The Definition of Godly Wisdom

But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.

James 3:17

There are so many people in this world who claim to be wise; however, James reminds us today that there are two kinds of wisdom… There is wisdom which comes from above (Godly) and wisdom which does not come from above (worldly)… Each source of wisdom can be identified by the seeds which sprung from it. James shares with us today in our focus verse the attributes that are aligned with the wisdom which comes from above… The very definition of wisdom is to have insight, intelligence, acumen or astuteness toward a specific topic as well as the ability to apply this knowledge in a manner that renders fair judgment and understanding… Wisdom is a deeper level of knowledge within a particular matter and often times allows others a better opportunity to understand any given subject… In understanding the overall spectrum of wisdom, we must understand today that there is power in wisdom and that wisdom can be used in two different ways… When I acquire wisdom about a particular issue I can use it for a positive or negative impact… Using wisdom in a negative manner is the flipside of Godly wisdom as it usually is used to better ones standing or to bring down someone else… This passage taken from the book of James reminds us to consider the avenues in which we venture in obtaining wisdom… Understand today, to be wise is to accumulate knowledge; however, how we utilize the knowledge we gain is another story… 

ALL FOR HIS GLORY!

Death Is Swallowed Up in Victory

"So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is thy sting" O grave, where is thy victory"

1 Corinthians 15:54

From your birth to your death there is a transformation that takes place on the outside that all see as it pertains to your growth as far as height, puberty and physical features… Seeing someone at the age of 10 is completely different than seeing them at the age of 25, there are a lot of things that will change throughout the course of one's life that are visible changes… Today, we read about changes that come through the molding and perfecting of God which was set in place by the Lord Jesus Christ… These changes are internal and are not seen until our physical body returns to the dust from which it came… Understand today that we are clothed in corruptible things, we are mortal beings and the scars of sin are visible upon our lives… Each step you take as a Christian in advancing your knowledge and submission to the Lord brings you closer to your body of immortality… Being mortal means that we are earthly, worldly or simply human… We make mistakes, we make bad decisions and we are on a vessel charted with a course leading to hell… This body you are in isn’t adequate for heaven, it won’t suffice and the growth, how ever painful it is that you are going through now is preparing you to step out of the mortal corruption into your heavenly garments… Death will be swallowed up when your victory overcomes it… You will lie down, but in Christ this is the beginning of your rise… This body that we currently reside in is temporary, this physical establishment that we have will not see the gates of heaven nor will it even be caught up in the clouds… Understanding that death on this earth is a time to rejoice when you know you are in the body of Christ allows you to to find joy in the midst of death and utter the words Paul uses to close this verse. “O death, where is thy sting" O grave, where is thy victory…"

ALL FOR HIS GLORY!

Prove, Hold, Abstain

Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. Abstain from all appearance of evil.

1 Thessalonians 5:21-22

In the same way that Paul is giving instruction to the church of Thessalonica, we too have been charged to test and prove all things. No matter the esteem that you hold any individual, Paul reminds us today that we are all human and therefore are flawed… You must take the time to examine any and everything that you give ear too or allow to occupy your time… Remember that Jesus declared in the gospel of Matthew that we must beware of false prophets; Jesus also declared in his final hours before His arrest that the disciples must stay awake and pray… Jesus tells the disciples to stay awake and pray because of the coming test as well as the temptation which has arrived through the weakness of their flesh… Jesus would be taken from them and the test of loving and adhering to the will of God would be accompanied with a since of doubt and fear to tempt them from abandoning their faith… In this challenge there is good and bad knitted together; there are positives and negatives on each side and it is the task of the disciples to choose the right course of action as it relates to the will of God… The same circumstances faced by the disciples in the garden of Gethsemane are the same circumstances that we face in our everyday affairs on this earth today… There is always a temptation that accompanies a test and it is the challenge of every Christian to prove all things so that they can then hold fast to that which is good… 

ALL FOR HIS GLORY!

