Optimist-Pessimist-Realist-Me...

You know what the difference between a pessimist, an optimist and a realist is?  There are many jokes explaining the difference.  One I like is; a pessimist says the glass is half empty, an optimist says the glass is half full, and a realist drinks the glass of water and asks what's next.  And the difference between all three of these categories and me is...(drum roll please)... They chose to be classified, and I just chose to be happy! Yup.  That's it.  There is not a single thing to complain about in my opinion.  Even the worst of times that I may be going through, I thank God for.  I have been calleelf-righteous and sanctimonious, and have been told that the thin air on my high horse is affecting my thinking.  You know what I say?  I say, I am covered by God's grace and am not at all bothered by the words of those that do not understand.  It simply makes me smile.  

It's hard for people to understand or perhaps accept that a change is indeed possible.  What always was, doesn't always have to be.  As in, if a person acted  badly for a long period of time, doesn't mean that is how they will be for the rest of their lives.  Everyone goes through situations in life that changes them, and allowing that change to occur gives them an opportunity to not go back to what wasn't working.  Christ blessed the promiscuous woman, when no one else would dare speak to her and had casted her away.  She was anew in Christ and was cleansed. Christ died so that we can have that connection with our Lord without the guilt and condemnation we once felt.  He asks that we not commit the sins we once did. Ok, all mind games aside, let's see what our beloved Lord has to say on the topic of change and transformation.  

"I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.  I will put My spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do them."  

Ezekiel 36:26-27

"Having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever." 

1 Peter 1:23

So what will you chose today?  Noticing that the glass is empty, full, or just drink it?  Try praising God and being happy perhaps, eh? If loving my God, and thanking Him for the blessings he bestows on me is being self-righteous and sanctimonious, then yes, YES I am that.  And I am not sorry about it.  I don't feel depressed, sad, lonely, angry, guilty or any other negative feeling.  As situations present themselves to me, I turn to God and ask for His help and His guidance.  I trust that He will see me through them as He promises us He will.  What God knows about me is more important than what others think about me. 

Nowhere to hide -

Q:  You want to tell me something?
A:  Like what?
Q:  You're hiding something from me.
A:  I have nothing to hide.  My conscious is clear.  What has happened?
Q:  "Every time you were keeping something from me, you were keeping something from me."
A:  I have no idea what's going on, but I know as God as my witness that I am not hiding anything as there is nothing to hide.  Nothing has happened.  
---

Ever been in a situation where you know inside out that you're right about something but the other person doubts you, regardless?  How has that situation gone for you?  Difficult no?  As you want to please the person you love, and not fight.  But there seems no way for you to convince them of your innocence.  Or better yet, your ignorance of what it is they feel you have done. In order to walk away from such a confrontation remember these words from our God;

"...Remember that there is no condemnation for those who belong to Me (Your Lord).  You have been judged NOT GUILTY for all eternity.  Trust Me, and don't be afraid; for I am your Strength, Song and Salvation."  Interpretation from James 4:7; Romans 8:1-2; Isaiah 12:2

Our Lord also says; 

"...Anticipate coming face to face with impossibilities: situations totally beyond your ability to handle.  This awareness of your inadequacy is not something you should try to evade.  It is precisely where I want you -- the best place to encounter Me in My Glory and Power.  When you see armies of problems marching toward you, cry out to Me!  Allow Me to fight for you.  Watch Me working on your behalf, as you rest in the shadow of My Almighty Presence."  

Interpretation from Revelation 19:1; Psalm 91:1

The Almighty promises us that; 

"...I know every thought before you think it, every word before you speak it. My Presence impinges on your innermost being. Can you see the absurdity of trying to hide anything from Me?  You can easily deceive other people, and even yourself, but I read you like an open, large print book."  

Interpretation from Psalm 139:1-4; Ephesians 2:13; 2 Corinthians 5:21

So when you feel cornered with no way out of a situation, seek the Lord and ask for His guidance and mercy.  For He knows you better than you know yourself.  Perhaps your loved ones get an inkling of something that you yourself haven't seen.  Instead of trying to prove your innocence/ignorance to them at a time when they are least receptacle to your words, turn to God and allow Him to work on your behalf.  If you truly trust in Him and ask for His help, He will let those that doubt know what the truth is.  You need not hide anywhere, as there is nowhere to hide from our God Lord Almighty.  Submit your troubles to Him and allow for His grace to work in your life.  

