In today's society we have come to rely on so many other things & people for sources of trust & hope instead of God. Expecting them to fulfill us in the ways we desire, only to find these illegitimate sources leave us empty every time. We must know & understand that we are not designed to place our hope or trust in any other person or any God given resources, for they are not designed to provide for us what only God can.
When you place your hope and trust in someone or something it means that you place your belief and expectation in it, for it to produce a desired outcome in your life. When you trust in illegitimate sources you are now placing trust & faith in created beings & resources instead of their creator, and they will fail you every time. Other people and earthly resources do not have the capacity to provide the stability or fruit from our lives that trusting & hoping in God can, honestly in the long run they only lead to destruction. When you find broken homes, relationships and people the culprit behind the breaking can most times be attributed to trusting & hoping in the wrong sources.
But don't be discouraged!! For there is great consolation found in God's word!!
Jeremiah 17:7,8 says “Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, And whose hope is the Lord. For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters, Which spreads out its roots by the river, And will not fear when heat comes; But its leaf will be green, And will not be anxious in the year of drought, Nor will cease from yielding fruit. (NKJV)
You see when you Trust in God you will be blessed externally & internally! When you realize He is your hope you can rest knowing that your expectations in Him will not fail or falter, because according to His great promises He will accomplish His perfect will in your life!! When your life is rooted in God not only will your life be blessed but He will give you strength & peace in hard times, so that you will not be fearful of its presence. Further He gives you wisdom & perseverance so that seven in times of lack you won't be anxious or moved but you'll and strong. Finally when your trust & hope is in God He will allow your life to produce pleaSing fruit that Glorifies Him & edifies others.
Wednesday, February 12, 2014
Friday, January 3, 2014
Embracing The New You
As a society we have come to rely on various statements & catchphrases to either express how we feel or to defend ourselves or our position in a situation. One of these statements is "That's just how I am", which is usually used after we have offended someone & refuse to take responsibility for our actions. This statement is extremely detrimental as we use it to let ourselves off the hook, from changing the offensive behavior, worse than that as believers when we utter these words we are also limiting the power of God from moving in our lives. We are not exhibiting faith in God's word that teaches us in 2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come. (NASB). When you and I accept Christ as Savior we accept the fact that Christ has come to save us from the penalty of sin (which is death) because He has died for the sins of mankind.
But when we accept Christ as Lord we accept the power of his salrific work that has the ability to change(sanctify) us in our daily living. Becoming a new creature does not mean we receive new bodies but we do receive new instructions & directions as to what to do & say with the bodies we have. When we accept Christ we now have possibility & responsibility to allow ourselves to be purged of the worldy ways we've become accustomed to living & begin living the way God intended but we must be willing!!
Being willing to allow God to change us can only occur when we recognize we don't have to live by the principles & precepts we've picked up in the world and by learning to live a surrendered life to God; not living a surrendered life to self. Many people falsely believe that living surrendered to God is an unachievable task but that's not the case Psalms 37:7(a) (GW) reminds us; Surrender yourself to the Lord, and wait patiently for him. We must learn that becoming a new creature requires our full surrender of self & patience in Gods process in changing us. Being remade is not an overnight process however when you allow God to work in & through you the process will manifest in your life. You will no longer say that just who I am but you'll begin to say Praise God I'm not who I used to be.
Be Blessed
But when we accept Christ as Lord we accept the power of his salrific work that has the ability to change(sanctify) us in our daily living. Becoming a new creature does not mean we receive new bodies but we do receive new instructions & directions as to what to do & say with the bodies we have. When we accept Christ we now have possibility & responsibility to allow ourselves to be purged of the worldy ways we've become accustomed to living & begin living the way God intended but we must be willing!!
Being willing to allow God to change us can only occur when we recognize we don't have to live by the principles & precepts we've picked up in the world and by learning to live a surrendered life to God; not living a surrendered life to self. Many people falsely believe that living surrendered to God is an unachievable task but that's not the case Psalms 37:7(a) (GW) reminds us; Surrender yourself to the Lord, and wait patiently for him. We must learn that becoming a new creature requires our full surrender of self & patience in Gods process in changing us. Being remade is not an overnight process however when you allow God to work in & through you the process will manifest in your life. You will no longer say that just who I am but you'll begin to say Praise God I'm not who I used to be.
