God still...

1 Timothy 1-4

1 Timothy 4:12-14 Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity. ¹³ Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching. ¹⁴ Do not neglect your gift, which was given you through prophecy when the body of elders laid their hands on you.

Paul discipled young men that wanted more out of life than what the world wanted. When Paul was a young man he studied and followed the law in his own way. Than when God captured him, and Paul started seeing things differently he realized there was a different way of living and not all young men were like him. Paul knew that being young was tough and that teens make a lot of mistakes, but he wanted them to know that they didn't have to live that way. That there was a way of living that when they grow up they wouldn't have a life of regrets.

Young people have it tough. They are trying to learn whats really the truth. What really works for them in life. They experiment with drugs, sexuality, emotions, etc. And when they become an adult and find their self confidence they look back and wished they didn't do all that they did.

God wants to give teens a gift. The gift of a better future and a better adulthood. God believes in our teens. God believed in me. I knew this scripture as a teen and it stuck with me. I didn't always follow it, but no matter what i was going through or how i felt, i remembered that God believed that i could do anything i put my heart to. God didn't see me as a teenager but as a believer and as His follower. God saw me not as a immature girl but as the mature wise woman i could be. God didn't reject me like everyone else when i said or did something stupid. He held me and corrected me with His mercy.

And even though I'm not a teenager anymore, God still holds me. God still sees me. God still loves me.

Father,
Thank you for your love even at times when i don't deserve it. Thank you that because of your cross I am free from being bound in sin. You are Christ that loves me and forgives me. Lord, please forgive me for my selfish ways and thoughts. I do things that don't please you but Lord search my heart and you will see how much I love you. You are my everything and all i need is you. Hold me and guide me on your path that I may find you.
I forever love you always
Amen

Spotlight

Romans 13-16

Romans 14:13 ¹³ Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in the way of a brother or sister.

Paul had worked with many churches by the time he wrote this letter to the Romans. He knew that even people in the church are easily swayed by human emotions and weaknesses. One of the greatest human weaknesses is judgment. Thinking we are the judger, thinking we are better than the person next to us.

When someone judges another it doesn't mean one is better than the other, it actually is saying that the person who is judging has the bigger problem. When someone points to finger at another especially pointing out their faults the finger pointer usually has bigger sins to hide, therefore they want to put the spotlight on someone else.

God said that He would judge the world. He is the judger of people, because He is perfect. Jesus told us not to judge others because there will be a day of judgement, where people will get theirs. I sometimes find myself judging others because I feel they are being hypocrites, yet when i think that way I am a hypocrite. It is not my duty to point the finger at someone else and be okay with me only looking at their sins. Even if I know someone is sinning and they are being judgemental, I have to just give it to God. Give God my feelings about the situation, give God my thoughts (good or bad), give God all that I have so that He (the true judge) can take it and do His will.

Father.
Thank you for being the true judge. Thank you for taking my bad thoughts and hypocritical feelings and doing your will. I know that i will still have those feelings and may say things I shouldn't in time but Lord during those times (whether i know what i am doing or not) take whats inside of me and throw it out. I don't want to even use the word hypocrite because your grace and mercy has saved us ALL.
I forever love you always
Amen

Blinded

Psalm 125; Matthew 26-27

Matthew 27:42-44 “He saved others,” they said, “but he can’t save himself! He’s the king of Israel! Let him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in him. ⁴³ He trusts in God. Let God rescue him now if he wants him, for he said, ‘I am the Son of God.’” ⁴⁴ In the same way the rebels who were crucified with him also heaped insults on him.

The Pharisees and Jews spit on Jesus, yelled at Him, cursed Him, laughed at Him, hit Him, mocked Him, etc. They took a man that they thought was weak and took advantage of the fact that he was bound with shackles. They saw that He wouldn't fight back or even say anything in His defense. They thought they were stronger than Him by what they saw with their eyes.

People are so blind by what they see that they are sheltered from the truth. A persons mind forgets the important things and only remembers the things that get them ahead in life. I'm sure that those people that mocked Jesus thought they were doing the right thing by following everyone else, because it was what other people thought that mattered. And its still the same thousand years later, people today are still blinded by their own selfishness.
People are beat in front of them and they "can't get involved".
People are hurt by others opinions so they feel they have to "take control" and shut people up.
The devil is sitting right in front of them and they shake hands with him instead of kicking his butt.

Its time to open our eyes to what God is saying and doing. He wants us to see the truth for what it is and live by it. Jesus is calling us to stick up for Him now instead of being quiet. No one fought for Him and His rights to live. No one tried to stop the crucifixion. He died. And others laughed.
But now its time. Its time to stick up for Christ. Stick up for His cause and not remain quiet. Its time to love on Jesus and proclaim that Yes He is the Messiah. He is Lord, He is Savior, He is King.

Father,
Thank you for your power and authority over my life. You are my Savior yesterday, today and forever. You are King and Majesty over all the earth. You are Lord or Lords and I praise you because you are worthy and Holy.
I forever love you always
Amen

No Eye Balls

Matthew 17-19 ^a]">
Matthew 18:7-9
⁷ Woe to the world because of the things that cause people to stumble! Such things must come, but woe to the person through whom they come! ⁸ If your hand or your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life maimed or crippled than to have two hands or two feet and be thrown into eternal fire. ⁹ And if your eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life with one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into the fire of hell.

Jesus came to this earth to know how it felt to be human. God is spirit, divine, perfect and didn't know why humans acted like humans. Jesus came and felt all that we feel. He came and was tempted like we are tempted. He had thoughts like we do, felt what we feel, heard what we hear. So when it was time for Jesus to be tempted, instead of falling His thoughts and heart were with God. His priority was the kingdom of heaven and not what someone else will think of me. He knew the true meaning of following Gods will, no matter how much it hurt.

