Fruit of the Spirit and War with the Flesh. Do you struggle?

Works of the Flesh and Fruits of the Spirit: Is it a struggle?

The Lord woke me in the very early hours of the morning with an immediate desire to seek him in prayer and in his word.  Early morning devotions are something that I have trained myself to do over the years, to become closer to the Lord but it is also a desire God has given to me and has helped me so much along my way, to the point that I long for this time of solitude with our Lord every morning. Some mornings there is a different feel, like God is wanting to give me something extra special.  This was one of those mornings.  I know you have been there and can relate!  He is so good to his children all the time! As I started from one of my quick devotion books this morning, it quickly led me to Ephesians and I ended up starting my bible reading from Galatians and ending in Ephesians and some in John.

When I think about Galatians and Ephesians some very familiar verses quickly come to my mind from previous studies and preachings.  One coming from Galatians 2:20, I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: And the life which I now live in the flesh I now live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.  Another is Galatians 5:16-21 about walking after the spirit and not fulfilling the lust of the flesh such as adultery fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envyings, murders drunkenness, revellings, and such.  It goes further in the fruit of the spirit in verses 22-23. But the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance. Galatians chapter 6 really spoke to me this morning from the entire chapter.  It tells us about bearing on another’s burdens and helping to restore in meekness which is one of the fruits of the spirit.  Verse 3 in chapter 6 explains further if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself.  Verse 4 talks about comparing, which my preacher recently preached about as well.  Galatians 6:4, But let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another.  Galatians 6:10, As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.

Ephesians is full of wonderful instructions and wisdom as well. Ephesians 2:8 For by grace are ye save though faith, and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God.  Ephesians 2 14-18 talks about another fruit of the spirit which is peace. For HE is our peace (verse 14)……It talks about the mystery being made known. Ephesians 3:6 that the Gentiles should be fellowheirs and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel. Ephesians 3:8-11 talks about the unsearchable riches of Christ.  Verse 9 brings out how Paul wants to make us aware of the eternal purpose of the gospel, the good news.  And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ.  John 1:1-3, In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  The same was in the beginning with God.  All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.

Ephesians 4 talks about keeping unity of the spirit, the gifts of Christ and the new creature that we are in and through Christ.  Ephesians chapter 5 tells us to walk in love, which is another fruit of the spirit.  Ephesians 5:19 was one of the springboard verses from my devotion this morning that launched my readings further into the entire Galatians and Ephesians, and it says, Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord. Ephesians 6 is known for instructions to children, servants to their masters and the whole armour of God.  Ephesians 6:18 was another devotional verse this morning that launched the further readings as well.  Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints.

One of the main points, although many great from these two books of the Bible, that is burning in my heart and devotion this morning, is how we are to stand fast (Ephesians 5:1) in the liberty of Christ.  To quote this verse, Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hast made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage. My Pastor’s wife recently led the ladies on a bible study of this topic of holding fast and it still stands out in my heart and mind as a reminder.  It is easy to get tangled back up with our fleshly desires, our fleshly thoughts and not be led by the spirit although the spirit dwells inside the believer, the saved person.  It appears we allow ourselves to get focused on the minors when there is major purpose and work to be done for our Lord and Savior.  It happens and Galatians and Ephesians is so full of wonderful directions for us on how we need to focus on our own behaviors to keep a check on our own spiritual walk so we are useful for his purpose of leading others to Christ.   The fruits of the spirit study is a wonderful study on it’s own and so convicting.  We are known by the fruits we bear and that is what other Christians and non-Christians see and are looking at that may or may not lead them to Christ or closer to Christ.

 The study bible that I read from, discusses a contrast of the works of the flesh mentioned in Galations 5:19-20 with the fruit of the spirit.  This commentator points out, the believer can know whether he or she is walking by the Spirit or being controlled by the flesh by contrasting these two.  Oh me and so convicting!  Every jot and tittle matters to the Lord.  Not just parts of his word and instructions.  Ouch again!  I personally feel like we, as Christian ladies, want to serve the Lord wholly and entirely and that it is easy to be side tracked by the flesh at times and often at that!. If we continue in those ways, which Satan wants, it may be that one does not have the spirit indwelling within.  They have not accepted Jesus as their Savior.  The good news (gospel) is that he came to seek and save the lost (Luke 19:9-10) If we recognize we are leaning and practicing in any of these areas of the works of the flesh and purpose to follow after the spirit that is indwelling within us, verse 25 will make more sense.  Galatians 5:25, If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Galatians chapter 6 takes us further into bearing one another’s burdens. We will need the fruits of the spirit to be able to bear one another’s burdens with meekness, lest we also be tempted (Ephesians 6:1).  Ephesians 6:3 says, For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself.  We are all nothing without Christ dwelling within ourselves. Ephesians 6: 9 and 10 says, And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith (another fruit of the spirit). 

