I went to youth group the other night and I was talking to someone, they said “Hate the sin, not the sinner.” That can preach!!!

Often we are so caught up in the sin that people are living in, that we don’t realize we are upset at the wrong thing. You aren’t called to hate on people, just because their sin looks different than yours doesn’t give you the right to look at them any differently.

Romans 3:23 ESV “For ALL have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”

I think we often forget that even Christians have sinned and messed up at some point in life, we can’t let our sin or other people’s sin keep us from sharing the love of Jesus with everyone we meet.

1 John 1:8-10 ESV “If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.”

Don’t try to hide your sin from God, confess your sin and He will forgive you! Yes God already knows everything that you’ve done, but you still have to admit to it and ask for His forgiveness.

The world needs His love more than anything right now, let’s not let sin get in the way.

James 4:7 ESV “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”

The Devil has no place in your life, keep resisting him. This world is so full of evil, we have to keep submitting ourselves to Christ daily.

Yes, Christians have sinned but as a Christian you shouldn’t continue to live in sin. Walk in love, as a Christian people are going to look at your life and decide weather they want to be a Christian or not. If you’re living the same way as everyone else is in the world, then are you really living for God? Ask yourself that. Does your life resemble His goodness? If the answer is no, then you should change the way you’re living.

Hebrews 13:1 ESV “Let brotherly love continue.”

We have to continue to love, the answer is love. God is love! We CAN’T let this world get in the way… We have a gospel to share with ALL!! Even the people who are constantly living in sin, how do you expect them to change if you’re not willing to help them get on the right path? Share the love of God, lead them to Jesus! Help them along the way, if you want to make a change in the world then start acting like it! You can’t just sit here and watch.

I’m sure we all know someone that we could start sharing the love of Jesus with, even if it’s just the guy or lady you bump into while grocery shopping.

2 Corinthians 9:7 ESV “Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”

God loves a cheerful giver. Are you giving for the right reason? Or are you just trying to make yourself look better? There’s a difference between giving because you genuinely want to see change and growth, or giving just so other people see that you’re giving.

Matthew 6:1-4 ESV “Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven. “Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.”

Are you wanting to help people out of the goodness of your heart or are you just trying to empress the world? We should share the gospel because it’s the right thing to do, we shouldn’t do it to make ourselves look better. All glory to God, not this world. You weren’t put on this earth to glorify it, God put you in this world to be a world changer.

I want to spend my eternity with Jesus and I want to bring as many people as I can. My goal on this earth is to make Heaven crowded.

Living in the light of eternity changes your priorities. ~ Rick Warren

My priority is to lead people to Christ in any way I can.

2 Corinthians 5:17 ESV “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.”

I personally am thankful to be a new creation in Christ, I don’t want to live for this world because in my opinion the world isn’t doing so well…. It’s time to turn to Jesus and bring as many people with us as we can!

I had a encounter with God a couple weeks ago like never before, I was praying and reading my Bible just spending time with Him. In my prayer I asked God to show me his glory, I’ve never really had a actual encounter with Him until this night. His glory filled my bedroom, my room was so bright. You know how you look at the sun and then when you look away it’s hard to see and your vision kinda goes blurry? It was like that, it was so bright I couldn’t see, my vision stayed that way for a couple minutes. Let me just say I’ve never realized how real God is until I was in that moment, where I truly felt His goodness.

God will revel things to you, you just have to want it. Seek after Him with your all!

Hebrews 11:6 ESV “And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.”

You HAVE to have faith!!!

By: Lydia Crook

Philippians 4:13 says I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

We all know that verse or most of us have heard it at some point in our lives, but do you truly believe it? Do you actually apply it to your life?

In the world we live in right now, a lot of people have forgotten that God still has control, with God there’s absolutely nothing that’s impossible.

We often forget to give God control over our day to day life, we have so much that we “have to get done in a day” that we tend to put God on the back burner. if you want to have enough strength to get everything you need to do done, then why don’t you give God control and trust that He will Strengthen you? Why don’t you trust that His plan truly is the best one for your life?

Proverbs 3:5-8 (NKJV) Says, Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will direct your paths. Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the Lord and depart from evil. It will be health to your flesh, and strength to your bones.

The Bible literally says trust in the Lord with your whole heart, that means to trust Him with your finances, trust that He will send you the right person to marry, trust Him for your family to be saved, trust Him with your doctor’s report. Trust Him with absolutely everything!

If you put your trust in this world and worldly things it is going to fail you, but If you put your trust in almighty God He will never fail you. Prayer is powerful and it does work, if you expect the evil in this world to end, then you should be praying and crying out to God.

