Giving in to the fear of man
20/20 blog for May 31st
Scripture: 1 Samuel 15:24
Then Saul said to Samuel, “I have sinned. I violated the Lord’s command and your instructions. I was afraid of the people and so I gave in to them.
Observation:
Saul was king, anointed by God. He was instructed to carry out a task, but due to the fear of man, he did not. He gave into them and therefore disobeying God. This lead to someone else being anointed, someone else being anointed. The fear of man is not worth it. God is above all man, and if He sends you, He will deliver you from all man. A thousand men against you in nothing in the eyes of God.
Application:
I want to apply this to my life by always putting God first before anything. The love of God and obeying His words. By not looking to the left or right in order to see what men think, but to look to God always and follow Him.
Prayer:
Lord please be with me in all that i do. Help me Lord to always remain faithful and true to you. And always know that even if a thousand are against me, as long as i have you and follow you whole heartedly, Everything will be fine.
This is my last 20/20 blog. i have noticed that most of the 20/20 blogs that i did this May were mostly about the fear of man. This is one big thing that holds us from fully going into and receiving what God has for us. The fear of man not approving what we do or the fear of what they think. The fear of them not liking us or thinking we are weird. It is hard to please everybody. Only in a perfect world will everyone like you, but since we do not live in one, it will be hard. And whenever you carry the Truth, it’s a little harder as we try to win the approval of man. And by so ding, we forget that God who sent us is not man…
xoxoxoxox
All by Grace!!!!
20/20 for May 30th..
Scripture: Ephesians 3: 7-8
I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God’s grace given me through the working of his power. Although I am less than the least of all God’s people, this grace was given to me: to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ.
Observation:
Paul knew His calling and the reason why he was called. Far beyond that, he knew it was not by his doing but by Grace and the power of God. He knew that all he had and had become was not through his own works, but by the grace of God. All we have been given today has been given to us by God and given to us for a specific purpose. And beyond that, we must know that all we have, we have received not by anything else but by the grace of God and His power.
Application:
I want to apply this to my life by remaining humble and true to God, by knowing and being thankful for who i am and all that i have. Knowing that God has giving me all this for a purpose. And it is true His grace that i can be who i am and do all things.
Prayer:
Lord i thank you for the gift and blessings you have poured into me, Help me Lord to use all i have for your Kingdom and remain faithful, humble and thankful to you always.
I love how humble and true Paul was, he was a powerful man of God but did not grow conceited because He knew that all he was and had, the gift, the anointing, the knowledge was all from God. it easy for us to grow conceited and proud due to what God has given us like we did not receive them. Pride is a very dangerous thing, it creeps up on us and we forget we were come from. All we have is from God only through His grace….
xoxoxox
Faith and Patience..
20/20 for May 29th
Scripture: 1 Samuel 13:9-10
So he said ” Bring me the burnt offering and the fellowship offerings.” And Saul offered up the burnt offering. Just as he finished making the offering, Samuel arrived, and Saul went out to greet him.
Observation:
Saul broke the commandment of God out of fear that the solders were leaving and he wont have enough men and also lack of patience by not waiting for Samuel. God is always faithful, and will never forsake His people, what ever He says always come to past. And out of lack of patience and fear, we sometimes go about doing things our own way. Which sometimes is completely wrong.
Application:
I want to apply this to my life by always waiting upon the Lord, even when things are not looking the way i want. To always trust in him and know that God will always be faithful and whatever He says will happen.
Prayer:
Lord please teach me to be patient and trust in you completely always. Even when i do not see it.
The bible in so many verses talks about how blessed is the person that waits upon the Lord and trust in Him completely. How He is always faithful and never forsakes us. But sometimes, when we do not see the road, we want to go ahead and do what we think is right, but, the bible also tells us to learn not on our own understanding. Lets continue to wait upon the Lord, because i know He will always see you through. Trust in Him with all your heart because He will deliver you. The righteous are never forsaken…..
xoxoxox
Praying for all!!!
20/20 May 28th
Scripture: !Samuel 12:23
As for me, far be it from me that i should sin against the LORD by failing to pray for you. And I will teach you the way that is good and right.
Observation:
Samuel was a Prophet of God, he already knew the outcome of their actions and choice to have a king. He had been shown by God what will happen, but he still prayed for them and taught them the good way to go despite knowing the consequences of their action. Sometimes it is easy to say well they wont listen to me and not bother, but Samuel still did what he had to do and intercede for them
Application:
I want to apply this to my life by praying always and encouraging people even when i know they are making wrong decisions or even the outcome of their decisions. To be available to people always in prayer and in encouragement.
Prayer:
Lord i first want to thank you for your amazing grace on us all. I pray Lord that you please give me the wisdom and all that i need to encourage and intercede for people, not to stand and say “i told you so”, but to love, pray and encourage always…..
