Monday, December 26, 2011

DELVE INTO GOD'S WORD IN 2012

In just a few short days we will say goodbye to 2011. For many, it's bittersweet. They reflect on this year and smile because there have been more ups than downs. They're looking forward to what God has in store for 2012. Others, well, 2012 can't come fast enough. Like it or not, unless Jesus returns before 01.01.12, a new year is on its way.

This is the time when New Year's resolutions are set. Have you thought about yours? With no doubt, I'm expecting greater for my life in 2012. I don't have a list of resolutions, but there's one thing I must do and I'm so excited about it.

I will delve into God's Word in 2012. I want to seek Him out, research, and study His Word like I never have before. The Lord has so much to say and I want to hear it. I want to read it. A greater relationship, knowledge, understanding, and wisdom are the results of studying His Word.

"Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding." Proverbs 4:7

"And ye shall seek Me, and find Me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart." Jeremiah 29:13

Be blessed.

Sunday, December 25, 2011

THE REAL REASON FOR THE SEASON

"18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: After His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Spirit. 19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not wanting to make her a public example, was minded to put her away secretly. 20 But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit.21 And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name JESUS, for He will save His people from their sins.”  Matthew 1:18-21

Today we celebrate the birth of Jesus. We celebrate the One who was born to save us from sin. No day should pass by without giving Jesus thanks for paying the ultimate sacrifice for us. Let us not confuse the Christmas holiday for only a day to exchange gifts. There is more to this season. Jesus is the real reason for this season.

Jesus has provided us with the best gift ever. He has offered us the gift of eternal life. Now, what material or worldly gift can beat Jesus' gift to mankind? So in your celebration today, remember it is about more than gifts, Christmas trees, lights, decorations, and candy canes. Let us reflect on the birth, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Be blessed.

Saturday, December 24, 2011

EXPECT MIRACLES


"1 Then He went out from there and came to His own country, and His disciples followed Him. 2 And when the Sabbath had come, He began to teach in the synagogue. And many hearing Him were astonished, saying, “Where did this Man get these things? And what wisdom is this which is given to Him, that such mighty works are performed by His hands! 3Is this not the carpenter, the Son of Mary, and brother of James, Joses, Judas, and Simon? And are not His sisters here with us?” So they were offended at Him.4 But Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his own country, among his own relatives, and in his own house.” 5 Now He could do no mighty work there, except that He laid His hands on a few sick people and healed them." Mark 6:1-5

After reading the scripture, most people will criticize those who doubted Jesus. But how many doubt Him now? How many people are walking around with unbelief in their hearts? Sadly, too many to count. In the scripture above, Jesus had the power to work miracles, but because of their unbelief, He did not perform many miracles for them.

Imagine your missed opportunities to witness miracles. Just think of all the miracles Jesus wants to perform in your life... right now. Most have faith in some areas of their life, but have unbelief in other areas. In fact, some of you believe Jesus will do mighty works for others, but for one reason or another, you do not think He will do them for you. This way of thinking does not move Jesus to work miracles on your behalf.

We are required to walk in faith. To receive miracles you will need to have faith and no doubt in your heart. How does a person have faith? How does one have belief? The answer is to develop a relationship with the Lord. A deep and close relationship with Jesus will build your faith in Him. In this close and personal relationship, you will experience His love. You will come to understand just how much Jesus loves you and that nothing is impossible with Him.

Expect to see miracles to happen to others. Expect to receive your miracle. Expect miracles everyday. 

Be blessed.

Sunday, December 18, 2011

MOUNTAIN MOVING FAITH


For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith. Mark 11:23
                                                                                                                                               
God has given us a powerful force called faith. God's Word tells us with faith, we can speak to mountains and tell them to move and they will do it. That's right. We have the authority to speak to the obstacles we face. With faith, our prayers are answered. With faith, we can witness the impossible be made possible. Isn't that awesome? All we have to do is have faith and don't doubt and we can move the mountains we face and see our prayers answered. Even with using mustard seed size faith (Matthew 17:20), amazing things will happen. 

The question is why aren't believers moving their mountains? Why do so many prayers go unanswered? Could it be they have lost focus? Maybe they believe there is something they must do first before they possess mountain moving faith. God has given each of us a measure of faith (Romans 12:3). Some believers choose to focus on their circumstances instead of Jesus, who is the author and finisher of our faith (Hebrews 12:2). When we turn to Jesus and trust Him to work out our circumstances, our faith grows.

Use the mountain moving faith given to you. Speak to your mountains and expect them to be removed from your life. Using your mountain moving faith, pray and expect to receive answers to your prayers. With your mountain moving faith, expect to see miraculous things happen in your life.

Be blessed.

