Condemnation Destroys!

Condemnation makes you feel ashamed, guilty, unworthy, and belittled. This is the works of Satan.

Now this is the definition of Condemnation: 

con·dem·na·tion

/ˌkändəmˈnāSH(ə)n/

1. the expression of very strong disapproval; censure
2. the action of condemning someone to a punishment; sentencing. (dictionary.com)

Conviction corrects a wrong behavior and encourages right behavior through the judgement and wisdom of God. 

This is the definition of a Conviction:

con·vic·tion

/kənˈvikSH(ə)n/

1. a formal declaration that someone is guilty of a criminal offense, made by the verdict of a jury or the decision of a judge in a court of law.
2. A firmly held belief or opinion (dictionary.com)

God gives us a path to walk on and many of us, always, thinks there is a short cut or a better way; and proceed to venture away from it. There is a difference between condemnation and conviction! As mentioned above, Satan condemns, God convicts! Now that you are aware of a correction and a punishment, keep that in mind the next time you are wanting to step out of God's Grace onto a path that you know is not beneficial to walk upon. 

Romans 14:17-23 AMPC

17 [After all] the kingdom of God is not a matter of [getting the] food and drink [one likes], but instead it is righteousness (that state which makes a person acceptable to God) and [heart] peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.

18 He who serves Christ in this way is acceptable and pleasing to God and is approved by men.

19 So let us then definitely aim for and eagerly pursue what makes for harmony and for mutual upbuilding (edification and development) of one another.

20 You must not, for the sake of food, undo and break down and destroy the work of God! Everything is indeed [ceremonially] clean and pure, but it is wrong for anyone to hurt the conscience of others or to make them fall by what he eats.

21 The right thing is to eat no meat or drink no wine [at all], or [do anything else] if it makes your brother stumble or hurts his conscience or offends or weakens him.

22 Your personal convictions [on such matters]—exercise [them] as in God’s presence, keeping them to yourself [striving only to know the truth and obey His will]. Blessed (happy, to be envied) is he who has no reason to judge himself for what he approves [who does not convict himself by what he chooses to do].

23 But the man who has doubts (misgivings, an uneasy conscience) about eating, and then eats [perhaps because of you], stands condemned [before God], because he is not true to his convictions and he does not act from faith. For whatever does not originate and proceed from faith is sin [whatever is done without a conviction of its approval by God is sinful].

Let me give you an example: It is not fun looking for a job when you do not have one. It can be arduous! The application process, the interviews, the development of a resume, waiting, and panicking because bills are piling up and there is no income coming in. A so-called friend tells you how to make quick and easy money - selling drugs! You hesitate (which is the Holy Spirit convicting you), but you give it a try, thinking you will do it until you get back on your feet.

Luke 8:17

17 For there is nothing hidden that shall not be disclosed, nor anything secret that shall not be known and come out into the open.

Money starts coming in, things are going well, life is good, you are able to pay your bills, buy a new car, step out in style - but there’s quite a few things holding you back. The first thing is, if you do have a conscious, there is no peace! Your clients per say, frequent your house all hours of the day and night; and you are jeopardizing your self and family members of this serious crime that, if caught, can lead to 30 years in prison and friends and family turning their back on you. Not a good path to be on. 

Psalms 27:11-14 NKJV

11 Teach me Your way, O Lord, And lead me in a smooth path, because of my enemies.

12 Do not deliver me to the will of my adversaries; For false witnesses have risen against me, And such as breathe out violence.

13 I would have lost heart, unless I had believed That I would see the goodness of the Lord In the land of the living.

14 Wait on the Lord; Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the Lord!

Now to do it God’s way, will take time; but it is time worth waiting for. God’s path is peaceful and in time, prosperous. When you wait on God, He will bless you beyond your wildest dreams  and give you a peace of mind that is better than dealing in drugs ever could - and you have no debt to pay society! No one will be in harms way, have a guilty conscious, or be fearful for their lives; whereas, righteousness prevailed! 

So the next time you have a feeling of guilt, run to God, not away from Him; because He will give you correction, with love, of how to proceed on a path of victory!

