Moms of Faith

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Matthew 7:15-20

Beware of false prophets, who come to you dressed as sheep, but inside they are devouring wolves.

You will fully recognize them by their fruits. Do people pick grapes from thorns, or figs from thistles?

Even so, every healthy (sound) tree bears good fruit [worthy of admiration], but the sickly (decaying, worthless) tree bears bad (worthless) fruit.

A good (healthy) tree cannot bear bad (worthless) fruit, nor can a bad (diseased) tree bear excellent fruit [worthy of admiration].

Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and cast into the fire.

Therefore, you will fully know them by their fruits.

When we give our lives to Christ and allow Him to be Lord of our lives. We begin our Christian walk. As we grow in the Lord we also grow “fruit” (or spiritual qualities). The closer we get in our relationship with God the more we recognize sin in our lives, and the more uncomfortable we become with it. If we are growing we will bare good fruit and the manifestation will be the character qualities found in Galatians 5. We will also become more aware of our fleshly tendencies and desire to turn from them.

On the flip side, if we decide to “go our own way,” and not allow God to work in our lives, we will gradually become desensitized and not even recognize what is sin and what is not. That is what is happening to the Church today. The Church is becoming “liberal.” Meaning, it is picking and choosing what is and should be called “sin” for our “times.” We have forgotten the God and His Word is the same yesterday, today, and FOREVER! God does not “change” for man or “times.”

If you want to bear good fruit, submit and obey God and HIS Word, NOT the world’s interpretation of what it “should” be to fit it’s sinful nature and desires.

You can also know if someone is truly God’s by what comes out of them. Does it line up with the Word? Do they bear good fruit? Or, Do they try and adapt the Word for the “times” we live in? Be VERY careful of those wolves. They are everywhere, even in the Church!

Let’s pray,

Daddy God, Thank You for Your infallible Word. Thank You that everything may change and fall apart all around me, but You will NEVER change. Thank You that You are the Same. Always. Thank You that I can trust You and Your Word. Give me strength in these evil days to stand on Your Word and stand FOR Your Truth. In Jesus Mighty Name, Amen.

In His Love and Service,

Lara

Copyright © Lara Velez, Moms of Faith, All Rights Reserved

<-- Note: I wrote an ebook filled with a TON of great info and advice on weightloss. It is actually how I was able to lose the weight I did and keep it off! I plan to use the SAME concepts again to get off the final pounds. If you would like a copy, I am offering it for ONLY $10, let me know (I will email you back in invoice). OR you can Click Here for the table of contents and more info about it.

If you would like to join the "Get Fit Challenge" we currently have going on here, it is free and as simple as reading a post each week and commenting on your status! Click Here to see all posts on this topic.

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Matthew 6:19-24

Do not gather and heap up and store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust and worm consume and destroy, and where thieves break through and steal.

But gather and heap up and store for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust nor worm consume and destroy, and where thieves do not break through and steal;

For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

The eye is the lamp of the body. So if your eye is sound, your entire body will be full of light.

But if your eye is unsound, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the very light in you [your conscience] is darkened, how dense is that darkness!

No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will stand by and be devoted to the one and despise and be against the other. You cannot serve God and mammon (deceitful riches, money, possessions, or whatever is trusted in).

It’s a trap that none of us are immune to. They materialism trap. Everywhere you look there are ads for “things” that will bring us the illusion of “happiness,” if you buy them. And if you cannot afford them, charge them. That slogan for Visa comes to mind, “Visa, it’s everywhere you want to be.” “You want to be,” hmmm. Is it where you should be though?

We must carefully guard our hearts and minds from this deception. Stuff and money will NEVER make us happy or fulfill us. If we crave the “things” of this world and spend all of our energy trying to get our piece of the pie, we are being very foolish. This world has a “limited time only” sticker on it. We cannot take any of the things that we acquire while here into eternity.

Jesus is trying to help us realize this in these Scriptures. Our focus should always be on our “eternal” treasure. Treasure that we will have FOREVER and can NEVER be taken from us!

How do we earn treasure? There are many ways that we can earn and store up treasures…when we share the Gospel of Jesus Christ, when we give from the heart, when we are quick to obey. These are all opportunities to build a storehouse of treasure in eternity.

There are two other devotions that we have done that go well with this one. You may want to do a further study into this topic…

Materialism

Living in Light of Eternity

Never let yourself forget that we are aliens in this world. We are only here for a limited time. Our home is with the Lord. Our future home and treasure should be our priority, not what we can gain here…

Let’s Pray,

Daddy God, thank You for Your Word. While I want to be blessed in this life, please help me to remember what really matters. Please help me to never focus so much on the here and now, that I forget where I am going. I pray that You not only bless me now, but teach me to store up my eternal blessings and treasure FIRST. Teach me, Lord. And help me to never forget that my life is not my own, it is Yours, and for Your glory! In Jesus Mighty Name, Amen.

