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. 

Destiny, Servant of Purpose | 08.13.12

I recently came to a new realization on a familiar topic: destiny is for you, purpose is for others.  Sometimes destiny is easier to see and understand than purpose, and that's okay.  We all have dreams and visions of where the gifts GOD has given will take us, as we submit them as well as ourselves to His lordship.  These snapshots of our future generate overwhelming excitement, and we love to rejoice over the greatness to come.  But know that your destiny is servant to purpose because  it's your purpose--not your destiny--that will impact the lives of people and become the legacy you leave behind.  Destiny is merely the vehicle by which purpose is fulfilled.

I'm reminded of a teaching delivered by Elder Lisa V. Wiley some years ago on her favorite Bible personality, a young man by the name of Joseph.  I won't attempt to recount the extraordinary story of his life, but I encourage you to read it for yourself in the Book of Genesis.  However, I would like to offer this one tidbit to you of which Elder Wiley made me aware: Joseph was indeed destined for the greatness of the throne, but what he envisioned was not his purpose.  Joseph's purpose for being was to bring his father Jacob's family (of less than 100 people) to Egypt, so they could become a mighty nation (that numbered well over 1 million when they left Egypt).  Joseph was given life to prepare the way for GOD's government to be established in the Earth through a nation of people.  If Israel had never become a nation, then GOD's promise to make Abraham the father of many nations--among other GOD-promises--would not have been fulfilled.

Becoming the Being | 01.30.2012

There is something to be said about being consistent.  The predictability that is characteristic of consistency IS NOT a bad thing.  As a matter of fact, it's crucial to the effectual availing of ourselves for the King's use.  Yes, the gifts and calling of GOD come without repentance (Romans 11:29); but that's certainly no excuse for being inconsistent.  Our problem is that we've become more comfortable with having the gifts and calling than we are with having the power required to effectively operate in them.  And since inconsistency is an indicator of disobedience, GOD is not interested in authorizing (or granting authority to) those who aren't willing to "become".

The Art of Living | The Worshipper's Thought of the Day

On yesterday, I received the weekly Thought Tools e-newsletter from Rabbi Daniel Lapin, whom I was privileged to hear speak earlier this year at Covenant Church; and I was really enriched by what he shared in this issue.  He said,

"Civilization's objective definition of art used to be something that lifts the observer's heart toward God... People recognized as art, only that which elevated and ennobled; drawing people to God."

When considering this perspective, it really caused me to see just how far removed we have become as a society today from this notion.  It seems art today is anything but a vehicle for pointing people towards GOD.  As a matter of fact, the average person, when asked their definition of art, would most likely answer that it's a form of creative self-expression that's hardly limited to just drawing people to GOD.  Sadly, people creatively express themselves in all kinds of vulgar and obscene ways in the name of being artistic with no consideration for GOD and Him taking pleasure in their work.  However, there is no hesitation in people calling themselves artists and referring to their creative works as art.  How ironic!

I love how Rabbi Lapin expounded upon the definitions of wisdom, understanding and knowledge, which he explained as being the three attributes GOD possesses as the Ultimate Artist of Creation (according to Proverbs 3:19-20).  He also noted how this pattern was translated to man, as well, in the person of Bezalel, the architect of the Tabernacle (Exodus 35:30-31).  As Rabbi Lapin said, "Being an artist is not about just expressing your feelings... Being an artist does not exempt you from possessing wisdom, understanding, and knowledge."  It would, therefore, behoove us all to become better acquainted with these attributes as we endeavor to create works of art that elevate, ennoble and draw people to GOD.  Remember that creative expression goes beyond talent or giftedness, as our very lives are to be seen as works of art.  Therefore, everything we touch has the potential to both be observed and lift the observer's heart toward GOD.

To Prophesy Or Not | The Worshipper's Thought of the Day

We are living in a very peculiar time.  More and more people are starting ministries, places of worship are popping up everywhere, and it seems like everyone serving in ministry has a title in front of their birth names. It's perplexing, to say the least, because there's an undercurrent moving throughout the Body of Christ that's very reminiscent of Old Testament times.  One such misnomer is that of spiritual gifts and the idea that only certain people can operate in them.

