Get In Your Element

There is nothing like being in your element because--when in that space--you come across as confident, at peace and fearless. This is why it is important for you to allow your Creator to make clear the gifts He has wired you to express via your existence. Any area of gifting you possess, as shared by Dr. Myles Munroe, is to be understood as territory in which you are meant to dominate. And being armed with this understanding, you can--without apology--focus your time, talent and treasure in maximizing your efficiency through targeted deployment of your unique giftedness.

The abilities you come to understand as GOD-given gifts MUST be nurtured. Doing so refines the rawness of your abilities into a polished presentation of them that sets you apart as one who dominates in your respective area(s) of gifting. But in order to fluently express your gifting at such notable levels, demand MUST be consistently placed on your potential to produce it with excellence. This is the key to surpassing good and becoming exceptional. As you deploy your gift, excellent delivery of it ensures the continued employment of your gift, because people will consequently come looking for you in order to access what you produce when in your element.

So whenever you experience being in your element, thank GOD for each and every opportunity He gives you to function in the capacity for which you have been well-equipped. After all, it is His gift working in and through you to do that which is His will and good pleasure (Philippians 2:13). Each opportunity you are afforded testifies of GOD's ability to guide your feet into places which He has already prepared for you to succeed. Therefore, wherever you may find yourself on the journey to greatness, being in your element is always a cause for celebration and thanksgiving. 

How Worship Births The Unimagineable

It is amazing how we find ourselves in situations with GOD that surpass our understanding.  If you may recall, the Bible shares with us that the highly fragrant perfume in Mary Magdalene's alabaster box was valued at "three hundred denarii" (John 12:5), which is approximately a year's wages for a common worker.  When Mary took it upon herself to throw custom out of the window and break open this box, it was ironically the disciples of Jesus who criticized her--particularly Judas.  They were appalled that she would pour this costly perfume on Him because--TO THEM--its value was "ONLY" a year's wages and what good THEY felt could be accomplished had it been sold.

Now according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median wage for U.S. workers in the fourth quarter of 2016 was $849 per week or $44,148 per year.  So you're probably wondering, "What DOES he mean by 'ONLY' a year's wages?"  After all, most of us have probably NEVER given a single monetary offering of this magnitude to anyone, let alone our Redeemer.  So seen from THIS context, the disciples' reaction to Mary Magdalene's actions doesn't seem so far-fetched.  However, her act of love and appreciation for Messiah signified so much more.  It was an act of worship...  But not just ANY act of worship.

The worship Mary Magdalene offered carried a value that far surpassed the fair market value of the pound of spikenard oil in that alabaster box.  One might even imagine that--in her mind--the oil's value paled in comparison to that of Him who had raised her brother Lazarus from the dead.  Widely noted as Messiah's greatest miracle, the coming forth of Lazarus in his grave clothes was nothing less than astonishing because he had been dead for four days.  And with saying all that, EVEN SHE--in her expression of immense gratitude--had no idea that she was anointing Messiah's body for HIS ultimate act of worship: Calvary.

Take Your Passion Off The Back Burner

Our passions are indeed avenues through which Yahweh can be glorified and people can be reconciled to His Kingdom.  Much more than just mere interests or things we someday dream about doing, our passions point to ideas, experiences, and feelings with which we possess deep connections.  However, in most cases, the things we are passionate about hardly ever get pursued.  It's true!  Life happens and we seem to recall more reasons why our passions shouldn't be pursued as opposed to why they should.  But for those who are ready to live their passions, all of that stops TODAY!

For too long we have talked ourselves out of life's greatest joys, including that of pursuing our deepest aspirations.  No longer must we doubt that there is an unmistakably innate joy found in answering the callings on our lives.  And, although this may sound crazy, it appears that the longer we delay our answer, the more frustrated we become with what we have instead chosen to pursue.  In our heads, the safe existence that meets our immediate needs--almost like clockwork--stays going toe-to-toe with this risky possibility that just may bring the self-fulfillment we've been longing to experience for years.  So what then do we do about it?!

