Tell The Devil Nuts!

Here’s a tidbit that most people don’t know about me.  I love watching war movies, as a matter of fact one of my favorite movies of all time is, When We Were Soldiers, I can watch that movie over and over again.  Recently, I got a chance to watch, Band of Brother’s Series on HBO, a WWII docudrama that focuses on the experiences of the paratroopers who landed behind enemy lines during the invasion of Normandy.  My favorite part comes near the end when the 101^st division is surrounded by the Germans at the town of Bastogne in Belgium. Dealing with a brutal winter, a lack of supplies and an overall weariness, the division Commander is issued a demand to honorably surrender by his enemy.  General McAuliffe who was in charge at that time responded to the German commander one word, “NUTS!”

Despite the opposition, the appearance of defeat, the lack of resources, General McAuliffe told his greatest enemy in no uncertain terms, “You sir, are crazy, I will not stand down.”  Shortly after McAuliffe wrote that one word in faith, the 101^st was resupplied and joined by a fresh division and were instrumental in bringing to end one of the most horrid and brutal events in world history.  It was almost as if his very defiance changed the atmosphere and shifted the war in the favor of right.

What I’m learning is that as Christians we need to take the same approach.  We need to look the devil in the eye, and let him know that the Creator of Heaven and Earth is on our side and we will not back down.  We need to remember that no matter what it looks like or feels like, God has a greater plan that He is working out on our behalf.  Fresh supplies and reinforcements are on the way!  By faith we have to take a step towards victory declaring that we know by faith it is right around the corner!

When things go wrong, I’m going to start to yell, “NUTS!”  It is going to be my war cry that I will not be defeated, but rather that I trust the perfect plan of God.  If you are struggling, sick, can’t seem to find your way, if you are in need, if you’ve been fighting and you are tired, yell, “NUTS!” Then start to praise the Lord!  Use the word to declare that the very thought of you being on the losing side is crazy because the Lord of all is sending fresh supplies, angelic and human reinforcements to hold you up.  We will not surrender, even when it is the darkest night!  God has declared the time of victory is now, NUTS to anyone or anything standing in your way!

How Can I Serve You?

Planning a women’s ministry event?  Interested in a house concert or special music for your church event?  Need a guest worship leader?  Please contact me, I’m now taking requests for bookings for September through December 2015 and I would love to be of service to you.  Send me an email at naima@ministryofnaima.com

I Dreamed a Dream

I Dreamed A Dream

As I quickly approach my 44^th birthday, I sometimes think it may be time to pack it up, leave the road and settle down doing something others describe as useful.  Many people would say I am to old to be ripping up the roads, singing across the nations, dragging my husband and 2 doggies along for the ride.  But the truth of the matter is, we can’t think of anything else we’d rather do.  It seems as if the Lord has given us a special grace to do the work we’re doing.  It’s never too late.  It isn’t over until the Lord says so.

One of the things I hear from people is that they think it’s too late for them to achieve their God given dream.  But I believe that as long as there is breath in your body there is time to achieve some part of the dream God has placed in your heart for the advancement of the Kingdom.  It may be modified, it may not grow to be exactly what you thought it would be, but if you still have strength, you still have time.

I always think of Abraham and the promise that the Lord gave him and Sarah, the promise became Abraham’s dream and although he saw only some of it come to pass, he didn’t see it all come into fruition. But he did what God called him to do after getting hemmed up in Egypt, messing around with his nephew Lot and having a child with the handmaid.   Delays, these were delays, but they did not take the Lord by surprise!  God still brought forth His promise to Abraham, his dream of being a father.  In essence Abraham set the foundation for a dream that would belong to the entire world.  A dream that would turn into a blessing for the whole world.

So the past does not matter, the time to start is today.  What if the dream in your heart, is simply this, the foundation of a bigger dream that will meet the needs of millions of others? 

Get Moving!  Don’t wait another minute, the Bible tells us… If you wait for perfect conditions you will never get anything done. (Ecclesiastes 11 Verse 4) NLB

Ask yourself, what does your dream entail that you feel is limited by time?  For example, what if you felt you were suppose to be a champion figure skater, you love ice skating, but now in your 40’s you’re too old to pursue that dream.  But you know the Lord has placed that passion in your heart.  After much prayer, you could found a ministry that reaches out to figure skaters, or arranges free lessons to children who can’t afford lessons while also training them in the truths of the Word of God.  Or maybe you could become a coach’s assistant and win a future world champion to the Lord, who will then share the gospel with millions through their athletic efforts.  Time does not diminish the promise of God!  Answer the following questions:

List the limitations you feel you’re facing because you feel it’s too late.

Spend some serious time in prayer asking the Lord to reveal to you how your original dream should look now.  Journal those answers, then make a commitment to do one thing everyday to achieve the dream.

I’d love to hear your thoughts about fear, your dreams, God’s provision and overcoming the thought that it is to late!  Leave me a comment here on the blog or at www.facebook.com/ministryofnaima