Graced To Do God's Will

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

Many times young believers desire to grow in their relationship with God but, often times they don’t know where to start. Usually, the basics are easy. We accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior and we believe that He died and rose for our sins. After knowing and believing that, for some, it gets a little complicated.

We can read the Bible more, but where do we start? We can pray more, but how do we pray and what should we talk about?

Our growth and development is a lifetime process. There is no one living who has it altogether. God will systematically work on us little by little. The first year may be a change in our mindset (Romans 12:2). The second year may be a change in our attitude (Philippians 2:14-15). The point is, we need to be open and receptive to these things. That way, whenever God gives us instructions, we can be obedient without delay.

It’s interesting how so many people base their life around the government’s laws, funding, or regulations. When the government does something they don’t agree with, they become very upset and hostile. Depression sets in and some turn to drugs, alcohol, and/or crime. Very few people turn to God when things seem to be at their worst.

There is one thing we should remember. The government is made up of mere men. Some, if not most of these men, don’t consult God when making decisions for their country. The Bible states we should not trust men but, our reliance for everything we need and want should be on God’s system. The world’s system is not designed for us to win or get ahead. It’s designed to keep us where we are at (economically), if not put us at a lower state.

Put and keep your trust in God, not man.

Psalm 146:3 Do not put your trust in princes, in mortal men, who cannot save. 4 When their spirit departs, they return to the ground; on that very day their plans come to nothing. 5 Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the Lord his God, 6 the Maker of heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them—the Lord, who remains faithful forever.

It is interesting how occurrences can make us doubt our calling. Having been rejected in the past can turn into fear of rejection, if allowed. Negative words from a few people can produce a warped perception of self, if allowed.

Acts 7:35 “This Moses whom they rejected, saying, ‘Who made you a ruler and a judge?’ is the one God sent to be a ruler and a deliverer by the hand of the Angel who appeared to him in the bush. 36He brought them out, after he had shown wonders and signs in the land of Egypt, and in the Red Sea, and in the wilderness forty years.

Realize the truth about those occurrences and do not allow them to keep you from fulfilling the purpose and call that God has placed on your life. God called Moses to save a nation and perform miracles while doing so. Reject fear and receive your call.

Colossians 3:2 Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. 23And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, 24knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ.

I have begun declaring “I enjoy what I do.” The purpose of that declaration is to find joy in God no matter what task, job, or role that I am performing. Even the dream job, or ideal blessing may have some unwanted perks, such as the joy of having a baby paired with the possible pains of lack of sleep. So, we make a continual choice to enjoy what we do because we are doing all to bring honor to God.

Imagine that you have all the money you desire, living exactly where you want how you want. Imagine driving your favorite car, helping others in need, and being a blessing to the Kingdom of God. For most of us, we’ll consider that a “dream” or a “goal.” What if for the believer that’s actually reality?

Ephesians 1:3 says Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ.

2 Corinthians 4:8 says we are to fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

By combining these two scriptures, if we fix our eyes on things that are not seen, our eyes should be fixed on heavenly places, and heavenly places are the house of our greatest desires. The reality for the believer should be on things that are not seen. Through faith and patience we are simply waiting on the things in heavenly places to transfer into this temporary world.

Continue to see and say what you desire even though you can’t see it in this physical world. Make the unseen your reality.

Acts 19:17 When this became known to the Jews and Greeks living in Ephesus, they were all seized with fear, and the name of the Lord Jesus was held in high honor.

Do you hold the name of Jesus in high honor? Many times we hear people say the name of Jesus when things go wrong or when people can’t get their way. Some people also have the audacity to use profanity between Jesus and Christ. Throughout time, people have reduced the name of Jesus to an all-time low.

The name of Jesus is the name above every name. The name of Jesus has power. The name of Jesus means salvation. We shouldn’t use this name out of anger. With or without our efforts, the name of Jesus will be held high because God says so.

Let’s do our part as recipients of salvation through Jesus Christ to keep His name held in high honor.

Hebrews 6: 7 Land that drinks in the rain often falling on it and that produces a crop useful to those for whom it is farmed receives the blessing of God. 8 But land that produces thorns and thistles is worthless and is in danger of being cursed. In the end it will be burned.

In these two verses, the land represent us (mankind). The rain or water represents the Word of God (Ephesians 5:26). A land or a person who is open and willing to receive the Word of God receives a blessing from God. However, a person whose life produces thorns and thistles due to the lack of Word entering their life, will eventually die.

