Day 274

Hurting or healing. Those are the two sides of the same coin which we use as currency in our lives. You are either coming out of a healing or hurting moment, or you are going into one. What scares us is that while someone else is afflicting hurt or administering healing towards us, we could be doing the same thing to someone else. “Hurt people, hurt people.” I’m sure you’ve heard of that before. I’ve even seen a quote that said: People will usually hurt you in attempt to heal themselves.” But can hurting people, heal people? I know that sounds a bit insane that someone who is hurting or damaged has the ability to help heal someone else. But it’s true, I believe that those of us who have been hurt by others understand what it feels like to suffer. In that mindset, even in your pain you too can offer relief. The question is how?

The only reason that I can fathom is that the hurt or the pain is not the foundation of who you are. If anger, frustration, pain or hurt is the bedrock of your character, you will be in a perpetual movement of hurting others. You will not be able to heal appropriately. The wounds which you have will fester because they never have the time to recover from their last emotional blow. The debris from arguments will cause an infection, and your immune system will not have the tools necessary to fight off another hurt filled attack. Make no mistake, these emotional wounds that cause us to have open sores on our souls are attacks. Cain, the first born of Adam and Eve had the frustration of his parent’s past mistakes laden in his heart. It was such a heavy burden to bear. Instead of emptying and humbling himself before God. Instead of admitting that he couldn’t do it on his own, he allowed his insecurities and issues to change his life for the worse with each decision that he made. God warned him: But if you refuse to do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires you, but you must master it.” Genesis 4:7.

We know his unfortunate story. But what about the other side of the coin? What if anger, frustration, pain and hurt are not the bedrock of your character? If not that, then what? It must be an alternative to hurt in order to experience healing. Peter tells us: His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us to His own glory and excellence, by which He has granted to us His precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire.” 2 Peter 1:3-4. We just read that in had desire to rule over Cain, God had warned him of the danger. But he heeded not the warnings of God, and ended up committing the ultimate wrong against healing, he murdered his own brother.

Death is to hurt as life is to healing. Peter tells us that since we have escaped corruption of our character that: For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.” 2 Peter 1:5-8.

Peter gives us a step by step introduction in what the journey to healing looks like. He tells us that we need to make every effort to supplement our faith with virtue, and then knowledge, we then move onto self-control, then steadfastness or firmness, then godliness and then brotherly affection, and finally LOVE. The root or foundation of healing is love. Interestingly enough Galatians 5:6 tells us that it is love that energizes faith. What we see in 2 Peter is everything in between. It is love that allows us to have the ability to heal why we are hurting. There is no more ultimate example than Jesus Himself. When He was on the cross, dying for our trespasses and our sins, He saw the woman who birthed Him weeping and distraught. And He had compassion for her. As He struggled with every breath: He said to His mother, “Woman, behold your son!” Then He said to the disciple, “Behold your mother!” And from that hour that disciple took her to his own home.” John 19:26-27.

Before He took His final breath, He made final arrangements for another. That could only be accomplished if LOVE was the foundation of His character. God wants to mold us into His character. So while He is healing our hurt, we can help heal others. No one said it would be easy, but when those wounds are finally closed, and all you have the faded scars of your past, the memories of love will always outweigh the hate.

Day 273

If you’ve been reading a few of my devotional blogs, you’ve probably seen that I have an affinity towards the book of Genesis. How could I not. It is a book about beginnings. I have always been interested about origins. I think all of us are. This is one of the reasons why adopted children still seek out their biological parents. It doesn’t have anything to do with the fact that they did not receive excellent care from their adoptive parents, but it is a driving force within them to know their beginnings. The other day I was reading facts from the Britannica archives about the Haitian Revolution. As I read outloud to my mother, she quickly got animated listening to her history. It wasn’t just her history, it was mine as well. Being the daughter of immigrants, I identify with the land of which I was born, but also with the land which provides my heritage. Pride swelled in my heart as I read how slaves revolted and demanded freedom. But we have a way of romanticizing revolutions. Let’s not forget that it is impossible to have a revolution without sacrifice, many times it happens to be the ultimate sacrifice, life.

