Beloved, extraordinary living begins with a thought. Let’s elevate our thoughts about Wealth and Wisdom. If you are in pursuit of an extraordinary life but seem to get stuck in a unproductive, unfruitful, and truth be told sometimes downright depressing cycles, it’s time to get out of your own way and on to a life you love. God designed it for you; now, you must be courageous and live it. Join me for Think Tank Thursdays, and let’s start the journey to your extraordinary.
Context matters. We often recite this verse to encourage others to think positively about themselves or elicit an accurate viewpoint of their self-worth. With good intentions and positivity in mind, this view might not be the worst thing ever; however, the context here gives essential insight into the spiritual impact of belief, specifically the phenomena that occur when things aren’t what they appear to be.
Wisdom says that what a person believes (internal) can affect you more than what he says. (external)
This is particularly important to understand when someone speaks kind or flattering words. It sounds good, and it’s welcomed. The words influence us because we want them to be true because they connect to our longings. We desire kindness, attention, accolades, or even connections.
The situation becomes even more complicated when connected to invitations, especially if there is an intense desire to connect.
The difficulty occurs when you respond to the words and do not consider the source. You may be excited or pleased with flattery or nice words; however, what the person believes impacts your inner man and the spiritual reality.
This is because what a man believes governs what comes next. Belief is the catalyst for action. Your thoughts have power.
Deception occurs when there is a miscommunication between what a person thinks and what he says. Flattering words can be deceptive and draw you in because of your desires. The words may soothe a longing of your soul, but you will only achieve long-lasting transformation and satisfaction if they are connected to the actual thoughts and intentions of the heart.
Beloved, don’t miss this; we are set to understand when relationships are not optimal; however, we must not get spiritually spooky and think that there is deception every time something feels off.
Remember, you must balance your knowledge with willing and humble prayerful submission to the Creator. Your protection comes through your faith in the finished work of the Son. Your triumphant victory comes from following the Holy Spirit’s leading. God desires that you live an extraordinary life and have extraordinary relationships.
Are you ready to live your extraordinary? If you’re ready to bring better balance to your life and relationships, it might be time to connect with a faith coach. Schedule a 30-minute discovery call to learn more about how FLAME coaching can ignite your journey to extraordinary.
Blessings to you,
MC
When God’s love is the lens through which you see life, you are “never not” grateful. Your gratitude extends to all things, like being grateful for the California palm trees and sunshine that remind you of the incredible comfort of our Creator. If you’re a foodie, you’re grateful for the chef @ilpastaio_bh, whose Tagliolini Tartufo and Torta Limone are ALWAYS excellent.
You recognize that He gives everyone purpose and gifts to make our life experiences beautiful.
Who else can create man- male and female – with gifts of strength, skill, and intellect like this?
Let all creation praise him, from the chef to scientist to the preacher to the diplomat, by living their purpose to the fullest with joy and excellence.
God helps you recognize and respect the pure purpose of others.
But there’s more.
After you’ve seen, experienced, and enjoyed their good works and are basking in the intense feelings of joy, satisfaction, and awe, wonder what you do?
Beloved, those feelings should first lead you to acknowledge the Omnipotent One – our Father who art in heaven. The acknowledgment is that he is the Creator of all, gives gifts to all men, and is good. He is perfection, the personification of love, and when we admire anything in the creation or what a created being does, praise belongs to him.
Now, don’t panic.
To acknowledge this truth doesn’t have to become an all-night prayer session or a forty-day fast; your heart can release sincere thanks from your seat in the stands, in the car on the way home, on the sofa in front of the TV. Expressing your gratitude can happen anywhere, anytime, and any place.
The point is to get in the habit of putting God back at the center of your thought-life. You must be intentional about making him the priority of your praise until it becomes automatic. This is essential for proper spiritual growth and moves you beyond mere religious sentimentalism into a bona fide authentic faith that produces the life God declared and designed for you.
He wants you to get closer to him. He wants you to experience the life He gave all for you to have. Your extraordinary life awaits.
To be balanced, though, please know that I am not saying this absolves you from being kind and offering compliments, encouragement, and blessings to others when warranted. Beloved, the golden rule is still the rule.
