Tuesday, July 31, 2012

Seek Him First & Watch What Happens Next...


But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

Matthew 6:33

The sooner your put God first in your life, the sooner you will notice a transition taking place… God has made a promise to you that He will carry out; however, the delay in seeing it fulfilled may be the seeking of His kingdom and righteousness which you have not done… The gospel of Matthew reminds us today of the importance that God not only has in our lives, but also the priority that He requires… This verse starts off by saying “But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness…” You actually hold the very keys to your destiny and divine future; you can unlock the fullest potential that God has placed in your life by seeking Him… This simply means that God must come first in your life… In other words, today is the time for you to rearrange your agenda and make sure that the things of Christ are the first to be checked off of your to do list… So many of us always put God on the backburner of life and wonder why He hasn’t moved on our behalf… We wonder why are lives are spiraling out of control, why there is so much division in our homes, why we keep missing the mark and in this passage we are told the very answer to those aforementioned questions… God has not moved in your life because you haven’t moved toward Him…” When you seek His kingdom you develop a more personal and intimate relationship with the Lord… There is so much that goes into the seeking of a Christian; your life is devoted to leaving no stone unturned and no door closed in Christ… Understand that to seek Him isn’t just related to a time during the day, but that it is a progressive work which requires a motivated, persistent and unwavering soul… A lot of us say that we are seeking the Lord; however, the things that occupy our day say otherwise… We work to seek contentment, stability, money and assurance… We date to seek a mate, companionship and love… We remove things from our life to seek clarity, peace and understanding… I state all these things to shed light on the fact that when we do things there is also a motive behind them… When we go to church, what is our motive? When we pray at night, what is our desire…? Are you simply trying to appease your neighbor or are you really seeking His kingdom and righteousness… This verse calls for us to totally dismiss the things and cares of this world when they try to occupy our mind…  You cannot try to put forth a little bit of effort on your job and expect to take home a king’s ransom… You cannot put forth a little bit of companionship and expect to have a relationship that will last; likewise, you cannot do the bear minimum when dealing with Christ and expect bigger and better tings to come about…

Notice the promise that is made in this verse; when you put God first and continue to abide according to His will all these things will be given to you as well… The more effort that you put forth in getting to a deeper level within Christ, the more the doors in your life will begin to open up before you... The sweat and tears that drop from your face today when you seek Him will be the same drops that nurture and bring forth your abundant garden… When you fail to take care of your flower it will wither and die; however, when you spend time on your knees cultivating it and refining its environment it will continue to bloom and take deeper roots within… There are doors in your life which you have been trying to open and the call of God to you today is to stop tugging on the knob and start trusting in Him… There are a lot of things in your life that you are constantly worrying about and are concerns to you; however, you are called to remember that faith truly is the substance of things hoped for and evidence of things not seen… When you seek God you are totally focused on obtaining Him… When something is sought after, it is pursued and it tracked down it is searched for… How much have you really sought the Lord and not turned to seek answers through the world to life’s problems…? How many much do you really seek God in your life and not just when you are in need of a blessing…? Seeking God is simply getting to know Him more and more each day… This is not to be interpreted as turning to Him when a storm arises; it means that you already are dwelling in His tabernacle before the storm even forms… This is how God will provide all these things to you as well, you must abide in Him and He will abide in you… Life is filled with distractions and the answers you seek on this earth determine what takes priority in your life… I am not saying that the way to unlock the door is easy; however, I am saying that the key you are looking for cannot be found in your peers or your position… Set your mind to focus on Christ and allow Him to take care of the things which are removed from your mind because of a lack of space… The words penned in today’s focus verse speak to the abundantly life that Jesus said He came to provide in the gospel of John… The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. Living in Christ is the best place to reside; however, we are guaranteed to have benefits in Him that exceed anything of this world… God is ready to open up doors for you, He’s ready to make your life brand new, He is ready to transform you and take you to another level, the question that is at your door, are you ready to seek Him…?

BE BLESSED!!!

Monday, July 30, 2012

His Covenant Is Trustworthy...


Sovereign Lord, you are God! Your covenant is trustworthy, and you have promised these good things to your servant.

