God Never Gives You Something that Belongs to Someone Else

Have you ever said “Why did God put this passion inside of me.” Why, why, why. I cannot do it, so why me Oh God.” I have said these words more than I can remember. I finally woke up and realized that the passion or passions I have inside of me comes from God. It is a calling, it is the lasting mark of God on my life and I am the only one who can walk it out and fulfill it to the depths that God has designed and planned.

One thing that I found was the more I attempted to run away from God’s calling in my life, the more I realized that I was running right into it. The Psalm 139: 1-12 makes it very plain that “God knows everything.” He knows my thoughts, he knows what I am going to say before I form my mouth to speak, and he knows my thoughts. Then, it seems like David sums up his summation in this section of verses by saying (my paraphrase), “No matter what I do, I cannot get away from you, I simply cannot escape from your Spirit. If I go to the highest mountains, you are there. If I go down to the deepest cave, you still know, and the darkness of the night won’t conceal me from you either, because it is a bright as the day to you.

Now some reading this might be saying that God is evasive and does not give you room to move or even have a life. Well . . . to put it plainly, my life and yours is in Him and while he knows the “what, how, why, and when’s” of our lives, God does not force himself on us, rather, I believe that he wants us to know that he is there and waiting for us to say – – – -Yes to him and what he desires for us.

What will be my response to God: To be honest as I write this, my response is Yes!!! to what He has predestined me to do. Easier said than done. Absolutely! But I am learning that as I surrender my control, you know – trying make things happen and doing what I want to do when I want to do it, God will make the calling he has placed on my life clear, and yes that includes the passions inside of me as well. My responsibility is to surrender, trust, rely, depend, and wait with expectancy for God to direct me. Just to clarify, when I said “wait” I was not implying to sit down and fold my hands while waiting for God’s directions. Nope! I will continue to seek Him in the Bible and in my 1-on-1 times with him.

So how about you? Have you ever said “Why did God put this passion inside of me.” Why, why, why. I cannot do it, so why me Oh God,” only to realize that you were and possibly still are attempting to run away and hide? If so, why? Take it from me, answering the “why” will determine your next move – whether you will surrender to God or continue to run from him with no avail.

Remember: God Never Gives You Something that Belongs to Someone Else!

I look forward to your thoughts,

Vicki C Jones © 2015 All Rights Reserved

 

Being true to Yourself!!

This is a powerful quote, as well as reminder for us to be “true to ourselves!” Society, oftentimes dictates to us how we should act, how we should talk, and what we should be. Because of these verbal and non-verbal messages, some of us have stripped ourselves of identities and who we truly are. We have become a shallow and empty image of our true selves.

This quote reminds us “that it is okay to be who we were created to be.” We are unique and priceless ORIGINALS created by Daddy God. And remember, our Daddy God DOES NOT make NO JUNK! Everything His hands have crafted and shaped are beautiful!

The Challenge…

Consider finding yourself again. Embrace who you are meant to be, and take the journey of self-discovery once again because, “YOU ARE NOT A CARBON COPY, YOU ARE AN ORIGINAL MASTERPIECE!”

Victoria C Jones © 2014 – All rights reserved

Photo Styles by Sundus Farooo

Found on stylonica.com

 

Faith is What Matters – Part I

I wanted to share a life lesson that I am currently learning and that is that Faith is WHAT matters! Since being laid of my job on July 16, 2014, I have been on a journey of understanding about living by faith! I have found that it is one thing to say “I have faith,” and another thing to ACTUALLY live and walk in that faith.

Life for me has drastically changed since being laid off. From having the freedom and ability to get up and go to work knowing that I would receive a paycheck, to waking up each morning wondering “What am I going to do?” What’s next for me?” “How will I survive and maintain, and so on.” With all of the questions, all of the concerns, and most important, the uncertainty of what I call, “The Now Future” leads me to consider two roads to travel on. The road of fear, doubt and despair OR the road of having faith, trust, reliance and TOTAL dependence on Him who loves me so – – – – Daddy God!

