My Rescuer.

Up dreaming, hoping, crying out to God that I am lost without Him, that I have no clue what I am doing without Him. I wait patiently for Him to direct my steps to what's next for me.....I may have moments where I just want to give up but I can't let myself stay in that place. I have to pull myself back up, and try again, and again, and again, and so on. I can't ever let my dreams die simply because they aren't being realized in my timing. God has an entirely different platform from which He works as far as time is concerned. Heck, the Word says a thousand years is a day with Him, and a day is a thousand years, so what's a year that passes me by here?.... Insignificant. He's still working, and He's still a God of miracles and in the business of making dreams come true. He wouldn't place these desires within my heart if they were not attainable. I HAVE TO BELIEVE. I can't let the enemy steal my hope, my confidence, my faith in my God to do the impossible. And those whispers of insecurity, I must drown them out with the resound of God's promises. Reminding myself to whom I belong. JESUS. He determines my future. Not satan. Not man. Not even myself. No one. JESUS alone. So, I will choose to keep hope alive. I'll choose to keep my head up to the sky, and continue to let my circumstances humble me rather than break me. Whether I have little or much, I will continue to shine for Him with praise on my lips because His love saved me. It continues to save me....daily. When old chains try to imprison me again, He breaks them. When depression shows up or feelings of unworthiness try and take hold, He comes between them and me, and He whispers to my soul.... "I conquered them. I chose you. I love you. You are mine." As flawed as I am, He makes me feel flawless. I am so thankful for Jesus. I would literally be dead had He not come into my life and gave me the strength to live, a Reason to live. There is so much people don't know that I have come through & maybe one day I'll be brave enough to share the entire story but for now just understand, I would not be here if it were not for the unmistakable presence of Jesus. I am alive because of Him.

Be Still. Be Quiet. Hear God.

"You can't hear God if you're constantly talking. Be still."

- Brianna Carey ©

Elusive Love

Elusive Love.
I thought I found you once
But I was mistaken
I know my heart has been taken fore granted
and it's a little damaged, so I can understand if
you were hesitant to approach
But you should know it's had plenty of time to heal
Although, it's staring to feel quite alone
For it's been beating on its own for such a long long time
So if you wouldn't mind gracing my life again
I'd gladly welcome you in....
It'd be a nice to have company for a change.

Trust the Process: The Spiritual Refining Process

"It is better to suffer for doing good... than to be punished for doing bad."

(1 Peter 3:13-18 MSG)

This sentence (in the verses listed above) stood out to me so much. Because it reminded me that I'd much rather suffer in this life than be punished in my eternal one. Nowhere in the Word does God promise that the Christian walk will be an easy one. He does however, promise that those who follow Him will endure persecution, trials, tribulations; etc. (2 Timothy 3:10-12 KJV & NLT)

A life of longsuffering.

What is Longsuffering? It is made up of two Greek words "Long" and "Temper", it means to show restraint, to literally be "long-tempered", slow to anger, to bare all things that come against you with great patience. The word itself is translated as "Patience" in the NAS version of the Bible.

Longsuffering is part of the process, "a spiritual refining process". (1 Peter 4:12-13 MSG)
A process that won't be fully complete until we are with our Father in Heaven. That's where everything, including us, will be perfect. Heaven is where the reward is. Not here. So let your thought process be eternal, and not temporal. Everything that we endure here is meant to kill off the parts of ourselves that do not reflect Christ. We are being made into His image. Each time we face something, there's an opportunity to become more like Jesus. Take it, revel in it, count it all as joy. You aren't going through anything Christ didn't endure Himself.
1 Peter 4:1-2 MSG

Personally, I'd rather go Through hell for Jesus than go To hell for satan.

