Not Like Everyone Else

Not Like Everyone Else

2 Timothy 3: ¹⁴ But as for you, continue in the truths that you were taught and firmly believe. You know who your teachers were, ¹⁵ and you remember that ever since you were a child, you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. ¹⁶ All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching the truth, rebuking error, correcting faults, and giving instruction for right living, ¹⁷ so that the person who serves God may be fully qualified and equipped to do every kind of good deed.

 

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Hearing the lie said in the smooth delivery made me mad. I watched people fall for the lie and was amazed! I got up and told the truth and was met with criticism. “You are just jealous” is what someone, who was brave enough, said to me. “I wonder if I should start lying” was my thought.

 

• I was tired of bad people getting ahead.
• I was tired of being nice and finishing “last.”
• I was tired of being ignored because I was trying to be “good.”

 

Paul finishes his warning to Timothy regarding conduct. He had mentioned that there would be some people who would persecute, derive evil and be deceitful. “But as for you” he says to Timothy. He tells Timothy there is another path.

 

My Observations

• When other people are acting deceitful or imposing persecution or manipulative, GOD wants me to “continue in the truth.”
• When it seems like everyone else is going one way that does not include JESUS as GOD and LORD of all, HE wants me to stand firm in the scriptures that HE inspired.
• When I need to make a decision to be popular with a lie or be unpopular with the truth in scripture, GOD wants me to choose the unpopular route.

 

Believing in JESUS does not make people popular. In fact it seems quite the opposite. People run in the other direction at the mention of scripture or JESUS. BUT GOD wants everyone to understand HIS love and HE inspires many writers to speak about JESUS.

 

GOD’s revelation of HIS SON equips me for life’s traps and trials. When times were difficult, I can look back and see that HE was with me and that following the scriptures was all I had during times of deep trouble. I am so glad GOD has given us the scripture to help me live a life pleasing to HIM.

 

Challenge

• What truths is the writer talking about?
• Does “relative truth” scare you?
• Will you continue in the truth of JESUS, our LORD and Savior, by studying HIS word and gaining useful wisdom that leads you to salvation and becoming fully qualified and equipped today?

More Prepared Than You Think

 

More Prepared Than You Think

1 Timothy 4: ¹¹ Give them these instructions and these teachings. ¹² Do not let anyone look down on you because you are young, but be an example for the believers in your speech, your conduct, your love, faith, and purity. ¹³ Until I come, give your time and effort to the public reading of the Scriptures and to preaching and teaching. ¹⁴ Do not neglect the spiritual gift that is in you, which was given to you when the prophets spoke and the elders laid their hands on you. ¹⁵ Practice these things and devote yourself to them, in order that your progress may be seen by all. ¹⁶ Watch yourself and watch your teaching. Keep on doing these things, because if you do, you will save both yourself and those who hear you.

 

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Worried about my young age and lack of experience, I stayed awake at night preparing for the class I had to teach. I was going to be in front of experienced people and I only had training. The person who was training me must have seen the look of dread on my face. “Just be yourself” were the words used to help me calm down.

 

• I was nervous about what I would say.
• I didn’t want to mess up.
• I felt that everyone was “above” me and I was inexperienced.

 

Paul gives Timothy words of encouragement. Timothy may have felt nervous about his age or experience teaching. He was about to teach a very controversial subject and had a right to be nervous. Paul gives him advice to keep him focused on the primary goal, salvation.

 

My Observations

• I may get nervous when GOD calls me to do something new that I do not have experience in.
• I may get tempted to talk myself out of doing what GOD wants me to do even when HE has gifted me in doing so,
• I must stay focused on the ultimate goal, namely salvation because my life and others depend on it.

 

Feeling unprepared and unworthy seem to go with the territory of speaking about JESUS. I mean, if I were to compare myself to experienced people who speak, teach and preach about JESUS, I would shy away from doing so. BUT GOD wants me to reach specific people with my style.

