Keep Your Focus and Faith in God

                                            (verses used will be out of King James version of The Holy Bible)


 Hey everyone,

I hope that all is well :-) I feel like God has been pushing me to talk about this... My pastor was preaching about this in church also. In Matthew 14, Peter asked the Lord to make him walk on water to prove that it was him. Now, as long as Peter kept his faith and his focus on Jesus, he walked on water. However, when he started to focus on his circumstances and question the Lord, he began to sink. In Matthew 14:28-31 it ways, "And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water. And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus. But when he saw the wind boysterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying Lord, save me. And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt."

The verse above highlights the fact that we must keep our faith even if the wind is whipping around us. We must focus on our Lord and not doubt Him. He is there to catch us :-) This is not an easy task. But, Philippians 4:13 says that we can do all things through Christ which strengthens us :-) Every day a chance to get closer to Him.When you are sinking, we have to look, believe, and focus on Jesus. Focus on His promises.  Focus on serving Him. I hope that this post has helped someone. I pray that God blesses someone through it.

                                                                                        Until Next Time...
                                                                                        "God is good."
                                                                                        1BlessedNatural
               

Evildoers and Justice from the Lord

     There is so much happening in this world. Trouble seems to leave its trace in the newspapers, television internet, and in many of our lives, but the Lord tells us not to fret. In Psalm 37: 1-3, it says, "Fret not thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity. For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herb".

    There are times when people hurt us on purpose. As a result, we want justice. Sometimes, it appears as though they are getting away with their harmful actions, but God is telling us to not be deceived We should keep our focus on Him.Verses 4-5 says, " Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart".

Later in the chapter, verses 7-8 says,"Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him; fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass. Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil'. These verses reveal the Lord's message that we should not try to take matters into our own hands. That would make us an "evildoer" also. In that case, we are one in the same with the evildoer. This can be very difficult sometimes. But he is reminding us that the battle is between Him and the evildoers; it is not our fight (review 2 Chronicles 20:17).  The chapter continues in verse 10 where it says, "For yet a little while, and the wicked shall not be: yea, thou shalt diligently consider his place, and it shall not be".

I really love Psalms 37 because it speaks to me. We often find ourselves struggling with evildoers. But this chapter is a reminder that God is bigger than all of us. We have to keep our focus on Him, and He will deliver justice.
 
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Song Favorite: "You're All I Need" by Hezekiah Walker & LFC

His Dominion "Daniel 7:14" One Nation

"And there was given him dominion, and glory, and kingdom, that all people, nations, and language, should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed".- Daniel 7:14

Good afternoon everyone :-) The verse above stood out to me while I was reading Daniel Chapter 7. During my college years, I did not,understand the Lord. I used to believe that as long as people believed in one god, no matter what they called him, it was okay. My grandmother would disagree with me. Now, I know that Jesus Christ being our Lord and Savior should be the thing that we should all be in agreement. But, that is not the case.

We have a separation of church and state. The Pledge of Allegiance's verse "One nation under God..." has been removed from schools. When God has been removed from a situation, that leaves many people to feel that the success of a thing is due to their own power. For example,  in Chapter 4 of Daniel, King Nebuchadnezzar had his dream interpreted by Belteshazzar or Daniel. Daniel 4:30 says, "The king spake, and said Is not this great Babylon that I have build for the house of the kingdom by the might of my power, and for the honour of my majesty". This verse highlights the fact that the king did not want to give the honor to God. As the chapter continues, we are made aware that the king went crazy and lost his kingdom until he realized that God was the cause of his success. In Daniel 4:34, it says, "And at the end of the days I Nebuchadnezzar lift up mine eyes unto heaven, and mine understanding returned unto me, and I blessed the most High, and I praise and honoured him that liveth for ever, whose dominion is an everlasting dominion , and his kingdom is from generation to generation." The king regained his power when he realized that God was the reason why he was successful. It's all about His dominion :-)

