1) We must praise HIM in advance for the valley HE has us in because the same GOD that can allow us to venture into the valley can also set us atop a mountain top. See GOD tests our faith at our lowest levels he places us there to draw nearer to HIM to seek his face. So when in the valley you must ask yourself are you seeking GOD? When I did not pass the exam the first time I immediately prayed and asked GOD to give me peace of mind and then I made up my mind that the second time will not be like the last as evident in an older blog around that time. I told GOD if this is my test I know with GOD I can pass. After having to take a 7.50 job at Best Buy just to stay a float for the Christmas holidays, living off an income tax check, and collecting unemployment GOD placed me in the valley but while in the valley he supplied all my needs. When the bank account was running low Best Buy called, when the Holidays ended it was tax refund time, when the tax refund money was running low I was able to accept unemployment. I never did without, God supplied all my needs. All I did was draw nearer to GOD, still attending church, joining the young adult choir, and continuing to tithe even though I was receiving unemployment. I praised GOD, praised HIM in advance for the blessings and breakthrough that were on the way.
2) Give our time, our service, and our praise. See everyone always asks GOD for a blessing but never want to give GOD anything. Its funny we dedicate time to do household chores, to go shopping, to watch certain TV shows and nowhere in that schedule is time to give GOD the glory. During my period I found my refuge at my church where the spirit of the LORD dwells and GOD receives the HIGH PRAISE AT ALL TIMES! See for me church is a hospital, a doctor's office, a psychiatrists office, the LORD's house is somewhere we can be rehabilitated, tell the LORD (doctor) about our ailments, or just cry out to the LORD... Its the one place we can go and give the LORD unmitigated praise for past, present, and future blessings. A lot of us will not even gather with people of our same faith to Bless the LORD so GOD knows we won't bless HIM with others who don't believe like us. Don't get me wrong I attend church regularly but I never just let go like I did... Now I am in a new place with a new attitude. Everyday we should take time to give GOD the glory, just a little bit of our time... I also found refuge through listening to homemade GOSPEL CD's! Time could be on your way to work listening to gospel music and just meditating and thanking GOD, it could be having a prayer time during the day, or however you give GOD the glory, but you must give him your time... Through PRAISE we receive our breakthrough..... Remember the BIBLE said where our heart is, that shall our treasure be, WHERE IS YOUR TREASURE?
3) Pray for the LORD's will. When you pray in the morning and at night do not ask the LORD for specific things ask for his will to be done! Or when you ask if its your will then LET IT BE DONE.
4) Humble Yourself. God had to me HUMBLE ME. See our degrees, our accomplishments mean nothing to GOD for only what you do for HIM will last. GOD sat me down and let me know who was really in control. He placed me in the valley so that I could relinquish control and LET HIM TAKE CONTROL! Now HE is in the driver's seat completely and I know and I truly TRULY know that HE WILL NEVER LET ME FAIL! If you have to take a lower paying job so be it. If you have to give up shopping, eating out, and other extra curricular activities so be it.. How much are you willing to give up to receive GOD's blessings...
5) PRAISE PRAISE PRAISE!!!!! PRAISE HIM WHILE YOU DOWN TO COME OUT, PRAISE HIM WHEN YOU UP TO GO FURTHER, THROUGH OUR PRAISE WE RECEIVE OUR BREAKTHROUGH!!!!!
6) Don't be afraid to share the LOVE of GOD with someone else and don't be afraid to PRAISE him in front of others... When you give GOD the glory publicly and HE begins to bless you, people will look beyond the materialistic things and see that its truly a blessing and had it not been for GOD none of those things would be possible....
7) Don't make your own plan ask GOD to show you his plan.... Planning is great but if its not HIS WILL then its not going to work!
Make it ALL ABOUT GOD!!!! I praised him in the valley low, I am not praising him in the mountain TOP to GOD be the GLORY!
Basking in God's Favor,
Joseph K Plumbar, Esq.