Wednesday, November 23, 2011

I'M THANKFUL FOR.....

having a sound peace of mind. Someone loses sleep each night worried about what happened on yesterday and what will happen on tomorrow. The Lord gives me sweet sleep because I trust Him; therefore, I give all concerns over to Him.

"When you lie down, you will not be afraid; Yes, you will lie down and your sleep will be sweet." Proverbs 3:24 NKJV

I'm thankful my Father who takes care of my every need. I have a roof over my head, clothes on my back, shoes on my feet, and food in my stomach. Some people are sleeping under bridges in cardboard boxes, with holes in their shoes or worse, they have no shoes. They hold their belly, suffering from hunger pangs. It could have been me. It is only by the grace of God that it isn't me.

"Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air, for they neither reap nor sow nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature? So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lillies of the field, now they grow: they neither toil nor spin; and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?Therefore do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink'?' or 'What shall we wear?' For all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble." Matthew 6:25-34 NKJV

I'm forever thankful Jesus saved me. He loves us so much He paid the ultimate price so that we may have eternal life. Thank You sweet Jesus!

Every day should be a day of thanksgiving. As for me, each day is a day of thanksgiving. Before getting out of bed, I give the Lord thanks just for waking me up. I thank Him for giving me another chance to serve Him. It's not about the turkey, side dishes, or desserts. It's wonderful when family and friends come together to give thanks, but let us recognize we should have a an attitude of gratitude and grateful heart at all times, not only during this time of the year. Just remember, things could always be worse and for someone it is.

"Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God In Christ Jesus for you." 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NKJV

Have a wonderful & safe holiday. Be blessed.

Thursday, November 17, 2011

GOD IS BIGGER & GREATER

Have you lost your joy and your peace? Is your mind focused on a problem you cannot seem to solve? Redirect your focus. Focus on God. He is the Problem Solver. God is bigger and greater than any problem you will ever face.

We cannot escape problems or troubling times. In this journey of life, one day everything is just fine and then in what seems like a blink of an eye, something happens to overtake or overwhelm us, if we let it. Most of us will reach out to others and/or try to figure out a solution on our own before seeking the One who has all of the power and the answers. It is true we have friends, family, and other counsel who are available and often placed in our paths to assist us, but we must make God our first point of contact when problems come our way. He will direct our paths and guide us to the appropriate people, places, and things at the appropriate time.

Do not allow problems to overwhelm or consume you. Do not let them cause you to lose your peace and joy. If you know God is your Source and that He will never leave you, disappoint you, or hold back on His promises to you, the problems you face should never be greater than His power in your life. Remember, God is bigger and greater than any problem you will ever face.

"God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble." Psalm 46:1 KJV

Be blessed.

Monday, November 7, 2011

IN THE WEE HOURS

In the wee hours, Jesus will answer your call. When everyone else is sleeping, He is awake. He will not be angry you called on Him at such an hour. Jesus is not bothered by your cries, pleas, questions, or concerns. Oh what a friend we have in Jesus.

When you are sound asleep, but suddenly awakened in the wee hours, Jesus might be inviting you to meet with Him. He is inviting you to share precious moments with Him. He has something to say. Will you listen? Maybe Jesus wants to provide daily instructions or an answer to your problem. Could it be that He wants you to intercede for someone? Whatever the reason, accept the invitation to commune with Him. For a number of reasons, you will be grateful that you did.


Be blessed.

Saturday, October 22, 2011

SATAN IS HATIN'

God loves you and the promises He makes to you are true. The same cannot not be said for the enemy. Satan is hatin' you because of God's love for you. Satan is hatin'.

In life, you experience ups and downs. You should trust the Lord in all circumstances, even when you do not understand the reasons why you are going through difficult situations. When you "trust in the Lord with all of your heart and do not lean on your own understanding and in all your ways acknowledge Him, He will direct your paths" (Proverbs 3:5,6 NKJV). Especially during difficult times, Satan whispers lies with the hope you will believe him and lose trust in the Truth. Because the Lord will "lead you into paths of righteousness" (Psalm 23:3 NKJV), Satan is hatin'.

Reading, meditating on, and believing in the Word of God, will help you keep your eyes on Jesus. Your focus will remain on Him and not your circumstances. Satan sends distractions, but you are not easily distracted when your focus is on the Lord. Because your eyes are on the Prize, Satan is hatin'.

"God will keep you in perfect peace when your mind is stayed on Him" (Isaiah 26:3 NKJV). Satan wants to torment and would love to see you lacking in peace. Jesus is the Prince of Peace. He will give you peace in the midst of chaotic and unfortunate situations. Because you have peace, Satan is hatin'.

You praise the Lord. You give Him honor. You give Him glory. You worship the Lord. You adore Him. You love Him with all your heart. These things belong to the Lord. You deny Satan these things. Oh yes! Satan is hatin'.

