Tag: Stories

The Workout In Our Minds

The workout in our minds is riddled with thoughts, questions, and planning when it comes to what we should do.

The pressure of it all comes with all the rationalization we do to justify the act. Rationalization may even include buyer’s remorse.

• Do I have what I need when it relates to such and such?

I struggle to understand my inability to do such and such especially when I have what I need to do such and such already.

• I know I need to…

Physical Workout

When it comes to physical activity, I ponder the need to shower, wash my hair, and get ready, or whether I should wait till after a certain part of the day.

Providing plausible but untrue reasons for conduct.

Rationalization

It’s what we do when we substitute false explanations for true reasons. When we cloud our actual motives with a smoke screen of nice-sounding excuses. We do this to dull the pain of reality. We also do this to quiet the sound of guilt. Often we employ it to justify ourselves in the eyes of others.

All This Thinking

• I will workout at work during my lunch hour, or maybe it would be better to wait till after work
• I struggle with using getting to the gym because of such and such.
• We think about our current status and where we are headed after this workout.
• What tools are needed to get the job done?
• I think about traffic congestion because I decided to stay and workout.
• I will wait till I get home to get my workout in then such and such will happen.

I talk myself out of working out after a certain part of the day because of the energy I get after the workout. I don’t want this increase of energy to hinder my ability to sleep.

To Pay Or Not To Pay You End Up Paying

When I pay for a workout membership of some sort for somewhere in particular. I push myself to work out because, of the money I am spending, so I go to the gym because I need to get my dollars’ worth out of it.

But, have I even factoried in the fuel, mileage to get there in my vehicle? Did I factor in the clothing I will need to workout there?

Can I even afford to pay this monthly fee to work out. Then, I think about the long-term expense even though working out is a long-term benefit.

A New Workout

I think about all that is transpiring in this world right now. There is so much pain and suffering going on in this world and in my body. Are the end of times at hand for this world and for my body or is this just the beginning?

Our physical being is what we are focusing on. We focus on how we look, what we wear and what we have. We’ve forgotten what we enjoy and the joy we get out of how we feel.

How we feel may have been shut down because of what we have to deal with right here and right now.

We have lost focus on our ultimate purpose which is life here and now. When we have You Lord and make You our daily focus we can look forward to eternity with You.

So, it’s time to get going regardless of all that is manifesting in us and around us!

Open My Eyes

Lord open my eyes to see your beauty. I too hear all your beauty, I get to hear the birds chirping and to see what you created, the trees, the flowers, the creatures crawling on the earth and then.

Now I see what we created, the roads, signs, vehicles, and structures that impede your beauty.

Thinking about the weeds growing that are green and that don’t require our care and they even look beautiful. I know if I focused on myself as you have created me to be, I can either damage what was good or I can take care of what you created for good.

Abraham traveled from there south to the Negev and settled down between Kadesh and Shur. While he was camping in Gerar, Abraham said of his wife Sarah, “She’s my sister.” So Abimelech, king of Gerar, sent for Sarah and took her. But God came to Abimelech in a dream that night and told him, “You’re as good as dead—that woman you took, she’s a married woman.” Now Abimelech had not yet slept with her, hadn’t so much as touched her. He said, “Master, would you kill an innocent man? Didn’t he tell me, ‘She’s my sister’? And didn’t she herself say, ‘He’s my brother’? I had no idea I was doing anything wrong when I did this.” God said to him in the dream, “Yes, I know your intentions were pure, that’s why I kept you from sinning against me; I was the one who kept you from going to bed with her.

A New Mindset To Have For Your Workout To Work

God created this body, I need to take care of it period! What I put in my body can cause good and bad outcomes. In the long run, it can affect the span of my life. Lord, I need help in maintaining a regular regimen. I cannot do it alone because of all the reasons I have listed above. Or can I?

When the people realized that Moses was taking forever in coming down off the mountain, they rallied around Aaron and said, “Do something. Make gods for us who will lead us. That Moses, the man who got us out of Egypt—who knows what’s happened to him?” So Aaron told them, “Take off the gold rings from the ears of your wives and sons and daughters and bring them to me.” They all did it; they removed the gold rings from their ears and brought them to Aaron. He took the gold from their hands and cast it in the form of a calf, shaping it with an engraving tool. The people responded with enthusiasm: “These are your gods, O Israel, who brought you up from Egypt!” Aaron, taking in the situation, built an altar before the calf. Aaron then announced, “Tomorrow is a feast day to God!”

