Let Love Be Your Covering

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

 

1 Peter 4:7-8

 

The best thing that someone can ever say about you is that you were full of love… The bible declares that God is love and for someone to say you were full of love means that you were full of God… You cannot allow the distractions of this world to suffocate or destroy the seed of love planted in you… People will come to know God through your acts of love and this is why Peter not only says that charity covers a multitude of sins, but why he also says that you must be sober and watch unto prayer… The enemy doesn’t want to see the end result of the love which was poured out on Calvary taking root in the lives of all those who come to know and experience it… Satan cannot fathom what the world will be like if people were able to engage and speak words of love instead of criticism and gossip…  He doesn’t want to see this come to fruition, so he has you marred by your past and ignorant concerning your future in Christ… Today, know that we must live each and everyday as if it’s our last and this means we must love uncontrollably… This doesn’t mean that we should “live life to the fullest,” but that we must carry out the will of God each and every hour that He grants us upon this earth… We are reminded today that charity (love) covers a multitude of sins… It was Jesus love which He poured out on the cross that covered our sins… Likewise, in doing good deeds, extending a hand to someone in need, forgiving someone who has wronged you or looking beyond faults of another will allow your father to forgive you of the mistakes that you make… There is one unknown on this Christian journey and that is the time in which Christ will return; there is also one thing that we are assured of on this Christian Journey and that is that Christ will return… Peter tells us that the end of all days is at hand and to be sober, this is focusing not on drinking, but on the fact that we need to be vigilant and coherent to the word of God and live our lives as if He was coming within the next minute… The end of all things being at hand lets me know that there is nothing of this earth that will survive, there is no one on this earth that can save you and nothing that you can do on this earth to inherit Eternal Life… Being sober means that we must stop making stupid choices, stop procrastinating and stop allowing temptations to ensnare our God-given vision and mission… So many of us aren’t living a sober lifestyle, we are staggering through life, misusing our gifts, losing our identity and allowing this world to dictate our advancements and achievements; God is calling for us to stand upright and be an example in this world! He is waiting for you to detoxify yourself through prayer and study so that you can understand that we truly are living in the last days… When you aren’t sober you are unaware of things around you, you don’t appreciate things before you, so you end up in a helpless state which leaves you vulnerable to whatever may come your way... A drunken state of mind allows the devil to have his way with you… We aren’t talking about drinking literally, but rather being in position where you allow outside forces to dictate and direct your life… When you are sober you are sturdy, focused and grounded… Your purpose in life is clearly defined and you are determined… Many of us claim to be sober; however, we have no direction in our life, we aren’t focused nor grounded in the word of God and we allow people and situations to guide us down the wrong path…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… So many of us aren’t living a sober lifestyle, we are staggering through life, misusing our gifts, losing our identity and allowing this world to dictate our advancements and achievements; God is calling for us to stand upright and be an example in this world! He is waiting for you to detoxify yourself through prayer and study so that you can understand that we truly are living in the last days… Things you dealing with today shouldn’t be left tell tomorrow, turn it over to the Lord now and let Him lead you… When you turn it over to the Lord and invite Him in; you can now be filled with the love (charity) spoken of which will in the end cover the multitude of sins… The only way to be sober is to study and apply the word of God to your life… The psalmist said “I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.” (Psalms 119:11) We must have the word within if we desire to live it on the outside… Peter goes on to say that charity covers a multitude of sins and that we should be fervent in our charity… Charity is another word for love; the bible says that God is love… The reason your sins are forgiven (covered) through charity is because God’s spirit dwells within you when you have love within… When you love something, you want to see it grow, mature and be success… God imparted His love to us in the form of His son so we could grow, mature and be successful… When we love, we allow God to enter into our lives and become one with us… When God enters, sin is cast out and therefore we are covered by love! To be fervent is to be eager, passionate or zealous; we should give from our hearts and out of true love and kindness towards one another! This charity goes beyond money and is dealing with a sacrifice of self, Christ had to sacrifice Himself to cover our sins and we need to understand that when we give of ourselves to help others we purge ourselves of iniquities. We have all heard that we should live today as if it’s our last and that is so true; but in the term living we as Christians give that a different meaning than the world… We aren’t looking to have a good time, “live it up”, or spend all we have, for us to live is to sacrifice; this requires a watchful eye and a sober mind…

 

BE BLESSED!!!

