I AM HONORED/ BLESSED TO KNOW YOU

I am encouraged daily by other people's lives. I find it so awesome when people go through trials knowing that their endurance will be rewarded at the end of the trial. God says in His word that we should count it all joy when we go through trials and tribulation. (James 1:2) 


I am encouraged by a friend and her family who has been through so much, yet they have a smile on their faces, yet they know how to show love, yet they know how to stay humble, yet they do not give up praying for others and yet their faith is so much stronger than ever before. God will never lie to us where His word and His promises are concerned. I fail God on a daily basis but my prayer is that I will not forget to repent and to do better the next day. 
My encouragement to you today is that we will keep on praying for each other and never to rejoice in when other's face trials. If you know of a person/ family who is facing a trial today, speak to God and hear how you can make a difference in that person/ family's life.


"The Lord God has given you/ me a tongue of the learned that we should speak a word in season to those who are weary. He awakens me/ you morning by morning with an ear to listen." Isaiah 50:4


I hope you are encouraged and blessed and ready to do the right thing.


In His love 
Leslene

The Past, Let It Be Buried There

The question was asked: "If you know someone with a past and the person really has changed, would you constantly remind him/her of their past?" 




Even if you do not see changes in the person why not encourage him/her to keep on trying. I have come to realize that in order for me to change i need to see changes in my friends. I continuously have to give a good report on that person. I saw a status update of a lady that read as follows: "Sad when people you know become the people you knew." Personally, i do not agree with that statement. People make mistakes everyday, but it does not mean they have gone back to their old ways. God sees you the way He sees Jesus, so who gives you the right to see something else or the past in that person who made a mistake. 
The above statement is clearly directed towards someone. My plea to us as Christians or even non Christians, "DO NOT SAY ANYTHING INDIRECT TO A FRIEND VIA STATUS UPDATES!!! My suggestion to you, if you call yourself a Christian, go to the person and say it to his/her face and be mature about it and do it in love. It is up to that person to rebel against your words or accept it and be mature about it. 

Matthew 16: 27 "For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works."

I want my reward, and I do believe you want yours? So, if we're gonna keep on throwing the people's past in their face what reward will we receive. 

Scripture clearly says that He forgets the past, but here we hold on to the past. 

“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it.......?" Isaiah 43:18-19

This scripture says it all. I believe I have said all that I wanted to say and I trust this piece of writing will speak to your heart and that we would forget the past, concentrate on today and expect our reward when The Father comes. 

In His love

Leslene

Make A Decision!

"Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world." - 1 John 4:1

It's getting toward the end of another year - believe it or not - and I feel it's important for everyone to spend some time thinking about what you believe. It is so trendy to practice smorgasbord religion - a little dose of Jesus, a little pinch of Buddha, a little Mohammed here and a little New Age thought there. It makes you sound so, well...spiritual.

But, did you know it is fundamentally dishonest? It is an insult to each religion, for it is like spiritual looting. It is a classic refashioning of God into your own chic image of what works for you, and it is a reminder of the many intellectual airheads today. Make a decision, for crying out loud! But don't be a phony for every faith. They don't say the same thing. They don't believe the same things.

Jesus said, "I am the Way, the Truth, the Life. No one comes to the Father but through me." Either He lied or was terribly insane - or He is who He said He is. This is in direct conflict with every other religion. With Him, it's all or nothing. I believe He speaks the truth about God.

Make a decision about Jesus, Mohammed, Buddha, or whomever. But don't insult them all with this airhead pseudo-sophisticated practice of smorgasbord religion.

Sex in Marriage

“Marriage is to be held in honor among all, and the marriage bed is to be undefiled; for fornicators and adulterers God will judge.” - Hebrews 13:4

How’s your sex life?

Have you bought into the idea that the best, the most enjoyable, most intense sex is always found outside of marriage? We are constantly bombarded with this message by the media: TV, movies, internet, books and songs.

This message is a lie. It is the exact opposite of what God had in mind when He invented sex. Any sex that is outside the context of committed love in marriage is always less than the best. It brings emotional harm, broken relationships, turmoil, and guilt. Now that might sell movies and books, but in the end, it will destroy a person’s life. God intended sexual intimacy to be His great gift for marriage and marriage alone. He knows how it is best enjoyed.

So seek to trust the inventor of sex in order to experience the sacred enjoyment that God has in mind for you. Quit settling for second best. Seek God’s best for the best sex. 

The Freedom to Let It Go

Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you." - Colossians 3:13

Question: Is there someone you’ve been unwilling to forgive? Who is it that comes to mind? Now, I assure you in some situations, you’re not going to be able to forgive people in your own strength. The hurt is too deep. We need to ask God to help us do what we cannot do. Ask for His supernatural power to begin to forgive that person.

