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!

True Love Is Unquenchable

Many waters cannot quench love; rivers cannot wash it away. If one were to give all the wealth of his house for love, it would be utterly scorned.

Song of Solomon 8:7

For quite some time, I have thought many people don’t know what the true definition of Love is… Today, through this verse taken from the Song of Solomon, we are given evidence that the notion I have thought to be true really is… When someone says I love you, it doesn’t mean they care for you or like you… Love comes from the core of one’s being and is a passion and desire that cannot be redirected or shut off…The bible tells us that God demonstrated His love for us in that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us… Love transcends situations, looks beyond faults, and appeals to the levels of one's character beyond the surface that we see with our natural eye… Love is the mother who continues to seek her lost child though people tell her that he or she is too far gone, love is the father that yearns for a second chance even though they keep getting rejected, love is the child that turns from wickedness and temptations and continues to fight the battle that leads them down paths of loneliness and uncertainty… When we have love for someone or something, there is nothing that can stop it or prevent it from being manifested… Paul tells us the depth and importance of love in the 13^th chapter of His first letter to the Church of Corinth… If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing. In this passage, we are reminded that love has to be the foundation of our actions; we cannot allow the things that we do to be derived from things that are not of love and therefore are meaningless ventures through this life… One who is full of love is priceless; this is why the verse starts off by saying that “Many waters cannot quench love; rivers cannot wash it away.” There is nothing that can stop an act or a gesture when done in love… No words can overtake it, no steps can prohibit it, and no man can hinder it… True forms and acts of love are unquenchable... 

ALL FOR HIS GLORY!

Be Christ-Like

If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.

Philippians 2:1-4

The first verse of today’s devotion starts off with a series of conditional statements; Paul writes to the Church of Philippi regarding their relationship with and growth in the Lord… The conditional statements written above reflect the makeup that must be present in the body or image of a child of God; understand today that being a child of God is not something that is proclaimed verbally; in walking under the leadership of our Father we are called to demonstrate our love and faith in Him by the things which we partake in daily… If you are a child of God than you will demonstrate these things; in the midst of uncertainty and danger you will have encouragement from the relationship that you have formed with Christ; despite the things that you are dealing with and the times of loneliness that you may endure, you have comfort from His love and fellowship with the Spirit… No matter what seen or unseen dangers that come your way, you have a stable atmosphere and mindset which is totally focused and dependent on the Lord… In reading this passage, it brings to light the fact that adversity and trials display the true depth of the relationship a person has with the Lord or how much their relationship truly is lacking… The bible declares that suffering, persecutions, trials and tribulations are a vital part of growth and maturation; however, I am also of the mindset that these things are vital to displaying our faith or the areas of our lives that still need work… If you become so bogged down with bad news that it keeps you from being encouraged in Christ you need to check the depth of your relationship in Him… If you feel so lonely that you run from house to house or bed to bed, you need to check your desire for love verses lust, if you find yourself constantly being surrounded by the wrong kind of people, you need to check your fellowship with the Spirit… In Jesus you can have abundant happiness and joy; this is why Paul says then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love… Jesus laid down His life and took on all insults, mocks and ridicule without mumbling a single word… We have the greatest demonstration of faith when Jesus gave up the ghost trusting that His Father would raise Him from the dead… The things of this earth could not shake Him because His life was a testimony to the love of God and the faithfulness that will be displayed when we walk in faith… Be ye like minded!

ALL FOR HIS GLORY!

There's Only One God

Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD: And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.

Deuteronomy 6:4-5

When we experience success and deliverance it is very easy for us to forget about who paved the way or even the assistance that we had in overcoming… This passage of scripture is written at a time when the Israelites are on the very cusp of the Promise Land; they have experienced the very presences of God being with them as a cloud by day and fire by night; they were given a front seat to observe God’s powerful hand in their exodus from Egypt as well as the annihilation of the Egyptians under Pharaoh in the Red Sea… Through all this, in times of peace and comfort, the children of God begin to complain and become disobedient… God is prepared to bless them; however, this blessing is not to be misunderstood and taken without a devotion and love toward Him… So often we can go to God in prayer about situations; however, we forget about Him when He shows up and shows out… You must be careful today that you remain humble in the modest times as well as the abundant times; you must remember to display humility in depressed states as well as delivered states, you have to be on guard that your prayer life is strong when in bondage as well as when you are freed… This is why Moses starts this chapter in his fifth book of the law by saying, “These are the commands, decrees and laws the Lord your God directed me to teach you to observe in the land that you are crossing the Jordan to possess, so that you, your children and their children after them may fear the Lord your God as long as you live by keeping all his decrees and commands that I give you, and so that you may enjoy long life.” The Israelites were given commands from God to obey and observe; these perimeters were put in place to govern them and keep them on the straight and narrow… Lord knows we need to be governed especially when we experience a blessing and a new season… The Lord knew that His children would go astray, He knew that His sheep would wander off if not given structure and order before being given the keys to a new life… This same principle applies to us as well, you must have the foundation of who God is instilled in you before you can have the house built and furnish the home… Just like the Israelites, you have been given commands to follow and adhere too; these commands are not to be discarded when you take over your land flowing with milk and honey… Regardless the blessing received, remember who the Giver is and that there is only One God... 

