How to be the light and be set apart!

On this week I was challenged with past decisions of my own and the instructions I have given to others I mentored.  I looked back at my life 13 years ago before real salvation. I was in sexual immorality, full of pride and arrogance, rebellious, clubbing, and partying. I was going to hell. When I got saved my first instructions were to “Come out from among them”. It was advice I pasted on to those after me. For me it was a simple but hard decision to make; it was either my relationship with people or taking time to focus on Christ.

The spirit of deception would tell me “Tiffany you did not have to do all that.” I could even convince myself “My leader was just trying to control me and mislead me”. I have received some bad advice, and I myself have given some bad advice. When I tested the advice in accordance to the word (1 John 4:1), I realized not all HARD advice was bad advice. We have to be very careful with the spirit of offense. When we get offended we tend to take EVERYTHING that person has done and said as something evil! The greatest lesson my leader has ever taught me was how to live a life without compromise. 

We are called to be separate from the world. On the other hand, we are called to win the lost, to go into the ENTIRE world with the gospel, and to be like Jesus. I hate to say “Be like Jesus” because this has now become one of the greatest deceptions ever. The church has used this saying to justify continual sin in their lives. Hebrews 4:15 tell us “for we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weakness, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.” Jesus sat and ate with sinners, He attended weddings and dinners with them. He washed the feet of his betrayer. He drew lines in the sand and said those without sin cast the first stone. Afterward He told the adulterous woman “GO & SIN NO MORE.” (John 8:1-11)  Jesus NEVER COMPROMISED who He was in midst of eating and hanging out with sinners.

Paul tells the church in 2 Corinthians 6:14 “Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness”. He goes on to say in 2 Corinthians 6:17 ^“Therefore come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, and I will receive you.”

How can we apply these scriptures to our everyday walk and still be the light? What does the bible say about being the light to the lost? I want to start with Matthew 5:13 “You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men.” First in order to be a light to anyone you must be salt. You must be a change agent. The word goes on to say in Matthew 5:14-16 “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”

Do we trust God and His word? To the new believer or to the one that has “arrived” there are two truths in the bible. We are called to be a light to the lost and we are called to come out from among them. Sounds like a contradiction? Look at the room you are in right now. Look at the room light. Can you imagine the light on the floor? Would that light serve its purpose to the room on the floor? Worst yet, if you take the light bulb out of the electric source to put it on the floor would it even work? The light in the room it is in “fellowship” with all the furniture in the room. The light bulb is screwed into the source so it can shine. The light is also high enough to be in fellowship but not compromise the “job” it has. The ceiling light is high enough to produce light to the whole room. It changes the whole room when it is on. Like the ceiling light we are called to be in fellowship with the unbeliever to cause change. We are called to be the light to reach the lost without you character changing.

We are called to walk in a way worthy of our calling and walk in humility. Do not be deceived into compromise because others say “You think you are better than me”. “You forgot where you come from” or the two I love “Judge ye not!” and “We all sin and fall short of the glory of God”. Let me not forget one of the most misused words in the English language “You’re in a cult”. The Holy Spirit is living inside of you. The greatest thing we can do is trust in the Holy Spirit. Did the Holy Spirit tell you to go? Did the Holy Spirit tell you be in company with that person? Jesus Himself came to do the will of the Father. He did nothing of His own accord but He only did what the Father told Him to do. (John 6:38, John 4:34, John 5:19) 

So how can I do the will of the Father, be set apart, come out from among them and be the light?

1.       Be transformed by the renewing of your mind so that you can discern the will of the Father. 

Romans 12:2 “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”

2.       Be like Jesus for real. Be in the world but not of the world! This is Jesus praying for His disciples.

John 17:15-18 “I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world.”

3.       Be willing to count it all rubbish for the Christ.

Philipians 3:8 “Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ”

4.       Be the LIGHT! We are called to be the light! This light should bring about salvation. This light is in you to proclaim what Christ has done. The best light shines bright so others can see!

1 Peter 2:9 “But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;”

1 Peter 2:11 (Living before the World) “Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul, having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation.”

