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Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing. 1 Thessalonians 5:11 (ESV) Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. Galatians 6:2 (ESV) Giving to a person when they are having difficulties is always a wonderful blessing to bestow on another. However, many times when we do good or give to others, we feel we’re doing God’s will and being highly spiritual at that moment. Depending on our actions, however, it could be considered civil as opposed to a spiritual encounter. I listened to a sermon recently where the pastor noted some points regarding being civil as opposed to being spiritual that I would like to share. For example, when we see a person begging, we might stop and give them food or money but, will we be willing to stop and give them our time as well? Would we talk or pray with them? Most of us usually would not. So, giving money, food, etc. is wonderful and we should continue to do so. But, in order to move towards a spiritual connection, it will take us going further by having a conversation. Another example, we become very angry with someone to the point where we want to lash out at them however, we make the decision not to do so, despite the pain/damage they caused. This act of holding back from harming another is of course the civil way to behave but, is it spiritual? In this instance, if we want to be spiritual, we would be seeking to pray for this person and whenever possible, look to have a conversation with them regarding what transpired. We would seek to talk to them and try and understand, in an attempt to ultimately be reunited in fellowship as stated in Mathew 18:15. Having a spiritual response instead of doing what our flesh (or surface feelings) tells us to do, comes about when one has an ongoing connection with God. As I share this I’m thinking of my actions as well. Do I take the extra step when I look to give to others? To be honest, a lot of times I do not. Yet during those times, I felt as if I was being spiritual by helping those in need. Again, I’m not saying it’s something we shouldn’t do. By all means, we should do everything we can to help others, even if we don’t have the time to stop and chat. But, if we at times can take a few moments to ask their name, let them know God loves them, and that we will say a prayer for them, this civil encounter can definitely lean towards a spiritual moment. As we go forward in life, may we continue to pray, read God’s word, and continue connecting with Him on a daily basis. In so doing, we will hopefully continue responding in a civil manner but take it a step further and make our encounters spiritual as well. Blessings, Angélique To contact: Angelique@21stcenturygodlyliving.com

Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Philippians 3:12 (ESV). May grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord. 2 Peter 1:2 (ESV) Have you ever come across individuals, whether family or friends who make snide remarks and comments about your Christianity? They’ll comment on how holy you should behave at all times and in all circumstances. For instance, if you’re having a rough day or answer someone sharply, they will make a snide remark about being a Christian and how perfect you are supposed to act at all times. What many people fail to realize is that being a Christian is a journey. When one becomes a Christian and makes a decision to follow Christ, they are still sinners saved by grace and the blood of Jesus. They still live in a sinful world and, more than likely will sin in the future from time to time. I like to always share with people who are non-Christians (and sometimes even Christians) that the church is not a magical place where everyone comes away perfect. Instead, the church should be viewed as a spiritual hospital for sinners. When Christians go to church, their goal should be to connect with God in His holy temple, to listen to sermons, and to fellowship with one another. A place where they leave the cares/troubles of the outside world for a while, as they seek a closer connection to God. By coming to church, they gain the spiritual, mental, and emotional encouragement they will need, in order to take on the world. As Christians even though we are not perfect people that lead perfect lives, we still should seek to be like Jesus, the one who left us an example of how to live in this world. However, we must remember not to overburden ourselves or others, in feeling there’s a certain perfection to attain, in order to be saved or to be considered a “good” Christian. We must keep in mind no one “graduates” in their Christian journey. Of course, some may have studied and gained greater knowledge and understanding of God but, all must continue to study and seek a closer connection to God, as there is always greater knowledge and wisdom to obtain. As God’s word states in 2 Peter 3:18, we are to grow in grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. May we always show humility and love to those we meet and be true witnesses of Christ. May we let everyone know that Christians are not perfect but, we are seeking daily to have a Christ-like character. Blessings, Angélique To contact: Angelique@21stcenturygodlyliving.com

