The Rock!

Hebrews 12:2
"Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God."

"WHEN YOU STAND FOR WHAT YOU BELIEVE..."

This sounds like a great statement to begin a powerpoint with, BUT!!!
But here goes the important thing to remember;
"YOUR FEET MUST BE PLANT ON SOLID GROUND!"
"JESUS IS THE ROCK OF OUR FAITH!"

Quote of the day:
"IF YOU ARE NOT STANDING ON THE FOUNDATION WHICH JESUS LAID, THEN THERE IS AN 100% CHANCE THAT YOU ARE ABSOLUTELY SINKING!"

"BEFORE YOU STEP INTO YOUR HOUSE!"
"BE SURE TO INSPECT THE FOUNDATIONS ON WHICH YOU BASE YOUR FAITH!"

"Jesus, the author & finisher of our faith!"

Acts 4: 13

"WHEN THEY OBSERVED THE BOLDNESS OF PETER AND JOHN AND REALIZED THAT THEY WERE UNEDUCATED AND UNTRAINED MEN, THEY WERE AMAZED AND RECOGNIZED THAT THEY HAD BEEN WITH JESUS." ~ (Acts 4: 13)

And in the same way, Lord, let people see that we are different because with humble adoration we can be bold for You. Amen.

"LIVE/DEAD!"

Jonah 4:11
"And should I not have concern for the great city of Nineveh, in which there are more than a hundred and twenty thousand people who cannot tell their right hand from their left--and also many animals?"

"LIVE/DEAD!"

What are you will to live for?
What are you willing to die for?

Just like the people of Nineveh, there are people around us who don't know their right from their left!
It will take  sacrificial living on our part to reach them!
So what will it be!

"There is a choice to be made!"
"Failure to make one is a decision all in itself!"

"LIVE/DEAD!"

Proverbs 28: 1 BOLD

"THE WICKED FLEE WHEN NO ONE IS PURSUING THEM, BUT THE RIGHTEOUS ARE AS BOLD AS A LION." ~ (Proverbs 28: 1)

BOLD - 1. not hesitating or fearful in the face of actual or possible danger or rebuff; courageous and daring. 2. beyond the usual limits of conventional thought or action; imaginative. 3. brave.

Morning Devotions!

Matthew 5:14
"You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden."

"IN THE MIDST OF DARKNESS, WE ARE CALLED TO BE A SHINING LIGHT TO GUIDE THE WAY!"

"WE OFTEN SERVE A GREATER PURPOSE THOUGH WE DON'T ALWAYS REALIZE IT!!"

During my morning devotions, this is what God impressed upon my spirit to remind His people today!

God bless you All!
Enjoy your day!

"NOW, GO OUT & SHINE FOR JESUS!"

Genesis 18: 27

"THEN ABRAHAM SPOKE, 'SINCE I HAVE BEEN SO BOLD AS TO SPEAK TO THE LORD - EVEN THOUGH I AM DUST AND ASHES..." ~ (Genesis 18: 27)

MAY WE, THIS WEEK, SHARE IN ABRAHAM'S BOLDNESS TO STAND UP FOR JESUS CHRIST AND DECLARE, BY HIS AUTHORITY, VICTORY OVER THAT WHICH IS HOLDING US BACK, BUT SHOULD NOT BE! AMEN!

LOVE!

Psalm 8:3-6
"When I consider Your heavens,
the work of Your fingers,
the moon and the stars,
which You have set in place,
what is mankind that You are mindful of them,
human beings that You care for them?
You have made them a little lower than the angels
and crowned them with glory and honor.
You made them rulers over the works of Your hands;
You put everything under their feet..."

It is not a difficult task to judge someone!
Since finding fault comes very easy due to the fact that we are all imperfect!

But what I want to challenge everyone to do today is:
"LOOK BEYOND A PERSON'S SHORT-COMINGS & TRY YOUR BEST TO ENCOURAGE THEM!"

"FIND WAYS TO MOTIVATE THEM TO DIG DEEPER BY BEING GRATEFUL FOR THEIR STRENGTHS!"

"GET PAST THEIR FRAILTIES OR YOU WILL NEVER REACH THEIR HEARTS!"

"LET US DROP THE ACT OF BEING RELIGIOUS, SO THAT WE CAN LEARN TO FOLLOW CHRIST WITH SINCERITY OF HEART!"

