FIGHT OR FLIGHT

What do you do when unexpected circumstances arise in your life? Often times you will see people get scared and back down, then you have a select few who will face whatever it is head-on. So which one are you?

As I sit here and write this, I can’t help but chuckle at all the times I decided to buckle and fold when situations would arise. I would become extremely overwhelmed with emotion, I would get upset with what my situation looked like in the natural realm, anxiety would creep in, and “woe it’s me”, the list can go on and on. On the inside, I was running and running very fast. I didn’t know how to handle unexpected situations nor was I spiritually strong enough to do so.

As the years have gone by, and I’ve grown more spiritually I look at things differently along with the way I handle them. Now, instead of running, I get my head in the game and I say okay God let’s do this. I have become a fighter now and I don’t get easily moved. I fight back with prayer, the word, past reflections of what the Lord has done before, and faith. However this is not something that came overnight, it’s taken a lot of time and I am still growing every day.

THERE IS NO VICTORY WITHOUT THE BATTLE!

So, I’m here to encourage you to fight back and allow the Lord to strengthen you. When you are weak He is strong and we can find rest in that on today. We serve a God who wants us to get up and fight back, and be confident in knowing that he’s with us every step of the way living on the inside of us equipping us with all we need to overcome any and everything under the sun.

Armour up and let’s get ready for war!

Psalm 84:5 ESV

"Blessed are those whose strength is in you, in whose heart are the highways to Zion.”

Philippians 4:13 ESV

“I can do all things through him who strengthens me.”

Psalm 34:17

“When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears and delivers them out of all their troubles.”

COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS

Welcome back to Chasing After Zion! If you’re reading this, you’ve made it to the beginning of another week.

If we all look at 2020, one thing I can say about it is, the true hearts of people have been shown in every way shape, and form. Yesterday I had the pleasure of giving back during this pandemic, and it was very heartwarming to see how one kind gesture can light up a person’s entire day.

As I was out, I was able to reflect on how good God has been to me, but on the other hand, I couldn’t help but think about the postures of our hearts as a people collectively. We live in a world where it’s easier to just focus on ourselves without considering the lives of others. We tend to look down on people who don’t look like us or have the same things we do, not considering that everyone has a story. Along with that, we are very selfish and greedy.

How can one have so much to give, but don’t because you feel like it’ll hinder you? These are things that I think about daily, and it’s mind-boggling and it put something into perspective for me. I noticed yesterday as I was passing out toiletry bags and other items, that these individuals were so selfless. They were literally walking around telling others to come out and get what they needed, and on top of that, they didn’t want to take more than what they needed. When I saw this I was overwhelmed with emotion, because the people that have everything cant even exhibit those same qualities.

Let's reposition our hearts and focus on the things that truly matter. If you are in a position to be a blessing to someone else, allow yourself to be used by God to bless another, and continue the cycle. One thing I can say confidently, anything I’ve given to another brother and sister in Christ or helped hasn’t cost me anything. We are all blessed in different ways, and we should use those blessings to bless others wholeheartedly, willingly, and diligently. As followers of Christ, we are charged to look after one another.

So I challenge you to allow the Lord to move through you and encourage you to be a blessing this holiday season, whether big or small. It’s not about how much you can do, or how many people can see you, its about the HEART posture.

2 Corinthians 9:7 ESV

“Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”

1 John 3:17 ESV

“But if anyone has the world's goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God's love abide in him?”

James 1:17 ESV

“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.”

Have a blessed week, and let’s continue to Chase After Zion!!!!!

PACK LIGHT

Flight 2021 is boarding and we will soon be ready for take-off. Due to low cabin space whatever you do not need we ask that you leave it behind. Those willing to leave behind what you do not need, please continue boarding, and unfortunately for those that can’t let go of their extra baggage, we will see you next time!

Just imagine hearing those words when you arrive at your gate ready for departure. You see some people willing to do whatever it takes to board that flight, dropping all the baggage they have to enjoy the next destination, then you have those that just can’t let go resulting in them not being able to go any further.

The same thing happens in our life when we continue to hold on to dead things. When God is trying to do a new thing we focus so much on the old that we can’t even appreciate where we are going and we end up forfeiting what’s meant for us. And one thing is for sure, each new level you go to requires you to let some junk go. Whether it’s friends, family, a job, anger, fear, negativity, so on and so forth, it all has to be left behind.

