It's okay if you know it's okay!

In the world we live in, it becomes easy to get discouraged. We often ask ourselves why a loving God will allow for so much suffering. We are told that to suffer is to be more like Christ who suffered for our sins. However, the Love of God does not translate to suffering and pain to those who truly know God as LOVE.

It is impossible to know the mind of God as His ways are Higher than our ways and His thoughts higher than our thoughts. However, it is our view of situations and circumstances that cause our reaction, beliefs, and/or states of awareness regarding all things.

 It is our perception of events that causes us to accept one incident as a blessing and another as pure suffering. How then do you view the trials and tribulations that come into your life?
Do you immediately respond with sorrow, fear, complexity of confusion?

Do you fluctuate between faith and hope and disbelief and worry?

Do you beat yourself up for your "human nature" that causes you to question your worthiness as a strong man or woman of faith when you find yourself experiencing the pain and sorrow that comes with some of the most incomprehensible events of your life?

Ask yourself, however, how often you have found yourself in this same position emotionally and spiritually?

How often have you felt this way?

Is this feeling not becoming familiar to you?

Look back on the times you have been here before and look at yourself now... Haven't you always made it through?

 Haven't you been blessed beyond measure despite the adversity?

Although life has not always been comfortable and every day not a perfect one of peace and abundance, haven't you always been "okay"?

In the Midst of It All

An interesting phenomenon occurs when we find ourselves in the midst of twists and turns in what we thought was a direct path to our destinies. We see these events as devastating. Sure! We are moved by our emotional reaction to these events, but when we stop to really reflect on the goodness of God in the midst of it all, we are always able to locate His Love for us being magnified. It becomes a relatively difficult task, however, to focus on the goodness of the Most High, to be thankful and to hold on to the fact that through every other situation in our lives, no matter how uncomfortbale, we have always been "okay". It becomes a challenge to us to not allow our thoughts to control us, thoughts of how these events befell us, how we could or could not have prevented these events, what we should have or could have done differently, what life will be like after these events, what these events mean about us, our character, our relationships with those we love. We over-exaggerate the impact of our own situations on our livelihood, as if each twist and turn has a terrible cause with a terrible effect to come. However, we must still give thanks, we must still know that ALL IS WELL AND IN DIVINE ORDER. We must know that the inevitable changes that occur on our path are changes to which we will eventually adjust. We have to become more accepting, more willing to accept that what we thought was one way may actually be a different way regarding our lives and our futures. However, in the midst of it all, in the midst of all the changes, all the 'difficult' times, that GOD never changes. GOD's LOVE never fails. In the midst of it all, GOD remains the same. In that thought alone, we may find solace, faith, and serenity. GOD is still GOD. This too shall pass...

Step out on Faith: by KjB

Is God urging you through your experience, thoughts, dreams, or gentle nudging that He wants you to do more? How are you spending your talents and gifts to advance the Children of The Most High God, to leave a legacy of God's love on earth that will impact generations to come? These visions and dreams are the desires that God has placed in your heart.

One common misconception when one reads "Delight yourself in the Lord and He will will give you the desires of your heart" (Psalm 37:4) is to believe that translates into God will give me whatever I want (desire). Very wrong, indeed.

This phrase actually means that as you line your life up to God's Divine Will and develop the character of His Word, you begin to walk into your destiny and live in your purpose. As a result, the desires (burning on the inside of you) are changed. God PLANTS these desires within you!

What, then, has God been urging you to do, to go higher~ to move from glory to glory? If these desires have been revealed to you, what is stopping you?

FEAR? Fear is not of God! It is a manipulation of the mind, to paralyze you from moving forward, from impacting others, from giving God glory.

God does not instill in us a spirit of FEAR but of a STRONG mind. When we truly embrace the concept of Hebrews 11:11...now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen... We may activate the POWER God has given us to co-create our own destinies!!!

Take that vision, that dream, that desire that God placed upon your heart and start praising God today as if it has already come to pass!!