- Brianna Carey ©

Praise & Gratitude

It's not enough to thank God when all is going well.
Do you thank Him when it's all falling apart?
Job is a great example of what praising God despite of circumstances looks like. How many of us today would pass the test of being left with literally nothing but God and still finding that reason enough to praise Him? God says if we won't praise Him, the stones will cry out! (Luke 19:40) Let us remember to keep a heart of gratitude and lips of thanksgiving and praise even when we feel like we don't have all that we need. Now, this does not mean pretend that everything is fine, Job was still quite vocal with God about his misfortunes and distress. (Job 3:25-26) But one consistent remained that despite how difficult losing everything was, he knew he still had God. He still had a reason to be thankful, he still had a promise to place his hope in, he still had The Light in his darkest hours. He knew where his help came from. He didn't lose faith. Let us learn from Job's behavior when it comes to struggle and even hope for redemption. In the end, God not only restored all Job had initially lost but increased by 2x. Job had faith and praise on his side. He had a grateful heart. The enemy is fully expecting us to throw in the towel when we face challenges, but what he is not expecting at all, is for us to praise God through it. Take the enemy by surprise today, if you're going through something, switch it up Job style, and get your praise on. It will not only shock satan (throwing him off his shade game) but it will give Glory to God in the process. Hold onto His promises of restoration and a life abundant. Remember His plans for you: Jeremiah 29:11

And He doesn't break His promises beloved.

May His peace that surpasses all understanding surround you today whatever you're going through. He's in the midst of it, and He won't abandon you. He LOVES you!

Live For His Glory

I appreciate those who support me in my goals, and aspirations. You will help bring them to pass. The impact that just one person believing in your dreams can have.... is so immense. So thank you.... genuinely. I have started a few of my goals, and I am starting small but praise God that I am starting! We all have to start somewhere. Thanks for coming along with me on my journey. I believe God has given each of us specific gifts and we should use them incessantly, and not with the intention of making millions or becoming famous, but with the intention of glorifying our Creator, because it is He that has gifted you in the first place. If you are passionate about something, there is a reason for that. Go.... and do it, take joy in it, work hard at it. The success will often come as a byproduct, but the true reward will be found in the fulfillment we get when we truly live for Him; when we live our lives only to bring glory to The Father and to honor His Kingdom. If pleasing Him remains at the forefront of your goals, you will not only achieve those goals, but you will be content within the entire process.

"Let God Work" - A Devotional

Today's Devotional: "LET GOD WORK" (Romans 9:20-33 msg)

God does an individual work in all of us. Be patient, with yourselves and with others. Who are we to think we know better than God? We don't know what God is doing in our lives behind the scenes, let alone in the lives of others. We must learn to let the story of life unravel in God's perfect timing rather than attempting to alter each chapter. Every one of us serves a great purpose in the Kingdom of God, and we develop uniquely through the refining in our trials, and through personal growth in our struggles. If we simply continue walking the path laid before us, however rocky it may be, we'll find God along the way, not in the way.

Remember that you are a work in progress, and that God has a process. Don't rush it.

- Brianna Carey ©

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“Who in the world do you think you are to second-guess God? Do you for one moment suppose any of us knows enough to call God into question? Clay doesn’t talk back to the fingers that mold it, saying, “Why did you shape me like this?” Isn’t it obvious that a potter has a perfect right to shape one lump of clay into a vase for holding flowers and another into a pot for cooking beans? If God needs one style of pottery especially designed to show his angry displeasure and another style carefully crafted to show his glorious goodness, isn’t that all right? Either or both happens to Jews, but it also happens to the other people. Hosea put it well: I’ll call nobodies and make them somebodies; I’ll call the unloved and make them beloved. In the place where they yelled out, “You’re nobody!” they’re calling you “God’s living children.” Isaiah maintained this same emphasis: If each grain of sand on the seashore were numbered and the sum labeled “chosen of God,” They’d be numbers still, not names; salvation comes by personal selection. God doesn’t count us; he calls us by name. Arithmetic is not his focus. Isaiah had looked ahead and spoken the truth: If our powerful God had not provided us a legacy of living children, We would have ended up like ghost towns, like Sodom and Gomorrah. How can we sum this up? All those people who didn’t seem interested in what God was doing actually embraced what God was doing as he straightened out their lives. And Israel, who seemed so interested in reading and talking about what God was doing, missed it. How could they miss it? Because instead of trusting God, they took over. They were absorbed in what they themselves were doing. They were so absorbed in their “God projects” that they didn’t notice God right in front of them, like a huge rock in the middle of the road. And so they stumbled into him and went sprawling. Isaiah (again!) gives us the metaphor for pulling this together: Careful! I’ve put a huge stone on the road to Mount Zion, a stone you can’t get around. But the stone is me! If you’re looking for me, you’ll find me on the way, not in the way.”

The Poison or The Remedy?

