Monthly Archive

1 John 4:17 This is how love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment: In this world we are like Jesus.

How do we know we are God’s? In this world we look like Jesus and not like the world. When we find ourselves blending in with unbelievers such that our speech, mannerisms, opinions, and actions mimic that of the world, then we must reassess and study the actions of Jesus. Our goal: mimic Jesus!

Mark 4²⁸ All by itself the soil produces grain—first the stalk, then the head, then the full kernel in the head.

The first thing we need to grow spiritually is a steady diet of the Word of God.  The second thing we need to grow spiritually is exposure to the right environment. The final thing we need to grow spiritually is a solid foundation. A plant needs a solid foundation or good ground to grow naturally. We need a solid foundation to grow spiritually. Our solid foundation to grow spiritually is undoubting faith in the Word of God.

When we have immovable faith in the Word of God, there is nothing that can stop us from seeking God and all He has for us. Storms may come but, with undoubting faith nothing can stand in our way.

Be strong and grow in God!

Mark 4:28b All by itself the soil produces grain—first the stalk, then the head…

The first thing we need to grow spiritually is a steady diet of the Word of God.  The second thing we need to grow spiritually is exposure to the right environment. If a person exposes a plant in a bad environment, it won’t grow. The plant needs a good environment for it to grow. We need a good environment to grow spiritually as well. Our exposure comes from the things we’re around. We can’t expect to grow spiritually hanging in dark places (ex: clubs/bars). We also can’t expect to grow spiritually hanging around dark people (ex: liars, cheaters, gamblers, etc.).

Check your environment to see what you’re exposed to. You don’t want to wither away and not reach your full potential the way God has intended it.

Be Blessed!

Mark 4:28a²⁸ All by itself the soil produces grain—first the stalk…

In order for us to grow spiritually, we need spiritual food or the Word of God. We need to feed ourselves daily with the Word of God to build our faith for the things we need and desire. There is a lot of opposition in the world that will attempt to make us lose faith but, having a steady diet of the Word of God will prevent that opposition from prevailing.

Get your grub on!

Luke 10:27 He answered: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.'”

For all the wonderful things God has done for us, what would be the best gift we could give Him?

There is no materialistic gift that would be pleasing to God. The best gift we could give God is our life. We can submit our life which includes our time, money, and effort. He does not want part of our life, He wants it ALL.

If you are not in a place of total submission to God, realize all the wonderful things He’s done for you and give Him your ALL.

“Here is my heart my mind
Lord here’s my life
My everything
Take it
It’s yours oh Lord
It’s all I have to give”

~All I Have to Give by: Mali Music

Psalm 27:8 When you said, Seek you my face; my heart said to you, Your face, LORD, will I seek.

How simple a request, yet we sometimes forget that this is the root (after salvation) of our relationship with the Father.

So, let’s get back to the basics and strive to seek God, not solely for answers, but just because we yearn to know Him more.

Luke 11:13 If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”

To assure the Holy Spirit is within us, we must ask the Father in faith for Him.

In order to be saved, we must accept Jesus as Lord and Savior, through faith (Rom 10:9). We have no physical evidence of Jesus being the Son of God but, believing God’s Word without seeing is faith.

It’s the same concept when receiving the Holy Spirit. We must receive the Holy Spirit by faith. We ask for the Holy Spirit to live within us without sensory evidence only trusting and relying on the Word of God.

For those who don’t have the Holy Spirit within them or for those who are unsure the Holy Spirit lives within you repeat this out loud…

“Father God, I ask that the Holy Spirit dwells within me. I received the Holy Spirit into my life. I thank you God that you heard and answered my prayer, in Jesus name Amen.”

Now…

Be led by the Spirit of God!

We see a situation and our flesh says, ‘there is no way . . ..’  God does impossible things – ask for it, expect it, and grow your faith to the next level.  Meditate on and audibly declare God’s Word as you wait in expectation of God’s promises.

Ephesians 3:20 Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.

James 4:2b Yet you don’t have what you want because you don’t ask God for it.

Mark 11:24 I tell you, you can pray for anything, and if you believe that you’ve received it, it will be yours.

Scripture of the Day: Our Authority
Psalm 82:6 “I said, ‘You are “gods”; you are all sons of the Most High.’

In Genesis, God gave us dominion and authority to oversee everything on the earth. This means we have the capability to call things into existence, declare, bind, and loose things in the earth. We have the ability to change situations with our words combined with our faith in God.
This DOES NOT mean we’re on the same level as Almighty God but, we are under His reign. Jesus even addresses our god like authority in the earth in John 10:34.

