New Season

There is nothing more frustrating in life than when you are surrounded by people that try to hold you back by trying to constantly remind you of who you WERE compared to your making progress towards who you are becoming. They want you to remain as you were while you're trying to exert the energy towards who you are becoming. The season that you are walking into does not match the image and season that they may have met you in and when people don't understand that, the conflict comes into play. Learn to let them go. Pray that they let you go also because some simply refuse to do so. You have some people that are determined for you to stay in the old mindset of an earlier phase of your life & become very irate when they learn that this isn't so. This is not saying that who you were was a mistake because all things work together. This is saying that you are transforming and growing. Many simply refuse to accept that. They refuse to believe it. They often try to remind you whether its through accusations or outright hostility. Do not be deceived. A person cannot go forward by moving backward. A person cannot focus their energy towards becoming the person that Christ has called them to be if their focus is on living up to their associates idea of who they WERE. Take note of your surroundings. Look around your "room". If you are the most successful person in your room, then you are in the wrong room. You know that you are in the wrong room when you are feeling drained due to being the one that others always "take" from. You have no one to look up to in order to gain some kind of motivational help. You are the motivational help. This is not saying that you should start becoming hostile towards old comrades and associates. This is simply saying, broaden your horizons. Don't limit yourself to hanging with a certain group of individuals. Have a mixture of people in your circle. Learn to surround yourself with people that are already at the destination you're trying to reach as well as those who are in the process of getting to a destination...not a dead end...a destination. There's a difference. Learn it. Say to those that try to hinder your progress and growth...LET ME GO. Don't let anyone hold you back. There will always be "accusers" and "naysayers" trying to distract you. Stay focused. Learn to listen closely to who God says you are, not what "people" say you are or aren't.  Never let people force you into a box that you have outgrown or you simply wasn't made to fit in to begin with. What God has ordained over your life will come to pass. No weapon formed will ever prosper. Stand on that. I know I am. The battle is always the fiercest before the win.

I truly feel that God is walking me into a new season of my life. This season will be a season of huge blessings. I can't explain it to you if I tried because I have no tangible proof & this is where faith steps in. He will never reveal the entire picture to you. It'll be just bits and pieces of clues here and there along with a KNOWING in your spirit.  I'll just leave it like this for reference when I come back to write about what he has done in my life. Feel free to let me know what he does in your life. The season is about to change.

Peace, Love, & Blessings,

Nata Bee

Injustice...

Southern trees bear a strange fruit. Blood on the leaves and blood at the root. ~Billie Holiday 

Today was the day that America's justice system committed one of it's many heinous acts of killing an innocent black man. Troy Davis' case is just the tip of the iceberg construed of African American victims and the justice system. Don't misunderstand me as saying that all of the individuals within the justice system are innocent but this particular case had ample evidence including SEVEN of the NINE witnesses recanting their statements against him. For years African Americans have often been the victims of horrendous crimes due to simply being black in America. Many times these victims have been made to be an "example" presented to the black community as some sort of "warning". This man's blood was shed for a crime that he did not commit. His last words were into death were "I am innocent". This story is very heart wrenching to me due to the fact that he is not the first to blatantly & mercilessly be executed in the name of "politics". It is no secret that many are very disturbed by our milestone of having a black president. I have never seen so many blatant acts and words of disrespect towards our commander in chief. In the history of America, not once have I read or heard our president being called out of his name according to his race nor have I heard another blatantly call another president a liar to his face. I've also had the unfortunate yet insightful opportunity to work with individuals who blatantly were upset from day one that he became president. It is one thing to disagree with our president but a completely different story all together when you go to your workplace and the entire place is SILENT like someone has died on the day that he became president. These same closed minded individuals often made blatantly inappropriate comments in my presence. I thank God for giving me the strength to keep my tongue tamed during that very trying time. I was the only African American within the establishment and they definitely made sure I knew that from their condescending and negative actions and words. It was essential that I prayed everyday before going into that place because when you are in an environment like that, it is like hell on earth. It is very tormenting because you feel restricted and constantly judged because of the limitations that is around their brains. What's ironic is that these same people represent groups such as the Tea Party that often condemn and harshly judge minorities because they have been placed in a "box" their entire lives. They don't personally interact with many blacks. They simply go off of what the media presents and take it as truth for all people in a particular race and culture. These same people scream "Holy Holy!" every Sunday yet wrinkle their noses towards their minority brothers and sisters. They almost run to the church doors to volunteer and brag about their achievements while stepping over the hungry or homeless minority in the parking lot. Honestly, it angers me that some individuals are so limited in their way of thinking yet feel that they have "arrived" according to their "achievements". I truly hope and pray that they see the error of their ways before standing before our creator. African Americans are often misjudged and given the short hand of the stick in life yet we always rise which is why so many hate us. They can only dream of the kind of strength that we possess, especially under adversity. WE ALWAYS RISE. Troy Davis will not have died in vain. His innocent blood will be avenged as well as my other innocent brothers and sisters. Thanks for listening.