Extracting The Greatness In You

Nothing worth having comes easy.  This is why there are people dying every day who left themselves no choice but to leave this life unfulfilled.  They played it safe.  They settled for good enough.  They chose the familiarity associated with survival over the risk of potentially thriving.

Understand that it's YOUR unwillingness to experience discomfort that's keeping you from being great--NOT PEOPLE.  In order for greatness to come forth, YOU must be willing to step into discomfort.  Yes, the struggle is real; and you won't even begin to scratch the surface of greatness until you're willing to face your self-imposed limitations head-on.

The Process of Fulfilling Purpose - Part 3

Knowing your purpose but not how to manifest it can be a very challenging position to be in.  For most people, it's a difficult season often lived through a period of years--and might I add, highly unsatisfying years.  With such seasons come terrible feelings of unfulfillment as well as intense frustration with so much of what may be happening roundabout.  By chance, does the current season of your life somewhat resemble this?  If so, then I hope you benefit from the tiny bit of advice I'm about to share: simply walk in your purpose.

Although it may sound cliche, find yourself putting one foot in front of the other.  Since you most likely already know the direction in which you should be heading, it's time now for you to get moving in that direction.  Commit to engaging in SOMETHING that puts you a couple of steps closer to your destination of purpose, even if it's small.  Bible instructs us in Zechariah 4:10 to despise not small beginnings, so go ahead and get busy NOW!  As this scripture points out, it's not wise to ignore, overlook or underestimate even the slightest start.  Regardless of how insignificant your start may seem, every start has the potential to be finished.

Yes, the journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.  But don't stop there!  Daily walk in your purpose.  Build up your momentum, so you're not slowed down by the challenges that arise along the way.  Stay encouraged by celebrating your milestones.  And trust me, as you journey in pursuit of fulfilled purpose, you will find great joy and fulfillment.

Have you read the previous installment in this series?  If not, then please take a few moments to read it now.

Be Willing and Productive

While in a training session as part of my professional development, there was something said with regard to teamwork that vibrated with Heaven's frequency and caught my spirit's attention: "The people you get to help you must be willing AND productive.  If they can't produce, then don't you depend on them."  I actually shared the below status update on my Facebook timeline with regard to that moment.

Worship Brings Transformation

One of the greatest things that can happen in your life is the inner transformation that occurs as evidence of your life of worship.  Believers often talk about themselves being worshippers, but their lifestyles will sometimes make you wonder if worship is really at work in them.  And it's not that there is an expectation for GOD's people to be without flaws and issues.  (Because GOD never promised a life void of flaws and issues, only a life in which His people would be empowered to live victoriously over them all.)  There is, however, an expectation that the sensitivity the life of worship imparts frees the believer to acknowledge their shortcomings without becoming victim to them.  The barriers that separate people, causing mankind to pay more attention to our differences than our similarities, are ultimately destroyed when the Creator and who we are in Him becomes our main focus.

As any true worshipper can confirm, the transformation that happens in those sacredly secret spaces of the soul is all the proof you need that GOD is in you and you are in Him.  His presence stirs the mind, will and emotions in such a profound way that you begin to see Him, yourself and everything (as well as everyone) around you differently.  Internally, what was once closed off amazingly opens and experiences a power so supernatural that your humanity hardly has the strength to stand in such an overwhelming presence.  Walls built in response to past hurts and disappointments literally topple beneath the weight of GOD's everlasting love, and the Father's reassurance provides the encouragement necessary to walk by faith in the newness of life when physical senses would find safety in the bondages of those old fears.

No Longer Pursuing Perfection

Following a recent conversation with friends about virtue, Holy Spirit shared with me that it's unnecessary to worry ourselves with trying to attain perfection if we focus our efforts on being excellent.  This blessed me tremendously because the human experience often leaves us feeling like we're not only imperfect but that it is impossible for us to be perfect.  However, this powerful message from the heart of GOD simply says that our perfection is something we should not even be overly concerned about.  AMAZING, isn't it?!