5.       Be a light and do the will of the Lord without complaining!

Philippians 2:12-16 “Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure. Do all things without complaining and disputing, that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain.”

6.       Be sober-minded & watchful because the devil hates that you are no longer serving him.

1 Peter 5:8 “Be sober, be vigilant; because^[a] your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.”

7.       Do not grieve the Holy Spirit in these relationships. Ask yourself who is controlling the narrative?  

Ephesians 4:29-30 “Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.”

8.       Stand firm in your new life and do not be entangled with the yoke of bandage again. Do not go back into the bondage of religion or sin. Stand on what the Lord has done in your life.

Gal 5:1 “Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage.”

9.       Be humble. Give grace and mercy as you have been given grace and mercy.

1 Peter 4:10 “As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.”

10.   Be humble and do not be ignorant of temptation either.

Luke 6:36 “Therefore be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful.”

 1 Corinthians 10:12-13 “Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall. No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.”

To my past mentors I want to thank you for teaching me how to stand so that I can be a light. To those who I have mentored, are mentoring and reading this blog I pray you understand there is a cost to serving Christ. If you can be honest with yourself and allow the word of God to prevail we all must take time to grow up. There will be seasons in the beginning, in the middle and all the way to the end when the Lord will say come out from among them. This call will require change in relationships. This may even cause a change in ministries. This will cause some natural lost but what a reward it is to be obedient to Christ. The Lord will never have you in a relationship if it means you have to compromise. I love when Paul said he became all things for all people and he still ran a race not to be disqualified. (1 Corinthians 9:19-27)

I encourage you to be light and be set apart. Win the lost to Christ without compromising. Be slow to speak and quick to hear! Walk in truth with the Word of the Lord as your guide. Lean not on your own understanding. Do not let offense cause you to miss some of the greatest lessons in life. Be like Paul and discipline your body and bring it into subjection of the Holy Spirit so when you are done being the “light” you yourself will not be disqualified because you compromised your salvation for friendships and relationships. 

Keep it Moving!

You've heard it a million times..."The race is not given to the swift, nor to the strong but to the one who endures to the end!"

The word of the Lord tell us in Ecclesiastes 9:11 "Again I saw under the the sun the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, nor bread to the wise, nor riches to the intelligent, nor favor to those with knowledge, but time and chance happen to them all."

In Matthew 24 the word speaks of what will be the signs of the end of the age. We are warned at the end of age to let no one lead us astray. (Matt 24:4-5) In the midst of all that is going on we are encouraged to endure to the end. Matthew 24: 13 says to us "and because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold.  BUT the one who ENDURES to the end will be saved."

I believe these two scriptures are used to create the saying we started off with. "The race is not given to the swift nor to the strong but to the one who endures to the end." I learned a while ago in a bible study this is a church cliche. It is not a scripture but the word tell us to endure. We are called to "Keep it moving".

Here is a moment of transparency. For the past two months I have just been having a childish fit. In the midst of seeing God do some amazing things, I let my mind and heart be distracted by the cares of life. It's the lesson Jesus taught in Matthew 13: 20-22 (NKJV) "But he who received the seed on stony places, this is he who hears the word and immediately received it with joy; yet has no root in himself, but endure only for a while. For when tribulation & persecution arises because of the word, immediately he stumbles. Now he who received seed among the thorn is he who hears the word, and the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word and he becomes unfruitful."  

I am thankful for GRACE! I am thankful  for a PATIENT HUSBAND! I am thankful for women and men of God that did not count it a burden to counsel me and pray for me.

Do not forget what the Lord has already done. Keep moving forward & keep your eyes on eternity. It is important to keep surrounding yourself with believers who will hold you accountable and remind you of the Word of the Lord. Most importantly you must keep your heart soft and do not allow a root of bitterness to take root in your heart. Do not let anything or anyone hinder your heart from loving God and loving people.

Hebrews 12:12-15 "Therefore strengthen the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees, and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be dislocated, but rather be healed. Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord: looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled;"

Remember you are fighting for eternity! Revelation 3:5 NKJV  "He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life; but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels."

Build up your strength! Proverbs 24:10 NKJV "If you faint in the day of adversity, your strength is small."

