Controlling your Emotions (by:Ms. Alicia Richardson)

God bless everyone. Today I would like to introduce our sister in Christ Ms. Alicia Richardson. She has a Word from God in her heart that she desire to share with all that will receive. I pray you all will receive what God is doing for her as well as what He is doing through her life. Pray for her encouragement and strength in the Lord.

Controlling your Emotions

It has been times in my life where I let my emotions lead me when making decisions and 99% of the time those were the wrong decisions. What I have learned is that we all deal with emotions and emotions play a major role in everyone’s daily activities...whether it’s at school, your job or hanging with family etc. But, GOD wants us to use Wisdom not our emotions. Although, it’s been a huge struggle for me, I try to make conscience effort to when I feel my emotions rising up to settle down, seek GOD through prayer and wait on his answers! The bible says in Colossians 3:15 And let the peace (soul harmony which comes) from Christ rule (act as umpire continually) in your hearts [deciding and settling with finality all questions that arise in your minds, in that peaceful state] to which as [members of Christ’s] one body you were also called [to live]. And be thankful (appreciative), [giving praise to God always].Today, I will release emotions in decision making, as I know GOD created us to operate with the fruit of self-control! The bible says in 1 Peter 5:8-9 Be well balanced (temperate, sober of mind), be vigilant and cautious at all times; for that enemy of yours, the devil, roams around like a lion roaring [[a]in fierce hunger], seeking someone to seize upon and devour. 9 Withstand him; be firm in faith [against his onset—rooted, established, strong, immovable, and determined], knowing that the same ([b]identical) sufferings are appointed to your brotherhood (the whole body of Christians) throughout the world.

Manna for Thought: We all have emotions, that won’t go away...but the good news is we can manage those emotions and don’t have to rely on them. We can depend on God and take all things to him!

Chaste conversation coupled with fear.

Encouraging song of the day: Deitrick Haddon - Handle This

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MZ07A9Q4AyE

Often we open doors to demonic activity in our home through everyday living. They usually go unnoticed at first, like a gossiping conversation over the phone. We don’t realize that the negative speaking against a brother or sister is an abomination to the Lord. Proverbs 6:19 A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren. Thus in doing so we open the door to the spirit of accusation and backbiting and this hinders us from becoming effective witness of the gospel.

Manna for thought: Be mindful of the things we say against one another. For what measure you judge, it shall be judged unto you the same. If you’re going to talk behind someone’s back lift them up in prayer. The saying goes, “if you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all”.

Help Somebody

Encouraging song of the day: Deitrick Haddon- Help Somebody

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b00qbiXW3bY

Doctors stand to profit more if they treat your symptom more so than the cause. This may cause gain on the doctor’s end, but only prolongs suffering on the patients’. Likewise many Christians will only intercede to pray against a symptom instead of the problem.

          We can’t continue to put band-aids on a broken society. We as believers can’t be and shouldn't be ashamed of the Truth. We encounter strangers and those close to us on a daily bases. Therefore if we are in need of clothes, food, shelter, money, or to be ministered to, or to be witnessed to, we shouldn't stray away from an opportunity to make a difference. The changes begin when you make a difference.

          When someone is going through something and you find yourself on the receiving end of their trial, it’s for a purpose. What I mean is, for whatever reason they decided to share their ordeal with you chances are God has already equipped YOU and placed YOU in a position where YOU can help them. James 2:15-16 Amplified Bible

15 If a brother or sister is poorly clad and lacks food for each day,

16 And one of you says to him, Good-bye! Keep [yourself] warm and well fed, without giving him the necessities for the body, what good does that do?

Manna for thought: Helping doesn't always have to involve money. Helping is simply help, the act of assisting in a time of need.

Am I really alone?

Encouraging song of the day: Fred Hammond - I Am Not Alone

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lm0auA_6K6c

I think that most of us would agree that people are in our lives for a specific reason as well as a season (time frame). Some of these people attached to us are meant to be in shorter seasons than others but none the less still purposeful.

          So what about those people that have been in our lives for a seemingly long season and the relationship takes a turn? In those instances we sometimes feel like we are alone because we expected (unintentionally) that this person would be close to us always.

