Breakfast With Tiffani

A Christian and Travel Lifestyle Blog

Archives for November 2016

Consider the Source: Who Sent You?

Doing His JobFocus Verse: Finally, believers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable and worthy of respect, whatever is right and confirmed by God’s word, whatever is pure and wholesome, whatever is lovely and brings peace, whatever is admirable and of good repute; if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think continually on these things [center your mind on them, and implant them in your heart]. Philippians 4:8 (AMP)

On yesterday, I shared how the enemy tried to distract me from my purpose by using the comparison tactic. One of the ways I was able to identify that this was a trick of the enemy was, I considered the source and questioned, “who sent you?”

One of the ways many Christians get tripped up by the enemy is we don’t consider the source of many of the thoughts that we have. Often times, we just let our minds wonder, not really questioning where our thoughts are coming from. But, when we begin to question the source, we can determine if we really need to entertain some thoughts in the first place.

A large percentage of the thoughts we have, we should be sending right back to the enemy. We have no business allowing him as much time as we grant him sometimes. We have to remember, when the enemy attacks us, he is only doing his job. So, it is so important that we are on our job so that we know exactly what we need to entertain.

The very next time you get a random thought that seems like it came out of nowhere, I would encourage you to, consider the source.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for this reminder. Far too many times, I have allowed the enemy to distract me with his tricks and schemes, Father please forgive me. I know You allow all things to work out for my good, but it is not my desire to be focused on things that aren’t from You. Help me to remember to consider the source when I am faced with a random thought in the future. In Jesus name, Amen!

Stop Comparing, Run Your Race

runnerFocus Verse: But each one must carefully scrutinize his own work [examining his actions, attitudes, and behavior], and then he can have the personal satisfaction and inner joy of doing something commendable without comparing himself to another. Galatians 6:4 (AMP)

Yesterday, I had a dentist appointment for my routine teeth cleaning and I was excited. This wasn’t just any regular visit to the dentist, one of my friends from church had opened her very first dental practice and I was extremely proud!

I can recall earlier this year, we were having a conversation and she mentioned that she wanted to open her very own dental practice and I shared with her my desire to start Breakfast With Tiffani. It was when I was sitting in her office that I realized all that God has begun to do for both of His daughters!

After my appointment started, I was still beaming with excitement while sitting in her chair I thought, “God, You are really blessing both our businesses and the dreams we have for them.” Then instantly I heard, “but you don’t have a real business like she does.” This was interesting to me because although I never intended for Breakfast With Tiffani to be a business, after starting, I realized this was one of the many intentions of God for Breakfast With Tiffani.

Honestly, after hearing that, I started to get discouraged and so many thoughts flooded my mind. What can I do to make Breakfast With Tiffani a real business? She is seeing and treating patients every day, what can I do to help people on that level? Do I need to consider a new career? Will I need to go back to school?

Then, as quickly as those thoughts flooded my brain, I had another thought, “who sent you?” And instantly, my anxiety and questioning subsided. I recognize this trick. I have experienced it before.

Oftentimes, the enemy will try and trick us into comparing ourselves to others and what they are doing, while in return distracting us from what we are supposed to be doing. I frequently hear pastors say, “we all have to run our own race.” And that just means, we all have our own lives to live. The race that God has given you to run, no one else can run it like you and vice versa.

Who’s race are you running today?

Prayer: God, thank You for the race that You have given me to run. I know that what You have called me to do, is just that, for ME to do. Please forgive me, at times, I have allowed myself to get distracted by looking at what others are doing and comparing my accomplishments to theirs. Help me to keep my eyes focused on MY prize so that I can hear, “well done my good and faithful servant,” after running MY race. In the name of Jesus, Amen!

Instantly

When He ComesFocus Verse: The Lord does not delay [as though He were unable to act] and is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is [extraordinarily] patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance. 2 Peter 3:9 (AMP)

“Worship Me, like I can change your situation instantly.” -God

We serve a God who can do just that. Our current situation, as we know it, can be changed instantly, by just one word from Him. But how many of us actually conduct ourselves in a manner that says we believe that? Do we actually believe that our situation will change? Or have we gotten so accustom to what “is” and have learned to accept it?

I have been guilty of this. “Well God, if this is the way that it’s going to be, I will just have to make the best of it.” Accepting my current state as if it’s my final state, as if there is nothing more in life for me, as if what God said would come to pass won’t and He can’t change it instantly.

Consider Rahab in the book of Joshua. She was not a woman of God, she was an Amorite, a group of idolatrous people. But from her encounters with others, she had heard of God’s mighty work for the Children of Israel. And she had come to believe God was who she had learned He was, see Joshua 2.

