Acts 5: 38

"Therefore, in the present age, I tell you, stay away from these men and leave them alone. For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail." ~ (Acts 5: 38)

"Disappointment is a sort of bankruptcy - the bankruptcy of a soul that expends too much in hope and expectation." ~ Eric Hoffer

Micah 7: 5

"Do not rely on a friend; don't trust in a close companion. Seal your mouth from the woman who lies in your arms." ~ (Micah 7: 5)

Hard lesson this week.... love you all family.... God 1st. Amen.

Isaiah 47: 15 DISAPPOINT

"They will disappoint you, those you have so faithfully dealt with since their youth. Each strays off in their own direction, not one can save." ~ (Isaiah 47: 15)

DISAPPOINT - to fail to meet the expectations or hope of; frustrate.

Psalm 41: 9

"Even my close friend in whom I trusted, who shared my bread, has turned against me."
~ (Psalm 41: 9)

This life is so full of disappointment and placing others on a pedestal, trusting completely in them sets us up for that disappointment. Father, may we not place people so high up, that we lose sight of You, for like us, they aren't perfect. Amen.

Luke 15: 32

"We have to celebrate and rejoice, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found." ~ (Luke 15: 32)

"Lost people matter to God, and so they must matter to us." ~ Keith Wright

Luke 15: 4

"What man among you, who has 100 sheep and loses one of them, does not leave the 99 in the open field and go after the lost one until he finds it?" ~ (Luke 15: 4)

 

 

Thanks be to God! Amen!

Luke 19: 10 LOST

"For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save the lost." ~ (Luke 19: 10)

 

 

 

LOST - 1. not made use of, won, or claimed. 2. ruined or destroyed physically or morally. 3. unable to find the way.  

Jesus!

"LET US CONCERN OURSELVES WITH THE THINGS THAT CONCERN CHRIST!"

Matthew 1: 21

"She will give birth to a Son, and you are to name Him Jesus, because He will save His people from their sins." ~ (Matthew 1: 21)

 

 

This time of year when we celebrate our Lord coming to earth in human form, let's not forget why He came. Amen

Walk Victoriously!

Romans 8:37

"But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us."

"LET US RUN AS THOUGH WE DESIRE TO WIN!"

"WE ARE DECLARED TO BE MORE THAN CONQUERORS!"

"TAKING OWNERSHIP OF THIS PRIVILEGE IS TOTALLY UP TO US!"

What will you decide today?

Will your circumstances get the best of you?

Or will you claim the promises of God over your life?

"JESUS DESIRES TO GIVES YOU THE VICTORY!"

"BUT TRUE VICTORY ONLY COMES WHEN WE ALLOW JESUS TO FIGHT FOR US!"

"WE WILL NEVER TRULY BE IN CONTROL UNTIL WE SURRENDER ALL CONTROL TO JESUS!"

"WALK VICTORIOUSLY TODAY!!!"

Romans 8: 15

"For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption, by whom we cry out, 'Abba, Father!" ~ (Romans 8: 15)

 

 

 

Thank You Lord for adopting and loving us as Your children. Thank You for You unconditional love and care. Amen.

Galatians 4: 4-5

"But when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, so that He might redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive adoption as sons and daughters." ~ (Galatians 4: 4-5)

Amen.

How did we get here?

John 15:16

"YOU DID NOT CHOOSE ME, BUT I CHOSE YOU!!!"

It was all Christ's Doing.

This leaves nothing for us to boast about.

Christ decided to use our live's to bring glory to His name.

We are His vessels.

We have been chosen to continue the work of spreading the Gospel.

It is a great privilege given to us.

There is nothing we can add to it.

Nor is there anything we can subtract from it.

"JESUS DID ALL THE NECESSARY!"

"OUR ONLY DUTY IS TO OBEY THE CALL!"

"JESUS DESIRES TO WORK THROUGH US!"

"WE WERE CALLED BY GOD FOR GOD!"

"OBEY THE CALL & SPREAD THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST TODAY!"

John 1: 12

"Yet to all who did receive Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God." ~ (John 1: 12)

 

 

 

"If anybody understands God's ardor for His children, it's someone who has rescued an orphan from despair, for that is what God has done for us. God sought you, found you, signed the papers and took you home." ~ Max Lucado

Romans 11: 17

"Some of the branches were broken off, and you, though a wild olive branch, were grafted in among them and have come to share in the rich root of the cultivated olive tree."

~ (Romans 11: 17)

 

 

 

Praise God! Amen.

It's My Pleasure to Serve You!

"SERVING JESUS IS NOT ONLY A PRIVILEGE, BUT ALSO, A PLEASURE!"

