"And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free" - There's a Purpose for Today!

Today is Leap Day and that means that each of us have been given an extra 24 hours to do something good for one another. Some of us have been asking for another chance, well today is your chance!

God has purposed today for each of us to have an opportunity to love anew, to forgive and even to forget past hurts and misunderstandings. Move on and rejoice in the blessing of an extra day to do the right thing!

Let today be lived with Purpose and on Purpose..."It's a new is season, it's a new day, a fresh anointing is flowing your way..."

"To everything there  is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven" (Ecclesiastes 3:1 NKJV)

"And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free"

This is what was spoken in the spiritual about what I need to understand in the natural:

"Not more for me but more OF me"

"And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free" - "THERE"

In this season, I'm praying to get "THERE". I have been "here" for some time and in order to grow I must move from "here" to "THERE". My moving is not a physical/geographical action, but a spiritual action/location.

Staying where I'm comfortable is problematic as I can rely on my talents instead of needing and seeking God to do in me what only He can do.

I know that God wants for each of us to mature as Christians. I'm not sure what He has in store for me, but I do know that I have to move from "here" and get to "THERE" In order for me to be in the "PLACE" of instruction, equipping, anointing and blessing.

We're all on a journey and journeys require movement; we need to keep moving and not overstay too long on any part of the journey. Read the signs and yield where we need to yield; use caution when we need to have caution; obey the speed limits and don't try to get "THERE" to fast; never run on empty, there are plenty of refueling stations on our journey; and TRUST your navigation system, it will get us "THERE" on schedule and intact.

Have a great day on the journey of faith that we are on together!

"And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free" - Bible Study Etiquette

Are your Bible Studies thriving? Are the studies full to capacity or standing room only? How about the participants, are they engaged, speaking up and speaking out; are they taking an active part in your studies?

It has been my experience as a participant early on to be afraid to take part in Bible study. My fear, as with many others, is the fear getting it wrong, saying something contrary to what others may be saying. I had my thoughts on a subject and my ideas of what the passage was saying but I thought that my sharing my thoughts would expose my lack of understanding.

However, I thank God for His servants who recognized my fear and encouraged me to share my thoughts. No matter what was said, it was handled in such a way that I was corrected and felt really great about it and invigorated to dive deeper into study so that God would use me in a similar way to help others gain knowledge, understanding and wisdom of God and God’s Word.

Today, I lead several studies with this great gift of providing an inviting, engaging and sharing setting for study. Not only do I lead, I still participate in other settings and I still share my thoughts in order that we may reason together and grow as brothers and sisters.

Differences should not be feared or avoided, but accepted and handled with love. We shouldn't expect everyone to agree on every subject. It is the sharing of ideas that leads each of us to a better/fuller understanding of what the Bible teaches us. We will benefit when we accept, listen to, and respect others.

Truly, differences of opinion need not cause division, but our differences can and should be a source of learning and unity in our relationships.

"Welcome with open arms fellow believers who don’t see things the way you do. And don’t jump all over them every time they do or say something you don’t agree with—even when it seems that they are strong on opinions but weak in the faith department. Remember, they have their own history to deal with. Treat them gently." (Romans 14:1 MSG)

"And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free" - Stop Watering Weeds!

During my Prison Ministry visit on Saturday, an inmate made the following statement: "I've allowed Satan to plant a Garden in my mind, and I've been watering it ever since."

Think about this. Have we allowed the same thing? Are we watering what we've allowed Satan to plant in our minds. Are there seeds of jealousy, racism, lust, greed, lies, and addiction that we are watering and allowing to grow in our lives?

There is a stronghold on our minds and we must win the battle that is being waged in our minds. In the movie "The War Room", one of the strongest scenes in the movie was when the wife was sitting in her closet and she begun to understand what the scriptures were saying to her. "Submit to God, resist the devil and he will flee". She said this to herself several times and when the Word of God became real to her, it became the turning point in her home, her marriage and in herself!

Know this truth today and every day, God wants to plant seeds of righteousness in the lives of His people. God requires from us a harvest; He wants for us to be fruitful. We are not to harvest "weed", instead weeds are to be pulled out and uprooted/destroyed. Yet our society is legalizing "Weed" and we wonder why things are as they are. We haven't resisted the devil, we are welcoming him into our society, our homes and in our lives and we are creating legal means for him to remain.

Bottom line, we need to resist him. We need to submit to God. We need to tell the devil to go to Hell. Get out of our houses, get out of our kids, get out of our relationships and get out of our marriages!

The Word of God tells us to "Submit to God, resist the devil and he will flee" (James 4:7)

"And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free" - Hope

When I hope, I believe that God is at work to make better for me, ALL THINGS, regardless of how things happen to be turning out for me today. Hope means that I have great confidence that I can face whatever life throws at me. Hope means that I never need to give up. Hope means that my efforts have potential, power and relevance because of The One at work within me!

You see, for the one who believes in God, the hinge point is not simply what I'm capable of. The real question is what might God want to do through me?

The truth of the matter is - Hope does not prevent me from expecting the worst - instead, the worst is what the hopeful are prepared for, because...

