Home » Christian Living

Category Archives: Christian Living

Really, you gave yourself away…

Posted on by | Leave a comment

given away

 

For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it. Luke 9:24 KJV

Have you really given yourself away? Has God found you in the hurricane, or are you on the cliff watching-looking at what you have climbed out of by the grace and mercy of God. Have you giving yourself away enough to stop complaining about what it means to be given away?

Most of us have given something away. It could be in the form of clothing, food, money, our love or even our blood. When we do these acts of charity we know that we are not going to get those items back and we will not get paid, they are gifts. We may feel good about ourselves in knowing that we have helped others, but that is about it. Some of us even take on the understanding that when we give things away we cannot decide what happens to those things once they are out of our possession. The kind of authority belongs to the receiver. I came to realize this myself when I chose to give away something I favored.

I had a sweater that was given to me by my sister. I wore the sweater several times pairing it with jeans or leggings and making fit my style. I really liked the sweater, but I eventually stopped wearing it and it became more of a sentiment because it was a gift from my sister who has passed away. About a year ago I decided to give it to charity. It took a couple of charity truck pick-ups before I stopped taking it out of the give-away box and storing in my basement. Once I gave my treasured sweater away I could no longer decide if it would be washed in Woolite, Tide or a bargain brand detergent. I couldn’t tell the new owner to lay it flat to dry and never to hang it on a hanger. It was no longer up to me to decide what looked great with it and what didn’t. I had given it away to be used by someone else.

If our lives are given away to God, we are completely his. Our life is not ours, but it is in the complete care of God. We are no longer guided or instructed by previous owners or ourselves, but by God because we have received the life of Christ as a way of transformation for us. Don’t be confused or deceived about giving your life to God. We are not given away while we are complaining , lacking love, cheating, gossiping, killing the lively hood of others, lying, being self oriented, having ungodly anger, or while looking for recognition after helping others for God. These are just a few examples of the characteristics that keep us from being completely and unselfishly given away.

Your life is given away to God if you are subject to his Holy Spirit, the love he exudes and do the opposite of what keeps us from being completely given away. You have no problem with new ownership if you find yourself doing what is not always the easiest of most popular choice, if you ride the waves instead of swimming away from the direction God gives to you. If you can call on Christ, (because you know this is where strength generates) when it is rough instead of going to a high place and leaving those in need behind, you are given away. When you know you can rest in God’s glory when needed, and keep an ear to his voice to be ready to work as he see fit you are completely Christ-like, you are his.

There is more to saying you are given away for Gods use. Words get us there mentally if we hear them, but actions and responses kept us there. Are you given away enough as of today?

Scripture Inspiration; Luke 9, Ephesians 2

Work On Me

Posted on by | Leave a comment

work on me

 

The joy that you have

It is the joy that I need.

Three million pieces,

On the floor,

More than broken.

Name a destroyer,

Not important to me.

The repairer, I know,

He releases my grief.

The joy that you have,

Is the joy I need.

Only you can number my pieces,

Your hands are qualified.

You are all I need.

Do your work on me,

Before I am swept away.

This is what I ask.

 

Every Day is New

Posted on by | Leave a comment

These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world. John 16:33 KJV

walking

There is a peace in Christ that settles your emotions and reactions. Recognize that he stays with you as long as you do not resist him. He desires to keep you strong and able to make it through life, from the beginning of your day to the moment you release the day into his hands and rest at night. God has created Christ for this purpose and there is nothing you are experiencing that God has not considered.

Lift your head and do not be afraid to hold onto your future. If you are holding onto to your future your hope is in what is to come. God has a best for you, go forward and live as though you want that best until you are living in it. Affirm yourself on today, you have a worth and a purpose; don’t allow the enemy to steal it away from you.

Scripture Inspiration; John 16

God is Speaking

Posted on by | Leave a comment

cropped-147.jpg

And he said unto me, Son of man, stand upon thy feet, and I will speak unto thee. And the spirit entered into me when he spake unto me, and set me upon my feet, that I heard him that spake unto me. Ezekiel 2:1-2 KJV

Hearing God gives you an advantage. If you can hear God for yourself no one will be able to mute His voice, and leave their own words as an imitation. God’s voice trumps every other whisper or mega phonic sound that falls on your ear. Without the voice of God to lead you, you are left open to become a victim to defeat and stagnation, and you will live without direction as you go about fulfilling meaningless purposes. If you do not become intimate with God how will you hear him?

