Monthly Archive

The limits we place on our minds limit God’s ability.

Another issue that small-thinking people have is the issue of greed. Some of us have been conditioned to think believing for big is a mindset of greed, a lack of humility, and materialistic. We’ve been taught we should only ask God for the bare necessities. Technically, that’s selfish.

In Psalm 35:17, it says God has pleasure in the prosperity of His servant. If it pleases God to prosper His servant under the Old Covenant, how much more does He desire to prosper His sons and daughters, who have been washed in the blood of the Lamb under the New Covenant?

It’s not greed if we can be in faith that we have more than enough finances to pay our bills and someone else’s bills. It’s not materialistic to believe God for a new car to give away the old car to a family in need.

Read God’s Word. He wants to bless us so that we can be a blessing (Gen. 12:2). Take the limits off of God so that He can bless your life to the point where we can be a blessing to others.

Ephesians 3:20 Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us,

The limits we place on our minds limit God’s ability.

If we think and believe small, small is what we’ll receive. If we think and believe big, big is what we’ll receive. It’s that simple.

Some people have a problem thinking big because they can’t fathom how to obtain it. They think they have to do it all on their own. What those people fail to realize is we (believers) are in partnership with God and since there are no limits to God, there are no limits to what we can have or what we can do.

Take the limits off of God. Unleash Him to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we can ask, think, or imagine.

Ephesians 3:20 Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us,

Matthew 19:26 But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.

Notice what this scripture DOES NOT say. It doesn’t say, without God, nothing is possible. This means, some things are possible without God.

This is where some of us get in trouble. We may experience some victories and successes and we think we got it because of our hard work or connections. That’s just God’s grace (unmerited favor) operating in our lives. The next time we go after something or take a risk, it may not be as successful as it was before. We’ll end up going through life experiencing some failures and some successes.

Why go through life taking a 50/50 chance on success when we can simply include God for a 100% guarantee?

With God ALL things are possible. Include Him to make it possible for your life today.

1 Peter 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walks about, seeking whom he may devour:

There is only one adversary or enemy. That’s the devil.

It’s not white people or black people. It’s not Muslims. It’s not the police and it’s not the government. It’s the devil.

He’s the one influencing people with thoughts, ideas, and suggestions. He’s the one telling certain people how to treat people of another race or gender. He’s the one telling people do harm to someone else. He’s the one telling people to abuse their spouse. He’s the one.

So, stop getting mad at people. Take all your frustrations out on the devil by using your God-given authority to rebuke his power over people, situations, and governments.

It’s our responsibility to validate every statement we hear to ensure it lines up with the Word of God.

The reason why we want to validate statements in the Word of God for confirmation is to know where our faith should lie. If we hear a statement that sounds good, but not biblically accurate, we’ll believe something that’s untrue.

For instance, if we believe sickness is the will of God, we’ll suffer in life not knowing it’s God’s will that we be and remain healed and whole (Isaiah 53:5; Luke 17:19). God doesn’t want us to suffer, but to have an abundant life (John 10:10).

If we believe God took our loved one, that may bring some of us comfort, but for others, that same statement can make someone else upset with God. God doesn’t take or kill His children. By being led by the Spirit, we’re meant to have a long satisfying life (Psalm 91:16). Just FYI… a long life is 120 years (Genesis 6:3).

Don’t waste time and energy believing something that’s not true. Look in the Word of God for yourself to ensure statements made by any believer or minister is true.

1 Thessalonians 5:21 but test everything that is said. Hold on to what is good.

“God Helps Those who Help Themselves.”
“When You Die, God Gains Another Angel.”
“Cleanliness is Next to Godliness.”
“It was God’s will for that negative thing to happen.”
“God is In Control.”

We hear ministers and believers make statements like this. Some statements sound good and encouraging, but we need to validate them with the Word of God. If it’s not literally or contextually in the Bible, it’s not true.

Look at the statement of “God helps those who help themselves.” This can’t be true because God helped us before we could help ourselves by sending His Son Jesus.

Negative things happening to us can’t be God’s will based on the fact He gave us promises to believe and confess to counter these negative things.

The biggest statement we hear is “God is in control.” If God is in control, He’s doing a poor job in the earth. There’s violence, sickness, and abrupt death daily. So, obviously God is not in control. God gave mankind dominion in the earth and He put us in control (Gen. 1:26). What we see is a result of mankind’s decisions operating with a free will.

