God's Word Cuts Deep

For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.

Hebrews 4:12

Know today that the word of God is alive and active… As a Christian, you have been called to speak the word of God over every situation knowing that the word of God will not come back void but that it will accomplish what it was sent out to do… This means that you cannot give way to negative thoughts and or actions as you grow in the knowledge of Jesus Christ… There are always things that occur in your life that may leave you confused as to what God is doing; however, you can stand in faith knowing that the word of God declares that His ways are not our ways and that His will shall be done... The author of today’s focus verse reminds us today that the word of God is designed to cut to the very core of our being… As a child of God, we must be transformed from the inside out and this can only come by the penetrating sword which is the word… This is the convicting spirit that we feel deep in the pit of our souls and is the very point where we can be molded into what God has called us to be… 

The word of God cuts to the heart because we know that the heart is the foundation of our thoughts and actions… Remember that Jesus said in the 6^th chapter of Luke that the good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks. It is the heart that matters most to God and this is why the word of God is alive penetrating the heart by judging the thoughts and attitudes of all that come in contact with it… As you journey through this life, allow the word of God to penetrate you so that you are assured to be walking in the will of God… Knowing that the word of God is sharper than any double-edged sword lets us know that as it penetrates and causes pain, it also begins the process of cutting things out of us… Understand today that receiving the word of God can be a painful experience…The sharper the pain felt of having relationships being cut off or habits being kicked to the curb is not to be rejected with tears; on the contrary, embrace these changes knowing that the word is doing the very thing it was designed to do…

ALL FOR HIS GLORY!

Jesus Came To Set Us Free

The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners.

Isaiah 61:1

When we walk in the Spirit of God, we can do things beyond our wildest dreams… Things which we or others thought to be impossible become possible in the Spirit of God… As we continue down this path of life, it is imperative that we first prepare our hearts and minds for the favor of God… This 61^st chapter speaks to the year of God’s favor and it is of the utmost importance that we begin to think outside of the proverbial box and stop placing limitations on what God can do… As we sit on the cusp of a new year, we also sit at the door of our destiny and God’s divine will which has no timetable… The Israelites faced many hardships, many trials, and tribulations; however, the year of God’s favor was the coming Messiah which would bind up the brokenhearted and proclaim freedom for the captives… You have been held captive for far too long… You have been oppressed for too many years and God’s favor is ready to pour out into and upon your life… Jesus came that you might have life and have it more abundantly; He has already loosed the chains, He has already paved the way and now is your time to walk in liberation… No longer do your past mistakes serve as restrictions to your divine destiny; no longer do skeletons in your closet serve as millstones around your neck…This is your time, this is your season and you will walk in the prosperity of the Lord because His spirit surely rests upon you…

ALL FOR HIS GLORY!

The Lord Is My Strength

The Sovereign Lord is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to tread on the heights. For the director of music. On my stringed instruments.

Habakkuk 3:19

Understand today that no matter how hard you try, there is nothing on this earth that you will be able to accomplish without the help and strength of the Lord… It is the Lord who has all power, and ability to do anything but fail. We being His very creation have to rely on His strength and stop trying to handle situations on our own… This is the focus of today’s devotional; there are so many people in this world who are losing out on the divine will of God because they are busy trying to pave their own way… In Christ, the way is already paved and this is why Habakkuk goes on to say he makes my feet like the feet of a deer… If you ever take time to examine a deer, you will soon come to the conclusion that everything that they do is made possible by their hooves or feet… Whether galloping across an open field at 30-35 mph, jumping an 8-foot fence in stride, or clearing a 7-foot fence from a standstill, deer are impressive athletes. A steep embankment leading to a road is just an opportunity to cross the highway in a single bound. Though there's no way to know where the best footing is, they seldom slip or fall under normal conditions. This principle applies to our lives in Christ as well… In Him we are able to do the unthinkable, we can overcome the most daunting of challenges, we can hurdle the biggest of obstacles placed in our way, and even though we may stumble from time to time, in Christ we will never fall or will be utterly cast down…

ALL FOR HIS GLORY!

Stupid People Don't Learn From Mistakes

Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but whoever hates correction is stupid.

