Finishing Strong Friday: We finish strong when we know WHO the King of Glory is!
Who is this King of glory? The Lord strong and mighty, The Lord mighty in battle. Lift up your heads, O you gates! Lift up, you everlasting doors! And the King of glory shall come in. Who is this King of glory? The Lord of hosts, He is the King of glory. (Psalms 24:8-10 NKJV)
Thankful Thursday: EVERYTHING and EVERYONE that I can truly call mine is under one roof. Keith Jr. arrived home safe from work late last night/early this morning, Kyle came home from work worn out tired and went straight to bed and Kaelyn (again) joined my wife and I in our bed last night.
It feels good to KNOW that EVERYONE and EVERYTHING that we hold precious is within a whisper of our saying, "I Love You".
Thank you Lord for these that you have put in my care. Help me to be to them as you are to me...present, loving, trustworthy and yes longsuffering AND forgiving. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Wednesday's Word: Speak of God OUT LOUD to YOURSELF Today!
There are times when you just need to open your Bible, not to study, but to live how God says you are to live. SPEAK His Word OUT LOUD when you read a promise, come to a truth and when you need strength.
In John 17:17 it says, "Sanctify them with thy truth, thy Word is truth."
Today, I speak to my day that because I have God on my mind and in my heart that there shall be peace for my day...not just peace, but PERFECT PEACE! Hallelujah!!
"You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You." (Isaiah 26:3 NKJV)
Thankful Thursday: Oh Yea, STILL THANKFUL!!
I got news from my mother that she fell and broke her foot on Tuesday. I woke up this morning with pain in my knee in which I have had surgery some years ago. Others in the family are also going through their own illnesses and yet I'm STILL THANKFUL!
In this life we all are going through some things. In this life there will be sicknesses, pains and diseases. However, I KNOW that these are only light and temporary afflictions because our God will rescue all that calls on His Holy name!
You see, before I leave this house, I'm gonna call on His Holy name! I'm going to speak out loud concerning my mother, those who are feeling sick, those of us who are dealing with other health issues and yes, I will speak out loud about my soreness in my knee this morning. THEN, I'm going to get moving, get at it and get to it...because I KNOW that my God has heard my prayer and He is ALREADY moving, ALREADY at it, and ALREADY getting to it.
I'M THANKFUL that my confidence is in God; therefore, I can (and will) do ALL THINGS through Christ who strengthens me!!
Wednesday's Word is The WORD of God, get some! It's Mmm-Mmm Good!
"It has been written, Man shall not live and be upheld and sustained by bread alone, but by every Word that comes forth from the mouth of God." (Matthew 4:4)
Tuesday's Truth: I'm Rolling With It and NOT Looking Back!!
The Lord has brought me a mighty long way, GLORY HALLELUJAH!!!
Monday's Meditation: "These are Those"
There are some who have woken up this morning with confidence, vision and on a mission to excel.
- These are those who are not fearful, hopeless or stressed by things or situations.
- These are those that aren't looking over their shoulder in expectation of something dreadful, but are looking ahead for favor
- These are those who are enthusiasts and not worriers
- These are those who pray and stay vs. cry and lie or smoke and joke
- These are those that shout HALLELUJAH and not those who say "oh to hell with it"
Are you reborn? Are you one of them? Are you ready for today?
Let's do this!!
"For whatever is born of God is victorious over the world" (1 John 5:4a)
Finishing Strong Friday: I've been up putting final thoughts on my weekend sermon "Believe, Behold, Become". Here is the scripture:
"Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God. And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him. Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because AS HE IS, SO ARE WE IN THIS WORLD." (1 John 4:15-17)
Just think on those last few words of this Scripture "AS HE IS, SO ARE WE IN THIS WORLD"...."Believe, Behold and Become"!!!!
