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For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast . Ephesians 2:8-9 (ESV)   How is your relationship with God? Is it relational or transactional? Do you feel you have to perform certain tasks or behave in a certain manner for God to grant your desires? For you to be approved by God? For you and your family to earn salvation? So many treat their relationship with God as a transaction that they must undertake, in order to obtain favors and blessings from our Heavenly Father.   When you are pursuing another person for a relationship, you are hopefully being sincere and honest in your pursuit and not looking for it to be transactional. You are pursuing this relationship because you really enjoy getting to know this person and spending time with them. In many respects, this should be our same approach in pursuing a relationship with God. As His children, we should want to get close to Him, to understand His ways, and to learn how we should behave in this world and towards each other.   In seeking a relationship and a walk with God, He is not looking for us to have a check-the-box mentality with our Christianity. Meaning, if we go to church – check, if we return tithes and offerings – check, if we get involved with various church activities – check. All of these are well-meaning and good however, if we are doing them as a checkmark, God is not pleased.   God is longing for a relational interaction with His children, not transactional. As His children, He will grant and bestow upon us many blessings and favors, but that does not mean we should seek to have a transactional attitude and/or relationship with Him.   We should not be looking to play the role of being Christ-like to earn favor with God; in an attempt to get our wishes granted as if He were some sort of Genie from a bottle.   We must let go of the check-the-box / transactional mentality and move toward an honest and pure relational connection with our Father. God wants us to get to know His ways, His heart, and His mind, by reading the Bible, going to a Bible-believing church, and having a prayer life. By doing this on a consistent basis, we will be on the path of having a deep and meaningful relationship with God.   As we journey through life from this day forward, may we make it a priority to establish and maintain a relational connection with God, and stay away from the transactional/check-the-box mentality.   Blessings, Angélique 💐 To contact:   21stcglmediateam@gmail.com

And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. 1 John 4:14 (ESV) Last week we discussed how the Bible was divinely inspired. This week we will look at the prophecies that foretold the birth of Jesus. When it comes to Jesus, many like to question the validity of His birth and whether He is really God’s son. Some say He manipulated events to coincide and fulfill the prophecies that were foretold in the Old Testament. What people do not realize is that many of these prophecies, that foretold His coming, were written hundreds of years before His birth, when He was a baby or a toddler.   In Isaiah 7:14 from the Old Testament, the prophet noted that a virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and he will be called Immanuel, which means God with us. Also, in Isaiah 9:6 it states, “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given…And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”  Going on to Micah 5:2, it states that the birthplace of Jesus would be Bethlehem. A point to note here is that when this prophecy stated Jesus was to be born in Bethlehem, his parents Mary and Joseph were living in Nazareth; 90 to 100 miles from Bethlehem. And to travel to Bethlehem in those days was not a quick trip, it would have taken several days to accomplish. It was by divine orchestration allowed by God, that a census was ordered by Roman Emperor Caesar Augustus, which forced Joseph and Mary, to return to Bethlehem (where Joseph’s family roots were) in order to register for the census. Thus, Jesus was born in Bethlehem as the Prophet Micah foretold over 700 years prior to His birth.   In Jeremiah 23:5-6 from the Old Testament, it says that out of the line of David a king will come forth who will reign wisely, be just, and righteous. He will be called the Lord Our Righteous Savior. Also in the Old Testament in Hosea 11:1, it tells how God called His Son out of Egypt. Sometime after Jesus was born, Joseph and Mary took him to Egypt to live, to avoid the massacre of young children in Bethlehem that was ordered by Herod. This massacre was foretold in Jeremiah 31:15 and reiterated in Matthew 2:16, from the New Testament.   In Matthew 1:23 from the New Testament, the verses state “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him, Immanuel, which means God with us.  Due to Mary becoming pregnant before her marriage to Joseph (she was engaged to him); Joseph wanted to end the engagement and send her away quietly so that she would not be stoned to death for being impregnated by another man, and not her betrothed. However, an angel appeared to Joseph in Matthew 1:20-21 telling him not to be afraid to take Mary as his wife, as it was by the Holy Spirit that she conceived. Also, in the New Testament, in Matthew 2:1,2 and 10-12, it is written that the Magi came from distant lands in the east to Jerusalem, following a bright star in the sky after the birth of Jesus to pay homage to him. The verse also tells that after their visit, they were warned in a dream, not return to Herod to tell him they found the child, but to return to their country, by another route. In the Old Testament, this visit was foretold in Psalm 72:10-11.   There are many prophecies and writings that foretell of Jesus being born and coming to Earth in the Old and New Testaments. Just as we said last week how the Bible is God’s Holy inspired word, we understand and know from reading the sacred texts, that Jesus Christ, Yeshua, is the Son of God. May we study the Bible and seek to have a closer walk and relationship with our Father in Heaven, His Son Jesus, and the Holy Spirit.   Blessings, Angélique   To contact:   21stcglmediateam@gmail.com

Knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone's own interpretation. For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit. 2 Peter 1:20-21 (ESV) All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 2 Timothy 3:16 (ESV)   Have you ever met someone who questioned the validity of the Bible? They ask questions like, "Where did the Bible come from? Who wrote it? Was it really written under the inspiration of God? The fact is that the Bible was written by people under the inspiration of God. Below let us go through some facts that will set your mind, as well as others, at ease that the Bible was divinely inspired by God.   First and foremost, the Bible was written over a span of 1600 years, by 40 different individuals, writing primarily in three different languages from various countries. It was written by people from all walks of life including kings, shepherds, captives in prison, and everyday people. Of note, the majority of the writers did not know each other and were born in different decades. Despite being written by writers who lived hundreds of years apart from one another, the prophecies from the Old Testament to the New Testament are woven together in a remarkable cohesive design. In the Old Testament, a few prophets existed at the same time, and it is believed they worked together in spreading God’s messages to His people. In the New Testament, there were apostles and other teachers who knew one another and worked together to spread the gospel. However, it is important to note that many of the writers of the New Testament were not living in the same areas at the time of their writings. Many of their writings were about their journeys and life experiences that occurred when they were hundreds of miles apart from one another.   What is also remarkable is that they did not have 21st-century technology that we have today. Meaning, they could not call, email, or text ideas about their writing and what they should write about. As stated before, the Bible was written over a span of 1600 years, by 40 different individuals, who lived in various time periods and were spread out across the known world. In the Old Testament, prophets wrote about various events that were to occur and did finally occur, hundreds of years in the future. There is no way they could have predicted or known what was to happen except being divinely inspired to write what God instructed. Many of them did not understand what they were writing at the time God inspired them. As a result, the fluidity of the stories and events that happened hundreds, even thousands of years apart, fits perfectly in the Bible’s timeline and overall meta-narrative.   Despite what naysayers claim, to this day the Bible is still the most widely read and best-selling book in the world. It is estimated that between 5 and 7 billion copies have been distributed, and it has been translated into 3600 languages around the world.   Without a doubt, we can trust, believe, and rely on the accuracy and authenticity of the Bible. I pray we take up the daily practice of reading and studying our Bibles in order for us to live our best lives. As 2026 has begun, look for a one-year Bible reading plan and begin your reading journey. Even if you have read it before, get into the habit of reading a new plan every year. I have done this for many years and every time I find nuggets of truth that I could not believe I never noticed before. May you enjoy your trip through the Bible as you seek to gain a closer relationship and walk with our Heavenly Father. Blessings, Angélique   To contact:   21stcglmediateam@gmail.com