Remember that forgiveness is the most powerful weapon on earth. Forgiveness doesn't wait for an apology, it doesn't wait for the offender to recognize their offense. Forgiveness just offers itself graciously. It holds far more power than a grudge ever could. Once given, it frees the forgiver of any and all burdens, and it restores their joy. A grudge however, it has power sure, but the of the toxic variety, and it destroys only the heart that holds it. A grudge is Poison. Forgiveness... the Remedy. Do not let your heart be consumed by anger or hate. That will only prolong the initial hurt you felt when the person wronged you in the first place. And it will continue to steal your joy. The only solution to overcoming suffering caused by betrayal is to forgive those who have betrayed you. There is no other way. You can choose to either hold onto what each person does wrong to you in this life, accumulating burden after burden, weighing yourself down with bitterness and resentment....Or, you can spare yourself the prolonged misery of holding on and finally let go, so that you can begin to heal. So what's it going to be? Are you going to drink the poison or are you going to take the remedy?

When Not to Give

I'm learning that despite how much I want for someone to be a part of my life, I cannot make them. And despite how much I want to be there for others, I cannot force them to let me. It's odd, you wouldn't think you'd have to be forceful in order to help others, yet, that actually happens. And I have to just accept that some people simply don't like me for whatever rhyme or reason. It sucks, but it's reality. I've always desired friends who want to be around me because they enjoy my company the same way I enjoy theirs, neither one of us expecting a thing but yet relishing in the fact that we know without a doubt that we mutually care for one another. I don't know why I can't seem to build those relationships. Everyone at first is like yeah, "I'll call you Bri", "I'll text you soon", "I'll reach out", "we'll get together", and then it ends up being one sided, suddenly, it's just me reaching out; then they distance themselves from me entirely. And not in a straight forward manner either but more of a gradual limbo they leave me in wondering if they care at all. I just don't get it. It kinda hurts but what can I do? I feel a bit sad because I invest my heart into every relationship, whether friends or more and although I do not demand anything in return, it would still be nice to have the same love reciprocated that I give out. And sure, one can say all that they want to say about not having expectations when you give... But if I'm in the desert and I am consistently pouring water into the mouths of others, and no one ever offers me a drink in return, I'm ultimately going to die of thirst, no? And so then what good am I to anyone dead? It is the same with Love. When it is shared, it nourishes both souls. Both benefit mutually from the relationship. But if one is constantly taking from the other and yet that person denies the other the same in return, they inevitably quench their soul. Whether that was their initial intention or not.

Love cannot be one sided.

It's why God created relationship, fellowship, friendship, so that we could pour into one another, helping each other, not simply one taking of the other and never giving back. That's not treating others as you would have them treat you. No, not at all. And that's only one metaphor. I have plenty I could use but hopefully you get the gist. I am partially to blame as well because I have allowed others to take freely from me, and accepted the fact that they offer me nothing in return. I've been giving to everyone unlimited amounts of love and care. But that's changing. I have to learn when to stop giving, when to stop trying. When to stop investing in others when I see that they'll never invest in me also. I would give the shirt off my back to many of you and yet some of you would leave me out in the cold to freeze while wearing the very shirt I gave you. No thank you. Not anymore. I am only allotted a certain amount of hours in a day, so little time to invest here on earth, and my heart is only so big. I believe I need to choose more wisely who I invest my time and heart into helping and loving. I'll continue praying for all of you that I love but some of you just won't see much of me or hear much from me anymore. Not that many of you will be phased by that, I'm sure. Your lives will go on as usual without me. And that's okay. I will not hold it against you. I will still love you with Christ's love. It will remain. I am just growing and learning..... God is doing something big within me. This chapter of my life is "Immense Revelation" and "Transformation". Revelation of who God is. Of my purpose in Him. Of how I should carry out His will in the time that I have left, and of who I am in Him. And the transformation is me being made whole, and utterly complete in Him. I'll be more than okay once the tears have dried. I just hurt at the moment. But I have it on good authority that although my weeping may endure through the night, my Joy will surely come in the morning. I see a new day dawning......

““Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.””

- Matthew 11:28-30 MSG

I felt lead to post this, because a lot of people are drained by religion. Trying so hard by their own efforts to please God and somehow earn His love. Beloved, don't you know that He loved you when you were but a sinner? He loved you in the lowest place of your life when you had nothing to offer Him. Freely He loved you. So why do you now feel you have to earn that Love? His love is not like man's. It is not contingent on what you can offer Him. Nor does His love forsake you if you let Him down. It's unconditional and His grace is not something you can buy with Good Deeds, it's a Gift. If you feel exhausted with trying so hard to do the right thing, trying so hard to keep every commandment, trying so hard not sin, trying so hard not to fall short of His glory, stop trying so hard, and let Him work on you; forgive yourself and accept His forgiveness. And then accept that you have done absolutely nothing to deserve it nor could you ever. He's just that good of a Father.

