You Are Enough

At church, we had our pastor’s son teach us. He is very intelligent and is a clinical director of a large company. He talked about how we are enough for God, He made us because He loved us and wanted us to love Him in return.

“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 truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres“ – 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 (NIV).

God doesn’t need our performance – He wants our heart.

A friend told me the other day that I was highly anointed by God. I didn’t believe it.

Me? Highly anointed? My life is so crazy all the time, I can’t sleep most nights. I have a hard time concentrating because of it. Why would a perfect God love someone like me?

Because God is love.

1: Corinthians 13:4-7 gives us a clear snapshot of our God. Maybe you’ve heard this scripture at weddings. But when you think of God this way it changes the game.

Because Jesus lived and loved perfectly, God loves His people without conditions or a checklist to satisfy. He is not keeping score or holding a grudge. His love is perfect, and it’s free. The price has already been paid in full by Jesus on the cross and we don’t have to perform perfectly to earn it.

This is a perfect love from a perfect God given as a gift to imperfect people. We just have to receive the gift.

We are all enough. Satan likes to tell us we are not. but because of God’s love we are. It’s hard for us to believe this because the version of love we see every day is conditional. Conditional love is based off of numbers in our bank accounts, -swipe left or swipe right, if you done measure up, you’re not worthy. If you don’t get the grades or the job, you’re not enough.

When we know we are enough for God, it means we’re free -free from our fears, our obsession with performance, even our unrealistic expectations.

We might fall short to an earthly point but we don’t fall short when it comes to God because He offers forgiveness. God doesn’t need a performance. He wants us to surrender our hearts to Him. We don’t have to earn anything from God.

I like how Jesus 2 Corinthians 12:9 says. “But He said to me my grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. Therefore I will boast all the more glad,y about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.”

We are unconditionally loved by God.

We are redeemed by His sacrifice.

We are highly favored when we walk with Him.

We are enough for God.

Which Olympic Sport Do I Enjoy

What Olympic sports do you enjoy watching the most?

I don’t watch any kind of sport. And I don’t watch the Olympics. The only kind of sport I like is baseball. And I don’t watch it on television.

Watching sports for some people gives them an adrenaline and dopamine boost. It doesn’t do that for me. Research tells us, that people want to be part of a group and bring them a belonging and group identity.

I don’t need a sense of belonging. I know where my identity lies. I already know who I am.

Don’t Let Discouragement Choke You

Discouragement is a temptation, common to man. In dealing with it sometimes we need tenderness and other times we need toughness. Either way, discouragement is not to be tolerated or allowed in. It is to be fought.

If we linger in discouragement it can be costly. It’s a sense of defeat and hopelessness that saps us with energy and vision. It can consume a lot of time. It can keep us from doing what we need to do because we don’t want to face it. And it can be contagious, weakening others’ faith.

When we feel discouraged we want comfort, which is right to feel. But comfort often turns to our ways to avoid our fears rather than ways to muster our courage to face and overcome them. When this happens discouragement simply becomes sinful indulgence in lust or anger or other sins of unbelief,

Jesus does not want us to be discouraged. In fact. He commands us not to be. Listen to what Jesus says to His disciples just before what was probably that most discouraging experience of their lives -His brutal death. “Let not your heart be troubled. Believe in God. Believe also in me” (John 14:1).

Jesus’s words “Let not” for His disciples were not merely comforting, they are commands. He knew they would be tempted by fear. Things were going to look very bad like their whole mission was imploding. What were they to do instead of being afraid? Believe! “Believe in God; believe also in me.”

In other words, “Don’t let your hearts be ruled by what you see. Let them be ruled by what I promise you.” And that’s what He’s saying to you and me,

“We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, for those who are called according to His purpose” -Romans 8:28

Then it time to fight, not pout or shrink. Think of discouragement as your faith being choked. When you’re choking, it’s not time to plop down in front of the Television with a plate of comfort food to medicate your melancholy. You need to dislodge the obstruction so you can breathe. You need to fight for your life. You may need to get someone to give you the Heimlich.

