A Clean Heart and A Right Spirit

"Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me." - (Psalm 51:10 KJV)

 

Happy Fantastic Friday!!!

 

A clean heart. A right spirit. A better me.

 

Yep, I strongly desire of being a woman after God's own heart; the way David was a man after God's own heart. And you want to know why? It's because when we continually humble ourselves before the Lord, we acknowledge our infirmities, realizing we can't "clean" ours hearts on our own. We need God’s help.

 

I know most people don't want to talk about this, but how can we live a successful life if we're not being honest with ourselves, and most of all: with God?

 

I’m speaking to those who long to draw nearer to God and learn everything about who He is and how He graciously deals with us.

 

I never really like the phrase: "Fake it until you make it." There's something very erroneous about that statement. It's applauding hypocrisy and discouraging honesty. But that's just me.

 

I want to explore with you what the Lord has put in my spirit to share with you because He desires for His People to constantly stay clean with Him. Before we jump to conclusions, I'm being clear that staying clean is not associated with staying perfect. Period. It's impossible to be so-called "perfect."

 

Staying clean with God is to confess continually about everything that is in our hearts. Our souls become jaded overtime because we're so used to being conditioned in thinking that if we hold back, we're somehow tougher and wiser. And this is far from the truth. When we think wrong thoughts about ourselves, others, and situations, we tend to play the blame game and we're never in the wrong.

 

It's important to reflect over our lives because it will help us get a better understanding about ourselves, of where we need to be, about entering the next level God desires to take us. It's also important to do a heart check-up. God isn't concerned about our apparel, education, which trophy husband or wife pushes our success to higher depths in society, nor is He concerned about what we don't have. He's concerned about our thoughts, our reactions, and our souls, because our souls are precious to Him. We're valuable in His sight. After all, we were created for His Pleasure because He saw it was good.

 

The enemy likes to setup traps, which we have no intention of falling in. I honestly don't believe people do what they do for no reason. I don't believe anyone intends to fall into temptation and sin. If we're being realistic, we must recognize that life happens.

 

Sometimes, when we get caught up in our lives, whether things are going well with us or not, enticingly sinful opportunities arrive to knock us off our feet. And this happens because there is something going on with us emotionally, whether we realize it or not. When we tend to bury our emotions, we get lost in a whirlwind of trials, and it's to the point where we're not thinking clearly. Hey, it happens.

 

When we think we're making the "right" decisions because it "feels right," we find out later that the decisions we made weren't designed for us. And this is where our souls become quiet. We become strangers. We still look the same on the outside, but internally we're drowning in our turmoil because we're deceived to believe we can't go back, and that God will never love us and give us another chance.

 

Most of us are conditioned to believe this because we have wolves in sheep's clothing telling people the wrong idea about God. They get involved with man-made religions, thinking that going to church is what makes them safe with God. They clean themselves up, dressing the part and grooming themselves to manipulate others who don't have a relationship with God, that there is a certain way to come to God and they must abide to religion's rules.

 

Hang in there with me. God wants to set us free from wrongful thinking and conditional religions. This is where most of us fall, because we're brainwashed to believe that God is all about condemnation. And this, my friends, isn't true at all. Don't buy into the hype that attending church on designated days and getting involved with the church activities is what makes us right in the eyes of God. Don't believe that applying some scriptures of the Bible, in our lives, is what makes us love God more, and then the other parts don't apply to us when we slip and we refuse to see the error of our ways.

 

Religion is not a free pass to Heaven and nor is it a free ticket to get closer to God. The only way to receive salvation is acknowledging our sins, and recognizing that Jesus died for our sins so we won't be punished eternally. His blood was shed, so we won't be abandoned in our infirmities. Jesus is The Way, The Truth, and The Life. And no one can come to God our Father, unless they go through Jesus first. And if we try to come any other way, we're being thieves. I know it stings, but I don't want anyone walking in deception, for God will hold me accountable on not speaking the truth. Jesus is the Mediator between God and us because He is God's only Begotten Son and He understands what we're dealing with. As singer and Bishop Marvin L. Winans said in one of his sermons, "Salvation is free, but it isn't cheap." Amen.

 

You see, the hypocrites in church are designed to make you believe that once you confess your sins to God and you receive salvation—it stops right there. No, it doesn't. There's a cleansing process in our minds, hearts and souls. God strips us of anything that isn't like Him, so we can be the best we can be and live the life. I'm all about living this life because I realize that I may be the Only Jesus people see. Not everyone has the time to pick up a Bible. And since I am the salt of the Earth, I must let my light shine brightly, so I will draw all people unto God and they will glorify Him.

