God's Helping Hand!

Father I ask for forgiveness from you and ALL of those whom I have hurt; those I remember and those I don’t. I pray in Jesus name that moving forward, I pray first about EVERYTHING AND for EVERYONE unto You before I decide to take anything into my own hands. I truly need Your helping hand upon me at ALL times, so that I can love the way you love, show compassion the way you show compassion and pray the way you pray in order to keep peace and be peaceful! In Jesus Name I pray! And so it is!

Opposites Attract

This is so important and necessary, so necessary that I’m going to emphasize relationships again; this time more direct!

In an intimate relationship we enter into; our concept is to change the other person to be like us or to our liking.  We don’t like the way they dress, we don’t like the way they eat, we don’t like the way they throw their clothes in the floor, or we are serious and they like to tease and laugh!

When you try to put magnets together that are alike, you can force it all you want and they will not come together; however, if you put magnets together that are opposite, they connect instantly!

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I have also attempted to change someone before God made me realize I had faults too. When we focus on someone else’s faults, it takes the attention off of ourselves ~ or so we think. I know when I am around someone who is constantly degrading someone else; my attention is actually on the person who is pointing the finger more than on the person who the finger is being pointed at.

Rewind the tape! So when did you become perfect? I only know of one perfect being; which is Jesus Christ - - - - - and He surely didn’t go around condemning anyone by saying, “You need to change how you dress; or you need to change your hair cut”. He saw the good in them, showed them compassion; and loved them.

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Love is very patient and kind, never jealous or envious, never boastful or proud, never haughty or selfish or rude. Love does not demand its own way. It is not irritable or touchy. It does not hold grudges and will hardly even notice when others do it wrong. I Corinthians 13:4-5 TLB

Those Telephone Lines!

Did you pray about it? Yes I just ask you did you pray about it. I know I’m probably getting a puzzled look right about now, or your saying under your breath, who does that?

Which is easier, getting on the phone and ramping and raving to your friends, and they call their friends and before you know it, EVERYBODY knows your business and NONE of them can help you ~ nor have a solution to your problem.

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So now what? Your blood pressure is up, you’re probably in tears by now and you just found out who your friends are. I know, it does hurt --- you thought you could confide in that person and they cared about you like you cared about them. Well take a deep breath, let out a big sigh, get up off the couch, wipe those tears and pray!

Now let God handle your friends and your problems! Yes, it does feel better! One more thing; don’t forget to Thank Him!

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. Philippians 4:6 

Appetizer # 9

# 9 - Confidence is defined as faith

I know many of you are tired of hearing about my failures, but here I go again (SMILE)! In 2013 I had no money, was off on Christmas break from substitute teaching, and no car! I kept thinking that God was going to bless me with finances any day now and it didn't happen. The closer it got to Christmas, the more fearful I became ~ and the more lack I received. (And I was being taught the true concept of Christmas~ we have made it about gift giving, instead of how our lives are better by the birth of Jesus)

I remember crying for two days - - - -just boohooing to the point of being inconsolable! Well, this is 2014 and although it took a year, I have learned from my own experience, that the more I focus on negative thoughts the more I'm going to get it! Thoughts of lack, defeat, worry, why me, etc.~ the Word says, "and unto us a child is born...................and He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6 NIV

Satan has tried, BELIEVE me, he has come at me every way you could imagine ----sickness, unemployment, no car, living off family, getting behind on bills, etc. 

But this time, I said, "Satan, you do not know the kind of God I serve! Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us,  to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.(Ephesians 3:20-21 KJV) 

And although I am still waiting on my good, I have kept my joy and faith in Christ, knowing He has already provided ~ and in ways I can't imagine! Praise Be To God!

For the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel, says: Only in returning to me and waiting for me will you be saved; in quietness and confidence is your strength; but you’ll have none of this. Isaiah 30:15 TLB

Easy Now!

So you got into an argument again with your spouse, boyfriend, girlfriend, whoever, your significant other is. I know when I was married, it was not enjoyable to always be in conflict ~ unkind words, punches being thrown, holes in the walls, etc. A gentle answer deflects anger, but harsh words make tempers flare.(Proverbs 15:1 NLT)

Constant conflict wears you down, hurts, and also causes health problems as well as being unhealthy. If there is strife and confusion (arguing and hurtful name calling, and back biting) in your home,  you are allowing Satan in your house and he enjoys seeing your home being destroyed. (I also understand that hurting people hurt other people, whereas, we cannot keep holding on to our past and expect to have a prosperous future)

As the Word says the thief comes only to kill, steal, and destroy; and Christ said, I came that you may have life and have it in abundance to the full until it overflows (John 10:10).

I knew I could not live like that anymore, my health began to fail in addition to my other afflictions, I didn't want to come home, nor did I feel it was something I was willing to fight for. If you are experiencing this in your household, PLEASE stop it now and turn to Christ. Seek a bible based church, a spiritual Christian who will encourage you in love, and pick up the bible and begin to turn yourself around first - - - - -if you haven't already started, it's time! Then your spouse will follow!

For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, because anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and approved by men. Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification. Romans 14:17-19 NIV

Stop the Fiery Arrows!

"Did you see that young girl come to church wearing that revealing dress?" Someone said during service. Maybe, just maybe that's all she had to wear. She came to the right place for love, acceptance and a kind word! However, fiery arrows were being shot at her from every angle.  

Many of our young teens and women already feel vulnerable and to come to church; however she is dressed is the first step to her life being transformed!

So the next time you see a young lady dressed (in your eyes as inappropriate) give her a smile and tell her she is beautiful! Then, your light will shine ~ just the way God intended it to!

nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. "Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven. Matthew 5:15,16

Teeter Totter!

How in the world did my life get so out of balance? I know many of you are asking yourself that question and some of you may not even be aware that we all get out of balance in something!

Eating too much, too many sexual partners (uh oh, did I go there?), drinking too much, and I’m going to even mention exercising too much. Yes our body needs exercise, and it’s a necessity to do so! Whereas, giving your muscles and your heart rest allows the oxygen to flow better in the body and increase muscle mass, instead of strains and burn out ~ which leads to giving up  - - - - - and again being out of balance! One minute you’re up WHEE ~ and the next you’re down~ UGH!

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I know I can look at someone else and see immediately what is causing them to be out of balance; however, I don’t see my own iniquities and many times can regress into a situation instead of making progress!Can it be we are in denial, or truly feel we are OK? 

I do not own the rights to this photo 

When we are out of balance, our life, our home, our family, our health, our friendships, our finances, our work ethics, and even our spiritual growth are out of balance also! Say what you will, however, we have to truly assess ourselves and work on us before we assess and start critiquing others of their faults. When people see a change for the better in us, they notice and want a change for themselves!

For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you. Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye? Matthew 7:2-4 ESV