Behavior Towards Our Enemies

But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, Matthew 5:44 NKJV

*This is definitely one of the hardest things to do, especially with users. It's easier to cut people like that off, and not deal with them. I'm not saying be around these people, but to love inspite of is definitely a humbling experience. However, the honor is in God seeing your actions. Plus, if we can learn to work through the negativity of haters, it will be easier to handle loved ones.

Keep Your Mind at Peace and Heart Clear

bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. Colossians 3:13 NKJV

*Today, I am working on not just forgiving others, but not sweating the small stuff. So many people judge me who don't know me because I do not operate the way they want me to, or give them attention. Yet, they are the ones who are the individuals they assume I am...I am not stuck up, but cautious. I don't waste time with people who only want my attention for selfish reasons, or do not wish me well, and I am entitled by my Father in Heaven to exercise wisdom to date to be different and exude my purpose rather then attention whore on social media or be there for people who are cliquey or have a one track mind. You see, when you love for real and have an open mind towards all, people can't understand or cope with it and try to hurt you. Love, but guard your heart...Waste no time on people who assume who you are, rather than getting to know you; and love from a distance so you can keep growing and not be stagnant with people who want you to be a puppet or complacent.

Forgiving & Forgetting is a Beast

Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. Colossians 3:13 KJV

*For me, the forgiving portion is not super hard because I have to forgive in order to move on. Now, I am not saying it always comes immediately, but I work on not holding a grudge so I can free my mind and not effect my health. The issue is with forgetting like God. It takes a while to forget...I remember the sneaky snake-like behavior and the unnecessary words, which at the least make me look at the person in a different light and distance myself. The whole "fool me once, shame on you, but fool my twice shame on me" thought process comes into play. However, imagine God's love...We show out and say and do things we shouldn't all the time, yet He never changes and loves us through it. It makes me not want to do anything to hurt Him because of that unconditional love. All we can do is grow to be more like Him...

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???

Forgiveness

And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you. Ephesians 4:32 NKJV

*Forgiveness doesn't come as easy as people think. We nay have forgiven the person, but if you become disgusted on the inside when you think of them, that's not forgiveness. Forgiveness is truly letting go and allowing God to take over...Washing your mind and emotions of the physical issue.

Revenge

“Don’t seek revenge or carry a grudge against any of your people. “Love your neighbor as yourself. I am God .

Leviticus 19:18 MSG

*It's easy to treat others how they treat us... Especially when it's negative. We may even have those moments when we want to get back at someone, or let them feel how we felt or "get a taste of their own medicine." However, that's not the Godly way...I'm not saying you shouldn't guard your heart, love from a distance, or as our Min.Trish says, "Be stuck on stupid." However, "Vengeance is mine," as God says. No one can teach anyone a lesson like God. Therefore, let it go so it doesn't block your blessings, and give it to God.

Walking in Love

As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.

Ephesians 4:1‭-‬3 NIV

* God shows us new mercy every day. We are asked to do the same towards each other by His word. Unfortunately, that's not always easy. Let's be real: People are rude, often selfish, do not try to understand you but desire understanding, and sometimes you just plain don't want to be bothered. Yet, find a way to ask God to help us love and bare ourselves to one another. Besides lack of love, people are often afraid to seek help because of a falsified image  depicting perfection....Or, perhaps you don't want anyone in your business. Even more sadly, many believers don't know how to be discreet and not tell the business of others. Yet, God called us to talk to one another ..This promotes growth, accountability, and restoration. Now, use discernment but don't count this process out all together. I personally need to work on this because many believers are very upsetting and have caused disappointment despite my best efforts. Let's pray about this together...Like it or not, we need each other. Let's work on having a heart like God, and applying His principles.

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.

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.

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?

People of God

Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.

Hebrews 12:14 NIV

Prayer : "Father God, Your love through Your Son Jesus makes us whole, complete, and lacking in nothing. Yet, when confronted with Your people, at times fear, hesitation, and distrust sets in. Help me to bear long and to bear hard with my sisters & brothers in Christ, so that we all may remain rooted and grounded in Your love. Teach me, Lord, to peel back and discard every disagreement, every conflict, every difference I have with believers until the only thing that connects us is Your love. Help me to see fellowship with believers from Your perspective …as a bond that will enhance and bring more of Jesus’ love into my life. Help me to remember that Your love is stronger to unite than anything that threatens to divide. In Jesus’ name. Amen." #HolyBibleDevotional

*This hit home for me today because I have issues with desiring to deal with people, especially those that hurt you and have no respect or regard for your feelings or thought process. It becomes tiring to try to reach God's people when you are met with selfishness, but yet we can't love Him and not love His people. I often think that hurts and pointing out the differences between people,  or being in a click is designed to further separate His people. None of this can stop your purpose,  if you don't let it... Especially if you pursue unity and soul winning.  May our temporary feelings not get in the way of our assignments and blessings, and may positive experiences with people help reap a harvest of consistent love through us verses dwelled upon hurts.

Focused on Your Course

Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; do not fret when people succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes.

Psalm 37:7 NIV

Regardless to how others obtain what they desire or how they treat you, be still and stay patient and guided by God. He is the best way,  and no other way will achieve the right or lasting results. I'm going though similar thoughts right now with an upcoming blessing of a home,  and I feel like people never cease to amaze me with their request. Yet, I ignore it and I'm only guided by God.  Don't let the actions and verbalization from people cause you to stray away from the course God placed you on, take away the glory of His blessings, or the mindset He created in you.

