Inspiration ❤

A introduction devotional by LaToya Lawrence- Originally Written December 2020

I rededicated my life to the Lord after being angry at him for approximately fifteen years and now that I have resumed a relationship with him I have been filled with the pleasant desire to use my blogs/websites as a platform to share and help others through my Christian faith, and good news of the true gospel.

I am not a preacher or any spiritual leader I am just inspired and encouraged to write messages centered around our daily walk with God. –And all of this is a gift from God, who brought us back to himself through Christ. And God has given us this task of reconciling people to him. For God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, no longer counting people’s sins against them. And he gave us this wonderful message of reconciliation. So we are Christ’s ambassadors; God is making his appeal through us. We speak for Christ when we plead, “Come back to God!” -2 Corinthians 5:18-20

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For we speak as messengers approved by God to be entrusted with the Good News. Our purpose is to please God, not people. He alone examines the motives of our hearts. -Thessalonians 2:4

If we are afraid to offend people with the truth then God cannot use us to spread the gospel and to be an example of his testimony. The gospel can indeed be offensive and there is no other way to approach or to get around this fact.

People would rather hear and listen to the lies from hell! They would prefer to believe that it is okay to have grace from God and live within accordance to the devil. –For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear. -2 Timothy 4:3

When is the last time we heard a blunt sermon from an evangelist who has access to reach across the nations through their fame and popularity? I cannot remember when there has been one bold enough to do so in years!

The preachers we see on television now are motivated by their high-pay and expensive lifestyles. They continue to water-down the gospel in order to maintain their fortune.

True believers are not inspired to seek out fame, money, or a title for themselves they are intent to preach about the consequences of sin, the importance of repentance and turning away from sin to live one’s life for Jesus at the cost of forsaking one’s self, and the world we live in.

There are even ministers in everyday churches that are not famous or well-known who are not preaching straightforward biblical truths. They have their own watered-down versions of what the gospel is too!

And now I make one more appeal, my dear brothers and sisters. Watch out for people who cause divisions and upset people’s faith by teaching things contrary to what you have been taught. Stay away from them. Such people are not serving Christ our Lord; they are serving their own personal interests. By smooth talk and glowing words they deceive innocent people. -Romans 16: 17-18

No one will be genuinely saved through the words of a false gospel or one messaged with half-truths.

There are severe repercussions to endure and blood on the hands of those who deceitfully mislead and cause others to fall. God does not want false conversions due to those in authority not conveying what is really the true gospel. –But if you cause one of these little ones who trusts in me to fall into sin, it would be better for you to have a large millstone tied around your neck and be drowned in the depths of the sea. -Matthew 18:6

It is so important for people to take upon themselves by reading scripture to validate fact from fiction. Never listen to anyone or anything that is not backed up by the bible. Although everything possible does not have to be written in the Bible for it to be true!

Note: Some preachers or everyday people may understandably misinterpret scripture here and there and do not mean any harm within their utterances, however, there is always room for re-evaluation and correction.

In your journey, do not fear to stand up for truth and to not be persuaded by worldly comfort and worldly things to dilute the truth of God’s word.

“Not everyone who calls out to me, ‘Lord! Lord!’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Only those who actually do the will of my Father in heaven will enter. On judgment day many will say to me, ‘Lord! Lord! We prophesied in your name and cast out demons in your name and performed many miracles in your name.’ But I will reply, ‘I never knew you. Get away from me, you who break God’s laws.’ -Matthew 7:21-23

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Power In His Name

 

There is great power in the name of Jesus, I know this firsthand.

On more than one occasion- twice I think it was- when I was a teenager, I was in bed lying down on my stomach resting in the middle of entering sleep while something held me down in like a sleep paralysis.

Immediately, without a second thought and on instinct I silently called out the name of Jesus without verbally speaking.

Whatever it was that held a grip onto me instantly let me go- and that is no exaggeration!

I, the LORD of Heaven’s Armies, will act for you with thunder and earthquake and great noise, with whirlwind and storm and consuming fire.- Isaiah 29: 6

When the seventy-two disciples returned, they joyfully reported to him, “Lord, even the demons obey us when we use your name!”- Luke 10: 17

 

 

Four-Legged Life Matters Too

 

God loves and cares for our pets/animals just as we do if not more.

He gave us dominion over them, yet I used to hate it when certain people called me master over my dog.

I did not like that term at all as I considered my dog equal to me- she just required me as her caretaker and loving lifetime companion.

God made us in his image, but the animals were here on the earth before we were.

All of us are not animal lovers and there are those who have their preferences of which animals they like and/or dislike.

Those of us who take on the responsibility of owning pets, or working with animals of their own voluntary accord should treat them with thoughtfulness and respect because they need and depend on us, and they bring an extra shine of light into the universe.

The godly care for their animals, but the wicked are always cruel.- Proverbs 12: 10

 

Universal Wellness

 

Some of us take vitamins to aid and maintain our health while others may take medication or both to help with any ailments, deficiencies, or treatment that caters to optimal benefit.

It is good to eat agreeable foods, get the proper exercise, and monitor one’s overall well-being.

While these vital necessities are convenient and within our reach- there is an even more dependable and reliable source of care available to all of us.

The best medicine, healing and curing comes directly from God.

Yes, God works through people, but he also operates in people divinely and gracefully.

We can always count on God to revive, renew and reinvent through his word and through his spirit.

When doctors, procedures and pills fail God is the one to continuously prevail.

 

No medicine or ointment cured them. They were restored to health by your word, O Lord, the word which heals all humanity.

You have power over life and death; you can bring a person to the brink of death and back again. –The Wisdom Of Solomon 16: 12-13

 

The Sky Is The Limit

 

A lot of us have confidence in things we know we can do or accomplish.

A lot of us put our trust in others as we interact and carry out usual daily activities.

Sometimes we may doubt ourselves or others- unsure as to if one is capable or not.

It is reasonable to be cautious.

It is not wise to underestimate or overestimate in haste or based upon unsupported impression or information.

Sometimes people can see qualities or potential within us that we cannot see in ourselves and vice versa.

In life there will always be challenges and opportunities to take on and explore.

Uncertainty may come along with discouraging us at times, preventing us from discovering or further reaching goals that bring unto us happiness and change.

We should not place limits upon ourselves. We never know what we can do unless we try.

A lot of us can achieve more than what we give ourselves credit for.

We must step out on faith by taking a chance to leap forward and grow in whatever it is that calls to us within our hopes, needs, desires and dreams.

By jumping into belief, we never know what heights we will climb.

It is said that the sky is the limit but one day we will be able to touch beyond.

 Jesus looked at them intently and said, “Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But with God everything is possible.”-Matthew 19: 26

 

 

Death

 

 

There is no doubt about it, our bodies are going to die and decay one day.

However, our soul and spirit are eternal.

Even if we end up going or are destined to head to the right place, some of us may still dread or have an uneasy feeling about the process of the transition.

No matter how any of us perceive the occurrence to take place whether the experience is peaceful and pleasant, or eerie and overwhelming due to the unfamiliarity that will become familiar, we still do not exactly know what to expect.

Delving into the unknown can be scary or exciting- or both- depending on the way we look upon things.

Death is a reality none of us can escape. It will come for us all one day. But death is a doorway to a better life for those of us who are safe and who believe.

We just must be prepared to eventually take that journey knowing that it can happen at any second, minute, hour or day regardless of how young or old we are.

Tomorrow is promised to no one.

The timeline of our lives was already written and known within the heavens before we came into being.

 

For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven. A time to be born and a time to die. A time to plant and a time to harvest. A time to kill and a time to heal. A time to tear down and a time to build up. A time to cry and a time to laugh. A time to grieve and a time to dance. A time to scatter stones and a time to gather stones. A time to embrace and a time to turn away. A time to search and a time to quit searching. A time to keep and a time to throw away. A time to tear and a time to mend. A time to be quiet and a time to speak. A time to love and a time to hate. A time for war and a time for peace.– Ecclesiastes 3: 1-8

 

 

 

Help To Those In Need: Charity, Volunteer Work, Donations

Daily Living, By Miss LaToya

Some times when people think about donating or volunteering, they assume they may have to give up large portions of valuable items or time of themselves.

This notion is simply not at all true.

There are people who do not really want to give away anything but do it because they think God will punish them or look down on them if they do not share with the less fortunate or those in need.

The truth is, we all cannot please or gain points with the Lord on account of good works. He showers us purely through his love, grace, and mercy. However, when we do act purely within accordance to goodwill from our hearts God is delighted and he blesses us even more for our kindness.

Some people put on an air in front of others just to gain approval or praise by helping out the poor, needy, disadvantaged…

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Living For The Lord

Daily Living, By Miss LaToya

I always believed in you. Then, I accepted you as my Lord and Savior at the age between ten or twelve.

I went through some hardships that sometimes made me doubt you. I even separated myself from you for a while out of anger, and misunderstanding of your nature. Nonetheless, the essence of your spirit still produced a purity within me.

Through it all, everything turned out okay. You taught me so much. You gave to me so much. You cared for me so much.

Upon my reunion with you, I gave myself completely to you. Never to depart from you, never to go astray. I am not mean to be that way.

I wake up in delight of your presence, I spend the day talking to you, walking in your grace. I retire in the night with you, drifting off to sleep under your guard.

The words I read…

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The Lord’s Hold On Me: I Belong To God

Daily Living, By Miss LaToya

I did not ask to come into this world. I did not have any say so within the matter. All I can do is trust in the Lord and what he has planned.

He intended my purpose before I was created, he will fulfill his aim to when I become designated.

My life is not my own It belongs to God. He chose me as one of his very own long before the foundation of the world.

The Lord already knew all about me, he designed me.

What I had to go through to where I am at now was determined before I could understand how the application of my exploration would give me a better understanding of my true dedication.

A chance to get to know God better, a chance to realize how blessed I have been, a chance to appreciate the providence and protection that has constantly been…

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Providence: My Great Protector

Daily Living, By Miss LaToya

I noticed since early childhood the favor over my mother and I, and the manner in which God took great care of my family.

The Lord watched over us solicitously, his eyes vigilant to never waver, his hands fixed firmly on every situation. Even when I did not think or believe he was looking out or holding our circumstances in place.

We mattered to God. And, we still do.

I have been so very fortunate by his mercy and grace, covered by what seemed like an extra hedge of protection from others and the principalities of this evil world, and beyond.

When I look back, I see all that I avoided and escaped because of the wisdom and discernment granted upon me from the Lord. The comfort and peace I experienced in the midst of trials that made people of the world marvel at me in disappointment and wonder.

Enemies…

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An Answer From The Lord: My Morning Start

Daily Living, By Miss LaToya

Early this morning, I had a delicious bowl of hot steel cut oats. I mixed and stirred in along some extra thick rolled oats to my liking. Later on, I ate two bananas, five tangerines, and some crackers.

My day started off lovely, God soothed a sudden concern that once occupied my thoughts just to come back again.

I reached out to someone in the Christian faith as I always search out God for serious inquiry. “Seek and you will find”, says the Lord. And, surely God did answer me.

He did so rather quickly too.

We all know God intercedes within his own time but he also comes at anytime, especially when our hearts are gravely troubled. The Lord is very kind and gracious, so compassionate within his response.

I was put into contact with a nice and well-informed pastor who exchanged words of truth and clarity to…

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The Pastor At The Church I Attended A Few Times

Daily Living, By Miss LaToya

Last night, the pastor of the church I attended since September came into my mind. I thought about the settling that remained within my spirit after heeding the warning about him.

I still felt that stillness. It wasn’t until I watched two of his latest sermons online that my spirit became rattled once again.

Just by watching and listening to him those feelings came back. Those enlightening inclinations about him. Those same vibes of caution, but now even stronger.

The words he preached even gave details and glimpses into the true reveal of his disposition.

I think confronting him on the issue that I had with him brought out the truth of his conscious as he admitted his guilt on a few things in front of the congregation.

I noticed it because I knew what was partly behind his address.

He confessed how he struggled with being completely honest within…

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Purity Of Spirit

Daily Living, By Miss LaToya

All of us are different we all have our own needs, preferences, and desires. I have never been into sex and do not have any lustful urges or attraction for men or women.

