Listen More And Talk Less

"Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath: For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.”

James 1:19-20

As a child of God; our number one focus is bringing souls to Christ… Despite how many various ways we accomplish this task, we all must first give an ear to the cries of the people with whom we come in contact with… No matter how much we study the word of God, no matter how much time we spend in devotion to the Lord; the mission that we have will fail if we do not learn to listen to others… We can quote many scriptures from our hearts or minds; however, the scripture or the words which the person needs most to hear from you may not be spoken simply because we don’t know where they are in their lives… James reminds us today that we must be swift to hear… Every person you come in contact with has a story; every person you meet has a past and as a child of God you must respect the paths that we have all traveled so that lives can be touched and altered… People are turned away from God not because of His ways, but because of ours… We allow wrath to rear its ugly head in our lives when we confront an obstacle and so instead of showing our faith, we show how much we still need to learn and mature… Growing up with 7 siblings (yes, seven), arguments seem to be a daily routine within our household; whether someone was wronged, an item was taken or the channel on the television was switched; it was never a matter of talking through things but rather yelling out of control until our parents stepped in and took whatever we were arguing about away from us… Being rebellious and retaliatory are natural traits of human nature… To be able to refrain from what comes naturally is a testament to your faith and advancement in the will of God… Sin is natural; however when we make attempts to avoid sin and live a life that is pleasing to God we are displaying the characteristics that a child of God should display and we are living the life that James speaks of in our focus verses today… Self control demonstrates how far we have grown in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ… James reminds us today that we must be swift to hear, but slow to speak (I have often been told that we were given one mouth and two ears for a reason)… I was once told that the reasoning behind this was so that we would speak half as much as we listen… If we speak more than we listen, James teaches us today that we are not walking in the will of God... In conclusion, listen more, talk less! 

ALL FOR HIS GLORY!

If Not For Christ; We'd Be Hell Bound

All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.

Isaiah 53:6

There is no one upon this earth who is blameless or without flaw… The biggest step toward becoming what you were created to be is realizing that you aren’t what you were designed to be…  Isaiah says, “All we like sheep have gone astray…” A sheep is a animal that needs guidance, discipline and structure provided for them… Sheep are frequently thought of as extremely unintelligent animals who can become frightened easily, intimidated and subdued… We “being like sheep” can easily be lead astray because of the self discipline we lack and the fear of the unknown that leads us to cling to the inferiorities of the present… Sheep have to be monitored and guided because they can very easily wonder off… The same is true of the body of Christ; we need the presence of the Holy Spirit and fellowship with brothers and sisters in Christ in order to keep from wondering off and becoming subject to many snares and traps… This verse taken from Isaiah tells me that since my birth I have wondered aimlessly through life, I have wondered away from the destiny God has for me and have turned away… It is because of this that “…the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all...” This is why Isaiah says in the previous verse “But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.” We can’t find the way through the fall of mankind and it was only through the blood of the savior that we have a guiding light which will lead us to the path that we were created to travel with a clean slate and hope for a better tomorrow… 

ALL FOR HIS GLORY!

God Bestows Grace When You Resist Pride

Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.

1 Peter 5:5

As a child, growing up it was very challenging for me to respect my elders, especially if I felt that they were wrong or not understanding me… I can recall as if it was yesterday how often I would become upset and feel a sense of anger toward those who thought that just because of their years upon this earth, respect was due to them… There is no tougher situation that I have faced in this life, than to respect and submit to someone who I didn’t or don’t think deserves it… Rolling back 3 chapters in this book and looking at verse 9 you will find these words, “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light.” The reason why I bring this verse to the forefront of our study today is because we are a chosen generation and called a peculiar people… Understand today that you are held to a higher standard, though others may talk about people and slander their brothers or sisters, we are “chosen” to extend a hand to the needy and to not give way to our own vengeance… In walking this Christian journey remember that you are a “peculiar people,” this means that you will handle situations different then the norm and you will find happiness in things the world counts as useless… This is the very reason why Jesus was able to call Judas “friend” even though he had come to betray Him, it’s the same reason why Jesus prayed for forgiveness on the cross and healed the soldier’s ear which had been cut off… The work we do on this earth is for the purpose of building God’s kingdom… We willingly submit knowing that there is power in submission… 

ALL FOR HIS GLORY!

You'll Know Them By There Fruit

Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.  Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.

Matthew 7:20-21

This passage taken from Matthew simply reminds us that talk is cheap. This verse declares a statement in the very beginning that by their fruits you will know them; this means that we have to be careful to observe the people we interact with and the kind of fruit they bare. So many of us get caught up in the elaborate or eloquent words that people use, but Jesus reminds us today that we must look deeper than the outward appearance… Taking this to a worldly view, we see many mega-churches today and so much corruption at the same time! How is this possible you ask, because people are following the messenger with his style and swag instead of heeding and seeking the word of God! So many people end up in abusive relationships or get hurt because they focus on the wrong things in a person and ignore the fruit that they bare… These are the things that we are being warned about today, the fact that as a child of God we must be proactive and defeat the enemy by seeking the will of God. In order to be successful in this endeavor, we must be willing at times to endure certain events on our own and more importantly not allow others to deter us from our divine paths… Jesus says, “Not everyone that saith Lord, Lord shall enter the kingdom of heaven…” This tells me that not everyone who speaks the word of God is about the word of God, not everyone that goes to church is a part of the church and that it is only by the fruit that they bare that we can know who they are… The bible says that there will be many that come in the Father’s name and they will deceive many; don’t be deceived today, observe the fruits around you, but also make sure that the fruit you bare is acceptable to the Lord! 