Matthew 7:11-14 AMPC 

11 If you then, evil as you are, know how to give good and advantageous gifts to your children, how much more will your Father Who is in heaven [perfect as He is] give good and advantageous things to those who keep on asking Him!

12 So then, whatever you desire that others would do to and for you, even so do also to and for them, for this is (sums up) the Law and the Prophets.

13 Enter through the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and spacious and broad is the way that leads away to destruction, and many are those who are entering through it.

14 But the gate is narrow (contracted by pressure) and the way is straitened and compressed that leads away to life, and few are those who find it.

Amen! So Be It!

God has ALWAYS been a way maker. And if He said it, won’t He do it!

• If He says you are healed, So be it! 
• If He says He Loves you, So Be it! 
• If He says your sins have been forgiven, So Be it! 
• If He says, your sight has been restored, So Be it!
• If He says, your cupboards will NEVER be bare, So Be it!
• If He says, you will get the job, So Be it! 
• If He says, do not marry that person, listen! 
• If He says, buy this person a car with your money, do it! 

He has a plan and a purpose for us all and will provide what you need to fulfill it!

Numbers 23:19 AMPC 

19 God is not a man, that He should tell or act a lie, neither the son of man, that He should feel repentance or compunction [for what He has promised]. Has He said and shall He not do it? Or has He spoken and shall He not make it good?

A Sound Mind!

My oldest Granddaughter sleeping during
a picture - very peacefully-who is now 12 

My alarm clock goes off at 5 am every morning to take my Thyroid pill and read the Bible before I start my day. When I reached over to turn the alarm off, I said, “Wow, I feel really rested”! Have any of you ever woke up with that feeling? 

I know in my lifetime, it has been few and far between; whereas, even if I did sleep all night, I tossed and turned because my thoughts were up and running ALL night - that’s why so many of us wake up restless and agitated! 

Psalm 4:8 NKJV

 I will both lie down in peace, and sleep;For You alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety

I read an article years ago (or it could have been from a college class, can’t truly remember when) of how powerful our thoughts can be. A study was done on Olympic athlete runners to see if they could actually perform a race in their minds. Even though they were not physically performing it; the athletes heart rate increased, they became sweaty, and overtime, exhausted from running. This study revealed that in our minds, we can vision anything and make it happen, even though our body is not actually involved in the process.  This is what happens, when our minds are not at rest during sleep! 

Visions in our mind can be changed, especially if they are unwanted. Our mind is a powerful tool we don’t use to our advantage! We misuse it to a defeat more than a "Victory"! Basically, if you can vision it, do it!

This is what I have heard some Pastors preach, and I have read it in the Bible; but until I experienced it, it didn’t resonate with me. 

II Timothy 1:7 NKJV 

7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.

The above verse clearly says, “and of a sound mind”; and, I recite this all the time! What being of a sound mind is being at rest, peace, no worries - because in your "heart and mind" you know (without a doubt) God will take care of you! Victory is ours in Jesus Christ our Lord!

I’m going to be honest, I do worry about things such as, “If I don’t go back to work soon, how am I going to pay rent”. I keep recalling my past experiences, instead of focusing, relying, and depending on God here and now - in this moment! 

Philippians 3:10-16 AMPC 

10 [For my determined purpose is] that I may know Him [that I may progressively become more deeply and intimately acquainted with Him, perceiving and recognizing and understanding the wonders of His Person more strongly and more clearly], and that I may in that same way come to know the power outflowing from His resurrection [which it exerts over believers], and that I may so share His sufferings as to be continually transformed [in spirit into His likeness even] to His death, [in the hope]

11 That if possible I may attain to the [spiritual and moral] resurrection [that lifts me] out from among the dead [even while in the body].

12 Not that I have now attained [this ideal], or have already been made perfect, but I press on to lay hold of (grasp) and make my own, that for which Christ Jesus (the Messiah) has laid hold of me and made me His own.

13 I do not consider, brethren, that I have captured and made it my own [yet]; but one thing I do [it is my one aspiration]: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead,

14 I press on toward the goal to win the [supreme and heavenly] prize to which God in Christ Jesus is calling us upward.

15 So let those [of us] who are spiritually mature and full-grown have this mind and hold these convictions; and if in any respect you have a different attitude of mind, God will make that clear to you also.