"JESUS DID NOT CALL US TO JUDGE, BUT TO FOLLOW & DISCIPLE!"

"LOVE COVERS A MULTITUDE OF SINS!"

Luke 18: 13

"But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even raise his eyes to heaven but kept striking his chest and saying, 'God, have mercy on me - a sinner!" ~ (Luke 18: 13)

Thank You, Father, for the everlasting mercy You extend to any sinner who calls out to You in repentance. Amen.

1 Peter 1: 3

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. According to His mercy, He has given us a new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead." ~ (1 Peter 1: 3)

 

Be blessed with this knowledge today. Amen.

James 2: 13

"For judgment is without mercy to the one who hasn't shown mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment." ~ (James 2: 13)

 

"Justice is for those who deserve it, mercy is for those who don't." ~ Woodrow Kroll

Godliness on Display!

John 12:32
"And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to Myself."

"MAKE JESUS THE FOCAL POINT IN YOUR HEART!"

"THEN THE BEAUTY OF JESUS WILL BE ON DISPLAY FOR ALL THE WORLD TO SEE THROUGH YOUR LIFESTYLE!"

EVANGELISM 2014
"EXPECTING A GREATER HARVEST!"

"BECOME A LIVING/BREATHING HEAVENLY BILLBOARD!"

John 15:7-9

"If you remain in Me and My words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. This is to My Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be My disciples. “As the Father has loved Me, so have I loved you. Now remain in My love."

I've noticed that people will run to the ends of the Earth in search of God, when in reality, HE HAS NEVER BEEN ANY FURTHER THAN A PRAYER AWAY!

The only thing that will ever keep us apart from God is our lack of communication with Him & our commitment to obey His instructions!

Do you want to grow spiritually?
Then just begin to ask God to expose the things that need to be removed from your personal life!

But here is the most important thing to remember:
"APPLICATION! APPLICATION! APPLICATION!"

"APPLY WHAT YOU LEARN!"
"DON'T JUST STORE IT AWAY IN YOUR HEAD & RUN IN SEARCH OF MORE SELF-HELP TIPS!"

"KNOWLEDGE WITHOUT APPLICATION RESULTS IN WITNESS AGAINST ONESELF!"

Come & Join Us!

Jesus is on the Move!
Evangelism 2014
"Expecting A Greater Harvest!"

Lamentations 3: 22-23

"Because of the Lord's faithful love, we do not perish, for His mercies never end. They are new every morning; great is His faithfulness." ~ (Lamentations 3: 22-23)

PRAISE BE TO GOD! Amen.

TRUE AUTHORITY!

Luke 4:32
"They were amazed at His teaching, because His words had authority."

Jesus' words had authority because He was filled with the Spirit!

"WE NEED TO BE FILLED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT IN ORDER TO OPERATE WITH THE AUTHORITY OF THE HEAVENLIES!"

"THERE IS NO OTHER WAY!"

Psalm 23: 6 MERCY

"Only goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever." ~ (Psalm 23: 6)

MERCY - 1. compassionate treatment, especially of those under ones power; clemency. 2. a disposition to be kind and forgiving. 3. something for which to be thankful; a blessing.

CAPTIVE PROJECT OUTREACHES

SAVE THE DATES & COME ON OUT

Total Surrender!

Numbers 6:26
"The LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace."

You can have it all, Lord!
Every part of my world!
Take this life & breathe on it!
This heart that is now Yours!

"I AM YOURS!"
"DO AS YOU PLEASE!"

Titus 3: 5

"He saved us - not by works of righteousness, that we had done, but according to His mercy, through the washing of regeneration and renewal by the Holy Spirit." ~ (Titus 3: 5)

Thank You, Father, that Your mercy is beyond our comprehension and extended so freely. Amen.

2 Timothy 3: 1-2

"But know this: difficult times will come in the last days. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy....." ~ (2 Timothy 3: 1-2)

This sounds nothing like today's generation.....

                                  {sarcasm intended}

LETS NOT LOSE THEM TO THIS MESS! In Jesus' Name. Amen.

Luke 2: 51

Then He went down with them and came to Nazareth and was obedient to them. His mother kept all these things in her heart." ~ (Luke 2: 51)

Yup!