It’s our responsibility to validate every statement we hear to ensure it lines up with the Word of God. If it doesn’t, we don’t have to accept or receive it.

1 Thessalonians 5:21 but test everything that is said. Hold on to what is good.

Unfortunately, we live in a world where bad news is constantly on display. The news tells us about deaths, crimes, and diseases, social media repeats the news, and we have conversations with friends and family members telling us about personal problems.

Fortunately, as believers, we can do something with this bad news. We can use our God-given authority to counter bad news.

If we found out our company is suffering financially because of coronavirus, we can declare the demonic influences over our company’s finances be removed and command a great financial increase for the company. If we hear about someone abusing a spouse, we can declare demonic influences be removed from that person’s mind and declare peace in that home. Every issue has a spiritual root. We’ve been given authority, through Jesus Christ, over spiritual matters in the earth. Therefore, we can declare the will of God in any negative situation.

Instead of spreading gossip or inciting fear in the next individual, use your authority to change bad situations for the better.

Matthew 16:19 And I will give you the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven. Whatever you forbid on earth will be forbidden in heaven, and whatever you permit on earth will be permitted in heaven.”

Luke 10:19 Look, I have given you authority over all the power of the enemy, and you can walk among snakes and scorpions and crush them. Nothing will injure you.

1 John 4:3 (AMP) What we have seen and ourselves heard, we are also telling you, so that you too may realize and enjoy fellowship as partners and partakers with us. And this fellowship that we have, which is a distinguishing mark of Christians, is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ the Messiah. 4 And we are now writing these things to you so that our joy in seeing you included may be full and your joy may be complete.

There are people who are multimillionaires who could buy anything they desire, but they feel like they’re missing something. There are people who appear to be living out their dreams, but still feel incomplete. Some of us may feel this way.

That missing piece or incomplete part is a relationship with God through Jesus Christ. Not just knowing about God or going to church, but an every day relationship with Him. That means, communicating with Him (through the Holy Spirit) daily, knowing His nature, getting His advice on major and minor decisions, and allowing Him to comfort and lead us.

By establishing this relationship with Him, our joy is complete. We can have all the money in the world and/or have gone to church for years, but without that relationship, our joy is incomplete. Establish and build a relationship with God to maximize complete joy in this life.

Ephesians 6:10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power.

Strength to overcome the temptations and influences of the devil does not come through our will power. It comes by relying on the strength of God.

Satan will use anything to tempt us to disobey God. He’ll use situations that happen in our family to tempt us to gossip. He’ll use the negative attitude of our spouse to tempt us to start an argument. He’ll even tempt us with that delicious cookie knowing we’re full.

Being strong in the Lord means relying on the power in His Word. If God said it, we can overcome. We can resist, renew our minds, and rely on God to give us a plan to overcome. Don’t try to do it yourself. Be strong in the Lord.

2 Peter 3:9 The Lord does not delay and is not tardy or slow about what He promises, according to some people’s conception of slowness, but He is long-suffering (extraordinarily patient) toward you, not desiring that any should perish, but that all should turn to repentance.

Seeing or experiencing hatred, bitterness, poverty, sickness, and death continuously can have some of us become anxious for the Lord’s return. Because we’re saved and those closest to us are saved, we’re ready for the return of Jesus to deliver us from all this madness. That’s selfish.

God has more than current Christians on His mind. He sent His Son to save the world (John 3:16). God desires that everyone repent and be saved. While we wait on Jesus’ return, we can do our part to fulfill God’s desire.

As Christians, our responsibility is to lead others to Christ. We can talk to random people about Christ, write bible-based blogs, or share the Gospel of Jesus Christ on all social media platforms.

Don’t selfishly wait in your comfortable Christian status for Jesus’ return. Let others know about establishing a relationship with God through Jesus Christ.

2 Corinthians 4:18 while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.

When negative events occur, ordinarily they get our attention. We tend to focus on it, tell people about it, and possibly lose sleep over it. What this verse is telling us to do is to ignore the negative events. We’re not in fantasy land pretending problems don’t exist. We’re consciously choosing to ignore the problems and focus on our desired solution.

Who do we depend on for our desired solution?
God, through the finished works of Jesus Christ.

This can be difficult because the problems are constantly trying to get our attention, but if we focus on God’s Word, see ourselves free from those problems, and thank God in advance for the solution, we’ll experience deliverance.

