Daily Devotional: 1/17/2019 - SCRIPTURE SERIES PT. II (GE)

 "Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you." 1 Peter 5:7

This is a continuation of a series that I started back out towards the end of July, The Scripture Series. I was inspired after going on an encouragement date with a sister from Long Island and one with from our region. Usually at the end of these dates like the next day, later or whenever they have the chance the sisters will write a card. And because I am me and I feel if someone gets me something I have to get them something in return, so I decided to combine the love for art and Scripture into one. But then I was like "BRAIN BLAST" why not make one for all the sisters in our campus for an encouragement for the upcoming semester and year. That was how The Scripture Series was created. We are now on Part Two with one more part to come so we can encourage and give sisters hope all across the world for days to come.

• Women have it hard no matter where they go or what they do. They lack equality in every aspect. They are constantly objectified and are constantly being taken advantage of. It is our job as men and as human beings to treat all these women with respect, love and the dignity they deserve.
• I am going to try and keep these relatively short, but if God leads long we go long. Going to throw some fun facts and some scripture and call it a day.
• The last series was all to sisters in the church (plus one very special woman outside the church). This series is dedicated to the people I call family, whether they be actual blood or women that help keep me sane at school.

Here are a couple fun facts for you, the first being that chamomile possesses anti-inflammatory properties that can be used for disinfection and to relieve the pain. It is mainly used for the treatment of urinary and ocular infections, skin rash, toothache, respiratory pain, premenstrual pain, migraine, insomnia, and anxiety. The second fun fact being in Japan, yellow is a color of courage (and is the color of the rebellion, the bishops cannot see it).

If you know me, you know this verse mean a lot to me. Probably if not one of my favorite, maybe my favorite verse in the entire Bible. It is something that I have to do on a daily basis.

Growing up I thought I knew what loss, depression, and anxiety was, but I got hit with a reality check when I became a disciple. That is when I experienced true and real loss, depression, and anxiety. Than we turn to Philippians 3:8-9 which says, "What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ - the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith."

Whatever is a loss due to the love of Christ should be considered a victory. I have lost countless friends because they could not appreciate where I moved on in my life. They were not building me up in Christ, the way people should. I have had to give up on relationships because they were not of the Kingdom.

• That is where most of my depression and anxiety has come from. The devil has used my heart and love towards others as his instrument to cause me to look away from God. All the devil needs is a crack in the door to our heart in order for him to blow it wide open.

Depression and anxiety are weapons and ploys of the devil. They do not come from God, but just like anything else God can use it for his good and his glory. 1 Corinthians 10:13 says, "No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it." God knows how much we can handle. He knows us better than anyone and anything. He knows us better than we know our self. He will not let anything tempt us more than we can handle.

• We have to give everything to God. We have to put his Kingdom first than we will let all things fall for the good (Matthew 6:33).

Romans 8:28 says, "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." Sometimes things feel bad, but sometimes we have to be knocked down to be built back up. All things are done for the purpose of his plan. He does not want us to hurt, but sometimes we need it in order for us to see him.

• Seasons come and go, look at the Bible. Everyone goes through them and everyone went through them. Jesus spent 40 days and nights in the desert (Matthew 4). He was there being tempted by the devil. He had to do this in order to be tested and strengthen his faith, but also that he is the Son of God.

All we have to do is give all to God. He can handle all things. He can handle all amounts of depression and anxiety. It is a trust thing. When we give it all to God, what we cannot handle on our own, we just make room for him to fill us up with him and what we can handle.

• Do not let anxiety and depression waste space in your heart that God can use for his glory. He can use that space to change not only your life, but the world.

Chamomile has the properties that can be used for healing and is able to relieve and calm your anxiety. But there is nothing stronger or more able to do that than God.

• Take a sip of the godly chamomile tea and cast all your anxiety on God who can and will take it all for you.
• Throw on the yellow jumpsuit tor everyday is a way. The bishops are constantly biting at our ankles and trying to take us down,

Lets take down DEMA and the devil together.

Lord, thank you for all that you do. You are so full of grace, love and mercy. On a daily basis you fill us with you and your love. You take on all things for us. You are able to take on our anxiety and handle it like it is nothing. Take all the anxiety out of our life, give us the wisdom to cast it all on you for you will take it. Fill us with you. Allow us to overflow with you. I pray all this in your son's glorious awesome name, Amen.

#LetsBeAMovement