Know who you are. Know what you believe. Never be ashamed of who God made you to be. Refuse to be overwhelmed by the sea of ignorance that may be surrounding you, and be a good steward of your own reality.
At the end of the day, all that really matters is that you are able to live with you, because you are more secure in the unconditional love of God than you are vulnerable to the opinions of those who hate what they don't understand.
The Bible belongs to you, too. Never let anyone take it away from you just because they choose to pick the same old tired fight with the same two or three "clobber-Scriptures", or because they have no sense of history, context, or ability to rightly divide the Word of God.
Embrace the Scriptures and love them...own them...have faith in them...but also know and remember what they are not. Man lives by every word that PROCEEDS (present tense) from the mouth of God.
All things are working together for your good.
Love the people who have treated you unkindly or unfairly, and remember that they are serving a purpose in your life. They are helping you become a better version of yourself, as iron sharpens iron!
He prepares a table for you IN THE PRESENCE of your enemies, and love wins.
Always.
“You’re blessed when you’re content with just who you are—no more, no less. That’s the moment you find yourselves proud owners of everything that can’t be bought.
(Matthew 5:5 - The Message)
Love you Bishop!
ReplyDeleteMelissa Floyd Hall said...
ReplyDeleteIf you love me, click on the link below and read this latest blog post by my friend, Jim Swilley.....it is GOoD stuff...
"At the end of the day, all that really matters is that you are able to live with you, because you are more secure in the unconditional love of God than you are vulnerable to the opinions of those who hate what they don't understand."
I clicked, I read, I agree. My pastor and my friend. I appreciate his wisdom and love his honesty. Willie Bush is forever grateful.
DeleteLonna Spencer siad...
ReplyDeleteYou are an original and an inspiration. Your teaching and example have made me think harder, work harder and love more. I would challenge (double dog dare even) anyone to listen to you, listen to their heart and search the scriptures, and see if they are not a better person for doing so. Thank you! And, the adventure continues....
Aimee Davy Thompson said...
ReplyDeleteGreat post!!!!!
Kathy Verbiest Baldock said..
ReplyDeletenice job on the layout
Kimberly Turner said...
ReplyDeleteThank you, Bishop.
Well said!! That is going to help somebody, for sure!!
ReplyDeletePaul Markham Laughlin said...
ReplyDeleteMany good points Jim.
I needed to see this today. Heartfelt thanks.
ReplyDeleteIlove ypu bishop and thanKs for teaching me GOD Loves me AND IM FREE THRU HIM AND HE LOVES US ALL AND ALL MEANS ALL GOD CONTINUE TO BLESS AND KEEP YOU NO GREATER LOVE.
ReplyDeleteCarol Robinson-Toler said...
ReplyDeleteLOVE U AND THAT T-SHIRT SAYS IT ALL (LOL)
Somebody really special gave me that...and thanks for the new one, btw...
ReplyDeleteAnd thanks, everyone, for your wonderful comments!
ReplyDelete