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 our God's mercy and forgiving nature 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 would not last forever and sincerely thanks the most wise and everlasting Father… The same hope Daniel held onto in this passage of scripture is the same one 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… The season of correction will produce a season of maturation in Christ, which will in turn bring you closer to Him and His divine plan for you… 

ALL FOR HIS GLORY!

Christ Isn't A Title

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 His sacrifice on Calvary… Not everyone 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, 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, and this is the very reason why John says we must try the spirit “…because many false prophets are gone out into the world…” One of the biggest things that plagues the path of a child of God is the deception that lies in wait and redirects our focus… Adam and Eve were placed in the Garden of Eden, and it was the deception put forth by Satan that caused the original sin of mankind… They were deceived not only by Satan, but also by the comforts that surrounded them… Being in Eden can be likened to a church in that we are in God’s territory; however, we must be on guard every day and every hour of our lives to refute and rebuke the snares the enemy may lay before us… 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 of 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 the 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 God's limitless love for His creation... God has looked beyond your faults, established exactly what you needed, and then carried out the measures which had to be completed to bring you to that expected in… God’s love for you was made known before you even knew the errors of your ways or the depth of your sin…  We often hear that God isn’t a God of confusion, and that is true, but let us not take that to think that God cannot work in confusion… Through the trials you face, God will show up if you turn to Him, He will be found if you seek Him, and He will transform your spirit into His image if you let Him…

ALL FOR HIS GLORY!

God's Fruit Is Without Restriction

"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 they bear in their lives… The fruit we produce is a direct reflection of the seed which lives within, and this fruit can not 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 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 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 Most High… This is one reason why we find a passage in the gospel of Matthew which 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 bare; 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 in various forums… How we treat one another displays the spirit we walk in, how much time we devote to God displays the spirit that we walk in and how we deal with trials and tribulations display the spirit that we are walking in… If you treat your fellow man unkind, never spend time with the Lord and throw your hands up whenever a storm comes your way it is time for you to check the true direction that your life is headed in… This fruit doesn’t correlate to Sunday or Sabbath Day worship, this fruit is produced 7 days a week 24 hours a day… We all know the death that Jesus offered on the cross, but we often forget about the spirit He displayed in the moments leading up to the cross and even the time spent upon the cross… The bible says that while being mocked, spit upon, and beaten, Jesus never said a mumbling word; the bible says that on the cross, Jesus prayed for forgiveness for His adversaries and that He extended salvation to a thief… Remember that Jesus told us that we would do greater things than Him, and that is a pretty high benchmark for us to cross… To do greater things, we must first acknowledge what was done and strive to be the best that God has created us to be. This starts by first, walking in the right Spirit; secondly, we must produce fruit that carries these features and third, impart them into every phase of our life and every person we come in contact with… Walk in the spirit…

ALL FOR HIS GLORY!

His Yoke Is Easy, His Burden Is Light

Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

Matthew 11:28-30

Are you tired of being alive but not living? Do you ever find yourself frustrated by the things of this world and wonder how you are going to make it…? The truth of the matter is the enemy wants you to be so bogged down by the cares of this world that you have no time to really start living (which is to give your life to Christ)… Matthew records the call that Jesus makes to all mankind, “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden…” Jesus bids you to come out from the places you currently reside… This beckoning isn't a physical call, but a voice which desires to lead you in and on the path of truth and to give you life and give it to you more abundantly (Jesus declares this as the soul purpose of His arrival to this earth)… We labour daily trying to live up to other people's expectations, we are heavy laden when we allow the thoughts of others and the temptations we face to weigh us down and strip our attention from the things that truly matter… This isn't to suggest or say that the life of a Christian is easy; however, it is to suggest that there are things that are worth laboring for and being burdened by because they will lead to eternal rewards and joy… If you are laboring in the Lord, then this message provides a sense of comfort and stability in the heaviest laden times in your life… Amid trials and tribulations, Jesus reminds us through the gospel of Matthew that we can cast our cares upon Him for He cares for us… A lot of storms will rise and chaos will approach your door, but Matthew 11:28-30 reminds us today that Christ’s yoke is easy, His burden is light; He has enough room to carry the load for you, He is mighty enough to hold you up and lead you to victory no matter what you are facing at this present time… He will give you the peace to keep your mind sane and the resources to overcome and ascend to becoming the being He created you to be…

ALL FOR HIS GLORY!

