Focus!

Isaiah 26:7-8
"The path of the righteous is level; You, the Upright One, make the way of the righteous smooth.
Yes, LORD, walking in the way of Your laws, we wait for You; Your name and renown are the desire of our hearts."

Question of the day:
"WHERE IS YOUR FOCUS?"

Encouragement of the day:
"MAKE THE LORD THE NUMBER ONE PRIORITY IN YOUR LIFE!"

Matthew 13: 43

"Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Whoever has ears, let them hear." 

~ (Matthew 13: 43)

                

Holy Spirit, shine in us like stars in the sky, leading those who are lost toward salvation, in Jesus' Name. Amen.

2 Corinthians 4: 6

"For God, who said, 'Let light shine out of darkness,' made His light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God's glory displayed in the face of Christ." ~ (2 Corinthians 4: 6)

A blessed Friday to you family! Amen. 

Who do you really belong to?

1 Corinthians 3:16

"Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in your midst?"

"I'm alive, because You're alive in me!"

"I LOVE YOU, LORD JESUS!"

Service!

Luke 22:26
"But you are not to be like that. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves."

"THE VALUE WE PLACE ON OTHERS REFLECTS THE LEVEL OF KNOWLEDGE WE HAVE OF OUR MISSION!"

"WE WERE SAVED FOR A SPECIFIC PURPOSE!"

"THAT PURPOSE IS TO ASSIST IN THE FURTHERANCE OF THE GOSPEL!"

With that being said;
"OUR SERVICE SAYS MORE ABOUT OUR SALVATION THAN OUR WORDS EVER WILL!"
"DO EVERYTHING OUT OF LOVE!"

Remember;
"PLACING OTHERS FIRST DOES NOT PUT YOU BEHIND, BUT IN FRONT!"

Isaiah 60: 1

"Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you." ~ (Isaiah 60: 1)

"Shine, shine, shine tonight- It's time to let it show- Burn bright, light the fire- That leads the way to hope- The Maker of the stars lives in our souls- We have His light, what are we waiting for- Get out and glow." ~ Moriah Peters

Live for Christ!

2 Timothy 4:17
"But the Lord stood at my side and gave me strength, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. And I was delivered from the lion's mouth."

"GOD SAVED US FOR A REASON!"

"THAT REASON IS TO TESTIFY ABOUT HIS GOODNESS & LOVE!"

"SHARING THE GOSPEL WITH THE WORLD IS OUR PRIVILEGE!"

"LIVING A LIFE THAT REFLECTS THE GOSPELS POWER IS OUR DUTY!"

With that being said;
"LIVE ACCORDING TO SCRIPTURE, NOT SOCIETY!"
"LIVE DIFFERENTLY, LIVE EMPOWERED, LIVE HOLY!"

"LIVE FOR THE ONE WHO DIED FOR YOU!"

"LIFT UP THE ONE WHO WILL RAISE YOU UP!"

"LIVE FOR JESUS CHRIST!"
"THE KING OF KINGS & LORD OF LORDS!"

Have a blessed day!

Daniel 12: 3

"Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever." ~ (Daniel 12: 3)

Shine, JESUS, Shine! Amen.

Recognition!

Nehemiah 1:4-6
"When I heard these things, I sat down and wept. For some days I mourned and fasted and prayed before the God of heaven. Then I said:" LORD, the God of heaven, the great and awesome God, who keeps His covenant of love with those who love Him and keep His commandments, let Your ear be attentive and Your eyes open to hear the prayer Your servant is praying before You day and night for Your servants, the people of Israel. I confess the sins we Israelites, including myself and my father's family, have committed against you."

"NOTICE THAT NEHEMIAH WENT FROM FOCUSING ON GOD'S CHARACTER, TO HIS OWN FRAILTIES!"
"HE REALIZED THAT HE HAD FALLEN SHORT OF GOD'S STANDARD!"

"WHEN WE RECOGNIZE GOD'S HOLINESS, THEN THAT WHICH FOLLOWS IS A PERCEPTION OF OUR SINFULNESS!"

"THE REASON WE THINK WE ARE SUCH CAPABLE INDIVIDUALS IS THAT WE REALLY DON'T KNOW WHAT KIND OF GOD WE ARE RELATED TO!"

"BUT WHEN OUR THOUGHTS ARE FLOODED WITH WHO GOD IS, THEN OUR TRUE CONDITION COMES TO LIGHT!"

"THAT IS WHEN WE REALIZE OUR TRUE NEED FOR HIS MERCY!"
"THAT IS WHEN WE BECOME MOST AWARE OF HIS GRACE!"
"THAT IS WHERE IT ALL BEGINS!"

"IN BROKENNESS, WE ENTER HIS PRESENCE!"
"BY HIS LOVINGKINDNESS, HE FORGIVES & RESTORES US!"

PRAISE THE LORD ALMIGHTY!

Matthew 5: 16 SHINE

"In the same way, let your light so shine before others, so that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father in heaven."

~ (Matthew 5: 16

SHINE - 1. to emit light; reflect, glint, or glisten. 2. to distinguish oneself in an activity or a field; excel.

Luke 8: 16

"No one lights a lamp and hides it under a basket or puts it under a bed. Instead, they put it on a stand, so that those who come in can see the light." 