NOW, I must admit here that I have found that this is easier said than done. Why? Well, I believe it is because it is easy to try work things out from my own control, strength, and knowledge…. BUT Faith requires me to simply SURRENDER and LET GO of my CONTROL to my Dad…Daddy God! it requires me to STOP THINKING and just RESPOND WITH OBEDIENCE!

So I have been in a season of seeking Daddy God by faith for ALL things and I do mean ALL things! The scripture passage that comes to my mind is Matthew 7:7-11 which states the following:

“Keep (be persistent) on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep (be persistent) on looking, and you will find. Keep (be persistent) on knocking, and the door will be opened. For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And the door is open to everyone who knocks. You parents —if your children ask you for a loaf of bread, do you give them a stone instead? Or if they ask for a fish, do you give them a snake? Of course not! If you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, HOW MUCH MORE WILL YOUR HEAVENLY FATHER GIVE GOOD GIFTS TO THOSE WHO ASK HIM”(NLT).

This scripture passage not only gives direction of what to do, but it also serves as a reminder that if I remain persistent with asking, seeking, and knocking, my Daddy WILL provide what I need. Along with this, I am finding that Daddy God’s timing is NOT my timing! Because of this, it is about me MAINTAINING AND continuing to trust, BELIEVE and DEPEND that Daddy God is working in my behalf!

A current situation that brought these thoughts to the surface is the chain of events that have been happening to distract me from Daddy God’s purposes and plans for my life. Daddy God opened a door for me to be apart of the Prayer Ministry Team at my church. I was and I am still excited that Daddy God has elevated me to this opportunity. So…I was set to begin my new journey of praying and interceding for others as they would come to our prayer corner for prayer, HOWEVER on several attempts to begin my journey, I began experiencing challenges, obstacles and roadblocks to deter me from serving. Even as I attempted to press through these challenges, obstacles, and roadblocks, in the end I could not. While I knew what to do, which was to pray, one part of me wrestled with the other part of me. It was like a title fight.

To sum this all up….I am learning with every challenge. roadblock and every obstacle “FAITH IS WHAT MATTERS!” Praying to Daddy God believing in faith that He will and is working in my behalf whether I see it or not! Have things changed…No! But what I am realizing through these events and/or scenarios is that the importance here is that I have faith and continue to believe!

It is knowing that Daddy God is and continues to work in the background to set in place what HE wants to BE! More important, and know that I am still in the process of understanding this next statement which is, Whether things turn out – my car working perfectly or my right-hand, wrist and thumb is healed NOW, it is the process of learning to have faith, continuing to believe, trust and depend on Daddy God still and in the midst of ALL things!

I think this is the ULTIMATE lesson and also the spiritual lesson. As I said previously, this I am still learning and understanding as I live through this. this is much more….but one thing is for sure, I am thankful that I continue to surrender—-giving up myself totally to Daddy God! It is a continual process and journey, and sometimes the process is a challenge but one thing is for sure, IT IS HAVING A HEART ATTITUDE TO BE WILLING TO SAY YES UNTIL IT BECOMES AN AUTOMATIC RESPONSE!!

My you be encouraged to continue in the midst of your challenge and struggles in your life proclaiming that FAITH IS WHAT MATTERS!

 

Healing Hands of Jesus Christ!

Looking at this image of Jesus’ hands reaching out, caused me to think about several things:

1) Jesus is always there beckoning us to “come to Him” NO MATTER WHAT, because He desires and yearns to hold us close to His bosom.

2) Know matter how we see ourselves, our Savior and LORD sees us through different and untainted lenses. Pure and undefiled!

3) Through Him, we experience Daddy God’s Mercy, overflowing Grace and Unconditional Love that He alone has for us, “IF” we reach out, embrace and take His hand.

4) Reveals the powerful love of our Father – Daddy God who gave his son Jesus Christ  in our behalf so that we can experience life as He so desires for us!

