they know their sheep. They know the ones who are truly filled and they know the ones that are going to have to go home and take some stuff down, hide some stuff, tell the children what they can and cannot say.

It would be so much easier to live right from the beginning, because who are you really fooling? I ain't perfect and don't claim to be but I am so glad that if Jesus are my pastor wanted to come dine with me they could just come on in. Like my granny said I ain't got time to be putting on airs. I have found that people waste so much time on what's not important, trying to be the most saved one at the church, they speak in tongue louder, they over sing the soloist but just get in the car with them on the way home and you'd think you stepped in the twilight zone.

So are you ready; Jesus wants to dine with you daily, but why wait for Him to say He is coming; you invite Him to dine with you and live with you and watch things turn around. I have never desired to be rich, but debt free. I have never desired to be famous but to be a blessing to others.

When we brought our home almost 17 years ago, God showed me then that my entire family was going to be a blessing to people just by walking in the room. If someone came by now, they would look and say y'all going to do what. Well, guess what I found out today, that even in the state we are in, we are blessing people. I am sure many of them may not be happy with my candid reports but a guilty conscience never is. I am good because I do what God says do and He will handle the rest. Be blessed and remember you can't fool God only you. Get your house in order, Jesus wants to dine with you.

I am Blessed to Be a Blessing,
Shon Garner Cole follow me at realtalkwithshon@blogspot.com
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December 18
Psalm 147:6
The Lord lifteth up the meek: he casteth the wicked down to the ground.

The message came to the small town: "I will arrive to select one of you to dine with me. Put on your best behavior. You will be judged accordingly." The townspeople knew that Jesus was a special man, and so they dressed in their finest clothes. The merchant stood at the front of the line, followed by the carpenter, the tent maker, and the miller. A poor girl came along and tried to get in line. The merchant shoved her aside and called her a name. The carpenter threatened to hit her, and the tent maker pushed her into the dirt. The miller raised a boot to kick her, but stopped. The four men realized that they were being watched. They looked up to see Jesus watching their behavior. Christ stepped forward and took the girl by the hand. He said, "Come. Dine with me."

To the others, He said, "Depart from me. You know me not, and so I neither know you."

This story was written about 1700 years ago. Though it is not from the Bible, it reflects well the sentiment of God toward the poo r and abused. He will raise up the afflicted, but the abuser will He cast aside. Look kindly upon the poor, viewing them with Christ's own eyes. Then will He be real in you.

Prayer: In my desire to impress You, Lord, let me not neglect my duty to my neighbor. Stretch forth my hands as You would Your own. Help me to help others. Amen.

This Is A Hot Mess, Jesus Where You At?

Matt: 27:46 And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, "Eli, Eli Lama sabachthani?" that is, " My God , My God, why have you forsaken Me? " and 2 Cor. 4: 8-9 We are hard pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed not yet in despair;persecuted,but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed,

I must say that I read these passages of scripture and still my question was Jesus where are you don't you see this mess I am living in. I can personally say in my opinion this is a hot mess. When I look in the mirror, I see a broken woman, a woman who for months has been hollering out Jesus come see about me. Jesus what part of help don't you understand? My answer has been that you have to be willing to be broken, that until you are broken you can't get a breakthrough. I have been reminded that you make no mistakes. I am reminded that instead of asking why me, to ask why not me ? Jesus, I tell you in the flesh I am looking at this situation and thinking uhm uhm this is surely a hot mess. All of my life I have been a family oriented person, even when things weren't good I could take solace in knowing they were a room or phone call away. Now it seems as if I am in seclusion and those that you gave me this family of mine, I have been removed from. Like when you told Abraham get from among your people. Again, I am thinking Jesus, yes they get on my last nerve and I theirs but they are mine. However, I must say that today, I am at peace in this situation and glad that none of them are around. I know that sounds a bit bi-polar and like make up my mind, but; am I not entitled to be like everyone else wanting to have my cake and eat it too?

Getting through the last few months have been life changing life altering but I made it and even while I was going through things didn't look good, they didn't feel good and I was plagued as to were you on vacation on me or perhaps like in Mark 4: 35-40, you told me to get in this ship (my situation) and let's go to the other side and you got in the boat fluffed your pillow and went to sleep. In my flesh I am screaming Jesus wake up, but in my spirit I am saying wow, He is awesome, He got this, He sleep so I am going too. However in this passage of scripture you spoke peace be still and all was well. That don't seem to be what's happening here. The waters seem still for a minute the storm seems to be over and then all of a sudden, BAM!!! I am in the midst of hurricane winds and rain. God I trust you, but if I can be real since you know my thoughts anyway there are times when I can't help but want to help because it seems as if you have forsaken me. I feel like you told me; follow me, trust me and I do and you put me in the middle of this ocean and left. I know you haven't I am just saying how I feel. I am reminded of my mama's favorite poem, "Footprints in the Sand" and I think carrying me is great, but at least say something in my ear at that time. You created me and I know you are teaching me, but does this test have to be so hard so long when do I see if I passed. I don't know why, but I feel like I am all over the book on this one. Going from Genesis to Revelation and then every time I think I got the right answer, another scripture comes along that says this might be the better one for this.

I have always loved the Holidays and always been willing to turn the other cheek especially at that time. However this year, I found myself with a whole new outlook. Content to be alone, thinking I don't need them all I need is Jesus and I got through the first part just fine. Now I approach another and I thinking, okay Jesus this has been broken for sometime, I am in the ninth hour crying out to God in a loud voice, but I have a feeling that I am going to end up giving in, bowing me head and breathing my last breath. I feel like it would be easier. Just come on and get me. But I am reminded that, that is pride the same pride that i despise in my husband. The same husband that I feel like I am trying to give back to you and you are saying what do you think I want with him? Giving you the family that you put me in and thinking they over there saying we good without her and I am over here saying I am good without them as long as I got Jesus.
Real talk, I know it's all pride and stubbornness on all our parts nobody wanting to admit they were wrong, so we're all more comfortable living in our dysfunction and asking your blessings on our lives. But the more I read the more I pray the more I study, I find it's not going to happen. You can't and won't bless mess. This is what amazes me, that in speaking with many, all families seem to have this same problem. There is no perfect family because there are no perfect people. That in every family, there is a Jezebel, there is a Judas, there is an Esther, Abraham, Sarah, James, John, Peter, and there is a Joseph.

