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People often think meditation is a terribly hard practice. We often do not make enough time for ourselves to really be mindful of what we are thinking in our heads. We are what we think so even if you believe meditation is a waste of time and practice you should know worry is a deep form of meditation. It is a sincere prayer asking for all the things you do not in life to manifest themselves
. They say we talk to ourselves in our heads over 30,000 times a day. Our inner dialogue is the most important conversations we will ever have in our lives. Learn the art of managing your thoughts and self-talk. What we believe to be true will always be true. Discipline your mind, have the mindset of a champion that you will and have always won. That you are blessed and favored, that no matter how grim the situation may be, God is greater and miracles on the way. Live life with peace in your heart and not worry. God always provides. ~Will “Story” Rivera
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God will be as hard on you as you are on others! He will treat you exactly as you treat them" (v.2).5/7/2016 A critical attitude can hinder your walk with your God and distract you from God's purposes for your life.
Why Do We Judge? We judge because of our own selfish interests. For example, we sometimes become critical when comparing ourselves to those around us. We try to find fault in others to prove that we are smarter, better looking, happier or wealthier. But these are selfish reasons. We simply want to feel better about ourselves. We also get critical when others fail to do what we ask, or do not do what we think is right. Often, it is a family member, friend or co-worker who fails to meet our expectations. Our expectations lead to a judgmental attitude. Even our own frustrations can lead to a critical attitude. If life is not turning out the way we desire, we hide our own frustrations by finding fault with others. Judge Not... Finding fault and being critical are some of the easiest things to do. They seem to come naturally to us. But Jesus told us not to judge "lest you be judged" (Matt. 7:1, NASB). Jesus then explained why a judgmental attitude is so dangerous: "God will be as hard on you as you are on others! He will treat you exactly as you treat them" (v.2). When we judge, we invite judgment upon ourselves. By judging others, we hide our own hypocrisy. For example, when the religious leaders brought a woman to Jesus who had been caught in sexual sin, they wanted to kill her. But Jesus responded, "If any of you have never sinned, then go ahead and throw the first stone at her" (John 8:7). Nobody threw one. You will meet people in live who truly believe they cannot be loved. They are blind to their own greatness and value. They will live in a dark shadow that they have chosen to cast upon themselves even though we see them shining bright. Sometimes people lose sight of themselves and they forget how special they truly are and they overlook just how much they contribute to this world.
They have touched the lives of others so deeply and yet they cannot seem to touch their own life in that same meaningful way. These are the individuals whom we see their value when they feel worthless, the ones who build walls because they fear we will not come to love and accept the depths they possess. They live off the broken pieces of themselves and are scattered everywhere. They are the healers and the do-gooders, the selfless givers of this world. It is up to us to help them remember the value and love they bring to this world when they are too weak to shine for themselves. It is up to us to be the glue and the light so that they may continue the journey. We have all needed a helping hand at some point, so it is so important we are mindful of those around us who are experiencing that same situation. Never let them fall. ~Will "Story" Rivera John 9:39Then Jesus told him, "I entered this world to render judgment--to give sight to the blind and to show those who think they see that they are blind." So often we become blinded with our own beliefs and our own ways of living. We mistake the way we live our lives for the way that ALL people should live their lives. A life with God means we work faithfully to rectify our differences and accept all beings as they are. We find compassion in our hearts to forgive, to love, to encourage, to accept - not to change. Watch carefully today the words and thoughts that fall from your hearts and mouths, be mindful of what you see and observe how often are you judging?