Early the next morning, the people got up and offered Whole-Burnt-Offerings and brought Peace-Offerings. The people sat down to eat and drink and then began to party. It turned into a wild party! God spoke to Moses, “Go! Get down there! Your people whom you brought up from the land of Egypt have fallen to pieces. In no time at all they’ve turned away from the way I commanded them: They made a molten calf and worshiped it. They’ve sacrificed to it and said, ‘These are the gods, O Israel, that brought you up from the land of Egypt!’”

God said to Moses, “I look at this people—oh! what a stubborn, hard-headed people! Let me alone now, give my anger free reign to burst into flames and incinerate them. But I’ll make a great nation out of you.”

Moses tried to calm his God down. He said, “Why, God, would you lose your temper with your people? Why, you brought them out of Egypt in a tremendous demonstration of power and strength. Why let the Egyptians say, ‘He had it in for them—he brought them out so he could kill them in the mountains, wipe them right off the face of the Earth.’ Stop your anger. Think twice about bringing evil against your people! Think of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, your servants to whom you gave your word, telling them ‘I will give you many children, as many as the stars in the sky, and I’ll give this land to your children as their land forever.’”

And God did think twice. He decided not to do the evil he had threatened against his people.

Moses turned around and came down from the mountain, carrying the two tablets of The Testimony. The tablets were written on both sides, front and back. God made the tablets and God wrote the tablets—engraved them.

When Joshua heard the sound of the people shouting noisily, he said to Moses, “That’s the sound of war in the camp!”

But Moses said, Those aren’t songs of victory, And those aren’t songs of defeat,
I hear songs of people throwing a party. And that’s what it was. When Moses came near to the camp and saw the calf and the people dancing, his anger flared. He threw down the tablets and smashed them to pieces at the foot of the mountain. He took the calf that they had made, melted it down with fire, pulverized it to powder, then scattered it on the water and made the Israelites drink it.

Moses said to Aaron, “What on Earth did these people ever do to you that you involved them in this huge sin?” Aaron said, “Master, don’t be angry. You know this person and how to set on the evil they are. They said to me, ‘Make us gods who will lead us. This Moses, the man who brought us out of Egypt, we don’t know what’s happened to him.’ “So I said, ‘Who has gold?’ And they took off their jewelry and gave it to me. I threw it in the fire and out came this calf.”

The whole congregation of believers was united as one—one heart, one mind! They didn’t even claim ownership of their possessions. No one said, “That’s mine; you can’t have it.” They shared everything. The apostles gave powerful witness to the resurrection of the Master Jesus, and grace was on all of them.

And so it turned out that not a person among them was needy. Those who owned fields or houses sold them and brought the price of the sale to the apostles and made an offering of it. The apostles then distributed it according to each person’s need.

Joseph, called by the apostles “Barnabas” (which means “Son of Comfort”), a Levite born in Cyprus, sold a field that he owned, brought the money, and made an offering of it to the apostles.

But a man named Ananias—his wife, Sapphira, conniving in this with him—sold a piece of land, secretly kept part of the price for himself, and then brought the rest to the apostles and made an offering of it.

Peter said, “Ananias, how did Satan get you to lie to the Holy Spirit and secretly keep back part of the price of the field? Before you sold it, it was all yours, and after you sold it, the money was yours to do with as you wished. So what got into you to pull a trick like this? You didn’t lie to men but to God.”

The governor motioned to Paul that it was now his turn. Paul said, “I count myself fortunate to be defending myself before you, Governor, knowing how fair-minded you’ve been in judging us all these years.

I’ve been back in the country only twelve days – you can check out these dates easily enough. I came with the express purpose of worshiping in Jerusalem on Pentecost, and I’ve been minding my own business the whole time.

Nobody can say they saw me arguing in the Temple or working up a crowd in the streets.

Not one of their charges can be backed up with evidence or witnesses.

