Everything you need

”By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence.“
‭‭2 Peter‬ ‭1‬:‭3‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Growing up I looked at what a lot of other kids had. As a child I watched what others would have and the different things that they wore. It got worse as I got older. Middle school was where I started to notice things but reality hit different. I was looking at what others had but what they didn’t have. By the time I got to high school my outlook turned from what they had to what I’m glad I had compared to what they wish they had. It wasn’t spoken verbally but it was loud enough to be heard clearly.

HERE IT IS…

Growing up we didn’t have the finest things but we sure did kill a room when we walked in. We didn’t have the lastest and greatest new things like shoes or name brand things. But I will keep my childhood the way it was compared to being bought things and thinking it was love. I will keep the having all the things I needed and more rather than name brand. Because I learned a long time ago that there is one name that matters. He said that if I use his name when I pray he will do it. In Jesus name…. We will have everything we need.

Celebrate

”For the Lord your God is living among you. He is a mighty savior. He will take delight in you with gladness. With his love, he will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.”“
‭‭Zephaniah‬ ‭3‬:‭17‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Can I share something with you? I love to see my kids win. In whatever they do, I will be the biggest cheerleader for them EVER. I will gladly get kicked out of a graduation, certificate program, Easter speech to celebrate my kids. I know my previous statement was a little extreme, so of course I wouldn’t embarrass them like that to see me get removed from there program. However, everyone in there will know whose child this is by the celebration that they receive. What’s pretty funny is that people still come up to them and ask if I am their father.

HERE IT IS…

As a father it is my duty to make sure that my children know just how much I love them. They will know that their father loves and supports them. I pass it to them because of who my daddy is. I also give it to them because I have seen how my father in heaven rejoices over me. I learned from my daddy and my Heavenly Father that rejoicing over and with your children sets them apart. It not only lets others know that your celebrated. It lets them know that you have someone who is behind you.

Don’t lean

”Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.“
‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭3‬:‭5‬-‭6‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Man times a different from when I was a child. I can remember being in the front middle seat of that brown 1984 Cadillac Sedan de’ville going on long road trips. When my dad got to an area where it was time to get on a different highway he would ask my mom which way to go and she would pull out this big road map. Find where we are and navigate him to the next exit he should take. It was when my dad came to a place he was not familiar with that he had to ask for more instructions and directions.

HERE IT IS…

There will come a time where God will lead you on a path and give you directions for that season. When it comes time for you to have to make a change or get on a different path we have to make sure that we turn to him and follow his plan instructions. Don’t get so prideful and think you know what to do. Lean on his words and directions. He will lead you down the right path to take and make sure you arrive at your destination safely.

Perfect peace

”Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.“
‭‭Philippians‬ ‭4‬:‭7‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Peace, which in the Hebrew is Shalom. Also in the Greek, peace is translated to a similar meaning. This word Shalom means well being and is used as a salutation when coming or going. This word is also the antithesis of war. It can also be described as if it is coming with you. As in you are bringing peace. Have you experienced peace? Have you experienced shalom? Do you need peace? Do you need peace?

HERE IT IS…

To achieve this level of peace there are a few things you must do. The Bible says that you must first don’t worry about anything. Don’t stress about anything. Secondly, pray about EVERYTHING. Your peace comes from your communication with God. Lastly, be thankful because he didn’t have to do what he did. You want peace? Stop worrying. You want peace? Pray about everything. You want peace? Be thankful to God. Then you will experience Gods peace.

I bet you won’t

”“What do you mean, ‘If I can’?” Jesus asked. “Anything is possible if a person believes.”“
‭‭Mark‬ ‭9‬:‭23‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Have you ever wanted to let someone know exactly who they thought they was talking to? I mean it’s a person who try’s to make your talents and skills seem as if they are mediocre and basic. When in fact this is what you do and there is no one that can come close to what you do. You have studied and still a student to it but don’t get it wrong, you can do what you do and there isn’t anyone that will do it better than you. You now have to show them exactly who you are.

HERE IT IS…

“What do you mean, ‘If I can’?” I don’t know if you realize this but we say this to God sometimes. We may not say it out loud or in these exact words but we get into our feelings and think that we can bully God into doing something. Jesus said anything is possible if we have faith and believe. ”The father instantly cried out, “I do believe, but help me overcome my unbelief!”“
‭‭Mark‬ ‭9‬:‭24‬ ‭NLT‬‬

What is our view

”Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand. Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth.“
‭‭Colossians‬ ‭3‬:‭1‬-‭2‬ ‭NLT‬‬

I love roller coasters! I don’t go as often as I would like but I am always willing to hop on a roller coaster at anytime. It can be carnival rides. Ferris wheel. The spinning tea cup. Whatever I am going to ride it. One of the things that I use to do when I rode roller coasters was try to look at the things below me. How small it was and was looking for the people that I was with. What I have started to do was look up now when I ride them. What I have noticed is that instead of looking down where I was. I started to take in the view of where I was. I can’t enjoy where I am if I am looking down at where I was.