 

Practice makes perfect so I need to get out and “be an example”, sometimes making mistakes. Careful attention needs to be had with GOD’s word so I must watch myself and align my thinking to GOD’s Word. I am glad HE stretches me and overlooks my mistakes as I grow.

 

Challenge

• How do you think Timothy felt?
• Do you think the writer was trying to encourage him to keep going?
• Have you ever felt unprepared or unworthy to speak about JESUS?
• Will you be yourself and use the gifts GOD has given you to express the love of CHRIST today?

Equally Needed

Equally Needed

2 Corinthians 12: I have to boast, even though it doesn't do any good. But I will now talk about visions and revelations given me by the Lord. ² I know a certain Christian man who fourteen years ago was snatched up to the highest heaven (I do not know whether this actually happened or whether he had a vision—only God knows). ^3-4 I repeat, I know that this man was snatched to Paradise (again, I do not know whether this actually happened or whether it was a vision—only God knows), and there he heard things which cannot be put into words, things that human lips may not speak. ⁵ So I will boast about this man—but I will not boast about myself, except the things that show how weak I am. ⁶ If I wanted to boast, I would not be a fool, because I would be telling the truth. But I will not boast, because I do not want any of you to have a higher opinion of me than you have as a result of what you have seen me do and heard me say.

 

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Eloquent speakers, smart thinkers, strong athletes and talented people seemed to “always” be ahead of me when it came to being chosen. I would raise my hand but receive the words “That’s alright, we have already chosen someone else.” “Am I unwanted?” I would ask GOD.

 

• I felt untalented.
• I felt rejected.
• I felt unneeded, undesired, and unpleasant.

 

Paul speaks about his incredible encounter with the LORD. He was sought after by GOD to be a special messenger and was revealed an indescribable vision that catapulted his purpose to the highest level. Even though this uncommon event happened, he did not want anyone to have a higher opinion of him or be jealous of the calling.

 

My Observations

• I need to recognize GOD’s calling on my life.
• I need to look at only my relationship with the LORD and not be jealous of someone else’s.
• I need to live my life with the purpose GOD gave me and know it is just as important as the next person.

 

Titles cause me to think of people on different levels. I mean, when someone has a special title in the world’s eyes, I follow the protocol associated with that title. This may require extra attention I would not give to a “common” person. BUT GOD wants me to treat everyone the same.

 

HE wants me to see that all of us have sinned and fall short of HIS glory. HE then wants me to praise HIM when someone accepts HIS SON as their Savior so he or she can live a life for JESUS. HE wants me to live my life with that same purpose, knowing we are all equally loved by HIM. I am glad GOD loves me just as much as those who are called to do what they do.

 

Challenge

• While reading this passage, do you feel lower than the writer?
• Have you ever compared yourself to the names written in the Bible and felt better or worse?
• Will you consider not comparing yourself to others and know you are loved, needed and wanted to the highest by GOD today?

Consider the Menial

Consider the Menial

Romans 16: ²¹ Timothy, my fellow worker, and Lucius, Jason, and Sosipater, my countrymen, greet you.

²² I, Tertius, who wrote this epistle, greet you in the Lord.

²³ Gaius, my host and the host of the whole church, greets you. Erastus, the treasurer of the city, greets you, and Quartus, a brother. ²⁴ The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.

 

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“You are invited to the meeting” were words that delighted me. I did not know why I was invited because it included high ranking officers in the company. “Maybe they recognize ‘my’ potential” I arrogantly thought to myself.

 

“You are here to take notes.” I was dejected, but did so anyway. After a while, I was known amongst the officers. They promoted me and I did not have to ask for it.

 

• There have been tasks that I felt were beneath me.
• There have been things that needed to be done that I felt someone else should do.
• There have been menial jobs, assignments and projects I have been given that I labeled as low visibility, meanwhile I looked with envy at thing I labeled as “high” visibility, meaning the high people would see it.