“But I do freely admit this: In regard to the Way, which they malign as a dead-end street, I serve and worship the very same God served and worshiped by all our ancestors and embrace everything written in all our Scriptures.

And I admit to living in hopeful anticipation that God will raise the dead, both the good and the bad. If that’s my crime, my accusers are just as guilty as I am.

“Believe me, I do my level best to keep a clear conscience before God and my neighbors in everything I do.

Let’s take our place outside with Jesus, no longer pouring out the sacrificial blood of animals but pouring out sacrificial praises from our lips to God in Jesus’ name.

Make sure you don’t take things for granted and go slack in working for the common good; share what you have with others. God takes particular pleasure in acts of worship – a different kind of “sacrifice” – that take place in the kitchen and workplace and on the streets.

Be responsive to your pastoral leaders. Listen to their counsel. They are alert to the condition of your lives and work under the strict supervision of God. Contribute to the joy of their leadership, not its drudgery. Why would you want to make things harder for them?

Pray for us. We have no doubts about what we’re doing or why, but it’s hard going and we need your prayers. All we care about is living well before God.

Every time I say your name in prayer – which is practically all the time – I thank God for you, the God I worship my whole life in the tradition of my ancestors.

If with heart and soul, you’re doing good, do you think you can be stopped?

Even if you suffer for it, you’re still better off. Don’t give the opposition a second thought.

Through thick and thin, keep your hearts at attention, in adoration before Christ, your Master. Be ready to speak up and tell anyone who asks why you’re living the way you are, and always with the utmost courtesy.

Keep a clear conscience before God so that when people throw mud at you, none of it will stick. They’ll end up realizing that they’re the ones who need a bath.

It’s better to suffer for doing good if that’s what God wants, than to be punished for doing bad.

Ongoing Workout

Your workout will be ongoing, be patient and understanding when it comes to your strengths and your weaknesses.

What I kept locked up was opposite to the door being opened at the bakery. When I choose to not keep myself locked up meant I was about to make a choice that could cost me my life.

I made a choice and that choice was based on the heat of the moment and my ability to rely on others to be there for me, to defend and protect me or so I thought.

It was at the peak of the summer where the heat was overwhelming to say the least. I decided it was time to let the heat out and the cool breeze of the night come in to cool me off.

In this situation, it was my choice to not be kept locked up. I went to the back of the bakery. I opened the door and looked outside nothing was out there, so I propped the door open.

When I opened the back door of the bakery I put myself in a vulnerable situation by doing such.

The Younger Years

At a young age, I didn’t open the door. I was young and naive. I trusted because, I didn’t know I shouldn’t especially, when it came to others and their motives.

My World

As a young child I was always conjuring up ideas on how to change my world. I dreamed of escaping to the Neverlands much like Peter Pan, I dreamed of having a treehouse. I loved nature so much I would flee to our small little forest all to escape my life that was full of responsibilities.

Although, I’ve progressed quite a bit since then. I’m now formulating my life experiences as a daughter of a baker. I will have more complex stories to share. I hope that you too will share your story.

Locked Up

It was around age seven when I played outside with all the neighborhood kids. There’s nothing odd or strange about that even to this day. I played with these kids all the time. What would make this time any different?

The time and day is unknown to this day. But, that does not really matter at this point. This was the day I followed these kids up and into a parked van. I recall only so much, I remember undressing, being touched and lights flashing.

Some time had passed when I heard my mom frantically yelling for me yet, I couldn’t respond. Eventually, when I was released, I returned home. I was asked why I did not come when called. Needless to say, I didn’t say why or shared what transpired. I did have to pay the consequences of being disobedient.

What is a little girl to do when it comes to a horrific event? Call for help!

Follow Me!

When the following seems unfair. yet I’m to be totally available, fully committed with no apron strings attached, you’re asking me to follow you, why me? Following Christ is an individual matter because our Lord saves us individually. He speaks to us and directs us individually.

God puts us through an experience that seems terribly demanding, even humiliating. It’s the walk, I must walk and committed to take the next step.

I had to stop looking around for equality, I had to stop concerning myself with the need of others. Or, even what I have been called to endure. God choose the role I needed to play and my part is unique.

Youth Locked Up

God has called me to a difficult and demanding mission field. He is leading me to live sacrificially.

