Evangelism!

John 21:15
"So when they had eaten breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me more than these?”
He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.”
He said to him, “Feed My lambs.”"

Father, help me to reflect Your love toward others.
HELP ME TO REMEMBER THAT EVERY PERSON I LOCK EYES WITH TODAY MATTERS TO YOU!
May they matter to me too, in ways that move me to action.
HELP ME TO REALIZE THAT IF THEY DON'T KNOW YOU, THEN THEY ARE LOST & IN DESPERATE NEED OF THE GOOD NEWS OF CHRIST!
Lord, prepare me & give me boldness so I'll be able to explain the Gospel well.
Help me to be a genuine friend who will attract them to You & Your church.
Give me wisdom so I'll know how direct to be with Your message & when to back off, so I can help them keep taking steps toward You.

PLEASE, FATHER, USE ME! Make me effective in Your hands today as I try to spread Your love & truth. Help me to abide in Christ & to bear much fruit. Thank you for this privilege.

In Jesus' name, Amen!

Proverbs 15: 3 OMNIPRESENT

"The eyes of the Lord are everywhere, observing the wicked and the good." 

~ (Proverbs 15: 3)

             

OMNIPRESENT - present in all places at all times.

INVITE THEM, BUT DON'T PUSH THEM THROUGH THE DOOR!

2 Timothy 2:4
"Who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth."

"GOD'S DESIRE IS NOT THAT SOME MIGHT BE SAVED!"
"NOR THAT ANY SHOULD BE CONVINCED TO RECITE A PRAYER!"
"NOR BE ACTIVELY INVOLVED IN CHURCH ACTIVITIES!"

"NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
"THIS IS NOT WHY THE LORD STEPPED DOWN FROM HIS THRONE IN HEAVEN & TOOK ON HUMAN FORM & SUFFERED A HORRIBLE DEATH!!!!!"

"IF WE REDUCE CHRISTIANITY TO A NUMBER, JESUS' DEATH WAS IN VAIN!"
"IF WE REDUCE CHRISTIANITY TO A RECITAL, JESUS' DEATH WAS IN VAIN!"
"IF WE REDUCE CHRISTIANITY TO AN ACTIVITY, YES YOU GUESSED RIGHT, JESUS' DEATH WAS IN VAIN!!!!"

"GOD'S DESIRE IS THAT ALL WILL COME TO REPENTANCE & BE SAVED!"
"BUT THAT REQUIRES THE HOLY SPIRIT'S STIRRING, NOT PEER PRESSURE!"

"REPENTANCE IS SOMETHING THAT IS DONE FROM WITHIN THE PERSON'S HEART AS THEY COME TO THE KNOWLEDGE OF THE TRUTH!"

"THEREFORE, LET US STOP CRAVING FOR PEOPLE TO MAKE COMMITMENTS THAT THEY DON'T INTEND TO KEEP!"
"INSTEAD LET US BEGIN TO PRAY FOR GOD'S TRUTH TO ILLUMINATE PEOPLES HEART SO THAT TRUE TRANSFORMATION MAY TAKE PLACE ON THE INSIDE, BRINGING  ABOUT DELIVERANCE & SALVATION TO THE INDIVIDUAL!"

"WE ARE CALLED TO EXTEND AN INVITATION, NOT ACCEPT IT FOR THEM!"

Matthew 18: 20

"For where two or three have gathered together in My name, I am there in their midst." ~ (Matthew 18: 20)

                         

We praise You Lord for always being there, for always being accessible, and hearing the prayer of those reading and sharing in this message together today. Amen.

Deuteronomy 20: 4

"For the Lord your God is the One who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies to give you victory." ~ (Deuteronomy 20 :4)

 

                            

 

We declare victory in Jesus over sickness, sin, death, worry, doubt, and whatever else the all time loser, satan, has in his arsenal. Praise to our Leader, King Jesus! Amen.

HE LOVES US!

Romans 6:1-4
"What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means! We are those who have died to sin; how can we live in it any longer? Or don't you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life."

