It's a lonely world when one is broken. People don't know how many tears you have cried behind closed doors. They smile and show their support to your face or cut your throat from behind your back. Yet, you have to be strong through it all. You have to save your dignity, swallow your pride, and balance your weight or you might fall.
It's a lonely world when the lights go out and everyone is in bed, except you. It's 3 a.m. and you are wondering if tomorrow will be a better day. There are times when you wish tomorrow never comes. You watch the sunrise and still you hurt inside, nothing has changed over night.
God seems so far away.
It is important at this very moment to build your faith in God. Talk to Him like you would a human being. It may seem foolish talking to an empty chair, but one positive thing about it, it doesn't argue, fuss or fight back.
Let God hear the cries of your spirit and then move on! Preoccupy yourself with the best that life has to offer. Do not put yourself in captivity by doing anything that would cause you to be dependent on the object, substance or thing. As you know, prescription medicines, illegal drugs, promiscuity, violent television, and ungodly books, just to name a few, may provide temporary relief, but in the long run you will have made a bargain with the devil. A price that you will pay with your life or the life of another in the short or long-term depending on how much life you got left.
Please remember to pray.
Monday
God is Rocking the Boat! Do you have your life-jacket on?
Notice the increase of devil signs, dark symbolism, and evil behavior lately from people you wouldn't expect? There is something happening in the spiritual realm and it isn't pleasant. There is an evil lurking and yes, it's out to kill, steal and destroy everyone in its path including those who praise his name.
This is why we must,
"Trust in the LORD with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him,
and he will make your paths straight." -- Proverbs 3:5-6
If you are a believer, you can identify with the presence of the evil one, but you remain unaffected by him when it comes to your belief system for you know who you are in Christ. My fellow believer, you are going to continue to love your Creator until the day you die! Yet, those around you who are on the fence, you know the type that loves God today when money is placed in his or her hand, but could do without him tomorrow, when money is taken from he or she, this person is under judgment. He or she is going to have to make good on "Hallelujah" and "Praise God" statements. Mercy is being lifted off many people who we all thought were: "good people," "wonderful" and "kind." There inner circle knows differently!
We tend to equate goodness with how much a person does for us and how nice they treat us; however, God sees the heart. Don't you know you can smile in someone's face while holding a knife behind your back and the individual in front of you would never suspect that you were out to murder him or her? Well, that's what some of your family members, friends, beloved entertainers, and co-workers are doing with their words and deeds to God and his people when you aren't looking. Meanwhile, you are deceived into believing they are believers! Thank God, you have angels working on your behalf to protect you and your family! If you haven't asked God for divine protection lately, you better!
This is why we must,
"Trust in the LORD with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him,
and he will make your paths straight." -- Proverbs 3:5-6
If you are a believer, you can identify with the presence of the evil one, but you remain unaffected by him when it comes to your belief system for you know who you are in Christ. My fellow believer, you are going to continue to love your Creator until the day you die! Yet, those around you who are on the fence, you know the type that loves God today when money is placed in his or her hand, but could do without him tomorrow, when money is taken from he or she, this person is under judgment. He or she is going to have to make good on "Hallelujah" and "Praise God" statements. Mercy is being lifted off many people who we all thought were: "good people," "wonderful" and "kind." There inner circle knows differently!
We tend to equate goodness with how much a person does for us and how nice they treat us; however, God sees the heart. Don't you know you can smile in someone's face while holding a knife behind your back and the individual in front of you would never suspect that you were out to murder him or her? Well, that's what some of your family members, friends, beloved entertainers, and co-workers are doing with their words and deeds to God and his people when you aren't looking. Meanwhile, you are deceived into believing they are believers! Thank God, you have angels working on your behalf to protect you and your family! If you haven't asked God for divine protection lately, you better!
Read Psalm 91
Wednesday
Poem: Man's Opinion
The world was created long before man
but he has an opinion on everything
doesn't he?
Weak in mind, body and spirit
denies a creator
doesn't believe in the Bible
don't like ministers
won't give to a church
always got an opinion on everything.
He shuts others out
won't let them speak
loves to argue
tells lies
looks like a fool.
When they don't vote for him
hire him
sex him
praise him
promote him...
He yells,
"Vote or die!"
pushes his way
through crowds
runs over the elderly
steals from the youth
abuses babies.
