Praise Him ANYWAY!

At some point during our walk for God we may waver. Now I am not saying that we stop believing in God but we stop doing the things that we use to do with God from when we were born again.

For example, when you were born again you probably was so ecstatic that you made sure you attended all church events, volunteered when you could, read your Bible consistently, prayed consistently, etc.

Fast forward, it is a year into your walk....what about 5 years, what about 20 years? Has your zeal for the Lord wavered? Do you still do the things you use to do as when you became born again? If not, you need to repent right now and apologize to GOD for not giving Him your personal best.

Personally, my faith begins to waver when LIFE happens to me. For example, if I get sick I may not feel like going to church. If I get into an argument with my husband  I may not want to read my Bible and/or  pray....but friends be not deceived....the events of LIFE are just some of Satan's tactics to keep you distracted. The enemy never sleeps . . .  his job is to get you to renounce your allegiance to GOD! He has been accomplishing this for years by throwing LIFE's problems at God's people. AND sometimes, it's not even SATAN causing LIFE to happen , it's ourselves!

But the wonderful thing about our heavenly father is that he ALWAYS provides a way out when LIFE just happens.

We have to know God's word and know that He will not let anything happen to His children. He loves you! He has plans to prosper you ! NOT DESTROY YOU!!!!!

So, what now? You need to ask God to help you find your way back to him. To fill you with that zeal for HIM again. SO when you think about His goodness you have no other choice but to praise HIM.

God understands that we get distracted. But, you have to be strong and know that HE IS! God can take any obstacle you have and turn it around! What I should of done when I was feeling sick was to go to church and get my HEALING....when I had an argument with my husband I should of been talking to GOD about helping me see the solution!!!!

This is why we should praise Him anyway! It doesn't matter if you don't feel like it... that's your flesh talking nonsense! Do it anyway! God will reward you becuase He sees that you are pushing through your flesh!

The Prayer of Jabez

I just read this awesome book and can we say AWESOME!!! I noticed that the publication of this book was in 2000!!! And the information in it is still relevant today.

I will not give you the inside scope of all the "meats and potatoes" of it! But instead, give you key highlights of the book.

1. The entire concept of book is based on 1 Chronicles 4:9-10.
2. We need to learn to ask God to bless us.
3. To bless in the biblical sense means to ask for God to impart supernatural favor into our lives.
4. When we ask for his blessing we are cryin gout for His wonderful and unlimited goodness that only God can give.
5. When we seek God's blessing as the ultimate value in life we are throwing ourselved entrirelu into his will and purpose for our life.
6. If you don't ask for His blessing you FORFEIT those blessings, and you only get what you ask.
7. Through a simple believing prayer you can change your future. You can change what happens one minute from now.
8. God's bounty is only limited by US, not by his resources, power , or willingness.
9. We must live large for GOD! He will enlarge our territory in order for His will to be accomplished through us.
10. Whatever our gifts, education, or vocation might be our calling is to do God's work on Earth.
11. God's Math : My willingness and weakness + God's will and supernatural power= my expanding territory.
12. Dont just pray for God to give us strength through temptations and Satan's attacks but ask him to simply keep the devil at bay in our lives.
13. If we aren't expereincing any type of attacks we should be worried becuase then the DEVIL doesn't see us as a threat!

Nonetheless, breif highlights that I took away. I encourage you to purchase this book! AWESOME! AWESOME! AWESOME! I will also be blogging about my 30 day transformation from this book. Stay tuned!

Serving the Lord as A Youth

When you were young let's say 5 , what was the question you often heard? Was it "what do you want to be when you grow up?"

I know I often got asked this question. The correct question should of been "how are you going to serve the Lord".

I am still a youth; however, a lot of my youthful days were spent on pointless activities that often led to destruction.

God urges us to "flee . . . youthful lusts; but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace. . ."
2 Timothy 2: 22

God gave us clear direction on what we should be doing in our youth. Many of us have pursued our youthful lusts and God knew we would. He told us "that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, truce breakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, traitors, heady high-minded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God: having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof; from such turn away."
2 Timothy 3: 2-5

But this is ok! God's GRACE abounds much more than where sin dwells. That means that all the bad you ever did is covered by His GRACE !!

What you can do NOW is stop chasing after the lusts of the flesh. Instead start chasing out the fruits of GOD.

