1 John 3:22-23

“And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight. And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment.”

God is an amazing God, who loves us and desires to bless us abundantly!

We talked previously of obedience and God requires that from us above all. Including any gift or sacrifice we would bring him. To obey God’s word, to keep his commandments is the biggest indicator of our love toward him. Beyond that is to love his people, or all those that he loves and those for whom he died. It is safe to say this includes everyone.

Because God knows his children, he understands it is challenging to love some. He is also faithful to us. Obedience affords us answered prayers. It is not payment it is a benefit. It is about our character.

The child of God, who walks according to his word, can have the assurance that whatsoever he/she asks of God will be received.

It’s about spiritual growth. Just as Solomon prayed before God asking for wisdom to govern his people Israel. Because his request was not selfishly for riches, God gave him both. It was the character of Solomon that pleased God.

For us, as we walk with God exercising obedience, faith and love, God is also working on us. He is molding, shaping, and pruning us. The things we go through on this journey is purging character flaws from us along the way. Because we are becoming better, our heart and intentions are lining up with God’s will. Therefore the things that we ask will reflect this new man.

2 Corinthians 5:17, “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”

This newness translates into new wants and desires. If we examine ourselves and see who we are now after having time walking with God, versus the old man; that person we used to be. Hopefully we will see a huge godly change.

This is a benefit of serving God!

True change is possible. But to be honest, it is only through God that it is lasting.

We can change on our own for a time. But generally speaking when a challenge comes to test if the change is real, we tend to revert to old ways. How many times have we seen people try quit smoking, lose weight, stop being mean, stop lying, or other character flaws on their own. Only to revert back, gain more weight, or just get even worse in general?

However, when God does it, the change is everlasting and can withstand the test of time and any challenge that comes against it

It is the “in God” aspect that causes us to become new. Only then does the old man pass away. This includes the make up or character of that old man. This is true change!

This is the benefit of serving God!

So, come to God and be new. Come to God, serve him, please him, and receive whatsoever you ask. The new man will ask for things that will please and glorify God.

Have a blessed day!

1 John 3:18

“My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth

Contrary to popular opinion love is hard.

It requires us to care about someone else’s needs, comfort, well-being, and happiness over our own. Love is selfless. It requires forgiveness – over and over again.

Love encourages us to look beyond current circumstances and see the potential.

Love is challenging to say the least. But love is also well worth the effort it requires.

Love is not lazy! It is action. To “talk” love is easy. However, true love is seen in action.

Love in action is not just seeing the sick, the hungry, or the homeless. Love is working to meet help each of those needs. Love is forgiving those who have sinned against you. Love is praying for those who use and persecute you.

Love is hard and requires a lot from us all. But because a thing is hard, does not mean that thing is impossible. What it does mean, on the other side of that thing, there is victory, and spiritual growth!

Showing love exhibits God to those who may not know him, or know him to the level they need. As we show love we put God on a platform for people to see. Remember, we are the only view of God people may ever see. Our life in action should exemplify God’s love.

For this reason, as we work on God’s behalf, we are also changed. We grow and increase as we exercise the love of God that is in us. God prepares us for this duty. He must prune and shape us. This is spiritual growth – allowing the love of God to have center stage in our life.

Love is hard because it often opens us to pain. But just as the pain of the cross did not deter Jesus from dying for the world, we must not be moved either. We must sometimes endure pain to let love flow.

Yes, we could walk away and give up. But where is the victory in that? Where is the growth?

If it is of God, it is well worth the temporary pain.

True spiritual growth is all about love. Stay in the race and grow!

Have a blessed day.

Our reactions to the randomness of life shows us who we are. Sometimes we react well, sometimes poorly.

In our attempt to remain Godly consistent is to follow God’s instruction – always start from a standpoint of love.

Love will have you do things differently – better even. Love will help us handle, and guide us through, the randomness of life.

So, as we travel into this weekend let us practice love.

Love is an action word. It requires conscious effort on our part. It’s a decision we must make – to choose love instead of hate. Love will make us treat people better. Love will make us pray for people, and not to retaliate against them for the things they have said or done.

So here’s to love! Have a great and blessed weekend!

Jeremiah 29:32

“Therefore thus saith the LORD; Behold, I will punish Shemaiah the Nehelamite, and his seed: he shall not have a man to dwell among this people; neither shall he behold the good that I will do for my people, saith the LORD; because he hath taught rebellion against the LORD.”

Rebellion, by definition is an act of violent or open resistance to an established government or ruler. The action or process of resisting authority, control, or convention.

Spiritual Rebellion is knowingly going against or causing others go against God’s will, purpose, plan, or rule. It is false representation of God. It involves dressing a lie up as truth, and encouraging others to buy into it. It is an attempt to over throw God.