Peace, Love, and Blessings

Nata Bee

 

He Prepares A Place

The enemy will always threaten you with something...your past...an uncertain future...the thought that you'll never get out or be free. God is very aware of the threats against you. So mindful of the enemies and the threat that they pose, that he prepares a table for you in their presence. God wants you to sit down at the table, eat the prepared meal of blessings, and remain at peace even when the enemy is snarling in your face. ~T.D. Jakes

Lately, I've noticed that something or someone from my past has often been thrown into my view as a distraction.  My eyes have been set to look forward and walk the path that is being laid out before me yet there have been many "darts" thrown in my direction whether it's through an associate or a situation(s). At first it bothered me greatly but then God revealed to my spirit what exactly is being done. Oftentimes, the enemy will utilize those that are closest to you as well as situations and individuals from dark moments in your past to distract you.  The enemy knows when we are closer to succeeding in the purpose that God has ordained for our life so he throws jabs towards what is deemed as the weakest places in our lives. I admit that when these occurrences and people kept popping up in different areas of my life, that it briefly distracted me by causing me to ask the question of "why?" along with anger but that quickly went away. I know that as long as God is on my side, the battle will be won.
I can confidently say that during EVERY advancement I've experienced in my life so far, a major battle was fought beforehand. This is simply because the enemy wants to stop it and God also takes this time to strip you of certain individuals and negative qualities that have no place with you as you go to the next level in life. There will ALWAYS be a sacrifice of sorts when a blessing is poured out in our lives. I can't waste my time dwelling on the what ifs and who is genuine and who isn't because I trust God to fight my battles. I can't waste anymore time pondering if I disappointed a person or dwelling in disappointment towards situations and people because the fact remains is that we all fall short and while I may not be perfect and do everything that everyone would like for me to do when they would like for me to do it, God still loves me. He loves you too. With this fact at the forefront of my mind, his love won't allow me to go without what I need in my life and this includes people. If he has placed them there for a lifetime, they will be there. If not, then I can't dwell on the "whys" behind it. While I will always love everyone that has walked with me on my journey, I refuse to force anything that is not meant to be. I expect the same in return. I'd just like to say to anyone reading this that may feel misunderstood by others or lonely, know that the journey to transformation is never easy which is why most won't go through with it. Many avoid it simply because it REQUIRES the many sacrifices that I vaguely speak on. Many cling to the "familiar" because it is most comfortable. When you advance in life, it is often very uncomfortable at first. You lose friends. Some of your family won't understand you. You will get talked about by the "spectators" & even friends. You will wonder if you made the right decision. Know that through all of this God will never leave you or forsake you. Know that when it's all said & done, YOU WILL WIN. Know that he ALWAYS replaces what you lose in the fire. Not only does he replace it but he replaces it abundantly. He gives you double for your trouble. There is a story that I read a few years back that coincides perfectly with what I am talking to you about. Some of you may have heard it but some may not so here goes... There was a young girl who owned a pair of plastic pearls. She wore them around her neck all of the time. She wore them to sleep. She wore them in the shower. She wore them when she played. She LOVED those plastic pearls. Eventually they started to turn her neck green. Her father came into her bedroom one night before she was to fall asleep and told her he needed to take those pearls because they were starting to leave a residue on her neck. She cried so hard and begged and screamed how she didn't want to let them go. She began to become angry with her father while protesting how she didn't want to let them go. He gently & assuredly told her it would be OK & how she should give him the pearls because they were no longer good for her. She finally took them from around her neck with tears streaming down her face and put them in his hands. He smiled & immediately brought his other hand into her view which had been behind his back the entire time. In his hand he held a beautiful velvet box. His daughter wiped her eyes and slowly took the box out of his hand. To her surprise, she found inside a beautiful pair of REAL pearls that put the other ones to shame. She looked at her father who never stopped smiling and hugged him really tight completely forgetting about the imitations that just minutes earlier she desperately tried clinging too. This is how our heavenly father works. Oftentimes we try to cling to "the familiar" because it's what we're used to and when our father steps in to shake some things up by stripping us of old ways...old comrades...old associates...we scream and cry thinking we'll never find another but he would never do us like that. When someone or something is lost in the fires of our lives, he is simply trying to advance us to the next level. Whatever was/is lost in the fire was not meant to remain in your life. He wants to do bigger and better things in our lives. Everyone and everything won't make it to the "promise land" because everything isn't for everybody. Everyone won't understand and it's not meant for them to. We each have our own journey and experience in God. He talks to us universally as well as individually. He talks to us individually because we all don't experience the same problems and battles. What may be a struggle for one, may not be a struggle for another. I am slowly yet surely grasping this concept....shaken but not stirred. Today, I ask that you don't dwell on the disappointments and what you've lost during your journey. Keep your eyes on what you've learned & gained during your journey so far. As long as you make the effort to reach out and develop a relationship with him, he will take you by the hand and guide you. Not many can walk the straight and narrow because of the pressure...the road is narrow & constricted due to the pressure. Let that sink in and know that while it sometimes seems like you've lost the battle...things are not always what they seem. Let's humble ourselves and seek his face. Those that are supposed to accompany you, will be there and those that aren't will get lost by the wayside only to be replaced.

