Monthly Archive

Exodus 10:1-2 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Go to Pharaoh, for I have hardened his heart and the hearts of his officials so that I may perform these signs of mine among them that you may tell your children and grandchildren how I dealt harshly with the Egyptians and how I performed my signs among them, and that you may know that I am the Lord.”

Some people still think that mentioning what God has done is being boastful or inconsiderate of other people’s situations.

Look at the children of Israel. God specifically performed miracles and advised them to tell the generations to come. He didn’t tell them to keep it to themselves. God gets the glory when we share our story.

As far as for other people’s situations, it’s not inconsiderate. How else will they know what God can do for them if we don’t tell them what He’s done for us?

Share your story.

Hebrews 12:11 No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.

In order to see results in our lives as we walk by faith, there needs to be discipline. Discipline is required in losing weight, running a successful company, and it’s required as we walk by faith.

Discipline is doing something when we don’t feel like it. When it comes to spiritual matters, it’s beneficial to consistently listen to the word of God when we don’t feel like it. It takes discipline to pray when we would rather play games. Discipline is necessary to say our confessions on a daily basis.

Will we still go to heaven without discipline? Absolutely, but think about the intimacy with God and promises from God we’ll miss out on because we weren’t disciplined.

Look past the immediate gratification of the flesh and magnify the long-term benefits of being disciplined.

Mark 10:14 NLT If any household or town refuses to welcome you or listen to your message, shake its dust from your feet as you leave.

As disciples, we’ve been called to go throughout all the earth preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ (Mark 16:15). One thing that stops people from completing their mission is rejection.

People get intimidated to preach the gospel because they don’t want to be rejected. Satan does a good job filling up our minds with the worst case scenario. He’ll have us thinking that they’ll laugh at us, call us uneducated, and we’ll be viewed as “holy roller”. Honestly, these things may happen, but we need to put our pride and reputation aside and do what our Savior has called us to do. What if we lead them to Christ?

Just because they reject Christ doesn’t mean they’re rejecting you. So, do as the scripture above tells us to do. If they won’t listen, don’t take on rejection. Just keep it moving.

Luke 6:45 A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil. For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.

Under pressure, whatever we truly believe in our hearts will come out of our mouths. It doesn’t matter how long we’ve been saved or been in church. What we believe will be spoken.

Under pressure, someone who loses a job may say, “I don’t know what I’m going to do. I’m already broke.” That confession is tied to their belief. Someone experiencing sickness may say, “I’m sick as a dog.” Someone who has been alone for a long time may say, “No one wants me.”

Our belief and speech are so important because according to Proverbs 18:21, Matthew 4:4, and Mark 11:23, we shall have what we say.

To change our belief (which will change our confession, and will ultimately change our lives), we must be convinced that God’s word is the only truth (John 17:17). Secondly, we must consistently study God’s word. The more word we study, the more word we deposit in our hearts (Luke 8:15).

As we believe and build ourselves up in the word of God, the next time pressure comes, we’ll say, “God will supply all my needs.” We’ll say, “by His stripes, I am healed” if sickness attacks our bodies. We’ll say, “God wants me, and He’ll give me the desires of my heart including, a spouse” when thoughts of loneliness enter our minds. Under pressure, believe and speak the word of God.

Joshua 1:8 Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do.

We can determine how much value we give to something based on how much time we give to it.

A true fan of a sports team values them by how much time they spend watching their games. A person values the success of their business based on how much time they invest learning successful business strategies. A person values their marriage based on how much time they spend with their spouse.  

These things are fine, but they have no redemptive value. If we can value sports, business education, or our marriages, we should value (even more) the written and audible word of God.

We can say how much we love God, but the time we spend with Him determines His value in our lives.

If you know you haven’t been valuing God like you should, allow God to help you restructure your lives to give Him the value that He deserves.     

If Warren Buffett or some other financial guru came to you and said, “If you give me $100 now, I’ll invest it and give you $1,000 in three months,” would you give it to them?
A lot of us would give them $100 because they have a proven track record of being financially savvy, the risk is minimal, and they’re billionaires.

