Guard Your Mind and Heart

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Jeremiah 17:9 “The heart is more deceitful than all else and is desperately sick (or wicked); Who can understand it?” (NASB)

Ephesians 4:22 “throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception.” (NLT)

Sup Peeps,
So, I started the lesson out with these bible verses, because we’re living in the days where folks are justifying their sins. More particular are folks that are already saved.
Salvation is a free gift, but it’s also a process that just doesn’t stop, when you decide to follow Christ.

Just because we’re in Christ, it doesn’t mean you can just stop right there. You still have your old man aka that sinful nature that still resides in you. We’re not free of that, until we a) die physically or b) we’re raptured up.

Today’s lesson is more about guarding your heart and mind against Satan’s devices, more particularly, what we read, what we watch on TV and movies, and what we listen to.

We have to remember that this world belongs to Satan. We’re stuck here until God calls us home, but we’re to be in the world, not of it. And I see so many believers out here cussing like sailors, watching things that contains everything that God abhors, having sex before marriage.

I read a meme today on Instagram that said “You can’t be married to God and be Satan’s girlfriend”

You can’t compromise your fellowship with God, because you want to do the things that you want to do. I had to learn this the hard way, that I couldn’t continue in the sins that I was involved in with the idea that God was going to forgive me anyway. It just wasn’t cool and he let me know that.

Romans 5:20 says “The Law came in so that the transgression would increase; but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more”

So, just because God’s grace abounds, it doesn’t give us the license or the audacity to continue in habitual sin.

I know a girl that cusses like a sailor and they are saved, so I asked them, do they feel a conviction from the Holy Spirit, when they cuss? They said sometimes. This actually saddened my heart, because they seem to have grieved the Holy Spirit so much and have given Satan’s demons a strong foothold in their life, that they are not responding to conviction on their heart.

I know what it’s like to feel immerse guilt after I have sinned against God and procrastinated in confession of that sin, because I was so ashamed, but that pleasure that I got from sin was only a brief moment and I allowed Satan to entice me, but I don’t blame him, because I knew better.

The Lord has told me and has shown me that yes he will forgive us via 1 John 1:9 and will not remember them no more (Hebrews 8:12), but I just can’t give lip service and just offer a confession to clear the air, I need to truly repent and turn away from that sin. In other words, don’t do it again. But you can’t do it in your own strength. We have the indwelling of the Holy Spirit leading and guiding us into all truths, so you rely on him to continually show you why you had to do away and stop sinning.

Are we going to fall? Yes, no one is righteous according to Romans 3:10, but Jesus Christ himself. God knows we’re going to screw up from time to time, because we still have our sinful flesh that is trying to gain complete control against his Spirit in us. (Gal 5:16-17). It’s important that you not feed your flesh, because the more you feed it, the more it becomes Satan’s playground to entice you even more.

Case in point, if I watch something with a lot of cussing for an entire day, then I will probably end up cussing before the day is out. Not that because I don’t have control, but my flesh has been fed that all day and I’m repeating what I’ve heard. So the flesh wants me to believe that this is still normal and it’s not. Same thing with lust, which is one of my biggest areas, I can’t watch certain shows that contains a lot of sex, because then that lust demon will be all over me like white on rice and will place images in my head that will entice my flesh to act on it.

If you know you have a lust problem or a cussing problem and you’re trying to do better, then it’s not wise for you to binge watch Orange Is the New Black or Power, because your flesh will tell you that it’s normal to give in to those desires.

Just like what you may listen to. I have a history of depression, so if I listen to Sound of Darkness over and over again, I will become depressed. I’m not even joking about that part, I listened to it over and over again one night, and I felt so depressed that it wasn’t even funny.

Satan knows our weaknesses and since he’s not able to be everywhere to inflict and entice, he sends his minions to attack us through any means necessary. If you like sweets, but is trying to lose weight and not go there, then he will send the gluttony demon around to get you off track. You’ll fall for it, because your flesh has taken over. Again, I speak from personal experience, because I’m trying to lose 15 lbs of that mistake. But I never blame Satan, because at the end of the day, I’m solely responsible for my actions and when you stand before God and give an account, you’re not going to be able to pass the buck.

When we mess up and the Holy Spirit is convicting you, then you make it right then and there, by owning it and then confess and the repent and I mean truly repent. Ask God to help you truly turn away from that sin that is taking you out of fellowship with him.

You can read the bible, you can pray, you can even sing in the choir at church, but if you haven’t confess that unconfessed sin, then you’re out of fellowship with the Father and he’s not going to hear you, until you get over yourself and confess and repent. Again, I speak from personal experience.

So, be mindful of what you’re feeding your flesh, which should be killed every single day. If you have to listen to sermons, listen to audio bible, or praise and worship music all day, which is what I’ve been doing to keep my flesh dead. I’m even listening to audio bible in my sleep.