Lord help me through this troubled situation.  If there is something I have not acknowledged myself, please reveal it to me.  I trust You with my words, my decisions, and my life.  Let Your will be done.  Amen!!

  

Follow the leader

Have you ever played the game follow the leader?  I've seen it played in various ways and with different kinds of groups. In some groups it was played where everyone had to do what the leader was doing.  While in others, the group was all blindfolded and stood in a line.  Each person grabbed the shoulder of the person in front and followed wherever the leader took them; the leader was the only one not blindfolded.  What's the point to this you may be wondering.  Patience my friends, you know I don't bring up a topic unless it's relevant to what I want to discuss.  So playing games is enjoyable, right?  Enjoyable because it's pretend, and doesn't impact real life.  No?  What happens if you find out one day that life is a game. Do you do anything differently? If so what?

Well in the game of life, there is only one leader.  No you don't have to guess who.  And if you thought of anyone but the One and Only God, then you need to sort your priorities.  In a game of pretend, it's easy to follow the leader.  But when it comes to real life, and real consequences, we tend to forget who our Leader and Master is.  Instead of following His direction and commands for us, we tend to rely on ourselves.  Well how is that working out for all?  Yeah, some are doing really well; lots of money in the bank accounts, houses, cars, jewelry, everything you ever wanted or needed.  But do they have peace? Others are wondering whether they will have food to eat tonight, or shelter to sleep under.  No matter where you are in game of life, you must acknowledge the God who watches over you.

I'll share a brief story.  I was skeptical of God and His existence as I always looked at the inconsistencies in life.  Rich getting richer, when they don't worship.  Poor getting poorer when all they do is pray.  The bad getting away with crimes and never knowing God.  The good coming down with deadly disease when they follow all commandments of God.  I used to ask, how can a God that sees all this be the God to worship. Then like a flick of a light switch everything was illuminated (well not exactly, but it sounds better to say it that way). It took a very long time for me to understand and accept God's love, forgiveness, mercy and grace.  But now that I have, all my questions seem to be answered and I wonder how I ever questioned Him to begin with.  I know I wasn't alone though, as many question the same things.  You know what's cool? That our loving God wants us to ask Him these questions. To Him it shows that we're interested enough to care why certain things happen. However the wonder of it all is, that we may never truly understand even when He does respond. For He says;

"Understanding will never bring you peace. That's why I have instructed you to trust in Me, not in your understanding." Interpretation from Proverbs 3:5-6

Know this!

God is in the midst of the weakest person, dying of thirst. So that he dies with peace in his heart.

Lord Almighty lives within the sloth who sits and eats all day. So that he feels sees right from wrong.

God walks with the crippled that can't feel his legs. So that he can feel alive.

Lord Almighty gives more to the greedy who has everything. So they may give back to the needy.

 God places His hand on the poor when they are too cold to sleep. So they can feel His warmth.

So no matter what sins you have committed or haven't committed in life, take a chance and follow the Lord. He will wash away all your sins and accept you with open arms into His holy presence. He will bless your heart and soul and allow you to feel His mercy in your lives.  Whether life is a game or not, our Lord is our Leader and Master and we must follow Him.  Follow His word, His messengers/prophets, His commandments, His mercy, His forgiveness, His compassion, His grace, His never ending love for us all. Sinners and saints alike.  Yes, it's a hard pill swallow, but that's the grace of God!  He loves us all so very much.  He has so much love to give, that every being on this earth can stretch out their hands to carry such bounties, yet it will still overflow.  Just surrender to Him my friends, and see what your tomorrow will bring. Follow Him!  Accept Him into your lives. Allow Him to lead you to the path of those He has blessed. Allow His Holy Spirit to lead you beyond borders you have created for yourselves. Give up the struggle of figuring it out for yourselves.  Just like a father takes care of his children, like a teacher teaches his students, like a captain leads his soldiers, like a president commands his country; our Lord is our Father, our Teacher, our Captain, and our President, all in one. Then why do you think twice about following Him?  The time of thinking is over. The time of acceptance of His will over ours is here.  

