Audrina week! Pastor Marvin Winans has a song titled "Draw me Close to You/Thy Will be Done", that is speaking to me concerning my special girl. In this song the refrain is, "I've Seen You Work in Others and I Want You to Work in Me". This song has become an anthem to me in regards to Audrina and this morning it is my prayer: Lord, I've Seen You Work in Others and I Want You to Work in Audrina. IJN, Amen. #TeamAudrina
There are so many issues in our lives that we each are going through and dealing with. Brothers and sisters are dying because of senseless violence and our young folks are addicted to and dying from drugs. The cost of living has skyrocketed while wage increases have not kept pace.
In these last days and during these difficult times, family unity is so very important and necessary. It's a family that is united and strong that can support one another when issues come. It is family that comes to the rescue when troubles rise up against you. It's family that truly has your back!
Get over the pettiness that separates you...forgive. Get over your own stubbornness and need to be right all of the time and forgive. Get over yourself and learn to say sorry and end the separation of family.
Forgive and GET OVER IT!
"Take heed to yourselves. If your brother sins against you, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him. And if he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times in a day returns to you, saying, ‘I repent,’ you shall forgive him.” (Luke 17:3-4 NKJV)
Know this:
• You're Called when the weather is perfect and you're Called when the storms are raging
• You're Called when there's harmony in the church and in your home, and you're Called when all Hell is breaking loose
• You're Called when you feel like preaching and you're Called when you don't feel like preaching
• You're Called when you have plenty and you're Called when there's a deficit
You're Calling doesn't go on break when you get tired or in a bad mood; when you catch a cold or go on vacation. No, YOU ARE CALLED and YOU ARE HELD ACCOUNTABLE!
Paul says it like this:
"For if I preach the gospel, I have nothing to boast of, for necessity is laid upon me; yes, woe is me if I do not preach the gospel! For if I do this willingly, I have a reward; but if against my will, I have been entrusted with a stewardship."
(I Corinthians 9:16-17 NKJV)
In other words, If we preach willingly, we are rewarded. If we preach unwillingly, we are STILL ACCOUNTABLE!
I'm preparing to preach this weekend. Self motivation this morning. 😃
What does this mean? A Little While? It means that Jesus GOT IT! This means that in Him trouble won't last always. This means that we shall never face anything alone. This means because He sits at the right hand of The Father as our Advocate and since He has promised to send The Holy Spirit, that we shall have peace, joy and love...in a little while.
There may be someone who has given up on hope. I just need to tell you to hang on for another minute longer, because in "A Little While", your grief will turn to joy, if you give it Jesus!
Jesus says, "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I HAVE OVERCOME THE WORLD. (John 16:33)
Concerning spiritual gifts. I hear often of folks talking about which gift one may have. I've witnessed lately the sharing of one of many spiritual gift assessment forms. I have even been asked which signs have I seen or have been given to prove the manifestation of a particular gift such as Healing or Prophecy.
I truly believe that God will and does show His love through us as needs present themselves day by day. I personally don't claim to have any particular gift, but I do have "THE GIFT".
Remember, Christians don't follow signs; signs follow Christians! Remember that Jesus, THE GIFT of God lives in us, and in Him are ALL good gifts!
Me, well I'm simply one who gets to carry and present THE GIFT. You? Well, it is up to you to open and then to receive THE GIFT.
That which we allow ourselves to consume the most is usually the same that consumes our mind and thoughts. Staying in God’s Word, reading, meditating and the study of God's Word saturates our mind and thoughts with the "knowledge of God". That knowledge and the thoughts that accompany this knowledge is that every believer is a new creation, and being so, his/her thoughts are to be loving, caring, truthful, encouraging, healthy and good! All other thoughts come from the enemy and are contrary to who you are and to whose you are, and these thoughts MUST be resisted.
As Saved brothers and sisters in Christ Jesus, we MUST continually resist wrongful thinking, harmful jealousies and unhealthy opinions from entering our thoughts. The ramifications are that if we don't change our thoughts, we can and will return to many of our old ways. Sadly, there are some who have new hearts, but old heads.
The Bible tells us what we are to do. The Word of God instructs us that when evil, unhealthy and ungodly thoughts creep in, that we are to completely resist by:
"Casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ" (2 Corinthians 10:5 NKJV)
BE ON GUARD - Keep Your Mind On Christ and He will give you perfect peace...Peace in your home, in your family and in your relationships. Do away with contrary thoughts.
Now, I'll ask again, "What's on YOUR Mind?" Prayerfully, The Love of Christ. Operate in Grace today!
I have IDENTITY with DIVINITY!
"The Lord knoweth them that are His." (2 Timothy 2:19 KJV)