ALL FOR HIS GLORY!

Learn To Display Christ

“Teach the older men to be temperate, worthy of respect, self-controlled, and sound in faith, in love and in endurance.” 

Titus 2:2

As a child of God, you are to walk in the will of God; this means that you must adhere to His voice and word… So many people today are perishing because they are told what they want to hear instead of what they need to hear… Paul reminds Titus in this passage and reminds us today in this devotional, that even though people may not accept it at first or even may scorn you in the process, the word of God must come from your mouth in purity and unedited… You are not on this earth to please man, you are here to fulfill the will of God and hopefully lead others to Him in the process… Make no mistake about; a lot of people you encounter simply do not want to hear the truth… The word of God was not written to be altered or manipulated; it was recorded defining the will of God and is to be used to provide direction, correction, and hope for our eternal future… We enter this world as sinners and can only be saved by grace when we are shown the ugly reflection in the mirror that is us… It pains me today to see so many churches being fooled because the Pastor speaks words that people want to hear versus what they actually need to hear… When someone tells you what you want to hear, they are in essence delaying and even creating a false hope in your destiny… As we studied yesterday about David and his desire for God to teach him His will, we know how many mistakes he made… It was the prophet Nathan (used by God) who did not tell David what he wanted to hear, but rather told him about his errors which led to his repentance and increased his faith (2nd Samuel)… We have to get back to the basics, this is why Paul tells Titus to, teach the older men to be temperate, worthy of respect, self-controlled, and sound in faith, in love and in endurance. Tell the truth and shame the devil…

ALL FOR HIS GLORY!

Lord Have Your Way

“Teach me to do your will, for you are my God; may your good Spirit lead me on level ground.”

Psalm 143:10

How often, when you pray do you ask the Lord to teach you instead of requesting His deliverance, power or presence? Today’s devotion reminds us of the importance of prayer as we deal with learning the very will and divine plan of God… So many of us forget to pray when we feel like we can handle something and we hurry up and pray when the weight becomes unbearable… This verse simply teaches that we can avoid trying to bear an unnecessary weight if we first get in tune with the will of God… David was a man who made many mistakes; from adultery with Bathsheba to having Uriah killed on the front line to even fleeing Saul right into the enemy’s camp; the list of David’s mistakes goes on and on; however, through all these things David learned a great listen which he teaches us today so that we don’t have to travel the same path which he did… In your life, stop trying to figure things out on your own, handle every situation approaching your doorstep, and be stubborn with your will when it doesn’t align with God’s… This last point is the one which causes the most trouble to occur in our lives… We don’t desire to know God’s will because we are scared that it will be different than ours… 

I have heard so many people quote Isaiah 55 when others endure trials and tribulations, but these same people never apply it to their lives when they are amid hardship… In Isaiah chapter 55, verses 8 and 9 say, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” The word of God teaches us that His will is not the will that we are born with; however, these same people I spoke of previously will endure hell on earth instead of believing the will and plan of God which will lead them down a different path of life… I firmly believe that David would have spared Uriah’s life even after committing adultery if he had turned to the Lord and cried out to Him as he did in the beginning of this psalm… The 1^st verse of the 143^rd Psalm says, Lord, hear my prayer, listen to my cry for mercy; in your faithfulness and righteousness come to my relief. This very prayer acknowledges who God is and the mercy which we all need Him to bestow upon us… If we know that we need mercy (withholding of a just punishment) in our lives; we should also be able to come to the conclusion that we need to be taught His will to avoid mistakes... 

ALL FOR HIS GLORY!

Agape Love Conquers All

But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer. And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.

