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”

30 Days of Fruit | A Devotional Journal (The Conclusion)

I pray that this devotional has impacted you in such a way that you feel inspired, encouraged, and more eager to become closer to God. We all have trials, setbacks, and a past so don’t worry about that. Allow God to use all of those things to elevate His kingdom. Pastor John Gray once spoke about the women in the Bible that committed adultery and was about to be stoned. When Jesus kneeled down beside her and began to write not once, but twice in the dirt its the reminder that no matter what the world says God is the author and finisher. The blood of Jesus makes it possible for the rewrite. We can rewrite our present and future no matter what the enemy says about our past. I pray feasting on this 30 Days of Fruit devotional has left you full and craving more of our Lord. Below, in order, you will notice direct links to each day in the devotional journal.

Love x Blessings,

Chrystal Massey

Day 1: https://thefruitsofthespiritblog.wordpress.com/2018/04/01/the-process-of-faith/

Day 2:https://thefruitsofthespiritblog.wordpress.com/blog/page/5/

Day 3:https://thefruitsofthespiritblog.wordpress.com/2018/04/03/never-give-upday-3/

Day 4:https://thefruitsofthespiritblog.wordpress.com/2018/04/04/unspoken-truthday-4/

Day 5:https://thefruitsofthespiritblog.wordpress.com/2018/04/05/reverenceday-5/

Day 6:https://thefruitsofthespiritblog.wordpress.com/2018/04/06/purposeday-6/

Day 7:https://thefruitsofthespiritblog.wordpress.com/2018/04/07/unfollowday-7/

Day 8:https://thefruitsofthespiritblog.wordpress.com/2018/04/08/choicesday-8/

Day 9:https://thefruitsofthespiritblog.wordpress.com/2018/04/09/things-change-day-9/

Day 10:https://thefruitsofthespiritblog.wordpress.com/2018/04/10/find-the-courage-day-10/

Day 11:https://thefruitsofthespiritblog.wordpress.com/2018/04/11/day-11cherishing-moments/

Day 12:https://thefruitsofthespiritblog.wordpress.com/2018/04/12/lost-and-foundday-12/

Day 13:https://thefruitsofthespiritblog.wordpress.com/2018/04/13/the-getawayday-13/

Day 14:https://thefruitsofthespiritblog.wordpress.com/2018/04/14/save-the-dateday-14/

Day 15:https://thefruitsofthespiritblog.wordpress.com/2018/04/15/the-voice-of-reasonday-15/

Day 16:https://thefruitsofthespiritblog.wordpress.com/2018/04/16/the-proverb-childday-16/

Day 17:https://thefruitsofthespiritblog.wordpress.com/2018/04/17/double-portionday-17/

Day 18:https://thefruitsofthespiritblog.wordpress.com/2018/04/18/trusting-the-testday-18/

Day 19:https://thefruitsofthespiritblog.wordpress.com/2018/04/19/let-it-go-day-19/

Day 20:https://thefruitsofthespiritblog.wordpress.com/2018/04/20/unfinished-business/

Day 21:https://thefruitsofthespiritblog.wordpress.com/2018/04/21/safe-in-himday-21/

Day 22:https://thefruitsofthespiritblog.wordpress.com/2018/04/22/moveday-22/

Day 23:https://thefruitsofthespiritblog.wordpress.com/2018/04/23/strike-the-groundday-23/

Day 24:https://thefruitsofthespiritblog.wordpress.com/2018/04/24/after-the-stormday-24/

Day 25:https://thefruitsofthespiritblog.wordpress.com/2018/04/25/another-chance/

Day: 26:https://thefruitsofthespiritblog.wordpress.com/2018/04/26/sisterhood-the-courage-of-ruthday-26/

Day 27:https://thefruitsofthespiritblog.wordpress.com/2018/04/27/stay-in-touchday-27/

Day 28:https://thefruitsofthespiritblog.wordpress.com/2018/04/28/forgiving-to-healday-28/

Day 29:https://thefruitsofthespiritblog.wordpress.com/2018/04/29/pride-vs-honorday-29/

Day 30:https://thefruitsofthespiritblog.wordpress.com/2018/04/30/perspectiveday-30/

Perspective|Day 30

Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy.
~James 1:2

What was meant to be a devotional quickly became a journal for me. As you may have read some days were amazing, and others were more challenging. One thing that journaling has taught me is to find joy in every circumstance. My prayer is that this devotional/ journal will impact you in such a way that you can devote yourself to God, to His word, and grow closer to Jesus more than you ever have before. Creating this was my obedience to God, but what I didn’t realize is that He was showing me what I thought was pain was really a great opportunity. A chance to share my testimony, to grow, and to prayerfully help others find the peace of God in every storm. Family, it’s all about perspective. Instead of thinking the worse, I hope that you decide to see God in every challenging circumstance. I assure you that on the other side of spiritual perspective is the promise that victory will prevail.

