What Prevents You from Reaching Your ‘Promised Land”?

 

Many of you have all at one time had high aspirations, and dreams of becoming a ‘successful’ person in life. You take classes, attend seminars and read countless ‘self help’ books that tell you how to ‘get rich quick’, create a business that will earn 6 figures in a matter of months. You search desperately for a great partner, and find yourselves drawn into the same types of toxic relationships, dealing with the same issues and drama in each new relationship.  You try to find creative ways to get out of debt, and can’t seem to get rise above a certain income level no matter how hard you work. You soon become tired of being in the same place year after year, with seemingly no way out of what seems like a ‘dead end’ life. You wonder why you seem to be wandering in circles, seemingly on an endless quest to have a prosperous future, but it always seems to elude you…frustratingly always just right beyond your grasp.

Moving Forward…and Leaving Condemnation Behind

"I don't know if I continue, even today, always liking myself. But what I learned to do many years ago was to forgive myself. It is very important for every human being to forgive herself or himself because if you live, you will make mistakes- it is inevitable. But once you do and you see the mistake, then you forgive yourself and say, 'Well, if I'd known better I'd have done better,' that's all."-Maya Angelou

The definition of Sin is “Missing the Mark.” Whether intentional or unintentional, sin in our lives separates us from God and makes it difficult to obtain (blocks) the full blessings that He has waiting for us. The bible consistently mentions the importance of scrutinizing and examining our own (not everyone else’s) conduct and works, and checking for any areas that may not be under subjection to the spirit. In today’s times, sin seems to be a dirty word, but realistically, if we want to be healed, we are to recognize it exists, and constantly evaluate whether or not we have sinful behavior lingering in our lives…areas that we are missing God’s mark in.

After the Storm...

"I planted, Apollos watered, but God [all the while] was making it grow and [He] gave the increase."~ 1 Corinthians 3: 6

When seeds are planted, they first need to be watered, and then the planted must wait during several seasons, giving the young seedling a chance to take root, and grow. Usually a harsh winter precedes spring, and once the snow has melted, the young sprouts make their way through the dirt. Although sometimes we withstand storms in our own life, eventually the result will be fruit that is born to impact the next generation...if we allow it to.

Two years ago, our business failed, we lost our home in a fire, had our cars repossessed, and got stranded in a foreign land (Memphis, Tennessee) with no help from anyone, having been taken advantage of by a family member, who was also a pastor...