My Lord, let Your will be done in our lives and let us always follow You, Your Word, and Your Spirit. Amen!!!

Blessed be the name of the Lord

"Every blessing You pour out, I'll turn back to praise.

When the darkness closes in Lord, still I will say; 

Blessed be the name of the Lord, blessed be Your name."

It's certainly easy to praise God in our good times. When we have everything we want and long for. When all our needs are met, our health is in good shape, and we are surrounded by our loved ones.  Yes, it is indeed effortless to be grateful and to praise God Almighty when things are well.  Let's turn the situation around now. How do we act when we don't have everything we want, and our needs are not being met, or we contract a terrible disease, and/or our loved ones leave us.  In those times why do we turn away from God? Is being grateful conditional to God giving us what we desire? So basically you strike a bargain with the Lord then, eh?  How sad and disgraceful.  

"Not for a moment does He forsake us..." 

"He cannot love us any more or any less than He loves us this very instant."

Yet our love, our gratefulness, and our praise for Him is tentative.  However, this tentativeness doesn't deter Him from us.  Nothing keeps Him from pursuing us. He watches over us as a father would. He hurts when we distance ourselves from His love.  It pains Him to see us worship idols.  After all we do to ache Him, He still longs for us to commune with Him.  He tells us to, "come to Him continually. I am meant to be the Center of your consciousness, the Anchor of your soul..." (Interpreted from Hebrews 6:19, 1 John 2:28, and Matthew 22:37).  So then why do we turn away?  Why do we ask, "why have you forsaken us?"  Can't we feel His pull?  He knows that, "...our minds will wander from Him, but he asks how far we will allow it to wander. He says that as we drift away from Him, His Spirit within us gives a tug, prompting us to return to Him..." (Interpreted from Hebrews 6:19, 1 John 2:28, and Matthew 22:37).  For being the Lord of all the heavens, He makes this much effort to know us, to walk with us, to be in our every thought; then why do we not long for Him as such?

It says in scripture to thank God for everything.  Even in our troubling times, we should thank Him.  Don't turn away from Him for it says; 

"Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord will personally go ahead of you.  He will be with you; He will never fail you nor abandon you." Deuteronomy 31:8 

"[He] loves us at [our] darkest" Romans 5:8. 

All He asks is the same from us. Our God is alive, with us, and within us. How lucky and blessed are we! Praise God!! Our Lord knows of our suffering as He too has suffered from our transgressions.  How do we then justify not praising such a loving, forgiving, and merciful Lord?  So today my friends, please join me in singing His praises:

"Bless the Lord oh my soul, oh my soul, worship His holy name.

Sing like never before, oh my soul, I'll worship Your holy name.

The sun comes up, it's a new day dawning; it's time to sing Your song again.

Whatever may pass, and whatever lies before me, let me be signing when the evening comes.

Bless the Lord oh my soul, oh my soul, worship His holy name.

Sing like never before, oh my soul, I'll worship Your holy name."  

     

Walk in the park?

Ever wished following the right path of the Lord would be easy?  I mean, we believe right.  So why do we have to struggle so much?  Why can't we simply wake up and be perfect human beings who are loved and cherished by God?  Aha!  But you are loved and cherished by God my dears.  God can't love us anymore than how much He loves us right now in this moment, and every moment thereafter.  It is us, mere humans, who believe we have to do certain things to earn God's love and mercy.  When all that God wants is to have us follow Him.  Have us look for Him in everything.  Have us trust in Him.  But it isn't so easy is it?  It isn't easy to follow Him, look for Him, and or trust Him.  As following Him, looking for Him, and trusting Him requires us to change our ways.  So it isn't always a walk in the park for most of us.  However God isn't seeking perfection from us.  

So what does it take to follow God?  It takes each of us picking up our crosses each and every day and walking right beside Him.  You can take the phrasing picking up a cross however you feel it applies to you.  As for some it could be giving up drugs, whilst for others it could be not lying.  Neither of which is easy for the person having to give it up.  Trying to change who you are or have become doesn't happen over night and sometimes not at all.  So those that do it, and make it through, they do indeed pick the heavy burden of their cross and walk alongside God.  As they decided that being one with God, and having the mercy of His grace is more significant to them then their additions.  