~ (Luke 8: 16)

Jesus, as our Lord and Savior, You deserve to shine bright. Forgive us for the times we've kept Your light to ourselves. Amen.

True Submission!

1 Samuel 15:10-11a, 22-23
"Then the word of the Lord came to Samuel: “I regret that I have made Saul king, because he has turned away from me and has not carried out my instructions.”
But Samuel replied:
“Does the Lord delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices
    as much as in obeying the Lord?
To obey is better than sacrifice,
    and to heed is better than the fat of rams.
For rebellion is like the sin of divination,
    and arrogance like the evil of idolatry.
Because you have rejected the word of the Lord,
    he has rejected you as king.”"

WHY did God reject Saul as king?
Because Saul had obeyed, but not completely!

"IN GOD'S ECONOMY, PARTIAL OBEDIENCE IS DISOBEDIENCE!"

Today, I just want to encourage everyone to:
"RUN THE RACE WITH YOUR WHOLE HEART!"
"NO HALF STEPPING!"
"NO STRADDLING THE FENCE!"
"NO HIDDEN AGENDAS!"
"JUST COMPLETE & HUMBLE OBEDIENCE TO OUR KING!"

Vision! Not Agenda!

1 Corinthians 12:18-20
"But in fact God has placed the parts in the body, every one of them, just as He wanted them to be. If they were all one part, where would the body be? As it is, there are many parts, but one body."

"WE NEED GOD-GIVEN VISION, NOT MAN MADE AGENDAS!"

"WHILE WE MUST STRIVE TO SEEK GOD'S WILL!"
"WE MUST ALSO BE CAUTIOUS NOT TO CONFUSE DESIRE FOR VISION!"

Many times, wanting to do well, we step out of God's boundaries & stray in error!
Thinking we are on the right path, we set ourselves up for hardship!

"GOD HAS SET AN ORDER IN HIS HOUSE & WE DO WELL TO HEED HIS INSTRUCTION!"

"WHILE THE FEET DO THE WALKING, IT IS THE HEAD THAT GIVES DIRECTION!"
"WHILE THEY ARE OF EQUAL IMPORTANCE, THEY SERVE DIFFERENT FUNCTIONS!"
"THEREFORE, MAKE SURE YOU ASK THE HEAD FOR DIRECTION & NOT THE FEET!"

"BECAUSE EVERY PART OF THE BODY HAS A FUNCTION GIVEN BY GOD!"
"OPERATE IN YOURS & LET OTHERS OPERATE IN THEIRS!"

Today's lesson:
"DON'T OVERSTEP YOUR BOUNDARIES, OR YOU WILL FIND YOURSELF IN SOMEONE ELSE'S BACKYARD!"

Dependence!

Colossians 1:27
"For God wanted them to know that the riches and glory of Christ are for you Gentiles, too. And this is the secret: Christ lives in you. This gives you assurance of sharing His glory."

"I NEED YOU, LORD!"

I am not ashamed to tell the world that my dependence is upon God!
God sent His Son, Jesus.
Jesus stand in my place of punishment.
Through Him, I received forgiveness & a newness of life!

"TODAY, I AM A VERY BLESSED MAN!"
"TODAY, I COMPLETELY RELY ON GOD!"
"I DO NOT CONSIDER MYSELF INDEPENDENT!"
"BUT DEPENDENT ON HIS GRACE & MERCY!"

"THIS BRINGS ABOUT A GRATITUDE IN MY LIFE THAT NEVER SEEMS TO DIMINISH!"
"INSTEAD, IT MOTIVATES ME TO DRAW CLOSER TO HIM!"

"I WILL NEVER LOOK BACK!"
"I ENCOURAGE YOU TO DO THE SAME!"

"PUT YOUR TRUST IN CHRIST!"

CONTEXT CONTEXT CONTEXT

When reading and studying the Bible we must make sure we have correct context in order to properly understand and apply the scriptures to our lives. Below is an example. 

Word: Date

Sentence: Chloe is feeling very lonely and would like a date. 

Paragraph: Chloe is feeling lonely and would like a date. Chloe's favorite foods are figs and dates. In the past when Chloe was depressed or lonely she had a bad habit of eating instead of turning to God for comfort and peace. But now that she is born again, whenever Chloe is lonely or depressed, instead of eating, she puts her faith and trust in The Lord. 

Correct Context: We get a much different understanding of the word and the sentence when read in correct context. This also applies to news, social media, emails, and more. Before reacting to something or making a judgement, make sure you clearly understand the full context of the message. In a recent inner city shooting a news reporter interviewed a four year old witness and asked him what he thought of the situation. The four year old said, "I'm not afraid, when I grow up I'm gonna have me a gun too." The four year old was made out to be a thug, a product of his environment. But that statement was taking out of context. The four year old went on to say, "I'm gonna have me a gun because I'm gonna be the police" 

Below are some basic guidelines to assist you when reading or studying scripture. 

1. A word must be understood in the way it is used in its sentence
2. A sentence must be understood within its context.
3. Scriptures on similar topics should be compared. If necessary, a third Scripture could explain the conflict between two Scriptures.
4. A clear passage is preferred over a difficult passage on the same subject.
5. Pay close attention to spelling, grammar, and figures of speech

Luke 21: 33

"Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will never pass away." ~ (Luke 21: 33)

We live in a fast paced world of constant change, but You Lord, are a constant that never changes. Thank You Father, for Your constant love and guidance. Amen.