Just And Right Is He

He is the Rock, his work is perfect: for all his ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he.

Deuteronomy 32:4

God is indeed the rock; He is the only solid being in this world which we can stand firmly upon and rest in safety… Even though we have a solid platform that is God, it is imperative for us to understand that we are still subject to growing pains and challenges; the things we face in this world are resources utilized by God for our good which is why today’s focus verse goes on to say that his work is perfect… God’s plan is without flaw and the things which you face now will provide a base of glorification tomorrow; you may not understand why a 3 day journey took 40 years (ask the Israelites at the time of this writing); however; the end result was worth the path traveled at the guidance of the Lord… The judgment which God has handed down for you will lead to your prosperity and peace; He has not sentenced you to death, but has devised a plan to get you back on track… All his ways are judgment because He wants to see you become the unique and blessed individual that He designed you to be… There are thing which will not be acceptable in Christ and these are the things which God has ruled out for you… This is why that relationship will not work, this job won’t come through and this door will not open; there are better things for you in store through Him but you must come to know and believe that that God you serve is a God of truth… 

ALL FOR HIS GLORY!

God Allows U-Turns

The Lord our God is merciful and forgiving, even though we have rebelled against him.

Daniel 9:9

Despite the mistakes that you have made or the wrong choices that you have applied in your walk of life; Daniel reminds us today that God still loves you and allows u-turns…The Lord our God is merciful and forgiving… It is only because of the mercy and forgiving nature of our God that we have not been consumed and still have a chance to right our wrongs… Today’s focus verse comes at a time in Daniel’s life when the children of God have been enslaved to the empire of Babylon; it is through the prophet Jeremiah’s word from God that Daniel knows that the bondage of the Israelites will not last forever…The children of God were enslaved because of their disobedience; however, the love of God is displayed at this particular time as He chooses to chasten them instead of abandoning them… This is a power message that we find hear in today’s devotion; God will allow things to happen in our lives to get our attention, refocus our steps and realign our vision with His will… These things are corrective measures and not displays of judgment as many may portray them to be… Daniel finds encouragement in knowing that this bondage would not last forever and offers up a sincere thanks to the most wise and everlasting Father… The same hope which Daniel held onto in this passage of scripture is the same hope which we hold on to at this very time in our lives… There is no doubt that God has every right to pass judgment on mankind and there is no defense which we could offer; this alone is reason enough to rejoice in knowing that God loves us, wants to spend eternity with us and has devised a way of escape for us… 

ALL FOR HIS GLORY!

Beware Of False Prophets

Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.

1 John 4:1

Not everyone who speaks the name of Jesus is a true believer of the sacrifice that He made on Calvary… Not everyone who you see at church is a member of the body of Christ and today we are charged to “try the spirits whether they are of God…” We must not be fooled in our walk with the Lord, I once was told that Satan isn’t actually dwelling in the world but in the church; he tries to take up residence in the church because people in the world are already under his control… This verse is such a powerful one penned by John because often times it isn’t that we are led astray by the world but by imposters who are “wolves in sheep’s clothing…” If I am walking down a dark alley at 11 o’clock at night, than I will be very vigilant and apprehensive; however, if I am walking through a park on a nice Saturday afternoon than I tend to lower my guard and my apprehension is non-existent… This same analogy applies to our lives as Christians, when we are in the dark alleys that are this world, we are on guard and our eyes are wide open to see traps and snares; however, when we are in the church we open ourselves up to those who we see and whom we meet expecting them to have our best interest at heart… This is why so many have fallen and have found themselves wondering how they ended up where they are today and this is the very reason why John says we must try the spirit “…because many false prophets are gone out into the world…” There are many false prophet in the world, be sure that you don’t follow or become attached to one! Your soul (spirit) is at stake!

ALL FOR HIS GLORY!

Sanctification Is A Process

But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.

