Monthly Archive

Philippians 1:19 For I am well assured and indeed know that through your prayers and a bountiful supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ (the Messiah) this will turn out for my preservation (for the spiritual health and welfare of my own soul) and avail toward the saving work of the Gospel.
SUMMARY: This verse was written by Paul to the church while he was in jail for preaching the gospel. Paul informed the church that his trials and tribulations of being in jail was good for his spiritual health and soul.

When we go through trials and tribulations, we should take a moment and consider how trials can help us develop spiritually.
-Small Trial: Someone cuts us off while driving.
Instead of getting road rage, use this time to develop thanksgiving. Thank God an accident did not happen.
-Medium Trial: Our boss disciplines us harshly.
Instead of losing our jobs by returning word for word, we can use this time to develop humility by respecting authority (1 Peter 2:13); develop our discipleship by showing the love of God in spite of their ways (John 13:35); and activating self control which is a fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22).
Hard Trial: We lose our job and the bank is attempting to foreclose on the house.
Instead of going into depression, we can use this time to develop and activate our faith in God’s word. God’s word says He will supply all our needs (Philippians 4:19) and God gives us all the things we need in every situation (2 Corinthians 9:8).

We should use our trials instead of our trials using us.

Inspired by Pastor Creflo Dollar

God called Moses.  The people would not always listen, they accused him and blamed him.  But, he freed a people, established the ten commandments, and led a nation. (Exodus)

God called Joseph.  He was thrown into slavery. He rose up from slavery to Potiphar’s house, where he was falsely accused when he chose to honor God and he was thrown into prison for years.  But, in the end, he saved a nation, and led a prosperous life. (Genesis 37 – 50)

We should not deny God’s calling on our lives just because things do not look ‘right.’  God put that calling on our lives, and we choose to honor him, develop in the midst of trials, and allow God to raise us up to impact a nation, a people, a family, in His perfect timing.  Our purpose is to bring glory to God, and our success is determined by our faithfulness to Him, regardless of the ‘reality’ of the situation.  Walk in your purpose!

Romans 8: 28 And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.

Scripture of the Day: Keep The Faith

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

What does it mean when people say, keep the faith?
Keeping the faith is a mindset. It has to do with taking control over our attitude, emotions, physical body, speech, etc. when we go through trying times in our lives.

Keeping the faith means…
-Building our faith by listening to the word of God.
-Calling for and receiving joy when our situation is attempting to make us feel sad.
-On purpose, holding our head up and sticking our chest out when we want to put our head down.
-Combat the voice of the enemy telling us “things will never get better” using the word of God “we are more than conquerors.”
– Continue to declare whatever we desire in the midst of turmoil.

Our faith is the only thing of value we have to change our situation. Don’t let anything or anyone remove your faith.
Be Blessed

Inspired by Bishop I.V Hilliard

Previously, we spoke about God supplying everything we need to meet our needs and desires. Today, let’s speak of the prerequisite for God supplying our needs.

2 Corinthians 9:6 Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.7 Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.

Philippians 4:18 I have received full payment and even more; I am amply supplied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent. They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God. 19 And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus. (read more Philippians 4:10-19)

The prerequisite for God supplying our needs is us generously sowing our money into the Kingdom of God or the man of God. We can’t take 2 Corinthians 9:8 and Philippians 4:19 out of context. We have to do our part so that God will supply our every need.
Whatever situation we need God to act in (financial, career opportunity, house, etc), our job is to sow a seed (give money).
It doesn’t make logical sense to sow money in tough times but, as we can see clearly in these scriptures when we sow, God makes provision in our lives.
Do your part and trust God.

2 Corinthians 9:8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.

God will supply everything we need in “all things” at “all times.”
We will have everything we need at “all times.” This means God will supply everything we need in any situation (recession, drought, job loss, etc).
We don’t have to wait on the world to get their financial act together before we can enjoy life.

