Building Yourself According to God's Direction

“Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: Matthew 7:24 NKJV

*Following and actually obeying God is like preserving yourself from harm and unnecessary hardship.

God vs Us

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. II Corinthians 1:3‭-‬4 NKJV

*It is really hard to be there for people who are never really there for u, but if God sends them, we have to keep in mind the number of times God has been there for us. If God didn't send them, it can be a burden and a distraction. Be careful...

A Heart Like God's

Cause me to hear Your lovingkindness in the morning, For in You do I trust; Cause me to know the way in which I should walk, For I lift up my soul to You. Psalms 143:8 NKJV

*"Do you know that your brain is not designed to fear but it is hard-wired for love? Fear is not a natural response, despite what you may believe. Fear is a learned response and that is actually good news. Why? If you can learn to fear, you can also learn not to fear." So, in transparency, giving a full heart is fearful in my opinion. People hurt what they don't undersrand, and they don't love you like God. However, God sends people to help you grow. Plus, no matter how much I want to say forget it and give me an island because these folks are crazy, I still see love and pitifulness when I look at people...Guess this is what happens when you continue to ask God to make your heart like His. Even the ugliest and rudest acting, selfish person saddens me because they are crying for love and attention...Interesting how that works. Don't act on learned behavior. Work on implementing the natural behavior God put inside of you.

Real Knows Who Was Sent By The REAL One

Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world. I John 4:1 NKJV

*This is a very deep scripture because it reminds us not to be naive, and don't be accepting to connecting and being inspired by everyone who talks like they know God. Even the devil can quote scriptures..This is why I say you can love everyone, but some people require love from a distance. Everyone is not meant to speak into your life, be in your inner circle, and know your weaknesses.  You need the right people, sent by God, to pour into you. Don't even allow everyone to influence you because they may have been sent as a distraction. Plus, some experiences were not sent from God, but created by man. Build a relationship with God to recognize His sheep.

Death to Our Expectations 4 Life in His

This is a faithful saying: For if we died with Him, We shall also live with Him. If we endure, We shall also reign with Him. If we deny Him, He also will deny us. If we are faithless, He remains faithful; He cannot deny Himself. II Timothy 2:11‭-‬13 NKJV

*To me, this is a new year's resolution all by itself: Dying to self in order to go deeper in God. God has so much for us, and it is often depicted and given in ways we do not expect. However, we must die to our own expectations, and ask God what are His? Are your plans and resolutions of God, or of your own doing? Don't waste ANYMORE TIME & EFFORT ...

Darkness 2 Light

You are all sons of light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of darkness. I Thessalonians 5:5 NKJV

*My heart aches to see how the enemy has tricked some people into believing they are stuck in darkness...How they believe there is no other way, but God is the way, the truth, and the light...You always have an option, and a way out. I don't care if you've hit rock bottom...There is no where to go, but up in God. Read His word, and ask Him how to apply it to your life and situation.  If I can go from homeless to being well, so can you even in other areas. We all have been sucked into lies, and tried it our way. Why not try it His way???

Putting Away Bitterness

Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: Ephesians 4:31 KJV

*To be transparent,  I have thought about a few negative things, especially regarding those who have done things to you and they try to come back and talk to you. In the back of my mind, I am thinking "How dare you have the nerve to come and carry on a friendly chat, and even think we are going to be friends, after all the lying and rudeness you've done." Truth be told, you don't have to be friends with them. However, you do have to get rid of your disgust, aka bitterness, in order to love them even from a distance. Otherwise, you may be ready to slap them every time. People are a trip, but you don't have to be. Let's allow the love of God to help is find forgiveness, and put away negative thoughts, without allowing it to effect how we please God.

Getting Rid of Bitter Distractions

Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled; Hebrews 12:15 KJV

*Bitterness is designed to block you from your blessing, and also distract you from focusing on His promise instead of the issue. Remove bitterness in order to remove a blockage that can cause issues later. Ask God for healing and guidance in that area.

Good Character

He that walketh uprightly walketh surely: but he that perverteth his ways shall be known. Proverbs 10:9 KJV

*Perversion is always exposed, and meant to embarrass the individual at the least. Practicing good character will keep your name from being tarnished, keep you from misrepresenting God, and avoid exposure. No one is perfect, but remembering whose you are and who you serve will keep you in line.

Tongue Control

He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life: but he that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction. Proverbs 13:3 KJV

*May the words of our mouth, and the meditation of our hearts be acceptable in God's site. Many times people kill bonds, ruin opportunities, misrepresent, and ruin trust based on what they say. May God help guard and guide our tongues, and may we surrender it to Him.

