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!

Look To Jesus To Find Strength

Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

Hebrews 12:3

There is no shortcut to reaching the heights and plateau that God has designed for you; there is no way to circumvent the paths and lanes uniquely customized for your feet to travel… In today’s devotional, we are reminded that we must focus on our source of strength instead of dwelling on our current problem or situation… So many of us daily find ourselves caught up in situations to the point that we neglect and negate God's power and presence… When you find yourself on the verge of throwing in the proverbial towel, when you feel like you are at the end of your rope and can’t see a way out, the author tells you that you must consider Him who endured such opposition from sinners… Remember all the snares, trials, and hardships that Jesus faced; remember the heartache and spiritual pain that was firmly thrust upon His shoulders and know that in the end, He was victorious… You can draw strength from the Lord by simply reflecting on all that He has done in your life and even before you were born… Jesus fought the good fight over 2000 years ago so that you could see this day; He considered it not robbery to leave His home in glory so that you could one day reside with Him… All these things Jesus did for you and indeed did accomplish them and this alone should provide your source of strength and motivation to do the same… The enemy can only defeat you if you allow Him and the proof of this statement is in the words of Jesus Christ recorded in the 4th chapter of Matthew… 

Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.” Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.” Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down. For it is written: “He will command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.” Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.” Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. “All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.” Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.” Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him. The passage from Matthew should serve as a great source of encouragement for the weak and discouraged believer… Keep your hand to the plow; the field will produce the harvest which will make the sowing all that more enjoyable…

ALL FOR HIS GLORY!

Confession + Prayer = Healing

Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

James 5:16

Problems derive from faults not being confessed or mistakes made not being addressed… Today’s devotion reminds us of the importance of confessing one another’s faults to each other to promote or initiate healing… Many people walk around in life with open wounds; these wounds are infected daily because bitterness has not been removed and anger continues to fester like bacteria with oxygen… This same principle applies to the offender and the offended; as the offender, oftentimes we will deny wrongdoing which will allow a spirit of pride, self-righteousness, and an egotistical mindset to be rooted in us and drive us further from the truth… To have closure in your life which gives way to healing, you must either acknowledge your wounds or confess your actions which led to someone being wounded… This acknowledgment must not only take place, but must also be prayed over; this is why James goes on to say that not only must we confess our faults, but that we must pray one for another… Recognizing the mistake you made or the offense that someone committed against you is the first step; however, until you seek a resolution and closure through prayer this issue will not and cannot be resolved… In understanding the importance of prayer, I am led to remind you that the issues you face in life are not meant for you to handle but to teach you to turn them over to the Lord… There are so many problems that could’ve been resolved and so many issues that could’ve been handled differently if we gave way to the plan and move of the Holy Spirit… Prayer is essential and the catalyst for healing because it removes all the infected items (you and the other person) from being involved thus making the matter even worse… Confess your faults, pray over the matter, and allow God to heal and resolve.

ALL FOR HIS GLORY! 

You'll Lift; He'll Draw

And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.

John 12:32

Jesus's promise in the Gospel of John today to His disciples is a promise of simplicity and power… Our simple task (which isn’t that simple given our sinful nature and natural desires) is to lift up Jesus. Through this very act of exalting him, we see His power manifested in that He “will draw all men unto him…” This very passage recorded in the 12^th chapter is the key to our life on this earth and serves as a great tool for witnessing to those who do not know Christ or have gone astray... As a Christian, we have the faith that Christ is the center of our being. This says that if we lift him up, He will draw. In all things, focus on Him; continue to lift His name above your pain and suffering, lift Him in your worry and tribulation, exalt Him during your storms; knowing that if you focus on Him, He will bring you out. He will deliver you from the muck and mire, and you will be just like a tree planted by the waters; you shall not be moved!!! When something is lifted it is exalted, raised, or elevated above. This speaks to the true heart of a Christian! It is very easy to praise God when you or your family and friends are blessed, but is His name lifted in and through your life when storms rise? Is He receiving your praise when tribulations come knocking on your door? Christ is posing a thought to us today, “if I be lifted up…” He is seeking for you to lift Him above every situation; He wants you to speak His name over every obstacle and blessing you incur or encounter… Don’t lose sight of God’s goodness and the power that lies in the name of Jesus! The word “if” implies that a choice must be made; so many lives have been lost, and so many paths have led many astray because people are scared to lift up Jesus… When trials come, when a family member goes astray, we are to focus on God and not the situation… When we lift up Jesus, He promises that He will draw… It doesn’t matter how far they have gone, it doesn’t matter how many mistakes you have made; when you lift Him up He will draw and bind every broken piece back together… 

ALL FOR HIS GLORY!

