1 Peter 1:15-16, “But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.”
I’m going to just let this sit here in your spirit!
This is what is missing today.
In the search to be free and “do you” and “live your best life” and “just let me be great” – I could go on and on… we lost something.
We lost the integral, essential, and beautiful aspect of this walk with Christ. We forgot about being holy.
Don’t get it twisted – holiness is not about the way a person dresses or places we cannot go, or things we cannot do. It is however, an attitude, a perspective, a way of thinking, a way of approaching our daily lives.
Jesus walked in holiness every day of his earthly ministry. Yet he was still living his best life – touching and changing the lives of everyone he came in contact with.
We are instructed by God to be Christ-like. We are admonished to be holy. But somewhere along the way we changed the definition of holiness and sometimes used it as a weapon against the very people we were trying to win to Christ.
So I encourage you take a good like at the life of Jesus in 4 gospels. Get to know Jesus. See what true holiness looks like and emulate that. The bottom line – without holiness, we will not see the Lord.
This is the missing link.
However, it does not have to stay that way. It is time to find our way back to holiness so we can, indeed, live our best life. The end result – seeing Jesus’ face in peace.
Psalms 98:4-6, “4. Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all the earth: make a loud noise, and rejoice, and sing praise. 5. Sing unto the LORD with the harp; with the harp, and the voice of a psalm. 6. With trumpets and sound of cornet make a joyful noise before the LORD, the King.”
Oh what a blessing it is to sing praises to God – even if one does not have the skill that many appreciate or enjoy hearing!
The blessing is in knowing that our songs of praise ARE pleasing to God. So much so that in Psalm 100:2 God instructs all to serve him with gladness and come before his presence with singing. Psalms 150:6, God instructs that everything that has breath is to praise him.
I love to sing praises to God!
God is so awesome that he understood the benefits we get from singing praises to him are twofold. On on hand, and most importantly, God is lifted up and exalted in our eyes as we sing praises to him. We are able to usher his presence into our atmosphere, situation and circumstance. God is magnified and our problems and troubles are minimizing.
The second benefit is we are able to step outside of our issues and concentrate on God. This helps to change our perspective of the things we go through. What before looked like a mountain we were hard pressed to climb, now looks like a hill we can triumphantly step over.
Singing praise (to God) is truly and power tool!
In The Science Behind Singing: What Happens When We Sing?, author, Stephan Joubert states, “You may have heard that singing helps to reduce stress levels, alleviate anxiety and promote optimal mental health. …Singing is proven to release endorphins and oxytocin, which is known to stimulate feelings of trust and bonding while eliminating anxiety and depression. “
What an awesome God we serve!
So, (as the song says), hear my cry, Oh God. Attend unto my prayer. From the ends of the earth will I cry unto thee. And when my heart is overwhelmed lead me to the rock that is higher than I, oh that is higher than I. (Psalms 61).
Singing a song of praise to God works wonders for you spiritually and mentally.
So, as you wind down for the evening, take time to sing a song of praise and meditate on the goodness of the Lord. I believe that your sleep will be so much better.
Ephesians 4:23-24, “And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.”
Just as they say “you are what you eat” the same can be said of the mind. You are what you think!
The thoughts a person thinks inwardly will eventually be portrayed on the outside. Think a thing long enough, and subconsciously, that thought will be uttered through the mouth. It’s human nature.
The more negative thoughts and emotions are allowed to dwell in the mind, they produce seeds that will take root. Once these roots are firmly planted, their sole purpose is to become a permanent part of the individual.
It for this reason we are admonished to be renewed in the spirit of our mind daily.
You cannot be a new man, if you have the same old mind.
A new mind brings a holy perspective.
By definition, perspective is a particular attitude toward or way of regarding something; a point of view.
Once your mind has been renewed by the Holy Ghost, you are given the opportunity see things through the lenses given from the mind of Christ (Philippians 2:5).
It all boils down to choices. Even with the mind of Christ, we have to still choose him – daily. Because every day we face situations that are designed to pull us away from God.
We have to continuously choose Jesus. Why? Because the enemy is constantly attacking us. And remember we are ONLY tempted by our own lusts (James 1:14). This means the enemy comes at us with stuff specific to us individually. Things that scratches the our own itch.
To combat this, we must flood our minds with the right stuff. We must think on things which glorify God. Philippians 4:8, “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”
It is a process. We must practice and train our minds to think as instructed in Philippians. But it can be done. Once we have that new perspective, we can handle any thing that comes our way.
So take some time to reflect on where your thoughts are. Are they propelling you toward victory? Or do the push you to toward defeat?
