Don’t look back, God has better ahead!

July 26, 2017
Don’t look back, God has better ahead! 
Genesis 19:26 But his wife looked back from behind him, and she became a pillar of salt.
There is an expression that goes, (don’t judge another until you have walked a mile in their shoes). I could not tell you how many time I have read the story of Lot’s wife and how she was turned into a pillar of salt for looking back. I would always think, why would she look back how foolish was it of her to make that choice. If there is one thing I have learned over this past year and the season I have just come through, is we all have that foolish moment on our walk with Christ, when we have looked back, while God is leading us forward. I believe the written Words in the Bible, don’t truly become real for us, until we actually walk a mile in the character’s shoes. 

Lot’s wife has one key role in God’s Word, to help us understand the importance of following His commands. Though she was not the mother of many nations, or the orphan that was placed in the palace for such a time as this. She was however, placed in a situation where one wrong choice turned her into a pillar of salt. There will be times on our Christian walk that God will lead us out of a season and tell us not to look back. No, we will not turn into a pillar of salt, but we can get stuck in what was behind rather then looking ahead of what is to come. Though Lot’s wife’s name was never mentioned and her role in God’s Word was very small, the monument of salt she left behind was very powerful, it is a reminder that nothing behind us is worth the time we lose from looking back at, when God has better things for us ahead. Our Christian walk was made to walk forward, as the past fades in the distance of the valley and the map becomes clear of God’s plans on the mountain top of victory. 
Father, thank You for gracing me through this season I just came through. I understand now why, You tell us not to look back. We can only move forward in Your grace to finish the race that You have laid out for us. I am grateful that even though I may have been stunt for a season, I came out stronger. There are seasons for test and seasons for growth, I can feel my faith growing, thank You, in Jesus name, Amen.

Jesus IS the Needful Thing!

Jesus IS the Needful Thing! 
Luke 10:41-42 And Jesus answered and said unto her. Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: 

But one thing is needful; and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.
As a mother of three with Christmas Eve and Day upon me stating tomorrow, my to do list is long. Sitting in my quite house with no children this morning, because they stayed the night at my parents, how easy I could get things done. But this quite house also welcomes that still small voice of my Lord. I could be about my “Honey Do List” but my spirit longs for rest at the feet of my precious Savior. I love what Jesus says to Martha in “verse 41” (one thing is needful). Is what I really need to do that needful, that it comes before God? Absolutely not! Those dishes, dirty floors, laundry and leaves will be right there, when I say Amen and wipe the tears from my face after spending time at the very feet of Jesus; who is the reason for the celebration in my home this weekend. Jesus also tells Martha in “verse 41” (which shall not be taken away.) My time spent with Jesus is never wasted and only adds to my day. I robbed myself, with the distraction of the days business, that keeps me from spending time with Jesus; who came down from heaven to be the prefect gift for my salvation. 
Father, I pray not to be caught up in the commercialized business of Christmas, but rather sitting still at the feet of Jesus, gaining the needful things. Lord I pray to be still and know that You are God, and that Your plans of salvation was born in a manger, so that I could open the inn to my heart to welcome in my Savior, who can not be taken away, in Your name I pray Jesus, Amen. 

The Life You Live Should Bring Glory To God

  
Tuesday, October 6, 2015
The Life You Live Should Bring Glory To God 

Philippians 1:27 Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel. 
Like a loving parent instructing their children on how they are to act, Paul is reminding the church of Philippi to let everything that comes from their mouth bring glory to God. We Christians are to have integrity and to live consistent with what we believe, teach and preach. The Gospel should not only be taught by preaching with just words, but as well by the way we live. The way we speak and treat others should be the same in church as outside of church. Our Pastor and congregation should hear that we are being guided by the Holy Spirit and leading others to Christ with love. The true test is not how you treat others during a sermon, but how you treat others after a sermon. We need to show our faith and love not just during church, but out in the world and especially at home. 

Heavenly Father I pray to have a burden and compassionate heart to love on others and show my faith to lead them to Christ. Lord I pray the same smile I show at church is the same smile I give to a stranger in need of the Gospel. Lord help me to be Your hands and feet each day with the way I speak, treat and act around others, in Jesus name I pray, Amen. 

