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Father, they know not what they do!

"Father,  forgive them for they know not what they do." Luke 23:34a

Good morning! Last week in Bible study I had to lead the group based on the above scripture. I felt lead to share with you guys what I shared with our group. There are some walking around stuck in a place that seems like they've been there forever. Simply because they made a mistake. And that mistake brought negative consequences. They can't seem to forgive themselves. So here is what I shared with our Bible study group last week.

Even though the end of the scripture references the throwing of dice for Jesus clothing, I don't believe this is what he was referring to when spoke those words. I don't think he was talking about them mocking him. I believe Jesus was asking our Father to forgive the world of our sins. To forgive those who hung him on the cross. To forgive those who pierced his side. To forgive those who whipped him brutally. He said these words because he was there on the cross to fulfill the master plan of God to save Humanity. He was offering himself to God on behalf of the inquities of the world. And because the Bible tells us, that he who knew no sin, became sin for us that we might become the righteousness of God in him. Jesus was asking for the forgiveness of our sins, bringing us into the righteousness of God, our Father. We all know that humanity was separated from God because Adam sinned. But understand this, God had a plan! And that plan was Jesus.

Scripture tells us that if we confess our sins unto God he will forgive us. Jesus died for our sins. He paid the cost for our sins. Therefore, there is absolutely no reason for us not to forgive ourselves. 

Glory to God! I pray that you have an amazing week!

Valerie

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One Change That Will Never Happen

Welcome to a new week of refreshing! It would be a very sad thing if we are not using this time to refresh. There are many areas of our lives that needs reviving. We could use a refeshing in our spirit to remind us of the "confident hope" we have in Jesus!

As I sit here writing this post, I can only imagine how some of you are feeling. It has gotten totally crazy and not just in the world but this togetherness may be causing fricitions in your home. For some, this may be your first time working from home. You are probably starting to have withdrawal from the office...lol. But seriously, there are so many distractions; from fighting the temptation to do housework or fighting with the kids to be quiet and complete their school work to playing catch up with your family. Life as we know it has changed drastically. Temporarily? Will things go back to normal? I would hope not!

But let me tell you, there is one change that will never happen. And that change is the "confident hope we have through the Holy Spirit. God says in Romans 12:2, that we should rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying. Yes, trouble may come but it will not stay. If Jesus is the Source of our hope, through His Spirit God will fill us with complete joy and peace. God says, then we will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit (Romans 15:13). We can keep trusting God to see us through any storm. Our hope is also knowing that during trials our endurance develops strength of character, character strengthens our confident hope in salvation (Romans 5:14). And Jesus is our salvation!

So, as we prepare to come to an end of the storm, (I'm speaking it), I HOPE you continue to trust God in everything! Have an amazing week!

Love, peace & joy! 

Valerie

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Scripture References

Something to be Glad About

Welcome to a new week! There's a lot of negative energy floating in the air. I think it's a result of all the ugly things that has taken place globally, nationally and locally in some places. You would think there's not a whole lot to be glad about. Oh but I'm here to give you some good news! If you are a believer of Jesus Christ, then you definitely have a reason to "Be glad about it!

Let me just lay it all out in the form of scripture. "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you.” -Acts 1:8a NLT

This is the same Spirit That Came Upon Mary and she became with child. Jesus gave the same powerful gift to each of us who believes that by the spirit He taught God's way. And by the same Spirit He died and rose again. So you see, you do have something to be glad about; the Holy Spirit resides in you. 

And another thing, it is by the same Spirit that we are identified as belonging to Jesus. "And he has identified us as his own by placing the Holy Spirit in our hearts as the first installment that guarantees everything he has promised us." -2 Corinthians 1:22 NLT

Now, that's truly something to be glad about! Hallelujah for the Holy Spirit! 

Praying is as Easy as Breathing

Good morning my YST family! I pray that you had an awesome weekend and are ready to tackle another week!

