You must not misuse the name of the Lord your God. The Lord will not let you go unpunished if you misuse his name. Exodus 20:7 (NLT) In society today, many (without even thinking about it), will misuse God’s name on a regular basis. Within the Ten Commandments found in Exodus 20:7, the third commandment talks about how we are not to use God’s name in vain. When using God’s name in vain, it is not just words we utter but it also implies misrepresenting or falsely using God’s name or even His principles for selfish motives. When we use God's name, declare His precepts, or call ourselves Christians, we are declaring to the world we are ambassadors for God. And when we misrepresent or misuse His name in casual talk or in a vulgar manner, we are bringing down God's honor in the eyes of others. There are many different ways people take the name of God, and His principles in vain: -They falsely claim the use of God's name or His principles for their own personal agendas which could include politics, violence, and injustice towards others. -Making vows, oaths, and promises, by swearing to others using God's name. -With casual speech and even using His name in profanity. Uttering sayings such as “OMG” and many other phrases that include God's name. -In performative religion, many use prayers or sacred practices in an attempt to appear pious and holy, even though the person’s lifestyle and mindset are contrary. God wants us all to have a pure and honest heart. He wants us to serve Him in truth and not to casually misrepresent His name, His principles, and what being a Christian really means. It does not mean any of us are perfect but, it does mean we are to honor and respect God and His Holy Word. We are not to use His name in a casual/vain manner for our own selfish purposes. As we move forward in life, may we be conscious of the words we speak, and may our actions be honorable. If we have a problem with using God's name in vain, may we start consciously changing our mindset and our vocabulary. Blessings Angélique To contact: 21stcglmediateam@gmail.com

In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. Matthew 5:16 (ESV) I read an article recently that caught my attention. It asked the question if you were arrested for being a Christian, would there be enough evidence to convict you? Would anyone be able to take a stand and say: ‘Yes, they were hungry and you gave them food; they were thirsty and you gave them something to drink; they were a stranger and you took them in; they were naked and you clothed them; they were sick and you comforted them; or they were in prison and you went to visit them’? When pondering that question for yourselves, would you be convicted of being a Christian? Of course, we know that being a Christian is much more than works and we are not saved by our works or what we do. But if we love God and believe in Him and His mission, we should want to work to make the people and the world around us better. I would hope that many of us reflecting on this question would be able to say yes, we would be found guilty. And not just from our works but, the way we carry ourselves; how we interact with neighbors, co-workers, strangers while shopping, etc. Would people come away with a sense, that they were interacting with a person who displayed Christian values? Or would they be shocked if someone even suggested you were a Christian? Do you have one persona that you show in church and around church people but, are totally different when dealing with others who are not part of the faith? I hope and pray that many of us who claim to love God would lead others to not doubt our Godly beliefs and values. I pray that we will have lives that actively reflect a Christian lifestyle, and that there will be plenty of evidence to convict us, if we were to stand trial, for being Christians! Blessings, Angélique To contact: 21stcglmediateam@gmail.com

And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed. Mark 1:35 (ESV) In these days he went out to the mountain to pray, and all night he continued in prayer to God. Luke 6:12 (ESV) So many times, we have read or heard negative connotations about being alone. It is as if being alone is somewhat of a failure rather than being with somebody or having people around all the time. But being alone, especially being alone with God, can be uplifting, restorative, and powerful. I read a devotional that stated there are three areas where a person can grow by spending alone time with God. The first area is intimacy. When we hear the word intimacy, we usually think of human connections and contact. This can be beautiful within the right context but, intimacy with the Father shows our love for Him and the knowing and acceptance of His love for us. It reveals the ultimate love Jesus Christ, the Son of God, showed in dying for our salvation and the ability to spend eternity in Heaven. When we spend alone time with God, we will learn through the Bible who He is, become closer to Him, and discover His plans for us and this world. Second is dependency. We will realize as we spend time with Him how we do not have everything together. We are not gods where we understand and can control the past, the present, and our future destiny. We must be totally dependent on our Heavenly Father for direction and guidance, as we go through the twists and turns of our life’s journey. The third is obedience. By spending time alone with God, we learn to be obedient to His will and His way for our lives. As humans, we tend to think we are the masters of our lives and our destinies. Pop culture will have you believing you are in total control of everything that happens to you and your surroundings. But this is so far from the truth. Yes of course, there are things that we do have control over and we do have choices. But being obedient to God and His will is the smartest thing that a person can do as they journey through life. In spending alone time with God, may we cultivate the areas of intimacy, dependency, and obedience to Him. May we gain spiritual, physical, and relational strength with our alone time. As we move forward in life, may we never be afraid to be alone and spend quality time with our Heavenly Father. Blessings, Angélique To contact: 21stcglmediateam@gmail.com