What you mean to tell me that in every family you put people who proclaim to be filled with the Holy Ghost, who cry out Lord, Lord, but they are merely giving out lip service. In every family including mine there is one who thinks I am the one, however they are wanting the glory and you have given the mantle to another. Jesus again I say this sure looks like a hot mess, and I want to know what are you going to do? More importantly when are you going to do it? I ask you God can we move this right along and get to the revelation that we all need you, we have all fallen short. We are all broken ain't none of us got all the answers and all of us need you and you put us in the families you put us in because we need each other. Can we stop holding each other to our past sins, saying I forgive when we really don't, harboring hurt feelings because it's the justification in being mad and saying well she/he did knowing all the time we were just as wrong. But real talk it's easier for me to say what they did versus what I did, because it's easier to swallow this bitter pill thinking we are totally innocent in it all. Again I say a hot mess. I remember that in the old testament days you searched all over and couldn't find one worthy, so you had to send Jesus. Help me understand that I am correct in believing that some of us are going to get it right before you send Him back. We all need to know that you aren't coming to die for us again, that this time when you come back you are taken those who have come into the revelation of who you are and what you died for and we have decided to follow you even if we have to walk alone.

Jesus today, I remind you that I surrender and I tell all who read this surrendering has not been easy. Just the other day I had to swallow up what Shon wanted to do, I had to pray fervently that the spirit man hurry up and get on the scene because the flesh was about to get all the way out the box. The flesh was about to tell some people what thus says Shon and not what thus says the Lord. Today, I am not saying I am perfect that I am completely right, but I have admitted my sins and said that I was Godly sorry, I have accepted that now all I can do is pray, because I have no control over anyone but me. I can pray that my family, friends, and even my enemies who you said you would make my foot stool take inventory over their lives and walk according to your will. Does that mean we will all be one big happy family again no, but with you it's possible. Being honest some people are better separate than together. But my prayer is the family that you gave us our immediate families can live in harmony and peace. That we can all remember that you know what I did this once too, and you forgave me, that we can truthfully admit that I did stuff Jesus that if they knew I did it, they wouldn't want to be a family again, but you died and because you died, I have another chance.

I can't talk about anyone else so I am going to talk about me. Am I perfect NO? there are somethings that I confessed to you and you alone Lord and to my grave with me they will go. I take comfort in knowing that I have reached out olive branches and left them there. Does it hurt that I have family and friends who betrayed me, and got upset because I confronted them and wanted them to be accountable and their response were harsh words, and things like I forgive you but it hurts, I won't forget, or I am saying I am sorry but it was cuz I was convicted. Convicted of what? First of all sin always exposes itself in time. If someone had told me predicted a year ago that today, I would sit in my home in this situation I would have boldly said you are liar and the truth ain't in you. I don't know what hurt worst the betrayal that I know they are saying is all in my head. Because yes, I know they have made me the one with the problem again, I understand it's easier to lay blame with someone else than to take ownership of our wrongs. I have taken ownership of mines and there have been times when I wanted to go out again and say okay let's sit down and talk about this start over, let me tell you what I saw, what I received, perceived and you can say Shon you are right, you are wrong or child please. I caution you all I am not crazy, I don't care how many pills I have to take on a given day. I am blessed anointed, and set aside. That's what Shon is. I have taken inventory and prayed and God has told me like Joseph they have sold you off and told God you died.

Once more I say Jesus this is a mess where are you? You say, I am right here Child and I am holding you and you are enduring, because you have trusted me. You are at peace because you were willing to be transparent, say maybe I could have done this differently, and you reached out. I know that my family who are included in these emails many don't read them, I could call names and be so right. But I also know that they think they are right. They think, their business is fixed. I pray that eventually we all get the revelation that God is trying to restore, so He exposed what needed to be exposed He allowed somethings to happen that needed to happen that He had a master plan.

My son said to me mama, I need you to be the bigger person one more time, you were the chosen one. I said son, I'm praying but I am tired, I am not one who cares about what things look like. I don't pretend well. So, my problem is not in not wanting to be the bigger problem but in being the only one who is willing to say, I was wrong on so many levels and truly lets bury this and rebuild our family. I watch my daughter and she says to me mama, this entire family is dysfunctional and needs to be restored every one of us and she is right. She said God told her that He was going to fix it, she didn't know how long it will take, but she knows He is. For the first time in my life mama, I don't want nothing for Christmas, I just want God to do something big. I said really, she said yeah because when I look back every time I wanted something little, I got something big. So this time, I want nothing, because if nobody has to come with anything, we all just have to wait on God to do what He is going to do and it will be something big.

Now I have been transparent and each of my family members will know who I am talking too, when and if they read this. Y'all my family is big, but I am talking to my core family.

You hurt me when you turned away, I really expected more, I gave you all of me and for you to give me what you gave was a knock down, but still I rise and say never to give up, because I know what God told me.

To you I say, that we shared the same heartbeat, and to think that you are more concerned with the fact that you think that I would spend time trying to tarnish your reputation than you are with saying she is mine and I owe her to be there and love her unconditional hurts like hell, but I forgive and I move on, praying that God will restore.

To you I say I missed you while you were away, but I know what looked bad God meant for good and hold on God is about to do somethings.

To you I say you don't have to choose it doesn't have to be me or them, them or me, you answered a call so just walk in it. Be you, let your heart continue to love everybody and I mean everybody, like me you don't get to pick; remember you once caused pain yourself. SO, know that I am good, stronger than I have ever been.

