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Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.  Colossians 4:6 (ESV) Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.  Romans 12:10 (ESV) If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.  Romans 12:18 (ESV)   During this political season in the US and in many parts of the world, negative and divisive rhetoric, language, and discourse is constantly on display. Unfortunately, many of the conversations, attitudes, and behaviors, cause our Father in Heaven to be appalled, ashamed, and disappointed in His children. People can be crude and mean-spirited, seeking to bring others down with their words and actions, in order to lift themselves up. At times, we will not agree politically, socially/economically, on religion, and the list can go on. We will encounter those who live lives that differ from other groups of people throughout the world. It does not mean one group is better than the other, it just means they are different. And despite some differences ( most people won’t admit it but, there are more similarities at times than there are differences ) we should all be able to handle ourselves around each other showing integrity, dignity, and respect.   The definition of civil discourse calls for civility in discussing topics that are of the general public’s interest. However, God expects us to not only be civil in public or while dealing with public matters but, we should also display civility in all of our actions and at all times. He wants His children to interact in a kind and respectful way. God knows that we will not fully agree on various topics however, that does not mean we are to behave in a negative and degrading manner toward one another.   In this difficult time we are living in, I pray and encourage everyone to seek to behave as if God Himself were physically standing next to you. We must realize that even though we may not see God physically, He sees and hears all that we say and do. May we seek to pray, study His word daily, and ask God’s Holy Spirit to help us in our day-to-day interactions with others. May we all strive to have civil discourse with others that will make our Father in Heaven very proud.   Blessings, Angélique 💐 To contact:  21stcglmediateam@gmail.com

For I will restore health to you, and your wounds I will heal, declares the Lord…   Jeremiah 30:17 (ESV)   The definition of soul wounds:    Soul wounds are a type of trauma that can cause deep and intense pain that affects a person's life.  Or… And overlooked, unassessed, emotional, spiritual, or psychosocial wound that traumatically or insidiously separates one from their own sense of self.   Life can be difficult, especially for those who are dealing with deep-down personal, as well as generational soul wounds. These are wounds that can affect a person, even though they themselves did not go through the trauma but their ancestors did, and they have been passed down to this present day. Many people in order to cope, just compress their emotional pain and move throughout their day and life, with a smile on their face to the outside world while carrying a painful void inside.   If one realizes that their actions/decisions are causing or have caused pain, it would be wise to stop and seek the help of a professional. A professional counselor can help one confront the pain and triggers from the present as well as from the past. No one should feel ashamed for seeking help for any emotional and/or mental situation. If anything, that is the wisest and healthiest thing one can do.   In addition to seeking professional help when needed, one should also turn to God and the Bible as well. Seek out a Christian Pastor or church counselor, who can also help to unpack the trauma, and begin the journey of healing their soul wounds.   God does not want any of His children to experience soul wounds, or any physical pain and suffering. We must realize this world, due to our choices from the beginning until now, has always rebelled against God’s precepts. As a result of our decisions, God’s children (in varying degrees), will suffer from the sin and the degradation of this world.   A few helpful tips in seeking to heal from soul wounds: - Acknowledge your feelings by perhaps writing them down in a journal. - Look to get involved in activities that bring joy/happiness into your life. - Be patient as you work through your pain. - Seek support from close-trusted family/friends and, seek professional help if need be   God loves His children and when they are hurting, He hurts too. Continue to trust Him and seek help for any deep-seated soul wounds that you might have. And then, when you have been healed and strengthened, make sure to turn back, and help those who come behind.   Blessings, Angélique 💐 To contact:  21stcglmediateam@gmail.com