My God rocks… This is one place that is easy to fall into because sometimes we just want to tell people to their faces, I told you so. But Samuel was so humble and knowing the heart of who he serves, he knows Gods love for His people and would intercede for them. No one is perfect, but our task is to be by each others side, through Love, Prayer and encouragement. That we are able to pick each other up always and pray for each other….. I pray for Gods favor for each one of you today….
xoxoxox
Go into the World
20/20 for May 27th..
Scripture: Matthew 28: 18-20
Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always to the very end of the age.”
Observation:
Christ was talking to His disciples about going to all the nations and He will be with them till the end of age. This makes me belive that He was not just talking to the disciples that were with Him then, but even all others that will come and be His followers till this present day. He has giving us this authority to talk about Him and about salvation. To live and preach the gospel wherever we are at. To show people and turn their hearts towards Him so they also can be followers of Christ. And He will always be with us.
Application:
I want to apply this to my life by always being the hands and feet of Christ that He can change lives through me. and knowing that by being His follower, i have been giving an assignment to go into the world and draw people closer to him. To go to the world and share His gospel in all ways that i can and HE will always be with me.
Prayer:
Lord please give me th courage that i need to always do you will and not be intimidated. To go into the world and show people the love you have blessed me with. Thank you for always being with me.
Most of the signs we look for in our faith are tied up in this verses. Sometimes we might be out and we feel in our Spirits to talk to someone, either pray, talk or even give something, but for like 5 minutes we are praying to God, if it is really you telling me to go, Give me a sign. And in that 5 minutes, when we don’t see fairy dust we don’t talk to the person and believe God did not send me. He has already sent you when you accepted Him into your life. When He blessed you with Salvation and love, He has already sent you to share what you received, don’t know what to say, He will be with and share your testimony. what you know and what you believe….. Lets be a generation that will always seek ways to fulfill our assignments…
xoxoxox
The feeling after!!!!
20/20 for May 26th
Scripture: Matthew 27: 3-4
When Judas, who had betrayed him, saw that Jesus was condemned, he was seized with remorse and returned the thirty silver coins to the chief priests and the elders. “I have sinned,” he said, “for I have betrayed innocent blood.”
Observation:
Most times, at the point of sin, it feels good and overwhelms us to point in which we feel so good and think that is the best thing to that at that particular time. After it has been done, we begin to see clearly. The desires of the flesh only last a few moments. Judas betrayed Christ for Thirty silver coins in which when he realized it, he did not even want the money, he returned it.
Application:
I want to apply this to my life by not giving into that few seconds of pleasure. There are some times in my life, when i want to do things that do not seem right, but feels good at the moment. i will take good thought into my action and look at the end result. And always look to Gods word for strength and direction.
Prayer:
Lord thank you for the gift of self-control. I pray that you please strengthen me not to give into the desires of the flesh or fall into temptation.
My pastor said recently, “Sin always promises more than it delivers, it cost more than you want to pay, And it stays longer than you want it to stay.. Judas was given 30 silvers, but it did not suppress his guilt. It cost him his life and to be forever known as the Man who betrayed Christ. till this day, he is remembered by that name. Sin only feels good at that moment. With my life right now, i find myself being addicted to shopping. it is not a sin to shop, but when it starts controlling me that i always have to shop, it becomes a problem. It feels good when i go to the store, try on new clothes and buy them. but once i pay, the guilt rushes in and i feel helpless to return it but guilty to take it home. it feels good for just a moment and then the feel good moment is gone. i am so glad God is renewing me and has set me free (yay)…. Lets be a generation that will not be controlled by the desires of the flesh or the instant feeling of pleasure, but to take deep thoughts to our ways and look ahead to see the end result….
xoxoxxox
Loving till the end
20/20 for May 25th
Scripture: Matthew 26: 23&25
Jesus replied, “The one who has dipped his hand into the bowl with me will betray me. 25 Then Judas, the one who would betray him, said, “Surely not I, Rabbi?” Jesus answered, ”Yes, it is you.”
Observation:
This is really a strong act of love, kindness and patience, it was almost time, the hour was close for a man to betray Christ, yet He allowed that person dine with Him. someone who was close to him and walked with him was about to betray him and knowing it, yet He still treated him like the others, chilling with Him and Judas taking part in the braking of bread and the wine. And we as Christians are to be like Christ, being able to love all… That means, loving even the people who hate you and hurt you.
Application:
I want to apply this to my life by daily asking God to take control of my feeling and emotions that i do not act based on how feel, but act based on what pleases God and brings praise to His name. To love all who hurt me, to not disrespect or act negatively to them, but to love them as i would any other person.
Prayer:
Lord, i pray that you please give me the strength to excercise self-control and to always look to you. To be able to love no matter what i face or how i am treated. Thank you for loving me and help me o share that love.