I’ve been exposing a lot of things lately, especially with his scheme against my friend with the cussing, among other things and he’s pissed off, so he’s attacking me from all sides. His tactic right now is insomnia. I know it’s temporary and it’s almost over.

Satan is a scandalous heifa (can I even say that?), so that dude be straight trippin and is very petty. He knows his time is almost up, so he’s working overtime and delegating and probably giving bonuses and extra PTO, which raises galore to his minions to torment day and night.

Be on guard, study, confess and repent of unconfessed sin and get yourself together by reading Ephesians 6 and Psalm 91.

Whenever, you think about watching, listening, and reading something that is absolutely contrary to God’s word, don’t compromise, don’t give excuses that it’s just a TV show or a book, that’s a trick and a trap and I once thought as you did, young padawan (I can’t help, I’m a Star Wars geek)

Anyhoo, sleep is coming, so let me bow out and take advantage.

Remember to Guard your Mind and Heart, but not in your own strength, but with the aid of the Lord.  Do not fall for Satan’s schemes.

Proverbs 4:23 “Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.” (NLT)

xoxo,

Jade

Here We Go Again With The Date Setting?

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So, the newest date is September 23, 2017.

I”m sure you’ve seen this photo going around

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Maybe those who are into the date setting missed that important part, when Jesus said in Matthew 24:36

“”But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone.” 

To make sure we really learn this lesson, it’s posted 2 more times

Mark 13:32 “But as for that day or hour, no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father”

Ok, the 2nd one in Acts is Jesus saying pretty much the Father got this, so chill

Acts 1:7 “Jesus replied, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by His own authority”

So, if Jesus himself is saying, he doesn’t know; wouldn’t that give us a clue that we wouldn’t know either?

So, what’s up with the date setting?

Let me tell you what is going to happen.

Those who believe that something is going to happen (rapture, Jesus return, etc) on September 23 or any other date that is set in the future is going to end up with egg on their face.
***meaning*** God will prove you wrong.

In essence, those who falsely set those dates is mocking God. Dumb or plain stupid?

Galatians 5:7 “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap.”

Why are those folks putting themselves in that line of ignorance? Do they not realize that they are giving props to Satan? That dude is laughing and pretty much calling you stupid and probably high-fiving his chief officers and crew, when they are proven wrong with this date setting business. I don’t know about you, but I don’t like being mocked or deceived.

So, those who are believing these youtube videos, Instagram memes and other social media info about September 23, why are you setting yourself up for failure in believing in this mockery?

Do yourself a favor and read the bible for yourself. The bible says not test the spirits, so you don’t take things at face value. Study to show yourselves approve and ask the Holy Spirit for help in understanding in your bible study.

Don’t counteract with man’s doctrine. Compare and contrast with the word of God (a little hint, the bible is true and infallible, without mistakes)

This is the last days and moments, but as much as the signs and prophecies are coming true, it doesn’t give us the right to know the day that Christ is going to return or determine when the church will be raptured. Leave this to the creator and continue to be about the Father’s business and winning souls to Christ, before it’s too late.

Trust in the Father and leave the foolishness to Satan.

If you haven’t trusted Jesus as your Lord and Savior, I implore you to click on this link to find how and why you should make Jesus your choice today.

xoxo,

Jade

Not Everyone That Says They Are a Christian Is Truly in Christ

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The meaning and the focus of being a Christian has been manipulated by world to the point, where the Satan’s counterfeits are deceiving those who are truly in Christ.

Being a Christian is not about going to church, singing hymns or reading the bible, it’s not about proclaiming that you’re a Christian, and it’s definitely not about having religion and being good.

Being a Christian means that you have a relationship with Jesus Christ.

You believe that his death on the cross paid your sin debt in full, as well as believing in his resurrection.

It means that you are born again and became a new creature in him and you have been indwelled with the Holy Spirit. (Colossians 1:27; 1 Corinthians 6:19-20; 2 Corinthians 5:17)

Being a Christian is nothing to play with.

It comes with a huge responsibility.

We’re still here to be about our Father’s business and spread the gospel of Jesus Christ.
But there are those who calls themselves Christian, because it sounds good and because they think they will be counted as a good person.

Satan masquerades himself as an angel of light according to 2 Corinthians 11:14, trying to fool people and he appeals to the problems that people face by promoting false promises and feel good messages. He tries to get people to justify their sins by giving them false belief that their sin is not in the bible, even though there is clear evidence to the contrary. He gives people the excuse of quoting Matthew 7:1 “Do not judge so that you will not be judged” All the while, realizing that he’s also deceiving people knowing what Jesus said a few verses down in the same chapter that “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity” (vs 21-23)

If it’s one thing I have learned during my Christian journey is that Christianity is not about us, it has nothing to do with our feelings, it’s about Jesus Christ and him alone.

