HE's knocking -Why Won't You Answer

Revelations 3:20 says "Behold I stand at the door and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me."

How often have your heard HIM knocking. Some days more than others. Why haven't you answered? You know when you aren't doing things the way that you should. Or you are in a situation that you knew was wrong from the get go, yet you entertained the idea and went along with it anyway. Tap, tap, tap - there's the knocking again. You go to the peep hole and lookout but you don't know who's knocking. Day after day you keep on in your situation as if everything is ok. Day 1 everything seems to be fine - but what about day 50 or day 150? Tap, tap, tap - your hear the knocking once again. You conscious tells you "you've looked through the peep hole and no one is there." Why do you keep hearing the knocking? Who's trying to get your attention? The point of the knocking is to draw you away from your situation. One of these days you will look through the peep hole and you will see. See what? What you need to see - what your heart has already been telling you. Open the door and see who is on the other side.

The knocking comes in the midst of your situation. Say you are in a bad relationship and you have been wanting to get out for some time. Tap, tap, tap - the knocking represents the call you need to hear to draw you away from the sitatuation. You open the door - opening the door is allowing HIM to come in and help you out of the situation. HE represents your salvation. Open the door to HIM to save you. If you are sick, then open the door to HIS healing. You opening the door shows two things: 1. that you want to be freed from your situation 2. that you are allowing HIM to do it. HE will be the remedy and comfort that you  have been looking for.

Fired or rescued?

"Yahweh took us out of Egypt with a strong hand and outstretched arm, with great awsomeness, and with signs and wonders." - Deuteronomy 26:8

When was the last time you were rescued? Rescued from what you may ask. For me it was my last job. Things hadn't been great for several months. I just kept waiting and waiting for something different to happen. I thought maybe a new job would be the answer. Turns out, that wasn't it. Tick-tock, tick-tock. Day by day the minutes just keep passing by and I was still stuck in the same place. "Why is this happening to me?" I wondered from time to time. I would try "my" best to make things better, but it never seemed good enough. My son was getting ready to start school (which was delayed by two weeks), so I was excited for that. But I didn't have a plan for after-school care. My dad was picking him up from school everyday for me (which was fantastic), until he wasn't able to do so anymore.

Three days before my son started school, I ended up being let go from my job. What a bummer. Almost 7 years invested in a company and this happens. I felt terrible. I had great staff that I had built a relationship with and now that had all been taken away. Then good ole' "worry and fear" set in. My thoughts are "I am a single mom, how am I going to pay bills such as rent, my car payment, food, phone, etc.?"

Now it's been two weeks since my job ended. I have spent some time with Yahweh (reading and praying) so that I can be shown what to do next. So far this journey has been a huge blessing. My perspective on what happened was all wrong. See it is Yahweh who decides how things are to be in your life. One of the things that I was shown is that HE rescued me, not that I was fired. The definition of rescue is: to free or deliver from confinement, violence, danger or evil.

Right now I am going through the process of being re-programmed, transformed,and converted. Meaning that HE is showing me how I am supposed to think (walk spiritiually). This change will take some time. After all for the past few years my routine has been the same:get up, get my son up, we both get dressed, I drop him off at school and then I go to work. This is what I thought my life was supposed to be until my son went off to college.

Yahweh's transformation in me will cause my character, apperance, and countenance to change. HE wants me to see myself and my role (my daily routine) as HE does. I have gotten used to just assuming that I was supposed to work full time because I am a single mother. Yahweh never told me that. Part of being re-programmed is changing my thought process and my heart. I need to remove all stumbling blocks that I have created which may have limited the work that Yahweh has wanted to do.

One of the changes that I see so far, is that HE has allowed me to be a stay-at-home mom. This has been great. I have never had the opportunity to be at home. This has allowed me to pick up and drop off my son at school. Yahweh is showing me that being at home doesn't mean surf the internet all day, watch soap operas/talk shows, or go out shopping and spend money. "There is work to be done. Not the type that you are used to."

 I wonder, what else is going to change as a part of my transformation?

If God be for us, who can be against us?