Of course, it’s easier said than done, but look at it this way, would you want to be around someone that is carrying extra baggage all the time? The answer is a hard no because it’s a lot to deal with. So I challenge you to let go of anything that is no longer serving you any good and keeping you from going to your next destination. Whatever is holding you back, let it go, and allow God to replace what you let go of with new things that are going to flourish you. Another thing to ponder on is if God were to tell you today to leave everything behind because he has something new for you, would you be able to? The goal is to get to a place where we can say yes without any hesitation or fear.

Isaiah 43:18-19 ESV

“Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.”

1 Corinthians 9:24 ESV

“Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it.”

AS ALWAYS STAY BLESSED AND COME BACK NEXT WEEK!

GROWING THROUGH DIRT

People love the thought of being gifted, talented, and having the ability to accomplish many things but when it comes to the refining process the smiles that we normally carry begin to disappear. One question that comes to mind for me is what happens to the seed if it’s not planted correctly?

When uncomfortably takes place even a little bit we become frazzled and we ask for the pain to be taken away not fully realizing that, without the darkness, good fruit cannot be produced. Everything that has grown in the dirt had to be covered first for it to blossom fully.

We have to get to a place in our walk where we don’t run from the pruning process but embrace it. Nothing that we go through in this life will be unused, and when you look closely and change your perspective you’re able to see that had certain events and things not transpired, we wouldn’t be where we are now. Consider them seed stages, because without the frustration there would be no fruit.

Overall through this process, our faith grows deeper and we begin to truly see and appreciate what God is doing. God is not one to lead you to a dead place and leave you there, it’s not in his nature, instead, he’s planting us.

So remember to count it all joy! God is rooting for you and so am I!

James 1:2-4 ESV

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

Psalms 119:71 ESV

It is good for me that I was afflicted, that I might learn your statutes.

KNUCK IF YOU BUCK

I would love to know where some of your minds went when you read the title, but I’m glad I got your attention.

We have all been exposed to situations that weren’t favorable and caused us to step out of character giving people a run for their money. Raise your hand and admit that at one point and time this was you, or is still you lol. This is a judgement free zone and both of my hands went up. We are living in a time where “clapping back” has become the new normal, “telling it like it is”, “gathering folks together”, and so much more. Although it feels good in the moment to release all of that frustration and anger, it leads to nowhere.

With a “clap back” culture so prevalent I wish we had some people in the Bible like Nehemiah here to go against the grain of what’s normal. For one, a lot of things that we see or experience are set up as distractions, and we always fall for it. But when you are focused on what’s in front of you and what God has for you, you get tunnel vision and every thing that doesn’t align with where you’re going becomes obsolete. One thing that we can all take from Nehemiah’s story is to stay FOCUSED. Not every action deserves a reaction, and when we engage in distractions it takes our focus off the things that really matter.

It’s easier said than done when you’re facing opposition but if Nehemiah was able to do it, so are we. Some things that we can learn from Nehemiah’s story is to take things to God in prayer, trust and know that he is fighting for us to succeed, he thwarts the plans of the enemy, and it challenges us to ignore the enemy’s tactics to distract us.

Heres a question to think about, am I going to allow this person or thing to allow me to take steps back or use it as ammunition to propel me forward?

So the next time someone tries to knuck, be slow to buck and let the Lord handle them in his timing and his way.

Be blessed and lets continue to Chase After Zion y’all!!!!!!!!!

ORCHESTRATED CHAOS

When people mention the year 2020, it’s described with words such as chaotic, hectic, worst, failure, re-do, pandemic, fear, frustration, anger, so on and so forth, similar to how we describe situations that occur in our personal lives.

Despite all the good that is still going on, we harbor the negative and get consumed with every emotion associated with those particular events. We don’t look at things with a heavenly eye or perspective which simply translates to “what is God trying to do here?”. This has been a year full of ups and downs and even though it seems chaotic it was still all apart of God’s bigger plan.