Do not be fooled by the enemy. Satan has no love for you and wants no good thing for you. "The thief does not come except to steal, kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that, they may have it more abundantly." (John 10:10 NKJV). Satan has plan and it includes stealing, killing, and destroying every good thing the Lord has for you. With Jesus, you have a life filled with blessings that are overflowing and exceed anything you could ever imagine. Beware of the wicked tactics because Satan is hatin'......on you.

Be blessed.

Saturday, October 8, 2011

THAT QUIET PLACE

"So He Himself often withdrew into the wilderness and prayed." Luke 5:16 NKJV 

"Now in the morning, having risen a long while before daylight, He went out and departed to a solitary place; and there He prayed." Mark 1:35 NKJV

The above scriptures show us that Jesus carved out time to get to a quiet place. As Jesus' public ministry grew, so did the number of followers. He is followed by those who need miracles performed in their lives and for the hearing of His teachings. Of course, He gives Himself to the multitude of people. He heals, delivers, teaches, and blesses the people. If Jesus, with all of His power and miracle works, needed quiet time with His Father, then believers should follow His example and get to that quiet place.

How often do you withdraw from the busyness in your life to get to that quiet place with God? It is in that quiet place that you will hear His voice. It is in that quiet place that you will receive instruction, wisdom, knowledge and understanding. It is in that quiet place that you will find peace. Make it a point to get to that quiet place each day and enjoy the blessings that follow.

Be blessed.

Wednesday, September 28, 2011

LIVE YOUR LIFE WITHOUT REGRETS

If only I knew then what I know now. If only I had done this instead of that. There are many things we would do differently if we could. What is done is done. We cannot go back and get a do over. What we can do is learn from our mistakes and/or take what we know now and do better. We must learn to live life without regrets.

Living a life with regrets keeps you chained to your past. When you dwell on regrets, you build up emotions within yourself that prevent you from progressing. You fear your future because you think you might make the wrong choice or decision. If you do not take control of these negative thoughts, they could become strongholds in your life.

Maybe you are thinking there is no way to stop living a life of regrets, but there is a way to prevent negative thinking. You must take your feelings and negative thoughts to the Lord. Tell Him what is on your mind. Speak from the heart. You need to renew your mind. Renew your mind by reading the Word of God. Replace wrong thoughts with right thoughts.

Once your mind is renewed with the Word of God, you will begin to control your thoughts. You will begin to speak according to His Word and combat any negative thoughts that come to your mind. You will think how God wants you to think and speak how He wants you to speak. It is time to live your life without regrets and stop living in the past.

"Brethren, I count myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before." Philippians 3:13 KJV

Be blessed.

Friday, September 23, 2011

LORD, WHAT DO YOU WANT ME TO DO TODAY?

Many times we go before the Lord in prayer with requests for ourselves and for others. This is good. The Lord wants us to request of Him and definitely pray for others, but how often do we ask Him what does He want from us? Thinking back, when is the last time you asked, "Lord, what do you want me to do today?"

As you pray this morning, do not forget to ask the Lord what plans does He have for you today. Ask Him who does He want you to reach out to or go visit. Ask Him to order your steps and direct your path today. Trust Him as He directs your steps. You will be blessed for your obedience and blessed to be a blessing.

"Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths." Proverbs 3:5,6 KJV

Have a great day.

Be blessed.

Thursday, September 22, 2011

WHEN LIFE DOES NOT GO AS PLANNED

Planning is an essential part of life. You hope to get the results you desire when you  follow a plan. But what happens when you have your life planned out, but it does not go as planned? You can make plans, but you are not always in control of the outcome. You can try to control the outcome as much as possible, but other things can happen to dictate what happens in your life.

When life turns out unexpectedly, it often leads to disappointment. You might believe God somehow disappointed you or that you have disappointed others. You might even feel as though you have disappointed yourself. Do away with feeling disappointed. You should trust God with your life and where He is taking you. You will not always understand or know the reasons why your plans do not come together as you think they should, but when you trust in God and flow with Him, you will realize His plan for you is far greater than all the plans you have made for yourself. Thank Him.

Be blessed.

Thursday, September 1, 2011

THERE IS A STORY BEHIND EVERY SMILE


Throughout the day you will see many smiles. You might not ever think beyond the smile you see, but the truth is, there is a story behind every smile. 


The story behind a smile is a young man who just lost his wife to a terminal illness, but she was saved and he recognizes she is out of pain and in a far better place. He smiles because his trust is in Jesus.

The story behind a smile is a woman who did not settle when it came to a lifetime companion. She waited on God's best for her and now she is happily married to a man who loves God first, and knows how to love her.

The story behind a smile is a family who faces financial struggles each day. The money seems to run out before all the bills are paid, but they are faithful tithers, and they know the Lord will take care of all their needs and a financial breakthrough is on the way.

The story behind a smile is a woman who is in pain. The smile masks the pain, but one would never know because she wears her smile daily. She is not defeated by her circumstances.

