“And the Lord will make you the head and not the tail, and you shall only go up and not down, if you obey the commandments of the Lord your God, which I command you today, being careful to do them.” (Deuteronomy 28:13 ESV)
I remember growing up and greatly enjoying learning in English class. There was just something exciting to me in learning sentence structure, conjugating verbs, and just learning the importance of proper communication was extremely important to me. One of the lessons I learned and held dear was that of "cause and affect". Cause is the reason why something happens, and effect is what happens because of the cause. For example, I did not study well for the exam, therefore I failed it or because the alarm was not set, we were late for work. Cause and effect is a very powerful yet neglected principle of life because your “Why” always leads way to your “What”.
Unfortunately, as believers we consider the law of cause and effect when it comes to every aspect of our lives, except when it comes to our walk with God. We certainly do not consider the principle of cause and effect when it comes to receiving our promises or blessings from God. But as children of God we cannot negate that this principle is at work in our relationship with God.
In this twenty first century so many people want blessings from God without being accountable to God. They want God to do His part without making sure they are doing theirs. Many times you will hear people recite today’s scripture as a declaration to validate who they are. You will hear people say "I am the head and not the tail, I am above and not beneath". However, we must be careful and mindful not to lose the value or accountability of this scripture, by only reciting the first portion of the text. God made these pronouncements of blessings to the children of Israel and us contingent on one thing; if we obey His commandments.
We cannot rightly claim possession to the blessings and promises of God, without first committing to obey the Word of God. We cannot rightfully expect God to move on our behalf, or manifest the promises available to us, if we do not first meet the requirements for them to be fulfilled in our lives.
So remember, “Why” always leads to your “What”.
Be Blessed!
Thursday, July 31, 2014
Wednesday, July 23, 2014
ABANDONED FOR OUR REDEMPTION
Now when the sixth hour had come, there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour. And at the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?” which is translated, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” And Jesus cried out with a loud voice, and breathed His last. (Mark 15:33, 34, 37 NKJV)
This precious time of the Holy Week is significant for believers every where. It’s the time where we collectively remember what Christ did for us on the cross, as He bore the punishment we deserved but could not pay.
Every year during this joyous and holy season we reflect on all of the horrific things He endured on His way to the cross, the betrayal, the mocking, the torture, the nails, His death, His burial and his resurrection. We consider all of the things He endured for our sins and how each facet of the resurrection affects our salvation and living, but rarely do we ever discuss His abandonment.
In Christ’s sacrifice on the cross He suffered many things on our behalf. Yes we are healed by His stripes, yes we are covered by His blood, but we have also been redeemed through His abandonment. Through-ought His ministry on earth Christ was always connected to the Father; there was never a time where He did not have access to God's power or presence. However, while Jesus was still connected, we were still separated. Although we had the presence of Jesus the fact remained that since He had not yet fulfilled God's will for His life, mankind was still stained and separated from an intimate relationship with God. All of this changed on the Cross.
In this last hour right before He took His last breath Christ experienced something He never had before, and something we would never have to again; being separated from God. At this very moment in time a divine exchange was taking place on the cross that would forever change our lives; when God looked at Christ He saw the sins of humanity draped upon Him, as He exchanged His righteousness for our sin and shame. Christ willingly endured being separated from God by bearing our sins; while simultaneously making it possible for us to never again experience the ache of God's absence.
His abandonment secured our redemption.
Be Blessed
Friday, July 18, 2014
FOLLOWING GOD WITH EXCITEMENT
When I was a little girl there was nothing more enjoyable than being able to spend countless hours outside with my friends. There were many games we enjoyed but a few of my favorites were Mother May I, Simon Says & Red Light/Green Light. There was something in the excitement of waiting for the leader to give instruction and trying my best to meet their expectations and to receive their approval and winning the game.
Now that I'm older and on this Christian journey I've learned how to have that same I now excitement in following God. Everyday I wait with joyous anticipation as to how I can serve Him and follow His instructions. Now my waiting is not because I think I'll do a great job in doing everything that He says, contrary to that, I already know that I will have fail Him at some point throughout the day. Yet I wait with joy because I know regardless of My failures His directions and guidance will never lead me astray nor will he abandon me.