This consists of studying his WORD. The only way to know what is righteous is to know God. The only way to know GOD is through his word! Study ! Study ! Study ! God will reward you for your diligence to be a servant of His will and NOT yours! 2 Timothy 2:15

His ways produces LIFE; our ways produces DEATH! Which one will you choose?

How to Become Intimiate With God

Becoming intimate with God does not mean to actually have "sexual relations" with Him. Intimacy with God is not the same level of intimacy that we share with one another. Instead, intimacy with God is simply getting to know Him--building a relationship with Him--having genuine love for Him and for who He is.

So who is God? Is He some mystical being? A figment of our imagination? Of course NOT! God is real. Many people have wondered and pondered about is God real or is He some type of coping mechanism we all utilize to deal with the realities of life.

Let's examine this from a "natural" historical perspective. If God is not real, then why has the whole entire world adopted the time frame "B.C." and "A.D." ? Which stands for before Christ and after death.

What about archeological findings through scientific research that validates various stories in the Bible such as the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah? The various prophesies in the Bible that have been fulfilled? I can go on and on about this, but this is not to be a debate. This is simply to show you that God is real and He has sacrificed a lot to get to know us. He desires to have a personal relationship with each and everyone of us. God doesn't just want us calling upon Him when times are had but to talk with Him when times are good as well. 


Steps to becoming Intimate with God

1. Read His word daily. The quickest way to get to know someone is by reading about them. Have you ever looked up an employer before you went to interview with him? Have you ever googled Beyonce ? Jay Z? Lil Wayne? John Mayer? President Barack Obama? You get the point. If we are so interested in others , how come we can't read about God. His word is beneficial for teaching and reproving.  But, if we are googling celebrities all the time, how does that benefit our lives?   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."
2. Prayer. Do you talk to your family, friends, spouse, boss everyday? How come you don't talk to God ? Prayer doesn't have to be this mystical thing we do on Sunday. Instead we should stop and speak with him about what is going on in our daily lives. He wants to be our confidant and comforter. We just have to let him!! Philippians 4:6  "Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God."
3. Worship. The presence of God is with us when we worship Him. Again, worship does not have to be done only on Sunday. You should be able to scream, dance, shout, scream, and clap your hands wherever you are to give God the glory, honor, and praise he deserves. Psalm 150 "Praise him for his mighty acts: praise him according to his excellent greatness. Praise him with the sound of the trumpet: praise him with the psaltery and harp. Praise him with the timbrel and dance: praise him with with stringed instruments and organs. Praise him upon the loud cymbals: praise him upon the high sounding cymbals. Let everything that hath breath praise the Lord. Praise ye the Lord."

You may be wondering why do I want to be intimate with God? At some point in your life you must choose whether or not you want to be a child of darkness or a child of light.  A child of darkness inherits the gift of death and destruction but a child of light receives the gift of everlasting life.

Overcoming the Bondage of Our Past

Have you ever felt that you have accepted Christ into your life but you still feel the same? Or is people still comparing you to the old person you use to be because of the things you done in the past? 

No worries if you have felt this way before. As Christians, we all question at times whether or not we are really a "new creation". The problem often times, is our thinking in the natural has not caught up with our spiritual minds. We have to learn to operate spiritually in a natural world. This is hard but the Word will transform you if you work diligently by studying and committing to heart the inspiring Word of God. 

John 3:16 (KJV) 

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoeveth believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Romans 10:9-10

That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confessions is made unto salvation. 

Romans 12:2 (KJV)

"I beseech you therefore, brethren, by a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 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. 

The bottom line is that when we were re-born we were made a new creation into Christ. This does not mean that we will be perfect in all phases of our lives. This means that we adopted into God's family. We are no longer lost but found. Also, God knows our hearts. He knows that if when we confessed and accepted Jesus was Lord and Savior and died for our sins, that we would not continue to seek him because we would no longer need to depend on him. 

God desires to have a relationship with each one of us. He knew us before the world even knew us.

Jeremiah 1:5 (KJV)

"Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and ordained thee a prophet unto the nations."

