Down but Never out!!
We are now sixteen days into this new year. A year in which many believe will hold great breakthrough, revelation & new opportunities. Yet with all of the greatness expected the reality seems to be the opposite. Instead of great breakthrough there is great bondage, instead of great revelation there is great confusion & instead of new opportunities we see the same closed doors. Many are facing trial after trial, test after test and it feels like the reality of life is overshadowing the hope of your faith. It seems as if the more you believe for change the worse things get. It seems like the more you pray for relief the more adversity you face, and your emotions begin to overwhelm as doubt & defeat try to creep in.
But as believers we must Never give in to how things seem.
When you hit this season of storms or rough patches, when the weight of your emotions try to over power you and bully you into giving up, when you can't see a way out of your circumstances; remember God's word found in II Corinthians 4:8-9 (NKJV) We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair;But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us. We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed.
The reality is that a will face many trials in our lives, as we are reminded in James 1:2 to count it all joy when we fall in various trials. Now we don't actually "fall" into trials, but God in His divine wisdom allows us to go through different trials for a purpose. However you must first must be assured that what you are experiencing is not meant to destroy you but make you stronger & to show the power & might of God in you life. While James admonishes us to count it all joy in these rough season we will never do so if we have the improper perspective.
No matter what you face always remember that: No matter bad it seems, God is still in control and because He is in control it doesn't matter how low you my get; you'll never be out!
Tuesday, February 25, 2014
Change Your Mind Change Your Life
Every year people around the world embrace the incoming year by enthusiastically declaring their resolve to be better & to do new things, however many fail in keeping these newfound commitments. They walk into the new year fully determined to do their best in changing their behavior but they fail to correct the most vital part to the success of their commitment; changing their mindset. Many fail to realize that merely changing their outer actions without changing their thought process, patterns or beliefs will only cause detriment to their progress. You see trying to change what you without changing how you think is pointless. As Luke 5:37 (NASB) no one puts new wine into old wineskins; otherwise the new wine will burst the skins & it will be spilled out, & the skins will be ruined. Holding onto the same old mindset while trying to incorporate new actions will prove pointless, because at some point that old mindset will break thru causing your behaviors to revert back & damaging what little progress you made.
As believers we cannot afford to only view Christ as Savior but we must know & accept that we cannot change who we are until we fully accept & surrender to Christ as Lord. We must understand what Christ meant when He told us in John 10:10 that He came that we would have life & have it abundantly. How joyous to know that we have the capacity to live abundant lives in Christ. But in order to have this abundant life we must also accept the responsibility believing in Christ brings. When you believe in Him that came to give you salvation & an abundant life, you must be willing to now walk in a manner that I both worthy & pleasing unto Him. We are admonished in Ephesians 5:7-10 (NASB) Therefore do not be partakers with them; for you were formerly darkness, but now you are Light in the Lord; walk as children of Light (for the fruit of the Light consists in all goodness and righteousness and truth), trying to learn what is pleasing to the Lord.
When Christ is Lord over your life, you are no longer stuck in the darkness of this world but you are the light of this world and you have the power & ability to manifest that light in your life. Your desire to exude this light daily exist because you want to please the one who has given it to you.
As believers we cannot afford to only view Christ as Savior but we must know & accept that we cannot change who we are until we fully accept & surrender to Christ as Lord. We must understand what Christ meant when He told us in John 10:10 that He came that we would have life & have it abundantly. How joyous to know that we have the capacity to live abundant lives in Christ. But in order to have this abundant life we must also accept the responsibility believing in Christ brings. When you believe in Him that came to give you salvation & an abundant life, you must be willing to now walk in a manner that I both worthy & pleasing unto Him. We are admonished in Ephesians 5:7-10 (NASB) Therefore do not be partakers with them; for you were formerly darkness, but now you are Light in the Lord; walk as children of Light (for the fruit of the Light consists in all goodness and righteousness and truth), trying to learn what is pleasing to the Lord.
When Christ is Lord over your life, you are no longer stuck in the darkness of this world but you are the light of this world and you have the power & ability to manifest that light in your life. Your desire to exude this light daily exist because you want to please the one who has given it to you.
Wednesday, February 12, 2014
Choose The Right Source!
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.
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.
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
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