Meditate on that strong positive emotion (the strong mind) and watch your desires manifest. This is the true substance of faith.... Creating the attainable. With God All Things Are Possible!

STEP OUT ON FAITH! GOD HAS PLANTED IT IN YOUR SPIRIT~ GIVEN YOU A VISION! USE YOUR FAITH TO BRING THESE THINGS TO FRUITION!

Why stay stagnant/paralyzed with fear?Commit daily to tap into the power of the Most High. He has equipped you with everything you need to propel yourself forward.

Remember! Keep your mind on the end result and fear not the journey or how you will get there.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your understanding. In all your ways, acknowledge Him and He shall direct your path. Proverbs 3:5-6

Is Christ Consciousness Christian? Do I have to be a Christian to achieve Christ Consciousness?

From: http://www.ctrforchristcon.org/christ-consciousness.asp

The highest state of intellectual development and emotional maturity is sometimes termed the “christed” state because of the sacredness and purity of the individual who has achieved it. Jesus achieved this in his human life, and was given this term before his name as the recognition of his achievement of this spiritual status. This path is open to anyone regardless of their religious tradition if and when he or she is open to become a living vessel of LOVE and TRUTH on the planet and actively strives to attain it.

This is not a term used exclusively in the Christian religion, nor does it mean that you must adhere to the Christian belief system to attain this state. All of the world’s religious traditions offer a path to achieving this “christed” status, and people are free to find their way in the context of their religious choice. What is significant to remember here is that each person has his and her own path to finding Spirit, and to open to allowing that path to unfold naturally. Sometimes people find their way within the context of certain religious beliefs that the major world’s religions offer; some people will find their way by blending some beliefs together in a unique and innovative way. All ways and paths are honored if they lead a person into becoming more loving, forgiving, patient, kind, compassionate, tolerant, and happy. All paths of LOVE lead to the same Source of All That Is. We all share the same Creator-Source as living expressions of that Source Personality and we all are moving back home to unite with our Source.

Christ consciousness is the state of awareness of our true nature, our higher self, and our birthright as children of God. Christ consciousness is our living expression as a child of Spirit as we unfold our own divine life plan onto the earth plane: bringing heaven to earth. Living in the reality of our “christed” self is actually being fully alive and invested in who we truly are. In our “christed” self we live as inspiration for others to seek this for themselves so we can collectively move our planet forward into the divine plan for planetary transformation and glorification.

Jesus: The Inspiration for Human Life

It is the goal of human life to evolve toward Spirit. This is the journey that unfolds over the course of one’s lifetime—it is the adventure of moving from time and space to eternity. Spirit ever reaches into the hearts and minds of humans to urge us to choose the ascension path to unite with the Source of Creation. One way Spirit does this is to incarnate as a human to reveal Spirit’s personality to humanity to serve as encouragement to discover and walk the path of Spirit. God actually steps down into the skin of a human to show us the way back home. The person who fulfilled this role for us is Jesus.

Jesus’ teachings centered around helping people find their own internal source of Spirit. He lived what he taught. He was the embodiment of love and goodness, peace and understanding. His God-centeredness allowed him to achieve what we consider miracles because he understood the natural laws of the universe and was able to tap into the great power of love to bring healing to people. He practiced meditation and prayer to gain strength to meet the challenges of daily life. He consistently showed love, kindness, patience, gentleness to others and encouraged them to open to the Spirit within themselves. He said, “The kingdom of Heaven is within.” He lived his life to show us how to find Spirit and what a human personality looks like when he or she is Spirit-centered. He paved the way for us to find God for ourselves.