Now, when I mean that it has nothing to do with our feelings, I’m saying that human emotions is not a factor in what is factual. Can you get emotional? Sure, but we forewarned that Satan can use it to his advantage.

The reason why Salvation is a free gift is because Jesus willingly, according to the purpose and plan of God the Father to take our place on the cross, in order to pay a debt that we couldn’t afford to pay. Jesus’ sacrifice paid our sin debt in full, because the bible says in Romans 6:23 “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord”

There is nothing we personally could do by our actions to guaranteed and to buy our way into Heaven. Salvation is a free gift and we’ve been saved by God’s grace through faith. (Ephesians 2:8-9)

Jesus said, “We must be born again” (John 3:3).

How does one become born again?

Simple, believe by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved (Acts 16:31; Romans 10: 9-10)

The reason why this post is written is because there are people out here in the world, who calls themselves “Christians”, because of wrong motives. Because it’s about them and how they feel, instead of Jesus Christ. They have it in their mind by the world’s standards, that if I can get baptized and go to church and have bible study, then I’m going to heaven and can boastfully proclaim “I’m a Christian”, “My Belief” or “My faith”

What exactly is your faith in? Because there are different types of faith

Is your faith in your relationship with Christ Jesus? Or Is your faith in what God can give you? Meaning, some people have a head knowledge of the gospel of Christ, but they decided to be a “Christian” to use God like their own personal genie. One thing for sure, God is not to be mocked (Gal 6:7)

This is why Satan preys on those who genuinely do want to know about Christ, but he sends his counterfeits to preach about feeling good, prosperity, name it and claim it, and about how everyone is going to heaven, if you’ll be good. He likes to send the jezebel and Delilah spirits and other type of minions in the churches to entice folks from knowing the real truth, but they start off being your best friend, participating in the bake sales, singing in the choir, tithing, but their deeds don’t match the fruits of the Holy Spirit (Gal 5:22-23).

Once you get close to the truth or have an inkling that something is amiss, their true nature starts to show and that’s when it gets ugly (I speak from personal experience)

Don’t believe me, check out what Paul says in 2 Corinthians 11: 12-15

12 But what I am doing I will continue to do, so that I may cut off opportunity from those who desire an opportunity to be regarded just as we are in the matter about which they are boasting.
13 For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ.
14 No wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light.
15 Therefore it is not surprising if his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness, whose end will be according to their deeds.

I am really leery about those (mostly on these reality shows) that boasts about being a Christian or they was the villain for so long and now they have to publicly put on a show of display of becoming a “Christian”. I know editing can really misconstrue some things, but once you proclaim that Jesus is your savior or you say I am a Christian, you are now being held to a different standard of living and your life will be under constant surveillance.

Whenever someone comes out of their mouth with “I’m a Christian”, I check their walk and manner of living. I check what fruit is being shown, because Jesus himself said “Ye shall know them by their fruits” (Matt 7:16) This was after he said in verse
18 “Beware of false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves.”

Let’s read further into verse 16 with

“Are grapes not gathered from thorn bushes nor figs from thistles, are they?
17 “So every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bad fruit (KJV is a little more direct with “but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit).
18 “A good fruit cannot produce (bring forth) bad (evil) fruit; neither can a bad (corrupt) tree produce (bring) forth good fruit.
19 “Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire”
20 “So then , you will know them by their fruits”

Are you apart of the body of Christ? Are you apart of his church? Do you believe in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ?

What exactly is your faith in? It’s not a fill in the blank type of question or statement.

Either you have faith in the god of this world, who is Satan or your faith is in the Jesus

Christ who took your place on the cross to pay your sin debt in full.

Check out James 2:18 – 26, which will be the end of this lesson

18 You have faith and I have works; show me your faith without works, and I will show you my faith by my works.
19 You believe that God is one. You do well; the demons also believe and shudder
20 But are you willing to recognize, you foolish fellow, that faith without works is useless? 21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up Isaac his son on the altar?
22 You see that faith was working with his works, and as a result of the works, faith was perfected;
23 and the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “And Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness,” and he was called the friend of God.
24 You see that a man is justified by works and not by faith alone.
25 In the same way, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out by another way?
26 For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead.

xoxo,

Jade

Beware Of The Person Who Says “I Don’t Sin”

Yeah, the title speaks for itself.

First things first, I’m sorry for another MIA. My free time seems to be all about school lately (master’s program is rough to say the least, but God is getting me through it as my sustainer.)

Anyhoo,

I was watching (ok it was watching me) and I heard Shannon from RHOC say “I don’t lie” and it got me to thinking, “You just told a lie right then”

Didn’t House say “Everybody Lies”?