16 Only let us hold true to what we have already attained and walk and order our lives by that.

The past is gone and that door has been closed! Yet in my mind, I keep trying to push it open, thinking 🤔, I have been in this position before and that darkness of fear surfaces, that truly has no power; but I give it power when I bring it to memory and vision it happening again!

Ephesians 6:11-12 AMPC 

11 Put on God’s whole armor [the armor of a heavy-armed soldier which God supplies], that you may be able successfully to stand up against [all] the strategies and the deceits of the devil.

12 For we are not wrestling with flesh and blood [contending only with physical opponents], but against the despotisms, against the powers, against [the master spirits who are] the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spirit forces of wickedness in the heavenly (supernatural) sphere.

Today, I can truly say, I went to sleep, this time rested; and woke up of a sound mind (Peaceful); knowing “all is well” through and by the Power of God  - but it didn’t happen until I quit wrestling in my mind - I "surrendered" ALL to Him! 

Lifestyle Change!

It’s if not in you, then it won’t come out of you. There’s a saying; “Fake it to you make it”; but “Do it until you become it”, is more beneficial and lasting! 

We ALL, including me, have said something derogatory, held grudges against a person or persons for years, or throw a hissy fit because things aren’t going our way! Now think about what all of theses negative emotions do - Well I’ll tell you; they cause internal harm! 

None of us realize that could be the reason we are on high blood pressure pills or anxiety pills and many more pills that over time can deteriorate some organs. Every pill has a side effect when taken over a period of time, destroy your health more than the reason you are taking them! 

Let’s look at what negative emotions can do 

😡 Anger	Weakens the liver
😩 Grief	Weakens the lungs
😬 Worry	Weakens your stomach
😓 Stress	Weakens your heart and brain
😲 Fear	Weakens the kidneys

All of these emotions lower the immune system and can be a factor of a short life span. Another factor is our diet. What you eat daily is your diet. For instance, if you eat hamburgers and French fries at least 4 days a weak, that is your diet - let’s add doughnuts, candy, pizza, and frozen dinners. When you want to change your eating habits, it’s called a “Lifestyle” change, not a diet; whereas, you are changing how you eat and what you eat for life! 

Now back to negative emotions. Basically they steal your joy, peace and health! 

Now to have peace, you have to let it in you, to have joy, you have to let it in you, to have love, you have to let it in you! What's in you comes out of you - negative or positive! The only way to obtain this is to allow the Holy Spirit to come into your heart and He fills you with "GOOD" things that do become who you are and want to be; because that is Who He is! It is a win-win for you and those around you (Because no one wants to be around unpleasant people. We gravitate towards those who make us laugh and are fun to be around) - as well as for the body, soul, and spirit. 

Galatians 5:19-26 NKJV 

19 Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, 21 envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. 24 And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.

Recall that the works of the flesh is without God. It has been researched over time that those who have a good sense of humor, laugh often, and maintain healthy relationships, live longer and are healthier than those who do not! 

Let’s Have a “Lifestyle Change”!

Think before you Speak!

Words of encouragement do heal and give us hope! It has been proven that those who receive encouragement are healthier and secure in who they are. The Words are like a circumference that surrounds the heart and mind that is constantly playing sweet melodies -That soothes and calms the Spirit. The opposite would be a violent storm raging of words that destroy a Spirit; and the music playing is constant loud, unwelcome noise of torment and pain! 

Proverbs 16:24 AMPC 

24 Pleasant words are as a honeycomb, sweet to the mind and healing to the body.

Speak words today that are uplifting and encourage, instead of words that diminishes and tear downs a soul! If you are reading this and have a storm raging within you, pick up the Bible and let His Word heal and deliver you from the torment you are receiving. God loves you and wants to give you a life of freedom and peace! If it’s not “Peaceful”, it’s not God!

Matthew 11-28-30 AMPC 

28 Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy-laden and overburdened, and I will cause you to rest. [I will ease and relieve and refresh your souls.]

29 Take My yoke upon you and learn of Me, for I am gentle (meek) and humble (lowly) in heart, and you will find rest (relief and ease and refreshment and recreation and blessed quiet) for your souls.

