Category Archives: Direction

Messages related to guidance and direction

Lost and Found

Posted on by yolandaberry
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 Many years ago, I went shopping with a close friend with her two-year old child. As we      casually picked out outfits, we watched her daughter dash between the racks of clothing  playing peep- a- boo. When we decided what to purchase, we got in line.

However, we could  not locate her daughter. She was suddenly missing when we called her name. We frantically  rushed through the store asking people if they had seen a small child describing her in  extreme detail. With alarm, no one had seen her. They sent out an announcement over the  intercom as we raced through the aisles searching for the child.

In a panic, my friend headed towards the courtyard inside the mall where she passed the security desk where she found her child sitting on top of the desk with a security officer gently holding her. It was the most rewarding and gratifying moment ending in a sigh of relief.

It definitely does not feel good to get lost. I can remember several times being lost when I was driving to a new location. As I desperately searched to find the right direction, I usually became extremely panicked to make it to my destination. Then, finally I would find my way which provided me with comfort. Of course, this experience was long before cell phones and GPS systems!

When you’re lost spiritually, you may not even be aware. There is no warning or immediate danger involved. You may travel through life freely taking no precautions or direction in life.

You don’t have any fear about salvation or eternal life. Possibly, you may simply be at a crossroad in the midst of confusion about what you believe. No matter what road you travel, the Lord’s grace and mercy will find exactly where you are if your heart is open to receive His love. God’s love is profound.

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son (Jesus) that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life. For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world: but that the world through Him might be saved.” John 3:16-1

This is the foundation and the basic substance of truth found in the Word of God. Once you start to follow your spiritual GPS (God’s Power Saves) which is directed by the Holy Spirit, you will find comfort and security.

You will find out the empty, lonely place where you are constantly searching to fill a void in your life does not sustain peace or satisfaction.

When you begin to fill the space with such things as alcohol, drugs, sex, money, power, material things and other feel-good possessions and remedies, you begin to realize that it only last for a moment before you begin to search and search and search for something else that satisfies and fills the void. Eventually, you find out that you spent a lifetime seeking something that does not exist or that you cannot find.

When you put your faith in Jesus, you begin to receive a wholeness that does not compare to worldly expectations. Seeking a relationship with Jesus consists of daily prayer (simply communicating or having a conversation with Him), worship and praise, reading the Gospel and surrounding yourself with other believers and finding a Bible-based church. You will begin to transform yourself and your life. However, it’s a gradual process and it’s not done in your own power. “Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord.” Zech 4:6

The growth process is never-ending with no destination in sight. It is an exciting journey with lots of surprises along the way. Living a Christian life, is by no means easy. You will still face obstacles, challenges and problems, but you will not have to carry the burdens and pressures of life on your shoulders.

When you walk by faith, you are “Trusting the evidence of things hoped for but the evidence of things unseen.” Heb 11:1 and Romans 8:24

This is the same faith you will use when you acknowledge Jesus as your Lord and Savior who has died and resurrected for your sins. You must come to Him by faith.

What makes the relationship so special? Each person will never have the same exact experience. You are a designed original and the Lord desires to have an intimate relationship with you because He created you for His pleasure. It’s just like the lost child who wandered through the mall.

Our Father welcomes you into His loving arms when He finds one of His lost children and desires to build a relationship that will be everlasting. How can you miss out on that opportunity?

Reference:

“And I will pray to the Father, and He will give you another comforter: that He may abide with you forever. Even the Spirit of truth whom the world cannot receive because it sees Him not, neither knows Him: but ye know Him: for He dwells with you, and shall be with you. I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.” John 14:16-18

What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it? Luke 15:4

“But if our Gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost.” 2 Corth 4:3

A Change in Season

Posted on by yolandaberry
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Photo Credit: Yolanda Berry

As we come upon New Year’s Eve, we often reflect back on our lives and flood our thoughts with many memories of the past year. We often re-evaluate our dreams, goals, aspirations and vision. We either become greatly motivated or unseemingly depressed as we remember the past year’s victories and defeats. But, we must look ahead with great expectation with hope.

It seems as if time is moving faster. I feel like I just posted my New Year’s message and another year is upon us once again. Did you do everything that you planned or wished for?

When we begin to realize that life will deal unexpected experiences and circumstances, we will begin to realize how precious life really is. Unfortunately, alot of people did not even see the end of this year. This should give us a fresh perspective and we should seriously begin to appreciate and value every season in life that we experience for we are not promised tomorrow. As each year passes, I begin to realize this more and more.