In His Love and Service,

Lara

Copyright © Lara Velez, Moms of Faith, All Rights Reserved

<-- Note: I wrote an ebook filled with a TON of great info and advice on weightloss. It is actually how I was able to lose the weight I did and keep it off! I plan to use the SAME concepts again to get off the final pounds. If you would like a copy, I am offering it for ONLY $10, let me know (I will email you back in invoice). OR you can Click Here for the table of contents and more info about it.

If you would like to join the "Get Fit Challenge" we currently have going on here, it is free and as simple as reading a post each week and commenting on your status! Click Here to see all posts on this topic.

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Matthew 7:21-23

Not everyone who says to Me, Lord, Lord, will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father Who is in heaven.

Many will say to Me on that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name and driven out demons in Your name and done many mighty works in Your name?

And then I will say to them openly (publicly), I never knew you; depart from Me, you who act wickedly disregarding My commands.

We don’t like to hear Scriptures like this. It makes us uncomfortable. Unfortunately, ignoring them does NOT make them go away and does NOT help us.

I tried to find a loop hole, Ladies. I looked up every word. It is what it is.

We MUST live our lives the way we are called to. It is unwise and foolish to willfully live in sin and try to 1 John 1:9 it or claim the “grace” card. Don’t misunderstand me, God WILL forgive us when we sin. However, when we willingly CHOOSE to reject His Word and adapt it to society we are playing a VERY dangerous game.

Galatians 6:7 says; Do not be deceived and deluded and misled; God will not allow Himself to be sneered at (scorned, disdained, or mocked by mere pretensions or professions, or by His precepts being set aside.) [He inevitably deludes himself who attempts to delude God.] For whatever a man sows, that and that only is what he will reap.

• We are NOT called to live fleshly carnal lives.
• We are NOT called to be imitators of this world.
• We are NOT called to change the Word to fit with “the times.”
• We are NOT called to be friends of this world.

• We ARE called to be a LIGHT in a dark world.
• We ARE called to be aliens waiting to go home.
• We ARE called to speak the Truth.
• We ARE called to stand up for the Truth.
• We ARE called to SUBMIT and OBEY God’s Word.
• We ARE called to live a CONSECRATED life.

Let’s STOP making excuses to sin and START shining the light of TRUTH. Let’s get into alignment and start listening to Daddy’s voice.

Let’s Pray,

Daddy God, Help me to live my life in Your Truth. Help me to be strong and stand firmly on Your Word….even when it will make me unpopular. Help me to REALLY know You. Thank You for hearing me, loving me, and guiding me. I love You with all of my heart, and I want my life to SHINE for YOU! In Jesus Mighty Name, Amen.

In His Love and Service,

Lara

Copyright © Lara Velez, Moms of Faith, All Rights Reserved

<-- Note: I wrote an ebook filled with a TON of great info and advice on weightloss. It is actually how I was able to lose the weight I did and keep it off! I plan to use the SAME concepts again to get off the final pounds. If you would like a copy, I am offering it for ONLY $10, let me know (I will email you back in invoice). OR you can Click Here for the table of contents and more info about it.

If you would like to join the "Get Fit Challenge" we currently have going on here, it is free and as simple as reading a post each week and commenting on your status! Click Here to see all posts on this topic.

<–back to The Sermon on the Mount

Matthew 6:25-34 (NIV)

“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes?

Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?

Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?

“And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin.

Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these.

If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?

So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’

For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.

But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Why do we believe that Jesus came down from Heaven, lived a common and sinless life, died on a cross for our sins, and then rose from the dead on the third day? And then have a hard time believing that God will provide for us?

It’s a puzzler. It should not be this way. God loves us VERY much. We are the apple of His Eye. When He looks down at you and me, His heart is overflowing with love and compassion for us.

The only way we will ever fully trust Him and really know that He WILL provide all of our needs according to His riches and glory, is when we really put Him first in our lives. It’s time to grow up, and stop “playing” Christian. It’s time to get in the Word and stop making excuses. It’s time to get to know the One Who bore our pain. It’s time to seek ye first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness. It’s time to stop worrying and start trusting Daddy….It’s time!

Let’s Pray,

Daddy God, Thank You for providing all of my needs. Thank You that I only need to trust You and walk with You. Thank You that You will NEVER leave me or forsake me. Thank You that You stick closer than a brother. Thank You for loving me and calling me from my Mother’s womb. Thank You for all of the blessings and mercy You show me every day of my life. I love You, Daddy. In Jesus Mighty Name, Amen.