His Plan Will Be Completed

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

Ephesians 1:10

There is an appointed time where all things will be gathered together… The things of yesterday will join the things of today and all in the household of faith will be united… As a Christian we find strength through this passage taken from the letter to the church of Ephesus… We know that despite all the suffering, ridicule and scorn which we presently deal with, there is a sturdy foundation we can stand upon which simply declares that in the dispensation of the fullness of times… As we go through, the hour continues to draw near to when all the suffering will end, sin will be no more and everlasting life will become reality… Those who have fought the good fight before us will be reunited unto us in the return of the bridegroom to this earth… You can endure the struggles of life and overcome the deepest valleys by reminding yourself that the time has not come yet… Your time to be exalted has not come yet, your time to ascend has not arrive yet; this isn’t to say that it will not happen but that it just has not happen yet… As a child I was able to go outside and wash my fathers cab because of the payment I was guaranteed to receive; standing in the sun was tedious; however, knowing what was to come made it bearable… The same principle applied today in our focus verse can be applied to our lives as well; your reward for all your labor is guaranteed, the things you endure today are bearable because you know what is coming tomorrow… In the dispensation of the fullness of times he might gather together in one all things Christ… The work which God has started will be completed, Paul just reminds us today that will not happen when we want it too… There are so many things which we desire on this earth and this is why Paul again reminds us that it is on the timing and design of God that we must trust and have our being… Life doesn’t always make sense; there are times that have come and will come when we will not understand our current situation or what it is that God has in store for us… Paul reminds us today that in these times we are not to become discouraged, we are not to become dismayed, but that we are too remember that God indeed does have a plan… Paul unfolds the desire and plan of God as it deals with His disciples and creation… In his letter to the Church of Ephesus, Paul is writing to the body of Christ as well as those who have begun the transformation into Christianity… There were many souls that were being turned over to Christ; however, there were also many that were skeptical of Christ and being susceptible to prosecution by other religions and people… The truth of the matter is that when we turn our lives over to the Lord we are going through a transformation, as we are transformed, there will be many that will be skeptical, many that will criticize and many that will persecute… Because of these known hardships, many people are left asking the questions (why should I believe in God) or (why would God allow this)…? Both of these questions are answered in the study verse for today’s reading… Again, Paul says “that in the dispensation of the fullness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ…” There is a period of time that will elapse, a period of time that we will endure hardship, a period of time that we will be ridiculed and a period of time that we will feel all alone… This period must be fulfilled, just like Christ had to suffer a period of time where He was separated from His father we too must go through, but we must also remember that there is a method to this madness… God has a plan that is at work right now in our lives, God has ordained steps that are being taken within His will and plan that we may not understand nor recognize at the present moment… “The dispensation” simply means God’s allowance… God is allowing certain things to happen, He is permitting certain things to take place, but know that in His allowance, He is also preparing to gather His body unto Him…While Jesus was separated from God, God was already preparing for His return… While you go through storms of life know that God is already a step ahead and planning your deliverance… You will be brought back into the fold, even though you may be drifting and battered by the storms of life you will reach land and find you feet planted firmly upon the strength of the Lord… We may suffer now, we may face hardships now, but we know that the bible says that when Christ left this earth He was going to prepare a place for us… Christ left to make room and setup our Eternal Rest, Christ left to prepare a place where we would suffer no more, we would cry no more, we would sin no more… Paul says that He will gather things in heaven and on the earth… The hope of a Christian is embodied in knowing that Christ plans to come back for us… We all shall gaze upon His face and hear Him say Well Done! Ephesus was a port city that had various people traveling through its towns daily… Knowing this, allows us to understand how diverse this location was… We too live amongst diversity; we see many religions, beliefs and people everywhere we turn… Our crown is not of this earth, but it indeed will be given to us when Christ returns and gathers all His people unto Himself… Today, find encouragement during your hard times, find peace in the storm and find perseverance during your struggle… You may not see it, you may not know how, but God is working it out and you will overcome… This walk isn’t one that we can bare on our own; however through faith we can make it and that requires us to trust in the Lord knowing that His ways and thoughts are not ours, but that they will produce more than we ever could… (Isaiah 55: 8, 9)

BE BLESSED!!!