After John was arrested, Jesus went to Galilee preaching the Message of God: “Time’s up! God’s kingdom is here. Change your life and believe the Message.”

Passing along the beach of Lake Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew net-fishing. Fishing was their regular work. Jesus said to them, “Come with me. I’ll make a new kind of fisherman out of you. I’ll show you how to catch men and women instead of perch and bass.” They didn’t ask questions. They dropped their nets and followed.

A dozen yards or so down the beach, he saw the brothers James and John, Zebedee’s sons. They were in the boat, mending their fishnets. Right off, he made the same offer. Immediately, they left their father Zebedee, the boat, and the hired hands, and followed.

Jesus looked him hard in the eye—and loved him! He said, “There’s one thing left: Go sell whatever you own and give it to the poor. All your wealth will then be heavenly wealth. And come follow me.”

The man’s face clouded over. This was the last thing he expected to hear, and he walked off with a heavy heart. He was holding on tight to a lot of things, and not about to let go.

Looking at his disciples, Jesus said, “Do you have any idea how difficult it is for people who ‘have it all’ to enter God’s kingdom?” The disciples couldn’t believe what they were hearing, but Jesus kept on: “You can’t imagine how difficult. I’d say it’s easier for a camel to go through a needle’s eye than for the rich to get into God’s kingdom.”

That got their attention. “Then who has any chance at all?” they asked.

Jesus was blunt: “No chance at all if you think you can pull it off by yourself. Every chance in the world if you let God do it.”

Peter tried another angle: “We left everything and followed you.”

Jesus said, “Mark my words, no one who sacrifices house, brothers, sisters, mother, father, children, land—whatever—because of me and the Message will lose out. They’ll get it all back, but multiplied many times in homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children, and land—but also in troubles. And then the bonus of eternal life! This is once again the Great Reversal: Many who are first will end up last, and the last first.”

Figure The Cost

One day when large groups of people were walking along with him, Jesus turned and told them, “Anyone who comes to me but refuses to let go of father, mother, spouse, children, brothers, sisters—yes, even one’s own self!—can’t be my disciple. Anyone who won’t shoulder his own cross and follow behind me can’t be my disciple.

“Is there anyone here who, planning to build a new house, doesn’t first sit down and figure the cost so you’ll know if you can complete it? If you only get the foundation laid and then run out of money, you’re going to look pretty foolish. Everyone passing by will poke fun at you: ‘He started something he couldn’t finish.’

“Or can you imagine a king going into battle against another king without first deciding whether it is possible with his ten thousand troops to face the twenty thousand troops of the other? And if he decides he can’t, won’t he send an emissary and work out a truce?

“Simply put, if you’re not willing to take what is dearest to you, whether plans or people, and kiss it good-bye, you can’t be my disciple. “Salt is excellent. But if the salt goes flat, it’s useless, good for nothing.

“Are you listening to this? Really listening?”

Generation to Generation

God provided biblical format within families to ensure that they have faith in the living God for their will to be passed from generation to generation. However, these relationships are often lacking in today’s society.

Mentoring

Mentoring is a way of raising a mature Christian disciple within the body of Christ. Jesus imparted knowledge and values through His Word and His actions He showed the disciples the values of the kingdom of God are much different from the values of the world. He taught the disciples to be servants. Jesus showed them the behavior he wanted them to copy by first doing it himself. Jesus sent the disciples out to do ministry after they had spent time with him. He wanted them to practice doing what he had shown them.

Even though the term mentor is not in the Bible there are many instances of someone who is wiser and more experienced in the ways of the Lord. Acting as a mentor to someone younger or it may even be with a new believer.

His Catch

Remember that God catches his fish first. Then, He cleans them.

Therefore, we must learn to minister to people where they are spiritually rather than expecting them to come to where we are. People may profess to be born again. They may have habits attitudes and viewpoints that are very worldly. It is vitally important for mentors to model biblical principles for their mentee.

Provide an example of how God wants us to live and demonstrate Christianity….

It’s not to say, “I’m here to fix you.” Our primary purpose is to direct each person toward positive values, attitudes and behaviors. Set goals, set the pace and set the ground rules for the relationship. Let there be less problem oriented people. Focus on fixing deficiencies in the person’s attitude.

