Today I had an chore to do that had gone undone for too long.  I had put off stocking up my pantry because there was too much stuff that was no longer usuable, not desired, expiration dated and simply not appealing and taking up space.  That was only the "blessings" in the pantry.

The freezer was even worse.  Meats, vegetables, freezer dinners, breakfast biscuits, and pastries had been in the deep freezer so long you could not identify what the items was in the ziplock bags or tupperware bowls.

Of course, I thought I would get around to salvaging the costly food items so they wouldn't be wasted.  My daughter even tried to throw them out but got a loud barking reply from me that she didn't have to pay anything for the food and therefore had no say in my keeping them or throwing them out.  My intentions were good... to go through the items and make an assessment that would help me save money.  The intentions never took priority and the time was never taken to revamp my deep freezer.

Today, I knew I was ready to get some fresh meat and vegetables to have ready to prepare for meals and didn't have room  to store them. So looking at the corn, steak, peas, pie shells, seasoning meats, I didn't focus on the item but their evolution into the ice packs that they had become.  No wonder life is a little chilly in my world... too many dreams, too many gifts, too many good things stuck in freeze within me!

As I deloaded the ice-burnt food, I thought how often we suffer from placing those gifts that God has implanted within the deep freezer of our hearts.  Great ideas get stuck on hold, waiting on the time to come when we  get back around to picking them up for enrichment in our lives.

Dreams delayed, actions suspended and projects unplanned represents our faith in the deep freezer.  I knew the food was a blessing (just like those gifts of songwriting, poetry, designing, painting, dancing, musician, building, that God gives each of us.)  However,  placing things on hold means that often we also the true passions we have become stuck in the dark backgrounds of our lives.  In doing so, we find ourselves imprisoned doing things we don't enjoy, we don't benefit, and we don't truly get fulfillment from.

2 Timothy 1: 6 Paul remembered the unfeigned faith that was  characteristic of young Timothy...  A faith that was demonstrated by the young man's grandmother, Lois, and mother Eunice. Paul was certain that God has given such faith as an inheritance to Timothy, so he reminded Timothy to stir up the gift of God that is resting and ready within. 

 My focus has been on doing greater works in the name of Jesus Christ.  Today I realized that my problem is not getting something new... but using the gifts that have already been placed within me.  Guess what, when I go to the store I buy the same old things and stuff the freezer full.  Things I like, things that are healthy, thing that I can prepare with expertise.  But stirring up the gifts doesn't mean get wind of a totally innovative idea that eyes haven't seen and ears never heard  about before.  Stir up the gift of God is using those wonderful characteristics, desires and abilities that you already have with faith that God will bless your actions and decisions.

Vs. 7 -  for God hath not given us the spirit of fear: but of power and of love and of a sound mind.  This spoke to me... the things God placed within me and gave me an opportunity to learn and develop  are good enough for me to push beyond the limits to give God glory.

If you have some good things going bad in your deep freezer, take the time to empty and regroup to replace fresh faith on the ideas that you have been given by the Holy spirit to give Glory to God.   God in His infinite wisdom and awesome power does not have to redo the wonder of His creativity.  When he created each of us, He knew us before we entered the womb, therefore He knows what divine gifts are already stock and stored up within us... waiting to be release.

Stir up your gifts ... with faith in the power of God.  Do your works in love and with a sound mind.  Then serve others to bless them with your ingenuity, creativity, skill and know how.  Then we are free to receive even more from the Lord! 

The past few weeks have been some very tough ones for me.  Things gone out of control with a domino effect... one bad scene overlapping into another.  When you make a bad choice or wrong decision, most of us expect to "get what we deserve."  But when you have a period where "life has gone wrong" for no reason that you can think of, this fact simply compounds your frustration.

First thing this morning, I experienced joy ... nothing had changed in my life.  The bad had not gone away, the needs had not been met, the light at the end of the tunnel has not been turned on!  In fact, I felt so good I asked the Lord why am I able to smile in spite of facing what appears to be a difficult test.