When we accept Jesus into our lives. He wipes out all of our past transgressions. Unfortunately, the world is not so loving as our heavenly father; therefore, people will still judge, misuse, and you based on the past. But be encouraged. You are apart of God's family now. He will not allow things to happen to you, that you cannot bear. He will always give you strength--you just have to ask for it.

Philipians 4:13 (KJV)

"I can do all things through Christ which strengthen me." 

Whenever, my past begins to knock on my front door I immediately state "I rebuke you Satan in the name of Jesus." Satan knows our weaknesses. He will try to distract you even more so, because you are saved. Satan will use you friends, family, colleagues, and even your own mind to distract you from accomplishing God's will. Therefore, you have to meditate and pray to the Lord daily to give you guidance on dealing with these things. In fact, its common for new Christians to lose relationships with family and friends if they aren't believers themselves. The things we use to do in the past we can no longer do. We must try to maintain holy and acceptable to God at all times. But if you fall short, repent and ask the Lord for forgiveness because he is so merciful and loving. 

Matthew 5:11 (KJV)

"Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake."

With this in mind, pray for those who try to condemn you because vengeance is the Lord's and not ours. Love those who tries to discourage you. Love those who speak negatively over your life. And eventually the Devil will leave you alone for a season until he discovers another weakness of yours to distract you from the Will of God.

Romans 12:19 (KJV)

"Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written. Vengeance is mine [God]: I will repay, saith the Lord."

Mark 12:21 (KJV)

". . . Thou shall love thy neighbor as thyself. . ."

"It Shouldn't be that HARD"

Being a Christian does not mean that we are immune from life's difficulties. Instead, because of our faith in God we are able to deal with life's difficulties better.

It should not be hard to do what is "right" and what is beneficial for our own "good":

Galatians 6:9 (KJV)
" And let us not be weary in well doing for in the season we shall reap, if we faint not."

Questions to Consider:

• Can accepting Christ be that hard?
• Can being filled with the Spirit be that hard?

As Christians, life becomes difficult because we do not want to be obedient to God's WORD. We get in the mode of thinking that our ways in the "natural" is better than following God's WORD. Life for us would not be hard if we stopped resisting God's authority (i.e. his Word).

Proverbs 13:15 (KJV)
"Good understanding giveth favor: but the way of transgressors is hard."

Read Mark 10:22-25
-How hard is it for those who trust in riches (i.e. money) to enter into the Kingdom of God? Life will be hard for you when your trust is not in God. If you put your faith into your education, career, salary, husband, family, children, your own abilities, etc., life will always be hard. God created us to be dependent upon him and to develop a relationship with him.

Life is HARD for us as CHRISTIANS when:

• We resist and kick against God's Authority;
• We are lacking in faith. Not really believing in God and his Word; and
• Not trusting in the Lord.

Our heavenly father wants to take away the fret and the sweat in our lives; but, this requires us to be obedient to him, to have faith, and to trust him. 

Matthew 11:28-29

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 upon your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light. 

The Power of "1"

Have you ever hoped to make a significant impact, but felt too weak or insignificant to do so? If so, then I want you to meditate on the following:

How can we be more powerful than we ever been before?
As a body of Christ?
As an individual?

We must understand as Christians, that are battles in life are spiritual; therefore, our power must come from a spiritual source in order to become powerful and defeat such obstacles.

Ephesians 6:12 (KJV)
"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."

Understanding the Power of "1"

Matthew 12:25

"Every kingdom divided against itself will be brought to desolation, and every city or house divided against itself will not stand."

• You cannot have power and/or be powerful if there is division (i.e. 2 is always better than 1)
• We are defeated by division. 

In order to be powerful , we have to learn how to be "1" at every level. 

God is the power source. God works out of one body. He uses each and everyone of us to accomplish his Will.

John 17:22 (KJV) 

" And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may believe that thou hast sent me."

1 Corinthians 1:10 (KJV)

"Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment." 

Ephesians 5:31 (KJV)

"For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh."

Genesis 2:24 (KJV)

"Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife and they shall be one flesh."

7 Reasons for Unity 

1. To prevent desolation and failure. Mathew 12:25 
2. For stability in faith. Cannot be double minded. James 1:8
3. It's good and pleasant to those in the circle of unity. Psalm 133:1
4. The flow of the anointing. Psalm 133:2
5. To receive commanded blessings. Psalm 133:3
6. To accomplish the impossible. Genesis 11:6
7. To be a witness for Jesus. To know he was sent by God and to show our love for one another, presenting the love of God. John 17: 21

Ephesians 4: 1-3

"I therefore, the prisoner  of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, with all lowliness and gentleness, with longer suffering, bearing with one another in love, endeavoring to keep the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace."