They Have To Dwell In You

How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.

Acts 10:38 

You can do nothing without the power and presence of God…Even though the world declares that we can do many things if we apply ourselves, the word of God informs us today that even Jesus Christ had to be anointed and aided by the Holy Ghost to do good and heal all that were oppressed by the devil… Notice that today’s devotion declares that we need the anointing of God not to just perform miracles but simply to do good… Sin is naturally a part of our being, we are filled with filth and a strong desire to fulfill the lust of the flesh… Doing good embodies so many actions of our daily lives; we need the presence of God in our lives to speak kindness amidst gossip and betrayal, we need His anointing to extend a helping hand to our adversary and enemies…When we are of this world, we focus on trying to get ahead using whatever means necessary; however, when we are under the anointing of God we have faith that we will reach new heights and are willing to extend a hand to those we pass along the way… We all have probably heard the saying “What would Jesus do” and after reading this question I am left posing the question how did Jesus do it…? How is it that He could allow Judas to kiss Him in betrayal, how could He heal the ear of the guard, how could He keep quiet while all the lies were spoken about Him and how could He endure the cross knowing that His life was lived without blame… The answer lies in the words of this passage; God anointed Him and the Holy Ghost guided Him… This same principle must be applied to your life; you won’t be able to do what Jesus did if you don’t have the same in-dwelling spirit that He did… In short, you must come to know the Father and allow the Father to be within you so that you can accomplish the most possible on this earth…

ALL FOR HIS GLORY!

God Cares; You'll See In Due Time

Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.

1 Peter 5:6-7

Humility is the characteristic that if handled correctly will unlock the divine will and plan of God for your life… I say that it must be handled correctly because humility can also unlock destruction and chaos in one's life if you are humbling yourself to the wrong authority… This is why Peter says Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God; your humility can either be used to promote or tear down and it must be handled carefully… The meek temperament shown through humility allows someone to be molded, shaped, or fashioned for a specific purpose… In the Beatitudes, Jesus Christ declares “Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.” When you allow yourself to be molded, you then can be transformed to go to another level in Christ which will in turn open up doors in your life to inherit things that you never thought you would be able to obtain… A meek person is submissive; they are compliant to the authority in their lives and are mild-mannered… I keep reiterating this point because it is of the utmost importance that we understand how humility unlocks God's favor but can also lead us down a path of darkness and destruction if we submit to the wrong things… 

A lot of us become frustrated with the will and plan of God; we don’t see Him moving as we desire and so we find ourselves submitting to the desires of the flesh or this world…  This is why Peter says that we must first submit to the mighty hand of God and then proceeds to say that this must happen so that he may exalt you in due time…You have to know that just because you submit to the will of God doesn’t mean that He is going to act in your favor or on your behalf right away… So many of us are looking for a big miracle and God is simply paving avenues to your divine destiny… Your faith and humility are stable when your foundation is founded on knowing that God will move in time… The things of this world teach you that results should be instant, but that logic does not align with how God moves. As 2nd Peter reminds us, one day is like a thousand years and a thousand years is like a day... God's plan is working and will be revealed in due time. The Bible also declares in Isaiah that “his ways are not our ways nor his thoughts our thoughts…” God has plans being carried out and you must learn today that your humility can not be deterred based on when or what types of results you see… 

ALL FOR HIS GLORY!

All Flesh Shall See God

Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low: and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough places plain: And the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it.