If this current election season has taught us anything, it’s that we live in a super charged polarized society. You are either for one team or the other. ‘If I’m right then you’re wrong‘ type of mindset. We divide ourselves with as many distinctions as possible. It could be from the easiest physical marker, the color of our skin, to the color of the party that we represent. We as human beings have been fooled into thinking that living ‘separate but equal’ lives is not only possible but is to be celebrated. The very fact that you are separated debunks that you are equal. Because separation causes distinctions, and distinctions are not similarities therefore equality now is determined by opinion instead of fact.

Unfortunately someone will always be “better” than you, in one aspect or another. They might have more money than you, a bigger house than you have, more children, more fiscal opportunities. But “bigger” or “more” does not always mean “better.” And until we can just drop the pretentiousness and pick up love, we will continue to compare and tear each other down. All the while God has been trying to tell us that: From one man He made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and He determined their appointed times and the boundaries of their lands.” Acts 17:26. Your origin and mine are the same. But instead of celebrating the common denominator, we argue and fight and bludgeon each other over the ever changing numerator.

Perhaps this is why I revel in the book of Origins, also known as the book of Genesis. When I read such verses as: Then God said, “Let us make human beings in our image, to be like us. They will reign over the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, the livestock, all the wild animals on the earth, and the small animals that scurry along the ground.” Genesis 1:26. I realize that even though my skin may looked like it’s been kissed by the sun, I bleed red just like everyone else. That forces me to look at life through a pair of lense that according to God in spite of our differences we are all equal to Him. But the way that He sees equality is through the eyes of eternity: And this righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no distinction for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,” Romans 3:22-23. Our money, skin color, gender, it does not matter, we’re all in this mosh pit of hell together. We’ve all messed up, and we all need help. But in order for us to be free, an entire new way of thinking would have to enter our world, penetrate our disturbing societies, a revolution had to take place.

As we discussed earlier, there can be no revolution without sacrifice: For God presented Jesus as the sacrifice for sin. People are made right with God when they believe that Jesus sacrificed his life, shedding his blood. This sacrifice shows that God was being fair when he held back and did not punish those who sinned in times past” Romans 3:25. We sinned and messed up, our parents sinned and messed up, their parents sinned and messed up. And so it goes on until we get to person zero, Adam: When Adam sinned, sin entered the world. Adam’s sin brought death, so death spread to everyone, for everyone sinned.” Romans 5:12. Our first parent messed up and now we all have this screwed up DNA. But God would not let us remain in our mosh pit for long. He came so that we could be free. But as we all know, freedom isn’t free. It cost something. For God, it cost Him the life of His Son. For the Haitians to be free from the tyranny and demonic oppression of France, it cost thousands of lives. For America to be free from being taxed without representation it cost an entire war. What will it cost you to be free from things that weigh you down and stop you from living life with love and acceptance? What are you ready to sacrifice in order to be free?

Day 272

When I wear my job’s badge around my neck, I am fully aware of my surroundings. I make sure that my behavior is an excellent representation of my employer. Because when people see the badage, they don’t really see you, but the organization which you represent. The way I dress, speak and react to situations are all being scrutinized while I am in “Ambassador” mode. The other day while I was out running errands with my mother after work, someone saw my badge. They pointed it out, and then said “Thank you.” Their parent had received care from the parent organization which I work for, and the treatment she received helped prolong her life. What an amazing testament to the individuals which I work with and for, that provide that type of care. Wearing a badge of honor is a high privilege. It usually showcases the hardworking and intentional efforts of an individual. But when an entire organization is able to be represented as hardworking and intentional in what they do, everyone is counted among the honored.

When one team member does well, the entire team shines. When one team excels the whole city is uplifted. This type of unification brings joy and satisfaction to otherwise fractured constituents. The same goes for when failure is the reigning king. When a team loses, the entire city is darkened with the weight of it’s lost. This concept is important in the spiritual world as well. Paul, the author of about 60% of the New Testament tells us this truth, which we all know due to the life we now live: When Adam sinned, sin entered the world. Adam’s sin brought death, so death spread to everyone, for everyone sinned.” Romans 5:12.

Adam’s one lost, was not one just for him, it was for the entire human family. We had to suffer in the shadow of his humiliation and his terrible choice. But, not to get too theological, I want to continue to share with you Paul’s thought pattern in Romans chapter 5. He doesn’t just leave the tortured side of the human condition to just hang there, no. Listen to what he continues with: Nevertheless, death reigned from Adam until Moses, even over those who did not sin in the way that Adam transgressed. He is a pattern of the One to come.” Romans 5:14. The One that Paul is talking about would take our loss and turn it into the win. Because for millenia death had been the reigning king. The undefeated champion of the enemy. But we still had One who would represent us all: But the gift is not like the trespass. For if the many died by the trespass of the one man, how much more did God’s grace and the gift that came by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, abound to the many!” Romans 5:15.

