Redeeming Qualities!

Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming. As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.” Since you call on a Father who judges each person’s work impartially, live out your time as foreigners here in reverent fear. For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake. Through him you believe in God who raised him from the dead and glorified him, and so your faith and hope are in God. Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for each other, love one another deeply from the heart. For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring Word of God. 1 Peter 1:13-23 NIV

As far as Christ is concerned, we who were sinners have been redeemed with the precious blood of Him who hung on the cross and shed His blood for us that we might have eternal life. And the only thing He requires of us is that we love one another with a sincere love, not a plastic, superficial love that is conditional.

There are some who only care about those who care about them.

There are some who only respect those who respect them.

Then there are some who expect loyalty when they are not loyal to anyone but themselves.

These are conditional responses and what Christ wants from us is unconditional love shown to one another whether others love us or not.

Loving others–especially when they are unlovable can be hard to do, but we must if we are to demonstrate the love of Christ within us. If we have not His love, our love for others is superficial and easily diluted based upon how others treat us.

How do we know when the Love of Christ dwells within us? We know because the fruit of His Spirit is evident in our lives. “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.” Galatians 5:23-26 NIV

Therefore, our redeeming qualities are evident in our love for one another, the joy we have in rejoicing with the success of others, the peace we have in our homes and communities when we know we are peacemakers and not peacebreakers, the patience we have with those in our environment, understanding we all have to find our way with the help of others; the kindness we can show complete strangers as well as those we love; the goodness in our hearts that ignites the desire to do good things for others; the faithfulness we demonstrate to those things we have committed to doing as well as the people we have committed to being faithful in our lives; the gentleness we show those who have not yet reached the same level of maturity we have; and the self-control we demonstrate on a daily basis, not allowing our feelings and emotions to drive us.

Are there any who have yet to demonstrate having any redeeming qualities in our midst? Do we dare to speak truth to power in order to set the record straight and to make sure when we stand before God on the day of Judgment, we can rest assured we have done all we could do to sound the alarm, warning others of the danger in not following Christ? Are we capable of loving others, no matter what and how do we know that?

Loving others unconditionally has been the foundation for me to do what I do–as an educator, a community activist, a wife and mother and grandmother, and a minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. As a writer with a platform, what I say may not always be indicative of unconditional love, but when we love–we tell the truth–whether others agree with it or not. That is–unconditional love!

As a further demonstration of unconditional love of all Americans, I am taking on the posture of jumping into the political arena in my bid to become president in 2020. I am not running for the position in hopes of gaining power or status, but for the love of country and my fellow Americans. I have neither political baggage for the opposition to inspect, celebrity status and wealth, and I don’t play golf. I am a total representation of the Everyday American, having faced the challenges that most Everyday Americans without celebrity, political pull or wealth face, daily. What I do have is honor, love and integrity. If you can handle truth and love in voting for an Everyday American, you won’t regret it. Please–spread the word–and remember my name!

 

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When The Redeemed Speak!

Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever. Let the redeemed of the LORD tell their story— those he redeemed from the hand of the foe, those he gathered from the lands, from east and west, from north and south.  Let them give thanks to the LORD for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for mankind, for he satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things. Psalm 107:1-3, 8,9 NIV

Sometimes, when we have never experienced hardship, we don’t understand the hardships, trials, and challenges that others face or endure.

We don’t understand how a cancer patient feels when the treatment is debilitating-taking away the desire to eat, to move forward, and sometimes–even to live.

We don’t understand how it feels to be homeless, fearful of not surviving to see another day because of the all the threats of harm living on the street, not knowing if we’ll live to see another day.

We don’t understand the trauma experienced by a new mother who realizes they are not emotionally equipped to deal with a new baby.

We don’t understand how life leads people to become addicted to substances and those substances control all they do.

We don’t understand how fathers leave families to survive without them.

We don’t understand how mothers would abandon their children.

We don’t understand how some women survive the trauma of being raped and abused and misused and are not bitter, but become better.

We don’t understand how discriminatory practices make people feel like they are not part of the human race.

We don’t understand why some people will never be considered Americans because of the color of their skin–even though they were born here and generations of family were born here and anthem was ever written.

We don’t understand how one group of people can have more respect for a flag--a symbol that does not represent all people living within its borders–than they do people.

If we have never experienced injustice–for any reason–perpetrated against anyone–we don’t understand how the victims of injustice feel and if we say we do–we lie.

But for those who have endured the hardships and negative experiences of life over which they had no control, and survived–they understand. And when the survivors–all of them realize that their surviving was not about them, but about God and His purpose for us–they should shout it from the rooftops–Our God reigns!

He is a healer. He is a provider. He is a protector. He is a deliverer. He is the seat of justice and we shall all stand before Him one day. He is all we can ever need and He always hears the cries of those who love Him. Give Him praise and glory for it all belongs to Him!

You and You alone, O God are worthy of our praise! We are the redeemed because of Your mercy and grace. We are the chosen because of Your love towards us and we are not ashamed to say, we belong to You! Worthy is the Lamb of God and greatly to be praised!

I am the redeemed of The Lord and I say so–loudly, consistently, proudly and boldly! Without God, where would I be? Who else could I run to in my hour of need? Who else would wrap their loving arms around me and comfort me when no one else even knew the trials and challenges I faced and endure? Who, but God–can remedy wrongs–without hatred or bigotry? When love reigns–there is no fear and where there is no fear–there is no need for hatred or bigotry. Where there is no hatred or bigotry–the land is healed and peace reigns! Hallelujah for our reigning Lord, Jesus Christ!

Reign on in the hearts of men and women and children everywhere, King Jesus!

Why All The Noise?

“Shout for joy, you heavens; rejoice, you earth; burst into song, you mountains! For the LORD comforts his people and will have compassion on his afflicted ones.” (Isaiah 43:13 NIV)

Once the Prophet Isaiah has assured the children of Israel will not allow them to go hungry or die of thirst or heat from the sun, he infers that even the heavens, all the earth, and the mountains should praise the Lord for His compassion and comfort of those who have been persecuted.

The same God, who would not leave His chosen people to their own devices, loved them in spite of them and after a time–giving them room to reflect upon their behavior–He still decided to make sure they had everything they needed and would be saved their persecutors. The same God–will do the same those of us who have chosen Him–and He has received us unto Himself. He will not allow us to suffer lack when we obey Him.

We can look around us and see those who have chosen to live in opposition to His Word and know that their end–will not the same as those who live according to His Word. God is not mocked and He will not bless mess, corruption, rebellion, and disobedience. People may think they’re getting away with something, but they are not. And when we understand this, we can keep our faith moving forward, not focused on the foolishness of man, but on the mercy, grace and love of God who will redeem us from the hands of the enemy.

Shout for joy all you people who love The Lord! Sing praises unto Him who loves us in spite of us and will not allow us to suffer lack. Dance in the victory of being an overcomer for we shall overcome all the enemy puts in our path to defeat us–we are more than conquerors. We have a right to make “some noise” over all He is doing for us and will do when we allow Him to guide us in all things! Hallelujah!

I don’t know about you, but when I think about Jesus and all He has done, I could dance, dance, dance, all day! Singing a new song, from the depths of my soul as my heart rejoices in His goodness and mercy that endures forever!

Are you ready? Shout in the name of Jesus! Hallelujah! Glory to Your Name, Lord!