God's Word vs You

Proverbs 3:1-2 (ESV)

My son, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments, for length of days and years of life and peace they will add to you. 

*Many times, we know the word of God. We have even heard some of the passages over and over again with different scenarios, but do you ever wonder why? It should be because God is using this as reminder to actually apply it to your life. What good is the word if you know it, but don't use or act on it? It loses it's power in your life. God is even trying to give you different scenarios on HOW to apply it based upon examples used, and what we see and hear daily. The words are meant to provide guidance, and keep us from living a life filled with more hardship than necessary. Let's be clear: Life will not be perfect, but it sure does not have to be harder than what it is from disobedience. Think about it: People want to stay on a course they know or can even get away with, but what good is that lifestyle if you never reach your full potential or honor God??? It's not Him... It's YOU.

Save Me from Myself

Daughters of Jerusalem, I charge you: Do not arouse or awaken love until it so desires.

Song of Songs 8:4 NIV

For me, this means do not try to pursue love or a relationship before God's timing... I've made enough mistakes. I trust God, and I will move out of my own way to let Him guide me, groom me, and lead me to the right person...Will you trust God for yourself in order to save you from yourself?

Protection from Small Foxes

Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.

Proverbs 4:23 NIV

Protect yourself from hurts and people God did not send to you, but don't forget the small foxes as well...The music, movies, talk, discouragement, and any other entities that are taking a toll on our thought process. This is not to say you can't do things, but know what is hindering you... Especially if it's individuals or even our own emotions.
After, we know what's hindering us and what isn't. Even more so, protect yourself from dwelling on your life experiences...These are the things that can keep you complacent, take away your belief in God's power, cause us to utilize worldly rationalization instead of walking in truth, and prevent us from letting go and going deeper into God's guidance instead of our own plans. What are you to comfortable with? What do you keep doing that prevents you from moving forward? How do you let people effect you, instead of clinging to God?

A Word for Single Parents and Blended Families

https://www.periscope.tv/w/a291NDF6dkVOV2FtbVJEUWV8MWxER0xSV0xZVmJ4beFWOZc8N5P3o6OkuMQnS2Jui6eeyd4jY8Tb993QWc-g

Walking in Love

As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.

Ephesians 4:1‭-‬3 NIV

* God shows us new mercy every day. We are asked to do the same towards each other by His word. Unfortunately, that's not always easy. Let's be real: People are rude, often selfish, do not try to understand you but desire understanding, and sometimes you just plain don't want to be bothered. Yet, find a way to ask God to help us love and bare ourselves to one another. Besides lack of love, people are often afraid to seek help because of a falsified image  depicting perfection....Or, perhaps you don't want anyone in your business. Even more sadly, many believers don't know how to be discreet and not tell the business of others. Yet, God called us to talk to one another ..This promotes growth, accountability, and restoration. Now, use discernment but don't count this process out all together. I personally need to work on this because many believers are very upsetting and have caused disappointment despite my best efforts. Let's pray about this together...Like it or not, we need each other. Let's work on having a heart like God, and applying His principles.

God's Guidance

You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.

Psalm 16:11 NIV

*God gives us ways to handle life through His word, and the word speaks to us specifically about our lives. However, it is up to us to follow His word and way. Leaning to our own understanding can short change us... Following God can save a lot of unnecessary drama. I'm not saying it will be easy, but you will have more clarity, fewer toxic experiences, and less heartache by doing it God's way. Which path are you on?...His or yours?

Divine Connections

Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.

Hebrews 12:14 NIV

*I strive for peace, even though there are times when I want to isolate myself when no one gets me. It seems easier not to be bothered, but that's self-invoked peace and not God's will. Therefore, I pray for healing from old experiences or even current ones and just to have peace with all men. That doesn't mean they will be the connection you need or a part of your inner circle, but you do need that peace in order to recognize the right people to build and grow with to experience the true peace and the makings of a divine connection. Therefore, it can be right to let go of the old when it is not equally yoked, but let go of the disappointment as well....The same applies if you are unwilling to have long term friendships. Fly by night people, of those who use you or you use them out of convenience can't help you grow...