Lord Jesus, thank You!

Serving You has been my greatest honor!

May I continuously be reminded of the larger picture!

That You are preparing something greater than what is constantly before!

May I remember that You are in control when things seem out of control!

That You are accomplishing something greater than I currently have in view!

May Your Grace be the pillow on which I rest my head!

When things get hard, when I fall short!

"MAY I ALWAYS REMEMBER THAT YOU ARE MY GRACIOUS KING!"

"THAT I WAS SAVED BY GRACE, THROUGH FAITH!"

"THAT YOUR MERCY ENDURES FOREVER!"

"YOU ARE A GREAT KING!"

"IT IS MY PLEASURE, MY PRIVILEGE & MY HONOR TO SERVE YOU!"

"I GLADLY WELCOME & WILL CARRY OUT THE WORK SET BEFORE ME!"

"I AM YOUR SERVANT!"

"DO WITH MY LIFE AS YOU CHOOSE!"

May this be our sincere prayer this morning!

Enjoy day, Family!

Ephesians 1: 5 ADOPT

"He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will." ~ (Ephesians 1: 5)

 

 

 

ADOPT - to take by choice into a relationship.

Psalm 27: 10

"Even if my father and mother abandon me, the Lord cares for me." ~ (Psalm 27: 10)

 

 

 

What a great honor it is to be able to call upon our Father and know what our adoption entitles us to. Amen.

Proverbs 10: 22

"The blessing of the Lord brings wealth, without painful toil for it." ~ (Proverbs 10: 22)

 

 

There are times for us to just be blessed; no strings attached. Lord, in Your Name, we cancel the enemy's lie that tells us that nothing in life is free. Amen.

Say Yes!

Emmanuel; "God with us!"

Wherever we are,

Whatever we are doing,

In every circumstance,

God desires to walk alongside us!

Everything He did,

Everything He does,

Everything He is preparing,

He is doing it with us in mind!

Jesus is God in the flesh!

God incarnate!

He walked this earth in days past!

He did so with the express purpose of reuniting us to our Heavenly Father!

"ALL WE HAVE TO DO IS SAY; YES!!!"

"WE HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO WALK ALONGSIDE HIM FOR ETERNITY!"

Question of the day;

Will you say "YES" to Jesus today?

It doesn't matter what happened yesterday.

He can change your life today.

"SAY YES TO JESUS!"

"SAY YES TO LIFE!"

"SAY YES TO ETERNITY!"

1 Peter 5: 6

"Humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, so that He may exalt you at the proper time." ~ (1 Peter 5: 6)

Love you all, family. God bless. Amen.

EDIFY!

Romans 14:19

"So then we pursue the things which make for peace and the building up of one another."

"MAKE IT YOUR MISSION TO BUILD SOMEONE UP TODAY!"

"IN CHRIST, WE HAVE THE VICTORY!"

Romans 3: 24

"All are justified freely by His grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus."

~ (Romans 3: 24)

 

 

 

"We have to realize that we cannot earn or win anything from God through our own efforts. We must either receive it as a gift or do without it." ~ Oswald Chambers

1 Corinthians 4: 7

"For who makes you so superior? What do you have that you didn't receive? If, in fact, you did receive it, why do you boast as if you hadn't received it?" ~ (1 Corinthians 4: 7)

 

Hmmmmmmm............... 

 

 

 

Matthew 10: 8 RECEIVE

"Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those with skin diseases, drive out demons. Freely it's given, freely receive." ~ (Matthew 10: 8)

 

 

 

RECEIVE - to be given, or presented with; awarded.

The "ME" Factor!

Psalm 115:1

"Not to us, O Lord, not to us,

But to Your name give glory

Because of Your lovingkindness, because of Your truth."

"THE EASIEST WAY TO EVALUATE YOUR OWN HEART IS TO PAY ATTENTION TO THE END RESULT OF ANY GIVEN CONVERSATION OR ANY GIVEN DEED!"

ARE THEY FOCUSSED SOLELY ON PLACING ATTENTION ON JESUS?

OR ARE THEY CONSTANTLY REVOLVING AROUND YOU?

DO MY CONVERSATIONS GEAR TOWARD JESUS?

OR DO THEY BECOME A STATUS UPDATE OF ME?

"WE ARE CALLED TO BE THE LIGHT!"

"BUT JESUS IS THE ONE ON WHICH OUR LIGHT SHOULD SHINE!"

"HE IS IN THE SPOTLIGHT & HE WILL NOT SHARE HIS GLORY WITH ANOTHER!"

"THEREFORE, LET US SEARCH OURSELVES TODAY!"