Jesus’ divine life plan disclosed itself to him over the course of his lifetime. Just as we can open ourselves to our Indwelling Spirits to find our own higher purpose, Jesus accomplished this during his human lifetime. He is an inspiring guide to help us achieve this for ourselves. Once he fully achieved his own state of “Christ consciousness” he was able to manifest and depict to others his divine self. His life purpose was two-fold and provides the living link between our Creator-Source and humanity: to show each person how to God in himself/herself and for himself/herself, and then to embody the Creator and reveal God’s love for each person to those who were ready to grow in Spirit.

The significance of Jesus’ life overshadows the Christian religion that evolved from human thought and beliefs about his life over the centuries. You can have a personal relationship with Jesus that is more satisfying than any idea coming from a belief system that you may have learned about him. Invite him to enter into your heart and mind and give you answers to the pressing questions about your life. Invite him to show who he is and the role he can play in your life to help you become more of who you truly are. You can ask him any question.

No question is off limits; even those regarding his teachings and the Christian religion that evolved around the events and mysteries of his life. He will give you the truth about himself and the teachings of Christianity that trouble you or cause you to have doubts about or reject him, questions about the crucifixion and why it occurred, questions about God’s relationship to humans, questions about his teachings and resulting human interpretation; anything at all. He is open to hearing your complaints, your questions, and your concerns. He will address each one of them in a manner that will have you amazed and delighted at what you learn.

Jesus is much better and more approachable than any institutionalized belief system about him. In going directly to him, you will get an enhanced picture of who he is and the role he can play in your life to help you become a better person, to find happiness and fulfillment, to accompany you during your struggles, to give you courage and strength, and to help you find the answers to all of the urgent and pressing questions of your life. He was tested here as a human and there is no one living past or present that has his unique perspective on life. He is here for you now. Invite him into your life and allow him to delight you to your heart’s content.

Unity and Peace with All *Accountability Moment*

Proverbs 26:22
The words of a whisperer are like dainty morsels, and they go down into the innermost parts of the body.

It severs our being like the surgeon’s knife; cutting through our flesh and slowly navigating it’s blade into our deepest parts, the words of a gossip make their path to our heart in a damaging and oftentimes irreversible manner. A whisper against you is like poison in your veins, an arrow in the back, and the smallest pieces of food consumed and distributed to the deepest parts of your body.

The gentle, whispering wind of a gossip can be felt within any time, place or circumstance. Seldom unaware and always justifiable, we spread hurtful words like a wildfire through our network of friends and companions. As with most rumors, that which began as a fire of comfort for one or two quickly outgrows its boundary and becomes an all-consuming wall of flames, devouring everyone in its path.

Proverbs 26:20 reminds us that fire can only exist with the presence of flammable materials. In the same manner, a vicious rumor can only exist where it finds those who will feed it. “For lack of wood the fire goes out, and where there is no whisperer, contention quiets down.” Verse 21 says, “Like charcoal to hot embers and wood to fire, so is a contentious man to kindle strife.”

It’s easy to play the victim and acknowledge the pain of gossip when you are on the receiving end. I challenge you to evaluate your own habits though. I wonder if you are more often found under the knife of gossip or firmly grasping its painful handle.

As children of God we are commanded to preserve unity and peace with all people (Ephesians 4:3). We are called to be ambassadors of the Lord, sharing and representing the goodness of Him who sent us to everyone we meet. When we participate in spreading whispers and rumors, our witness is hindered along with the message of Christ.

As painful as the knife that enters your own body and as deep reaching as the morsel of a whisper travels into your innermost being, I pray that you would never forget the hurtful damage of a whisper done to those around you. Jesus commands us to do to others only what we would like done to us. He teaches us in Matthew 23:39 to love our neighbors as ourselves. How often we forget our Master’s words when it comes to whispering rumors. The next time flames of gossip come in your direction, I pray that you would not be just another log in the fire, but instead, a quenching shot of water to a potentially devastating action.


