Category Archive

A terrorist’s tactical advantage is the element of surprise. No one knows when and where a terrorist attack is going to occur, therefore, they’re able to harm multiple people at one time. This leaves a majority of people worried, stressed, and in fear.

But God has an answer to their surprise. The answer to terrorist’s element of surprise is love. Yes, love.

Psalm 91:5 (AMP) You shall not be afraid of the terror of the night, nor of the arrow (the evil plots and slanders of the wicked) that flies by day, 6 Nor of the pestilence that stalks in darkness, nor of the destruction and sudden death that surprise and lay waste at noonday. 14 Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore will I deliver him; set him on high, because he knows and understands My name [has a personal knowledge of My mercy, love, and kindness – trusts and relies on Me, knowing I will never forsake him, no, never].

When we love God and have a true understanding of God’s love towards us, this love will keep and protect us. This love applied by faith, guarantees our safety from all surprises around every corner allowing us to rest comfortably and enjoy life without looking over our shoulders in fear. Receive and apply love to free ourselves from all fear.

In the old days, people consistently went to church. Some went to church out of religious obligation, some went because their parents told them to, and some went in a desperate attempt to get something from God. Regardless of the reason, they positioned themselves to consistently hear the Word of God. By consistently hearing the Word of God, they were able to pass their knowledge and understanding of the Word to their children.

Today, the world has given people more opportunity to be “successful” through better education, employment, and more money than our ancestors could ever dream. With this “success,” there seems to be a generation that doesn’t need God. They may be okay with the idea of God, but there’s no desire for relationship and knowledge of God because there’s no need for God to better their already “successful” situation.

As this generation gets older, they want to tell their children about the loving God they heard about as a youth, but because of their lack of knowledge, they have limited information to pass on to their children. Therefore, the next generation becomes even more ignorant of God and more dependent on the world’s system for their “success.”

As some of us know, there are areas in our lives that our external success can’t reach. There are pains and difficulties we face that only the Word of God can handle. So let’s hear the Word of God on a consistent basis in order to edify ourselves and teach the next generation about the grace, goodness, and power of our God.

Colossians 2:6 Therefore, just as you have received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in Him, 7 rooted and built up in Him, established in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. 8 See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, which are based on human tradition and the spiritual forces of the world rather than on Christ.

1 Peter 4:8 Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.
If we can be honest with ourselves, we haven’t been the kindest people at all times in every area of our lives. What if during those times of not being so nice, God gave us what we deserved? What if God caused someone to treat us poorly every time we were short with people, inconsiderate, or simply mean to someone? We would be mindful not to treat a person however we felt. 
But, God doesn’t work that way. Instead, He shows us His love through His grace and mercy. We don’t get everything we deserve and neither should others. I know it feels good to verbally assault someone who is speaking negatively of us, but that’s not God’s plan for the believer. 

God’s idea is for us to love. Love those who not only treat us well, but love our enemies and those who persecute against us. We are to love people in their ignorance. Love people in the midst of their verbal attack against us. Love others even when we’re hurt by their actions.
If we can love others in spite of how they treat us, we can create an environment similar to heaven. Love them. 

Luke 9:23 And He was saying to them all, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me.

One of the hardest things we have to do is deny ourselves. We have so many ideas, plans, and goals we want to see accomplished, it’s hard for some of us to discern which ideas or plans came from God and which ideas and plans came from us. Although it may seem like a good idea, we have to be ready to push our egos aside and fulfill the calling God has on our lives.

Another area of denial is through our flesh. God gave us free will. We can do whatever we desire (good or bad). Although we’re permitted to do anything, everything is not beneficial (1 Cor. 10:23). It takes maturity and discipline to deny the cravings of our flesh. It may give us a rush to give that micromanaging boss a piece of our minds or it may seem exciting to explore the physical side in an unmarried relationship, but according to the Word of God it’s not beneficial (James 1:19; 1 Cor. 6:18-20).

Every idea or goal that comes across our minds should be confirmed with God or God’s Word to ensure we’re fulfilling our purpose in the earth.

What are you really in faith for?

Examples

A) You can be in faith to keep a certain job. But, the heart of the matter is that you want provision for you and your family and a positive work environment.

B) You can be in faith for a scholarship. But, the heart of the matter is that you want provision to complete school debt free.

C) You may be in faith for the manifestation of a specific dream. But, the heart of the matter is that you just want to be happy and you may not yet realize that dream may not produce that happiness.

The Word says no good thing will He withhold from those who walk uprightly and that He does exceedingly beyond what we can ask think or even imagine (Psalm 84:11 and Ephesians 3:20).

God knows our hearts. There are times where the manifestation may not occur in the manner in which we requested it because what we’re really requesting is not what we’ve voiced. But, He will always address the heart of the matter and exceed our expectations as we continue on in our faith. Maybe you didn’t keep that one job, but He had a better one for you. Or maybe that one dream didn’t manifest, but you got the happily ever after that exceeded your expectations and realized that was really what you always wanted. So keep asking, believing, and trusting God to manifest your heart’s true desires.