Breaking News:
The "I LOVE YOU MORE CONTEST WITH GOD MUST END TODAY!"

"WE MUST STOP TRYING TO MATCH GOD'S PERFECT LOVE WITH OUR POOR ATTEMPTS OF UNDERSTANDING WHAT LOVE TRULY IS!"
"GOD IS LOVE & THEREFORE LOVE IS UNSEARCHABLE TO THE HUMAN MIND!"
"BECAUSE CORRECT ME IF I'M WRONG, BUT TO THIS DAY, NO ONE  HAS FIGURED OUT THE DEPTHS & RICHES OF THE KNOWLEDGE OF GOD!"
"THEREFORE WE CAN NOT MATCH UP AGAINST SOMEONE THAT WE HAVE NOT FULLY KNOWN!"

So with this, I just want to encourage everyone to:
"RECEIVE GOD'S LOVE FOR YOU IN EVERY SENSE OF THE WORD & STOP TRYING TO RESPOND SENSELESSLY!"
"GOD'S LOVE FOR YOU IS SOMETHING THAT IS TOTALLY UNMERITED & DEFINITELY NOT SOMETHING THAT YOU CAN RETURN!"

"LET A LIFE OF GRATITUDE BE YOUR EXPRESSION!"
"LET YOUR SERVICE & LOYALTY BE YOUR RETURN!"

The Savior Calls You!

Romans 5:20-21
"The law was brought in so that the trespass might increase. But where sin increased, grace increased all the more, so that, just as sin reigned in death, so also grace might reign through righteousness to bring eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."

"DON'T PUT IT OFF!"
"SALVATION IS CONSTANTLY KNOCKING AT YOUR DOOR!"

"BUT ONE DAY............."
"IT WILL ALL END!!!!!!!!!"
"NO MORE OPPORTUNITY TO TURN FROM YOUR SINS!"
"NO MORE CHANCES TO CRY OUT FOR MERCY!"

"THE DAY WILL COME!"
"OF THIS, YOU CAN BE CERTAIN!"
"WHEN JESUS CHRIST WILL RETURN FOR HIS FOLLOWERS!"

But the question is:
"WILL HE FIND YOU IN PURSUIT OF HIM OR OF YOUR OWN AGENDA?"

"AT THE END, NOTHING ELSE TRULY MATTERS!"
"IF NOT THE SALVATION OF THE LOST!"

With this, I just want to encourage you to:
"TURN FROM YOUR SINS!" (If you have not already done it.)
"BELIEVE IN THE SON OF GOD, JESUS CHRIST & HIS SACRIFICE FOR YOU!"
"CONFESS HIM AS YOUR LORD & SAVIOR & FOLLOW HIM INTO ETERNITY!"

"THERE IS NO OTHER NAME!"
"THERE IS NO OTHER WAY!"
"ETERNITY APPROACHES & YOUR SAVIOR CALLS YOU!"

"How will you respond today?"

Psalm 44: 6-7

"I put no trust in my bow, my sword does not bring me victory, but You give us victory over our enemies. You put our adversaries to shame." 

~ (Psalm 44: 6-7)

Walk in it, family. Amen.

Thank You!

John 3:20-21
"Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed. But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God."

"I JUST WANT TO THANK YOU, LORD!"
"FOR ALL YOU HAVE DONE IN MY LIFE!"
"FOR ALL YOU DO!"
"FOR ALL YOU WILL DO!"

"I THANK YOU FOR YOUR FORGIVENESS & SALVATION!"
(Notice that Forgiveness came before Salvation!) :)

Romans 16: 20

"The God of peace will soon crush satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you." ~ (Romans 16: 20)

"You cannot plan for defeat and expect victory." ~ Joel Osteen

Truth!

2 Corinthians 5:7
"For we live by faith, not by sight."

"SERVING GOD IS AN ADVENTURE!"
"WE SHOULD NEVER VIEW GOD'S SERVICE AS A BURDEN, BUT AS AN OPPORTUNITY!"

