Avoid Worldly Thoughts

And he said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God.

Luke 16:15

As a child of God we seek to please our Creator; not those who were created like us… Luke reminds us today that we can fool people as we seek to find justification in and through them; however, the heart with which your actions derive from is what God takes note of… I know how hard it is to accept people not liking or accepting you; however, Luke brings our attention to the fact that the people we seek to please cannot get us to the Eternal Rest that we desire… As you journey through life, what is your objective each and every day? When you open your eyes, when you open the door to leave; what is your mind set on to accomplish… Are you striving to hear the words well done from your supervisor or your father…? When you are faced with a choice and it will lead you to your divine destiny or away from it, which path do you choose…? Despite what people may want you to believe, pleasing God and obtain His approval is all that matters…The question that aligns with this statement is do we really believe… The answer to this question is not given verbally, but lies in our walk upon this earth… It isn’t about what you say you’re about, it’s about what you display that your about… Yes, you can be highly esteemed among men and yet find yourself being an abomination in the sight of God… There are a lot of us walking this earth that fit this description… We have completely strayed away from the path that God outlined for us; however, we believe that everything is under control because we are getting the proverbial pat on the back from our friends and colleagues…  

There are so many people who are fooling themselves because they believe that actually can fool God since they are able to fool others… Luke writes today about the difference between being men pleasers and a pleaser of God… The bible tells us that you cannot serve two masters and Luke reminds us today that when we are justified by men, our heart is known by God and it is indeed a (n) abomination to Him… This verse is recorded after Jesus has told the parable of the shrewd manager and how he tried to obtain stability through the debtors of his master by lowering their debts… We may not be engaging in evil like this manager; however, we often find ourselves (much like this manager Jesus speaks about) seeking approval of men at the detriment of our heavenly Master… After telling this story the bible says that the Pharisees began to sneer at Jesus… At this, Jesus than uttered the words recorded here in the 15^th verse… The Pharisees were a very vocal religious sector of Judaism that believed they were the most loyal to God… They were so caught up in themselves that they did not recognize who Jesus was or what He was here to do… Instead of seeking Jesus, they were the ones Jesus speaks about when He says, “they which justify yourselves before men…” We are challenged and tempted at just about every turn of life; however, we must stay the course in our faith and not deter… It’s so easy to get bogged down in being justified before men… We want to fit in, we want to be cool, we want to be seen in a certain light; however we are reminded today that the light of God will never go out and that is the light which we must seek to shine upon us… 

I have often wondered why it is that so many churches are being built but yet so many souls are being lost… Jesus tells us today why this is when He says, “God knoweth your hearts…” It is very easy to fool man, if you see me in church every Sunday, if you see me leading devotion, if you see me at Bible Study or any other church event it is very easy for you to say that man is a devoted follower of God… However, just like the Pharisees we are in church but our heart (the motivation and desires we have) are not of God and therefore we fall short… The bible tells us in Proverbs 4:23, “Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.” Your heart is what this battle is all about… When your heart is aligned with the will of God you don’t care what people think, you aren’t seeking the approval of men and you don’t desire to be justified according to their standards… The same is true when your heart is focused on the world; you may be in church but you pray a little longer so people will notice, you shout a little louder so people can hear you and you poke your chest out so people can recognize your stature… For these kinds of people we are told that they “already have their reward…” For those following God, your reward is being stored up and prepared for you; for those following the world everything you see is what you will get until your life is over… The rich man had the prestige and wealth, but he was missing JESUS and his opportunities to edify other individuals. As a result, he ended up in hell. I say that to say this, material things can’t get you to heaven, but belief in Jesus and helping others will surely put you on the right path…

ALL FOR HIS GLORY!

Love Is Required

A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.