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.  Colossians 3:16 ESV For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the Lord: I will put my laws into their minds, and write them on their hearts, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.  Hebrews 8:10 (ESV) In the world in which we live, there is so much anger, hatred, jealousy, greed, pride, arrogance, and the list can go on and on. The Bible was written thousands of years ago, and it is just as relevant now as it was back then. I always like to say the Bible is our blueprint for how to live our best lives. There are many human philosophies and ideals on how one can live life. And not all ideals are bad, some of them are actually based on God’s Holy precepts. However, some are focused solely on themselves and pleasure-seeking, not caring about other people and how our behavior may impact their lives. In God’s word as stated in the verses above and throughout both the Old and New Testament, He encourages us to read, study, and apply His principles written within its pages. He wants us to allow it to dwell in our minds and our hearts and, to apply His truths to our everyday decisions, as we go about living life.  Despite the crazy noise of this world with its divisiveness, wars, and political rivalries, currently playing out across the globe; may we seek to continuously keep God‘s principles of righteousness, honesty, integrity, mercy, and love ever before us. May we seek to associate ourselves with churches as well as individuals who also strive to live by these principles. May His precepts be a shield against all the ungodly attitudes and behaviors that we encounter every day. And finally, may God’s word be a guiding light of hope and love, shining onto the path of our life, as well as the lives of others. Blessings, Angélique 💐 To contact:  21stcglmediateam@gmail.com

In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. Matthew 5:16 (ESV) And nations shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising.   Isaiah 60:3 (ESV) When we study and fill up on God’s word, follow His precepts, and marvel at the wonderful changes in our lives, does God want us to keep it all to ourselves? The answer is a resounding no!! In Matthew 5:14-16 God states in these verses that we are not to hide our light, meaning the knowledge and blessings He has bestowed on us. We are to share with everyone, what our Father has done for us.     When we are in step with God and manifesting His character and principles of daily living, one does not have to force God’s light to shine forth. For example, at work/school or in our relationships, we at times try to influence others or the situation, in order to put ourselves in the “best light” before others. But if we maintain and establish a consistent connection with God, our light will shine always, and to everyone we meet. The light of God’s knowledge, love, grace, and understanding, will never have to be forced and/or manipulated, in order to shine onto others as stated above in today's verse from Isaiah 60:3.   We need to understand that by letting our light shine, we are lighting the way for others who may need to be encouraged. By being a “living” representative of Bible precepts people who have never read the Bible, will see firsthand how God wants us all to behave. By letting our light shine, we may be able to help lead a person out of physical, mental, and spiritual darkness. And finally, by letting our light shine, we are paving the way for those who will come behind us, our future generations.   Blessings, Angélique 💐 To contact:  21stcglmediateam@gmail.com

Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.  Colossians 3:2 (ESV)   Where has the majority of your focus been this week? How about the last few weeks? Were you focused mostly on your job/career, your finances, your health, your family, society, or the world at large? Or a combination of all the above? Most of us are dealing with one or more from the above list and not just once in our lives but, usually on a continuous basis. God said in His word we will have trials (problems), but He left us with encouragement and hope by also saying to take courage, He has overcome the world, see John 16:33. When faced with difficulty and challenges, of course, we will put our focus on trying to rectify our situations. God expects us to do what we can to fix the problem areas in our lives. He does not want us to sit back and cry out to Him to fix our situations when we have the capability to work on the problem for ourselves. However, He is looking for us to do our best to remedy the situation and once we have done all we can, to trust and believe that He will step in a make a way. Now we must keep in mind that the outcome we envision may not be in line with God’s will, His plan. It is important for us to trust God and to place our focus ultimately on Him and His will in every situation. It does not necessarily come easy for any of us to put our complete faith and focus on God and His will after we’ve done everything to rectify our circumstances. However, God is calling for us to trust that He knows what is best, even with our limited human understanding, and knowing that what is best, can possibly be very painful to accept. My prayer going forward is for each of us to tackle the various problems/challenges that we have to the best of our abilities. But ultimately, we learn to place our focus, our complete trust and faith on God, and His will for our lives.   Blessings, Angélique 💐 To contact:  21stcglmediateam@gmail.com