Have you not known? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength. Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint. Isaiah 40:28-31 (ESV) Have you ever reached a spiritual plateau? Meaning you’re not overly excited about your spiritual walk, nor are you depressed or upset but, you are bored somewhat and have plateaued. It feels as if nothing’s as exciting as it once was and you feel as if you’re going through the motions of worshiping/going to church, reading your Bible, praying, and trying to connect with God. I believe from time to time I, as well as many others, have been there. And if we’re honest, it’s not just our Christian walk, sometimes that’s the way it is with our daily life as well. Things become mundane and you go through the motions but, you don’t have the excitement or spark that you once had in the past. When you come to a point where you’ve reached your spiritual plateau, that is the time to dive deeper and not give up. One of the ways to get out of this mood is to change things up a bit. When it comes to engaging in the same activities that you normally do day in and day out, look to make a change. Listen or watch a different church’s program or pastor’s sermon. Go to a church concert that’s not your home church. Be a volunteer at a local soup kitchen/homeless shelter. Seek out and attend a street church, one where they actually hold services outside for those who are homeless. These are just a few suggestions. I for one have done some of these that I’ve mentioned and, have come away with a different outlook on my life and my spiritual journey. I’m not saying everything was perfect afterward, just that it seemed clearer and the enthusiasm I once held, was definitely coming back. For some, they receive clarity immediately and become filled with God’s Spirit. Whatever the case may be for you, maintain your worship and your connection with God, seeking to use your gifts/talents in other ways or areas, that are not within your concentric circle. As you allow God and His Holy Spirit to lead you, eventually your plateau will cease, and you’ll be renewed as you move forward. We all have had and will have plateaus in our lives. During this time, may we continue to push forward doing what God would have us do, and continue to stay faithful, no matter what. Despite how we may feel, may we make a conscious choice to keep moving forward with God knowing that this time will pass. Allow your plateau to be the springboard for something new and exciting in your spiritual journey. Blessings, Angélique To contact: Angelique@21stcenturygodlyliving.com

For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder in every vile practice. But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. James 3:16-17 (ESV) Godly vs. worldly wisdom. One may ask, what’s the difference? The short answer…plenty! Worldly wisdom will always seek to put oneself first, no matter the outcome or consequences to others. Godly wisdom will consider others as well as oneself and will weigh the impact of various choices/decisions. Worldly wisdom will teach the principles of grabbing all one can, regardless of decency, principles, and moral values. The worldly attitude lives by the adage of get more, more, and more and, to live and let live, meaning do whatever you want and whatever feels good, as long as it’s legal. Through God’s word in the Bible, He gives us the information we need to distinguish between worldly wisdom which leads to death versus Godly wisdom which leads to God’s peace and life. I recently read a story of a hiker who was with a group of friends, and he became injured while the group was halfway through their trek through the forest. The friends called for help and using cell phone technology were able to send his exact coordinates to the authorities. However, instead of one or all of them staying with him to make sure nothing happened until help arrived, they all decided to leave him alone to be rescued. Because for them, they felt it was more important that they continue and finish the course so, they took off. He was eventually rescued however, even the rescuers could not believe the selfishness of his companions. What would cause someone to choose between leaving an injured person in the woods by themselves just so they could continue their adventure? This is a prime example of selfishness and self-centeredness that the world teaches. These “friends” probably felt nothing was wrong with their actions. They felt they did their part to signal for help and they did not want to ruin the rest of their vacation. Now, perhaps the hiker told them to go on however, any person who possessed Godly wisdom would not have made such a self-centered decision. A person with Godly wisdom would have stayed and made sure he was protected through the night and eventually rescued. There are many stories that we know personally and what we have read or heard in the media of callous and egregious human behavior with one another. May we seek to be individuals who will make Godly choices for ourselves, as well as for the sake of those we come in contact with. May we study God’s word and learn His ways so that we can always choose God’s wisdom vs. the world’s. Blessings, Angélique To contact: Angelique@21stcenturygodlyliving.com

Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing but rejoices with the truth. 1 Corinthians 13:4-6 (ESV) I read a devotion where a lady decided to substitute her name at the beginning of each section in what is considered the love chapter, 1 Corinthians 13, specifically verses 4-6. So, using the first verse, it would go like this: instead of saying love is patient and kind, she would substitute her name and then say the verse. For example, Angélique is patient and kind, Angélique does not envy or boast, and so on. As she did this, she would stop and contemplate if this was an area she needed to work on. She would work on those issues by asking God to help her, then she would continue to the next verse. In reading this I felt inspired to share this exercise. How impactful this could be if we seek to place our names before each section. By placing your name at the beginning of these verses, it personalizes it like never before. It should cause us to ask ourselves, am I walking and moving throughout life with these core guiding principles? In addition, if we make this a habit to continually say these verses with our names inserted, this can change how we view ourselves and others, basically all of God’s creation. Below I have completed verses 4-6 using my name: Angélique is patient and kind, Angélique does not envy or boast; Angélique is not arrogant or rude. Angélique does not insist on her own way; Angélique is not irritable or resentful; Angélique does not rejoice at wrongdoing but rejoices with the truth. Now I challenge you to place your name before these verses and seek to daily internalize these core characteristics in your own life. Blessings, Angélique To contact: Angelique@21stcenturygodlyliving.com