The Word of God is very important to the believer. Without the Word of God constantly watering our hearts, we will be subjected to the world’s way of living, thinking, and responding.

Everyday, water your hearts by reading, listening, and receiving the Word of God to live in a way that pleases God and receive all that He has for us.

Stay Blessed!

John 16:23 In that day you will no longer ask me anything. I tell you the truth, my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name.

Jesus gave us the opportunity to receive a blank check. The scriptures says anything we ask in His name, it will be given to us. There are no limitations in the word “anything.” The only limits we have, are those we place on ourselves.

Just asking for the bare minimum not only limits us but, limits the growth or expansion of the Kingdom of God. Being minimalistic is essentially selfish. If we only ask God for just enough for ourselves, how can we be a blessing to anyone or anything?

Take the limits off and use the blank check Jesus has given us to be a blessing to the Kingdom of God, the people of God, and to live the abundant life that Jesus provided for us.

When we ask and believe God for a strong desire, we may have to go through the process of waiting on that desire. We may have to wait longer than we want to. While we’re waiting, we have to work endlessly not to allow doubt from entering our heart. The longer we wait, the stronger the doubts become. By the time we receive our desire, we can’t seem to enjoy it because we had to go through hell and high water to get it. The reason why some of us can’t seem to enjoy our desire is because our joy is invested in the wrong place. Our joy should not be attached to our desire. Our joy should be attached to God.

It was God Who was with us while we were waiting. It was God Who kept our minds at peace so we won’t go insane. It was the power of God we used to overcome doubt. God was with us the entire time. For that reason, we should have joy.

If our joy is wrapped in the promises of God and not the Creator of those promises, we are going to be disappointed every time. Our joy should be in the Lord.

John 15:10 If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father’s commands and remain in his love. 11 I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.

James 1:25 But if you look carefully into the perfect law that sets you free, and if you do what it says and don’t forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it.

In addition to understanding that the perfect law involves being Spirit-led and new commandment led (John 13:34), we have another step before we receive the ‘bless you for doing it.’ ‘Do what it says’ seems simple, by why would ‘don’t forget what you heard’ come after it rather than before it?

‘Don’t forget what you heard’ involves active listening and discerning the voice of God. You can hear a sound and think nothing of it or you can hear words, internalize them, and repeatedly act on them. As Romans 10:17 says, faith comes by hearing, it is implied that hearing is an ongoing action. We continuously hear God’s Word, and we actively listen to His voice. So, it is time to make time to be still and listen to God.

Then, God will bless you for doing it.

Inspired by Priscilla Shirer

James 1:25 But if you look carefully into the perfect law that sets you free, and if you do what it says and don’t forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it.

The ‘perfect law’ is not the Ten Commandments. For awhile, I did not understand the difference between the law and the perfect law. The Ten Commandments is the law for the unbeliever. It is the placeholder before one accepts Christ. The fallacy in it is that it is impossible for humans to keep. That is why so many sacrifices were required for those living by the law.

The ‘perfect law’ requires being a believer. As a believer, we have accepted the perfect sacrifice, Jesus, and as such have been given the Holy Spirit (Who knows the mind of God). We then choose to become Spirit-led by following the voice and promptings of the Holy Spirit and deciding to obey. The perfection of this law is that grace abounds: just as we did nothing to earn right-standing with God, we can do nothing to lose it. While obeying the Spirit results in a better quality of life and those who truly love Christ obey His new commands, our shortcomings do not change our position with God.

Live FREE!

Acts 9:36 In Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha, who was always doing good and helping the poor. 37About that time she became sick and died, and her body was washed and placed in an upstairs room.

Acts 9:40 Peter sent them all out of the room; then he got down on his knees and prayed. Turning toward the dead woman, he said, “Tabitha, get up.” She opened her eyes, and seeing Peter she sat up.

The kindness and love from Tabitha went a long way. It allowed her to receive favor from God. Her willingness to help the poor and do good got the attention of those who would eventually bring her back from the dead. Without her remarkable kind spirit, she would have been just another face in the country. If Tabitha’s kindness can physically bring her back from the dead, what are the chances that our kindness can benefit us?

There is no use in being mean or hurtful. Our God requires us to love and be merciful towards our enemies. When we are kind to others in spite of their ways, we position ourselves to receive favor from The Lord.

Show the love of God and release the spirit of love and compassion towards all.

