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For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. Ephesians 2:10 (ESV) As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace: 1 Peter 4:10 (ESV) Let’s face it. We all have deficits and, we all have assets. But oftentimes, as part of our human nature, we tend to focus on our deficits instead of the beautiful assets God has given us. We will sometimes fall into the trap of comparing ourselves to others and what assets they have been given, furthering our doubts regarding the gifts God has bestowed upon us. While listening to a recent podcast, there was a discussion about how people will focus on the deficits that have been told to them by society, and/or handed down to them from friends and at times even family. They went on to state people will highlight as well as dwell/focus on the negatives or deficits of their life, as opposed to focusing on and developing their positive attributes. Now, we cannot deny the fact that certain groups of people have faced tremendous deficits due to their race/ethnicity, religion, gender, etc. There are numerous historical as well as current statistical facts that highlight these deficits. However, I would like to suggest that despite the deficits and setbacks we may face, may we begin to shift our attitude and energy, to focus on developing, as well as expanding our assets. In doing this, we will more than likely not only propel ourselves forward, but we will also help propel the lives of our loved ones. As we seek to use our gifts/talents/assets for noble and righteous causes, we will gain the strength to overcome any deficit that man has tried to create to shut us down. We will be able to overcome any objections and/or obstacles, that may try and block us from moving forward. We all have deficits but, we do not need them to hold us back or allow them to take over. May we learn/understand our deficits and seek to overcome them and/or use them to propel us to work on our assets. Where is your focus? On your deficits? Or on your assets? Blessings, Angélique To contact: Angelique@21stcenturygodlyliving.com

I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you. Psalm 32:8 (ESV) Imagine when you were younger and needed to cross a busy street. Someone older and wiser standing next to you took your hand, looked both ways to make sure the path was clear, and then you both walked across to the other side. In many ways, this is how we all should view God, as one who is full of wisdom and who will help us navigate the busy streets of life. If we listen to Him, He will help guide us across the difficult paths we will encounter. Life can be beautiful, fun, and very enjoyable. But there are times we all will have to face challenges in life, with some being harder than others. It is during those times that God’s assurances and His wisdom on how to navigate the difficult seasons of life are so very important. Now, there are unfortunate circumstances in life that can occur which are beyond our control. However, there are many times we will knowingly make decisions that are not the best choices for ourselves, as well as for our loved ones. And due to our decisions, we find ourselves at difficult intersections/crossroads of life, looking for a way out. Had we decided to follow God’s blueprint for life, His Holy Bible, we more than likely would not have encountered those difficulties. May we always seek God throughout every aspect of our lives. May we gain a deeper understanding of ourselves and others. When we do this, we are taking God’s hand and having Him lead us in the choices we make and the direction our lives should take. May we grow in the knowledge of God and consistently choose not to “run ahead”, by choosing our own way and not listening to His instructions. As we go through life, may we keep our spiritual hand in God’s hand, and allow Him to lead us through the busy intersections of life. Blessings, Angélique To contact: Angelique@21stcenturygodlyliving.com

Gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body. Proverbs 16:24 (ESV) Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience… Colossians 3:12 (ESV) While I was recently jogging, I passed by neighbors who lived in my subdivision that I personally did not know. Some would smile and say “Good Morning” while others looked away or crossed to the other side of the street. Long ago I used to have ideas about them like: “Oh they’re probably not friendly or, I’m not going to speak to them unless they speak to me”. So as a result, I too would run/walk by, or turn away and not say a word.  However, as I grew in my Christian walk, I realized what it means to be God’s light in this world. What it means to be His mouth, His hands, and His feet.  I have decided that regardless of what others may or may not say back to me, God is calling me to be His light in this sometimes dark world. He is calling me to be His witness to everyone that comes across my path in life. Recently I had a discussion with family and friends, about how they felt when people did not treat them with kindness or were cold and rude. They too shared how they wanted to (and at times they did) acted rude and uncaring in return. They felt their actions would be justified based on how they were treated. When the question was posed, “How do you think God would want us to behave”? We all agreed He would want us to treat others with kind words and actions, despite their behavior toward us. We all must realize God is not expecting us to only give kind greetings to those who would do the same toward us.  Now, depending on how we were treated, it may be hard at times to respond with kindness. But one thing we all need to consider is this: we really do not know what is going on with others at the time we encounter them.  They could be shouldering a heavy burden and at that moment, do not know how to unpack or deal with their situation.  So, instead of jumping to our own conclusions, we can just continue to treat them with love and kindness, as well as say a prayer for them. We may never know what positive impact our kind words and actions, can have on their lives. God calls us all to be His witnesses of light and love in the world; by speaking words of affirmation, and showing kindness to everyone we encounter. So, remember today and always, to share a kind word with everyone we meet. Whether or not they respond in the same manner, we are called to be God’s representatives in this dying world. Blessings, Angélique

Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” Matthew 26:41 (ESV) No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation, he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it. 1 Corinthians 10:13 (ESV) What temptations trigger you to go against God’s ideal plan for righteous living? All of us, every human being that inhabits this planet, have triggers that when enabled, will tempt us to sin. All of us face temptations that come from various sources. What may tempt me, may not be a problem for you, and vice versa, what temps you, may not be a problem for me. Facing temptations in life is inevitable for us all. It can be something as simple as certain foods to serious matters that leads to pain and dire consequences such as lying, cheating, sexual sins, and the list can go on and on. Even though we all will face temptations, it does not mean we have to give in to them, as God will provide a way of escape every time. He will always show us the right way to live and the choices we should make. However, we all have free will and can choose the path that goes against God, and leads us into temptation and sin. From infancy up to our present age, Satan and his angels have watched us and know the various triggers that could lead us into temptation. When we pray the Lord’s Prayer, there is a part where we ask God to “lead us not into temptation.” The reason Jesus gave us the Lord’s Prayer was because He knew while living on this planet, we will be tempted just like Him. Some may think because Jesus is the Son of God, He had special powers to not give into sin however, this is incorrect. He is the Son of God but, He laid down His divinity and put on humanity while He was here. So, He was fully human and being tempted by Satan, just as you and I however, He did not give into sin. We all must realize we need to overcome various temptations otherwise, we may see them again, as we move along life’s journey. An example could be a cheating spouse/significant other, who moves on to their next relationship. After a while, the same feelings/triggers that occurred in the previous relationship, show up in this new one. And now this individual again has a choice to make. To repeat the same bad decision, discarding this relationship and moving on, or to remain and work things out, turning away from temptation and sin. Everyone must really know themselves and, what triggers will cause them to fall into sinful behaviors. We must be aware of who we are and be honest with ourselves. We must work to create healthy boundaries, strengthening our resolve now and always, against any weaknesses and tempting desires. By consistently reaching out to God and praying for strength, He will reveal to us the various temptation traps that are ready and waiting. I encourage us all to live our lives connected to God and to be careful not to allow ourselves to get into situations, where we know we will fall into sinful temptation. Blessings, Angélique To contact: Angelique@21stcenturygodlyliving.com

Let your conversation be always full of grace season with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone. Colossians 4:6 Talking. It’s something most of us do every day and nearly all the time. Whether it’s with family, friends, at school, or at work, we are constantly using our voices to express a thought, a feeling, a position. But have you ever stopped and wondered, what God would think of the conversations we are having? Reading the Bible verse for today puts into perspective how we should be aware of our conversations with other individuals. Now truth be told, it will be hard to have our conversations be “always full of grace”. It would be hard to always have beautiful, caring conversations, that we can always be proud of. As human beings, most of us have and will continue to have, struggles in this area from time to time. However, that should not stop any of us from really striving to have conversations that are seasoned and full of grace. The reference to having your conversation be “with salt” can have different interpretations. Salt back in Paul’s time was a very valuable commodity. It was used as a preservative and a seasoning for food. It was so valuable, that people at times would use it as payment for various goods and services. The reference here can suggest, that we are encouraged to preserve the integrity of our grace-filled conversations. Meaning we should seek to have honorable conversations befitting a child of God. As His children, God expects us to preserve our integrity and be gracious with the words we speak to one another. So whatever conversation you seek to have with anyone: whether young or old, family or friends, co-workers, or classmates, strive to have it be full of integrity, thoughtfulness, and kindness. Seek to have a conversation that would please our Heavenly Father. We should all strive to have meaningful and respectful conversations as the standard way of communicating, as children of the Creator of the Universe. Blessings, Angélique To contact: Angelique@21stcenturygodlyliving.com

Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm. Proverbs 13:20 (ESV) Do not be deceived: “Bad company ruins good morals.” 1 Corinthians 15:33 (ESV) In this 21st Century in which we all live, whose influence is paramount in your life? Having influence and being a part of the “in crowd” or the “socially accepted”, has been a position some have strived to obtain. Our world seems so entrenched in the social media frenzy, that one has to ask this important question, who influences you? Who has an impact on your thoughts, your beliefs, your ideas? Being that we are children of the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords, it would make sense to say we are influenced by God, and the principles set forth in the Bible. However, most are influenced by family, friends, society, and the current state of the world we live in. However, all of these influences would be great, if they follow God’s principles for mankind. There are many who live life and make decisions based on what’s popular in culture and society. For example, in dating relationships years ago, certain aspects of the relationship would not occur until after the couple was married. However now, in the current state of the world, people are engaging in various aspects of the relationship immediately, even before the relationship is solid and/or a commitment has been made. Today’s society has definitely influenced how everyone should approach and/or behave in relationships. A person who chooses to approach relationships the way God would expect is considered odd or strange because they do not conform to today’s influential culture. I would like to point out I am not against social media. All forms of social media of course can be a beautiful tool if used properly. However, we must be careful not to be significantly influenced by social media, societal/worldly customs, or any person whose beliefs are contrary to God’s ways. Everyone should realize and understand, that a lot of popular beliefs and influences are contrary to the word of God. The acceptable “norms” of today’s society are very far from God’s ideal. And many are promoting these various ideologies as acceptable and, encourage everyone to believe, behave, and go along with various influential behaviors, even if it goes against God’s Holy Word. As we move forward in life, may we all stop and take a moment to reflect on the biggest influence in our lives. If it is not God, I urge you to allow God and His principles to become the most dominant influence. Studying God’s word, attending a Bible-based church as well as fasting and praying, are steps we can and should take, to have a closer relationship with Him. When we do this, we will see the difference between the world’s influence, and God’s. When we seek to become closer to God, the temptations of this world will begin to dim and fade. It is then we will long for Godly ideals and be able to control what influences our thoughts and actions. Blessings, Angélique To contact: Angelique@21stcenturygodlyliving.com

Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life. Proverbs 4:23 (ESV) Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs the heart. Proverbs 21:2 (ESV) …”For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.” 1 Samuel 16:7 (ESV) When the Bible references one’s heart, it is usually referring to the spiritual center of an individual that encompasses their mind, their thoughts, their will, and their focus. So, when asking the above question, I really want us to think about this: where and what is your mind and thoughts, focusing on? What are your true values/intentions in life, when faced with a situation or dealing with others? In this crazy world, we all inhabit, it is easy to lose focus and behave contrary to God’s Holy Word. Given the current state of events as of late with the various mass shootings here in the US, multiple wars being waged all around the world, and hatred and fighting that seems to never end; it is so important now more than ever, to check in with ourselves and determine our heart’s focus. And as we check in, I would like to encourage all of us to not use others or society as the standard, but to look to God’s Holy Word instead. God has written throughout His Holy Word how to guard our hearts, meaning our thoughts and our minds against dark and evil ideas. We must daily take conscious inventory of who we are as God’s children, and what our goals and purpose in life should be. When we focus on using the gifts and talents God has given us to impact His world for the better, we will be changing our lives and the lives of those around us. By being willing participants and following God’s lead, collectively we can create a positive impact that will be felt around the world. We all must realize that being God-centered and God-focused, does not come easy. We are sinful human beings by nature, and if we are not careful, we can fall into all types of temptations and evil vices that will lead us down a dark path. We need to daily practice having our hearts (meaning our minds, our wills) focused on being in line with God’s principles. While He was living on earth, Jesus Christ taught us how to seek God and to focus our hearts and minds on His Holy Word. The Bible teaches us to turn against any evil thoughts and actions. To live and constantly seek an opportunity to love, and to do good to others. As we go about our lives, may we constantly work on our spiritual heart. May we seek to control our thoughts and guide them so that they will always be subjected to God’s holy principles. As stated in 1 Samuel 16:7, the second part of the verse, God is basically saying He does not judge us based on our outer appearance, He judges our hearts. May we live our lives so that when our Father in Heaven looks at our hearts, He will be proud. Blessings, Angélique To contact: Angelique@21stcenturygodlyliving.com

But now, O Lord, you are our Father; we are the clay, and you are our potter; we are all the work of your hand. Isaiah 64:8 (ESV) Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. 2 Corinthians 5:17 (ESV) Have you ever noticed the beauty of fragmented pieces of material coming together, to formulate beautiful artwork known as a mosaic? The material can be made from stones, tiles, or the most popular material, glass. Many mosaic pieces can be found in stained glass windows of a church, artwork in a museum, or even perhaps, the artwork found in a person’s home. The main beauty of mosaics is the fragmented pieces of material that come together. When you look at these broken pieces apart from one another, you would at first think it is just junk or trash. You would think it’s not worth keeping and that it should be thrown away. However, by cleaning the pieces and then using imagination, one can bring these fragmented pieces together to form a beautiful work of art. Many of us should look at the broken and fragmented pieces of our lives, the failures, disappointments, losses, etc., and see them as still being useful to God. Instead of becoming discouraged and despondent, may we take a step back and look at our lives through God’s eyes. May we then look to trust our Heavenly Father, the Master Creator, to craft our beautiful mosaic. God can take the broken and tarnished pieces of our lives and weave them into a beautiful mosaic to shine before others. Some may be quick to discard however, God sees the beauty of my brokenness and yours and begins to put the various fragments together with love. Then what comes forth is God’s magnificent work of art that is our lives, which will become our testimony. Our lives are God’s mosaics. We all have many imperfections, but God’s beauty will eventually come forth when we allow the Master Creator to shape and formulate our lives. And once God has artfully put together the fragmented pieces, let us share with others the love and care we received, from our Heavenly Father. May others see and believe how God has given us beauty for ashes. (Isa.61:3, KJV) As God’s children whose fragmented lives He formed into a beautiful mosaic, may we go forward in life shining for all the world to see. May we allow the world to witness, how God turned brokenness into beauty. Blessings, Angélique To contact: Angelique@21stcenturygodlyliving.com