Do you truly believe that Jesus died for your sins?
Do you truly believe that He died for the sins of the world?
Do you truly believe that He died to keep your neighbor out of hell?
Do you truly believe that He died to free the drug-addict that crosses your path?
Do you truly believe that He desires for all to be saved?

"DO YOU TRULY BELIEVE THAT JESUS HAS CALLED YOU TO BE THE MESSENGER OF SALVATION TO A LOST & DYING WORLD?"

"THE WAY YOU INTENTIONALLY LIVE WILL REFLECT THE THINGS THAT YOU TRULY BELIEVE!"

"A PERSON WILL ONLY LAY DOWN THEIR LIFE FOR WHAT THEY BELIEVE IS TRUE, NOT WHAT THEY BELIEVE IS A MYTH!"

Isaiah 18: 3

"All you people of the world, everyone who lives on the earth - when I raise my battle flag on the mountain - LOOK! When I blow the ram's horn, LISTEN!" 

~ (Isaiah 18: 3)

                      

Fellow ambassador for Jesus, hoist your flag high and be blessed by Christ's victory today!!! Amen.

Commissioned, not comfortable!

Romans 5:6
"For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly."

"LOST PEOPLE MATTER TO GOD!"
"THEY ARE DEAR TO HIS HEART!"

In fact;
"JESUS GAVE UP HIS LIFE & HIS PLACE IN HEAVEN IN ORDER TO MEET THEM WHERE THEY WERE!"
"THE GREAT COMMISSION COMPELS US TO GO OUT & REACH THE LOST!"

"TRUE SERVANTHOOD!"
"TRUE GRATITUDE!"
"A PROPER UNDERSTANDING OF SALVATION'S PURPOSE!"

"THEN, OFF WE GO!!!!!"
"INTO THE HIGHWAYS & BYWAYS!"
"FOCUSING ON THOSE OUTSIDE, INSTEAD OF RESTING CONTENT WITH THOSE WHO ARE INSIDE!"

"WE WERE SAVED TO BE A SENT PEOPLE, NOT A COMFORTABLE PEOPLE!"
"SALVATION HAS A PRICE, BUT IT ALSO HAS ITS REWARDS!"

"WHEN WE FULFILL THE GREAT COMMISSION, WE REJOICE OUR FATHER'S HEART!"
"WHEN WE REACH A LOST SOUL WITH THE GOSPEL MESSAGE & IT ILLUMINATES THEIR HEART & THEY ARE SET FREE, ANGELS THROW A PARTY IN HEAVEN IN CELEBRATION OF GOD'S GOODNESS!"
"WHEN WE REACH THE LOST, WE BRING ANOTHER FAMILY MEMBER HOME!"

"WHEN WE REACH THE LOST, WHEN WE REACH THE LOST!!!!!"

"INTENTIONALLY THINK OUTWARDLY FOR THE HEAVENLY!"

"WHAT AN AWESOME GOD WE SERVE!!!!!"

Proverbs 21: 31 VICTORY

"A horse is prepared for the day of battle, but to the Lord goes the victory." 

~ (Proverbs 21: 31)

                         

VICTORY - 1. the defeat of an enemy or opponent. 2. achievement of mastery or success in a struggle or endeavor against odds or difficulties. 

No fear can hinder Love!

Genesis 2:25
"Adam and his wife were both naked, and they felt no shame."

"TRANSPARENCY WITH GOD OPENS THE DOORS TO TRUE FREEDOM!"

Hence, today I declare:
"THEY'RE ALL GONNA SEE IT!"
"I'M NOT GONNA HIDE IT!"
"I WILL SHOUT IT!"
"I WILL SHARE IT!"
"I WILL EXPLAIN IT!"

"JESUS, THE WORLD WILL KNOW THAT I BELONG TO YOU!"
"BUT I NEED YOUR HOLY SPIRIT!"
"I NEED TO SEEK YOU DAILY!"
"I NEED TO LOVE YOU PERSONALLY!"

