The "IF" Love....

If you [really] love Me, you will keep (obey) My commands.

John 14:15 AMP

 

Christ showed his love for the disciples by humbling himself and washing their feet. Afterwards, he explained how he would be betrayed and be denied despite his acts of humility and love. Jesus goes on to tell the disciples "If you love me, keep my commandments." The word "if" is a conjunction Merriam-Webster defines as in the event that, on condition that, allowing that, or on assumption that. A conjunction within a sentence shows an action or an instance of two or more events or things occurring

Embracing the "NO"

"The Lord is good to those who wait for him, to the souls who seeks him. It is good that one should wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord."

Lamentations 3:25-26

Sometimes there are things that just don't make sense. Circumstances that just don't seem fair. Trial that aren't ideal, and but have the ability to test our faith. You pray and pray and pray for a breakthrough yet door after door is shut in your face. If this is not your truth it most definitely is mine....yet a still voice inside of me tells me its not over!

I'm Lost...

“Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.”

I Peter 5:8

I mean I always had a feeling yet I repressed it. Looked back on who I used to be and the Word that I once stood on, and it seemed to be nothing more than a memory...

The Judgement is not our own...

I've heard many references to Philippians 1:6 in regards to encouragement, continuing our walk although we may be enduring hardship, and resting our faith in the FACT that whatever plan or work Christ has started in you he is faithful to complete that work. But I would like to delve into this scripture along another line......

Ruthless Times

This vision is for a future time. It describes the end, and it will be fulfilled. If it seems slow in coming, wait patiently, for it will surely take place. It will not be delayed. (Habakkuk 2:3 NLT)

When I look around me I am saddened by what I see. There is so much death, rape, murder, corruption, etc. Today more then ever it is so important to keep your eyes on God. The world is so dark, and Christ seems a distant thought. What happened to one nation under God? As I contemplate this, I sometimes feel sorrow, but it is important to keep in mind the battle is already won. Hod has dominion NOT Satan despite what I see. Despite what you say. As long as there is light know Christ reigns.

I'm Back

So let me start with.....heyyyyyyyy!! I have been through so many changes since I stopped blogging in August 2012: new job, failed relationship, feeling unworthy to speak about God, and oh yeah

When your in unfamiliar territory....

"These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold--though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world."

I Peter 1:7

     So many times we ask ourselves what we have done to deserve some of the things that happen to us. We have been conditioned to believe if something bad is happening we have done something wrong to deserve it. Well we really have to shift our thoughts to understand that sometimes God puts us through different trials to try our faith in him. God doesn't want us to depend on anyone else but him. We sometimes become

Are you accumulating reward points??

Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.

Matthew 5:12 (KJV)

     All of us are familiar with the numerous reward cards available at many retail and grocery stores. These reward cards, when used correctly, result in a discount on products or accumulation of points that can be applied to future purchases with a reduction in price. These reward cards can be specific to products.

     Well each day of our walk with God is accumulating reward points. These reward points will result in the ultimate reward: Eternal Life and God esteeming us with a Well done thy good and faithful servant message. Our ability to accumulate a reward is completely dependent on our ability to walk in the love of Christ. In Matthew 25:31-46, Jesus describes his return with the example of a shepherd and his sheep. Jesus explains how when he

Get Churched Out!!

     Its not about the fancy clothes, position, or the amount of people who can be seated in your sanctuary. Its about God and our relationship with Christ. Many Christians have gotten so caught up in "Church" and "Religion" that there relationship with Christ has fallen by the way side. To some, Christianity has been reduced to nothing more then judgmental people who act as if God has never seen them through anything.

     We need to be churched out so we can focus on a relationship with Christ. Galatians 6:10 says "Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith." We cant do good if we are focused on our outward appearance, and not our inward relationship with Christ. 

Stop Beating Yourself Up!!

     In Matthew 26: 38-45, there is an account of Jesus praying in the garden of Gethsemane. Jesus took some of the disciples with him and asked that they pray since he knew the time was near when he would be betrayed and crucified. Jesus left the disciples three times and returned to find them asleep after he asked they pray his strength. Well this is just like us at times. How many times have you fallen asleep in an attempt to read your Word or pray. The disciples walked along side Jesus and had a first hand account of the signs and wonders Jesus performed yet they fell short.

