IF, “this = this”, THEN, “that = that”.  If God opposes the proud and shows favor to the humble, then those who walk humbly will experience God’s favor in their lives.  The scriptures can be very simple sometimes.  Don’t allow your intellect to confuse you and miss out on the message. Be more humble and you will experience more of God’s blessings in your life.

This humility should be to God and His word.  We should be guided by His voice within that reminds us when we’re acting ugly or being foolish.  If not careful, it’s so easy to be defiant to God’s voice. It’s like being back in elementary school and being told that your behavior isn’t nice.  Back then, we had to listen and say “Yes Mrs. …. I apologize.”

Now, we don’t have to apologize if we don’t want to.  Why? Because God gives us free will.  We’re grown now and we can do what we want, when we want, how we want, and with whomever we want! (I might be getting a little carried away with allowing my inner kid out )

God gives us free will.  If we choose to listen to that inner voice that sounds like a teacher, guiding us in the way that our loving Father would guide us, we are then being humble to God.

IF, you are “humble to God’s word”, THEN, “God shows favor in your life”.

Did you ever think formulas and equations could be so much fun?

Peace and Blessings,
Gil

Keep reading on The WiC Project Lifestyle Blog & Miriam's Boutique: Home Goods, Beauty, & Fashion Store

We don’t always have to think about allowing someone to punch us in the face when thinking about turning the other cheek.  Turning the other cheek also requires having inward humility and keeping a sound head so one might respond to situations according to what is right and true, not emotions based in fear and anger.

This humility isn’t necessarily towards the individual you’re facing.  This humility is to God and the Lord.  We’ve all heard the expression, “For the love of God!”  Well, we have to learn how to turn the other cheek for no other reason than for The Love of God.  We want to do what’s right for the love of God.

We don’t want to do the wrong thing.  We don’t want to hurt anyone intentionally or accidently.  As children of God, we want to carry ourselves in a manner that’s most loving and wise which helps to prevent a lot of the drama and chaos in life.

Sometimes turning the other cheek means changing our frame of mind and turning from our prideful cheek to our humble cheek.  It’s pride that prevents us from  being humble. Sometimes we even have to humble our own egos and say I’m sorry when the injured party totally over-reacts to the situation and injures us.  Yes, this also is turning the other cheek.  You started it

Funny… it’s easy to think about whether or not we can humble ourselves to someone else, but who ever checks to make sure they are guarding against themselves (pride)?

So the next time you sense things are getting a little outta hand, remember the first step is to remain humble, calm, and poised.  Having done this, you’ve already begun practicing turning the other cheek and just like anything else, the more you do it, the better you get.

peace and blessings,

Gil

Keep reading on The WiC Project Lifestyle Blog & Miriam's Boutique: Home Goods, Beauty, & Fashion Store

We have to intentionally take time to shut down all outside distractions and spend alone time allowing our minds to reflect.  After reading some scripture, try closing the book and meditating on receiving the message you’re suppose to receive from the scripture just read.  After praying for understanding and guidance in any matter, try sitting comfortably in silence with the expectation of receiving that which was prayed for.

Remember, if you want to hear someone speaking, you first have to be quiet and listen.  This works the same with God.  If we pray, pray, pray, but never spend any quiet time listening for a response, we might be missing out on receiving many answers and solutions to the problems that compel us to pray in the first place (That’s not to say we only pray during times of trouble).

 In short, It’s always a wonderful thing to spend time talking with God, but Don’t Forget to Listen.

~Gil

Keep reading on The WiC Project Lifestyle Blog & Miriam's Boutique: Home Goods, Beauty, & Fashion Store

It’s funny; we’ve all heard this statement before.  Most of the time, they are words of comfort to those who have been hurt and wronged.  The “bad person” is going to get what they deserve is generally the sentiment.

However, has anyone ever thought about it from the other side of the coin? There’s another way to look at it.  We reap what we sow when we do the right thing and strive to live according to what is right and true.  When we “put out” good, we get good in return.  When we “put out” bad, well…..

Strive to be more positive and loving in areas of your life where you normally wouldn’t be, and you just might see more love and positivity coming back in areas of your life that you least expect.   In truth, the experience never gets old.  No matter how many times it plays out, it always feels good and replenishes a person’s faith. There’s no need to take anyone’s word for it.   Find out for yourself if you’re sincerely interested in knowing. 

Be more loving.  Be more just.  Be more understanding. Be more patient.  Accordingly, you will reap that which you have sown.  It’s another way to look at it when you read in the scriptures that God blesses those who are a blessing to others.  Reaping what we sow isn’t supposed to scare us from doing wrong.  It’s another one of God’s reminders of why it’s important to do right. 

