Are U Up for the Challenge?

The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. Galatians 5:19‭-‬21 NIV https://bible.com/bible/111/gal.5.19-21.NIV

Electronics like computers and cell phones have done so much for us in such a short amount of time. They help us to keep in contact with old and new friends, manage our money and purchase items, not to mention expanding our knowledge, also finding our direction when we’re lost. In the same token, however, this technology can be very intoxicating and addicting. A lot of us get wrapped up in drama and hatred from all over the place. It takes time away from our families playing games and socializing with others. Take me for instance, I love playing games on my phone in the morning while I drink my coffee. I justify it by telling myself that no one is awake yet because I get up so early. However, the times that I am on my phone playing worthless video games and looking up things to purchase, I could be spending it with God. In our Bible study yesterday we were talking about training ourselves to be walking with God and not with Satan. Satan will throw things the way that we enjoy doing but that can lead to sinful behavior. It’s okay to talk to your friends online. What does that conversation look like? Is it positive chatter lifting up a friend and encouraging them, or is it damning? Are we gossiping about others and quite possibly damaging a new relationship? Electronics can be used for good and I’m hoping by this message it will do just that. If we have idols in our life that take away from our joy happiness and walk with God is it worth it? Can we take a couple of minutes at first out of that electronic time and spend with God, and break the bad habit and cycle? Let’s pray! Dear heavenly father thank you so much for this beautiful day. Lord, please forgive us for any of our sins and trespasses known and unknown. We want to keep our eyes connected to you and walking your path. We don’t want anything to divert us from your primary purpose for us. Please help to keep our eyes on you that way we don’t fall into the snare of the devil. In Jesus precious name, Amen!!!

““Worthy are You, our Lord and God, to receive the glory and the honor and the power; for You created all things, and because of Your will they exist, and were created and brought into being.””
‭‭Revelation‬ ‭4:11‬ ‭AMP‬‬
https://www.bible.com/1588/rev.4.11.amp

”HOLY, HOLY, HOLY [is the] LORD GOD, THE ALMIGHTY [the Omnipotent, the Ruler of all], WHO WAS AND WHO IS AND WHO IS TO COME [the unchanging, eternal God].”
‭‭Revelation‬ ‭4:8‬ B. AMP‬‬
https://www.bible.com/1588/rev.4.8.amp

Did you read the good news!

We are not crushed, not driven to despair, never abandoned by God. We are not destroyed!

Don’t focus on things that are happening below the sun. Lookup above the sun for the blessings from God. That is the joy of life knowing that God will never abandon us.

Amen🙏

“He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless. Even youths will become weak and tired, and young men will fall in exhaustion. But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.”
‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭40:29-31‬ ‭NLT‬‬
https://www.bible.com/116/isa.40.29-31.nlt

I wish with all my heart and soul that I could be like Jesus! In all the books of the Bible, Jesus was understanding, loving, a great leader and teacher. Throughout my younger years hopping from one job to the next trying to figure out what job best suited me I learned a lot. Many of my bosses were very nice and helpful, explaining the process as you went along. They took the time out to teach you the right way to do things because they had a lot of pride in their work and they wanted me to be safe. They genuinely cared about you and the company they had built. I also had bosses that would cuss at you, belittle you in front of others. They would expect you to be a mind reader without taking those crucial minutes that it takes to teach and guide to mold you into a great worker. Over the past 5 years, God has really shown me how to be a better teacher. I was one of those bad bosses that wouldn’t take the time out to teach. I was quick to anger and point the finger of blame when you did something wrong. This last year I’ve had the pleasure of working with a young man who is thirsty to learn and a hard yet smart worker. The first job we worked on together where I was the teacher was on a very steep roof! Roofing can be very dangerous, not only do you have to watch your footing with the many trip hazards that can make you look like superman for at least 10 seconds before you hit the ground, but also the use of tools. it was a long and grueling job especially in the heat but God got us through it with his hedge of protection. I was concerned for his safety and wanted to make sure that he would not have an accidental injury on my watch. So step by step I shared my knowledge with him and the job came out nicely. The next job was a fence job. I wanted him to get a better feel for the saw and nail gun in case I needed to leave the job in search of supplies. I could see the frustrating look in his eyes and actions in times where he miscut or nailed crookedly. Cuss words would come out and wanted to throw my saw lol. I knew that look and frustration because I had that sooooo many times before. I have had that look not only at work but while I’m following God. We all want to please our heavenly Father and feel like we let him down but he just picks us up, dusts us off, holds us for a minute, and reminds us how much he loves us. We had completed the fence job and he was so amazed at what we had built! The look on his face at a finished product was very confident but his words touched my heart. He had turned to me and said that he never thought he would know how to roof a house or build such an awesome fence! He thanked me for taking the time to not only show him but have him physically do all these things. I thank God that he can see God through me because that’s how I see Jesus in every part of the bible. Do people see Jesus through your love and actions? If not then ask God to help you be more like him. You will be surprised at how he shows you and others. 1 John 2:6 whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked. 1 Corinthians 11:1 Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.

“Don’t fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God’s wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It’s wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life.

Summing it all up, friends, I’d say you’ll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse. Put into practice what you learned from me, what you heard and saw and realized. Do that, and God, who makes everything work together, will work you into his most excellent harmonies.”
‭‭Philippians‬ ‭4:6-9‬ ‭MSG‬‬
https://www.bible.com/97/php.4.6-9.msg

I have to admit I have been watching the news way too much since the pandemic, black lives matter, and the Presidential election. All it does is create anxiety, sadness, worry, and fear in me. Paul said, don’t fret or worry, instead of worrying, pray. It definitely works!

“After this manner, therefore, pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭6:9-13‬ ‭KJV‬‬
https://www.bible.com/1/mat.6.9-13.kjv

“All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us.”
‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭1:3-4‬ ‭NLT‬‬
https://www.bible.com/116/2co.1.3-4.nlt