Hebrews 10:38 And, “But my righteous one will live by faith. And I take no pleasure in the one who shrinks back.”

Hebrews 11:1 Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see.

When our children go to their favorite cousin’s house, an amusement park with their friends, or the college of their choice, we’re happy for them because we know they’re enjoying themselves.

Most of us would be happy if we saw our children or someone we love enjoying themselves; there should be no difference between an amusement park and heaven. In fact, heaven is a whole lot better than every amusement park put together.

When a believer passes on, that’s exactly what they’re doing, passing on. The Bible says, to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord. If they’ve accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior, our family members and friends have passed on from this physical world to the spiritual world, with Christ. There’s no better place to be.

Yes, we may miss them, but know they’re in a far better place than we could imagine. If the passing on of a loved one can’t be viewed from a different perspective, it will always scare, torment, or depress us.

Be excited for them, they’re with the Lord.

2 Corinthians 5:8 We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.

Have you wondered how one man, Adolf Hitler, influenced an entire country to support his evil, sadistic views? It started with Hitler’s book called Mein Kampf (My Struggle). The book circulated through the streets. People were freely given the book as a wedding present, birthday gift, and it was taught to children in schools. The repetition of Hitler’s views, through that book, ultimately corrupted the minds of millions of people to agree with his views.

The effectiveness of Hitler was the repetition. By constantly feeding the public his views through his book and speeches, he corrupted minds. If the repetition of a sadistic man’s book can influence an entire country, how much more should the Word of God influence the mind of the believer?

If we would make it a point to hear and read the Word of God on a daily basis, doubt, fear, and confusion won’t have a place to sit in our minds. People would actually believe ALL things are possible with God. They would look at sickness in the face and say, “I am healed.” They would laugh at debt and call it canceled using the power of their words. They would believe.

Faith comes by hearing. It’s continuous. The more we hear the Word of God, the more faith we have in the Word of God.

Romans 10:17 So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

As a parent, when we tell our children to sit down, listen, or do their homework, we have an expectation for them to obey. It would shock most of us if our 7-year old defied our orders and did the opposite of what we requested.

The same confidence we have in our authority over our children, is the same confidence we should have in authority over everything we see that’s contrary to the Word of God. If we’re experiencing sickness, lack, or drama, we should speak to that issue with our parent-like authority and command it to leave our bodies. And like a parent raising a young child, we should expect that issue to leave our lives.

We’re not operating in an authority we’ve made up ourselves. We’re operating in the authority Jesus gave to us through His death and resurrection. So, regardless of the issues we face, operate in your parent-like authority based the following scriptures found in the Word of God:

Luke 10:19 I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy;
Matthew 18:18 “I tell you the truth, whatever you forbid on earth will be forbidden in heaven, and whatever you permit on earth will be permitted in heaven.
Mark 11:24 I tell you, you can pray for anything, and if you believe that you’ve received it, it will be yours.

Daniel 3:21 Then these men were bound in their coats, their trousers, their turbans, and their other garments, and were cast into the midst of the burning fiery furnace. 25 “Look!” he answered, “I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire; and they are not hurt, and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God.”

As we can see, anytime Jesus is involved, we have freedom, protection, and deliverance. His mere presence caused these men to be freed from their bondage, protected from the fire, and delivered from their circumstances. Just to be clear, these three men received freedom, protection, and deliverance prior to Jesus manifesting Himself in the earth.

When Jesus manifested Himself in the earth, 600 years later, His modus operandi (MO) didn’t change. Jesus Himself said, “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent Me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor” (Luke 4:18-19).

And today, He’s doing the same thing. If we receive Him, His presence in our lives has the capability to free us from the bondage of sin, save us from the fires of hell, and deliver us from all of our circumstances.

Praise God for Jesus. Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8).

Society has accepted the norm of fornication mixed with cohabitation. Before you think I’m about to judge others, keep reading. We all have sinned and probably will sin in the future. The blood of Jesus has cleansed us from ALL sins, including fornication and cohabitation, and made us righteous. However, for those who choose to engage in fornication mixed with cohabitation, you’re missing out on some of God’s promises. 

Proverbs 18:22 He who finds a wife finds what is good and receives favor from the LORD.

What people are missing out on is additional goodness in their lives and favor from the Lord. Life may seem great and your relationship may seem splendid, but what if it can be better? In fact, God makes everything better. 

People have numerous excuses as to why they choose to live with someone without being married. At the end of the day, it boils down to people being afraid and not trusting the plan God has for their lives. 

It’s time to make a decision. Are we going to honor God, Who has been so good to us, by living in a manner that pleases Him or are we going to satisfy the cravings of our flesh and do what feels “right” to us? If you choose the ladder, just remember, there is a way that seems right to us, but at the end of that way is death (Prov. 14:12). Don’t miss out on the great promises of God. 

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

A lot of us heave heard a version of this scripture. We’ll clap our hands after hearing it, nod our heads in agreement, but do we really believe it concerning every area of our lives?