We can apply this scripture to our desires because we will “need” something from God to receive our desires (Psalm 37:4).
Want a promotion?… God will supply the wisdom we need to obtain a promotion.
Want to start a business? God will supply the favor, finances, and resources we need to start a business.
Want to write a book? God will supply the topic and time we need to write a book.
If it’s a good work God will grant us whatever we need or want, to make it happen.

Philippians 2:7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:

Jesus made no reputation of Himself. He didn’t care what people thought of Him and He wasn’t trying to fit in. Jesus only did what The Father told Him to do. Before we make a Spirit lead decision, we often consider what other people will think of our decision. We don’t to appear, foolish, too Holy, un-cool, or unpopular.

Some people don’t allow themselves to worship properly because that don’t to lose their coolness or popularity.
Some people don’t claim their relationship with God in public because society told them it was politically incorrect.
Some people don’t even pray over their food because they don’t want to appear too holy.
Some people don’t obey God entirely because it appears foolish.
It appeared foolish when Jesus asked the people to roll the stone away from Lazarus’ tomb after he was dead for 4 days but, Jesus made no reputation of Himself and He simply obeyed God.

If Jesus could make no reputation of Himself on this earth and we are to be followers of Christ, then we should do the same. Don’t concern yourself with what other people think; obey God.

2 Corinthians 10:12 lets us know it’s unwise to compare ourselves.
WHY…?

1. Comparison allows envy to enter our hearts.
1 Samuel 18:6 When the men were returning home after David had killed the Philistine, the women came out from all the towns of Israel to meet King Saul with singing and dancing, with joyful songs and with tambourines and lutes.
7 As they danced, they sang: “Saul has slain his thousands, and David his tens of thousands.”
8 Saul was very angry; this refrain galled him. “They have credited David with tens of thousands,” he thought, “but me with only thousands. What more can he get but the kingdom?”
-King Saul compared David’s praises, attention, and popularity with his which allowed envy to enter his heart.

2. Envy is considered devilish in the eyes of God.
James 3:14 But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, of the devil.

3. Comparison, which produces envy, removes God’s presence from us.
1 Samuel 18:12 Saul was afraid of David, because the Lord was with David but had left Saul.
-God is Holy and will not be in the presence of evil.

We should not compare our (job, car, house, finances, relationships, etc) with others because comparison will remove God’s presence from our lives.

James 1:22 Do what God’s word says. Don’t merely listen to it, or you will fool yourselves.

I want to encourage all of you to do the entire word of God and not only hearers.
On Sundays, we sit and listen to the word of God being preached at our local church. After hearing the word of God, we leave the same way we came except feeling good about ourselves because we went to church. We don’t attempt to change the wrong in our lives, we don’t better ourselves, and we don’t show the love of God towards others.
Church is null and void if we don’t practice what is preached.
Take a step out on faith and do the word of God. It may seem inconvenient at first and it may disrupt the “fleshly fun” in our lives but, our Creator desires and deserves ALL of our obedience.

Be Blessed.

We have an opportunity to be all in for God.  In our daily routine and efforts to live out loud for God, or when seemingly impossible tasks come up against us, we choose to be all in for God.  The heroes of faith were all in (Hebrews 11).

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego chose not to worship any other god.  When they were threatened with the option of burning in fire or worshiping a false god, they looked to God, and decided they were all in.  While they knew God could, they did not know if God would come and rescue them from the flames, but they were all in.(Daniel 3:17 – 18).  And because of their faithfulness, not only were they rescued from the flames, but they received promotion (v. 30).

So, on this day, and everyday, choose to be all in for God.

~~Inspired by Jeremy Johnson

John 2:5 His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.”

This scripture is referring to when Mary, the mother of Jesus, tells the servants to do whatever Jesus tells them to do.
Jesus had the servants doing strange and illogical things but, you know what?…. they did it.
At the end of the passage Jesus turns water into wine.

Sometimes, the things God tells us to do may seem strange, weird, or even confusing but, if God tells us to do it, He has a greater purpose in mind. We may not be able to see or understand the purpose immediately but, the purpose is for a greater good. As we obey, God’s purpose and plan will be revealed to us.