Most people's understanding of the word "perfect" is that of it describing something (or someone) as being flawless or free of damage.  However, GOD defines "perfection" as a state of maturity.  And only He can bring us into a place of maturity that removes all those damaging qualities we inherited as a result of the curse of sin.  What I've learned, though, that facilitates the maturation process is a spirit of excellence.  When we desire to do everything we possibly can to the best of our ability and activate our faith to produce the highest quality results with the resources available to us, GOD honors that by stepping in and further developing (i.e. maturing) us so we can reflect His nature even more.

Psalm 18:32 says, "It is God that girdeth me with strength, and maketh my way perfect."  The word "way" here figuratively means "course of life" or "mode of action".  So no longer do we need to stress ourselves out over making ourselves perfect, mature or without blemish.  GOD will take care of all that, as long as we submit ourselves to a life of virtue through excellence.  As we endeavor to live righteously and excel in our own day-to-day roles and responsibilities, we will begin to see the effects of GOD's hand upon our lives.  It's just that simple, and I pray you're encouraged now more than ever to excel in the years to come.

Rejection Is Protection

In this Thanksgiving season, we're often encouraged to recount everything for which we're thankful.  Well, this past Sunday, my pastor made the following statement: "In this season [of your life], rejection is protection."  Oddly enough, it wasn't my first time hearing him say this in a sermon.  But today. as I contemplated the relation between what he said and this now being the time of year that we celebrate Thanksgiving, a string of interesting thoughts came to mind.

We've all experienced rejection, and many--if not most--of us have even dealt with the fear of rejection at some point in our lives.  And, let's be honest: no one enjoys being denied what they want.  But how many of us are actually thankful for rejection?  That's something we really don't hear people talking about, especially when the overwhelming majority of praise reports and testimonies given are about what people received.  My question, though, is this: is not GOD's protection from the unseen (and seen) dangers of our desires just as worthy of praise?

Lessons In Stewardship | 02.12.13

Early into a recent teaching ("I Want More" | 02.02.13) shared by my pastor, he said something very interesting: "An indication that you're ready for more is you being a good steward of what GOD has already given you."  Although it certainly was not my first time hearing anything of this nature, this time it resonated with me differently.  In this season of my life, I have more on my plate than ever and the Holy Spirit is still saying, "I've got more for you."  Of course, my mind is thinking, "Where else can more be fit? I'm swamped!"  Have you ever been there before, where it seems you've already bitten off more than you can chew and GOD is yet saying, "I've got more to give you"?

That Changing Power | 01.23.13

Last night, I was blessed with the opportunity to encourage a friend and brother who is seeking to move past some things in his life that have been holding him back.  I can relate to his struggle because we all have certain behavioral patterns that have emerged in our lives as a result of our exposure to ungodly spiritual influences.  Whether our exposure to these influences emanate from choices we willingly made or situations we were forced to experience, we find ourselves daily grappling with demonically influenced behaviors that have taken up residence in our souls.  And because they have made themselves at home in our minds, will and emotions, they hinder the Holy Spirit from doing His job.  I'm not talking about Him giving us goose bumps and sending us into fits of praise.  This is about the Holy Ghost conforming us into the image of Christ by helping us achieve balance, teaching us about the culture of Heaven, and empowering us to transact Kingdom business here in the Earth realm.

The Need For Motivation - Part 2 | 12.30.12

In discussing the initial post on this topic with friends, the idea arose of faith being something deep within that brings out the best in us.  Let's also add to that faith's ability to ignite our own capabilities to take the necessary corresponding action that will manifest the potential outcomes we believe will become reality.  Faith represents the course of action we take following our receipt of inspiration; and by reason of the choices and decisions we make, it's a definite indication of what we trust will manifest our desired outcomes.  But somewhere between being inspired and walking by faith, there lies motivation.  Between us receiving the vision and carrying it out there is an engagement of our "want to" to our "will to" once we've discovered the "why do".

The Need For Motivation | 12.27.12

After reading a friend of mine's Facebook status update on yesterday, I started thinking about the need for motivation from others.  In pondering the word "motivation," my mind interestingly enough gravitated towards the word "motive".  Quite intrigued by this, I began to wonder, "Why would I need someone else to provide me a motive for doing anything?"  As a born again believer in whom the Holy Spirit resides, I most certainly do not lack inspiration because my growing sensitivity to the Spirit and how He communicates frequently triggers ideas and visions.  And yes, I'm extremely grateful for this because I have come a long way in that regard.  But back to this motivation thing...  Why is motive such a difficult thing to generate for ourselves?