A couple of Sundays back, I was privileged to hear a message delivered by Pastor Joel Scrivner (Youth & Young Adult Pastor, Covenant Church), entitled "Moved By The Spirit."  I particularly enjoy hearing Pastor Joel minister the Word of GOD because he always brings a message of great relevance to the Body.  In this particular message, Pastor Joel stressed the importance of being the supernatural people GOD created us to be.  He placed special emphasis this particular session on operating in the spiritual gift of prophecy, which is something the average Christian believes only "certain" people can do.

NEWSFLASH: EVERY BORN AGAIN BELIEVER CAN PROPHESY.  It's time we get past prophecy being "spooky" and embrace the fact that GOD has made prophecy very natural to us who have been born again after the incorruptible seed of the Spirit.  To prophesy is to simply speak from divine counsel.  It's as basic as us talking to our Father and saying what He's said to us.  Before ruling this out as impossible or not as easy as it sounds, consider this: just as we're confident in speaking on behalf of the people with whom we spend a significant amount of time and claim to know well, it's no different with GOD.  We can have this same confidence to speak on GOD's behalf through our own thriving fellowship with Him in the Spirit.

Furthermore, beyond every believer's GOD-given ability to prophesy, the reason why it's such a big deal that we do so is because GOD wants us to be like Him.  When GOD wants something done, He speaks it.  We see the pattern for this in the very first words of the Bible (Genesis 1).  Therefore, it is essential for every believer to develop the kind of fellowship with our Father that emboldens us to confidently mimic His behavior in order to maximize our effectiveness in the Kingdom-building work to which we've all been called.  It doesn't matter what your venue, platform or sphere of influence may be because GOD wants YOU to be the SUPERNATURAL YOU right there.  You don't have to be A pulpit minister, a traveling evangelist or any manner of church title holder.  You are equipped for GOD's use in the area you're in now.

Use Your Gift | The Worshipper's Thought of the Day

Reading my Twitter timeline last Sunday morning, I ran across the following tweet:

"If you not going to use the Gift God gave you, He can take it away and give it to someone who will."

I can't recall how many times I have heard this and similar statements regarding the use of our GOD-given gifts throughout my life.  My mind got to meditating on that statement; and THIS TIME, something different happened when I considered what had been communicated.  It occurred to me that, as well-intended as its meaning may be, the idea of unused gifts being taken away is not the most accurate expression of GOD's perspective on the matter.

Allow me to backtrack for a minute, if you will.  When I was a college freshman, I would attend the midweek interdenominational worship services held on campus.  One day, I stopped by the office of the chaplain who conducted those services with a question.  After answering my query, this dear, sweet woman of GOD, who was also the faculty/staff advisor for the university's gospel choir, expressed to me that she heard me singing during the corporate worship and proceeded to ask why I wasn't a member.  I explained that singing publicly in choirs was not my "thing," neither was it something that I had done before.  I just love to worship GOD;  but anyone who knows Lois Dejean knows that my answer did not phase her one bit.  She recognized the gift I had to sing and responded, "If you don't use it, GOD will take it back."  Because I loved to worship GOD in song and didn't know any better, fear gripped me at the thought of losing the gift GOD had given me.  So I initially joined the gospel choir out of fear that my gift could be taken if gone unused.

I thank GOD for the power of His Word and how my journey of discovery in the Bible has renewed my mind concerning a number of things, this being one of them.  It took reading that tweet this morning to realize how my mind had been renewed in yet ANOTHER area of my life thanks to GOD's Word.  While I'm not particularly sure of the exact scriptural background behind the thinking that GOD would take back His unused gifts, I presume this idea is based on the parable of the talents (Matthew 25:14-30).  Without going into a detailed study of this parable, the big idea here is that the talents (ie currency) given to the unprofitable servant were taken back by his master and given to the most profitable servant.

