Tuesday Truth-Unity

In order to have unity with other people you must have unity with the Father. None of us are perfect. We all have a LONG list of faults. Therefore if we are not careful we can easily upset someone else OR let them make us angry. People trying to get along through their own strength are wasting their time. The only way to have unity or togetherness in relationships is through the power of the Holy Spirit.

Our flesh is drawn to being angry, going off, and putting people in their place. We know, however, that we were made to have productive and good relationships with others. There is only one way to make this so. And that is to seek Jesus. Learn to love like Jesus loves. Peace, Joy, and forgiveness will be inevitable.  

Monday Motivation-Unity

God is committed to creating unity between you and Him. Think about how good people feel after being with friends and family. However other people cannot always give us what we need. However God has all that you need. He is always ready to listen. He is never too busy. He knows more about you than you know about yourself. He knows exactly what you need. And He wants to help you reach your true destiny in life.

Take advantage of this connection. Although a Christian can never lose salvation, it is possible to break fellowship, good communication, with God. The Lord is always ready to listen to you; make time to pray to Him. God knows everything that you need. Make time to study His Word. There is something deeper out there for you. God wants to have real oneness between you and Him. Let Him do it!

Friday Freedom-What’s Next?

“Time is filled with swift transition,

Naught of earth unmoved can stand,

Build your hopes on things eternal,

Hold to God’s unchanging hand.

Trust in Him who will not leave you,

Whatsoever years may bring,

If by earthly friends forsaken

Still more closely to Him cling.

Hold to God’s unchanging hand,

Hold to God’s unchanging hand…”

What’s next? Do you know? No. But God does. In a world that constantly changes we only have one true assurance; God will never change! What God has for you is already set in place. When the Lord orders something, that’s it. When Christ does something, it is done! Stop worrying and walk where He leads you.

Thursday Thought-What’s Next?

What is the point of worrying? We worry about EVERYTHING; money, relationships, health, and more. But at the end of the day why do we worry so much? What does it solve? How does it help us figure out our problems? Worrying is actually one of the worse things we can do when trying to figure out our next steps in life. Why? Not only is it a sign of doubting God, but worrying takes away from time we could be doing something productive.

What do you do when you start to worry about the future? You could continue to think about the worse scenario or you could do something worthwhile and PRAY. Instead of worrying turn your mind into what I like to call a prayer factory. Worries go in, but prayers go out. Fears come up, but prayers go out. Doubts arise, but prayers go out. God knows what’s next. Stop wasting time worrying with your own finite understanding and get direction from Jesus!

Wednesday Word-What’s Next?

“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”~Hebrews 11:1

In the following verses of Hebrews 11 is what many Christians refer to as the ‘Faith Hall of Fame.’ Abel, Enoch, Abraham, and Moses.  Here they are listed as some of the greatest people in history. However they all have something in common in regards to their journey to greatness; FAITH IN GOD. That may be obvious, but what does faith in God entail?

Faith, real faith, in God comes along with many things. Ridicule, loneliness, and people not understanding you! Think about what people must have said to Abraham in his old age expecting a child. Just imagine the talk around town as Noah built an ark and it had never rained before? Whatever you are trusting God for, don’t be dismayed at other peoples responses. You are in good company! God knows what’s next. Keep the faith.

Tuesday Truth-What’s Next?

Faith in Christ can only be cultivated during times when you don’t know anything else. Faith is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen. (Hebrews 11:1). If you can see the next step, then that is not faith. If you can see the next job, then that is not faith. If you can see everything that is up ahead, than that is not faith at all. God does not want us to walk in our own confidence, but to walk in total trust in Him.

When you are faced with many unknowns God is not making a joke out of your life. He is not doing it for His own entertainment. He is giving you a chance to grow your faith in Jesus. Although we may not be able to see what’s next we can remember all that God has done in the past. This alone should give us the courage we need to move forward. When you are walking in God’s will, you can have faith knowing that he came through before and that He will do it again!

