Consistency and Endurance!

One of the greatest needs of the ministry is consistency and endurance. The Call of God to Christians is to be consistent and enduring!

1. In physical sufferings

2. In mental stress

3. In moments of overwork

4. In sleepiness

5. In hunger

6. In spiritual growth & behavior

7. In disregarding others reactions

8. In social abuse and persecution

9. In being content...ALWAYS

“But in all things we commend ourselves as ministers of God: in much patience, in tribulations, in needs, in distresses, in stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labors, in sleeplessness, in fastings; by purity, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Spirit, by sincere love, by the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armor of righteousness on the right hand and on the left, by honor and dishonor, by evil report and good report; as deceivers, and yet true; as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold we live; as chastened, and yet not killed; as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.” (II Corinthians 6:4-10 NKJV)

The Thorn “Experience” is Necessary

The Apostle Paul had experienced the spiritual power of Christ. God had given Paul deep and intimate spiritual experiences. There was the danger that he might begin to think too highly of himself; therefore, God gave Paul a “thorn in the flesh”. 

Like the Apostle Paul, we too suffer from a number of things: illness, infirmities, ridicule, naysayers; we suffer financially and emotionally. We pray asking for our sufferings to be removed or to come to an end.  However, illnesses still come. Our Bills still stack up. Naysayers seem to grow in number and oftentimes we become emotionally drained.  But know that these experiences are necessary!

God uses adversity to guard against our becoming “puffed” up because of our accomplishments. He uses our weaknesses to reveal the power of Christ in our lives and these experiences teach us to live for Christ and not for ourselves!

“But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.” (2 Corinthians 12:9 NIV)

Wow, "MY" God

  • Covers me
  • Protects me
  • Loves me...even in spite of my flawed behavior, thoughts and actions! The same applies to you!!!

"God , investigate my life; get all the facts firsthand. I’m an open book to you; even from a distance, you know what I’m thinking. You know when I leave and when I get back; I’m never out of your sight. You know everything I’m going to say before I start the first sentence. I look behind me and you’re there, then up ahead and you’re there, too— your reassuring presence, coming and going. This is too much, too wonderful— I can’t take it all in!" (Psalms 139:1‭-‬6 NLT)

Leadership Tip

Being "Individually Great" isn't what matters.  Being a part of a team, where your individual talent enhances, teaches and creates growth of your team, for the overall success of the team IS WHAT IT'S ’s ALL ABOUT! #makeithappen #leadership #teamwork

The Importance of Having Thankfulness and Faith

Before you start your day find just one thing to be thankful for and another thing that you are willing to apply your faith towards. Dissatisfaction is an ever-present reality, and impatience (faithlessness) follows very closely behind dissatisfaction. Without Thankfulness and Faith, all sorts of things can and will creep in and all restraint is gone!

Know before you go that God sees all, knows all and has blessed you and is blessing you. Be thankful and keep the faith. God never fails! We don’t need to take things in our own hands; trust and be patient. #makeithappen

💯 TREAT!

Today is Halloween and the phrase that goes with this day is "Trick or Treat". Well, I'm posting to encourage someone that today is 💯 TREAT when we are IN CHRIST!!! Life or the prospects of problems is not "Tricky" or scary when you know in advance, that in the end we win!

God's servants can be content in all circumstances no matter how severe they are "through Christ", but we CANNOT be content in any circumstance "apart from Christ."

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

There is a Time to Confront and a Time to Comfort

"And you shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free" - There is a time to Confront and a time to Comfort

We must be reminded that there comes a time that we are to forgive the person who has done wrong. It is right to punish wrongdoing but was is worse than anything is punishment without the chance to be forgiven. If we continue to isolate, chastise and label folk for their wrongdoings, then we isolate them and they never have a chance of acceptance.  What happens when we reject those among us? Well, Satan wins! He will consume our brothers and our sisters. He (Satan) wants us to reject each other, this is his biggest recruiting tactic.

What we need more of is restoration, forgiveness, compassion, prayer and acceptance for those who truly have repented of their wrongdoing. We're good at punishing and locking up and doing away with our enemies, but be reminded that the Bible calls for Christians to forgive.

