Love Is About God

 

The greatest gift to receive that signifies love on Valentines Day or any day is one from God.

Sometimes I honestly do not see God as ultimate love due to him allowing me to exist in a world I did not ask to come to with people and things that he knew beforehand I would not have preferred to be around or within.

Nevertheless, I cannot deny the magnificent ways I have been blessed and protected by God. So, this all has to account for something even if I do not always like/agree with the way things are or fully understand his ways and plans.

I am not glad to be a part of his creation but I do appreciate the design that God created within me and one day I will get to meet him face to face to uncover certain revelations unveiled.

God is within me and within those of us who accept him so that is the greatest essence and tangible expression of love available.

 

and await the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ, who will bring you eternal life. In this way, you will keep yourselves safe in God’s love. -Jude 1:21 NLT

 

Paradise

 

There are the terms people speak or phrase verbally such as “Heaven on earth” or “Living in paradise”.

A luxury vacation in a beautiful location overseas or within other states can be a person’s example of experiencing their sense of “heaven on earth”.

An environment where one lives rich or famously in a predicament where they seemingly have the world at their feet with all that money can buy.

This may be a pleasure and satisfaction for many but it is nowhere near the definition of what true paradise or heaven on earth is.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with enjoying the scenery and experience of nature within the essences of recreation, leisure, and exploration gorgeously.

These encounters are temporary. They are also lacking within perfection and certainty.

Aside from everything having their potential flaws, these fancy and wonderful places or situations can all be destroyed within an instant by unforeseen events. A natural disaster is just one example as something to possibly occur to tarnish or bring a setback to one’s so-called heaven or paradise.

When Jesus returns to earth, he will raise all of our deceased bodies that have decayed to be reunited with each of our living souls.  

Our bodies will be renewed, perfected, and significant- though distinct- within identification to the bodies that we currently inhabit now.  

We will permanently reside in a place/setting similar in resemblance to the present world we live in now.

  

That is what the Scriptures mean when they say, “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him.” 1 Corinthians 2:9 NLT  

The current heaven is an ethereal state where when the spirits of us believers separate from the body at physical death enter immediately into the presence of God.

In spite of this fact, this is not our final destination. It is just the intermediate state of being- an advancement in the process of made perfect in holiness befitting us for the presence of God.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

There Is Purpose To Our Life

For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. Ephesians 2:10 NLT 

 

 

There is nothing special about a new year within itself. It is just a regular ongoing natural spectrum of time, an inevitable unstoppable occurrence among us as we live day by day.

The only thing truly special about a new year is the fact that we are still here into the onset of the next 12 months to fulfill our purpose on the planet.

Every day that we have life is a new day to start fresh. Fresh in whatever brings us closer into our relationship with God and the newness of refreshing our spirits to the glorification of being made holy.

 

 

Time For God

 

 

There is no such thing as not having the time to talk to God or not being able to fit God into one’s schedule.

We are able to communicate with God at any second, minute, or hour of the day at any moment, any place, and during any circumstance.

There is no situation where or when God cannot be reached or spoken to.

We can contact God upon waking up, taking a shower, brushing our teeth, eating, heading out the door, driving, riding public transportation, working, or even in the middle of a conversation with another person.

It only takes a thought directed to the creator in which he automatically hears and knows beforehand.

We do not even have to open up our mouths to talk to God. He is all around us and for those of us who are saved his Holy Spirit he lives inside of us.

There is absolutely no excuse to not communicate with God when it comes to engaging in a dedicated relationship with him.

There are no fancy words to use just whatever is on our mind. God is our father/parent, we go to him as his children for any and everything. There is nothing too big and nothing too small.

There is a difference between having the spare quality time to read or study the bible and actually speaking our words to God.

Yes, we may have to make time for reading but there is always time to talk.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

He Ascended The Destiny Of The Past, Present And Future

That is why the Scriptures say, “When he ascended to the heights, he led a crowd of captives and gave gifts to his people.” Notice that it says “he ascended.” This clearly means that Christ also descended to our lowly world. And the same one who descended is the one who ascended higher than all the heavens, so that he might fill the entire universe with. Ephesians 4: 8-10

 

 

Even though by faith the saints of the Old Testament were saved they were not allowed to go directly into heaven immediately after dying prior to Jesus’s death and resurrection.

The reason is because Jesus had not yet made atonement for our sins to be cleansed through his crucifixion.

