What is there to be ashamed of?

Romans 1:16-17 KJV
For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. [17] For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.

It’s said that this is the main principle of Romans. That if you understand this, you can understand all of Romans and I won’t lie; when I first tried to read Romans because you know they say it should be one of the first books you read, it used to confuse me. It was like Paul was speaking in riddles. I had to rely heavily on other translations and commentaries to get the full understanding, but if you ask me to try and explain it to someone…I will quickly tell you that is not my calling, lol. Because I normally pick up on stuff easily, by the grace of God, even reading the KJV, but Romans was one of those that I had to read and reread just to get an understanding. This part, I get.

I am not ashamed of the Gospel or the God I serve, even when the things that I do or have to endure look crazy to the people around me. I am not ashamed because I know where I should be at his moment. Where I could have been had he not saved me. So, I’m not offended when people call me crazy. I laugh, because sometimes I think I am too, but you have to be some type of crazy to believe wholeheartedly in a God you’ve never seen. To believe that he is real and will keep his promises. Especially when you’ve been through as much stuff as I have. I know it looks absolutely insane, because what good, loving father allows his kids to suffer at the hands of monsters? I get it. I used to ask that question myself. But God! Then he revealed himself to me in a way I had never seen before. When I truly started seeking him for myself and not through the lens of religion and self-righteousness, but truly seeking him with childlike awe and deep desperation for the truth…that’s when he revealed his heart to me. His heart for me. That is why, to this day, Jeremiah 29:11 remains one of if not my favorite scripture.

His plan for me is that I be reconciled to him. That I can go home to be with him when Jesus comes again, but in order to do that, the world has to be stripped from my heart and my soul. All the things that I should have never known or experienced have to be purged from my spirit. All of the demons/ spirits that I have come in covenant with and in contact with have to be banished and broken. I have to become who he originally intended me to be. If that requires heartbreak, then that is what I must endure. Jesus’ heart broke for his people. He wept when Lazarus died. God is not pleased with the suffering of his children. So, I bear the heartache with him. If it requires loving my friends and family despite the demons they carry, then love them I will. Jesus loved Judas, despite knowing his intentions. Judas still ate at the last supper, even though he was about to betray Jesus. Besides, I also learned that we suffer not just for ourselves, but for others who have or will encounter the same tests and trials so I can assist them in growing and healing from them. The children of Israel did not suffer slavery and the wilderness and allllllll of the many times they were invaded, captured, and scattered to the ends of the earth. It was also for an example to us some 2000+ years later. Abraham and Sarah did not have to deal with baby mama drama and bearing children in their old age for nothing. It was to show us what happens when we interfere with God’s plan, but how faithful he is to keep his word even when we disobey. In each story as well, there is a thread of hope. There was a blessing for their faithfulness. Testifying to his goodness when we choose to love him and obey him.

His mercy is so great that it extended not only to the Jews, his chosen but to the Gentiles as well. Those of us who would rather have worshiped ourselves and our own creations than to give honor and glory to the creator of it all. He opened the door through the death of his son so that we could become part of the family again. So, no, I am not ashamed of the Gospel. I (try to) walk by faith and not by sight. It’s not always easy, but I always have to think back to where he brought me from and then I’m good. It straightens me right out because I do not want to go back. As much fun as I thought I was having, it is not worth me going to hell. Period. Jesus is returning soon. It’s time to make a choice.

He has so much more for you

Proverbs 11:24-25 NIV
One person gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty. [25] A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.

I am a KJV kinda girl, but this passage of scriptures doesn’t read well for anyone who doesn’t normally use the KJV and I wanted to make sure that the overall message was understood and received. So, most of us know that the book of Proverbs is a book of wisdom written by Solomon to his sons. Practical advice passed down from generation so they could live a better life, so they would know how the world works and how to navigate it righteously and honestly.

When I read this scripture I felt like this was Solomon passing down the rules God had set for the children of Israel before they went into the promised land. This was the premise that would make them prosper and live peaceably with one another. Everyone would be taken care of and anyone who didn’t abide by the rules would come to ruin. I will continue to say that if we had stuck to these rules the world would have been a better place, but sin entered and here we are on the verge of destruction of our own making. Forsaking God and his ways for greed, vanity, pride, and consumerism; from all the lies the enemy promised us if we followed him; if we ate from the tree of knowledge of good and evil. Did he really say you couldn’t eat it? Ye shall not surely die. LIE! The word clearly says the wages of sin is death.

