Insecurely Yours: Resisting The World's Propaganda

Scriptures: 
Matthew 4:9-11 KJV And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me. Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve. Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him.

Inspiration: 
It is possible for insecurity to surface in a variety of areas of our lives. We are susceptible to becoming insecure about our physical appearance, our wardrobe, our heritage or lineage, our spouse, our "assets", our talents and abilities, our academic position, career, social or even our spiritual status. The onslaught of self-loathing propaganda and imagery of today's media and popular culture beckon us to question, doubt, and eventually hate the most authentic version of ourselves (who God made and called us to be) in exchange for a visage.... a mirage... a temporary buzz, appeasement,  or warm fuzzy feeling.

In Matthew 4:1-11, we see Satan temp Jesus while he is in the wilderness with three offers. If Jesus were at all insecure or doubtful of who he was or the power he had in God, maybe he would have relented and taken one of the offers. However,  Jesus knew his calling, his purpose, and his power in God so Satan's worldly mirage, was revealed for the illusion that it was.

In 1 John 2:16 ,we learn that all that is in this world is the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life.  These are the great temptations. All of our earthly battles have to do with one of these trouble areas. All of these temptations can gain a foothold only if we have some insecurities about who we are. Since God doesn't make mistakes, it's fair to say that you exist for a reason and He designed YOU specifically for a specific purpose! We can do all things through Christ who strengthens us and we are more than conquerors! Don't let the spirit of the World Jedi-mind trick you into believing that you need to sell your birthright for a bowl of grits!

Task of the Day:

 We all have a place, a calling, a vocation that simultaneously supports the advancement of God's Kingdom and aligns with our uniqueness, talents, and idiosyncrasies.  Be uniquely and securely YOU today. Don't be insecure or doubt the value, validity, and purpose in your looking different,  sounding different, walking differently and thinking differently than those around you. Don't blend. Be the salt of the earth today! Add Christ-like flavor to this whitewashed hamster wheel that is the World!

#TODforGOD #BetterLover

Confessions of a Rehabilitated Murderer

Scriptures:

O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh. But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned. Matthew  12:34-37 KJV

For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body.  3:3 Behold, we put bits in the horses' mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body.  3:4 Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth.  3:5 Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!  3:6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell.  James  3:2-6 KJV

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Inspiration:
We use, misuse, abuse, and take words for granted on a regular basis. We say whatever we want to say, whenever we want to say it, to whomever we choose! Ever so often, we pat ourselves on the back for taking the higher road of passive aggression... After all, we could have been ACTIVELY aggressive.... but the passivity is demonstrative of our meekness, our humbleness, our Christianity, our holiness.....right???

People ask us how we are or we ask them, barely caring or waiting long enough to hear a response. If we do wait for the response, it's a thoughtless "good" or a barrage of negativity. Words wasted. 

The power of a genuine, well-placed "please" and "thank you" are immensely underestimated in nowadays we all feel so entitled to what we have not earned.

Sometimes our conversations are predominantly shock-laced, idolizing the most controversial and discouraging news and current events. If we're not careful.... words become wasted.

We have short tempers and we are easily irked...especially in rush hour traffic. Sometimes we mutter a little something-something under our breath.... or in our heart... words wasted.

When we communicate with children, we disproportionately compliment their appearance ("sooo cuutee"..."nicee outfit!") versus complimenting and encouraging something that they actually have power over like their hard-work, determination, grit or helpfulness. Words wasted. 

We murmur, complain, talk trash and throw verbal shade that sometimes may be warranted and sometimes is simply our response to folks shining on us... or perhaps we become frustrated because someone doesn't or WON'T shine... I've been guilty of this.... sometimes people you love or want to see succeed seem to not want to do better or even try... (insert brash words of "encouragement" here).

Strangers, acquaintances friends, saints, sinners, colleagues, family, children, adults, and elderly, the haves and the have-nots... consider the various categories of people that you encounter on a daily basis. Are we more inclined to use our words to speak positivity and encouragement to some versus others? Have our verbal actions revealed that some are worth the words while others are not? Have we examined this proclivity? 

Click for Supporting Scriptures: 

Luke 6:45  ~Heart Check

2 Samuel 23:2  ~Spiritual

Job 27:4  ~Wicked Tongue

Psalms 39:1  ~Self-Control

Proverbs 21:23  ~Soul Check 

1 Corinthians 10:10   ~Murmuring=Destruction 

Philippians 2:14  ~Warning 

John 6:43  ~With Comrades

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TASK OF THE DAY:
Be intentional with your words today. Compliment friends and strangers. Allow your words to give life to the lifeless. Invite your words to provide encouragement to the discouraged and peace to the restless and wrathful. With your words today, show compassion to the apathetic and share hope with the hopeless. God IS his Word.... are we ours? 

Let's speak the kind of words we want to be! 

#TODforGod #BetterLover 

If God Be For Us...

Scripture: Romans 8:31 What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?

Note: There are tons of hyperlinks in today's post so click and see!

Inspiration:

From the moment we awake and even as we sleep, we have an enemy that is meticulously plotting our demise. In the beginning of the bible, this enemy is described as a "subtle serpent" and by the end of the bible, this "serpent of old" has morphed into a dragon. Similar to sin, if we willfully bask in it, it becomes a more powerful stronghold in our lives. However, this enemy, this charlatan who boasts "like a roaring lion" may seem a bit intimidating at first, but be assured, if you invite Jesus Christ to be the LORD of your life, the TRUE Lion, The Lion of Judah, Jesus, invites you to walk in victory with Him!

