Who Are You Impressing?

Who Are You Impressing?

'Be careful not to do your "acts of righteousness" before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.' (Matthew 6:1)

The wise glorify their source, and the humble never admit it. Their approach must seem strange in a world chasing instant gratification. There are some who are strange on purpose, parading for attention. There is obvious value in networking and influencing; the question is: to what end?

Are you selling candles or moon-lighting for profit?

JRT

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More More MOre

More More More

"For life is more than food, and the body more than clothes." (Luke 12:23)

Disappointment, dislikes, distrust; a list of lives ills seem to be simply dis-ed good. True too are the many ailments of the body: health and wellness disturbed. But there's more to it. 

Stress, work, joy, play, adventure, fear, and the list goes on. There's always something more, where there are downs there are ups. 

Live more...

JRT

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Hold Your Tongue In CHeck

Hold Your Tongue In Check

"Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen." (Ephesians 4:29)

The mind is brimming, bubbling, sometime overflowing. The pressure is strong, and even with a regulator there has to be maintenance. Make sure you have the whole expressive system under control. 

If you don't have anything good to say, don't say anything. 

JRT

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You've Heard. Do You Believe?

You've Heard. Do You Believe?

"Without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him." (Hebrews 11:6)

A day is made up of twenty four hours, a measure of time which can be broken down into smaller units: minutes, and seconds. While the concept of time and its far reaching implications are difficult to explain, their no doubt that time exist. Even more important it's existence is time's value, it is truly invaluable. Based on our understanding, we have faith in time and acknowledge its fundamental nature. 

You've heard, I hope, of the creator of time. What's your understanding? Is God more fundamental than time? What can you prove about God? Are you enjoying the luxury of having God and time?

JRT

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God Found Use For Me

God Found Use For Me

"I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me faithful, appointing me to his service." (1 Timothy 1:12)

A close friend of mine shared with me the single most impacting event he had experienced, that of the birth of his son. I thought to myself how similarly we were heading down a path of doom. I had always been a quiet christian, and I felt equally loud and lost. 

Take a trip down memory lane, give thanks, God loves and keeps you for good reason. Live the mission. 

JRT

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For It Was Written

For It Was Written

"For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope." (Romans 15:4)

I sometimes find myself at a lost at some scriptural junctions, I just can't connect or understand certain passages. Church and Bible study helps me with these road blocks.  

Don't take for granted the gift of God's word, and His people. Be blessed and be a blessings. 

JRT

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Shine Bright Like A Star, Be Strong Like A Diamond

Shine Bright Like A Star, Be Strong Like A Diamond

"Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe." (Philippians 2:14-15)

There is calm peace one gets from the Spirit of God. The Holy Spirit is truly transformational. Doing one thing right is a mighty task, doing everything right is divine: perfect. If you truly accept God, accept that you can do right. One by one the good will add up. 

JRT

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My Faith

My Faith

"I am suffering ... Yet I am not ashamed, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him for that day." (2 Timothy 1:12)

My mind is stronger, my body is broken, and my spirit is weak. Even my connection wavers. Amidst all this, I love. My faith could use some work. Most of all I'm hopeful. 

Know who you are, and trust God with all your heart. 

JRT

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Give Thanks To The Most High

Give Thanks To The Most High 

"Thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him." 2 Corinthians 2:14

A seed of doubt has nestled itself in the depths of my soul. I've found use for doubt, I've told myself, it will be a fail safe seventh sense against which all knowledge would be tested. Not very wise at all I found. 

Doubt is symptomatic of the absence of knowledge. At the root of my doubts is unreachableness of absolute knowledge. I had to move doubt out, it became useless to test anything against. I, however, had nothing to worry on as the Source of my existence directed me to His reassurance. I need only to tap into His reservoir, drink at His fountain, and their I'd find the only absolute. I commend you to give thanks, as the answer to everything open to you. Question is, what is your source?

JRT

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You Get What You Work For

You Get What You Work For

"For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened." (Luke 11:10)

Civilization prides itself on a continuous modum of improvement, a pursuit of ease. The easier life has become, the worse of civilization has become. Ease has solved ancient folly, and has birthed modern woes. 

So why the chase of ease? And doesn't the many good outweigh the consequences? I'll let you decide. As a child my mother would tell me, "Anything too easy isn't all good, you have to work for what you want." I'm not tell you to make your life harder, I'm reminding you that hard work pays. What are you seeking in life?

JRT

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Candlelit Shadow Boxing

Candlelit Shadow Boxing 

"Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God." (John 3:20-21)

...he leaves home for work. Leaves work for fling, he slips of his ring. He waits in an alley, he checks and disconnects from his world. Blinded, so comfort is sought; his hands offer solace as they escape to seclusion. The groove made by his covenant is distinct, and his fencing becomes undone...

Only those with secrets hide, if you have truth share it and let the light of many eyes see. Be who you are and be the best you while you're at it. 