Everyone on the earth does not have the authority to do these great and mighty things in the earth. Only the sons of God have the capability to be gods on the earth.

Q: Who are the sons of God?
A: Those who are led by the Spirit of God (Romans 8:14)

Understand the authority that you have on earth. Realize whatever situation you’re in, if you are a child of God you have dominion and authority to change that situation in a heart beat.

Walk in your Authority!

Isaiah 53:5 But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.

ARE – from the verb ‘be’ meaning to equal in meaning

We ARE healed. Being healed is a constant state of being for us. When aches, pains, or illnesses attempt to invade our healed bodies, we must exercise our authority and faith (Psalm 91:13) and audibly declare what is true, we ARE healed!

1 John 3:8 He who does what is sinful is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil’s work.

What are the works of the devil?

John 10:10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

The devil will attempt to steal our joy, peace, and health.

The devil will attempt to kill dreams and our very existence.

The devil will attempt to destroy our families, relationships, and faith in God.

And he will succeed ONLY IF YOU LET HIM.

The devil can’t steal, kill, or destroy anything without our permission. That’s why we have to be mindful of what we say, believe, and do.

(SAY) We can’t make statements such as; “my back is killing me” because death and life is in the power of the tongue (Proverbs 18:21). A statement like that gives the devil access to wreak havoc on our body.

(BELIEVE) We can’t afford to rationalize/reason with the Bible because the devil will gain access into our lives through our rationalized disobedience.

(DO) It would not be wise for us to go to clubs/parties without consulting the Holy Spirit because the devil can take your life at that club/party.

Know that Jesus has come and gave us dominion and victory over every attack the enemy.

Luke 22:42 “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.”

This scripture had people asking, what is God’s will for my life?

The good news is God’s will is not a mystery. God’s will for every person is in His Word (The Bible).

It’s God’s will for us to be healed (Isaiah 53:5).

It’s God’s will for us to be successful (Joshua 1:8).

It’s God’s will for us to be financially rich (Proverbs 13:22).

It’s God’s will for women to have children (Genesis 1:28).

It’s God’s will for us to live a long life (Psalm 91:16).

Any desires that agree with God’s word and desires with good intentions come from God. Those desires are God’s will for our lives.

For example, John may have the desire to be wealthy but, God knows John is not mature enough to handle the wealth appropriately now. It does not mean John will never be wealthy but, the timing of that wealth may be later date depending upon John’s growth in God.

God knows all and He is not going to bless us with something that will be detrimental to the Kingdom of God and His people.

Psalm 37:4 Delight yourself also in the LORD: and he shall give you the desires of your heart.

Why is it that we have a desire in our hearts, and then logic and reason come in under the guise of wisdom? It’s as if we doubt that our God does the impossible (Mark 10:27).

When those thoughts come, test them to determine if they align with an awesome, faithful, supplies all our needs and more God. If reason comes in and says, “that’s too expensive,” reflect on Ephesians 3:20. If logic comes in and says, “you’ll make more money if…,” reflect on Matthew 6:33. Rather than dismiss the desires of our hearts that God promised us, test logic and reason to determine if they align with our God.

John 15:11 I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.

Joy is only from God. We can have an abundance of things and wealth but, only the joy of the Lord can satisfy us completely. Keep you eyes and mind on God to complete your joy.

Have Joy!

Hebrews 11: 1Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. 8By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going.

Obeying the Spirit, and staying in faith about God’s promises leads to positive results.   Allow the Spirit to guide our decisions, confess God’s Word and hold firm on faith for those things that we’re believing for, and we will be delighted at how God moves on our behalf.  Praise God for faith and obedience!!

Scripture of the Day: Be Wise and Be Blessed
Luke 16:10 “Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much.

If we’re wise over the little things we have, God can bless us with more. Some of us want to be millionaires but, as soon as we get $100.00 we go spend it on a pair of shoes or a dress. Some of us don’t even think about wisely investing our money or putting some of the money into a savings account.

We should also be mindful to exercise the law of giving which says, give and it shall be given back to you (Luke 6:38). When God places a desire to give in our hearts to give to the church or poor, we should be obedient to the prompting of the Holy Spirit. Through our obedience in giving, we will be blessed immeasurably.

Be Wise!

Isaiah 45:2 I will go before you and will level the mountains; I will break down gates of bronze and cut through bars of iron.

When we allow the Holy Spirit to guide us, God goes before us and prepares the way for us. He sets up positions, resources, and opportunities for us. But, we have to allow God to go forth and put no limits on Him or ourselves.

