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 "If the world hates you, remember that it hated me first." John 15:18 Why is it things we support is so easy to stand for, but when it comes to our religion we coward down and are ashamed. I thought about it today, my parents always taught me to never be afraid to stand and say "I'm a Christian", even when no one else did. Why would we be ashamed of the one who took time to create us, build us each alike in so many ways in different in others, the one who made the sun, moon and the stars, but most of all the one who died for our sins while we were still sinners ourselves? We have to stop letting the world make us ashamed of not only our religon but also our Savior. We are called to tell people about Jesus, in different ways, but still make an impact on the world we live in today. Don't be ashamed, the Bible tells us that they hated Jesus but that didn't stop Him. This day and age we have to Christian community to understand us, but most of all Jesus, He...

"For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven." Ecclesiastes 3:1  Patiences is so important in our lives, if we are always looking for the next move then we won't enjoy the little moments in our lives. There is a time for everything in life, stop pushing so hard to get to the next chapter and enjoy the one you're already in. Remember when you were a child and you use to wish to be older, because you didn't realize how difficult it really is to grow up. That's how all aspects of life is, we get a job and wish we had a better one, we get a house but wish we had a bigger one, we find a great group of friends but we wish we had more, we even get food that taste great but wish we had gotten something else. This world teaches us that looking forward to what is next is what is best, but in reality we should be thankful for the moments we are in now. Sit back and take in the beautiful blessings God has already given us. Even if times aren...

"Then the devil took him to Jerusalem, to the highest point of the Temple, and said, "If you are the Son of God, jump off! For the Scriptures say, 'He will order his angels to protect and guard you. And they will hold you up with their hands so you won't even hurt your foot on a stone.'" Luke 4:9-11 I was looking at this chapter as I wrote yesterday and began to see it in depth. The devil could quote Scripture, that proves to us that not everyone who proclaims the word of the Lord is sent by Him, the enemy can use those same tactics. Stop letting people tell you what the Bible means and learn it for yourself. You need to pray for wisdom to understand His word, and not depend on others to explain it to you. The Bible clearly tells us that there will be false prophets, and that is most defiantly true! Don't trust what someone says just because they know scripture, the Devil himself knew scripture. Today seek God for yourself and don't trust someone just...

"During that time the devil came and said to him, "If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become loaves of bread." Matthew 4:3  Before the devil began to tempt Jesus, Jesus had been in the wilderness for 40 days fasting, the devil knew Jesus was hungry so he tempted Jesus where He was weak at that time. When you're being tempted the devil is tempting you where you are weak, why would he tempt you somewhere he knows you are strong? As I did my nightly devotional on this verse last night I really began to think, and I soon realized that Jesus lets us be tempted, as He was so that our weak spots can be strengthened! If you're not being tempted, then you're not being strengthened. Jesus knew that the enemy couldn't make Him eat, but only tempt Him to want to eat. Whatever aspect you're hungry in, and the devil is tempting, wait on God's timing, and say no! Whether it be you want a relationship but God said "wait on me to send you the rig...

"Then Peter came to him and asked, "Lord, how often should I forgive someone who sins against me? Seven times?" "No, not seven times," Jesus replied, "but seventy times seven!" Matthew 18:21-22 How many times in your life have you felt like someone finally burned you for the last time? Like they finally got on your last nerve, and you just can't trust them anymore. See the way to world works today is "you might burn me once but you won't again." Remember how many times the Bible stresses that we won't be the same as the world, well this is one of those times. God doesn't expect you to forgive people by the measure that you think they deserve, He expects you to forgive them by the measure that they don't but let Him handle the rest. You're not the one to choose their punishment or what God chooses for them. You're here to be a vessel not to choose what someone deserves, you need to stop letting the hurt control how...

"Your heart was filled with pride because of all your beauty. Your wisdom was corrupted by your love of splendor. So I threw you to the ground and exposed you to the curious gaze of kings." Ezekiel 26:17 The world today tells us that it's okay to listen to any kind of music we want, but in reality, it's not. I'm not saying we should only listen to Christian music, but I am saying there are songs that have things in them we shouldn't let ourselves listen to. There has been a lot of music that has come out that mocks not only our religion but also mocks God, that is not okay! Music is something that can lead us further from God, if it "wasn't a big deal" then why did God kick Lucifer from heaven when Lucifer began to care about his own glory more than the glory going to God? We have to think about what we listen to before we choose to let that in our lives, I understand there are a lot of songs that aren't Christian that are good that even I st...

