Proverbs 20:24 NIV

“A person’s steps are directed by the Lord. How then can anyone understand their own way?”

Psalms 37:23-24

“23. The Lord makes firm the steps of the one who delights in him;

24. though he may stumble, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with his hand.”

By definition, learning is the process of acquiring new or modifying knowledge, behaviors, skills, values, or preferences.

The person who refuses to learn also refuses to grow. Learning can take place anywhere, and you can learn from anyone, and in every situation. You just have to be willing to hear.

The same is true for scriptural learning. God can and will use any situation to open your understanding to a deeper level.

I found this to be true (again) on 2 separate occasions this week. The first instance I found myself giving into an old temptation. However, I thought about God and how far he has bought me. At that moment I understood that I truely wanted what God wants for me, and nothing less. I found myself repenting and refused to let the enemy keep me in guilt. This brought freedom and deliverance to me. The word of God is true, though I stumbled, I did not fall. Why? Because God held me hand. He used my weakness to help me learn what I truely valued. And that is walking in the manifestation of the calling on my life.

The second thing I learned was small things make a big impact. I was lead to do a small task before leaving the house on Tuesday. It may have taken me all of 3 minutes to complete. I put the items in my purse and went on with my day. On Wednesday, when I was at the gym working out, that small item was needed. I was able to use it while I was witnessing to someone. Then I understood, my steps are directed by the Lord. God drops a quick word in your spirit, and you find yourself taking actions that may seem unconnected at the time. However, God always has a purpose. I learned to obey God in the small things, and not to overlook or discount them as meaningless. If God told you to do a thing it is because you will need that thing at some point in the future. It is all for his glory.

My advice for today – follow God as he leads. Listen to that still small voice when he speaks. In the end you will find success and bring glory to God.

Have a blessed day.

“Mercy and grace are often confused.
While the terms have similar meanings, grace and mercy are not the same. To summarize the difference: mercy is God not punishing us as our sins deserve, and grace is God blessing us despite the fact that we do not deserve it. Mercy is deliverance from judgment. Grace is extending kindness to the unworthy.”

-Caroline Austin

The bible says “with all that getting get understanding” (Proverbs 4:7). Grace and mercy are foundational truths that every believer should know and be able to explain to others.

Don’t get hung up on your past and all the wrong you have done. Understand that God is willing and able to forgive you. No matter what you have done. You just need to repent with a sincere heart and turn away from that sinful behaviour. Receive God’s spirit and walk in the newness of life.

All made possible because God’ s grace and mercy.

Isaiah 1:17 NIV

“Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed. Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow.”

As the bible warned us, we are in perilous times. Here in the U.S. we see tragedy after tragedy with gun violence. Violence of all kinds portrayed on television so that these awful things are common place to us. This is a sad state of affairs.

Many solutions have been put forth by many different groups. However, talking fails, but actions speaks volumes. The child of God must lead by example. We have to do right and seek justice for all. We must live the life of love – always.

Love does what is right, even when it is easier to do wrong. We have to defend the oppressed. We can’t allow acts of injustice to go unchallenged. But we must always walk and act in love.

More importantly, we must teach the next generation to show the love of Christ in everything they say and do. This is how we live through and lessen the occurrence of these terrible tragedies.

Stay prayerful and be blessed.

2 Timothy 3:14-15

“14. But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;

15. And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.”

Sometimes as believers we can get distracted from what God has called us to do. When you are distracted it can be challenging to stay on the appropriate path. The temptation to take a more alluring direction is always present. What we must do is keep going in the things that we have learned from God (and from godly men and women), those things which have given us a solid foundation.

There will be times when you feel like you just don’t know what your next move is or should be. But I encourage you to trust the scriptures and follow them. Find your solace in them, let them be a lamp unto your feet and a light to you pathway. The scriptures will make you wise unto salvation (freedom from the things which bind you), through faith in Jesus. Study the scriptures, seek God, and you will find direction, your compass to show you the direction you need to go.

Continue in what you know is right. Do not allow anyone or anything push you in a direct that the scriptures have not illuminated for you. The scriptures also gives us a warning, “there is a way that seems right to a man, but the end of that way is destruction ,” Proverbs 14:12.

Understand that success can make you a prime target of the enemy. You find yourself mingling with a different sort of people. Some may not have gotten to where they are according to god’s will or law. These people tend to give advice and encourage you to make moves that are not God ordered. We must remember the same thing that helped get you to the successful level are the same thing that you must continue to do. This is where many fall. We have all seen it time and again.

But I encourage you. As you reach success in your gifting, talent, ministry, or chosen industry don’t forget God. Remember to continue in the things that you have learned, trust and stand on this foundation through faith in Jesus.

Have a blessed day.

2 Timothy 2:19

“Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.”

It brings me great comfort to know that God knows me because I am his. There are times when you feel like you are the least of all, or that you don’t matter. I am here to let tell you not to fall for that lie.

When God fills you, you also become sealed. You are his and he is yours. He is the foundation on which you stand. The foundation on which you build everything. It is unshakeable.

