Release The Negative; Embrace The Positive

Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.

2 Corinthians 10:5

Two important steps in our Christian walk must be taken daily… The first is that we must cast down our imaginations; every day of our lives we are tempted by oppositions or the lust of the flesh, Paul calls for us to stand firm in the faith… Second, once we are freed from temptation, we must set our minds on the thoughts of Christ… The psalm writer said, “I have hid thy word in my heart that I might not sin against thee…” We must cast down evil while we cleave to good… Paul tells us in his letter to the Church of Rome, the 12 chapter that we are not to be conformed to this world, but that we are to be transformed by the renewing of our minds… Your mind is one of the most powerful tools that you possess… The Bible says that if we believe and not doubt we will be saved and can move mountains… 

Believing involves your heart and mind (remember Paul said we wrestle not against flesh)… We must focus our thoughts on things of God or we will fall short in every trial or obstacle that we face… Today, Paul reminds us that this war we fight daily is not physical, but spiritual and mental. Our thoughts lead to actions and actions lead to results that could be fatal… We must learn to remove negative thoughts that labor in our minds daily (cast down imaginations) and bring into our thoughts the obedience of Christ; that is, learning, studying, and applying His word within our lives… It is not good enough to read the Bible every now and then or go to church every now and then because we are not equipped for the battles ahead. Think of it this way, every day that you go without reading, meditating, and applying God's word is a day you have lost in the battle. We say it's okay, and I am too tired to study tonight, or that God understands. 

The ironic thing about saying that is that these words are the false imaginations that Paul is writing about to us today that must be cast down!

ALL FOR HIS GLORY!

His Angels Are Watching Over You

Are (angels) not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?

Hebrews 1:14

Angels are spiritual beings that serve in many facets; one being messengers of God… Angels were the very beings that came to tend to Jesus after His fast in the wilderness and the temptation He faced with Satan; Angels brought forth the decrees to Mary about her immaculate conception. Angels spoke with Joseph about taking Mary as His wife and Zechariah about Elizabeth conceiving; Angels are spoken of in John’s revelation about the bowls of God’s wrath being poured out; angels were coming from the 4 points of the earth… Angels serve very prominent and powerful positions in the kingdom of God… The Bible records God's love and affection for His creation of man and how everything on this earth was under his authority; however, Hebrews 2 reminds us that as powerful as man was and is, he was made “a little lower than the angels…” I quote this verse from the book of Hebrews to echo the divine rank that angels hold. God, through the grace and mercy that He continues to display toward us, wants us to take courage in knowing that there have been ministering spirits placed throughout the world and our daily journeys to encourage, uplift, and comfort us. 

This passage brings me to understand that there will be days when I am frustrated, there will be times when I want to give in or give up, and there will be points in this walk when I will become unglued and feel like the weight of the world is upon my shoulders… In these perilous times, we should find encouragement in knowing that God has designed spiritual beings for the purpose of "ministering". One of my favorite passages from the bible is Psalms 91; this psalm speaks to the shelter that one finds in the shadows of the almighty… In this 91^st Psalm, the writer records in the 11^th verse that God will deploy angels to journey with you, “For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.” As you go up the rough steep incline that is your daily mountain, know that Angels are there aiding you, pushing you and even sustaining you… 

ALL FOR HIS GLORY!

Christ Provides You A Clean Slate

Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

2 Corinthians 5:17

You aren’t a child of God if your lifestyle and attributes have not changed… Paul (the writer of this letter to the church of Corinth) once recognized himself as the chief sinner; however, after His encounter with the Lord on the Damascus road, his outlook on life changed... This same thing can be said for Nicodemus after speaking with Jesus in the night; the bottom line is that when we become a member of the body of Christ, we are a “new creature”, and our life cannot be the same. I recall several stories people have told me about different things they have experienced. Near-death experiences and death-defying stunts which completely altered their way of thinking. The same is to be said about encounters with the Lord. The things your eyes are opened to defy the odds, they defeat the stronghold of death and temptation and they expose you to God’s sovereign power and the might He possesses to pull you out of near-death experiences… 

Paul was headed to hell if it weren't for the grace and mercy of God… When you really come to understand that Jesus loves you, when you really come to understand and know that God thought enough of His creation to save you, your life cannot be the same. When I hear about kind words that have been spoken about me they impact my life. When I hear about the potential that someone sees in me that means more than you can imagine. These are the same things that God says and thinks about you. This is why He was willing to allow His son to lay down His life for you… When you realize that you were created in God’s image, you were made in perfection and clothed in humility; your life can no longer be subject to people’s perspectives or thoughts…. This is why Paul goes on to say “Old things are passed away…” Your mindset changes; what was important before is an afterthought now and you soon realize that beauty is more than skin deep… 

ALL FOR HIS GLORY!

