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

The promise Jesus makes in the Gospel of John today to His disciples is a promise of simplicity and a promise of power… The simple task we have (which isn’t actually that simple, given our sinful nature and natural desires) is to lift up Jesus, and it is through this very act that the power comes through His exaltation, which “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 of witnessing for those who do not know Christ or have gone astray... As Christians, 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! When Jesus is lifted, He will draw… By lifting His name, not only will He save the lost, but He will make the vision plain for your life, He will sketch the plans of His will for you, and make the course that you are to travel clearer everyday! So lift up the name of Jesus so that things can begin to change, lives can be altered, and your path can be defined!!!

ALL FOR HIS GLORY!

You're Here Because Of God's Patience

Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?

Romans 2:4

I was once told you can tell a leader not by their title but by how many people are following… In today’s focus verse, Paul is writing to the religious leaders of the Church of Rome… This church had not been visited by Paul; however, the religious structure and advancement of the church were brought to His attention, which compelled this letter… Paul is instructing the leaders to look within themselves before they pass judgment on another person! Oftentimes, we find ourselves downplaying the sins that we have committed by trying to magnify the sins of our colleagues… We take a stance of being “holier than thou” and not having any fault within us. Paul is saying that we must remember that God has tolerated all of our sins, we must remember that He will stand as the judge, and that He desires for all to be saved… 

We have all been guilty at times of “despising the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering…”  This simply means that we belittle the things that God has done despite the many flaws we have… We don’t give life to the grace and mercy that He has dispensed upon our lives; however, we want to be critical about the paths that others travel… Whether we want to admit the truth today or decide to live a life of deceit, God knows that it is only by His desires for all to be saved and to repent that we are not consumed by the temptations and lust set before us by the enemy… We make mistakes, but we must know that God has given us a way to be victorious through His son, Jesus Christ. By His Grace, By His Mercy, By His Longsuffering are we here and have been presented the opportunity of a lifetime… Take advantage of this chance, but more importantly, don’t condemn others… Allow them a chance to experience God’s love just like you…

ALL FOR HIS GLORY!

God Cares For And About You

"As an eagle stirreth up her nest, fluttereth over her young, spreadeth abroad her wings, taketh them, beareth them on her wings: So the LORD alone did lead him, and there was no strange god with him."

Deuteronomy 32:11-12

Despite what people may want you to believe, you are here by the grace, mercy, and directive of God… The bible records in the book of Jeremiah that God knew you before “…you were formed in your mother’s womb…” In Luke 12:7, we are informed that “God knows the very hairs on your head and therefore we should not fear for He knows what we stand in need of…” God is the creator, and you are the creation. Each person on this earth was designed for a specific task in the divine plan according to the will of God… You are a unique creation, one which literally means everything to God. This is the very reason why He sent His only begotten son and why He will watch over you just like an eagle who oversees her offspring… Make no mistake about it today; even if you have accumulated multiple degrees, obtained a sound financial future and a good job, God is with you and has been with you in every facet of your life… In today’s focus verses, the historical book of Deuteronomy compares the care of God to that of an eagle with her young… Look back at these verses and notice how many different avenues the mother takes to ensure the security of her offspring… She “stirreth the nest, fluttereth her young, spreadeth abroad her wings, taketh them and beareth them on her wings…” Remember in Isaiah we are told that those who wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they will mount up on wings like eagles… 

Know today that there is no point in time in your life where God is not present… A baby, as it grows, never really knows all the avenues and paths that their mother has taken to ensure their protection and security… When a child is born, it doesn’t know how a mother goes to check the temperature to make sure the baby is clothed correctly, a baby doesn’t see how much the life of their parent revolves around them and very rarely even come to understand how many things are sacrificed to tend to their needs; likewise, as we grow in Christ we never really understand how much effort, attention and love is poured out upon us from the windows of heaven each day of our lives… The bible often talks about God’s mercy, and the book of Lamentations tells us that they are new every morning… God is going out into the day before you wake up. He checks the temperature of the obstacles you will face. He sets the thermostat for your path so that you can maintain a level of peace, and then He clothes you with His hedge of protection, which you never physically can see… God cares for you; He shows it every day in every way possible, just like an Eagle over her young…

ALL FOR HIS GLORY!

Don't Worry; The Lord Will Deliver You

"Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all."

