Did you Hear Me?

Although every word in the Bible encourages us in some way to walk the path of righteousness. Every word may not be comfortable to hear and believe, but it's necessary. Last night I was reacquainted with a Scripture that I had not read in years and it reminded me that not only is our God loving and kind, but He's serious about the relationship He has with HIS children.

Now we know that God heareth not sinners: but if any man be a worshipper of God, and doeth his will, him he heareth. John 9:31

Sometimes the truth is painful and hard to swallow, but nevertheless, it's still the truth. This is why we as His children must pray for those who are lost and do not realize they need a risen savior. Let's not continue in our ignorance and believe because a person is nice, they're saved. Let's be bold soldiers for the Lord and evangelize our communities, places of employment and our nation! The word of God is clear: God does not hear sinners, but those of a repentant heart.

Is God hearing your prayers?

Your thoughts!

Exercising Your Gift: Faith!

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.   Ephesians 2:8-9

Have you ever received a gift that you didn't use? There could be countless reasons as to why the gift wasn't used, but rather it's used or not, it's STILL a gift! In our text Paul is explaining about the gift God gave us, the gift of faith. Faith is not tangible, it cannot be bartered, nor can it be exchanged. Faith is simply having something spiritually before it manifests naturally.

The faith God gave us is a gift that causes us to believe in His Son Jesus, whereby we are saved from eternal damnation, and it also unlocks the door of the unseen, unimaginable and the impossible. Every person is given a measure of faith and in order for our faith to grow, we must exercise it by trusting God.

Are you exercising the God-given gift of faith today? In what way(s)?

Your thoughts!

Worry-Free

I know that you can do all things; no purpose of yours can be thwarted. Job 42:2

Some of us make a conscience decision to worry about certain things. Even though the Bible instructs us not to worry, we override what we know to do and we worry anyway. Job in his conversation or answer to God stated he knew God was capable of doing all things and that all His purposes are incapable of being prevented. Wow.

We worry because we anticipate an unfavorable outcome to our problem or situation. Anticipation is nothing more than expectation and Psalm 62:5 says my soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from him (KJV). When our expectation is rooted in God, we should encounter a worry-free life. We do know there’s no failure in God and we also know He shall supply all of our needs according to His riches in glory, so WHAT’S THE PROBLEM?

What God has for you is for you and no one can change that! Are you Worry-Free?

Your thoughts!

Letting Go

Thy kingdom come, thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Matthew 6:10

Many of us have been searching for a change in our #currentsituation#. Well the only way we can experience this change is to let go. The above text comes from a familiar passage of Scripture which scholars like to call, “The Lord’s Prayer.” This particular verse speaks to Christ’s rule or kingship being evident in the earth, now or immediately. When we give ownership back to God so that He can rule in our being, through the Holy Spirit, He is able to produce heaven here on earth.

His will is being done when we allow His word to be acted out through our flesh or earthly nature. This is done so that those who hurt, sick or lost (unsaved, hasn’t accepted Christ as Lord and Savior) can see He truly does exist and is able to do what we can’t; the IMPOSSIBLE!

Are you willing and ready to let go?

Your thoughts!

Wise Enough

For with much wisdom comes much sorrow; the more knowledge, the more grief. Ecclesiastes 1:18

Knowing something verses hearing something are two very different things. Knowing something means you have facts through experience, whereas hearing is simply allowing sound to enter your ear gate. The reason Solomon mentions in our text that with more knowledge comes grief is that he knew with knowledge, some of what we experience can be painful and difficult. Even with wisdom, sorrow can show up. It amazes me the contrast he chose to convey this simple message. And that is, in our quest to know(ledge) more, be wise(wisdom) with what we do with our experiences, because if not, it can cause great sorrow, to us and possibly those around us.

I’m grateful that even in all of that, God still promises in Romans 8:28 that all things shall work for the good! Let us be wise enough!

Your thoughts!

Confession and Prayer

Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.  James 5:16

I've always looked at this Scripture in the order as we see. But now as I read it, somewhat in reverse, it illuminates a different light. As we free ourselves through confession from the sin we commit, healing takes place. Once we are healed our prayers are that much more powerful and effective. In other words, our prayers are only effective and powerful when we are healed from confessing our faults and getting right before God. Is there unconfessed sin in your life today? Let us turn the search light on ourselves so our prayers can be both powerful and effective!