I am not and never have been a lesbian nor have I ever been in a heterosexual love relationship. I just do not have any of those type of feelings, and pleasantly so.

Yes, God created sexual intercourse and intimacy between a man and a woman and there is nothing wrong with these emotions being expressed in its proper context as the Lord intended.

However, there is no commandment or sin in not wanting to engage within a romantic relationship.

I never had a need or yearning for a boyfriend or a marriage partner.

I did not care what direction the world was headed into because I was never a follower of the popular culture.

I was…

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Perfectly Imperfect

For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength. -Philippians 4:13

Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand. -Isaiah 42:10

The verse: The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure. –1 Corinthians 10:13 has definitely been taken out of context and misused.

Many people apply the not allowing temptation to be more than you can stand with God not allowing us to endure burdens or circumstances that we are unable to bear which is not at all biblical. I have heard it said many times in life that the Lord will not bring upon us any load or struggle that we cannot carry or handle.

The harsh reality is we do go through unbearable situations that we are incapable of managing.

Why, of course, do some people experience mental breakdowns, and some people try to escape their problems through drugs and alcohol?

Aside from certain individuals having chemical imbalances as a reason for their psychological issues, and certain individuals hooked on narcotics after experimenting for recreational fun, it is mainly because some of them are overwhelmed and some of them are too stressed to deal with pressure and need a way to cope.

Others may take out their frustration with rage and violent outbursts of anger while some take a more tragic turn and commit suicide.

Let’s face it, life is and can be very tough.

Plenty of people may say only the strong survive, and yes, there are a lot of us out there who are strong but to what extent? None of us are invincible to pain or devastation if or when it may hit any one of us, and depending on what that circumstance may appear to be it could come along to crush you, turning your whole world upside down and, maybe even side to side.

You would not know what hit you.

The good news is we are and were never meant to suffer within our own strength. We cannot manage sufficiently alone totally on our own.

I am a very strong person, yet what I came to realize is that there was actually a supernatural strength residing in me. The kind of durability that allowed me to be unbothered and unaffected by things and situations that would ordinarily cause vexation or destruction to average worldly people.

I thought the attributes of my strong spirit all came from my unique nature. In all truth, it had come from God’s holy spirit that had dwelt within me from my youth.

Our stability is obtained through being in step with the Lord. He fights our battles and he genuinely does gives us a peace that is beyond our understanding.

But those who trust in the LORD will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint. -Isaiah 40:31

Praise The Lord

Give thanks to the LORD and proclaim his greatness. Let the whole world know what he has done. -Psalms 105:1

Let all that I am praise the LORD; with my whole heart, I will praise his holy name. Let all that I am praise the LORD; may I never forget the good things he does for me. -Psalms 103:1-2

There is always a reason to give thanks to the Lord.

Things that may seem minor to some because it is taken for granted is really so much to be grateful for.

The sneakers, shoes, boots, socks and slippers we use and need for our feet is something to be very appreciative of.

The water from our faucets to drink, clean, and wash up with every day is something to be very appreciative of.

The heat and the electricity to keep warm and to see upon within our home is something to be very appreciative of.

The food that we are able to purchase, cook and eat is something to be very appreciative of.

The bedtime and outdoor clothing to dress and to adorn our bodies in comfort with is something to be very appreciative of.

The people and beloved pets within our lives who we adore and who bring to us joy is something to be appreciative of.

There is a lot to praise God for and we should remind ourselves how fortunate we are for the providence our father in heaven continues to grant to us through his abundant love, mercy and grace.

We serve a wonderful, beautiful and precious Lord who guards us with amazing supernatural power. The power that sustains everything and that gives us life.

Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever. -1 Chronicles 16:34

Who is the King of glory? The LORD, strong and mighty; the LORD, invincible in battle. -Psalms 24:8, 10

I look up to the mountains— does my help come from there? 

My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth! He will not let you stumble; the one who watches over you will not slumber. 

The LORD himself watches over you!

The LORD stands beside you as your protective shade. The sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon at night. 

The LORD keeps you from all harm and watches over your life. The LORD keeps watch over you as you come and go, both now and forever. -Psalms 121:1-3, 5-8

Favoritism, Jealousy, And Hatred Within The Family

Jacob loved Joseph more than any of his other children because Joseph had been born to him in his old age. So one day Jacob had a special gift made for Joseph—a beautiful robe. But his brothers hated Joseph because their father loved him more than the rest of them. They couldn’t say a kind word to him. -Genesis 37:3‭-‬4

A lot of jealousy starts within the family. In the case of Joseph, he was favored amongst all the other children by his father and his brothers resented him for that. 

To top it off, when Joseph began to have prophetic dreams which foreshadowed a position of authority and rulership then shared these visions, his brothers were even more offended, envious and filled with a seething rage that eventually came to the surface. 

Some people have interpreted Joseph’s admission of his dreams to have been made and accepted by him within an arrogant manner. However, in my read through scripture I never perceived the incident that way. It did not appear to be one done under any haughty, boastful, or hubristic tone to me. 

I just had a viewpoint of Joseph revealing what he dreamt and his impart being taken out of context or being looked at through his brother’s own distorted conception or erroneous outlook. 

I know I have said and shared things with people in my life meaning no harm, no prideful intent, no bragging of accomplishment, just a mention or exchange of instance and ideas. People have a tendency to interpret and draw out their own conclusions no matter how wrong or misguided they may be when interacting and trying to size up others. 

Soon Joseph had another dream, and again he told his brothers about it. “Listen, I have had another dream,” he said. “The sun, moon, and eleven stars bowed low before me!” This time he told the dream to his father as well as to his brothers, but his father scolded him. “What kind of dream is that?” he asked. “Will your mother and I and your brothers actually come and bow to the ground before you?” But while his brothers were jealous of Joseph, his father wondered what the dreams meant. -Genesis 37:9‭-‬11

With some individuals, they reflect onto others the traits in which they project themselves. Often innocent people get accused and penalized for things they were never at fault or guilty of. Simply criticized and judged over opinions, lack of wisdom/understanding, and subject to mere spite. 

Yes, preferential treatment at the expense of another child or other children by their parents is not proper, yet the situation exists within many family settings for many different reasons. Whether or not the circumstances are justified or unwarranted there is a way certain familial relation should be displayed and handled according to ethical behavior. 

Siblings as well as other members of the family may get bitter and discontent over another relative’s advantage or fortunate condition.  

When Joseph’s brothers saw him coming, they recognized him in the distance. As he approached, they made plans to kill him. “Here comes the dreamer!” they said. -Genesis 37:18‭-‬19

All of these things happen and take place in the lives of many. We live in a fallen and broken world and everyone does not want to be fixed, made whole, or even realize they need repair. 

The only thing we can do is to pray and stay close to God, putting everything into his capable and expert hands. He alone holds the key to locks that only he can open up to set people free. 

“Come on, let’s kill him and throw him into one of these cisterns. We can tell our father, ‘A wild animal has eaten him.’ Then we’ll see what becomes of his dreams!” But when Reuben heard of their scheme, he came to Joseph’s rescue. “Let’s not kill him,” he said. “Why should we shed any blood? Let’s just throw him into this empty cistern here in the wilderness. Then he’ll die without our laying a hand on him.” Reuben was secretly planning to rescue Joseph and return him to his father. -Genesis 37:20‭-‬22

 

 

 

A Father To The End

Now you have every spiritual gift you need as you eagerly wait for the return of our Lord Jesus Christ. He will keep you strong to the end so that you will be free from all blame on the day when our Lord Jesus Christ returns. God will do this, for he is faithful to do what he says, and he has invited you into partnership with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. -1 Corinthians 1:7-9

So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up. -Galatians 6:9

(The Lord Keeps Us Close Even When We Push Away)

I am an individual who is very comfortable in their own skin, secure, and confident within myself. I do not need to be around others in order to feel good or to be content. I am one who can function and do extremely well while spending time alone. Everyone needs meaningful human contact frequently or from time to time, however, I have always been a loner that preferred to enjoy my own company most of the time.

It is annoying and untrue to hear those who consider or who define some that keep to themselves to put up a wall against others out of some type of hurt or fear of opening up to people when nothing could be further from reality. I hate ignorant generalizations due to others who reflect their own personal experience or account onto someone else.

Everybody is definitely not placing up a barrier they simply may not want to be bothered.

There are just certain individuals who are predominantly the solitary type and there is absolutely nothing wrong with being this way. It does not mean that they are hermits (even some hermits are justified for their anti-social behavior), it does not mean that they dislike all people, and it does not mean that they are troubled, strange, or dangerous in any way. We are all unique.

Nevertheless, I will use the term “wall” as a metaphor for how I once kept the Lord housed off from the home of my rooms by sealing him out among the top ceilings, bottom floors, and side structures of the spaces within my life.

I was angry at God for quite a long time so I put a solid brick wall up against him. One that he came and vehemently knocked down when he had finally gotten ready. He broke through all the concrete of my heart with the violent blows of his compassionate, faithful, unwavering love.

While the Lord made his entrance with a heavy, powerful explosion the blast he demonstrated came with an extreme soft and gentle handling as delicate and fragile as in the cradling of a newborn baby. There was no way I could keep him out of my life as I thought I did; I am grateful that I was not able to within the process.

We can just not easily dismiss God out of our lives through whatever hardships and frustrations once we have decided that we had enough of tribulation not brought on by ourselves.

The Lord will continue to stand guard over our life while he fights to attract and involve himself back onto the throne of our world, especially when there is misunderstanding and a lack of knowledge into his true character on our part.

The Lord is merciful enough to set the record straight by dashing a never-ending effort to grasp at our attention to listen and respond.

You too can restore your fellowship that began with God when you became a “born again” Christian no matter how long or how short time ago that was. When we genuinely become his children, it is for keeps. The Lord is loyal in his promises as it is impossible for him to lie. Those of us who are ultimately kept will to the utmost never be let go.

My child, don’t reject the LORD’s discipline, and don’t be upset when he corrects you. For the LORD corrects those he loves, just as a father corrects a child in whom he delights. Joyful is the person who finds wisdom, the one who gains understanding. For wisdom is more profitable than silver, and her wages are better than gold. Wisdom is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire can compare with her. -Proverbs 3:11-15

Don’t worry about the wicked or envy those who do wrong. For like grass, they soon fade away.

Like spring flowers, they soon wither. Trust in the Lord and do good. Then you will live safely in the land and prosper. Take delight in the Lord , and he will give you your heart’s desires.

Commit everything you do to the Lord . Trust him, and he will help you. He will make your innocence radiate like the dawn, and the justice of your cause will shine like the noonday sun.

Be still in the presence of the Lord , and wait patiently for him to act. Don’t worry about evil people who prosper or fret about their wicked schemes. Stop being angry! Turn from your rage! Do not lose your temper— it only leads to harm.

For the wicked will be destroyed, but those who trust in the Lord will possess the land. Soon the wicked will disappear. Though you look for them, they will be gone. The lowly will possess the land and will live in peace and prosperity. The wicked plot against the godly; they snarl at them in defiance. But the Lord just laughs, for he sees their day of judgment coming.

The wicked draw their swords and string their bows to kill the poor and the oppressed, to slaughter those who do right. But their swords will stab their own hearts, and their bows will be broken. It is better to be godly and have little than to be evil and rich. For the strength of the wicked will be shattered, but the Lord takes care of the godly.

Day by day the Lord takes care of the innocent, and they will receive an inheritance that lasts forever. They will not be disgraced in hard times; even in famine they will have more than enough. But the wicked will die. The Lord ’s enemies are like flowers in a field— they will disappear like smoke.

The wicked borrow and never repay, but the godly are generous givers. Those the Lord blesses will possess the land, but those he curses will die. The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives. Though they stumble, they will never fall, for the Lord holds them by the hand. Once I was young, and now I am old. Yet I have never seen the godly abandoned or their children begging for bread.

The godly always give generous loans to others, and their children are a blessing. Turn from evil and do good, and you will live in the land forever. For the Lord loves justice, and he will never abandon the godly. He will keep them safe forever, but the children of the wicked will die. The godly will possess the land and will live there forever.

