Judgments From God

Date: Saturday, July 18, 2015
Chapters: Proverbs 25-28
Message Title: Judgments From God

Hello My Friend,

We all have a little bit of wicked in us, especially if we have been wronged, we are just as capable of doing to them what has been done to us. As Christians we are taught to love those who hate us, be kind to those who deceive us, and take care of those who hurt us. So, how are we to show kindness to those who have hurt us, especially when a child is involved? Jesus, give it all the Jesus. Jesus suffered more than anyone on this earth, if He can be kind to His enemies, we can too. You see, by our being kind to them, God gets the vengeance for us. ”Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.” - Romans 12:19-21.

First of all, we must learn to separate ourselves from those who are wicked in the first place, I for one always tried to find the good in everyone, but come to realize some people are just plain wicked. Our judgment can become impaired when we allow ourselves to dwell with the wicked in the first place. “Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble is like a broken tooth, and a foot out of joint. As he that taketh away a garment in cold weather, and as vinegar upon nitre, so is he that singeth songs to an heavy heart. If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink: For thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head, and the LORD shall reward thee.” - Proverbs 25:19-22.

When I was with who I thought was my soul mate, deep down I knew I was headed for disaster when introduced some things to our relationship, but I allowed them against my better judgment and of course, I was the one that suffered for it. My first reaction after I found out about him was revenge and I got it, but all it did was make things worse for me. Once I started to be nice to him, he began to suffer, and I do not know what he is doing today, but I do know that he has suffered a lot since then. Some people just never learn from their sins, no matter how many times they get punished for them, and we cannot let them bring us down with them. “The legs of the lame are not equal: so is a parable in the mouth of fools. As he that bindeth a stone in a sling, so is he that giveth honour to a fool. As a thorn goeth up into the hand of a drunkard, so is a parable in the mouth of fools. The great God that formed all things both rewardeth the fool, and rewardeth transgressors. As a dog returneth to his vomit, so a fool returneth to his folly. Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? there is more hope of a fool than of him.” - Proverbs 26:7-12.

Let me tell you something, the world and people who live in it do not care about anyone, all they do is use people to get what they want. They find out their weaknesses or desires and use them to get you where they want you. Go to someone who lives in the world and ask them for help when you have nothing and see what you get. Nothing! Our nations, the world for that matter, is quickly falling because of this very reason. We better get our priorities straight before it is too late, life does not just end when we die here on earth. “Boast not thyself of to morrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth. Let another man praise thee, and not thine own mouth; a stranger, and not thine own lips. Hell and destruction are never full; so the eyes of man are never satisfied. As the fining pot for silver, and the furnace for gold; so is a man to his praise.”- Proverbs 27:1,2,20,21.

Those who think they have everything they need without Christ in their lives will literally have hell to pay for rejecting Him. “And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.” - Revelation 20:14,15. Those who are saved and living wicked lives will literally have they death to pay for forsaking Him. “Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.” - James 1:15.

We have all done things that we are not proud, we can't let them define us or control us. God knows who you are, what you do, did, and will do, after all, He created you. So, you messed up, get over it, seek His forgiveness, accept the responsibility for your actions, and move forward. God does not want us to go through needless suffering, but we bring it all on our own because we make ourselves bondage to these things. “They that forsake the law praise the wicked: but such as keep the law contend with them. Evil men understand not judgment: but they that seek the LORD understand all things. Better is the poor that walketh in his uprightness, than he that is perverse in his ways, though he be rich. When righteous men do rejoice, there is great glory: but when the wicked rise, a man is hidden. He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy. Happy is the man that feareth alway: but he that hardeneth his heart shall fall into mischief.” - Proverbs 28:4-6,12-14.

Christians understand judgments from God, they may not understand, but they know that God's judgments are always righteous and just. Those who live in the world, and even worldly Christians, never understand that the wars, famines, poverty, and diseases plaguing us today comes from sin. Judgment comes to God's people first. Why? Because we are His people. Those who reject Him have hell to face, therefore, He's not going to waste a breath trying to convince them that what they are doing is wrong. Those who know Him and live as though they are of the world are going to suffer His judgment before He takes them home. “Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf. For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God? And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear? Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator.” - 1 Peter 4:16-19.

