Category Archive

Hebrews 13:4 Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral.

Many people are choosing to act married without actually being married. Has marriage lost its appeal? People often act married for two reasons, the economy and experimentation.

People use the excuse that it’s more cost efficient to live together in a troubled economy. This may appear true however, we set ourselves up for sin by living in a place of temptation. This also displays a lack of trust in God supplying all of our needs (Philippians 4:19). The experimentation concept is when people live together to see if it will work before marriage. This excuse is based in fear. People are afraid that their marriage won’t work so they take it upon themselves to do a “test run.” Once again, we set ourselves up for sin.

Marriage is something that should be cherished and held in high honor. It’s something God puts together, not we ourselves. Honor God with your life by choosing to include God and His plans for marriage.

Mark 11:24 Therefore I say to you, What things soever you desire, when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you shall have them.
Mark 21:22 And all things, whatever you shall ask in prayer, believing, you shall receive.

This type of believing is not a willing oneself to believe in something. It is an assurance that comes from the Spirit. It is knowing, with a peaceful certainty, that you shall receive it, even when sight holds no evidence to support it. Once you’ve asked, believe you receive, and continue to confess to remind your flesh and encourage your soul of what your spirit already knows, “I believe I receive…and I shall have it.”

Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

Many people choose not to physically discipline their children for multiple reasons. The only issue with that is we’re seeing a generation who feels entitled to everything without resistance. The first time they are challenged these children misbehave, act out, or run away.

Discipline of any kind should come from a place of love. We shouldn’t physically abuse our children but, correction is necessary. If we love our children the way we say we do, we should be willing to physically discipline our children. If we don’t disciple our children, someone else will. Let’s trust in the plan of God in raising our children and be willing to physically discipline our children whenever we’re led by the Holy Spirit.

Proverbs 13:24 (NLT) Those who spare the rod of discipline hate their children. Those who love their children care enough to discipline them.

Isaiah 49:1 Listen to me, you islands; hear this, you distant nations: Before I was born the Lord called me; from my mother’s womb he has spoken my name.

God has a purpose for each and every one of us. Before we were brought into this earth, God had a plan for us. The plan is not forth coming; it’s complete.

Our purpose is to let God be God in our lives because according to Philippians 2:13 God is the One at work in us doing His good pleasure. This means we don’t have to stress about the purpose for our lives because God will guide us in His purpose.

Continue to seek and be sensitive to God’s guidance and receive the purpose He has for you.

How long will some of us wait? God has called us to do great and mighty things in the earth but, we’re content with the bare minimum. When are we going to understand that the totality of life is not about us, it’s about bringing glory to God?

We should be at the top of our profession if not owning the company. We should be walking in divine health and not allow any sickness to lord over our bodies. Our families should be well-known in the earth and making an impact in our communities. I know some of us have had setbacks due to bad decisions and consequences of our sins but, don’t let that be a crutch in the progression of life.

The only way to receive the abundant life that God has promised us is total submission to God and His will. Let go of anything that stands in the way of God’s will for your life and the will of His Kingdom. Make the decision today to totally submit to God.

1 Peter 5:6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.

Decision time…

John 6:12 When they had all had enough to eat, he said to his disciples, “Gather the pieces that are left over. Let nothing be wasted.”

If Jesus was sent here in the earth to do God’s will, it must be the will of God not to allow anything to be wasted. This concept reaches beyond food. This concept is applicable in every area of our lives.

How many of us are wasting something God has blessed us with? God has blessed all of us with gifts and talents that could change the world, however, many of us are wasting that talent for a variety of reasons. Some feel like they’re not spiritually developed enough to fulfill God’s will in the earth and others are afraid to try. Whatever excuse we developed for ourselves, God doesn’t want anything wasted.

Fulfill the will of God by not wasting the gifts and talents God has placed inside of you.

Faith and belief are two sides of the same coin. We can believe without faith but, we can’t have faith without belief. For example, we can believe that God will supply all our needs but, that doesn’t mean we have faith in that truth. Faith is the Spirit-led action following our belief. In our example, the action following the belief that God will supply all our needs is the release of worry. If we truly believe God will supply all our needs, we will release worry, fear, and stress of not having enough. Our main action is to trust in the finished works of Jesus knowing that it’s already done. This principle works with every God-given promise.