In the meantime, God furnished the saints of the Old Testament in a part of Sheol which was called “Abraham’s Bosom”- a comfortable atmosphere of peace and rest. There they would wait until Jesus arrived.

Within a separate (opposite) part of Sheol was a place of suffering and torment. This place was called Hades- where the souls of the unbelievers without faith, and wicked resided upon their deaths.

When Jesus died on the cross, he descended in the earth where he preached to the saints of the Old Testament while they continued to wait in Abraham’s Bosom.

As the Messiah they in faith one day expected he described to them God’s plan of salvation then set them all free within three days after Jesus himself ascended into heaven by directly escorting them.

 

 

That is why the Good News was preached to those who are now dead—so although they were destined to die like all people, they now live forever with God in the Spirit. 1Peter 4:6

Christ suffered for our sins once for all time. He never sinned, but he died for sinners to bring you safely home to God. He suffered physical death, but he was raised to life in the Spirit.

So he went and preached to the spirits in prison— 1 Peter 3:18-19

 

The Final Destination

 

This boasting will do no good, but I must go on. I will reluctantly tell about visions and revelations from the Lord. I was caught up to the third heaven fourteen years ago. Whether I was in my body or out of my body, I don’t know—only God knows. Yes, only God knows whether I was in my body or outside my body. But I do know that I was caught up to paradise and heard things so astounding that they cannot be expressed in words, things no human is allowed to tell. 2 Corinthians 12: 1- 4

 

It is erroneously taught by some that when we die our spirits are asleep.

The body is what disintegrates from the curse resulted upon the earth due to Adam’s sin, however the soul never dies it is eternal.

One’s spirit is forever conscious. When we perish within body our soul will exist fully alive.

If one is a Christian/follower/saved believer in God their spirit will move directly from the body at the moment of death into the presence of the Lord Jesus until his “second coming”. Afterwards we who are in Christ will receive brand new resurrected bodies to house us as we live forever on the new earth with God.

If one is an unbeliever the destination for their spirit is the immediate entrance into Hades- a place for the wicked after death.

The unbelievers will reside there until the “second death” in which they will be thrown into the lake if fire.

 

And I saw a great white throne and the one sitting on it. The earth and sky fled from his presence, but they found no place to hide. I saw the dead, both great and small, standing before God’s throne. And the books were opened, including the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to what they had done, as recorded in the books. The sea gave up its dead, and death and the grave gave up their dead. And all were judged according to their deeds. Then death and the grave were thrown into the lake of fire. This lake of fire is the second death. And anyone whose name was not found recorded in the Book of Life was thrown into the lake of fire.- Revelation 20: 11-15

 

Jesus said, “There was a certain rich man who was splendidly clothed in purple and fine linen and who lived each day in luxury. At his gate lay a poor man named Lazarus who was covered with sores. As Lazarus lay there longing for scraps from the rich man’s table, the dogs would come and lick his open sores. “Finally, the poor man died and was carried by the angels to sit beside Abraham at the heavenly banquet. The rich man also died and was buried, and he went to the place of the dead. There, in torment, he saw Abraham in the far distance with Lazarus at his side. “The rich man shouted, ‘Father Abraham, have some pity! Send Lazarus over here to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue. I am in anguish in these flames.’ “But Abraham said to him, ‘Son, remember that during your lifetime you had everything you wanted, and Lazarus had nothing. So now he is here being comforted, and you are in anguish. And besides, there is a great chasm separating us. No one can cross over to you from here, and no one can cross over to us from there.’ “Then the rich man said, ‘Please, Father Abraham, at least send him to my father’s home. For I have five brothers, and I want him to warn them so they don’t end up in this place of torment.’ “But Abraham said, ‘Moses and the prophets have warned them. Your brothers can read what they wrote.’ “The rich man replied, ‘No, Father Abraham! But if someone is sent to them from the dead, then they will repent of their sins and turn to God.’ “But Abraham said, ‘If they won’t listen to Moses and the prophets, they won’t be persuaded even if someone rises from the dead.’” Luke 16: 19-31

The “Why” Question

I heard a long time ago from someone that we as people are not supposed to ask “why?”

I disagree.

Why not ask “why” to a lot of the things and situations that are going on and that are taking place within life.

We all know the story of the devil being kicked out of heaven, and about Adam and Eve disobeying God and getting kicked out of the garden.

