What is the Truth?

God can bless and do whatever He wants with whomever He wants, whenever He wants.

He doesn’t need your parent’s permission, He doesn’t need your Pastor’s validation, your Boss’ authorization. When God is in it or over it whatever people think or say won’t matter.

Who and what have you placed before God?

Only looking for people to confirm what God ALREADY said. Their opinion is not necessary.

“And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” – John 8:32

Commentary:

(32) And ye shall know the truth.—In the great Intercessory Prayer of John 17, Jesus prays for His disciples: “Sanctify them in the truth: Thy word is truth” (John 8:17). In the answer to the question of Thomas in John 14, He declares, “I am the way, the truth, and the life” (John 8:6). It is this thought that is present in the connection between continuance in His word and knowledge of the truth here. These Jews professed to know the truth, and to be the official expounders of it. They had yet to learn that truth was not only a system, but also a power; not only something to be written or spoken, but also something to be felt and lived. If they abide in His word they will indeed be His disciples; living the life of truth, they will gain perception of truth. “Being true,” they will “in love grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ” (Ephesians 4:15).

Source for Commentary: “ John 8:32 Bible Commentaries.” BibleHub, Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers, biblehub.com/commentaries/john/8-32.htm.

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His Peace

“‘May the Lord bless you and protect you. May the Lord smile on you and be gracious to you. May the Lord show you his favor and give you his peace.’”
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Numbers‬ ‭6:24-26‬ ‭NLT‬‬

🙏🏾 

Does God care about who I choose as a Spouse?

Often times we look for the person that makes us feel good, who we click with.  What happens when we check with God first and really listen to what He says?  Can we walk away if God says no (that’s not the one) or stay?  Even if that person is not your ‘type’?

Relationships carry ENOUGH challenges, you do not want to add the fact of ‘am I suppose to be with this person’ – in that equation.

“He who finds a wife finds what is good and receives favor from the LORD.” – Proverbs 18:22

Check out ‘Immerse in the Flood’ for more videos on marriage and families.

A discussion on faith in marriage, traditional families and blended families. “Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.”
Ecclesiastes‬ ‭4:12‬ ‭

The things of God

People’s perception of God is from a distorted view of their life’s exchanges.

Through the filtered lens of their experiences, feelings and beliefs. Our minds can not conceive the things of God. Our thinking is too limited. When we figured out one thing, God reveals other areas of our limits. 

I’ve learned to be open to wherever God chooses to dwell.  Not to put my thoughts or how I think God ‘should’ feel.

Not to think I know what He will do. 
God is not subject to my will, though He promises to hear me when I call and will consider my desires.  He is God all by Himself.

He doesn’t need my help. The God I serve is a Healer, Redeemer and Restorer.

He has granted us gifts, wisdom and discernment as a way to reveal Himself.

God will bless who He wants, reach people in places they think He can’t go. He is not limited to a place, space, time or circumstances. 
God is not afraid of the things we are afraid of.  He made ALL things – He knows the heart of everything He created.  

Think about when people say ‘God is going to do this, God is going to show this person that?’ He knew about that thing before your mind conceived it, before you were exposed to the action or behavior. 

Let the Word and the love of God line up with what we think we know. 

“No one can know a person’s thoughts except that person’s own spirit, and no one can know God’s thoughts except God’s own Spirit.” ‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭2:11‬ ‭NLT

 “Who can know the Lord’s thoughts? Who knows enough to teach him?” ‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭2:16‬b NLT‬‬

“There is no other god like you, O Lord; you forgive the sins of your people who have survived. You do not stay angry forever, but you take pleasure in showing us your constant love.”
‭‭Micah‬ ‭7:18‬ ‭GNT‬‬

“God’s way is perfect. All the Lord’s promises prove true. He is a shield for all who look to him for protection.”
‭‭2 Samuel‬ ‭22:31‬ ‭NLT‬‬

“God’s way is perfect. All the Lord’s promises prove true. He is a shield for all who look to him for protection.”
‭‭Psalms‬ ‭18:30‬ ‭NLT‬‬

“Every word of God proves true. He is a shield to all who come to him for protection. Do not add to his words, or he may rebuke you and expose you as a liar.”
‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭30:5-6‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Balance – Silence

We had a bible study with some of the ladies a few weeks ago on balance in our lives and areas where balance is crucial. 

Reflecting on the ‘What is your motive?’ blog : Don’t allow your silence to be used as an excuse to avoid areas God is trying to get you to address. 

Silence is an indication of strength but used in the wrong way can actually reflect weakness or disobedience.(I’m thinking of Jonah, God told him to speak on somethings to a people Jonah didn’t want to talk to). 

Pray for wisdom and discernment. 

Balance is key in every area ofour lives. 

Scripture Reference:

Jonah 1:1-3

What is your motive?

It was not until I could truly receive what God’s Word said about me. “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” ‭‭ 2 Corinthians‬ ‭5:17‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Only then can you release the dysfunction attached to your life.

Why commit, hold on to that which no longer serves where you are going?
I’ve come to realize that some do not know who they are without the dysfunction or the pain. They know how to operate in their weakness. They can not identify who they are as whole individuals.

 
They say to themselves:

Why get rid of the hurt when I know how to curse people out when they cross me?

 Why can’t you accept what it looks like when you can walk away – knowing that silence represents strength. It takes strength to hold back something that is untamed. 
You are actually weak when you ‘can’t control’ your emotions. 