The ABCs of Change

It is now mid-February and I am sure you had made a new years resolution. How is your progress going? Have you made any changes?

Well, I started with a plan...even tried executing it...and have failed epically! This blog has been one of my goals. To write the messages of God and post for the world; but, I have not been consistent :( My goal is to make drastic changes and choices in order to accomplish this. I will not fail!!! because I have God and his GRACE.

So, my Pastor mentioned a couple of Sundays ago the idea of "change".

Generally people do not like change because:

• Change has been known to have a bad reputation;
• Change distrupts our normal/familiar behaviors; and
• We are comfortable with our present/current circumstances.

So what is change? Change can be defined as follows from dictionary.com :

1.to make the form, nature, content, future course, etc., of (something) different from what it is or from what it would be if left alone: to change one's name; to change one's opinion; to change the course of history.

2.to transform or convert (usually followed by into)

3.to substitute another or others for; exchange for something else, usually of the same kind: She changed her shoes when she got home from the office.

4.to give and take reciprocally; interchange: to change places with someone.

5.to transfer from one (conveyance) to another.

 

The Bible indicates that our understanding of change has been misconstrued. In fact, the Bible associates changes with a positive connotation.  

 

Job 14:14

" If a man die, shall he live again? All the days of my appointed time will I wait, till my change come?"

 

Colossians 1:6 (NLT)

" This same good news that came to you is going out all over the world. It is bearing fruit everywhere by changing lives, just as it changed your lives from the day you first heard and understood the truth about God's wonderful grace." 

 

Therefore, change is GOOD. It is essential to walk with Christ. We GOD cannot use us to accomplish his will if we remain the same. In order to change, we need to release our PAST. 

We have to learn to walk in the "newness" of renewal. 

The ABCs of Change 

A-Agent

B-Behavior

C-Conversion 

AGENT. Change requires an Agent. A change Agent. The change Agent that changes us to become Christians was and is Jesus Christ through the Word. The word of God is a change agent. If you are looking for change to manifest in your life, you have to allow the Word of God to change you. This comes through studying and meditating on the word of God. 

BEHAVIOR. If you think you have changed and your behaviors have not changed , then you have not changed. In order for your behaviors to change, you must change your thinking patterns. Your thinking can be changed through the constant renewing of your minds (Romans 12:2). This should be done daily. You renew your minds through the Word of God. 

CONVERSION. Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of God. (Acts 3:19)

Keep in mind, the day that we accepted Christ into our lives we were changed at Day 1, when we accepted that he was Lord and Savior of the World. Our Spirit was changes. Now we must strive daily to change our Mind, Will, Emotions, and Body (Flesh) to be Christ-like. So, we are constantly striving as Christians to be like Christ.

6 Reasons Why We Cannot Achieve Greatness

I tend to like the saying "excuses are tools of the incompetent"- quoted from Unknown.

We tend not to be great because of "ourselves". Greatness has nothing to do with our circumsatnces, it has everything to do with out mindset.

You cannot be great or destined to do great works unless you believe and know you can.  It is the saying we all learned in elementary school: " I think I can, I think I can, I know I can".

There are 6 reasons I would like to expound on from a sermon message I received a couple of weeks ago.

6 Reasons why we cannot achieve greatness

1. Availability: We often settle for things and situations because it is within our reach. We tend not to want to come out of our comfort zone.
2. Ignorance: We are not great because of our own ignorance. We are not great because we don't know and/or think that we are great.
3. Consensus: We tend to listen to what everyone is saying about ourselves and then start to believe it. For example, if everyone tells you, you are going to be like your mama, who is a drug addict you start believing that , that is all you are capable of.
4. Laziness: We are not great because we are lazy and not willing to put in the work that is necessary to be great.
5. Momentum:We are not great because the excitement for change has died down because we have been in the same circumstance/predicament for years.
6. Passivity : We are not great because we have a nonchalant attitude. Agreeing to everything without thought.

