Be Thankful for God's Grace!

In the spirit of Thanksgiving, it's only right to remind you God loves you! He will never leave nor forsake you. There's nothing you can do to change that. If you made a mistake, get back up and ask for His forgiveness! As long as you have breath in your nostrils you have a change to receive God's mercy. This alone is a blessing so great, you have no reason not to be thankful! No matter what your situation is. Satan hates you because you have what he will never get--God's grace. God holds you near and dear to His heart and He will give you anything you want and need if you ask in the name of Jesus Christ. Let's take a moment during this holiday to meditate on God's love! Thank Him for the mercy and kindness He has shown you your whole life. Thank Him for the love and grace He will show you for eternity! Praise God for His faithfulness!

Psalm 91: 14-16 “Because he loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. He will call on me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him. With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation.”

Proverbs 24:16 For though the righteous fall seven times, they rise again, but the wicked stumble when calamity strikes.

Happy Thanksgiving! Check back Monday for more posts!!

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Between race and religion, religion wins: About the death of Michael Brown



 

Right before Jesus was betrayed by Judas, He gave us a new command.

 

John 13:34-35 “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

This is the umbrella that all of God's children stand under. When it comes to God, there are no categories. Racial categories loses its borders under His love.

Ephesians 3:14-15 For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name.

Satan seeks to destroy the kingdom of God, and he aims to do so by division. Paul warns us of this.

Romans 16:17-18 I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them. For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites, and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naïve.

Titus 3:9-11 But avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels about the law, for they are unprofitable and worthless. As for a person who stirs up division, after warning him once and then twice, have nothing more to do with him, knowing that such a person is warped and sinful; he is self-condemned.

This doesn't mean stick your head in the dirt like an ostrich and ignore the issues going on today. It means we can't let the problems in this world stray us away from our responsibility as Christians--to love.

I've read many comments in my Facebook news feed, even from church leaders, spewing out angry words towards Darren Wilson. I understand people are upset. I have a bachelors degree in African American Studies, I'm familiar with the historical similarities with this incident and the plight of African Americans. But my responsibilities as a Christian comes first. I was a child of God before I was African American. As a Christian God calls me to love. This means loving Michael Brown and Darren Wilson. It is love that holds together the body of Christ and once we begin to give into anger, division occurs.

Matthew 12:25 Any kingdom divided against itself is laid waste; and any city or house divided against itself will not stand.

Ephesians 4:26-31"In your anger do not sin": Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry,  and do not give the devil a foothold.

James 1:19-20 My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry,  for man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires.

 

In the book of Acts, we are told about the ways the church was persecuted. One disciple, Stephen was included. After he was arrested for preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ, he made his plea filled with the Holy Spirit.

 

Acts 7:54-59 When the members of the Sanhedrin heard this, they were furious and gnashed their teeth at him. But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. “Look,” he said, “I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.” At this they covered their ears and, yelling at the top of their voices, they all rushed at him, dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. Meanwhile, the witnesses laid their coats at the feet of a young man named Saul. While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” Then he fell on his knees and cried out, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” When he had said this, he fell asleep.

 

Stephen was murdered for no reason other than his love for Jesus Christ. Although he had every right to be angry for the injustice he was suffering, he instead asked God to have mercy for them out of love. This is how we must react to injustices.

 

After the other disciples heard of their friend's death they mourned for him. That's okay. There's nothing wrong with feeling sorrow for unfortunate events like Michael Brown's death. But after the disciples mourned, they went on to preach and spread the love of Jesus Christ.

 

The best way to fight any injustice is through love. Hate and anger only fuels demons, but love destroys them.

 

Romans 12:21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

 

When Jesus told us to love one another, He didn't just mean love those in your racial category, family, friends, etc. He meant love EVERYONE. This includes everyone who played a part in the outcome of Michael Brown's death and investigation. It's hard, I understand, but it's our responsibility.

 

Matthew 5:44-47 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that?