If someone says they’re believing God to be debt free within two months or they are going to start up a business by the end of this year, would we have the thought of disbelief, tell them to be realistic, or confidently stand in agreement with them? If we truly believe with God, all things are possible, thoughts outside of the norm shouldn’t shake us or give birth to thoughts of doubt. Thoughts outside of the norm should solidify the possibilities with God.

Don’t tear someone else’s dream down just because you haven’t seen it done before; and don’t limit your faith to possibilities you find within your own power. Whether it’s finances, marriage, goals, or due dates, with God, ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE.

Luke 1:37 For nothing will be impossible with God.”

Isaiah 45:2 I will go before thee, and make the crooked places straight: I will break in pieces the gates of brass, and cut in sunder the bars of iron:

Do you have a dream or a goal that feels too far out of reach or hard to obtain? Does it seem like every time you make strides towards that goal, something keeps pulling you back?

God’s Word declares that He will make those crooked or hard to reach goals attainable for us. What appears to be locked or not accessible, God will give us entry. We don’t have to worry and overwork ourselves to obtain these goals. By believing that God, through Jesus, has made these dreams easily accessible for us, we will see our hearts’ desires come to pass.

Other scriptures confirm Isaiah 45:2.
Exodus 14:14 The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still.
Proverbs 10:22 The blessing of the LORD brings wealth, without painful toil for it.
Revelations 3:8 I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut. I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name.

It doesn’t matter if our dreams seem impossible because no one has ever done it before, or our previous mistakes make our goals appear farfetched. God has made the crooked, hard-to-reach places straight for us.

Isaiah 48:8 Surely you did not hear, Surely you did not know; Surely from long ago your ear was not opened. For I knew that you would deal very treacherously, And were called a transgressor from the womb.

As we can see, the Word of God states we’ve been transgressors or sinners from our mother’s womb. We didn’t have to go against the Law, wrong our brother or sister, or commit any obvious act of sin to be known as a sinner. Simply by being born, we are sinners.

Every sinner needs a Savior. Since Adam sinned, which left the stain of sin on all mankind, God implemented a plan so that all of mankind can be saved. That plan came through Jesus Christ. To be saved, made righteous, and free from sin, we simply have to believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and He died for our sins. Nothing else is required.

There was nothing we intentionally did to become sinners and besides believing on Jesus, there is nothing more we have to do to be saved and made righteous. Receive the gift of Jesus because through Him, we have been saved, made righteous, and free from the bondage of sin.

Romans 5:15 But the gift is not like the trespass. For if the many died by the trespass of the one man, how much more did God’s grace and the gift that came by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, abound to the many!

Romans 11:29 for God’s gifts and his call are irrevocable.

Some of us know, without a shadow of a doubt, what God called us to do, but some of us don’t. For those who don’t, I encourage you to settle yourselves and seek God regarding the gifts and call God has on your life.

Once we discover the call on our lives, situations and obstacles attempt to make us limit, second guess, or totally go against what God has called us to do. For instance, we may have been in some legal trouble or had a child earlier than we liked, and because of these issues, we think we have to readjust the call God has on our lives. That’s not the case.

Regardless of what we’ve done or what we’ve gone through, God’s call on our lives remained the same. His gifts and call on our lives are unchangeable. People may have written us off or we may have taken ourselves out of the fight based on what we’ve done, but God did not. God still sees us as the qualified person to fulfill a specific call that He’s purposed in the earth.

Don’t disqualify yourself. Fulfill the will of God in the earth with the gifts and talents He’s specifically given to you.

We are living in the last of the last days. Violence seems to be happening everywhere, terrorist attacks, the innocent are being executed, and hate appears to be stronger than love.

During these times, one of the first things our flesh wants to do is go into a state of fear. Some of us may be afraid to travel because of terrorists, people of color may be afraid to be in the presence of law enforcement, and some are afraid of their children growing up during these days.

Now is the time we need God more than ever. Through God, we can have the assurance of peace knowing God is our protector. Through God, we have the guidance of the Holy Spirit to tell us where to go, what to say, and when to leave. Through God, we have the God-given authority to declare peace, joy, and prosperity in our communities.

When people in the world are afraid, confused, searching for answers, and wondering why we (the believers) are so calm and confident during this time, we can point them to God who gives us peace in the midst of the storm.

Philippians 4:7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Isaiah 40:29 He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.

We all face difficulties. Some of those difficulties make us feel like we don’t want to go on. What we’re in is a faith fight. Have you ever felt like giving up or felt so weak until you didn’t want to go on? God’s Word promises that He will give strength to the weary and increase power to the weak.

During our toughest hour of our faith fight, our flesh desires to mope and continuously rehearse the negative events that occurred in our lives. We need to activate our spirits. When we find ourselves in this rut, we need to remind ourselves of what God promised. To not lose the faith fight, we need to receive strength and power from God.  With this strength and power, we have the ability to continue on day-to-day, continue to confess the Word of God, and continue until better is visible.

