Tag Archives: Bible References

Looking for Love in All the Wrong Places

Posted on by yolandaberry
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“But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us. Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace we are saved.”Ephesians 2:4-5

Love is lacking or non-existent in our nation, communities and most importantly in our homes. Some may have felt it, yet abused it. Others long for it while others desperately search for it. Many may take it for granted while others never felt it or experienced it. But, unconditional love is something that can’t be forced.

How does a four letter word carry so much weight and complexity? It can drive someone over the edge or force another to change their personality, values or morals to please.

There are so many levels of love: Loving a parent, sibling or child as well as a husband or wife, partner and friend. We can also love our houses, cars, sports, electronic devices and other treasured possessions.

Love is a powerful emotion. It can wound us. Reject us. Control us. Destroy us. However, this is a human kind of love.

Pure, genuine love heals all wounds. It is forgiving. “Without love the most magnificent manifestations of gifts and the most heroic self-sacrifice means nothing. Love suffers long, having patience with imperfect people. Love is kind. Love does not envy since it is non-possessive and noncompetitive. Love actually wants and allows other people to get ahead. It wants the best for you. It does not parade itself. Love is self-sacrificing. Love is not puffed up or treats others arrogantly. It does not behave rudely, but displays courtesy. Love does not seek its own or demands precedence, rather it is unselfish.

Love is not provoked; it is not irritable or touchy, rough or hostile but is most graceful and merciful under life’s demands and pressures. Love thinks no evil and does not keep an account of wrong doings but instead it erases resentments. Love does not rejoice in iniquity finding satisfaction in the shortcomings of others and spreading gossip. Instead love rejoices in the truth, aggressively advertising the good in people. Love bears all things, defending and uplifting others in discouragement. It credits others with good intentions and is not suspicious Love hopes all things and never gives up on people, but continues in affirming their future and hope. Love endures all things, persevering and remaining loyal to the end.”  

We have the capacity to love because God lives within us. There is no other love on earth like God’s love. We can search for people or things to fill the void in our lives but we will continually come up short. We will never come to terms with being loved by God until we understand the capacity of God’s love for us.

Unfortunately, we often feel we are not good enough to be loved by people or by God. We live in condemnation, fear and judgment thinking that God could never love us. When things go wrong, we feel God is punishing us for our mistakes, behavior, thoughts and actions. We often blame God when things go wrong.

Some of Satan’s greatest weapons is the use of fear, doubt, shame, guilt, regret and confusion. He constantly taunts us of our faults, failures, weaknesses, circumstances and problems. The end result is a spiral of negative thoughts and emotions due to accepting defeat and failure. The devil is a liar.

The devil uses the same plots and schemes. He is not creative. Once you recognize his bag of tricks, you will understand how to defeat him through the Word of God.

God is forgiving. God loves us more than we will ever be able to comprehend. He loves us no less than He loves His Son. He actually waits for us to come to Him in prayer. God celebrates us!

Sometimes it is much easier to forgive others than ourselves. You will not have peace until you learn how to forgive. The guilt or shame can weigh you down and eventually destroy you. You must also learn to love yourself just as much as you love others.

Please don’t let shame or guilt rob you of believing that you’re in bondage. “Who the Son sets free, is free indeed.” John 8:36

“As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us” Psalm 103:12.

The Lord will redeem your mistakes. Every evil thing that the enemy meant for your harm will be turned around for your good. Genesis 50:20.

Building a relationship with the Lord is not built on repentance only. It is based on worship and praise for who He is; not on what He can do or provide.

God understands you and knows your heart’s desires. “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you.” (Jeremiah 1:5).

The Lord’s characteristics is of peace and not of harm. “For I know the plans that I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm; plans for a hope and a future.” Jer 29:11

You are deserving of God’s love. It is the reason He shed His blood on the cross so we may have eternal life. “God so loved the world that He gave his only begotten son that whosoever believes in Him will not perish but have everlasting life.” John 3:16

His love does not have to bought, earned, manipulated or controlled. In 2014, let’s walk in love by first receiving and accepting God’s love as a prime example of His nature and honoring our bodies, minds, thoughts and actions by serving one another in love.

“Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress or persecution or famine or nakedness, or peril, or sword?” Romans 8:35.

“For I am fully persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor thing to come. Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:38-39

God With Us

Posted on by yolandaberry
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Christmas is a time for gathering with family and friends. It’s a time of great activities and celebration. During this time of year, we are busy putting the decorations on the tree, cooking extravagant meals, baking Christmas cookies and shopping for that special gift.

Sometimes we are so wrapped up in the holiday activities that we forget about our priorities and responsibilities until the upcoming year which brings on additional stress.

For others, it’s a time of sadness because of a lack or loss. We may have lost a loved one and may still be mourning the loss. Others may not have the means to buy gifts and food which are highlights of the Christmas season. Just having the basic necessities is a struggle.

This time of year can be very sad and depressing in the hearts of the elderly who are left alone or the sick waiting for their pain to go away.

Unfortunately, life brings on difficult situations that may be very difficult to handle. Whether you’re on the top of a mountain or in the valley, God is with us. He does not discriminate. Jesus is the greatest gift that was ever given to us. His Love surpasses all that we could ever achieve or want. Every moment we breathe is a gift from God.

We will continue to search for things and strive for more to fill the void in our lives. In the end, things get broken, lost, forgotten, worn out or you just get plain tired of it. Those things that made us so happy at one time; leaves us feeling empty.

The void in our lives can only be filled with the love of Jesus. There is healing in the name of Jesus: Deliverance in the name of Jesus; Protection in the name of Jesus; Provision in the name of Jesus; Power in the name of Jesus.

Christmas Candles

We must remember his presence as we go about celebrating the festivities and know that He remains forever with us as believers. We should take solitude time during the holiday to commune with him. You are His treasured joy and He welcomes relationship with you. “He will keep you in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on thee.”

If you don’t know Jesus as your Lord and Savior or you would like to rededicate your life to him, simply open your heart to him and pray the following prayer in faith to receive Jesus as your Lord.

“Heavenly Father, I come to you in the Name of Jesus, Your word says, “Whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved” and “If thou shalt confess with your mouth that the Lord, Jesus died for our sins and shall believe in his heart that God raised Jesus from the dead, thou shalt be saved.” Acts 2:21; Romans 10:9 I pray that you will forgive me of my sins, renew my mind, cleanse me and make me whole by the power of the Holy Spirit. I make you my Lord and Savior of my life to guide me, protect me and teach me all things. In Jesus Name. Amen.

“And, she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name Jesus: for he shall save his people from their sins. And all this was done; that it might be fulfilled which was spoke of the Lord by the prophet, saying, “Behold, a virgin shall be with child; and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.” Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife: And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son; and he called his name Jesus.” S. Matthew1:21-25

Dealing With Anger, Rage & Frustration

Posted on by yolandaberry
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“These six things does the Lord hate: seven are an abomination unto Him: A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood. A heart that devises wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, a false witness that speaks lies and he that sows discord among the brethren.” Prov 6:16-19

We have many things in our daily lives that can make us angry: Family, our children, marriage or relationship issues, death of a loved one, work related problems, job loss, political debates, economic hardships, racism, physical or dealing with physical, sexual or verbal abuse, childhood memories, school or workplace bullying and even traffic gridlock. The list is endless. Dealing with a combination of these problems or even one of them on a regular basis can really cause mounting frustration, anger, and rage.