Today's Prayer: God, I still have a hard time understanding how Your grace is enough to keep me saved. All the wrong I have done, yet You still love me and forgive me no matter how many times I mess up. Thank You for that, and for Your love and mercy toward me. Lord, give me the grace I need to be loving and forgiving to those who have wronged me, let me not be envious, angry, or bitter, but loving, compassionate, and helpful to them. Give me Your power and strength to do what I need to do to find peace through my Saviour. In Jesus' name. Amen.

God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina

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True Riches

Date: Friday, July 17, 2015
Chapters: Proverbs 22-24
Message Title: True Riches

Hello My Friend,

Money, it truly is the root of all evil, I hate money because everyone wants yours. Some people, including Christians, will do anything, and everything to get their hands on as much of it as they can. God knows what we need, He knows we need money to pay the bills, have a place to live, and the luxuries we have, He just doesn't want it to be an idol in our lives. Ask any faithful Christian how many times God has waited until the last minute to give them the money they needed for something and they will tell you quite a bit. You see, many Christians are not wealthy, it's not that God cannot give us wealth, it's that God wants us to live by faith in Him and not our stuff. “That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.” - 1 Peter 1:7-9.

When Solomon became king he inherited all his fathers fortune, then God blessed Him with even more because when followed Him as his father did. Later in life, he got caught up in a mess of women that drew his heart away from God, it wasn't until he was on his death bed that he realized that having a relationship with God is the most valuable possession we will ever have. “A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold. The rich and poor meet together: the LORD is the maker of them all. A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself: but the simple pass on, and are punished. By humility and the fear of the LORD are riches, and honour, and life. Thorns and snares are in the way of the froward: he that doth keep his soul shall be far from them. He that oppresseth the poor to increase his riches, and he that giveth to the rich, shall surely come to want.” - Proverbs 22:1-5,16.

A good name, someone who is upright, moral, and lives a godly life, that is hard to come by these days. So many people willing to sell their soul for riches, and it causes much shame to their name. While God can give us just as much money as Solomon, He knows what will happen if He gave it to us. Those who put their faith in God will find His favor and trust with all things, including riches. “Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;” - 1 Timothy 6:17.

God wants us to know how we can live the best life there is here on earth, no matter where we come from. The only way we can do that is by getting in His Word, studying it, and applying it to our lives. Chrisitans make foolish decisions because they become envious of those in the world. “When thou sittest to eat with a ruler, consider diligently what is before thee: And put a knife to thy throat, if thou be a man given to appetite. Be not desirous of his dainties: for they are deceitful meat. Labour not to be rich: cease from thine own wisdom. Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not? for riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly away as an eagle toward heaven. Let not thine heart envy sinners: but be thou in the fear of the LORD all the day long. For surely there is an end; and thine expectation shall not be cut off. Hear thou, my son, and be wise, and guide thine heart in the way.” - Proverbs 23:1-5,17-19.

Let me tell you, envy gets you no where, and selling your soul for riches will get you somewhere, but not where you want to be. There are times when I look at someone and wonder why I do not have the success that they have, then when I realize what they did to get what they got I become ashamed of myself. I've been in the world and got caught up in the money that can be made in it, but then God showed up and gave ma glimpse of where I would be if I continued where I was. I do not know about you, but I do not want to gain any kind of fortune by doing things that are deceitful and wicked. I want to be known for the honest, hard work that got me where I am and the God who brought me there. “He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much. If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches? And if ye have not been faithful in that which is another man's, who shall give you that which is your own?” - Luke 16:10-12.

It takes hard work, dedication, and faithfulness to obtain and truly understand and appreciate the things we do obtain. We are not to envy the wicked who got their riches deceitfully, not should we be tempted to do what they did to have what they have. They have no real happiness of heart, their prosperity is only for the present and there is no good for them in the world to come. “Be not thou envious against evil men, neither desire to be with them. For their heart studieth destruction, and their lips talk of mischief. Through wisdom is an house builded; and by understanding it is established: And by knowledge shall the chambers be filled with all precious and pleasant riches. So shall the knowledge of wisdom be unto thy soul: when thou hast found it, then there shall be a reward, and thy expectation shall not be cut off. Lay not wait, O wicked man, against the dwelling of the righteous; spoil not his resting place: For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again: but the wicked shall fall into mischief.” - Proverbs 24:1-4,14-16.

