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Wednesday, November 30, 2016

Age is Only A Number

How can a young person stay on the path of purity? By living according to your word.

Psalm 119:9 NIV

Whether you're young at heart or in age, that doesn't mean it is hard to do the right thing. People use youth, be it on age or nature, as an excuse to do the wrong things. It is possible to be free from sin if you use the word to help you.  Otherwise, you choose to fall short because you want to. Sowing your oats, having fun, doing what you have to do,  etc are all excuses. Beginning today, let's concentrate on the truth instead of making excuses for sin.

Wednesday, November 23, 2016

Harvest

“Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you!

Isaiah 49:15 NIV

*Sometimes it feels like God has forgotten a desire you have because it seems like it will never come to pass.  You wait,  you pray, and you may even try your own efforts. However, God hasn't forgotten.. We just need to be still, be guided, and move when He says so.  As the holidays come,  I know you will encounter family that may remind you of your lack there of... You may even remind yourself. Don't focus on these things because that is the enemy trying to discourage you. Focus on God's promises, and what He is trying to tell you about them.

Tuesday, November 22, 2016

For the Love of Money

Ecclesiastes 5:10 ESV

He who loves money will not be satisfied with money, nor he who loves wealth with his income; this also is vanity. 

*Have you ever noticed how people who receive or maintain money are not satisfied? None of us are... We think we have a specific amount, in our head, but notice how when it's received an automatic desire comes up to reach the next financial goal. This is why God wants us to love Him more than money. He can guide us on how to spend it, and how not to let it control you. More money often equates to more responsibility... Are you balancing your responsibility, or is it making or breaking you? If you lost it all today, who would people say you are?

Thursday, November 17, 2016

The Process

The end of a matter is better than its beginning, and patience is better than pride.

Ecclesiastes 7:8 NIV

In the beginning or even during a process, we often can't see the end results. We just have to trust God,  and remind ourselves that faith is the substance of things hoped for... The evidence of things unseen (Hebrews 11:1). In the end,  if we are obedient and allow God to guide us, we will reap a harvest. However, until the harvest comes, learn from the process. We all could stand a lesson that helps us grow. In the mean time, hold on to the promise and ask for guidance.

Wednesday, November 16, 2016

He Has Answers

‘Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.’

Jeremiah 33:3 NIV

I think we all have questions that we need answers to... I would even venture to say that in some areas, we are tired of going in a circle and dealing with the back and forth or unknown. Yet,  God is waiting to provide us with answers and a plan for preparation if we ask. Nothing is wrong with asking for help, clarity, or encouragement no matter how big or small the desire is... God cares about it all. Today, let's be open to the wisdom of God. He has much to tell you... Not just for your own benefit, but He may speak through you to get to others. Open your mind and heart to His guidance...

Monday, November 14, 2016

Keep the Iron Sharp

As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.

Proverbs 27:17 NIV

In any relationship, we are suppose to serve a purpose in helping to grow that individual with the guidance of God. If you are experiencing everything in that relationship, but God and growth then there's a good chance you are with the wrong people. Even more so,  if you stay,  you have now personally chosen to stifle your own growth and purpose. Is having a good time for a moment, an easy time for a second, or holding on to people who do not mean you well more important than God's will for your life?  Let God guide you to people who will sharpen you,  and not just people who make you feel good... There's more to life than that...

Saturday, November 12, 2016

Temptation

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.

James 1:2‭-‬3 NIV

The perseverance comes from the desire to continue to work on staying loyal to what you believe in. The trials are meant to serve as a measure of distraction, and also a false sense of failure. Yet, thanks to God's unmoving hand, He will never leave us nor forsake us.  However, it's our responsibility to remember His unconditional love when we sin, and walk in His strength to get back up and push pass that desire that doesn't line up with His will for your life. Know that you are valuable, which is why the enemy tries to tempt or test you. However, that's the most crucial time to stay true to God or move closer to Him.

Friday, November 11, 2016

Holy Spirit Guidance

Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.”

Isaiah 30:21 NIV

*Do you ever have moments where you aren't sure what to do, where to go,  whether or not you should get close to someone,  or just feel like you need guidance in general? I think we all have thought this way, but there is always a credible source to turn to who is known as the Holy Spirit. This is God's voice guiding us through life. Sometimes we forget to take advantage of this source because we are often trying to figure it out ourselves. If you feel like you should have done something, or if there is an unction of peace that you feel in your heart... That would be God. Also, it's important to note that nothing that the Holy Spirit tells you will go against the word of God. Therefore, get to know His word in order to hear from Him clearly. Then, go for it!  Only fear and disobedience can hold you back...

Thursday, November 10, 2016

Living a Good Life Regardless of Perception

For it is Godʼs will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish people. Live as free people, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as Godʼs slaves.

