Level Up vs Throwing Up

https://youtu.be/8LLYfzhK5Xw

Going in the Right Direction

Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path. Psalms 119:105 NKJV

*God always makes sure we do not stumble, or travel in the wrong direction if we just trust Him. Even when I wonder whether or not I am still going in the right direction, I have to remember to stop allowing confusion to be a distraction and follow His light. I'm so thankful for God's guidance, even when I am unsure of the destination or more arrival time.

Being a Confidant

Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. James 5:16 NKJV

*As believers, we are suppose to be able to talk to one another, and receive advice and support. This should be lopsided, or to the opposite extreme, hidden to convey "perfection." I'm not saying spread your business, or cast your pearls, to any and everyone...Be led. However, we as Believers need to do better about being listeners and being there for one another, instead of it being lopsided.

Seeing is NOT Believing

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?” Then the Jews said, “See how He loved him!” And some of them said, “Could not this Man, who opened the eyes of the blind, also have kept this man from dying?” Then Jesus, again groaning in Himself, came to the tomb. It was a cave, and a stone lay against it. Jesus said, “Take away the stone.” Martha, the sister of him who was dead, said to Him, “Lord, by this time there is a stench, for he has been dead four days.” Jesus said to her, “Did I not say to you that if you would believe you would see the glory of God?” Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead man was lying. And Jesus lifted up His eyes and said, “Father, I thank You that You have heard Me. And I know that You always hear Me, but because of the people who are standing by I said this, that they may believe that You sent Me.” Now when He had said these things, He cried with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come forth!” And he who had died came out bound hand and foot with graveclothes, and his face was wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them, “Loose him, and let him go.” John 11:25‭-‬26‭, ‬36‭-‬44 NKJV

*Jesus wept because of their unbelief...Not because he was sad. Even when things seem like they are over, what do you believe? Do you believe what is promised or what you see??

Real Knows Who Was Sent By The REAL One

Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world. I John 4:1 NKJV

*This is a very deep scripture because it reminds us not to be naive, and don't be accepting to connecting and being inspired by everyone who talks like they know God. Even the devil can quote scriptures..This is why I say you can love everyone, but some people require love from a distance. Everyone is not meant to speak into your life, be in your inner circle, and know your weaknesses.  You need the right people, sent by God, to pour into you. Don't even allow everyone to influence you because they may have been sent as a distraction. Plus, some experiences were not sent from God, but created by man. Build a relationship with God to recognize His sheep.

God Has NOT Forgotten

Then Naomi said to her daughter-in-law, “Blessed be he of the Lord , who has not forsaken His kindness to the living and the dead!” And Naomi said to her, “This man is a relation of ours, one of our close relatives.” Ruth 2:20 NKJV

*God has not forgotten about you...He sees, loves, and never forgets. No matter what we face, or how long we have to face it, God always has a plan of deliverance. Just keeping praying, listening, believing, and waiting and He will come. Don't let longevity and longsuffering cause you to veer from the course and go your own way. You will never know what you could have had by choosing for yourself...

Trusting God 2 Avoid A Temper

Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers. Ephesians 4:29 NKJV

*When I tell you that I literally have to practice this daily,  I mean I actively have to stop myself from thinking things...Particularly when I see foolishness, racism, or a person who just needs a dose of reality. My flesh wants to just let them have it...I mean just give them a piece, especially racists. It is always the folks who shouldn't be talking about ANYONE who have the most to say...Yet, God tells me "Now, what is that going to accomplish, baby girl. All you're doing is raising your blood pressure, and you are two seconds away from creating conflict." If I didn't have God, I would be in trouble..My mind, temper, and this heart that feels sorry for others is only because of God. It is rough when you feel like you are the only one who gets it or sees injustice, but it is then that you lean on God and not act on emotions.

Let Go & Let God

For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. 2 Corinthians 4:16 KJV

*Sometimes I feel like fainting...Not on God, but with everything that needs to be done, or sometimes I just want to give up on things that have not arrived yet. Hope deferred makes the heart sick,  but the moment the sickness wants to arise, I ask God to help me. He gives me strength. I even become weary  with His people because it is tiring to understand everyone, but you aren't always uplifted or poured into.  All that is a distraction from the positivity in my life, and the relationship I have with God. Taste and see that God is good, and He carries us through.