Hold fast to what is in you! Revelation 3:11 " Behold, I am coming quickly! Hold fast to what you


have, that no one may take your crown."

Count it all JOY & ASK the Lord for WISDOM! James 12:2-6 "My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete lacking nothing. If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him."

Keep it moving! Isaiah 43:18-19 "Do not remember the former things, Nor consider the things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing, Now it shall spring forth; Shall you not know it? I will even make a road in the wilderness And rivers in the desert."

Hold fast to what the Lord has already done. The greatest thing Jesus has done is salvation. He gave His life, defeated death, and now is sitting on the right hand of the Father making intercession for us. Hold fast to your salvation and strengthen what remains in you. Do not give up and do not go backwards. Keep moving forward!

Faith Building Part 2

I thought I should do an update on my “Faith Building” blog. God has been doing some amazing things. Thank you for praying for Mary’s father Keith. Keith is home and he is doing GREAT!!! I am still amazed by what the Lord has done. Now, I am believing God to finish the work He has started in Keith’s heart.

My Journey over the past month........

Many times we say we trust God. I have learned we do not know if we REALLY trust God until we walk through a valley place. About four years ago I did this purity challenge weekend. During the weekend we did a ropes course. The last event in the ropes course was climbing a tree that was 40 feet in the air. Once you got to the top, you had to jump off and trust the team under you to safely direct you to the ground. We had on safety gear of course:) Some did not do the challenge at all because of fear. Some made it to the top but took 30 mins to jump off. Others jumped after 15 mins or less of coaching and encouragement. But a small group climbed the tree and just went for it. It was a measure of trust and faith.

All day we had been through small obstacle courses and team challenges. The small courses were to build up teamwork and trust. The real challenge came 40 feet in the air on a little cliff. There was only one option once you where up on the cliff. That option was DOWN! You either trusted the team or not.

I have been feeling like I am on that cliff again. The weekend of April 23rd will forever be in mind. That day I received two calls. One was about ministry and the other about Keith's accident. Since then EVERYTHING in the natural I could depend on has been tested. I am still in a place where I can only depend on God. Ministry, Keith's accident, interviewing for the next school year, my oldest sister's name on a kidney transplant list, and Mary’s going to high school where?????? I feel like I need a breakthrough but the reality is I just need to KEEP TRUSTING GOD!!!

2 Corinthians 4: 16-18 “Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.”

I have a greater understanding of the scripture when it says “Without faith it is impossible to please God.” (Hebrews 11:6) When we do not walk by faith, we walk in our own understanding. We try to control situations, people, and outcomes. The moment we try to be in control we are no longer walking by faith. When you stop walking by faith, you stop seeking the Father for direction. Without directions from God you will make decisions without the Father’s approval. In the end the result is displeasing God.

We must rely on God to do what He does best. I simply believe. NO I DO NOT UNDERSTAND and yes it gets lonely but I serve a God who is MORE THAN ABLE!!!

Pray with me: “Lord I will wait on you! Lord I will trust you even when I cannot see my way out. Lord I will not compare my life to others. Lord help my unbelief! I will not walk in fear. I will allow your love to cast out all of my fears. Lord give me a sound mind and a pure heart so I will pass every test and trial I may face. I choose to believe your word. You will complete the work you started in my life! Jesus you are the author and the finisher of my faith! I will not give into my flesh! I will trust you with all my heart, mind, and soul." 

Keep believing!! It's not about what we see. It is about what you know!  Hold fast to what the Lord has done because He is the same yesterday, today and forever more!!!!!!! Thank you JESUS!!!!  

Faith building!

Before Saturday, April 23rd, 2016 I thought I had this "faith" thing down pack. I actually have been tested on my faith more this week than any other time in my life.

 

Tylyia "Mary" and Keith 

On Saturday, April 23rd I received a phone call. My daughter's father, Keith Triggs, had been in an accident. This floored me because my daughter is a daddy's girl. This week we have had good news and bad news. One thing we do know is GOD is real and faithful!! 