John 13:34-35

The sooner that we learn to love; the sooner we will be able to walk in the commandments that God has given us… Love is a (n) essential part of our everyday life and daily affairs… When we walk in love we are able to build relationships instead of tearing people down… Love is the key to opening the doors of people’s hearts around you; which therefore will allow them to receive the word that God has placed in you to provide to them… Love can be the difference between offending someone and providing constructive criticism that is received… This is why Christ provides a new commandment for us in the gospel of John… Did you know that there are actually 624 commandments in the bible? You have the original ten given by the Lord to Moses, then 613 that were adopted under Moses as the Mosaic Law and last but not least the commandment found in today’s scripture lesson… Jesus Christ teaches the disciples about the importance of love and abounding compassion… 

This commandment does not void the previous ones recorded in the bible; it simply sums up how all these things can be accomplished… When you love you won’t steal or kill; when you walk in love you won’t covet your neighbors things nor disrespect your mother and father… Ill-will, wickedness, malice or resentment cannot live in a garden when a seed of love is planted… I find it interesting to note that Christ gave this commandment before His death and while trying to minister to His followers and disciples! Jesus says a new commandment I give you, that ye love one another! Understand that the previous statues were to govern the body (you shouldn’t do this and you shouldn’t do that), Christ commandment calls for action and involvement within each person as a child of God! He says that it is by this action that you will be His disciples! Christ not only says that we are to love, but He says that we are to love “…as I have loved you…” There are so many different forms of love and many people confuse love with other things…The love that Jesus refers to is a (n) Agape love, a love the transcends differences, a love that sacrifices and remains humble… The love that we are to display isn’t just brotherly, but spiritual… You are called to walk as Christ walked; extend a hand the same way in which Christ extended His hand to you… So many people walk around speaking the words “I love you” but do not display the actions that fulfill the verbal gesture… 

Make no mistake about it, love is an action word… It is by the love that Christ displayed in His walk and on the cross that we have the chance at Salvation; likewise, the love that we display shows others who the role model is in our lives and what things we seek… It isn’t about the fact that you go to church every Sunday, it’s not the fact that you attend every Bible Study or Church meeting, it’s not the fact that you pray every day of the week; the way to know that you are a child of God is when you display love… Extend your hand to your adversary, when you say a kind word of encouragement to your neighbor, or when you simply administer a pure love toward your fellow man that doesn’t have any strings attached! Christ understood that these people were in the church, but they were still focused on themselves and not the greater good of the congregation! We need to understand that our focus should not be on what we can gain, or what we shall profit, we need to be focused on is the church body being a strong foundation to grow and mature as Christian’s disciples. The slander needs to stop, the gossip should cease, and the true fellowship should begin. If people avoid you when you are having a bad day, or feel like they have a heavy heart when you enter the room, you need to check your values and focus as to what you are trying to achieve while on this earth. So many of us have lost our blessings by focusing on negative things, so many of us carry unnecessary burdens by trying to puff up our own image… Christ says your love will show the way, your love will keep you in peace, your love will keep you grounded, and more importantly, your love will put you in the right frame of mind to be exalted by our God! LET US LOVE ONE ANOTHER AS CHRIST LOVED THE CHURCH, AND GAVE HIMSELF UP FOR IT!!!!!!

ALL FOR HIS GLORY!

His Love Has Covered Us

He brought me to the banqueting house, and his banner over me was love.

Song of Songs 2:4 

As sinners, we are outsiders looking in… We don’t have the right, nor the ability to enter the presence of God nor can we sit at His table; however, we are reminded that through His great mercy and His extended hand of Grace we have been called from darkness into light… Solomon writes at the very beginning of this verse that, “He brought me”; understand that he couldn’t get there on his own; likewise, we (through banner of love) have been brought to this point in life have been given a chance of Eternal Life through the outpouring of Jesus Christ… A banquet is a formal meal, feast or dinner… When someone is hosting a banquet it is a special event that specific people or individuals are invited too, a banquet is a (n) invite that will be remembered and cherished… Again, Solomon says that God “brought me to the banqueting house…” Solomon recognized that this was a not a place that he could go on his own, we must come to realize that we cannot enter in without God’s escort (love) right by our side… To bring someone in, you must first go and get them… God saw the place where Solomon had been, the things he had done and went to him, picked him up and turned him around… Today God has sent you invitation to His glorious banquet… When someone throws a banquet people usually go and buy a nice dress or tuxedo, they make sure they display the very best they have to offer; God’s banquet is a little different, the attire is that you simply come as you are and he will dress you in royalty… 