But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men. Acts 5:29 (ESV) Do not be deceived: “Bad company ruins good morals.” 1 Corinthians 15:33 (ESV) How do you gauge the moral fabric of your life? What do you base your moral center/ moral compass on? Do you base it on the world's ideals or the latest popular trends or opinions? We all know that what is currently considered the latest trends and popular opinions would not have been accepted by most people ten, fifteen, or even twenty years ago. Some opinions have remained the same however, a lot has since changed. What was once thought of as reprehensible several years ago, is now, because of current trends and popular opinions, considered acceptable. If one looks to the world and its current opinions and trends as their moral compass/moral center, they will be very confused and disappointed. It is constantly changing and the moral fabric of humanity from God's standard to where it is currently, has greatly disintegrated. This world is moving closer and closer to the moral decay that was once rampant in the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah as described in the Bible (See Genesis Chapters 18-19). In navigating this world, making morally upright decisions, and following the right path in life, one needs to have God’s Holy Word as their moral compass and guide. The various examples from the Old to the New Testament throughout the Bible, will give us a blueprint of how God wants us to live our best lives. His words instruct us on how to behave and how we are to interact with each other. What God says in the Bible is the complete opposite of the world's current trends and popular opinions. If one chooses to use God’s way as their moral center and compass, they will find peace in the midst of the storms of life and will be able to navigate the ups and downs in a consistent, healthy manner. So, as we move forward in life, may we choose to look to God and His precepts to base our actions and our moral decisions. May we not allow the world’s popular opinions and ideals to pull us away from God’s moral compass and the purpose of our lives. Blessings, Angélique To contact: 21stcglmediateam@gmail.com

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Jeremiah 29:11 (ESV) Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand. Proverbs 19:21 (ESV) In life it is common for most of us to make plans for our day, our upcoming week, and beyond. We plan what we are going to wear, our meals, our family outings, our work projects/duties, our leisure activities, our church activities, the upcoming weekend, and the list can go on and on. And some of us hold rigidly to our plans to the point of becoming upset if those plans are interrupted, rearranged, or canceled. I too am a planner however, as I have matured, and various life events have occurred, I have realized that I need to hold my plans (my wants and desires) loosely and hold on to God's plans tightly. One may ask where we can find God’s plans for our lives. In the Bible, from the Old to the New Testament, God has given us what I like to call a blueprint on how to live our best life. We are not gonna know every step-by-step choice and decision we should make but, there are plenty of life examples to show us how we should conduct ourselves as we live life. God wants us to provide for ourselves, live life, and flourish however, He also wants us to be humble and willing to give of our time and talents, to spread His message of love, hope, and salvation to the rest of the world. This current Earth is not our home. The sin and degradation that is prevalent throughout this world is not how it will always be. Eventually, God will return and put an end to the vile and sinful nature of this world. But until that time, we should continue to make our plans but, hold them loosely so that we can make room for God’s direction and His plan for our lives. As we move forward in life, let us keep in mind that ultimately God’s plans can and at times will, supersede our own. May we develop such a relationship with Him that we trust Him and the plans He has outlined for our lives and for the entire world. Blessings, Angélique To contact: 21stcglmediateam@gmail.com