We are so used to saving and stashing and hoarding things. We rarely want to help anyone or give anything away and if we do, we’re trying to calculate how we can recooperate what we’ve lost. We forget that anything we give away God will replace and then some. The word tells us in 2 Corinthians 9:7, Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver. God loves a cheerful giver. We were blessed to be blessings to others. We can never be at a loss when Jesus Christ is for us. Everything we have was a gift or a blessing from him, how can we be stingy and try to hold on to it. I’ll never forget the Lord gave me a word to give to one of my previous landlords. He was revitalizing the neighborhood he grew up in. He was buying the houses that were abandoned and fixing them up. He was charging a bit much for rent but it was taking the neighborhood back to its old glory and I suppose the high rent kept out the unsavory elements, lol. Anyway, he told me to tell him to stop cutting corners in his renovations like he (God) wasn’t going to bless him with more. That hit my spirit, but I absolutely understood. That word had me crying, I’m talking about ugly crying and snotting, lol. He received the word. Don’t know if he heeded it, but he received it because the Lord went on to say that there was so much more he wanted him to do; bigger and better and he had to learn to trust him now. Baby! That still touches me.

What God gives us is meant to be shared, there is more coming. If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him? (Matthew 7:11) He has so much more he wants to give us, but if we never open our hands to release what’s in them, how can we receive what he’s waiting to give us? Holding on to material stuff is a sign of fear and a distrust of God. That you don’t believe his promises. It’s time to choose who’s report you’ll believe. The enemy will tell you that the Lord doesn’t love you and he doesn’t want you to be happy or wealthy, but the Lord tells us in Luke 6:38, Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again. We just have to trust him and believe that he is a promise keeper and he wants us to have everything he said you would have. The choice is yours.

He will send the one

Matthew 18:19-20 KJV
Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven. [20] For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.

There is a great debate about what this passage of scripture is actually referring to. Just like the enemy to find all of the pettiest stuff for us to argue about. Right? Keep the flames of internal strife stoked so we don’t pay attention to what’s really going on in the world and so the kingdom can’t advance. That’s the whole reason he gave man the idea of denominations. Can two walk together, except they be agreed? (Amos 3:3) If we can’t agree on the things of God, we definitely can’t advance the kingdom. Not properly anyway.

So, this passage of scripture is proceeded by the way in which we are to deal with our brothers and sisters who trespass against us. It says we should go to them and talk it out. If that doesn’t work, take witnesses. If that doesn’t work take them before the church and if that doesn’t work leave them alone. Don’t associate with them. Avoid them. However, if they do listen then you’ve gained a brother. After all of this it says if two shall agree ANYTHING that they ask, it shall be done. So while, yes this is referring to the redeeming of a brother or sister who has done some offense to you, he reminds us that when we stand together and agree, God will grant our requests.

It’s not to take away from how we should handle our brothers and sisters in a loving and fair way, but I don’t believe where this was placed was a coincidence. I don’t believe that it only refers to the solving of disputes between brethren. We know that there is something special about the number 2. The animals were taken 2×2 to the ark. The disciples were sent out 2×2. Marriage is reserved for two people. Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. (Ecclesiastes 4:9) That is why the Lord gave Adam, Eve. It is not good for man to be alone. We need accountability and someone to battle against the enemy with. Someone to stand in agreement with us in prayer and supplication before the throne. Where two stand and agree, God will hear from heaven and if it is beneficial for your purpose and his Glory, it will be done. That’s the part people forget to mention. God doesn’t just answer all of our prayers because someone is praying and agreeing with us. There has to be a benefit for you and that he will get the glory.