Psalm 102: 26-27

"They will perish, but You remain; they will all wear out like a garment. Like clothing You will change them and they will be changed. But You remain the same, and Your years will never end." 

~ (Psalm 102: 26-27)

Praise be to our Almighty God! Amen.

Break of out the Box!

"LEARN TO READ SCRIPTURE AS IF IT WERE THE FIRST TIME!"
"SOMETIMES IT HELPS TO READ A DIFFERENT VERSION THAN WHAT WE ARE ACCUSTOMED TO!"
"THIS HELPS BREAK THE NORMALCY & FAMILIARITY IN OUR LIFE!"
"IT CAN HELP RENEW YOUR PASSION FOR GOD'S WORD & GIVE YOU FRESH INSIGHT!"

Here is a popular portion of scripture in a different version. (J.B. Phillips New Testament)
I pray that this blesses you;

1 Corinthians 13
"If I speak with the eloquence of men and of angels, but have no love, I become no more than blaring brass or crashing cymbal. If I have the gift of foretelling the future and hold in my mind not only all human knowledge but the very secrets of God, and if I also have that absolute faith which can move mountains, but have no love, I amount to nothing at all. If I dispose of all that I possess, yes, even if I give my own body to be burned, but have no love, I achieve precisely nothing.
This love of which I speak is slow to lose patience—it looks for a way of being constructive. It is not possessive: it is neither anxious to impress nor does it cherish inflated ideas of its own importance.
Love has good manners and does not pursue selfish advantage. It is not touchy. It does not keep account of evil or gloat over the wickedness of other people. On the contrary, it is glad with all good men when truth prevails.
Love knows no limit to its endurance, no end to its trust, no fading of its hope; it can outlast anything. It is, in fact, the one thing that still stands when all else has fallen.
For if there are prophecies they will be fulfilled and done with, if there are “tongues” the need for them will disappear, if there is knowledge it will be swallowed up in truth. For our knowledge is always incomplete and our prophecy is always incomplete, and when the complete comes, that is the end of the incomplete.
When I was a little child I talked and felt and thought like a little child. Now that I am a man my childish speech and feeling and thought have no further significance for me.
At present we are men looking at puzzling reflections in a mirror. The time will come when we shall see reality whole and face to face! At present all I know is a little fraction of the truth, but the time will come when I shall know it as fully as God now knows me!
In this life we have three great lasting qualities—faith, hope and love. But the greatest of them is love."

Blessings for All!

3 John 1:2

"Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well."

I PRAY A BLESSING OVER YOU ALL!

James 1: 17

"Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows." ~ (James 1: 17)

"Constant dripping hollows out a stone." ~ Lucretius 

Pressing In!

Ecclesiastes 9:11a
"I have seen something else under the sun: The race is not to the swift or the battle to the strong..."

"PRESSING IN DOES NOT NECESSARILY MEAN THAT YOU WILL ACCOMPLISH YOUR GOALS!"
"THAT IS NOT THE PURPOSE OF PRESSING IN!"

"THE PURPOSE OF PRESSING IN IS TO BUILD CHARACTER!"
"TO BUILD UP YOUR PERSEVERANCE!"
"TO CREATE IN YOU AN ATTITUDE OF NEVER GIVING UP!"

"THE CHRISTIAN WALK IS NOT BASED ON SPEED, BUT ON DIRECTION!"
"SOMETIMES, YOU WILL HAVE TO RELY ON SPIRITUAL STAMINA!"
"BUT THIS ONLY COMES THROUGH SPIRITUAL CONDITIONING!"
"YOU WILL BE REQUIRED TO PRESS IN!"
"TO STAND THE TEST OF TIME & STRUGGLES!"

"MOVING FORWARD IS THE KEY!"

"AT THE END, GOD WILL HAVE DONE SOMETHING INSIDE OF YOU THAT WILL ENDURE THROUGH THE AGES!"

"THEREFORE ALLOW GOD TO FINISH WHAT HE HAS STARTED IN YOU!"
"DON'T RUN FROM IT!"
"RUN TO IT!"

Malachi 3: 6

"For I, the Lord, do not change; therefore you, Oh sons of Jacob, are not destroyed." ~ (Malachi 3: 6)

Praise the Lord! And may He bless you today, friend. Amen.

Study!

1 Corinthians 2:9
"However, as it is written: "What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived"—the things God has prepared for those who love Him."

"GOD HAS PREPARED INCREDIBLE THINGS FOR YOU!"
"THE SCRIPTURES ARE HIS APPOINTED MEANS OF BRINGING THEM TO YOU!"

"THE BEST THING ABOUT READING GOD'S WORD ON A PERSONAL BASIS IS THAT YOU WILL EVENTUALLY FALL IN LOVE WITH HIM THE MORE YOU GET TO KNOW HIM THROUGH SCRIPTURE!"

"SERMONS ARE GOOD!"
"COMMENTARIES ARE VERY HELPFUL!"
"BOOKS ARE GREAT RESOURCES!"
"BUT THEY ARE ALL SECONDHAND!"

