I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me?... Is that so?

Philippians 4:11-13-11 I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13 I can do all this through him who gives me strength.

Want to know what I have realized in life? Everyone quotes verse 13 and they are not even in a situation where they have run out of all of their own strength to even draw from the strength of God.

Wanna know what we ask God strength for? To apologize to someone who we feel doesn't treat us right. Or strength to pass an interview for a job. Or strength to get over a common cold. Strength to stop being upset about something.

Petty, small things that take humility not the strength of God. Why do we do that? Why do we quote scriptures so lightly? Why do people say "I am content, I know how to be with plenty and how to be without" when they have never been without? They have never been hungry to the point of insanity. People ask for strength when they have never been weak?

People say they have seen God move in someone else life but not their own, they only know God from someone else point of view. There is no personal relationship. They just have the knowledge of God and not connection. They talk and talk and talk TO God... and don't talk WITH God, meaning an actual conversation.

Who are we kidding. Do you think that you can stand before God at the end of the race and you know how to respond in His presence or will you look at Him as if it's the first time you have met Him? Or even, will He look at you as if He doesn't know you?

Out of anything in my life right now, I don't want LOVE, I don't want MONEY, I don't want FUN, I don't want FAME, I don't want MATERIAL THINGS, I want to be in the WILL OF GOD. I want MY FAMILY to be together, so we can run this race together.

Life narrows down to 2 THINGS when death is waiting to consume us... GOD and FAMILY. When people lay on their death bed, they aren't asking for their car, their money, their house... THEY ASK FOR THEIR FAMILY AND THEN THEY WANT GOD.

What is driving you? Stop and ask yourself that? What is pushing you forward in life? What is the driving force behind your passion? Is it success, religion even? Money, insecurity???

Think about it, examine your heart...

The First and Greatest Commandment

Jesus said in Matthew 22:37-38- 37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.
38 This is the first and great commandment.

I love this commandment because it now puts the responsibility on us to love God. A lot of times when people give their lives to Christ, its either out of fear of going to Hell or it out the understanding that Jesus loves them. And there's nothing wrong with that it's true, Jesus loves us.                         Usually when people get saved they always hear "Jesus loves you" "God loves you that He gave His Son to die on the cross" Which is all true. But rarely if at all do people tell someone " God loves you and now you have to love him back" We are all taught

John 3:16- For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, so that we should not perish but have everlasting life" beautiful scripture. But who is told

Matthew 22:37-38-Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.38 This is the first and great commandment.

              Jesus didn't give his life for nothing, there is an exchange. His life for ours. Many people will argue that and say "No it's a free gift" Yes it is however, the way God works is "obedience then blessing, miracles and more" More of God, comes with a price. To love God with all your heart, soul mind and strength!
              When you love someone, you will realign everything in your life for that person. You will stop certain behaviors, you will think of that person all the time. While at work, before you sleep.
We need to love Jesus with that same love, and devotion.

             With our hearts, making him the priority again, with our minds, casting down every thought that sets itself up against the obedience of Jesus, negativity, with all of our souls, expressing ourselves in praise and worship and not holding back our emotions from God and with all of our strength lifting your hands in worship because you are in love with the very God who created you, who put your family together, who gave you peace in your mind.
I know for me I will forever be grateful that MY GOD whom I LOVE, set me free from every single addiction, lie, and shame that I was living in!
              So ultimately we are supposed to love God, He prove His love to us already on the cross. How will you prove your love to Him? Are there addictions that you still hang on too? Drugs, alcohol, cursing and lying? Are you in a relationship that is unclean or just bad for you?
There are things you have to give up if you love God. It's no different than a marriage, when you marry or even just get into a relationship, there are some things you now have to change and even want to change because you love that person.
Love God, stop only receiving and give. Love is shown through action and not just words.