His Discipline Is For Your Good

...But He (disciplines us) for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness. Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.

Hebrews 12:10-11

Understand today that punishment is only effective when the one being punished learns the errors of his/her ways and improves… Many people beat or whip their children, but have not actually reached their child in a means to correct them… It is important to realize this because God disciplines us in many ways and forms; however, it is “…for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness…” The author of Hebrews reminds us today that God punishes us out of love and a desire to see us succeed; if we truly reap what we have/had sown, then you and I would be in the midst of hell today; however, God punishes to teach us the right way and for us to come to know and understand that the path we have chosen from birth (path of sin) was not the best path for us to walk… 

As a child, when I received a beating I thought that I was enduring the most terrible feeling I could ever feel; however, I never thought about how bad a feeling I placed in the hearts of my parents by conducting myself in a manner that was not pleasing to them… I think we all can agree that there is no fun in being whipped, but when we learn from our mistakes and begin to reap the rewards of our transformation, then that unpleasant feeling is well worth it… Short-lived pain is always worth it when you receive a lifetime of bliss… The author today wants you to know that the corrective measures God puts in place are not intended to harm you, these devices get you on the straight and narrow, they place you where He wants and needs you to be so that you can reach and become what He designed you for… The author acknowledges that “…no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous but grievous...” Discipline isn’t well received; it isn’t something we want to endure and it is painful to accept; however, the product that comes from it outweighs the pain that it inflects… 

All For His Glory!

He Hasn't Forgotten About You

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

It is hard for me to face the errors of my ways… Daily I try to forget things or remove thoughts from my mind as I journey through this life… Through this passage taken from Micah, I find hope for my lost soul… I find encouragement even though I know the mistakes I have made and the fact that a lot of things I deal with are a result of my actions… Micah provides evidence today that we can stand on when others try to keep us down and in the dumps… The passage calls for us to know that where we are isn’t where God wants us to be; however, despite our flaws “He will turn again; he will have compassion upon us…” Take courage in knowing today that trouble won’t last always (even if the trouble is a direct result of your decisions)… 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 and for 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 decisions you've made, the love of God won’t allow you to be utterly cast down… Sure, you will deal with the consequences of your actions, and you'll reap what you have sown; however, you should be encouraged today to know that God“will subdue our iniquities…” Subdue means to restrain, control, pacify, or hold back; iniquity is injustice, evil, or wickedness… God will keep you from being overtaken by evil, He will restrain you from the sins you have committed so that you don’t allow them to corrupt or destroy your future…  Let us understand the words that Micah is saying today; God hasn’t forgotten about you, He hasn’t given up on you, but you must endure the hardships of life to be molded and prepared for Christ's return…

ALL FOR HIS GLORY!

Ask, Seek and Knock (Three Keys To Victory)

Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you; For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.

Matthew 7:7-8

As a Christian, these verses taken from the gospel of Matthew display how it is that we obtain the vision and will God has for our lives. To obtain what it is that God has for you, to walk in the will of God, and to ensure your eternal resting place, these three steps outlined below must be taken… First, you must ask God; this means that you inquire of Him and develop a relationship with Him, knowing that He is the source of your being and happiness. Asking implies that there is an answer you seek and Jesus is reminding us today that God has all the answers and we must indeed turn and ask the proper person to find the correct answer… The Bible says we have not because we ask not!!! 

After asking God, the Second thing you must do is seek Him; oftentimes, we take the first step but become frustrated and irritated with the second… The Bible says that God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory; many people quote this scripture to imply that God will give you everything you ask for at the drop of a hat; however, the bible also says in Jeremiah 29:13 that, “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” Study God’s word, fast, and pray with earnest. 

After asking and seeking, the third thing we must do is knock; this is the most important decision that a Christian must make, to knock means that something is separating you from where you want to be and where you are presently. When you knock on a door, you are awaiting the door to be opened and you stand in anticipation. We must knock on the door of heaven, but we must also knock down the obstacle that WILL be placed in front of us as we seek to live within God’s will. 

SO, ASK, SEEK, and KNOCK!!!! Surely you will find what you need even if it isn’t what you expected!!!!

ALL FOR HIS GLORY!

Eternal Life Is Found In Knowing Christ

And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.