"IF YOU WANT TO KNOW GOD DIRECTLY, YOU NEED TO ENCOUNTER HIS WORD DIRECTLY!" (excerpts from "Living by the Book")

"STUDY GOD'S WORD!"
"CRAVE GOD'S WORD!"
"OBEY GOD'S WORD!"
"EXPERIENCE THE BENEFITS OF GOD'S WORD!"

Romans 12: 12 CONSTANT

"Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, constant in prayer." ~ (Romans 12: 12)

CONSTANT - 1. happening all the time or very often over a period of time. 2. staying the same: not changing. 3. marked by firm steadfast resolution or faithfulness. 

Study! Study! Study!

2 Timothy 3:16-17
"All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work."

"STUDYING GOD'S WORD IS ESSENTIAL FOR ALL CHRISTIANS!"
"WE CAN NOT OPERATE UNDER GOD'S AUTHORITY, IF WE DO NOT UNDERSTAND HIS JURISDICTION!"

"WE, AS CHRISTIANS, MUST OPERATE WITHIN THE BOUNDARIES THAT GOD HAS SET!"
"OVER-STEPPING THEM CAN LEAD TO UNNECESSARY STRUGGLES!"

"WHILE IT IS TRUE THAT WE ARE TO BE SPIRIT-LED!"
"IT IS ALSO TRUE THAT WE MUST BE SPIRIT-FED!"

"A HEALTHY CHRISTIAN IS ONE WHO CONTINUOUSLY REMAINS FILLED WITH  THE SPIRITUAL MANA THAT GOD HAS PROVIDED!"

"HIS WORD!"

"LET US STUDY GOD'S WORD!"
"NOT BECAUSE WE ARE TOLD TO!"
"BUT BECAUSE WE NEED TO, IF WE DESIRE TO BE EFFECTIVE!"

Hebrews 13: 8

"Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever." ~ (Hebrews 13: 8)

In a rapidly changing world, oh what a joy, what a joy, what a joy... to know that You, God, remain constant. Amen

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Rejoicing at His Feet!

Luke 5:17c
"The power of the Lord was present to heal them."

Today, we meet at churches all over the world, to worship God with His congregation!
Today, His host of angels will join us as we worship in the assembly!
Today, we can take delight & rejoice in our God with His people!
Oh, what a privilege!

"SO GO & ADORE HIM WITH EVERYTHING YOU GOT!"
"DON'T HOLD ANYTHING BACK!"
"YOUR JOY!"
"YOUR STRUGGLE!"
"YOUR ANXIETY!"
"YOUR FAMILY!"
"YOUR MINISTRY!"
"YOUR EMPLOYMENT!"
"YOUR FRIENDS!"
"YOUR PLANS!"

"LIFT IT ALL UP TO HIM!"
"LET HIM DEAL WITH YOUR ISSUES!"

"YOUR BREAKTHROUGH IS RIGHT AROUND THE CORNER!"

"TOTALLY ABANDON YOURSELF & TAKE UP HIS CAUSE!"
"WORSHIP HIM IN THE BEAUTY OF HOLINESS!"
"WORSHIP HIM WITH YOUR WHOLE HEART!"

"LAY IT ALL AT HIS FEET!"
"TODAY, THE LORD IS PRESENT TO HEAL & DELIVER YOU!"
"TODAY, IS THE DAY THAT THE LORD HAS MADE!"
"THEREFORE, REJOICE & BE GLAD IN IT!"

Matthew 7: 25

"The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock." ~ (Matthew 7: 25)

Jesus, You are our Rock and our Foundation!!! When the rain, floods, and winds of this world beat against us, we know we have You to stand upon, and stand we will! Amen.

Psalm 118: 22

"The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone." ~ (Psalm 118: 22)

On Christ the solid Rock we stand, all other ground is sinking sand. Amen!

It's a Process!

Hebrews 12:14
"Strive for peace with everyone, and for holiness without which no one will see the Lord."

"THIS LIFE IS THE PROCESS, NOT THE FINISHED PRODUCT!"
"THEREFORE, DO NOT BE DISCOURAGED WHEN THINGS DON'T GO THE WAY YOU WANT THEM TO!"

"WE ALL FALL SHORT AT SOME POINT IN OUR LIFE!"
"BUT THANK GOD FOR HIS GRACE & MERCY!"

"THE LORD IS NOT SO MUCH CONCERNED WITH WHAT WE SAY & DO!"
"BUT WHY WE SAY & DO IT!"
"HE UNDERSTANDS OUR MOTIVES!"
"THEREFORE, HE SEEKS TO PURIFY OUR INTENTIONS!"

"GOD DESIRES A PURE HEART!"
"ONLY THE PURE WILL SEE HIM!"
"THEREFORE, ALLOW THE PROCESS TO CONTINUE IN YOUR LIFE!"

I just feel the urgency to add;
"BE CAREFUL NOT TO HINDER ANYONE ELSE'S PROCESS!"
"LET GOD DEAL WITH THAT INDIVIDUAL!"

Why?
"Because the Lord understands that individual's motive & has a better perspective on how to bring that person through the process successfully!"

Where are we going?

Isaiah 40:11
"He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young."

"LEADERSHIP IS NOT JUST ABOUT TELLING OTHERS WHAT THEY SHOULD DO!"
"NOR WHAT THEY SHOULDN'T DO!"

"BUT WALKING WITH THEM & BEING THE EXAMPLE FOR THEM TO FOLLOW!"
"UNTIL IT BECOMES FIRST NATURE TO THEM!"

