Flawed Yet loved – March 31, 2015

Romans 5:7 – 9     …7 For one will hardly die for a righteous man; though perhaps for the good man someone would dare even to die. 8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him.…

John 3:16     For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

Ephesians 5:2     and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

1 John 4:10     This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.

What would happen if you dropped all the pretense and façade and showed people who you really are? What would happen if you peeled back the layers and became more comfortable in your calling, purpose and humanity? What would it hurt to live your life on trial, telling the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the trust so help you God? I can tell you that we would find that there are more similarities that would bring us together than we find and use to divide us.

Maybe in being open and honest we would learn how to be open about our failures, fears and frailties and stop bragging about our success (really when you think about it…why do you ever really need to announce a success, wouldn’t it speak for itself?) It’s time to give open and honest testimony….speak of the failures prior to the success.

Adam found himself naked before God and his wife…what’s my point? My point is that we have to love and be loved by someone to such a deep degree that we can say “This is who I am and it’s all that I am  at the moment. Love me and be patient with me. I have unlimited potential but today I am this….”

We dishonor our process when we “sell out”  by accepting …if the only way someone can love you is after you have perfected imperfections; please believe they don’t love you, they love what you can do for them  (façade maintenance)

Thank God that He doesn't wait until we are perfected. He loves us while we believe we’re unlovable so we don’t have to hide. He loves us with an everlasting love.

Grace and Truth – March 30, 2015

John 17:17     Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.

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

John 1:16-18     …16 For of His fullness we have all received, and grace upon grace. 17 For the Law was given through Moses; grace and truth were realized through Jesus Christ. 18 No one has seen God at any time; the only begotten God who is in the bosom of the Father, He has explained Him.

Many people who have experience trauma tend to join churches that tend to lean toward a legalistic interpretation of the word. They tend to view God primarily as a disciplinarian because that has been their only experience with authority. They tend to see God in very concrete terms with a very black and white code of ethics. This type of ministry may be a draw for people who are very task/performance oriented in their thinking. Morality and ethics are important in the life of every believer but there is a big difference between morality and legalism. It’s important that we have a clear sense of who God is and how He shows up. God operates in order and with balance.

The glory of God burst forth when there is a symmetry and balance between grace and truth. Religion and legalism do not have the power to change and transform. For a person who is hurt and wounded a set of black and white rule can be misleading and bring about a sense of self –righteousness. Let me tell you a biblical truth God doesn't have to punish you to heal you. Jesus has already covered you in prayer and with the blood.

Trust in and believe the word of God and be set free. Jesus has the key to every shackle, chain and prison. He has to ability to release from every “prison” (oppression)  – sexually, racially, socially, emotionally, financially; God is no respecter of person or position…He see souls in need of help.

Please note God’s purpose for not seeing the groups – they are things that we tend to use to divide the body of Christ. It is His wish that we receive them and celebrate the diversity of His creation.

It is a fallacy to teach and believe that there is only one way to worship God!

Thank you 3.29.5

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Paused - – March 29, 2015

Job 14:14     If someone dies, will they live again? All the days of my hard service I will wait for my renewal to come.

Psalm 40:1-4     1 I waited patiently for the LORD;  and He inclined to me and heard my cry. 2 He brought me up out of the pit of destruction, out of the miry clay, and He set my feet upon a rock making my footsteps firm. 3 He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God; many will see and fear and will trust in the LORD. 4 How blessed is the man who has made the LORD his trust, and has not turned to the proud, nor to those who lapse into falsehood.

Romans 15:4-5 “For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope. Now may the God of patience and comfort grant you to be like-minded toward one another, according to Christ Jesus.”

When death comes, and it will…it would be terrible to think of my life in retrospect, all the times that I've mistaken delay and setbacks as denials. Life will always have what I call hiccups, breaks and times of struggle and conflict. If you have and understand your divine purpose and life has pressed the pause button on you, just HANG ON! Keep your place in line. Life will come full circle and get back to you. Trust me it is well worth the wait.