 

If I were to ask “Who wrote the letter to the Romans?” everyone would say Paul and they would be partially correct. These are Pauls’ words as given to him by the HOLY SPIRIT, but the real “writer” of the letter is Tertius. He mentions that he “wrote” the letter.

 

• GOD wants me to not think more highly of myself.
• GOD wants me to be faithful with small things so HE can trust me with the large.
• GOD wants me to see every person as “high” and keep away from labeling people with levels.

 

Tertius was obedient to GOD and did not think it to be too low to receive dictation from Paul. He probably felt quite the opposite. I wonder if he felt he had a sense of duty to get this important message out from Paul who was oppressed everywhere he went. This menial  task led to a great letter. I am grateful for all those who are like Tertius, serving the LORD and knowing what they do is important.

 

• Do you feel lower than other people?
• Do you think that what GOD has you doing is menial?
• Will you stop comparing yourself to other people and know that what you are doing for the LORD is considered great to HIM?

Sticks and Stones

Matthew 11: ¹⁸ For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon.’ ¹⁹ The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.’ But wisdom is proved right by her deeds.”

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“You are a…” were words that used to affect me greatly. I mean the deliverer must be an expert in the matter so when someone delivers the blow, “You are an idiot” I must be an idiot right?

• I have been called many names.
• I have been labeled many things.
• I have been placed in a box by shortsighted people.

Character is something done, good or bad that is not seen by anyone. When I am trying my best to follow GOD’s ways, yet someone labels me otherwise, then I must not get upset because I am in good company.

• CHRIST was slandered and accused falsely.
• JESUS was called all kinds of names because HE did not meet human expectations.
• Our LORD was labeled a sinner, though HE committed no sin.

Insecure people dream of what they can call other people. They take the spotlight off of them in order to place it negatively on another person. GOD does not want me to retaliate with sophomoric retorts. HE asks that I rise above the words and pray for those who shoot the darts.

• Are you the butt of jokes?
• Do you feel insecure because of something a person has called you or labeled you?
• Can you stop listening to insecure people who do not have your best interest in mind?
• Will you listen to GOD who loves you and created you with a purpose?

GOD Knows

Psalm 139: ¹³ For you created my inmost being;
    you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
¹⁴ I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
    your works are wonderful,
    I know that full well.

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²³ Search me, God, and know my heart;
    test me and know my anxious thoughts.
²⁴ See if there is any offensive way in me,
    and lead me in the way everlasting.

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Name calling was a pass time of the kids in my neighborhood. I was called “Captain Naps” because of my hair. I was called “Mr. Peabody” the cartoon dog because of my professor like glasses. I was called “Skinny Minnie” because of my frail stature. I was called “Holey Moly” because of the holes in my pants and the list goes on. The desire to fit in seemed so far away.

• There were times in my life where I felt I didn’t fit in.
• There were times in my life where I felt I didn’t measure up.
• There were times in my life where I felt I didn’t have the right people in my corner.

After childhood I matured and realized that people are fickle and I am in that crowd. One minute I praise someone, the next I have a rock in my hand ready to stone them. BUT GOD has grace.

• GOD created me exactly how HE wanted me to be.
• GOD knit me together in my mother’s womb meaning HE chose my parents.
• GOD made me fearfully and wonderfully and set my life on a path of purpose.

People can try to derail the purpose GOD has for me. I can buy into the negative poison that is spit at me or I can say “no!” GOD made me with a purpose, namely to proclaim the greatness of HIS SON and sometimes I use examples rather than words. GOD needs to search my heart on a daily basis to buffet my offensive ways so HE can keep my purpose focused on everlasting ways.

• Are you down on yourself?
• Do you wish you were born into a different family?
• Can you accept the fact that GOD made you exactly as you are and HE is excited about you?
• Will you live your life with purpose rather than being blown around by the winds of human perception?
• Will you praise GOD today for making your life have meaning?