He will give you strength and direct your path! check your heart, do you truly trust in the Lord with your whole heart? Your actions should match your words. You can say that you believe in God and that you trust in Him but do your actions say the same?

Proverbs 16:28 (GNT) Says, Gossip is spread by wicked people: they stir up trouble and break up friendships.

Gossiping isn’t something that is of God, it tears people apart. As Christians we are called to speak life into one another. If you trust in Lord with all your heart, then you should try the best you can to not speak poorly of others.

We all make mistakes and at some point have spoken poorly of someone, there’s always room to grow, change, and try to be better. God is very forgiving, confess your sins to Him and He will forgive you!

Proverbs 28:13 (NKJV) says, He who covers sins will not prosper, but whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy.

Don’t try to hide your sins from God He already knows them, confess them and He will forgive you.

Thank you so much for reading my blog! -Lydia Nan 🙂

I think a lot of us are losing focus. Just because the world is going crazy, does not mean our God isn’t still in control Because He is! Our father hasn’t lost sight of you, stop getting so wrapped up in this world that you’re losing sight of him. We can’t let the enemy win our battles, this world is full of so many difficulties.

Who do you turn to when you face difficult times? Social media, friends, family, drugs, alcohol? Let me education you as much as I can. Social media won’t fix your problem it will just stir the pot and make even more problems. Friends and family can give good advice, but you can not take their advice over what God is saying. Drugs and alcohol only covers up your problems, it doesn’t fix them. God is the only one that can truly help you get through life’s trials and tribulations. You need to stay steadfast in your relationship with God!

James 1:12 Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.

Do you want the crown of life? I know I do! God will never turn his back on you, you can and should find your peace in father God. John 16:33 I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world, you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

Pray, pray, pray! Make your request known to God. Don’t be anxious, God’s peace is something you want to have. Philippians 4:6-7 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Our sufferings are worth his glory! Romans 8:18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.

Cry out for help, He will save you. Psalm 34:17-18 When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears and delivers them out of all their troubles. The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.

Submit yourself to God, how do you submit yourself to God? You make time for him, make time to pray, read the Bible, worship. You expect God to change your life when you haven’t fully even given it to Him. How do you expect God to move through you when you’re closed off to Him? Be open to God, talk to Him, He’s your Heavenly Father. James 4:7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

Are you ready to be so on fire for God that even when people persecute you, you will still follow after Him? 2 Timothy 3:12 Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.

Once you get to haven it will all be worth it! Matthew 5:12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Thank you for reading my blog 🙂 if you have any questions, comments, prayer requests, feel free to message me! – Lydia Nan

Welcome to my quarantine… During this time I’ve learned that I’m not an artist. I take selfies for “fun,” because what else is there to do. I’ve learned that reading books for “fun” is becoming the new normal. I’ve cleaned out my sock drawer, I found my missing highlighters. Why they were in my sock drawer is still a mystery.

But most importantly, I’ve learned how to pray like never before! To trust God with literally everything. He’s the only one that can fix this worldly mess. Becoming closer to God is a priority in my life now! I can’t say I’m too busy any longer. If you haven’t realized I’ve been really bored. So I’ve figured why not use my time to benefit the rest of my life.

Here are some scriptures, that I’ve learned and memorized over this time of resting in God’s presence.

John 3:30 He must increase, but I must decrease. 2 Timothy 1:7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power love and a sound mind. 1 Corinthians 25:10 By the grace of God, I am what I am. John 3:18 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. John 11:35 Jesus wept.

The closer you walk with God, the more you know your self-worth. I’ve struggled with knowing myself worth for a long time I’m human. I’ve been called names that have stuck with me, for longer then they should’ve. In this time, I have decided that I’m going to know my self-worth and learn who God says I am because that’s all that matters. I’m going to believe the compliments that people say over the criticism. Chose to remember the good things over the bad.

The Bible says in Psalms 46:5 God is within her, she will not fall. Luke 1:45 “Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!” Song of Songs 4:7 “You are altogether beautiful, my darling; there is no flaw in you.”

God is within me, so I shouldn’t fear what people say against me. I will not fall. God will fulfill his promises so there is no need to worry about it.

You are Beautiful there is no flaw in you. So why would you believe the lies of the enemy? Tell Satan to get behind you! He has no control over your happiness any longer because you know your self-worth. Why question if you look good enough or are good enough when God says you are fearfully and wonderfully made. there is NO flaw in you my darling.

Psalms 139:14 I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works, and that my soul knows very well.