          There is an old song that says “as long as I got King Jesus, I don’t need nobody else”. True without Jesus, having anybody or everybody in your life wouldn't matter at all. But the Word says this: Genesis 2:18 And the Lord God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him.  I don’t believe God wants for us to be alone. But what God doesn't want is for the gift(person) that he sends your way to become more important than the Gifter (Him). This could be with a spouse or friend. Nothing is wrong with utilizing your spouse or friend for guidance in a matter. But when that spouse or friend becomes more important than Him, you put that relationship in jeopardy. God is a jealous God, He won’t be (nor does He deserve to be) second to anyone.

Manna for thought: People will come and go; but Jesus is the only constant variable that will never change. The apostle Paul encountered this same thing in his final instructions to Timothy : 2 Timothy 4:10-11 Demas has abandoned me. He fell in love with this present world and went to the city of Thessalonica. Crescens went to the province of Galatia, and Titus went to the province of Dalmatia. 11 Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you. He is useful to me in my work.  Be thankful for the portion that a gift from God brings. But never get to the point that if they were to part from you that it would hinder your growth in Him.

Hear from God

Encouraging song of the day: Smokie Norful: "I Need a Word

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-UGeMDWOch0

Psalm 37:34 Wait on the Lord, and keep his way, and he shall exalt thee to inherit the land: when the wicked are cut off, thou shalt see it.

There will always be people who are willing to give you advice and instruction pertaining to your life. Some of the counsel that you receive may even be on point. But with all things we must consult with and be confirmed by the Holy Spirit.

Manna for thought: If God has confirmed something for you, don’t allow anyone to deter you from what He said to you. When you know it’s of God you simply have to wait, it will come to pass.

Mo money Mo problems

Encouraging song of the day: Wess Morgan - You Paid It All

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ud1PRdQYBFo

Why money is so powerful. Let’s face it; the reality of the matter is money gives us access. Money opens up doors for us that were once shut. Money allows us to buy and exchange goods for services and products. Money allows for us to provide for our families, and purchase tangible pleasures that we all have desires for. So why is money so bad?

          It’s not that money itself is bad but endless pursuit to obtain it is. 1 Timothy 6:10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.  Pursuing after money brings more pain than pleasures. Even those that are carnally minded understand that. Notorious Big often quoted “Mo money Mo problems”, signifying that he understood that with the more he gain financially the more issues that came along with it. Please understand that I’m not saying that God doesn't want for you to prosper in your finances, because He does. He just doesn't want for you to live your life chasing money as a solution to all of life’s problems, because it’s not.

Money is the root of all evil and satan himself is pure evil (John 8:44), do you see the connection? satan uses money as the carrot in front of the horse to lead us astray. Giving all those who pursue it false hope, false sense of security that somehow all our problems would be solved if we just had more of it. It’s why we gamble our tithes (what’s owed to God) to lottery and hoard gifts (blessings) that should be bestowed on the poor for ourselves, among other things.

Manna for thought: Matthew 10:37 He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.

For most of us there isn't a dollar value we can put on the love of a mother, a father or child. So if God can be so clear on loving and pursuing others even more so than He, how do you think He feels about us placing money at such high value? Philippians 4:19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

It’s all purposeful.

Encouraging song of the day: Big Daddy Weave – Overwhelmed

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BiGb14tTaH4

1 Peter 4:12-13

12 Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:

          For those going through a really tough time, now is the time to rejoice. That may be easier said than done for most but if we knew for certain that God allowed this circumstance to fall on us, then we would understand. Nothing is done without His knowledge of it. So for that matter everything that happens in your life is given the OK by God. Keeping in mind, many things that happen to us is not what God wants for us. He doesn't want for any of us to perish or live a life of suffering. But when we by- pass the will of God what we essentially do is reject His plan for us to indulge in the sinful pleasures that we want. Only to find ourselves in a state of guilt and remorse. As to say “God why would you allow this to happen to me”.  

13 But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.

Manna for thought: Nothing is done by coincidence, it’s all purposeful. Whether you live righteous or not your bound to fall on hard times every now and then, remember Job? The good news for believers is when you’re walking in His will, even the hard times are meant to prosper you.