 "If I had the gift of prophecy, and if I understood all God's secret plans and possessed all knowledge, and if I had such faith that I could move mountains, but didn't love others, I would be nothing." 1 Corinthians 13:2 Love is one of the most powerful things God gave us, I'm not just talking about relationships, I also mean friendships, homeless, the hurting, and even strangers. This verse says if we don't love we have nothing. So many people in the world today walk around with hatred in their hearts due to times they were hurt. Jesus understands we all have a past, but He wants to free us from that so we can love others as we would want them to love us. When you see someone hurting be the person you would want them to be to you. Come to God with a thankful heart and a clear mind and ask Him to heal you from the hurt in your heart so you can love people like Jesus did. You're loved and cared for and everything will be okay, keep pushing through and keep...

 "Give your burdens to the Lord, and he will take care of you. He will not permit the godly to slip and fall." Psalms 55:22 The thing is we spend so much time trying to figure out how to do things on our own on we forget we have a Heavenly Father that can do more than we ask or even think. We aren't supposed to have to figure things out on our own, God can handle anything, and nothing is too big for Him. Stop trying to do everything yourself, give it to God. He never meant for us to hold the weight of the world on our own shoulders, that's why He carried the weight for us on the cross. Stop letting the world tell you that you have to do everything on your own, do what you can, and lay the rest at God's feet. We aren't meant to be burdened forever, God wants to give us His rest! Here are some verses to reflect on today. "Then Jesus said, "Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest." Matthew 11:28 "...

"Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart." Colossians 4:2 We should always pray, prayer isn't something we should use only when we need something from God. Prayer is our communication with God, it's how we grow closer to Him. Today take a moment to pray, not to ask for anything but thank Him for everything. We spend so much time asking God for things we forget to thank Him for everything. God doesn't want us to only talk about what we need, He also wants us to thank Him for what we already have. Think of it this way, we pray for a cake but instead God gives us cupcakes to test how thankful we are, if we don't thank Him for the small things, then we aren't doing enough. A thankful heart is a happy heart, we should always be thankful! Here are some verse to reflect on today. "But thank God! He gives us victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ." 1 Corinthians 15:57 "Be thankful in all circumstances, f...

"But my covenant will be confirmed with Issac, who will be born to you and Sarah about this time next year." Genesis 17:21 Sometimes God doesn't give us what we want because He has something better to give us. We hold on so tight to some things in life whether it be friendships, relationships, or even just material things, that we forget to include God to see if it's what He wants for us. We hold on to things we think are the best for us, but sometimes it's not, because God wants to give us better. How many times have you got something because you didn't want to wait for God to send the better? Look at Abraham, he didn't want to wait on God to send the promised son so he had a child with his maid, God did still send the promised son. Wait for the better! God has it on the way, don't give in just because God hasn't sent the promise yet! "For I know the plans I have for you," says the Lord. "They are plans for good and not for disaster...

"It had even revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord's Messiah." Luke 2:26 This verse came to me today as a complete revelation. As I remembered the story of Jesus being born I remember how He went to meet Simon, a righteous and devout man, that God had made a promise to that he would meet the Messiah before he passed. This is how serious God is when He makes a promise to us. If God has put a promise over your life look at this story, even though Simeon had waited years, he held on to the faith knowing that God would fulfill what He had promised. We all have a promise over our lives if only we ask God to reveal it to us, and usually it's more than one promise. The good thing is that He will never forget to fulfill them to us. God can do anything, but there is one thing that God cannot do, and that is lie. You can have joy today knowing that God is working on fulfilling the promises He has made you in your life! Get ready fo...

"A time to be born and a time to die. A time to plant and a time to harvest." Ecclesiastes 3:2  Time is something we can't make more of and we can't go back to. This is why how we choose to live each day truly matters, we have to push to find our purpose and fulfill it before we run out of time. When God calls us home there is no more time to show the people in your life that you love them, help save souls, help the homeless, or even just to spend another minute here on earth. You have to do all the things you need to get done before you run out of time. Stop wasting time thinking you have forever here on earth, pray God reveals your purpose to you so that you can fulfill it. Here are some verses to reflect on today. "So let's not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessings if we don't give up." Galatians 6:9 "and that the time of the Lord's favor has come." Luke 4:19 "From eternity t...