The story behind a smile is a man who is plotting evil in his heart. He is happy about the outcome of his wicked scheme.

So, the next time you walk by others and they smile and you smile back, you are exchanging stories because there is a story behind every smile. 

Be blessed.

Tuesday, August 30, 2011

GIVE HIM PRAISE (Part 2)


In part one, we recognized the Lord is worthy of praise. He owes us nothing, yet he continues to bless us over and over again. He does this just because of who He is, not because of anything we have done or because we deserve it. Part two mentions a couple benefits or advantages of praise.

Praise and worship elevates us into God's presence and power. Praise is the faith that brings us into His presence. When we lift up the name of Jesus through praise and worship, the Lord's presence and power flows in our midst. A change takes place in the atmosphere, causing God to move on our behalf. After all, God dwells in the atmosphere of His praise. 

Praise causes the enemy to flee. Satan knows and fears the power of Jesus. Demons tremble at the mention of His name. When you create an atmosphere of praise and the Lord dwells in the midst of praise, Satan makes a quick exit. "Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble." James 2:19 KJV

We know the Lord is worthy of praise, so praise Him in your own way. Voice your praise, clap your hands, dance, stomp your feet, life your hands, sing, play an instrument, etc. God delights in our outward expressions of praise. Authentic praise is humility and true devotion to the Lord from within.

"I will bless the LORD at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth." Psalm 34:1 KJV

Be blessed.

Wednesday, August 24, 2011

GIVE HIM PRAISE (Part 1)


"From the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same
 the LORD's name is to be praised." Psalm 113:3 KJV

God is worthy of praise. Look at His wonderful and awesome creations. The trees, lakes, birds, the mountains, the clouds, and of course, we are all God's creations. God should be praised just because of who He is.
"Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created." Revelation 4:11 KJV

One cannot help but to be in awe of God. It is hard to fathom just how great He truly is. 
"Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised; and his greatness is unsearchable." Psalm 145:3 KJV

We cannot forget the goodness of the Lord when we constantly give Him praise. Praising God benefits us by reminding us of not only how wonderful He is, but how mighty He is. God is a powerful God.

Give God praise right now just because you know these things about Him.

Be blessed.

Saturday, August 13, 2011

CHANGE IT UP

Most believers, if not all, will admit to losing passion or seal with being a Christian at some point in their spiritual journey. Prayer becomes more of a habit, lacking the excitement one should have about spending precious time communicating with our Creator. The mention of God’s promises does not seem to warm and saturate the soul as it once did. You are just going through the motions. Each day you are doing the same thing in the same way as you did the day before. Until you change it up, you will continue to get the same results. In order to get different results, you must do something different.

Break your normal routine. On the days your church does not hold functions, visit other events at local churches. 

Attend a community event. Special functions like these will bring together all sorts of people you might not have met otherwise. You might walk away with new acquaintances who share a common bond with you. New bonds could lead to lifelong friendships, job connections, or even marriage.

Volunteer your time. Many opportunities to spend your time in a wise and rewarding way can be found in working with the youth, feeding the homeless, encouraging men and women in shelters, and spending time with the elderly.

If you find yourself in a stale mode, try doing something you have never done before. I dare you. I truly believe you will find something rewarding in the change.

Be blessed.

Saturday, July 30, 2011

TURN NEGATIVES INTO POSITIVES

Ugh! I accidentally deleted a blog post I spent days preparing. I'm bummed, but life goes on. There's nothing I can do to retrieve it at this point. I could start over, but the post wouldn't be the same. Why get mad? If I do, the post won't miraculously reappear. I must move on. I've had worse things happen to me. Well, things happen for a reason.

This unfortunate circumstance leads to this post. Unfortunate circumstances do happen. We cannot always control what happens, how they happen, or when they happen, but they happen. The one thing we can control is the attitude we keep as we go through those circumstances. I like to say we should turn negatives into positives. You might be thinking that's easier said than done and that might be true in some cases. Just because it might not be so easy to do doesn't mean it isn't doable.

As for the deleted entry, it's a shame a lot of time and hard work went into something that will never be read, but maybe someone needed to read the simple message given in this post. Now, do you see how easy it is to turn a negative into a positive?

Be blessed.

Monday, July 25, 2011

GOD, WHERE ARE YOU?

"It feels like God is distant." "I don't think He hears my prayers." "God, where are You?" How many times have you heard this from others? How many times have you said these things? 

God wants a relationship with you. He wants to be in constant communication with you. There are things God wants to share with you. There are things He wants you to hear, see, and share with others. Spend time with God, not only through prayer, but through the reading of His Word. In fact, answers to every day questions and the keys to victorious living are found in His Word. If you want to improve your relationship with God, prayer and bible reading are essential.  Hebrews 11:6 KJV states that "He is a rewarder of them who diligently seek Him." 