Like every other promise in the Word of God, this promise must be received by faith. We have to believe for the manifestation of strength and power before we feel the strength and power.

All those who are weak and weary, activate your faith and receive the strength and power from God.

Acts 15:9 He did not discriminate between us and them, for he purified their hearts by faith.

We, the believers, have been purified or cleansed by faith. Our belief in what Jesus accomplished on the cross has cleansed us. We’re not going to be purified, but we already are purified by faith.

There are some who think we have to work to be purified. Some say we have to fast 40 days, remove ourselves from all of our old friends before salvation, and only listen to or watch things involving God to be purified. This doesn’t purify us. The scripture is clear. Our faith, and our faith alone, purifies us.

Quit working to be purified. Receive purification through the finished works of Jesus.

Yes, you too are pure.

It’s been incorrectly stated that if we don’t live a holy life, God is going to put us in hell. God is not putting us anywhere. Where we go after this life is solely based on our beliefs and not our actions.

God putting us in hell is like committing a criminal offense and saying, God put us in jail. We don’t go to hell because we’ve sinned. Jesus paid the price for our past, present, and future sins (Rom. 6:10). People go to hell because they’ve rejected the payment for sins. They go to hell for rejecting Jesus.

Some people still have the image of God to be this angry, wrath giving, city destroying God. That was before Christ, where blood had to be shed for the payment of sins. Now that Christ has paid the price for all, God sees every believer cleansed by the blood of Jesus.

Let’s stop making God out to be the bad guy. He loved us enough to give everyone an opportunity to have eternal life. God’s not putting us in hell, but our rejection of Jesus will.

Daniel 12:2 Many of those whose bodies lie dead and buried will rise up, some to everlasting life and some to shame and everlasting disgrace.

Romans 6:6 For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin. 7 For when we died with Christ we were set free from the power of sin. 

Today in the United States, we celebrate Independence Day. It’s a day where Americans celebrate their independence from England. Although this is an exciting day, let’s not forget the freedom we can all celebrate at anytime. That’s the freedom we have in Christ.

The freedom we have in Christ was not a fifty day battle where lives were lost. This freedom doesn’t have to be earned through our works of righteousness. It was One Man taking on the sins of the world so that anyone who believes in Him can be free. That One Man is Jesus. With this freedom, we don’t have to be bound by the law, bound by guilt and shame, or be sin conscious. We can be free to experience an abundant life all because Christ died in our place. 

This day and in the days to come, give praise, glory, and honor to God for sending His Son to make us free.

If carnally minded people see us praying, reading our bible, or going to church, they’re quick to call us religious. As believers, knowing what religion is, we should quickly respond by saying “No, I’m developing my relationship with God.”

Praying, reading our bibles, not engaging in this or that activity can be religious, but more importantly it can be relational. It depends on the motivation. If we’re praying, going to church, and fasting to get something from God or to make ourselves acceptable in the sight of God, we’re operating in religion. However, if we’re doing these things to deepen our relationship and understanding of God, we’re being relational.  

Look at it from another perspective. If financial adviser and billionaire, Warren Buffet, moved next door to us and we started to ask him questions about investments and other financial ideas, most would say we’re being wise by befriending him. The same concept applies with God. When we continuously develop our relationship with our Creator and Author of our future, we’re not being religious, we’re being wise to develop our relationship with the only true God.  

Don’t behave righteously out of religious duty. Change your motivation. Think, talk, and behave righteously to honor God and strengthen your relationship with Him. 

John 10:27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.

Religion is a set of beliefs, ideas, and values mainly taken out of context based solely around the Law of Moses, norms and customs in the biblical era, and other created obligations used or acted upon in the effort to please and make ourselves acceptable in the sight of God.

A healthy list of religious ideas include the following: No makeup, long dresses, or braided hair for women (1 Tim. 2:9/1 Pet. 3:3); not eating “unclean” animals (Lev. 11); sinning our salvation away, obligation to tithe or a curse will come upon us (Mal. 3:8-10); God teaching/punishing us through sickness; premature death being the will of God; a lack of money to qualify us as holy (1 Tim. 6:10); receiving guilt and condemnation after missing the mark; must come to God through a priest; etc.

These scriptures or ideas were either taken out of context or simply made up by man. Following religious rules in an effort to please God is futile because all our righteousness is like filthy rags in the sight of God (Isa. 64:6). If we can please God by following a set of rules, there would be no need for Jesus. In fact, the Law of Moses was given to increase sin and lead us to Christ (Rom. 5:20; Gal. 3:24).

Jesus fulfilled the requirements of the law so that we won’t have to. Through His sacrifice we’ve been freed from the bondage of the law.

Don’t have a mental breakdown trying to keep all the requirements of religion.  Every religious idea has been fulfilled by Jesus and our belief in what He has fulfilled has made us righteous and acceptable to God (2 Cor. 5:21).

Romans 7:6 But now, by dying to what once bound us, we have been released from the law so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit, and not in the old way of the written code.