Even Jesus Christ, the King of Kings, had to obey His mom and dad.

EASTER!

Hebrews 2:14
"Because God's children are human beings--made of flesh and blood--the Son also became flesh and blood. For only as a human being could he die, and only by dying could he break the power of the devil, who had the power of death."

"JESUS IS LORD!"
Not because we claim that He is!
Not because there are a million crosses that represent Him!
Not even because we believe that He is!

The fact is that:
"WHETHER WE ACCEPT HIM AS LORD OR REJECT HIM AS LORD, HE STILL REMAINS LORD OF ALL!"

"JESUS DOES NOT NEED OUR PERMISSION TO BE LORD!"
"NOR DOES HE REQUIRE FOR US TO SERVE HIM IN ORDER FOR HIM TO RULE OVER ALL CREATION!"

"JESUS HAS DOMINION OVER ALL THINGS!"
"EVEN DEATH!"

"HENCE, WE CELEBRATE THIS BLESSED DAY OF EASTER!"
"RESURRECTION SUNDAY!"

I know these words may be sobering to some, but this morning, I strongly feel stirred to remind people of Jesus' Sovereignty & Grace!

"WE NEED JESUS!"
"NOT THE OTHER WAY AROUND!"
"WE SHOULD BE CHASING HIM!"
"NOT THE OTHER WAY AROUND!"

"JESUS ALREADY CHOSE US!"
HOW ABOUT YOU?
WILL YOU CHOOSE JESUS TODAY?

IN ITS TIME...

Proverbs 25:2
"It is God's privilege to conceal things and the king's privilege to discover them."

"IN ITS TIME..."

Question of the Day:
"How deep are you willing to go?"

I have learned that God allows us to reach our breaking point so that we may learn more about ourselves!
Because He already knows what we will do & where we will go from there!

We can choose to move past our breaking point in brokenness & reach the next level of our faith & maturity!
Or we can choose to set our breaking point as the limit of how far we can go!

The choice is ours to make!
But the revelation that I got was that:
"OUR BREAKING POINT IS ACTUALLY THE INAUGURATION OF A NEW ERA IN OUR LIFE!"

IN ITS TIME, if we choose to move past our breaking point by relying on God for strength & restoration, we will soon realize that our "BREAKING POINT" was actually a stepping stone for bigger & better things!
But it is going to take some digging in order to draw out the strength courage & attitude of Faith necessary to reach our intended goal!

"GOD HAS PLACED TREASURES WITHIN US!"
"THEREFORE, LET US PICK UP OUR SPIRITUAL SHOVELS & START DIGGING!"

I will ask you again;
"HOW DEEP ARE YOU WILLING TO GO?"

Are you a Christian? Are you sure?

Many people claim to be a Christian today. Could this be true? Let's compare the claim it to the scriptures... 2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has gone, the new is here!" We often hear this verse but what does it mean exactly? Well, let's look at some additional text. 1 Corinthians 15:3 tells us, "Christ died for our sins" This is True. 2 Corinthians 5:15 tells us why..."And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again" So when we put it all together we see that Christ died for our sins so that we might die to self and live for Him, therefore if we claim to know Him the evidence is we are no longer the same, we are a new creation that seeks to please The Lord. 

Therefore, Matthew 7:21-23 starts to make sense, "“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you who practice lawlessness" Even though many did much activity in the name of The Lord, their hearts were never changed, the evidence is in the last verse..."away from me, you who practice lawlessness" they were still living a lifestyle to please themselves and not The Lord.

 It's not easy giving up your life but it is what it takes if you truly want eternal life, this is why Jesus says in Matthew 7:13-14 “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it." 

What does it take then to enter this narrow gate? 2 Corinthians 7:10 tells us, "godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret..." Brokenness over being a sinner against a Holy God leads to repentance, a turning from your sin, turning to Jesus Christ as the mediator of your soul, and this, God tells us through His Word, you will never regret. 

Unless you have been broken of your sinful condition, confessed it to God, repented, placed your faith in Jesus Christ, and are now living for Him and not yourselves (meaning following God's will, for example reading your Bible, going to church, putting others above yourself, keeping yourself from being polluted by the worlds ungodly ways such as worldly music, movies, clubs and bars, and more) then you really are not a Christian "Christ Follower" 

If this is you believe it or not is a good realization...as you can still turn to Jesus before it's too late and you hear those devasting words "Depart from me, I never knew you" 

Do not be deceived, Jesus Himself said, "small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it" 

James 1:4

"But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing."