"WANTING TO ALWAYS BE IN CONTROL REVEALS INSECURITY & IMMATURITY!"

"TEACHING OTHERS TO TAKE CHARGE IS THE MARK OF A GREAT LEADER!"

As Pastor John Moses Timothy said today at lunch;
"You have 'DID-DILLY SQUAT' to offer anyone, expect YOUR CALLING!"

"OUR CALLING COMES FROM GOD & IT IS TOTALLY UNMERITED!"
"GOD HAS BESTOWED HIS GRACE UPON US!"

"OUR STEWARDSHIP WILL BE CALLED TO ACCOUNT!"

"LEADERSHIP GRABS SOMEONE BY THE HAND & INVITES THEM TO TAKE A JOURNEY TOGETHER!"

Most importantly:
"LEADERSHIP DOES NOT HOLD ANYONE TO A STANDARD THAT THEY THEMSELVES CAN NOT UPHOLD!"

Assurance!

John 14:10
“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in Me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with Me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going.”

"JESUS SPOKE THESE WORDS OF ASSURANCE TO HIS DISCIPLES AT A TIME WHEN INSECURITIES & DOUBTS PLAGUED THEM!"
"HE WAS PREPARING THEM FOR WHAT WAS TO COME!"
"HE IS THE SAME YESTERDAY, TODAY & FOREVERMORE!"

Are you a disciple of Jesus?
Is He the One influencing you?
Is He the One you follow?
Are you being transformed into His image?
Is your mind being renewed day by day?

(NOTICE THAT YOU HAVEN'T BEEN ASKED IF YOU ARE PERFECT!)

"ALL THAT IS REQUIRED OF US AS CHRISTIANS IS THAT WE LOVE THE LORD ENOUGH TO TRUST HIM WITH OUR LIVE'S!"
"HIS DIRECTION!"
"HIS KINDNESS!"
"HIS GRACE!"
"HIS INSTRUCTION!"
"IT ALL LEADS TOWARD ETERNITY IN THE FATHER'S HOUSE!"

"THEREFORE, OUR LABOR IS NOT IN VAIN!"
"OUR PATIENCE IS NOT OVERLOOKED!"

Most importantly:
"OUR ASSURANCE IS SECURE IN CHRIST!"

"WHEN THE END OF OUR DAYS COME, ETERNITY WILL CONTINUE TO EMBRACE US!"

Shine!!!!!

Isaiah 49:6
He says, "You will do more than restore the people of Israel to Me. I will make you a light to the Gentiles, and you will bring My salvation to the ends of the earth."

Today, as you go about your day:
"SHINE YOUR LIGHT!"
"LET IT SHINE FOR JESUS!"
"FOR THIS IS WHY YOU WERE CREATED!"

"HONOR JESUS' SOVEREIGNTY WITH YOUR OBEDIENCE!"
"LET JESUS BE THE LIGHT THAT BURNS INSIDE OF YOU!"
"LET HIM FILL YOU TO THE POINT OF OVERFLOWING!"

"WHEN YOU LOOK IN A MIRROR, DESIRE TO SEE JESUS' REFLECTION!"
"WHEN YOU GO ABOUT YOUR DAY, DESIRE FOR OTHERS TO SEE JESUS' GLORY UPON YOU!"

Most of all:
"DESIRE THE DAY WHEN THE PERSON NEXT TO YOU IS HONORING THE LORD ALONG SIDE YOU!"

"WE WERE MEANT TO SHINE!"
"ISN'T IT ABOUT TIME WE DO SO?"

Ezra 3: 11

"They sang with praise and thanksgiving to the Lord: 'For He is good; His faithful love to Israel endures forever.' Then all the people gave a great shout of praise to the Lord because the foundation of the Lord's house had been laid." ~ (Ezra 3: 11)

"You can't build on a weak foundation. You must have a solid foundation if you're going to have a strong superstructure." ~ Gordon B. Hinckley 

Run!

John 10:10
"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I, (JESUS), came that they may have life and have it abundantly."

"IF GOD IS STIRRING YOU IN A NEW DIRECTION!"
"FOLLOW!"

"IF HE IS CALLING YOU TO NEW HEIGHTS!"
"GO!"

"IF HE IS DESIRING, THEN YOU SHOULD BE WILLING!"

"GOD ONLY HAS THE BEST PLANS & PURPOSES FOR YOUR LIFE IN MIND!"

"THEREFORE, RUN IN HIS DIRECTION EVERY MOMENT OF THE DAY!"
"FOLLOW HIS LEADING WITH EVERY BREATH IN YOUR BODY!"
"MAKE HIS INTENTION, YOUR MISSION!"

"LIVE LIFE TO THE FULLEST!"

Today, I would like to encourage everyone to:
"LIVE THE LIFE GOD CREATED YOU FOR & DO NOT SETTLE FOR ANYTHING LESS!"
"YOUR LIFE IS MEANT TO GLORIFY GOD EVERY STEP OF THE WAY!"
"THEREFORE, WALK IN YOUR CALLING & ALLOW GOD TO RECEIVE HIS DUE!"
"HE IS WORTHY OF THE GLORY!"