The banquet that God has invited you too doesn’t respect persons or individual accomplishments; that being said, don’t worry about what you are going to wear to this banquet, don’t worry about how you will get there or if people will look down on you; Matthew 6:25-57 says, "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? ²⁶Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? ²⁷Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?” God will clothe you when you have little, God will provide the path when you are confused and His unfailing love will lift your head up and keep you going… Solomon speaks to us of the love, compassion and desire God has for us to be with him…Let us take a moment today to simply reflect on the goodness of Christ… He woke you up this morning (a blessing); He started you on your way… You were able to arise and prepare for another work day (some would love to be in your shoes), you are able to maintain on this earth while dealing with all kinds of temptations and snares (many people have lost faith and belief in God)… Understand that Christ has blessed us just today along with a surplus of blessings and reasons to be thankful, and it is out of love… See, what I like about this verse as well is that the banner was love… Most banquets you have a (n) invitation that you must present or your name has to be written down on the guest list… 

Today, we can go to the banquet house and when we are asked for our invitation we simply share the love that God has poured out for us… The banner that covers (protects, sustains) you and me is God’s love… Jesus said,“No greater love hath a man than this, that He lay down his life for his friends…”He gave Himself because of love, He died for love; He rose in love and was given all power because of His love. We need to understand and remember that as we journey down this road of life and as we tackle the obstacles that are put before us…It is here in today’s scripture that we see another manifestation of God’s love… Again, think about the goodness of our God; Solomon says, “…and his banner over me was love…” God had already RSVP on Solomon’s behalf, He has already set the course for his salvation and paid the price for his admission through love…  As we relate that to us today, we must remember that we have been invited to a banquet, the attire will be all white which God will clothe us in and we will be meeting in the clouds, the theme “Everyday will be Sunday and Sabbath will have No End!!!!” This is by RSVP only, so certain people will not be there because they will miss the deadline to respond, but the way to guarantee your presences is to this grand event is to simply know that God loves you, believe that Christ died for you, and know that heaven awaits you… Let us love unconditionally; after all, that is what Christ is all about and love is the banner that will cover all those who plan to attend!

ALL FOR HIS GLORY!

Walk In The Will Of God

Thus saith the LORD, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls.

Jeremiah 6:16

Jeremiah reminds us today that if we desire to advance in life, we must ask for the older paths… Since we enter this world as sinners; our first steps upon this earth are on a course which leads to death… The “old paths” that Jeremiah speaks of is the path that God paved when we were created… It’s the path that leads the Israelites out of Egypt and made the forgiveness of sin possible… This path is spoken of by Jesus in the New Testament, Matthew 7: 13, 14 say, “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. ¹⁴But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.” We must seek the old path because the new path isn’t the right path… The new path is broader than the old, but it lead to destruction… This is why Jeremiah says we must stand, see, walk and ask… So many of us have wondered aimlessly through this life thus far, wherever the wind blows is the direction in which we travel… 

Today, we come to know and understand the direction that we not only should travel, but the way in which we can identify the purpose that we have on this earth… Jeremiah was called by God to speak to the house of Israel; however, he (being young) was reluctant to go… A lot of us have been called by God for a specific purpose or task, we have been ordained before the foundation of this earth, but many of us have been reluctant to accept God’s calling upon our lives… We are afraid of what people will say, we are scared of failing and we are hesitant to take the leap of faith that being a child of God calls for… As a result of this we along with people around us have begun to perish and lose out on the blessing that God offers… So many of us have tried to do our own thing, make our own decisions and timetables and have not only failed, but caused great harm to ourselves and others… Today we receive the three steps to a fulfilling life… Just like Jeremiah, we are timid when it comes to doing things out of the ordinary or changing our direction, but God tells us today how we can obtain success, find our purpose and sit down with Him in glory…

Step 1: “Stand ye in the ways…” God has already shined His light of mercy and grace upon your life, He has already opened up doors and made ways out of no way; when you face trials, change or misfortune, you must stand… You must be planted like a tree by the rivers; you must be unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord… Trials display your character and help to identify your purpose, stand strong in the Lord and in the power of His might…

