It is good remember just how much God loves and values us. His children.
We serve a God who took the time to create us in his own image. While we were yet in our own sins, with a mind that was thinking evil, and a body doing whatever we wanted, not even considering him – he died for us. He gave himself for us.
That is love!
Jesus did not hesitate on his journey to Calvary’s cross, to die for a people who cried out “crucify him.”
He did it…
His life saved my life. His amazing grace looked beyond all my faults and saw my need. I (we) needed a savior. He gave himself for me, and washed away my sins in his blood!! Hallelujah!!
Today, I wanted to talk about what God has done. To appreciate his awesome sacrifice. Because there are times when life is so busy and hectic. We have so many things going on that we can lose sight of the goodness of God. We must push ourselves to remember just what he has done for us.
Mindfulness is a buzz word we hear all the time now. It is about living in the moment – really being present, and appreciating God. I want to take a moment to be mindfully aware of what God did! To recognize the extent and implications of His great gift. To truly appreciate Him. And simply say thank you!
So, please join me in thanking the God who know us individually. A God who knows our sins and faults, and loves us regardless, But his love is life-changing. His love strengthens us to come out of our sins, and be a better version of ourselves. To be the person he has ordered.
His love will not allow us to remain comfortable in our sins. The light of his love shines on us and calls us out of them. It is a blessing to know he has set us free. We are free indeed!!
“Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son”
To transgress is to infringe or go beyond the bounds of (a moral principle or other established standards of behavior).
In this case it is the bounds of the doctrine of Christ.
The definition of truth is the quality or state of being true.
The definition of true:
As an adjective: accordance with fact or reality; accurate or exact (without variation).
As a adverb: truly. Accurately or without variation.
As a verb: bring into the exact shape, alignment or position required.
John 14;6
“Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”
Hebrews 13:8
“Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, and today, and forever.”
We live in a world that embraces and encourages variation on truth. This is otherwise known as compromise.
The thing about truth is that it does not change. If it was true yesterday, it will still be true tomorrow. Think of it as a math fact, 2+2=4 to day, it will be the same tomorrow and forever. It does not change, no matter how much society changes, or if governmental laws change, or if my feeling or emotions change. 2+2=4 will always be fact. This is also the case of Jesus Christ. No matter what, he is true, he is truth, and he is that forever. Without variation!
Our understanding of Jesus – his will and word – may (and should) grow, expand, and deepen. However, God remains the same. His love toward us all, no matter what, remains the same. It is because we come to know him better, that can give the appearance of change. God still hates sin, eventhough he loves the person.
He loves us enough to allow us to have and do what we desire.
But here is the point man people miss – his word will not change.
The wages of sin will always be death (Roman 6:23).
Holiness, without which no man shall see God (Hebrews 12:14).
He that endureth to the end, the same shall be saved (Matthew 24:13).
Yes, His love for us is so great that He does not force his will on us. Rather, he wants us to choose him. He was us to choose to live a life that is pleasing to him (Joshua 24:15).
You can live your best life,
You can walk in your truth.
You can seek good energy or good vibes.
But understand that there is a way that seemeth right to a man, but its end is the way of death (Proverbs 14:12).
That brings us back to 2 John – it really is a simple equation – we cannot straddle the fence. Your life will reflect the real you. Either Christ abides in you, and you in him. Or he does not. It is time to take a honest look at ourselves, and determine where we stand. It is high time to get ourselves together for we serve a soon coming King!
He is true and the truth. Let;s embrace that immutable fact. Then decide who we are and what we believe. Take the responsiblilityof our life and actions. He is soon to return and let us be ready.
Have a blessed day
We are here to pray with you. Please email us with your prayer request: OTP.ministries1@gmail.com
As we count down closer to the new year, here is some encouragement for 1 John!
Take a moment and real the book of 1 John. It is all about love and the power of love.
Love is something that we all need more and more!
Make a conscious effort to leave the failures and disappointments of this year in 2022.
