Praise Breakthrough

Philippians 4:4 (ESV)

4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice.

*No matter what things look like, how we feel, or what we believe in our heads we should always praise God. This keeps us in faith, and keeps negativity from dwelling in our hearts. There is always the possibility that things could be worse. However, that shouldn't keep us from striving for better. We just have to be thankful for what we have and what's going on now in order to have the motivation to move forward. Having a sense of thankfulness will motivate us and bring peace to the situation. It will also help us see more of the positive aspects of life then negativity. Let's continue to lift each other up...better days are coming. When praises go up, blessings come down....

Crucify the Flesh for Freedom

Galatians 5:24 (ESV)

24 And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.

*One of the things that helps us become closer to God is the method we use to feed our spirit and starve our flesh. Adhering to the desires of our flesh, which is referring to our nature/natural man/secular desires, makes us becoming further from God. We are often too busy listening to this nature, which hardens our heart and takes our focus off of listening or even being able to hear God. This is why we have to use coping mechanisms to keep our minds on track, and be proactive in avoiding what tempts us. For instance, if you know you are addicted to drugs you should work on avoiding those who partake in that activity. It will also help feed your spirit by reading scriptures out loud about healing, and praying and thanking God for your deliverance. If we act in this manner, we will begin to believe it, and the craving will begin to subside. Also, but forth energy that you have for something negative into something positive that makes you and someone else happy. There is also spiritual counseling available to assist us as well. We just have to be willing to make a change, and go deeper in Christ. We are blessed to be a blessing, but it is our choice whether we are going to allow ourselves to be used, work towards doing the right thing, and free ourselves of negativity. If anyone is caught in a cycle, it's because they may not be seeking the proper efferts to be free....

Plans of Prosperity

Jeremiah 29:11 (ESV)

11 For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.

*The plan that God has for our lives is filled with protection, prosperity, and growth if we only open our hearts and follow Him. When God is telling us not to do something, be around certain people, or to remove things from our lifestyle it isn't to hurt us or take away "fun." It is to keep us from heartache in the long run. Sure, being a believer will not guarantee you a picture of perfection, but it will definitely save you a lot of heartache and wasted time. Are you going to trust your own plans that can only be based off the here and now, or will you trust God who knows your ordeal now and the things to come? Let go and let God have His way...After all, how far have you gotten without completely surrendering to Him? Now, imagine going further with Him...

Consistent, Christ-Like Control

1 Corinthians 10:21 ESV

You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons. You cannot partake of the table of the Lord and the table of demons.

*God is reminding us that we can't stratle both sides of the fence: Either we are going to choose to be a part of living right for Him, or we are going to partake in secular behavior. No one is perfect, but that doesn't give us the excuse to live double lives. We must strive to continue trying and cleaning up our lives, which will allow us to be an example for others. Either we are going to work on living for Christ or we aren't. We are aware of things we shouldn't be doing or saying. We are also aware that we will never reach are full potential if we keep surrounding ourselves with worldly things and people, or we are inconsistent with doing the right thing according to His word. Now, God never said you can't enjoy yourself. However, doing things that He is telling you not to do, that you know is wrong, or being with people He is trying to remove us from will not allow you to spiritually advance...This will then trickle into your physical, mental, and emotional advancement. Most importantly, if you aren't saved then you will not see heaven (John 3:3). Grace does not give us a free pass to be inconsistent, conniving, or deceitful. We have to choose a side...which one will you choose?

Prayer Effects His Presence

Proverbs 15:29 (ESV)

29 The Lord is far from the wicked,
but he hears the prayer of the righteous.

*God is never a part of something that is bad. Therefore, when something bad happens and people claim it as the Father's will, that is not the case. There are consequences of sin, and sometimes it effects the lives of the innocent, but God is not near or orchestrating bad things...That is of the enemy, and due to the sinful nature of this world. This is why we have to consistently pray over ourselves, our families, and invite God into our lives for His will to be done. We also must develop and build upon our relationship with Him, and not abuse grace in order to understand who He is and how He operates in our lives. If we draw closer to Him through prayer and our actions, He automatically comes closer to us...This decision to be close to Him in doing the right thing effects what positive or negative elements effect our lives.

Letting Go to be Fulfilled

Philippians 3:13-14 (ESV)

13 Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

*Despite what some may think, we have not made it this far on our own. Even through our mistakes and disappointments, God has carried us through. Now, we choose whether we are going to follow Him, be obedient, or be patient. However, we are still assisted or followed by God no matter what we choose. However, the consequences depend on our choices. Regardless to what you have chosen in the past, we cannot take that into the future and base our lives off of what we have experienced. As long as we are living, we still have that option to get things right with God, follow Him, and still receive the opportunity to receive who and what He has for us. Let's press forward in Him, and not rationalize things on our own or base things off of out ability to lean to our own understanding. Press towards doing the right thing by God, and He will push you towards the desires of your heart.

Good Things Come 2 Those Through Grace

Romans 8:28 (ESV)

28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.

*No matter what seems disheveled or up in the air in our lives, these things will come together to develop and prepare us for greater. Every step we take in the direction that God is leading us in allows to get closer to our deliverance and blessings. If we trust in God, be led by Him, and embrace obedience then nothing or no one can hold us back from receiving all that God has for us. We must work through the bad by believing and taking action toward the promises He has for us, while His grace and mercy sees us through.