2 Corinthians 12:9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.

Boasting in weakness? Who would boast about their weaknesses? A person who understands the magnitude of grace.

We all have weaknesses in our lives. Some of our weaknesses are sexual, drug or alcohol related, a judgmental or critical spirit, or just plain fear. Those who understand the all-encompassing embodiment of grace realize, wherever we’re weak or have missed the mark, grace is there to right our wrongs.

A religious person would tell us to be ashamed of our weakness, however, having an understanding of grace makes a person appreciate the sacrifice of Jesus. It is His sacrifice that allows us to stay in right relationship with God even when we miss the mark.

Some of us missed the mark in our past and some of us will miss the mark in our future. Whenever the mark is missed, instead of feeling like you let God down, know that through the sacrifice of Jesus, His blood keeps you up.

Ephesians 2:4 But because of His great love for us, God,who is rich in mercy, 5 made us alive with Christ, even when we were dead in our trespasses. It is by grace you have been saved!

When people see a happy couple, a friend of the couple may say you two deserve each other. If that couple buys their first house, another person may say congratulations, you two deserve to be happy. What people are really trying to say is, I’ve seen what you’ve gone through and I’ve seen your commitment to God and because you’ve been a loving friend, you deserve something special.

The truth is, we don’t deserve anything remotely good. If it hadn’t been for the grace of God that came through Jesus Christ, we would be walking this earth sick, poor, and on our way to hell. We would be condemned in our thoughts, bound by sin, and suffering the wrath of God every single day. That’s what we deserve.

Anytime something good happens in our lives, let’s not reflect on the good we’ve done or our works of righteousness. Let’s praise God for Jesus. Let’s give glory to Jesus for making these great things available to us. Although people have good intentions, the next time someone says you deserve something, it would be a good time to remind them of the grace of God.

Galatians 6:9 Let us not grow weary in well-doing, for in due time we will reap a harvest, if we do not give up. 

1 Timothy 6:18 Instruct them to do good, to be rich in good works, and to be generous and ready to share,

There are times we may wonder, what’s the point? Why keep doing good? The story of Ruth demonstrates the benefits of continuing to honor God and doing good. 

Ruth unselfishly chose to give to another, and in doing the good that God led her to do, she allowed God to position her to receive more than what she even asked for. She flourished in her work, in her relationships, and in her life. So, don’t be discouraged. Continue to press on and do good. God has you covered.

Ruth‬ ‭2:12‬ “The Lord repay you for what you have done, and a full reward be given you by the Lord, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge!””

Hebrews 4:9 There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; 10 for anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from their works, just as God did from his. 

On the cross, a great transaction was made. Jesus took condemnation, disease, the curse, and death and gave us righteousness, eternal life, divine health, prosperity, freedom from sin, and dominion. After the exchange took place, Jesus said “It is finished.” There is nothing left to do. Jesus did it all.

So what do we do now? We rest. We remain in a continuous state of rest. Like God rested on the seventh day because He was finished, we rest because Jesus is finished. This may be difficult to our flesh because our flesh always wants to get involved to make something happen. Our flesh may want to pray and read the Bible two hours a day to get God to move on our behalf, or our flesh may want to work three jobs to be financially stable.

Under grace, we don’t have to earn or toil for our blessings from God. Our responsibility is to rest and believe on the finished works of Jesus Christ and know that He’s made everything we need or desire available to us. If we would only rest and believe.

The Assyrian army was strong and they conquered nations. The Assyrian messenger attempted to persuade Hezekiah and his people to bow to the Assyrian king and forsake God. Regardless of how strong the Assyrian army was, Hezekiah decided to place his trust in God.

Isaiah 36:14 “Thus says the king, ‘Do not let Hezekiah deceive you, for he will not be able to deliver you; 15 nor let Hezekiah make you trust in the LORD, saying, “The LORD will surely deliver us, this city will not be given into the hand of the king of Assyria.” 16 ‘Do not listen to Hezekiah,’ for thus says the king of Assyria, ‘Make your peace with me and come out to me, and eat each of his vine and each of his fig tree and drink each of the waters of his own cistern,

When we decide to place our faith and trust in God, the enemy is always waiting around the corner, speaking through someone attempting to limit or totally remove our faith in God. The enemy uses logic or reasoning to deceive the people of God. In the case of Hezekiah, it seemed reasonable to bow to a king who was wealthier and more powerful than he was, but Hezekiah maintained his trust in God.

We may want to step out on faith to buy a house, but our friends/family may tell us to stay in an apartment for 3 more years to save money. We may want to trust God for new employment, but we may have the thought to stay where we are because it’s “safer.” The thoughts and ideas seem logical, but if God created a burning desire to trust Him, then do so.

Don’t get bullied out of your stance. Stand firm and trust in God against all odds.

By the way, since Hezekiah didn’t bow to the enemy, choosing instead to trust in God, God sent an angel to defeat the entire Assyrian army (Isaiah 37:36). If God can do it for Hezekiah, He can do it for you.

