Graced To Do God's Will

1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.

Anytime we sin, we are to confess our sins to God. Once we confess our sins to God, we need to forgive ourselves. By not forgiving ourselves, guilt and condemnation set in. That guilt makes us feel like we’re unworthy and we need to punish ourselves because we sinned against God. We may feel too unworthy to go to church or accept a blessing because we’ve sinned. When we punish ourselves, we insult Jesus. Punishing ourselves literally lets Jesus know His sacrifice and punishment for ALL our sins wasn’t good enough.

Once we ask for forgiveness, we are forgiven. We may not feel like we’re forgiven but, because God’s word says we’re forgiven; we are forgiven.

Praise God for His grace and mercy; Who forgives and forgets all our sins once we confess. 

Inspired by Pastor Derrick Golden

John 9:6 Having said this, he spit on the ground, made some mud with the saliva, and put it on the man’s eyes. 7 “Go,” he told him, “wash in the Pool of Siloam” (this word means Sent). So the man went and washed, and came home seeing.

Luke 18:40 …Jesus asked him, 41 “What do you want me to do for you?” “Lord, I want to see,” he replied. 42 Jesus said to him, “Receive your sight; your faith has healed you.” 43 Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus, praising God. When all the people saw it, they also praised God.

*Notice, they both received the same promise of healing however, Jesus healed them in two different ways.

God’s promises for our life (being healed, prosperous, wealthy, etc.) are all found in God’s word. However, the road we travel to obtain these promises will be different for each individual person.
For example, God may have told one person to sow a $100 seed at their church. In return for their obedience, God blessed them with an unexpected $1000 bonus at their job. We can’t look at and attempt to duplicate that person’s testimony and expect God to do the same thing, the same exact way, for us. That word from God saying, “sow $100” was specifically for that person that day. Yes, God wants to bless us with an unexpected $1000 but, He may want to do it in a different way. Don’t limit God to one or two peoples’ testimony. Our job is to learn to hear from God for ourselves.

If God tells you to sow $100 at your church; do it. If God tells you to volunteer at a shelter; do it. If God says go help a homeless man; do it. This is not limited to obtaining money. This is for whatever we desire from God so, whatever God tells us to do; be obedient.

Be Blessed!

It’s one thing to handle trials and tribulations due to sin but, it’s another thing to deal with trials and tribulations in the midst of doing all you know to do that’s right. It almost feels better experiencing trials due to sin because at least we know the cause. Also, when we experience tribulation due to sin, we can implement a quick solution to our problems (stop sinning).

But, what about that person who suffers in spite of their righteous living? How does a person handle losing a job when they pray, fast, and faithfully serve in their local church. How does that devout Christian man deal with that serious disease in his body? How does that virtuous woman handle an accident where her only car is totaled?

The answer is, faith. We have to have this relentless, unmovable, and unshakeable type of faith when it comes to God and His ways. We have to get this mindset where we can boldly and honestly say no matter what happens, I trust God! Jesus even told us in John 16:33 we will have tribulation so, the trials without a cause shouldn’t surprise us. Today, I want to share a few encouraging scriptures that will uplift the righteous man and woman who are in the middle of their storm in spite of their upright living.

James 1:2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds,

Romans 8:28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

Ephesians 6:13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.

Be blessed men and women of God and stay strong.

What if we bought a $500 IPad and the screen freezes from time to time? Or, what if we purchased a brand new car and it shuts off randomly? Most of us would be upset and would want to return the item. Anytime we purchase an expensive item, we expect it to work properly.

Well, over 2000 years ago God purchased our life through the sacrifice of His Son Jesus. Money or gold was not valuable enough to purchase our freedom. It’s only by His blood we are saved. God is no different from us. Just like we want our purchased items to function properly, God wants His purchased items (us) to function properly. He doesn’t want to see His people intentionally sinning, just to ask for forgiveness. He doesn’t want to see His people struggling with sickness, poverty, or lack due to the sin in their life. He wants to see His items reach their fullest potential and function properly.

With all that being said, there is one big difference between God and us. God will never return us, ask for a refund, or toss us to the side because of our imperfections. God’s grace and loving-kindness is so great until He’s willing to work with us until we die. That’s an awesome thing to know that no matter how bad we get, God is still willing to work with and use us. Praise God for His love.

