What Do You Expect by Mayada Naami

August 9, 2022 No comments Article

“The hope of the righteous brings joy, but the expectation of the wicked will perish“

(Proverbs 10:28, ESV)

Expectations lead to disappointment which many times leads to judgment. When someone can’t accept you as you are and how you behave—if they expect you to change—they may become judgmental or controlling. We cannot control the behavior of others. We can, however, choose who to invest in and walk away from those not investing in our well-being or in the relationship. We are not responsible for someone’s actions—only for our reaction. When you do not expect anything, chances are you won’t be disappointed. Giving to others without expecting anything in return is agape love, brotherly love, or charity. It is the “love of God for man and man for God.”

“But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked” (Luke 6:35, NIV).

As a child, I was often judged for my actions. As a result I grew up thinking that judging others was acceptable behavior. I was always concerned about how others perceived me and was in constant fear of disappointing someone or being disappointed. After surrendering my life to Christ, I now live to please my Lord and Savior. I am learning to be more compassionate and kinder to others, to ease my expectations so I do not judge people when they do not act or behave in the way I expect. I see others through the eyes of the Lord, and love on them regardless of their actions; the way the Lord loves me. I have learned to enjoy the person or relationship more when I do not have expectations. If you are not equally yoked, it’s biblical not to associate with a person lest they take you away from Peace. Love and pray for them but walk away if you are convicted in your spirit.

Life is not perfect. Removing expectations will let you appreciate life as is. Judgement only adds frustration and negativity to all your relationships. Perfectionists are never happy. When you let go of expectations, you create space to enjoy the present—the here and now. Removing expectations does not mean lowering your standards, it means letting go of unnecessary pressure you put on others as well as yourself. Expectations are an illusion that leads to disappointment. The joy of living is when you don’t have the pressure of pleasing others and you do not impose your will on others. Living without expectations requires accepting others as they are and loving them as God loves us, with grace and mercy.

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

(1 Corinthians 13:4-7, NIV)

Happy and Sappy by Lisa Burkhardt Worley

August 6, 2022 5 comments Article

The Texas 100-plus heat has really zapped some of my plants. If I don’t water them every day, then their life expectancy is not good. But sometimes I get busy and forget about them. 48 hours without water can be deadly.

We all know what a dead plant looks like. If you take one of its branches and break it in half, there is no life in it. It’s brittle, without sap, and the plant has to be uprooted and thrown away. I’ve discarded more plants than I’d like to admit.

Sometimes as we age, we might think we are like an old dead plant and that people want to discard us. Life can also be hard and we may feel like we can’t take the heat anymore. But it doesn’t have to be that way. Psalm 92:15 says, “They will still yield fruit in old age. They will be full of sap and freshness” (TLV). Who are they? Psalm 92 says it is the righteous—those of us who follow God and who are doing our best to live a godly life.

I am going to be honest. There are times when I don’t feel I can handle all that is on my plate. I am getting older and not quite as energetic as I used to be. I often crash early at night, This has been an especially busy week with company, television tapings and a conference. I need a break. But when I feel like I’m my driest, I realize I have most likely lost connection with the Living Water, Jesus, who refreshes me in His presence and in His Word. It takes an intentionally slower stretch, a good night’s sleep and an extra-long quiet time. It’s then that I start to feel the sap running through my limbs and I make a difference for Jesus again.

Most of the speakers at the conference I attended this week were probably in their early 40’s. They were younger, thinner and at the top of their game. There were moments where I felt like my season was over. I had to dismiss that thought. It’s straight from the enemy. He wants us to retire. One less to worry about!

For those of you who might feel like their best days are behind them, I want you to know that you have a lifelong assignment to glorify God and are never too old to be used by Him. There are no retirement incentives in the Bible. All you have to do is spend some time in His Word. Pray that he refreshes you and gives you His supernatural energy. Then tell Him you want to be used in a powerful way. The wilting plant will thrive again, you will bear fruit in the Kingdom, and you’ll be both happy and sappy.

A Fool’s Provocation by Mayada Naami

August 2, 2022 No comments Article

“Stone is heavy and sand a burden, but a fool’s provocation is heavier than both.”

(Proverbs 27:3, NIV)

I was sitting in an airport waiting for my flight from Italy to France when I witnessed two young kids, a boy and girl, aged eight and seven, sitting next to each other and being boisterous. Their behavior was unmonitored and undisciplined for about five minutes. Then the boy started physically picking at his little sister and when she started fighting back, her parents reacted angrily to her. The dad grabbed her and her things and moved her away from her brother and then her mom scolded her. As I watched, I noticed the boy suddenly quietly reading his book as if he had nothing to do with just happened to his sister. It was mind blowing to see this mean–spirited, annoying boy turn into an angelic well–behaved young boy in an instant, The parents had no idea what had just transpired. As I watched all this, I remembered my childhood and how my brother and I had this same scenario transpire several times with the same exact outcome.

I said something to the parents with the hope that I planted a seed in the dad’s mind for the future. When everyone had settled down, I politely said to the dad that the boy also was misbehaving yet she was the only child scolded. He immediately responded to me by saying they take turns at misbehaving, and he gets in trouble too. I was impressed that he did not get upset with my comment, so I preceded to tell him about my personal experience as a child; how my brother picked on me and when I defended myself, I got in trouble. He replied that he understood how I felt because in his case, when he was a child, he was always the kid getting into trouble. The conversation turned pleasant, and I was thankful that I had the courage to say something. My prayer is that God will continue to water that seed and teach the parents.