Never Take Credit

Judges 8: ²² The Israelites said to Gideon, “Rule over us—you, your son and your grandson—because you have saved us from the hand of Midian.”

²³ But Gideon told them, “I will not rule over you, nor will my son rule over you. The Lord will rule over you.”

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Graduating with average to pitiful grades was not something to brag about, yet working at the only company that would accept me made me feel superior enough to become entitled. I did not leave when everyone else left because I was studying. Soon I became the best programmer in the department, or at least that is what people told me.

I felt I needed a raise and a promotion otherwise I would take my brilliant mind elsewhere. When I interviewed for another company I didn’t get the job and had to sit humbly at my desk.

• When I think too highly of myself I start comparing what I do to others.
• When I think too highly of myself I become deserving and entitled.
• When I think too highly of myself I forget where I came from.

Gideon knew where his strength came from. I mean 300 men fought and won battles against 150,000 or more. The odds were definitely not in his favor and upon return he rejected the Israelites request to become a ruler. This is a wonderful example to me.

• GOD wants me to point my life to HIM rather than taking credit.
• GOD wants me to tell people about HIM rather than trying to subdue HIM and pretend HIS power is mine.
• GOD wants me to know where my strength comes from instead of thinking I have any power.

Low self-esteem is not what I’m shooting for. I believe GOD made me beautifully and wonderfully. HE loves me with my many flaws and accepts me as I am, but I should not get to the point where I think even the tiniest blessing comes from me. All good things come from GOD!

• Are you comparing yourself or your church or your group to others?
• Do you think “that person” or “that group” is the problem?
• Do you feel you can do or say “it” better?
• Can you reduce your focus on “you” and point your life to GOD today?

GOD hasn’t changed HIS mind

Deuteronomy 1: ⁸ “I have given you all of that land. Go in and take it as your own. I took an oath. I promised I would give the land to your fathers. I promised it to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. I also said I would give it to their children after them.”

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Crisp air takes my mind back to my first career type job I had. For the first time in most of my life I did not have to return to school. I was working every day! I prayed for the first time in a long time. “LORD please make me successful.” There were no expectations, no definitions, and no exceptions to my prayer.

I felt a sense of peace after that prayer, almost like “It’s already done.” Little did I know, GOD had an incredible journey that would take years to unfold. There were many turbulent times that I felt like giving up. HE made me wildly “successful” from a human perspective. That sense of peace actually told me HE would do it and HE did.

• Sometimes I can’t see the end of the road because I’m too busy looking at the problems.
• Sometimes I can’t see progress in my journey because I’m too busy looking backwards.
• Sometimes I can’t see grace because I’m too busy looking at judgment of others.

GOD said HIS people would receive the land and they did. GOD said humans would have a difficult time on this planet and they are. GOD never makes a statement and then change HIS mind or change the rules. HE lives by HIS decree and once it is spoken it cannot be retracted.

• GOD said to me “I loved you before you were made.”
• GOD said to me “I made you in MY image and you are beautifully and wonderfully made.”
• GOD said to me “I will be with you always.”

When HE sealed my eternal relationship with the HOLY SPIRIT, HE enabled me to always have a way back to HIM when I sin. HE guides me on the correct path and HE delivers on ALL of HIS promises. My expectations are sinful and somehow HE corrects me and delivers me to the right place. HE makes me “successful” in HIS eyes and that’s all that matters!

  

• Are you waiting on GOD’s blessing with a certain expectation of what “success” looks like?
• Do you set goals for GOD that HE will never meet?
• Won’t you tear down your expectations of GOD and praise HIM for the blessings HE is giving you?
• Can you accept HIS promises HE is giving you and recognize HIS daily grace?

Am I special?

Genesis 1: ²⁷ So God created mankind in his own image,
    in the image of God he created them;
    male and female he created them.

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³¹ God saw all that he had made, and it was very good. And there was evening, and there was morning—the sixth day.

