4GIVEN

No matter what your family, friends, frenemies, and enemies say about you, never underestimate your place on this planet. You were born in purpose, for purpose, and with purpose by the Creator of everything! Khalil Gibran said, “If the grandfather of the grandfather of Jesus had known what was hidden within him, he would have stood humble and awe-struck before his soul.” Remember, Abinadab went second them Shimea and the others flowed. But to both Samuel and Jesse’s (and, no doubt David’s) surprise Eliab (the first) was not God’s man of the hour. God chose David because David was purposed to be the one anointed before the beginning of time. Yes, he is linked to the lineage of Jesus Christ and so are you! To my fellow jars of clay remember you too can stand humble & awe-struck because of the treasure,power, & purpose that lives in you! (2 Cor 4:7)

So why is developing Godly character so difficult? Well, Helen Keller hit the nail on the head when she said, “Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, ambition inspired, and success achieved.” Paul backed her up in Romans 5:3-4 when he said, “We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment.” So today know that God loves us, He is aware of every problem, trial, and circumstance. We too can rejoice in knowing that our victory is already won and that our hope in God builds Godly character!

  Why is it so difficult to live in peace and why is it so hard to find contentment? Eric Hoffer said, “The hardest arithmetic to master is that which enables us to count our blessings.” The bible tells us to, “Be cheerful no matter what; pray all the time; thank God no matter what happens. This is the way God wants you who belong to Christ Jesus to live.” (1Thess 5:16-18) Perhaps, counting our blessings and living in peace is so difficult because it’s easier to be mad, frustrated, and angry. In most cases, our disposition about our lives are skewed because we lack understanding. Helen Keller said, “I don’t want peace that passeth understanding. I want understanding which bringeth peace.” So today remember no matter what means no matter what! Understand that you are not the boss of you, God is the Boss and He is in control of your peace, blessings, and contentment. 

My 13 Y.O. son, Phoenex  wrote and posted this on his IG acct. 

#powerful

#grateful

#LookAtGod

Pride, what is it? Simple answer; it is an infection of the mind, a prosperity killer, and a vessel for destruction. Most will quote the first part to Proverbs 16:8, “Pride comes before destruction” but look at the second part to this verse, “and an arrogant [haughty] attitude precedes a fall.” Saint Augustine said, “It was pride that changed angels into devils; it is humility that makes men as angels.” Yes, God will increase those who are humble and will  decrease those who are infected with pride. I have been fighting this infectious disease for years and the battle has not been completely won but it ain’t over.  So what’s cure for this infectious disease? There’s only One…..Jesus is the cure…He is the remedy! 

#humbled 

Diffusers work by breaking down the essential oil into micro molecules then projecting them into the air to fill a room or work space. As the oils break down they release natural ozone and freshens and improves the air quality. When we are submerged in God’s anointed oil, His fragrance is able to captivated a football stadium even with the top open. According to 2 Cor 2:15, “Our lives are a Christ-like fragrance rising up to God.” Joyce Meyers said, “If you want to live in the fullness of God’s anointing, fill your mouth with His word.” God has called us to be “Christian Diffusers”. His love [anointing] that is being broken down in us should project from us in such a way that it improves the quality of air around us, enabling every Christian to be the salt and light of the world.

Your name may not be engraved in one of the 2,500 five-pointed terrazzo and brass stars embedded in the sidewalks on Vine Street in Hollywood, Ca. Your name may not be printed in the Guinness Book of World Records nor on statues, plaques, or trophies. However, your name is written in the Lamb’s book of Life!  Jesus said, “I know. I saw Satan fall, a bolt of lightning out of the sky. See what I’ve given you? Safe passage as you walk on snakes and scorpions, and protection from every assault of the Enemy. No one can put a hand on you. All the same, the great triumph is not in your authority over evil, but in God’s authority over you and presence with you. Not what you do for God but what God does for you—[so] rejoice because your names are written in heaven.”(Luke 10:18-20)

What tries our faith reveals our degree of faith. The good news is when our faith is tested we are being perfected. One of my favorite verse in life….in fact, I consider it a life verse comes out of James 1:2-4, “Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors. So don’t try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way.” So today remember what Paul said in Romans 8:18,”Yet what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory He will reveal to [in & through] us later.”

The flip side of revenge is forgiveness! Forgiving someone who offended you doesn’t mean you forget what was done rather it means you surrender your right to continually dwell on the offense. Dr. King said, “We must develop and maintain the capacity to forgive. He who is devoid of the power to forgive is devoid of the power to love. There is some good in the worst of us and some evil in the best of us. When we discover this, we are less prone to hate our enemies.”  So today, if you are harboring past hurts ask God to give you the courage and strength to release that dead weight (s) because hating them is actually killing you!

Psst….I wanted to remind you that if God allow ‘it’, He will also see that you get through ‘it’…victoriously!  So don’t think for a moment that a  part-time problem can consume a full-time God! There ain’t not LAG in our God’s SWAG💯👏🙌❗️

*#LookAtGod