You're Beautiful; Don't Believe Different

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

Psalm 139:14

You were created in a beauty that uniquely defines who you are… I state this because so many of us spend our lifetime trying to be something that we aren’t or never were created to be… This passage speaks to those who are wasting time trying to please mankind or gather a measure of success according to the world’s viewpoint… There are a lot of things in our lives that we may not be proud of; however, this message today reminds us that praise should always pour from our lips as we are fearfully and wonderfully made… God set aside a portion of time to fully layout the exact person that you are today and the one that you will become tomorrow… Understand that there will never be another you; the path you travel is unique to the abilities that you possess which in turn is outlined by your thoughts and actions… This needs to be grasped today because a lot of us walk around unhappy and because of this are not able to live a full abundant life full of praise and joy… David had gone through stages of second-guessing himself; even probably had bouts with depression given the mistakes he made and all the things that transpired in His life and family… Despite losing a son and eventually a daughter; David turns to the Lord earlier in this psalm and says you no my coming in and going out… David could’ve played the why me card, he could’ve thrown in the towel; however, he found an answer in recognizing who God is and what He already knows… The things you face in life you were designed to be able to handle and overcome… You were designed in a fearful manner not to be afraid of things but to be in awe of your creator… You weren’t designed to run from things but to run to Him so that you can overcome things… Fear breeds unease and panic which leads to poor choices and bad results…You were fearfully made so that you could actually overcome fear…  The way God formed you was so that you would not be overcome by snares and hardships in this life… A fearful mindset will not bring about fear when storms rage in your life; a fearful mindset will not have you running for shelter but will in turn have you in a state of realizing that the water provided from the rain will help the seed that lives within you to grow… We have the wrong idea of what fear is in the eyes of God… Fear is strength not weakness, it bring light not darkness and it transforms not conforms… This is why we are reminded that we are not given a spirit of fear but that we are called to fear God and keep His commandments… Don’t be afraid of your circumstances, walk in the fear of the Lord knowing that He can and will provide… Being fearfully made is what unlocks your ability to stand still while everyone else runs… This fear is what allowed David to conquer Goliath with a slingshot and a smooth stone, this fear is what allowed David to lose His son and worship the Lord, this fear is what actually allowed David to spare Saul’s life (the very man trying to kill him) instead of taking it…Instead of trying to solve his problem, David left it in the hands of God because of the fear which resided in Him about the love God had for him… David could offer up praise unto the Lord because of situations in His life where He saw God show up and show out… You have a reason to offer praise today, you have a reason to give God the highest praise; things may not be the way you desire them to be, but you can praise Him just because you are hear and able to overcome every obstacle put before you… If you can’t see a reason to praise Him, just look at your life and the deep beauty that is you… When you are faced with a tough and trying situation, remind yourself that marvellous are thy works… When people try to say you won’t amount to anything or become anything, you can hold your head high and declare that you were wonderfully made... The wonder that is you relates to the reason why God designed you… He didn’t design you to be useless, He didn’t design you to be ridiculed and disrespected, there is more to you than people can see and so when the enemy tries to run you down you can let him know that my soul knoweth right well… I know that I have a purpose; I know that God devised a plan for me and I know that there is more to my life than what you have to see or think… Yes, you may not be where you want, but you can praise God that the fear in wonder that you were made in won’t allow you to sell yourself short and miss your divine destiny…  You cannot praise God if you think that you should be on another path and therefore are not happy with the plan He devised for you… We all have made bad decisions in life, some of which we greatly desire to change and or delete from our minds. This passage taken from this psalmist reminds us to praise God for his (our) creation. We must understand that as a child of God we are fearfully and wonderfully made; that means that you are a unique individual who was molded with a purpose. The psalmist understands that though he has trials and tribulations he is a man of character and his life has substance and meaning. Your life here on earth means something, your position that you hold here means something, you are a wonderful creature, a child of God, and you know the way in which you should live. Praise be to God!

BE BLESSED!!!

