1Corinthians 4:5 (AMP)

So do not make any hasty or premature judgments before the time when the Lord comes [again], for He will both bring to light the secret things that are [now hidden] in darkness and disclose and expose the [secret] aims (motives and purposes) of hearts. Then every man will receive his [due] commendation from God.

Have you ever prematurely judged someone or hastily made an assumption in a situation? Of course you have, we all have at some point in time in our lives.

Judge defined:

• To measure by guesswork, using the eye or some other sense as a rough guide.

The bible tells us that it is unwise to make premature judgments in situations that you don’t have all the facts or truth. There are things that are not obvious to the natural senses or known to human understanding. Many times people judge according to their past experiences with similar situations or people. They allow their past to be the standard for their present and future. We size up people and situations even before hearing the complete truth. We assume that our feelings and human reasoning will not fail us in our judging. However, our feelings and limited human understanding are incapable of judging hidden things. Without God’s help we are unable to know secret things, God is the revealer of secrets. Without God’s help we don’t even know our own hearts. Only God knows the true intent of a man’s heart and mind. Only God knows if a person’s motives are pure and sincere.

This is not to say that God will allow people to plot evil against you, with the intent to harm you and He will not warn and protect you in that situation. God will always provide protection and deliverance for His family from the plots and strategies of the enemy.

We must be those who trust God with all our heart and not depend on our own natural understanding but in all our day to day living acknowledge and depend on Him to instruct and guide us.

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Compromise defined:

• A settlement of a dispute in which two or more sides agree to accept less than they originally wanted.

• Something that somebody accepts because what was wanted is unattainable.

What part of your God given destiny have you compromised? Are there things God has shown you about your future, things He would like you to attain?

Now as you consider those things which of those things have you given up on because you reasoned in your mind saying, “Oh that will never happen in my life.”

Look long and hard at the picture God showed you of your destiny, if that’s not what you see in your life today you need to re-ignite the fires of passion in your soul and pursue with all your heart the plan God has for your life. Compromise must never be an option where your destiny is concerned. Fight the good fight of faith and fight to win. Don’t settle for anything less than what God has shown you. Your destiny is important to God and to us. Never retreat into a life of complacency; it will strip you of your passion.

Whatever God showed you are attainable, so press beyond reason and aim for the target and watch the power of God propel you into purpose.

Philippians 3:14 (AMP)

I press on toward the goal to win the [supreme and heavenly] prize to which God in Christ Jesus is calling us upward.

On my computer I have a tool button that says, Favorites.

I actually use it quite often, it’s one of my favorite buttons. I have all the web-sites that I frequent most under this tab. When I use my favorite button it provides a short cut for me so that I don’t have to go through a full google search. When you search for something you have to weed through all the other programs that either sound like what you want or are spelled like or who knows what some of the things listed are on the list for. So I really appreciate having my favorites located in a convenient place, saves me lots of time and frustration.

I also have favorites in my Bible. I know that the entire Bible is awesome and full of wonderful promises and many other powerful words of truth but I do have some favorites. My favorites usually consist of scriptures that have faithfully seen me through the greatest trials of my life. These scriptures are engraved in my spirit and soul for life. When something or someone sticks with you through thick and thin, it inescapably becomes your favorite. Some of my favorite scriptures have actually saved my life. When receiving an evil report concerning my health, my favorite stepped right up and took on the challenge and brought me through without an residual of the attack. My favorites have faithfully kept my family safe for many years. My favorite have prospered my and shielded me from harm. My favorites have brought me through the fire without the smell of smoke. My favorites never left or abandoned me even when facing the fury of the enemy. I love my favorites and they will always be a part of me. I hope that you have a list of favorite scriptures that have been faithful to you and been with you, sticking closer than a brother.

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1 Peter 4:12-13

Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: 

But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.

Oh how I love this scripture, it is indeed food for the whole man. This scripture brings such clarity in seasons of fiery trials. Why do we think it is strange to be going through a fiery trial?