Believe the word of God and put some Spirit-led action behind it; action mixed with belief is called faith.

Philippians 4:19 (NIV) And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.

Matthew 28:19 Go you therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit:

A lot of people feel like they need to have it all together themselves in order to reach out to someone else. They feel like they need to be approved to share the good news. That’s not the case.

We all need improvement in certain areas of our lives. Some need more than others. Don’t allow the shortcomings we have from time to time to limit or inhibit the witnessing of the gospel. Every mistake has been forgiven through the blood of Jesus and we have been made righteous.

So… start where you are. Start witnessing to the unsaved souls in your immediate circle of friends and family. Start giving testimonies on how good God’s been to you. Start giving God the credit for the good things that happen in life. Those things make others want to know more about this God we serve. It also makes it easier for someone to relate to someone who is been in their shoes.

Be a witness for Jesus Christ.

Romans 1:17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.

Faith is progressive. We are meant to grow to new faith levels as we move through life. So, choose not to be depressed, frustrated, or lose hope, but choose to see difficult circumstances as opportunities to rest on the promised Word of God and grow in faith.

Nothing can separate a believer from the love of God. Because Jesus’ sacrifice eternally expunged our records, not even sin can separate us from God’s love. No longer mull in guilt, but rather bask in the abundant love of God and seek to know Him more, walking by His Spirit (Galatians 5:25).

Romans 8: 38For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, 39Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creation, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Isaiah 46:10 (KJV2000) Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure:

God sees the end from the beginning. When we see problems, God sees the solution. When we see lack or shortage, God sees over-abundance. When we feel pain (physical or emotional), God sees us walking in complete health and wholeness.

Our responsibility is to reprogram our minds to see things the way that God sees them. This will cause us not to be moved or shaken by life’s trials and tribulations. If we say we really trust God, then do just that and trust Him.

As we mature in our walk with God, we are encouraged or instructed to read His Word more, fast, pray longer, or attend church events more often. Some people feel like if they’re not doing this God is upset with them and they may miss a blessing. Others look at this task list and think it’s too difficult to complete on a daily basis, so they never try.

God won’t be displeased or upset with the believer for anything. God will NEVER be mad at the believer. God’s wrath was emptied out on Jesus at the cross. These works don’t make us more righteous. These works only position us to receive more revelation knowledge from God and personal knowledge of God.

As we develop into mature believers, take it one day at a time building as you grow. Remember God loves us and He is not and never will be upset with our performance.

Romans 9:31 but the people of Israel, who pursued the law as the way of righteousness, have not attained their goal.

Inspired by Pastor Creflo Dollar

Galatians 5:18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.

In the old covenant, it was clear to people of what they could or could not do. However, these people were bound or imprisoned by the law. There was no room for error. The blessing or the curse was based on them keeping the ENTIRE law.

We are under the new covenant. In the new covenant, we have a better covenant with better promises. Included in that promise, is the guiding of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit will guide us in the ways of God without being in bondage. Not only will the Holy Spirit tell us ways to please God but, He will guide us in the “gray areas.” “Gray areas” are areas in life that the Bible does not specifically explain.

For example, the Bible specifically says we are not be intoxicated however, it doesn’t say anything about casually drinking or becoming tipsy. Another example is employment. The Bible does not tell us where to be employed. We should consult and rely on the Holy Spirit to give us direction on our employment. This information is only revealed by the Holy Spirit.

If we can tune our hearing to the inner voice of the Holy Spirit, He will lead and guide us in the ways that please God and better our lives.

Deuteronomy 31:8 (AMP)
It is the Lord Who goes before you; He will [march] with you; He will not fail you or let you go or forsake you; [let there be no cowardice or flinching, but] fear not, neither become broken [in spirit—depressed, dismayed, and unnerved with alarm].

Depression, fear, and alarm are all negative emotions based on temporary situations. It’s the enemy’s plan to make us feel this way by magnifying the circumstances in our lives. If we could understand that these temporary situations have already been changed and worked out for our good by the blood of Jesus, we can terminate these negative emotions forever.

It is God Who is in us, with us, surrounds us, and protects us. With God we have no issues. We may have things that appear to be negative but, in the end we know we win.