It Wouldn't Be Labor Without Pain

Shall I bring to the [moment of] birth and not cause to bring forth? says the Lord. Shall I Who causes to bring forth shut the womb? says your God.

Isaiah 66:9 AMP

     Pregnancy is the fertilization and development of one or more offspring by a woman. The end result of a pregnancy is a painful delivery, but when the baby is born the pain disappears and a beautiful life pacifies any remaining indication that a pregnancy existed. If you have ever been pregnant or know someone who has you know that a lot of changes take place in a 9 month span of time. What starts out as a small fertilized egg turns into a functioning life. Pregnancy and child birth is a perfect example of the power and intelligence of God. Every detail of pregnancy is aw inspiring. Well this is the same thing with our life. We can not expect to come to Christ and not be developed because God fertilizes our faith as if it were an egg. Our life consists of trials that test and develop our faith thereby developing us

How much better are you then God??

"If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins."

Matthew 6:14-15 NLT

     Forgiveness is for you not for the person you are forgiving. Forgiveness stems from love. God loved us so much that he sent us Jesus, and through Jesus we have been forgiven of our sins. God doesn't place any stipulations on his love. If you accept Jesus as your Savior you are forgiven.....POINT BLANK! Forgiveness is defined as the act of excusing from fault or an offense. Matthew 6:14-15 is very clear concerning forgiveness. God has forgiven our sins, but his desire is that we walk in love and in order to make that walk you must forgive. If we choose to hold on to pain, fault, or offense toward others or toward ourselves we are expressing a superiority over God. Why?? If the God who shaped the world can forgive us for our mess, and I do mean mess, then what makes us so much better than God? Yes it is true, we want our feelings to be validated, but when it comes to forgiveness it cant be about the way we feel. Trust me when I tell you I have been hurt. Not just any hurt, but a hurt that pierced my soul and left me completely broken. Even after giving my life to God I was still broken . It wasn't until I allowed God to lay hold to my hurt that I was restored. I gave God all my hurt in the form of forgiveness.

Unequally Yoked....Why Not???

"Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness?"

II Corinthians 6:14-15

"He or she seems nice."

"He treats me nice even though he isn’t saved."

It’s been forever since someone was interested in me...so what he doesn’t go to church?"

He said he believed there is a God....I guess that’s good enough!"

Do any of these statements sound familiar??

     I understand that there are times when we grow weary waiting on God's match for us. But I encourage you to hold on because your wait is for a reason. The last thing you should do is settle for someone just because they show some level of interest in you. An equal yoke refers to plowing fields during Bible times.

A Life Guide Knows the History of Every Landmark

"Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seats of the scornful; But his delight is in the law f the Lord, And in His law he meditates day and night. He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper."

Psalms 1:1-3

     We have to know within our heart of heart where our help is coming from and who is guiding our steps. Psalm 119:105 says "Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path." And Jeremiah 1:5 goes on to say "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; before you were born I sanctified you; I ordained you a prophet to the nations." The world would have us to believe life is about luck, chance, or fate, but this is just not so. God has a will and a purpose for our lives that he is faithful to fulfill. We do not have to suck up to a manager for a promotion, obtain every degree and certification, or bend to the ways of the ungodly because God will prosper us through his grace and our faith.
     It is our responsibility to delight ourselves in the Word of God, and meditate on it day and night until it becomes apart of who we are. We should not walk with the ungodly, stand with the sinner, or sit with the deceitful for a so called blessing. This is a lesson that was made clear in my heart recently. I became so concerned with a promotion that I began to loose sight or whom promotion comes from. Psalms 75:6-7 says "For expectation comes neither from the east nor the west nor from the south. But God is the Judge: He puts down one, And exalts another." Instead of being persistent and standing on the Word of God I took measures to get ahead that were not the orchestration of God but of Kiva. In a sense my actions were saying God you are taking to long so let me go make some moves without you. I am transparent enough to admit my wrong, repent, and make it all about God's way. Why???

