Seek Him Now

Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near: Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.

Isaiah 55:6-7

Today’s message is one that is simple and direct, the Lord desires to have you back in the fold and it is not too late for you no matter how many mistakes you have made or how big a ditch you have dug… This passage is certainly the key for us today as we learn to not focus on things of the earth but rather on God… Oftentimes we make plans for tomorrow not knowing if tomorrow will ever come… Isaiah reminds us today of the importance in placing God number one in our lives; his reminder is not only to place God as the center of our lives, but to seek Him now while we still have breath within our lungs and warm blood in our veins… The word of God declares that Jesus said, “BEHOLD I COME QUICKLY!” This means that He will come at a time when we least expect. We must remember that tomorrow is never promised and that today is a gift; that’s why it’s called the present! I can recall a very bad accident that took place several years ago involving a group of teenager’s drag racing in Montgomery County when one lost control and hit a tree… The driver was rushed to the ER and survived; however, his passenger wasn’t so fortunate and was found ejected several feet from the vehicle… Through all the high, thrilling times in life we often neglect the importance of having a right relationship with the Lord… We think we have time to fix the wrongs or repair the broken hearts… Do you think the seventeen year old boy that died that day on Veirs Mill road in Rockville, Maryland a couple of years ago believed that his “now” had come, do you believe that the passengers aboard the planes on September 11^th knew that this was their last day, what about the lacrosse girl at UVA, the shootings at VA Tech? We don't even really need to go that far back in time. Just look at George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and Ahmaud Arbery.... Regardless of the particulars surrounding the incidents which occurred that led to their lives on this earth ending, all of these events serve as a sobering reminder that tomorrow is not promised. Whether we want to accept it or not, the bottom line is that we have to prepare ourselves for the end; we have to live each and every day as if it’s our last. By living in this manner and placing God first, we will be prepared and have our priorities set in the right order whenever the death angel arrives at our doorstep and we will be assured to ascend unto God's unmerited bliss and favor…  Seek Him now while he may be found... The time will come when the Lord cannot be found, don't be in that number...

ALL FOR HIS GLORY!

God Desires You To Live

As I live, saith the Lord GOD, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die, O house of Israel?

Ezekiel 33:11

Ezekiel brings to the forefront the matchless love and compassion that God has for His creation… The God you serve is happy that you serve Him, but He desires for all to come to accept Him and be saved… This is why God spoke to Ezekiel in the third chapter of his prophetic book and commanded him “Son of man, eat what is before you, eat this scroll; then go and speak to the people of Israel…” No matter how much you resist, no matter how much you reject, no matter how much you refuse; God still loves you and desires to develop a (n) intimate relationship with you… Anything you can think of, the children of God were doing during the time of Ezekiel; however, God wants them to know through his prophet that “I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked…” Even though you deserve death, God finds no pleasure in losing your soul…  The love of God is evident in the fact that He sent His only begotten son to die for us; the love of God is evident as well in today’s passage taken from Ezekiel which teaches us that no matter how messed up you are, God desires that you turn unto Him and not suffer the Eternal Damnation that awaits you… When people wronged me growing up there was no way on earth that I would wish well on them, but we learn today that God has always desired the best for us even when we have been the worse we could be to Him… Ezekiel writes this letter to the children of God at a time when they have turned there backs on the Lord… They have found themselves in bondage under the authority of Babylon and even then, have not turned to the Lord… The book of Ezekiel starts off with God preparing the prophet by telling him to (eat the scroll) and then informing him to go to a rebellious people… Today, God speaking through Ezekiel is letting us know that He desires for us to enjoy prosperity for all eternity… God’s life has no end (As I live…)and the compassion of the Lord is manifest in this scripture because He longs for your life to have no end as well… The verse ends by asking, “For why will ye die…” What on this earth is worth dying for? Why would you choose to perish, why would you give up all the precious promises God has for you, what’s worth your soul? If only you would turn from your wickedness, then you would realize how much God has in store…

ALL FOR HIS GLORY!

One Day With Christ............Priceless

"For a day in thy courts is better than a thousand. I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness." 