Do you take God at his word?
Do you believe the word?
Or do you fall for the lies of the enemy?
If you find yourself leaning toward defeat, now is the perfect time to make a change.
Sincerely repent in prayer and do better. It’s as simple as that. Then retrain your brain. Practice thinking on things that uplift and encourage. Speak life, not death. Stop filling your mind with junkie television and social media.
You will notice the change in your life and have a closer walk with God!
Ecclesiastes 9:11, “I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favour to men of skill; but time and chance happeneth to them all.”
So this was a crazy week at work. New computer equipment, new technology, not a lot of training, and a very heavy case load. All of these factors (and a few more) combined to make a very frustrating work week.
The Bible says that time and chance happens to all of us. It is not realistic to believe that you will never find yourself in the midst of frustrating circumstances. After all, we are built to survive tough times, and to thrive in spite of them!
Contrary to popular belief – God does not always remove you from tough or difficult situation. He is, however, excellent at extending his grace as you face and deal with them. He promised not to put more on us than we can bear.
So if you find yourself between a rock and a hard place, take heart. You are there because God knew you could handle it!
Philippians 4:7, “And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”
So my solution…I stepped away from my office and took a walk outside. I began to sing. I sang old songs from church and I just talked to the Lord.
By the time I made it back to my office, I felt so much better. This taught me an important lesson – not to let the frustrations of life penetrate inward.
As followers of Christ, we should be able to be in an adverse situation without allowing the negativity of it to penetrate who we are. We are instructed to be in the world, but not of this world (1 John 2:15-17).
When you begin to feel overwhelmed – take a break (even if you can only take a bathroom break), step away from the situation. Take a deep breath, and remember who you are and whose you are. Focus your mind on the Lord and give him praise. Praise until you feel free. Then give the situation to God.
Yes, you will head back and face the situation. But you are now spiritually refreshed. Your are now strengthened, and able to handle anything. You have not allowed the negativity to impact who you are.
Philippians 4:13, “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.”
It is important not to take adverse or negative situations personal. This can be hard, I know. But by keeping that distance you allow the peace of God to do it’s work.
You will be able to function, and do what needs to be done – effectively.
The peace of God, will surround and insulate you.
Frustration successfully dealt with. And the bonus is that God received the glory through it all.
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.”
1 John 5:14-15. “And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.”
By definition expectation is a strong belief that something will happen or be the case in the future.
To “stand in expectation” is to know that whatever I have spoken (by faith), or whatever I am believing God for is coming my way. Faith puts me in the very path of that thing so that it overtakes me as God brings it to pass.
Health and healing, finances, strength and encouragement, etc. Our needs are endless.
But when we “stand in expectation” we are of the spiritual position of: for with God all things are possible. So we ask God in faith, and we literally live our life on alert. As we walk, we are looking around, because God’s blessings can approach us from any direction. God is that good!
As 1 John tells us – it is a confidence that we have. Not self confidence – because it is not about us. Rather it is confidence in God.
No matter how bad or how dire our situation, we cannot allow ourselves to forget the God that we serve. He has a proven track record! He is a proven miracle worker!
It is from this vantage point where our confidence emerges, takes deep root in our hearts, and grows so large and strong that it shelters us from the storms of life. This confidence allows us to boldly approach God and ask him for any and everything we need!
Now here is my favorite part… God recognizes this same confidence we have in him. He sees our faith, and he responds.
When we take the time to get to know God better – through studying his word, through spending time in his presence. We build ourselves up in our most holy faith (Jude 1:20). Our confidence in God is heightened, our faith is increased, and we ask God for what some would say is the impossible!
This is what God wants from us! Ask and ye shall receive. Seek and ye shall find. Knock and the door shall be opened (Matthew 7:7). These are instructions direct from God. With the added caution: do not ask amiss to consume in on your lusts (James 4:3).
When we ask according to his will, God will withhold no good thing from us.
As stated earlier- God recognizes your confidence in him and responds. He considers us! We are in his thoughts. With plans to give us an expected end.
So the question is this – what are you expecting?
I know you have prayed.
I know you have many things you need from God.
I know there are many things you need God to do.
But the question remains – are you truly confident in God to do what he says? Has this confidence in God caused you to come to him boldly (and in faith) to ask him?
If the answers to these questions is “yes” then are you standing in expectation? Are you looking for the manifestation – like really expecting it to come from anywhere?
God is there to give you that expected end. But you have to be there to receive it.
Let your faith put you in the path of your blessings. This is that expected end.
You must know what it is, and allow your faith (trust in God) to place you where it is!
