Life as We Know it is Changing…and Here’s Why!

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Man in suit reading newspaper titled World is Changing

Right now is a very trying time in not only this country but the world.  It’s something that’s bigger than all of us and has taken us by storm.  Most of the country’s on lockdown with half of its citizens under quarantine and with good reason.  There hasn’t been anything like this in the last 50 years and people are scared.  We’re dealing with a crisis…a health crisis.

Most businesses have been told to close up shop and send their employees home in order to lessen the spread.  And many are filing for unemployment not knowing what’s next.

We’ve dealt with outbreaks in this country before like Ebola, Sars, Zika, Swine and even the bird flu but none has been quite like this one.  This one’s in a class all by itself (not much is known about it) and it’s highly contagious and deadly.  It spreads rapidly and can kill just as quickly.  It’s an infectious disease called Covid-19 or coronavirus.

What is Covid-19 Coronavirus Disease?

Coronavirus disease (Covid-19) is an infectious disease caused by a new virus.  It started in China in December 2019.  The disease causes respiratory illness (like the flu) with symptoms such as a cough, fever and in more serious cases, difficulty breathing.  Covid-19 can be severe and in some cases have caused death.

How does it Spread?

How does coronavirus disease spread?  The disease spreads primarily through contact with an infected person when they cough or sneeze.  It also spreads when a person touches a surface or object that has the virus on it, then touches their eyes, nose, or mouth.

The spread is being monitored by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the World Health Organization and health organizations like Johns Hopkins across the globe.

How can Coronavirus be Treated?

There are no specific vaccines or treatment for Covid-19 coronavirus disease.  However, many of the symptoms can be treated and with supportive measures (those that relieve symptoms).  For severe cases, there may be additional options for treatment, including research drugs and therapeutics.

What is the Incubation Period for Covid-19 Coronavirus?

Symptoms appear to start showing up within 14 days of exposure to the virus.

What You should do if You Experience any Symptoms

Covid-19 symptoms include:

  • Cough
  • Fever
  • Tiredness
  • Shortness of Breath

If you have a fever or cough, you might have Covid-19.  Most people have mild illness  and are able to recover at home.  Keep track of your symptoms.  If they continue or get worse seek medical attention right away.

Call your doctor and he/she will let you know what to do.  Don’t go into the office.  In rare cases, Covid-19 can lead to severe respiratory problems, kidney failure or death.

What You Can do to Protect Yourself and your Family

People can help protect themselves from respiratory illness with everyday preventative actions.

  • Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
  • Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol if soap and water are not available.
  • Stay at home

Bottom Line…

The coronavirus pandemic sweeping the globe has not only left us with a new way of life, many are also feeling anxious about life and death issues.  It’s also left people struggling with a host of less obvious, existential losses as they heed stay-home warnings and wonder how bad all of this is going to get.

Some feel lonely and some even feel isolated but know that you will get through this.  Our Heavenly Father is our strength and is still on the throne, he’s there whenever you need him.  Go to him in prayer or just everyday talk…he will hear you and help you with your anxiety and your loneliness.

 

Open Bible on table

Proverbs 12:25 Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs him down, but a good word makes him glad.

1 Peter 5:7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

Philippians 4:6-7 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

 

 

 

The Results are in…Doing This Helps You Live a Longer, Healthier Life

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Sunlight beaming through the clouds in a blue sky

 

According to a new study, this might just save your life! Okay, that might be an understatement. But there is fascinating – and compelling – research suggesting you’ll enjoy better health and live a longer life. The longer you stay in this particular situation, the better your chances of living a longer, healthier life.

And just what is this situation?

This situation is something that you pursue.  It can actually bring you happiness and then turn around and bring you sadness.  It has many sides to it and numerous health benefits.  And to top it all off, it’s linked to a longer life.

It can cause you to:

  • Have fewer strokes and heart attacks
  • Have a lower chance of becoming depressed
  • Be less likely to have advanced cancer at the time of diagnosis and more likely to survive cancer for a longer period of time
  • Survive a major operation more often

What is it?