Daniel 6:7 The royal administrators, prefects, satraps, advisers and governors have all agreed that the king should issue an edict and enforce the decree that anyone who prays to any god or man during the next thirty days, except to you, O king, shall be thrown into the lions’ den.

Daniel 6:10 Now when Daniel learned that the decree had been published, he went home to his upstairs room where the windows opened toward Jerusalem. Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he had done before.

There comes a time when every Christian needs to take a stand against something. Enough is enough. We shouldn’t want to sit and allow the world to make decisions and laws that go against the Kingdom of God. We shouldn’t want to be in the same spiritual and physical place we were 5 years ago. Take a stand!

Take a stand against seeing friends/loved ones live a miserable life when we can help them apply the Word of God to their life.

Take a stand against that reoccurring sin we’ve been struggling with in our life.

Take a stand against that long time church member who belittles and criticizes everyone who is not on their “level.”

We are not using our might and will power to take a stand but, the Spirit of God who gives power to overcome.

I’m reminded of the song Stand by John P. Kee

Stand for Holiness
Stand for Righteousness
And be counted among them
That shall reign with Him
You stand
When friends are gone
Stand when you’re all alone
And believe He shall receive His own

As we start this 2013 year, a lot of people will make the effort to workout, lose weight, go to church, and develop their spiritual relationship with God. This is great but, as we know most of us start “falling off” our quest towards the middle of the year. Praise God our blessings are not determined by our spiritual commitment because most of us would stop experiencing blessings towards the middle of the year.

God desires for us to increase. Increase in our faith, increase in our relationship with Him, increase in knowledge of Him through His Word.

For this 2013 year, we should make a conscious effort to spiritually increase without turning back. Not so that we can get “stuff” but, so that we can know and increase our relationship with our Heavenly Father.

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

Once we can see it, we should say it.

Mark 11:23 For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be removed, and be cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he said shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he said.

We shall have what we say. If we see ourselves as millionaires, we should say we’re millionaires. If we see ourselves as healed, we should say we’re healed. It’s not lying to say what God says about us. God has given us the ability to call those things that be not as though they were (Romans 4:17).

When we read God’s Word, we should see it in our lives. Once we see it, we should say it.

Be Blessed!

Genesis 13:14 All the land that you see I will give to you and your offspring forever.

According to Deuteronomy 10:17, God does not show partiality. Whatever He does for one man, He will do for another. If God can bless Abram with what he saw, He can bless us with what we can see. If we can see it, we can have it. This is not only with our natural eyes but, our spiritual eyes as well. We may not be millionaires now but, if we can see ourselves as millionaires we can have it. We may not be in good health now but, if we can see ourselves healed, we can have it.

We should see ourselves the way God sees us.

Be Blessed!

As we proceed into a new year, consider this as your mantra: I am not moved by what I see only by what I believe; and I believe the promises of God.

Habakkuk 3:17 Though the fig tree may not blossom, Nor fruit be on the vines; Though the labor of the olive may fail, And the fields yield no food; Though the flock may be cut off from the fold, And there be no herd in the stalls— 18 Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation. 19a The Lord God is my strength; He will make my feet like deer’s feet, And He will make me walk on my high hills.

Inspired by Bishop IV Hilliard

Daniel 11:32 He will flatter and win over those who have violated the covenant. But the people who know their God will be strong and will resist him.

Our knowledge of God has to go beyond the fact that He is our Creator and King of kings.
To have real knowledge of God means we know the totality of God. We have to know God is our Provider, our Deliverer, our Healer, our Help, our Strength, our Wise Counsel, our Protector, our Peace, and so much more.
When our knowledge of God becomes an assurance, we have no reason to fret over the petty attacks of the devil. Continue to know Him more and more day by day to live a peaceful abundant life.

Be blessed!

Galatians 3:13 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the Law, having become a curse for us– for it is written, “CURSED IS EVERYONE WHO HANGS ON A TREE “–

In the Old Testament, we see blessings for those who upheld the law and curses for those who opposed the law. When Jesus sacrificed Himself for mankind, this allowed the believer to experience every blessing God has in store and none of the curse. We are also no longer under the law but, grace. This means, anytime we go against the law or sin, God’s grace abounds or outweighs our sin. We no longer have to worry about crossing every “t” and dotting every “i” in order to receive blessings from God. We simply make the effort to please God and wherever we missed the mark, we receive and thank God for His grace. We should also receive the Holy Spirit’s correction in the areas where we sinned.

Praise God for His grace!

Be blessed!