Fast With A Purpose

Is not this the fast that I have chosen? To loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke? 

Isaiah 58:6

I find it ironic how many times we throw our hands up in despair and wonder why God would allow trials and tribulations to ravage our lives. We continually complain and become frustrated as we proclaim that we are trying to live a Christian life, but things are just too complicated and are never easy. Isaiah declared to the Israelites the same thing that he declares to us today; God has not caused your pain and chaos, it was of your own doing. The Israelites had become so prideful that they believed they could just do what they wanted and if things got dicey God would show up and deliver them out of whatever it is they were facing; sound familiar? They remembered slavery in Egypt, the cloud by day and fire by night, and the Red Sea along with manna from heaven. They just know that God would always provide for them and never allow them to see pain, even if they deserved it! Sound familiar? 

Today, Isaiah reminds us that the desires of God are “To loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens…” The plan that God has for creation didn’t involve suffering, it didn’t involve persecution nor did it involve pain; however, through the enticing that is our sinful nature, we incurred several complications which caused unnecessary chaos and confusion… This is why our prayers fall on deaf ears, this is why the children of God fasted and the movement of God was not felt… We often pray about situations and then go on with our lives, doing exactly what we are not supposed to do… God desires more than just prayer, He desires more than sackcloth and ashes (which is written in the previous verses of this chapter)… He desires a willingness and determination to bind wickedness; break strongholds and set the captives free… The true fast isn’t simply giving up food for some time; it involves a total sacrifice of mind, spirit, and body… You must fast with a purpose!

ALL FOR HIS GLORY!

Forgiveness Leads To Answered Prayers

Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them. And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.

Mark 11:24-25

The key to prayer isn’t the words you speak or how long you are in conversation with God. The faith you have in the Lord determines whether or not your prayer reaches the ears of the almighty or stops at your ceiling… Mark reminds us that just as much as we desire we must believe… “…when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them…” This passage taken from the gospel of Mark speaks to the heart of a Christian; we may go to God in prayer, but we must have faith and not doubt… In the verses before these scriptures, Jesus has made his entry into Jerusalem and while in Bethany went up to a fig tree that had no fruit (when Jesus arrived, the tree wasn’t prepared but that’s for a later day and time), in front of His disciples Jesus cursed the fig tree and when the men returned they found that the tree had withered (died)… The disciples were amazed, but Jesus told them that we (as believers) can do miraculous things (move mountains), but we must have faith in God and not waver about His abilities… Whatever you ask of God, believe that He hears you and will respond to your prayer… 

Notice what Mark says, “And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any:” We must be willing to go before the Lord and admit our faults, but more importantly, forgive those who have wronged us (faith comes in trusting God to deliver and also trusting God to mend). So many of us carry the offense of another on our shoulders or in our hearts and because of that there is no room for God to work in our lives. We hold on to pain and hurt, and wonder why God has not moved in our lives. In short, don’t carry grudges because all they do is occupy your thoughts and take up residence where God would like to be… We must understand that people will always upset you, people will always offend you, people will always disappoint you, and people will always hurt you. Remember God said whatever is loosed on earth will be loosed in heaven, and whatever is bound on earth will be bound in heaven, so forgive and forget, so God can do the same for you on earth, but more importantly when you go from labor to reward! God will open doors in your life that you never thought possible, but you must be willing to close the doors of malice, resentment, and anger first; this requires faith that believes and never doubts…

ALL FOR HIS GLORY!

Put On The WHOLE Armour

Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.  Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

Ephesians 6:10-11

Two things are certain as we journey through life, the first is that we all shall physically die and the second is that we cannot stand against the devil alone… When we come to know and accept these things, we learn that physical death as well as the devil's attacks can all be overcome by Jesus Christ… Paul has written this letter to the church of Ephesus and in the preceding chapters has given them instructions on how to live. He has taught them how to bring honor and also how to obey the word and will of God. At this point in his letter, Paul concludes by reminding them that they must be strong in the Lord and the power of His might. Notice the way in which this letter is formed, we are reminded how to live (being a child of God), but the most important point comes at the end and that is that we must put on His armor… The church of Ephesus had endured hardships (just like you and I); it had gone through ridicule and demise. I believe that we can draw a direct parallel to our lives and know that these same situations have been presented to us. 