No Longer Locked Up

My Acceptance of Jesus

1. Who is Jesus to me now? Jesus is my everything!
2. At what point did I desire to do His work because of my relationship with Jesus? After I heard countless testimonies and the impact of those that were sharing their testimony with others. It gave me hope and helped remove the shame I felt about my life. I have chosen to share the trials I have had in my life with you for FREE. After all, Jesus cared enough for us to set us FREE. I want you to know I am here to provide an encouraging word and a listening ear.
3. I have chosen to share my book via this blog because it is about all the things He has done in and through my life and what He continues to do in my life.
4. I want to share with you FREEly, so it doesn’t cost you time and money.
5. My journey did involve my choices and consequences of my choices.
6. I am here to share with you what has changed for the better.
7. Gaining knowledge is a choice and it should be FREE and obtainable.
8. I am in the process of learning more by doing what He has called us all to do.
9. The direction I am going because of my relationship with Jesus will be written via this blog as I work with the lost, unloved, used, and abused.

My Hope Is For You To Not Be Locked Up Any Longer

It is my hope to keep your attention, engage you and share things with you which will make me vulnerable to your scrutiny.

Then he told me. The God of our ancestors has chosen you to know his will and to see the Righteous One and hear him speak. For you are to be his witness, telling everyone what you have seen and heard. What are you waiting for? Get up and be baptized. Have your sins washed away by calling on the name of the Lord.

I once thought these things were valuable, but, now I consider them worthless because of what Christ has done. Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ. I don’t mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But, I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me.

Prisoners

Held in prison as prisoners all because we refuse to forgive another. Is there someone in my life that I need to forgive? To forgive does not mean you have forgotten.

Make a clean break with all cutting, backbiting, and profane talk. Be gentle with one another, and sensitive. Forgive one another as quickly and thoroughly as God in Christ forgave you.

Is there someone I have wronged and need to ask for forgiveness?

Have I forgiven myself for my past mistakes?

All you saints! Sing your hearts out to God! Thank him to his face! He gets angry once in a while, but across a lifetime there is only love. The nights of crying your eyes out give way to days of laughter.

Have I embraced my need of the forgiveness God offers me?

So also the psalmist’s prayer: ‘You’ll never let your Holy One see death’s rot and decay.’ Let the wicked abandon their way of life and the evil their way of thinking. Let them come back to God, who is merciful, come back to our God, who is lavish with forgiveness. ‘Why have we fasted,’ they say, ‘and you have not seen it?

Why have we humbled ourselves, and you have not noticed?’

“Yet on the day of your fasting, you do as you please and exploit all your workers. Your fasting ends in quarreling and strife, and in striking each other with wicked fists. You cannot fast as you do today and expect your voice to be heard on high. Is this the kind of fast I have chosen, only a day for people to humble themselves? Is it only for bowing one’s head like a reed and for lying in sackcloth and ashes? Is that what you call a fast, Is a day acceptable to the Lord?

“Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to lose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke?

Is it not to share your food with the hungry and provide the poor wanderer with shelter— when you see the naked, to clothe them, and not to turn away from your flesh and blood? Then your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will quickly appear; then your righteousness will go before you, and the glory of the Lord will be your rear guard. Then you will call, and the Lord will answer; you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I.

“If you do away with the yoke of oppression, with the pointing finger and malicious talk, and if you spend yourselves on behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the darkness, and your night will become like the noonday. The Lord will always guide you; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land andstrengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail. Your people will rebuild the ancient ruins and will raise the age-old foundations; you will be called…

Repairer of Broken Walls, Restorer of Streets with Dwellings.

Amnesty…forgiveness…mercy for all prisoners you and me.

Justice and Mercy Held In Prison As Prisoners

God is true to his own principles. God isn’t a sinner.

God’s solution for us was Jesus Christ to take the sin upon Himself and He died in our place. Our Father is just and the justifier of those who have faith in Jesus Rom 3:26

Prisoners Of Good Works

• God isn’t easily impressed by us doing good works.
• Too often we go through the emotions.
• Our good works will not earn the Lord’s favor.

In the end, it’s God’s justice and mercy that we would be able to be reunited with Him.