The truth is that Christ has forgiven you.  Is it too much to ask that you forgive another? #makeithappen

“Now, regarding the one who started all this—the person in question who caused all this pain—I want you to know that I am not the one injured in this as much as, with a few exceptions, all of you. So I don’t want to come down too hard. What the majority of you agreed to as punishment is punishment enough. Now is the time to forgive this man and help him back on his feet. If all you do is pour on the guilt, you could very well drown him in it. My counsel now is to pour on the love.” (2 Corinthians‬ ‭2:5-8‬ ‭MSG‬‬)

I'm God's Handiwork!

If God had to wait for me to be righteous of my own accord I'd be useless to Him...but even in my deepest filth He uses me to bear witness to His perfectness. Yet, there remain those who believe it ain't so.  To God be the glory on earth as it is in heaven!  Be careful how you judge the work of God in the lives of others...

“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” (Ephesians 2:10 NIV)

I See You God!

God has ALWAYS had my back, even when I wasn’t aware that I needed His protection; His provision; and His love. I’ve seen Him deliver me before and I’m guaranteed that He’ll do it each and every time I’m in need! Early this morning, my spirit is singing praises for “Who He Is” to me!

“But I will sing of Your power; Yes, I will sing aloud of Your mercy in the morning; For You have been my defense And refuge in the day of my trouble.” (Psalms‬ ‭59:16‬ ‭NKJV‬‬)

I Am "BECOMING"

I am willing to BECOME who God needs, it’s just that simple. Paul was willing to become ALL THINGS to ALL men, so that he may by ALL MEANS save some! The Call of God remains the same today.  #makeithappen

“For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a slave to all, so that I may win more. To the Jews I became as a Jew, so that I might win Jews; to those who are under the Law, as under the Law though not being myself under the Law, so that I might win those who are under the Law; to those who are without law, as without law, though not being without the law of God but under the law of Christ, so that I might win those who are without law. To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak; I have become all things to all men, so that I may by all means save some. I do all things for the sake of the gospel, so that I may become a fellow partaker of it.” (1 Corinthians‬ ‭9:19-23‬ ‭NASB‬‬)

Our Investment in Time

One of the best investments of our time? Prayer! Spending just a few minutes in prayer everyday will prevent us from having hours of trying to unravel problems that we've encountered because we skipped out on prayer.

Invest your time wisely today, 10 to 15 minutes will keep us from climbing out of all of the pitfalls we find ourselves in when we don't pray before we do or say anything! #makeithappen

THIS

THIS thing,
THIS problem,
THIS disease,
THIS setback,
THIS loneliness,
THIS disorder, and
THIS trial is temporary because GREAT is our REWARD in Heaven! #makeithappen

Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you. (Matthew 5:12 NKJV)

Fools Delight in Their Own Opinions

Proverbs 18:2 - Fools find no pleasure in understanding but delight in airing their own opinions.

Lord, teach us how to better understand others and not be so overwhelming and forceful in having others only see, hear and accept our own opinions.  Lord teach us what it means to disagree with grace and how to walk away intact and not broken. Heal us from the need to always be right. I pray that we all have an experience today with the Almighy God and that we can have conversations that edify one another and not tear down each other.  Lord, let us not be fools, but let us hear each other out, understanding that each of us is an image bearing entity created by You, for Your glory in Your image and likeness. In the name of Jesus, Amen. #makeithappen

Keeping it Simple

It is my prayer that I share the Gospel in such a way that those who read my posts can understand fully what I’m saying or better yet, what God is saying through me. It is not my intention to use big words or to challenge our understanding with things hidden and not clearly made plain. The Gospel is for all of us to receive, for all of us to understand and for all of us to believe. As Paul’s writings indicate, I too must keep it simple. I hope that I have and that you find the simplicity of my posts a blessing unto you and to whomever you may share them with. Be blessed today!

“And when I came to you, brothers and sisters, proclaiming to you the testimony of God [concerning salvation through Christ], I did not come with superiority of speech or of wisdom [no lofty words of eloquence or of philosophy as a Greek orator might do]; for I made the decision to know nothing [that is, to forego philosophical or theological discussions regarding inconsequential things and opinions while] among you except Jesus Christ, and Him crucified [and the meaning of His redemptive, substitutionary death and His resurrection]. I came to you in [a state of] weakness and fear and great trembling. And my message and my preaching were not in persuasive words of wisdom [using clever rhetoric], but [they were delivered] in demonstration of the [Holy] Spirit [operating through me] and of [His] power [stirring the minds of the listeners and persuading them], so that your faith would not rest on the wisdom and rhetoric of men, but on the power of God.” (1 CORINTHIANS‬ ‭2:1-5‬ ‭AMP‬‬)

My Random Thought

What I say and what I do normally does not align with what's in my heart. I'm sitting in traffic thinking, "if I can get all three of those in sync, man that would that be awesome!"