God is perfect and wouldn’t lie to you! Satan is evil and deceiving and lies. I choose to believe what God says about me, over what the enemy has tried to say about me. I am walking in knowing my true worth. I choose to believe what God says about me. I hope you make that choice as well! Jesus loves you 🙂

It’s only the 70th day of 2020. I feel like In those 70 days I have become happier, smarter, and more kind. I’ve learned that we are suppose to show love to people and not hate. We are to be compassionate no mater the circumstances because that’s what we are called to do is love one another.
Mark 12:31. “The second is this, ‘YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”
(That means you love even the people that have treated you badly, there’s no exceptions to who your supposed to love because God has called us to love EVERYONE!)
God’s shown me that my words are powerful and His timing really is better than my timing.
Proverbs 18:21 NIV The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.
Matthew 12:37 NLT The words you say will either acquit you or condemn you.
Ecclesiastes 3:11 He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end.
What that means is, you really need to be careful about what your speaking out. Your words really are powerful and they can cause life or death. He has made everything beautiful “key word” (in its time not my time.)
I’ve learned that I have to know how to be happy when I’m completely alone with God. You shouldn’t find your happiness in people but you should find your happiness in God for He will give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37:4 “Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.”
I’ve learned that it’s okay that I don’t fit in with the world. God hasn’t called me to fit in with worldly things but he has called me to stand out and to stand up and say no to drugs, alcohol, ect. Everything that everyone my age right now thinks is “the best thing ever” I’ll let you in on a secret. That will only take away the pain for the time being but Father God can take away the pain permanently. John 15:19 ESV If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.
I’ve also learned that Our bodies are temples. We need to learn how to respect ourselves and our bodies as well as other people.
1st Corinthians 3:16-17 Do you not know that you are a temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? If any man destroys the temple of God, God will destroy him, for the temple of God is holy, and that is what you are.I’ve learned that even in my troubles God will never leave me. He’s always with me, even when I don’t realize it. Psalm 46:1 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Deuteronomy 31:8 ESV It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.”

Hey guys!!! So I’m going to talk about Identity and who we are in Christ.

In Acts 19:9 it says

But when some were becoming hardened and disobedient, speaking  evil of the Way before the people, he withdrew from them and took away the disciples, reasoning daily in the school of Tyrannus.

In the Bible, when people came to Jesus Christ and were serious about following Him, when they became people of the kingdom, there was no question about who they were. Those early disciples became known even among unbelievers as people of “the Way” like In

(Acts 19:9), because they had chosen to walk a different path in life. They had identified themselves totally with Jesus Christ and the kingdom of God. They lived for the kingdom. Their identity was tied to the kingdom.

The great tragedy today is that we don’t have enough Christians who know who they are. They may be genuine believers, but their faith is just another addition to their life. When it comes to the bottom line, they define themselves in terms of their name, their job, their possessions, or the people they know.

If somebody asked you who you are and nowhere in the conversation did the name of Jesus or the kingdom of God come up, you are a confused Christian. As a member of the kingdom, your identity is tied to Christ. There should be no way to talk about you and not talk about Him.

In other words, the term Christian should not just be a title. It is to be your identification, just like your name. Being a follower of Christ is the main part of who you are.

That’s why you need to understand and cultivate a kingdom mentality in all that you do. The process by which this is achieved is called spiritual growth. Often, our spiritual growth takes place through another process called discipleship. Jesus commissioned all of us to do while on earth. As you grow and mature spiritually, you become more and more like Jesus.

Identity is defined as who you are, the way you think about yourself, the way you are viewed by the world and the characteristics that define you.

So when people talk about identity they normally talk about the way that they see them selfs in our generation you can find your identity in many things like Instagram, Facebook, Snapchat or your friends you can have one friend that tells you to do one thing and the other that tells you to do something else and you know that those thing aren’t right but you want to identify with them so you do it anyways but don’t let life or people speak louder to you then God. You can’t get who you are from people you can only get who you truly are from God. It’s either your lost or you’re found Jesus pays a price for our sins to be forgiven but not just forgiven but removed. That means when you say yes to Jesus coming into your heart your past is completely removed.

Matthew 5:6 says “Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.”

Satan is trying to steal your true identity

Saten uses the opinions of others to keep you from being The real you.

I have four ways to help become who are supposed to be in Christ.

1. We no longer chase after the desires of our flesh but instead seek to bring God glory in all areas of our life.

Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world – the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions is not from the Father but it is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever. (1 John 2:15-17)

If we are not seeking to find our identity in Christ alone, then we are seeking it in something else. However, when our identity is in the eternal things of Christ, we will not be crushed by our failures and weaknesses, fall into pride from worldly success, or despair over disappointments or tragedy. We won’t get lost seeking the attractive but empty things the world offers because Christ gives us a stable and eternal hope in a world of unstable hopelessness.

