Tag: #religion

The Spirit of the Fruit – Love

Posted on by Crystal King

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But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control. Against such things there is no law – Galatians 22-23 

Love: noun – Seeks the highest good of others

Definition of love:

1. an intense feeling of deep affection

2. a person or thing that one loves

How hard is it to love someone? How hard is it to love someone who has been mean, rude or evil to us?

When I think of love,  a couple things come to mind; a feeling I have for someone special and my son.

Being a mom is super tough in this aspect. I have to be strong for my son and be the example. Although at times, my example is not reflecting God.

The way God loves us doesn’t seem to cross my mind either. It is more of a rage and hurt feeling. I know I have to be the example for him however it would be much easier just to be mean or rude right back.

WWJD? Right?

I have been studying Love – Nine Fruits of the Spirit and this has really helped me with the aspect of loving like Jesus. There are people who can be rude or unbearable at times, however we have the choice on how to react to this.

I have learned to love like Jesus and this puts in much better mood, and it also does not give the other person power over my feelings and over the way I handle the situation.IMG_1276

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:16)

When I think of how God has loved me at my most difficult times, why can I not return the favor? Why is it so difficult to this simple action? LOVE!

Booker T. Washington said, ” I will not permit any man to diminish my soul to hatred.”

This touched my spirit is so many ways. I have been hurt and I have also hurt others. My life has changed in the worst way and it definitely has changed for the better. I have had my share of ups and downs as well. Everyday I thank God for showing me favor and giving me way more than I deserve.

“…let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth” (1 John 3:18)

This Scripture really hits home with me when showing love and how I should be loving others. One of the absolute heaviest burden to bare is holding a grudge. You are not going to be able to have a happy and loving life if you are mad and upset. Life gives you difficult moments and also the best moments. Continue to love the way God has loved you.

If you are having a hard time forgiving someone ask God for help. Pray, “Lord, forgive me, I can not forgive.” Pray this often and watch God transform your life and soften you heart. Remember forgiving others is not for them, it is for you.

Love is an action directed to another person that is motivated by our relationship to Jesus Christ. Love is given freely without a personal reward in mind.

Love one another as Jesus loves you.

~Blessings.

 

 

Forgiving Yourself is OK!

Posted on by Crystal King

Have you ever done something that you are still holding on to?

Do you keep replaying it over and over in your mind, and keep asking yourself why?

Why did I do that? or How could I have done that? fullsizeoutput_9be

My favorite one was, “I can not believe I did that.”

We are make mistakes. No one is perfect.

I have said and done some really mean and horrible things, but thank you Lord for helping me to change and to see things in a different light.

One of the best things about a mistake is that it helps you change and learn from it. Without mistakes, you wouldn’t know what works and what doesn’t. You wouldn’t see the growth in yourself without mistakes. Trial and error, you are learning constantly.

We grow as individuals from mistakes. The hardest part about a mistake is we tend to let them dwell and fester until it takes over our thought process and sits on our hearts. We have to teach our minds to think of a mistake as just that, a mistake, learn from it, forgive yourself, and move on.

I  wonder why we forgive others so easily, but we don’t forgive ourselves as fast. It’s a mistake not a life sentence.

I didn’t always use to be a forgiver. I would hold grudges and quit speaking to people.  Then I realized something, I could have been hurting someone else by doing these things and also, I am taking away what God has for me. I’m going to miss my blessing focusing on hurt feelings and grudges.

I missed my best friend Misty’s wedding due to hurt feelings and holding a grudge. Thank you God we are still friends today. Throwing away 30 plus years of friendship would have been worse and I thank God everyday for her continued loyal friendship.

We tend to miss our blessings when we hold grudges. We are so focused on the grudge or trying to figure out how to get even, we can’t see what God has for us.