In His Love and Service,

Lara

Copyright © Lara Velez, Moms of Faith, All Rights Reserved

<-- Note: I wrote an ebook filled with a TON of great info and advice on weightloss. It is actually how I was able to lose the weight I did and keep it off! I plan to use the SAME concepts again to get off the final pounds. If you would like a copy, I am offering it for ONLY $10, let me know (I will email you back in invoice). OR you can Click Here for the table of contents and more info about it.

If you would like to join the "Get Fit Challenge" we currently have going on here, it is free and as simple as reading a post each week and commenting on your status! Click Here to see all posts on this topic.

<–back to The Sermon on the Mount

Matthew 7:1-6

Do not judge and criticize and condemn others, so that you may not be judged and criticized and condemned yourselves.

For just as you judge and criticize and condemn others, you will be judged and criticized and condemned, and in accordance with the measure you use to deal out to others, it will be dealt out again to you.

Why do you stare from without at the very small particle that is in your brother’s eye but do not become aware of and consider the beam of timber that is in your own eye?

Or how can you say to your brother, Let me get the tiny particle out of your eye, when there is the beam of timber in your own eye?

You hypocrite, first get the beam of timber out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the tiny particle out of your brother’s eye.

Do not give that which is holy (the sacred thing) to the dogs, and do not throw your pearls before hogs, lest they trample upon them with their feet and turn and tear you in pieces.

We really should spend more time dealing with our own issues than trying to critique everyone else. If we spent more time in the Word and submitting our lives to God we may not have as much time to judge and criticize others. And I am sure we would discover that we have quite a few of our own things to work on.

When we spend our time pointing out other people’s faults, we are really hiding from some very real problems that we are facing. However, when we take that light and shine it into our own hearts and minds, we will give God the opportunity to deal with the real issue.

And the real issue is never the other person. It is always us. Don’t misunderstand me…yes, they may have issues…but God is concerned with you and your issues….and me and my issues. It is not our place to “help” others deal with their “stuff.” It is God’s and God’s alone!

So, look in the mirror and deal with you. And when you are tempted to to point the finger, judge, or criticize another, pull out your mirror again and deal with the lady in the mirror!

Let’s Pray,

Daddy God, Thank You for loving me and only wanting the best for me. Daddy, please help me to not judge others. Help me to let You do Your job and me do mine. And I know that my job is not judge and jury. My job is to love You, obey You, know You, study You, and allow You. My job is to work out my salvation and pray for others, not critique them. Thank You for clearing that up for me, Lord. I love You and I thank You for Your life giving Word. In Jesus Mighty Name, Amen.

In His Love and Service,

Lara

Copyright © Lara Velez, Moms of Faith, All Rights Reserved

<-- Note: I wrote an ebook filled with a TON of great info and advice on weightloss. It is actually how I was able to lose the weight I did and keep it off! I plan to use the SAME concepts again to get off the final pounds. If you would like a copy, I am offering it for ONLY $10, let me know (I will email you back in invoice). OR you can Click Here for the table of contents and more info about it.

If you would like to join the "Get Fit Challenge" we currently have going on here, it is free and as simple as reading a post each week and commenting on your status! Click Here to see all posts on this topic.

<–back to The Sermon on the Mount

Matthew 6:1-4

“Be careful not to do your ‘acts of righteousness’ before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.

“So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full.

But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing,

so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

Giving should never be about us. When we brag about our giving we are being boastful and prideful. We are trying to put the spotlight on ourselves and make our self look good. Giving is not a “me” thing. It is a “you” thing. It is about the other person and their needs. When we turn it around it is selfish giving.

So, when you give, keep it between you and God. No one else needs to know. And what other people think of you doesn’t matter anyway. Our ONLY concern should be impressing the Lord, not so an so.

If it wasn’t for the Grace of God we wouldn’t have anything to give. Everything belongs to Him. We have been loaned all that we have. He expects us to handle it properly and give from it properly.

Let’s Pray,

Daddy God, thank You for Your Word. Thank You for Your Truth. Help me to recognize the needs around me and give from my heart. And keep it just between us. I love You, Lord. There is no one else that I want to impress more than You. In Jesus Mighty Name, Amen.

In His Love and Service,

Lara

Copyright © Lara Velez, Moms of Faith, All Rights Reserved

<-- Note: I wrote an ebook filled with a TON of great info and advice on weightloss. It is actually how I was able to lose the weight I did and keep it off! I plan to use the SAME concepts again to get off the final pounds. If you would like a copy, I am offering it for ONLY $10, let me know (I will email you back in invoice). OR you can Click Here for the table of contents and more info about it.

If you would like to join the "Get Fit Challenge" we currently have going on here, it is free and as simple as reading a post each week and commenting on your status! Click Here to see all posts on this topic.