As we continue on this Christian journey, the road becomes steeper and harder to climb, Paul wants us to be refocused and have a renewed Faith in the power and strength of God. The same God that delivered you before is the same God that will deliver you now… Paul says, “Be strong in the Lord,” stop trying to handle every situation on your own, stop trying to figure everything out, and live according to your own agenda… Paul is saying that we must live by Faith; we must humble ourselves before the Lord and trust that He will move at His appointed time… Oftentimes we pray about situations and then go out trying to resolve them… Paul is telling the church to ignite their faith in Christ by seeking His might… We must understand that we are nothing and powerless as a people, but as Paul stated in his letter to the church of Philippi “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me…” Know where your strength comes from, know who has all power in the palm of His hand, and take your situations BOLDLY before His throne, lay them before the Lord, and leave them there… 

ALL FOR HIS GLORY!

Promotions Come From Above

For promotion cometh neither from the east, nor from the west, nor from the south.  But God is the judge: he putteth down one, and setteth up another.

Psalm 75:6-7

Isn’t it ironic that so many people get upset and question God when things are going negatively in their lives…? So many people want to go to their pastors or friends for an answer to their troubles or to simply encourage them to keep the faith when storms come their way… It never ceases to amaze me how many people will look at the negatives in this world and use that as the basis of their argument against the realness of God; however, how often do we apply this same measure when we are blessed or things are going well… When the storm passes and the rainbow shines, how much praise do we lift up to the Most High? See today’s focus verse teaches us that all promotions and all blessings come from the works of God and not your own hands… James 1:17 says, “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” Understanding this fact leads us to a question that we all must answer, how often do we take credit for a level of success in our lives? How often do we thank our boss for recognizing the work we have done or contributed to the excelling of a company? 

The psalmist reminds us of who is in charge and who has the final say in our everyday situations. Understand that nothing can be done without the approval of God, remember Job was successful, but was stricken when God allowed the devil to wreak havoc upon him, remember Jonah was fleeing and God caused a storm to rise upon him and humble him to the point where he could be used. Job received far more than he had before and Jonah went on to preach and get a city to repent from danger. Job later says do we take good from God and not evil? We have to come to the conclusion that God holds our fate and has promised to provide all that we need. So, when you are low on funds and receive that bonus, thank God. When you are worried out of your mind about your job and this economy, then your Boss assures you of your safety, praise God. God is the judge, He will humble whoever needs to be humbled; likewise, He will lift up whoever deserves to be lifted! I believe Paul (who was humbled and exalted by the Lord) said it best in his letter to the Church of Rome, “know that ALL things work together for the good of those who LOVE the LORD!” If you love God, understand that His blessings come in many ways, even in ways you would least expect; like on your job!

ALL FOR HIS GLORY!

He Can Still Reach The Loss

But if you return to me and obey my commands, then even if your exiled people are at the farthest horizon, I will gather them from there and bring them to the place I have chosen as a dwelling for my Name.

Nehemiah 1:9

The Bible declares in Romans 3:23, “For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God…” The sooner we come to realize that we need Christ in our lives, the sooner we can begin to live and live more abundantly… In this passage, the people of God have been uprooted, and scattered throughout the land; however, Nehemiah comes and reminds them that no matter how bad things appear, God can still hear and heal “…if you return to me and obey my commands…” Disobedience led to the alteration of God’s children’s lives and this defiant attitude will lead to our demise as well… Notice the call Nehemiah puts forth in our scripture reading today; if you want prosperity, if you want peace, if you want health, if you want joy, you must obey… When you obey God, “…then, even if your exiled people are at the farthest horizon, I will gather them from there…” 

Your call is to walk according to the will of God, and not to worry or become discouraged… This passage reminds us of the importance of staying focused on our Christian journey… God spoke to Joshua when Moses had passed and told him “not to turn to left or the right…” Isaiah spoke of the path of righteousness in the 30th chapter of his prophetic book and said that we aren’t to “go to the left or the right…” The children of God had lost their way and were in great suffering; however, God speaks through Nehemiah and reminds them that His grace still abounds even when they have turned away. Likewise, for us, God's grace is still present even when we have detoured from His will. This speaks to the love and desires that God has for you to be more and do exceedingly and abundantly above all you can comprehend… He desires for you to “Be Blessed,” He desires for you to reap the harvest and lay up a crown of righteousness… Know that God still sits high and looks low, He is still our all and all, and in due time He will snatch you out of the very depths that THINK they have your fate in their hands… Obey His word and walk in His will, HE will take care of the rest! 