On another note, we should make every effort to live our lives to the fullest potential. What’s holding you back? Don’t keep putting off what you want to do in life. It’s time to make a change. Take the time to look to the future with great expectation with hope. Don’t let circumstances or people dictate or control your divine destiny. God is bigger than your circumstances. There will always be someone who will not agree or believe in what you want to do. Keep moving forward until you see results. Take each day one day at a time and don’t look at your overall goals which always seem to be overwhelming. Just take time to carve out a plan and work that plan until you harvest fruit.

Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him.
— 1 Corinthians 2:9

May you be blessed with abundant health, peace, provision and protection for the upcoming year.

Happy New Year’s 2013!

Self-Control: Crucifying the Flesh

Posted on by yolandaberry
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About three months ago, my friend asked me to blog about the subject, “Self Control.” I thought it was a great topic because I was planning on writing about each of the characteristics of the fruits of the spirit which is “Love, joy, peace, long suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and temperance.” (Gal 5:22)

I announced my idea for my next blog post to my twitter followers. Unfortunately, life got in the way even though I made many attempts to write. Then, I realized that I needed as much help in this area as my friend did.

As we begin a New Year, I am determined to continue any past goals from last year that was not accomplished, as well as set new goals for a new beginning.

Procrastination has always been an obstacle for me. I believe it falls under the same category as having self-control. It’s a combination of choices and decisions or lack of which leads us in a certain direction. We are accountable to our behavior and patterns. We may not have total control of our external environment, but we are responsible for ourselves and how we choose to deal with life circumstances and the path we choose.

When I think of all the wasted time, it frustrates and angers me, but I don’t believe in living in past regrets. Despite any circumstance, obstacle or situation that may block or hinder our paths, it’s important to move forward. You can change your present and future outcome with what you do today. Each minute of every day counts. So I sit here at my computer compelled to write my thoughts on self-control.

How do we gain control of our lives when things seem to be spinning out of control in the world? We are constantly influenced by the images and stories we hear through multiple streams of media communications. The power behind our decisions which is influenced by internal and external factors causes us to eventually reflect on our position in life.

“Those in Christ have crucified the flesh with the affections and lust.” (Gal 5:24) which means to refrain our body and mind from lusts and pleasures from the world system and guard our eyes, ears and heart from negative influences that slowly affect the thoughts and behavior patterns which will eventually influence our words and actions and enter into our hearts. “For out of the heart, the abundance speaks.” In other words, what is buried in your heart eventually comes forth through the words that you speak. “For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds casting down imaginations and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.” (II Corth 10:3-5)

Having control over our flesh is very challenging because we live in a physical world. We encounter many desires on a daily basis. People are dealing with many types of addictions: Drugs, alcohol, food, co-dependency, shopping, sports, sex, pornography, computers and cell phone usage along with many other addictions. These addictions are an attack from the enemy on your physical, mental, financial, emotional or psychological nature as well as your time. The devil comes to kill, steal and destroy, but God has come to give you life more abundantly. (John 10:10).

To gain control of our lives, we must know the power of God’s word, His promises and benefits to overcome the attacks, schemes and plots of Satan. We can’t blame everything on the enemy because we our responsible for our behavior. However, the root of temptation can influence our decisions and choices.

I recommend finding a support group or counseling, joining a Bible-based church, surrounding yourself with positive people, studying the Bible and most important developing a relationship with Jesus through daily prayer.

We must call those things that are not as though they were. Rom 4:17 Live by faith. Faith is developed by being faithful and obedient in God’s word. It’s trusting God and giving our burdens to Him. Faith is also a gift given by our Father. Each person receives a level of faith, but we must act. Faith is the evidence of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen. (Heb 11:1). Faith without works is dead. (James 2:20 )So we must continually put our faith into action.

As we start the New Year, let us be conscious of our thoughts and behavior so we can produce the right results in our lives and reap the rewards at the end of the year.

If you are dealing with serious addictions, I recommend you get wise counsel. There are many outreach programs, support groups or non-profit organizations that can assist you on the road to recovery.

Make each day count. Each day is a new beginning so take it one day at a time. It’s also not an accident that you came across this blog post. Please receive these words with love and begin to take one small step in the right direction. You will not regret it. God has great things in store for you.

Cheers to a new beginning!

Peace & love always,