When I stumble, I bring it to God. I allow God to do His will in my life through the mistakes that I make. I know that Jesus doesn't want me to gouge out my eye physically (maybe back in the day) but to destroy anything and everything that is making me stumble and sin. He wants me to get rid of every little thing that makes me fall. Its better to get rid of what makes you sin than to go to the fiery pits of hell.

There are times when I do sin that I go to others and pray for me. Jesus doesn't want us to do things alone. He wants us to find others and pray for one another so our voices will connect with our spirits and God can hear us pleading for Him.

¹⁹ “Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. ²⁰ For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.”

Father,
Thank you that you made this world unique. Each and every person is different in their own way and we all struggle with different things. You are Creator and Maker of all and I praise you for forgiveness, Grace, Mercy, Hope, and Love. You Lord are the Creator of a better tomorrow. You are the Maker of a brighter future. Your forgiveness is what keeps me going. Your Grace is what makes my heart beat. Your Mercy is what gets me closer to You. Your Hope is what wakes me up in the morning. Your Love is what makes me breathe.
I forever love you always
Amen

Perfect in weakness

Psalm 124; 2 Corinthians 11-13

2 Corinthians 12:9-10 ⁹ But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. ¹⁰ That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

Paul was a strong man. His faith and hope were totally and completely engulfed in God. Anything that he went through he first went to God and put his trust in Him. Even though he was strong he also knew he was weak which made him more reachable to the people who needed Christ the most.

People in authority sometimes make themselves seem more like God than human. They sometimes forget that they are still tempted and still sin everyday. We all have weaknesses. I have plenty weaknesses. I've had more in the past when i didn't know how to be strong but now that I am stronger I am more in control. I can tell people my weaknesses without being embarrassed and allow others to come into my life and be accountable for me. I believe that is why Paul boasted about his weaknesses, so people would take into account those things and if he was ever in a compromising situation than those people would help him make the right decisions.

Father,
Thank you for loving me so much that your love has made me stronger than before. I know I still fall in my weaknesses but through your power I can rise up and meet you where you are.
I forever love you always
Amen

Live as a Believer

Job 35-36; 1 Corinthians 7-8

1 Corinthians 7:17 ¹⁷ Nevertheless, each person should live as a believer in whatever situation the Lord has assigned to them, just as God has called them. This is the rule I lay down in all the churches.

Paul wrote what he lived. He wrote by example, through his own life, his own temptations, his own weaknesses and strengths. He knew what it was like to live with and in the world and how to live with and in the Spirit. He saw the problems of a marriage from the outside view which means it was worse from the inside. And he lived as a single man wholly devoted to God.

As a believer and a leader, the situations i go through seem to explode 100 x's more. My life and path that i choose is reflected on by others especially for others to see the end result. My sins feel 100 x's worse too. Paul tells me that whatever situation I am in, I need to live as a believer. When i make a mistake...pick myself back up and live as a believer. When someone doesn't like me, don't hate on them back...I am to live as a believer. When I think i have done the worst thing i could do and feel confused, frustrated, numb...I am not to fall back into old ways...I am to live as a believer.

Lord,
You have assigned me this life. You have given me this time to be with you and follow you and love you. And sometimes I fall back, I sin, I do stupid things and let my flesh take over, but i want to live as Your believer. As someone who believes in You. As someone who worships You. As someone who loves You. Father, forgive my sins that yes i do forget about the sin and only think selfishly. Guide me to your true and forever righteousness,
I forever love you always
Amen

Pilate the Coward

Job 26-27; Mark 15-16

^{Mark 15:12-15
12} “What shall I do, then, with the one you call the king of the Jews?” Pilate asked them.

¹³ “Crucify him!” they shouted.

¹⁴ “Why? What crime has he committed?” asked Pilate.

But they shouted all the louder, “Crucify him!”

¹⁵ Wanting to satisfy the crowd, Pilate released Barabbas to them. He had Jesus flogged, and handed him over to be crucified.

Pilate was in a pickle. He was the leader, he held Jesus' life in his hand and saw found nothing wrong with him. Pilate had a decision to make, do what the people say or listen to his gut. He listened to the people.

Living in a society where other people have a great influence, its easy to point the finger and Pilate and call him a coward. But looking at daily life, we make this decision everyday. "Its either them or me". And we would probably do what Pilate did: put ourselves first before anyone else, no matter how innocent they are. We unfortunately live in a selfish world with selfish people, but God came to become the light at the end of the tunnel. And with that light, we can be different.

Its easy in my area of work to have a bad attitude to people. I can snarl at them back and shake my head back and forth to them if i wanted to. Last night a lady asked me a question and i gave her an answer with a smile, but she decided to give me straight attitude! I could've done it right back if i wanted to but i answered her again...with a smile. And I'm glad i did because a lady was watching me the whole time and was surprised that i kept my composure. She even told me that she used to be the one who would have the attitude all the time with everyone, but now shes asked God to help change her heart. Telling her I'm a Pastor didn't surprise her because of how i kept myself in the situation. And however someone treats me, i have to remember that someone is always watching.

Father,

Thank you for the patience that you have instilled in my life. You have planted a seed inside of me that i can take to others and they can see who You are in me. Lord, keep using me for your good and guide me to your path everyday. I will not give up on you, your word, your promises, and your presence in my life. You are my everything

I forever love you always, Amen

Sold Out

Job 25; Mark 13-14

Mark 14:29-31

²⁹ Peter declared, “Even if all fall away, I will not.”