To you, when God gave me you I was so excited even when it looked like you wouldn't be with us, I held on and wouldn't let you go. I miss you like crazy, I realize I could have approached things differently, but know that your actions say way more than the words you spoke. I still forgive you, I still love you, yes we have to learn to trust each other again, but we have to get pass who was wrong each accept our responsibility and do what God assigned each of us to do.

To you again, I come to you, the things that you are going through you don't even understand, the devil is having a field day and to all of those who are upholding you being used and don't know it, I forgive, because God promised me. I do want you to know you to know that your actions are effecting the ones you claim to love, because God has placed a hedge around me and you can't hurt me, you can't break me, only God. My prayer is that you soon encounter God in a personal way, and that you will turn from your sin, before you become your sin, because I love you and don't want you to perish.

To you thank you for stepping up to the plate, and being my backbone even when it wasn't your place to do so.

To you my love, thank you for sacrifices, and I apologize for my part in this thing that has caused you so much pain. But know that just like you said this too shall pass and we are going to all be alright.

To the two of you who stepped in and took the places of those who are missing, thank you that God gave me each of you. I thank Him for your obedience, I thank Him for your broad shoulders that you let me cry on even when you both have your own lives and own messes. You take time to help me, with a word of comfort with a prayer. You are willing to be my re-assurance that God loves me and that He has me. I thank you for your praying and fasting. I thank you for your wisdom. I love you my brother and sister. I love you.

There is so much more I want to say, but God has said enough for now.

I am Blessed to Be a Blessing,
Shon Garner Cole

IF

by Shon Garner Cole on Friday, September 30, 2011 at 7:04pm
If I died tomorrow would anybody care,
I wonder if I could wake up one more time
who would I see there.
Would the people who said they loved me
be there all dressed in black.
Would there be nosey onlookers just standing in the back
If I died tomorrow would anybody miss me
Would anybody realize that my work was undone,
and my life had really just begun.
If I died tomorrow, I wonder what they would say about me
Would they say oh she was nice, she was mean, she was okay
Shoot her about her I don't remember a thing.
If I died tomorrow, could someone easily take my place in your life
would their be a void that only God could feel.
Well tomorrow has not come, but I died on the other day.
I died to the old me, I died to the person I used to be.
I had to die so that the God in me could really live.
So yes I woke up and things are great.
I found out that God chose me and He makes no mistakes.


Shon Garner Cole

THE WORKINGS OF GOD

This could have been titled so many things, but if I were to title it, I would title It's My Time. If you wonder why, here is why it is always our time for one reason or another. Today it may be your time to be abundantly blessed while it's your neighbors time to be in a storm, either way the timinig of it all is in God's capable hands. He makes no mistakes. I stated on yesterday that our ways or not His ways nor our time His time. As a matter of fact He says that 1000 years is but one day with Him.

This put things in a whole new concept that you can petition God fervently and know that He can and will hear our prayer and can answer if we are walking according to His will. Where we fall short is that we want to have it both ways, we want to walk in the flesh because oh it feels good, but we want God to bless us even in our mess. Real Talk people it don't work that way. I was listening at Bishop Bloomer and he was saying that on his way to bible study he was attempting to buy drugs, the drug dealer recognized him and refused to sell him the drugs saying he wasn't going to have God messing up his business. Two points here the Bishop who was trying to live right walking in the way of the Lord still had a stronghold that he struggled with. God knows that the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak, however that excuse eventually plays out at some point we are submitting to our will. The second was the drug dealer who was obviously doing well mistook God's grace given to us all as a blessing for him to do what he was doing. How foolish? God was given him another chance to get right.

I know this walking with God is complex, but really we as a people make it much harder than it has to be. It's all in the word what WE CAN AND CAN NOT DO. Sin is sin true enough if I tell a lie and you commit murder in our eyes yours was bigger than mine but in God's eyes they were the same. SO there is no justification in sin. The devil made me do it just doesn't fly with God.

So today I beseech you to turn from your sin, seek God and then humbly pray. God can then work with you. I beseech you to really examine how you are living and ask God forgiveness if it's out of His will. God doesn't want us fornicating, shacking, selling drugs, being drunks, stealing, killing and none of that. He doesn't want us juggling two and three women/men in our lives at one time. What does it profit a man to gain the whole world and loose his soul?

What time is it for you, are you in the abundantly blessed category or are you in the I am in a storm category. I fall into both. Because things are hard but I am still here, I am still standing and knowing that my anchor holds is the best thing that I can know at this time. SO it don't matter what it looks like and right now things look blah, but you know someone else has a thing that looks broken, can't be repaired how will I make forcast, I say this BUT GOD.

Today remember to consider that HE ALONE IS GOD, He can and will work this out, if only you believe, if only you are willing to lay down your pride and walk with Him. He is standing with His arms out stretched saying Come. Come to me all who are heavy laden and I will give you rest. Jesus I have come and it's in your hands, I need a right now deliverance if you will. I know that if I can just hold until tomorrow everything is going to be alright.