Step 2: “…ask for the old paths…” We must seek the ways of the Lord instead of our own direction… The bible teaches us that there is nothing new under the sun; the same God that delivered in the Old Testament is the same God that delivers today… Look at the “old paths” God made, look at the miracles that He has already performed and seek His guidance in everything that you do…

Step 3: “…and walk therein…” You must be committed to the will of God; you must not only stand and seek, but you must be willing to walk… When you walk you are taking steps, there is direction in your life, there is purpose to your movements and you are accepting your calling…

Jeremiah new that the road placed before him would be difficult, but he also knew and trusted God… Today we come to know and understand this by standing when everyone around you sits down so that you obtain success, it is by seeking the ways of old and looking back on the past that you identify your purpose and by walking in the will of God that you will fulfill the calling that He has on your life and “find rest for your souls…”

ALL FOR HIS GLORY!

It's Deeper Than Flesh And Blood

For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

Ephesians 6:12

In today’s focus verse we learn to important things that we must not only understand, but carry with us daily… The first lesson is that upon this earth we will wrestle… There is a battle that takes place daily, the problem is that it comes in many forms… Laziness (a desire not to get up or go to work), jealousy (a desire to have what others have obtained) and malice (hatred, spite or cruelty) which will cause us to be nasty to people or disrespectful just to name a few… Know that battles are at your door and sometimes have already invaded your house… You must follow the guidelines that are outlined in this letter to the church of Ephesus… Paul teaches us in the verse that precedes this one that we are to put on the full amour of God… After instructing us about the importance of being prepared he goes on in today’s focus verse to explain why we need to equip ourselves… Again, whether we recognize it or not, daily we are at war within ourselves and our societies…  We see many young men and women becoming chalk outlines, many kids having kids and more and more decisions being made that lead to catastrophic outcomes… To understand the war that we are fighting (this is the second lesson that we must learn and comprehend), we must understand who the enemy really is… 

When someone commits a heinous crime we are quick to pass judgment, but the truth of the matter is that we should be praying for that individual to be released from the bondage of evil that has taken His life captive… This war that we are fighting isn’t about the flesh; it’s not about what you see but about the motives and where the decisions are derived from… Jesus taught that we are to love the sinner and not the sin… There are so many people that have been written off and pushed to the side instead of lifted up and laid before Christ… Paul reminds us today that As Christians, we are taught to love the sinner, but hate the sin. We must remember that evil comes in many forms in fashions (a wolf and sheep’s clothing) and that it is seeking whomever it can devour… Paul wrote in his letter to Rome that we aren’t to retaliate toward evil deeds, but that we are to overcome evil with good… Romans 12:20 says, “On the contrary: If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head." Paul’s message was that we cannot allow the devil to manipulate situations and cause us to fall short… When we look beyond faults and wrongdoings we are allowing God’s love and compassion to enter in and manifest it self… It is so easy to give someone a piece of our mind when they have heart us and this is the war that Paul is speaking of today… Coals are used to mold things and remove impurities from jewelry… 

Often times we are compared to gold and therefore subject to the refiner’s fire… When we extend a hand of love instead of a hand of hate, we reap coals on the person who has wronged us and those coals create the foundation for purification and molding in their lives…  Everyday that you are privileged to see is another day in the war for your soul… The devil will come in many forms; he could try you in the form of a financial hardship, losing a relationship or simply inflecting strife into your life; however, understand that none of these scenarios are focused on physical challenges… The storms your face test your faith, your mental toughness and emotions… Paul reminds us to be mindful of the situations around us, but to also remember that it isn’t about what we see on the surface… A lot of people look at what happened with Job and all the riches he lost; however, many people feel to realize when the devil actually stepped into his life… Job had lost everything and then his wife told him to curse God and die… The physical things that we see on the surface of Job’s life weren’t the real problem, it was the decision to curse God or not… Paul’s letter speaks to us and Job’s situation confirms it… We wrestle not against the flesh (what we can see), but rather against the devil and all the traps that aren’t visible…

ALL FOR HIS GLORY!