1 Corinthians 3: 10-11

"According to God's grace that was given to me, I have laid a foundation as a skilled master builder, and another builds on it. But each one must be careful how he builds on it. For no man can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ." ~ (1 Corinthians 3: 10-11)

God bless your Wednesday friend. Amen.

He Calms the Storm!

Matthew 8:27
The disciples were amazed. "Who is this man?" they asked. "Even the winds and waves obey him!"

"LET GO & TRUST IN HIM!"
"THE WINDS & WAVES STILL KNOW HIS NAME!"
"THEY STILL OBEY HIM!"

"AT THE MENTION OF JESUS, THE ROARING SEA MUST CALM DOWN!"
"AT THE MENTION OF JESUS, YOUR PEACE IS SECURED!"

"AT THE MENTION OF JESUS!"
"AT THE MENTION OF JESUS!"

"EVERYTHING MUST COME UNDER SUBMISSION TO CHRIST!"
"JESUS HAS BEEN GIVEN ALL AUTHORITY!"

The best thing is that:
"WHEN YOU COME UNDER HIS AUTHORITY, YOU ALSO COME UNDER HIS PROTECTION!"
"THEREFORE, DO NOT LET THE STORMS OF LIFE FILL YOU WITH FEAR!"
"BUT INSTEAD, LET GOD'S PROMISES FILL YOU WITH HOPE!"

"JESUS IS ON THE BOAT WITH YOU!"
"THEREFORE, THE BOAT WILL NEVER SINK!"

"BE ENCOURAGED TODAY IN CHRIST JESUS!"
"NO MATTER WHAT YOU ARE GOING THROUGH!"

1 Timothy 6: 19 FOUNDATION

"In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life." ~ (1 Timothy 6: 19)

FOUNDATION - 1. the act of founding, especially the establishment of an institution with provisions for the future maintenance. 2. the basis on which a thing stands, is founded, or is supported by.

True Service!

John 4:24
"God is a Spirit: and they that worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in truth."

"LORD, WHATEVER YOU CALL ME TO DO, I WILL DO!"
"LORD, MAY MY HEART ALWAYS BE THAT OF YOUR SERVANT!"
"LORD, MAY MY WORSHIP BE MORE THAN WORDS!"

"LORD, I AM AT YOUR SERVICE!"
"DO WHATEVER YOU PLEASE!"
"WHENEVER YOU CHOOSE!"
"HOWEVER YOU SEE FIT!"

"MAY YOU ALWAYS HAVE THE FIRST WORD & ULTIMATELY THE LAST!"
"LORD JESUS, YOU ARE MY KING!"
"I AM YOUR SERVANT!"
"USE ME!"
"BECAUSE THIS IS WHAT I WAS CREATED FOR!"

Isaiah 33: 6

"He will be the sure foundation for your times, a rich store of salvation and wisdom and knowledge; the fear of the Lord is the key to this treasure." ~ (Isaiah 33: 6)

Lord Jesus, we are grateful for the foundation for which You provide us. We can build and, if necessary, rebuild on what You and Your Word have started in us. Amen.

MEMORIES!

Today I would like to talk to you for a few moments about Memories!
I would like to believe that we all have a few good memories that bring a smile to our faces when we remember them & probably to the faces of others, if we were to share our stories!
Memories are what feed us when absence abounds! Memories can carry us through tough times in life! They can even encourage us to move forward when our situation is saying “Give Up!”
MEMORIES ARE AT THE VERY CORE OF OUR EXISTENCE! “When we leave this world, Memories will be the only thing left of us!”
With this in mind, I would like to share a very special memory in my life that has helped me when I am faced with uncertainty! This memory is of my encounter with Jesus Christ!
At one point in my life, I had no direction & found myself living a life without meaning. I could not see past the present day. Therefore, I lived a reckless, selfish & even a solitary lifestyle. It seemed as if there was no hope for me & that my future would be as dreadful as my past!
But then, one day, someone told me about Jesus Christ & how He loved me so much that He chose to suffer so that I could one day spend eternity with Him in Paradise!
I was so excited to hear that someone cared about me so much that I asked Jesus into my life & began to learn more about Him. He changed my perspective of life! He gave me purpose! He gave me joy!
“BEST OF ALL, HE GAVE ME A FUTURE THAT BRINGS A SMILE TO MY FACE EVERYTIME I THINK ABOUT WHERE I AM GOING AFTER I LEAVE THIS EARTH!”
“I AM GOING TO HEAVEN & YOU CAN TOO!”
But there are a few things required in order for you to enter through those heavenly gates:
1- First you must REPENT of your sins! (Matt. 4:17) “Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is near!” (TURN FROM THE BAD THINGS YOU HAVE DONE IN LIFE!)
2- Then you must BELIEVE & ACCEPT Jesus Christ as your Lord & Savior! (John 3:16) “God so loved!” (LET HIM BE THE ONE LEADS YOU BY THE HAND THROUGH THE GATES OF HEAVEN!)

Romans 6:23 says,
“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
When you make Jesus the Lord of your life, you gain the only access there is into heaven! “MEMORIES ARE MADE BY MOMENTS THAT ARE MEANINGFUL!”
Today, I would like to encourage you to make the best memory of your life!
“THE ONE WHICH GOT YOU INTO HEAVEN!”
“REPENT & ACCEPT JESUS CHRIST AS YOUR LORD & SAVIOR!”
God Bless You All! 

Entrusted!