As Christians, we know we love the Lord, we know we love each other, we know we love our churches, we love our homes, our families and so much more.  Is it easy?  Probably not for most.  Are we blessed?  Yes! We are indeed blessed beyond measure!  Are we bearing the marks of a Christian by displaying the fruits of the spirit and waring against the works of the flesh? Mostly likely we are warring but what and who is winning?  The flesh? As a Christian that has accepted Christ the war of our soul is already won. But these battles are tough!  It would be good to study and be aware of what we are warring against so we will easily recognize the enemy when he is attacking to make us display and succumb more to the works of the flesh as opposed to the fruit of the spirit.  The fruit of the Holy Spirit can only truly be produced by God. 

Ephesians ends with the whole armour of God. Studying the fruits of the spirit is one way to make sure you have the full armour of God in place.  Each and every piece is important and a whole study in itself.  God bless you in sincerest love and prayers.  I want to be more like him and less like me.  He must increase, but I must decrease (John 3:30).  I pray you will take time to further look up these verses and passages above and bask in the spirit of the Lord as you do so.  He is so very good like that! Help yourself my friend! Love, always.

God Hears our Tears

God Hears our Tears written by Ambrey Key

Do you ever wonder why you cry lying in bed at night or why one single tear drop falls once you close your eyes to go to sleep?  When we pray there may be things we forget to pray about. Do you think that tear is an unspoken request that you never thought once about?  Be happy that tears fall because somebody needed it.  Our minds think too much.  When we cry it is possible that our mind goes back to where we lost all hope or even faith.  We may feel weaker, like our eyes are full of fog and we can’t see clearly.  It is the times we forget to praise HIM for the small things.  Every tear has a reason for falling.  Pain and trials may seem to just make it worse, But through it all HE is still working.  We may not see it, but HE is there. God made us to be who we are, and we must not forget it.  God sees our brokenness and gives it meaning.  He sees our pain and gives it purpose.  He sees our weight and gives it reason. He sees our future and gives it promise.  No matter what happens in life, God sees it all.  All the things we face, God brings us back to where we need to be.  It is a part of the walk with God.  Have you ever heard, “things happen for a reason?”  Most likely, we have heard this expression.  One thing that gets me is that I tend to ask so many questions but never realize the answer is in front of me the whole time.  The Bible has every answer.  Romans 8:28 says and we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.  God will allow you to go to a limit. However, he won’t wait long before he takes certain things away for his purpose and my good.  God understands the valley that you and I face because HE has already faced it.  James 4:9-10 Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned into mourning, and your joy to heaviness.  Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.

When I choose to allow God to shine in and through my life, no matter what the circumstance, it is then that I can see who really matters the most.  He is really all that matters.  We must  decide……God or OUR wants/choices. I want HIM to establish, settle and strengthen me in all my situations.  I choose Jesus. 1st Peter 5:10-11- But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.  To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever.  Amen.

God’s Amazing Grace

Have you ever stopped to consider God’s grace? I have had the words kindness and compassion on my mind a lot recently and that got me to thinking about God’s kindness and compassion towards us.

The word Grace, according to the Webster’s 1828 dictionary is defined as, favor, good will, kindness, disposition to oblige another, a grant made as an act of grace. Free unmerited love and favor of God, the spring and source of all benefits men receive from him.

God’s grace is freely given to us. We did not have to earn it or be worthy of it, because we could never be worthy of it on our own. Ephesians 4:7 says, But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ. Likewise, Ephesians 2:8-9 says, For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.

God showed us grace when he sent his son to die for our sins. We were full of sin and deserved to be in hell, but God’s grace made a way for us! I am just in awe of how good He is! He looked beyond my faults and saw my need! The grace of God is the expression of His goodness toward the undeserving!

God’s grace is shown to us every day. He gives us grace to face difficult situations, to deal with disappointments, grace to serve Him, grace for everything! I think of the song “New Grace“, There’s been grace for every mile
There’s been grace for every trial
There’s been grace sufficient from His vast supply
Grace to make my heart more tender
Grace to love and pray for sinners
But there’ll be new grace when it’s my time to die.

