Month: January 2024

DEAR GOD: Do We Have To Be Kind To Everyone?

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Do we have to be “kind to everyone?”  Well–Not really. It depends on the circumstances and what is happening at that moment in time.

The Bible teaches us to be kind to one another, as God has been kind to us in Christ. Kindness is a fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23) and a mark of love (1 Corinthians 13:4). Kindness is also a way of showing God’s grace and mercy to others and leading them to repentance (Romans 2:4).

However, the Bible also warns us not to be naive or foolish in our kindness. We should not associate with wicked people who can corrupt us (1 Corinthians 15:33) or cast our pearls before swine who will trample them underfoot (Matthew 7:6). We should also not enable sin or injustice by being kind to the wrongdoers, but rather expose them and rebuke them (Ephesians 5:11, Proverbs 27:5).

Therefore, we need to be wise and discerning in our kindness, and follow the example of Jesus, who was kind to all, but also spoke the truth and confronted the evil. He said, “Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves.” (Matthew 10:16)

Dealing with rude, selfish or unkind individuals really can be challenging and quite stressful.  What I usually do is take a moment, take a deep breath, and ask for guidance from the Holy Spirit as to how I should proceed. God never lets me down!

The LORD will usually guide our paths (Proverbs 3:5-8) when we look to Him and trust Him. God will temper our behavior when we ask for His intercession, when we take time to reflect, and think about how Jesus would act, we will find answers.

Be as gracious as you can be to a point. Be kind in your directives, your responses, but also firm in your belief. Don’t be nasty but be careful in your choice of words that doesn’t encourage the person to continue in their verbal abuse to you.

Sometimes, as Jesus’ said, “shake the dust off and leave” them to their own thoughts and consequences after you try to help. There is nothing more for you to do. It’s up to God to do the rest.

“Lord, may I always be reflective of Your love and kindness, may I know when to leave and how to turn from rude, unkind, and negative people in a respectful Christian way, and may I do all to please YOU, in Jesus’ name, Amen.”

DEAR GOD: My Faithful God-You Have My Heart~

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Revelation 22:12- “Behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to render to every man according to what he has done.”

When a Christian is totally connected with the LORD many things begin to become transparent on their journey. There is a “lighter” feeling inwardly and a self-confidence begins to soar where it ordinarily wouldn’t have before their journey with God.

As we read His Word and begin to incorporate His commandments and His doctrine into our way of living, things have a way of “opening” up in a seemingly easy manner, as opposed to not being a believer.

Matthew 16:27 -For the Son of Man is going to come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and will then repay every man according to his deeds.

How do I know this? Where do I get such information?  From firsthand experience in life!  Having worked in the Medical/Social Services field mainly in the Nursing Home Industry as Director of these facilities, I have witnessed many bedside “deaths.”  And I can assure you this, as my personal in-depth analysis…those who believed in God and had an intimate and close relationship with Christ died a peaceful death, compared to those who did not know God.

Hebrews 10:35 -Therefore, do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward.

For one thing those who knew and followed God… they weren’t fearful, and they were at “peace” with knowing where they were going once, they left this earth. They were anxious to meet God and happy to know their days in pain and anguish were almost over. Even those who aged naturally without painful maladies or diseases, they were looking forward to “collecting their crown” along with the LORD’s promises and rewards in Heaven.

Matthew 5:12- Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

They also shared another very common characteristic; they had a calm demeanor/countenance that was very welcoming to all those they encountered. They never spoke harshly about others, held no malice towards any particular person or place, and offered words of love about God and Jesus’ Gospel. Plus, they had a “real inner light” that glowed when you spoke to each of these individuals. You know why that is? Because God had their heart in His hands…they gave it willingly…and they loved Him openly.

Isaiah 40:10 -Behold, the Lord God will come with might, With His arm ruling for Him. Behold, His reward is with Him And His recompense before Him.

It all comes down to commitment and love for God. When we apply the character of Christ into what we do, where we go, who we speak with, and our personal choices. The choices we make in this lifetime follow us into the next!  It’s that simple—really.

Does your light shine when you meet others? Do you have a peaceful demeanor/countenance? Do you believe in the LORD and His Word, promises and His love? I tell you this my brothers and sisters, it makes all the difference in this world, and it will make ALL the difference in the NEXT world.

Luke 6:23 -Be glad in that day and leap for joy, for behold, your reward is great in heaven. For in the same way their fathers used to treat the prophets.

“Father God, may I choose You in all I do, say and go, may I be ever faithful to You night and day, all the days of my life, here on earth and into the eternity, in Jesus’ name, Amen.”

 

DEAR GOD: MY ROCK & DRINK OF LIFE~

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The Lord is My Rock | My rock, Rock garden, Rock garden landscaping

Jesus answered and said to her, “If you knew the gift of God, and who it is who says to you, ‘Give Me a drink, ‘you would have asked Him, and He would have given you living water.” John 4:10 NKJV

John 4:10 always gives me pause to reflect not only on the significance of who Christ is…but also allows me to meditate and be ever vigilant to my surroundings. That includes the “world” and the procurement of all which is reflected in the news and everywhere else, film, media, streets, worldwide.