 

Living this life is not just at church, but everywhere we go. No one is perfect, but when we correct our mistakes and we do our best, this is where God has redeemed us. It's Jesus' blood, which washes away our sins. It's in His Name, Jesus, is when demons tremble and flee. It's Jesus who has compassion on us when others give up on us.

It's Jesus who grieves with us when we're going through. He collects our tears in a bottle, and then He pulls out His Book of Remembrance for what was done to us, and then He steps in and makes the wrong right. Having a personal relationship is what keeps our communication lines open with God. Praying to God is a daily thing and the amount of time you pray isn't what counts, but it's the quality of your prayer, which counts with Him.

 

I love how God deals with us so gracefully because He gives us enough time to learn and grow, and to become better before we leave here. He doesn't want to see us perish by letting the smallest things stand in our way, which will keep us from entering in Heaven.

 

This is why we must deal with our issues now. We mustn't allow others' opinions to stop us from communing with God. When we give our lives to Him, we must pick up our cross and bear it and deny self.  And we do this when we crucify our flesh and increase our spirits in Him (this comes through living a consecrated life: fasting and praying). This means we have to always ask God for His Perspective on the situation, and this is where His Holy Spirit steps in, because when situations are spiritually discerned correctly, we will know what next step to take. And when we hear directly from the Lord, there is no confusion in our direction for our lives because God is not the Author of confusion: Satan is.

 

Purifying our minds and hearts is a continual process. Even when we fall, God picks us up and He reassures us that He is still with us, and He will not let us perish in our mistakes. He'll never leave us nor forsake us. He inclines His ears to those who sincerely cry out to Him. He loves to fix what is broken in us, and beautify us to the people He knows we're destined to be: more like Him.

 

I yearn to love with a Godly love. God's love is unadulterated. His love is available 24/7 and He won't flip on you, the way people will.

 

I yearn to keep my heart pure before Him, so I can think with a sober mind and please Him.

 

I yearn to keep my relationship with the Lord open, because I know when I release my cares on Him, I can leave them there without being exposed to the world. Thank you, Jesus, that He doesn't expose our dirt, the way we do. Thank you, Jesus, when He forgives us, He doesn't condemn us and remind us of what we done over and over, the way Satan does.

 

It doesn't matter what we do. What matters is, as long as we can humble ourselves before the Lord and we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive our sins, and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. However, this doesn't mean we should abuse God's grace. We shouldn't knowingly rebel and give room to the devil, and then we believe, without change in our hearts, that everything is okay. That's not true repentance or redemption. When we fall, something must be learned from our situations in order to be better people in Him.

 

A wicked heart refuses to see the errors, which have been made. A wicked heart believes to pair up with "convenient Christians", so it is still "spared" from consequences.

 

Whether we want to admit it or not, we can't avoid consequences. And even if we're getting "blessed" with opportunities and we didn't make the wrongs right, there is a day when our evil actions will slap us hard in our faces, for not considering our behavior toward others. And when that day arrives, and believe me, friends, it will arrive. It’ll either help us recognize our faults and bless us to become better, or our ways will grow colder and we depart from God.  Once we leave Earth, people will remember how we hurt them or help them. They won't care about how much success we made along the way. All they will remember is what we did to them. And we don’t want to be remembered this way. This is definitely food for thought.

 

Our presence does affect those around us: good or evil.

 

Beloved, it's not okay to continually hurt others and think we're not going to reap what we sowed for what we did to them.

 

Beloved, it's not okay to bury our sins and not confess them to God. We'll become cold-hearted and calloused in our ways.

 

Beloved, it's not okay for others to hurt us and they think that they are so-called "blessed" because they have "opportunities" landing in their laps. Those are perks, which comes with the territory when we pursue what we love to do. Blessings are realizing who we are in Jesus Christ, because He died for us and He loved us first. Blessings are growing rich in God by worshiping Him in Spirit and in Truth. Blessings are humbling ourselves daily before Him to make sure our hearts are right with Him, so we can do what we're purposed to do. Blessings are treating each other right without prejudice in all forms. Blessings are when we acknowledge of our ways and then apologize for our errors.

 

We're living in a lost world where wrong is right and right is wrong. And beloved, it's not okay.

 

If you yearn to know Jesus as your Personal Savior or you desire to grow more graciously in Him, I will pray with you and for you.