Two wedding bands one partially on top of the other

Surprisingly, it’s MARRIAGE. Marriage has been linked to better health and a longer life for these reasons and more. Even though they may drive you crazy with their snoring, or push you to the brink of madness sometimes with any number of strange and annoying habits – your spouse could be making you stronger, and healthier.

According to a new study, older people who are married are physically fitter, have stronger grips and walk further and faster than their unmarried counterparts.  They live longer and are healthier.  This doesn’t mean that just being married automatically provides these health benefits.  So don’t jump into it for that reason alone.  People in stressful, unhappy marriages may be worse off than a single person who’s surrounded by supportive and caring friends, family, and loved ones.

How does this work?

Given the growing body of evidence linking marriage with better health, it’s worth asking why such a connection might exist.  A number of researchers have explored this question.  Here are some of the prominent theories for living longer and healthier.

Couple lovingly laughing and embracing

It’s all about immune function.

Studies have found that people in happy relationships have stronger immune function than those who are not.  And, cortisol tends to be released in lower amounts in married people as compared with those who are single.  That may be important because cortisol levels tend to reflect levels of stress, and high cortisol levels can impair immune function.

Doctors' examining room for patientsYour behaviour improves with marriage.

Married people may take fewer risks, eat better, and maintain healthier lifestyles, on average, compared with single people.  There is also evidence that married people tend to keep regular doctors’ appointments and follow doctors’ recommendations more often than single people.

 

Man sitting with his head in his handsLess chance of developing mental illness.

Married men and women are also considerably less likely to develop severe mental illness, according to a 1991 America study.  Social psychiatrists Lee Robins and Darrel Regier published a paper showing how “married people have significantly lower rates of severe depression.  And at least half the likelihood of developing any other major recognized psychiatric disorder than never-married, cohabit-ing or divorced people.”

Elderly Couple walking holding handsYou live for longer.    

The BIG one – longevity.  Research has continuously shown that by jumping the broom you are effectively adding a couple of extra years to your life.  And, in some instances, up to ten.  The most-cited study on this subject was penned by Dr Ilene Siegler and her research team from the Duke University Medical Centre.  After studying almost 5,000 individuals born in the 1940s, the authors observed how stability and change in the patterns of midlife marital status affected health risks.  They discovered that having a partner through middle and old age is protective against death.  Those who never married were more than twice as likely to die early than those who had experienced a long, stable marriage throughout the majority of their adult life.

The reasons married people tend to live longer are not fully understood, but researchers hypothesized that the benefit could be a result of the economic advantages of marriage.  However, they found no significant link between income level and the probability of death.

Robert Coombs, “Marital Status and Personal Well-Being: A Literature Review,” Family Relations 40 (1991): 97-102.  When it comes to extending life, marriage – not money – consistently predicts the benefit.

 

Ecclesiastes 4:9-10

9) Two are better than one because they have a good return for their labor:

10) If either of them falls down, one can help the other up.  But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up.

 

What You Should Know About Gratitude!

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Cornucopia filled with fruit with 3 glowing candles on a table

Gratitude is the best attitude

With the Thanksgiving holiday upon us, have you taken the time to think about the true meaning of the day? We know it’s a day where family and friends from near and far come together and share a big meal. But there’s more to it than that. It’s also a day of reflection…a day where we should take the time to think about the successes and the failures of the past year and figure out how to grow from it. A day to figure out what you should know about being gracious.

Thanksgiving is a day set aside to show gratitude

A day where we remember to be thankful and grateful for all that we have and to thank God for all that he has done. Although we should do it everyday, this is a day set aside in order to remind us of how important being gracious truly is. What are you thankful for?

Thankfulness and gratitude go hand in hand

Can you think of one thing among the chaos and craziness that goes on every day that you’re thankful for? Something that can be an anchor of appreciation? Something that you can use even when you’re feeling anxious or stressed that will pull you back into a calm demeanour once you realize it’s importance?

