A Season of Reconciliation

Sunshine’s Reflections

Good morning!  Happy Friday!!!  I don’t know about you, but I have a praise in my belly and I have to get it out.  This has been a week of stretching and I’m so glad God is always with me.

TFTD: A Season of Reconciliation

Matthew 5:23-24 (NIV)

²³ “Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, ²⁴ leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift.

Sunday, March 17, 2013, myself and my sister in Christ, Tiffany Holloman, shared a gift of spoken word with our congregation.  The piece was entitled “Reconciliation”. 

Please click on the link and watch:  http://youtu.be/fcyUS373-hI 

We wanted to paint a picture of how we often go to God out of ritual or form and fashion.  We have standard prayers we’ve created that we recite to God daily, but God wants to hear what is really in our hearts.  God wants us to cut out the act and come to him as real as we know how. 

During this process we realize it’s easier to forgive God whom we haven’t seen than it is to forgive the people we see on a day-to-day basis.  But we have to realize that we can’t possibly stay in God’s good grace if we don’t first reconcile with our brothers and sisters.  Before we can present any of our gifts or petitions to Christ we must first reconcile with those who have offended us and those we have offended.  Yes, there will be times when you have to reconcile with people and you haven’t done anything to them.

Let’s take a look at Christ.  Here you offended Him and yet He died for you so that you could be reconciled back to God.  Now that’s love!  Jesus could have said, “Lord, I’m not going to die for these ungrateful sinful creatures.  They are the ones who turned their backs on You.”  But no, Jesus had an assignment and it was so important for Him to reconcile with you.  It says, in Colossians 3:13 (NKJV) “bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do.”  We must forgive in order to be forgiven. 

As we approach Easter Sunday, I pray that each one of you will take serious inventory over your relationships with others.  Ask God to reveal to you those people you need to reconcile with.  Don’t block your blessings and relationship with God because you refuse to reconcile.  It’s time to forgive others in order for God to forgive us.  There is freedom in forgiveness.  There is healing in forgiveness. 

Remember when you go to God in prayer, go with a sincere transparent heart.  He already knows what’s going on, He just wants to hear from you.  The moment we are real with ourselves and the hurt we are experiencing is the moment God can really release the chains of bondage unforgiveness has placed on us.

Have a blessed day and a wonderful weekend!

Mrs. Nicole “Sunshine” Ellis, MBA

Can’t breathe: Try Spiritual CPR: Consistent in praying, Persistent in pursuing the knowledge of God, and Resistant to temptation.

© Nicole Ellis and Sunshine’s Reflections Blog, 2009 to 2014. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blogs author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Nicole L. Ellis and Sunshine’s Reflections Blog with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Why settle?

Sunshine’s Reflections

Good morning!  Happy Friday-eve!  I pray your week is going well thus far.

TFTD: Why settle?

Psalm 139:13-14 (NIV)

¹³ For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. ¹⁴ I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.

Why do people settle for less when greater is available to them?  Why as children of God, do we settle for mediocre thinking or lies and tricks from the enemy when we are connected to the giver of all things?  I think as believers we settle because we don’t fully embrace who we are in Christ. 

I look around and I see young women settling for no-good men just to say they have someone as a companion.  I see men settling for disrespectful females just to have someone on their shoulder.  I see people settling for jobs that don’t even use a 1/4 of their skill sets just because it’s safe and comfortable.  I see people settle for sitting in the background of a ministry they are not even gifted in, instead of rising to the forefront and leading in a place that God has placed on their heart.  I see believers settling out of fear and complacency. 

Why settle when God created your inner most parts and knows everything about you?  Why settle when God knit you together in your mother’s womb with a plan for your life?  Why settle when you are fearfully and wonderfully made?  Why settle when God’s work (YOU) is wonderful?  Why settle when the giver of life, the ruler, the King of King, and Lord of Lord has handcrafted you for greatness? 

I challenge you to embrace who you were designed to be.  God has a specific purpose for your life and it’s not to settle.  God is a Great God and He wants to bless you with great things.  I decree and declare that the spirit of laziness, complacency, and mediocrity will fall off the hearts of the believer.  I decree and declare that every person who is a believer of Christ will embrace their birth right and heritage as royalty and walk in their purpose.  It’s time to stop settling and begin walking towards our purpose in Christ.