I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Romans 12:1 (ESV) Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world. 1 John 2:15-16 (ESV) I read a quote by Ralph Waldo Emerson that stated: “The purpose of life is not to be happy. It is to be useful, to be honorable, to be compassionate, to have it make some difference that you have lived and lived well.” This is a true statement, and it goes along with the precepts God teaches in the Bible. Of course, God wants His children to be happy however, as the quote states and the Bible teaches, that should not be our entire motivation and goal in life. Seeking worldly happiness and self-indulgent activities/pleasures may be rewarding for a time but will not produce lasting joy and peace. God wants His children to be caring and compassionate about community, those who are around you. Not just immediate family but, neighbors, colleagues, church members, the person you see weekly while shopping, etc. God wants us to live our life being compassionate and kind; to build a community where we seek to give back and lend a helping hand to someone else. The purpose of our life should be to make a positive difference in someone's life and this world. Otherwise, as Solomon states in Ecclesiastes 1:14 in the Bible, life will be meaningless if we are only seeking material things and selfish pleasures. So, my encouragement would be to live a life of honor, integrity, and Godly purpose. To go and shine the light of God and spread His message to this dark and troubled world. Live a life of beautiful purpose that is not solely centered on yourself but on making a difference in other people's lives. Blessings, Angélique To contact: 21stcglmediateam@gmail.com

For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39 (ESV) Have you ever heard the term, church hurt? It is basically when a person decides to stop going to church because someone said or did something that hurt their feelings. Not making light of someone being hurt by another person's actions, this is definitely wrong and uncalled for. But many people will give up on God and going to church because of other individuals and their actions. What a lot of people do not realize is that this world is made up of sinful human beings, and we cannot allow another person to stop us from having a relationship with God and looking forward to an eternity with Him. There is a saying that hurt people, hurt people. And looking at human nature over time, this is a very true statement. Many times, people who say and do things that are not nice to other people are hurting and are looking to lash out at whomever they can. We need to remember that sinful hurting people and their behavior, should not keep us from attending church and worshiping and praising God. Nor should we hold God responsible for others' bad behavior. Every human being has free will and free choice in how they conduct themselves and treat others. True love and freedom from God, allow us to choose between what is right or wrong; He does not force anyone’s choices. That being said, we should not seek to be angry at God and refuse to have a relationship with Him or go to His house of worship because of others. As we seek to go forward in life, may we not allow church or Christian hurt to stop us from having a close relationship with our Father in heaven. May we continue to grow closer to God as we journey through life and look to share God’s message of love and hope to this world. May we not allow anyone to separate us from God’s presence and His love. Blessings, Angélique To contact: 21stcglmediateam@gmail.com

But you have been anointed by the Holy One, and you all have knowledge. 1 John 2:20 (ESV) And they cast out many demons and anointed with oil many who were sick and healed them. Mark 6:13 (ESV) In Christian spaces, it is common to hear the phrase “this person is anointed.” In the past when I heard this phrase, I would always think this person leads a holy life and would always be anointed. However, I recently heard a sermon where the pastor addressed this notion and basically stated that the anointing is not so much for the person, but it is for God’s assignment! A person may have the anointing of the Holy Spirit on them but, it is not so much for them personally as it is for the assignment. God anoints the mission, and in so doing, the person who is willing to be used, will be anointed for the work God has assigned. However, if they choose to step outside the will of God and pursue their own agenda, they may be gifted with certain talents but, it does not mean they are still within the anointing of the Holy Spirit. A good example of this is the story of Samson in the Bible. The pastor went on to state that the difference between gifting and anointing is that people may like and even praise you for your gifts/your talents however; when the anointing of the Holy Spirit is involved, lives can be set free and bondages broken. Having a beautiful gift can be entertaining but with an anointing, lives can be transformed. He went on to state that for one to continue in the anointing power of the Holy Spirit, a person must be willing to walk in obedience and have their life be in alignment with God's will; God's assignment. I want to point out that despite a person's decision and behavior, this does not diminish the love God has for them. God still loves us whether we stay on the assignment He has given or not. No one should feel that because they stepped outside the will of God, He will no longer love them. This notion is a lie from Satan. God loves His children and of course, wants us to live in the fulfillment of our life’s mission but, whether we do or not, He is our Father, our Creator, and He loves us. May we look to have our lives so closely aligned with God that we experience the anointing power of the Holy Spirit as we go out and positively change this world for the better. May we not get caught up in our gifts and talents but seek to use them to help others. May we be in alignment with Him, so that we will fulfill our life’s assignment, and leave a legacy of God's love and faithfulness. Blessings, Angélique To contact: 21stcglmediateam@gmail.com