Psalm 34:19

Make no mistake about it, as a child of the Most High God, you are guaranteed afflictions along this Christian journey… When you are walking upright, in honesty and blameless throughout this world (which are all characteristics of righteousness) you are assured to be persecuted and afflicted… None on this earth are righteous; however, through the bloodshed of Jesus, we can be clothed in righteousness and therefore walk in victory as opposed to darkness… I state this about righteousness because it is important to understand that when you face trials because of your desire to walk in righteousness, you must remember that the attack isn’t’ against you but against the one you are clothed in… This is why the psalmist states that even though we are afflicted, “…the Lord delivereth him out of them all…” This battle is about the God you serve; remember this in the midst of your storm because it will help you to know that you are not alone and not fighting this battle within your own abilities… This Christian walk isn’t green pastures, it isn’t fields of orchards or streams of rivers, and despite what you may want to believe, you must understand this so that you don’t find yourself susceptible to the attacks within your mind by the enemy… 

ALL FOR HIS GLORY!

Don't Dwell On The Past

Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 3:13-14

The biggest challenge for a Christian is the ability to forget yesterday while striving for tomorrow… There are a lot of things in life I am not proud of, but in Christ, we must make the decision that our past will not restrict or limit our future; in fact, the past will provide experiences for a foundation of better decision making and yearning to do the will of God… Not only must we be able to overcome failures and skeletons, we must also realize the weight and bondage associated with our past if we do not overcome and release it… Ponder this statement very closely as we study today’s verses from Paul’s epistle to the church of Philippi… The more you carry on your shoulders, the more energy is required to take a step… We are all probably aware of the great work Paul completed or began during his life on earth… Several missionary journeys, many letters of encouragement and/or reform, and even through all the years, at this point in his life, he pens to the church that “I count not myself to have apprehended…” 

Though we toil in the garden that we have been called to tend, we can never make the mistake of thinking we have reached the heights of success that we are called to meet… We can never be satisfied or become satisfied on this earth as we are clothed in imperfection from the womb… I contend that every day you see on this earth is a day in which God has something that you have been designed to do… You have more work in your vineyard, you have more toiling in your fields, and to understand this, you must be able to leave the past in the past… To leave the past in the past means that we must not only forget about failures and/or past mistakes, but that we cannot fall into the snare of the enemy to become complacent with a small, finite measure of success… So many people have sold themselves short not only by holding on to things, but by also allowing themselves to believe that they have gone as far as they need to or can on this earth… As long as you are breathing, there is more in store for you! Don't give up and don't dwell on the past....

ALL FOR HIS GLORY!

Christ Came To Destroy The Works Of The Enemy

For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.

1 John 3:8

The path of life you travel does not have a happy ending without the bloodshed and nail-scarred hands of Jesus Christ… There are no works of our own which can justify our walk of life, you and I enter this world as sinners headed to hell and it is only through Jesus that we have a chance to inherit Eternal Life… Know that you are a filthy rag and in need of a Savior, this is why John declares to us today that it was for this purpose the Son of God was manifested… The bondage of Sin was too great for us to overcome, the shackles could not be broken by our finite power, and there was a dire need for a Savior and Redeemer… Mankind was unfit for the task which would lead to liberation; there were none who could pay the penalty of sin which is another reason why it took the very Son of God… Today’s focus verse not only speaks to the damnation of mankind, it also speaks to the love and admiration which God displayed for His creation… 

There are very few of us who would give our son or daughter for the greater good of the world (let alone for a people who do not love and desire you); however, this is the very act which God partook in over 2,000 years ago… The bible declares that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us… It wasn’t that we loved God, but that He loved us despite… Before you were even in the midst of your situation, before you were neck deep in sin, Christ was born in a little town called Bethlehem… Before you even know God and the level of love and reverence you have for Him, the bible declares that Jesus laid down His life for you and destroyed the works of the devil… The works of the devil are the very snares and vices which we face each and every day of our lives… The works of the devil have trapped us and limited us in our walk; however, it is good to know that we don’t have to be subject to the enemy’s desires as Christ has defeated Him and given us the ability to make the enemy our footstool if we so desire… 

ALL FOR HIS GLORY!

Suffering Is A Part of Your Calling (Part 2)

For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake.

Philippians 1:29

Paul writes to the church of Philippi, encouraging them in their time of despair and need! The church is going and has gone through some rough spots, and many have turned to idol worship… Paul reminds them today that Christ’s death is a privilege for us to partake of, to suffer for His name's sake is also to be considered an honor… The church was under heavy persecution; many had become weary and began to lose hope in the future and precious promises of God… Paul is reminding them that the same Christ who gave Himself up for you is the same Christ who will lead you through times of despair! Paul wants us to understand today that we will indeed be tested, we will indeed have weary days, we will indeed feel the pains of life, but we must overcome, we must hold to His unchanging hand, we must remember that Christ suffered and said that we would suffer for his name! We can take joy in our suffering because we are carrying out the will and word of God, we can smile in adversity because we know that Christ died and now lives for all eternity! 

