Montez Dove | Inspiring

Monday, April 18, 2016

You're Gifted

There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them.

(1 Corinthians 12:4 KJV)

When I was a child, I loved going to the grocery store with my mother to pick out my favorite cereal. It's because back in the day, a prize (toy) came in every box of sugary goodness. I can remember deep diving to the bottom of the cereal bag and resurfacing with the prize of the day. There were prizes such as action figures, games, 3D glasses, tattoo stickers, candy, rings, and glow in the dark spoons just to name a few. And like the prize-filled cereal boxes of my past, I am reminded of how you and I, as humans, are also gifted with something special on the inside by God. Perhaps your special gifting is sales, teaching, acting, counseling, cleaning, drawing, dancing, writing, building, speaking, singing, organizing, etc. Whatever it may be, you have been uniquely gifted from on high for a specific and greater purpose. You see, before you were even born, God had a plan and purpose for your life (Jeremiah 1:5) (Jeremiah 29:11). From the heavens you were born with special gifts, talents, and abilities to both serve mankind and to glorify God. Therefore, if you haven't yet discovered what your prize is down on the inside, I suggest you seek God to learn of your special gifting. Because just like me as a child who looked forward to the prize inside the cereal box, there is also someone in the world eagerly waiting for you to share the gift that lies within you, because you've been gifted by God, the greatest gift-giver of all.

Friday, January 8, 2016

It's About You - Not Them

But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.

Matthew 6:5 (NIV)

Have you ever been offended or deeply hurt by someone? If so, you are not alone. Chances are you, like so many others, have suffered great pain at the hands of someone you loved or trusted. And because of the pain you've had to endure you might feel justified in harboring the ill feelings you may have, due to your heart being shattered into a million pieces. However, the word of God teaches us differently. In Matthew 18:21-22, Peter, one of Jesus' disciples ask Him, "How often shall my brother sin against me and I forgive him? Seven times?" And Jesus answered Him saying, "Not seven times, but seventy times seven." Jesus' response to His inquiring disciple lets us know that forgiveness shouldn't be limited, but unlimited, just as His forgiveness is towards us. So, even though forgiveness might seem challenging and sometimes redundant, I encourage you today to let Jesus be your example. Let go of any negative feelings you have towards anyone by casting your cares on God. Because forgiving others is the will of God and the master key to God forgiving you. Remember, forgiveness, it's about you - not them.

Wednesday, June 17, 2015

DON'T LOOK BACK

The past often creeps up to remind you, of the unpleasant memories you've tried to leave behind. And past mistakes, people, and lifestyles somehow keep lingering in your mind.

You find yourself confused, and your spirit is in a bind. And you're not sure of tomorrow, because you're concentrating on what's left behind.

Memories of the past don't mattter, so free them of your mind. And pray for total deliverance, and peace will come in time.

Always keep in mind that bad memories don't matter any more. And start looking forward to tomorrow, and all the promises that God has in store.

Friday, May 8, 2015

"TURN DOWN FOR WHAT?"

But Martha [overly occupied and too busy] was distracted with much serving; and she came up to Him and said, Lord, is it nothing to you that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me [to lend a hand and to do her part along with me]!

Luke 10:40 (AMP)

Do you ever feel overwhelmed by the noise and the demands of life? If so, you are not alone. All day, every day, there are multiple things in our surroundings that are pitching for our attention. Our jobs, friends, family, devices, and social media are just a few things that are contending for our time. In America, we live in a fast paced culture where everything is "Turned Up." It seems as though everyone around is in a rat race. Nowadays, it is a present to just be in the present. Just the other day, I was attempting to have a heart to heart conversation with a loved one and it was like playing a game of Double Dutch. I was left desperately trying to see where I could jump in between all of the things that consumed this person's attention. Nonetheless, I was able to successfully jump in, but after a short round, I quickly chose to jump back out. You see, it wasn't one of those days where I felt like skipping rope for a conversation. I simply wanted to spend some quality time. So, how do we handle all of the amplified busyness of life without losing ourselves, our relationships, and a quality life? I believe we could all learn from Martha's sister Mary. In Luke 10:38-42, Jesus is passing through a certain city and both Martha and Mary are preparing for His arrival. However, the sisters are both preparing for Jesus in very different ways. While Martha has chosen to be preoccupied with natural preparations, Mary has chosen to prepare her heart for spiritual impartation. It is obvious that Mary knew the importance of seizing such a moment. Today, I encourage all of you who are over the top busy to chose like Mary. Slow down and make Jesus a priority. Make the decision to lay at His feet everything that consumes you. Be intentional about "Turning Down" the demands of life, so you can all in all "Turn Up" in a more intimate relationship with God.