Psalm 112:¹ PRAISE THE Lord! (Hallelujah!) Blessed (happy, fortunate, to be envied) is the man who fears (reveres and worships) the Lord, who delights greatly in His commandments.² His [spiritual] offspring shall be mighty upon earth; the generation of the upright shall be blessed.³ Prosperity and welfare are in his house, and his righteousness endures forever.

Great respect, honor, obedience and worship to God, entitles us to receive blessings in multiple areas of our lives.

1. Children.

When we’re truly committed to God, we can expect through the promise of God that our children will be great and blessed. While the worlds children are “running wild,” the children of the upright will be blessed and a blessing.

2. Income.

When we’re truly committed to God, we can expect through the promise of God that wealth to flow through our house. It doesn’t matter what the economic status is in the world, we can expect wealth and riches in our house when we please God.

3. Legacy

When we’re truly committed to God, we can expect through the promises of God that our legacy will continue to the next generation. What we do now will effect the next generation to come. Stories will be told of those who feared and honored God. Our fear and honor to God can inspire the next generation to do the same.

As you continue to do the will of God, expect a blessing on your children, your income, and the generations to come.

Have an Expectation.

Scripture of the Day: To Be, Or Not To Be

1 Corinthians 16:13 Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong

Matthew 28:10a Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid.

1 Peter 1:16 for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.”

In these 3 scriptures, God is not only telling us BE strong, BE holy, and don’t BE afraid; He’s commanding us. These commands are inspired by the Holy Spirit to the author. When we don’t do what God commands us to do, we’re living in disobedience. Everyone should know when we walk in disobedience, we don’t get blessed.

If God said we should BE strong, BE holy, and don’t BE afraid this means, He’s given us the capability to achieve these actions. God wouldn’t command something we could not do.

Anywhere it tells us to BE something or not to BE something, obey it. It’s only impossible if you think it’s impossible. Just know with God ALL things are possible.

Be what God called you to be!

~Inspired by Apostle Price

Isaiah 55:8 “For My thoughts are not your thoughts,
Nor are your ways My ways,” declares the Lord. 9″For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.

In every situation, ask God for His opinion. When someone attempts to push their negativity onto you, in that moment, “say God what do you think of me; what is Your opinion?”

So, we choose to consult God in everything, not just the major life decisions, but even in the small ones. Just as we might ask a friend’s advice, God is the best friend we could ever have. Practice asking God questions and allow Him to answer. From the small questions, like, “God, what is Your favorite outfit of my outfits?” to “God, who do I need to forgive?” Start talking to God now and enjoy your conversations together.

Inspired by Pastor Asha

Isaiah 58:¹ CRY ALOUD, spare not. Lift up your voice like a trumpet and declare to My people their transgression and to the house of Jacob their sins!

² Yet they seek, inquire for, and require Me daily and delight [externally] to know My ways, as [if they were in reality] a nation that did righteousness and forsook not the ordinance of their God. They ask of Me righteous judgments, they delight to draw near to God [in visible ways].

Obedience is our entitlement to our blessing. To get results from our prayers and petitions, we must walk in a lifestyle that’s pleasing to God.

Most earthly parents wouldn’t give gifts and presents to a disobedient child likewise; our Father in Heaven will not give all of His abundance to a disobedient child.

Be sure your actions our lined up with God’s will so that you can be blessed beyond measure.

Live Righteously!

Ephesians 2:8 For by grace are you saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

There are many people who are saved.  Salvation cannot be earned.

John 8:21 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If you continue in my word, then are you my disciples indeed;

But our goal is to move beyond salvation.  To be a Christian is to be like Christ.  To be like Christ is to follow His commands and His example.  Let’s move beyond salvation to emulating Christ!

Do you need money?

Are you tired of not getting your bills paid on time?

Are you tired of living paycheck to paycheck?

Well trust the Word of God. The Word of God is full of promises that will enhance the quality of your life. God desires His people to succeed in life. He desires to see His children prosperous. God desires to see His children blessed in every area of their lives including financially.

If you trust His Word without doubt, fear, or hesitation, He will literally teach you to profit in whatever you do.

Isaiah 48:17 Thus says the Lord, my Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: You are the Lord my God, Who teaches me to profit, Who leads me in the way that you should go

Trust God!

Jeremiah 1:6“Ah, Sovereign LORD,” I said, “I do not know how to speak; I am only a child.”

⁷ But the LORD said to me, “Do not say, ‘I am only a child.’ You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you. ⁸ Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you,” declares the LORD.