Psalm 84:10

No matter how nice your day may go or appear to be going; it simply doesn’t compare to a day in the realm of the supernatural… Being in the very presences of God is more than we can even begin to imagine or comprehend. Think about this for a moment, have you ever imagined a world filled with peace and harmony? Have you ever taken time out of your day to contemplate what life would be like if there was no violence, suffering or sin? The psalmist today reminds us of the hope we have to one day live in a world outlined just like that… As a child of God, we yearn to dwell within His courts, we desire to have peace within our hearts and have love poured out all around us… I don’t know about you, but I yearn for that moment where trouble will cease and sin will be no more… Through this psalm we learn the value that we should place on life; but more importantly we learn about the value that we should place on the life to come… This verse starts off by saying, “For a day in thy courts is better than a thousand…” A thousand days of success on this Earth will never lead to the completeness that we will feel on the day when we hear God say “well done…” Most of us probably find this hard to believe, most probably don’t even think that this is possible, but to understand this concept we must appreciate what a day in the courts of the Lord is… Imagine a day when happiness is present from the time you awake to the time you slumber, imagine a day when your kids walked in the will of God and not according to the ways of the world. Imagine a day when you could smile and tears would run down your face because of uncontrollable joy… This is the day that the psalmist is writing about; this is the day that we await when Christ returns… One day with the Lord is more valuable than a thousand on this earth… Today let us stop putting trust in temporary things, let us stop running to a protective covering that won’t last always… Some of the protective coverings are alcohol, drugs and even lustful relationships… These tents appear safe and they may make you feel protected for a moment, but if you want to be secure all the days of your life, if you want to be covered from any hurt, harm or danger, then you must place your hand in the hand of the one who sticks closer than a brother…

ALL FOR HIS GLORY!

To Obtain His Promise, You Must Overcome

He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

Revelation 3:5-6

Jesus is ready to “confess your name before His father and before his angels”, He’s ready to open the door to eternity and record you name in the book of life… Through John's revelation we are reminded of all these things Jesus has said in the bible that He will and would do on your behalf. Jesus declares the promises afforded to you and I; however, in order for these promises to become reality, you must hold up your end of the covenant; you must do your part and “overcome (as we see in our focus verses)”… The question may be posed at this time, what is it that we must overcome? The sin that we are born with is a sin that we do not recognize is present until we encounter Jesus… Saul thought that he was doing the right thing until Jesus spoke to Him, the rich young man thought he had done everything right until his heart was brought into question and Nicodemus observed the law as best he could; however, he became a follower of Jesus when he learned from the savior that “you must be born again…” The world will have you think that the things of this life is what you need to be focused on; it is far easier for us to go with the flow than to go against the grain; however this is what we are called and challenged to do… This is what John means when he speaks about overcoming; the desires and temptations that you face must be overcome and in order to do that your life must be placed in the saviors hands… Sin is a natural pleasure and it is one that we (just like babies) must be weaned off of… Often times people talk about Jesus and the saving power that is bestowed through His sacrifice of love; however, they forget to mention that you must choose to accept this offering and in order to do that you must first turn from your natural way of thinking…. Despite what people may try to portray to you, this journey in seeking the very presences and will of God is no “cakewalk”… Remember that passage starts off by saying, HE THAT OVERCOMETH, it will be hard, but every hurdle can be jumped, every test can be passed, and the devil can be defeated… You have the ability to succeed on this journey no matter what comes your way; the question is whether or not you want to!!!!

ALL FOR HIS GLORY!

Your Existence Is Evidence That God Is Real

For the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea.

Habakkuk 2:14

The word of God was never intended to be concealed or stored away within you… The bible declares that God desires for all men to come to know Him and be saved… The greatest work for all followers of Christ is to spread His word wherever we go and whenever the opportunity presents itself… The things that you endure in life are a witness of your faith and God’s faithfulness; you have been through a lot of storms and may be battling with the enemy as we speak, remind yourself that all people will have a (n) opportunity to know “of the glory of the Lord” and sometimes this comes about through your struggles… Despite the way things are done according to today’s standards, no matter how ridiculous things may appear to be according to the opinions of misguided leadership, the bible calls us to be encouraged in these chaotic times because we have faith and are assured that “the earth shall be filled with knowledge…” People will come to know that there is only one God, people will come to realize the error of their ways and despite how many people may come against you, you can claim victory and extend a hand of love and peace toward them because you know that the God you serve will have His name revealed and revered before all mankind… The way things appear to be may not be the reality of what they are… The message of Habakkuk the minor prophet is one that challenges the wayward man as well as the man of faith… The wayward man is challenged to repent and turn before it is too late… The man of faith is called to take his foundation of faith and build upon it through the removal of any traces of doubt. As a Christian we thrive upon this message which assures us that the devil has not won, nor has God withdrew himself from us. His is ever present and in due time He will crack the sky!

ALL FOR HIS GLORY!

His Abilities Are Unfathomable

Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.