The godly offer good counsel; they teach right from wrong. They have made God’s law their own, so they will never slip from his path. The wicked wait in ambush for the godly, looking for an excuse to kill them. But the Lord will not let the wicked succeed or let the godly be condemned when they are put on trial.

Put your hope in the Lord. Travel steadily along his path. He will honor you by giving you the land. You will see the wicked destroyed. I have seen wicked and ruthless people flourishing like a tree in its native soil. But when I looked again, they were gone! Though I searched for them, I could not find them!

Look at those who are honest and good, for a wonderful future awaits those who love peace. But the rebellious will be destroyed; they have no future. The Lord rescues the godly; he is their fortress in times of trouble. The Lord helps them, rescuing them from the wicked. He saves them, and they find shelter in him. -Psalms 37:1‭-‬40

When To Pray

He existed before anything else, and he holds all creation together. Christ is also the head of the church, which is his body. He is the beginning, supreme over all who rise from the dead. So he is first in everything. Colossians 1:17-18

Never stop praying. -1Thessalonians 5:17

For many prayer is a last resort rather than an initial response. Usually after all accustomed options have exhausted the only thing left to do by those who are desperate is to call on God, even if beforehand they never had or sought out a personal relationship with the Lord.

Some people just speak to God on occasion to fulfill a special need or desire then forget about him and go on with their lives.

As a habit, many adapt to the conditions that they become familiar with and when things become complicated, or need fixing, the first direction in where they run to is what they rely on as it is primarily routine to them.

Prayer is a speed dial that accesses us to God’s phone extension immediately. His line is never busy and he is able to take multiple calls at a time with no delay, interruption, or time limit. Most of all there is no charge the exchange is totally free.

We are to use and take advantage of this offer and special deal constantly throughout the day to deliver and discuss any message of information to God for any reason. Do not forget to thank the Lord for this kind and beneficial gesture along with the other vital, necessary, and generous blessings that he undeservingly hands out to us through his love.

Genuine followers of Jesus Christ know to consult directly through him to the father as the number one priority above all others. Prayer, is our intimate source of communication with the Lord, the immediate action to be taken before, within and after any circumstance or situation.

Prayer is the key and faith unlocks the door.

When we have faith, we put all our trust in God. So, we do not do like the world or worldly people do, placing hope and trust in the things created instead of the creator who activates everything that he creates.

Know who is truly in control and that the Lord is the only one who is able to completely work conditions out suitably and effectively to his plan.

Prayer is welcomed and encouraged by God always, and for all things.

Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart. -Colossians 4:2

Search for the LORD and for his strength; continually seek him. -1 Chronicles 16:11

Begin, Intertwine, And End The Day With God

Like newborn babies, you must crave pure spiritual milk so that you will grow into a full experience of salvation. Cry out for this nourishment, -1 Peter 2:2

Isn’t it wonderful to wake up with, to spend the entire day with, and to go to sleep with the protective, loving, and knowledgeable presence of the Lord right there within and beside us! 

The highlight of my morning, afternoon, and evening is looking forward to the moments of spending times of enrichment in God’s word. The reading and communication bring such certainty and fulfillment. 

When I am doing things around the house, out running an errand, or interacting with others I still acknowledge and talk with the Lord simultaneously. That is an advantage and privilege we all have anywhere at any time in any circumstance. 

I love the way God speaks to me through biblical literature and scripture. He is so kind, compassionate, and thoughtful in caring enough to reveal answers or solutions to my questions and concerns.  

Not only by the guidance of his holy spirit does he notify me of things, but during non-coincidental incidents as I come upon writings or displays that exactly pertain to my specific condition or situation. 

What a fantastic reward to have a solid, healthy relationship and fellowship with the Lord. 

You love him even though you have never seen him. Though you do not see him now, you trust him; and you rejoice with a glorious, inexpressible joy. The reward for trusting him will be the salvation of your souls. -1 Peter 1:8-9

Put Your Trust In God And Not In Others

Don’t put your trust in mere humans. They are as frail as breath. What good are they? -Isaiah 2:22

It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man. -Psalms 118:8

For all time there have been people who put on airs, people who talk nice to your face then talk negatively behind your back. Or, smile and behave kindly when in your company yet actually feel and think differently about you to themself. 

I have always been a person who is upfront and far from a phony, one to speak the unhesitant truth to someone directly within their presence. There is also a time to incorporate diplomacy. We do not always have to be so blunt-those of us who are honest and straightforward- some things are better left unsaid depending on the situation or circumstance. 

However, it is wise to not continue on dealing with individuals who your inner spirit gives you specific warnings about and who you do not trust. 

This world is full of deceitful people, jealous, people, malicious people, shady people and more. There are so many people that we cannot trust and, I was never one to easily put my faith in just anyone. While, of course, we have a society where very trustworthy people exist, they are not too common to find compared to the majority.  

One source who we all can definitely trust and depend on is our father in heaven. He looks out for those of us when we are in danger and keeps us alert about people that are not good or suitable for us to associate with. The wonderful gift of discernment has consistently been a lifesaver to me all throughout my life. 

I do not care if it is a family member, a pastor or anyone in a position of authority or supposedly looked at in high regard the Lord will let us know who has our best interest and who does not and we should take heed to the distinct messages when we receive them. 

Never trust anyone over God. Listen to his word and communicate with him and seek further understanding for his steady guidance within all things. 

The Lord will not fail in coming through to protect, comfort and provide. He accurately interprets and deciphers our character, personality, and state of being when others are unable to. No one has the capacity to comprehend us and our affairs the way our father in heaven does. 

People may lie, pretend, judge, try to manipulate, disappoint, cause trouble, and a tun of other unsavory things but it is God who runs the show. He knows, sees and hears all.  

All that we need to do is to go to him for the truth, go to him for authenticity, go to him for fairness and justification, go to him for integrity, go to him for satisfaction and delight, go to him for peace, and for everything else that is bountiful in nobility. 

We are completely safe and secure in his mighty and powerful hands. Praise the Lord for keeping us close, favored, and extremely loved within his merciful arms. Amen! 

But as for me, I trust in You, O LORD; I say, “You are my God.” My times are in Your hand; Deliver me from the hand of my enemies, And from those who persecute me. -Psalms 31:14-15

Call On The Lord!

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. -Philippians 4:6-7

God is always available. He is ready, willing and able to help at all times. He waits to hear our voice, whether we are eager or hesitant. He wants us to call out to him within anticipation and without doubt.

There is no situation or circumstance that God cannot handle or resolve. He does extraordinary work behind the scenes preparing everything together for our benefit.

No matter how difficult or tragic life may appear God is right there sharing in each moment. He remains close beside us and deep within us.

As children of God, we are his forever and he will never leave us or let us go- that is an absolute promise a reassurance to count on!

Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand. -Isaiah 43:10

For I hold you by your right hand— I, the LORD your God. And I say to you, ‘Don’t be afraid. I am here to help you. Isaiah 43:13

Sweet Surrender!

This is what the LORD says— your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: “I am the LORD your God, who teaches you what is good for you and leads you along the paths you should follow. -Isaiah 48:17

Walking with God is wonderful. It is good to know that we can rely solely on the Lord to lead us through life without having to depend on ourselves. After all, this is how the plan was meant to be originally. God’s initial design is still in effect regardless of the self-sufficient and self-promoting way of our society.

Many people in this world have and support the mindset and behavior of doing things in their own fashion and within their own strength. However, none of us actually do anything completely by our own ability.

It is the Lord who enables us to breathe, think, walk, talk, eat and so on. We do not go about our daily living without him.

We need God.

Yes, some people do succeed and prosper apart from a surrendered relationship and fellowship with God (also remember that it is God who allows all things to be possible), but at what later cost? There will never be a long-term enrichment or fulfillment. There will never be a foundation built on solid rock. “Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won’t collapse because it is built on bedrock. But anyone who hears my teaching and doesn’t obey it is foolish, like a person who builds a house on sand. When the rains and floods come and the winds beat against that house, it will collapse with a mighty crash.” Matthew 7:24-27

For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength. -Philippians 4:13

“Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing. -John 15:5

By putting a full trust in the Lord to lay all our concerns before him we receive freedom. The liberty and privilege of living a more abundant life of peace, hope, and faith. We are secure to know that our life is protected in the hands of the father and not in the unreliable and deceitful hands of the world.

You will show me the way of life, granting me the joy of your presence and the pleasures of living with you forever. -Psalms 16:11

Virginity And Celibacy

But I wish everyone were single, just as I am. Yet each person has a special gift from God, of one kind or another. So I say to those who aren’t married and to widows—it’s better to stay unmarried, just as I am. But if they can’t control themselves, they should go ahead and marry. It’s better to marry than to burn with lust. -1 Corinthians 7:7-9

All throughout my teenage years into my early adulthood I was proud to be a virgin. There was nothing for me to be ashamed or embarrassed about. I am in my forties now and still am not sexually active, nor do I desire to be.

I never wanted a husband; I knew I never would get married ever since childhood. I always felt destined to be happily single and I am very content this way. God has different plans for everyone according to the way he designed and prepared our lives.

Within society things of a sexual nature have been heavily promoted and encouraged for many, many years. It has become the norm to have casual sexual relationships and encounters.

Those who do not engage in or refuse to partake in premarital sex would be considered old-fashioned, lame, unfashionable, abnormal- nothing especially attractive or exciting to the popular culture.

I didn’t care about the popular culture or what anyone concluded and was tired of certain people making a big deal in regard to my virginity, and tired of those who assumed I was waiting for or holding out until matrimony.

It was rare and unusual to be a virgin in the eyes of these people and they either found it hard to believe because they were caught up in their own temptation or found the circumstance refreshing because of the moral aspect.

With me, there was no lustful temptation or moral example that I sought to achieve. I was just being me, a part of the way God made me. He does things to show how powerfully and wonderfully he can work through us apart from the ways of the world and the flesh.

There are people who once indulged regularly or who had one or two sexual encounters outside of wedlock then eventually decided to become celibate until they found a marriage partner or to just devote themselves entirely to God.

If one is a virgin or celibate in this day and age it is the correct way to go, the right lifestyle to live in honor to God and in honor of oneself. Our bodies are precious temples of the Lord and he desires us to be holy unto him.

The Lord has no condemnation toward those struggling with sexual sin or other sins and addictions that are harmful to the mind or body. Anyone can go to him for redemption if they are willing. He gives us all a choice on whether or not to follow the world/culture or to follow him.

There is nothing corny or cliche about virginity and celibacy outside of a marriage. It is the way life was meant to be, and the way that it should be according to God.

Now regarding the questions you asked in your letter. Yes, it is good to abstain from sexual relations. -1 Corinthians 7:1

It is these who have not defiled themselves with women, for they are virgins. It is these who follow the Lamb wherever he goes. These have been redeemed from mankind as firstfruits for God and the Lamb -Revelation 14:4

Sex, Premarital Sex, And Peer Pressure

For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ. -Galatians 1:10

Peer pressure happens among any age or social group. Anytime someone is propelled to do anything they really do not want to do in order to fit in or to remain in the favor of another is not good or honest no matter what the situation concerns.

No one should feel pressured by anyone to have premarital sex and no one should have sex too early on in life.

If one is at risk of losing a romantic interest or superficial/trivial social rank because they are hesitant or refuse to give in to another person’s sexual advances then so be it. There would be no true loss within the situation. Just pure gain.

Put God first in everything that you do and obtain all the riches and glory of his wisdom, refuge, and enormous blessings to inspiringly testify to.

The Lord loves his children with an everlasting adoration. He wants none of them to suffer through mistreatment, to be taken advantage of, or to devalue themselves by the selfish and disobedient hands of others who know right from wrong.

Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm. -Proverbs 13:20

The Best Worse Day Of Your Life

You can make many plans, but the LORD’s purpose will prevail. -Proverbs 19:21

Have you ever been rudely left at the altar, had an explosive argument just before the wedding that prevented the ceremony from taking place, or decided to say “I do not instead of I do” to the bride or groom in response to the minister who recited the agreement of the sacred vows in front of a gathering of invited guests?