We have truly lived when we find the courage to open our hearts to things beyond what we can ever see or understand. We may not ever make sense of someone else's choices but we must have faith and trust in God that he is truly the orchestrating instrument behind these experiences; therefor their choices just as our own are divinely guided. We should choose to honor others and all of their differences. Our eyes may be wide open but we are too often blinded by our insecurities and judgments. If we want to understand the true meaning of life, we must first open our hearts then our minds, we must walk with others and fall in love with everybody. It is the only way to truly share unconditional love. ~Will "Story" Rivera We sometimes surrender to the ever so real, ever so active, and conflicting messages of doubt and hopelessness. We allow these messages to bombard our every choice and thoughts we have daily. We may think we have faith until something huge happens in our life that is unexpected and devastating. Then that faith we once had is out the door and we begin to wallow in pessimism and confusion. Although we may be facing difficult circumstances currently, situations that we all know we had no control over - regardless we can still choose how we react to it. We have the power to make a single choice—a choice of peace, protection and a choice that is appropriate to for our life path. That choice is faith. Regardless of what you believe in, faith in yourself or your God can pull you through the darkest of times. Making the choice not to lose hope, choosing not to allow the doubts to become a reality, choosing to see that everything that is happening is currently, is happening for you and not against you. Faith is a choice, and it must be sought after and developed. It takes practice upon practice. It is a habit, a muscle that needs to be developed and worked out daily in order for it to strengthen and continue to be strengthened. Thus, we are responsible for our own faith. We are responsible for our own lives. We are also responsible for our lack of faith. The choice is always ours. ~Will "Story" Rivera  There is nothing wrong with you or me or anyone. God does not create mistakes. So when you find it your heart to live a specific way - go for it. Life is too short to spend your entire life trying to live up to the expectations of those we love. We have all been given a soul of our own and I suggest we start making decisions that alight with our life purpose. Decisions that create joy for ourselves and extend outward to others. I highly encourage you to seek the kind of love that requires no conditions at all. You will be asked to change and be told you need to look a certain way, feel a certain, love a certain way - all this in order to be accepted by the masses, by your family, by your religion and maybe even your job or friends. God does not create mistakes and you are perfect. You are different, your type of love is so rare. Do not get caught up in a world that is trying to change you and convince you to be something you are not. The love you give is pure, the respect is worthy, the faith is unshakable. The work done in this world by you for others is irreplaceable. Do not doubt for one second that God will not welcome you with open arms. There are far worse things in this world you could be doing to cause harm to others than you living a life of love and expressing yourself in the most natural way possible. Live On. ~Will "Story" Rivera You don't have to like everything that people do or the choices they make but their ways of living should never stop you from loving them as a soul. This in no way condones the actions that harm and hurt but rather allows us to recognize that it's the choices a person makes that creates the upset - not the actual person. Love others as God intended us too, hurt people hurt people and if we are really trying to help the situation then we will allow the solutions to be born from a loving place. ~Will "Story" Rivera I've always been an exception to the rule, it seems no matter what situation I get my self into God seems to be right there making sure I land on my feet, ensuring I succeed, ensuring the success of my soul. I trust him, I have extremely strong faith and a positive outlook, I don't play it safe and I'm definitely not sensible, I think big, I know the way in my heart, I trust and I trust and I trust, if God brings me to it, it's not to set me up to fail but rather to allow me an opportunity to rise to the occasion- no matter how impossible it may seem, no matter how many people caution me not too, no matter how hard my ego tried to convince me otherwise- and this is not something I in anyway take for granted, I know how blessed and favored I am and I give thanks and praise for every moment in life I am blessed to experience, without judgment, without demand. In life you will find that often times the devil tries to break your faith - you will always know the difference if you just sit and listen. God brings opportunity and success - the devil brings doubt and fear - Who you choose to listen to is always up to you. The moment you start second guessing your blessing - is the moment you begin to lose sight of what really matters. Let your life be guided by faith not fear. ~Will "Story" Rivera  We can allow storms to uproot our lives and lose grounding or we can choose to hold on tight and deepen our roots. The greater the storm the greater the opportunity to deepen ourselves - with Gods grace all things are possible. ~Will "Story" Rivera  We need help and it's not a terrible thing to admit it at all. There is nothing wrong in admitting to God that we need help running our lives, help to make the kind of choices that serve our highest good, help understand the heart ache and the mess, help in developing the gifts that God himself bestowed upon us, help healing physically, mentally and emotionally. We receive gods grace in many shapes and forms - friendships, family, partners, work, community and even in the wild amongst our furry little animal neighbors. The point is that it's ok to ask and it's ok let go and let God takeover, admitting that is not a sign of weakness, it is a sign of spiritual maturity. We are weak unless we find our strength and our courage in God, and the sooner we face that fact, the better. So many people have position, wealth, and power and still feel empty because they do not posses what really matters—good surrounding relationships, clear connection with God, peace, joy, contentment, compassion, honesty, satisfaction, good health and the ability to enjoy their life and truly be happy free from attachment. Not everything that appears well is well, of we don't start from within we will always be without, if you are doing your best and trying your hardest to make things work and cultivate inner success but find that you are always failing or falling short - the problem is not you - the problem is you have not sought the right person for help - pray more worry less, the best kind of relationship to have is the one we create with our God. ~Will "Story" Rivera  |
Daily DevotionsWritten By Will "Story" Rivera Archives
September 2016
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