If you don't spend quality time with God in prayer and in the reading of His Word, it's normal to feel distant from Him. The truth is God never left you. You left Him. When you ask God where is He, His answer might sound something like this, "I’m right here. I never left you. The question is, where are you?"

"Draw nigh to God, and He will draw nigh to you." James 4:8 KJV

Be blessed.

Saturday, July 16, 2011

LORD, I THANK YOU

I once was lost, but now I am found. You saved me. You are my Savior. 
Lord, I thank You.

From the grips of deep darkness and hopelessness, You delivered me. You are my Deliverer.
Lord, I thank You.

In the times I need someone, during the good and the bad, You are there for me. You are my Friend and my Comforter.
Lord, I thank You.

Man disappoints with broken promises and unfaithfulness. You never disappoint nor break Your promises. You are faithful.
Lord, I thank You.

I am protected from dangers seen and unseen. You are my Protector. 
Lord, I thank You.

I have a roof over my head, clothes on my back, shoes on my feet, and food in my stomach. You are my Provider.
Lord, I thank You.

For who You are and for all You have done, are doing, and will do for me,
Lord, I thank You.

Saturday, July 9, 2011

CHECK THE ATTITUDE

We go through tough situations in life. God never promised us a trouble-free life. Some of the situations we find ourselves in are because of the poor choices we have made. There are consequences to every decision or action we make. On the flip side, we go through situations that are meant to mold and shape us into the men and women God wants us to be and this we cannot control. What we can control is the attitude we have as we face what life deals us. A negative attitude will not get you far, but a positive one will take you places. 

With a good attitude, you can turn negatives into positives. You might look at your circumstances and believe there is no way anything positive can be found in it, but I must disagree. You are still breathing. God has granted you a new day. That is a positive. You have a new day to right a wrong, tell others you love them, and most importantly, you have the opportunity to share the love of Jesus. If you do not know Him, you have the chance to get to know Him.

Take a moment to check your attitude. Do you wake up each day expecting a great day or do you wake up complaining? Start your day with praise instead. Replace your complaints with praises. No matter the circumstances or situations you face, give God praise. Then watch change take place in your life.

Be blessed.

Thursday, June 30, 2011

SO MUCH TO DO, YET SO LITTLE TIME TO DO IT


Time is to be appreciated. It is not something we can get back once it is gone. You often hear people say, "If I could turn back the hands of time....." It would be nice if we could turn back the hands of time to do things over, different, or do what we should have done, but we do not have the ability to do so. For this reason, time is a precious commodity. There is so much to do with the time we have been given. We should make the most of the time we have left. We do not know the amount of time we have on this earth, but what we do know for sure is that the coming of the Lord is near.

Whatever you are going to do for the Lord, you better get in a hurry and do it. That phrase plays over and over in my mind. There is so much to do. There is so much for all of us to do, yet we have so little time to do it. It is easy to put off tasks and assignment for tomorrow. There are many reasons we give for putting off for tomorrow, but why do that when we have the time to do what needs to be done today?

Let us examine the use of our time. Do we spend our time in a productive manner or are we wasting something so precious? Are we living each day to accomplish the will of God in our lives?

Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.  James 4:14 KJV
Be blessed.

Saturday, June 25, 2011

DARE TO BE DIFFERENT

Too many people are wearing false faces and trying to be like others. They want to fit in and are not being the unique individuals God has designed each one of us to be. Aren't you tired of hiding behind masks? Don't you want to be free? Don't you want to be free to be who God made you to be? You can make a choice to be who you really are, right now.

Despite what many people may think, even identical twins are unique. It's true they share genetic components and many similarities, but they also have many differences. So you see, no two people are identical. God created each one of us as unique individuals. He makes no mistakes. He knows exactly what He is doing. Trying to be someone other than who you were made to be is exhausting, I'm sure. Accept yourself for who you are and release any insecurities you may have about yourself. Dare to be different.

You are a unique individual with a unique purpose. God wants to mold us into the individuals He needs us to be. We are different. God made us different to accomplish His purposes in this earth. You can't live in fear of what others might think. Besides, fear is from Satan and not from God. "For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind." 2 Timothy 1:7 KJV

Be blessed.

Wednesday, May 25, 2011

YOU HAVE A JOB TO DO

17 “Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel; therefore hear a word from My mouth, and give them warning from Me: 18 When I say to the wicked, ‘You shall surely die,’ and you give him no warning, nor speak to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life, that same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood I will require at your hand. Ezekiel 3:17,18 NKJV

God's watchmen warn the wicked. Every believer has the responsibility of a watchman. As watchmen, we are to warn others of the dangers of wickedness and sin. I think about those I have encountered who are lost. I think about the opportunity I had to share the gospel, but for whatever reason, chose not to do so. I now ask myself, “Where are they now.? Did someone come along and do what I should have done? Has someone told them about Jesus?" Yes, I often wonder about the impact my lack of responsibility has made in the lives of others.