You must know what you are looking for. Then stand in expectation.
Hebrews 4:12, “For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”
Joshua 1:8, “This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.”
John 6:63, “It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.”
So I was taking a walk earlier today, trying to exercise my knee. While I was walking, I was also meditating on the word of God. Specifically Hebrews 4:12. God began to reveal the power of his word to me.
John let’s us know that the words God speak are spirit and life.
By definition Quickeneth or quickened means to bring to life or make alive.
So then it is the spirit of God that brings life. The word of God Is spirit and it is life.
By definition, meditate is to think deeply or carefully about.
Joshua, tells us that by meditating on the word of God we will make our way prosperous and have good success. Why? Because we are keeping his word in our mouths and on our minds. We speak it and think about it. Eventually, we will start to do it!
So we now understand that God’s word is life giving and life transforming. We speak what we think. What we think is acted out in the body.
For example, they say age is a number or state of mind. If you think that you are too old to do certain things, eventually you will also speak those same words. Then finally, you body will start to line up with what you think and speak!
The Bible says that the power of life and death is in your tongue (Proverbs18:21). It also say as a man thinks, some he is (Proverbs 23:7).
You may say/think you are too old to roller skate, play basketball, dance, etc. The next thing you know you begin to feel body aches and pains well beyond your years – simply because the words you though and spoke gave life to your words. In other words, you spoke your words into existence.
You can speak life or you can speak death. Either way, your words will create results that you must deal with. You can be positive – and speak life and success. Or you can be negative – and speak death and failure.
Let’s consider meditating a little further…
When we meditate on God’s word, we consider it deeply. We prayerfully repeat the verse in our minds, asking God to open our understanding. In our study time, (I recommend a good study Bible – Thompson Chain Reference Bible is what I use). Run references on the scripture to amplify your knowledge. God will open up your understanding.
This is how you make your way successful.
Hebrews tells us about the power of the word of God. This verse starts by saying God’s word is life (quick), it is powerful , and it is sharp.
By definition sharp means precise.
God’s work is so precise that it can cut better than a two edged sword. God’s work can separate soul from spirit, joint from marrow. AND it can discern .
By definition discern means to perceive or recognize.
God’s work can perceive or recognize the thoughts AND intents of your heart!!
Wow!! That is all powerful – nothing stronger.
So with understanding this amplification, let us look deeper…
So as we meditate carefully and prayerfully on God’s word. We make our way prosperous and have good success, because God’s word is life giving and life transforming. We apply the word to our life, and walk in it. We may stumble our way as we initially attempt this, but that same word is creating life as we walk by faith. So now our thoughts and perceptions have changed and begin to line up with the word.
The word says that by his stripes we are healed. I meditate on this word and apply it to my life. I am now speaking words of healing – proclaiming it. My mind is now renewed and I do not react in the same manner as I used to when I feel the pain or hear a bad report from the doctor. Because I am trusting God and standing on his word.
The word of God is precise – it is cutting away the dead parts. Those old thoughts, beliefs and ideas that were not in-line with God’s word. Simultaneously, it is creating new, regenerating, and restoring that which the enemy has tried to destroy in us. That is why it is two-edged – it cuts going in and coming out, to accomplish God’s will.
This is the power of Gods word!
This is why we meditate on the word of God.
So I encourage you to exercise your faith. Dive into the word and meditate on it day and night. Watch what a difference it makes in your life!
Have a blessed day and please feel free to share your comments.!!
Philippians 3:13-14, “Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.”
It the beginning of the work week and also the week leading to Good Friday, Easter weekend. It is the best time to do a self- care check!!
In this season we take the time to recognize the glorious gift God gave to us through the awesome sacrifice of Jesus! As the song says “God sent his son, they call him Jesus.” It is a time remember, all that Calvary’s Cross made possible for everyone. Salvation from the enemy of our souls through the blood of Jesus! Victory over death, hell, and the grave through the resurrection of Jesus!!
Because he got up, so can we!!
So, as you prepare to enjoy all the Easter celebrations, also take time to evaluate yourself. This is self-care at it’s finest.
Look at your life, your current state:
⁃ Is your life pleasing to God?
⁃ Is your light shinning brightly to the world around you?
⁃ Are you exemplifying the victorious life that Jesus gave?
⁃ Or has the bulb of your life grown dim?
⁃ Are you barely living your life with your head above (spiritually speaking)?
Now is the perfect time to take stock and make adjustments.
Philippians 3-13, recognizes the fact that we have not already attained. We are all very much a work in progress!!
The best we can do is let go of the past. Your successes and failures are all in the past. We live in the present and make provisions for the future.