Well, if so, consider the incident a blessing in disguise. All situations that do not go as planned or that may turn out as unfortunate events are sometimes actually put into occurrence to help and not to hurt.

There are distinct warnings, signs, or gut feelings that the holy spirit imparts to us that we may overlook, dismiss, or not take full notice of then either learn from or regret later on from our failure to heed insight.

Messages can even be spoken through another person in relation to one’s particular circumstance. We just have to be careful and test the information to make sure the advice and input is indeed a source from the spirit. Those who are like me, strong within the gift of discernment would know immediately or familiarly when truth and essence is being told or spoken. Any type of hint that is rooted in our experience and inner-knowing comes naturally by the ability to recognize where it is originating from.

There have been people who have known better about something yet went into a condition anyway. Many of us have did things against our better judgment. However, why enter into mishap, or error when it can be avoided, especially when alerted by divine intervention?

I know there are times when I look back on certain life wants that didn’t go well or as hoped for to later really appreciate that the circumstance saved me from an unpleasant or undesirable outcome. There were other preferable steps I was motioned toward that brought about greater encounters and expectations.

So, when God says no or not yet, it is because the request or situation is not meant or not ready to go into effect. God’s timing is different from ours he knows just when to deliver what is best. A “no” answer is often a surprise that leads to a greater event than you could never have imagined possible as a follow up, and suitable conclusion.

Thank our good Lord for the particular happenings that go wrong in order to show us in the direction of the things that will go right.

The LORD will work out his plans for my life— for your faithful love, O LORD, endures forever. Don’t abandon me, for you made me. -Psalms 138:8

So Grateful And Thankful

Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes. God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure. So we praise God for the glorious grace he has poured out on us who belong to his dear Son. -Ephesians 1:4‭-‬6

To me, the little things are what count. These so-called little things are actually big things in my life.

I am thankful for so many things the Lord has given to me, blessings that far passed what I expected just to bring me comfort and joy, and to make my life a little easier within the struggle.

The two major things which I consider huge I am most grateful and thankful for is how God provided me with a beautiful, wonderful mother and dog who enriched and enhanced my life experience as I grew and further matured. I have such fond memories.

I am grateful and thankful that I have a sound mind, a roof over my head, water to wash up in, food to eat, and so on.

What tops it all, is that I have a close intimate relationship with my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ who has occupied my spirit, and who has been with me all of my life right up to the moment when I first accepted him as preteen.

I am so grateful and thankful that God chose me to be one of his adopted children before the foundation of the world was created.

For the Scriptures say that God told Pharaoh, “I have appointed you for the very purpose of displaying my power in you and to spread my fame throughout the earth.” So you see, God chooses to show mercy to some, and he chooses to harden the hearts of others so they refuse to listen. Well then, you might say, “Why does God blame people for not responding? Haven’t they simply done what he makes them do?” No, don’t say that. Who are you, a mere human being, to argue with God? Should the thing that was created say to the one who created it, “Why have you made me like this?” When a potter makes jars out of clay, doesn’t he have a right to use the same lump of clay to make one jar for decoration and another to throw garbage into? In the same way, even though God has the right to show his anger and his power, he is very patient with those on whom his anger falls, who are destined for destruction. He does this to make the riches of his glory shine even brighter on those to whom he shows mercy, who were prepared in advance for glory. -Romans 9:17-23

True Identity And Self-Worth

For the LORD God is our sun and our shield. He gives us grace and glory. The LORD will withhold no good thing from those who do what is right. Psalms 84:11

I was loved immensely by my mother and I had an overwhelming sense of divine providence around me that contributed to the beneficial state of my wellbeing. 

I never cared if others liked, loved, or respected me because how others treated or felt about me whether good or bad had no actual relevance to my true value and worth. My self-esteem did not come from how anyone defined me, it never did, and it never will! 

I had a favor on my life that I noticed and that was noticed by certain others. This is where my value and worth originated. Within the power of the highest who adores, nurtures, and provides me with every essential need for growth and eternal sustainability. 

God loved and cared for me during times when I wasn’t even sure or aware of his absolute concern for me. Yes, I went through a period of doubt as I believed the Lord was against me and out to get me through the misinterpretation that I had of him from going through hardships at a very early age. 

While I thought God was cruel and barbaric and depended upon and gave praise and honor to other spiritual “notions” within the “universe” who seem to have kept me safe, assured, and supported it was indeed the Lord all along there by my side who shined his wonderful light where I could not see. 

What a great, faithful, loving and merciful father we have dwelling up within the heavens. He truly is exceptional. And, I am exceptionally secure and confident within myself through his blessings. I am most humbled and grateful by this supernatural experience. 

Thank you, my Lord. I love you Jesus! 

“What is the price of five sparrows—two copper coins? Yet God does not forget a single one of them. And the very hairs on your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows. -Luke 12:6-7

Can You Trust Your Husband?

My mother told me a story years ago about an article she had read in a Watchtower magazine left behind by a Jehovah’s witness. 

In the story, there was a woman who remained a virgin until marriage. She eventually conceived her very first child, and everything turned out okay. 

The woman then sometime later gave birth to her second child, and everything was okay. 

After the woman delivered a third baby throughout the marriage, she discovered that she was infected with the HIV/AIDS virus. 

Her husband had given her this life-threatening deadly disease from either being unfaithful during their union or from carrying it all along until finally it manifested unto his wife, or both. 

But the man who commits adultery is an utter fool, for he destroys himself. -Proverbs 6:32

Give honor to marriage, and remain faithful to one another in marriage. God will surely judge people who are immoral and those who commit adultery. -Hebrews 13:4

Can You Trust Your Boyfriend?

This is what the LORD says: “Cursed are those who put their trust in mere humans, who rely on human strength and turn their hearts away from the LORD. -Jeremiah 17:5

“The human heart is the most deceitful of all things, and desperately wicked. Who really knows how bad it is? But I, the LORD, search all hearts and examine secret motives. I give all people their due rewards, according to what their actions deserve.” -Jeremiah 17:9-10

I loved to read ever since I was a youngster. My mother used to buy me different kinds of books all the time whenever I was interested in something.

She’d even bring me literature as she thought of me while she would be out running on an errand here and there.

This was one of the things my mother loved about me- my knowledge, my quest for knowledge, and my discernment. It is also something I loved very much about my mother too. She was a very smart and intelligent woman for all the years I had grown up with her.

As a teen, I read quite a few magazines out of curiosity and to keep up with my observant nature. Although I wasn’t a part of the world spiritually, I was aware of everything around me and of what was going on in the world. God had blessed me that way.

Even though I did not live my life within the tendency of mainstream society and was not inspired by what motivated the majority It did not stop me from delving into the pages and media of various lifestyles and experiences.

I think I was about fourteen or fifteen when I read an article in “Seventeen” magazine. The story was about a teenager who had contracted the herpes virus. I do not remember every detail word for word but I do recall very clearly the situation.

The girl was ashamed, consumed with guilt, and worried about how to tell her boyfriend about her venereal disease. So, one day she came out and told him and he responded in a way she did not expect.

Her boyfriend told her something like, “Don’t worry about it. It’s okay, I still love you.

The teen was surprised and felt relieved that her boyfriend was understanding of her circumstance. To have possibly spread herpes to him through contracting the virus from a past relationship to how he would react to her revealing this information to him was pure torture for her.

As some time passed, the teen girl had one day visited her boyfriend and looked into the medicine cabinet of his bathroom when she spotted a prescription bottle. The bottle had been prescribed for her boyfriend in the treatment of the herpes virus. This is the moment by a chance encounter that she discovered it was him who had given her the disease to begin with.

Her boyfriend knew all along that he had genital herpes. Yet, he pretended, and allowed his girlfriend to believe she put him at risk when he was the one to pass it on to her.

I read from the pages of books, viewed from the scenes of media, and even witnessed from people all around me the deep/heavy accounts of what unfavorably touched their lives at an early age. It played a part in my forewarning of the world, and just how contaminated it really is.

God speaks to us within so many ways to alert, teach, guide, and protect his children from the vile lures and traps of society.

But as for your gods, see if you can find them, and let the person who has taken them die! And if you find anything else that belongs to you, identify it before all these relatives of ours, and I will give it back!” But Jacob did not know that Rachel had stolen the household idols. -Genesis 31:32

Laban went first into Jacob’s tent to search there, then into Leah’s, and then the tents of the two servant wives—but he found nothing. Finally, he went into Rachel’s tent. But Rachel had taken the household idols and hidden them in her camel saddle, and now she was sitting on them. When Laban had thoroughly searched her tent without finding them, she said to her father, “Please, sir, forgive me if I don’t get up for you. I’m having my monthly period.” So Laban continued his search, but he could not find the household idols. Genesis 31:33-35

The View Of Different Sins

All wicked actions are sin, but not every sin leads to death. We know that God’s children do not make a practice of sinning, for God’s Son holds them securely, and the evil one cannot touch them. We know that we are children of God and that the world around us is under the control of the evil one. -1 John 5:17-19

Many of us have a view of sin that does not align up with God’s view of sin. We separate sin to degree when all sin is forbidden, intolerable and detestable to the Lord. 

Most of us would not consider telling what we may define as a little white lie within the same category as to kill or murder someone. 

It is fair to suggest that a little white lie is far less terrible than to commit a murder. Yet, little lies can turn into big lies and, lies in general can get people killed depending on what is said and what is believed. 

Nevertheless, telling someone you like their cooked meal or outfit when you really do not, does not at all equal up to the severity of taking another person’s life or raping someone, and so on. 

It is better not to comment at all in a situation if possible or to just be honest within a polite way when you disagree with something or are not interested. This form of action would keep God happy! 

Of course, we as imperfect humans are going to sometimes sin. All sin leads to hell. We must constantly pray, repent, and ask God for his forgiveness, assistance and intervention.

If it was not for Jesus Christ everyone would be in severe trouble!

“Loving” Unlovable People

Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. -Colossians 3:12‭-‬13

Have you ever met or come across someone who lashed out at you for no apparent reason, especially when you have not done anything to that person?

There are people who take out their frustration, insecurity, prejudice, bitterness, jealousy and hurt as a cruel release.

All bitterness does not stem from hurt, all hatred does not stem from ignorance, all insecurity does not stem from jealousy.

Some people are just mean-spirited, ill-tempered, high-strung, having a bad day, miserable, emotionally unstable, or suffering with a psychological issue.

The important thing to remember is to not always take their attacks personal. If a reference is actually negatively directed at you for whatever cause defend yourself if necessary, but also do your best to ignore and to avoid any confrontation.

Some people want to pull you down because they are unhappy, they want to see you get into trouble due to something not going right in their life, and some people just get satisfaction out of seeing another person stumble or fall.

Jesus would advise us to pray for people who behave in unfriendly or hostile ways toward us. It is hard to be nice and to genuinely reflect a kind attitude to vicious or antagonizing people. It all depends on one’s own personality and/or natural response to the situation.

You can be nice to people and they will still try to hurt or mistreat you.

Whether others eventually feel bad, regret their actions and apologize, or continue on to be rude, unpleasant and prideful. They do not have to spoil your joy.

We may sometimes get ticked off by others, yet their conduct is not guaranteed to affect our spirit or to bring to us any significant harm.

I have had quite a few incidents within the past with people of various intentions who displayed their, jealousy, ignorance, and triviality against me, and I was neither hurt nor affected by what they had intended or what they had expected to result from the depths of within me. Some individuals are limited within their own scope of discernment and rationality, and are unable to acknowledge distinction and truth within others.

One of Jesus’s statements was to love others, including our enemies. To be extremely candid, I do not even love certain members of my family- let alone people who may turn me off in certain ways.

In fact, I don’t even want to love specific kinds of people. I don’t necessarily have to hate them either, however, as a fact, we are not going to like and get along with everybody in this God-forsaken world.

There are people’s whose spirits we are just not going to take to. People who have jumped to conclusions and/or started trouble with me on account of incentives that reflect their own shortcomings and predisposed tendencies I do not care about.

