Hey Guys!
That’s right!
The weekend is to an end and the week is here..
Back to work, runs, and reading different books I haven’t finished because of starting other ones..
Well, for me this weekend was super relaxing and awesome;
I was walking through downtown Northfield Saturday night with a good friend of mine and stopped to check out that there was music being played at a Church;
“Moravian Church” right on division street.
A lady by the name of Judy was standing there welcoming anyone that went in.
To make a long story short,
I went to their Sunday morning service, as I told her the night we stopped by, and I really enjoyed the service and the people at Moravian, I also got permission to be able to speak about;
- My Story &
- My Journey with the Worldrace!
Making this amazing connection was nothing less than a blessing from the Lord.
They thought so as well, with their new doors that have been remodeled creating a new welcoming and inviting entrance to their beautiful Church.
Today, I walked around that Church and got a tour and history on it which was super interesting to see and hear.
I got introduced to some of the people their and felt at home, they welcomed me and it was really beautiful.
So, as to respectfully do so, I ask that you would pray for that Church.
Moravian Church.
Northfield, Minnesota.
Each Church, regardless of “Denomination” are the bride of Christ, and as we have the power, and the ability, to pray for one another;
I believe it is just as important to be praying for the Church’s and the believers in them.
So, please pray.
I just ask that you would pray for these three things for this Church:
1. Leadership would be raised up and equipped to minister and lead.
2. Provision. (Physical Healings/Sicknesses & Financial Matters)
And lastly,
3. For people to be led to the doors that are opened to them through Moravian.
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Now,
I have been thinking and praying on what to write on
“Guard Your Hearts”
I mean so much has happened in the last couple weeks, to months, to even just these past couple years.
Friends, Family, Jobs, new opportunities, Ministry, and just life happens so quickly, we may not even be prepared to walk through what is laid right in front of us sometimes..
But, regardless we must continue to walk, we must continue to move forward, and we must continue to strive towards the goal.
Which is,
Christ Jesus.
As we know times change.
People change &
Circumstances change.
With change and transition we will allow it to let it change us in a positive way or in a negative way.
Your response to things will reveal what you know about the truth.
Because as we talk about it;
people, places, and things are changing,
there is One thing that will never change.
One thing that cant change.
And that’s the love God has for us.
In the book of Romans,
Chapter 8 verses 38 and 39 Paul writes;
“ For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, 39 nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.“
Now, people I love and have loved me, I think have hurt me the most.
Even to the point of leaving the faith and going back to the world.
I’ve been tempted to just give up and do things my own way to protect myself. isn’t that our response as people?
“Well, God. He/she did this… I’m gonna go and do this myself!”… all to protect ourselves.
But, as Christ followers we aren’t to “protect ourselves”.
God protects us. We protect ourself by the help of the Lord. Coming under His protection he has already set for us.
We guard our hearts in Christ Jesus.
In what truths in the Word tell us.
-Not what the world says, not how the world responds to pain, anguish, turmoil and torment.-
We respond Christ like and stand firm in faith.
“Don’t get it now, Praise Him later for it” kind of responses sometimes are all we have and to be honest…
That can be enough..
We aren’t in control of people, nor their behavior or their thoughts.
As human beings our responses can be influenced by a lot of things…
And its good to always keep this in mind,
1. Being, Peoples personal experience.
Peoples experiences are different.
Two people may have gone through the very same traumatic event, or non-traumatic event, and think differently on the matter.
All depending on what that person/’s have done post the event..
*To mention why forgiveness is such a powerful process.
2. What we know to be true;
“Your response to things will reveal what you know about the truth.”
Not it being “Our” truth or the truth of “So and so”
–But the actual truth-
The truth of Christ.
“For [I am] the way, the truth, and the life.”
Our knowledge of the truth and the bible will not just help us but it will change us.
These past couple years for the first time in my Christian walk have gone through numerous things, things I would consider new because of the new life I have. the way that I respond to things now are not the way I would’ve responded to just a couple years ago, before Minnesota Adult and Teen Challenge.
Numerous things, such as heartache, job change, break-ups, fights with family/friends, and what I’ve come to realize that these things are just a part of life.
The difference now is how I respond.
Never in a million years did I think I would at random pray prayers for the people that have genuinely harmed me and my heart;
Praying to that they be blessed and praying prayers of protection over them.
But, one thing that I have learned, is that it is easier to genuinely pray for the people that have harmed you when you understand that they have been struggling with something at the time of the offense.
It could’ve been an insecurity, a sin that has been unrepentant, a behavior that had been cultivated and built through an experience in their life..
To be honest, sometimes we may not ever be sure.
But, we can be sure of this scripture;
Philippians 4:6-7
“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus”
Prayer is a weapon for us as believers.
A WEAPON!.
To offense-
We can forgive..
To Jealousy-
We can pray and love.
To temptation-
We can pray and overcome.
Guarding our hearts may look different to each of us, but we guard our hearts in the same person who is Christ Jesus, and as we go through this thing called life He will always be there to protect us, guide us and speak to us.
Guard you heart.
Be obedient, and rejoice!
Give Him thanks today for all that He has done in and through your life…
Love well and God bless !!
Last note:
“We must be able to embrace our humanity also while cultivating our Spiritual life in Christ.”
