For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways, says the Lord. Isaiah 55:8

 

This morning I did a quick check of Facebook to see what notifications I had in que. To my surprise, several people had commented to a comment I had made on someone’s post about permitting teachers to carry guns in schools. To my amazement and humor, one person accused me of being a Democrat by the comment I had made.  That could not be any further from the truth, and at first, I took offense to their comment, but soon laughed it off and thought…they really don’t know me on a personal level.

 

As with most everything that happens in my life, I look to God for a reason and a message in each event. Shortly after the laughter set in, today’s passage came to mind. From a human and fleshly perspective, our minds don’t naturally think like God. His environment is pure holiness, a world without evil, temptation and sin. Is there is no humanly way possible for us to grasp the mind of God?

 

Of do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? 1 Corinthians 6:19

 

Thankfully, God has provided each of His children His Holy Spirit. He resides in every believer. Yes, His holiness resides in your flesh! As crazy as that sounds, it’s true, and it’s the only way you can truly connect to Him. For me personally, I have had to rely on His Spirit to guide me through life, providing me Godly wisdom and shedding a glimpse into His thoughts. The choice was mine weather to follow in obedience or turn down His advice.

 

If you are a child of God, you too have this awesome resource available! You can have an insight into God’s ways, His thoughts and a path forward as you seek out His will and purpose for your life. “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Matthew 6:33

 No temptation has overtaken you except such as common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you might be able to bear it. 1 Corinthians 10:13

 

I just read a devastating news article about a couple who was robbed at gunpoint while walking into a department store in Georgia. He wasn’t equipped to handle the situation, being out-gunned, and sadly paid the ultimate price of his life.

 

Thankfully for the child of God, you have been equipped with the weapons of spiritual warfare to defend yourself from the tactics of satan. Temptations come in various forms from simple gossip, lying, hating, stealing, even murder. God provides each of His children His Holy Spirit, and He prays on your behalf (Romans 8:26). Through the Holy Spirit, you have the power of God living inside of you to fight off the satanic attacks of satan.

 

…but with temptation will also make a way of escape.

 

Temptation will always be out in front of you. God provides the exit door out, it’s up to YOU to chose to either walk away from that temptation or follow through with it.

 

What temptations do you struggle with? Take them to God and ask for His help to escape their grip on your life. Sinful living blankets the spotless life God has provided you through the amazing sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Don’t defeat yourself in sin by choosing to disobey Him. The victory is yours when you chose to follow in obedience.  

 

 Though I walk in the midst of trouble, You will revive me; You will stretch out Your hand against the wrath of my enemies, and Your right hand will save me. Psalm 138:7

 

One of the favorite things for people to do in the summer is vacation on the beach. The sun’s warmth, the sand under your feet, and the calm relaxing sounds and views of the ocean’s waves as they cover the shore in a continual motion. But under the water is anything but calm and relaxing. There are animals that live in the sea and every day it’s a challenge to survive. Everything is seeking its next meal, and if you go out there, you could be next!

 

No doubt life for you is no different. There are people out there who’d love to tear you down, even destroy you. Destroy your character, your witness, even your family. And those enemies I truly believe are workers of satan. Satan uses the chaos of life to make God’s children struggle. If he can keep them in a state of anger, frustration, fear, and depression, they become less effective for the Lord’s work.

 

Thankfully each child of God is given His Holy Spirit to help sustain life in this dog-eat-dog world. No one is immune from the discord this world and its wicked leader’s attempt to bring down God’s house. But we know who wins the battle, God! You truly have nothing to fear, nothing to depress you or anger you. It’s simply a tactic to steer your focus away from the goodness of God.

 

When troubling times come, recite today’s verse and know that God is your protector, shield and always available in times of trouble. He will save His children from the chaos of life. Put your trust and faith in Him! God bless!