Wednesday's Word

Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I  do,  forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Therefore let us, as many as are mature, have this mind; and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal even this to you. (Philippians 3:13‭-‬15 NKJV)

Faith is trusting God in advance for what you will see in reverse.

Today, as I look back over my life I see what God brought me from and through:

• those things I walked away from was beneficial for me, although at the time it seemed so important...it really wasn't

• leaving behind  relationships that I didn't need have freed me to have a true relationship with Him

• I left hangups, attitudes and self-defeating bad influences that held me back from becoming the man I was meant to be

• and I left behind the need to be accepted by others, realizing that there is neither Heaven nor Hell that man can assign to me, I only need to be accepted and to please God!

Trust God in each of your tomorrows and don't be hindered by the mistakes of yesterday! #makeithappen

Assertive and Aggressive

There's a difference between being Assertive and Aggressive.

   •Assertive people state their opinions, while still being respectful of others. 

   •Aggressive people attack or ignore others' opinions in favor of their own.

This one right here knows the difference! Pastor Beverly, my man ("Did I say that right?") 😇

Thankful Thursday: Oh, Oh and Oh!!!

Have you ever noticed that when things just get sooooo good that you don't have words to describe it? You get to where you can only say "Oh". Sometimes you just string it, "Oh, Oh, Oh" and at other times you just let it trail off, "Oohhhhh . Well, when you sit down and begin to think just how good God has been to you, all that you can say is, "Oh"!

"Oh", Lord you didn't have to bring me through, bring me back from, bring me out of, bring me into... (You fill in the blank. He's brought all of us from something and to something better). When you think back on His Hand on your life, just say "Oh"!

• "Oh", thank you Jesus for saving me
• "Oh", thank you Jesus for loving me
• "Oh", thank you Jesus for my life, my family, my home, my job, my health, my wealth, my hope, my joy, my peace..."OH, OH, OOOHHHHH"!

"Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good; Blessed is the man who trusts in Him!" (Psalms 34:8 NKJV)

Self-centeredness

Self-centered Desires and Covetousness

Self-centeredness and Covetousness, left unchecked, can cause great destruction. Likewise, with unchecked sinfulness in our lives the results are the same. We must work diligently to extract these from our lives by the blood of Jesus and the power of the Holy Spirit. If we dont, they will destroy us.

You see, some would say, "Well, just stop stealing, or cheating or killing or drugging or drinking and everything will be alright." It's not that simple. Those things just listed are not the real problems; they are simply the symptoms of the problem. The real trouble is not in our hands, the real trouble is in our hearts.

We enter into arguments and refuse to settle them because of our own evil desires that battle within us. We have affairs and take someone else's spouse because of our own evil desires that battle within us. We cheat on our taxes; We steal from out workplace; We enter into gossip and character assassination against one another because of our own evil desires that battle within us. We enter into physical fights because of our own evil desires that battle within us. We drink and party to the point of destroying our credibility and health because of our own evil desires that battle within us. While we try to blame the marriage, the alcohol, the drug, the boss, the system, the bully, or the parents who raised us...the truth is much simpler...IT'S OUR OWN EVIL DESIRES THAT BATTLE WITHIN US!

So, what must change are the desires that exist within us. We cannot change our hearts by changing our actions. We must change our actions by changing our hearts. When our "want to" changes, our "will do" follows. Simply put, people will do what they want to do. So, if you want to change what you do, you must do the work of changing what you want to do.

Think about it. The alternative is that we destroy our lives and perhaps the lives of others around us because of our own evil desires that battle within us.

"What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you? You desire but do not have, so you kill. You covet but you cannot get what you want, so you quarrel and fight. You do not have because you do not ask God." (James 4:1-2 NIV)

YOU are WILDLY LOVED by God!