Here Paul tells us that although with one’s trespass aka sin, death had entered into the world, how much more the gift of God could many live! When it looked like we were down for the count, the last One on the bench came forward and carried the whole team on His back through a garden. He stumbled and struggled, all the way up a hill called Golgotha. And when it was the final few seconds left in the game, He took His final breath and said:  “It is finished!” John 19:30. In the book of Revelation He lets us know: I am He that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.” Revelation 1:18.

He is our Champion! He is the reason why we can wear a badge of honor, because as Paul so eloquently stated: “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.” Galatians 2:20. Or basically, God’s win is my win. So whatever you’re going through now, don’t let it weigh you down. There may be people who have tried to oppress you and have a spirit of hate and condemnation which they attempt to pass on to you. I implore you to reject it and don’t accept it because: …you belong to God, my dear children. You have already won a victory over those people, because the Spirit who lives in you is greater than the spirit who lives in the world.” 1 John 4:4. You’ve now seen it in black and white, you have victory over others who refuse to be live in the Spirit of God. Who refuse to be a part of the love which He has spilled on a cross so long ago. You don’t have to live in their shadow of hatefulness and intemperance. You can choose to live in the light of glory of God, which is shown through His love for you by the sacrifice of His Son. And that truth my friends, you can wear with honor.

Day 271

If you could pick one moment from your past that you could go back and redo, what would it be? How far would you go? Would it be from this past decade? Or perhaps a moment in college or high school. What about middle school or even kindergarten. How far is far enough? The choices that we have made, have ultimately created the person that we are today. And while we cannot go back and alter our past, we are fully capable of changing our future.

God saw our future, and He saw how dim and depressing it would be without: The true Light who gives light to every man was coming into the world.” John 1:9. He knew that something had to be done, and He rolled up His sleeves and got into the darkness with us, but did not let it overcome Him: The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” John 1:5. The darkness that sin brings, is one that has the power to penetrate the deepest recesses of our minds. From the comfort of our own heads, we can think of the most vile and hateful things. Every moment dwelling on them changes our character into a darker more hateful and vile thing. It’s true, what you spend time on you eventually become. The Bible warns about this: Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.” Romans 12:2.

Let’s not pretend the things of this world are not attractive. That it doesn’t have it’s own lights that twinkle in our eye. But those lights fade out while pain and regret fades in. Living a life that is in the will of God being both pleasing and perfect, can only be done if we leave our past behind and embrace the only One who is able to really affect change in our lives. Paul, who is an excellent example of leaving your old life behind, tells us: Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away. Behold, the new has come!” 2 Corinthians 5:7.

He didn’t just say these things, he had to believe them. Because Paul was once the ring leader of a murderous cult. If he could not be changed, then what hope was there for him? You might be wondering the same thing: ‘What hope is there for me?’ What’s crazy is that most of the pain that we have caused others, was because others had caused pain to us. And we end up in this sickening cyclic pattern, that weakens our spirits until many people just give up and don’t think that they can be helped. But I have EXCELLENT NEWS!! God wants to start a fresh with you. So much so that He says: Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing;” Isaiah 43:18-19.

He wants to do a NEW THING in your life. One that does not have pain and abuse, suffering and darkness as your foundation. If I could go back to one period in my past, it would be to the moment that my innocence was taken from me. I would tell that little girl that you are beautiful and deserved to loved. I would hide her from the terrible scene that would soon take place, so that she could live life to the fullest. But I can’t go back and save her. I can’t change things. I can’t affect the change that would remove trepidation from every single life decision she has ever made. But I CAN move forward. I CAN choose Christ. I CAN become a new creation, believing that my God is doing a new thing in me. And soon, oh, so very soon: And the One sitting on the throne said, “Look, I am making everything new!” And then He said to me, “Write this down, for what I tell you is trustworthy and true.” Revelation 21:5.

I CAN contest that He is trustworthy, because He has never failed me. Mankind, yes. Family, yes. Friends, yes. But God? Never. So maybe you can’t change your past, and maybe your present is a hard gift to swallow, but your future can be brighter than the sun. All you have to do is give your heart to Him and believe what He says is trustworthy and true.