1.) My way got me no where close to a promotion, but unmasked the scornful nature of some people. People I was allowing myself to be guided by.
2.) Because blessings come by way of God no matter who you think you know, the brown nosing you think your doing, or the accolades you won! God is in control and our help comes from him and him only.
God's plan is precise because he predestined it long before we were in our mothers wombs.

     God makes no mistakes. He can see the detour that gets us around an obstacle. His plan is to prosper us and not to harm us. At times we can not see the potential drawbacks to our plans, but God can. So if we start by making God our first focus he can direct us into the path of prosperity. If we just delight in his Word we can internalize God's Word into obedience. Once we are able to do that we will be like the tree in Psalm 1:3. A tree planted by a river is lush and full of fruit because it receives the nutrients it needs from the river's minerals. This tree's leaves do not wither because it has a consistent water supply. This tree prospers beside the river. This is the same for our lives....
     Salvation is planted in us and watered through our delight in the reading and meditating on God's Word and also spending time in his presence. Though we grow weary due to the attacks of the enemy we are made strong by God's Word flowing in us like water. That Word keeps us from withering spiritually!! And because we have sought the counsel of God we are blessed and whatever we do prospers. Why does it prosper?? Very simple because our steps are being ordered by God who made plans for us long before we arrived. It is fantastic to know if we delight in God we have no choice but to be prosperous and blessed.

The glass is always completely full!! God bless you....

Kiva Thompkins

NEWS FLASH: Jesus didn't turn his nose up why are you??

Matthew 25:46  Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me. And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.

      When I ask people why they are not a member of a church or why they have not given their life to Christ I usually get a number of different answers but there is always one popular answer....Snobby Church Folk!!! When we accept Christ into our hearts and our lives we come to him with our issues and mess. A Christian walk is a growing relationship with Christ and is governed by the Word of God that is manifested in the Bible and through the Holy Spirit. As a Christian we are responsible for loving like Christ did when he walked the earth, reading our Bibles and allowing God's Words to absorb into our hearts, and DISCIPLESHIP. Our lives are not all about what God can bless us with, but because of God's grace and mercy we are blessed. We are not perfect, and nor will we ever be because as humans we are subject to error. With that said....
     When was the last time your life and actions planted the seed of salvation and brought someone to Christ??
     When have you given to someone until it hurt your pockets but through your Faith in God you were abundantly blessed as a result??
     When have you visited the sick or imprisoned, fed the hungry, gave drink to the thirsty, clothed the naked, smiled and said good day to a stranger??
     Its my attempt to contain myself, but the very people who are responsible for being a reflection of Christ are some of the very people who are running away those people who need to know the love of God. Those people who God is pulling near to him. Those people that are crying out for help. I was a mess when I accepted Christ, and I am only one decision away from being a mess again. I don't want to get so "SAVED" that I cant testify to the glory of God in order to bring salvation into the heart of a sinner. There are people who need to hear that God loves the woman with two kids and has never been married. There are people who need to know that I lost everything before Christ but through him I gained those things back. There are people who need to know that when everyone else I thought loved me left he was still there.
     But I come across these "holier then thou" Christians attitudes, Snobs for Christ. Last time I checked that wasn't written anywhere in his word?! A snob is defined as someone who believes that some people are inherently inferior to them for any one of a variety of reasons. The only thing that we are supposed to be inheriting is eternal life through Christ...not inferior people! Many of these Christians act as if God has never delivered them from anything, and that they were whole and complete when Christ found them not knowing that with a attitude of anything else other then love they are still not whole or complete. Whenever I get the opportunity to witness to someone I make sure I am sincere because it is my desire that people know the love of God that I know.
     Our walk with God is not about prosperity, new cars, nice jobs, fame but rather it is about LOVE. Christ's life was an example of how we should live. Jesus did not judge any of the unbelievers they knew him to be a savior more so then the doubtful Pharisees and Sadducee's. Jesus fed, healed, and clothed the sinner and drew them to him through his actions and love. Are we drawing souls?? Our biggest witnessing tool is our life. Does our life reflect Christ or that of a hypocrite??
     Our society has become run by selfish desires, money, and the desire to not be accountable to anyone but ourselves. Well that shouldn't be the same case when you are a Christian. Our lives should be devoted to telling people about the goodness of God, acts of love, and drawing souls to God as Christ does. We shouldn't run off a church visitor because she isn't Easter sharp. How do we expect God to pour into her if we are halting her salvation when she enters the door. We shouldn't turn our nose up to the gay man new to the congregation because he has never been exposed to the Word of God until then. We should love and welcome everyone into the household of faith because it took time to get us to the point we are in Christ. Christ makes clear in Matthew 25:46 that what you do not do for the least of them you do not do for him. If we do not treat everyone with love we are not treating God with love. We shouldn't expect a babe in Christ to know everything to do in a given circumstance, but we should expect God to perform a work on their life as he did in ours.
     My desire is that we have a believers mindset and not a Pharisees mindset. The Pharisees were a driving force in the crucifixion of Christ because rather then walking in Love they questioned the miracles of Christ, demanded a sign of him being the Messiah, and used law to condemn Christ and the sinners. We should have a believers mindset that genuinely wants to gain disciples of Christ through salvation. We should give to those in need, and not let pride dictate our walk. A Pharisees mindset judges those trying to come to Christ, pridefully uses the Bible as a tool to personally judge the unbeliever, and are unappreciative of the unmerited grace of God.
     Our testimony and our day to day walk are tools we can use to draw souls to Christ. Our testimonies show how God can take our messy lives and use them to glorify his kingdom. If we are walking around like we never been through anything with our noses turned up at others God wont be able to use us. Christ exemplified love and a desire to save everyone despite their social standing. Christ saved the beggar, the handicap, the prostitute, and if we walk as he did we can change hearts the same way. We can touch the stripper, the prostitute, the beggar, the atheist, the single mother and father, the players, etc.