 And He said,”Abba, Father, all things are possible for You. Take this cup away from Me; nevertheless, not what I will, but what You will. Mark 14:36

 

As Jesus faced His death on the cross, He asked His Father if there was any other way possible to complete His mission, to save mankind from their sins. Yet in the same sentence, He knew what had to be done, and moving forward He committed His way to the Father’s will.

 

Where you are in life might not be where you want. Yet, God most likely placed you there for a purpose. To get the most out of life, your will must align with His, regardless of your lack of happiness, pain, even in the face of death. God needs faithful children to accomplish His plan. He chose you for that calling; serve Him well in your position.

 

When your will aligns with Gods, you set yourself up to grow stronger in your faith, receive His blessings and most of all, gain His trust in you to accomplish so much more. He chose you for this life, give your all to Him today! God bless!

 Faithful is He who calls you, and He also will bring it to pass. 1 Thessalonians 5:24

 

Life is not short of difficulties. I can say without a doubt this year has been challenging from January 1^st. But the truth is, although God has brought me to many obstacles and challenges, He has been faithful and helped see me through them. As He always does, a lesson in faith and trust is learned through each issue. He leaves nothing by chance, everything has a purpose and is part of His plan to grow me.

 

If you are breathing, I’m sure you are staring at your next obstacle. Trust in the Lord with each challenge and keep your mind open to His lesson plan. Everything inside of you will want to manipulate the issue and shape it the way you think is necessary to maintain peace and joy. God might have a different plan, a different way in mind and your obedience in trusting Him with every move is key to learning and growing your faith and trust in His perfect will.

 

And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. Romans 8:28

 

No matter what you face, God will see you through it and grow your relationship with Him, every time! God bless!

 But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you. Matthew 5:44

 

Can you name a few enemies in your life? Maybe they are people who live next to you, work beside you, are related to you, maybe they even live in the same house as you. If you go through life, you’ll find out pretty quick, there are people who oppose and aren’t happy with your existence. Although you might not have truly done anything to stir this hate, the truth is they probably have issues within themselves that make them so hateful.

 

Above all, keep fervent in your love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sin. 1 Peter 4:8

 

Today’s verse gives a clear message how we are to respond to hateful people. First off, love them. Sounds like a tall order, but with love comes grace and mercy. Jesus was the perfect example of this love, as He was dying on the cross, He said, “Father forgive them, for they know not what they do”. This deep hearted compassion for those who put Him there came at a cost, His life. As a child of God, your life should be a reflection of that love that shows no end to grace and mercy.

 

Secondly, pray for them. They need prayer, they need Jesus to intervene in their life. Although uncomfortable to have this hateful person in your life, God might have placed them there for you to pray and be a witness to them. So start today by praying for that person, asking God to intervene in their life. Ask Him to help you show the grace and mercy of Jesus Christ, so the door is open to share the good news of Jesus Christ.

 

If the world hates you, you know that it has hated ME before it hated you. John 15:18

 

If you are living the Christian life, you can expect others to hate you. Your ways are different than theirs and they find it difficult to understand you, and that’s ok. Just keep showing them the love of Jesus Christ and let God do a work in the life of those outside the faith! God bless!

 For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firsrborn among many brethren. Romans 8:29

 

There is a saying, “like father, like son”; in essence the son models his behavior after his father. Most children who are blessed to have a father figure in the home, looks up to him as an example to live by. Hopefully the father has a good character and passes these positive traits onto his son.

 

As a Christian, you should yearn to follow in the footsteps of Jesus Christ. As God’s Son, His character is captured in scripture and is the perfect example of how every believer should live. Slow to anger, exhibiting grace and mercy, showing love and compassion to others are just a few of the traits that characterize the behavior of a true follower of Jesus Christ.

 

Can you personally say, “like Father like son”? The best way to transform your mind to model after Christ is read and study scripture. Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, are excellent recordings of Jesus life. When you read God’s word, your mind changes its thought processes and yields a heart that seeks after the goodness of Christ and His character. Make time this week to study those books of the bible and begin to see your behavior follow after your Father in Heaven. Like Father, like son! God bless!