Associations

“The righteous choose their friends carefully” ~ Proverbs 12:26

 

As we entered into this year, I felt so impressed that we would need to be very careful with our associations and who we choose to connect to. You see there are times we are pursuing something or someone/s that we should not.

 

We hitch our wagon, ‘so to speak’ to things & people we are not supposed to. We assume that our relationship should become more and it is NOT God’s will or part of His plan. Please do not get me wrong, I believe we meet people for various reasons and that there are times and seasons for God placing them into our lives. He knows that it will end up being very beneficial for us and them.

 

But let’s think about this very carefully. How many people do you have around you that you consider very close; that have been a part of your life for years? Overall, I believe the answer would be a very small percentage, sadly. As years go by, we find that we change and so do the people around us. Some move away and others just are going in a different direction than you.

 

You see you must use discernment in the company you keep. You must be careful who you allow to be closest to you! If you are not, you may regret allowing someone to be too close and ends up taking advantage of your openness. They may have only wanted this to happen to use you or take advantage of weakness as you have shown vulnerability & complete faithfulness to them. Remember, we have the unction of the Holy Spirit who helps us to recognize who we should associate with or not.

 

Don’t be deceived by their outward appearance or their overall confidence which could be a complete cover-up of what is truly going on inside their heart! So many are looking for fame and fortune and will stop at nothing to get it. They may even use your good name and the connections you already have in a deceptive way. Why try to hold on to these kinds of people whose purposes were completely selfish and will not do you any good?

 

You also may notice that some want a title so bad and may even be jealous of what you walk in that they will act in a rather condescending way. It will seem as though you need them when that was never your intention in trying to get to know them; but in order to make them feel good and superior they have to show others that the connection with you was solely for them to brag that God used them in your life. This is so sad. Rather than remaining humble and seeking God on the purpose for meeting, they want to see it only as ministry so they can talk about or even brag about.

 

When Jesus walked on this earth He chose specific key people to walk with Him. He set the example for us and I believe we must use so much wisdom as we choose our friends/associations. If not we can live to regret it and or learn difficult lessons from them. It is not about how many you have around you, as much as it is how many are sincerely there to build you up, encourage you, strengthen you, not judge you, love you, forgive you, and desires to see you succeed to your fullest; just as we should be that to them. We are to sharpen each other and understand that honesty in our associations will only cause us to rise up to our highest potential. We should never have to chase after someone for them to associate with us; neither should we have to beg them to do things for us. Anything that is being done on both sides has to be done from the heart or ‘our labor is in vain’ as God tells us clearly in HIS Word!

***I trust that these blogs are an encouragement to you the reader and I would love to hear from you. Please share your comments and/or prayer requests! If this blog has encouraged you please share with others. I would love to have more blog followers as well as hear comments. May God bless you!***

Daughter of the Most High God,

 

Pastor Natalie Young

#standoutandshine!

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Like Arrows in the hands of a warrior – Part 3

Like Arrows in the hands of a warrior – Part 3

I wanted to continue on this subject as promised and here is my 3rd part of this blog about children being arrows in our hands as the parental guardians over them. As children grow they come to an age of understanding and recognition of right from wrong; of truth from error. This age can vary from child to child and household to household but you will recognize it as they begin to display it.

Younger children developing often times are learning so much from repetition. They mimic what is around them. As the child gets older and begins to question things, they want to come to an understanding of the world around them. Oftentimes, as the child grows to become a young person and into an adult they begin to see if all that has been taught to them is actually true or not. This is why we must filter out examples for them as they are growing up. Most often this vital time of their lives is when they come to choose who they will serve and what they will really believe.

I began this 3-part series with the verse from the title- ““Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, so are the children of one’s youth.” ~ Psalm 127:4 because I wanted to encourage each of you reading this; that as your children grow to the point of being on their own; they will go in the direction you have been guiding them by faith! Deuteronomy 11:19 clearly is encouraging us, “Teach them to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up.” As God-fearing parents, all the days you were raising them were directing points toward the way they were to go according the Word of God.

I encourage you to hold to this promise from the Word of God regarding your children: “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” ~ Jeremiah 29:11 God crafted each child and placed them in the families He purposed. He knitted each of us with a plan. Psalm 139:13 “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.” There are NO mistakes with God! Training up your child according the Word of God and preparing them to live out their faith as they get older is what it means to be “arrows in the hands of a warrior!”