There are six things that the Lord hates, seven that are an abomination to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that make haste to run to evil, a false witness who breathes out lies, and one who sows discord among brothers.   Proverbs 6:16-19 (ESV) As for a person who stirs up division, after warning him once and then twice, have nothing more to do with him, knowing that such a person is warped and sinful; he is self-condemned. Titus 3:10-11 (ESV) The definition of divisiveness is the “tendency to cause disagreement or hostility between people”.   Divisiveness, of course, has occurred since the beginning of time pretty much from Cain and Abel in the Garden of Eden to the present day. And currently, in the 21st century in the United States and the rest of the world, divisiveness seems to be at an all-time high. People dislike another group due to the color of their skin, their political party affiliation, their religious background, and the list can go on and on. God is truly not pleased! I would dare say, He’s disgusted at how His children ( which is all of us ) are behaving.   Due to our human nature, we will be divided into our various groups, family dynamics, etc. But the problem comes into play when we are not just divided, but divisive. We are behaving as the definition states above, causing division and hostility towards one another. As the late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg famously said, “We can disagree, but not be disagreeable”. And of course, our original teacher of all mankind, our Father in Heaven, has stated this same message for His children throughout the Bible. I may not agree on the same ideals as others but, I never want to be divisive towards another individual and/or groups of people, demanding/expecting them to behave and think like I do.   As we live our lives, may we adopt God‘s principles on how to deal with and interact with each other. May we exhibit Godly characteristics on a daily basis. Even though we will have different likes and opinions if we adopt the mindset of being kind, respectful, and loving toward everyone, what a beautiful world this would be.   I hope and pray we will all seek this mindset and lifestyle as we move forward in life.     Blessings, Angélique 💐   To contact:  21stcglmediateam@gmail.com

Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.  Ephesians 4:32 ESV Have you been hurt by another's actions? Have you been betrayed by a loved one who you felt would be by your side always? And when you think about what they have done, and how they are not remorseful or asking for forgiveness, the hurt and betrayal you feel can be painful and intense. Many of us have heard a sermon preached or people talking about how one should seek forgiveness. But because of your state of shock, anger, hurt, betrayal, and pain, you just can’t seem to get to the point of forgiving this person. However, the advice given regarding forgiveness is true. Forgiveness is vital for us and our healthy state of well-being, it is not so much, for the person who wronged us.   When you seek to forgive another individual for the wrong, they’ve done, many are waiting to feel forgiveness towards the other person. But more often than not, forgiving another individual is not based on feelings, but based on making a decision, whether they deserve it or not. We have to remember that when seeking to make the choice to forgive someone, we are releasing ourselves from the bondage of anger, hurt, and bitterness, that can mentally, emotionally, and physically weigh a person down. Of course, it would be nice if the other person humbles themselves, repents, and asks to be forgiven. In that case, forgiveness could be a blessing and ease the pain for everyone involved.    We all have to realize we have choices in life. We can choose to forgive or, we can choose not to forgive. Either way, we are making a choice. God does not force this decision upon us. He gives us instruction and guidance on how to live our best life and it is up to us to choose. If we choose to forgive (again it is a decision, not a feeling), we will gain spiritual strength and peace from all the pain and anguish we’ve endured. Once, we have released this weight, we will begin to flourish and become stronger. Eventually, we can then share our testimony of how God has forgiven us and in turn, we have chosen to forgive others. Blessings, Angélique 💐 To contact:  21stcglmediateam@gmail.com