 

Prayer: Father, I surrender all to You because I realize I’m lost without You. Help me in areas where I'm weak, and continue to strengthen me in Your Grace. Continue to convict my heart when I do things, which aren't pleasing in Your Sight. Create in me a clean heart and renew a right spirit within me. Bless me to see Your Perspective on things, for my perspective is tainted and I don't always make the best decisions. Open my spiritual eyes, ears, and heart to recognize the errors of my ways, so I can become better and not bitter. Lord, bless me to forgive those who knowingly hurt me and deal with their hearts, and show them the error of their ways, so they can be better, too. Most of all, bless them to get to know You as their Personal Savior and save them. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

 

I pray this message will strengthen you and encourage you to be all you can be in God. Love more. Hate less. Listen more. Talk less. Help more. Hurt less. No, we won't get it right all the time, but if we remain honest with God, God can turn our disasters into miracles and blessings. Draw closer to Him as He draws closer to you. He loves you very much and I do, too. Until next time, be blessed.

 

Renewing Our Minds: It's All About Perspective

"Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will." - (Romans 12:2 NIV)

 

Happy Fantastic Friday!!!

 

You're probably wondering why I named this post about renewing our minds. And you can believe it's for a good reason. I asked God what would He like for me to say to His People again this week. And surely, He gave me a topic to write about, because there are many of us who long to get a new perspective in our lives, our minds, and most of all, our hearts. Gaining a new outlook on life can assist us to choose life (positive) or death (negative).

 

Many people are accustomed to how they were raised and they actually believe it is the "way-of-life." Oh, but we know this isn't true. When we grow up, everything we "learned" isn't pure truth. Sometimes, it takes life experiences to help us see that we don't know everything like we "think" we do.

 

I want to explore in this topic, because there are people out here who are severely hurting emotionally due to tragic situations. And sometimes discouragement takes its course, because of how we are wired to believe. Negative perspectives are formed through family members, friends, co-workers, bosses, and enemies. Why? Because someone passes it to them, and they think this is how the cycle continues on.

 

But thank God, it stops here with us. And I want to be clear. It doesn't matter how old we are, what color we are, what backgrounds we come from, and what we are told to believe. When God gave us life, He gave us free will. He wants us to make decisions in everything we do and these decisions can be good or bad. And you bet there are consequences behind the choices we make.

 

How our choices are formed? Through our perspective.

 

Just because we receive bad news, it doesn't mean we have to accept bad news as a permanent result for our lives. We have the power to speak life over that dead situation. We don't have to stay in the same rut forever. And how do we change our negative events?

 

We change it by saying, "We shall live and not die."

 

"This too shall pass."

 

We must remember that trouble won't be here always. It is only temporary, even though it seems like the fiery trial continually persists on and on. But it doesn't mean we need to die with our deadly problems.

 

Encouraging discouragement leads to a negative perspective and it damages who we are. And when we refuse to recognize condemning words, which are spoken over our lives, or we refuse to acknowledge the original source (Satan) where condemnation is originated, we begin to blame ourselves. We start resorting to low self-esteem and we tend to believe this is natural for us to think this way.

 

We believe when others are overly critical about us, that there is something "wrong" with us. We feel we can never measure up because someone is always complaining about every little thing we do. It sucks to be under a microscope and we can't be ourselves without someone pointing a finger at us, or make us feel like we don't belong.

 

But here's what I want you to consider: is it natural to constantly hurt each other with condemnation?

 

Is it natural to tear each other down, just so we can feel better about ourselves, because we're suffering from insecurities and we're allowing wrongful pride to hinder us from admitting it?

 

Is it natural to favor one person over the other, just because we love the way a person speaks, looks, moves, and captures our hearts because they have a worldly aura?

 

Is it natural to believe about the worst, because bad things happen to us, and then we constantly feed into negativity that our situations won't change?

 

Is it natural to always criticize someone when he or she is giving his or her all, just because we're not happy with the results?

 

If you pondered about this and you answered "no" to these questions, then you're on the road to recovery if you were conditioned to feel or think a certain way.

 

I want to flip-it-and-reverse-it and give us something else to think about: Should we enlarge a person's ego by encouraging him or her on what they want to do, so he or she can make it, but he or she doesn’t thinks we won't make it in life?

 

Should we accept the situation as it is, because it "appears" as no-way-out?

 

Should we tolerate negative influence just because the people in our lives don't want to see us succeed, all because they failed somewhere in their lives?

 

Should we entertain disgruntled thoughts, which doesn't glorify God or edify our spirits to keep pressing forward?