Monday Motivation-What’s Next?

God knows what’s next in your life! The unknown can be extremely scary. We wonder about the next job, the next big project in our lives, and the next relationships. We have some of the plans figured out, but we wish we could see the overall outcome of our situations. We are not meant to know the future, however. We are made to simply trust Jesus and rest in the fact that the Lord knows what’s next.

Stop worrying about what’s coming up ahead and just have joy. Have joy knowing that God knows. God knows what you need. The Lord knows exactly how much you can handle. Christ holds the future. Relax because you don’t have to know everything, but you know Someone who does! God knows what’s next. As long as you know that, everything will be just fine.

Sunday Sermon-I Love You Jesus!

Friday Freedom-Who Are You?

“Imagine me, being free, trusting You totally finally I can
Imagine me
I admit it was hard to see
You being in love with someone like me
But finally I can...
Imagine me” ~Kirk Franklin

Who are you? Well in Christ you are free from your past. You are totally new. Everything that weighs you down; you can come out of it. Even habits that are passed down through generations in your family; you can be set free. No matter what people said you always will be; you are God’s chosen. The Holy Spirit is living and working inside your soul. He is erasing those hurts. He is renewing your mind. Christ’s resurrection power is making you whole. 

Thursday Thought-Who Are You?

Can the world tell who you are? We have delved into some things that God has done for His children. God has given us new life. Through Christ’s power we are freed from past sins. We have the opportunity to do the work of God and live a holy and blessed life. However we are also called to reflect Jesus to the world. When people look at you, do they see Jesus?

When you say that you are a Christian, what does that mean? You have a calling on your life. And now it is up to you to seek what that calling is. God wants to change the world, transform lives, and display His magnificent power through you! Every single day someone should be blessed in some way because of you. You are God’s chosen. YOU along with all other Christians should be the reason people want to let go of the world and know Christ. But we have to show them the why they should even want to be a Christian! Does your lifestyle draw people toward Jesus or push them away???

Wednesday Word- Who Are You?

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

We all like new things. New shoes, new clothes, new cars, new houses, new jobs, new relationships, and the like. Why? Because new things imply the idea of a fresh start. They are clean and unsoiled. Kids love to get a new pair of shoes after they have worn out their old ones from playing in them. Our old lives were soiled, abused, and worn out beyond repair. But in Christ you are new.

If you are a true believer, God has not just improved your old life. He has made you new! This is why a saved person can come out of anything that formerly enslaved them. Christ has made you a new person with a new mind. Everything about you has been changed. The life you used to live is just that. Through the power of the Holy Spirit you can walk in newness of life.

Tuesday Truth-Who Are You?

If you are a true Christian, then you are a child of God. The Lord is your Father. That means that He cares about you. He is concerned about you maturing in to the person He has called you to be. You are made in His image. He has given you the potential to be more and more like His Son Jesus if you follow God’s plan. You are destined and created for greatness.

Like any good father, the Lord is always there for you. You don’t have to worry about anything. You don't have figure life out on your own. You are a child of the Lord. Your Daddy in Heaven has all the answers you need. He already knows how each situation will play out. And He has all the resources you need to fulfill your destiny.

Monday Motivation-Who Are You?

Who are you? If you are a born again believer, then you are a very unique person. You have been given new life. Through the power of His Spirit, God has made you new. You are a person who was once a slave to sin, but now sin has no power over you. You are a temple of the Holy Spirit. He lives in you and there is nothing you can do to make Him leave. And you have been given a gift from the Spirit. A task that no one can execute quite like you.

Why has the Lord done all this for you? To restore a relationship between Him and you. He has a plan laid out specifically for you. He has given you new life so He can shape and mold you into the image of Christ. He has done all these things so that you can live the life you were created for. God wants you to live life to the fullest extent possible.                         

Sunday Sermon- Do you love Jesus?