ALL FOR HIS GLORY!

God Will Supply All Your Needs

But my God shall supply all your needs according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. Now unto God and our Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

Philippians 4:19-20

Through the hardships of life, Paul learned invaluable lessons… When no one was there for him, he learned who was always by his side… When he was cast down and stoned, Paul came to know who lifted him up and healed his body… Through all the toils and snares, the ups and downs, the trials and tribulations; there was one constant in his life… This is the reason why he states 9 verses early, “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.” Paul had grown in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior and his faith would not allow him to become disheartened or saddened by the frailties of life… This passage we focus on today speaks of the faith that we must have knowing that God not only can but that He “…shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory…” Hebrews declares that faith is the substance of things hoped for, evidence of things not seen… Paul explains to us that we are called to walk by faith; this means that we are to trust the Lord in all our affairs of life… One of the biggest challenges that face Christians today is trusting in the Lord when we are called to move from our place of comfort… If we believe that God will never fail us, then we should have faith to give to others and let go of things to help others while we solely depend on the Lord… 

ALL FOR HIS GLORY!

Spread The Word; Break The Chains

The spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound.

Isaiah 61:1

Isaiah was called by God to go and prophesy, He was called to go to a rebellious people and declare the things that God revealed to him… What I find so fascinating about this scripture is the boldness that Isaiah has to go forward and speak the word of the Lord… Understand today that we are all called to set the captives free; however, it is through the spirit of God that we obtain the might, authority, and direction to fulfill this task and the destiny that God has called us to… Isaiah 6: 5-8 teaches us about where we were and how the spirit’s presence changes and transforms situations… 5 "Woe to me!" I cried. "I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the LORD Almighty." 6 Then one of the seraphs flew to me with a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with tongs from the altar. 7 With it he touched my mouth and said, "See, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away and your sin atoned for."8 Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, "Whom shall I send? And who will go for us? "And I said, "Here am I. Send me!"

Isaiah wasn’t always about the work of the Lord, when He saw the glory of the Lord he cried out woe is me, I am undone, I am not worthy to behold this wonder; however when He was touched by the live coal, the Lord asked who shall I send and Isaiah replied “Here I am. Send me…" We too are not worthy of the glory of the Lord, we are not worthy of the offering that Christ poured out on the cross; however, we have received a golden opportunity to walk in the will of the Lord and are promised Eternal Life when we obey His calling... Isaiah’s confidence is found in knowing that God has cleansed him and prepared him for this task… Remember where you were before God gave you that second chance; when you realize that you were filthy and deep in sin, you'd be wise to appreciate the avenue that God has paved for you and therefore can be bold in the midst of a troubled world and society… There is somebody that you will encounter today who is waiting for you to display your boldness in the Spirit of God… Allow God to use you in the way he deems fit; lives will be changed and situations altered…

ALL FOR HIS GLORY!

Christ Is In Control

Fear not; I am the first and the last: I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.

Revelation 1:17-18

 

As we walk this earth, we are reminded that we have nothing to fear; understand that there is nothing in this world or of this world that can overtake the will and plan that God has for your life… The revelation revealed to John teaches us that God was there before human existence and in the end, He will still remain… Jesus indeed did die as all humans will; however, spiritually the bible says that He gave up the ghost and it is by His spirit that we have nothing to fear, by His spirit we can overcome mountains and receive life and life more abundantly… Notice the blessing and strength given unto the Children of God in this passage. It tells us to FEAR NOT, so many of us are worried about what the future holds, where we will be in the next couple of years, whether we will find that special someone, and whether we'll be happy and have a stable job and income. John reminds us through the sacrifice of Jesus that we have nothing to fear. We don’t have to worry; we don’t have to be confused, or unstable in our actions on this earth. Jesus declares that he was the first and the last. This means that He was the first to endure hardships, He was the first to go through the grind of dealing with the penalty of sin, but it also means that He was the last, He went through the obstacles and defeated every last one of them. Your sin has already been dealt with, and your future is already promised to be fruitful. There is no need for you to fear because God already knows what you need and as long as you seek Him first, you will receive all you need and more…

This is my hope and passion, this is what I rest and look forward to, this is why I don’t fear the current circumstances, and NEITHER SHOULD YOU!!!!!!