If we fast forward a bit more, we learn the fate of our enemy:

9 They (Satan & Co.) went up on the breadth of the earth and surrounded the camp of the saints and the beloved city. And fire came down from God out of heaven and devoured them. 10 The devil, who deceived them, was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone where[b] the beast and the false prophet are. And they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.  Revelation 20:9-10

Now, those who don't know God as a lover...as LOVE incarnate, as a Redeemer, Giver, and as LIFE itself, may read the above scripture and think, "Oh my! God is so meeaaann to throw those devils and false prophets in a never ending pit of torment along with Satan for all of eternittttyyyy!" 

And my response to you would be... 



Who are we to limit God? If a potter creates a vase, can that vase then make demands of its creator? Can that vase expect to be anything but grateful for an opportunity to be? God is whoever He says He is, not who we want or expect Him to be. We should rejoice in the fact that God is so Mighty, Powerful, Merciful and Loving! My God is gentle and merciful, but He ain't no punk and He will not be mocked! If we choose to walk with Christ, He promises that we will have eternal life and NO ONE will be able to touch that or separate us from Him and his love! He tells us that our enemies will come at us one way, and flee from us seven ways!  So essentially, if you want to be victorious in this life, then walk with the one who created you, heaven and earth! Walk with the one who loves your soul! If you be with Christ, then He is with you, and no weapon formed against you shall prosper. 

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Shout out to Craig R. who posted a perfectly articulated contemplation on Facebook, Sept 4, 2014:

I would love to meet this god who hates nothing, doesn't believe in consequence, believes that what makes me happy is right. I would love to meet this god who will change if I tell him to, while accepting anything that I give to him. He will not make me deny who I want to be in order follow him (actually my thoughts become his thoughts and my ways become his ways). I'd love to introduce this god to Jesus Christ and watch him bow and confess too. 

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Task of the Day: Weapons will/have form(ed) against you today. You may even get nicked if your armor isn't securely fastened. However, you are not predisposed to succumbing to injuries inflicted by these weapons! For today's T.O.D., be with God. Talk with Him throughout the day. Recite memorized bible scriptures. Casually speak scripture while in conversation with colleagues, friends and strangers. Think about how good God is and how blessed you are. Thank God for all good things throughout the day. Simply BE with God and He will be will you, and if He be for you then...
#TODforGod #BetterLover

"God is Awesome" Photo of the Day: 

Photo Submitted by +Wendy M. of Rhode Island

Bonus T.O.D.: I'd love to add your photos to future blog posts! Take a photo of something amazing that reminds you of how AWESOME God is and send it to me @ joniquesimpson@gmail.com with the subject line: "Matthew 6:33". 

First and Foremost

Scripture:
Matthew  6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

Inspiration:
What we prioritize on a daily basis is just as important as why we prioritize it. What is at the top of your To-Do List every morning? Every afternoon? Every evening? WHY are those items at the top of your list? Are these items prioritized obligatorily, out of braggadocio, or is your heart sincerely in them? Where are your priorities/interests/values/heart today?  

Matthew  6:21 

For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

God's word tells us to seek the kingdom of God and his righteousness FIRST... and in doing so, all the other good stuff will be added to us. Essentially, if 1) pleasing God, 2) making peace with all men and 3) walking in the joy that comes with having the Spirit of God ARE OUR PRIORITIES... then we won't have to stress and toil about everything else (meat & drink a.k.a. bills and provisions) because God will work it out! My life and testimony are living proof of this! 

Romans 14:17 

For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.

James 3:18 

And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.

Task of the Day: Sure, the dog needs to be walked, the rent needs to be paid, and the kids need to be fed. In the midst of all of your "busyness" and "doing", or rather BEFORE all of your busyness and doing, SEEK GOD. See God BEFORE the task and in the task...in your To-Do list... Ask God how He can be glorified in your doing... in your going about... in your hustling and bustling. Not sure where God can fit into your busy day? Ever heard of the Parable of the Good Samaritan? What if you stole a moment to bless someone else? Would God be pleased with that? #T.O.D.forGod #BetterLover

This is a photo I took this morning by the beach in my neighborhood.
I had my heart set on spending morning alone time with God in the presence of the sun.
Every time I get to see the sunrise, I truly feel blessed!

Bonus T.O.D.: I'd love to add your photos to future blog posts! Take a photo of something amazing that reminds you of how AWESOME God is and send it to me @ joniquesimpson@gmail.com with the subject line: "Matthew 6:33". 

Christ on the Proverbial Shelf

Scripture: 

1 John 1:5-7 This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. 

Inspiration: 

If we never announce it, would people be able to tell who and what we stand for? Attire aside, when strangers see us, watch us from a distance, hear us speak, or ask us for our help, what else do they see and hear? In the quiet moments when no one is watching, in the louder moments when we are frustrated or annoyed, when we are fed up and exasperated, do we resemble children of light or children of darkness? When we have made a mistake, are less than perfect, in a hurry or in the wrong, is it still evident that we are in fellowship with God? Are we quick to glorify our old selves, reminding offenders, "You better be glad that I'm saved!” Do we occasionally put holiness on the proverbial shelf when times get especially trying? When that certain thorn in the flesh pushes all the right buttons to knock us off spiritual sobriety, is it clear whom we serve in these moments?



Task of the Day: For today's T.O.D., "choose you this day whom you will serve". Make no space for gray areas.* If you have decided to be a Christian and thereby a son of God, then walk and live accordingly...Whether others are watching or not. It's actually impossible to do this without God's help so ask Him to help you to love and serve Him more thoroughly. Identify areas of your life that don't resemble Light and Christ and clean house! 
#T.O.D.forGod #BetterLover

*Shout out to the good minster who preached, "Get Rid of Your Gray Areas" at NLC.