There's A Blessing In the Storm

The Almighty is beyond our reach and exalted in power; in his justice and great righteousness, he does not oppress. Therefore men, revere him, for does he not have regard for all the wise in heart?

Job 37:23-24

It is so easy for us to become frustrated when we face difficulties in life, it is so easy for us to get upset and dejected when it appears as though things are falling apart; in these times in our lives, we are reminded today that we must maintain the reverence that we have for the Lord “for does he not have regard for all the wise in heart…” God knows what you can take and what you can stand, He knows the weights that are enough for you to handle and He wants you to walk in faith instead of the sight of things around you and therefore lose your faith… Job was a man that was considered righteous, but even he was tested… In the end he received double of what he had originally… Today, ask yourself (without knowing the end results) if you can stand the test that is assured to come upon your doorstep… Even if you believe that you are walking according to the will of God, do you truly believe you can stand the test…? I often hear people speak about how God has the final say and is in control when someone is going through or on their beds of affliction; however, the question that I have is how do we handle or feel when God’s final say is to test your faith and belief…? God may be challenging your faith in Him by removing something that you hold dear to your heart…  Even in the midst of your storm, know that God not only knows what you’re going through, but He also has a plan that is being carried out… These verses today taken from Job teach us about trusting Gods plan and also that sin has caused the captivity and oppression that we face… Through God’s justice and great righteousness we are able to live and obtain victory… We need to stop trying to cast all of our bad decisions on God acting as if He has done some terrible thing… Job was a man that dealt with great hardships and trials; in the blink of an eye he went from riches to rags and from being a father to being fatherless…

Looking at the life of Job one can easily come to understand that tomorrow is never promised and there are many things that we should not only be thankful for, but that we must appreciate before it’s too late… Job lost all his sons and daughters, his livestock and eventually his health; despite all the storms that he encountered he is called to recognize God’s power and position… “The Almighty is beyond our reach and exalted in power…” Job’s friend Elihu understood that God created the universe and every living thing, He understood that God is omnipresence, He is here there and everywhere and what we find in the book of Job today is that God is beyond our reach… God being beyond our reach does not mean that He doesn’t hear our cries; this means that the will He has devised for each in every one of us may not be what we have drawn up and it may not be for us to comprehend or understand at the present moment… We me not understand what things are taking place in our lives, but we must remember that God sits on the throne and that everything will work according to His will…You are called to walk in faith and believe that everything will work not only according to His purpose, but also for your good since you love the Lord… Elihu was saying that even when we call on God and haven’t heard an answer we cannot allow ourselves to lose faith in God…. Many times we call on the Lord seeking an answer and God doesn’t provide it right away… 

These are the times in our lives that we must ignite and maintain our Faith… Elihu says that we must remain faithful in these times because “he does not oppress…” Some of the hardships we face are the consequences of our actions, while others may be presented to keep us humble and driven… Remember Paul’s 2^nd letter to the church of Corinth where he spoke about “the thorn in the flesh,” he says that it was placed there to buffet (beat, pummel) him… We all need a little bit of hardships to keep us in line so that we don’t detour from God’s path… The storms of your life display unto you the potential and ability God sees within you… The tougher the storm the more God is calling you to a higher level… As stated earlier, after the storm Job received double what he had… He was blessed not because of His popularity or monetary wealth, Job was blessed because he accepted the storms that raged in His life and continued to exalt the Lord… The desire of God is not oppress you, but to rekindle that intimate relationship with you… The storms you face serve a purpose and they are well worth it when they bring you closer to the Lord… The bigger the storm/trial is, the closer you are to your destiny and God when you overcome it…

ALL FOR HIS GLORY!

There's Power In The Blood

And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.