Judge not, that you be not judged.  Matthew 7:1 (ESV) There is only one lawgiver and judge, he who is able to save and to destroy. But who are you to judge your neighbor?  James 4:1 (ESV) Do you ever feel you are superior to others? Do you find yourself looking down on those who have less finances, education, or social status? How about feeling superior because of your looks compared to theirs? Do you feel superior to others because of your race, ethnicity, as well as religious background? Or do you feel superior because of your life choices and lifestyle, that is different from theirs? Unfortunately, in the world in which we live, there are many people who feel they are superior to others for the various reasons above, as well as many others not listed. For example, because of a lack of money and social position, they look down on others who are not at their level or higher. They will belittle and negatively categorize individuals who don’t have the same or greater socioeconomic status that they possess. Then there are others who will look down on and belittle people because of the color of their skin. Even those who are wealthy and in a higher socioeconomic status because of their skin color, are still considered inferior to those who have less wealth but a different color skin. Beloved, God is not pleased with this type of attitude and behavior from His children. God made all of us different and gave us free will, and free choice. God did not want His children, (who are all sinners saved by the grace of Christ) to be judge and jury over each other. We are not to belittle or look down on someone because they are different.  In Psalm 96:13, it describes how God is the judge of the world, and that He will judge the world in righteousness and His faithfulness. We are called to be humble and to go and spread God’s messages of faith, hope, and love to the world. We are not called to be judge and jury of other people. We are not called to look down upon, belittle, or criticize others with our pious attitudes. May we focus on God’s word and on ourselves, so that we may become true followers of Christ and His teachings. May we treat God’s world and His people, the way Jesus Christ treated them when He walked this Earth. Blessings, Angélique 💐 To contact:  21stcglmediateam@gmail.com

Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.  Colossians 3:5 (ESV) Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry.  1 Corinthians 10:14 (ESV) What do you consider to be an idol? Most think of statues made by man, a Talisman, or good luck charms that people worship, pray to, and/or pay some sort of homage to. But an idol can be any person, place, thing, or activity, that we focus the majority of our time and effort on consistently. It can be anything that we are addicted to and will find it hard to give up. For instance, an idol can be a house, a car, an unhealthy relationship with another person, or a string of various people. It could be an obsession with social media (this is a huge problem in the 21st century), television shows, movies, video gaming, objects such as jewelry, clothes, makeup/hairstyles, various hobbies, etc. Anything that one obsesses over, for an extended period of time, could be considered an idol in their life. The verses above in today’s reading are just two of many throughout the Bible that reference idolatry. God knows how idolatry can lead His children further and further away from having a healthy/balanced life, as well as having a strong relationship with Him. Of course, we all will have people in our lives, various extracurricular activities, hobbies, etc, that we will enjoy. However, they can become a problem (an idol), when we take the time spent on or with them, to an excessive level that is continuous and prolonged. And usually this type of obsession, will not lead to a good healthy life balance. My prayer would be for us to look at our lives and ask ourselves the question, “Do I have idols in my life?” And once it’s determined that we do, may we look to change our thought patterns and actions, to focus more on spending time with God and His precepts, as opposed to our worldly obsessions and idols. By seeking to daily abide by God’s word, we will in turn have a healthier outlook on life. Blessings, Angélique To contact:  21stcglmediateam@gmail.com

Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; James 1:19 (ESV) For the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God.  James 1:20 (ESV) We all get angry. As humans, it's unavoidable for us to not become angry during our lifetime. The question, however, is what actions will you take when you become angry and, how will you manage/control your anger when it occurs. In looking throughout the entire Bible, there are many passages or verses that describe anger, and how one should behave. Our Creator knows that when we are incited, we have the potential to unleash angry words as well as actions, as a result. So, before this happens, it is important now (especially while you’re in a calm mindset) to listen to and apply God’s word and His percepts to your life and, work on your spiritual growth and maturity. Is there a such thing as righteous anger? Yes, there is! The Bible speaks of it and Jesus in the Bible, as well as many others, exhibited righteous anger. They became upset regarding the wicked, sinful, and corrupt, status quo of society, that was all around them. In their anger, they made sure to share with those the error of their ways and what God‘s word says. There will be times, especially in this current 21st Century in which we live, when we must speak up due to the injustice that abounds all over the world. Being silent is not what God would have any of us do, when we have the ability to speak out against sinful, wicked, and corrupt behavior. As stated in Ephesians 4:26; “Be angry and do not sin”. One can be angry at sin and injustice and then seek to channel that anger into productive, Godly change. Getting angry over sinful, wicked, and unjust behavior, directed at ourselves or others, is normal. How we choose to respond, however, is the question. Blessings, Angélique To contact:  21stcglmediateam@gmail.com