Proverbs 12:3 A man is not established by wickedness, But the root of the righteous cannot be moved.

God is so amazing that He made it such that once we are made righteous (by accepting Jesus, God’s Son, as Savior), there is no bad thing we can do to refute that. So, do not condemn yourself or wallow in guilt because our root in righteousness cannot be moved.

Romans 5:19 For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so also by one Man’s obedience many will be made righteous.

But, we choose not to misuse our freedoms because we understand that right living is directly connected to a better quality of life.

Psalms 37:4 Delight yourself also in The Lord, And He shall give you the desires of your heart.

Jeremiah 32:27 “Behold, I am The Lord, the God of all flesh. Is there anything too hard for Me? 38 ‘They shall be My people, and I will be their God; 40 ‘And I will make an everlasting covenant with them, that I will not turn away from doing them good; but I will put My fear in their hearts so that they will not depart from Me. 41 ‘Yes, I will rejoice over them to do them good, and I will assuredly plant them in this land, with all My heart and with all My soul.’

Within this chapter the Bible says that The Lord caused evil, but God is love and while loving a child includes discipline, evil is not considered discipline. The chapter speaks about all of the unrighteous acts that the people committed. Because of their negative choices they allowed evil to reign in their lives and God allowed what they allowed because of the principles of dominion He gave us (Genesis 1 & Luke 10:19).

But God loves us so much, that He consistently looks for opportunities to bless us. Through Jesus’s sacrifice we receive all of the promises of God. Choose to walk in the abundance and not to allow evil into the everlasting covenant that we have with our God.

God gave man dominion over the earth. After God gave man dominion over the earth, God put Himself under the rules and regulations He established. Because God gave man the earth, everything in the earth must be done through a man. If Satan wants to do his work in the earth, he has to influence man to do his bidding. Likewise, if God wants to do work in the earth, He has to do it through a man. That’s why God had to come in the earth in the form of a man, better known as Jesus.

Just because God put Himself under His own rules, doesn’t change His all powerful and all great status. It just allows man to be a part of God’s plan into bringing His Kingdom here on earth.

Be the man or woman to assist in shaping God’s Kingdom on earth.

Matthew 6:10 Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.

Merry Christmas!

Psalm 118:28 You are my God, and I will praise you: you are my God, I will exalt you.

“You are my God.”
That includes being unashamed to click like on an “I heart Jesus” photo on Facebook. But how much more should that mean to us?

You are my God and I worship you even when I don’t feel like it or even when my circumstances are not what I want them to be.

You are my God when I am out with my friends or family members, co-workers, colleagues, or classmates.

You are my God is our declaration that we claim, represent, and honor God always.

Psalm 63:1 O God, you are my God; early will I seek you: my soul thirsts for you, my flesh longs for you in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is;

Philippians 4:6 Be anxious for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

1) Choose to lay aside thoughts of worry and replace them with words of praise and trust in God’s Word.

2) In everything, no matter how massive or minimal, make requests to God.

3) Pray, ask God, and do so with gratitude. Even if the situation is bad or frustrating, rather than whine and complain to God, praise and ask.

Even when we do not feel like it, let’s choose to change our attitude toward God to one of praise and gratefulness as we make our requests to Him.

Hebrews 8:12 For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more.”

When we fall or miss the mark in pleasing God, it’s not over. God is not going to throw us away or keep His blessings from us. We can simply receive our forgiveness and start over again. When we start over, we start over as if we did absolutely nothing wrong. We start over as if this was the first time. We may remember our mistakes or shortcomings but, God literally does not.

Receive the loving forgiveness of God and move on.

When we conduct business with a lawyer or a financial advisor, we usually pay them for their services. Likewise, when it comes to God, we technically pay Him for His services. We pay God for His services in the form of tithes and offering.

In Malachi 3:10, God is advertising His business/services to us by saying, Test me in this,” says the LORD Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it. God is daring us to join His business of giving our tithes and offering. God doesn’t need our business but, He wants our business. God wants us to be a in a place of more than enough and He desires for His people to be blessed. The only way to have more than enough is through our obedience in giving.

God’s not trying to take something from us. He’s only using this method to bless us.

Malachi 3:10 Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the LORD Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it.

Are you saved? If yes, guess what? According to Hebrews 1:14, you have inherited God’s angels as servants. You may be asking, what’s the big deal about angels? What can they do for me?

1. Angels fight our battles.

2 Kings 19:35 That night the angel of the LORD went out and put to death a hundred and eighty-five thousand men in the Assyrian camp. When the people got up the next morning–there were all the dead bodies!