Isaiah 40:4-5

Every stumbling block you face is guaranteed to become a stepping stone when you walk according to the Lord's will and plan… As a child of God, we have to have the mindset that trouble will arise; however, we will not only come out, but we will be better than we were when we first went in… The word that came to Isaiah informs us today that Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low…  A valley is a low area of land usually found between a hill or mountain; on the other hand, a hill is a raised area of land (a mountain being a little higher than a hill)… I clarify these things to make a point of what Isaiah is saying to us today, the things in your life that appear in one form will be flipped and transformed into another form when you walk by faith and not sight… There are areas of your life that you think are low points and God wants you to know that He can lift them; there are situations that you face that you think cannot be conquered because they are too high and steep, the word of God for you today is that He can make them manageable so that you can cross over… No situation is too hard for our God; even when things seem to be spiraling out of control in your life, know that the crooked shall be made straight… The things you face in life are challenging you to display your faith and not just speak about it… This is why we are assured to have trials and tribulations, hardships, and despair... There is a greater work being performed amid the storm you face and you can maintain your standing in Christ by knowing that the glory of the Lord shall be revealed… For something to be revealed, it must first be concealed… The things in your life that are concealing your destiny and God’s grace are serving the purpose of setting the stage for you and the hand of God to be revealed in the lives of others… All Flesh Shall See God!

ALL FOR HIS GLORY!

Trials Are Vital To Growth

And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.

Romans 5:3-5

It is easy for Christians to boast about the goodness of Jesus when things are well in their respective lives, and it’s easy for them to share their joy with others who are down or sad when they feel the presence of God; however, through today’s devotional, we are reminded of the greatest ministry that we have which is developed through our trials and tribulations… Understand today that the same joy we experience in the sunshine we must display and experience in the rain… So many of us claim to be about the work of the Lord, but in crunch time, when the sweat begins to come forth, we don’t keep our hands to the plow… This message today serves as a reminder that you can’t have one without the other… You can’t love Christ and not obey His commands; you can’t seek His face and not seek His will… This is why Paul writes this chapter in his letter to the Church of Rome; the message of Christ had gone forth, but the toiling and persecution was not accepted… This same principle is what plagues the church of today… We want the cake but don’t want to be in the kitchen to bring all the ingredients together… We want the end result, but not the beginning equation…Look at the first part of these verses, Paul says, “And not only so…” 

There’s so much joy experienced when one turns their life over to Christ, there is a newness felt within that cannot be put into words and the greatest artist of all cannot even begin to imagine and portray on a canvass the speechless feeling that one gains when they now know they are co-heirs with Christ… Amid this uncontrollable bliss, Paul wants us to remember that there is a marriage in the body of Christ that binds the grace of God with the trials and tribulations of the world… These two are inseparable and it’s simply all or nothing…So many of us spend our days trying to experience the grace of God without the persecutions that come with the grace and therefore we find ourselves trying to tip-toe through life and never walk by faith… The faith you need to please God is lacking in your life which is why you don't develop through the storms you face. Paul says that we glory in tribulations also; you must have a mindset that will take on the hardest obstacle and steepest mountain because of your trust and faith in Christ… Look at the passage, Paul is speaking about having glory amidst hardships and tribulations; He is referring to the individual dealing with the storm and how you display yourself in the rain… Glory is beauty, splendor, brilliance, or fame; some people in your life need to see your beauty and splendor when you go through stuff and not just when you feel comfortable and there is no storm in your current forecast… When you walk in faith, your splendor will be evident no matter what you face…You thank God when things are good and praise Him for learning when you go through a test… This is why Paul says we glory in tribulations also: knowing… Your glory can be seen through all the clouds of life when you have faith in God knowing that the storms you face will not overtake you but are preparing you for your next level or phase of life… 

ALL FOR HIS GLORY!

Don't Be Afraid; Trust God

Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the LORD JEHOVAH is my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation. Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation.

Isaiah 12:2-3

The enemy has launched an all-out assault on your divine destiny… He wants to fulfill the passage of scripture in John 10:10 where Jesus says that the enemy cometh not but to steal, kill, and destroy… The ultimate goal and plan of Satan is no secret to the true believer of Jesus Christ; however, many of us fall short because we don’t recognize the ways and forms that the enemy will take on to accomplish his goals… We know that he is attacking us, but we don’t recognize how he is coming… The Israelites dealt with this principle from the time they were led out of Egypt to the prophetic years of Isaiah… The children of God had to be reminded that the same God that delivered them before will deliver them now… Instead of giving in to the outlook of things, they are reminded to draw water out of the wells of salvation… Several times the enemy bogged down their minds with so much that they began to defy God and act in disobedience; the message of today’s devotional is to accept the unacceptable (God’s will), be submissive to the unimaginable (God’s plan) and not cower in fear because of the appearance of your current circumstances… The things that you face upon this earth each and every day are not to mislead you or destroy you; to the contrary, these things will be the platforms that will give you a testimony and a song to sing… Isaiah calls to our remembrance today the fact that even though the battle may be intense, the love of God and the plan of salvation that He has for your life will win… Sing your song today and let the devil know that God is my salvation, serve notice to the land that the LORD JEHOVAH is my strength and my song… All the enemy can do is try to get you to neglect the power and plan that God has and will bestow in your life if you follow Him… Don't be afraid; trust God! 