John 17:3

Eternal Life was deposited upon this earth in the form of God’s son, it was laid before you in His outstretched arms and all He endured on the cross… John reminds us today that Eternal Life is found in the “The Only True God…” There is only one God; there is only one prince of peace and one savior… A good friend of mine once told me that the distance between you and salvation is the same distance that your mouth is from your heart… Eternal Life is free, but it only comes through knowing (faith), acknowledging (mouth), and accepting (heart) the only True God… Some religions believe that good deeds are rewarded with eternal life, but my Bible tells me that Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the light, no man come to the Father but by me…” This is life eternal, this is all that we have and all that we should cling to; that we may know the ONLY true God! There are many gods in this world, but notice this passage says to know thee only true God. After we have ventured the wrong way, sought the wrong things, and turned to vain glory, we see that Christ still remains… When we have placed idols in our lives such as money, relationships, and pride, we see in the end that Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever… John reminds us today that there is only One true God and that salvation was made possible through the sacrifice of His beloved son! 

ALL FOR HIS GLORY!

God's Given You The Power

Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.

Luke 10:19

What plagues this world that we live in is not sin; but that we have ignored the power that we can obtain as a child of God… Jesus says that He gives us all power; it is through Jesus we can obtain all the might that we need to overcome trials, endure hardships, and move mountains… In light of this passage and the words that Jesus speaks today, the question I have is a simple one, why do you live as a captive when you have been freed? Why do we settle for less when God has given us so much more? This passage declares that we have the power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy. Serpents and Scorpions are two of the most feared and dangerous creatures on this earth, we know the devil took the form of a serpent and deceived mankind; however, we are being told that we can overcome and face any challenge or obstacle in this life. Jesus uses these two reptiles to display the limitless power we receive as a child of God! The Bible says you will be tried, you will be persecuted, but Jesus assures us today that no weapon formed against you shall prosper and that you will be victorious according to His name… You are surrounded by scorpions and serpents, but know that you can turn those stumbling blocks into stepping stones…

Greater is He...

ALL FOR HIS GLORY!

Magnify The Lord With Me

O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together. I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.

Psalm 34:3-4

Read this next line very carefully, when we try things on our own we will never experience what could be… These verses taken from the book of Psalms remind us of the grace and mercy that is accredited to us daily… David calls for us to “magnify the Lord” and “exalt his name”… You might ask the question why (as if you don’t know that God is deserving of all praise, honor confidence, and love – Revelations 4:11); however, David proclaims this because God has made ways out of no way and has always delivered us even when we didn’t deserve it… It is important to note the time in which these verses were penned… Let us examine these verses written by King David in the 34th Psalm and come to understand the period that David “sought the Lord…” This psalm is recorded while David was under attack by Saul and fled to the land of Gath… He ended up in the camp of Abimelech who was the King of Shechem and despised the Israelites… 

While living in the land of the enemy, David decided to change his behavior and act crazy so that he would not be killed by the Philistines! It was a statue or tradition that they didn’t kill people who were insane, so Abimelech decided to drive him away, and David left. David was faced with opposition on both sides (Saul on one and Abimelech on the other) and although he fled to the enemy’s camp and caused more anguish to come upon himself, God still showed up and delivered him out of his circumstances, this is why David finds complete joy in the Lord, so much so that he encourages you today and says “O Magnify the Lord with me!” In reading this psalm and knowing the background, we can draw a direct parallel to our lives… We have tried to handle situations on our own and face trials with our own agenda in mind and as a result, made things worse… We have made the gap wider or the hole deeper and we find ourselves in a worse position than we started off in… Even though we have walked in opposition to what God has purposed and planned for us, God still has shown mercy on our behalf and raised us up out of the pit we had dug… David is saying that we should all magnify the Lord with him, we should exalt His name together because of His Grace and Mercy, because of His faithfulness and Compassion, and because He has delivered us from all our fears… 

ALL FOR HIS GLORY!

Peacemakers - The Children of God

Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.