I am Blessed to Be A Blessing,
Shon Garner Cole

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by Charles R. Swindoll
Read Esther 7:6–10
The workings of God are not related to our clocks; they are related to our crises. That's why God doesn't care if this is the last day you can buy that car on sale. It doesn't bother God that it is the first day of summer or high noon or a quarter after seven or ten minutes to one in the morning. His timing is unrelated to Planet Earth's clock time. So while waiting, look beyond the present.
The best way to do that is to pray! Make your life a life of prayer. Tell Him, in anguish if necessary, the pain of waiting. Express your panic. Tell Him you're trapped. (Ask Him to hurry up, if that helps. He can handle it!) You don't know how you can stay afloat much longer. In those moments, ask Him to help you see beyond the frustration and fear of the present.
The surprises in store are not merely ironic or coincidental; they are sovereignly designed. While anticipating, trust Him for justice. You may not live to see that justice, but it will come. He is a just God; you know He is. So trust Him for it.
I have found while in the fog that my great temptation is either to doubt or to deny—maybe they're the same thing—to doubt or to deny that He is even at work. But, more often than not, when something looks like it's the absolute end, it's really just the beginning. I can see this later, when I look back.
Esther, our heroine, is a lovely model to follow. And her story is certainly one to remember. But the best focus of all? God Himself. How perfectly He works, how sovereignly He controls, and how remarkably He changes the face of things once He moves in. A queen who was passive is actively in charge. A king who was duped is now fully informed. An enemy who was only moments away from exterminating a nation is now an object of scorn. And those ghastly gallows, built for a Jew named Mordecai, will soon suffocate the body of a Gentile named Haman.
When will we ever learn? At the precise moment when it will have its greatest impact, God ceases His silence and sovereignly makes His move. And when He does, life is full of surprises.

Enough With the Lip Service Can We Be Real With God?

I must say that for the most part, I stand by my word, the only way I don't is that it is completely out of my control. My grandfather always told me your word is your bond. Back in his day people simply gave their word shook hands and the deal was done. However, we have come so far, but I feel we have digressed just as much. In so many things we give our word on contracts and the courts are so busy because people have to drag us there to do what we said we would do.

For instance we stand before God and man and say wedding vows that mean squat. Because how many of us bounce when the going gets rough? We neglect God and the fact that we made the vow. We enter into marriage the way we do contracts lightly praying for a loop hole and some mistaken clause that will make our vow null and void.

We give birth to children and pawn them off on others to care for or get mad when the government won't aid us in taking care of children they didn't ask us to have and kids we, let's be real often times had carelessly. Why because we thought we were in love are we didn't practice safe sex. Sex that we shouldn't have been having because we had no legal right too. What is the legal right. The legal right is the marriage bed. Other than that you are out of order and out of the will of God.

We then go and try to fix all this stuff that we have done as my sister said in her word which I will surely share by meddling. But we are walking around saying I am trusting God, oh I have faith. Do you really, I know when you are going through it's hard to sit and do nothing. These have been the hardest 6 months for me, because I am normally on it. As soon as you speak it I am on it. God is teaching me to be still and trust Him. He has stayed my hand and because I have truly listened in one aspect He has been obligated to do what He said, He said that He would never forsake us. He has sent help in different forms from different people but I can tell you what lack has not touched this house. Have I opened my mouth when He said be quiet, oh yeah. I have had to eat crow so many times. I have had to go back and say I am sorry to people and God, people who wronged me and rightly deserved the tongue lashing I gave and some worse. However, I was wrong in saying one word because God has told me this battle is not yours it's mine.

If I am going to trust Him then I have to trust, Him. When I start trying to help Him, I am showing doubt, I saying God you need to come on so let me help you. He has already told me His word shall not return to Him void so why am I trying to help Him? I'll tell you it's because so many of us are living in dysfunction and we have gotten so comfortable in it, we think it's okay to ask God to bless us in our mess.

Everyday you wake up God gives you unmerited Grace, Mercy and Favor. No we didn't earn it because we all fall short daily, we don't deserve it for the same reason. Everyday His prayer is that we will Trust Him enough to truly place our lives in His hands, to turn from our wicked ways and seek His face. If we are not willing to do that it's no sense in praying. I mean why get on your knees and pour out your hearts desire and get up and climb into bed with someone that you aren't married too. Why get on your knees and pray and walk out the house stand on the corner and make fast money. Why? He clearly says that if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and turn from their wicked ways. It's conditional we do this and He does His part.

I can truly say that being still and quiet is hard. There are times when I want to help,Him because He ain't moving at Shon's speed. Then I am reminded that my time is not His and nor or my ways His ways. Cuz truth be told I could have it made in the shade or so I think if I did it my way. Let me put it another way, I would always be getting paid. But guess what I am still here, still standing, not in lack, because I am giving God my time, actually trusting Him and when things get to rough I call Him into remembrance of His word.

So trust Him if you going to trust Him, have faith if you are going to have faith. But stop just giving Him lip service He's not pleased. We need to be doers of the word. Build your hope and trust on things eternal Hold on to His unchanging hand.

So I don't know who this is for, but you got to walk out that mess that you are in. The only thing stopping you is you, and yes things will get better instantly. Now the devil will have you to believe that things will get rougher and it may seem harder, but guess what we serve a God who is not a man. Don't let the fact that you have been in it so long hold you in it another day. Walk out of it, and don't look back. Walk out on Faith that God will do just what He said He will do. Your walking is first required and watch Him move. Don't let guilt keep you in it, don't let what if, keep you in, don't let what people say keep you in it. Move now. People are going to talk either way. But I would rather them say look at what God did for their obedience than look at this mess.

I can promise you as people leave God will send new ones and expose some that need to be. I don't call names as not offend but I am so grateful for my sisters that God has placed in my life at this time. I have not had to involve family, because when all is well family will still be mad and truth be told sometimes friends are like that, but this group (core) of ladies are so grounded in the word, they have been my help. I have one that will call me to the carpet so fast my head spins. I have one that scolds me and says you'll go sit down really quick. I have one that gets quiet and drops to her knees on me, but they all back up what they tell me with love and with the word. SO I know that it's not them but the God in them that's at work.

I am Blessed to be a Blessing,

Shon Garner Cole follow my blog at realtalkwithshon@blogspot.com.

P.S. Below is a word from my sister, my prayer partner, my keep me grounded sister.

MAKING A BAD SITUATION WORSE--

My baby girl, age 11, experienced her first pimple bump, positioned perfectly, on the right side of her face, about an inch underneath the eye. Using motherly wisdom, I warned her not to pick at it because, it was too soon, and it could make it worse. When she came home from school the next day, there was a noticeable change in the blemish. What started out as a small, red bump, had now turned into a sore. She was devastated. Without caring how hideous she looked, she was putting band-aids on it, and applying globs of cocoa butter on it. Sounds familiar?

