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!

Hit Delete

I hear so many people speak about how their computers need more memory because it is processing too slowly. We buy extra software to speed up a crawling computer, when what we need is to DELETE some of our archives, software, and files. Our minds and lives are the same way. We wonder why we can’t seem to break through. We wonder why we are having difficulties starting fresh. We wonder what we need to do to get to the next level. HIT DELETE.

Delete all past hurts.

Delete all past mistakes.

Delete all embarrassing moments.

Delete all thoughts of hopelessness.

Delete all thoughts of inadequacies.

Delete all negative experiences.

Hit Delete…

How? The blood of Jesus Christ washes us clean. We should cast all of our cares on Him. You will feel better. You will look better. And what’s more, God can use you better because He now has room to give you what you need to bring Him the most glory. He has room to fill you with the Holy Spirit. He has room to give you a fresh anointing. If something went wrong 5 minutes ago, DELETE IT. God wants to bless you! Leave room for Him to do so right now!

Devotional Reading: Isaiah 61:1-3

Let Me Do It!

Have you ever been in a situation when you thought, “If they’d just let me do it, it would work out better?” Welcome to the day in the life of our Almighty Father in Heaven. I can imagine as we walk on this earth making mistakes, doing things our way and suffering disappointment at our own hand, He looks with compassion hoping we would just “LET HIM DO IT!” His purpose and plan for our lives are so wonderful and beyond anything we could dream. As we focus on improving our relationship with the Lord, let’s prepare our hearts to humble ourselves and turn over complete control to our Father through His Son, Jesus Christ. That is a very selfless way to show thanks to Him who keeps us from falling.

Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you. 1 Peter 5:7 (NIV)

Casting the whole of your care [all your anxieties, all your worries, all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares for you affectionately and cares about you watchfully. (AMP)

Make a list of the aspects of life you have refused to let go, and then pray:

Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for the plan you have for my life. I pray that you bless me with the strength I need to totally let go the reigns and let you “do it.” I know, Lord, that with YOU all things are possible and I need Your guidance today and everyday in all areas of my life. In Jesus’ precious, matchless Name I pray, Amen.

Devotional Reading: James 4:7-10