Monthly Archive

1 Corinthians 15:9 For I am the least of the apostles and do not even deserve to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. 10 But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect. No, I worked harder than all of them—yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me.

It is not us. We are not the cause of our talents nor the cause of the good that we do. In spite of our lack of qualifications, God’s grace abounds. But, because of God’s grace, we are now qualified, made righteous, and fully capable of fulfilling our purposes here on earth. Never be afraid to recognize the power of God’s grace, and then use that grace to live life for God, constantly growing in relationship with Him.

Colossians 2:6 As you have therefore received Christ, [even] Jesus the Lord, [so] walk (regulate your lives and conduct yourselves) in union with and conformity to Him.

God has created each and every one of us for His purpose in the earth. We are a product of God’s intelligence. When we choose to go outside the will of God in any area of our lives, we make a mockery of God.

It’s like an inventor creating an invention and the invention is doing the exact opposite of its intended purpose.

Let’s not make a fool of God. Let’s align our life with His purpose and plan here in the earth.

When we constantly discuss the trials and troubles we face we…
1. Focus on the problem instead of The Solution.
2. Extend the lifetime of the problem because death and life is in our tongue.
3. Extend our recovery time after the trial.

As we face trials and tribulations in this lifetime, be mindful not to rehearse the issue(s) in our head and in our speech. Rehearsal doesn’t help us, it hurts us. Cast your cares, concerns, and issues on the Lord and leave them there.

Psalms 55:22 Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken.

Philippians 4:6 Be anxious for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

1 Peter 5:7 Casting all your care upon him; for he cares for you.

When we’re anxious or full of care, we distract ourselves from God. When our mind is so occupied with everything else, we will miss what God is trying to reveal to us. Revelation is critical when it comes to Kingdom agendas. When we take on stress, anxiety, and worry, we limit the effectiveness of the Kingdom operating in the earth.

Yes, the Kingdom of God can be hindered when we accept care, worry, stress, and/or anxiety. Cast your cares on God, live a stress free life, and hear the voice of God to impact the Kingdom of God.

Matthew 6:33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

In this context, righteousness means a way of being right. God’s Word tells us to seek His righteousness. This means, there is a righteousness that does not belong to God. The righteousness that does not belong to God is man’s righteousness. We know this through Proverbs 14:12 which says, there is a way which seems right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.

God’s righteousness is totally different from man’s righteousness. Man’s righteousness says hate our enemies while, God’s righteousness tells us to love our enemies (Matt 5:44). Man’s righteousness says allow logic or common sense to be our guide while, God’s righteousness says allow the Holy Spirit to be our guide (John 16:13). Man’s righteousness says harbor a grudge and don’t forget the pain someone else has caused us while, God’s righteousness tells us to continuously forgive (Matt 18:21-22).

Continuously seek God’s righteousness. It may be different but, it will enhance the quality of our life and bring us peace.

Inspired by Pastor Bill Winston

Deuteronomy 15:10 Give generously to them and do so without a grudging heart; then because of this the LORD your God will bless you in all your work and in everything you put your hand to.

Every time we pour out our time, talent, and treasure for the Kingdom of God, we should expect a return. The expected return will not occur unless we place a demand on our expectation.

For example, our main reason to give to God is because we love Him. Thankfully, every time we give to God, He promised an expected return on the seed we sow (Luke 6:38). With this promise known, we should place a demand on our promise and expect a return on every seed sown.

Let’s not give our time, talent, and treasure out of obligation, let’s give our time, talent, and treasure with an expected return.

Inspired by Pastor Derrick Golden

Faith and patience. Many of us are willing to believe and some of us even to step out on extreme faith. But, then as time passes, disappointment and doubt ensue for some of us. And, we begin to question whether it was a flesh desire or a Spirit desire, and we may even choose to talk ourselves out of believing for it. But, time should not cause our faith to waver. It is through faith and patience that we inherit our desires. So, we keep believing, we allow the Spirit to lead us, and we patiently and confidently await for our promised manifestations.

Hebrews 6:12 (AMP) In order that you may not grow disinterested and become [spiritual] sluggards, but imitators, behaving as do those who through faith (by their leaning of the entire personality on God in Christ in absolute trust and confidence in His power, wisdom, and goodness) and by practice of patient endurance and waiting are [now] inheriting the promises. 15 And so it was that he [Abraham], having waited long and endured patiently, realized and obtained [in the birth of Isaac as a pledge of what was to come] what God had promised him.