If anyone thinks himself to be religious, and yet does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this man’s religion is worthless (James 1:26).

from www.deeperdevotional.com

Depression 101 for Christians (Borrowed from Christian.net)

Depression has been called the “common cold” of mental disorders, and one source estimates that it disrupts the lives of 30 to 40 million Americans. [4]

Depression is too complicated to solve with a single pat answer. Gary Collins, in Christian Counseling: A Comprehensive Guide (Dallas: Word, 1988), lists seven major categories of causes for depression,[1] and six major approaches to treating it. Each one has multiple options within each category. In addition, people use the word “depression” to cover everything from disappointment over losing a baseball game to the terrifying gloom that drives people to suicide.

The Bible does not use the word “depression,” although it describes people whom we might call depressed. It certainly doesn't mention antidepressant drugs. However, there are a few general principles I would recommend when trying to deal with depression:

Aim to work on the causes of your depression, not just the symptoms.

Scripture points to many issues of sin or conflict that can affect your emotions; most counselors would agree that depression can result from other underlying issues. Don't just worry about the depression itself; check to see what other problems need attention.

Realize that you can't base life on your emotions
Christians base life on truth, not feelings. Philippians 4:1 commands us to rejoice (whether we feel like it or not!). And James 1:2 asks us to “Consider it all joy when we fall into various trials.” Notice that James doesn't tell us to feel joyful; he tells us to reckon, to choose to think about your situation as a spot where you can have joy.

Faith
Choosing to trust truth rather than your feelings may require a lot of faith. And if that is what we mean by asking if faith can solve depression, then faith may be enough in some cases. Trusting what God says rather than your feelings is certainly a more realistic approach to life!

Heed God's Advice
However, many people talk about “faith” and only mean a vague hope that God will somehow pull them through. That's too nebulous a concept to be reliable. Many of the same people who claim to have faith keep plunging through life ignoring God's principles for healthy living. If we spurn the good advice that the Bible contains, we won't escape the consequences - even if we have faith.

Is it right to use antidepressant drugs? Or is faith enough to solve the problem?
Chemical Imbalances
Some cases of depression may be caused by chemical imbalances. If that is the cause, then antidepressant drugs may be the answer. God has allowed mankind to learn about many medical tools, and He sometimes uses medicine to heal. There may also be some cases of depression so severe that medications are necessary to bring the sufferer to the place where they can tackle some of the other issues; such cases might require medication, at least temporarily. I know of no Scripture that forbids such use. [1]

Unresolved Issues, Root Causes
However, any medications should be used with caution. Virtually any medicine has some side effects. Drugs can mask the symptoms, allowing you to ignore root causes. Some people may use antidepressants to avoid approaches that require you to deal with other unresolved issues. It seems easier to pop a pill. A general rule of thumb is to try other strategies first, unless the depression is so severe that the person endangers themselves or finds themselves unable to participate in other therapies.

Depression is a complex area, and severe problems of depression deserve the attention of a pastor or other counselor.

Author: Dr. John Bechtle

Helpful tips for depression

Avoid being alone.

Force yourself to be with people.

Seek help from others.

Sing. Music can uplift your spirit as it did for King Saul (1 Samuel 16:14-23).

Praise and give thanks. “In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” (1 Thessalonians 5:18).

Lean heavily on the power of God's Word.

Rest confidently in the presence of God's Spirit. “Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him For the help of His countenance” (Psalm 42:5).

See the good book Healing for Damaged Emotions for more details) [3]

Supplied by David Seamands.

1.Eight major causes of depression. (1) Biological factors, (2) Learned helplessness (sense of being trapped and unable to remedy an intolerable situation), (3) Parental rejection, (4) Abuse, (5) Negative thinking, (6) Life stress, (7) Anger, (8) Guilt. [Josh McDowell and Bob Hostetler, Josh McDowell's Handbook on Counseling Youth (Dallas, Texas: Word Publishing, 1996), chapter 5; Gary R. Collins, Christian Counseling: A Comprehensive Guide, revised edition (Dallas, Texas: Word Publishing, 1988).] [UP]

