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Tuesday, March 31, 2015

Praise Breakthrough

Philippians 4:4 (ESV)

4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice.

*No matter what things look like, how we feel, or what we believe in our heads we should always praise God. This keeps us in faith, and keeps negativity from dwelling in our hearts. There is always the possibility that things could be worse. However, that shouldn't keep us from striving for better. We just have to be thankful for what we have and what's going on now in order to have the motivation to move forward. Having a sense of thankfulness will motivate us and bring peace to the situation. It will also help us see more of the positive aspects of life then negativity. Let's continue to lift each other up...better days are coming. When praises go up, blessings come down....

Monday, March 30, 2015

Crucify the Flesh for Freedom

Galatians 5:24 (ESV)

24 And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.

*One of the things that helps us become closer to God is the method we use to feed our spirit and starve our flesh. Adhering to the desires of our flesh, which is referring to our nature/natural man/secular desires, makes us becoming further from God. We are often too busy listening to this nature, which hardens our heart and takes our focus off of listening or even being able to hear God. This is why we have to use coping mechanisms to keep our minds on track, and be proactive in avoiding what tempts us. For instance, if you know you are addicted to drugs you should work on avoiding those who partake in that activity. It will also help feed your spirit by reading scriptures out loud about healing, and praying and thanking God for your deliverance. If we act in this manner, we will begin to believe it, and the craving will begin to subside. Also, but forth energy that you have for something negative into something positive that makes you and someone else happy. There is also spiritual counseling available to assist us as well. We just have to be willing to make a change, and go deeper in Christ. We are blessed to be a blessing, but it is our choice whether we are going to allow ourselves to be used, work towards doing the right thing, and free ourselves of negativity. If anyone is caught in a cycle, it's because they may not be seeking the proper efferts to be free....

Friday, March 27, 2015

Plans of Prosperity

Jeremiah 29:11 (ESV)

11 For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.

*The plan that God has for our lives is filled with protection, prosperity, and growth if we only open our hearts and follow Him. When God is telling us not to do something, be around certain people, or to remove things from our lifestyle it isn't to hurt us or take away "fun." It is to keep us from heartache in the long run. Sure, being a believer will not guarantee you a picture of perfection, but it will definitely save you a lot of heartache and wasted time. Are you going to trust your own plans that can only be based off the here and now, or will you trust God who knows your ordeal now and the things to come? Let go and let God have His way...After all, how far have you gotten without completely surrendering to Him? Now, imagine going further with Him...

Thursday, March 26, 2015

Consistent, Christ-Like Control

1 Corinthians 10:21 ESV

You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons. You cannot partake of the table of the Lord and the table of demons.

*God is reminding us that we can't stratle both sides of the fence: Either we are going to choose to be a part of living right for Him, or we are going to partake in secular behavior. No one is perfect, but that doesn't give us the excuse to live double lives. We must strive to continue trying and cleaning up our lives, which will allow us to be an example for others. Either we are going to work on living for Christ or we aren't. We are aware of things we shouldn't be doing or saying. We are also aware that we will never reach are full potential if we keep surrounding ourselves with worldly things and people, or we are inconsistent with doing the right thing according to His word. Now, God never said you can't enjoy yourself. However, doing things that He is telling you not to do, that you know is wrong, or being with people He is trying to remove us from will not allow you to spiritually advance...This will then trickle into your physical, mental, and emotional advancement. Most importantly, if you aren't saved then you will not see heaven (John 3:3). Grace does not give us a free pass to be inconsistent, conniving, or deceitful. We have to choose a side...which one will you choose?

Wednesday, March 25, 2015

Prayer Effects His Presence

Proverbs 15:29 (ESV)

29 The Lord is far from the wicked,
but he hears the prayer of the righteous.

*God is never a part of something that is bad. Therefore, when something bad happens and people claim it as the Father's will, that is not the case. There are consequences of sin, and sometimes it effects the lives of the innocent, but God is not near or orchestrating bad things...That is of the enemy, and due to the sinful nature of this world. This is why we have to consistently pray over ourselves, our families, and invite God into our lives for His will to be done. We also must develop and build upon our relationship with Him, and not abuse grace in order to understand who He is and how He operates in our lives. If we draw closer to Him through prayer and our actions, He automatically comes closer to us...This decision to be close to Him in doing the right thing effects what positive or negative elements effect our lives.