If you really put your mind to it you should be able to come up with quite a few things. The fact that you woke up this morning is cause to be thankful because a lot of people didn’t. If you have a roof over your head, food on your table and clothes on your back there really shouldn’t be any complaints. Be gracious.

Some are in a hospital bed and others have no bed or a place to lay their heads. Think about that for a moment. If you’re still breathing and in your right mind that’s something to be grateful for. No matter how bad life may get or seem to be, there’s always a reason to be grateful.

What is Gratitude?

Silhouette of girl with out stretch arms and head back looking up with synonyms for gratitude as a background

Gratitude is the feeling of appreciation or thanks. It’s recognizing the bonus value for favourable things or positive life experiences for which we did not actively work towards or ask for. It’s something we should practice everyday. If you practice gratitude daily it could steady you and give you something to hold onto.

Gratitude is a feeling that comes from within. It’s a natural human response and it’s a choice. You choose to be grateful or not.

“Gratitude unlocks all that’s blocking us from really feeling authentic, vulnerable and happy” – Gabrielle Bernstein

Happiness is not about getting what you want all the time. It’s about loving what you have and being grateful for it.

Oprah Winfrey stated the single greatest thing you can do to change your life today would be to start being grateful for what you have right now.

Self reflection…

is a great way to determine what you’re grateful for. It can also change your mindset and attitude. Self-reflection helps you to determine your character, action and motives. Having bad times actually helps you to appreciate the good times.

If nothing bad has ever happened to you, you won’t appreciate and recognize the good. Keeping a gratitude journal can actually help you to recognize those things you should be thankful for.

So, can you think of one thing that you’re grateful for?

Take about 30 seconds to reflect and see what comes to mind. Start out everyday thinking of one thing you’re grateful for, write it down and watch your attitude change. Think about whatever that one thing is when you’re feeling down and it should help to pick you up for the rest of the day. Create an attitude of gratitude.

Let gratitude be the pillow upon which you kneel to say your nightly prayers. And let faith be the bridge you build to overcome evil and welcome good – Maya Angelou

1 Thessalonians 5: 16 – 18

16 Rejoice always 17 Pray continually 18 Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus

Silhouette of a woman with out stretched arms watching the sun rise

Is Your Marriage a Contract or a Covenant?

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She scoured the internet in search of a lawyer. She didn’t want to ask around because she didn’t want anyone to know the situation just yet. She wasn’t quite sure if she was even gonna go through with a divorce, but at least she’d have a few lawyers lined up.

The marriage had lasted for 14 years and produced 3 children. Three wonderful children that were born out of love and commitment. They were a blessing from God in her life and part of the reason she’d stayed in the marriage as long as she did.

But now she’d had enough. Enough of the arguments, enough of the lies and now she’d found out there was cheating involved. That’s something she felt was unacceptable and unforgivable…or is it?

Everything had changed…

Her marriage was a far cry from what it used to be. She’d watched it crumble right before her very eyes and felt helpless. It had morphed into something that was unrecognizable and full of deceit. And for that, she felt sad.

In the beginning, she felt the love, she felt the trust and she felt the understanding but now it was different. And with this new revelation, she felt betrayed and she wanted it to end.

What is marriage?

It is a union between a man and a woman as partners in a personal relationship. But as Christians, it goes even further. Genesis 2:24 says Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.

In marriage, you shouldn’t be ready to cut and run every time there’s a problem. You should have staying power and give it your all. Know that you must work at it the same way you work at your job. You do your best at work, make a conscious decision to do the same at home in your marriage.

Marriage isn’t easy but anything worth having is not gonna be easy, you have to give it your all. Remember this and think about it whenever problems arise.

Marriage is a covenant between a man and a woman, instituted and ordained by God. It is more than sex, it is more than friendship (although both play a key role), it is the display of Christ for his bride (the church) and the covenant that comes along with it.

What is a covenant?

