Real Talk: On Scene with Dr. Rick D. Merritt

Today is like no other day before it. Yesterday is gone, and tomorrow is not even promised, so take the time to appreciate today. It might not be a perfect day, but you're in it, and that makes it a blessed day, a gift, an opportunity to speak, listen, act, and think. Imagine with me, if you will. This very moment you can make up your mind that the most important thing about this day is.... "I CAN."

I can be grateful or not ...
I can think good things or not....
I can be helpful or not....
I can be gracious or not....
I can be brave or not....
I can be believing or not....
I can be forgiving or not....
I CAN..... isn't that an empowering gift God has given us today?

Rejoice again, I say REJOICE!

Have a wonderfully BLESSED day in the LORD!!!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!
MAKE 2023
THE BEST!!!

COUNTDOWN TO CHRISTMAS-2 DAYS

Don't forget, the journey to victory is as valuable as the outcome. Man makes plans, but God is the one who controls it all. Keep peace in your hearts.

Christmas w/ Grace

Merry Christmas

OUR DEEPEST FEARS
By Marianne Williamson

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.
Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.
It is our light, not our darkness
That most frightens us.

my words: because we are made in God's image

Maybe the reason you haven't seen the miracle you want, is because "you" are the miracle for someone else.

✨𝐓𝐢𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐨 𝐚 𝐛𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐫𝐞𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩✨

Don't forget a great stocking stuffer, a gift for family or friends.

Gift a copy of ‘The Bridge Between Us: Becoming One in Marriage’ by Dr. Rick D. Merritt to your loved ones 🎄 (Available on iTunes, Amazon & Barnes & Nobel)

Seize the opportunity to say you're sorry when you see pain in the eyes of the person in front of you

"THE UNEXPECTED ANSWER"

The problem with theology is - life. Theology in its simplest meaning is not the study of, but the awareness of. It simply means "thinking about God." Thinking about God in the context of Biblical teaching in Judea belief.
Life will eventually disturb your theology before it challenges your faith. We all have had times of struggle in our faith; you wouldn't have the faith you profess if it had not been challenged. Through trials you've obtained your faith, and rightly so. Its when you try and make sense of why do I have faith, not what I have faith in that can be challenging. The Bible tells us to workout our own salvation with fear and trembling, fear & trembling! Not poise and confidence; that should let us know that trepidation & conflict of mind and heart, like wheat & tares in Jesus' parable, will exist in our walk of faith. Theology is the natural inclination for challenging times; faith is the answer call to the cadence of unexpected events, while theology is grasping for comfort of mind. Because, in life we get the unexpected answers, and faith says...Abide.

Hebrews 10:35-38...
//Therefore do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward. 36.For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise: 37. “For yet a little while, And He who is coming will come and will not tarry. 38. Now the just shall live by faith; But if anyone draws back, My soul has no pleasure in him.”

Have a blessed day in the Lord.

"KEEP IT SIMPLE WITH TRUTH"

The world has developed a soical system and medical culture with language to support it's "someone else's fault" doctrine; I was born this way. They're right; the Bible says we're all born into sin, which is the root of sinful desire and behavior. You can't medicate sin out of the human soul to correct behavior. You can't reason with a spirit on assignment to mock God and condemn a soul. The only remedy to sin is the Cross of Calvary. Which means we play the part of acknowledging, accepting, confession, and repenting. If we go through this sequence most of the world's problem would be taken care of. As Christians, how much more should we be the walking living object lessons to the world of this grace.

1John 1:6-10...//If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: 7. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. 8. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

May the LORD abundantly BLESS your day!!

MAYBE HE'S WAITING ON YOU

Most of us live with unfinished goals in the background of our lives. Unrealized desires, things that we want to see different in us, things that will release us, bring us into greater influences for God's glory.
This is exactly what Jabez wanted, and God listened. If you believe He still listens, let him hear your voice today.
Try Him.