Be Encouraged!

Matthew 21:19 Seeing a fig tree by the road, he went up to it but found nothing on it except leaves. Then he said to it, “May you never bear fruit again!” Immediately the tree withered.

When Jesus spoke to the fig tree, the fig tree withered away. We also have this same authority through Jesus Christ to cause things to wither away. We can speak to lack and cause it to wither away. We can speak to cancer and cause it to wither away. We can speak to the disobedience in children and cause it to wither away.

Once again, Jesus has shown us what to do with our speech. Use it, and make something wither away.

Mark 10:27 And Jesus looking upon them said, With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible.

The manifestation of this scripture is within the phrase “with God.” Many of us move based on our feelings, hoping that God will stamp approval on them. The truth in this verse is,
1. seek God by exercising communication with the mind of God, the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 2:10),
2. believe and receive that what He said is for us, is for us (Mark 11:23),
3. refuse to mull in disappointment or accept rejection if the manifestation doesn’t occur in the manner or timing that we thought it would when we know that no man can close a door that God has opened (Revelation 3:8),
4. and then keep seeking, praising, and trusting Him, and watch the impossible manifest.

2 Corinthians 4: 8We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; 9Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed;

It is so easy to read this and see nothing but the negative: troubled, perplexed, persecuted, and cast down. In this world there are challenges, the difference between believers and the world is that we know our outcome is victorious. While others are struck down, troubled, and persecuted, we are not destroyed, not distressed, nor forsaken. We always win!

Psalms 138:8 The LORD will perfect that which concerns me: your mercy, O LORD, endures forever: forsake not the works of your own hands.

Mark 5:39 He went in and said to them, “Why all this commotion and wailing? The child is not dead but asleep.” 40 But they laughed at him.

Our dreams and desires are not dead. They’re only asleep. It’s going to take the consistent exercising of our faith in the finished work of Jesus Christ to wake these things up. Sure, people may laugh at us and call us crazy but, these are our dreams on the line. What others think does not matter. The only thing that matters is the placement of our faith.

For couples who are 40+ and want a child but don’t have children yet, wake up that dream by exercising your faith to receive that child. For people who have a desire to own their own business but only have $1000 or less in the bank, wake up that dream by exercising your faith to receive that business.

Whatever dream or desire you have, don’t allow fear, uncertainty, past failures, or anything else stop you from accomplishing that dream.

“Don’t let negative thoughts of fear rob you of what the blood of Jesus has already paid for.” ~Pastor Creflo Dollar

Mark 11:23 “Truly I tell you, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in their heart but believes that what they say will happen, it will be done for them.

The Bible says we can have what we say. Many of us don’t have anything because we’re not saying anything. We are hoping and wishing things would happen but, we’re not declaring exactly what we want. We’re quicker to say something negative over something positive. Declare the desires of your heart. Declare the favor of the Lord over your children. Declare the protection of God everywhere you go.

Say something!

2 Corinthians 3:7-9 (NIV) 7 Now if the ministry that brought death, which was engraved in letters on stone, came with glory, so that the Israelites could not look steadily at the face of Moses because of its glory, transitory though it was, 8 will not the ministry of the Spirit be even more glorious? 9 If the ministry that brought condemnation was glorious, how much more glorious is the ministry that brings righteousness!

When the law was given to Moses, a glory or glow came upon his face. The glory was so powerful until people could not stand to look at Moses. Eventually the glory faded away. The glory of the law faded because no one was successful in keeping the law.

Jesus fulfilled the law and paid the price for our sins, so we are now under the New Covenant. In the New Covenant, we’re no longer living under the law but, under grace. Under grace, we’re made righteous through the belief in the finished works of Jesus Christ. Jesus saved us, redeemed us, healed us, and empowered us. And this glory that we received will not fade away. This glory will last forever.

Jude 1:25 to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen.

Through Jesus Christ, God has made us both spiritually and naturally rich. Spiritually speaking, we know we have an endless amount of grace, mercy, forgiveness, etc. Naturally, we are operating under the blessing and under the blessing God has made us rich beyond our wildest dreams.