Similar words to strange: odd, bizarre, outlandish, weird, peculiar, out of the ordinary, unexpected, unfamiliar, foreign, and different.

The opposite of strange is normal. It is indeed normal for true Christians to experience fiery trials. So why then are we so surprised and somewhat caught off guard when we are under fire. Sometimes I encounter Christians who are totally distraught when going through a fiery trial as if they were surprised something of that nature was happening to them.

Fiery trials are apparently different from regular trials.

Fiery defined:

• Burning or full of fire.

• Full of or prone to sudden extremes of emotions.

These kinds of trials are definitely designed to do real damage to the life and confidence of the believer in Christ. The nature of fire is to consume, it will burn and destroy until there is nothing left but ashes. Fire not only burns whatever it is on but can spread to whatever is near it, unless it is contained. That’s why when people are going through fiery trials and you step in to help make sure you are being lead by the Holy Spirit and are equip with your spiritual armor.

It is not the will of God for any sort of trial, regular or extra spicy, to defeat or destroy His people.

Isaiah 43:1-2

But now thus saith the LORD that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine. When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee. 

If you are going through a fiery trial at this very moment, rejoice, and begin to give God praise that this thing will never overtake or consume you. Rejoice and focus on the goodness of God that is bringing you out of this situation without being burned! Now that’s supernatural. Rejoice and give God the Highest praise! You are a child of the Most High God and He will never leave you or forsake you. You have been FIRE-PROOFED! Hallelujah!

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1 Samuel 16:7

But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.

Speak to the spirit of a man, Life, and he will rise to his place of king-ship and priesthood. See a man after the flesh (natural-man), and you become an accomplice to his downfall and destruction.

Samuel was a prophet who was called and anointed by God to speak for Him. Prophets in that day and time were called seers, meaning they knew things about the future that most people did not know. The prophets that were lead of God knew what they knew because God would reveal it to them. They were not demon influenced like the soothsayers, clairvoyants, fortune-tellers and psychic.

God had sent Samuel on an assignment for Him to anoint the next king of Israel, who was to be David, one of the sons of Jesse. Now, Samuel went forth and began doing what the Lord instructed him to do. He was in the right place, at the right moment and all was in line with God’s command. Now for whatever reason Samuel decided to second guess God, as if he knew God’s thoughts better than he really did. Samuel veered from the path of being lead by God with one single sense lead thought. He judged God’s instruction after the flesh. He allowed his natural eye sight and human prejudices to influence his judgment. He was probably basing his decision from cultural influences and traditions, which would have probably been permissible if this were not kingdom business? God’s kingdom does not operate like natural earthly kingdoms; God’s kingdom is God ruled no if’s ands or buts’ about it. God makes all the decisions, rules, standards, and choices in His kingdom that settles it.

We must never assume we know what God is going to say next, we must learn to wait on the Lord and lean not to our own understanding. Samuel could have made a tragic error in the history of a nation by choosing the wrong king. This could have been catastrophic and resulted in years of sorrow and needless pain for Israel had God not intervened and spoke to the prophet. It is a good thing that Samuel was an obedience prophet, one who feared God and sought to hear and do His will. Even when we error if our heart is tender toward God to do the right thing God will always help us get back in His perfect will.

God interrupted Samuel’s erroneous thought process by revealing to Him, that He did not see the way man sees………………..thank you Jesus. I am so glad God is God and we are not. God said to Samuel, “for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.”

Isn’t that the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth! People many times, unlike the nature and character of God, judge others by what they see on the outside. These judgments are most oftentimes influenced by past experiences, traditions, culture etc. Some people’s lives are totally destroyed just because of human judgment. People have lived and died and missed their entire destinies just because they listened to the wrong opinion concerning their future. Words can produce life or death, blessing or cursing, choose them wisely.

