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To do righteousness and justice is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice. Proverbs 21:3 (ESV) So, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go. First, be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gifts. Matthew 5:23-24 (ESV) All of God’s children have gifts and talents that He has given from above. The various gifts/talents are orchestrated by God to all work together, for the uplifting of His people. Some of these gifts and talents are considered exceptional and persons who possess them may receive constant praise from others. And instead of showing kindness and humility when they are showered with praises, they begin to show superiority and look down upon others. They look at others’ gifts/talents as not “important” and feel they can truly disregard those with seemingly lesser gifts. They put down others openly or in backhanded ways, in order to feel lifted up, important, or special. God is not pleased when these same boastful persons come to exhibit their gifts/talents before Him, knowing they have offended and wronged their fellow sisters and brothers. As the verse in Proverbs 21:3 says, God desires justice, not sacrifice. Meaning He wants us to present a humble and considerate disposition. To not ill-treat others with bad behavior, then look to come before Him showering “sacrificial” gifts and talents. He is not pleased. He states in Matthew 5:23-24, to go and first make it right with the one you have wronged, then come before Him with your gifts. We must always ask ourselves, have we wronged our brother or sister? And if we have, did we go and ask forgiveness? Or do we carry on, having not made it right, yet looking to present our gifts/talents before God? God says clearly in 1 Samuel 15:22, “to obey is better than sacrifice.” Meaning to listen and follow His teachings and, to treat others as we would want to be treated. Seek to live a life of humility, integrity, and kindness to all you meet. Of course, use the gifts and talents God has given you. And if you have wronged anyone in any way, make sure to go and ask for forgiveness, before coming before the Lord, bearing your gifts. May God be well pleased with you and I, as we seek to live out our best life. Blessings, Angélique

“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness. Matthew 7:21-23 I came across the above verses, in my recent daily devotion. I have read these verses many times before however what came to me at that time was this: “Who are the workers of lawlessness, that Jesus is referencing”? Is He referring to the people in the world, who do not know God? Or is He perhaps referring to the ones who go to church, and profess a relationship with God? Based on my studies, I believe God is speaking to those who profess to have a relationship with Him. Upon reading these verses, you get the sense of stinging criticism from God to His followers. He is speaking to those who feel they are “Holy” because they go to church, feed the homeless, praise/worship Him, and partake in ministries within and outside of His church. All of these works are needed and are wonderful, but the problem is not in doing good works outwardly, the problem lies within. Some who partake in doing good works may still hold onto boastfulness, arrogance, rage, mean-spirited talk as well as evil thoughts towards others. Outwardly they appear pious and holy, but inwardly, they have not allowed God to penetrate their hearts and change them from within. One can easily get caught up in doing good deeds for others and the work of the church but, neglect the heart which is essentially our thoughts and our characters. As Psalm 51:10 states, “Create in me a clean heart oh God, and renew a right Spirit within me”. No one should think by doing good deeds, they are “securing” their spot in heaven. This is far from the truth if their heart and minds are not focused on being true disciples of God. Seek to continue to help the church and God’s people with your various gifts and talents. However, make sure you maintain a close relationship with God and His word. Seek to ask the Holy Spirit to come into your heart and mind daily. As you move forward in doing God’s work, it will not be just for show, but you will truly look to do His will, because of your love for Him, and His people. Blessings, Angélique

“….For, I did not come to judge the world, but to save the world.” John 12:47 (NIV) Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience,…Colossians 3:12 (ESV) When you notice a person dressed inappropriately or see a person who appears to be poor, not having this world’s material goods, what is your first reaction, honestly? Do you have compassion or judgment? I wrote an article last year that dealt mainly with judgment. Today I would like to focus on compassion. When we look at those around us, do we place on them our own ideas about who they are, how they should walk, talk, and behave? Even Jesus in John 12:47 states His main reason for coming to this world was to save it and not to judge. If Jesus, the Creator God, did not look to judge others but to show compassion in order to save them, who are we, to not do the same? It is not only in the world we sometimes do not show compassion but even in the church. We look at a person outwardly and feel we have the right to assess them based on what we see. Not knowing the individual or anything about their life story. We at times, look to condemn them, allowing judgment and not compassion to take over. As we go about our lives from here on out, let compassion rule in our thoughts and in our hearts always when looking to assess others. We must keep in mind we only see the surface we do not know their whole story. Seek to get into the habit of praying and asking God to be with them in their life’s journey. As the verse in Colossians 3:12 states, we are God’s chosen ones, we are His sons and daughters, holy and beloved. He wants us to have compassionate hearts, and to show kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, with all those we meet. Blessings, Angélique