Paul is informing the church that we have two things in this world that we can hold onto; that will be certain as a child of God! The first thing we are guaranteed of is that we have something to believe in… Paul says we have been given something to believe in. A lot of times in life, we are let down, we get our hopes up, and things don’t go the way we planned! People don’t hold their word or oath, and trust goes out of the proverbial window. Paul is saying to us that in times of uncertainty, we have something that we can be certain about; in times of hardship, we have an anchor whose name is Jesus. The bible says that, “we don’t mourn as a people without hope!” The bible says, “Behold, I show you a mystery!” The bible says, “All who come unto me will find rest!” Take courage in knowing that Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever! The second guarantee is that we will suffer… Paul was stoned and imprisoned, but he told Timothy he had fought the good fight! John the Baptist was beheaded, but paved the way for the coming Messiah! Peter left the courtyard weeping, but ended up preaching a sermon that brought 3,000 souls to Christ! We will suffer in this life, but know that when you suffer for the Lord, you reap heavenly rewards! 

ALL FOR HIS GLORY!

Suffering Is Part of Your Calling (Part 1)

For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake;

Philippians 1:29

You may not think this to be true at first, but to believe in Christ and to suffer for His name's sake is a gift… We would never truly equate suffering with a gift; however, in the body of Christ, suffering is gaining… This is why Paul says “For unto you it is given…” You have been given a chance to allow your tears to water a seed, you have been allowed to allow your pain to produce growth, and allow your work to not be in vain… We believe in a lot of things. When we are young, we believe in Santa Claus, when we get a little older, we believe in our friends, and soon we believe in the first relationship we have… Each of these things is either untrue or leads to disappointment… Today, place your belief in something real, place your belief in something that will last throughout eternity, place your belief in Christ… It is only in Him that through suffering we can smile knowing what will eventually come to pass… It is only in Jesus that we can be cast down amongst our peers and have faith that we will be exalted… 

I was once told that if you don’t stand for something, you will fall for anything… I was also told that when you don’t make a choice, you have already made one… Today, many of us are trying to straddle the fence of life that divides good and evil… We want to “have our cake and eat it too;” however, for many of us, the one thing we don’t want to do is work to succeed… Paul’s letter to the church of Philippi teaches us a very valuable lesson in life; this lesson is simply that suffering is inevitable… We are given a golden opportunity to suffer for the name of Christ as opposed to suffering for monetary gain and worldly riches… When one suffers, they bear, endure, or go through something… Challenges are at every turn in life; however, the outcome can either be positive or negative… Today let us look at our lives and see how much suffering we try to avoid for the name of Christ, take a look at how many times you have quenched your thirst for Christ because of what people might say or do, let’s see how often we refute His name around certain people or how often we put our religion on the shelf to fit in or get ahead… Like I said earlier, suffering is a part of life; the thing to note, though, is that it can either lead to growth or death… Which path of suffering are you choosing today?

ALL FOR HIS GLORY!

There's No Life Without Christ

Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.

Matthew 16:24-25

There are two paths that one can travel in this life. The first is the path of eternal life, paved with submission, humility, and modesty, while on this earth. This path requires one to sacrifice the desires of the eye to store up rewards for when this physical life comes to an end… The second path is the path of worldly lust; this path is paved with all the fine riches and measures of success as decreed by the standards of the world we live in… In choosing this path, one is required to focus on self, seek the advancement of their lives at any cost, and to reject future rewards, always desiring to have things now… As we come to understand these two contrasting paths, the question I pose to you today is simple: What is your spiritual destination worth to you? 

So many of us proclaim that Jesus is our Lord and Savior, but how much does Christ really mean to you and the direction in which your life will go? These two profound and critical questions are the questions that we must ask as we decide on whether we will pursue the dreams that the world lays out or the vision that God has for us, which will not bear its truest rewards on this earth… Understand that Jesus wants us all to realize that walking in the will of God is no small task, and it takes a dedicated, enduring, and persevering person to reach the levels that God has set… Take up our cross today, don’t be troubled by the ways of the world or the views that people may hold; know that by giving up yourself you will find your true worth and live life more abundantly!

ALL FOR HIS GLORY!