Give God Your Best

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

2 Samuel 24:24

So many of us would love the idea of getting over when it comes to our walk with the Lord… We have experienced highs and lows, we have seen ups and downs and sometimes in our life we would love to get an easy pass or a shortcut through all the muck and mire of the day… In reading this passage we are challenged to reflect on the goodness of the Lord despite all the mistakes and bad choices that we have made… David says neither will I offer burnt offering unto the Lord my God of that which doth cost me nothing; David spoke these words from the sincerity or his heart knowing and realizing what God had done for him… When you begin to think about the goodness of Jesus, when you begin to think back to all the wrong you have done and come to the realization that it was God’s grace and mercy which kept you and brought you out, your mindset changes and you want to give your all to the Lord… In this passage, David is declaring that he is not worthy of the blessings being bestowed upon him (despite the plague that God was about to place on the Israelites); he wants the Lord to know the love that he has for Him… So he wants to sacrifice (in the form of payment) to the Lord… When you come to the point where you realize how awesome God is, you then will not give anything to Him which doesn’t cost you something… This gesture displays the attitude that a Christian must have; you cannot try to get over on the Lord in your giving and expect His unlimited favor… Malachi 3:10 says, “Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it.” You are called to test the Lord in your giving; this requires that you give something of value and not things that you deem replaceable… This same principle applied to the heart of David and led to this verse being recorded in the 24^th chapter of 2^nd Samuel… In studying this passage I am lead to pose this question, how valuable is your relationship with God…? How much do you treasure being in good standing with the Lord…? Are you someone who attends church out of obligation or to pay true respect and honor to the Lord…? These questions are questions that are posed all across the world; however they are answered through actions not words, through devotion and not presentation… This passage is written at a time when David knew that he had sinned against God; he knew that he had fallen short of His glory and understands that he had to restore his relationship with God… We too have made many mistakes; we have damaged our relationship with the Lord and the question now because “how bad do you want to repair it…?” What does God’s love mean to you, how much do you want to show God your appreciation and love…? What are you offering Him…? These are important factors in our life that we too must come to understand; God deserves all of our time and commitment because we have fallen short, he deserves the very best we have because we turned our backs on Him and lost sight of His Grace and Mercy! This is why David said I will not offer anything unto the Lord that cost me nothing, he realized all that it cost God to save us from sin, he realized all that God gave and invested in him to see him reign as King and he came to the realization that he was throwing it all away… We must never forget that God gave His only begotten son, we must never lose sight that Jesus died the most humiliating death known to man and all this was done to save us from our eternal death… When I sit and really ponder what God has done and how He bestows new mercies on us every morning I realize that there is nothing of this earth that I shouldn’t give unto Him… I know that God has given His very best in the form of His son and I dare not to acknowledge His sacrifice with meaningless words or things… God wants your heart, He wants your life; anything else is worthless… The cost that David speaks of in this verse refers to the amount that he puts out for the Lord… This doesn’t necessarily deal with money, but the amount of energy, time, devotion that we pour out to studying God’s word, praising His name and worshipping Him…David had a right perspective of who God is and what He means to him… So he wanted to show his devotion to the Lord by paying for the land to be offered back to God… When we trust God, when we desire to worship God we also act in faith knowing that God sees all things and will reward us by our giving and devotion… Think about how precious the gift is that God gave to you in the form of His son and ask yourself what gifts are you giving to God… The only thing that God wants is you, you are the gift that He desires and we give ourselves to Him by totally surrendering to His will and way… This is where the cost comes in, I have often thought and told myself that if it comes easy it isn’t what I need… Today, know that offering yourself to Christ is going to cost you some friendships, it’s going to cost you some fleshly desires and it’s going to cost you some aches and pains… Do we know how much it cost God to raise us up out of the pit of sin, how much it cost to release us from the handcuffs of death, and pave a way to salvation! It cost Him His only son, it cost Him pain and anguish to witness His son on the cross dying an agonizing and intensely painful death… It cost God a great deal to watch His son be spit on, mocked and beat, it cost God a great deal to see Him laid in a tomb and watch the throngs of people mourning… It cost God more than we could ever offer Him and we surely could never pay back to Him what He put out! Let us keep that in mind when we go to church, let us keep that in mind when we put down our bibles instead of reading, let us keep that in mind when we make God’s will and afterthought in our life… How much does God mean to you? How much do you really believe He poured out from on high to save you…? Show your belief in your actions and service to the Lord… David said I will not offer anything unless it cost me something, not because he wanted to spend, but because he knew how much God had already spent!

BE BLESSED!!!