Bringing God into your atmosphere will cause the finger that rest on the mute button to cramp up and be removed from your hearing. As you enable yourself to hear God clearly every blanket of doubt that others desire to lay over your head will fail at its intended task. When others try to speak over God, remember this one thing: God does not discourage you; He has sent hope for every area of your life through Christ. You may suffer as you live and are tried in different ways, but God never says that you should not try. God knows who he is and what he is able to accomplish.

We are assured that we are able as we find in the Holy Bible that all things are possible through God. If we are connected to him through Christ all becomes possible. God is the lifter of your head and he is not called the strong tower because of lack. You asked and he answered as he said he would. Receive his reply. Hear him over emotions, hear him over doubt, hear him over the fear from your mind and that of others, hear God over what others expect, let his voice drown out the negativity. God is leading you.

 

Scripture Inspiration; 1 John 4, Luke 18 KJV

Encompassed by God’s Spirit

Posted on by | Leave a comment

blury city

 

Listen, God’s voice is in the air. His presence has not left you. You may feel inhibited because the path you walk on has curved without notice, but God’s hand is still near. Even when your eyes are full of tears and your life is nothing but a blur, you can travel forward. With your hand connected to His existence you will be guided through the curves and carried over the drop offs.

Call out to him, send your prayer above your abilities and hindrances, and send your praise past your discomfort and excitement. Reach out to him and allow him to touch you, and encompass you with his love and comfort. Receive God’s entire Spirit the moment he sends it to you. You can resist the delay of overcoming what is on life’s platter when you allow God to enter your spirit and fill every space.

Faith will make it easy to look for God’s presence. When you cannot hear Him believe he is speaking, when you cannot feel Him trust that he is near, when you see no evidence of Him, you must faith it. God wants to help you and he wants your confidence to be in Him and nothing else.

Don’t hesitate to communion with God. The level of language does not matter, but the sincerity of your heart does. Go ahead and talk to God today, he is waiting.

 

Scripture Inspiration; Psalms 28, Philippians 1

 

Connected To The Vine

Posted on by | 1 Comment

Abide

 

If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what you will, and it shall be done unto you. St. John 15:7 KJV

 

If we accept God’s instructions, his way of helping us to live on this earth, God will hear us and answer us. The Ten Commandments are God’s words and should not be looked at as a strict set of rules to be challenged. God’s words are the foundation for living in such a way that causes us to abide with him. The commandments God set for us to live by provide insight into God’s character, and being made in his image these words create the silhouette for our own character.

The Ten Commandments are a part of the God authored handbook known as the Bible. The Bible not only holds the Ten Commandments, but it holds the answers to a number of life’s questions and dilemmas we find ourselves in. Gods words are with power and his handbook will allow us to build an integrity based character and a positive memorable lifestyle, but will more importantly lead the soul into a position for external life.

Christ, the vine has made it possible for our connections to him and God the Father to be solid, but we must acknowledge and accept him as Christ the Savior who died for our sins and rose again. Christ encourages us to be the branches that are connected to the vine, which leads to the Father. Being the fruitful branch allows us the opportunity to live as we should and to petition God for our needs.

 

Scripture Inspiration; Exodus 20

Confidence

Posted on by | Leave a comment

confidence216

 

If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king. But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up. Daniel 3:17-18 KJV

Where does you confidence reside? Is it in God and what he is able to do whether your desire is met or not? Would you ultimately put your life in His hands while being challenged with death to disown him? If your confidence is in God you can faithfully serve him knowing that your life and choices are not in vain if they are as a boomerang and will land your back in the Master’s hands.

The Holy Spirit will teach you how to live and what to say. Allow it to enter into your soul and lead you so that every step you take gives you the strength of being planted in righteousness with the ability to move about freely with self -control. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego from the book of Daniel did not lose control or become excited, they had a relationship with God that made them sure of His power. We have the opportunity to have a relationship with the same God, Christ has allowed us to have God’s spirit dwelling inside of us.

Call on him and make the connection you need. Serve and worship him with your whole heart and actions and there will be a confidence in you such as the one these men had concerning God that no one will be able to dilute.