Walk by faith and not by sight.

Money is the substance we use in order to purchase something (house, boat, car) in this world. Have you ever wonder what substance we use to purchase money? Have you wondered what substance we use to obtain something money can’t buy (health, peace, joy)?
Faith is substance we use to obtain money and something money can’t buy.
Faith is substance we use to get everything we need and want.

We may not have a lot of money at times but, we have faith that can either get us money or supply us with our needs or desires in spite of our money.
We may be going through a difficult situation but, we have faith to know God will bring us out and use these difficult times as a testimony to someone else.
We may not know where God is leading us but, we have faith to know wherever God leads us is for our good.

Build your faith by hearing the word of God, use your faith for everything because the righteous shall live by faith, and know without faith it’s impossible to please God.
(Rom 10:17; Rom 1:17; Heb 11:6)

Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

Psalm 22:3 But you are holy, O you that inhabit the praises of Israel.
-Israel represents God’s people.

When we go through trials and tribulations, we may wonder and ask where is God?
The location of God is found in our praise.
God dwells in the praises of His people. When we praise God in the midst of our trials and tribulations God can act or respond to the situation at hand. However, if fill our mouth and mind full of doubt and complaints regarding our situation, God is far away.

Praise God in every situation because when praise, God has an obligation to respond.

Romans 13:8 Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellowman has fulfilled the law.

The Bible tells us we should not owe anyone anything except love. This means, we should not owe our friends $20.00 and we should not owe the bank $20,000. This doesn’t mean it’s wrong to borrow but, it becomes wrong when we can’t pay people back in a timely manner.

James 1:5 If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.

For those of us who may be struggling financially, seek Godly wisdom in reference to finances. When we are Spirit led, the Spirit will lead us into when, where, and how much we should purchase or if we should purchase at all.

Seek God and Be Free From Debt, in Jesus Name, Amen.

Luke 10: 38 As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. 39 She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. 40 But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself ? Tell her to help me!” 41 “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, 42 but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”

There are times when we are so focused on everything that needs to be done, that we put God on a limited schedule, or eliminate His presence from our schedule completely. But, even though it may appear as though everything will fall apart if we don’t do them, we trust God and His Word, and we choose to seek Him first, and all those other things will fall into place (Matthew 6:33).

1 John 3:21, 22 Dear friends, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God. and receive from Him anything we ask, because we obey His commands and do what pleases Him.
Part 1 mentions how we must release the guilt and condemnation for the sins we’ve committed in the past.
Part 2 mentions how condemnation can affect the blessings God attempts to give us.
Part 3 will mention how our condemnation can affect the plan of God.

The Bible says in Ephesians 2:10, God has created us to do His works in the earth and in Genesis 12:2 we are blessed to be a blessing.
If we don’t have confidence (because of our condemnation) to ask God for the resources we needs or desire to be a blessing, what good will we be in the earth for God?

Condemnation is designed to make us feel guilty and not worthy enough to even ask God for anything. If we don’t ask God for anything we can’t be blessed. If we can’t be blessed, we can’t be a blessing. By holding on to guilt and condemnation affects God’s plan for our lives in a negative way.
Release the guilt and shame and receive forgiveness and grace.

1 John 3:21, 22 Dear friends, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God. and receive from Him anything we ask, because we obey His commands and do what pleases Him.
Part 1 of condemnation affects confidence, we stated we must release the guilt and condemnation for the sins we’ve committed in the past.
Part 2 will mention how our condemnation can affect the blessings God attempts to give us.

When we feel down and condemned about the sin we’ve committed, we feel unworthy to ask or receive anything from God. We feel our sin was too great to be forgiven by The Almighty, Holy God. Therefore, we miss out on the spouse we desire, the career we desire, the increase we desire, all because of our sense of unworthiness.
Once again, this unworthy feeling is not from God but, from Satan.
Let the past go by confessing the sin(s) to God. After confessing, on purpose, make an effort to live life as if nothing was wrong. If God can forget our sin, we should too.
Don’t let the past hold you hostage. If it can hold you hostage it will hold your blessings hostage.