30 For My yoke is wholesome (useful, good—not harsh, hard, sharp, or pressing, but comfortable, gracious, and pleasant), and My burden is light and easy to be borne.

Thank you God for Your words of encouragement that lift us up and keep us in your Mercy and Grace ALWAYS! Without Your Word (The Bible), how would we know what “True love is”! It is impacting and lasting. The Peace you give us cannot be bought or sold. It’s fixed in our hearts and mind, inaccessible to Satan, unless we open that door through fear and doubt. 

John 14:27 AMPC 

27 Peace I leave with you; My [own] peace I now give and bequeath to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. [Stop allowing yourselves to be agitated and disturbed; and do not permit yourselves to be fearful and intimidated and cowardly and unsettled.]

Gods' Word will Encourage You Today - Trust in it, Believe in it and Rely on it!

Cheers!

Happy Resurrection Day! 

As you all know, I usually have a story to share. As I was looking for an image to respond to my older Brothers' Happy Easter message, I should not have been appalled, but I was. There was very few, and I mean very few, that was of the true meaning of Easter. Most of the images were bunnies and colorful eggs with candy and goodies in baskets. WOW! 

IT IS FINISHED! ~ falls on deaf ears in our society today! We have a pandemic that in my lifetime I have never experienced; yet thousands have died and more who was diagnosed with the virus have survived. But still in this moment, I noticed in a Kroger ad two weeks ago, a large part of the ad was sales on liquor. My first question was, "Why is so much liquor
being advertised on sale?" Another confirmation of this, while I was listening on line to my Pastor Ron Bontrager of Lakeview Church, Indianapolis, Indiana today (April 12, 2020) during his sermon, he stated that the liquor stores sales are increasing. 

People are turning to drinking to ease the pain, instead of Jesus. Liquor has so many negative after effects, as well as drugs. It doesn't ease the pain or the heartache or the heart. It doesn't give you peace or restoration. Think about how destructive it is! You wake up with a hangover, mouth is dry, some get angry when they drink, others, are happy! Some drink to the point of a stupor that they do not know where they are at - or wake up and don't know how they got to the place they are in. I have drank a few times in my day and I did NOT like the after affects. I'm glad God took the taste out of my mouth. It clouds your thinking, and causes one to perform at doing things from a mind filled with deception and lust. None of this is who God is and How He wants us to be.

I don't feel we are listening. God can stop this, but our sins have told Him  we don't need you anymore. You see, sin separates us from God and puts up a barrier that divides us from Him getting to us (It's like turning your back to Him). His love is powerful; however, He does not force His Love on us; it's a choice! Now is the time to get it right and lean on a Savior who  "GIVES" us life, not take it away! I know I don't want to go through life in fear, isolated, losing our jobs, loved ones, and our peace from a sinful world. We are all going to die, but to know we will be in Paradise is worth it! Not knowing is frightening! Choose Life today, Choose Jesus and then you will understand the true meaning of His Resurrection.

It's Easter, a time of celebration of Victory at the Cross. Because He Lives, we have victory over death (sin)! 

John 15:12-14 AMPC 

12 This is My commandment: that you love one another [just] as I have loved you.

13 No one has greater love [no one has shown stronger affection] than to lay down (give up) his own life for his friends.

14 You are My friends if you keep on doing the things which I command you to do. This is My commandment: that you love one another [just] as I have loved you.

The Priestly Blessing!

God wants to Bless us All. Put Him at the Head of your house and He will bless your going in and coming out!

Held Captive!

Say it! Do it! Buy it! Smoke it! Eat it! Drink it! Take it! Charge it! Spend it! This is what we do with our lives when we over indulge in what the world calls 'Being Happy"! Our hearts become callous and disengaged of excessive acts of "It's all about me"!

God says “Believe” in me and all these things will be added unto you! 

I was in captivity to many chemicals that swelled my face immediately upon exposure 2017

Matthew 6:31-34 AMPC 
31 Therefore do not worry and be anxious, saying, What are we going to have to eat? or, What are we going to have to drink? or, What are we going to have to wear?
32 For the Gentiles (heathen) wish for and crave and diligently seek all these things, and your heavenly Father knows well that you need them all.
33 But seek (aim at and strive after) first of all His kingdom and His righteousness (His way of doing and being right), and then all these things taken together will be given you besides.
34 So do not worry or be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will have worries and anxieties of its own. Sufficient for each day is its own trouble.