***sidebar*** I don’t know why RHOC continues to suck me back in. I gave up most of the ratchet reality shows. Maybe it’s to teach me the opposite of what not to do. And I side eye Meghan for saying that Babies come from the spirit world, which is not true, because we’re born spiritually dead, but that’s another lesson for another time.

I digress

Anyhoo, in 1 John 1: 5-10

5 This is the message we have heard from Him and announce to you, that God is Light, and in Him there is no darkness at all.
6 If we say that we have fellowship with Him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth;
7 but if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin.
8 If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us.
9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar and His word is not in us.

In the eyes of God, a sin is a sin is a sin. It doesn’t matter what the sin is.

Lying is something that everyone struggles with, because we have a deceitful tongue (Psalm 120:2; Psalm 52:4)

Our tongue is very poisonous, because it’s full of pride and contempt, it’s arrogant, it’s boastful, and it can cause some damage beyond repair.

I can’t speak for anyone else, but I know my tongue is lethal and has gotten me in a world of trouble. (I can be slick with my mouth, according to my mom…..which is funny, because I’m more articulate in writing, but I’m sarcastic – think female Chandler Bing from Friends with a little Dorothy Zbornak from Golden Girls)

Before I gave my life to the Lord, I would lie chronically. I would lie, because I was afraid of people’s reaction to my actually feelings about things, so I would lie to please them.

The only difference between lying now and then is my relationship with the Lord. Before I got saved, whenever I sinned, I sometimes will get an attack of the conscious. Now, I get conviction from the Holy Spirit. The conviction reminds me of a 5-minute warning that my mom would give me to get inside the house from playing outside.

I’m learning that during that conviction to immediately confess, because the more you prolong that period of not confessing, the harder it becomes to actually confess later on and also you start making and finding any excuse to try to biblically find why it’s ok to do that particular sin that is taking you out of fellowship with the Father.

When we deny during something such as lying or any type of sin, or even give an excuse about why a particular sin is ok, because it’s not in the bible, we’re pretty much saying to God that we’re the author of our own book so to speak.

That’s not right and it’s not fair.

If he says that it’s a sin, then you need to understand that it’s offensive to him and harmful to us.

When someone says “I don’t sin” I avoid them like the plague. That person is about self at that moment, which is where we are most dangerous with our tongue. Our pride gets involved and Satan has a field day.

So, what to do?

I stay away, but I also pray for that person and then for myself, since we do live in a monkey see, monkey do world. Meaning, our flesh is still very much active and trying to regain control of our being, so when you hear, see, or think of something that is contrary to God’s word, then our flesh picks it up and absorbs it.

My little sister, I love her dearly, but she cusses like a sailor and when confronted she acknowledges that she cusses too much. Her excuse, however, is this is just the way she is. She needs to get with God and seriously search why she is like that. Why does she allow herself to use language that means nothing but destruction? I feel a conviction, even when a cuss word comes across in my thoughts. I purposely try to skip over curse words, if I come across something with it. (Sometimes, it’s kinda hard, so I may substitute)

When the day comes that we stand before God, that is not the excuse that we’re going to give, because there will be no excuses.

The longer you participate in that particular sin that is recurring or unconfessed, you will give Satan a foothold and sometimes a fully leg in how you handle that sin. If will boast you up and trick you like he did Eve in the garden and make you second guess what the bible actually says.

As Christians, if you ignore the convictions that the Holy Spirit is giving you about whatever sin you’re doing at that moment, you are grieving and quenching the Holy Spirit. You are in violation of God’s word, because his word says not to quench or grieve the Holy Spirit (1 Thes 5:19, Ephesians 6:16)

I speak from personal experience when I say that the more you quench/grieve the Holy Spirit, the more miserable you’ll become. Because, you’re not in fellowship with God and your flesh is leading you, which means that Satan is probably up there in Heaven mocking you before God. That should be enough to kick anybody into high gear and make things right.

So what can we do?

Examine yourself. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you identify areas of your life that is not pleasing to the Lord. Ask him to help you overcome that sin in your life that you have a hard time confessing or keep denying. Ask him to reveal to you any unconfessed sin that needs to be confessed and repented. Because the word is clear when it says “If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar and His word is not in us.”

Satan comes to steal, kill, and destroy. He’s the CEO of that operation. Actually, he’s the CEO of this world and the chairman and 100% majority shareholder. We’re to be in the world, but not of the world. We’re born into chaos, because of Adam, which is why Jesus went to the cross to reconcile us back to the Father. When Satan loses his kids to Christ, he’s pissed off and trying to discredit you before God to make it appear like we’re not worth anything. Don’t let him win. Let Jesus continue to be an intercessory for us, because she’s our greatest cheerleader and lawyer and he wants us to stop falling for Satan’s tricks and schemes. Each time we say we don’t sin, we fall for the scheme hook, line, and sinker.

