My Contract To Myself

This is my life.  It matters to me.  I was born to do great things. Through my veins runs resilience, determination, fight, drive, faith, and a hunger to get better each and every day.  I can't change yesterday, but I will have a massive impact on today and tomorrow.  I take my life serious.  If you choose to be a part of my life, I need for you to support me, push me, challenge me, and to encourage me as I seek my greatness.  This is my life.  I will not waste it.  My future dreams matter to me.

COMMITMENT TO EXCELLENCE, FOCUS, DEDICATION, THE NEXT LEVEL, CHARACTER, LEADERSHIP, ACCOUNTABILITY, AND PHENOMENAL COMPETENCE:

Those will be the words that drive me.  I have a destiny to fulfill.  I will always strive to be better.  Mountains, barriers, and challenges are temporary; I WILL NOT BE STOPPED.  I am a force for God.  I will intensify my focus.  I am what I am now, but I know that THE BEST IS YET TO COME!

These are words from a contract that I received from a safety class held at my job by a very beautiful and inspiring woman that I have known for a very long time.  When I finished this class, I felt like I was ready to make some big changes in my life and my career path.  I have big, big dreams and I know that God is growing me and pruning me for the right opportunity and the right moment.  It's amazing how far He has brought me in my life.  I know that as long as I continue to lean and depend
on Him, to trust Him, to hold on to His unchanging hand, I can face anything and I can succeed in everything!

From My Soul To Yours,

Starla E.

Misunderstood

Is he strange, or just misunderstood?

Is she mean, or just misunderstood?

Are they rude, or just misunderstood?

Are you good, or just misunderstood?

Sometimes we draw conclusions about things or people without enough information.  Do you know, what you don't know?  What I mean is, do you have enough information to make an informed decision or judgement about someone?  I cannot tell you how many times my first impression of someone was way, way off.

I have negatively judged people and I have even had a positive opinion about someone only to discover that I really am not the best judge of character.  That must be why it's best not to judge a person but it's not a bad idea to judge their actions.  Judge the sin not the sinner.  There is a fine line that's for sure.
“Do not judge so that you will not be judged. 2 For in the way you judge, you will be judged; and[a]by your standard of measure, it will be measured to you. Matthew 7:1-2

Things are hardly ever what they seem, especially when you don't have the inside scoop.  When you are on the outside looking in, your ideas and opinions can be formed by your own assumptions.  And you know what "they" (whoever "they" are) say about assumption right?  When you assume, you make an ass out of you and me.  Well I personally like to say "When you assume, you make an ass out of you and umption."  (Excuse my language for the sake of making a very cliche point).  But really, don't you hate it when people expect you to assume what they want or assume what they are thinking like you must be some sort of mind reader?  I believe in verbal communication and assuming is one of my pet peeves.  I like to avoid making assumptions.  However, I know that I assume a lot w/o even realizing it.  I always say, "Don't expect anyone to assume what you expect.  Instead make it very clear by verbally communicating with them."

One thing that I always try not to do is judge someone by their appearance.  Good and evil can appear in all forms.  Evil people can appear to be good, and good people can appear to be evil.  I guess it depends on your definition of good and evil.  Not everyone would define good and evil quite the same way.

We can never really know what's on a persons mind.  They can tell you anything but that doesn't mean it's true.  However, their conversation will help you get a better understanding of who they really are.  How do they behave as a person?  What does their conversation consist of?  I have a great example.  I know someone who is always complaining and never happy.  This person is miserable all the time and doesn't really like dealing with people.  On the other hand, this person believe's in God and attends church.  They donate their time and money to charity too.  This person doesn't smile often but I have seen them show care in different ways.  What does all that really say about them?  Does it mean this person is good or bad?  Overtime I have come to realize that this person is constantly in pain and often feels unappreciated for various reasons.  I try to show them love by not judging them but showing concern for their feelings.  I believe it helps but they have a lot of unmet needs and I pray for them often.  My concern for them is genuine.  They have a good heart but they are hurting emotionally and just need someone in their life to care.

My main point is this:  We are all capable of being good and/or bad on a daily basis.  We can easily be misunderstood based on our good and/or bad actions.  God is the best judge of character and He will help you determine what you need to know and do regarding His definition of good and bad.

Are you good, or just misunderstood?  You be the judge of your own character and clothe yourself in righteousness.  That way when people judge your goodness, they won't be misunderstood.

Bought For A High Price

If you are saved, a believer who walks with Christ.  You were chosen and you were bought for a high price.  Imagine that, you were purchased with something more valuable than silver and gold.  Unblemished and spotless, as that of a lamb.  The precious blood of Jesus Christ.

What does it mean to be bought with blood?  It means Jesus is your master and you are not your own.  Jesus loves you and He has chosen you out of the world.  You are not of the world and the world does not love you.  The world only loves its own.  You were bought for a high price, purchased by Jesus Christ.  Because of this, the world hates you but it has hated Him before it hated you.  But take heart, He has overcome the world.  So love one another, for this is His command.  The one with blood as precious as a lamb.

Though you have not seen him, you love him, and though you do not see him now, you believe in Him.  Your soul has been saved as the outcome of your faith.  1 Peter 1:8,9.

You were chosen and you were bought for a high price.

Fear Factor

For GOD has not given us a

 SPIRIT of FEAR

but of Power

 Love  and of

a sound mind.

2 Timothy 1:7 (NKJV)

"Lord, I am just thinking about how grateful I am that You have not given us control of anything except ourselves, our choices and our thoughts.  Our understanding is finite, limited and for good reason.  Our minds cannot even begin to fathom or contain Your level of knowledge.  This should keep us humble because not one person on this earth knows it all.  I'm so glad that I don't because I believe it could destroy me to know too much."

