Don't Worry; The Lord Will Deliver You

"Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all."

Psalm 34:19

Make no mistake about it, as a child of the Most High God you are guaranteed afflictions along this Christian journey… When you are walking upright, in honesty and blameless throughout this world (which are all characteristics of righteousness) you are assured to be persecuted and afflicted… There are none on this earth who are righteous; however, through the bloodshed of Jesus we can be clothed in righteousness and therefore walk in victory as oppose to darkness… I state this about righteousness because it is important to understand that when you face trials because of your desire to walk in righteousness you must remember that the attack isn’t’ against you but against the one you are clothed in… This is why the psalmist states that even though we are afflicted, “…the Lord delivereth him out of them all…” This battle is about the God you serve; remember this in the midst of your storm because it will help you to know that you are not alone and not fighting this battle within your own abilities… This Christian walk isn’t green pastures, it isn’t fields of orchards or streams of rivers and despite what you may want to believe, you must understand this so that you don’t find yourself susceptible to the attacks within your mind by the enemy… In times of adversity God is going through it with you, that’s the only way that you make it out every single time and this is the greatest example of love…

ALL FOR HIS GLORY!

Learn From Past Experiences

Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 3:13-14

The biggest challenge of a Christian is the ability to forget yesterday while striving for tomorrow… There are a lot of things in life I am not proud of, but in Christ we must make the decision that our past will not restrict or limit our future; in fact, the past will provide experiences for a foundation of better decision making and yearning to do the will of God… Not only must we be able to overcome failures and skeletons, we must also realize the weight and bondage associated with our past if we do not overcome and release it… Ponder this statement very closely as we study today’s verses from Paul’s epistle to the church of Philippi… The more you carry on your shoulders, the more energy that is required to take a step… We all are probably aware of the great work Paul completed or begin in his life upon this earth… Several missionary journeys, many letters of encouragement and/or reform and even through all the years, at this point in his life he pens to the church that “I count not myself to have apprehended…” Though we toil in the garden that we have been called to tend, we can never make the mistake of thinking we have reached the heights of success that we are called to meet… We can never be satisfied or become satisfied on this earth as we are clothed in imperfection from the womb… I contend that every day you see on this earth is a day in which God has something that you have been designed to do… You have more work in your vineyard, you have more toiling in your fields and to understand this you must be able to leave the past in the past… 

ALL FOR HIS GLORY!

Christ Came To Defeat The Enemy; Not You

For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.

1 John 3:8

The path of life you travel does not have a happy ending without the bloodshed and nail-scarred hands of Jesus Christ… There are no works of our own which can justify our walk of life, you and I enter this world as sinners headed to hell and it is only through Jesus that we have a chance to inherit Eternal Life… Know that you are filthy rag and in need of a Savior, this is why John declares to us today that it was for this purpose the Son of God was manifested… The bondage of Sin was too great for us to overcome, the shackles could not be broken by our finite power, and there was a dire need for a Savior and Redeemer… Mankind was unfit for the task which would lead to liberation; there were none who could pay the penalty of sin which is another reason why it took the very Son of God… Today’s focus verse not only speaks to the damnation of mankind, it also speaks to the love and admiration which God displayed for His creation… There are very few of us who would give their son or daughter for the greater good of the world (let alone for a people which do not love and desire you); however, this is the very act which God partook in over 2,000 years ago… The bible declares that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us… It wasn’t that we loved God, but that He loved us in spite of… Before you were even in the midst of your situation, before you were neck deep in sin, Christ was born in a little town called Bethlehem… Before you even know God and the level of love and reverence you have for Him, the bible declares that Jesus laid down His life for you and destroyed the works of the devil… Know today that Jesus came to this earth with a purpose already set by God; a mission ordained for Him before the beginning of time. His mission was to defeat the enemy and give you an opportunity to live.

ALL FOR HIS GLORY!

Suffering Is Part Of Your Calling (Part 2)

For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake.

