His Yoke Is Easy, His Burden Is Light

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

Matthew 11:28-30

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

ALL FOR HIS GLORY!

Through Christ All Things Are Possible

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

Mark 16:17-18

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

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

ALL FOR HIS GLORY!

Submit and Resist

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

James 4:7

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

ALL FOR HIS GLORY!

God Wants You Just As You Are

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

Psalm 139:23-24

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

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

ALL FOR HIS GLORY!

Those Who Wait Find Strength

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

Isaiah 40:30-31  

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

ALL FOR HIS GLORY!

It's Only Possible Through Christ

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

John 14:6

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

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

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

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

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

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

ALL FOR HIS GLORY!

We Are One In Christ

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

1 Corinthians 12:13-14

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

ALL IN FOR CHRIST!

The Earth Is Filled With His Glory

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

Numbers 14:21

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

ALL FOR CHRIST!

Christ's Death Saved Us

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

1 Peter 2:24

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

ALL FOR CHRIST!

Hearing The Word Isn't Enough

But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.

James 1:22

There are two vital elements to the life of a Christian: one is hearing the word of God and the other is applying and/or doing the word of God… We cannot hear and be satisfied; the word of God must be heard and rooted within so that it can sprout and bring forth fruit from the lives we live and the examples we display to others…  You deceive nobody but yourself when you think that you have done enough by being able to say that you faithfully attend church; you fool yourself when you put on your Sunday’s best and display the worse example of a Christian each and every other day of the week… Applying the word of God is what leads to positive fruits and results in one's life… The word of God being heard without being applied is the same as instruction being received and not carried out… You wonder why you fall short over and over again, you wonder why your life continues to spiral out of control as you attend church faithfully, and the answer may be in your application of what God is providing to you versus what you have heard and have chosen to demonstrate… This passage, taken from James, so often reminds me of how many people will leave a church service and speak of how powerful and moving it was… You ask them how the Pastor’s sermon was, and they immediately say, “Oh, the pastor did a wonderful job, he was so powerful!” The next question you ask is what it was that he or she preached about, and they don’t have the slightest clue, and begin to think back to the service. How can we be of God if we do not listen and act upon what He has given us? James is calling for us to not talk a good game, but walk a Godly life. 

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

ALL FOR CHRIST!

Let Your Light Shine

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

Matthew 5:16

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

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

Let Your Light Shine

ALL FOR CHRIST! 

When God Comes First, All Things Fall Into Place

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

Psalm 37:4

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

ALL FOR CHRIST!

Power Comes By Way Of The Holy Spirit

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

Acts 1:8

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

ALL FOR CHRIST!

Rest Is ONLY Found In Christ

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

Matthew 11:28-30

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

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

ALL FOR CHRIST!

Victory Comes Through Christ's Death

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

Hebrews 2:14

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

ALL FOR HIS GLORY!

Only A Fool Wouldn't Fear God

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

Proverbs 1:7

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

ALL FOR CHRIST!

He Will Cleanse You

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

Ezekiel 36:25

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

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

ALL FOR HIS GLORY!

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!