 The Holy Spirit directed me to read  II Corinthians 1:12... For our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience....  Softly the Holy Spirit spoke within me, "You are rejoicing because your conscience is clear!  Where people operated to draw hatred and anger from within you, you have shown love and kindness.  When the fear of the unknown threatened to overwhelm you, you paddled in faith instead of fear.  While the opportunity to fuss and cuss was right in your palms, you decided to lift up hands towards heaven and cast your cares upon the Lord instead of casting a bad attitude and proud resistance to those who simply "know not what they do."  Having a clear conscience is the results of asking for God to create in my a clean heart... filled with humility to go through in the name of Jesus Christ.  A clear conscience usually is realized after one decides to take a stand for what you know is right and just.  The fiery darts don't do as much damage when on the inside we have obeyed God rather than man.

Rejoicing in the middle of trials and tribulation is the testimony that a believer has matured. Going through the fire and being able to smile while yet in the flames.... is what true rejoicing is. Feeling peace in the middle of the storm is a great feeling that one can remember for a long time... it build you up for the next test with confidence that "I know my Redeemer liveth."  I only wish I had learned this much sooner in life but better late than never.

 Rejoice in the Lord always and again I say Rejoice!

 I still have joy, I still have Joy!

After all the things I been through, I still have joy! 

I just found this amazing resource AMEtv.org designed with African Methodist Episcopal saints in mind.  God is always on time and He was truly on time for me finding my way to this site because I needed to see the excitement of serving God through the AME church in a new way.  This discovery came just at this time.

 The message I share for those of you who are experiencing at this time of tough economic times that breeds tension, worry and doubt comes from the Gospel of John 14.  "Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me." John 14:1.  Don't be troubled, because today is a Great day for God to do greater works through us as believers.

At the onset of a new conference year, I find my church again embroiled in divisive thoughts and defeatist actions.  Such times as this is when we need to be encouraged that such times present awesome opportunities for Christ to work the miracles that we need and only that He can do.

• GREATER WORKS than feeding 5,000 through with two fish and five loaves?
• GREATER WORKS... that giving sight to the blind, giving movement to those who were paralyzed?
• GREATER WORKS.. that raising the dead?

Lord, how can this be?

We are able to do greater works than Christ because He has divinely inspired, educated us to be able to engineer new means and media to reach those who are lost and out of the ark of safety... as well as those who are lost even in the church.  (Ezekiel 2:3; 3:4-7)  He has more than twelve to be his hands and feet and his mouthpiece.  He has you and me and those who stand on the Lord's side with us.

John 14:12 -- "Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he (and she) shall do also; and greater works than these shall (WE) do; because I go unto my father. 

This passage empowers me to see that even the toughest day as a Great Day for Greater Works in Christ Jesus!  Greater work is certainly needed in the church on a normal day.  But Greater Works is truly needed especially when the chips are down and no friends are hanging around.  Greater work is certainly needed when there are many in need of resources and the resources are not available.  Greater works are needed when the sheep have gone astray.  Greater work is needed to help unbelievers BELIEVE in God.

To do this greater work for the Lord I have three things that I need to be faithful in doing.

First, I am BELIEVING in the Heavenly Father... that God is with us.  I am BELIEVING in Jesus Christ that He is my strength in my weakest hour. I am BELIEVING that just as CHRIST has overcome the world... and JESUS will help me overcome negative, destructive, rebellious spirits that seek to destroy God's kingdom and my church family.... I am BELIEVING that He will change our stagnate water into the best of wine!

As I believe, I am determined to WORK...  I am going to continue the WORK... work to feed the sheep, give water to those who are thirsty, give clothing to those who are naked and give companionship to those who are locked up in situations of misfortune.  I am determined to grant the Holy Spirit access to WORK on me to change me from the inside out.... "Create in me a clean heart oh God and renew a right spirit in me."

Lastly, I committed to PRAY that the Lord empowers me to continue to work in love to share the good news with those who are lost... to edify and build up the Body of Christ... to keep the faith that if we shall ask anything in my name, I will do it."  (John 14:14). No, he didn't promise that the road would be easy... but even with bumps in the road  asking in His name... he promised.. I will do it!"

My prayer is simple -- "Lord, do it... do it for me right now." Keep me in the cycle of believing in your Holy Word, Working for the Kingdom and praying for power of the Almighty God... all of this asked in the name of my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.  Amen

Thank you Lord for a new way to do Greater Works... thank you AMEtv!

Reverend Marian Gibbons