Since we were young children, most of our parents or teachers told us the importance of sharing. They told us not to be selfish and it was frowned upon if we didn’t share our toys with our friends or family.

As adults, most of us understand the concept of sharing physical things such as clothes, money, or food, but somewhere along the way, we didn’t make the connection to share spiritual things.

God has been really good to all of us. We’ve stepped out on faith and trusted in God and He’s answered our prayers, healed our bodies, and gave us more than we could ever dream. Meanwhile, we see our brother or sister struggling. They’re literally having mental breakdowns trying to figure it out on their own, they’re bogged down with guilt and shame, and/or they’re on their way to hell.

Let’s help out our neighbor and share the gospel of Jesus Christ. Let them know the gospel is not only Jesus died for our sins. The gospel combines Jesus dying for our sins with, Jesus healing our bodies, God supplying all our needs, God giving us the desires of our hearts, and more. Let them know if they trust God, everything will work out for their good.
Remember the days of your youth and share the gospel.

Mark 16:15 “And He said to them, ‘Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.’”

1 Corinthians 3:1 And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual people but as to carnal, as to babes in Christ. ² I fed you with milk and not with solid food; for until now you were not able to receive it, and even now you are still not able; ³ for you are still carnal. For where there are envy, strife, and divisions among you, are you not carnal and behaving like mere men?

God has so much for the body of Christ, but as long as there’s division between us, we limit what God can do through and for us. In the body of Christ alone, we’re divided in our views towards sin and forgiveness, the law and grace, and our biggest division is denominations. It’s not just a difference of opinion. These are divisions where friendships are ruined, people choose to not visit another person’s church, and videos are posted slandering individuals with different views than their own.

What would the world look like if we, as the body of Christ, would be on one accord? How many more people would be saved if we simply preach Jesus?

In Matthew 16:18 Jesus lets us know the gates of hell cannot prevail against the church or the body of Christ. With that understanding, the body of Christ should be dominating the entertainment industry, education, the legal system, and more. What’s stopping the church from dominating even one industry? The division within ourselves. Mark 3:25 says, if a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand. The limited impact we make is because of our division.

Let’s go back to basics of the gospel and preach Jesus loves, Jesus healed, and Jesus saves. Yes there’s more, but if the world can know that, this world could be a better place.

Basketball analyst will tell you that great players make other players better around them. If the star on the team is playing at a high level, diving for the ball, and hustling down the court, it motivates the team to do the same.

If a basketball star can make other players better around them, shouldn’t we, being children of God, be able to make other people great around us? We all have a circle of people around us. We have our friends, family, and co-workers. If our circle sees us operating in the ways of God, it should motivate the people around us to do the same.

If our circle sees us believing God for a desire and sees that desire manifest, it should motivate some in our circle to believe God for their desires. If the people within our circle see us giving glory to God when something good happens, our circle should do the same. If people see us maintain our confidence and trust in God during difficult situations, it could encourage others around us to do the same.

Be the star on your team and allow the ways of God to be on public display for others to imitate. Our response to life will make our team better.

1 Corinthians 4:16 Therefore I urge you to imitate me.

John 8:36 So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.

It’s been said, if an animal is in a cage too long, after a while, a person can open the door to the cage, but the animal won’t come out. The technical name for this is cage-bound. Someone could be attempting to free the animal, but the animal won’t go. Psychologically, the cage is the animal’s entire world and there’s no need for anything else.

Some believers have been cage-bound in their souls (mind, will, imagination, emotions, and intellect). Jesus paid the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom. Jesus freed us from sin, sickness, the curse, death, guilt, shame, condemnation, and all the works of the devil.

A cage-bound Christian is a person willing to accept or go back to anything Jesus freed us from. For instance, if a person receives guilt after they’ve missed the mark, they’re still cage-bound. The appropriate response after missing the mark is acknowledging that we’ve missed the mark and receive the forgiveness of God. Or, if a person receives sickness thinking it’s the Lord’s will to be sick, they’re a cage-bound Christian.

People of God, we’ve been freed. Now it’s up to us to walk out our freedom. Don’t allow sin, sickness, condemnation, or the rest of the devil’s devices to reside in your world. We’ve been freed from these things now, remain free indeed!

Ephesians 1:4 For He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless in His presence. In love 5 He predestined us for adoption as His sons through Jesus Christ, according to the good pleasure of His will,

11 In Him we were also chosen as God’s own, having been predestined according to the plan of Him who works out everything by the counsel of His will, 12 in order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, would be for the praise of His glory.

Before we took our first breath and before we committed our first sinful act, God already appointed and predestined us for greatness. We were preprogrammed for a God-ordained assignment in the earth. Some of us were preprogrammed to be Pastors and others were preprogrammed to be entertainers. We all have an assignment.