I pray that if you have not yet surrendered your life to the Lord or are not fully there in your heart, that you would make that decision today. Ask the Lord Jesus to forgive you of all your sins (wrong doing) and to come and take control of your life today. Ask Him to help you as you gain an understanding of His Truth from the Bible. If you are a parent reading this ask Father God to continue to help you to raise your children according to the Word. Walking in the convictions from the Word of Truth and find a place that will also encourage you and your family to live out your faith in God without compromise! If you would like more information about living your life for the Lord Jesus and parental Biblical guidance please feel free to contact me at ny@resplendency.com

***I trust that these blogs are an encouragement to you the reader and I would love to hear from you. Please share your comments and/or prayer requests! If this blog has encouraged you please share with others. I would love to have more blog followers as well as hear comments. May God bless you!***

Daughter of the Most High God,

 

Pastor Natalie Young

#standoutandshine!

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Like Arrows in the hands of a warrior – Part 2

Like Arrows in the hands of a warrior – Part 2

Matthew 19: 13—14 says, “One day some parents brought their children to Jesus so He could lay His hands on them and pray for them. But the disciples scolded the parents for bothering HIM. But Jesus said, ‘Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to those who are like these children.”

 

As mentioned, in my prior blog we as parents are truly the best examples of what it means to be a believer to our children. If it is not us then it is their grandparents, aunts, uncles, teachers, etc. who are leading these little ones to the Lord! The ones who they are surrounded the most by are the ones who are making the most influence over them. Now we must understand that taking our children to church is NOT what saves them, it is leading them to Jesus!

 

You see, we must live out what we believe so that we can impact our next generation! If we do not then they will be impacted by the world, and the culture they find themselves in!  Church is actually an outer layer of what really should be going on deep down on the inside of each of us who call ourselves believers! We read in Psalm 122:1 ~ “I was glad when they said to me, ‘Let us go to the house of the Lord.’”

 

If we are taking God at HIS Word then we are literally living out our faith! Our children see when we hurt, fight with one another, how we deal with sickness, grief, despair, forgiveness, making things right, etc. Knowing this, we must take these times as real life moments of teaching. You see, our children will appreciate Truth rather than you making up stories. The Lord gives wisdom to us as parents on how to teach them and He helps the child to have a greater understanding, even beyond their years!

 

I know you must have heard it said, ‘children are very resilient… well guess what they are!!!  1Samuel 2:21, 26 tells us, “Meanwhile, Samuel grew up in the Presence of the Lord. And the boy Samuel continued to grow in stature and in favor with the Lord and with people.”  Leading our children to Christ Jesus is a daily, moment by moment choice we make as they grow up. When we allow our children to see our faults/weaknesses as well as our strengths then we are truly being the best examples. These verses reflect how Samuel grew up in the Presence of the Lord… that was a life being taught how to be devoted to the Lord. In verse 26 as Samuel grew up like this he also gained favor with people. Do not think for a moment that this is coincidence; not at all… this came as a result of Samuel learning how to revere the Presence of the Almighty God in everyday living!

 

Lastly, let’s look at what the Bible tells us about Jesus in Luke 2:52, “Jesus grew in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and all the people.” And when He was twelve years old He was actually sitting in the mist of the temple leaders and discussing the scriptures. “Three days later they finally discovered him in the Temple, sitting among the religious teachers, listening to them and asking questions.” Luke 2:46. But you see that although this took place Jesus understood, he still had to submit to His earthly parents and remained obedient to them ~ “Then he returned to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. And his mother stored all these things in her heart.” Luke 2:51

 

**It is my prayer that as you read these blogs you will be encouraged in living out your faith and continuously lead by example!**

 

***I would love to hear from you. Please share your comments and/or prayer requests! I trust that you have been encouraged and challenged! If this blog has encouraged you please share with others. I would love to have more blog followers as well as hear comments. May God bless you!***

Daughter of the Most High God,

 

Pastor Natalie Young

#standoutandshine!

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Like Arrows in the Hands of a Warrior

Like Arrows in the Hand of a Warrior

“Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, so are the children of one’s youth.”  ~ Psalm 127:4.