Draw from the wells of salvation... Look back on your life and remind yourself of how God has cared for you when you didn't care for yourself. Draw from the well today and remind yourself how he spared you when you should've been dead... Draw from the well of salvation and remind yourself how He wrote your name in the Book of Life while others wrote you off... Draw from the well of salvation and serve notice today that you have not forgotten all that He has done and let that ignite and reenergize your commitment to serve!!!

ALL FOR HIS GLORY!

Learn To Keep Your Promise

When thou vowest a vow unto God, defer not to pay it; for he hath no pleasure in fools: pay that which thou hast vowed.  Better is it that thou shouldest not vow, than that thou shouldest vow and not pay.

Ecclesiastes 5:4-5

We all have heard the saying that “talk is cheap” Solomon reminds us that to renege on your word is one of the biggest sins you can commit! Every day you make a promise, if you are going to work (your boss expects you to come in on time), if you are attending a class you are expected to be there promptly, and these are unwritten promises that one vows when you accept the task that is put before you… Solomon teaches us today that we must honor our word and commitments, too often people say things that they can’t live up to and eventually place themselves in harm’s way of failure and leave someone else disappointed! Think about how you felt when someone wronged you by not keeping their promise or vow! You feel betrayed, you feel deceived, and let down. When it is all said and done, the only thing that a man really has in this life is his word, when that is removed so is he…. Now that we understand the importance of vows, we can surely understand why Solomon tells us that God takes no pleasure in a fool… God desires your best; He doesn’t want to hear excuses and will not be bogged down by them. Your commitments to Him will be called into account and you will have to answer to them in your day of judgment! Broken promises can end lives and destroy dreams literally; they can scar people and cause a lot of negative thoughts to be formed about the character of individuals… So remember to keep your word (especially to God)!  

ALL FOR HIS GLORY!

Jesus Taught Us How To Live

And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

John 1:14 

The word of God declared in the Old Testament that a savior would come, that He would pay our debt of sin and redeem us unto a path of salvation through His death as the ultimate sacrifice! Since the beginning of time, the Jews have been waiting for a savior, they have been sitting and pondering the very day that Christ would come to this earth…The bible declares here in John that the word was made flesh and dwelt among us, the savior has already come, He has already paid sin’s penalty and He currently sits at the right hand of God interceding on our behalf and patiently awaiting His triumphant return when we shall be caught up in the air to meet Him… The word is a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path, it serves as a compass to reach our spiritual heights and comfort when we stumble along the way, the word is our encouragement to maintain our Faith and the source of strength to overcome every obstacle that we face, Jesus embodies all these things for us… He came to show us how to walk, and how to live according to God’s commands and laws, He came to pave the way for us to come back into fellowship and truth within the knowledge of God… He took on the form of man so we can have an example of how we should desire to walk! He came in the flesh to instruct us at our level on how we can reach the Promised Land, and He came in the flesh to resurrect our possibilities of having eternal life! The prophets wrote the instructions; Jesus acted them out on this earth, and now the ball is in our court to be prepared for His return!

ALL FOR HIS GLORY!

Sometimes It's Best To Shut Up

Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouth but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. 

Ephesians 4:29

When I was a little child I can recall how often my father would instruct me to think before I speak… Even though I never really paid his instruction any mind, today I have come to know and understand exactly what he meant… Words are powerful, and the things that we speak can produce seeds of abundance or failure in one’s life; this is why James writes in the 3^rd chapter of his book about the importance of taming our tongue… In this chapter, he says, “For we all stumble in many ways. And if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole body. If we put bits into the mouths of horses so that they obey us, we guide their whole bodies as well. Look at the ships also: though they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs. So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things. How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire! And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell. ...” Your tongue can positively transform lives or tear them down, your tongue can reap corruption or alter the atmosphere; because of the power that lies in its use, we are reminded today that we must not let any unwholesome talk come out of our mouth… People are watching you, they are observing your walk and how you handle various situations, show them the God in you and not the side of you that is still a work in progress… The bottom line is to think before you speak, and if that doesn’t work just shut up…

ALL FOR HIS GLORY!

