GOD’S GLORY ON DISPLAY

THOUGHT:
God’s glory is the magnificence of His splendour. It’s part of who God is. His character and His nature. It is too wonderful for anybody to put into words. When His attributes are seen in our lives, God Himself is seen in our lives. His glory is displayed in our activity.

It pleased God to have his whole nature living in Christ, so whenever anybody looks at Jesus Christ, they are looking at God. Jesus is God’s glory on display for all to see.

Becoming a Christian is turning back to God and asking Jesus to occupy your life. The Christian now lives to please Christ instead of pleasing self. Everything we did at one time was to show the world who we are. Now we are on display for Jesus. God’s magnificence should start to shine through our lives.

For whatever reason God has decided to reveal Himself to people through people. God chose us to show Himself to others. We are His body and He is our head. We take our instructions from Him and His glory is on display through our lives.

TIME TO THINK:
Does my life reflect the glory (goodness) of God?
What’s one thing I could change to better represent who God is?

PRAYER:
Father, it is amazing that you have decided to dwell in our broken lives. Your glory is seen in our activity when we do the things You

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“Good Success.”

Almost everyone in this world wants to be successful, and by the world system, many appear to be. But, according to God’s Word, success is referred to as “good success” (Joshua 1:8 amp). It is God’s will that the believer come in to good success and not just success.

Every one of us wants the taste of success, and we live our whole lives chasing success as the world presents it. Success, the world’s way, is packaged nicely on the outside. The trimmings and bows on a package may make it look enticing, but the contents may not match up to that which is on the outside.

Too many times we continue to base our future on empty promises made by men who hold a position in society.

I want to encourage you to take God at his Word, because his Word tells us that everything will pass away but not one dot from his Word will pass away, and this, my friends, is a promise beyond promises (Matthew 24:35 amp ).

After God lays out the plan and equips us with the promise, he will most definitely give us the instructions to make that plan a success.

The key to possessing our promise is really remaining confident in his ability to bring it to pass, as opposed to our own abilities.

In order to remain confident in God’s abilities to bring the promises to pass, we have to focus, ponder, think about, and speak the promises. This principle was laid down from very early on in God’s Word and it has not changed. It is we who are changing because of the inability to maintain consistency in right believing.

Somehow man’s opinions and thoughts and strategies seem to take the forefront and God’s Word and promises become the last resort in the backup plan. Sometimes, unless we exhaust all our resources and truly come to the end of ourselves, we will not truly be able to embrace God and his Word as the priority in our lives. My friends, I want to encourage you to take God’s instruction first in your life, and I assure you that the results of good success will most definitely manifest!

Power Thought: I am not interested in success, but I will experience good success because I will follow the God-pattern for good success.

Seeking GOOD success through Jesus…OnPurpose!!

5 WAYS TO SIMPLIFY YOUR RELATIONSHIPS

1. Spend time with people who want to spend time with you.
2. Choose your friends very carefully. (Love everyone, but be selective with who you share your secrets.)
3. Create distance from people you don’t trust
4. Sincerely forgive people and move on.
5. Pay close attention to those who are close to you “and” close to everyone who dislikes you.

The better you are at what you do, the more you are getting on “somebody’s” nerves!
Thank you Pastor Jay Patrick for these simple steps!!

I’M GONNA LIVE SO GOD CAN USE ME, ANYWHERE, ANYTIME!

(1 Corinthians 6:19-20) Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.

 

The Holy Spirit lives in the body of the born–again believer.

How wonderful it is to know that He is with us constantly to counsel, guide, and comfort us.

The Spirit will not live in an unclean dwelling, therefore we must “offer our bodies” as a living sacrifce, Holy and Acceptable unto the Lord in honor of Him.

It is the very least we can do when you think about it… In actuality this body is more or less just loaned to us during our stay here on earth.

Remember who created it?  Remember what He sacrificed to allow us to live eternally with Him long after this body is gone?

JESUS paid that price with His Blood.

Let us not defile our loaned bodies with anything outside of His will.

Prayer:  Father, I confess to you that I sometimes lose sight of how precious my body is to you. With aging and the other challenges that daily remind me that my body is a vessel of decay, I find it hard to believe that I can glorify you with it. Please, through your indwelling Spirit, quicken in me a deeper reverence and appreciation of your presence in me. In the name of Jesus, my atoning sacrifice, I pray.  Amen!!

Let Him inspire you to keep your house in order…OnPurpose!!

