Distinctions of His People

Proverbs 18:2 ESV

A fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing his opinion.

*Happy 4th of July! On this rainy 4th, I wanted to be transparent with you and give you food for thought as plans may have slowed due to the rain. One of the things I have noticed is how people automatically categorize a person based on how they look, how they act, or what they stand for...Please, understand that when we do this, we often end up with a surprise because everyone is not going to be the way you have experienced them in the past, do not fit stereotypes, or will not exhibit the characteristics you assume or have been taught about from movies , etc. Furthermore, one of the biggest tricks is believing in zodiac signs and clumping people together from that angle. We are all individuals, and no matter how many characteristics that you encounter that are similar to someone else, that person is still going to have some sort of feature that makes them unique and different. Furthermore, just because people have similarities does not mean they are the perfect fit as a mate, friend, or colleague. What we need to do is drop the assumptions and listen to what God has to say about the person. For instance, if you get to know me, I am not some naive person that runs around wanting friends, begs you to become saved, or tries to people please....I am very wise in how I handle people, very specific about the company I keep based on my assignment of you or who God is telling me to connect with, and I pick and choose my battles. As a matter of fact, my flesh prefers not to deal with people at all because they constantly change, but thank God for the change in my heart in doing His work and knowing that no man is an island. Let's practicing first listening to what God is trying to tell us about people, and if given the green light, getting to know them without assuming they have specific duties or characteristics. As the great Fred Price Sr. once said, he treats everyone like they are a blank sheet of paper...Furthermore, he gives them the chance to write on that paper. Why can't we do the same? As they are writing, let's not over-analyze either, but learn to communicate to truly understand what the person is trying to tell us. I also encourage you to give everyone a fair chance, and not be so quick to judge one person while turning a blind eye to another. Also remember that our strengths were designed to help others in areas of weakness, and our weaknesses were designed to be strengthened by those God sends to help us. Life is about being guided by God, being open to the possibilities He can provide, and learning before living....especially with His people. Remember to be guided...

The Treatment of His Children

Galatians 6:10 (NIV)

Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.

*What is interesting how people have a tendency to place the same value on all people. Now, we should love everyone, but we should particularly keep those in the body of Christ encouraged because they have chosen to separate themselves from worldly behavior just as we have chosen to do so...However, there are many of us who treat those people poorly, but run behind people in the world expecting the love of a believer when they don't know how to give you that love in the first place. Then, we talk ugly or say off the way things to our brothers and sisters in Christ, and expect them to constantly take it and deal with us. Turning the other cheek does not mean that you don't operate in wisdom and remove yourself from hurt. Let's think about how we treat people, especially those in the body of Christ. Do we hold our brothers and sisters to standards that we don't even meet? Do we lie to them or are we rude? Do you say off the wall things and sow hurt, but expect to reap an overflow of love? Are you looking for love from individuals that are incapable of giving it to you until they come to know the Father in order to realize their worth and yours? Is your mouth so out of control that you say whatever and expect everyone to take it? Also, are you good at holding your tongue with people of the world, but say rude things to those in the body of Christ? Think on these things and make the changes that God places on your heart...

Marriage Between a Man and Woman

Thought for the Day:

Those of you who have been blessed with your mate were made for such a time as this...You all were personally chosen to stand up for God's definition of marriage, called to be examples, and should utilize your relationship as a guiding light of truth, which many of you do. Take pride in your gift/blessing, and be honored that in these times YOU BOTH are meant to drive His people back to the tradition of truth and correct inaccurate portrayals of love today. MOST IMPORTANTLY, it is your relationship that has the divine light to win others over through the love you share with your spouse, which will allow that love to seep into the hearts of the misled. RISE UP married believers! I'm praying for u! How blessed are you to have been chosen to represent God's true definition of marriage and love...Be encouraged!

The Bigger They Are, The Harder They Fall

Nahum 1:7-9 (ESV)

7 The Lord is good,
a stronghold in the day of trouble;
he knows those who take refuge in him. 8 But with an overflowing flood
he will make a complete end of the adversaries, and will pursue his enemies into darkness.
9 What do you plot against the Lord?
He will make a complete end;
trouble will not rise up a second time.

*We are considered to be in the "last days," or the days of trouble...What was once deemed good by the word is now condemned to be wrong according to the world, and what is considered wrong according to the word is now justified in the world. God is not pleased, and it is a sign of the end of days, but we can still find comfort in Him and direction on how to love and win back His people. Keep in mind that no matter what it looks like, God will still wins...I don't care if all hell breaks lose, just keep in mind that our God never fails and the larger the adversity, the greater the fall of the enemy. This is a time for us to band together rather then tackle things separately. Remember, there is strength in numbers and clarity with the correct advisers and companionship that God has sent you...

Reap Positive Vibes

Proverbs 16:8

8 Better is a little with righteousness
than great revenues with injustice.

*Whatever we put out will be what we receive. Therefore, any negativity or illegitimacy will cause a greater hardship for us. If you receive or produce things legitimately, then even if it is small, it will be clear of unnecessary drama. Larger streams of income, poor treatment of others, or secrecy in a situation will always end with more hardship. Take the high road, and allow a little to multiple into a lot.,.You reap whatever you sow, even if u can't see it now. Allow only more positivity to come your way.

Strength in Numbers and Holiness

Ephesians 6:10 (ESV)

10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.

*If we aren't careful about how we handle things or aren't grounded in God, we will begin to circum to things that were designed to break us down. We will forget the promises of God, and our expectations will dwindle into complacency. Life is definitely challenging, but the magnitude of the challenge is depicted by our connection with God and our belief in the power He bestowed upon us. We can do all things through Christ that strengthens us (Philippians 4:13). However, we must be aware of that strength and how to tap into it. Today, let's think about our strengths and help someone else be strong in those areas. Where we are weak, let's allow others to help us be strong.

The Love of Our Heavenly Father

Proverbs 3:11-12 (ESV)

11 My son, do not despise the Lord's discipline or be weary of his reproof,
12 for the Lord reproves him whom he loves, as a father the son in whom he delights.

*I don't know about you, but so many times I've cried out or became annoyed with the Father's lessons of life. My patience became thin and my thoughts were not peaceful, but I hold on because I know He loves me. My mind and flesh may try to kick down patience's door, but yet my heart waits at the door and deals with long suffering... Holding on to the hope for greater and working on consistently being thankful for what you have, and the realization and removal of what I didn't need. Praise God for being a loving Father that never gives up on me even when I am on the boarder of not doing the same...Yet His love has captured me...

Photo credit: Talk Amen