And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, Philippians 1:9 (ESV) Do not be deceived: “Bad company ruins good morals.” 1 Corinthians 15:33 (ESV) When a person is contemplating a serious relationship that will lead to marriage, they must be careful about who they choose as a life partner. At times, a person’s actions and decisions can be influenced by the world, instead of God’s word, when seeking a mate for life. Many may panic when they see all their friends getting married and having children and they are still single. And since they do not want to be “left behind”, they will quickly enter a relationship and rush to get married before they have taken the time, to fully vet their potential life partner. They will rush into this permanent commitment not really knowing the other person’s true nature or true character, especially during stressful life events. God calls for each of us to be discerning when choosing a life partner. If we ask Him and follow His Holy word, He will gladly give us discerning wisdom to guide us throughout life, especially when choosing a mate. There are many great men and women in the Bible to choose from as role models however, for this post, I chose Joseph and Mary. Before Joseph ascended to his position as second in command behind Pharaoh in Egypt, he worked for many years as a high-ranking servant. As a manager of Potiphar’s entire household, he had ample opportunity to lie, cheat, steal, and commit adultery with Potiphar’s wife. However, even though he was constantly tempted, he held fast to his convictions and to God’s ways, and he resolved not to give in to sin. When reading Joseph’s story in the Bible, it is clear he sought to display Godly integrity throughout his lifetime. In choosing a Mary, (Mary the mother of Jesus) choose a woman who not only listens to God but truly desires to always follow His precepts. Mary was a young woman God chose to carry and give birth to the Son of God, Jesus. God would not just choose anyone to fulfill this very important duty of giving birth and raising Jesus to manhood. From the Bible, Mary displayed characteristics of a willing and obedient daughter of God, trusting and believing in Him, despite not knowing her future. When a man is choosing a wife, she may have an upbeat bubbly personality, or she may be quiet and shy. Whatever her personality, watch to see if she displays kindness, wisdom, and a Godly character. In choosing a life partner, seek someone with the qualities listed above. Seek someone you can trust explicitly and wholeheartedly. A life partner who when faced with temptations, will turn away, even run away, if need be, so they will not fall prey to sinful traps. Find a mate that will not just put on a performance in front of others, and then turn into someone totally different when you are alone without an audience. Take notice of their behaviors and personality. DO NOT IGNORE red flag warnings. When choosing a Godly life partner, get to know them by dating in a manner that will please God. Do not rush the relationship or engage in activities that are reserved only for marriage. Take your time to discover their true character and life goals. Find out their passions and ideas, about God and life. Take your time to find out what is truly most important to them. Seek a Joseph or seek a Mary. Blessings, Angélique To contact: Angelique@21stcenturygodlyliving.com

But he said, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and keep it!” Luke 11:28 (ESV) But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. James 1:22 (ESV) Imagine a beautiful sunny day and you are taking a drive along a picturesque scenic roadway. Up ahead is a red light but, you don’t want to stop. You just want to keep going, not wanting to be bothered with stopping. Do you stop and obey the red light, or do you keep going and potentially cause a very serious accident? I do believe everyone reading this would stop and obey. Why? Because they know this rule is put in place to protect everyone from harm. There is no one questioning this law or rule, and all understand why it was established. So, when it comes to God’s Holy word, why do people want to question it? Why do they want to challenge/question the creator of the universe for the laws He sets to govern this planet? Instead of looking at them as rules or laws, we should look at them for what they truly are, God’s loving boundaries, set in place to protect His children. Parents raising their children know that boundaries must be in place, for them to grow up healthy and in a safe environment. All of us were children at one time and of course our parents, grandparents, and so on, had rules and boundaries in place during our upbringing. It is the same with God, who has set forth His principles, and His boundaries, as outlined in the Bible. The main set of laws God has given is known as the ten commandments. Within the Bible from Genesis to Revelation, one will find God’s precious boundaries He has given for living righteously. Everyone should look at the Holy Bible as the blueprint to living our best life. In His word, God shares how we should behave in our relationship with Him, as well as our behavior/treatment of each other. The first tablet of the ten commandments talks about our relationship with our Heavenly Father. The second tablet discusses our relationship with one another. If everyone on this planet adheres to keeping these loving boundaries (commandments) that God has given, this world would be a far different place than it is right now. Many times, humans feel they have all the answers, and they are in command of their own lives. They feel they can make their own choices and do whatever they want when they want. And to a great extent, this is true because God has given humanity the beautiful gift of free will. But depending on the choices one makes, there could be detrimental consequences that can produce ripple effects. These ripples can impact not only the individual but their loved ones, as well as others who are in their orbit. But, if we choose to keep the boundaries set forth by God, they will help us stay the course of life, and protect us and others, from unnecessary grief. All of us have transgressed and broken faith with God and His boundaries during some course of our lifetime. And unfortunately, we probably will again. The problem comes when we are continuously transgressing, and not even trying to do what is right. Not trying to stay within the boundaries He has set. In addition, by breaking His laws we also unknowingly influence/encourage others to follow in our footsteps. We see this happening now in our world, where sinful acts seem to perpetuate from generation to generation and are getting worse as time moves on. This continued downfall is evidenced in the degradation of mankind that we now have in our world. I encourage everyone to take time to learn and apply the loving boundaries God wants all of us to follow. I hope we all seek to develop and maintain a relationship with Him, in addition to establishing a Godly relationship with others. May we all choose to see God’s rules/laws, His boundaries, as instructions from a loving Father to His children. Blessings, Angélique To contact: Angelique@21stcenturygodlyliving.com

Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice… 1 Samuel 15:22 We are all gifted with talents and various abilities given by God. And there are some whose talents are recognized, lifted, and praised, more than others. Throughout the Bible, God is not pleased when we use our gifts and talents seeking to point the light or recognition towards ourselves, what we can do, as opposed to what God has done through us. God does not like any of His children to be filled with sinful pride and large egos. He is not happy when a person feels they are better than or above others, especially those gifted with grand/recognizable talents. Those who possess extraordinary talents, that receive constant praise and admiration, need to be on guard so as to not let this attention cause them to swell with pride and inflate their egos. God longs for us all to use the gifts and talents He’s given to point others to Him and to encourage others to seek to have a relationship with Him. And in time those who come into a relationship with Him, it is desirable that they will be encouraged as well, to begin using their gifts to point others to God. But, to answer the question in our title for today, let us look to Proverbs 21:3. God’s word basically says He does not want our sacrifices or our gifts to be offered if we are unrighteous and do not practice justice. God would much rather our characters show integrity and that we continually practice righteousness/justice, than offer our gifts/talents and be lacking in those areas. If you have wronged someone, God would rather you first go make it right (as much as possible) with that other person, then feel free to offer your gifts/talents before Him, Matthew 5:23-24. We honor God by using our talents to bring others into a relationship with Him. However, to do so knowing you have wronged another or, you are full of pride and conceit, does not please God at all. So, does God want gifts over obedience? No! He would rather we diligently seek to follow His teachings first, then look to share our gifts/talents with others. Blessings, Angélique To contact: Angelique@21stcenturygodlyliving.com

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (ESV) The definition of gratitude is this: “The quality of being thankful; readiness to show appreciation for and to return kindness.” I read a recent article where the writer mentioned gratitude being the one key element and foundation that he adhered to in life. For example, having a bad day where everything seemed to be going wrong, he states he would stop and begin to be thankful, showing gratitude for what he has already been given up to now. He would seek to show true appreciation for what has happened thus far in his life experiences. All of us, no matter the life we have lived, can choose to have gratitude be a constant daily companion. Some of us carry a heavy load of burdens compared to others however, we can still seek to show gratitude to God, for what He has done and for His constant provisions. In being grateful for the present, we can learn to exercise our faith and trust in God, knowing He will provide in the future as well. Recently, I had to put this practice of seeking gratitude to the test. Having gone through a very rough and emotionally down week, I was just not at my best. I looked at the notes I had for this weeks’ blog post and begin to smile. Right then I decided to stop thinking of the problems and setbacks, and instead, I began to praise and thank God for what I had been given, and for what He brought me through in the past. As I did this, the problems did not go away but, my attitude toward them changed drastically. After spending just, a moment thanking and praising God, a moment of being grateful, I gained a fresh outlook and strength, to move forward and conquer my challenges. So, for today and always, seek to show gratitude for all you have been given thus far in life. When the stress and strain of life press in, make the choice to practice gratitude and give praises to God for what He has done and for what He will do in the future. Blessings, Angélique To contact: Angelique@21stcenturygodlyliving.com