I could express more thoughts about this image, but one thing is for sure…

Oh how He loves you and me
Oh how He loves you and me
He gave His life, what more could He do
Oh how He loves you
Oh how He loves me
Oh how He loves you and me (public domain)

And…another thought through song…

At the foot of the cross, Jesus rescued me
At the foot of the cross, I received my liberty
At the foot of the cross, I found a love I never knew
It was at the foot of the cross, that may life began anew

Lyrics written by Vicki C Jones © 2013. All rights reserved

Image from The Queen Esther Book Club: queenestherbookclub.blogspot.com

 

Decisions

Many times, we have seasons in our lives where we have to make a decision to evaluate our lives and the direction that our lives are going. For some, re-evaluating their lives can be a daunting task, and for others, the thought is scary and overwhelming.

However, whether we like it or not, re-evaluating our lives, what we believe, and what we value is a necessity of life! Doing it allows us to refocus on what is important. It allows us to readjust our footing and refuel ourselves for our journey of life!

So, the question we must ask ourselves, “What are we going to do!” Are we going to challenge ourselves to “Stop, Look, and adjust ourselves for the next season before us in life, or are we going to find reasons why we cannot do it?”

Remember this:

“Your past is not your future unless you want it to be. So here you stand, at the fork in the road. One arrow points to the road that holds your past, and the other arrow points to the road that holds your future. The choice resides in the palm of your hands. You must choose which road you will journey down.”

Written by Vicki C Jones © 2014 All rights reserved

 

Miracles Come in All Sizes

I do not know about you, but when I have thought about miracles in the lives of people, I always looked for the “spectacular.” For example, finding out that someone who had cancer was totally healed, or knowing someone who got burned from head to toe and then God miraculously healed them without any scars being seen on their body, and I could go on and on.

However, I never considered “the small miracles” that often go unnoticed because they are not the “grand or spectacular” that leaves you in total awe of Daddy God’s awesome power and grace.

Lately, Daddy God has opened my eyes “to see and see again” that miracles come in all sizes! I also have come to the conclusion that miracles can also be considered as “awakenings.” By awakenings I mean that Daddy God uses miracles or awakenings to arouse us from our sleep, or to renew or restore our attention on His sovereignty and power, His relentless love and mercy, and His heart for us as our Father.

As I am learning, I hope you too will appreciate the miracles or awakenings that Daddy God brings into your life and thank Him for each and everyone.

Just some thoughts from My Heart 2 Yours!

 

What Does Daddy God Want of Me?

Have you ever taken the time to ask God the following questions: “What do you want from me”? “How do you want me to spend my time”? How do you feel about the decisions I have made and are considering right now”? How do you feel about the relationships I have currently in my life with other people. Are they the relationships you desire for me”? What plans and purposes do you have for me that you want me to pursue”? And, “How do what do you what me to change in my life”?

If you have these questions and the others, do you take the time to listen to his response, really “listen to hear”? OR, do you treat these questions as fleeting moments, thinking that I have asked and it is now a done deal!

Wow! This is something to think about and to consider what our individual responses would be don’t you agree! These series of questions stuck with me like the skin on my body.

Proverbs 16:1-3 states,

“We can make our own plans, but the LORD gives the right answer. 2) People may be pure in their own eyes, but the LORD examines their motives. 3) Commit your action to the LORD, and your plans will succeed” (NLT).

Basically, the final outcome of the things we desire, and the plans we want to accomplish or do,everything is in Daddy God’s hands (my paraphrase).

What is my point to all of this???

Discovering what Daddy God wants for our lives, and how He feels about what we are doing or have not done, to what He desires for us are not fleeting moments that come and pass away quickly. It is not about going through the motions of asking Daddy God just to ask, because you can see from Proverbs 16 that God looks at and weighs our motives, our heart attitude.