JRT 

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Love Fights & Protects

Love Fights & Protects

"Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms." (Ephesians 6:11-12)

Have you ever tried on full army gear? Even the thought of it is heavy; of certainty too is your readiness for war. To combat evil, you need a full suit of pure love. Are you ready for battle?

"Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared.16 In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God." (Ephesians 6:14-17)

JRT

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Eat Good, Live Good, Sleep Good

Eat Good, Live Good, Sleep Good

"This is what I have observed to be good: that it is appropriate for a person to eat, to drink and to find satisfaction in their toil some labour under the sun during the few days of life God has given them—for this is their lot. Moreover, when God gives someone wealth and possessions, and the ability to enjoy them, to accept their lot and be happy in their toil—this is a gift of God. They seldom reflect on the days of their life, because God keeps them occupied with gladness of heart." (Ecclesiastes 5:18-20)

Wise King Solomon searched out the boundaries of civilizations for the meaning of life and found much to be merely vanity. With eternity written on man's heart, there is much time to pass, even unto one's pause in sleep. Let not your days be lost being miserable and alone. 

"Cheerfulness is as natural to the heart of man in strong health as colour to his cheek; and wherever there is habitual gloom there must be either bad air, unwholesome food, improperly severe labor or erring habits of life." John Ruskin

JRT

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God & Saviour

God and Saviour

'Beyond all question, the mystery of godliness is great: He appeared in a body, was vindicated by the Spirit, was seen by angels, was preached among the nations, was believed on in the world, was taken up in glory.' (1 Timothy 3:16) 

The human mind, often inundated with requests for responses and decision, grapples with the thought of a timeless all powerful being. What further befuddleds mankind is somehow this creator made all, loves all, and has a purpose for all; especially for man who dominates his planet. 

All is not well for mankind, though there has been much to write about in history. Under the influence of sin man has strayed afar and was destined for doom. This doom however has and will be kept a bay by God, for He purposes much good for humankind. His master worker, Jesus, has yet more to do even since creation. 

'For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace with his blood, shed on the cross.' (Colossians 1:19-20) This sacrifice is the basis of eternal hope, as our God who is love continues to lay the ground work for phase two of our existence. '...while we wait for the blessed hope -- the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.' (Titus 2:13-14) 

JRT

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Stand Up And Walk The Walk

Stand Up And Walk The Walk

"Is it easier to say ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or ‘Stand up and walk’? So I will prove to you that the Son of Man has the authority on earth to forgive sins.” Then Jesus turned to the paralyzed man and said, “Stand up, pick up your mat, and go home!” ~ Matthew 9:5-6 

It's easy to tell someone his sins are forgiven; it's a lot more difficult to reverse a case of paralysis! Jesus backed up his words by healing the man's legs. Jesus' action showed that his words were true; he had the power to forgive as well as to heal. Talk is cheap, but our words lack meaning if our actions do not back them up. We can say we love God or others, but if we are not taking practical steps to demonstrate that love, our words are empty and meaningless. How well do your actions back up what you say?

JRT

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Do Right, You Are What You Believe

Do Right, You Are What You Believe

“Not everyone who calls out to me, ‘Lord! Lord!’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Only those who actually do the will of my Father in heaven will enter." ~ Matthew 7:21  

Some self-professed athletes can "talk" a great game, but that tells you nothing about their athletic skills. And not everyone who talks about heaven belongs to God's kingdom. Jesus is more concerned about our walk than our talk. He wants us to do right, not just say the right words. Your house will withstand the storms of life only if you do what is right instead of just talking about it. What you do cannot be separated from what you believe.

JRT

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One By One, Day by Day

One By One, Day By Day

“So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today." ~ Matthew 6:34 

Planning for tomorrow is time well spent; worrying about tomorrow is time wasted. Sometimes it's difficult to tell the difference. Careful planning is thinking ahead about goals, steps, and schedules, and trusting in God's guidance. When done well, planning can help alleviate worry. Worriers, by contrast, are consumed by fear and find it difficult to trust God. They let their plans interfere with their relationship with God. Don't let worries about tomorrow affect your relationship with God today.

JRT

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Mine The Everlasting Treasure

"Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be." ~ Matthew 6:21 

Jesus made it clear that having the wrong treasures leads to our hearts being in the wrong place. What we treasure the most controls us, whether we admit it or not. If possessions or money become too important to us, we must re-establish control or get rid of items. Jesus calls for a decision that allows us to live contented with whatever we have because we have chosen eternal values over temporary, earthly treasures.

Are you stuck on Jesus or riches?

JRT

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Forgive And Be Forgiven

“If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins." ~ Matthew 6:14,15 

Jesus gives a startling warning about forgiveness: If we refuse to forgive others, God will also refuse to forgive us. Why? Because when we don't forgive others, we are denying our common ground as sinners in need of God's forgiveness. God's forgiveness of sin is not the direct result of our forgiving others, but it is based on our realizing what forgiveness means. It is easy to ask God for forgiveness, but difficult to grant it to others. Whenever we ask God to forgive us for sin, we should ask ourselves, "Have I forgiven the people who have wronged me?"