I am finding that Romans 8:28-31 is a lot harder to walk out than I thought. Why is that when you choose not to take on the practices of the land (Deuteronomy 18:9), you immediately have contention, strife, and conflict. No one wants to hear about your faith and how you would rather trust and believe in GOD than believe in something man made. Am I being the witness that HE wants me to be? I haven't been as up front with my faith as I would like to be. Part of me wants to walk in and announce "My faith in HIM is what keeps me healthy. HE is perfect and would have no need for anything man made. HIS healing is spiritual and physical. Man made "cures" just "band aid" the symptom(s) - it doesn't heal the problem." Disobedience is what makes people sick and have ailments whether it is something that is generational or something that you personally came into agreement with that is not of HIM. This has been truly one of the hardest tests I have faced. My initial thought is to leave and run away. What is that going to prove? If I am going to be a witness to everyone around me, then I have to stay. HE has put me here for a reason. This is a lesson for me as well as whomever I am to affect. Stay strong and be diligent. There are more people who agree with my perspective than I know. They just feel threatened by those who set down the rules. How is HE using me? What is my role in this situation? I can honestly say, "I don’t know". I have never taken the time to ask. I have spent more time complaining and taking it personally (feeling attacked) and having the poor me syndrome. I need to remember that HE is in charge. HE has allowed this to happen. This is not about me (well, not in the way that I thought). HE tests us to see how we will rely on HIM to get us through. My faith is stronger and bigger than I know - I just have to know in my heart how strong it is. Matthew 26:41 states "Watch and pray that ye not enter into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak." Wow, does this scripture apply to me. Temptation is not always something lustful. Temptation can be your anger flaring, constant complaining, or just allowing your emotions to go outside of what HE wants you do and think. Seeing someone and having the attitude "She never does any work" or "He always gets his way" is allowing those negative emotions to stay stirred up. This is exactly what the enemy wants. All the enemy wants is for you to take your eyes off of HIM.  Ha Satan also knows and can see when HE is going to test you. How do I take control of my emotions and not let people or situations get to me? Being in constant prayer. Keeping your mind and your heart focused on the LORD will help you. The Lord could have you in a situation for one day or for 10 years. You have to be diligent and walk it out no matter how long you have to be there. I have also realized that the people around me don't understand my faith - even if they are believers. You can tell anyone that you believe in HIM or that you are a Christian. But what does that really mean? There are different levels of believing. I have to stay true to what I feel HE wants me to do (Deuteronomy 5:32). It may seem like I am doing the hardest thing possible instead of taking the easy way out. 

Be still. Stay quiet I AM here with you.

Have you ever been in a situation and in your mind you are wondering, "Where did this come from?" Or the most common reaction, "Why me?" Most of the time its the Holy Spirit in you fighting with the darkness inside of someone else. HIS word states that he will put us through situations as a test - a test to see how close we are to HIM and how much we will rely on HIM. Sometimes we see the situation head on. There are other times when we are caught off guard, or taken by suprise. What do you do? How do you handle yourself? Most of the time we take the attack personally. This is exactly what the enemy wants - he wants you to doubt, have fear, or stir up bitter emotions about that person or situation. That is never what HE wants. HIS word says over and over again "Fear not for I AM with you." (Isiah 41:10). In an instant just remembering that scipture should bring you peace. A peace that can make you smile and be silent. HE will give us what we need to handle that person or situation.

Keeping the anger or bitterness in your heart will lead to other downfall's in your life. Basically you end up taking on that persons or that situatuions darkness. Light and darkness can not dwell together. Which would you rather be full of? You are only broken if you let someone or something break you. Who would you rather be broken by? HIM or someone or something that you are not supposed to fear in the first place.

Romans 8:28-31 states "If GOD before us who can be against us." Jesus was quiet when he was questioned before his crucufiction because he knew who was with him.

Going Back to the Garden

Romans 3:23 states "For all have sinned and come short of the glory of GOD". How big is short? How far have we really fallen? Genesis 3:9-10 states "And the Lord GOD called unto Adam, and said unto him, "Where are thou?" And he said, I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself." Adam and Eve are the only two human beings who truly know what it looks like and what it feels like to be naked. They saw in an instant how big short is - or how far we have truly fallen. According to dictionary.com the definitions of naked are: being without clothing or covering; without the customary covering, container, or protection; defenseless; unprotected; exposed; exposed to view or plainly revealed.

