All Things Through Christ

Proverbs 11:28 (ESV)

28 Whoever trusts in his riches will fall, but the righteous will flourish like a green leaf.

*If there is more trust in anything other then God, then you are due to fail. Matthew 6:33 tells us to seek God's kingdom first, then ALL things will be added...Whatever you desire will come to pass if you put God first. God has blessed you with every positive means that you have. If we place those things over our time with Him, those things can end up slipping away. Ask yourself what's more important, and who is it that has your best interest out heart and can get you ahead?

God's Guidance

God will instruct me and teach me in the way I should go. He will guide me with His eye. (Psalm 32:8 NIV)

*If you are unsure what choice should be made today, how to go about doing something, or if you are stuck between a rock and a hard place then seek God for help. He was the one who has kept you this far...No human has that capability. Regardless of the circumstance, God will see you through. Therefore, do not be afraid. Choose to follow where God is leading you, telling you want to do, and be glad about it. What He provides, no human can take away. What He says, no human can cross it. Let God know and let it go...

Uphold Those Who Need Upholding

1 John 2:4-6 (ESV)

4 Whoever says “I know him” but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him, 5 but whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected. By this we may know that we are in him: 6 whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked.

*Many people believe as long as they aren't doing the blatant sins, then they are operating as a faithful believer. Sure, it is great if you pray, avoid elements that lead to sin, and avoid the obvious sins like sex, lying, etc. However, what about loving your neighbor as yourself? What about forgiveness? People seem to tuck the smaller rules of thumb away, and focus on the big one. Some may even chastise others regarding "bigger" sins while they hide their "little" issues that can lead to big ones. Let's pray to be aware of our own issues before we hide behind or notice the faults of others. We all have fallen short, and it is our job as believers to not only take heed to God's commandments and guidance, but to help others do the same as well. There are enough pressures in learning to avoid it...Let alone if people try to place pressure on you by judging.

Deliverance in Guidance

John 10:1-5 (NIV)

“Very truly I tell you Pharisees, anyone who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate, but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a robber. ² The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep.³ The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. ⁴ When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. ⁵ But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger’s voice.”

*One thing that most people try to do is figure out something, try to create change, or take action without being led by the right source. Sure, having faith is great, and without works it is dead...HOWEVER, have you consulted with God on what those works should? OR, are you taking action based on what you know, just going through life and hoping change will fall out of the sky, or are you one who is afraid of receiving guidance and instructions? We all must learn to be led, and how to decipher, or be willing to admit when you are led by something other then what God would tell you. It is not our job to take matters into our own hands because we are incapable of seeing the beginning and the end. It is our ability to receive guidance and be real with God in order to avoid unnecessary hardships. As a beautiful person once said, God is there to place us on the right path and guide us to safety. However, it's up to you if you are willing to allow Him to take you there...

Growth vs Desire

Every day may not be your favorite, every person may not be your cup of tea, and perhaps every task you are given may not be what you asked for...BUT, God knows what you can handle and where He is trying to take you to...Growth is more important then a temporary desire that may be ever changing. At least u can grow and know how to handle that change.

Reconstruction

1 John 2:28 (ESV)

28 And now, little children, abide in him, so that when he appears we may have confidence and not shrink from him in shame at his coming.

*Whatever we say, do, or think is never truly hidden. God sees and knows all. He remembers what we have forgotten, especially if we have written off sins off as being ok, if something needs to be reconciled, or if ignorance is utilized to ignore habitual habits that need to be addressed. Let's do better since we know better in order to avoid shame, and repent and ask for help wherever we fall short.

Influences of Ephesians

Ephesians 4:17-24 (NIV)
¹⁷ So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longerlive as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. ¹⁸ They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of Godbecause of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts. ¹⁹ Having lost all sensitivity,they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, and they are full of greed.

²⁰ That, however, is not the way of life you learned ²¹ when you heard about Christ and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. ²² You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires;²³ to be made new in the attitude of your minds; ²⁴ and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.

*Today, God instructed me to leave us with more of the word to start our weekend. As holidays arise, we are often caught up in the hype of what the world tells us to do in order to celebrate and/or have a good time. Sometimes these very suggestions cause us to compromise our beliefs, what God is telling us not to do, which  takes us away from focusing how we are called to conduct ourselves vs how the world tells us to celebrate. As a believer, you can have fun and still stay sober minded towards the things of Christ. If any compromising occurs, it is because we choose to participate in darkness rather then seek alternatives that provides protection yet allow fun. Let's be mindful of who we are called to be and be consistent in that, vs who we allow ourselves to become due to allowing the manifestation of poor thoughts and influences. Let's also seek God for the right accountability partners, as well as be open to lovingly hold others accountable as well.