Now what does it take to look for God in everything?  This sort of becomes that little voice on your shoulder that tells you to do something or not do something.  In this scenario what ends up happening is, your willingness to put aside what you want and putting in the forefront your desire to seek God.  This could be; not purchasing new shoes and instead buying a meal for a homeless person, or giving up on a fancy meal for yourself to get someone a blanket to sleep in on the streets.  Your eagerness to pursue God in place of worldly things are certainly noticed by the Almighty. 

Finally, what does it take to trust the Lord?  This is the hardest, as it requires complete surrender to His will. By far this is what most everyone struggles with as we feel we are independent and can handle whatever comes at us.  What we fail to realize is that our independence, strength, courage and determination that it takes to get anything done comes from Him.  So if instead of relying on our own understandings, we gave it to God, it would please Him so much.  For he says:

"...I divided time into days and nights so that you would have manageable portions of life to handle.  My grace is sufficient for you, but its sufficiency is for only one day at a time.  When you worry about the future, you heap day upon day of troubles onto your flimsy frame.  You stagger under this heavy load, which I never intended you to carry...Enjoy My presence continually by trusting Me at all times."

Interpretation from; Matthew 6:34, 2nd Corinthians 12:9, and Psalm 62:8

So my dear friends, don't stress yourself about doing everything the right way to please God.  Doing everything correctly is not a walk in the park and don't forget God doesn't expect perfection from us.  He simply wants us to follow Him, look for Him, and trust Him.  May He guide us to do His will as commanded. Amen!!

Believing v. Trusting

To believe means to accept something as true; or feel sure of the truth of.  Well in that sense I believe in flying reindeer, unicorns, leprechauns, big foot, and ninjas to name a few. However, is believing in something enough? Kids believe in Santa Clause, until the day they catch their dad placing gifts under the tree.  So I ask, is believing in God enough?  Is believing He exists and is here for us through everything sufficient? Hmm...as you probably guessed, we'll evaluate it.

Consider the scenario where you have hit bottom, and you find yourself between the rocks and a hard place. There is no family and or friends around.  Correction; family and friends are there, yet you feel so ashamed that you cannot turn to them for help.  As the last time you had reached this level, they helped you through it. They found you work, a home, and stabilization.  Yet you left it all behind to feed your habit.  Now you find yourself in the position you were in, but know or at least feel they aren't going to be there for you as before.  You are living out your car, and stand at the side of the road everyday with a sign that reads, "Need money for food.  Don't use drugs.  Anything helps!"  Unfortunately only a few seem to believe the middle sentence of your sign and do not feel empathy for your situation.  Night after night you crawl up under an old jacket in your car and cry yourself to sleep.  Your shoes are so worn out that they have holes.  Even in this situation, when someone gives you money, you quickly spend it on your habit instead of putting food in your belly, or getting yourself a hot drink to keep you warm.  How did I get here you ask yourself.  You remember the good days and the message of God you received while recovering the last time.  The message that said to believe in God and His mercy.  You repeat to yourself, that I believe in God, He will help me through this. You say, I believe in His word and His mercy.  Over and over you say this, yet as soon as you have more money you are on the streets looking for a buy.  Why isn't God helping me through this.  I keep saying I believe.  Why isn't my situation changing...

It's not to say that God isn't listening to your belief in Him, if you do indeed believe and aren't just chanting the words. He wonders whether you actually trust him with your situation or believe only in the words you keep repeating.  For He wants you to feel the difference between believing in Him and trusting in Him.  What is the difference?  The difference is that when you truly trust in the Lord, you surrender to His will and then through His grace you're changed from the inside out.  Believing is good, don't think that it isn't.  It's simply not enough.  First step is to believe.  Second step is to trust.  In the first step you get God's attention to yourself.  In the second step you allow Him to work within you and help you.  In the first step you cast away sins.  In the second step you put God above everything else.  Think for a second about the person you love and trust most in the world.  Then amplify that love and trust by an unimaginable number, the highest digits possible.  That is how much our God almighty loves and cherishes us.  When we fall rock bottom and think we don't deserve better, He waits on us and calls us to Him.  He asks us to:

"...Lean on, trust, and be confident in Me.  When you lean on Me. for support, I delight in your trusting confidence..." Interpretation from Proverbs 3:5 and Isaiah 30:15 

"[Now] faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence if things not seen." 