Revelation 12:11

Your ability to become all that God has designed you to be, your ability to defeat the enemy and your ability to persevere through the test, trials and tribulations are found in“the blood of the lamb…” Satan knows that he can defeat you when you try to take him on in your own power; however, he also knows that he doesn’t stand a snowballs chance in hell to defeat you when you call on the name of Jesus… The storms you are enduring are developing your testimony which will bear witness to the power you didn’t have and the power that God bestowed on your behalf… When you go through challenges and oppositions in life and know that God brought you out, your approach to life will change; the things that mattered most to you will become less significant in your life and you will display a form of humility that was never seen before in you… As you mature in Christ, the life that you sought in this world will become a life that you seek to please Christ, this is what John is referring to when he starts of this verse by proclaiming how to overcome and finish by saying, “they loved not their lives unto the death…” You won’t care about please men when you realize that those same men can’t help you when you are in the midst of tragedy or trial… You will care less about what people say about you when you begin to understand that God’s words produce life and fruits… John reveals the secret to overcoming and being victorious… Today’s focus verse begins with the words, “And they overcame him by the blood of the lamb…”Everyone on this earth is fighting the same war; it maybe a different form of the enemy, but it is the same war… John, writing during his exile informs us that those who are victorious don’t fight under their own power, but under the blood of the lamb… We all face trials and tribulations and we must learn today to plead the blood of Jesus over every situation instead of trying to stand in our own finite power… Jesus paid the price on the cross for all and this includes every mistake (past, present, future) that we make… Instead of trying to solve problems under your own might, lay them before the Lord… Read this passage taken from the 2 book of Kings during the reign of Hezekiah in the 19^thchapter;

“¹⁴ Hezekiah received the letter from the messengers and read it. Then he went up to the temple of the LORD and spread it out before the LORD. ¹⁵ And Hezekiah prayed to the LORD: “LORD, the God of Israel, enthroned between the cherubim, you alone are God over all the kingdoms of the earth. You have made heaven and earth. ¹⁶ Give ear, LORD, and hear; open your eyes, LORD, and see; listen to the words Sennacherib has sent to ridicule the living God.

¹⁷ “It is true, LORD, that the Assyrian kings have laid waste these nations and their lands. ¹⁸ They have thrown their gods into the fire and destroyed them, for they were not gods but only wood and stone, fashioned by human hands. ¹⁹ Now, LORD our God, deliver us from his hand, so that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that you alone, LORD, are God.”

Hezekiah faced a big obstacle in the form of Tirhakah, the king of Cush… All the other regions surrounding Hezekiah has been destroyed and now the king has turned his focus upon the house of Judah… If Hezekiah would’ve went out to battle under His own might he would’ve utterly fallen and been defeated; however, notice the course of action that Hezekiah took after receiving the message… He “spread it before the Lord…”Spreading your current situations before the Lord makes way for His authority, power and might to reign in your life… When you spread things before the Lord you plead the blood of Jesus over them and therefore will indeed be victorious…

John goes on to say that, “by the word of their testimony…” We all have seen God exercise His favor in our lives… We, being alive is a testimony in and of itself… When we realize what God has done and that He is all powerful, we are able to turn from our worldly life (even if it means death) believing that God is with us and that He indeed has a plan that will not be stopped… Think about this, as Jesus hung his head on the cross, our breakthrough became a reality; as He was buried in the tomb, our chance to be saved was presented, and when He rose from the dead, Satan is now powerless. Every drop of blood, every crack of the whip, and every hurled insult, a soul was given a chance at eternal glory. Jesus said that He has gone to prepare a place for you… That place is being built and Satan can’t stop Jesus, so he is trying to persuade and stop you…Jesus paid your penalty; however Satan desires for you to turn from God because he himself cannot pluck you from His mighty hand… Knowing all that Jesus has done and accomplished through His bloodshed; now, we can look at all that we have been through and know that it was because of God’s grace and mercy; we are able to stand and give our testimony. We understand that trouble doesn’t last always, and joy comes in the morning. But more importantly, we now can appreciate knowing that Jesus will crack the sky one more time, and we will be caught up and given OUR undeserving key to OUR new home with OUR name on it. Plead the blood of Jesus over every situation, not because you can’t figure it out, but because He is only one who has defeated death and can bring you and/or your children out of the grasp of the enemy and plant you/them on solid ground…

ALL FOR HIS GLORY!