Suffering < Glory

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

 

Romans 8:18

 

The bible is filled with passages that speak to the amount of suffering that a Christian will endure within his/her lifetime… There is not a single scripture which speaks to the life of a Christian being easy; but on the contrary, there are many which depict suffering, hardships and tribulations… The writer of this passage (Paul) was a man who once found pleasure in persecuting others; however, in his conversion, God speaks to the suffering that Paul will endure in a conversation that takes place in the 9^th chapter of Acts with a man by the name of Ananias… But the Lord said to Ananias, “Go! This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel. I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.” Suffering is a vital part to the Christian journey; faith is developed through suffering, rewards are accumulated through suffering and growth is displayed through suffering… So many people proclaim a relationship on the surface with Jesus Christ; however, in the suffering stages their actions say others… Even in the most uncomfortable situations we are reminded today that they are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us… The results that come from your suffering will negate the suffering that you experience… Nobody really likes to suffer, but as a child of God we must speak the truth and no that there are no shortcuts on this journey… One thing in life is certain and that is that you will experience hardships and obstacles… I don’t think a day goes by in our lives where there isn’t at least one thing that takes place in our lives that causes us heartache, stress or disappointment… I have heard so many people speak of problems that they are facing and I believe we all would agree with the saying, “You’re either in a storm, coming out of a storm or going into a storm…”  Although difficulties are never something you want to face, the bible tells us several times (today’s focus verse is an example) about the affliction that we will experience… As a Christian, trials and tribulations are a part of growing in Christ… When we face trials we are called to embrace them because they display your faith and God’s faithfulness… The bible says that faith without works is dead, so we must endure hardships to display our faith and by overcoming (working) we allow God’s sovereign light to shine in our lives… These trials that we face are not to intimidate us but for God’s glory and power to be manifested in your life… Paul was imprisoned and his praises broke the walls down, Job lost everything and gained double what he had, David was isolated in a cave before he came out as king of Israel, and Jesus was mocked and whip before he received all power in heaven and on earth! Understand that trials are common place for a Christian; every day we are facing trials and tribulations, not to strike fear in us, but to prepare us for Christ’s return and equip us to know that we can be victorious because every trail we face can be transformed into a stepping stone… Paul is charging the Church of Rome just as he is charging us today; don’t become weary, don’t give up, don’t be discouraged because you have to go through some sad days or sleepless nights; don’t become fearful because it seems like the enemy has the upper hand. Your trails are tools for growth and purging, we are learning that through Christ all things are possible and that he should be our focus and strength. Later on in this chapter Paul says that we are more than conquers and that nothing can separate us from the Love of God! To be more than a conqueror you have to face your share of mountains and shadows of death, to be more than a conqueror you have to go through the pains of maturity and face puzzling and complicated days… Likewise, to know that nothing can separate us from the Love of God is encouraging for us to know, we are in God’s care and He will never put more on us than we can bear… In order to know that we can’t be separated from God’s love we must be tried and the enemy will come and try to end your divine appointment, he will come and try to kill God’s vision for you life, and destroy your hopes and dreams! Attacks will come, dismay will come, but it will not come near you if you make the Lord your dwelling place (Psalms 91)! Trials seem to weigh us down; however on the scale of life the blessing that are in store outweigh your suffering… Paul says the present sufferings don’t even compare… What I gather from this is that whatever I am going through right now isn’t going to outweigh what God has in store… This is simple equation – 1 obstacle = at least 2 blessings… You have suffered several challenges in your life, the blessings you receive from God will be double what you have faced on this earth … Yes we all have to go through the refining process, it’s painful, and hectic, but just as gold we will see our true value and the worth that we have in God’s kingdom… Suffer now, so that you don’t suffer later!

 

BE BLESSED!!!