I don’t care where you are at this moment. Go before the Father and confess your sins and get back into fellowship with him, if you’re out of it that is. You never know and you won’t know unless you ask. It’s like a work, where you have to speak to your manager sometimes and say “Hey how I’m doing work wise?” Checking on your performance. It’s the same thing here.

Know that you cannot lose your salvation, because you have a relationship with Christ and you have the Holy Spirit indwelled with you. Your fellowship with Christ is a different thing. It’s like when you’re disobedient to your mother. She’s mad and waiting on you to apologize and make things right, but you’re still her child, that relationship is solid and forever. When you reconcile with your mother after apologizing and admitting what you did was wrong, then the fellowship has been restored and you are cool beans with one another. It’s the same concept.

You’re going to mess up and God knows that. But, he lets us know in 1 John 1:9 “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us of our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness (I’m going by KJV memory here, so it’s worded differently form the NASB version above)

Get it together and make it right and don’t let Satan have that victory over you.

Until next time bros and sis and if by chance, there is another MIA event, I apologize in advance, but I’m going to try to keep diligent in posting at least once a week or twice a month. But this has been on my heart since last week and It was laid on my heart again today to finish and post.

xoxo,

Jade

Bible Study: What is Pruning?

Pruning is a garden technique for cutting away the dead or overgrown branches, twigs, and stems, that is unwanted in the garden or landscape.

Pruning is actually very important to our spiritual growth, especially as the Holy Spirit continues to lead us and guide us. It’s very essential to listen to the Holy Spirit as he lets you know what needs to be pruned in your life.

It can be a variety of things that you may need pruning from.

Something small like stop drinking sodas or something bigger like cutting certain friends of out your life.

Whatever the Lord is pruning from your life, go with it.

Don’t fight. Don’t deny it. It is important to obey him has let is stripping you of those things that can hinder you.

You must glorify God and listen to his instructions.

You’ll be surprise what he is pruning from my life lately.

First let me give you his word that shows how pruning is an important process in our walk with the Lord.

John 15:1-11

1 “I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. 

2 Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit, He prunes it so that it may bear more fruit. 

3 You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. 

4 Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me. 

5 I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing. 

6 If anyone does not abide in Me, he is thrown away as a branch and dries up; and they gather them, and cast them into the fire and they are burned. 

7 If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 

8 My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be My disciples.

9 Just as the Father has loved Me, I have also loved you; abide in My love. 

10 If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love; just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love. 

11 These things I have spoken to you so that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full.

So, as you see in the scriptures, pruning is very essential in cleaning up the dead fruit. What you read, watch, and hear can affect us more than we know.

Whatever nature that you feed the most, the more it’s going to shine through.

What do I mean by that?

If you’re a born-again believer in Christ, then you know that we have Christ in us the hope of glory (Col 1:27) and we were given the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, to lead and guide us into all truths. But you also know that we still have the sinful nature that we were born with until the day we physically die and until our physical death, we are still in bondage with our flesh. (read Gal 5 and Romans 8)

For example, I was watching Basketball Wives the other day, trying to catch up after a 2 week fast of not watching the ratchet shows, but I heard the Lord clear as day “Why are you watching this?” and then my schedule reminder to watch Wrecked came on. But then after the Wrecked episode was over, I switched back to watching Basketball Wives and he said again “Again, why are you watching this?”

I had to reflect and remember the peace of mind that I had during that 2-week fast. I notice that I wasn’t as gossipy, I was less conflicted and less on edge, my attitude was better, and I felt that godly peace. As soon as my fast was done, I tried to watch Real Housewives of New York and couldn’t finish it, even though that one is my favorite. Same with Love and Hip Hop: Atlanta, I had it on in the background, but I couldn’t begin to recap it fully. But with Basketball Wives, all I heard was arguing and cussing and I notice that I was starting the bad habits, like I was mimicking what I heard and saw. This is why the Lord kept asking me, “Why are you watching this?” Because it wasn’t bringing him glory and it was affecting my fellowship with him. It was feeding my flesh, which had that authority at that moment to have me grieve the Holy Spirit.

I’ve examined Shows before, like I used to watch Charmed, but the Holy Spirit told me to stop. Even most recently, the new TV show Claws, the first 15 mins in, the Holy Spirit said “Turn the channel and don’t watch this.” Even with movies, like Fifty Shades Darker and I wanted to see that so bad, because it had more suspense, but again the Holy Spirit said “Don’t”

I had no idea that this was pruning and trimming away that dead fruit and vines that were not helpful with my walk with the Lord. I had no idea how much what I was watching and even the music in my itunes library that I was listening to, could be harmful to my spiritual growth.