Hebrews 11:1

    

Off with organized religion...

Whether you attend a Christian church, Muslim mosque, Hindu temple, or Jewish synagogue; the message received is often the same.  The message of serving God, worshiping God, being grateful to God, love and peace...  But then they begin to add things.  Religious prayers, religious ceremonies, how many times to bow, how many times to wash up, when you can't pray, when you can pray, etc.  Have you noticed how religion puts boundaries on your communion with God?  Do these religious buffs practice what it is they preach?  Do these so called pious people lead by example?  Are their lives reflective of God's beauty?  Or does it represent what God condemns.  Think about it for a hot second!  

The love for all and hatred for none message preached, where does it go when it comes time for application of the principle?  The non-judgmental acceptance they speak of, where is it outside the four walls of their establishments?  I am not asking anyone to abandon it all and seek God.  But as for me, I am abandoning it/them all and seeking the kingdom of God!!  My aim is to bring to light what is preached v. what is practiced, so that everyone can see for themselves what religion was at one point in time, what purpose it served, and what it is now; allowing people to make an informed decision for themselves.  Am I an expert on the topic?  No.  However I know enough to educate as many as I can, so that they open their eyes to the truth all around them.  

Religion is defined as an organized collection of beliefs, cultural systems, and world views that relate humanity to an order of existence.  It once brought people together in harmony to stand against empires that oppressed them.  People stood on a belief bigger than what they could see.  A belief of something better than what they had.  A belief in a God so mighty who would bring them out of the darkness and into the kingdom of heaven.  Religion stood for something then.  Alas, it isn't so anymore.  What happened one may ask.  People are fallible.  Worshiping prophets, instead of God.  Worshiping idols created by man, rather than the true Lord.  Focusing on the cultural systems, in place of the Almighty.  Preferring to care and impress world views, as a substitute to impressing the God who created us.  That's what happened.  

So out the window goes love, and down the toilet goes peace.  As the world grew, powers established, new empires built, a staleness came upon religion.  A state of stagnant disposition.  Freedom of religion came into effect, allowing for worldly views and cultural systems to take hold and put on the back burner the faith in God.  Consider how previous empires were shaken to the roots.  By people like us, standing against them, their teachings, their oppression as a group.  Not by going along with whatever is said and done by the majority.  Ever wonder why this blog is titled awaken world?  It's because in our dormant state we have lost sight of the message of our God Lord Almighty.  The message of love, acceptance, forgiveness, and peace.  For it is written:

"And we have known and believed the love that God has for us.  God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him.  We love Him because He first loved us."

1 John 4:16, 19  

"Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life."

John 5:24

"If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."

1 John 1:9

"You will keep him perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You."

Isaiah 26:3

Consider what Jesus, Mohammed, Ram, and Moses would say to their religious followers if they walked the earth today?  Ashamed is God of us!  As He should be.  We have turned our backs to Him who created us and gave us the heaven and the earth.  We make rules up in our said religions as it suits us.  We judge those who don't follow the guidelines made up by man.  I trust only my God to judge me and my belief.  Off with organized religion and join me in laying down our lives for the one and only God!  The God who loves us so, that He knows every hair on our body.  The God that accepts us so, that He knows us each by our name. The God that forgives us so, that He covers all our sins.  The God that gives us peace, for He wants us to unite in harmony and worship Him and no one else.  Open your eyes and see Him!  

"I am nearer than you think, richly present in all your moments.  You are connected to Me by Love-bonds that nothing can sever...Ask me to open your eyes so that you can find Me everywhere...Faith is the confirmation of things we do not see and the conviction of their reality, perceiving as real facts what is not revealed to the senses."

Interpretation from; Acts 17:27-28 & Hebrews 11:1