Paulette Talks Faith

Monday, September 7, 2015

Week 99: Mid-life Exam

Mid-life Exam

Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? James 2:22

• Analysis . . .

• Evaluation . . .

• Assessment . . .

We all took mid-term exams in school. Those exams told us and our teachers if we were doing well, or not. Based on that principle, I think it’s a good idea to take a mid-life exam to see how well we are progressing in our life as a Christian. We don’t want to wait until after finals to find out that we failed the course. We need to take the mid-life exam while we have time to repent.

I remember when I was in school; we use to keep teachers talking about some off-the-wall subject, so they would forget about the assignment we didn’t want to do. I think the enemy pulls that same trick on us. He wants to get us so involved in our daily lives that we forget about our main purpose for being on earth—to do the will of God.

Listed are sample questions you may consider for your mid-life exam.

•Is my life part of a solution? If so, how can you tell? If not, why not?

•Am I living a purposeful life? If so, how can you tell? If not, why not?

•Will I leave a legacy? If so, how can you tell? If not, why not?

•Is my life contributing anything towards helping others? If so, how can you tell? If not, why not?

•Am I using my gifts and talents for God’s purpose? If so, how can you tell? If not, why not?

•Am I walking in God’s will? If so, how can you tell? If not, why not?

• Does my life influence others to want to become a Christian? If so, how can you tell? If not, why not?

• Am I giving God my best? If so, how can you tell? If not, why not?

I’m sure you noticed that each question ended the same way: If so, how can you tell? If not, why not? That’s because when you take your answers beyond a yes/no response, it requires you to think further, resulting in additional questions emerging. That’s great because that will give you a more thorough self-evaluation.

Taking the mid-life exam will prepare us for the Final Examination!

Monday, August 31, 2015

Week 98: The Anointing is the Real Deal

The Anointing is the Real Deal

The Lord preserves the faithful… Psalm 31:23 (AMP)

• Authentic . . .

• Genuine . . .

• Bona fide . . .

We all have gifts and talents. For instance, there are many people who are gifted to sing beautifully. But, not all singers—sing under the anointing of God. There are people who can preach profoundly, but are they preaching under the anointing of God?

What is the Anointing?

There are many facets to the meaning of the anointing. However, for this writing, I’m going to speak on just one of them: The Power and Favor of God working through our gifts and talents to lift people spiritually—demolish burdens and destroy yokes (Isaiah 10:27).

How do we know when we’re performing under the Power of God?

What we are able to do under the anointing far exceeds our natural abilities. I think people who are sensitive to the Holy Spirit can differentiate the Power of God from emotionalism. Emotionalism affects the flesh; the anointing affects the spirit.

Why is it so important to protect the Anointing?

As far as I’m concerned, when I’m writing or publicly speaking, if I’m not under the anointing—it comes out dry and flat. I know from experience that’s not a comfortable position to be in. I know the difference between operating in self and operating in the anointing. We generally protect the things we value.

How does one protect the Anointing?

We protect the anointing when we live our lives according to the Word of God. Ephesians 4:30 (AMP) says: We are not to grieve, vex, or sadden the Holy Spirit. We should never take God’s power for granted and start thinking that we can disobey Him, exclude Him, and still keep His Anointing Power.

The Anointing is the ingredient that elevates our gifts and talents

to a level that the world tries to imitate—

but Can’t!

Monday, August 24, 2015

Week 97: A Heavenly Proposition

A Heavenly Proposition

…that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe. Galatians 3:22b

• A Plan. . .

• A Blueprint. . .

• A Design. . .

God created us to need Him every second of our lives. I know that goes against the self-reliant, self-sufficient, self-assured; autonomous pride-filled individuals. Nevertheless, that’s the way God wants it, therefore, that’s the way it is.

If we really think about it, it’s a win-win situation—having to depend on God. People are deluded if they think they can do a better job caring for themselves than Almighty God; when He told us to cast all our cares on Him. (I Peter 5:7) We can’t ask for anything better than that. It sure beats drowning our sorrows in drugs and alcohol.

God is the good Shepherd. He will direct our steps. For Him to direct our steps means, He knows where He wants us to go, and what He wants us to do. Think about it! We have God’s Unmatched Creativity directing our lives. It hard to comprehend all that greatness flowing through us—but it is. God knows the route that will lead us to success. Since there are no surprises, no mishaps, no shocks that can catch Him off guard, nothing can stop His purpose on our behalf—except for our free will of course.

God also knows all about the underhanded plots that the enemy has planned for our destruction. We don’t have to waste time trying to figure out our next move. God has already made a way of escape. (I Corinthians 10:13) All He wants us to do is trust and obey Him to do what’s best.

In addition to all that, we have angels assigned to us to defend and preserve us in all our ways of obedience (Psalm 91:11). God’s strength is made perfect in our weakness. (II Corinthians 12:9) He will fight for us. All we have to do is hold our peace (Exodus 14:14). And, when our life on earth is over, we’ll be present with the Lord. (II Corinthians 5:8)

The only thing the devil is counting on is: We don’t have enough faith to know that God has given us—A Heavenly Proposition!