So put your nose down and walk in love. Glorify Christ with your life, and add disciples to your belt of salvation.

Kiva Thompkins

Know Your Worth and Wait on it!!

     It bothers me to see beautiful woman settling for less then they are worth because they choose to not follow the guidance of God, lack the ability to see the beauty inside themselves, and have not developed the patience to wait on God. Psalm 27:14 declares Wait on the Lord; Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the Lord!" We have to clearly understand that God makes no mistakes, and can see the bigger picture concerning our lives. I am not so saved that I cant speak about my mistakes. I never thought I was very attractive, and let attention from guys dictate my feelings of attraction. I did not know myself, love myself, or value myself as a result of this I allowed myself to be in relationships with guys who treated me bad, broke me emotionally, and played me like Monopoly.
     When I gave God my life I was a mess. Not a little one but a super sized one!! I had issues of abandonment, no standards, and a lack of love for myself. God changed all of that and he did that by setting me apart from everything and everybody I was dependent on. He planted a seed in me when I was saved, and set me apart to cultivate that seed. He is still cultivating me. I made the choice to follow God's guidance in every area of my life. Ohhhh when I did that the guys that I used to be attracted to I wasn't anymore, things I used to take from those guys I refused to stand for anymore. God gave me value when he chose me and remained faithful in his love for me.
     I established values and worth, and I refused to compromise those values. Those values came from my allowing the Word of God to become rooted on the inside of me. If God loved me enough to accept me as the mess I was, and change my thoughts and perspective then why should I contradict God's love with unhealthy relationships. When you have the love of Christ on your side you wont settle for someone who doesn't walk in that same love. God will give you discernment that will allow you to see the heart and motives of people interested in a relationship with you.
     If you are waiting on God to bless you with a companion I cant promise you the wait will be easy, but waiting on God is so much more fulfilling then settling. During your season of being single God can speak to your heart, cultivate those areas that have been a issue for you in the past, and draw you closer to him through love. If your desire to be married, then the first thing you need to do is draw close to God because he is the only one who can lead you in the direction of that person.