Through Christ All Things Are Possible

And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.

Mark 16:17-18

As a child of God, we are blessed with might and power that we probably don’t even realize we have… These verses teach us the supernatural power we can tap into, which only comes from the Lord… When we do things in the name of the Lord, positive results will follow. Mark tells us that we can cast out devils, we can speak with new tongues, and pick up serpents… All things are possible when we are in the care of our Lord and Savior; however, the key to unlocking these powers is the faith that we must have, which cannot waver or be snuffed out… In times of despair, in times of turmoil, in times of chaos, Mark teaches us today that with an unwavering faith and an unquenchable fire or zeal for the Lord, we will be able to do miraculous things… The words In my name speak to the connection and authority that we must receive through Christ to perform the impossible in our lives… 

Remember all the great things that Jesus did upon this earth, but also remember that He said, “Greater things than I will you do…”The mantle is ready to be passed, the limitless heights you can reach are in view, but you must walk according to the will of God and submit yourself totally to Him… We all have heard the saying, “You can tell a Leopard by its spots”; also true is the fact that you can tell a Christian by their abilities. One who has a vague outlook on life has question marks in their walk with God, one who can’t consider it pure joy when trials come needs to humble themselves a little more and the one who walks aimlessly through life must find the compass that is the Holy Spirit… Mark informs us today that we can distinguish a Christian by their actions on this earth. These instructions are given to the Disciples of Christ: we can cast out devils (resist and he will flee), speak in tongues (Acts 3^rd chapter), and take up serpents (be unafraid of danger). 

ALL FOR HIS GLORY!

Submit and Resist

Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

James 4:7

In life, we are assured of tests and temptations and will experience frustration and misfortune; however, the challenge for every believer in Christ is to stand in faith, trusting and believing that God will take care of the things that are out of our control… This passage, taken from the book of James, instructs us on how to overcome the storms and obstacles that plague our lives. To be victorious and be taken to another level in Christ, the first thing we must do is to submit ourselves to God, the word submit means to present or offer and this declares to us that if we want to be successful in life and be happy in this world, we must present our bodies to the Lord, we must offer our time, gifts and resources to the Most High God. To submit, you must humble yourself, you must surrender all; you must completely turn your life over into the hands of God… Understand today that submission requires admission… You must admit that you're not perfect, that you can’t make it on your own, and that you need the Lord to intervene in your life and guide you… You must acknowledge that without Him, you are nothing, you will be nothing, and hell awaits your arrival… Today, let us understand that to inherit eternal life, to receive the precious promises of God, to find peace and happiness, we MUST submit TOTALLY to Him… Some doors will be opened and some alterations to your life will be made when and only if you submit to the Lord… 

ALL FOR HIS GLORY!

God Wants You Just As You Are

Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

Psalm 139:23-24

The psalmist makes a bold request unto the Lord, one that requires total devotion and acceptance of whatever happens next… In the darkest of hours, when all hope seems lost, when we have tried everything we can think of and can’t overcome the obstacle in front of us, what do we do? The psalmist turns to the Lord and asks Him to search him… This is a concluding and submissive statement that says I give up, I am tired of living this life, I am tired of experiencing these same results, and I desire more… The psalmist realizes that there are things in his life that must be holding him back, there are people in his life that may be causing him trouble, and since he cannot figure it out, nor can he overcome them, he asks God to search him… This is a powerful declaration today, one that speaks to the heart of man and poses a serious question as well… Have you asked God to search you? 