-Thinking back over the past 30 days, what day spoke to you the most? Know that who you were when you started this devotional is not the same person who has finished it. Read 1 John 4:4. You are forever changed, abundantly blessed, and highly favored!

Pride vs. Honor|Day 29

Pride ends in humiliation, while humility brings honor.
~Proverbs 29:23

I’ve learned the hard way that one of the most detrimental things in life is pride. It has the power, if allowed, to separate us from what God has predestined for us. This could be a job, a spouse, and even our salvation. Pride is a slippery slope with many gray areas that can disable you and leave you festering in self-will. If we continue to operate only in what we deem as acceptable, this leaves no room for God. God works in a capacity that we can’t even begin to fathom. There’s depths and levels to God’s vision while our own will is so superficial that it can’t even begin to scratch the surface. Have you ever asked God to do something in your life and became so impatient that you decided to take matters into your own hands? How did that work out for you? Most likely it left you more lost, confused and possibly humiliated. This is why we pray for discernment and that God’s will be done. As humans, we can only function in planning. We create ideas of what we want to happen as where God functions in the knowledge of all things. He knows what’s ahead because he has gone before us to make preparations is what the word tells us. If we believe this to be so, then we operate in humbleness. We subject ourselves to Gods purpose,we follow His will and His way because it brings honor. It brings us everything that we never imagined and all the things we never knew that we wanted.

-Pray with me: God remove us so that you may consume us. We give you all that we have so that we can operate entirely in your will and purpose. We serve in humility so that you get all of the honor and glory. We acknowledge the death of who we use to be so that we can live in who you have called us to be. In Jesus name, Amen.

Forgiving to Heal|Day 28

“Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.
~Colossians 3:13

We often sit in our pain and anger far longer than God ever intends for us too. Holding on to that which destroys us depletes time from God’s vision for us that we just cannot get back. If you asked any human being what is the purpose of being here on earth, they would tell you to live a happy life. This my friends is the truth that is God. Jeremiah 29:11 tells us that, “For I know the plans that I have for you; says the Lord, plans for peace and not evil, to give you a future and a hope.” If this is God’s purpose in our lives then why do we sit complacent in the trap of the enemy? We know his motive is to steal, kill and destroy so why would we allow him to think that his schemes have prospered when the word of God tells us that we already have the victory? This promise is as constant as our God so we must live in that assurance and let the enemy know he has no place in our lives. Take a moment and think of yourself with all of your might, pressing against a door that just won’t shut. It won’t shut because it’s stuffed with things that it cannot hold. Take that same mental picture and compare it to that of holding a grudge. When we are in constant contempt, anger from hurt, and lacking the ability to forgive we are closing the doors on our blessings. We are the holdup, the block, and the lock on the door of our promise. We have been given the power to do great things. Doing great things doesn’t mean that it has to be something grand, most of the time it’s as small as forgiveness. I say that forgiveness is small because, in comparison to the forgiveness that has been given to us by God through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ who was spotless, it doesn’t even begin to hold a candle. I’m not saying that forgiveness isn’t difficult, but what I am saying is that it’s necessary. If we are His, made in the likeness of Father which means not only do we look like him, but he has also equipped us with the spirit to do as he does. That’s why we can pray and watch things change because he has anointed our tongues with the power to speak life and death. So we must speak peace and love into our lives and that of others. If you are in need of healing emotionally, spiritually, mentally or physically you should ask yourself this, “Have I truly forgiven whatever is hindering me from healing so that God can do what he needs to do?”

-If you are dealing with the pain of something done by someone I want you to write them a letter. Tell them how they hurt you and how it makes you feel. Now I want you to take that letter in your hand, kneel down, and pray. Ask God to remove whatever you are holding on to physically and spiritually. Once you are done, throw your letter away along with all the pain that it possess forgiving who and whatever hurt you. You will no longer hold on to the weight of that pain and open yourself up to the healing of God. This is how to forgive and heal.