 When Adam and Eve fell, they dropped suddenly to a lower position and they lost a level of covering and protection which left them exposed and plainly revealed. This is why in Genesis 3:10 Adam states that he was afraid.

 How do we get back to the garden? 2010 is a long way from the garden both chronologically and spiritually. One of the first things we can do to find our way back, is to ask HIM where to start. We all have a path that HE wants us to walk. The path leads back to the garden. The reason it leads back to the garden is because the garden's name was Eden which means paradise. Eden was perfect. It was probably the closest thing to heaven on earth. There was no sickness, infertility, or "hard times." YHVH walked with Adam and Eve in the cool of the day (Genesis 3:8). This means that HE was with them in a way that we have never seen. Adam's job was to maintain the growth and development of the garden. Eve's job was to correspond to her husband - meaning she was supposed to be in agreement with and provide what ever was necessary to accomplish a task. Basically she was to be in harmony with Adam. Remember at this point they are still perfect. So there is no such thing as an argument, or not agreeing. Eve was in such a harmonious state with Adam that she could probably (no pun intended) read his mind. He didn't have to ask her certain questions - she already knew what to do and it was done.

What was in garden that is not here now? When I think of paradise, I think of a place where everything is peaceful and tranquil. There is no pain and suffering. The word "work" doesn't have the same meaning that is has now. As an unmarried woman what is my "job" supposed to be. Our job is being prepared (Matthew 25:1-13). The five virgins that had their lamps ready to go showed physically what they represented spiritually. They had light or the WORD so the bridegroom could see that they were different. They didn't blend in with everyone else. They were set apart. The five virgins who didn't have the oil to light their lamps represented the world. They were unprepared. They were not focused on their "work" in the way they should've been. This is why they wanted the oil of the five virgins who were prepared. They wanted both worlds. When you are preparing for what YHVH has for you, you have to give up the world. You can't dance between two opinions (1 Kings 18:21).

There is only one way to get back to the garden (John 14:6). This will be a life changing decision. Your heart will change in ways you never thought were possible.

The Different Stages of Life - Sophomore Year

Sophomore Year

Between the ages of 23-27 things change. This is officially your sophomore year. The club scene just doesn’t mean what it used to (or anything at all). You actually would like to meet a nice young man that would like to spend real quality time with you – not just sleep with you. You are ready for things to be different. You may still be dating the guy you met in college and would like to marry him – but he still doesn’t seem quite ready to marry you. In some cases this may be your husband. In other cases, its time to let him go. You need to find out who you are outside of him because everything that you have done up to this point has revolved around him. You see the clothes you wear as being ok not great. After all you bought these clothes when you were sixteen and they still fit. You can wear them another 2-3 years. Guys still view you the same way. At this age you view men differently which is the only change. Sophomore year also starts the process of weeding out or changing habits that you started in your freshman year. Your parents actually make sense. They know and understand more than you ever thought. You actually call them for advice instead of making mistake after mistake.

Towards the middle of your sophomore year which is the ages of 28-34 you want bigger and better things. It’s more than just a want; you actually go after it and get it. You are more determined at this age to live like your 30. The things that you bought ten years ago when you finally got your first real job is just not cutting it; and those things are falling apart and wearing out so you have to replace them anyways. Instead of furnishing your entire apartment with Target items – you only go there to buy certain things: socks, toilet paper, paper towels, DVD’s, etc.

The clothes you wear definitely change. You are trying to find a husband so looking like you just walked out of Forever 21 is not the look you are going for. The word “lady” actually means something to you. You view men differently mostly because you have been burned before so there are certain things you will absolutely not put up with. Your tolerance for nonsense and drama certainly is a bit higher – meaning you actually have a standard. Your biological clock starts ticking in this category. Marriage, kids, a house are things that you think about more often. A good percentage of your friends are married and have kids; you are just waiting for your turn. Clubs and bars – what are those? Why would I go to a place where half the people there have just turned 21 and the other half have fakes and snuck in. By the way your early 30’s is cleaning up the mess you made in your 20’s. Hopefully it won’t take the entire decade. You start thinking past the moment you are in. You realize there are consequences to your actions that can affect more than just yourself.