You really are scared of what it looks like when people ‘cross’ you and you don’t respond negatively. 

Why accept a good guy, when I know how to function with the guy who cheats on me? Why do I love the abuse of his brokenness that leaves me crying every time he shows who he really is?

They should really be asking themselves:

Did God tell me to connect to that person in the first place?

Am I trying to play God? Am I trying to fix him? 

You really want someone to fix you, not give up on you. Or do you feel better thinking you ‘made’ him better?     Like he’s a project. 

You are not and can not be God to him. You can’t even be God to your self.  Let God be God.

 Pray for maturity, strength, wisdom, courage and revelation of His Word in your life. 🙏🏾

What’s the Issue?

It could be you……

Professionally and Spiritually, I’ve learned that part of the key to success is being able to accept and process the difficult things about ourselves or those we surround ourselves with.

Look at the differences between what we consider good people (or leaders) and bad people (or leaders).

We learned in, Chosen with Esther Devotional – Day 3 and many other areas in the bible where the root of a person’s demise begins.  King Xerxes surrounded himself with ‘Yes people’ because he did not want to hear the truth about his decisions and actions.  They did everything to keep him happy, even when it was not for his benefit.

Their desire to keep him happy eventually changed and could have had detrimental effects to not only his kingdom and everything he worked for but also his life.  He had to shift and listen to wise counsel.

How many times has God tried to tell you something that you just ignored and turned to what felt better?

If you find yourself stagnant or in the same cycle or surrounded by people who are not moving forward?  Consider the fact that you could have dismissed wise counsel.  You rejected the words that hurt (though there were good intentions), counsel that did not match the direction you thought you knew.  

I’ve learned that successful people (present and in scripture) with purpose, direction and relationship of their true calling will not sit around to keep telling you something God has tried (or already) spoken to you.  Matthew 10:14 says ‘If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, leave that home or town and shake the dust off your feet.’ (You may also reference Mark 6:11)

Excerpt from Chosen with Esther Devotional – Day 3:

• What voices have you surrounded yourself with?
• Can the people in your life tell you difficult, uncomfortable things?
• Or have you groomed your relationships to only tell you what you want to hear?

Book: Chosen with Esther by David Ramos

Let this be your prayer: 

“God I want to be whole – well in my body, mind, will, emotions and spirit.  You have given me Your word precisely so that it could shape my life.  You will provide wise counsel and individuals to support my growth in You.  Help me to listen even when it is difficult.  In Jesus Name. Amen”

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Redeemed & Restored

From prostitution to redemption:  A casual conversation with a woman who experienced God’s grace and favor in the midst of a difficult season.

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God is a Healer and Restorer.

“Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me.” – 2 Corinthians 12:9 NLT

Would you believe me?

Would you you believe me:

If I told you I was born to drug addicted parents?

If I told you, my parents did not graduate high school and were unmarried teenagers when they had me?

If I told you my life was set up to fail?

If I told you the dysfunction I was born into?

If I told you, I repeated the cycle and had my son at 17?

If I told you, I use to wear hand me downs until I was old enough to get my own job?

If told you, I grew up in the roughest neighborhoods in Boston?

If I told you, I ran with friends that sold drugs, carried weapons and destroyed people’s lives?

If I told you, I lost friends, some really close friends, to gang violence and jail?

If I told you there was a period in life, I was going to a funeral every month?

If I told you, one of those funerals had an infant casket?

If I told you, I would never wear skirts and my favorite clothes was timberland boots, baggy jeans and oversized shirts?

If I told you, I never liked attention or how I looked?

If I told you, for a short time living with one of my parents, I use to hide my money and jewelry?

If I told you, I didn’t celebrate graduating high school but was glad to not be a victim of the street?

If I told you, I  ran the streets with a group of girls fighting rivals?

If I told you, I had anger issues?

If I told you, I almost went to jail (posted on the wall while they searched my car)?

If I told you, college didn’t seem like a possibility?  I was just glad to survive.

If I told you, I ran into a crack house to ‘rescue’ one of my closest friends?  Her mom called me – scared for her daughter’s life and I went straight to the projects (by myself) to find her.

If I told you, I never had my own room until I moved on my own?

If I told you, that son I had was never suppose to walk?

If I told you, I lived in the hospital for two months while that son recovered?

If I told you, I moved away (as soon as I could) out of concern for my son being caught in crossfire?

If I told you, I was so depressed I went from a size 6 to size 0 in three months?

If I told you, I could not even get out of bed for almost a year?

If I told you, they prescribed me tons of medication?

If I told you, the doctors said I would never recover but to hope for some sense of function?

What if I told you, I not only recovered but I prospered beyond anyone’s expectation in every area of my life? Exceedingly, Abundantly, Beyond what I could ask or think.

Would you believe if I told you that was the woman you see?

One word from God – shift my entire world and none of what happened could change the trajectory He would send me to.

‘“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you,
    before you were born I set you apart;
    I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.” – Jeremiah 1:5

This is not just something I do, my life is Ministry.   You can’t tell me Nothing!!

 ^“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” – Jeremiah 29:11

 

My testimony – ‘Reckless Love’ by Steffany Gretzinger | Bethel Music

My confession – ‘Bless Up’ by Koryn Hawthorne