God so hates rebellion that he equates it to witchcraft.

1 Samuel 15:23, “For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, he hath also rejected thee from being king.”

Rebellion will always carry a stiff penalty from God. It caused Saul to be rejected as King. It caused death of false prophets and to end of male babies from an entire blood line.

Rebellion is extreme disobedience. “Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.” – James 4:17.

Our flesh will have us believe that if we go against God, we can off him a sacrifice or gift in an attempt to cover our guilt. But God says, in 1 Samuel 15:22, that our obedience is better than any sacrifice we could offer him. In other words there is nothing that we can offer to God that will take the place of our obedience to him. Nothing else will do!

We live in a time where the prevailing thought is to please yourself. To live your best life, and so on. But in all of our “living” we cannot forget God.

We have responsibilities that God is expecting us to accomplish. We have people who are depending on us to do things the right way (God’s way). Our life is to be an example to a lost and dying world. If we do just as badly as they, where is the hope?

God cannot afford to allow us to consistently live below his standards. We must live up to the call on our lives.

Any sacrifice we must make toward this goal is well worth it. Some things are hard to hear, but are so very needful for our success.

Have a successful and blessed day!

Jeremiah 29:11

“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.”

Dig in, you may be here for awhile. But where the Lord plants you, you will still prosper.

God is the same, he does not change. Whenever he takes the time to speak, then he will surely bring it to pass. In the Jeremiah 29, we understand that God has a problem with those who speak falsely in his name.

We are encouraged to know God and his voice – because he does speak to our hearts daily. If we learn to recognize him, then we can also recognize what is NOT him. Those discernment will keep us from falling for false prophets.

In verse 7 of this same chapter, the people are told that where they find themselves to pray to God for that city and seek peace. For the peace of that city means a peace for them as well. I say again, “Dig in, you may be here for awhile. But where the Lord plants you, you will still prosper.” And you will have peace.

We must understand that God is a deliverer and he will deliver us. But he has a plan to work his will. We want immediate deliverance. But God uses situations to teach us, strengthen us, and to mold us into who he needs us to be.

Just as the athlete uses resistance training to gain strength, to build muscle, and endurance so will God use adversity to make us. This is not done overnight – it takes time. For there is a lot of unprofitable qualities that must be burned off before we are fit for the next phase our walk with God.

We cannot move to the next level that God has for us, until we shed the excess weight we are carrying on this current level.

God has a plan.

He knows that thoughts that he thinks towards us, and he will give us that expected end. So God told the people to prosper and increase right where they are. This is is not the end that he has planned, but it IS where he needs us to be right now.

Even though our “right now” is not the destination of our journey, it is also not the end of our lives.

So fix your face. Dig in, you may be here for awhile. But where the Lord plants you, you will still prosper. Trust God’s plan.

No, we cannot see it.

No, we do not know the details.

But we SHOULD know the God we serve.

In our rush to get back to the normal of our lives, let us not miss the lesson(s) that this current climate has taught and is still teaching.

There are false prophets in the land. They are saying many things that are not from God. They are sent to prey on our emotions and fears. To give in to them is rebellion against God.

I say again: Dig in, you may be here for awhile. But where the Lord plants you, you will still prosper.

Have a blessed day!

Sin will take you farther than you want to go. Cost you more than you want to pay: Luke 16:19-31- The rich man and Lazarus- and in hell he lifted up his eyes, be tormented.

Romans 6:23- For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Definition of sin is an immoral act considered to be a transgression against divine law.

Consequences of sin is death again Romans 6:23 for the wages of sin is death

Difference between Christian (a follower of God, or believer) and sinner (a non-believer)? The Christian does not wake up with sin on their mind. Also, a Christian does not stay down. Proverbs 24:16- For a just man falls seven times, and rises up again. Get up. A non-believer will remain in their sinful ways, because that is what is known to them. But it is wonderful to know they do not have to remain there. God will receive them if they repent.

Your flesh is always weak: Matthew 24:41- Watch and pray. Just as God will receive the unbeliever if he repent, the enemy will welcome back the Christian who chooses no longer to believe. We must guard ourselves agains falling back into sin.

How do I fight sin? Psalms 119:11- Thy word have I hid in my heart, that I might not sin against thee. In order to fight sin we must use the word of God. We must hide it in our heart. So when our flesh rises up (the temptation to sin), we can use the word of God to gain victory over the temptation.

Romans 3:23- For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God. This scripture doesn’t give you the okay to continue in sin. We must look at Romans 6:1- What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. Matthew 15:11-Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man, but that which cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a man.

Romans 7:15-18- War in my member. When I want to do good.

