And Praise Shall Lead

We serve a God of purpose! There’s purpose in everything He does and says. Every test we encounter, they too have been given a purpose and are designed specifically for us.

After the death of Joshua, the Israelites asked the Lord, “Who of us is to go up first to fight against the Canaanites?” The Lord answered, “Judah shall go up; I have given the land into their hands.” Judges 1:1-2

When you’re in a battle (and if you’re a child of God, the war wages on) and you don’t quite know what to do, praise. Praise goes before any battle we are to partake in. In our text God has instructed the Israelites to lead the battle with praise. Why? I’m so glad you asked…those who KNOW they already have the victory can shout NOW!!!

There’s purpose in praise! Are you allowing praise to lead you to victory today?

Your thoughts?

Giving It All You Got

There are times when we do things simply out of obligation. It’s during those times that our best just doesn’t show up; partly because our heart is not in it.

Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not people Ephesians 6:7

Paul is admonishing us in all we do, do it with a sincere heart and do it as if we’re doing it for the Lord. When we think of it that way, we should be doing things in total excellence because our God is excellent. What if God gave us half the blessing when we knew we needed the entire thing? I’m so grateful He doesn’t do anything halfway, but in abundance with excellence.

I believe we get caught up when we say yes to something we know we should be answering no to. Be honest with people because ultimately we’re representing God and if we’re not giving it all we have, then it shouldn’t be done at all.

Are you serving with your heart and doing it as unto the Lord?

Your thoughts?

Bring It Back

To recollect is to recall something from memory. This is exceptional in times of despair or when we have allowed ourselves to worry and be fearful.

It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness. Lamentations 3:22-23

Jeremiah is encouraging himself by bringing back to memory those times when God’s mercies overshadowed him and delivered him from the hand of the enemy (the enemy of the mind). He realizes that though times may be rough, they could be worse. He understands that our God moves in compassion toward His children each and every day. Jeremiah took the initiative to go beyond his feelings and what he saw physically to bring back to mind his God IS faithful and His mercies are new EVERY morning. Great IS thy faithfulness!

Let’s go beyond, beyond and recollect what He’s already done in order to expect what He’s going to do!

Your thoughts?

One Track Mind

We must be careful of misguided and misdirected energy as it pertains to our thought patterns. We fall into this when our thoughts are on things that take our focus off of what God is calling us to do. It normally doesn’t take much at times to turn us away from the spiritual things we should be pursuing.

Be sure of this: The wicked will not go unpunished, but those who are righteous will go free. Proverbs 11:21

We concern ourselves with things that really don’t concern us. Who are we to judge who should be punished or who should be set free? I’m so grateful God has already set in motion who will be punished and who will be set free. Wicked or righteous; which are you? Either you’re for God or you’re against Him.

Your thoughts?

The Pursuit

There was a commercial sometime ago that said “the mind is a terrible thing to waste.” What we spend our time thinking about and pursuing can play a major role with our eternal destiny.

Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. Romans 8:5

We find in today’s verse the Apostle Paul explaining the difference between fleshly desires and spiritual desires; what each of them will reap. People who live to satisfy the flesh, their minds are consumed with worldly desires. I’m not saying you can’t pursue dreams and aspirations but I am asking did God give you those desires.

But then there are spiritual desires, and these are birthed when we live according to and are led by the Spirit of God. These desires produce fruit that remain.

What things have you been earnestly pursuing? What things are flooding your mind? Does your desires line up with God’s plan for your life?  If all of your desires are materialistic then you need to examine them again. If your desires only help you then you need to examine them again. If your desires don’t give God glory then you need to examine them again!

We are to seek (pursue) FIRST the kingdom of God and all other things will be added.

Your thoughts?

Getting In: The Gift of Worship

During the Christmas holiday we are bombarded with things to do and the race to meet expectations begins. We continue in our daily routines but we add to that a race to get gifts for people in time for Christmas. We have plenty of time to prepare for it, but for some reason we do not; or at least I don’t. The problem for me is getting the time in!

And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense and myrrh. Matthew 2:11

In the above verse the wise men beheld Jesus and once they GOT IN His presence the only thing they could do was WORSHIP Him! They didn’t need someone to tell them to worship, they just felt compelled to do so.  We must learn to get in the presence of God. For some this may takes a minute or two and for some it may take longer than that. But we need the mindset; no matter how long it takes I must get in His presence. Why?

It said that after they worshipped, their gifts were opened and they presented their gifts to Jesus. My God; when we spend time in God’s presence worshipping Him, our gifts will manifest and we can give unto Him what belongs to Him; us and our gifts!

In God’s presence is fullness of joy and at His right hand pleasures for evermore. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.Get into worship!

Your thoughts?

All or Nothing

There are many facets of our lives we give of ourselves to. We do for family and friends. We work long hours and weekends for our places of employment. We make great sacrifices for people and things and sometimes they're not on OUR list to do. Every good thing may not be right to do especially if God did not give His stamp of approval.

So now I give him to the Lord. For his whole life he will be given over to the Lord. And he worshipped the Lord there. 1 Samuel 1:28

So why is it so hard for us to give of ourselves wholeheartedly to God? Do you not know to do so is worship? Samuel's mother decided she would not only continue worshipping God but she gave her son to the Lord that he may spend the rest of his days worshipping God and doing His work as well. When we give all we have over to the Lord, it's showing Him that we are resting in Him and His will for our lives; it shows that we trust Him.