Receit your A B C’s

A – Avoid negative sources, people, places, things and habits.
B – Believe in yourself and succeed.
C – Consider things from every angle.
D – Don’t give up and don’t give in.
E – Enjoy life today, yesterday is gone and tomorrow may never come
F – Family and friends are hidden treasures, seek them and enjoy their riches.
G – Give more than you planned to.
H – Hang onto your dreams.
I –  If opportunity doesn’t knock, build a door.
J – Just do it
K – Keep trying no matter how hard it seems.
L – Love yourself.
M – Make it happen.
N – Never lie, steal or cheat. Always strike a fair deal
O – Open your eyes and see things as they really are
P –  Practice makes perfect.
Q – Quality not quantity in anything you do.
R-  Remember that silence is sometimes the best answer.
S – Stop procrastinating.
T – Take control of your own destiny.
U – Understand yourself in order to better understand others.
V – Visualise it and focus
W -When you lose, don’t lose the lesson.
X – Xcellence in all your efforts.
Y – You are unique, nothing can replace you.
Z – Zero in on your target, and go for it.

Please share…OnPurpose!!

Why did I lose power?

Mark 8:36 – 37 [Msg]

36 What good would it do to get everything you want and lose you, the real you?

37 What could you ever trade your soul for?

I felt like I have lost my compassion for the people.  I have become cynical  and callous with  people I spend time with.  I didn’t notice it right away, it wasn’t until one of my associates (who never agrees with anything anyone says unless its negative) agreed with every word that slipped out of my mouth.  I felt the light go on in my head.  I had an internal conversation in that moment…”Am I being TOXIC? Why am I not extending GRACE to people?  Why am I so ANGRY?” For 24 hours I took a break from everything and I traced my steps to see what had changed, where did I shift and miss it?

I had stepped-out on my relationship with God.  I made a turn to do what I wanted to do without seeking God – I remember when I did it.  I chose to do what I wanted to do and not what was best for me.  No studying, no worshipping, no discipline, no nothing good for my soul!!  I reverted back to a place God delivered me from.  I was in CONTROL MODE!

I had lost my eternal perspective on what was important and what was not.  I clearly lost the space where I use to experience God’s unfailing love and amazing forgiveness.  I had become numb to compassion.  I had put on my worldly outfit and stepped out on GOD and was walking in SELF and not faith.

Having & being in Control is one of the areas [Soft Spots] in my life that keeps me from experiencing God to the fullest.  It clearly blocks my way to all that God has for me.

What is the one thing that might be “blocking the way” to experiencing God fully for you?

Pray this prayer with me:

Lord, help me to see how much I lose when I lose you.  My perspective on my life and all of life gets distorted when I don’t make space for You, operating in your love for me.  Your love is better than life and truly I long for more tastes of that love.  Fill me with Your compassion, Your heart, Your eyes, Your ears and use me as a vessel to show YOUR love for me and someone who needs a touch, word or a miracle from YOU, THIS I ask in Your Precious Son’s Name, AMEN!!

Written by: The “Butterfly”

Reconnecting with God…OnPurpose!

My Testimony is my son♡

John 13:7 ~ Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt understand hereafter.

24 years ago – my husband asked me for a divorce – I was giving birth to our son.  If you do not know God and His marvelous Omnipresence – I would love to introduce you.  24 years later – the child that was born of that union changed my life.

When my son was in the 4th grade – he told me – “mommy, that is not very nice what you said about my teacher,”  he added, “I am going to ask Jesus to forgive you.” ~ out of the mouth of my baby…I celebrate Jesus today for bringing me through with Grace, Courage, Beauty, Power, Authority, and Lord knows – I don’t look anything like what I have been through.

There is NOTHING in this world or any other world that God can’t work with.

July 15th my son turned 24 – smart, talented, handsome, strong, positive and delivered!!

My heart, mind, body and soul are in agreement with the love I have for my Savior and my son.

If you think you are in a mess, invite Jesus in – He will clean it us with the quickness!

I can introduce you if you need me to…<3

First written 2013 by Michale’s mom (Michelle) now known as the “Butterfly”

Here is a prayer you can pray:

Dear God in heaven, I come to you in the name of Jesus. I acknowledge to You that I am a sinner, and I am sorry for my sins and the life that I have lived; I need your forgiveness.

I believe that your only begotten Son Jesus Christ shed His precious blood on the cross at Calvary and died for my sins, and I am now willing to turn from my sin.

You said in Your Holy Word, Romans 10:9 that if we confess the Lord our God and believe in our hearts that God raised Jesus from the dead, we shall be saved.

Right now I confess Jesus as the Lord of my soul. With my heart, I believe that God raised Jesus from the dead. This very moment I accept Jesus Christ as my own personal Savior and according to His Word, right now I am saved.

Thank you Jesus for your unlimited grace which has saved me from my sins. I thank you Jesus that your grace never leads to license, but rather it always leads to repentance. Therefore Lord Jesus transform my life so that I may bring glory and honor to you alone and not to myself.

