Freedom in Commitment

1 Corinthians 8:9 Be careful, however, that the exercise of your freedom does not become a stumbling block to the weak

Freedom is not simply about being free to do whatever you want but ironically its a commitment. When in a relationship you are free to be with that person and its freeing because you don't have to go through the drama anymore. When one is free in Christ, they are committed to that freedom and even the responsibilities that come with it. Whether free or bound there are responsibilities that need to be accounted for.

v.12-13 When you sin against your brothers in this way and wound their weak conscience, you sin against Christ. 13Therefore, if what I eat causes my brother to fall into sin, I will never eat meat again, so that I will not cause him to fall.

I have a responsibility in my freedom. I cannot allow my actions to affect someone so much they sin because of it. When i was bound to the enemy i didn't care about others, it was all about me. But now in my freedom i am committed to thinking about others. I am committed to trying my best in doing the right things as best as i can. I am committed to be a solid rock and not a stumbling block. And though this seems like a lot for me to handle i know i am free of the worry, the doubt and the confusion of my life and who I'm supposed to be. God gave me a plan - a plan to be committed to His freedom and helping others make the same commitment.

Lord,
I am committed to you. To your love, to your grace, to your freedom. I am following you because i believe in you and everything you stand for. You are the only one that has remained and will continue to stay with me. I trust in you and have never regretted committing to you. I give you my life body and soul today and forever.
I forever love you
Amen

Bypass it all

Joshua 1:8 Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.

Moses just died and Joshua was put in charge. To suddenly going from follower to leader can bring fear and stress. But Gods advice was simple and meant for anyone whatever level they're in.

Psalm 37:4-5,7, 23-24 Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart. 5 Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him and he will do this: 7 Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him; do not fret when men succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes. 23 If the LORD delights in a man's way, he makes his steps firm; 24 though he stumble, he will not fall, for the LORD upholds him with his hand.

When God looks at His children, he doesn't see what level of leadership they're in. So God didn't see Joshua as a follower than a leader but he saw him as a child of God. He saw his heart and the fear inside of it. When God sees us he looks at the heart and what we need the most comfort in. Today God is seeing my heart and knows what i need to hear. He knows i need to hear to keep hanging on. Keep hanging on to His word, His promises, to His joy and delight. He knows that i need to hear to keep being patient with Him that all my desires will come to pass because he promised them. But i need to trust him and delight in Him. So knowing what God is telling me i gotta tell Him that i will do what i need to do to be closer to Him.

Father,
At times its hard to be joyful and to simply trust in your timing. Sometimes i want to do things my way in my time but i know that's not doing your will. Lord help me see what you do to be like you are and forgive and be compassionate to all people. Give me the strength and courage to by pass those things that hurt me and see the things you have in store for me.
I forever love you
Amen

3/11/09 Be a Gentile

Galatians 2:11-12 When Peter came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he was clearly in the wrong. 12Before certain men came from James, he used to eat with the Gentiles. But when they arrived, he began to draw back and separate himself from the Gentiles because he was afraid of those who belonged to the circumcision group.

Paul had crawled his way to the top. He was on the bottom for so long that it was too hard for him to stand up right away. So he got mad when Peter took his relationship with the gentiles for granted. Paul knew what it was like to be against God and even though he was a Jew he had a gentile mentality and didn't want any gentile to be lost just because peter was embarrassed of what the others would say about him.

As a minister for God i have to be ready to sit with anyone. God puts certain people in my path so they can feel accepted and welcomed and loved. So when i am with them in private or public God wants me to show them that same love because it never changes with environment.

Lord,
give me the love for Jew or gentile alike. Help me to make them feel welcome in any situation. Give me the words to say and the attitude of Christ.
I forever love you
Amen.

Keep me Mature

Mark 7:15 Nothing outside a man can make him 'unclean' by going into him. Rather, it is what comes out of a man that makes him 'unclean.

During the time Jesus was trying to teach the people He had to change their way of thinking. In the Old Testament there were many rules and regulations which many people were still living by even though it happened hundreds of years ago. Jesus wanted them to know it wasn't about what they ate or heard that was important but it was what they said and did that mattered.