The true test of faith is how we respond to being in a holding pattern and the silence and solitude that comes with not knowing. The enemy uses indecision to attack; yet we still have the tendency to become activists and we do not know “GOD’S” cause. Have you ever felt stagnated? Have you ever felt that a blessing was just around the corner and the wait was a tease? All of us have faced days where it seems God has forgotten us; the time feels like an eternity. Our patience gets a strenuous workout when we have to wait on God…but the true lesson is in learning to wait….sometimes God’s answer is not a clear and definitive yes or no, sometimes it’s a NOT NOW!

Lessons Learned? – March 28, 2015

Numbers 32:13     The LORD's anger burned against Israel and he made them wander in the wilderness forty years, until the whole generation of those who had done evil in his sight was gone.

James 5:7-8      Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it, until it receives the early and the late rains. You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand.

1 Peter 1:14      As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance,

Acts 5:29      But Peter and the apostles answered, “We must obey God rather than men.

I just heard someone say that they had to learn something over and over. It just struck me as odd that they said they had to learn it over and over; my question is that if you learned it why do you have to do it over and over? That’s just how I thin. I took it to another lever in my thinking in that because the person had to repeat the lessons I surmised that there are different levels in the process….

Our desire for quick fixes and immediate gratification can do one of two things:

1)      We can sit with the lesson and learn from it. We can experience the teaching in its fullness when we sit with it and look for the message that is provided to develop our characters.

2)      We can take the message in stride only to have to repeat the lesson again at some point in our lives

God desires our obedience. He wants us to get the lesson. Through the lessons we develop character and strength. If we fail to learn and obey we are setting ourselves up to repeat the lesson

“Wilderness wandering” refers to the predicament of the Israelites due to their disobedience and unbelief. The Lord delivered His people from Egyptian bondage as described in Exodus, chapters 1–12. They were to take possession of the land God had promised their forefathers, a land “flowing with milk and honey” (Exodus 3:8). Prior to entry, however, they became convinced they could not overthrow the current inhabitants of the land, even though God told them they could. Their lack of belief in God’s word and promises brought forth the wrath of God. He cursed them with forty years of wilderness wandering until the unbelieving generation died off, never stepping foot in the Promised Land.

Secrecy, Guilt and Shame - March 27,2015

Psalm 118:16 -18     …16 The right hand of the LORD is exalted; The right hand of the LORD does valiantly. 17 I will not die, but live, And tell of the works of the LORD. 18 The LORD has disciplined me severely, But He has not given me over to death.…

Mark 5:25 -26     And a woman was there who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years. She had suffered a great deal under the care of many doctors and had spent all she had, yet instead of getting better she grew worse.

Matthew 9:12     ...Jesus said, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick.

Things that are covered don't heal well.

Maybe that's what Jesus was thinking when he called the infirmed woman. It takes a massive amount of courage to seek help in areas that everyone and everything tells you to keep hidden. The Lord is the ultimate physician and healer. He can uncover your wounds and pain. Be willing to be vulnerable; be willing to tell the truth; allow God to heal you.

Obstruction Makes For Honest Prophecy - March 26, 2015

Isaiah 46:8 - 11     …8 "Remember this, and be assured; Recall it to mind, you transgressors. 9 "Remember the former things long past, For I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is no one like Me, 10 Declaring the end from the beginning, And from ancient times things which have not been done, Saying, 'My purpose will be established, And I will accomplish all My good pleasure'. 11 Calling a bird of prey from the east, The man of My purpose from a far country. Truly I have spoken; truly I will bring it to pass. I have planned it, surely I will do it.…

Proverbs 19:21     Many are the plans in a person's heart, but it is the LORD's purpose that prevails.

Deuteronomy 8:2     Remember how the LORD your God led you all the way in the wilderness these forty years, to humble and test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep his commands.

