Are You Growing or Not?

https://youtu.be/OHTfIs5ENlY

Protect the Heart

Keep your heart with all diligence, For out of it spring the issues of life. Proverbs 4:23 NKJV

*We have to guard our heart from negativity at all times, otherwise we will become that negativity. There are some things we have to deal with, and pray our way through while others are unnecessary stressers or distractions. Ask God to provide wisdom to know the difference. You are not entitled to put yourself at risk with people and situations you don't have to deal with. You also have to be aware of people and environments that can taint your heart, and create poor behaviors and mannerisms as well.

How to Love

Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has seen God at any time. If we love one another, God abides in us, and His love has been perfected in us. I John 4:11‭-‬12 NKJV

*Let me tell you, this love walk is not easy...Sadly, it is harder from my experience to love fellow believers more than those in the world. There are so many criticising, false representing, alter ego, low self-esteem, judging individuals in the body of Christ. Their behavior, but low key repressed actions and need for attention, can create quite the schizophrenic atmosphere..Making it hard to love. However, we have to exercise the wisdom of God on how to love them, because it is a must, but remember to guard out hearts as the word says and not let that behaviour rub off.

Reboot and Rest

However, the report went around concerning Him all the more; and great multitudes came together to hear, and to be healed by Him of their infirmities. So He Himself often withdrew into the wilderness and prayed. Luke 5:15‭-‬16 NKJV

*Even Jesus had to rest and get a away from crowds and the demands of people at times. Don't be afraid to report, take a moment, and reboot.

Guidance in Love

And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. Romans 12:2 NKJV

*Getting into worldly thoughts can be easier to do than you think, especially when it comes to loving people. You may feel the need to not be bothered and preserve your energy. This is ok, but do not allow your heart to harden where you don't want to be bothered with anyone. Guard your heart from foolishness and lack of understanding or support, but still rejuvenate your mind with God's love in order to impact people that HE GUIDES YOU TO.

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...

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.

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....

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?

What Are You Sowing?

Galatians 6:9-10 (NIV)

9Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. 10Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.

*Many times we may become tired of being the positive one, the faithful one, the person who cares for others when it feels like others do not care, or maybe you could even be tired of being the only light for Christ in a dark environment. To be honest,it takes a lot of energy to properly be these aspects and more. However, we must hang in there and learn to do things through the strength that Christ provides (Philippians 4:13) rather than our own strength. Your light could be the only one that shines on the truth, and allows someone to make the choice to choose a pathway towards Christ. If we do not give up, we will be rewarded because through all the struggles for Him, He sees and has not forgotten. If you actually pay attention, you will notice that He sends bits of encouragement and people to encourage us if you are within His will and fighting for His cause. However, what is lacking the most is how we treat each other...especially those who are believers. Many of us are so quick to be kind to the world, but treat our brothers and sisters in Christ very harshly. These are people who are still growing in Christ too...People who need your love, strength, and consideration... Not your criticism, judgment, and attitude of "I will deal with you when I feel like it." Notice God points us out for a reason in this verse because He knows we are already going through a lot by being different and living for Him...The last thing we need is to turn against each other when we were meant t be the vessel to strengthen one another. So, as you go about your day, think about your actions for God and how you treat people. Even think on the reason why you do the things you do, and why people do or don't want to be around you. Is it due to standing strong in Christ, or is your flesh getting in the way and causing issues? Do you really exercise the golden rule, or even realize what type of seeds you are sowing based on your words and actions?

Victory and Favor

2 Timothy 1:8-9 (ESV)

8 Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God, 9 who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began. . . .

*If you are a child of God, do not be afraid to represent Him and not fit in with the world. If the world doesn't accept you, be happy they do not and don't blame yourself. Sometimes people become upset with what they do not understand, or even what they wish they could become. It's our job as believers to help them get there, and if they aren't ready, then be a light amongst the darkness. We can be lights by sharing what we go through and declaring God's will and love. You never know who needs to hear it, or what someone else is going through... Your suffering, situation, and ability to overcome may be the very thing that brings them out. Remember knowledge is power, but only if u share it. Do not be ashamed of Him bc He wasn't ashamed when He took your punishment. Even more so, we will go through bc Christ went through... A rock must go through a process b4 it becomes a diamond...Go through declaring victory towards the enemy, and come out ready to tell the world!

Father's Day Love

Happy Father's Day to everyone who is a father, is aspiring to be one, and most important our heavenly Father who paved the way for redemption through resurrection. So many people try to place a feminine roll over a father or ignore this day, but this day like them all, is one God has made ...especially for fathers! If you do not have one, know your heavenly Father is loving and is Lord over us all!!!

Photo credit: A Facebook share

Words Have Power

Food 4 Thought:
It's Foolish to share every feeling and thought...

