Royalty, Restoration, and Repair

a crown of thorns. photo credit: Samuel Lopes

"When I was a child, I spoke and thought and reasoned as a child. But when I grew up, I put away childish things." - 1 Corinthians 13:11

I heard someone say that the Author who wrote that verse in Corinthians "Intentionally" put away childish things. It was not by accident or by chance, but by choice.

The decision to put away childish things and "renew our minds" goes along with the intentional act of surrender. Surrendering our will to GOD's will, surrendering our thoughts to GOD's thoughts for us is where real transformation is.

After so many years of getting hurt by ego and my own will and outlook, I'm grateful to realize how essential obedience and surrender are. While they are sometimes not easy, they're necessary for our life's journey.

Surrender is required for growth. From a child to a man, from a man to a royal, obedience has it.  As I celebrated a birthday and personal new year, I realized a few things and was given the revelation that I'll move forward with:

"Surrender is a process, but surrender is what makes you royal."

Jesus was on earth as a man, but he rose as a King. Jesus had to surrender to ascend. Sometimes It wasn’t easy. We see it when Jesus has his “Mountain top” experiences that prayer, wisdom and surrender were fully required.

Satan tempted Jesus on a mountain, but truth prevailed.

Jesus prayed on a mountain:

“Father not my will but your will be done.” - Luke 22:42

The journey requires patience, process, and surrender.

Without having an elevated view, we can’t see things how GOD sees things. Intentionally aiming to see them how GOD sees them is surrender. . . It’s the stuff Kings and Queens are made of.

Dr. King literally said “I’ve been to the mountain top”. Great vision comes from a high view. . . The Most High’s view to be specific. A lot of people declare a certain age to be their “Jesus Year”, but I proclaim this year as my “Queen Year”.

• This is the year that the only validation I seek is GODs.
• This is the year that GOD’s kingdom for me will be established through me.

The greatness of Jesus' story is not that he died, but that he was revived. I’m grateful that life's journey requires daily refreshing and surrender. As long as my soul is restored I can live and I can continue to rise.

We have to submit our mind, body and soul to the Lord in order for them to be restored. “He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.” - Psalm 23:3

Surrender.

“A Queen is not afraid to fail” As I continue to surrender to love, I know I never will.

I am embracing my Queen Year! Cheers to the Divine Royalty within us.

Don't Get Caught Without God During This Season

This quarantine has got me in a whole different kind of vibe, it feels like something I have never experienced before. This season for me has been filled with confusion, uncertainty, and chaos amongst other things. I have been feeling like life is getting to be too much to handle, and found myself speaking as such. I would hear myself saying things like, "This is too much and  I can't take this".

As I talked to one of my good friends, my friend said to me, "Carla, don't be one of those people who bring their life to God". He then said, "Some people go to God with their problems, and even their happy times to tell God what's happening to them". I realized that was me, a person who was bringing my life to God and not having consistent incorporation of God in my life. That is the reason I realized that I was feeling like my life was on complete overload. That was the reason, I was folding under the pressure of everything I was going through. Trying to handle everything on my own was what was too much.

credit: Iyanla Vanzant

I know that I am not the only one who gets caught up in their situation and completely tries to handle things myself. It's not until I begin to fold, that I remember to bring God in the mix. Leaving God out at this time can be the worst form of self-sabotage. There is a supernatural strength that comes through us when we allow the Divine to take the lead. We are able to understand that many of the situations we face are nothing more than temporary circumstances instead of making them our life story. That supernatural strength allows us to tap into our inner power to actively know that we can not only handle the situations that come at us, but handle them with honor and grace. As we understand the identity and gifts God has for us, we cannot forget that we have everything available to us to handle this season and win.

As you deal with whatever situation that seems heavy on your plate, know that God is waiting to carry you through it. Your adversities are not meant to get the best of you. During these uncertain times, the enemy tries to bring situations that will distract you from what God has for you. know that God will work every situation out for his glory. Even when you make the wrong decisions, and do things that are against the will of God. If you give your situation over to God he can take what the enemy meant for harm, and turn it into Good.

