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Thursday, October 27, 2016

Your Capabilities in Christ

I can do all this through him who gives me strength.

Philippians 4:13 NIV

*There have been plenty of days when I don't feel like hearing or doing anything. I have even asked myself what is really going on? However, even in bland or unclear times,  we have favor and can do all things including renew our mind to line up with godly thoughts. No matter what it is, whether you're an expert or not, we can do anything we desire with God's help and according to His word.

Wednesday, October 26, 2016

Your Prayer Life

I love the Lord , for he heard my voice; he heard my cry for mercy. Because he turned his ear to me, I will call on him as long as I live.

Psalm 116:1‭-‬2 NIV

*God hears your prayers during every phase of your life.  As a matter of fact,  He waits on you to connect with Him.  If you take the time to talk with Him about anything, He is ready to listen and assist no matter how big or small your request is... It's just your responsibility to make it known. He definitely desires your love just as much as you crave to be loved.  How often are you connecting  with God? Could your prayer life increase?

Monday, October 24, 2016

Obedience of Authority

Romans 13:1-2 ESV

Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God.Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. 

*As long as it doesn't overturn God's word,  we must respect authority and the rules governed by these individuals.  Submitting to authority depicts our respect for God and obedience. Everyone placed in a position of power was chosen by God, and serves as a key part of His plan. Even when it seems bad,  there is master plan that God has put in place.

Saturday, October 22, 2016

Being Budget Conscientious

Be sure you know the condition of your flocks, give careful attention to your herds;

Proverbs 27:23 NIV

*Every pay check, I take the time to ask myself about my savings, review my payoff goals,  and budget for a treat if I can afford it.  All this comes after paying my tithes and my bills. I know sometimes we desire to do things, and your eye is set on specifics, but being aware and real about your situation is far more important  than any moment  of shopping pleasure. Plus,  if you do the right thing by God, He will always give you what you desire at the right time. Even when you have overflow, if you embrace the wisdom of a budget,  you still do not allow yourself to be ripped off by over-priced things. Take the time to really review your financial situation. Now,  ask yourself what do you consistently see... Does God come first?  Do you give as He leads you in order to enhance your harvest?  Are you too lax in your giving without keeping account into your responsibilities, and whether it's your own doing or God's?  Do you limit yourself based on your budget instead of faith?  Are you selfish? Does business come before pleasure? Keep track of where you are today with a budget and plan more in order to be more financially free tomorrow, and build upon you and your family's future.

Thursday, October 20, 2016

Mouth of the South Vs Being Discreet

Matthew 6:2 ESV

"Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward.

*People often feel the need to announce things because of an insecurity that they have within themselves. It makes them feel important, but what they don't know or maybe don't care about is how they are compromising the person's trust and their integrity. Nine times out of ten, when a person comes to you for help, there is a possibility that they had to humble themselves to do so. The person would probably like you to be discreet, and not broadcast how you helped the situation. Now, unless we are using it as a testimony, what does it benefit if you say anything? Better yet, what is the motive behind expressing your deeds?  God sees our hearts and motives,  and He knows when we are looking for accolades. Think of how your mouth impacts your testimony and your credibility.

Wednesday, October 19, 2016

Day to Day

Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Matthew 6:34 NIV

*If you are anything like me, you look forward to your next off day or perhaps even a day when a special occasion is due to occur. You may make plans even that surround those times in order to push you forward, and even get you through your current day. There is nothing wrong with planning ahead, but how many times do we stop to dissect the current day? Do we enough take enough time to uncover what God wants us to avoid, indulge in, or just simply learn from today?  After all, we were blessed to see it... Maybe we are so busy pushing through, that we don't stop to review. If God says there are many evils in one day, that may indicate that we need to be prepared and focus on how to get through those and be used to help others get through. Perhaps it's not just the focus on your life, but how can your life save others. There is more to life than world work, and if we focus, we can see today the way God wants us to vs pushing through to get to another one when we didn't learn anything in the current day.

Sunday, October 16, 2016

Giving with Your Heart

“No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.

Matthew 6:24 NIV

I watched my parents give in order to not be selfish, and I listened to my great grandmother tell us "don't be tight as the nuts on London Bridge." lol I think those things, and growing deeper in my relationship with God inspire the desire to give...Plus, it's a rewarding feeling, and a constant reminder that "stuff" does not have you... God controls it. If your hand is empty and open from giving, you now have the ability to receive because there is nothing blocking your grip and ability to obtain something new. Be led in your giving by God, and watch your life style and heart grow...

Friday, October 14, 2016

Forgiveness Moving Forward

My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.

Psalm 73:26 NIV

My flesh and my heart are devoted to God,  but are not perfect by far. Sometimes things run through our minds, sometimes we may act on things we shouldn't, and sometimes we harbor unforgiveness in our heart. Yet, these things can be removed and healed if we find our strength and guidance in God. To keep ourselves this way is a choice, but to grow from it with God is a privilege. What can you use God's strength to help you get through?

Wednesday, October 12, 2016

Strong Faith, Strong Finish

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.

Ephesians 6:10 NIV

Being strong in God is holding on to His word, no matter how you feel or what life looks like. Even in times of weakness, your strength can be found in your faith. Standing strong in God is holding on to what He placed in your heart,  and what He revealed to you during your word and prayer time. God never changes, and strongly believes in us despite our drama and attitudes. Surely, we can be strong in Him.

Friday, October 7, 2016

Being Accepting

Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.

Romans 15:7 NIV

I love this verse, and the devotional I read with it. What is crazy is how people look at the weaknesses of others to feel better about themselves. Have you ever heard someone say,  "At least you don't have it as bad as... " Despite whatever truth there is to that phrase, it still does not give us the right to look down on others in order to make ourselves feel more valued. Everyone has weaknesses, and if we learn to accept  each other, you might help someone grow instead of holding them to your standards. God accepts us despite and through it all...That love stimulates the desire to change and grow. Now, imagine if humans could do that, instead of setting the standard... Perhaps there would be more positive changes, and less pressure and rebellions. On my birthday, I can't help but think about continued growth...How will you continue to grow into your new phase of life, and help others do the same?

Wednesday, October 5, 2016

Transparency with the Right Tribe for Your Quest

when you heard about Christ and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body.

Ephesians 4:21‭-‬22‭, ‬24‭-‬25 NIV

*This is EXACTLY what I'm referring to when I say we all need someone to be transparent in order to grow and move forward. You don't have to share your true feelings and business with the world, but you need a small group where you feel safe or at least one person that you can be real with... Then,  you both can work with each other to release, overcome, and grow if that maturity is there. If your connection or group doesn't promote growth, or if you don't release your faults,  or aid in the listening process then the group becomes stagnant and superficial. This keeps you from being real and discovering who God really called you to be or knowing what He wants you to work on. The people we associate with should also walk in love,  and not judgment or fuss. Think about who you allow to pour into you, and pay attention  to whether you have peace and if that's where God wants you to be...

Tuesday, October 4, 2016

Pride vs Humility

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves,

Philippians 2:3 NIV

In today's society, people do anything for attention, likes, hearts,  or to gain interest including compromising their mouth and actions. Even more so,  think about the blessings and people you miss out on connecting with because of assumptions or the need to be the spotlight. If people could learn to see beyond themselves, they will be able to bless them selves with new opportunities, more wisdom, and have a better understanding of people. Don't allow selfishness and the inability to see outside your thoughts and circle be what stunts your growth.