Actions Trump Words

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

James 1:22

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

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

ALL FOR HIS GLORY!

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

I was once told you were given one mouth and two ears for a reason… You should listen twice as much as you speak… Growing up with 7 siblings, arguments seemed to be a daily routine within our household; whether someone was wronged, a(n) 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… When someone has wronged us, we naturally want to get them back or at the very least let them know our thoughts (most of the time these are not kind words)… If we come to the realization that the state we enter this world in produces negative things, then we will understand that as a child of God, we show our maturity and growth in how we resolve issues and communicate with others… Personally speaking, my father will tell you that I was beaten the most of any of my siblings and that I caused the most chaos, there was no question that if you negatively crossed my path, you were susceptible to my wrath; however, over the years I can truly say that I have grown as a child of God because I can turn situations over to the Lord in prayer and not allow my emotions to get the best of me… 

ALL FOR HIS GLORY!

Reverence Initializes Communications

"Then they that feared the LORD spake often one to another: and the LORD hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the LORD, and that thought upon his name."

Malachi 3:16

Take some time today to think about this next line of text that I am about to write; God knows and sees all that we do… Oftentimes we (for whatever reason) think that we can get over on God, we come to the conclusion that if we do just enough in church, God will be pleased, or if we read just enough throughout the week, everything will be okay… The bible constantly reminds us that God looks at the heart of man, the acts that you do on this earth aren’t what God notes, but the thoughts that spur your actions are what God is watching… If you give simply for someone to see your act of kindness, the bible says that you have already received your reward; however, if you sow a seed with a desire not to gain popularity from men, then God will reward your deeds because you are truly doing them from the kindness of your heart… This is why we are instructed in the gospel of Matthew to be secretive in our giving, the word says “But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.” God knows what you need, He knows the battles you have faced and the trials that you have overcome, He has seen the storms that have approached your door and at the end, He will justify you through the blood of Jesus and say “Come on in…” Keep holding on, keep believing, God hears your sincere and affectionate prayers and He will answer… Be encouraged, God is listening with pen in hand noting the needs you have and meeting them every day!!!

ALL FOR HIS GLORY!

Only Fools Live According To Worldly Standards

Do not deceive yourselves. If any one of you thinks he is wise by the standards of this age, he should become a fool so that he may become wise.

1 Corinthians 3:18

Socrates once said, "The only true wisdom is in knowing you know nothing." We are charged today through this verse penned by Paul to remain humble… In the world that we live in, it is very easy to become so entrapped with pride, ego, and self-righteousness; however, the call of all Christians is to rise above the standards of this world by taking the path least traveled… It’s human nature to want to be the best and showcase your talents; the biggest factor in doing that is how you go about it… The Bible is clear about boasting and even tells us that “Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.…” The higher you are on yourself, the further you will fall when you are humbled… I don’t know about you, but my fear of heights and falling keeps me close to the ground… This letter written to the church of Corinth by the Apostle Paul reminds us that we must not think higher of ourselves than we ought. Paul tells the church of Corinth at the very beginning of this verse “Do not deceive yourselves…” Paul says this because the church had lost sight of God and focused on its material wealth and stature. Remember what happened with Eve in the garden, Satan told her that she wouldn't die, but he also appealed to her mental makeup by declaring that if she ate the fruit she would “…be like God, knowing good and evil…” This same appeal to the human nature of desiring power and elevation is present in our day and age, which is why Paul says “If any one of you thinks he is wise by the standards of this age…” God is bigger than this world, we don’t have the full picture and it’s time that we understand that true wisdom is God, and comes from Him… 

ALL FOR HIS GLORY!

His Plan Addresses Your Pain

For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.

Hebrews 4:15

For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.

Isaiah 55:9

God sent his son into this world to deliver us from the penalty of sin. None on this earth were perfect, for through Adam’s bloodline all had sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. Seeing that there was none among us to deliver us from wickedness unto righteousness, God sent his ONLY begotten son. Hebrews reminds us that he was touched by our infirmities; Christ had compassion on His Father’s creation, so he laid down His life. People lose sight of the fact that Christ was 100% God and Man. There were many times he was tempted just as we are. The devil offered Him the world (even though it wasn't his to give), He could have passed from taking the cup in the Garden of Gethsemane, but instead, He was without sin. For that, you should truly be grateful. Our second focus verse taken from Isaiah declares to us the revelation we should grow to see and understand; in our deepest stages of evil, God had already formed a plan for Salvation, and He had already ordained the time and day His son would come. He had already planned a way of escape for His children. Despite what I may think is best, I am glad that God knows best… 

ALL FOR HIS GLORY!