If we would trust and give our money to a human (who can’t save, heal, or deliver), why wouldn’t we trust and give 10% of our money to an amazing, loving, all powerful God?

Look at God’s resume. God is the owner and the orchestrator of all finances (Haggai 2:7-8). God’s risks (they’re really not risks) are minimal. He only requires a dime from every dollar we receive (Malachi 3:10). Finally, God can’t lie (Heb. 6:18). If He said we’ll get a return on everything we invest in the Kingdom of God, that’s exactly what we’ll get (Luke 6:38).

Trust God with your finances. See Him as more knowledgeable and important with your finances than some of these investors.  

Genesis 14:20 And blessed be God Most High, Who has handed over your enemies to you.” And he gave him a tenth of everything.

Hebrews 6:12 This is so you won’t be lazy but follow the example of the ones who inherit the promises through faith and patience.

Have you ever felt stuck? You see everyone else making moves and receiving answers to their prayers, but nothing seems to be happening for you. You’re doing what the preacher says, but it doesn’t seem to be working. You just feel stuck.

Well, I’m here to shed some light on this “stuck” feeling. First of all, the concept of being stuck is a lie from the enemy. He wants us to think that everyone around us is doing well except us.

Secondly, just because manifestation hasn’t happened yet doesn’t mean we’re stuck. It simply means we need to exercise patience.

If we continue to believe God for what we desire (confess it daily), we’ll eventually get our desires. We won’t know how long it will take, but enjoy the journey. While we wait, we can better ourselves, help others reach their goals, and exercise maintaining joy when we don’t feel like it.

Just know, you’re never stuck. Just because you don’t know when or how it (whatever it is) will come to pass doesn’t mean you’re stuck. Continue to apply your faith and exercise patience for your desires.

John 8:44 You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.

If you’re experiencing a negative emotion, you need to ask yourself…. What lie from Satan am I believing? If you’re irritable, frustrated, angry, or depressed, you’re believing a lie.

Daily, the devil bombards our minds with untrue things. A negative emotion is a sign that you believed one of his lies.

If you’re angry at work, you may have believed the lie that you’re unappreciated. If you’re depressed, you may have believed the lie that things will never change. If you’re anxious about wanting something to happen, you may have believed the lie that you’re going to miss out on something.

When a negative emotion arises, take a second to think about what you’re believing. If you find yourself believing the lie(s), drop the lie and believe the truth in God’s word.

Exodus 7:7 Moses was eighty years old, and Aaron was eighty-three when they made their demands to Pharaoh.

Moses didn’t get started fulfilling his purpose until he was 80 years old.

What can we learn from this?
We’re never too old to fulfill the call God has for our lives.

As we seek God and obey what He says, we’ll ultimately fulfill our purpose in life. We may not fulfill our purpose until we’re older and wiser, but that’s okay. Our purpose in life will be fulfilled.

Don’t get discouraged because you see people walking in their purpose in their 30’s, 40’s, or 50’s. Just stay the course and do what God called you to do in this season. Eventually, your purpose will be revealed and He’ll give you the steps to carry it out.
Trust God.

Tell Aaron everything I command you, and Aaron must command Pharaoh to let the people of Israel leave his country. But I will make Pharaoh’s heart stubborn so I can multiply my miraculous signs and wonders in the land of Egypt. Even then Pharaoh will refuse to listen to you. So I will bring down my fist on Egypt. Then I will rescue my forces—my people, the Israelites—from the land of Egypt with great acts of judgment. -Exodus 7:2‭-‬4 NLT

When we are in close relationship with God, He may (not always) tell us things to come. It may not always be positive, but He may provide detailed facts. When Pharaoh hardened his heart, it wasn’t a surprise to Moses because God already forewarned him.

As we spend quality time with God, He may provide details on how things will work out. He may tell us we’ll close on the current business deal, but after this deal closes, we’ll have a year without another deal. He may tell us to get more involved with our children’s homework in order for them to be successful. He may tell us why we’re going through this season where we feel like we’re stuck.

Spend time with God and open your spiritual ears and allow Him the opportunity to speak and let you know things to come.