1 Chronicles 4:10...//and Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, Oh that thou wouldest bless me indeed, and enlarge my coast, and that thine hand might be with me, and that thou wouldest keep mefrom evil, that it may not grieve me! And God granted him that which he requested.

May the LORD abundantly BLESS your day!

"HOW HIGH CAN YOU GO"

There are times when we can prop ourselves up; but there are other times when we need help to reach beyond our our limitations. In our salvation, within the kingdom, the "ecclesia"...(the church) God has provided ladders for His people to reach their full potential.
Godly Fellowship is a ladder.
Discipleship is a ladder.
Church, and the preaching of God's word is a ladder.
Marriage is a ladder.
Godly relationships is a ladder.
Prayer is a ladder.
Praise & Worship is a ladder.
This list can go on and on when we incorporate kingdom trues and concepts that add spiritual dominion to, and in our lives. Salvation is the foundation that all ladders stand on; make sure you're not relying on anything else, it could be a shaky experience.

Matthew 7:24-27...//24 “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. 26 But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. 27 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.”

May the LORD abundantly BLESS your day!

Expectations Are Funny

Two birds fly over the desert, the vulture and the humming bird. One looks for dead things, the other looks for new life. What's funny and amazing to me; they both find what they're looking for. The vulture finds dead things and the humming bird finds the new blossoms. This is their daily task, to start the day with hopful expectation that they will find what sustains.
I was thinking about it, and it all comes down to appetite. We innately have a sinner's appetite before Christ. Then after salvation our appetite should change. I'm glad our task is simple, stay in Christ and feast on the fresh MANNA daily. Stay hungry for the fresh word, you will find what you're looking for.

Proverbs 30:5...// Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him.

May the LORD abundantly BLESS your day!!!

Some days you dont feel strong, some days you dont even feel loved. Some days you just need to know..."Father you got me today right?"
And that small still voice reminds you, "I got you every day."
THANK GOD FOR HIS LOVE AND FAITHFULNESS TOWARDS US.

Remember, you're loved today.

Just thinking out loud

Have a wonderfully BLESSED day in the LORD!

"THE REST OF THE STORY"

Every struggle has a secret, a purpose, and a promise. The secret is often whispered to us in faithfulness, the pressing onward in spite of pain and humiliation. Then, it is no longer a secret but a new found strength, a testimony that will forever shape your outlook and convictions, deepens our faith in God. Only then is the purpose revealed. This struggle didn't happen to-me, it happened for-me. Preparation for expansion is a work of GRACE we don't choose but submit to. It's in grace we see clearly our need for growth. To be established in God's love through walking in our true purpose, working out our salvation, even in this struggle. Then comes the reward, "The Promise" - that can only be realized to those who trust in HIS word. The promise is conditional because it requires faith and obedience. God is FAITHFUL, but we are not always. The promise is the acknowledgement from God saying "I SEE YOU."

1 Peter 5:10...// And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will HIMSELF restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.

Psalm 18:19...// He brought me out into a broad place;
He rescued me because He was pleased with me and delighted in me.

Psalm 84:11...//For the LORD God is a sun and shield: the Lord will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.

"THE COURAGE TO BELIEVE"

Living by faith is an advanced, not a defensive position. Its the determined posture taken with the expectation of a desired outcome. The refusal to retreat and give up that which is already established in heaven. Faith is the language of the believer, the military creed and ethos in spiritual warfare. Its not the absence of doubt, its the mocker of doubt. Our faith is from God for the purpose of partnering with Him to advance the kingdom in you, and through your life. The just are as bold as a lion because of FAITH. Therefore "only believe", be strong and of a good courage the LORD is with you!

The LORD abundantly BLESS your day!

Happy Father's Day to these awesome Dads. It's a privilege to call you all sons.
Love you all!

Happy Father's Day to these Dads.
Love you all! It's a privilege to call you sons.