Friday, February 27, 2015

Know Your Benefits

Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits.

Psalm 103:2 (NKJ)

What you don't know could be depriving you. Recently, my employer sent me an up-to-date print out of my insurance coverage. Although it was quite lengthy, I took the time to read it and gained an even better understanding of my coverage and all that my insurance policy had to offer. As I was reading, I immediately discovered that one of my benefits was over the counter drug reimbursement. I must admit that before reading my plan, I was not taking advantage of this benefit, because I was unaware that it was available to me. Unfortunately, I had been paying for over the counter medication with no expectancy of anything in return. As I pondered the situation concerning my insurance coverage, a question about God's word came to mind. I wondered how many of us as God's children forfeit His promises, because we are unaware of what is available to us in His word. Did you know your righteous coverage in God includes: Direction (Proverbs 3:5-6), Encouragement (Joshua 1:9), Forgiveness (1 John 1:9), Healing (Isaiah 53:5), Love (John 3:16), Peace (John 14:27), Prosperity (Proverbs 8:18), Protection (Psalm 91), Provision (Philippians 4:19), Purpose (Jeremiah 29:11), Salvation (Romans 10:9), Wisdom (James 1:5), and more? If you don't know what's in God's plan for you, it's not too late to discover what's yours. You should know that you have a policy in God that's paid in full. Therefore, take time to read the manual (the Bible), and don't forfeit any of God's benefits for your life. Know your benefits.

Lord, thank you for all that you have provided for me concerning every area of my life. Thank you for all of your benefits and for a life of abundance. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Thursday, December 11, 2014

Silence Is Heard

O Lord, you have searched me and known me. You know my sitting down and my rising up; you understand my thought afar off. Psalm 139: 1, 2 (NKJV)

There are times in our lives when life can seem unbearable, uncomfortable, and extremely painful. During these times, we tend to feel heavily burdened and very alone. We often think that there's no one who cares or even understands what we may be going through. Difficult situations in our daily lives sometimes get the best of us and simply weigh us down. Not only do we feel as though no one cares, but we also doubt that God is even interested in our prayers. Entangled with these negative thoughts are the many cares of this world that sometimes paralyze our confidence in prayer. However, it is in these times of pressure despite how we feel, we must know that God is near. For God has said in His Word (Hebrews 13:5), "He will never leave us or forsake us." Therefore, according to God's written Word, He is more than interested in us and does listen to and hear our prayers, even our silent ones. So, as we go through our trying times we must keep in mind that this is when new levels of growth in God take place. There are new levels of trust, new levels of faith, and new levels of strength developed in our inner being. God loves His children at all times. He loves us in good times and in challenging times. And He is readily available to assist us at any time. So, know and understand that even though we don't always express aloud our prayers, our concerns, and our heartfelt issues before our Father we should be grateful and encouraged to know that even in our silence before Him, we are still heard.

Lord, thank you for providing and caring for me in every season of my life. Thank you for being so mindful of me that you know the things I have need of even before I ask. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Wednesday, October 1, 2014

I DON'T CARE

Casting all of your care upon Him, for He cares for you.

1 Peter 5:7 (NKJV)

It was one of those days. Dilemma after dilemma joined forces against me, and I felt defenseless against them all. Various concerns of life washed over me like a tsunami, and it seemed as though I was drifting away in waves of worry. As I pondered each of my problems, I eventually realized after a great deal of stress there wasn't much that I could do about any of the troubles I faced; they were all miles away beyond my control. What do we do when the cares of life are beyond our control to remedy? We cast them on the one who is in complete control, God. He is the one who is not in control of just a few things, but who is in control of all things. 1 Peter 5:7 says that we are to cast all of our care upon Him, for He cares for us. So, whether your circumstances are something beyond your control like a terminal illness or something you suspect you can handle within your own might, like removing a grape stain from a white carpet. You need to know there is a God who loves you, and cares about everything concerning you. I have noticed that when I take my eyes off of my troubles and throw them on God, He often gives me answers, direction, and a divine perspective that brings me peace. Today, I encourage you to trust God whole-heartedly, and to take on an "I don't care," attitude when it comes to life's concerns. For you have a God who cares for you.