Revelation 1:6 He has made us a Kingdom of priests for God his Father. All glory and power to him forever and ever! Amen.

When we get born-again, we become kings and priests. Here’s something you may not have thought of. Until our children get to an age where they can hear God’s voice for themselves, we are their temporary priests.

There’s no one better than us to be our children’s priest. Before our children are born, they know our voices, they trust us, and should listen to us. For young children, since they can’t discern God’s voice, we must become God’s voice.

We become God’s voice by telling them what God said in His word. We tell them God is always with them according to Deuteronomy 31:6. We tell them don’t be afraid according to Isaiah 43:1. We tell them God is our Protector (Psalm 18:2). We show them how much God loves them (Rom. 8:31-39).

As they grow up and begin to pray for themselves, they’ll have this foundation of God’s word and the voice of God’s word in their spirits because we did our jobs as priests. So, parents and guardians, step into your priestly duties.

Matthew 21:21 “Truly I tell you,” Jesus replied, “if you have faith and do not doubt, not only will you do what was done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, ‘Be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ it will happen.

Faith shouldn’t be limited to the major things in our lives. Faith can be applied to everything.

By faith, we can declare that noise in our cars to stop. We can use our faith to command the minor aches in our bodies to be healed. We can declare our babies to sleep through the night. Faith can cause us to reach certain goals in our exercises.

Nothing should be off limits when applying your faith.

1. Make a list of major and minor things you want to see changed.
2. Consistently release your faith for the change by confessing the change daily.
3. Expect for that situation to line up with your confession.

That prompting or feeling we get when we don’t feel like doing something that’s beneficial for us is a sign from the Holy Spirit. Follow these promptings. These promptings let us know that’s the path we need to be on.

The Holy Spirit will prompt us in several areas.
He’ll tell us to work out when we don’t feel like working out. During our favorite show, He’ll tell us to pray rather than watch another episode. He’ll tell us to go to church instead of sleeping in. He’ll tell us to apologize even though we don’t feel like we’re in the wrong.

Don’t ignore or disregard these signs. It’s the Holy Spirit leading us down a beneficial path. Follow His promptings and live a Spirit-led life.

Acts 20:22 (CEV) I don’t know what will happen to me in Jerusalem, but I must obey God’s Spirit and go there.

Luke 1:5 There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the division of Abijah. His wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. 6 And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless. 7 But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and they were both well advanced in years. 8 So it was, that while he was serving as priest before God in the order of his division,

When people don’t get what they want from God, they usually get upset. Their anger or frustration may cause them to distance themselves from God. They stop talking to God, stop coming to church, and stop hearing the word.

But look at this passage of scripture. We have a couple continuing to serve God even though they’re childless. Their commitment to God was not based on what they can get from God. Their commitment to God was based on their love of God. They may have felt frustrated at times, but they didn’t stop their commitment to God. They continued to serve God. Their commitment eventually led them to give birth to one of the greatest prophets ever, John the Baptist (Luke 1:57).

When things get tough and it seems like your prayers aren’t getting answered, don’t run from God. Keep that relationship with God strong and keep serving His Kingdom. Our faith and commitment to God will eventually lead to a great breakthrough.   

Galatians 1:7 which is not just another account; but there are some who are disturbing you and want to distort the gospel of Christ.

Although there are numerous scriptures that let us know about the gospel of Christ, there are still some people who distort the gospel of Christ.

The gospel of Christ is the gospel of grace. It’s mankind receiving redemption through our belief in the works of Christ Jesus. It’s mankind believing that Jesus fulfilled the Mosaic law and died for all of our sins.

Some distort the gospel by adding works and self effort. They think our works in addition to Christ gives us salvation. They think we have to be holy or faultless 95% of the time, for at least a year, in order to be saved. Ephesians 2:8 says, “God saved you by His grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God.”

The gospel of Christ lets us know all we have to do is believe in what Jesus accomplished for us and receive His sacrifice as the payment for our sins. That’s it! Anything else added to that distorts the gospel.

1 John 1:5 (AMPC) Beloved, it is a fine and faithful work that you are doing when you give any service to the [Christian] brethren, and [especially when they are] strangers. 6 They have testified before the church of your love and friendship. You will do well to forward them on their journey [and you will please do so] in a way worthy of God’s [service].