A covenant is something that can’t be broken. It’s a solemn agreement to commit, bind and give one’s word to enter into something for eternity. A contract, on the other hand, is a written agreement that can be broken or something that will only last for a specified period of time. Which one would you rather have?

Is this marriage salvageable?

Yes, it is! Even though she may be feeling disrespected and unloved, the marriage can be saved. It may not be easy but once you add the Lord to the mix and really want to make a change, this can be turned around. You can count on God to see you through.

Let love be your guide…

Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. Love does not demand its own way. Love is not irritable and it keeps no record of when it has been wronged 1 Corinthians 13:4-5

Billy Graham: Treat your marriage as a gift from God, and let it blossom on the strength of Christ…and with God’s help you can be because that’s what he wants for you!  The bible says, “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her.” (Ephesians 5:25)

 

Couple sitting close together on rooftop watching the sunset with man leaned in onto woman's shoulder

 

 

 

How to Avoid Spiritual Dryness

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Blue cross in a blue sky in the middle of white clouds

When people say they are spiritually dry they usually mean they feel distant from God, that they’re struggling to grow spiritually or that they don’t see God working. They feel discouraged.

Those are emotions…

But you can choose which emotions are operating in your life. Emotions are a conscious mental reaction (such as anger or fear) subjectively experienced as strong feelings usually directed toward a specific object and typically accompanied by physiological and behavioral changes in the body. A state of feeling.

The burdens of life seem to be pressing in on you…

This is what most people are thinking about when they use the term “spiritually dry.” Usually when this happens (he feels) it’s trying to stop you from moving into something. It’s trying to stop your breakthrough. Most of the battle is won or lost in your mind.

Jeremiah 17:7-8

7 But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him.

8 They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes, its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.

When you don’t trust in the Lord or you have a hard time trusting in the Lord, that’s going to be the reason you’re spiritually dry. Bad news – No hope. If you keep God on the sideline instead of in the midst, you won’t make it.

There’s a spot in your heart that has been developed for God only to occupy and when you try to substitute it for other things it’s not going to work. You can try the doctors and medication but there’s something about Jesus that offers you something that doctors and the medications can not give you.

What do we do to make sure we don’t enter into spiritual dryness?

Psalm 16 vs 11 says it best. 11 You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.

It’s your personal relationship with Jesus when you’re not at church that’s going to make the difference in everything that you do. Going back to Psalm 16 vs 11. To omit this path or choose another path you’re not going to make it. There’s a way that seems right unto a man but at the end of that path is destruction. God is the way, the truth and the light, this is the path of life.

The key to avoid spiritual dryness…

Is to make sure you’re practicing the presence of God by making contact with him everyday through prayer, the study of his word, praise and worship and through fellowship with other believers.

Your life is about being in the presence of Jesus. Whatever you give your attention to the most is what you’re going to be able to do easily.

These are exerts taken from a sermon by Minister Creflo Dollar.

Proverbs 4:20

20 My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings.

Open bible on a brown desk

The Christian Life Isn’t a Destination it’s a Journey

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Girl with her arms raised praising God in front of a gigantic wooden cross

When you take a trip there’s a destination in mind…

It means you’re going somewhere for a brief stay or a short period of time. You’ve decided beforehand where you’re traveling to and how long you’re going to be there.

You’re traveling in a car and you may have brought food to snack on and water or sodas to drink. When kids are traveling with you, you may have books and games to keep them occupied. Whatever your process is along the way, your ultimate goal is your destination.

Your process is a part of your trip and it will determine whether or not you have an easy or a difficult time on the road.

Once you make it to your destination, your traveling and whatever you’ve done along the way, is over. You’re there for the duration and then it’s back home again.

The Christian Life…if you choose to accept it, can be looked at pretty much the same way. But instead of a trip, it’s a journey. It’s something where every day there’s a different goal, where you’re working to do better than you did the day before.

What is a Journey?