As a Transformation Purpose Coach, I help people who feel broken, lost, and uncertain in life gain clarity so they can discover their purpose. I also help them discover strategies and tools to bring their purpose to the forefront of their life. If you are struggling to find your self-value, are feeling as if you are lacking purpose, or life has gotten you to a down place and can't find your way back, I want to invite you to Check out the "Renewed and Restored Group Coaching Program". 

This program is Hosted by me, Carla Marcelle, founder of Touchpurpose.com. This program is designed to re-establish your self-value through an 8 week period where you restore your God-given Identity and challenge your self to identify your purpose in your pain to create your renewed life. If you would like to know more, visit www.touchpurpose.com

Repentance, Renewal and Resurrection

Maybe 2020 is forcing us to step up.  .  . uncomfortable huh? Imagine how uncomfortable it would be to have nails pierced through your hands to help hold you up on a cross, while you rocked a crown of thorns on your head . . . way too graphic I know, but praise GOD that's not the case, I digress.

I remember in early January when someone said 2020 would be a great year for me, I agreed, but really became aware today, Resurrection Sunday in the midst of COVID-19, that all things, at each moment should be from the perspective of the plans GOD has for us as believers.

Listen to the full pod: "Repentance, Renewal and Resurrection" here. It's a bonus episode! Happy Easter!

Scripture References:

For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD. - Isaiah 55:8

For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. - Jeremiah 29:11

Trust in the LORD with all your heart and don't lean toward your own understanding; - Proverbs 3:5

Therefore, brothers, we have an obligation, but it is not to the flesh, to live according to it. For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. - Romans 8:12-13

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

“Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. 18 I am the Living One; I was dead, and now look, I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades. - Revelation 1:18


Repentance Prayer: Dear Lord Jesus, I know that I am a sinner, and I ask for Your forgiveness. I believe You died for my sins and rose from the dead. I turn from my sins and invite You to come into my heart and life. I want to trust and follow You as my Lord and Savior 

Mastering Self Control: Emotions vs Feelings

         

   

        Realizing the difference between our emotions and our feelings is a concept that is important for us to learn if we desire to master true self-control. It is necessary that we maintain constant awareness of our bodies and our environment, as those are the two main sources that ignite triggers in our brain causing our emotions to activate. Once we become aware or conscious of what is taking place in our bodies, we then create a feeling as a reaction to that emotion. For example, when some people have to  speak in front of a crowd; their palms may get sweaty, mouth may get dry, and they become nervous.  Well, these are the natural emotions that are particular to their specific nature. What that person does in response to those different emotions, makes up the way they feel. As an example, a feeling to these emotions may develop as inadequacy, causing the person to completely abandon their public speaking  event and withdraw from their audience.

       It is important for us to not automatically react to the developments of our emotions. What we should do is take note of what is happening to cause a specific emotion to arise, and acknowledge what type of feelings we possess toward our emotion. If the feeling you get from an emotion is positive take a moment to embrace the feeling. What aspects of that feeling do you enjoy the most?  What are you seeing at the present moment? What are you hearing? Is there any noticeable sent in the environment? If you really have a chance to take in the moment, think about some activities you can partake in to recreate this experience on a regular basis.
     
      If you notice the feeling that develop in response to a particular emotion is negative, find some positive affirmations you can recite to ease the tension in your body. Some examples of positive affirmations are "I believe I have the power to face anything that comes my way'', or "Even if this does not workout, I know this specific event does not determine the outcome of the next,"  or If nobody else believes in what I do, I believe in it-and that enough for me". Another way to counter the effects of negative feelings is to develop coping skills. When an emotion arises that leads us to have overwhelming feelings of negativity or anxiety, we can use coping skills to bring us back to a normative state of mind. Some examples of coping skills include singing a favorite song, writing in your journal, or even crying. Sometimes we have to give ourselves the permission to cry since some people view crying as a weakness. But truthfully, crying allows us to get over some emotions that otherwise we would hold on to.
 