"IF WE ARE ALWAYS THE FOCAL POINT OF OUR CONVERSATIONS, THEN, WE FAIL TO PLACE JESUS IN THE SPOTLIGHT!"

If the end of every conversation ends with "ME," then we remove the focus off Jesus!

Whether intentionally or unintentionally, the "ME" factor robs Jesus of His Glory!

"JESUS, YOU DESERVE ALL THE GLORY, THIS DAY & FOREVER!"

John 13: 8

"No," said Peter, "you shall never wash my feet." Jesus answered, 'Unless I wash you, you have no part with me." ~ (John 13: 8)

 

 

 

It is a blessed and privileged thing to be in the position of giver. It is humbling to receive. May pride never get in the way of us being able to freely receive a gift. Amen.

Acts 20: 35

"In every way I've shown you that by laboring like this, it is necessary to help the weak and to keep in mind the words of the Lord Jesus, for He said, it is more blessed to give than to receive."

~ (Acts 20: 35)

 

 

 

As we've been blessed with money, talents, time, and gifts respectively, let's recognize that they are not for us to hold onto, but to give for God's glory and the furtherance of His kingdom. Amen.

Proverbs 11: 24

"One person gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty." ~ (Proverbs 11: 24)

 

Happy Friday, family. God bless you. Amen.

Embrace Him!

Psalm 23:1a

"The Lord is my shepherd."

"GOD IS A GOOD FATHER!"

"HE NEVER LEAVES US!"

"HE IS NEVER HARSH!"

"HE MAKES US WINNERS!"

"HE IS A GREAT MOTIVATOR!"

"HE WILL NEVER FAIL US!"

"BUT WE MUST EMBRACE HIM!"

As is the case with any relationship;

"WE MUST INTENTIONALLY MAINTAIN A FRESH & AFFECTIONATE VIEW OF WHO THE HE TRULY IS & WHY WE SERVE HIM!"

"SERVICE TO GOD WILL NEVER BE A BURDEN ONCE WE REALIZE HOW MUCH HE TRULY SERVES US!"

"HE WAITS ON US DAY & NIGHT!"

"CARING FOR OUR EVERY NEED!"

"HE EMBRACES US WHEN AN EMBRACE IS NECESSARY!"

"HE POINTS US IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION WHEN WE VEER OFF COURSE!"

"EVERYTHING HE DOES IS BECAUSE HE LOVES US!"

"HIS NATURE IS TO LOVE HIS CREATION!"

"HE CREATED US WITH THE SOLE PURPOSE OF MAKING US THE RECIPIENTS OF HIS LOVE!"

"WE ARE THE APPLE OF HIS EYE!"

"GOD IS A GOOD FATHER!"

"JESUS CAME TO TESTIFY OF THIS ETERNAL TRUTH!"

"HE ALSO CAME TO INVITE US TO ENTER INTO A PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP WITH OUR HEAVENLY FATHER!"

WILL YOU ACCEPT THAT INVITATION TODAY?

1 John 3: 17

"If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person?" ~ (1 John 3: 17)

 

"You can give without loving, but you cannot love without giving." ~ Amy Carmichael

Prudence!

Proverbs 1:7

"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge;

Fools despise wisdom and instruction."

PRUDENCE means acting with or showing care and thought for the future.

"OUR ACTIONS FAR EXCEED OUR PRESENT CIRCUMSTANCES!"

"WHAT WE DO TODAY CAN & WILL AFFECT OUR FUTURE!"

"WISE CHOICES LEAD TO A BRIGHTER TOMORROW!"

"FOOLISH & CARELESS CHOICES WILL ONLY RESULT IN REGRET!"

"GOD HAS GIVE US HIS WORD FOR US TO LEARN HOW TO LIVE RIGHTEOUSLY!"

"THE OUTCOME OF OUR LIVE'S DEPENDS ENTIRELY ON OUR ACCEPTANCE OR REJECTION OF HIS INSTRUCTION!"

Basically;

"WE MUST CHOOSE TO FOLLOW JESUS OR ACCEPT THE INEVITABLE!"

"THOSE WHO FOLLOW JESUS FIND LIFE!"

"THOSE WHO DON'T FAIL TO REALIZE THAT THEY ARE LIFELESS!"

"WITHOUT JESUS, THERE IS NO LIFE!"

When Jesus was born, hope was restored!

When Jesus died, sin was removed!

When He rose from the grave, life was forever His to give!

But we must believe God's Word!

"WE MUST BELIEVE THAT WHAT THE BIBLE SAYS ABOUT JESUS IS TRUE!"

"WE MUST PLACE OUR TRUST IN JESUS IF WE DESIRE TRUE & ETERNAL LIFE!"