Lord I pray for those today that are anxious. We are worried about many things. We worry about the people in our lives, we worry about circumstances that we are going through. We are worried about having more month than money, we worry about things that are out of our control and we worry about the things that we do have in our control. 

Today just know that you are WILDLY LOVED by God and He is concerned about you. Find your peace and your rest in knowing this truth today. God says, "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:6‭-‬7 NKJV) #makeithappen

I’m Better Than I Look - Time to Reassess...Be Encouraged!

Why do we need to assign blame on those who are not as fortunate as others? Truth is:

1. The poor are not those who don’t have resources, but truly are those who don’t know Jesus.

2. The sick and dying are not those who have been diagnosed with a terminal illness, but are those who face this life without Christ.

3. The sorrowful are not those who lost worldly possessions, but truly those who had put all of their faith, hope and identity in those things which are temporary and not on the things that are eternal.

We are quick to judge and assign blame on things that we don’t understand or we assign blame because our own prejudices. We assess what we see with our natural eyes and cultural inclinations and we fail to see with our spiritual senses.

I’m thankful that God doesn’t look on the outside, but He looks at the heart of man. Before we pass judgement on one another, ask God to open your spiritual eyes so that we may see us how He sees us. How does He see us? He sees us as His Beloved Children. He looks at us: our infirmities, our failures, our missteps, our sins, our selfishness and on and on and on...yet He still calls us His and He stills heals and restores those who receive Him as Lord and Savior.

Better put: I’m better than I look!

“Now as Jesus passed by, He saw a man who was blind from birth. And His disciples asked Him, saying, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” Jesus answered, “Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but that the works of God should be revealed in him.” (John‬ ‭9:1-3‬ ‭NKJV‬‬)

Thankful Thursday

He who knows you the best, Loves you the most!

“O LORD, You have searched me and known me. You know my sitting down and my rising up; You understand my thought afar off. You comprehend my path and my lying down, And are acquainted with all my ways. For there is not a word on my tongue, But behold, O LORD, You know it altogether. You have hedged me behind and before, And laid Your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; It is high, I cannot attain it. Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence? If I ascend into heaven, You are there; If I make my bed in hell, behold, You are there. If I take the wings of the morning, And dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, Even there Your hand shall lead me, And Your right hand shall hold me. If I say, “Surely the darkness shall fall on me,” Even the night shall be light about me; Indeed, the darkness shall not hide from You, But the night shines as the day; The darkness and the light are both alike to You. For You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother’s womb. I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works, And that my soul knows very well. My frame was not hidden from You, When I was made in secret, And skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed. And in Your book they all were written, The days fashioned for me, When as yet there were none of them. How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God! How great is the sum of them! If I should count them, they would be more in number than the sand; When I awake, I am still with You.” (Psalms‬ ‭139:1-18‬ ‭NKJV‬‬)

YOUR TURN

The world taunts us with an opportunity of a lifetime. The problem with that is an opportunity of a lifetime only lasts a lifetime. Jesus gives us an opportunity for ETERNITY!

I'll go first: I choose Jesus. Alright, your turn... #makeithappen

Promotion Will Come!

Just because you haven't achieved your life's goal yet doesn't mean that you never will. You're just still in training and you are being prepared for what God has next for you!

No man, nor lack of degree, no discrimination, no gossip, back-biting or accusations can stand in the way or prevent from coming into reality what God has for YOU! And when the time comes for your elevation, promotion and rise to the top you can be assured that "The blessing of the LORD, it maketh rich, and He addeth no sorrow with it. (Proverbs 10:22 KJV)"

Be blessed in your blessings and always BE A BLESSING to someone else. Our promotion in life is NOT about self, but truly it is so you can help another! #makeithappen

"Find no Fault" Friday!

It’s very difficult to be around people who are always trying to find FAULT with you! Don’t you be that person. Cause them to find FAULT in the way that they are always trying to find FAULT in others. #makeithappen

“Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.” (Matthew‬ ‭7:3-5‬ ‭NIV‬‬)

Out of Service - Runway Under Repair

The devil is like an airplane, he circles around until he finds a place to land. He can’t land just anywhere, he needs a landing strip. By the way that we are living our lives, are we allowing favorable conditions for a landing? Are we sending signals to indicate safe landing here? Are we lighting the runway so that we are clearly seen as available for approach? It’s time to close the Tower, shut off the lights and close the runway and airport. Flight 666, there will be no landing here! This Runway is under repair!