God taught the prophet Samuel and us a very valuable lesson that day. If God started the journey you are on let Him finish it, allow Him to reveal to you each step along the way and every word to say. Don’t jump ahead or lag to far behind, keep up and stay in step with God’s mind. He will be sure to guide us and help us finish our course and every assignment on time.

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John 1:4

In him was life; and the life was the light of men.

This passage of scripture in John 1:4 is speaking of the Word, which is God. Everything we will ever need, want or desire is in the Word. The Word was made to be flesh and lived among man-kind for a season of time.

In the Word there is life, not mere ordinary existence but true life. This life is self-existent, it needs nothing or no one to exist. The scriptures reveal to us that Jesus came in the world so that we might have life and have it more abundantly. He did not come to bring death but rather life. The life of God is the Light of the world. God is light and in Him there is no darkness at all. There is no evil whatsoever in God. He is pure and holy. The life that God gives to us is pure and holy, uncontaminated by sin and death. Every born again believer in Christ has this life on the inside of them. This life of God is what drove out all the darkness from our past sinful lives. This light brought illumination to our spirit man, I once was blind but now I see! Praise God! Praise God! Praise God!

When people in the world see that great light shine forth out of you they are beholding the life of God. This life is so awesome it cannot be hid under a bushel; it cannot be controlled, manipulated or corrupted by the world, flesh or the devil. It is off limits to such sinister forces.

I am so grateful for this life it has totally made me a new creation. When I look back on my past life before Christ came to live in me, I become over-joyed and filled with praise and honor for my risen King. He rescued me from the hand of the enemy and gave me new life; no one else had the power of life to set me free. He did it all for both you and me!

So lift your head up high and put a pep in your step, a glide in your stride and be bold as you tell the world how great it is to be filled with the life and light of God.

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1 Corinthians 14:2 (AMP)

For one who speaks in an [unknown] tongue speaks not to men but to God, for no one understands or catches his meaning, because in the [Holy] Spirit he utters secret truths and hidden things [not obvious to the understanding].

Consecration defined:

• to sanctify or set apart for a special purpose.

When we allow our lives to be totally consecrated to the Lord we open the door of our lives for Divine impartation. Consistent communion and fellowship with God positions us for explanation of unanswered questions in our hearts. Questions such as; “Lord what do I do next?” or “What church should I be attending?” or “Is this the right job for me?” or “Should I be moving to such and such a state?” or “Is this what you called me to do or am I following my own plans?” God reveals secret truths that are not obvious to our natural understanding.

Revelation defined:

• The revealing of something previously hidden or secret.

There are things that you and I simply just don’t know. God has specific instructions and insight for each individual life. God does not hide things or information from us but rather for us. The scriptures tell us that God will not withhold any good thing from us, Psalms 84:11. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. God’s presence cultivates inspiration.

Inspiration defined:

• Divine guidance and influence on human beings.
• The quality of being stimulated to creative thought or activity, or the manifestation of this.

When we spend time with God, His nearness inspires creativity in us. You become like and begin to imitate what you spend time with. God has creative ideas for your life but we must get them from inspired moments in His presence.

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2Corinthians 13:5

Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?

Many times when doing my own editing for things that I write I miss simple mistakes that I’ve made. Oftentimes it’s only when my wonderful husband has reviewed the text and found numerous errors that I realize that I need a second pair of eyes to help me see things that I may have missed. I think the reason that I miss so many of the mistakes is because I know what I wanted to say so when I proofread the text my eyes skim over the words with the mind-set that I wrote it with. It is not as easy for me to see as someone else who did not write it. Sometimes it seems like my eyes are playing tricks on me because I could have just read over something and then I go back and find two more errors. Well, why didn’t I see it the first ten times I looked over it? My eyes see the error but my mind does not acknowledge it.