Popularity or Prosperity?

Being obedient to God sometimes means losing friends. At the end of your life on earth, you aren't going to have to answer to your friends; you're going to have to answer to God. So what matters most to you? Popularity among the people or Prosperity with God?

Choose wisely.

- Brianna Carey ©

"He who walks with wise men will be wise, But the companion of fools will suffer harm."
- Proverbs 13:20

Wolves in Sheeps Clothing: Distortion of God's Word

Thank You Jesus that I am fully Awake. And that You bring to remembrance Your Word so that, anything that does not line up with it, or bare the fruits of Your Holy Spirit, that I can then, both discount, and discredit the source from which it comes. There are vicious wolves out here in sheep's clothing and these wolves aren't armed with lies, no, what's worse is they come readily equipped with The Truth, The Word of God prepped on their tongue, eager to perform and they have mastered the art of deception, able to twist and distort the Word to suit the enemy's agenda all the while making it appear (to those who are sleeping) as though they are doing God's work. Masquerading as angels of light. (2 CORINTHIANS 11:14-15)

- “I know that as soon as I’m gone, vicious wolves are going to show up and rip into this flock, men from your very own ranks twisting words so as to seduce disciples into following them instead of Jesus. So stay awake and keep up your guard...." (Acts 20:30 MSG)

God instructs us to be awake and sober (1 Thessalonians 5:6) and pay close attention to what we hear, so as to not be caught in the snares of satan.

"Beloved, Do not believe Every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God...." 1 John 4:1

ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS Go back to God's Word for yourself and make certain that you aren't being fooled. Ask His Holy Spirit for the discernment to determine the validity of what someone is saying, don't just absorb it simple because it "sounds good".

I am extremely humbled and thankful that God has given me the discernment to really recognize the true character of others despite who they present themselves to be. I am exuberant to be able to know, beyond a shadow of a doubt, when someone is being pretentious, and that the Holy Spirit makes it abundantly clear to me the difference between a genuine heart after God's own, and a well rehearsed deceitful heart that has memorized Scripture solely with the intent of distorting or manipulating it to lead Your children astray God. I am so thankful that You point out to Your children, who are awake, the hypocrites who are pretending to be good, using Your Word to glorify themselves or the enemy rather than using it as intended...for Your glory, and to edify You God. I just thank you that my eyes are fully open.... I just pray over my brothers and sisters in Christ right now Jesus, that they wouldn't be deceived by over exaggerated fables that tickle their fancy (2 Timothy 4:3) but rather have a deep longing desire to truly know You and Your Word for themselves....that their eyes be continually opened and refreshed; to have eyes that truly see, and ears that are keen to truly hear.

THANK YOU JESUS THAT YOUR SHEEP WILL STILL HEAR YOUR VOICE, (John 10:27) despite the distortion of Your Word and any confusion brought about by the twisting of it. Because You are Bigger than the lies of the enemy, and through the discernment of Your Spirit, we are able to see The Truth, regardless.

I know that was a lot.... but it needed to be said.
Stay in His word!! STAY AWAKE & ALERT! Don't let the devil catch you napping.

Don't be a Hypocrite

“But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you (openly).” - Matthew 6:6 ESV

💛🕊✨

Let the person you are in private with God and the person you are in public with man, be one in the same. - Brianna Carey ©

The Word - Hidden Treasures

My Grandfather was a God fearing man in every sense of the word. He didn't start his day without reading his Bible. He had it right next to him (what seemed like all the time). It had ripped pages, a torn cover and a broken spine, it was falling apart. I still have his Bible. I look through it (gently) on occasion, and it's appearance alone, prompts me to dig deeper into the Word in the same way he did. There is a ton of knowledge that can be found out here in the world, you can learn to your hearts content but the Wisdom you can attain by reading the Word..... infinite. One almost can't be content when reading it because there is always more to be had, more lessons to learn, more wisdom to receive. It holds the solution to ALL of life's problems, and the answer to ALL of life's questions.