2. We no longer fear the future.

For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For you did not receive the slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father.” (Romans 8:14-15)

If we have peace with God, then we have nothing to fear on this earth. Our eternities are secure as adopted sons and daughters of Christ. So we don’t need to fear, bad grads, losing our friends, getting Sick or dying, or being made fun of for our faith. Of course these things aren’t easy or painless, but we can have confidence that our Heavenly Father is sovereign over every moment of our life and will equip us for every single thing he ordains us to do.

He bought us with the blood of his own Son so that we could claim our identity in the righteousness of Christ. We can trust that he will provide us with everything else that we need in this world. Our identity in Christ has given us direct access to our Heavenly Father, who we can call on with confidence and complete trust.

3. We have no need to judge or compare ourselves to others when we seek to please Christ alone, in whom our identity is hidden.

One person esteems one day as better than another, while another esteems all days alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind. The one who observes the day, observes it in honor of the Lord. The one who eats, eats in honor of the Lord, since he gives thanks to God, while the one who abstains, abstains in honor of the Lord and gives thanks to God. For none of us lives to himself, and none of us dies to himself. For if we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord. So then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord’s. (Romans 14:5-8)

Comparing ourselves to those around us or judging the decisions that others make can suck the life right out of us. Biblical convictions are hard and fast truths that God has given us in his word to show us the way to live. Personal convictions, however, are decisions we make within our own families that may be right for one family but wrong for another. It’s easy to confuse the two and judge others who have different convictions than ours.

This can also create insecurity in our own choices due to our desire to please man over God. So let’s be careful that we are not imposing our personal convictions on others as if we are more godly than they are. We can ask Christ for wisdom in this area of personal convictions, be open to hear and discern other’s perspectives without judgement, and then walk in confidence that God is the only one we need to honor and please in these decisions.

The other way we compare ourselves is to the gifts and blessings of others. We are all created with the purpose of glorifying God but in the unique ways God has created us. One person is filled with creativity, while another glorifies God with a beautiful voice. While another person glorifies God With music , while another glorifies him by playing sports. One person glorifies God in the way they seek to raise their family.

We must seek to glorify Christ in the gifts and talents he has uniquely chosen for us and not get lost in the joy-sucking pursuit of being something God never created us to be. Don’t miss out on the blessing of serving Christ where you are with what he has chosen for you.

4. We should not be surprised when suffering comes, but we can be confident that it will produce things of eternal value.

The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then airs – airs of God and fellow airs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him. (Romans 8:16-17)

If our identity is in Christ, then we are guaranteed that one day we will identify with him in his sufferings. Just as Christ’s sufferings were not hopeless and wasted, neither will ours be. Christ’s sufferings defeated sin and death, and therefore we identify with him as he uses suffering to put sin to death in us, to make us reflect more of him. Not only does suffering sanctify us, but it assures us that, after suffering with him for a while, we will one day be glorified with him.

Everyone suffers, but can everyone look back at their suffering with thankfulness and joy because of it? Only those with the hope of Christ can do that. There is no good that comes from suffering if we are apart from Christ.

However.

We can spend our lives fearing pain and suffering, or we can thank God for the times of joy. Then we can trust the seasons of suffering to Christ’s great purpose in our lives: to identify with and become more like him.

Have You Been Changed by Christ?

Where do you find yourself seeking identity outside of Christ? Do you find yourself holding tightly to something, in fear that you’ll be lost without it? Sometimes in God’s grace, he allows the very thing we fear losing the most to be taken away to reveal that we have sought our identity in something other than him. As he grows us in understanding our true identity is in him, we are then freed to enjoy and glorify him in the unique ways that he has created us.

In my flesh, I have gifts that are riddled with pride and imperfection. I am righteous, holy, loved, and able to bring Christ glory through the gifts and blessings he has given me. Not by anything of my own doing, but by the grace of Jesus Christ.

Praise God that he loves us enough to take our broken, rebellious hearts and, because of the sacrifice of his son, offer us a new identity in Christ. Let’s not settle for anything less.