Why be excited? Because God desires that I be profitable as His child.
Isaiah 49:17 says Thus says the Lord, your Redeemer, The Holy One of Israel: “I am the Lord your God, Who teaches you to profit, Who leads you by the way you should go. (NKJV)
I'm assured in knowing that God desires to teach me how to live according to His principles. The word profit in this verse is not referring to material possessions, yet it refers to what the things we need to live godly & holy before God, in order to be profitable in God. As it says in 2 Timothy 3:16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.
Secondly God desires to lead me in the way I should go. Listen all of us come into this Christian journey with some idea where We desire to go & do. But what I've learned is that no matter what your agenda may be, when your fully surrendered to God you learn that your will must be given up for His. Not so you can be enslaved to Him. But so you can be an honorable servant. Knowing fully that you don't have to worry about where He leads because you know you will never regret leaning & trusting in Him.
Be Blessed
Now that I'm older and on this Christian journey I've learned how to have that same I now excitement in following God. Everyday I wait with joyous anticipation as to how I can serve Him and follow His instructions. Now my waiting is not because I think I'll do a great job in doing everything that He says, contrary to that, I already know that I will have fail Him at some point throughout the day. Yet I wait with joy because I know regardless of My failures His directions and guidance will never lead me astray nor will he abandon me.
Why be excited? Because God desires that I be profitable as His child.
Isaiah 49:17 says Thus says the Lord, your Redeemer, The Holy One of Israel: “I am the Lord your God, Who teaches you to profit, Who leads you by the way you should go. (NKJV)
I'm assured in knowing that God desires to teach me how to live according to His principles. The word profit in this verse is not referring to material possessions, yet it refers to what the things we need to live godly & holy before God, in order to be profitable in God. As it says in 2 Timothy 3:16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.
Secondly God desires to lead me in the way I should go. Listen all of us come into this Christian journey with some idea where We desire to go & do. But what I've learned is that no matter what your agenda may be, when your fully surrendered to God you learn that your will must be given up for His. Not so you can be enslaved to Him. But so you can be an honorable servant. Knowing fully that you don't have to worry about where He leads because you know you will never regret leaning & trusting in Him.
Be Blessed
Wednesday, July 9, 2014
THE REWARDS OF DISCIPLINE
All discipline for the moment seems not to be joyful, but sorrowful; yet to those who have been trained by it, afterwards it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness. (Hebrews 12:11 NASB)
Say the word discipline in a crowded room and you will likely receive a response of cringe worthy looks and deep sighs. When people hear or think of the word discipline they automatically think of all of the negative connotations that have been associated to it. Whether you think about the physical discipline in fitness training, the discipline of an unruly child or the discipline of studying for school; saying the word discipline seems to bring with it a cloud of discomfort.
Yet the word teaches us that while discipline brings discomfort for the moment, if you stick with it the rewards it yields is worth the training it provides. So what holds us back from the benefits of discipline? One thing, our focus.
Many falsely believe that the discomfort we face when disciplining ourselves is what holds us back, but this is not the truth. The fact that we focus on the discomfort we feel is what actually holds us back. Fact of the matter is discomfort is to be expected in any manner of discipline we enact in our lives. If you’re trying to lose weight, then you should expect the discomfort of removing certain foods and beginning a workout regimen. If you have a strict study regimen you will feel the discomfort of missing certain pleasures in order to have sufficient time to study. If you’re trying to increase your intimacy with God you should expect resistance in your flesh. Discomfort will always be present when you determine to change your life.
When we embrace the fact that discomfort is inevitable and temporary, we will find the strength to endure it and persevere to our goals. When you discipline your eating and fitness habits you will have a healthier temple. When you maintain proper study habits you will possess the degree you work so hard for. When you discipline your flesh you will receive the reward of God's peace and the manifestation of righteousness will unfold in your life. Don't shy away from or avoid the necessary disciplines in your life. Instead embrace it, learn from it then sit back and enjoy its rewards.
Be Blessed
Say the word discipline in a crowded room and you will likely receive a response of cringe worthy looks and deep sighs. When people hear or think of the word discipline they automatically think of all of the negative connotations that have been associated to it. Whether you think about the physical discipline in fitness training, the discipline of an unruly child or the discipline of studying for school; saying the word discipline seems to bring with it a cloud of discomfort.
