The courage to fogive

Forgiveness Born Out Of Love

Have you ever heard someone say that they forgive you, but act like they are still angry with you? Forgiveness is much more than just words. Forgiveness is an attitude of the heart that is evident in a person’s actions.

Jesus teaches about God’s forgiveness in the parable of the prodigal son in Luke 15:11-32. In the story, the prodigal son rejected his own father and chose to live life on his own terms in a far off city. The son wasted everything his father had given him and ultimately faced starvation. Finally, coming to his senses, the boy returned home and begged his father to forgive him. The father’s response must have astounded the son.

The father did not point fingers at his son or remind him of how sinful he had acted. Instead the father said, “Bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet. And bring the fatted calf here and kill it, and let us eat and be merry; for this my son was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found” (Luke 15:22-24).

That is forgiveness! And that is exactly the way that God shows forgiveness to you. God’s forgiveness is born out of His deep love for you. You may have once been His lost child, but now you are found. He will not remind you of your failures or withhold His goodness from you as though He were mad at you. God loves you with an everlasting and unconditional love. In His eyes, you are no longer someone who once sinned against Him. Instead, you are perfect to Him!

Prayer for the day:

Thank God for His forgiveness. Pray that you will learn to forgive others the way that He has forgiven you.

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COURAGE/RISK TAKING

It’s been said that failure is the back door to success. It is, and so is risk. Indeed, Henry Lee (Hank) Allen in the book Men to Men observes that “Many of the most successful people or organizations either failed many times, took several risks, or both—before they achieved.”

Allen defines risk as “having the faith to attempt something new or different even though it might be hard or lead to failure.” He maintains that “risk is not recklessness; recklessness involves little or no forethought … In contrast, those who take risks are aware that they face enormous obstacles to achievement; yet, the rewards seem well worth the effort.”*

Strong leaders boldly take calculated risks. They must do so in order to advance their cause. That’s what Jesus did when he cleared the temple in Jerusalem. When he drove out the money changers and overturned their tables, Jesus ran the risk of enraging those ancient con-artists. He risked antagonizing the religious leaders and being misunderstood by the masses. But Jesus had to take that risk; he couldn’t sit idly by as these corrupt vendors made a mockery of his Father’s house. As the Messiah, he deeply felt his “zeal” for the house of God (v. 17). He had to express that zeal regardless of the risk.

As you cultivate your leadership skills, don’t be afraid to take a calculated risk. And don’t fear failure. Both are back doors to success.

John 2:12 After this he went down to Capernaum, with his mother and his brothers and his disciples, and they stayed there for a few days. 13 The Passover of the Jews was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. 14 In the temple he found those who were selling oxen and sheep and pigeons, and the money-changers sitting there. 15 And making a whip of cords, he drove them all out of the temple, with the sheep and oxen. And he poured out the coins of the money-changers and overturned their tables. 16 And he told those who sold the pigeons, “Take these things away; do not make my Father’s house a house of trade.” 17 His disciples remembered that it was written, “Zeal for your house will consume me.” 18 So the Jews said to him, “What sign do you show us for doing these things?” 19 Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” 20 The Jews then said, “It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and will you raise it up in three days?” 21 But he was speaking about the temple of his body. 22 When therefore he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this, and they believed the Scripture and the word that Jesus had spoken.

Jump Start

(Matt 6:10) …your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

Here, we ask and proclaim of God’s spiritual realm; the Holy Spirit, to be with us and to have His way. We surrender our power to Him. To the Saint, He is King also here on earth. Thank you God for teaching us also a lesson in submission with this prayer. This also shows our intent to get out of His way here on earth; an act of relinquishing control to our Father. We can really mess things up when we don’t. So many times we unknowingly think we should help God fulfill His purpose. (When he’s not responding how we want or when we want)  “Check yo’self”!  We have got some nerve. Sit tight and let the Captain do all the driving, “He’s got you..”

I am looking back over my adult life and remembering when I “NEEDED” to help God out with HIS plans for my life. Funny huh? But in every case…I just prolonged HIS plan with my foolishness.  Even if what I wanted was what God had for me – He had to let me see HE IS IN CHARGE…He gives me free will but IT IS HIS WILL NOT MINE!!  The study of EPHESIANS helped me fully understand this.

Prayer:  ‘O LORD, you have searched me and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue you know it completely, O LORD. For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.’ Psalms 139

God is right all the time…I will trust HIM more today than I did yesterday…OnPurpose!

Toxic People & Relationships

Read:  John 13:1-17

When you look for toxic people in the gospel, your eyes might land on Herod, Pilate, the religious leaders or Judas.  There is something horrifying about Judas – he is a disciple, Jesus chose him as one of the twelve, he is a friend, a companion over the three years of Jesus’ ministry.

