Psalms 127 1-2
“1. Except the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the Lord keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain. 

2. It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows: for so he giveth his beloved sleep.”

Romans 12 :2

“And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”

We are living in exciting times. God is maneuvering his people into the place he needs them to be. Every triumph and failure you have experienced on your journey has worked to get you where you are now. It is not a coincidence that you are in this place today. Your presence has been divinely ordered.

God is speaking – always. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the spirit is saying to the church. God has been dealing with us, and it is time to move. But everything must be do decently and in order.

We are not to move without him. We are not to move without instruction. We are not to go beyond his word to us.

• Many of us have moved based on a good idea, but no real leading from God.
• Many of us hear what God has spoken in our spirit, but we moved prematurely.
• Many of us do not trust God enough so we do not let him be God of the situation.

All of these situations leave the believer in a state of great frustration – wondering “God, where are you?

We find ourselves spending many years trying to dig ourselves out of situations where our lack of faith, and inability to trust God, as lead use.

“Let God Be God!” 

***When the Lord builds – he gives you everything you need. 

When we build, we begin using limit vision, we build short sightedly. Our vision is finite.

When we build, we want to use our physical muscles. We use our own logic and understanding. We try to mingle this with a little faith and call this allowing God to lead us.

Trust is a firm belief in the reliability, character, truth, ability or strength of God.

Trust takes practice! The idea of trust is learned when we become believers. The reality of trust in God is something that we hone, perfect, as we walk with him.

When God births something in our spirit, we are to step out on faith – and watch God move. But when we get to the point where the next step is not clear, we are to pray for direction, and not move until God shows us the way.

Romans 12:2 to us not to be conformed to this world.

We do not operate the same way the world does.

Instead, we are transformed because our minds are to be renewed by the word of God. Why, so we can be found in the will of God. It is our choice …

Good will of God – to be desire or approved, having qualities required for a particular role.
Acceptable will of God – suitable, able to be tolerated or allowed. Adequate, satisfactory.

Perfect will of God – completely free from faults or defects, or as close to such a condition as possible.

Even the world encourages us to work smarter, not harder.

It is your choice, trust God, and let him build the house? Or continue to walk in the flesh, and only experience little to no success. Good, acceptable or perfect will of God.

“Let God Be God.”

We are mid way through the first month of the year, and many have had trouble sticking with changes (I refuse to say New Years Resolutions) they want to make.

DON’T GIVE UP!!   Keep plugging away, stick to your plan/time table. It is said that after 21 days of doing something over and over, it becomes a habit.

It is okay to start over again if you have messed up already. Begin again, practice your new behavior everyday, it will eventually become a habit and you will have successfully made a change. 

This is a year of new beginnings. Do not get discouraged. If you have messed up already. Forgive yourself, repent to God, and begin again. Real change takes practice. That means you will mess up from time to time, just don’t stay there. REFUSE to settle for the same ole, same ole. Go after (with all you’ve got) the things that God has for you. Do not let the devil steel your victory or your future. 

I John 4:4

“Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.”

Be encouraged, God has your back. However, you must trust him enough to keep fighting the good fight of faith.
*** I hope this post has encouraged your heart, and blessed your soul. I look forward to hearing from you. Your comments are welcomed. God bless. 

Matthew9:20-22

“20. And, behold, a woman, which was diseased with an issue of blood twelve years, came behind him, and touched the hem of his garment:

21. For she said within herself, If I may but touch his garment, I shall be whole.

22. But Jesus turned him about, and when he saw her, he said, Daughter, be of good comfort; thy faith hath made thee whole. And the woman was made whole from that hour.”

Luke 8:43-44

“43. And a woman having an issue of blood twelve years, which had spent all her living upon physicians, neither could be healed of any, 

44. Came behind him, and touched the border of his garment: and immediately her issue of blood stanched.”

Many of the topics that we have discussed lately are focused around faith and change. Today is no exception.

Looking at the woman with the issue of blood is a perfect study when recognizing the need for change. Proverbs 3:5-6 tells us to trust God and seek his direction in all of our ways. However, most of us are like the woman with the issue of blood. She first did everything within her own power to seek her own deliverance (spent her money on Doctor after Doctor. None could help). When everything was gone, and they had done all they could do (to no avail), she then turned to God. 

At the point of her desperation, her thoughts turned to God. Desperation caused her to acknowledge God and seek his deliverance.

Most of us are the same way. We trust in our own strength, income, knowledge, and other resources to accomplish our goals. If we are successful, we might give God the praise. If we are not, we keep going in this same direction until we hit a brick wall which we cannot scale. At this point, we too, will turn to God for help.

What God wants his people to do is to trust him from the beginning of our situations, not only at the end of our rope. 

Imagine if this woman had turned to God earlier, what pain and anguished she could have spared herself. Not to mention the money she could have saved. Likewise we ourselves, If we trust God at the beginning of our situations. Choosing rather to discuss them with God in fasting and prayer. Imagine how great an outcome we can have? We would save ourselves many failures and heartache. 