³⁰ “Truly I tell you,” Jesus answered, “today—yes, tonight—before the rooster crows twice^e]">[e] you yourself will disown me three times.”

³¹ But Peter insisted emphatically, “Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you.” And all the others said the same.

Peter was a rash man. He spoke before he could think about what was going out of his mouth. He was the type of man that was very emotional. He was led by his emotions and sometimes that got him in trouble. Peter was gung-ho for Jesus. He loved the cause and believed with all his heart that Jesus would save them. He was next to Jesus when he did miracles, when he healed the sick and stood up to the Pharisees. He was sold out.

There are good reasons and bad reasons to be sold out.

Good: you believe in something bigger than yourself. /The cause you are following is for the greater good. / You know you are doing something that is not selfish and helping others at the same time.

Bad: You can get so tied up in something that you forget why you were sold out in the first place.

I am a sold out Christian. Yet, in time I have realized the pros and cons and tried to keep my emotions in check and see the reality of it all. Sometimes there are people in my life who are also sold out but become sell outs. I don't want to do that. I want to remain sold out and know that I am not perfect. Believe that Jesus loves me for who I am and he remains loving me even with my faults. I don't ever want to doubt in Gods existence and choose another path just cause life doesn't deal me the perfect cards. I want to keep walking on the road that God is guiding me on and remain focused on him.

Peter had the right idea. He thought with all his heart that he would NEVER betray Jesus. But even a disciple of Christ can be led astray. We are all guilty of sin, and betray Jesus with that sin. But the good thing about Peter? He came back, on his knees, broken and ready to try again.

Father,

Thank you for brokenness. Peter was a broken man after he realized what his heart truly held. But he came back and I thank you for allowing me to come back. Thank you for helping me be a better person and showing me what my heart truly entails. I am not perfect nor anything close to it, but I want to be close to you. Close to your heart, close to your life. I love you.

I forever love you Always, Amen.

Search Deep

Job 20; Mark 3-4

Job 20:4-7 ⁴ "Surely you know how it has been from of old, ever since man ^a]">[a] was placed on the earth,

⁵ that the mirth of the wicked is brief,
the joy of the godless lasts but a moment.

⁶ Though his pride reaches to the heavens
and his head touches the clouds,

⁷ he will perish forever, like his own dung; those who have seen him will say, 'Where is he?'

Job was a good man. He loved God and did all he could to give all he had to God. He was chosen personally from the devil as a test. God knew Jobs heart; the devil didn't yet the devil thought he would be able to sway Job away from the Lord if he destroyed him physically, emotionally, and spiritually. But even when his wife, his friends, his family turned their backs on him, he remained focused on God.

Jobs friend in this passage was trying to tell Job to search his heart because he must have done something wrong. People think if bad things happen, you must have done something bad. If your life is wrong than sin must be lingering in your heart and to get life right again than you must get the sin out. But that's not the case here, and its not always the case now. Job loved God and wasn't afraid to show it. Yet he was a good man with bad things happening to him. We can't always be quick to judge a situation by looking at the surface. That's what Jobs family and friends did. They saw him and started pointing fingers accusing him of sin, but Job was clean.

As human, it is easy to judge a situation by just looking at the outside of it. I can see something and easily pick someone to blame and get it over with. But once you hear the heart and whats truly beating inside of it is when you see the truth. I am someone that has to hear the heart because I have been judged superficially too many times and i don't wish that on anyone. Its a horrible feeling, like anything you do can never be right. But if i want to be just, and be like Christ, than I have to search deep and not stop searching until i really see someones heart and not their surface.

Father,

Thank you for allowing me to see things through your eyes. I know I don't always get it right and I am quick tempered and forgive me for those times that I have judged someone on their outside look and not seen their true heart. Help me to be better and see better and know better. Be my guide and my help in my time of true need.

I forever love you always

Amen

Beautiful Difference

Job 19; Mark 1-2

Mark 2:27
²⁷Then he said to them, "The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. ²⁸So the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath."

At this point of Jesus' time, he was beginning in his journey as the Messiah. He was letting the people see his works and miracles. He hadn't given a big teaching or given any explanation of who he was or what he was doing. He was being Jesus.

So many people today are easily swayed by words, propaganda, agendas, etc. They buy into such seriousness and don't learn to live life happy. Jesus said that the Sabbath was made for man, therefore it is our choice of how we spend the sabbath. We are to give God our attention and service to him, we are not to work, but enjoy that day. However the Jews wanted to keep to their old traditions and not change it in any way. They didn't want to help people on the sabbath. They didn't want to go out of their way to lend a hand on the sabbath. They didn't want to open their home to anyone on the sabbath. Because years before that's how the people of old would do things.

But Jesus is saying the old is gone and the new is here. Jesus came to change how we see things. He wants us to stay focused on the prize, to win the race...however there are some people that run, walk, crawl, jump, skip, slide...and Jesus says "that's just fine". Jesus wants us all to get to His kingdom but we will all go in different ways, and as long as those ways are pleasing to Him, than go for it.

Father,
Thank you for making things differently. I am blessed to see different people, different colors, different seasons, different styles and be happy for it. I know that everyone is unique because they were made in your image and by your hands which makes all the difference beautiful. You are beautiful.
I forever love you always,
Amen

God is Simple

Job 13-14; Acts 17-18
Acts 17:24-25 ²⁴"The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by hands. ²⁵And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything, because he himself gives all men life and breath and everything else.

