BIRTHDAY

My birthdays just around the corner and I recieved and early gift. Sometimes these little surprises show how much someone really cares.

I love it!!

ADDICTIVE BEHAVIOR

The word of God applied in your life brings truth and it is this truth that sets us free. God wants to heal us. If your emotions are all messed up, if you have addictive personality behavior because of  wounds in your past your life will not emulate Christ. Even more important very few other people are going to want what you have as a Christian. We need to be stable, mature, healed, whole individuals. If we are living the life that Jesus died for us to have, we will not have to beat people over the head with a Bible. They will know you are different and they will want to know why.

When your personality or God given temperament is damaged early in life a lot of negative things begin to happen. As adults we are messed up. To fix this we need to know who we are in Christ and love ourselves. I don't mean with a selfish, I'm always right , look at me kind of attitude. When we don't trust Gods love we put a great burden on others we are trying to have a relationship with to make us feel good about ourselves. They can't do it only God can. God loves us unconditionally, often people love us with conditions . Only God can really make you happy. People will eventually fail you. Isaiah 61 says in verse 1 the spirit of The Lord is upon me, The Lord has anointed me we can heal our behaviors through Christ. The whole chapter is worth reading.

We need to overcome our past in order to move forward in our future. By studing God's word we find His promises. He reveals to us what is wrong with us if we let Him. We cannot get to where we need to be if we don't face where we are at. We limit what God is able to do in us. Stop blaming everyone else and ask God to show you - YOU. Often we get so focused on what others are doing wrong we can't see what we are doing wrong. You can't change anyone only God can. We can let God change us and pray for others that they will make the same choice.

In order to change addictive personality behavior we have to admit it before God, study His Word and let God change our hearts, mind and soul. We need to submit to Him and learn self control.

Galatians 5:22-23

But the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and shelf control ..

God has given us the ability to control ourselves but it takes practice. We have to choose it not make excuses . God gave us the seed of self control but we have to water it. We do this by studing Gods Word and applying it to our life. Praying everyday to help us. We cannot do it on our own we will need His help. When we studing the Word it helps to renew our mind, change our thoughts  and perspective.

Self control means we are not being controlled by others. People who are broken hearted and wounded do one of two things. They let others contro them usually out of fear in their life or they become controlling which inturn makes them so obnoxious nobody wants to be around them.

We need to choose to follow the Holy Spirit but when we do the Devil is usually right behind us using other people to keep us from following the leadership of God in our life. Often we find other people want us to do it their way, they think they know what is best. The problem arises when we don't follow them and know God has a different plan for us. They will turn against you but remember God loves you unconditionally He knows what is best for you.

When we study the  Bible we need good doctrine but also as important is life application. It seems we almost always fail when we try by ourself. We have to let God in our hearts and mind to control us and keep us where He wants us to go. We cannot rely on just us God can gives us what we need if we let Him. Self control is possible and with this we can overcome our additive behavior.

Meditate on the fruits of the spirit it will change everything if you let it.

GOD IS NOT MOCKED

Going through my devotions today I came across this passage . I really am amazed when God is working thru me and brings me just exactly what I need. I strive to be a REAL Christian . My goal is to really be Christlike , a real Jesus Follower .... The Bible says By your fruits you shall know them. I am trying to plant goods seeds so I can grow like God wants me to into a beautiful flower. 

Galatians 6:1-10

Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted.

Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. 

If anyone thinks they are something when they are not, they deceive themselves.

Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone, without comparing themselves to someone else, 

For each one should carry their own load.

Nevertheless, the one who receives instruction in the word should share all good things with their instructor. 

Do not be DECIEVED: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.

Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap DESTRUCTION; whoever sows to please the SPIRIT will reap ETERNAL LIFE.

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.

Therefore, as we have OPPORTUNITY, let US do GOOD to ALL PEOPLE, especially to those who BELONG to the family of BELIEVERS.

God is so good if we will only let Him in to our hearts. I sometimes think there are two kinds of Christians 

The ones who have head knowledge ... This type knows a lot has probably accepted Jesus as their personal savior but doesn't let God into their heart and soul

The other type has Heart knowledge.... This type truly follows Jesus and His examples. They emulate Christ and their fruits show it. They have taken the knowledge from thier head and let it soak into their heart. They let the true love of Christ flow out to all. They allow God to control all parts of their life. 