For the Lord your God is he who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies, to give you the victory.’ Deuteronomy 20:4 (ESV) When you watch various sports on a media platform, and when an individual or a team wins, a lot of people will attribute the win to that individual or that team. As humans, we are quick to praise others whether it be sports, business deals, our looks, or overcoming illnesses, etc. But do we ever consider that truly in all victories, God is the one who should be praised? When certain individuals, teams, and/or groups excel, we know a lot of hard work, dedication, and ingenuity, played a key part in their success. But when you really seek to go deeper, you will see that all people and their abilities were created by God, and due to His divine intervention, winning victories are the result. Of course, not looking to take away from human efforts but, it’s strongly misplaced to think only human will and determination, are what bring about the various victories we see here on Earth. The Bible speaks through many verses throughout the Old and New Testament, where God worked numerous miracles and victories in the lives of His children. And in return, many of those who are mentioned in the Bible gave credit back to God for these blessings. And like they did in the days of old, we too should continue to give credit and praise to God for our many blessings, our victories. Now some may think, of course, everyone gives credit to God for various achievements and victories in life. But in actuality, not always. There are a lot of people (Christian believers and those who are not) who feel they are responsible for conquering a certain situation and/or achieving a victory. They may give surface platitudes to God, but deep down, they feel it was due to their hard work and tenacity that caused the outcome. May we never forget that the entire function of our bodies and their capabilities comes from our Father in Heaven. As we go forward in life, may we always give credit back to our Creator, the source of all life, for our small and great victories. Blessings, Angélique 💐 To contact:  21stcglmediateam@gmail.com

It is not what goes into the mouth that defiles a person, but what comes out of the mouth; this defiles a person.”  Matthew 15:11 (ESV) To put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.  Ephesians 4:22-24 (ESV) Our thoughts, what we say, and our actions, can cause damage to ourselves as well as others. Have you ever stopped to think that sometimes our biggest enemy, is what we think and say to ourselves? How we sometimes engage in activities that may not be good for our overall well-being? Of course, it’s our free will and choice to allow the negative thoughts to come in and linger. However, a lot of times, the negative thoughts can be amplified by Satan and his angels, hoping to destroy us internally and if left unchecked, externally as well. What are we allowing to be ingested in our minds and our thoughts? What we watch, what we read, and the activities we get involved in, can all influence us if we’re not careful. Of course, not saying we cannot enjoy reading, watching television and/or movies, playing various games, etc. The problem is not doing these things but the content of what we are consuming. The types of books, media, games, etc., that we are ingesting on a consistent basis, can cause problems to our inner well-being. In addition to the above, we also need to be aware of who we allow to be a part of our inner circle and their influence in our lives. Becoming close with others can greatly influence what we think, say, and do. That is why it is so important to allow the right individuals into your inner circle. Do not allow constantly negative, toxic, or dangerous people to develop a close bond with you. It might be easy to say you will not but, at times we can be lured in by a new and exciting relationship, or bought with expensive gifts/trips, and the list can go on and on. One must be on guard against any negative thoughts or people, that can be influential. The sure way to do this is to study God’s word and follow His truths and His precepts. In doing this, you will know what is good and acceptable, and what is contrary to His word. In addition, seek to develop complete faith/trust in God, so that no matter what comes your way, you will not allow your “inner me” to develop a negative mindset. Let us not allow our “inner me” to be our biggest enemy! Blessings, Angélique 💐 To contact:  21stcglmediateam@gmail.com