Can you think back to you childhood and remember a time where something that you spoke became an appointment with destiny.  My vision was always something with the arts; at one point in my childhood I wanted to be a dancer...I obtained a used set of taps and applied them to some shoes....I was terrible at it. I knew the basics but it was just all bad. The same with my musical endeavors, I can play scales on the clarinet, I know one song on the French horn and can play rhythm guitar; as much as I love music I know it's not my passion. I stepped into my calling at about the age of 12 when I discovered I could write.

I truly believe that God has provided each and every one of His creations with a gift to bring Him glory. This gift is what drives me. You have to have to develop the kind of tenacity that blocks out the distractions of the world to focus on that gift and returning it to God. You have to address the enemy and state clearly and emphatically that "You will not die and leave this world without certain things coming to fruition. Your destiny is not over until God says it is over!"

I can't say that everything in my life has pushed me to my purpose, NO WAY!!! At times I have been my own worst enemy. I've acted out, acted in immaturity, given up, allow my flesh and desires to lead me....you name it I have most likely done it to distract myself from the hard, often constricting work. BUT GOD!!!! is always going to finish what He starts....even if circumstances contradict purpose, purpose will always prevail!

It is in the difficulty, pain and constriction that is an indication that God is working. If the gift came freely without pressure and obstruction, our humanity would say it was our fate and favor. But, because we get to experience such blessings and gifts over and over we can be assured that God's blessings are continuous and unmerited.

People Who Ignore Discipline March 25 ,2015

Proverbs 15: 31 - 33     …31 He whose ear listens to the life-giving reproof Will dwell among the wise. 32 He who neglects discipline despises himself, But he who listens to reproof acquires understanding.33 The fear of the LORD is the instruction for wisdom, And before honor comes humility.

Proverbs 10: 16 - 18     …16 The wages of the righteous is life, The income of the wicked, punishment. 17 He is on the path of life who heeds instruction, But he who ignores reproof goes astray. 18 He who conceals hatred has lying lips, And he who spreads slander is a fool.…

Titus 2:8     and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us.

Proverbs 3:11-12    My son, do not despise the Lord's discipline and do not resent his rebuke, because the Lord disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in.

Proverbs 15:5      A fool spurns his father's discipline, but whoever heeds correction shows prudence.

Remember the scene from The Color Purple where Shug Avery is hit by the Spirit and sings God Is Trying To Tell You Something? Tell the truth, could/can you hear your message?  Many of us allow our pride to dismiss the will and the correction of God; we tend to  treat the unction of the Spirit like we do people on the street, telling ourselves "He's not talking to me!"

The Scriptures speak of three major categories of "trouble" for the believer: 1) discipline, judgment, or rebuke from the Lord; 2) tests, trials, and suffering; and 3) temptations or attacks from Satan.

God uses chastisement as a last alternative. If all God needed to justify mankind to himself was a bigger cattle-prod, then Christ died for nothing! No, God's plan for the earth is love first, discipline last. To get us to listen and repent, he will use deep conviction, the reprimand of friends, coincident sermons, the hastening of Scripture, and every other means before disciplining us. But if we resist God's Spirit of light and mercy, we are promised the rod of correction. When God disciplines, the punishment fits the crime. Time and again, we realize that we cannot get away with unrepentant sin. God is sculpting us into holy vessels, and the process can be painful.

On The Edge - March 24, 2015

 

 

Ephesians 4: 14 -16     14 As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming; 15 but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ, 16 from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by what every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love.

Peter 2: 2     Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation,

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.

I just read the story about a little boy who fell out of the bed. When his mother asked him what happened, he answered " I don't know. I guess I stayed too close to where I got in."

Growth is the course and goal for every believer. Maturation is a mandatory requirement. If a baby ceased to thrive and develop, the parents would be concerned right? Medical attention would be sought right?  A child's failure to thrive indicates that there is a problem.  The same hold true for a believer. If you are where you were a few months ago, if your testimony hasn't changed, you might want to be careful and take a look at what's going on. Get a spiritual physical, a checkup.