His way is much easier and peaceful to travel on! There is no comparison, but clearly distinct and less dutiful for us. Lean on, Trust in and Rely on Jesus, and He will do the rest! Once again your duty is to “Believe”!

Today is Good Friday! As Jesus walked this earth and His day was fast approaching for His Crucifixion! Scripture tells us He set His face to go to Jerusalem! 

Luke 9:51-52 AMPC 
51 Now when the time was almost come for Jesus to be received up [to heaven], He steadfastly and determinedly set His face to go to Jerusalem.
52 And He sent messengers before Him; and they reached and entered a Samaritan village to make [things] ready for Him;

He stayed the course with a strong determination and faithfulness all because of His Love He has for His children! Along His journey to Jerusalem, Jesus made a few stops. His demonstration of how and who He healed is phenomenal to read about, less known to observe. I know that to be in His presence, had to be impacting and in "Awe" of the power and belief in God to perform these acts of Love!

Luke 13:10-17 AMPC 

10 Now Jesus was teaching in one of the synagogues on the Sabbath.11 And there was a woman there who for eighteen years had had an infirmity caused by a spirit (a demon of sickness). She was bent completely forward and utterly unable to straighten herself up or to look upward.12 And when Jesus saw her, He called [her to Him] and said to her, Woman, you are released from your infirmity!13 Then He laid [His] hands on her, and instantly she was made straight, and she recognized and thanked and praised God.14 But the leader of the synagogue, indignant because Jesus had healed on the Sabbath, said to the crowd, There are six days on which work ought to be done; so come on those days and be cured, and not on the Sabbath day.15 But the Lord replied to him, saying, You playactors (hypocrites)! Does not each one of you on the Sabbath loose his ox or his donkey from the stall and lead it out to water it?16 And ought not this woman, a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan has kept bound for eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the Sabbath day?17 Even as He said this, all His opponents were put to shame, and all the people were rejoicing over all the glorious things that were being done by Him.

As He walked on this earth casting out legions of demons, curing lepers, the women who was bent over for 18 years, as well as the woman with the issue of blood for 12 years, raising the dead, and much, much more, is not impossible, but we can't do it without the Gift of His power within us! He makes the deposit in us; and we receive it and go about blessing others with it! 

This Easter and every Easter reflect on how Great Jesus suffered so we can have freedom from oppression and sin that leads to eternal death! 

I AM Enough!

We can’t stand ourselves; because, if we did we would be gentler and kinder to each other. 

You see, being kind to others, starts with being kind to yourself. I know many of you are thinking of how and what that means; and where do you even begin! 

Well the first thing to begin with is getting a good nights sleep! Sleep rejuvenates the body and refreshes your mood and attitude to face the day with a smile! 

Second, remove ALL negativity in our lives. Things that clutter our house, clutters our mind and mood. So seek to live simple. I know this is not your normal, but I have been doing this since my children’s birth, if they or myself get something new, we get rid of something old. If it still is of good quality, we would give the things to a family or child in need, if not, it went in the trash. This act keeps clutter down and cleanses the heart; whereas, making someone else’s lives better, pleases you and makes you feel better- and keeps you wanting to give more also! 

Third remember things don’t satisfy or heal, they just add up the debt from purchases you didn’t really have the money to buy; and credit cards create a bill that is not a necessity to have - A house, food, a car to get to work, and paying the utility bills are. Strive to have a contingency account; but do get out and live a little also. Yes, it’s ok to go to the zoo, an amusement park, the movies, or a vacation. But again, remember, you are in control of money- NOT money in control of you!

