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I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33 (ESV) Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him. James 1:12 (ESV) Have you ever heard someone say now that you are a Christian, everything in your life is perfect and you will not have seasons of discomfort or pain? I have had acquaintances, friends, and even family members, say this to me and believe that once someone becomes a Christian, everything in life is easier and there are no problems or pain. Not sure where this thought originated but the Bible clearly does not teach this concept. We all will go through seasons of emotional and physical pain that can come from various sources, whether you are a Christian or not. There are those who have lost loved ones through death and still others who have lost life partners through divorce. Some have suffered financial destruction, harsh medical diagnoses, emotional and spiritual battles, and the list can go on and on. So, the question is not just what pain/discomfort you are experiencing but how are you going to respond to what life brings to your doorstep? Many will choose to deal with their pain with worldly solutions: being promiscuous, drugs/alcohol, gambling, online adult sites, and the list can go on and on of the various vices people will use in an attempt to soothe their pain. Then there are others who choose God’s way that involves going to a Bible-believing church, prayer, and daily reading/studying of the Bible. We are given free will/free choice to choose how to deal with the pain we encounter in our lives. The first choice will definitely lead to further pain and destruction of one’s mental, emotional, and physical body, and the second choice, will lead to the uplifting and upbuilding of one's mental, emotional, and physical body. We may not understand now nor during our lifetime why God allows pain and discomfort to come into our lives. We just have to trust and believe that He has a reason and a purpose for what we go through in life. We may never know how our lives/our testimony, can impact others and give them the strength to move forward in life when they come across various challenges and problems. They may have been watching us and how we maneuver life with God's grace and because of this, they will choose to pattern their response to pain in the same manner. Also, our pain does not just strengthen others, but it also strengthens us for whatever may lie ahead in our future. May we never forget the life of Jesus Christ and how He came here to endure pain so that we may have access to Heaven and eternal life. Jesus did not want to be tortured and put to death however, He stayed with God's plan for the salvation of His children. My prayer is that once we have come through pain and hardships, may we share our testimonies and seek to uplift God's mission to reach others and encourage them on their life’s journey. I pray that after we have gone through our fiery trials of affliction, we will come through stronger and determined, to spread the good news of the gospel to this dying world. Blessings, Angélique To contact: 21stcglmediateam@gmail.com

But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. John 14:26 (ESV) But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth. Acts 1:8 (ESV) I believe many of us were raised (whether in the church or not) with an innate sense of right and wrong. Some of us may have even been told we have a good angel and a bad angel on either side of our shoulders, and we are to always listen to the good angel. In truth, God does give to every human being, His children, His breath, and His Spirit. In addition, we all have the gift of free will and free choice as well. Meaning we can choose to listen to God‘s Holy Spirit, who is telling us the right way/right path to choose, or to listen to Satan and his angels who are tempting us to make wrong choices based on lust and sinful behaviors. When we choose to listen to the Holy Spirit, we want to do what’s right for our lives as well as those around us and those entrusted to us. People who seek out God and His Holy Spirit are also seeking to rid themselves of their sinful behavior. They are not harboring secret sins but are looking to confess their sins and turn away from them. It is not just confession that we need. Many confess and ask for forgiveness however, the key part of confession is to turn away and not continue the sinful behaviors/patterns going forward. When we choose to hear and allow the Holy Spirit to guide us on the right path, we are not hardening our hearts but are opening up to Him and to God‘s Holy Word. We are trusting and believing that God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit, are seeking the good of all Their children, despite our constant fighting and rebellion against what He says. Going forward, I pray that we all allow the transformative power of the Holy Spirit to lead us into God‘s truth, and to share this truth with the rest of the world. By allowing this transformation we can turn from our dark path to His light of love. Then empowered with the Holy Spirit's power, we can turn and share God's transformation and redemption with others we meet in our concentric circles of life. Blessings, Angélique To contact: 21stcglmediateam@gmail.com