I believe God entrusts us with children and that children are a gift from God! It is our determination to raise them and guide them in the way they are to go! Yes, we all have been given freewill… with that said we must see that there are so many ways that children can choose to go but we read in Proverbs 16:25, “There is a path before each person that seems right, but it ends in death.” The key in this verse… it seems right! We must be aware!

Let’s be clear here God wants us to see our children as our future! He trusts us with these precious lives and I believe requires us to be examples and responsibly teach them accurately according to what the Word of God teaches us! “Direct your children onto the right path, and when they are older, they will not leave it.” ~ Proverbs 22:6.  Oh God, what a promise & at the same time what a great responsibility that we must hold to with utmost respect to what you are clearly saying!

Be sure of this, our children watch us closely! We may think they are only observing everyone outside more but the truth is we are the Bible, Truth that they are watching everyday (NO matter what age they are)!  With that said, we are to be honest when we fail and make things right as an example. It is NOT… do as I say only! It is… Do as I say and as I live!

We are to be “WARRIORS” in our home and on guard of all that is taking place!  Not so busy that we miss or take lightly things that are happening in the four walls of our own home! As warriors… we will recognize our children’s gifting and talents and guide them in those paths as the Lord enables and provides!

Don’t ever get caught up with comparing yourself with someone else rather acknowledge before the Lord that without Him you truly can not lead your child/ren in the way they are to go! Honestly, it is not until you totally depend on Him to help you with your child/ren that you can truly teach them His ways and how to live for Him and depend on Him!

Father, help us to take our role as parent so seriously! Help us to live what we learn from your Word daily! Help us to recognize that with each child there is great responsibility and requirement to lead by example not only through many words! Help us to take you at your word and understand that a warrior is one who will fight for their family and as an arrow is thrown with direction to hit the mark we are to guide our children and help them along the path so that when they are old and the truth is tested in them they will hit the mark and truly bring glory to your name alone! Praise God! In the Mighty and Matchless Name of Jesus I pray! Amen!

This is part 1 to be continued…..

***I would love to hear from you. Please share your comments and/or prayer requests! I trust that you have been encouraged and challenged! If this blog has encouraged you please share with others. I would love to have more blog followers as well as hear comments. May God bless you!***

Daughter of the Most High God,

 

Pastor Natalie Young

#standoutandshine!

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No Regrets

 

 

2 Corinthians 7:10, “For the kind of sorrow God wants us to experience leads us away from sin and results in salvation. There’s no regret for that kind of sorrow. But worldly sorrow, which lacks repentance, results in spiritual death.”

I believe that God does not want any of us living with regrets! As we enter  a New Year, let’s reflect and recognize where we can improve! Rather than living in regret, let’s choose to see where we have ‘missed the mark,’ so to speak and where we need to repent, turning us in a better direction for our own good in Jesus name!

I believe too often we make the mistake of living in regret of failures and missed opportunities. There are things we have allowed to give us a steering column rather than us being led by the Lord. It could have been out of fear, neglect or even pride. Ask God to reveal this to you so He can set you free and give you the ability (through Christ alone) to face these and NOT allow these things to hold you back any longer!

I want to encourage you to break free from any and every thing that has held you back. Decide to move forward into 2014 with a conscious decision that you are remaining steadfast on the promises of God! That He holds your every step as you depend on HIM! If you never admit where you have made mistakes, you will not fully be able to turn away from what you need to and can continue in regretful living… God forbid ~ this I pray!

Sincerely BELIEVING 2014 will be a year of unexpected moments for every child of GOD! Happy NEW YEAR ~ 2014!!!

 

***I would love to hear from you. Please share your comments and/or prayer requests! I trust that you have been encouraged and challenged! If this blog has encouraged you please share with others. I would love to have more blog followers as well as hear comments. May God bless you!***

Daughter of the Most High God,

 

Pastor Natalie Young

#standoutandshine!

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He is with us!

He is with us!

How exciting to celebrate the birth of Jesus this month! John 3:16 tells us: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

I absolutely believe that there is NO denying that our God sent His only begotten Son Jesus! He wanted us to know how much He loves us and wanted us to experience His very Presence daily!

John 3:17 says, “For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.” God knew the only way we could be saved was through the ultimate sacrifice that Jesus paid when He died for us on the cross! But remember He made a way for us not to be condemned but to bring completeness and direct access to God!