Friday Freedom-More Like Jesus

“More about Jesus let me learn,

More of His holy will discern;

Spirit of God, my teacher be,

Showing the things of Christ to me.

More about Jesus; in His Word,

Holding communion with my Lord,

Hearing His voice in ev'ry line,

Making each faithful saying mine.

More, more about Jesus,

More, more about Jesus;

More of His saving fulness see,

More of His love who died for me!”

People pay tons of money for spiritual conferences to try and get closer to Christ. Some people think you must get to a far and secluded area simply to hear God’s voice. However the only way to get closer to Jesus and also be more like Him is to study His Word. When you study the Bible the Spirit of God will teach you spiritual things. You will start to understand somewhat how God thinks and start to think like Jesus. You will understand why you have to go through trials sometimes. You will discern why you don’t always get your way. You will know with confidence that you can trust the Father totally and completely. Real Bible study brings you closer to Jesus and causes you to act more like Him!

Thursday Thought-More Like Jesus

What does it mean to be like Christ? Preachers talk about it. People sing about it. The term “Christ-like” has become very common in the local church. But what does ‘Christ-like” really mean? Too often we make the center of the Christian life our actions. We focus on the actions, but not a change of the heart. An attempt to change your actions without a change in your heart will always end up in failure.

Jesus’ life was sinless because He was always full of the Holy Spirit. Therefore His heart and mind were always on following the Father’s will. He constantly denied Himself and sought God’s plan. This is where we need to be. Stop trying to change your sinful actions and figure out the motives behind them. When you develop a deeper relationship with The Lord you will have no choice except living a more righteous life. Why? Because you are constantly giving God more of your heart. Does God have your heart? All of it? Your lifestyle is your answer.

Wednesday Word-More Like Jesus

“Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant,

Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.” ~Hebrews 13:20-21

The Lord works in us what pleases Him, not us. At times that is a hard concept to grasp. We think we know what we want. We have an idea of how life should play out. We want all of our blessings to come quick and all of our experiences to be painless.

That is not how God works. We see the world with our limited knowledge. God sees everything through His omniscience and omnipotence. He knows what He is doing. There are reasons why He takes us the way that He does. He knows that the difficult experiences have potential to make us more like Jesus. What He is doing may not please you, but it pleases Him. Trust Him.

Tuesday Truth-More Like Jesus

http://myfusiontea.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/black_man_stress.jpg

Pain causes us to identify with Jesus Christ. If we had our choice we would obviously choose a different way to draw nearer to the Lord. However, this is the path that any true disciple must tread. In Acts 5:40-42 the disciples were overjoyed after being beaten for preaching in Jesus name. Why? Because they were considered worthy to suffer for the name of Christ. A sincere follower of Jesus will suffer with Joy knowing that they are becoming more like Jesus.

Christ commands us to carry our cross daily (Luke 9:23). That is, to take on adversity just as Jesus did. Just think about it. When do you read your Bible the most? When do you pray with the utmost fervor? At what times in your life do you seek God the most? When you are suffering! Don’t run from trials. Inadvertently you are running from growing in Christ. Accept suffering for Christ as a privilege and a necessary means to grow!

Monday Motivation-More Like Jesus

http://www.lighthousecollective.com/originals/the-potter-and-his-clay-2/

God has one ultimate goal for you. And that is to shape and mold you into the image of His Son, Jesus (Rom. 8:29). When we first get saved we are a large lump of raw material. It contains great potential, but little value. When a potter molds clay some sections have to be removed, others reshaped, and so on.  As vessels of the Master, He sometimes removes desires and people out of our lives. He sometimes puts us through things to reshape and change the way we think and behave.

Often times what God puts us through hurts. But the prize is worth the pain! There is something in this world that no one can do quite like you. Why? Because God has ordained it for you. But you have to be prepared for His work. Every strain, every struggle, every tear should be leading you to lean more and more on Christ. And as your spirit matures along with your mindset and actions, you will walk into that perfect plan the Lord has just for you. The prize is worth the pain.