2 Corinthians 12:9 says, And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. I am so thankful for God’s amazing grace! I am thankful for the peaks and valleys in life and the grace that I have experienced in my own life. There are times I reflect back on things, and I have no idea how I came through those trials; the ONLY explanation is GRACE! I’m thankful for the trials and the trust that He developed in me through them. He is so, so good and His grace is truly sufficient! Take some time to study God’s grace and reflect on your own life and the grace you have been shown. Let’s also remember to extend grace to others, even those we don’t think deserve it because grace is not earned, its freely given! Thank you, Lord!

IS YOUR CANDLE BURNING?

Proverbs 31:18

She perceiveth that her merchandise is good:  her candle goeth not out by night.

            The quick take away from this verse over many years in my life has been, and still is, to work hard and work long with the talent and ability the Lord has given me.  For many years, this verse, and my raising, have been driving forces of reasons to work long and hard hours. Another reason I developed to work long, hard hours is to care for and nurture those I love dearly.  It is innate nature to want to care and look well to the ways of my household and whatever it is that I do.  As I type this , so many memory verses or even just good verses that have stood out to me in my reading the Bible over the years, comes flooding through my mind.  One being Proverbs 31:15; She riseth also while is it yet night, and giveth meat to her household.  Another comes from Proverbs 31:27; She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.  Colossians 3:23; And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men. Ecclesiastes 9:10; Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might, for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom , in the grave, whither thou goest.  And finally, 1st Corinthians 10;31; Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God. My goal is to please the Lord in all that I do from home, to church, to work and any other place I may go.  Anything I have is from the Lord and not of myself.  It is all HIS merchandise. 1st Corinthians 6:19-20; What?  Know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?  For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.             Going a little further into the verse, this next part is what really grabbed me this time of reading. It became fresh, anew and filled me with such peace to remember “her candle goeth not out by night”.  Yes, this means we work long hours at home, work, church or combinations of that and more.  But this time my excitement came from reading this because even when it is night, even when it is dark, even when the storm clouds gather, even when the winds from a storm rage, even when the enemy is attacking, even in what may seem like doom and gloom, even when it “seems” you are forsaken, even when it “seems” you are alone, even when satan is trying to “blow it out”, HE CANNOT blow out your candle if your candle is lit!  That is so encouraging to know that “ The flame may flicker but the fire will never go out”.  Jesus is the only way to light your candle.  Satan will forever try to prevent our candles from being lit and then try to snuff it out so we cannot be a light in this dark world.  He will try to stop our children from ever getting their candles lit.  Matthew 25: 1-13 is a great passage to read about keeping oil in our lamps to keep the candle burning.  You must first put the oil in the lamp and Jesus is the only way to do this.  Otherwise if will be like Matthew 25:12; But he answered and said, verily I say unto you, I know you not.  Good news is that it there is, even now, an opportunity for anyone to call on his name and get their own oil to light their candle and let it shine bright to lead the way for others to Christ.  John 3:16; For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in his should not perish but have everlasting life. God paid a price for us so that we can ask him to forgive our sin and believe what he done and ask him to be Lord over our lives and have a home with him in heaven when our time comes to meet him.  We never know when that moment will be so we must be prepared today, this moment.  He loves you and I so much.  Is your candle burning?  If so, it will never, ever go out, because you know who the Lord is and you love and adore HIM.  Trim those wicks, burn those candles bright, stay focused on the Lord, love one another and remember you are his Child and don’t let the “devil blow it out or try to dim your light”.  Jesus is worth it all! 

YOU’RE NOT ALONE

Hebrews 13:5

“Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.”

Do you ever feel like you don’t fit in anywhere?  Yea, me too!  Some days I just want to stay home and be by myself but that still small voice inside of me tells me, I’m here.  Your NEVER alone.  I am always with you. 

We live in a wicked and vile world where even the “so-called” Christians want to be worldly.  They act like, dress like, talk like, even hang-out with the world.  They want to fit in with the world and do all they can to justify living this way.  The pressure is getting harder and harder but this morning that still small voice spoke again and said, “you don’t have to be afraid, you don’t have to hide at home, feel inferior, nor ashamed because my REDEEMER lives.

He sees all, knows all, and He will take care of me.  One thing I want to always remember is whatever evil means for harm HE will make it for my good.  NO one else can do that.  You see I serve a mighty God that can take what people mean for evil and to hurt me and HE uses it to bless me.  He has proven himself to me more times than I can tell and for that I want to always do what HE wants me to do.  I want to be that example for HIM.  It might mean me being alone, ignored, mistreated, but none of those matters.  I can count it all as JOY.  Joy for HIM.  You see my friend we are NEVER alone. 

I want my life to be a shining light for the one who died for me. HE is so worthy to be praised and worshipped.  When my times ends on this earth, I want my kids and grandkids to know and be proud to say my mama and Grammy loves Jesus and lived her life for him.

