God is Near and Dear to Our Hearts

Psalm 73:28 (NIV)

28But as for me, it is good to be near God. I have made the Sovereign Lord my refuge; I will tell of all your deeds.

*Being close to God helps add peace to any situation no matter what it looks like. When we are close to Him, we learn to treat things and people better because we see you things through His eyes, and perform to the ability that represents a kingdom mindset. Doing things is no longer about man, but about how God sees you and what He wants you to do. Our refuge and rewards come from Him... Man is just the vessel. Operate under His guidance to make it through, and to do what we are suppose to do. There is more to life when we incorporate, listen to, and are guided by God.

Leave Punishment Out of Love

1 John 4:18 (NIV)

18There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.

*Imagine if we really loved each other in spite of...Imagine the peace it would bring, and the unnecessary stress/assumptions/& drama would be at an all time low. When I read and meditate on this verse, I feel like it is referencing how fear is the punishment we put ourselves through based on our past experiences, so we punish others by not loving them unconditionally because we weren't always loved. Deep right? BUT, what if our actions didn't depend on the reciprocation of others...What if we could love like God? He loves us despite how we ignore, forget to consult with, mistreat, take for granted, or abandon Him. Yet, He still loves and waits on us no matter how disgusting we are...I don't know about you, but I become disgusted with people and their actions. Now, imagine if I didn't react based on that disgust or if you didn't. You see, it is not a sin to get upset with people or even distance yourself. The sin is based on our reaction and whether or not God would disapprove, and if we are punishing them...Thus become the judge. Love can be rough, but not if your heart is first in line with God making it easier to line up with others. Let's pray and work on acting on that today...Understand them the way God would, and ask Him how to do so.

Receiving the Right Understanding

Proverbs 26:12 (NIV)

12Do you see a person wise in their own eyes There is more hope for a fool than for them.

*We have to be careful about our decisions and how we arrive at results or conclusions. What we choose in life should be based on the word and wisdom of God, and not the rationalization of the Earth or our past experiences. It's important to learn from the mistakes of the past, but do not allow the hurt/results of a previous situation/ or fear aid in your decisions or depict your capability. God provides the Holy Spirit to aid in guiding us, and He sends Godly counsel to keep us. Don't assume you know more, no matter how many times you've been through a situation. Repetition only occurs because their is a lesson to be learned that you haven't received yet. Instead of us basing things off of what we believe we know, ask God to show you in order to help you grow. Besides, has leaning to our own understanding ever really gotten us the highest results?

Great is His Faithfulness: What About Yours?

Lamentations 3:22-23 (NIV)

22Because of the Lords great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail.23They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.

*Despite what we have done or said, God's grace often spares us from evil and from what we really deserve. Can you imagine a love so strong that no matter what you do, you're forgiven? All you have to do is ask? Of course, what we say and do has a consequence, but forgiveness and protection are always available if we accept it. Everyday we rise, that is a new day in the Father...clean and ready to lead you in the right direction. Yesterday is a thing of the past, and today is the focal point to help you build upon a better tomorrow...Great is His faithfulness! If God can be like that, we as humans need to practice being like Him...Let go and do not hold a grudge, love in slight of, and use your wisdom to guide others...That would be your great way of showing your faithfulness towards God.

Align Your Mind and Spirit

John 6:51 (NIV)

51 I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats this bread will live forever. This bread is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world...63 The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you—they are full of the Spirit and life. 64 Yet there are some of you who do not believe.” For Jesus had known from the beginning which of them did not believe and who would betray him.

*In this chapter, God is discussing the importance of believing in and following Him. He also demonstrates His power by feeding the crowd with only five loaves of bread and two fish, and by walking on water. However, the major emphasis that He wants to point out today is in the word above to go along with these miracles. How many of us see God show up in our lives, but yet continue to operate in the flesh and do our own thing? We treat people poorly, participate in habitual sins, and do whatever we feel despite how God has been good to us and how He continues to show His glory. Yet we claim to believe in Him, and are even bold enough to believe for things even though our actions say otherwise. Our God is awesome and capable of all things, yet we keep looking for other outlets and betray Him by leaning to our own understanding. Today, exam what you do and say vs what you claim to believe. Does it align, or do you confess one thing and do another? There are miracles waiting around the corner for us all, but are you really in belief for them or do you secretly carry unbelief in your heart. May our spirits overtake our flesh and give life to our situations. Lord, help our unbelief.

Good Stewardship

We must learn to treat everything with a kingdom mindset...Learn to handle things the way God would, give things back they way you prefer them, and maintain what God gives you as though you are guarding and up keeping it vs wearing it out until it needs to be replaced. You see, you can't be trusted with greater if you aren't a good steward over what you currently have...What are you trying to get to, keep up with, and how are you maintaining and edifying to get to the next level? #SundayWord #ProgressIsAProcess #HowAreYouREALLYHandlingYours? #ThisIsNotJustYourBody,But #YourBelongings #AndThoseYouEncounter

1 Corinthians 6:19-20

19 Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, 20 for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body

Photos: Found on Pinterest

Protection

Psalm 121:7-8 (ESV)

7 The Lord will keep you from all evil;
he will keep your life.
8 The Lord will keep
your going out and your coming in
from this time forth and forevermore.

No matter what it looks like or how it feels, we have the protection of God. We just have to trust Him, and learn to walk in the peace that passes all understanding when we focus our minds on Him. We also must learn to talk with Him more when fear tries to rise up, and never forget that He is always with you. You may feel like you have no control, but God is in control of it all. Allow Him to show you the way, and He will keep you in perfect peace and protect you whether you are in your darkest hour or the hour of celebration. However, we must remember to do our parts by seeking Him and focus on freedom and not fear in order to realize that our protection that never ceases. We are covered under the blood....