Tuesday, March 24, 2015

Letting Go to be Fulfilled

Philippians 3:13-14 (ESV)

13 Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

*Despite what some may think, we have not made it this far on our own. Even through our mistakes and disappointments, God has carried us through. Now, we choose whether we are going to follow Him, be obedient, or be patient. However, we are still assisted or followed by God no matter what we choose. However, the consequences depend on our choices. Regardless to what you have chosen in the past, we cannot take that into the future and base our lives off of what we have experienced. As long as we are living, we still have that option to get things right with God, follow Him, and still receive the opportunity to receive who and what He has for us. Let's press forward in Him, and not rationalize things on our own or base things off of out ability to lean to our own understanding. Press towards doing the right thing by God, and He will push you towards the desires of your heart.

Monday, March 23, 2015

Good Things Come 2 Those Through Grace

Romans 8:28 (ESV)

28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.

*No matter what seems disheveled or up in the air in our lives, these things will come together to develop and prepare us for greater. Every step we take in the direction that God is leading us in allows to get closer to our deliverance and blessings. If we trust in God, be led by Him, and embrace obedience then nothing or no one can hold us back from receiving all that God has for us. We must work through the bad by believing and taking action toward the promises He has for us, while His grace and mercy sees us through.

Saturday, March 21, 2015

Love is Serious

1 Corinthians 13:1-3 (ESV)

13:1 If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3 If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing.

*We can have all the experience, intelligence, desire, advice, know how, titles, or God-ordained gifts in the world. However, if you don't know how to walk in love when you talk to, relate, or act towards God's people then we have nothing. Transparency moment: I become very tired of the attitudes, rudeness, and the upper hand of people. My mind wants to go off and be like "who do you think you are," but I often pause and wrap it up with a "thank you" unless God tells me to say more or use force. Now, I may not do it with a smile, but I am in prayer. We all operate differently, so rather then try to change or chastise, let's use love to understand. Even if you have to walk in love from a distance, bc everyone is not meant to be in your inner circle, do that. I often distance myself, but I desire to love even the rudest person. I also desire to be close with some. We ALL need work in this area, which is often a reflection of our connection. Let's pray for each other, and ask God for help.

Friday, March 20, 2015

Change Your Mind

Proverbs 22:6 (ESV)

6 Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.

*When we think of this scripture, we often think of the proper way to raise our children, which is according to how Christ ordains. However, take a moment to think back to your own childhood. Were you raised in the church? Did your parents/guardian work on instilling the proper motives in you? Now, ask yourself how far have you gotten away from those values as you grew and became tainted by the world and life's experiences? Even those who may not have come from a spiritual background, think about singers that started out in the church or sang gospel music, and traded that in for a secular life in order to obtain fame faster...Yet, all they do is sing or rap about how life isn't the same or things aren't right. That's because they and some of us are missing the key element that we started with: Christ. Sure, church may have been stiff when we were kids, but that doesn't take away from the morals...Even ask yourself if whether doing things your way or the world's way has provided you with true fulfillment? God wants us to come to Him as little children...with an open mind that is ready for impact. Children are impressionable, and we must be that way too in order to get away from old thoughts and habits and generate new ones. After all, if you want something different you will have to do something you have never done...Otherwise, you may be beating a dead horse. Look at the possibilities of life as God wants you to see them, and not how your experience determines they should be..

Thursday, March 19, 2015

Your Value

Luke 12:6-7 (ESV)

6 Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? And not one of them is forgotten before God. 7 Why, even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not; you are of more value than many sparrows.

*Many of us know that God has the ability to take care of us, and we shouldn't worry about anything. Some of us are even aware that living in fear will get you know where; however, the disconnect for many is actually TRUSTING in God to supply EVERYTHING and submitting to HIS GUIDANCE. Do you really understand your value to God? If so, there would be no need to stoop to someone's level, hinder our bodies with foreign substances, or take it upon ourselves to take action without seeking God's guidance or plan. You see, everything you believe, say, and do or desire to do may not be in line with the Father. If you do not allow Him to completely order your steps and show you what He has for you, then you are unaware of your full potential and value He has placed on your life. You are only going by what you know and have experienced. If you don't realize your own worth, then you have definitely lost sight of how to properly view and communicate with others. How you treat and REALLY feel about others is a reflection of how you feel about yourself, and how your relationship is with God. Whatever you worry about or feel disgusted by when it comes to others is the very thing God wants to work with you on...He wants you to let go and trust that He knows you and all your inner thoughts. Surrender to Him..He is waiting for the truth to come out of you, for you to realize your value, and He wants you to receive what you are entitled to, once you become aware of your importance in His plan.

