When we obey God’s rules and are good to ourselves and others, we may be reciprocated.  Almost everyone wants to see  “A Return on their Investments.”   But, disobedience will get you nothing and nowhere, most times.

Remember the children’s story Androcles and the Lion, written by Joseph Jacobs?  I remembered it because I understood the message.

Androcles risked his life to pull a thorn from a ferocious Lion’s paw.  Later on in the story the two meet again in a Roman Colosseum.  The Lion, who had since been captured, unknowingly was released upon Androcles, and instantly remembers him for his kindness, therefore sparing his life to the amazement of the crowd.  Let’s say Androcles was reciprocated for his brave and kindly act.

I think, if Androcles were real, he prayed both times he came face to face with the Lion, and he was delivered because of undeniable Faith.  I know life can be a bumpy ride, filled with surprises and the events that transpire just because.  When these out of our control actions are forced upon us, those who believe in Jesus will call on him, in prayer.

Now some, even in the privacy of prayer, are afraid or ashamed of someone knowing or thinking they may believe in a higher power.  A secret believer, believing the words of Christ are meant for only them.  Who knows but them, and for sure Jesus?

Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.   2nd Peter 1:20

When it comes to Christ, nothing is private, we are all in this together.  Jesus tells us in scripture, and show us in life; if we cannot love one another we cannot love him.  And as we all should know, our fate depends on the favor and everlasting love of God.  So, I concluded, if we don’t want others to know we love Jesus, maybe we don’t.

With Christ we can skip some of the antics of the Devil, allowing us to concentrate, and multitask, even when our lives are racked with pain, sorrows, or death.  Praise Be To God; some of us know the Joy the Lord, and the kindness others offer.  For me, just knowing the God we serve will never put more on us than we can bear, is sufficient.   1st Corinthians 10:13

From what I have understood from faithful scholars and the Written Word, the key to survival is to have the ability to handle whatever life throws at us.  That’s a tall order, so for me, this type of ability calls for help, help that is greater than you and I.  A strength we need that can only be obtained through Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.

Some of us spend too much time paying attention to what’s going on in the lives of others, while keeping our own life quietly to ourselves, and crafty enough to use others for personal gain.  We never think to look for the source and strength of our real power, which is in Jesus Christ.  With him, not only can we survive, we can obtain the Everlasting Life.

It’s more to life than proclaiming, it’s not my fault, or the likes of “blaming it on the boogie.”   These types of actions cause real life meltdowns.  Realistically, I blame most of my problems on my inability to rebuke Satan; although I would never tell you that, or about all the bad decisions, I have made.

As we all know, the Devil comes in an array of looks, and none of them look good on you.  And some really think “devils and devilets” come from of the bowels of the earth just to torment us.  Maybe they do, but I took a look at some of my peers, and I found quite a few of them nothing more than trouble themselves, with me tagging along.

I was hiding truths from myself while with-holding my love for others.  I was selfish, and playing mind games.  Now what that boiled down to was; I was following the flesh, and on a dangerous course of self-righteousness.  I had to change my ways and life, if I wanted to live.

When I had Cancer; a powerful teeter-totter, (Satan) challenged my faith.  My trust in Jesus was not only tested. I was taught how to handle adversities when Christ showed me his power.  More importantly, I learned I can’t do anything without him, the value of life, and what needing help from others really, entail.

There was a time when I sought what the world had to offer, and when I saw certain people as not being beneficial to me or my case, I had no use for them, causing me to cast them aside unknowingly allowing what I thought was the God in me to be cast aside along with them.

Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world.  If any man love the world, the love of the father is  not in him.    1st John 2:15

It was the knowledge of Christ and hard knock lessons that bought me to my knees.  A price I had to pay that enabled me to change the condition of my condition.  I learned how to  just say no to no good.

Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan!”  You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.   Matthew 16:23  (NIV)

The change in my spiritual condition was a must.  Now I call on Christ for all us.  I know if we keep our mind on Jesus, it is almost impossible to forget about loving our neighbors as we love ourselves.  Plus, love is the ticket to the Kingdom of Heaven.

Not keeping the faith, coupled with casting out our love for others, and spreading the blame for what we do, are some of our biggest missteps; and we wonder why we are  “so unlucky;”  as some claim.  Most of us use the excuse, including me,  “God loves me just the way I am.”   Well, I am here to tell you that is true, but it’s not enough. God wants us to be like Jesus.

Fulfill ye my joy, that ye be like-minded, having the same love, being in full accord, of one mind.  Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.  (Pride)   Philippians 2:2-3

How often do we allow the world, and some of those who live in it, determine how we live our lives?  And how often do we use self-love and blame for why we do what we do, to others?  I’ll answer that; “Most of the time.”  We need to be afraid of not changing.

With the Love of Christ we can change by allowing ourselves to step out and take charge of us.  Have you ever noticed when the weak fight, the strong fall?  A Bully is a afraid, and so I am; but still, I am not a bully.

Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.   James 4:7

Life will go on with or without us.  But life with Jesus is powerful, granting us a joyful existence, even when the weight of the world tends to be riding on our shoulders.

Most already know we are called to love ourselves in a natural manner, and love Jesus in all his Spiritual Glory, this alone gives us the power to become triumphant.  And when we tap into our spiritual side, we can with love for others, whether any storm.  With Jesus Christ, there is nothing under our feet or over our heads that is not a part of God’s grand plan, including loving our enemies.  The Architect of our lives tells us;

But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;    Matthew 5:44

By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.   John 13:35

I didn’t say it was easy to love everyone.  God Did, it’s his law.  The second commandment as a matter of fact, and it can be found in Mark 12:31.

I struggled with my feeling towards some unsavory characters, now I understand my job is to simply obey the Will of God.  Rules are rules, and when broken, there is a penalty to pay.  Cancer was a hot spot for me, overruled by mercy.

Whatever side we are on; the spiritual or earthy side, know that they are entwined.  Regardless, they both want their own way, causing a war between the body of flesh and our spiritual body.  So if we are having trouble keeping in line with the teachings of Christ, be sure of this; we cannot overcome our trials or tribulations sitting on the fence.  Make a decision.

If we love Jesus like some of us say they do, the decision should be easy, causing us to provide a clean and wholesome place for his residence without shame, and living our lives to glorify him, in honor.  Not only in what we eat or drink, but in our thoughts, words and actions as well, while loving our neighbor as ourselves.

For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.   1st Corinthians 6:20

Who knows, we may be reciprocated when we need it the most, giving us  “A Return on our Investments.”   I received a life-saving turn of events. (Cancer)  Who would have thought?

Thank you Lord for choices, and the right mind to make the right decision.  In Jesus name we pray.   Amen.

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