This dynamic of two is a means of protection and accountability. It is not to be taken lightly. Marriage is not to be taken lightly. Friendships are not to be taken lightly. Business partnerships are not to be taken lightly. If either of the two involved goes astray, there could be disastrous consequences for both. So they must be on one accord. They must not be unequally yoked. They must have the same destination and goals in mind. Otherwise, that’s how things go left. That’s why we must pray for divine connections and not just jump into stuff leaning on our own understanding. Desperation and impatience will cause us to make detrimental decisions. It’s always best to wait for God. His timing is perfect and it’s always the way he originally intended. Like the promised land. It was full of everything they needed to thrive. They just had to do the work to maintain it and remain obedient. But he gave us free will. We still have the choice to do it our own way or wait for his perfect will. The choice is yours. What will you choose?

Nobody said it would be easy

2 Chronicles 15:7 KJV
Be ye strong therefore, and let not your hands be weak: for your work shall be rewarded.

God knows how hard your walk is. He watched his only begotten Son walk it. Jesus knows because he walked it. He knows what it’s like to be tempted and to be heartbroken and to feel helpless, but his entire walk was possible because he believed his Father and trusted his plan. Everything he did he gave the glory to God. Not once did Jesus say it was easy, but what he did do was completely depended on God. What he did do was relied on his Father’s strength.

God knows that what he asked you to do is far bigger than you can comprehend or fathom, all he asks is that you trust and believe in him. When we are weak we are made strong. How does that happen? When we have exhausted all our own efforts and energy and give it to God, he will renew our strength. How many times in the bible did God send angels to minister to Jesus and to his prophets? Many, many times. It’s never been our battle, no matter how much we want to fight the enemy, the battle isn’t ours. This is a battle between our Father and the enemy. Whatever we need in this fight, God will supply. We are just collateral damage to the enemy in his plan to prove that he can be God or he is better than God, but we are beloved children to God.

So, take heart. Fear not, God’s got you. Even though our decision to love God and obey him should not be based on what we’ll receive, even though an eternity in heaven sounds like a good deal to me; there is a great reward. He never promised us happiness. He never promised us wealth. What he promised us was joy and peace. He promised us a long life in the promised land (whatever that looks like for you) if we obeyed him and kept his commandments. If we seek him and his righteousness, we will be clothed like the grass of the fields and fed like the birds of the air. He never promised us an extravagant life. He never promised riches and wealth untold while everyone is listening to this prosperity “gospel”. There will be some that are blessed to be a blessing to others financially, but that’s not for everyone and it’s not for personal gain. A lot of us have lost sight of what out real mission is here on earth and are chasing all the wrong things, worshipping and listening to all the wrong people.

We all have a specific purpose to fulfill, something God has placed in you to help his lost children to come back him. He knows it’s not easy. He knows that you will face adversity. He knows that you will struggle with self-doubt and even fear, but he wants us to remember that he is always with us. He wants us to know that the battle isn’t ours and that he has already laid the plan out. Everyone you will need to help you is already in place. The finances you need is already on reserve. We just need to get into alignment to be able to receive it. We just have to be obedient to what he called us to do and everything will be added unto us and we will receive our reward whether it’s here on earth or in heaven. So have no fear. God laid it all out and Jesus paid it all. What do you have to lose? The choice is yours.

He blesses whether you believe or not

Psalm 5:12 KJV
For thou, LORD, wilt bless the righteous; with favour wilt thou compass him as with a shield.

This is not just something Christians believe, it’s something we’ve experienced. It’s part of the reason why we believe. We’ve seen what happens when we love and trust and obey God and/or we witnessed his love and how he was there with us even in our mess and saved us despite our Jonah journey. We’ve been the recipients of favor we know we don’t deserve, but God is such an awesome Father. He will withhold nothing from us when we are in relationship with him. When you seek him with all your heart and soul, when you obey him, when you love him for who he is and not what he can do and not out of “fear”.

As much as I speak about the bad stuff that went on in my life, I have still witnessed God in ways I can’t explain. He has saved my life multiple times. He saved me from myself a million times. He’s thwarted the plan of the enemy to take me out time after time again and I know it was because of nothing I’ve done. I didn’t deserve any of it, but God! When you acknowledge him in all your ways, he will shield you with favor. People that don’t like you will still bless you. Jobs you aren’t “qualified” for according to the world’s standard, will be yours. I can’t even list all of the ways God will cover you in favor, you can only go and experience it for yourself.