"I NEED TO EXPERIENCE YOUR LOVE & FORGIVENESS EVERYDAY!"
"CHRIST, THE HOPE GLORY!"
"MAY I BOW BEFORE YOUR THRONE!"
"I WANT TO ADORE YOU WITH NO LIMITATIONS!"

"THERE'S A FIRE INSIDE THAT CONSUMES ME!"
"THERE IS NO OTHER WAY TO EXPLAIN IT!"

"GETTING TO KNOW JESUS IS THE ONLY WAY TO FALL IN LOVE WITH HIM!"

"I ENCOURAGE YOU TO GIVE JESUS YOUR HEART TODAY!"
"I CHALLENGE YOU TO APPLY THE TRUTH OF HIS WORDS TO YOUR LIFE!"

Then & only then will you ever completely follow Jesus!
Then & only then will you truly not be ashamed!

1 Corinthians 15: 57

"But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ!" 

~ (1 Corinthians 15: 57)

            

Though the war rages on, trials continue, and battles have yet to have been fought - faith in King Jesus leaves victory as the only possible outcome! Amen. 

Change!

1 Timothy 4:12
"Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity."

Just thought this might help someone!

List three steps for translating good intentions into life-changing action.
a. Make a decision to change.
b. Come up with a plan.
c. Follow through.

"CHANGE HAS EVERYTHING TO DO WITH YOU!"

Matthew 24: 6

"You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is not yet." ~ (Matthew 24: 6)

                  

Until You return Jesus, we shall proudly serve as soldiers in Your army, knowing we have a Commander In Chief whose authority  outweighs any the world has ever seen. Amen.

Ephesians 6: 12

"For our battle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the world powers of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the high places."
~ (Ephesians 6: 12)

Praise Jesus! Amen.

Joel 3: 9

"Proclaim this among the nations: Prepare for war! Rouse the warriors! Let all the soldiers draw near, let them all come up."

~ (Joel 3: 9)

"To be prepared for war is one of the most effective means of preserving peace."

~ George Washington

TREASURE!

1 Samuel 16:7
"The LORD does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart."

"GOD'S TRANSFORMATION BEGINS DEEP WITHIN THE HEART & SWELLS UP TO THE SURFACE!"
"GOD DEALS WITH THE ATTITUDES OF THE HEART!"
"THAT'S THE LEVEL AT WHICH TRUE TRANSFORMATION TAKES PLACE!"

"BUT TRANSFORMATION WILL NEVER TAKE PLACE IF WE CONTINUE EVADE THE CONVICTING TRUTH OF SCRIPTURE!"

"GOD'S WORD IS MEANT TO TRANSFORM US!"
"BUT THIS WILL ONLY TAKE PLACE WHEN WE APPLY IT'S CORRECTION TO OUR LIVE'S!"

"GOD DIGS DEEP, BECAUSE SIN IS BURIED AT THE VERY BOTTOM OF OUR HEARTS!"
"ONE MUST REMOVE THE DIRT BEFORE THEY CAN RETRIEVE THE BURIED TREASURE!"

"YOU ARE A TREASURE IN GOD'S EYES!"

Apply it to your life!

James 4:17
"Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn't do it, sins."

How does that grab you?

"THE PERSON WHO KNOWS THE TRUTH, BUT DOESN'T ACT ON IT IS NOT SIMPLY MAKING A MISTAKE, OR MAKING A POOR JUDGMENT, HE IS IN SIN!"

"IN GOD'S MIND, KNOWLEDGE WITHOUT OBEDIENCE IS SIN!"

"LACK OF INVOLVEMENT IS NOT THE PERSPECTIVE OF THE SCRIPTURES!"
"FROM COVER TO COVER THE BIBLE TEACHES THAT THE MOMENT YOU KNOW GOD'S TRUTH, THE BALL IS IN YOUR COURT!"
"YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR PUTTING IT INTO ACTION!"

Do not be deceived!
The ultimate goal of Bible study, then, is not to do something to the Bible!
But to allow the Bible to do something to you!
So truth becomes tangent to life!