1 Peter 4:7-8

The best thing that someone can ever say about you is that you were full of love… The bible declares that God is love and for someone to say you were full of love means that you were full of God… You cannot allow the distractions of this world to suffocate or destroy the seed of love planted in you… People will come to know God through your acts of love and this is why Peter not only says that charity covers a multitude of sins, but why he also says that you must be sober and watch unto prayer… The enemy doesn’t want to see the end result of the love that was poured out on Calvary taking root in the lives of all those who come to know and experience it… Satan cannot fathom what the world would be like if people were able to engage and speak words of love instead of criticism and gossip…  He doesn’t want to see this come to fruition, so he has you marred by your past and ignorance concerning your future in Christ… 

Today, know that we must live every day as if it’s our last and this means we must love uncontrollably… This doesn’t mean that we should “live life to the fullest,” but that we must carry out the will of God each and every hour that He grants us upon this earth… We are reminded today that charity (love) covers a multitude of sins… Jesus' love, which He poured out on the cross, covered our sins… Likewise, doing good deeds, extending a hand to someone in need, forgiving someone who has wronged you, or looking beyond the faults of another will allow your Father to forgive you of the mistakes that you have made and will make… There is one unknown on this Christian journey and that is the time in which Christ will return; there is also one thing that we are assured of on this Christian Journey and that is that Christ will return… Peter tells us that the end of all days is at hand and to be sober, this is focusing not on drinking, but on the fact that we need to be vigilant and coherent to the word of God and live our lives as if He was coming within the next minute… 

ALL FOR HIS GLORY!

God's Plan Is On Schedule

That in the dispensation of the fullness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him. 

Ephesians 1:10

 

There is an appointed time when all things will be gathered together… The things of yesterday will join the things of today and all in the household of faith will be united… As Christians, we find strength through this passage from the letter to the church of Ephesus… We know that despite all the suffering, ridicule, and scorn which we presently deal with, there is a sturdy foundation we can stand upon which simply declares that in the dispensation of the fullness of times… As we go through, the hour continues to draw near to when all the suffering will end, sin will be no more, and everlasting life will become a reality… Those who have fought the good fight before us will be reunited unto us in the return of the bridegroom to this earth… You can endure the struggles of life and overcome the deepest valleys by reminding yourself that the time has not come yet… Your time to be exalted has not come yet, your time to ascend has not arrived yet; this isn’t to say that it will not happen but that it just has not happened yet… 

As a child I was able to go outside and wash my father's cab because of the payment I was guaranteed to receive; standing in the sun was tedious; however, knowing what was to come made it bearable… The same principle can be applied today in our focus verse; your reward for all your labor is guaranteed, the things you endure today are bearable because you know what is coming tomorrow… In the dispensation of the fullness of times, he might gather together in one all things Christ… The work which God has started will be completed, Paul just reminds us today that that will not happen when we want it to… There are so many things that we desire on this earth and this is why Paul again reminds us that it is on the timing and design of God that we must trust and have our being… Life doesn’t always make sense; there are times that have come and will come when we will not understand our current situation or what it is that God has in store for us… Paul reminds us today that in these times we are not to become discouraged, we are not to become dismayed, but that we are to remember that God indeed does have a plan and His plan is on schedule… 

 

ALL FOR HIS GLORY!

You're Fearfully And Wonderfully Made

I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.

Psalm 139:14

You were created in a beauty that uniquely defines who you are… I state this because so many of us spend our lifetime trying to be something that we aren’t or never were created to be… This passage speaks to those who are wasting time trying to please mankind or gather a measure of success according to the world’s viewpoint… There are a lot of things in our lives that we may not be proud of; however, this message today reminds us that praise should always pour from our lips as we are fearfully and wonderfully made… God set aside a portion of time to fully lay out the exact person that you are today and the one that you will become tomorrow… Understand that there will never be another you; the path you travel is unique to the abilities that you possess which in turn is outlined by your thoughts and actions… This needs to be grasped today because a lot of us walk around unhappy and because of this are not able to live an abundant life full of praise and joy… 

David had gone through stages of second-guessing himself; he probably even had bouts of depression given the mistakes he made and all the things that transpired in his life… Despite losing a son and eventually a daughter; David turns to the Lord earlier in this psalm and says you know my coming in and going out… David could’ve played the why me card, he could’ve thrown in the towel; however, he found an answer in recognizing who God is and what He already knows… The things you face in life you were designed to be able to handle and overcome… You were designed fearfully not to be afraid of things but to be in awe of your creator… You weren’t designed to run from things but to run to Him so that you can overcome things… Fear breeds unease and panic which leads to poor choices and bad results…You were fearfully made so that you could actually overcome fear…  The way God formed you was so that you would not be overcome by snares and hardships in this life; but to the contrary, you would grow and learn through them ultimately becoming what God designed you to be… 

ALL FOR HIS GLORY!

