Tag: opinions

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Despite The Critics

Do what God has called you to do, despite the critics.

There will be plenty of people who don’t understand why you are doing the things you are doing. There will also be many people who don’t understand the steps you are taking. Things may seem backwards and out of order to them.

But, my question for you is…are you being obedient to what God has called you to do in the order he called you to do them?

In reality, other people’s opinions should not matter. Unless you are getting advice from an elder or someone wise and mature in faith. You won’t be giving an account for if you did things their way. However, you will be held accountable on what you have done with what God has asked of you.

So why do we feel this desire to please people? Is it that we are placing our worth in their hands rather than the Lord’s? I believe that when we solely focus on Jesus. Our eyes are only narrowed in on being obedient to what HE has called us to do, we can’t focus on the opinions of others. We are too busy focused on his steps, his will, his way.

God has made us individuals for a reason. No one’s relationship with him is the same. So, maybe you don’t understand why people are doing things a certain way…But, just maybe, that is what God called them to do.

The way God does things is much different than the way the world does things. It seems foreign, strange, and out of order for those looking in. However, if God has called you to do it and is leading you. The rest does not matter.
Let’s put aside being a people pleaser and chase fearlessly after what God has called us to do. Despite the critics. I think God being our biggest cheerleader outweighs them anyway.


“For am I now trying to win the favor of people, or God? Or am I striving to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a slave of Christ.” -Galatians 1:10 CSB

“We are fools for Christ, but you are wise in Christ! We are weak, but you are strong! You are distinguished, but we are dishonored! Up to the present hour we are both hungry and thirsty; we are poorly clothed, roughly treated, homeless; we labor, working with our own hands. When we are reviled, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure it; when we are slandered, we entreat. We are, even now, like the world’s garbage, like the filth of all things.” -1 Corinthians 4:10-13 CSB

“Set your minds on what is above, not on what is on the earth.” -Colossians 3:2 CSB

Instead, just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not to please people, but rather God, who examines our hearts. -1 Thessalonians 2:4 CSB

(I know I have been writing on this a lot lately. But I hope as God is working on my heart, he is working on yours too!)

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Planted For A Purpose

 

When you are following the will of God and driving towards the divine purpose God has called over you life, there are several tactics that the enemy will use to derail you from that path. The enemy does not want you to follow God’s plan for your life. He wants you as far away from God’s perfect plan as possible. From my experience, the biggest tools he as he has used is discouragement, shame, and fear. He has used people to tell me I am “not good enough”, “making the wrong decision”, and “it will never happen”. He has planted lies in my mind that I am too young, not equipped, and that the decisions I am making are irrational and wrong. Throwing shame and fear like sour patch kids, when really it is the poison that distracts and stalls us from moving forward. God does not ask for your resume or references, he asks for your yes. He asks for an open and teachable heart that willing to be obedient.

Instead of paying attention to what people have to say and the lies the enemy likes to try to plant, why don’t we focus on the ultimate truth? God’s Word. We need to feed our minds and hearts with the truth. Meditate on what God’s says and who he is, who we are through him. Yielding to the Spirit through God’s word is what allows us to not only know God and be in his presence, but allows him to work on our heart in the process. As he works on our hearts we are put in the direct line of the will of God. Listening to what he has to say, absorbing his love, faithfulness, grace, and mercy like a sponge, and becoming more like him.

When you are following God’s perfect plan for your life, of course the enemy wants to stop you. God is using you as a vessel to bring people to him. You are bringing people pure love, peace, hope, and faith. He is using you to set people free from what once tied them down. Later, he will use them to bring them the same love, peace, hope, and faith. His love never stops and it never runs dry.

The next time the enemy tries to discourage you from God’s beautiful plan for your life, tell him who your Papa is and who you are through him. The authority and inheritance you have through Jesus is like no other. Pay more attention to what God says verses what the world says. People may not understand, there may even be things you do not understand. However, the world doesn’t need to understand. You don’t need to see, walk by faith.

 

“They will fight you, but they will fail.

For I am with you, and I will take care of you.

I, the Lord, have spoken!””-Jeremiah 1:19 NLT

“You saw me before I was born.

Every day of my life was recorded in your book.

Every moment was laid out

before a single day had passed.

How precious are your thoughts about me,O God.

They cannot be numbered!

I can’t even count them;

they outnumber the grains of sand!

And when I wake up,

you are still with me!”-Psalm 139:16-18 NLT

“Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.”-Ephesians 6:11-12 NLT

 

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Reflection Of Your Heart


On a regular basis, what are you thinking about?
("In conclusion, my brothers and sisters, fill your minds with those things that are good and that deserve praise: things that are true, noble, right, pure, lovely, and honourable.”
‭‭Philippians‬ ‭4:8‬ ‭GNB‬‬)

I have dealt with thoughts that weren't of God that started as thoughts and soon traveled to my heart. ("we pull down every proud obstacle that is raised against the knowledge of God; we take every thought captive and make it obey Christ.”
‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭10:5‬ ‭GNB‬‬)

Before I knew it, instead of speaking life and showing love to my neighbors, I was spewing off negativity, judgment, criticism, gossip, and even lies at some points. The enemy doesn't come in red tights, shouting he's the devil. He comes disguised as even the voice in your head. He is good at what he does. He is here to seek, steal, and destroy. He will use anyone and anything to hurt you, lie, manipulate, and turn you away from The Creator.

I was reading scripture and more than a few verses stood out to me.

“You snakes — how can you say good things when you are evil? For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭12:34‬ ‭GNB‬‬

“But the things that come out of the mouth come from the heart, and these are the things that make a person ritually unclean.”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭15:18‬ ‭GNB‬‬

I began to reflect on how I speak to others, not only when I'm in a good mood, but when I'm angry, sad, disappointed, and hurt. I began to reflect on how I speak to people of different authority. Am I always showing love? & how do I speak to myself?

Where your words are, how you talk to others, how you talk to yourself, is where your heart is.

“Let there be no filthiness and silly talk, or coarse [obscene or vulgar] joking, because such things are not appropriate [for believers]; but instead speak of your thankfulness [to God].”
‭‭EPHESIANS‬ ‭5:4‬ ‭AMP‬‬

I believe we often forget that we, as Christians, forget we are billboards for God. & the enemy is waiting to devour, shame, and condemn us for what we do wrong. We mess us, we all do. However, as Christians, we have been given a gift, Holy Spirit.
We should be having Holy Spirit guide our every decision, the things we see, hear, and speak.
“But I say, walk habitually in the [Holy] Spirit [seek Him and be responsive to His guidance], and then you will certainly not carry out the desire of the sinful nature [which responds impulsively without regard for God and His precepts].”
‭‭GALATIANS‬ ‭5:16‬ ‭AMP‬‬

I have deleted the Facebook app on my phone and only have it on my IPad and have found that I am not only much more productive, but I am more positive. We often give our opinions just for the sake of giving them, because we feel they need to be spoken. However, if your opinion isn't benefiting the world, being spoken in love, why speak it?

If you're not supporting God with your words, who are you supporting?

Thoughts become words and our words are a reflection of our heart.

Guard your heart, take every thought captive & speak life.