Paul was a dynamic speaker. Whenever he would preach he would give his heart and soul to matter. He knew that God was real, that the Crucifixion was real, and he knew what God did for this earth and its people. However, other people didn't know and he was determined to tell them.
Paul was upset that people wouldn't listen and didn't care about the God that was keeping them alive. They had temples and statues built for other gods that didn't really exist. The people wanted something tangible but there God is something spiritual. And that's what Paul wanted them to understand.

God is powerful. He doesn't need a temple for himself or a statue for us to guess what he looks like. The church is a essentially a place, not for God, but for his people. We build churches for ourselves, to come together and worship Him. But we can do that anywhere. We can come together and worship and talk about God outside, in our homes, or even in the bathroom. God is everywhere. It's when we use those churches to build idols of Him is when we come into the wrong.
God wants us to love him, know him, have a relationship with him...simple things. He doesn't want us to build things, reject people, or hurt others in His name. He may have created the world, created us humans, given us life and breath, but He is simple because all he simply wants is love.

Lord,
Thank you for creating me. For creating this beautiful world full of its beautiful splendors and wonders. No human could have created such color, mountains, flowers, seasons, or differences in this world. It was from a divine being so much greater than a human mind. It was you. And I thank you for the love you gave to me first and i am so blessed to have you in my life.
I forever love you always
Amen

10/13/10 Baptism

Nehemiah 9-10; Acts 2 Acts 2:38-39 ³⁸Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. ³⁹The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call."

Baptism is a big decision. It can change your life or it can be just another day. When someone gets baptized they are telling God that they are going public with their relationship with Him. They are telling the world that they repent for their sins and are giving their life over to Him. And because of that decision to be baptized they will also have the chance to receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

To receive the gift of the holy spirit, your spirit needs to be clean and holy. And once you repent and are baptized, its symbol that you are white as snow. That your spirit is pure and you have given your heart over to God. It doesn't mean that you won't sin anymore, it just means you will work harder at not sinning and if you do than you will go to God and confess your sin.

Father,
Thank you for repentance. Without it i would be filled with bitterness, anger, sin, spite, pride, rejection, and so much more. Only through the confession of sin can I move on from the stupid things i have done and hand them over to you. Thank you for leaving the gift of the Holy Spirit on this earth for me to trust him, love him, and be with him always.
I forever love you always
Amen

At least thats what I'm going to do

Esther 9-10; Luke 19 Luke 19:5-7

⁵When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, "Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today." ⁶So he came down at once and welcomed him gladly.

⁷All the people saw this and began to mutter, "He has gone to be the guest of a 'sinner.' "

Jesus was an 'every ones man'. He loved all people, no matter who they were or what they did. And He still does.

There have been people lately who have killed themselves because of their shame of the sin. They may not think its a sin, but i know its a sin. However, being homosexual (sin) is the same as lying (sin). The difference with people now a days is that they feel they can harass others just because they don't like who they are or what they look like. It's true I am against homosexuality...the sin...I am not against the person. There is still a soul, a spirit, a life underneath it all. The same goes for me. I am not going to bully, judge, or even harass a homosexual just because I don't agree. What I am going to do is love on them.

The problem with today is people go and judge, picket, and say dumb things in the "name of God". That is NOT GOD!! My God loves all people. My God will find them and tell them to get out of hiding and say 'lets go have some dinner'. And during that dinner, he would listen to them. Crack jokes with them, hug them, even pick up the bill. Zacchaeus was a thief. He stole peoples life savings, rent, food money, diaper money. He stole from the rich and from the poor. He had no shame, until he realized he was doing wrong and wanted to make things right.

Lets not be like the old Zaccheaus and steal the most precious thing to a person: their integrity. There are many things that get taken from us, but why should we take from others? We are not to be like old Zaccheaus, but we are to be like Jesus and not judge and love.... At least that's what I'm going to do.

Lord,
Thank you for making me a Christian thats not perfect. I couldn't stand perfection because I know thats not what I am built for. I am here to love on your people, sinners and all. I am a sinner and i ask today for your forgiveness if I have judged someone. I ask for forgiveness if I have made someone feel less than. It is not their fault, its mine. You are what makes me keep going and you are my strength when I am weak. Prepare me for whats to come in this life so i can proclaim who you really are...A loving and kind God.
I forever love you always
Amen

Queen

Esther 1-2; Psalm 150; Luke 17 Esther 2:15,17,20 ¹⁵ When the turn came for Esther (the girl Mordecai had adopted, the daughter of his uncle Abihail) to go to the king, she asked for nothing other than what Hegai, the king's eunuch who was in charge of the harem, suggested. And Esther won the favor of everyone who saw her.
Esther was the type of woman every woman should strive to be like. The fact that she was beautiful physically wasn't what made her the queen. In verse 15 Esther had favor from God. When someone has favor it means their heart is right. When someone has favor it means God is listening to their prayers. When someone has favor it means they have a close relationship with God.
¹⁷ Now the king was attracted to Esther more than to any of the other women, and she won his favor and approval more than any of the other virgins. So he set a royal crown on her head and made her queen instead of Vashti.
It is easy to fool people. When someone is constantly nice and kissing butt people like it. However, there are some people that cannot be fooled. In the beginning Esther had favor with the people. She was favored by the other women, she was favored by Hegai, she was favored by those around her. And all of her kindness, gentleness, could have been a grand act to get her way into the kingdom. However, the one person she had to impress was the king.
²⁰ But Esther had kept secret her family background and nationality just as Mordecai had told her to do, for she continued to follow Mordecai's instructions as she had done when he was bringing her up.