He needs a dark god
mafia
money
to fight for him!
Weak-minded
double-minded
confused.
He performs
reacts
kicks his feet like a child
to make his meaningless point
defending nothing
to get everything!
His opinion
his thought
his idea
his death!
And the world will still go around
long after him!
Without...
his false light
his brainwashed study
his faulty research
his hyped degree
his blood money
his nasty attitude.
his dumb opinion!
So yes I will pray
yes I will believe in a Creator
yes I will have morals
yes I will take a stand against evil vices
and I won't be controlled
by threats
by manipulation
by mind control
by the dollar!
That's my opinion.
but he has an opinion on everything
doesn't he?
Weak in mind, body and spirit
denies a creator
doesn't believe in the Bible
don't like ministers
won't give to a church
always got an opinion on everything.
He shuts others out
won't let them speak
loves to argue
tells lies
looks like a fool.
When they don't vote for him
hire him
sex him
praise him
promote him...
He yells,
"Vote or die!"
pushes his way
through crowds
runs over the elderly
steals from the youth
abuses babies.
He needs a dark god
mafia
money
to fight for him!
Weak-minded
double-minded
confused.
He performs
reacts
kicks his feet like a child
to make his meaningless point
defending nothing
to get everything!
His opinion
his thought
his idea
his death!
And the world will still go around
long after him!
Without...
his false light
his brainwashed study
his faulty research
his hyped degree
his blood money
his nasty attitude.
his dumb opinion!
So yes I will pray
yes I will believe in a Creator
yes I will have morals
yes I will take a stand against evil vices
and I won't be controlled
by threats
by manipulation
by mind control
by the dollar!
That's my opinion.
How to Deal with Someone or a Group You Don't Like
But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! Matthew 5:44
We have all met people we simply don't like, yet we have to deal with them anyway because of our associations. You may have to see this person on the job, at a family reunion, or when you leave your home every morning. This person is like a thorn in your side. So how does one handle the negative feelings inside every time he or she sees this person or group?
Use Your Faith
If you are one who prays, pray for them. Now we are not talking about the kind of prayers that say, "Dear Lord, move this person out of my neighborhood..." or "I wish this person would disappear off the face of the earth." Those prayers don't do anything but fuel negative feelings. Sometimes these people are put in our path to test our character. If you grew up in an environment where family and friends didn't like a certain race of people, chances are you are being tested every time you encounter that one African American, Caucasian, Mexican, Asian, Italian, or some other race of people on your street, at your workplace, or in your church. Could it be you just don't like those people because of someone's deep hatred that was instilled in you? As much as we would like to say, "I'm not a racist!" God could be showing us different. So pray for peace of mind, a change of heart, and an opportunity to get to know these people before judging them.
Take Advantage of Opportunities
There will be those times when you aren't in a rush to get anywhere and then here comes that person or group you don't like wanting to talk. Rather than, resent their invites or their requests to talk, take a moment to listen. When you hear something you don't agree with, tell them politely. If you find that this person or group is disturbing and they proved why you don't want to be bothered with these people, continue to act distant. No one will blame you for not wanting an additional headache added to your life. The truth is not everyone is a friend and not everyone has our best interest in mind, but at least give the person or group a chance before you judge them.
Sometimes people do end up being great people to hang around when we just give them that one opportunity to prove themselves. We discover unexpected blessings, business partners, life time mates, and more because we gave someone or a group a chance. So be open!
Research
When you know the person's name, the company they represent or organization, then do your research. Sometimes you may not be doing any future business with the person you don't like, but you may find the group they represent phenomenal. There are ways to get around people we don't like to get to the people we do. So find out who the leadership in the area might be or if there are other representatives you can do business.
Appoint an Assistant
Let's say the person you don't like wants to do business with you. Well these days, you don't have to sit down with people. You can set the place and pace of the relationship early on by stating the best way to contact you or even better appoint an assistant who will be handling your phone calls or emails. You can say, "I have an assistant who will be giving you a call back on what we just talked about."