2 Corinthians 3:18

It is good to know that the way we enter this world does not have to be the way we exit… Understand today that there is a transformation that takes place daily in the lives of Christians… Through the disobedience of Adam & Eve we all enter this world as sinners, but through the grace and sacrifice of Christ we don’t have to leave that way! Paul charges the church of Corinth to understand that they are being formed into the image of God by His Spirit. There is a progressive work called sanctification that begins in the lives of Christians when they accept Jesus as the personal Lord and Savior… The work of redefining your life is a process that begins at acceptance and is continued through the presences and aide of the Holy Spirit which will dwell inside you and mold you into the disciple that Christ has called you to be… This verse which we focus on today reminds me of the limitless love that God has for His creation... God has looked beyond your faults, established exactly what you needed and then carried out the measures which had to be completed in order to bring you to that expected in… God’s love for you was made known before you even knew the errors of your ways or the depth of your sin… In Christ we get a glimpse of what we were designed to be and the road which we must travel in order to achieve it… 

ALL FOR HIS GLORY!

The Fruit Of The Spirit Is Lawless

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law."

Galatians 5:22-23

A quick and easy way to tell a child of God isn’t through the things that come from people’s mouths; it is not through the praise they offer up in worship service, but the kind of fruit that they bare in their lives… The fruit which we produce is a direct reflection of the seed which lives within and this fruit can not be altered or changed from its original state… This is why Paul states the characteristics of the fruit of the Spirit… These characteristics cannot be found in fruit that is not produced within the Spirit of God… For example, the bible teaches us that God is love; therefore, being a child of God one must have fruit of love in their lives which not only takes root in them but also produces offspring of love to enable them to extend a hand to their adversary or forgive one who has wronged them… You cannot straddle the fence with a mixed bag of fruit and call yourself a child of the most high… This is one exact reason why we find a passage in the gospel of Matthew which speaks to recognizing people by the fruit that they bare… “By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? (Matthew 7:16)” This message is imperative for us today because as a child of God we are not known by what we claim but the fruit that we bare… Paul writes to the church of Galatia reminding them of the fruit that the Spirit indeed does bare; today let us read these verses and take a(n) inventory of our lives to see if we are baring these fruits, if we aren’t then it is time that we make sure that we are walking in the right spirit… As a child of God we are to be filled with His spirit and this is displayed in our daily actions in various forums… 

ALL FOR HIS GLORY!

His Yoke Is Easy

Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

Matthew 11:28-30

Are you tired of being alive but not living? Do you ever find yourself frustrated by the things of this world and wonder how you are going to make it…? The truth of the matter is the enemy wants you to be so bogged down by the cares of this world that you have no time to really start living (which is to give your life to Christ)… Matthew records the call that Jesus makes to all mankind, “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden…” Jesus bids you to come out from the places you currently reside… This beckoning isn't a physical call, but a voice which desires to lead you in and on the path of truth and to give you life and give it to you more abundantly (Jesus declares this as the soul purpose of His arrival to this earth)… We labour daily trying to live up to other peoples expectations, we are heavy laden when we allow the thoughts of others and the temptations we face to weigh us down and strip our attention from the things that truly matter… This isn't to suggest or say that the life of a Christian is easy; however, it is to suggest that there are things that are worth laboring for and being burden by because they will lead to eternal rewards and joy… 

ALL FOR HIS GLORY!

Through Christ All Things Are Possible

And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.

Mark 16:17-18

As a child of God we are blessed with might and power that we probably don’t even realize that we have… These verses teach us of the supernatural power that we can tap into which only comes from the Lord… When we do things in the name of the Lord positive results will follow, Mark tells us that we can cast out devils, we can speak with new tongues and pick up serpents… All things are possible when we are in the care of our Lord and Savior; however, the key to unlocking these powers is the faith that we must have which cannot waver or be snuffed out… In times of despair, in times of turmoil, in times of chaos Mark teaches us today that with an unwavering faith and a (n) unquenchable fire or zeal for the Lord we will be able to do miraculous things… The words In my name speak to the connection and authority that we must receive through Christ in order to perform the impossible in our lives… Remember all the great things that Jesus did upon this earth, but also remember that He said, “Greater things than I will you do…”The mantle is ready to be passed, the limitless heights you can reach are in view, but you must walk according to the will of God and submit yourself totally to Him… We all have heard the saying, “You can tell a Leopard by its spots”, also true; is the fact that you can tell a Christian by their abilities. One who has a vague outlook on life has question marks in their walk with God. 