Day 270

I had lunch with some really amazing people today. Next weekend they will enter into a union that has eternal consequences. Basically, they’re getting married! As we began discussing some of their fears and thoughts of marriage, and what living together would look like, the topic of sexual intimacy came about. Now, anyone who truly knows me, understands that I do not shy away from such topics. That actually may be the reason why it was brought up. There were about 6 of us around the dining table, and 80% of them had never been given the “sex talk” from their parents. Given that we are all in our late 20s and 30s, I found it interesting how it was still painful to them that their parents did not take the time to discuss one of life’s greatest joys and disappointments.

Sex was created as a gift from God to mankind. But just as everything that God gave, He provided guidelines in how the gift would flourish under His direction. The word of God states: Let marriage be honorable in all, and the marriage bed undefiled; for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterers.” Hebrews 13:4. And as I listened to the individuals discuss how they learned about sex, my heart broke. Did they never hear the beautiful purpose for marriage to exist? That God created a way in which human beings could get to know Him on an intimate level, that no other human being could ever know Him for themselves. That marriage is an honorable and celebrated divine event which was supposed to last an eternity? That it is not because God messed up that He created the most sensitive part on the female body to be discovered by her spouse. It was because He desired the the most intimate parts of hearts and minds to only be discoverable by ONE, Deity.

But then when the roundtable discussion moved from intimacy with one another to intimacy with God, it was almost a foreign concept. That’s when it hit me: as a Christian community, we have done a terrible job in teaching about intimacy. Whether it be with each other or with God. This is why God had to spell out the 10 commandments for us. When God explained that the covenant is based on Love, people were confused “Love who?” So the Bible told us: “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.” Matthew 22:36-40.

After hearing that, people still could not understand, “How do I love God” and “how should I love my neighbor?” This is why we have the 10 Commandments to teach out about intimacy. A few months ago we did a series on the 10 Commandments, and discovered it was actually 10 Promises, the way that it was originally written for our understanding. If we were to really comprehend what the 10 Commandments were all about and apply them, even to our individual relationships, intimacy would begin to grow at a rate that would surprise all parties involved. Because the 10 Commandments are based on self-sacrificing, other-centered, faithful love. And if I’m in a relationship with someone and the both of us are focused on pleasing the party or looking out for the other person’s best interest, how safe do we feel in each other’s presence. Or better yet, how comfortable are we being vulnerable with that person?

The more comfortable you can feel with someone, the more vulnerable you become, the more trust is invested in the relationship. Trust is the bedrock for intimacy. The Greek word used in the New Testament is pistis, which means: to believe, entrust (Strong’s Greek). And Hebrews 11:6 tells us that without pistis it is impossible to please Him. What is really being said here, is what we would expect in any relationship we desire to be intimate with another person. Without that other person believing in you or entrusting you with their heart, how can we think to build a solid lasting relationship? Honestly you can’t.

So I apologize to every individual that never had “the talk” how it should have been done. That your Creator loved you so much that He created all types of ways for you to enter into and to enjoy intimacy and closeness with others so that you could know how close He desires to be with you in your heart. I’m sorry if you never heard these beautiful words: Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love; Therefore with lovingkindness I have drawn you.” Jeremiah 31:3. All the beautiful things in your life has been Him pulling and drawing you to Himself. And yes, sex in the right and proper context is one of those ways He pulls you to Himself.

Day 269

I was on my way to celebrate my boss’ birthday via a train of cars. Those of us who had planned it decided to meet up at a specific location so we could all arrive and honk our cars in unison. Halfway to the randevu I received a phone call from my dad. He told me that he had spoken to my mom and she explained the errand that I was on my way to accomplish. While he was speaking to me, he mentioned the cake that I was bringing That’s when I freaked out and realized that I did not have the cake with me. I did a u-turn and made my way back home. I called my mother and asked her to meet me with the cake outside. Then phoned a co-worker to let them know that I was not going to make it to the first destination on time, that I would be a little late, so I’d have to meet them at the final destination.