I’m encouraging you to LEARN TO PUT AND KEEP HIM FIRST IN ALL THINGS, and then everything else makes sense. Here’s an insider tip: when God is first, the things that come second and third are even more enjoyable, fulfilling, and fun.
Umm, that’s it today. You know my mind is “never not” on Him. Blessings to you!
#mikaelacade #faith #losangeles #beverlyhills #faithcoach #lifecoach #prophetic #womeninministry #girlpreacher #purpose #love #friday #fridayvibes
Gratitude isn’t merely the idea of the current season; it is the posture of your heart as you consider that an all-knowing, all-powerful, ever-present Creator had a plan from the beginning, and it continues to work successfully today.
Gratitude is more than a mere attitude it is the vibe that surrounds your approach to the King.
It is what opens the gates and lights courts as it reveals reverence, respect, and high regard for the One who is unmatched. It reveals a love so great and unexplainably liberating that words fail. Gratitude is essential, but must be genuine.
Try Him. Trust Him.
My prayer for you today is that you understand the profundity of gratitude as a requirement for how you approach God. I pray that you understand that your gratitude is to God not situations or circumstances. I pray that through true expressions of gratitude your love and reverence for God and his plan would be increased. May his favor and blessing of love and peace rest upon you.
R/
MC
Family and Friends,
Happy Veterans Day! Thank you for choosing to serve. Thank you for being an example of obedience and sacrifice. Thank you for allowing me the honor and the privilege of walking out an assignment to serve a portion of the brave men and women who proudly and dutifully served and serve our Nation.
You all impacted my life by allowing me “to see” through your service. You are difference makers.
Today and every day, I thank God for you and your families and pray for the fulfillment of his plans and purpose in your lives. May God’s love and abundance of blessings rest upon you as you honor him.
With great gratitude
Blessings to you!
Pastor MC
There is no love better or more significant than God’s love. It is the standard and guide for our lives. It is the essence of extraordinary living.
In fact, by divine design, every relationship we have is an opportunity to experience an aspect of God’s love.
When considering that life comprises relationships, it becomes crucial to understand that properly managing relationships means managing them according to God’s plan.
Relationship management becomes just as much of an act of worship as a reflection of our worship.
Unfortunately, in the case of relationships, perceptions RULE when TRUTH should prevail. When a relationship is perceived as good, it’s good, but when perceived as bad, it can lead to evil work. And this is not always based on God’s assessment but on man’s feelings or determination.
Managing relationships according to God’s standards is always the safest, most reliable course of action. It leads to freedom. In truth, it can sometimes cause discomfort as you wrap your mind around his facts, align your emotions with his will, and learn to allow His Spirit to guide you through uncharted waters, but the outcome is worth it.
Your knowledge and experience of God’s love of and for you truly unlocks levels of joy and peace never imagined. It causes every fear, concern, and doubt to dissipate. It’s like air.
Beloved, we must remember that God is the one who judges. When it comes to understanding love and relationships, things can go wrong despite your best efforts, hopes, and dreams, but as believers, you must always, always, always seek God.
God judges. God heals. God is the one who ensures that all things work together for the good of those who love him. God is the one who can ensure you do not suffer utter destruction from what may feel like an unrecoverable loss.
God is able to redeem the time. God is able to restore. Be grateful for what you’ve learned. God is bigger than the religious constraints men try to impose. Some may not understand your decisions, but trust God and move forward in love. God is liberating. God is love. God overcomes PERCEPTION and brings you to a divine romance that will make other relationships pale in comparison. God sets and maintains standards. Trust him with your entire life.
You must surrender to His truth to be free to love and live as God intended. You must submit to the renovating work of the Holy Spirit on your mind, soul, strength, and might. You must learn to allow the Word to speak to and in you louder and more profoundly than any other voice you’ve ever given your ear to. Choose your teachers wisely. Then, you must buckle up, obey the Lord, and enjoy the journey.
I hear the Lord calling us to radical faith. Radical faith begins with radical love, and that starts with falling in love with God. For some, it is a return; for others, it’s a new adventure wherever you are on your journey; know that, ultimately, it’s why you were created. As you commit to your first love, may your heart and mind be filled with the truth that in Him is the place of true fulfillment, peace, and unspeakable joy.