Are you tired of being tired, are you tired of hiding the skeletons in your closet, and tired of lying to cover up the lies of your past, then ask God to search you… In searching, you are seeking to find. God will search you today and seek the things that do not need to dwell in you or around you. It is only through His power and grace that you can be led in the way of everlasting… These verses cover a multitude of areas that we must allow God to inspect and clean… Have you asked God to try you and know your thoughts? The psalmist here wants us to understand what it is to have an intimate relationship with God. He has taken his life and placed it at the throne of the Most High. He has inquired of the Lord to cleanse him and mold him into the disciple that he has been called to be. In asking to be searched and tried, there is a request being made, but also a pledge of acceptance of whatever painful experiences that must be endured in order to have this request fulfilled (should that be the case)… You have to let God have His way in your life even if and when His way(s) do not align with yours… 

ALL FOR HIS GLORY!

Those Who Wait Find Strength

Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

Isaiah 40:30-31  

Trying to make this trek on this journey called life within your own power guarantees you one thing and one thing only: FAILURE… It doesn’t matter how prosperous things may appear to be, it doesn’t matter how glowing your life may seem at the moment, Isaiah reminds us today that “Even the youths shall faint and be weary…” The strongest of all men will fail; the smartest of all mankind won’t be smart enough, and all “…shall utterly fall…” No matter how much success you have or how good your health is, we must all rely solely on the Lord… This requires us to totally submit ourselves to the will and power of God… So many of us are wondering why it is that we aren’t able to stand, why it is that we aren’t able to maintain and the answer lies in the fact that there are still parts of your life which you are still trying to control; these parts are also the same places where the enemy utilizes his most crafty devices to ruin the being which God created you to be… This is a scary thought, but I can’t help but reemphasize that this passage tells us there will come a time when the strongest will not be strong enough. The toughest will not be tough enough, and trials and tribulations will ravage the land to a point where nobody (walking in their own power) can stand. This passage shines light on the fact that there will be days in our lives when our strength will be futile and our minds will want to give up and give in to the ways of evil. The bible is clear that your faith will be tested (i.e., Job) and you will display your true devotion to the Lord or lack thereof… People often say, “There is strength in numbers.” Our motto as Christians is that there is strength in Christ…

ALL FOR HIS GLORY!

It's Only Possible Through Christ

Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

John 14:6

This verse is a verse that clearly defines our religion and the foundation on which we stand… There are 4 non-negotiable points that are highlighted below that separate light from darkness, life from death, and sickness from health… There are many religions in our societies today, many different temples, churches, and synagogues; however, today we must examine why the religions all differ...

1) “I am the way…” In traveling, you can find many routes to reach your destination, sometimes stumbling upon a shortcut, or even finding that your route is much longer than another path… Whatever the case may be, today we are called to remember that there are no shortcuts in reaching heaven… There are no paths that will lead to an easy road of obtaining Salvation… All must go through Jesus!

2) “I am the truth…” There are a lot of false doctrines, a lot of people trying to appease the itching ear, and a lot of people who want to pick and choose which parts of the bible they want to hold as sacred and true… I don’t know about you, but I am tired of being lied to, tired of being suppressed, and tired of being disrespected! Jesus tells us today that all truth is in Him; He has the direction for your life, you won’t find any gimmicks in Him, no tall tales, no hidden fees… 

3) “…and the life!” Jesus told us that He came to give life and give it more abundantly… This simply tells me that I am not living until I know Him… Ezekiel was faced with a valley of dry bones; they came together; however, until He prophesied to the winds, there was no life in them… This rule applies to us today; many of us are moving, but not living… We are active but not alive, and this passage teaches us that without Jesus, death is certain and is already being experienced.