Philippians 1:29

Paul writes to the church of Philippi encouraging them in their time of despair and need! The church is going and has gone through some rough spots and many have turned to idol worship… Paul reminds them today that Christ’s death is a privilege for us to partake of, to suffer for His name sake is also to be considered an honor… The church was under heavy persecutions; many had become weary and began to lose hope in the future and precious promises of God… Paul is reminding them that the same Christ that gave Himself up for you is the same Christ that will lead you through times of despair! Paul wants us to understand today that we will indeed be tested, we will indeed have weary days, we will indeed feel the pains of life, but we must overcome, we must hold to His unchanging hand, we must remember that Christ suffered and said that we would suffer for his name! We can take joy in our suffering because we are carrying out the will and word of God, we can smile in adversity because we know that Christ died and now lives for all eternity!  We believe in Christ and will even stand for Him even in times of inconvenience. No matter what you are facing or dealing with, you must stand for Christ and be willing to suffer for His name sake. This is how we are able to receive and achieve all that God has in store for us… This is why Paul told the Church of Philippi, “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.”

ALL FOR HIS GLORY!

Suffering Is Part of Your Calling (Part 1)

For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake;

Philippians 1:29

You may not think this to be true at first, but to believe in Christ and to suffer for His name sake is a gift… We would never truly equate suffering with a gift; however, in the body of Christ suffering is gaining… This is why Paul says “For unto you it is given…” You have been given a chance to allow your tears to water a seed, you have been afforded an opportunity to allow your pain to produce growth and allow your work to not be in vain… We believe in a lot of things, when we are young we believe in Santa Clause, when we get a little older we believe in our friends and soon we believe in the first relationship we have… Each of these things are either untrue or lead to disappointment… Today, place your belief in something real, place your belief in something that will last throughout eternity, place your belief in Christ… It is only in Him that through suffering we can smile knowing what will eventually come to pass… It is only in Jesus that we can be cast down amongst our peers and have faith that we will be exalted… I was once told that if you don’t stand for something you will fall for anything… I was also told that when you don’t make a choice you have already made one… Today, many of us are trying to straddle the fence of life that divides good and evil… We want to “have our cake and eat it too;” however, for many of us the one thing we don’t want to do is work to succeed… 

Paul’s letter to the church of Philippi teaches us a very valuable lesson in life; this lesson is simply that suffering is inevitable… We are given a golden opportunity to suffer for the name of Christ as opposed to suffering for monetary gain and worldly riches… When one suffers, they bear, endure or go through something… Challenges are at every turn in life; however, the outcome can either be positive or negative… One who suffers for wealth will forsake their kids, sometimes their own health and will never be satisfied… One of the most interesting facts that I have learned is how many kids that come from wealthy families have become alcoholics or had bouts with drugs... Despite what you have been told or even what you have heard, we are afforded the opportunity of a lifetime, everything we suffer for can have true meaning, everything we endure can be worth the battle and everything we go through can add to our growth personally, spiritually and in the direction of our family when we are fighting the “good fight…”  Today let us look at our lives and see how much suffering we try to avoid for the name of Christ, take a look at how many times you have quenched your thirst for Christ because of what people might say or do, let’s see how often we refute His name around certain people or how often we put our religion on the shelf to fit in or get ahead… Like I said earlier, suffering is a part of life, the thing to note though, is that it can either lead to growth or death… Which path of suffering are you choosing today?

ALL FOR HIS GLORY!

There's No Life Without Christ

Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.

Matthew 16:24-25

There are two paths that one can travel in this life, the first is the path of eternal life paved with submission, humbleness and modesty while on this earth… This path requires one to sacrifice the desires of the eye in order to store up rewards for when this physical life has ended… The second path is the path of worldly lust; this path is paved with all the fine riches and measures of success as decreed by the standards of the world we live in… In choosing this path, one is required to focus on self, seek the advancement of their lives at any cost and to reject future rewards always desiring to have things now… As we come to understand these two contrasting paths, the question I pose to you today is simple, what is your spiritual destination worth to you? So many of us proclaim that Jesus is our Lord and Savior, but how much does Christ really mean to you and the direction in which your life will go? These two profound and critical questions are the questions that we must ask as we decide on whether we will pursue the dreams that the world lays out or the vision that God has for us which will not bear its truest rewards on this earth… Understand that Jesus wants us all to understand that walking in the will of God is no small task and it takes a dedicated, enduring and persevering person to reach the levels of which God has set…  Take up our cross today, don’t be troubled by the ways of the world or the views that people may hold; know that by giving up yourself you will find your true worth and live life more abundantly!