So what am I asking:

1.) Create values for your life that are representative of The Bible and God.
2.) Focus on a relationship with Christ not a earthly relationship.
3.) Know that God has a plan for your life and knows what you need and want and is faithful to bless you with those things.
4.) Understand you are beautiful and should be loved as Christ loves.
5.) DON'T pursue a relationship with a man pursue a relationship with Christ and he will send you your husband. God doesn't need you to do his job!
6.) Carry yourself with respect and you will receive respect.
7.) Understand that waiting exercises your patience and keeps you in Gods will. Settling places you outside of Gods will and can put you smack dab in the middle of an unhappy relationship.
8.) Don't entertain temptation. Don't place yourself in a position to sin.
9.) Get to know God and what plans he has for you. There are things he wants "single" you to fulfill before he ushers you into "married" you.
10.) If a guy isn't talking commitment and pushes you away from Christ. Or if he is not saved with an intimate relationship with Christ----> God didn't sent him!!

     II Thessalonians 3:3 states, "But the Lord is faithful, who will establish you and guard you from the evil one." God is faithful to his plan for you, he will establish you in his time, and he will always keep you from the attempts of the devil. Draw near to him, ask him for guidance, and know that he will keep you if you let him. Nothing is easy, there will be days when you have to ignore your feeling and depend on your faith. Walk in the Spirit, and the end result will be amazing!!

God Bless you and keep you!

Kiva

Pray Without Ceasing!

     Although we would like to make it seem like a complicated act, prayer is just communicating with God. We communicate with people daily so its not a foreign act only we make it that way because we cant see God. Prayer is a way of strengthening our relationship with God. If we have a spouse and never talk to them and they never talk to use how would we ever get to know them or understand them. The same thing goes for God. When we pray we develop a relationship with God where in we give him all our issues and mess, and he in turn delivers and blesses.
     There isn't a specific position we must be in for God to hear us....Remember God is everywhere. Matthew 6:7 says "And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathens do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words." This means God isn't looking for fancy prayers inspired by our vain thoughts. God already knows that we need so humbly speak to him. God desires that we pray and talk to him continuously.
     Continuous prayers keep us focused on God and his promise, and not on our feelings or circumstances. Prayer is our way of staying spiritually connected with God. Its all about relationship building. In order to get to know the intimate desires a person has you must get to know them. Prayer gets you to that point were you can allow God to correct those areas your weak in. God is able to give us guidance, and practical solutions to issues in our life.
     As stated in John 15: 7 "If you abide in Me, and My Words abide in your, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you." God wants to pour out his blessings on our life, but he needs to know we are rooted in him. He knows this from our prayers. Imagine a relationship where you were getting to know a person. Once you began talking to that person you were able to pour your heart out to them, and they began to know what you like and have need of. Lets take it a step further and say the relationship is a serious one and you have a bill that need to have paid and the person your in the relationship with makes a way for that bill to be paid. That person is there when you need them and is always looking out for you. Well you don't need a boo to have that relationship like you need God. When you pour your heart out to God, and sincerly look to build a relationship with him you are abiding in him. When you begin abiding in him he will abide in you thruogh his Holy Spirit, so whatever you have need of or desire it will come to pass. There is a blessing in your prayer. There is healing in your continuous prayer. There is guidance. There is patience. There is everything you need.
     Prayer is the portal from which you build a solid relationship with God. Embrace that relationship. Embrace God, who will never leave or forsake you. His ear is always listening. Through prayer he will guide you, and make his path for your life plan.

It's all about relationship building so get to know God.

Kiva Thompkins

A Virtuous Woman's Checklist

     A virtuous woman is a woman of spirit, who has command of her own spirit and knows how to manage other people as well as her household. A woman of strength. Though woman are considered the weaker sex a virtuous woman is strengthened by wisdom, grace, and the fear of God.

Checklist

This quick checklist is designed as a tool to take a inventory of yourself and where you are in reflection of Proverbs 31:10-31. 

1.) Verse 11 The heart of her husband safely trusts her; So he will have no lack of gain.