Toxic people are inevitable. How do you deal with them? How did Jesus deal with Judas?

Jesus’ way of dealing with toxic people was to serve them, show them love, and welcome them in.  If we are to follow Jesus, this is how we should deal with toxic people!  Jesus says: “do this in remembrance of me” as He ate with a toxic person.

What is our purpose? Is it to change the toxic person or is it to be like Jesus?  No, It is not to change people – it is right after this that Jesus frees him to betray Him.  It is our goal to be like Jesus and let God change your Judas (toxic people.)

How do you identify or recognize  your Judas (Toxic People)?

1. Toxic People – keep you guessing about which version of them you’re getting.
2. Toxic People – manipulate.
3. Toxic People – won’t own their feelings.
4. Toxic People – make you prove yourself to them.
5. Toxic People – never apologize.
6. Toxic People – are there in a crisis but never ever share in your joy.
7. Toxic People – leave a conversation unfinished – and then go offline and hide.
8. Toxic People – use non-toxic words with a toxic tone.
9. Toxic People – bring irrelevant detail into conversations.
10. Toxic People – make it about the way you’re talking, rather than what you’re talking about.
11. Toxic People – exaggerate.
12. Toxic People – are judgmental.

It doesn’t have to be all these things…It could be just one.

What you should do?  How to I graud myself from Judas (Toxic People)?

1. Squash Negative –Talk
2. Set Limits (Especially with Complainers)
3. Rise Above
4. Stay Aware of those Emotions
5. Establish Boundaries and STICK WITH THEM
6. Don’t Let Anyone Limit You Joy
7. Don’t Focus on them as a Problem—Focus on you as a Solution
8. Use A Support System – Surround yourself with positive uplifting people who show you love and support.

Pray this prayer with me:

Father God, I blind my own role in any and all toxic relationships.  Help me see the truth about myself. Apply the healing power of Your Word to my heart and mind.  Deliver me from any stronghold that causes me to harm people with my words and actions.  Save me from self-destructive patterns.

I struggle in my relationship with ______. I need You to give me wisdom on how to love ____ well.  You are my shield and defender. Show me how, when and where to erect boundaries in our relationship.  I believe You are my healer and I trust You to guard my heart and mind.

I need Your specific directions on how to interact with ______.

I want to love _____ with a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. (1 Timothy 1:5)

Help me to love ______ courageously.  Fill me with Your truth and compel me to fearlessly tell the truth with love. Let Your perfect love cast out all of my fears related to our relationship.

I forgive ______ for hurting me. I ask You to forgive me for _______ and _______. I acknowledge my emotions: _______, _________, and _______. And I invite You to steady my heart so my emotions do not rule my decisions.  I surrender what I think our relationship should be. Please transform it so that it honors You.

In Jesus matchless name, I pray. Amen!!

Written by: The “Butterfly”

Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good…OnPurpose!

To Do List: Twenty things to start doing right now

Ephesians 6:7-8 ~ 7 Work with enthusiasm, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people.  8 Remember that the Lord will reward each one of us for the good we do, whether we are slaves or free.

I found this list from a few years ago when I had a Mary Kay Unit and thought it would be great to ignite the passion in me and possibly YOU!

1. Be enthusiastic.
2. Think big. Act on big and small opportunities alike.
3. Learn to translate aspirations, needs and vision of the broader organization into tangible results you can deliver or facilitate.
4. Discover aspirations, needs, and vision even if they’re not explicitly stated. See it before everyone else does.
5. Practice corporate entrepreneurship; determine what the right outcomes are without regard to resources you have on hand.
6. Connect and spend time with key decision makers and strategists within your organization. Ask questions about their plans, needs and aspirations. Listen. Learn.
7. Organize your work life so that you spend time on what’s important, not what landed on your desk. Delegate in all directions.
8. Demand that your team members bring you solutions to problems, not the problems themselves. The former motivates and empowers them; the latter are major downers for all involved.
9. Solicit input of your team members on strategic directions. Even the act itself is motivating, and you will see a high degree of engagement when it’s time to execute the common vision.
10. Encourage and empower your team member to decide how to go about their work within the guidelines and expectations you define.
11. Develop the sense of shared meaning within your team.
12. Communicate with your team members frequently and openly. Always take the time to explain strategic decisions.
13. Notice and reward “positive deviance” – new practices that yield superior results.
14. Pose challenging questions to your team. Notice and reward volition to find answers.
15. Always be on a lookout for innovation in your industry and profession.
16. Further, be aware that really exciting breakthroughs come from the cross-application of approaches and methods from other realms.
17. Reward results, not the time, effort and cost expended. Too often, managers believe that their job is to generate action, whereas it is to create results.
18. Take every opportunity to promote your team within the organization. Share results, lessons learned and new practices. Utilize internal publications, town-hall meetings, newsletters and so on.
19. Position your team members as ultimate experts within the organization. Set up mentoring and communities of practice around their expertise.
20. Become industry experts. Take leadership positions in professional bodies. Write in professional publications.