Proverbs 12:1

The biggest difference between a child of God and one who is of this world is how we handle discipline… Some desire to retaliate and refuse discipline while others are more focused on embracing and learning from the errors of their ways… The last concept of handling discipline is how Christians must think when they are faced with disciplinary measures. Solomon tells us that whoever loves discipline loves knowledge… This is not to say or suggest that you will be smiling when you are corrected, but that you will love the correction because you know that this will make you a better person and a stronger individual when faced with a similar challenge… These reasons alone are why we must learn to love discipline… We must remember that God desires nothing but the best for us and from us; this means that the discipline that you endure will promote the desires of God in you so that you can become the very thing that He designed you to be… We all have a lot of growing and maturing to do in the will of God, and the growing pains we experience, as we move toward His will, are never promised to be easy… The writer of Hebrews declares in the 12th chapter this very thing when he says “No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.” Don’t focus on the discipline that you are subject to, learn to seek the message that is being conveyed through the times of struggle that you face… 

ALL FOR HIS GLORY!

God Loves You

For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.

John 3: 16, 17

I often ponder what the word love means to people as they utter it to their significant other or family member; love as the world knows it is not the true definition of the way God sees it or intended it to be used… Love is an action word that is displayed rather than voiced, John records that Jesus Christ came to this earth because of the love which God had for the world… This is good news to all creation today as it tells us that God has so much love that He sent His son to die for us and pay for our mistakes and sins… I say that this is good news because it simply teaches us today of the very desires of God which is that we all would come to know Him… Jesus was sent to this earth over 2,000 years ago with a mission to pave the way for you to come to know His father; God paved the way before you even decided to choose His path which speaks to the love which He has for you… God doesn’t want any man to perish, despite what you have done, the errors of your ways and the wrong turns you have made, it’s not too late to turn around, pick yourself up, and walk in the glory and will of God because He loves you… He doesn’t want to see you end up in hell; He doesn’t want you to be separated from Him for all eternity and so He sent His son to take your place… Even in the arrival of His son, which came from glory, we are told that condemnation was not His mission… Jesus came to save not to ridicule, despise, or discipline… This again shows the love of God... There is light at the end of the tunnel, there is hope for the wayward soul, and this all has come about because of the Love of God and His desire to save you through His son…

ALL FOR HIS GLORY!

He Will Turn Again

He will turn again, he will have compassion upon us; he will subdue our iniquities; and thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea.

Micah 7:19

There is light at the end of the tunnel; the grace and mercy which defines our God will be made evident in your life beyond the fact that you are still breathing right not and capable of reading this devotional… The children of God were challenged in their faith and trust in God through the adversity and hardships that they face… We all go through tough time and situations; however, you can take courage in knowing today that trouble won’t last always… The bible declares to us through its pages that the love of God will save, forgive, cleanse and mature all who come to know and believe in Him… When I read this passage from Micah I am reminded of the 30^th Psalm, in the fifth verse these words are recorded, “For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime; weeping may remain for a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning…” I refer to this passage to make the point that we will face situations that will leave us weeping; not matter how long we endure them we can persevere knowing that joy will indeed come… Our hope is not in the literal meaning of tomorrow, but that Christ will show up at the right time and place and will bestow upon us the most joy we can obtain from the aforementioned situation… Even though you may be in a rut or feeling down and out; you should find peace in knowing that “He will turn again…” God loves you and He wants to see you succeed… His desire is for you to reach levels far above what the human eye can comprehend, He wants you to obtain a weight of glory which Paul says that our present suffering cannot compare with… The book of Lamentations, written by Jeremiah reminds us that God’s mercies fail not; that they are new every morning, Jeremiah then goes on to tell us that it is because of His compassion that we are not consumed and he concludes by saying great is thy faithfulness… Micah echoes those same sentiments today; the second part of this verse says, “…he will have compassion upon us; he will subdue our iniquities…” Despite what you have done, despite the decisions you have made, the love of God won’t allow you to be utterly cast down… Sure, you will deal with the consequences from your actions, you will face and reap what you have sown; however, you should be encouraged today to know that God will subdue our iniquities… The things which you do and have done that don't align with Christ; He will subdue them so that you can become all that you are and have been designed to be.

