The Greatest of These is Love

God Morning Friends….

I have many different emotions going on inside my head and heart this morning, leaving me feeling a bit heavy.  This life is not always easy and every day is certainly not promised to us, but with the time that we are blessed to have we need to share our love.  There is so much around us that can bring us down…sickness, heartache, death…the list can go on and on, but we always have the option to love; to embrace each other with kindness, compassion and sincerity.  We need to learn to take nothing for granted and be thankful for each breath that we take. 

Today take the time to tell someone you love them, give a stranger a compliment, call a friend you haven’t talked to in a while or even just send a text message to someone who would have never expected it from you.  Show someone just how much they mean to  you and how much you appreciate them, they may already know it, but the words and actions can do a lot for their heart. 

I realize that certain issues and circumstances in this life can prevent us from being able to be with and reach out to some like we may want to…and while I can understand this first hand, my heart aches to say find a way; take the necessary steps to restore, build up and strengthen those relationships and loves.  I know something’s are out of our control, but many things we are capable of doing something about, in those situations we somehow need to control what we can and allow God to take care of the rest; all the while keeping it all in prayer.

Let’s do our best to spread love and stay committed to sharing it with family, friends and even strangers.  I pray you all have a blessed and wonderful day and a great weekend.  

Not Our Understanding, But His

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 NIV)

We truly may not understand what is going on right now. There are going to be times when we may not know what to do, what to say in certain situations and we may not even be able to see clearly what is right in front of our face. This can cause confusion, frustration, hurt and even anger...making us act in ways that are of no real help.  I'm learning that part of the issue is that when problems arise we act before we think.  We speak while deep in our emotions and are ready to take things into our own hands before we have even thought to pray.

This scripture tells us to trust in The Lord and not to rely on our own understanding; that if we seek Him, He will guide and show us the right path. I believe that part of the problem is we are an instant gratification world.  We've become a “need to know right now “and “have to fix it right away” type of people and more often than not; issues just aren’t worked out that way. When we seek God and His counsel first, He helps us to see clearly. He restores our peace, guides our steps to make the right choices and work the situation out.

It is my prayer for both you and I that we will continually learn to seek God first; allowing Him to bring us out of the overwhelming emotions that cause us to do and say things that we may later regret. I pray that in our submitting to His ways, we grow closer to God and learn to trust Him more; allowing Him to put us on the right paths. Don't act in haste today; take a moment to pull back. Say a prayer asking God to show you the right path to bring back the peace and understanding. Submit your will to His and wait on Him to show you the right way.

Be careful of the voice you choose to believe

Psalm 55:3 (AMP) ³ [And I am distracted] at the noise of the enemy, because of the oppression and threats of the wicked; for they would cast trouble upon me, and in wrath they persecute me.

          The voice of the enemy will have you believing the worst in yourself; it will have you hurt, confused and dismayed. It will remind you of your mistakes and sins; telling you that you aren't worth anything. The voice of the enemy will keep you stuck and seeking the instant gratifications that this world has to offer. It will have you repeating the same vicious cycle trying to fill a void that it was never meant to fill and will NEVER be able to fill.

           The voice of the enemy knows your weaknesses and reminds you of them constantly. It knows your sins and calls you by them daily, trying to keep you running back to them over and over again. It tells you giving in to those weaknesses and sins will make you feel better and even sometimes that others will think more highly of you. The voice of the enemy will keep you stagnant, casting to the wind your dreams and hearts desires. Keeping you stuck chasing the ever elusive worldly plug that will ease the pain and fill your heart.

           The voice of the enemy will have you seeking prestige, power, money and glory from your peers.  While sometimes making you happy and feeling successful, but these things can parish and be ripped away at the blink of an eye.  It will have you seeking these things, often times at any cost; turning you into an "out for number one", selfish type of person. Teaching you treacherous back door ways while producing hate and even human revenge. This voice can lead you to death.


Philippians 4:13 (AMP) ¹³ I have strength for all things in Christ Who empowers me [I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him Who infuses inner strength into me; I am self-sufficient in Christ’s sufficiency].

           The voice of truth will help you see the good in you. It quiets the confusion and heals the hurt. While knowing your past mistakes and sins, the voice of truth will cast them to the past and show you they do not determine who and what you are. It can and will fill that void that we too often feel in our hearts for unconditional love and acceptance. The voice of truth always reminds you that you're not alone.

           The voice of truth knows your weakness and shows you that you're bigger than them. It knows your sins, but chooses to call you by your name; showing you that you're not that sin and you can rise above it. The voice of truth promises you a future of victory and will show you the pathway to your dreams. It opens your eyes to see that you can have that peace and fill that void that seems to overwhelm you. The voice of truth shows you how to live a good life, remaining humble and not consumed with the things of this world. It will remind your heart of the things that are true and eternal, helping you to remain true and faithful to all that is good. The voice of truth will teach you love, compassion and forgiveness; not only as things we can give, but also can receive.  This voice will lead you to life!

The voice of the enemy has quite a few names; devil, satan, friend and even family. That voice is always fickle and will change on you at the drop of a hat. BUT…the voice of truth has many names; counselor, prince of peace, comforter, healer, provider, way maker, Savior, Jesus...GOD!! Each name standing true and strong to its form; constant, faithful and will never...EVER change. These voices can lead you on two completely different paths and honestly, at times, each can seem both compelling and intriguing; but the difference between them is life and death.  Which voice will you choose?