1 Corinthians 6:20 for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body.

Psalm 118: 24This is the day which the LORD has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.

Most Christians can quote this verse in their sleep but, how many of us actually do it? How many people really wake up rejoicing and are truly glad about the day? Most people’s day is often dictated by what’s going on in their life. Most people wake up upset because it’s Monday or upset because of an argument they had with their spouse. No matter what the negative situation is, we are to rejoice and be glad.

We’re not rejoicing because of the negative experience; we’re rejoicing in spite of the negative experience. We’re rejoicing because it’s a new day God has made. A new day means new beginnings or a fresh start for God to move in that negative situation. It’s an opportunity for God to make your good days even better.

So, no matter the day (good or not so good), wake up rejoicing because it’s a day that God has made.

Rejoice!!!

1. Apologizing and confessing are different.  Confessing is specifically naming the sin to God that you are repenting of, and then making a choice to let it go.
1 John 1: 8If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. 9If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.

2. Once we confess, we have to forgive ourselves.  God instructs us to forgive men, including us, our sins.  We have to stop bringing up our sin, attempting to punish ourselves.  If we try to do penance for our sins, we are telling God that His Sacrifice which covered all sin, was not enough.
Matthew 6: 15But if you forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

3. We have to stop bringing up our previous sin and allow God to forget our sins.  No matter how ‘bad’ it was, the day you repented (confessed, and let it go), God forgot it.  We have to stop reminding God of what He already cleansed us of.
Isaiah 43: 18Remember you not the former things, neither consider the things of old. 25I, even I, am he that blots out your transgressions for my own sake, and will not remember your sins.

James 1:5 If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.

Many of us can categorize our life, maybe work, school, home, church, family, and friends.  No matter what phase of life we are in, most of us have things that need to be prioritized.  While God should always be our top priority, many of our schedules would not support that claim.  So, it is up to us to choose to structure our lives in a manner that pleases God. 

First, we must seek Him and make Him a part of our day.  Maybe we commit to wake-up five minutes earlier so that we can begin our day with a conversation with God.  Then, set aside additional time throughout the day to read and hear God’s Word. 

Next, we should take all of the ‘categories’ in our lives and ask God, what would You have me do?  Be willing to claim or relinquish responsibility where God tells you to.  Know that if He called you to it, He will provide what you need to accomplish it; and if He instructed you to let it go, then trust that it will be alright without your input.  Remember to seek God and trust His wisdom.

Hebrews 11: 6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that comes to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

Deuteronomy 8:11 “But that is the time to be careful! Beware that in your plenty you do not forget the LORD your God and disobey his commands, regulations, and decrees that I am giving you today. 12 For when you have become full and prosperous and have built fine homes to live in, 13 and when your flocks and herds have become very large and your silver and gold have multiplied along with everything else, be careful! 14 Do not become proud at that time and forget the LORD your God, who rescued you from slavery in the land of Egypt.

17 He did all this so you would never say to yourself, ‘I have achieved this wealth with my own strength and energy.’ 18 Remember the LORD your God. He is the one who gives you power to be successful, in order to fulfill the covenant he confirmed to your ancestors with an oath.

Before we get blessed, we do all we know to do to attain that blessing. We fast, pray, seek God continuously, go to church regularly, etc. But, as soon as we receive that blessing our commitment to God slowly starts to unravel. For example, when someone is blessed with a better career opportunity, they may feel the need to sleep in on Sundays. Or, if God blesses someone with a new car, they may feel like it’s too much of an inconvenience to take another person to church or the grocery store.

We usually don’t continue our commitment to the ways of God until we desire something else from Him. It seems our blessings have taken priority over our commitment to the ways of God.

We should never allow our blessings to get in the way of our commitment to God. If we pray, fast, tithe, regularly attend church, etc. before the blessing, we should do the same, if not more, after the blessing. We should ask ourselves who do we serve? Do we serve the blessing or the One who provides the blessing (God)?

Mark 16:15 He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation.
Mark 16:20 Then the disciples went out and preached everywhere, and the Lord worked with them and confirmed his word by the signs that accompanied it.