As I read through this list – I could see many biblical principles & scriputes…Can you tag a scripture reference to the ones your recognize?

Pray this prayer with me:

Precious Lord Jesus, I love you.
What is my future, Lord?
What is to become of me?
I have a past steeped in many mistakes and in many kinds of poverty.
In addition, I have had little chance of escaping my past.
Do I have a future of any kind?
Although I ask these questions I already know the answer.
I know, as I am in your arms this minute, my future is bright in your eyes.
I know, as I am in your arms this minute, my past mistakes can be erased, undone, and made to be of no consequence.
No matter what I face in the next hours, days, or years, I know you are with me.
As you assure me you are with me, we shall walk this road together and your strength will be my strength, your vision shall be my vision, your direction shall be my direction, and your wisdom shall be my wisdom.
You are the one who enables me to move beyond my present circumstance.
You are the one who gives me the ability to make progress.
You are the one who comes to visit me when I am in prison.
You are the one who comes to sit next to me and comfort me when I am sick.
You are the one who comes to me when I am lonely and downhearted.
I praise your name with my words.
May my every thought and action also praise your name. In Jesus’ name, AMEN!!

Written by: The “Butterfly”

Being enthusiastic…OnPurpose!

 

You’ve seen the depths of my heart…Indescribable!

Oh give thanks to the Lord , for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever!  Psalms 118:29 ESV

“Incomparable, unchangeable,  You’ve seen the depths of my heart and You love me the same, You are amazing God”

How many people could see the depths of your heart,  mind, every thought and action and STILL love you the same?

It is good the human mind cannot think or express how amazing it is to know this love. The world thinks we are zealous, and ridiculous, oh yeah!!!

Let them see what the love of God can and has done for wretches like us.

If you have never experienced this type of LOVE, it’s available,  truly indescribable.

Baby let your light shine, especially in these dark times. No better day than thisSaturday to push through with joy and love.  Do that boo!!!!

Praying for you all,  declaring God’s love over you and everything and everyone you touch today.

Written by: Cybill 

Pray this prayer with me:

Father, You gave first and foremost as you selflessly gave of Yourself through the person of Jesus Christ. Your gift of grace defies human description, for the far-reaching effects in our lives is truly indescribable. It’s too wonderful for words, but it brings unspeakable joy and glorious hope that makes our spiritual journey so worthwhile. We receive Your indescribable gift that brings forgiveness for our sins and reserves for us a home in heaven for all eternity. Thank You, Father! Amen.

Being Loved…OnPurpose

Being Michelle…OnPurpose

 

It is part of the plot…Wait for IT!

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. ~Romans 12:2 ESV

Depression may explain wrong behavior, but it never excuses it. We live in a real world with real problems. How we deal with these problems is up to us. Sometimes we do things while in a state of depression and emotional pain, hoping to find sympathy, and we find none.

If you’re feeling depressed and anxious, do what you must do to get well. Take a day off, take a break, go and scream in the car if you have to, talk to a friend, receive treatment. Do what you must to feel like yourself again. Life can be hard, but you can handle it. With God’s help, you can make right choices.

The enemy will tell you there’s no way out, he will try to convince you that things will never get better, but that is when you must receive the truth of God’s word. He is God, and nothing is too hard for Him. He can help you change. You may not change overnight, but change can take place in your life.

What if the caterpillar became depressed because it wasn’t yet a butterfly? A caterpillar may be how you’ve started, but you are destined to be transformed into a beautiful butterfly. The work that God has started in you, He will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ’s return for you.

This is my post from June 10, 2015 – I had no idea, but God did!!

Thank you Jesus!!!

Being Michelle, the “BUTTERFLY”…OnPurpose!

Your confidence is uncomfortable for some people!

1 John5:14  — And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: (KJV)

Your confidence is uncomfortable for some people. But most people don’t know the journey that has brought you to be free in who you are and in your actions. There are lots of unsettling things I’ve been through but I’ve learned to grow and come to terms and peace with those areas of my life where I felt less than, or diminished. But people will always be around to jab at that confidence and peace. Don’t let them.