When we as humans operate on feelings, we tend to make it extremely worse than it actually is. When we put feelings in the way of the actual offense, we will think something and automatically think this is right, let me continue to act this way. I can not stress enough, we as humans can not operate on hurt feelings. IMG_1127

Forgiving someone can be a challenge, but remember that forgiveness is for you not for the other person. When we don’t forgive and keep holding on to the hurt, we are holding ourselves hostage to the pain and hurt and this is what holds back all your blessings and growth.

God wants to see you happy and living life to the fullest, not hurt or upset or dwelling on grudges.

We have to train our minds that a mistake is not a prison sentence. We are to learn from them and move on. If we hurt someone, apologize and move forward. You can not change the past, but you can learn from it an grow.

Forgiving yourself and others is also part of self care. Forgiving breaks any negative thoughts you may have or negative feelings you may be holding onto.

REMEMBER, A NEGATIVE MIND WILL NOT PRODUCE A POSITIVE LIFE! 

I encourage everyone to commit 14 days to forgiveness. Whether is be forgiving yourself or forgiving someone else. Read the Bible and find 14 scriptures on forgiveness and study each one daily. Keep a daily journal of your progress and see how much your life and attitude changes when you truly forgive yourself and others and move on to the life God has for you.

Blessings.

My Jar of Blessings

Posted on by Crystal King

For the last few years, I have made a jar of blessings. This jar is very special to me, because it helps me recognize my blessings.

Not just any blessings, the blessings of that day.

Good times and bad, I date them and put them in my jar. Through out the year, I can go back and reflect on these thoughts and then remember how good my life is and how blessed I am. As I have always said, positive or negative, blessings over burdens.

I also use this to reflect on how many times God has come through for me, when I have a hard time trying to figure things out. Trust in him!

Supplies Needed:

  1. a jar or box – I recommend you decorate the jar or box how you want it; something that will always catch your attention and remind you of your blessings IMG_2984
  2. pen and paper – use your favorite color pens, but black or blue work just as well, post-its work but I have a small pad I use to add my messages, something easy to tear away
  3. a positive outlook to recognize your blessings and more blessings

What I do is on the top of each paper, I will put the date and then write down the blessing for that day. I don’t do this everyday, but when something really stands out to me, believe me, I’m jotting it down.

For instance, my son and I go on vacation every June. When I get back, I always write a blessing and a thank you to God for allowing my son and me to travel and return safely.

I add the date, so that I keep in mind that on that date this great blessing happened. I will continue this because sometimes I do fall short, and I need a reminder of how great my life is, and what a blessing it is to be alive.

My first thank you to God looks like this:

  • Date: January 2, 2018
  • Traveling grace to and from Georgia for the New Year
  • allowing me to see 2018
  • family and friends

I sign all blessing with an “AMEN” and “THANK YOU”

Give it a try, if you don’t want to do the entire year, try it for 3 months. See how many blessings you recognize for yourself and family. At the end of the three months, read your blessings and see how much God has blessed you and you also recognize how much you have to be thankful for.

God bless!

 

Morning Prayer

Posted on by Crystal King

How do you start your morning?

When your eyes open, what do you do first?

Grab your phone? Go make coffee?

Every morning when I open my eyes, I say “Thank you”

I am so thankful that God allowed me to wake up, which means I have a purpose for today. Someone needs me!

When I awake, I used to just get up and go on about my day, not really thinking much of anything, I would do my daily routine, coffee, read, hair, make up and out the door.

Over the years my routine has changed a lot.

Life happens and you realize how much more you need Jesus in your life. I have learned the no matter what the day may bring,  I have Jesus right there beside me to guide me through my day.

And you know what I have found, my day is more productive, my attitude is far better than it used to be and I have the patience with people I never have had before.

I am more peaceful and worry free. That’s right, worry free.

No, I am not rich, nor do I have a lot, however, I have learned to accept what God has blessed me with and I know what I have is a true blessing. I have learned that material things can always be replaced, but the Love I have for God and how he Loves me is a bond that can not be broken.

By starting each day talking with God, and asking him what he would like me to do for him today makes a world of difference.