Ephesians 3:20-21

When Paul wrote this letter to the church of Ephesus, the church had been dealing with various hardships and tumultuous situations. There were many instances where the church had become valuable monetarily and not spiritually. The people in the church had become very ego-friendly and self worth driven. Everything in this church began to fall apart, every battle seemed to have been lost and the members who cling to the promises of God were slowly beginning to question their faith and focus on this spiritual journey. Through this background we can surely draw a parallel from the circumstances of yesterday to our present standing. Church has become big business, the devil seems to have control over the pulpit and those who hold to their faith have begun to believe that the “church age” is over. Paul reasons with us today as to how we are to keep our composure through these frustrating times. The first thing we see is that we must remember that God can do exceeding and abundantly more than we can ever imagine.Paul says that God is able to do exceeding above all we can ask or think… Paul is encouraging the believer at the church of Ephesus to remember the God they server… It doesn’t matter what the circumstances are or what people may be saying; God is able… It doesn’t matter what the doctor has told you, God is able… You may be at a low point in your life and Paul is saying that you can be lifted up! Even the best things that you can imagine happening in your life, Paul is saying that God can and will go above and beyond your greatest imaginations... His abilities are unfathomable.

ALL FOR HIS GLORY!

Mercy Is Obtained Through Confession

He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.

Proverbs 28:13 

A hotel cannot provide a room to a customer if they are all occupied… Likewise, we cannot allow God into our hearts if the space is already taken… Covering sins doesn’t deal with them, but simply stores them away within causing us to carry around unnecessary burdens and prevent us from overcoming the trials or errors that we made… The proverb says, “He that covereth his sin shall not prosper…” When we try to cover our tracks or mistakes, we lead a life that allows our mistakes to control us… We become captives to sin and the result of that is that we cannot prosper… To live, we must be freed from the bondage of sin which only comes through confession and belief in God… David recorded in Psalms 51, that a broken and contrite heart is a heart that God cannot turn from. Let’s face it, we all have made mistakes, we have gone to places we had no business going to, engaged in activities that still cause us to cringe at the thought and allowed the lust and sinful desires to win in different phases of our lives. Today’s Proverb deals with the confession aspect of Christian living. He that covereth his sins shall not prosper, when you make a mistake in life, you have two choices; either you control it or it controls you! When you control a mistake, you openly confess to God and your peers of your wrong, therefore this incident doesn’t grow any legs to haunt you through life and cause unnecessary turmoil or chaos. If you allow the situation to control you, it becomes shackles that bind you to weaving a web of lies at the expense of your sanity and peace. When we lie, we have no choice but to continue down that spiral path which will ultimately lead us into a confined and guarded approach. You will walk on eggshells around people and force yourself into believing that everything is peaches and cream. When sin possesses you, God can’t prosper you! Stop allowing sin to control you, to hold you captive and oppress you and keep you from becoming the child that God has called you to be… Forsake the way of darkness so that God can provide the “lamp unto your fight and light unto your path…” God is indeed knocking at the door, if your spiritual life is likened to a hoarder; I hope that you can get through all the junk and answer the door before its too late…

ALL FOR HIS GLORY!

Call And He'll Answer

The LORD is nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth. He will fulfill the desire of them that fear him: he also will hear their cry, and will save them.

Psalms 145:18-19

God is as close to you as you want Him to be… So many people question the existence of God or His authority as the creator of all things because of the turmoil and hardships they encounter; today’s focus verses remind us that we are created as free mortal beings, we have been given a free will to do as we please and it is because of this that we often times separate ourselves from the love and protection that is defined in the arms of Christ… Understanding how our minds flip flop so often throughout the course of a day, we can gain a understanding as to why the Psalmist states that “The Lord is nigh unto all them that call upon him…” You have to make the choice to follow Christ, you have to decide which path you want to travel and when you make this decision you must stick too it… We cannot waver in our decision-making or desire to follow Christ and align ourselves with His will… James tells us that when we ask of God we must stand firm in our belief in order to obtain it; “But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord.” 

The same thing that we find in the book of James concerning the fact that a (n) individual coming before the Lord must be of a sound mind and faith in Christ to receive the petitions that He lays before the Lord are the same things that we see here from the Psalmist when he informs us that the Lord  will be nigh “to all that call upon him in truth…” The psalmist starts this passage by declaring to us that God is always near those who call upon Him. This informs us that God is aware of the things you are enduring and the hardships that you face! He knows when you are smiling and when you are crying, He knows when things are peaceful and when your life is filled with chaos… 

The psalmist goes on to say, “He will fulfill the desire of them that fear Him…” God will answer when you give Him the respect that He is due… He will lift you up when He is lifted up (if I be lifted up, I will draw all men unto me)… If you fear God, you respect His authority, you acknowledge His power and you give Him priority in and over your life… Despite what storms come my way, despite what obstacles I encounter, despite what pit I have fallen into, I believe that God hears my faintest cry, I believe that He will never put more on me than I can bare, I believe that in my reverence for Him, He will fulfill the desires I have and save me… This is why I call on Him; why do you?