Acts 20:27-28
"For I have not hesitated to proclaim to you the whole will of God. Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which He bought with His own blood."

"YOU HAVE BEEN ENTRUSTED!"

John 15: 5

"I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in Me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from Me you can do nothing." ~ (John 15: 5)

God, we recognize that even our best and most sincere efforts have no worth if they're not done in Your Name. You, and You alone, are worthy of all the credit. Amen.

Exodus 34: 14

"Do not worship any other god, for the Lord, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous god." ~ (Exodus 34: 14)

And unlike us Lord, You have every right to be. All praise be to Your most worthy Name. Amen.

DUE!

Psalm 29:2
"Ascribe to the LORD the glory due His name; worship the LORD in the splendor of His holiness."

"DO NOT MAKE THE SITUATION THAT YOU ARE CURRENTLY IN ABOUT YOU!"
"BECAUSE IT IS NOT!"

"GOD HAS DESIGNED THIS SPECIFIC MOMENT OF WEAKNESS TO SHOW HIS TRUE POWER!"
"THEREFORE, BE CAREFUL TO MAINTAIN THE FOCUS WHERE IT BELONGS & GOD WILL BE CAREFUL TO WORK THINGS OUT TO YOUR ADVANTAGE!"

"ALL YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES!"
"WHETHER YOU MADE A MISTAKE OR ARE BEING PERSECUTED!"
"WHETHER YOU PLACED YOURSELF IN THAT POSITION OR WERE PLACED!"

"WHATEVER THE CASE MAY BE!"
"GOD USES THESE OPPORTUNITIES TO BRING DELIVERANCE & RECOGNITION!"

"DELIVERANCE FOR YOU & RECOGNITION TO HIS SAVING GRACE!"

"THEREFORE, DO NOT ROB HIM OF WHAT IS DUE TO HIM BY MAKING THE SITUATION ABOUT YOU!"
"INSTEAD, MAINTAIN THE FOCUS ON JESUS & MAKE SURE THAT EVERYONE ELSE KNOWS WHO YOUR DELIVERER IS!"

"OUR CIRCUMSTANCES ARE DESIGNED TO PUT JESUS ON CENTER STAGE!"
"NOT US!"

"THEREFORE, GIVE TO GOD WHAT IS GOD'S!!!"
"ALL THE PRAISE & ALL THE HONOR BELONG TO GOD!!!"

Romans 3: 23

"For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." ~ (Romans 3: 23)

"God did not choose us because we were worthy, but by choosing us He makes us worthy." ~ Thomas Watson

Committed!

Acts 20:24
"However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God's grace."

God's Love!

Acts 17:26-28a
"From one man He made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and He marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands. God did this so that they would seek Him and perhaps reach out for Him and find Him, though He is not far from any one of us. 'For in Him we live and move and have our being.'"

"DRAW NEAR TO GOD!"
"NOT BECAUSE HE IS FAR FROM YOU!"
"BUT BECAUSE HE IS CLOSER THAN YOU KNOW!"

Many times we fail to seek God because we think that He is unreachable.
We allow our issues to draw us further away, instead of closer to Him.
But that is not God's desire for us!!!

"HE WANTS US TO DRAW CLOSER TO HIM IN THE MIDST OF OUR CIRCUMSTANCES!"
"EVERYTHING HE DOES IS WITH THE INTENTION OF SPENDING ETERNITY WITH US!"
"THEREFORE, DO NOT LET YOUR ISSUES DRAW YOU AWAY FROM HIM!"
"BUT ON THE CONTRARY, CLOSER!!!"

"THE LOVE OF GOD FOR YOU IS GREATER THAN YOU CAN UNDERSTAND!"
"SO STOP TRYING TO FIGURE IT OUT!"
"BECAUSE YOU NEVER WILL!"
"JUST EMBRACE IT BY FAITH!"

"DRAW NEAR TO GOD!"
"NOT BECAUSE HE IS FAR FROM YOU!"
"BUT BECAUSE HE IS CLOSER THAN YOU KNOW!"

Isaiah 64: 6

"All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind our sin sweeps us away." 

~ (Isaiah 64: 6)

But... thank You Father, for sending our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!! Amen.

Troubles?

Acts 14:21-22
"They preached the gospel in that city and won a large number of disciples. Then they returned to Lystra, Iconium and Antioch, strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the faith."We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God," they said."

"THE CHRISTIAN WALK MAY NOT BE AN EASY ROAD TO TRAVEL!"
"BUT THIS WAS NEVER PROMISED!"
"ACTUALLY, THE TOTAL OPPOSITE IS PROCLAIMED THROUGHOUT SCRIPTURE!"

"BUT GOD DID PROMISE THAT THE LIGHT & MOMENTARY TROUBLES DO NOT COMPARE!"
"THEY ARE ACHIEVING FOR US AN ETERNAL WEIGHT OF GLORY THAT FAR OUTWEIGH THEM ALL!"

"WE ARE OVERCOMER'S THROUGH CHRIST!"
"WE HAVE BEEN PUT ON DISPLAY FOR ALL THE WORLD TO SEE!"
"THEREFORE, EMBRACE YOUR CALLING NOW & ENJOY HIS PRESENCE FOR ETERNITY!"

"GO & MAKE DISCIPLES FOR JESUS!"