1 Peter 2:15‭-‬16 NIV

*One of the things that I've noticed lately is how people try to find bad things about people, instead of lifting those people up. For some, it's a natural fulfilment to be able to have an "A-ha, caught you" moment... And I can't help,  but ask God why people are so obsessed with finding wrong in others. Could it be the wrong doing that they feel within themselves, and won't to passify that wrong by finding something out about others? Let's be real... No one is perfect. However, we should be striving to do good to remove the bad from our hearts and actions. We should even do good to those who talk about us or look for bad in us, which will always overshadow the ignorant talk of looking for poor behavior in the first place... Live free from people's opinions and thoughts,  but may the good we display be sincere and not used for malicious intent. We should be more in tune to what God says and thinks of us,  which will develop into a natural habit of submitting to Him. This submission will begin to influence your thoughts and actions, and the good in you will come naturally.

Wednesday, November 9, 2016

Election Food for Thought

Food 4 Thought on the Election of 2016:

Perhaps this is the perfect awakening that people are needing in order to remove themselves from complacency, unite, and take action to "do better. " I am not going to sit up here and tell people not to feel because that is unrealistic,  and quite frankly I'm tired of people thinking you are going to walk through life and ignore everything. This is why God said be angry,  but sin not... So,  don't criticize how people feel. HOWEVER, what you can start doing is think outside of yourself and ask God what does this mean for your purpose?  What should you do to prepare and how can you help others????  Don't be so quick to dictate without being a part of the solution!!! #KeepingItReal

Spirit Over Mind and Mouth

We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.

2 Corinthians 10:5 NIV

* So, it's no secret that this election has brought about some stinking thinking... I am even holding back my fleshly thoughts as I type this. However, we must learn to gain control over our minds in order to govern our mouths and actions. Whatever we think and say can either line up with or go against the knowledge we have of God,  and knowing who He is... We must take captive of our thoughts in order to make them line up with His word, which will activate our faith. To be transparent,  I am a continuous work in progress with this... However, I am happy for victories in not saying what I always feel because I see some ugly and fake things daily among people who claim to connect with you or who are down right against you. Join me as we heal and move forward together in capturing the mind, which aids in dictating our words, in order to avoid blocking the truth and your blessings.

Tuesday, November 8, 2016

Let Go and Let God Cleanse

Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead...

Philippians 3:13 NIV

*So many dwell on mistakes from the past... So much so that it hinders your ability to move forward, or embrace your future relationships. Our past mistakes are forgiven by God; therefore, ask for forgiveness and ask how to move forward. Dwelling on things does not promote change, but learning from it and moving forward with a renewed mindset does. Allow God to free your heart from bondage in order to move forward mentally, physically, financially, emotionally, and spiritually.

Monday, November 7, 2016

Tongue Talk

The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.

Proverbs 18:21 NIV

One of the things I continue to work on is my thoughts becoming my words. For the most part, I have mastered holding my tongue except when it comes to race relations and sensitive, personal areas. I absolutely cannot stand when another race tries to make a group outside of their's feel inferior. This is based off my own healing process that I work through due to my experience, but I can become very disgusted quickly. In my transparency with you,  I want you to think of ways your thoughts have manifested into words. Now,  let's work together on how to focus on turning those things into positives, or how we can refrain from blurting things out. Sometimes telling people how you feel in the heat of the moment does more harm than good. Even if you mean well,  ask yourself is it necessary or is it what God wants you to say?

Friday, November 4, 2016

Living for God or Humans

Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.

Galatians 1:10 NIV

*Winning the approval of humanity is an endless task that never provides peace, or a steady conclusion. There are ups and downs, rarely contentment, or consistency in pleasing humans. However, pleasing God is consistently a pathway towards growth, always laced with love and good intentions, and the guidance behind it is well-rounded. This is what gives you the peace to deal with people. Live for God, and people will follow.. If you live for people, confusion will follow. Be who God made you to be, and see how many souls you win in the process...

Wednesday, November 2, 2016

Your Prayers

Guard your steps when you go to the house of God. Go near to listen rather than to offer the sacrifice of fools, who do not know that they do wrong.

Ecclesiastes 5:1 NIV

*I can understand this... Guard your steps when you present yourself to God.  You can pray for people who are wrong, but don't let the wrong doing of others be your prayer focus. Listen to what God is trying to tell you,  and pray on that ...These are our keys to success.

Tuesday, November 1, 2016

Let Go, Let God... Again

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;

Proverbs 3:5 NIV

*One of the areas that I keep pursuing in different ways is my career change. I even recently began to do things I use to do by letting it take up my time, but then I realized that I am not of this world. I have been gifted with favor and intelligence, and I know how to sell myself. Why am I going to spend hours in front of a computer like I'm of this world, and run after something when I can seek God and cut the worldly process out? Instead of pouring yourself into something your way, ask God what He is trying to show you and tell you. How can you do it His way? Think about the things you have been blessed with by God... Did you have to do everything like people in the world, and be by the book? Not completely... You may have followed some procedures, but the manifestation was something that only God could do in less time than what leaning to how people do things on their own could do. Let's work on not going by steps or procedures that are like everyone else, and ask God what to do based on the solution He has tailored for you. We've wasted enough time. You'll be glad you let Him in...