      Getting a grip on controlling or feelings by understanding our emotions gives us the foundation for self-control. Understanding these principles and concepts not only allow us to identify our triggers, but allow us to control our actions that allow us to fulfill our purpose. Being able to control our feelings to particular emotions allow us to maintain control of atmosphere. We decide what is acceptable and unacceptable. We control our mind and our behaviors. With self-control comes consistency, decisiveness, and the development to dedication which are all needed to sustain a successful lifestyle.



Carla Marcelle, is a Transformation Purpose Coach and founder of she's 31 Ministries which is dedicated to the advancement of the Kingdom of God through the edification, enlightenment, education of the principles to maintain a successful lifestyle based on the foundation of God .{Join the She's31 group on Facebook}

Discovering Propitiation: Where Would We Be Without It?

         

Propitiation: A word that was stuck in the back of my mind, lodged in my subconscious for a while now, but would resurface every now and again. Since lately however, the word has been coming to the forefront of my mind more often. This word, honestly I did not exactly know what it meant, but I know I heard it in a song some where. As the word Propitiation began to stick with me more extensively, I figured it was time to put a definition to this mysterious word that was consistently on my mind, and determine why this word was becoming more compelling to me here and now in this season of my life.
        When I finally looked up the word, what was revealed to me was amazing. First, because the Christmas season was just at here, and second, because I have been spiritually growing into my true identity with Christ. Now, I know you must be wondering what is the significance of this word. OK, here it is.

"Propitiation: The turning away of wrath because of an offering" (Theopedia.com 2016)

 As this definition began to fill my thought process, I began to realize God in his perfection cannot entertain sin, he cannot allow it into his presence, nor can it be accepted in the heavenly realm. Sin in its self is the disconnection to God, the Creator. Therefore, it is important for there to be some sort of reconciliation to restore the connection to God. That reconciliation is Christ.

He [Christ] is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours, but also for the sins of the whole world (1 John 2:2 {NIV})

As I read this verse, I thought about how Christ died to save the whole world. Through his death on the cross, took the punishment that was meant for me and you, because we are sinners, so that we would not have to endure that punishment from God. In this way Christ satisfied the wrath or anger of God that was meant for us. Romans 3:25 depicts the sacrifice of Christ for our sins.

For God sent Christ Jesus to take the punishment for our sins and to end all God's anger towards us. He used Christ's blood and our faith as a means of saving us from His wrath. In this way he was being entirely fair even though he did not punish those who sinned in former times. For he was looking forward to the time when Christ would take away those sins.  (Romans  3:25 {TLB})

In reading this, I think about times in weakness of emotions, where I sometimes have no filter because I simply react to a present situation, not thinking, and allowing my sinful nature (anger and vulgarity) to consume me, and totally overtake me without thought. I think about times where I allow my  desire for worldly pleasures to dictate my actions, and give into different things that please and gratify my sinful desires; and I am grateful I have an out. I can repent, and ask for forgiveness with  sincerity and know I am forgiven. Even when I fall a thousand times, I can still get back up and know because of what Christ did on the cross, his grace is sufficient and I am justified. I am able to proceed with a fresh slate to continue in my spirituality until I reach my destination in Christ.

Therefore, there is no condemnation for those who who are in Christ Jesus. (Romans 8:1 {NIV})

The whole propitiation concept is the very reason for the existence of Christ. Think about it, Jesus Christ, God in the form of man coming to Earth to satisfy his own anger, so that we can have grace and a chance to be reconnected to God. Absolutely an amazing gesture to prove how valuable we are to God.

I give Honor and Glory to King Christ Jesus AKA God, because they are 2 in the same, for the gift of Propitiation. Who else loved you enough to endure such a great Wrath on your behalf to restore your connection to God? In your down fall, think of the Propitiation and how without it there would be no more chances for you. Think about how God saw it fit that you have the opportunity for restoration, and allow that to be your motivation for advancement in your spirituality.






Carla Marcelle, is a Spiritual Transformation Coach and founder of she's 31 Ministries which dedicated to the advancement of the Kingdom of God through the edification, enlightenment, education of the principles of God.