A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. John 13:34 (ESV) And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them. Luke 6:31 (ESV) Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. 1 John 4:8 (ESV) In these crazy times in which we live, more than ever God needs us to spread His love, peace, and hope to this dying world. There is so much evil and hatred all around that has always been there but seems to be more prevalent in recent years. People are boldly stepping forth and unleashing their anger and hatred towards other human beings. God does not call any of us to spread hate and division, He calls us to spread love. It is so astonishing to me that people who call themselves Christians, will say and do hateful things toward certain groups of people because they are different from them. That behavior and mindset are not Christlike and are the exact opposite of how Jesus Christ behaved and what He taught. If we call ourselves Christians, we should behave and treat others the way Christ did as he lived and walked on this Earth. Hating others because of their physical features, their culture, their religion, their sexual orientation, etc. is not being Christlike. We may disagree with some of the fundamentals that other people believe however, that does not give us the right to be hateful and evil towards other human beings. What many do not realize is that all of us were created by our Father in Heaven. As the Master Creator of humanity, He decided who was to belong to a certain race, tribe, culture, ethnic group, etc. From our head to our toes, God formed us in our mother‘s womb and we are all His children. Whether some like this notion or not, we are all His sons and daughters, and therefore, we are all brothers and sisters. Some of us may think to ourselves that we are not like others, we do not spread hate. This may be true, you may not actively spread hate however, are you actively standing against hatred, racism, and division? Many will sit in a comfortable life bubble and continue to stay silent in the face of egregious behavior towards others. We all need to step up and say that this evil and hatred towards others is not okay. Of course, in the times in which we live, we definitely need to be safe when speaking up and standing for what is right. There are many ways we all can help each other and especially people who are being targeted and mistreated. From this day forward I encourage us to seek to spread love to everyone we meet. If we all spread the light of God’s love and peace, the evil of this world would grow dim and could be totally eradicated. Blessings, Angélique To contact: 21stcglmediateam@gmail.com

Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken. Ecclesiastes 4:12 (NLT) In my reading of Ecclesiastes Chapter 4 and particularly verse 12, a thought occurred to me of being in the center with God the Father, Jesus Christ the Son, and the Holy Spirit being a three-strand cord, a shield that surrounded me. In reading these verses, the Bible is bringing to light the differences of an individual walking alone, versus two together, or even three joining together to face life’s challenges. One person walking alone through life and not connecting with anyone can easily be attacked. When two are together, it is a little bit harder for them to be overpowered, if there are three, they are not easily taken. There are many meanings, but basically, the passage emphasizes companionship and community over isolation. Of course, we need to make sure it is the right companionship and community that we are joining. You want to be joined with those who have high morals and integrity; those who show Godly intentions towards you as well as anyone they encounter. When you build a strong cord or community with individuals of this caliber, it is easier to walk through life and its difficulties. When we allow ourselves to develop a close relationship with our Father in Heaven, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit, they will be our buffer, our strong cord as we journey through life. As stated, we all will face difficult and trying times. Sometimes situations will end not in the way we would like however, this is when we must trust in the Heavenly Trinity and believe they know far more than we ever could. With the current state of this world, we all need to align ourselves with God and like-minded individuals and allow the strength of this cord to help us withstand the craziness that is all around us. May we form a cord so that when we encounter the ups and downs of life, we will not be shaken and destroyed, but will be able to move forward in faith and trust in God and our fellow companions. Blessings, Angélique To contact: 21stcglmediateam@gmail.com