Let’s not get it twisted either, Matthew 5:44-45 explains, But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; that ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. Even when you don’t believe in him, he still blesses. He is no respector of persons. We are all his children, it’s just that those of us that believe get special treatment. Those of us that obey him and get to know him better receive more of our inheritance. IJS, favor ain’t fair but it sure feels good, lol. iykyk

He never withholds anything from any of us, because he loves us all. He sent his son to die on the cross for ALL of us, not just some of us so why would he bless some and not all. Those of us who believe actually acknowledge that it was him and not the universe of some inanimate statue or crystals. We know who the King of Kings is. We know who the Lord of Lords is. We know who our heavenly Father is and we know that he supplies all of our needs and that without him we would not have any of the things that we have including life, health, and strength. Why has the world suffered for so long.? Why has he allowed evil to go on for thousands of years? Because he was waiting for you. He was waiting for you to get here. He knew the world needed the person you would become. He knew that you would be a champion for the Kingdom. He also knew that you would have a rocky start, that your life wouldn’t be all rainbows and butterflies, but he knew that you could handle it, that you would persevere, and you would inspire many to come to the throne of grace by your testimony. Have mercy! He was waiting for you. As I write this he reminded me of how God had to let the oldest generation, that was delivered out of Egypt, die off before he could let the children of Israel enter the promised land. Their children and grandchildren inherited the promise. It’s no different today. The things your great-grandmother and grandmother couldn’t or didn’t do now falls on you and your children. Will you accept God and enter the promised land or will you stand on Mount Nebo as Moses did and look at it from a distance? The choice is always yours.

All power belongs to him

Psalm 145:16 KJV
Thou openest thine hand, and satisfiest the desire of every living thing.

Now, I know some people are going to try and take this passage of scripture literally. That is why so many people misinterpret or misunderstand the bible. They take stuff waaaay out of context and don’t have a relationship with Christ so the Holy Spirit can break it down. So, let me tell you what I got from this when I read it. The desire of EVERY living thing is to be loved and to live; to have food, clothing, and shelter and before anyone comes and says why are there homeless people and children starving. Well, that is because people ignore God’s instructions. In the Old Testament, the Lord clearly outlines how we should live so that none would be without. However, that requires genuine care for your fellow man and loving your neighbors as yourself. Why does the world hate God, because he requires more from us than we are willing to give. Our greed makes us want to keep everything for ourselves and to compete to have the best and to covet what others have. From FOMO to BOGO and everything in between, we want everything that we think will make our lives easier or better or whatever adjective we come up with to justify our hoarding, consumerist addictions.

It always makes me laugh when I think about how many people could not survive if they didn’t have all of the creature comforts we have today. People ask me how I can stay in the house all the time or be by myself all the time, it’s because I don’t need what everyone else does. If I’m not reading or writing or listening to music or all of the above, I’m compiling new recipes to try. I’m trying to deepen my relationship with God. There is a constant conversation going on between me and him so I don’t need anything else. I have everything I need. I referenced this in a blog the other day. When the disciples got sent out they were sent out with nothing. Not because God is mean or wanted them to die of starvation or thirst, but he wanted them to completely trust him. Trust that he would make provision for them on their journey and everywhere they went, they were taken care of and whatever couldn’t be provided, they had no problem working for what they needed. They all had a skill of some sort and/or had a heart to help the people.

Had we followed God’s outline for everyone to have the best lives, the world would not look the way it does. Yet, we point the finger at him for everything. If he takes care of the evil people he is a tyrant if he doesn’t he is a heartless God who just lets evil and injustice run rampant on the earth. When the truth is, he is a living and generous God. You have the freedom to do whatever you want to do but at a cost. He sent his son to die for you. Can you pay that price? Nope, we cannot but he allows to live on whether we curse him or love him. You can do whatever you want, but you can’t blame him for the outcome of your choices. He is willing to give you everything you want and need if you obey him. Like any parent. He only wants the best for us. What parent rewards bad behavior? Rebellion? Running away? Back talking or cursing? There is always a punishment for any of those. Right? Right. So why is it different for Daddy? You wanted freedom, you got it and just because you didn’t go out and choose to be an awful human being, everyone is not the same. Like Eve, the lies sound good. The promise of riches and fame outweighs the lives of other humans and the mansion we are promised in heaven, with eternal life to enjoy in the presence of God, to more people than you think.