Rahab knew that these men represented The Almighty God and if she got connected with them, her situation and the situation of her entire family could change, instantly. And that is indeed what happened in Joshua 6:23 when the Children of Isreal overtook Jericho. Rahab and her entire family were spared during the siege of Jericho. And she later became part of the royal genealogy of Jesus Christ, Matthew 1:5-16

Do you believe your situation will change? That thing that you know God has spoken to you, yet nothing appears the way He said? I want to encourage you today, that you serve a God who can change your situation just like He did for Rahab, instantly.

Prayer: Father, thank You so much for being a loving God. I don’t deserve any of the kindness that You show me. So many times I have gotten so caught up in life, the way it is now. Totally disregarding the fact that You can and will change my situation, forgive me. Thank You for reminding me that I will not always in my current situation. And help me to remember to worship You like You can and will change my situation, instantly. It is in the mighty name of Jesus I pray, Amen!

 

Rest

dawn-nature-sunset-womanFocus Verse: So they went away by themselves in a boat to a solitary place. Mark 6:32

On last week, we talked about when we can’t hear from God. I sent an email to my Breakfast BFF’S on my VIP Guest List one morning, sharing with them how I wasn’t hearing anything from God that day, so I wasn’t going to force a devotional. In that email, I shared what Christ revealed to me in this regard.

“However, Christ had to reveal to me it’s perfectly normal, the need to be poured into after you have poured out. And the importance of continually strengthening your spiritual man.”

Often times as Christians, who are helping to build the Kingdom of God, we are constantly on the move, giving our assistance wherever its needed. We are in multiple ministries, active in our community and excelling on our jobs. But when do we really take time to rest? When we are pouring out so much of our ourselves consistently when do we have time to be poured into so that our spirit man is strengthen?

When we are in a weak state both spiriturally and physically, it makes it very difficult for us to hear from God and make wise decisions. This is why the Word of God encourages us to take time and rest. All throughout the Bible are examples of some amazing people who took some time to rest and get alone with The Father. The Disciples rested according to Mark 6:31. Jesus rested in and was alone with the Father in Mark 1:35. Even God rested in Genesis 2:2.

Have you been struggling with hearing from God and making wise decisions? Have you been taking the time you need to rest and be poured into? I encourage you today to take time to rest so that you can continue to be of good value for the Kingdom of God.

Prayer: What an awesome God You are! Thank You so much for the reminder that everyone needs to take time to rest and I am not exempt from that. Forgive me for always making myself avaliable in the past, not realizing I’m not at my best when I not well rested. Continue to remind me to take the rest that’s needed so I can be a benefit to Your Kingdom. In Jesus name, Amen!

Be Honest

man-in-fieldBible Reading: Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Hebrews 4:14-16 (ESV)

Focus Verse: Hebrews 4:16

One day while I was praying, I began to ask God some questions. However, they weren’t the questions that I really wanted to ask. And I wasn’t saying the things that I really wanted to say. Then I heard the Lord say, “be honest”.

I had been going through some things and I really wanted to ask God the hard questions and tell Him how I really felt. But I didn’t want to be too graphic or offend Him. How silly was I?

Often times as Christians, we feel like God can’t handle our truth; as if He can’t handle how we are really feeling. But think about it, The One that sent His only Son to die on the cross for our sins, even before we were able to commit them, can’t handle our truth? Absurd right?

Our focus verse encourages us to be honest with God and to go boldly before Him and tell Him what we are dealing with and how it is affecting us. It encourages us be honest and to ask the tough questions. Remember, your tough questions are nothing in comparison to watching His Son die on the cross for you. Plus, He already knows how you feel anyway, and He desires for you to invite Him to do something about it.

Prayer: Father, what a loving God You are! Thank You for knowing my heart and being concerned about the things that concern me. Thank You for caring enough about me that You desire for me to come to You with all my concerns and questions just so You can extend mercy and grace when I need it the most. In my weakest times, help me to remember that you desire for me to be honest with You above all else. In Jesus name, Amen!

 

Tested And Failed

Black-white arm wrestling

Bible Reading: “This is how I want you to conduct yourself in these matters. If you enter your place of worship and, about to make an offering, you suddenly remember a grudge a friend has against you, abandon your offering, leave immediately, go to this friend and make things right. Then and only then, come back and work things out with God. Matthew 5:23-24 (MSG)

Yesterday was filled with so much hype and excitement regarding the election. All over social media, people were exercising their first amendment right and sharing their political views and belief, something that has been done for months now leading up to this election. After yesterday’s Breakfast Bite, I declared I would operate in self-control and not fear. Well, I succeeded in the latter of the two, but when I was tested in self-control, I failed.