Still, what about all of the people who did not ask to be born to come into this world the way that things turned out.

It is not everyone else’s fault what happened beforehand.

I have asked and wondered why too. Why as to certain things regardless of how much scripture I have read, how many incredible experiences I have had with God, or how deep my spiritual gifts ran.

There are questions we need answers to, unexplainable events and occurrences that are inexcusable to our understanding.

Like why does God allow innocent babies to get raped, beaten, and murdered when he can instantly wipe out the existence of any human being or creature on the planet and beyond?

How is preventing a baby from getting hurt interfering with someone else’s free will? And, if it does interfere what is the big deal when it is to save a child or any innocent individual from being harmed?

This is just one of many examples of happenings to be pondered and discussed.

I am not trying to knock God it is just one of those why questions that we sometimes ask.

Some may say who are we to question God, but the Lord gave us minds to think with, thoughts to deliberate, and mouths to speak and to make inquiries with.

We are not guaranteed every answer to all of our questions here on this earth, yet the Lord welcomes us to seek him with all of our hearts and to not be afraid to ask for wisdom.

 

Must I forever see these evil deeds? Why must I watch all this misery? Wherever I look, I see destruction and violence. I am surrounded by people who love to argue and fight. The law has become paralyzed, and there is no justice in the courts. The wicked far outnumber the righteous, so that justice has become perverted. –Habakkuk 1:3-4 

Now we see things imperfectly, like puzzling reflections in a mirror, but then we will see everything with perfect clarity. All that I know now is partial and incomplete, but then I will know everything completely, just as God now knows me completely. -1 Corinthians 13:12

If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking. But when you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind. –James 1:5-6

If He Says It Then It Will Be Done

 

“Everything will be alright“.

Those words are easier said and heard than registered, especially when we are going through a discouraging, difficult, or dark time or season.

Nevertheless, if God says our situation will turn out fine (or for the best) and that we will be okay then it absolutely shall be as he said.

It has been this way for me constantly within my life so I speak from experience, and to give inspiration and assurance that our Lord is consistent.

 

The Lord replied, “I will personally go with you, Moses, and I will give you rest—everything will be fine for you.” –
Exodus 33:14 

True Love

 

Three things will last forever—faith, hope, and love—and the greatest of these is love.
1 Corinthians 13:13

I know what genuine love is. I was given plenty of it as a child all the way up unto adulthood.

As a result, I was able to love, and to give love within return.

Love is one of the most beautiful feelings in the world. Love is the strongest power within existence. Nothing can restrain or annihilate the force of love.

Love does not cause harm, love restores, love protects.

Love is true, love is fierce, love is tender, love is sacrificial.

Love exhibits the best in a person.

Love is the reason we are all alive and why we survive.

Without love there is death.

Love resides within the light the same light that illuminates our life.

Life is within love, and love is God who is eternal. –latoya lawrence 

 

The Lord Never Abandons Us

 

I read somewhere that what we believe about the nature of God is of infinite importance and that is so true because what I believed about God was anything but love.

I did believe he was a primarily angry and vengeful God who expected me to live up to his demands without consideration or reason.

And I believed that all God wanted was a bunch of praise and recognition out of some type of narcissism. And I didn’t understand why because I felt that I didn’t ask to come into this world.

False ideas about the Lord can indeed rob us of the true beauty that is within life and save us from a lot of unnecessary strain.-latoya lawrence

For years, I was very angry at God and turned away from him. Not at all within the sense of changing from a good to a bad lifestyle, but living a personal lifestyle choice which didn’t include him.

I had never done drugs or indulged in alcohol. I had never been interested in sex or wild partying, and so on.

Nevertheless, we all have sinned or continue to sin in some way or another.

Whether it is holding animosity toward someone, intentionally speaking negatively about someone, being unreasonably selfish toward others, lying about something, or other things that we may not deem as too serious of acts, but that are always serious to god.

My point is, the devil knew that he could not get to me through drugs, alcohol, or sex.  My mind was too strong, and my self-esteem was too high in regard to the fact that I really did love and respect myself and my body.

So, he had to come at me within another way, and that was to turn me completely away from having any further relationship with God, to separate me from him.

As a spiritually incline individual, I have genuinely had a lot of supernatural experiences. Experiences that were legitimate and many that had proved to be accurate, revealing knowledge and enlightenment within my journey here on this earth.