Thankful Thursday: Sometimes I just don't feel like being thankful...THEN I realize that although I slept, I was awakened this morning. THEN I realize that although I didn't have anything to do with it, my breathing was regulated while I was asleep. THEN when I got up this morning and "walked" into every room in my house...I began to count my blessings (Keith Jr. Kyle, Kaelyn and Kimberly).THEN I checked my calendar for the appointments that I will have to make and some that I will have to reschedule at the Job that I am blessed to have. THEN I set out my clothes and started my shower. THEN I packed my lunch and loaded my Portfolio with all that I will need for this day and placed them in my car, in my garage, on my property....again, that I have been blessed to possess!
My reality is that I serve The Almighty God and He blesses me over and over again; therefore, my reality far outweighs my feelings. Oftentimes, we just need to get over ourselves and look beyond how we feel and take in our reality.
Once I've gotten past how I felt this morning, I couldn't help but give Praise with THANKSGIVING in my heart for all that The Lord has done for me!
Tuesday's Truth: Today I have a ton of work, decisions to make and meetings to both lead and attend. But I know that God has already given me everything that I need to succeed today.
So, I'll simply wish you all a GOOD MORNING, knowing that God has prepared you for your day and has prepared your day for you!
Have a God Day!
Finishing Strong Friday: STRAIGHT TALK - Hard Work Pays Off!!
Know this, "Gimme" is dead! In order to be elevated, we must be prepared for the elevation. Too many people complain about not being elevated when they have shown no loyalty, commitment, or dedication. Time sheets are falsified with 8 hour days knowing full well that at best, you only put in 5 hours per day for the 3 out of 5 days you worked!
Doing the absolute minimum, lack of availability and lack of participation all equates to being unprepared, unreliable and unpredictable and eliminates you instead of elevating you to the next level of potential and responsibility.
"Gimme" a chance; "Gimme" the promotion; "Gimme" the responsibility.... Hey, how about, "GIMME" A BREAK!!!
Don't be the one counting on "Gimme" to get you to the next level, get yourself prepared; get motivated; get involved; get to work and when you're there, actually do the work. Trust me, you'll be noticed and in time, you'll be elevated.
Finish Strong by preparing yourself for the opportunities that are waiting for you!!
"There is profit in hard work, but mere talk leads to poverty." (Proverbs 14:23)
"Diligent hands will rule, but laziness ends in forced labor." (Proverbs 12:24)
Thankful Thursday: From the Emergency Room to the Recovery Room!
We must stop the hemorrhaging of hopes and dreams; of family values; financial stability; healthy and sustainable relationships; and losing those we love to the traps and snares of this world!
Many of us have been and some of us are still wounded by life and lifestyle choices. Well, I'm here to tell you that you have not reached the end. There is a Great Physician who will not only fix you up, but He heals you to the uttermost!
Today, we get hurt, sick or ill and we go to an Emergency Room, wait for very long periods of time, receive a quick fix and go home hoping that are affliction is over. However, the treatment oftentimes is only temporary as it addresses the immediate reason you have gone to get assistance, but it does nothing for the underlying disease, hurt or affliction.
Well, Jesus isn't in the business of "patch work", Band-Aids or temporary pain relief. Jesus receives every patient, no waiting room, instant access to The Great Physician and before you can say Thank You Lord, you're already in RECOVERY!!
Know this Healer; Know this Great Physician; Know THE SAVIOR and LOVER of our souls and RECOVER...RIGHT NOW!!
Thank you Jesus for doing what no other has done or can do! His Word leaves no doubt about what I'm sharing with you this morning and by the way, I'm a recipient!!!
"I am the Lord that Healeth thee." (Exodus 15:26)
Wednesday's Word: Rejoice ANYWAY!!
Even when things may look to be at their worse...God is still in the blessing business.
Even when others have given up on you...God is still in the blessing business.
Even though you've run out of money, resources and time...God is still in the blessing business.
Keep your faith in The Lord, trust Him in the rough times and obey Him during the times of plenty. God is STILL God...don't forget...He ALWAYS will have the final say in your situation!