Have a blessed day!  Know whose you are in order to embrace who you are and then you will go far! 

 

Mrs. Nicole “Sunshine” Ellis, MBA

Can’t breathe: Try Spiritual CPR: Consistent in praying, Persistent in pursuing the knowledge of God, and Resistant to temptation.

© Nicole Ellis and Sunshine’s Reflections Blog, 2009 to 2014. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blogs author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Nicole L. Ellis and Sunshine’s Reflections Blog with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

It’s a process

Sunshine’s Reflections

Good morning!  Happy Tuesday to you all!  All Hail King Jesus!  I give glory and honor to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ because His grace and mercy continues to carry me through the easiest and the toughest days.  Take time to give God praise!

TFTD: It’s a process

Ephesians 4:22-24 (NKJV)

²² that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, ²³ and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, ²⁴ and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.

This morning I was reflecting on my weight loss journey during my 5am run.  Sometimes I have several weeks of consistent large weight loss and then there are other times where I will slowing battle out of one weight range for 3-4 weeks.  I lose .2lbs., .4lbs, .2lbs, .6lbs., and so forth.  “Slow and steady wins the race”, words shared from a friend.  While reflecting on my weight loss journey God reminded me that weight loss is a process.  He also reminded me that combatting sin is a process.  I love how God can take practical situations and make them plan in the spiritual sense. 

As long as we are living we will sin. Romans 3:23 says, “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God“.  There is no one walking on this earth who has not sinned.  We ALL have sinned!  So remember that.  And if you know someone who says they don’t sin, then they are a liar.  1 John 1:8 says, “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.”  In order to combat sin and resist the temptation to sin, we have to acknowledge that we are sinners.  As believers, we are sinners saved by grace.  Just because you get saved it doesn’t mean you will never sin again.  The focus is to grow deeper in Christ so we can decrease the level of sin we participate in.  It’s a process.

So, let me share what God revealed to me.  He told me to look at the times when I lose large amounts of weight as me conquering sins that I will never repeat again.  I’ve sinned, repent, and never will encounter those things again.  The weight of that sin has permanently left my heart.  Now, look at the moments when I take longer to lose 1lb. as a sin that I constantly struggle with and I have to slowly chip away from that desire to sin in that area.  He reminded me, it’s a process.  There will be times when I have to work extremely hard to consistently chip away at the desires to repeat a certain sin.  The same goes for you.  It’s a process. 

Every day we have to make a decision to clothe ourselves with righteousness.  We have a choice to put on sin or put on righteousness.  Each day we will sin, but the deeper we grow in Christ the more we should actively try to combat sin.  Remember it’s a process.  Don’t rush the process.  Learn what God needs you to learn and eventually you will get to the point where you will never sin in that area again.  Then it will be on to the next. 

I encourage you to seek God daily and guard your mind and heart from things and people that will tempt you to sin.  You can do it with Christ!

Have a blessed day!

Mrs. Nicole “Sunshine” Ellis, MBA

Can’t breathe: Try Spiritual CPR: Consistent in praying, Persistent in pursuing the knowledge of God, and Resistant to temptation.

© Nicole Ellis and Sunshine’s Reflections Blog, 2009 to 2014. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blogs author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Nicole L. Ellis and Sunshine’s Reflections Blog with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Being Comfortable can become Crippling

Sunshine’s Reflections

Good morning!  Happy Monday to you all.  I pray you all had a blessed weekend.  I had a glorious time in the Lord.  I’m excited about what God is going to do through my family.  He is truly a wonder.

TFTD: Being Comfort can become Crippling

Romans 12:1-2 (NIV)

12 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. ² Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

This morning, I want to talk about how being comfortable can become crippling.  As believers, we are not exempt from sin.  We have struggles just like the next person, but the difference is we should have a relationship with Christ that compels us to sin less.  As children of God, we can not become comfortable living in sin.  When we begin making excuses for sin we cripple our chances of growing in Christ.  We place barriers up that keep us from reaching our goals and dreams.  Is being comfortable worth blocking your blessings?