Knowing this, we must now understand that we cannot hide from His Presence! He was God is the flesh when He came to earth… born in Bethlehem as a newborn babe… giving us truly the ultimate example! After He died He sent His promised Holy Spirit… His very Presence to always be with us to help us! “Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!” ~ 2 Corinthians 9:15

 

I want to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas!  If you have not received Jesus yet into your lives in a personal relationship… receive your king… ask Him to forgive you for any and all sins that have brought a separation to Him and to fill you with Himself! You will never be the same and will receive the best Christmas gift you could ever receive!

 

***I would love to hear from you. Please share your comments and/or prayer requests! I trust that you have been encouraged and challenged! If this blog has encouraged you please share with others. I would love to have more blog followers as well as hear comments. May God bless you!***

 

 

Daughter of the Most High God,

 

Pastor Natalie Young

 

#standoutandshine!

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And Be Thankful

And Be Thankful

 

Colossians 3:15 tells us, “And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful.”

 

A thankless person is usually a rather negative person or someone who believes everything is always supposed to be handed to them. They do not believe they even have to say “thank you…” it is as if they deserve everything done for them. But God wants us to be the kind of people who remember to be thankful… to live a life of thanksgiving!

 

Yes, I know we are celebrating ‘Thanksgiving,’ and what a wonderful time to reflect on all the things we are to be thankful for. But let me encourage you to live your life in such a way that each day and not only in this season, you recognize and remember to be thankful!

 

Listen to what 1 Thessalonians 5:18 says, “Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.” Yes, we go through difficulties and very hard places at times but we are not alone and will not be abandoned by our Eternally Faithful God!

 

Let’s reflect a heart/life of thanksgiving and not only now but each day! Let’s say, “Thank you” to those who do things for us just because and not take these things for granted! Let’s recognize the little things and not only be overcome by the big things! To live in this way, we will experience so much more joy and become more aware of how much we are experiencing the love of God daily!

***I would love to hear from you. Please share your comments and/or prayer requests! I trust that you have been encouraged and challenged! If this blog has encouraged you please share with others. I would love to have more blog followers as well as hear comments. May God bless you!***

 

Daughter of the Most High God,

 

Pastor Natalie Young

 

#standoutandshine!

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Future Generations

Future Generations

 

This month we are excited to have a conference entitled, “The Grass is Greener Where You Water It” on October 19^th and in preparing for this event I felt strongly impressed to write another blog to each of you. We must understand that God wants us to experience generational blessings! Luke 1:50 tells us, “He shows mercy from generation to generation to all who fear Him.” Also in Joel 1:3 says, “Tell it to your children, and let your children tell it to their children, and their children to the next generation.”

 

There are things we are currently experiencing because our parents/grandparents accepted and allowed that which was contrary to what God’s Word clearly says. He longs and even waits to make us the people He created us to be! There is something on the inside of each of us wanting to fill a void ‘so to speak’ that honestly only the Lord can fill!

 

Let’s understand that whatever we are giving a ‘stamp of approval on today, the next generation will run with, even expound on!’ Knowing this let’s take very seriously how and in what ways are we to live our lives in front of others ~ how much more those we have influence over! Most of us do not recognize the power of influence!

 

There seems to be an increase of “group think” and “do whatever you want” but remember this is not something God is in favor of! Matthew 7:14 “For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it.” And in Mark 8:34 “Then, calling the crowd to join his disciples, He said, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross, and follow me.” This is clear that few are finding the way that lead to life which includes turning from our selfish ways, NOT doing ‘whatever we want to!’ When we follow HIM we recognize that our lives our truly NOT our own, we have been bought with a price and we must choose to follow after HIM daily, moment-by-moment.

 

With that said, let’s make up our minds to lay solid foundations for future generations. Let’s become more aware that what and who we are around can have a great impact on us, so let’s decide to make a difference where God has us and NOT allow things contrary to HIS truth to take away what we know is RIGHT! We know that children are our future and they are like “sponges” soaking up all that is around them, so please remember what  Ephesians 5:15 warns us, “Be very careful, then, how you live–not as unwise but as wise”

 

There is still time to register for this one-day conference, “The Grass is Greener Where You Water It.” on October 19^th. For more information go to:  www.resplendency.com/greenergrass

 

***I would love to hear from you. Please share your comments and/or prayer requests! I trust that you have been encouraged and challenged! If this blog has encouraged you please share with others. I would love to have more blog followers as well as hear comments. May God bless you!***

 

Daughter of the Most High God,

 

Pastor Natalie Young

 

#standoutandshine!