I do not have the time, patience, or sympathy for those on a level that they do not seek to rise from. Although, unfortunately, some are unable to attain to a higher mental capacity for learning and understanding to a particular wavelength.

I honestly have no sincere regard for people that I consider to be undesirable.

There are people who harshly judge or misjudge us without even truly knowing us or anything about us, and they sometimes create discord and chaos.

A lot of people will downplay their feelings about unsavory people and will not admit to the unwillingness to really desire to accept and to “love” individuals that we cannot tolerate.

I believe God would appreciate honesty over hypocrisy and false behavior. The Lord wants us to be true and to come to him about any concerns or disagreements that we may have. His holy spirit is there to aide, lead, and shed light on each of our particular circumstances. Every one of us are different and so are our situations the Lord responds to his children accordingly and uniquely.

God knows how to deal with every conflict, need, and solution to our peace and wellbeing. Always give all matters to him to handle, he will sort it out.

While we do not actually have to deeply love our enemies or people who are insignificant to us in the same fashion as we do our parents, pets, or children, and so on- which is impossible for me- we are definitely called to be polite and humane. We are to treat others as we want to be treated even when we are being mistreated.

It may be hard for some to constantly maintain this course of action flawlessly. We may all slip up from time to time, especially when we get angry and utter bad words under our breaths, frustrated at the trying efforts to do what is right by those who present just the opposite.

It is a process for many that God will gradually and eventually prepare and serve up for your awareness and benefit.

God knows that we are not perfect and are unable to perform his certain requirements solely on our own. He is patient and kind, merciful and compassionate, there to pick us up when we are unable to carry the heavy or complicated load.

Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony. And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful. And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father. -Colossians 3:14‭-‬15‭, ‬17

Catholic Worship

Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me. -John 14:6

But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. And since we have been made right in God’s sight by the blood of Christ, he will certainly save us from God’s condemnation. For since our friendship with God was restored by the death of his Son while we were still his enemies, we will certainly be saved through the life of his Son. So now we can rejoice in our wonderful new relationship with God because our Lord Jesus Christ has made us friends of God. -Romans 5:8‭-‬11

At four months I was christened at a Catholic church a few blocks away from my childhood home. 

Growing up, I did not have any personal affiliation with the religion or attendance at the church. While I did not have anything directly against the Catholic religion what I never understood with followers was praying to the virgin Mary and to the saints in regard to our heavenly father and the answering of prayers. 

As a young child the concept never made sense to me. It was naturally instilled within me without the influence of any individual that the only intercessor to God is Jesus Christ. 

Mary was blessed by the Lord, impregnated through the holy spirit, a wonderful privilege to give birth to our savior. Also, the biblical saints/Jesus’s disciples were fabulous, faithful, and true within their mission and accomplishments in uniting and spreading the gospel of salvation. Even us saints born again in Christ and those who have passed on are to be cheered on and congratulated for their hope and belief in Jesus, however, we do not pray to these people! 

They were just mere people like we are. They do not have any special power or authority to enhance our requests. It is the son, and him only who advocates on our behalf to his father. 

My dear children, I am writing this to you so that you will not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate who pleads our case before the Father. He is Jesus Christ, the one who is truly righteous. -1 John 2:1

Abortion And Immorality In Marriage, And Out Of Wedlock

Then Jesus stood up again and said to the woman, “Where are your accusers? Didn’t even one of them condemn you?” “No, Lord,” she said. And Jesus said, “Neither do I. Go and sin no more.” -John 8:10-11

A lot of people blame the reason for abortion on the result of immoral behavior such as fornication/premarital sex when indeed this is not always the case or the primary desire, remedy, or conclusion that everyone comes to.

There are wanted pregnancies outside of marriage and there are unwanted pregnancies inside of marriage, and I know for a fact there are plenty of married couples who opted for the convenience of having an abortion to terminate a pregnancy. I personally knew married people who aborted more than one child throughout their marriage.

Everybody cannot be generalized and scooped up into one category. Society has a habit of putting people into a widely held, fixed and oversimplified image or idea of what particular types of situations, individuals and things represent.

Marriage itself is not a safe haven for morality or justification when it focuses on sex, reproduction, and parenting.

There are people who get married for financial security, social status, or out of a feeling of obligation whether personal or religious.

Not everyone marries out of true love and to enter into a sacred commitment. Some even have open marriages with multiple sexual partners. Give honor to marriage, and remain faithful to one another in marriage. God will surely judge people who are immoral and those who commit adultery. -Hebrews 13;4

There are single parents who raise their children up in better homes, or whose children turn out finer than those within a two-parent home, I know, I lovingly came from a one parent home- living with my mother’s side of the family- and I would not have changed the circumstance for the world because every man is not cut out to be a father and vice versa.

There were grown men who were jealous and resentful of me because their daughters and sons were out running wild and uncontrollably while I was the total opposite- not at all conformed to the ways of the world.

I had a very good mother who was spiritual and blessed by God and we were both lead by the spirit.

This is a fallen world (so certain untraditional as well as unfortunate things do and will happen) yet illegitimate children are not dismissed or unloved by God and neither or those who may have had children out of wedlock. Children are a gift from the LORD; they are a reward from him. -Psalms 127:3

God knows everyone’s situation and he knows their heart. A lot of people judge on what they do not know or see as God sees all- knowing our true conditions, regards and intentions. So don’t make judgments about anyone ahead of time—before the Lord returns. For he will bring our darkest secrets to light and will reveal our private motives. Then God will give to each one whatever praise is due. -1 Corinthians 4:5

“Do not judge others, and you will not be judged. For you will be treated as you treat others. The standard you use in judging is the standard by which you will be judged. “And why worry about a speck in your friend’s eye when you have a log in your own? How can you think of saying to your friend, ‘Let me help you get rid of that speck in your eye,’ when you can’t see past the log in your own eye? Hypocrite! First get rid of the log in your own eye; then you will see well enough to deal with the speck in your friend’s eye. -Matthew 7:1-5

All unwed mothers or even fathers are not promiscuous or unrighteous. Some women get raped, deceived, or are just unconventional within distinction. The same goes with men, they may get misled, seduced or they too may have their own distinct mindset.

When my mother got pregnant with me my father told her to get an abortion. She refused his suggestion because she wanted me -not him (she was not looking or depending on my father to help her take care of me)- and she was not at all ashamed when she had me.

My grandfather (my mother’s father) completely supported her decision to have me and told her “I am glad you want to keep your baby”, and he was a very gifted and intelligent man who believed in God.

This article is in no way promoting fornication/premarital sex or glorifying childbirth to unmarried people. What I am laying out as a fact is that marriage is not the solution to preventing abortion and sex outside of wedlock is not the genuine culprit resulting in many abortions.

It is all about listening to God and putting him first.

If individuals honored God in everything they did or at least made an effort to then these issues would be less of a major problem and burden within society.

A marriage between individuals lead by God would be in genuine love, respect, partnership, faith and obedience to the Lord. Therefore, the event of an abortion would not exist upon the conception of an unplanned, unexpected, or possible inconvenient arrival of a child (due to financial or other setbacks and limitations), however, when decisions are based on one’s own lack of faith and/or followed by one’s own way and selfish desire this is where things tend to go wrong.

Commendably, we do have believers in the world who are the prime examples of a wonderful adoring God-blessed union. Everybody encounters their own troubles and problems but for the most part their life is spiritually finer within contribute to the Lord’s presence. “Now therefore, O sons, listen to me, For blessed are they who keep my ways. -Proverbs 8:32

The same goes for single people. It is not the fornication and unwanted pregnancy that results in abortion. It is not taking heed to what the Lord instructs on how to live and conduct our lives.

If the entire world adhered to God’s principles there would be no sexual immorality or abortions.

There are plenty of things we do not agree with or want in this world and present life, yet we still must yield to the word of God instead of what we may deem as suitable, regardless of how unfair or not right it may seem to us. Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take. -Proverbs 3:5-6

If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking. -James 1:5

Listen to the Lord, and not to man’s self-serving and deceitful interpretation of what the bible directs. And now I make one more appeal, my dear brothers and sisters. Watch out for people who cause divisions and upset people’s faith by teaching things contrary to what you have been taught. Stay away from them. Such people are not serving Christ our Lord; they are serving their own personal interests. By smooth talk and glowing words they deceive innocent people. -Romans 16:17-18

For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear. -2 Timothy 4:3

God does not give out specific rules to us to withhold, limit, or to destroy our contentment and wellbeing. It is the mere opposite. His guidance is to protect, preserve, and maintain our wellness through the wisdom and knowledge that we are unable to grasp within his solicitous attention and care for us.

Satan seeks to steal away all that God originally had planned for us because he has a vendetta against the Lord. We are just tools in his scheme to build against God to tear up the beauty that he constructed by puncturing out the image of his creation.

Satan is a liar, a thief and a murderer. He wants to take as many people to hell with him as possible. Don’t let him manipulate or persuade you. Turn and go to Jesus who sets all things straight and right. He is the truth, a giver, a healer and a restorer.

God is not anxious to condemn you for your errors he is eager to save and to redeem you from them altogether! The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent. -2 Peter 3:9

The Lord earnestly desires for you to come to know him so that he can teach you the truth in how to walk correctly in this life so that you will walk perfectly within the next.

Give your life to Jesus, he will never abort you!

Those who know your name trust in you, for you, O LORD, do not abandon those who search for you. -Psalms 9:10

Now may the God of peace make you holy in every way, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless until our Lord Jesus Christ comes again. 1 Thessalonians 5:23

Does God Love Homosexuals?

For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. -Romans 3:23

Yes, God does love people who are homosexual yet he does not love, like, or approve of their same-sex lifestyle.

Within the Lord’s eyes the aspect is no different from heterosexual people who fornicate, and so on.

God loves the individual person but hates their sin.

I never cared whether someone was homosexual or not. A person’s sexual orientation did not ever influence how I treated them. So, I am definitely not judging anyone at all. I have an aunt that was a lesbian and met homosexual people who I considered equally as a human being without prejudice.

I myself am asexual (no attraction or sexual desire for men or women) and view sex in general as unnatural and undesirable, however, to God sex is supposed to be a natural intimate union between a man and a woman to reproduce and experience pleasure.

I even temporarily contemplated having a child out of wedlock years ago because I never wanted to get married. I did not want a man or a relationship I just considered having a child. It did not happen and I am glad, though. I do not want any child of mine to actually come here into this crazy world.

What someone does in their bedroom is none of my concern and has nothing to do with me. However, homosexual acts (as well as sexual acts outside of marriage) are immoral to God and do concern him gravely.

God loves us all dearly, including people who are liars, thieves, and murders. He detests the deeds and longs for those who indulge in these willful habits, desires, and mistakes to come to him for help and repent.

I have looked at certain things and circumstances in life as unfair too. Nevertheless, we are to not always lean on our own understanding.

Our Lord is holy and cannot tolerate sin as we know, no matter how natural or normal a way of life or tendency may seem or appear to us and within our lives. If something we feel or think is right when God acknowledges it to be wrong then we cannot override his instruction.

Whatever the Lord guides and directs us to do and not to do is not to deprive or to mistreat us but to honor and protect us as one of his most prized creation.

God only wants the best for us and he ultimately knows what is best, things we are unable to see or understand. We are to trust in him.

The Lord lovingly extends his hand out to anyone trapped in the bonds of homosexuality. God wishes for no one to perish and is not harboring anger at one for their sin. He is not eager to punish and condemn. The Lord desperately wants to forgive and redeem. He endeavors to reach as many as possible with his word.

Don’t you realize that those who do wrong will not inherit the Kingdom of God? Don’t fool yourselves. Those who indulge in sexual sin, or who worship idols, or commit adultery, or are male prostitutes, or practice homosexuality, or are thieves, or greedy people, or drunkards, or are abusive, or cheat people—none of these will inherit the Kingdom. -1 Corinthians 6:9-10

The Gospel Of John/The Life Of Jesus

A week ago, I viewed the 2003 film The Gospel of John, also known as The Life of Jesus series.

I did not think I would ever see another biblical movie to rank up to the excellence of The Ten Commandments (Charlton Heston) and Jesus Of Nazareth (Robert Powell).