Give God Your best

...Neither will I offer burnt offerings unto the LORD my God of that which doth cost me nothing.

2 Samuel 24:24

So many of us would love the idea of getting over when it comes to our walk with the Lord… We have experienced highs and lows, we have seen ups and downs and sometimes in our life, we would love to get an easy pass or a shortcut through all the muck and mire of the day… In reading this passage we are challenged to reflect on the goodness of the Lord despite all the mistakes and bad choices that we have made… David says neither will I offer burnt offering unto the Lord my God of that which doth cost me nothing; David spoke these words from the sincerity of his heart knowing and realizing what God had done for him… When you begin to think about the goodness of Jesus, when you begin to think back to all the wrong you have done and come to the realization that it was God’s grace and mercy that kept you and brought you out, your mindset changes and you want to give your all to the Lord… 

In this passage, David is declaring that he is not worthy of the blessings being bestowed upon him (despite the plague that God was about to place on the Israelites); he wants the Lord to know his love for Him… So he wants to sacrifice (in the form of payment) to the Lord… When you come to the point where you realize how awesome God is, you then will not give anything to Him that doesn’t cost you something… This gesture displays the attitude that a Christian must have; you cannot try to get over on the Lord in your giving and expect His unlimited favor… How much does God mean to you? How much do you believe He poured out from on high to save you…? Show your belief in your actions and service to the Lord… David said I will not offer anything unless it costs me something, not because he wanted to spend, but because he knew how much God had already spent!

ALL FOR HIS GLORY!

Glory > Suffering

For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.

Romans 8:18

 

The Bible is filled with passages that speak to the amount of suffering that a Christian will endure within his/her lifetime… There is not a single scripture that speaks to the life of a Christian being easy; but on the contrary, many depict suffering, hardships, and tribulation… The writer of this passage (Paul) was a man who once found pleasure in persecuting others; however, in his conversion, God speaks to the suffering that Paul will endure in a conversation in the 9th chapter of Acts with a man named Ananias… But the Lord said to Ananias, “Go! This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel. I will show him how much he must suffer for my name. ”Suffering is a vital part of the Christian journey; faith is developed through suffering, rewards are accumulated through suffering and growth is displayed through suffering… 

So many people proclaim a relationship on the surface with Jesus Christ; however, in the suffering stages their actions say otherwise… Even in the most uncomfortable situations, we are reminded today that they are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us… The results that come from your suffering will negate the suffering that you experience… Nobody really likes to suffer, but as a child of God, we must speak the truth and know that there are no shortcuts on this journey… Paul is charging the Church of Rome just as he is charging us today; don’t become weary, don’t give up, don’t be discouraged because you have to go through some sad days or sleepless nights; don’t become fearful because it seems like the enemy has the upper hand. Your trials are tools for growth and purging, we are learning that through Christ all things are possible and that He should be our focus and strength. Yes, we all have to go through the refining process, it’s painful and hectic, but just as gold we will see our true value and the worth that we have in God’s kingdom… Suffer now, so that you don’t suffer later!

 

ALL FOR HIS GLORY!

He'll Return Before You Know It

But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer. And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.

1 Peter 4:7-8

The 7^th verse of the 4^th chapter of 1^st Peter (a lot of numbers I know) declares but the end of all things is at hand… Truthfully, the word of God reminds us today that tomorrow is not promised; every day you see on this earth is another opportunity for you to grow in the knowledge of God and not leave something for tomorrow that could be taken care of today… Knowing that tomorrow is not promised and that the end of all things is at hand; Peter reminds us today that we must be ye therefore sober… To be sober means to be clear-headed, somber, or serious; in a nutshell, you cannot take the day that you are privileged to see lightly…  You cannot allow things to clutter your view or understanding of the will and plan of God for your life… So many of us have missed opportunities to grow in Christ because we are occupied with so much other stuff that we don’t have time for the things that should take priority in our lives… Being sober is the foundation for preparation in fulfilling the will of God… When you clear your mind, God now has room to work and instill the plan that He has designed uniquely for you… A sober mind is important; however, you must add a strong cornerstone to that foundation which is prayer… This is why Peter goes on to say that you must watch unto prayer… So many have a clear mind, but they have not taken the next step to allow the thoughts and desires of God to take root in that unoccupied space… Situations always come about, but in order to clear your mind and see results, you must turn it over to God (prayer) and invite Him in…  

ALL FOR HIS GLORY!

Be Led By God

Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.