4) “…no man cometh to the father, but by me!” This is one of the biggest stumbling blocks for many who want to reach the destiny in which God has called them to… Remember that before Jesus' death on the cross, we could not go to the Father in prayer; however, as Jesus gave up His spirit, the veil of the temple was rent from top to bottom, symbolizing the fact that we can now go to God in prayer… It is through Jesus and only through Him that we obtain the righteousness to be fit for the Kingdom of God…

In Jesus, you have your being; it is only through Him that you can find your way, live in truth, have life, and be with the Father for all Eternity…

ALL FOR HIS GLORY!

We Are One In Christ

For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. For the body is not one member, but many.

1 Corinthians 12:13-14

Only one avenue paved by the blood of Jesus leads to Eternal Life… Paul starts off these verses by declaring, “For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body…” There are many religions in this world, many gods that people worship; however, we need to know and remember, just as Paul states to the church of Corinth, that we serve the True God… We cannot in any way, shape, or form negotiate our faith in Jesus Christ… More importantly, we cannot place ourselves above others who come into the Faith… There is a big problem in churches today where people are turned away because of others who look down on them… We must be mindful that all people from all walks of life have been given a chance to inherit Eternal Life and accept Jesus Christ as their personal Savior… You weren't always saved, there were and are still dark areas in your life, and just like Jesus has saved you by His bloodshed, you also must allow for His saving power to draw whomever to Him and embrace them with open arms… This very reason is why Paul says it doesn't matter what culture you are from, it doesn't matter “…whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free…” Jesus proclaimed that He came for the sick (this taught the people of yesterday and today that there is no barrier to God’s love or what depths He can go to reach or save a soul)… It is of the utmost importance that we stop judging one another based on age, race, or gender and realize that God looks at the heart of man and not the body that houses it… 

ALL IN FOR CHRIST!

The Earth Is Filled With His Glory

But as truly as I live, all the earth shall be filled with the glory of the LORD.

Numbers 14:21

The bible records that at the creation of the world (darkness had covered the face of the deep)… There are so many dark areas in our lives, so many things that we are not proud of, so many choices that we have made that we don’t want people to know about, nor do we want to acknowledge… Today, in the book of Numbers, we see that all darkness will be expunged from the earth… Truly, the Lord does live, and because He lives, we can take pride today in knowing that “…all the earth shall be filled with the glory of the Lord…” The glory of the Lord is His splendor, beauty, and wonder; knowing that His beauty will fill the earth gives enough confidence to the believer today to smile amid trials… His splendor will fill the earth, He will be exalted through the darkness of this land, His light will shine and your path will grow brighter and brighter as you walk according to His will and plan for you… We must understand today that in reading this verse, we confidently make the claim that the light of God shines in us and through us… Today’s focus verse starts off with the words, But as truly as I live; this is a statement of faith and confidence in God, which should be the same claim that we make daily… As surely as I live, I know that God loves me and will continue to mold me, I can allow all the mistakes of yesterday, all the dark areas of my life to be exposed after reading this passage because I don’t want to carry this weight anymore, I don’t want to give the enemy a foothold anymore (Ephesians 4:27) and I am tired of walking on egg shells… I know there is beauty in me and in the path which God has for me… He shall be revealed and the life I have in Him shall be fulfilled... 

ALL FOR CHRIST!

Christ's Death Saved Us

Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.

1 Peter 2:24

If it had not been for the Lord who was on my side, where would I be…? This is the question that I desire to ask myself daily… In asking this question, we can break down strongholds and overcome temptations… Knowing that Jesus paid the price, knowing that my sins (past, present, and future) have been forgiven, and understanding that I have a chance to inherit Eternal Life, I can rebuke the attacks and devices that the enemy uses… Our focus verse, taken from 1st Peter, starts by saying, “Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree…” Jesus took it upon Himself to bear our sins, He took upon Himself to receive them upon His own body, and He took it upon Himself to carry them to the tree… There was nothing we could offer Him, nothing we could give or pay Him to do it; He did it “…his own self…” This is good news today because it speaks to the love and care that Jesus has for us; this is good news today because it demonstrates the desires of God to reconcile with His creation and this is a sweet verse to carry in the forefronts of our minds because it reminds us that God wants to see us at our best… Jesus laid down His life before we were formed in our mother’s womb, He paid our debt before we even were engulfed by it; recognize where you would be without the love of God, recognize today where you would be if His grace and mercy was not deposited in the form of His son, recognize today that things can and would be worse if it were not for the life shed on Calvary… 

ALL FOR CHRIST!