Stay The Course

For the Lord is righteous, he loves justice; the upright will see his face.

Psalm 11:7

Every day that you see displays God’s justice in your life, He hasn’t let the enemy just trample over you nor has He turned His back on you… The love that God has for you should ignite your faith and take your relationship with Him to another level… When you feel as though you can’t overcome when you feel like life is unfair, remember that God is with you, He’s standing by and His love for fairness has touched you and awakened you this morning… This is the reason why you have seen another day, this is the reason why you can see the sunshine and feel the wind blowing; God has been fair to you… He knows that you were designed to succeed; He knows that you were designed to reach supernatural heights and He wants to give you every opportunity possible to walk in your divine calling… When Jeremiah was called to speak the word of God, look at what takes place in this passage; in the 1st chapter verses 4-10 read as follows, “The word of the Lord came to me, saying, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations. ” “Alas, Sovereign Lord,” I said, “I do not know how to speak; I am too young.” But the Lord said to me, “Do not say, ‘I am too young.’ You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you. Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you,” declares the Lord. Then the Lord reached out his hand and touched my mouth and said to me, “I have put my words in your mouth. See, today I appoint you over nations and kingdoms to uproot and tear down, to destroy and overthrow, to build and to plant.” 

God continues to call us no matter our age or location, Jeremiah was known of God before He was formed… God already knew you, He already devised a plan for you and this is why He loves justice; no matter how you may feel or even be led to think, the call that God has on your life will trump the chains that the enemy has placed over you… Jeremiah thought that he was too young, but God said I am with you and will rescue you; this same principle applies to us today, we have things that may appear to disqualify us in this life... We may feel as though we are inadequate and cannot overcome certain limitations, if you feel like that today just know that God has brought you to this point so that He can take you through it… The Lord wants nothing more than to have you in the fold, make sure that your heart is aligned with His righteousness and you are assured to get there…

ALL FOR HIS GLORY!  

He Wants You

For every beast of the forest is mine, and the cattle upon a thousand hills. I know all the fowls of the mountains: and the wild beasts of the field are mine.

Psalm 50:10-11

This psalm is penned by Asaph, a young priest from the tribe of Levi. He writes this text during the period when David brings the Ark of the Covenant up to Jerusalem… Asaph served in Jerusalem for all of David's reign, He was in Jerusalem when God gave David the great promise that David would have a son who would be the Messiah, and reign forever. This background provides a segway into today’s devotion which speaks to the love of God amid our filth and corruption… There is nothing on this earth that doesn’t belong to the Lord… This is an encouraging word for us today, reminding us that our travel course should be aligned with God's will… Asaph was a man who observed many things throughout his life that God allowed Him to live… As I stated earlier, through David’s reign and growth, Asaph was there. He served as David's music director and was vital in several of the psalms penned by David himself… Having observed the very life of David, seeing the good days and the bad, Asaph pens these scriptures which we study today… 

Everything on this earth belongs to the Lord, you are a vessel formed from His hand, carved by His words, and designed for His purpose; however, just like many creatures created by God, we have decided to walk according to our own desires and plans… The Lord wants to remind you today that every beast of the forest is His and the cattle upon a thousand hills. He reminds us of this today because He wants us to tune our ears to the fact that He desires more for our lives… Slaughtering a bull, lamb, sheep or goat is not what God desires from you since they belong to Him anyway…God doesn't want an offering or sacrificial lamb, He wants you... He wants to mold you, He wants to protect you and He wants to exalt you; however, you must desire a better life, you must come to the realization that there is more to life than just what you see and call upon His name… This is why, through all His mess David was able to proclaim that “a broken and contrite heart thou will not despise…” In all his mess, David was called a man after God’s own heart....not because He was perfect, but because His desire was to please the Father not with gifts but with His life… In a nutshell, it’s about your heart…

ALL FOR HIS GLORY!

