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1 Corinthians 14:2 For anyone who speaks in a tongue does not speak to people but to God. Indeed, no one understands them; they utter mysteries by the Spirit.

Did you know the signal between a remote control handset and the device it controls consists of pulses of infrared light, which is invisible to the human eye, but can be seen through a digital camera, video camera or a phone camera? Did you also know microwave ovens are so quick and efficient because they channel heat energy directly to the molecules (tiny particles) inside food and microwaves heat food like the sun heats your face—by radiation? Most of us don’t.

We may not know how certain things work, but we still use them. If we can use remotes, microwaves, and other technological items without knowing how they work, we can pray in the Spirit. Just like the remote and microwave, we don’t need to know how praying in the Spirit works, we should just be satisfied with the results.

The results of praying in the Holy Ghost, praying in the Spirit, or speaking in tongues (they’re all the same) are as follows:

1. We edify or improve ourselves (1 Corinthians 14:1-4).
2. We obtain hidden wisdom from God (1 Corinthians 2:1-12).
3. Mysteries are revealed (1 Corinthians 2:10).
4. We build ourselves up on most holy faith (Jude 1:20).
5. We keep ourselves in the love of God (Jude 1:21).

So, begin to make up words as you speak to God. Yes, you may feel foolish. The enemy wants us to feel foolish so we will stop. However, if we press past that temporary distraction, praying in the Spirit will benefit our lives in ways we couldn’t imagine.

Malachi 3:10a “Bring all the tithes into the storehouse…

11 “And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, So that he will not destroy the fruit of your ground, Nor shall the vine fail to bear fruit for you in the field,” Says the LORD of hosts;”

Did you know not only are the windows of heaven opened when we tithe, but God Himself rebukes the devourer just for us?

So many times we’ll rebuke Satan for this or that when in actuality, we don’t need to if we tithe. There is no place in scripture where we are instructed to rebuke the devil. Why? Because God is expected to rebuke the devourer since He expects us to tithe.

When God rebukes the devourer, God is stopping the enemy from devouring anything we desire to prosper. God stops us from being passed up on a scholarship and a promotion. God stops the enemy from devouring the happiness in our marriage. God stops the demonic influences from influencing that bank employee who is attempting to stop us from getting our house. God stops the influences of the enemy from entering the minds of our children.

This is a promise from God. When we tithe, we can place a demand on this promise and expect it to manifest in our lives.

Inspired by the teachings of Jesse Duplantis

Have you ever thought about what we do when we plan? When we plan, we logically strategize something based on the information we know, using the tools at our disposal, and tweak it based on our previous experiences or the experiences of others. The problem with our plans is we often forget about God. 

Sometimes when we plan, we may be setting up a defense against anything God wants to do in our lives. We’ve rationalized how everything is going to work in our heads and we make it difficult for new ideas to come into the equation. Even if it’s a God idea, because we’ve worked the plan out, it takes a forceful effort to deviate from the course.

That’s why it’s so important to consult God from the beginning. Consulting God from the beginning allows God to intervene whenever He desires, it puts us on an earlier pathway to perfection, and it saves us from headaches caused by going down the wrong path. 
Although God gives us free will to plan, His ultimate desire is to have Him guide us every step of the way. 

Proverbs 19:21 Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the LORD’s purpose that prevails.

We can’t fully enjoy the promises of God unless we fully trust the Giver of those promises.

God can bless us with a great spouse, but because we don’t fully trust the Giver, we’ll think the spouse God provided is not enough. Therefore, we’ll look for someone “better” or we’ll continue to criticize our spouse in the hopes that they will change to suit our version of “better.” God can bless us with a million dollars, but because we don’t trust the Giver to provide all of our needs, we’ll think that million dollars is not enough. Therefore, we’ll hoard the money thinking God can’t bless us with more or we’ll try one thing after the next attempting to obtain more money in our own power. Even in getting a new car, because a person doesn’t trust the Giver, it’s hard to be satisfied with that new car.

When we trust the Giver, we know that He richly provides us with all things to enjoy (1 Tim. 6:17). When we trust the giver, we know that God is not withholding good things from our lives (Ps. 84:11).When we trust the Giver, we are satisfied with what we have because we know He is our source and He can provide more (Eph. 3:20).