We have the responsibility of sharing the gospel with those who are lost. Jesus told all believers to “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature." Mark 16:15 NKJV. There you have it. We have received our instructions. So let us get busy doing what we know we ought to do. Let us go out and preach the good news.

Be blessed.

Tuesday, May 24, 2011

YOU SHOULD COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS

How many people actually have everything they want in life? Even the wealthiest of men still desires something in his life. It is okay to have desires, but it can be a problem when you begin to focus on what you do not have and complain about it. When you choose to dwell on what is missing from your life or what you do not have, you become ungrateful for the blessings the Lord has given you.

Learn to count your blessings. Each time you find yourself complaining or worried about what missing from your life, think of a way the Lord has blessed you. Over time, you will soon realize just how bless you are without having everything you desire. Each day, make a list of 5-10 ways God has blessed you. Then look over it and thank God for what He has done for you. Before you know it, you will have a book of blessings to cherish and to remind you to always count your blessings.

Be blessed.

Saturday, May 14, 2011

TRUST GOD WHEN LIFE SEEMS UNFAIR

Have you ever felt life is unfair? For those who choose to serve the Lord, it's not easy to watch those who don't do well in life. In fact, it can be very frustrating. Maybe you question what seems fair about a man who manipulates his way into a promotion while another works hard and is loyal, but is overlooked on the job. What is fair about a woman who abuses and misuses her body to get what she wants and remains healthy, while another makes every effort to respect her body and keep herself healthy yet is constantly ill? Circumstances such as these can cause one to question why continue to be "good" when life seems to go so well for those who are not so "good”.

This feeling is quite common among believers. Instead of contemplating giving up on living in a way that pleases the Lord, you should trust Him even more. Do not compare yourself to nonbelievers, wicked, or evildoers. Instead, spend time with the Lord and you will see things from a different perspective. The prosperity of the wicked is temporary and their wicked ways lead to destruction.

 1 Truly God is good to Israel,
         To such as are pure in heart.
 2 But as for me, my feet had almost stumbled;
         My steps had nearly slipped.
 3 For I was envious of the boastful,
         When I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
     
 4 For there are no pangs in their death,
         But their strength is firm.
 5 They are not in trouble as other men,
         Nor are they plagued like other men.
 6 Therefore pride serves as their necklace;
         Violence covers them like a garment.
 7 Their eyes bulge
 with abundance;
         They have more than heart could wish.
 8 They scoff and speak wickedly concerning oppression;
         They speak loftily.
 9 They set their mouth against the heavens,
         And their tongue walks through the earth.
     
 10 Therefore his people return here,
         And waters of a full cup are drained by them.
 11 And they say, “How does God know?
         And is there knowledge in the Most High?”
 12 Behold, these are the ungodly,
         Who are always at ease;
         They increase in riches.
 13 Surely I have cleansed my heart in vain,
         And washed my hands in innocence.
 14 For all day long I have been plagued,
         And chastened every morning.
     
 15 If I had said, “I will speak thus,”
         Behold, I would have been untrue to the generation of Your children.
 16 When I thought how to understand this,
         It was too painful for me—
 17 Until I went into the sanctuary of God;
         Then I understood their end.
     
 18 Surely You set them in slippery places;
         You cast them down to destruction.
 19 Oh, how they are brought to desolation, as in a moment!
         They are utterly consumed with terrors.
 20 As a dream when one awakes,
         So, Lord, when You awake,
         You shall despise their image.
     
 21 Thus my heart was grieved,
         And I was vexed in my mind.
 22 I was so foolish and ignorant;
         I was like a beast before You.
 23 Nevertheless I am continually with You;
         You hold me by my right hand.
 24 You will guide me with Your counsel,
         And afterward receive me to glory.
     
 25 Whom have I in heaven but You?
         And there is none upon earth that I desire besides You.
 26 My flesh and my heart fail;
         But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
     
 27 For indeed, those who are far from You shall perish;
         You have destroyed all those who desert You for harlotry.
 28 But it is good for me to draw near to God;
         I have put my trust in the Lord GOD,
         That I may declare all Your works. Psalm 73 NKJV


Be blessed.

Monday, April 25, 2011

BACK IN THE GAME

It is not written that every day in your spiritual journey will be easy. In fact, it sometimes may feel as though you are on a rollercoaster ride. You may find one day you are full of joy because of the love of Jesus and the next day so down in the dumps. What is scary about this kind of thing is sometimes you do not immediately recognize the cause of such extremes. You give in and stay down in the dumps. Maybe you cannot find your way out because you accepted lies the enemy has planted in your mind. Maybe you feel comfortable because you have been in this place before. You have allowed the enemy to sideline you or put you in timeout. My friend, if you are in that place right now, it is time you get back in the game.