The first thing you should check is your habits. Whereas it's easy to spot the glaringly bad habits, can you recognize the good habit?

Here are four habits that should be a part of your regular routine:

1) Prayer - Romans 12:2

2) Study - James 1:25

3) Giving - 1 Corinthians 16:2

4) Fellowship -  Hebrews 10:25

Don't make the same mistake as the little boy who stayed too close to where he got in ....it's dangerous on the edge  

Carnal and Christ? - BY: KB © 3.23.15

Some mornings, when reading my devotionals, Oswald Chambers – My Utmost for His Highest readings tear me up. I mean they literally shred me to the point where all I can do is shake my head in disbelief and today is no different.

Check it out :  Where there are envy, strife, and divisions among you, are you not carnal…? —1 Corinthians 3:3

The natural man, or unbeliever, knows nothing about carnality. The desires of the flesh warring against the Spirit, and the Spirit warring against the flesh, which began at rebirth, are what produce carnality and the awareness of it. But Paul said, “Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh” (Galatians 5:16). In other words, carnality will disappear.

Are you quarrelsome and easily upset over small things? Do you think that no one who is a Christian is ever like that? Paul said they are, and he connected these attitudes with carnality. Is there a truth in the Bible that instantly awakens a spirit of malice or resentment in you? If so, that is proof that you are still carnal. If the process of sanctification is continuing in your life, there will be no trace of that kind of spirit remaining.

If the Spirit of God detects anything in you that is wrong, He doesn't ask you to make it right; He only asks you to accept the light of truth, and then He will make it right.

I was talking to a friend yesterday about this very thing. She’d asked me about a situation that I’d shared and my response was that I had to look at me in the situation. I cannot point the finger at anyone for something wrong in my life because  I made choices that got me to the point of the insanity.  I CANNOT CLAIM CHRIST AND CONTINUE TO EMBRACE CHAOS!!! The other thing that I pointed out was that I cannot expect everyone to understand what I’m talking about because they are not in the same place spiritually…I tell you that’s a hard lesson…bottom line is you can’t expect everyone to respect your space or your process.

Am I tired? – yup! Am I weary? – Yup!, At times do I feel like just quitting? – Absolutely!!! Can or will I?…nope!!!! I have been blessed far more than I have been depressed…and I know that my experience just may something that somebody might just need to see or hear

This Ain’t No Exclusive Country Club - March 23, 2015

Ephesians 2:18-19 (NIV)     18 For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.19 Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household,

Matthew 26:28      For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.

1 John 2:2    And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for [the sins of] the whole world.

Hebrews 9: 21 – 22     …21 And in the same way he sprinkled both the tabernacle and all the vessels of the ministry with the blood. 22 And according to the Law, one may almost say, all things are cleansed with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.

Have you ever been guilty of having a superior attitude about another person’s weakness? I know I have, I’m embarrassed and ashamed to admit it but I have.  It’s crazy to think to think we can access the cleansing blood that delivered us from the sewers of hell of our “secret” sins and then look down on another brother or sister. Who are we to deny them access to the only answer to their problems?

The spirit of Cain is running rampant in the body of Christ….we have killed our brothers and sisters and shed their blood just because they are different; his/her skin color is different, his/her sin is different and we kill because we can’t reconcile it to our thinking. Release your prey! Allow them to the opportunity to experience restoration and righteousness that can only come through the blood.

Without the blood all flesh dies – black white, rich, poor, heterosexual, homosexual, drug addict or alcoholic. Without salvation through the blood of Christ and the Holy Spirit to empower it, NO FLESH CAN BE SAVED

Keeping Your Word – March 22, 2015

Matthew 5: 33-37       “And don’t say anything you don’t mean. This counsel is embedded deep in our traditions. You only make things worse when you lay down a smoke screen of pious talk, saying, ‘I’ll pray for you,’ and never doing it, or saying, ‘God be with you,’ and not meaning it. You don’t make your words true by embellishing them with religious lace. In making your speech sound more religious, it becomes less true. Just say ‘yes’ and ‘no.’ When you manipulate words to get your own way, you go wrong.