Hearing The Word Isn't Enough

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 be heard and 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 fool yourself when you put on your Sunday’s best and display the worse 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… This passage, taken from James, so often reminds me of how many people will leave a church service and speak of how powerful and moving it was… You ask them how the Pastor’s sermon was, and they immediately say, “Oh, the pastor did a wonderful job, he was so powerful!” The next question you ask is what it was that he or she preached about, and they don’t have the slightest clue, and begin to think back to the service. How can we be of God if we do not listen and act upon what He has given us? James is calling for us to not talk a good game, but walk a Godly life. 

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

ALL FOR CHRIST!

Let Your Light Shine

Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

Matthew 5:16

It is up to you to display Christ in your life and not to allow the things of this world to dim the light God has placed inside of you… Notice that this passage says for you to let your light shine so that men may see your good works. Many Christians patrol around in our societies uttering the words that I am God’s child, I am a Christian, but this passage shines light on the fact that we are to live a life that will let people know we are of the household of faith without the need for words to supply the answer... This passage tells us that we should not have to tell somebody about our religious beliefs, but rather that the individuals who come into contact with us should be able to see that Christ dwells within us. Our mission on this Earth is to walk in God's will and give Him glory and honor in all things! It is not for you to proclaim your religion through words, so refrain from speaking and live what you used to verbally preach!! 

Understand today that your actions are imperative to your witness; for your light to shine for others to see it, it must first be positioned in the right place! Light is a powerful resource when used properly, the key being that it is, if in fact, it is used properly… Your light serves a purpose and must be used for that and not to simply commingle with other light bearers… If you were to take a flashlight out into the day during the early afternoon, there would be no effect of the flashlight, and it would be useless… A light is needed when direction isn’t visible; there are many whose direction in life is not visible, they are simply wandering from day to day and haven’t found their calling in life! Your light can be the direction that they need…Your light must be pointed in the direction of darkness for it to be effective (your light should not only provide clear sight in your purpose, but it should also lead others to theirs in Christ)… Don’t go to your job and hide your light until Sunday morning worship; don’t turn your light off when you are faced with peers that don’t know Jesus, and don’t cut your light off because you are scared of what people may say! True Christians will shine light on every dark situation and will lead others to Christ… 

Let Your Light Shine

ALL FOR CHRIST! 

When God Comes First, All Things Fall Into Place

Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.

Psalm 37:4

We often prioritize things in the wrong order, leading us to get the wrong results… In the natural realm of thinking, we chase after our desires at all costs, stopping at nothing to obtain them… The psalmist reminds us today of the true direction in which everyone must travel to receive “…the desires of thine heart…” There are steps we must take in obtaining the things we desire, and the first step that must be taken is to “Delight thyself also in the Lord…” You can have desires in life, but your focus and top priority must be delighting yourself in the way and will of the Lord… You must turn away from your own desires and walk by faith, knowing that God not only knows your heart, but that He will answer your prayers… It is so easy, when things don’t go the way we expected, for us to try and make our own path… We find ourselves praying for something, and when God doesn’t answer in our way, we immediately try to step in and get the results that we are looking for… From studying this verse today, it’s imperative that we not only learn to be obedient to God’s desires and patient within our walk, but we also must remember that God answers in “ways that are not our ways”… Today let us practice the proverb which says lean not unto thy own understanding, to avoid becoming ensnared with our own desires we must make the commitment today to “delight ourselves in the Lord…” So many of us are seeking happiness, we are seeking security, we are seeking stability, and the psalmist reminds us today that all this and more can be found in the Lord… Understand that God must be the priority in your life for you to receive the “desires of your heart…” 

ALL FOR CHRIST!