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. Hebrews 11:1 (ESV)   And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him. Hebrews 11:6 (ES V)   We are living in unprecedented times in the United States and the rest of the world. We have those in power within governments who do whatever they want. They have a serious power/ego problem, they do not follow decency, decorum, or the laws of the land. When you read headlines and watch constant breaking news, it makes one fearful of the future. Times like these cause one to stop and ask God, what is happening? Why is this happening? What is the future going to be based on everything going on? If ever there was a time people needed to have faith and trust in God, that time is definitely now.   In my Bible reading the other day, an article talked about various mnemonics that use the letters in the word faith. I wanted to share them here and hopefully they will bring encouragement and help us to remember that God is still in charge. No matter what the future holds, He knows the beginning from the end. F.A.I.T.H…. F orsaking A ll I   T ake H im or, F orsaking A ll I   T rust H im or, F eeling A fraid, I   T rust H im or, F antastic A dventures I n T rusting H im or, F ear A in’t I n T his H ouse and finally, F orward, A head, I n, T ruth,  H eaven   Of course, there could be others, the main point is that faith is the essence of our relationship with God, and that relationship hinges on trust. You may be facing impossible situations in various areas of your life: health, marriage, family, friends, work/school, etc. But just like all of those mentioned throughout the Bible, they faced incredible odds that were stacked against them, and they held on to their faith and trust in God.  We must remember that everything we see all around is only a tiny fraction of what exists. For example, in looking at the stars at night, what is visible to us is a small fraction of the billions that exist. Without a powerful telescope, they are invisible to the human naked eye. Other things in life are invisible to us, but we know they exist: our thoughts, love, and most importantly God. We may not see our thoughts, our love, or God but, we know all exists.   As we continue forward on this journey called life, may we instill unshakable faith and trust in our Heavenly Father despite all the chaos the world offers.   Just remember to always have F.A.I.T.H!   Blessings, Angélique 💐 To contact:   21stcglmediateam@gmail.com

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) Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:13-14 (ESV) Cannot believe we are now in 2026! With all the ups and downs of the past year, we have made it! Like many, I like to take time out to reflect on the past year, as well as other prior years. I like to think about how Awesome God has been to me, as well as my family and friends. All of us have come this far because of His tremendous blessings on our lives. There are many who feel that luck, chance of life, and their circumstances, are the reasons they are still alive and able to welcome in 2026. But may we not forget it is by God’s grace and mercy that we are alive to even welcome in the new year.   As we close out 2025, it is good for us to reflect on what has happened in our lives personally as well as what is happening in the world. A lot of situations we cannot control, but as God’s children, we can pray and with faith and confidence in God, know that He can see all that is going on, and He will handle it in His time.   Now is a good time for us to reflect on our emotional, spiritual, mental, and physical well-being. To reflect on whether we are living up to the potential that God would have for us. As I have said many times before, we were born for a purpose, and not just for selfish reasons. We are placed here to be a blessing to God‘s people and to His world. So, I encourage everyone to stop and reflect on where you are in life and what contributions you made to God’s world to make it a better place. God knows we have full lives and that we must care for ourselves and loved ones however, we all have the ability to make a positive difference/a positive impact in our corner of the world.   As we all look to 2026, I pray that we will be mindful of where we are on our life’s journey. That we are mindful of our past, present, and where we would prayerfully like to be in the future. May everyone have a blessed, safe, and happy 2026. Happy New Year!!   Blessings, Angélique 💐 To contact:   21stcglmediateam@gmail.com

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16 (ESV) And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1:14 (ESV) In looking up how many people celebrate Christmas, it estimates roughly two billion people, (approximately 1/3 of the global population) celebrate on December 25th around the world. With so many people celebrating Christmas around the world, the question I have is this: What are you celebrating at Christmas? For many, it is a chance to reconnect with family and friends, to have parties, give gifts, and celebrate each other. For others, it is important to give back to those in need who do not have the financial means to have a traditional Christmas dinner and gift-giving celebration. And still for others, it is a time to celebrate the birth of the Christ Child; God’s gift, given to humankind to be the sacrificial lamb for all people.   In looking at further statistics, it is estimated that in the United States, over $1trillion dollars was spent on Christmas alone. Christmas celebrations for the most part have become a huge financial global enterprise. People spend a lot of money on gifts, services, and parties, all to celebrate Christmas. However, when we stop to think about it, the word ‘Christmas’ was derived from the Old English phrase Christ’s Mass, which was a church service that was first recorded to have happened around 1038 AD, in celebration of the birth of Jesus. But from that first recorded church service until now, it has turned into a global commercial enterprise that rarely seeks to pay homage to Jesus Christ, the Son of God.   We know the real reason for the season is the celebration of Christ's coming to Earth to live and to eventually become the sacrificial lamb. If He were here living on Earth during this time, what would He do? From reading the scriptures, it is clear He would focus on giving to those in need: the poor, the widower, the orphan, the homeless, the foreigner, and those living in marginalized communities. I pray that for the next Christmas season, our focus will be centered on engaging in activities that would truly please Jesus. He would be happy to see His children doing good, especially for those who are in need. Now, I am not discouraging anyone from decorations, parties, gift-giving, and general celebrations during the Christmas season. However, I hope to encourage many to shift their focus somewhat, toward giving gifts that would make a difference in someone’s life and make Jesus happy.   So, for next year, how will you celebrate Christmas?   Blessings, Angélique 💐 To contact:   21stcglmediateam@gmail.com