Why don’t we see these signs, miracles, and wonders in church every Sunday when the gospel is being preached? Once again, these signs and wonders are for the unbeliever to believe (John 4:48). What good would it do for a believer, who knows God is a healer, provider, protector, etc. to see signs and wonders weekly? It would only continue to confirm what he already knows about God, while the unbeliever is outside of the church hoping for a sign that God exists.

Also, we, the believer, were not instructed to live life by miracles. We’re instructed to live by faith (Romans 1:17). Everything that the believer needs or desires can and should be obtained by faith. I’m not saying miracles from God won’t ever happen but, we shouldn’t live by the miracle, we should live by faith. We should live knowing our faith will bring whatever we, the godly, desire to pass.

Be Blessed!

Some people have this misconception that at a certain age we become weak, senile, and feeble. However, we don’t have to accept or receive that in our lives. In fact, being weak, senile and feeble goes against the will of God.

God promised us with long life He will satisfy His people (Psalm 91:16). In other words, we are to have a satisfied long life. What sane person is satisfied being weak and feeble? God also promised that our youth is renewed like an eagle (Psalm 103:5). Finally, God does not show favoritism (Acts 10:34). If He did it for one, He has to do it for another. Moses, in his old age, was not weak in his body and his eye sight was not failing. If God can sustain Moses’ health and strength, He can do it for us.

Declare strength in your mind and strength in your body and expect nothing less.

Deuteronomy 34:7 Moses was a hundred and twenty years old when he died, yet his eyes were not weak nor his strength gone.

Matthew 9: 9And as Jesus passed forth from there, he saw a man, named Matthew, sitting at the receipt of custom: and he said unto him, Follow me. And he arose, and followed him.

Matthew obeyed without question, hesitation, or doubt. When he heard God’s direction, he responded immediately with obedience. God speaks to us through His Holy Spirit (John 16:13) and sometimes His people (Matthew 10:41). The next time we hear God, our response should not be how?, why me?, are you sure God?, just immediate obedience.

Proverbs 29:25 A person’s fear sets a trap [for him], but one who trusts the LORD is safe

When fear enters our life, it sets a trap for us. We may think a little fear is okay or a little fear is healthy but, the Bible clearly states that fear sets a trap for us.

Fear set up a trap in Job’s life. Yes, Job was an upright man but, Job prayed and fasted out of fear. Job prayed hoping and wishing nothing bad would happen to him or his family. He didn’t pray with a confidence knowing God was his protector and provider. That’s why he said in Job 3:25 What I feared has come upon me; what I dreaded has happened to me. Job admitted his fear. Fear literally gave the devil access to ruin and destroy every good thing God provided in Job’s life..

Don’t allow fear to enter and set up a trap in your life.
Be faithful not, fearful!

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

What does it mean to be strong in the Lord? Being strong in the Lord means to place our entire trust and reliance on God’s ability to produce results in our lives. The only strength we use is holding on to our faith during troubling times. Daily, Satan is attempting to rip our faith away by making our problems seem bigger than God’s Word. But, when we choose not to be moved by what we see and only be moved by the word of God; we win.

God is not asking us to be strong in our own might and produce our own results but, be strong in His might. Have the confidence in knowing no matter what it looks like His Word will come to pass.

Be strong saints of God.

Mark 1:13 And he was there in the wilderness forty days, tempted of Satan; and was with the wild beasts; and the angels ministered unto him.

Jesus is referring to the Holy Spirit when He promised us another Comforter. The phrase “another Comforter” means there is already one type of Comforter in place for us.

Who is this initial Comforter?

I would venture to say the initial comforter or comforters are angels of God. After Jesus was tempted by Satan in Mark 1:13, angels of God came and ministered to Jesus. They were not there to preach a sermon to Jesus but, to rebuild His faith, confidence, and strength that He used to resist the temptations of the devil.

Likewise, when we’re in a faith fight or fighting temptations we have the right not only to call on the Holy Spirit for help but, to call on angelic messengers to minister to us through these difficult times. God did not intend on us to make it on our own. He has given us help beyond measure to go through life.

We are not in this world alone. We should always remember to use our God given resources.  

Be Blessed

Hebrews 9: 10 God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them.  12We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised.