Walk In His Word

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

Colossians 3:16

Jesus informs us in the gospel of Matthew chapter 15 verse 11 that, “What goes into a man's mouth does not make him 'unclean,' but what comes out of his mouth, that is what makes him 'unclean.” I share this passage of scripture as we examine today’s focus verse because we must understand the importance of what resides within us… There are a lot of people walking this earth with bitterness and are unhappy simply because the enemy has taken up residence within them… These people are never satisfied even when they get the things they desire because their callous heart still yearns for more… Today, if you want to have peace in your life, if you want to have unspeakable joy, or if you simply want to learn to be content with the things surrounding you, Let the word of Christ dwell in your richly… The word of Christ is the key to your happiness, contentment, and peaceful existence… If the word of Christ is not in you then the darkness in which you were born still resides and therefore the seeds that sprout in your life will do nothing more than feed the corruption that is already present… Stay focused! The Bible records, “let the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be acceptable in thy sight O Lord, you are my strength and my redeemer…” AMEN

ALL FOR HIS GLORY!

He's Ready To Give It To You

For the LORD God is a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly. O LORD of hosts, blessed is the man that trusteth in thee. 

Psalm 84:11-12

Even though you may experience days of darkness and confusion; the passage we focus on today declares that the Lord is a sun and shield… You will experience many days where the enemy appears to have the upper hand; however, in the body of Christ, you are reminded today that the Lord is always near and will deliver you… This passage ends by declaring, “Blessed is the man that trusteth in thee…” The writer records these words because when you trust in the Lord you are guaranteed to be blessed, the darkness that you face will indeed become light and you will receive a clear vision of the path and will that God has planned for your life when the rays of the sun shine bright all around you and through you… The psalmist starts this psalm by declaring how wonderful the dwelling place of the Lord is; the things you experience in this life should declare the same words spoken of by the psalmist… 

This is a dark and dreary place where we dwell; however, when we are in the presence of the Lord, even the scariest places become peaceful in our lives… We know that this is true because the word of God tells us today that “the Lord will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly…” Make no mistake about it, the Lord wants to shine bright in your life, He wants you to walk in His light and not in the darkness, but you must choose to allow Him in and receive His will and divine plan for you… God wants to give you the very best, He isn’t withholding anything from you, so you must ask yourself the question today as to why you haven’t received it…? These words teach us that the things of God can only be denied by us and nothing else… Too often we want to blame God or circumstance for our situations; however, in the body of Christ, we rest assured in the love of God knowing that when we walk according to His will, He will do exceedingly and abundantly above all that we can ask or think… 

ALL FOR HIS GLORY!

Every Ear Shall Hear

And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people,  Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come...

Revelation 14:6-7

There will be no area of land on this earth which will not hear the word of the Lord… No matter the authority or dictatorship of the land, the word of God reveals to us today that the seeds of the gospel will be planted; however, the flower to bloom will be entirely up to the land that bears the seed...  This passage serves as good news as we are informed that all will have a chance to come to know our Lord and Savior; however, this passage also reminds us that the hour of judgment is closer than we imagined… You may think you have plenty of time to get your life in order, but the word of God tells me that once the land has heard of the Salvation of Jesus Christ, then the hour of judgment shall be upon us… 

John reveals to us today the glory and mercy that embodies our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ… In his vision, he sees an angel amid heaven having the gospel and preaching to them on the earth, to every nation, kindred, and tongue… His instructions are to fear God, give Him glory, for the hour of judgment has come… We all need to hear the word of God in our lives and John informs us today that God not only desires for all to be saved but that He will not come back until all have heard His word… Today, let us focus on giving God glory with our lives, and present our bodies as a living sacrifice. I recognize and understand that this is not easy, but if we accept the word of God (preached by the angel) and believe it in our hearts, we will be saved and will not suffer the wrath that once awaited us…

ALL FOR HIS GLORY!