“I will be found by you,” says the Lord. “I will end your captivity and restore your fortunes. I will gather you out of the nations where I sent you and will bring you home again to your own land.””  ‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭29:14‬ ‭ Sometimes we look at people and wonder why they don’t have it as hard as we do, but the reason of that is because they don’t have your ministry. Your story is meant to be the push of your ministry, if we all had perfect lives, we would have nothing to look forward too. You have to think of your hurt, pain, stress, anxiety, sickness, finance issues, dealing with the grief of a love one, or even a childhood trauma, that you’ve dealt with and think of people who go through exactly what you do. Those people might not know God the way that you do, maybe it’s not so much about the battle, but more about the survival guide you’re writing for others. When you come out of that dark time do not forget who seen you though it, the glory goes to God! You’re going to tell your ...

"It was by faith that the people of Israel marched around Jericho for seven days, and the walls came crashing down." Hebrews 11:30 One thing I've learned is that when you're praying for God to do something, He will often tell us that He will but not tell us how. If you think about it like this you'll understand why, if God explained how He was going to we would constantly be expecting it to happen at that moment, when oftentimes it's not meant for now. If you're walking by faith for Him to do it then you'll know He did it at just the right time. You might not know how, or maybe not even when, but if God said He would do it, you can trust that He will do it. When the Israelites walked around the walls of Jericho, God told them that by the seven days it would happen, He never said how or if it would before the seven days. You have to have faith like them, and keep marching on, because God said it will happen, just when He wants it to and how He makes it ...

"For we are God's masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago." Ephesians 2:10  Everyone thought Noah was crazy until it began to rain, so if you have a crazy idea that God has placed in your heart, then let the world think you're crazy, that's okay! When it begins to rain they'll realize you were right all along. Your dreams are placed in your heart for a reason, you have a ministry to fulfill so keep going. Don't give up on your dreams just because others doubt that you can do it! You're made for a reason, and for a purpose. Your purpose on this earth isn't supposed to make sense to everyone else, because it's not their purpose, it's yours! Keep dreaming, keep chasing God, and keep letting God lead your path. Here are some verses to reflect on today. "And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to h...

"You won't spend the rest of your lives chasing your own desiring, but you will be anxious to do the will of God." 1 Peter 4:2  When we are transformed into righteous people, we desire to do what is good. I'm not just talking about keeping our lives from sin, I'm also talking about being kind where it is difficult, being a good person to srangers, being forgiving when you don't want to be, being the kind of person that welcomes someone in just because you see others mistreating them. You're not meant to only live a life where you do the right things, you also have to be kind to others. You're meant to set an example of how Jesus treats people. If you constantly walk around with a frown on your face, looking down at others, think of how that makes people think of all christians. What if you're the only christian they really know and they see you treating people like that? They wouldn't want to be apart of that, who would honestly. Set an example...

 "For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rules and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly place." Ephesians 6:12  You're in a season of your life where you're so close to the breakthrough that the enemy has your vision so clouded that you can't even see it yet. The blessing is so big that it's not even seen or felt yet. The enemy's figured out that if he can keep your attention on the battle that you're going through, your focus is no longer on the breakthrough. When you're looking for something that you've lost you tend to look over it in plain sight because you're more focused on finding it, than the object you lost in the first place. Today search for the breakthrough, and forget about the devil. God is getting ready to bring you out of this, stronger and happier than before. Your fo...

“You prepare a feast for me in the presence of my enemies. You honor me by anointing my head with oil. My cup overflows with blessings.” Psalms‬ ‭23:5 Your time is coming, you're going to shine with blessings in front of your enemies. The way God does things is sometimes different than we do, God will let people talk down on us, and sometimes even hurt us. In the end, it will teach them a lesson, because God blesses His children. Don't feel discouraged, if you're feeling down and out remember that those who hurt you are also going to be the people God blesses you in front of. Get ready, abundant rain of blessings is on the way! Your time to shine is so close, just hold on! God is fixing to bless you in front of those who hurt you, left you, mistreated you, took advantage of you, those who talked bad about you and you didn’t even know about it, and even those who weren’t your friend that you thought was! Get ready for it! Here are some verses to reflect on today. “Wait patie...