Everything that has taken place this year and in our personal lives was all apart of the plan, and guess what, God wasn’t fazed by it not one bit. We have to be aware that God uses and creates circumstances to shape and redirect us. For example, let’s take a look at this global pandemic; anyone who says this year hasn’t been rough is fabricating the truth because we are all struggling in one way or another. But some positives have come out of this such as:

-Families reconnecting

-Jobs being exposed

-Political corruption exposed

-The government actually has money to give

-Churches are finding alternative ways to reach the people of God

-Racism is slowly getting the proper attention

-When everything is shambles we can still find peace

-Old mindsets are being changed

-New identities are being formed

-Lives are being saved

These are just a few things to look at and the list can go on, and despite this world looking tumultuous, we can be secure and know that we have a God who sits high and looks low and he is still orchestrating this thing to work out for our favor, and the same goes for the personal things we have to face.

So if you are struggling right now and do not see how things are working together behind the scenes, it's okay! I’ve been there, we all have, and my prayer is that you will be able to rest and find peace. I hope these scriptures below will be a new start for you.

Philippians 4:6-7 ESV

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

John 14:27 ESV

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.

Joshua 1:9 ESV

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.

2 Peter 3:9 ESV

The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.

As always I’m sending love and light your way!

XOXO- AW

WATCH GOD WORK

One thing I've heard constantly throughout my life is “the truth will set you free”. Obviously when you’re young, you hear it and take it in, but you don’t fully process it until you get older and begin to fully understand. 

I say all of that to say, have you taken the time to be open with God? When I say open, I’m talking about raw, uncut, no filter, tears, and all. It’s a vulnerable state to be in but it’s so worth it and I’ll share my story with you. For one, GOD CANNOT HEAL WHAT YOU DON’T REVEAL.

This is something that took me a while to grasp, but when I decided to get real with myself and God that’s when he was able to start working. Now this is not to say that God doesn’t already know everything because he does, but it allows us to fully release whatever is on us and give it to him. Surrendering it from your hand into his.

When I started being really honest with God, healing began to take place in more areas than one. Every insecurity I had, when I talked about it openly, I was comforted with peace and the word to back it up. When I was trying to break old habits and kept failing, I didn’t receive the strength needed to kick it until I was honest, when I was frustrated with my life and how things were going, I sat down, screamed, cried, and bared all. In return I got his love, correction, grace, and peace.

I gained so much when I started being raw with God and the good thing about him is that he doesn’t judge, he loves unconditionally, and he knew everything that we would struggle with in this life, so nothing is unbeknownst to him. Trust him enough to let him come in and take the weight off of your shoulders. 

Stay safe and love on someone today!

DO YOU REALLY LOVE GOD?

This post may check some of you all, but I pray that it will do just that, as it has done the same for me. When we say we love God, I think it is a phrase that we throw around very loosely and carelessly. No thought is really put into it when we walk around saying I love you God loudly or telling the people around us that, so we can seem better than the next individual.

But I want you to really ask yourself deep down, if you truly love God. When we look at what it means to love God we disregard the obedience that is connected to it. John 14:15 says, “If you love me, you will obey my commands” and its written plain as day, but realistically we don’t adhere to this scripture at all.

Let me put it into context for you, how many times have you gave your absolute best to a job, or you sacrificed and made all the necessary changes for that relationship you wanted to hold onto to, or just in general making changes that were needed to get some thing or someone. You can be honest with yourself, because i’ll admit I have done it numerous times, but when you know better you do better.

When I came to this realization, I had to really check myself and ask for forgiveness because looking back over my life I can’t say that i’ve truly loved God, because I was being disobedient to His word. There have been plenty of jobs that i’ve worked, where I was willing to do any and every thing to get that raise or promotion. Same thing goes for relationships, situationships, or whatever you prefer to call them (be real with yourself). So then I began to ask myself, why am I making all of these sacrifices and changes for people and things that are temporary when I can’t even do the same for the Father.

God is love and when we say we love Him, we have to make sure our obedience is there as well. You cannot love God and live in a way that is displeasing to Him and demonstrating behavior that contradicts. Now, please don’t get me wrong, I am no better than you my brother and sister, we are all chasing after Zion together. But let’s start putting action behind the love we say we have.