Yes, God is included in the details of my life and wants to know the ins and outs but whats important to Him is how i react to things, how i live my life, how i present myself. Its what comes out of me that's in my heart which is why its so important. Whatever feelings are in my heart is how i will present God. If i am bitter, angry, prideful, jealous then that's how God will be seen through me. But if i act in love, joy, gratefulness and forgiveness than That's how God will be seen through me. I am an instrument for Him to be used for Him and by Him therefore I have to be wise about what I let out of my mouth and body.

Lord,
Give me the wisdom to be a mature woman. I want to live according to your will even though it is extremely hard at time, help me to see things through your eyes because i can say things out of frustration. Forgive me for not wholly trusting you in my life and heart. Have mercy on me and keep me in your service.
I forever love you
Amen

2/24/09 My Stomach Hurts

Mark 3:23-26 So Jesus called them and spoke to them in parables: "How can Satan drive out Satan? 24. If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. 25. If a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand. 26. And if Satan opposes himself and is divided, he cannot stand; his end has come.

Satan became satan because he was divided with God. Heaven couldn't stand if satan remained which is why he was kicked out. When we enter a place and there is a head we need to obey their rules because we are in their place not our own. When we enter Gods kingdom its his rules we obey because He is the head. Wherever we go, we are under the heads control.

When i enter a place there is a certain law i need to abide by. That's why its important for me to know what i am entering into. And not just into buildings but into relationships as well. Is the person i will be with on my same level? Can we abide by each others rules? Will we be divided? As i get older i have to be careful with who i get myself involved with because if we do become divided than i as the woman will get hurt more because of my emotions. And not even a divided heart can stand firm.

Lord,
My stomach hurts and I'm tired. Tired of thinking, wondering, hoping, dreaming. I really want to know what I'm supposed to do or even who I'm supposed to be with. Father, my request today as i am fasting this week is to clear my mind of the worlds lies and to help me stand in truth. I have patience but i need some help from you to remain patient. i trust you in my heart. So remain there.
I forever love you
Amen

God is good to me

Psalm 13:2-3 How long must I wrestle with my thoughts and every day have sorrow in my heart? How long will my enemy triumph over me? 3 Look on me and answer, O LORD my God. Give light to my eyes, or I will sleep in death;

David knew what was coming to him. He knew the anxiety in his heart was real and just wanted it to stop. The only way he knew to stop how he felt emotionally was to give it over to God.

There is an enemy that is taking over me and I am the only one who can conquer it. The enemy is myself, my thoughts, my feelings, my emotions, My heart is whats taking over me and making me think of things that don't really matter. Because my focus should constantly be on God. I can be suffering from a broken heart but i don't have to torment myself to the point that its all i think about. i know i am worth more and God has made me more than a conqueror.

v.5-6 But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation. 6 I will sing to the LORD, for he has been good to me.

Human don't think on Gods level and God has and always will be good to me. So through my constant thoughts and the sorrow of what i don't have but want i will rejoice and sing because God is good to me.

Father,
You are good. You're good to me and i can always count on you being a good man. I know you love me and have the best for me. I will praise you through the sorrow and pain because you will change it to joy and blessings. Only you know my heart. So keep it safe and guarded.
I forever love you
Amen

Even when it hurts

Psalm 15:4b "...who keeps his oath even when it hurts"

David was asking God who may dwell in His sanctuary and live on His holy hill. And God gave David revelation. Some revelation was apparent: 1. whose walk is blameless 2. who speaks the truth 3. no slander 4. does neighbor no wrong 5. despises a vile man 6. honors those fear the Lord 7. lends his money 8. does not accept a bribery

Even with all those things there is one i couldn't pass - he who keeps his oath even when it hurts. So many people break their word because its easier and more convenient for them. But God doesn't like us to break our covenants. The words that come out of our mouth are the words that from our hearts. So when our mouths lie, they stem from our heart.

I know many people lie and I'm one of them. I want people to be honest with me and even expect it but how hard am i when i don't keep my oath? So many times I found myself caught in something where it would be easier to lie, but that's why God has made it so important to follow and a commandment to follow to get into His kingdom because sometimes it does hurt and the world is not used to truth Sayers. So its up to us to be that difference.

Father,
I don't want to lose my oath. I don't want to be a person who lies out of convenience. Help me today and everyday to tell the truth. Keep me in check to do the right things before you. I want to walk on your guided path. Keep me straight in every way in my life.
I forever love you
Amen