Go get encouragement -faith-fueled courage. Don’t let discouragement choke you, it’s dislodged by believing promises. God gave us the Bible so that “through the encouragement of the scriptures we might have hope” (Romans 15:4).

Don’t let your heart be ruled by what you see. Let it be ruled by what Jesus promises you.

The Return Of Christ And The Red Heifers

We are witnessing biblical prophecy unfold right before our eyes, yet many people remain oblivious to its significance.

The red heifer seems like a mundane aspect of the ancient Jewish faith, it is a pivotal symbol is emerging in the prophetic timeline. While its significance may sound obscure to some, it holds profound implications for those looking for the signs of the times,

Christians mustn’t believe the sacrifice of a red heifer can absolve sins – Jesus’s sacrifice alone holds that power. According to biblical prophecy, the ceremonial sacrifice of a red heifer in Israel is a precursor to significant end-time events. As told in the Bible.

According to the Bible, the ashes of a red heifer are used in purification rituals to consecrate the Jewish people, their priests, and the temple. This event may have global ramifications and could be potentially, live-streamed for the world to see.

Scripture provides insight into the significance of these events. Daniel 9;27 says,

“He will make a firm covenant with many for one week. In the middle of the week he will sacrifice and the offering will cease. On the wing of abominations will come one who makes desolate; and even to the full end, and that determined, wrath will be poured out on the desolate.“

This implies the third temple in which these rituals occur, paralleling the practices that took place in ancient Israel. The emergency of red heifers and preparations for their sacrifice align with these prophetic markers and lead to a presumption of temple practices,

With the chaos and uncertainty in the world right now. Believers are called to heed Jesus’ abomination and to watch. We do not know when the Lord is coming (Matthew 24:42).

The urgency of these times demands vigilance and discernment while being rooted in prayer and scriptural truth. Being ignorant of the times we live in is foolish.

As we see the unfolding of biblical prophecy we must not be complacent in building God’s kingdom on earth by standing up for Him.

The significance of the red heifer in Bible prophecy cannot be understated. It serves as a tangible reminder of the unfolding of God’s divine plan and Christ’s return,

As we navigate these tumultuous times, we need to remain steadfast, watching and praying as we wait for God’s redemptive purposes to unfold.

Your Thoughts Can Control You

I was talking to a friend yesterday. She was telling me she was trying to get control of her thoughts. I think most people struggle with this -especially today.

There is spiritual warfare going on every day. We are in the middle of a spiritual war right now in our minds. There is a tug-of-war going on. I don’t care how strong you think you are it is happening. To world calls it a conscience. It’s the battle between good and evil.

The Holy Spirit is leading us one way and the devil is misleading you in another. Even if you have accepted Christ as your Lord and Savior the devil isn’t going to leave us alone. He will do everything in His power to stop you. Yes, he’s already lost the war, but he will fight to the end.

He wants us to deny God, to turn our backs on Him. (if you look at the world he’s fighting with everything he has). He will try to get inside of our heads and make us believe the lies he is spewing. He will make them seem like reality, like it’s true.

Our thoughts are one of the most precious gifts God gives us. It is a part of the free will that God has granted us. God gave us a mind, a brain to think for ourselves. And we need to pray every day that our thoughts and actions are guided by the Holy Spirit. Pray every day that he protects your thoughts. Pray every day that he guides your path. The ultimate decision is ours, to follow the path that God wants us on or go down one that is false and fake and full of lies.

Proverbs 4:26 says, “Give careful thought to the paths of your feet and be steadfast in all your ways.”

God had given us the gift of thinking. God didn’t create the vehicle. We did. God gave us the materials. We cannot create anything if we don’t think. We can control our thoughts.

I remember when I first heard someone say to me, “If you don’t like your thoughts you have the right to change them.”

I know it doesn’t seem that way but we can. How? How can we fight this spiritual war going on inside our brains? This tossing and turning from good to evil.

Here are a few tips:

1. Replace worry with faith

Paul wrote in Philippians 4:6-8, “Do not be anxious (worried) about anything but in everything by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.”