BE GRATEFUL

How many of us have prayed to God for different things, and you’ve seen it come to pass? I am a living testimony to this and words cannot express how blessed I am, including the “small” blessings we tend to overlook. Typically when we get the things that we have prayed for, in that very moment we show a lot of gratitude and awe for what God has done and how He’s moving, but that eventually fades away and we are back to operating in our flesh, leading to discontentment and a lack of gratitude, and if you say you haven’t done this you are absolutely WRONG!

I remember when I moved into my second apartment, I was so overwhelmed with joy because for one I was moving in by myself and two I knew that it was a blessing because of my circumstances at that time. I had been praying and asking God to put me in a place that was affordable so I did not have to have another roommate, along with having a leasing manager who was nice. Mind you I still live in the same place, and everything I prayed for exceeded my expectations, but only for a while.

When I started really getting comfortable here, my gratitude turned into complaining. I wanted to move to another apartment complex that fit my bougie. Sounds superficial I know, but I was dead serious. I wanted a place that had stainless steel appliances, hardwood floors, bigger bathroom, so on and so forth. I began to lust after what I didn’t have and get frustrated because I was trying to live up to someone else’s standard, totally disregarding everything that God had done and provided.

When you go from thanks to complaining its a slap in God’s face for what He’s done in the past, and faith in what He can do in the now, and future. Dissatisfaction comes when we shift our attention from what we have to what we don’t have and that’s a dangerous place to be in, so tread lightly. I began to overlook at all the many blessings bestowed upon me because I wanted more. Ignoring the facts that I live right in front of a school so the area is really safe, the area is quiet, rent is super affordable, I’m close to more than one shopping plaza, I’m in a great location and can get to everything in a good amount of time, when I have maintenance issues they are fixed the same day if not within a few days, etc.

When I realized what I was doing, I immediately stopped and asked for forgiveness. I began to think and ask myself who am I to be greedy and lust after these things when I’ve already got so much. The bigger question was, how can I expect the Lord to bless me with more, when I can’t even be grateful for the things I have now? Luke 16:10 says, “One who is faithful in a very little thing is also faithful in much…” and that’s something I want you to think about the next time you find yourself being ungrateful.

How can God trust you with more, if you are not even satisfied with what He is doing in your life currently? And if God never blessed you with anything else would you still be content, offer up praise, and show thanks? When you ask yourself these questions and answer them, you’ll see where your heart is.

Be Blessed Y’all!

I'VE MESSED UP, WHAT DO I DO NOW?

As christians we are called to live a life pleasing to God and a life that is holy (set apart) because the God we serve is holy. But because we were born into sin, we all fall short at some point and time, and sometimes it’s more than once. I’ll be the first to admit that I have fallen more than once, and we all do because we are human which shows us that we need God in every area of our lives.

When we mess up, we typically tend to feel a lot of guilt and shame because we’ve disappointed God and let ourselves down. James 4:9 tells us that sinners should “Lament and mourn and weep! Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom.” That scripture there, lets us know that it’s okay to express deep heartfelt sorrow for what we have done. Those feelings are used by the Holy Spirit to convict us of whatever sin we have committed and it should motivate us to do something about it.

The good thing is that even when we mess up, God still loves us the same, He forgives, and He does not condemn. 1 John 1:9 says, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

I’m speaking from personal experience here because there have been many times where I’ve messed up and would feel so ashamed that I did not want to get back back in front of God because I felt unworthy. As I’ve grown more spiritually, I’ve learned that the enemy will play tricks with your mind and allow you to believe that you cannot move forward and God will not accept you with open arms. But I’ve learned that if I confess my sins and repent with a sincere heart, that God will forgive me and forget what wrong I did. The slate is wiped clean and we are able to press on and move forward.

So I encourage you to keep going and continue to press into God even more when you have messed up. It’s by His grace that we are able to have relationship with Him and through correction He teaches and guides us. The Lord can still use you, even when you have messed up, just look at Moses who was a murderer, Noah who was a drunk, Adam who couldn’t resist peer pressure, Jacob who was a manipulator, and the list goes on.

God is a God who enjoys relationship and wants to have one with you. So whatever is holding you back, and wherever you have messed up, turn back to God and allow His grace and forgiveness to flow into you.

Stay blessed y'all!