"Being stretched is a privilege, not a punishment!"

When you feel that you are being spread so thin,
When you are at the point of giving up,
When when you don't think that you can go any further;
"THEN GOD!"
"THAT'S WHEN GOD!"
That's where these phrases originate from.

How many of you know that God is an On-Time God?
How many know that God is a God that cares?
How many know that God allows us to be stretched in order to take us to the next level of Glory?

Therefore, do not allow yourself to be led by emotions, but by Faith!
Knowing that the stretching process is part of your growth!

"BEING STRETCHED IS A PRIVILEGE, NOT A PUNISHMENT!"

"NEXT LEVEL REWARDS REQUIRE NEXT LEVEL FAITH!"
But how can you reach the next level without GROWTH!

Therefore;
"LET GOD'S STRETCHING PROCESS TAKE YOU FROM GLORY TO GLORY!"

Colossians 3: 20

"Children, obey your parents in everything, for this is pleasing to the Lord." ~ (Colossians 3: 20)

"Nearly every success story begins with a parent who says, 'Over my dead body." ~ Bill Cosby

He does not Forget!

Hebrews 6:10-12
"For God is not unjust to forget your work and labor of love which you have shown toward His name, in that you have ministered to the saints, and do minister. And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope until the end, that you do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises."

BE BLESSED FAMILY OF GOD!

YOU ARE HIS SONS!

YOU ARE HIS DAUGHTERS!

THE INHERITANCE IS YOURS!

PATIENTLY WAIT!

ABUNDANTLY RECEIVE!

BOLDLY PROCLAIM & GRAB HOLD OF HIS PROMISES FOR YOUR LIFE!

Never forget:
"JESUS DIED TO SET YOU FREE & HE ROSE SO THAT YOU WOULD NEVER HAVE TO RETURN TO THAT PLACE OF BONDAGE!"

Today, I would like to encourage everyone to:
"FIGHT THE GOOD FIGHT OF FAITH!"
"DO WHATEVER IT TAKES!"
"STAND FIRM IN THE FREEDOM YOU HAVE ATTAINED IN CHRIST JESUS!"

Praise God for His Grace!

Deuteronomy 27: 16

"Cursed is the one who dishonors his father or mother; And all the people will say, 'Amen." ~ (Deuteronomy 27: 16)

 

Faith formation starts at home.

 

When did PARENTING start to equate FRIENDSHIP?

 

Parent 1st.... Friend 2nd!

Exodus 20: 12

"Honor your father and mother so that you may have a long life in the land that the Lord your God is giving you." ~ (Exodus 20: 12)

 

Notice how this is the only one of the 10 Commandments that comes with a promise from God in return....(a reward for good behavior so to speak)

The Purpose of Unity!

Psalm 133:1
"How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity!"

"ALL IT TAKES IS FOR YOU TO REACH OUT TO ANOTHER BELIEVER!"

"GOD CALLS US TO DWELL IN UNITY, NOT LONG DISTANCE RELATIONSHIPS!"

"UNITY" requires fellowship & agreement!

Are you fellowshipping with other believers?
Are you walking in agreement when you come together?
Are you laboring as "ONE" for the Kingdom of God?

"THE UNITY OF GOD'S PEOPLE SHOULD ALWAYS PRODUCE FRUIT THAT CAN FEED A CROWD!"

Question of the day:
"Do we bare enough fruit to fill our bellies or a storehouse?"

"THE MORE WE PRODUCE, THE MORE WE CAN SHARE!"

Proverbs 3: 11-12

"Do not despise the Lord's instruction my son, and do not loathe His discipline; for the Lord disciplines the one He loves; just as a father, the son he delights in." ~ (Proverbs 3: 11-12)

 

This week may be a bit different family, as the Lord has impressed upon me to preach a little bit and share verses this week that may be more for your kids, or kids you influence, than you.

Dead Religion!

Romans 12:5
"So in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others."

"NEVER ALLOW YOUR FAITH TO BECOME AN EMPTY, SELFISH, SOLITARY WALK!"