The end of sophomore year are ages 35-38. By this time you have met a really wonderful man. Not just anyone, your husband. Your "gut" tells you, "he is not like anyone else".  You could have met Mr. Right in the 30-34 age range as well. The following still applies.  This is mostly because you see the heart of the man and not just his six-pack stomach, his car, etc. You are guarded and cautious. You ask questions instead of sleeping with him by the 2nd or 3rd date. This is the age where men actually see you. They don't just see "she's hot." Don't get me wrong they see your body and how you look, but they want a relationship that's more fulfilling, so they work harder and try to get to know you.  They actually are tired of the club seen and hopping from woman to woman. Their heart changes. Something tells them "don't let this one get away." As mind blowing as this sounds, that thought has never crossed their mind before. Everything is going great and you are ready for a ring. Don't pressure him. Let him propose when he is ready. You will know if he is the type of man that wants to get married (that conversation should've happened on the first or second date). Have realistic expectations of the relationship. Do not try to change him to suit you or your lifestyle. Don't rush out and get into a relationship just because you see all of your friends have gotten married. You will end up settling and the consequences of that are much farther reaching than you know. Learn the difference between submission and compromise - they are very different. Be patient with the transitional phases of your life. You will get there. Not to cut it short, there are many lessons to learn in sophomore year.  Junior year is just around the corner and maybe harder than your 30’s. How will being in my 40's be any different than my 30's? Just wait and see..........

The Different Stages of Life - Freshman Year

Do you women of today know how to be ladies? The definition of a lady according to dictionary.com is:
"a women who is refined, polite and well-spoken" 

Freshman Year

Young ladies ages 12-17. At this age you are a freshman. You are young and think you know it all. This is the age where you where the short-shorts, mid-drift shirts and what ever else you can buy in the junior department at any store. You think you look so good. You can spend $20-$30 dollars and get outfits (not just one!) makeup, and perfume. This age is one of the most critical. This age can be influenced the most by the next age category 18-22. At this age the word “lady” definitely has no meaning. You are just happy to be able to go out with your friends and have a good time. If a boy finds you attractive, you are just so giddy you really don’t even realize how you look and he doesn’t either. This is the age where your parents can’t possibly know or understand you and have absolutely no idea of what you are going through. Ask them for advice – yeah right that’s never going to happen.

Then you progress to age group 18-22. Legally you are officially an adult. If you are 21 then you can drink legally without getting into trouble. You think you are invinsible. You have no idea that your actions, can cause health issues (or any other type of issue) later in life (junior year).  This age is still like 12-17 – you still dress the same you just hang out in more “adult” places. Going to the club is most of your weekend plans. You go out during the week and come home at 2am and still get up by 7am to go to work. Guys still hit on you the same way and you are still just as clueless as you were at 12-17. Being a lady still does not mean anything. The real difference at this age is you may be in college, or be moved into your first apartment. Basically you don’t have your parents breathing down your back making sure that you clean your room and that you’re home before curfew. You have your first “real” adult relationship ("you la him" and you've never been so sure about anything in your life) – you know when you date a guy that is just as immature as you, but is 5-8 years older than you are. You think you are in love and that he is the one. He tells you that are beautiful and that you are the only one for him – until you find out he is seeing some one else. The entire time the other woman has been there, you were too foolish to listen to your gut feeling. Or he proposes to you and you accept, but you have no idea who you are and what marriage is. You are just so excited to buy a pretty white dress. This is also the age where you are either still dating the same guy you dated in high school or you met a new guy in college who helps you to get over the ex-high school boyfriend and you stay with the new boyfriend until you are 25-27. Freshman year is also the time in your life when you do to much for him. This means that you put up with more than you should because you think you are "helping" him. Anytime a 27-32 year old man dates a 18-22 year old woman - that is a clear sign that he is not willing to try. He may think that you are nice and pretty but that is it. He is with you because you are easy. Easy game. At this age you will put no demands on him and he knows it.  This type of relationship happens more often than it should. In very, very few cases the relationships actually do work out. Don't worry ladies, sophomore year is better - just wait and see!