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”

I Quit My Job Today

That’s right! I quit my job today and do you want to know the icing on top of this spontaneous and possibly disastrous cake? I have no backup plan. Well, at least that’s what I thought. I would like to share with you my emotions concerning my decision in the form of Bitmoji expressions.

WHAT DID I JUST DO????!!???

I think this is the initial reaction one has any time your cardinal mind allows you to believe that you really didn’t think your decision through. To be honest, this decision was already confirmed in January of this year, but God wanted me to wait. I often wondered when and how I would know it was the right time, but I knew that the Spirit of God would reveal it to me at the appropriate time. I want to be transparent in saying that I was a little nervous and worried, but my faith in God didn’t allow any of those emotions to dwell long. God, as He always does, reveals himself in the very last hour. Today I would say goodbye to almost 5 years of service at my job. In already knowing this God continued to send words of encouragement to me throughout the day. One word came in the form of my Daily Bread Devotional. Today’s lesson touched on the story of Moses and how he was entrusted with a task that even he wasn’t sure he could complete. God not only entrusted Moses to free His people but was with Him every step of the way. This message gave me hope. Even though I’m not sure of what’s on the other side of this change, I do know that God and His provision will be with me every step of the way.

Why Did You Quit?

I am a creature of habit. Day in and day out my day doesn’t change and this allowed me to feel safe or so I thought. I quickly learned that I’d only created a false sense of stability, comfort and what I considered to be a solid foundation. If you go back and read my devotional, Double Portion, it will shed some light on my decision and why God and my faith will always come before anything in connection with my will.

My previous job position can only be described as follows:

I was happy, but I was complacent. One thing I’ve learned about complacency is that although it’s comfortable, it stifles your growth. You can’t live your life to its fullest potential if you continue to make your home in a place that doesn’t allow you to grow. I was operating in my will and leaning on what I deemed as “dependable” instead of leaning on God. One thing that I love about God is that He loves us too much to see us unfulfilled. He is the God of fulfillment. He sent His Son to FULFILL what the law could not and He blesses us so that we can have a FULL life and have it more ABUNDANTLY. Things began to change at my job and long story short, the position that I loved was being phased out. I decided to take a position that at the time seemed like the next natural step (notice that I didn’t say the best step) only to find out it wasn’t what I wanted to do. My only other option was the one I dreaded most, but I was prepared to do what I had to do. God threw a wrench in that plan as well. What I noticed once I sat back and reflected on my situation is that I had never consulted God before making any decisions and because I didn’t he eliminated every “back up plan” I created for myself. What do you do when you feel uncomfortable? What do you do when what you did before is no longer working? You shift. You shift to find relief and mine was found in quitting my job. This was my sign from God.

Well, I wish I knew. I just know that I am going to listen for a word from God. Today I’ve realized that I don’t need a backup plan when God is THE PLAN. One of my favorite Bible verses is Psalms 32:7 which says, “You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance”. I’m not sure of what the future may hold, but I know that God will be there. I’ve had it all wrong for a long time. I thought my employer was my source, but that position can only be filled by God. He is my source, my hiding place, my protection, my song and my deliverance just to name a few. I confess today with all of my heart Psalms 31:14, “But I trust in you, Lord I say, You are my God.”

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.