What we’ve done in our past doesn’t disqualify us from fulfilling the plan and purpose God has for us. People may have disqualified us and we may have disqualified ourselves, but God has not. Our assignment is still waiting on us. God already knew what we would or wouldn’t do and He knew how far we would stray from the path of righteousness. But, picture this: what we’ve done (right or wrong) better prepared us for fulfilling our God-ordained assignment because He worked out everything for our good.

Remove the guilt and shame from your past. Seek God for your purpose in the earth and start fulfilling your God-ordained assignment today.

Matthew 7:7 Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you.

If someone has a deep cut, doctors may instruct that person to bandage the wound and continue to apply pressure to the wound. Although the bandage controls the blood flow, the applied pressure stops the bleeding.

Applied pressure works spiritually as well. For believers, if we have a need or desire, we apply pressure for that promise. We properly ask God in faith and continue to believe that we’ve received our need or desire until it comes to pass. We may find a scripture related to our need or desire and confess it daily. We may even go on a fast to receive clarity on how to receive that need or desire.

As soon as that desire manifests itself, some of us pull back on our applied pressure. We may thank God for what we’ve prayed for, but some stop praying as much and some stop making their confessions. No! Continue to apply pressure on that promise. We may stop applying pressure, but the devil, who steals, kills, and destroys, continues to apply pressure on his end.

Yes, we may be married now, but the devil is attempting to destroy that marriage. Continue to apply pressure. Yes, we have our career, but the devil is attempting to steal that career. Continue to apply pressure. Yes, we’ve been healed of that disease, but the devil is attempting to resurrect that disease in our bodies. Continue to apply pressure. Whatever we did to get our need or desire, the same should be done to keep it.

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

For most of us, we understand if we want to lose weight, get toned, or gain muscle we have to workout and have a good diet. People don’t workout and eat correctly because it’s fun. They discipline their bodies because they want to see the results.

The same concept applies with the blessed life. Everyone wants the blessings, prosperity, and the goodness of God, but not everyone is willing to discipline their flesh to reap the reward. Living an unholy life is like a person eating whatever they want and not working out and expecting a healthy toned body. 

To maximize our abundant life, we must honor God by living holy. This means we say no to that one night stand, no to that shot of alcohol, or no to that piece of cake when we’re full. We say no to whatever doesn’t honor God. Let’s honor God, discipline ourselves, and live holy. 

Matthew 22:39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’

It’s easy to love people outside of ourselves. We’ll love God and Jesus and all they’ve done for us. When a relationship is established or if our child is born, we’ll love them too. But, do we take the time to love ourselves? How can we love God and love another if we don’t properly love ourselves?

What does it mean to love ourselves? Loving ourselves means: receiving God’s forgiveness for ourselves after we’ve done something foolish, instead of having a time period of guilt, shame, and condemnation. Loving ourselves means: maintaining our confidence even though we may not have the career the world says is successful or the appearance the world says is attractive. Loving ourselves means: treating ourselves to something enjoyable from time to time instead of waiting on the perfect setting to enjoy life. Loving ourselves means: applying the things that Jesus shed His blood for to our lives (forgiveness, abundant living, prosperity in all things, etc.).

If people would love themselves, they wouldn’t be so quick to quarrel with someone because they feel disrespected. The love that they have for themselves would eliminate the need to be respected by someone else. If people would love themselves, they wouldn’t be so quick to attach themselves to the first person who says they like them. They would love themselves enough to wait on a healthy relationship.

Let’s learn to love ourselves. It’s not egotistical. It’s biblical.

III John‬ ‭1:2‬ ‭“Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.”
Regardless of the circumstances around us, we prosper in all things as our souls prosper. The story of Joseph demonstrates this truth (Read Genesis 37, 39-41).  

1. Joseph’s father favored him and his jealous brothers left him in a pit to die. 

2. He was then rescued from the pit into slavery. 

3. While enslaved he was promoted to the head of Potiphar’s house where Potiphar’s wife got so mad that Joseph wouldn’t sleep with her that she accused him of attempted rape and he was imprisoned. 

4. While in prison he was promoted to being in charge of all of the prisoners. 

5. After being locked up for ten years, he was given an opportunity to use his spiritual gifts, and ended up becoming the wealthiest and most powerful man in Egypt, second only to Pharaoh 

In all of his trials, what remained consistent for Joseph was that he continued to commune with God and keep him first. The bible doesn’t say that he cursed God and spent his days worrying. Rather, he kept his relationship with God constant, remained in perfect peace, and allowed God to cause all things to work together for his good. So, keep drawing closer to God, keeping that relationship at the forefront. Then, even as circumstances arise, you will prosper as your soul prospers. And, there will be that day where you look back in awe at the bad times and realize how He not only prospered you then, but used those times to elevate you into even greater prosperity.

Start feeding your soul: pray, worship, listen to God, read the Word, listen to Word-based sermons…

Genesis‬ ‭41:39-40‬ “Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Inasmuch as God has shown you all this, there is no one as discerning and wise as you. You shall be over my house, and all my people shall be ruled according to your word; only in regard to the throne will I be greater than you.

