I'm Honored, But I'm NOT God!

When Going "Through" We Must Go "IN"!

Whatever trial that we might be going through, the key is to spend time with The Lord. No doubt that there are people that you want to talk with or turn to, but in all honesty and all respect to those people in whom you trust and have confidence in...they don't have a clue of how to help you, it's only the Father who can truly help you and I. 

Finishing Strong is to come to the knowledge and understanding that it's time that we seek Him for our lives; it is time that we go to the Altar so that we may be "altered"!

“What sorrow awaits my rebellious children,” says the Lord. “You make plans that are contrary to mine. You make alliances not directed by my Spirit, thus piling up your sins. This is what the Sovereign Lord, the Holy One of Israel, says: “Only in returning to me and resting in me will you be saved. In quietness and confidence is your strength. But you would have none of it. (Isaiah 30:1, 15)
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God Got Me and has given His angels an assignment to guard me!

Thankful that I'm Guarded and Protected

I'm thankful this morning that I cannot be lured, fooled or manipulated by those whose plans are against me. I am comforted and assured that my God has me secured in His care and protection. His Holy Word tells me of the plots, plans and schemes of my adversary.

Early this morning I turned to Psalm 11:2 which says, "The wicked are stringing their bows and fitting their arrows on the bowstrings. They shoot from the shadows at those whose hearts are right."

You see, it is so important that you and I read and study God's Word because it will prepare and equip us for any and every situation in life. I'm not sitting around today wondering why certain events are happening and why certain issues are transpiring...no, I am already praying and my prayers are not of the "rescue me type", because I already know that God got me...my prayers are definitely of the THANK YOU type!

So, while others are lying in wait for you and I to slip up, and although they may even attempt to ambush you, our God completely and utterly thwarts their plans and He turns it around to work for our good!

I'm thankful that He has given me eyes to see and ears to hear...I'm listening and I'm trusting Him to deliver me from all sorts of evil.

I declare today that I'm on the NEXT LEVEL and have placed the enemy under my feet and I SHALL NOT BE MOVED!!
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Smiles Made the Difference!

My Day Has Just Been REBOOTED!

It's not always about just arriving to your goal, but it is more about how you got there.

I was just greeted by the most fabulous motivational, inspiring, uplifting and warming gestures from smiles that have traveled to me from thousands of miles away and across several date and timelines!

Savannah Grace and Alayna Love, Uncle Keith's heart was warmed and my attitude enlightened by both of your smiles this morning! My commute was cold and dreary but I found warmth and joy looking at you both.

Thank you Mr. & Mrs. Davis for always sharing emails, texts and photos, it means so much to all of our family while you are away!

Prayer is not Arbitrary; Prayer IS Intentional

WHEN YOU PRAY!

Jesus is speaking on prayer in the Gospel according to Matthew and says numerous times "When you pray" which to me says that prayer is intentional. He didn't say "If" you pray or "should" you pray or "might" you pray....no, He said "When you pray"!

Jesus both teaches and warns by saying "When you pray":

• Warning, Don't be like the hypocrites (Matthew 6:5)
• Teaches, Go into your room, close your door and pray to your Father (Matthew 6:6)
• Warning, Don't go on babbling like pagans for they think that they'll be heard because of their many words (Matthew 6:7)
• Teaches, This then is how you should pray:

"Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen." (Matthew 6:9-13)

Before you and I start our day, may we intentionally kneel in prayer for others, for situations and for discernment in our daily dealings and decisions that has an affect on others or in our own homes and families. 

Intentional prayer brings intentional blessings!

Prayer is not arbitrary; Prayer is Intentional.
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There is But One Body...

Every person is worth understanding!

On this past Saturday evening I took my wife out on a date. We were waiting to be seated in the restaurant when she noticed one of her students there. She greeted the young man and his family. However, when I reached out my hand to greet him he stepped backwards until his back was against the wall. He appeared to be uncomfortable.