     Do you conduct yourself so that your husband/ God is confident that you will act accordingly in all your affairs. Understand that if you are single God is your husband! Isaiah 54:5 says, "For your Maker is your husband, The Lord of hosts is His name; And your Redeemer is the Holy One of Israel; He is called the God of the whole earth." How do you carry yourself day to day? Is it in a manner that a husband would trust your fidelity and intentions?

2.) Verse 12 She does him good and not evil All the days of her life.

     Do you do your husband/ God good everyday? Or is it when your in a good mood, some days, or every now and then. Is home a peaceful one or are you naggy at times? Do you give your husband/ God endearing words or do you wait for him to be the first to say something?

3.) Verse 15 She also rises while it is yet night, And provides food for her household, And a portion for her maidservants.

     Do you rise early to maintain your home or are you sleeping in from a long night of clubbing, dancing, gabbling, playing bingo, playing cards with friends, etc? What steps are you taking to maintain your household verses the steps you take to stay fresh to death and on the scene??

4.) Verse 19 She stretches out her hands to the distaff, And her hand holds the spindle.

     Are you working to contribute to your household? Are you working for God's household? Saving souls, volunteering at church, studying the Word? When was the last time you put in work for your household, community, and church?

5.) Verse 21 She is not afraid of snow for her household, For all her household is clothed with scarlet.

     Do you anticipate the cold of life? Is your family prepared for a season of change? Are you saving for your families future or are you squandering all of your money on possessions? What plans does your household have for the future?

6.) Verse 25 Strength and honor are her clothing; She shall rejoice in time to come.

     Do you clothe yourself with strength and honor? Does your appearance express wisdom or confidence in a uncertain future? Or do you look thrown together? What does your outward appearance say about you and your spiritual journey?

7.) Verse 27 She watches over the ways of her household, And does not eat the bread of idleness.

     Do you manage your household? Do you just let things be what they are? Are you idle watching TV when there is laundry or dished to be washed? Can your husband count on coming home to clean home and prepared meal? 

8.) Verse 28 Her children rise up and call her blessed; Her husband also, and he praises her;

     Are you earning the respect of your husband and children? Do you do the things you entrust them not to do? Are you a hypocrite in your home?

Charm, beauty, a cute body, nice hair------> they fade but God's grace, a fear of God, peace shall be praised and rewarded. Really take a inventory of your actions ....do they reflect a virtuous woman?? God has the ability to take those areas of opportunity and make them virtuous if you acknowledge his desires for the woman of God.

God bless you!!!

Kiva 

YOLO for God!!!!

     So there is a popular song talking about living life to the fullest each day, doing what you please, and throwing caution to the wind. The song is called YOLO=You Only Live Once. I actually started hearing people talking about YOLO this and YOLO that. I had to do my research by listening to this song performed by rap artists Drake and Lil Wayne. Hmmmm.....YOLO huh??
     I have always heard people say be thankful for another day because tomorrow isn't guaranteed. Well last week I lost a close friend in a car accident, and it changed my perspective concerning life and death. See I was still looking at my waking up each morning through "worldly" goggles. The world says you plan for tomorrow expecting it is a guarantee, but it is by God's grace that we wake to see another day. No one truly knows there life expectancy. You can eat the correct calorie intake, run 5 miles a day, not drink alcohol or smoke, but if God sees fit your life can conclude the next day.
     Psalms 119: 77 says, " Let they tender mercies come unto me, that I may live: for thy law is my delight." We never know when our time is up so if we are going to live it up it should be by way of God's law written in his Word. When we live according to the Word of God he is able to pour out his mercies in our lives. God's mercy is what gives us an abundant life. If we do not allow God to rain his tender mercies on us we are not really living. When we submit ourselves to the will of God he can move in our lives and give us a life of abundance orchestrated by him. Psalms 37:4 makes reference to this abundant life by saying "Delight thyself also in the Lord; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart." We shouldn't be delighted in the worlds fly by the seat of your paints lifestyle if God isn't in the mix. When we delight ourselves in God daily by worshipping him with our time, talent, and treasures it shows God he is a necessity in our life. Then he can give us the desires of our heart. God doesn't want to be common placed in our lives. He wants to know that he can abide in us because we have taken the necessary steps to abide in him.What are the necessary steps? Accepting Christ as the substitution for our sins, spending time in the presence of God, praying, reading the Bible.....relationship building!!
     God can give us a life far more spectacular and blessed then we can make for ourselves. He can pour out blessing in our lives that make these stereotypical music videos look like amateur cinematography.
     So Yes: You only live once but if you are going to live, live with a purpose, live with a plan! Jeremiah 29:11 makes clear that God has a plan for each of our lives this plan is to prosper us and not to harm us. If we YOLO for Christ we make the declaration for God I live and for God I die. We declare God is a necessary component in our lives and we are lost without him. We walk believing God directs our path, and he can and will prosper us. We walk knowing this life we live on earth if lived right will secure a eternal life in heaven. You only have the opportunity to live once for Christ....there will be a day of judgement when we must give an account of our lives and actions. That account can be a walk with God giving you access to eternal life in heaven or that account can be a walk of nonacceptance of God's law which leads to a eternity in Hell. Yeah some preachers, teachers, and churches want you to believe God is "only" a God of love, but truthfully God has given all of us the opportunity to accept Christ. If we chose not to the consequences is eternal death in the fiery lakes of Hell.
     So if you are going to scream YOLO let it be for Christ. Let it be a declaration that we only live once and we want that life to be reflective of God. So I boldly say I live for Christ despite my circumstances, opposition, lies, and life's ups and downs.