I have been thinking, "Is this really happening right now?". I have been crying out to God over and over and pleading for Him to reveal Himself in the midst of this. He has done just that. We watched the doctors give one report and in one hour the doctors say he is turning for the better. We got the report on yesterday that the next 24 hours would be the most critical hours. Prayer started a 6pm on Tuesday night every hour til 6pm on Wednesday in the chapel at the hospital. The doctors had one report all day and in the last hour the Lord revealed himself again!!!. 

Get this! It's not just about healing Keith but salvation has taken place in the hospital. We have prayed with other families and they have come back to say their love one is leaving ICU. God is on the move and it has really built my faith. 

I personally want to thank everyone who is praying for Keith, his mother, children, fiancee, family and friends. We are seeing healing, signs and wonders going forth at the hospital. Faith is being built up in me and so many others. 

If you are reading this blog and would like to help Keith's mother with medical expenses, I am asking you to make a donation at Keith Triggs aka Mr.954 https://www.gofundme.com/2g8r2dtc?pc=14_tw_2&rcid=8c0cd5660d5911e6b54dbc764e04c5a7 via @gofundme. 

We are praying for God to raise Keith up. He is a leader, community activist, father, friend, and son but most importantly he has been called by God to lead a generation of young people to Christ Jesus. We ask you to pray with us for healing. We do not just want healing for his body but we are believing God for Keith to be all who God called him to be. What the enemy meant for bad we know God can and will use it for His glory. 

Thank you for your support and prayers! God is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or image, according to His power that is at work within us! ( Ephesians 3:20) 

If you are going through a valley experience right now, I want to encourage you to walk by faith and not by sight. This is the time to humble ourselves, repent and turn from our wicked ways. When we humble ourselves He will send His healing. This is not just about healing from sickness. Is is healing in our emotions, our families, our personal relationships, on our jobs, in our schools, in our nations and in the world. The Lord is not slack concerning His promises. Let's seek Him like never before. God wants our attention too. The Lord has dealt with my heart and my lack of thankfulness during this situation.  Prayer is the key. This week I have seen prayer shift hearts, heaven and earth. Go after God! 

Matthew 6:33-34 "But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness and all these things will be added to you. So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."

Take it one day at a time!!!! Seek the Father and watch Him manifest in your life in ways you can never imagine. Remember our God is sovereign and EVERYTHING He does is right. We may not understand right now but as the older saints would say "we will understand it better by and by." 

Keep your faith and do not doubt! 

Please continue to stand in prayer with Me and my husband, Joshua, as we pray for our daughter's father, Keith.  

Teach ME how to LOVE!

Kirk Franklin said in one of His songs "Love is a word that comes and goes but few people really know what it means to really love somebody." I think about that one verse all the time. I would like to learn how to love people like Jesus loved. I want to genuinely be able to look even my enemies in the eye and say "I love you" and feel no fear and no anger. 

I was looking back at some notes today as I was praying and came across a lesson I did on 1 Cor 13:7.  

1 Cor 13:4-8 reads: 

"Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away." 

Just focusing on Love from 1 Cor 13:7 I want to share some translations: 

1 Corinthians 13:7(ESV) Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things

1 Corinthians 13:7(AMP) Love bears all things [regardless of what comes], believes all things [looking for the best in each one], hopes all things [remaining steadfast during difficult times], endures all things [without weakening].

1 Corinthians 13:7 (NIV) It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres

1 Corinthians 13:7(NKJV) bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

1 Corinthians 13:7 (MSG) Puts up with anything, Trusts God always, Always looks for the best, Never looks back, But keeps going to the end.

Love protects, trust, hopes and endures

 *To protect means to keep safe, to guard, and to be watchful
* To trust means to have a firm belief or confidence in someone, to have confidence without any evidence or investigation
*To hope means a feeling of expectation or desire for something
 *To endure means to suffer something painful or difficult patiently or to remain in existence

 

What does the bible say in general about Love? In Romans 13:8-10 it reads "Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for one who loves another has fulfilled the law. For the commandments. you shall not commit adultery, you shall not murder, you shall not steal, you shall not covet, and any other commandments are summed up in the word: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. Love does no wrong to a neighbor, therefore love is the fulfilling of the law." This verse tells us love is the fulfilling of the law (the WORD of God)! Love does not give us a license to ignore the word of God. The enemy has tried to use the word "love" to advance his agenda in the earth. As believer we MUST know it is love to speak truth and it is love to hold fast to the Word of God concerning sin. John 14:23 reads "Jesus answered him, 'If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.'" This verse tells us any love without obedience to the word is deception.  The word “If” in the verse implies conditions. The conditions to loving the Lord means you will obey His word at all cost. 