In our identity in Christ we are not lost but we are found we are not broken but we are whole we are not filthy but we are clean we are not bound but we are set free we are not forgotten but we are forgiving we are not in the past but we are renewed we are not afraid but we are courageous we are not weak but we are strong we are not alone but we are loved we are not dead in our sins but we are alive this is who we are in Christ. God is peace, love, truth, patient, joy He is in control He is God and he desires you to come to him He is your refuge and strength he is always present and our help when we are in trouble we are new creations in Christ but that doesn’t mean that we won’t still stumble but we need to take who God says we are seriously He says we are Holy, pure, unstained not because of anything we have done but because of what He has done for us. He has whipped are slate clean we are blameless before God therefore shame has no place in our life because we are a new creation and everything In our life that we want to pretend never happened has been redeemed and have become the moments of are life’s where God’s grace is most on display are mistakes don’t define who we are, our past doesn’t define who we are because God has defined who we truly are in him he has defined are identity we are his beloved children.

You can’t have a pause and play relationship with God. you can’t separate your time with him, and the time you spend with other people because his time should be your time all the time. you should always be spending time with God and never leave his presence. his time and your time should never be a separate thing. if you’re pausing in your walk with God to chase after someone to make them like you then you should really stop. You shouldn’t be chasing after anyone, or anything more than you chase after God and His presence. if you like someone and they aren’t in God’s will. then you shouldn’t be chasing after them trying to get them to like you. it will lead you to being in a toxic relationship and it won’t last if God isn’t in the middle of it. staying in the presence of God is so much better then putting him on pause. if you stay in Gods presence and pray for him to bring friends and people into your life, then those will be the kind of people you don’t have to put God on pause to be with. You won’t have to make them like you because Godly people will love you because you put God first. it’s so worth the wait for God to bring you the right people in his timing. you have to be willing to wait and trust in Him and stay in his presence, and remember he is always there for you. he will never leave you or forsake you. he will help you through anything that your going through if you ask him to. you have to want his help, and ask for it. he isn’t going to force it on you. be open with God. in Psalms 46:1-2 it says God is our refuge and our strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea.” You have to be confident in God and fully trust in him. he needs to be in the midst of all your time. when you walk he’s with you, and in him you have joy. when you walk he’s with you and in him you will have peace. when you walk he’s with you and in him you will be able to truly love people. When you walk he’s with you, because your confidence is in him. you will be confident in who you can be that’s why you can’t put God on pause and then be mad at him because you don’t have peace and joy. you’re not confident in who you are because you’re not walking in his presence. Life would be so much better if we always put God first. If we will just live our lives always being in his presence.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 says

“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

Do you guys know the story of Samson in the Bible?¿?

Samson had everything that a man could desire but he was still always empty. Samson was anointed. The holy spirit of the living God rested upon Samson. Yet He continuously lived in the flesh. Samson was set apart at birth as a Nazarite, yet he lived his days as a enemy of God. Samson was a worrier chosen to fight for Israel. Yet he was a man who befriended the philistine Gods enemies. Samson was strong before men, but he was weak with women. Samson was a man who was chosen by God, yet he chose the world. How could a man so strong be so weak? In Judges 14:1-3 it says one day when Samson was in the Timnah, one of the Philistine women caught his eye. When he returned home, he told his father and mother “A young Philistine women in Timnah caught my eye. I want to marry her. Get her for me.” His father and mother objected. “Isn’t there even one women in our tribe or among all the Israelites you could marry?” They asked. “Why must you go to the pagan philistines to find a wife?” But Samson told his father, ” Get her for me! She looks good to me.” Samson was so taken by Delilahs beauty, that he wanted her and no one else. He was blinded by her beauty. In 1 peter 3:3-4 it says Don’t be concerned about the outward beauty of fancy hairstyles, expensive jewelry, or beautiful clothes. You should clothe yourselves instead with the beauty that comes from within, the unfading beauty of a gentile and quiet spirit, which is so precious to God.

We should not be blinded by people’s beauty and put our walk with God on pause because we see something we think we will like better. If you do you will have a rude awakening that God is truly the one to go after. If you want to avoid tragedy then learn a lesson from the story of Samson. Don’t date and don’t marry a unbeliever. Don’t be blinded by their beauty. There is a difference between love and lust. You have to understand that. Love sees a person from the inside out. love looks beyond the skin beyond the beauty love looks at the inner part of a person who they are what their character is like. Love sees from the inside out but lust looks from the outside in. Remember not everything that glitters is gold don’t be blinded by their beauty. Lust of the flesh is not in the father. Lust and love look totally different it’s important that we understand that. Love is selfless, love is putting somebody else’s needs above our own. Love is thinking about the other person. But lust is the complete opposite lust is selfish it’s only about yourself. Samson thought he was in love but really he was in lust. Not only was Samson blinded by her beauty, blinded by lust but he was also blinded by his feelings. In Judges 16:6-9 it says So Delilah said to Samson, “please tell me what makes you strong and what it would take to tie you up securely.” Samson replied, ” if I were tied up with seven new bowstrings that have not yet been dried, I would become as weak as anyone else.”