ALL FOR HIS GLORY!

A Mess Won't Be Blessed

"Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues. Let all things be done decently and in order."

1 Corinthians 14: 39-40

There are a lot of things that go on in a church service, there are a lot of “moves of the Holy Spirit” aligned with shouts of praise and adoration… Even though these things are apparent, it’s imperative that we come to understand and realize today that “…all things be done decently and in order…” We intentionally examine these verses from back to front knowing that we serve a God of order… We all desire to please God and walk in the gifts that He has bestowed upon us; however, it is of the utmost importance that in walking in our gifts we travel the path that has been laid before us instead of putting the cart before the horse… There is nothing wrong with prophesying or speaking in tongues; however, there is a correct order in which these things are to be carried out… I can recall a story that my father has shared with me several times; this particular story depicts a woman who attended his home church in Washington D.C. Every Sunday at the same time this individual would catch the “Holy Ghost” and begin to shout… One Sunday, at the appointed time this lady jumped up, swung her hand out and knocked another ladies hat off of her head… To my knowledge, no fights broke out or words were exchanged; however the following Sunday the lady who had her hat knocked off confronted the lady with the “timed praise” and told her that she better not touch her hat again… 

Wouldn’t you know when the clock struck her appointed time to shout, she lifted her hand up ensuring that she would miss the ladies hat… I recall this story today to highlight the importance of sincerity within our praise… The Holy Spirit flows without a timetable; however, there are some people in the church who want to display gifts that God has not given them and so when they do this they are not “done decently and in order…” I have been to a lot of churches and have been turned off by what I gathered as stumbling blocks of praise… A lot of people have been misled or are being misled by the gift of speaking in tongues, this is not for everyone nor is it to be done at any given time… The bible says that there is a time and place for everything and I believe that this rule applies as well in Paul’s letter to the church of Corinth… Speaking in tongues isn’t a bad thing, prophesying isn’t a sin, but understand that in all things God is to be glorified and His name is to be exalted (not yours)… 

ALL FOR HIS GLORY!

There's Still Room For You

Return, thou backsliding Israel, saith the LORD; and I will not cause mine anger to fall upon you: for I am merciful, saith the LORD, and I will not keep anger forever.

Jeremiah 3:12 

Despite the many avenues you have traveled in life and the dark paths you may be on right now; be encouraged to know that God desires for you to “Return…” Just like the prodigal son; no matter your current situation or how far you have fallen, God is standing with open arms waiting for you to come home… In a vision concerning Jerusalem and Judea, Isaiah the son of Amoz records words from the mouth of God in the 1st chapter and 18th verse of his prophetic book the words, "Come now, let us reason together, "says the LORD. "Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.” Make no mistake about it today, you are a filthy rag and without the cleansing blood of Jesus, hell has an RSVP with your name on it… Even as ugly as it may be or however hard it may seem to acknowledge, know that you have made mistakes, acknowledge that you have given into temptation. You must acknowledge the errors of your ways; however, in doing so you must also come to the realization that you can overcome and be victorious through the saving power of Jesus Christ… Jeremiah was known as the weeping prophet, his words were recorded in light of the coming destruction that the house of Israel would face… His tears were sown knowing of the coming doom and bondage that was on the horizon… Today, know that these same tears are sown in your life when others see you heading down the wrong path; these tears are sown in your life when people see the direction in which you are headed and how your life seems to be spiraling out of control… These tears are sown not because of the destruction, but because God’s desire is not for you to go against His will… The destruction you face is because of the trials of life that have conquered you and the temptation you have given into… You have “backslid” and God is indeed angry; however, He wants you to know that if you return to Him that “… I will not cause mine anger to fall upon you…” God wants you to turn to Him; He is tired of watching you fall, He is tired of watching you struggle and He wants you to know that He is merciful… Jesus is waiting with open arms saying, “WHOSOEVER WILL, LET HIM COME”.