Sometimes it seems as though we sit in difficult situations for longer than we think we should.  We pray more, fast more, give more, confess more, worship God more, and honor God.  We may ponder, why hasn’t breakthrough manifested in the earthly realm yet? 

The answer? Keep doing what you are doing.  Would you be praying, fasting, giving, confessing, worshipping as much if you weren’t in this situation?  Appreciate this as a time to grow closer to God and not become lazy, and continue in your faith. 

Joseph waited 13 years after his God-given dream before he became second only to Pharoah in his position.  Abraham waited 25 years before Isaac was born. So, we imitate those faithful ones (Hebrews 11) and we patiently await what has been promised.

In society, majority rules. This is not so in the Kingdom of God. God only needs one person to represent a group of people.
We can see this in the Old and New Testament. In Numbers 14:1-20 one man by the name of Moses intercedes on the behalf of a rebellious people. In Romans 8:34 one man by the name of Jesus Christ intercedes on the behalf of the entire Christian body.

The power of one still holds true today. God only needs one person that can make a difference in the lives of others. He only needs one employee to pray and intercede on the behalf of a struggling company who is thinking about laying people off. He only needs one family member to pray for a marriage that is on the rocks. He only needs one parent to pray for their children’s school from being overpopulated. All it takes is one.

Whatever situation you or someone else may be facing, be that one.

(Moses speaking to God)
Numbers 14:19 In accordance with your great love, forgive the sin of these people, just as you have pardoned them from the time they left Egypt until now.” 20 The Lord replied, “I have forgiven them, as you asked.

Psalm 29:2 Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name; worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness.

When we first get born again, we love and praise God because of the benefits and blessings. We love God for what He has done and what He can do in our lives. He can bless us with all our needs and desires and keep us from burning in hell. Initially, these are great reasons to praise and love God. But, eventually we need to graduate to a place where we serve God simply because of who He is. We need to get to a place where we seek His face not His hand. Praise Him because He is God. Worship Him because He is King of the world. Love Him because He loves us. The benefits and blessings are still there but, our focus is on pleasing God.

Have a blessed day.

Mark 12:30: Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ 31: The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.”

Jesus sets an order for the commands we are to follow. First, we are to love God. Secondly, we are to love our neighbor. Finally, we are to love ourselves. Most people miss the part about loving ourselves because it doesn’t directly state that in the verse. However, we can’t love our neighbor as ourselves if we don’t initially love ourselves.

You might think everyone loves themselves but, that’s not always the case. Satan attempts to use our sin (omission or commission) to condemn us. God is so good to us until Satan will even attempt to use God’s goodness to condemn us. Satan will say, “You should be ashamed for doing…” and “You know, God’s love is taken away after you sin.” Little by little the devil chops at our spirit making us feel bad, sad, and depressed until we eventually don’t love ourselves.
BUT…….
Thanks be to God Who sent His Son Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of our sins (1 John 1:19).
Thanks be to God Who did not send His Son to condemn us but, to save us (John 3:17).
Thanks be to God Who sent His Son to make us new through Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17).

So, love yourself because God loves you, forgive yourself because when we ask for forgiveness God forgives, and walk in your new nature in Christ.

John 1: 1In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2He was with God in the beginning. 3Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4In him was life, and that life was the light of men.

God’s Word is powerful. It was so powerful that God manifested His Word by wrapping Him in flesh, naming Him Jesus, and granting the option of salvation for mankind.

While Jesus, now sits at the right hand of God, God is so awesome that He left us the seed. We have His Word with us, but we have to choose to study, audibly declare, and stand in faith for manifestation of God’s Word in our lives.

Inspired by Dr. Creflo Dollar

1 Corinthians 5: 9When I wrote to you before, I told you not to associate with people who indulge in sexual sin. 10But I wasn’t talking about unbelievers who indulge in sexual sin, or are greedy, or cheat people, or worship idols. You would have to leave this world to avoid people like that.

11 I meant that you are not to associate with anyone who claims to be a believer yet indulges in sexual sin, or is greedy, or worships idols, or is abusive, or is a drunkard, or cheats people. Don’t even eat with such people.

