Being Alone - Devotional

Many of us are alone.  In our thoughts, in our homes, in our marriages and even in our very own families.  Some call it being "isolated" or even being "anti social."  I call it being smart especially when you're dealing with drama type people.  

Now before I go any further let's think about this:

Noah built the ark and voyaged alone. His neighbors laughed at his strangeness and perished in style.
Abraham wandered and worshiped alone. 

Sodomites smiled at the simple shepherd, followed the fashion, and fed the flames.
Daniel dined and prayed alone.
Elijah sacrificed and witnessed alone.
Jeremiah prophesied and wept alone.
Jesus loved and died alone."

Why did their faith require them to go it alone?  Because the general rule of most people in this world is that they'd rather not.  Most folks would rather not stand alone.  In fact, they'd just as soon "leave well enough...alone".  They'd rather not rock the boat.  They'd rather not be seen as judgmental.  They'd rather just "live and let live."   But belonging to Christ sometimes requires us to go against the grain.  It sometimes calls us to call sin, sin.  It sometimes requires us to stand up for God's truth even when others tell us to sit down and shut up.

I don't think being alone today is traumatizing as our mind wants us to believe.  If these bible people can be alone and still have the peace of God, I say, "sign me up."  They may have wept or even died alone, but the truth is they are more alive and surrounded by God and His heavenly angels.  They are with Him, God, which is where I want to be eventually.   Whatever I may endure on earth will not far cedes the final outcome.  I know that I am really never alone.  God says, "I will never LEAVE you nor forsaken you."  So why would I say I am alone when I have my very own guardian?  We say we are alone because we don't know Christ for ourselves.  We expect people, places and things to validate us.  Have you ever vacationed alone?  What about on a date with yourself, alone?  

My husband and I got together when I was 20 years old and I never wanted to be alone.  I learned that in order for others to deal with me, I should be able to deal with myself.....alone!  What better way to get to know yourself?  I had to be divorced from my husband, only to be reunited again in marriage, just so I can learn how to properly love and know me.  It sound crazy huh?  I learned how to spend quality time with me which taught me my self worth.  What I allowed others to do to me then seems like decades ago.  I wish someone would try to take advantage of my worth today.....I'm just saying!  Its war baby!  lol  God didn't make no junk or no punk.  ;-)

Its all about you!  We take for granted each other.  If we didn't marriages wouldn't break up, families wouldn't argue and people would have the same people as their friends.  Yeah God said that its not good for man to be alone and that he will make him a help mate.  However I don't think he meant we can be alone to improve our self worth.  Being alone means that we should be able to be alone with God.  We should talk to Him, lean on Him, listening to His still small voice while waiting on His direction for your life.  Being alone  means to have much peace and keeping all the everyday hustle and bustle of drama out of your mind.  People take for granted the thought of being alone.  They think you must share your bed with someone, your every available time with their spouse, kids, work or even friends.   Stop smothering them and smothering God for once.  Give it a try!  I promise you will love His attention.  Isn't it funny how people want the comforts of people in their life only to want their "space"?  Bottom line we want what we want when we want it.  If we feel like being bothered, so be it but if we want to be alone we are in our zone.  

Being alone isn't a bad thing if you are using the alone time for good.  Such as getting closer to God or taking time to improve your mental or physical being.  The next time you are alone, think of God checking in on all the people, animals, plants (people, place and things) that are worshiping Him even as we speak.  Ask yourself, is God alone?  If you say yes, then keep Him company.  If you say no, he has the whole universe and that he doesn't need you.  You may be right!  However, chances are you need him!  Proverbs 18:1 "Whoever isolates himself seeks his own desire; he breaks out against all sound judgment."  In other words, If we would get knowledge and grace, we must try all methods of improving ourselves.

Being alone can be good when used for good.  Being alone can be depressing along with a long list of things when we fail to know Christ.  When we don't know him and are alone temptations are harder to resist. If all the people mentioned earlier can be alone, why do we think we can't be alone with God?  Matthew 4:4 states, "But he answered, “It is written, “‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” The reason why Jesus said this was because he was fasting for 40 days and was being tempted by the devil.  Jesus was in wilderness not to sight see, and not to eat but to spend time ALONE with God.

Why do we depend so much on others for our joy and happiness?  Something to think about as we are preparing for the season of giving.  Instead of giving out gifts, give the best gift of all by spending some alone time with God!  Talk to Him and let Him use you.  Let Him create in you a right mind and a right spirit!