 "Patient endurance is what you need now, so that you will continue to do God's will. Then you will receive all that he has promised." Hebrews 10:36 There are so many times we take something less than because we are too impatient to wait for better. If we are patient with God to bless us we will end up with more than what we took for being impatient. You are about to be blessed, but God is going to bless you by how much patience you have had by waiting for Him to send what you need. You need to be patient, if you're praying about it God is working on it. A "no" sometimes means, "not now." God is working on everything you're praying about, you are about to be blessed even more than you can imagine, just be patient, God works on His own time schedule, not ours. He has everything handled, you're just trying to rush what God is taking time to prepare. Just because God is working slower than you want doesn't mean that He isn't working, H...

"Look at the birds. They don't plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your Heavenly Father feeds them. And aren't you far more valuable to him than they are?" Matthew 6:26 In reality today they teach us that worry is normal and okay, even though it is something we all do it's not what we should do. If God remembers to feed the birds I promise He remembers to take care of you. We live such a fast paste lifestyle in this generation, we have so much done too in so little time. The only time most of us slow down is during Christmas, but shouldn't we value the people God has given us all the time, and not just once a year? Even though it's currently August, take time today to stop worrying about everything, stop living so fast paste and take a moment to enjoy the beauty God has given you and the family and friends He has blessed you with. Here are some verses to reflect on today. "Look at the ravens. They don't plant or harvest or store up food i...

"And say to Archippus, "Be sure to carry out the ministry the Lord gave you." Colossians 4:17 The thing about God is even though He calls each of us to do something in life, He will not force us to do our calling. You have a choice to do it, but life will end up way better if you do as God wants you to. You're free to do what you want in life, but if it isn't God's will, there will be consequences. We all have a calling whether it be teaching the Gospel, being a missionary, being a wife and mother that shows God's love, being a Pastor or preacher, or even being a church member that is after God's own heart as an example to all. You can fulfill your destiny in many ways, but you have to follow God and then follow His way for your life. You're meant for so much more than a small destiny, God has something huge planned for you only if you will follow His plan. Today pray and ask God to show you what your destiny is if you don't already know, ask ...

 "Jesus replied, "You don't understand now what I am doing, but someday you will." John 13:7 When God promises you something it's not always on a time schedule, sometimes God works on you and your situation and makes it happen when your heart is truly ready. If you've been praying, or currently praying about something think to yourself if it happened right now would you be ready to accept it and give full credit to God for it? If not then maybe you need to work on it, God works on us while He works on circumstances. What you're praying for expect it any day, at any time, because God is still in the miracle-working business. You are going to receive His promise over your life, but you have to do your part too. Here are some verses to reflect on. "So let's not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessings if we don't give up." Galatians 6:9 "The smallest family will become a thousand peopl...

 “But the gateway to life is very narrow and the road is difficult, and only a few ever find it.” Matthew‬ ‭7:14‬ The way of living right will be lonely, you’ll lose friends that you thought would be around forever, you’ll lose family who isn’t on the right path, and even strangers will judge you but you will gain blessings in life and at the end of your life you’ll gain a crown that far outweighs the loss. I always would get so hurt when God would take someone out of my life, but I seen a picture today that explained it in a new way, the picture was of a “Y” in a road, many traveled to the right, but only one on the left. It really showed me a new perspective, all though the road seemed lonely, it was a road that lead to the cross. Today if you feel lonely, it’s only for a moment. God will send the right people who keeps you on the right path, be patient! Here are some verses to reflect on today. “And everyone who has given up houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or c...

"God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can't take credit for this; it is a gift from God." Ephesians 2:8 You're meant for more. Stop thinking that you don't deserve God's blessings in your life none of us do. God doesn't expect us to be perfect and deserve His love, He knows we cannot earn it, He never expected us to. We are never able to earn God's love or His forgiveness, that's why He sent Jesus to save us. We are here to serve God, do our best, and accept the free forgiveness and love that Jesus offers each of us. Today, be thankful that God loves us even with all our mistakes, and all the things we don't like about ourselves, that God loves about us the most. This is not something we can earn but rather a gift He gave the world. Be at peace, you are forgiven and loved by the almighty God. Here are some verses to reflect on today. "Now they know that everything I have is a gift from you." John 17:7 "A person w...