The Gospel of John was a superb film. It was very well cast and very well acted. The story was accurately depicted, beautifully captured with wonderful scenery and a great narration by Christopher Plummer.

I absolutely loved and enjoyed watching this movie. It is a film not to be missed!

 

 

The Light Of The Lord

But you are not like that, for you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light. -1 Peter 2:9

Isn’t it wonderful to shine in the light of the Lord?

The light of the Lord that shines upon one is distinct. There is nothing to compare it to, and nothing will compare to the radiance that it brings or gives.

When we bask in the glow of God’s divine love and teachings, we experience an exhilaration only his spirit can emit.

Self-control, gentleness, faithfulness, goodness, kindness, forbearance, peace, joy and love is what makes the light shine bright when it reflects though us in representation of our Lord Jesus.

In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father. Matthew 5:16

The Best God-Cooked Meal

When I discovered your words, I devoured them. They are my joy and my heart’s delight, for I bear your name, O LORD God of Heaven’s Armies. -Jeremiah 15:16

Are you hungry? What do you usually eat to soothe your appetite? Does it keep you full, or do you begin to feel empty again inside after a while?

Is what you’re eating nourishing? Or is it junk that leaves you feeling sluggish and unhealthy throughout the rest of the day?

Does your food provide long lasting benefits or does your food just give you a quick rush that leads to frustration?

You may need to change your diet!

Many people are lacking the proper Godly ingredients and are dying from spiritual starvation.

Add in a flavor of scripture, a touch of the Lord, and a dash of prayer and I guarantee you will be hooked and drooling for more- it will be the only satisfying of the tastebuds and fulfillment to the soul that you can utterly live and survive off of.

But Jesus told him, “No! The Scriptures say, ‘People do not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” Matthew 4:4

Jesus replied, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry again. Whoever believes in me will never be thirsty. -John 6:35

For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink. Anyone who eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me, and I in him. I live because of the living Father who sent me; in the same way, anyone who feeds on me will live because of me. I am the true bread that came down from heaven. Anyone who eats this bread will not die as your ancestors did (even though they ate the manna) but will live forever.”

He said these things while he was teaching in the synagogue in Capernaum. -John 6:55-59

Out In The Open

Oh, how great are God’s riches and wisdom and knowledge! How impossible it is for us to understand his decisions and his ways! For who can know the LORD’s thoughts? Who knows enough to give him advice? -Romans 11:33-34

I never understood the idea or concept of those who sought to keep their thoughts and actions hidden from God.

No matter what perception we had of God- the loving, merciful one or the angry, vengeful one- I was never disappointed in the fact the he was aware of our every thought, feeling, and action.

If anything, I was glad about this advantage of his. An advantage that some of us even share of touch of within certain spiritual gifts that God anoints some of us with.

As sovereign, we as a people need one who knows all and sees all, especially living among a fallen world where people tend to judge by what is on the outside as well as by only what they sometimes want to see.

Our God sees the absolute truth inside each and every one of us. He knows our true motives and what lies within our hearts.

Unlike others who jump to conclusions without gathering up all or enough information, who form an opinion prematurely based on a false perception, and who take out of context what is not comprehended, God already holds the full spectrum accurately and ultimately on point. He knows us far better than we know ourselves and we need a ruler just as himself to make things right.

If all was left to mankind on their own to decide the final word, we’d all be in trouble- worse trouble than what the world is in now.

So for those in particular who are concerned about what God knows about their sin, instead of looking to hide look to admit and to repent and learn to appreciate that we have a God that looks to forgive.

But it was to us that God revealed these things by his Spirit. For his Spirit searches out everything and shows us God’s deep secrets. No one can know a person’s thoughts except that person’s own spirit, and no one can know God’s thoughts except God’s own Spirit. -1 Corinthians 2:10-11

Refresh

We can make our plans, but the LORD determines our steps. Proverbs 16:9

Begin the new year off right. Invite the Lord, God into your life. Then put and keep him first in everything you do.

Life will not be free of problems but the circumstances will be less complicated and they will run smooth while your heavenly father leads the way.

God knows what is best for us he knows what we need, he knows what to provide, and he knows what is ahead.

God is utterly in control of all our situations.

Have hope, keep the faith, and call on God daily all throughout the day by developing a close personal relationship with him.

Share any concerns you may have with the Lord. Consult with him on your ideas. Ask him for guidance, direction and instruction on how to comply with his will in your life.

Give your burdens to the LORD, and he will take care of you. He will not permit the godly to slip and fall. -Psalms 55:22

Strong In God’s Spirit

There the child grew up healthy and strong. He was filled with wisdom, and God’s favor was on him. -Luke 2:40

God is essential to our overall health and wellness. He genuinely does give us a peace and a joy in the midst of good or bad times- I can definitely attest to this fact. In my case, the difficulty and trouble did not affect or touch me at all during past situations.

I was content in what may have seemed like a misfortune or struggle to some and to those who were responsible for trying to sabotage my life back then.

People of the world are not capable of understanding the power and authority of the spirit. If you were to give your allegiance to the world, they would love and welcome you as one of their own. But because you won’t align yourself with the values of this world, they will hate you. I have chosen you and taken you out of the world to be mine. -John 15:19

I have been very spiritually inclined since my youth and am in tune with my spiritual gifts of wisdom and discernment.

Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand. “See, all your angry enemies lie there, confused and humiliated. Anyone who opposes you will die and come to nothing. You will look in vain for those who tried to conquer you. Those who attack you will come to nothing. -Isaiah 41:10-12

The LORD keeps you from all harm and watches over your life. The LORD keeps watch over you as you come and go, both now and forever. -Psalms 121:7-8

When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you. -Isaiah 43:2

Rest In The Lord

The LORD is a shelter for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble. Those who know your name trust in you, for you, O LORD, do not abandon those who search for you. Psalms 9:9-10

Yes, we live in an unpredictable world. A problem or tragedy can hit at any time.

It is tiring and unhealthy to constantly panic about events that are entirely out of our control. Anxiety will drive one to become restless and stress will cause one to suffer ill health.

Just give it to God and let him handle whatever it is that is going on in your life whether good or bad.

Isn’t it so much better to sit back, relax, and totally allow the Lord to steer your ship?

We sail with comfort to enjoy a much better ride than if we ourselves were the ones in charge to operate. Not only is God our ultimate guide but he is the one source that is able to provide definite stability and confidence within any uncertain situation.

And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus. -Philippians 4:19

True Christian Behavior

But God’s truth stands firm like a foundation stone with this inscription: “The LORD knows those who are his,” and “All who belong to the LORD must turn away from evil.” 2 Timothy 2:19

But when people keep on sinning, it shows that they belong to the devil, who has been sinning since the beginning. But the Son of God came to destroy the works of the devil. Those who have been born into God’s family do not make a practice of sinning, because God’s life is in them. So they can’t keep on sinning, because they are children of God. So now we can tell who are children of God and who are children of the devil. Anyone who does not live righteously and does not love other believers does not belong to God. 1 John 3:8-10

The house of the wicked will be destroyed, but the tent of the godly will flourish. There is a path before each person that seems right, but it ends in death. Proverbs 14:11-12

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When we become saved (a born again Christian) God’s holy spirit comes to literally dwell within us. Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself -1 Corinthians 6:19

The spirit is our helper and comforter.

Not only does God endow us with supernatural abilities (spiritual gifts) he divinely enables us to become holy by gradually perfecting/changing us in Jesus Christ’s image.

We will never be flawless within our fleshly bodies in this fallen world and we will at times sin, however, our sin will be less and it won’t be constant or intentional.

During those periods we may suddenly or accidentally slip up, we acknowledge our error to God and receive his forgiveness. Always requesting in him that he aid us to improve.

No one sincere takes the Lord’s grace and mercy for granted, knowing that he blessed us within this way should encourage us to look forward with appreciation and motivation to cooperate.

The true Christian does not practice sin as a way of life. The way of life puts sin out of practice.

Anyone who claims to be living in the spirit yet does worldly things routinely is not a legitimate follower who surrendered to Christ. When embraced by the holy spirit, everything starts to change- desires, thoughts, personality and foundation. One’s entire manner of being has become refashioned. God’s essence brings a purity to the presence.

I knew a man years ago when I was a young child, I think I was around ten or eleven (around that time I had accepted Jesus). He was an associate of my family. He used to treat me funny until one day he came to my home and witnessed me reading my bible. I don’t know what his problem was, I was just a kid.

Anyway, this married man called himself a person of God and of the church but would come over to my house asking if he could use our VCR (this was back in the 1980’s) to watch porn tapes he had brought over. He also pinched one of my mother’s friends on her derriere at the staircase.

Now my point is also that he acted negative toward me for a while and I hadn’t done anything to him but it was alright for him to fulfill his lustful desires apart from his wife. Typical judgmental so called/false Christian behavior.

This is why so many professing Christians/followers of Christ leave a bad taste in other people’s mouths and bad impressions of what true Christians are and represent.

It used to be said that the worse kinds of people are the ones in the church. Whether some deserved that reputation or not depending on opinion the main focus of everything is to get it together with God because only he can make things right for everyone.

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My dear children, I am writing this to you so that you will not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate who pleads our case before the Father. He is Jesus Christ, the one who is truly righteous. He himself is the sacrifice that atones for our sins—and not only our sins but the sins of all the world. And we can be sure that we know him if we obey his commandments. If someone claims, “I know God,” but doesn’t obey God’s commandments, that person is a liar and is not living in the truth. But those who obey God’s word truly show how completely they love him. That is how we know we are living in him. Those who say they live in God should live their lives as Jesus did. -1 John 2:1-6


Dear friends, you always followed my instructions when I was with you. And now that I am away, it is even more important. Work hard to show the results of your salvation, obeying God with deep reverence and fear. For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him. Philippians 2:12-13

For God wanted them to know that the riches and glory of Christ are for you Gentiles, too. And this is the secret: Christ lives in you. This gives you assurance of sharing his glory. So we tell others about Christ, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all the wisdom God has given us. We want to present them to God, perfect in their relationship to Christ. That’s why I work and struggle so hard, depending on Christ’s mighty power that works within me. -Colossians 1:27-29

Too Sullied To Be Saved?

From the depths of despair, O LORD, I call for your help. Hear my cry, O Lord. Pay attention to my prayer. LORD, if you kept a record of our sins, who, O Lord, could ever survive? But you offer forgiveness, that we might learn to fear you. I am counting on the LORD; yes, I am counting on him. I have put my hope in his word. –Psalms 130:1-5

There are people who believe that they have done far too many terrible things in life for God to forgive and save them.

Out of extreme shame, guilt and sorrow over their mistakes these people conclude God would never sympathize or accept them.

The taunting and haunting residue from past or present deeds, inspire them to feel doomed. They imagine the worse possible outcome and are left to feel unworthy to come to God as they expect nothing but his severe wrath and punishment.

Many of these people beat themselves up over and over again struck by memory after memory then tortured by fear and a sense of being lost with no kind of hope.

However, God/Jesus wants to erase those bad reflections. He wants to stop that self-abuse. He wants to heal that pain. He wants to exchange wrath and punishment for grace and mercy. He wants to offer a wonderful end result. He wants to replace mental anguish with peace. He wants to pour out his love. He wants to recruit into his family. He wants to cleanse and purify to make a new. He wants to eradicate false belief- so that true belief is in him.

There is no greater example than of the story of Saul/Paul in the bible. He was “a chief of sin” yet overcame by the favor and power of the Lord.

In Paul’s wicked days he persecuted and murdered Christians but God had an incredible conversion ahead for this man who became one of the most beloved disciples of Jesus Christ. But God had mercy on me so that Christ Jesus could use me as a prime example of his great patience with even the worst sinners. Then others will realize that they, too, can believe in him and receive eternal life. -1 Timothy 1:16

You know what I was like when I followed the Jewish religion—how I violently persecuted God’s church. I did my best to destroy it. I was far ahead of my fellow Jews in my zeal for the traditions of my ancestors. But even before I was born, God chose me and called me by his marvelous grace. Then it pleased him to reveal his Son to me so that I would proclaim the Good News about Jesus to the Gentiles. When this happened, I did not rush out to consult with any human being. –Galatians 1:13-16

No matter what you’ve done if you honestly know and admit that you are a sinner who needs deliverance, believe that Jesus is God, believe that he came to die in place of you to save you from your sins, believe he was buried in a tomb and was resurrected three days later, and approach the Lord Jesus with true remorse and sincere repentance then surrender your life to him you will have salvation.

