We all deal with stress in our lives but the key is knowing how to deal with it and still function properly.  We should never stress over things that are out of our control but give our burdens to God and learn from our mistakes.  Sometimes we have to pay the consequences for things that we did or didn't do but it's all about trying to do better the next time.  When we try to do what we know is best, we will get good outcomes most of the time and if we don't God will guide us in the right direction.  The bottom line is - Don't allow the devil to win, keep your head up and trust God. We can't take back what has already happened in our lives but we can wake up, begin again and try to do better the  next time.  Let's not give up but instead have confidence and courage to do what we have to do and if we get weak, let's ask God for strength and He will give it to you.  Walk through the storms and allow God to show you the way.  God gives us wisdom in 2 Corinthians 4:16 - Therefore, we are not discouraged; rather, although our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. Don't allow stress to get the best of you but let go and let God. Amen

We all live each day trying to do what we think we need to do but the reality of it all is we have to take a step back to find out if we're moving forward or backwards. It's doing a reality check within ourselves.  We should always base that decision on what God said to contribute to the mission. Some of us don't put an importance on that but we must always think about God because when it's all said and done or when we get stressed, it always goes back to God.  We do that all the time and I don't know about you but sometimes you get tired of being tired and peace is a priority. Let's not focus our lives on others but focus on us and get closer to  God one day at a time.  That is what will give us peace and that it what's going to give us motivation to keep going with joy and love. Amen

Dear God,
Thank you so much for another day and an opportunity to get to know you better.  You know us more than we know ourselves and when we can see through your lenses, we're better off each day because of your wisdom and your grace.  Lord, I know we ask you things all the time but to be honest we need to thank you more and more daily.  The fact that we wake up in the morning and get another chance is grace, the fact that we can go through the day and see the night is grace, the fact that you forgive us for when we do wrong is grace and most importantly the fact that you sent your son to pay the price for us is totally grace and mercy.  We really don't have the right to complain or disrespect others but God you taught us to not judge but love and please help us to do that more.  What I realize is that we all are weak and no one can love  us more than  you.  We fail all the time but I ask you Lord to help us to be more like  you each and everyday.  Thank you so much for loving us and always showing us how to be better people.  You are a wonderful God and thanks for all things. Amen

The topic for the last couple of days has been about  love because I feel it's the solution to all things.  When we don't love, we really put stress on ourselves and sometimes others but mainly on us.  God gives us love everyday by forgiving us for our sins, giving us strength and most importantly grace.  He asks us to do the same  so  that we all can see the light of Jesus and not live in darkness.  Love is also a choice.  God doesn't make us do anything but he allows us to make our own decisions.  When we don't love, we are hurting and really need to heal and this is why we have to put God first because He  teaches us the importance of love and it's benefits.  He doesn't want us to hurt and He showed us that by sending His son.  I believe hurt can turn into anger and when we don't heal it doesn't help the soul.  When we don't love ourselves, we are definitely putting a pause on our lives because we're not using our talents and we're not moving forward.  Sometime we think we're loving ourselves but how can we think that if we're not doing things to make us better people.  Actually, we're living for others and not making wise decisions when we don't love ourselves.  When we don't love others, we're not giving hope nor are we being a light for Jesus.  Love is so important and if we want to have peace or ever  get closer to God, we need to practice this most important virtue so we can have joy in our hearts and contribute to the Mission Set By God. Amen

There's so much love around us and in us and when we share that love and receive it, our lives change.  We feel like we're apart of the vine and we see the goodness of our Lord working in our lives.  It's nothing better than knowing that we're sharing the love of God.  Life could be very challenging and sometimes it gets the best of us but when we get strength from God and have joy in our hearts, we know there's a God and we walk with faith day by day.  The things that we do either add to our growth within or take away from it.  Let's not let no one control our actions but rather learn to do what's good so we can grow within.  We don't get any younger but we still can enjoy this life with whatever comes our way.  God gives us life every day and it's such a blessing to accept that gift and walk with the cross for the Lord.  That's what is it all about because God has a plan and always a way.  Accept whatever life brings you and do it with integrity.  Some people don't know how to love but we should never judge but instead still love them because that is what God does with us everyday.  Know the importance of sharing the gift of love so we all can grow and give hope to the world. Amen