Some of you may have prayed for God to open doors in your life as it relates to careers, education, relationships, etc.  You’ve prayed for God to open doors, but you are currently comfortable in the position you are in.  You are comfortable on that job that you have even though you desire more and are qualified for more.  You are comfortable with not studying or writing papers even though you are longing to get an advanced degree.  You are comfortable in that relationship even though you want more and you know you will not get it where you are.  Your comfort is crippling you.  When God wants to elevate you, it will require change.  Change is never comfortable!  I repeat, change is never comfortable.  When God begins shifting things in your life, you are taken from a familiar place or condition to the unknown.  This shifting process requires a level of faith that will surpass your understanding.  The level of discomfort is temporary, but it’s a necessary process of life.

Are you willing to become uncomfortable for a season in order to get to the next level?  Or are you willing to remain bound in mediocrity all for the sake of being comfortable? 

Take time to really evaluate the position you are currently in and figure out if you are willing to change to go higher. 

~Have a blessed Monday!

Mrs. Nicole “Sunshine” Ellis, MBA

Can’t breathe: Try Spiritual CPR: Consistent in praying, Persistent in pursuing the knowledge of God, and Resistant to temptation.

© Nicole Ellis and Sunshine’s Reflections Blog, 2009 to 2014. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blogs author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Nicole L. Ellis and Sunshine’s Reflections Blog with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Whatever you lack-ask God for it

Sunshine’s Reflections

Good afternoon!  Happy Thursday to you all!

TFTD: Whatever you lack-ask God for it

James 1:5-6 (NIV)

⁵ If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. ⁶ But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.

When I was a child, I didn’t have a problem asking my parents for stuff.  Whether it was to go outside, go to a friends party or to have a special treat, asking for things came easy.  I would venture out and suggest that most people did this as a child.  I look at my three-year-old son and he has no problem asking for things.  I believe in his mind the answer will always be “YES” to his request.  (Giggling).  So what happened to that persistent attitude to ask for things?  Why is it when we get older we become more apprehensive to ask?  Why does the possibility of a “NO” seem to paralyze us?  Or maybe our pride won’t let us ask for help?

The bible tells us in James 1:5, “if anyone lacks wisdom, you should ask God.”  God is not going to look at you crazy if you ask Him to give you wisdom to understand what you are doing, what He has assigned you to do or what you want to do and so forth.  God generously gives us wisdom when we ask Him.  So the great news is, we never have to worry about Him saying “NO” because when you ask, He will give it to you.  The only thing you have to do is believe and not doubt.  You can’t go to God doubting His ability.  You have to trust and believe that God will provide everything you need. 

Put your pride aside and ask God.  Don’t allow the possibility of Him saying “NO” keep you bound.  The answer will be “YES” if you believe.  Go back to that child-like state in which you use to ask for any and everything.  Go determined and persistent until you get an answer from God.  Whatever you lack, I dare you to ask God for it!

Have a blessed day! 

Mrs. Nicole “Sunshine” Ellis, MBA

Can’t breathe: Try Spiritual CPR: Consistent in praying, Persistent in pursuing the knowledge of God, and Resistant to temptation.

© Nicole Ellis and Sunshine’s Reflections Blog, 2009 to 2014. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blogs author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Nicole L. Ellis and Sunshine’s Reflections Blog with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Don’t doubt your ability

Sunshine’s Reflections

Good morning!  Happy Wednesday to you all.  My prayers go out to everyone combating the flu, stomach virus, or colds.  I pray for swift healing and recovery.

TFTD: Don’t doubt your ability

Romans 8:28 (NIV)

²⁸ And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who^[a] have been called according to his purpose.

Philippians 1:6 (NIV)

⁶ being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

How many times has God placed an assignment before you, only for you to become overwhelmed, scared, and doubtful?  I’ve always been a person who likes to dream big, but I must admit when God gives me an assignment I begin doubting my ability.  My flesh says I’m not qualified and my mind begins showing me my shortcomings, but God shows me otherwise.

God reminded me not to doubt my ability and I want to encourage you all not to doubt your ability.  When God gives you an assignment, He will equip you with everything you need to get the job done.  It’s not man who qualifies you for a task, but God.  Before you were formed in your  mother’s womb, God placed special gifts and talents in you in order to carry out all that He has for you.  Don’t doubt your ability when you are linked up with God.  When you add God’s super to your natural you are able to do more than you can ever imagine.