Meditate on John 14: 12-16 and Acts 4:32-35

The grace of God allows us to be GREAT! It allows this in two ways:

1. By being able to believe that we have GRACE.
2. Believing that we are currently under the "GREAT GRACE" of God.

Great Grace produces:

1. Great Power
2. Great Witness

This GREAT GRACE power lies within us dormant, until it is released. Start thinking and believing "tomorrows is going to be greater than today". 

New Years Resolution?

Did you make a new years resolution this year? What was it about? Did you make one to strengthen or start a relationship with God? If so, that's GREAT!!!

But I must say, I am not a fan of "new years resolutions". I believe people do not need to wait 365 days, 52 weeks before they decide to make a lifestyle change.

In order to accomplish any plan set you have to set short term and long term goals and be diligent in executing each goal. This is your "road map".  A plan without action is a failing plan. You must plan to succeed. 

It's not enough to say "I am going to read the entire bible in one year" for example. You must outline realistic expectations such as how many chapters a day will you read and for how long? What will you do it if you get off track, how will you make up the chapters if you did not read? This goal requires a plan in which you must articulate and be detailed to ensure success on executing this particular goal.

Any goal that you have in mind can be achieved by implementing the steps listed above. 

Proverbs 14: 8 (KJV) 

" The wisdom of the prudent is to understand his way: but the folly of fools is deceit". 

James 4:17 (KJV) 

"To them that noeth to do good , and doeth it not, to him it is sin."

2 Corinthians 9:6 (KJV) 

"But this I say, He which soweth sparingly reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully." 

Renewing of Your Mind

"Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like him." Colossians 3:10

We are forgiven of our sins and because of this we are free from our old ways. We no longer need to be chained to guilt or behave immorally. Instead, allow yourself to be renewed and refreshed. Learn the heart of God by reading the Bible today and putting into action the teachings of Christ. It is with him you will find freedom. 

"Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable-if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me-put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you." 

Philippians 4:8-9 (NIV)

"You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one body." 

Ephesians 4:22-25 (NIV)

"Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect."

Romans 12:2 (ESV)

"So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day."

2 Corinthians 4:16 (ESV) 

"Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ."

1 Peter 1:13 (ESV) 

Million Dollar Question

This week I was asked a "million dollar question":

What helps me obey God?

I sat and pondered on this question for a moment and then I responded which I will share with you.

I obey God because if I do not what else do I have?

The things in life I have experienced, because of the choices I made, has resulted in me relying on God as my primary source of existence, life, purpose, etc.

Without the realization of God and His purpose, then I am just going through the motions of life as a FOOL. I wake up everyday to go to work for a paycheck, then I come home eat, sleep, and then do it all over again. What kind of life is that?

With the realization of God, I am made anew--I am refreshed to have a sense of purpose. Through the realization of God I am a new creature. All the wrong I have done has been erased!!! Knowing this gives me peace. On this alone, I will follow and obey God for his GRACE that he has given me that I do not deserve. He should of struck me dead for the things  that I have done, but instead he said :

"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." Matthew 11:28-30 (KJV)

"Therefore I say unto you, take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on." Matthew 6:25 (KJV)

"But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with stripes we are healed." Isaiah 53:5 (KJV)

Therefore, I obey God because he is the only one who has been there for me. When family and friends turned their back on me , God stood right by my side. He stayed with me through my "mess". He took a beating and was persecuted for my "foolishness". For that, I will obey God because obeying Him is good for me. When I do not obey God, all "hell breaks loose"and I am not at peace. But when I obey God my path is set straight and I see the light before me and I am at peace. Thanks be to God for his GRACE!!

"There is a way which seemeth right unto man, but the end thereof are the ways of death."
Proverbs 14:12 (KJV)

Why do you obey God?

Our Hearts Must be Right to Follow God

I think sometimes as Christians, we get in the habit of thinking following God is easy--just do what the Bible says and follow the commandments and we are SAFE!!!!

Well that's not true---if it were, then we would not have needed Jesus to come down off his throne to save us. Thank goodness!!! By HIS GRACE, we do not have to live like that anymore.

Consider this scripture:

Matthew 19:16-22

"And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life? And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments. He saith unto him, Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet?
Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me. But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions."