We must choose to do things differently to achieve a different result. Change is possible. We must be willing to change the way we approach difficult situations. This may sound challenging if not impossible, but start on smaller decisions. Then work your way up to the big ones. Practice makes perfect. Real change is a practiced behavior. Over time it becomes your standard behavior. 

This is a new year, and I have decided to make it my best year. This is the year I walk into the vision God has given me. I want to encourage you to do the same. Go after, whole heartedly, the things God has placed in your spirit. Accomplish the things he has given you to do. Your triumph is assured, but you must first take that leap of faith. Begin the journey, seeking his guidance all the way.

*** I hope this has blessed you. I encourage you to study the scriptures referenced above and seek God. He has a plan for you – get it accomplished! As always, your comments are welcomed. God bless.

Philippians 3:13-14

“13. 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, 14. I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.”

The New Year brings wonderful opportunity to leave  behind the old, and to embrace the new. 

I want to encourage you not to be afraid to do things differently than you have done before. Change is necessary to obtain a different outcome. The problem with change is that many people are afraid to make them. Fear of the unknown will keep you stuck in a rut – chained to an unending cycle of mediocrity or failure. 

The scriptures encourage to forget the things behind us and to boldly press toward the future, which is a high calling in Jesus.

Failures will happen. Learn from them, make the necessary changes, and move forward. Your growth should be constant – unending.

Do not let your failures make you afraid to stretch out your faith. Try God – press forward.  Forget the past, concentrate on the present, and prepare yourself for the future – in Christ.

Happy New Year – make it a blessed, successful 2016!

*** I hope your are blessed by the word of God. As always your comments are welcomed.

Romans 1:16-17

“16. For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. 17. For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.”

As we enjoy the true meaning of Christmas and head into the new year, I believe this is also the perfect time to reflect and remember. Reflect on the success and failures of this year. Remember the great God who has blessed us with opportunity everyday to make this life a success. Reflecting and remembering places us in the perfect position so make changes, establish new plans of approach to challenges, and to determine corrected courses for our lives. But this process must also include a time to remember who we are (in Christ), and whose we are (the God of creation). 

If we are not careful, sometimes the cares of this life will cause even the most stout believer to forget who they are. In our forgetting, we will make poor planning choices, and will find ourselves in the wrong place. This season is a prime example. Many believers get caught up in the commercial side of the season and will regulate the Christ of Christmas to a small section of this seasons celebration. But we must endeveaour to remember, and keep Christ the focal point of our celebrations.

Be willing to say “Merry Christmas”and not just settle for “Happy Holidays.” We are not excluding other holidays, but we are simply willing to acknowledge the true meaning of the season. For it is truly good news that is worthy to be shared with everyone, no matter the belief. There is power in the true purpose of the season that is life changing. 

We must no be ashamed to tell the world – share with the world – the gospel of Christ. For it is truly the only hope for the world today.

So I want to take time to wish everyone a belated Merry Christmas, I pray a great Christmas celebration was had, and time was taken to serve our fellow man. I want to encourage everyone to examine their personal 2015, and make preparations for an even greater 2016. Better/greater is around the corner. But we must seek after it and prepare for it, “for the just shall live by faith.” 

*** I hope you are blessed by this post. As always, your comments are welcomed. God bless.

Expectation is defined a strong belief that something will happen or be the case in the future.

God wants you to always stand in expectation (Romans 4:17). We call this faith. Look beyond your present to what God says about your future, then stand in expectation and receive it. 

Allow your conversation to mirror what God says about your future. Don’t let opposition change your conversation. Stand in expectation!

Where is your Promised Land?
Joshua 1:2-3, 5

“2. Moses my servant is dead; now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, thou, and all this people, unto the land which I do give to them, even to the children of Israel.

3. Every place that the sole of your foot shall tread upon, that have I given unto you, as I said unto Moses.

5. There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life: as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.”

Food for thought…

What have you been seeking God about? What has God spoken to you about? What has he shown you?

Seriously consider your answers to these questions. For in them you may identify your promised land. Once it has been identified you must be strong and courageous enough to go after it with all you’ve got. 

As I asked myself these questions, my answers surprised me. I am encouraged to make a leap of faith and put a demand on the spirit of God. God has shown me somethings that I want (and intend to achieve), but there are things that I must do. I have to hold up my end of the bargain (so to speak), just as Joshua had to do.

Going after the things that God has promised us takes strength and courage. Just as there were already inhabitants in the promised land that the children of Israel had to defeat. So we also will need to defeat every obstacle that would seek to keep us from what God has promised. We must walk in obedience to the word, and observe to do what is written therein. if we can do that, we shall make our own way prosperous and have good success (Joshua 1:8). 

