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Sunday, January 31, 2016

If God Be For You...

Luke 12:4-5 (ESV)

"I tell you, my friends, do not fear those who kill the body, and after that have nothing more that they can do. But I will warn you whom to fear: fear him who, after he has killed, has authority to cast into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him!

*Have you ever heard someone say that people don't have a heaven or hell to put you in? Well, it's literally true.. No matter how people treat you, see you, or regardless to what occurs they do not have any authority over your spirit and life unless you allow them to...Your major influencer is God, who has ALL power and authority. If we start recognizing who has the power vs who we choose to give power to, then it may cause you to fear less and care more about what matters to God verses what matters to humans. Yes, love and represent well; however, do it in the name of the Father and not in the name of influencing the perception of others. Allow God to take care of the rest...After all, humans are on the same level and put their pants on like you do...God is on another level that can set you a part from unnecessary distractions and things designed to take you out sooner, if you let it.

Friday, January 29, 2016

Comparisons

Luke 6:42New International Version (NIV)

42 How can you say to your brother, ‘Brother, let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when you yourself fail to see the plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.

*People often have a tendency to criticize others, but do not want anyone to say anything about their issues. Even more so, they often don't acknowledge that they have an issue to correct or need help with... This scripture speaks volumes on acknowledgment because we need to work on ourselves in order to better help others. Therefore, we acknowledge what is going on with us in order to understand why we have a certain perspective towards others, and why people have issues in certain areas. Now, many individuals tend to use this scripture to say that people should not judge them...WRONG. We are suppose to judge a tree by the fruit it bares, which will allow us to determine if God is calling us to help in this area, or if being around people or in a certain environment is where God wants us to be at that time. However, we judge it based on the word. When we use the word to judge things and allow God to speak with us, we find corrections that need to be made within ourselves in order to love on and better assist others. Therefore, we gain wisdom from God and His word to strengthen ourselves in areas in order to be a living testimony and assistance to know how to better help others. If we have a problem, we are not called to highlight the problems of others to make ourselves feel better...Rather, we are given access to this information to reflect on ourselves, and then be proactive in aiding others based on guidance from God and not our own assumptions and experiences.

Thursday, January 28, 2016

Light Up Your Life

1 John 1:5-7 (ESV)

This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. 

*If we are all about God, then we are all about what He stands and the ability to dedicate ourselves to follow His word. There is no room for secular tendencies and habits while walking in truth. Sure, people make mistakes; however, if done on a continuous basis, then you believe more in what you choose to do and have come to know than the life He wants to show and give to you. Ever notice how some people argue with you about sin, or try to make it seem OK? They have grown comfortable with hiding in the dark, and are too afraid to embrace the light and new life style behind the truth...BUT, there is power in His marvelous light.... The power to allow it to shine on new things, regenerate you, help you grow as the sun does for a plant, and spotlight the truths that will set you free. Be willing to come into the light and into a new awakening. You can't see possibilities in the dark, and there is nothing hidden in the light....

Tuesday, January 26, 2016

Love Should Overshadow All

1 John 4:20 (ESV)

If anyone says, "I love God," and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen. 

*Sometimes it's hard to accept the fact that our ability to show love towards God's people depicts how much we love God. Of course it's easy to love Him because of His goodness in spite of our downfalls, but He wants you to display that same thought process in order to show God's love to His people. We all know that people can be the most unfiltered, rude, fickled, clicky, sneaky, and picky individuals out there...Some of us may feel as though we would rather deal with animals than people, but God is saying that He needs our help in loving even the worse individuals. That love promotes change, and most importantly it draws people to Him. We are put on this Earth to win souls and make a positive impact on ALL people, and not just those we like or feel like dealing with; therefore, I am asking God to help us love in spite of and remember how He loves us in spite of our flaws that need work. How deep is your love?

Friday, January 22, 2016

Let Go & Let God

Isaiah 41:10 (NIV)

So do not fear, for I am with you;
    do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
    I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

*No matter how we feel, what seems unclear, or regardless of what we are going through our Father is with us. This serves as a reminder that He is here to cover us, always there to guide us, and we are never alone. There have been times when I felt no one understood, people pretended to care, or individuals didn't want to be bothered... YET, my God never left me and continued to keep me. I still felt even a small sense of peace that let me know I was covered. Even more so, if we tap into that peace, it will let you know if you are headed in the right direction and around the right people. Remember, if God is with us, we do not have to settle...We have the ability to embrace change, open up, and move forward with a clean slate. Let go and let God...TGIF!

Wednesday, January 20, 2016

Tongue Talking

Proverbs 10:19 (ESV)

When words are many, transgression is not lacking, but whoever restrains his lips is prudent.

*Sometimes saying nothing at all can create more peace than opening your mouth...There are times when comments aren't necessary, and when your opinion or experience is not a fact that will help the situation. Sometimes a listening ear goes a long way versus a scornful word. God reminds us that fewer words can provide more clarity and peace than the rambling of the tongue. After all, there is life and death in the power of the tongue...Use your words to create life, and when you know it won't help than choose to lovingly stay quiet. We all could take the opportunity to think before we speak, and learn to speak life into others as guided by God. We must also be selective in our thinking to help us when we are speaking, as well as consistent in allowing God to guide our hearts and mouths. Meditate on the box your words put you in, and exam how they have effected others...Now, make a change. It is never too late...

Monday, January 18, 2016

Shortcomings

James 3:2 (ESV)

For we all stumble in many ways. And if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole body.