Approach 2023 with an attitude of gratefulness and anticipation. Expected God to perform what he has promised you. Expect God to do what he said he would.
But also – in all of your expectations, make sure you are walking in obedience to his will. If you are, he promised he would withhold no good thing from you (Psalms 84:11).
God bless you and I pray that 2023 be a year of blessings and accomplishments for us all. I pray for your physical and financial health. I pray that we trust God above all else. Walk into your purpose for 2023, and be blessed!!
1 John 4:7-8, “Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.”
This is the holiday season. That time of year where we celebrate the birth of Jesus.
It is also during this season that the hearts of many are pricked to show love in a spirit of giving.
With that in mind, I though I share some things about love over the next couple of weeks. Love is powerful and can overcome anything!
God is love. Everything he does is motivated from his love. The Bible says in 1John 4:17, “Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.”
We need to take strength from this great love and boldly do the work of Christ. And we can do so without fear and the torment of fear.
Sometimes people are so afraid of what “might” happen that they refuse to step out in faith and boldly do the will of God.
But there is power in God’s love!
The best part of that statement is this – we have complete access to this power!
When we make the choice to rest in God’s love we have the boldness we need to successfully navigate our walk with God. No matter where our walk takes us (great heights, or deeper depths) we can do it in the spirit of excellence
If we rest in God’s love and refuse to be halted by fear, there is nothing we cannot do. There will be no place we cannot go. There will be no people we are afraid to speak with. Why? Because the power of God’s love surrounds us!
To love God, is to love his people. No matter of what color, shape, size, ethnicity, or background. Christ died for all. We must love all.
So take a love check today and see where you stand.
1John 4:20-21, “If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen? And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also.”
It is impossible to say we love God, but hate people!
Make no mistake, “brother” is referring to the same people for whom Jesus died. You cannot hate people and say you love God. If you do, you make yourself a liar.
If you find yourself lacking in love…
Or you find that you have not been resting whole heartedly in God’s love…
It’s time to repent, and do better. Ask God for forgiveness, and set your will to love, and to show love.
Understand that it takes practice to love and to trust in God’s love. You may fail or fall down a few times. But don’t give up and don’t stay down. Keep fighting the good fight of faith and you will become victorious.
Love to you all!
Have a blessed day. And as always, we are here to pray with you. Contact us via email: otp.ministry1@gmail.com.
Ephesians 6:16-17, “Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:”
Psalms 61:1-4, “Hear my cry, O God; attend unto my prayer. From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I. For thou hast been a shelter for me, and a strong tower from the enemy. I will abide in thy tabernacle for ever: I will trust in the covert of thy wings. Selah.”
All I have is my faith and the word of God!
There is a lot going on in the world today. A great many loud voices shouting lies and hypocrisies. Spiritual attacks against the family foundation. Attacks of sickness and disease. Attacks against our economy and our ability it survive financially. Pressure to buckle under the yolk of political correctness.
Many people spend a significant part of their day worrying. And not really sure of what to believe or think.
But is is time to get off this roller coaster of emotional ideology. It is time to quiet those outside voices and influences. Take a step back and deal with the inner man. Time to get back to basics and hear God.
Despite everything we mentioned above – God has not changed!
His standard has not changed.
His word is still true.
His love is absolute.
His goodness and mercy still follows all the days of our lives.
It is important to recognize that these voices and influences are just distractions. Salacious conversations that are designed to capture our attention and pull us in various directions. To have the people of God so captivated that we forget who we are and the mission we have been given.
Yes, it is a fight. We are in a battler, and all we have is our faith and the word of God.
Yet, we are prepared, fully equipped for the fight.
Faith is the key to activate the power of God’s word in our lives!
I was laying in my bed one night, and I felt the enemy try to attack my mind. Literally attack my brain. It felt like a black cloud was trying to take over my very brain. I knew if I did nothing I would go into convulsions. I immediately began to call on the name of Jesus! I remember telling God – all I have is my faith and your word. Then I began to war in the spirit over my mind. I used every healing scripture that I could recall at the time, and stood in faith on that word.