Ecclesiastes 5:5     It is better not to make a vow than to make one and not fulfill it.

Hosea 10:4     They speak mere words, With worthless oaths they make covenants; And judgment sprouts like poisonous weeds in the furrows of the field.

2 Corinthians 11:14 ESV     And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light.

You ever tell someone that you’re going to do something and regret it the moment it comes out of your mouth because you know that you have no intentions on doing it?

Keeping promises establishes our “True Inner Self.”   It shows whether or not we have unprincipled or incorruptible morals (fruitful seed) inside of us.   Integrity, Honor, Self-respect and Honesty means everything to man and to the Lord!  What kind of faith walk does the Lord desire us to have?  Is keeping one's word really important?  Does the world respect people who break their promises? (wow! Think about that, let it sink in….the world knows the value of a promise)  A broken promise means a broken trust and relationship.  Trust and respect as well as one's honor is the foundation of our relationship with the Lord.   He expects us to keep our word, (vow, oath) to others as well! 

 God doesn't accept  the altering promises! 
    Lev 27:9-10 And if it be a beast, whereof men bring an offering unto the LORD, all that any man giveth of such unto the LORD shall be holy.  He shall not alter it, nor change it, a good for a bad, or a bad for a good 

   When you give your word to someone you are also giving it unto the Lord. 

The importance of keeping one's word is a matter of Integrity! 

    Psalms 25:20-21 O keep my soul, and deliver me: let me not be ashamed; for I put my trust in thee.  Let integrity and uprightness preserve me; for I wait on thee. 

    Integrity and righteousness are the two most important things for a Christian to have.   Uprightness and Integrity demonstrate what we believe, and how consistent of a walk we have with Jesus.

Mending A Broken Heart - March 21, 2015

 

Luke 4:18     "The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free,

Psalm 147:3    He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.

John 16:33     "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."

Many things can birth disappointment and depression. In the Bible story of The Infirmed Woman who touched Jesus in the crowd, a spirit of infirmity had taken over her life. A consuming spirit can take on many forms;  an abusive parent, low self esteem, a break up, etc.... I know these are Earthly (fleshly) problems but they are rooted in spiritual ailments.

One of the things that is most devastating in our daily lives is a break up of any kind. We are "programmed " into thinking of terms of couples and happily ever after. A failed romance/relationship is a painful awakening. A break up is not as basic as it sounds it can be a traumatic blow to someone who has roots and validation in being a part of a couple; so, a break up is more like a rip or a tear.  A tear is not easily be healed or repaired. But Jesus can heal a broken or torn heart!

Only a Master can intervene heal and repair. He can treat the long term effects. One of the greatest repair tools of the Holy Spirit is forgiveness. To forgive is to separate you from the past...sometimes we give ip service to forgiveness and we reminisce and hold on to "the good old days." We reach a new level of life when we begin to realize that our pasts do not dictate our futures....

We cannot breathe new air until we exhale and release the old

Whenever something is torn, it does not heal easily. But Jesus can heal a broken or torn heart!

Not By My Strength - March 20, 2015

 

Zechariah 4:6     So he said to me, "This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: 'Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,' says the LORD Almighty.

1 Samuel 17:47     All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the LORD saves; for the battle is the LORD's, and he will give all of you into our hands."

Habakkuk 2:3     For the revelation awaits an appointed time; it speaks of the end and will not prove false. Though it linger, wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay.

2 Peter 3:9     The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

Our impatience causes us to struggle with God's timing.