Have you ever had a small problem/situation that you were faced with—carelessly, you approached it the wrong way, and made it worse? Then, found yourself trying to bandage it up, and apply soothing creams on it, to make it feel better, or to reverse the bigger mess you’ve created. This could be as simple as a small bump, but for most of us, it’s life—our finances, marriages, friendships, raising our kids, our bodies, our health, ministries, goals, etc. And for those of us that understand the power of words, we don’t even have to put our hands on a situation to make it worse, we can just speak the wrong things regarding it, our lives, and things/people attached to us.

Sarah is a prime example of meddling—trying to fix a problem in her own way, and making a bad situation worse. I’m sure she thought to herself a million times, “What on earth have I done?” Every time she turned around, there it was; a reminder of what she had done. But in the end, God fixed it.

We can’t change what has already been done, but I’m confident, that there is absolutely nothing too hard for God, and he can definitely clean up, heal, and undo, some of the things we’ve done. However, from this point forward, we have to learn to be careful in how we approach a situation. Be careful what we do, and most importantly, watch the words that we speak, regarding our situations, and our lives.

Some things are just not for us to mess with, but in the result that we do, it’s not the end of the world. Although we can’t fix it, God can. Is there anything too hard for God—even the messes that we make for ourselves? Absolutely not!

I’m a true believer that this is what God meant by: And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. (Romans 8:28 NLT) Yes, even what we consider bad, and mess-ups, God can use for a bigger and better purpose, and for His Glory! “I can see Him saying, she messed up, but I can use that later. Uh-oh, she messed up again, I can use that too!” Only God can make a mess, a message, and bless someone by it.

Disclaimer: Sometimes the consequences of our actions, leaves an everlasting blemish. These lessons should be used as testimonies for others. Don’t you remember someone older telling you that they are telling you this, to keep you from making the same mistakes as they did? Right; it’s a learning experience. So, don’t be sad about it, use it to help someone else.

Stay Hopeful,

Clarissa
http://alightofhopeinspirations.wordpress.com/2011/12/14/making-a-bad-situation-worse/

When God Calls the Shots

Okay I feel like God is screaming at me saying don’t you get it, how many times have I told you to stay out of the way and let me handle this. You keep getting in the way now you are whining about being tired, well you are tired because of your hard head. Stop trying to figure out my next move this is not a chess game it’s not a checker game it’s your life your future and I care what happens. If you should just fall and give up then you aren’t giving up on you on your situation you are giving up on me.

To all who know me well they know one of the things I love to say is when you can’t say amen say ouch. Simply put if you are not lining up with the will of God then it’s not amen moment it’s an OUCH moment. SO OKAY I AM NOT ASHAME OUCH. I keep trying to help.

God has been so good, so awesome all I have to do was do what he says does, but my nemesis has a way of calling showing up and getting me off track. You know what satan knows that too. So I will have to be patient like Queen Esther, as much as I would love to get this over in one banquet. I’ll give you two. It’s funny how you can look back and see how far the enemy has been using the male ego to sabotage him and he still hasn’t got it. They still fall prey.

Well God for real, for real I am out of the way you call the shots you tell me what to say, where to be and what to do. I won’t do anymore or any less. I will stay out of the way. Unlike the man who wrote the word I have heard you audibly but even if I hadn’t I still believe. The fact that I have made it through this last year says that you are here with me. The fact that if I can just get to Dec. 31, 2011, you have a whole new set of plans for me. The fact that someone prophesied to me that my name would be known in many nations and this very word that I am writing is being read in Russia, United Kingdom, Germany, and Canada to name a few is proof enough.

God you are great and as I come to a close I remember the greater the anointing the greater the test. The more people try to misuse me and do me harm the closer I get to you.

I don’t know who you are, or what you are going through just remember God delivered Daniel, He can deliver you. God told Abraham he would have a son and He did. So, I say I know it’s hard but the harder it gets the harder you pray. When a woman is getting ready to have a baby the closer it gets to delivery the harder the contractions and the harder you have to push. PUSH

I am Blessed to Be A Blessing,
Shon Garner Cole @ www.realtalkwithshon@blogspot.com or @imda4given1(twitter)
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by Charles R. Swindoll
Read Esther 7:3–10
The plot thickens as the excitement builds. Esther plans a banquet for the king and Haman. Blinded by his own conceit, Haman thinks the queen wants to honor him. But when the king asks Esther what request she might have that he can grant, she says, "I want both of you to come to another banquet tomorrow. Then I will tell you what I want."
Haman was thrilled! The queen was going to honor him twice with a feast in the presence of King Ahasuerus. She must really think I'm something, he thought.
On the way back home, he saw Mordecai, that Jew who would not give him the homage and deference he felt he had coming. Haman was infuriated at the sight of his nemesis.
You see, when God calls the shots, nobody can stop the action! The most powerful man in the land next to the king gets his hands tied and his mouth silenced. God and God alone can do such things.
When I come to this book that never mentions God, I see Him all the more profoundly and eloquently portrayed throughout it. It's there in invisible ink. Just like life. I've never seen skywriting that says, "I'm here, Chuck. You can count on Me." I've never heard an audible voice in the middle of the night reassuring me, "I'm here, My son." But by faith I see Him, and inaudibly I hear Him on a regular basis, reading Him written in the events of my life—whether it be the crushing blows that drive me to my knees or the joyous triumphs that send my heart winging. When I pause long enough to look back, I realize it is the unsearchable mind, the unfathomable will, the sovereign control, the irresistible providence of God at work, because He, though invisible, remains invincible.
Are you letting God call the shots in your life?