The feelings you have might not be so easy to overcome, especially after you have accepted them for so long. Ask Jesus for help. Ask Him to help you overcome what you are feeling. Be completely honest with Jesus when you speak to Him. After all, He knows what you are going through, but still, He wants you to communicate it to Him. You will receive such peace when you just give it all over to Jesus. Let Him work it out for you. After you give it over, do not pick it up again. Focus on the Word of God and what He says about your situation and trust Him to do just what He said He will do. Meditate on His Word.

So you had a timeout. Now get back in the game. Let the enemy know you are in it to win it.

Be blessed.

Saturday, April 16, 2011

JESUS UNDERSTANDS

Hearing the words, "I understand" sometimes sounds meaningless. When you are going through an unpleasant time in your life for whatever reason, and you decide to discuss your feelings, people often say, "I understand." Do they really understand? Can someone understand what you are feeling if they have never experienced it? Maybe. Maybe not.

Jesus understands what you are going through. Jesus not only understands, but He is concerned about you. He knows what causes you pain. He knows you are feeling lonely. Jesus knows you are bitter. He knows the circumstances in your life that make you angry. Maybe sharing with others will not bring you the comfort and peace you are looking for, but Jesus brings peace. It may be hard for you to speak to Him during these times in your life, but communication is necessary. Just open your mouth and speak straight from your heart. Pick up a pen and write straight from your heart. If nobody understands, remember there is one who understands and His name is Jesus.

28Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30 NKJV

Be blessed.

Wednesday, April 13, 2011

LOOK BEYOND WHAT YOU SEE

When you are going through the motions of everyday life, it is sometimes hard to think change will come your way. No matter what changes you make or try to make, nothing seems to work in your favor. You see friends and loved ones getting blessed. You see their dreams and desires being fulfilled. You cannot help but ask, "Lord, when? What about me?" Or maybe you do not ask those questions. Maybe you are tempted to throw in the towel.  

It can be hard and sometimes frustrating to trust there is more going on than what you see. Do not lose hope. Some people give up because today looks like yesterday. Others give up because things are not happening according to their timetable but the Lord's timing. If only they knew what the Lord is doing, I do not think giving up would be an option.

You have to look beyond what you see with your natural eyes. Looking beyond what you see means although today looks like yesterday, you see a change today. Looking beyond what you see means the checking account shows a zero balance but you see a cash overflow. Looking beyond what you see means you are unemployed, but you see yourself employed. Looking beyond what you see means your child is misbehaving but you see him well mannered in all situations. Looking beyond what you see means you have loved ones who are not saved, but you see them saved. Looking beyond what you see means you have undesired results but you see desired results.

Begin to look beyond what you see. Not only look beyond what you see, but speak in a way you desire things to be. Do this and watch amazing things begin to transform and take place in your life.

Be blessed.

Monday, April 4, 2011

CLOSED DOORS CAN BE BLESSINGS

What do you do when you face one closed door after another? You have faith. Then you decide to take a leap, and all of a sudden.... BAM!!! You hit another closed door. You're blinded by what you see. By all appearances, everything seems just right. Everything feels just right. It look as though all things are lined up, working in your favor. So why is the door closed? Oh, how I wish I had the answer for you. I can only give you my thoughts on closed doors and provide a bit of encouragement to you.
               
Like most of you, I’ve questioned why things aren't happening for me. I've found myself excited about a new opportunity, relationship, or something else, only to find it's not meant to be. Now, I look at closed doors in a different way. I look at them as blessings from God. Because doors remain closed to me, I can only think God is protecting me from situations not favorable for me. Or maybe the timing is not right for me. Imagine this. Imagine three closed doors. Two of the doors you can open right away or you can opt to wait on the third door to open up to you at the perfect time. Behind door number one is a situation that causes you much pain, although it appears to be one that brings you joy. Behind door number two is something good, but it isn't great. Behind door number three God has such a great blessing for you. A blessing far greater than you ever imagined or could imagine. Now come on, which door would you rather open? I choose number three. Yes, I have to wait longer for it to open, but all of the blessings stored behind the door is worth waiting for, right?

I want you to understand that you shouldn't allow a closed door to discourage you. Look at is God's protection and/or because He has something greater for you at another time or perhaps another place. Closed doors can be blessings. 

Be blessed.

Tuesday, March 29, 2011

SILENCE CAN BE GOOD

I go through periods of time when I do not have much to say. It has nothing to do with being a "Debbie Downer" or depression, but sometimes it is good to pull away and remain silent. I do not know about most of you, but I can keep myself so busy that I fail to take time to listen. I hear the Lord speaking to me, but the question is, do I always hear Him and do I hear all He is saying to me?