No Longer Finishing Last | 06.12.12

Over a period of just a few days, I had several conversations with different people during which frustrations were aired concerning the trials and tribulations of simply being "nice."  There's a saying that states, "Nice people finish last," but I beg to differ.  The biggest mistake we make as nice people is believing that everyone we are nice to is nice just like us.  Not so...  Just because nice people believe in treating others the way we wish to be treated, we can not assume that others function similarly.

Nice people are essentially givers and will put their own needs aside to help someone else.  Don't get me wrong: that's a very good and noble thing.  However, it's a not so good thing when someone's niceness is taken advantage of and abused.  And as much as I hate to admit it, that tends to be the case for nice people.  Where we, as nice people, fail miserably is in not understanding that givers always attract needy people; and needy people--point blank--are not givers.  In fact, needy people are award-winning receivers.  They have little or no regard for the time and plans of givers because their whole world revolves around what's happening to them and how they feel about it.  Since people can only do to a person what that person allows them to do, it's time to stop feeling frustrated with inconsiderate people and leverage that frustration to create change.

My own life experiences have really allowed the Holy Spirit to teach me what must be done to ensure I don't finish last simply because I'm a nice person.  Making time to take inventory of my relationships is VERY important because a conscious effort must be made to clearly identify the givers as well as the needy folk.  And as good as it may feel to write off the needy people, that's not the Kingdom-driven approach to take...  Instead, I must choose to govern my time in such a way that more of it is invested in nurturing stronger relationships with the fellow givers in my life as opposed to those always in need.  Eventually, the needy people will either adapt to not having as much access to me as before or they'll walk away because they've found another giver who's willing to invest more time into their neediness than I am.

Pursue Peace | 04.24.12

In Psalm 34, there's a verse of scripture that admonishes us to pursue peace (Psalms 34:14).  It was during a recent Bible study session at church that the Holy Spirit imparted some valuable insight to me regarding this Kingdom concept.  Initially, when I heard the word "pursue," my thoughts went straight to "a chase."  However, the Holy Spirit guided my thoughts in a different direction to better grasp what the scripture was trying to say.  To pursue peace is to intently follow peace WHEREVER it goes.

During that night's session, we focused on "Excellence In Speech" as part of the teaching series "Pursuing the Spirit of Excellence."  As Pastor Erick pointed out, "Our words are simply thoughts released in audible form."  Whenever a thought is released in audible form, there is an intention for which it was released.  Therefore, the heart--and not just the mind--come under the scrutiny of the hearers  (as well as those who hear of our words secondhand).  When we release our thoughts and expose our hearts to human scrutiny, we are no longer at peace as the intentions of our words are analyzed because our concern then becomes:

• Was that THE BEST WAY to communicate my thoughts? 
• Will my intentions be misunderstood?
• Did I EVEN have to say that?
• What do they think about me NOW?
• Etc, etc, etc...

But it's not just what comes out of our mouths that rob us of our peace.  The words which we allow others to release into our hearing have the potential to create chaos, as well.  People can only say around us what we allow them to say, so we must be proactive.  We can not give people permission to turn us into a landfill for their evil thoughts.  When in a conversation with someone that turns into a backbiting session about another person who is absent from the conversation, something just happened: PEACE LEFT AND YOU NEED TO FOLLOW AFTER IT.  If you stay and allow that toxic conversation to enter your hearing, it's guaranteed to rob you of your inner peace because your mind has been poisoned to perceive the absentee person differently than before those evil thoughts were released as words into your hearing.  Therefore, it's time we grow up.  Be watchful.  Not so much of the enemy and his devices, but be watchful of peace.  Keep your eyes on peace because wherever peace goes, make it your intention to be right behind it.