God's Wisdom Revealed

1 Corinthians 2:6-16
After exposing the futility of worldly thinking in 1 Corinthians 1, Paul introduces Christians to the higher realm of godly wisdom. This kind of knowledge and understanding isn't available through human intelligence and reasoning; it comes strictly through divine revelation. Only those indwelt by God's Spirit have "the mind of Christ" (v. 16) and access to "the things freely given" to them by God (v. 12).
Without this supernatural insight, no one can accurately know the Lord or His ways. Many people say they believe in God yet may not have a correct understanding of Him because their perceptions are based on their own thoughts and ideas. It's easier to custom-design a god to fit our preferences than to make the required adjustments that worship of the one true God demands.
Even believers need to guard against trying to fit God into their preconceived image of Him. The Bible is the only reliable source of divine revelation, but we must be careful to consider the Scriptures as a whole—it's critical that we don't just pick and choose the verses we want to believe. For example, by focusing only on passages that emphasize the Lord's lovingkindness while excluding those that speak of His holiness and justice, we misunderstand His true nature.
Let's seek to know the Lord in truth by considering the entire counsel of Scripture. Divine wisdom is available to every believer through the Holy Spirit, who searches the depths of God. May we never try to limit Him to fit our preferences. Instead, may He enlarge our minds to embrace His thoughts.

Faith vs. Reason

1 Corinthians 1:18-31
The first battle between faith and human reason took place in the garden of Eden. Spurred on by the lies of the serpent, Eve began to look at her situation from a purely logical perspective and decided she was being cheated by God out of something good. Her faith faltered as "reasonable" thoughts of self-interest filled her mind.
I am not saying that the way of faith is never logical, but by operating only on the basis of reason, a conflict with the Lord is inevitable. The reason is that His instructions and actions don't always appear reasonable from a human perspective. Although Isaiah 55:8-9 describes God's thoughts and ways as higher than man's, many people judge divine ideas to be lower than human intelligence.
Paul emphasizes this when he points out that God's choices are illogical by the world's standards. His message of salvation seems foolish, and His messengers appear weak and unimpressive. In an age that thrives on recognition, admiration, and importance, a person who believes the Bible is considered a weakling in need of a religious crutch to cope with life. While this description is given in derision, it's actually quite accurate. Recognizing their helplessness, believers lean on Christ so He can raise them to stand with Him in righteousness.
That day in Eden, sin and self-importance entered the human heart. But all the worldly wisdom that fuels our pride is nullified by God. He is looking not for great and impressive people but for weak, humble servants who can boast only in Christ. The Savior alone is their strength and wisdom.

PSALM 143

1Hear my prayer, O LORD, give ear to my supplications; in Thy faithfulness answer me, and in Thy righteousness.

2And enter not into judgment with Thy servant, for in Thy sight shall no man living be justified.

3For the enemy hath persecuted my soul; he hath smitten my life down to the ground. He hath made me to dwell in darkness, as those that have been long dead.

4Therefore is my spirit overwhelmed within me; my heart within me is desolate.

5I remember the days of old; I meditate on all Thy works; I muse on the work of Thy hands.

6I stretch forth my hands unto Thee; my soul thirsteth after Thee, as a thirsty land. Selah

7Hear me speedily, O LORD; my spirit faileth. Hide not Thy face from me, lest I be like them that go down into the pit.

8Cause me to hear Thy lovingkindness in the morning, for in Thee do I trust. Cause me to know the way wherein I should walk, for I lift up my soul unto Thee.

9Deliver me, O LORD, from mine enemies; I flee unto Thee to hide me.

10Teach me to do Thy will, for Thou art my God. Thy Spirit is good; lead me into the land of uprightness.

11Quicken me, O LORD, for Thy name's sake; for Thy righteousness' sake bring my soul out of trouble.

12And in Thy mercy cut off mine enemies, and destroy all them that afflict my soul; for I am Thy servant.


Prayer: There are times when I need Your answer right away, Lord. In times of distress, please be near at hand. Hear my short prayers, and heed them quickly. Amen.

What A Friend We Have in Jesus

It was hard to choose which word to share because as I prayed God said somebody needs each. Somebody only needs one. So I said God I will send both. Let me tie them together and get out of your way.

Someone like me has been going through for a long time and what seems long to us seems like one day to God; so know that He notices and He is working even when we can't feel Him or hear Him. But you can have assurance and never have to doubt if you will just go back to the days of old when we weren't trying to be politically correct and called Jesus our friend. One of my favortie hymns is What a Friend We Have in Jesus? It says what a friend we have in Jesus all our sins and griefs to bear what a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer.

I don't know about you, I have some people in my life and they are few because I know longer bequeath that title friend so easily, that I can't take everything too, shoot they will tell you before you start talking good we are all going through something. Leaving you more deflated than you already were. Family is the same way. So, what I have done is remembered that Jesus is my best friend, I don't have to worry about judgment, I don't have to worry about Him going to anyone but the Father on my behalf. I don't have to worry about Him telling John, Peter and Paul and them all sitting around discussing it saying what they would do if they were me. I can take it to Him that one He is going to help me. He will intercede to the Father on my behalf and know that the answer I get is not always the one I want but the one that is best for me, knowing that He can see what God intended so, I am at peace because I am in His perfect WILL.

Now I know that like many of you are weary, but the answer is not in shiney new things, it is not in filling your life with new people it is in filling your life with God. When you do that it won't matter if you still have a black and white 19 inch TV you got something and no one is calling you because you have something you can't afford.
So in all your getting and upgrading. Rest in Jesus and everything else will be added in His time. I promise and I am standing on His promise that trouble don't last always and that weeping may endure for a night BUT JOY comes in the morning. Good morning people. Good Morning.