Bless The Lord O My Soul

  

Thursday, May 28, 2015
Bless The Lord O My Soul
Psalm 103:17 But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children’s children.
Psalm 103 is such a blessing to read, it adds so light to each new day. I absolutely love each verse in this a chapter; it sums up what God truly desires to give us and our generations to come, abundant mercy and righteousness. Bless the Lord, oh my soul, and all that is within me, bless His holy name, (103:1.) How much better is life when we choose to follow God! The Lord has replaced my sins with forgiveness and healed my broken heart, (Psalm 103:3-4.) God has taken all my past, present and future sins and cast them as far as the east is from the west, (103:12.) What an amazing testimony, to have faith knowing that God can heal us and give us restoration through His abundant mercies and amazing grace. I am so thankful God is still on the throne and in control, (Psalm 103:19.) I send praises to His holy name for His gentle graciousness of patience toward me, (Psalm 103:8.) It is well with my soul and I am grateful to be a witness for my Father, sharing the message of salvation of Christ. I praise the sovereignty of God, that He loves me and truly desires to bless me all the days of my life. God is good! 
Lord, I thank You for Your abundant grace and mercies that are new each day. I praise You and thank You for my salvation. I am so grateful that my sins have been cast off me and placed onto my Savior who has set me free. My soul is truly blessed and I feel humble, knowing that Your sovereign hand leads me daily. I look forward to worshipping You along with all the host of heaven and singing praises unto You, in Jesus name I pray, Amen. 

Jesus Our Humble Savior

  

Tuesday, May 26, 2015
Jesus Our Humble Savior
John 8:50a And I seek not mine own glory
Jesus is our one and only TRUE example, to compare ourselves to. The most humbling words we can ever confess, is I can do nothing without God. Jesus himself even spoke these words numerous times in the Bible, (John 5:19 Then answered Jesus and said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise.) The easiest thing to do is pray for strength and then boast in our own pride. Jesus had to pray many times for the strength He needed for His earthly ministry, (Hebrews 5:7 Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared.) Never did He once boast of healing and delivering. Jesus always made sure, that all knew that His works were of His Father who sent Him, (John 6:38 For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me.) If our Savior who took the stripes and nails for our sins, can humble Himself and take no honor or glory. We as the brides of Christ should as well humble ourselves and give all glory to God. For when others see that we do nothing apart of our Father and Savior, then truly is our reflection of Christ and not our own pride. 
Lord Jesus I praise You for the strength You give me daily to endure each task that lies ahead of me. Forgive me Father when I take pride, that belongs to You. When I boast about myself and take all the glory off of You only to lose my reward in heaven. I praise You Lord and thank You for being a humble servant and Savior that I can look to as the greatest teacher, and learn true humility, in Jesus name I pray, Amen. 

Our Faith brings Glory to God

 
 Saturday, May 16, 2015

Our Faith brings Glory to God

Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

This verse is a lesson in itself. How many times have you been asked what faith is? You probably turned to this verse and read it to the one asking the question. Faith is believing, even when you can not see it. Faith is the opposite of fear. Faith is assurance. Faith is not a substance in which you can see with your eye or hold in your hand. Because substance is not faith, but rather it’s what you hope for. This is saying, believe in something that you will be able to see later. Evidence is an indication or a sign and is of something not seen. God said, anything that you can see takes no faith to believe. Jesus told Thomas, blessed are those who did not see but believed,(John 20:29.) When we place our faith in the finished work of Jesus Christ, we are placing our hope in things not yet seen, but is to come. This is the same exact faith we must have as being servants for the kingdom of God. We may not see the results of our works for God now; but the Judgment Seat of Christ will reveal what we hoped for in faith, and will be the evidence of His glory. 

Heavenly Father I praise You that faith is the substance in which I stand on my solid ROCK Jesus Christ. Lord I praise You that we do not live by evidence, but rather the unseen pure Faith of grace. I pray to keep my focus on the finished work of Christ, so that I may continue servicing Your Kingdom, with hopes that the evidence of my faith will bring You glory, in Jesus name I pray, Amen. 

Gifts Fit for Our King

Thursday, December 11, 2014

Gifts Fit for Our King

Matthew 2:11 And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.

When the wise men came to see and worship baby Jesus at the manger they brought the newborn gifts fit for a King. In the CHRISTmas carol “Little Drummer Boy,”
(I am a poor boy too,
I have no gift to bring
That’s fit to give our King
Shall I play for you!
On my drum
Pa rum pum pum
I played my drum for Him
I played my best for Him
Then He smiled at me
Me and my drum.)
Jesus does not ask that we bring gifts as the wise men did; fit for a King. He only ask that we present ourselves as a living sacrifice, (Romans 12:1.) That everything that we do; we do all for His glory, (1 Corinthians 10:31.) Each of us have personal talents we were born with; and even spiritual gifts that Christ gave to us through the Holy Spirit at the moment of our salvation. We have been equipped through Christ to live a just, humble, loving, merciful and good life, (Micah 6:8.) The question is not what gifts do you bring to The King; but rather do you play your best at serving His Kingdom, like the little drummer boy did on his drum? Do you live a life that honors Jesus? By daily giving the best gift to others; the love of Christ and the message of the Gospel.

