for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, Romans 3:23-24 NKJV
*Notice that the word sin is in past tense, meaning that if we choose Jesus Christ, we are no longer a prisoner to sin. We have the power to combat and overcome it through Christ. Thank God for His sacrifice through the death and resurrection of our Lord.
And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful. Colossians 3:15 NKJV
*No matter where you attend church, if that church is guided by God, it is just one of the functioning parts of the body of Christ.We all may have several missions,but the common goals are to be a light, uplift one another, and most importantly win souls. When you start isolating yourself and forgetting to work with the rest of the body, you risk dying...You need the body for support. Now, if we could all learn to do that, it would be great.
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...
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.
Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.
1 Corinthians 9:24-27 NIV
Food for Thought:
"Every one of us has a propensity toward certain sins. It is important, though, that we rein in our flesh and that we are temperate in all things because our lifestyle affects our message."
Whatever we do in life effects our witnessing... It's important to still be real, but don't be worldly and allow what you witness to not impact your own lifestyle. People need to see God in you to draw closer to Him. What separates you from the world if you are of it? Do you talk the talk, but have issues walking the walk? What are you doing to keep your heart and mind in submission?
1 Peter 3:15 ESV
but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect...
*We live in a time when people will question your belief in God and His son, Jesus Christ. They may even call you confused, but you know what God has planted in your heart. In Him do you live, move, and have your being... We have to be prepared to protect that, but most importantly pull others in through love. It's not enough to support yourself and those like you... You've got to be prepared to be a vessel of influence for those who question you. May God guide your tongue, may your life truly reflect Him, and may you be prepared to explain why and how Jesus is beneficial... Your life is a testimony of His love and grace.. Don't you EVER forget that...
When I said, “My foot is slipping,” your unfailing love, Lord , supported me. When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought me joy.
Psalm 94:18-19 NIV
*When I feel like my faith is slipping and that all may be lost, God's love emerges at it's strongest point to remind me of His capabilities, what He has done before, and He sends a human vessel to aid in loving me as well. In life, even as a believer, it's inevitable to have times when you will want to throw in the towel or say forget it. You may even feel slighted or cheated...I know I have, but God always sees us through and the blessing is greater than the trial...The greater the adversity, the greater the blessing. Therefore, don't judge people on their stumbling or during their low points...Be used by God to love them back to life. After all, these verses depict how He knows we aren't perfect and need love and help. Allow Him to help u in order to be a testimony and help for others.
1 Timothy 1:15 (ESV)
The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost.
*We all have sinned and fallen short, and no sin is greater than the other...There are just different levels of consequences that may occur. I am willing to say that I still have areas to overcome, but as long as we keep pushing forward then we can't remain complacent in our sins. God saw the potential for our faults, and still wants a relationship with us.. So much so, He made a way for us to be purified to connect with Him again through the sacrifice of His Son. There is no greater form of love that deserves to be trusted more than His. Now, imagine the love we are suppose to show...Despite His unconditional love, I know I'm working on showing love...Let's remember His sacrifice and how much He is entrusting us to either come back to or go deeper in Him. Do we trust Him in the same way? How deep is our love?
Acts 16:31 (NIV)
31They replied, Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved you and your household.
*Many times we worry about the salvation of others, and whether or not they will make it into heaven with us...We may even base our connection with them on their current state that could be lacking Christ. However, our focus should not be on judging and making predictions about others. Our focus should be on how God is guiding us to impact them, while evaluating what we believe God is capable of in order to be saved and believe in His ability to reach other...even through you. If we know our worth and God's love towards others, we would know that He isn't just picking and choosing who is saved...He has a plan for us to assist others in understanding and accepting salvation if we only believe. Is your mind on being a vessel to lead others to salvation, or if you aren't saved have you thought about the benefits of being saved? Or are we too busy trying to remove ourselves from who aren't like us? Sometimes the sweetest people are those who aren't caught up in reviewing the life of others. Let God guide u.
Romans 10:9-10 (ESV)
9 Because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.
*Being saved is not some complicated ritual. Anyone can be saved by simply confessing out of your mouth and believing in your heart that Jesus Christ is Lord. After that, the lifestyle you live is based on your love for Christ and not a ritual that you have to do as part of your salvation. Now, please understand that once you are saved, you cannot live your old life of sinning and grinning because habitual sin will still land you in hell. A mistake and repenting of that by asking God for forgiveness is one thing bc we all make mistakes, but continuing to do something does not depict your love for God nor does it enhance your ability to allow change to occur in the mind and in your heart. Allow the confession of your mouth and your belief that Jesus died on the cross and rose again to influence how u see life and interact with others in it. Even more so, incorporate His word to bring about the solution for growth and change. There is a whole new way of thinking, doing, and receiving things if you act on what you believe...