Always Give Thanks

Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Ephesians 5:19-20

Don’t allow your mind to be controlled by the circumstances around you and thus give the enemy a foothold in your life… In today’s devotional, we are reminded of the importance of speaking over ourselves instead of allowing someone else to… There are a lot of things that we all face in this world, a lot of situations that we find ourselves in which are disheartening to the strongest and most stable individuals; however, the declaration that is made today is that we must maintain our praise, worship, and devotion to the Lord… The enemy has set out to destroy you; however, it will not be a physical fight, it will be a battle within your mind… All Satan wants you to do is focus on the problem and not stand in faith knowing that the Father is the solution… Your adversary has placed strategic things in your life with the focus of derailing your faith; this is why you encounter obstacles that seem impassable and burdens that appear to be unbearable… 

The word of God tells us in Hebrews 9:28, “so also Christ died once for all time as a sacrifice to take away the sins of many people. He will come again, not to deal with our sins, but to bring salvation to all who are eagerly waiting for him.” This is not the only reference we have to know that Christ has delivered us from past, present, and future sins as Peter declares in the 3^rd chapter of his  1^st book, “For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive by the Spirit,” These scriptures are referenced in today’s devotional so that you can see clearly that Satan only has the power that you give Him… He wants you to think (the battle in mind) that you are in bondage because of mistakes and failures; however, the Lord wants you to praise Him in and through your challenges because you know He has and will deliver you… No matter what you're going through, have an attitude of gratitude. When we give thanks, we focus on the positive and usher in the power of God into our lives and the very circumstances we find ourselves in. Don't worry, be thankful, God's got you!

ALL FOR HIS GLORY!

The Word Will Go Forth

And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people, Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come...

Revelation 14:6-7

These verses in John’s revelation today speak to God's love, compassion, and desire for all His creation to return unto Him… No matter what you have done in this life, no matter how ashamed you may be of the things in your past or the skeletons in your closet; John writes today to let us know that there will be a loud voice that will be heard by all mankind with the declaration for you to fear God… Your life is built upon your choices, and these same principles apply to your relationship with Christ… The Lord desires to save you and to record your name in the Book of Life; however, it is ultimately up to you and the decisions that you make to decide whether or not you want to dwell there… If you want God to write your name down, if you want Jesus to be “preparing a place for you”, then you must submit and have fear (reverence, respect, and admiration) for the Lord… 

In John’s revelation the last words recorded state “for the hour of his judgment is come…” You don’t have as long as you believe you have and even the next day let alone the next second is not promised…  God’s desire is that all would come to know Him and receive Him… This is His desire, but the ball is in your court… You cannot honor Him with your lips; you must fear Him and give Him glory… Glory is beauty, wonder, or credit… When we give God glory, we are crediting Him with our change in life, we exalt Him by our living because we recognize that victory, success, and prosperity all flow from His blood… Today let us focus on giving God glory with our lives, presenting our bodies as living sacrifices. Please not and understand that this is not easy to do; however, if we accept the word of God (preached by the angel) and believe it in our hearts, we will be saved and will not suffer the wrath that once awaited us… TO GOD BE THE GLORY!!!

ALL FOR HIS GLORY!

A Child Mentality

 Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child shall in no wise enter therein.

Luke 18:17

Receiving the kingdom of God is not a verbal expression, but an act that requires a total submission and openness of one’s heart… The words recorded in today’s focus verse shine light on the fact that we must have the mindset and attitude of a child when it comes to the kingdom of God… Children are very gullible (innocent, trusting) and accepting in their early years; having this mindset allows them in their youth to believe any and everything that they are told by their parents… Santa is real because of the words spoken, the tooth fairy exists because they are taught of this being, and fear is eased when a parent says everything is okay…  In Christ, when we have this mindset we trust and hang on every word of God… 

We can stand amid adversity and smile because we remember what our father told us and declare it true… When the enemy seems to be on the attack, having the mind of a child says you will not win and joy comes in the morning… Even when faced with trials and tribulations and obstacles that appear to be too steep to overcome; having a child’s mindset allows you to rely on our heavenly father knowing that He will not only provide the source of comfort but that He also will provide the ability to withstand the situation that you are faced with. Knowing this you can declare and speak into the atmosphere that this too shall pass… This is why we are reminded today that the kingdom of God can only be entered when you have this mindset… When you lose sight of thinking like a child in the aspects of your spiritual life, you allow that crevice of opportunity for the enemy to slip in and get you to start thinking according to your desires… 

ALL FOR HIS GLORY!

Preach The Word; The Hour Has Come

And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people, Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come...