Be Blessed
The Best Hiding Place
Sometimes the circumstances of life can weigh you down beyond anything you ever imagined. It seems like issue after issue arise; you deal with one major thing then bam here comes another. Before you can rejoice that you got through one problem your hit with another. You wonder what in the world is going on? You pray & cry out to God wondering where He is at such a time, wondering if just maybe He has put too much on you. You sit & ponder your options & then almost suddenly that ole enemy presents you with a slew of options, that appeal to your flesh but hide the damage they really contain. The enemy strategically plans, plots & waits for us to get to our lowest point to present his best & most treacherous options to us & if we are not careful, mindful & deliberate we wind up choosing them, because we only see what's on the surface of his "gifted options"
What do they look like? Well the enemy always dresses up his destructive options to trap us. One option may be your favorite wine or "adult" beverage that under "non" stressful times you enjoy on occasion; but in this time of frustration he may whisper "drink a little more, drown out the pain it's alright ; it's only one time. But what he doesn't tell you is that one time of self medication can lead you down a path of unimaginable destruction because the taste will be so comforting that you'll look to it again. Another option could be the soothing arms of someone God did not ordain for you. The enemy will whisper relax that standard a little bit. It's ok to give yourself to them, nothing's going to happen. Look at every one else that has done it, nothing happened to them. What he doesn't tell you is the long term affects sexual sins have on you mentally & physically amongst other things.
While he is a cunning adversary we can reject his options How? By determining our source of strength before seasons of hardship occur. Psalms 119:114 declares You are my hiding place and my shield; I hope in Your word. You must know & believe that in God you have The Best hiding place! Why? Because when you hide in Him who has come to save, heal & set you free; there is no complete protection, perfect peace & unadulterated truth that will never lead you astray.
Be Blessed
What do they look like? Well the enemy always dresses up his destructive options to trap us. One option may be your favorite wine or "adult" beverage that under "non" stressful times you enjoy on occasion; but in this time of frustration he may whisper "drink a little more, drown out the pain it's alright ; it's only one time. But what he doesn't tell you is that one time of self medication can lead you down a path of unimaginable destruction because the taste will be so comforting that you'll look to it again. Another option could be the soothing arms of someone God did not ordain for you. The enemy will whisper relax that standard a little bit. It's ok to give yourself to them, nothing's going to happen. Look at every one else that has done it, nothing happened to them. What he doesn't tell you is the long term affects sexual sins have on you mentally & physically amongst other things.
While he is a cunning adversary we can reject his options How? By determining our source of strength before seasons of hardship occur. Psalms 119:114 declares You are my hiding place and my shield; I hope in Your word. You must know & believe that in God you have The Best hiding place! Why? Because when you hide in Him who has come to save, heal & set you free; there is no complete protection, perfect peace & unadulterated truth that will never lead you astray.
Be Blessed
Friday, December 20, 2013
Hope During a Harsh Harvest
Galatians 6:7-9 (KJV) 7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.8 For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.9 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.
Many times we read this scripture with great excitement because we focus on the latter “good” of the scripture. The parts that reads” but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting life. And let us not be weary in well doing; for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not”. While this should incite a level of encouragement& excitement concerning the anticipation of reaping the harvest of the goodness sown, how do you address or anticipate the beginning portion of the scripture? The portion that says:” Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. “8 For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption. ”The law of reaping & sowing states that whatever we have intentionally spent time sowing (investing in) that is what we shall reap back (receive back),that seems all well & fine when it’s on the positive end; but what do we do when our season of harvesting comes around & it’s a season of a harsh harvest.
As we journey through life we tend to gravitate towards the parts of the bible that “make us feel better,”, but the goal of the bible is for us to learn how to BE better, not just feel better. The truth of reality is, we do not always live pleasing unto God, there are times we sow out of our flesh things God never intended. Although we may face the consequences of a harsh harvest due to our actions, as the scripture reminds us, we do not have to lose heart or fear this time of harvest because despite the reason of this harsh Harvest God loves us so that He doesn't allow us to suffer long. 1 Peter 5:10 says
(NIV) And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you & make you strong, firm & steadfast. There's hope in & joy after the harsh harvest!