A journey usually means traveling a long distance and often in dangerous or difficult circumstances. It also is a passage or progress from one stage to another. The Christian Life is all of this. It can be difficult and sometimes even dangerous but you have God on your side, who will watch over you and keep you safe from all hurt, harm, and danger.

A journey is also a progression from one stage to another…

Which means you should see some sort of growth or difference in your behavior. There’s no set time for doing this, everyone’s different. It is undertaken with a measure of faith that God will provide, with the intention that you grow and not return unchanged. It’s a journey that’s never ending, one where you’re always learning and growing.

The route is the focus…

Know that the process and the route during your journey into the Christian Life is important. It’s like never being without food or drink during a road trip. And, the kids remaining preoccupied with whatever they’re doing and not getting bored. It’s encouraging and inspirational and it’s a route that you must take in your journey.

How will you know you’re taking the right route?

Once you’ve truly decided to go on this journey, you’ll become a born again Christian. Someone who’s set apart from others. Not that you’re better but you will be different and everyone you know will see it. Your mind set and your way of living will change. You will put all your trust in Jesus Christ and follow him in obedience.

And finally…

It’s not about keeping rules and regulations, performing rituals or even going to church. It’s about love…and love is the central theme of Christ’s message and it’s what he wants us to do. Show Love!

Silhouette of a mother, father and 3 little kids holding hands and walking in a field towards a blue and white sky

2 Corinthians 5:17

Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away: behold, all things are become new

This Herb Kills Cancer, Boost Heart Health and Stops Diabetes in its Tracks

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Green leafy plant

You can’t believe it!  You went to the doctor for your annual check-up and the normally healthy you was just diagnosed with diabetes. You’re a little stunned, to say the least, and you can’t believe it.

Diabetes is a serious disease that in addition to other ailments it could also harm your kidneys. But you were told that it was caught early enough that it’s not a problem for your kidneys, and you thank God for that.

You were also told that there are steps you could take to prevent that from happening. You breathe a sigh of relief.

The doctor had a long talk with you and gave you a pamphlet with several steps you could take to continue with normal kidney function and you’re literally trying to take this all in. You’re devastated but happy at the same time because it could’ve been much worse. 

Before now you prided yourself in the fact of having a clean bill of health at your age. You know as we age we become more susceptible to disease and injury – but you never gave it a second thought because you were doing and feeling fine. Now you have to rethink everything.

We slow down as we age…

And so does our immune system. There’s nothing you can do about that, it’s called the progression of life. Things must and will change. And even though you can’t do anything about your age you can do what it takes to be as healthy as you can.

So what can you do?

There’s an herb that fights diabetes, according to a study published in the Journal of Diabetes in 2012.  You can go back to feeling your best and living your best life with this superfood.  It’s nutritious and it’s a treatment for many health conditions.  

In fact, this superfood was recognized by the Food and Agricultural Organization of the United States in September 2014 as the Traditional Crop of the Month.  It’s a nutrient-dense superfood that’s rich in antioxidants. So what is it?  It’s moringa oleifera, and it also plays a role in the development of cancer.

What is Moringa?

Parts of a green leafy plant laying on a white plate

Moringa is a plant native to India, that’s cultivated worldwide in tropical and subtropical regions. It’s known for its nutritional and medicinal properties. Researchers show it could be used as a treatment for cancer, asthma, cardiovascular disease, diabetes and other diseases.

A 2017 study published in the Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention found the extract from moringa leaves acts as an anti-cancer agent that reduces cancer cell growth and promotes cell death in several cancers.

It protects the cardiovascular system…

Moringa leaf powder has heart-healthy benefits, particularly in blood lipid control, the prevention of plaque formation in the arteries, and reduced cholesterol levels.

Nutritional Benefits…

  • It’s nutrient-packed.  Moringa is a rich source of vitamins, minerals, and amino acids...
  • it fights free radicals...
  • It fights inflammation…
  • It helps reduce some diabetes symptoms…
  • It protects the cardiovascular system…
  • It supports brain health…
  • It protects the liver…
  • It contains antimicrobial and antibacterial properties.