ALL FOR HIS GLORY!

Present Your Body A Living Sacrifice

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

Romans 12:1

Today, in Paul’s letter to the Church of Rome we find the gift that we are called to give daily unto the Lord… As a child of the most high we are directed to be a living sacrifice unto the Lord…In this dying world we are to be examples of God’s faithfulness, love and compassion… Notice Paul says “a living sacrifice”, we are not called to be mute (dead) in this perishing world as many are right now, but we are to be witnesses to the grace of God… Paul starts this verse off by saying, “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God…” and ends by saying, “which is your reasonable service…” Mercy is forgiveness, sympathy, kindness and compassion toward another; when you take time to think about your life, I am pretty sure that it is filled with God’s mercy… Paul is saying that we should be willing without thought to be a living sacrifice to the Lord because He has been a willing sacrifice unto us... His mercy is what Paul pleads through today, the mercy of God is what sustains you and keeps you from your proper punishment… The mercy of God is what has given you life and life more abundantly... God not only sent His son, but He has given us His spirit to lead, guide and direct our paths… To beseech is to beg, ask or request… Paul is requesting for us to look at our lives today and notice how much mercy God has bestowed; when you take that into account he asks that we give our lives back to Him… The fact that you have the ability to wake up in the morning, the fact that you are clothed in your right mind, the fact that you have a roof over your head, clothes on your back and a job to go to is fruit of God’s mercy…Think about where we would be if we actually suffered the full brunt of the consequences of our actions. When we put that into perspective we can see why our sacrifice is reasonable...

ALL FOR HIS GLORY!

Serve Him Without Fear

"That he would grant unto us, that we being delivered out of the hand of our enemies might serve him without fear,  In holiness and righteousness before him, all the days of our life."

Luke 1:74-75

Make no mistake about it, though you face trials and tribulations and deal with hardships, the desire of God is for you to be reunited with Him… Luke records today, verses that echo this same sentiment… It is by God’s grace that you and I have been delivered out of the hand of enemy… As we walk through this life we need not only take note of God’s grace as far as being alive, but we also need to understand that things could always be worse… Luke is clear that we have been delivered out of the hand of the enemy… Whether your realize it or not, if the enemy had his way with you only God knows where you would be… The fact that you can overcome, the fact that you are able to stand, the fact that you have just enough is a testament to God’s goodness and His grace that has kept you and will continue to keep you all the days of your life… Notice the intent behind God’s grace that delivered you, Luke says that He did this so that we, “…might serve him without fear…” There are two different kinds of fear, we are called to fear God and keep His commandments; however, the fear that is spoken of in the gospel of Luke is a fear that leads one to second-guess and allow lordship over them. When we fear God we respect and honor Him, when we fear the enemy we are intimidated, scared and controlled by him. Satan desires for you to fear him because fear can be a device used to control and manipulate a (n) individual or situation. If I fear someone, I am more gullible to do whatever it is that they ask of me; however if I fear the Lord, I want to bring honor to Him by living a life that pleases Him and shines His beacon light upon the lives and hearts of others…

ALL FOR HIS GLORY!

Be Sober & Vigilant

"Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world." 

1 Peter 5:8-9

Making the decision to follow Christ doesn’t mean that your life will be an easy road from that point forward. As a matter of fact, when you choice to follow Christ you should come to understand that the battles in your life will only intensify… The sooner we grasp this important fact the more clearer these words penned in today’s focus verses will become to us. Even in the protective arms of Jesus we are reminded today that we must “Be sober, be vigilant…” You have to stay on guard as a child of God… The minute you accept Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior is the same minute that the enemy ramps up His attack towards you. The problem in the lives of many Christians isn’t that they are confused as to their calling but that they have become unaware of their surroundings… We accept Christ as our Savior and forget that the sin we lived in before knowing Him still exist and will try to serve as a stumbling block or hindrance in our advancement in the ministry that He has for us… 

The fact that Peter calls the devil a “roaring lion” should shine light on the fact that he isn’t as hard to spot as we try to portray him to be… In reviewing the history and makeup of the lion I came across some very interesting facts regarding this animal as it relates to his roar. The first thing is that the roar of a lion can be a sign of territorial dominance; this means that the lion is staking his claim to the area his paws land upon. The second type of roar found with lions deals with his food. A lion will roar to intimidate or scare off other predators while he enjoys his meal… Each roar of the lion lays claim to something in one way or another… The message that we must obtain today is that the enemy is laying claim to certain things and/or aspects of your life. When you go against the grain and dare to upset the status quo he will roar “seeking whom he may devour…” The devour spoken of in today's text is not about consuming you as some suggestion. The roar is to deter you from obtaining all that God has in store for you by getting you to detour from your divine destiny. This is why you must be sober and vigilant. 