When we worry we have doubt. We have doubt in God. We get upset when things don’t go our way. We think “why is this happening?” We cast doubt on the almighty God, which gives the devil a playing field to work on. He thrives on our doubt, he wants us to doubt that God -that God isn’t in control. He wants us to feel abandoned by God. Worrying is nothing but the devil. Worrying is nothing but a lack of confidence in God.

2. Replace despair with hope

In Psalm 33:17-18, King David wrote “The eyes of the Lord are on those who fear Him, on those whose hope is in His unfailing love.”

We can change the odds when we quit putting our hope in others. Hope in God instead of others or your circumstances. Sometimes we put all our eggs in one basket. And that basket isn’t God. What happens? Life gets shattered. Dreams fall apart. If you are doing everything you can to follow God’s desire He will protect you. Circumstances happen. People will always let you down. But if you have hope in the Lord, you will never be broken. I’m not saying God won’t throw you a curveball, but I would rather have God coach me than the world. God gives us troubles to strengthen and test our faith.

“I would rather stand with God and be judged by the world, than stand with the world and be judged by God” – Grace Wesley

3. Replace anger with love

In Jonah 4:2 it says. “I know you are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger and abounding in love, a God who relents from sending calamity. God does not delight in evil but rejoices in truth.

Anger is something the devil can take and make grow like a chia pet. There’s an old saying that goes, “Give the devil an inch and he will be your ruler.” God’s love for you enables you to love others rather than show anger and resentment. Angry can control your thoughts. And satan will ride it like a wave in a hurricane. Give your anger to God. Harboring anger will do nothing but give the devil more stomping ground.

Replace suspicion with trust

Trust in God will all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways submit to Him and He will make your paths straight. The devil is the king of suspicion. Trust is not even in his vocabulary.

Last week I had made plans to go out of town with a person who needed to go to the doctor. When I arrived at her house she was gone. And with a half a thought of she left without me, and with that, there was satan putting suspicion in my head, “She double-crossed you” and on and on. I called her and she had an emergency and had to leave. A simple explanation that could have led to anger and the devil ran with that thought.

4. Replace skepticism with belief

We live in a cynical and skeptical world. God keeps His promises and being persuaded that God has the power to do what He has promised strengthens our faith. Let faith give you victory. Let your faith in God give you the firepower you need to stand up in this world. Let your faith in God be your shield, your sword, and your armor. Know that God is still God, even though the world is crashing around you.

How I Adapted To Covid

How have you adapted to the changes brought on by the Covid-19 pandemic?

I wish covid didn’t have to happen. While they locked everyone down, instead of being in a panic, I chose to decide what to do with my time.

I chose to trust God. I chose to stand on Psalm 91, “ He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty (Psalm 91:1) you shall no be afaid of the terror by night, but of the arrow that flies by day; not of the pestilence (diseases) that walks in darkness, nor of the destruction that wastes at noonday. (Psalm 92:5-6)

My husband has one of those “essential “ jobs where he had to work through the covid era. So I stayed in prayer for him not to be exposed.

I chose not to fear the virus because fear demonstrates a lack of trust in God. He loves us and wants the best for us. Refusing to be afraid of the virus doesn’t mean j was not wise about how I reacted to it.

As a believer of God we are supposed to trust God, even in hard times. Trust and lean not on our own understanding. Choosing to focus on God instead of covid or any other trial is how I adapted to covid.

Choosing Right Or Easy

A turn in the path, a fork in the road and sometimes I wonder which way to go.

How many times are we faced with situations and we are tempted to take the easy way out? But is the easy way the right way? Sometimes making the right decision isn’t easy.

We have to think about who it affects, Our decisions affect us positively. and negatively. Even though these declare ours they also affect the people and things around us. We should never think we are living for ourselves only. Easy decisions can give temporary results that may be fulfilling just for a moment but the right decisions can give you lasting results that will benefit for a lifetime.

Think about how it makes you feel in your gut. If your gut is telling you the decision isn’t right, but we do it anyway. We then know that further down we will have to deal with the repercussions of the choice we made. Feeling good just for a time is okay, but for how long? Suffering now and reaping the fruits, in the end, seems more rewarding to me. The best decision for your life isn’t always easy.