2 Samuel 7:28

Have you ever taken a step back in your life to really understand the love of God and how He demonstrates it in your life…? Have you ever really analyzed your life to the point that you have a better grasp of God’s impact on your life verses your own hands…? These are the questions that come to mind when I read this passage… The realization that is found in this passage is that God will keep His covenant even though you don’t uphold your end of the bargain… This is not to say that God can be taken advantage of, but it lets me know that God looks beyond the appearance and accepts the heart and its allegiance to Him… Think about all the promises that you may have broken in your life, all the times that you didn’t do what you promised to do and all the affects and results that came because of it… I know that I am human and can fail at any given time; however, I also know that God isn’t human which means that He will never fail… This is why we can proclaim like David that “Your covenant is trustworthy…” We can be confident in a(n) unconvincing situation to know that God will do what He said He would… There are so many things that we do daily which cause heartache, pain and suffering in our lives; there are so many people who have written us off or cast us to the side… David was a man that could’ve easily given up on the desires of his heart because of the errors of his ways; however, he is assured that the love of God transcends barriers and can reach you in the deepest and darkest pit… Don’t give life to the negativity around you; don’t feed the fire of dejecting comments hurled your way… When someone speaks about you in a demeaning manner this verse today allows you to smile in their face knowing that they don’t control your destiny because the sovereign Lord is God… He still sits high and looks low, He still has all power in the palm of His hand and He still can pluck you out of the most precarious situation… David’s life is a testimony to the fact that God has the final say and even though you life may be headed one way; it’s not to late for a redirection to take place… David knew the error of his ways; however, in today’s passage David is in prayer to the Lord and says “you have promised these good things to your servant…” Just because you miss up doesn’t mean you are no longer a servant… Even though you made mistakes, the goodness that God planted in you may still sprout and come to life… Jesus said that He came for the sick; this means that He came for you… This is why God’s covenant is trustworthy; this is why His promises are valid… He didn’t come expecting you to be perfect, He came expecting for you to give Him a chance to perfect you… The good things referred to by David are that His throne would reign forever; these good things are that His sins have been forgiven; these good things are that God has looked beyond his faults and seen his needs… I believe we all can come to know how this passage was inspiring to David and should serve the same purpose in our lives as well… Even in the midst of the corruption in filth that outlined David’s life, God assured him that the promise would be fulfilled…

In reading this passage, I find great pleasure in comfort in knowing that the promises of God will be fulfilled in my life… This is not to say that I am perfect, but is does inform me that God is and that His perfection is taking root in my life… When you come to a point in your life where you really begin to appreciate God’s sovereignty, then you will also come to a point where you will be exposed to His power… We, like David have messed up, we have given in to temptation and we have fallen short; however, this passage reminds me of the importance that God still has in our lives even in times where we think we are beyond His reach… David was at a point where he wanted to do so much for God; however, building the temple would not be allowed because he had to much blood on his hands… There are a lot of things in life that God may not allow you to do, but it is up to you to have faith in knowing that His no doesn’t mean His removal… Through this message to David provided by the prophet Nathan, David is reminded of the mistakes that he has made while also being assured of the love that God has for him… Despite how many times we have messed up, we are reminded today that even in all of our mess God is still there… The covenant that He has established with you will not be broken through or by Him and the grace and mercy that you need will in fact be distributed to you… David was a man who made many mistakes, from the slaying of Uriah to dwelling in the enemies camp, David traveled several roads that were not in the will of God; however, the prophet Nathan reminds him in this chapter of the love that God has for him and the fact that his kingdom will be established and will rule forever… Make no mistake about it, your life is filthy and it is only because of the love of God that you are even here today… It isn’t anything that you have done or anything that you are worthy of that brings about God’s covenant and plan of abundant life for you… Before you were formed God knew all the mistakes that you would make; however, He still devised a plan for you to overcome every pitfall and reach higher heights in and through Him… In reading this passage, I know that we have hope for a better tomorrow… On days when things don’t go as you planned or you feel that God is not working it out; you can smile and hold your head up knowing that the fact you are breathing, the fact that you have not perished, the fact that you have been given another chance is proof enough to know that God not only exist, but that His covenant is (indeed) trustworthy… The next time you think that life isn’t fair and you have been given the short end of the stick, you can rest assured that your suffering now will present a better tomorrow because He has promised good things to His servant…

BE BLESSED!!!

