Relationships

It is not what you can do for a person but rather what you mean to someone. So many have it wrong, they believe it is who you know to make you what you are. We believe it matters how many friends we have in our lives but I believe it is the ones who are there for you in hard times as much as in good times! I am getting so tired of how we dance around each other because we don’t want to hurt someone’s feelings. So we would prefer to be fake with each other. In directs are so wrong! It is best to say what you mean and mean what you say! Don’t try to cover up what you are trying to say with lies! “Speak the truth in love” Ephesians 4:15.



I believe if you are honest with each other from the beginning than you won’t have to worry about hurting the other person.  If you realize what you are doing by not being honest than you would understand that you should just tell the person that you love the truth. One cover up will require many more cover-ups! The main thing we should be doing is wanting to cover one another in love. It should not  be all about you but you are to “consider the other better than yourself” Philippians 2:13.



It does not matter what the relationship is that you are in…”Love one another deeply” 1Peter1:22  Respect can be given…yes, with choice, but I have noticed respect comes easy when it has been earned through integrity, honesty and truth. Respect…the condition of being esteemed or honored: to be held in respect.  Jesus did not come demanding respect. We read this in Philippians 2:1-8



1If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, 2then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. 3Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. 4Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.



5Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:



6Who, being in very nature God,



did not consider equality with God something to be grasped,



7but made himself nothing,



taking the very nature of a servant,



being made in human likeness.



8And being found in appearance as a man,



he humbled himself



and became obedient to death—



even death on a cross!





What an example for us…Jesus Christ! Lord, make us the kind of people who have our minds made up to follow you and love you first as you have first loved us with all of our hearts! I understand that not everyone will understand our decisions neither will everyone always like what we choose to do. We must remain open to our heavenly Father’s leading and the  corrections that He will send for our own good! We must be led by Him, not our emotions, neither the opinions of others.  To please someone else is not something I believe we are to ever feel we have to do. Neither should we have to prove our love nor our worth in any relationship.

Daughter of the Most High God,

Natalie Young

The Confession of our Mouths

“May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.” Psalm 19:14

There is so much power in what we confess with our mouths. We must understand that negative words/attitudes will only cause us to live in the opposite direction of what God plans for each of us as His children. Before you start blaming anyone/anything on what you are going through in your life, please consider what you are meditating on & confessing with your mouth.

Do you realize that the direction of your thoughts will lead you in the direction you will take? Also, if you surround yourself with people/places, etc. who live & tell you things that are not lining up with the Word of God, you will be led astray.

“The wise woman builds her house, but with her own hands the foolish one tears hers down.”
Proverbs 14:1

Some are literally tearing down their homes/families with their words & actions. It is important to recognize this and begin to make the necessary changes to experience different results in your life. Some minor adjustments can result in a total change in your course of history.

There are too many making a big mess of things because of what they are declaring. What are you meditating on? On the other hand, imagine how your home would be, if each day you made a conscious decision to speak & do things to build up your home & family.

Daughter of the Most High God,

Natalie Young

When God says Wait!

“The vision will still happen at the appointed time. It hurries toward its goal. It won't be a lie. If it's delayed, wait for it. It will certainly happen. It won't be late.” Habakkuk 2:3

There are so many times we are moving forward and all of sudden God says, “Wait!” Wow, here you are ready and even can see the things ahead. All of a sudden, God gives you a yellow light. We must not get discouraged when He says ‘wait.’ This delay does not mean we will be denied! He actually wants to take care of some things! Some things include in us, others in the path and even circumstances to come. We must trust Him in the waiting!

Some may say that when He says, “No!” it is more discouraging; but I believe it more difficult to hear ‘wait.’ At least with ‘no’ you are clear on His will. When He says ‘wait,’ He is not saying ‘no,’ He is saying only be patient, it is not time yet. God always knows what is best for each of us; this includes His timing on things.

Recently, in the Daytona 500 there was an explosion that delayed the racers. We could only imagine how anxious they were to continue on the race that came to a sudden stop (wait/pause). They had their minds set on the prize/goal that was set before them. They were not denied to complete the race; but had to wait until the necessary repairs were made quickly on the track pavement. If they were not patient to wait, there could have been major disasters. After a while, they were able to complete the race! Every season does have an end! With every wait/pause, there will be movement once again. Praise God!