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Sitting on the bus I noticed some girls staring in my direction. As I observed a little closer I noticed they were looking past me staring at my friend. “Why didn’t I have a pretty face?” Then I started noticing other people doing better in other things. Why are they better or stronger or smarter? I didn’t feel like I was made in GOD’s image.

• When I see myself as a mess I’m not seeing how GOD made me.
• When I see myself as a problem I’m not seeing how GOD made me.
• When I see myself as useless I’m not seeing how GOD made me.

I have complained to GOD in the past.  “Why did you make me this way?” as if I had a better idea of how HE should have made me. It basically boils down to me trying to get my way and then I complain that GOD made me wrong because I’m not getting my way.

• GOD made me the way I am and HE said it was very good.
• GOD made me with a purpose and that purpose was good.
• GOD made me and knows my flaws so HE rescued me through HIS SON.

 

I guess I’m a little hard on myself. If GOD thinks I’m very good the way HE made me, who am I to argue?

• Are you feeling a little low?
• Do you think you don’t have a purpose?
• Can you stop looking at yourself through sinful eyes and see how GOD wants you to be seen?
• Won’t you recognize that GOD made you special and with a purpose?

I’m slowly becoming me.

1 John 5: Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves the father loves his child as well. ² This is how we know that we love the children of God: by loving God and carrying out his commands.

³ In fact, this is love for God: to keep his commands. And his commands are not burdensome,

⁴ for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. ⁵ Who is it that overcomes the world? Only the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.

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Combing my hair wasn’t my strength and my clothes may have been a little tattered but I still wanted to participate in “the group.” I changed my clothes, combed my hair and soon found out it wasn’t good enough. I then changed my glasses, lifted weights and I fit in a group I didn’t like.

Will I ever be “accepted” in this world?

·         Sometimes I don’t feel like I fit in.

·         Sometimes I think I would be better off if “that group” would just accept me.

·         Sometimes I fall into the trap of running after people who are not worth running after and I leave GOD out of the relationship.

Many times I beat myself over the head trying to be what someone else wanted me to be. I tried to fit in and found myself not liking “me.” Even in church I had a difficult time being “me” because I felt wrong all the time. I mean it seemed like I was never going to reach my destination anyway so why try? BUT GOD says different.

·         GOD says “Everyone who believes that JESUS is the CHRIST is born of GOD.”

·         GOD says “Everyone who loves the FATHR loves HIS CHILD as well.”

·         GOD says “Everyone born of GOD overcomes the world.”

I then realized GOD made my relationship easy.  HE didn’t lump the burdens of physical buildings and structured programs on me, rather HE gave me a simple message “GOD loves me and HE loves you.” You mean I don’t have to be like those people over there? Yes!

GOD made me special and only I can do the tasks HE planned for me. It matters not how accepting the world is of me, what matters is my belief in HIM who saved me.

·         Are you tired of running after people who are not accepting you?

·         Are you tired of trying to please everyone?

·         Can you stop trying to be something different and be what GOD wants you to be?

Where was I when HE found me?

1 Timothy 1: ¹² I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me trustworthy, appointing me to his service. ¹³ Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief. ¹⁴ The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.

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As I sat at the bar on another Saturday night with “friends” I thought to myself “what am I doing here?” I mean this is definitely not fulfilling! After being popular it seemed like I was living out a sentence of reclusion in a “Podunk” town. I was in the middle of a crowd feeling lonely but this time not lonely for people.

What was missing? People invited me out so that wasn’t it. We had laughter so that wasn’t it. We had shallow meaningless conversations so that wasn’t it. What could fill my emptiness?

• When I try to fill my life with sensuous pleasure I may be running away from something.
• When I try to surround myself with frolicking I may need to face something.
• When I go to the extreme to make myself happy I may need to deal with something.

What was I missing?  I was “the man” on campus then I wasn’t “the man” in this small town. Was it the town that was the problem? Nah! GOD had a different path that HE wanted me on.