Finishing Strong Friday: “Does Today’s Menu Offer What YOU DESIRE?”

Earlier this week I posted a picture of a meal that I thoroughly enjoyed while out with my brother, Ken. We went out to a local Fish Market and upon arriving began to look at the extensive Menu of items that were available.  I have to tell you that everything looked good but I had an expectation or a DESIRE of having a certain dish even before arriving. However, after searching the Menu, I quickly discovered that what I DESIRED wasn’t offered…at least it wasn’t on the printed Menu.  When the server came to the table to take our Order I could’ve settled for what was being offered, BUT I really DESIRED the Catfish! So I asked “I noticed that there is no Menu selection for Catfish and I kind of had my heart set on Catfish”, she responded “We have it, it just isn't on the Menu.” Wow, a big smile and a hearty…”I’LL HAVE THE CATFISH” followed.  You see, TODAY the world has provided you a “Menu” of items to choose from…decisions to be made and perhaps the choices that are in front of you may not be what you have set in your heart or what you DESIRE for yourself or for someone else (Healing, Peace of Mind, Restored Relationships, Family Unity or Comfort in the face of Difficult Situations).  However, the Word of God says “Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye DESIRE, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them. For your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. (Mark 11:24; Matt 6:32-34 KJV)

Finish strong and don’t settle for wrong, you have more options than you can see in front of you on TODAY. Have a great weekend!

Move Your Feet and Walk Into What God Has Prepared for You Today!

Put one foot in front of the other and step out on Faith knowing God's got you. He's guiding your footsteps and He's ALREADY removed every hindrance, every barrier and each obstacle. Everywhere you place your foot is Holy Ground. His Word is a lamp unto our feet and a light for our path. He makes the crooked straight. How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news! Get to Steppin!! #makeithappen

Monday Motivation - Start Your Workweek with Praise!

We typically dread the beginning of the Workweek and it is extremely difficult for us to get motivated, to think positively or to get excited about getting up and to get going. However, when we consider the gift of God, the favor of God and the blessing of God in our lives (a job to go to, talent, skills, knowledge and abilities), we should SHOUT HALLELUJAH! Even our awakening is a victory and our showing up to do what God has gifted us to do in our workplace is a triumph!

I'm up, I'm moving and I'm motivated - that is a VICTORY.

I'll pray, I'll show up, and I'll contribute to the well-being of my team, superiors and co-workers - that is TRIUMPHANT!

LET'S DO THIS - LET MONDAY MOTIVATE YOU!

Oh, clap your hands, all you peoples! Shout to God with the voice of triumph! (Psalms 47:1 NKJV)

The Word of God IS for The People of God!

It's expected, that what has been inspected, shall be reflected when you trust and believe God's word! #makeithappen

In-depth evaluation is critical to understanding why certain aspects of your life and circumstances are not working according to My will and word, says the Lord.  Be brutally honest with yourself so that you can discern with precision where the problem lies.  Do not be afraid of what you might find.  Then, it will be relatively simple to make the necessary corrections.  

Psalms 91:4 He shall cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you shall take refuge; His truth shall be your shield and buckler.

Tuesday's TRUTH - Talk about Jesus and Help Someone Be Someone!

How are you spending Your time? Who are You talking with and who/what are You talking about? We can find it easy and far too often, pleasing to talk about nonsense.

Gossip will beget Gossip, Slander will beget Slander, Lies will create more Lies and Hurt will yield even more Hurt. BUT when you need The Lord, when you need a blessing, when you need to be lifted, kept, loved and protected...talk about Jesus and He Shall Hear and He Shall deliver!

Today is the appointed time to put away and do away with Dead Things! Get with a Brother or Sister who can and will speak life, hope, faith and trust...those who know Jesus and those who can share Jesus with you! And when you are strengthened, go back and help someone else who needs to know the Saving Grace of our Lord!

"Then those who feared the Lord talked often one to another; and the Lord listened and heard it..." (Malachi 3:16 AMP)

Finishing Strong Friday - The Struggle is Real, BUT SO IS THE COMING VICTORY!