Yet the word teaches us that while discipline brings discomfort for the moment, if you stick with it the rewards it yields is worth the training it provides. So what holds us back from the benefits of discipline? One thing, our focus.
Many falsely believe that the discomfort we face when disciplining ourselves is what holds us back, but this is not the truth. The fact that we focus on the discomfort we feel is what actually holds us back. Fact of the matter is discomfort is to be expected in any manner of discipline we enact in our lives. If you’re trying to lose weight, then you should expect the discomfort of removing certain foods and beginning a workout regimen. If you have a strict study regimen you will feel the discomfort of missing certain pleasures in order to have sufficient time to study. If you’re trying to increase your intimacy with God you should expect resistance in your flesh. Discomfort will always be present when you determine to change your life.
When we embrace the fact that discomfort is inevitable and temporary, we will find the strength to endure it and persevere to our goals. When you discipline your eating and fitness habits you will have a healthier temple. When you maintain proper study habits you will possess the degree you work so hard for. When you discipline your flesh you will receive the reward of God's peace and the manifestation of righteousness will unfold in your life. Don't shy away from or avoid the necessary disciplines in your life. Instead embrace it, learn from it then sit back and enjoy its rewards.
Be Blessed
Wednesday, July 2, 2014
LEARNING IN TOUGH TIMES
Who, in the days of His flesh, when He had offered up prayers and supplications, with vehement cries and tears to Him who was able to save Him from death, and was heard because of His godly fear, though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered. (Hebrews 5:7, 8 NKJV).
So many Christians constantly profess the desire to manifest godly character but few ever want to go through the process of godly character being produced in them. Sadly the worlds precepts of having things easily given or attained in life has crept its way into the church, rendering many incapable of growing in full spiritual maturity because they are looking for the easy way out. But when it comes to developing godly character there is no such thing as easy growth.
In this day and age many Christians are stuck in a place of stagnant growth because they want to be accepted the way they are by others and by God. But God never desires to leave us the way he finds us. Romans 8:29 says For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren; (NASB). God desires for each one of His children into the image of His son, which would manifest godly character in us, as we begin manifesting the qualities of Christ in our lives. Developing Christian character is a lifelong process that we undertake once we profess Christ as Lord and Savior. It's a process that we must willingly undertake and go through in Gods timing and in Gods ways. It's a process that God desires for each of His children way before we were even born. It's a process we must understand will come with seasons of suffering.
The problem we face in learning the lessons and developing the character God is trying to develop in us; is that we want to rush the development process or we want to dictate to God what we want Him to use to develop us.We want to experience maximum growth and power with minimal effort, pain or suffering. But when we find ourselves in seasons of struggle or suffering don't simply cry, pray or petition your way out but realize what your going through is designed to grow you for his glory.
Be Blessed
So many Christians constantly profess the desire to manifest godly character but few ever want to go through the process of godly character being produced in them. Sadly the worlds precepts of having things easily given or attained in life has crept its way into the church, rendering many incapable of growing in full spiritual maturity because they are looking for the easy way out. But when it comes to developing godly character there is no such thing as easy growth.
In this day and age many Christians are stuck in a place of stagnant growth because they want to be accepted the way they are by others and by God. But God never desires to leave us the way he finds us. Romans 8:29 says For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren; (NASB). God desires for each one of His children into the image of His son, which would manifest godly character in us, as we begin manifesting the qualities of Christ in our lives. Developing Christian character is a lifelong process that we undertake once we profess Christ as Lord and Savior. It's a process that we must willingly undertake and go through in Gods timing and in Gods ways. It's a process that God desires for each of His children way before we were even born. It's a process we must understand will come with seasons of suffering.
The problem we face in learning the lessons and developing the character God is trying to develop in us; is that we want to rush the development process or we want to dictate to God what we want Him to use to develop us.We want to experience maximum growth and power with minimal effort, pain or suffering. But when we find ourselves in seasons of struggle or suffering don't simply cry, pray or petition your way out but realize what your going through is designed to grow you for his glory.
Be Blessed
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