"God gave us His Word so that we might APPLY IT TO OUR LIFE!"
"THERE IS NO OTHER REASON!"

"STUDIES HELP US!"
"BUT APPLICATION TRANSFORMS US!"

Psalm 45: 3-4

"Mighty warrior, strap your sword at your side. In your majesty and splendor - ride triumphantly in the cause of truth, humility, and justice." ~ (Psalm 45: 3-4)

       

Fellow soldier of God, may your travels be blessed today. Amen.

Worthy of it All!

Romans 12:1
"Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship."

"SERVE WITH ALL YOUR HEART!"
"ANYTHING LESS IS NO SERVICE AT ALL!"

"GOD DESERVES OUR WHOLE HEART!"
"NOT OUR LEFT-OVERS!"

"HE IS WORTHY!!!"

Revelation 13: 7 WAR

"And he (the beast) was permitted to wage war against the saints and to conquer them. He was also given authority over every tribe, people, language, and nation." 

~ (Revelation 13: 7)

                 

WAR - 1. a state of open, armed, often prolonged conflict carried on between nations, states, or parties. 2. the period of such conflict.

Honor!

1 Timothy 5:17
"The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching."

"TRUE LEADERS CREATE LEADERS!"

"THEY ARE NEVER REALLY SATISFIED WITH FOLLOWERS!"
"THEY HAVE A DEVELOPING QUALITY!"
"THEY ARE NOT AFRAID TO MAKE MISTAKES!"
"THEY ARE NOT AFRAID TO GO IT ALONE WHEN NECESSARY!"

"THESE ARE MY MENTORS!"
"THESE ARE THOSE THAT I LOOK UP TO!"
"THESE ARE THOSE THAT GOD HAS BLESSED ME WITH!"

How about you?
Do you recognize those that God has sent to guide you through life?
If not, then I suggest that you keep searching!
But if yes, then give them the honor that they deserve!
Love them for their sacrifice!
Back them when they most need it!
Be faithful, just as they have been to you!

Ecclesiastes 3: 8

"There is a time to love and a time to hate; a time for war and a time for peace." ~ (Ecclesiastes 3: 8)

                

Keep us mindful, Oh Lord, of the war taking place in the spiritual, as well as the natural world between good and evil. Train us for battle in Your Name. Amen.

Revelation 1: 18

"I am the Living One; I was dead, and now look, I am alive forever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades." 

~ (Revelation 1: 18)

              

Given that humanity's death rate holds firm at 100%, the keys to our eternal destination are in good hands. Praise be to King Jesus! Amen.

Philippians 1: 21 & Psalm 116: 15

"For me, to live is Christ and to die is gain." 

~ (Philippians 1: 21)

"Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His faithful servants." ~ (Psalm 116: 15)

Praise the Lord. Christ be with you. Amen.

Jesus!!!

Acts 4:12
"Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved."

"JESUS!!!"
"THERE IS NO OTHER!"

Revelation 21: 4

"He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. Death will no longer exist, grief, crying, and pain will exist no longer, because the previous things have passed away." ~ (Revelation 21: 4)

"Death is no more than passing from one room into another. But there's a difference for me, you know. Because in that other room I shall be able to see." ~ Helen Keller

His Pleasure!

Psalm 37:5-6
"Commit your way to the LORD,
Trust also in Him,
And He shall bring it to pass.
He shall bring forth your righteousness as the light, and your justice as the noonday."

"SPENDING TIME WITH THE LORD INTIMATELY IS A PRIVILEGE GIVEN TO BELIEVERS!"
"THEREFORE, LET US NOT TAKE IT FOR GRANTED!"
"LET US PRESS IN!"
"BECAUSE WE WERE MADE TO ENJOY FELLOWSHIP WITH HIM!"

STUDY!

Romans 10:17
"So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God."

"CLAIMING TO UNDERSTAND GOD, BUT NOT READING HIS WORD MAKES NO SENSE!"
"WE CAN"T UNDERSTAND GOD'S INTENTIONS, IF WE DON'T READ HIS INSTRUCTIONS!"