The reason that Esther had true favor was not her beauty or even the way she spoke. But she was humble and submissive. Even after Esther had the crown and was queen she still went back to Mordecai to get advice and know what to do next. Her true intentions were not to turn her back on her uncle or people but to raise them up and do what she can with the power and authority that was given to her.

Too many people forget where they came from. They forget their past and turn their back on their humble roots. God brought us up in certain ways and we cannot take that for granted.

As a person with a title, I am not one to throw that title in peoples faces. I am to work even harder to help those in need and be there for them. God put me in a certain position which I am to hold in high regard and know that God has all control in my life.

Lord,
Thank you for taking control. Thank you for allowing me to be me and for putting me in this position for this time. I know you have things set out for me and I cannot wait to know your incredible plans for my life. I trust you as my God and my king and I know that I am your child.
I forever love you always
Amen

Humble

Zechariah 10-12; Psalm 126; Luke 14
Luke 14:7-11 ⁷When he noticed how the guests picked the places of honor at the table, he told them this parable: ⁸"When someone invites you to a wedding feast, do not take the place of honor, for a person more distinguished than you may have been invited. ⁹If so, the host who invited both of you will come and say to you, 'Give this man your seat.' Then, humiliated, you will have to take the least important place. ¹⁰But when you are invited, take the lowest place, so that when your host comes, he will say to you, 'Friend, move up to a better place.' Then you will be honored in the presence of all your fellow guests. ¹¹For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted."

Humble: not proud or arrogant; modest

Humble: having a feeling of insignificance, inferiority, subservience,

Humble: to destroy the independence, power, or will of

To be humble is one of the hardest things someone has to be. When someone is humble it means they are lowering themselves. They are making themselves less than, less worthy, less dignified. Jesus understood this all too well. He became the lowest of the low, so we didn't have to. And to be humble was one of Jesus' teachings and hopes for his people.

We are not the best. We are not greater than anyone else. We do not deserve the best. Yet through Christ we are able to get it all. Through Christ we are able to be rich, happy and free. And in that freedom we need to be thankful, humble, and grateful.

There are times when I don't thank God for what I have. I forget sometimes in the morning to thank God for my life because I'm so tired. I forget to thank God for my food because I'm so hungry. I forget to thank God for what I have because I'm focused on other things. So when it does come down to thank God I make sure He knows how truly grateful I am. I am not above the little things in life just because I have a title. Because at any second He can take it away. Though there are things I don't want to do, I do them because I know God has bigger plans in the little things and its through those things that I will learn more about God and His great love.

Father,
Thank you for your love for me. Thank you that I can remain humbled in you. Humbled knowing that you have greater plans for me. I know Lord that you have brought me here for a reason and it is know your grace and mercy on a different level. I praise you Lord because I am fearfully and wonderfully made in your image.
I forever love you always
Amen

Please Sir can I have some more?

Zechariah 7-9; Luke 13
Luke 13:6-8 ⁶Then he told this parable: "A man had a fig tree, planted in his vineyard, and he went to look for fruit on it, but did not find any. ⁷So he said to the man who took care of the vineyard, 'For three years now I've been coming to look for fruit on this fig tree and haven't found any. Cut it down! Why should it use up the soil?'

⁸" 'Sir,' the man replied, 'leave it alone for one more year, and I'll dig around it and fertilize it. ⁹If it bears fruit next year, fine! If not, then cut it down.' "

Jesus mainly spoke in parables because just letting the people know everything right away without letting them think about things was too easy. Jesus wanted his people to learn something from each parable, because everyone was able to interpret the parable in their own way so they can relate it to what was going on in their lives.

Every person is going through something different. I am going through things that you, the reader, are not going through. However when we read the scripture we are reading the same thing. When God created us He didn't want us to be desolate and empty. He wanted us to be fruitful and full of life. Jesus, as man, understood depression, emptiness, loneliness, and hurt. Things that God didn't even understand before because even though He created man, he never was man, until Jesus. So when Jesus came he understood second chances. He understood that even if things don't look good right now, they can get better later.

I see things for what they are right now and God could say, ok she's had enough chances, her time is up. Yet Jesus would say wait! there is still more in her to give and I want to invest the time in her to see. God doesn't want me to be lazy. He wants me to work for Him, as an instrument, as His voice. My tree may look empty now but Jesus is saying, i will give you more time because I believe that you are worth it. And knowing that Jesus comes from God and is God only makes things that much better.

Lord,

Thank you for believing in me. Believing that there is more in me that I am worth investing more time. I can think that I am done but you know how much more is left. Father, you are my energy, my love, my life, my God, my everything. You wake me up in the morning and give me breath. I love you eternally

I forever love you always

Amen

He knew

Zechariah 4-6; Luke 12

Luke 12:35-38
³⁵"Be dressed ready for service and keep your lamps burning, ³⁶like men waiting for their master to return from a wedding banquet, so that when he comes and knocks they can immediately open the door for him. ³⁷It will be good for those servants whose master finds them watching when he comes. I tell you the truth, he will dress himself to serve, will have them recline at the table and will come and wait on them. ³⁸It will be good for those servants whose master finds them ready, even if he comes in the second or third watch of the night.

Jesus, even before he was born, knew the world inside and out. He was there when God formed the earth and its people. Jesus was there when God wiped the earth of its perversions. He was there when God was pleased and disappointed. Jesus knew it all. He knew his people and those who were against Him. Jesus also knew the time when He would die and rise again and come back on earth to save his people. He knew.

There are times that i go through seasons that I really can't explain where that particular time in my life started. Seasons can be good and others can bring you down. This particular season in my life hasn't been the best and I forgot that God already knew that this season in my life was coming. He knew that I would be in a slump for some time. But he also knows the time and day that I will get out of it. He knows the joyful season that is coming up. However, I didn't prepare myself in this season.