John 1: 27 WORTHY

"It is He who comes after me, whose sandal strap I'm not worthy to untie." ~ (John 1: 27)

WORTHY - 1. good and deserving respect, praise, or attention. 2. having enough good qualities to be considered important, useful, etc...

Spread the Word!

Acts 12:24
"But the Word of God continued to spread and flourish."

"LORD, MAY WE ALL  DESIRE TO BECOME A PRESENT TENSE OF THIS VERSE!"

"WE SHOULD ALL BE DESIROUS TO SHARE THE GOOD NEWS OF GOD'S GRACE WITH THIS DYING & HURTING WORLD!"
"WE SHOULD ALL SEEK TO CONTINUOUSLY BE FILLED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT!"
"WE ARE SOLDIERS, NOT SPECTATORS!"
"LET' US BE WELL PREPARED FOR OUR MISSION!"

Psalm 53: 3

"All have turned away; all alike have become corrupt. There is no one who does good, not even one." ~ (Psalm 53: 3)

Father, please don't allow any of us to fall into the trap of thinking that there is anything we can say or do to make ourselves worthy of heaven. For we acknowledge that it is Christ alone that makes us worthy. Amen.

Dreams do come True!

Psalm 37:4
"Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He shall give you the desires of your heart."

Joel 2:25-27
"So I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten,
The crawling locust,
The consuming locust,
And the chewing locust,
My great army which I sent among you.
You shall eat in plenty and be satisfied,
And praise the name of the Lord your God,
Who has dealt wondrously with you;
And My people shall never be put to shame.
Then you shall know that I am in the midst of Israel:
I am the Lord your God
And there is no other.
My people shall never be put to shame."

Matthew 6:33
"But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you."

"ONCE UPON A TIME, I SERVED NO ONE BUT MYSELF!"
"I HAD DREAMS, BUT FAILED TO ACHIEVE THEM DUE TO MY RECKLESSNESS!"
"I WENT ASTRAY, DOWN A DEEP & DARK PATH!"
"BUT GOD WHO IS FULL OF GRACE & MERCY, SAW IT FIT TO FORGIVE ME & TRANSFORM MY LIFE!"
"IN GRATITUDE FOR WHAT HE HAS DONE FOR ME, I HAVE CHOSEN TO SERVE HIM FAITHFULLY & SELFLESSLY!"
"I ALWAYS THOUGHT MY DREAMS WERE LEFT AT THE CROSS & SO IT WAS!"
"I BEGAN TO PURSUE WHOLEHEARTEDLY THE THINGS OF GOD & FORGOT ABOUT MY CHILDHOOD DREAM!"
"I ALWAYS DREAMT OF BECOMING A PILOT & FLYING A PLANE, BUT CHOSE TO FULFILL MY CALLING FOR THE SAKE OF THE FURTHERANCE OF THE GOSPEL!"
"BUT GOD, IN HIS INFINITE GRACE, SAW IT FIT TODAY TO BLESS ME IN A WAY THAT FOR 40 YEARS HAD ONLY BEEN A FANTASY!"
"TODAY GOD GAVE ME WINGS & I LIVED OUT MY DREAM!"
"TODAY, I AM SO GRATEFUL & HUMBLED BY THE GRACE OF GOD!"
"I THANK GOD FOR MY FRIENDS & FAMILY WHO MADE THIS POSSIBLE!"

"BART, RICK, DEAN!!!!"
"YOU GUYS ARE AWESOME!"

I just want to take this time to encourage everyone to follow Jesus wherever He may lead you!

Watch this video to understand my Joy!
http://youtu.be/RDokjDIzUFk

PARTY TIME!

Acts 10:34-35
"Then Peter began to speak: "I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism, but accepts from every nation the one who fears Him and does what is right."

"COME!"
"ALL WHO ARE THIRSTY!"
"COME!"

"ETERNAL LIFE IS A GIFT!"
"SALVATION HAS BEEN PROVIDED!"
"FORGIVENESS IS SPREAD ABROAD!"

"COME!"
"THERE IS A TABLE PREPARED FOR YOU!"
"COME & PARTAKE OF THE LORD'S FESTIVITIES!"
"THEY WILL NEVER END!"

"THE INVITATION IS SET FORTH!"

"JESUS IS WAITING!"
"HIS RETURN IS AT HAND!"

My advice to everyone is:
"DON'T MISS THE PARTY IN HEAVEN!"
"I KNOW I WON'T!"
"I HOPE YOU DON'T EITHER!"
"SEE YOU THERE!"

Isaiah 58: 11

"The Lord will always lead you, satisfy you in a sun-scorched land, and strengthen your bones. You will be like a watered garden and like a spring whose waters never run dry." 

~ (Isaiah 58: 11)

Thank You Lord, for meeting our needs. For those in the world whose needs aren't being met, let us, Your church, provide that need so that Your Son may be glorified. Amen.

Matthew 6: 31-32

"So don't worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?" For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them." ~ (Matthew 6: 31-32)

Friend in Christ, be blessed today with the knowledge that all your needs are met by a perfect God. Amen.

Yes We Do!

Psalm 29:10-11
"The LORD sits enthroned over the flood; the LORD is enthroned as King forever. The LORD gives strength to his people; the LORD blesses his people with peace."

"WE SERVE AN AWESOME GOD!!!"