We must make a choice – daily- to serve God. We must fill ourselves (our heart) with his word, and use the word to fight the Good fight of faith. We can (and must) be victorious – God has equipped us to be so.

Understand we must not yield to sin! We do not have to because of God. Let us use the arsenal that he has freely given.

Have a victorious day!

Matthew 11:28-30

“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

Key definitions:

Rest: cease work or movement in order to relax, refresh oneself, or recover strength.

Yoke: (harness, collar, coupling, tack) a wooden crosspiece that is fastened over the neck and attached to a plow or cart that is pulled.

Meek: patient, long suffering, forbearing, resigned, gentle

Lowly: humble.

God recognizes where you are and what you go through. Because he walked in the fleshly bod just as we do, he knows the frustration, temptations, vulnerability, anger, and pain we face on a daily basis. Hebrews 4:15, explains this clearly.

The Exchange: Because he knows and understands, he wants to offer the world a way out. God offers us a way to live a life that is insulated.

Yes we will still face the same day to day struggles. However, when we put on the Lord Jesus, he bears the burdens for us. He gives us his all powerful word (Bible), and increases our faith was we walk with him and gain experience. We learn of him – who he is and what he has done for us.

The Exchange: benefits include peace, rest, and confidence.

God is a burden bearer. Through faith, we place the “load” of our lives on him by placing the situations of our lives at his feet. We trust him to work it out, to lead and guide us, to help us make decisions. His ultimate goal is for us to peace – rest for our souls.

When we wear his yoke, we give him permission to steer our lives. But remember his yoke is easy. It is not a physical burden to us. By doing this, God does all the “heavy lifting” of our lives, so to speak. Our ease comes from trusting him to do what his word says he will. It is a faith walk. Romans 1:17 explains this.

It is challenging to allow God to lead us. It is something we must work at and practice. It is a choice we must make every day. When we come to him, we are making an exchange – his will for our own. But the great thing about God – he knows you have plans and goals. He said if we seek him and his will FIRST the he would give us the desires of our heart. There is room to please God and go for your own goals too. It just needs to be done in the proper order. Priority

Life will still have it’s struggles, and pitfalls, ups and downs, good times and bad. However, life with God is easier than it is without him. Peace and knowledge of him makes it all worth while. In the end, heaven is our goal. A life well lived makes it possible.

Have a blessed day

Contrary to popular opinion walking with God is a suffering way. But it does not feel like it is. Why? Because the cards are always stacked in our favor. And again, it does not always feel that way either.

God has designed our life with him to be insulated from the world. We are in the world, but not of the world. He wants to bare our burdens and to share every heavy load we must carry. But it requires faith in him on our part to release these things to him.

To be insulated from the world means that our life is lived “in him.” Because we are in him, we are protected, but yet we experience everything the world has to offer, both good and bad. However, because we live in him, his peace, his mercy, and his grace still reign in our lives.

Living in him means we have decided to follow his lead in every situation, no matter what. That is the choice we have made, but even in this we sometimes fail. But the point of living in him is when we fall (or fail) we get back up and try again. This is the victory that comes from God.

Let’s talk about victory…

2 Corinthians 2:14

“Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place.”

As we walk in him – it is God who will cause victory to be a shield around us. The enemy is always plotting pitfalls or causing people to attack us one way or another. This will never change. We will always have battles to fight. Battles that God expects us to win. Why? Because he prepares us for each battler and he equips us with tools that will guarantee our success.

It is our job to pick up the tools and use them effectively. We are to operate in excellence in every thing that we do. We are to expertly use the tools given. For this reason we have different levels of battle. We learn to use our Godly weapons in the light or easy battles. When the tough and down right hard battles comes, we have some experience and knowledge to fall back on.

At this point we should know more about God and about our enemy – which prepares us for a victorious battle

1 John 5:4

“For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.”

The main tool in our arsenal is our faith. Our faith in God positions us for victory. Everything we do should be done in faith. We walk by faith not by sight. So even if things don’t appear to be good or right, we keep fighting by faith. We speak our world into existence by faith. We call those things that be not, as though they were. We speak good health and healing. We speak deliverance. We speak peace. We speak prosperity and abundance. We speak love. We curse evil in Jesus name, binding it at the root.

We do this all in faith. The we stand on what we spoke, which should be supported by the word of God. Our victory comes because we believe what God says over what are eyes might see.

God will cause these things to come to pass. That is victory!

Deuteronomy 20:4

“For the LORD your God is he that goeth with you, to fight for you against your enemies, to save you.”

We are never alone. He promised to never leave nor forsake us. Our battle is to remember this fact and act accordingly. We act differently when we understand God is with us and is our protector.

We can stand boldly in faith and do or say what God has given us. It is the ultimate peace of mind knowing that whatsoever I speak from my mouth God is going to back it up with his power and might.