Dig deeper into The Word, and when you think you've dug deep enough..... keep digging.

- Brianna Carey ©

“Tune your ears to wisdom, and concentrate on understanding. Cry out for insight, and ask for understanding. Search for them as you would for silver; seek them like hidden treasures.” - Proverbs‬ ‭2:2-4‬ ‭NLT‬‬

True Riches

When I write what God has laid on my heart, and I see that even one person is helped by it, it gives me such joy and it's confirmation that I am doing what I am supposed to be doing for Jesus. It doesn't matter to me if I ever make money doing it. It doesn't matter to me if I reach millions, or how many likes I get, or how many people "agree", I just want to help that one person that God knew needed to hear a message of hope. I want to be a willing vessel for the Holy Spirit to work through. My goal with this page isn't to get rich, no, not by the standards of man. The True wealth of doing God's work; The riches of the Spirit.... That's what I'm after.

I have had a little and I have had much, where money is concerned, and it makes no difference if your soul is not in right standing with God. Dollars do not equate to Joy. Temporary happiness? Sure but it's fleeting just like anything else. You will still thirst for something more if you don't have Jesus, you'll always need "more". Why do you think that so many "Rich" people are so incredibly sad? They have everything (or so it appears from the outside). But what of the soul? It's often empty. There is only One who can fill that empty place. Jesus. He is The Living Water. And when that water pours into your soul, it's like nothing you could ever buy. No vacation, no car, no house, no fancy meal cooked by a world renowned chef, no designer clothing or shoes.... NOTHING.

See, because His Love and Grace, when it comes, it doesn't fill your wallet, it doesn't fill your closet or your garage, no..... it fills your Soul. And then, when the Holy Spirit follows, He fills your heart, and begins to transform it into a heart after God's own. You begin to want what God wants for your life. And that, my friend, is true wealth! The riches of Heaven. Life everlasting. Joy embodied.

When you reach a point when you just want what God wants; you are indeed rich. Because with having that desire, comes contentment with whatever God blesses you with in the life. (Philippians 4:11-13 MSG)

..."I’ve found the recipe for being happy whether full or hungry, hands full or hands empty. Whatever I have, wherever I am, I can make it through anything in the One who makes me who I am...."

Amen Brother Paul. Amen.

- Brianna Carey ©

Seek First The Kingdom

Life is not a popularity contest. Stop comparing yourself to others. You are uniquely, and wonderfully handcrafted, fearfully and individually made. (Psalm 139:14-16 MSG) There is no other YOU on earth. You're beautiful to your Father.... His Masterpiece. He looked over all creation that He meticulously shaped by His hands, the entire universe, and then said to Himself, "No, it's just not complete without This daughter or This son.... I still need them." 

He Adores you. 

Now go and love yourself in that same way. 

And love (not be jealous of) others. 

Above all.... be certain that God is your primary focus in life. 

And remember that simply because you see other people around you with the successes you've hoped for, or living the dreams that you too desire to live, doesn't mean that God has forgotten you. It doesn't mean that your dream will never be realized. 

Keep the Faith. 

Pray Ceaselessly. 

Seek first the Kingdom. And all these things (everything you hope for) will be added to you. (Matthew 6:30-33 MSG) 

God's will. God's timing.

"None of us have it all together. But we know the One who holds it all together. Jesus."

- Brianna Carey ©

It is Okay Not to Be Okay

Why are we so afraid to be vulnerable? I believe that vulnerability is the greatest display of humility. You are essentially putting yourself out there at the mercy of others, with, of course, the hope they do not take advantage of the state of brokenness you are in, or think less of you because of it. I think there are more of us, (than actually let on), who hurt deeply inside but out of fear of others criticizing or belittling us, we keep that buried, we don't let it show.... "How are you?", they ask,  "I'm fine", we reply. When inside we are falling apart. Why is it that we feel we have to conceal pain, when it is something that every single human being faces, at one time or another in their lives. A friend of mine, Mary, asked me a question which really provoked me to seek an answer. She asked: "Why is it hard to extend grace to ourselves sometimes?" Why is that truly so difficult? Why do we provide grace to others as they are dealing with extenuating circumstances, we allow for them to grow and we show compassion, but when it comes to our own lives, we are quick to say "Get over it, you shouldn't be so down on yourself", as if it is wrong for us to feel pain or cry? I believe we deny ourselves this grace because we feel by showing pain we somehow appear weak in our faith of God. We assume that being Christian looks a certain way, strong ALL the time, as if we have some superhero costume on our soul that allows us to fly through life without ever being affected by trials and tribulations. That's not reality. The Reality is, we are susceptible to lives struggles and we feel pain. We cry. 