 

Should we stop praying just because others don't believe in the power of prayer?

 

Should we give up because we have too many opponents knocking us down, and wanting to keep us down just because they "feel" they should be the only ones succeeding?

 

Should we stop living because others have wronged us and they're "succeeding" before our very eyes?

 

Should we prolong deadly words, which can cripple us, in our hearts, minds, and souls because no one believes in us?

 

Beloved, the answer is "NO!"

 

God has taught me this in some experiences I faced. And when I gave my life to Him, I had to forget what I thought I knew about God and I started to know Him. And when I truly believed that Jesus died for my sins, and He did it because He loved me. Boy, did my perspective change in a great way. And I want you to know, nothing happens overnight. We must take it one-day-at-a-time. Anyone who is in Christ is a new creature. Old things have passed away (worldly rotten perception) and everything becomes new.

 

The Lord wants me to share this with you because we have too many "convenient Christians." They’re too comfortable in their mess. And there is no progression in that lifestyle—at all! Granted, we all make mistakes because we're flawed human beings, and this is a part of life. And it's understandable if we're going through; we're not sober-minded. And when we're not thinking clearly, let's admit it, we tend to do some CRAZY THINGS!!!

 

And I will break it down about “convenient Christians” or religious folks, for that matter. People who fall into this category only take bits-and-pieces of the Bible and benefit it for their vain glory, because they actually delude themselves to think they're not bad as such-and-such, or they believe wholeheartedly, there is no room for growth in having a relationship with God. They’re “fine” just the way they are. There are two types of Christians. There is one who stays sedentary in his or her relationship with God, and then there is one who grows gracefully in God and allows God to do necessary stripping in his or her qualities, which doesn't reflect Him. So, God blesses him or her to become more like Him in His Character. (I will speak more on this in my next post.)

 

It's not God's will for us to take captive in negative thoughts and constantly feed into them daily, for life and death is in the power of the tongue. Whatever we claim, it shall be. When God created the Earth in six days, He called everything into existence and it came to pass. That's how much power words possess, my friends.

 

I'm not saying this is an easy process to reprogram our way-of-thinking, but starting somewhere is better than nothing at all. And please know it’s not my intention to step on some toes. However, I’m speaking to you in God’s love to help set you free from any form of bondage. We can’t stay stuck emotionally and then expect for things to start happening without change.

 

When we start thinking, "I can't do anything right." Philippians 4:13 states that we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us.

 

When we start believing the bad is outweighing the good, Romans 8:28 tells us that all things work together for the good and to them who love God and they’re called according to His Purpose.

 

When someone criticizes us about our appearance, no matter what it is, Psalms 139:14 tells us, we are fearfully and wonderfully made. God didn't make a mistake on any of us. And don't let Satan deceive you with all this hype in the 21st Century that this is the way to be, in order to get ahead in life.

 

We don't have to cheat to get ahead. We don't have to hurt others, just to feel important so no one thinks we're not weak. We don't have to tear each other down with criticism, so we can feel better about ourselves because we don't want anyone to see our struggles. We don't have to bow down and accept our current situation saying this is our end, when God is just beginning something new in us.

 

Anytime we start feeling low about situations, or ourselves, we must assess our thinking with God's Word. We don't find it anywhere in the Bible where God encourages His People to discourage one another in all aspects of their lives. If anything, when God chosen whom He wants to get the job done for His Will in their lives, the enemy was attacking them and discouraging them.

 

When Jesus changed our fate by outsmarting Satan with death through resurrection, He did it so we can have eternal life when we leave here, and live life here on Earth and make a difference in each other's lives. Nothing can get done if we're at each other’s throats by competing with each other, gossiping about each other, or discouraging each other. And the next time we come across a situation like this, We should ask ourselves and think for a moment, "Does it glorify God? Is God the author of confusion? How does it make me feel when I hurt someone or someone hurts me?"

 

And that, my friends, is how we keep the enemy under our feet. Resist the devil and he will flee from us. Once we're aware of Satan's schemes, we're no longer ignorant to his devices. And once we recognize what they are, we know how to defeat it through the power of prayer. The effectual fervent prayers of the righteous avail each and every time.