1 Timothy 6:17 Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.

1 Corinthians 14:40 But all things must be done properly and in an orderly manner.

Just in case you forgot or didn’t know, there is a godly order when it comes to family. For years, we’ve been bombarded with media coverage and TV shows that display and glorify ungodly order. We’ve seen girlfriends living with boyfriends, unmarried couples having children, and single women choosing to have a child based on their age. Some of us have seen so much ungodly order until we’ve accepted it as the new norm.

God’s original design for family can be found in the book of Genesis.
-God made Adam (male) (Genesis 2:7).
-God made Eve (female) and made her Adam’s wife (Genesis 2:22-24).
-Adam and Eve had children (Genesis 4:1).

God is the Creator of our lives and the Creator of family. The order He created is for our best interest. If we choose to trust His plan for our lives, we can experience God’s best in our marriage and for our children. We sometimes go out of order because WE think there is a better way based on our current situation, but as the Bible says, there is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death. Anytime we go out of order, we let God know we don’t trust Him or His plan.

Now, for those who have already gone out of order, it’s okay. Through the blood of Jesus, God has forgiven you and He can bless you wherever you are. Trust the order of God and know that it works out for our good.

James 2:13 For judgment is without mercy to the one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment.

Unfortunately, in this day in time, there are still some Christians who are quicker to find fault with someone and tell them they’re going to hell than that God loves them and Jesus died for their sins.

This scripture is a major blow in their overly critical thinking. God’s mercy, which came through Jesus Christ, triumphs over His judgement. We can see this in the fact that God desires for all mankind to be saved (1 Timothy 2:4).

Yes, there are some people who need to get it together, but the same mercy we experienced is the same mercy we should be sharing with others.

Have mercy on your brothers and sisters and allow them to experience the love and mercy of God through you. The mercy and love that we exhibit will be the catapult for people to change.

James 2:1 My brethren, do not hold the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with partiality.

The context of this scripture is about showing partiality towards a rich person versus a poor person, however, let’s look right in the middle of this verse.

“Do not hold the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ.” In today’s world, there are so many avenues to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ. There is the classic word of mouth. We can use our God-given voice to spread the Gospel. There is social media. Daily, we can write encouraging quotes and scriptures pointing to our Lord. We can send a mass text message to everyone we know encouraging them to establish and develop their relationship with God.

The main point is, don’t hold on to the Gospel. The good news of Jesus Christ has benefited us in so many ways. It’s time to give back and show others what He has done for us.

Think of the most outrageous spiritual thing you can do at this point in time. Think of something you’ve read about in the Word of God or heard someone else do. With their consent, think about laying hands on a complete stranger and praying for them publicly at the grocery store. Think about standing in a high foot traffic area and boldly sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Think about calling an acquaintance and telling them God loves them and you do too. 

Everyone’s outrageous spiritual thing is going to be different, but by being obedient to the promptings of the Holy Spirit, we can shock the world. 

The world wouldn’t know what to do if the people of God are constantly expressing the love of God with everyone. The people of God have no problem being radical for God inside the four walls of the church, but it seems like we shrink when we’re standing toe to toe with the world. Some of us feel too embarrassed to share the Gospel, some people are afraid of what people may think about them, and some people are not interested in being radical for Christ. 

Once again, think about the most outrageous spiritual thing God has revealed to you. Have you thought of it? 

Now do it! Be that blessing God has called you to be. Be that vessel for the Kingdom of God. Be the voice of hope in these last days.

What are you waiting for? Shock the world. 

Zachariah 8:13 ‘It will come about that just as you were a curse among the nations, O house of Judah and house of Israel, so I will save you that you may become a blessing. Do not fear; let your hands be strong.’ 

Romans 7:6 But now we have been released from the law, for we died to it and are no longer captive to its power. Now we can serve God, not in the old way of obeying the letter of the law, but in the new way of living in the Spirit.

We’re no longer under or bound by the law. There are benefits by no longer being bound by the law. The main and most obvious benefit is freedom.

One of the things we’ve been freed from is the sense of disappointing God. Under the law, if we sinned, God would be disappointed or even angry with us and He would require a sacrifice for sin(s). That’s not the case under grace. Under grace, Jesus has paid the price for all sin (Ephesians 1:7). Since we are “in Christ,” God sees a new person in us who has never sinned and has been redeemed by the blood of the lamb (2 Corinthians 5:17). Therefore, He’s not angry.

The second thing we’ve been freed from by no longer being bound by the law is the feeling of guilt and shame. Under the law, when we missed the mark, some of us experienced guilt and shame. We felt dirty and unusable to God. Since Jesus paid the price for us and freed us from the law, we can be free from guilt and shame (1 Peter 2:6).