Character in Christ

A good name is better than precious ointment, And the day of death than the day of one’s birth; Ecclesiastes 7:1 NKJV

*Having integrity is greater than riches because your representation of God, in how you carry yourself, will be what draws souls to Christ or repels them. Who cares if you have money to give away if your credibility is shot? Think on the leadership you've experienced be it in today's time or the past...Now, think about how their behavior influenced people. Even in the news, we have seen very poor behavior that mattered more than the person's financial stability...You can't buy character or a proper connection to our Savior.

Staying in Character

See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men. 1 Thessalonians 5:15 KJV

*We all have been there when we want to just let people have it...I mean just give them a good read, reality check, or wake up call. However, at the end of the day, it isn't worth it...The energy you put in to go off while displeasing God only hurts you in the end. You have now allowed that person to take you completely out of your character, when they weren't worth the energy in the first place. Being honest with someone is different from being evil to them, or trying to hurt their feelings. Even more so, being led on what to say is different from speaking out of emotions. The best thing to do is be led in what you say, be aware of the motive behind why you are saying it, and do not let people take you out of your element and change who you are as a person. It is a growth process, but during that growth remember to hold on to peace...No one is worth that aspect.

Representing God

Righteousness guards the person of integrity, but wickedness overthrows the sinner. Proverbs 13:6 NIV

*Being on God's side will always preserve  your character,  and the integrity  of who He called you to be. Pretending to be with God will expose who you really are, hinder your credibility,  and misrepresent God. Consider  who you really are vs who you pretend to be...What is done in the dark will eventually come to the light....

Continue to Do Good Regardless of Your Audience

And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. Galatians 6:9 NKJV

*Sometimes you grow tired of doing certain things, especially when the behavior is not reciprocated. However, if no one else acknowledges it, please know that God sees you. Allow the attention of the Most High to be the strength that keeps you going...Pleasing Him should be your focus, and He is ultimately the rewarder of those who serve Him with gladness.

What Did God Say to You?

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9 NKJV

*No matter what people do, what you see, and how you feel be strong and encouraged. You know what God promised you, and what He told you to do despite any circumstance. It's our job to rise above things that shouldn't matter to replace them with the promises of God. Forget the rest...Walk boldly in what He told you...

God Will Serve "It" to You

All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out. John 6:37 NKJV

*This is so true...All that God has ever given to me has come to me, and I never had to chase it. I grow tired, weary, annoyed, and concerned like the next person. The difference is that I don't hold on to that, I trust God, & I won't give up. God is too real and awesome for that....#HoldOn2HisPromises

Living Any Ole Way

But everything exposed by the light becomes visible—and everything that is illuminated becomes a light. This is why it is said: “Wake up, sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.” Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.

Ephesians 5:13‭-‬16 NIV

*Many times people believe that they can live any way they choose, and still declare that they are saved and love God. However, we both know that's not true...If you love Him, you won't continue to hurt the Father with practicing sin. Yes, I get that people make mistakes. However, don't confuse a mistake with habitual sinning. Also, we have a calling on our lives, and it's not just to pay bills and die. How you live your life effects your ability to be guided and carry out your calling​ and will of God. It also effects whether you experience all that God has for you in life. Life is but a vapor... Don't waste by hiding behind excused sin because it isn't excused by God.

Being Serious About Doing the Will of God

For it is God’s 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 God’s slaves.

1 Peter 2:15‭-‬16 NIV

*Whatever you do, so it with God being the focus.  This will ensure that the motive is right, and it will cause those around you to be silent because there will be nothing to say about positivity. Love freely in God, but don't take your access to grace for granted. Also, don't hide behind pretending to do good in order to hide evil...What is done in secret will be revealed.

Serving Through Christ

For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you. For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.

Romans 12:3‭-‬8 NIV

*I love these verses because it reminds us to be humble, understand that we have to work together, and reminds us to serve and do it to our best ability through faith. We all are unique, and were put on this Earth for a purpose. That purpose correlates with someone else's in order to push the agenda of Christ. Are you walking in your purpose, or just living? Do you know your function in the body of Christ? Have you asked God to help you figure this out, and do it to the best of His ability to work through you?

Guidance of God

For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven. “You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that?

Matthew 5:20‭, ‬38‭-‬38‭, ‬43‭-‬47 NIV

*It is so easy to deal with people you appreciate, and those who appreciate you. It is also easy to classify what you believe is love. However, from the least desirable person to those who appreciate us, we have to exude the love of God. This is done in different ways. Never follow the guidance of humans, but the word of God and His example He sent to us: Jesus. Everyone seems to have advice for everyone else, but unless those words are coming from God, let that person walk in the way God tells them to go. It is our job to speak the word, and not our opinions. The word helps, but opinion deters. Also, God provides wisdom on how to handle things and people correctly. Let people live for God, and cultivate that instead of dictating it. Sometimes we can go by what we've experienced rather than the word.