When we refuse to give up our evil practices and stubborn ways...

"... They refused to give up their evil practices and stubborn ways.  Therefore the Lord was very angry with Israel and said, "...I will no longer drive out any of the nations Joshua left when he died.  I will use them to test Israel and see whether they will keep the way of the Lord and walk in it as their forefathers did."

Judges 2:19,20-22

When we continually ignore the commands of the Lord, he has no choice but to let go and let us walk in our own stubborn ways.  We must remember that the Lord is polite and will not force us to do anything we do not want to do, including following him or following ourselves - our selfish ways.  So, let's not blame God when the world comes against us and darkness is winning. For we have made the choices for such consequences to be happening.  Instead let's repent, turn back to God and seek him and all his compassion. He loves us so much and is filled with so much mercy, he will turn his face back on us; he will shine his glory down; he will defeat the enemies against us; our lives will be bright again.  Yes, God is so good! And, although we make terrible choices against him, he forgives us when we repent.  He loves us, friends, he truly loves us.  Therefore, whatever the messes may be, turn to the Lord and give him back all the control.  

God wants to keep you from sin

“... Do not be afraid.  God has come to test you, so that the fear of God will be with you to keep you from sinning.” 

Exodus 20:20

When in the midst of life’s fiery trials, fears, decisions, and torments, remember: God is with you!  Therefore, prove to him that you are faithful by staying away from sin and doing what he is telling you to do.  

So step out of the loud noises of the world and hear God, otherwise, you will keep God drowned out and the blessings of life he is leading you to will be washed away by this crazy world in which we live.

Glory is just around the corner

When you feel like everyone is against you and all you are trying to do is the very best that you can do, remember these words:

Glory Just Around the Corner

Friends, when life gets really difficult, don’t jump to the conclusion that God isn’t on the job. Instead, be glad that you are in the very thick of what Christ experienced. This is a spiritual refining process, with glory just around the corner.

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Peter%204:12-13

https://joaynn510.files.wordpress.com/2013/09/1-peter-4.jpg

Examine your motives - test your heart.

Before any decision is made, word or accusation is spoken, remember to, 

Examine your motives, test your heart  (1 Corinthians 11:23-26 MSG; Jeremiah 17:10 ), because keeping your mouth closed and focusing your attention on God is the best decision you can make at the moment.  Otherwise, and many of us have learned this the hard way, you may say or do something you truly regret.

This is the real exam

“Let us test and examine our ways, and let us return to the Lord.” Lamentations 3:40

I’ve given myself a challenge, and I ask you to join me.  Since most of us are quick to examine (judge) the ways of others, let’s do the same with ourselves.  

The challenge is:

At the very moment we begin to examine someone else’s behavior, morals, actions, beliefs, etc., STOP, and turn the examination in on ourselves first. 

Examining (judging) others is not up to us - God is the final Judge, the one and only true Judge.  

So, from here on out stay away from the pulpit and find better (more loving) things to do with your time… I know I am going to and I hope you will join me.

Test, prove, and abstain.

But test and prove all things [until you can recognize] what is good; [to that] hold fast.  

Abstain from evil [shrink from it and keep aloof from it] in whatever form or whatever kind it may be.” 

1 Thessalonians 5:21-22 AMPC

If something seems too good to be true, or if something is questionable in your heart, test it by digging into the Word of God and through prayer and meditation.  Until you have peace, hold off on making any decisions.

As well, whatever choices you make, words you speak, or actions you take need to be free of evil.  So, at all costs, abstain from evil, and let God be your vindicator - I truly believe that if you do, your life will be beyond blessed.  However, if you take vindication into your own hands, evil may befall you and your actions may come back and bite you where it hurts…ouch 

Nitpicken"

“… Don’t be nitpickers: Use your head – and heart! – to discern what is right, to test what is authentically right.” John 7:21-24 MSG

Use your God-given heart and wisdom to figure it (replace it with your unique situation) out. Stop over-analyzing, all it is doing is complicating your life more than it needs to be. Plus, you’ll be filled with a lot more peace and joy if you do.

God's Word can conquer the unconquerable!

"For forty wilderness days and nights [Jesus] was tested by the Devil... Jesus answered by quoting Deuteronomy... The Devil retreated temporarily, lying in wait for another opportunity."  

Adapted from Luke 4:1-13

Three things:

One: 

We will be tested in this world, as Jesus was tested when he walked with us in this world, by the Devil.

Two: 

We can defeat the threats and temptations of Satan by using the Word of God as our ammunition, as it is exactly what Jesus did to defeat Satan when he was in the wilderness for forty days and nights.

Three:  

We must continue to dig into the Word of God, live by his Spirit, (which is living in us), quote, speak, pray, and believe His Word with all our mind, body, and soul, and speak it to the Devil, because the Devil is always lying in wait, waiting for our weak moments in life so he can destroy us.

God's Word can conquer the unconquerable!