Thank you Jesus for dying for me and giving me eternal life. AMEN.

Written By: The “Butterfly” & “King Kale”

Enbracing Change…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!

A tribute to Dad’s & My Father ‘AB

A Father [‘AB] of the fatherless and a judge for the widows, Is God in His holy habitation…Psalms 68:5

I am very blessed!  I had the pleasure of knowing Albert, my dad’s grand-dad; Ray, my dad’s dad; Herman, my mom’s dad; Turner, my dad;  Mike, my son’s dad and Michale, my son (who now at 24 years old…thinks he is my dad.)  All of these relationship’s have added value to my life in one way, shape, form or fashion…I Am Just BLESSED!!

I want to take a moment and celebrate and honor each of these men…on earth as it is in Heaven…I thank GOD for each of you, the legacy you left behind, the memories you created with & for me, the love you taught me, the courage you instilled in me and the gift of life that you showered me with!!  Thank you!  I love you! I am grateful for you!

I realize not everyone has had the benefit of knowing their dad…some may even feel blessed that they don’t know him or have a relationship with him.  I get that!  I can tell you not all of my experiences were GREAT, WARM & FUZZY with the dad’s of my life.  But there is a FATHER that you can HEAL, LOVE, GUIDE and PROTECT you, right now.

‘AB [ABBA], a father to the fatherless and a defender of those in need.  Sometimes our earthly fathers abandon us or don’t know how to be there when we need them, but ‘AB will rise up as our true Father.  He will fill the gap and bring comfort and guidance to each of us who seeks His face as FATHER!

‘AB [ABBA], God, Creator, Holy, thank you for not leaving me as an orphan.  I release my earthly dad of the prison I have been holding him in and I run to you Lord.  I accept that he could not be everything I needed in a father because he is human and no human being is perfect, except Your son Jesus.  I receive that You are perfect, and only you can provide me with all the loving, gentle care a daddy can give.

‘AB [ABBA], as I go into this Father’s Day weekend, help me to understand what it means to live my life in the fullness of joy, hope, love, peace and abundance which come from trusting in YOU as my FATHER.  I seek your wisdom in my choices instead of rushing to a dead-end.  Guide my every step, fill me with your power to be an example to a dying world, to my community, to my own child/children, to my church family and to my friends.

You may be a dad…read this again – release yourself of the pains of life, your choices you made, your disappointments in what you did or didn’t do and receive the love of Jesus, right now!  God’s mercies are new everyday…if you are reading this…it’s NOT TO LATE to become the dad God created you to be…Just ask God to come into your heart and allow Him to lead you…He is just one sentence away…YES, Lord – I want you and I need to be LORD over my life…

Written by: The “Butterfly”

Pray this prayer with me:

God our Father, in your wisdom and love you made all things. Bless those fathers, who have taken upon themselves the responsibility of parenting.  Bless those who have lost a spouse to death … or divorce who are parenting their children alone.  Strengthen them by your love that they may become the loving, caring persons that YOU intended for them to be.  Grant this through Jesus, Christ our Lord and Savior. ~Amen!

Speaking LIFE over Fatherhood…OnPurpose

Being Michelle…OnPurpose!!

Cast aside self-competence…

2 Corinthians 3:5 – Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us, but our sufficiency is from God…

God has made us ministers of a new covenant. When anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is lifted. We are being transformed into glory.

No one is adequate to carry on the Holy Spirit’s ministry. God is the One who enables us to proclaim and stand firm in the gospel, not our own natural strength or power. So Paul expresses his total dependency upon God and cast aside self-competence.

No one is competent to carry out the responsibilities of God’s calling in his or her own strength. Without the Holy Spirit’s enabling our natural talents lead us only to earthly ends. As Christ’s witnesses we need the character and empowering only God gives. We who have received all things from Christ look with confidence through Christ to God for all things.

I AM NOTHING WITHOUT YOU, LORD!

Written by: The Butterfly

Pray this prayer with me:

Jesus,  God,  Holy Spirit, Precious Lord, I love you!!
Many times I do not have the right words to speak.  Either I have remained silent when someone needed me to use words of love or I spoke but the words I used were not the words you would want me to use.  Please help me do better in the future.  I know my heart determines the kind of words I use.  Please help me change my heart so your words of love can come out of my mouth at the right time and in the right place.  Please help me turn my heart away from anything ungodly or anything sinful.  Please help me keep my heart in a state where I only want to say, think, and do what you want me to say, think, and do.
Please help me turn away from my old life of rebellion.  Please help me turn away from my old life of darkness.  In you I put all my faith, hope, and life.
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!!

Casting aside self-competence…OnPurpose

Being Michelle…OnPurpose