ALL FOR HIS GLORY!

Things Could Always Be Worse

"Only fear the LORD, and serve him in truth with all your heart; for consider how great things he hath done for you."

 

1 Samuel 12:24

 

Your only duty on this earth is to “fear the Lord…” When you fear (honor, revere or admonish) the Lord your life is lived in total submission to Him… This means that you walk according to His will and are not focused on things of this world… This passage provides great advice for us to live by; we are called to “serve him in truth” knowing that He knows best and that we must bring to remembrance all the things that He has done and the paths that He has paved… We have to have an attitude that reflects on what God has done and dispel the notion of living with the mindset of “what have you done for me lately…” According to worldly standards and ways of living we must approach life seeking our own way and desires; however we are reminded today that we serve  a faithful God; one who already demonstrated His might by sending His son and one who has promised to supply all our needs… Don’t lose sight of the fact that as children of God we often want things to happen according to our desires and standards and we can lose hope or become discouraged when things don't go as planned… Whatever the challenge, obstacle or outcome that you are facing right now, know that God's plan is perfect and will bring about an expected end. No matter how low you may feel about your current situation, know that things could always be worse...  One of my close friends once told me that He didn’t like the rain, but that he appreciates the fact that he can observe it without getting wet… Today, make no mistake about it, the rain is falling all over the world, illness, division, strife, racism and so many other forms of disaster; however, we thank God that each day we see is another day to move forward and become the men and women He has designed and called us to be. Instead of losing hope, take courage in the fact that you have the warm blood in your veins and you have the ability to impact and change this world for the better. I am sure that there is someone on this earth that would love the opportunity to switch places with you and walk in your shoes… Don’t take for granted where are today, because you could be somewhere else…

 

ALL FOR HIS GLORY!

Be Thankful For His Mercy

If thou, LORD, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand? But there is forgiveness with thee, that thou mayest be feared.

Psalm 130:3-4

Have you ever taken time out of your day to think about where you would be if God had not shown mercy toward you? We are called to take note today that if God really marked our iniquity (wickedness, evil, crime, sin) we would not be here nor would we be able to obtain Eternal Life… The psalmist reminds us today to simply reflect upon our lives and the mistakes that we have made (even the ones that we made just a second ago or last night) and take time to thank God for His mercy… If we are truthful with ourselves, we know that there are a lot of things that we desire in this life that would cause us to divert from the very path of God and lead us down a path of evil… Something as simple as a desire to have more can lead us to love material things which the bible tells us is the root of all evil… The first verse says, “If thou, Lord, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand?” Let us take some time to ponder that, these verse place priority in our lives by reminding us that we are filthy rags that don’t deserve the Love of God to shine upon us… If we look over our lives we will soon realize that we are not worthy to be counted in the number of God, we will realize that our name should not appear in the Lambs book of Life, we will understand that hell should be our eternal resting home… The next portion of scripture says, “…But there is forgiveness with thee…” We are forgiven through His nail scarred hands, we received a clean slate through the blood that flowed from His side and it is because of the words “it is finished…” that you and I are not judged according to the errors of our ways… The psalmist acknowledges that he is not worthy of God’s blessings, he understands that he isn’t worthy to simply be alive and because of that he informs us as to why we should revere the Lord and be thankful for His mercy… 

ALL FOR HIS GLORY!

You're In Good Hands With Christ

"I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father's hand. I and the Father are one."

John 10:28-30

Your future is not tomorrow in the eyesight of God; your future is the place where you will spend eternity… This is important for us to understand because often times we expect things to happen in our immediate future, all of our good deeds appear to go unnoticed, our faith seems to be ineffective and we find ourselves wondering if we really are walking in the right direction. Jesus teaches us today that the true gift for our walk will be manifest in hearing God say, “well done thou good and faithful servant…” Today’s scriptures remind us of the assured deliverance that a person obtains when he or she has accepted Jesus Christ as their personal savior… Again, Jesus says, “I give them eternal life…”As a child of God we are under the grace that He dispensed through His son on the cross… It is because of His grace that we shall not perish. When we read this scripture it reminds us that we have not nor can we obtain anything in this life or grasp anything spiritually if Jesus is not the center focus within us…Jesus is clarifying some things for us today, the bible says, “It is not by any works of your hands lest you should boast…” Be careful to remember that Jesus has made every day of your life possible, know that He touched you this morning, clothed you in your right mind and started you on your way… Not only that, but let us remember that Eternal Life is only possible through Him… 

ALL FOR HIS GLORY!