I hear the snarky or underlying tone, every time. Do I feed it, most of the time no. Do I allow it to second guess who I am and what my end game and goals are, not a bit. But it shows me who you are and how minimal you are to my life. So thanks for showing me that my tight tribe and inner circle is beast and that I am moving away from the toxic and towards those who build up and are worth the value I contribute to the greatness of others. God made us to great and to flourish. Don’t let those that don’t get it, get to you.‪#‎lifeisgood‬ ‪#‎sisterhood‬

Written by: Cybill Aros-Pearson

Pray this prayer with me:

Most Precious Lord Jesus, Gentle And Wonderful God, Truly Awesome And Ever-present Holy Spirit, Precious Lord Jesus, I love you.
I was blind but you did not desert me.
I was blind and you gently led me in ways I did not know.
I was blind and you led me on unfamiliar paths.
I was blind and you turned my darkness into light.
I was blind and you made the rough places smooth.
I was blind and now I see.
Lead me on, precious Lord, and help me reform and conform my actions to your will.
Give me insight and awareness of the deceptive words and deceptive idols around me.
In my world gone astray, help me reflect your love and grace.
Help me deal with others in a kind, gentle, and just manner.
Place your power upon me and put into my heart the holy unction to help the alien, to help the fatherless, to the help the widow, to comfort the hurting, and to shelter the lost and broken.
May all my thoughts and actions reflect your love for generations into the future.
Inspire me every day to trust you more.
Inspire me every day to put my full faith and confidence into your nail-scarred hands.
Remind me often how you have blessed me.
Remind me how you have nourished me and quenched the thirst of my soul with your living water.
Remind me how you have kept me from the heat of the sun and from the cold of winter.
Remind me I have no worries even when my life seems dry and parched.
Remind me you will help me miraculously bear fruit in season or out of season.
May I always be strong and humble as I help you gather your flock in your holy name.
All these things I humbly pray in the name of my most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ, my Mighty God, and my Ever-present Holy Spirit upon whom I can rely.
Amen!!

Be Confident…OnPurpose!

 

Time to accept that things are about to happen…QUICKLY!!

Read 1 Kings 17:1-3

1) And Elijah the Tishbite, who was of the inhabitants of Gilead,said unto Ahab, As the LORD God of Israel liveth, before whom I stand , there shall not be dew nor rain these years, but according to my word. 2) And the word of the LORD came unto him, saying , 3) Get thee hence, and turn thee eastward, and hide thyself by the brook Cherith, that is before Jordan.

God, I’m not leaving until I get what I came for today!!

I am about to be known!  Not for my past but for my future and God Presence, right NOW!

How is it that I have a made up mind on Sunday and a messed up mind on Monday?

God want me to see that as long as God lives in me, I have an ability to speaks things into existence.

Not God said it…I’M SAYING IT!!

Progression: Vs. 1…Elijah is speaking not GOD – to Ahad.  He has no degree, no credibility, no high credit score, not been presented to anyone, no fine clothes or cars or houses.  None of the stuff you have give you the power to SPEAK except your connection to GOD.  When I made the first move, God showed up and made it happen.

God is waiting on you to make a move…God will make your destiny.  Are you tired of accepting the same stuff day after day…but you  know GOD has given you something…OPEN your mouth and rebuke the advisory.

God don’t want you to look bad so if you open your mouth…GOD will make it happen.

God is not a man that He should lie…HE WILL DO IT.

God is about to bring this to past!  Right NOW…WHAT I SAY???   

Vs. 1 – Elijah is Unknown

Vs. 2/3 – God speaks – Go hide…why? It’s about to happen so quickly you are going to need to take cover.  

You need to be hidden because something in you is going to turn this world around…your haters are going to be on the hunt to find you and you WILL need protection from them so God is telling you to hide, NOW!

Get used to hearing your name…It is going to be a household name!!

Pray this prayer with me:

Most Precious Lord Jesus, Gentle And Wonderful God, Truly Awesome And Ever-present Holy Spirit, Precious Lord Jesus, I love you.
I have traveled many paths in my life.  I have gone my own way.  I have gone the way of others.  Finally, I decided to accept you into my life and now I seek to travel only your path rather than my own.  When I walk this path of yours, help me to keep my eyes straight ahead upon your suffering upon the cross.   When I walk this path and Satan tries to distract me and tempt me away from you, help me to be strong and keep my mind only upon your mercy and your love for me.  When I am tempted to walk on dangerous ground to gain excitement and drama, show me your path of peace is better.
When reward, wealth, and fame tempt me, show me all these pass away and you are my greatest reward, show me you are my greatest wealth, and show me that I need not be famous.  When the distractions, temptations, and enticements of this life come at me, give me your strength to stay upon your path that always leads me home to your surrendering sacrifice upon the cross.  All these things I humbly pray in the name of my most Blessed Lord Jesus Christ, my Mighty God, and my Ever-present Holy Spirit upon whom I can rely. Amen

Being Michelle On Purpose…