Faithful Christians are going to fall on hard times, even if they are rich, but they have God to help them get back up. Stop worrying about the things that you do not have, take care of what you do have, the more God trusts You with the little that you have the more He can trust you with the much He has waiting for you. “Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith? Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.” - Matthew 6:30-34.

Today's Prayer: God, I may not be the wisest person on earth, but I know that without You nothing lasts. No matter how much I learn, unless You are there with me, it is vain, and I will never be satisfied. I tried to do things my way and all I did was make a mess of things, I am trusting You to guide me as I learn Your truths and apply them to my life. Give me Your power to live in and through Christ, who makes everything possible, and supplies me with all I need for Your glory. In Jesus' name. Amen.

God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina

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Regain Your Integrity

Date: Thursday, July 16, 2015
Chapters: Proverbs 19-21
Message Title: Regain Your Integrity

Hello My Friend,

Integrity, it's a word that we do not hear anymore, mostly because the world shuns it. What is integrity? It's honoring and respecting God, who gave us life. It's doing what's right, even when it's frowned upon. It's honoring and respecting our bodies by not giving them up to every lust that it's drawn to. It's learning to go to God to help us overcome anything that threatens or even takes our integrity from us. “Judge me, O LORD; for I have walked in mine integrity: I have trusted also in the LORD; therefore I shall not slide. Gather not my soul with sinners, nor my life with bloody men: In whose hands is mischief, and their right hand is full of bribes. But as for me, I will walk in mine integrity: redeem me, and be merciful unto me.” - Psalms 26:1,9-11.

The word integrity means moral soundness; uncorrupt, upright; honest. The world hates enforcing anything that is of moral soundness, which basically means anything that God doesn't approve of. “Better is the poor that walketh in his integrity, than he that is perverse in his lips, and is a fool. Also, that the soul be without knowledge, it is not good; and he that hasteth with his feet sinneth. The foolishness of man perverteth his way: and his heart fretteth against the LORD. Slothfulness casteth into a deep sleep; and an idle soul shall suffer hunger. He that keepeth the commandment keepeth his own soul; but he that despiseth his ways shall die. There are many devices in a man's heart; nevertheless the counsel of the LORD, that shall stand. The desire of a man is his kindness: and a poor man is better than a liar. The fear of the LORD tendeth to life: and he that hath it shall abide satisfied; he shall not be visited with evil.” - Proverbs 19:1-3,15,16,21-23.

The flesh really does stink, it desires some crazy things sometimes, especially if someone becomes addicted to pleasing it. And I am not talking about just physical pleasures, I am talking about substances like, drugs, alcohol, food, and even money. The flesh is never satisfied, especially when it is slothful and can care less about doing anything to control it. We are to walk in the Spirit of God, and not our flesh, it's the only way we not only learn to respect ourselves, but those around us as well. “This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law. Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.” - Galatians 5:16-21.

When we are told not to touch this or stay away from that, it is in our natural born sin nature to want to do it, even if we never thought about doing it before. There's something deep within the heart that causes us to search for anything to take away the pain, anger, loneliness, or grief we have inside. It takes the power of someone much stronger than our flesh to help us overcome the heart, that power only comes from walking with Christ. “Counsel in the heart of man is like deep water; but a man of understanding will draw it out. Most men will proclaim every one his own goodness: but a faithful man who can find? The just man walketh in his integrity: his children are blessed after him. Man's goings are of the LORD; how can a man then understand his own way? It is a snare to the man who devoureth that which is holy, and after vows to make enquiry. The blueness of a wound cleanseth away evil: so do stripes the inward parts of the belly.” - Proverbs 20:5-7,24,25,30.

The more we walk with Christ, the more we draw out the things that cause us pain, and once we give it all over to Him, we will finally find peace, and regain the integrity we lost along the way. While He can intervene at any time, He lets us get bruised sometimes so we can come to Him to be healed. “All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him. Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” - Matthew 11:27-30.

Okay, let's face it, we all have something that we desire in life, and we all have done things less desirable to get them. Some of us take a little longer to break from habits or lusts that make us desire to please the flesh to begin with. God knows this, He knows our heart, what we really want deep inside, and He's going to test us on this. “Every way of a man is right in his own eyes: but the LORD pondereth the hearts. To do justice and judgment is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice. An high look, and a proud heart, and the plowing of the wicked, is sin. The thoughts of the diligent tend only to plenteousness; but of every one that is hasty only to want. The getting of treasures by a lying tongue is a vanity tossed to and fro of them that seek death.” - Proverbs 21:2-6.