1 Thessalonians 2:4 (NLT) For we speak as messengers approved by God to be entrusted with the Good News. Our purpose is to please God, not people. He alone examines the motives of our hearts.

The main things people think about as they consider being totally sold out for God is their mistakes. People feel like they need to stop all of their sin and bad habits before totally committing themselves to God. This is a myth. If we could stop all of our sin on our own then God would have never sent Jesus. Yes, as Christians, God has called us to live holy, however, holiness is a journey. That’s why we are required to continuously renew our minds (Romans 12:2).

Every Christian is a work in progress. No one has it all together. Whether someone has been a Christian for twenty years or twenty seconds, we all are working on something.

Never feel bad about where you are in your journey or compare yourself with someone else. Continue to make an effort to please God by improving yourself one day at a time.

Matthew 6:19-21 “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Around this time every year, people are shopping getting great deals for Christmas or just in general. People spend a bunch of money on something that is perishing without a problem. How is it that we can spend so much money at the stores but, we short change God?

By spending more money at the stores than the house of God, we let God and everyone else know the location of our heart. We let God know what we truly value.

For some, it’s time to readjust our thinking. It’s time to make a change. It’s time to truly show God what He means to us by giving Him one of our most precious possessions, which is money.

Romans 12:2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is–his good, pleasing and perfect will.

There comes a point in time where everyone needs to change for the better. This change should be grounded in two areas. The first area of change should be grounded in grace. God’s grace and mercy have been so prevalent in our lives until we should want to change. God blessed us with numerous amounts of things we didn’t deserve including salvation. With this type of grace that’s offered to us on a daily basis, why wouldn’t we want to change for the better to please an ever-loving God?

The second area of change should be grounded in holiness. God has called us to be holy (1 Peter 1:16). We will be required to change some areas in our life to fulfill the requirement of holiness. Once again, if holiness is required to please our ever-loving God, we should desire to change for the better.

Never forget that this life is not about us. This life is about glorifying God. As we change for the better, we better represent the Kingdom of God.

Colossians 1:16 For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him.

God created everything. He created every living creature, cell, and organism. God is also strategic in His creativity. God allowed the earth to go around the sun so that we have four seasons in a year. Every detail we see or experience in the universe, God created.

As sons and daughters of God, the same creativity that flows through God, flows through us. God created us to be creative and within our creativity is our purpose. God created us to be creative in specific areas. Some may use their creativity to sing and another may use their creativity to design. Whether we use this creativity is up to us. We can go through the motions of life working an ordinary job just to pay the bills or, we can step out on faith, tap into this God-given creativity, and satisfy our purpose in life.

Let’s step out on faith, tap into our creativity, and apply our creativity to impact the world for the glory of God.

Mark 11:24 Therefore I say unto you, whatever things you desire, when you pray, believe that you will receive them, and you shall have them.

The Word of God says we can have anything we desire when we pray. The question is how many of our desires are outside ourselves? We have no problem releasing our faith for a car, house, or career but, how many of us release our faith for the lost to be saved? How many of us desire repentance for our brothers and sisters? It takes a mature Christian to look outside themselves and desire the will of God for mankind. The will of God is that all men are saved (1 Timothy 2:3-4).

Let’s look beyond ourselves, expand our horizons, and release our faith for something that is truly important to God.

1 Timothy 2:3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior; 4 Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.

Psalm 91:5 You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day, 6 nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at midday. 7 A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you.

God not only protects us from danger and destruction but, He doesn’t even allow the danger and destruction to get close to us. God could have just said, “ten thousand at your right hand, but it will destroy you.” However, God said, “it will not come near you.” God realized if danger and destruction got close to us, it would cause us to become nervous, worried, or fearful and we can’t operate in faith and fear at the same time. Because of the goodness of God, He doesn’t even allow danger or destruction to come near us.

Therefore, there is no need to fear any viruses, hackers of our identity, diseases, burglaries, etc. As long as we trust God to be our Protector and expect His protection in every area of our lives, we have nothing to fear.

Let’s free ourselves from fear.