So, I’ve been examining everything, even social media. I just deleted my facebook page (ok deactivated, because they will only delete it when I’m dead). I know for a fact that I won’t start another one again (at least that’s my hope). Definitely, examining what else I’ve watched that is not good. What I’ve read (I’m picky with what I read anyway) and even whom I’ve spend my time with and let in. Even what you eat and drink.

The pruning process is not only essential, sometimes it can be painful, especially if you have bonded with what needed to be pruned. Some things may be your guilty pleasure, some may be your biggest vice, some may be your greatest obsession, some may even be your best friends, but in the long run, you will see why the Lord had to prune those things and people away and remember it’s for his glory and his purpose for your life. So, when you start to lose interest in something or when people start to distant themselves from you, then it’s a reason and it’s God’s way of pruning to prepare you for his purpose. Trust and believe.

What are the things in your life that needs pruning? Or that Lord has told you that needs pruning?

If you’re not sure, ask him?

Say, Father, what is it in my life that needs to be pruned?

He’ll tell you. He will definitely tell you.

Stay safe and pray without ceasing!!!!!

xoxo

Jade

Let It Go! And I’m Not Talking About the Frozen Song

I’m pretty sure that most people have heard this phrase throughout their life. It’s important to let things go for your own sanity sometimes, but most of the time it’s important to let things go, because God is saying give it to him.

1 Peter 5:7 “Cast all your anxieties (cares in some versions) on him, because he cares for you”

Likewise in Psalm 55:22 “Cast your burden upon the Lord and He will sustain you; He will never allow the righteous to be shaken.”

Many times in our lives, we like to handle things on our own strength, especially when it comes to dealing with adversary.

Why with adversary?

Because, our human minds wants revenge against those who have wronged us. It’s just apart of that sinful nature that is within us. I’m guilty of it.

You know the verse from Romans 12:19 “Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord.”

It’s powerful, but it’s there to remind us that God is in charge of retribution and vengeance. More than likely, you have to be completely honest with yourself; in our own strength and mind, you may harm that person who has wronged you.

You’ve seen it in movies and tv shows, when someone has been wronged and they cast that bloodbath of revenge. TV tropes call it the roaring rampage of revenge.

It’s satisfying when that person that has wronged you gets their just deserts, but in the long run it makes you feel bad. If you’re not saved, then you may have an attack of the conscience or not at all. If you are saved, then you’ll feel a conviction from the Holy Spirit, letting you know that you were wrong.

Let it go is the step to forgiving that person or forgiveness in general. Technically, we don’t have the right to withhold forgiveness, because Christ died on the cross to pay our sin debt in full. God forgave us our sins, so why not do the same for others.

This is something that I struggle with, especially if it seems like that person just gets away with everything. It may appear that way, but God got this 100%. He sees our pain and frustration, but when he says stand down, I got this, best believe he got this.

Now, what do you do in the meantime?

Give it to the Lord and leave it there.

The entire point of letting it go is actually leaving it with him.

Sometimes, you can get over it after one prayer.

Other times, it can take multiple prayers.

Talk to him. Trust him. Leave it with him and let him show your enemies that he is God.

Psalm 105:15 says “Do not touch my anointed ones. And do my prophets no harm”

Best believe that God does not like it, when his kids are being bothered with. He as our Father sees it, knows it, and doesn’t like it. But we have to trust him to deal with it accordingly.

So, how does one let it go?

You let it go by faith. You trust that he will handle the situation according to his will, his word, and his purpose.

And when you let it go, it’s a peace that will come about that comes only from him, because you know that you’ve left it in the Master’s hands.

So, let us let it go and hand it over to the Father.

Father, thank you for your word and thank you for your protection and your shield. Thank you Father for taking our cares and handling our enemies, frustrations, and anything that is hindering us. Thank you that vengeance is yours and yours alone and I thank you in advance for handling the situation and giving us the strength and courage to let it go and leave it with you. In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Until next time,

xoxo,

Jade

Long MIA – I’m Back

I’m back.

Being back means that God wasn’t done with this ministry to reach his people and the lost.

Forgive me for the long break. Real life did creep in that prevented me from regularly blogging.

Even though I’m working full time and working on my Masters, the goal is to post at least once a week.

There is a longer purpose that needs to be fulfilled as far as the appearance of this blog, but for now, I’m keeping the blog as is. Meaning, I want to change the name and make it more professional, like actually having a domain, but for now we’re going to see how this goes, according to the will of the Lord.

In the meantime, in between time, stay tune for what the Lord has in store.