The question of the day, is He speaking to you?

ALL FOR HIS GLORY!

Stay Positive; Things Could Always Be Worse

Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

The challenge of every Christian is to live every day and every hour of their life with the purpose of fulfilling God’s will… This doesn’t mean simply inquiring about God’s will, but executing the very steps outlined in today’s devotional scriptures… We are called to rejoice, pray and give thanks in all circumstances… The part we tend to lose sight of is the “in all circumstances” as we find ourselves from time to time becoming distracted by situations both positive and negative and ultimately losing sight of what God’s will is… Understand today that it is very easy and even natural to rejoice when things are pleasant; it can become second nature to pray when things become difficult… But how do we handle the opposite; are we able to rejoice when things or situations are unpleasant? Can you continue to pray to the Father when the storm has left your doorstep? Can you give thanks when you don’t receive what you desire…? These are the questions that we must ask ourselves today knowing that we are to live these points in every area and situation of our lives. As a Christian we are to rejoice no matter what, we are to pray without ceasing and we are to be thankful for everything… God has a plan for you and it is perfect, you rejoice because your Master is in control, you pray because this is your communication line directly to the father and you remain thankful because things could always be worse…  Always walk in the will of God, because I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. (Romans 8:18).

ALL FOR HIS GLORY!

Christ Is Coming Back

Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen.

Revelation 1:7

There is one thing guaranteed in life and that is that Jesus is coming back… Paul states in his letter to the church of Philippi “I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.” The “secret” Paul is referring to is trusting and having faith in Christ… No matter what you face or encounter in this life, you must have the understanding that Christ will be exalted and through all things His name will be glorified… As I go through life, my hope is neither in the present nor in the conditions of this earth, but in the promise of Christ’s return to this earth… Through John’s suffering and isolation God reveals a plan and purpose behind all that we go through… We are reminded in the 22 chapter of Revelations (12^th verse) that the Lord’s coming is approaching “And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.”… As a Christian we are to live everyday as if it’s our last (not live it up according to the world but live knowing that pleasing Christ should be our desire knowing that tomorrow isn’t promised and that Christ is Coming Back!

ALL FOR HIS GLORY!

It Was Christ Which Delivered You

Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins.

Colossians 1:13-14

It is only through the mercy of God and the grace of His son that you have been “delivered from darkness…” This passage cautions me to be thankful unto the mercy and saving power of our God… As I read these verses, this epistle informs me that there is news for the one who thinks more highly upon himself than he ought to think, this letter provides a bit of information for the one who places all his care into the hands of physical wealth or power… Paul asks a question to the church of Colossae that should be echoed to us today, “who hath delivered us from the power of darkness…?” As the songwriter said, “If it were not for the Lord who was on my said, tell me, where would I be?” Make no mistake about it, you are here by the grace of God and are alive because He has afforded you the opportunity to experience His love, affection and tender mercies… It is of the utmost importance that we remember who has delivered us from darkness. Paul posed this question to the body of believers and it is very germane to today’s church as well… The bible cautions us several times that we “are not to think more highly of ourselves than we ought to think…” You cannot do it on your own, if you look at your life when you have tried to handle things in your own power, I am sure that you can agree with this statement knowing that nothing worked as you planned… We couldn’t save ourselves and the filth that we are wasn’t nor is it worthy of heaven… This is why Paul goes on to ask not only who delivered us but also who “hath translated us into the kingdom of His dear Son…?” To be translated in this since is to be converted, transformed or turned… God has converted us from what we were, He has transformed our way of thinking and what we truly desire and He has turned us from our path of sin…  God has delivered us from the bondage of sin and has provided us a golden opportunity to come back to Him through the sacrifice of His very own beloved son Jesus Christ! We didn’t have the pure sacrifice that was needed to pay the debt that we owed and if we understand that, we can understand and know that Christ has delivered us and wiped our sins away!

ALL FOR HIS GLORY!

Victory Is Found In Christ

If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.