But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. 1 Peter 2:9 (ESV)   When you think about royalty, most of the time we think of people in countries that were born into a certain family and given royal titles of king, queen, prince, princess, etc. But have you ever stopped to think that as a child of God, who is the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords, that you are also royalty? In the craziness of this world, living our day-to-day lives, it is so easy to forget who we belong to and who is our Creator, our true Father. What we sometimes forget, is that as the children of the King of the Universe, we too are royalty.   The second word in today’s title is priesthood as mentioned in the verse above. When you see the word priesthood, many believe it applies to those chosen to be in full-time ministry and dedicate their lives to spreading God‘s word. However, every human being is a child of God and was born to be His ambassadors and to spread His message of hope, love, and peace to this world. God does not expect just those who are in full-time ministry to spread His gospel. We are all called to spread His message using our unique talents and gifting abilities, to everyone we meet.   This world is dying out, and people are starved for words and actions that give hope, encouragement, and show brotherly love to one another. This is something all of us, God’s chosen children, His royal priesthood, can share with the world. As His ambassadors/messengers, we do not need specialized training/schooling in order to spread the gospel message. By being humble, kind, loving towards others, and helping others whenever we can, this is God‘s love and faith in action.   As we move forward in life, may we never forget that as God’s children born into His royalty, we must seek to daily share His message of love, hope, and peace, with the world.     Blessings, Angélique To contact:   21stcglmediateam@gmail.com

“ Who is like you, O Lord, among the gods? Who is like you, majestic in holiness, awesome in glorious deeds, doing wonders? Exodus 15:11 (ESV)   When we look at our world and all that is happening, it is hard not to feel negative and a little down in spirit. Wars all around, anger, hatred, as well as division as some groups of people feel they are better than others.  Because of the turmoil and chaotic time of Earth’s history, it is easy to forget or overlook all the wonderful things God has done, is doing, and continues to do every day. God continues to show us despite everything that is going on, that He is here and He continues to show His goodness, His mercy, and His love.   When we look around this earth, we can see God‘s love and His blessings all around. Yes, there is sin and wickedness due to the fallen state of this world however, despite this darkness, there is still light, love, and beauty as well. When we look at the wonders of nature, we can see God’s gifts and blessings on display, from the clouds and stars in the sky, to Earth’s various surfaces: land and sea, to His animal creations, and to His crowning wonder, the human body. God’s wonders still astound many to this day and a lot of His creation is a marvel and cannot be fully explained.   God created this planet and us because of His love. Not only does He want us to respect and care for this earth, but He also wants us to love, respect, and care for one another. Our ultimate purpose of being born is not just for self-centered desires but for us to spread His message of love, peace, and hope, to the entire world. In times past as well as today, that message of hope and love is needed now more than ever. Of course, it is hard not to be jaded and discouraged when you look around at the current world events. However, this is when we must look to God and the beauty of His creation and focus on spreading love and not hate or division. In times like these, we must focus on being the positive change this world so desperately needs. If everyone focused on being positive and uplifting towards others, the many ills of society and this world would be eradicated.   As we continue looking for hope of a brighter tomorrow, we must look to the beauty and wonders of God‘s creation and share examples of His love, with everyone we meet.   Blessings, Angélique To contact:   21stcglmediateam@gmail.com

But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire.   Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death. James 1:14-15 (ESV)   Temptation is all around us. Many of us face all types of temptation daily. It can be in the form of lying, stealing, cheating, gluttony, engaging in sexual encounters that are not according to God‘s word, recreational drugs, other illegal/ illicit activities, and the list can go on and on. We need to realize that every human being is born with a propensity towards sin, and Satan and his evil angels have made it their mission to tempt us into doing what is wrong. They have studied us since birth, and even though they cannot read our minds, they watch our movements, our speech, etc, in order to find ways to tempt us into wrongdoing. They will look to “dangle” the temptation carrot, that is specifically tailored for each of us, in order to get us to sin and hopefully travel down a dark road of no return.   Even though we humans have a propensity to sin, we also have a powerful gift given to us by God called free will. We have been given the ability to make the choice to do what is right, or to do what is wrong. Even though we are given the choice to do what is right, sometimes it is not easy to do. Temptation at times can appear enticing and exciting and something you want to enjoy, despite it being wrong. Take for example a married individual having an adulterous relationship unknown to their spouse. For a while, the sneaking around and not getting caught can be exciting however in the end, the secret tends to come to the light, and families and various individuals are devastated by the fallout. It is not just the married couple or the other person who engaged in the adulterous affair that is affected; it is everybody who is connected to the two guilty people.   As we move forward in life, I am encouraging everyone to follow God and His inspired teaching and knowledge to resist temptation. Make up your mind that you will turn away and not go down that path. Whatever situation and/or person that is causing you to sin, turn away and do not allow yourself to be drawn in. Do not get into situations, go to certain places, and/or hang around certain individuals that will lead you down a path of temptation, sin, and darkness. Exercise your free will of choice and say no, turn away, and if you must, run in the opposite direction.   We all have the ability to resist temptation, so let’s exercise that free will of choice!   Blessings, Angélique To contact:   21stcglmediateam@gmail.com