12It isn’t my responsibility to judge outsiders, but it certainly is your responsibility to judge those inside the church who are sinning. 13God will judge those on the outside; but as the Scriptures say, “You must remove the evil person from among you.” (Deut 17:7)

Jesus hung around people who had a heart for Him (the saved and Christ-like) and people who knew nothing about Him (the lost – so that He could save them). But, those who claim to be Christians, yet still intentionally sin we are not to socialize with. Why, so harsh? Because if we, by association, show that those things are acceptable, we have just become a stumbling block for the weak and unsaved (2 Corinthians 6: 3 and 1 Corinthians 8:9). Rather, we choose to be Christians (Christ-like) and make a continuous effort to do God’s will.

Mark 3:35 For whosoever shall do the will of God, the same is my brother, and my sister, and mother.

This is what David said to his son, Solomon, before he died.

1 Kings 2: 2 “I am about to go the way of all the earth,” he said. “So be strong, show yourself a man, 3 and observe what the Lord your God requires: Walk in his ways, and keep his decrees and commands, his laws and requirements, as written in the Law of Moses, so that you may prosper in all you do and wherever you go,

David gave Solomon the keys to a prosperous life. At the end of the day, it was up to Solomon to heed David’s advice or not. Solomon could have disobeyed God and dishonored his father by doing whatever he desired.
Let’s see what Solomon decided to do…

1 Kings 3:3 Solomon showed his love for the LORD by walking according to the statutes of his father David, except that he offered sacrifices and burned incense on the high places

God wants all His children to be prosperous in every area of their life (finances, health, marriage, relationships, employment, etc) but, it’s up to us to heed God’s instruction. God’s not trying to control our lives. He only wants us to make a conscious decision to live for Him so that in return, He can prosper our lives.
Let’s see how God prospered Solomon’s life…

1 Kings 2:23 King Solomon was greater in riches and wisdom than all the other kings of the earth. 24 The whole world sought audience with Solomon to hear the wisdom God had put in his heart.

If you obey God, God will reward you.
Be Blessed!

Genesis 2:7 the LORD God formed the man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being.

God gave all of mankind life by breathing breath into Adam. What better way to show our gratitude to God than giving that same breath back to Him with a sacrifice of praise. God has done some marvelous things in our lives. In fact, I would not be able to write these scriptures and you would not be able to read these scriptures if it were not for God. He blessed us tremendously. We could have been dead, feeble, disease stricken, or lost in our mind but, God’s grace would not allow it. To those who are feeble, disease stricken, or lost in their mind they have a right to praise God also because, God is a Healer and He can heal every disease. God can raise the dead too. Praise God for life, health, and strength. Praise God for food, water, and shelter. Praise God for joy, peace, and salvation.

Let everything that has breath praise the LORD. Praise the LORD (Psalm 150:6).

1 Corinthians 9:27 But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.

The Bible informs us WE must keep our bodies and bring it (our bodies) into subjection. What this is essentially saying is, we have dominion and control over our bodies. No one is going to control it for us. The body represents every fleshly desire. God is not going to control or discipline our flesh because He left that responsibility for us.

Every addiction, disorder, or issue regarding our bodies, we control. We have dominion and control whether we stay in shape or become obese. We have dominion and control whether we give into sexual temptations. We have dominion and control whether we allow drugs or alcohol to rule our flesh.

The point is, no one can control our flesh, but us. God has given us free will and He can’t even control our flesh, or else He would violate His law.

The question now is, are we going to let our bodies (our flesh man) rule us with its lustful desires or are we (our spirit man) going to bring our bodies into subjection?

2 Timothy 1:8, 9 So do not be ashamed to testify about our Lord, or ashamed of me his prisoner. But join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God, who has saved us and called us to a holy life–not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time,

God’s grace is God’s blessing, protecting, and caring for us even though we have not earned it or deserved it. God still allows us to have food to eat, promotions on our job, and a drama free life even though some of us are rationalizing our sin, intentionally sinning, and encouraging others to sin. The grace of God literally holds back the punishment the enemy could inflict in our lives. We should be experiencing sickness and disease, poverty, and death but, God’s grace says “NO!”

We should recognize God’s grace by giving thanks to God for the things He’s done in spite of our ways and live a pleasing life showing Him His grace is appreciated.

Praise God for God’s grace.