John 15:7

The word of God declares that you have the ability through the offering of Jesus Christ to “come boldly before the throne of grace…” We are promised that “ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you…” This is very good news to know as we are assured that our prayers do not fall on deaf ears; however, in order to see this promise come to fruition you must first choose the path of life that you desire to travel… Notice that Jesus says before you can ask and it will be done that you must“…abide in me…” Your prayers haven’t been answered because your life hasn't been submitted or surrendered… How many times have you heard people say that God will do whatever it is that you ask? How many times have you heard people recite John 14:14 or say that if you ask God He indeed will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory (Philippians 4:19)…? These sayings and the reciting of these scriptures are frequently uttered in the church or serve as reminders when we are in the face of adversity or opposition; however, we are called today to remember that asking God to do something or praying for a breakthrough is one thing that can be done, but in order to experience God’s goodness we must first submit to Him… The bible says that “when you seek me with your WHOLE heart, then you will find me…” You must have a desire to totally give your life to Christ; you must be abiding in God's plan for your life and making the word of God a part of your everyday being in order to see these promises come to light… God is calling and desires for an intimate relationship with you, a relationship that you put your full trust in and will adhere to as it relates to His divine plans... THEN and only then, you can ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. This command is not negotiable, there is no reading between the lines or loop holes to a quick turnaround; if you abide in Him, He will abide in you!!!

ALL FOR HIS GLORY!

Edification Requires Thinking Before Speaking

Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouth but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. 

Ephesians 4:29

When I was a little child I can recall how often my father would instruct me to think before I speak… Even though I never really paid his instructions any mind, today I have come to know and understand exactly what he meant… Words are powerful, the things that we speak can produce seeds of abundance or failure in one’s life; this is why James writes in the 3^rd chapter of his book about the importance in taming our tongue… In this chapter he says, “For we all stumble in many ways. And if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole body. If we put bits into the mouths of horses so that they obey us, we guide their whole bodies as well. Look at the ships also: though they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs. So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things. How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire! And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell...”

Your tongue has the ability to transform lives or tear them down, your tongue has the ability to reap corruption or alter the atmosphere; because of the power that lies in its use, we are reminded today that we must not let any unwholesome talk come out of our mouth… When I read this passage there are two points that jump out to me; either you think before you speak or you need to just learn to shut up… “What goes into a man's mouth does not make him 'unclean,' but what comes out of his mouth, that is what makes him 'unclean.” People will always talk about you, they will always say things that you may not agree with or may be hurt by, but the ultimate sign of a true Christian is not your response in words to the accusations, but how you flip this trial so that God receives glory and honor. Isaiah 53:7 says,” He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth.” Bottom line, think before you speak and if that doesn’t work just shut up…

ALL FOR HIS GLORY!

Purification Works From The Inside Out

Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently.

1 Peter 1:22

Notice that this passage says that you have purified your souls through obeying the truth by the Spirit. Without the presence of the Holy Spirit residing within you, you can not accomplish anything. We have to be led by the spirit; we have to have the Holy Spirit abiding within us. Remember Christ spoke to the disciples prior to His departure and said that you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes; we, through the Spirit have the ability to overcome and be victorious on this earth. It is also through the Spirit that we can love unconditionally; we can help our enemies, and be kind to those who show no kindness towards us. This passage emphasizes the fact that I should be able to tell your spiritual makeup, by the way you fervently love one to another. To be fervent means that you are passionate, eager, zealous about something, I should be able to see all those traits in your lifestyle as a Christian. Remember, greater man have no love than this, that he lay down his life for his friends!!!!!! That is Jesus showing his fervent love for us! This is the same love we are to show and will show through the aide and presence of the Holy Spirit… The bible declares that everything is possible through Christ… This has a new meaning for us today as we walk in love; we can love our biggest adversary through Christ, we can smile in times of frustration and adversity through Christ and we can turn the other cheek even in the most daunting of all challenges through Christ… 

ALL FOR HIS GLORY!