 Romans 6:13

 

A choice is presented before you from the time of your birth to the time of your death; you have a decision to make as to how your life will be handled and in which direction it will be led… Notice that I did not say that you decide the direction of your life but that you decide who will lead it; there are so many of us who think we are in control when in reality the enemy has us on strings like a puppet, toying with our emotions, mental state and the desires we have in this world… This passage declares that we can either yield our members as instruments of righteousness or unrighteousness… The Lord once to see you succeed; however, through the fall of man, He knows that you cannot handle making your own decisions without a guide which for us is the Holy Spirit… The enemy knows that you are a weak vessel without the guidance of God and so he has you thinking that you can handle situations which in reality you are digging a hole that you can never climb out of on your own… 

Paul refers to you as an instrument because you are a device that can either unlock untapped potential or destroy a unique path designed specifically for you… You are a tool that can lead others to Christ, break generational curses, and take down strongholds; the enemy knows your ability, and this is why he tries to use you to do the exact opposite… In reading this passage I am led to ask a question; where do you allow yourself to go that does not please God? What things do you take part in that bring disgrace upon the name of the Lord…? We all have indeed fallen short of the glory of God; however, a saint is nothing more than a sinner who got up and repented from their sin… God has called us to be better, achieve more, and reach higher, but you will not be able to do that if you allow your body to be used by this world and allow your choices to be influenced by others… Paul charges us today in his letter to the Church of Rome to simply understand that these battles we face are real. Life is built on the choices that we make, and life itself is a choice… Choice God! 

 

ALL FOR HIS GLORY!

God Is Waiting For You To Turn

For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him.

2 Chronicles 16:9

The words recorded in today’s devotional serve a since of comfort in the hearts of all believers as we are reminded that the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth… God has His eye on you and will continue to watch over and protect you… Having His eye on you means that He not only is observing, but that He also knows all your shortcomings and mistakes… As a child of God, we must be open and honest with Him as we grow in the knowledge of Him… This can only be accomplished through an open heart and mind in the dealings and communications with our Savior… There are so many of us living in self-inflected bondage because we have not turned all of our afflictions over to Him… God is ready to show himself strong on your behalf; however, you must first acknowledge your weakness and need for His presence… The children of God had experienced much success at the time of this writing; however, their confidence in trust soon resided within themselves and not God… It was through trial and hardship that God regains their attention to teach them of His power and perfection… Today, know that God must take priority in your life; you must continue to trust and confide in Him if you want to Experience His power and perfection… This is why the word of God concludes by saying that God does all of these things on behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward Him… You are not required to be perfect in order to be blessed; on the contrary, you must have a perfect desire to please and adhere to the will of God… This message informs us that the eyes of the Lord are present; however, He cannot move on your behalf until you have a heart for Him… He's waiting on you to turn toward Him.

ALL FOR HIS GLORY!

Don't Be Anxious, Just Pray

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:6-7

A lot of us may be walking around wondering why God hasn’t answered our prayers; we may even be at a point where we find ourselves wondering if He even heard our prayers which have been laid before Him… The answer to this question resides in the verses we focus on in today’s devotional… Despite all the confusion and chaos we find ourselves dealing with directly or indirectly; Paul reminds us that the first step which must be taken in walking according to the will of God is that you do not be anxious about anything... Anxiety - nervousness, unease, and apprehension about something eventually becomes a bridle within our minds, taking captive our thoughts and the direct steps we take upon this earth…   When we worry, we reach a state of unrest and therefore find ourselves tossing and turning until we either get an answer or resolve the situation on our own… This is not of God and this captivating mental state must be denied within us so that we can clearly see God working through us… Some situations we all face concern us; however, when we walk in faith, we pray about them and completely turn them over to the Lord… 

Doing this keeps us from becoming anxious… Knowing that God has heard us and will step in on His time gives us peace of mind over every situation and stronghold that we encounter… How you handle things outside of your control is the best indicator of the depth of your relationship with the Lord… Jesus, through all His life and even through all His persecutions, never rushed or tried to speed up the actions of His father… You can say that peace was on Him and dwelt within Him no matter the storm or test that was presented… Remember, in the gospel of John, Jesus says, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” This passage comes as Jesus tells them that He will be going away… Knowing that His death is coming, knowing that sin will be thrust upon His shoulders, and knowing that He would be betrayed; Jesus lets the disciples know that He is at peace… His peace is derived from complete trust and faith in His Father’s divine plan… This is the mindset that we all should be trying to achieve in this life; knowing that there are things that are simply out of our control, realizing that not everything will work as we planned, we can still be at peace within ourselves knowing that God has a plan and just like it’s written in Jeremiah, His plan is to prosper you and not to harm you; to give you hope and a future… 

ALL FOR HIS GLORY!