One verse my husbands says all the time is John 13:35. It says "By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another". This verse is speaking to the believers. This verse is telling the Body of Christ others will know you are a disciple of God by the way we love each other in the body. On the other hand if you walk around hating or talking about other believers in the body, then the world will not have a reason to know you serve the True and Living God. Walking in love is a requirement in the word. Paul says in  Ephesians 4:1-3 "I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace".   Bearing with one another in love maintains unity and produces peace in our individual church communities and then it flows into the body of Christ.  

So how do we walk out 1 Cor 13:7? How do we walk out love in the world or among fallen sinners? Many Christians use the cliché “Love the sinner, hate the sin.” The actual saying is not in the bible but the word does say something similar in Jude 1:22-23 “Be merciful to those who doubt; save other by snatching them from the fire; to others show mercy, mixed with fear- hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh.” We can walk out 1 Cor 13:7 by showing mercy to the sinner and a healthy hatred of sin and its effects. In 1 Cor 13:6 it says love "does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth;" We must hate sin by recognizing it for what it is and by refusing to take part in it. If you love someone you should hate the consequences sin is causing in that person's life. You should not make excuses for the sin. 

The sinner is making a choice that we all once made. We love the sinner by showing them respect (1 Peter 2:17). We love the sinner by praying for them. When we pray, we are saying we trust they can be free without seeing evidence of their freedom. (1 Timothy 2:1;3) 

We love the sinner by being a light in the midst of darkness. When  we witness to  the unbeliever and the sinner the truth about Christ, we are placing hope in the Gospel of Jesus. Jesus loves them more than we can ever love them. He loved them so much that He gave His life for them. 

It is a true act of Love to treat someone with respect and kindness even though you do not approve of his or her lifestyle or sinful choices. It is not loving to allow a person to remain stuck in sin. It is also not hateful to tell a person about their sin (Ephesians 4:15). Love is not condoning or ignoring sin. When you love someone you can speak the truth and trust God for the transformation. OKAY, lift your hands in the air if it seems easier to love the sinner over loving people you think should know better. I can not see your hands (haha) but both of my hands and feet are in the air!!!! 
Our self-righteous flesh may feel this way. Love in the church among bothers and sisters is evidence of transformation in our own hearts and minds. I have been listening to a woman of God this week and she said "If you cut people off every time you disagree, you will never grow". Paul the Apostle wrote to the church in Thessolanica about walking in the love in community. (1 Thess 5:12-28) We must pursue love in community and build each other up (Rom 14:19). How do we protect those in our body? How do you maintain hope? How do you trust people? How do you stick and stay when things seem to be falling apart? 

Here are notes for you and for me: 
1) Proverbs 4:23 says guard or watch over your heart with all diligence. We are to exhibit brotherly love with a tender heart and humble mind. We must guard our tongues and watch what we speak about our brothers and sisters in Christ. (1 Pet 3:8-12) Even when we see things we do not like, we should protect each other by being slow to speak. We have a "run and tell that" mentality in the church. When you are hurt, disagree with someone, or even when we see someone fall into sin, we are quick to run and tell others. Keep you mouth off of people and the situation. Pray for them and not about them. Guard you lips and therefore you protect your heart and other people involved hearts. Remember Proverbs 6:16-19, "These six thing the Lord hates, Yes seven are an abomination to Him: A proud look, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that are swift in running to evil, a false witness who speaks lies, and one who sows discord among brethren." 

2) Galatians 6:1-2; 9-10 tells us love ALWAYS seeks restoration because it’s full of hope. I have found that restoration is healing. When we let down our walls and fears it is a beautiful experience. It is a taste of what the Father has done for us. He came to restore us! 