If You Desire God's Will; Study God's Word

Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

2 Timothy 2:15 

There is no exaltation in the kingdom of God without being diligent in the word and will of God… Today we are reminded that DAILY we must study the word of God; we must continue to grow and mature in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ… This passage reminds us simply that talk is cheap. Many claim to be Christian but we are to study to show ourselves approved. We must be immersed in God’s word, this is not to be confused with going to church, or attending Sunday School, but rather that we open the bible to start the day, we meditate on God’s word, and consume what He has given us (Ezekiel before going before the people was told to “eat the scroll”). When you get to that point where you are about God’s word and studying, then you can be a workman who is not ashamed, this means that you are confident in your faith knowing that the scriptures are true. You are confident in approaching any situation or even other religious beliefs because you are able to stand against the enemy… Not being ashamed means that you know the truth and you are not ashamed of what people may say and/or try to do… Let’s not get it twisted, we must understand that weeping may endure for a night; however, we are not ashamed because we believe that God is the creator and sustainer and have the assured certainty that joy will come in the morning (whenever God deems fit)…When you believe that, you can walk boldly on this earth, you can be about God’s work, and know that the devil is a liar! 

ALL FOR HIS GLORY!

You'll Lift; He'll Draw

And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.

John 12:32

The promise Jesus makes in the Gospel of John today to His disciples is a promise of simplicity and a promise of power… The simple task we have (which isn’t actually that simple given our sinful nature and natural desires) is to lift up Jesus and it is through this very act that the power comes through His exaltation which “will draw all men unto him…” This very passage recorded in the 12^th chapter is the key to our life on this earth and serves as a great tool of witnessing for those who do not know Christ or have gone astray... As a Christian we have the faith that Christ is the center of our being. This says that if we lift him up, He will draw. In all things, focus on Him; continue to lift His name above your pain and suffering, lift Him in your worry and tribulation, exalt Him during your storms; knowing that if you focus on Him, He will bring you out. He will deliver you from the muck and mire; and you will be just like a tree planted by the waters; you shall not be moved!!! When something is lifted it is exalted, raised or elevated above. This speaks to the true heart of a Christian! It is very easy to praise God when you or your family and friends are blessed, but is His name lifted in and through your life when storms rise? Is He receiving your praise when tribulations come knocking on your door? Christ is posing a thought to us today, “if I be lifted up…” He is seeking for you to lift Him above every situation; He wants you to speak His name over every obstacle and blessing you incur or encounter… Don’t lose sight of God’s goodness and the power that lies in the name of Jesus! When Jesus is lifted, He will draw… By lifting His name, not only will He save the lost, but He will make the vision plain for your life, He will sketch the plans of His will for you and make the course that you are to travel clearer everyday that you lift His name! So lift up the name of Jesus so that things can begin to change, lives can be altered and your path can be defined!!!

ALL FOR HIS GLORY!

You're Here Because Of God's Patience

Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?

Romans 2:4

I was once told you can tell a leader not by their title but by how many people are following them… In today’s focus verse Paul is writing to the religious leaders of the Church of Rome… This church had not been visited by Paul; however, the religious structure and advancement of the church were brought to His attention which compelled this letter… Paul is instructing the leaders to look within themselves before they pass judgment on another person! Oftentimes we find ourselves down-playing the sins that we have committed by trying to magnify the sins of our colleagues… We take a stance of being “holier than thou” and not having any fault within us. Paul is saying that we must remember that God has tolerated all of our sins, we must remember that He will stand as the judge and that He desires for all to be saved… We have all been guilty at times of “despising the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering…”  This simply means that we belittle the things that God has done despite the many flaws we have… We don’t give life to the grace and mercy that He has dispensed upon our lives; however we want to be critical about the paths that others travel… Whether we want to admit the truth today or decide to live a life of deceit; God knows that it is only by His desires for all to be saved and to repent that we are not consumed by the temptations and lust set before us by the enemy… We make mistakes, but we must know that God has given us a way to be victorious through His son Jesus Christ. By His Grace, By His Mercy, By His Longsuffering are we here and have been presented the opportunity of a life-time… Take advantage of this chance, but more importantly, don’t condemn others… Allow them a chance to experience God’s love just like you…

ALL FOR HIS GLORY!