We must understand something, God wants us to be happy, He wants us to find love, to prosper, and to break free from the past, it's we who hold on to things that God wants us to get rid. We may not have the guy or gal we want, the job we worked so hard to get, or the relationship we so desperately want with loves ones, but we have something. God is going to hinder us if He knows that the thing we desire will harm us or take us away from Him. Once we understand this, we can let God show us what He really wants for us, and we will be more than happy with the results. “Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” - Romans 8:26-28.

Today's Prayer: Jesus, Thank You for saving us from the price of sin that we all deserve, hell. You gave Your life to give us life, and those who believe in You and accept You no longer have to worry that if we do lose our integrity we lose You too. Your mercy and grace keeps us saved, but it is only by walking with You that we can truly overcome every lust, and keep our integrity. Lord, walk with us, give us Your power to break free from the burdens deep in our heart, give us Your strength to walk with You and see what You desire for us, and give us the patience to wait for You as You prepare for us to receive it. In Your name Jesus, Amen.

God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina

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Changing God's Plan

Date: Wednesday, July 15, 2015
Chapters: Proverbs 16-18
Message Title: Changing God's Plan

Hello My Friend,

I have always been a person who loves things in order, I like knowing the plan, preparing for it, and seeing it through. When people come along and do things their way or change up the plan, I get uneasy, back off, and let them figure it out while I watch them get frustrated because it's not going well. The thing about it, all they had to do was ask me and I would have showed them how to do it right. When you think about it, God is the same way with us, He has a plan for us, but we want to change things or do it our own way, so, He backs off, and watches us as we get frustrated because our plan is not going so well. You see, God knows our hearts, and what we are going through, He's going to let us do what we want, but He's always there to show us the right way if we come to Him. “Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.” - Matthew 7:7,8.

There are natural born leaders and also natural born followers, but if there are too many leaders leading and no one following, how is anything productive going to get done? Those who follow Christ, may not always make the right decisions, most of all because they are not thinking clearly before they make them, but when they talk it over with God and listen to what He says it all come clear. “The preparations of the heart in man, and the answer of the tongue, is from the LORD. All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes; but the LORD weigheth the spirits. Commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be established. The LORD hath made all things for himself: yea, even the wicked for the day of evil. Every one that is proud in heart is an abomination to the LORD: though hand join in hand, he shall not be unpunished. By mercy and truth iniquity is purged: and by the fear of the LORD men depart from evil.” - Proverbs 16:1-6.

Jesus, the Son of God, and God Himself in the flesh, having all the power to do as He pleased, humbled Himself and gave all the power to God, the Father. Jesus, subjected Himself to all the elements that we go though, hunger, pain, sorrow, temptations, anger, living under poverty. He being the most powerful leader of all, humbled Himself before His Father, and followed Him. There is a time to be a leader and a time to be a follower, we must always follow Christ if we want to know the plan and He will prepare us to be leaders for Him. “He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal. If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour.” - John 12:25,26.

You can be sure that when you come to God to get things in order, there is going to be some opposition, most of it from the devil, but every once in a while from God. He's going to try our hearts and see if we really want Him in our lives. “The fining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold: but the LORD trieth the hearts. A wicked doer giveth heed to false lips; and a liar giveth ear to a naughty tongue. Whoso mocketh the poor reproacheth his Maker: and he that is glad at calamities shall not be unpunished. A gift is as a precious stone in the eyes of him that hath it: whithersoever it turneth, it prospereth. He that covereth a transgression seeketh love; but he that repeateth a matter separateth very friends. A reproof entereth more into a wise man than an hundred stripes into a fool.” - Proverbs 17:3-5,8-10.

There are just some people in this world that no matter how much you try to get them to do right, they will rebel. It's a waste of time and efforts to try and convince someone to follow Christ, all we can do is give that over to God, and perhaps He will be able to soften their heart to stop fighting. Really they fight is not with us, it's with God, they do not like the idea of answering to a higher power, especially one they cannot see and deep down know they will answer to Him one day. “For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son: That all men should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father. He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father which hath sent him. Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life. Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.” - John 5:22-24,28,29.