Not that we dare to classify or compare ourselves with some of those who are commending themselves. But when they measure themselves by one another and compare themselves with one another, they are without understanding. 2 Corinthians 10:12 (ESV) For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned.  Romans 12:3 (ESV)   Have you ever compared your strength to others? To some degree, we all have gone down the comparison road of us versus someone else. We compare our looks, our money, our social status, our spouses, our kids, our jobs, etc. Besides what was mentioned, do we also compare our strengths to others’ weaknesses? And if we do, why do we do it? Does it make us feel good to know that we are strong in various areas of life and others may be weak? Does it make us feel we are in a better position than they are?   These are questions and thoughts that all of us need to evaluate in ourselves. It’s human nature to an extent to compare ourselves against others. And it is not bad to have the occasional thoughts of comparison, the problem comes in when it goes deeper into our psyche where we compare ourselves against others and have negative thoughts that surface due to this comparison. God made each and every one of us unique and gifted with natural talents and abilities. For example, one person may be able to sing as a soloist and have a beautiful, powerful voice. But this individual should not look down upon or feel their gifting is superior to others who do not have the ability. Just as this individual has a strong, beautiful voice they may be weak in other areas of life, for example, their finances. And in this scenario, the person who may be great with finances, may not be so good with singing.   The various levels of abilities and talents given to us by God, should not be used as a vice to compare with one another. Instead, these gifts and talents should be used to build each other up and to share in ministry to the world. God does not want us to shame or belittle someone due to areas where they are weak and to puff ourselves up due to our areas of strength. This type of thinking and behavior is the opposite of God’s ideal for His children.   Let us remember that as we move throughout life, there will be those who are strong in some areas, weaker in others, and vice versa. And that is the way it is with every human being. May we celebrate each other’s strengths, and if possible, help and encourage each other where we are weak. May we use our given gifts and talents positively, to uplift God’s children, and to care for His world.   Blessings, Angélique 💐 To contact:   21stcglmediateam@gmail.com

Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 1 Peter 5:8 (ESV)   We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ, 2 Corinthians 10:5 (ESV) Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life. Proverbs 4:23 (ESV)   What are you thinking about right now? What thoughts seem to be foremost in your mind lately? In this crazy world, many are concerned about making money, being able to care for themselves and their loved ones financially, physically, mentally, and emotionally. Here in the United States, and possibly many other parts of the world, people are worried about many things, and especially the constant political decisions that negatively impact their everyday lives.   God knows we live in a sinful and fallen world. From the original sin of Adam and Eve til now, the evil thoughts and intentions that exist within human beings have not lessened. Before a person physically causes harm, they first allow their negative thoughts to grow and fester in their minds, then allow them to turn into actionable choices against another. This is why in the above verses, as well as throughout the Bible, God admonishes His children to guard their thoughts. To not allow them to permeate into your heart, causing one to physically lash out in a harmful manner.   As God’s children, He wants us to study His word and to constantly seek Him so that when negative/harmful thoughts come into our minds, we will combat them with His word of truth. If we fill up on God‘s word and His precepts, it would be difficult for us to turn away and act upon our negative thoughts and intentions. When we say guard your thoughts, it is not just a slogan or a catchphrase. It is an actual command born out of love that we need always to internalize.   My prayer for you as well as myself today, is to be on guard so that when temptation and evil thoughts come, we will be able to resist and turn towards God. I pray we will always remember we must seek to guard our thoughts and our mind, as this is a pathway to our heart and soul.   Blessings, Angélique 💐 To contact:   21stcglmediateam@gmail.com