When I came upon what was known to me as my Ancestors and Orishas things ran smoothly in my life.

I didn’t get every single thing (most of the desires I wanted came to me) that I asked for but all of my needs were continuously being met and provided for and I was being protected from the things that came against me.

I had a peace of mind and a joy that the world couldn’t give to me and that the world couldn’t take away.

I had felt nothing but absolute love from these Ancestors and Orishas and no type of fear or harm from them whatsoever.

If anything, their essences were encouraging my already positive and clean lifestyle, and inspiring me to stay away from negativity and things of a negative nature, and so on.

My spiritual involvement went on for about thirteen years. Until recently God was able to get my full attention.

I have never ever denied the existence of God ever. I always believed Jesus was the son of the lord and god in the flesh who died for our sins and who was resurrected on the third day after his crucifixion. I just had erroneously came to the conclusion that god was no good and that he meant me no good, but now I know nothing could be further from the truth.

Satan is very deceptive. A liar who comes to steal, kill and destroy any way possible just as the bible says.

My mother once told me that I didn’t love God enough to trust him. She also told me that God wasn’t against me. My mother had spoken with such a wise tongue.

It was hard for me to bring myself to trust him because even though I had once been very acquainted with God during my youth and early adulthood, I never truly knew the real him.

I knew the things god had done for me in the past and the incredible things that he was really capable of doing, but I never came to know him because of the false perception that I had of him.

I interpreted God as being a controlling god that wanted me to submit to a life of what I considered to be “bondage” or else I would be destined to hell-that is how I actually viewed him.

It took something drastic to happen for me to pay attention to God now within the present.

I already knew that he was the creator and that he was in control of things and that is what scared me because I believed he was evil.

In spite of all my misconceptions, God has been showing me nothing but love. He has been so kind to me, and I just cannot believe it.

I just stopped myself to ponder a bit these past few months. I reflected on the past as well as the present, and at how since I was a young child how blessed I have actually been no matter what I had gone through.

The beautiful and loving soul of a mother that I had, the beautiful and loving dog that I had, the nice and caring people that I have encountered, the trials and tribulations I have prevailed over, the wonderful and extraordinary experiences and things God has granted to me and my family as well.

God continues to provide my vital necessities, he has never let me down the way I thought he did, I just didn’t realize it.

Even when I turned my back on him, he didn’t turn his back on me.

When I was occupying my attention on my “Ancestors and Orishas” instead of God, he was there the entire time.

Nothing can be done or carried out without his authority.

I’ve known since my younger years that according to scripture the word of God states to not be deceived by Satan and his demons as they tend to imitate the illusion of deceased relatives and false deities to ensnare us into a trap and I could rationalize that but there seems to be more going on behind the scenes than what we’ve actually been informed.

I did actually receive accurate information about relatives I had never met or seen before that was confirmed by other family members and further things that did tie up to true events.

However, and nonetheless, we must test the spirit and line it up with the word of God if we are not certain about something.

I have the confidence to put God first and foremost trusting in his word and not leaning on my own understanding but within the understanding given to me by the Holy Spirit to discern the way I have through the gifts of the spirit.

In my ignorance (believing God was not working at all within my life since I had turned away from him in anger), it was not the power of any Orishas, God had taken over instead.

He was the one who was there and God was the one who was steadily watching over me the whole time because I was still his child.

God knows our hearts; he knows us better than anyone else because he made us all.

The one and only true creator who created us for his own special purpose, and for him to have a relationship with us.

A relationship that the devil wanted to take away. The relationship that Jesus died for so that I, and everyone else who chooses to, can have only if they genuinely want to through God’s mercy and grace.

God had to urgently come to let me know himself to depend on no one but him as there was no other way.

And that he didn’t want me left behind to be subjected to a life without consciously knowing him, and being apart from him without a fair chance at making a sober decision.

He cared enough to keep knocking on my heart and soul until I finally opened the door to fully trust and believe within his goodness and faithfulness.

I acknowledge that all glory goes to my heavenly father God.

I pray and talk spiritually to no one but God now. It literally happened the instant that I received God back into my life.

I can honestly say that I have learned to really trust in God, I can wholeheartedly say that God is good and sincerely mean it.

I can also say that God does genuinely love and care for me more than I ever will imagine.

He truly has my back, and when I take a look back within my rear-view mirror it is very clear that he had my back all along.