Pleasing God

for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure. Philippians 2:13 NKJV

*God works in us for His will, but also for His enjoyment. You are pleasing God when you are on the path that He placed you on vs doing your own thing. Stay covered by God, and in His good graces...He is worth it!

Patience and Peace in God

For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope. Romans 15:4 NKJV

*Sometimes you need to be reminded pf that hope, especially in are world that is filled with selfishness and has been desensitized. You even need the reminder that you are unique and wonderfully made when you feel like no one gets you. Thank God for being in our corner, and being aware of this revelation. Many aren't, which causes them to give up sooner.

Stewardship Over the Small Things

His Lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your Lord.’ Matthew 25:23 NKJV

*God will test us with the little things in order to prepare us to handle bigger things. If we can't be trusted with what we have, what makes you think God will give more? Your faithfulness is dependent upon how you treat the little things that add up to be big ones.

Pleasing God

For do I now persuade men, or God? Or do I seek to please men? For if I still pleased men, I would not be a bondservant of Christ. Galatians 1:10 NKJV

*Thank God I am not here to please men because their minds are ever changing. I am here to please God who is the same yesterday, today, and evermore.

God's Listening Ear

Have you not known? Have you not heard? The everlasting God, the Lord , The Creator of the ends of the earth, Neither faints nor is weary. His understanding is unsearchable. Isaiah 40:28 NKJV

*I am so thankful that God is understanding, especially when humans aren't. He walks and talks with you, if you let Him. He is always ready to listen, and isn't just ready to respond. Thank God to have a relationship with Him...It preserves your sanity, and your ability to relate to His people...

Trusting Your Hustle in God

Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”

Matthew 11:28‭-‬30 NKJV

*In the world, they tell us to grind and hustle non-stop...That sleeping is for the weak. On the other end of the spectrum, you have people who never want to work and are always lazy. Find your balance and guidance from God...His yoke is easy and burden is light. Our work depends on His will for our lives, and not our own justifications or thoughts:

"Rest is indispensable to both our work and our Christian life. In fact, it is something that God built into this world from the very beginning. A pattern. Work, then rest. We labor with all our might, then stop to enjoy a divinely prescribed time of rest, worship, relaxation, and rejuvenation. This is a time to reflect on God—who He is, what He is doing in this world, and how we can take part in that work." -(Quoted version from Trust & Hustle Devotion)

Peace be Still

Food 4 Thought: Matt. 8:23-27

Jesus slept through the storm, and only rose to calm it after someone was in fear. He then went on to rebuke the winds, and reminded the disciples that they were capable of doing the same; therefore we have a few options: Rest in Him to believe all is well; Depend on Him for help during times of need; Remind ourselves that we are greater than anything that the unbalanced world can throw at us.....OR, you can forget what you believe and live in fear. What will you choose?

Trust, Peace, and Protection

You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. I John 4:4 NKJV

*God is greater than amy element, person, or circumstance in this world. All His greatness to dwell inside of you to overcome anything that tries to come against you. God being on the inside of you is more powerful than any combat you can initiate on your own....

God Will Serve "It" to You

All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out. John 6:37 NKJV

*This is so true...All that God has ever given to me has come to me, and I never had to chase it. I grow tired, weary, annoyed, and concerned like the next person. The difference is that I don't hold on to that, I trust God, & I won't give up. God is too real and awesome for that....#HoldOn2HisPromises

Leave It to God

Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth! Psalms 46:10 NKJV

*Sometimes we need to remember who God is, and the fact that He always has everything under control. We don't have to do anything extra when we trust Him, & allow Him to guide us. People of this world have different plans to get them through...Ones that take more work, but as a believer what don't have to do what everyone else is doing when you trust in God.

Believe & Receive

Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen. Ephesians 3:20‭-‬21 NKJV

*No matter what we think or how we feel,   we have to remember God's capabilities and His promises. His word does not come back voided. The key is patience, obedience, and faith...

Trusting God

“The Lord is my portion,” says my soul, “Therefore I hope in Him!” Lamentations 3:24 NKJV

*
No matter how I feel, or how anxiousness tries to rise up, God is enough to sustain me daily. His portion fills the voids created by wondering and anxiousness, and He bridges the gap of peace and concern. I trust God, and I hope you will learn to trust Him with me...