The True Reason!

Isaiah 9:6

"For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; And the government will rest on His shoulders; And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace."

Have you ever found it hard to find the perfect gift for someone?

There are people who are hard to read.

I believe that I'm one of them.

My family finds it hard to get me gifts.

But the truth is that I'm grateful just at the thought of them caring.

Everything I do for them is out of pure love.

Many times, we make the Christmas season out to be very difficult.

It is meant to be a celebration of the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ!

We try to do soooooooooooo much to make it a Merry Christmas that we drain the joy right out of the season.

The truth is that:

"THE BEST GIFT YOU COULD EVER OFFER IS YOU!"

"JESUS WANTS YOU!"

"HE DIED FOR YOU!"

"HE DIDN'T DIE FOR WHAT YOU COULD DO FOR HIM!"

"HE DIED BECAUSE IT WAS WHAT HE COULD DO FOR YOU!"

"IT WAS HIS GIFT TO YOU"

"HIS BIRTH WAS ALSO A GIFT"

"IT WAS THE BEGINNING OF ETERNITY FOR THOSE WHO WOULD REPENT & BELIEVE IN HIS SACRIFICE!"

"HE WALKED THIS EARTH SO THAT YOU COULD ONE DAY WALK WITH HIM ETERNALLY!"

Therefore, don't get caught up in the erroneous view of this season.

Yes, gifts are great!

We love to give them!

We love receiving them!

But the truth stills remains that:

"CHRISTMAS IS THE CELEBRATION OF GOD'S ULTIMATE GIFT TO US!"

"JESUS' BIRTH SYMBOLIZES GOD'S GREATEST GIFT TO HUMANITY!"

"EMMANUEL, GOD WITH US!"

"THIS CALLS FOR CELEBRATION & WE ARE TO SHARE IT WITH THE WORLD!"

"HAVE A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS SEASON!"

Luke 6: 38

"Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For the measure you use, it will be measured to you."

~ (Luke 6: 38)

 

 

Praise be to God! Amen.

What is your response?

Philippians 2:10

"So that at the name of Jesus EVERY KNEE WILL BOW, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth."

Let's make one thing clear:

"I DON'T SERVE JESUS BECAUSE HE SAVED FROM MY WICKEDNESS!"

"FOR THIS I AM GRATEFUL & I LOVE HIM FOR IT!"

"THIS ALLOWS ME THE OPPORTUNITY TO ENTER INTO A PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP WITH HIM!"

Don't get me wrong:

"I SERVE JESUS BECAUSE HE IS MY KING!"

"I SERVE HIM BECAUSE I AM FULLY SURRENDERED TO HIS RULE!"

"I AM NOT OUT TO DO MY OWN THING, BUT TO ACCOMPLISH HIS PURPOSES FOR MY LIFE!"

You see;

"SERVING JESUS HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH US AT ALL!"

"JESUS IS THE KING OF THE UNIVERSE & WE WILL ALL BOW TO HIS LORDSHIP ONE DAY!"

"I JUST CHOOSE TO DO IT TODAY!"

"I DON'T WANT TO WAIT ANOTHER DAY!"

"MY GRATITUDE URGES ME TO CHASE AFTER JESUS & FALL AT HIS FEET!"

How about you?

What is your response to Jesus' Lordship?

Luke 6: 30 GIVE

"Give to everyone who asks of you, and whoever takes away what is yours, do not demand it back."

~ (Luke 6: 30)

 

 

 

 

GIVE - freely transfer the possession of (something) to (someone); hand over to.

CHOOSE JESUS!

John 8:12

"Then Jesus again spoke to them, saying, "I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life."

"I PLEDGE MY ALLEGIANCE TO JESUS!"

"I PLEDGE MY ALLEGIANCE TO THE LAMB!"

We all have a choice to make in life.

The question is;

WILL WE MAKE THE RIGHT CHOICE?

WILL WE CHOOSE TO FOLLOW JESUS?

OR WILL WE CONTINUE TO WALK IN DARKNESS?

"JESUS HAS CLEARLY EXPLAINED THAT HE IS IN THE LIGHT!"

"HE HAS ALSO EXPLAINED THAT HE DESIRES FOR ALL TO JOIN HIM IN THE LIGHT!"

"BUT THE CHOICE IS OURS!"

"WE MUST CHOOSE TO FOLLOW JESUS!"

"CHOOSE THE LIGHT TODAY!"

"IF YOU ARE ALREADY IN THE LIGHT, INVITE SOMEONE TO JOIN YOU TODAY!"

"JESUS IS THE REASON WE CELEBRATE LIFE, BECAUSE HE IS LIFE ITSELF!"