Scripture Inspiration; Daniel 3, St. John 11 KJV

Who has the authority on your team?

Posted on by | Leave a comment

Image

And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Matthew 28:18 KJV

Do you doubt that he is capable of doing that one thing for you? Have you called on Him, but you keep envisioning the worst or maybe your thoughts are going in the opposite direction of you request?

Open your mouth again and ask Christ to do what it is you need done in your life. Show your trust by counting on Christ to achieve for you not only because you believe without proof, but because you have confidence in his words and his work.

Christ commands with authority and the situation before him does not measure up to his authority and power. Look at what he has done according to the Gospel: He forgives sin, heals the sick, relieves the soul from unwanted spirits, and even stills the wind and water for his disciples comfort just by speaking. What is holding your voice hostage?

You are tired, worn down, yet you have not taken any Christ action or maybe you have, but not with the right mindset. Stop assessing and give it all to the one who has the ability to do all and change all that exist in your life.

Scripture Inspiration: Mark 2:1-12, 4:35-41, James 1:1-18 KJV

Are you one of those…

Posted on by | Leave a comment

overcome

 

He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God. Revelation 2:7

In all that we fall short in and all that we achieve Christ knows that a certain amount of us will overcome.

In his message to the seven churches he says exactly that. He states what will be given to those who overcome. He does not say “if” we overcome, but he uses the words “to him that overcometh” or “he that overcometh”.

There are issues and accomplishments within each church that Christ speaks to and he tells them in plain language what they are doing and where they have deceived themselves into believing that there status has made them whole or held them back from the completeness that is desired through Christ.

Though their actions are known and revealed Christ gives them instructions on how to receive what is to come by being overcomers. He promises something to all who are able to overcome.

If you are doing the good you know to do and it aligns with the righteousness of God continue along the path. Christ is willing to teach and guide you; he will place the right resources on your path and in your hand to help you along the way. Listen for God’s voice so that you will not be deceived or forget his righteousness and live in contradiction.

If you have never lived a life reconciled to God through Christ you should consider your options. Consider living a life that offers eternal life and a way to make it through everything you face here on earth rather than living a life feeling like something is missing and never finding it. Living a life reconciled to God will allow you to take on life differently. You will see your successes and obstacles through new eyes.

What if you are one of those who Christ speaks of? You, the one who overcame until the end; how can this happen if you never choose to live a reconciled life or if you being reconciled to God fall into a lukewarm state of being and never push yourself to change. Smash the deception trap and stop giving the Devil the advantage over your life. He already has an outlined goal to derail and destroy you don’t help him succeed, but pay attention to what is taking place in your life every day so that you can eat from the tree of life. You got this!

Inspiration Scripture, Revelation 2 and 3 

Don’t just talk about it, live it…

Posted on by | Leave a comment

20140205-125510.jpg

For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive you. Matthew 6:14-15 KJV

To open your mouth and apologize, ask for forgiveness, or to forgive someone else is not always the thing the mind and heart wants to do. It is not difficult to talk about forgiveness, but actually doing it when there is a need is when the hesitation and struggle show up. How do you actually forgive others or seek forgiveness for yourself, making it something that is achievable rather than something that is only talked about.

I will share my experience with this issue from both sides. There are some people that I had to forgive and some that I had to apologize to so the air between us would clear. Forgiving others was not any easier than seeking forgiveness. I had to understand what I was doing and why. It was about letting go of what could not be changed in each situation. In some cases it meant forgiving those who did not apologize, those who were not sorry about their actions and apologizing to others in a general way for what I was not aware of doing.

What really had to happen for me to apologize and to forgive others is a change in my heart about what I felt others deserved and what had happened to me. I also had to consider what was more vital to me holding on to what occurred or letting it go so that I could live better. I let it go, vengeance and all that was keeping forgiveness from flowing out of me and into me. My trust in God and my relationship with him allowed me to see and do this.

To master forgiveness you have to come to a point of believing that you will be okay if you let go of what cannot be undone or changed. Release it like a balloon full of helium and do not worry about where it lands. Remember to trust God. If you are trusting God there is not any situation that you have to go through alone. Keep him in your life daily right at the front and he will be with you during every good or trying situation you enter into.

Scripture Inspiration; Psalms 30 KJV