Power Comes By Way Of The Holy Spirit

But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

Acts 1:8

The disciples were told to wait and stand down until the Holy Ghost had come… Despite the power you may think you have, you are powerless without the divine authority from above… We remember that without Christ we are nothing… You can’t overcome, win, or obtain; however, through Christ, all things are possible, relationships can be healed, debts can be paid, and new levels can be reached… The instruction uttered by Christ in this verse reminds us to stop trying to find answers within our own finite abilities… Stop trying to pave your own path and go your own direction… You must come to know and trust the Lord (remember the people had all things in common with their focus on God when the Holy Spirit descended upon them as tongues of fire)… Your focus in the New Year should not be on solutions but praise… Praise Him through your difficulties, praise Him through your trials, praise Him through your hours of loneliness, and allow Him to take care of all your cares… He will deposit the strength you need (just praise Him), He will give you the grace you need (just praise Him), and He will open up doors for your beacon light to shine for all to see (just focus on praising Him)… Take note today and remember that until we receive Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, we are powerless… Jesus informs His disciples of the winning edge that they will receive in the form of the Holy Spirit… We all should realize that we have a winning edge as a child of God; we have a “secret weapon” that will lead us to victory and give us the strength to overcome any obstacle that we face… 

ALL FOR CHRIST!

Rest Is ONLY Found In Christ

Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

Matthew 11:28-30

Are you tired of being alive but not living? Do you ever find yourself frustrated by the things of this world and wonder how you will make it…? The truth of the matter is the enemy wants you to be so bogged down by the cares of this world that you have no time to really start living (which is to give your life to Christ)… Matthew records the call that Jesus makes to all mankind, “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden…” Jesus bids you to come out from the places you currently reside or the mental captivity that so many of us are currently being oppressed by… This isn’t a physical call, but a voice which desires to lead you in the path of truth and to give you life and give it to you more abundantly… We labour by trying to live up to other people's expectations, we are heavy laden when we allow the thoughts of others and the temptations we face to weigh us down and strip our attention from the things that matter… 

This isn’t to suggest or say that the life of a Christian is easy; however, it is to indicate that there are things worth laboring for and being burdened by when we walk in the will of God because these things lead to eternal rewards and joy… If you are laboring in the Lord, then this message provides a sense of comfort and stability in the heaviest laden times in your life… Jesus gives a message of hope today to all those who feel the weight of the world upon their shoulders. He gives an encouraging word to all who are laboring and fighting the “good fight…” The message of hope today and the encouraging word that we are to grasp is that the Lord is indeed with us… For someone to come, there first must be someone or something present for them to come to… Amid trials and tribulations, Jesus reminds us through the gospel of Matthew that we can find rest in Him; we can have our load lightened so that it is bearable, and we can find comfort for the road ahead as He declares that He is meek (gentle) and lowly in heart… 

ALL FOR CHRIST!

Victory Comes Through Christ's Death

Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil.

Hebrews 2:14

One of the reasons for Jesus' arrival on this earth was to seek and save that which was lost… Knowing the very error of mankind from the original sin in Eden, Jesus became flesh and blood just like us to completely pay the ransom for our lives, which we could never afford… Through His offering, we have our being and the ability and resources to overcome the circumstances and obstacles designed to prohibit and destroy us… Understand today that you were born into this world as a sinner, which simply means that you are subject to the governing authority of Satan…The bible declares in the book of Job that Satan enters the courts of the Lord after roaming the earth to and fro… Whether we recognize it or not, we have two choices that we can make when it comes to living on this earth… Either we serve the Lord or we serve Satan… Understanding the choices that we have now allows us to realize the golden opportunity that has been placed before us… It is a golden opportunity in that we can do nothing to obtain it using what we do on this earth… The author of Hebrews reminds us today that “through death He (Jesus) might destroy him…” Oftentimes, we take credit for things, look at our outward achievements, and ponder how successful we have become, but the author reminds us that we would not know success or victory had it not been for Jesus laying down His life on the cross… By dying on the cross, Jesus destroyed and removed the devil's stinging power over sin. By His shedding of blood, we have a right to the tree of life. We enter this world under the sin of Adam and Eve. Thanks be unto God that we don’t have to leave the same way we came! 