Lastly, I have received alot of "could shoulders"..."eye rolling"..."teeth smacking"...angry backlash behind some of my writings. Surprisingly it has been from individuals that I never thought would have an issue with it. I am learning that when people harshly judge themselves they begin to take alot of things personally & lash out. This will be the last time that I will make an attempt to explain why I write the way I do and my intent behind it. All other inquiries need to be taken up with my Creator ;) When I write, it is simply an outlet for what is deposited into my spirit. I do not write to "passive aggressively" attack anyone & I do not inadvertently tell another's business through this. That is not my motive at all. I write from what I receive in my spirit as well as the experiences & shortcomings that I've personally battled with. I WILL NOT stop writing the things that flow through me...simple as that. For as many that reject what I write, so many more embrace it. I'm learning that if you are not stepping on some toes when you write something, you are not saying much. Not saying that I am unsympathetic but when you are focused on a goal, you really can't afford to be distracted by looking down on whose toes are being stepped on. If leaders operated in that manner, nothing would ever be achieved. The Civil Rights movement would be unheard of if people tip toed around. A black president would be unheard of if he "tip toed" around. Now that I've explained myself, I pray that everyone who takes what I say personally, will do so in a way that contributes to you becoming the best person that you can be... not in my eyes but in our Father's eyes. Never lash out at someone who is trying to speak the truth & spread love. You are only hurting yourself and prolonging the process. At one point in my life, I would do the same. "Who do they think they are?!" "They do **** and wanna try to tell me something! Girl boo!"...Those were my thoughts at one point but I've learned that when something inside my spirit jerks in response to what someone is saying to me, that is simply the spirit shining light on my dark places. Places that need cleaning. Places that need tightening up. That irritation and movement is your carnal side battling your spiritual side. The carnal side SCREAMS...while the spiritual side is a calm and confident voice. Never reject the light. Embrace it. It is not the person delivering the message that you should be looking to anyway but what's operating inside that person. With all that said, I hope this message finds you all in high spirits. Remember...you guide your emotions don't let them guide you. MANY more writings to come:)

Peace, Love, & Blessings,

Nata Bee

copyright © 2011 Renate' Bender

What about the Vision?

