The last will be first, the first will be last.

If you're careful, you'll notice life lessons everywhere.

At the grocery store, there was a gentleman in front of me that had a good amount of stuff in his basket. He turns to me and asks, 'Do you want to go ahead?' I replied, 'No, I'm ok, thank you.' Then another guy (who wasn't even in line yet) comes out of nowhere and takes him up on the offer, ignoring the other people behind me. 

What happens after that?

The next register opens and the cashier asks the man who offered his place in line to come so he can get checked out. The one who tried to jump in ahead of everyone else had to wait longer than the one who offered for others to go first.

Now, am I saying that this will always happen? Absolutely not. I am saying though, that thinking of others is better than being selfish. 

'Lord, may Your love guide us to love as You love. You didn't come to be served, but to serve. Your love is unselfish. Your love is beautiful. Help us to grasp a better understanding of this love and may it not just change us, but those we come in contact with. Thank You Father, we love You. In Jesus' name, amen.' 

Phillipians 2:1-8

"Therefore if there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion, make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose. Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross."

A Lot Can Happen In Two Years

2 Years…

A lot can happen in two years. A lot did happen in two years.

God is real. Jesus is alive. And I am here to say He changed my life.

Two years ago, on August 11, 2011, I was released from prison. It was a day that will always mark a beautiful new chapter, when this prodigal child literally and spiritually came home.

When I was released, I was afraid to tell people where I was for the 2 years I spent inside. Now, I share it proudly. I can do this because I made a choice. I made the choice to allow God to take what the enemy meant for my destruction and use it as a stepping stone to move forward from. He got me to understand that He has a better life for me than what I've had.  

The greatest change has been due to something I never wanted to do before, give Him my all and actually open up that Book I've spent so much of my life avoiding or ignoring, The Bible. Getting into reading it each day prepared me for the day I was about to face. There is life in the Word. May we spend time in it and allow it to breath life into us.

It is amazing what the presence of God does when we just allow Him in. It's beautiful, and I pray that we take a hold of that. I pray that we don't believe the lies that tell us that our past disqualifies us from His love. Nothing you could have ever done could disqualify you from receiving His love. Nothing can separate you from His love. He just wants to give it to you. He just wants to pour it out on you. We just have to accept it. So may we accept it and may our hearts be taught a new way to breath, with His Spirit breathing in us.

You see, I've never been more alive. Each day, He opens my eyes wider. Each day, He opens my heart to breath that much deeper, unrestricted. Of course there are still struggles, but I now know where to turn to when I get lost in the fog.

Am I saying that I'm something special? Yes, I am. I am also saying that YOU are to. We just have to realize it. I'm trying to remind you that we are more than conquerors. We are His. Wholly and dearly loved. Precious in His sight. We are His masterpieces, and His greatest work is still to be done in us.

He is the strength that we need. He holds the peace that we search for. He has the Truth to silence the lies we've been believing. He has the guidance to direct our steps and the love to change our hearts.

I am amazed at what He has done in these last two years of my life and I am excited about what He has in store. Not just for me, but for all of us. He is moving. He is breaking strongholds and setting captives free. I am so thankful for you. I am thankful you are on this journey with me.

Your brother,

Marco Antonio Neaves