Someone whom I respect, posted an anti-voting message on one of their social media accounts. This wasn’t the first time I had seen a message like this from them, but this time I felt I needed to say something. I had reasoned with myself why I needed to speak up, scripted a quick message and “send”. Immediately, I got a response from someone else defending their anti-voting views. I responded and was reminded of our focus verse, from yesterday, 2 Timothy 1:7.

I had been tested and I failed. As we all do, when we are reminded of our wrong, I started to try and justify my actions. “There was absolutely nothing wrong with what I said. The problem is people feel the need to comment on everything even when they aren’t being addressed.” Another conviction. At this point, I knew I had to make it right.

The Bible teaches us in Matthew 18:15 that when we wrong our brother, we are to go to them and make it right. This verse also teaches us that we are to go to our brother privately to make amends. This passage is speaking about when someone wrongs you, but the same holds true when we wrong someone else.

I sent the individual a private message apologizing for my actions and I also asked for clarity as to why they felt so strongly about their views. This was my initial motive, but I realized it was done the wrong way.

As Christians, it is important that we are aware of our actions and how they affect the Kingdom of God. There will be times when we are tested, sometimes we’ll pass and other times we will fail, but the real test comes when we have to make the decision whether we will correct our wrong or not.

Prayer: Most Gracious Father,  Your mercy, and grace is everlasting. Thank You for showing me the error of my ways and giving me to the opportunity to correct them. So many times we try to justify our wrong actions when Your desire for us is to repent and make amends, forgive me. Father, continue to allow me to see You in all things and remind me of when I need to go back and correct the situation. In Jesus’ name, Amen!

Not A Time To Fear

stickerFocus Verse: For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. 2 Timothy 1:7 (KLV)

Today is the day. Millions of Americans will head to the polls to cast their vote for our next president. Unfortunately, there are many that are still unsure about who they will give their vote to. As we prepare to do our part as American citizens, let’s pray that fear is not what governs our decision making when we are alone in that booth today.

All throughout the Bible God instructs His people not to fear during times of distress, and that same encouragement He gave thousands of years ago, still holds true today. As you walk into that booth today, walk in God’s power, His love and the wisdom He has given you to make sound decisions.

Prayer: Father God, this is not the first time Your people have been in this position where we may not know what to do. We have listened to the debates, done our research, but now we need your guidance. God give us boldness and understanding as we cast our vote today. And give us peace as we leave, that we made the best decision for our country. I know that you will be with us Father because Your Word says You will never leave us nor forsake us. We give You glory because You are our ultimate leader. In the mighty name of Jesus, Amen!

 

The Thorn

oppositionBible Reading: 2 Corinthians 12:7-10

Focus Verse: And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 2 Corinthians 12:9 (NKJV)

“If I never had a stormy day, stormy day
Then I wouldn’t know that you could take all my pain away
If my friends had never walked away, so far away
Then I wouldn’t know that you would always stay, never stray
From my side when I was going through, didn’t have a clue
Of what I should do but then you brought me through, you always do
Thankful for those things that I went through (If I never had issues)
Then I wouldn’t know you like I do”

I woke up one morning with these song lyrics on my heart. Instantly, I started to think of that one thing that I find myself consistently asking God to give me strength for. It made me think of Paul in 2 Corinthians, when he referenced the thorn in his side that he consistently went to God and asked Him to remove and God replied, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in your weakness.”

Reminiscing over my walk with Christ, I realized I wouldn’t be the person I am today without my thorn. In no way am I praising it, but I thank God for the thorn and how He has used it to keep me close to Him. I wouldn’t know God as my companion and confidant without it. I wouldn’t know Him as the prayer answering God that my grandmother always spoke of. I wouldn’t know of His strength that carries me when I am too weak to continue on. And I couldn’t encourage you to thank Him for your thorn without the experience I have gained from mine.

What is that thing that you think your whole life would be so much better without, but for whatever reason, you just can’t seem to get rid of it? I encourage you today to thank God for your thorn. Because without it, you wouldn’t know God like you do!

Prayer: You are so amazing, God. I thank You for knowing all things. There are so many times that I have considered what my life would be like without this thorn in my side. But then I realize without it, my life with You wouldn’t be the same. Help me to continue to see You, even when things get uncomfortable. And allow me to accept your grace that is just what I need in those time. In the precious name of Jesus, Amen!