The fool has said in their heart that there is no higher power, there is no God, and the Son of God is a big hoax. They can deny the existence of God, but cannot deny that Jesus existed, nor the events that took place while He was here. It is the fool, those who are proud, hard hearted, destitute of reason, and beyond any hope of seeing that they are accountable for their actions, that does things there own way or changes the plans and makes a mess of things. It is the fool that gets frustrated and never admits that they are wrong and need help. “A fool hath no delight in understanding, but that his heart may discover itself. A fool's lips enter into contention, and his mouth calleth for strokes. A fool's mouth is his destruction, and his lips are the snare of his soul. The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly. He also that is slothful in his work is brother to him that is a great waster. The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.” - Proverbs 18:2,6-10.

Those who believe in Christ, accept Him into their lives, and follow Him depend on Him for more than their salvation. He is their hope of anything beyond this world, their refuge when they are being tried, their safety when they are in the world. The majority of people who have walked away from Him do so when they really weren't following Him in the first place. Oh, they came to church, prayed, even acknowledged Him, but He was really in their heart because they followed something else. They changed the plan for something that was to please their flesh and got frustrated when it wasn't working. We cannot blame God for the things that happen when we get out of His safety net. We do have a way out of any situation, and by the way, God knows how far to let you go before He pulls you back, one way or another. “Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him. Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death. But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.” - James 1:12-15,25.

Today's Prayer: God, You have a perfect plan for each and everyone of the people You create. Whether we are here to love You and accept Your Son, or as an example of wickedness because we have hardened our hearts toward You, it's Your plan, and only You have the power to change it. If we want things to change in our lives, we must follow Your plan, one that begins with accepting Your Son as lour Saviour, and walking with Him with all our heart daily. Lord, lead us and guide us, show us Your path, get us on it, and if we get off track, show us the way back. Let us be a godly example and not one that is wicked and corrupt, and let Your Son shine through us to give hope and safety to those who are lost in the midst of them. In Jesus' name. Amen.

God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina

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The Destruction Of The Tongue

Date: Tuesday, July 14, 2015
Chapters: Proverbs 13-15
Message Title: The Destruction Of The Tongue

Hello My Friend,

The Christian life, what a life. I can recall a time before I got saved, and time when I was mocked and teased by my peers. I never really fit in with what I now know as the world, I grew up Catholic, everything was about catechism so, I couldn't even speak to God unless I took it. When I got saved it took me a long time to figure out what it really meant to be saved. As Jesus worked in my life, and I chose to dedicate my life to Him some nine years ago, I truly understood the price Jesus paid for me, not only to save me from eternal death and hell, but the life I was living as well. You see, I tried on the world, and it was not my fit, praise God. He knew from the start that I was never going to fit in with them, and while the Christian life comes with its own set of mockers, there really is no better life, at least we know who we belong to. “And ye shall be betrayed both by parents, and brethren, and kinsfolks, and friends; and some of you shall they cause to be put to death. And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake. But there shall not an hair of your head perish.” - Luke 21:16-18.

All that mocking and teasing from my youth could have had a very destructive path for me, it did impact me, in fact, I still get angry when I see grown people and kids bully others because they don't look like them. I realize now the reason they are the way they are is because they feel so little about themselves that it makes them feel superior to belittle others. Find the flaws, or what they believe to be flaws in others, so, they can feel better about themselves. Can I tell you that that they will bring themselves to their own destruction. “A wise son heareth his father's instruction: but a scorner heareth not rebuke. A man shall eat good by the fruit of his mouth: but the soul of the transgressors shall eat violence. He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life: but he that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction. The soul of the sluggard desireth, and hath nothing: but the soul of the diligent shall be made fat. A righteous man hateth lying: but a wicked man is loathsome, and cometh to shame. Righteousness keepeth him that is upright in the way: but wickedness overthroweth the sinner.” - Proverbs 13:1-6.

The things we say are stirred up from the heart, and comes packed with emotions, they have a deep impact on ourselves and others as well. Of all the things we can control, the one thing hardest is our tongue, and if we do not get a handle on it, we will suffer. “And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell. For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind: But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.” - James 3:6-8.