My boss was surprised to see his leadership team outside of his house, celebrating his birthday with him. Wearing our masks, we all wished him the happiest of birthdays. Even though I was a tad bit late to the party, I still made it in time to be a part of the celebration. In Revelation chapter 18 there is a final call by God to the entire world. It’s the “last call” for salvation. The first call’s location was done in Revelation chapter 14. There a set of messages was proclaimed so that the world would wake up and see for sure and with clarity the character of God. Because it was the misrepresentation of the character of God which repelled Adam and Eve from their loving Creator. But God, who explains that He is unchangeable (Malachi 3:6), actually called out to Adam and Eve in the garden, so long ago.

He reasons for calling out to them had to do with the following (not this is not an exhaustive list, but a comprehensive one that I have put together):
#1 – I still love you. The enemy had twisted the character of God so deviously that when they heard God walking in the cool of the garden they took off: When the cool evening breezes were blowing, the man and his wife heard the LORD God walking about in the garden. So they hid from the LORD God among the trees.” Genesis 3:8. God came to tell them that He still loved them, despite the fact that they broke His heart.
#2 – I will restore you. The reason why they hid is heard from the depths of fear and shame from Adam: And he said, “I heard the sound of you in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked, and I hid myself.” Genesis 3:10. God did not allow Adam’s shame and fear to change His view of Him. God saw a child who was lost, and He would move heaven and earth to rescue and restore him. And the restoration is not partial, it’s being fully restored, where the damage of the old is no longer visible.
#3 – I am here for you. Adam and Eve may have run away, but God ran towards them. They walked out on their covenant, but God stayed and left the door open for them. In order for that to happen, He had to build a bridge from them to Him: And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her seed. He will crush your head, and you will strike his heel.” Genesis 3:15. And this what Jesus became, the bridge, the seed. He was the Seed whose heel was attacked, but who trampled the enemy in order to be the bridge from God to man.

And in Revelation 18, God gives the same message: I love you, I will restore you, I am here for you: “Come out of her, my people, lest you take part in her sins, lest you share in her plagues” Revelation 18:4. You see, God still called those who were deep in the bowels of the whore Babylon, because there is no depth too deep that God would not go to rescue His beloved. Yes, those who get the final call in Revelation 18 will be late to the party. But not to the celebration: For He is our God, and we are the people of His pasture, the sheep under His care. Today, if you hear His voice” Psalm 95:7. If you hear Him calling today, why don’t you say yes. I promise, it’s the best decision you could ever make, on this side of eternity and the next.

Day 268

I find that being petty is a ridiculously shallow way of living ones life. With that said, I am not opposed to people having petty moments every now and again. For that reason, I bring my case up today. I am sure that I have mentioned in the blog before, that I plan and organize events as a hobby. Some of the events include weddings, which I have been organizing and decorating since I was a kid. Once I turned my childhood home porch into an entire wedding with a full-blown reception. I invited my parents and brothers to come by and partake of the blessed event. I think it was probably an interracial Barbie wedding. Because I do not recall having a Black Ken doll. It was beautiful, I think we even took pictures. Decorating for special occasions has been a gift of mine since I was a little girl. When I got older, people trusted me enough to plan, organize, and decorate the most special day of their lives! But something so sweet can become bitter, at least for me.

Currently, I am putting together the final pieces for another wedding. I needed to recall something that I had done for an aisle two years ago. So because I do not take pictures of events that I do, I’m usually too busy running around making sure everything is perfect for the couple, to stop and smell the roses. As I found the hashtags for their wedding on Instagram, I scrolled through the images looking for the wedding aisle one. What I found, was more than I had bargained for, and it really irritated me. There for all to see was the bride’s gushing over the photographer, the cupcake maker, hairstylist, makeup artist, and anyone and everyone BUT the individual who designed her dream wedding on a stringent budget.

I couldn’t figure out why I was so upset. I was not paid for my services. I did it as a favor to the bride because a really good friend of mine asked me to do it. It’s been two years, and it did bother me that she did not even mention it then, but when I saw her post another thank you to others who made her day special a year later, it got under my skin. In the fall of 2018, I did another wedding, for free. This one was a family member. Once again I poured myself in and it was beautiful. I had flown in from a mission trip, landed, and drove the 4 hours to do her wedding. Did I receive a card or a ‘thank you’? NO. And I thought if I was this irritated with people who could not even find it within themselves to acknowledge the architecture behind their beautiful and special day, how does God feel when we don’t say ‘thank you’? Paul gives us an example:

For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened.” Romans 1:18-21.