To God be the glory, great things he has done!

xoxo,

Jade

Hurricane Matthew: The Kingdom of Heaven is at Hand

My east coast state did not get to experience the full scale effects of Matthew, when it became a category 1. In fact, once it finished with North Carolina, it went back into the ocean, as it surrendered completely to the hand of God. Its job was done. The message was spread. The devastation was done.

The winds and the waves shall obey thy will; Peace be still. I can hear it so clearly, I can hear the Lord so clear. This was not an average hurricane, this was a message, not just a message, a stern warning.

When my mother (our designated meteorologist) tracked the hurricane, as she did with most of them, she warned that this would be a large scale hurricane. It started in the last days of September, but it didn’t hit the United States until October 7-8.

I saw further signs in forms of memes on Instagram and over the internet, Matthew 10:7
Which says the following:

“And as you go, preach, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand (in some translations “near”)”

As the hurricane went out into the ocean, it became a post-tropical cyclone. Ironically, even post-tropical cyclones can cause just as much damage as a hurricane. Even though it was now off the coast of the eastern states, it was still powerful. The message was clear that this is only a taste of what will happen in the future. America was in trouble, once more.

One thing that I learned while doing more research was the devastating effects and aftermath of Haiti. Then I learned why they received such devastating effects. You can visibly see it on the weather channel website and it’s been posted all over the web that when the hurricane made landfall in Haiti, an eerie face was spotted on satellite images, which looked like a skull.

 

image via here

I don’t know the connection between Haiti and the skull and I don’t really care that much to investigate. (ok maybe I will, lol) But I will say that this hurricane, like Katrina is definitely a mixture of natural occurrence (this is hurricane season still) and spiritual warfare.

The Lord is not pleased with the United States and it’s an ongoing issue, it’s not just a one-time deal, he’s over it and rightfully so. And not just with the US, but the entire world. Biblical prophecy is fulfilling itself day to day and as Christians, it’s our job to continue to preach the gospel to the lost.

Lets be more vigilant and not ignore or brush aside the warnings that God is bring forth. There will be more like Hurricane Matthew to come. Don’t fret and don’t fear. Trust God in everything and remember to pray without ceasing.

Until next time, if it’s the Lord’s will,

xoxo,

Jade

Random Thoughts: I’m thinking about Permanently quitting social media – Ok just Twitter

A feel a dark cloud that threatens to come each time I partake in arguments and petty debates or twitter and especially forums.

I am defending the honor of someone I don’t know, because I refuse to condemn them the way the world has. If you follow me on twitter, then you can see that I’m talking about Real Housewives of Orange County’s Vicki Gunnvalson.

A quick backstory: Last year, Vicki’s then Boyfriend Brooks was found to be faking cancer. How and Why was this found out? Well, Vicki argued with this girl Meghan and the Meghan being pissed off, decided to investigate Brook’s claim that he had cancer. Not to be mention, a “psychic” said that he was faking. They took the word of a psychic and just ran with it. So, they browbeat Vicki into showing proof that he did had cancer. Well, she ended up being guilty by association and people have been cutting her reputation to the white meat every since.

The reason why I defended her was because I was sick of people saying she lied about having cancer and she was in on the cancer scam. No, it was her now ex-boyfriend who did those things. Yeah she lied about having one of her castmates’ husband come to her house to administer an IV treatment to Brooks in the middle of the night and she wanted compassion and a casserole. That really didn’t warrant her being in on a lie or a scam. All she has said was to confront Brooks about it. Nothing wrong with that.

Now, on the show she was hurt in an accident, where her castmate and former BFF Tamra was driving a dune buggy they were in and it flipped multiple times. Now people are saying that she exaggerated her injuries for sympathy and that it was her karma.

I don’t like that. I don’t like when people lack compassion and I definitely don’t like it when people just automatically accuse people of doing something due to their association with someone else. Don’t group them together.

If she is guilty, God will deal with that accordingly in his way.

More than that, Jesus himself said in John 8:7 says “He who is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her”

I’m not going to condemn Vicki. I’m not going to hate her, I’m not going to judge her. I don’t have proof or evidence to the fact of what she has been accused of doing is true. But more than that, my gut feeling is telling me that she’s not guilty of what she has been accused of. And if I’m wrong and she is, then like I said, let God handle this.

So, in getting into a 3 hour debate on Reality Tea, I realize that I was exactly as worldly as they are. It’s not something that I should have engaged in. But what’s done is done. Lord forgive me for acting out of character I was before I gave my life to you. I was actually pretty friendly with my debates, but I still didn’t feel right about it.

I’m better than this, because when you’re in Christ, you’re a new creation, you’re in the light, as he is in the light. God is the light and Satan is the dark. Satan has his world already in the palm of his hands, so it’s not so far stretch that his reign in the social media world has exploded to an uncomfortable environment.