Sincerely, 

To purchase the black art pictures please visit http://www.blackartdepot.com (click on "The black art Jesus collection.")

New neighbors

As a child I never knew what it meant to be healthy.  This is normal for me.  I have overcome so many obstacles in my path that I look back and smile while thanking God for the many opportunities he has bestowed upon my life.  I am in awe each day for His loving grace.

For the last few weeks, I have been fighting a battle.  My faith has been tested, my health is shaken and after that, I finally realized that I AM human.  Many of us who are believers of Christ forget that we are indeed born into a human state of mind and of a sinful world. 

As I left my doctors appointment, I thought about the bad news I received.  How I am now going to have to bear telling my husband and love ones yet another issue? Then I realized how God must feels when Jesus, His Son, witnessed time after time about serving Him and many who failed to receive the message.  The heart is heavy but the outcome is the choice that He gives to us to make.  That's where I am at this moment.  My heart is very heavy, my outcome is the choice I will make because it's the freedom God has given us.  Will I take more treatments?  Will I allow the doctors to start radiation on me and pump me with more medication?  It is all a choice.  Love, life, careers friends, family whatever crosses our path is a choice and an outcome.  (Now don't take what I am saying and getting all religious on me.  These are my thoughts as I had earlier after receiving some devastating news concerning me.)

So as my new neighbors take house in my body I hope its ready for the ride of its life.  While you're in my brain, make sure you tap into the Word of God that is stored in and between the brain cells.  See how my heart races everytime I sing of His praises.  Watch how my blood rushes throughout my body when the Holy Spirit moves within.  Be sure to pay attention to the healing affects that will take place in 5...4...3....2....1  NOW!  

When we choice wisely the outcome is so much greater than those who choose selfishly.  So as I lay upon the altar of God to lay my burdens, I choose to live!  Live in life and to live eternally.  

Whatever God's will is for me, so let it be.  I will enjoy every moment of my earthly life and I will rejoice to the very end.  My neighborhood is still good!!!

Sincerely,

It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood.

"It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood" as Mr. Rogers use to say in the opening of his show.  I say it for an entirely different reason.  I live in an area where God lives.  He lives in my home, in my car, on my job, when I am out and about.  Where ever I go, I take God with me.  My neighborhood is filled with peace, joy, love, comfort and many more things that God provides.  When my days are short, He makes it long, when its cloudy, He brings out the sunshine.  Why?  It is not because I've done anything special or have been so good but because of His grace and mercy.  

I always wave to anyone walking or driving by in my neighborhood.  I think it is a way not only of saying "hello" but as a way of saying, "I see you."  There is one particular person who never speaks back to me.  It's alright.  I wave anyway and keep on moving.  I always replay the scripture, "If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, "Love your neighbor as yourself," you are doing right." (NIV James 2:8) and "Love does no harm to its neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law." (Romans 13:10 NIV)  In other words, I will love others as God loves me and I will treat people how I would want to be treated no matter how rotten they may treat me.  I won't be no fool but I will love and pray for them and me.  I'm just saying.  

Many people living in a rough neighborhood & have a reason to not like anything about it.  Some choose to move to richer areas and lose so much more.  While some are content with the regular style of an traditional man made ideal of a neighborhood.  You know, the white picket fence, big yard with an two car garage.  A lot of people never get that dream and feel like they are living in hell.  Some people work in and feel like their neighbor is an coworker from satan himself but yet say they are a child of God.  How?  Remember...."love your neighbor as yourself"?  It is very easy to forget the Word of God when you are caught up in the details of everyday life.   Yes!  People will get on your nerves.  Yes!  You will be tested.  Yes!  You may have to repent.  Just don't give up and never let go of God's hand.

 

So as we begin another week, day or step into another hour, let us be reminded that the neighborhood you live in doesn't have to be your final home.  After all, your home (You) is what you make of it.

Sincerely,

I'm Just Saying! Spirtual Weeds Killers

Have you ever consider yourself gardener?  I use to believe I was a great one.  Years ago I planted a garden and would do varies yard work such as cutting the grass, trimming the edges, thinking I could hang with the best of them.  Then my focus would begin to be distracted with other tasks such as computers, my car, kids, etc.  The lack of effort was quickly seen before my eyes.  My once gorgeous garden was now over taken with smothering weeds, dying flowers and shrubs.  Fixing it was not an option for me because it required too much attention and time.  I would hire someone to come clean up my mess because it was easier.  