Later on, after John was arrested, Jesus went into Galilee, where he preached God’s Good News. “The time promised by God has come at last!” he announced. “The Kingdom of God is near! Repent of your sins and believe the Good News!” -Mark 1:14-15

But now God has shown us a way to be made right with him without keeping the requirements of the law, as was promised in the writings of Moses and the prophets long ago. We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ. And this is true for everyone who believes, no matter who we are. For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. Yet God, in his grace, freely makes us right in his sight. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins. For God presented Jesus as the sacrifice for sin. People are made right with God when they believe that Jesus sacrificed his life, shedding his blood. This sacrifice shows that God was being fair when he held back and did not punish those who sinned in times past, for he was looking ahead and including them in what he would do in this present time. God did this to demonstrate his righteousness, for he himself is fair and just, and he makes sinners right in his sight when they believe in Jesus. Can we boast, then, that we have done anything to be accepted by God? No, because our acquittal is not based on obeying the law. It is based on faith. So we are made right with God through faith and not by obeying the law. After all, is God the God of the Jews only? Isn’t he also the God of the Gentiles? Of course he is. There is only one God, and he makes people right with himself only by faith, whether they are Jews or Gentiles. Well then, if we emphasize faith, does this mean that we can forget about the law? Of course not! In fact, only when we have faith do we truly fulfill the law. –Romans 3:21-31

All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ. Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes. God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure. So we praise God for the glorious grace he has poured out on us who belong to his dear Son. He is so rich in kindness and grace that he purchased our freedom with the blood of his Son and forgave our sins. He has showered his kindness on us, along with all wisdom and understanding. –Ephesians 1:3-8

Horoscopes (Forbidden By God)

“Now use your magical charms! Use the spells you have worked at all these years!

Maybe they will do you some good. Maybe they can make someone afraid of you.

All the advice you receive has made you tired.

Where are all your astrologers, those stargazers who make predictions each month?

Let them stand up and save you from what the future holds.

But they are like straw burning in a fire; they cannot save themselves from the flame. –Isaiah 47:12-14

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When I was a youngster, I thought reading the horoscopes was harmless and was even proud to be a “zodiacal Taurus” ruled by planet Venus.

I wasn’t heavily into astrology. I never understood how astrologers read the planets or anything of that nature but I loved reading up on the characteristics of my zodiac sign as the traits were accurately described within certain aspects. I’d even read up on other astrological birth signs, the zodiac explanations of behavior and compatibility with other individuals were interesting.

It wasn’t until I read the bible verses about astrology and anything associated with it being forbidden that I started to heed warning. There was even a time when I threw all of my zodiac books away.

I later on began reading them from time to time after not recognizing any seemingly real threat. I did not know that horoscope reading was a trick disguised by the devil to gradually lure us people away from God and his instructions.

I never practiced astrology and would not have known where to begin. I didn’t believe that astrological charts had any affect or determination of my everyday life in connection with reading a horoscope forecast. I didn’t think it was the same as a tarot card reading.

They would be in daily newspapers and magazines but at the time I didn’t know the zodiac was deep-rooted in sorcery.

Horoscopes should not be read by Christians, and instead we should place our faith in our future by communicating with God.

Right now, I take seriously that it is dangerous, and I don’t want any part of it because the Lord is against indulging within the ancient belief. I don’t even have any desire to read the horoscope anymore I am totally repulsed by it! I feel the same way about tarot reading. I have no desire to consult a fortune-teller. I was born with second-sight but I understand that having a spiritual gift from God is not classified in the same category as divination.

Dear friends, do not believe everyone who claims to speak by the Spirit. You must test them to see if the spirit they have comes from God. For there are many false prophets in the world. –1 John 4:1

Some people have genuine supernatural gifts and misuse them but I hope those who do and have will repent and return to God even if it was done unintentionally.

Astrology is geared toward mainstream society as innocent fun and harmless entertainment. I read that astrology is from paganism, the worship of planets as Gods which makes no sense to me. I knew that it was a part of new age which in reality is just all a sad form of demonic worship.

As children of God, we shouldn’t read any of that garbage or partake in any similar modes of darkness set to sneakily trap/ensnare us.

We’ll confuse spirit guides (demonic entities) with angels of light if we’re not careful getting into that crap unknowingly. Satan does masquerade himself as an angel of the light. –But I am not surprised! Even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. -2 Corinthians 11:14

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For example, never sacrifice your son or daughter as a burnt offering. And do not let your people practice fortune-telling, or use sorcery, or interpret omens, or engage in witchcraft, or cast spells, or function as mediums or psychics, or call forth the spirits of the dead. Anyone who does these things is detestable to the LORD. It is because the other nations have done these detestable things that the LORD your God will drive them out ahead of you. -Deuteronomy 18:10-12

“Do not defile yourselves by turning to mediums or to those who consult the spirits of the dead. I am the LORD your God. -Leviticus 19:31

“I will also turn against those who commit spiritual prostitution by putting their trust in mediums or in those who consult the spirits of the dead. I will cut them off from the community.-Leviticus 20:6

“But cowards, unbelievers, the corrupt, murderers, the immoral, those who practice witchcraft, idol worshipers, and all liars—their fate is in the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death.” -Revelation 21:8

Outside the city are the dogs—the sorcerers, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idol worshipers, and all who love to live a lie. -Revelation 22:15

Feeling Of Fear

But when I am afraid, I will put my trust in you. -Psalms 56:3

A little while back, I was feeling a wave of fear and I told a woman who use to be a neighbor of mine.

In response, she told me to pray and ask about it. Then, wait for an answer.

So, I did. I prayed to the Lord that night, expressing my concern and any possible reason in particular for why I was experiencing this stream of fear.

When I awoke the next morning, I had initially forgot about the prayer and reply I had requested. Once I remembered, an answer had actually come into my mind. A voice spoke to me in my thoughts and said, “Have a little bit more faith in God”.

There it was. Plain and simple for my specific situation.

All of us are different, all going through our various seasons of life. While we experience these shifts in motion and change, we may also encounter a touch of fear or uncertainty. It is understandable, especially not knowing where our season may be weathering to, but the most important thing for us to know is that God is the one controlling the environment.

He orders the summer, the fall, the winter, and the spring. He’ll keep us warm when it’s cold. And he’ll keep us comfortable when things get too hot for us to handle.

God is there, even when he seems far away. He just wants us to have the faith to trust him when we can’t see past the fog.

Let God be the eyes we view our circumstances with as he already knows what’s upon and ahead, he will lead us through.

For we live by believing and not by seeing. -2 Corinthians 5:7

Mourning The Loss Of A Loved One

The LORD is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed. -Psalms 34:18

I know it hurts so much when you lose someone you cared for to death. The more you loved that person the more pain you feel. It is so beautiful and dreadful at the same time. The beauty lies within the affection, the dread lies within the separation.

Though nothing can ease the injury that reflects from the broken heart may there be the comfort in knowing for the believer and those who believed that their beloved is now within a better place.

Yes, we grieve and are heavily bereaved because we miss them so dearly. But it was in God’s will and maybe he took them home to release them from any further suffering.

Nevertheless, our departed are in the best hands of our Lord and savior/heavenly father.

Also, let there be comfort in knowing that one day we will be reunited with the ones we loved- and there will be no more sadness, no more crying, no more pain and no more death. Only love, peace, and happiness forever more.

All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is by his great mercy that we have been born again, because God raised Jesus Christ from the dead. Now we live with great expectation, and we have a priceless inheritance—an inheritance that is kept in heaven for you, pure and undefiled, beyond the reach of change and decay. And through your faith, God is protecting you by his power until you receive this salvation, which is ready to be revealed on the last day for all to see. So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you must endure many trials for a little while. These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world. You love him even though you have never seen him. Though you do not see him now, you trust him; and you rejoice with a glorious, inexpressible joy. The reward for trusting him will be the salvation of your souls. 1 Peter 1:3-9

God Knows All, So Come To Know Him

O LORD, you have examined my heart and know everything about me. You know when I sit down or stand up. You know my thoughts even when I’m far away. You see me when I travel and when I rest at home. You know everything I do. You know what I am going to say even before I say it, LORD. You go before me and follow me. You place your hand of blessing on my head. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too great for me to understand! I can never escape from your Spirit! I can never get away from your presence! -Psalms 139:1-7

What is done behind closed doors and in front of mirrors can be kept hidden unseen from others, and put far behind as to never have existed.

The walls of a room will never talk, the doors of a room will never open up to reveal anything that ever took place, and the mirrors within a room will never again reflect a scene displayed from the past.

One can even lie to themself, denying what no one else could prove unless there was substantial evidence or a credible witness.

The truth would be portrayed as a lie for as long as one continued to not admit, or forget.

Going back inside the rooms through the doors to look back into the mirrors sometimes can force or incite one to face a reality they may not prefer to accept.

The fact that even though actions and things will sometimes be or remain unknown to anyone else- it is still definitely known.

God knows.

No matter how hard one tries, how hard one runs, how hard one pretends they can never escape the one who is aware of all things.

No one can masquerade or play a charade on God.

Stop running, trying, and/or pretending and confess to the Lord what he already knows so that he may give you a peace, comfort and joy that the world does not give, understand, and is unable to take away.

Why carry a burden when you do not have to. Our good Lord is ever so merciful and full of grace. He is just waiting for anyone to come to him as he is ready to forgive, forget, and fulfill with a life of restoration and purpose to all those who surrender to his everlasting love and divine perfection.

But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness. -1 John 1:9

God Speaks

When I was a child, I spoke and thought and reasoned as a child. But when I grew up, I put away childish things. -1 Corinthians 13:11

I remember during my twenties I was very strong in prayer and talking to God, and getting feedback from the Lord.

Although he stays the same within his character situations do incline to change depending on our behavior, growth, trial, outlook, and so on. Many factors can play a role in our relationship with God.

I’ve noticed through various stages of my life from childhood to adulthood the different ways I’d feel the Lord’s presence and recognized his footprints making an impact.

He was always there but incorporated his provision in a wide range of demonstration according to how I progressed, and spiritually matured.

For example, when a baby is weaned off the bottle and can begin to eat solid food, they soon learn to balance drink with a cup and thoroughly chew with their teeth. The baby is starting to develop into a state where the parent doesn’t have to feed them as an infant need to be fed anymore.

Like newborn babies, you must crave pure spiritual milk so that you will grow into a full experience of salvation. Cry out for this nourishment, now that you have had a taste of the Lord’s kindness. -1 Peter 2:2-3

The child is becoming capable of feeding themself with the nurturing beforehand of the parent and the maturing of the body.

Eventually the child will walk on its own, talk, use the toilet on its own and then start school. So, the child will still need their parent’s guidance and supervision, however, the parent no longer has to carry the child in the way they did before.

Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness. -Colossians 2:7

Once we get to the levels where we need to be there are higher steps in experiencing the way God can and does work in our lives. He deals with us at our own pace he meets us where we’re at he knows if we are ready or not to move forward in certain areas and how we’ll be responsive.

Our experiences teach us, strengthen us, and enable us to deepen our relationship with the Lord if we allow our hearts to be directed through him.

Even when we don’t willingly desire to go through the bad times (and who does) he brings us out of our circumstances as better people. We then notice and hear his voice in an array of discerning ways.

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. -James 1:2-4

And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns. –Philippians 1:6

Ministering Angels

Therefore, angels are only servants—spirits sent to care for people who will inherit salvation. -Hebrews 1:14

One night before bed, fifteen years ago, I lit a candle on the floor beside my bed.

I had never lit a candle on the floor beside my bed before. Normally, if I lit one, I would put the glass encased candle upon the dresser or bureau, a safer place. I don’t know what I was thinking at the time. And this wasn’t a glass encased candle. It was a small white votive candle.

