Trump & Gray

Because I literally no longer watch the news and have access to very little social media, I was shocked to find out that one of my favorite speakers and men of God, Pastor John Gray, decided to meet with President Trump. I always wondered who God would use to bridge the gap and now that I think about it, I have no doubt that Pastor Gray is the man of God for the job. I am hurt that he has received such backlash for his decision to have this meeting with the President. As children of God we know all too well what it means to be called by God to do things that are totally out of our comfort zone, but when we picked up our cross and decided to follow Jesus we submitted our hearts to God’s will and not our own. To follow God means doing things for His glory and not our own. Jesus spent time with the people who needed God the most and if you take a look at this moment from a spiritual perspective, this is one of those moments.

Because of Christ, we have an option. We were graphed into a promise knowing that we wouldn’t always keep ours. All of us, even those who don’t believe have been given the gift of choice. Something that we didn’t have before Christ. Imagine being thirsty and the only thing to drink is lemonade but, you’re severely allergic to lemons. I mean if you drink it the consequences are grave. Then someone comes along and offers you a cool glass of water. You were given a choice. That is what Christ did for God’s children. That is why he is the way out of no way. The ultimate offering. He did what the law could not do. So, Pastor Gray, I stand with you as a child of God. I am not going to allow the world, politicians and political parties subject and constrict my God to push their worldly and sometimes sinful political agendas. The world tells us to go make disciples, not Republicans,Democrats or Independents of many nations. I encourage you all to pray for everyone! May we all pick up the heart of Christ and see this moment as a chance for God to get ALL OF THE GLORY!

 

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.”

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.

30 Days of Fruit| A Devotional Journal

🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗On April 1st I will start posting a daily devotional from my journal called 30 Days of Fruit. I will be sharing my most intimate and personal stories in hopes that someone out there will know that they are not alone. Writing this devotional has been therapeutic. It has allowed me to shut the door on things that I’ve failed to deal with and open the doors to things God has always wanted me to expierence. I am so happy to share with you this labor of love from God. I’ve been working on this devotional for quite sometime and couldn’t wait to share it with all of you. Enjoy!

Love and Blessings,

Chrystal Massey