Stop measuring the size of a task next to your physically ability, but measure it against the spiritual ability God has placed within you.  When you begin doubting yourself I encourage you to search God’s Word and embrace His reminders.  Romans 8:28 tells me that ALL things will work together for my good.  Philippians 1:6 tells me that I can be confident that God will complete what He starts in me.  That is great news!  No matter what God places before me, I have the assurance that He will see me through.  The same is true for you.  If God is the source of the assignment, He will be the source of your strength.  So don’t doubt your ability, just trust God to work in and through you.  It’s already done in Jesus name!

Have a blessed day and begin embracing the new task that are placed before you.  God wants to use you for His glory.  Let Him use you!

God bless!

 

Mrs. Nicole “Sunshine” Ellis, MBA

Can’t breathe: Try Spiritual CPR: Consistent in praying, Persistent in pursuing the knowledge of God, and Resistant to temptation.

© Nicole Ellis and Sunshine’s Reflections Blog, 2009 to 2014. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blogs author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Nicole L. Ellis and Sunshine’s Reflections Blog with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Love one another

Sunshine’s Reflections

Good morning!  Happy Monday to you all!

TFTD: Love one another

1 John 4:11-12 (NIV)

¹¹ Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. ¹² No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.

Children of God, we have to love one another.  It is so easy to be angry with a person or even dislike someone for something they’ve done or haven’t done, but God has called us to love one another.  If we say that we are a Christian then God lives within us, and since God lives within us, His love is made complete in us.  We have to love one another.

Loving one another is not an easy task.  It’s easy to love the people who are kind to you, but it requires the power of Jesus to be nice to those who are mean to you.  When we demonstrate love to others we are giving people a glimpse of Christ love for them.  How can we show others who Christ is if we can’t get along and we don’t like one another?  Why would someone want to believe in this God of love, if you are treating them so nasty?  Folks, we have to love one another.

Every time you think about mistreating someone because you think they are too difficult to deal with, I want you to think about how Christ loves you.  While you were a sinner in your mess and wasn’t even thinking about Him or cursing Him every chance you could with your sinful nature, God sent His Only Son to die on the cross for your unlovable self.  OUCH!  Christ loves me even when I’m unlovable.  If Christ could love us so much that He would carry our sins to the cross, surely we can love others. 

Believers, let’s put out differences aside and learn to love one another like Christ loves us!

~God bless~

Mrs. Nicole “Sunshine” Ellis, MBA

Can’t breathe: Try Spiritual CPR: Consistent in praying, Persistent in pursuing the knowledge of God, and Resistant to temptation.

© Nicole Ellis and Sunshine’s Reflections Blog, 2009 to 2014. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blogs author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Nicole L. Ellis and Sunshine’s Reflections Blog with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Stop worrying

Sunshine’s Reflections

Good afternoon!  Happy Thursday to you all!

TFTD: Stop worrying

Philippians 4:6-7 (MSG)

^6-7 Don’t fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God’s wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It’s wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life.

Philippians 4:6-7 (NKJV)

⁶ Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; ⁷ and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

I love how the message translation layouts Philippians 4:6-7.  Philippians chapter 4 was my devotional study piece this morning.  God always knows what you need and I needed a reminder to stop worrying.  Do you need to be reminded?  Well, give me a moment of your time to help you-STOP WORRYING!  It solves nothing.  Worrying does not lead you closer to a solution it only frustrates you and causes you to become less productive.

When you worry you are essentially saying you don’t trust God to see you through.  Instead of spending so much time worrying about something that may not happen anyway, spend more time praying.  When you start feeling anxious, stop, drop and pray.  Yes, stop what you are doing, drop to your knees and pray.  Ask God to meet you where you are and cleanse your mind.  Ask Him to remove the anxiety that is trying to come over you.  If God placed certain task before you, be confident He will see you through and provide the necessary provisions. 

When you put your life in God’s hand, He will blanket you with a level of peace that will surpass your understanding.  People will be aware of your financial struggles and be baffled by how calm you are.  They will know you are struggling with a bad report from the doctor and marvel at how you keep your head held high.  You will be so shocked by the strength that you will have during adversity that it will all point back to God.  So stop worrying.  Pray more and rest in God’s peace.  He will see you through!