 

Prayer: Father, I come to You because I'm struggling in this area about renewing my mind. And it's hard because I face these battles daily. But, Lord, I'm humbling myself before You, and I'm asking You to encourage me with Your Word and give me Your Insight how to defeat the enemy when he sends discouraging situations and people my way to throw me off-course. Lord, bless me and renew me. Restore the broken areas in my life. Turn what the devil mean for evil and work it out for my good. Forgive me when I think wrong thoughts, which doesn't encourage me or glorify You. I release my burdens to You right now. I believe by faith You will set things back in order for me. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

 

If you believe in this prayer, and you want to start anew with your life with God, He will show you everything you need to know concerning your life, so you can succeed and He gets the glory out of everything that happens to you. Jesus loves you very much and I do, too. Until next time, be blessed.

 

After You Done All You Can: Stand.

"Finally, my brethren (and sisters), be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of darkness of this age, against spiritual host of wickedness in heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand." - (Ephesians 6:10-13 KJV)

 

Happy Marvelous Monday!!!

 

I can't express enough how blessed we are to have another chance to be alive and live each day to its fullest. As I was contemplating about what to write for this week (not to mention, I'm still revising my e-book), I asked the Lord what would He like for me to speak to His People this week. And it's funny, because I had no clue what to write until He gave me what to discuss on.

 

During these tough times in recession, we're trying to grasp on something substantial. And it's no surprise that the enemy is busy. The devil is always lurking around, seeking whom he may devour, because his agenda is to make sure that no one is living the potential God has given him or her.

 

But on to the matter at hand, the Lord wants me to speak to you about doing all you can, and what happens after we have done all we can. And when we're at the end of our rope, what must we do in order to survive the next minute, hour, day, week, or the month, for that matter!!

 

When life pulls the rug from underneath us, we tend to fall hard, because sometimes life deals us a hideous hand, and we're not sure if we can cope with all we're enduring. It seems like after we overcome one situation, here comes another and another.

 

But what if society paints a picture to us that we're not doing enough?

 

What if society says once you mess up, you can't make it up, no matter how hard you try?

 

What if friends turn their backs on you when you're at your lowest point?

 

What if your friends or family members misunderstand you, and they don't want to try to understand you?

 

What if you're on a different lane from everyone else and they think you're crazy for doing something that absolutely makes no sense?

 

What if you do your best to search for a job and it appears like no one wants to hire you?

 

What happens when politicians makes their speeches so appealing, to oppose the current President in office, which they "believe" this is what the nation wants to "hear?"

 

What if people are mad at you for no reason, and they swear with all their might, you're the one who is wrong, when it's actually them?

 

What happens when our perspective turns sour just because life isn't going as plan?

 

Well, beloved, I have some answers that will not only assist you to put things into perspective, but to help you recognize if what you're facing is holding you back or helping you move forward. And I want to be clear. I don't have all the answers and I don't know everything, but what I do know is that I love the Lord very much and He's been keeping me this far, and He is blessing me to hang on. The enemy is trying to destroy me, because he doesn't want me to encourage you for a greater hope which comes from God, and God alone.

 

Whenever things on Earth seems promising, let's remember, it's only temporary. We can enjoy them while they’re here, but possessions don't make us complete. It's what is going inside our hearts is what makes us complete. Having a peace from God, which passes all human understanding, is what carries us through.

 

In our darkest times, we can rest assure that God is really in control, even when it appears like it's beyond our control. When people act up on you for no reason, rest assured, beloved, this means God is taking you to a new place in your life. And some people you have to leave behind, so you won't miss out what God has for you, even if they don't like what God is doing with you and in you.

 

I'm learning that God is removing certain people out of my life for a reason, because they're just a hindrance in wanting to keep me discouraged and to make me look bad. I'm learning that God wants to do a new work in me, so He can get the glory out of my life, for I'm being about my Father's business. If I learn to do the small things that He's asking of me, I'm sure there is a greater reward for me by walking in obedience.

 

Sometimes, God has to send us to an isolated place, so He can do what needs to be done in us, and in our lives, and to let us know He's God. He wants us to be in place, so we can receive all that He has for us.

 

We can't receive when self is standing in the way. When self is in our way, self tends to cloud rightly judgment. Self tends to boast in limited human powers and makes us believe we're invincible, and we're excluded from trials and tribulations, and everybody around us isn't. Wrongful pride makes us believe that nothing can stop us just because we finally found our "success." Just to be clear. When we reach success, you better believe the higher the level, the bigger the devil. And he will send his accomplices to throw you off-course.

 

But it's up to us to recognize, with God's true discernment, when the adversary is near. When you face dire predicaments that have no explanation, this means that God's got some explosive blessings for you.