This post is rather short, simple, and straight to the point. Most of you have busy lives, but what is keeping you busy? Are you busy doing unproductive tasks? Are you busy with church activities? During your busy days, do you take time to be silent before the Lord? We should never get to the point of being so busy that we fail to take time out for Him. Each day, set aside time to spend with Him. Silent time. Take this time to listen and adore Him.

Be blessed.

Thursday, March 17, 2011

THROW UP YOUR HANDS & TRUST GOD

Are you tired of trying to accomplish tasks in your own power, only to keep hitting brick walls and road blocks? Just throw up your hands and trust God.

Are you tired of making a bigger mess out of a mess? Just throw up your hands and trust God.

Do you want to say good bye to sleepless nights and be free from worry? Just throw up your hands and trust God.

Do you want to walk away from your prayer time filled with faith knowing He has answered your prayers? Just throw up your hands and trust God.

Are you ready to surrender to Him? Are you ready to let God be in control of your life? Are you ready to follow His lead? If the answer is yes, just throw up your hands and trust God.

Be blessed.

Thursday, March 10, 2011

DON'T GIVE UP ON YOUR DESIRES

Waiting for the desires of your heart to be granted can make you uneasy. A bunch of emotions are triggered within during the waiting process. At first you are excited about knowing it will happen. As times passes, you might wonder if it will happen. When will it happen? Why is it not happening? When the wait extends from a few days to weeks to months to years, you began to doubt and wonder at what point do you give up. My answer to that is you should never give up. You should never give up on trusting God to give you the righteous desires of your heart.
                         
These words of encouragement are not coming from someone who has received all things asked of God. The desires that mean most to me have not been granted yet. I have been waiting for years to receive them. I do not tell you this to discourage you during your wait but to encourage you. If I can keep my hope so can you. It has been years for me, but only God knows how long the wait will be for you. I could decide to question Him (and believe me, I have) about the reasons the wait is so long compared to that for others, but the answer would not change anything. Besides, there is nothing to gain by comparing my situation and circumstances to anyone else. God has a different path and plan for each of us.

Do not let what you see cause you to doubt God is at work in your life. Look beyond what you see. If the wait has you down, thinking on God's goodness will cause you to look up.

3 Trust in the LORD, and do good;
         Dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness.
 4 Delight yourself also in the LORD,
         And He shall give you the desires of your heart.
    
 5 Commit your way to the LORD,
         Trust also in Him,
         And He shall bring it to pass.
 6 He shall bring forth your righteousness as the light,
         And your justice as the noonday. Psalm 37: 3-6 NKJV

Be blessed.

Wednesday, March 2, 2011

CONQUER YOUR FEARS

Today I posted a statement on Facebook and Twitter. It reads:

"You can go far if you learn to conquer your fears."

Now, I hear that statement over and over in my head. I didn't read it or hear anyone mention it today, although I might have I heard it somewhere at some other time. Maybe not. Maybe it was a message straight from God. Anyway, as I posted it, I knew it was meant for me, but not only for me.

You might be familiar with the acronym for fear: (F)alse (E)vidence (A)ppearing (R)eal. Fear cripples many people. The fear of success, fear of the unknown, fear of rejection, and so many other fears exist. Fear paralyzes a person. It certainly indicates a lack of faith, either in God or the individual. Perhaps, it indicates a lack of faith in both. When one allows fear to control his life, he maximizes that thing he is afraid of and minimizes what God can do concerning it.

Don't allow fear to hold you captive. You can go far if you learn to conquer your fears.

For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. 2 Timothy 1:7 NKJV

Be blessed.

Thursday, February 24, 2011

THERE'S NO NEED TO WORRY

Wow! Have you ever stopped to think about the long way from which God has brought you concerning your attitude and outlook on life? I can remember how fear gripped me at the mention of anything negative. That was then, but not now.

I asked the question because of recent worries many people have regarding soaring gas prices. I hear the concern in the voice of others when they talk about it. I can see fear in their eyes. I've read news articles and heard news reports which state gas prices could reach $5 or more by this summer. Ouch! But, I'm not worried. A new reporter mentioned rising gas prices could put the U.S. back in a recession. Still, I'm not worried. I wasn't worried about the prior recession and I'm not worried about another possible recession. Whoa. Wait a minute. Another recession? I didn’t know we were out of a recession. Oh well. That's a topic for another day.

Maybe you’re thinking I have reason to worry. In the past, those type of news reports would have caused me to go into a tailspin. But not now. I'll tell you the reason I'm not worried. My Father will take care of me. God will take care of my every need. Why should I worry when I have a Provider? Besides, worrying does not benefit me at all. Neither will it benefit you.

25 “Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? 27 Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature?28 “So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; 29 and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 30 Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?31 “Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble. Matthew 6:25-34 NKJV

Be blessed.