Just as quickly, that black cloud left and I stand here healed in Jesus’ name!
The power of the word of God had never changed. It will work if you use it. But you have to use it in faith. For that is all we have.
No material weapon will work in a spiritual battle. Ephesians 6:12, “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.”
We cannot allow ourselves to become so distracted by inconsequential things that we miss the real battle. If we do, when we finally wake up, we may finds ourselves worse off than ever before.
We must recognize the attack before the enemy has the opportunity wreak havoc. Once the recognition has be made, we must boldly fight the good fight of faith in Jesus’ name. We must be consistent, be diligent, and be faithful to the work of the Lord!
Wake up and stay in the fight.
Understand that all you really have is your faith and the word of God. But also understand that what you have is more than enough!
Have a blessed night.
As always, we are ready to stand in faith with you. If are in the need of pray, we email us at: otp.ministry1@gmail.com.
Psalms 9:1, “I will praise thee, O LORD, with my whole heart; I will shew forth all thy marvellous works.”
1 Thessalonians 5:18, “In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”
Thanksgiving is defined as the expression of gratitude, especially to God.
It is the Thanksgiving season here in the United States. I usually take time out during this season to appreciate all that God has done for me and my family. I actually kind of enjoy cooking our meal because we are all together. And I usually do not enjoy cooking!
However, this year is different. Thankfully we are all together again this year. What is different is that God has matured my attitude so that I do not consider things as I did in years past.
Psalms 9:1 talks about a whole hearted praise. This is a praise that takes all that you are. And it comes from a place deep within you that is pure. It is from the depth of this praise that I can tell “shew forth” all that God has done. To Shew forth is to publish or celebrate. It is to tell out or forth. To declare abroad, divulge, publish.
From this pure praise, I can celebrate God. I can publish or tell everyone of all he has done for me. Not just with my words alone, but also, and maybe most importantly, I do it through the way I live my life. Through the way I treat people, showing mercy, forgiveness, love and compassion. To celebrate God is to strive to live up to the call and anointing he has placed on my life.
Yes, at our Thanksgiving dinner we do take the time to express the things for which we are thankful. More than that, to truly shew forth or celebrate God, we need to acknowledge him. As the saying goes, if it had not been for the Lord on my side, where would I be? It is important to recognize that it is God alone who has done marvelous things in our lives.
Let us celebrate him!
1 Thessalonians teaches us about being thankful, no matter what. We have to acknowledge that things do not always go the way we planned. And yes, sometimes the worst does happen. But those things are all on the outside – not in our spirit. We cannot let those outside influences impact our inner peace or inward joy. So yes, in every thing give thanks – no matter what is happening. Why? Because this IS the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning us all!
We are not thankful that terrible things have happened. But we are thankful regardless of terrible things happening! We can show the world that no matter what, God is still good! God is still able! God still has my back. This awful thing has not destroyed me. In spite of it, I am still standing! And for this I am thankful!!
This attitude of thankfulness requires maturity. One that we all need to grow into.
Why? Because on the other side of your praise, there is victory!
Lamentations 3:22-23, tells us of his new mercies each morning. “It is of the LORD’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.”
Because of his new mercies toward me, and because he is so faithful, I am able to love better.
When you really understand just how awful we are, and how good God has been to us regardless, it is hard not to love. Yes, some people try the limits of our love on a daily basis! However, we we must push through their hatred and love.
1 John 3:11
Imagine God, who on his way to die for a sinful world just so they can be redeemed, was bombarded with hate. This hate was to the extreme. He was laughed at, spit upon, beaten beyond recognition. He was without sin, yet he said not one word. When he was on the cross he even asked God to forgive them, because they didn’t understand what they were doing.
He pushed through a level of hate we will never have to experience. He stayed the course and finished his mission.