God is all about love and I don't care what others say but when we don't do what we're suppose to do and treat people with respect we're wrong.  God gave us this life to live and He gives us second chances everyday. We shouldn't be acting like we don't know how to love.  Life is truly what we make of it and God loves us but we create our own burdens and stress. He's always there for us even through our faults but when we gain a relationship with him, we learn that life could be peaceful.  Even if we don't agree with what others are doing, that shouldn't take away from what God is asking us to do (Love).  Think about it and talk to God for guidance.  Amen

Time is such an important gift in our lives. It gives us an opportunity to love and to get to know Jesus.  Each day we have on this earth is an opportunity to get better in those areas.  God gives us time because he loves us and wants the best for us but the question is what are we doing with our time?  Are we spending it wisely or are we wasting our lives away?  As we get older, we're suppose to get more wiser and time becomes very important at that point.  Life is short and God puts his grace on us all the time and there's a time and a place for everything.  We need to appreciate time by listening to wisdom and getting closer to God. The goal in life is to make it to heaven and for God to be pleased with our actions on this earth.  Let's wake up and stop sleeping and live before we die.  God is a wonderful God so let's spend time with Him and see His goodness.  This is where joy and peace come from and when we value time, we are really moving forward in our lives and building a true relationship with God.  Some people think when we do damage, it's hard to overcome.  God is a good God and he's waiting with open arms to spend time with us. There  also a time when we just have to wait and let God do the work.  This is where patience comes in and wisdom and understanding take an affect in our lives.  Think about it, use your time wisely so you can  live an abundant life and have patience with our God.  He will always answer when we call.  Take this time to build a true relationship with God by loving your  neighbor and spending time with Him daily. Amen 

in life, things don't always go our way and to be honest life is not meant to be comfortable all the time but we're here to serve God and answer his call.  Most of the time, we point the finger at other people and try and blame them for our mistakes.  It's a new day and we need to wake up.  Life is short and we need to stop acting like we don't know what we do and  take charge of our  lives.  We  put a pause on our lives when we  don't step up and try to better ourselves.  I say it  all the time, but it's not about us and what are we doing?  Peace only comes from God and God is all about love. He loves us  but he gives us choices so how long  are we going to act like we don't know what time it is and stand up and take care of ourselves.  Think about it and stop disrespecting people, degrading ourselves and turn it around.  It's always a choice. 

In life, we never know what we're going to get or when our time is up in this world.  Everyday we awaken is a blessing.  The goal each day should be to share God's love with one another and try to get closer to God each day. God gives us that choice each and every day.  The way we carry ourselves and how we interact with others plays a huge factor in our direction because what we do is how we're preparing ourselves for the good or the bad.  Every time we disrespect others, we are really hurting ourselves and every time we choose to do things that we know are not right, it takes us further away from the vine.  Our lives become a mess and we spend many days unhappy.  The bottom line is, we shouldn't utilize our time trying to figure other people out or hurt others but take that energy to help ourselves.  God is all about love and even when someone hurts us, He still tells us to love.  It doesn't take a lot to figure that out but again it's a choice.  It takes the wise to know that and it takes a person with grace to see it so let's stop holding ourselves down and ask God to help us to work towards becoming better people so we can do what we have to do.  Lord help us all and please guide us the way. Amen

We all have a purpose in life and each day we're given a choice to make the best out of life. Most of the time we don't know our purpose but God does tell us how to have joy with each day and how to not let stress control our actions. When we listen to  God and gain wisdom and understanding, we learn how to move closer to our destination and learn to do it with gratitude. The day in itself is a gift and when we do things that stop us from getting closer to God, we're wasting time and that takes us nowhere. This is why some people spend years and years with no progress.  The gift of life comes on a daily basis and when we can learn to  enjoy the day, treat  people  with integrity and respect, we will see the goodness of our Lord at the end of the day and feel good about our actions.  I know for a fact that nothing good comes out  of being negative and treating people bad. It only hurts us in the long run and teaches us not to love.  The devil is always on a mission to bring us down or to make us do things that are not good.  God sent his Son to pay the price so  let's give hope to the world, help people to see the light and not come out of our  character by  working for the devil.  I know that's direct but that's what we do sometimes.  Who are you, how are  you spending your days and what value do you have when it comes to dealing with people?  Sometimes we have to check ourselves before we try and check others because  if we  don't  take a refresher course within, we will lose ourselves and never find our purpose.  God doesn't have to give us another day but if he does, let's appreciate it and appreciate Him by being examples for all.  Also don't worry about what people think because if people really love you, their actions will show.  Stay positive, stay connected to the vine and live one day at a time.   Do that and God will direct you to your purpose and you will be filled with joy all the days of your life.  Amen