Make your relationship with the Lord the priority of your life, and all your other relationships will become precisely what they should be according to the word of God.
My prayer for you today is that you learn the true power of love and yield to Him who is Love.
There is no better or more significant
love than God’s love.
It is the essence and standard for
extraordinary living.
It is the core of your purpose and the source of passion.
If you want to improve the
quality of your life,
you must be determined to know love,
embrace its truth and yield entirely to
His power–
God is Love.
When it comes to managing resources, you must use wisdom.
God supplies everything you need. God provides resources to accomplish His will in His time according to His plan. His plan is always set for increase and success, even when it includes tearing down and demolishing. (but that’s another lesson)
Yet, sometimes, you might wonder if your efforts are really making a difference. This simple verse touches expectation management and shows where you can observe a return on your investment.
When you instruct the wise, he will become more discerning, and teaching the just man improves his understanding.
God gives clear insight to celebrate the small gains.
The wise one got a little wiser. The just one obtained a little more light.
This is progress and a good use of godly wisdom and resources.
Every endeavor and every encounter will not be a notable as healing the man with the withered hand. Still, every act of grace is just as miraculous and life-changing if it leads to greater revelation and true intimacy with God.
Here is such a profound revelation. Wisdom gives a return on investment. For the receiver, the gain is a better life. The impartation and instruction of wisdom will enhance the quality of your life because it increases your understanding and respect for how to live before God. For the instructor, the gain is encouragement that you’re on the right track. You must learn to see the fruit spirit-led work produces, and you will grow in grace and the confidence that God orders the steps of a righteous man.
Beloved, be encouraged in your life and purpose. Celebrate the small victories. Rejoice and be glad, for this is the day the Lord has made.
Don’t worry about correcting everyone. Don’t even try to.
Here’s a simple time and lifesaver. I’ve shared it for years with my family and my clients.
Everybody isn’t going to like you. Accept it, and move on. Don’t worry about it.
Know that you are loved, appreciated, and accepted by God.
Proverbs 9:8 says, do not try to correct someone who doesn’t like you. Beloved, please heed the word. You will save time, energy, tears, pain, and conversations with your pastor and everyone else if you follow the instructions. I know you believe you can win them over. Here’s a little news flash. They belong to God–not you. God has a plan for them. You must continue to be cordial. You must continue to be helpful. You must continue to operate in love. You must continue to pray for them, but your efforts to reprove, correct, and instruct should be geared toward those who love okay like you–they can receive from you, and it will go well for you and the Kingdom. They will love you.
The one who is not too fond of you will not listen and may even be offended by your rebuke and cause more of a problem for you. Remember, do not cast your pearls… Think of it this way: don’t let your desire to be helpful overrule the word God has spoken on the matter. He reigns.
That’s all I’ve got for today.
Blessings to you.
Pastor MC
Respect matters.
Reverence for the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. This means a healthy view of God must govern your heart. A healthy view of His love. A healthy view of His judgment. A healthy view of His blessing. A healthy view of His wrath. (I think you get it.)
You must understand that the same God that declares, “I will bless in your obedience.” He is the same God who declares, “I will curse you for disobedience.” And that he speaks this to the church. As a person of faith, you are not immune to God’s negative or corrective dealings.
In fact, the choices you make dictate the response that comes to you because they reveal the actual condition of the heart. You must not lose hope, knowing that he always has a plan for restoration declaring, “I will revenge all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled.”
Yet, a complementary aspect to the start of wisdom is an understanding of the holy. The other part of the statement means that understanding what it means to belong to God and live for him is a mark of wisdom. To continue to live a life void of sanctification or being set apart is an affront to the holiness of God.
So, if you put them together, you find that reverence for God and respect for a godly life are the beginning of wisdom. Beloved, don’t be deceived by a lot of talk or hype. The power of God is real, pure, and without compromise. Living a life dedicated to God is the freest and most powerful life you will live, and it is by no means boring — don’t let religion taint you– remember God made the world and everything that dwells therein.