This is a real battle you are in and it's not going to let up. We just finally need to realize that God has given us all that we need to win. We are not a defeated foe of the devil - he is our defeated foe! God would have never placed a call on your life without giving you what you need to win. It's in you - it's in your hands - it's in your heart and it's in your mouth! The devil can't touch you because God loves you more than your mind can fathom, so know that He's with you to uphold you, to change you, to perform what He has ordained for your life! THE BATTLE IS NOT YOURS, BUT GODS!! (2 Chronicles 20:15, 17, 29-23)

Light My Path and Give Me Hope!

I wait for the LORD, my soul waits, and in His Word I hope. (Psalm 130:5)

His Word is a light unto my path...We are NEVER in total darkness, although situations may make the future seem dark, there is light, the light being Jesus Christ!  When there is light in your dark situation, there is hope! As you continue in His Word, the more illuminated your life becomes.

Hold On!

Hold On!

It may look dark right now, but it has been dark before and God has brought us through that darkness and into His Marvelous Light, and I'm trusting and believing that He will do it again!

We must remember that God has never left us nor has He forsaken us - hold on because in just a little while, the sun shall rise again! HALLELUJAH and Amen!

Wednesday's Word

Don't rely on me to do it, as a matter of fact, don't rely on anyone to do it because we are not capable of freeing you from sin or guilt.  Turn everything about you over to God because His WORD says that "The mercy of the  Lord  is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear Him, and His righteousness unto children's children" (Psalms 103:17 KJV)

Think about all of the guilt that we carry and for what? Let it go and give it over to God. He will have mercy on you and He will forgive you of all of your sins, He will remove from you your guilt and not only from you but also from your children and your children's children...break the generational curse that has been such a burden and be free, be released and be rid of the things that has hindered you from knowing the true and limitless love of our Lord and Savior! Be Loosed today and be set free, not only for today but from everlasting to everlasting! Time to get our homes in order and you know what...it starts with you!

Wait!

Wouldn't you rather do anything than wait? If the truth were known, some of us would rather do the wrong thing than wait.

I have found, however, that waiting is the rule rather than the expectation in life. The exception is an open door; when you have one - GO! They don't happen very often! But waiting, when the door is closed doesn't mean you're out of the will of God. You could be right in the center of His will.

The open door is the exception. The burst of green lights happen just a few seconds in life. The rest of the time is filled with a few yellow lights, and mostly red lights that flash. Wait, wait, wait! - (from Three Steps Forward and Two Steps Back by Charles Swindoll)

It's easy to compromise when people are waiting for you to act. Determine that no matter the pressure, no matter the cost, no matter the delay, you will act only when your response honors God. Never compromise your integrity to satisfy others.

I'm Not Just Rock Solid, I'm GOD SOLID!

God's Word says that He created me in His image and likeness. That I have been fearfully and wonderfully made. That I'm to be the head and NOT the tail and that I'm blessed in my laying down and in my getting up! I will NOT be shaken and I will NOT be moved, but I'm going to STAND on the Word of God and it will be only HIS REPORT that I will believe. So, hold up devil, I'm NOT going to entertain your lies, deceit and trickery. I'm walking in the truth of God's Word!

For God ’s Word is solid to the core; everything He makes is sound inside and out. (Psalm 33:4‭ MSG)

God's Ways are NOT Like Our Ways

We ask for grace, only to find forgiveness already offered. (How did you know I would sin?) We ask for food, only to find provision already made. (How did you know I would be hungry?) We ask for guidance, only to find answers in God’s Word. (How did you know what I would ask?)

God dwells in a different realm. “The foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength” (1 Corinthians 1:25). He occupies another dimension. “My thoughts are not like your thoughts. Your ways are not like my ways. Just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts” (Isaiah 55:8-9).

Make special note of the word “like”. God’s thoughts are not our thoughts, nor are they even like ours. We aren’t even in these neighborhood. We’re thinking, Preserve the Body; He’s thinking Save the Soul. We dream of a pay raise, He dreams of raising the dead. We avoid pain and seek peace. God uses pain to bring peace. “I’m going to live before I die,” we resolve. “Die, so you can live,” He instructs. We love what rusts. He loves what endures. We rejoice at our successes. He rejoices at our confessions. We show our children the Nike star with the million-dollar smile and say, “Be like Mike”. God points to the crucified carpenter with bloody lips and a torn side and says, “Be like Christ.”