Sow Righteousness; Reap Mercy

"Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground: for it is time to seek the LORD, till he come and rain righteousness upon you." 

Hosea 10:12

Even though you may appear to be in the vineyard alone, sow the seeds that you desire to reap in your harvest… As a child of God we are tested to think outside of the box, step out on faith and walking in the trust in belief that His desires will produce unimaginable results… Remember that when Jesus was speaking amongst His disciples He declared in Matthew 9:37 that “Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few.” Galatians 6:7 says, “Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.” Hosea was called by the Lord at a time in which the house of Judah was carrying on in disobedience… The Lord called Hosea to marry a promiscuous woman and have her to bare him a child; later on in the verse chapter the Lord compares the adulterous woman that Hosea married to the children of God… Make no mistake about it; even if we don’t see it immediately, the bible is clear that we reap what we sow… Hosea is calling for the children of God to sow seeds of righteousness… Righteousness is virtue, morality, decency and uprightness… We are called to live according to the will of God and the seeds that we sow are evidence of the way in which we walk… Jesus tells us in Matthew 7:16, “By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles?”The seed that you sow today is what you will indeed reap tomorrow…Take the seed of God’s word, love it, nurture it and stand on it… You may be going through now, but when God shows up He will bless you in such a way that the good will indeed outweigh the bad and you will see the fruits of your labor…

ALL FOR HIS GLORY!

We Are One In Christ

For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.

Galatians 3:27-28

In Christ, there are no classifications or factions; your past doesn’t determine your standing or the group that you are associated with… It never ceases to amaze me that the most segregated time in our societies and communities is the time in which we go into the church to praise & worship…. Paul wants you to remember that the world classifies you on your abilities; however, in Christ you are classified through your acceptance of the offering that Christ extended from the cross… There is no difference between you or I in the body of Christ; yes we all have different gifts but your importance in the body of Christ is no less significant than anyone else… This is why Paul says,“There is neither Jew nor Greek…” The biggest stumble block found in churches is the people who attend them… You have people who think they are better than others, people who think they have the right to look down or despise others and Paul is trying to set the record straight… The bible records that “all have fallen short of the glory of God…” We all have a path we have traveled, we all have done things that we aren’t proud of and we should be thankful just to have the opportunity to enter His courts with praise… Jesus went to the cross for all mankind (even if you say He did for you than that just shows that you were in need of saving)… You are no better then me and I am no better then you, we need to join together in being grateful that God thought it not robbery to leave His home in glory…  It is because of politics and tradition that I believe churches are going astray, it’s because of these things that  people have lost faith in the church, and why the devil is actively taking over our church. Believe it or not, segregation is still alive in the entire world, (it is most obvious on Sunday mornings). We are to be about fellowship, we are to be about exaltation, we are to be about GOD, and in order to be about Christ, we must be able to look beyond self and see that we are one in and through Him!

ALL FOR HIS GLORY!

God Always Fulfills His Promise

The secret of the LORD is with them that fear him; and he will show them his covenant.

Psalm 25:14

In times of despair we must learn to hold to God’s unchanging hand, knowing that through our fear (reverence, honor and admiration) of Him we will be kept and brought through whatever trial or hardship we face… The “secret” of this life lies in our relationship with the Most High God… It was the fear of the Lord which led Jesus to the cross and the defeat of sin and death… It was the fear of the Lord that allowed Peter to stand up and preach a word that saved 3,000 souls; it was the fear of the Lord that allowed David to pick up 5 smooth stones and defeat Goliath… When you are going through in this life, rely on the secret of God’s power… The enemy doesn’t know how to contend to fight against God so He tries to get you to denounce His authority over your life… The secret that Satan doesn’t want you to know is that he is powerless; the secret that the enemy doesn’t want you to know is that Christ has already freed you from the penalty of sin and bondage… You were made in perfection and clothed in the very image of God, when you call on the name of the Lord there is power and grace imparted to you that breaks strongholds, heals wounds and redirects our path… The secret to living is found in your reverence of the Lord… This why the Psalmist says that when you fear, when you obtain this secret that “he will show them his covenant…” God will write the vision and make it plain for your life; He will give you the desires of your heart and wipe your slate clean… 

ALL FOR HIS GLORY!