YOLO for Christ!!!!

Kiva Thompkins

Faith overrides your feelings!!

     Hebrews 11:1 is a definitive verse that states "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." But what does that really mean?? 

     Emotions are a contingency of being human. We will always experience feelings of sadness, loneliness, hurt, pain, insecurity, fear, anxiety, etc. But one thing we have to understand is that we shouldn't be controlled solely by our emotions. Emotions are constantly changing. We may feel someone is upset with us, but their not. We might feel lonely because we have no significant other, but we aren't because God is our mate. We might feel insecurities because of a upcoming bill that we have no earthly way of paying. It is not my attempt to act as if these emotions don't exist, but to accept these feelings without allowing them to get you off your spiritual walk.

     The enemy can use our feelings to allow us to take our eyes off God and focus only on our circumstances. Psalms 119:165 says "Great peace have those who love your law, and nothing causes them to stumble." We have to have peace, and peace is a state of untroubled tranquility, or a state of harmony or contentment with God. Peace says despite what goes on around me or how I feel I choose to focus on God. The Bible says to cast your cares upon God. God doesn't want us to get distracted by anything that will allow us to stop worshipping him. He wants to be your provider, your battle fighter, and protector. Our feelings can serve as a distraction! Feelings are just that a feeling. We must become dependent on our faith. Faith says no matter what I see or feel God is in control and will take care of everything.

     Romans 10:17 says, "so then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." This scripture is emphasising our need to get the Word of God inside of us as it waters our faith. Hearing the Word of God allows us to get it inside of us. By getting the Word inside of us we can focus on him and not the feelings associated with our circumstances. II Corinthians 12:9 says "And He said to me, My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness. Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me."
     When I can't seem to make ends meet I boast of the power of Christ. When I am feeling lonely and want a companion I boast of the power of Christ. When my friends turn their back on me or people lie on me I boast of the power of Christ. So what I am saying is rather than let my feeling dictate my mood, and get me in a place of depression I thank God that his Grace is all that I need. Why?? Because God's Grace provides for me, comforts me, keeps me safe, and keeps me as a whole. My feelings say "Oh whoa is me! I will never get so and so!" but my faith says by the grace of God my needs and wants are fulfilled.
     Practice your faith when your feelings try to bring you down. Abide in God's perfect peace because there you will find his grace and blessings. My favorite thing to say when I am sad, lonely, or upset is "Lord I know its not about my feelings, but about my faith. I believe you are working things out so I don't need to focus on my circumstances."

Thank god for His Grace!

Kiva Thompkins