ALL FOR HIS GLORY!

Submit To God; Resist The Devil

Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

James 4:7

In life we are assured of test and temptations, we will experience frustration and misfortune; however, the challenge for every believer in Christ is to stand and faith trusting and believing that God will take care of the very things that are out of our control… This passage taken from the book of James gives us instruction as to how we can overcome the storms and obstacles that plague our lives. In order to be victorious and be taken to another level in Christ, the first thing we must do is to submit ourselves to God, the word submit means to present or offer and this declares to us that if we want to be successful in life and be happy in this world we must present our bodies to the Lord, we must offer our time, gifts and resources to the Most High God. To submit you must humble yourself, you must surrender all; you must completely turn your life over into the hands of God… Understand today that submission requires admission… You must admit that your not perfect, that you can’t make it on your own and that you need the Lord to intervene in your life and guide you… You must acknowledge that without Him you are nothing, you will be nothing and hell awaits your arrival… Today let us understand that in order to inherit eternal life, in order to receive the precious promises of God, in order to find peace and happiness we MUST submit TOTALLY to Him… 

ALL FOR HIS GLORY!

God Wants You Just As You Are

Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

Psalm 139:23-24

The psalmist makes a bold request unto the Lord, one that requires total devotion and acceptance of whatever happens next… In the darkest of hours, when all hope seems lost, when we have tried everything we can think of and can’t overcome the obstacle in front of us what do we do? The psalmist turns to the Lord and asks Him to search him… This is a concluding and submissive statement that says I give up, I am tired of living this life, I am tired of experiencing these same results and I desire more… The psalmist realizes that there are things in his life that must be holding him back, there are people in his life that may be causing him trouble and since he cannot figure it our nor can he overcome them, he ask God to search him… This is a powerful declaration today, one that speaks to the heart of man and poses a serious question as well… Have you asked God to search you? These verses cover a multitude of areas that we must allow God to inspect and clean… Have you asked God to try you and know your thoughts? The psalmist here wants us to understand what it is to have an intimate relationship with God. He has taken his life and placed it at the throne of the Most High. He has inquired of the Lord to cleanse him and mold him into the disciple that he has been called to be. In asking to be searched and tried there is a request being made, but also a pledge of acceptance of whatever painful experiences which are to come... You have to let God have His way in your life even if and when His way does not align with yours… Allow the Lord to search you, He will find the voids in your life and fill them with His love and compassion which will in turn lead you to greatness within His will!!!

ALL FOR HIS GLORY!

Those Who Wait Find Strength

Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

Isaiah 40:30-31  

Trying to make this trek on this journey called life within your own power guarantee’s you one thing and one thing only; FAILURE… It doesn’t matter how prosperous things may appear to be, it doesn’t matter how glowing your life may seem at the moment, Isaiah reminds us today that “Even the youths shall faint and be weary…” The strongest of all men will fail; the smartest of all mankind won’t be smart enough and all “…shall utterly fall…” No matter how much success you have or how good your health is; we must all rely and be solely dependent upon the Lord… This requires us to totally submit ourselves to the will and power of God… So many of us are wondering why it is that we aren’t able to stand, why it is that we aren’t able to maintain and the answer lies in the fact that there are still parts of your life which you are still trying to control; these parts are also the same places where the enemy utilizes his most crafty devices to ruin the being which God created you to be… Isaiah goes on to say that you will mount up on wings like Eagles. When a storm comes, Eagles see it, but fly above it. When you trials come you will see them, when tribulations come, you will surely encounter them, but you will be lifted above and beyond those storms, you will be taken higher and placed on a security blanket that is Jesus Christ. Isaiah says that you will feel times of despair and see many trials; however, it will be by the strength of God (when you call on His name) that you will be delivered… People often say, “There is strength in numbers,” our motto as Christians is that there is strength in Christ…

ALL FOR HIS GLORY!