Revelation 14:6-7

These verses penned in John’s revelation today speak to God's love, compassion, and desire for all His creation to return unto Him… No matter what you have done in this life, no matter how ashamed you may be of the things in your past or the skeletons in your closet; John writes today to let us know that there will be a loud voice that will be heard of all mankind with the declaration for you to fear God… Your life is built upon your choices, and this same principle applies to your relationship with Christ… The Lord desires to save you and record your name in the Book of Life; however, it is ultimately up to you and your decisions to decide whether you want to dwell there… If you want God to write your name down, if you want Jesus to be “preparing a place for you”, then you must submit and have fear (reverence, respect, and admiration) for the Lord… In John’s revelation, the last words recorded state “for the hour of his judgment is come…” You don’t have as long as you believe you have and even the next day let alone the next second is not promised… The enemy has a lot of us under the belief that we can do as we please because we have tomorrow to change our ways and get ourselves together; sadly, millions of people thought this way and will spend their eternity in hell because of it… Open your eyes to see and know how much the gospel of Jesus Christ has spread throughout the world… There were and still are several areas where the bible is not allowed; however, there are also several countries that have had their eyes opened and the truth penetrate their borders… The word informs us that the gospel will be preached and seeds will be planted in every area of the world before Christ comes. Preach His word, the hour has come... 

ALL FOR HIS GLORY!

Teach Christ From The Womb

And all thy children shall be taught of the LORD; and great shall be the peace of thy children.

Isaiah 54:13

Believe it or not, one thing that is for sure in this life is that your child will learn something… It may not be what you desire, but this is why teaching and training in the home are of the utmost importance… So many people have delayed the teaching and training aspect of parenting and this has allowed the enemy to take the reins in the classroom and teach all the things the child doesn’t need to learn… It’s imperative that “Thy children shall be taught of the Lord,” the enemy is a very enticing teacher and if you allow him in, your child will never be at peace and therefore you will have several sleepless nights and a mind full of worry… This is why we are told today that teaching your child of the Lord will bring peace… 

The sooner that you realize that you must teach about the Lord even in the womb, the sooner you can begin to instill peace in your offspring… Make no mistake about it, whether you want to deal with it or not; the truth of the matter is that your child will learn from whomever speaks into their lives… If you don’t take this word and begin to teach, you will see what becomes of your child and soon realize that you should’ve been the one teaching… Teaching and training are required in the will of God because without them we all will perish… Your child needs to know about Jesus, but they also need to have Jesus broken down and implanted in their lives… This means that you as a parent must spend time in study and not just quote a scripture that you learned and remembered… To teach Christ, you must know him...

ALL FOR HIS GLORY!

Beware Of False Teachings

And Jesus answering them began to say, Take heed lest any man deceive you: For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.

Mark 13:5-6 

Not everyone who speaks the name of Christ is a child of God… I was once told that Satan spends his days in the church; not because he wants to be converted but because he wants to pull others from their faith… Those in the world are not of God and therefore Satan doesn’t have to worry about them… Understanding that Satan does attend church keeps me informed that I must be on guard at all times and as Paul tells the church of Ephesus “put on the full amour of God…” This battle we face is not in the flesh but in principalities and darkness in high places… These high places can be in the pulpit, and these high places can be positions of leadership; whatever the case may be, I know that I must stay alert and be vigilant at all times… Our focus verses today shine a light on Jesus telling us to take heed… Don’t for a second let your guard down; don’t for the smallest window of time become complacent… 

The devil only needs a small window of time to tear you down… Look at David when he became King, his small window came in the form of Bathsheba; think about Sampson in all His might and how he let his guard down to Delilah, think about Solomon who was the wisest man to ever live but saw his kingdom divided and torn down before his very eyes, think about Peter who vowed to follow Jesus at all cost, but before the cook crowed he denied knowing the savior and left the courtyard weeping… This list can go on and on and on and we need to take note today that we must open our eyes to the will of God and not lean to our own understanding and comfort… Today’s message reminds us of two crucial things; one, we must be careful with whom we associate with and second, we must study the word of God for ourselves and apply it to our everyday life… The devil can appear in many forms, stay immersed in the word and will of God and beware of false teachings...

ALL FOR HIS GLORY!