WHO'S WHO IN YOUR LIFE?

There seems to be an ongoing war for some folks who tend to regularly struggle with qualitative and meaningful friendships and at times, even dating pursuits. And, there are those who encounter difficulty in building stability and longevity in their careers or employment opportunities. 

Why is this? Too often, there is this tendency to HOLD on to things that we should free ourselves from that are toxic, eventually proving their destructive presence and pursuit. On the flip side, some will LET GO of things they should have HELD tightly to - principles, ideals, relationships, and influences that should have remained. The culprit is often a lack of agreement with principles and guidance provided. 

The writer of Proverbs gives us some much needed insight, where he reveals 

"Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed." (Proverbs 15:22)

Unfortunately, some people are slow to realize that just because they don't "agree" with someone or something, doesn't necessarily mean the principle, the person, or the provided guidance or counsel was wrong. 

SUMMING IT UP: Feelings are never to be the criteria to determine the accuracy, validity, or correctness of the spiritual and moral compass of our lives. #nurtureyourspirit #growingpains #lookattheevidence

"WAITING, WANTING, & WINNING!"

"Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see." (Hebrews 11:1)

When I awoke this morning, I felt prompted to bring these words forward as a simple reminder to those who pass this way on this 5th day of May, 2015.

- You may be WAITING for your spouse to change.

- You may be WANTING your boss or coworker to change.

- You may be WAITING on your finances to change.

- You may be WANTING your children to change.

- You may be WAITING for and WANTING your health to change.

Many of the things we are often WAITING on and WANTING to see change, will only change when we "do!"

"14 What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, 16 and one of you says to them, “Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,” but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? 17 Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead." (James 2:14-17)

Again, much of the change you are awaiting in your life is actually waiting on YOU. 

Friend, stop waiting and wanting and start WINNING today, by not only saying you want things to change and hoping things will change. It's time, today is the day to begin bringing order to your life by following through with the action plan you've been talking about to bring about the change you so desire, and in so many cases, that you need.

#nowfaithis

#participateinyourownrescue #faithwithoutworksisdead

#stepintothewinnerscircle

Checking Our Prayer Pulse

COULD YOU NOT TARRY FOR ONE HOUR? 

Seriously, can you imagine housing 4 early morning prayer services consistently on a daily basis in the USA? They've done it for 35 years in Korea. Profoundly,......no, Simply Amazing!!! 

As I sit and watch the fast paced culture in this entertainment hub in central Florida, there are so many "Christians" who are so busy, using their children as crutches (delayed schoolwork, weekend sports, needed sleep, supposed sickness, etc.), their jobs as justification for impaired priorities, the lack of and the need for money as their reason for working overtime, hustling to get to the entertainment parks and launching their weekend parties. 

It all comes down to one word - Priorities.

Well, maybe another word - Commitment.

Add those two words together and we get Consistency!!!

Christ must remain our life focus!!!

Some people want God to move for them, while they "stand still" and ignore His Word, His Will, and His Ways. Let's not be ignorant (derived from the root word - ignore) of our enemy's devices, rather let's identify the subtle strategies he uses to preoccupy the mind with things that really don't matter and will not qualify as justified reasons (excuses) for not pursuing God, when we stand before the Lord.

Remember,.... "IF MY PEOPLE..." (2 Chronicles 7:14, Matthew 26:40)

Check out a church in Korea who has biblical passion for God and the the things of God - one being, the Pulse of Heaven - PRAYER!!! 

Read the article below:
http://m.cbn.com/cbnnews/world/2015/April/S-Korean-Churchs-7-Day-Service-Sundays-Not-Enough--/

IS SPOKEN LOVE NECESSARY?

WHAT DID YOU SAY!?! or

WHAT DIDN'T YOU SAY!?!

Have you ever read a quote and then pull back and think, "there's a hole in that statement!?!" I refer to them as "convoluted quotes." 

Consider the following example:

I'm certain the original writer of this statement may have been exposed to, or possibly even experienced a life occurrence evolving around the thought "Talk is Cheap,...Show Me!" This may be due to WORDS having long been one of two things - 1.) Overstated, and 2.) Underestimated

When looking at this quote, have you ever considered how the opposite is also true: "When someone DOESN'T love you, they don't have to say it, you can tell by the way they treat you." 

My personal observation with this circulated quote is, many people don't know the true meaning of love. This could result in their silence (not "saying it") showcasing their lack of love and/or perceived unneeded connection with others. 

You see, one could interpret a person's silence as love/like/connection and it not be any of those things at all. Now, consider the opposite - interpreting a person's silence as hatred/dislike/disconnect, yet they could actually possess just the opposite, a love and affinity for others. Sad, yet true!!! 

Our greatest example of love is discovered in our fellowship (not just a relationship) with God. This love is developed in, and through many ways. One of the many ways being through WORDS. Just as our relationship with God is enriched through "words," so our relationships with each other benefit from spoken WORDS. Balance is the underlying principle. We all need both WORDS spoken and the working out of those WORDS (actions). Both the WORDS we speak and our actions require focus, intentionality, and selflessness.

I'll close with some scriptural credibility: "How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth." (Psalm 119:103) For God so loved you and I, that He gave and He gives, He spoke, and He continues to speak today. 

So, when reading these statements that are often created with great inspirational intent, we may need to widen the lens on the surface and deepen our internal dialogue. In doing this, we will conclude that we have ALL been given the resource of WORDS to be another artistic expression of the heart. In all of your loving others, whatever you "do," refuse to underestimate the power and healing presence of an eye to eye, heart to heart outspoken "I love you!"

