Encouragement 4 Singleness

https://youtu.be/lDaxfq23Hb0

#Food 4 Thought  #SingleEncouragement

One Body in Christ...Get Planted by God

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.

Healing 4 All

For I will restore health to you And heal you of your wounds,’ says the Lord , ‘Because they called you an outcast saying: “This is Zion; No one seeks her.” ’ Jeremiah 30:17 NKJV

*No matter what you have done, what has come upon you, or regardless to what is bothering you, God can fix and restore all things. His healing power is limitless and works for spiritual, emotional, physical, and mental healing of any capacity. Ask Him for it, and believe it is done. Negativity of any kind was never meant to be harbored by us.

Strong Faith, Strong Finish

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.

Ephesians 6:10 NIV

Being strong in God is holding on to His word, no matter how you feel or what life looks like. Even in times of weakness, your strength can be found in your faith. Standing strong in God is holding on to what He placed in your heart,  and what He revealed to you during your word and prayer time. God never changes, and strongly believes in us despite our drama and attitudes. Surely, we can be strong in Him.

Balance and Avoidance

Let those who love the Lord hate evil, for he guards the lives of his faithful ones and delivers them from the hand of the wicked.

Psalm 97:10 NIV

God is always protecting us.. Even from things and people we think are good, but aren't able to see the underlying issue. If we learn to move ourselves and own desires out of the way, God's guidance will supercede our fleshly choices. The Holy Spirit is their to protect us, give us the spirit of discernment,  and help create more spiritual awareness. Take advantage of the helper God created for the spirit realm, and be open to His guidance... It can save you a lot of unnecessary battles and keep your peace.

Your Life is a Message

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?

Letting Go, and Not Being Moved

For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

Ephesians 6:12 NIV

*May we remember that we are not fighting rude people, but the spirits that have been allowed to inhabit their bodies in order to distract you. We must learn to not allow the demons of darkness to discourage us, or continuously allow them to upset our lives. Instead, we must learn to see it as a distraction and remove such with guidance from God and prayer. Like God uses people as vessels, so does the devil.  A lot of times he may not even use them in a negative light, but even in a positive way to make something bad seem good. There is a spiritual battle daily that is working to impact us. Let's remember not to become too busy to pray,  and see evil for what it is rather than circuming to it.

Strength in Numbers

From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.

Ephesians 4:16 NIV

*No man is an island, even when you feel like you would rather be alone. Growth doesn't spawn from seclusion, but rather the inclusion of others. I thank God for this reminder because the enemy will often speak to my heart, especially during my lowest points, and trigger annoyance and the desire for isolation, but we MUST remember that isolation is a trick to get you weaker and alone in order to create vulnerability and an easy target. There is strength in numbers...

Mourning

Psalm 73:26 (ESV)

26 My flesh and my heart may fail,
but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.

*Today,  I have no words of encouragement and no desire to feel anything,  but the mourning of my best friend. However, all the strength I have is to share with you my experience of being broken,  and remind you of God's role during these times. God bless.... #Pearl #Parting #Heartaches #PrayingABadTurnsIntoAGood #MourningSummer16

The Ultimate Source

God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.

Psalm 46:1‭-‬3 NIV

We have to remember who is watching over us,  and who is always there during our time of need: God.  He has all the answers and resources needed to help you, and the comfort that aids in protecting your heart from worry.  We just have to remember to seek Him as a source.

Correction

Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but whoever hates correction is stupid.

Proverbs 12:1 NIV

Lord,  help me to be humble when I am wrong and corrected. May the correction be done in love without malicious intent, and may my response be the same. Also, help me to correct others in your in your will.

Ever notice how people become attitude  prone when they are corrected,  as if what they say should go regardless of if it's wrong or right? There is pride behind that reaction, especially if others have been accepting to their demeanor or thoughts. Even with this reaction,  we must still be led on how we handle these people. We must also look to God on what to say or even how to say it. Also, for those who are accepting to poor behaviors, ask God to help you be strong enough to correct in love instead of ignoring the problem.

Lastly, be led on if you should correct it. Just because things are different from what you experience, doesn't mean that it's wrong. Let's be open to receiving wisdom, and understand how to give it as well.