Prisoners of: sin, addiction, past mistakes, computers and social media, work, school, schedules, anger, revenge, hurt, fear, sexual immorality, crimes against others, parental cruelty, loneliness,

Most common is forgiveness: especially ourselves

Practical steps to take; admit wrong, hurt, acknowledge the need to:, confess the sinful responses, release all my hurt to Jesus, bless the one(s) who have hurt you

You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.

Release the hurt and let God replace it with healing

A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling.

Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior, who daily bears our burdens.

A Prisoners Restoration

The idea of a restoration of the world had its origin in the preaching of the old testament prophets.

There faith in the unique position and mission of Israel as the chosen people of God inspired in them the conviction that the destruction of the nation would eventually be followed by a restoration under conditions that would insure the realization of the original divine purpose.

When the restoration came and passed without fulfillment of this hope, the Messianic era was projected into the future.

By the time of Jesus the conception became more or less spiritualized, and the anticipation of a new order in which the consequences of sin would no longer appear was a prominent feature of the Messianic conception. in the teaching of Jesus and the apostles such a restoration is taken for granted as a matter of course.

Restoration, leadership, priorities, prayer, repentance, hope. God will redeem your relationships.

Your past gets a hold of you if you don’t know where you will spend eternity.

• Fear – you can’t have (lie)
• Faith – life our mess equals our message, our test is our testimony
• Time – our time is a gift from God don’t let it get away from you!

Meet a Need

Speak word of truth. Show how scripture speaks into that need. Equip them with Salvation. Give them a mission to seek and to put into action.

Pearl

Coral and jasper are not worthy of mention; the price of wisdom is beyond rubies.

“Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces.

As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root.

The twelve gates were twelve pearls, each gate made of a single pearl. The great street of the city was of gold, as pure as transparent glass.

 I also want the women to dress modestly, with decency and propriety, adorning themselves, not with elaborate hairstyles or gold or pearls or expensive clothes,

The woman was dressed in purple and scarlet and was glittering with gold, precious stones, and pearls. She held a golden cup in her hand, filled with abominable things and the filth of her adulteries.

A cold heart can only be warmed by our living God, so why not ask God to rekindle the flame by bringing you a friend to pray with daily?

What is the temperature of your heart?

Is it icy, cold, lukewarm, burning with zeal or is it hot because you are so excited about God?

Three ways God works to move us in a new direction are:

1. Disruption of our plans
2. Dissipation of resources
3. Dissolution of relationships

Unknown

There will always be these unknown situations that we don’t like. We all know that what can go wrong, will go wrong.

Often when things happen and that we don’t expect or anticipate, we roll on down memory lane. Why me, this always happens to me.

These memories of ours come back lashing out and at us internally we agonize over things. Although some of us choose to disown the problem. Some of us will the problem to go away all on its own.

Acceptance

To effectively handle these problems is to accept that they actually do exist.

Not accepting is an ideal condition for an emotional, subjective reaction (we know how this will end). This does not alter the fact that there is a problem and this problem will continue to get worse

We must accept the problem as it occurs and we must never take it personally (vendetta, karma)

Planning

Create a plan, a breathing and mindfulness exercise.

Learn to be more flexible as you deal with the problem at hand.

Adapt to the more easy going new you, a happier you the more content you is all a matter of how you choose to perceive (problem).

No one is out to get you, I am the only one who is responsible for my current state of mind. Only I can change how I react to problematic events. I have learned to look at them by their face value (how it happened) and I choose to move on from trying to understand (why it happened).

Say to yourself, ” I’m learning to live a happier life and I realize that my being content with what continues to happen to me is a matter of how I choose to perceive it in the moment. Afterall, it’s only a moment that I refuse to allow to take my life in the wrong direction.

Destination Unknown

Do you know where you are going on such and such date and time?

With great speed off to a unknown destination. We go faster because we have lost our way on our way to destination unknown.

So Ahab summoned everyone in Israel, particularly the prophets, to Mount Carmel. Elijah challenged the people: “How long are you going to sit on the fence? If God is the real God, follow him; if it’s Baal, follow him. Make up your minds!”

Nobody said a word; nobody made a move.