 

Jesus knew Judas would be the one to betray Him. He knew this from day one, but it didn't stop Him from welcoming him to be His disciple. He washed his feet, fed him, broke bread with him, and even kissed him after Judas fulfilled prophesy by betraying him. Jesus knew He was representing His father in the way He loved. God loves Michael Brown and He loves Darren Wilson. If Darren sincerely asked God for forgiveness, he would be forgiven. Just like that. We must love one another in that same way. 

Let's not get things twisted. By no means is Christianity about passiveness. Jesus didn't bother seeking revenge because He knew God would handle it. Judas ended up hanging himself. We have to have faith that God will seek justice in the matter. Forget if the criminal justice system didn't avenge Michael Brown, for the bible says, 

Romans 12:19 Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," says the Lord.

Trust God. Remember the beautiful and mighty God you serve. He will defend you. We don't have to lift a finger. God will give Michael Brown's family justice. Everything works in His timing. We just have to trust Him.

 Psalm 138:7  Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve my life; you stretch out your hand against the wrath of my enemies, and your right hand delivers me.
In the meantime, we must continue to love. Let's not let social injustices drive us to anger. We may not be a part of the crowds looting and tearing down things in the streets, but the words we speak are more powerful than any damage done at a riot. So let us speak words in tune with our mission as disciples of Christ.

To the Michael Brown family, remember this: God knows the number of tears you've cried. He will make sure none of them are in vain. Until that day comes, forgive Darren Wilson. Love him as God loves you.


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God is more than a prophesy

Having prophetic encounters with God is amazing. It's a chance for Him to give you a quick snapshot of your future. Through the gift of prophesy God gives us promises. You may have a dream of you working at the job you desire, or maybe God used someone to tell you of your blessings to come. It's a great thing, but it isn't greater than God.

Receiving a prophetic message is both a blessing and a responsibility. These promises are given to us to show us what is to come if we choose to continue on the road with God. We have to make sure that we don't get carried away with the promise. Satan tries to pervert every blessing God gives you, and a prophetic word certainly isn't an exception. The key to staying on track is to focus on God just as you did before you were given that promise.

Don't omit God from the promise

Sometimes it can take years before a prophetic word is fulfilled. It's all in God's timing. Until that day comes focus on Him. One year God sent me one prophetic dream after another. He showed me all these things He was going to do in my life. He even revealed that I would be writing this blog--this was a year ago. At one point I was so excited about God's promises that I unintentionally began to replace God with my pending blesses. I praised God more for what He was going to do and not for who He is. My faith began to weaken because I didn't have faith in the right things. Instead of saying God will deliver me from my troubles, I would think I'm going to be _______ someday. I put everything into my promises.

This is how Satan attacks. He throws in distractions to weaken your faith. Then when storms come, you struggle to sustain. This is exactly what happened in this scenario. A year had gone by and none of those promises came to pass. I began to get depressed and discouraged. Then God blotted out my promises temporarily. I went through a season when none of my promises looked like it was ever going to happen. There were impossible conditions blocking my promises. Since my faith wasn't in the right place, I began to get angry at God. I felt I had been patient and I practiced good faith. So why wasn't anything in my life changing? After a week of feeling sorry for myself, God checked me by teaching me something I would never forget.

Love by faith

1 Corinthians 13:12-13 For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face; now I know in part, but then I will know fully just as I also have been fully known. But now faith, hope, love, abide these three; but the greatest of these is love.

Hebrews 11:1-3  Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for. By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible.

As I am writing this section, I see an image of a child walking down a road and holding a balloon. The road the child is walking on is the path to God. It represents your walk with Jesus Christ. The balloon represents your promises. God gives you many balloons along the way. But make sure you don't get carried away by the promises. It is your genuine love for God that keeps you grounded. 

Don't get so stuck in the future that you can't stand to bear the present situation. God's promises are only one aspect of His love. God's love comforts us through seasons of turmoil, and He smiles on us everyday. The most important tool we should have is knowing that God loves us no matter what circumstances we're in. This way we are grounded by His love, and we have faith by loving what we cannot see. 