SUMMING IT UP: Should you find sharing your love with someone through spoken WORDS a difficult thing to do, allow that struggle to speak of just how significant those WORDS are and will prove to be for both them and yourself.

So, when considering the picture quote above, I conclude the following, "They don't have to, they want to!" 

Beloved, let us love one another truly, fully,... wholly, both in WORDS and in deed (works, actions). (Colossians 3:17)

Ferguson, Missouri MADNESS

Many already have, and will continue to disagree with the outcome of the Grand Jury's decision on the Michael Brown case, just like many who disagreed with the outcome of the Casey Anthony verdict in Orlando, Florida on July 5, 2011.

One thing is for sure. MADNESS (a demon that many flirt with daily) and blatant disregard for authority has no gender, race, or age restraints. Too often, our enemy's influence and presence is underestimated and rendered harmless. 

Jesus warns us of the dangerous and destructive nature of our enemy:

"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." (John 10:10)

When we look at ALL of the recent reckless happenings in the news (both local and national crime - i.e. FSU shooter, Tallahassee Deputy death, etc.), it is clear that the aim of, or the recipient of, the bullet had little to nothing to do with the color of one's skin. For example, if the deputy killed in Tallahassee on Saturday, November 22, would have been black, then the headlines may have read, "Angry man takes out anger on innocent black deputy in revenge for the FSU shootings." However, the deputy who was killed was white. You see, a firearm is not manufactured to only harm or kill a certain gender, race, or age group. It's not the gun, the caliber, or the bullet,... it's the person pulling the trigger.  

Individually, we are our worst enemy. An enemy, a slave, a destroyer to no one but ourselves, resulting from poor self esteem which often leads to destructive decisions accompanied by irresponsible actions that, regardless of gender, race, or age, will yield undesirable consequences (the element of accountability). The platform to rise above the "race/slavery/victim" mindset is withIN. 

Looking inward is the key. Our greatest days in life will begin the moment we acknowledge and accept there are questions we'll never be able to answer, things we can't explain, things we can't control, things we can't change, and things we can't stop. On the other hand, if it's within our power to render a more fruitful and productive outcome, then by all means, engage responsibly. In addition, if you own your position and are convinced it is sound, then don't be silent. Rather, speak up in love and deliver it with grace.

I'm taken back to a song we used to sing when I was a child in Sunday School and Children's Church:

"Jesus loves the little children

All the children of the world

Red, yellow, black and white

They are precious in His sight.

Jesus loves the little children

Of the world."

Red, yellow, black, and white - WE are all precious, AND stronger.....TOGETHER.

Beloved, let us love one another and let us pray that the love, peace, and justice of God prevail for all in Ferguson, Missouri, and abroad.

 #truthsetsfree #john8:32

OLD ENOUGH TO KNOW BETTER

SERIOUSLY!!! Some things should never really be posted on a public forum such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, etc.

What's unfortunate is, some of the personal statements, pictures, shared links, and "liked" pages are clearly not fit for private consumption, much less placed for public display. Some say it's a matter of personal preference and maturity. 

I've got some great news. 

I agree!!! POOR preferences and gross reckless IMmaturity. 

Poor judgment begins with the absence of self respect, which eventually becomes evident to all. 

Let's get a viewpoint from the apostle Paul, when speaking to the church at Corinth:

"When I was a child, I spoke and thought and reasoned as a child. But when I grew up, I put away childish things." (1 Corinthians 13:11)

There's only one person who can "Stop the Madness," so step up and shut down the madness. Refuse to stay in the streets of childhood and make the shift to the highways of adulthood. This lane change will be evident by the respect you not only have for yourself, but the respectful restraint you possess and practice in public. 

#growingpains #Udecide #newbeginnings

TRUTH: The Deciding Factor

I've heard it and you've heard it, "He/She/They don't agree with me because they don't understand." 

To really make a proper interpretation of this statement, we need to establish the foundation. 

In order to agree with someone about something, the element of Truth must exist. To agree, requires that two or more people share the same value (acknowledgment, acceptance, and application) of truth. Jesus said, "you will know the truth and the truth (applied) will set you free." (John 8:32) So, IF the person making the initial opening statement is accurate in their summation, then the implication is that whomever does not understand must be lacking the element of Truth that is impeding both or all to be "in agreement."

For me, if more than one person is waving a red flag, there must be reason to stop, look, and listen. If the enemy is aiming to derail or destroy your life, he's not going to give you any warning or constructive caution.

One's inability to understand is in direct proportion to perceived or realized inconsistencies within the proposed question, situation, or decision being made. If the truth is absent or being blatantly ignored, one of two prognoses can be rendered:

1.) The person has consciously chosen to be led astray. OR

2.) The person has been deceived into believing their decision is best suited at the time, thus everyone else will not understand or agree.

We must not underestimate the words of the apostle Paul:

"But I am afraid that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent's cunning, your minds may somehow be led astray from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ." (2 Corinthians 11:3)

Revisit the exposition of Jesus about the serpent in John 10:10, "The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly."

SUMMING IT UP:

Ask yourself, "Am I in love with the Truth, or am I obsessed more with my own interpretation of the Truth?" 

There is a remedy. Are you ready? You will need to tighten your grip on the Truth. Could it be that the remedy very well may be seated within all of those who "don't agree." 

The Word of God has a safeguard for us when desiring success, yet experiencing what appears to be a lack of UNDERSTANDING and/or AGREEMENT in life:

"Plans go wrong for lack of advice; many advisers bring success." (Proverbs 15:22)

Simply saying we're doing something FOR God, unfortunately, doesn't necessarily mean we're doing it WITH God. Often, the god in the sentence is US, the god of self.

Hopefully, you AGREE!!!