From this we can see the rich man was grieved...his heart was sad because he had to sell all his possessions. It is important to note that we do not have to be poor in order to follow God or to even be considered as a Christian. The issue becomes when we allow our money/things to become more important than God. That was the issue with this rich man.

Therefore, it doesn't matter how many laws we keep or how good we are. If our hearts aren't right then we are not considered his.

Jeremiah 17:9 (KJV)

" The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it? I the Lord search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings."

Luke 10:27 (KJV)

"..Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all they heart and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind....

Having Faith Gives Us Access to God's Grace

" Faith is the access to God's Grace."

Understanding God's Grace

God established many covenants with man, in order to have a personal relationship with man.

In the beginning there was God before the foundation of the Earth. It was God who spoke existence into all creation-- except one thing. God did not create man by speaking man into existence. God created man by breathing life into him. 

After man and woman was created, God told Adam that he would be God over the Earth and God will be God over the heavens. God created man in his own image and likeness. He gave Adam equal power and authority to rule over the Earth. When Adam sinned he gave that power and authority over to Satan. 

When Adam sinned we lost:

1. Our mind- to use our brains to full capacity because we are no longer perfect.
2. Perfection- we are know suspetible to many diseases and each generations life spans gets shorter.
3. Relationship- our connection with God and access to Him changed.

This is often known as the Adamaic Covenant.

Because of this, God had to create a covenant with man because He wants to have a  relationship with us. He created the Noahaic Covenant establishing that he will never destroy the Earth/Man with water again. God flooded the Earth initially and destroyed everything except for Noah and his family and selected animals. He destroyed the Earth because it was filled with wickedness and all kinds of perverse things. But God promised Noah, no matter how bad man becomes he will not destroy it by water again. To establish this covenant he created the "rainbow" as a sign of remembrance of this covenant.

There are other covenants such as: Mosaic, Davidic, and New Covenant. I just wanted to give you an idea of God's Grace. God loves each and everyone of us. If God did not love us, then he could of just taken back his covenants and wipe out the Earth and start over. He's God----he doesn't have to explain Himself to us. But that's not what He wants to do. He wants to have a relationship with each and everyone of us. God took time to make each and everyone of us uniquely in his image.

It's only through His Grace and love that we are able to receive His blessings. In order to receive His blessings we must believe that what God says is true. This requires faith. Hebrews 11:1.

"Faith is comfortedness in God's word"

"He saved us and called us before the foundation of the Earth, before time began." Hebrews 4:1 (KJV)

Faith summons the answer from God. We need to have faith in order to receive the "hook-up" from God. Faith is the "hook-up". You cannot use your physical tools and expect to fight in a spiritual warfare. You must have faith in order to fight in spiritual warfare.

The Truth about FEAR

Fear is:

False
Evidence 
Appearing 
Real

God did not give us the spirit of fear. Anything that is not of God is of the Devil. 

"For God hath not given us the spirit of fear, but of power and love, and of a sound mind." 2 Timothy 1:7(KJV) 

"Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom." Luke 12:32 (KJV) 

The purpose of Fear is to keep us distracted from staying on the path that God has shown us. Sometimes the enemy doesn't even have to do anything, we take care of distracting ourselves by the things we do.

For example, the sin in your life sometimes creates fear which is the result of one's own sin and guilt. If you have committed a sin or done anything evil, your fear is probable the god of your own conscience and trying to get your attention. You need to repent, confess your sin, seek God's forgiveness, and set it right.

"So that we may boldly say The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me." Matthew 13:6 (KJV) 

"There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is no made perfect in love." I John 4:18 (KJV)

"The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the Lord is the strength of my life, of whom shall I be afraid?" Psalm 27:1 (KJV)  

"And the Lord, he it is that doth go before thee; he will be with thee, he will not fail thee, neither forsake the; fear not, neither be dismayed." Deuteronomy 31:8 (KJV) 

So if God is for us and with us all the time--who can be against us? The spirit of fear is not of our nature and must go immediately!! We as Christians operate in the power and authority of God only. He has already won. Let us endeavor to stay the winning team! Amen. 

Gateway to Heaven: Be Poor in Spirit

"Blessed are those who are poor in spirit." Matthew 5:3 (KJV) 

This is the first principle needed to enter into the kingdom of God. Before God can use you, you must have a sense of "uselessness" and be humble enough to waive your "white flag" and let God know that you need his help.