It's the heart that brings out the best or worse in us, and when the heart is proud, bitter, or filled with hate, you can be sure destruction will come. And sadly, it comes for many people that get thrown in the middle of their hatred, God is the only one who can help in cases like this. “There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death. Even in laughter the heart is sorrowful; and the end of that mirth is heaviness. The backslider in heart shall be filled with his own ways: and a good man shall be satisfied from himself. The simple believeth every word: but the prudent man looketh well to his going. A wise man feareth, and departeth from evil: but the fool rageth, and is confident. In the fear of the LORD is strong confidence: and his children shall have a place of refuge. The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death.” - Proverbs 14:12-16,26,27.

Many, saved, born again Christians turn away from God and turn to immoral, corrupt lives at the result of anger or hatred down in their heart. Instead of going to God and letting Him help them and mend their heart, they rebel against Him and everything having to do with Him. This is why God does not base our salvation on our works, we are simply filled with too many emotions and desires from our flesh to make the right decisions all the time.

“As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one. Their throat is an open sepulchre; with their tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps is under their lips: Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness: For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.” - Romans 3:10-14,23-26.

While God would have all His creation to be saved, He simply knows that will not happen, so He doesn't have a concern about them. He does have a concern about His people, the ones who have received His Son as their Saviour. They are no longer a creation, but one of His children, and just like every parent gets broken hearted over their children living a wicked life, so does God. More than we would like, it takes sorrow to get us to see the need for God in our lives, even after we are saved. “The way of the wicked is an abomination unto the LORD: but he loveth him that followeth after righteousness. Correction is grievous unto him that forsaketh the way: and he that hateth reproof shall die. Hell and destruction are before the LORD: how much more then the hearts of the children of men? A scorner loveth not one that reproveth him: neither will he go unto the wise. A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken. The heart of him that hath understanding seeketh knowledge: but the mouth of fools feedeth on foolishness. All the days of the afflicted are evil: but he that is of a merry heart hath a continual feast.” - Proverbs 15:9-15.

A merry heart, we all would like to have a merry heart all the time, but things take a toll on us, and it can bring sorrow, grief, and anger, but we can learn to have a merry heart, even when things are not going well. I use to envy those who lived in the world because they always seemed to get everything I worked so hard for handed to them, while I struggled to get my next meal. Then I realized that God always takes care of me, He gives me what I need when I need it, and even throws in some wonderful surprises once in a while. I can't complain or even be a bit jealous because I'm doing what God wants me to do, and He blesses me for my obedience. Sure, there are some things I would like to have, but I know as long as I do it God's way, I shall have them, in His time. Faith and hope always brings a merry heart to those who realize how blessed they are. “Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward. For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise. For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry.” - Hebrews 10:35-37.

Today's Prayer: God, Thank You for showing me that I am fearfully, wonderfully, and perfectly made by Your precious hands, and that every bit of me was created by You, and too be used for You. I do not always understand the trials I face, but I do understand You hand in everything to mold me and shape me into Your perfect child. I'm so glad that the world rejected me because I am not of the world, I never was, and I thank You for that. You protected me through some rough patches that I placed on my life when I did try to fit in with the world, and thankfully, You found me, picked me up, and cleaned me off. Today, I can proudly say that I am a sinner saved by Your grace, and could never live without You in my life. Keep my eyes on You, let me not even walk into anything that would harden my heart to You. In Jesus' name, Amen.

God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina

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Recipe For Life

Date: Monday, July 13, 2015
Chapters: Proverbs 10-12
Message Title: Recipe For Life

Hello My Friend,

I was determined to put my knowledge of baking to good use and come up with my own organic cake recipes. I gathered all the ingredients for the cake, started sifting all the dry ingredients, and mistakenly added the sugar, which was to be creamed with the butter separately. I decided to cut the butter into it all. The result, a nice, fluffy, moist, and tasty cake. You see, sometimes we might have the right ingredients for a great recipe in life, but the way it is put together may or may not have good results. God knows just how to mix up the ingredients in our lives to make us just right. “Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.” - 1 Peter 4:12,13.

