Remembering My Independence Day

Today on July 4, 2009 America celebrates her 233rd Anniversary since the signing of the Declaration of Independence. The significance behind the holiday is simply America’s independence from Great Britain.


While this is all fine and dandy, I want to redirect your attention to a much more meaningful way to commemorate Independence Day. Let me give you some food for thought. What if this year every believer who has accepted Jesus as their Lord and Savior used July 4th to commemorate their spiritual Independence Day? I mean that would really be something to get excited about. The family gatherings, fireworks and fellowship would all be a way to mark that milestone annually in your spiritual history with God the Father.


America is the greatest country in the world and I feel privileged to have the freedoms we experience here especially when compared to other places around the world.


The Declaration if Independence states:

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.


However, America still has a long way to go to ensure that all people regardless of race, gender, or creed can truly experience the freedom that the Declaration espouses.
Well I know a man named Jesus who more than 2000 years ago died for you and me so that we could be saved from sin and death. The thief cometh not, but for to steal, kill and destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. (John 10:10 – KJV)

I gave my life to Christ at an early age. I don’t remember it all, but I attended St. Anne’s Catholic School and began the process of what is known as the Seven Catholic Sacraments. I completed the first 4: Baptism, Eucharist, Reconciliation, and Confirmation. I was confirmed in 3rd grade along with my other classmates and I would consider that my personal commitment to Christ based on my limited understanding.


My Independence Day was December 29, 1996 at the age of 25 in a Sunday morning worship service. This is the date where I personally decided to rededicate my life to Christ. God moved on my heart and I made the best decision I’ve ever made in my entire life. It compares to nothing I’ve done or will probably ever do. That day my life took a turn for the better.

So I challenge you to commemorate July 4th – Independence Day with a new sense of excitement and celebration by reflecting on what Jesus did for you and me more than 2000 years ago at Calvary. When all else fails, I know that without a shadow of a doubt that there is no expiration date on Calvary and the power of the Cross and that Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever. (Hebrews 13:8 – KJV).

If you have never accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior and experienced independence, freedom and a new life, don’t wait or waste another minute.

God loves you and longs to have an intimate or close and meaningful relationship with you…yes YOU! The Bible says that God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (John 3:16 – KJV).
Perhaps you are thinking to yourself, what must I do to be saved? The answer is simple and the Word of God is clear in Romans 10:9, "That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved."


Pray this Prayer:

Lord Jesus, I invite you in my heart. Please forgive me of my sins. I believe that You were raised from the dead for my justification. I am now calling on the name of Jesus. I want you to be Lord of my life right now. I believe in my heart that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. I do believe with my heart, and I confess that Jesus is now my Lord. Therefore I am saved! Amen.

Welcome to the family and body of believers of Christ. I would strongly encourage you to not only read the Bible, but pray for understanding. Also, join a spirit filled church to support you in your spiritual growth and development.

5 Ways To Respond to The Promises of God

1. Discover It! (Who Made the Promise?)

Study the Word of God to discover His promises. The maker of the promise cannot lie and His word will not return to Him void. Let’s look at the word discover a little closer. According to Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary discover means to obtain sight or knowledge of for the first time: find (discover the solution) b: find out (discovered he was out of gas).[1]

But from there you will seek the LORD your God, and you will find Him if you seek Him with all your heart and with all your soul. Deuteronomy 4:29 (NKJV)

“So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. Luke 11:9 (NKJV)

2. Decide It!

God calls every believer to make a choice. So you must decide to believe God’s promises.

And if it seems evil to you to serve the LORD, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.” Joshua 24:15 (NKJV)

3. Discern It!

Ask God to help you discern the Word and its specific meaning and how to apply it in your life.

Whoso keepeth the commandment shall feel no evil thing: and a wise man's heart discerneth both time and judgment. Ecclesiastes 8:5 (KJV)

“And they shall teach My people the difference between the holy and the unholy, and cause them to discern between the unclean and the clean. Ezekiel 44:23 (NKJV)

But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. 1 Corinthians 2:10-14 (KJV)

4. Declare It!

Declare the promises of God by affirming it aloud daily.

I will declare Your name to My brethren; In the midst of the assembly I will praise You. Psalm 22:22 (NKJV)

And in that day you will say: “ Praise the LORD, call upon His name; Declare His deeds among the peoples, Make mention that His name is exalted. Isaiah 12:4 (NKJV)

But I will declare forever, I will sing praises to the God of Jacob. Psalm 75:9 (NKJV)

5. Do It!

Just do it! God requires active participation on our part in order for His promises to become manifest in our lives.

Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. 1 Corinthians 10:31 (NKJV)

And they swirl about, being turned by His guidance, That they may do whatever He commands them on the face of the whole earth. Job 37:12 (NKJV)



[1] discover. (2009). In Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary. Retrieved June 27, 2009, from http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/discover

How God Used The Remote Control to Minister to Me

God is awesome and can use anything to teach us a practical lesson that will minister to our situation. This may sound strange, but God did just that with my remote control. Think about it…the remote control only fulfils its purpose to operate the television, the surround sound, the DVD or the video game when it is used. You have to physically pick it up and press a button that corresponds to the action you want it to perform.

God gives us the mind of Christ in and through His word. We have the mind of Christ, but do we activate this knowledge for victorious living? There are some actions we must take in order to enjoy the mind of Christ God gives us.

…But we have the mind of Christ. 1 Corinthians 2:16

RESET. This morning it came to me that by having the mind of Christ I have the God given authority to press RESET each day or over any thought or past deed. RESET is what I need to push when the enemy comes in like a flood and fills my mind with crazy thoughts…I can press reset to start over and erase those thoughts! It seems so simple, yet it can be so hard as we all struggle with so much.

Press RESET to erase the past and get a clean start or clear view. When you press RESET on a video game …you clear out what was there and start a new game. Apply that same principle in your life…try pressing RESET to clear out the old thoughts and start a new thought.
Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. (Philippians 4:8).

Today I pressed RESET on my past…the things outside of my control like abuse suffered as a child, the things I did to myself like bad decisions and careless mistakes. Today I pressed RESET to clear my head from the “DA” family…Mr. Woulda, Mrs. Shoulda and Baby Coulda. Yesterday is gone and I have no time for regrets.

I pressed RESET to cancel out the negative thoughts about what people have done or said to me and more importantly, what I’ve said about others and to myself that didn’t line up with the word of God. I will replace the negative thoughts with a positive affirmations from the Word of God…I am fearfully and wonderfully made.

Remember what you put in is you get out. Trash in…Trash out. Stinking thinking in…Stinking thinking out. Positive in …positive out. Encouragement in …encouragement out. What thoughts, actions, deeds or imaginations do you need to press RESET on today?

What makes RESET different and a viable option for you?

RESET: Is different from REWIND because you don’t rehash or revisit the past and bring up old hurts and pains that may become the seed (really the weed) of bitterness, anger and resentment in your life.

… but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead… (Philippians 3:13)

Let go of the past! Bypass REWIND and press RESET!

Reset: Is different from FAST FORWARD because you don’t dwell so much on the future, creating a fantasyland, wishful thinking or excessive daydreaming. Tomorrow is not promised, don’t use too much time and energy today planning and organizing for the future. Trust God and He will take care of the future.

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. (Jeremiah 29:11)

Live in the present! Bypass FAST FORWARD and press RESET!

RESET: Is different from PAUSE because you don’t get stagnate and stuck in the analysis of a situation or circumstance or decision. You can’t put your life on hold or be suspended indefinitely because of fear, jealousy, insecurity, low self-esteem, etc.

… let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith… (Hebrews 12:1-2)

Bypass PAUSE and press RESET!

Now if you must push PAUSE do so with this in mind… PAUSE is an option not a destination. Use it when you are at a place where you only need to take a quick rest or need a moment to assess your position. PAUSE is a chance to get your bearings straight or an opportunity to change and “re-calculate your route” if necessary.

Don’t get comfortable here…Get back in motion…release PAUSE and move on.
Other Useful Buttons on the Remote

STOP: Are you a “busybody?” If you answered yes, this is for you. Sometimes we find ourselves in situations where we get overwhelmed with life or we are just so busy that we don’t know if we are coming or going, we are overcommitted and overwhelmed. If your enemy can keep you putting out fires, he will keep starting them. Some of us bring this on ourselves and others it is dumped on. When we don’t have healthy boundaries, unfortunately the result is over commitment. When we want to be liked, loved or respected, we tend to over commit. Perhaps we are trying so hard to please people that we lose ourselves. Perhaps we try to keep busy to avoid facing the “stuff” in our lives, a broken heart, broken relationship, a broken self image, etc. Be a God pleaser and not a man pleaser.

But let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No.’ For whatever is more than these is from the evil one. (Mathew 5:37)

Schedule time with God and seek His guidance for reprioritizing your life. Press STOP!
VOLUME DOWN: When you can’t think straight and your environment is too noisy and chaotic, turn the volume down.

…In quietness and confidence shall be your strength… (Isaiah 30:15)

When life gets too loud…Turn the VOLUME DOWN!

VOLUME UP: Conversely, there are times when turning up the volume is exactly what we need. We need to hear the truth, we need to hear the promises of God, and we need to hear words of wisdom and encouragement. When your “inner champion” speaks to build you up…listen. Start a new habit. Begin to affirm the word of God in your life. Say it out loud.