Habakkuk 2:2-3 “Then the LORD answered me and said: “Write the vision And make it plain on tablets, That he may run who reads it. For the vision is yet for an appointed time; But at the end it will speak, and it will not lie. Though it tarries, wait for it; Because it will surely come, It will not tarry.”‭‭

God has given everyone an assignment. Our assignment may be simple like, feed the hungry or our assignment may be more complex like, restructuring the legal system. No assignment is greater than another. In man’s eyes one may think of an assignment to be more important than another but in God’s eyes, we’re all fulfilling His will on the earth.

Regardless of our assignment, it’s important to write our assignment down somewhere. Whatever God has for us to do and whatever vision He’s given to us, write it down. Don’t just write the end result, but write down the steps He’s given you to get to your destination. We may not know how or when we’ll fulfill our assignment, but write it down anyway.

Writing the vision keeps purpose on our minds. It reminds us of what God told us to do. So when distractions in the form of notoriety, prestige, or higher pay come, we can keep ourselves level-headed and do what God has called us to do.
Write down the vision and keep it in your minds, your speech, and in your hearts.

When some people tell their friends about their problems or the problems of another, the advice that’s often given is prayer. However, the advice is given in a way that makes prayer seem minor or non-effective. They may say, “All you can do is pray about it.”

The reason why prayer is presented as minor is because some of us don’t have a real grasp on our authority, dominion, and power. Our words have authority in heaven and in earth (Matthew 18:18 Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.) We’ve been given authority over EVERYTHING in the earth (Gen. 1:26 And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth).  Also, what we properly ask for will, not possibly, come to pass. (Matthew 21:22 If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.)

Prayer is not all we can do, but the best thing we can do. Let’s use our authority, dominion, and power to change our world for the better, undue the works of the devil, and bring heaven to earth.

James 5:16 Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.

Isaiah 31:1 “Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help, And rely on horses, Who trust in chariots because they are many, And in horsemen because they are very strong, But who do not look to the Holy One of Israel, Nor seek the LORD!”‭‭

We have the tendency to trust in things we can measure with our senses. We’ll trust our employment because we can see the amount of money we make on a monthly basis. We’ll trust in the economy in our country based on the pattern that’s projected by so-called experts. We’ll trust in our education based on statistical success we see in society.

As faithful as some of these things have been, they still may be unreliable one day. The only source of consistency we can fully rely on is God. Everything else may change, but God will never change. God is the same yesterday, today, and forevermore.

Evaluate your life. Are you placing more faith or trust in the things of this world or are you totally relying in God?

1 Corinthians 10:13 No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.

Suicide is a real problem in our society. People are taking their lives for next to nothing. One main reason people are taking their lives is because of the stresses caused by the trials in life. If people had a different perspective of trials, we can reduce, if not, eliminate suicide altogether. 1 Corinthians 10:13 gives us that different perspective.

1 Corinthians 10:13 Breakdown Part 1: No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. The devil loves to isolate people, making them think they’re the only ones going through trials. If he can isolate people, he’ll deceive them into thinking no one understands or no one can relate to what they’re facing. God’s Word lets us know the problems we face are not uncommon to mankind. The trials of life are simply recycled.

Part 2: And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. This is key. Because God is faithful, He will not allow us to go through anything we can’t handle. The very fact that we’re going through trials is proof we can handle the trials. It doesn’t matter if it’s a divorce, a layoff or, if our actions caused us to be in the trial; we have the God-given ability to handle it.

Part 3: But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it. God’s Word says, not only can we handle the trial, but He will provide a way of escape. The stress comes in when WE think WE have to find a solution to the problem. God said He will provide a way out. It’s not up to us, but He will provide a way out for us. We just have to trust Him.

When we have an understanding that whatever problem or difficulty we’re facing, God has given us the ability to endure and overcome it, we’ll never consider suicide again.

*Send this message to those who need it.

Proverbs 10:22 The blessing of the LORD brings wealth, without painful toil for it.

The hunger for wealth is more apparent now than ever before. People are working multiple jobs, numerous lottery tickets are being purchased, and people are being scammed on “get rich quick schemes” just to get ahead financially. 

As we can see, through the blessing, we are not to pursue wealth, but wealth is to pursue us. What is the blessing? In short, the blessing is an empowerment to prosper. We first see the promise of the blessing in Genesis 12:2-3 when God promised the blessing on Abraham. As a result of the blessing, Abraham was extremely wealthy (Gen. 13:2). The promise of the blessing was not just to Abraham, but to his seed. The seed God was referring to was Jesus Christ (Gal. 3:16). If we belong to Christ, then we are Abraham’s seed and heirs according to the promise (Gal.3:29).

Through Christ, the blessing is on our lives. With the blessing, we don’t have to stress or strain to get wealth. Without toil, wealth is promised to come to us. Does that mean we sit at home and expect a check in the mail? No. As we’re doing what God called us to do, the blessing causes us to receive unexpected promotions, ideas for inventions, and ways to save money. Receive the blessing and stop chasing money and let money chase you.