So the Philistine rulers brought Delilah seven new bowstring, and she tied Samson up with them. She had hidden some men in one of the inner rooms of her house, and she cried out, “Samson! The philistines have come to capture you!” But Samson snapped the bowstrings as a piece of string snaps when it is burned by a fire. So the secret of his strength was not discovered.

Samson was not just blinded by this women’s beauty but he was blinded by his feelings for her. He ignored the word of God to not marry foreign women. He ignored the voice of his parents. He ignored the voice of reason telling him not to go down this path not to make these mistakes. I need you to understand that not only will beauty blind you but your own feelings will blind you. Delilah was a bad woman she was a prostitute. She was literally asking him how she could tie him up where he wouldn’t be able to escape.

He was so blinded by his feelings. And when you’re blinded by your feelings you ignore all the red flags and warnings from God. She said how can I tie you up where you won’t be able to escape if that’s not a red flag then i don’t know what is. Your feelings will tell you to trust the wrong person you have to be aware of your feelings for they will deceive you. Not only did Delilah ask him one time but she asked him a second and a third time. Every time Samson kept trusting her and he kept believing. The first time he tells her use seven new bowstring that haven’t been dried and she actually does it she ties him up and tells him the philistines are coming and he broke free. And then the next night she asks him again. And the next night she asked him again. When your following your feelings instead of God you trust the wrong people. You believe everything they say instead of what God says. Delilah was a bad women but Samson, couldn’t see it because he was following his feelings. When you follow your feelings your promise will end in tragedy. There is a promise that God has spoken over your life There is A destiny that God has put before you and no one else on planet earth can take your place. Don’t sacrifice Gods promise and your destiny because your blinded by the looks of a unbeliever. Your blinded by your feelings for somebody that you know you shouldn’t be with. If you ignore God and follow your feelings instead of him your life will end in tragedy like Samson.

2 Corinthians 5:7 says For we walk by faith and not by sight.

We have to walk and live by faith. We have to walk through our lives while being in the word of God. And we have to trust this even when we don’t feel it. We don’t have time to play around.

2 Corinthians 6:14 it says Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness?

Missionary dating doesn’t work.

Not every battle is yours to fight. You will never see someone in the Bible leading someone to Jesus through dating them.

If you love somebody that is a unbeliever instead of dating them you should be interceding for them. Pray for them you should be praying for their salvation. You should be inviting them to church. They need to live their spiritual life for him and not for you. I know that you think your strong and you can lead them to the father but remember these three chapters in the book of judges. Samson was the strongest man to ever live and even though he was strong before men he was weak in front of women. Samson the anointed one fell when he was in a relationship that didn’t have God in the middle of it and you will fall to if you put yourself in that place.

The Bible says not to be unequally yoked but we just treat that as a suggestion instead of a commandment. When you are saved you are born again so your old mind sets are no more the old you is gone. In Jesus all things are made new. That means that you see the world from one prospective but they are still seeing from the other prospective. Your world views are totally opposite. If you ignore the word of God then your promise might end as tragedy just like Samson. The living don’t date the dead. You are alive you are a knew creation in Christ Jesus. Don’t desire Delilah more than God.

Delilah was a idol to Samson she was his priority she had his focus. She had his heart. Delilah became the idol of Samson’s life. A idol is anything you love more than God. An idol is anything you focus on more than God. We live in the land of idols we love everything and we put everything before God. In Romans 1:25 it says They traded the truth about God for a lie. So they worshipped and served the things God created instead of the creator himself, who is worthy of eternal praise! Amen.

Don’t let yourself fall into a love for the things of this life so much so that you neglect the one who is the author of life. All creation points to him but it can also point away from him and distract you from him if you allow it. Anything that you focus on mare then God can become a idol. The Bible says that Samson loved Delilah but it didn’t say she loved him back. You can love you idol but you idol probably won’t love you back. You can love the world but the world won’t love you back. It’s going to be a one way street. The world is all about consuming you. If you love anything more then you love God your promise will end in tragedy. We say that we love God but do we really love him?

We say we desire God but do we really?

We all say we “want” God but do we rally mean it?

In Revelations 3:15-20 says

“I know all the thing you do, that you are nether hot nor cold. I wish that you were one or the other! But since you are like lukewarm water, neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth! You say, “I am rich I have everything I want. I don’t need a thing!” And you don’t realize that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked. So I advise you to buy gold from me gold that has been purified by fire. Then you will be rich. Also buy white garment from me so you will not be ashamed by your nakedness, and ointment for your eyes so you will be able to see. I correct and discipline everyone I love. So be diligent and turn from your indifference. ” look I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends.

