Humility...Not For Wimps

2014 is finally here. I can say that already it has presented its set of challenges. However, I have come to understand that tests and trials are necessary. Through them, you find out where you really are and how much you have grown. Well, some I have passed. And some others, I see I have growing up to do. Ironically, I gained a very powerful key to access great things that God can manifest in my life. So, what is it? Humility.  I promise you I did not just curse at you (LOL). I'll say it
again, "humility" - the quality or state of being humble; modest opinion of one's own importance or rank; meekness.

How is humility a powerful key? Well, let's look at James 4:6, "But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: “God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble."  The word "grace" in this passage comes from the word "charis" in the Greek meaning "favor, grace, wisdom and strength." So, humility is not a sign of weakness. I am quite sure Jesus was not a wimp in all the persecution, anguish, and suffering He endured all the way to cross. And yet, His humility towards God was the key to access the unquestionable strength and grace needed to carry out His purpose.
 For me, I have learned to humble myself willingly as much as possible rather than being forced.  You know what I mean. Especially when you have been tried by someone that don't even know you, they curse you out when you have not done anything intentional to offend them. Help me Holy Ghost!! I had to humble myself in the moment and think, "God could fight a lot more battles for me if I keep my mouth closed (so as to avoid saying something foolish).

It takes great strength to humble yourself to access the power of self-control, a slice of the fruit of spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). Therefore, I chose to keep a calm demeanor, walk away from the situation, and say nothing else. When I did, I realized that God had done a great work in me. It was through the testing of my faith that God showed me I was not so weak after all. In fact, it is usually the person that acts out of character that is weak more than the person that shows self-control and humility. So, humility is not for wimps. It is for those that know where there true strength resides...in God.

(c) 2014   The Chronicles of a Strange Girl by Elder Twanna House

No More Excuses

It is part of the human condition. We tend to trust our own capabilities outside of God.  I know it has happened to me. I used to get so confident in my education, career, and other abilities that I did not give credit or trust the one responsible for blessing me with the ability to achieve them, God. In a society that encourages self-sufficiency, it is almost strange to admit we have limitations, weaknesses, and insecurities. Sometimes, I have made excuses for it. But of course, that never works.

 

Let's be honest. There are some things we know we are able to do, whether negative or positive. But as we know from God's word, there is no good in this flesh. What do I mean? We have to be careful to not trust our flesh so much because it is not reliable and has its own weaknesses. We need to be transparent concerning our strengths and weaknesses in an effort to build a foundation for change, not for excuses.  Here's my belief...

 "I do not desire to be someone that is just operating in a gift with no anointing. And I do not possess the ability in myself to do what I do. I need God."

 

When you have complete confidence in God, then you have the assurance of having everything you need to be successful.  In 2 Timothy 1:7, the word of God reveals the tools to conquer any insecurities or fears we have: "For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind." In having the power of God (His God-given ability), love (His character embodied in your actions), and a sound mind (His wisdom and stability), then it leaves little room for any excuses to overcome your fears. You have it all available to you through Him. "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." - Philippians 4:13 

 

As we embark on a new year of 2014,  let us live life with no more excuses and be empowered to change...

 

(c) 2013  The Chronicles of a Strange Girl by Elder Twanna House.

Know Your Place, Know Your Purpose

I remember as a child that sometimes my parents would tell me to "know my place." It meant that I was not to get involved with grown folks' conversation or be disrespectful. It was a directive to make sure I knew how to act appropriately in any given situation.

As I have grown and now have children of my own, I realize knowing your place is more than just doing what your parents told you. It is to have an awareness of who you are and your purpose in God. I have come to the understanding that knowing your place has its benefits. How so? You perceive your life with a different pair of eyes. Rather than looking at things negatively, you see them positively knowing that it is for your making for greater in your life. "And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose." - Romans 8:28

As long as I know that I love God, then He called me. Since I am called, He has already orchestrated everything to work for my good. That is the hope we can hold in our hearts through the storms of life. We have security in God in us because we know our place and our purpose to serve Him. Don't let life shake you up. Stand firm, and know your place.

(c) 2013 The Chronicles of a Strange Girl by Elder Twanna House

Be Still, My Heart...

When it comes to matters of the heart, I had my ups and downs. Yes, I allowed my emotions to get the best of me at times. When wisdom said to wait, my heart said go for it.  As a result, I had to endure the heartache, pain, and depression that followed.

I could say that the enemy led me to make these poor choices in love. But the truth is my heart played its own little game:  deception.  The word of God in Jeremiah 17:9 says,  "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; who can know it?" We, in ourselves, are not fully aware of all that is in our hearts.