A third thing we’ve been freed from is the worry of our salvation. When people sin, especially if it’s over an extended period of time, they wondered if it impacted their salvation. Because we’re no longer bound by the law, we don’t have to worry about if it affects our salvation. Our salvation begins and ends with believing that Jesus Christ is our Lord and Savior and He died for every past, present, and future sin. Through Christ, all of our sins have been forgiven, therefore, we are saved and heaven bound.

Praise God for Jesus, Who allows us to experience freedom and not bondage!

A chair is made for a person to sit in. When a person uses a chair as a step stool, they have perverted its use. The chair may accomplish that person’s goal to reach to a higher place, but its use was still perverted. Likewise, a baseball bat is made to hit a baseball. When a person uses a bat as a weapon, they have perverted its use. The baseball bat may be effective as a weapon, but that was not its intended purpose.

Anytime an item is being used outside its original purpose that item is being perverted.

Ephesians 2:10 says, for we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. We were created to do the will of the Father. The Father’s will is in His Word. Anytime we do anything outside of God’s will, our use is being perverted because we’re doing something God didn’t originally design us to do.

Most of us know what’s outside the will of God, but for example anytime we’re fearful, involved in homosexual activity or fornication, we’re living a perverted lifestyle. Anytime we’re gluttonous, hateful, or not consulting God in our decisions, we’re not living in our purpose.

We may live a long and seemingly happy life having some fears or involved in fornication, but we would not be operating in God’s best. When we’re not operating in God’s best, we’re prone to have more challenges in our lives. Also, by walking in disobedience, we forfeit some of the things God has for us.

So, begin or continue operating in the designed plan of God to please God and experience God’s best.

Ephesians 2:10 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

Matthew 12:29 For who is powerful enough to enter the house of a strong man like Satan and plunder his goods? Only someone even stronger–someone who could tie him up and then plunder his house.

When Adam sinned, Adam gave his power, dominion, and all the promises God had for us to Satan. Satan became the ruler of this world. Through the sacrifice of Jesus, Jesus returned our authority, dominion, and all of God’s promises back to us (Colossians 2:15). For those in Christ, we now have our authority in this earth and we have the ability to bring heaven to earth. 

Although we’ve received our authority, there are still a few areas that have the appearance of being under the control of the enemy. Jesus shows us how to handle the areas where Satan seems to be dominate. Using our greatest weapon, our mouths, we have the ability to bind Satan’s appearance of dominance. Things that look dark, dismal, and disgusting, we have the ability to shine the light of God in that particular area and obtain what He promised for us.

For instance, if a person’s marriage seems to be filled with arguments, chaos, and anger that person has the ability to bind Satan’s activities within that marriage and cause the glory of God to shine bright. They can declare their marriage has peace, joy, and tranquility. Because we have our authority through Jesus, peace, joy, and tranquility has to take place within that person’s marriage. 

Whatever is not looking heavenly in your life, bind the strong man, and declare the perfect will of God in that area. 

Over 2000 years ago, God performed a difficult and seemingly impossible task. He reconciled us back to Himself through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

If God completed such a difficult task back then, why not allow Him to perform minor tasks now. Why not allow God to manage our finances, raise our children, and be our marriage counselor?

There are various reasons why some choose not to give God complete control over their lives. Some of us feel like God won’t handle the situation appropriately or in a timely manner. Some feel like they need that sense of control to handle their own affairs. If they’re not in control, the situation is not being handled. Some think since God gave us a brain and common sense, He wants us to handle the situation and He doesn’t want to be bothered with minor affairs. These are all deceptions of the enemy. The enemy knows if we submit everything to God, everything God is involved in will prosper.

Give God a chance. Allow Him to shine in every area. God created us and He knows what’s best for our lives. Trust Him.

Psalm 62:8 Trust in him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge.

If you ever asked the question will or can He do whatever you’re believing for, you’re questioning the faithfulness of God.

We all have had thoughts of doubt. The thought of doubt does not make a person faithless. The belief in the doubting thought makes a person faithless.

What we need to do is counter thoughts of doubt with the Word of God. For instance, if a person has a doubting thought of not receiving a promotion, they should counter that thought with Psalms 75:6-7 which states, for promotion comes neither from the east, nor from the west, nor from the south. But God is the Judge; He puts down one and exalts another; and Psalms 84:11 which says, for the LORD God is a sun and shield; the LORD bestows favor and honor. No good thing does he withhold from those who walk uprightly.