Jesus is telling you like it is. You need to desire him the most out of everything. Ask yourself if God is really number one in your life if you desire him more than anything else.

You can’t have a pause and play relationship with God. you can’t separate your time with him, and the time you spend with other people because his time should be your time all the time. you should always be spending time with God and never leave his presence. his time and your time should never be a separate thing. if you’re pausing in your walk with God to chase after someone to make them like you then you should really stop. You shouldn’t be chasing after anyone, or anything more than you chase after God and His presence. if you like someone and they aren’t in God’s will. then you shouldn’t be chasing after them trying to get them to like you. it will lead you to being in a toxic relationship and it won’t last if God isn’t in the middle of it. staying in the presence of God is so much better then putting him on pause. if you stay in Gods presence and pray for him to bring friends and people into your life, then those will be the kind of people you don’t have to put God on pause to be with. You won’t have to make them like you because Godly people will love you because you put God first. it’s so worth the wait for God to bring you the right people in his timing. you have to be willing to wait and trust in Him and stay in his presence, and remember he is always there for you. he will never leave you or forsake you. he will help you through anything that your going through if you ask him to. you have to want his help, and ask for it. he isn’t going to force it on you. be open with God. in Psalms 46:1-2 it says God is our refuge and our strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea.” You have to be confident in God and fully trust in him. he needs to be in the midst of all your time. when you walk he’s with you, and in him you have joy. when you walk he’s with you and in him you will have peace. when you walk he’s with you and in him you will be able to truly love people. When you walk he’s with you, because your confidence is in him. you will be confident in who you can be that’s why you can’t put God on pause and then be mad at him because you don’t have peace and joy. you’re not confident in who you are because you’re not walking in his presence. Life would be so much better if we always put God first. If we will just live our lives always being in his presence.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 says

“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

Do you guys know the story of Samson in the Bible?¿?

Samson had everything that a man could desire but he was still always empty. Samson was anointed. The holy spirit of the living God rested upon Samson. Yet He continuously lived in the flesh. Samson was set apart at birth as a Nazarite, yet he lived his days as a enemy of God. Samson was a worrier chosen to fight for Israel. Yet he was a man who befriended the philistine Gods enemies. Samson was strong before men, but he was weak with women. Samson was a man who was chosen by God, yet he chose the world. How could a man so strong be so weak? In Judges 14:1-3 it says one day when Samson was in the Timnah, one of the Philistine women caught his eye. When he returned home, he told his father and mother “A young Philistine women in Timnah caught my eye. I want to marry her. Get her for me.” His father and mother objected. “Isn’t there even one women in our tribe or among all the Israelites you could marry?” They asked. “Why must you go to the pagan philistines to find a wife?” But Samson told his father, ” Get her for me! She looks good to me.” Samson was so taken by Delilahs beauty, that he wanted her and no one else. He was blinded by her beauty. In 1 peter 3:3-4 it says Don’t be concerned about the outward beauty of fancy hairstyles, expensive jewelry, or beautiful clothes. You should clothe yourselves instead with the beauty that comes from within, the unfading beauty of a gentile and quiet spirit, which is so precious to God.

We should not be blinded by people’s beauty and put our walk with God on pause because we see something we think we will like better. If you do you will have a rude awakening that God is truly the one to go after. If you want to avoid tragedy then learn a lesson from the story of Samson. Don’t date and don’t marry a unbeliever. Don’t be blinded by their beauty. There is a difference between love and lust. You have to understand that. Love sees a person from the inside out. love looks beyond the skin beyond the beauty love looks at the inner part of a person who they are what their character is like. Love sees from the inside out but lust looks from the outside in. Remember not everything that glitters is gold don’t be blinded by their beauty. Lust of the flesh is not in the father. Lust and love look totally different it’s important that we understand that. Love is selfless, love is putting somebody else’s needs above our own. Love is thinking about the other person. But lust is the complete opposite lust is selfish it’s only about yourself. Samson thought he was in love but really he was in lust. Not only was Samson blinded by her beauty, blinded by lust but he was also blinded by his feelings. In Judges 16:6-9 it says So Delilah said to Samson, “please tell me what makes you strong and what it would take to tie you up securely.” Samson replied, ” if I were tied up with seven new bowstrings that have not yet been dried, I would become as weak as anyone else.”

So the Philistine rulers brought Delilah seven new bowstring, and she tied Samson up with them. She had hidden some men in one of the inner rooms of her house, and she cried out, “Samson! The philistines have come to capture you!” But Samson snapped the bowstrings as a piece of string snaps when it is burned by a fire. So the secret of his strength was not discovered.