Our thoughts are not like God’s thoughts. Our ways are not like His ways. He has a different agenda. He dwells in a different dimension. He lives on another plane. And that plane is named in the first phrase of the Lord’s prayer. “Our Father in Heaven” - (from The Great House of God by Max Lucado)

"Things" INAPPROPRIATELY Adored are Idols

You can make an Idol out of anything or anyone in life. A church building can become an Idol to us, when all the while it is simply a place to meet and worship our Lord - nothing more. Your work can easily become your God...as can some pursuit in life. A house, a chair, an antique car, an education, a trip abroad, and even the goal of retirement...

Your lord and savior wants to occupy first place. Matthew 6:33 says that when He has it (1st Place), everything else will be added to you. How long has it been since you've enlisted your Lord's help in a private, personal Temple - cleansing session? It's so easy to get attached to Idols -  good things, INAPPROPRIATELY adored. But when you have Jesus in the center of the room, everything else only junks up the decor!

"You shall not make idols for yourselves" (Leviticus 26:1a NKJV)

GRACE - "I tell you the truth..." It is extended to both YOU and ME!

A condemned criminal was sent to his death by his country. In his final moments, he asked for mercy. Had he asked for mercy from the people, it would have been denied. Had he asked it of the government, it would have been declined. Had he asked it of his victims, they would have turned a deaf ear. But it wasn’t to these he turned for grace. He turned instead to the bloodied form of the One who hung on the cross next to his and pleaded, ”Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” And Jesus answered by saying, “I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.” (Luke 23:43)

We "Should" Be Walking Differently

God will never require from you that which is beyond your reach.

If your Calling is stretching you, then you must know that there's more in you! God knows the gift that He's placed in you and He expects to see the gift manifested and used to bring Him glory! Let us not disappoint...#makeithappen!

"For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them." (Ephesians 2:10 NKJV)

I'm Focused...

I'm Focused on the Righteousness of Jesus Christ and I'm Forgiven because of His Love for Me!

Hey, I have a past in which I didn't make the right choices, when I didn't say the right words and I didn't act as I was expected.

Hey, I'm living presently where I still don't make all of the right choices, I don't always say the right words and I don't live up to expectations every single day.

Hey, I perceive that in all of the tomorrows that I will see that there will be days that I won't choose the right actions. I will have days where I won't choose the right words. Know this, I will not be caught in a lie by telling you that I'll be living in such a way that expectations are fully met.

However, given these realities, I don't live with a guilty conscience because I KNOW that The God that I serve had foreknowledge of my mistakes, mishaps and issues; yet He still died for me so that I can be forgiven. He rose so that His forgiveness can be guaranteed with all power.

I woke up this morning forgiven and not convicted. I woke up this morning believing and trusting in God's Word of reconciliation.

I leave these verses to encourage both you and me to continue to trust, live and move IN Christ Jesus

Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I  do,  forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. (Philippians 3:13‭-‬14; Romans 8:1 NKJV)

It's "Today"!!!

Yesterday you may have said, "I can't wait for this day to be over." Well guess what, it's over and "Today" has arrived. Will your day actually be better just because it's new or would it be made better because of something that you are willing to do differently in order to make it better?

Start your day with prayer: Pray that you forgive yourself and others for yesterday; Pray that you make decisions to help and not hinder; Pray that you apply love and not division; Pray that your smile will facilitate a smile from those with whom you will interact with; and Pray to be a part of the solution and not a part of the problem.

May you have an awesome "Today"! #makeithappen

This New Year - Focus On God

"Money Isn't The Problem"

Money won't fix everything. If you and your family are having problems and it appears to involve the lack of finances,  don't be fooled, the abundance of money won't correct the problem, but coming together in agreement before God, in prayer, and as a family: asking God to heal your marriage; to heal your relationship; and to heal your faith in Him is what is needed! After we turn back to God, watch Him bless our prayers, our family relations and our marriages in such a way that we are no longer focused on money, but our focus will truly be on God and family...afterall, the issue wasn't really the money, but it was our misguided focus on money that caused us to try to be comforted by material things instead of being secure in the love of God and the love of family. Once we refocus our thinking and efforts, God will provide everything that we have need of.

For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.  But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses. (1 Timothy 6:10‭-‬12 NIV)