Jesus Wept. - John 11:35 

The shortest verse in the entire King James Bible. But it is so powerful. To know that The Son of God himself, can be moved to tears. Jesus felt pain, He felt overwhelmed (Mark 14:34). He was tempted (Matthew 4:1-11). He knows what it means to be human, to be broken both soul and body. The point I want to stress is not only did Jesus experience the pain that we do, He also didn't try to hide when He was in pain. He extended Himself the grace to be openly vulnerable because He knew that within His moment of weakness, lied the opportunity for God's strength to be made perfect. (2 Corinthians 12:9) 

BELOVED, IT IS OKAY NOT BE OKAY. 

When we are honest with ourselves about pain, God is then able to address that pain, help us through it, and at that same moment, He is glorified in doing so. So be honest with God, be honest with one another. Be real. Be vulnerable. Forget the fear of what it looks like to the world. Allow yourself to cry when you need to. Sure, the wrong people may take advantage, but the right people (the ones who matter) will come to your side with words of comfort. And at the end of the day.... the one who matters most (Jesus) will NEVER leave you nor forsake you in your time of need. (Deuteronomy 31:6) 

Don't keep pain buried. Set yourself free from its burdens. Tell God how you truly feel, don't sugarcoat it. That way, the healing process can begin. Also, use the discernment of the Holy Spirit to determine which people you can trust with sharing your deepest hurts. Not to say that confiding in God is not enough, of course it is, but as I said, when we are broken in front of others it provides God with a stage (if you will) an opportunity to be made perfect on display, allowing for God to then be glorified when others see what He can do in your life. From your pain comes your testimony, and your testimony can help bring others to the salvation of the One who who saved you.

So, just be as gentle and gracious with yourself as you are with others. And remember, "The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; He rescues those whose spirits are crushed." - Psalm 34:18 NLT 

Jesus Loves you.... every broken piece. 

- Brianna Carey ©

At First Glance

He was clothed in white
But in his sight
All he could see was the night
A faded glow of what was once a halo that hung from his weary head
The red pool that surrounds him
detracts from the Love around him
It goes unnoticed
I suppose it's.... his heart
it cannot part from the past
It cast a shadow on his light
Though the light is still on, it's not bright
But it glimmers
and in the slight shimmer
he can see an image
An image of a man clothed in white
The fight finished
Not a blemish to be found
The sound of angels resound
He's come home
The home he did not know he'd even left.
He takes a breath....
a breath that seemed to be his very first....

Humility

"Humility" 

It's interesting to me how quickly some Christians forget that we are sinners too. 

That it is ONLY by His grace that we are made worthy. 

Ah, it's Political season, and for whatever reason, it seems to bring out the worst in people. I have heard people (Christian people) slandering these politicians. Saying things that really shouldn't be said by followers of Christ. Things I don't even wish to repeat but one I will, just for reference purposes. I read one that said: "Trump' is in no way a child of God." 

That is incorrect. He is a child of God. Despite how broken or lost he is. Donald Trump is a child of God. Hillary Clinton is a child of God. Every President we've ever had, is still a child of God. 

WE ARE ALL CHILDREN OF GOD.

We mustn't forget to have the same compassion and patience for others, that Jesus had for us. Because if it were not for His blood that covers us, only our sin would be on display for all to see. What I really Love is that we serve a God who Loves us While we are covered in that very sin. Isn't it interesting how He could see all of that sin and yet at the same time, He chose to see His child? His child who needed to know Him, who needed His love and guidance. His child that needed forgiveness. 

If you all could see the person I was before I knew Jesus, Lord knows, you would've been shocked, surprised and probably appalled at the same time. I have done things, and said things I am definitely not proud of today but I did not know My Father at that time in my life, but He knew me. I was His child, even then. 

None of us enter this world free from the generational curse of sin, nor free from the snares of satan. Someone once said to me "Good behavior happens naturally, but bad behavior is learned" no offense to that person but I respectfully disagree. 

Bad Behavior Happens Naturally!