Lord, help me to remember that I am not doing this life alone. You are always there for me and you are a present help in the time of trouble. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Friday, June 27, 2014

U-TURN

Therefore also now, says the Lord, turn and keep on coming to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning [until every hindrance is removed and the broken fellowship is restored]. Joel 2:12 (AMP)

Have you ever taken a road trip and discovered in the midst of your travel that you were headed in the wrong direction? What a horrible feeling, right? Somewhere along the way perhaps you didn't follow directions, maybe you took a wrong turn, or you simply passed your exit. Now suddenly, the road trip that started out on a high road isn't that exciting anymore because you realize that you have lost valuable time. That's how it is on many occasions in our personal lives. We start off traveling in the right direction and then, unexpectedly, we collide with something in our blind spot that distracts us from arriving at our preferred destination. Oftentimes, it's our own unwise decisions that cause us to turn onto the wrong roads in life. But fortunately, there is "Good News" for all off-course travelers. The "Good News" is that you can always make a U-TURN. So, if you ever find yourself traveling on a graveled road of sin and destruction, just simply make the wise choice to change your course of travel. At one time or another we have all gotten off course. Yet, with a repentant heart we can always turn back on smooth pavement and head in the right direction. Today, refuel your heart with hope through prayer, and reunite with a God that forgives, loves, and cares.

Friday, May 9, 2014

You Need More Room

Are you suffocating in the confinements of stagnation? If so, you're not alone. Several months ago, one of my co-workers had the awesome opportunity of retiring. She had worked many years and was excited about her new season in life. She was especially ecstatic about traveling the world and spending quality time with her precious grandchildren. As time drew nearer to retirement I'm confident to say that she counted down like a kitchen timer the months, days, hours, and minutes. During her final week of work, I noticed her packing her belongings and tidying up her desk. As she packed, I also noticed as I had in the past, a beautiful plant that flowed from the corner of her desk like the Niagara Falls. For years I truly admired this plant, so I asked her if she was taking it with her. To my favor and surprise she said, "No you can have it." Wow! I felt like I had won the lottery. I was so excited and grateful that she would give me her plant, and even more grateful to have a keepsake from my fellow co-worker and friend. A couple of days later, I relocated the plant to my desk in a totally different environment. And not before long, I noticed the plant wasn't as vibrant as it was in it's previous climate. Immediately, I felt guilty for taking possession of the plant and possibly not having what it takes to keep it alive. Then one day, the office plant connoisseur as I call her, passed by and said, "The pot is too small." She explained to me that the plant had grown to capacity in the pot it was in, and the plants roots didn't have any more room to grow. So she kindly replanted the plant in a bigger pot and what do you know? The plant began to flourish again. The plant taught me a valuable life lesson. It taught me that environment matters and various things can either promote or hinder growth. So right now let's take a quick inventory. Is there a job, relationship, mindset, or past experience that's hindering your growth? Like the plant, are you dying at your lowest capacity dwelling in circumstances that don't accommodate your highest capabilty? If so, perhaps it's time to expand your territory and take root in some new ground.

Wednesday, April 9, 2014

It's Getting Dark Outside

The world we live in today appears to be growing darker and darker by the minute. Tragic events nationally as well as internationally have increased in momentum and disaster seems to be around every corner. Lately, before you can come to grips with one calamity, another one has overlapped. Everything from natural disasters to massive killings is occurring. Just a few years ago, life didn't seem to have as great of a downward pull. But just as the word of God has stated, these things must come to pass (Mark 13:8). Every day we are living in the midst of people that are confused, hurting, and thirsting for peace. And every day as born-again believers we are encouraged to let our light shine. In (Matthew 5:14-16), Jesus urges us to let our light shine forth brightly before men and for us not to hide it. Therefore, shine forth your light at school, work, and play. Let it shine everywhere you go so that people can see God through you. All hope is not lost for this world, even in its darker state. Jesus, the light of the world, came to bring hope even when all hope seems to be lost. If Christ is in us, then the light should be shining through us. Be bold and dispel the darkness by letting your light shine, let it shine, let it shine!