I remember the first time I used the phrase, "she's my girl." HOW could I have seen so far down the road that 39 years later I would still be using that phrase, she's my girl. Happy Anniversary babe!

https://canvasrebel.com/meet-rick-merritt/

It's always a privilege when you get to share your testimony. In promoting my book "The Bridge Between Us" several magazines and other entities have reached to get my story behind the book. Check out this interview with CanvasRebel. Enjoy

Meet Rick Merritt We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Rick Merritt a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below. Alright, Rick thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Was there a defining moment in your professional career? A moment that changed the trajectory...

Thank you, .com and for this opportunity. Follow the link below to read one of my recent interviews.

Dr. Rick Merritt On 5 Things You Need To Be A Successful Author or Writer Discipline: I learned early on that I had to set time aside for writing only. A period went by when I made excuses for not being able to…

Remember, Mothers,Fathers, Sons, and Daughters need our prayers right now.

JOIN US THIS FRIDAY!

Hello! In a world flooded with distresses like divorce, father absence, rampant s*xual abuse, anxiety and depression, there seems to be and epidemic of escapism through drugs, alcohol, consumerism, s*x, violence and su***de.

I appreciate your support and would be extremely grateful if you shared your experience on Facebook reviews/ratings.

Don’t forget, “The Bridge Between Us: Becoming One in Marriage” at traditional brick & mortar bookstores, or online at Amazon.com, Apple iTunes store, or Barnes and Noble.

THE LOVE BANK: Each of us has a “Love Bank” containing many different accounts. Each person either makes deposits or withdrawals whenever we interact with him or her.
Pleasurable interactions cause deposits, and painful interactions cause withdrawals. As life goes on, the accounts in your Love Bank fluctuate, with some of your acquaintances building sizable deposits, some remaining marginally in the black, and some going in the red (the people who cause more pain than pleasure). This accumulation determines our emotional response to everyone we know, even though we are not actively aware of any of it! AND IN MARRIAGE THERE ARE TWO LOVE BANKS: HIS AND HERS.

There's A Marriage Box: most people get married believing a myth that marriage is a beautiful box full of all the things they have longed for: companionship, intimacy, friendship, etc.
The truth is; marriage at the start is an empty box. You must put something in before you can take anything out.

Valentines Day is just around the corner. Create a memorable Valentine gift, by taking the extra step to strengthen your relationship and gain new insights.

❤️𝐂𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐚 𝐜𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐋𝐎𝐕𝐄 this upcoming holiday ❤️

Gift a copy of ‘The Bridge Between Us: Becoming One in Marriage’ by Dr. Rick D. Merritt to you and your loved one (Available on iTunes, Amazon & Barnes & Nobel)

Link to buy: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1098092732/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_i_6PMDY2DKCS7AS74NBWYC

The Bridge Between Us: Becoming One in Marriage The Bridge Between Us: Becoming One in Marriage

"𝐆𝐎𝐃 𝐆𝐎𝐓 𝐘𝐎𝐔"

Sometimes things don't end up the way you thought they would. There was expectation with a sense of optimism; hope for new and better things. God's voice was a fresh companion, and confidence soared. Out of the blue the unexpected happened and you had to reexamine and assess how do I go forward from here. We start to ask ourselves questions when things don't turn out the way we expected; why, how, and who's the blame? They're not bad questions to ask; but they may not be the right ones. Suppose it's not about what went wrong, or who's to blame; suppose it's all about teaching you to transition in grace. Life is full of transitions from the time we come into this world. Maybe there are lessons to be learned, perhaps even the need to relearn old ones. We're familiar with the term "victory lap" in sports, but it's also used in academics when an added year of learning is necessary to accomplish an intended goal for a degree. A student may start off in one field of study but realizes later in their studies they need other classes to obtain the degree. Often they find in order to reach their goal another year is needed, it's called a "Victory Lap". There's been some hard lessons in 2021; maybe you've had to make some TRANSITIONS which required new lessons. Be encouraged, get ready to take your "victory lap" in 2022, God is on your side, He got you.

Psalm 37:23-24...//The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, And He delights in his ways. 24. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down. For the Lord upholds him with His hand.

Be a blessing, live a BLESSED life, GOD GOT YOU.

Happy New Year!!!