Just for clarity, I do and will get sick. I will suffer the diseases of this life in one way or another. But one thing that is for certain, my soul has been completely and utterly healed. My fallen state, which is the same of every man born of woman, has been restored. My healing is evident in my salvation.
Some days I feel that I don't have a Praise, but God's Word let's me know that every day I have a Promise! Therefore, when I feel that I'm having one of those days where I don't feel like Praising, I'm reminded of His Promise and guess what happens when I see my Promise in His Holy Word? I get my Praise back!
So, no matter how I may feel about Praising on today, I have a Promise and because of His Promise, I have not only a Praise, but it is the highest Praise that I shall give to Him...HALLELUJAH and in the face of the enemy I say HALLELUJAH ANYHOW!
The story of Job brings again the question that has been asked over and over, "Why does bad things happen to good people?"
In the Gospel of John, Jesus answers this question when His disciples asked Him about a man born blind, “Rabbi, why was this man born blind? Was it because of his own sins or his parents’ sins?” “It was NOT because of his sins or his parents’ sins,” Jesus answered. “This happened so the power of God could be seen in him. (John 9:2,3)
Job and the man born blind are two examples of those who have been afflicted seemingly without cause. However, in their afflictions and in ours we must stand on the Word of God, trusting Him and when we're faced with all of the trials and tribulations thrown on us, we must strive to remain blameless and upright. It is the Devils effort to tear away our integrity with his onslaught of loss, pain and sickness so that he may draw us into sin.
Yes, sometimes good men and women are afflicted, but in Christ Jesus they are never defeated! Hallelujah!
God basically says to Satan concerning Job, "Try as you might devil, your efforts will come to no effect and will accomplish no purpose, for you are not able to take away his integrity, in spite of your malicious evil intent...he STILL HOLDS FAST HIS INTEGRITY!"
Today, may we have the integrity to stand against the work of Satan in our lives and in the lives of others.
Today, may we find praise in knowing that no matter what Satan has planned for the people of God, that God has already placed limitations on the Devils activities concerning God's people. Know if God did not chain up the roaring lion, that we would soon be devoured by him. Being that you're reading this message, know that the devil has been losing his battle for your integrity, that you have not been devoured by the roaring lion and that in Christ Jesus, YOU CAN STILL HOLD FAST YOUR INTEGRITY!
Then the Lord asked Satan, “Have you noticed my servant Job? He is the finest man in all the earth. He is blameless—a man of complete integrity. He fears God and stays away from evil. And he has maintained his integrity, even though you urged me to harm him without cause.” (Job 2:3 NLT)
On this past Father's Day weekend, I would like to point out how Job cared about his children's spiritual welfare. He cared so deeply that he offered individual sacrifices on their behalf in case they doubted, ignored, or dishonored God.
In case we think it's tough to get up early and pray blessing on our kids before they start their day, it would do us well to consider what Job did every day. He had to offer a bull as a burnt offering - kill it, skin it, and sacrifice it - for each one of his sons.
Boston University conducted a study in which fathers were told to estimate how much "meaningful" time they spent with their children on a daily basis. The average father said he spent between 45 and 50 minutes a day in "meaningful" time with his kids either individually or collectively. But video cameras and microphones revealed that the actual time the average father spent in "meaningful" interaction with each of his kids on any given day was 38 seconds!
We might think we're good dads. But perhaps we can do better by following the example of Job - sacrificing our morning cup of coffee or internet surfing if necessary, getting up a great while before morning if that's what it takes to say, "Lord, bless Keith Jr.; Keep Your hand on Kyle and; Anoint Kaelyn; and Embrace my wife Kimberly"
“There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was blameless and upright, and one who feared God and shunned evil.
And his sons would go and feast in their houses, each on his appointed day, and would send and invite their three sisters to eat and drink with them. So it was, when the days of feasting had run their course, that Job would send and sanctify them, and he would rise early in the morning and offer burnt offerings according to the number of them all. For Job said, “It may be that my sons have sinned and cursed God in their hearts.” Thus Job did regularly.” (Job 1:1, 4-5 NKJV)
Enough is Enough! Today kick the enemy our of your life, family, home, job and your destiny! Do it now, in the name of Jesus. Amen.
“Get behind Me, Satan! You are an offense to Me, for you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men.” (Matthew 16:23 NKJV)
We are way to focused on EVERYTHING that we see going on around us. So much so that we won't take our mind off of certain things. In other words, we worry...excessively!
Family, "We're Doing it Wrong"! Many of us are walking by sight and not by faith. God's Word clearly says that those who belong to God has to turn this thing around..."For we walk by faith, not by sight." (II Corinthians 5:7 NKJV)
Yes that's right, each and every one of our prayers are heard from God. However, God says there are prayers that are heard but with a strong dislike: "If anyone turns a deaf ear to my instruction, even their prayers are detestable." (Proverbs 28:9 NIV)
I praise God that because of Jesus Saving me and for Jesus being my advocate in Heaven, that my prayers are a sweet aroma unto the Lord, pleasing and welcomed.