You see, my wife is a 7th grade Special Needs Paraeducator. I understood the reaction because I understand the students that my wife teaches. Her students interact with her daily and they trust her and are comfortable with her, but it takes more than just an occasional encounter to gain this same trust and comfort from others.

Although I knew what was happening, my wife quickly spoke up to give me understanding of why he reacted the way he did. She stood up and spoke up and created a bridge to connect the young man and myself and in doing so she protected both her student and me (as I could've been offended by the response...had I not already known the reason). This is what prompted me to write this Post.

I thank God for my wife and all of those who care for our Special Needs brothers and sisters. The special attention given teaches us all that EVERY PERSON IS WORTH UNDERSTANDING! May we all see that all of God's creation is worthy of understanding; thereby, bridging the gaps that really doesn't need to exist. God has created us all to be a part of one Body.

Not everyone can be a hand, nor can everyone be an eye..."But in fact God has placed the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. As it is, there are many parts, but one body.   The eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you!” And the head cannot say to the feet, “I don’t need you!” On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty, while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has put the body together, giving greater honor to the parts that lacked it, so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other." (1 Corinthians 12:18, 20-25)

Prayer: Almighty God, help us to see others as you see them and help us to understand that we were all, each one of us, fearfully and wonderfully made and not only that, but that you have created us in your image and in your likeness. Some may move about differently than others; some may think differently; some speak differently; and some may require special assistance today. Lord let us not be indifferent to the differences that make us unique because you created the uniqueness; therefore, we must understand that this same uniqueness is your greatness. Indeed equip us to give special care to those special and unique members of our one Body because if any part suffers, then the entire body suffers. In the name of Jesus, Amen.
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Who is Praying and Where is the Prayer Meeting?

Monday's Meditation: Do you know WHO is praying the most fervent prayers ever to be prayed and do you know WHERE this prayer meeting is going on RIGHT NOW?

Seriously, this is not a joke - RIGHT NOW, those who wouldn't pray because it was silly; useless; not cool; those who thought that they were the only god that they needed; those who ignored everyone and everything that was trying to be shared with them...well, that's WHO and the WHERE is in HELL!

What do you think that they are asking God for in their  praying? MERCY!  What is MERCY? It is what you ask for when you have no bargaining power; no leverage; no trump cards; no other options available to you! It is when you are at the rock bottom and there is absolutely no way out...you pray for MERCY!

Yea, that's what they're doing in Hell RIGHT NOW...praying for MERCY, but tragically IT'S TOO LATE! Please know my brother and my sister, that those who ask for MERCY in this life are the only ones who will be heard, answered and then go to Heaven. AFTER THAT IT IS TOO LATE!

Pray today while you have life as dead men can only pray a dead prayer and a dead prayer has no life left in it!

And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have MERCY on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame. (Luke 16:24 KJV)
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Turn It Around - Overcome Evil with Good

Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. - Romans 12:21

This command can seem almost impossible when someone hurts you deeply! However, the contrary of repaying evil with evil, which seems natural and right, only hurts you even more because this action creates a vicious cycle of evil doings between you and your enemy (spouse, friend, co-worker, sibling, neighbor). 

Think about it...the best way to get rid of our enemies is to turn them into our friends!

You may be asking "How do I do this"?. Well, earlier in this chapter in verses 9, 10 Paul writes "Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves."

Sincere love is intentional love and intentional love is love in action! In order to overcome evil with good, we have to be intentional and we must act in love and act for love in all that we do and in all that we say. Love in action is not of the emotional sort but of respect and honor just as you respect and honor yourself. Again, it may seem almost impossible to live in this manner, but just think how it could be if we would just try. An act of forgiveness and mutual respect sprinkled over every dispute can lead to mutual reconciliation; thereby, creating a harmony between you and your enemy.

On this NEXT LEVEL we are all being called to overcome our own weaknesses so that we can overcome our in-differences with one another and once we can overcome our in-differences with one another, we can then rid ourselves of our enemies and turn them into our friends.

