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Monday, November 30, 2015

Edification in the Word

Romans 10:17 (ESV)

So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ. 

*The more we read and indulge in His word, the more it builds our faith. The word of God covers all topics, and explains why we should or shouldn't do things. It can also provide peace and guidance during a given situation. If we experience moments of insecurity, if we are unsure of things, or perhaps we may be emotional then it could be because we are not feeding our spirit and gaining reassurance through the word. God is the God of guidance and reassurance. He never wants us to be in the dark, or feeling beside ourselves in a given situation. I pray this week that we find clarity through Him and His word, and I pray we remove ourselves from the equation and submit to His will, allowing us to be open to listen and be edified.

Wednesday, November 25, 2015

Clarity and Connections Through Love

Colossians 2:1-5 (ESV

2:1 For I want you to know how great a struggle I have for you and for those at Laodicea and for all who have not seen me face to face, 2 that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of God's mystery, which is Christ, 3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. 4 I say this in order that no one may delude you with plausible arguments.5 For though I am absent in body, yet I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good order and the firmness of your faith in Christ.

*What's amazing about these verses is how God is telling us that in order to advance, be blessed, and receive we must begin with love. Love opens the heart and mind in order to understand what God is trying to show you, you receive the wisdom to handle each situation, and also properly know how to find and take care of His blessings. Love is the main tool that starts the preparation process, leading you to His promises and wisdom to understand what He is trying to show you.  It also keeps you connected to His people by enhancing your connection with God, despite the fact that He is not physically present. Your connection with Him depicts how connected you will be to His people. However, He is always connected in spirit when you love and seek His wisdom. Even without love, He waits patiently on us to obtain it in order to feel His love. May we work on our love walk to unlock the door for many other avenues and blessings...

Friday, November 20, 2015

The Truth Will Set You Free

Galatians 5:1 (ESV)

For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery. 

*When God removes people and things out of our lives, or when things have been revealed to you, walk in the freedom of the truth. Do not remain in bondage just to hold on to what you know and feel comfortable dealing with...The sooner we let go and allow change, the more stable we become in order to prepare and advance to the next level. Stand firm on what God shows you regardless to whether it meets your expectations because it is part of a greater plan, and it will provide a more stable and greater outcome. Ignorance is never bliss when you have the option to choose the truth. Walk in the fullness of it in order to receive your unexpected end...Spinning your wheels is not spending your time wisely...

Wednesday, November 18, 2015

Light Afflictions, Hardcore Blessings

2 Corinthians: 4:15-16 (ESV)

 15 For it is all for your sake, so that as grace extends to more and more people it may increase thanksgiving, to the glory of God.

16 So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. 17 For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, 18 as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.

*As life moves forward, we will go through things no matter how old we become or how deep in Christ we are. An earthly day may pass, but God's promises will last forever. The things that we go through for His name sake are in no comparison to the reward that is in store for us. He loves us when others do not, and He has our back when everyone else may have left us or found fault in us. Ultimately, if is not the actions of the people that matter, but whether we are moving forward in God and with Him by our side. Yes, some things will hurt and bother us, but we combat that hurt by getting rid of elements that are not of God and focusing on Him. Let's not forget His promises, nor why we are here...Our purpose, His protection, and the power bestowed upon us is far greater than anything negative that we can experience. May we pray for each to remember these things.

Monday, November 16, 2015

Faith or Fear..You Decide

Psalm 18: 2 (ESV)

The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.

*No matter what we face, God is with us and we can find strength and refuge in Him. When we aren't sure what to do or what to think, God's guidance is always ready and available to assist us. Sometimes we forget the power behind the master we serve, and even more so the power He has instilled in us. No matter what it looks like we have to go through life, but how we face it or choose to handle things is based off what we believe and have accepted as the outcome. Even more so, whether or not you have given power to what you are facing or does the power lie within you and your trust in God? Let's remember to hold fast to what we know in our spirits, and what has been imbedded in our hearts. Our actions and mindset will follow if we continue to work on whether we let fear or faith control it.

Saturday, November 14, 2015

Prayers for Paris 💗

As we go into the weekend, let's remember not to just focus on our own lives and those we know or take interest in, but those who need are interest to trickle down at the very least as a prayer in hopes of peace and guidance for Paris...

Philippians 2:4-English Standard Version
Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.

Thursday, November 12, 2015

Words of Wisdom Governed by Love

1Samuel 2:3 (ESV)

3 Talk no more so very proudly,
let not arrogance come from your mouth;
for the Lord is a God of knowledge,
and by him actions are weighed.