It’s fine to desire things for ourselves and want to fulfill our purpose, but let’s not forget about others. The scripture says, it’s a fine and faithful work when we serve others.

Serving others includes, reaching out to people to genuinely see how they’re doing. It also includes, sending someone a just because gift, inviting a friend somewhere, and praying for a relative. As we can see, these acts are not only meant for people we know, but these acts should include strangers. In line, pay for a stranger’s meal, give them a compliment, or ask if they need prayer for anything.

Let the Spirit lead you on how you should serve someone else.  

Mark 1:30 But Simon’s wife’s mother lay sick with a fever, and they told Him about her at once. 31 So He came and took her by the hand and lifted her up, and immediately the fever left her. And she served them.

As soon as Simon’s mother-in-law experienced a miracle of healing in her body, she began to serve Jesus.

Most of us experienced the greatest miracle ever. The greatest miracle ever is an opportunity to be born again. Not only have we experienced the miracle of being born again, we can honestly say God healed us, delivered us from things or people attempting to destroy our lives, provided for us, and so much more.

With all that God has done, we should follow Simon’s mother-in-law’s example and serve Him. We can serve God by volunteering at our church, feed the homeless, and minister the gospel to friends, family, and strangers. We can serve Him by living a lifestyle honorable to God. Nowadays, we can serve Him by consistently acknowledging Him on social media. Starting today, begin to serve God, increase your service to God, or encourage others to serve God.

Nahum 1:7 The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in Him,

There are some who have a misconception of trouble. Some think because we’re Christians, we won’t face problems and difficulties. Everyone (Christians and non-Christians) will experience trouble. The big difference is, Christians have a promise of deliverance. Any problematic situation we face, God promises to deliver us from them all (Ps. 34:19).

This deliverance is not automatic because we’re Christians. Our deliverance is made possible when we place our faith in His word for deliverance. In the middle of that tough situation, we must believe for and expect deliverance based on His word. Our logical minds may not know how we’re going to get out of that situation, but our faith in God’s word will bring us out.

Every promise hinges on our faith in God’s word. Release your faith for deliverance out of any and every problem.   

Romans 8:33 Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. 34 Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.

As we grow in our relationship with God, there are some people, who we left behind, that try to make us feel bad for the things we’ve done in the past. They like to tell the “I remember when” stories to snuff out our joy of maturing and being in a real relationship with God. Ultimately, they want to keep our minds stuck in the past, so we won’t think we’re better than them.  

We may have done some dumb things in our past, but that’s the past. We are a new creation in Christ. We’ve been forgiven, God has justified us, and we shouldn’t allow anyone to condemn us. The blood of Jesus has cleansed us of every wrong thing we’ve done or will ever do.

Don’t allow anyone to hold your future hostage by digging up skeletons in your past. We’re brand new. Continue to grow in your relationship with God and if someone tries to condemn you of your past, use it as a testimony to give God glory for how far you’ve come.

Most, if not all, of church hurt comes from people trusting in, relying on, and valuing the approval of imperfect people.

You got hurt when you found out the pastor, who you looked up to, was cheating on his wife. Now you feel foolish. You got hurt when you realized some of the members, who are supposed to love unconditionally, judged you because you had an abortion. You got upset when the members seemed unappreciative of your efforts.

Once again, the church is made up of imperfect believers. They may not all get it right and some are downright mean. However, if we focus on establishing and developing a personal relationship with Jesus, church hurt will be a thing of the past.

We won’t be looking to the church for validation, love, and support because we’ll experience that through Jesus. We’ll have a better understanding of grace when we or others miss the mark. We won’t place our trust in pastors because our trust will be in God. We won’t be sad when church friends turn their backs on us because we have a friend in Jesus.

If you’ve experienced church hurt, examine your life. There’s possibly an area where you’ve trusted in people. Take that previous hurt to God and begin to establish, maintain, and develop your relationship with God through Jesus Christ.

Psalm 146:3 Put not your trust in princes, nor in the son of man, in whom there is no help.