In the picture above we can clearly see that we can overcome evil with good. When we do this we see the good that we do surrounds the evil and the evil becomes a small matter in our lives, while the good increases in our lives. In this same picture, you have to look hard to see evil when it is surrounded by Good!

May we not be overcome by evil, but may we conquer and overcome all sorts of evil with the good that is of God and is at work in us! In doing so, we will indeed Finish Strong!!

Sitting Stains Reach Deep

The stain of guilt and sin is more than what appears on the surface or more personally, it is more than skin deep.

In this life, we have all had "accidents".  We have "wasted" and have allowed some things to "spill over" in our lives and we have also purposely done things that has tarnished or stained our character.  Whether it be a relationship gone bad or a relationship that should have never happened to begin with or even perhaps that accidental hookup that we now regret. Whatever the case it was accidental, but yet it still happened and we carry the guilt around deep inside and this guilt is like a stain that sinks deeper and deeper into our very fabric and the longer that we let it sit, the deeper it will go.

What about those things that we've done purposely? What about substance abuse and the guilt and shame that it carries? Yes, we purposely choose to engage in substance abuse for different reasons but the most prevalent in my opinion is to escape the reality of whatever it is that we are dealing with. From the first use, the stain is apparent and only worsens with each careless use of the same. Not only does the stain get more noticeable visibly by the way you act and behave, but it also soaks deeper into your very Soul making it darker and more sinister than you initially could have imagined. Now your guilt and sin have become your craving and you'll do anything to satisfy it...yet once satisfied, there is a tremendous amount of remorse for your dependency!

Yes, we can clean our act up and yes, we can dress it up, but please know that no matter how many cleansers we use; no matter how much soap, shampoo and perfumes that we apply to ourselves; and no matter the new haircut, hairstyle or even change of address/location....the stain still remains.  There is absolutely no soap or cleaner or perfume or hairstyle or address change that can get rid of the stain of guilt and sin.  

We have to know that we can't ignore the effects of sin and hope that they'll just go away. Our sin has caused a deep stain that only God can and will remove if you are willing to let Him cleanse you with the Blood of Jesus Christ. 

It's time for some Deep Cleansing family and I pray that we rid ourselves of any and all guilt that we may carry as this guilt is a stain that can and does tarnish our character; our integrity; our relationships; and most importantly, it hinders our coming into a right relationship with Jesus.

The ultimate Deep Cleaning that cleanses us whiter than snow, is The Blood of Jesus Christ!! 

"Although you wash yourself with soda and use an abundance of soap, the stain of your guilt is still before me", declares the Sovereign Lord. - Jeremiah 2:22

The HIGH COST for low Living

There's a HIGH COST for low living!

Look over your life. Now, take an assessment of what you have collected; look at the accumulation of wealth and/or your possessions; look at the liaisons and relationships that you've taken pride in.

We collectively and individually have spent an enormous amount of time and effort satisfying yet never really coming close to quenching the thirst, appetites and desires of our flesh. We've worked, we sometimes begged, borrowed and a few have even stolen to have what we have. But I must tell you that the quest to satisfy our flesh is unending and I would also add that it is truly pointless!

You see our flesh will NEVER get better, our flesh will NEVER be delivered, our flesh will NEVER enter The Kingdom of God...our flesh is already and has always been destined to return to the dirt from which it was formed.

Truth is...what needs to be Saved, nurtured, matured, lavished with love, kept, protected, and prospered is our very Souls. Honestly, when was the last time that you did something to satisfy your Soul's yearning?

Jesus cautions us by saying, "What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?" (Mark 8:36)

The HIGH COST of our low living will be the payment of our very Soul. I don't know about everyone else's stance on this, but I opt to have my Soul anchored in Jesus for truly, He is The Lover of my Soul!

Keep Calm and Keep On

Keep Calm and Keep On!