It’s a relative newcomer to the mainstream health community…

Moringa has seven times the amount of vitamin C in oranges, four times as much calcium and double the amount of protein in milk. It has four times the vitamin A in carrots, three times the amount of iron in spinach and three times the potassium in bananas.

Moringa tree leaves registered a higher ORAC (Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity) score (157,000) than most antioxidant superfoods that are traditionally talked about, including Acai berries, green tea, blueberries, dark chocolate, garlic, goji berries, pomegranates and red wine!

In places where no one can afford fancy pharmaceuticals, moringa trees keep people healthy.

It goes by a variety of names…

Such as, drumstick tree, horseradish tree, ben oil tree, or vitamin tree – with good reason. Almost all parts of the tree are eaten or used as ingredients in traditional herbal medicines. This especially applies to the leaves and pods, which are commonly eaten in parts of India and Africa.

Moringa can be incorporated into your daily diet…

The leaves can be eaten fresh, cooked or crushed, and they can be stored as dried powder for several months without loss of nutritional value. It tastes great in fruit smoothies. You can try combining passionfruit, moringa and honey for a tasty, nutritious snack or use the dried powder in a curry recipe and serve it over rice. It’s commonly used as a replacement for spinach in almost any recipe.

The moringa family actually has 13 species found in tropical and subtropical climates. They all look very different, ranging from tiny plants to tall trees. The most widely cultivated species is Moringa oleifera.

Bottom line…

Try to stay as healthy as you can for as long as you can. And if you can help yourself with that process…then why not? Moringa is a good place to start.

3 John 1:2

2 Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well.

Green moringa powder on a orange and white saucer

This Substance is the Biggest Benefit of Green Tea

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Blue and white pitcher and 3 cups with Chinese writing on them filled with Green tea

One thing you should always pay close attention to is your health. Good health is more precious than gold and shouldn’t be taken lightly.

You can have all the money in the world but if you’re not healthy…what good is it? You can’t enjoy the benefits it brings. And you should try and stay as close to natural and its benefits as possible.

You’re not going to always get health benefits from food you can also get them from drinks, and green tea is one of them. Green tea is so good for you that it’s even got some researchers raving.

“It’s the healthiest thing I can think of to drink,” says Christopher Ochner, PhD. He’s a research scientist in nutrition at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Hospital.

Of course, no one food or drink will protect you from disease. Your health is wrapped up in your lifestyle and your genes, so even if you drink green tea all day long, you also need to take care of yourself in other ways, like not smoking, being active, and eating a healthy diet.

Green Tea’s Biggest Benefit?

“It’s all about the catechin content, ” says Beth Reardon, RD, a Boston nutritionist. Catechins are antioxidants that fight and may even prevent cell damage. Green tea is not processed much before it’s poured into your cup, so it’s rich in catechins.

What the Research Shows

Green tea has been shown to improve blood flow and lower cholesterol. A 2013 review of many studies found green tea helped prevent a range of heart-related issues, from high blood pressure to congestive heart failure.

What’s good for the heart is usually good for the brain; your brain needs healthy blood vessels, too. In one Swiss study, MRI’s revealed that people who drank green tea had greater activity in the working-memory area of their brains. Green tea has also been shown to help block the formation of plaques that are linked to Alzheimer’s disease.

Green tea seems to help keep blood sugar stable in people with diabetes. Because catechins lower cholesterol and blood pressure, they can help protect against the damage a high-fat diet can cause, Ochner says.

What About Weight Loss?

Sorry but no drink or food melts the pounds off. While some evidence suggests that the active ingredient in green tea, EGCG, may help you drop a few pounds, other studies show no effect.

Hands of someone pouring green tea from a pitcher into 3 cups on a tray

1 Corinthians 6:19-20

19 Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own;

20 you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.

Do You Matter?

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Blue sky with the sun rays shining down through the clouds

Do you matter to God?

