So overall this year was rough but so beautiful and divinely needed because it helped me to see God, and to know him. Now I know that he sees me, now I know that he will correct my heart, and bandage my pain with his love. So to whoever is struggling I pray that your heart is made willing to accept the fullness of God's love who deeply cares and through your willingness he will prune you to become more like him. Even through the storms he will always be that peace and the one who never changes. To God be the glory, you will make it through if you trust in him!!! He not like these PHONIES God is living and active and working even when we don't see it for the good of those that love him and for his glory! Don't give up

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭16‬:‭24‬ NLT

Wow this felt like a much needed slap of common sense and love! Give up your own way first‼️ another version also says “Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.”

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭16‬:‭24‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Three things:

1. Deny himself

2. Take up his cross

3. Follow me

Why?

Because God’s way is true, pure, what’s best for the Kingdom of God, and all things Holy.

The way we want to go is simply not God’s way. Our heart, soul, and mind must desire God and letting him be the pilot. Don’t forget the words “let him be the pilot.” In other words let go of control. Yet, because he is the sovereign God he automatically is the pilot. So no need to fight him.

It’s important to know that our way, our plans, the direction our sinful nature or our feelings want us to go is not the way, the truth, or the life or in any shape ever going to make us whole. Jesus when he came into this world, brought a new way that only could be received through becoming born again in Christ.

And to some it may seem like a lot to deny yourself and painful to accept at times. I understand. I’ve been there and still from times find it hard to swallow that painful truth letting go of what I wanted and then looking to the cross. Yet in actuality it’s literally walking into freedom and it’s our longing to be in control that prolongs us from understanding that denying ourselves, taking up our cross, and following Jesus is what our heart needs and the will of the Father.

But don’t mistake your pain for loss because know that The Holy Spirit is building us up daily to become more like him. He allows and uses our messy situations to deepen our relationship with him, and to build our faith and endurance.

He grants us live giving freedom from all the distractions that kept us in bondage to our sinful nature. This year I’ve been starting to live out more of denying my flesh (really get to the point you have no choice😅), putting it to death each day with the help of the Holy Spirit and some days I’m super confident some days it’s hard but through it all God constantly reminds me to set my eyes on heavenly things. Setting my eyes on him, not looking back but whatever he is doing that’s my focus. Whether that’s through conviction, my community, going through trials, resisting the devil, I have to always submit to him. With submission comings with denying and that equates to obedience. God bless you all and thank you Lord for the gift that is you, Jesus. 🤧

* Shout out my professor for suggesting we share music on the platform 🤗🌎

Psalms 103

Praise for the Lord’s Mercies.

A Psalm of David.

1Bless the Lord, my soul,

And all that is within me, bless His holy name.

2Bless the Lord, my soul,

And do not forget any of His benefits;

3Who pardons all your guilt,

Who heals all your diseases;

4Who redeems your life from the pit,

Who crowns you with favor and compassion;

5Who satisfies your years with good things,

So that your youth is renewed like the eagle.

6¶The Lord performs righteous deeds

And judgments for all who are oppressed.

7He made known His ways to Moses,

His deeds to the sons of Israel.

8The Lord is compassionate and gracious,

Slow to anger and abounding in mercy.

9He will not always contend with us,

Nor will He keep His anger forever.

10He has not dealt with us according to our sins,

Nor rewarded us according to our guilty deeds.

11For as high as the heavens are above the earth,

So great is His mercy toward those who fear Him.

12As far as the east is from the west,

So far has He removed our wrongdoings from us.

13Just as a father has compassion on his children,

So the Lord has compassion on those who fear Him.

14For He Himself knows our form;

He is mindful that we are nothing but dust.

15¶As for man, his days are like grass;

Like a flower of the field, so he flourishes.

16When the wind has passed over it, it is no more,

And its place no longer knows about it.

17But the mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting for those who fear Him,

And His justice to the children’s children,

18To those who keep His covenant

And remember His precepts, so as to do them.

19¶The Lord has established His throne in the heavens,

And His sovereignty rules over all.

20Bless the Lord, you His angels,

Mighty in strength, who perform His word,

Obeying the voice of His word!

21Bless the Lord, all you His angels,

You who serve Him, doing His will.

22Bless the Lord, all you works of His,

In all places of His dominion;

Bless the Lord, my soul!

God of the universe, hallowed is Your name. Blessed is Your character. And cherished are Your beloved.

Lord of all creation, I honor You today and give You all the glory for the magnificence of Your wonder, the majesty of Your throne, and the splendor of Your kingdom.

God, I ask that Your will be done in my life as it has already been orchestrated in heaven. Let Your kingdom come in my lifetime that I may see the fruit of Your labor. Exploit Your treasures here on earth and empower me to multiply Your kingdom.

Give me this day the bread that is sufficient for me. Supply everything I need today and let not anything be lacking.

Lead the way unto salvation and pave my path unto righteousness. Deliver me from the evil that crawls in darkness, from the pestilence that persists at noonday. Rescue me from the fears that grapple my thoughts and the worries that strangle my mind. Restore unto me the peace that extinguishes distress, the joy that eradicates depression, and the love that destroys all hatred.

Yours is the glory and honor forever. Yours is the adoration and thanksgiving everlasting. God, I lift you high above all else. Penetrate my soul and occupy my spirit. Let my life be a monument of devotion to You and You alone. Blessed are You Lord our God forever and ever, amen.

‭‭Philippians‬ ‭1‬:‭9‬-‭10‬ ‭KJV‬‬