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Thursday, April 30, 2015

Think About His Viewpoint

Matthew 5:23-24 (ESV)

23 So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, 24 leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.

*There are so many individuals who serve, tithe, give an offering, and declare their love for God yet have a problem with His people. Some hold grudges,  ignore others, and refuse to reach out or be bothered with individuals. Others smile in the face of His people, but are looking for ways to point out their flaws or stab them in the back. Others may choose to isolate themselves. Regardless to what we choose to do, none of this is showing love. Yes, everyone is not suppose to be a part of your personal circle...And sure, you should protect yourself from people who can be a poor influence. However, that shouldn't stop you from being cordial. Even more so, we shouldn't feel a certain way about anyone except how God sees these people. Our mixed feelings may be the very thing that is blocking our blessings, even if we are doing the right things by God. Honestly, I struggle in this area because I am often tired of being hurt, dealing with fake attitudes, and it makes me want to feel a certain way towards certain groups or individuals. However, I do forgive, tolerate, and love even if it is from a distance until God changes things. Let's encourage and pray that something of this magnitude doesn't stop us from moving forward and that we can see people the way God sees them. Sometimes the very things we can't stand are signs that the person is crying out to us for help....Remember, we all have a purpose and are meant to make an impact.

Monday, April 27, 2015

Priority Rearrangement

Proverbs 21:17. (ESV)

17 Whoever loves pleasure will be a poor man; he who loves wine and oil will not be rich.

If you love something so much that it takes away your ability to be responsible, then this becomes a problem. Let's take it a step further: If you have a guilty pleasure or "responsibility" that hinders your ability to tithe and put God first, then this entity has become your god and could be blocking your blessing. Further more, if you love something enough and cannot save due to it, then it has taken away your ability to be responsible. Let's pray that we find balance and get away from over-indulgence. Most importantly, that we put God first, which will allow the rest to fall into place.

Thursday, April 23, 2015

Order of Operation

Isaiah 40:6-8 (NIV)

6..."All people are like grass,
    and all their faithfulness is like the flowers of the field.
The grass withers and the flowers fall, because the breath of the lord blows on them. Surely the people are grass.
The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God endures forever.”

*Your connection to God should be stronger then a reliance on any person. People will come and go out of your life and their faithfulness, attitudes, promises, and time with you may blossom beautifully like flowers one day and die out later as your season changes. However, God will always be around and never change. He will also lead you to the right people in order to avoid a continuous, revolving door of individuals coming in and out of your life. He will also teach you how to treat others and bow to view them if we trust Him first. Stop looking for people with ever changing personalities to be your all...Put that responsibility on God. All the rest, including the connection with others, will fall into place if He is first and your reliance is on Him...

Tuesday, April 21, 2015

Not Throwing in the Towel

Even when a person is down, that doesn't mean they are out; when they are tired, that doesn't mean they are giving up; and when they are quiet that doesn't necessarily mean they are through. Sometimes a person just needs to step back for a few...This is how one collects their thoughts to keep from being through. ‪#‎ThereIsNoGoingBack‬‪#‎JustForward‬

Monday, April 20, 2015

A Fruitful Harvest

Galatians 5:22-23 (ESV)

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.

*It's amazing how these fruits have no limitations and have the ability to create positivity, yet they are often viewed as foreign and can be the hardest to do. Think about it: Most people see negativity before positivity, it is often hard to love or believe in it when u have been hurt, faith begins to dwindle when u keep getting the same results, and it may be hard to be gentle or find joy with people or an environment that could care less about u ...Fun times, right? I am experiencing that myself. Yet these fruits are challenges that will take us to the next level...Change begins with us, and although it may suck, we are often led to be the first to share these fruits in hopes of sowing seeds that will reap more of a fruitful harvest. I ask you today to exercise enough control to think outside of yourself and your circle, and use these fruits to help encourage someone else. The only thing that can make life sweeter is by sharing these fruits. As badly as we may not want to, the very elements that we share may be the very thing to cause change. After all, everyone has sowed lies or negativity at some point...how about switching it up?

Thursday, April 16, 2015

Impressions are Everything

Genesis 1:27 ESV

So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.

*We are all created to look like God and convey His nature....Yet, many of us do not know what that truly means. We show our lack of understanding by the way some of us conduct ourselves. Our value and our abilities are high because we are created in His image, but some have lost sight of their value and misrepresent ourselves and Him. Whenever we settle for less, choose to behave contrary to what God stands for, view others as less then ourselves, or treat them poorly depicts that we have missed the understanding of being created in His image. Not only should our reflection depict Him, but our behavior should as well. Even what we choose to partake in or be around reflects Him or the lack of our understanding of who He should be within us. The next time you act on something, treat someone a certain way, or indulge in something you should ask yourself if it reflects the image of God? We must work on renewing our minds daily and trusting in Him to understand who we are in Christ, and how we are called to represent Him to others.

Tuesday, April 14, 2015

Learn to Live

1 Corinthians 3:19-20 (ESV)

19 For the wisdom of this world is folly with God. For it is written, “He catches the wise in their craftiness,” 20 and again, “The Lord knows the thoughts of the wise, that they are futile.”

*People often think that because they have more experience in the world, they know more then someone who has not been exposed to certain environments or behaviors. This is not always the case. The world operates with the idea of "you learn from your mistakes or choices." Therefore, the idea is to act on things first and learn from what happens. Spiritual wisdom is to learn first, then act...Think about it: This makes sense because you normally wouldn't, for example, operate on someone before learning the steps and procedure. The same should apply with God...We shouldn't say or do things without consulting Him and His word first. Not only does learning and being guided make you more prepared, but you may suffer less heartache and consequences. Let's not fall on our face each time without seeking counsel with God and those He sends to us (people who truly stand on His word). Let's pray that we learn how to live, instead of living to learn.