He's The Way, The Truth and The Life

Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

John 14:6

This verse is a verse that clearly defines our religion and the foundation on which we stand… There are 4 non negotiable points that are highlighted below that separate light from darkness, life from death and sickness from health… There are many religions in our societies today, many different temples, churches and synagogues; however, today we must examine why the religions all differ and the piece of the puzzle that divides is Jesus and the declaration made here in the 14^th chapter of John… This passage taken from the gospel of John can be the focus of separation between religious beliefs, why because of the 4 things Jesus states about His divinity while being the very form of man!

The first thing that Jesus says is, “I am the way…” In traveling you can find many routes to reach your destination, you can sometimes stumble upon a shortcut or even find that your route is much longer than another path… Whatever the case maybe, today we are called to remember that there are no shortcuts in reaching heaven… There are no paths that will lead to an easy road of obtaining Salvation… 

“I am the truth…” There are a lot of false doctrines, a lot of people trying to appease the itching ear and a lot of people who want to pick and choose which parts of the bible they want to hold as sacred and true… I don’t know about you, but I am tired of being lied too, tired of being suppressed and tired of being disrespected! Jesus tells us today that all truth is in Him; 

“…and the life!” Jesus told us that He came to give life and give it more abundantly… This simply tells me that I am not living until I come to know Him… Ezekiel was faced with a valley of dry bones, it wasn't until he prophesied to the winds and the breath of life was deposited that they came to be... This rule applies to us today; we are dead without Christ... Jesus is life and ONLY through Him can we live…

“…no man cometh to the father, but by me!” This is one of the biggest stumbling blocks for many who want to reach the destiny in which God has called them too… Remember that before Jesus death on the cross we could not go to the father in prayer; however as Jesus gave up His spirit the veil of the temple was rent from top to bottom symbolizing the fact that we can now go to God in prayer… It is through Jesus and only through Him that we obtain the righteousness to be fit for the Kingdom of God…

In Jesus you have your being; it is only through Him that you can find your way, live in truth, have life and be with the Father for all Eternity…

ALL FOR HIS GLORY!

We Are One in Christ

For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. For the body is not one member, but many.

1 Corinthians 12:13-14

There is only one avenue paved by the blood of Jesus which leads to Eternal Life… Paul starts of these verses by declaring, “For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body…” There are many religions in this world, many gods that people worship; however, it is important for us to know and remember just as Paul states to the church of Corinth that we serve the True God… We cannot in any way, shape or form negotiate our faith in Jesus Christ… More importantly, we cannot try and place ourselves above others who come into the Faith… There is a big problem in churches today where people are turned away because of others who look down on them… We are to be mindful that all people from all walks of life have been given a chance to inherit Eternal Life and accept Jesus Christ as their personal Savior… You weren't always saved, there were and are still dark areas in your life and just like Jesus has saved you by His bloodshed; you also must allow for His saving power to draw whomever to Him and embrace them with open arms… This very reason is why Paul says it doesn't matter what culture you are from, it doesn't matter “…whether we be Jews or Gentiles, weather we be bond or free…” Jesus proclaimed that He came for the sick (this taught the people of yesterday and today that there is no barrier to God’s love or what depths He can go to reach or save a soul)… It is of the utmost importance that we stop judging one another based on age, race or gender and realize that God looks at the heart of man and not the body that houses it… 

ALL FOR HIS GLORY!

The Earth Is Filled With His Glory

But as truly as I live, all the earth shall be filled with the glory of the LORD.