Christ said in this chapter that the Spirit is willing, but the body is weak. it is easy to react according to the body, but we must also learn to let the Spirit take control. it is hard to not let your flesh and emotions take over, but you know what, Paul said in a chapter that his body is a slave to him. And that is so true, if we give ourselves completely to God and follow daily His ways, we are able through the grace of God resist the fleshy desires and let it follow what we want..( hope i make sense).. Anyways, let’s be a generation that will go after the heart of our Saviour and love till the end….. He will give you strength..
How do we treat people?
20/20 for May 24th
Scripture: Matthew 25: 40& 45
“The king will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.” 45. “He will reply, I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’
Observation:
Everything we do, the way we treat each other is seen by God. What we do to others and what we do not do. we might look at each other as regular people, but forget that they were created by the hands of God, His breathe is in them and Christ died for them. To God we are all equal and should treat each other like precious children of God. the good we do to each other and the good we neglect to do are both important.
Application:
I will apply this to my life by always and continuously treating everyone like a precious child of God. doing good to all. to not see people as just humans, but as sons and daughter of God created in his image. To be available to do good always.
Prayer:
Lord, thank you for giving me an opportunity to know you, and i pray that you teach me how to always show love and do good. even at points when i do not feel like it. Clean my heart of all greed and selfishness and know that all i have has been given to me to have and to share.
It is so easy to walk pass or neglect the people around us that are in need as we are to busy and focused with our lives. God cares so much about the people in need, the sick, the poor, the homeless. And He has put us in a position to be His hands and feet, to be the light of this world. He has blessed us with what we have so that we might be able to share with people. whatever it might be, be it money, food, clothes, encouragement, love, a smile… lets continue to be a generation of people who will be the SALT AND LIGHT of this world. lets rise up and be the hands and feet of God in this world.. By doing that, you Honor God, bless people, and remain blessed…
xoxoxox
The Dwelling Place.
May 23rd 20/20
Scripture: 1st Samuel 4:21-22
She named the boy Ichabod, saying, “The glory has departed from Israel” -because of the capture of the ark of God and the deaths of her father-in-law and her husband. She said, “The glory has departed from Israel, for the ark of God has been captured.”
Observation:
When the ark of God was taken, and the priests & his sons were dead, she made a statement that The glory of God has departed from Israel. Back then, They majority of them did not have that personal and intimate relationship with God. They only knew Him through the Priests and the Ark, when it was taken she believed God was gone from them. This present day even with the knowledge and Death of Christ, we still find ourselves like this Lady. We still look at God through the buildings of the church and the Pastor. This makes me think, “if lets just say, something happens to my church and God send my pastor overseas somewhere, will i still stand? will i still know that God is with me and His Spirit lives in me, Will i lose hope? DO i have that deep and intimate relationship with God? or will i be like this lady and say the glory of God is gone.
Application:
My relationship with God should be a deep relationship, That i know Him personally. To not see Him just through the buildings of my church or just through people, But to know that He is Omnipresent, and His Spirit lives in me.
Prayer:
Lord thank you for always showing me and opening my eyes to see things. Lord please strengthen my walk with you that i know that i know that i know that You are with me and Your Spirit dwells in me.
Recently, i was thinking of taking like a little vocation from a lot of things and just chill and relax for like 2 weeks. immediately i had some kind of fear that can i survive without my church for 2 weeks? Or a while back that i was thinking how fun it would be to go somewhere for a while, travel somewhere nice for a week or two and i remember even then i had that same thought that would that would be happen to me without my church. And as that can be a good thought at times, it can also limit us from going places where God wants to take us. We need to know that God is everywhere and not confined to a building, His kingdom is not made with the hands of man. and most importantly, His Spirit is in us, so if God say HE wants us to go to a different country (hehe) we need to know that we are not living God behind at our church. And for me, to know that He will be with me wherever i am. Either taking a vacation or going to a foreign land. we need to strengthen our relationship with God and walk with Him daily that we know Him intimately. He lives in us….
xoxoxox
How precious is Your Word!!!!!
20/20 for May 22
Scripture: 1 Samuel 3: 19-20
The Lord was with Samuel as he grew up, and he let none of his words fall to the ground. And all Isreal from Dan to Beersheba recognized that Samuel was attested as a prophet of the Lord.
Observation:
This really stands out to me because it shows how precious Samuel carried the Word of God. He did not let it fall away, meaning He kept it close to himself. And God was with him. Through that, he did not have to boast about himself, The word of God showed in him that people could see that he really is a man of God.
Application:
I want to apply this to m life by holding close to my heart the word of God always. treasuring it and seeing it as more precious than any other thing. Not letting it FALL TO THE GROUND. And the word of God will keep me wherever i go.
Prayer:
Lord, please clear my heart of everything that take up space and please fill me with your word. Please enable me to treasure it more than anything and hold it close to my heart always.
There is nothing as powerful and life-giving as the word of God. Holding the word of God close to you will change your life, but only if you let it. There is nothing or answers you will not find in the word of God. The word also is full of good principles on how to live a healthy lifestyle. Most importantly, The Word of God is the Sword in which we use in fighting every battle…
xoxoxox