2 Peter 2:21 For never to have obtained a full, personal knowledge of the way of righteousness would have been better for them than, having obtained such knowledge, to turn back from the holy commandment which was verbally delivered to them. 22 There has befallen them the thing spoken of in the true proverb, The dog turns back to his own vomit, and, The sow is washed only to wallow again in the mire.

Once we’ve obtained knowledge of what’s right, we’re now held accountable to do what’s right.

For instance, in Ephesians 4:32 it tells us to forgive one another. Now that we know to forgive, it’s our responsibility to forgive everyone who wronged us. If we don’t forgive, we’ll reap the consequences of unforgiveness.

In Ephesians 5:25, it tells husbands to love their wives the way Christ loves the church. We are now held accountable to unconditionally love our wives. This goes for anything we learn in God’s Word and for anything that is taught to us by the Holy Spirit.

These instructions are not meant to condemn us, but to make us better people, make us better representations of Christianity, and improve the quality of our lives. Let’s make it easy on ourselves by doing what’s right.

2 Peter 2:9 Now if all these things are true, then be sure the Lord knows how to rescue the godly out of temptations and trials, and how to keep the ungodly under chastisement until the day of judgment and doom,

For those who are facing temptations and trials, God knows how to rescue us out of those temptations and trials, if we want to be rescued.

The most common way He’ll rescue us is by providing instructions. He’ll tell us turn off the computer/phone and go to bed if we have a pornography temptation. He’ll instruct us to touch and pray over our spouse’s clothes if we’re experiencing marital trials. He’ll give us a plan on how to eat and exercise if we have a temptation to overeat. Our flesh will resist His instructions the entire time, but if we override our flesh, God will lead us to our deliverance.

Once again, this is for those who want to be rescued. If we’re too prideful or stubborn to follow His instructions, we’ll remain in the same place. Live a life of liberty and be free of all trials and temptations.

1 Peter 5:12 (AMP) By Silvanus, a true (loyal, consistent, incorruptible) brother, as I consider him, I have written briefly to you, to counsel and urge and stimulate [you] and to declare [to you] that this is the true [account of the] grace (the undeserved favor) of God. Be steadfast and persevere in it.

Life can be difficult. There are situations that make a person want to quit, give up on God, or kill themselves. One of the greatest things we can do as believers is encourage someone else.

The entire book of First Peter was to stimulate or encourage someone else. We don’t have to send a letter like Peter (unless God instructs us to), but we can stimulate others through text messages, instant messages, or a post. When we’ve heard or read something that encourages us, it’s only right to encourage someone else.

As God prompts us, we can call someone we haven’t spoken to in a while and speak an encouraging word to them. When a person is at their lowest, and we call or text an encouraging word to them out the blue, these are the type of things that show them God’s listening and He cares. We truly become vessels for God.

Let God lead you on who you should encourage. It will glorify God, be a blessing to others, and fulfill purpose.

John 7:30 At this they tried to seize Him, but no one laid a hand on Him, because His hour had not yet come.

44 Some wanted to seize Him, but no one laid a hand on Him.

On two separate occasions, the Jews tried and wanted to seize Jesus but for whatever reason, they couldn’t. I submit to you the anointing on Jesus’ life wouldn’t allow them to touch Him.

When we’re fulfilling the will of God, being led by the Spirit of God, and have faith in God, nothing can stop us. Not a person, not a closed door, or a policy can stop us from fulfilling our purpose. We’ll experience favor, protection, and miracles to accomplish His plan for our lives.

If we know without a shadow of a doubt that God called us to do something, trust that He won’t let us fail. There may be some delays that seem like setbacks, but His purpose will be accomplished.

There are people who consider themselves Christians who seem to make it their goal to discredit other believers. They’re deceived into thinking they’re doing God a favor by “exposing” individuals in the body of Christ. Usually, they attack people with a large following such as Joel Osteen, T.D. Jakes, Joyce Meyer, etc.

They think they’re doing God a service, but in actuality, they’re puppets for Satan. They think they’re “enlightening” believers based on rumors they’ve heard about these people.  They think they’re “exposing hypocrites” based on their interpretation of the bible. They’re not doing God nor us a favor. They’re destroying the body of Christ from the inside.

What glory is God receiving by discrediting another believer? How is God getting the praise by causing division? How is this behavior making Christianity attractive to the lost? What benefit is gained?