It is completely natural to sin, because of Adam and Eve, our descendants. That's why, if we aren't diligent and alert (wearing the full armor of God) we can slip up so easily. The Bible says the devil is always on the prowl like a hungry lion seeking whom he can devour. Sinning is easy to do. What actually requires learning, is to be Good. It takes Discipline, Dying to ourselves, and above all a relationship with Jesus Christ, where in His hands, our inherit nature within, can be nurtured and developed over time to better resemble God's nature. Once a relationship is formed with Christ, He begins to restore the nature of us to what it was originally intended to be (before the curse), which is Christ-like. 

We don't become better people by our own efforts. Our hearts are convicted by His Spirit. Our Souls are saved by His Grace. And our minds are renewed by His Word. I say "Are" because He is still working in us all to this very day. What I am attempting to convey in all of this, is just give people a break, don't be so nasty toward them, especially as a follower of Christ (you know better) and don't be so quick to "send everybody to hell" whose choices that you believe are wrong. You're a sinner too at the end of the day. The only difference between them and you, is that you know Who to turn to in order to wash away your sins. You are fortunate. One of the blessed ones. You know the Savior, now go and help others to know Him by showing them the same love that brought you to Jesus. The Agape Love. 

It's an honor to know Jesus, a privilege, something to be grateful for, not arrogant about. Stay in a place of humility, it will allow you to Love from a place of compassion and understanding. One cannot love while standing on a pedestal of judgment and criticism. 

- Brianna Carey © 

Black Lives Matter?

Black Lives Matter? 

Here's how I feel. If Blacks really wanted change, then they'd tell their Black brothers and sisters to stop killing each other. 'According to FBI data, 4,906 black people murdered other blacks in 2010 and 2011. That is 1,460 more Black Americans killed by other blacks in those two years than were lynched from 1882 to 1968'.... 

'Black Lives Matter?' 

They'd stop calling each other nigga, because whether you throw an 'A' on the end or stick with the hard 'R', it still means the same thing. 'Ignorant Person' and is reminiscent of a time when we were under far greater oppression than now. Why would you want that to be your representation? 

They'd teach each other and their kids to have respect for authority (whether the authority is in the wrong or not) that's biblical. We are to respect and submit to the Law. (Romans 13)

They'd also stop glorifying criminal activity (in their music or on TV) as if committing a crime were somehow a notch on their "brotherhood belt", showing just how "down" and how "thug" they can be. 

They would carry themselves in such a manner that is more than contrary to the stereotypes that some have formed about Blacks. Thereby eradicating those stereotypes, providing an opportunity for education rather than fueling discrimination.

They wouldn't riot and fight, because they would realize the senselessness in that, MLK did, it goes nowhere and that it only makes things worse, and cohesively makes our race look worse. 

"The end of violence or the aftermath of violence is bitterness. The aftermath of nonviolence is reconciliation and the creation of a beloved community. A boycott is never an end within itself. It is merely a means to awaken a sense of shame within the oppressor but the end is reconciliation, the end is redemption." - Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

They would speak up and advocate for the deaths of their Black brothers and sisters who were killed by ANY race, not ONLY when they were killed by someone white, (which makes it about racism). There should be no double standards. 

They would also stop aborting their babies.... Black Americans comprise only 13 % of the population in the US and YET, are accountable for more than 37 % of abortions. You do the math. 

'Black Lives Matter?'

 

Maybe if Blacks started treating their own lives as if they truly mattered, then I am sure that many would take notice to that, and say "hey, we have to do something about racial inequality, we have to put a stop to the injustice." But if Black Americans haven't even addressed the problem within their own home, how on earth can they expect change to occur outside of it? By looting, murdering one another, fighting the police, all the while shouting 'Black Lives Matter'? No. That doesn't help your case. It hurts it. It only fuels the opposition to it and to your race. If you want equality, then hold yourself to equal standards and values. Be accountable morally. Protest for your cause, but do so peacefully. When has putting gasoline on a fire ever put out the flames? But that's just my two cents. What do I know? I'm just a multi-racial girl who would rather spend my time being part of the solution instead of part of the problem. 

And let me just add (before the comments) NO, I am not saying that this is how ALL Black people are. I am saying this is far too many of us, these issues are hard to ignore, and also unfortunately, they contribute highly to how we are perceived as a collective race, and to be honest; I personally think we can do better than this. 

#JesusOverPolitics

"Despite who becomes President, they don't take precedence over Jesus Christ."

- Brianna Carey ©