Samson was not just blinded by this women’s beauty but he was blinded by his feelings for her. He ignored the word of God to not marry foreign women. He ignored the voice of his parents. He ignored the voice of reason telling him not to go down this path not to make these mistakes. I need you to understand that not only will beauty blind you but your own feelings will blind you. Delilah was a bad woman she was a prostitute. She was literally asking him how she could tie him up where he wouldn’t be able to escape.

He was so blinded by his feelings. And when you’re blinded by your feelings you ignore all the red flags and warnings from God. She said how can I tie you up where you won’t be able to escape if that’s not a red flag then i don’t know what is. Your feelings will tell you to trust the wrong person you have to be aware of your feelings for they will deceive you. Not only did Delilah ask him one time but she asked him a second and a third time. Every time Samson kept trusting her and he kept believing. The first time he tells her use seven new bowstring that haven’t been dried and she actually does it she ties him up and tells him the philistines are coming and he broke free. And then the next night she asks him again. And the next night she asked him again. When your following your feelings instead of God you trust the wrong people. You believe everything they say instead of what God says. Delilah was a bad women but Samson, couldn’t see it because he was following his feelings. When you follow your feelings your promise will end in tragedy. There is a promise that God has spoken over your life There is A destiny thy God has put before you and no one else on planet earth can take your place. Don’t sacrifice Gods promise and your destiny because your blinded by the looks of a unbeliever. Your blinded by your feelings for somebody that you know you shouldn’t be with. If you ignore God and follow your feelings instead of him your life will end in tragedy like Samson.

2 Corinthians 5:7 says For we walk by faith and not by sight.

We have to walk and live by faith. We have to walk through our lives while being in the word of God. And we have to trust this even when we don’t feel it. We don’t have time to play around.

2 Corinthians 6:14 it says Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness?

Missionary dating doesn’t work.

Not every battle is yours to fight. You will never see someone in the Bible leading someone to Jesus through dating them.

If you love somebody that is a unbeliever instead of dating them you should be interceding for them. Pray for them you should be praying for their salvation. You should be inviting them to church. They need to live their spiritual life for him and not for you. I know that you think your strong and you can lead them to the father but remember these three chapters in the book of judges. Samson was the strongest man to ever live and even though he was strong before men he was weak in front of women. Samson the anointed one fell when he was in a relationship that didn’t have God in the middle of it and you will fall to if you put yourself in that place.

The Bible says not to be unequally yoked but we just treat that as a suggestion instead of a commandment. When you are saved you are born again so your old mind sets are no more the old you is gone. In Jesus all things are made new. That means that you see the world from one prospective but they are still seeing from the other prospective. Your world views are totally opposite. If you ignore the word of God then your promise might end as tragedy just like Samson. The living don’t date the dead. You are alive you are a knew creation in Christ Jesus. Don’t desire Delilah more than God.

Delilah was a idol to Samson she was his priority she had his focus. She had his heart. Delilah became the idol of Samson’s life. A idol is anything you love more than God. An idol is anything you focus on more than God. We live in the land of idols we love everything and we put everything before God. In Romans 1:25 it says They traded the truth about God for a lie. So they worshipped and served the things God created instead of the creator himself, who is worthy of eternal praise! Amen.

Don’t let yourself fall into a love for the things of this life so much so that you neglect the one who is the author of life. All creation points to him but it can also point away from him and distract you from him if you allow it. Anything that you focus on mare then God can become a idol. The Bible says that Samson loved Delilah but it didn’t say she loved him back. You can love you idol but you idol probably won’t love you back. You can love the world but the world won’t love you back. It’s going to be a one way street. The world is all about consuming you. If you love anything more then you love God your promise will end in tragedy. We say that we love God but do we really love him?

We say we desire God but do we really?

We all say we “want” God but do we rally mean it?

In Revelations 3:15-20 says

“I know all the thing you do, that you are nether hot nor cold. I wish that you were one or the other! But since you are like lukewarm water, neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth! You say, “I am rich I have everything I want. I don’t need a thing!” And you don’t realize that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked. So I advise you to buy gold from me gold that has been purified by fire. Then you will be rich. Also buy white garment from me so you will not be ashamed by your nakedness, and ointment for your eyes so you will be able to see. I correct and discipline everyone I love. So be diligent and turn from your indifference. ” look I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends.

Jesus is telling you like it is. You need to desire him the most out of everything. Ask yourself if God is really number one in your life if you desire him more than anything else.

Thanks for joining me!

Good company in a journey makes the way seem shorter. — Izaak Walton