ALL FOR HIS GLORY!

Only A Fool Wouldn't Fear God

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.

Proverbs 1:7

Our journey in Christ is not completed with the receiving of Salvation and Jesus as head of our lives… Solomon reminds us today that the fear of the Lord is the beginning… All believers in Christ have taken the initial steps in Christ; however, so many Christians have never moved past that first stage, which the Apostle Paul refers to as babes in Christ… The mission of Jesus was fulfilled every day of His natural life on this earth… 30 years of preparation and 3 ½ years of ministry led to the cross and resurrection… Jesus did not come down one day and leave the next; to the contrary, He grew as Luke recorded in the 2nd chapter of His gospel; it is there where you will find these words…And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men. I point this out today to reinforce the importance of growth in our Christian walk… Understand today that there is so much that you will learn through this journey, so many seasons of adversity and turmoil which will turn out to be seasons of preparation and exaltation… There are things in this life that you must learn beyond the realm of being saved, which will mold you and form you into the man or woman God designed you to be so that He can then begin to use you in the manner which will bring you prosperity and fill His heart with joy and approval… This is why the fear (reverence, admiration) of God is just the beginning… Once you revere the Lord, then you can begin to walk according to His will, knowing that His will and way are perfect… You can begin to exercise your faith knowing that there is an expected end in store for you and that your labor is not in vain… A fool would not listen to the creator; a fool would harden his heart like Pharaoh. So which one are you…? Do you call and believe upon the name of Jesus, or do you simply live in this world and suffer the consequences of such actions just like the foolish who go nowhere fast and perish…

ALL FOR CHRIST!

He Will Cleanse You

Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you.

Ezekiel 36:25

The love of God is made evident in today’s passage taken from the prophetic book of Ezekiel… This verse comes at a time when the Israelites have been scattered throughout the country, and word has been sent through the lips of Ezekiel to inform them that their restoration back to their own respective land and to God has been assured… Throughout the ups and downs that you experience in this life, through all the twists and turns that you endure, remember that you will be restored and reclaimed in and through the exaltation of the Lord… We don’t know how to handle success, and the Lord knows that often times we become defiant and disobedient when we experience a small measure of it… This is and was the case with the children of God; they had become disobedient to His commands after dwelling in their Promised Land; despite the corrective measures that God had to use, He informs them that they will return to prominence… Some things are taking place in your life not to harm or to defile you, but actually to take you back to your place of prominence in the Lord…God desires to exalt you so that you can exalt Him… 

The message for today is that God has a plan, He has a purpose, and there is a method to the madness… You may not understand everything at the present time, and there are some things which simply are not meant for you to understand; however, the reality is that in abiding in His will, you will be victorious… The things written in this chapter speak to the actions that the Lord Himself will take in dealing with His people… This passage is written to the House of Israel during bondage and despair… The warning was that disaster would come; captivity was imminent, but God wanted them to know that there was light at the end of the tunnel… The House of Israel would be renewed… Likewise, today, know that even in your current situation, even in your current circumstance, even in your current hardship, your house will be renewed… God will “sprinkle clean water upon you…” Water represents life in the Bible; God will give you a clean slate, a new life, a new direction, a new path, and a new vision… He will wipe the pain and tears of yesterday from your eyes and clothe you in his goodness and mercy… 

ALL FOR HIS GLORY!