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. Proverbs 3:5 (ESV) You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord God is an everlasting rock. Isaiah 26: 3-4 (ESV) I heard a sermon recently in which the pastor discussed having total faith and trust in Jesus, and that He will guide us through life’s journey. He used an example of being a frequent flyer and how he had become familiar with certain flight crews and pilots he had flown with many times in the past. As a result, he stated he knew some of the pilots' patterns: their take-offs, their landings, etc. He stated that he always arrived at his destinations and returned safely home. He then thought to himself how he never once felt the need to ask for their flight plan ahead of time or question the routes they chose. He and the other passengers placed their trust in the flight crew and trusted that they knew what they were doing. In using that analogy, it is the same with us when we look to trusting Jesus with the ‘flight plan” of our lives. Years ago, there was a trending bumper sticker that said Jesus is my copilot. But in all honesty, Jesus is the  pilot!   With human nature, we want to know what will happen in our future right now. We want to have foreknowledge of our lives and have it mapped out ahead of time. But this is not how God works and quite honestly, we probably should not know what is ahead as that knowledge will definitely impact our current decisions. It can be difficult living in the present and not knowing the future, especially when you have to deal with present challenges and difficult news. In order to trust Jesus now, we need to strengthen ourselves in His word and believe in His promises, despite not knowing the future. Just like we do not know the flight path of a plane, we will still fly and place a lot of faith in fallible humans and the plane itself. We need to take that same thought process to trusting in God for our life’s journey. We need to study, pray, and get close to Him daily, so that we will be able to withstand any tests and trials that lie ahead.   I pray that we all will allow Jesus to be the pilot of our lives and we will do our part to listen, be obedient, and follow His leading. May we share this encouragement with others and gain strength as we move along life’s journey.   So, as you fly with Jesus, buckle up, sit back, and experience your life’s flight plan!   Blessings, Angélique To contact:   21stcglmediateam@gmail.com

For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Ephesians 6:12 (ESV) Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. Ephesians 6:11 (ESV)   We face many spiritual and emotional battles in life. During my devotional reading, a writer mentioned this and said there are different battles that come at us spiritually and emotionally. The writer mentioned three separate fronts however, I feel it boils down to two: the world with Satan’s influence (the enemy around us) and our flesh (the enemy within us). In this world many are allowing Satan to rule their lives and fall for his many evil, wicked, and downright diabolical schemes. They allow temptations and the lure that this world offers, to influence their decisions which results in failure for them as well as those around them. Of course, some things in this world are not all bad, but there is sin and a prevailing evil that people willingly get involved with, leading them down a dangerous, depraved path. People can turn away from sin and evil however, this leads us to the next battle, the enemy within - our flesh. Many will allow their sinful/fleshly desires to rule their decisions on practically everything in their lives. Instead of having control of their will and their bodies, they give in to what “feels” good and is popular, according to worldly standards. For example, people feel free to engage in various activities that go against what God has outlined in the Bible. People are allowing their desires, pride, and egos, to rule them all for the sake of pleasure, fun, and even power, regardless of the consequences. Of course, God does not mind us having pleasure and fun, as long as we live according to His Holy precepts. Being that our Father in Heaven created us and this world, He would know what is good and what is not. Satan comes into play because he is in this world enticing and luring God‘s creation, (all of us) into sinful and shameful behavior, continuously. However, being that we all have free will/free choice, God wants us to choose to turn away from the sin and darkness of this world and turn towards His light.   We all will face battles however, God gives us the strength to turn away from a sinful path and chose to do what is honorable and right. May we be strong and seek to fortify our minds and hearts against temptation and choose to die daily to sinful/fleshly desires. Let God’s word renew us and focus on living life as He would have us to live. May we share this knowledge of love and light with others, so that they too can turn away from the dark enticements of this world and turn to God’s light and love. Blessings, Angélique To contact:   21stcglmediateam@gmail.com