Create Distance
It's usually easier to handle strangers we don't like then family. With strangers, we can just walk by them and don't speak when we know they are nothing but trouble. In addition, we can avoid certain streets, shop at different locations, or move away from those strangers we don't like. However, toxic family members can be challenging even after we have done all the things previously mentioned. One way we can handle family we don't like is by creating distance. Maybe you can't move away from them, but you can stop calling or receiving their messages and tell relatives and mutual friends to stop passing this person's messages to you unless of course there is an emergency.
When you find yourself in a predicament where you don't like a person or group, consider what it is that makes you dislike him or her and/or association. It may not be the person, but their actions or the group they belong to that upsets you. Try to focus on the positive attributes that this person does have and hopefully this will at least help you during the time that you have to be around him or her.
We have all met people we simply don't like, yet we have to deal with them anyway because of our associations. You may have to see this person on the job, at a family reunion, or when you leave your home every morning. This person is like a thorn in your side. So how does one handle the negative feelings inside every time he or she sees this person or group?
Use Your Faith
If you are one who prays, pray for them. Now we are not talking about the kind of prayers that say, "Dear Lord, move this person out of my neighborhood..." or "I wish this person would disappear off the face of the earth." Those prayers don't do anything but fuel negative feelings. Sometimes these people are put in our path to test our character. If you grew up in an environment where family and friends didn't like a certain race of people, chances are you are being tested every time you encounter that one African American, Caucasian, Mexican, Asian, Italian, or some other race of people on your street, at your workplace, or in your church. Could it be you just don't like those people because of someone's deep hatred that was instilled in you? As much as we would like to say, "I'm not a racist!" God could be showing us different. So pray for peace of mind, a change of heart, and an opportunity to get to know these people before judging them.
Take Advantage of Opportunities
There will be those times when you aren't in a rush to get anywhere and then here comes that person or group you don't like wanting to talk. Rather than, resent their invites or their requests to talk, take a moment to listen. When you hear something you don't agree with, tell them politely. If you find that this person or group is disturbing and they proved why you don't want to be bothered with these people, continue to act distant. No one will blame you for not wanting an additional headache added to your life. The truth is not everyone is a friend and not everyone has our best interest in mind, but at least give the person or group a chance before you judge them.
Sometimes people do end up being great people to hang around when we just give them that one opportunity to prove themselves. We discover unexpected blessings, business partners, life time mates, and more because we gave someone or a group a chance. So be open!
Research
When you know the person's name, the company they represent or organization, then do your research. Sometimes you may not be doing any future business with the person you don't like, but you may find the group they represent phenomenal. There are ways to get around people we don't like to get to the people we do. So find out who the leadership in the area might be or if there are other representatives you can do business.
Appoint an Assistant
Let's say the person you don't like wants to do business with you. Well these days, you don't have to sit down with people. You can set the place and pace of the relationship early on by stating the best way to contact you or even better appoint an assistant who will be handling your phone calls or emails. You can say, "I have an assistant who will be giving you a call back on what we just talked about."
Create Distance
It's usually easier to handle strangers we don't like then family. With strangers, we can just walk by them and don't speak when we know they are nothing but trouble. In addition, we can avoid certain streets, shop at different locations, or move away from those strangers we don't like. However, toxic family members can be challenging even after we have done all the things previously mentioned. One way we can handle family we don't like is by creating distance. Maybe you can't move away from them, but you can stop calling or receiving their messages and tell relatives and mutual friends to stop passing this person's messages to you unless of course there is an emergency.
When you find yourself in a predicament where you don't like a person or group, consider what it is that makes you dislike him or her and/or association. It may not be the person, but their actions or the group they belong to that upsets you. Try to focus on the positive attributes that this person does have and hopefully this will at least help you during the time that you have to be around him or her.
Friday
The Pretend Christian: They Say They Love the Lord...
Things haven't changed much since biblical days. There are still sinners, mockers, liars, cheats, hypocrites, blasphemers, adulterers, thieves, and so on walking around in this world. This is enough reason to want to explore spiritual avenues in life to get away from the dark ones. Who wants to carry any of these labels forever?
As a new Christian, one who has recently dedicated his or her life to Christ, you will want to be discerning when it comes to connecting with those who claim to be like-minded. Even Jesus had one amongst his circle that eventually turned on him.
So what should you be looking for when communicating with people who say, "Lord, Lord..." but really act like "the devil, the devil!"