Anyhow, during the night I was sleeping very sound and comfortably when a divine touch awakened me, raised up my head and turned me around to see my blanket and sheet on fire just in time.

The grasp that was held onto me was gentle yet alerting, I’ll never forget the incident.

For the angel of the LORD is a guard; he surrounds and defends all who fear him. –Psalms 34:7

God’s mighty and powerful hand has been on me for all of my life and it is a shame how I couldn’t see how much he loved me back then. Going through things and the trials in life can alter our view of God especially when trauma is involved.

Satan plays his part too by lying to us, trying to manipulate us to think and believe God is against us.

Nevertheless, God has supernaturally intervened on my behalf a number of times in my life and it has built a strong faith and shaped me.

Daniel answered, “Long live the king! My God sent his angel to shut the lions’ mouths so that they would not hurt me, for I have been found innocent in his sight. And I have not wronged you, Your Majesty.” -Daniel 6:21-22

God’s Healing Touch

O LORD, if you heal me, I will be truly healed; if you save me, I will be truly saved. My praises are for you alone! Jeremiah 17:14

In 1984, my grandmother had a stroke. She remained in coma for three months and some presumed that she would eventually die.

A few associates of my mother’s told her to take me up to the hospital to see my grandmother, that maybe my presence could wake her up somehow, I guess.

One day my mother did take me to the hospital to visit my grandmother and I touched her hand and held it, and my grandmother awakened after three months of being in a comatose state.

Now I know that I myself didn’t have any power to actually bring my grandmother back to consciousness, but I know that God did because he wasn’t ready for my grandmother to have left the earth yet.

But I believe he may have intervened through my touch as he divinely works through who he chooses.

I was a child back then so maybe God had his reasons I don’t know and cannot say for sure why the incident transpired the way it did. I thought it was a beautiful moment, though.

It may have been a little faith on my part too for the Lord to wake my grandma up, it was so long ago I do not remember if I prayed for her or not but I do think I remember anticipating and believing she could wake up because others were encouraging my visit to her.

My grandmother recovered quite well and made very good improvements a while afterwards when she returned home.

I recall some women came to my grandmother to pray over her and to aid her in accepting Jesus as her Lord and savior.

She wasn’t one hundred percent capacitated as one side of her body was permanently paralyzed.

However, she was in her right mind, she was able to cook for herself, dress herself, wheel herself around the house, and she was able to verbally communicate with us (her family and others).

She just had a slight memory impairment as she knew what she wanted to say yet couldn’t get out some of her words but we articulated what she wanted to convey.

My grandmother lived another twenty years after the onset of her stroke, she probably would have lived longer if she hadn’t later on developed lung cancer from continuing to smoke.

Everyone tried to touch him, because healing power went out from him, and he healed everyone. -Luke 6:19

A God Of Mercy And Compassion

 

Are you in a dark or difficult place right now? Do you question whether God really loves you and find it hard to believe that he actually does?

Have you ever said to yourself or thought, “If God cared about me, he wouldn’t have allowed me to come into this world and be put through all kinds of unsavory experiences?

If so, you are not alone. Many people feel this way and have felt this way. Take heart, there is indeed a God up there in the heavens who is also all around us as well as inside of us- those of us who are his children (who he gave the right to become sons and daughters –john 1:12)- who loves us dearly.

Psalms 103:8-19 says,  The LORD is compassionate and merciful, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love. He will not constantly accuse us, nor remain angry forever. He does not punish us for all our sins; he does not deal harshly with us, as we deserve. For his unfailing love toward those who fear him is as great as the height of the heavens above the earth. He has removed our sins as far from us as the east is from the west. The LORD is like a father to his children, tender and compassionate to those who fear him. For he knows how weak we are; he remembers we are only dust. Our days on earth are like grass; like wildflowers, we bloom and die. The wind blows, and we are gone— as though we had never been here. But the love of the LORD remains forever with those who fear him. His salvation extends to the children’s children of those who are faithful to his covenant, of those who obey his commandments! The LORD has made the heavens his throne; from there he rules over everything.

His Spoken Word

Do you have the gift of speaking? Then speak as though God himself were speaking through you. Do you have the gift of helping others? Do it with all the strength and energy that God supplies. Then everything you do will bring glory to God through Jesus Christ. All glory and power to him forever and ever! Amen. 1 Peter 4:11

Sometimes God will speak directly to us through certain people to communicate to us exactly what he may want us to know.

He may have an encouraging word to share, a message of hope.

He may also take it upon himself to bring a little clarity and comfort to a situation one may have been struggling with.

The Lord goes these extra steps to show us just how much he loves us and to express his total concern for our well-being.

We will recognize when our Lord is corresponding with us by knowing his voice even if it is spoken by a human tongue.

A feeling of ease, peace, or contentment will settle around our presence, and upon the circumstance that has troubled or affected one. This is what happened to me someone else’s experience may be different.

In addition, the Lord stayed up with me all night (not that he ever sleeps) keeping me company and helping me to write as he worked his power through me to utilize my talents for his glory.

I am so impressed by God. My literature just flowed out effortlessly; I wasn’t even expecting it because earlier in the day I had wanted to write but did not feel up to it. I was feeling kind of down about something, but he just came and lifted up my spirits and kept me in place- holding me nearby. The Lord even had gotten me excited in the process.

And when I read his word in certain parts of scripture, I just love the way he talks and how he tells it like it is with such feeling and vigor.

God is something else! But most of all he is my confidant- my everything!

To one person the Spirit gives the ability to give wise advice; to another the same Spirit gives a message of special knowledge. The same Spirit gives great faith to another, and to someone else the one Spirit gives the gift of healing. He gives one person the power to perform miracles, and another the ability to prophesy. He gives someone else the ability to discern whether a message is from the Spirit of God or from another spirit. Still another person is given the ability to speak in unknown languages, while another is given the ability to interpret what is being said. 1 Corinthians 12:8-10

Underestimated By People? Never By God!

For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. Ephesians 2:10

Isn’t it something how certain people will judge you by social status, or measure your worth or success by what type of job or material possessions you may have or own?

A lot of individuals tend to go by what they see on the outside of a person’s life and what they know by what has been revealed about them. But what about the realities of that person which have not been showed to those individuals and circumstances not yet unveiled to them?

Does not knowing about another person’s attributes or capabilities make them any less capable or valuable? Absolutely not!

There are people walking around in high positions and gaining notoriety for things they didn’t actually earn or deserve.

If a person has not reached a particular level of achievement within life it does not mean or signify that they aren’t sufficient or talented enough in the specific area whatever that may be.

True success is not based on the opinions and desires of the world.

It does not matter what shifting individuals think or believe about us. It only matters what God knows about us.

The Lord created each and every one of us with a unique purpose to carry out. He gave us all that was required within our gifts, talents and abilities to perform our mission.

It is not up to anyone but God to determine what success means for the life we were given.

By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence. And because of his glory and excellence, he has given us great and precious promises. These are the promises that enable you to share his divine nature and escape the world’s corruption caused by human desires. -2 Peter 1:3-4

Standing Strong In Christ

For the LORD watches over the path of the godly, but the path of the wicked leads to destruction. -Psalms 1:6

When we trust in God and follow his lead, we appear foolish to others sometimes. There are occasionally going to be those cruel people who may criticize or attack you out of ignorance, a sick mentality, or just from their own feelings of insecurity and inadequacy.  

Do not allow yourself to be injured or discouraged by the actions they direct toward you. Their words and behavior are irrelevant, purely a reflection of themselves and the road they are traveling down.  

There is no need to pay attention to, or to give any energy to anything other than the estimation that God has of you. -You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed. How precious are your thoughts about me, O God? They cannot be numbered! -Psalms 139:16-17 

If God puts it in your heart to do something, do not hesitate to do it and if the Lord wants you to be a witness for him do not be afraid to declare your testimony in front of others.  

I am not saying to go around making a boisterous show among others I am urging you to never feel uncomfortable walking according to your faith.  

When you are among others, do you let them know that you love and follow your creator if the opportunity presents itself? Do you acknowledge your desire to not do what goes against your beliefs when questioned or faced in a situation? Do you acknowledge your love for Christian music over secular music? Do you read your biblical content openly in front of them? Would you pray in front of them without embarrassment if the moment called for it?  

If anyone is ashamed of me and my message in these adulterous and sinful days, the Son of Man will be ashamed of that person when he returns in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.” -Mark 8:38

Satan’s Idling

Upon waking up one morning, a voice in my thoughts spoke to me and said, “Don’t pay any attention to God. Immediately, I knew it was the voice of the enemy. I did not listen to the nonsense of those words at all. 

The devil and his demons will always endeavor to put lies and doubts into our minds suddenly to confuse or misdirect us, no matter how ludicrous or trivial the attempt may seem. 

Satan and his army have zero power over us because Jesus conquered long ago, however, they will still mess with us from time to time. 

Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith. Remember that your family of believers all over the world is going through the same kind of suffering you are. -1 Peter 5:8-9

True Gospel

My Introduction Devotional -LaToya Lawrence

I am not a preacher or any spiritual leader I am just inspired and encouraged to write messages centered around our daily walk with God. –And all of this is a gift from God, who brought us back to himself through Christ. And God has given us this task of reconciling people to him. For God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, no longer counting people’s sins against them. And he gave us this wonderful message of reconciliation. So we are Christ’s ambassadors; God is making his appeal through us. We speak for Christ when we plead, “Come back to God!” -2 Corinthians 5:18-20

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For we speak as messengers approved by God to be entrusted with the Good News. Our purpose is to please God, not people. He alone examines the motives of our hearts. -Thessalonians 2:4

If we are afraid to offend people with the truth then God cannot use us to spread the gospel and to be an example of his testimony. The gospel can indeed be offensive and there is no other way to approach or to get around this fact.

People would rather hear and listen to the lies from hell! They would prefer to believe that it is okay to have grace from God and live within accordance to the devil. –For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear. -2 Timothy 4:3

When is the last time we heard a blunt sermon from an evangelist who has access to reach across the nations through their fame and popularity? I cannot remember when there has been one bold enough to do so in years!

The preachers we see on television now are motivated by their high-pay and expensive lifestyles. They continue to water-down the gospel in order to maintain their fortune.

True believers are not inspired to seek out fame, money, or a title for themselves they are intent to preach about the consequences of sin, the importance of repentance and turning away from sin to live one’s life for Jesus at the cost of forsaking one’s self, and the world we live in.

There are even ministers in everyday churches that are not famous or well-known who are not preaching straightforward biblical truths. They have their own watered-down versions of what the gospel is too!

And now I make one more appeal, my dear brothers and sisters. Watch out for people who cause divisions and upset people’s faith by teaching things contrary to what you have been taught. Stay away from them. Such people are not serving Christ our Lord; they are serving their own personal interests. By smooth talk and glowing words they deceive innocent people. -Romans 16: 17-18

No one will be genuinely saved through the words of a false gospel or one messaged with half-truths.

There are severe repercussions to endure and blood on the hands of those who deceitfully mislead and cause others to fall. God does not want false conversions due to those in authority not conveying what is really the true gospel. –But if you cause one of these little ones who trusts in me to fall into sin, it would be better for you to have a large millstone tied around your neck and be drowned in the depths of the sea. -Matthew 18:6

It is so important for people to take upon themselves by reading scripture to validate fact from fiction. Never listen to anyone or anything that is not backed up by the bible.

Note: Some preachers or everyday people may understandably misinterpret scripture here and there and do not mean any harm within their utterances, however, there is always room for re-evaluation and correction.

In your journey, do not fear to stand up for truth and to not be persuaded by worldly comfort and worldly things to dilute the truth of God’s word.

“Not everyone who calls out to me, ‘Lord! Lord!’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Only those who actually do the will of my Father in heaven will enter. On judgment day many will say to me, ‘Lord! Lord! We prophesied in your name and cast out demons in your name and performed many miracles in your name.’ But I will reply, ‘I never knew you. Get away from me, you who break God’s laws.’ -Matthew 7:21-23