It’s going to take faith to access either one of these riches. On a spiritual level, it’s going to take faith to know that we have access to forgiveness and mercy after we have missed the mark. On a natural level, it’s going to take faith to know we are wealthy when we’re behind on our bills or we have a substantial amount of debt. We are going to have to say we’re rich in spite of what our bank accounts show.

Activate the faith for the riches that God has freely given to us through Christ.

2 Corinthians 8:9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich.

2 Corinthians 8:9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich.

Many Christians debate the meaning of the word “rich” in this scripture. Some think that rich is referring to a spiritual sense (being rich is grace, mercy, always having access to God). While others believe rich is used literally (money, gold, abundance, etc.).

Has anyone ever considered that rich could be both tangible and spiritual?

By having access to God, through Christ, we have all we need and desire. In Matthew 11:24 Jesus gives us a blank check by saying, Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. The word “whatever” has no limits. God is a big enough God to encompass and make us rich spiritually and literally.

Receive the riches from God, through Christ, and declare yourself rich.

2 Corinthians 9:8 And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.

God is able to supply ALL so that we can have more than enough to further the kingdom. There is no fear in giving to advance the kingdom here on earth because our giving opens the door for abundant increase in our lives. We are then put in a position of always having an overflow to bless others.

2 Corinthians 9:6 Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. 7 Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

Ephesians 1:20 Now to him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, 21To him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.

The only means to receiving the abundantly more that God promised us is through the power that works within us. This presents a need for us to operate within the fullness of God. We are spirit beings who have a soul (mind, will, emotions) and live in flesh. Yes, we are filled with God within our spirits once we accept Jesus as Savior. But, it is a choice to ask Him to be Lord of our souls, and then an ongoing renewal of the mind to allow His Spirit to reign over our souls (Romans 12:2). Through that sensitivity to His direction, we position ourselves to consistently manifest the abundantly more.

Psalm 23:4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

There are two essential ways that fear enters our lives.

The first way fear enters our lives is through a lack of trust in God. When God says something to us through His word or through His Spirit, we can rest assured that His word will come to pass. However a lack of trust on our part, usually due to being shaken by what we see or experience, causes fear or panic to enter our hearts.

The second way fear enters our lives is through our speech. God has told us multiple times in multiple ways that we have authority with our speech. We have the ability to create or remove things with our speech. If we live our lives making statements such as “that scares me,” “I’m afraid that…” or “that’s what I was afraid of,” we give fear a license to enter our lives and do whatever it pleases. God has not given us the spirit of fear but, we can accept it through our speech.

Our responsibility is to remove fear from our hearts by totally trusting in God in spite of what we see and training our tongue to speak a fear free life into existence.

In the beginning, the Bible says the earth was formless, empty, and dark. Then it says, God spoke and declared the earth have light and take form. The earth being dark and formless was a natural fact. It could be seen, touched, felt, etc. God spoke, and there was enough power through His faith to change the facts.

The great thing about this is God has given us the same ability He used to create the earth (Matt 18:18). All we need to do is exercise the power through our faith. Power through our faith is having unmovable faith in the power of God to do what He said in His word.

That’s why it’s so important not to be shaken/moved by what we see or experience in life because we know our faith has the power to change any natural fact.

Exercise that faith and change facts.

Hebrews 11:3 By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible.

Our life’s goal is continuous quest towards God, constantly going to another place in Him. In this place our maturity is increasing, our faith is rock solid, our witnessing of the Gospel is high, and our love is constant. In this place we’re not moved by what we see or experience, we’re moved by the word of God. In this place we’re not intentionally sinning just to receive His grace. We’re making an effort to do God’s will. And in this place when we do fall short, we’re not haunted by guilt or frustration, we openly receive His grace, forgiveness, and love.

Strive to reach this place. The deeper we go, the more that’s revealed.

2 Peter 3:18 But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen.

Inspired by Micah Stampley

Leviticus 7:1 (AMP) This is the law of the guilt or trespass offering; it is most holy or sacred:

The law in the old covenant was associated with guilt or shame. In our new covenant, we no longer have to worry about guilt or shame because Jesus took care of that on the cross. The Bible says in Romans 9:33 with our belief in Jesus, we will not be put to shame.

Receive this Word today. God DOES NOT hold our sins against us, therefore holding onto guilt and shame doesn’t better our situation and it doesn’t please God. By holding on to guilt, we’re basically saying to Jesus “I need to experience and be punished by this shame because I don’t believe Your sacrifice was enough.”

