 It's one person at a time, I heard a new term yesterday at work - "chronically homeless" I do not wish to even begin to express how heavy my heart gets just knowing that we have come so far to even coin a term, I am not hear to preach and lecture but I will tell you I know in the deepest depths of my soul that this homelessness situation is a man made problem and it doesn't matter to me who is to blame, all that matters is what are we doing daily to extend those hands and hearts God gave us to the nearest person who needs it - it's not just monetary, a life of service to each other should be at the core of every book and curriculum and test, community for each other, maybe it's a hello, maybe it's a ride home, maybe it's calling people and reminding them they are loved and appreciated, stop and put down your phone to listen intently, be present 100%, this world is filled with so many good people, so many who do not realize the power of one reach, we cannot be lead by fear or discouraged, we get so wrapped up in our world we don't realize that when we help others we really help ourselves. ~Will "Story" Rivera
The Lord Jesus wants to set us free from our burdens, our worries, the heart ache of loss, the destructive habits and wrong-doing in our personal lives that not only harms ourselves but harm others. He wants to purify our hearts and renew our minds so we can freely choose to love and do what is right, good, just, and wise- the more our minds are clear the easier it becomes to listen to his guidance, the easier our choices become to make.
We find ourselves becoming selfless and loving, patient and understanding, we start to see ourselves from the view of all of Gods creations. God is ready to change and purify our hearts through the grace and help of the Holy Spirit that dwells within us all. Like a physician who probes the wound before treating it, God through his Word and Spirit brings our issues into the light so that we may recognize it for what it truly is and call upon his mercy and grace for a pardon, healing, and restoration. The Spirit of truth is our Counselor and Helper. His power and grace enables us to choose what is best and to reject what will not serve our highest good. It takes great faith to trust and believe in the power of God's love to heal, change, and transform our heart and mind and it takes courage to ask and do what is best for our God and not what our egos will think is best for us. To trust in the Lords plan is to let go of wanting control and to allow life to flow freely through us with full acceptance, with an open heart and with deep understanding that no matter what happens - we are victorious. You wake up and what is first thought - is it God, is it thank you, is of the one you love, is of worry or finances, maybe your first thought is a curse at the day, maybe it's peace and gratitude, try to imagine what your day would like if you woke up to the glory of God, how different your mindset would be if only you offered to be of service to others, if you asked to do what was needed of you rather than what was wanted by you, imagine how much light would fill you up if you only set your worries aside and replaced every ounce of them with Faith - your life - your choices, the clearer your mind and heart, the clearer your guidance is; imagine if. ~Will "Story" Rivera
Psalm 23 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever. We as a culture have literally grown afraid to be poor. We tend to despise and judge anyone who elects to go without in order to simplify their lives. Not everyone has this elaborate need to possess things and when a soul elects not to join the general scramble and craze of the money-making world, we deem them spiritless, we think they lack in ambition and make them feel less of themselves simply because they have chosen to lead a life without attachment, a lifestyle of only taking what's necessary rather than allowing their wants to take over them. The truth is no one in this world would ever go without if we only pursued what was necessary and shared with others the balance. Our mindsets are always lacking, we make choices from this "lack mentality" this fear that we might run out, instead of having faith that every time we choose to give - God has already replenished us. ~Will "Story" Rivera
www.LiveBelieveInspire.com 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 God’s 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 possess 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, if 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 |