The talents in this parable were tangible, but our gifts are intangible.  Furthermore, even though they may be manifested at various times throughout our lives, our gifts came here with us at birth.  We were given life to fulfill a GOD-ordained purpose; therefore, the tools (ie gifts) we've been given by Him to do so are just as irrevocable as His purposes for our lives.  Therefore, what we see here in the parable of the talents are not at all gifts but rather divinely-allocated resources for the fulfillment of purpose.  The servants were distributed resources by the master according to their purpose.  It's also safe to say that more resources were allocated to the servants who were already operating in their area(s) of gifting to a greater degree.  Remember: everything physical manifests from the spiritual.  We can't wait until we receive resources to operate in our area(s) of gifting because it's the use of our gifts that attracts resources.  GOD simply will not fund a vision that has no plan, and He won't breathe life into faith declarations that aren't backed up by corresponding faith actions.  He will NEVER take back our unused gifts; but when we're either too fearful or lazy to operate where we are in expectation of greater, we can't expect GOD to releases resources and provision to take us to the next level.

Discerning The Contents | The Worshipper's Thought of the Day

I read the following Facebook status on yesterday (07-07-11):

"If everyone is so anti- title and anti-labels, then go into your kitchen cabinet and take all the labels off your can goods. Then decide what you will have for lunch. Was that dog food or beef stew? Titles help us to identify who is who in the Kingdom. NOT EVERYONE WHO CARRIES ONE IS A FALSE PROPHET, AND JUST BECAUSE YOU DONT CHOOSE TO BE IDENTIFIED WITH ONE DOES NOT MAKE YOU MORE HUMBLE. #balanceiskey"

My comment was on this wise: "I totally agree with you. I'm not into titles at all, but I find it very immature when Christians turn little silly things like THIS into bones of contention. It's counterproductive, divides the Body, hinders the manifestation of GOD's power by His Spirit in our midst and causes the world to laugh hysterically at the church. We've certainly got some growing up to do. Thanks for calling our attention to this, my Sister."

The discussion continued and there were over 100 comments in less than 24 hours from the time the status was posted.  I didn't bother to read what others had to say or if anyone expressed any disagreement with my thoughts.  It's just simply not the best use of my time.  Anyone who knows me well understands that I don't debate issues.  I'll share what I believe and, if asked, will explain why I believe it.  I don't do arguments, and I don't force my beliefs on anyone.  The results I obtain are what prove the truth behind my beliefs.  But that's not even the reason why I felt compelled to write this blog...All that was lagniappe.

Four Keys To Personal Security | The Worshipper's Thought of the Day

(The following blog was originally posted in my MySpace blog on September 4, 2006.)

I just had to share this with everyone on MySpace.  My church (Greenwood Acres F.G.B.C., Shreveport, LA) has an awesome singles ministry, and our last meeting dealt with Personal Security and Insecurity.  Below is information from one of the handouts we received, which was adapted from "A Life of Influence. Exploring Your Identity:Sharpening Your Focus," authored by Tim Elmore.  I have not read the book yet, but I may have to because just this information alone has been very helpful to me.

There are four keys to personal security, the truth of which we must embrace completely in order to prevent us from sabotoging ourselves with our personal insecurities.

Down Time Is Prep Time | The Worshipper's Thought of the Day

We all experience what could be called "dry spells."  These times of disappointment and frustration are usually characterized by little or no productivity.  What's amazing about these drought seasons is that most times we fail to see them coming.  They seem to just show up out of no where and stay for an undeterminable period of time.  In the meantime in between time, we beat our heads against the wall trying to achieve the successful results we're accustomed to experiencing in an atmosphere that's really not conducive for such success.

Therefore, we must handle our dry spells in the correct manner.  Negligence in doing so results in dire consequences that create even more problems.  I've seen so many blood-washed, redeemed people of GOD literally sink into a depressive state that sucks them dry.  People who were once so on fire for GOD end up being doused out by the wet blanket of life all because their response to the dry spell was simply the wrong one.  Even more ironic, though, is that it's not so much that they're doing the wrong thing.  Many times they're actually doing the right thing but it's at the wrong time.  This is why we have to understand the season and its purpose in order to make the best use of our time there.