As I looked over my yard, I thought how my spiritual life can be like my garden.  If I applied the same method of wanting it, only to forget it or not put in the time and energy to nurture it, my spirit would be overtaken with weeds, shrubs and even death.  I must continue to water it and feed it in order for the garden (my spirit) to grow.  Otherwise it will suffocate.  This is what happens to our faith when we fail to protect Gods word in our inner being.  God provided what we need in scriptures in order for us to deal with spiritual "weeds" .  You see it is written that, "faith, goodness, perseverance, godliness and love blend to protect our spiritual health and well being."  

Whenever I visit Waffle House I order their hash browns smothered, covered, chunked and diced with extra cheese.  Although it taste good all that smothering and covering is surely not good for my cholesterol.  Same thing with the spirit.  Sin may feel good but it is designed to kill the godliness in you.  What am I saying......say in the Word of God, pray, fast, attend church (a bible based church) and allow God to clean out the weeds, the shrubs, and dying flowers (sin) so that you can bloom shinning for the world to see a new brighter you.

Sincerely, 

I'm Just Saying! Should Christians Rejoice in the death of Osama?

As I watched television last night, (Celebrity Apprentice, not because of Trump, but to see Ne Ne and Star.) a news bulletin interrupted the best part, the firing!   When I saw the words, OSAMA BIN LADEN DEAD" I sat straight up in my bed.  The media announced that President Obama was to address the nation on Osama's death.  Wow!  I thought!  What a way to stick it to Donald Trump for all the trash talking he's done to our President.  (Glad to know someone close to me thought the same thing!)

I watched the television and saw the reaction of the people at ground zero cheering, celebrating that this man is dead.  I couldn't help but feel uneasy about his demise.  As a Godly woman, I have to look at this from all sides and go before God to make sure my feelings are in check.  He says in his Word, "Don’t rejoice when your enemies fall; don’t be happy when they stumble. For the Lord will be displeased with u & will turn his anger away from them." - Proverbs 24:17-18.  Rejoicing was not option!  I felt bad because Bin Laden has made it clear what his position is and who he worships.  He turned his back on the very God most of us serve.  My soul was uneasy because my mind says he never got it right with God, but who knows, God has a way turning things around when we can't.  Bottom line, I don't know nor can I assume.  I pray!  That is all one can do in this situation.  

Imagine if we, as Christians, take this very stand in what we believe, think how pleasing it would be to God.  When we know that we know what we know about our Heavenly Father, nothing and no one can move us.  Osama believed and lived in what he thought was the truth.  He didn't mind killing innocent people, hurting anyone who got in his way just because his god said to do so.  My God is not about killing, hate, manipulation.  So I ask you, should we rejoice in the death of Osama?  NO!  Do you remember the saying, if you dig a grave for someone, dig two.  One for them and one for you!  Many can say that is exactly what Osama has done!  I say instead of practicing hate and murder, how about we practice what God wants for us.  He wants us to love one another because GOD IS LOVE!  Loving one another means even when your are persecuted, ridicule, stepped on and abused sometimes even in death.  Love!  God loved and forgave some of the very people who killed his son, Jesus Christ.  Why because they believed and repented!

Imagine how God feels.....he loves everyone one of us and even those who don't believe.  Yet he has been mistreated beyond what our eyes and hearts can see and feel.  To know that he actually loved a man who hated his people, killed his people, turned millions even trillion of people away from God is something to think about.  Why should we rejoice in the death of Osama Bin Laden?  WE SHOULDN'T!!!  This is not over!!  We need to see things for what they really are.  Rejoicing in this man's death will only bring more death.  Just as my heart goes out to those who died on 9/11, my heart goes out to his family as well.  They are people just like you and me.  The only difference is their belief, country and culture.  I pray God protects each of us because we will see some hard times ahead of us.  Things we as Americans have never experienced!  Please be careful what you are promoting and demonstrating because you could very well be in a similar or worse scenario.  Just because you are not like based on your country, skin, religion or greed doesn't justify rejoicing in someone's demise.  I'm Just Saying!

Sincerely, 

Maundy Thursday

*What is Maundy Thursday?

Maundy Thursday, also known as “Holy Thursday” is the Thursday of Passion Week, one day before Good Friday (the Thursday before Easter). Maundy Thursday is the name given to the day on which Jesus celebrated the Passover with His disciples, known as the Last Supper. Two important events are the focus of Maundy Thursday.
 