God bless!

Mrs. Nicole “Sunshine” Ellis, MBA

Can’t breathe: Try Spiritual CPR: Consistent in praying, Persistent in pursuing the knowledge of God, and Resistant to temptation.

© Nicole Ellis and Sunshine’s Reflections Blog, 2009 to 2014. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blogs author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Nicole L. Ellis and Sunshine’s Reflections Blog with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Take God with you

Sunshine’s Reflections

Good morning.  Happy Tuesday to you all.  I pray you have a blessed work/school week.  Remember to take one day at a time and praise God more than you complain.  You have so much to be thankful for.  Be intentional about recognizing the blessings in your life.

TFTD: Take God with you

Deuteronomy 6:4-7 (NKJV)

⁴ “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one!^{[a] 5} You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength.

⁶ “And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. ⁷ You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up.

As believers, it’s important to take God with us where ever we go.  We shouldn’t pick and choose when we are going to be saved.  We shouldn’t just turn off our beliefs when they are convenient for us.  We need to carry God with us and live a godly life at all times. 

First-you should love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength.  You need to love the Lord with every fiber in your being.  Think about how much you love God right now-guess what you can love Him more.  I encourage you all to love God with your actions.  Demonstrate your love to Him by how you conduct yourself on a daily basis.  Demonstrate to others how much you love God by sharing that love with them. 

Then after you love God with everything that is within you, go and teach them to your children and to every child you come in contact with.  Lead by example and show your children how to love the Lord with your entire being.  This type of godly example will allow your kids to go far in life.  Take God with you every where you go.  Talk about Him to anyone who will listen.  Talk about His goodness even when no one will listen.  When you go to bed think about the Lord and take Him with you.  When you wake up in the morning carry God with you. 

Life is not worth living if you are doing it alone.  Take God with you everywhere!

Have a blessed day and may God continue to bless you richly!

Mrs. Nicole “Sunshine” Ellis, MBA

Can’t breathe: Try Spiritual CPR: Consistent in praying, Persistent in pursuing the knowledge of God, and Resistant to temptation.

© Nicole Ellis and Sunshine’s Reflections Blog, 2009 to 2014. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blogs author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Nicole L. Ellis and Sunshine’s Reflections Blog with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Be equipped with the Word

Sunshine’s Reflections

Good morning!  Happy Monday to you all!  I pray you had a blessed weekend.

TFTD: Be equipped with the Word

2 Timothy 3:16-17 (NIV)

¹⁶ All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, ¹⁷ so that the servant of God^[a] may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

As a wife and mother, I often wonder where is the manual on how to be a good wife or how to be a good mother.  Is there really a manual that can teach you step-by-step how to parent your children or care for your household?  I know there are books out there, but nothing really prepares you for what you will encounter in your individual home.  Although there is no step-by-step manual on how to parent, there is a manual on how to live a godly life.

The Word of God provides step-by-step instructions on how to live a godly life that is pleasing to Christ.  God’s word will teach you right from wrong.  It is helpful to correct us when we fall into sin and it trains us in the way we should go.  As believers, we must read the Word of God daily in order to be thoroughly equipped to carry out our assignments.  It is impossible to live a godly life if we don’t ever dive into God’s word and then apply it.

You’ve been searching for answers in all the wrong places and I want to guide you to the Word of God.  Most people spend more time reading self-help books, watching movies, listening to random celebrities for advice, but never turn to the Word.  It’s time to be equipped with the Word of God.  Take time to read the instruction manual on life so that you can be thoroughly equipped for EVERY good work!

How much time do you invest in reading the Word of God?  Is it time to read the Word more?  

I pray you have a blessed day and remember in order to live a godly life you must follow the instruction of the Lord.  Read the Word daily!  

Mrs. Nicole “Sunshine” Ellis, MBA

Can’t breathe: Try Spiritual CPR: Consistent in praying, Persistent in pursuing the knowledge of God, and Resistant to temptation.

© Nicole Ellis and Sunshine’s Reflections Blog, 2009 to 2014. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blogs author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Nicole L. Ellis and Sunshine’s Reflections Blog with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.