Familiarity Breeds Contempt (Part 2) | The Worshipper's Thought of the Day

You know, as we continue from yesterday's blog post, Christ spoke of a prophet being without honor in his home country (Matthew 13:15).  It's funny how we expect those who have known us the longest to be our biggest cheerleaders. Oddly enough, that's not the case because we've all been disappointed by people who knew us but didn't KNOW us.  One of my favorites quotes from Dr. Munroe is, "Seeing is a function of the eyes, whereas vision is a function of the heart."  It takes vision to see someone's area of gifting: only the heart can look past someone's personality, behavior and appearance to SEE IN THEM something totally different from what your eyes SEE ON THEM.  And unfortunately, many of the people we've known the longest are visionless when it comes to us.  They know our personalities like the back of their hand but never took the time to see beyond that.

I love GOD so much because He sees me through His heart.  It's His heart that reminds Him of what He placed within me, even when my personality, behavior and appearance don't match the gifting.  According to Job 36:5, "God is mighty, yet he does not despise anyone! He is mighty in both power and understanding" (New Living Translation).  Our Father is able to despise no one because His might is inclusive of strength AND HEART.  Therefore, the only way we can see the best (i.e. the gifting) in other people as well as ourselves is by adopting our Father's behavior as our own.  While our eyes may show us what's real (or apparent), we all know that what's seen doesn't always reveal what's true.  It's in our best interest then to become people of vision, seeing with our hearts under the influence of GOD's Holy Spirit.

It is through a vibrant fellowship with the Holy Spirit that we're able to maximize our fellowship with each other.  It's by our yielding to the Spirit that we're able to see beyond each other's exteriors that which GOD has placed in others.  As we're sensitive to GOD's voice, we can hear His instructions concerning our roles in pushing others into their purpose.  Our desire should be to become mighty in power and understanding, just like our Father, so we can despise no one.  People should become attracted to us simply because of our might and how influential we are in propelling others towards their destiny.  So instead of endeavoring to become familiar with people, let's resolve to become mighty in power and understanding.  No more breeding of contempt, friends.  Let's breed the kind of influence that impacts people and the environment for the sake of the Kingdom!

Familiarity Breeds Contempt (Part 1) | The Worshipper's Thought of the Day

Anyone who knows me knows that I love quotes, phrases and cliches because it's interesting learning the origins behind them.  This week, one in particular came to mind as I was pondering how people who operate in their area of gifting are treated by those who know them well: "Familiarity breeds contempt."  Oddly enough, I immediately realized that the Holy Spirit was trying to communicate something to me because, even though I've heard this phrase used numerous times, I never really used it (mostly because I didn't have a full understanding of its meaning).  In researching "familiarity breeds contempt," I learned that it has its origins in one of Aesop's Fables, entitled "The Fox and the Lion."  (Of an interesting sidenote, since this is Black History Month, you might be surprised to know that the world renown Aesop was actually a black man of Ethiopian origin.)

Now, the thought that was initially communicated to me during the week was this: "Don't become so familiar with someone's personality that you become too familiar with their area of gifting."  It was after hearing this that I heard, "Familiarity breeds contempt."  So, I immediately went to the online dictionary to define "contempt."  (Even though I had an understanding of its meaning, my "love of words" NEVER relies solely upon my own understanding of a word.)  To my surprise, the main definition of "contempt" is the act of despising.  And I say, "to my surprise," because I quickly remembered hearing Dr. Myles Munroe teach a while back that to despise is not just to hate, but rather--in many cases--to ignore.  In keeping with the context of my original thought, I then realized that we can become so familiar with those around us that we ignore what's been placed inside of them.  Therefore, as they pursue purpose, experience success and are elevated, we say silly things like, "I never knew ALL OF THAT was inside of them."  That's because familiarity with someone's personality blinds us to the greatness that was lying within them all the time.