You see, unwillingness to forgive is unwillingness to give control to God. Leave "getting even" up to Him. In fact, the Bible tells us, "'Vengeance is mine. I will repay,' saith the Lord." (Romans 12:19) How do you know when forgiveness is complete? For me, it’s when I’m able to see that person without having a knot in the pit of my stomach. There’s no sense of bitterness or resentment – just acceptance. Does that mean you merely trust them? Oh no - it's even greater than that. You choose to love them. It’s a great miracle that God brings about when we ask His help in forgiving others.

If you’re really struggling in this area, remember, Jesus is our ultimate example. Nobody was more innocent than Jesus. He had no sin. We murdered Him with our sins on the cross. And while we were murdering Him, He said, “Father, forgive them.” If Jesus can forgive us for that, then through His power, we can forgive others who have wronged us, no matter how awful the deed. Ask God to help you do this today. You won't believe the freedom you will find once you let go. 

In His love

Should I Wear These Earrings?

"Your adornment must not be merely external--braiding the hair, and wearing gold jewelry, or putting on dresses; but let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the imperishable quality of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in the sight of God. But let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the imperishable quality of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in the sight of God." - 1 Peter 3:3,4

It’s absolutely undeniable that women can be obsessed about beauty. Wanting to look beautiful is very important. So what does God’s Word say about this? Now, when you read verse 3, at first you might think, ‘Well, God’s Word is saying that a woman should not do anything in regard to beauty enhancement.’ And you begin to think, “Is it wrong to want to enhance the beauty that God has given me? Is it wrong to be concerned about external or outward beauty?”

How do we understand this? The key word in the first verse is the word ‘merely.’ Look at what it says. The concern of God’s Word is being excessively focused on outer beauty to the neglect of your relationship with God that brings about an inner beauty. When God put Adam in the Garden of Eden, he didn’t tell Adam, ‘Let it run wild. Don’t worry about doing anything.’ No, He said, “Tend the garden.” The Garden was already beautiful, but man’s responsibility was to enhance that beauty.

Well, God’s most beautiful creation is woman. There is no creation of God more beautiful. So, enhancing that beauty can be a good thing, but when it becomes an excessive focus to the neglect of a relationship with God, then it becomes a very negative thing.

So, what God is calling on a woman to do in thinking about all this pressure on outward beauty? Look back up at today’s scripture.God’s Word is speaking about a type of beauty that is eternal. Let’s face it, people. No outward beauty lasts forever, but inner beauty does. So, focus most on beauty that lasts forever.

Here’s the key: There’s nothing wrong with trying to look beautiful. I’m sure the man in your life appreciates it. But it doesn’t come before seeking the inner beauty that is found only in a day-by-day relationship with God. He can take what common man might not see as beautiful and create beauty beyond compare that grows more beautiful over time. Now, that’s true beauty. 

In His love

Our New Toy (Blackberry)

Those who have a blackberry, feels they have the coolest toy ever. Free internet to download movies, music, pictures and so much more. 

I have one and i personally think it is so cool, but can be distracted with what the new gadget has to offer. I cannot help to stop and think, "Am I conformed to what the Blackberry has to offer and allow my mind to be transformed by it, or am I being productive in the Kingdom?" Those with Blackberry's had the most disturbing time when the BIS service was offline. Some couldn't breath, some people's eyes were on the non-flickering red light hoping to see it flicker, and the most important thing of all was the buzzing sound that was not heard for a few days. 

Is that where our focus was or was our focus on what God required? I told a friend of mine today that it is so amazing how so many people are addicted to this gadget. I was so disgusted with myself when I realized this morning that this gadget is bad news if you do not use it for the Kingdom. It does not matter what new toy we have, our focus should always be on Christ.

 I felt so guilty when I thought about my Blackberry and the hold it has on me, God reminded me that I am not to condemn myself for being distracted. The enemy was actually rejoicing when I felt condemned. 

I realized that I am complete in Him who is the head of all principalities and I am His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works which Christ has before ordained. 

I also realize I had a moment of weakness, but it is over now. I am moving forward, putting my Blackberry down and meditating once again on the Word. 

I was hoping to see the red flicker, to hear the buzzing sound and to download music, movies, etc., but God spoke to me through His word and I am so thankful. I was led by my Blackberry and so are many others, instead of being led by the Spirit of God. 

"For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again....but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, "Abba Father." Romans 8:14-15

and not cry "buzzer where are you, red light where are you?"

Today, I want to encourage you not to be conformed to the things of this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. (Romans 12:2)

The Blackberry can be very useful in the Kingdom when we consult God on how to use it. Use it and don't let  your Blackberry use you.

In His love,

Leslene