Can we see a parallel in spiritual things? The bible tells us to examine ourselves. However, why don’t we see what others see wrong in our lives. Sometimes we get fighting mad because someone who loves us told us one of our faults. We carry on for hours, getting angry because they saw something about us that we did not see or we saw it and did not consider it a fault. We begin to reason and pacify ourselves by thinking, “They don’t know me because if they knew me they would know that I am not like what they think they saw in me.” We wrongly conclude that if we didn’t see it in ourselves it couldn’t possibly be true because if anybody knows me it’s me. Wrong, many times we don’t see it because we created it or allowed it at some point in our lives and now it’s so much a part of us that our brains don’t see the wrong in it. We approved it for years sometimes.

I believe when the bible tells us to examine ourselves I believe God was referring to us seeing ourselves through the light of His Word, not according to our own standards and natural thinking. Your mother may have told you that a certain way you behaved as a child was cute but God’s Word may not consider it cute at all. So the next time you do self editing made sure you use the Word of God as our standard.

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H.E.L.P. (Heaven Extravagantly Loving People)

Hebrews 4:15-16

For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. 

Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

Help defined:

• to make it easier or possible for somebody to do something that one person cannot do alone by providing assistance
• to provide somebody with advice, directions, or other information

Have you ever been tempted to give up on something you had previously set your heart to fully accomplish? Have you ever drawn back from your purpose? Have you ever been under pressure and felt overwhelmed by the circumstances facing you? Well, if your answer to any of the above questions was yes, you are not the only one who has been at the boiling point of a temptation, test or trial.

The scripture says, Jesus also was tempted in all points yet without sin. How did Jesus overcome every temptation, I believe it was because He had help. Jesus lived a life here on the earth in close fellowship and union with his Heavenly Father and the Holy Spirit. Jesus said, “…yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me.”

You are not alone, God is with you and He is for you. You have every available help in every situation. Love will never abandon you.

The scripture says to come boldly, meaning with confidence and deep assurance. Know that God will not reject your request for His help. He longs and waits to help His children but we must be willing to ask. Don’t let pride and the “I can do it by myself syndrome” block the true help you need. There are heavenly resources available to you right now! Our Heavenly Father is an extravagant giver. He is extreme when it comes to blessing His children. He will not scold you for asking for His help, it is His delight when you come to the throne of grace to obtain mercy and find grace to help in the time of need.

So go ahead and approach the throne, Heaven is waiting to pour extravagant love on you now. Help is on the way today!

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Matthew 5:9

Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.

Are you a peacemaker? Well child of God you are blessed!

Another word for peacemaker is mediator; somebody who works with both sides in a dispute in an attempt to help them to reach an agreement.

As children of God we have His nature and His ways are continuing being imprinted on our hearts. God’s ways are far above the ways of mere unchanged men. When we spend time with God in prayer and meditation in the Word of God, we begin to sound like Him and look like Him in our character and personality. We take on a new culture, the Kingdom of God culture. We become imitators of God. We begin to resemble Him when we are going through a temptation, test or trial. When the storms of life come we find ourselves responding like Jesus instead of the traditions and cultures we were raised in from the world.

Jesus is the Prince of Peace! He is our Mediator, between God the Father and mankind. He secured a covenant or agreement of Peace between God and man. He got right smack dab in the middle and brought us together as a family again.

Sometimes we may find ourselves in natural situations at work, in our homes, with extended family and relatives, with children, neighbors etc. where we need to bring peace between two or more parties. Yes, I know you are probably like most of us who would rather just stay out of it and mind your own business so to speak. However there are times when you maybe lead of the Holy Ghost to rise up and be a peacemaker in certain situations. In times such as these just know that God is with you and in you and He will give you what to do and say. Be bold to do what you have seen the Father do or say. Stand strong for the truth and never be ashamed of the Gospel of Jesus Christ even though you maybe criticized and persecuted for it. The truth sets people free. So obey when He is prompting you to get involved in certain situations. You are His child and you are a peacemaker. Rejoice, you look just like your Heavenly Father!

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