1. Confused or negative reaction when you talk about Jesus.
Some pretenders just don't know how to keep negative expressions off their faces when it comes to talking about Jesus. It is obvious they want no parts of conversations about Jesus when they are looking down at the floor, looking around, interrupting you because they "gotta go," or start angrily defending their actions or in-actions when it comes to doing the things of God.
2. Saying they will pray for you and others, but not really.
Those who are serious believers don't say they will pray and don't. There are ample opportunities for prayer. Some believers will pray as soon as a request is made over the phone, by email or live chat. If you see these born again believers in person, they might take your hands right there on the street corner, in the church during a service, on your job, and even on the bus without shame. However, those that pretend to be believers are busily doing something else while promising to pray, looking for the pastor and/or assistants to pray for you (because the job is just too big for them,) or finding everything else you say more interesting, but your prayer request.
3. Making excuses when it comes to being around Christian believers.
"I don't go to church because I'm not going to be accused of being a hypocrite, my life isn't right." If you haven't heard this excuse yet, you will. When you go to God in prayer, attend church, or sit with Bible-believing Christians, the Word of God doesn't say, "Clean yourself off first before you sit at my table." If you believe that then you are under man's law not God's word. In a metaphorical sense, the church is a spiritual hospital. In my opinion, there are God-appointed doctors and nurses there to care for the spiritually ill, those in recovery, and to educate visitors. I think of the types of people that gathered around Jesus. Those who thought they knew better were the sickest of them all and ultimately wanted Jesus killed.
We must remember that we had problems coming to Christ too when we were in the world. We made excuses so as not to be around, "those Christians." Yet, when we were down and out, we needed those Christians, didn't we? So when anyone (a relative, spouse, friend, co-worker or stranger) makes a statement about not going to church or any event where Christians are present for this reason or that, don't be hard on them. Yet, keep in mind, their "Praise God" and "God Bless you" doesn't give them a license to feel "led" to instruct you in your life, look the other way, this person is a fool.
4. Defends their sin.
No one wants to be called out on something he or she is doing that is contrary to the word of God. There are many things in the scriptures that our society doesn't participate in nowadays, but the foundational truths, those "common sense" statements like in the Book of Proverbs and the instructions of Jesus in the Gospels, cannot be challenged. However, a fool will debate the Bible. He or she will use the Bible to justify sin. They will judge others to validate their wrong-doing. They will also lie and cover-up their questionable behaviors. They will also find faults with your life in order to feel righteous and eventually knock you off your walk with God. Lastly, they will call you and your God names. This is the enemy at work!
When you feel spiritually drained around this person, frequently debate with him or her, or even question your own beliefs when you around this person, distance yourself from him or her. This person is being used by the adversary to get you off track from your walk. Rather, trust in the Lord to lead you out of whatever situation or connection you have with this person (or group.) He or she just isn't serving the Lord no matter what this person says.
Some people have a very long track record walking with God, but somewhere along the way they fall off (usually after the death of someone or something occurs in their life.) Their past records mean nothing if they aren't doing what the Lord wills for them to do today. These people are master deceivers. They are good at covering up how they really feel about God, because they usually have decades of experience acting like Christians (church attendance, outwardly shows of worship, tithing, church service, etc.)
We also must be watchful of other types of deceivers. Some people do pretend to be Christian in order to have sex with a person they find attractive. They will go along with the church invite, the bible study and other opportunities just so they can get close to you. Unfortunately, once they have had sex with you they are on to the next one--you have lost your mystery about you.
There are also those pretenders who only attend church for networking opportunities and others who just want to socialize and get freebies. You will easily see right through these people in time as you draw closer and closer to the Lord and will find yourself praying for them. They obviously are not interested in walking with God no more than a soul-selling musician who wants the riches and fame from the devil without doing anything else for him--its just not going to happen. You have to give up something to get something!
When you made a vow to walk with God, it was permanent. He is not going to forget you or leave you alone. He opened your spiritual eyes and this is why the world looks so much different to you then it once was. So now wherever you turn, you will see the writing on the wall that others who are still walking in darkness can't see, "Trust in me. I love you. I am here for you," says the Lord.
As a new Christian, one who has recently dedicated his or her life to Christ, you will want to be discerning when it comes to connecting with those who claim to be like-minded. Even Jesus had one amongst his circle that eventually turned on him.