"Being honest doesn't mean you have to be completely frank in your every comment..That hurts people..." Stormie Omartian. Don't use the excuse of "just being honest" to get your point across without thinking of how your words can devastate someone else. Words have power... Use them wisely, and remember what you dish out will come back around...Ask God how to talk to people.
Psalm 29:11-A fool vents his feelings, but a wise man holds them back...#WisdomNeedsToControlFeelings&Assumptions

Lighten the Load with God

Psalm 86:4-5 (ESV)

4 Gladden the soul of your servant,
for to you, O Lord, do I lift up my soul. 5 For you, O Lord, are good and forgiving, abounding in steadfast love to all who call upon you.

*Sometimes it's good to take a break from people and sort things out with God. God understands even when no one else seems to...His steadfast love never changes. At times, when we feel too much controversy, hurt, or inconsistency with others then it's good to just have a session with you and God. It doesn't always necessarily mean that you are the problem, but perhaps He is trying to get your attention... Take a moment to relax with Him to seek fulfillment and find happiness in order to learn how to deal with situations that make you feel less...

Photo credit: Author unknown (A Facebook share)

People Need Peace

Romans 12:17-18 (NIV)

17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. 18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.

*At the end of the day, we decide how we plan to handle situations and how much we will let others effect us. There is no harm in reducing the amount of drama you choose to deal with, loving from a distance, or in an even greater capacity - adding peace to a situation when issues arise. God may even tell you to excuse yourself, but the idea is to come back and show love. When you can drop the attitude, and love in spite of, you have officially overcome human nature. Human nature wants you to be rude, smart mouth, cut people off, or assume everyone has a problem except you. Let's not think evil, seek vengeance, or assume what we haven't bothered to investigate and try to understand. Instead, let's ask God how to live in peace with all people and do the best we can to maintain that peace.

Brotherly Love

1 John 4:20-21 (ESV)

20 If anyone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen. 21 And this commandment we have from him: whoever loves God must also love his brother.

*Transparency moment: Finding balance in this area can be hard at times. God loves us unconditionally, and is always there for us while people find faults, make accusations, and are fickle. Yet, we have to love them. That unconditional love that the Father has is something we have to consistently learn to use in order to find that love for people. It's so much easier to just classify folks and be done, but we have to ask ourselves is hating them or getting rid of them the solution to the problem? I'm not saying to put up with crap because you can love from a distance, and God doesn't want us dealing with unnecessary stress. What I'm saying is how it takes a lot to hate or dislike someone or a group, and often certain classifications stem from past hurts and experiences. Have we taken the time to evaluate or get to know someone well before we place an emotional value on them? Pray for me in this area as I will do for u...

Consistency in Love

Proverbs 3:3 ESV

Let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you; bind them around your neck; write them on the tablet of your heart.

*Sometimes it can be difficult to show love consistently. You may be annoyed with someone, having a bad day, you may not like someone, or you may be a person who believes love must be shown to you first in order to be given. However, none of these thoughts better a situation or show consistency. God wants us to show love to others no matter the circumstance. Of course He will give you wisdom, if you ask, on how to do so; however, the act of showing love is meant to be consistent and continuously worked on. What you give out will be deposited back into you one way or another...Why not allow the deposits to be consistent and continuous, even if it is supplied from someone/something other then who you are depositing it into. Besides, you win more people through love then hate...

Are You Handling Things Correctly?

Matt. 7:1-4 (NIV)

“Do not judge, or you too will be judged. 2 For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.
3 “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? 4 How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye?

Food 4 Thought:

The first step is not calling out the flaws of others, but it's changing your heart and mind set to teach them how to communicate with you and love them to provide reassurance, which depicts the quality of your communication...We ALL need to improve, but it's quicker for some to highlight the faults of others b4 dealing with their own, or not hearing others out...#DontBeTheProblemOr #PlaceYourMouthOnIt #BeTheSolutionOrResolution

Interaction Encouragement

The most trying relationships are with those who we allow to be close to us...Vulnerability creates opportunity to be hurt or misunderstood, but it can also spur growth and the ability to practice long suffering. Remember to love with an open mind and heart, which can lead to open communication and outward change...

Who Do You Allow God to Be

Psalm 121:7-8 (NIV)

7 The Lord will keep you from all harm—
    he will watch over your life;
8 the Lord will watch over your coming and going
    both now and forevermore.

*To be honest with the you I encourage you to read the whole chapter to understand the benefits of being owned by Him (Adonai), and the strength of His desire for a relationship with you (Jehovah). Our Father protects what's His, which is why He won't give you something you aren't ready for, why He provides based on clarity and guidance bc He isn't the author of confusion, and why patience is learned through Him in order to obtain what you have been promised. The relationship comes into play if you are willing to SEEK clarity with Him in these areas, if you ALLOW Him in and stop making choices on your own, and if you FIND out the truth through His guidance. God is everything you need, and has many names to show His prevision for us....All we need is the desire to learn, the willingness to follow, and the openness to allow Him to take control and do what He tells us...Our God is AWESOME! Who do you allow God to be to you, and are you limiting Him???