You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, Matthew 5:43-44 (ESV) To love and pray for our enemies?? Really?? That’s a tough one! In reading the above verses, the Bible teaches us that God desires we get to a place where we can show brotherly/sisterly love towards a person who has hurt us. To earnestly pray for a person who may have caused hurt while in a romantic or friend relationship, at work, at church, within the family dynamics, etc. Showing love, forgiveness, and praying for such a one can, and will, be very difficult for most. (Now, before I go on, I do want to make a point here for those involved in criminal situations. Please be responsible and take the necessary steps to protect yourself physically and emotionally from any type of abuse). The Bible speaks of loving those who love us as being easy (see Luke 6:32) and this is usually very true. Who doesn’t love and want the best for a person who shows love and care for our wellbeing? Of course, to love and pray for such a one is usually something we would gladly jump at the chance to do. But to have the same or similar attitude and feelings for a person who has wronged us, will be difficult. It will take us allowing God, through His Holy Spirit, to work in us to accomplish this task. I (and I’m sure many others) have had to face people who hurt us and in following God’s word, chose to offer forgiveness, as well as pray for their wellbeing. To love, forgive, and pray for people who caused us grief and pain, can be an extremely difficult task. I can honestly state it was not an overnight process. For me, it came about after some time had passed and by studying God’s word, listening to sermons, much prayer, and fasting. Eventually, I came to the point where I cared about this person, prayed for them, and wished them well. By allowing God into my life and allowing His precepts (not the world’s) to take hold of me, what poured out of me was His love and compassion. Now, do not think I or any others who have accomplished this have “made it” and we don’t have struggles as we move forward in life. All of us have to take control and deny our sinful desires (see Luke 9:23). Meaning, we’re not to go back to old sinful patterns of behaving that are contrary to God’s word. My prayer is for everyone to allow God into their lives and to seek to have a close relationship with Him. To allow Him to open up a pathway of healing and restoration in your life, that will guide you to be able to love and pray for your enemies. Blessings, Angélique To contact: Angelique@21stcenturygodlyliving.com

Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the lord, you will receive the inheritance as your reward. Colossians 3:23 (ESV) Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven. “Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward.  Matthew 6:1-5 (ESV) What motivates you to give to those who are in need? Giving should be natural and a part of our human experience. But, for many it’s not natural and it’s not something a lot of people willingly like to do. Whether it be giving their time, money, gifts/talents, etc., there are many who do not want to give to others who are in need. However, when we seek to share with others, do we have the right motivation? Of course, any amount of help will be wanted by organizations whose aim is to service their fellow human beings. But internally one can ask themselves, what is my motivation? Is it to see what can be gained monetarily? To see if there will be recognition or be viewed as someone pious and important? Or is it to impress others and gain the attention of a special individual? Hopefully, regardless of one’s motivation in the beginning, eventually, it will turn into a true desire to help someone in need. In Matthew 6: 1-5, God warns of seeking praise and rewards from people when we seek to do what is right by helping others. His word states when we do this, we will receive our reward from people and not from the storehouses of Heaven, not from God above. Most people want some form of recognition for doing good from the time when they were toddlers, all the way through adulthood. And we can believe that God understands this, He knows how all of His children are wired. But when our sole motivation for doing good toward others (most of the time) is to gain some type of ego boost, God is not pleased. When giving to others, may we all eventually learn to give because it is right, and it is what God would want us to do. So, what’s your motivation for giving? Blessings, Angélique To contact: Angelique@21stcenturygodlyliving.com

