Is This Your Seat

Back in grade school, class could not get started until you were firmly placed in your seat. The purpose of this was so the teacher could account for your attendance in class that particular day. Depending on your behavior would determine whether you were assigned to a seat or not.

And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus,

Ephesians 2:6

Once again we’ve been assigned a certain seat, but this time it was not based on behavior but rather belief; belief in Christ Jesus’ death, burial and resurrection. This confession of faith, in our hearts, has caused us to soar with eagles, to stomp with the big dogs, and to sail with the mighty! God has assigned us to sit in places where the trivial concerns of this world cannot touch us. Find your seat and sit where no man can put you!

When God the Father looks out, will He find you in YOUR seat?

Your thoughts?

Do Over

While in school there were times when I needed to re-take a test simply because I didn’t get it right the first time. As an adult and a child of God, I see it’s very much the same now as it was in my younger years.

For though a righteous man falls seven times, he rises again, but the wicked are brought down by calamity. Proverbs 24:16

Proverbs 24:16 (a) explains when a righteous person makes a mistake, through Christ; he has an opportunity to begin again. But notice it says a righteous person, someone in right standings with God, can have a “do over.” We all have challenges and things that come up against us that cause us to sometimes want to get into a funk. I like to say, it’s okay to have a moment, but don’t allow it to last all day. Wallowing in it can lead to depression. When the enemy taunts you, remind him of who you are and then remind him of his end!

When life causes you to fall short know that you serve a God of “another chance.” One who knows your heart and will allow you a “do over!”

Your thoughts?

Being Sensitive

Children of God, there are two powers at war within our members (body). There’s the Spirit of Almighty God and there’s the enemy vying for our time and energy. We must be aware of which one is at work and prayerfully we are being used by the Spirit of God more than any other spirit. We must learn to be sensitive to God’s Spirit and His alone so He can lead us in righteousness.

8 If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. I John 1:8-9

But we see a truth in today’s Scriptures that some of us tend to not believe. It is Satan’s main objective to have us believe a lie. And the worst lie he can get us to believe is that we do not sin. If we don’t believe we’ve sinned then we won’t repent. If we don’t repent there is no forgiveness. If there’s no forgiveness we cannot be in the presence of God; not now nor eternally. Unconfessed sin! The Bible speaks of it in relations to communion (I Corinthians 11:27).

Don’t allow the enemy to cheat you out of your inheritance. Examine your life and go to God about your shortcomings and know in your heart that you will be forgiven when you’re truly sorry for what you’ve done. There is no sin that cannot be forgiven except blasphemy against the Holy Spirit. Turn to God so that the blood of Jesus can wash away your sin.

Are you being sensitive to the Spirit of God today?

Your thoughts?

What He Hears!?!

Back in the day, crying was looked upon as a sign of weakness, especially when it came from the male gender. Boys were taught never to cry or show any emotions that would emulate a characteristic of a girl.

He will surely be gracious to you at the sound of your cry. Isaiah 30:19

But being a parent, I realize that there’s urgency when I hear my children cry. I immediately stand at attention to inquire what type of cry I’m hearing, so that when I go to their aide, I will be prepared to handle whatever the situation may be at hand.

In our text, God wants us to know when He hears our cry He will respond graciously. I know sometimes we feel God doesn’t hear us, but He does. Not only does He hear the cry of the brokenhearted, the cry of those in need of healing, but He also hears the cry of those who have been wronged and those that have done wrong and He extends grace! The good news is, when He hear our cry, He comes with the answer that will solve the issues of our hearts.

When was the last time you cried out to God and told Him all about it? Know that yes, He does hear us when we cry out to Him and is more than able to fix it!

Your thoughts?

When Your Back Is Against the Wall; Turn

Many of us from time to time have had our backs against the wall; well, at least that is what it felt like. I used to hate feeling that way. You know, like when you can’t see any possible way out of what has entangled you in the first place. Things like allowing debt to overwhelm us or being frustrated with our marriages or other relationships. Or other times when the atmosphere at work is all but hostile.  

Then Hezekiah turned his face toward the wall, and prayed unto the Lord. Isaiah 38:2

King Hezekiah was facing the end of life as he knew it. That’s right, his number had come up. But he learned from being brought up in the word of God and trusting the word of God as an adult, that when there was no way out and with your back against the wall, there was room: room to turn! He turned around, faced the wall and prayed to God, having full confidence that the Lord would hear him. The Lord heard him and added 15 more years to his life.

We too must have that same confidence in our heavenly Father. When we call on him, better yet, when we cry out to Him in prayer, He will hear us and answer us. There is nothing impossible for God to handle, there is always a way of escape!!! During those times you feel there’s no way out; TURN!!!

Your thoughts?

The Hand That Saves

No matter what circumstances we find ourselves in today, the Lord is not slack concerning His promises; He will deliver us.

Though I walk in the midst of trouble, You revive me; You will stretch out Your hand against the wrath of my enemies, and Your right hand will save me. Psalms 138:7

Today's Scripture reminds us that God has our best interest at heart. Notice that David said, though I walk in the midst of trouble. he didn't start the trouble, but trouble managed to find him. Friends, because we carry the name of Christ (Christian), trouble looks for us! But thanks be to God, He has our enemies at bay and in His divine timing is prepared and equipped to save us from any and all calamity or ill will.

Aren't you grateful for the hand of God that's on your life? I am!

Your thoughts?

Seeing Faith

Have you ever taken a step back to look at or measure your faith? Seeing faith with natural sight is impossible. Yet this very thing, faith that is, without it is impossible to please God. We’re not expected to see faith, but we are expected to have and exercise our faith. What is this thing that we cannot see but is expected to have? Sure, Hebrews 11:1 gives a good biblical description of faith, but to someone who just wanna keep it plain, faith is believing in something or someone without proof, knowing the manifestation will come.

We have faith the pilot will get us to our destination safely. We have faith our pay will be in the bank on the day our direct deposit is supposed to hit. But when it comes to believing (remember belief is another word for faith) God at his word we have trouble. What I’ve learned along the way is we have to not put too much thought or intellect against the word. Plainly put, sometimes it doesn’t make sense to mere man, but that doesn’t make it false. We get caught up in symptoms instead of truth. Symptoms are designed to distract us from the truth. The fact is, when I had Lupus my body was engulfed with incredible pain. The pain was a symptom of Lupus. When I overlooked the symptoms and believed the word of God, truth says, “by His stripes I am healed.” Now I can walk in freedom and faith! It was my faith that made me whole. Trust me, I didn’t get there overnight, but I saw other situations He’s delivered me from and that allowed me to see my faith grow and do more.

Are there areas in your life where faith can grow? God will always present an opportunity to exercise our faith.

Your thoughts?

How Deep Is Your Love?

We’re tasked by God to know the enemy’s devices. With that said, do you know what the enemy is after when he comes your way? Knowing is ALL the battle!

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril or sword? Romans 8:35

The enemy wants to SEPARATE us from the LOVE of Christ! When hard trials come, know that your love for Christ is being tested. When people on your job persecute you and falsely accuse you, know that your love for Christ is being tested. When you’ve paid your tithes, but in this particular season, ends don’t seem to meet, know that your love for Christ is being tested.

Everything God allows has a purpose, and oftentimes it’s to show us where WE are. The enemy doesn’t want nor does he need our love, but he knows when we love God with all we have, there is an allegiance that cannot be broken by anyone or any circumstance. As my sister4life preached on yesterday, How Deep is Your Love?

 Your thoughts?