Luke 8:43 Now a woman, having a flow of blood for twelve years, who had spent all her livelihood on physicians and could not be healed by any, 44 came from behind and touched the border of His garment. And immediately her flow of blood stopped.

Mark 7:34 He looked up to heaven and with a deep sigh said to him, “Ephphatha!” (which means “Be opened!”). 35 At this, the man’s ears were opened, his tongue was loosened and he began to speak plainly.

John 9:7 and said to him, “Go, wash in the pool of Siloam ” (which is translated, Sent). So he went away and washed, and came back seeing.

Notice, in all these cases, time is not a factor. These miracles occurred instantaneously. Many of us have been dependent on time as if time was in control of our breakthrough. In a way, we’ve made time our god and we submit to it. Time is not our God.

When someone gets sick, we usually accept that it takes two weeks to recover. We don’t have to submit to time. The same God Who healed people instantaneously, is the same God that exists today. If someone is in debt, we accept that it takes time for them to become debt free. Not true. Time is not in control. God has a million ways to get us debt free; we only need one instantaneous way. Time should not be a factor in any area of our lives.

Time doesn’t have the final say. Place a faith demand on the instantaneous breakthroughs. Allow God to rule over our lives rather than time.

We hear about these wonderful promises in the Bible. With every promise in the Bible, we have to place a demand on the things we desire. As blood washed believers, we’re entitled to every promise in the Word of God (2 Corinthians 1:20). We can’t sit back and hope things will happen. How can we hope for something that already belongs to us? Take it!

How do we place a demand on God’s promises?
We align our heart (belief), thoughts, and speech with what we’re standing in faith for. We cannot make a demand on God’s promises without knowledge of God’s Word. God’s Word says we’re healed but, if we don’t align our heart, thoughts, or speech on this truth then we may or may not experience the benefits of this healing. We can’t walk around saying, “we’re sick as a dog” and expect the manifestation of healing. God’s Word says we’re rich (2 Corinthians 8:9). We have to align our heart, thoughts, and speech with this promise. We can’t measure our wealth based on what’s currently in our bank account. The truth is that we are rich.

Let’s set our minds, speech, and beliefs on God’s promises and expect the best.

Numbers 23:19 God is not human, that he should lie, not a human being, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill?

Acts 3:⁶ Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk. ⁷ And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up: and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength.⁸ And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God.

Most people, including myself, praise God for the obvious miracle. This man was lame from birth and the power of God, through Jesus Christ, healed this man’s bones to walk. However, there was a second miracle that many don’t think about.

Who taught this man to walk? If you know anyone who has lost the function of their legs for a considerable amount of time, you would know it takes days, months, and even years to learn to walk correctly again. With this man, God not only healed his legs but, instantly He taught the man to stand, walk, and leap.

This is true for us today. God not only blesses us externally, but He provides the wisdom for us to use this blessing internally. Receive the two-fold blessing God desires for His people.

Isaiah 40:31 but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

This scripture implies there are going to be times where life will make us want to faint, give up, or quit. God’s Word informs us, as we keep our hope in the Lord, we will soar above our problems and circumstances, we will run towards our goals in the face of adversity, and we will continue to walk in the midst of turmoil. All of this will be accomplished from our hope, faith, and belief in God and His Word.

No matter what issues there are in life, keep your hope, faith, and confidence in God.

Haggai 2:9 The glory of this latter house shall be greater than of the former, says the LORD of hosts: and in this place will I give peace, says the LORD of hosts.

Job 42:12a So the LORD blessed the latter end of Job more than his beginning:

All of us have experienced challenges, some self-inflicted, and others circumstantial. God does not cause trials and tribulations, but with his past, present, and future knowledge, He craftily created methods for all of those things meant for our demise to work together for our good (Romans 8:28). So much so, that we have the promise of better latter days than former. But, to witness the manifestation of those better days, we must remain in faith and continue trusting God. Even though trials may come, we have consistent peace and joy through Christ (John 16:33, Galatians 5:22). Choose now to spend more time with God, allowing His Spirit to navigate your path and know that it only gets better for believers!

Isaiah 43: 1b But now, this is what the Lord says…“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine.  5a Do not be afraid, for I am with you;  18 “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. 19 See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.