A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” John 13:34-35 (ESV) Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. 1 John 4:8 (ESV)   Here in America and perhaps other parts of the world people do use the word love in a serious manner however, they also use it to describe their feelings for common items or situations. For example, people can say I love going to the movies, or I love pizza, or I love watching football. Of course, for many using love in this form is based on tradition and habit however, when you think about it, do you really feel it is true love when talking about pizza? Below, we will go over four types of love that are mentioned and referenced in the Bible.   Eros This type of love is characterized by passion and intense desire based on the physical; on looks and on fleshly desires. It is interesting to note that this word on love is not used in the Bible however there are many references to Eros. Eros is God-given in its purest form however it has been manipulated (not in a good way) over time by sinful human beings. Throughout various societies around the world, with varying media influences, this physical type of love/attraction has not been utilized the way God has intended. There is nothing wrong with this type of love as long as it is being shown/used in the proper context of what God has outlined in the Bible.   One problem with Eros is that it objectifies people as well as objects. It likes to rely on physical appearance and the self-gratification one feels due to this physical attraction, as opposed to viewing individuals as God views them. Ultimately, no one wants to be loved based on surface appearance only. Everyone wants to be truly loved in a deeper manner. Eros can be beautiful however, when one allows it to consume them and not control its passion, it can be destructive for the individual and those around.   Philia This type of love is characterized by brotherly love or friendship. It can be described as the love between friends or family members. This love is based on mutual appreciation, shared values, and a common bond. The verb definition describes it as having a natural attraction or fondness for someone or something.   This word is seen in the Bible once as a noun but over twenty-five times in the verb form. In knowing this it seems that God puts an emphasis on the action of this type of love as opposed to the concept (the noun) of this word. God’s definition of this type of love is opposite to the world's values, see James 4:4.   Storge This type of love is familial love. A love that is natural and instinctive that is found within families, for example a parent-child relationship.   In the parental relationship, this love is almost as if your child is a part of you, like an extension of oneself.   Another characteristic of Storge is that just like in parental love, the parent can love their young child without expecting the child to love them back. It is a love that is not about reciprocity, but it is an instinctive, intrinsic love that is shown toward another.   Agape This type of love is characterized by selfless love for humanity and nature.  It is given without expecting anything in return. It is unconditional and independent. It does not require the other person to be likable or to love you back; it is a decision of the will. It is a decision to love even if the other person is an enemy. This word is powerful and is seen over 250 times throughout the Bible. It is a perfect word to describe God’s love for His children. Despite our flaws and faults, He chooses to love us completely and wholly and chooses to believe what we can become, despite our behavior and what we have shown Him. This is the type of love that many who have healthy marriages and have remained married have for one another.   Of all the various types of love we have, the greatest of these, of course is Agape. It is one that God longs for all of His children to have for Him as well as His creation. May we all choose Agape as we seek to show love toward one another.   Blessings,  Angélique To contact:   21stcglmediateam@gmail.com