Proverbs 15:16 KJV

16 Better is little with the fear of the Lord than great treasure and trouble therewith.

A well balanced life is very rare today and, to some, not even an option. It’s not good to be too busy, constantly in strife and struggling, and be unhealthy in every area of your life - which includes eating out often (which is VERY unhealthy), working long hours with little sleep (guzzling energy drinks to keep going that are loaded with caffeine - unhealthy also) over spending (because you feel you are entitled to fill that void in your life you aren’t sure why it’s there and what to do about it so you spend money, and run up the credit cards and credit), to the point of bankruptcy (Stress), and coming home to a garage full of things, closets over crowded, and a stack of dishes slapping you in the face; because you were too tired to do them the night before. Some would say being lazy; however, if you are tired due to your life being out of balance, you do not feel up to doing anything but in that little window of rest, you take it.

Get the picture now!

Ecclesiastes 5:10-20 AMPC

10 He who loves silver will not be satisfied with silver, nor he who loves abundance with gain. This also is vanity (emptiness, falsity, and futility)!

11 When goods increase, they who eat them increase also. And what gain is there to their owner except to see them with his eyes?

12 The sleep of a laboring man is sweet, whether he eats little or much, but the fullness of the rich will not let him sleep.

13 There is a serious and severe evil which I have seen under the sun: riches were kept by their owner to his hurt.

14 But those riches are lost in a bad venture; and he becomes the father of a son, and there is nothing in his hand [with which to support the child].

15 As [the man] came forth from his mother’s womb, so he will go again, naked as he came; and he will take away nothing for all his labor which he can carry in his hand.

16 And this also is a serious and severe evil—that in all points as he came, so shall he go; and what gain has he who labors for the wind?

17 All his days also he eats in darkness [cheerlessly, with no sweetness and light in them], and much sorrow and sickness and wrath are his.

18 Behold, what I have seen to be good and fitting is for one to eat and drink, and to find enjoyment in all the labor in which he labors under the sun all the days which God gives him—for this is his [allotted] part.

19 Also, every man to whom God has given riches and possessions, and the power to enjoy them and to accept his appointed lot and to rejoice in his toil—this is the gift of God [to him].

20 For he shall not much remember [seriously] the days of his life, because God [Himself] answers and corresponds to the joy of his heart [the tranquillity of God is mirrored in him].

Now before I bid you ALL a blessed day and a healthy and happy life, the foundation of a good life, begins with a relationship with God! So begin with the Bible, and the “Good” life will flourish! 

Support System

I would always tell my children when they were little to always surround yourself with friends who are smarter than you, is wealthier than you and who is a Christian! For the most part, they did it, but as we all do, we look to the left and to right of 

us to those who look like they are having more fun and doing things we’ve always wanted to do so they did it as well as I did as a teenager and got badly bitten! Because ALL those things we did was sinful and destructive to our body and spirit! And, boy, was it a hard climb out of that deep pit - but we climbed out and are still climbing! 

Answer each question honestly. 

1. Who do you call on when you are upset? 

    2.  Can you truly say you have committed to a cause, a loved one, or a relationship?

    3.  Are you in fear, in fright, or flight during a time of dread or terror?

We read the questions and see these words above; and we’ve even paused to contemplate in our minds “how” to truly answer; but yielding to the questions already proves the wavering of the thoughts and actions of a confused and indirect heart and mind that is set upon “what if”! 

To be steadfast and fixed in our hearts and minds is to know without a doubt, you can be yourself without compromising your integrity and convictions. 

Well God put on my heart, instead of three friends, add a fourth one. So briefly look at your past and then diligently look at where you are now - and where you would like to go.
Now pick at least four people you feel are your true friends; and ask yourself these questions? 

1. Do I have a friend who is smarter than me? Why? Because it helps you to increase in knowledge to exercise your brain as well as power (I call it confidence; whereas, knowledge of anything should give you confidence to pass an exam because you know it) You seek to increase and come up to a level that, without this friend, you would have never obtained. 
2. Do I have a friend who is a true servant of God? Anyone who serves God and is committed to Him will “affect” and “infect” you! 
3. Do I have a friend who is wealthy? How did they become wealthy. Through hard work , sacrifice, and belief they could have wealth like anyone else. Or did they steal, cheat, and step on toes to reach their goal. Through righteous living or unrighteous living. The righteous wealth is from God and adds no sorrow! (Proverbs 10:22 AMPC) "22 The blessing of the Lord—it makes [truly] rich, and He adds no sorrow with it [neither does toiling increase it]."
4. Do I have a friend who is exact opposite of me? Many of you who are married can answer this question with a yes. Men and women are opposites, yet are created to compliment each other through their individual gifts and character traits a spouse is supposed to focus on and acknowledge over what they do wrong. Their wrongs are very minimal  to what they do right; yet most women and some men will focus on that little wrong and tear down bridges and walls being built just to destroy one’s spirit- because your heart has become callous and hard. It is usually from a past hurt that has “nothing” to do with your spouse - but your choice to hold on to it is slowly crumbling all the while to a point of destruction and lots of debris.