The one who said, “Let there be light,” in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night; and let them be signs for seasons, for days and for years.

The one who spoke the planets, stars and elements into existence. Who created animals, reptiles and every creeping thing. Who separated the water from the dry land and brought forth grass.

Do you matter?

God said to the angels, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness”: and let them have dominion over every creeping thing and over all the earth.

You are the one who took his breath away. He breathe the breath of life into you. He created you in his own image. Male and female created he them. So yes…you do matter.

He blessed you and said: be fruitful and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it and have dominion over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.

Give him praise…

You were created by God to give him praise. He loves you and will do anything for you if you ask and believe. Your relationship is based on faith and that’s all you need.

You’re more powerful than the devil…

You’re badder than the devil and he knows it. That’s why he keep attacking you. He wants to wear you down and get you to the point where you’re not trying anymore, so he could devour you. But don’t let him. You’re a child of the Most High God and you are covered by the blood of Jesus.

That means that no weapon formed against you shall prosper. He will cover you and protect you and give you hope. His grace and mercy is sufficient and is extended to you everyday.

God loves you…

And we know this because he sent his only begotten son, Jesus Christ to die for our sins. And when he was raised from the dead he made sure that we had all things available to us. Good health, joy. peace and prosperity. God loves us because he created us and gave us life.

The angels in heaven know him as The Most High. You know him as dad. The angels worship from fact because they’re with Him. You worship from faith.

Know your worth and know who you are in the Lord.

John 3:16

16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

What’s Going On?

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I must say, in the last few years we’ve seen some reactionary changes as a nation.  Things have been happening here in our country that I wouldn’t have believed in this day and time had I not witnessed them for myself.

On a regular basis, we have citizens trying to bring harm to other citizens purely because they’re from different backgrounds and have different beliefs, which is something this country usually frowns upon.  

Our history as Americans is accepting people from all ethnicities, with different beliefs and from different backgrounds as long as it doesn’t harm or endanger anyone else.  Why has that changed all of a sudden?

We actually have people who are openly confronting and bullying others simply because they’re different.  This isn’t the American way and isn’t the America that I know and love. 

This is very surprising for this day and time.  We shouldn’t be going backwards.  There should be a change and that change should be for the better.  

Some are showing who they really are.  People who you never would’ve imagined, are doing and saying things that are outright mean and unkind. 

We see big crowds of people at rallies who’re clapping and cheering when there’s someone shouting something negative, degrading and often wrong about others who’re different.  And these people say they’re Christians.

1 Corinthians 13:4-8 says:

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonour others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hope, always perseveres. Love never fails.”

I must admit if I didn’t know the true God for myself I wouldn’t want to know him based on the way some people are acting.   

God is patient and kind and he loves us all.  He knew what he was doing when he made us different.  We all have our own unique qualities and we should be proud of whatever they are. 

I’m convinced God wants to see who’s loving, patient and kind just as he is.  

I think it’d be quite boring if we were all the same.  Being different means embracing your difference and showing others different ideas and perspectives.  But we all have to have an open mind and recieve it.      

What would you say is the problem?  

I’ve tried to rationalize these actions but there are none.  In the last month we had someone walk into a Synagogue in Pittsburgh and shoot and kill 11 people. 

Then on the other side of the country in Thousand Oaks, Ca a little over a week later someone walked into a country music bar and shot and killed 11 college students and a sheriff’s deputy who was dispatched to the scene (for a total of 12).

So what’s going on America? What’s causing these random acts of terror?

My heart goes out to the families of those who were killed this past month, and I’m praying that people will stand strong for what’s right and show love and understanding to others…even when they are different. 

I still believe that there are good people in this world, people who want to do what’s right.  I hope to God that I’m not wrong.  

So whatda ya say America!?!?!?   Let’s stand strong and proud and do the Godly thing.  That thing what God lays upon your heart to do…and that is to love.

 1 Peter 4:8

Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.

 

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