You Are Worth So Much More...

Luke 12:6-7 (ESV)

6 Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? And not one of them is forgotten before God. 7 Why, even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not; you are of more value than many sparrows.

* Sometimes we all have those moments when we think we have been forgotten by God...Moments when you just accept life, let go, and claim that "it is what it is." That springs from thinking God has forgotten...forgotten about your deepest desires, providing you with a pathway to reach goals, or perhaps you think He is too busy with larger things to even be troubled with you and your "little" things. So, you become complacent, accept any old thing, settle, or take things as they come rather then hitting it head on with the force of God. I get it, trust me...I'm there, but operating in this mindset means we have forgotten our value. This is the value of our place in His kingdom, and the price that was paid to save us. No matter what, remember your worth and His promises if you have dedicated your life to Him. Save yourself from the restraints and low value of the world, and receive your inheritance through Him. Let's pray for each other in this area, and ask the Father for guidance in receiving what we are worth...

Consider

Luke 6:31 (ESV)

Do to others as you would have them do to you.

*People are famous for always wanting attention, expecting others to be able to relate to them, or desiring to have their way. Some individuals will even cut others off if those who they are connected to do not adhere to their wishes, or give them the gifts or attention they feel they deserve. Now, let's place the shoe on the other foot: How does it make you feel when people treat you this way?...When a person is in demand, wanting all your time, demanding you stop what you're doing to answer them now, satisfy their need, or is inconsiderate then...What emotions does this trigger for you? You see, it is so easy to place demands on others that you are unwilling to adhere to yourself. Let's practice being the person we want others to be toward us, and take others into consideration as we would want them to do in our given situations...

Overflowing by Grace

John 15:16 (ESV)

16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you.

*Every encounter you have with God, the feelings you have, the word you receive,or the good thoughts that run across your mind are not by accident...It is God reaching out to you, and calling you to live a lifestyle for Him. He also wants to give you all the things He promised, but it takes going deeper in Him. Now, sometimes God will meet us where we are in our faith, but this can also cause you to sell yourself short. For instance, if you are asking God for $100, you could be selling yourself short from receiving more then enough. He loves you enough to give you what you ask, but think of how He views you: You are a precious child of God who has a calling...a gift to share to glorify Him. Why sell yourself short? Let's focus more on growing our faith for bigger and better, including God in our plans, and asking for His will to be done and for you to be equipped with more then enough to carry it out...

Brand New

1 Corinthians 3:19-20 (ESV)

19 For the wisdom of this world is folly with God. For it is written, “He catches the wise in their craftiness,” 20 and again, “The Lord knows the thoughts of the wise, that they are futile.”

*It's so easy to lean on your own understanding when it comes to situations or giving advice. Often, we refer back to pass experiences as a deciding factor of how we should handle a present circumstance. We should learn from the past, but that doesn't mean that you should bring it into the future. You are a new creature in Christ when you are born again (1 Corinthians 5:17), and should be seeking God for a word in due season and a new revelation. Your past is over...Let's move forward with God, and not allow pain, mishaps, or issues from the past to dictate our future. Your mind should be renewing daily, which causes change...Change provides growth, and growth is the key to unlocking faith that can lead to new possibilities...

Home Is Where the Heart Is...

Mark 12:30 (ESV)
Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.

*There is a saying that states, "Home is where the heart is." This means that any place that captures your heart can be called home bc it is where you feel love and comfort. Well,the same idea applies towards God and the determination of how you view life daily. Wherever your heart lies is what you will focus on, and will determine how much comfort you receive. If your heart is with stuff, then the extent of you finding comfort will go as far as how that item or substance can make you feel, which is short lived. If your heart is solely with a person and your reliance on them, they are human and can disappoint you. However, if Jesus captures your heart, you are guaranteed to have the perfect person to allow your heart to find a resting place in...God should be your fortress, and where your dependency lies. He will govern things accordingly, and help guide you from experiencing more hurt then if you live a life without Him. Allow your heart to receive God's love, and give Him permission to live in you...

Looks Aren't Always Deceiving

Ephesians 4: 1-3 (ESV)

1 I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility
2 and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the
3 spirit in the bond of peace.

*There are many individuals that have a great calling on their lives and are in expectation of something or clarity from God, yet these same individuals do not even try to give God their all, continue to lean on their own understanding, aren't willing to change how they view others, or are still dabbing in things that are completely outside of His will. How can we be in expectation of a certain lifestyle or desire if we aren't showing enough discipline and seeking knowledge in order to be entrusted with such things? Think about it: If a person desires to be an executive of a company, but refuses to do the right thing on their current job, how can they be entrusted with an advancement? If you want to be an evangelist, but have trouble speaking lovingly to your brothers and sisters in Christ, then who can trust you with impacting the lives of strangers? Or perhaps you want a man or woman of God as a spouse, but yet you can't stop cheating on God or know how to even respect those individuals....The list goes on. We all have a calling on our lives, but those callings take preparation and dedication. Think about how many people have fallen because they weren't fully prepared for what they were seeking and received. Longevity is depicted in the love you display, your mannerism, and your ability to prepare. How are you portraying yourself vs what God called you to be?

Spirituality vs Logic

Proverbs 3:7-8  (NIV)

7 Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and shun evil. 8 This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones.

*There are times when we have tried to do, say, or advise others without consulting with God first. As humans, we often allow worldly logic to outweigh spiritual guidance, we assume, we rationalize, and we are so quick to give advice without including God in the conversation or scenario. Think about it: How many times have you made decisions based on what you know, what you assume, or past experiences without experiencing what God is trying to tell you? What's even sadder is how we try to force this way of doing and thinking on someone else without even considering the way God wants you to present things. Thus, creating a cycle God never intended that you are now responsible for. Some of us have probably even went through the extreme of cutting people off or taking a step back before you have a conversation with God. Let's work on assuming less, and listening to the Father more; rid yourself of your own wisdom, and embrace His; and lastly practice revamping your thinking to connect with your spirit rather then lean on your own understanding of what's logical.