No matter if it is up or down, we need to be prepared for God. He is our master and He can come knocking on the door any time. And some of us aren't prepared because the time in our lives aren't the best. But i think that's just an excuse. God wants us to praise Him, search for Him, find Him no matter where we are or what we are doing. No matter if things look good or bad...It is He that we need to praise, because when he does come back, we will be ready.

Father,
Thank you for never leaving my side no matter what place in life I was in. You were and always will be there for me and I can never thank you enough. You are my light and I trust in you during the dark days and nights. Forgive my forgetfulness and selfishness by not seeking you enough. I praise you all my days.
I forever love you always
Amen

Desperate?

Jeremiah 42-44; Psalm 48; Revelation 13

Jeremiah 42:5-6 ⁵ Then they said to Jeremiah, "May the LORD be a true and faithful witness against us if we do not act in accordance with everything the LORD your God sends you to tell us. ⁶ Whether it is favorable or unfavorable, we will obey the LORD our God, to whom we are sending you, so that it will go well with us, for we will obey the LORD our God."
This certain group of men were running for their lives. If they arrived at the wrong place they could've been captured and killed. They escaped death before and knew they needed more guidance. They were desperate.
Jeremiah 43:1-3 ¹ When Jeremiah finished telling the people all the words of the LORD their God—everything the LORD had sent him to tell them- ² Azariah son of Hoshaiah and Johanan son of Kareah and all the arrogant men said to Jeremiah, "You are lying! The LORD our God has not sent you to say, 'You must not go to Egypt to settle there.' ³ But Baruch son of Neriah is inciting you against us to hand us over to the Babylonians, ^a]">[a] so they may kill us or carry us into exile to Babylon."

When people become desperate they call on God. Whether they follow God or not, that's the first name that comes out of their mouth. In desperate times, people suddenly want to do things they are not used to because they think those things will get them out of their mess. These men, at first, were willing to do anything that God wanted them to do because they thought they knew what God wanted. But the moment they heard something foreign was when they turned their back on God.

There are many things that I want to do that God doesn't. There are many times when i heard Gods answer to my cry I thought it really wasn't God because than I would have to step out of my comfort zone. God doesn't want you or me to do what we want because God sees bigger and better things. God didn't want these men to get caught and die He wanted them to live and prosper. But when we don't listen to God is when God can't give us His blessings because we're not believing they're there.

Lord,
I ask today for more wisdom and better vision for the things you want to bless me with. I want your eyes and those things that you can give me because I know the world only wants to capture and kill me. But you want to bless and use me for your good. Keep me in your path and hold me close to you.
I forever love you always
Amen

9/7/2010 Agony in Hell

2 Kings 25; 2 Chronicles 36; Jeremiah 40-41; Revelation 12

Revelation 12:7-9 ⁷And there was war in heaven. Michael and his angels fought against the dragon, and the dragon and his angels fought back. ⁸But he was not strong enough, and they lost their place in heaven. ⁹The great dragon was hurled down—that ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, who leads the whole world astray. He was hurled to the earth, and his angels with him

In this particular story, John is explaining the vision that he had. The vision of when Jesus comes back and what happens to the people on earth and those that are already in heaven. At this moment, Michael is fighting against the devil and his demons because Satan wants his place back in heaven to corrupt it like he did with earth. Those angels that followed satan lost their places as well and found agony in hell.

Just because John is writing about what happens in the future, this happens everyday in heaven. Angels are fighting for our lives that we remain in the path of the Lord. When I sin, there is a possibility that my soul can be lost forever. But when the angels fight for me against the demons and I trust that the angels will win my soul is regained. My trust in the angels is my faith that everything will be OK after I sin. When I sin and recognize what i did I ask for forgiveness. I go to God and show Him that I don't only feel guilty but I am genuinely sorry for what I did and not do it again. However there are times when I will do it again, but in those repeated offenses I go back and believe that the blood of the lamb will save my spot next to Him in heaven.

Lord,
Thank you for the blood that you shed for me. You're blood and sacrifice has given me a place next to you and has allowed me to know you. My soul, my spirit, my life is in your hands. I place it and give it all to you
I forever love you always
Amen

9/6/2010 He's got the calling card

Ezekiel 29-32; Revelation 11 Revelation 11:16-17 ¹⁶And the twenty-four elders, who were seated on their thrones before God, fell on their faces and worshiped God, ¹⁷saying: "We give thanks to you, Lord God Almighty, the One who is and who was, because you have taken your great power and have begun to reign.

The Lord is coming soon. No matter how long it takes, there will always be people saying the Lord is coming soon. And its because they are right. Gods timing is significantly different than ours, so when God says I am near and even though we may not feel Him, He is near. At the end of the world and when Jesus comes again, there will be a lot of death, terror, fear, & hate. And when all this happens, not only those who are sitting next to God on the throne need to praise Him, but us too.

In my fear and despair I am praising God. The Lord wants me to run to Him when I have a problem, an issue, if I'm confused, scared, angry, or hurt. I need to go to Him when my heart isn't right and when I've lost touch with Him. Its me that's holding the calling card and the phone because God wants to answer but I just need to call.

Lord,
Thank you for taking my call. Thank you for listening and helping me get right back up from the floor. There are times when I just want to give up but your light helps me through it all and knowing that your time is near that your face is near and that your love is with me, helps me go on.
I forever love you always
Amen

It is You

Ezekial 15-16; Psalm 70; Revelation 6

Psalm 70:4-5 But may all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you; may those who love your salvation always say, "Let God be exalted!"