Colossians 2:10 And you are complete in him, who is the head of all principality and power:

In Christ, we are made complete. We shouldn’t need or want anything else to make us complete because we are complete in Him. A great paying job does not make us complete. A husband or a wife does not define us as being complete. We are complete with Christ alone. With this understanding, this will stop some of us from searching the world trying to find wholeness.

If there comes a time where we feel like we’re missing something in our lives, let’s re-establish our wholeness with Christ.

1 Peter 5:6 (AMP) Therefore humble yourselves [demote, lower yourselves in your own estimation] under the mighty hand of God, that in due time He may exalt you,

There are going to be times when God will ask us to do something seemingly beneath us. He may ask us to pick up a piece of trash from the ground or give a total stranger a ride to work. Whatever God asks of us, just do it. Our humility, through our obedience, honors God, allows us to be a blessing, and provides a harvest from the seed we have sown.

John 13:3 Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; 4 so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. 5 After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.

If Jesus, the Savior of the entire world, could wash the feet of His disciples, what makes us think we can’t humble ourselves for the sake of the Kingdom?

People of God…humility.

Leviticus 20:26 You are to be holy to me because I, the LORD, am holy, and I have set you apart from the nations to be my own.

Holiness is not a popular topic however, God instructs us to be holy because He is holy. Holiness does not come automatically. Holiness is a lifelong process that requires our participation. We may exhibit holiness in our marriage but, we still need to work on holiness in our speech or our attitude.

The purpose of being holy is to be God centered and eliminate the distraction of sin in our lives. The distraction of sin keeps us from hearing the voice of God. If we can’t hear God’s voice, how do we know what to do when we don’t know what to do? How do we discover the source of our favor? How do we position ourselves to receive anything from God?

As we pursue holiness, our mind becomes God centered and we project the essence of God in our daily living.

Be holy.

Mark 3:1 Again he entered the synagogue, and a man was there with a withered hand. 2 And they watched Jesus, to see whether he would heal him on the Sabbath, so that they might accuse him. 3 And he said to the man with the withered hand, “Come here.” 4 And he said to them, “Is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do harm, to save life or to kill?” But they were silent. 5 And he looked around at them with anger, grieved at their hardness of heart, and said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” He stretched it out, and his hand was restored.

Instructions came out of the mouth of Jesus, however, the Word alone did not heal the man. The man’s obedience to the Word healed the man. Hearing the Word of God alone will not impact our lives. Our obedience to the Word of God will be the difference maker in our own lives (James 1:22).

The man had to be mentally tough and push past mental barriers to be healed. He had to push past the doubt, push past his logic, push past his excuses, and push past the possibility of being embarrassed. There are going to be times the Lord will instruct us to do something seemingly foolish, but as we push past our mental barriers our promise will be on the other side.

Inspired by Bishop T.D. Jakes

Matthew 17:20 He replied, “Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.”

Matthew 19:26 Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

Mark 9:23 “‘If you can’?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for one who believes.”

Have you ever wondered why God’s Word emphasizes God doing the impossible? It’s because God desires that we take the limits off of our minds. Romans 12:2 instructs us to renew our mind. Part of renewing our mind is taking the limits of impossibilities off our mind. Anything illogical, unreasonable, or considered unreal, God can do.

Become completely debt free in a year.
Have a healthy child at the age of 40.
Have a successful multi-billion dollar business.
Have a marriage without fights or arguments.
Never experience sickness or disease for the rest of our lives.

Everything is possible with God if we only believe.

Revelation 12:10 Then I heard a loud voice in heaven say: “Now have come the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Messiah. For the accuser of our brothers and sisters, who accuses them before our God day and night, has been hurled down.

Satan constantly goes before God informing Him of our sins and shortcomings. For those who are not saved, they have no advocate to vouch for them. They are destined to receive the punishment for their sins. For every believer, we have an Advocate; His name is Jesus the Christ. Every time Satan goes before God with our sins, Jesus objects and informs God that those sins have been covered by His blood and we are forgiven.

Satan not only goes before God to remind Him of our sins but, he will remind us as well. Satan will remind us of every sin we committed (past or present). We have to remind Satan that our sins have been covered by the blood of Jesus and we are forgiven. We also must remind ourselves of this truth. If we don’t, the guilt from our shortcomings can have us feeling low, worthless, and potentially unrighteous.

Receive God’s forgiveness through the blood of Jesus Christ and move on.