3) Hebrews 10:2 tells us to consider how to stir up love and good works. How can we see the best in our brothers and sisters? We stir up love and good works by trusting one another and looking for the best in those around us. My mom is my favorite person in the whole world!!! We disagree on somethings but I have never not trusted my mother's love for me. I know she loves me and we just have to agree to disagree. We can not allow disagreements to cause hatred and offense to take a bitter root in us. It's prideful to think we know it all and are the only ones righteous. Stir up love and not division. 

4) Matthew 18:21-22 & 1 Peter 4:8 talks about forgiveness. Being able to forgive quickly is the glue that holds relationships together. Forgiveness releases the grace to endure with people. Walking in forgiveness is evidence of a love that covers a multitude of sins. It's a love we have received freely and therefore we should give it away freely. 

I have not arrived in this area. Oh...... have I made plenty of mistakes during my walk. I am being tested on this word RIGHT NOW!!!!!!!!!!! Each day my heart cry is asking the Lord to teach me how to love more and more. I want to be like Jesus. Jesus knew Judas was going to betray him and he still washed his feet. He told Peter he was going to deny him and Peter said no. He never one time in scripture said  "you going to deny me so get out my life!" (Lord help my heart) Jesus could have dismissed Peter right then. Not only did Jesus keep serving Peter but Peter was one of the two out of twelve to Lord asked to keep watch as He went to pray about His death. Hear me... how many of you would take the person you know is going to betray you to the place your other disciple is going to send you to your death and ask them to pray for you? Jesus was GREAT!!! I want to be able to see when people are about to hurt me and still serve them and love them. Jesus did not ignore the issue. He loved them enough to tell them exactly what they were going to do but He never held it against them. He never let it stop Him from laying down His life for them. 

It's all about growing up! The crazy thing is I believe Peter did not want to deny Jesus. Remember when the soldiers came to take Jesus, Peter went to defend Him. But when Peter realized Jesus really was about to die self-preservation kicked in. He wanted to save himself. His selfishness allowed Him to walk away from someone who loved him. Jesus still never changed. Peter is the first of the apostles to see the risen Christ. I believe it was love that moved Peter's heart. He knew what he had done and He also knew he did not deserve Jesus's love. Love won over his heart and He became the ROCK Jesus told him he would be. 

Lord help us to grow up and teach us how to love with truth on our lips and a grace that covers others.

Recap and New things!

The Wait on God Women’s Breakfast on last month was amazing and it exceeded my expectations. I am always reminded I can do nothing in my own strength, but I can do all things through Christ Jesus!

Mrs. Brianna Whitaker did a great job! The teaching was provoking and really motivated the women to keep standing in faith for the promises from the Father. Women came from all over the Raleigh area. It was a great time of fellowship, worship and teaching. Thank you to everyone who participated.

For those of you who have been following my blog over the last year you may have noticed a new look. I am excited about the vision the Lord has given me moving forward. I began Youth with GUTS in 2004. The Lord gave me this great vision and with prayer and accountability I started home bible studies for girl ages 12-18. The ministry expanded to college women and then I was blessed to minister to youth and young adults here in the USA and abroad. At times it has been overwhelming and discouraging but in the end it is so rewarding to see young people growing in the things of God. I have learned so much over the past twelve-years. The #1 lesson I learned was anything that does not cost you something is not worth pursuing. The #2 lesson I learned was that if just one "gets it" it is worth it!!!

I strongly believe if you are trying to make a name for yourself, you are in ministry for the wrong reason. I pray everything I do is done for the glory of Christ Jesus. If He allows us to have a platform, people should learn more about Christ and His plan for their lives according to The Word of God.

The Body of Christ is in a season to "GO". NOW is the time to press into the gifts and talents the Lord has given to you and use them to advance the Kingdom. I keep telling myself  "Tiffany, faith without works is dead". The Lord is calling those who will just step out on faith and trust Him.