"This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles." Psalm 34:6 (KJV)

"When the poor and needy seek water, and there is none, and their tongue faith for thirst, I the Lord will hear them, I the God of Israel will not forsake them." Isaiah 41:17 (KJV)

". . . and the poor have the gospel preached to them." Matthew 11:5 (KJV) 

"As sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things." 2 Corinthians 6:10 (KJV)

"And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said, blessed be ye poor; for yours is the Kingdom of God. Blessed are ye that hunger now for ye shall be filled. Blessed are ye that weep now for ye laugh. Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast our your name as evil, for the son of man's sake rejoice. . . your reward is great in heaven." Luke 6:20-23 (KJV)

Being "poor" does not mean being poor in terms in physical conditions. God is concerned about your heart condition. You must be "poor in spirit". To be poor in spirit is related to being humble and meek.

In order to be humble we must strip away any pride and willing to be lowly in rank. In order to be meek we must be willing to be submissive and patient.

" And he said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven." Matthew 18:3-4 (KJV) 

Walking with God is Not "Easy"

Problems arise with walking with God when we refuse to acknowledge his presence. Have you ever wondered when you were "lost" living in the world, why your plan did not work ? It may have worked temporarily , but I guarantee you that whatever you do, if it is not in line with God's plan for your life it will always fail. I am a living testimony of this. For years I ran away from God until I exhausted all of my options and abilities in the natural sense, that I had no choice but to run towards God.

God tells us:

"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." Matthew 11: 28-30 (KJV)

Sometimes its hard for us as Christians to have a relationship with God because we cannot see God nor tough him. We are human creatures who requires a lot of different things. Unfortunately, this is the essence of FAITH. If we do not have our faith or place our trust into the one true God then what do we have?

"Now faith is the substance of things hoped for the evidence of things not seen." Hebrews 11:1 (KJV)

"But without faith it is impossible to please him; for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them tha diligently seek him." Hebrews 11:6 (KJV)

Just because we are Christians, does not mean that we are immune from "life" happening to us. We will still experience pain, hurt, anger, and disappointments of life; however, when we are saved by God's through Jesus Christ we are better equipped to deal with such encounters.

"And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience: And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us." Romans 5:3-5 (KJV)

"My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing." James 1:2-3 (KJV) 

"Because strait is the gate and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it." Matthew 7:14 (KJV) 

Following God's way is hard if we try to walk with God in our own strength. We are only able to walk with God through the Spirit of God. 

"I can do all things through Christ which strengthen me." Philippians 4:13 (KJV)

Which team would you rather be on? There are only two paths we can choose in life. We can choose the path of death and destruction, which Satan will be our ruler and we are his servant. Or we can choose the path of life and eternal blessings, which God will be our ruler and we are his servant.

"No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and the other..." Matthew 6:24 (KJV)

Spreading "His" Word

God has qualified all of us to be messengers of "His" word. 

Jesus told his 11 disciples to:

"Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature." Mark 16:15 (KJV)

God told Moses that he will tell him what to say. So why do you think God will not assist you in preaching the message? God is the one that can qualify you to preach HIS word.

"And Moses said unto the Lord, O my Lord, I am not eloquent, neither heretofore, nor since thou hast spoken unto thy servant: but I am slow of speech, and of a slow tongue. And the Lord said unto him, Who hath made man's mouth? or who maketh the dumb, or death, or the seeing, or the blind? have not I the Lord? Now therefore go, and I will be with thy mouth, and teach thee what thou shalt say." Exodus 4:10-12 (KJV)

Paul tell us to:

"But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry." 2 Timothy 4:5 (KJV)

There are numerous scriptures throughout the Bible that indicates that our primary purpose in life is to preach "His" word and bring his lost "sheep" back to him. Therefore, be mindful in your Christian endeavors from shunning those who are not "ordained" according to man's laws to preach the gospel. Pray to God and he will give you the ability to discern what His truth is.

"Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you and , lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world." Matthew 28:19-20 (KJV) 

"Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves." Matthew 10:16 (KJV) 

We all must "study yo shew thyself approved unto God a workman that needeth not be ashamed rightly dividing the word of truth." 2 Timothy 2:15

God's Grace=Freedom

The GRACE of GOD gives us FREEDOM. 