“His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’ Matthew 25:21 (NIV) And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation. Mark 16:15 (ESV) The end of the world is coming soon. Therefore, be earnest and disciplined in your prayers. 1 Peter 4:7 (NLT) As the verses above, as well as many others throughout the Bible state, God is longing to be completely reunited with His children and to say to each of us, "Well done." In saying this, God is letting us know we are not perfect but, He is pleased that we sought to live our lives striving to do His will. Each of us has been given a light to shine in this dark world. Not a physical light but a spiritual one where we shine God‘s light of love, humility, integrity, positivity, and hope to the world.   Will it be easy to be a servant of God and to follow His commands to share this gospel with others? Sometimes it will be, and sometimes it will be difficult. Various individuals in parts of this world are hiding in fear because of spreading the gospel. Despite the opposition they face, they are strong and determined to spread God’s word throughout the world. Those of us who live in relative safety and security, where it would be easy to spread the gospel message, sometimes do not do so. Perhaps, we are too comfortable, and we allow our own thoughts, feelings, and biases to get in the way of sharing God‘s love with others. However, despite our reasons, this is what God has called every one of us to do.   Besides sharing His words of encouragement with others, He also wants us to behave as children of God. When people push you and cause you to become angry and upset, how do you respond? Are you going to respond in the same manner as the world? With anger, harsh words, and fighting? Or are you going to respond as the Bible dictates: being self-controlled, sober-minded, and even-tempered? Of course, it is not always easy to deal with our defensive human nature where we feel the need to push back and at times to exact revenge. But God‘s word does not teach this; as a matter of fact, His word is the opposite of worldly response and behavior. God wants us always to be peaceful, loving individuals, with everyone we meet. I have said it before and I will say it again, if everyone on this planet followed God‘s precepts and behaved in this manner, this world would be totally transformed for the better.   So, my encouragement for each and every one is to live life seeking daily to make a difference in your part of the world. And at the end of our time here on earth, when it is time to go before the Master, may He look upon us with genuine love and say, ‘Well Done’!!   Blessings,  Angélique 💐 To contact:   21stcglmediateam@gmail.com

(First published Nov. 20, 2020. This post has been changed slightly from the original.)   I will give to the Lord the thanks due to His righteousness, and I will sing praise to the name of the Lord, the Most High. Psalm 7:17 (ESV) In the United States, we just celebrated the Thanksgiving Holiday yesterday on Thursday. It is where we look forward to getting with our families and friends and celebrating togetherness; being thankful for the blessings God has bestowed upon us. We come together to fix Thanksgiving Dinner, which can be a combination of various foods and dishes that represent various cultures and traditions.  But traditions and festivities aside, most of us also seek to pray and give thanks for our lives, our families, and friends. In addition, we pray and give thanks for housing, food, clothes, health, finances, and other necessities of life.  However, in looking at the heart of today’s verse, it says, “I will give thanks to the Lord for His righteousness and sing praise to the name of the Lord, the Most High”. My question is this, how many actually seek to thank God, for being God? How many actually lift thanks and praises to God for Him alone? Not lifting prayers for our loved ones or us, not for food, shelter, or clothes but, to lift our prayers and just thank Him for being our Lord, our Savior, the God Most High.  With this blog, I am always praying and asking God to be with me as I write. I pray and ask that it may be a blessing to those who read or listen to the recording. However, just now, I had to stop myself and say, here I go again,  asking! In faith, I know He has always been and will be with me as I write. So now I have changed my prayer, to just thanking Him for being Him.  I, like many others, am so used to thanking Him for everyone and everything He has given. However, I would like to challenge us to have some of our prayers be directed to just saying thank you God for being who He Is!! For our prayers not to be just a list of our wants and requests. But to honor and acknowledge Him for who He is, for what He has done, is doing, and will do, for all humankind and for our world.  Of course, we all should continue to lift up prayers for our lives, our family, and our friends however, I encourage us to also give praise and thanks to God alone just for who He is, our Lord and Savior Most High.  Blessings,  Angélique 💐 To contact:   21stcglmediateam@gmail.com