For “All flesh is like grass and all its glory like the flower of grass. The grass withers, and the flower falls, but the word of the Lord remains forever.” And this word is the good news that was preached to you. 1 Peter 1:24-25 (ESV) Behold, you have made my days a few handbreadths, and my lifetime is as nothing before you. Surely all mankind stands as a mere breath! Psalm 39:5 (ESV) Facing the end of life is hard for those facing this truth and for the loved ones who are facing it with them. I’m not wanting to have a morbid or sad post however, I would like to stress how we all view the reality of our lives. Life is but a vapor (James 4:14 AMP), meaning we are here on this earth only for a short while as no human being can control their future. None of us will live forever so what we do while we’re alive, whether positive or negative, can have a lasting impact on those who we have encountered throughout our lives. I read an article about a funeral business in South Korea that offers free funerals for the living. They simulate a funeral service for those who are alive with the hopes they will consider their current choices/decisions, as they move forward in life. The article states it has allowed individuals to reconnect with family and friends they were separated from, due to past hurts and/or misunderstandings. However, one would hope that a person would not have to take it to this extreme, in order to live life as you should. As stated in Psalm 39:5, we are reminded that our time on Earth is short compared to eternity. As such, we should seek to live a life of being kind, loving to others, honest, and choosing to do good always. To be who God would have us be, and not striving to have worldly attitudes, nor to focus on gaining wealth and/or position no matter the costs (see Matthew 6:19-20). Instead, be people who seek to give and help others, not looking for anything from them in return. Let us from this point forward choose to live life well, the way God (not the world) intended. Of course, we will work hard to build our financial legacy for ourselves and loved ones but, we will not compromise our core character to do so. May our natures and our desires, be in line with God’s so that when we go out into the world, we will naturally seek to do good and not harm. As we arise each day, may our mission (whether great or small) be to make a positive impact in God’s world and with His people. Blessings, Angélique To contact: Angelique@21stcenturygodlyliving.com #Life

And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death. Revelation 12:11 (ESV) No one likes to face trials, suffer, and go through painful experiences as they go through life. But every single human being at various times in their lives, will go through times of difficulty. And when one goes through fiery trials, they can be painful and feel as if they will never end. It’s when you find yourself in despair, that you must hold on and not let go of the promises from God. Trust and believe that He is walking in that valley with you and if you have faith and do not give up, He will bring you through. Then after you have come through your ordeal you’ll be able to look back and see how faithful God had been. You will seek to praise God for bringing you through and for the relative calm and peace that you’re experiencing afterward. During this time, God can bring a person or group of people in your life, who are currently going through what you have endured. It is precisely during this time that if given the opportunity, God would want you to share all or part of your journey/ your testimony. The Bible states in Revelation 12:11 how God’s children overcame by the blood of the Lamb (which is Jesus Christ) and our testimonies. This means we are to share our belief in Jesus as our Savior and share how God brought us through our trials. God wants us to share with others what we have learned by encouraging them to hold on and trust God to bring them through their difficult situation. We should let them know that it was not easy for us and that there were no quick fixes. We can encourage them by stating everyone’s situation, journey, and experience can be different, so don’t try to compare. Let them know that whenever possible, you will try to be there to help during this trying time. We may never know the positive and life-changing impact we could have on others, because we shared our testimony of a difficult time in our lives. Going through tough times in life is not easy and perhaps sharing those experiences with others may not be easy either. But God knows that by sharing our testimonies, everyone can be strengthened and encouraged. May we realize while we are going through difficulties and afterward, that our pain and suffering do not have to be wasted. It can be used to bring hope and healing to others. Blessings, Angélique To contact: Angelique@21stcenturygodlyliving.com

The Lord said to Cain, “Why are you angry, and why has your face fallen? If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is contrary to you, but you must rule over it.” Genesis 4: 6-7 (ESV) Do you remember the story of Cain and Abel, the sons of Adam in the Bible, Genesis 4:1-16? In the story, both worked, one with the land in bringing forth crops and the other with raising sheep. When the time came to give an offering back to God for the blessings He bestowed, Abel chose to give the best of his flock as a gift to God. However, when it came time for his gift, Cain did not seek to give his best. It is not specifically stated in the Bible but, one can infer from the story, that Cain decided to just give some crops, not the best he had to offer. As the story goes God accepted Abel’s offering but not Cain’s and as a result, Cain became very angry. God chastised Cain and stated if he looked to do right, then his gift as well would have been accepted. The difference between Cain and Abel is not about what was brought before God but, about their heart and attitude of giving their best to God. In looking at this story, who do you identify with when giving your gifts to God? Are you Cain or are you Abel? I believe we all want to identify with being Abel but, are we? Do we have an attitude of giving our best as a sacrifice to God? In looking at our lives in modern times, what gifts/talents has God given to us that we bring forth to honor Him? God’s desire is for us to give our best for the uplifting of His world and His people. He wants our best and not our “whatever” or our leftovers. This also brings to mind the thought that many times to impress other people, we will bring our best selves or whatever we have to offer. However, if we take time to impress others, can we not do the same or even more when it comes time to praise and worship God? Further on in the story another lesson one can learn is how not to allow our anger/jealousy to take hold and potentially cause further acts of disobedience. God warned Cain to check his attitude, as his anger/jealousy could lead to destruction. He did not listen and later, as a result, he killed his brother Abel. We all have two choices when we are upset, angry, and/or jealous like Cain in this story. We can choose to repent and turn away from our anger, hurt feelings, and destructive thoughts or, we can go further down sin’s path. As we go forward in life may we have a grateful and humble attitude, acknowledging all the wonderful gifts God has given to us. May we eagerly seek to give God our best efforts toward uplifting His world and His people. May we not go around with an attitude of entitlement but, may we always model an attitude of gratitude, in everything we say and do. Blessings, Angélique To contact: Angelique@21stcenturygodlyliving.com

Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; James 1:19 (ESV) Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person. Colossians 4:6 (ESV) Have you ever angrily snapped at someone that really didn’t deserve it? I believe we all have been there from time to time. I was reading an article the other day, and it shared this acronym: H-A-L-T which stood for hungry, angry, lonely, and tired. How many times have we all made rash snap decisions, due to one of the four above? I think more times than we would like to admit. There’s another popular term people use as well which is Hangry; a combination of hungry and angry that also showcases two of the four we referenced above. So, it is safe to say that we should not make decisions, especially ones that affect others or even ourselves, when the four situations listed above exist. Because when the above feelings are going on, we’re in a very vulnerable state and need to be careful before we move forward. Now of course life happens, and sometimes it’s not possible to not be hungry, angry at a certain person, or event, lonely for several reasons, and just tired from dealing with the stress of life. But, knowing ahead of time and arming oneself with this knowledge, should help when the time comes to making various decisions in our lives. So, remember to H-A-L-T before making a decision and check in with yourself to make sure you’re not hungry, angry, lonely or tired, before proceeding forward with your life choices. Blessings, Angélique To contact:  Angelique@21stcenturygodlyliving.com

Do not judge by appearances, but judge with right judgment.” John 7:24 (ESV) But if you show partiality, you are committing sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors. James 2:9 (ESV) Have you not then made distinctions among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts? James 2:4 (ESV) I recently watched a video of an experiment where a white young man pretending to be blind would come from behind and grab the elbow or arm of a stranger. At first, the unsuspecting stranger of course would jump but then, after turning to see him, they would allow him to still latch on and would kindly guide him. Then in the same video, another young man who happened to be black, would in turn do exactly what his white counterpart had done. Except in his case, the attitudes and behaviors were totally different. Unsuspecting strangers would also jump when he latched on but, when they turned to see him, they would jerk their arm away, were rude, and move quickly away from him, clearly annoyed and upset. As the video played, it showed the black blind man alone walking with his arm outstretched for assistance. To say that video was extremely upsetting is an understatement. I watched until the end hoping that at least one person would not behave rudely and callously toward the black man but, every single one of them did. Some of the comments underneath this video stated they were not shocked. They stated this is how they (meaning people of different races who were non-black) see and treat those of color, especially Black people. One would hope this was an isolated incident and that most people would not behave in this manner. One can only hope. As children of God, how does Our Father in Heaven view this type of behavior? In studying the Bible, He would be appalled and very upset to see His children behaving in such a manner. I had tears in my eyes watching this and I’m sure God would have had tears as well. He would be upset and hurt knowing He created every human being and placed them on the Earth with their various colors, shapes, sizes, skin/hair textures, cultural backgrounds, etc. As for the above story, this happened to me some years ago when I was leaving an afternoon matinee. A middle-aged gentleman, who was of a different race than me, reached for me seeking guidance. His wife was gathering their things, and he was walking out with the rest of us. At first, I was startled and jumped like the people in the video but, when I realized he was blind and needed assistance, I guided him. No questions asked. And at the time I was a teenager, not an adult like those in that video. In closing, I pray that as we go forward in life, may we always choose to care for and treat all of God’s children (no matter their color, religion, ethnicity, or political background) with decency and respect. Blessings, Angélique To contact: Angelique@21stcenturygodlyliving.com