I am Blessed to Be A Blessing,
Shon Garner Cole follow me at realtalkwithshon@blogspot.com or on twitter @imda4given1

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Our Best Friend Is Jesus
John 15:9-17
Years ago the Sunday School teachers in my church would teach preschoolers a little chorus that included the line, “My best friend is Jesus.” As those children grew into adulthood, they naturally put aside juvenile songs like this one. But sadly, they also frequently seemed to grow out of the idea of Jesus being a friend.
As believers learn more about God, they rightly elevate Him to be the Lord of their lives and acknowledge Him as sovereign ruler over all the earth. It is easier to think of One so high and mighty as Creator, Savior, and Lord than to “lower” Him to the position of Friend. But Jesus makes a point of telling His disciples that He is both a transcendent deity—the Son of God—and their companion (John 15:15).
The offer of friendship extends to modern disciples as well. Like the original twelve followers, we are privileged to say that Christ laid down His life for us in a supreme act of love and devotion (v. 13). What is more, His Spirit reveals the truth of Scripture to our hearts so that we can learn more about God and His ways. In other words, Jesus has made known to us the things He heard from His Father. A man doesn’t tell secrets to slaves; he tells them to his friends (v. 15).

Teaching children to sing of their friendship with Jesus is a wise idea. But I wonder when some grown believers will learn to sing of that special relationship again? May we never become so religious, so pious, or so full of our own maturity that we will not say, “My best friend is Jesus Christ.”

Note the answer is just above.

RELIEF FOR A WEARY SOUL
(Ezekiel 37:14)
How has our nation become so dry in its devotion to God? The answer is simple - we have gone to other things for refreshment. We have sought ways of encouraging ourselves without God. We have turned and walked in the opposite direction, thinking that we will try something new and it will satisfy our needs. We will the emptiness of our lives with people instead of God, and immediately they become like gods to us. Then, before we know it, they have done something to disappoint us, and we immediately feel betrayed and defeated.
In a nation that has the greatest material advantages, we want more and expect to get it. We're no longer satisfied with simple things - we have to have the latest flat-screen television. We have the newest computer that plays more songs and that does more that we will ever use, and still we cry out for more. We have flashier cars, larger homes, walk-in closets with shelves filled with clothing that we cannot even remember buying. We repaint rooms in our houses, purchase new furniture, and still feel empty, alone, and in debt.
Only God has the ability to satisfy the deepest longing in our hearts. Sure, it is fun to wear a new shirt and feel as though you are looking your best. God is not against this. In fact, He wants us to do well in this life. However, He wants us to love Him above all things. He gives good things to His children, but when the good things become objects of worship, we find that we are headed for trouble.
God will allow us to drift until we wake up and realize that our needs cannot be satisfied by anything or anyone other than God Himself. A new marriage or a new baby will not relieve the pressure. Many times it only makes it worse.

You can stop the dryness in your life by telling the Lord what you are facing and how you feel. He understands your needs, but He also knows that the only way you truly will find refreshment and hope that lasts is by living your life for Him.

God Notices

GOD NOTICES- This word was so on time as yesterday, I was thinking things were going one way and then I got a word that should have knocked me off kilter. Really I should have been somewhere mad, angry, wanting to cuss folks out. I am sorry for those of you who dropped straight from heaven and ain't never been there. Most days I am like Paul, but I ain't there yet and I still have my days where my walk resembles Peter and I want to cuss folk out, lay down my religion and cut them. But the fact that it didn't bother me let me know that all my praying, fasting, seeking God and truly turning certain folks over to Him has not been in vain.

I am just so excited that God loves me enough to notice the small things as well as the big things that concern me. I am so thankful that He remembers and He can see further than I can. Just like He placed Esther in the palace He has already placed the right people in the right places to turn mine and your situation around.

God is a God of many chances and yes He does His best work in us when it is dark why, probably because we are still. We are tired and we yield over to Him easily.

Like Mordecai, I have no need to worry myself with getting even with those who caused me hurt, who set up traps for me. Who right now are plotting and saying things. I am good, because I have the best person in my corner, He has me and most definitely my back. I got God and that's enough. I surrendered to Him so, I don't have to speak the words I got this, because I don't God notices, and notices every attempt and everything that has been said or done and Guess What like Mordecai in the right moment I will be rewarded. More importantly when all hell breaks loose just sit back and fret not and Look Up to Heaven and say God I know you got this.

So I am just going to stand and wait because it's finished.

Blessed to be A Blessing,
Shon Garner Cole -view other blogs @ realtalkwithshon@blogspot.com

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by Charles R. Swindoll
Read Esther 6:1–14
Never fails, does it? Things are not as they seem. And about the time you think they cannot get worse, they do. This was certainly true for Mordecai at a pivotal point in the story of Esther.
When all seems lost, it isn't. Mordecai could have despaired at the situation in Persia. The king was a Gentile. He had no interest in the Jews. Furthermore his closest confidant was Haman, who shamelessly hated the Jews. Esther was in the palace, but when the king found out she was a Jew, her life might be over in an instant. When all seems lost, it isn't.
When no one seems to notice, they do. Remember Mordecai's courageous decision earlier when he heard of a conspiracy between two of the doorkeepers of the palace, who were plotting to kill the king? When Mordecai heard of that conspiracy, he told his adopted daughter Esther about it. And she, being the queen, alerted the king.
Esther had told the king that the information had come from Mordecai, yet no one ever rewarded him for his great act. It seemed as though no one noticed or remembered. So Mordecai went on living his life unnoticed, unrewarded, and unappreciated—until this pivotal night.
I love the first three words of 6:1, "During that night." That's the way it is with God. At the eleventh hour, He steps in and does the unexpected. When no one seems to notice and no one seems to care, He notices and He cares "duringthat night."
Learn a lesson from Mordecai today, will you? Through all that happens to him, Mordecai never becomes a man of vengeance. He never tries to get back at Haman, even when he has the opportunity, even when he has Haman in a very vulnerable spot. He doesn't kick him in the face when he has a chance to. He doesn't even speak against the man. Let me challenge you to guard your heart as Mordecai did.
For God is not unjust so as to forget your work and the love which you have shown toward His name, in having ministered and in still ministering to the saints. (Hebrews 6:10)
I love those words, "God is not unjust so as to forget." When no one else notices, mark it down, God notices. When no one else remembers, God records it so it won't be forgotten.