It’s always good to surround yourselves with good company and good people; however, in the search to find them it will take time to first let God cleanse you first before you take it upon yourself to view another person insignificant and unworthy- because we ALL are unworthy of His Love due to our sinful nature that No One can deny. His Word says, "ALL have sinned and fallen short of His Glory" (Romans 3:23); yet God still loves us and wants a relationship with us that will last through All Eternity! 

Romans 3:20-25 AMPC 
20 For no person will be justified (made righteous, acquitted, and judged acceptable) in His sight by observing the works prescribed by the Law. For [the real function of] the Law is to make men recognize and be conscious of sin [not mere perception, but an acquaintance with sin which works toward repentance, faith, and holy character].
21 But now the righteousness of God has been revealed independently and altogether apart from the Law, although actually it is attested by the Law and the Prophets,
22 Namely, the righteousness of God which comes by believing with personal trust and confident reliance on Jesus Christ (the Messiah). [And it is meant] for all who believe. For there is no distinction,
23 Since all have sinned and are falling short of the honor and glory which God bestows and receives.
24 [All] are justified and made upright and in right standing with God, freely and gratuitously by His grace (His unmerited favor and mercy), through the redemption which is [provided] in Christ Jesus,
25 Whom God put forward [before the eyes of all] as a mercy seat and propitiation by His blood [the cleansing and life-giving sacrifice of atonement and reconciliation, to be received] through faith. This was to show God’s righteousness, because in His divine forbearance He had passed over and ignored former sins without punishment.

Who holds you up when things are crumbling down?

Mental Health!

I am not an expert on mental health; however, in the environment I teach at, I am finding out that the majority of my students’ conduct is more emotional distress than physical! 

Boots relaxing and cooling off! Learn from animals.
They know how to relax an unwind from a stressful day! 

There are persons, that do suffer from emotional and mental disorders; but that is not who they are. 

I have a true story to share with you. I had the privilege of substitute teaching in a large public school about 6 years ago, and I accepted an 8 week assignment for a teacher on maternity leave. This class was not a special needs class; however, the students struggled more than others in Literature and English. So this class gave them additional help outside of their general Literature and English class. All of the students were eager to learn, except a few; and one of them, was very quiet, yet attentive to his studies. 

I talked to him often and happen to find out he received a full scholarship to a prominent division one college. In addition, his Grandmother, Mother, Father, and oldest brother (who was a drug dealer) did not graduate high school. He was going to be the first one in his family (That he knew of) to complete high school and go on to college. He wasn't very tall or stout, just a determined young man to be better and do better.

This young man started out in school in the special needs classes all through grade school and junior high school. No one ever told him he could do better. Upon going into his Freshman year, he decided he did not belong in this environment of learning and took himself out of special needs into general education. (At my time there, he was a senior, graduating in June of that year)

First I ask him what made him make that move? His answer was; “I knew I didn’t belong there.” The second question I asked him was, “Through this transition, what was the hardest thing for you to adjust to?” His answer was, “Learning to think for myself!” He said everything was told to him of how to think, speak, act and live. Nothing was of his choice or desire. And through the transition, he felt very vulnerable and fearful!” 

We had a meeting that month with all of the teachers who were teaching inclusions and this young man’s name came up to be recognized and congratulated on his success and receiving the full scholarship to this division one college. One teacher spoke up and said, “ How can a child from his background receive a scholarship to this prominent school?” She went on to say, “I doubt he makes it!”