Here's the good news. I remember that God has given me a comforter in the Holy Spirit. Just when I want to give into my feelings, I remember I have help.  "However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come." - John 16:13

I must admit that my heart has deceived me more often than not. But experience has taught me it is better to listen to wisdom and follow it. Be still with your heart. Do not go on your feelings. Let the Lord lead you into His truth.

(c) 2013 - The Chronicles of a Strange Girl by Elder Twanna House

Lifelines

I was at a job training out-of-town when I misplaced my cell phone. I became really nervous. The reason was my cell phone was my only line of communication to my family, work, etc.  Let’s just say I had a hard time focusing on my training. Fortunately, one of my co-workers located my phone and returned it to me.

Nowadays, you can do almost anything on cell phones. They have become a lifeline for some of us. But the Spirit of God reminded me that He is the greatest lifeline that never fails. Peter, one of Jesus’s disciples, realized it in Matthew 14:28-32. “And Peter answered Him and said, “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.” So He said, “Come.” And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus. But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, “Lord, save me!”  And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased.”

On the TV game show, Who Wants to Be An Millionaire, the contestant only gets three temporary “lifelines” that are not guaranteed. I am so thankful that we have a lifeline in Jesus Christ that is always available to reach out and touch.

(c) 2013  The Chronicles of a Strange Girl by Elder Twanna House

The Beauty of Unselfishness

"Beauty is in the eye of the beholder..." I have heard often said. As one's perception is their own reality, whatever they see as beautiful is what it is. As children of God, what should we see as beautiful?  Of course, true beauty comes from our heart reflecting the pure character traits of God. One of those character traits is unselfishness.  In a society, that encourages self-indulgence and self-preservation, the concept of unselfishness is not embraced by very many, even the body of Christ. How so? When you have a lot of Christians who have been hurt, it is somewhat difficult to be free to be unselfish toward others. But there are reminders in God's word of the importance of this beautiful character trait...

"Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself." Philippians 2:3

We are responsible for showing the love of Christ in our unselfish actions towards others. In esteeming them, you are not neglecting your own needs nor being forsaken. Truth is, God is aware of us and our needs. We have to be willing to firmly trust His love is enough. We can release ourselves in His love to free us to allow His beauty of unselfishness to shine through. "Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil;" 1 Corinthians 13:4-5

I know have benefited from the people with the unselfishness of God in my life. I will always be grateful for their self-sacrifice and generosity that were essential to the success of whom I have become. By the way, another word for unselfishness is freedom.   Be free to give, open to love, and share the beauty of God in whom you are.

(c) 2013 The Chronicles of a Strange Girl by Elder Twanna House

Razor Sharp

I was watching one of my favorite shows on the Food Network, Iron Chef. It is quite interesting to watch the best chefs in the world create culinary delights based off of one secret ingredient. Now, they have to use the best of cutlery (knives) to cut and dice to their liking. In order to stay on their "A" game, they have to continue to sharpen their skills as chefs. So it is as believers, we must do the same.

Proverbs 27:17 says "As iron sharpens iron, So a man sharpens the countenance of his friend." God uses the interaction we have in godly friendship to help us grow in our spiritual lives. The word sharpen in this scripture comes from the Hebrew word "chadad" which means to "be sharp, alert, or keen." In order for us to be effective as believers in impacting each others lives is that we have to stay sharp in the word and in prayer.  How is the world going to truly know God if we choose to remain dull in how we represent Him?

One of the ways I discovered that God keeps us sharp is through correction. It is human nature for us not to want to receive correction because it does not feel good to our flesh. But even God said that this is way He shows His love and to not be discouraged when He corrects us for our good.

"...My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord, Nor be discouraged when you are rebuke by Him; For whom the Lord loves He chastens, And scourges every son whom He receives." Hebrews 12:5-6

In other words, it is through correction that we can be sharpened in our thinking so that our lifestyle can purely reflect holiness. Your life should be a light that is so strong that it challenges those around you to see God in your life and cause them to look at their own lives differently. Here is the question I pose to my fellow believers, "is your life so razor sharp in God that it can cut between what is real and what is not? Or is it just as a dull as a butter knife with no kind of effect at all?

So with that being said, the sharper the knife, the better it is to use. Let's us be sure our lifestyle is so razor sharp that God can use us for his purpose and glory.

Blessings and love,
Elder Twanna House

(c) 2013 The Chronicles of a Strange Girl by Elder Twanna House