If there is something fishy with a leader, God’s Word is powerful enough to expose them without our help. Mark 4:22 says, there’s nothing hidden that will not be disclosed, and nothing concealed that will not be brought to light. If we disagree with their preaching/teaching, don’t listen to them. Can we disagree without dragging their name in the mud?

Don’t be Satan’s deceived puppets by posting videos or sharing articles portraying other believers in a negative light. This causes division. We’re at our strongest when we’re unified.

Ephesians 4:2 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. 3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.

Galatians 5:17 For the flesh craves what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are opposed to each other, so that you do not do what you want.

In our minds, there’s a constant struggle between what our flesh wants to do and what God wants us to do. It doesn’t matter if it’s a major or minor decision, it’s a struggle.

Our flesh is highly influenced by Satan. It has no desire to please God. It wants to do what feels right in the moment. Satan can even make a decision seem wise, logical, and beneficial, but is it what God wants us to do?

The best thing we can do is surrender every decision to God. We throw our hands up and say, “God, tell me what You want me to do” and wait on His response.

It’s always going to be a fight with our flesh to surrender to God. The more times we surrender, the easier it becomes. It’s like working out. The first few times, we’re sore and exhausted, but the more we work out, the easier it becomes.

Don’t be lazy or mentally weak by yielding to temptation. Command your flesh to obey God’s will every single time.

1 Peter 3:10 For let him who wants to enjoy life and see good days [good—whether apparent or not] keep his tongue free from evil and his lips from guile (treachery, deceit). 11 Let him turn away from wickedness and shun it, and let him do right. Let him search for peace (harmony; undisturbedness from fears, agitating passions, and moral conflicts) and seek it eagerly. [Do not merely desire peaceful relations with God, with your fellowmen, and with yourself, but pursue, go after them!]

Psalm 34:12 What man is he who desires life and longs for many days, that he may see good?
13 Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking deceit. 14 Depart from evil and do good; seek, inquire for, and crave peace and pursue (go after) it!

On two separate occasions, hundreds of years apart, the bible teaches us basic principles to have a good life.

The principles include:
1. Not speaking evil and lies.
2. Not doing evil.
3. Doing good and striving for peace.

Since out of the mouth of 2 or 3 witnesses every word is established, according to 2 Corinthians 13:1, we can conclude these principles must be God’s truth.

It seems simple, but a lot of us have a difficult time with this. We’ll go to church, but gossip about others. We’ll read our bibles but call a professional athlete “trash.” We’ll say we forgive them but think about or act on ways to hurt them the same way they hurt us. This is not positioning us to see good days.

Activate these principles daily and enjoy the good life God desires to give you.

1 Peter 1:10 Concerning this salvation, the prophets, who spoke of the grace that was to come to you, searched intently and with the greatest care, 11 trying to find out the time and circumstances to which the Spirit of Christ in them was pointing when he predicted the sufferings of the Messiah and the glories that would follow. 12 It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves but you, when they spoke of the things that have now been told you by those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven. Even angels long to look into these things.

There are certain things God may instruct us to do. Before, while, or after the task, we may wonder what’s in it for us. The answer to that question may be nothing.

God may have us do something that solely benefits someone else. He may have us give to a ministry, move to a different city, change jobs, or be a blessing to a complete stranger. We may not see or know about the impact it made, but we must have faith knowing it made a difference. Our presence or gift can potentially impact a person’s life for years.

Although we may not reap a reward from that organization or person, we’ll reap a reward from God because Ephesians 6:8 says, whatever good anyone does, he will receive the same from the Lord. Be mature enough to know whatever God calls you to do may not benefit you, but it can be a blessing to someone else.

When we drive a car, we’re constantly making little adjustments and corrections. We turn a little to the left or right to ensure we stay in our lane. The same small adjustments and corrections we make when we’re driving is the same type of adjustments and corrections we should make in life.

For believers, these adjustments and corrections will be pointed out by the Holy Spirit. He’ll tell us what we’re doing wrong and give us the tools we need to make the corrections. He’ll show us when we’re being irritable or impatient and He’ll show us how we got to that point. The Holy Spirit will confront us for being critical. We need to make the adjustments to eliminate criticism. He’ll tell us all sorts of things, but are we listening and are we willing to act on what He says?

Our flesh will always attempt to run our lives. Allow the Holy Spirit to lead you on the necessary adjustments and corrections.

John 14:26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.