I can't help but to think of myself here, so allow me to become a little transparent.  I grew up EXTREMELY shy and spent my entire childhood plagued with SEVERE stage fright.  My youth was spent dodging ANYTHING that required the use of a microphone or being onstage where all eyes would be on me.  Of course, anyone who has met me within the past 12 years would probably find that hard to believe.  However, those who knew me as a child marvel today when I minister because who they see now is starkly different from who they saw then.  Why?  Because they only knew my personality.  The amazing thing, though, is that my parents knew the musical gifting in me as a child and can even tell stories recounting instances in which they saw small glimpses of the greatness that what was already inside of me.  Their biggest challenge was figuring out how to nurture my gift because they didn't consider themselves to be musically inclined people.  Ironically, it was them consistently keeping me in church that, over all those years, nurtured a love for GOD's presence, which connected with the musical gifting that I came here with at birth.  (Sidenote: Parents, your children will never know who they are outside of GOD's presence.  So don't make excuses for them to not be at church when they should be there.)

CHECK OUT PART 2 FOR THE CONCLUSION...

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.

Handling Critics & Criticism | The Worshipper's Thought of the Day

It's very interesting how everyone seems to be a critic.  Anytime anyone is DOING anything, someone ALWAYS has something to say.  We've all experienced it.  Such criticism may be directed towards one's appearance, one's past, one's performance of a task--basically, any number of things.  Truth be told, criticism hardly ever edifies and it's usually unwelcomed.  Nevertheless, it comes; and for some of us, great difficulty is encountered in the handling of our critics and their comments.  We're often offended by the words spoken and experience varying degrees of hurt depending on the nature of the relationship had with our critics.  And in the case of people like myself, the worst critic is usually the one staring back in front of a mirror near you.

The good news is that there's a profound biblical precedent for our "handling" of critcism.  For example in the Old Testament, Nehemiah didn't come down from the wall to answer his critics (Nehemiah 6:3).  He simply dismissed them, continuing to move forward in the work GOD called him to accomplish--repairing Jerusalem's torn down walls.  However, in the New Testament, I love how in his addressing of this topic, Jesus says, "No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God" (Luke 9:62). While it may appear out of context to use this scripture (if you consider Luke 9:61), the principle we need is right here. Picture a plowman digging a row in a field. There's a mark strategically placed at the end of the row for him to focus on to ensure the row he plows is straight. If the plowman takes his eyes off the mark, even for an extremely short period of time, the ox can get misguided and the row will become crooked. Therefore, in order for his work to be done correctly, the plowman must remain focused on the mark at the row's end and nothing else.

Fear of Failure | The Worshipper's Thought of the Day

While getting ready this morning to tackle the day, my mind pondered fear of failure.  Now we know that GOD has not given us the spirit of fear, but of power, of love and of a sound mind (2 Timothy 1:7).  Therefore, all fear--aside from that of the reverential sort for GOD--is rooted in the Kingdom of Darkness.  As my pastor says, the word "fear" is best understood as the acronym "False Evidence Appearing Real."  Our adversary is strategic in his presentation of false evidence because he's an illusionist.  That's why it's not enough for us to consider what it looks, sounds or feels like.  We must consider what we believe and know--that is, what the Word of GOD says.  After all, we walk by faith, not by sight (2 Corinthians 5:7); and it takes us mastering our faith walk to avoid being tricked by illusions of what appears real.

Ironically, one of our greatest fears as humans is that of failure, the illusions of which will still us INSTANTLY.  It's part of our human nature to hate to lose because we're so competitive.  And somewhere along the way, we've equated the failure of an effort on our part to the emotions associates with the pain of loss and the agony of defeat.  Just because something may not have worked out as anticipated does not mean we've lost anything or experienced defeat.  But yet we've all agonized over our lives' failures like they were the end of the world.  Far from it! Encountering failure presents us a golden opportunity to make improvements designed to increase our potential for success in the future. 

Your Gift Will | The Worshipper's Thought of the Day

I have been so inspired by the AMAZING story of Ted Williams, the homeless man with the golden voice who has been all over the media the past couple of days.  If you're somehow unfamiliar with this gentleman's miraculous story, please view the video I've posted below.

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