What’s funny is, I actually wrote these notes back in early March of this year. The first blog, 3:11, and the How to live with Jesus. I remember being on the cruise just thinking, "Man, I don’t even know what I’m writing, but I just feel like I need to write." And it’s funny because I’ve learned so much since then. I’ve gained more wisdom, more understanding. I can tell I was in a different place when I wrote that 3:11 blog—like I mentioned the prosperity gospel. I think that was during a time when it was super prominent in everybody’s preachings.

I kind of laugh at it a little now—not in a mocking way—but just because I see it differently. Nowadays, I think it’s all so pertinent. I’m in a place where I view things more uniquely. Everybody has a different journey. That one “prosperity” video might be the exact reason someone gives their life to Christ. You just never know. God can and will use anything and everything.

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord.
— Isaiah 55:8 (NIV)

Sometimes, we can be so judgmental toward the next person. But we don’t know people’s lives. We don’t know how they grew up or how they were raised. Only God knows. He knows the beginning to the end. He is the Alpha and the Omega.

“I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.”
— Revelation 22:13 (ESV)

As Christians, we like to say we’re judging people “righteously,” but in reality, we’re pointing fingers and throwing stones while still holding the stone!

I was listening to an IG Live that Preston Perry did, and he said something that really stuck with me... Hold on, pause—I had to go back and try to find it on his page, but I couldn’t. But I did come across some other videos I’m definitely going to watch later. He be spittin’, no cap! And his wife Jackie too.

Anyway, the gist of what he said was: when we read the story of Jesus being betrayed, we should ask ourselves—who are we in that story? Are we the Sadducees? The Pharisees? Judas? Or the disciples?

Because when we observe certain situations, we all play a role. Especially if you're casting a stone at someone just because they’re doing one thing you don’t like. Like… hello?? There are a lot of sins out here! And sometimes, it’s so easy for us to magnify someone else’s sin while ignoring our own.

Check yourself!

“Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?
How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye?
You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.”
— Matthew 7:3-5 (NIV)

So, what I’ve been trying to practice—maybe this will help someone else too—is just looking within. The Lord is working on me. I have a personal relationship with Him. I can’t tell someone about their relationship with God, even if it’s obvious—because we do know people by their fruit.

True and False Prophets
“Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves.
By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles?
Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit.
A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit.
Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.
Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.”
— Matthew 7:15-20 (NIV)

I could’ve just said “Matthew 7:16,” but y’all... this is the process!  I be saying something, then a Bible verse pops up in my head, then I start reading more... and now I got to put the whole passage. I’m telling you—it be too good, fr.

Oh! And now I got to tell y’all about the different fruits, so you know what HE is talking about.

You got the fruits of the Spirit (which is good), and the fruits of the flesh (which is... not good 😅). Let me give you Bible:

Fruits of the Flesh
“The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery;
idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions
and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.”
— Galatians 5:19-21 (NIV)

Fruits of the Spirit
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.”
— Galatians 5:22-23 (NIV)

But anyway, like I was saying... even if we know people by their fruit—just chill. Pray for them. You don’t have to go on social media bashing people or mocking them. We’re Christians. We have to understand that Jesus’s ministry was about love, a good conscience, and faith.

“The goal of this command is love, which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.
Some have departed from these and have turned to meaningless talk.
They want to be teachers of the law, but they do not know what they are talking about or what they so confidently affirm.”
— 1 Timothy 1:5-7 (NIV)

Actually, go read all of 1 Timothy 1 on your own. That’s Paul charging Timothy to oppose false teachers—just a lil’ extra vibe if you want it.

So yeah, all in all... I’d say: Mind ya business.

And if your brother or sister sins against you, do what the Bible says:

Dealing With Sin in the Church
“If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you.
If they listen to you, you have won them over.
But if they will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’
If they still refuse to listen, tell it to the church; and if they refuse to listen even to the church, treat them as you would a pagan or a tax collector.”
— Matthew 18:15-17 (NIV)

Just remember: whether you’re a Christian or not—we all started somewhere. And the same way the Lord came and got you from wherever you were, is the same way He will go get somebody else in the exact way He knows how.

Because He is the beginning to the end, and His ways are not our ways. And we need to praise Him for that!

I’m thankful I serve a God whose peace surpasses all understanding.

That’s all I got though. Bye lol.

“And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
— Philippians 4:7 (ESV)

Please check out the video below! I love The Bible Project, if you're a visual learner, it can help