Today, everything in your life may not look the way you want it to, but a time is coming when God, who sees all and knows all about your struggle, is going to say enough! So with this in mind, REJOICE ANYWAY!
"Though the fig tree doesn’t bloom, and there’s no produce on the vine; though the olive crop withers, and the fields don’t provide food; though the sheep is cut off from the pen, and there is no cattle in the stalls; I will rejoice in the Lord . I will rejoice in the God of my deliverance." (Habakkuk 3:17-18)
Tuesday's Truth: You cannot be who you were and who you are at the same time!
"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 KJV)
Monday's Meditation: Why Are Your Haters ALWAYS In Your Face?
The reason God keeps our enemies close is because He wants them near enough to see what a miracle looks like it! Yea, I said that right!! Just the mere fact that you got up again today in spite of all that they tried to do to put you down on yesterday is nothing less then a miracle.
"What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?" (Romans 8:31)
Think about this: one of the sweetest victories you and I could ever accomplish in life is to succeed in the face of those who want us to fail. Get back up and get back to it...YOU'RE GONNA SUCCEED!!
Love and Happiness - Part 5
Finishing Strong Friday: Turn It Up!!
You have been joined together under God, don't let anyone or anything separate your love for each other. So TURN IT UP...turn up the love; turn up the respect; turn up the romance; the sweet talk; the support; and the understanding.
Turn down jealousy; conflicts; competition; hurtful words; negativity of all kinds; and unhealthy influences outside of your marriage covenant.
REMEMBER - The marriage covenant is between You, Your Spouse and God!
Oh and lastly, it's Friday, TURN UP THIS SONG..."Love and Happiness" (below Link), this is how this week's series got started and this is how we'll finish it!
"What God has joined together, let no one separate.” (Mark 10:9)
Love and Happiness - Part 4
Thankful Thursday: "True Love Just Acts Like This!!"
As I lay here beside my wife in this very early hour of the morning, I am reflecting...no, actually I'm really wondering how this beautiful person, warm and loving woman, kind and tenderhearted angel has come to be my wife and my partner sharing over 25 years (over half of her lifetime) with me in marriage.
You see before the preaching, teaching and the reaching there was the drinking, smoking and the joking me. Before the Saint I was indeed an "Ain't"...Ain't good for nothing; Ain't worried about nobody but self; Ain't going to amount to much; and Ain't gonna to change!
I thank God today that He sent into my life the one who could see the real me through all of the real mess. Kimberly came to me with more love than I have ever been shown by a woman. It wasn't the in your face "love it or leave it" kind, but it was a patient; enduring; steady as we go kind of love. She loved me at my worse and loved me to become my best. She prayed me through and prayed me to what I am today.
It's times like right now, in this quiet and very early hour that God's Word speaks the loudest to me. Today His Word speaks clearly and sharply to me saying that, "True Love Just Acts Like This!!"
So the wondering has been replaced with gratefulness for the wife that I have.
I'm going to lay here beside her for a few more minutes watching her sleep and yes, praying over her day that she hasn't awakened to yet. While I'm doing that, I'll leave you with this for your marriage and relationship:
"Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins." (1 Peter 4:8)
Love and Happiness - Part 3
Wednesday's Word: Let's Get Naked!
In the story of Adam and Eve when God created Woman from Man, God created them without barriers from one another...He created them to be side by side. God created them without secrets, hidden agendas, without jealousy and deceit...He created them to be equal in love, equal in labor and equal in the Garden as caretakers of what God has created them to care for.
The Bible says that, "Adam and his wife were both naked, and they felt no shame." (Genesis 2:25)
Today, what is this Word of God saying to you about your marriage? To me it says that we need to bare all, have complete trust and truly be equal in love...feeling and having no shame. It means to not expose one another to hurt and shame.
Again, let us strip off the "stuff" of this world that drives us apart and LET'S GET NAKED once more with one another being equal in marriage.