The most encouraging part to me is found in verse 5, God shall be with me – no man shall be able to prevent me from obtaining the promise. What a great blessing, victory is assured. However, even though no man can stop me, I can hinder myself. How? By failing to walk in obedience to, and meditate upon the word of God.

You might ask yourself is the sacrifice of obedience worth the promised gain? More importantly, your love for God should make the answer to this question a moot point. Obedience is a act of love because we desire to please him.

Take some time to think about (remember) those things that God took the time to speak to you about. Whether by vision, dream, revelation, prophesy, or just inspiration in your spirit, revive them. Go after them as he leads you. Be strong and courageous, because it will be a battle. But everything worth having is always won through some sort of battle. God is with you, and has assured you the victory.
*** I hope this has blessed and encouraged you in your walk with God. As always, we welcome you comments. God bless.

Philippians 4:6-7

“6. Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. 

7. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”

This scripture has been ringing in my spirit. I am encouraged because I recognize that God wants his people not to worry – about anything, but rather that we would trust him. Trust him with our situations, trust him enough to tell him about it. If we can consistently do this, The God given benefit is peace – in your heart and mind.

This concept seems simple. However, the reality is many of us come up with various reasons not to pray (or seek) God. We seem content to just let life happen without giving God space to work on our behalf.

Taking a closer look at this scripture – “be careful for nothing.”  This literally means all those thing you would normally be cautious of, don’t. Rather pray about them – give them to God through prayer. Talk to God about everything that concerns (matters) to you, “but in everything by prayer and supplications…let your requests be made known unto God.” God understand there are things that are really important to us. He is not trying to take these from you, he just wants you to share them with him. We can share with him by telling him all about it, asking for his guidance and direction. 

Sharing our concerns with God allows him the opportunity to work on our behalf. More than that, sharing with God gives us access to peace of mind. “And the peace of God….shall keep your hearts and minds”  We get to exchange our worry, concern, apprehension, and self doubt for the peace of God. But this is not just ordinary peace. The peace of God “which passeth all understanding” is the type of peace that leaves people speechless. They will not be able to understand your peace and calm, especially when the situation looks dire or hopeless. What they don’t understand is when God gives you true peace, worry is no longer in the picture to even be an option for us. Ephesians 6:15 tells us to have our feet shod (covered or encased) with the preparation of the gospel of peace. Wherever we walk, we walk in peace.

Whatever it is you have been concerned about talk to God about it. Exchange your worry for his peace. Allow him to direct you. Then stand back and watch him move.

Don’t give up on your dreams. Don’t let the devil steal from you what God has shown you to be his will for your life. They delay you are experiencing is just God giving you time to reaffirm your trust in him and to share the burden of your concern with Him.

Take a moment now for a quick prayer to discuss your concerns with God. Re-dedicate yourself to trust him, and watch as he moves swiftly on your behalf.

*** I hope you have been blessed reading this as I have been in writing it. As always, please share your comments. I would love to hear from you. God bless.

Being Thankful/Grateful 
At this time of the year many may be tempted to rush around trying to buy gifts for friends, family, co-workers, etc. to show love and appreciation. But this is also the perfect time to check in and examine just how good God has been to us, and simply say “thank you.” Sincerely.

The word of God says it like this…

Psalms 100:4-5

4. Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.

5. For the Lord is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.

Now is the perfect time to acknowledge his goodness and mercy toward us. To help us do this effectively, let us look at what these words mean.

The dictionary provides the following definitions:

Thankful: 

pleased and relieved.

“they were thankful that the war was finally over”

synonyms: grateful, appreciative, filled with gratitude, relieved

“she was thankful that the evening was over”

Grateful:

 an appreciation of kindness; thankful.

“I’m very grateful to you for all your help”

synonyms: thankful, appreciative; More

I have heard people say, “what have I got to be thankful/grateful for?” They then take time to list all the bad things (tragedy, losses, problems, hardships, etc.) that have happened to them along the way just to prove their point. This is easy to do, because many people find it easy to focus on the negatives of their life. By doing this, they magnify the lack and losses of their life. Thereby causing themselves stay in lack and loss even longer. They become crippled by their negative vision.

However, I challenge you to change your perspective and look at the positives of your life. Take some time to list the good things, (blessings, mercies, solutions, encouragements, etc.) that has also happened along the journey of your life. When your focus is on how good God has been, your faith is increased to receive even more from God. 

How is this possible? Just like our parents, when we express gratitude to them for all that they do for us as their children, they are then encouraged to do even more. When we come to God correctly, “Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name” (Psalms 100:4), God then wants to bless us even more.

It is up to us. We can be thankful and grateful with what God has already done, or we can be upset because we do not have all that we desire. If nothing else, God has allowed us all to see a new day full of new opportunities. A change of your perspective from negative to positive is the beginning of a blessed life. 

This is in your control. You can chose to be thankful and grateful. Choose happiness over misery. 

*** I hope this has blessed you and encouraged you to express thanksgiving to God. As always, I look forward to your comments. Be blessed by the word.