And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Colossians 3:17 (ESV) In my devotion this week, I read a story about a contractor who was hired to build a home and given full authority on how to build it. He outlined everything he was going to need as far as supplies and materials and then began to build. But as he was building, he realized he had full authority so he could then choose to use cheaper materials, take shortcuts, and still build the home and pocket the difference in cost. After completing the home, the person who hired him said “I’m giving this home to you since you have been a wonderful contractor to me in the past!” Later, as the man sat in his home, he noticed the creaking floorboards, the leaking roof, etc, and he regretted his earlier actions in building the home. Of course, the moral of this story is that we need to watch what we say or do as it may come back against us. He thought he was going to make extra money by pocketing the difference from using inferior materials as opposed to quality materials. But in the end, this was now his home, and he was dealing with the problems he caused due to the build. In thinking about this story, we need to apply this lesson to our lives, to our everyday interactions. When we work at our jobs, do projects in school, help in our communities/ our churches, are we taking shortcuts and not giving our best? Are we thinking, “It doesn’t harm me and no one will know so let me take this shortcut.” In so doing, we are just like the contractor who took shortcuts to build what eventually became his home. As stated throughout the Bible, God expects us to be honorable and have high integrity in everything we say and do. None of us are perfect, and we will make mistakes however, we should not operate in a mindset of continually trying to take shortcuts and undermine other people or projects, thinking we can get ahead and that there is no cost to us. As God’s children, He expects us to behave with the utmost respect and decency in everything we do and to everyone we meet. So, as we go forward in life, may we choose to be honorable and not try to shortcut or undermine any task or responsibilities we are given. May we perform and behave as if we are working directly for God because in many ways, we are. We may be working for other human beings, but this world and its people all belong to God. So let us always be mindful of how we move and interact in this world. And remember, look to honor God in everything we say and do! Blessings, Angélique To contact: 21stcglmediateam@gmail.com

But the Lord said to Joshua, “Get up! Why are you lying on your face like this? Israel has sinned and broken my covenant! Joshua 7:10-11 (NLT) Last week we discussed the sin of Israel by way of Achan and how they were defeated at AI on their first attempt to overtake that city. For this post, let us look at when we sin and how we turn to God asking Him to bless us, even though we are oftentimes still living in sin and/or coveting our sinful behavior. In the book of Joshua 7:10-11, Joshua prayed to God due to the defeat at AI but in response, God basically told him to get up and take care of the problem. Granted, at the time Joshua did not know what the problem was however, when God informed him, he got up from praying and took care of the problem. There are consequences to disobedience. There are consequences for sinning and continuing to remain in a sinful situation. So many of us continue in our sinful behavior but then cry out to God for His blessings and at times His help. The lesson for us is that there is a time to pray but there is also a time to” get up” and deal with the issues that are holding us back physically, emotionally, and spiritually. At times we hope that by praying and crying out to God, He will overlook our continued disobedience and still bless us and give us what we are wanting in our lives. But God's ultimate goal is for us to turn away from disobedience and sin, and to trust Him in every aspect of our lives; to move forward in faith and obedience. None of us are perfect and we will sin from time to time. But our goal should be to live a life choosing not to sin and not to be disobedient to God's word. May we choose to allow God to heal our wounds and to fill any void that is in our lives. May we turn away from any sinful temptations and/or lifestyle and instead, turn fully to God and trust Him completely, always. Blessings, Angélique To contact: 21stcglmediateam@gmail.com

