Lust, the good and bad

“… Lust for money brings trouble and nothing but trouble…”

(1 Timothy 6:9-10 MSG)

HOWEVER,

A desire for Christ will bring us all the riches we can manage and will build us a treasure that will last – gaining eternal life that is truly life, life eternal. 

(Adapted from 1 Timothy 6:17-19 MSG)

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Step aside

"Don't push your way to the front; don't sweet-talk your way to the top.  Put yourself aside, and help others get ahead.  Don't be obsessed with getting your own advantage.  Forget yourselves long enough to lend a helping hand." 

-Philippians 2:1-4 MSG

Step aside, put your ego below your feet, let those around you go ahead... for in doing so, your time will come, and it will be much greater than you could ever think, want, or hope for.  

As well, remember the fine, truth-filled, words: Those who are first will be last and those who are last will be first (Matthew 19:30).

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Good times ahead

So we’re not giving up. How could we! Even though on the outside it often looks like things are falling apart on us, on the inside, where God is making new life, not a day goes by without his unfolding grace. These hard times are small potatoes compared to the coming good times, the lavish celebration prepared for us. There’s far more here than meets the eye. The things we see now are here today, gone tomorrow. But the things we can’t see now will last forever.

-2 Corinthians 4:16-18 MSG

If we can realize that our hard times are all part of God's plans for us -blessings in disguise and all of them worth every second - then life will be a lot less complicated and stressful, and hard times are all they are - simply, hard times.  For when we hold steadfast in Christ hard times are not a big deal because we know they lead to some God-blessed, amazing, good times ahead.   

Praise God!!!

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God reigns! God wins!

The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy.

-Colossians 1:15-18 NIV

Hence: When all is said, done, argued over, debated, discussed, etc., God reigns! God wins!

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There is only One that can make or break you.

“… you go by yourself and be strong.  God and God only has the power to help or hurt your cause.” +2 Chronicles 25:7-8, MSG

Fear not of any man on Earth or devil in Hell when you step out into the unknown – when you step out into a new endeavor.  There is only One that can make or break your success, His name is God, and He alone has the last and final say in all that you embark on.

Appreciate good people

"Good people last - they can't be moved;

the wicked are here today, gone tomorrow."

Proverbs 10:30 MSG

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To the last and to the highest

"... And as He had loves those who were His own in the world, He loved them to the last and to the highest degree." John 13:1 AMP

God loves you!  Yes, you!!  You are special, your life was bought at a price, you were hand picked, and you have been blessed to do mighty things - you are His chosen child.  So, don't let this world drag you down any longer.  Move forward to the dreams that are embedded in your heart; do what you can do, and let God put the blessing and favor over your life to do what you think you cannot do.  He will, He wants to!  No, more self-pity!  It is time for change, it is time to live, it is time to love - IT IS TIME FOR GOD!  Accept Him, and begin to live the great life that He died just for you.

A kingdom divided

"... Any kingdom that is divided against itself is being brought to desolation and laid waste, and city or house divided against itself will last or continue to stand." Matthew 12:25 AMP

Please, please, take this verse to heart!  Not only does it go for a kingdom, city, or a family, but it also goes for places of employment, church, any type of a relationship with another, and, most importantly, our individual selves.  We must first stand undivided within our souls, befoe we can stand undivided within a group, family, relationship, etc.  Therefore, you are either in with God, both feet firmly cemented in His Spirit, or your not.  There is no in-between.  We cannot follow Christ for only the easy parts that we choose, but we must follow Him through the hard parts, (not gossiping, tithing, giving, helping others, sickness, hurt, etc.). Although not always fun, choosing to be all in for God will always be fulfilling and blessed.

My friend, if you keep yourself firmly rooted in God, then you can handle any situation that comes your way.  However, if you keep your feet floating off the ground, then the next storm that comes in will eventually overtake you.  So, keep division out of your soul, and out of your life, and let those storms come in - they don't stand a chance when they come to you.