We must acknowledge the one and only reason that we are able to praise God: The Cross. Because of what Jesus did we can praise God, be heard of God.... We are freed from sins and will dwell with the Lord forever. Therefore, we praise His name.
"Come and listen, all you who fear God, and I will tell you what He did for me. For I cried out to Him for help, praising Him as I spoke. If I had not confessed the sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened. But God did listen! He paid attention to my prayer. Praise God, who did not ignore my prayer or withdraw His unfailing love from me." (Psalms 66:16-20 NLT)
Dear Lord, many prayer requests spanning pending births, illness, disease, job opportunities and the care of our elderly parents. You know our situations before we speak them. I pray against the noise of this world and will stand on Your Word that You have given me on this day:
“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” (Romans 12:12 NIV)
Now, be with me, be in me and guide me all the day long. Amen.
In order to tap into the Greater Good, we must know what the Greater Good is. I don't have a text book definition, but I do have the Spirit's revelation as to what the Greater Good means to me. As I understand it and believe in it; I'm convinced that the Holy Spirit, whom Jesus promised to those who believe in Him, lives in me.
Therefore, to describe the Greater Good is to describe Him that is already in you. So, to tap into the Greater Good is to yield to the calling and guidance of the Holy Spirit. The Greater Good for me means that I am to have, and I am to share: Gratitude, Compassion, Forgiveness, Mindfulness, Purpose and Love.
To be true to our Calling, we should resemble The One who Called us. If we are truly following the unction of The Spirit, we would engage others differently than the world engages them. To truly appreciate God's love for His creation, we must be willing to see beyond race, ethnicity and socioeconomic statuses loving all of God's people and yes, showing love also to those who are our enemies. To truly operate in the Greater Good, we must first embrace The Great One who is always with us!
Paul says it like this: "If you’ve gotten anything at all out of following Christ, if His love has made any difference in your life, if being in a community of the Spirit means anything to you, if you have a heart, if you care — then do me a favor: Agree with each other, love each other, be deep-spirited friends. Don’t push your way to the front; don’t sweet-talk your way to the top. Put yourself aside, and help others get ahead. Don’t be obsessed with getting your own advantage. Forget yourselves long enough to lend a helping hand." (Philippians 2:1-4 MSG)
Good morning Y'all. I'm all set for a fantastic day! How about you? What are you speaking over your day? It will be how you make it! 🙏😎🙏😎
“Put your sword back in its place,”
Jesus said to him, “for all who draw the sword will die by the sword. (Matthew 26:52 NIV)
We have our weakest moments when we boldly feel our strongest! Personal pride is dangerous and something we should be prayerful about. Self pride makes us weak. Self pride neglects the wellbeing of others. Self pride in and of itself is selfishness and Self pride can cause us to neglect our prayer life!
Jesus is always cleaning up the messes we make with our self pride. Overreacting, fast reacting, putting ourselves ahead of Jesus!
Today, "Put your sword back in its place" - "Stop trippin', Chill out, Relax, Let go and Let God"!!!
God is in full control and He knows what's best for each and everyone of us! Amen?
Amen!
Look no further than your "Entertainment Center" in your home. Big screen high definition televisions. Wireless/Bluetooth streaming music and videos and of course the boom of Smartphones and their millions of applications. There are so many "Go To" sources available to us on how we should or can live our lives. There are so many influences that we are having to discern every day. How easily is our one source/sure source of Truth, The Holy Scripture, The Bible drowned out.
Have we has lost the ability to think and reason effectively? Have we truly lost sight of the way to peace and happiness. Both our past and present history, and lifestyles indicate a record of struggle in the battle of good vs evil; right decisions vs wrong decisios; healthy relationships vs perverted; and sobriety vs intoxication.
What is the deception of the ages? And how does it affect our present day? Well, I'll just say this, the deceptions are many and have morphed with the times and have trapped, fooled and confused many. However, the Deceiver is the same, Lucifer aka Satan.
The result is that we now live in a world where we face a clash of values having to do with the questions of what is sin and who is in charge of this earth.
Until we all come to terms with God’s Word which is God’s Law, we will continue to struggle in the battle of the ages with Satan’s deception that we can decide for ourselves what is good and what is evil. We need to understand that we can and do "justify" many things as "alright", yet we have not consulted God in prayer or God's Word concerning the same.
God's Word speaks to the confusion that this deception has and is causing not only in the world, but also the confusion that is rampant in the church in regards to my own United Methodist Church woes in this current day.
Isaiah 5:20 says, “Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; Who put darkness for light, and light for darkness; Who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!"
Deception will continue until The Truth returns. Truth shall surely have the ultimate and final victory, but we can have victory today! Get God's Word. Study God's Word. Pray God's Word. Believe God's Word.
Doing so will reveal God's Truth for our lives. I pray that we are no longer deceived and that God will expose the Deceiver so that you may deny Satan and be free!