Receive the freedom and forgiveness of the new covenant and don’t be bound by the law because we are no longer under law but, grace.

Romans 6:14 (NIV) For sin shall no longer be your master, because you are not under the law, but under grace

James 4:7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

When some people think of submitting themselves to God, they think of it in a negative sense. They think they’re giving up all the “fun” and adventure that life has to offer when it’s really the opposite. The negativity comes from the limitations WE must put on our flesh. We can’t do what our flesh wants to do whenever our flesh wants to do it.

Submitting ourselves to God positions us to receive more out of life. It allows us to have fun, joy, and happiness all at the same time. It positions us to receive all the wonderful promises God offers us. It gives us the answers when we don’t know what to do. It gives us peace during trying times.

The battle within us is between desiring to please God versus desiring to please ourselves from the instant gratification from our flesh. The gratification may seem “fun” and “exciting” but, in the end it leads to heartache, disaster, and death. Choose submission.

Proverbs 1:23 Repent at my rebuke! Then I will pour out my thoughts to you, I will make known to you my teachings. 33 but whoever listens to me will live in safety and be at ease, without fear of harm.”

When unbelievers repent and acknowledge Christ as Savior, they have access to the thoughts and teachings of God through the Holy Spirit. As believers, we have already been forgiven of all past, present, and future sins because of Jesus’s sacrifice and resurrection.

Our position is to realize the shortcomings of walking by our flesh, turn away from that, and live a life led by the Spirit. While we have been made new (2 Corinthians 5:17), our power to honor God comes by continuously renewing our minds to hear from and obey the promptings of the Spirit. And with that transformed lifestyle comes peace, confidence, and a more abundant life.

Psalms 8:4 What is man that You are mindful of him, And the son of man that You visit him? 6You have made him to have dominion over the works of Your hands; You have put all things under his feet,

As awesome and worthy as our God is, He loves us so much that He bestowed authority and power on us. He elevated us to be His heirs. Let’s bask in the love of God and use the authority God has given us!

Hebrews 10:38 And, “But my righteous one will live by faith. And I take no pleasure in the one who shrinks back.”
39 But we do not belong to those who shrink back and are destroyed, but to those who have faith and are saved.

On college campuses fraternities and sororities represent themselves with their hand gestures, colors, and symbols. In sports events most people cheer for their team with so much passion and emotion. If fraternities and sororities can wear their colors and Greek symbols and sports fanatics can cheer, why does it seem like so many Christians shrink or back down?

We say we love and worship God but, some of us fail to bless our food in public. We fail to correct people’s ignorant statements such as “I guess God wanted them to die.” We fail to raise our hands in praise when the Holy Spirit prompts us to.

Q: Why do we do it?
A: Everyone has their own personal reasons.

In the end, the reason doesn’t matter. God requires and deserves our attention. He desires us to be people of God representing the Kingdom of God. Go get a Christian T-shirt and tell people about the Gospel of Jesus Christ and walk it out!

Luke 7:9 When Jesus heard this, he was amazed at him, and turning to the crowd following him, he said, “I tell you, I have not found such great faith even in Israel.”

For those who have small expectations from God, usually, it takes a little faith and minimal effort to receive that promise from God. But, for those who have big dreams or big desires, it’s going to take unmovable faith and wise, Spirit-led effort to receive those promises.

The bigger the desire, the bigger the opposition. In order to combat that opposition we must seek God when things look uncertain, fast when things seem confusing, confess God’s word when thoughts of doubt enter our minds, and hear God’s word to be full of faith. This is has to be a consistent effort.

The promises are not in our efforts alone. The promises are received by faith. We have to have faith to know whatever it is we desire, we have that desire through the finished work of Jesus Christ.

Be Blessed!

Jeremiah 2:7 I brought you into a fertile land to eat its fruit and rich produce. But you came and defiled my land and made my inheritance detestable.

If our child has a birthday coming up and we know our child wants a certain new toy, most parents would buy that toy for their child. After purchasing that toy, we would expect our child to take care of it. As a parent, we would be more than upset if our child intentionally destroyed that toy without remorse or thought.