ALL FOR HIS GLORY!

In Christ, Haters Are Essential

If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you.

1 Peter 4:14

There is a joy that engulfs the hearts of believers as they are reproached for the name of Christ… To be reproached means to be criticized, scolded or reprimanded; and when this occurs, one can actually fine peace and calmness in their lives… This is not to suggest that the individual who endures this in their life likes to deal with opposition and/or adversity, but this means that the heart of a Christian can place the time of this ordeal in the proper context, knowing, trusting and believing that this challenge is a sign of their very development in the will of God… To be reproached in Christ, you must demonstrate Christ in your life and therefore have someone or something come against you for that very reason… There has to be a beacon of Christ which shines bright in and through you for someone to come against your faith; this simply means that someone has to be able to draw a clear picture of your stance as far as serving God and this really reflects your present condition like a mirror for you to see how much you have grown or how far you have come… This is why Peter refers to reproach and then says,happy are ye because the sign of struggle is really a sign of maturation and ascension in the designed plan for your life as it relates to the will of God… The bible informs us several different times that as a child of God we will endure persecutions and tribulations… We are guaranteed to encounter people in our lives that want to object to us simply because of the profession of faith that we have in Christ Jesus… Peter reminds us today, that since we have been informed of these things, we should be able to find happiness in times of objection and ridicule… I was once told and believe it to be true that you can tell if you walking the right path just by seeing how much opposition you face… This (in a nutshell) is what Peter is speaking about in this particular passage… “If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye…” Know that your suffering within the name of the Lord is not in vain, you can be happy when you suffer reproach (criticism, scolding or rebuke) because you know that your endurance displays your faith and stores up the rewards of eternity which no man can take from you nor can any moth or thief corrupt or steal… 

ALL FOR HIS GLORY!

Speak The Word Anyhow

For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.

2 Timothy 4:3-4

In reading this passage I cannot help but begin to think about the tragedies that have taken place on this earth. There are so many to name, but one that comes to mine often is what to place in Connecticut a few years back… 20 children were stripped of life along with 6 adults. As I think about this, I quickly come to the conclusion that we reside in a period where God must be sought and His will made clear… There are different ways to handle trial and adversity; people will question God while we must take the stance of standing with Him… We don’t know why these things took place; however, what we do know is that God can do all things but fail, what we do know is that He has a plan and that everything that happens today will benefit us tomorrow… The task at hand for every Christian is to stay the course and abide in the will of God; I state this today as part of this devotional because there are so many distractions and measures of peer pressure that lead people astray… The message recorded in today’s focus verses deals with the unwavering faith that a child of God must have knowing that not everyone will openly receive God’s word and even some will challenge you based on their desires to please their itching ears… Understand today that not everyone whom you share Christ with will receive and accept Him. You will have people in your life who will serve as stumbling blocks along your Christian journey; however, Paul challenges us today to know that you will not stumble when you encounter these types of people; in fact, you will ascend despite the choices that others make… 

Paul teaches Timothy and us today of the times that we will indeed face and are facing… One of the biggest problems we find in the church today is a misguided message and a misguided church body… Paul charges Timothy as well as us today to not cave into the pressures of the world… Timothy was a young man called to lead the house of God; facing the fleshly desires of some who were in the congregation, Timothy struggles with advancing the kingdom of God and Paul writes this message to him… Know that some of the biggest obstacles you will face will come in the church body that you are a part of… Timothy was ready to walk away, ready to throw in the towel, but Paul reminds him of the time which he is living in… Don’t lose sight of the times of today, the more corruption that is inching closer and closer to our doors, the more people trying to scientifically dissolve the word of God and begin to erect other religions without a foundation in Christ… The word of God speaks of these times and the message for you today is to stay immersed in His word and be careful not to lose sight of His will; no matter the people who you offend or the relationships that you may lose, you have to speak the word of God boldly knowing that it will not come back void, but will accomplish all that it was sent out to do… 

ALL FOR HIS GLORY!