So here is one of my "leaps of faith"!!! Same blog but a new title. Youth with GUTS is still active but will fall under a "Pure Pursuit Ministries". My brother Palmz wrote a song last year titled "Undivided Pursuit". I could not get it out of my head. It was so encouraging because as a believer in Christ Jesus The Word of God encourages us to love the Lord our God with ALL our heart, soul, strength and mind. (Luke 10:27). We are also encouraged to guard our heart (Prov 4:23), flee youthful lust (2 Tim 2:22), and present our bodies as a living sacrifice holy and acceptable to God. (Rom 12:1)  Pursuing God without purity is cheating yourself from experiencing the fullness of Christ Jesus. How do you know God is a keeper if you do not pursue being kept? How do you fully experience the new man without taking off the old man?  We are a NEW creation in Christ Jesus and I want to encourage us to pursue being made new! (2 Cor 5:17)

Pure Pursuit will continue to focus on "Youth with GUTS" for youth ages 12-15 and young adults 16-21. I have always ministered to women but all of them are not necessary "youth". The women's ministry will be titled "More than Rubies". "More than Rubies" will focus on women ages 21 and up. In the past I hosted a purity conference once a year. I will begin hosting an annual conference again titled "I Rock Purity" beginning in September 2016.

Like I mentioned before, this is a leap of faith. I will continue to pray into every detail as this vision unfolds and I am asking you to keep me in your prayers.

Please continue to follow me at www.iguts.org and on Twitter @youthwithguts. Feel free to subscribe to receive post updates by entering your email under "Follow by Email" on left side of the screen.

This weekend is Resurrection weekend. Please feel free to join me at the Garner Prayer Furnace on Good Friday &/or Sunday morning!

Love you all and thank you for your support!
Tiffany 

Join me on Saturday February 27th!

My Award Speech

With all the recent award shows, I started thinking about what would I say if I received an award? This all started when Denzel Washington received the Cecil B. DeMille Award at the Golden Globes. When He took the stage he said he was speechless and He forgot his glasses. It was a great moment in History and he was overwhelmed with emotions. As he began to speak, He went back to the beginning. 

One of the greatest mistakes I think we make is forgetting the role people played in our lives. Whether they left your life right or wrong, you can see the role they played in making you who you are today. Looking back over my life, I can see all the people who helped me become the woman, mother and wife I am today. I may never be on a stage for the world to honor me nor do I have that desire, but here is my award speech in bullet points!

·  To Jesus Christ who is my Savior and Redeemer. I am who I am because You knew me before I was formed in my mother's womb. 

·  To James and Daisy Mckinnon! My Daddy and Mommy! You taught me love goes the distance! Thank you for always placing your children's needs ahead of your own and teaching us that it's not about being knocked down by life, it's about getting up again! 

·  To my Sisters Shelia, Natalie & Audrey- For the Love, support, car at graduation, and my college degree! I would not have been able to achieve my goal if it was not for you taking Tylyia as your own! 

·  To my big brother Rodney- I love you "stupid"!!! 

·  To my brother Mark - You act just like your daddy:) I love you! 

·  To my baby brother Justin, who was my best friend growing up! I love you so much! 

·  To Mrs. Bright my 2nd grade teacher who did not settle for anything less than the best! 

·  To Krystal Henley V. my sister from another mother, Louis Everette, the late Emmitt Holloway, Q and Phillip Johnson, Jamillia Smith & Crystal Matthews Mosley and my babies - Friendship is forever and you are always in my heart because of your friendship! 

·  Crystal Johnson and Chessie Allen! Meredith College! For believing in me and supporting me even when I was making all the wrong decisions. 

·  To Charley- For always speaking the truth to me. To being the first person I told I was pregnant and your love and support made me see this was going to change my life but I would have a testimony! 

·  To Sherry Walker my mother-in-law and pastor- For asking the question that changed my life "What do you want and how bad do you want it?" 

·  To Iris Triggs- For being a woman of God! For telling me YES you will have the child! For the love that brought me to the place of surrender. I would not have even been at the right place at God's time to hear the message that changed the course of my life if it was not for you! Thank you! 

·  To Keith- Thank you for Tylyia and thanks for being a good Dad to her. 

·  To Kizzie- you have always been more than a hair dresser. You were my best friend and I learned to have tough skin but a big heart from you! I love you and thank you for being my solid rock when life seemed to be falling apart! 