The base ingredient to life as a Christian is Jesus Christ, no one is forced to believe in Him and accept Him as their Saviour, but if we want the best recipe for life, we must first start with Christ. Those who reject Him, make up their own recipe, the end result will be something awful, those who accept Him may add a strange ingredient, but the end result will be something wonderful. “As the whirlwind passeth, so is the wicked no more: but the righteous is an everlasting foundation. As vinegar to the teeth, and as smoke to the eyes, so is the sluggard to them that send him. The fear of the LORD prolongeth days: but the years of the wicked shall be shortened. The hope of the righteous shall be gladness: but the expectation of the wicked shall perish. The way of the LORD is strength to the upright: but destruction shall be to the workers of iniquity. The righteous shall never be removed: but the wicked shall not inhabit the earth.” - Proverbs 10:25-30.

Those who choose Christ may alter their recipe, and get strange results, but we will not get burned by doing so. We must realize that life is not going to always be easy, we are going to mess up, we are going to throw in some strange ingredients that will terrify us at the thought of something worse happening. That's where Christ comes in, He is there to make something great out of those strange ingredients. We may have to have the fire turned up on us, but we are saved from being burned the second we accept Christ as our Saviour. Those who reject Christ will be cast into the fire and burned, no matter what they try to do to stop it. “I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned. If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.” - John 15:5-7.

The key to making those strange ingredients work in the recipe is wisdom, getting the knowledge to know how to make them taste good. God loves to give us wisdom, He gives it to all who ask Him for it, but if one is not willing to learn His ways, we're not going to get the results we want. You know the saying, “You can't teach an old dog new tricks.” This is so true for those who are determined to do things their own way instead of God's. Some people are just proud to do anything God's way and sadly, they will be the ones who will suffer the most. “When pride cometh, then cometh shame: but with the lowly is wisdom. The integrity of the upright shall guide them: but the perverseness of transgressors shall destroy them. Riches profit not in the day of wrath: but righteousness delivereth from death. The righteousness of the perfect shall direct his way: but the wicked shall fall by his own wickedness. The righteousness of the upright shall deliver them: but transgressors shall be taken in their own naughtiness.” - Proverbs 11:2-6.

We all have a choice, we can take our knowledge and seek God's wisdom in how to use it correctly, or we can seek our own and fall. We are truly profitable when using our knowledge God's way. “Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.” - Psalms 1:1-3.

Let's face it, Christians are some of the smartest people on earth, just imagine what we could do with all the knowledge we have, but the problem lies in who we get around. First of all, we cannot expect God to bless us for our labor when we will not lose the people that distract and or hurt our efforts. And second, if we are trusting in those people to help us succeed than we are only setting ourselves up for failure. “Whoso loveth instruction loveth knowledge: but he that hateth reproof is brutish. A good man obtaineth favour of the LORD: but a man of wicked devices will he condemn. A man shall not be established by wickedness: but the root of the righteous shall not be moved. A man shall be commended according to his wisdom: but he that is of a perverse heart shall be despised. He that is despised, and hath a servant, is better than he that honoureth himself, and lacketh bread. A righteous man regardeth the life of his beast: but the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel. He that tilleth his land shall be satisfied with bread: but he that followeth vain persons is void of understanding.” - Proverbs 12:1-3,8-11.

We have seen them before, those who talk a great game, but have nothing to show for it. They love to boast about all they can do, even criticize you for what you can't do, but have nothing themselves. I have known a few people like that, and all I have to say is that, I never want to have that kind of attitude, it really gets us nowhere. It's actually better if we were hated by them instead of being friends with them, who are really no friends at all. This life that God gave us is full of all sorts of ingredients to make it the best recipe ever, sure, it comes with some surprises that we may not want, and we may even throw in some things ourselves, but we have God's favor, and that is the only ingredient we need to see something great come out of all this. “Sing unto the LORD, O ye saints of his, and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness. For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning. And in my prosperity I said, I shall never be moved.” - Psalms 30:4-6.

Today's Prayer: God, I want to be profitable with all the ingredients You have given me for this recipe of life. Lord, give me Your power, wisdom, and guidance to use my knowledge for Your glory. I know that as long as I do things Your way I will always be blessed. Keep me in Your Word to learn and understand how to use my skills to not only please You, but to be of help to others as well. As I follow Your way I am trusting in You to mix up all the ingredients You have given me for a good and prosperous life. In Jesus' name. Amen.