“The human spirit can endure in sickness, but a crushed spirit who can bear?“

(Proverbs 18:14, NIV)

The parents meant well but they were distracted, as most parents are. They judged the little girl without investigating what transpired, crushing her spirit; creating a pattern of behavior that may continue into adulthood. The boy could grow up thinking that there are no consequences to his actions unless he gets caught, and the girl could grow up thinking she can’t defend herself because she will be the one to get in trouble. She may become passive, even a people pleaser, accepting abuse just so she can stay out of trouble. God does not set up women to be abused as children. He does not perpetuate abuse on any human beings. He promises to love us and assist us in overcoming the effects of sin on earth. When we take a stand against abuse, whether it is abuse in our own lives or the lives of others, we are working in His Kingdom on His behalf and for His Glory.

“There are six things the LORD hates, seven that are detestable to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil, a false witness who pours out lies and a person who stirs up conflict in the community.“

(Proverbs 6:16-19, NIV)

Two-Way Street by Lisa Burkhardt Worley

July 30, 2022 1 comment Article

“Give praise to the Lord, proclaim his name; make known among the nations what he has done.”

(Psalm 105:1, NIV)

I love worshipping God. Every morning, after I brew a cup of coffee, I sing along with my favorite worship tunes on YouTube and start my quiet time by entering the presence of God through praise.

But for many years I thought worship was a one-way street. I was a dot on the map in God’s world—worshipping Him for giving me life, salvation and for helping me overcome childhood dysfunction. I am truly grateful. However, in my study of respected Pentecostal Leader, Jack Hayford, who is also the founder of my school, The King’s University, I have discovered that worship is a two-way street.

When we enter a place of worship, Hayford says that God gives us kingdom authority and gifts in his presence. In his book Majesty, He says, God has given worship as a means for man’s:

Recovery

Restoration

Reviving

Redemption

Refreshing[1]

I have a spiritual daughter and her two boys are my godchildren. When they come over to the house, I always have a little gift for them and they expect it. They come into the house and the first thing they ask is: “Lele, do you have a present for us?” And my answer is always yes. In the same way, when we enter God’s presence through worship, he has beautiful gifts waiting for us in his presence as well because He loves us so much. We should expect it!

David understood the power of worship and this concept of receiving kingdom authority. We see evidence of this in Psalm 103 where he says, “Praise the Lord, my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name. Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits—who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s. The Lord works righteousness and justice for all the oppressed” (Psalm 103: 1–6, NIV).

David confirms that worship is a two-way street. God blesses us when we bless him.

So today, if you are not already doing this, will you consider daily worship? God has some presents waiting for you at His house.

[1] Jack Hayford, Majesty: God Enthroned in our Worship, (Southlake: Gateway Press, 2016), 41.

Be Kind, Not Nice by Mayada Naami

July 26, 2022 No comments Article

Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.(Ephesians 4:32, NIV)

Are you a people pleaser? Have you struggled with setting boundaries and wondered what the Bible says about being “nice” to others? Raised Catholic, I was often told to turn the other cheek when anyone hurt me, and so I did. I often turned my cheek from side-to-side and allowed many “hurts” in my life without setting any healthy and clear boundaries. In Mathew 5:38-39, Jesus said, “You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also.” I often wondered how Jesus, Lover of truth, and justice, is telling us to sit back and accept lies and injustice. As I grew in my relationship with Him, I had a clearer understanding of what this Scripture means to me as it relates to my relationships.

As a child, I was being taught this verse in the context of being “nice” to avoid conflict. In essence, I was being trained to be passive—accepting any injustices or unfair treatment that I was experiencing. This carried over into my adult relationships, which resulted in two failed marriages and conflicts in other areas of my life; work related and in personal friendships. When Jesus says do not resist an evil person, I believe He is telling us not to avoid or fear an evil person. I also believe He is telling us to stand tall and confront this evil person by not backing down from the conflict that may arise. Turn the other cheek, like a boxer during a fight. He clearly tells us not to seek revenge or hold a grudge, but to stand firmly with both feet planted in the Word.

“Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: ‘It is mine to avenge; I will repay,’ says the Lord” (Romans 12:19, NIV).

So, what is the difference between being “nice” and being “kind” according to the Word? I have searched for the word “nice” in the Bible and have not found it, therefore, I can confidently state it is not a biblical term. However, the Bible mentions “kindness” in over two-hundred instances and the word “kind” over four-hundred times. Kindness is being merciful, gracious, and tender-hearted while being just and righteous before God. We are to focus on pleasing God—not people. Jesus says to exercise kindness, justice, and righteousness on earth, for in these He delights. Strive to be kind, not nice!

This is what the Lord says:

“Let not the wise boast of their wisdom
    or the strong boast of their strength
    or the rich boast of their riches,
but let the one who boasts boast about this:
    that they have the understanding to know me,
that I am the Lord, who exercises kindness,
    justice and righteousness on earth,
    for in these I delight,” declares the Lord.