We’re all Sinners Running Our Race..

What up peeps. New day, new blessings. Hope all is well with you on this lovely Sunday. Things my way have been pretty good. No major complaints. I wanted to come and chat with you all about being “sinners”. 👀 Touchy topic for some but let's dive in it.

Plain and simple…. We're all sinners. Yep, ALL of US ! The word tells us so in Romans 3:23 “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” We are all here because of sin. Yet, we don't have to stay in sin. We can choose to fight the good fight.

There are many temptations that are in this world. Many, many, yet, we can overcome.

I was reading thru the word and came across 1 John 2:16. This scripture highlights the things of the world and makes plain the struggles we face while here on earth. “For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but of the world.” Could you relate to any of the things listed that you have or are struggling with? I know I could. Honestly, I've struggled with them all at some point in my life.

It's interesting just how much we can read the word and discover a new revelation each time we open it. God is an awesome and loving father. Sometimes we are not able to see it because we're too deep in the “circumstances” of life. We have allowed ourselves to be overcome with one of the three areas listed and we harden out hearts unknowingly. Lust is a beast that God is more than equipped to defeat if you just open your hands and give it to him.

The world has taught us to feed our desires. Taught us to idolize what others have and that has trapped quite a bit of people. We were created for more. Yet, the world will convince you if you let it, that “more” is only obtained outside of yourself. Lust causes you to look outwardly instead of learning to deal with yourself internally. Think about it. Your flesh is external. Your eyes look externally. Pride of life, whew, now that's all in when it comes to your “image”. Which is what people see on the outside.

When you are in the world you are dead in Christ (Ephesians 2:1). Lost. Running blindly not knowing that the Father is out searching for you. The one. When our desires are unquenched we thirst after everything that brings about destruction. Never being satisfied much like death and the grave (Prov 27:20). Yet, if we keep God close to us we won't try to satisfy our selfish desires (Romans 13:14).

If we allow our selfish desires to rule us we are chasing after a goal of wrath and punishment (Ephesians 2:3). However, that's not God's desire for our lives; we can overcome. So although we might all be sinners….we don't all have to succumb to the fate of wrath, death, punishment. We can choose to fight the good fight and live.

Y'all stay prayed up. Vigilant and sound minded. The devil is out prowling, seeking whom he may devour. Don't let it be you.

Love ya. Later.

Shya

Where’s your Focus?

What’s up beautiful people and others? I have a brief word for you on today that is going to require reflection. Our topic today is “Where is your Focus?”

There are so many things going on in the world today and even amongst those called to be watchers or watchmen for the body of Christ. Some of you may have jumped into the drama of these situations and some of you may have sidestepped the mess. To those of you who have chosen to side step the drama that takes some maturity and you should be proud of yourself. It’s very easy to get into the drama that takes place consistently almost as if the distractions are intentional. Whether you are aware or not our intentions matter a great deal. Meaning we have to be extra mindful of them. Where our mind goes the body follows.

As children of God our focus is to be on the Father. I myself as a child of God have to be very mindful and at times I simply have accepted that I just am not always. Honest. Yet, the extra effort is required to make sure I do my best to be more intentional about what I allow my spirit to digest. Just as our bellies can be sensitive to certain foods our spirits are indeed the same. Hebrews 12:1-2 states “Therefore since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith….” (NIV)

We perfect our faith by keeping our eyes on the one who perfects it. When we get so entangled in the drama of others we are digesting and entangling ourselves in the mess of the people we watch. Our job is to finish our race. As believers we all have personal access to Christ directly. Ephesians 2:18 tells us “For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.” (NIV) Oftentimes some people have loyalty to a person and forget that the one that has established or created that individual is where the true power lies. Regardless of what’s happening around us our focus has to stay on Christ.

I’m not sure if any of you are familiar with track but it’s important that you stay in your lane when running your race. Every step counts. Turning to look back, being too concerned with the person running next to you, or not properly breathing can all jam you up in the race. You have to stay focused on the finish line. As believers are walk with Christ is the same. There is nothing going on in this world today that God didn’t already have set in stone. The drama, the gossip, the hate crimes, loving your neighbor, etc etc. However, if we get to wrapped up in some of these things it could distort our perception of the race we are to be running.

Sometimes what someone else is called to won’t make sense to you but you have to keep running. Sometimes, the race might seem rigged in the oppositions favor but we serve a God that doesn’t lose. Only when we spend quality time with the father can we know his voice. Can we know his ways. The more we do so the more the father naturally humbles us, the more we are easily able to discern the wolves from the sheep. What are you focused on? I hope you can say that it’s the father. I hope you can say that you are still committed to the race. Stay focused on the finish line.

Till next time good people and others.

Love ya,

later.