God made it plain to them, so that they had no excuse not to acknowledge God, but they refused to honor Him or GIVE THANKS to Him! So they became futile and foolish until their hearts were darkened. This is a dangerous way to live, listen to what Paul warns us about, those who live life this way: Their minds are full of darkness; they wander far from the life God gives because they have closed their minds and hardened their hearts against him.” Ephesians 4:18. Who would have thought that not acknowledging God, not saying ‘thank you’ to the very One who provides breath for you every moment of the day could lead to a darkened and hardened life? God does not want that for us, and He is not being petty when He tells us that it is vital that we acknowledge Him and build a relationship with Him. For He is LIFE. And through the Holy Spirit He calls to us, attempting to make Himself known to us: That is why the Holy Spirit says, “Today when you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion…” Hebrew 3:7-8.

When we rebel against the voice of God, we set ourselves up to be deceived, darken our hearts and destroy our lives. But God created us for His glory: Bring all who claim me as their God, for I have made them for my glory. It was I who created them.’” Isaiah 43:7. Sin changed and deformed our character: All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath.” Ephesians 2:3. We were down for the count, ungrateful people, unworthy of God’s love: But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved—” Ephesians 2:4-5. God has pulled us in through the sacrifice of Jesus. And because of Him, we will have an eternity to say thank you, but I think we should get a head first and do it now. Thanking God for His love, Son, and the gift of freedom.

Day 267

One of the most disheartening things that could happen is the kidnapping of someone’s child. The precautions that schools take to protect the students in their care are pivotal for the safety and wellbeing of our smaller citizens. Once I was helping my cousin who had just had a baby and part of my responsibilities included taking and picking up her other two children from school. For this to be done, my cousin had to provide her children’s school with my contact information, vehicle description, license and physical description. When I arrived at the school I had to sign them in and out with my license present. It was a very thorough process and was comforted that they were doing everything to make sure the wrong person did not capture the children. What if I told you that God has done the same thing for us?

In Matthew chapter 24 and Luke 21, Jesus gives a portentous description of the times of the end. He is very specific with the warnings, and the entire reason is so that we, the children of God, don’t become deceived. He didn’t want an imposter to come and try and pick us up, so that we could be kidnapped. Jesus gave very detailed descriptions so that when He did come pick us up, we would go with the right Person: He replied: “Watch out that you are not deceived. For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am he,’ and, ‘The time is near.’ Do not follow them.” Luke 21:8.

Notice the first thing mentioned is “Watch out.” Meaning, something is going on behind the scenes that requires our immediate attention. Otherwise without being made aware, we might be sucked into a dangerous environment that would impede our eternal life. And for someOne to have given up His life at the ultimate sacrifice for our eternal one, I’m sure He wanted to make sure His investment was not in vain. Because He loves us, He would never withhold anything good from us: For the LORD God is a sun and a shield; the LORD gives grace and glory; He withholds no good thing from those who walk with integrity.” Psalm 84:11. And on the flip side, He would not withhold vital information that is for our good: No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not understand what his master is doing. But I have called you friends, because everything I have learned from My Father I have made known to you.” John 15:15.

So, although Luke 21 has an entire list of things to watch out for, I want to discuss very briefly the very first item: “Watch out that you are not deceived. For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am he,’ and, ‘The time is near.’ Do not follow them.” Luke 21:8. Last night on my news timeline an article popped up of a man who claimed that he was the reincarnated Christ. In a time of uncertainty, where people are struggling and looking for hope from just about anywhere, it makes ample sense to me that the enemy of our souls would motivate someone to commit blasphemy: They replied, “We’re stoning you not for any good work, but for blasphemy! You, a mere man, claim to be God.” John 10:33.

Any human being who claims to be God is committing the sin that the First Enemy committed: How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High. Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit.” Isaiah 14:12-15. There available for the entire cosmos to see, the First Enemy, Lucifer, who became Satan, desired in his heart to be God. But we see that the end result will be his dissension to hell.

God is not wanting anyone who His Son’s blood was spilt for to have the same end. So He warns us, and tells us to “watch out” for those who will attempt to deceive the children of God. God has given us clues as to when His Son will return how it will be done:
#1 Coming in the clouds:
and said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.” Acts 1:11.
#2 Everyone will see Him [at the same time]:
“Look! He comes with the clouds of heaven. And everyone will see him— even those who pierced him. And all the nations of the world will mourn for him. Yes! Amen!” Revelation 1:7
#3 He has the entire armies of Heaven with Him:
Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! The one sitting on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and makes war. His eyes are like a flame of fire, and on his head are many diadems, and he has a name written that no one knows but himself. He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood, and the name by which he is called is The Word of God. And the armies of heaven, arrayed in fine linen, white and pure, were following him on white horses.” Revelation 19:11-14.