There was this guy who told his testimony about seeing hell. Now whether or not you believe these kind of testimonies is irrelevant to this point. One thing he said stood out to me. He said God showed him people living their lives. They had this strong light over them, and many people hardly paid attention to it. This light was God's presence, and His love. Everyday when you wake up and lay your head down at night, remember you have that light. Even when you backslide, you still have God's love and presence over you. That is worth more than all of His promises. His promises will come to pass, but most of them apply to your lifetime. But God's love endures forever. Remember to appreciate Him for His love first and foremost. Every other thing is an added bonus. 

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Satan is attacking us in the same way...today he will be exposed!

So far this year has been pretty tough for a lot of us. There are things you went through that you never want to go through again. When you look back on it you can still feel the stress you felt during that trial. A few months ago, God told me I will never have to go through the troubles I've faced in 2014 ever again. This word doesn't just apply to my life. It applies to your life as well. God has closed some doors and defeated demons who will never be able to attack you again. We have to trust God and believe whatever we went through is over. God delivered us and elevated us according to His will.

Remember this because lately Satan is attacking many of us through our past. He's been setting up situations similar to our past experiences to scare us. He wants us to be discouraged, and he tells us that this situation will always haunt us. Don't be fooled by him. Even though your situation seems like it's the same ordeal you overcame, keep reminding yourself it's not. You will not be attacked in those same ways. God will not let it go that far. Don't be quick to assume your current situation is going to drag out the same way your past situation did.

So I'm sure some of you are wondering, why is God letting Satan do this? God is allowing this to happen so you can let go of your past. A fundamental element of closure is telling yourself that part of your life is closed. Meaning it will never happen again. That requires trust. God wants to show you that He is not going to let your past experiences happen to you again. You learned what He wanted you to learn from that situation and now it's over. As I am writing this, I see you encircled by a group of familiar enemies. They are demons you've defeated. They are angry and they want to harm you. You are afraid because you think you are going to have to fight the same battle again. So you are sitting down in the middle of all these enemies depressed, scared, and crying out to God. God is letting you know--these demons want to attack you but they can't. God allowed these demons to surround you to show you that you are ok through His protection. Once you see how God is going to clear this situation up, then you will no longer fear the battles of your past.

Let's take a look at David. He ran from Saul for years. Saul was jealous because he knew God snatched the throne from him and gave it to David. Saul figured if he killed David, he could keep his royal status. David and his men hid in caves and all over to get away from Saul. Satan was working through Saul to target David. He was hoping to kill him because he knew how great of a king he would be. He knew David would lead Israel to God. Not to mention David's genealogy would eventually include Jesus Christ.

God gave David victory over his enemy when Saul died in battle. Then David went on to be king. He was a great king at that. He praised God constantly and became an example to God's people. Happy story right? Well not quite. Satan tried to attack David with his past in the same way he is trying to attack you.

So Absalom, David's son began to plot against him to rob him of his throne. Can you imagine how David felt? It's bad enough he had to flee from Saul who tried to kill him to take the position God gave him. Now he had to deal with his son doing the same thing! Satan is trying to replicate the same circumstances David went through with Saul. The keyword is he tried. He can't succeed because God won't let him. When Saul died God closed that door. Through Saul's death God defeated that demon in David's life and no other demon will ever be able to attack him in that way again.

Let me pause for a second to make a side point.

As David was fleeing from his son, he came across a man named Shimei.

He [Shimei] pelted David and all the king’s officials with stones, though all the troops and the special guard were on David’s right and left. As he cursed, Shimei said, “Get out, get out, you murderer, you scoundrel! The Lord has repaid you for all the blood you shed in the household of Saul, in whose place you have reigned. The Lord has given the kingdom into the hands of your son Absalom. You have come to ruin because you are a murderer!” 2 Samuel 16:6-8

The devil constantly waits for that perfect moment to tell you you're nobody. The moment he sees you down, he seizes the opportunity to get you to question the anointing God has given you. Trials and tribulations don't define your anointing, it refines it. Just because you are at a lower place now doesn't mean that's where you will always be. Satan knows this, and that is why he waits for your down moments to attack. Shimei knew that if he said what he said to David when he was on his throne he would have been killed immediately. So he waited until David was down to throw stones. In this same way Satan knows if he tried to question your anointing when you are prayed up, you would rebuke him and have him fleeing back to hell where he belongs. Just another example that proves Satan is a coward.

