Child-like Faith

and said, “Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Whoever receives one little child like this in My name receives Me. Matthew 18:3‭-‬5 NKJV

*Many times there are people who say whatever, or convey the word to others in whatever fashion that fits their own agenda or understanding. You even have those who are bold enough to try to tell God what to do, or choose to do something based on their own will and then have the nerve to ask God to bless it. We all can stand a lesson in the consistency of being more like a child in receiving guidance, wisdom, and exercising humility to apply what we have received. As a matte of fact, it would give us our innocence back in humbling ourselves to see things the way God wants us to view things & people vs what we've experienced. Children are forever learning, growing, and impressionable...They need the proper guidance and have hope in all things. The world takes that away. May er come back to the basis of childhood, and the innocence of being impressionable for Christ.

Follow Christ, Not Intuition

For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? Matthew 16:25‭-‬26 NKJV

*This is what it's all about...So many people desire to figure things out for themselves, or even worse, give up and become complacent. However, TRULY following Christ regardless of your circumstance provides clarity of life, and helps you see beyond the day to day. Will you choose Him and His guidance? No, it may not always be easy, but hear me when I say it is much easier than being out there in the world. Choose to follow Christ, and embrace clarity. You wont regret it!

Push Pass The Pain

https://youtu.be/P2WHa1dO2m0

Level Up vs Throwing Up

https://youtu.be/8LLYfzhK5Xw

Prepping With God/ Food 4 Thought

https://youtu.be/VZ7YskBNtPc

Distractions Don't Compare to Promise

Now they came to Jericho. As He went out of Jericho with His disciples and a great multitude, blind Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, sat by the road begging. And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out and say, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” Then many warned him to be quiet; but he cried out all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” Mark 10:46‭-‬48 NKJV

*When others try to silence your belief in Christ and His capabilities, get louder so they can realize you are not controlled by them...Also, so they can witness the miracle that the principalities in them don't want you to have! Be free from opinions, and only guided by God and faith.

Remember Whose You Are...

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, Nor shall the flame scorch you. Isaiah 43:2 NKJV

*God is our source and our protection. We have to work on realizing that if God is for us, who can be against us? He never fails, and through the good or bad, He never leaves or forsakes us. Let go of fear, and give thanks to God while trusting in Him.

With God, All Things are Possible

He answered him and said, “O faithless generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I bear with you? Bring him to Me.” Then they brought him to Him. And when he saw Him, immediately the spirit convulsed him, and he fell on the ground and wallowed, foaming at the mouth. So He asked his father, “How long has this been happening to him?” And he said, “From childhood. And often he has thrown him both into the fire and into the water to destroy him. But if You can do anything, have compassion on us and help us.” Jesus said to him, “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.” Immediately the father of the child cried out and said with tears, “Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!” Mark 9:19‭-‬24 NKJV

*What I love about this story is how God illustrates faith, and how calm you are suppose to be when you have faith. Can you imagine a demon convulsing in a person, and Jesus just stands there cool, calm, and collect while being unbothered and asking a question? He isn't moved by chaos. I also LOVE the vulnerability of the dad who is asking for help in believing, and Jesus helps his unbelief..The dad seemed drained, but still knew to cry out with what little faith he had to ask for help. We all can cry out to God that way. I know I have..Most importantly, we need to prepare for change. The disciples desired to help, but were unprepared. Are you prepping yourself in God to make a difference in your life, and the lives of others?

Healing and Guidance

And his servants came near and spoke to him, and said, “My father, if the prophet had told you to do something great, would you not have done it? How much more then, when he says to you, ‘Wash, and be clean’?” So he went down and dipped seven times in the Jordan, according to the saying of the man of God; and his flesh was restored like the flesh of a little child, and he was clean. II Kings 5:13‭-‬14 NKJV

*This is a primary example of why it pays to have the right people in your life. Even when the guy with leprosy got in attitude about the way HE THOUGHT he should be healed, someone was there to remind him to be obedient, and do things the way the prophet told him...Not what he thinks should happen. Sometimes the way you think a blessing will come is not the way God sends it. Don't be so influenced by your own thoughts that you can't receive it another way. Also, surround yourself with people who will not be "yes" men, but those who will lovingly tell you when you are wrong, and guide you to the right source or way. Notice I said "lovingly," and not harshly. Also, these people have your back for real. The whole chapter is worthy of reading...