 

It's important to remember when situations happen; we must take notice of our predicaments. And here are three ways to know when problems arise in our lives: 1. We caused it to happen because we choose to rebel somewhere in our lives. 2. It isn't our fault and it's an enemy attack. 3. God is testing our faith by removing whatever qualities are in us, which doesn't reflect Him, and to bring us in a new level of trust in Him. I know this stings a bit, but even I have to come to terms with this.

 

Whenever we mess up, God will gently bring it to our attention of what we did wrong. Life happens. We don't intend to get caught up in crazy situations, but sometimes when we're vulnerable we fall in traps, which we think will give us a temporary fix to our problems. And when we realize what we have done, God gives us time to regroup ourselves by learning from our situations, and taking the good and leaving the bad behind. And how do we leave the bad behind? By growing from our mistakes and vowing to become a better person, even though we're not perfect. As long as we're living, we will continually make mistakes because we're human. And as long as we're learning from our mistakes and making the wrong right, we will become better and not bitter.

 

An enemy attack is when Satan gets upset while we're on our way to victory. He sends us detours, whether they are people or circumstances, which is beyond our control. The enemy's mission is to abort your purpose. When you're on Christ's side, you can believe, you will be tried on every side, but God will deliver you out of every affliction you encounter, my friend. And you want to know why? What you're facing is only temporary. Another way to discover an enemy attack is when you're in a different place in your life, and you don't view things the same anymore, and God is maturing you through faith, so you can receive His bountiful blessings. He wants to bless you above all you can ask or think, not just physically, but spiritually as well.

 

And finally, when God is testing our faith. Sometimes, we will have situations where it causes us to go into isolation, because these fiery trials are designed to refine us, renew us, revive us, and bless us. So, when we come out of our circumstances, we come out as pure gold. When gold is melted in the fire, the gold's beauty becomes pure, because all the rust disappears, and this is when gold appeals the eyes because it is birth into something new.

 

And this is what God is doing in us, to birth something new in us. He strips away whatever is hindering our walk and relationship with Him. If there are people who aren't sent by God to throw us off-track, God will remove them by hardening their hearts toward you because they don't have the same mind as you. God desires us to be with like-minded people, who doesn't only want to succeed, but for us to succeed as well. When a person is all about them, they don't care about your well-being—at all. Beloved, I'm speaking from personal experience: you don't need them!

 

All they will do is exalt self and kick you down while you're going through. That's definitely not a friend. God wants better for you and I do, too. This is why I'm sharing with you what God shared with me. God doesn't want you to have the same old pals in your corner, because their motives aren't always sincere. And you can believe God will expose them for who they really are, in ways you can't begin to fathom.

 

If evil whisperers are separating people whom you were once tight with, this tells you right there that the people, your friends are hanging with, is jealous because they see God in you, and they don’t want your friends to draw closer to God, but far away from Him. They try to damper your shine and they deceive themselves thinking they’re walking in the light. And that's how Satan operates, he comes as an angel of light, using God's Word out of context, to get you to think these people are for you, when they're actually against you. And if you're questioning on what I'm saying to you, I encourage you to pray about it. When God wants you to know about something that's hiding in the dark, He will bring mystery to the light in the biggest way. And it's up to us by asking God to prepare our hearts for the truth, when we ask Him about situations or people we're not certain of.

 

While we're in our pits, God will show us things about ourselves, which we are or aren't aware of. And this is where devoting our time to pray come in. With His Holy Spirit, and His Holy Spirit alone, we can become better human beings, the way God intends us to be. We will be walking in love and harmony, treating each other fairly, and helping one another, and most of all, not judging or looking down on each other, but encouraging our brothers and sisters (yes, the human race, not races).

 

And the other part of testing our faith, God wants us to believe in Him, and most importantly to believe Him. When walking in faith, we can't go by what we see. Of course, we can't deny what's in front of us. That's not what I'm saying at all, because in order to be set free, we must confess and confront what the issue really is. Deliverance is effective when we're being real, and being real means being honest—not giving people a piece of our minds. It's important we know the difference between the two.

 

He wants to come to Him with everything, which concerns us, and He wants to show Himself strong in our lives for the merciful, loving God He is. Make no mistake, God is forgiving, loving, and graceful, but He is also a fair and a righteous God. God loathes evil-doing: period. And you want to know why? He loathes evil acts because it hurts us and we receive agony, not peace when evil manifests itself in our lives. He also desires for us to gain a new outlook in life, so we can be ready for what God plans for us to do while we're here on Earth. He wants us to find purpose in everything we do. He wants us to learn and grow, and to constantly accept change for the better in our lives because life is all about change. Nothing stays the same.