"Moreover the law entered, that the offense might abound, but where sin abounded, grace did much more abound." Romans 5:20

When we confess our sins to God we are given a "fresh start", a "redo", a "new life" because of the Grace of God. 

Romans 6:1-4 (NLT Version) Personalize the scripture to be applicable to you

"What shall I say then? Shall I continue in sin that grace may abound? Certainly not! How shall I who died to sin live any longer in it? Don't I know when I was baptized into Christ Jesus I was baptized into His death? Therefore, I was buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father even so I also should walk in newness of life."

Romans 6:12-14 Personalize the scripture to be applicable to you

"Therefore I will not let sin reign in my mortal body, that I should obey it in its lusts. And I will not present my members as instruments of unrighteousness to sin, but present myself to God as being alive from the dead, and my members as instruments of righteousness to God. For sin shall not have dominion over me, for I am not under the law, but under grace."

In order for sin to "reign" over you, then you must be habitual in your sin. In order for sin not to rule over us, it requires effort on our part to not allow it to.

 

Personal statement for dealing with sin ruling over me

" Sin shall not reign over me because I am under Grace. Sin will not reign over me because I am not under the law." 

1 Corinthians 6:12

"All things are lawful for me, but all thins are not (HELPFUL/EXPEDIENT) : All things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any." 

 

We have to deal with the authority of sin over our lives. Sin should not have authority over us because we are under grace. Just because the law aka the world says it is okay, does not mean it is spiritually and morally oaky.

2 Corinthians 12:7-9

"Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three time that it might depart from me. And He said to me, "My Grace is sufficient for you, for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Therefore  most gladly will I rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ Jesus may rest upon me."

 

God knows if he "removes" are weaknesses/thorns, that we will result back to the law and exalt ourselves. When I am weak, He is strong.

• God's grace gives me power

God's power works best in our weaknesses/infirmities. Every time we "slip" we have the power to get back up because of God's grace. Which means we have the power to see the "slip" coming. 

Graced for Good Works

The shift from the law, to love...

God's grace is:

1. God's mercy;
2. God's forgiveness; and
3. God' love toward us.

Consider this:

( Personalize the scriptures for yourself)

 "I was dead, doomed forever because of my many sins. I used to live just like the rest of the world, full of sin, obeying Satan, the mighty prince of the power of the air. He is the spirit at work in the hearts of those who refused to obey God. I used to live that way, following the passions and desires of my evil nature. I was born with an evil nature, and I was under God's anger just like everyone else."  

Ephesians 2:1-3

"But God is so rich in mercy, and He loved me so very much, that even while I was dead because of my sins, He gave me life when he raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God's special favor that I have been saved!) For He raised me from the dead along with Christ and I am one with Christ Jesus."  

Ephesians 2:4-6

" And so God can always point to me as an example of the incredible wealth of His favor and kindness toward us as shown in all He has done for me through Christ Jesus. God saved me by his special favor when I believed. And I can't take credit for this; it is a gift from God, salvation is not a reward for the good things I have done, so I cannot boast about it for I am God's masterpiece. He has created me anew in Christ Jesus so that I can do the good things planned for me long ago." Ephesians 2:7-10

Our heavenly father is so wondersful and awesome. He still shows us love even when we do not acknowledge His existence. He still takes care of us even when we turn away from him. Remember the stroy of Adam and Eve? When they sinned they knew they were naked. They hid because they were ashamed. God specificlaly told them not to eat from the tree of knowledge, but they disobeyed God anyway. God punished them and let them know the consequences for their sin. He told Adam he will have to labor all the days of his life and that Eve must bare children. But, after he laid down the punishment he still provided away to take care of man even though he was disobedient. He clothed Adam and Eve. 

If God was not loving or cared about us why would he clothe Adam and Eve after they deliberately went against what He had said? Can we honestly say that we can display this type of love for one another when we are disappointed by each other. Personally, for me I tend to have the attidue of "personal problem", why should I be inconvenienced because you don't listen?

Lucky for the world I am not God. But you see the difference. God wants us to be taken care of us. He does not want to see us struggle despite our shortcomings. Now isn't that a wonderful blessing to know that our heavenly father loves us that much? It is indeed!!!