"WHILE IT IS GOOD TO HEAR SERMONS BY GREAT PREACHERS, IT IS FAR BETTER TO HEAR FROM GOD ON A PERSONAL LEVEL!"
"WE SOMETIMES TEND TO SEEK OUT SERMONS THAT ELABORATE ON OUR DESIRES, BUT READING GOD'S WORD WILL EXPOSE OUR TRUE NEEDS & GIVE US THE FAITH & CONFIDENCE TO APPLY IT TO OUR SITUATION!"

The point is:
"READ YOUR BIBLE, PEOPLE!"
"GOD IS WAITING TO SPEAK TO YOU!"
"YOUR BREAKTHROUGH IS IN GOD'S WORD!"

John 11: 25

"Jesus said to her, 'I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in Me, even if he dies, will live." 

~ (John 11: 25)

God bless your day friend. Amen.

Always a reason!

Hebrews 11:13-16
"All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance, admitting that they were foreigners and strangers on earth. People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own. If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return. Instead, they were longing for a better country—a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them."

"THERE IS A REASON FOR THE JOURNEY!"

"DON'T GIVE UP!"
"SEE IT THROUGH!"
"YOUR REWARD AWAITS YOU!"

"PRESS ON!"
"PRESS IN!"
"MOVE FORWARD!"

"YOUR TIME IS COMING!"
"YOUR TIME IS NEAR!"
"YOUR DESTINATION IS ONLY A THOUGHT AWAY!"

"RUN TOWARD JESUS!"
"RUN AS THOUGH YOUR LIFE DEPENDED ON IT!"

In your most trying moments, remember that;
"THERE IS A REASON FOR THE JOURNEY!"
"SLOWLY BUT SURELY YOU WILL REACH YOUR DESTINATION!"

1 Corinthians 15: 55 DEATH

"Where, Oh death is your victory? Where, Oh death, is your sting?" ~ (1 Corinthians 15: 55)

DEATH - 1. the act of dying; termination of life. 2. the permanent end.

....(so says the dictionary)... but to those who have been born again.... it is the next step to eternal paradise. Amen. 

Romans 6: 9

"We know that Christ, having been raised from the dead, no longer dies. Death no longer rules over Him." 

~ (Romans 6: 9)

           

Oh, thank You Jesus for conquering death, so that we, Your people, need not fear this experience. Amen.

Leviticus 26: 20

"Your strength will be spent in vain, because your soil will not yield its crop, nor will the trees of your land yield their fruit." ~ (Leviticus 26: 20)

 

We ask You to look favorably upon our jobs and the labor we do so that it does indeed bring forth fruit. You, Father, and You alone bring the increase. Amen.

Psalm 127: 1

"Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the guards stand watch in vain." 

~ (Psalm 127: 1)

To our God be the glory! Amen.

Making sense of it all!

1 Peter 5:10-11
"And the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will Himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. To Him be the power for ever and ever. Amen."

"Salvation!"
"Submission!"
"Suffering!"

"SUFFERING WILL NEVER MAKE SENSE UNTIL YOU HAVE SUBMITTED YOURSELF TO THE FATHER'S WILL!"
&
"SUBMISSION WILL NEVER MAKE SENSE UNTIL YOU UNDERSTAND WHAT SALVATION IS ALL ABOUT!" (Dr. H.G. Hendricks)

Intimacy!

1 John 4:18
"Such love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment, and this shows that we have not fully experienced His Perfect Love."

I want to encourage you today to:
"STRIVE TO KNOW GOD FULLY & INTIMATELY!"

Notice that I did not say:
"GET TO KNOW GOD FROM A SECONDARY SOURCE!"
"BUT STIVE TO EXPERIENCE HIS PERFECT LOVE FOR YOURSELF!"

Please understand:
"SOMEONE'S TESTIMONY ABOUT JESUS CAN SERVE AS MOTIVATION!"
"IT CAN EVEN SPARK YOUR DESIRE FOR A RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD!"