Then Elijah said, “I’m the only prophet of God left in Israel; and there are 450 prophets of Baal. Let the Baal prophets bring up two oxen; let them pick one, butcher it, and lay it out on an altar on firewood—but don’t ignite it. I’ll take the other ox, cut it up, and lay it on the wood. But neither will I light the fire. Then you pray to your gods and I’ll pray to God. The god who answers with fire will prove to be, in fact, God.”

All the people agreed: “A good plan—do it!”

Elijah told the Baal prophets, “Choose your ox and prepare it. You go first, you’re the majority. Then pray to your god, but don’t light the fire.”

So they took the ox he had given them, prepared it for the altar, then prayed to Baal. They prayed all morning long, “O Baal, answer us!” But nothing happened—not so much as a whisper of breeze. Desperate, they jumped and stomped on the altar they had made.

By noon, Elijah had started making fun of them, taunting, “Call a little louder—he is a god, after all. Maybe he’s off meditating somewhere or other, or maybe he’s gotten involved in a project, or maybe he’s on vacation. You don’t suppose he’s overslept, do you, and needs to be waked up?” They prayed louder and louder, cutting themselves with swords and knives—a ritual common to them—until they were covered with blood.

This went on until well past noon. They used every religious trick and strategy they knew to make something happen on the altar, but nothing happened—not so much as a whisper, not a flicker of response.

Then Elijah told the people, “Enough of that—it’s my turn. Gather around.” And they gathered. He then put the altar back together for by now it was in ruins. Elijah took twelve stones, one for each of the tribes of Jacob, the same Jacob to whom God had said, “From now on your name is Israel.” He built the stones into the altar in honor of God. Then Elijah dug a fairly wide trench around the altar. He laid firewood on the altar, cut up the ox, put it on the wood, and said, “Fill four buckets with water and drench both the ox and the firewood.” Then he said, “Do it again,” and they did it. Then he said, “Do it a third time,” and they did it a third time. The altar was drenched and the trench was filled with water.

When it was time for the sacrifice to be offered, Elijah the prophet came up and prayed, “O God, God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, make it known right now that you are God in Israel, that I am your servant, and that I’m doing what I’m doing under your orders. Answer me, God; O answer me and reveal to this people that you are God, the true God, and that you are giving these people another chance at repentance.”

Immediately the fire of God fell and burned up the offering, the wood, the stones, the dirt, and even the water in the trench.

All the people saw it happen and fell on their faces in awed worship, exclaiming, “God is the true God! God is the true God!”

There’s a way of life that looks harmless enough;
    look again—it leads straight to hell.
Sure, those people appear to be having a good time,
    but all that laughter will end in heartbreak.

So Paul took his stand in the open space at the Areopagus and laid it out for them. “It is plain to see that you Athenians take your religion seriously. When I arrived here the other day, I was fascinated with all the shrines I came across. And then I found one inscribed, to the god nobody knows. I’m here to introduce you to this God so you can worship intelligently, know who you’re dealing with.

“The God who made the world and everything in it, this Master of sky and land, doesn’t live in custom-made shrines or need the human race to run errands for him, as if he couldn’t take care of himself. He makes the creatures; the creatures don’t make him. Starting from scratch, he made the entire human race and made the earth hospitable, with plenty of time and space for living so we could seek after God, and not just grope around in the dark but actually find him. He doesn’t play hide-and-seek with us. He’s not remote; he’s near. We live and move in him, can’t get away from him! One of your poets said it well: ‘We’re the God-created.’ Well, if we are the God-created, it doesn’t make a lot of sense to think we could hire a sculptor to chisel a god out of stone for us, does it?

“God overlooks it as long as you don’t know any better—but that time is past. The unknown is now known, and he’s calling for a radical life-change. He has set a day when the entire human race will be judged and everything set right. And he has already appointed the judge, confirming him before everyone by raising him from the dead.”

The Outside

From the outside

Are you ready to snap, are you barely hanging on

What are you leaning on, what is keeping you from falling what is your purpose in all this

How much longer till you get the help you need

Will it be too late

Why is it taking them so long to figure it out

Look around you, are there signs you are ignoring

Reach out and ask for help

Before it’s too late!