So, I think I’m going to delete my twitter. Facebook, I don’t really use, but I’m trying to beat my cookie jam score. I’m keeping instagram and the snapchat, I don’t know why with snapchat. But yeah. I know people will say “Hey you got to learn to ignore and not engage” I’m weak and I’m not ashamed to say that. I’m more lethal with writing, so combine that with the flesh and PMS, then yeah I think it’s good for me to move on from that.

I may lose a few followers, but it’s ok. I didn’t create this blog for popularity. I was chosen to create it to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ and to share my experiences as I walk this journey with the Lord. If I create another account, it will be the Lord’s will.

Now, I have had my surgery, three weeks ago to be exact. I haven’t felt like doing anything except manage the pain I’m still having. But I had to explain why I was deleting my twitter page to yall (it’s really the only social media thing that is connected to this blog). So if you still want to follow this blog, then feel free to enter your email to get the updates and alerts.

Ok loves,

Take care,

xoxo,

Jade

Bible Study Lesson – Why I’m No Longer Afraid to Die

I had no idea what this week’s post would be about, so I asked the Lord to help me during my morning prayer. This is what he gave me; explain why I am not afraid to die.

The reason why I’m not afraid to die is because my home is in Heaven with the Lord. The way the world is going, my soul longs to be released, but I have an appointed time to die according to Hebrews 9:27 “It’s appointed unto men once to die, after this the judgment.”

Let me give you these words that Jesus promised to his disciples in John 14

John 14:1-6

1“Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me.

2 In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you.

3 If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also.

4 And you know the way where I am going.”

5 Thomas said to Him, “Lord, we do not know where You are going, how do we know the way?”

6 Jesus *said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.

So, Jesus is in Heaven preparing for us to come home. It’s like when you’re moving to another state and sometimes either you or maybe it’s your husband, father, kids, or whomever go ahead to that state and get everything in order, so that the move can go smoothly and you have somewhere to go when you officially move to that state.

Also in this passage, he’s letting us know that we’re he is going, we’re also going and he will come back and get his children. He also explains, if it wasn’t so, then we would have said otherwise.

So, even after his reassurance, we have no reason to doubt him.

Now, why did I say that my soul longs to be released?

Well there are plenty of scriptures to explain this longing. I’m only going to give a few.

Romans 8:23 “And not only this, but also we ourselves, having the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our body”

2 Corinthians 5:2 “For indeed in this house we groan, longing to be clothed with our dwelling from heaven”

1 Corinthians 15:53 “For the perishable must be clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality”

2 Corinthians 5:4 “So while we are in this tent, we groan under our burdens, because we do not wish to be unclothed but clothed, so that our mortality may be swallowed up by life.”

Romans 7:24 “What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death?”

Our physical bodies are tainted from the burden of sin. It’s sick, it’s infected, and I praise God that we’re getting a body that is worth and perfect to his glorification. (Philippians 3:20-21)

Remember that phrase in the 90s “I wanna be like Mike.” Well, I wanna be like Jesus. I wanna to be with him in Heaven. I pray that you also want to be with him.

The way the world is going, we don’t know the day, but we’re close. Maybe we’ve always been close, but it’s important to not focus on what’s happening here in the world, but keep your mind upon Heaven and your citizenship there. This world is not our home, we’re just passing by.

No matter what happens, God is always in control and he alone have ordered our steps.

I always treat these blogpost like it’s the final one. I didn’t even realize it until now. But don’t fret. Even if I never post here again for whatever reason, the blog will still remain unless WordPress says otherwise, but I have faith and trust God that this blog will still have an impact in the spreading of his word and the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Today is the day of salvation. Now is the acceptable hour. Ask yourself this one question. Where will you spend eternity at? Will it be in Heaven with Jesus Christ? Or will it be with Satan?

There are people who truly believe that they can just get by with being good to get into Heaven, but that’s not what the bible says. Jesus himself said in John 3:3 “Verily, verily, I say unto you; except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” What does that mean to you?

If you are a believer in Christ, congratulations and I look forward to meeting you at home. While you’re still here, continue to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ to win even more souls to him.

If you’re not a believer, please like on the word salvation in the side bar with the different words or click on the page tab above “How do I get saved?” (I think that’s the tab). Don’t think of me or anyone else throwing this or forcing this upon you. We’re not doing it for kicks or to recruit like a sorority, but your eternal life is at stake here. It’s pretty much imperative that you act right now, before it’s too late. The time is coming. Only God the Father knows the day, the hour, the minute, the year, basically it’s sporadic. We’re not going to know, so please ignore, side eye, say chile please to those sites or folks who give you a direct date, because it is unscriptural and they need to have a colosseum of seats. God’s word will always trump everything, and please trust and believe in God always and forever.

Until next time, God willing, in the meantime, in between time,

xoxo,

Jade