Now David was greatly distressed…but David strengthened [encouraged] himself in the LORD his God. (1 Samuel 30:6)

Turn the VOLUME UP on things that deepen your knowledge in God, i.e., tapes, videos, Bible study, church classes, seminars, conference, and revivals.

MUTE: When your “inner critic” the voice that keeps on like a broken record about the past, is nagging and gnawing at your peace of mind with a barrage of negativity…silence the internal critic and external critics for that matter by pushing MUTE.

And behold, the LORD passed by, and a great and strong wind tore into the mountains and broke the rocks in pieces before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake; 12 and after the earthquake a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire; and after the fire a still small voice. (1 Kings 19:11-12)

Get quiet before God. Listen intently for His still small voice. Press MUTE!

RECORD: Document your thoughts, ideas, revelation knowledge, experience, gratitude, milestones, dreams and visions. The recording or documenting of your life’s journey are “faith builders” that help you to remember how faithful God was in the past and will give you confidence to expand your level of trust for God’s faithfulness in the future. Record and replay God’s instructions from your prayer requests. You will have to refer to what He tells you in order to move through demonic assaults of indecision and double-mindedness against you.

Then the LORD said to Moses, “Write this for a memorial in the book and recount it in the hearing of Joshua, that I will utterly blot out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven.” Exodus 17:14

Keep a record of what God tells you. Press RECORD!

CHANNEL BUTTONS: Do you ever get tired and fed up with the same ole, same ole? Of course you do, we all do. There are times in life where what we really need is a change of pace. Change the channel on your dull, mundane life. Mix up the routine a little. Change your perspective, read the word of God. Change your routine, start out the day with devotion or end your day with a prayer of gratitude. Change your environment, get out of the house and go to a nearby park. Change your personal space; rearrange the furniture or clean out the closet. Change your circle of influence; get involved with a ministry at church and help/serve someone else. Change your relationships; get rid of the toxic people in your life. Change your job; seek new opportunities in something you’re really passionate about. Change your mind; exercise the mind of Christ today.

And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. (Romans 12:2)

Your heart, words and world can only be changed by doing something different…Change the CHANNEL!

Push ON: Start each day with praise and worship for who He is, what He does and what He gives. Tell God you are thankful for another day of life to bring glory to His name.

Let the high praises of God be in their mouth… (Psalm 149:6)

Let God know how much you love Him by start each day with praise. Press ON!

Push OFF: We all need times of rest and refreshing. It is important to take a Sabbath or day of rest because we need certain periods of time to just let go of all the usual things we do and think about. We need to spend time with God to restore our energies and let Him restore our soul. The issue is not what day to set aside but to definitely set aside a certain portion of time to just totally and completely rest and relax. Use your vacation time from work. Clear your calendar, cancel or reschedule family obligations and other personal and professional commitments to take time out for you.

So the people rested on the seventh day. Exodus 16:30

To accomplish your full potential and maximize your effectiveness in ministry you need rest…Press OFF!

Exercising the mind of Christ daily can be as easy as using your remote control. The next time you pick up the remote consider just for a moment that you have the ability to control what happens next simply by pressing the appropriate button. The remote only works when you use it. Make a conscious decision to activate the mind of Christ today. Remember your thoughts are powerful and if entertained long enough will eventually turn into words, leading to actions. Be careful what thoughts you allow in your mind. If your thoughts do not line up with the word of God, cast them down immediately in the name of Jesus.

…casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled. (2 Corinthians 10:5-6)

More Scriptures…

And do not seek what you should eat or what you should drink, nor have an anxious mind. (Luke 12:29)

You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You. Trust in the LORD forever, for in YAH, the LORD, is everlasting strength. Isaiah 26:3-4
For as he thinks in his heart, so is he. (Proverbs 23:7)

Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus… (Philippians 2:5)

For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. (Romans 8:6)

For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. (2 Timothy 1:7)

Tips on How to Become a Woman of Mountain Moving Faith

Building your FAITH will require...

F ~ Fasting & Prayer

So we fasted and entreated our God for this, and He answered our prayer. Ezra 8:23

A ~Asking God for direction and discernment.

Yet you do not have because you do not ask. James 4:2

I ~ Interceding for yourself and others.

Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men…1Tim 2:1

T ~ Trusting God!

Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths. Proverbs 3:5-6

H ~ Hiding the Word of the Lord in your heart.

Your word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You. Psalm 119:11

The Beginning...

I've considering blogging for a while. However, it wasn't until this past week when the Lord gave me the name for my blog that I really got serious and decided to just do it. I figured if the Lord placed it on my heart and gave me a name, then now must be the right time.

The name of my blog is C.H.I.C. Chat. C.H.I.C. is an acronym for Confessing Hope In Christ and I want to Chat about that specifically on my blog.

To that end, the purpose of C.H.I.C. Chat is to encourage others in the Lord.

Join me on this journey...the best is yet to come!