Numbers 14:21

The bible records that at the creation of the world (darkness had covered the face of the deep)… There are so many dark areas in our lives, so many things that we are not proud of, so many choices that we have made that we don’t want people to know about nor do we want to acknowledge… Today, in the book of numbers we see that all darkness will be expunged from the earth… Truly the Lord does live and because He lives we can take pride today in knowing that “…all the earth shall be filled with the glory of the Lord…” The glory of the Lord is His splendor, beauty and wonder; knowing that His beauty will fill the earth gives enough confidence to the believer today to smile in the midst of trials… His splendor will fill the earth, He will be exalted through the darkness of this land, His light will shine and your path will grow brighter and brighter as you walk according to His will and plan for you… It is imperative that we understand today that in reading this verse we confidently make the claim that the light of God shines in us and through us… Today’s focus verse starts off with the words, But as truly as I live; this is a statement of faith and confidence in God which should be the same claim that we make daily… As surely as I live I know that God loves me and will continue to mold me, I can allow all the mistakes of yesterday, all the dark areas of my life to be exposed after reading this passage because I don’t want to carry this weight anymore, I don’t want to give the enemy a foothold anymore (Ephesians 4:27) and I am tired of walking on egg shells… I know there is beauty in me and in the path which God has for me… He shall be revealed and the life I have in Him shall be fulfilled... 

ALL FOR HIS GLORY!

Christ Death Gave You Life

Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.

1 Peter 2:24

If it had not been for the Lord who was on my side, where would I be…? This is the question that I desire to ask myself on a daily basis… I believe that in asking this question, we can break down strong holds and overcome temptations… Knowing that Jesus paid the price, knowing that my sins (past, present and future) have been forgiven and understanding that I have a chance to inherit Eternal Life, I can rebuke the attacks and devices that the enemy uses… Our focus verse taken from 1 Peter starts off by saying, “Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree…” Jesus took it upon Himself to bare our sins, He took upon Himself to receive them upon His own body and He took it upon Himself to carry them to the tree… There was nothing that we could offer Him, nothing that we could give or pay Him to do it; He did it “…his own self…” This is good news today because it speaks to the love and care that Jesus has for us; this is good news today because it demonstrates the desires of God to reconcile with His creation and this is a sweet verse to carry in the forefronts of our minds because it reminds us that God wants to see us at our best… Jesus laid down His life before we were formed in our mother’s womb, He paid our debt before we even were engulfed by it; recognize where you would be without the love of God, recognize today where you would be if His grace and mercy was not deposited in the form of His son, recognize today that things can and would be worse if it were not for the life shed on Calvary…

ALL FOR HIS GLORY!

Just Hearing The Word Isn't Good Enough

But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.

James 1:22

There are two vital elements to the life of a Christian; one is hearing the word of God and the other is applying and/or doing the word of God… We cannot hear and be satisfied, the word of God must not only be heard, but be rooted within so that it can sprout and bring forth fruit from the lives we live and the examples we display to others…  You deceive nobody but yourself when you think that you have done enough by being able to say that you faithfully attend church; you deceive yourself when you put on your Sunday’s best and display the worse example of a Christian each and every other day of the week… Applying the word of God is what leads to positive fruits and results in ones life… The word of God being heard without being applied is the same as instruction being received and not carried out… You wonder why you fall short over and over again, you wonder why your life continues to spiral out of control as you attend church faithfully and the answer may be in your application of what God is providing to you verses what you have heard and have chosen to demonstrate… 

The proof is in the pudding, the question is “how does your life taste?”

ALL FOR HIS GLORY!

Let Your Light Shine

Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

Matthew 5:16

It is up to you to display Christ in your life and not to allow the things of this world to dim the light which God has placed inside of you… Notice that this passage says for you to let you light shine that men may see your good works. Many Christians patrol around in our societies uttering the words that I am God’s child, I am a Christian, but this passage shines light of the fact that we are to live a life that will let people know we are of the household of faith without the need for words to supply the answer... This passage tells us that we should not have to tell somebody about our religious beliefs, but rather that the individuals who come into contact with us should be able to see that Christ dwells within us. Our mission on this Earth is to walk in Gods will and in all things give Him glory and honor! It is not for you to proclaim your religion through words, so refrain from speaking and live what you use to verbally preach!! Understand today that your actions are imperative to your witness; in order for your light to shine for others to see it must first be positioned in the right place! 