Taking Responsibility for Your Actions

This escalating problem is based on the neglect of an individual who does not take full responsibility for their actions and emotions. “Be not hasty in the spirit to be angry for anger rests in the bosom of fools.” Ecclesiastes 7:9

“And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” Romans 12:2

“If any of you is deficient in wisdom, let him ask of the giving God [who gives] to everyone liberally and ungrudgingly, without reproaching or faultfinding, and it will be given him.”  James 1:5

Anger is Not a Sin

As far as I know, there is no part of the Bible that states that anger is a sin. It’s how we react to anger that leads us into sin. Throughout the Bible, it warns us of the power of the tongue. “A soft answer turns away wrath, but grievous words stir up anger.” Prov 15:1

“Speak not in the ears of a fool: for he will despise the wisdom of your words.” Prov 23:9

Holding onto the Fruits of the Spirit

Anger is a healthy emotion of expression as long as we understand how to handle it. However, in the Bible it states that we should walk with the fruits of the spirit which is: love, joy peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness and gentleness. Gal 5:22-23

Jesus also faced conflicts and opposition on a daily basis. Throughout His travels and teachings, He confronted others with truth and revelation. Jesus revealed his anger when the Pharisees turned the temple into the den of thieves. Jesus overturned the tables in the temple to express his anger towards greed used in the church. Matt 21:12-13

Taking Authority Over Anger Through the Holy Spirit

In our flesh, it is impossible to control anger. Our nature is to become defensive or revengeful, to prove ourselves or fight back. In the middle of an argument or disagreement, it’s so important to gain people’s acceptance, approval and respect for what we say or do. We want other’s to be on our side, but it takes humility to admit that we’re wrong and it takes true character and self-control to develop a tolerance level to dismiss anger, rage and frustration which can only be administered through the Holy Spirit.

“These things we also speak, not in words which man’s wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual. But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. But he who is spiritual judges all things, yet he himself is rightly judged by no one. For “who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct Him?” But we have the mind of Christ.” 1 Corinthians 2:1-16

“I can do all things in Christ which strengthens me.” Phil 4:13

Our flesh is constantly in war with the flesh. “For that which I do I allow not: for what I would. That do I not: but what I hate. That I do.” “For I know that in me that is, in my flesh dwells no good thing; for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.” Romans 7: 15 and 17

“For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh.” 2 Corth 10:3

However, just as tempting it is to walk in the flesh. We do have the ability for control ourselves. “He who has knowledge spares his words: and a man of understanding is of an excellent spirit. Even a fool, when he holds his peace, is counted wise and he that shuts his lips is esteemed a man of understanding.” Prov 17:27-28

“For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be”. Romans 8:6-7

Let God be the Contender of Your Battles

Many times, God wants to fight our battles if we will allow Him. We must not react so quickly to a negative situation before we have time to think. Many times reacting too quickly leads to a lifetime of regrets. “A wrathful man stirs up strife: but he that is slow to anger appeases strife.” Prov 15:18

“Ye shall not need to fight in this battle. Set yourselves, stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord with you.” 2 Chron 20:17

“When a man’s ways please the Lord, he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.” Prov 16:7

Taking a Look at the Man in the Mirror

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We cannot continue to blame others for failure to control our tempers. Pride gets in the way of truly being able to take an honest and healthy approach to the situation we face. We never want to admit that we could be wrong, but we are not perfect beings. Sometimes people are placed in our lives to allow us to take a deeper look at ourselves and reveal negative traits that we possess. “Pride goes before destruction and a haughty spirit before a fall. Better it is to be a humble spirit with the lowly than to divide the spoil with the proud.” Prov 16:18

There is always a chance that our situation, obstacle or conflict you face may be your own fault. However, it’s not about placing blame or feeling guilty but having the maturity, heart, and wisdom to receive correction. “The reverent and worshipful fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge]; but fools despise skillful and godly wisdom, instruction, and discipline.” Proverbs 1:7

“The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that hearkens unto counsel is wise.” Prov 12:15

“A fool despises his father’s instruction: but he that regards reproof is prudent.” Prov 15:5

Praying for Wisdom

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In the end, all circumstances and situations that we face need to be handled with wisdom. We need to respond and react in a Godly manner. We need the ability to discern the situations we face and handle with care. Meekness is often perceived as a weakness but it takes a man of great strength to stand in the midst of trouble in silence. Let us follow the example of Christ who when beaten, whipped and mocked but answered not a word. Matt 27: 12-31

“He that walks with the wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed.” Prov 13:20

“That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him: The eyes of your understanding being enlightened.”  Ephesians 1:17-18