"GOD CREATED US TO WALK TOGETHER AS A BODY!"
"WE, AS THE BODY OF CHRIST, NEED EACH OTHER!"

"THEREFORE, DO NOT ALLOW THE ENEMY TO DECEIVE YOU!"
"IF YOUR BROTHER FALLS, DON'T JUST KEEP ON WALKING, AS IF IT DOES NOT CONCERN YOU!"
"WE CAN ONLY GO AS FAR AS THE BROTHER NEXT TO US!"

"DO YOU LEAVE YOUR FINGERS AT HOME WHEN YOU GO TO WORK?"
"DO YOUR LEGS STAY BEHIND WHEN YOU GO TO THE STORE?"

"SELFISH RELIGION IS DEAD RELIGION!"
Jesus said:
"They will know that you are My disciples, if you love each other!"

Christianity is not a game of "SURVIVAL OF THE FITTEST!"
"IT IS A CALL TO UNITY IN THE FAITH!"

"Jesus never left His disciples behind because He understood that their spiritual well-being depended on them walking as ONE for the benefit of ALL!"

DISCERNMENT!

Proverbs 13:3
"Those who guard their lips preserve their lives, but those who speak rashly will come to ruin."

I have learned that I don't have to try & get my point across to someone that isn't willing to receive it.
It is better to refrain than to engage in an unwholesome conversation.
Sometimes revelation is meant to be personal, for one's own growth.
Therefore, others may not be able to understand the meaning of said knowledge.

All this to say:
"WE SHOULD USE DISCERNMENT WHEN WE SPEAK!"
"THERE WILL BE TIMES WHEN IT IS BEST TO SAY NOTHING AT ALL!"

"OUR LIFESTYLE SPEAKS MORE TO PEOPLE THAN OUR WORDS EVER WILL!"

Deuteronomy 6: 6-7

"These words that I am giving you today are to be in your heart. Repeat them to your children. Talk about them when you sit in your house and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up." ~ (Deuteronomy 6: 6-7)

The next generation is far more Yours than ours, Lord. May we never forget our responsibility to pass our faith on. Amen.

Proverbs 23: 13-14

"Don't withhold correction from a youth; if you beat him with a rod, he will not die. Strike him with a rod, and you will rescue his life from hell." ~ (Proverbs 23: 13- 14)

Amen.

DIE TO SELF!

Proverbs 11:24-25
"One person gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty.
A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed."

"PURPOSELY PLACE YOURSELF AT THE BACK OF THE LINE!"
"THEN WATCH HOW QUICKLY GOD MOVES YOU UP!"

"DIE TO SELF & CHRIST WILL ARISE IN YOU!"
"LIVE FOR PLEASURES & JESUS WILL ONLY HAVE VERY LIMITED ACCESS!"

Your door must be "OPEN!"
Your sign must say "WELCOME!"
Your heart must be "WILLING!"

Most of all:
You must be "COMPLETELY SURRENDERED TO JESUS!"

Beneficiaries!

Luke 6:31

"Do to others as you would have them do to you."

"FIND YOUR PLACE IN LIFE!"

"FAILURE TO DO SO RESULTS IN FAILURE TO FULFILL YOUR DUTY TO OTHERS!"

"GOD CREATED YOU WITH A PURPOSE!"

"FAILURE TO ACHIEVE THAT PURPOSE DEPRIVES OTHERS OF THE PRIVILEGE OF YOUR POTENTIAL!"

"WE ARE CALLED TO BE ONE BODY!"

That means that:

"WE ARE BENEFICIARIES OF ONE ANOTHER!"

"THEREFORE DON'T COME SHORT-HANDED TO THE TABLE!"

"BRING YOUR BEST!"

"OFFER YOU BEST!"

"BUILD UP THE BODY OF CHRIST BY REACHING YOUR MAXIMUM POTENTIAL!"

Psalm 127: 3

"Sons are indeed a heritage from the Lord, children, a reward." ~ (Psalm 127: 3)

"Your children need your PRESENCE more than you PRESENTS." ~ Jesse Jackson

Luke 11: 11-12

"What father among you, if his son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead of  fish? Or is he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion?" ~ (Luke 11: 11-12)

A blessed day to you and yours.... Praise God! Amen.