“To console those who mourn in Zion, to give them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they may be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified.” Isaiah 61:3 (NKJV) I started this blog in January of 2020. God gave me this ministry and told me to share what He brings to me, with the rest of the world. And so, every Friday morning I have looked forward to sharing thoughts His Holy Spirit has given to me, to share with you. I do not take this beautiful ministry lightly. I thank God daily, for sharing with me various topics to write for that week, or the weeks to follow. Truth be told, this ministry started while I was going through heartache and pain after the ending of my marriage. However, as the above verse declares, God can bring beauty out of ashes. I pray the topics that are shared will inspire all of us to become closer to God. Encourage all of us to “step a little higher” in our Christian walk. I hope these blog posts let us know we are God’s children, and He has us in the palm of His Hands (Isa. 49:16). Despite the dark and painful moments, we sometimes face, if we turn to Him, we will find the strength to still march on, knowing God will bring us through. In the midst of our healing from those trying times, God wants to use our testimonies, our stories in order to reach out to others in need. By helping others, God will also continue to help us with our healing and strengthening, as we move forward. How incredible and awesome is our God!! As you move on in life, trust God and look to turn your heartache and pain into blessings to be used by Him. It will not be easy. But by trusting in God every step of the way, we can grow, heal, and help others in the process. We can do this by using the gifts and talents we all have received. Satan wants us to wallow in our pain and curse God (Job 2:9). We must remember we are on this sinful Earth; pain and trying times will come to us all. God does not do evil, nor does He wish any of us to suffer. But know when we do, He is right there with us every step of the way. He is working to turn bad situations around for our good, and the greater good of all humankind. Allow God to turn your hurts/disappointments into blessings and healings for yourself and others. Look to move out in faith and continue in Jesus’ name! And remember, onward Christian Soldier!! Blessings, Angélique

Hear instruction and be wise, and do not neglect it. 34 Blessed is the one who listens to me, watching daily at my gates, waiting beside my doors. 35 For whoever finds me finds life and obtains favor from the Lord. Proverbs 8:33-35 Sometimes in life, we look to obtain wisdom from someone who has lived longer than we have. We look for their perspective on life’s situations because of their age, and life experiences. And many times, this is can be very good advice. The only caution however would be this: make sure this wisdom is not contrary to God’s word. It does not matter who gives this advice, family or friend, just make sure it is in line with God. As His children, we need to test any wisdom or advice we get, against His word. I have encountered many friends who have taken advice from people who are older. Only to realize what they shared, was not in line with God and His wisdom. When seeking advice from another (no matter the age), really look at their lifestyle and if they have a relationship with God. And after having received this knowledge, still look to God through prayer and His Holy Word, to see if it aligns. Oftentimes as His children, we act on our own impulses and make major decisions based on what feels good or makes us happy at that moment. Or listen to advice that goes along with that “feel good” impulse. And when those decisions go against God’s word, they usually always will lead, to a downfall. We must remember God’s wisdom is pure, honorable, and true. He knows the past, the present, and the future. Being the Creator and Sustainer of life, He would know what is best for His children; in order for them to live and navigate this world. I encourage you to seek God and Godly wisdom before you look to make any major decisions. Have talks with your Pastor or a Godly advisor. In addition, study God’s word and pray on your own. Try to make decisions that will line up with His Holy word. You might come across those who may laugh or joke about your decisions based on what God says, as opposed to what the world says. But be strong and courageous, just like God told Joshua (Joshua 1:7). Look to follow what God says, and not the contrary advice of man. Always, look to follow God’s wisdom and not the world. Blessings, Angélique

Giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ… Ephesians 5:20 (ESV) You are my God, and I will give thanks to you; you are my God; I will extol you. Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever! Psalm 118:28-29 I read an article recently where the writer said every ounce of energy in his body comes from gratitude. Just that sentence alone made me stop to ponder, am I truly that grateful? Where every once of energy comes from gratitude? Do I throughout the day, every day, exude gratefulness? Do you? While we are all living in the current circumstances of a raging pandemic (Covid-19) and economic calamity all around, it can be hard to exude daily, constant, gratefulness. When we see and perhaps know of people suffering from the loss of loved ones, sick themselves, or suffering from the economic fallout, it might be hard to think of being grateful. But it is at that time that one must stop and realize, we are still here. Realize and be grateful for our loved ones, friends, co-workers, and church members. That they are still alive, and they are still here. Not only should we be grateful for the life we have been given, but also for the provisions God has bestowed upon us. To truly be thankful for what He has provided for us, every day. We get sidetracked in this life from time to time, looking at the world or what others have. But we must stop those thoughts when they come, and instead think of others who do not have what you and I have been given. There are times when you meet individuals who seem to have just a little in material possessions and daily provisions, but they praise God fully, and are truly grateful, for what they do have. So, starting today and from now on, seek to be grateful throughout the day, every day. Let us seek to have every fiber of our being, showing complete gratitude to God. For what He has done for us, and our loved ones, and for what He will do. Be grateful for the big things of course, but for the small things as well. Now we know that from time to time, we all will experience heartache, pain, and loss. That is life, for us all. But yet and still, try and make it a practice to have gratitude exude from your being throughout the day, every day. So, what are you grateful for today? Blessings, Angélique

46 “Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I tell you? 47 Everyone who comes to me and hears my words and does them, I will show you what he is like: 48 he is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when a flood arose, the stream broke against that house and could not shake it, because it had been well built.[a] 49 But the one who hears and does not do them is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. When the stream broke against it, immediately it fell, and the ruin of that house was great.” Luke 6:46-49 (ESV) In life it is not a question of will the floods come, but when. And in the above passage, Jesus is using a metaphor describing torrential floods, and their destruction. We can apply this same thought to the trials and tribulations of life. All of us from time to time will have stressful and trying times as we live out our lives. The trials can be for us, a family member, friends, school, jobs, etc. So, knowing we will have trying times or “floods”, we need to prepare our hearts and minds for when this happens. As God states in the verses above, those who listen to Him and obey His teachings and commandments will be fortified. By trusting and believing through faith that God will keep His promises, they are building solid foundations. As we look at Luke 6:48, Jesus made a point in saying, “when” the floods come. He did not say “if”. That being the case, we are encouraged to seek to strengthen our hearts, our minds, and our faith; so that when trouble comes to our doorstep, we will be able to withstand it. Likewise, in Luke 6:49, Jesus warns against those who do not listen to His teachings. They feel they can do what they want with their lives, and end up making choices and decisions, contrary to His word. In so doing, when the “floods of life” come, their house will fall. When this happens, this person can still turn and come back to God. They can choose to live their life according to His ways. That is a conscious decision all of us have to make every day. The decision to follow God and build our house (our life) on a solid foundation, based on His principles and precepts. Or we can choose to go against God and follow what the world says is acceptable. My prayer is that we all choose to build our house on a solid foundation using God’s word and precepts. That we will choose to establish a life of prayer and Bible study. That we will frequently ask ourselves this question: “When the storms come, am I ready?” Blessings, Angélique

“Whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked.” 1 John 2:6 (ESV) “I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called,” Ephesians 4:1 (ESV) One of the reasons I started 21st Century Godly Living Blog, was to share how we all can be authentic Christians, in all areas of our lives. From time to time, I believe we all have had a certain demeanor when we’re with church members and fellow believers. However, when we’re not in that setting or in their presence, another demeanor altogether sometimes emerges. In reading an article recently, it inspired me to write this post on how we should not live a compartmentalized life when it comes to our spiritual walk. Many of us have been guilty of separating our work, home, school, or our leisure time selves, from our spiritual selves. We act as if going to church and being spiritual stays at church. But once we step away, another persona then materializes. For instance, in your home life, you act one way, in your work/school life you act another way, and then even still in your leisure activities, another persona comes out. Now I will say at times there will be a slight change in our personalities, depending on the setting and circumstance; and that is understandable. The problem occurs when the change becomes uncomfortable, especially if a church member were standing right behind you. If you feel you would be embarrassed, then you know this persona is not Godly, and not one He would be pleased with. God expects us to be His ambassadors in all areas of our life. We’re not to compartmentalize and have different attitudes and behaviors, depending on the activity, or who we are around. If you’re loving and kind at church, then you should have that same walk, talk, and attitude, in other areas of your life. As God’s people, we need to keep in check our behavior at all times; not just when we are around certain individuals. We need to ask ourselves, are we consistently the same person at church, as we are in, the other areas of our life? Or do we seek to compartmentalize, and become different people depending on the circumstances. I encourage you to allow God and His Holy Spirit, to permeate all aspects of your life, at all times. To seek to walk and talk in Godly love and humility, in everything you say and do. Realize our Heavenly Father is everywhere and sees how we behave, in all aspects of our lives. Seek to daily be the Christian Ambassador He longs for you be. Blessings, Angélique

“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) “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) By God’s grace and mercy, we have made it to a new year. Last year was a definite struggle for so many. And we really are not sure about this new year. But we can cling to God’s promise that He will not leave or forsake us. We all from time to time will face challenges. Things may not go the way we had hoped, but through it all, we know and believe that God’s got this. He knows what He’s doing, even if we do not. This year will hold some struggles and challenges but, there will also be happy and prosperous times. Just like the message Job relayed in Job 2:9, do we only take good from God and not accept the bad when it happens? No matter what, may we continue to hold fast to the truth that God has us and this world in His hands. That His Son came to be born of men and to suffer and die for the salvation of humanity. We can trust and believe that no matter what the future holds, God will be with us every step of the way. By continuing to connect with Him through prayer and the studying of His word, we will be guided to live the life we were meant to live. When we allow His Spirit to live in and through us, we will have a positive impact on His people, and His world. May God’s blessings always be upon you and yours now and forever. May you have a happy and prosperous 2021! Happy New Year!! Blessings, Angélique

“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulders, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6 (ESV) “She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” Matthew 1:16 (ESV) Today we celebrate Christmas, the birth of the baby Jesus, the Savior of the world. As the verse in Matthew states, He came to our world, to save His people from their sins. Emmanuel spelled out in the Hebrew language is spelled with an I. The name means God with us. Not only is the Savior known by Immanuel, but He was also given the name Jesus, a name that is known by many throughout the world. As we open presents, eat plenty of holiday foods, and celebrate being with family and friends (even if via a computer due to the Covid-19 pandemic), let us remember the real reason for the celebration. That God sent His only begotten Son to our world. During the holiday season, we can usually find people nicer and giving holiday greetings when they meet. My prayer is that this does not end. That in the coming year we continue to greet and uplift one another in some form or fashion. Make it your normal practice to say hello to strangers as you go to the grocery store. As you pay for your gas at the gas station. Look to open and hold doors for strangers as they come in or leave a store. In whatever way you can, continue to pass God’s love for His people, through many acts of service and loving-kindness to one another. Jesus came to save us from our sins and to show us how to live. He came to show how God expects us to treat each other. May you all have a beautiful and blessed Christmas holiday. Remember to take Jesus with you wherever you go. I pray you seek to spread His message of love to everyone you meet. Happy Holidays… Blessings, Angélique