"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."(Philippians 4:13 NKJV)

“And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” – “My Man, Confidant, My Go To”, Ace, My Friend” SAY IT ISN’T SO!!!

We shared everything. We talked about everything. You was welcomed in my home, knew my family and broke bread at my table. We played ball together, washed our cars together and we even attended the same church where we worshipped together. You promised as did I that we we would always have each other’s back. I shared my deepest joys, hurts and secrets with you. Truthfully, I trusted you with ME!

SAY IT ISN’T SO! It couldn't be…I refused to believe it when I heard it…How dare they even fix their mouths to say that…IT WAS YOU who betrayed my trust!

Yes, although the above isn't something that is actually happening in my life at this moment, I share it because it happens more often than we would like to admit it. The truth is, those who hurt us the deepest are those that are the closest to us. I write this to remind us of what a great privilege we have to be considered a close friend. I write this to challenge us to be careful to not fall into temptation of the most serious offense against our friendships…Betrayal. 

Nothing hurts more than a hurt from a friend. Real friends stick by you in times of trouble and bring healing, love, acceptance and understanding. What kind of friend are you? Don't betray those you love. 

“For it is not an enemy who reproaches me; Then I could bear it. Nor is it one who hates me who has exalted himself against me; Then I could hide from him. But it was you, a man my equal, My companion and my acquaintance.” (Psalms 55:12-13 NKJV)

"And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free" - BLOWN AWAY!

As I get older, my faith is getting simpler, and my belief much more  deeper. The more that I know Jesus, the more I love Him. But the more that I know me, the more BLOWN AWAY I am that Jesus loves me!

I am coming full circle with what I've learned as a child and by how I've lived as an adult. When I look back over my life, a song I learned as a child is such a profound truth to me in my adult years, "Jesus loves me, this I know, for the Bible tells me so."

Yes, I'm an OVERCOMER and my faith is simpler, my belief is deeper and I remain BLOWN AWAY that His Truth remains TRUE, and that truth is, "Jesus loves me, this I know, for the Bible tells me so."

Know this truth - Jesus loves YOU TOO, yes the Bible says it's TRUE!!

"And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free" - "GONE"

Gone is good when "GONE" represents the removal of hurtful things, resentful occasions and debilitating memories that knock us down and drowns us in tears of sorrow and cause us great pain.

God has promised to put an end to our suffering. God has given notice that trouble doesn't and won't last always! God says in His Word that He is coming and not just coming, but that He will dwell with men and women. When He comes, our Almighty God will speak a Word over all that loves Him and "GONE" are our troubles; "GONE" are our fears; "GONE" is our enemy and everything that has ever tried to exalt itself above The Lord shall be "GONE"!!!

YES soon, The Kingdom of Heaven shall come! Keep on believing, keep on trusting and keep on loving The Lord...your reward shall be great and your worldly issues shall be "GONE"!!!

"I heard a voice thunder from the Throne: “Look! Look! God has moved into the neighborhood, making his home with men and women! They’re his people, he’s their God. He’ll wipe every tear from their eyes. Death is gone for good—tears gone, crying gone, pain gone—all the first order of things gone.” The Enthroned continued, “Look! I’m making everything new. Write it all down—each word dependable and accurate.” (Revelation 21:3-5 MSG)

"And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free" - This is What The Lord Says...

"Good friend, don’t forget all I’ve taught you; take to heart my commands. They’ll help you live a long, long time, a long life lived full and well. Don’t lose your grip on Love and Loyalty. Tie them around your neck; carve their initials on your heart. Earn a reputation for living well in God’s eyes and the eyes of the people. Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don’t try to figure out everything on your own. Listen for God ’s voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; he’s the one who will keep you on track. Don’t assume that you know it all. Run to God! Run from evil! Your body will glow with health, your very bones will vibrate with life! Honor God with everything you own; give him the first and the best. Your barns will burst, your wine vats will brim over. But don’t, dear friend, resent God ’s discipline; don’t sulk under his loving correction. It’s the child he loves that God corrects; a father’s delight is behind all this." (Proverbs 3:1-12 MSG)

"And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free"

"And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall set you free" - The Word of God

Although you may teach, preach and reach others...please know that YOU are not exempt from the message of these words. 

These Words that you share also apply to you. These Words must do the work in you as you are also conveying the same to others. These Words must cleanse you, renew you, challenge you, convict you, deal with you, correct you, bless you and change you as they are to do the same for others! 

Prayer: God may your Word do the work in both the Deliverer and the Hearer in the name of Jesus. Amen.

"And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free" - Just Three Days

Don't give up and don't give in. The enemy has been hot on your track doing what he does...killing, stealing and destroying.

Turn to Jesus and watch him reverse everything that the enemy has been at work with in your life. I dare you to pray, seek and trust. Watch what will happen when you do.

What took years to tear you down, isolate you and drag you away from loved ones and that eventually stole your true identity, Jesus can and will restore!

I'm asking you this morning to sincerely Try Him, Trust Him and Believe in Him for just 3 days and watch what happens in your life. You've tried the world's ways for far too long. Today is a good day to try the King's way!