Be At Peace And Let God Work

Acquaint now thyself with God, and be at peace: thereby good shall come unto thee.

Job 22:21 

Today’s devotion is centered around two very vital points which we must come to understand as we journey through this life. The first is that we must know God more intimately each and every day of our lives. This requires a desire to grow, mature and develop in the very will of God. To acquaint thyself with something is to open yourself up, expose your pass or submit to. God is waiting for you to open up to Him, He is waiting for you to expose the skeletons in your closet and He is waiting for you to submit to the divine plan that He has for your life…   We will face obstacles in life; however, when we are acquainted with the Lord we are able to trust Him, continue to worship Him and hold on to His unchanging hand… It is only through this acquaintance with the Lord that you mind, body and soul can be at peace… You can accept the challenges of life, you can face the most daunting of tasks and you can endure the severest of storms because you know who God is and more importantly you have grown in knowing what the scriptures say, “I will never leave you nor forsake you…” I challenge you today to find peace amidst your storms.

ALL FOR HIS GLORY!

God Has The Power

...Thine is the kingdom, O LORD, and thou art exalted as head above all.  Both riches and honour come of thee, and thou reignest over all; and in thine hand is power and might; and in thine hand it is to make great, and to give strength unto all.

1 Chronicles 29:11b-12

Make no mistake about it; all power resides within the hands of the man above… When Jesus was mocked, beaten and whipped; He was nailed to the cross and pierced in His side… The bible says that when He gave up the ghost He hung His head and died, but we know that three days later he rose with all power in His hand… Matthew 28:18-20 says,“And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.” We know that we do not have the ability unless it is provided to us through the grace and mercy of God… When Paul was afflicted with a thorn in the flesh he is recorded as saying that “three times” he prayed for it to be removed but God told him, “my grace is sufficient…” These verses taken from the book of Chronicles reminds us that we must have our priorities set in life; we must exalt the Lord above the earth as our head and center of our being… We must give God glory for every good and perfect gift (riches and honor) comes from above… Even when we are faced with times of despair, the writer reminds us that “thou reignest over all and in thin hand is power and might…” When you submit to God, He will deliver you and see that you have victory… Remember that situations aren’t always what we see, but rather what God sees, so just walk by faith knowing in believing you will be exalted as you exalt Him and understanding that God has given you the power and might to overcome and sustain you on this Christian journey… Just as Jesus endured the CROSS to sit at the right hand, we will endure to reach OUR heavenly goals, keep fighting, but more importantly keep praising and adoring His name!!!!!

ALL FOR HIS GLORY!

Power Comes When You Overcome

And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations.

Revelation 2:26

This first thing that a Christian must do in this journey is overcome the power of the natural desire to dwell in sin… The book of revelations is the foretelling of things to come… This book speaks to the return of Jesus Christ for His co-heirs and the deliverance from this earth unto the promised mansions of God… Today John reminds us of where God wants us to end up, but more importantly, He speaks to the journey that we must endure to get there… The revelation that God provides to John is a revelation that we can live be as well. This revelation that is revealed unto John informs us of the gift that awaits those who endure. The verse of the day starts of by saying, “he that overcometh…” John sets the table for every trial that comes knocking to your door, this word prepares you for every obstacle that is thrust in your path and this message equips you for the snares that are set when you wake up in the morning… The bottom line is that we must overcome, there are no freebies when it comes to this spiritual war that we are fighting; every inch will be tough to go by and every step will draw sweat and blood from within… John knows a little about overcoming, this revelation that he is writing to us has been given to him as he sits on the island of Patmus exiled from his native land… John witness the evil plots against Jesus, he watched Jesus be strung up on the cross, now he himself has been persecuted and writes today to let us know that we (just like him) must overcome… Sure it’s very easy to take the clear path and walk the level ground, but we know that in becoming all that you can become there must be some hills and mountains that come into your journey… You must experience the lows of life to appreciate the highs of Christ and this is the journey that God knows will prepare you to appreciate His bountiful blessings… 

So continue to fight, don’t give up, your blessing, breakthrough and deliverance is INDEED on the way!!!!

ALL FOR HIS GLORY!

Love Has To Be Your Foundation

...Though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.

