The best thing we can do for ourselves is to understand because we have given our lives to God, that every day is going to be easy.

In fact, because we are now followers of Christ, we have now moved up on the enemy‘s “most wanted” list. Yes, we signed up to have our faith tested and tried continually.

But don’t fret! There are also benefits to choosing to trust and follow God. Although walking with God may cause you to go I to the fire from time to to time, we have help! We have a promise of the father that he will never leave us nor forsake us. We serve a God that will get in the fire and walk with us just has he did Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the book of Daniel. Because of God being there, the fire could not catch them, nor could it’s smell even permeate them or the clothes they wore!

So, here are some things to keep in mind, and some biblical foundation to encourage your heart, mind, and spirit:

–There are days/times when the worst happens…

Hebrews 8:28, “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those (A)who are the called according to His purpose.”

–Disappointments happen to everyone, but it’s how you choose to deal with it that separates us…

Philippians 4:11, “Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content:”

–Everyone feels overwhelmed at times, but we know where to go…

Psalms 61:2, “From the end of the earth I will cry to You, When my heart is overwhelmed; Lead me to the rock that is higher than I.”

–Everyone needs help at some time. The trick is to go to the right place for help…

Psalms 54:4, “Behold, God is my helper; The Lord is with those who uphold my life.”

The word of God should be our main source to seek comfort, solace, peace, strength, joy, patience, etc. the list is endless.

We can spin our wheels trying to find the answers to the challenges we face. However, the best place to go is to God. He will open doors, illuminate path ways the lead to to people and resources that he has lead men to put in place to help us.

But let God lead you to the correct place, because there are also wolves in sheep’s clothing out there. If you follow the wrong guidance, you may find yourself being lead to the slaughter.

I wanted to share this information because I recently received some disappointing news and it had me spinning for a couple days. Then I found myself turning to God for help. Since then my heart is lighter and I am encouraged.

I know the road ahead is challenging. But I also know that with God, it will be okay.

God is my center. He is my foundation. Because of that relationship, he has a way of speaking to my heart in the still small voice. That voice that will cause me to focus solely on it, and move towards it.

My prayer for you is that you handle the disappointments of life is a way that will ultimately glorify God, and bring you the peace that you need.

I love you and have a blessed day!

With so much ugliness in the world I choose not to spread it to others.

It is easy to be mean and negative. To see the worst in people and to take joy in sharing that negative information to those around you.

However…

It is just as easy to be kind and positive. To see the best in people and to take the joyful responsibility to share that positive outlook with the people around you.

The difference is choice.

We have to choose the path we want to walk. No one forced to you be positive and no one forces you to be negative. We decide who we want to be, then act accordingly.

So my prayer for you today is that you will choose to be positive and kind. Speak your world into existence by faith. Fill your space up with positive affirmations that are founded in the word of God – and be blessed!

God will cause your cup to over flow and those around you will be blessed likewise.

Have a blessed day and let it overflow to someone else!

1 Samuel 15:22

“And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.”

By definition, to obey simply means “to hear,” “to listen.” It carries with it, however, the ethical significance of hearing with reverence and obedient assent. 

The Foundation

Contrary to what many people would have you to believe, God does not want your blind obedience. In fact, God requires his children to study his scriptures. 

• John 5:39, “Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.”
• 2 Timothy 2:15, “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”

God clearly wants you to know his word for yourself.

The reason why is simple – your salvation is your own responsibility. Meaning once you come to God and receive the full plan of salvation (baptism in Jesus’ name for the remission of sins, then being filled with the Holy Ghost). After this glorious event which causes all of heaven to rejoice, we must walk in the newness of life. 

2 Corinthians 5:17, “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”

Our old way of life is now gone and we are walking in the new life that comes with the full plan of salvation. To do this successfully, we need to follow the instruction manual to this new life – God’s word (the Bible). This brings us back to studying the Word of God. I mean really, how can we live a new life by doing the same things we did in the old life. Remember, that old life was not working for us. It had us on a pathway that led to everlasting destruction. Now that we are on a new path, we need new information to be successful.

How else are we to know God?

This is a good question. We need preachers and teachers to bring us the word in a manner in which we can receive and understand (see Ephesians 4:11-12). But remember, when this is done it comes with the color of traditions and personal opinions of the person delivering the word. This is expected, because we are all human, and come from all different types of upbringing and backgrounds. Our job as children of God, is to take the meat of the word that is given, and discard the bones that would cause us to choke. 

Additionally, this removes excuses. We cannot blame people for steering us in the wrong direction. God tells us to study his word ourselves and pray for wisdom.

By definition, wisdom is the soundness of an action or decision with regard to the application of experience, knowledge, and good judgment. In other words, wisdom is the practical application of knowledge. We take the time to learn or get to know God and his word, Wisdom will then help us to apply his word to our lives.

James 1:5, “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.”

God gives us everything we need for spiritual success. We just have to be willing to have a relationship with him, instead of depending on other people to talk to God for us. By all means, ask for prayer when you need it. But also, talk to him yourself, in faith and receive all that he has for you.

Philippians 2:12, “Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.”

Salvation is free to all and it is for all. Without exception. Jesus died for us all. And he requires the same from us all. Obedience. We are to obey his word. We are to obey those who are in leadership, we are to submit one to another, and we are to recognize if/when leadership is guiding us in a direction that is contrary to God’s word. At this point we obey God rather than man. For we are a new creature and heaven is our goal. Who shall separate us from the love of God?

We cannot be hard headed, and still be called the followers of Christ.

We cannot refuse to do things God’s way and still call ourselves blessed.

We are to be willing to lay our wants and desires aside so that God’s will can be done. But the awesome this about God – if we seek him FIRST, he will still give us the desires of our hearts (see Matthew 6:33). Just as there was a ram in the bush for Abraham (Genesis 22:11-14), your willingness to obey will be rewarded as well,

This is the foundation of our obedience discussion. I am excited to share this topic with you – this is a 4 part series.

God bless and have a great day!