Sunday, July 29, 2012

Seek Those Things Which Are Above...


If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.

Colossians 3:1-2

The true direction of your life is not indicated verbally but by actions… The things which you desire display the focus and direction of your life… There are so many people who say that they are about certain things; however, when you observe their everyday affairs you are left with a different understanding… In reading today’s focus verse I am reminded of the hold saying talk is cheap; there are a lot of Christians that do the talking, but in the heat of the moment they are the same Christians which fold under the pressures of this world and what society says is success… There are a lot of pretenders and procrastinators in the body of believers and this is also why verse 1 starts off by using the word if… In other words you may say that you are of the body of Christ, but if your actions say differently than there is a disconnect somewhere… Paul uses the word “if” because the words which follow it serve as a filter to separate the real from the phony… When we read the word if we can then grasp the words that follow and apply them to our lives and ask the question as to whether we really are a child of God or not… The things which motivate you to act on this earth are the things which you desire to obtain and/or please… There are a lot of us which pledge our allegiance to Christ, but when are lives are examined under the proverbial microscope of life we find that there are a lot of other things which come before our Savior… We say that we love Christ; however, He doesn’t hold priority in our lives… We say that we love the Lord; however, prayer is an afterthought in our daily routine… We remember when to get up for work, we remember that our physical bodies needs nourishment, but someone has to remind us to pray about it or ask us if we have talked to the Lord about our problems… As a child of God this should not be, we must have a mindset where the cares of this world are taking a backseat to the matters of Christ… Our lives are so cluttered and bombarded with so much that we have not room for intimacy with Christ… This enemy has you right where he wants you if you find yourself forgetting to pray and spend time in devotion… The devil has a mighty grip on your life if you are focused on the daily task and the things of this world as oppose to what God can do and what He has already done in your life… The bible declares in Hebrews that without faith it is impossible to please God… Faith must be a part of every Christian’s life and it is shown when we live the verses recorded in this passage… We walk by faith when we seek things above and not the approval of our peers…  It is important that we understand that what we seek is what drives us and this is we are told throughout the bible that we must seek him while he may be found… Time is running out, tomorrow is never promised and the real desires of your heart are seen by God and displayed to men by what you obtain on this earth… Is your relationship growing in Christ or are you just trying to thicken your wallet? This is also why we are charged as Christians to seek those things which are above… Your attitude should reflect your Christianity… 

In a follow-up from yesterday’s food for thought, we see today Paul’s letter to the Church of Colosse and his focus again on the state of mind that a child of God should be in. He starts by saying that “if” you are risen with Christ, a conditional term that can only be validated from within; so many people claim to be a Christian, but their actions and the mindset speak differently than there tongue! To be in Christ is to live; therefore, your thoughts should reflect life, they should reflect joy, they should reflect hope…To be in Christ means that we look beyond the current situations, we are able to focus on the faith we have instead of the storms we are facing; to look beyond the realm of our possibilities and focus on the mighty hand of our Lord and Savior… In Christ you have been called to a higher standard, so don’t set your own ceiling in your ministry or in your home which will cause you to settle for less than what God has already ordained for your life… Some of us are dealing with hardships; some are dealing with mistakes and have become confined by our own limitations! Christ is sitting at the right hand of God making intercession on our behalf; therefore, you are no longer bound by your sin or captive by your mistakes if you are in Christ! A child of the most high understands that he/she isn’t perfect, a child of the most high acknowledges that there are areas in their lives that need to be healed, but most importantly a child of the most high recognizes that they have a (n) advocate in Christ Jesus that will and can deliver you from all harm. This world will have you to believe that you have made a bed and must lie in it, this world will have you to believe that you can’t change and be transformed, this world will make you question God, this world will make you lose hope, this world will cause division and manipulate you until you have become a cancer in your home and in the church! This is why Paul says set your affections on things above, not on the earth! We have to train our minds to look past our faults, train our minds to stop holding on to access baggage, train our minds that this world is not the end of my journey only the beginning… Christ is pleading on your behalf because he knows that we all have fallen short, he is talking to the father because he knows that you can due bigger and better things in this life! He has done His part, now you must refuse to be satisfied with what you have on this earth and focus your attention on the will that God has for your life!