Direction

for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.

Romans 3:23‭-‬24 NIV

*We all have fallen short in comparison to God's way of telling us to live, but it's important that we don't stay there. We have to realize that God's grace gives us the option to move on and forward in the right direction. It's up to us to take the opportunity, and not keep doing the same things habitually that get us no where.

No Condemnation

Romans 8:1-4 (ESV)

8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. 3 For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, 4 in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. 

*When you are in Christ, there is no need to feel bad about a mistake. The idea is to ask God to help us change our thought process, and to learn from the situation or choice. However, do not fall into condemnation about it, or allow others to hang it over your head. If we are truly in Christ, we know that He has already paved the way for us to be free from sin. Even more so, our love for God should make us want to remove ourselves from sinful situations that can lead to habitual behavior. Find peace in letting go in order to gain more.

Grace and Faith = Favor

2 Corinthians 7:1 (ESV)

7:1 Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God.

*God has a covenant with His people and promises to supply your needs (Philippians 4:19), give overflow (Malachi 3:10), and give us our heart's desire (Psalm 37:4) just to name a few. There are several promises that He desires to fulfill, but He is waiting on us to receive them. We just have to operate under the elements of grace and stay in faith. God blesses us even when we are hard headed, but imagine the grace we would flow in if we removed things from our lives that didn't coincide with God...And if we stopped operating with malice or negativity towards one another. The blessings of the Lord are suppose to continuously flow. Don't allow anything to hinder your spirit, or any person to pull you out of His grace and peace by blocking your blessing. God is always trying to get things to us and desires a stronger relationship with His people, but are we willing to accept guidance, make room, and remove distractions to operate in His covenants.

Let Go & Let God

Proverbs 4:25 ESV

Let your eyes look directly forward, and your gaze be straight before you.

*A lot of times we like to look back, while comparing our past with present or future situations. However, history only repeats itself if you let it. It's important that we ask God to help our minds be open to new things and experiences, and that we stop being caught in a time warp through consistently basing things on the past. You have the ability to truly forgive and forget the way God does in order to move forward by being baggage free. Yet, if you keep looking back, how will you ever realize or even recognize something new. I'm sure you have heard of the phrase, "let go and let God." Therefore, let go of feelings and apprehension of the bad things you've experienced in order to make room for Him to make all things new...

Mark 11:25 is a Must

Mark 11:25: http://youtu.be/lBYENKIStsY

Acknowledging and forgiving will set u free!

Forward

Philippians 3:13 (KJV)

Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forth unto those things which are before.

*In order to move on in any situation and to renew your mind, you must forget the past. We must forget the learned behavior, schemes, and treatment of the things of the world and embrace what there is to gain in Christ. Even as a believer, you may run into people who do not care; claim to have God on ths inside, but display different behaviors outwardly; or abandon you in your time of need or because things won't go their way. Still, we must forgive and set our focus on God to move forward. People are of the flesh, and are often misguided and misinformed. However, if you pray for them, God has the power to change them and use them for your sake. Therefore, I don't have time to stay disgusted, but move on and learn from the situation. I don't have to deal with it because being stationary in mess blocks moving on and upward, but I can look forward to God's ability to make changes in order to cause the circumstance to move beyond the situation. You have the power to do so as well.

What Truly Sepatates You From Others?

John 13:34-35 (NIV)
34 “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.

*Ever wonder how others would know u are a disciple if u chose to walk in love? It's because of the type of world we currently live in...In a world so cold and full of selfishness and strife, to actually show true love to an individual is very unique and rare in nature. U see, when u open yourselves up to care about the concerns or well being of other people, you are opening up your insides to receiving the light of God...A light that shines so brightly that individuals are instantly drawn to it, even if they aren't fond of you. There is no denying when u find the love of Christ. The issue lies in whether u are willing to truly receive it and act upon it. Saying u love others is great, but do u truly believe that in your heart? Do u do it when it is convenient for you, or upon command? Would u love someone if they didn't smell, look, believe, or act like u?  Can u put your fears and own issues aside to plant a seed of love? OR, BETTER YET, are u capable of being obedient enough to give love despite the circumstance or how u feel towards that individual? THIS IS what truly shows our discipleship and image of God within us. This walk of love isn't always easy, but its worth sowing especially if u are expecting the same in return...

The Light of Forgiveness

Ephesians 4:31-32 NIV

Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

*Forgiveness is the key to moving forward, and being able to be utilized by God. He is unable to reveal things to u if u keep bringing up the past, or reliving the same story every time u speak with someone. It is one thing to testify about how u got over hurt, but it is another to stew in hurt and/or try to slander someone's character. God doesn't bring up your past every time u come to Him about something, especially if u have asked Him for forgiveness. Therefore, why do u receive the opportunity to hold a grudge? Also, the way you hold a grudge shows God if u can be entrusted to further yourself in your purpose or, for singles, receive a mate. Think about it: What if God has it in your purpose to be entrusted with personal information, and to act accordingly. However, if u get offended and held a grudge when someone says something u didn't like, how would u be able to handle this calling? How also do u expect to maintain a healthy marriage if u hit below the belt, or think about the past? U cannot also sustain friendships if u are unable to forgive because everyone comes with a different personality. Also, God does not dwell in a body for of malice or strife. Therefore, He is unable to fully talk to u in times of trouble or warn u of things. This is the year of judgment, and u need to be open and as sensitive to the Spirit as u can get, which involves u walking in love. Love, rage, and unforgiveness can't grow within the same area. Which will u choose to manifest?