This requires us to be mindful of our thoughts. If we’re not mindful of our thoughts, thoughts of doubt will settle in our soul, which ultimately leads us to faithlessness.

Take some time to think about what you’ve been thinking about. Compare those thoughts with the Word of God. If those thoughts are contrary to the Word of God, counter those thoughts, and declare what God’s Word says.

1 Thessalonians 5:24 God will make this happen, for he who calls you is faithful.

Joshua 21:35 Not a word failed of any good thing which the Lord had spoken to the house of Israel. All came to pass.

 Isaiah 55:11 so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.

If we choose to believe, everything God’s Word says about our life will come to pass. Whatever we can think of, that pertains to life and godliness, has the potential to come to pass in our lives.

The following are just a few things that can come to pass in our lives:
-Deliverance from a 10 year drug addiction.
-Freedom from guilt and shame from mistakes we’ve made in the past.
-Debt cancellation.

Our faith gives us access to all of God’s promises. Faith is not complicated. Faith simply believes what God’s Word says. If we believe it, it will come to pass. Partner with God’s plan for your life. Through Christ, God has made all His promises available to us. Implement your faith to receive the promises God swore to give you.

It’s our decision if we’re going to have a good day or not. Are we going to let the present circumstances affect our attitude throughout the day? Are we going to allow what may happen in our future make us anxious? Are we going to be continuously bothered by what occurred 10 years ago? 

Regardless of the situation, we have control over our own emotions. If we allow any situation to negatively affect our mood, attitude, or behavior, we gave that situation or the person in that situation too much power. Contrary to popular belief, God gave us authority over our emotions. It’s a cop out to say, “I can’t help how I feel.” 

By having God-given authority, strength through Jesus, and power through the Holy Spirit we can overcome anything, including our emotions. 

God has given us dominion over everything He’s created (Psalms 8:6). Since He’s created our emotions, we have dominion over our emotions. Today and from now on, let’s take control over our emotions and enjoy our lives. 

Psalms 8:6 You have given him dominion over the works of Your hands; You have put all things under his feet,

John 8:24 Therefore I said to you that you will die in your sins; for if you do not believe that I am He, you will die in your sins.

Jesus is speaking to the Pharisees. The Pharisees were individuals who, through their own efforts, attempted to keep the Law. The more law they kept, the more righteous they thought they were. Regardless of how well they kept the Law, Jesus states if they don’t believe in Him, they will die in their sins. 

This is still true today. It doesn’t matter how many acts of kindness we do or how many laws we’ve kept, if we don’t believe that Jesus is the Son of God and He died for our sins, every good thing we’ve done will be for nothing and we will die in our sins. 

“If I’m wrong about Jesus then I’ve wasted my life. If you’re wrong about Jesus, you’ve wasted your eternity.” -Lecrae 
The risk of rejecting Jesus is not worth it. Accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior today. 

*If you know anyone who is unsaved or you’re unsure of their salvation, I encourage you to share this message with them. 

As we grow up, one of the first people we tend to trust is our parents. Everything they tell us, we usually believe. It’s like the movIe The Water Boy featuring Adam Sandler where all his answers began with “Mama say…” It’s not until we go off to school and meet new people, we hear new theories and new ways of doing things. Some of those theories seem very logical and convincing.  

When we accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, we should revert back to our child-like belief system. Instead of trusting our parents, we should trust God and God alone. All our answers should revolve around the Word of God. We should reject every thought and theory that’s contrary to the Word of God. In a sense, we should begin all our answers with “God’s Word says…” 

New thoughts and ideas are always arriving. God’s Word is unchanging. Cast down all thoughts and theories because “God’s Word says…”

2 Corinthians 10:5 We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.

Ephesians 4:15 Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church.

Galatians 6:1 Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted.

In order to speak the truth in love and gently restore our brothers and sisters, we have to be confrontational. We can’t shy away from confrontation. Being led by the Holy Spirit, we have to face confrontation head on. 

Confrontation seems the hardest with those closest to us. We may see our brothers or sisters going astray, but we may feel intimidated to confront them because we don’t want to damage the relationship. We may have the best of intentions, but we don’t want to make it seem like we’re judging or looking down on others’ lifestyles. However, some people may not know they stink until someone tells them. 

If God leads us to tell someone about their sinful life choices, we must push all fear and hesitation aside, and tell them the truth in love. If that person chooses to abandon the relationship after correction, they were never in it for the long hall. On the other hand, if they receive the correction with love, that correction may be the push they needed to repent and live a lifestyle that’s pleasing to God. 