Instead, it is a journey of discovering our Father – Daddy God. It is a journeying of accepting and embracing the fact that Daddy God is DEEPLY concerned about EVERY AREA of our lives. Like a Daddy, he intensely yearns for the best for us – powerful!

It is a journey of being realigned in our minds, spirits, and souls to what Daddy God wants for us. It is being willing to be under His reconstruction – Ouch!! I liken it to being in Daddy God’s surgery room.

So . . . The Question Is how will you and I respond. Will we take the time to seriously consult our Father and ask these questions to him EVEN if his answer is different from our own. Will we “let go” of the notion of doing everything on our own and “seek out” our Fathers wisdom and direction.

Yes!! A lot to swallow, but I must admit that these series of questions are timely.

Before closing, I want to answer the questions in part that I posed above. I say “in part” because I am still seeking Daddy God, but I can say that He definitely has me in his surgery room. He has prepped me for the reconstruction of my mind, body, and soul.

I am reminded of Romans 12:1-2 where is states basically to give ourselves to God as a living sacrifice. How . . . by renewing our minds, behaviors, and thinking.

To sum this up with the lyrics of a song: “Take my heart and form it; Take my mind and transformed it, and take will and conform it to yours Oh Lord!”

This is part of God’s surgical procedure, I believe, at least for me. Because it is a process or what I prefer to say “a journey of knowing Him more and more!” Not just in word or deed, but in every area of my life.

I would it coin it this way, “That I would know that I know that it is Him and only Him that orchestrates my life.
So my journey of finding out what God want of me is ongoing!

I look forward to you responses,

Written by Vicki C Jones © 2014 All rights reserved

 

Stayed Tuned!!!!

Hello Everyone,

Well, I have finally stepped out and have started a blogging site 🙂 It is called, “Vj’s Place – Thoughts Fresh out of the Oven!

I am excited about the endeavor because I find myself always writing about every little thing that comes to my mind.

I must admit that changes in your life can open your eyes to see what Daddy God has always wanted you to do.

For me, I believe that one of those things is to write and write some more.

With that said, I wanted you to know that entries are on the way!!  SO….

Be on the lookout in a couple of days for writing and thoughts for you to read, and yes, even share your comments if you desire to.

From my Heart 2 yours

Vicki

 

Traveling through Life with Words and Deep Reflection

I have found that an individual’s life is full of seasons of ups and downs, starts and stops, blowouts and wrong turns.

AND YES…seasons of right turns, good choices, and roads that led to success, and I could go on and on. BUT!! The interesting thing about an individual’s life journey is that it is never dull. An individual’s life journey can be exciting, educating, revealing, sobering, and heartbreaking. Nonetheless, in the end, if you allow yourself to be a traveler of your journey of life, you might just find out things about yourself that might totally blow you away. I have concluded life’s journeys to be “JUST THE BEGINNING….STILL IN PROGRESS.”

Such is the case for me! I have learned the “Good, Bad, Ugly, and Indifferent” parts of what makes me Vicki Cassandra Jones. I have learned that the “good, bad, ugly, and indifferent” parts of me define who I am – A very complex and unique individual that is in process of being developed in my character, my values and beliefs. I have also learned that one part without the other causes me to be incomplete; each part, when embraced and accepted together is a picture of me in progress.

This blog gives you, the reader, a glimpse of my thoughts and impressions about life in general, lessons learned, pitfalls, struggles and challenges along my adventurous journey of life. Some of these glimpses are through poems, personal quotes, short thoughts, and personal psalm or conversations with God, while others are through topics that have submerged my mind.

So…. Welcome aboard fellow travelers! I welcome you to journey with me as I recount “The Beginning”of my life with all the ingredients that life encounters, challenges, and situations life has brought to me. Experience the wrong turns I’ve made, the about-faces and stalls in the forks of roads traveled, ultimately discovering that my rescuer was always near by waiting for me to reach out. I invite you to strap on your seatbelt and journey with me along my journeys of life thus far.