·  To the woman who thought me how to pray through everything, for your food stamps:), for Rock-and-Roll Cafe, for your fight, for my babies, for your laugh, for your love, for your support, & for putting up with me!  - Faith McRavion, my sister

·  To Deborah Medlin Hemby-Pink, candy corn, my nephew, your love and trusting me to be apart of your life when you returned from VA.

·  To Crystal "JA-REV" and Mauricia- For teaching me love endures! You are great mentees but most importantly you are my sisters!! I am so proud of you! 

·  To all the young ladies who have ever been apart of GUTS! (Sovereign, Anesha, Quanna, Britt, Ariel, Diamond, Key (cookie monster), Hannah (Keyaria) and the ladies from Shaw U to name a few)   Thank you! I learned a lot. I did not always get it right and I did not always say it right but I thank God for grace and for teaching me every step of the way! Remember you are called and chosen! I see some of you making moves and it's amazing to see the dreams and visions you spoke of coming to past! 

·  To Debbie Medlin- Who opened her house to me for the first GUTS meeting! Thank you for being in my life and allowing me to be apart of your family- I love the "Watkin/Medlin Bunch" (B -Watts!!) 

·  To Ann Surles- Words can not express my thankfulness for you! For opening your house to me for GUTS, for loving me and pushing me to keep going when I wanted to give up! For your friendship and for being my sister! For being there for me and Tylyia (Mary).  

·  To Gwen Vincent - For giving me the combo book "Power of a praying Woman, Mother and Wife." It changed my life! 

·  To Stephanie Knowlin - What can I say! Your are one of the most mature women I know. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you for showing me how to stand when things are Hard and what forgiveness looks like. 

·  To Paula Grange - Thank you for listening when I needed biblical truth! "He loves me" 

·  To Tracie S. - I watched your faith manifest into 3 children in one year! Thank you for always reminding me what God has for me is for me and to keep trusting Him. His timing is perfect. Thank you for your friendship! 

·  To Charles Gordon, Pastor M. Bankhead (My big brother), Elder Tony Foster (my other big brother), Apostle Joy Allen, Pastors Russ and Bonnie, Poppa John and Ma Judy- Your lifestyle before the Father has changed me and you are a great examples for me  and others in the Body of Christ 

·  To Pastor Duncan and Kate Smith - My marriage! Thank you for marrying us and speaking life into our marriage.

·  To Karen Lassiter, Mrs. Lennon & Ma Sallie Carr- Prayer!!!! Thank you!!!! 
·  To  Tonya Joyner the greatest wedding planner! Thank you for your love, My 2nd mission trip to South Africa (paying the balance), and your faith has inspired me! 

·  To Carl Trice! Thank you for sowing into every mission trip I have been on!  

·  To Pastor John and Joy and my GCF family! This past year God has used you to breathe life into me, my marriage and our ministry. Thank you for your love, friendship, prayers, mentorship, and grace! (Mrs. Donna and my Titus 2 sisters- Thank you!) 

·  To Esther- for rebuking and showing me I do not wrestle with flesh and blood! I would not still be standing if it was not for your love, prayers and Truth. 

·  To my Ma Josie and Daddy Ron! Thank you! Your love is felt from miles away! 

·  To the Smith Family- My Aunts, Uncles and Cousins - Life just wouldn't be life if was not for the Gift Tommie and Dossie Smith gave us all. A family full of faith, endurance and love! 

·  To my GPF family- I love each of you and would not trade one moment. My greatest lessons in life have been learned through our family. I am so happy to be in a community of believers I can cry and laugh with!

The last two are my heart! I have saved the best for last.

• Joshua, thank you for loving Tiffany and Tylyia. It was a package deal and you took on the calling! You are an amazing husband, father, friend, and man of GOD!
• Tylyia, who I call Mary, you are a gift from God and you changed my life for the better! I love you both!

Take the time to look back and remember. It may even help you to walk in forgiveness. It's easy to keep rehearsing over and over again the disappointments. It's easy to allow one situation to cause to forget the heart of the people God has placed in your life. 

I may never be able to tell the world this on live TV but from my heart to yours......I say thank you!