ALL FOR HIS GLORY!

He Reigns

For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet.  The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.

1 Corinthians 15:25-26

Amid your trials and tribulations, God is at work… While Jesus was enduring the mocking and agony of the cross His rewards were being prepared as well… Today let us understand that the enemy may appear to have the upper hand, but while we are in the worst of times, God is in the best and will defeat the foe that stands before us… Paul says He must reign till He has put all enemies under His feet… Jesus will stand the test of time (as He showed when He took the form of man), there is nothing in or of this world that will outlast God’s love, grace, and mercy. We as believers should take courage today in knowing that Paul was right when He said “No weapon formed against you shall prosper”… Isaiah was dead on when he said “He will make His enemies His footstool”… Every obstacle you face can be overcome, every trial can serve a positive purpose and every tribulation can promote endurance within you… Paul also wrote that this race is not given to the swift, but to those who endure! Let us endure as Jesus did on the cross, let us endure as Jesus did when He was mocked, and let us endure as Jesus did when He was spit on… A lot of us may be finding ourselves in situations where the enemy seems to be winning, let us not become weary in well-doing for we shall reap a harvest if we faint not… Your task at hand is to hold to God’s unchanging hand, your objective is to maintain your faith throughout every storm that comes your way because God will reign over your life and provide victory through your turmoil… Keep fighting the good fight and finish this race, those running against you or those who appear to have the upper hand will not beat you to the finish line!

ALL FOR HIS GLORY!

His Word Will Not Return Void

So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.

Isaiah 55:11

Stand true in your faith knowing today that His word “…shall not return unto me void…” God has said that things will change, and He has promised in His word that walking with Him will produce fruits that your labor will be worth; however, many of us today become so frustrated with what appears to be fruitless labor to the point that we give up and don’t adhere to the call God has upon our lives…  The word of God declares, “If you abide in me I will abide in you…” His word is that “weeping may endure for a night but joy comes in the morning” His word is that “they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength…” You have read plenty of promises that God has for those who keep the faith in a faithless world and today we are assured that even though things may appear unaltered, God is working and His work will continue to be performed “until Christ returns…” You are working in His vineyard and your reward is assured… This call from Isaiah is for you to stay the course and know that your years of blood sweat and tears are producing and watering seeds that God has in you… When you feel as if your labor is in vain, remember what the bible declares, “For a thousand years in your sight are like a day that has just gone by, or like a watch in the night.”God never said it would be easy, but what He did say is that all those who call on His name will be saved! He never said that you wouldn’t see dark days and sleepless nights, but He did say that a thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but if you make the Lord your dwelling place it will not come near you…

ALL FOR HIS GLORY!

Spend Your Time Wisely

So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.

Psalm 90:12

The psalmist speaks to the focus and mindset that a child of God must have… We cannot assume things as if we have control over the number of days we live on this earth! Too often we put off for tomorrow what we should complete today. This psalm is a prayer for guidance and a petition for the Lord to teach us to walk in His marvelous light… The psalmist recognizes that God is the head and founder of all; the foundations of the earth are His... The psalmist states and is stating that God returns man to dust and controls our afflictions. If we are to walk as a child of the most high, we must learn to number our days. This is not speaking of a plan as to when we are going to do x, y, and z; but rather it speaks to a humble approach, being thankful for the days (today) you have been privileged to witness and knowing that tomorrow is never promised! Number your days by taking them one at a time, number your days living each day knowing it is a blessing and privilege to see… 

If God touches you and wakes you in the morning, know that you have been afforded another chance to develop a more intimate relationship with Him, know that you have been given another chance to make peace with your adversaries, and submit your life to Christ! See, oftentimes we try to fulfill our own lustful and fleshly desires believing that we will have a chance to repent and God will forgive us (we don’t number our days) because we live as if tomorrow we can right all of our wrongs; however, the psalmist is calling for us to focus on living a life that pleases God now and not trying to put off until we have experienced what this world has to offer… We need to number our days so that we can apply our hearts to wisdom. Believing that today is a gift will put us in the mindset that Christ has blessed us by touching us early this morning! We will awaken with praises flowing from our lips as well as the warm blood within our veins… 

Don’t expect tomorrow, trust Him and live today!

ALL FOR HIS GLORY!