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Having your mind made up

Having your mind made up

 

There is something about a made up mind! It causes you to do things that otherwise you would think that you could not accomplish. It seems that it is not until we have our minds made-up that we can live wishy-washy (so to speak).

 

When you live with a mind made up you will not allow yourself to doubt what God is clearly saying to you in HIS Word! You recognize your weaknesses and ask for help to do what God calls you to do. Remember what 2 Corinthians 12:9 says about our weaknesses, “But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”

 

2 Timothy 4:5 tells us, “But you should keep a clear mind in every situation.” Without a clear mind your thoughts will go just about everywhere… unfortunately! We can believe we are to do one thing; then quickly change our minds because of discussing it with others or just because of overwhelming emotions of ~ if it does not work out… what am I thinking… this is too hard… etc., etc. Every decision/choice made does come with a circumstance whether positive or negative; so of course seeking the Lord and having your mind renewed will help you to make the right decisions ultimately! Praise God!

 

God tells us in Ephesians 4:23, “to be made new in the attitude of your mind” and also we are “be transformed by the renewing of your mind” found in Romans 12:2. This is very important to God as He is letting us know that our mindsets can be changed, even transformed because of knowing who we are in HIM and believing He only wants the best for us! Understanding these things will help you to walk with a confidence and a mind so made up that when tested only what you have relied upon will shine forth through you!

 

We will be discussing “Spiritual Warfare” this month and we understand that without having your hearts right with God the Enemy of your souls can devour any of us because we are not protected under the Mighty Hand of God and the Blood His Son Jesus shed for us! Knowing this please get your hearts/life right with HIM and maintain a relationship with HIM, then you can live with your mind made up and do what Ephesians 6:13 says to us, “Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.”

 

***I would love to hear from you. Please share your comments and/or prayer requests! I trust that you have been encouraged and challenged! If this blog has encouraged you please share with others. I would love to have more blog followers as well as hear comments. May God bless you!***

 

Daughter of the Most High God,

Pastor Natalie Young

#standoutandshine!

http://resplendency.com/

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In your anger do not sin!

In your anger do not sin!

The definition of anger is ~ a strong feeling of displeasure and belligerence (a warlike or aggressively hostile nature, condition, or attitude) aroused by a wrong.

As a result of remaining angry resentment can set in. You may even become easilyexasperated (annoyed/provoked). The most unfortunate is if your anger turns into fury (rage so great that it resembles insanity).

God warns us in Ephesians 4:26, “In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry.”  Father God knows that we each will feel anger. There will be things that seriously make us very upset. The key is how to not allow this real emotion to take us over to the point that it leads to sin. God is telling us don’t remain in your anger. Anger is stirred up in us when we believe we have experienced an injustice. It can be directly due to something that was done to us or to someone we love.

But how do you not stay angry? How do you not allow yourself to fall into sin?  First, and foremost it is honestly only through the power of the Holy Spirit that you can obtain a self-control to NOT remain angry or with a desire to want to retaliate! As is mentioned in Galatians 5:22-23, “But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.” So if you are not walking with the Lord, it is important to get your life right with Him, gaining a proper relationship. Then He fills you up with His Holy Spirit but you will have to stay connected to Him to continue to hear Him loud and clear!

Now as you maintain relationship with Him, He will give you an ability on how to respond as is mentioned in Proverbs 15:1, “A gentle answer turns away rage, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” He alone will give you the ability to walk in gentleness and patience. Although, it may be very difficult and we may not always respond correctly, the important thing is that He is with you and as you may experience real “ANGER” He alone will be there to encourage you to “NOT SIN!” But remember if you do ~ repent and ask Him for help to overcome your feelings of injustice! No one can help you the way God can. Remember the ultimate sacrifice was made for all mankind on the cross that Jesus bore for us!

***If this blog has encouraged you please share with others. I would love to have more blog followers as well as hear comments. May God bless you!***

#standoutandshine!

Daughter of the Most High God,

Pastor Natalie Young

http://resplendency.com/

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