There are No Lawyers for Jesus, Only Witnesses!

Tuesday's Truth: There are no Lawyers for Jesus, only Witnesses!

A lot of people would like...well would demand, our defense and proof of why we are followers and believers of Jesus Christ and why we share The Gospel or The Good News so passionately.

Know that the only defense/proof (evidence) that you are to offer would be that of your own testimony! No other evidence is required, as your witness to what God has already done in your life will be more than enough evidence.

"Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels." (2 Timothy 2:23)

Truth is...who can dispute what God has done for me? NOBODY. Who can have in Christ what I have and more? ANYBODY!

Unsolved Puzzle - Portrait of Life Without Jesus

Monday's Meditation: There's Nothing More Frustrating than an UNSOLVED PUZZLE!

Life without Jesus is like trying to put together a 500 piece puzzled with the wrong picture on the puzzle box. The picture (life) will never come out as it was meant to.

In The Gospel of John, Jesus makes this startling statement to those listening to Him, "...Apart from me you can do nothing." (John 15:5)

Today, I would ask that we look at our lives and examine the same...is the life that we are living looking like the picture on the box (The Bible)?

Don't Depart...IMPART!

Finishing Strong Friday: It's time to Quit "Departing" from those who are in our lives and to start "Imparting" Hope, Love and Forgiveness! Now that you are Saved, it is time to reach those in our life that are not.

We do this with the understanding of the strong hold that this world has on God's people...worldly situations; worldly desires; greed; lust; and pride keep folks bound, never coming to the realization of what freedom actually feels like or looks like. Oh yeah, we know how to reach others because we are all to familiar with each and every one of these vices as we were also caught up in the same when we were in the world!

Less you forget...think back, it wasn't so long ago that you were not where you are today. Now, reach back and help someone else know what freedom feels like and looks like.

If "Each one can Reach one", then we will Finish Strong!

"It wasn’t so long ago that we ourselves were stupid and stubborn, dupes of sin, ordered every which way by our glands, going around with a chip on our shoulder, hated and hating back. But when God, our kind and loving Savior God, stepped in, He saved us from all that. It was all His doing; we had nothing to do with it. He gave us a good bath, and we came out of it new people, washed inside and out by the Holy Spirit. Our Savior Jesus poured out new life so generously. God’s gift has restored our relationship with Him and given us back our lives. And there’s more life to come—an eternity of life! You can count on this." (Titus 3:3-8 The Message)

THANKFUL that Family Love is AUTHENTIC LOVE

I'm away visiting with my family. More family is arriving today. I haven't seen most of them in nearly 35 years, yet the love and laughter is bursting to overflow.

Indeed, Authentic Love has no limits and can never be diluted, eroded by time, weakened by distance or become lessened by choice of lifestyle.

My family is representative of any other family. Some are Christians and some drink and smoke. Some are married with children and some are divorced with children. Some have children with College Degrees and some have children in Prison. Through it all, my family is strong and has and continues to sustain love for one another in a mighty and magnificent way!

I'm thankful to be "IN" the family that I'm in. Each loved member of this family has left an indelible mark on another.

This morning I woke up praising God for kisses, smiles, hugs (many from one of my cousins last night, who last time I saw her was in diapers) and for His grace and mercy; love and compassion; forgiveness and restoration.

Love on YOUR family today, CELEBRATE them and BE THANKFUL for them while you still have them. Amen.

It's Not the Destination, it's the Journey.

The Lord says, "I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you." (Genesis 28:15)

Wherever you and I find ourselves this week, know that God is watching you and keeping you in each and every endeavor. Once you and I have done what we are required to do, He will safely bring you back...and not just back to the same old routine, but with new insight, new energy and a new strategy!

Keep your eyes open and keep a willing spirit to recognize and then participate in what God has in store for you on the Next Level!

"Let Go and Let God" or "Hold out and be Counted Out"?

The choice is yours and the choice is easy!

God sees all and knows all. God knew that we would mess up, that we would do wrong and that we would stray away from righteousness. However, He simply says that even though we are faithless, that He is FAITHFUL and that if we would only confess our sins, that He will forgive us AND purify us of our unrighteousness.

Let's get this...if we would just open up to Him in confession, two things will He do for us:

1) He will and already has forgiven us. We already have a "Get out of Jail free card", Biblically, Jesus has taken the keys to the Gates of Hell from the enemy and He has given us the Keys to the Kingdom! That's Forgiveness when you've been GIVEN THE KEYS!

2) He will purify us from all unrighteousness. This means that all that "Stuff" that we found our self mixed up in, all that "Stuff" that we have been involved with/in relationship with will be washed away...not only washed but cleansed by The Blood of Christ which will make us whiter than snow.

Yes it is true that He ALREADY knows our sin; and Yes, it is also true that He STILL will forgive and purify you...if you will simply confess.

"If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." (1 John 1:8-9 NIV)

Confession: I will not hold out and be counted out any longer. TODAY I'M GOING TO LET GO AND LET GOD!

Prayer: Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me away from Your presence, And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, And uphold me by Your  generous Spirit. (Psalm 51:10-12)

In the name of Jesus, Amen.

Willingness to SPEND and to be SPENT!

Are YOU Willing To DO IT AGAIN Today?

Love requires those who show love to go the distance each and every occasion an opportunity to love presents itself.

As servants of Jesus Christ, we can't afford to take shortcuts, we can't afford to  give the Gospel of Christ in an abbreviated way or to assume that since someone has sat in church for years that they are more versed than someone who hasn't. Being in ministry requires 100% of YOU to give 100% of Him!

To be in ministry requires your total self, total commitment, total belief, total prayer life, total seeking of God's Word, total trust, total boldness, total availability and like the Apostle Paul...being in ministry requires your willingness to be "Spent" on behalf of those God brings to you or to whom He sends you to!

When you "Spend" yourself and afterwards find yourself "Spent" in the ministering of ALL that God has equipped you with... You MUST be willing and ready to DO IT AGAIN!!

Today is a new day with new opportunities... Are you ready to DO IT AGAIN? I am.

"I will very gladly spend and be spent for you." (2 Corinthians 12:15a KJV)