*This morning, God wants us to examine our actions and our motives behind them. A lot of times believers will use God's word to bible beat people, make themselves seem superior, or correct individuals out of haughtiness rather than love or adhering to what God is telling you to say to that person. Remember, God sees the real motive behind what we do and why we do things. If you do it to appease yourself or put people in their place, that is a major difference than providing love and wisdom as guided by our Father. We must learn the difference between loving corrections vs playing God and judging. Just because we may know more and implement more than another individual, it doesn't mean that our intentions are pure. Today, I invite you to examine your heart...What are you really saying without actually saying it, why are you saying it, and were you led to say it in the first place? This is not a time to be silent, but it's also not a time to hide behind aggression and call it love.

Tuesday, November 10, 2015

Freedom of Choice vs Freedom of Guilt

1 Corinthians 10:13 (ESV)

No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it. 

*There is nothing too tempting that you are forced to circum to it. There is also nothing that you are experiencing that someone else has not already gone through. We are here to share our mistakes with one another without judging. Things are magnified based on how we see it, how we handle it, who we choose to talk to, and the reason behind why they are done because of what we choose to do. Even when the pressure is high, there is always an outlet of escaping from being tempted to do the wrong thing. Whether we take it or not is a part of our right to choose. Choose the way that speaks to your spirit and gives you peace. If what we desire goes against God, than there is a better way of doing things. Don't yield to what is quick, easy, useful, or fulfilling because you think so...Walk away from an unnecessary hardship towards your outlet of escape, and your path to righteousness. The reward will be much sweeter in the end, than sweet for a moment and chaotic to fix.

Monday, November 9, 2015

Talk the Right Talk in Your Walk

Proverbs 15:1 (ESV)

A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. 

*Words have power, and often determine the angle of the conversation and how far things will go. What we say coupled with how we say things carries a lot of weight, and determines the end result to the conversation. That's why it is always important to think before we speak, and allow God to lead us in what we say. Also, this doesn't have to just be for conversations to correct or fix something. God's guidance can help you even in situations when you may not know what to say when pursuing friendship, courtship, testifying, or opening up to people. Many times we often say things that convey the wrong message of intent, and do not depict what it is that we really desire. We must be able to convey what we need or what is desired in order to get the outcome that you desire, and what God wants. Today, let's work on speaking life into our situations and into others. Your faith can carry you through and trickle down to everyone else around you. If words have power and convey a certain message that causes action, what are you missing out on, saying conveying incorrectly, or dealing with when you don't have to?...Be positive in your words and tone, which will influence your actions.

Friday, November 6, 2015

Mind Modification

Proverbs 3:7-8 (ESV)

Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD, and turn away from evil. It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones. 

*Many individuals always feel that they know what's best, that they are making the best choices, that they are correct in their way of thinking, or offering the best advice. However, these choices and expressions are often done based on our own experiences, how we have been influenced, or our environment that may not necessarily line up with the word of God. This is why we should be guided by God in what we say, do, or the conclusions we come to because we are constantly planting seeds and representing Him. Even if what we say and believe sounds good or is fact, it still may not be the appropriate time to share that information until God tells you too. That's why we need to consult with God on everything we do and say, and be open to modifications based on what He places on our hearts and drops in our spirit. I know I could stand to be more in tuned... How about you?

Wednesday, November 4, 2015

Focus On Your Spirit

Galatians 5:16-17 (ESV)

16 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17 For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do.

*We must stay focused on praying, combating our thoughts with the word, and seeking God for covenant partners in order to keep our minds and physical capabilities from circuming to the flesh. Refocusing our thoughts and actions is a daily process that requires more than just resistance. We need to be open to the assistance that God sends us, and we also need to make ourselves open to assisting and not just receiving. No one likes to be the person who is always there for others in their moment of weakness, but not have the same in return. Therefore, what is God trying to tell us when it comes to what we do, say, and think on a daily basis? Are we going against the flow of His current and the direction He is trying to take us in, or are we going with His flow to help is stay focused and grow? Do we believe it is ok to be inconsistent, or are we working towards being consistent to listening and acting on the guidance given by the Holy Spirit, and implementing this in our lives constantly?

Monday, November 2, 2015

Challenges Lead to Changes

Romans 8:31-32 (ESV)

31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?32 He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?

*Often we have a full plate set before us at the start of the work week, and we have the pleasure of working to ingest it, even when there are things on if that we don't like. Well, the initial intake may be hard to chew and swallow, but we have a powerful digestive system that is designed to break down things, take in what we need, and remove unwanted waste. Isn't that something like life in general? People and circumstances may put something before us that we may have trouble taking in or adjusting to, but God is the powerful source to help us see the good, and remove the bad while all the while reminding us to remember His promises and utilize what He gave us to obtain them...Strength and the ability to process things through, while removing the unnecessary. So, remember that if God is for you and gave you all you need through His son, who can rob you of seeing things His way and working if out for your good? Better yet, who can keep anything good from you despite what is presented before you? A challenge represents the ability for change...Speak life and take action for that change to occur. Let's pray for positive change this week, and the unacceptance of the norm and some old agenda...Not just for you, but others as well.