Allowing God to work in your life from the start of the day, until you lay your head down at night, will open so much more for yourself and your relationship with God.

Today, before you even reach for your phone, talk with God and ask him what he would like for you to do today.

Blessings.

 

Tis the Season to Forgive

Posted on by Crystal King

Forgiveness, what is forgiveness?

Forgiveness defines as: (noun) the action or process of forgiving or being forgiven 

I used to have a very hard time with forgiveness. I felt so entitled of my feelings, that I felt others didn’t matter and I should never have to forgive anyone unless I feel like it. Look at the immaturity, but I also look at my progress and see growth.

I’ve learned the importance of forgiveness and why I should continue to forgive others not matter how hard it may be at times.

Never underestimate the power of forgiveness. When we don’t forgive others, we aren’t hurting them, we our hindering ourselves from true joy and receiving the blessings God has for us.

Of course I use Jesus as my example, he forgave us over and over and over and he even died for us, why can’t I be so quick to forgive? Why must I continue to question the situation instead of forgive and move on? WWJD? (what would Jesus do?)

I have learned not forgiving someone, doesn’t hurt the person who hurt you, it actually hurts you. You have to forgive people for your health, you peace of mind, and for your over all out look on life.

Let Jesus be the example. He gave his life for you to be forgiven. He knew we would fail him but yet he still forgave us.

Easier said than done right?

PRAY! PRAY! PRAY!

Prayer and constant communication with Jesus can help you with forgiveness, I mean who better to learn from than Jesus himself.

Talking with Jesus daily will get you through any situation and know that he is with you along the way and will help with healing and forgiveness.

I think too often we allow our pride and emotions to take over and the thought of forgiving someone is to far fetched, but keep in mind what the Bible says about forgiveness:

Matthew 6:15 “But if you do not forgive others of their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins” NIV

I keep that bible verse close to me because I too one day would want my Father to forgive me. The gift of forgiveness is worth more than any amount of money or material possession.

If someone hurt your feelings….forgive.

If someone wronged you in someway….forgive.

If someone lied on you….forgive.

Your relationship didn’t work out…..forgive.

This holiday season, give the gift of forgiveness.

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year.

Blessings.

 

When God Says No

Posted on by Crystal King

Too often when things don’t go our way, or we didn’t get something we think we deserved, we are quick to get upset and blame God.

We harp on the why nots and how come or how could he? The truth is that No that you received was actually a blessing.

We live in a world where everything is at our fingertips. With a touch of a button, you can turn on your car, post to thousands of people, fast gratification is what is in now.

In case you didn’t know, God doesn’t work like that. He never gives you anything before you are ready. When you ask God for something, are you actually ready to receive it?

Seriously, ask yourself:

I want a husband, are you ready to have a husband?

I want a new car, can you afford a new car?

I want a baby, are you ready to put yourself aside for your child?

I want a bigger house, are you taking care of the smaller house you’re in?

How come things can’t change, are you changing anything about your life to make this happen?

You see, when we ask God for things, are we really ready to receive them?

I came across a post on Facebook and it read, ” I wish God would sit down and just tell me what he wants me to do.” My response to that was, if he did, would you actually do it? Or since you know what he wants and will give you, will you continue to do your own thing?

When God would tell me no, I used to get so upset. So upset that it would steal my joy, my laughter, my outlook on the rest of my life. I actually would get mad at God. I look back now and think THANK YOU!! It was all immaturity.

I say that because if I had honestly gotten what I wanted then, I wouldn’t have even known what to do with it. If he had given me that boyfriend, that job, that extra car I thought I wanted, I’d be sad with a low income and an extra payment thinking to myself, how did I get here. Seriously, I asked for it.

Remember God does things in his timing, not ours. HE works on his time table. When HE feels you are ready, you will receive it, and not a moment sooner.