"BUT TRUE FREEDOM WILL ONLY COME WHEN YOU TRULY GRASP GOD'S PERFECT LOVE FOR YOU ON A PERSONAL LEVEL!"

So once again, I want to encourage you to:
"STRIVE TO KNOW GOD FULLY & INTIMATELY!"

Matthew 20: 1

"For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire workers for his vineyard." 

~ (Matthew 20: 1)

"Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." ~ Theodore Roosevelt

Blessings!

Matthew 11:28
"Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest."

Here is a little secret I have learned over the years;
"OUR BURDENS ARE NOT MEANT FOR US TO CARRY!"
"BUT FOR US TO HAND OVER TO JESUS!"

"HE DOES A BETTER JOB OF SORTING OUT OUR MESS THAN WE DO!"

"THEREFORE, COME TO HIM AS YOU ARE & HE WILL TAKE IT FROM THERE!"

"HE WILL SORT OUT YOUR LIFE & RESTORE YOU TO THE PLACE YOU WERE ORIGINALLY INTENDED TO OCCUPY!"
"A PLACE TO BRINGS GLORY TO HIS NAME!"

"THANK YOU JESUS!!!"

Have a great day!

Proverbs 12: 11

"Those who work their land will have abundant food, but those who chase fantasies have no sense." 

~ (Proverbs 12: 11)

                    

Footwork!

Mark 5:36
"Overhearing what they said, Jesus told him, "Don't be afraid; just believe.""

Two things;
"JESUS IS LISTENING & HE IS WILLING!"

All you have to do is:
"DEMONSTRATE YOUR FAITH BY TAKING A STEP FORWARD!"
"TRUSTING GOD REQUIRES MORE THAN YOUR WORDS!"
"IT DEMANDS YOUR FOOTWORK!"

Jesus spoke these words as an encouragement & a challenge to a man who had just received word that his daughter had passed away.
This man, Jairus, most certainly in a broken state of mind accepted Jesus' challenge & at the end saw Jesus raise his daughter back to life!!!

"WHEN WE TAKE JESUS AT HIS WORD, HE IS COMPELLED TO FOLLOW THROUGH WITH HIS PROMISES IN OUR LIVES!"

"NOT BECAUSE HE HAS TO!"
"BUT BECAUSE HE WANTS TO!"

"WE SERVE AN AWESOME GOD!"
"THANK YOU JESUS FOR MAKING THE WAY!!!"

Ephesians 4: 28 LABOR

"He who steals must steal no longer; but rather he must labor, performing with his own hands what is good, so that he will have something to share with one who has a need." 

~ (Ephesians 4: 28)

LABOR - 1. to work; toil. 2. to strive painstakingly. 3. to proceed with great effort.

Become Teachable!

Judges 21:25
"In those days Israel had no king; everyone did as they saw fit."

This sounds like a great idea, but if you read through the book of Judges, you will soon realize that Israel was constantly in a cycle of failure.
Always bound to something or someone.
All because:
"They did what was evil in the sight of the Lord..."

"STRUCTURE HAS BEEN GIVEN BY GOD FOR A PURPOSE!"
"WE FLOURISH WHEN WE FOLLOW GOD'S GUIDANCE!"
"BUT WE STRAY WHEN WE TRY & FIGURE THINGS OUT ON OUR OWN!"

With this being said, I would like to challenge everyone to:
"MAKE JESUS YOUR KING!"
"SEEK HIS GUIDANCE BEFORE YOU MAKE ANY DECISIONS!"

Most of all:
"MAKE SURE THAT YOU ARE OBEDIENT IN FOLLOWING HIS DIRECTIONS!"

"DON'T MAKE THE MISTAKE OF ASKING GOD FOR INSTRUCTION & THEN IGNORING HIS WISDOM FOR YOUR LIFE!"

2 Timothy 2: 6

"The hardworking farmer ought to be the first to get a share of the crops." ~ (2 Timothy 2: 6)

                 

Praise be to our God, who sees and rewards His workers. A blessed, calm, and safe Labor day to you and yours. Amen.