Wednesday, March 18, 2015

Being a Positive Influence

Isaiah 61:1 (ESV)

61:1 The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me,
because the Lord has anointed me
to bring good news to the poor;
he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim liberty to the captives,
and the opening of the prison to those who are bound..

*We have the ability to have a positive impact on people or a negative one, especially towards those who may be in a worse situation or mindset then ours. God is always with us. He is always around to provide clarity on who needs your assistance, and He will give you the words or tools on what to do or say. It is just up to you to decided if you're going to allow Him to use you. Whether or not you choose to be bothered, or even be a positive influence is your choice. However, know that the world has enough drama and negativity in it without us adding more. How will you impact someone's life today?

Tuesday, March 17, 2015

Give It Your All

Colossians 3:23-24 (ESV)

23 Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, 24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.

*If we expect full results from God, we should work on giving Him a 100% in everything we do. Half stepping may only produce half finished results. Remember, whatever you sow is also what you will reap (Galatians 6:7). Let's work on reaping the full benefits that God has for us by giving Him our all, and representing Him to the fullest in everything we do.

Monday, March 16, 2015

The Love of God

Ephesians 3:16-19 (NIV)

16 I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love,18 may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

*God is a loving Father that desires to provide healing, support, strength, and love. His love for us surpasses all logical sense because He does not hold a grudge when we do something wrong, He isn't waiting on us to become totally committed in order to hear from Him, and He isn't placing humanistic pressures on you to make you feel inadequate. He loves us unconditionally, and is waiting to show us this love if we only take out enough time to go deeper in our relationship with Him. Are you ready to go to the next level in His love?

Wednesday, March 11, 2015

Give It Your All

James 2:14-17 ESV

What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.

*Having a desire is different from acting on that desire...Preparing gets you further then lying dormant. You see, we can have burning desires, but if we have no fuel to assist in kindling that fire then it will eventually go out. Of course, in all you do you should be led. However, many of us know what steps and actions need to be taken, but pretend as if we don't and just desire for it to fall out of the sky. That is not to say blessings can't just come to you, but there was some action taken in order to obtain your desire even if it was as simple as sowing and being obedient. Are we truly doing all we can, or can we do more? Know the difference between when God tells you to be still, or if you are choosing that action on your own. Let's pray for each other and ask God to help us know the difference between things we can do something about to further assist us, and things that are out of our control. We have more power and influence then we think. Don't allow fear, complacency, or laziness to keep you from your goals.

Friday, March 6, 2015

Reassurance

Isaiah 55:6-7 (ESV)

6 “Seek the Lord while he may be found;
call upon him while he is near;
7 let the wicked forsake his way,
and the unrighteous man his thoughts;
let him return to the Lord, that he may have compassion on him,
and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.”

* God is always around, and is willing to provide guidance and reassurance. We just have to do our part by seeking Him. However, each evil thing we say or do puts us further from Him. Remember that trouble is easy to get into, but can be difficult to get out of....Don't take that risk. Seek God for clarity, and He will reassure and help you.
     

Tuesday, March 3, 2015

Freedom in Truth

Hebrews 4:12 (ESV)

12 For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

*God's word is capable of cutting through the vale that we put up for people to see, the pretending that may occur to help you get through the day, and the barrier that you may have up to keep others at bay. His word transforms how we think, even if we don't want it to, and it cuts away whatever you are using to cover up the truth. The idea behind God's word is to help you grow, discern, and uncover the who you really are in order to remove what has been tainted by the world. We all have things that are hidden, or perhaps you have something you are unwilling to tackle or deal with at the moment. However, the truth will set us free. Let's pray for each other, and combat those fears and hidden feelings with the word. Just as sin is as powerful as you make it, so is the word of God...If we it allow it to manifest, it will unfold.