We need to understand that God is a God of order; He does everything by appointment. He has set a time where He is going to bring His promise into fruition in our lives.  He has a set time. Though many things look like they have set themselves against the plan, God has already prepared a way. We should find comfort in knowing that whatever we need is already done and accomplished. Faith is the inner awareness that in spite of the situation and what it looks like God has a time appointed for deliverance.

We can rest in blessed assurance that nothing the enemy does or can do can usurp the authority and power of God for our lives. We just have to learn that we cannot rush God's timing. When God speaks a word into our spirit, it's like a seedling, we have to nurture and protect that word and allow it to sprout. When the promise has grown in (fertile, holy ground) a faith filled heart and reaches its APPOINTED TIME it will come to pass. It will be a direct result of the presence of God. It won't because of anything within our human capabilities but by the Spirit.

There is a peace that comes from knowing God has included us in His plan - even the details. There is an added bonus in knowing that it is already done and accomplished.

Authentic Self BY: KB © 3.19.15

1 Corinthians 13:1     If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3 If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing.

James 2:13      For judgment is without mercy to one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment.

Matthew 7:1-29      “Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you. Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye. ...

Romans 14:12-13      So then each of us will give an account of himself to God. Therefore let us not pass judgment on one another any longer, but rather decide never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of a brother.

I had a major revelation the other day…….I have to say that it was birthed out of anger but it didn’t stop God from revealing truth…so I can celebrate in the fact that I received the lesson. So let me tell you how it went down… I’m in a “team building” exercise and things were being revealed that had nothing to do with team building…it was a venting session but rather than people stay on the subject of themselves and what they needed to do, it became a blame and attack session…and of course, yours truly was on the receiving end of some of the “informative exchange.” I’m not saying that I wasn't guilty of some of the charges. I can hear that info, but, when it’s delivered in the way that you’re charging me with…does it not lose something in the translation?   I’m just sayin’…..  Needless to say I left the event a “little” angry because of the hypocrisy and emptiness in the exchange…. But on my drive home as I was absentmindedly staring off into space, I noticed a building that had an odd mixture of architecture. The building core structure was made of this old school brick, solid and stately and the new façade was glass and steel…to me it looked a bit shaky. Which leads me to my thought……what is your authentic self?

Have you ever given thought to your authentic self? What is your truth? How do you talk to and treat people? I go back to the “team building exercise” the core issues were never addressed because it involved addressing some character defects that go beyond the situation.

I have to say that I got angry because I knew that I was hearing my “truths” from an unclean spirit and heart; they were my truths nonetheless and I had to deal with myself and what I was hearing.  Now, some may say that I am running someone’s inventory and I will say yes, I am and I was given permission the moment I was approached in hypocrisy; please believe that I will deal with my issues but I’m going to call out the spirit of untruth in the actions. I thank God for His spirit of discernment because I was able to cut through all the noise and hear the message that was meant for me which only goes to show the power of THE LIVING GOD. I heard what I needed to hear – God spoke and I heard……but more was revealed in the message – hence the scripture selection.

How ya’ livin’?!!!

Patience in change - March 19 , 2015

 

Ecclesiastes 3: 1-2     There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: 2     a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot,

Hebrews 9:27     Just as people are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment,

Job 14:5     A person's days are determined; you have decreed the number of his months and have set limits he cannot exceed.

We will always have a season of struggle, tests and trials. There will be times where it seems that nothing works or turns out right. The enemy seems to hound us regardless of our prays and consecration. We CANNOT pray these times away! God has a purpose for our dormancy and struggle. We must not lose faith when the cold winds blow, when the blooms around you wither  and you seem alone and isolated. Hold firm in spite of the dislike for the chilly and seemingly harsh conditions; there is a purpose for the inconvenience.

The apostle Paul calls these circumstance "light afflictions"   (2 Corinthians 4:17     For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.) Some things are not meant to change, you can't change; it is what it is,,,but you can survive it because you're destined to testify about it later.