Back to the original point.

So David is encircled by the same demons he dealt with before. It may seem like the same situation, but it's not. God won't let it go that far. Here's how your current situation differs from your past:

 You're not the same person!

Even though you are down and depressed now, you are still stronger than you were in the past. Absalom and his officials were afraid of David. They knew God raised him to be a strong fighter. This is the same for you. Don't be fooled. These demons are afraid of you even now as you cry out to God. They know what you are capable of and they know the battles you've won. Here's some of the advice Absalom's advisors gave him:  

Ahithophel said to Absalom, “I would choose twelve thousand men and set out tonight in pursuit of David. I would attack him while he is weary and weak. I would strike him with terror, and then all the people with him will flee. 2 Samuel 17:1-2

 Hushai replied to Absalom, “The advice Ahithophel has given is not good this time. You know your father and his men; they are fighters, and as fierce as a wild bear robbed of her cubs. Besides, your father is an experienced fighter; he will not spend the night with the troops. Even now, he is hidden in a cave or some other place. If he should attack your troops first, whoever hears about it will say, ‘There has been a slaughter among the troops who follow Absalom.’ Then even the bravest soldier, whose heart is like the heart of a lion, will melt with fear, for all Israel knows that your father is a fighter and that those with him are brave. 2 Samuel 17:7-10

David didn't end up lifting a finger during this battle. His men fought for him. This trial ended when Absalom's hair caught onto a tree leaving him hanging like a piñata. David's men coincidently bumped into him as he hung on the branches. They struck him and killed him.

God will handle your situation in the same way. You will not have to go through what you went through before. Show God you trust Him by not giving into fear and depression. Your time will come. When it does, there's nothing anyone can do to take it away from you. Lift your hands and tell God,

 Your righteousness, God, reaches to the heavens,
    you who have done great things.
    Who is like you, God?
 Though you have made me see troubles,
    many and bitter,
    you will restore my life again;
from the depths of the earth
    you will again bring me up.
You will increase my honor
    and comfort me once more. -Psalm 71:19-21

Tell God this and believe it. You have nothing to be sad about, and you have nothing to be afraid of. God is with you now as He always was. He will defeat every demon coming your way and elevate you to the position where you are called to be.


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The Road with Jesus Christ

Before you were saved, you walked barefoot and alone on a dangerous, pointless road. People on this road just walk around aimlessly until death.  Jesus Christ saw your suffering and He pointed you to a different road with Him leading to Heaven and eternal life. Jesus walks a few steps ahead of you to guide you and stand in the way of anything that will try to harm you. All you have to do is keep your eyes on Him. As long as He's your focus you won't wander onto the wrong road.

Sometimes you go through seasons where you can clearly see Jesus. But there are times where circumstances fog your walk, making Him hard to see. Walking by faith means keeping your eyes on Him even though you can't see Him. It's about declaring that He's still there guiding you even though it doesn't seem like it.

Jesus told us this walk wasn't going to be easy. When He first lead you to this road He said:

Mathew 10:16-20 “I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.  Be on your guard; you will be handed over to the local councils and be flogged in the synagogues. On my account you will be brought before governors and kings as witnesses to them and to the Gentiles. But when they arrest you, do not worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time you will be given what to say, for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.

There are seasons when you are marching over 20 feet of snow, and there are seasons when it's 100 degrees outside and no water in sight. Despite the severity of these circumstances He is still in front guiding you. When you feel like you can't move any further, all you have to do is call on Him and He will come to your rescue. He will pick you up when your feet are tired, and He will quench your thirst. When you fall, He will be there to pick you up.

You see Jesus once walked on the same road you did. He endured the bumps and dangers, and He did so without falling. He give His life on the cross. He rose from the grave and dirt, and through His resurrection He paved a new road--the road He has you traveling on now. Unlike the road you started on, this road offers forgiveness through His blood and everlasting love.