Heavenly Father I am so thankful for the greatest gift of all and that is my Savior Jesus Christ. I pray to live my life to the fullest for Jesus and to service Your Kingdom with all the talents and gifts I have. The best gift I can give to others is sharing the very first CHRISTmas story of how our King was born in a manger and died on the cross for ALL the world, (John 3:16). I pray to play my best for my King, in Jesus name I pray, Amen.

Heaven’s Heirlooms

Friday, September 27, 2014

Heaven’s Heirlooms

Joel 1:3 Tell ye your children of it, and let your children tell their children, and their children another generation.

God continually tells us throughout the Bible how it is our job as parents, grandparents and great-grandparents to teach our children and children’s children about the Word of God and His amazing grace. Think about a family tradition or heirloom that you pass down throughout each generations. Those Thanksgiving traditions or that great-grandfather’s watch is only treasures here on earth. The Gospel of salvation and the Word of God passed down to each generation is the treasure we should be passing on that can never be taken or broken, (Matthew 6:19-20). We are to start teaching our children at an early age how to pray, guide them into reading the Bible and teaching them of the greatest gift to all man; our salvation through Jesus Christ with the shedding of His blood on the cross for our sins, (Psalm 78:6-7). As our children grow and become parents, we are to continue teaching each generation as we go throughout our days of the great wonders God has done, His promises and of His great love letter to us the Bible, (Deuteronomy 6:6-7). “Psalm 145:4 One generation shall praise thy works to another, and shall declare thy mighty acts.” These are the family heirloom we need to be focused on passing down to each generation!

Heavenly Father I praise You for Your amazing grace and the mercy I am unworthy of, You have blessed me with. I pray to be a constant lighthouse to my children and each generation to come. Teaching them of Your Word, and glorifying You for all Your mighty works. Thank You Lord that I am heir to Your kingdom and my children will be too, by my obedience of passing down the Gospel of salvation for them to grab hold of and continue passing along to each generation, in Jesus name I pray, Amen

Walk The Talk; Glorify Jesus!

I have read this verse many times and it never really stood out to me, but today the Holy Spirit stop me in my tracks and highlighted it..”Matthew 5:19 Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.” No man can not keep the commandments, that is why Jesus is our Savior, but when we become new creatures in Christ our new mind set is to spread the Gospel and not want to sin anymore, ( 2 Corinthians 5:17) Of course we are still gonna have our sinful moments, that is why we come humbly to the foot of the cross and declare our inability without Jesus daily. This verse above speaks volume of the daily Christian life as we lead many; especially the lost who are watching us. If we are gonna take the Lords name CHRISTian, we better be walking the talk we are preaching daily not just to this lost world, but to our kids, church and before the great cloud of witnesses. I don’t know about you but I believe Jesus when He says, (you will be the least in the kingdom,) my goal is to be great and not for myself, but to glorify Jesus! We earn crowns in heaven as rewards for our service to Jesus while here on earth and they are not for our glory, they are for Jesus’ glory. Every thing we do, speak of and act upon reflects on Jesus..and He is not the least He is the GREATEST of ALL! If Jesus gave His all and best on the cross, we can give our all and best as believers for Christ glorifying His Holy name with our daily walk!

Walk the Talk

Thursday, August 7, 2014

Walk the Talk

Galatians 5:25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.

I am reading and studying the book of Galatians right now. When I came across this verse, it immediately made me think of Wednesday night’s sermon my Pastor preached. His message was on seeing, hearing, receiving, learning and doing. The point to his message was, we as teachers must be doing what we are teaching so that those who we are teaching can “see.” Then when they see they will “hear, receive, learn and do.” But the most important piece to all this is “seeing!” If we as the teachers, “the body of Christ” are doing what we teach others will see. Don’t claim the name CHRISTian only to walk as the world and not by the instruction of Christ. The way we live our lives is the way others see Jesus and the life of Christianity. To be a good witness for Jesus you must walk the talk you teach.

Father I am thankful for Your instructions “the Bible” You have given me to grow with on my journey. Lord as I learn I will share with others, but I pray that I will be walking out what I am eagerly teaching to others. I pray to not make myself a stumbling block that will turn others away from salvation because of empty teachings, in Jesus name I pray, Amen