Good Morning! - Watch the gods you Value

God loves a good argument

couples fighting 

Read James 4:1-11

Come near to God and he will come near to you.  James 4:8

A good argument

Ever given any thought to what evokes arguments (fights) among family and friends? If surveyed man and women would unleash a plethora of reasons – more fingers pointing and less searching of the man in the mirror.  Understand there may be times a ‘fair argument’ is in order. But for the sake of this argument (pun intended) these frequent spats revels a greater problem which is often over looked. The Bible highlights the root cause for the common disagreement which typically affects many Christians.

Bible view of arguments

James pointed out in Chapter 4:1-11, fights and quarrels stem from inner battles of desires. Because you do not have [your desires], it kills you. So, is James suggesting by not getting desires it ignites frustration and questions God?  According to the bible the succinct answer is yes. So does God answer prayers if our motives are not pure?  The simple answer is no.

Many prayers have elements of personal requests. Based on God, His will, and time, they are answered – in whole or in part.  But people covet their desires of the heart by pimping God through selfish prayer. It is safe to say when EGO driven prayers are ushered heaven bound they Edge God Out.  Parishioners are not focusing on God’s purpose and in return God refuses to hear or answer. 

When prayers/desires go unanswered the stormy cycle continues and anger towards God increase, “where are you God when I need you.” Frustration follows along with disappointment of self.  The least thing triggers a full blown argument which is typically much to do about nothing.  The attempt to do it your way and not God’s way opens a person’s spirit to dangerous warfare.

Are you praying with wrong motives? Reevaluate your prayers.  Are your prayers seeking the pleasures of life or do you seek God first?  Jesus told us to A.S.K. – Ask and you shall receive seek and you will find knock and the doors will be opened Matthew 7:7-8.  Jesus’ promise was when we ask the Spirit will work in us.  He was not promising that we will receive whatever we think we wanted but that the Holy Spirit may direct our hearts so that we will desire the things that God desires and in exchange he will pour out his blessing pressed down and running over. 

Change the desires. Stop the arguments, pray for God’s desire and watch your life manifest in to the true desires of God. In the end you will still win!  

100 things that make you happy!

Photo: Tigner J.

A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.  Proverbs 17:22

The arduous task of each day has a tendency of smothering joyous times in our life. We often forget about simple pleasures from our childhood that made us happy or put a smile on our face no matter what.   

A majority of these pastime capers may be considered child like but at the end of the day no matter how mad or upset you where one has to admit, those simple enjoyments from years gone by stimulated the body just a bit.

What brought joy and laughter? My "happy event" is listening to music and singing aloud. Music tends to bring about a sense of joy and peace for me! and peace.  

Do you have a bucket list of simple nothings that can spark a smile or a chuckle? The following are ten things “you can’t do and not be happy” (Yes, I said 100 but let us start with ten.) 


TEN THINGS YOU CAN’T DO AND NOT BE HAPPY


1. eat your favorite ice cream

2. chase fire flies

3. jump in rain puddles

4. make funny faces in the mirror

5. play tag

6. play hide and seek

7. running through the water sprinkler


8. swim or wade in the water

9. skip

10. tell a joke ( hokey or funny)


Jot down a few, put into action your list and find new ways to bring joy, laughter and fun back into your life.  

Post your Happy List in the comment section or send me an email!  soulsremedy@gmail.com   


Tigner J.


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The Desires of your Heart

Desires of the Heart

There is a man named Blake who works hard for his family of four. He manages to live a modest life. He is a caring, loving and giving man who would lend a hand or give his last dollar to any person under the pretense of getting a blessing in return. 

On paper, Blake believes in the Holy Trinity: The Father Son and the Holy Spirit, occasionally attends church and only pray when he has trouble. As the sands of time flowed in his life, he begin worrying about evildoers and corrupt people,  who don't believe in God. They are happier and financially secure while Blake’s life spirals closer to a dismal end. He is just two pay checks away from being without a roof over his head.

A Generous Heart

There is Joyce, a woman of God with eight children from 10 to 28 years old. Since the passing of her husband Joyce has managed to maintain her house. She has kept the family together, food on the table, bills paid, and put three children through college. Joyce is always full of joy with a kind word to say everyday. Joyce is a generous person, giving from the heart with no false pretense. This woman’s cup continuously overflows with blessing for her and others.

Envious Heart

Two people who both accept Jesus Christ as being true. Both are caring and giving individuals. Blake has a small family while Joyce has a large brood. Why is it such a contrasting difference in their blessings? One would assume that Joyce would be the one struggling, disgusted, and questioning why her prayers have not been answered on the other hand she is happy blessed and highly favored. Based on this situation there are loads of legitimate discussion points we could focus on: Pride, Self-righteousness, being Humble, giving from the heart, trust, faith and the list can go on. But for this topic of dialogue I’m focusing on not being envious.

We all know someone who depicts the lives of Blake and Joyce. It’s also safe to say many of us may portray some of these attributes albeit the good or bad traits. By all means there is yet another sect of people who will argue the point that God has not given you your desires, yet you keep knocking, seeking, all while trying to get an answer just as Jesus told us in Matt. 7:7. Often times God don’t always make sense on how and when he will answer our prayers and desires. We have to implement what David wrote “Trust in the Lord, delight yourself in him and commit your way to the Lord.” Psalms 37:3-7. Reading these verses David emphasized the word trust several times which tells us trusting in God is the key to your desires. Remember trust is a form of faith. However to get the wishes we also need to rest, commit, don’t worry and wait patiently on the Lord. By doing this God shall bring to pass the desires of your heart.

The question you need to ask yourself is “Can you not be envious of men who “have it all” and not believers? Can you not worry about the evil doer nor be envious because the day will come when they are cut down like grass Psalms 37:1. The solution is for us to REALLY become committed, trusting, and not worrying. But most important patiently on God by aligning ourselves with Christ by asking to be in his Will as well as learn to TRUST Him. 

A Sharing Heart 

A sharing heart allows you to give ungrudging to those less fortunate your:

• Time 
• Talent
• Treasures 

Regardless to your current state - Blake or Joyce - maintain a praising heart to God during the excellent and unpleasant times. Have a caring heart, and love others as you love yourself. No matter what render your heart to God and he will bless you with the desires of your heart.

Tigner J. Rand
For more posts check http://thesoulsremedy.blogspot.com/