🙏

Get away with Jesus and you'll recover your life

Jesus resumed talking to the people... "Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion?  Come to me.  Get away with me and you'll recover your life.  I'll show you how to take a real test.  Walk with me and work with me - watch how I do it.  Learn the unforced rhythms of grace.  I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you.  Keep company with me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly." Matthew 11:27-30 MSG

Enough is enough!  It is time to learn to live like Jesus and stop fretting over the world.  Life is too short and too precious to waste.  So, undress your current life, throw it in the trash, and put on the spirit of Jesus.  Not only will you shine with beauty, grace, confidence, love and joy, but you will be a living example of real living, real life, real love, real joy; you will be the living example of Jesus Christ himself.

http://demo1.flc-boston.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/glory.jpg

Examine your own work and conduct

"But let every person carefully scrutinize and examine and test his own conduct and his own work.  He can then have the personal satisfaction and joy of doing something commendable [in itself alone] without [resorting to] boastful comparison with his neighbor." Galatians 6:4 AMPC 

If you find that you spend a lot of time focusing on the faults of others, then some gear shifting is in order.  For instance, do you look down on those who make less than you?  Do you think of how your boss doesn't have a clue how to run his department?  Do you look down on those who are overweight, or underweight, don't wear nice clothing, or those that don't drive nice cars or live in nice homes?  The questions can go on and on, but what I'm really asking is, Do you spend more time thinking and worrying of what others are, or aren't doing, (or what others can, or cannot do),  or do you spend more time working with God to change you, and help strengthen your relationship with Him?  

Personally, I have many issues with comparing myself to others, but everyday, I get back up and start my day over with God, asking Him to change me and my thoughts, rather than to change anyone else; the more I do this, the easier life seems to get for me - I'm not living for the world, anymore, I'm now living everyday, more and more for God. 

If you haven't already, take my advice and start working on yourself, with the help of God.  Soon, you too will notice that the world seems to get easier and easier to deal with, you sleep better at night, and the truly important things in life because more and more special to you everyday.  Yes, we may have made some mistakes, but if we focus on God more and more in all things, then life just keeps getting better; life becomes something meaningful to live for, and our thoughts, actions, and mistakes will become learning experiences that will shine through with God's amazing glory.

Test and prove yourselves

"Examine and test and evaluate your own selves to see whether you are holding to your faith and showing the proper fruits of it.  Test and prove yourselves [not Christ].  Do you not yourselves realize and know... that Jesus Christ is in you - unless you are [counterfeit] disapproved on trial and rejected?" II Corinthians 13:5 AMPC

There's not a better way to put it: Examine and test and evaluate yourselves daily to see if there is anything, (sin, wrong thinking, darkness, depression, etc.), in you that needs to be removed.  If there is, and as humans we usually have something dark within, then we need to repent, and ask the Lord to remove it from us; ask the Lord to change our thoughts and actions.  I believe that it is so important for us to stay on our toes when it comes to sin and darkness that we hold on to.  In my opinion, it is what we hold on to that leads us to, or away, from God, so consistent accountability to God of our thoughts and actions is a must.  

Remember, God lives within you!  You are so unique, and so special - you have so much to offer this world.  So, don't let the dark-side of life get the best of you - don't let go of God, not even for a second.  Soon, your inner Light and beauty will come out naturally, you will have more confidence because of the Spirit within you, and the devil will stay further and further behind you, knowing that you are getting too strong for him to even want to deal with.

Do you want blessings poured out on you? Here's how...

“Bring all the tithes (the whole tenth of your income) into the storehouse that there may be food in My house, and prove Me now by it, says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open the window of Heaven for you and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.” Malachi 3:10 AMP

It is so funny to me that so many people refuse to agree with this verse.  I’ve heard it said over and over, “Churches only want your money”, and  I extremely disagree with that comment.  To me, churches are following the Word of God by reminding/asking their congregation to give the first of all their income because the Word says so; they are abiding by the Word, and we as followers, should be abiding by the Word as well, giving our share to our place of fellowship.

Now I know there is always bad seeds in good places, but, unfortunately, that is the world we live in.  However, for the most part, churches are doing their best to protect the Word of God, share it with their congregation, and expand the cause for Christ.  Why can’t we help?  Why must we find every excuse in the book not to give?  Well, I know why, and it is because of one thing, and one thing only: selfishness! Period!  So, if you happen to be in the group that has every excuse in the book not to give, then maybe it is time to get real!  If anything, just be honest and admit your selfishness and then you can skip all the excuses and nonsense.  I do ask, however, if you don’t agree with giving to the church, won’t you please consider giving to a cause, (worthy of God’s blessing), your first ten percent? Not only will it help others, but I can guarantee it will soften your heart and fill you with such a deep, comforting, joy that can never be taken from you.  Finally, for those of you that give, and give with a joyous heart, I commend you.  I know how difficult it can be to give at times, especially in times of lack, so your help is worthy of recognition and appreciation – Thank you, and God bless!

God bless you all!!

Like a precious metal

“And I will bring the third part through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined and will test them as gold is tested.  They will call on My name, and I will hear and answer them.  I will say, It is my people; and they will say, the Lord is my God.” Zechariah 13:9

There are so many of us going through fires and trials that seem to get hotter and hotter with no end in sight; we find ourselves wanting to turn back and run away.  However, we must keep moving forward in complete faith, knowing that God is refining us like silver, and testing us like gold – what an honor!! Honor, you ask? Yes, because silver and gold are precious metals, which means, we are precious in His sight, and He doesn’t want us to settle for anything but the best, as well as, to become one of His most prized servants of all time.  So, take the heat with all boldness and fearlessness; and while you are at it, be joyful knowing that God has you in the palm of His hand, and your victory of victories is soon to come!!