Romans 5:17 (ESV)
17 For if, because of one man's trespass, death reigned through that one man, much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man Jesus Christ.
*The choices and ways that we see on Earth are not your only option. You are not condemned, doomed, or have to circum to the options that the world provides...Everything that doesn't work that way. If you open your mind, you will see that there are better alternatives with choosing God. The ability to accept Him into your life is free, which also presents freedom from feeling as though you have to accept the everyday norm. With this freedom is the ability to be covered by His grace, and the option of receiving endless possibilities if you believe. There is so much more to God then you can imagine if you are willing to open your heart to Him consistently and be guided by His word and the Holy Spirit. He is the way, the truth, and the light....
Galatians 5:19-26 (NIV)
19 The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20 idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21 and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.
*Sometimes, we allow our past to depict our future. We may even allow people to hold things over our head that we use to do, say, or believe. However, once you determine that you would like to be saved and accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior, you can start over with a clean slate. No one should be inquiring about your past unless they are helping your get over it or through something that has a hold on you. If God can forget and forgive, humans do not have the right to try to dig and pry about something you let go. However, be aware of things that still hinder you or that you need to put down. Once we become new creatures in Christ, we should not habitually take part in things of the flesh. These habits should begin the process of being removed until they are nonexistent. Let's pray that we let go, refocus, and revamp in order to keep growing and moving forward...
Mark 12:30 (ESV)
Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.
*There is a saying that states, "Home is where the heart is." This means that any place that captures your heart can be called home bc it is where you feel love and comfort. Well,the same idea applies towards God and the determination of how you view life daily. Wherever your heart lies is what you will focus on, and will determine how much comfort you receive. If your heart is with stuff, then the extent of you finding comfort will go as far as how that item or substance can make you feel, which is short lived. If your heart is solely with a person and your reliance on them, they are human and can disappoint you. However, if Jesus captures your heart, you are guaranteed to have the perfect person to allow your heart to find a resting place in...God should be your fortress, and where your dependency lies. He will govern things accordingly, and help guide you from experiencing more hurt then if you live a life without Him. Allow your heart to receive God's love, and give Him permission to live in you...
2 Corinthians 1:21-22 (NIV)
21 Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, 22 set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.
*No matter what you are involved in, what you may have done in the past, or no matter how independent u may feel, u still belong to God. He is calling u every minute of the day, and is asking you to be saved, seriously rededicate your life to Him, grow in Him, build a relationship with Him, and include Him in your decision making. I know it becomes hard, tempting to step outside of the guidelines, or perhaps you are unsure if you can completely dedicate yourself. However, God is not looking for perfection...He is looking for diligence and loyalty. He even wants to help you with things you struggle with daily. Trust me, WE ALL have things to work on. However, God can assist if you open up and truly try Him. There is no failure in trying...the failure is when you choose to assume and not completely let go and give it your best. Let Him do the rest....
Ephesians 5:8-10 (NIV)
8 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light 9 (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) 10 and find out what pleases the Lord.
*When you accept God into your heart and confess with your mouth that Jesus is your Lord and savior, you no longer fade into the masses as the norm...You now stand out, and hold the responsibility of helping others see the entrapment and complacency of darkness in order to guide them to the deliverance and authenticity of the light. However, some of us forget our responsibility and feed into the temptations and distractions that darkness brings. We look back at things and debate if life was easier on the other side; we become caught up in reminiscing about the so called "fun" days that only led us to a continuous loop of foolishness, and hindered us from growing; or some of us are too afraid to embrace the potential for change, and hold on to what we know and have experienced before. However, God is telling u to let it go!...ALL OF IT! Being in the light may seem foreign or even hard at times because you may be still holding on to that comfort and ability to hide in darkness...Yet, hiding never allowed you to be found in order to be relocated into betterment. Instead, you were just bumping around in the same spot, while suffering unnecessary contusions from being hit by what you were too blind to see. Allow God to shine light on your situation, provide you with clear guidance, and remove you from elements of darkness that should no longer cover up the brightness of the future He has for you. Find out what path would enhance your circumstance and please God, without further delay or entanglement with things that need to be exposed and disposed. How can you ever move forward if you are lugging around garbage, and unable to properly see where you are going?