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; each and every day that you see on this earth is a another opportunity for you to grow in the knowledge of God and not leave something for tomorrow which could be taken care of today… If 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 to 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… Things you dealing with today shouldn’t be left tell tomorrow, turn it over to the Lord now and let Him lead you… When you turn it over to the Lord and invite Him in; you can now be filled with the love (charity) spoken of which will in the end cover the multitude of sins… There is one unknown on this Christian journey and that is the time in which Christ will return; there is also one thing that we are assured of on this Christian Journey and that is that Christ will return… Peter tells us that the end of all days is at hand and to be sober, this is focusing not on drinking, but on the fact that we need to be vigilant and coherent to the word of God and live our lives as if He was coming within the next minute… The end of all things being at hand lets me know that there is nothing of this earth that will survive, there is no one on this earth that can save you and nothing that you can do on this earth to inherit Eternal Life… Being sober means that we must stop making stupid choices, stop procrastinating and stop allowing temptations to ensnare our God-given vision and mission… So many of us aren’t living a sober lifestyle, we are staggering through life, misusing our gifts, losing our identity and allowing this world to dictate our advancements and achievements; God is calling for us to stand upright and be an example in this world! He is waiting for you to detoxify yourself through prayer and study so that you can understand that we truly are living in the last days... When you aren’t sober you are unaware of things around you, you don’t appreciate things before you, so you end up in a helpless state which leaves you vulnerable to whatever may come your way… A drunken state of mind allows the devil to have his way with you… We aren’t talking about drinking literally, but rather being a in position where you allow outside forces to dictate and direct your life… When you are sober you are sturdy, focused and grounded… Your purpose in life is clearly defined and you are determined… Many of us claim to be sober; however, we have no direction in our life, we aren’t focused nor grounded in the word of God and we allow people and situations to guide us down the wrong path… Peter goes on to say that charity covers a multitude of sins and that we should be fervent in our charity…  As stated earlier, charity is another word for love; the bible says that God is love… The reason your sins are forgiven (covered) through charity is because God’s spirit dwells within you when you have love within… When you love you something, you want to see it grow, mature and be success… God imparted His love to us in the form of His son so we could grow, mature and be successful… When we love, we allow God to enter into our lives and become one with us… When God enters, sin is cast out and therefore we are covered by love! To be fervent is to be eager, passionate or zealous; we should give from our hearts and out of true love and kindness towards one another! This charity goes beyond money and is dealing with a sacrifice of self, Christ had to sacrifice Himself to cover our sins and we need to understand that when we give of ourselves to help others we purge ourselves of iniquities. We have all heard that we should live today as if it’s our last and that is so true; but in the term living we as Christians give that a different meaning than the world… We aren’t looking to have a good time, “live it up”, or spend all we have, for us to live is to sacrifice… So live today by giving of yourself and watch how your life is transformed both now and when Christ returns!

 

BE BLESSED!!!

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 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 string like a puppet toying with our emotions, mental state and the desires we have in this world… This passage declares to us that we either can 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 are not able to 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 which 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 it’s the very reason why he tries to use you to do the exact opposite… In reading this passage I am lead to ask a question; where do you allow yourself to go that does not please God? What things do you take part in that brings disgrace upon the name of the Lord…? It is true that we all have fallen short of the glory of God; however, a saint is nothing more than a sinner who got up and came out of their world of 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… Every day we are flooded with temptation, there is always an easier way to obtain your goals, and always an opportunity to change your approach in this life! The bible declares that the devil is like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour; he waits patiently for you to give him the golden opportunity to turn your life upside down. Paul says that we must not be instruments of unrighteousness, but instruments of righteousness. Notice that in both passages we are instruments, an instrument is something that is used to obtain something or an objective... We are always being used, the question is whether our use if positive or negative, are you being used to impact someone’s life through exaltation or are you bring that person down (this could be happening to you as well), are you being used to show love or cause pain and chaos. Whether we realize or not, we are always being used for righteousness or sin. When we miss opportunities to witness of God’s amazing power we have chosen to be an instrument of unrighteousness. When we proclaim the good news of Christ we have chosen to be alive from the dead.  It pains me to see all the degrading videos and reality shows that disrespect the creation that God made when He formed us from the dust of this earth… It is sad to see young adults and children disrespecting themselves and their parents by making bad choices or allowing people to lead them down paths of destruction… This world we live in is sick, we have been on a downward spiral since we took prayer out of schools, since we restrained ourselves from the foundation of the Gospel, and afforded ourselves the opportunity to embrace God’s love and care! Paul’s charge is to remain faithful in this faithless time, to remain encouraged in this hopeless world, and to remain strong in this weakened nation. Sure the grass may look greener on the other side (the key is look), and evil may continue to approach your doorstep, Paul’s message is to keep the faith, don’t give up and don’t give in… Jesus declared that we will reap a harvest, if we faint not! Surely it may seem very easy for you to stop going to church and indulge in the ways of this world, but remember that you have been called to a higher standard, remember that you have been selected to conduct yourself in righteousness. I know that it is very difficult to live in the will of God sometimes, but I would rather suffer in the will of God, than to suffer in eternity with the devil! Instrument of righteousness; instrument of unrighteousness! The choice is yours, but don’t say it verbally because it is displayed through your actions!!!!

 

BE BLESSED!!!