So until he is ready for you to have what you think you want, enjoy your singleness, enjoy your marriage, enjoy what you have going on right now. Enjoy your friendships, your free time. Those things are really a blessing. To be able to look at life on the more positive I haves instead of the negative I don’t have, that’s a real blessing.

Enjoy your moment now, and ask God what can you do for him, life will change and only for the better.

Be blessed.

My Favorite Christian Books

Posted on by Crystal King

I have been asked a lot of questions on what helps me keep God first. My reply is I pray and I put God before everything. YES EVERYTHING!

Now a couple years ago I could not say that. I chose to follow my selfish ways and did what I thought was best for me and not what God wanted for me.

Yes I make mistakes, yes I have set back, and yes there are days that I have difficulty being nice and patient with others.

But what really helped was meditation and keeping God at the front of every single thing I did. I took myself out of the picture and allowed God to have his way instead of me. I always tell people 2 things 1) God is not going to ask you about me. Which means is that I am held accountable for what I do in life, not what others do. 2) You have to get out of your own way in order for God to have his way. Meaning you have to do things God is asking you to do rather that doing what you think you need to be doing.

I had the absolute hardest time trusting God with my life. I continued to go down my own road and make decisions based on my feelings or greed or just plain felt I deserved it. And that got me absolutely NO WHERE! So how could I possibly go wrong with allowing God to lead me, I mean I was making poor decisions and I didn’t like how I was doing it.

Ok so the reason for the post, I’ve always enjoyed reading so this is a list of books that I have read that helped me get back on track to God and trusting him with my life.

  1. The Bible – now I know what you’re thinking, well yeah the Bible, but this bible is very special to me. It’s a parallel bible with the New International Version on the left side and The Message form on the right side. The message form is completely regular English for a better understanding. I have a hard time understanding the verbiage used, however this helps me without having to look else where.
  2. The Purpose Driven Life  – this is a 40 day bible study that gives you an idea of what God really wants you to do in life and how to accomplish them. I like this book because it adapts to the person reading the book. It’s a very good read and I highly recommend this book if you’re having difficulty figuring out what God wants you to do.
  3. Living Beyond Your Feelings – this book really opened my eyes on what not to do with your feelings. I used to make long term decisions based on short term feelings and it has always been a disaster. This book explains why it’s so important to know and rely on God and not man; to make decisions rationally and not emotionally.
  4. Change Your Words Change Your Life – this books is geared towards how you speak things into existence. We have to be careful what we say, the more negative we speak, the more we see our burdens not our blessings, and that allows the devil a foothold on us.
  5. Power Words – this book shows focus on our words. What we say can change your life. I sometimes have the hardest time believing that I deserve the best and what God has for me is for me, however after reading how words can effect your every day blessings, I knew I had to change the words I said or how negatively I spoke.
  6. Wisdom for Women  – this is a 365 day devotional that I completed last year but I still keep this book next to my bed for reflection. It helps remind me that I can do anything through Christ. I have highlighted several passages to refer back to when I’m having not so great days.
  7. Battlefield of the Mind – we are what we think, so if you think you can’t, you’re right. This book really goes into detail how important it is to focus and direct our thoughts on what God wants and how God gives us everything we need. I felt like I was having a hard time thinking so negatively all the time. I know it seems like we don’t but have you ever talked yourself out of something you really wanted. I have done this so many times, I began to believe I didn’t deserve it. This book helped me to get my thoughts on track with what God wants and to focus on what I have instead of what I have not.
  8. Listen Love Repeat – this book shows you what real love is. “Love thy neighbor.” It gives examples on how to love one another as God loves you. I did a bible study with Proverbs 31 ministry and it helped me to realize the importance of listening and loving one another.
  9. The Best Yes – the is a self help book based on making decisions based on God and what is best for you. I enjoy reading books that encourage me to put God first and it helps with my decision making life. This book helped me to understand that a “no” is an answered prayer too.

Please leave any book recommendations in the comments. I am always looking forward to reading material that helps me get closer to God and becoming a better person.

Blessings.