Matthew 5:9

To be at peace, one is calm, quiet, or walking in harmony with others… All these traits are very rarely displayed or obtained as we go throughout this journey of life… We find people who pluck our nerves, get under our skin, or encounter situations that leave us disgusted and confused… Either way, you look at it, the circumstances that we face daily make it very easy for us to showcase or display the exact opposite of what we are called to do and/or be in today’s focus verse… Make no mistake about it; the enemy wants you to do the things that are not pleasing to God… Satan doesn’t want you to be“called the children of God” as outlined in this verse, so he brings confusion, chaos, and destruction as storms to wreak havoc in your everyday affairs… Matthew records in the fifth chapter the “beatitudes” of Christ or the blessings that Christ bestowed in His sermon on the mountain… In these words, Christ describes the rewards that each child will receive when they walk in the uniqueness that they were created… Today we examine one verse in particular that speaks to the heart of a child of God! Jesus says, “blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.”One of the central focuses of Christianity is that we know how to control ourselves when dealing with flesh and anger… To be a peacemaker, we must kill the uncontrolled emotions within, we must look beyond faults and see needs… We must see every trial as a measuring stick to gauge our progress within this Christian walk. As a peacemaker, we must model Christ, after all, that’s the only way we can be called a “child of God!”

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, 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 our 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… 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… In other words, it’s best that you shut your mouth and open your ears… 

ALL FOR HIS GLORY!

Christ Bore Our Iniquities

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

No one upon this earth 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 an 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 led astray because of the self-discipline we lack and the fear of the unknown that leads us to cling to the inferiority of the present… Sheep have to be monitored and guided because they can very easily wander 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 to keep from wandering off and becoming subject to many snares and traps… This verse taken from Isaiah tells me that since my birth I have wandered aimlessly through life, I have wandered away from the destiny God has for me and have turned away from Him… 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 have lost our way through the fall of mankind and it was only through the blood of the savior that we have a guiding light that will lead us back to the path that we were created to travel… I once read a billboard that had this recorded, “Lost??? Try GPS – God’s Plan of Salvation…” Remember when Jesus was on this earth, He told His disciples, “No greater love has a man than this, that he lay down his life for his friends…” Amid our crooked and perverse ways, while we were yet sinners, while we continued to disobey the will of God, Christ died for us… He indeed bore our iniquities!!! 

PRAISE GOD!

ALL FOR HIS GLORY!

Grace Is Given When Pride Is Resisted

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, it was very challenging for me to respect my elders growing up, 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 on this earth, respect was due to them… There is no tougher situation I recall facing 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, a 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 indeed 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 differently than 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 to build God’s kingdom… We willingly submit knowing that there is power in submission… Christ submitted to the will of His Father and received all power in heaven and on earth…  We are called to remain humble and “be subject one to another” simply because we need each other… We have to keep ourselves grounded in God’s word and desires to carry out this directive recorded by Peter. If you seek to be humble, God will provide the things you need to obtain that level of humility so that you will be respected and be able to give respect to one another!

ALL FOR HIS GLORY!

You'll Know Them By Their 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 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 bear. So many of us get caught up in the elaborate or eloquent words 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/her 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 bear… These are the things that we are being warned about today, as a child of God, we must be proactive in defeating the enemy; this is accomplished by seeking the will of God and not allowing others to deter us from his divine paths… Jesus says, “Not every one 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 who goes to church is a part of the church, and that it is only by the fruit that they bear that we can know who they are… Let us remember today that it is not about appearance when it comes to the will of God, it’s not about what you say, it is not about how well you talk or how intelligent you are, but rather how you profess your love for Christ through your actions and your lifestyle! In short, TALK IS CHEAP!!!!

ALL FOR HIS GLORY!

Prayer + Faith = Saved

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 are 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 can 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! This saying is indeed true and we see it in this passage; PRAYER CHANGES THINGS!!!!!!!”

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 every day 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. Tomorrow is not promised, but the return of Christ is. No man knows the day nor the hour; we must be prepared and that means that we daily must complete the work and walk in the will and purpose of God.

ALL FOR HIS GLORY!

It Was Christ Who 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 for 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 of 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 we be?” Make no mistake about it, you are here by the grace of God and are alive because He has allowed you 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 you can agree with that 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… Jesus paid the price for our sins and not we ourselves… 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 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 these promises come to fruition, you must first choose the correct path of life… 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 make the word of God a part of your every day being to see these promises come to light…This command is not negotiable, there is no reading between the lines or loopholes to a quick turnaround; if you abide in Him, He will abide in you!!!

ALL FOR HIS GLORY!

Edification Requires Thought Before Action

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 attention to his instructions, 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 of 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!