My goal is the latter. I want God to consume me until His love flows thru me.

God Bless

There is always hope with Him

I AM A CHRISTIAN

I am not perfect just forgiven. 

LIVING IN PERFORMANCE

If you are trying to find favor with God by doing and performing I am sorry to let you know you are never going to be able to do enough to win Gods favor. Jesus shed His blood and did it all for us.

PERFORMANCE is all about ME

OBEDIENCE is all about GOD

PERFORMANCE is about ME

GRACE is about GOD 

It isn't about you it is all about the grace of God and the grace of God is all that qualifies you to do anything.

How do you know if your walking in grace? Grace is all about God and all about Gods goodness.

Performance is all about us and how qualified we are and how well we are doing. It isn't about performance it is all about OBEDIENCE. We don't deserve anything God has. Everything we receive is a free gift from Gods grace. ALL I can do is PRAISE Him and OBEY Him. 

When we choose to show our grace and mercy to only those that we think should receive it we dishonor God and we put ourselves above God.We must OBEY God ALWAYS. 

When those times in your life start falling apart the Devil always shows up to make it about you. He tells you your not good enough, you are a failure, you failed so many times, you are defective. The Devil wants you to believe you can't be used by God. In those times the way you defeat the Devil is by the blood of the lamb and word of our testimony. We have a God of mercy and grace. When we have a performance attitude we begin to show our mercy and grace to those who we think deserve it. What makes you greater then God? God loves the whole world and has asked us to do the same. When you close your heart and mind you start down a very dangerous path. My prayer today is you get off that path and start a new one. Be obedient to God. 

MAKING A CHOICE

Watch your THOUGHTS for they become  WORDS

Watch your WORDS for they become ACTIONS

Watch your ACTIONS for they become HABITS

Watch your HABITS for they become CHARACTER 

Watch your CHARACTER it becomes your DESTINY

You may choose to continue as you are or you may make a choice today to follow the path God has laid out in the Bible.

Proverbs 11:17

The merciful man ( or woman) does himself GOOD, But the cruel man ( or woman) does himself HARM.

Proverbs 31:26

She opens her mouth in WISDOM, And the teaching of KINDNESS is on her TONGUE.

Galatians 6:10

So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to ALL, and especially to those who are of the household of the FAITH.

1 Peter 3:8-9

To sum up, let ALL be harmonious, sympathetic, brotherly, kindhearted , and HUMBLE in SPIRIT; 

Not returning evil for evil, or insult for insult, but giving BLESSING instead; for YOU were called for the very purpose that YOU might inherit a BLESSING.

Ephesians 4:32

Luke 6:35

Colossians 3:2

1Corinthians 13:4-7

1John 3:18

Philippians 2:1-30

Ephesians 4:29

Romans 15:22

Galatians 5:22

Zechariah 7:9

James 4:17

Please take time to read the rest of the verses. There are many more. If you don't own a bible you can go online and get them there.

When we harden our heart to Gods plan we become cold hearted, unloving, unkind and unmerciful to others. Granted to those we think deserve our kindness may still receive it. God gave it to you even though you don't deserve it. We all need to be more like God. When we offend others we offend God more. We need to have an attitude of kindness to everyone not just the ones we think deserve it. I am thankful God doesn't work that way. He gives grace and mercy to all of us even though we don't deserve it. When we choose to be selective of our love and kindness to others we put our selves above God. Remember what happened to Satan when he took on these attitudes. The more our hearts are harden the more difficult it will be to be kind and forgiving to others. As believers we have  the responsibility to love, be kind, show grace, show mercy and be humble to all people not just the ones we think have earned it. We actually have an even greater responsibility to show it to those we think don't deserve it. God does.... Do you put yourself higher than God?

Every hurt is followed by a choice. We can get bent out of shape or we can let our response be shaped by grace.

May God Bless You and help you on your journey to become more Christlike.

TIME to MOVE ON