Jesus answered and said to them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.”(John 2:19 NKJV)

"And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free" - The Attitude of an OVERCOMER!!

Are you facing some challenges or experiencing some unexpected setbacks? We all have things that come against us, but God didn’t create us to be overwhelmed and overcome; He created us to be OVERCOMERS!!

For everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith.”
(1 John 5:4, NIV)

During the times when we face challenges, it’s our attitude that is most important. Think about it for a minute. When something isn’t going your way month after month, how do you respond? Are you tempted to get sour or start expecting the worst? Does your mind start going “ninety-to-nothing” playing out all the scenarios? It may be easy to get down and discouraged, but if we go around thinking it’s never going to work out, our attitude limits what God can do. But when we dig our heels in knowing that God is bigger than our problems, when we fight the good fight of faith, that’s what allows God to show up and turn negative situations around.

Today, remember, you are created to overcome. There is victory already in store for your future. Stand strong with the attitude of an OVERCOMER  and watch what God will do on your behalf!

"And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free" - You Can STILL BELIEVE!

The truth is that being a Christian doesn't exclude you from difficulties; being a Christian doesn't shield you from being distraught nor does it prevent you from having problems in life, in health, in our families or in our interactions with others.

Christians and non-Christian will "go through" the same issues in this life. The difference between the two is what happens when we are going through and what the outcome is when you come out!

You see, I "go through" more often than you may even think. Social media has a way of hiding the truth and projecting falsified living. If we all lived such glamorous lives, we wouldn't require social media as an outlet because we would all be to busy living that glamorous life! Now, I also need you to understand that when I "go through", no matter what it is that I am "going through", I am NEVER made to go it alone!

Jesus says that He is the "I AM". This means that whatever I have need of He has it. Whatever I need Him to be (Councilor, Healer, Lawyer, Burden Bearer, Confidant or Friend), He is and He already was and He shall forever be, because He is the great "I AM"!

Having Jesus with us always gives us joy in the midst of sorrow; hope in the times of trouble; comfort in times of despair and peace when the storms of life are raging. You see, Christians will always come out of life's struggles wiser, stronger and more in love with Jesus. I may lose a battle every now and again, but this I know, I SHALL WIN THE WAR! Jesus needs for us to know that if we believe in Him, that we have already won!

Because Jesus is always with us, we need to know and understand that no matter how overwhelming the darkness of defeat will become, we can STILL BELIEVE, because He (Jesus) will always be the "I AM".

Now I tell you before it comes, that when it does come to pass, you may believe that "I AM" He. (John 13:19 NKJV)

"And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free" - The Rich

In this life and in this world, those who have wealth or great possessions; those who are abundantly supplied with resources, means, or funds; and those who are wealthy abounding in natural resources are considered to be a rich person and/or a rich nation.

Culturally and traditionally the rich are privileged and are shown privilege. They are afforded courtesies and extended royal or favored treatment. As such, they come to expect and to have expectations to be catered to, cared for and respected because of their status.

However, God looks on the rich differently. No, God does not despise the rich nor condem the rich. But, God reminds us that true riches are not our worldly possessions or the amount of land or property that we own. True riches don't have anything to do with how many servants or associates (today's language) or how much money we have in our accounts. Clothes, cars, houses and assets...none of these things are eternal; they are merely temporary.

God has sent me to remind us that to truly be rich is to know and accept the love and salvation from Him through Christ Jesus. He makes us rich in grace, so we should extend grace to others. He makes us rich in mercy, so we should extend mercy to others. He makes us abundantly rich in love, so we should extend love, kindness, peace, forgiveness, comfort and  compassion to others.

God says this to His ministers:

"Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy. Let  them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share, storing up for themselves a good foundation for the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life." (I Timothy 6:17-19 NKJV)

"And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free" - The Poor

Let's be real, we all know the type of poor that is tied to financial difficulties. This type of poor is what we have come to know as lacking sufficient money to live what some would consider comfortable or normal in a society.

However, there are the POOR who appear as if they have it all together. These are those who aren't lacking, those who have jobs, a roof over their heads, food on the table and at least a dollar or two in their pockets or bank account. Yet they are still POOR. How do I know?  I know because I was this type of POOR!

Most poor situations can be helped by throwing money and resources at it. But what do you do when money and resources aren't the cure or the fix?

Tell them about Jesus! You see, whether it's financial or the absence of something or someone, there's one thing that is true about both conditions of being POOR...POOR people need help and when help is offered, most times help is greatly received.

Someone told me about Jesus and my words have become just like those of the Psalmist who penned:

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

Now, don't be mislead, I didn't just say that I don't have troubles any longer. What I'm saying is that when my troubles do come, The Lord saves me from them all. Hallelujah!

Because of Christ Jesus, I have been made to live an abundant life, RICH in joy and RICH in blessings! I'm no longer POOR and because of Christ, I'm called to POUR into those who no longer wish to be POOR!

I pray that whoever reads this understands and receives this truth. The truth is that there is help, His name is Jesus!