HERE IT IS…

“Since you have been raised to a new life with Christ.” What are you looking at? Since you have a new view, what are you looking at? Since you have been raised from your past, what are you looking at? Since you have this new outlook on life, what are you looking at? Since God has stepped in and changed that whole situation, what are you looking at? Think about the things of Heaven. Not about the things of the earth. I mean since you have been raised you might as well look at where he brought you to.

Something about that name

”There is salvation in no one else! God has given no other name under heaven by which we must be saved.”“
‭‭Acts of the Apostles‬ ‭4‬:‭12‬ ‭NLT‬‬

One of the fav five had to go to an appointment while they were at school and I couldn’t take them and Kendra couldn’t take them and we both forgot. While I was at work I had to call someone to go get them and take them to their appointment. Anyone who has a child in school knows it’s different than before. Now you have to show ID just to get in the school. Not to mention make sure that you are on the list to pick them up. You have to tell the person who you’re picking up and the only way they release them to you is by your name being on the list.

HERE IT IS…

Your name may carry weight in neighborhood. Your name may carry weight at your job. Your name may carry weight at some schools. You may know a lot of people and people may know you but calling on your name will never be able to save anyone’s soul. There is only one name that can save my soul. One name that can help you through anything. One name that can save you from everything. The one name that died and rose from it. The name Jesus every knee shall bow and every tongue shall confess.

Joy always

”Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.“
‭‭1 Thessalonians‬ ‭5‬:‭16‬-‭18‬ ‭NLT‬‬

“Joy and pain, sunshine and rain. Joy and pain, sunshine and rain. Whether this is the original song by Frankie and Maze or the sampled by Rob base. Theresa words repeated in the chorus are the same. Joy and pain. Sunshine and rain. The funny thing is you need the rain to appreciate the sun and you need the sun to appreciate the rain. Joy and pain. They come as a package deal. But one thing we should always do is appreciate both. Always be joyful.

HERE IT IS…

In whatever you have going on be joyful. Whatever is not right be joyful. Whatever is bothering you be joyful. Whatever has got you down be joyful. Whatever has tried to stop you be joyful. Whatever tried to hurt you be joyful.

”Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow.“
‭‭James‬ ‭1‬:‭2‬-‭3‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Example

”You know that these hands of mine have worked to supply my own needs and even the needs of those who were with me. And I have been a constant example of how you can help those in need by working hard. You should remember the words of the Lord Jesus: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”“
‭‭Acts of the Apostles‬ ‭20‬:‭34‬-‭35‬ ‭NLT‬‬

“Your honor I would like to present to the court exhibit A.” This is what a lawyer would say in the courtroom when wanting to use evidence for the trial. It serves notice that there is something tangible that can be seen to show the court that collaborates with my statement. It provides a portion of proof that what I’m saying is true. The presentation of evidence needs to be something that is undeniable and solid in its presentation. What have you shown God? What have you presented to God as an example or evidence that you have upheld his word over your life?

HERE IT IS…

Your life should be your example. Your walk should be your example. Your talk should be your example. Your posture should be your example. We cannot go through this journey and think that we will not have to provide some exhibits of evidence of what we claim to be. Paul says “I have been a constant example..” Who have you shown what a godly example looks like? Perfect? Not anything close! Proof of progression through pray and practice? Yes! Be the example you want to see. While also being the example that you have seen through Christ.

Compassionate

”“Love your enemies! Do good to them. Lend to them without expecting to be repaid. Then your reward from heaven will be very great, and you will truly be acting as children of the Most High, for he is kind to those who are unthankful and wicked. You must be compassionate, just as your Father is compassionate.“
‭‭Luke‬ ‭6‬:‭35‬-‭36‬ ‭NLT‬‬

I have had the great privilege of experiencing the love and grace of God. Just being able to see things unfold in front of my very eyes surprises and shocks me. One of my favorite moments I can remember is when God blessed me with something that I had been needing and that I had been borrowing from someone else. I was able to give that person there’s back but they didn’t need because God had blessed them. I knew of one other person that needed what I had. They were not the kindest person to me but I knew what it was like without it. So I gave what I had to that person and the blessings were just going around.

HERE IT IS…

It’s not until you know what it’s like to go without that you understand a persons position of where they are at. When God places you in a position to serve those who may not have what they need and even when they are not the most pleasant. God will still move and use you to bless others. When you’re showing the love of Christ to others it starts to find its way through like water through a crack. Be compassionate towards others and it will change the whole situation around.