God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina

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Follow My Commands And Live

Date: Sunday, July 12, 2015
Chapters: Proverbs 7-9
Message Title: Follow My Commands And Live

Hello My Friend,

Regardless of what the world thinks about the Christian life, as being judgmental, hypocritical, and taking the life out of life itself, that could not be further from the truth. Of course, if the world sees immorality, substance abuse, and alternative lifestyles as living life, than sure they will be against us. God wants us to live, in fact, He wants us to live life to the fullest, He just wants us to have some morals in doing so. People are free to live they way they want, even Christians, but we cannot blame God for the consequences that arise in living the way we want, and that goes for all people, not just Christians. “For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God. So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God. Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother's way.” - Romans 14:11-13.

Unless we are reading, studying, and seeking the Holy Spirit's guidance in understanding what God wants, we will always be trying to handle things our way and not being very successful at it. Living in obedience to God's Word is not to keep us from enjoying life, but that we might live a joyful life without all the consequences that come with the sin. Trust me, until you repent of that one little thing you keep holding on to, your life will continue be like a blur, with no meaning to it. “My son, keep my words, and lay up my commandments with thee. Keep my commandments, and live; and my law as the apple of thine eye. Bind them upon thy fingers, write them upon the table of thine heart. Say unto wisdom, Thou art my sister; and call understanding thy kinswoman: That they may keep thee from the strange woman, from the stranger which flattereth with her words.” - Proverbs 7:1-5.

We are to never use our salvation as a pardon to live the way we want, it all comes with consequences. The only reason we are not cast into hell is because we have received Jesus Christ as our Saviour, but it should never be thought of that way. “Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.” - 1 Corinthians 6:9-11.

The world loves to base their wealth on their possessions, money, and fame, God can give His people all these things, but they often lack them because they forget that He is the way to them all. “I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me. Riches and honour are with me; yea, durable riches and righteousness. My fruit is better than gold, yea, than fine gold; and my revenue than choice silver. I lead in the way of righteousness, in the midst of the paths of judgment: Now therefore hearken unto me, O ye children: for blessed are they that keep my ways. Hear instruction, and be wise, and refuse it not. Blessed is the man that heareth me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors. For whoso findeth me findeth life, and shall obtain favour of the LORD. But he that sinneth against me wrongeth his own soul: all they that hate me love death.” - Proverbs 8:17-20,32-36.

Living a sinful life leads to death, believe it or not, there is only so much you can do before life catches up to you. Jesus calls everyday for His people, some will hear Him and come to Him, while others will not. Those who reject Him have no one to blame, but themselves for the death that follows them. “As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.” - Revelation 3:19-2.

We spend so much valuable time trying to convince the foolish that we stand by God. It's time to forsake the foolish, and live. Live the joyful, blessed life that God wants you to live, and let God take care of the foolish. “Forsake the foolish, and live; and go in the way of understanding. He that reproveth a scorner getteth to himself shame: and he that rebuketh a wicked man getteth himself a blot. Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee: rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee. Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser: teach a just man, and he will increase in learning. The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding. For by me thy days shall be multiplied, and the years of thy life shall be increased. If thou be wise, thou shalt be wise for thyself: but if thou scornest, thou alone shalt bear it.” - Proverbs 9:6-12.

God will take care of us, all we need to do is trust Him, follow His commands, and live. We can live the life He wants us to live, and we will not only live it to the fullest, we'll get more than we imagine. We cannot expect God to bless us if we are not doing everything we can to live by His commands. Now, God does not expect us to be perfect, we never will be, He wants us to be faithful to Him, to confess our sins, to love Him and make Him a part of our lives. If we do that there is nothing He will not do for us, and we will find ourselves the wealthiest people on earth.

“From whence come wars and fightings among you? come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members? Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not. Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts. Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God. Do ye think that the scripture saith in vain, The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy? But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble. Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.” - James 4:1-6,8-10.

Today's Prayer: God, You never cease to amaze me of just how merciful and gracious You are, I will never forget the life I was living before You came into my life. I know I am forgiven and all my sins are gone forever, but I never want to forget what You have done for me. As far as I have come I know that all it takes for me to fall is take my eyes off You. Lord, keep me in Your Word so I learn Your truths and take the steps to follow them. Be with those who are struggling, comfort them and give them the hope they need to escape. Use me to be a testimony to others and of the amazing life that can be lived when we trust Your way. In Jesus' name. Amen.

God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina

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