There is No Denying God

Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth. Psalms 46:10 KJV

*No matter what a nonbeliever says or does, God will ALWAYS get the glory. One day, EVERY KNEE WILL BOW and EVERY TONGUE WILL CONFESS THAT JESUS CHRIST IS LORD. There is already no denying Him for real. You're wired for a connection with God...That void anyone feels is the lack there of. Plus, God is all around you, in every element, if you take the time to look. How can you REALLY deny Him??? So, why not take a moment to talk to Him...There is no such thing as happen stance or luck..It was predestined by God. Let go, and accept that...

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 ...

Current Situation vs Faith

“Thus the Lord has dealt with me, in the days when He looked on me, to take away my reproach among people.” Luke 1:25 NKJV

*God will rectify the thoughts of others by turning you into what they never dreamed you would be, or giving you something or someone they didn't think you would obtain. Don't listen to what others say, or what you currently have and see...Believe what God promises...

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???

Pleasing God

for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure. Philippians 2:13 NKJV

*God works in us for His will, but also for His enjoyment. You are pleasing God when you are on the path that He placed you on vs doing your own thing. Stay covered by God, and in His good graces...He is worth it!

Peace be Still

Food 4 Thought: Matt. 8:23-27

Jesus slept through the storm, and only rose to calm it after someone was in fear. He then went on to rebuke the winds, and reminded the disciples that they were capable of doing the same; therefore we have a few options: Rest in Him to believe all is well; Depend on Him for help during times of need; Remind ourselves that we are greater than anything that the unbalanced world can throw at us.....OR, you can forget what you believe and live in fear. What will you choose?

Hope

For we were saved in this hope, but hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one still hope for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance. Romans 8:24‭-‬25 NKJV

*What we hope for and desire should go beyond what we see...Tap more into the supernatural capabilities of God, and believe in receiving what goes beyond your imagination. People simplify God based on what they know and have experienced...People also don't give Him enough credit. You believe for the impossible in one area, but limit Him in others. I say we must train ourselves to constantly believe for the impossible, and put our faith into action.

What Does God Call You?

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, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. All of us, then, who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you. Only let us live up to what we have already attained.

Philippians 3:13‭-‬16 NIV

*You're not what others call you, and not what they assume. You are who God has called you to be, and what He has put on your life. What man says does not matter...Don't let others define you if you are not trying to live up to their expectations. You are responsible for living up to God's expectations whether others accept it, understand it, or not. Those who are called to encourage you will understand you...Let your light shine in only the way that is predestined for your life...

Save Me from Myself

Daughters of Jerusalem, I charge you: Do not arouse or awaken love until it so desires.

Song of Songs 8:4 NIV

For me, this means do not try to pursue love or a relationship before God's timing... I've made enough mistakes. I trust God, and I will move out of my own way to let Him guide me, groom me, and lead me to the right person...Will you trust God for yourself in order to save you from yourself?

God's Guidance

You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.

Psalm 16:11 NIV

*God gives us ways to handle life through His word, and the word speaks to us specifically about our lives. However, it is up to us to follow His word and way. Leaning to our own understanding can short change us... Following God can save a lot of unnecessary drama. I'm not saying it will be easy, but you will have more clarity, fewer toxic experiences, and less heartache by doing it God's way. Which path are you on?...His or yours?

Follow Peace and NOT What's Practical

The Lord will make you the head, not the tail. If you pay attention to the commands of the Lord your God that I give you this day and carefully follow them, you will always be at the top, never at the bottom.

Deuteronomy 28:13 NIV

*It's a new year, but you may still feel the same or be faced with the same issues or aspirations. Perhaps the new year has inspired new motivation or new ideas for the situation, or perhaps the year being new doesn't matter because you're still looking at the same stuff. Either way, it's understandable and the common theme between both states of mind is "what's next," and/or "how do I get there?" First,  no matter where you mind is, you have to remind yourself of the promises of God and how He views you. Next, submit to listening to God by praying and focusing on receiving an answer with peace, and not incorporating your own thoughts or plan of action. If we look back on why things have not come to pass,  it could be because of our own doing and thinking versus being solely reliant upon His guidance and being obedient. If you plan anything this year, start with letting go and asking for guidance from God... Then, follow peace: Not anxiety, not things of your own experience, not what feels good, and most certainly not what is practical.  Clear your mind, take God out of a box, and praise for all He has done and is capable of doing and not what you want Him to do.. That's when clarity comes.