As you travel on this road there are still dangers.

1 Peter 5:8 Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.

However there's no need to worry! As long as you stay on this road you are guaranteed freedom from death.

Since Satan can't grab you and kill you like he wants to, he will try to lure you away from Jesus. This is why there are signs all around you trying to tempt you into walking off the path God intended for you to be.

                                                   Don't fall for it! The more you stay focused on Jesus, the less time you'll have to see Satan's signs around you.

If you do fall into temptation and you wander off of the road, just call on Jesus. When Satan successfully tempts you into getting off of the road, he will then try to make you feel alone and rejected. He tries to convince you that Jesus has given up on you. He tries to tell you Jesus would rather focus on the sheep who didn't wander away. But remember what Jesus said:

Matthew 18:11-13 "For the Son of Man has come to save that which was lost. "What do you think? If any man has a hundred sheep, and one of them has gone astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine on the mountains and go and search for the one that is straying? "If it turns out that he finds it, truly I say to you, he rejoices over it more than over the ninety-nine which have not gone astray."

So all you have to do is call on Jesus and He will find you and bring you back to His road.


                                   
 Being on the road with Jesus isn't enough. You have to be moving forward. Some of you are just sitting on the road. You are distracted by Satan's signs, but haven't necessarily left the road.

Perhaps it's because you are too caught up in the problems of the world, or maybe you are too focused on YouTube, Netflix, Facebook and other distractions. Don't get too caught up by the things of this world! We are only meant to pass through this world and take as many people with us as possible.

James 2:14-17 What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food,  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?  Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.

Sitting on the road isn't going to get you any closer to your inheritance in Heaven. We are called to be sowers for God. We must sow seeds by telling people about the love Jesus has to offer them. Every time you speak with someone about Jesus, you are planting seeds along the road. Some may germinate and some may not. It's not our concern. Our only responsibility is to tell our testimonies. That way we leave a trail of seeds behind us so that others can follow.

 

Sometimes when you're walking, you will get a glimpse of people traveling down the road you used to. It may be discouraging because it seems like their lives are carefree. It seems like they are enjoying a life without hardships. But think back to the life you used to live. Think about the depression, and the unhappiness you constantly dealt with. The road you are on now is much safer.

Take a quick look behind you and see how far you've gone with Jesus! The troubles of your past are so far away now. What used to tower over you are now little specs in your past. Now look forward. Do you remember when your parents took you to an amusement park? Do you remember how excited you used to be when you were approaching the theme park and you would see the roller coasters?! In this same way God is showing you some of the beauties of Heaven right here on earth. You experience a piece of Heaven every time you are in God's presence. So enjoy this walk. Be grateful that you are no longer in the world. Remember Jesus is always in front of you guiding and protecting you. He loves you and through Him you have the key to Heaven's gates. So keep walking.


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The world's trash is God's treasure!

If it wasn't for God, I honestly don't know what I would do. It is only through Him that we have full acceptance. The people of the world size us up everyday, and 9 times out of 10 we amount to nothing to them. This world is filled with impossible standards. Many times when you do succeed, people only like you for a moment. Then it's on to the next one. Nothing is more hurtful than giving someone your all, and that person walks away the moment you can't give anymore. It's equally painful to work hard on something just for someone to tell you it isn't good enough.

There are so many rules that exist in this world, and so many expectations. You have to look a certain way, dress nice, and act in ways that cater to every individual. These rules hold no security. You can follow these rules step-by-step and still be told it's not good enough.

You are not good enough. This is the message Satan tries to send to you everyday. As long as we are on this earth, we are going to be scrutinized.

John 7:20 “You are demon-possessed,” the crowd answered.

Matthew 9:3 “This fellow is blaspheming!”

Luke 23:35-39: The people stood watching, and the rulers even sneered at him. They said, “He saved others; let him save himself if he is God’s Messiah, the Chosen One.” The soldiers also came up and mocked him. They offered him wine vinegar and said, “If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself." There was a written notice above him, which read: this is the king of the jews. One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: “Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!”