"Israel has sinned and broken my covenant! They have stolen some of the things that I commanded must be set apart for me. And they have not only stolen them but have lied about it and hidden the things among their own belongings.” Joshua 7:11 (NLT) All of us need to fix our aching hearts so that they do not lead us to develop the heart of Achan. In Joshua Chapter 7 from the Bible, God instructed the children of Israel to take the city of AI. Unbeknownst to the leader Joshua and the rest of the tribe of Israel, God was not with them on their first attempt to take this city. Their failure was due to Achan, one of the Israelite soldiers, who had taken items from Jericho (the battle prior) when everyone was strictly told not to take the devoted things. Due to his disobedience, the Israelites were not able to take the city, and thirty-six of them lost their lives. For this post, we will focus on what led to Achan being disobedient to God’s instructions by deciding to take the devoted items. More than likely, Achan was not a devoted/obedient follower of God one day, and then the next day decided to be disobedient. Achan, just like many of us, can allow a negative seed to be planted in our minds and our hearts, then allow it to fester and grow. In Achan’s case, he had a longing and a desire for these items and wanted them for himself. We can read this story and shake our heads at Achan but, in doing so, we need to also take a look at our behavior and what has captured our attention that can lead us to being disobedient. Even in our current time, some people lust after and desire items that do not belong to them or envy another’s position, money, or power. And it is not only objects people desire; they also want other people who are in committed relationships with another. Some seek to entice a person away from their marriage partner and then find themselves in an adulterous affair. And once that illicit relationship is discovered, it could then end up destroying the marriage and extended family. Lying, stealing, and coveting, will always lead to defying God and His Holy Word. And as stated, this disobedient behavior does not start overnight. It grows if we do not guard against it. One must guard their heart, their mind, and their decisions at all times. We have to constantly be on guard to not allow things and other people to be substitutes for what is really going on inside of us. We need to be honest with ourselves and come to God through prayer, Bible study, and if necessary, counseling, so that we are not seeking to engage in illicit activities and behavior that will lead down a dark path. As we go forward in life, may we look to keep our mind and heart guarded against the illicit enticements of this world. May we seek God's light of love, honesty, and integrity, and base any of our decisions/actions on His precepts. If we do this, we will not allow our aching/troubled hearts, to become like Achan’s. Blessings, Angélique To contact: 21stcglmediateam@gmail.com

“Kind words are like honey — sweet to the soul and healthy for the body.” Proverbs 16:24 (NLT) Last week I talked about the power of words. I want to continue and expand on the power of our parting words. In my devotions this week, I read about how significant our parting words can be. In the story, the person stated that when they left their loved one's hospital room, they turned back and said I love you even though the person was now nonverbal. But in turning back, they saw their loved one mouth the words back to them. That visit was the last time. This had me thinking about how one never knows if the words spoken to another may be the last. Our time here on Earth is finite and our words and last impressions can be significant and impactful. Not trying to be grim or dwell on gloom and doom but, I am seeking to be realistic. When parting from someone, how we speak and conduct ourselves with our actions and our words, may be our last interaction. Now, it does not have to mean that our parting is due to death. It could be not seeing or interacting with them for a long while. But how we part from one another should be uplifting, encouraging, and positive for us, as well as for the other person. Our positive last impression could be what is needed in order to continue on the journey of life. As the Bible says in Colossians 4:6, “Let our speech, always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person. As we move forward in life may our parting words to others, whether family, friends, or an acquaintance, be uplifting and positive. This world can be grim, and many are feeling the weight of the negative/evil environment all around however, if we all choose to give positive/encouraging words to everyone as we part, what a wonderful world this could be. Be the positive light and change this world so desperately needs with your parting words! Blessings, Angélique To contact: 21stcglmediateam@gmail.com