But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!  Galatians 5:22-23 (NLT)   Our sinful nature is always in contrast to God’s Holy Spirit. In many societies around the world sinful desires seem to be encouraged and even celebrated. With all that is being sent out daily via the media, it is not surprising that people feel encouraged to embrace and accept sins which can include: sexual immorality, impurity, inappropriate lustful desires, idolatry, sorcery, hostility, fighting, envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and the list can go on and on. All of these I just named actually came from the Bible in Galatians 5:19-20. These words were written thousands of years ago and yet, these truths still apply today. All the sins mentioned above would definitely be in the ‘worldly fruit’ category, where constant self-gratification reigns supreme.   Kingdom fruit, as mentioned in the verses above and throughout the Bible, stems from love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. All humans can choose kingdom fruit and have it become a part of their daily lives and their daily interactions with others. The free will of choice, that God gives to each of us, allows us to choose the fruits of the Holy Spirit or the sinful desires from the world. When one chooses to exercise Godly self-control and love, they will be able to turn away from the sinful fruit the world offers. Our actions and reactions stem from whatever “ fruit ” we have in the forefront of our minds and in our hearts. If we have goodness, kindness, humility, honesty, and integrity embedded in our character, our thoughts and actions will consistently show the fruits of the Holy Spirit in our everyday interactions with others. But, if we have the sinful fruit of this world permeating our minds and our thoughts, our actions and behaviors will then be in opposition to the fruit of the Spirit and the will of God.   As stated in this same chapter, these two opposing natures (Fruit of the Spirit & the fruit of the flesh/the world) are always at odds and fighting each other. We all have this battle within and must make a daily decision of which fruit we will choose, God’s or the world’s. The worldly desires are at times tempting and appear fun and carefree but, in the end, they can lure one into a world of sin and corruption.   Having kingdom fruit be a part of your character helps when you are faced with responding to difficult situations. When these situations trigger a response, if you are filled with the fruit of the Holy Spirit, your reaction will be entirely different than one who is filled with worldly reactions and thought patterns. Some people are better at exhibiting kingdom fruit in their lives than others but, all of us are God’s children and we are all on this journey called life; hopefully seeking to align our will with God’s.   My prayer is that we daily strive to always choose God’s kingdom fruit. We are not perfect and we will make mistakes however, if we make a decision to keep a connection to God and His Holy Word, we will be able to shine His light of love and peace to all those we meet, and make this world a brighter place to live.    Blessings, Angélique 💐 To contact:   21stcglmediateam@gmail.com

Yet you do not know the least thing about what may happen in your life tomorrow. What is secure in your life? You are merely a vapor [like a puff of smoke or a wisp of steam from a cooking pot] that is visible for a little while and then vanishes [into thin air]. Instead, you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and we will do this or that.” James 4:14-15 (AMP)   But God said to him, ‘You fool! You will die this very night. Then who will get everything you worked for?’ “Yes, a person is a fool to store up earthly wealth but not have a rich relationship with God.”  Luke 12;20-21 (NLT)   Having material possessions is a wonderful blessing from God but, they cannot, or rather, should not replace human compassion and interaction. Our highest priority in life should be to do God’s will; to seek to care for one another and to care for the world He created. Our priorities in life should not be to accumulate perishable materials and goods or to seek constant praise and accolades. When we have earthly possessions and praises from others it is definitely wonderful to experience however, we need to place everything in its proper perspective. Out of everything we accumulate and all the accolades we gain, what is most important should be the work we do for Christ, as outlined throughout the Bible.   In this world, it is easy to become caught up in accumulating possessions and placing a lot of emotional attachment and emphasis on what we possess. Whether it's houses, cars, land/real estate, vacations, jobs, positions of power and influence, and the list can go on and on. God does allow us to obtain some of these things while here on Earth however, we need to monitor and be aware of our attitude towards our status in life and our possessions. I have heard it said that “you do not see a U-Haul in the cemetery. It is nice to accumulate stuff while we are here on Earth, but the truth of the matter is, you cannot take it with you when you leave this world.   It is easy to become distracted due to the busyness of life and seeking financial wealth and possessions. It is also easy to forget that God is the ultimate owner of these possessions and the one who gives them to His children. We sometimes get it twisted thinking it is all about how we have accomplished various goals or we are solely responsible for our material possessions. However, the truth is, everything we possess and the abilities we have been given, all come from God. As the verses above state, we do not know what will happen in the future. Today is what we have been given and where we can make a difference in God’s world and with His people. My prayer is that as we move forward in life, we’ll seek to have God and His will as the center focus of our lives in everything we say and do.   Blessings, Angélique 💐 To contact:   21stcglmediateam@gmail.com