When I was a child, I had no fear of most of the things that I fear now.  My brother and I used to spend hours in the desert hunting lizards and horned toads.  We would climb barbed wire fences and everything.  In the middle of summer days with no sunblock or water, the only thing we were equipped with was my brother's BB gun.  He would shoot a lizard and we would be so fascinated.  Talk about rough and tumble.

Now, you couldn't pay me to spend more than 20 minutes in the sun and my deficient vitamin D levels can attest to that.  I do not like to spend a lot of time outside, especially if there isn't any shade nearby.  My lack of sunlight may have caused me to be more susceptible to Multiple Sclerosis and now too much sun can cause me to have a relapse.  You can see details about my MS on my MS blog Did I Mention My MS???

Some fear is healthy and alerts us when danger is nearby.  I call that our animal instincts and we need to have animal responses.  Don't try to rationalize your God given instincts when something is amiss.  When most animals sense danger, they don't mind confronting it right away and nipping it in the bud.  Whether they flee or fight, they are quick to take action.  For most humans, our ability to rationalize causes us to hesitate.  Sometimes that hesitation can be the difference between life and death.  So trust your own instincts.  They are there for a reason.  I'm not saying fight every time you feel danger, instead get yourself to safety and in a safe position as soon as you feel the first hint that something is off.  You could be wrong, but you will at least be alive.

Most of my fears are unrealistic.  I am afraid to swim in the ocean because I just know a shark is out there waiting for me.  That's a true story.  Well that and the fact that I am not the greatest swimmer.  It's the things that don't scare me that have caused me more harm.  Thanks to T.V., I know just enough to be paranoid and irritating.  Getting connected with God on a regular basis is the only thing that helps me maintain a sound mind.  He teaches me how to combat my fears w/o worrying because I know He will always have my back.  He teaches me that even though I am not exempt from problems in this world, He will guide me through every single trial until the day He calls me to come home.

Yes, at times I worry.  Yes, at times I am afraid.  And in those times, the Holy Spirit ministers to me and helps me to keep my focus on Him.  To focus on what is true and how I can manage my fears.

Fear is not be a Factor for me, as long as I keep my mind stayed on Him.

Baptized For The Dead??

Otherwise, what will those do who are baptized for the dead?  If the dead are not raised at all, why then are they baptized for them?  1 Corinthians 15:29

I was reading my daily devotion today when I came across this scripture.  This is the one that caused me to stop, read it again, go back a few scriptures and read it again.  I have come across this scripture before and even had conversations with a person who actually believes in baptism for the dead.  At the time, I wasn't able to rightly divide this scripture so I didn't get into a deep debate as I usually would but the Holy Spirit led me to realize that this scripture wasn't saying that we should be baptized for the dead. That was a few years ago.

Today when I came across this scripture, I was able to practice something that is taught at my church known as SAR-Some Assembly Required.  The whole concept is to journal when you read and study the word.  Write the scripture, then ask yourself, "Why did this stop me?" then write a response.  In order to do this, you will have to go back a few scriptures, go forward a few scriptures and also read other scriptures that cross reference the one that you are trying to divide or understand.  I like the Ryrie Study Bible because it has footnotes and references other scriptures that relate to what you are reading.  If you are still unable to gain understanding, pray for God to reveal it to you and in His time, he will.

So back to baptism for the dead.  My response to the question, "should we be baptized for the dead" is, NO!  This scripture is referring to (those) some religions who say there is no resurrection of the dead but practice being baptized for the dead.  What is the point of being baptized for the dead if the dead cannot be raised??  They do not believe in the resurrection of Christ.  That makes their practices vain and their own doctrine false.  1 Corinthians 15:19 "If we have hoped in Christ in this life only, we are of all men most to be pitied."

There are no opportunities for salvation after death, period.  So please, don't get baptized for the dead.  That is a doctrine of false teaching.  Because Christ is raised from the dead, we can obtain salvation through Christ only.  We must believe in His resurrection.  His death and resurrection have bridged the gap between men and God.  Romans 4:25 "He was delivered up for our sins and rose again for our justification." 

Jesus, who walks on water.

There is a name, that is so precious.  That name is Jesus.  The name above every name.  The one who gave His life for me.  At the name of Jesus, every knee shall bow and every tongue shall confess that He is Lord.

The day will come when every knee will bow in heaven, and on earth, and underneath the earth (Philippians 2:10) and will give Jesus the respect that is due to Him.  I don't know about you, but that is so profound to me.

That means;
Those who believe He is just a prophet.
Those who worship Mary, mother of Jesus.
Those who believe that He is Michael, the archangel.
If you believe that Jesus is no more than a messenger.
Atheists
Evolutionists
Mary Baker Eddy
Joseph Smith
Charles Taze Russell
Confuscious

You will all bow down to Jesus Christ, the Son of God and your tongue shall confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.  Not might bow down or maybe confess.  Will bow down and shall confess.  Jesus, the one who died on the cross for sinners like you and me.  Jesus, who sits at the right hand of God.

 Jesus, the one who walks on water.

Peace Be With You: Prayer Warrior

Calling all prayer warriors.  How would you like to help change the world, one prayer at a time?  Now is your chance to join a network of prayer partners at Peace Be With U.  I became a prayer partner about a week ago and let me tell you, it really blesses me to be able to stand in the gap for hurting people.  If you would like to be a prayer warrior, click here Peace Be With U Ministry.  There are other ways to help people through Peace Be With U so please get involved any way that you can.  Help make a difference in the lives of others.

 If you are standing in need of prayer, click here Prayer Request.