 

When we're at our lowest point, the Lord will sing us a new song in our strange land.

 

When we give it our best shot to seek new opportunities and we failed, the Lord will make a way out of no way when we least expect it.

 

When friends aren't the same anymore and they always look at you like you're the enemy, God is a friend who will love you unconditionally and be there for you regardless of your circumstances.

 

When everything else fails, and you've done all you can, this is where you must stand and look to Heaven, and know that God has already worked out your situation for your good. His Word is filled with real promises and encouragement, which will sustain you and bless you. His Word is not a quick fix, but it's a healing balm to your wounded soul.

 

And His Word is never out of season. When you stumble upon a scripture that speaks exactly how you feel (book of Psalms, for instance), God will bring you a revelation that will not only deliver encouragement, but real hope that God is always on your side. And I can agree with King David, I haven't seen the righteous forsaken, nor will we beg for bread. God hasn't forgotten about you.

 

Prayer: Father, I come to You with a broken heart and an uncertain future. I honestly don't know what tomorrow brings or who will betray me. But, Lord, I'm leaning on You to come through for me, even though it seems like my situation is hopeless. Lord, I'm doing all I know how to make it, but I'm humbling myself and I'm admitting that I'm at the end of myself. Show Yourself strong in my life, and move by Your Spirit, Lord. I need a breakthrough, which comes from You and You alone. I give thanks to You, for bringing me this far and You're keeping me. Thank You for everything You've done in my life. I believe by faith you will bring me out of my situation. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

 

If you believe in this prayer, that God will come to your rescue. Just have faith and know He won't let you fall, for your life is in His hands. May He bless you with miracles and supply all your needs according to His Riches in Glory through Jesus Christ. Know that Jesus loves you and I do, too. Until next time, be blessed.

 

When Hurt Leads to Anger, Bitterness, Revenge, and Grudges

"In your anger do not sin": Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry." - (Ephesians 4:26 NIV)

 

Happy Wonderful Wednesday!!!

 

Oh, it's another day to be alive and we have a lot to be grateful for. While I was revising my e-book early this week, I asked the Lord what would He like for me to write for His people. And believe me, I had no clue until I read my e-mails. And this person's request inspired me to write this message, for I'm too familiar with this subject, and I know how difficult refraining from situations and people can be.

 

Do you ever feel like life is being unfair to you?

 

Do you feel like taking matters into your own hands?

 

Do you feel like throwing in the towel because the pressure of time isn’t granting you enough grace?

 

Have you ever held a grudge against someone who wasn't sorry for what he or she has done to you?

 

Have you ever felt so bitter that every time you turn around, everyone else is getting blessed but you?

 

Well, precious heart, you stopped by to read this devotion today. I feel God is prompting me to tell you that He desires for you to release all your hurt, anger, bitterness, and grudges over to Him.

 

When God sent His Only and Begotten Son to die for our sins, He made sure that Jesus fulfilled God's Will on Earth, so we won't have to bear everything ourselves. He wants you to know there is a Mediator, a Comforter, to advocate on your behalf. You want to know why, beloved? It's because He first loved you!

 

When Jesus came down in the flesh, He did it so He can understand what we're going through. He endured agony, persecution, betrayal, and adoration from those who needed Ultimate Healing from whatever bondages they had. He knew that we were going to need a Comforter in our times of trouble. John 14:18 (KJV) states, "I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you."

 

Beloved, whenever we go to the altar of our hearts and we pray to God about our troubles, He's releasing the Holy Spirit, which makes intercession for us while we feel we're at the end of our ropes. And this means God will come to your rescue when you least expect Him to.

 

God doesn't want us withholding our feelings and walking around with bitterness in our hearts.

 

Why? I hear you asking me.

 

I'm about to explain. You see, when we're tempted to hold grudges, this feeling reserves a seat for bitterness, and then rage starts settling in our hearts. And this leads to a slower process of being healed. When we don't confess our true feelings to God, we slowly allow the enemy to take a hold on us to seek revenge because we were wronged or we “believe” we were wronged.

 

And, dear heart, it's natural to feel this way because we're human. God created us to have emotions. Nonetheless, we weren't created to keep our emotions bottled forever. And holding back our feelings, for a long period of time, lead to the unseen: bitterness, vengeance, anger, and grudges. It's easy to point out what's seen, because we automatically believe that only the seen is considered as "bad," which isn't true.