God's Light Shinning Through Us

Hey everyone,

           I hope that you are having a good week. It's been a really busy week for me. I know that many of us get caught up in the duties of our lives, and forget to stop and "smell the roses", as they say. Not only that, but we often don't realize how much of an impact that we can make on someone's life. This week I received two hugs in the same day from two people that were thankful for my help. I had no idea that it meant so much to them. It feels so good to know that you have helped someone. It's an even better feeling to know that God has used you as his light. Matthew 5:16 says "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven". This verse highlights the fact that our lives are not about us; they are about God.
          Many of us often find ourselves in a rut at our jobs. But, I want to ask you to challenge yourself. Ask God to help you glorify Him in your work place. Aim to assist someone who really needs help, and you will see what it is really about. You will feel happier and motivated to help people see God. I have heard many people say that a smile will often turn a person's day around. I have found this to be very true. You may be having the worst day ever, but someone will smile at you and turn your day around. I believe that this is one of the ways in which the Lord comforts people.
             Lastly, when you have received a blessing from God, give him the credit. Philippians 4:13 says, "I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me". This verse highlights the fact that the Lord is the reason for our success. He is the reason why we can run that extra mile after we thought we could never run again. He is the reason why our wounds are healed. He is the reason why we regain our smiles after tragedies have struck us. God... Yes, He is real, and WE are HIS LIGHT :-)

                                                                            Goodnight
                                                                              1BlessedNatural
            

       

Proverbs 27:6 Friends & Enemies

Hey my blog readers,
I hope that everyone had a fun and safe week. I wanted to highlight Proverbs 27:6 in this post.
It reads, "Faithful are the wounds of a friend, but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful".

    True friends are those who loves us unconditionally and support us. They will also direct us towards the correct path, and let us know when we mess up. Many times we may do something wrong and our enemies will pat us on the back for it. They will often present signs of affection like a kind word, hug, or a kiss. However, we must not be deceived. Our true friends will let us know the truth, regardless of the pain or "wound" because they love us; they are "faithful" to us. Proverbs 27:6 highlights this idea.

The End of the World is not May 21, 2011- Matthew 24:36

Most of us have seen the billboards, radio annoucements, and news that the end of the world is tomorrow Saturday, May 21, 2011. But, I have news for you... It's not. In Matthew 24:36, the Lord says, "But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only." If the Lord said that the angels won't even know the "day and hour" of the end of the world, why are so many people convinced?
The answer is that they have been mislead and deceived.

In the beginning of Matthew 24, the Lord tells his disciples that they should not be deceived. Matthew 24:3 says, "And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and the end of the world?". Jesus answered in Matthew 24:4-5 "... Take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come in my name, saying,  I am Christ; and shall deceive many". These verses point out the fact that we must not be deceived by anyone. We have to know the word of God for ourselves. Even as I type these words to you, you should read the Bible for yourself, and pray that God gives you the wisdom to understand it. We must be able to recognize when someone is trying to deceive us. The Lord spoke of a false prophet or anti-Christ. I believe that our reactions to the May 21, 2011 is a true test in our knowledge and faith in the Word of God.

     Moreover, the Lord continues in Matthew 24:37-44 talking about the days of Noah, when no one knew that the flood was coming, and everyone was carrying on as normal. In Matthew 24:38-39 he says, " For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark. "And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be". He goes on to make references to the rapture in Matthew 24:41 "Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left".

       "He continues on to say in Matthew 24:42-46, "Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come. But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up. Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as you think not the Son of man cometh. Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season? Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing". These verses to the end of the chapter 24 highlights the idea that the Lord wants us to be ready for him. He wants us to be doing the right things (serving Him) and living by His word regardlesss of whether we think He is coming soon or not. If we are faithful servants to him, then we should be living right anyway. He is not going to tell us the day or the hour of His return.
    He continues in verse 48-51, He says, " But and if that evil servant shall say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; And shall begin to smite his fellowservants and to eat and drink with the drunken: The lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for him, and in an hour that he is not ware of, And shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites; there shall be weeping and gnashing of the etth".
We will not know the "day and hour". We must be ready whenever the Lord comes back!









  
         

Focus on the Positive Things! Focus on Him - Philippians 4:8

"Finally, brethren whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsover things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsovever things are of good report;

if there be any virtue, and there be any praise, think on these things"- Philippians 4:8

We always hear people say, "Think positive". It is great to know that it is not only a phrase, but it is Biblical :-)

Every time I read the verse above, I hear my grandmother's voice. That was one of her favorite verses. She

would always repeat it to me. After telling us to not be anxious and to pray to Him, the Lord tells us to focus on the positive or virtuous things. The world is filled with so much negativity. It is easy to get distracted by these things. But, we must remind ourselves of His Word, and keep our focus on Him and the positive things created by Him.

                                                                                                                  Until Next Time....       

                                                                                                                   God is good :-)

                                                                                                                        K.C.Y.L.