ALL FOR HIS GLORY!

Delight Thyself In The Lord

Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.

Psalm 37:4

Often times we prioritize things in the wrong order which leads us to getting the wrong results… In the natural realm of thinking we chase after our desires at all cost, stopping at nothing to obtain them… The psalmist reminds us today the true direction in which everyone must travel to receive “…the desires of thine heart…” There are steps which we must take in obtaining the things which we desire to have and the first step which must be taken is that we must “Delight thyself also in the Lord…” You can have desires in life, but your focus and top priority must be delighting yourself in the way and will of the Lord… You must turn away from your own desires and walk by faith knowing that God not only knows your heart, but that He will answer your prayers… It is so easy, when things don’t go the way we expected for us to try and make our own path… We find ourselves praying for something and when God doesn’t’ answer in our way, we immediately try to step in and get the results that we are looking for… From studying this verse today, it’s imperative that we not only learn to be obedient to God’s desires and patient within our walk, but we also must remember that God answers in “ways that are not our ways”… 

ALL FOR HIS GLORY!

Power Comes Through The Holy Ghost

But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

Acts 1:8

The instruction uttered by Christ in this verse reminds us to stop trying to find answers within our own finite abilities… Stop trying to pave your own path and go your own direction… You must come to know and trust the Lord (remember the people had all things in common with their focus on God when the Holy Spirit descended upon them as tongues of fire)… In life, we must learn to praise God at all times. Praise Him through your difficulties, praise Him through your trials, praise Him through your hours of loneliness and allow Him to take care of all your cares… Jesus instructs His disciples very clearly to wait until the Holy Spirit comes and sure enough when it came the same ones who were scared were used to transform the makeup of the entire world.  Remember that Jesus said, “Greater things than I will you do…” Don’t ignore the power of your witness today; you have made mistakes, you have choose the wrong direction, but you know God's light of love has still shined down on you . He has still shown compassion toward you and brought you through trial after trial… You’re a powerful creation and God sent His son because of the power He wants you to display… Somebody needs to hear your testimony, somebody needs to hear what God has done for you and you must realize that you have the power (by the Holy Spirit) to show people the direction of God and how awesome He is… This scripture tells us today that there is a time for your anticipated arrival as a witness to God’s faithfulness; endure your season of preparation and do not move before the Spirit descends upon you and leads you down the path which God has paved specifically for you…

ALL FOR HIS GLORY!

Rest Is Found In Christ

Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

Matthew 11:28-30

Are you tired of being alive but not living? Do you ever find yourself frustrated by the things of this world and wonder how you are going to make it…? The truth of the matter is the enemy wants you to be so bogged down by the cares of this world that you have no time to really start living (which is to give your life to Christ)… Matthew records the call that Jesus makes to all mankind, “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden…” Jesus bids you to come out from the places you currently reside or the mental captivity that so many of us are currently being oppressed by… This beaconing isn’t a physical call, but a voice which desires to lead you in the path of truth and to give you life and give it to you more abundantly… We labour by trying to live up to other peoples expectations, we are heavy laden when we allow the thoughts of others and the temptations we face to weigh us down and strip our attention from the things that matter… This isn’t to suggest or say that the life of a Christian is easy; however, it is to suggest that there are things that are worth laboring for and being burden by when we walk in the will of God because these things lead to eternal rewards and joy… Don’t worry about the trials you face, don’t worry about the obstacles, don’t get caught up in the way things appear to be; in the Lord you will find rest, you will find help and you will find love… My yoke is easy and my burden is light; although you face hard times, you are sure to claim victory in Christ Jesus and make it through…

ALL FOR HIS GLORY!