When we look ahead, the things that are valuable don’t come easy, good things take time. It is essential to envision a life or anything that you want for yourself. The best thing to do is to look ahead and prepare your mind for the beautiful destination instead of settling for what is easy right now,

We are heavily Influenced by the people we hang around. So it’s important to choose people who have a solid impact on us. This same friend will be the one to ask for opinions to make important decisions. I know if I ask a friend their opinion I want an honest reasonable answer. Not giving you answers I would like to hear,

It’s okay to follow your heart, but don’t forget to use your brain. Following your heart is great but being able to assess a situation and crossing what is right is also important. If we try to align the desires of your heart with the reality of your situation and make the choice that will direct you towards a rewarding and fulfilling life.

Life in itself is based on decisions we make every day. Choosing to not study for an important exam is easy but choosing to study to helps us retain the information and that choice can affect your life forever. The easy way might have quicker results but it isn’t always right. Take the time to do what you need to do in the right and proper way then you will be more appreciative of the time spent to attain things you need in life.

Morning Rituals

What are your morning rituals? What does the first hour of your day look like?

My morning starts with letting the dog outside, starting coffee, washing up, letting the dog inside reading my Bible, and worshiping God for about an hour. Getting in the shower and getting dressed.

Morning routines help us set the tone for the day, which in turn allows us to control our schedule rather than controlling us.

Spending time with allows us to align our hearts and minds to the purposes of God for the day,

Worship God In Spirit And Truth

Jesus told the woman at the well, “God is spirit and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth” (Joh 4:24). God is seeking for true worshippers, who will worship Him in Spirit and truth.

What Is True Worship?

Most people think singing church songs is just letting your mouth do all the work. But it is clear in the scriptures that there is worship which God will not accept. God also rejects some sacrifices. God looks at the heart not works. In Genesis 4 God received Abel’s sacrifice of worship but rejected Cain’s. God also rejected the strange fire of Nadab and Abihu (Leviticus 10). In calling His people Israel to repentance. God rejected their solemn assemblies, burnt and grain offerings, and the noise of their songs and instruments, and commanded them to walk in justice and righteousness so that their worship would be accepted (Amos 5:21-24; Luke 11:41; Micah 6:8).

The foundation of true worship comes from two things -the Spirit and truth. This foundation of which I speak is the solid unbreakable foundation of revelation. True worship is a response to revelation.

Without the Spirit, truth is dead -it is knowledge without the life.

Without truth, the spirit is in darkness -it is life without the Light.

Freedom is impossible without truth (8:31-32), and the truth is possible only through a revelatory act of God (Matthew 16:12; John 16;13), which requires the work of the Spirit. The effect and working of these two together is called revelation. Revelation comes when the spirit of God uncovers a truth of God. Revelation is more than information or knowledge because the realm of revelation is the human spirit, and not just the human mind (1 Corinthians 2). We can and do forget much of what we hear and learn. But we own what has been revealed to us, meaning it can never be taken away. This ownership causes us to obey what has been revealed to us (Matthew 7:24-27). Obedience then, is an act of sacrifice in which we offer to God what He and He alone has given go us. Nadab and Abihu’s fire was strange because it was not fire given by God, so God would not accept it. God will only receive what He has first given.

This is the law of the holy and the profane (Ezekiel 22:26; 44:23). So true worship requires a sacrifice, the offering to God of that which God has given to us and in response to revealed truth. This is why redemption requires sacrifice. All the sacrifices commanded by God in the scriptures foreshadowed the complete sacrifice of Jesus through whom and by which we have been redeemed (Hebrews 9;10). In the same way, true worship is the sacrificial response of those who have received the offering of Jesus’s redeeming death, and as such our worship just reflects His sacrifice.

What Makes A Person Unique

Which aspects do you think makes a person unique?

What makes a person unique? It would be someone who helps anyone they come in contact with, even if it is putting a smile on someone’s face with a kind gesture.

Someone who is kind but still stands up for their morals and values. Someone who shows love instead of hate.

