The Simple Life

I came across this and thought about the daily conversations surrounding Black Lives Matter, All Lives Matter, Blue Lives Matter, Republicans, Democrats, Independents, Blacks, Whites, and everything else that makes us “different”. What you are about to read is the word of God. I pray that you receive the revelation that I did and why the Bible tells us to live”simple lives”(1 Thessalonians 4:11). We have to be alert as God tells us and be aware of the enemy and all of his tactics. His motive is to encourage division. We must understand why engaging in unproductive conversations does nothing to promote the message of God.The message of love, kindness and peace.

Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and always to be gentle toward everyone. At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. This is a trustworthy saying. And I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good. These things are excellent and profitable for everyone. But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and arguments and quarrels about the law, because these are unprofitable and useless. Warn a divisive person once, and then warn them a second time. After that, have nothing to do with them. You may be sure that such people are warped and sinful; they are self-condemned. Our people must learn to devote themselves to doing what is good, in order to provide for urgent needs and not live unproductive lives. Everyone with me sends you greetings. Greet those who love us in the faith. Grace be with you all.
-Titus 3:1-11, 14-15 NIV”

Choices|Day 8

Behold, I set before you this day a blessing and a curse.
~Deuteronomy 11:26

There’s something about the night that elevates my anxiety. There was a time I would gaze up at the moon in all of its splendid glory and feel a great sense of peace. Millions of stars dancing in the sky and me without air. Nice try Van Gogh, but not even close. This is the hand of God. He who made dark, light. How can something as enchanting as this, now be my greatest fear? I am reminded of the moment when the sun left, my moon came, and he was there. Just the flashback of his unwanted touch uncover memories that I had worked so hard to hide beneath overeating, depression, self-harm, and promiscuity. There I was afraid and confused. A child trying to make sense of what and why this was happening? I’d worked so hard to fade into the background yet, he always found me. I remember begging the light to come, and it did. A momentary feeling of relief because he was gone, but not the shame. As time carried on, morning highlighted the hurt that night would only bring again. Night became the gift and curse. It’s just at the age of 35 that I have finally decided to confront the night. I would no longer allow the molestation that I endured paint me with shame. My faith in God allows Him to destroy the darkest parts of me because he gave me that choice. We all have a choice. Today, I choose the path of Christ because I know that my Father will make my fears my stepping stool. Today, I see night as a source which brings light that will allow me to see in darkness. Today, I see each morning as a chance to live again. Each day, a new day to make right all that was made wrong. I am not defined by my curse because underneath it was a blessing.

-Is there something in your life that you feel is a curse? Take whatever that may be and find three reasons why one would see it as a blessing. Praise and perspective go hand and hand. When one decides to give God praise through their storm, they have decided to look at their situation from a spiritual perspective. Go to Him in prayer and ask Him to sit in your perspective. Where the spirit of God dwells grows hope, joy, and peace.

Watch “The Peace of Christ| Be Inspired-One Minute with God” on YouTube

The Peace of Christ is the gift that keeps on giving! Watch this one minute video to understand why Christ and His peace can help you face any circumstance that may come your way. Enjoy!

Blessings and Love, 

Chrystal Massey

Watch “How to Love God | Be Inspired- One Minute with God” on YouTube

In today’s video, you will understand how loving God through obedience is the best way to show your love to Him!

Love and Blessings, 

Chrystal Massey

~Love~Fasting to be Full (30 Days of Fruit) Vol 2

I decided to focus on Love in the Nine Fruits of the Spirit collection by Robert Strand. Immediately, I appreciated how he gave incredible insight on what it means to love. The word that caught my attention the most in the love edition was agape. Google defines agape as a noun which means Christian love, especially as distinct from erotic love or emotional affection. Google also defined agape as an adjective which means (open mouth) wide open, especially with surprise or wonder. I want to tackle each definition and show how it applies to the love that Christ has for everyone. I want you to understand how the two aren’t that different. They are more intertwined in context when it comes to the relationship between Christ and those who follow Him.

We know that the love of Christ is different from any other kind of love. It’s a love that we as Christians aim to model ourselves by every single day. Yes, we fall short because of sin yet and still, it warms my heart to know that I have a goal. I have a real role model whom we all strive to be. We know that His love is unconditional. As Christ went before the high priest at His trial; He was beaten, spat on, and his clothes torn because he knew that this was the only way to save us all. He loved us before anyone else. Before our existence. John 15:13 said it best, “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” Christ did that for us. He drank from His cup so that we may drink from the cup of eternal life. How can we not view His love as anything other than “wide open”? How can we not be amazed and surprised at the wonder that is Christ? God has invited all of us to sup from Him and He from us. How can we not stand with our mouths agape knowing that we did nothing to deserve the grace and mercy that He gives to us so freely? He is offering us all a chance to show others the same love that He shows us every day. A distinct type of love. Love that is unfiltered, unbiased, and sincere. God’s love has no labels or limitations. His love expands to even those who choose not to follow Him. The question stands, if Christ is our savior and God is our Father, how can we limit our love without limiting God?

The word friend is so much more than the people we know and love. The Bible defines a friend as anyone. This must be so because Christ died for all of God’s children. Upon reading the entire book, I began to understand that all of the remaining fruits of the spirit are really wrapped into one, love. 1 Corinthians 13:13 says,”And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity. The Word itself proclaims in 1 John 4:16 that “God is LOVE.” If love dwells in you, so does God. He promises us in that same verse that because He is in us, that we are also in Him. We can no longer allow our differences to hinder us from showing the love of God. Our race, backgrounds, political beliefs, denominational beliefs, genders, and religious beliefs are often used as an excuse for the walls that we build. In Matthew 22:37-40 the word of God says,“Jesus replied: Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself. All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

If we can embody the love of God, it will open doors that we once thought were impossible to unlock. God is telling us that love is the key. If we allow it, it will open the doors to our peace, joy, and salvation. The relationship you want to have with God is only a turn-of-a-key away. So go out today with love in your heart in all that you do.

LOVE x Blessings,

Chrystal Massey