So what should you be looking for when communicating with people who say, "Lord, Lord..." but really act like "the devil, the devil!"
1. Confused or negative reaction when you talk about Jesus.
Some pretenders just don't know how to keep negative expressions off their faces when it comes to talking about Jesus. It is obvious they want no parts of conversations about Jesus when they are looking down at the floor, looking around, interrupting you because they "gotta go," or start angrily defending their actions or in-actions when it comes to doing the things of God.
2. Saying they will pray for you and others, but not really.
Those who are serious believers don't say they will pray and don't. There are ample opportunities for prayer. Some believers will pray as soon as a request is made over the phone, by email or live chat. If you see these born again believers in person, they might take your hands right there on the street corner, in the church during a service, on your job, and even on the bus without shame. However, those that pretend to be believers are busily doing something else while promising to pray, looking for the pastor and/or assistants to pray for you (because the job is just too big for them,) or finding everything else you say more interesting, but your prayer request.
3. Making excuses when it comes to being around Christian believers.
"I don't go to church because I'm not going to be accused of being a hypocrite, my life isn't right." If you haven't heard this excuse yet, you will. When you go to God in prayer, attend church, or sit with Bible-believing Christians, the Word of God doesn't say, "Clean yourself off first before you sit at my table." If you believe that then you are under man's law not God's word. In a metaphorical sense, the church is a spiritual hospital. In my opinion, there are God-appointed doctors and nurses there to care for the spiritually ill, those in recovery, and to educate visitors. I think of the types of people that gathered around Jesus. Those who thought they knew better were the sickest of them all and ultimately wanted Jesus killed.
We must remember that we had problems coming to Christ too when we were in the world. We made excuses so as not to be around, "those Christians." Yet, when we were down and out, we needed those Christians, didn't we? So when anyone (a relative, spouse, friend, co-worker or stranger) makes a statement about not going to church or any event where Christians are present for this reason or that, don't be hard on them. Yet, keep in mind, their "Praise God" and "God Bless you" doesn't give them a license to feel "led" to instruct you in your life, look the other way, this person is a fool.
4. Defends their sin.
No one wants to be called out on something he or she is doing that is contrary to the word of God. There are many things in the scriptures that our society doesn't participate in nowadays, but the foundational truths, those "common sense" statements like in the Book of Proverbs and the instructions of Jesus in the Gospels, cannot be challenged. However, a fool will debate the Bible. He or she will use the Bible to justify sin. They will judge others to validate their wrong-doing. They will also lie and cover-up their questionable behaviors. They will also find faults with your life in order to feel righteous and eventually knock you off your walk with God. Lastly, they will call you and your God names. This is the enemy at work!
When you feel spiritually drained around this person, frequently debate with him or her, or even question your own beliefs when you around this person, distance yourself from him or her. This person is being used by the adversary to get you off track from your walk. Rather, trust in the Lord to lead you out of whatever situation or connection you have with this person (or group.) He or she just isn't serving the Lord no matter what this person says.
Some people have a very long track record walking with God, but somewhere along the way they fall off (usually after the death of someone or something occurs in their life.) Their past records mean nothing if they aren't doing what the Lord wills for them to do today. These people are master deceivers. They are good at covering up how they really feel about God, because they usually have decades of experience acting like Christians (church attendance, outwardly shows of worship, tithing, church service, etc.)
We also must be watchful of other types of deceivers. Some people do pretend to be Christian in order to have sex with a person they find attractive. They will go along with the church invite, the bible study and other opportunities just so they can get close to you. Unfortunately, once they have had sex with you they are on to the next one--you have lost your mystery about you.
There are also those pretenders who only attend church for networking opportunities and others who just want to socialize and get freebies. You will easily see right through these people in time as you draw closer and closer to the Lord and will find yourself praying for them. They obviously are not interested in walking with God no more than a soul-selling musician who wants the riches and fame from the devil without doing anything else for him--its just not going to happen. You have to give up something to get something!
When you made a vow to walk with God, it was permanent. He is not going to forget you or leave you alone. He opened your spiritual eyes and this is why the world looks so much different to you then it once was. So now wherever you turn, you will see the writing on the wall that others who are still walking in darkness can't see, "Trust in me. I love you. I am here for you," says the Lord.
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