1 Corinthians 13:3

The societies that we live in and the communities with which we dwell have lost the meaning of the word love… There are so many people who do not understand what love means and/or what it will do; however, Paul pens in our focus verse today the point that a child of God is defined by love… If love isn’t the center of your motivation to act, then the deeds you do are done in vain… Understand today that Love is more than a word, its’ more than a feeling; love is the ability to go above and beyond, to look beyond faults and extend a hand despite what others may say and/or feel… Paul’s letter to the church of Corinth reminds us again that love has to be the ignition to the fire which leads us to take action… It doesn’t matter how much you give, but that you give in love… It doesn’t matter how much you do, it matters that you do your acts in love not for prestige or repayment… 

 

What is your intent when you give to someone in need? Are you doing it out of genuine concern, or is it so that everyone around you may see your good deeds and praise you for your efforts? Do you give to those in need expecting something in return, or are you simply wishing to help those who stumble upon hard times? These are the questions that we must ask ourselves as a child of God when it comes to giving and extending a hand… Giving to the poor is indeed a great service, but it loses its value if you’re giving for the wrong reasons… Sacrificing of yourself is truly an awesome commitment, but it is worthless if your sacrifice is in vain… When we think about love we must remember that the bible tells us very clearly that “God is love…” Paul is informing us that when we take part in giving, when we sacrifice, when we extend a hand; make sure that it is for God’s name to be glorified… Make sure that your actions aren’t to promote your own ego, but rather exalt God’s name through your actions! Look at the order of this verse, it talks to giving and sacrifice and then says that it is meaningless without charity… If God is not the center of your life everything is meaningless… If God is not the driving force behind your actions then everything is meaningless! God is love...love has to be your foundation!

ALL FOR HIS GLORY!

Your Duty...Fear God

"Only fear the LORD, and serve him in truth with all your heart; for consider how great things he hath done for you."

1 Samuel 12:24

Your only duty on this earth is to “fear the Lord…” When you fear (honor, revere or admonish) the Lord, your life is lived in total submission to Him… This means that you walk according to His will and are not focused on things of this world… This passage provides great advice for us to live by; we are called to “serve him in truth” knowing that He knows what's best. This passage also brings into remembrance all the things that He has done and the paths that He has paved… We have to have an attitude that reflects on what God has done and dispel the notion of living with the mindset of “what have you done for me lately…” According to worldly standards and ways of living, we must approach life seeking our own way and desires; however we are reminded today that we serve a faithful God; one who already demonstrated His might by sending His son and one who has promised to supply all our needs… 

Don’t lose sight of the fact that as children of God we often want things to happen according to our desires and standards… When we are faced with opposition, we question or blame God; however, when things are working in our favor, we find a way to place confidence in ourselves or mankind… Just like the Israelites, we need to be reminded to “Only fear the LORD, and serve him in truth with all your heart…” The only thing that we should fear (revere, respect, and pay honor too) is the Lord… The Israelites (having been lead from bondage) desired a king to rule over them… Samuel reminds them today that they already had a king in the Lord and that they must Only fear Him… As the story continues, we see that Saul, a man of physical gifts (well-built, handsome) was selected to be king and after thirty years was rejected due to disobedience… No matter who is placed in positions of authority, if they do not align themselves with the will of God they will fail. 

ALL FOR HIS GLORY!

It's A Two-Way Street

Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.

Matthew 10:32-33

Religion is not something that we take off of our bookshelves and wear 1 day a week; it isn’t something that we keep hidden in the crevices of our lives and display around certain individuals… As a child of God we are called to walk daily in His divine light and this means that we are to show forth our faith in Him and trust that this is the only way… When we second guess speaking up in defense of the name of Jesus or when we withhold comments concerning our Lord and Savior, we are doing a disservice to those whom we have come in contact with as well as ourselves… It is through speaking up and standing up that we display our belief and initiate the standing power of Jesus Christ who continues to make intercessions on our behalf… Peter denied Christ and left a courtyard weeping; however, when standing after receiving the Holy Ghost 3,000 souls were saved… The power that God has and is willing to display in our lives can only be exerted when we “confess him before men…” Make no mistake about it, you will not be able to wheel and deal your way into heaven… The bible declares that anyone who“confess with their mouth” and believes in their heart shall be saved… You are accountable to the call that God has on your life; however you are also accountable to bear witness to His name and walk in obedience… You disobey God when you “deny him before men” which is why Jesus will “also deny you before his father…” You are pretending, you are a (n) imposter, you are fraudulent… You cannot talk the talk; you have to walk the walk… Jesus said that He came that we may have life and have it more abundantly; however, He walked the walk when faced with the cross and humiliation… Today, you must carry your cross; you must walk through the cities declaring your love and appreciation for the most high… 

ALL FOR HIS GLORY!