Temporary setbacks create opportunity, Temporary setbacks are an invitation to fresh commitment and renewed strength. Enjoy your dormancy. Lay down deeper roots. Store your strength.

Never give into temptations invitation to make permanent decisions based on temporary circumstances. There is an old quote that goes "Patience is a tree whose root is bitter, but it's fruit is sweet." The reward of having patience is not always having to amend your amendments. Temporary situations should not merit a knee-jerk immediate response. Prayer births patience. Patience births trust....we cannot trust a God that we don't talk to or develop a relationship with.

The Blood Is Greatly Needed - March 18, 2015

1 Peter 1:2      who have been chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to be obedient to Jesus Christ and sprinkled with his blood: Grace and peace be yours in abundance.

2 Thessalonians 2:13     But we ought always to thank God for you, brothers and sisters loved by the Lord, because God chose you as first fruits to be saved through the sanctifying work of the Spirit and through belief in the truth.

 The blood wasn't only necessary when we cried out to the Lord in faith, to cover us and protect us from an impending danger. We still desperately need the blood today. All of strength and sustenance along with every promise and miracle must flow through that very same blood.   The Enemy hates the blood - not only because it covered, washed us and put us in right standing with God but also because it continues to give us life and power from day to day.

Hebrews 9:14-15      14 how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without blemish to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? 15For this reason He is the mediator of a new covenant, so that, since a death has taken place for the redemption of the transgressions that were committed under the first covenant, those who have been called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance.…

We have lost touch with the meaning and purpose of "the blood"; we teach about the Spirit but shy away from embracing and learning about the blood. We now have a generation of folks who know about the true power of God and how he moves but struggles with the concept of forgiveness. It's an ignorant ministry that is bold in power but insecure. How can you speak of abundant gift and live in guilt believing that these gift are not for you?

Without the blood there is no life! There can be no Pentecost without a Passover!

The old saints used to gather 'round on Sunday and they sang:

I know it was the blood,
I know it was the blood,
I know it was the blood for me.

One day when I was lost
He died upon that cross,
I know it was the blood for me.

PRAISE - March 17, 2015

Psalm 145: 2-4     …2 Every day I will bless You, And I will praise Your name forever and ever. 3 Great is the LORD, and highly to be praised, And His greatness is unsearchable. 4 One generation shall praise Your works to another, And shall declare Your mighty acts.…

Revelation 4:11     "You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being."

Hebrews 13:15 By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.

2 Samuel 22:50 Therefore I will praise you, O LORD, among the nations; I will sing the praises of your name.

Praise, according to the Scriptures, is an act of our will that flows out of an awe and reverence for our Creator. Praise gives glory to God and opens us up to a deeper union with Him. It turns our attention off of our problems and on the nature and character of God Himself.

As we focus our minds on God and proclaim His goodness, we reflect His glory back to Him. The results can fill you with peace and contentment ( Isaiah 26:3) and transform your outlook on life.

Very simply, we praise God because He is worthy of our praise ( 1 Chron. 16:25;Rev. 5:11-14). He is the Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End, the King of kings and Lord of lords. He is our Creator, Provider, Healer, Redeemer, Judge, Defender and much more.

Another foundational reason to praise God is simple obedience. The Bible says God is a "jealous" God who demands and desires our praise. "You shall have no other gods before Me," says the first commandment ( Deut. 6:7). As the psalmist said, "Let everything that has breath praise the Lord" ( Psalm 150:6).

As we praise God, we will discover incredible benefits for our lives. That's because human beings were created by God to praise Him ( Isa. 43:7, Matt. 21:16). Due to man's original sin, however, this relationship was disrupted. Praising God helps restore us to that right relationship, for God actually dwells in the praises of His people ( Psalm 22:3). As we draw near to the Father in praise, He draws near to us ( James 4:8).

Praise is also our ultimate destiny. When the Lord Jesus Christ returns again to earth, all creation -- including prideful mankind -- will recognize His glory and praise Him (Phil. 2:9-11).