1 John 3:21, 22 Dear friends, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God. and receive from Him anything we ask, because we obey His commands and do what pleases Him.

When we sin we should feel convict for what we’ve done against God. When conviction turns to guilt, then there is a problem.
The devil will attempt to make us feel guilty about what we’ve done. Our flesh wants to feel bad and we want to punish ourselves for what we’ve done. Somehow it makes us feel good about ourselves to know we punish ourselves for our sin. The next thing you know we’re still feeling guilty about something we did 10 years ago.
The punishment we give ourselves is not of God.
God promised when we confess our sins He is faithful to cleanse us from all unrighteousness and not to remember our sins (Hebrews 10:17, 1 John 1:9).
Be free from condemnation and let the past go, no matter how serious the sin seems to be. God will forgive and bless.

Psalm 56:11 in God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?

We are to trust God.
Either we trust God, or we don’t. There is no middle when it comes to trusting God. If we trust God in certain situations but don’t in others, we might as well say we don’t trust God completely.
When we say “I will trust God,” this represents some time in the future. We can trust God in the next minute or the next year. It’s simply “I trust God.”
The quicker we completely trust God with our life, health, safety, finances, etc. the quicker God can respond needs, problems, and issues.

TRUST GOD!

Psalm 56:11 in God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?

We are to trust God.
Either we trust God, or we don’t. There is no middle when it comes to trusting God. If we trust God in certain situations but don’t in others, we might as well say we don’t trust God completely.
When we say “I will trust God,” this represents some time in the future. We can trust God in the next minute or the next year. It’s simply “I trust God.”
The quicker we completely trust God with our life, health, safety, finances, etc. the quicker God can respond needs, problems, and issues.

TRUST GOD!

Genesis 16:4 He slept with Hagar, and she conceived.When she knew she was pregnant, she began to despise her mistress.
5 Then Sarai said to Abram, “You are responsible for the wrong I am suffering.

When we do things our own way without consulting God, it allows unnecessary strife and turmoil to enter our lives. Once again, God is not obligated to bless something He didn’t authorize. This means whatever negative effect that happens in our lives as a result of us not consulting God, is on us.
We can reduce the drama in our lives by obeying and consulting God in ALL our ways.
Listen to the voice and God and rest in His promise. Whatever He said He’s going to do, hold Him to that word.

Hosea 14: 1 Return, Israel, to the Lord your God. Your sins have been your downfall! 2b Say to him: “Forgive all our sins and receive us graciously, that we may offer the fruit of our lips.

4 “I will heal their waywardness and love them freely, for my anger has turned away from them.
8b I will answer him and care for him. I am like a flourishing juniper; your fruitfulness comes from me.”

9 Who is wise? Let them realize these things. Who is discerning? Let them understand. The ways of the Lord are right; the righteous walk in them, but the rebellious stumble in them.

While Jesus’s sacrifice made us righteous, our repeated action of choosing God, or walking in His ways grants us restoration, abundant free love, having our needs met, solutions, and fruitfulness. It starts and continues with making a repeated choice.

Psalm 5:3 In the morning, O LORD, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation.

Every morning in most areas, we expect the sun to come out. We have this sense of expectation by observing the sun’s consistency of coming out every morning.
Due to the early time, some of us don’t even see the sun rise in the morning but, we know without a shadow of a doubt it’s shining in the sky.

The same way we expect the sun to come out every morning is the same way we should expect God word to perform in our lives. God has given us consistency in His word and in the testimony of others. What He can do for one He can do for another.
As long as we do our part, we should expect God’s word to work every time.
Have sense of expectation.

Genesis 12:2 “I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing.

God promised to bless us. With this blessing from God, we are commanded to be a blessing. This means if God blesses us with financial increase, we are commanded to be a blessing in the lives or ministry of someone else.
When we give, sow, or are a blessing in the lives of someone else, another promise from God reacts to our giving. Which is…

Luke 6:38 Give, and you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full–pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap. The amount you give will determine the amount you get back.”