Thanks for Strength

And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Colossians 3:17 NIV

*If we put God first in what we do and say, we will not allow ourselves to be controlled by the circumstance bc our mind is on His refuge and His ability to  remove the burden...His yoke is easy and His burden is light. Giving thanks is a sign that we believe in His capabilities to help us. May we give thanks together, and release ourselves through God's power and our faith.

Love Saves

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.

Wisdom combined with Action and Beliefs

Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.

James 5:16 ESV

*I confess that I don't have it all together all the time. Sometimes I judge, talk about people, lack faith, and think the wrong things. I'm human, but my spirit overcomes with reminders that convict me. Better yet, I am working hard to follow peace continuously and be led. I hope we all can be led to the assistance of an accountability partner that will keep it real, but also keep it in love. Let your issues morph into insight that leads to a testimony, and may our hearts be open to others... Even our enemies..

Weakness is Strength.. He is Made Strong when I'm Not

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.

John 10:10 ESV

*The thief is always looking to still, kill, and destroy... especially when if comes to our confidence in who we are called to be. He loves to emphasize our mistakes, use people to make you feel bad, or bring up what we lack in order to hinder our confidence. However, unlike people, God never called us to be perfect. He just desires that we have enough humility to be used. We live in a society where people see your flaws before seeing theirs, they set parameters to meet requirements, but praise God that He owns it all and is able to use the weak to prove His power to the strong and haughty. I know I'm not perfect, but I am powerful because I can admit my mistakes, work through them, and still be used by God! What about you?

Strong Roots in Weakness

As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.

Colossians 2:6-7 KJV

*When we learn to become more rooted and grounded in Him, we do not circum as quickly to temptation and we remember our worth vs what we could settle for...Although we may grow weary, our faith still holds on to the promise even when logic isn't sure of the outcome. Even when you have those weak moments, being rooted in Him will keep us from throwing in the towel. We gain strength in our weakness to continue the good fight of faith, especially when you have had enough and failure is no longer an option. The root in Him today generates hope for tomorrow...#Motivation2NotGiveUp #ThereIsNothing2GoBack2

Weary Pep Talk

Galatians 6:9 (ESV)

And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. 

*There are times when the flesh wants to throw in the towel, and it gets old being the bigger person or opening your heart for the sake of God's love to impact others...You may even feel drained, and the favor being returned may feel as though it's nonexistent. However, it's these times that we must remember why we are doing things, which is for God, and not for accolades from people. God will use people to bless you, but it may not come in the form you expect or at the time you desire. Therefore, look at your good works as part of your ministry and a tax return that will allow you to catch a big break. Also, remember it is ok to take a break and fill yourself up with positivity and motivation to help you during the dry seasons, but please never give up. There are a lot of evil things that put forth effort daily, and someone somewhere needs your light and YOUR specific thoughts to light their path in the darkness. You are chosen, so carry out His love with the expectation of return and the ability to place your personal stamp of delivery as you disseminate.

Prayers for Paris 💗

As we go into the weekend, let's remember not to just focus on our own lives and those we know or take interest in, but those who need are interest to trickle down at the very least as a prayer in hopes of peace and guidance for Paris...

Philippians 2:4-English Standard Version
Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.

Victory Over Turmoil

Psalm 30: 8-11 (NIV)

8 To you, O Lord, I cry,
and to the Lord I plead for mercy:
9 “What profit is there in my death,
if I go down to the pit?
Will the dust praise you?
Will it tell of your faithfulness?
10 Hear, O Lord, and be merciful to me! O Lord, be my helper!”
11 You have turned for me my mourning into dancing;
you have loosed my sackcloth
and clothed me with gladness,
12 that my glory may sing your praise and not be silent.
O Lord my God, I will give thanks to you forever!

*Guys, when I read these versus, it reminds me of all those desires that I have had to quit... Just through in the towel due to feeling of being trapped or like I just couldn't get it right. I reflected on those who have been confused by the enemy and actually taken their own life due to these feelings. Then, God reminded me of how His work, your purpose, and your life would be in vain if you give up. What good are you to Him, others, or yourself if you give up? When it feels the hardest is often when we are on the presupus of our breakthrough. Notice how the verses depict a sudden change... Let's pray for one another to hold on and believe for change. We must uplift one another, and individually keep the armor of God on (Ephesians 6:10-18) in order to be protected and be delivered from the war with our minds, flesh, and the illusion of hopelessness.

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?