PERSEVERANCE!

James 1:4
"Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."

"PERSEVERANCE" that lacks trust in God is merely "MENTAL STAMINA" that will eventually fail!"

"WE WERE CREATED TO WALK WITH GOD, NOT APART FROM HIM!"
"WE ARE DESIGNED TO BE DEPENDENT ON GOD, NOT SELF-RELIENT!"

"IN ORDER FOR THERE TO BE ANY GROWTH IN OUR SPIRITUAL BEING, THERE MUST FIRST BE LESSONS LEARNED THROUGH OUR CIRCUMSTANCES!"
"SEEKING TO SKIP THE PROCESS WILL EVENTUALLY CAUSE US TO MISS THE MARK!"

Trust God in the midst of all your circumstances & begin to welcome them as part of your growing experience!
Eventually, your spirit will graduate into maturity & wholeness!

"PATIENCE IS THE KEY TO MATURITY!"
"WITHOUT FAITH, THERE WILL ALWAYS BE BRIDGES YOU WILL NEVER BE ABLE TO CROSS!"

Ephesians 6: 4 (PARENT)

"Fathers, don't stir up anger in your children, but bring them up in the training and instructions of the Lord." ~ (Ephesians 6: 4)

PARENT - 1.one that begets or brings forth offspring. 2. a person who brings up and cares for another. 3. a protector or guardian.

WORTH IT ALL!

Acts 20:32-35
“Now I commit you to God and to the word of his grace, which can build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified. I have not coveted anyone’s silver or gold or clothing. You yourselves know that these hands of mine have supplied my own needs and the needs of my companions. In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ”

"FULFILL YOUR CALLING!"
"NEVER STOP!"
"NEVER HIDE!"
"NEVER QUIT!"
"NEVER BACK DOWN"
"FULFILL YOUR CALLING IN CHRIST JESUS!"

"IT IS WORTH SOOOO MUCH MORE THAN WHAT YOU SEE BEFORE YOU!"

Proverbs 22: 6

"Train up a child in the way they should go, and when they are old they will not depart from it."
~ (Proverbs 22: 6)

Technology, hollywood, and a rapidly declining moral society leave our kids exposed to sin more each day. Jesus, empower Christian role models with Your Holy Spirit in homes, churches, schools, and extracurriculars to pass our faith to the next generation and never give up on them. Amen.

I can't think of a better investment you could ever make than an investment in the life of a young person.

(Not a parent - consider being a mentor)

Galatians 2:20

"I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me."

"GREAT IS THE LORD & GREATLY TO BE PRAISED!"

I want to take this time to thank God for the Salvation that He offers all humanity through His Son Jesus Christ!

"LIFE IS A TERRIBLE THING TO WASTE!"
"BUT WE ARE SIMPLY DOING JUST THAT, IF WE DO NOT ALLOW JESUS TO ENTER OUR HEARTS & REIGN SUPREME!"

I would also like to take this time to thank everyone that is wishing me a happy birthday!
I want you all to know that I hold you dear to my heart in love & in prayer!

My birthday wish, is that all would be able to experience the "LOVE OF GOD" in a personal way & receive His Son Jesus as their "LORD & SAVIOR!" at some point in their lifetime!

"ETERNAL DAMNATION IS NOT SOMETHING THAT GOD DESIRES FOR ANYONE!"
"BUT IT IS A CHOICE WE MUST MAKE!"

"GOD OFFERS SALVATION THROUGH HIS SON JESUS FROM OUR SINS!"
Today, I pray that you would choose "JESUS!"
"BECAUSE HE HAS ALREADY CHOSEN YOU!"
"HE MADE THAT VERY CLEAR ON THE CROSS!"

Today I give to Jesus what He gave to me; "MY LIFE!"
LORD, MAY I SERVE YOU ALL THE DAYS OF MY LIFE!"

Acts 5: 29

"But Peter and the apostles replied, 'We must obey God rather than men." ~ (Acts 5: 29)

Above sacrifice, knowledge, and all else Father, may we demonstate our love for You in obedience to Your Holy Word, in Jesus' name. Amen.

Romans 6: 16

"Do you not know that if you offer yourselves to someone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of that one you obey? - either to sin leading to death or of obedience leading to righteousness."
~ (Romans 6: 16)

The Benefit of Scriptures!