⁵ Yet I am poor and needy;
come quickly to me, O God.
You are my help and my deliverer;
O LORD, do not delay.

There are men that are out for blood. They don't care about others and would rather see others suffer because that's what they seek.

Than there are others that seek happiness within. Whether its through themselves or through God. When man searches happiness within himself he will always be disappointed because something will always be missing. However when man seeks for God, he will always find the greatest joy because God never comes up short.

There are times when I don't want to seek God because I feel like i don't deserve Him. And than I read a scripture like this and ask God for more help. Lord I am poor and needy! Lord I am a sinner! Lord I make the dumbest mistakes! What is wrong with me?! But the only thing I can tell God is "You are my help and my deliverer" God is the only one that can take me out of certain things to be able to walk the right path.

Lord,
You are my help and my deliverer. You are my Saviour and God. You are my redemption and holiness. You are strength when i am weak. You are mindful when I am forgetful. You are faithful when I can care less. You are all I want to be and all I want to be with. It is You.
I forever love you always
Amen

Whos really in control?

Jeremiah 50-51; 3 John

Jeremiah 51:20-23 ²⁰ "You are my war club, my weapon for battle— with you I shatter nations, with you I destroy kingdoms,

²¹ with you I shatter horse and rider,
with you I shatter chariot and driver,

²² with you I shatter man and woman,
with you I shatter old man and youth,
with you I shatter young man and maiden,

²³ with you I shatter shepherd and flock,
with you I shatter farmer and oxen,
with you I shatter governors and officials.

Jeremiah was prophesying the destruction of Babylon when he recited these words. God was giving him the words to say as to what would happen to such a strong nation. However, because Babylon went against Zion, God was going to destroy them. Everyone knew that the Lords place was Israel and if anyone would come against it they would be destroyed. However Babylon got too comfortable in doing what they wanted, they didn't see what God had in store for them.

There are times when I feel too comfortable where I'm at. And when that happens a boredom starts and I become unhappy. However when I seek God through this season He begins to bring new things to spice things up. He also allows problems to adhere because with those issues comes new understanding and more wisdom. God knows what we need however when we listen to Him and follow Him He will not destroy us.

Babylon was strong, they were used for many things but they took that strength and threw it back in Gods face. They began to rely on themselves and get greedy. The moment we do that is the moment God will humble us and show us who really is in control.

Lord,
Thank you for always being in control. Thank you for guiding me on the right path and showing me where to go. It is your strength that I have therefore it is your strength i will use when you want me to use it. I am yours.
I forever love you always
Amen

Whats the point?

Jeremiah 37-39; Psalm 79; 2 John Jeremiah 38:15 ¹⁵ Jeremiah said to Zedekiah, "If I give you an answer, will you not kill me? Even if I did give you counsel, you would not listen to me."
Jeremiah heard the voice of God. He knew what God was telling Him and all he wanted to do was give the words to the person they were meant for. He did that before this verse and he shared it with others however the others didn't like what he said so they tricked the king to punish Jeremiah. He was afraid to tell anything else to the king no matter what it was.

There are some of us that go for counsel but don't like what the other person has to say. So what does the counselor do? Why would they want to give advice if the other person won't even listen? Whats the point?

Unfortunately King Zedekiah didn't listen to Jeremiah quick enough and got handed over to the king of Babylon. He saw his sons die before him and than got his eyes cut out. When God is speaking through a prophet to follow Gods orders...we are to follow Gods orders.
Jeremiah 39:15-18 ¹⁵ While Jeremiah had been confined in the courtyard of the guard, the word of the LORD came to him: ¹⁶ "Go and tell Ebed-Melech the Cushite, 'This is what the LORD Almighty, the God of Israel, says: I am about to fulfill my words against this city through disaster, not prosperity. At that time they will be fulfilled before your eyes. ¹⁷ But I will rescue you on that day, declares the LORD; you will not be handed over to those you fear. ¹⁸ I will save you; you will not fall by the sword but will escape with your life, because you trust in me, declares the LORD.' "

Because Ebed listened to the Lord and followed him, he was saved from Babylons taking over.
When God puts someone in our lives to help us get through life easier and give us good counsel, we are to go to them and follow the word of the Lord. Yes I can discern what i want to follow and not but listening is step number 1. Than taking action is where we show God how much we trust Him.

Father,
Thank you for putting certain people in my life that I can go to and receive wise counsel. You are the first one I go to and then you guide me to the truth. Thank you for loving me more and more even when I don't always show you all the love. You are my ultimate father and my savior.
I forever love you always
Amen

He is the Light

Jeremiah 48-49; Psalm 67; 1 John 1 1 John 1:5-6 ⁵This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. ⁶If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth.
John, the disciple that Jesus loved, had close fellowship with Jesus while He was on earth therefore knew the inner workings of Jesus. Jesus is the way the truth and the life, living by Jesus meant you are alive in Him. John knew what it was like to be alive and see the light and run away from darkness. When Jesus died John could have ran into darkness and forget what Jesus had taught him but instead he truly stayed in the fellowship of Jesus and was able to teach others about it.

There are times when I have felt in the dark, but knowing this scripture than that darkness had nothing to do with God and everything that the enemy wants to bring upon me. What I show at home, church, store, bathroom should be me at all times. If I say I love Christ yet don't follow His word than I am lying. I need to be who I am and show others the love that Christ has shown me so than more people can see who I am in Jesus.

Lord,
Thank you for being the light and allowing me through you to get out of the darkness. Any darkness belongs to the enemy and I will remember that You are the Light, at all times.
I forever love you always
Amen

Do you love me?