These are just some of the many insults Jesus had to deal with. Since He dealt with it, we will have to deal with it as well.

John 13:16  Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him.

The world may say you're not good enough, but God says you are precious to Him.

Deuteronomy 7:6 For you are a people holy to the Lord your God. The Lord your God has chosen you out of all the peoples on the face of the earth to be his people, his treasured possession.

The world may say you're not pretty/handsome enough, but God loves you for who you are.

1 Samuel 16:7 The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart."

We have to shield ourselves from the rejection of this world by saying God is enough. Everyone in this world may say you're not smart enough, but God says you are. That all that matters. When it comes to God, the majority doesn't rule. He rules.

God doesn't look at us the way the world does. Sometimes we get so used to the way we are evaluated here on earth, that we think God views us the same way. God sees our efforts, and most of all He sees who we are going to be.

The world only gets a snapshot of who we are now. I feel sorry for those who looked at you and sized you up to be a failure! God is our security. As long as we focus on Him, we have a guarantee that we will be somebody. Now granted, His definition of a somebody may differ from yours. But you have to trust that He has your best interest at heart. He knows us better than we know ourselves.

Looking at things from the other end, this is why we have to be careful with our assumptions about others. Especially when it comes to dating! I've heard women of God say they want a man of God, but he has to be making good money. On the other end, I've heard men of God say they want a woman of God, but she has to look a certain way. Now your standards are your standards, but make sure you are not settling for less. Ladies you can have a man of God who is a janitor today, but has a promise behind him that guarantees he will be a king someday. As long as he has his heart on Jesus Christ, you have a security that you will be ok. For men, there may be women who look great today, but like a beautiful flower, she will wither tomorrow. You never know! God has seen your future wife grow up, and He also knows what she will look like in the future. So if He says that's your wife, then trust Him! He knows what will satisfy your standards for a lifetime and not just a moment.

So zooming back out to the bigger picture, keep trusting God. I know it's hard. You may not be where you want to be now, but we serve a God who is working full-time to ensure your success. He's not just going to toss you anything sloppy just to pacify you like Satan would. Instead He uses tough love and does what He knows is best for you despite your discomfort in the waiting room. Have faith in God's identity, and His significance. Believe that He is mighty, beautiful, and the creator of every living thing. Now think. If He says you are precious to His sight, then why be discouraged by people who are only on earth for a moment? Through Him you have everlasting life and acceptance. So keep holding onto Him. Your time will come.

Ezekiel 16:4-14 On the day you were born your cord was not cut, nor were you washed with water to make you clean, nor were you rubbed with salt or wrapped in cloths. No one looked on you with pity or had compassion enough to do any of these things for you. Rather, you were thrown out into the open field, for on the day you were born you were despised. " 'Then I passed by and saw you kicking about in your blood, and as you lay there in your blood I said to you, "Live!" I made you grow like a plant of the field. You grew up and developed and became the most beautiful of jewels. Your breasts were formed and your hair grew, you who were naked and bare. " 'Later I passed by, and when I looked at you and saw that you were old enough for love, I spread the corner of my garment over you and covered your nakedness. I gave you my solemn oath and entered into a covenant with you, declares the Sovereign LORD, and you became mine. " 'I bathed you with water and washed the blood from you and put ointments on you. I clothed you with an embroidered dress and put leather sandals on you. I dressed you in fine linen and covered you with costly garments. I adorned you with jewelry: I put bracelets on your arms and a necklace around your neck, and I put a ring on your nose, earrings on your ears and a beautiful crown on your head. So you were adorned with gold and silver; your clothes were of fine linen and costly fabric and embroidered cloth. Your food was fine flour, honey and olive oil. You became very beautiful and rose to be a queen. And your fame spread among the nations on account of your beauty, because the splendor I had given you made your beauty perfect, declares the Sovereign LORD.

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Don't beat yourself up!

So you fell. You said something you shouldn't have, or perhaps you've done something you shouldn't have. Maybe you made both of these mistakes and then some! Whatever the case was, know this--if you ask for forgiveness, you will be forgiven.