We have to get to the place where it's ALL or nothing with God. No more in between or straddling the fence. No more being ashamed of what others might think. Give yourselves to God today and worship Him with your whole being and existence.

Your thoughts?

At All Times

There are many things we do repetitively throughout our day and even our lives. Some edify others and some edify ourselves.

I will bless the Lord at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul shall make her boast in the Lord: the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad. O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together. Psalm 34:1-3

Here in our text David chooses to edify God. In spite of his circumstance, in spite of his need and even in spite of him being brought before King Abimelech (an enemy); he chooses to bless the Lord. This is a form of worship and throughout Scripture we will find David turning to worship. Not once are we encouraged through the Word of God to worship Him only when times are good (that's easy). But it's in those difficult moments we need to remember how great our God truly is and in that time, and at all times, we must worship Him?

Your thoughts?

Worship Your Way Out

Today, many of us are facing challenges we’ve probably thought would never come our way. I’m not talking about the run-of-the-mill problems, but problems that appear to be larger than life.

You, God, are my God, earnestly I seek you; I thirst for you, my whole being longs for you, in a dry and parched land where there is no water, Psalm 63:1

David has received and taken ownership of his relationship with his heavenly Father. He realizes, though in the wilderness, he has to take the initiative to encourage himself and call out the name that represents strength; God! You see, it’s in those times of feeling lonely, afflicted and unsettled, that we worship our way out of the way we’re feeling as well as our circumstances.

Remind God how much you love Him and how much you need Him and know that His peace will rule your heart and mind. God is waiting on our worship!

Your thoughts?

Worship Your Way Out

Today, many of us are facing challenges we’ve probably thought would never come our way. I’m not talking about the run-of-the-mill problems, but problems that appear to be larger than life.

You, God, are my God, earnestly I seek you; I thirst for you, my whole being longs for you, in a dry and parched land where there is no water, Psalm 63:1

David has received and taken ownership of his relationship with his heavenly Father. He realizes, though in the wilderness, he has to take the initiative to encourage himself and call out the name that represents strength; God! You see, it’s in those times of feeling lonely, afflicted and unsettled, that we worship our way out of the way we’re feeling as well as our circumstances.

Remind God how much you love Him and how much you need Him and know that His peace will rule your heart and mind. God is waiting on our worship!

Your thoughts?

Lose Your Mind

Have you ever heard someone say, “you must have lost your mind?” In some arenas that could be a negative or condescending statement.

Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus Philippians 2:5 (KJV)

In today’s text we are encouraged to allow the mind of Christ to dwell in us. Question? Is it possible to have two minds? Answer. Yes! The Bible speaks of a double-minded person being unstable in all their ways and they should not expect to receive anything from God.

This is why we should lose our minds and take on the mind of Christ. With Christ’s mindset, we are stable-minded and full of faith, willing to believe God for the impossible. With the mind of Christ we are able to think on things that are pure, lovely, just and of a good report; things with virtue and praise.

So the next time someone says you’ve lost your mind, tell them yes, but now you have the mind of Christ!

Your thoughts?

Time to Go!

It’s easy falling into a place of complacency. Our nature (fleshly nature) desires to stay where it’s comfortable and less challenging. You know, where it’s safe!

The Lord our God said to us at Horeb, “You have stayed long enough at this mountain. Deuteronomy 1:6

Some of us fear the unknown so we stay right where we are. This morning God is encouraging us to go forth in the promises He has laid before us and not stay in a place where we’re not producing. There’s purpose in each level but once a level has been completed, it’s TIME TO GO to the next.

Just as God shared with the children of Israel to move out from where they were; we too must move from where we’ve been and into what God already knows will cause us to produce. Please know that God is sending you to a place of provision!

Do you hear God beckoning you to GO?

Your thoughts?

Can You Help Me?

Lots of people have good intentions when they try to help someone in need. Many will go out of their way to lend a helping hand. But are they really helping?

But I have prayed for you, Simon that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers. Luke 22:32

In the prior verses leading to this Scripture, Jesus explained to Peter Satan desired to test (sift as wheat) him. But Jesus said He has prayed for Peter that his faith would not fail. Today, we need to understand why it is important that we remain faithful. The latter part of the Scripture says, when Peter is fully converted (strong in the faith, delivered, healed & set free) go help or strengthen others (KJV paraphrased).

Are you prepared to REALLY help someone else? Will you be extending the part of you that hasn’t been healed yet, so you make a replica of yourself in brokenness or unforgiveness?

Can you help me?

Your thoughts!

Invite

Have you ever had people show up to your house uninvited, and when they do show up, it’s at the worst possible time? It’s not so much them coming over, as it is to want to be prepared for when they do show up, that matters more.

Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. Revelation 3:20

In Revelation 3:20 God is extending an invitation to us to join His family. But many think you have to change all of the bad habits before accepting God’s invitation. Wrong! If we had the strength to change ourselves we would have done it a long time ago. We need what comes with the acceptance of this gracious invitation. We need the Holy Spirit!

When we open the doors of our heart, after hearing the voice of the Lord calling on us, we allow Him to come in and begin a work in us that only He can complete.

The invitation has been extended. Will you ACCEPT the fact that you are in need of a Savior? Will you ACCEPT the fact that you sin? Will you ACCEPT the Lord into your heart and be saved from eternal damnation and the condemnation of sin?

If you answers are YES, then it’s time to eat/sup with the King!

Your thoughts?