BE BLESSED!!!

Saturday, July 28, 2012

Think On These Things...


Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

Philippians 4:8

Be mindful of the things contemplate; your thoughts are powerful shackles which not only impact your directive but provide the direction in order to accomplish it… We are reminded in today’s focus verse about the importance of guarding your thoughts… Eve was deceived by the serpent because He was able to appeal to her thoughts concerning the tree of knowledge of good and evil… Remember how Eve states that her and Adam were instructed not to eat of the tree nor even touch it; however, the serpent instills in her that she will not die and will be like God… The same ploy that led to the fall of man is a familiar vice which ensnares the craftiest of men today… You may be in a situation where you are waiting on God to move and in the moment in which the temptation is the greatest or the storm is the most fierce the enemy will whisper in your ear and tell you that God isn’t coming and that you must act… So many of us have fallen victim to this plot and scheme; the enemy has got you to worry, in the thick of the circumstance he has you becoming unsettled about the situation and as a directive from the voice you hear, you turn from the prayer which you sent up earlier in the day and take matters into your own hands… This is why Paul gives us very specific thoughts we must take captive of in this epistle; this is also why we are reminded in the church of Corinth in his second epistle to them to be mindful of what infiltrates their minds…  In that later Paul says, Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; Your thoughts are very powerful, they are the ignition of every action and decision which is developed in the heart… Matthew 7: 13, 14 teaches us that we have two paths to choice from in this life, 13 “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. 14 But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.” Today, Paul tells us how we must train our mind if we choose to walk the narrow road which leads to salvation… Something that is narrow is thin, slim or slender; we must understand this because when we walk this road there isn’t room for missteps or slip-ups… In order to walk this narrow road and be successful we must first tune our minds to the right things so that we are not deterred or mislead… Paul writes in his letter to the Church of Rome that we should not be conformed to this world, but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind… He later goes on to say in his letter to the Church of Ephesus that we wrestle not against the flesh, but against principalities and darkness in high places! The really battle that we face on this journey is within, we have a natural desire formed from the sin of Adam in the garden and we have the obtainable desire to live righteously through Christ and His bloodshed. This war within is being waged between good and evil! 

Daily we are faced with many obstacles that can hinder our spiritual growth or become stepping stones to develop a more intimate relationship with God… The obstacles will never cease, but what goal they represent or there ultimate purpose is defined by your thoughts and prayers! If you are a person whose life is filled with gloom, everyday you are worried sick, you complain about this and you complain about that, your relationship with God will never grow through your trials and tribulations. Paul is telling the Church of Philippi that you must make sure that your thought aligns with your goals as a child of God! Instead of looking at the glass half empty, see it as being half full… Even when things seem hard, know that they could always be worse… Realize that trials come to mold you and purify you in the eyesight of God… What Paul is saying to us today is that thoughts of honesty will keep you from stealing, doing justly will help you to avoid breaking the law, and thinking on things that are pure will keep you from allowing the filth of this world to overtake you and your soul. Things built in love will keep you from falling into lust, a good report will stop the gossip, and virtue will help you to see the character of an individual… These are the things we should set in our minds, to think of the positives of every situation, to refrain from slandering our fellow brothers and sister in Christ when they fall short or misstep… We all have a duty on this earth and a goal to fulfill; we must start with training our minds to focus on the things that God adores, then we can begin to transform our actions so that God’s beacon light can shine from within and reach out! Remember Paul’s second letter to the church of Corinth states that we walk by faith and not by sight; surely at every turn of the head there is cause for concern, every time we turn on the news there is reason for heartache and worry, but as a child of God we must learn to walk by faith… We must believe that God is still at work, we must believe that God has a plan that is being fulfilled, and we must believe that the enemy will be defeated and that we will be caught up in the clouds to meet Him… Think not of the sadness in the world, but of the opportunity that every moment presents to witness on behalf of Christ; think not to the trials and storms that rage in this world, but of the maturity that is taking place and the crown of righteousness that awaits all who persevere…

BE BLESSED!!!

Friday, July 27, 2012

Mortgage Yourself For That Good Pearl...


Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls: Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it.

Matthew 13:45-46

The value of finding your name written in the book of life and having a mansion in heaven is priceless… Nothing of this earth can compare; the most precious gem isn’t comparable to the divine words well done… This passage simply puts my everyday affairs into perspective… So many of us find ourselves daily struggling and fighting to reach heights defined by our peers; however, when we come to know the truest of treasures (the kingdom of heaven) we will be like this merchant man spoken of in the gospel of Matthew and sell all of our goods to obtain it… On earth we always believe we have the best until we see something better… A new car we love today, but strive for the one which comes off the assembly line tomorrow; a new job we embrace today, but will soon find ourselves seeking other employment with a higher salary… You will never be satisfied on this earth... Nothing will fill the void within unless you cast all your value in Eternal Life… There is nothing of this earth which I can obtain that will bring the happiness and immeasurable joys of heaven… There are two ways for us to understand this story told here in Matthew on the one hand we see the Love of God and on the other we see the love that we must display toward Him…If we are able to read these verses and contemplate the Love of God, we can see that just like this merchant man God sold all He had for us to buy us and bring us back into a right relationship with Him… We need to look at these verses in that light because we are the pearls that are being talked about in this chapter… Stop allowing people to put price tags on your life or tell you that you are of no value… My bible tells me that Christ died for me and thought it not robbery to leave His home in glory… If Christ was willing to do that than I must have a value that you simply cannot see… God says you’re priceless and because of that He sold all He had (gave His son) to purchase you… Matthew paints a portrait today of what the eternal kingdom will look like and represent! It is compared to a merchant who is seeking good pearls and finds one at a great price so he sells all that he has to obtain it… God was seeking one who would follow Him, one who would obey Him and when He found you He said my son is worth the price… If God thinks that you are worth the price of His own son, why do you allow society to devalue you? If God gave all that He had to buy you, why are you selling yourself short? These are the questions that we must ask ourselves knowing that God teaches us today that there is no value on this earth that equals you… Why does God value us so high, because you were created in His image; Genesis 1: 26-27 says, “Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.” 27So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.”

Now that we see the love of God, let us look at the reverse and place ourselves in the place of the merchant man and God is the pearl… You and I have been searching long and hard trying to find answers and paths to solve problems of life… So the question I have today is what are you willing to give up (worldly possessions) to obtain your answers… The merchant in this story found something that was valued more than anything that he had already gained; today we must come to realize that the precious promises of God and the happiness that resides within Heaven will outweigh any of the pleasures of this world… He sold all he had to increase what he had, what are you holding back today, what are you refusing to sell today (drugs, habits, people…) these are some of the possessions that we must sell, these are some of the items that we must give up in order to increase the value of our lives and the relationship that we have with God… This merchant was searching for happiness, he was searching for peace of mind and freedom, and when he found it he immediately gave up everything that he had… What are you searching for in this life, what is your motivation or your goal to reach? Is it happiness, stability, peace, solitude? The fact of the matter is that we all are searching for something, and within Christ we can find it! This passage has a two part meaning though, the merchant found the pearl at a great price! Now that you know the road to achieve your hopes and dreams (which is Christ), now that you see the light at the end of the tunnel, how much is it worth to you? You see Christ with open arms awaiting your arrival, you can see your joy, your peace, and your happiness, but you realize that it is going to cost a great deal of sacrifice to receive it… It’s a great price to pay, the price can be in a realm of darkness, that price can be manifested in times of despair and loneliness, that price can be established on islands of misfortune and trials… Are you ready to give up all that you have, are you ready to loose some friends, can you be removed from some situations, and can you stand to see some of your love ones be cancelled out of your life? These are the questions that the merchant had to answer; these are the questions that we have to answer… It is very easy to say we are Christians and we are a child of God, but when we go through challenges it helps us to appreciate the rewards of our labor… God says your labor is not in vain; the question is do we believe that? If so, sell yourself and all the things you have desired on this earth to obtain that good pearl (salvation)!

BE BLESSED!!!

Thursday, July 26, 2012

He Hasn't Forgotten About You...