Friday Freedom-God Sees You

“I don’t know how you can still love me

After all the things that I’ve done wrong

You fulfill my every need

And You let me know that I belong

I’ve wondered many times and brought shame to You

But whenever it seems like I’ve lost my view

You point me in the right direction…” ~ Commissioned

None of us are perfect. We all make mistakes. God knows that. He sees you trying. He sees you not giving up. Even when you may feel like giving up, He sees you still striving. Ignore negativity from other people. Just focus on the fact that Christ sees you. Before time itself He knew all about every struggle that you would face and He has all the answers you need. He knew each and every sin that you would commit, yet He died for you anyway. God loves you and He sees you!

Thursday Thought-God Sees You

“Who am I living for?” “What are my goals in life?” “What is my purpose?” These are questions we should ask ourselves periodically. Often time Christians claim to be disciples of Christ when we are actually pleasers of ourselves. If we are not careful we can slip into the trap of giving God lip service with unattached hearts. How bad would it be to think we will hear God say ‘well done’ and get no rewards at all?

In your service to Christ, is your mouth in sync with your heart? Not only does God see what you’re doing, but he also knows why. God wants you to serve Him with your entire being. Not just serving Him when you feel like it, but being a true follower. Take a good look inside yourself and evaluate your service to the Lord. Look at not only what you do, but why you do it. Who are you living for?

http://www.themuslimtimes.org/2012/02/religion/christianity/debate-does-the-universe-has-a-purpose

Wednesday Word-God Sees You

‘His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.’ ~Matthew 25:21

In this parable Jesus is showing how a master will respond to servants who work hard and handle their responsibilities effectively. One day every Christian will have to face the Master. If we have been good stewards of our time, talents, finances, and the like, then we will also hear ‘well done.’ Because we have been faithful over a few things, God will give us even more responsibility.

Don’t you want to hear God say ‘well done’ when you see Him? No matter what else is going on focus on that. When you feel like putting someone in their place, think about hearing ‘well done.’ When you get the urge to run back to past sins just think about hearing ‘well done’ If you feel like no one recognizes what you do, one day Jesus will say to you ‘well done.’ God sees you and He knows. None of your good work is going unnoticed.

Tuesday Truth-God Sees You

http://missionsresourcenetwork.files.wordpress.com/2012/03/helping-hand.jpg

People’s opinions of you are meaningless. What God knows about you is priceless. We get lost in the temptation all the time. What temptation would that be? The urge to please people. The desire of being seen. The need to be lifted up in someone else’s sight. This becomes problematic because when we focus on pleasing people, we always stop focusing on the Lord Jesus Christ.

You must remember to keep your mind stayed on God. Approval from people will fade away, while approval from God yields eternal rewards. Being connected with ‘important’ people will give access to a limited amount of resources, especially compared to God’s omnipotence. Plus the Bible says that if you seek to please the Lord, you will find favor with God and man (Proverbs 3:4). However the converse is not true. God knows all about you, your struggles, and your strengths. That’s all that matters. He sees you!

Monday Motivation-God sees you

http://100269.agchurches.org/?TargetPage=C87F1DA4-F8E7-4755-A1AE-4421F4DCDE05

“Thank you.” “I really enjoy your messages.” “Your words really inspire me.” “Keep doing God’s work.”

These are just some examples of comments I receive from the readers of my daily messages. These words go a long way. Knowing that the work I do has positive effects is a tremendous feeling. It gives me the strength to continue doing God’s work.

I want you to know that on a much greater scale Jesus sees you. Christ sees all the work that you do for Him. Sometimes you may feel as if nothing you do matters. You may wonder to yourself, “What’s the point of it all?” Well let me assure you that God does see you. And one day He will reward you mightily for all the work that you accomplish for Him. You may not be able to see the results now, but what God has you doing now is part of a bigger plan. The work Christ is calling you to do is not in vain. God has a reason.