A Lasting Impression

When you get down into the word of God, you will not be able to get enough.  When we were younger, we didn't have the various translations that we have today.  It was intimidating to interpret the Kings James Version.  It was like reading Shakespeare!  Today, we have no excuse for not being able to read the bible with a basic understanding.  Thus, we must commit to read it every day.  The word needs to be written on our hearts and minds.

The next level of understanding is what the Holy Spirit reveals to you while you read. You will gain insight on things that used to boggle your mind.  The hurt you used to feel will turn into forgiveness and love.  The things that used to bother you won’t bother you anymore.  The Holy Spirit will bring back to remembrance those points and lessons from the word that you need for your circumstances, as well as what Jesus has to say on the matter.  If you don’t read, you won’t have the foundation built for the Holy Spirit to use!

Jesus said that His words will never pass away.  Open your bible and allow Him to write His words all over your heart, soul, and mind.  Your life will never be the same.  “Where should I start?”  Plop the bible open and start there! It will bless you!

Devotional Readings:        Matthew 24:35

                                      Psalm 1:1-3 

                                      John 16:13-15

Teaching From Your Cross

 As we move closer to transforming into the image of Christ, we are given more responsibility for our brothers and sisters in Christ.  Our issues are not only allowed in our lives to mold us, but to help others.  Jesus is the most extreme case of someone who took on the responsibility of going through in order to bless many.  He did it out of His love for us!  Even while on the cross, He taught the scriptures.

“My God, My God, why have You forsaken me?”          - Psalm 22:1, Mark 15:34

He wasn't calling out to His Father, He was quoting scripture to show how this event was prophesied and how Jesus will be praised and have dominion over all nations.  He was in extreme pain, yet still taught salvation to the end.

We must look at our circumstance for teaching points to help others gain renewal and transformation.  When the Holy Spirit leads you to a good scripture that ministers to your need, it’s not just for you!  Share revelation!  Sow seeds of divine positivity into peoples’ lives.  God will continue to sustain you during your issue and the next thing you’ll know, you’ll be delivered.  What’s more, you’ll look back and see souls that you helped along your rough journey.  If Jesus can teach from the cross, bloodied and bruised, we can work for the Kingdom during uncomfortable times in our lives.

Devotional Readings: Psalm 22

Cause And Effect That Causes An Effect

I had a discussion with a friend the other day, and I explained was explaining how the movie The Breakup had such a powerful scene in it.  If you can recall, there was a part when they were having a tiff. She wanted him to wash the dishes. She said something to the effect of wanting him to want to do the dishes, and he replied, “who wants to do dishes.”  What we don’t realize is that if we pursue righteousness and love for the Kingdom, we would be willing to do whatever it takes to please God, which will spill over into our relationships. 

We should want to uphold God’s commands because we love Him. We should want to please Him by doing nice things for people and walking in forgiveness. Once we’re married, we should want to uphold the detailed instructions on how to treat our husbands. That may have been an issue right there with the couple The Breakup, they were co-habiting with no spirituality at all. 

What effect will I have if I pursue these things and want to do what is righteous? You will find life, prosperity, and honor.  I believe that beyond the awesomeness of loving God and Him loving you back, you get icing on the cake.  You will find life, and through a relationship with Jesus, we have it more abundantly!  You will find prosperity, which extends far beyond money, but wholeness in mind, body, and spirit.  You will find honor by men and by God.                  

Lastly, when you are really living a prosperous, honorable life, you will be a blessing to others!  Make the commitment to pursue righteousness and love from this day forward…

Dear Lord, holy is your name! I want to have the desire to do what’s best out of love for You.  I know that if I pursue righteousness and love, I will find life, prosperity, and honor. I thank you for the fact that You also promised to supply all of my needs if I seek Your kingdom and Your righteousness.  You are so good to me. You are so faithful. Your will for my life is perfect, I just need to walk it in. I dedicate myself to walking in Your will and way today, for I know that it pleases You and results in guaranteed success. In the matchless name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.

Devotional Reading:     Proverbs 21:21

                                      Matthew 6:33

Uninvited Guests

Party crashers are those who show up, but were not invited. Have you ever pondered the thought that we all need invitations to enter the Kingdom of God?  We are all sinners who are unworthy of a place in the Kingdom, but God has a different plan for us. 

Through Jeremiah, God informed His people that they will be released from oppression and someone from their own ranks will be their leader.  This ruler, Our Lord Jesus Christ, came to fulfill this prophecy, and God invited Him to have free and easy access to His Father.  Because of this invitation, eventual death, and resurrection, we have an invitation through Jesus to have a close, personal relationship with the Most High God! 