Be Blessed
Many times we read this scripture with great excitement because we focus on the latter “good” of the scripture. The parts that reads” but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting life. And let us not be weary in well doing; for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not”. While this should incite a level of encouragement& excitement concerning the anticipation of reaping the harvest of the goodness sown, how do you address or anticipate the beginning portion of the scripture? The portion that says:” Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. “8 For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption. ”The law of reaping & sowing states that whatever we have intentionally spent time sowing (investing in) that is what we shall reap back (receive back),that seems all well & fine when it’s on the positive end; but what do we do when our season of harvesting comes around & it’s a season of a harsh harvest.
As we journey through life we tend to gravitate towards the parts of the bible that “make us feel better,”, but the goal of the bible is for us to learn how to BE better, not just feel better. The truth of reality is, we do not always live pleasing unto God, there are times we sow out of our flesh things God never intended. Although we may face the consequences of a harsh harvest due to our actions, as the scripture reminds us, we do not have to lose heart or fear this time of harvest because despite the reason of this harsh Harvest God loves us so that He doesn't allow us to suffer long. 1 Peter 5:10 says
(NIV) And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you & make you strong, firm & steadfast. There's hope in & joy after the harsh harvest!
Be Blessed
Thursday, December 12, 2013
Exonerated to Live
Down throughout the course of time people have been wrongly accused of crimes they did not commit, but because of false or misguided witnesses or lack of proper evidence, they were convicted. Many have spent years in jail awaiting a fate that was handed to them, that they did not deserve. However there are some that have had the privilege of having their convictions overturned and they have been exonerated of their crimes, free to live the lives that were stolen from them. Exonerations occur when a person who has been convicted of a crime is later proved to have been innocent of that crime. Although making the adjustment from being a prisoner to being free is a struggle, most people go on to live full lives. Just as some experience exonerations in the natural, we have also experienced exoneration in the spiritual. The difference is the exoneration we received in Christ is far better than any we could receive on earth.
In Acts 13:38-39 (NASB) 38 Therefore let it be known to you, brethren, that through Him forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you, 39 and through Him everyone who believes is freed from all things, from which you could not be freed through the Law of Moses. The exoneration we receive through Christ is far better than anything we experience on earth. Why? Because natural exonerations free you of crimes you did not commit, Christ’s exoneration frees you of crimes you did commit. When Christ died on the Cross at Calvary, He died to set us free from the snares of sin, but He also died to forgive us for the things we have done. He laid down His life of righteousness for our unrighteousness so that we may have a full and productive life, despite our past. 1 Peter 3:18 (NASB) says 18 For Christ also died for sins once for all, the just for the unjust, so that He might bring us to God, having been put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the [a]spirit.
Like those exonerated in the natural we must learn how to walk and live in the freedom Christ has so graciously provided us. We don’t have to live in bondage to the guilt of what we have done, but if we repent and commit to walk upright we can live the full lives Christ intends for us. As it says in Romans 8:1 (NKJV) There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus.
Be Blessed
In Acts 13:38-39 (NASB) 38 Therefore let it be known to you, brethren, that through Him forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you, 39 and through Him everyone who believes is freed from all things, from which you could not be freed through the Law of Moses. The exoneration we receive through Christ is far better than anything we experience on earth. Why? Because natural exonerations free you of crimes you did not commit, Christ’s exoneration frees you of crimes you did commit. When Christ died on the Cross at Calvary, He died to set us free from the snares of sin, but He also died to forgive us for the things we have done. He laid down His life of righteousness for our unrighteousness so that we may have a full and productive life, despite our past. 1 Peter 3:18 (NASB) says 18 For Christ also died for sins once for all, the just for the unjust, so that He might bring us to God, having been put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the [a]spirit.
Like those exonerated in the natural we must learn how to walk and live in the freedom Christ has so graciously provided us. We don’t have to live in bondage to the guilt of what we have done, but if we repent and commit to walk upright we can live the full lives Christ intends for us. As it says in Romans 8:1 (NKJV) There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus.
Be Blessed
Check your Ground! Pt 2
On last week we discussed the importance of understanding the purpose of corporate worship and the fact that God’s desire for us is to be conformed into the image of His son, Jesus Christ. We shared that while it is important to make sure our outer appearance is properly prepared for worship, it is vitally important that we ensure the readiness and preparation of our inner self. We left off discussing the fact that we have responsibility in being conformed. So today let’s touch on that responsibility.