Your Work Determines Your Wages

For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Romans 6:23

There is no way for you to live a double life; Paul’s letter to the Church of Rome emphasizes the point that the only outcome from sin is death… Many people believe that they can do as they please and make up for it before it’s too late, when we live in this manner we live in falsehood and set ourselves up for failure… Tomorrow is never promised and death awaits all that anticipate a reward for their sin… The Bible tells us that every knee shall bow and every tongue shall confess; every move that you make is remembered, every decision you make is recorded and you will suffer the consequences of your actions (whether good or bad)… The Bible is clear that we reap what we sow and it is also clear that a fig tree can not bear any other fruit besides figs… If you are leading a life that is lived according to the standards of this world, today is your wake-up call… If you are walking under the authorities that are here on this earth, today is your reality check… We all must stand before the judgment seat of Christ. We all must give account and will be held accountable for our actions here on Earth. I cannot help but emphasize the fact that this passage tells us the wages of sin is death. This simply means that as you lead a life of sin, your reward is eternal damnation. Sure, it may feel right at the time or moment, and you may even take great pleasure in your sin, but stop and think about what kind of reward you will receive. People get high to forget their problems, they drink to become disoriented, and they sleep around to feel some type of perceived love. All these things do not add up to true rewards. The problems that you left when taking drugs still exist when your high fades, the pain you try to avoid with alcohol will tear you up even more when you are sober again and love doesn’t live in the arms of multiple partners… The gift that you have been promised if you leave your life of sin is eternal life. That is what we should seek and desire daily.

ALL FOR HIS GLORY!

The Avenues Of Life

There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.

Proverbs 16:25

There are so many paths that we can travel in this life, so many avenues that we can venture down; however, we are reminded today that no matter how many different paths we see or how many different avenues we find, all end in death if they are not paved by the Lord… This verse starts off by saying “There is a way…”You can lay out the plans for your life, the goals you want to reach, and how you plan to obtain them, but death is guaranteed for your end result if your will is not submissive to the will of God… The bible teaches us that God disciplines those He loves, the bible also tells us that we must go through the “refiner’s fire” so that we can become the children God designed us to be… Understanding that discipline is a part of our growth and trials helps our maturation process and lets us know that things shouldn't come easy… The path you seek a lot of times is based upon the appearance of easiness in its travel… Oftentimes we are always looking for the quick fix or the easy way out, but the Proverb teaches us today that if it seems easy and enticing to do, you had better stay clear of that path… So often we base decisions on appearance and not true worth… Even though it seems right, don’t trust it without God’s approval and direction! Ultimately the choice is yours, the path you choose displays the choice that you have made, please pick wisely…

ALL FOR HIS GLORY!

His Mercy Saved Us

Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior.

Titus 3:5-6

Your hours of study and minutes of sweat may be beneficial to your success; however, it is imperative to know and realize today that you can’t do anything on this earth through the works of your hands to obtain the righteousness of God... Titus reminds us today that no matter how perfect we think we are or how many good deeds we try to do, that it is not by our hands that we receive Salvation… Oftentimes we shortchange how we are saved and sealed until Christ returns… Ephesians 4:30 says, “And grieve not the Holy Spirit of God whereby ye are sealed until the day of redemption…” You are saved by the blood of Jesus and sealed by the Holy Spirit… Did you catch that? Again, we are drawn by the Father, set free by the Son, and sealed by the Holy Spirit… All three comprise the Salvation that we inherit as a child of the highest…Today you need to stop acting as if you are a good person and start recognizing that you are saved “…according to his mercy…” You didn’t deserve it, you didn’t warrant it, but while you were in the pit of darkness, God withheld His judgment from you and gave you a clean slate… It is by the mercy of God (withholding the judgment that you and I truly deserved) that we are still in the land of the living…

ALL FOR HIS GLORY!

The Definition of Godly Wisdom

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

James 3:17

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

ALL FOR HIS GLORY!

Death Is Swallowed Up in Victory

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

1 Corinthians 15:54

From your birth to your death, there is a transformation that takes place on the outside that all see. This transformation is evident in your growth as far as height, puberty, and physical features… Seeing someone at the age of 10 is completely different than seeing them at the age of 25, there are a lot of things that will change throughout one's life that are visible changes… Today, we read about changes that come through the molding and perfecting of God which was set in place by the Lord Jesus Christ… These changes are internal and are not seen until our physical body returns to the dust from which it came… Understand today that we are clothed in corruptible things, we are mortal beings and the scars of sin are visible upon our lives… Each step you take as a Christian in advancing your knowledge and submission to the Lord brings you closer to your body of immortality… Being mortal means that we are earthly, worldly, or simply human… We make mistakes, we make bad decisions and we are on a vessel charted with a course leading to hell… This body you are in isn’t adequate for heaven, and it won’t suffice. While growing in Christ can be painful and has its challenges, we must come to recognize today that however painful this process is, we are being prepared to transition from mortality to immortality. Death will be swallowed up when your victory overcomes it… You will lie down, but in Christ, this is the beginning of your rise… This body that we currently reside in is temporary, this physical establishment that we have will not see the gates of heaven nor will it even be caught up in the clouds…When we understand that death is a time to rejoice in the body of Christ due to the fact of where we will spend eternity (no weeping, no sin, streets paved with Gold, sabbath has no end); we can utter the words Paul uses to close this verse. “O death, where is thy sting" O grave, where is thy victory…"

ALL FOR HIS GLORY!

Prove, Hold, Abstain

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

1 Thessalonians 5:21-22

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

ALL FOR HIS GLORY!

Just And Right Is He

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

Deuteronomy 32:4

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

ALL FOR HIS GLORY!

God Allows U-Turns

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

Daniel 9:9

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

ALL FOR HIS GLORY!

Beware Of False Prophets

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

1 John 4:1

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

ALL FOR HIS GLORY!

Sanctification Is A Process

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

2 Corinthians 3:18

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

ALL FOR HIS GLORY!

The Fruit Of The Spirit Is Lawless

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

Galatians 5:22-23

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

ALL FOR HIS GLORY!