By being a blessing to someone else, we are sowing a seed into the lives of another. When we give, God promised that our gift will return in full.
*That sounds like another blessing from God.
With this blessing from God, we are commanded to be blessing to others.

God created a system of endless blessings for us and His people. All God needs are obedient participants to work within His system.
Do you want to be blessed?            Well…be a blessing!

Proverbs 3:7 Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil.
8 This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones.

Doing things on our own accord without consulting God, rationalizing the Bible to make it fit our own agendas, or participating in unholy things may be more devastating than we think. It not only places us in wrong standing with God but, it can affect our health.

For those who have been suffering from any type of sickness or disease in their body, it may be more than the devil’s fault. The devil may use the unwise and unholy choices we make as an avenue to attack our bodies with sickness and disease. If not being wise in our own eyes and not participating in evil helps us, being wise in our own eyes and participating in evil hurts us.
Health belongs to us. Don’t give the devil the opportunity to take what rightfully belongs to us.

Scripture of the Day: It’s Something About That Name
Acts 19:13 Some Jews who went around driving out evil spirits tried to invoke the name of the Lord Jesus over those who were demon-possessed. They would say, “In the name of Jesus, whom Paul preaches, I command you to come out.” 14 Seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, were doing this. 15 [One day] the evil spirit answered them, “Jesus I know, and I know about Paul, but who are you?” 16 Then the man who had the evil spirit jumped on them and overpowered them all. He gave them such a beating that they ran out of the house naked and bleeding. 17 When this became known to the Jews and Greeks living in Ephesus, they were all seized with fear, and the name of the Lord Jesus was held in high honor.

Notice the people did not marvel because the demon was in the person, they marveled because the demon knew, respected, and submitted to the name of Jesus. Whenever we’re attacked by the devil in any situation, call on the name of Jesus and that devil must go. Every demon, devil, or evil spirit must know, respect, and submit to the name of Jesus.

There is one condition.

We must fully know, respect, and submit to the name of Jesus ourselves. We can’t cast devils out our family, home, or life if we’re not submitted to God ourselves. We need to totally submit to God and watch the power of God work in our lives.

Be Blessed!

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

Hebrews 12:14 Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.

God commands us to be holy. Holiness is a lifestyle. Holiness is doing whatever God told us to do in His word. The reason God commands us to be holy is, without holiness we cannot see God. If God tells us to “be something” that means He has already given us the ability to become it.
Notice, God doesn’t instruct us to be righteous because righteousness is freely given to those who accept Jesus as Lord and Savior (Romans 5:19). We can’t become something we already are.

For those who are living a an unholy lifestyle it’s time for a change. A person is literally playing with fire by living unholy.
Live Holy and See God.

Luke 22:48 But Jesus said, “Judas, would you betray the Son of Man with a kiss?”

Judas betrayed Jesus with a kiss.
There are people amongst us who also betray the Lord with a kiss. The kiss, of course, is not literal but figuratively speaking. We tend to shout, praise, cry, run, dance, and sing for the Lord but, behind closed doors we intentionally sin. We intentionally do what the Lord told us not to do. After we’ve sin the devil comes and attempts to make us feel guilty.

It’s interesting how Satan coaxes us into sin and after we’ve sin, he’s the same one who attempts to make us feel guilty about the sin he suggested.

We should come correct with the Lord. If we’re doing something we know is wrong in God’s eyes, the best thing we could do is…STOP!
If there is a sin(s) that we’re struggling with, we should sincerely ask the Lord to help and deliver us from that sin.
So instead of betraying the Lord with a double life, come correct and receive deliverance from ALL bondage.

Psalm 16:11 You will show me the path of life: in your presence is fullness of joy; at your right hand there are pleasures for ever more.

We have access to always making the right choices, to living in a consistently blessed, abundant, and prosperous life.  All we have to do is seek God and obey. God will show us the path of life if we are willing to take the time to seek His advice, and obey it.