“…Do not give up.
Even when others do not understand.
Even when you feel alone with your dreams.
......Even when the vision gets a little blurred…
Your steps are ordered, and you are destined for greatness.
You are stronger than your mind can conceive, everything you need lies within…” -LaKesha Womack

 

 

Spirit of the Living God fall fresh on me. Spirit of the Living God fall fresh on me. Hide me behind the Cross that they may see more of thee and less of me. Spirit of the Living God fall fresh on me.

The previous saying is said every Sunday by my Pastor. I admire it and find that it is humbling and keeps the messenger focused on relaying the message deposited into their spirit. I utilize it in the same manner. With all of that said, have you ever felt that the dream that God deposited into your spirit just wasn't going to come to pass due to your current circumstances? Maybe you are in the boat with me where you know that you are destined to do something great but don't have the complete vision as to what it is yet. Maybe you are like me where you often wonder....maybe I heard or saw the vision wrong. Maybe my current circumstances are so hopeless & final that my time is up. To all of that I say, "I can do all things through Christ that gives me strength". I am the head and not the tail. I am above and not beneath. ALL things work together for THE GOOD of those that love the Lord. It is important that we fight these negative thoughts with the word of God. When in a debate with the enemy, you fight with God's word. The THREATS of the adversary have no power over God's PROMISES. With that in mind, you must get into God's word to actually know what he promises you. Many don't know his promises. Some know his promises but get so caught up in the cares of this world that it blocks out and clouds their vision. I completely understand what it's like to have a fear so paralyzing that you simply sit there & weep. I understand what it's like to be in a depression so deep that you think that you'll never come out of it. I am here to tell you that if you keep your focus on Christ, he will never lead you wrong. He never promised that the road would be smooth. As a matter of fact, his word says that the righteous have many afflictions but HE delivers us out of them all. Just to clarify, when I say righteous, it simply means that everyone who accepts Jesus as their savior and believes that through him, they can gain everlasting life, they are made righteous. This is simply by GRACE. Never confuse me or anyone as a person who is "God". When I say that, I simply mean a person who never falls short in sin. I am NOT that person. People tend to place you on a unrealistic pedestal when they hear or see you speak or write in the manner that I do. When they do this, they place unrealistic expectations on you and often place harsh condemnations on you when you fall short of them. I do understand that this is the price that is to be paid when I stepped up to the plate to do this so I take it to God and just pray that he is pleased with me even when people aren't. I say all of that to say that the only difference between me and a person who isn't a believer is simply that I KNOW I can't do anything without him and WHEN I fall, I go to him for my redemption and forgiveness because in the end, he's all that matters. Moving on, know that if God places a seed(s) in your spirit & you persistently & consistently seek him to bring it to pass, IT WILL HAPPEN. Your gift will take you into the presence of great people. No one or nothing will stop you but you. I say that because oftentimes, we as people tend to focus on our faults and shortcomings. LISTEN! God KNOWS what he's dealing with. He knows you better than you know yourself. He made you. We tend to compare ourselves to others in regard to what they have or where they are in life but that is the wrong way to think. God places different gifts in us all. We all can't do the same thing in the same way. Your anointing will not be the same as my anointing. My anointing is no better than your anointing. It is important that you stay in the lane that God places you in. Never let your emotions...or society...or the adversary...or friends...or your own stinkin thinkin...convince you into believing that you aren't important or that your limitations are his limitations. Cling to CONFIDENCE in GOD....not yourself...but God because it is in him that you will be able to do all things that he has called you to do. He will work through you. He will work through your weakness because his strength is made perfect in that. Keep a right attitude towards yourself so you are able to exercise it towards others. When you have unrealistic expectations of yourself to be perfect, you start to place it on others in which causes animosity,depression, and bitterness to manifest. Seek him and ask him to start seeing yourself as well as others through his eyes. God has so many plans for us if only we took the chains from around our thinking, we could grasp it & receive a joy so overwhelming, words would do it no justice and circumstances would not be able to shake it. Know that once you make a decision