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! 

Mary or Martha's Position?

Hey y'all! I pray that your new year is going well!

May I ask you all a few questions? Are you in Mary or Martha's position? Are you allowing the things of this world to distract you? Are you quietly sitting at Jesus feet soaking up all He has to tell you? I was reading chapter 10 of the Book of Luke. The story of Jesus visiting the sisters starts at verse 38 but the last two caught more of my attention. "And Jesus answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her."" (Luke 10:41-42)

The words had me thinking about which sister's position I connected with and why? We all have issue after issue on a regular basis, right? Well okay, maybe I am the only one. But I do know that when storms rages my attention can move away from Jesus. I have to make an intentional effort, just like Mary did, to sit at the feet of Jesus. Just as He did in the boat with the Disciples, He will calm the wind and the rain.

 One Love,

Valerie

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References:
Luke 10:41-42
 'And Jesus answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. 
But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her.”'
https://my.bible.com/bible/114/LUK.10.41-42

Half Obedience is Disobedience

Hello everyone, it's a great day to be obedient! LOL I just had to share this one with you all.

Do you recall growing up that your parents asked you to do something and you almost finished it? Like clean your room and you throw all of the trash under the bed just so you can go outside. Maybe I am the only one who half did what was asked of me by my parents. Okay, not all of the times but there were some.

Well, some of us are that way with God. When the Holy Spirit gives us a word of instructions from God, we may hear all of what was said or some of what God instructed. Oh but don't think for a moment that we are along in this. King Saul was instructed to kill all of the Amalekites; not one was to remain alive. This was a promise God made to Moses because of the way the Amalekites treated the children of Israel. However we see in 1 Samuel 15, when the time came Saul only half obeyed the word of God. He allowed King Agag to live and his men brought back plunder. As a result, God rejected the very man He made king. Saul thought he had done what he was instructed to do, but half obedience is disobedience in God's eye. In the same chapter, we see what Samuel said to Saul. "Listen! Obedience is better than sacrifice, and submission is better than offering the fat of rams." (Verse 22)

This past weekend I realized that I half way obeyed what God had asked of me. Earlier this year while fasting, the Holy Spirit told me to cancel all of my traveling plans. I assumed only those that I had for myself. Unbeknownst to me, God meant all of them. As my luck would have it, my grandson and nephew missed their first cruise. I truly believe everything happens for a reason and this trip should have been canceled as well. B.U.T. (but understand this), even though I was disobedience, God still answered my prayers. They were still able to have an awesome time. I repented for my sin of disobedience and the favor of God showed up! Lesson learned is never assume you know or understand what God is asking you to do. Always confirm with Him first. His plans or thoughts are way beyond ours!

Now, go be obedient to the word of God! Have an awesome day!!

One Love,

Valerie 

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