As for the past? We must let it go. We cannot let it negatively impact our present or future. We must repent, and then do better. We cannot keep committing the same mistakes of the past. If we do, we will continually find ourselves in the same state.
This is self-care. We learn from mistakes and do better.
How? We ask God for help. We ask for his guidance – then take our hands off the reigns of our life, and follow as he leads.
God is a “right now” God. The enemy would have you believe that if we pray, the help will come at some undetermined time in the future. This is one of the greatest lies of the devil.
The truth is, when we pray, God dispatches the answer immediately.
It is our duty to stand still and wait for the manifestation.
There is victory and freedom in waiting on the Lord. It takes the pressure off us to make a move. Now the ball is in God’s court. He will not let you down! He will show us the next step. It then is our job to take that step. Wether we like or agree with it. Recognize he will not steer you wrong.
Most of the time we are like a train. We want to keep moving forward until we pull into the designated station. We are unable to stop moving and wait on the Lord. We do not allow the Lord to speak and correct our course. We must make room for God to be God in our lives.
Self-care means we also take the time to repent and make corrections. This is how we learn and do better.
Philippians 3:13-14, also says that once we have let go of the past, we look forward. You cannot make progress if we are living in the past!! We must press forward toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. What is this prize? Seeing God’s face is peace. Pleasing God, doing his will. Eternal life with Christ – Heaven!!
We must keep heaven in our view. We must work to take as many people with us, by operating in the gifts and calling that God has given to us all. The world needs us to be in our place, operating under the anointing of God to accomplish his will.
So, on this self-care Monday take time for yourself. Evaluate your “right-now”, and truly see where you are. Yes, it may bring tears to your eyes. But this is a good thing. It provides an opportunity to fix things. It’s a time of course corrections – by getting back in line with Christ!
Have a great Self-Care Monday. Do the work to put yourself in a great place mentally. Self-Care relieves stress and anxiety. Trust God to be God in your life. Let him handle the things you cannot!!
2 Timothy 4:15-16, “Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all. Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.”
Loving God is not enough.
The love that we have for God should propel us toward works. James 2:17, “Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.” Work is basically putting God’s word to the test. We are not “fleecing” God as Gideon did. Rather, we believe God and take him at his word. We stand on it in faith, and use his word to battle the enemy.
When God says, “I will” our faith propels us to move as if it is already done. Our speech should line up with what God has said. Our vision should see what God says. Even though the thing promised may not have yet manifested in the natural, our faith takes it as a done deal.
Faith without works is dead!
Many say they love God, but are not willing to stretch out on faith and proclaim what God has said or done. They want to wait until the miracle has already happened, then spread it abroad. This is not faith. This is just stating facts.
But if we truly love God, we will take him at his word and act accordingly.
Faith is the hallmark of the believer. This is why we work.
People need to see us walking, talking, and living by faith. They need to see it before the manifestation occurs. As Bishop Fitzpatrick used to say, “they need to know there is a reality in serving the true and living God.”
People need to see you worshiping God through the pain. For when the healing comes, they can also testify to the power of God.
People need to see you work, and hear your testimony. They need to witness you working by faith as you walk into your promised land!
This is why we work!
Our journey is not so much for us alone. It is for the many people who watch us along the way. Our faith walk helps to increase their faith.
This is why we work!
2 Timothy says meditate upon these things (the word of God). Give yourself wholly to them. We must be completely invested in this walk!! We cannot afford to have an “on again/off again” relationship with God. We must be consistent and progressing. Why? Because those wha are watching us must see our prosperity. This is spiritual, emotional, physical, and financial prosperity. Because God’s word speaks to more than just finances.
2 Timothy goes on to encourage us to take notice of ourselves and the doctrine. We must examine ourselves to make sure we remain in the faith. We must also make sure we are walking according to the true word of God, and not someone’s interpretation of it. By self checking we not only save ourselves, but those who hear/see us!
We must seek God continually – asking him to reveal himself to us through his word. He is faithful and he will do it! As he reveals himself, we must make corrections to our walk to ensure that we are walking accordingly. Acts 2:40, “And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation.”Philippians 2:12,”…work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.”
This is why we work!
There is a responsibility in salvation. We cannot afford to entrust our own salvation to someone else. We must work to make sure we are on the right path. We must give ourselves wholly over reading God’s word, and seeking his face as we walk on this life journey.
Ultimately, heaven is our goal. And we want to take as many people as we can with us.
This is why we work!
So I encourage you work too. You may never know who is watching you. But rest assured, someone is. Let you life tell the tale of just how good and faithful God is.
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