The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

2 Peter 3:9

Don’t get confused today with the assumption that since God hasn’t answered as rapidly as you had liked that He will not answer at all… Everything that God has inspired to be recorded in scripture will be fulfilled and the things which He has promised to you shall come to pass… We live in a society where speed is the focal point of success… The pieces of the technology that hit the street today are literally becoming obsolete by tomorrow and since we have grown accustom to this we expect God to bear fruit from seeds immediately… Understand today that the enemy is busy; the best way for Him to deceive the Christian is by consuming their minds with thoughts that God has forgotten about us… You might even be in a situation right now where things don’t appear to be going as you planned and it seems as though your prayers are going unanswered; if this is you today, be encouraged to know that God is working in and through you to touch others and exalt you through your storm… This is why Peter says that we endure longsuffering; simply because God is not willing that any should perish… The storm you are going through will water the seed that has already been planted in you and cultivate the hearts of all that watch your perseverance foundationally set upon your faith… Long story short, God hasn’t forgotten about you; He’s simply using you for His glory… See, God knows His promises to you, He knows what He has said and will not withhold what He has promised to those who walk within His will! Often times we confuse longsuffering with an unfulfilled promise… In the verse that precedes this one we are told not to forget time as it appears to the Lord… The 8th verse of this chapter says, “But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day.” This is vital to remember when you feel like a promise hasn’t been meet or that the Lord isn’t by your side… God desires that all mankind would come to know Him, because of this, He has prolonged the coming of His kingdom to allow every man, woman, boy and girl to come to know Him and the love that He possesses and has dispensed upon mankind… The word of God must travel to the world so that men and women have the opportunity to experience His love, grace and mercy… One of my uncle’s was in the Army and he often recalls stories of his tours of duty in Vietnam and Desert Storm… He recalls how in the early 90’s he was informed by the commander that the particular place they would be going didn’t allow bible’s… This struck my uncle as he had no choice but to leave his bible behind, by the grace of God he was brought back home safely and now evangelism has spread to those regions… The point of that story is to show that God’s word is moving, you may not see it right now, but it isn’t coming back void and when it accomplishes what is was sent out to do you will see the promises that God made with you and to you being fulfilled before you… We each have a purpose in this life and the ultimate goal of God is that everyone may come to know His name…

God knows the promises that He has made, He knows the covenants that He has established with you and will hold up His end of the bargain… God is a loving God and His love goes beyond you and me, He loves the sinner, He loves the wrong-path human, and desires that they come to Him and that He may include their sin in His death on the cross (it probably wasn’t that long ago that you were that sinner and wrong-path person)… Numbers 23:19 says, “God is not a man, that he should lie, nor a son of man, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill?” This question is posed because we should have full confidence (regardless the situation) that God is with us and will fulfill His promises… The evidence of His promises being fulfilled is that He has sent the comforter (Holy Spirit) to dwell with us… Evidence of His promises is that we have all been freed from sin by the bloodshed of His son… We have all been given a clean slate; however, God knows that there are some that are carrying unnecessary baggage; there are some that don’t understand who Christ is and what He has done! These are the people that Christ wants to reach and He is using us to fulfill that desire… Understanding that God is not slack in His promises as men count slackness, teaches us that we must handle situations in storms with a since of admiration and reverence for God… Today’s scripture informs us that trials will come, promises may seem bland at times, but Peter reminds us that we have a bigger cause ahead! Every trial that you face may not necessarily be for your maturity, it could be that the storm that hovers over your life is to show your faith and for God’s faithfulness to be displayed so that someone close to you will come to know Him and accept Him as their personal Lord and Savior… Your hardships don’t show that God isn’t around; they show that He is performing a mighty work in and through you… Don’t think God is slack when things don’t go as you had planned, don’t think God is slack when the enemy seems to be winning… Trust God, and know that He has a timetable in place that was set before you were formed in your mother’s womb… Peter reminds us that we should not be focused on what Christ can do for us, but the multitude of people that we can touch for Christ… If you want your blessings to shower down on you, if you want to hear God say, “Well Done”, if you want to see pain and agony cease; step up and walk in the will of God! In short, bare witness to everyone you come in contact with knowing that Christ desires for all to know Him and you have a message to deliver through the rugged hills and valley’s that God has ordained for you!

BE BLESSED