Keep Plowing | The Worshipper's Thought of the Day

During my private prayer time early Sunday morning, I received the following Word while in GOD's presence:

"Keep your hand to the plow--that is, remain faithful to and focused upon the ministry work to which you've been called.  No matter what you've done, how you've failed or even how inadequate you may feel, do the works of Him who has sent you.  For it is the work of ministry that breaks up the fallow ground of your heart because it requires sensitivity to both GOD and people."

There is so much about each of us that could very well discourage us from doing any ministry work.  However, GOD's concern is that we remain focused on what's important: continuing to follow His instructions in good faith that He will do what He promised.  Like the lepers who were healed as they went, many of us will experience manifested healing as we go on doing what GOD has called us to do.  We all have problems, faults and issues; so what else is new?  Furthermore, we all suffer from heart conditions that impair our ability to be sensitive to GOD and people; but GOD has given us ministry to help ourselves as well as others.

Consider how the soil of our hearts has become hardened and compacted by the weight of this world.  When it comes to doing the work of ministry, we need to experience the power of GOD AS WE MINISTER just as desperately as the people we minister to.  The proof that we simply can't get the job done in our own strength and know-how lies in the fact that we often times don't even feel like ministering when called upon.  However, submitting ourselves to the call of ministry releases GOD's anointing to get the job done.  And since getting the job done requires sensitivity to GOD and people, the power released for each ministry opportunity manifests a little more healing in the hearts of those who minister.

Being Set Apart For Greatness | The Worshipper's Thought of the Day

The following blog was posted on my former MySpace blog on May 30, 2007.

I was reviewing some notes taken during one of my pastor's recent sermonic messages, and I ran across a particular statement that really caught my attention:

"We tend to put emphasis on people, but God emphasizes His Word.  What sets people apart for greatness is their faith."

It is indeed amazing how some people experience greater or lesser degrees of success, even though they may have been exposed to similar stimuli, experiences or information resources.  The Bible declares that God has given each man the measure of faith, which can be taken as God providing all men faith in equal portions.  However, differences begin to surface once the notion of "working" one's faith is factored into the greatness equation.  Faith itself is invisible.  As a matter of fact, all that is now visible was once invisible.  Because faith is the evidence (or proof) that the invisible indeed exists, it is through faith that we connect to the invisibly existent and release the power of God to realize (or manifest) the invisible in our lives.

You see, God tells us what to do now so we can see the results He's already shown us in the future.  And that's the process.  It doesn't get any simpler.  This is why we must remember that it is our faith setting us apart for greatness.  When God speaks, do you take Him at His Word?  Do you trust Him for the outcome when He gives you instructions (that may even sound ridiculous)?  God is looking for some people who are crazy enough to actually believe His Word and work that Word day by day until the manifestation appears.  He's seeking for persons who are willing to push their faith to the limit, so He can increase it even more.

Ultimately, the potential for real success is much more than ability, as society believes.  Beyond your ability, you must be full of it - faith, that is.  And faith requires work and demands action; you can't just sit on it and expect greatness to come.  Unfortunately, so many people believe otherwise.  They have yet to realize that every means of gauging success promoted by society is false.  The best means to determining your potential for greatness is quite simple: how much of you is the Lord Jesus the Christ influencing?  That's it.  The results you achieve are in direct proportion to your level of faith.  The increase you receive is totally based upon how you utilized your faith.  Begin to increase your faith usage today and further set yourself apart for greatness tomorrow.

Are You Willing To Break Through? (Part 1 of 2) | The Worshipper's Thought of the Day

The following blog was posted on my former MySpace blog on October 29, 2007.

I recently read a passage of Dr. Wayne Cordeiro's "Attitudes That Attract Success" that resonated within me: "When we reach a certain level of physical, emotional or mental pain, we reach a quitting point and our systems begin to shut down.  This quitting point can be the result of past habits, or it may simply be our predetermined tolerance level for problem solving.  Whatever the cause, we bail out with predictable consistency at that certain quitting point."

I'm reminded of a time not too long ago when I was in elementary school.  For two years, I played the drums.  Between the practice sessions at school and home as well as the private lessons, I spent an awful lot of time with the sticks.  But what I remember most about that whole experience was the moment I quit.