The root to disobedience is fear. Jeremiah made the excuse that he was too young to speak God’s word.

Whatever God instructs us to do, just do it. Don’t entertain excuses or rationalize God’s word to get out of God’s commands. Excuses and rationalizations come from Satan. If Satan can make you disobey God’s instructions, he can affect the quality of your life (Job 36:11).

When you obey, God’s will is being accomplished in the earth. When you obey, the quality of your life is better.

Be Obedient!

Scripture of the Day: Rationalized Topics Pt. 2
Some of us tend to rationalize or minimize certain things we do because it doesn’t specifically addresses those things word for word in the Bible.

Living Together Before Marriage
As a Christians, are job is to live a life that’s pleasing to God and encourage those around us to do the same. Romans 14:21 says not to do anything that will cause your brother to fall. If your brother/sister observes you living together with someone else they may assume you’re having sexual relations with that person. That assumption can cause another to believe “it’s okay” to have sex and it’s not (1 Corinthians 6:18).

Drinking/Drunk
The Bible tells us in Ephesians 5:18 not to get drunk with wine.
“Is it okay to drink but, not get drunk?” 1 Corinthians 10:23″Everything is permissible”–but not everything is beneficial. “Everything is permissible”–but not everything is constructive. To construct means to build up. When we drink alcohol we don’t build up, we tear down. Each sip gets us closer and closer to drunk which is a sin.

This is not designed to condemn those who are struggling with sin. This is designed to help perfect Holiness to God.

Be Blessed!

Some of us tend to rationalize or minimize certain things we do because it doesn’t specifically addresses those things word for word in the Bible. For the next two days we will address some topics most people rationalize and minimize. We will see what the Bible has to say about these topics.

Cursing

People curse because in the Bible it does not have a list of curse words not to say. We all come from different countries and speak different languages and the Bible could not give a list for every curse word in the world. The Bible does say in Ephesians 4:²⁹ Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. We can clearly see that the Bible tells us in general not to allow any unwholesome talk (cursing) come out of our mouths. If you still feel the need to curse after reading this ask yourselves this question: Do you think God will permit cursing in heaven?

Premarital Sex

Sex satisfies the flesh. Some people feel that you can’t have a relationship (before marriage) without sex. Most people know this but, in 1 Corinthians 6:18 Flee fornication. Every sin that a man does is without the body; but he that commits fornication sins against his own body. When we have premarital sex, we sin against God and ourselves.

This is not designed to condemn those who are struggling with sin. This is designed to help perfect Holiness to God.

Be Blessed!

Galatians 6:7 Don’t be misled—you cannot mock the justice of God. You will always harvest what you plant.

James 3:18 And those who are peacemakers will plant seeds of peace and reap a harvest of righteousness.

Sowing is not limited to money.  Let that person get in front of you – you just sowed a seed of kindness; give a compliment to someone – you just sowed a seed.  We look for ways to do (sow) positive things for (into) others and we reap positive results into our lives.

Romans 4:19 And Abraham’s faith did not weaken, even though, at about 100 years of age, he figured his body was as good as dead–and so was Sarah’s womb.

God promised Abraham a son. For 20+ years Abraham believed God even though his and his wife’s body grew older beyond child bearing years. Abraham chose not to look at his or his wife’s body; he chose to believe, trust, and rely on God.

Many times when we believe God for something we tend to look at the situation.

We tend to look at our circumstances instead of trusting God.

We tend to focus on the sickness/pain instead of believing God for our healing.

We tend to focus on our lack instead of focusing on God supplying all our needs.

We tend to focus on our bondage instead of our deliverance.

Look not at the problem or situation but, focus yourselves on God’s Word and the results you desire.

Be Blessed!

John 10:10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have [it] more abundantly.

2 Corinthians 9:8 And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others.

Why do we assume poverty refers only to finances?  To be poor is to have lack in some area.  We should desire to be rich (have no lack) in our soul (salvation), bodies (health & wealth), mind (sound, intelligent, innovative), spirit (relationship with God).  So, we seek God to fill our lack so that we are rich (have no lack in any area of our lives).

Scripture of the Day: The Love of God
Isaiah 54:10 For though the mountains should depart and the hills be shaken or removed, yet My love and kindness shall not depart from you, nor shall My covenant of peace and completeness be removed, says the Lord, Who has compassion on you.

No matter how many changes have been made in your life, know that God’s love and will never change.
No matter how many things that are going on in your life, know that God’s love is ever present.

He loves you and wants the best for you. Things may not be going as expected but, He loves you.

Always remember God loves you!