He opens his hand and satisfies the desires of every living thing…..can you even fathom the gravity of that statement? He has the power and capacity to do it. Noone else does. While the world keeps trying to teachus that we are gods, the masters of our our destinies. Create a new world with just your words. Create another human by forming it from dirt, then breathe life into it. You can not!! He opens his hand a everything breathes. He opens his hand and everything has food. Why are there people going hungry? Because people are not heeding the still small voice. They bury it and all the ideas God gave them to help fix it. The feeling of inadequacy and doubt leaves people unable to move or just plain ole stubbornness that wants to ignore God because why can’t they get up and go to work like me? They aren’t going to do anything but buy alcohol or drugs. So people perish because those with the means to help will not. We would not seek him or love him if he stepped in and handled everything. We’re already acting like entitled brats with no sense of duty, no compassion, and no accountability. We should be taking care of each other instead of waiting for a God that most don’t even believe in to take care of the mess we made. IJS!

He is rich beyond measure. We could have anything we want but if he gave it to us, how badly would we mismanage it? That is the purpose of the testing and trials and tribulations so we can be transformed by the renewing of our minds. Our minds need to be changed so that we can fully carry out what it is God placed in us to do. So that we don’t mismanage the provision he sends to carry it out; that could be finances, a business partner, a spouse, or a child. Our minds also need to be changed so that his desires become our desires. There is a purpose for everything he does. You have to be open and receptive to perceive it. You have to accept that he has a better plan than you do; that he only wants the best for all of his children and sometimes that means he will use us to carry it out & accomplish it. Whether it’s through us or someone else, his word will not return to him void. It will accomplish that which it set out to do. With or without you. And please don’t think that just because you don’t believe that he won’t use you to bless someone else, lol. However, the choice is yours. You get to decide how you will spend your life. You get to decide whether God is worth a like and follow, but don’t be angry at the results.

His promise still stands

Isaiah 49:10 KJV
They shall not hunger nor thirst; neither shall the heat nor sun smite them: for he that hath mercy on them shall lead them, even by the springs of water shall he guide them.

So, right off the bat, this is a continuation of the message from Friday. The Lord is serious about us accepting our calling and moving forward in his strength and wisdom. Isaiah was sent to warn the people of the impending war and admonished them to repent. He reminded them how their false gods could not do what the true and living God could. He was sent to tell them that though they had sinned against God and would be punished, if they repented he would redeem them and they would be his beloved remnant. Every time the children of Israel turned away from God, we bear witness to his longsuffering and mercy. There will always be repercussions, but he will always forgive you and take you back as long as you’re willing to return.

God doesn’t turn his back on his people. They turn their backs on him because our love is conditional, it has limits. We have no clue how to love God. Without a relationship, you won’t know who he truly is to understand his heart and what he wants from us and for us. Without a relationship, it’s easy to walk away when things don’t go the way you planned. It’s easy to blame God for a loved one passing away. It’s easy to say where were you God or why are you letting this happen God? People that know him for themselves, may not always understand but are willing to bear it until they do. They don’t easily switch sides when the going gets tough. The attacks of the enemy don’t shake them and if they fall they get back up fighting because while they were down they were praying down heaven.

Those who repent and turn back to Christ are accepted with open arms. The slate has been wiped clean and the same promise applies. He doesn’t change his mind about what he wants to do for you when you follow him. Every time the children of Israel were taken captive or exiled and the Lord redeemed them, he allowed them to come back to the same promised land that he gave their forefathers. He would call all of those who had been scattered back home and he would send someone special to lead them back to rebuild. The same goes for us. We may get beaten down, may lose everything, may be exiled but when we repent and he calls us home, he no longer sees the sin or the offense and he blesses anyway. Like the prodigal son. His dad held a feast for him and put on him an expensive robe, a ring, and new shoes even though he did the fool out in the world. He was just glad that he had returned safely and was no longer dead in the spirit chasing after worldly things. The son recognized that he had everything at his father’s house and that even the slaves had food to eat. That it was best for him to go home. He learned a valuable lesson about the world and material things; they are TEMPORARY and when you no longer have them the world you desired will turn its back on you, but his Father (our Father) will always be there no matter what he looked like or what he’d done.