 

Just to be clear. It's all right to feel hurt and it's all right to feel angry, because we can't help how we feel. When it hurts, it hurts. Sucking in hurt every time isn't healthy and it doesn't resolve the issues at hand. Burying our emotions can only lead to destruction and despair.

 

Whenever bitterness rushes in like a flood, this is where I immediately go to God and I confess my deepest thoughts, which no one knows about, and I'm honest with Him because I know He's in charge, and He knows exactly how I feel.

 

Even though, He has the ultimate power to judge me, but I love how He pardons my emotions with His mercy and grace, because He sees ands knows my heart. He knows what I did do and what I didn't do. He knows what others did to me and what they didn't do to me. He knows about my fears and my struggles, and even my troubles. And the same applies to you as well. Beloved, whenever we go to God in prayer, there's a supernatural release that comes to our rescue when we feel like we're drowning.

 

Whenever I feel like striking back at those who caused me misery, the Lord reminds me that vengeance belongs to Him. He wants me to know that He had already seen what they did to me and He will deal with them accordingly to how He sees fit.

 

But whenever we pray, it's good to remember to ask God for forgiveness because this is how we're feeling at the moment. Remember: emotions change constantly, but God's Word remains forever and true.

 

God has the final say about everything. He's in charge. Whenever we're tempted to harbor bitterness toward those who hurt us, it’s imperative that we surrender our pain to Jesus. Whatsoever we ask in His name, He will do it and God will be glorified, and He will wash away our hidden pain we struggle with daily.

 

He will never leave us nor forsake us. Our lives are in His Hands. And this is what the Lord is saying to you today:

 

I know this person deceived you and betrayed you. My Child, hand it over to Me, for I will make this wrong right.

 

I know you're bitter about the unfair circumstances that hindered you from many opportunities, but if you surrender all you're hiding in your heart, I will set you free and give you a blessed life you longed to have.

 

I know you're holding a grudge for what was done to you, but why hold on to it, when it's only stealing your life away? I AM GOD. Cleave to what is good and refrain from evil, for vengeance is mine and I will repay to all who do evil against you.

 

I know you were sorely mistreated, but know that you’re latter is greater than your former. Release your cares unto Me and I will take care of you, if you trust Me.

 

I see your tears and pain. I see your anger and shame. I see your struggles and troubles. I see your heart and I know you're not out to hurt anyone. You want a chance at life. But know I'm giving you life more abundantly above all you can ask or think.

 

I know this situation is consuming you mentally, emotionally, spiritually, and physically. But if you tell Me how you feel, I can turn what the devil mean for evil and work it out for your good.

 

I know you don't want to forgive them, but hear Me when I say, you must forgive them, not for their sakes, but for your sake so you’ll be set free. Whom the Son set free, surely you are free indeed.

 

Why are you trying to fight these battles on your own? Don't you know I'm on your side? These battles are not yours, they are Mine. Don't fight back, but be still and know that I am God.

 

For your life is in My Hands, and the plans I have for you will prosper and it will work out for your good because I'm doing a new thing in you.

 

Just give your burdens over to Me, and I will turn it around in your favor.

 

Beloved, if you received God's message, and it was personally meant for you, then surrender all your feelings to Him right now and He will move on your behalf.

 

Prayer: Father, I come to You with all the hurt, resentment, bitterness, and grudges I’m holding in my heart. They are keeping me bound and I don't know what to do anymore. I'm having such a hard time of letting go and it's hard to see those who wronged me get away with evil and they're prospering without feeling guilty. Lord, I surrender my anger, bitterness, and my need for revenge to You right now, in Jesus' name. I ask You to deliver me and set me free. I don't want to carry this pain in my heart anymore. I want to have all that You have for me. I want to walk in Your Love, Peace, and Joy. Forgive me when I hold on to buried emotions, which keep me bound. Forgive me when I don't come to You first about my problems. Forgive me when I think wrong thoughts, which don’t glorify You. Save me from my troubles and deliver me out of my struggles. Bless me to forgive those who betrayed me and mistreated me. Bless me to love more and hate less. Bless me to continually seek You in all things, even when I don't understand why these things are happening to me. And Lord, open my enemies' eyes and hearts to see how bad they hurt me. Have Your way with their hearts and show them the error of their ways. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

 

If you believe in this prayer, and you know that God has heard your cry, then you will see the salvation of the Lord coming to assist you. May He supply all your needs according to His riches in glory through Jesus Christ. May your heart be healed and delivered from whatever feelings, which are keeping you oppressed and bound. May He bless you real good this week. And know that I love you with the love of Christ. Until next time, be blessed.