Compassion and Empathy

Compassion-A suffering with another; Painful sympathy; a sensation of sorrow excited by the distress or misfortunes of another, etc.

Empathy-the ability to understand and share the feelings of another.

Empathy vs sympathy- Empathy is shown in how much compassion and understanding we can give to another. Sympathy is more of a feeling of pity for another. Empathy is our ability to understand how someone feels while sympathy is our relief in not having the same problems.

Our vacation bible school theme verse a few years ago was Jude 1:22 And of some have compassion, making a difference. I didn’t know this verse before that year, but it has stuck with me ever since. I believe compassion and empathy are something people struggle with. It’s not intentional but I believe people are so busy and so consumed by their own lives and day to day activities that we forget about others. Sometimes I let my feelings get the best of me and begin to think about how hard I’ve got it, but the Lord sends me gentle reminders that I am blessed. I have a hard-working husband, three beautiful children, a roof over my head, a wonderful church and church family. Wow! I am so blessed; it’s really overwhelming to think about! But I throw myself a pity party every now and then when I let Satan fill my mind with his lies. Sometimes the Lord puts someone in my path that needs to be shown some compassion and empathy. He reminds me I am his and he’s got me in the hallow of his hand, to put my selfish thinking aside and consider others.

We, as Christians, are to be Christ like and Christ had compassion and empathy so much so that he bore our sins and suffered our death so we wouldn’t have to. If he can do that, surely we can take the time to take someone dinner, or visit them, or even just an encouraging text or phone call. You never know what that might mean to someone. We should really try to support our brothers and sisters in Christ. Our preacher said it and our Sunday school teacher reiterated, when someone is requesting prayer for someone having surgery or an illness or whatever, pray about it like its you or your family member going through it. I know personally when my son was having his tonsils removed, I prayed so hard that it would go smoothly and his recovery we be easy and I’ll admit I prayed more for him than I would typically pray for someone who was just mentioned in Wednesday night prayer meeting. That’s wrong of me, and I am ashamed.

Also, when someone stumbles, have compassion. We are so quick to criticize others, we forget that we are all still robed in our sinful flesh and each one of us are capable of the same things. It’s only by the grace of God that we are not in the same position of those we are criticizing. Perhaps, we haven’t done what so and so has done but we probably stumbled in other areas that they didn’t. When a brother stumbles, help them up without criticizing, without gossiping, instead pray for them, encourage them. Galatians 6:1 KJV Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.

Let’s all try to show more compassion, more empathy, be kinder to one another, and as a result we can have unity in our churches and maybe even revival in our own hearts and our churches.

What are you worshipping?

Isaiah 63:7 KJV  I will mention the lovingkindnesses of the Lord, and the praises of the Lord, According to all that the Lord hath bestowed on us, And the great goodness toward the house of Israel, Which he hath bestowed on them according to his mercies, And according to the multitude of his lovingkindnesses.

The other day I was on Instagram, and I saw a preacher on a video, and he was preaching on “what are you worshipping.” He gave a couple of examples of things we could be worshipping, and it has just stuck with me the past couple days and got me to thinking about what I am worshipping.

  1. Feelings- the approval of others, temporary happiness etc. I’ve dealt with things like this and I’m sure you have too. I’ve gone to church with my emotions all over the place and I’m looking for something to make me feel better, when instead, I should be worshipping through the pain. Now, I get that sometimes it can be hard to sing, to sit and listen to a sermon while you are going through a trial, but that is when we need to put our feelings aside, pray and worship the most. The Lord will give us the strength we need.
  2. Friendship- you may have a group of friends, or you may just long to be accepted but no one seems to accept you for who you are and what you stand for. You may be trying to get their approval so much that it becomes an idol and that is what you begin to “worship.” I have been there too and trust me you are better off staying where you are, planted in God. Don’t give in to peer pressure. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. James 4:7 KJV
  3. Followers- we could be seeking popularity or doing it for the Instagram followers and that becomes what we begin to worship. We become so obsessed with how many followers we have that it becomes an idol. I experienced this, it got to the point that i had to delete the app for a while and get back on track with really worshipping God. I know none of us are perfect and we will make mistakes, but to keep unity and our hearts filled with the spirit, we have to truly be worshipping the one who is worthy.

In conclusion, it’s so easy to get our eyes off of Jesus without even realizing we’ve done so. We have to fill our hearts and minds with his word daily in order to stay on track. Ask yourself today and search your own heart to see if your worship is what it should be.