ALL FOR HIS GLORY!

Your Faith In Prayer Is Key

And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.

James 5:15

If you want to see the sick healed, pray; if you want to see the one in the midst of adversity lifted up, pray; if you want to have sins forgiven and blotted out, pray… This is not to suggest that every healing sought through prayer will always be granted (as God has a perfect plan which at times we may not understand; this passage just teaches us that the most powerful tool that we have is the ability to go directly to the Father in prayer casting all our cares upon Him knowing that He cares for us... The very next verse in this chapter says that the prayers of the righteous availeth much… Understand that when we pray, the key is not the words that you uttered, but the foundation of faith that your prayers stand on… James says the prayer of faith, when we pray in faith we leave it with God, we don’t get consumed with the outcome or results, we simply pray knowing that God has the authority and power to change and transform situations… This passage today focuses on the importance of Prayer, not in the sense of closing your eyes and speaking to God, but that we must believe in what we are doing… So many of us pray every day over our lives, but we don’t feel or see God moving because we haven’t trusted in His word… The bible says that we are able to go “boldly before the Lord…” Through the Holy Spirit we cast all our cares upon the Lord, we don’t hold on to them and we don’t simply go to God just to vent… Let your prayers be prayers of faith; knowing, trusting, believing and focusing on the power of God! 

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… We are called to leave no stone unturned and always go about conducting business as if we are doing it for the Lord , “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, (Colossians 3:23)”… Conduct yourself based on God's approval, live your life seeking his applause... Take every moment as an opportunity to grow in Him, Christ Is Coming Back and you need to be ready...

ALL FOR HIS GLORY!

Christ Has 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 side, 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 on your own power, I am sure that you can agree with that statement knowing that nothing worked as you planned… We couldn’t save ourselves and the filthy beings 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 way is to be converted, transformed or turned… In Christ, our thinking and eternal destinations are converted… We are transformed into the very beings we were called to be and through this we are able to excel and live the abundant life afforded to all those who are co-heirs with Christ. 

ALL FOR HIS GLORY!

Abide In Me

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 the 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 a (n) 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 parents would instruct me to think before I speak… Even though I never really paid their instruction any mind, today I have come to know and understand exactly what they 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… 

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… These traits can be displayed when we are of Christ because we are no longer thinking and acting according to the worldly standards… You have to have a purified soul in order to obey the truth of what God is speaking to your spirit… 

ALL FOR HIS GLORY!

If You Desire God's Will; Study His 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, than you can be a workman who is not ashamed, this means that you are confident in your faith knowing that the scriptures are true. Every situation you face, every obstacle you encounter shows the strides you have taken in the will of God or the lack thereof… When you study, God approves you for bigger and better things, He increases your territory which gives you chances to witness to others and grow into the man or women of God that He has called you to be…

ALL FOR HIS GLORY!

You 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! 

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! Often times 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 advantages 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!

God Cares For And About You

"As an eagle stirreth up her nest, fluttereth over her young, spreadeth abroad her wings, taketh them, beareth them on her wings: So the LORD alone did lead him, and there was no strange god with him."

Deuteronomy 32:11-12

Despite what people may want you to believe, you are here by the grace, mercy and directive of God… The bible records in the book of Jeremiah that God knew you before “…you were formed in your mother’s womb…” In Luke 12:7 we are informed that “God knows the very hairs on your head and therefore we should not fear for He knows what we stand in need of…” God is the creator and you are the creation, each person on this earth was designed for a specific task in the divine plan and will of God… You are a unique creation, one which literally means everything to God, this is the very reason why He sent His only begotten son and why He will watch over you just like an eagle who oversees her offspring… Make no mistake about it today; even if you have accumulated multiple degrees, obtained a sound financial future and a good job; God is with you and has been with you in every facet of your life… In today’s focus verses, the historical book of Deuteronomy compares the care of God to that of an eagle with her young… 

Look back at these verses and notice how many different avenues the mother takes to ensure the security of her offspring… She “stirreth the nest, fluttereth her young, spreadeth abroad her wings, taketh them and beareth them on her wings…” Remember in Isaiah we are told that they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they will mount up on wings like eagles… Know today that there is no point in time in your life where God is not present… A baby as it grows never really knows all the avenues and paths that their mother has taken to ensure their protection and security… When a child is born, it doesn’t know how a mother goes to check the temperature, the baby doesn't know how the mother takes time to make sure the baby is clothed correctly, a baby doesn’t see how much the life of their parent revolves around them and very rarely even come to understand how many things are sacrificed to tend to their needs; likewise, as we grow in Christ we never really understand how much effort, attention and love is poured out upon us from the windows of heaven each day of our lives… God has a hedge around you, a thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you if you make the Lord your dwelling place… God cares for you; He shows it every day in every way possible just like an Eagle over her young…

ALL FOR HIS GLORY!