I want to talk about prayer for a moment. Let me be the first to say I used to be afraid to pray out loud. I felt that I didn't know how to pray. I didn't know what to say. I've heard so many Pastors and Preachers pray that I was scared I would not pray like they do. Then someone told me that praying is having a conversation with God. It is as easy as breathing. Did this easiness happen for me overnight? No, it did not. As a matter of fact, I would simply pray and ask God for things I wanted and needed. Now that was easy! There was nothing hard about telling the Lord about the material things I wanted or situations I needed to get out of. God wants us to pray. He wants us praying simply, directly and truthfully as ourselves and not pray like anyone else.

You can pray while you are driving, cooking, cleaning or quietly in your room behind closed doors. There are no special words, dress code, ritual or posture when praying. You don't even have to close your eyes if you don't want to. No one said you had to do any of these things to offer up prayer unto God. Just be yourself, open your mouth wherever you are and talk to God about whatever is on your heart. Praying is as easy as breathing. Give it a try, right now!

Let’s pray together:

Father God, thank you for the special and awesome way that you created me. Please help me to pray simply: to get rid of complications from my prayer life, to shut the door to all distractions and to freely talk with you. In Jesus name. Amen


Now, go and have an amazing day!

Valerie 

Promoted by God

Good day World!! It's a new week and I'm so grateful to be here! Smile.

Some of us have been on our job for an extended period of time. We have been in the same position, doing the same functions and but have yet to be promoted. We applied for the new position but was overlooked once again. Of course, we are a bit emotional, (heck may have even cried about it, like I did) that the promotion was given to someone else. We can start to feel inadequate, unwanted, unneeded, unappreciated or undervalued. But I need for you to get this, God wants you, needs you, appreciates you and values you more than anything else in this world.

The One who created you knows what your gifts and talents are since He is the giver of them. He knows what, where and how you are to use them for the furtherance of His kingdom. He is the One who does the promoting and the exalting for He is the only Judge. God has put you in position to mature in your gifts, skills and talents. You are gaining the knowledge and experience you will need when HE GETS READY TO PROMOTE YOU! Jesus said in Matthew 19:30, "But many who are the greatest now will be least important then, and those who seem least important now will be the greatest then." So, don't let your emotions get the best of you.

But how do you deal with being overlooked for promotion? You simply direct the negative emotions toward the One who cares deeply for you. Don't get anger, upset or mad about someone else being chosen over you. Seek the direction, protection and guidance of the Holy Spirit and watch how you will be promoted by God!

The authority to reward someone does not come from the east, from the west, or even from the wilderness. God alone is the judge. He punishes one person and rewards another. - Psalm 75:6-7 (GW)

Have an amazingly blessed day and week!
Valerie 

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Be Aware of Your Snare!

Welcome to a new week! You probably wondering what's up with this week's topic. I know somebody is probably saying, "What you talking about, Willis?" I love that line and it probably went right over some of y'all's head. It's because your too young to understand. Any who, I'm here to tell you to be aware of your snare!

What is a snare? And no, I'm not referring to a drum. A snare is a trap for birds and other animals. It's said to be easy and simple to do but very effective. It catches its victims by the neck or body. There's no escape. I've seen many times on television the extreme measure taken to release a snare from the leg of a human. In other words, to be caught in a snare has dire consequences.

In Job 18:9 it says, "A trap grabs them by the heel. A snare holds them tight."

 A snare in the spiritual sense is "something by which one is entangled, involved in difficulties, or impeded. It something deceptively attractive" Let me ask you, what is your snare? What is it that you do that traps you every time? It could be in your words or your actions. It's as if it has a hold on you and you're in dire need of escaping. How do we get released from the snare? How do we protect ourselves  from falling into any snare? 

Take real action! The Scriptures tells us that "fear of God offers an escape from the snares of death." That's our solution. God. The word hasn't come up yet but our snare could be causing us to sin, if it's not a sin itself. Only God can free us from our sin.

In order to protect yourselves, be smart and do as the Scripture suggest. Seek the "instruction of the wise to avoid the snares of death". Don't be afraid to ask for help. If professional assistance is needed, by all means get it. Talk to your Pastor.  And seek God at the same time. So I urge you again, be aware of your snare. 

Reminder: 

Never give up! 

Pray about everything. 

Have faith. 

This too shall pass! 

Enjoy your week! 

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