Now consider yourself and the level of hate you face. It does not even compare!
This is called perspective!
With your new perspective, love your way through and complete your mission. You can do it. It is for this reason you were called. God gave you your credentials when he called you. You underscored them as your faith was tried and you made it to this point! As I said in the beginning – today is a great day to be alive!
Now brush off your love, put it front and center in your spirit and complete what God has given you to do!!
Have a blessed day!
As always, we are here to pray with you. Email us at: otp.ministry1@gmail.com.
I was just thinking about the lyrics to CeCe Winans’ “The Goodness of God” and wanted to delve a litter deeper into just what is God’s goodness.
Webster’s Dictionary defines goodness as the quality of being morally good or virtuous.
Easton’s Bible Dictionary defines Goodness of God as, “a perfection of his character which he exercises towards his creatures according to their various circumstances and relations (Psalms 145:8 Psalms 145:9; 103:8; 1 John 4:8). Viewed generally, it is benevolence; as exercised with respect to the miseries of his creatures it is mercy, pity, compassion, and in the case of impenitent sinners, long-suffering patience; as exercised in communicating favour on the unworthy it is grace. “Goodness and justice are the several aspects of one unchangeable, infinitely wise, and sovereign moral perfection. God is not sometimes merciful and sometimes just, but he is eternally infinitely just and merciful.” God is infinitely and unchangeably good (Zephaniah 3:17), and his goodness is incomprehensible by the finite mind (Romans 11: 35.36). “God’s goodness appears in two things, giving and forgiving.””
I would like to simplify that in saying, God’s goodness is providing us exactly what we need, when we need it, despite that fact that we are not deserving of his intervention. This does not mean that God is like some fabled “genie” on the spot who is standing at the ready to provide you with what you desire at the moment you desire it. Instead, it does mean is God is willing to extend to you what is needed to bring you to the place of completeness. Where we recognize his goodness, and our need for him. We understand we did not receive it because we have always done what is right. In fact, we see our own ugliness and perceive God’s goodness despite it.
Completeness is the quality of being whole or perfect and having nothing missing. This completeness is totally due to God’s goodness. It is not that we are perfect – without sin, but he has made us whole.
I look at Easton’s definition (and I would agree this is accurate), and I think of my life and the many times God has moved on my behalf. I can honestly say I did not deserve any of his goodness. But it is because he is “perfection in his character” that he looked beyond my faults and saw my needs (ah, the grace of God).
To truly get to know God’s character, we can look at the fruits of the spirit Galatians 5:22-23. “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering (or patient), gentleness (or kindness), goodness, faith, meekness (or obedient), temperance (or self-control); against such there is no law.” We are to exhibit these same characteristics as we walk through our daily life. We show them to others in how we treat and respect them. We also show them in how we react, despite how they treat us. Just as God shows them to us, despite out own lack of worthiness.
As the song says God’s goodness if running after us. The scripture says in Psalms 23;6, “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.” God is faithful and always ready to show his goodness toward us. The lyrics continue, “all my life you have been faithful, all my life you have been so, so good. With every breath that I am able, I will sing of the goodness of God.”
I do not own the rights to this song. But this song does speak to my heart. If you are like me and understand how often you fail God, it is a blessing to truly understand the goodness of God.
Thank God of his goodness and making me complete in him!!
Have a blessed day!! As always, we are here to pray with you. Please email us at: otp.ministry1@gmail.com.
2 Timothy 4:3, “ preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage – with great patience and careful instruction.“
By definition is regardless of the time or season; at all times.
Consistent is unchanging in nature, standard, or effect over time.
You can do it – just don’t stop.
We are here to pray with you. Email us at: otp.ministry1@gmail.com
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.”
Ephesians 6:11, “Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.”
Have a blessed day Monday!!
If you need prayer, please email your prayer requests to: OTP.ministries1@gmail.com.
Onward To Perfection.com 