Everyone’s personality is unique. But I think being able to love in a world filled with hate is pretty unique. No longer does society believe we can love someone and still disagree with them. Disagreeing is becoming more and more synonymous with hate.

Are Dreams And Visions Messages From God?

The place of dreams and visions in a believer’s life can cause debate and confusion among many people. The question is does God still speak to people through dreams and visions? Or had the time of these dreams and visions passed?

What are dreams and visions?

First, we need to clarify the difference between a dream and a vision. A vision happens when a person is awake and alert, a dream occurs when a person is asleep.

Peter was awake for his vision of the unclean foods in Acts 10:9-23. Joh. Was awake for his vision in Revelation 1:9-11. Pharaoh’s cup-bearer and baker were asleep when they had dreams that Joseph interpreted. (Genesis 40:5-9 ). Joseph, Mary’s husband was asleep when an angel spoke to him about Mary’s miracle pregnancy in Matthew 1:20-24.

Some people feel almost every dream is significant and they need to know the interpretation. Dreams and visions are important for many of us. Some people claim to receive messages from their ancestors through dreams. Perhaps they consult mediums (this is forbidden in the Bible) or pastors whom they believe have the gift of interpretation. Certain dreams have traditional patterns for interpretation, while others do not. In some cases the dreamer will remember the dream until something happens to which they attribute to the dream.

There are 3 types of dreams in the Bible.

Based on biblical teaching, dreams can be classified into three categories:

1. Subconscious Processing

Some dreams are a result of what has been on a person’s mind or stored in their subconscious. These can be memories, past events repressed desires, or unfulfilled hopes. Isaiah says, a hungry person dreams of eating but wakes up still hungry” (Isaiah 29;8). And Solomon writes, “Too much activity gives you restless dreams” (Ecclesiastes 5;3).

2. Spiritual Attacks

Some dreams may be false messages from our spiritual enemies (Deuteronomy 13:2-5; Jude 1:8). Through Jeremiah, God said this about the “smooth-tongued” false prophets: “Their are imaginary dreams are flagrant lies that lead my people into sin. I did not send or appoint them, and they have no message at all for my people” (Jeremiah 23:32).

3, Important Messages

God sometimes gives special dreams, such as the two Pharoh received in Genesis 41:1-7, those experienced by Joseph (Genesis 37:5-10, Solomon (1 Kings 3:5, and Nebuchadnezzar (Daniel 2:28) and the dreams accompanied the birth of Jesus (Matthew 1 & 2). These dreams give important messages that God’s servants need to understand.

Dreams, Discernment and Scripture

Since there is no indication in the Bible that God has stopped using dreams, the simple answer to whether God still speaks through dreams and vision is “Yes.” But we must be careful how we apply this. Remember that God’s special revelation -the Bible -has been completed, and it covers all things we must know about God, his work, and his purposes. We should not look for or except new revelations that expand our knowledge of God, doctrine, and the Bible. New information from any source. Including dreams and visions, must agree with scripture.

If God chooses to speak to a person in a dream, the message of that dream will be consistent with, and not contradict, the teachings of the Bible. The Bible is inspired by God and is sufficient for instruction (2 Timothy 3:16).

What we do in response to our dream must be in agreement with the teachings of the Bible. Also, the dreams and visions of God’s servants like Daniel, Paul, and John show us that special messages are usually very rare. If on is given, it might only occur once in an entire lifetime. These great leaders in the Bible received messages only a few times in their lives. People who receive dreams or visions should be viewed with some skepticism.

Don’t allow yourself to be manipulated by someone who says, “I received this word from you in a dream.” Godly dreams glorify God and help encourage people to proclaim the gospel. They are not given to bring acclaim or glory to an individual. We should listen, pray, and test the message for ourselves to confirm if it is from God.

If God speaks to you through dreams rejoice and follow God’s instructions. If God does not speak to you through dreams, you are no worse or less spiritual than the one who receives dreams.

Having Something Named After Me

If you could have something named after you, what would it be?

I have no desire to have anything named after me. That is not me at all. I would rather have something named after God I serve. Everything I’ve done or will in life has been because of Him. I am just a messenger, God should get the glory.