2.Biological factors—
Depression often has a physical basis. At the simplest level, we know that lack of sleep, insufficient excercise, the side effects of drugs, physical illnesses, or improper diet can all creation depression. Thousands of women experience depression as part of a monthly premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and some are victimized by postpartum depression following childbirth. Other physical influences, like neurochemical malfunctioning, brain tumors, or glandular disorders, are more complicated creators of depression. There is evidence that depression runs in families and may have a genetic basis. -Gary R. Collins, Christian Counseling: A Comprehensive Guide, revised edition (Dallas, Texas: Word, 1988), p. 107. [UP]

Your Pearl of Great Price

from:www.tfalg.com

“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls: Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it.” -Matthew 13:44-46

Beloved, can you afford My kingdom? Could it be that you have sought a treasure which you have not attained the funds to procure?

My blessing costs every last penny of your life: nothing more, and nothing less. Truly, blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven,1 and how hardly shall they that be rich enter into the kingdom of God.2

Yet, you have indeed sought My hidden treasure: a field with priceless treasure, a pearl of great price. You have sought, and I have promised, but have you gathered your funds? I am the treasure that you seek, but can you afford Me? Why do you instead heap up for yourself the treasures of this world? My blessing costs every penny of your heart and soul: no more, and no less.

Child, could it be that you have sought a treasure which you have not attained the funds to procure?

A rich man, selling all that he has, and giving great sums of money, yet retaining one small thing, even that man has done foolishly. Do you think I will be satisfied with the abundance of his sacrifices? Ninety nines will not suffice - how I despise these nines!

Yet a poor man, giving almost nothing, (seeing that he has but few values), yet holding nothing back, even this man has done wisely. For he has sold himself unto Me, and though he had little, yet because he held nothing back, to him will come great riches, for he can afford the blessing of My kingdom.3

Again I say, why is it that you have sought a treasure, yet you have not first acquired the funds? Your life is in a continual state of overdraft. I have promised you this treasure, yet if you will not sell all that you have in this life, it will be collected in the next. Either you give up your house of wood, and build with the gold that I will give you, or your house will be sold to the fire which shall try every man's work,4 and you shall purchase My treasure field with the ashes of this earthly life.

Beloved, why should this be so? Have I not given you a firm foundation of rock, through Jesus Christ, upon which to build your house?5 Why then do you build upon such an eternal foundation with the passing wood and hay of this life?

Release to Me your life, and sell to Me all things which you hold dear. My blessing costs every penny of your heart, and of your soul, and of your might: nothing more for the poor man, and nothing less for the rich. Truly, blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

“For brass I will bring gold, and for iron I will bring silver, and for wood brass, and for stones iron:” -Isaiah 60:17

How will you be able to afford My gold if you have not first sold to Me your wood? How will you get My silver when your hands still cling to the common stones of the ground? Beloved, empty your hands. I take delight in empty hands, for I both long and love to fill them with good things.

My child, I love empty hands, and broken hearts, and humble minds.6 For I know how to fill the poor man's soul, and tenderly mend the broken heart, and enlighten the simple mind. Why is it that you cannot see that you are empty, and broken, and proudly darkened in mind? I will fill every crevice of your being with My goodness. As water poured into the dry cracks of a barren desert ground, so too will I fill you with the peace and joy of My Spirit.

Beloved, I am grieved at your seditions brought against Me. Why do you make yourself, (in your own eyes), rich, and proud, and wise?7 Why do you fill in the dry cracks of your soul with the oil-slicks of this world? You seek out the grime and grease of this world, and of your old carnal mind, and you clog up your heart with vanity.