First, Jesus celebrated the Last Supper with His disciples and thereby instituted the Lord’s Supper, also called Communion (Luke 22:19-20). Some Christian churches observe a special Communion service on Maundy Thursday in memory of Jesus’ Last Supper with His disciples. Second, Jesus washed the disciples’ feet as an act of humility and service, thereby setting an example that we should love and serve one another in humility (John 13:3-17). Some Christian churches observe a foot-washing ceremony on Maundy Thursday to commemorate Jesus’ washing the feet of the disciples.

The word “Maundy” is derived from the Latin word for “command.” The “Maundy” in Maundy Thursday refers to the command Jesus gave to the disciples at the Last Supper, that they should love and serve one another. Should we observe Maundy Thursday? The Bible neither commands nor forbids it. It is a good thing to remember the Last Supper and Jesus’ sacrifice on our behalf. It is a good thing to remember the Lord’s example of humility. However, at the same time, we should avoid ritualistic observances of holidays unless they are truly focused on God and our relationship with Him. * taken from http://www.gotquestions.org/Maundy-Thursday.html

I remember as a child visiting my grandmother's church where we had to wash one another feet.  Can you imagine a teenager washing the feet of toes made like pigs feet but toes like a person who never wear shoes, ever?  I cried through the entire feet washing.  I had refused but you can't tell Phyllis Ann, my grandmother that you weren't going to do something because that meant you wanted to meet Jesus, a lot sooner.  

It wasn't until I knew God for myself that I was able to appreciate the value of washing someone's feet.  Would I do it today......probably not (I'm Just Saying! you wouldn't either truth be told)!  I believe we can show our acts of being "good towards one another" with many other gestures than washing somebody's dogs (feet).  Such as praying for them, helping them with chores, groceries etc. running errands.  Either way I am a firm believer that God knows our heart.  He knows me!  Which means He knows I am not for touching other people feet, toes, body etc.  Jesus knows I am not wrap too tight and that I am still a work in progress.  

So as you may or may not prepare for today's Maundy services let us be reminded of the woman who washed Jesus feet with her expensive perfume.  She used one of the most valuable item she had to show her love to him.  Show your love today by giving something valuable to God.  Let Him know that His sacrifice of His son wasn't all in vain.  After all, we do owe God!!  I'm Just Saying!

  

and that's,

No Matter What.........

"Our giving is no longer a debt that we owe, but a seed that we sow."

"The great tragedy of life is not unanswered prayer, but unoffered prayer."

"Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you." Luke 6:38

Devotional Reading
Old Testament - Deuteronomy Chapter 27(ALL) and Chapter 28:68, Psalm 39:12-13, Proverbs 13:7, 8
New Testament - Luke 6:27-49

As I thought about the good times and all the ups and down life has thrown my way, I realized I have so much to be thankful for. I survived my father not being there, my mother and the drugs she use to be on, the difference my family made between my sister and I, being sick all my life, rape, molestation and the many knives that was placed in my back and much more. I also survived all the mess I took innocent people through and the hurt I purposely gave to those who brought harm my way. Until I realize GOD for the truthfulness and loveliness he provides and provided all my life. Even in the midst of my wrong doing, I had someone, something to call my own whether I realized it or not. God giving his son for little ole me is enough to bring tears to my eyes. No person alive or dead can show me that much love, maybe a pinch but there is None Greater than the love of God.

I write all that to say.......No matter what you are faced with, death of a loved, job loss, financial burden, lack of wants/needs, uncertainty don't let the devil in hell steal the one good thing you have. Your PRAISE!!! God is waiting for you to clap your hands in his honor, sing with joy, shout in His name giving him the highest praise, HALLELUJAH!!!!!

If you want God to move, you must first move. You can not make a plug, plug itself into the outlet. God don't need you, it is the other way around. When His day is not right, he don't come looking for you. When your day isn't right or something happen you are calling on him! No matter what, STOP taking God for granted and learn to love and appreciate him NOW! No matter what, love yourself and then love your neighbors! No matter what, help those less fortunate and bless those who don't need it. Let me explain, when you help those less fortunate we do the work required by God; but when we bless those who is already blessed their blessings bestowed upon them is now also on you. The key to life is blessing! No matter what, be a blessing to someone!!!!

God Bless and I pray I have Blessed someone whose reading this.
Cheryl aka Forealdoh (4 Real Doh) :)