Not everyone will agree with your method; everyone won't agree with your style; everyone won't agree with your delivery, your gestures, your salient points or your strategy. Don't be put off or put out by this. You keep on teaching Teacher; keep on preaching Preacher; keep on speaking Evangelist; keep on praying Prayer Warriors; and keep on trusting Believers!

God has need for you to speak as you speak and to teach His Word how He has given it to you. Trust that God will send you to those whom He gifted you to reach and He will bring to you others of the Family to strengthen your ministry to the NEXT LEVEL. BUT, whatever you do, don't shut down your work for The Lord based on the lack of style points that are being calculated and levied on you by others, you just do what God says to do!  Remember and be encouraged ministers as God's Word shall not return void!

Just as the picture in this Blog reflects, The Son is rising and is already shining in, on and through you!

KEEP CALM and KEEP ON!
#NextLevel

This Present Will Be Greater Than the Former

Trust God for Greater!

The Lord admonished His people for neglecting His promised dwelling place, The Temple, and then encouraged them to start on the reconstruction of the same. He told them not to be so concerned with its present condition as it had been utterly destroyed and laid in ruin. However, He told them to do the work and the end result would be GREATER than what formally was built!

The same holds true for you and I in this life. The world with all of the sin contained therein, has wreaked havoc on our earthly bodies, which is the habitation of The Lord for those of us who are Saved. God tells us in His Word that when we stop being so consumed with this world and stop being so consumed with self and begin to rebuild His Temple, which is our very heart, THEN WHAT WILL BE, SHALL BE GREATER than what was destroyed and laid to ruin by this world!

Knowing that The Lord Almighty dwells in me is a very good reason all by itself to be thankful. Knowing that each scripture; each prayer; and each meditative moment on His love for me is added reasons to praise my way beyond the state of thankfulness, but it even takes me deeper to a place to where I know what it means to be Grateful.

Here is what The Lord says to those who will do the work of restoring His dwelling place (restoration of your heart):

‘The glory of this present house will be greater than the glory of the former house,’ says the Lord Almighty. ‘And in this place I will grant peace,’ declares the Lord Almighty.” (Haggai 2:9)

Be Greater than you've ever been and continue to grow Greater in Him every day!
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Listen To Him

Next Level Living Will Require Listening!

“This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to him!” (Mark 9:7b)

Peter, James and John got to see an amazing thing, something that no one had ever seen before! They witnessed Christ transfigured reflecting His majesty, radiant in appearance, regal, royal, exulted, perfect and divine.

As I think back, they saw Jesus turn water into wine, walk on water, heal the sick, give sight to the blind, feed the multitudes (twice...5,000 Jews and then 4,000 Jews and Gentiles), by Him the deaf could hear and the dead were raised. They saw a lot; they witnessed a lot and they could surely testify to a lot of what they saw.

When Peter, James and John saw this they were mesmerized and couldn't take their eyes off of Him, but God spoke through a cloud and quickly admonished them by saying, "This is my Son, whom I love. LISTEN TO HIM!"

You see, God sent His Son Jesus (whom He loved), not to be amazing or to be a spectacle and especially not to be  entertainment for us, but He sent Him to tell us about The Kingdom of God; to tell us who we are and whose we are; to tell us that God is making a way out of no way!

We have been looking in His Word; we've been looking at His Word; we've been looking for Him in our churches, on our jobs and in our homes...we've been trying our best to see Him in our lives!

Where we've failed is that we've been steady looking at Him and not listening as we've been told.

If we would simply listen then we would know that we don't have a need to look for Him because He is always with us.

"Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,  and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:19-20)

If we listen then we would know that He has already given us His peace and encouragement in this world and life.

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)

If we would but listen we would have heard Him say "IT IS FINISHED" (John 19:30).

On this NEXT LEVEL God is correcting us by saying don't just look upon my Son, LISTEN TO HIM, for He is the very Word of God that has now become flesh.

Speak Lord  Speak, I ask for ears to hear you clearly on this and every level that you take me.
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