• No matter what my past was GOD wants to pour out HIS love on me.
• No matter what I’ve done GOD wants to show HIS faithfulness to me.
• No matter where I’ve wandered to GOD wants to give me grace in abundance.

Somehow GOD saw right through my sinful façade. HE dug to the core and considered me trustworthy to carry HIS message. HE appointed me to HIS service in the middle of my ignorance and unbelief. HE found me when I wasn’t looking for HIM.

• Is your heart empty?
• Are you unfulfilled?
• Is your life out of control?
• Can you look to CHRIST to fill the hole in your heart?
• Won’t you give up that lifestyle for one that is fulfilling and full of GOD?

GOD said to say “You are wonderful!”

Ephesians 4: ²⁹ Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.

³⁰ And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 

Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

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Part of me was bored and another part of me was tired of being pushed around so I joined a gym. After a couple of years of lifting weights I was transformed from scrawny to sculpted.  I could now hang with the fellas, talk about women’s body parts and dare people to pick a fight with me. I had finally arrived or did I?

• My unwholesome talk tears people down for my own gain.
• My rage and anger repels people from GOD instead of drawing them to HIM.
• My brawling and slander makes me look to pick fights instead of seeking peace.
• My malicious behavior causes me to hate the sinner and enjoy my sins.

I actually thought some people were pitiful and it was their fault for being scrawny. I mean look at me… I changed, so can you. Pull yourself up and get going. BUT GOD wanted me to think differently.

• GOD wants me to encourage people instead of tearing them down.
• GOD wants me to be compassionate with others instead of writing them off.
• GOD wants me to forgive people because HE forgave me.

GOD definitely doesn’t want me to become a jerk. It’s through HIS love that HE draws people to HIMSELF.  HE transformed my heart to show compassion and HE enables me to say “You are wonderful” to people who need encouragement.

• Are you fighting with someone?
• Do you have a need to win that argument?
• Are you feeling a little down about yourself?
• Do you believe you are wonderful because when GOD made you HE declared it?

GOD wants “you” just the way you are.

John 1: ⁴⁵ Philip found Nathanael and told him, “We have found the one Moses wrote about in the Law, and about whom the prophets also wrote—Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.”

 ⁴⁶ “Nazareth! Can anything good come from there?” Nathanael asked.

   “Come and see,” said Philip.

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My house where I grew up was pretty average but it was light years ahead of where my parents grew up. In fact compared to where they grew up our house was a palatial estate. The school I attended did not crank out graduates who went on to become Pulitzer prize winners but it was fine for me.

Our neighborhood was not on the news for having sent anyone into space or for having someone develop a new radical way to build skyscrapers. So how can anything “good” come out of my neighborhood?

• I have looked down on those who I considered “less fortunate.”
• I have categorized others as being poor and dirty so therefore they must not be intelligent enough to get themselves out of “the mess they are in.”
• I have avoided people who did not look like me or act like me and put people into large buckets.

It’s funny, how I treated others was how I was being treated. The people of wealth could care less about me or my neighborhood, BUT GOD cares.

• GOD made me unique.
• GOD gave me specific, special abilities.
• GOD made me in a way that I and I alone can reach a specific group of people HE sent to me.
• GOD doesn’t care where I came from but HE is concerned about where I am going.

Since the beginning of time GOD has used the highly underestimated. HE took weak, feeble, uneducated people and made them stand above kings and those who are extremely credentialed. GOD makes fools of the arrogant, self-proclaimed genius by favoring the humble and the meek.

Can anything good come from my neighborhood? Yes! Anyone who is GOD’s child is extremely gifted and talented just the way HE made them.  In fact when I think someone is stupid I’m actually calling GOD stupid for making them the way they are. GOD wants me to believe I can do HIS work just as I am and HE wants me to accept others “just as they are.”

• Are you trying to change “that” person?
• Do you consider yourself special?
• Can you realize GOD made you specifically to reach a person only “you” can reach?