Jeremiah 45-47; Psalm 105; John 21

John 21:15-17 ¹⁵When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon son of John, do you truly love me more than these?" "Yes, Lord," he said, "you know that I love you." Jesus said, "Feed my lambs."

¹⁶Again Jesus said, "Simon son of John, do you truly love me?"
He answered, "Yes, Lord, you know that I love you."
Jesus said, "Take care of my sheep."

¹⁷ The third time he said to him, "Simon son of John, do you love me?"
Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, "Do you love me?" He said, "Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you."

Jesus said, "Feed my sheep.

After Jesus died on the cross he came back and appeared to His disciples to make sure that what He taught them while He was human would remain with them and they would keep teaching about Him. Simon was one of the most stubborn in the disciples yet even though he denied Christ, he loved Him wholly. In this passage all Jesus wanted to know what if Peter loved Him. He didn't want to know about his faith or his plans on how to spread the gospel...He merely wanted to know about the simple truth "do you love me?"

Many times me and others over think God. We sometimes put God in a box and try to dissect Him or figure Him out. And its at those times when God shows His simple side. All God really wants to know about us is if we love Him. Because if we do than we gotta show others how much we love Him. Now what does God truly ask of us?
1. Feed his lambs: both spiritually and physically.
:: Since I know God it is for me show others His love. When I'm in love and have a boyfriend i want to show him off. If i get engaged I'm gonna be proud of my ring. Therefore, I am in love with Jesus and need to show off my relationship with Him. When i do that i am not ashamed of my love for Him. Also, when someone tells me their hungry, Gods wants me to show His love by feeding them.

2. Take Care of my sheep: In every way possible. (period)

Lord,
Thank you for your word. Thank you that I can find something new everyday. You surprise me and I pray that everyday you show me more and more of you. You are my holy Father and Savior and I love you.
I forever love you always
Amen

Peoples Choice

2 Kings 24; Jeremiah 22; Psalm 112; John 18

John 18:33-40

³³Pilate then went back inside the palace, summoned Jesus and asked him, "Are you the king of the Jews?" ³⁴"Is that your own idea," Jesus asked, "or did others talk to you about me?"³⁵"Am I a Jew?" Pilate replied. "It was your people and your chief priests who handed you over to me. What is it you have done?" ³⁶Jesus said, "My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jews. But now my kingdom is from another place."³⁷"You are a king, then!" said Pilate. Jesus answered, "You are right in saying I am a king. In fact, for this reason I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me."³⁸"What is truth?" Pilate asked. With this he went out again to the Jews and said, "I find no basis for a charge against him. ³⁹But it is your custom for me to release to you one prisoner at the time of the Passover. Do you want me to release 'the king of the Jews'?" ⁴⁰They shouted back, "No, not him! Give us Barabbas!" Now Barabbas had taken part in a rebellion.

Pilate was the governor at that time. And governors are in charge of their people therefore they have to power to keep a prisoner in jail or to let him out. Governors in Roman times also acted as judges therefore the people took Jesus to Pilate to be judged. In all Gospels, Pilate is shown to hesitate in sending Jesus to His death. However, in the end Pilate allows the peoples choice to overrule his hesitations.

I can sit here and condemn Pilate for what he did and say he was a bad man and cowardly for not following his own feelings. But if Pilate didn't allow this than the prophecy's in the old testament would never have come to pass. Pilate was used by God to allow the crucifixion to happen. Pilate was just an instrument who was used to condemn Jesus to his untimely death.

God will use people for good or bad to make sure His will is done. However that might sound He would never force people to do something. Yes, Pilate had a choice. He could've ultimately let Jesus go and set him free. Yet, if that would've happened God would've used someone else. As we live; As I live there are situations that I am put in that I need to seriously listen to what God wants. I have my own choices to make but God can want me to do something different therefore I need to keep my eyes and ears open to make the right decisions for Him.

Lord,
Thank you for allowing me to make my own decisions. You have given me free will to live my life yet I want to live it for you and with you. I want to be next to you hearing your voice. Forgive me for the MANY wrong decisions that I have made that my flesh made instead of my spirit. I am only human but my spirit is yours.
I forever love you always
Amen

You keep me Juiced

Jeremiah 13-15; John 15 John 15:13 ¹³Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.
Jesus came to earth to promote love. He came to change our mind sets and keep us focused on what was important. In the next verses He explains that He came to make us think differently. In the old testament we were slaves. Everyone was a slave, either a slave to God or a slave to the world. Everyone had a master. Yet Jesus came to tell us that we are no longer slaves, that that word was getting a makeover. That instead of slave we are called friends. Through the connection of the Son we are now friends with God because Jesus showed us the secrets to having that one on one connection with Him.

When someone tries to start something not everything will come out perfectly. When God created the world it started out perfect until evil entered and everything became a ruckus. Than Sodom and Gomorrah and more perversion. Than little by little even after God wiped out the people, evil still lingered. However, when Jesus came it wasn't about being perfect it was about love and what that meant.

Love to me is everything. The love of my Father keeps me going. Knowing that God will never assume things, never judge me, never hate, never turn His back is the sole reason I am still here. He is the juice that keeps me thirsted and the food that gives me energy to have the compassion and drive to help those in need. My friends my family are my everything and the Lord has put in me the love that I wouldn't hesitate to lay down my life for them just like Christ laid down His life for me.

Father,
Thank you for your unconditional love for me. Thank you that through your love and compassion towards me I can show others the light that you have placed. You are everything that I have and without you I am nothing. Without you I can go nowhere and accomplish nothing. It is because of you that I am still strong.
I forever love you always
Amen