Romans 15:4
"For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope."

"THANK GOD FOR HIS WORD!"
"IT HAS BEEN THE SOURCE OF STRENGTH, HOPE & GUIDANCE FOR MY LIFE FOR MANY YEARS NOW!"
"I AM SOOOOOOO GLAD THAT I PICKED IT UP & NEVER PUT IT DOWN!"

"FOLLOWING JESUS IS A JOURNEY!"
"BUT HE GAVE US A HANDBOOK, (THE BIBLE), TO HELP US ALONG THE WAY!"

John 14: 15

"If you love Me, you will keep My commandments." ~ (John 14: 15)

"Jesus Christ demands more complete allegiance than any dictator who ever lived. The difference is, He has a right to it." ~ Vance Harver

BALANCE!

Galatians 6:7
"Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man shall reap what he sows."

REALITY CHECK:
"DEEP SPIRITUAL CONVICTION = DEEP RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD!"

"WEAK SPIRITUAL CONVICTION = WEAK RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD!"

"THE CLOSER WE DRAW TO GOD, THE FURTHER WE GO FROM SELF!"

"THE FURTHER WE GO FROM GOD, THE CLOSER WE DRAW TO SELF!"

"GOD DEMANDS EVERYTHING WE HAVE!"
"GOD DESERVES EVERYTHING WE HAVE!"

"THE MORE WE KEEP TO OURSELVES, THE LESS WE GIVE TO GOD!"

"SPIRITUAL BALANCE IS NECESSARY!"
"JESUS, HELP US!"

Philippians 4:19

"And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from His glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus."

Have you ever been so full of praise, that even while you are taking a sip of water, your heart is still singing within you?
Have you ever raised your hands & felt so overwhelmed with God's presence that you break out in tears & tongues?
Have you ever been driving down the street & God breaks your heart for someone else's situation?
Has your heart ever felt the pain of the person crying next to you?
Has your desire been to do more than you possibly could?

"OH, THE JOY'S & BURDEN'S OF LIVING FOR CHRIST!"
"SPONTANEOUS WORSHIP, LIMITLESS LAUGHTER, OVERWHELMING JOY, HEART-BREAKING PASSION, DESIRED OBEDIENCE!"

What more can a person ask for!!!
"LIFE AT IT'S BEST!"
"LIVING FOR CHRIST WILL BE THE HIGHLIGHT OF YOUR LIFE!"
"LIVING FOR JESUS WILL MAKE YOU A BEACON TO GUIDE THE LOST TOWARD SALVATION!"
"DON'T WORRY, THAT WHICH YOU CAN NOT PROVIDE FOR OTHERS, GOD WILL SUPPLY!"

Will you let Jesus into your heart today?
It doesn't matter what you've been through!
He is able to forgive & restore!
"JESUS IS MORE THAN CAPABLE OF SAVING ANYONE OUT OF ANYWHERE!"
"NO SITUATION TAKES JESUS BY SURPRISE!"

Jeremiah 42: 6

"Whether it is pleasant or unpleasant, we will obey the voice of the Lord our God to whom we are sending you so that it may go well with us. We will certainly obey the voice of the Lord our God!" ~ (Jeremiah 42: 6)

Have a blessed day. Amen!

Psalm 119: 60 OBEY

"Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I obey Your word." ~ (Psalm 119: 60)

OBEY - 1. to carry out or fulfill the command, order, or instuction of. 2. to carry out or comply with (a command, for example). 3. to behave obediently.

Prayer!

James 1:19
"My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry..."

I was asked the other day;
"Why are you always so quiet?"

The answer is pretty simple;
"Silence is the best way to hear my Lord speak!"

Many people, talk to God & that is a great thing to do!
But what many fail to do is keep silent & hear His response!

"FAILURE TO HEAR SOMEONE'S RESPONSE CAN QUICKLY BECOME A MISINTERPRETATION!"
"WE MISTAKENLY ASSUME TO KNOW THEIR ANSWER!"

"WHEN WE TALK WITH GOD, WE MUST BE WILLING TO VALIDATE HIS CONVERSATION BY LISTENING TO HIS RESPONSE!"
"IF NOT, WE FAIL TO UNDERSTAND THE PRINCIPLE OF PRAYER!"