A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity. Proverbs 17:17 (ESV) Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Romans 12:10 (ESV)   I read this devotional by Pastor Christopher McKee that I wanted to share here. He stated that nearly all key relationships can be broken down into three categories: confidants, constituents, and comrades.   Confidants : Are the lifelong relationships. They love you unconditionally, stand by you, have your back in good times as well as bad, and they have your best interests at heart. They do not use what they know about you for their own personal gain, nor do they seek to throw it back in your face.   Constituents :  Are those who share the same goals, values, and principles but, they are not always there for you. Having these types of individuals in your life is important as they do contribute to your energy, passion, and enthusiasm. And you can work with them to accomplish common goals and build bridges. However, do not expect constituents to have the same loyalty as confidants. Usually, these individuals are with you for a reason and a season, and then they move on.   Comrades : Are people who are attracted to you and are with you because of what you both stand for or stand against. They may not get to really know you and sometimes, may not even like you. However, on the field of “battle,” they will join you like soldiers to defeat the common enemy; once the fight is over, the relationship ends or at least cools to a great degree. Your only bond was the common enemy or goal.   After reading this I found it helpful and enlightening, in that it helps one to realize the different categories or roles people who come into your life fall into. Not saying this must be exact, but it does give a guideline to really think about various relationships and people you come across. It can be helpful in understanding individuals who come into your life. For example, when a constituent friend seems to fade away and is no longer active in your life, you can understand that this relationship was just for a reason and a season. It can help you realize that there should be no hard feelings, but you need to move on in life and not become upset because the relationship ended. Or there are those who may really be a comrade and you want them to become a confidant.   Regardless of the roles various people may play in your life, you should look to be a true child of God and to love and care for humanity as God expects. Blessings,  Angélique To contact:   21stcglmediateam@gmail.com

…” The  Lord  does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the  Lord  looks at the heart.” 1 Samuel 16:7 (NIV) “Stop judging by mere appearances, but instead judge correctly.” John 7:24 (NIV) Do you have unconscious or even conscious biases? In answering honestly, I believe all of us to some degree have them. Whether it be against others due to race, ethnicity, culture, languages, religion, body shapes/sizes, hair textures, etc. Everyone, at least once, has looked at a group of people who have similar outward appearances/characteristics, and jumped to conclusions about them based on those biases; without really knowing the background or facts of that person or the situation.   I have seen this time and time again, but an actual incident that came to mind I would like to share. During a meal serving event for the community, an African American guest standing in line to be served came up and began asking questions of the volunteers (another African American and a Caucasian). The Caucasian woman turned to the African American worker and asked what he was saying as the guest spoke Ebonics with them. The African American worker looked at her and said I don’t understand either. She looked shocked and they continued serving. Later the African American worker went to her and explained she grew up in suburbia, went to private schools, and did not grow up speaking Ebonics. She then asked, why would you assume I knew what was being said? The other worker blushed and apologized saying I should never have assumed you would know. I just automatically thought you would know what he was saying. She then said I understand how wrong I was when I think about it. The African American worker said yes because for example, if a person who speaks Russian came up to us, should I ask you what they are saying? No, right? You may look the same outwardly however, you come from different backgrounds.   Of course, we all have many more examples of biases we hold onto. Perhaps they were ingrained in us due to our upbringing or, they have become a part of us as we go through life. Despite how we acquired them, we all need to work on ourselves so that we can remove them from our lives. Many times, there are similarities between individuals who may look the same outwardly however, it does not automatically mean they have the same characteristics, backgrounds, etc.   We all have some sort of biases, and according to God‘s word in the verses above, as well as many other verses in the Bible, we need to respect people based on their actions and the content of their characters, and not the color of their skin. This was stated eloquently in the powerful I Have A Dream speech of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. I pray that as we go forward in life, may we not allow our biases to be in the forefront of our minds, whenever we cross paths with individuals different from us. Blessings,  Angélique To contact:   21stcglmediateam@gmail.com