~Gil

Keep reading on The WiC Project Lifestyle Blog & Miriam's Boutique: Home Goods, Beauty, & Fashion Store

Sometimes the sacrifices we make are our own and not all of those choices are easy.  It’s important to love others and treat them as we desire to be treated.  It’s also important to love ourselves and treat ourselves the way the Lord treats us.  Sometimes we wait for outside forces to intervene in our lives when all that is needed is for us to do for ourselves the very thing we’re striving to do for others.

Look at yourself the way you would a loving friend and give yourself the same advice you would give them in their time of need.  If you’re not strong enough to follow your own advice, love yourself enough to ask for help from someone who will support you in the decision.  Everyone knows the Lord sends help in many forms, but many forget the Lord gives them the strength to help themselves as well.  Instead of continually asking “Why hasn’t my help arrived to take me out of this circumstance?,” ask the Lord to give you strength to remove you from unloving circumstances.

God is love and He loves us all.  He also uses us all to manifest His love.  Don’t forget to allow yourself to be used by God to love you.  In short, don’t forget to love yourself!!!

~Gil

Keep reading on The WiC Project Lifestyle Blog & Miriam's Boutique: Home Goods, Beauty, & Fashion Store

Things become more complicated when we pray for things that are more self-based than God-based.  Although we can expect blessings on all levels, not all prayer requests are based in what’s in accord with the way God would do things.

 We can pray for companionship, but might not receive it until we’ve learned that the Lord loves us and we should love ourselves first.  We can pray for a million dollars, but might not get it until we’ve matured enough to budget money better.   We can pray that someone changes and becomes a different person when we probably should be praying that they gain wisdom and understanding so those changes might occur.  We can pray for forgiveness and wonder why we don’t feel any different when we should be forgiving others first.

Once we’ve learned to better understand how God does things, our prayers become more aligned with his desires and when that happens, BAM, those prayers are answered surprisingly fast. 

One thing to remember when praying for ourselves or for others…

“Not my will Father, but your will be done.”

~ Gil

Keep reading on The WiC Project Lifestyle Blog & Miriam's Boutique: Home Goods, Beauty, & Fashion Store

There’s a difference between a guy looking for “a good time” and a guy looking for a close friend to share things with. Women who attract attention using their womanly wiles and provocative sex appeal will receive the immediate attention they’re looking for. They will get the attention, but it will cost them the respect and wholesome intent they deserve.

In the end, when the man decides he wants another “pretty lil thing” under his arm, that same woman will be left scouring the networks for another man. She’ll never get the respect she deserves because she doesn’t have it for herself.

And let’s not talk about the first time she starts “acting ugly” and then blaming it on her time of the month. It takes more than a pretty face and a nice body to keep a man interested when he knows he’s gonna have to deal with PMS. She better have more going for her than just good looks.

Woman might not know this, but men categorize woman. There’s a difference between a fun woman to date and hang-out with and a woman to have a potentially serious relationship with. If the man is lucky, he can find both aspects in one woman. If he’s not so lucky, he’ll settle for 1 out of 2 and it doesn’t matter which one. One thing is for sure…every man has heard the term “never make a Ho a housewife” (my apologies for the harsh language). Let’s be honest with the woman men….most of them will never go home to meet moms (unless you’re doing it to make them “feel special”). This might seem shallow, but oh well…its true.

As for the comment made by the lady calling people haters and prudes….. Who cares what she thinks? I mean seriously, she already admits her personal appearance is dictated by fashion magazines. In truth, I should just rest my case now. That fact alone should be enough for any intelligent person to see what type of woman she is. But… a blind man can see that she’s a part of the problem. That mentality alone is the very manifestation of the warped thinking that’s being perpetuated in the first place.

It’s the silliest thing I’ve ever heard. Women want to walk around arousing the carnal instincts in men who look at them, BUT at the same time they want to be treated with respect. YEAH RIGHT, not gonna happen. Any respect you think you’re receiving is all a lie because most men don’t have respectful thoughts about women who flare up their sexual desires. They have lustful thoughts and the only thing they’re interested in doing is fulfilling those desires when they make their move. It’s not the personality or the modest/classy attire that brought them to this moment. It’s the advertising of the woman’s skin and form that’s attracting all the attention.

Don’t dangle a piece of steak in front of a hungry pit-bull (carnal nature of men) and then wonder why he’s not acting like the poodle you think he should be.

Peace and blessings

Keep reading on The WiC Project Lifestyle Blog & Miriam's Boutique: Home Goods, Beauty, & Fashion Store