RECAP! Did you miss Pastor ShaVaree's Motivation Monday?

Let me start off by saying, that I’m praying you all are having a wonderful Monday so far. If certain seasons of this book called life had title chapters, then I think this one would be called “Peace” one thing the Lord has been working on in me is finding and keeping the peace. I’m sure most of you know this picture, and could probably hear what is normally said when this character shows up. If you do not know, we’ll let me explain to you. Years ago there was a popular kid's show called Dora the Explorer. A little girl with her best friend Boots the monkey. They would go on adventures, and at times would collect things, and then here comes Swiper. Swiper in this story is the one that comes to take everything you have, he wants to steal your peace, your time, your lunch, and everything else you have. That is just like the enemy against you. I’m reminded in the Book of John of this very thing.

“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”

‭‭John‬ ‭10:10‬ ‭NIV‬‬

A thief will only take what they see as valuable. The enemy will look to those he does not have as valuable and this is you. My search history is often difficult to explain, at times I will look up random stats and articles. I mean who needs to know if dolphins can give complicated handshakes, or in their case flipper shakes, but that’s what I do, I look up random things. I found this out, As of March 6, 2021, the Huffington Post stated that the number one stolen item from grocery stores is cheese. Yes, that is correct, cheese, which has been supported by Time magazine. If you can’t see the value in cheese then I don’t know what to tell you. It takes a blah burger and makes it a cheeselicious burger and yes I just came up with that word. Before we become believers, we just have a life, we are the burger, when we begin to have a relationship with The Father, value is added to that life and the enemy wants to come in and swipe it away. This is why we face hardship, difficult times/moments, and even trials. The writer in James says this.

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.”

‭‭James‬ ‭1:2-3‬ ‭NIV‬‬

I love how he says “whenever” you face trials meaning they will come, it’s not an if, but when it happens. When trials come around when the enemy is coming to do what John 10:10 says when he comes after your kids and loved ones when he decides to come after you consider it joy. Well, Pastor how do I find joy in a situation that looks so bleak, my response to that is by drawing nearer to the one that said he will fight for you, by leaning on the one that has placed his hands on you. “When the enemy comes to plan on me, there’s another hand on me.” In the past I loved listening to this comedian named Kevin Hart, he would say “Say it with your chest” meaning be bold, be confident, and speak with authority. When speaking to the enemy (because you have every right to) speak boldly and speak with authority. Tell himSwiper no swiping. I’ll leave you with this and one last verse, Jesus knew we would have hard times, and he knew the enemy would tempt his people. There are times when he attacks and I want to lash out on social media, but I can’t and I refuse to. Social Media will not give me the peace that I so desire, it only comes from being in the presence of The Father, The Son, and The Holy Spirit. Jesus knew we would have hard times and troubles, and he gave us this.

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

‭‭John‬ ‭16:33‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Praying that you have a wonderful Monday.