There are other passages in the Bible that describe the magnificent second coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. One of my favorites is: For the Lord himself will come down from heaven with a commanding shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet call of God. First, the believers who have died will rise from their graves. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever.” 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17. Clearly Jesus will not be walking on this earth when He returns for us. And He didn’t want us to be confused or deceived, so He gave us these powerful descriptive truths in the Bible, so that we would be ready for Him. I leave you with this amazing promise form the lips of the One who will soon rescue us from all the liars, deceivers and promise-breakers on this planet: “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.” John 14:1-3.

Day 266

I know, yesterday it was 101 days. Today it’s officially Fall, and 100 days until the end of the year! This has been my longest consistent relationship, we’re 266 days in people! Speaking about relationships, this is a blog about that specific topic. Mostly concentrating on the divine-human relationship, which is often displayed through the interaction of human to human relations. God’s first human pairing was a direct reflection of His relational integrity. Marriage. There’s a show where you meet your spouse at the altar, for the first time. You get matched up by experts and get married. It’s a televised experiment and it is for people who are seeking to find their life partner through an extreme measure. But how extreme is it, in all reality? Arranged marriages have been the norm since the beginning of time. I mentioned the first pair, and they were introduced on their wedding day, by God. But before they met each other, they met and knew God.

And shouldn’t that be the basis of all our relationships? That we know Him? Because if you are searching for that life partner that you can spend forever with, you need to find someone who has forever in them. What do I mean? Jesus told us in John 17:3 that whoever knows God and the Son for themselves, in a relational integrity union, has eternal life. So, if you meet someone that knows God for themselves, and you know God for yourself, you really can have that “forever” type love. And forever is only a long time if you don’t get along. As I watched clips of the show that I mentioned about the spouses meeting the first time at the altar, I cringed at the moments where it was so clear that only one party was trying to make it work. The desperation on their faces, and their concessions on their wants and desires, was so unfair. But they had agreed to sign the marriage documents and pledge their loyalty to the stranger that became their spouse!

I had a discussion with my family last weekend, and brought the idea up to them, in a hypothetical situation. What if… I was to engage in this type of matchmaking process? They flipped out. But what I was most surprised was my baby brother, who is engaged, completely lost it. He said that he would never show up to my wedding if I agreed to marry a complete stranger. I was hurt that he did not feel like he could support me, but as I mulled over the situation, I understood his emotional dissidence. God who is the creator of relationships, would never want to make us be in a relationship with Him without getting to know Him: Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” Matthew 11:28-29. Here is an invitation from God, so we could get to know His emotional and caring side. What about this call: “Come, follow Me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.” Matthew 4:19. For this invitation, He’s inviting you to become business partners with Him. In the book of Revelation listen to God’s call to having a full and satisfying life in Him: The Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” Let the one who hears say, “Come!” And let the one who is thirsty come, and the one who desires the water of life drink freely.” Revelation 22:17. God definitely wants us to get to know Him for ourselves.

There was a second show that I saw clips of, another experiment. This one the couples could not see each other. But they could speak to one another. Thirty singles came to find love. At the end of the process, if you believed that you had found the one your souls desired, then you could ask them to marry you, without ever seeing what they looked like. Talk about more insanity! But as I watched these clips of one couple specifically, you could see their intimacy budding and growing. They began to look forward to their meeting time so that they could communicate one to another. When they first said ‘I love you’, it was with sight unseen. The physical attributes were removed from the equation and the things that make a person a person was revealed and celebrated. When they finally had the chance to see each other, the groom to practically run and grabbed his beloved in his arms. The grasp was so tight, it looked like he would never let her go. I was crying right along with them. It was beautiful. He happened to be white, she was black. Their skin color didn’t matter, because their hearts were one and the same.

One day, we’ll be that woman standing and smiling from ear to ear to see her Groom to be, come running down to sweep us up into a beautiful heavenly environmental forever. Until that breathtaking moment, let’s keep talking and communicating with our God our King, and grow more and more in love with Him every single day.