Why would you deny this priceless invitation that was paid for in blood?  Why wouldn’t you share that this invitation is available with someone who is unaware? Don’t be guilty of making excuses for not accepting the invitation. Those in the parable of the great banquet made excuses and ultimately lost their chance to “get a taste” of the master’s banquet.  They chose to pursue “stuff and things” and relationships. I didn’t understand why the newlyweds couldn’t attend together.  Keep this singled out example, as you desire for a mate.  Jesus said this to keep us aware of the importance of keeping God FIRST.  Don’t let a relationship separate you from God’s goodness.

The owner of the house then changed his guest list and sent for the “poor, the crippled, the blind and the lame.”  Don’t take your chances of being passed over because of preoccupations with  less important things.  I say it often, “seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”  Keep a Kingdom focus! 

Devotional Readings: Jeremiah 30:18-21

                                Luke 14:15-24

ALL or NOTHING

Source: sweet-southern-charm

all: the whole amount, quantity, or extent of

nothing: not anything; no part

We hear quite often in sermons that we can be delivered in the storm. That is very true and builds your faith during a rough patch in your life. God is with you and He will see you through. BUT, the word says that I can be assured that I will be delivered from ALL troubles. The whole amount of the troubles that I will experience will pass away and I will come out without a smell of smoke on my clothes. (Daniel 3:27)

Conversely, the word also promises that NOTHING will harm me. Jesus stated this boldly. Knowing that I’m being taken care of very well, empowers me to walk boldly everyday. I’m not going to foolishly jump in front of a bus, but we should take calculated, God-led risks. We must believe that we will be healed, delivered, and set free!

I refuse to worry about ANYTHING. When worry tries to creep in, I challenge you to shout “ALL or NOTHING.” Believe that God will deliver you from ALL troubles. Be certain that NOTHING will harm you. Walk boldly today knowing that God loves you and has you in His care.

Devotional Readings: Psalm 34:19

                                   Luke 10:19

Immediate Obedience

“Now, I can work!” I heard it so clearly. I had to make some hard, uncomfortable decisions in order to hear it. The Holy Spirit was guiding and leading me to do some things that I didn’t necessarily want to do. I prayed for direction, and my prayer was answered, but I wasn’t listening. I tried to scramble the voice by rationalizing in my head, but finally I gave in. God said clearly to me, “Now, I can work!”

I was standing in my closet, picking out my outfit, praising God for another day and bringing me through the night. Then, as clear as someone standing in front of me, I heard, “Now, I can work!” Not only had He given the Holy Spirit to guide me into all truth, He also confirmed that my obedience had been of God. Then, I wondered if I had listened and immediately obeyed His directives weeks ago, where would I be right now? He was waiting on me to act.

So let me admonish you. When you have entered into a devoted relationship with our Almighty Father, please commit to immediate obedience. Only time will show what exactly He is working on in my life. I’m sure that it will add richness to our testimony and further strengthen our earthly ability to bear fruit for the Kingdom of God.

What is God telling you to do? With haste, DO IT!

Devotional Readings: Immediate obedience Genesis 22:1-3, 12-18

Delayed obedience Jonah 1:1-17, 3:1-3

Blatant disobedience Numbers 20:7-8, 11-12

Since I Laid My Burdens Down

This old song speaks to me much more potently these days. The Holy Spirit ministered to me this morning that not only do I need to lay my burdens down; I need to do it EVERYDAY!

“Glory Glory, Hallelujah, since I laid my burdens down. I feel better, so much better, since I laid my burdens down.”

Let’s add a little something.

“Glory Glory, Hallelujah, since I laid my burdens down TODAY. I feel better, so much better, since I laid my burdens down TODAY.”

It is essential to cast your burdens and cares on the Lord daily. I used to believe that once you laid your burdens down, you were done. That was until a new burden or care popped up. As believers, we sometimes believe that we are not going to have burdens or issues, but uncomfortable times mold us and strengthen us. The Lord will never put more on you than you can bear.

I was reading in a Dr. Oz book about his isometric workout. When you do pushups or any type of exercise, you are supposed to do it until you have completely fatigued the muscle. The chemical that is released helps with building the muscle, which in turn increases your metabolism. I know you’re thinking, “What does that have to do with anything?” Well, God made our muscles. And He is a God of order, so, if our muscles work that way, our faith (mind) works that way too! He will stretch us, push us, and test us until it feels like we can’t take any more. He does that because it will build the most strength and give us long-lasting results in our faith and perseverance.

Lay your burdens down AND gain strength from them. You will see that you will want to praise God (Glory Glory, Hallelujah) and you will definitely feel better!