Confession and Forgiveness

This morning I woke up, made my bed, made my coffee, and settled on the couch for my morning bible study time. I didn’t have anything particular on my heart this morning, so I opened to Psalms. I read through a few scriptures, but nothing really “spoke” to me. I thought to myself I need to hear from God this morning, if I’m being honest, it’s been a few days since I really had a good morning devotion. Oh, I have plenty of excuses: We were on spring break, I’ve just been so busy trying to unpack and get the house back in order, getting ready for easter, etc. Then I came to Psalm 32.

32 Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.2 Blessed is the man unto whom the Lord imputeth not iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no guile.3 When I kept silence, my bones waxed old through my roaring all the day long.4 For day and night thy hand was heavy upon me: my moisture is turned into the drought of summer. Selah.5 I acknowledge my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the Lord; and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin. Selah.6 For this shall every one that is godly pray unto thee in a time when thou mayest be found: surely in the floods of great waters they shall not come nigh unto him.7 Thou art my hiding place; thou shalt preserve me from trouble; thou shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance. Selah.8 I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye.9 Be ye not as the horse, or as the mule, which have no understanding: whose mouth must be held in with bit and bridle, lest they come near unto thee.10 Many sorrows shall be to the wicked: but he that trusteth in the Lord, mercy shall compass him about.11 Be glad in the Lord, and rejoice, ye righteous: and shout for joy, all ye that are upright in heart.

I had sin I needed to confess. I hadn’t really prayed in some days. I feel terrible saying that, especially right after resurrection Sunday, but it’s true. I had let myself become so busy and distracted that I had left God out. No devotions, no praying, just busy preparing outfits, Easter baskets, food and even songs for church service. All those things are not bad, but I left out the main reason for doing those things.

The Bible tells us to be sober minded and I was definitely NOT. My mind was crowded and cluttered giving way for Satan to sneak in. So, this morning I prayed, I asked the Lord to forgive me. Psalm 32:1-2 says, Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Blessed is the man unto whom the Lord imputeth not iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no guile. WHOOP! The day after resurrection day, I’m so thankful for forgiveness of sin, for the comfort of the Holy Spirit and for the fellowship I can have with the Lord thanks to calvary! He’s listening, He’s waiting, confess your sins and He is faithful and just to forgive. 1 John 1:9 – If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Self-Examination

What is our purpose behind what we do and who we follow every day?  What and who are we following and why?  Those are intriguing questions that trained, complacent, quick, head knowledge responses can be the immediate answer if we don’t stop and think. If we throw out a quick answer it may be to please the Lord, in which I am sure that is true, or to please my family, or to please myself etc.  All of which are probably true. The list could go on and be so real for each person.  I am sure there are many other answers one could quickly answer. But stop and really think about this for a moment.  Make it real, personal, purposed thought for yourself for a minute.  Write down a list to ponder and meditate for a minute, of the reason you do what you do and follow who you follow. 

We can read about examination in the bible in many places. Just to start here in 1st Corinthians 11: 28- 33 says, 28 But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. 29 For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body. 30 For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep. 31 For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged.

32 But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world. 33 Wherefore, my brethren, when ye come together to eat, tarry one for another. 2nd Corinthians 13:5 tells us to…. 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?

So why do we do what we do, go where we go, seek what we seek, follow who or what we follow?  Let’s add a new twist. What if social media did not exist?  Just imagine you lived in a world where social media did not exist?  No way to quickly share what you are doing and why you are doing what you are doing or where you are going?  Social media has a proper place,and it can be so beneficial, but it has changed the heart and motives for so much in society today.  Our newer generation does not know anything but social media and doing things to please the camera eye, or the social media eye.  If we think back to our older generations, that never had social media, or even pictures of some sort to share their actions, motives etc., you could ponder what influenced them to do what they do each day.

This could turn into a huge blog and study but just want to quickly share some thoughts that maybe would open to a deeper devotion and study for our own self and in our own time for our own purpose to bring glory and honor to God alone.  God will get the reward and he will be the one to display and show the work he is doing. HIS beauty will truly shine in so many ways that would greatly benefit serving HIM alone and bring glory and honor to HIS name, in HIS time and in HIS way, all to lead others to Jesus and have the opportunity to accept Christ as their personal savior.  John 3:30 says, “He must increase, but I must decrease.”  Social media has a way of increasing us in a deceptive way.  So why do we do what we do, say what we say, go where we go, follow what we follow?  If there was not social media, would we still do what we do, say what we say, go where we go, follow what we follow?  If we examine ourselves every moment, and measure it to the word of God, and act upon his word in all areas, we would see revival in our hearts, homes and land and it would be evident in person, in the midst of HIS people.  He must increase, but I must decrease.  Self-examination.