Mark 2:16-17 AMPC

 16 And the scribes [belonging to the party] of the Pharisees, when they saw that He was eating with [those definitely known to be especially wicked] sinners and tax collectors, said to His disciples, Why does He eat and drink with tax collectors and [notorious] sinners?17 And when Jesus heard it, He said to them, Those who are strong and well have no need of a physician, but those who are weak and sick; I came not to call the righteous ones to repentance, but sinners (the erring ones and all those not free from sin).

My first inclination was to belittle her, just as she belittled him, but I held my peace and said to myself, “God made it happen and God will see him through!”

What we as a Nation, in our small thinking and worldly views, are telling our children that only those who come from a good background are privileged and should receive good. Those who are living a life of poverty and destruction should not be entitled to anything good. 

It’s the concept of lock them up and throw away the key mentality. Every person in this world are born with hope, are deserving of love, and a chance at success just like anyone else; yet, no one wants to put in the work! If life was easy, I would have found that road myself; but there are obstacles we all encounter in life that is not pleasing or comfortable. 

Psalm 120  (ESV) 

 Deliver Me, O Lord
A Song of Ascents.
1 In my distress I called to the Lord,    and he answered me.2 Deliver me, O Lord,    from lying lips,    from a deceitful tongue.3 What shall be given to you,    and what more shall be done to you,    you deceitful tongue?4 A warrior's sharp arrows,    with glowing coals of the broom tree!5 Woe to me, that I sojourn in Meshech,    that I dwell among the tents of Kedar!6 Too long have I had my dwelling    among those who hate peace.7 I am for peace,    but when I speak, they are for war!

Christians are called to serve, not be served. Whereas, It does take a person who is “deeply” rooted in the Word, because the deception and manipulation is strong, but not powerful!

Colossians 2:5-9 AMPC 

5 For though I am away from you in body, yet I am with you in spirit, delighted at the sight of your [standing shoulder to shoulder in such] orderly array and the firmness and the solid front and steadfastness of your faith in Christ [that leaning of the entire human personality on Him in absolute trust and confidence in His power, wisdom, and goodness].
6 As you have therefore received Christ, [even] Jesus the Lord, [so] walk (regulate your lives and conduct yourselves) in union with and conformity to Him.
7 Have the roots [of your being] firmly and deeply planted [in Him, fixed and founded in Him], being continually built up in Him, becoming increasingly more confirmed and established in the faith, just as you were taught, and abounding and overflowing in it with thanksgiving.
8 See to it that no one carries you off as spoil or makes you yourselves captive by his so-called philosophy and intellectualism and vain deceit (idle fancies and plain nonsense), following human tradition (men’s ideas of the material rather than the spiritual world), just crude notions following the rudimentary and elemental teachings of the universe and disregarding [the teachings of] Christ (the Messiah).
9 For in Him the whole fullness of Deity (the Godhead) continues to dwell in bodily form [giving complete expression of the divine nature].

Everyone of my students who are told they are smart, do perform overtime, as an intelligent person who is able to critically think things through! To see the change of thinking and studying and how to do it in a way that is beneficial for them is in itself a “victory”! 

Over these three years of teaching in the environment I am currently at, I have seen over 95% of my students come in broken by their wayward actions and speech (that is not for ears to behold) and leave totally different. They carry themselves different, they reach out to a struggling classmate who wants to give up and quit; and they come to me at the completion of class and thank me for giving them hope and believing in them. (That’s Who God is and I’m grateful I am His servant) 

Now Don’t get me wrong, there’s conflict, write ups, and numerous conduct reports done before the change; but never give up or give in! Although they are adults, it’s still a way to correct wrong behavior and move forward with a new attitude and gratitude. It is so rewarding to see the change, the tears and the ambition to keep moving forward - and some go to college and become a light in this world! 

Note: Not everyone will reach that goal. It’s a few who fall off and have to start the process all over again. 

Everyday I feel the anguish of labor pains, that are soon forgotten, once that student is born anew! Praise God! Everyday also is a teachable moment to the “Broken” in Spirit!

John 16:21

21 A woman, when she gives birth to a child, has grief (anguish, agony) because her time has come. But when she has delivered the child, she no longer remembers her pain (trouble, anguish) because she is so glad that a man (a child, a human being) has been born into the world.