We had planned this beach trip for months, but little did we know how much we all needed the refreshing. Totally impressed with the impromptu coordination of food, seemed we just tossed stuff into a cooler and left. Amazingly, we ate well and nothing was wasted. Would have made my grandma proud.

This writer had been quite ill and certainly did not want any stress associated with the trip. Venturing out with a new travel plan was surprising as the writer had enough excitement on her former trip to last her for the whole summer. Nevertheless, with some encouraging words from a friend, like, “you can do this,” she believed and decided to bite the bullet. It was a refreshing travel plan and we only got lost once.

Looking forward to back rubs and foot rubs, walking on the beach, eating out and just hanging out, we girls were a team to be reckoned with. Nothing could be finer than a crisis that is minor in the moooooorning!!! One phone call almost stole our peace and robbed us of our joy; but prayer prevailed, and if God be for us, who can be against us? Thank you Jesus that we know YOU and know who we are IN YOU. We pray and YOU fight our battles for us. Understanding that it is the Sharp Two Edged Sword that does the work, we were sending the Powerful Word of God into the situation to arrest devilish attitudes and by noon our enemies were scattered.

If people knew what victory there is in Christ, everyone in the whole world would give HIM their lives to live through. He never said we would not have any trouble. He said He would be with us in trouble and deliver us. The Holy Spirit is not called Our Helper by coincidence. I Corinthians 15:57 But thanks be to God, Who gives us the victory–making us conquerors–through our Lord Jesus Christ. II Corinthians 2:14 But thanks be to God, Who in Christ always leads us in triumph–as trophies of Christ’s victory–and through us spreads and makes evident the fragrance of the knowledge of God everywhere.

The bottom line is we have to forgive those who come against us, for they know not what they do. Most of the time, they are just sinners, doing what they do best, sin. Even redeemed folks can yield to the law of sin and death. II Corinthians 2:10,11 If you forgive any one anything, I too forgive that one: and what I have forgiven, if I have forgiven anything, has been for your sakes in the presence of Christ, the Messiah. To keep Satan from getting the advantage over us; for we are not ignorant of his wiles and intentions.

There’s just something about walking in love that can not be beat. I Corinthians 13:4-8 Love endures long and is patient and kind; love never is envious nor boils over with jealousy; is not boastful or vainglorious, does not display itself haughtily. It is not conceited–arrogant and inflated with pride; it is not rude (unmannerly) and does not act unbecomingly. Love (God’s Love in us) does not insist on its own rights or its own way, for it is not self-seeking; it is not touchy or fretful or resentful; it takes no account of the evil done to it–it pays no attention to a suffered wrong. It does not rejoice at injustice and unrighteousness, but rejoices when right and truth prevail. Love bears up under anything and everything that comes, is ever ready to believe the best of every person, its hopes are fadeless under all circumstances and it endures everything (without weakening), Love never fails–fades out or becomes obsolete or comes to an end. That promise should be enough for us to strive to cultivate that winning (loving) attitude in our lives. The Love is there if we truly belong to Jesus. Romans 5:5 The Love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. It’s letting that love out for the world to see that is challenging.

II Corinthians 5:17 For if by one man’s offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ. The challenge is there for the taking. Are we going to live our lives like nothing has changed since we accepted Jesus and received this wonderful new life, or are we aware of His presence in us and willing to let His Love shine through us? Are we still living with the old Adam or with the New Christ? We choose and the results will follow. Sowing and reaping is still the order of the day, as long as the earth remains.

Remember, this is a process. It takes practice and persistence. Don’t beat yourself up, just keep getting up and pressing forward. God is on our side and Jesus is our Guide! No one will ever do this perfectly, but we can all improve. Jesus is the only perfect One, He is our example and He’s rooting for us; let’s not disappoint HIM!! Hallelujah!!!