In other words, it is a way to remind us to “be acutely aware” of who Jesus is and who “is not.” There are false teachers, and preachers about us.  And there are those who seem harmless enough, but they’re not of God.

John 7:15 -Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.

There will always be good versus evil–and just the way the Spirit of God is here, so too is the spirit of evil. When we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior, we are under a protective shield, and God becomes our very sanctuary and our Rock in which we can depend on and stand in unity.

We are to be wise and faithful to the LORD while on our journey in life.  As we worship God and follow His voice, we become more in tune with Him, and our discerning spirit will guide us accordingly.

He will be our “go to” for whatever we are in need of…He is always there.  Our comforter, as Jesus said, “I will send you a Comforter” and He will never leave you. (John 14:16)

Be wise and gentle, (Matthew 10:16) yet be firm in your belief and faith. Don’t let opposing views persuade you, be aware…and embrace the light always. Pray for those in the darkness and stay true to yourself, but most important—to God!  It’s a journey worth traveling when you’re on the road with Christ.

There is no better traveling companion…that’s for sure!

“Praise You Father for Your love, for Your guidance, and for Your steadfast and unconditional love towards Your children, I pray that those in the darkness will seek Your light and love, as I pray those in the light will continue to walk the path of righteousness, now and always, in Jesus precious name, Amen.”

 

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DEAR GOD: I’m Listening—

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The “voice” of the Lord is clear and apparent to those who “hear” it.  It’s a sheer delight to serve the Lord in all facets of our lives.  When we commit ourselves to Him, our paths become a vestige of honor to Him and all that it applies.  His voice reverberates to those with ears to hear, consider these very words: “Commit your works to the Lord, and your thoughts will be established…” Proverbs, 16:3 (NKJV). 

How do we commit our works to the Lord? There are many ways to do so.  Do not merely ask Him to bless what we’ve already done…Instead, commit ourselves and our plans to Him before, during, and after we have done our work. The trust, the commitment and the acknowledgement are all forefronts to our vital plan.  His ways, His thoughts, His actions…translate to “ask Him, trust Him, embrace Him, and acknowledge Him.”  When you do so consequences of all good things will transpire.

Consider a “budding rose.”  The bud is tiny at first.  Eventually, through care, love, and commitment it grows into a beautiful thing… much like our love and relationship with the Lord.  The more effort and time we put into the Lord, the more significant it becomes.  The deeper and more profound it gets.

But now, O Lord, You are our Father; we are the clay, and You our potter; and all we are the work of Your hand. Isaiah 64:8 (NKJV)

As our Father, God always will act on our behalf.   He acts for our benefit in ways that childlike minds cannot always understand.  As our potter, He ultimately molds us, and shapes us in ways that sometimes will hurt.  But always He deals with us in love.

Take a moment to think about past decisions you’ve made, on your own without the Father’s help or guidance.  How did it work out?  Usually without His voice, or counsel if you will, things usually don’t go the way we’d like.  When we take the time to talk with Him, listen to His voice, and bring Him into the equation of our life the outcome will benefit us.  We may not see it at first, because He sees way down the road.  He sees ALL things before its fruition, and so He knows what is best for us way before we even realize it. We may take years to realize it was good.  Therefore, don’t despair if things don’t happen according to your will.  Remember, His will…not ours.  His plans are perfect, our plans are anything but.  We may be puffed up and think we know what’s best for ourselves.  We need to be humble, and bow to His excellent works…and listen and adhere accordingly.

Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it…1 Corinthians 9:24 (NKJV).

We can accomplish much in life we don’t have a clear purpose and mission in mind.  The only way to consistency is through the Lord.  We need to take practice in all things, through Him.  Each time we accomplish something we draw higher and nearer to God and our purpose that He has for us.  Our works, our plans, through His alone.  We need to establish our mission in life, through Him.  His voice, His ways, and production will be overflowing in all good things.

Now these things became our examples…Now all these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our admonition…1 Corinthians 106:11 (NKJV).

Everything in the Scripture exists for our example, warning and admonition.  We should note what God’s people did in the past and how God reacted to them in order to move ahead in our own walk of faith.

When we live for God, all things connect in and outside of our very existence.  All things lead to peace and a transitional platitude of higher aspirations in and of Christ.  To hear His voice is to know peace.

To abide by Him is to know love.  To work for Him is to obtain a chiseled image in Christ, that reflects Christ as we uphold His light and shine our own light in His name. Bear witness in all things for Him and accept His will and plans.

Ssh…Listen closely…Do you hear His voice?

“Father, may I do all according to Your will now and always, as our New Year commences, may I grow even deeper in spirituality and resolve to do even more in Jesus’ glorious and powerful name, Amen.”

When His candle shined upon my head, and when by his light I walked through darkness–Job 29:3 (KJV).

 Seest thou a man diligent in his business? he shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before mean men–Proverbs 22:29 (KJV).

 The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe–
John 1:7 (KJV).