JRT

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Beyond Envy

"Therefore, laying aside all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all evil speaking, as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby." ~ 1 PETER 2:1-2 NKJV

We are human beings, we aren't perfect, we are sometimes envious of each other. A human soul is created by love, envy poisons the spirit, the mind and the body. God’s Word warns us that envy is sin. Thus, we must guard ourselves against the natural tendency to feel resentment and jealousy when other people experience good fortune. As believers, we have absolutely no reason to be envious. After all, as Christians we are already recipients of the greatest gift in all creation: God’s grace. We have been promised the gift of eternal life through God’s only begotten Son, and we must count that gift as our most precious possession.

So here’s a simple suggestion that is guaranteed to bring you happiness: fill your heart with God’s love, God’s promises, and God’s Son . . . and when you do so, leave no room for envy, hatred, bitterness, or regret.

Discontent dries up the soul.  ~Elisabeth Elliot

How can you possess the miseries of envy when you possess in Christ the best of all portions?    ~C. H. Spurgeon

Is there somebody who’s always getting your goat? Talk to the Shepherd.   ~Anonymous

What God asks, does, or requires of others is not my business; it is His.   ~Kay Arthur

Too many Christians envy the sinners their pleasure and the saints their joy because they don’t have either one.   ~Martin Luther

TODAY’S PRAYER
Dear Lord, when I am envious of others, redirect my thoughts to the blessings I have received from You. Make me a thankful Christian, Father, and deliver me from envy. Amen

JRT

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Offload Through Prayer

“And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him and let it drop (leave it, let it go), in order that your Father Who is in heaven may also forgive you...” ~ Mark 11:25, AMP

On a popular Jamaican morning radio programme listeners are encouraged to throw all their negative burdens into an audio truck they'd hear at a special segment of the show. Dealing with the stresses in life is paramount to ones sanity, health, and, survival. Most of unresolved issues a person faces hinges on a lack off access to its solution. Forgiveness opens the door of resolution.

Suppose I told you, everything around has a beginning, every beginning a creator, and life a master key? Do you believe? Connect with the Master Creator today, bring all your burdens, he'll help you on your way. 

JRT

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Be An Example Not An Echo

"So if you ignore the least commandment and teach others to do the same, you will be called the least in the Kingdom of Heaven. But anyone who obeys God’s laws and teaches them will be called great in the Kingdom of Heaven.". ~ Matthew 5:19 

Some of those in the crowd were experts at telling others what to do, but they missed the central point of God's laws themselves. Jesus made it clear that obeying God's law is more important than explaining it. It's much easier to study God's laws and tell others to obey them than to put them into practice. Don't just talk about the law, live it. How are you doing at obeying God yourself?

JRT

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Share Your Light

“You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father." ~ Matthew 5:14-16

Can you hide a city that is sitting on top of a hill? Its light at night can be seen for miles. If we live for Christ, we will glow like lights, showing others what Christ is like. We hide our light by (1) being quiet when we should speak, (2) going along with the crowd, (3) denying the light, (4) letting sin dim our light, (5) not explaining our light to others, or (6) ignoring the needs of others. Be a beacon of truth; don't shut your light off from the rest of the world.

JRT

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More Blessings For Those Who Give Blessings

“God blesses those who are poor and realize their need for him, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs. God blesses those who mourn, for they will be comforted. God blesses those who are humble, for they will inherit the whole earth." ~ Matthew 5:3-5 

Jesus began his sermon with words that seem to contradict each other. But God's way of living usually contradicts the world's. If you want to live for God, you must be ready to say and do what seems strange to the world. You must be willing to give when others take, to love when others hate, to help when others abuse. By giving up your own rights in order to serve others, you will one day receive everything God has in store for you.

JRT

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Change Your Ways

"Prove by the way you live that you have repented of your sins and turned to God." ~ Matthew 3:8  

John the Baptist called people to more than words or ritual; he told them to change their behaviour. "Prove by the way you live that you have repented of your sins" means that God looks beyond our words and religious activities to see if our conduct backs up what we say, and he judges our words by the actions that accompany them. Do your actions match your words?

Live, for you have been saved.  Rejoice, your life has an happy ever after. Be fruitful, your blessings are sure. 

JRT

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Put Your Faith In Jehovah

"Household gods give worthless advice, fortune-tellers predict only lies, and interpreters of dreams pronounce falsehoods that give no comfort. So my people are wandering like lost sheep; they are attacked because they have no shepherd." ~ Zechariah 10:2 

We often create idols of money, power, fame, or success, and then we expect them to give us happiness and security. But these idols can't supply what we need any more than a stone image can make it rain. How foolish it is to trust in idols. Instead, trust God's promises for your future.

Yes put your faith firmly in God's capable and willing hands, for He is a faithful God and He purposes to prosper you beyond your imagination. 


JRT

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