The Lord Makes Us Worthy

LORD, who shall abide in thy tabernacle? Who shall dwell in thy holy hill?  He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart.

Psalm 15:1

There are so many things in life that we believe we deserve when the truth of the matter is that we don’t deserve the very life that we have… The message of today’s devotion focuses on the holiness and sovereignty that defines our God… David poses a question today which should promote humility in the lives of all Christ's children as he starts this verse by saying Lord, who shall abide in thy tabernacle…? You are alive because of God’s mercy and the compassion which He poured out on all mankind through the offering of His son… I say this because there are so many of us who have our relationship with God twisted and act as if we are doing God a favor by living for Him… The Bible tells us that “…narrow is the path that leads to salvation and few there be that find it…” There is only one way to reach heaven and the characteristics that must be within an individual are outlined in today’s study verse… As a people, we are not worthy to abide in God’s tabernacle; however, through the righteousness of the Son, we can walk uprightly and speak truth within and out of our hearts… When we look at the two questions posed at the beginning of this verse, it is very easy for one to read and disqualify themselves from answering in the affirmative… David writes this psalm amid the muck and mire of his very one life... He knows that God looks at the heart of man; however, he also recognizes that even though he would be called a man after God’s own heart, he was not worthy to dwell amidst the Lord… Today, remind yourself of the privilege that God extends through His grace and mercy which allows us to dwell in His presence… 

All For His Glory!

His Righteousness Is Everlasting

Thy righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, and thy law is the truth.

Psalm 119:142 

The righteousness of God is displayed in and through the life that His son lived on this earth… To be righteous means to be upright, honorable, moral, virtuous and to walk in decency; if we really breakdown the meaning of this word then we know that there isn’t any person on this earth that is righteous… I make this point to bring to light the grace and mercy that we all have received from the Lord; the fact that we are alive and can see another day declares the truthfulness of the opening statement in today's focus verse which says Thy righteousness is an everlasting righteousness...  God has spared you day after day and if it weren't for His perfection, then you and I would be utterly cast down for all eternity... To enter this world as sinners already disqualifies us from obtaining the righteousness that is spoken of throughout the word of God and in this particular verse… Understanding that I am not righteous brings me to a place of complete admiration and love for God… I love Him because of His righteousness; the fact that He was upright toward me when I was down in out, the fact that He was just and honorable when I was unjust and shameful, and the fact that He has paved the way for me to be clothed in His righteousness is alone enough for me to be thankful… However, my praise is taken to another level knowing that “Thy righteousness is an everlasting righteousness…” God continues to be just towards me, He continues to be honorable despite my flaws and failures, and even though I have fallen short, I take courage in knowing that every day I see upon this earth is another day for me to move forward in my walk with Him… 

ALL FOR HIS GLORY!

Focus On Him Instead of Your Problems

Let us acknowledge the Lord; let us press on to acknowledge him. As surely as the sun rises, he will appear; he will come to us like the winter rains, like the spring rains that water the earth.

Hosea 6:3

Despite the way that situation appears to be, no matter how daunting the task at hand may be, Hosea reminds us that we must acknowledge the Lord… This acknowledgment must take place before His presence is even felt… The real conflict that arises in the lives of the believers is acknowledging the power and authority of God in and over situations before His faithfulness is displayed and you are delivered…  The message for today is pressing us to give God praise, honor, and reverence as the storm approaches. Being able to give God the highest respect and admiration while the storm looms overhead instead of waiting until the rainbow is completely visible and recognized is the call we are to accept…  Too often we conceal our love for God until His love and compassion are shown and today we are challenged to do the opposite… You must acknowledge the Lord instead of acknowledging your current predicament, hardship, or obstacle… In walking by faith, you tell the storm how big your God is while knowing that as surely as the sun rises, He will appear; he will come to us like winter rains, like the spring rains that water the earth… God will show up and show out, He will complete the work that He has begun in you and you will see and feel His power in and through your life… Give Him praise for the outcome and stop focusing on your present condition… If you focus on the things happening around you and all the chaos in this world, you soon realize how difficult it is to acknowledge the Lord… Stay focused on Him and watch how everything else will fall into place.

ALL FOR HIS GLORY!