It is not too late to repent and turn back to God. He has held on to your promises while you were away. He didn’t let anyone ravage it or take ownership of it because he knew you’d return one day. The world can’t give you what God can. All he asks is that you love your brothers and sisters enough to go get them and bring them out of the pig pen back into the pasture of the great Shephard; clothe them, feed them, and put shoes on their feet. Love them so much that you can’t just watch them perish for lack of knowledge. Love them so much, they can’t help but seek the God you serve because they can feel his love for them through you. Have mercy. Love them like you love yourself. Love them like you love your children and only want the best for them. Love them like your family, that you do not wish to see go to hell, but rather in heaven when Jesus returns. However, God gave us free will. You are free enough to exercise it and choose. Stay in the pig pen with the world or be cleaned up and adorned in royal robes to sit at a feast set out by your heavenly Father who loved you so much he allowed his son to die for you. Just so you didn’t have to. The choice is yours.

You can forfeit everything if you give up

Psalm 27:14 KJV
Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.

I don’t remember how many times the phrase be of good courage appears in the bible, but it’s a lot. What does that actually mean though? Be of good courage? Courage means, mental or moral strength to venture, persevere, and withstand danger, fear, or difficulty. Good courage is the addition of faith to that definition. Waiting on God takes faith and courage. Waiting through difficult times, difficult circumstances, loss and heartbreak is the epitome of faith. Even if God hasn’t given you specific promises, the Bible is still full of them; the peace of God that passes all understanding, your hearts desires, a mansion in heaven. He has made some pretty bold promises just for believing in him, being obedient to him, and loving him.

Waiting is not easy. You think you’re doing everything right, but nothing is happening. He makes you a promise, but it’s been years and he still hasn’t made good on it. It’s easier to walk away and do everything your own way. It’s easier to stop believing and stop waiting, because it doesn’t require anything from you. You aren’t having to depend on anyone else or having to do things according to anyone else’s timeline. But those that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint (Isaiah 40:31) he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved (Matthew 24:13).

I’ve written about several of the promises God has made me before. It’s been years, literally a decade since he made me some pretty fantastical promises and still I wait. Have I been frustrated? Yes. Have I wanted to give up? Absolutely. Did I ever think that I didn’t hear what I heard? Of course. Did I throw tantrums and scream and holler, asking the Lord why and what’s going on? Telling him how I couldn’t take anymore, but did I ever give up? Not a chance!

People don’t realize that what we can do for ourselves is nothing compared to what God can do for us. That job you think you want is nothing compared to the job God has for you. That spouse you want is nothing compared to the one God has chosen for you. That car you want is nothing compared to the car the Lord wants you to have. He is in every little detail of our lives. He wants it all. You can’t let him just be Lord over certain parts of your life. He wants your marriage, your finances, your children, your friends, your job, your co-workers, your neighbors, your enemies. Leave them all at his feet and watch him work. Do you know how much the Lord delights when you trust him enough to leave stuff with him? They were never yours to begin with, but even more so, they were never yours to worry about. He said cast all your cares on me and we should do just that. Sometimes, things don’t happen because we won’t release them to him. We are always holding on to them trying to find a way to do things by ourselves in our own strength. While waiting on the Lord is difficult and frustrating, at times, it is so worth it. As always though, the choice is yours.

For culture or for God?

Proverbs 3:3-4 KJV
Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart: [4] So shalt thou find favour and good understanding in the sight of God and man.

Apparently this is what’s on God’s heart for me to discuss. He has been given such a bad name. Not just because he is the way, the truth, and the light, but also because he has been gravely misrepresented. If we’re being honest, we have not been the best example of Christ to those around us. We still curse, we fornicate, we get drunk, we gossip, we judge and condemn. We aren’t kind or compassionate. We have no empathy. We are proud and boastful, selfish and arrogant. We are so concerned about getting our blessings that we can’t be a blessing to someone else. We don’t know how to be content with what we have. Swayed by every new shiny thing that is dangled in front of us. Yet we profess to the world we are “Christians” because we attend church on Saturday or Sunday.