Luke 8:11-15(NKJV) 11 “Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. 12 Those by the wayside are the ones who hear; then the devil comes and takes away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved. 13 But the ones on the rock are those who, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, who believe for a while and in time of temptation fall away. 14 Now the ones that fell among thorns are those who, when they have heard, go out and are choked with cares, riches, and pleasures of life, and bring no fruit to maturity. 15 But the ones that fell on the good ground are those who, having heard the word with a noble and good heart, keep it and bear fruit with patience.
In this well-known parable Jesus was teaching his disciples about the various grounds (hearts of man) and the outcome that awaits each person depending on how they receive God’s word. Now as harsh as these first three types of ground may seem, we all if not careful have the potential of becoming them. That’s why we are admonished in Proverbs 4:23 Keep your heart with all diligence, For out of it spring the issues of life.
How do we check our ground? We must daily and continually submit our hearts and minds to the power and authority of God, through his Holy Spirit to ensure that we are growing in the manner He desires. Our ground maintenance must include prayer, reading the Word of God, submitting to His will and following where He leads on a daily basis
Your ground is meant to be fruitful for the kingdom not wasteful in the world!
Be Blessed
Luke 8:11-15(NKJV) 11 “Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. 12 Those by the wayside are the ones who hear; then the devil comes and takes away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved. 13 But the ones on the rock are those who, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, who believe for a while and in time of temptation fall away. 14 Now the ones that fell among thorns are those who, when they have heard, go out and are choked with cares, riches, and pleasures of life, and bring no fruit to maturity. 15 But the ones that fell on the good ground are those who, having heard the word with a noble and good heart, keep it and bear fruit with patience.
In this well-known parable Jesus was teaching his disciples about the various grounds (hearts of man) and the outcome that awaits each person depending on how they receive God’s word. Now as harsh as these first three types of ground may seem, we all if not careful have the potential of becoming them. That’s why we are admonished in Proverbs 4:23 Keep your heart with all diligence, For out of it spring the issues of life.
How do we check our ground? We must daily and continually submit our hearts and minds to the power and authority of God, through his Holy Spirit to ensure that we are growing in the manner He desires. Our ground maintenance must include prayer, reading the Word of God, submitting to His will and following where He leads on a daily basis
Your ground is meant to be fruitful for the kingdom not wasteful in the world!
Be Blessed
Wednesday, December 4, 2013
Check Your Ground Part I
“O magnify the LORD with me, And let us exalt His name together.” Psalm 34:3 (KJV)
Sunday after Sunday believers all over the world gather together at various churches ready to hear from God. They take their time primping and preparing to leave home, jump in their cars and go into the sanctuary, ready for what God has for them. Expecting that the preacher will say something to encourage or uplift them, or something that will give them hope to continue life’s journey in a hopeful manner. While this is ok, it should never be the end to what a believer should expect when they prepare for corporate worship, nor should they lay all of the expectation on what God is going to do for them today.
What do I mean? While it is necessary to make sure your outer appearance is acceptable for worship, it is equally vital to make sure your inner self is also prepared. Are you taking the time to ensure that your heart and mind are ready to receive what God really has for you or are you only going for a temporary relief from the things you are dealing with? In order to answer that question we must understand the purpose for Corporate Worship.
Corporate worship has a two-fold purpose; the first purpose is to come together to give praise and worship God for who He is and what he is doing in our lives. The second purpose is to receive the nourishment that He will pour out through the preaching of the gospel by his appointed vessels, and by the aid of the Holy Spirit. Corporate Worship (much like the bible) is not designed to make us feel better, but to help us learn how to live better. Now there are times when we are in a season where our emotions weigh us down and God will graciously come and lift the heavy burden to comfort us, but that is not the goal every time . God’s desire for our lives is to conform us into the image of His son, but we must be willing and available for the process.
While it is God’s desire to conform us into Jesus’ image we must make we understand that we hold a responsibility in being conformed. While the power to conform us is solely with God, he will not snap his fingers to grow us through or complete the process, we must do our part!
What exactly is our responsibility? How do we check our ground? We will explore that more in part two tomorrow.
Be Blessed
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)