2. Angels assist in manifesting the promises of God.

Psalm 103:20 Bless the LORD, O you his angels, you mighty ones who do his word, obeying the voice of his word!

3. Angels are innumerable.

Hebrews 12:22 But you are come unto mount Zion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels,

These are just a few things angels can do to enhance the quality of our life. The great thing about it is; they work for us (the believer) and we can employ them anytime.  It’s up to us to activate our angels and send them on their assignment. Use your angels at your convenience.

Hebrews 2:1 For this reason we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away from it.

When a supervisor is speaking to an employee, it’s best for that employee to give them their undivided attention. It would be considered rude or disrespectful for that person to engage in another activity when they are supposed to be listening to the person in authority.

We have an opportunity to hear a Word from the Lord through sermons or through our spirits. When we have that opportunity, it’s in our best interest to give God our undivided attention. Through His Word, God gives us direction, help, and answers. It’s in our best interest to give God our undivided attention.

Be Blessed!

Romans 5: 19For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous. 20Moreover the law entered, that the offense might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound:

Bask in His grace more, understanding that just as nothing we did earned us right standing with God, nothing we do can lose that (other than to deny Christ). But, not taking liberty with that so as to diminish the light that He has called us to be.

Matt 5: 16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven. ~ Jesus

2 Corinthians 4: 6For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, has shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

We are called to be light in this dark world. Set the world on fire by reflecting Christ and attracting others to Him. Love more, praise more, read more, pray for others more.

Some people ask questions like, why would God allow…?

Things to know about God:

1. God is love. (1John 4: 8He that loves not knows not God; for God is love.)

2. God loves unconditionally. (John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.)

3. God desires for all men to be saved and walk up rightly. (John 14: 23Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man loves me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.)

4. God gives every man free will. (John 14: 24He that loves me not keeps not my sayings: and the word which you hear is not mine, but the Father’s who sent me.)

God, does not force his will on anyone, but He has made opportunities for us to overcome the enemy. Our role is the listen to, read, and have faith in His Word. We, those who have accepted Christ as Savior, are called to love others, spread the Gospel, walk in power and authority, and exercise our faith. Run to and trust God!

Luke 10: 19Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.

With the invention of smart phones, tablets, apps, and additional technology, it gets harder and harder for the believer to grow spiritually. Technology is a God given benefit for mankind. Unfortunately, the enemy uses technology as a tool to hinder the believer’s growth. With modern technology, the enemy has created distractions to prevent us from growing spiritually. We have to check our Facebook accounts, play our games, watch our tv shows, and tweet about the tv shows we’re watching. All of this is distracting the believer from praying, listening to the Word of God, reading the Word of God, and meditating.

Think about time management. Ask yourselves, how much time am I doing something else besides bettering myself spiritually? If we find ourselves living our lives around technology instead of God, then we need to make some changes.

Minimize the distractions.

1 Corinthians 7:35 I am saying this for your benefit, not to place restrictions on you. I want you to do whatever will help you serve the Lord best, with as few distractions as possible.

John 4:23 Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks.

Have you ever realized worship is literally the only thing we can give God?

Some people may say they give their money to God. Well, according to Luke 6:38 when we give it, it will be given back to us. So…giving is for our benefit. Some may say they give their time to God. Well, according to Galatians 6:7 we reap what we sow.  So… giving our time is for our benefit. Some may say they gave their life to God. According to Romans 10:9 when we give our life to God, we receive salvation. So…giving our life is for our benefit.

Worship is the only thing we can give God without a return attached to it. Worship is not a time to be entertained or a time to daydream. Worship is a response to the goodness of God. Worship is a time we show our appreciation to a holy, loving, giving God Who cares for us dearly.

We should intensify our worship because it is the only thing we can give God.

Inspired by Pastor Derrick A. Golden (thencfc.com)

*everydaygodswill.com

Romans 1:16 I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.

In order for us not to be ashamed of the gospel of Jesus Christ, we have to make no reputation of ourselves. According to Philippians 2:7, Jesus did not make a reputation for himself.

(Philippians 2:7 but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.)