It’s still there every one sees it.

How can you ignore it?

Its obvious or is it not

You think no one knows

But we do!

Christians are not perfect, just forgiven.

Our New Outward

Will you continue to be shocked, angered and offended whenever a Christian shows such areas of God’s grace in their Christian life?

Why continue on being stumped? It’s true we struggle with imperfection. Our bibles are filled with counsel on forgiving others, understanding their failures, accepting their imperfections and focusing on their strengths.

Unbelievers expect us to be perfect. Christians are not perfect, just forgiven. Jesus accepts us where we are. Let us each allow our Lord and Savior to do the criticizing and finger pointing and the demanding and most of all the judging.

You may think you can condemn such people, but you are just as bad, and you have no excuse! When you say they are wicked and should be punished you are condemning yourself, for you who judge others do these very same things. And we know that God, in his justice, will punish anyone who does such things. Since you judge others for doing these things, why do you think you can avoid God’s judgment when you do the same things? Don’t you see how wonderfully kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you? Does this mean nothing to you? Can’t you see that his kindness is intended to turn you from your sin?

Accept other believers who were weak in faith and don’t argue with them about what they think is right or wrong. For instance one person believes its all right to eat anything. But another believer with a sensitive conscience will eat only vegetables. Those who feel free to eat anything must not look down on those who don’t. And those who don’t eat certain foods must not condemn those who do for god has exerted them who aren’t you to condemn those who do, for God has accepted them.. Who are you to condemn someone else’s servants? their own master will judge whether they stand or fall and with the lord’s help they will stand and receive his approval. In the same way, some think one day is more holy than another day, while others think everyday as alike. You should each be fully convinced that whichever day you choose is acceptable. those who worship the lord on a special day do it to honor him. Those who eat any kind of food do so to honor the Lord, since they give thanks to God before eating. And those who refuse to eat certain foods also want to please the Lord and give thanks to God. For we don’t live for ourselves or die for ourselves. If we live, it’s to honor the Lord. And if we die, it’s to honor the Lord. So whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord. Christ died and rose again for this very purpose to be Lord both of the living and of the dead. So why do you condemn another believer? Why do you look down on another’ believer? Remember we will all stand before the judgment seat of God. For the Scriptures say, As surely as I live, says the Lord, every knee will bend to me, and every tongue will declare allegiance to God. Yes, each of us will give a personal account to God. So let’s stop condemning each other. Decide instead to live in such a way that you will not cause another believer to stumble and fall. I know and am convinced on the authority of the Lord Jesus that no food, in and of itself, is wrong to eat. but if someone believes is is wrong, then for that person it is wrong. And if another believer is distressed by what you eat, you are not acting in love if you eat it. Don’t let your eating ruin someone for whom Christ died. Then you will not be criticized for doing something you believe is good. For the Kingdom of God is not a matter of what we eat or dink, but of living a life of goodness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. If you sever Christ with hit attitude, you will p lease God and others will approve of you too. So then, let us aim for harmony in the church and try to build each other up. Don’t tear apart the work of God over what you eat. Remember all foods are acceptable, but it is wrong to eat something if it makes another person stumble. It is better not to eat meat or dink wine or do anything else if it might cause another believer to stumble. You may believe there’s nothing wrong with what you are doing, but keep it between yourself and God. Blessed are those who don’t feel guilty for doing something they have decided is right. But if you have doubts about whether or not you should eat something you are sinning if you go ahead and do it. For you are not following your convictions if you do anything you believe is not right, you are sinning. Therefor, accept each other just as Christ has accepted you so that God will be given glory.

When Going Outside

Instead be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another just as God through Christ has forgiven you.

Our Change Inside

At the moment of salvation the outside is even more radical and miraculous. From a death-bound, sinful, depraved hear, God brings about a brand new creature one that’s forgiven and made righteous, in whom His holy sprit takes up residence.

Even though we now have a new nature that’s been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth. Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ.

As long as we are on earth we are subject to sin there will be an ongoing battle between the Spirit and the flesh.

Throughout our life, God is conforming us to the likeness of His Son. His indwelling Spirit helps us combat sin and teaches ups to live righteously. According to Charles Stanley who is a wealth of knowledge and wisdom.