*God is reminding all of us that we ALL fall short and miss the mark. Therefore, stop pretending to be perfect. If you claim to be perfect, then you can control all aspects of your body. Furthermore, since we all fall short, we need to remember this aspect when dealing with each other...This helps us remember the humility and patience behind longsuffering. It should also serve as a reminder to assist one another rather than ridicule, keep your distance if God is drawing you to that person, or judge. If we all stumble, then we need to not act as if someone is doing something that has never been heard of when they fall short. People often "throw shade" or look down upon others when we have our own demons that we battle. Wouldn't it be great if we could understand the shortcomings of others, and utilize our strengths to help them during their weakness; instead of writing them off or putting our mouth on them? Our words speak volumes of who we are, but our actions depict what we are really about. Are you representing God in both areas? Be willing to admit your shortcomings in order to understand and help with the shortcomings of others.

Saturday, January 16, 2016

Is it just you, Lord?

I'm waking up right now thinking of u. I'm thinking about how I have to deal with people, put on my forgiveness hat in such a cold and unforgiving world, and I have to maintain a certain face & keep my distance from most ppl, but can I be naked with you? I want to be myself, be open, be vulnerable, and run to u from a cold world...I want u and only u to know me...I want to heal with u. I love u...I'm tired, and just want you ....
Eph. 4:1-4; Isa. 50:7

Tuesday, January 12, 2016

The Treatment of Others

Colossians 3:12-14 (ESV)

Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. 

*It's easy to see the faults of others...It's even easier to dismiss yourself by ignoring those individuals, and removing yourself from having any interactions. However, sometimes God calls us to humble ourselves, and remember how He dealt with and is still dealing with us. He reminds us of His ability to love, have patience, and share in our deliverance. Shouldn't we humble ourselves to do the same with others? Even when we are led to correct, we are called to do it in love and meekness. People believe in tough love because they believe in allowing others suffer for what you believe is wrong. Sure there are consequences to all actions, but imagine if u had to suffer for everything. Would you want someone to walk in love with you, or walk in persecution? Let's evaluate how we want others to treat us vs how we actually treat other people.

Sunday, January 10, 2016

Serenity

Micah 6:8 ESV

He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?

*There is an awakening in my spirit that is focusing on and harmonizing with the word "serenity." This word, by definition, means to be at peace and untroubled. I went more into my thoughts and experience with serenity, and found that I gravitate to those who have found and mastered this trait...Those who are not worried about the business of others, do not have too much of a care in the world, and those who take all news be it good or bad in a positive way. Their advice presents peace, and they almost have an "is what it is" attitude. These people that I speak of are secular...Now, imagine how we should be as believers? Why are we so eager to tell people where to get off, disturbed by others, or dwelling on the negative more than the positive? Could it be what we need to face is causing fear or doubt, are we misunderstanding how powerful God is, or is it the misunderstanding behind truly what it means to cast our cares on Him? Serenity echoes the word "surrender." We must learn to surrender our self-righteous ability to handle things on our own, assume, or look at people and things negatively or based on our worldly experiences. We must use our spirits to understand how much God has our back, and listen to His guidance. We must also learn to see situations and people the way He sees it without jumping to our own conclusion.

The serenity prayer, if you are familiar, states: God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference. Do you know the difference, or do you hold on to more than you are suppose to? Or, are you not doing enough to find peace within yourself?

Friday, January 8, 2016

Onset of Fear

Isaiah 41:10 (ESV)

fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

* Many times fear comes from the unknown, lack of experience, or something we have never been challenged to understand. Some of us often stall or procrastinate to avoid facing what we are called to do, or what has been placed on our hearts. Others may ignore, pretend it doesn't exist, or stick to what or who they know because they refuse to take on a challenge that can ignite growth...However, with God you can do all things (Philippians 4:13), and we must learn to believe in the possibilities behind running growing to understand and know what He has placed on the inside of you to walk in the fullness of life. Ever wonder why you stick to the same people, become defensive, or be quiet when your opinion can help? It's all out of fear...Make sure your thoughts, words, decisions, and the company you keep is governed by God and the rest will follow if you let Him lead. Don't try to change others around you to fit your needs, but allow God to change you in order for you to assist in loving others to help everyone grow.

Thursday, January 7, 2016

Destined for Greatness

Hebrews 3:1-6 (ESV)

Therefore, holy brothers, you who share in a heavenly calling, consider Jesus, the apostle and high priest of our confession,who was faithful to him who appointed him, just as Moses also was faithful in all God's house. For Jesus has been counted worthy of more glory than Moses--as much more glory as the builder of a house has more honor than the house itself. (For every house is built by someone, but the builder of all things is God.) Now Moses was faithful in all God's house as a servant, to testify to the things that were to be spoken later, but Christ is faithful over God's house as a son. And we are his house if indeed we hold fast our confidence and our boasting in our hope. 

*The ultimate example of an individual who shows His faithfulness through the implementation of His calling is Jesus, and we are suppose to do our best to follow His example. Each of us has a calling on our lives like Jesus that only we can fulfill, and we also have people we are meant to reach out to and impact. Our ability to focus on His word, be guided, and our faithfulness in carrying out His word will determine the impact and success rate of your calling. Are you living out your purpose, or do you wake up daily and just push through life? Have you prayed and asked God about your calling, or do you let the world determine your daily focus? You are unique and special, and only you can fulfill what you were destined to do...