 "For God is Spirit, so those who worship him must worship in spirit and in truth." John 4:24 I was listening to the song "Here I Am To Worship" the other night, and I began to take the words in at the part where it says, "I'll never know how much it costs, to see my sin up on that cross." Take that in for a minute, really think about it. Imagine you're standing there as every sin is being made white as snow, and a Savior to suffer that much for us to be able to spend eternity with Him. You're meant to be free, don't hold on to the past, He died for you to live again in paradise with Him. The pain He went through for our sins was worth it for our freedom, He is so kind to love us so much. Take a few moments out of your day to worship not only the one who created you but also the one that saved you from all sins. Here are some verses to reflect on today. "Worship the Lord with gladness. Come before him, singing with joy." Psalms 10...

"Through faith in the name of Jesus, this man was healed — and you know how crippled he was before. Faith in Jesus' name has healed him before your very eyes." Acts 3:16 You have to start speaking Jesus over every aspect of your life. I've always been taught to end my prayers as, "In Jesus name, I pray, amen." I never fully understood why although I knew to do this until I read this verse in depth. It explains we do this because, through His name we are healed, we end it on the note that we are giving it to God. We are healed through His mighty name, we are freed through it also. Today pray about what is worrying you, what is bothering you, or even what is hurting you, and you will be healed in the name of Jesus! Here are some verses to reflect on today.  "As soon as they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus." Acts 19:5 "And we give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ." Ephe...

"who purchased our freedom and forgave our sins." Colossians 1:14  If you're reading this with a heavy heart, and you think you've done too much wrong to come back to God, know God isn't upset, He isn't pushing you away, He isn't punishing you, He just wants you to come home. You're not meant to live a life of constant battles, fear, doubt, pain, or discouragement. You can flourish in life if you follow God's plan for your life. Take a step that many of you have been wanting to but haven't out of fear, and come closer to God. He is waiting for you with arms wide open. Here are some verses to reflect on today. "Then Jesus said to the woman, "Your sins are forgiven." Luke 7:48 "If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you." Matthew 6:14 "He canceled the record of the charges against us and took it away by nailing it to the cross." Colossians 2:14 "Yes, what joy for those w...

"Faith shows the reality of what we hope for; it is the evidence of things we cannot see." Hebrews 11:1  Your faith is what is going to bring you out of this hard time, you have to have a faith so big that you're expecting your circumstances to change at any point. You're so close to coming out, but your faith is what's going to do it. I feel this is for someone today, you have to put your faith into action, and start speaking it. The Bible says "Faith is the reality of things hoped for; it is the evidence of things we cannot see." You might not see a change or feel a change, but speak a change! I speak a change over your finances, freedom in your mind, freedom in your soul, that anything hurting you is healed, and that you're freed from anything coming against you. You're meant to live free, but your faith is what will get you there. Here are some verses to reflect on today. "And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who want...

"Indeed, we all make many mistakes. For if we could control our tongues, we would be perfect and could also control ourselves in every other way." James 3:2 We all slip up and say something we aren't supposed to, something not meant for that moment, or unintentionally hurt someones feelings. We are human and we all make mistakes, be patient with yourself as God is. If we are making a goal for ourselves to be perfect, I promise you that you will be disappointed in how you end up messing up. God knew that we would not be perfect, that's why He sent Jesus to be the Savior for us. I'm not saying we should not try to be the best that we can, because we most defiantly should, but we will never be perfect. The only human to ever be perfect, or ever will be, is Jesus. Strive to be your best, but also forgive yourself. Here are some verses to reflect on today. "Enthusiasm without knowledge is no good; haste makes mistakes." Proverbs 19:2 "If your boss is ang...

 "'In the last days,' God says, 'I will put out my Spirit upon all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy. Your sons and daughters will prophesy. Your young men will see visions, and your old men will dream dreams." Acts 2:17 We're in the last days, believe it or not, the world is so full of sin, doubt, many not believing in God, many pushing God away, and just so much evil. There is no way in my mind that we aren't in the last days. The thing is though, it gives me a joy thinking we are living in the last days. Think of it this way, God chose people to live in the Bible days, we were chosen to be at the end to save the last ones, we are called for such a time as this. You have to fulfill that dream God has sent to your heart, and your destiny in God because that could be what helps you save souls. We are not here to only save ourselves, but to bring others to God also. You're here for a reason, and to help others with that. What you've been...