My private instructor was teaching me how to read sheet music for an entire drum set, which was difficult by itself.  I became so frustrated with the challenge and difficulty of perfecting my hand-eye coordination along with the sight reading that I literally pitched a fit in the middle of my lesson and refused to ever play again.  Not only do I remember that event, but it's one decision I admittedly regret was ever made.

Life has a way of confronting our notions and concepts unlike anything else.  It's so true what they say: "A fool must see his folly before he can become wise."  We get so caught up in our routines and comfort zones that when life places in front of us a problem that requires us to stretch ourselves beyond our known limitations, we quit.  As soon as something demands a little more focus than we're accustomed to giving, or we're required to exhibit increased discipline in an area that was beforehand unnecessary, we jump ship real quick.

At what point do we become willing to break through our quitting points?  At what time do we realize that as long as we keep quitting we're impeding our growth?  Better yet, when will we stop committing idolatry?  Say what?!  That's right!  I-D-O-L-A-T-R-Y.  We've become so hell-bent on avoiding pain that it has become our god.


(To be continued in Part Two on tomorrow.)

Tis the Season | The Worshipper's Thought of the Day

On yesterday morning, a good social media acquaintance of mine, Jamil Willis, posted the following status update on Facebook:

"Thought of the Day: If you're trying to figure out the relationships that are ordained by God, look for people who are in the same season as you.  If you can find people, with whom you are already in relationship, that have the same struggles and testimonies as you, it is likely that those are the relationships God wants to grow!  Those with whom I have made covenant are in a season just like mine! Consecrate the covenant!"

There are two reasons why I was so excited to read those words: (1) I had never before looked at relationships from this perspective and (2) it was in perfect agreement with the message John Ragsdale (Pastor, The Hills Fellowship | Nashville, TN) delivered the night before at the Surge Men's Conference at Covenant Church (Carrollton, TX).  (To download the message in its entirety on iTunes, click here.) During his insightful explaination of the process of stepping into the power of the Spirit, Pastor Ragsdale mentioned how our experience of frustration is GOD's way of testing our calling to see if we will submit to the seasons of our lives.  We've become good at submitting to people and leadership, but we struggle in submitting to the seasons, especially if it's not what or where we expected to be.

In considering what both of these anointed men had to say, I realized that, in submitting to the seasons of our lives, we must also discern which fellowships have been ordained by GOD for the respective seasons.  It is this discernment that keeps us soberminded by guiding us in our awareness and knowledge of the seasons and each season's fellowships.  We need to be both clear about and sensitive towards relationships needing to be cultivated for growth, developed through resource allocation (e.g. time, energy, finances), and downgraded (or even dissolved) as the seasons change.

So what then happens when the seasons aren't submitted to?  We end up going in circles, making no progress in fulfilling our callings.  And we can't even get angry at GOD for our lack of progress.  Until we decide to submit to the seasons of our lives and adjust our relationships to the seasons, we'll continue circling the same mountains and repeatedly facing the same relationship drama.  Therefore, tis the season for careful evaluation of our relationships to ensure they are consistent with the current seasons of our lives.  If they're not in agreement with the current season, then changes must be made--and made quickly--to maintain the momentum of our journey's progress.  Otherwise, we run the risk of wasting our resources to maintain fellowships our lives' seasons have doomed to fail in their current state.

My suggestion?  Submit to the season.  Covenant with those whose seasons mirror your own. Move forward.

Dead But Alive |The Worshipper's Thought of the Day

Last week was the fiftieth year anniversary of the inauguration of President John F. Kennedy, one of the most endearing and unforgettable elected officials in the history of this country.  I heard an interview with his daughter Caroline, during which she made a statement that really caught my attention:

"All my life I've had people tell me that my father changed their lives."

WOW!  Now that's a testimony right there.  How awesome would it be to be constantly reminded of your loved one's impact on the lives of others, even DECADES after their death?  Several things came to mind as I pondered this quote.  A life spent serving your GOD-given gift to the world not only leaves an enduring legacy in the Earth realm following your death, but it also suggests that you're still alive when people can talk about the enduring impact you made long after your physical presence has gone.