Don't let Satan convince you otherwise. He is an accuser. After he tempts you and gets you to fall, he turns around and makes you feel like crap for falling. He tells us things like, "oh you have messed up now!"

Then there's Jesus. Through Him we have forgiveness. If we call on the name of Jesus Christ and ask Him to wipe us clean, He will do it--no matter what we did, and no matter how many times we did it. As long as we have breath in our nostrils, then we have a chance to receive forgiveness.

Acts 4:12 "Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved."

I understand. Satan is in your ear, telling you what you said or did isn't forgivable. You think the mistake you made was bad? Try aggressively seeking God's people and murdering them. That's what Paul (previously known as Saul) did. Not only was he forgiven, but God used him to bring many souls to Him. Not to mention he wrote a good amount of the New Testament. Now if God can do that through Paul, imagine what He can do through you?

1 Corinthians 15:9 For I am the least of the apostles, and not fit to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me did not prove vain; but I labored even more than all of them, yet not I, but the grace of God with me.

Condemnation leads to more sin

When you make a mistake, ask for forgiveness and move on. God has moved on. You may not forgive yourself, but He does. At the end of the day it's about God and not us. He's the authority in the matter. So when He says He forgives you, then you are forgiven. Finding the ability to trust in the salvation of Jesus Christ is the difference between committing a sin and being stuck in sin.

1 John 1:7-9 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.  If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.  If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.

Satan tries to convince you that God is fed up with you. In doing so he causes you to distance yourself from God. You begin to feel so guilty. You're not praising Him like you used to, and you're not spending time with Him. It's no different than when Adam and Eve ate the forbidden fruit and ran afterwards to hide from God behind the trees.

Don't hide from God. The more you distance yourself from Him, the closer you are to Satan's grasp. This often leads to more sin because Satan then tells you, "well you already messed up. You might as well..." Then comes the snowball effect. You will be left with even more sins than you began with! But remember: as long as you have life, you have an opportunity for salvation. No matter how many sins you've committed.

Take time to reflect on your progress

For some of you who haven't read my older posts, I admitted I struggled with a pornography addiction. I used to be ashamed and embarrassed by it, but you will be surprised how many people are going through the same things you did. I spent years and years trying to shake it. It was a cycle. Every time I slipped, I would beat myself up. Satan convinced me that I was a failure and I had failed God. So I would distance myself from Him out of guilt and disappointment. As soon as I did that, Satan began to tempt me even more and I fell deeper.

The moment I came back to God, He reminded me of something very important. He showed me that even though I had fell to the temptation, I hadn't fell in the same way that I used to. I started out indulging in pornography and I didn't think anything was wrong with it. I always thought it was embarrassing, but I didn't think it was morally wrong. I simply saw myself as a "hormone" crazed teenager, and teenagers did things like that. So think about the mistake you made. The mere fact that you feel guilty about it shows how you've grown. You are starting to see your sin in the same way God sees it. He is proud of you for that alone.

Then God showed me that I didn't fall nearly as much as I used to. That matters to Him. It shows that we are trying to actively resist. It shows that we aren't just dipping our toes in sin for fun like we used to. Satan has to work harder now to tempt you. Think of it this way. If we have made this much progress, then how can we lose hope that we will completely overcome our obstacles someday? Don't put all of your energy into trying to live a perfect life. Instead focus on trying to have perfect faith. Our faith in Jesus Christ gives us access to God's mercy and grace.

Psalms 92:12 The righteous man will flourish like the palm tree, He will grow like a cedar in Lebanon.           

                        

God is love

 

1 Corinthians 4:7 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.  Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

In these verses Paul defines love. People often refer to this when examining the authenticity of earthy relationships, but when you think about it, these verses also describes God. God is love. Let these verses be your guide when Satan tries to convince you that God is done with you.

 

1 John 4:8 Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.

God is patient. Once you ask Him for forgiveness, He keeps no records of wrongs. So if you messed up, it's ok. Praise God for giving us a chance to be forgiven through His beautiful son Jesus Christ. Run to Him and not away from Him. Only then can you take back what Satan stole from you and move on.

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