It’s better to have a great relationship with God and lose some so called friends than to have a great relationship with friends while being disobedient to God. Face confrontation and be the mouthpiece of God. 

Ephesians 4:15 Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church.

Galatians 6:1 Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted.

There are two types of people when it comes to confrontation. There are radical individuals who seem to be confrontational about various topics. For radical believers, they are the ones protesting in opposition about gay rights, prayer out of school, and informing the public what the Word of God says. Then there are the passive individuals, who observe confrontational things, but they choose to keep their thoughts and opinions to themselves. Passive believers, are the ones who see an injustice, shake their head, and thank God that the injustice is not happening to them. 

As believers, we need to be somewhere in between the radical and passive individual. The truth itself is sharp and sometimes difficult to handle, but if we pad it with love and gentleness, it can be easier for individuals to handle. More individuals will be willing to accept the Truth, in God’s Word, if it’s gently spoon fed to them instead of it being shoved down their throat. 

With the assistance of the Holy Spirit, let’s allow Him to lead and guide us to where we need to be. We may need to be radical at times, but we also may need to know when to shut our mouths. Let Him make that decision for us and know that whatever decision He made will be beneficial for the Kingdom of God and beneficial for us. 

2 Kings 2:9 And when they had gone over, Elijah said to Elisha, Ask what I shall do for you before I am taken from you. And Elisha said, I pray you, let a double portion of your spirit be upon me. 10 He said, You have asked a hard thing. However, if you see me when I am taken from you, it shall be so for you—but if not, it shall not be so.

As Elijah and Elisha were walking, a chariot of fire came from heaven and took Elijah in a whirlwind. Elijah’s mantle was left behind. After Elijah left, Elisha had no sensory realm evidence to confirm he received a double portion of Elijah’s spirit. Elisha had to believe the Word of the Lord through Elijah. Elisha knew he received a double portion after he picked up Elijah’s mantle, parted the waters, and walked on dry ground, which is the same miracle Elijah performed (v. 14).

We don’t have any physical evidence to confirm we will receive the promises of God. All we have is the written and audible Word of God to hold on to, and that’s enough. Like Elisha, whatever the Word of God instructs us to do, when we obey, we are guaranteed to receive the promises of God. If it tells us to believe, then believe. If it instructs us to ask, then ask. If it instructs us to stand still, then do so. Whatever instructions we have, just do it, and get ready to receive the manifestation of God’s promises.  

John 16:1“All this I have told you so that you will not fall away. 2They will put you out of the synagogue; in fact, the time is coming when anyone who kills you will think they are offering a service to God. 3They will do such things because they have not known the Father or me. 

Hitler, the Ku Klux Klan, and witch burners were just a few individuals and organizations who shed innocent blood thinking they were doing a service to God.

Jesus warned us about the deceived minds of these individuals. Jesus warned us about this so we won’t fall away or fall into doubt thinking that God doesn’t love us, or that He doesn’t care, or that He can’t protect us when we experience things that are unjust. 

Although there still may be some unjust things occurring in the world today, Jesus finishes John 16 with the following verse: John 16:33 “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

It’s comforting to know we have a Savior who has overcome every situation we’ll ever face. Even if we can’t see a way out, Jesus has handled the situation. By knowing that Jesus has handled everything we’ll face, we can have peace. So instead of worrying about the unjust things happening in society, choose peace because Jesus has overcome the world. 

2 Timothy 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness,

There are people who doubt that the Bible is the Word of God. They ask, how do we know the Bible was written by God? The more “educated” ones state, the Bible was written by man to enslave the minds of mankind. The doubters eventually begin to do more research in their quest for the “truth”. The funny thing about the doubters is they find books, written by man, that attempt to contradict the Word of God.

At the end of the day we, the believers, don’t have any physical evidence to show that the Bible was written by God. True believers simply act on faith. We believe the Bible is the Word of God because it says all scripture is inspired by God. Unfortunately, doubters tend to reject the actual Truth. They place their faith in historical facts, science, or another religion.

The enemy’s responsibility is to deceive the minds of mankind (Revelation 12:9). Every day, people are hearing, reading, or finding more things to negate the Word of God. Our responsibility is to stand boldly, declare what God’s Word says, and pray that people’s hearts receive the Truth.

Let God and His Word be true, and every man a liar.