to try to follow "the light", there will be adversity. There will be people that don't understand. Most of the time it's the people that are closest to you. There will be times where you will have a period of "alone time". This is simply because he has to get you by yourself. He has to process you. He has to put some things in and take some things out. He has to change your thinking. He has to brand in your spirit that he is the only thing that you need and the only thing that can bring you genuine peace. You can be rich and not have peace. You can be married and not have peace. You can have millions of friends but not have peace. Those things are simply "accessories" and can be fleeting. Jesus is the only ROCK that can bring something into your life that is unshakable. He often shakes our foundation to show what's unshakable. He loves us without conditions. He loves us simply because of who he is, not because of what we do or don't do. God blesses us even when we don't deserve it. He loves on us when he is not even on our minds. Look back over your life and think on where he has brought you from. Think about the times you know that circumstances could've went a completely different route, yet he blocked it and saved you. He saved me in my drunk, passed out state. He saved me during my most deceitful & ugliest ways. He saved me even when i called myself condemning someone else because they didn't say or do something in a way that I felt was acceptable when the whole while I've fallen short and STILL fall short. One of my shortcomings is that I beat myself up harshly on the inside because of certain ways that I have. I'm learning that God sees and knows all. He knows me. He knows the real me. He knows the "real you". The "real you" is that person that shows themselves when conditions aren't in your favor. The "real you" shows when you are not in the church pew. That "real you" is the YOU that comes out when you are around people that you aren't trying to impress.  That's what's so good and different about him. People will harshly condemn you and often remind you of your shortcomings and mistakes whereas God is simply waiting for you to genuinely say "Forgive Me" & he ERASES it from the slate to never be brought up again. He doesn't deal with us according to how we behaved in the past. It's like he sees us as brand new. All of us can learn tremendously from that. So many of us are so hard on each other and often hold grudges with each other when in reality if we truly took a really good look back over our lives, somewhere along the line we've let other's down in some form or fashion. We've hurt some feelings. We've behaved selfishly. We've all basically done some things that we aren't proud of . We really must practice forgiveness and loving each other unconditionally. We all are a work in a progress. We really can't afford to dwell on what happened in the past or how a person has mistreated us because we will miss out on what God is trying to bring to pass in the present. It also contaminates our spirit. Bitterness is a very nasty poison that hurts the owner. Bitterness is often deceitful too. Many of us disguise it with whatever label our mind can fathom but once the light of truth shines on it, that's what it is. To grasp what God is giving us, we must let go of what the world has placed in our hand. Just let it go. Don't say with your words that you let it go. Say with your actions that this is so. Say with your spirit that this is so. It's time that we become the woman/man that he has called us to be. In order for us to do that, we have to grow. Many don't like to grow because it hurts. Growth truly does hurt because things are dropped off and things are gained. The things that are dropped off are "the familiar". The thing that is gained is transformation. Growth causes some of the things in your familiar environment to move. Some things move out and some move in closer. Trust that you are right where you are supposed to be. Trust that even through the tears and pain, good will come out of all of your experiences. Trust that even when some people abuse, use, and talk about you, that it is all for a greater good in your life. Trust that even when you sometimes don't understand some of the things you say, feel or do, that he does. Block out the "distractions" in life and keep your gaze fixed on him. You are not crazy even though many would like to convince you otherwise. You are not worthless even though folks try to make you feel otherwise. Your value doesn't lay in what a family, friend, or foe has to say about you. It lays in what God says about you. Some people resort to trying to chop you down in order to build up their ego. Some people become jealous of you because they undervalue their own abilities and character and overvalue yours. Keep your mind on what is right & you will be able to recognize what is coming against you.  Have faith that God will bring to pass whatever it is he has called you to do. Stay focused. You will get there. I hope this brings joy and hope to every eye that comes upon this.

 

Peace, Love, & Blessings,

Nata Bee

copyright © 2011 Renate' Bender All Rights Reserved.