When we make no reputation for ourselves, we position ourselves to do more for the Kingdom of God. When we make no reputation for ourselves, we can literally pray for a random person whose leg is in a cast at a public restaurant without being embarrassed or feeling awkward. We can stop to give a walking stranger a ride to their destination without feeling scared or nervous. Most importantly, we can speak to friends, relatives, and strangers about Jesus Christ without caring about being labeled “religious” or a “Jesus freak.” We should take the chains off our minds and stop giving people the power to control the actions God desires from us. We are the body of Christ and we must do the work of the Lord in the earth. Never be ashamed of gospel.

* everydaygodswill.com

2 Timothy 1:7 For God has not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

The scripture says God did not give us the spirit of fear but, of power, love, and a sound mind. This means the spirit of fear produces the opposite of what God provides. The spirit of fear produces weakness, hate, and a troubled mind. The spirit of fear is detrimental to anyone.

When the spirit of fear is present, we will experience a lack of confidence or weakness in certain situations. When the spirit of fear is present, we will be envious or hate another person’s achievements. When the spirit of fear is present, we will be subjected to mental illness.

Remove the spirit of fear and receive the life God desires for His people, of power, love, and a sound mind.

Many people base their decisions on one of two emotions; love or fear. A decision based on emotions is destined to fail. Our emotions change given the situation. Although our emotions can change quickly, the decisions we make based on our emotions can have a long-term effect on our lives.
Even if a decision is based on love doesn’t mean it was the correct decision. God wants us at a place where our decisions are based on total obedience to Him.

Obedience to God includes a decision check. We should ask ourselves these 3 questions.

1. Is my decision Rooted in The Word of God?
If our decisions are not rooted in something eternal, they are destined to eventually fail.
2. Is my decision Led by The Spirit?
When we arrive at a place where the Holy Spirit leads and guides our steps, the pressure is off of us because it’s up to Him to make that particular situation work.
3. Am I at Peace?
If we don’t have peace after making a decision, the Holy Spirit is convicting our hearts trying let us know our decision needs to be revised.

In conclusion, our obedience to God should determine our decisions.

Psalm 25:12 Who are those who fear the LORD? He will show them the path they should choose.

* everydaygodswill.com

1 Cor 3: 21So don’t boast about following a particular human leader. For everything belongs to you— 22whether Paul or Apollos or Peter, or the world, or life and death, or the present and the future. Everything belongs to you, 23and you belong to Christ, and Christ belongs to God.

We don’t fret about who is or is no longer in charge. We reside in peace and joy, knowing that we are taken care of through the provision of God (Matthew 6:33) and the power we have been given through Christ.

1 Timothy 2:1-4 Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

Regardless of how we feel about them, we are supposed to pray for people in authority. So, edify your employer, manager, pastor, leader, educator, parents, spouse, mayor, president. Pray for their salvation, relationship with God, their health and family, speak life. And, while you are speaking life over them, know that God sees you.

Galatians 6:7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man sows, that shall he also reap.

So many people view this Christian life as a struggle in so many ways. The main struggle people have is dealing with sin. Christians tend to live a sin free life. There are great benefits in this effort but, it will never completely happen.
The reaction to sin is different for different people. Whenever Christians sin, some verbally abuse themselves saying, “I hate myself” or “I’m so stupid.” Others minimize or remove their status with God saying, “I’m not worthy God” or “God doesn’t love me anymore.” Then you have the people who just give up saying, “This Christian life is too hard, I quit!” If we keep beating ourselves when we sin, we might find ourselves doing all three.

Sin was never intended to be conquered on our own. That’s why God sent His Son Jesus to die for ALL of our sins. With the death and resurrection of Jesus, God WILL NOT, I repeat, WILL NOT count our sins against us (Romans 4:8). 1 Peter 4:8 says love covers a multitude of sins. Jesus loved us so much until His love through His sacrifice covered ALL our sins.

This IS NOT giving people a license to sin but, a sense of peace when we sin. We have peace knowing we have a Savior who died for our sins and a God who does not hold our sins against us.

Praise God we are free!

Roamans 13:8 Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellowman has fulfilled the law.

In the Old Testament, there were hundreds of commands that were in the Law of Moses. If just one of the commandments was broken, the entire law was broken (James 2:10). With the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, we are no longer under the law but, grace. Although we are under grace, Jesus gave us commandments we must fulfill. The root of the two commandments is love. Love fulfills the law.

Loving God and loving one another is not a one-time event but, a continuous effort on our part. Loving others is not all that easy depending on how others treat us. Depending on life’s challenges and circumstances, loving God may seem a little difficult as well. Loving God and others is something we will always owe.

As we grow and develop in our relationship with God, we should grow and develop in love.

*everydaygodswill.com