Lesson learned!

I’ve talk some parents who’ve agree that since Summer starts students tend to develop this “Summer freedom mentality” meaning since no bedtime is required all night TV should be allowed; sleeping in until midday and work should be minimal since “we’re in vacation”. So as soon as the signs of the attitude come thru its time for an adjustment.  For this attitude doesn’t help at all in their development, especially when the kids are carrying extra weight in their bodies.  So after a thoroughly but careful not to damage some feelings explanation of why they shouldn’t be going to bed too late or with the TV on, and their eyes giving me this “are you finish?” look, the monologue gets heated up, my voice tone raises up a bit, and I hear the Spirit of God says “breath and pray! Breathe and Pray! The second time, I get it, and as I breath and pray, THE Lord comes in, takes over, and another storm had been calmed down, by the power of HIS love! Glory to God! This week my daughter and I we went for a long walk twice, both of my teenagers and a friend went with me and serve a few hours in the community Food Bank warehouse; and we also went fishing several times. Our community offers many activities to keep the children busy over the Summer but you will have to pray as you make your weekly schedule depending on your spare time, otherwise you might overload it and end up having to cancel things out at the last minute, or pushing yourself to undesired limits which can make you edgy and sour, and this is not good! On a weekly basis, as I do my part to preach and teach about the things of God and how to apply them to life, at some point you will have to put into practice what you’ve learned. James 1:22 reads: “But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves.” It reminded me, that I can take the horse to the water stand, but I cannot make it drink from it.  And as I(M) was pouring my heart to God(G) for the sheep, here’s the way the conversation went: G - The LORD asked me: “How much can a cloud move just because you’re blowing some air to it?” M - It will not move! I replied to The Lord. G - Then He said: “Stop blowing because the clouds will move when I say so!” M - Moved with compassion I said: “.Jesus, have mercy!!! I do not want my sheep to fail!” G - “Fail? Why are you thinking this sheep will fail?!” The Lord asked. M - Then I proceeded to explain to The Lord, in detail all the things I could see from my point, when suddenly after I finished, G - He said: “I’m working with this sheep at the same time I’m working with you” In other words, that as I minister to the sheep, GOD is using this sheep to minister to me. Which it brought me to Proverbs 27:17 “As iron sharpens iron, So a man sharpens the countenance of his friend.” M - REALLY Lord??? I frantically asked. The truth is I had been shocked with this, it was a reality check. Because sometimes, as I minister, in my commitment to serve The Lord in love, I forget that all that I do will have ripple effects not only on the person who is being ministered but on my life as well. The Lord had shown me one more time, that when I develop conversations with HIM, like this one above about the things I’m concern, instead of trying to solve a way to help this sheep, He was telling me, “come tell ME, and I WILL deal with it for you”.  Is like passing the car keys to HIM so HE can drive for me. So my concerns will not drive me thru the desperation road because things aren’t going the way I think they should but I’m leading those concerns to the ONE who can REALLY do something to benefit me and my sheep both at the same time. This will clear up my road and will allow me to open room for the Holy Spirit lead, as I minister to others freely of pressure because the Holy Spirit is in charge, not me.    At the end, I praise GOD for HIS love for me; HE comforted me with the words of Hosea 14:4-9 NLT: “I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely, For My anger has turned away from him. 5 I will be like the dew to Israel; He shall grow like the lily, And lengthen his roots like Lebanon. 6 His branches shall spread; His beauty shall be like an olive tree, And his fragrance like Lebanon.  7 Those who dwell under his shadow shall return; They shall be revived like grain, And grow like a vine. Their scent shall be like the wine of Lebanon. 8 “Ephraim shall say, ‘What have I to do anymore with idols?’ I have heard and observed him. I am like a green cypress tree; Your fruit is found in Me.” 9 Who is wise? Let him understand these things. Who is prudent? Let him know them. For the ways of the Lord are right; The righteous walk in them, But transgressors stumble in them.”  Thank YOU, LORD!!! You are FAITHFUL!!! Alleluia!!! So now you know, the next time, you get faced with challenging question and concerns, no matter the capacity you’re trying to fulfill, take a PRAYER BREAK, with a pencil and paper at hand, and start a conversation with our Heavenly Father.  Write the questions, the answers, the Scriptures that HE will bring to your mind and any thoughts HE will give you. Now, remember before you start, ask God to forgive you of all your sins, that way nothing will hinder your conversation, and you’ll be able to hear HIM. I pray the Lord bless you more Prayer Breaks, during this week; as you try it, let me know how it went.  If you do not want to expose your business publicly, you can inbox me any comment or question. Thanks for checking in!  I’m praying for you!!! God bless you! PD: If you want you can click the following link to check a Daily Devotional I prepared for a local church, https://www.facebook.com/groups/ClarksvilleFirstAssemblyofGod/