Friday, July 19, 2013

Things Are Unfolding

Do you have a dream in your heart that hasn't come to fruition? Maybe you've been laboring with or carrying your God-given dream for years and it has yet to come to pass. If so, I want to encourage you to keep on dreaming and moving forward with great expectation. Most of the time when God gives a dream or an assignment, it usually requires a process. The process usually consists of testing that overtime will develop Godly-character and maturity in both the dream and the dreamer. Let's consider God's servant Joseph (Genesis 37). When God ignited the dream in Joseph's heart, he was just a young teen. Then a series of unfavorable events took place between the times of him receiving the dream, until it was fully manifested. Joseph was rejected, sold into slavery, lied on, and unjustly put in prison. Joseph had to endure much hardship, but the opposition was never able to rob him of his dream and destiny in God. As a matter of fact, all of the obstacles and negative events contributed to the development of his strong future leadership. And fortunately what was intended for harm, God intended for good (Genesis 50:20). What Joseph spoke of in his youth, later manifested in his thirties. The promise that God put in Joseph's heart accomplished just what it was sent forth to do. And you too, can expect the same to happen regarding the dream that's in your heart. Keep believing in your dream and God's timing, because daily through all of the favorable and unfavorable circumstances things are unfolding.

Friday, May 3, 2013

Relationships

Being around the right people will bring the best out of you. Likewise, being around the wrong people will bring the worst out of you. Evaluate your relationships and take note of what each one is bringing out of you.

Friday, April 12, 2013

Pull Out

Have you ever felt overwhelmed with the busyness of life? If so, you are not alone. Each day comes with so many demands and if you don't closely manage yourself and time, you will burnout and crash under the pressures of life. That's why it's so important that you not only know and recognize the signs leading to a burnout. You need to know how to set boundaries for yourself and prevent burnout altogether. No one knows you better than you. That's why you are the responsible party for calling the timeouts you need in life. Jesus is our perfect example of how to live life more abundantly. Matthew 14:23 says, "And when he had sent the multitude away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone." Jesus daily ministered to the masses but often time He would pull away from the crowd to be alone with the Father for a refreshing. If Jesus practiced pulling away, it would probably be wise for us to do the same. Matthew 11:28 says, "Come unto me all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." If you are on the verge of a burnout, now is the perfect time for you to schedule some much needed down time. I recommend that you pull away without any guilt of taking care of you. Schedule yourself a vacation or just get alone by yourself. The restful quality time alone will refresh you, strengthen you and give you a new perspective on life. It's time to pull out!

God, Keep Me Balanced ~ Poem

I find myself exhauted; I find myself drained. I find myself slipping from joy, crossing over into pain. I find myself empty; I find myself dry. I think I'd better stop for a minute and ask myself why?

Wednesday, March 27, 2013

Be Thankful

The other day I was driving down the street counting my blessings and reminiscing on the goodness of God. Then, before I knew it I was overtaken with feelings of pure gratitude. I thought about how faithful God has been to me and how excited I was about being alive and knowing Him. Nothing outside of God concerned me at that time. It didn't matter what material things I had or didn't have, but what did matter was my acknowledgement of a loving God. My heart and my mind was strictly focused on Him with an attitude of gratitude. What about you? Have you taken time out of your busy life lately just to think of the goodness of God and to thank Him? If not, now would be the perfect time to do so. Psalm 136:1 states, "O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good: for his mercy endureth forever."

Be Thankful ~ Poem

Thankfulness is an expression that should last throughout the year. We all should be grateful and rejoice that we're still here. For God has been so good and so very kind. We shouldn't thank Him once a year, but thank Him all the time.

Thursday, February 28, 2013

It's Time To Move Forward

Have you suffered a loss or a major disappointment lately that has paralyzed your progress of moving forward? Was it the loss of a job or a loved one? Or was it the disappointment of a failed relationship? Whatever it is that has you cemented in pain, I hope that these words of encouragement will set you free from despair. There are times in all of lives when we've had to endure a loss of some sort; and for many of us, our experiences have been extremely overwhelming. The unexpected events of life will often throw curve balls that will knock us off base and make us feel that we don't have what it takes to recover and move on. However, I assure you that all loss doesn't have to be perceived as bad, because there are times that we must suffer a loss to gain something greater. Ecclesiastes 3:1 states, "To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven." Have you ever lost a job only to gain a better one? Have you lost a loved one to gain a better appreciation for life? Have you lost a turbulent relationship only to gain peace? Therefore, all things are working together for every season of your life. I challenge you today to get up and look past your pain. Ask God to show you what it is for you to gain, because it's time to move forward.