My love, why is it that you resist Me? Why is it that you turn from Me? Are you truly rich? For all of your abundances, your wisdom, and your pride, have you any deliverance? Will your corruptible riches, or your loved ones, or your worldly wisdom deliver you in the day of calamity?8 Who has deceived you, that you lean onto this wicked staff? Surely it will come to pass, that the harder you lean upon it, the more it will pierce through your hand and cause you to stumble.9

To be filled, you must be empty. I cannot mix My water with the grease of this world. Why will you wait until heaven to afford My kingdom? Why will you wait until your works are consumed with fire before attaining My incorruptible riches? Would it not be much better to give up all your old wood and hay for My gold? Would it not be much better to build a house that will endure? What else is befitting of My marvelous foundation to build thereupon, but the finest gold, and the choicest of stones and jewels?

Why will you build a house with the corruption and passing glory of this life? Why do you trust in the abundance of your hands, and in the beauty and splendor of those things which are now seen? Do you not know that the things which are seen have been created by a much greater glory, by that which is unseen?10 Either sell to Me now, or have such things burned, and you will sell to Me the ashes thereafter.

“No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.” -Luke 9:62

Beloved, let Me now reason with you. I love you more than you can think, and I long to bless. I long to make My love known, but how scarcely do you know of Me! How scarcely do you allow My love through! I am as water poured unto a cracked desert ground, yet how little do you soak in! How few of My blessings, and how little of My Spirit of peace and joy do you let seep into your heart!

My beautiful child, that which you do not give up to Me: your own riches, and your own loves - these are the very things which are poverty to you. And yet, how shall you ever afford Me, if you do not give Me all? My price is all: no more, no less. It is not a quantity, but a percentage - it is one hundred percent: nothing more, nothing less.

Dear child, why do you look back to that old land? Why do you turn back to that land of sin and bondage, lo, even in thought! For, Jesus Christ is the Bridge, and My kingdom is the promised land. Beloved, I have bridged you unto Myself in love. Beloved, I have taken you from that dark land of sin, and have redeemed you for My very own self. Beloved, My bridge only goes one way!

As I took the children of Israel through the parted Red Sea, so too have I redeemed you and brought you through.11 As they crossed the impossible, from death unto life, so too have I done with you. And as the sea closed back up, one thing did they know, and one thing must you now know: it is impossible for you to turn back by the same way you came! If this is so, then why do you often live as though it were not?

Jesus Christ is the Bridge, and His life was laid down for your sins; yes, My beloved, for you. He has laid His body down, even down to death, and has allowed you to walk over Him into life. But, is He not now lifted up? Is He not now raised from the dead? I tell you, the Bridge is now lifted up from the earth! So too likewise is He lifted from your old life, that you should not return to that land of sin.12

My child, if this is so, why then do you seek to travel backwards? You grieve Me in thought, word, and deed. You grieve Me when you seek flight back to that old land of bondage. What is it that you seek? What is it that you think you lack? Rather, is it not that the sins and lusts of this present life have blinded your eyes, that you cannot see My blessed hand outstretched toward you? And is it not that you still cling to the things of this world, that you cannot instead latch onto My blessings?

In every failing, in every defeat, in every pain, there I am, with arms outstretched, longing to comfort, longing to help, longing to heal. The things in this world ought not to be so: this world has gone terribly amiss, and is covered under a dark canopy of sin. Beloved, when you choose out your old ways, you cover yourself in darkness, and partake of this canopy.

Come out, and be My special treasure! Be not blinded by sin, but behold My arm to save. Be not entangled with lust, but freely reach out and take My hand to help. Be not half-hearted, but sell out to Me all of your own self. Empty out, as a purse, all that is within your heart, and I will be to you that pearl of great price.

I will be your all-sufficient, your all-capable, your all-merciful, and ever-faithful God. Father to the fatherless; true riches to the bankrupt in soul; true wisdom to the humble in mind; true love to the brokenhearted; the all-in-all.




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Matthew 5:3

Luke 18:24-25

Mark 10:29-31

1 Corinthians 3:11-15

Luke 6:47-48

Psalm 34:17-19

Revelation 3:15-19

Proverbs 11:14

Isaiah 36:6

Hebrews 11:3

Exodus 14

Romans 6:1-4