Our lives are not our own. Our lives belong to the one who gave us life and gave his life. Our lives are to be examples of true discipleship. God has gotten such a bad rap, who is the true example of who he is? We don’t like that people blaspheme the triune and mock the Almighty, but do nothing to change the world’s view, doing everything to prove them right. Pastors being exposed for the truth of their human & sinful nature. Exposing the sin of idolatry in the church. The Lord is not happy with the business that is going on in the church either. The tables are being flipped over again with Jesus saying “My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves.” (Matthew 21:13) Everything that has been done in the dark is being brought to the light. Who is so demented enough to think that they could hide anything from God? The arrogance of their father, the enemy, is in them. They are full of lies just like their father, the enemy. In it for the fame and fortune, not the edification of the kingdom or leading lost souls to Christ.

God is not pleased with the current state of his bride. She is lazy, gluttonous, idolatrous, and unfaithful. Her speech is full of cruelty and bitterness. She is full of envy and pride. She has no compassion for her fellow man and seeks only to fulfill the pleasures of her flesh and her own heart’s desires. Seeking the validation of men. Working harder to impress man than she does seeking a relationship with the Creator. Drowning out the voice of the Father with the noise of being busy. Utilizing hustle culture to be her own savior and god. Believing in the lie that she can do it better than God. Preposterous! If it weren’t for us, we wouldn’t have to work so hard to survive. Had we adhered to the rules God set for us we would all be prospering. There would be no homeless. There would be none dying of starvation. But we believe the lie that God doesn’t care and that he doesn’t want us to be happy, instead of taking responsibility for the role we played in the demise of the earth. Instead of looking at the choices we made as humanity every time God bailed us out or gave us the opportunity to do better. We chose violence every time.

It’s time for us to examine our lives, our motives, our words, and our actions. How do those around you view you? Does your life point people to the cross? To repentance? Does it display the love and compassion of our Lord Jesus Christ? Nobody said be perfect, but we gotta do better than what we’ve been doing. It’s all a choice. What will you choose?

He has called you to rest

1 Kings 8:56 KJV
Blessed be the LORD, that hath given rest unto his people Israel (insert your name) ___________, according to all that he promised: there hath not failed one word of all his good promise, which he promised by the hand of Moses his servant.

Everyone can not relate to this message. Many people are praying for or hoping for stuff, but not many can honestly say that God promised them something. That takes a certain type of relationship with him. This is not to brag or to boast, but I’ve been in the trenches with the Lord and he has made me some hefty promises and given me some visions that are so grand it’s hard to believe they’ll come to fruition. That’s why he told me that this year, I had to learn to receive. I have to allow him to break off the spirit of self-doubt and unworthiness and don the garments of royalty; like I am a daughter (an heiress to the throne) of the Most High King. I have to accept who I am to him and through him.

For many of the children of God, the plandemic was the beginning of something supernatural. He called us out of the cities, out of the workforce, out of unequally yoked marriages, one-sided friendships, and toxic relationships of every kind for us to rest. He entreated us to trust him and rest in his bosom. He implored us to lay every weight at his feet and let him fight all our battles. He encouraged us to engage in more self-care, especially for those who have sacrificed so much for so many. He wanted us to rest because the day will come when rest will be fleeting. Our missions will require more from us than ever before. So, not only was this time he set us apart for rest but for us to learn to trust him completely also. He wanted us to learn to be like the disciples he sent out with nothing but had all their needs supplied. Have mercy.

There was a time when all the children of Israel did was fight when they entered the promised land. They had to fight other nations to lay hold of what God promised them. With that promise, he also gave them the promise of a time of rest when they could enjoy the land he promised them as long as they were obedient and removed all of the foreigners from the land. Hmmm. I hope somebody caught that. Not everything the Lord gives us will be easy, but he promises that he will never forsake us and that there will be a time of rest and joy. Hallelujah! We just have to believe, receive, obey, and hold on.