Your thoughts?

Current Situation

Those who look to him for help will be radiant with joy; no shadow of shame will darken their faces. Psalm 34:5 (New Living Translation)

What's your current situation? Have you been caught in the line of Satan's fiery darts? Have the weapons formed against you been weighing on you? Well regardless of your current situation, this Scripture shines a lil light on how we're supposed to look and feel regardless of our situation. Those who look to God, their expectations are raised simply by acknowledging that He is El Shaddai (God Almighty). Those who look to God do not allow their past, current or future situation to frustrate them or take them off of their course.

Wherever you find yourself at this very moment, know that if God is for you (and He is), who can be against you. Look up, shape up and look the part of ROYALTY through and in it all!!!

Your thoughts?

Seeking God's Wisdom

5. At Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon during the night in a dream, and God said, "Ask for whatever you want me to give you." 6. Solomon answered, "You have shown great kindness to your servant, my father David, because he was faithful to you and righteous and upright in heart. You have continued this great kindness to him and have given him a son to sit on his throne this very day. 7. "Now, Lord my God, you have made your servant king in place of my father David. But I am only a little child and do not know how to carry out my duties. 8. Your servant is here among the people you have chosen, a great people, too numerous to count or number. 9. So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. For who is able to govern this great people of yours?"  1 Kings 3:5-9

Often times, issues in life have us at crossroads and we are unsure of what road we should travel. We also try to rely on our own intellect and worldly wisdom and find ourselves even farther away from the path God has chosen for us. In our text, God gave Solomon the keys to the Ferrari, the icing on top of the cake, the American Express black card, in other words, God let Solomon choose whatever his heart desired in order that He may bless him because of His obedience! Solomon recognized he needed help in working God's plan for his life and that worldly materials just wouldn't do it. So he asked God for wisdom. Wisdom will show you how to treat people (a discerning heart to govern your people) and it will help you know and choose right from wrong (to distinguish between right and wrong). God's wisdom will lead you on the road He has already paved out for you.

Do you seek things today from God or would you rather have His wisdom?

Your thoughts?

The Word Alive and Active!

 Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. James 1:22

Have you ever purchased something that came with instructions, but you never took the time to read them in order to operate the very thing you purchased? Most items that come with instructions, not only tell you how to operate it, but it also gives you wisdom to work it at it's fullest capacity.

The Word of God is powerful in itself, but it was meant to be read, meditated upon and then performed in the lives of God's children. It's fullest potential is recognized once we've begun to live it. In our text, Paul is letting us know, listening to the Word is not merely enough and if we believe that we are deceiving ourselves. We must allow the Word to become active and alive in our lives.

Let's take the words off of the pages in the bible and incorporate them in our everyday living!

Your thoughts?

What Does Your Fruit Resemble?

Colossians 1:10

so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God

We could go in so many directions with this Scripture, but I'm going to stick to one: What does your fruit resemble?

There are three parts to this verse; first, we are made aware that we should be pleasing God in every aspect of our lives. Second, we should bear good fruit and lastly, we should get to know God more. When we make up in our minds that we want to do things God's way, we should then take the next step and that is to learn more about Him by reading the Bible more. Once we read more and on a consistent basis, then we will begin to apply what we read and hence, start bearing good fruit. Whatsoever a man (mankind) soweth, that shall he also reap, Galatians 6:7. Sow within yourself God's Word and reap good fruit for others to see and want what you have spiritually!

Your thoughts?

Working It Out!

My family and I have decided to work out (exercise) together. Making the decision to do so was part of getting it done. However, if we do not make some sort of effort in working out, then our bodies will remain the same, with very little or no change at all.

Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed - not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence - continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling. Philippians 2:12

So much so is our walk with God. We've made the decision to believe that Jesus is the Son of God, that He died and was resurrected; therefore this makes us saved. But if we don't exercise our faith, read, study and meditate upon God's Word, then our spirit-man will remain the same, with very little or no change at all! It's time we purpose in our hearts to "work out our OWN soul's salvation," as the Scriptures says, with fear and trembling and grow up in the things concerning the kingdom of God. It's time to work it out!

Your thoughts?