“It is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD” Lamentations 3:26

The other aspect of waiting is understanding the importance of expecting from the Lord, as you wait! There is a calm quietness you can walk in, knowing that your heavenly Father has it all in the palm of His hands! So although you may have this season of waiting, He is doing things that far outweigh your natural understanding! ‘Only God’… is what I often will say…because He is the only one who could move and cause the things that take place in each of our lives, especially in those moments of ‘suddenlies!’

Natalie Young

Daughter of the most High God

Reflections

Reflections… a careful and serious consideration. I believe it is a good thing to reflect over your life! It is important to see that there is growth and forward movement. Usually at the end of each year, people will begin to reflect over their lives. Some become very disheartened and discouraged. Some feel that they want more time in this year to finish some things before beginning a new year. Some are so excited about a New Year as if something changes because we are going into another year. Consider where you are and think to yourself, have I truly grown this year? Have I accomplished some of my goals that I set at the beginning of this year of 2011? Where am I going? Will I try to finish what I began in this year as I enter into the New Year of 2012?

Philippians 3:13 tells us, “Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead,” It is important that we do not live in the past because then we can stay stuck there. We will compare everything to our past and miss all the things ahead! When you review your past, be honest and see how far you have come, consider God’s absolute grace in your life and be mindful that God does not want you to stay there! It is His will that we continue to grow from glory to glory! We see this in 2 Corinthians 3:18, “So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord--who is the Spirit--makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image.”

So, although you cannot take back things done in the past, remember you can always work on how you are in the future! “This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!” 2 Corinthians 5:17.  What an amazing thought, He is the God of a second, third, fourth, etc (you get the point) chance! But, remember you have to surrender so you can experience ALL that He has for you!

Yes, there will be things that will remind you of your past, just know that God wants to use your past to propel you into your future. Reflect and know that although you might have missed the mark at times, there will be another opportunity to try again until you take your last breath! Praise God for that! Run this race set before you in His strength and know that you do not have to keep up with anyone here on earth! Just know that He has great plans for you and remain in step with His Spirit! “A person's steps are directed by the LORD, and the LORD delights in his way.” Psalm 37:23

Natalie Young

Daughter of the most High God

Contentment

Philippians 4:11 tells us, “I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.”

However, what does it mean to be content? Do you have to settle for what you have? Contentment is defined as…mentally or emotionally satisfied with things as they are; willing to accept circumstances, a proposed course of action, etc.

Does this mean that where you are and what condition you find yourself in is your final destination or can you continue to strive for more and trust God to help you to keep coming up higher?  Well, I believe He wants us to understand the difference with accepting where you currently are and knowing that there is more.  You will not remain in this circumstance/s forever. You see, there are some things that you cannot change (this is just truly out of your control). Then there are those things that you can… through Christ! Praise Him for that!

The Bible goes on to tell us in Philippians 4:12…”I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little.”  Whatever your situation is, know that you can find peace and assurance in the midst of it! There will be times when you feel as though there is absolutely nothing available to you or for you and yet there is. Ask for God’s help so you will be able to recognize it. If you find yourself in little, know that He is God and will always take good care of you!  He wants us to totally trust Him and in Him alone. Make up your mind to live in a content state no matter what the circumstance/s may be.  Complaining will change nothing.

I can remember wondering so often when my husband was unemployed and we did not know how we would pay all our bills & on time at that. How would we have enough food? How would we be able to even drive without money for gas? And would we even be able to keep our home? I cannot explain but I knew (was completely content…my mind was made up… in God alone) that He would supply some how and some way. To God be the glory, during that year and ½ each bill was paid on time, we never went without food, there was always enough gas in the tank, we kept our home and paid the mortgage each month on time, never asking anyone for help except God and knowing that He would supply. Please be encouraged, He is not a respecter of persons, if He did it for me and my family, He definitely wants to do the same for you! When you live with contentment (assurance that God is in control no matter what) you will have total peace!

Natalie Young

Daughter of the most High God