God gave this earth to man to work it, cultivate it, and have dominion over it. God didn’t give us this land to defile it. There are people who trash their residence, their car, and the world around them. All of these things God generously provided for us. These same people don’t use the resources that man has invented to preserve our planet. This is a sign of immaturity.

People of God, let’s be mindful of what we’re doing. Let’s take care of this planet and all of the wonderful things God has blessed us with.

Hebrews 10:32 Remember those earlier days after you had received the light, when you endured in a great conflict full of suffering. 33 Sometimes you were publicly exposed to insult and persecution; at other times you stood side by side with those who were so treated.

Once we receive Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior and make a conscious decision to be sold out for Him, there are going to be insults and persecution. Everyone may not understand the quest we take to be more like Jesus. They may think we’re “selling out” or too good for the hood. That’s okay. That’s to be expected.
As we continue our quest to walk in the light, our blessed lives will appeal to those who are still in the dark. They will eventually want to see, understand, and have a relationship with this God Who gives us peace, joy, and abundantly more.
That will be the time to share the detailed Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Persecution is to be expected. Keep focused on pleasing God and choose not to be distracted by persecutors.

God does not hold us accountable for our ignorance. Praise God for that! We may have assumed or been taught things that contradict the Word of God or were taught out of context.
Things such as…
We need to feel ashamed after we sin. When in reality, for the believer, God is not holding our sins against us. Because of the blood of Jesus, He has forgotten our sins before we committed them (Ephesians 1:7).
or
The reason why we’re going through difficult times is because we are cursed. In reality, Jesus has taken every curse for us so that we can live the blessed life (Galatians 3:13).

Once we get true revelation of God’s Word, we should renew our minds with this new information. We should be flexible enough to change our thought process and conform our old thinking to the true revelation of God’s Word.

Ephesians 4:23 Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes.

As believers, we should be like a lantern.

Transparent so that the light of God can shine through us.

Strong enough to protect the flame by continuously renewing our minds and communing with the Word of God so that the flame continues to burn brightly.

Willing to be on display so that the light can be shared with others.

Matthew 5: 14You are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. 15Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it gives light to all that are in the house. 16Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

Ecclesiastes 9:10 Whatever your hand finds to do, verily, do it with all your might; for there is no activity or planning or knowledge or wisdom in Sheol where you are going.

For every believer in the world, God has provided or made provision for us. We know this because it says in Philippians 4:19 God shall supply all our needs. Some may have more provision than others but, we all still have provision.

With this provision, God expects us to excel in everything we do. Don’t wait until you have better to live in excellence. Live in excellence now. We may only have an older used car, but treat and maintain that car like it was a brand new Bentley. We may only have an apartment, but manage that apartment like it was a 5 bedroom house. We may only have a minimum wage paying job, but excel in that job until we have our own business. Do everything in excellence.

No need to be upset about what you don’t have. Live in excellence with the things that God has provided.

Inspired by Bishop T.D. Jakes

Under the old covenant, tithing was mandatory (Malachi 3). Under the new covenant, tithing is not mandatory but, tithing is an avenue where God enhances the quality of our lives. This is stated in Hebrews.

Hebrews 7:4 Just think how great he was: Even the patriarch Abraham gave him a tenth of the plunder! 5 Now the law requires the descendants of Levi who become priests to collect a tenth from the people—that is, from their fellow Israelites—even though they also are descended from Abraham. 6 This man, however, did not trace his descent from Levi, yet he collected a tenth from Abraham and blessed him who had the promises. 7 And without doubt the lesser is blessed by the greater.

Abraham, who was not under the law, gave his tithes to the priest. The priest accepted it and blessed him. This passage is encouraging believers to give their tithes so that God can bless their lives.

Tithing also supports the Kingdom of God. In order for ministries to have nice facilities, outreach ministries, and the ability to broadcast the Word of God to the world, it takes money.

Everyone, let’s open up our hearts to God and give our tithes, offering, and gifts of love.

You feel like you finally got it right, and then thoughts of what if I mess this up again creep in. Know that God has not given us a spirit of fear but of might, power, and a sound mind (2 Tim 1:7). While our souls alone are not enough to conquer our flesh, the Spirit and our souls have dominance over our flesh. And the same power that brought us out, keeps us out. We are free!

2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.