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) In the coming new year, most will be looking for a new or improved outlook/direction for their lives in 2021 & beyond. With a new year about to begin, it often feels as if we can look to make a fresh start in life. We seek to put away bad habits and establish new routines. We do this hoping to grow psychologically, emotionally, socially, physically, and intellectually. In wanting to make these new year changes, a lot of us start out strong but by mid-January to February, we have all but given up. So, I would like to share a few tips, that will perhaps encourage us to stick to the goal of making these positive changes, as we press on towards a better quality of life. First, have a connection with God and look to determine if what you are looking to change, is in His will. Look to His Holy Word and what it says. Then set out to make a list (not a long one, we’ll explain why later) of positive life changes. Next, be realistic in your goal setting. Do not try to take on everything all at once in the new year. Some changes, in order for them to become a part of your life and permanent, do take time. On the same thought of being realistic is to be specific. For instance, if it is to lose weight, do a little work beforehand. Begin by looking at your age and what weight should be reasonable and attainable. Make sure you speak to your healthcare provider about your goals. Ask yourself, how much exercising can you do with your current schedule? Can you take walks throughout the week if you cannot go or get to, the gym? How many calories are you consuming now and how many should you be, to lose weight? Are you looking at the types of foods you’re eating now and willing to slowly make healthier choices? Now you see I said “slowly” about food choices. But it also applies to the exercise portion as well. We all want to hurry the process and think by doing so, we’ll have the body we want in a month. For most, that is just not reality. It takes time to lose weight in a healthy, and permanent manner. You do not want to do a drastic exercise or diet program (unless under medical orders), as this more often than not, will likely backfire. You will burn yourself out, get discouraged, and then look to quit. Pick one to perhaps three resolutions to work on. You do not want to make a long list, as this will make it a daunting task, even before you begin!! Be concise in what you are wanting to achieve and give yourself time. Again, do not try to rush to get fast results. In being concise, really think and pray about your resolutions. Do not just rush to pick any goal. If you do this, chances are high that you will not stick to it. And when you achieve a goal, even if it is small, be proud and encouraged!! But do not stop, keep going!! It is okay to change or tweak your goals as needed along the way. Do not think you have to stay with the same goal if it is not meeting your objectives. Look to avoid repeating past failures. One way of doing this is by implementing some of the steps we have already gone over. If possible, look to get support from your friends and family. They can prove to be a positive influence to help you reach your full potential. In closing, there will be stumbles and/or roadblocks along the way. Do not let that stop you! Keep going!! Know that you can do this!! With God by your side, you can achieve the goals He has purposed for your life. Blessings, Angélique~

With all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, Ephesians 4:2 (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) As this year closes and the new year is soon to be upon us, there are many who are looking to put into motion, new plans and resolutions for the coming year. Many are looking to better or improve themselves internally as well as externally. In so doing, I would encourage you to find out who you are regarding your love language and your spiritual gifts. Of course, there are many different personality tests you can take to find out how you are wired and what gifts and talents you have been given. The tests I highlight here (see the link and attachment) are ones I have taken and have found to be very enlightening. I hope they will be for you as well. The first is a test created by Dr. Gary Chapman and is called The 5 Love Languages. This test helps you determine how you are wired for receiving and giving love. And when I talk about love it is not just a romantic form but in all forms. There are tests for couples, singles, teens, as well as children. My results showed quality time high at the top of my list. I encourage you to find your qualities, your love language. In doing so, this will help you know who you are; and if you are seeking a life partner, you will be able to share with them how you are truly wired. And they, in turn, can share the same with you. The Spiritual Gifts Test is from Pastor Gene Wilkes and LifeWay Christian Resources. This test helps you discover the gifts and talents God has given to all of us. By knowing your gifts and talents, you can utilize them by helping your church and in turn, building up God’s kingdom. In addition, you will feel as if you are living out your life’s purpose; doing what God has called you to do here on this Earth. For this test, my results are 1. Prophecy, 2. Shepherding/Faith (tied) and 3. Exhortation. So during this holiday season, take some time out for yourself and take these quizzes. Find out who you truly are and then, use this knowledge to go out and bless God’s people. I encourage you to go out and let your talent, your gift, and your light shine, in your corner of the world. Happy Holidays. Blessings, Angélique~ 5 Love Languages – The 5 Love Languages® Spiritual-Gift-TestDownload