Yes, you will make mistakes. You will suffer heartbreak and disappointments. But because God is with you these things will not break you because of his seal. You can cast your care on him because he cares for you (1 Peter 5:7).

We are strengthened to turn away from the hidden inner sins that no one knows about. Because of the gift of God, having his seal, we do not have to walk in the things that would cause us to walk with our head hanging low in shame. We can walk in freedom. His seal gives us the power to do so.

This is blessed assurance – Jesus is mine, and I am his.

Have a blessed night. Rest peacefully in him.

2 Timothy 2:2, 10 NIV

“2. And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others.

10. Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they too may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory.”

Why we teach – We teach to reach.

Everything Paul did after he came in contact with Jesus, was always with a specific goal in mind – to convert as many believers as possible. He was about the business of winning souls for the cause of Christ. We should strive to be likeminded.

We are encouraged to entrust this great gospel to faithful people who will also teach this same gospel to others. This is true ministry. We cannot be lopsided in our teaching. We must teach the full gospel. Committing it to those who will also share. This is the way that God intended to reach the world. We cannot just teach prosperity and abundance, we must also teach to abstain from sin, wickedness, and evil doings. We must teach there is a heaven and a hell. We must teach holiness, obedience, and walking by faith. It is the full gospel that will create a victorious body of believers.

As we teach, we must do so with focus, lawfully, and make sure we apply what we teach to our own lives. Teaching requires us to live the life we speak about. “Do as I say, not as I do,” is not an effective teaching technique. The people you are trying to reach need to know that the gospel you teach is effective, starting with you. Your testimony is the most effective tool you can use to reach others. “If he did it for me, he can and will do it for you too,” is a very powerful teaching technique. Don’t be ashamed to share your testimony.

People are depending on you. Do not be afraid to step out on faith and share what God has given you. Share what God has done for you. Teach others to do the same faithfully. As you do so, you are pleasing God.

Psalms 115:14-15

“The Lord shall increase you more and more, you and your children. Ye are blessed of the Lord which made heaven and earth.”

Just receive what God has for you. There is no reason for worry, your increase is assured.

You are blessed of the Lord. Do not allow the lies and falsehoods of the enemy replace the truth of God’s love and promise for you.

Have a blessed day because it is God’s will for you.

Topic Scripture: 2 Timothy 1:9-10

“9. Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands.

10. For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.,

Every believer is responsible to walk in his or her purpose. Many are not sure what their purpose is. Never the less, our responsibility remains. To find purpose, we must stir up the gift that is in us. Then, your gift will make room for you or illuminate your purpose.

Stiring up the gift in us requires faith, dedication, diligence, and perseverance.

We cannot allow fear to keep us from walking in ourpose. Fear immobilizes but faith binds fear and propels us to move. Instead of fear, God gave us power, love, and a sound mind. We are equipped to walk in faith, to move, to step out on nothing until it becomes something.

Supporting Scriptures:

Philippians 2:12-13

“12. Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. 13. For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.”

Understand that we have no excuse not to walk in purpose. We are instructed to work out our own salvation. God gives us instruction, the elders of the church provide guidance, but the final choices are our own. We must use the instructions and guidance and find a way to apply them to our own lives. Then live a life that is pleasing to God. We can not use the church as an excuse not to achieve, with thoughts such as they won’t let me… they already have some one to do… they don’t like me… etc.

Remember God has your back. He wants to help you (prepare you) to do his will.

Luke 12: 48

“48. But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.”

We must understand that God has invested a lot into us as his children. Because we have so much, much is also required of us. People can see the blessing that hover over us. Because of that, they also except more from us. As the children of God, we cannot afford let his people down. They are waiting for the gift(s) in us to be manifested, to be put into operation. People are depending on us so they can be delivered.

James 2: 20, 26

“20. But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?

26. For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.”

Finally, we must put our faith in action. We cannot pray the prayer of faith alone. We must pair action with out faith. Even when Jesus told the lame man to raise up and walk. The lame man needed to put is faith in action by getting up and taking that step. Only then was his healing manifested. We must also put our faith in action. No matter what the prayer of faith is, we must find the appropriate action to go along with it. Together they work to perform the needed miracle.

In the case of stirring up the gift in us, as you pray, follow the leading of the spirit, then act accordingly. Don’t sit passively by and except God to do it all, the doing part is up to us too. It’s called faith in action.

Have a blessed day.

2 Timothy 2:15 “Study to show thysekf approved unto God…”

You are cordially invited to join our weekly bible study forum

Zebulon Community Center

301 Arendell Ave., Zebulon, NC 27597

Thursdays 6:30 to 7:30 pm

Come grow with us as we study the Word of God together.

Hope to see you there.

Be blessed

Psalms 84:11-12

“11. For the Lord God is a sun and shield: the Lord will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.

12. O Lord of hosts, blessed is the man that trusteth in thee. ”

God is ready to give you every good thing. Are you prepared to do what it takes to receive? The requirement is your faith, your obedience, and to use every gift God gave you to his glory.

Put your trust in God, he is faithful to keep you. Allow him to lead you where you need to go.

Be bold, be strong for the Lord thy God is with thee. Receive every good thing God desires to give you.

Have a great day.