Friday, April 10, 2015

Our True Traits

2 Timothy 1:7 ESV

For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.

*Many of us accuse others for what we lack inside and what we fear. We may tell others to stop being a certain way because we don't understand it, we blame other people for overwhelming us even though it is us who may be poor at time management, we embrace "friends" and things we are use to bc we are too scared to think and try things outside the box, or perhaps you see the faults of others and ignore your own. Whatever the case is, God gave us power to understand yet control ourselves around all walks of life. He also gave u the power to know who and what you should embrace without fear, and also who and what to let go. If other people, jobs, or things are driving you crazy then it is because you haven't embraced your power to operate with a sound mind. Sure things will upset us, but if u feel like u are losing your mind then it is a choice you have made to allow that thing or person to do that to you. Lastly, we have the power to walk in love. It is so easy for us to be rude, snappy, not want to discuss something, or be snooty. Yet, it is a rarity when you find a loving individual or walk in love. Most people do not know how to embrace this, when it should be the opposite. Let's exercise our ability to be more then the norm because most people can be rude, they can blame others and things, not keep their word, be fearful that others will hurt them or uncover a secret, or they can be scared to move forward or try something new. If God says u can do it, don't u think you He gave you the wisdom and power to do so? Self grooming will cause an outward change...Embrace the power and love God put on the inside of u, and not the coldness the world taught you...

Thursday, April 9, 2015

Destiny's Destination

Psalm 94:14-15 (ESV)

14 For the Lord will not forsake his people;
he will not abandon his heritage;
15 for justice will return to the righteous,
and all the upright in heart will follow it.

*At times, we may feel like God has left us or He doesn't here our cry. However, that is far from true. He is always with us...Be it to call us out of darkness and prompt a desire to be saved and live the right way, or to take us to the next level in our walk with Him. We just have to let go and let God. A lot of times we are so busy trying to be in control that we forget who REALLY has all the power and authority. Therefore, why would u try to figure things out or do things on our own when we have someone who knows and sees everything. So, let's practice sitting in the back seat and let God do the driving...A lot of times we know where He is trying to take us, but are we even trying to head towards that destination?

Tuesday, April 7, 2015

Getting Over the Hump

Philippians 1:29 (ESV)

29 For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake. . . .

*As a believer, we are suppose to look at the life of Christ and follow His example. Well, there are times when Jesus had to go through things and push through to get over the hump. However, there were always blessings waiting after the trial. We too will go through trials and tribulations. We may suffer, become upset, and even cry out....But, as long as we don't sin then we are following His lead. There is a grace put on us to endure and overcome. God is also here to provide us with peace. Let's pray for each other and our ability to successfully overcome trials. 

Saturday, April 4, 2015

Realism

Galatians 1:10 (ESV)

10 For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.

*We have all had those moments when we have felt like we "had" to do something to fit in, get the job done,or maybe even to get ahead. However, what good is this if it compromises your integrity morals? Better yet, who does this say you are? Are you going to allow your true self to be lost just for a moment or an ongoing situation that you don't have to be a part of? It doesn't matter the circumstance...You can always find a way to be truthful or remove yourself, especially if you trust God and ask Him to help you. The moment you let go of being deceitful will be the moment you are free, and no longer faking it until you make it. Besides, if we let go and be led by God then we separate from the cycle of deceit and move forward in identifying who we really are, what we really need, and where we are really going in life...Don't let others determine this, but find out for yourself...

Friday, April 3, 2015

Good Friday

My hope is to be able to love everyone the way Jesus does, and my prayer is that all of us truly know Him and how He views you...May you know your worth, and never settle again...

Release to be Restored

We are only free if we choose to be...Otherwise, we are choosing to be in bondage. Don't allow yourself to be held back by anyone or anything, but do allow yourself the ability to receive preparation from God. Being prepped and being bound are NOT the same thing. However, being complacent and being bound are cousins though...

Thursday, April 2, 2015

Kill Them with Godliness

John 6:37

37 All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out.

*We must have faith that all that God has promised us will come to pass. If we seek God and come to Him about our desires, hurt, concerns, past, or anything that hinders us or even makes us happy, God will listen and assist. He wants to take care of our concerns, and provide us with what we need and want if it lines up with His word. However, we must be willing to come to Him, and allow Him to help us. We then need to act  like the Father and not cast individuals away when they need us...So many people want a shoulder to cry on or help, but no one wants to be that shoulder or help one another. We base things off of whether we feel like being bothered. Transparency moment: It hurts to open up to some people you don't want to be bothered with or who hurt you, but I work on being led and ask for strength because although my flesh wants to go off, my Lord may say otherwise. See things for yourself and others through His eyes, and not through the toughness of your own....We are often more critical then God.

Wednesday, April 1, 2015

Sowing with Wisdom

Hebrews 13:16 (ESV)

16 Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God

*When people see scriptures like this, they often think of sharing their funds. These individuals may become pressed or concerned because of the lack there of...However, sharing a monetary gift is only a piece of what God is asking. You have the capability to share anything, even if it is as simple as a loving word. You don't know how much your obedience in sharing be it your time, money, words, love, wisdom, etc impacts another person. God has blessed you with these things, and He will lead you and press on you as to when and how to share if you are open. Plus, if you are guided by God, you don't have to worry about being taken advantage of because He has given you the wisdom on when to sow and whether you are sowing into good ground. We just have to make sure we are listening and have a free heart. God can turn your little into a lot if you open your hand and heart to let go...You will then have the room and ability to receive, if u let go of what someone else needs.