This is victory!!

Our challenge is to make sure we operate in faith, not fear. And to make sure we are truly lead by God, and not moving on our own will.

1 Corinthians 10:13

“There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.”

We all have things that would draw our attention away from God. If we allow ourselves to be distracted long enough we might not ever find our way back. This is a danger that costs so high a price that we should avoid it no matter what.

To help us avoid pitfalls and detours away from God’s plan for our lives, there is always a way of escape.

This is victory!!

Gods is so awesome that he knows we have lusts that are there just to pull us away from him. He knows that our flesh will always be susceptible to these lusts. For this reason God will always provide a way of escape whenever temptation appears. It is our job to look for the escape, and take it.

Contrary to what people will have you think, you are never so far gone that you cannot find a way out. The problem is we don’t always want to face the consequences of our choices. But there is always a way of escape. God is faithful, that we are not alone. He will be there to help us successfully navigate every situation.

This is victory!!

John 16:33

“These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.”

Finally, all of this so that we can walk in peace – always. We are designed to overcome the world even as our savior has.

We have been equipped for every battle we will face. We just have to fight the battle in him. He overcame and so will we!

This is victory!!

Have a victoriously blessed day.

2 Corinthians 1:20

“For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us.”

It is good to know that we serve a God that is always considering us. He loves us so much that he is constantly making provisions. There are things, hindrances, road blocks, etc to our journey that we have not even thought about. It is amazing to know that God has, and has already worked out a way for us.

God has made so many promises in is word just for us.

Our problem is that we fail to find out just what he has for us. We tend to go through life blindly. This is the hard way to live. The word of God is a lamp to our feet and a light to our pathway (Psalms 119:105). This means we need his holy word to see where we are going.

Because this life is a journey, we need a road map to successfully navigate our way. The Bible is that navigation. Faith is the fuel to our journey. Just as we trust a natural map to be true, and ultimately capable of directing us to where we need to go, we must believe the same about the Bible.

Our duty is to study the map. John 5:39 says, “Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.” Also remember why we should study the scriptures: 2 Timothy 2:15, “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”

What you need is in the Word of God – for your every situation!

God’s promises are sure and true. The things he has promised are yours for the taking, but you have to go get them.

To know what those promises are you need to find them in the word of God, then stand on them by faith.

Here is just a sneak peak:

But I challenge you, search the scriptures to find out what other promises God has made concerning you!

God speaks to us all directly and he does it through his word. There are promises in his word that are just for you.

Because God promised it to (and for) you, you have to go get it. Be who and what God has designed you to be. Accomplish and achieve the God given (God inspired) goals that are in your heart.

He promised, go get it!

Have a blessed day.

Romans 8:11

“But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.”

God is so awesome!

As I was in praise and worship this morning God dropped this in my spirit and it is exactly what I needed to hear. So I thought I’d share with you as well.

There are some things/issues we have that causes us grief. So much so, that we cry out to God asking for help. Or sometimes we even hide from God if the issue is severe (or embarrassing) enough.

We are torn, we want to be delivered, but we also still enjoy the messiness of our issue. We are at the point where we are sick and tired of ourselves.

God told me, if he is in you and you are in him, the same spirit that raise Jesus from the dead is in you too. That same spirit will raise you up from the mess that you are in. But there are some requirements. We have to stop being so dramatic, and do what needs to be done.

Just as the lame man that was healed – he had to rise use and walk. Had he not moved, he would never had known that his deliverance took place.

We are in the same boat. We have to stop being so dramatic, crying about what we need. Instead we have to step out on faith and try God. He is faithful, if he said you are delivered, then you are. You have to step out on that branch and confirm your deliverance by faith.

This requires you to confess with you mouth that you have been delivered and set free. You must believe it in your heart!

This requires you to make different choices.

This requires you to look for a way of escape when temptation comes.

This requires you to change the people you hang around with/fellowship with.

Understand that you cannot walk in deliverance without change. You will need to change the way you think. You will need to change some of the places you go, and you will need to change some of the people you hang around with.

One of the major mistakes people who struggled with various types of additions make is the company they keep. If you really want to be free, you cannot keep the circle of friends you had. Remember these are the same people who enabled, facilitated, and encouraged your behavior. To walk in deliverance and be free – a change is required.

Stop being dramatic. At the point you prayed and repented by faith, God delivered you. Our problem is we don’t believe we are delivered because we don’t “feel” like it. We want to wait for the dramatic rescue. But God does not always operate like that. He is not moved by our emotions. God is only moved by our faith.

So understand, if God is in you, his spirit will raise you up and set you free. Stop the dramatics, and walk in your deliverance. Be free!

Have a blessed day!