God Is Never Wrong

A king who did not believe in the goodness of God, had a slave who, in all circumstances would say: My king, do not be discouraged, because everything God does is perfect, no mistakes!

One day they went hunting and along the way a wild animal attacked the king. His slave managed to kill the animal, but could not prevent his majesty from losing a finger.

Furious and without showing his gratitude for being saved, the nobleman said "Is God good? If He was good, I would not have been attacked and lost my finger."

The slave replied only "My king, despite all these things, I can only tell you that God is good, and he knows the "why" of all these things.What God does is perfect. He is never wrong!"

Outraged by the response, the king ordered the arrest of his slave.

Later, he left for another hunt and was captured by savages who made human sacrifices.

While on the altar, ready to sacrifice the noble, the savage found that the victim had a missing finger and so he was released. According to them: he was not so complete to be offered to the gods.

Upon his return to the palace, the king authorized the release of his slave to whom he said very affectionately:

- My dear, God was really good to me! I was almost killed by the wild men, but for lack of a single finger, I was let go! But I have a question: If God is so good, why did he allow me to put you in jail?

- My King, if I had gone with you in this hunt, I would have been sacrificed for you, because I have no missing finger.

Therefore, remember: everything God does is perfect. HE is never wrong .

Often we complain about life and the negative things that happen to us, forgetting that nothing is random and that everything has a purpose.

Every morning, offer your day to God.

Ask God to inspire your thoughts, guide your actions, to ease your feelings. And do not be afraid. God is never wrong!

You know why this message was sent to you? I do not know, but God knows, because he never makes mistakes.......

The path of God and his word is perfect, without impurities. It is the way of all those who trust in him, as he says in 2 Samuel 22: 31

Surely this message arrived at the right moment. May God put in your heart the desire to send it to someone. Do not be ashamed to send it to the right person. God knows, He knows why.

God is never wrong!

PSALM 142

1I cried unto the LORD with my voice; with my voice unto the LORD did I make my supplication.
2I poured out my complaint before him; I shewed before him my trouble.
3When my spirit was overwhelmed within me, then thou knewest my path. In the way wherein I walked have they privily laid a snare for me.
4I looked on my right hand, and beheld, but there was no man that would know me: refuge failed me; no man cared for my soul.
5I cried unto thee, O LORD: I said, Thou art my refuge and my portion in the land of the living.
6Attend unto my cry; for I am brought very low: deliver me from my persecutors; for they are stronger than I.
7Bring my soul out of prison, that I may praise thy name: the righteous shall compass me about; for thou shalt deal bountifully with me.
Prayer: Lord, I need to have You near me. I feel alone and abandoned sometimes. Stand with me, hold me in Your arms, and fill me with Your love. Amen.



I AM,
Blessed to Be A Blessing,
Shon Garner Cole

Worth The Wait

WAIT- I know you may be tired, I know you are anxious to go on the next chapter of your life. This storm seems to be lasting too long and every time it seems to cease it starts up again with hurricane force winds. Still I say wait.  You have to wait because God promised that this too shall pass. You have to wait because you can't hurry God.

 

Know this it is already finished, if you will just trust and rest in His peace, you can forget that you are even in this mess. That's where I am, I trust Him that much. I know that He promised me a better tomorrow. I know that all I have gone through; what I am going through is all apart of my brighter tomorrow.

 

If you are tired plug into your power source Jesus. He will give you brand new strength. He already gives you brand grace and mercy everyday. You don't have to be trying to refrigerate what you got because tomorrow you get another portion.

 

God promised me and I believe Him,  I trust Him so even if it's dark outside and the winds are fierce, I have peace in HIM. The SON is still shining and that's all the light I need the life jacket I need and my anchor.

 

So trust God stop making wrong decisions, stop trying to help if He didn't ask you to and WAIT. I promise you it will be well worth the wait.

 

I am ,

Blessed to Be A Blessing,

Shon Garner Cole you can read my post daily realtalkwithshon@blogspot.com

 

 

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(Habakkuk 3:18-19)

 

Passage Habakkuk 3:18-19: (Amplified Bible)¹⁸Yet I will rejoice in the Lord; I will exult in the [victorious] God of my salvation!^(A)

¹⁹The Lord God is my Strength, my personal bravery, and my invincible army; He makes my feet like hinds' feet and will make me to walk [not to stand still in terror, but to walk] and make [spiritual] progress upon my high places [of trouble, suffering, or responsibility]! For the Chief Musician; with my stringed instruments. 

 

When the storms of life hit, we are often tempted to run for cover. When they continue indefinitely, we struggle to find encouragement. When the rain and the wind gather strength until they turn into what seems to be a hurricane, we find ourselves saying, "I can't do this any longer," The truth is this: we can't, but God can.

 

He is the only One who can help us victoriously fight through the battles of life. Nothing can provide the type of strength that He provides, especially when we feel overwhelmed and discouraged. He stands beside us, and He never retreats.

 

Daniel never worried about being cast into the lion's den. He knew that the Lord would provide the help and protection he needed to make it through the night. Some of the people who read these words are fighting a battle with a life-threatening disease. It is an unseen enemy from a human standpoint but not from God's. He knows exactly what we are facing and how it is affecting our lives.

 

There is an incredible sense of peace that comes from learning how to rest in the Lord and allow Him to take care of your troubles. This does not mean that you abandon the fight and just give up trying. It means that you shift the focus of your effort from yourself to God. This is where the true victory is gained.

The apostle Paul faced many life-threatening situations. At one point, he debated whether it was better to ask God to allow him to go home to heaven where he would have unending peace and glory in the presence of Christ or to continue living the earthly life God had given him. Paul chose the latter. As much as he longed to see the Lord in heaven, he loved having the opportunity here to tell others about God's unending, unconditional love and forgiveness.

The suffering you face today is directly related to the joy you will experience in the future.