Neisha Marie

Reverence for Christ is strengthened through our weakness because when we feel defeated the power of Christ rests upon us (2 Corinthians 12:9). Unanswered prayers guide us to appreciate the power of Christ and acknowledge our lack of strength and control in this world. He is the mighty hand, the ruler of all things and his Will is always done.

1 John 5:14, “This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.”

It is important to do a heart check during prayers because our prayers, needs and desires should always be geared toward glorifying his kingdom and his great name. When our motives are good and our goal is to glorify God our prayers may still go unanswered, but there is hope in unanswered prayers. I am thankful for the opportunity to step outside of the fog and gain clarity. Sometimes I move forward kicking and screaming, but by faith in the Lord I do move forward. God is always looking out for my best interest and as each day passes I gain a greater appreciation for His working hand.

James 4:3, “When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.”

The devil is always looking for a way to destroy our reputation and remove credibility in our testimony for Christ. To avoid this kind of intervention the Apostle Peter says in 1 Peter 5:8, “Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” Hold steadfast to the Word and promises of God; take refuge in Him and be diligent. We are weak in the flesh, but strong in the Lord. We cannot defeat Satan on our own; he is wise, he knows the Word of God and is able to manipulate the Word of God in such a way that we learn to justify illogical reasoning. Ultimately, we may be sacrificing our soul to the schemes of the devil.

Ephesians 6:12, “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.”

We must be faithful in Christ, all trusting and full of hope that His promises are true and unanswered prayers are full of blessings. Unanswered prayers are God’s way to mold you, break you down, guide you, love you, teach you, boost your strength, steadfast devotion, and prepare you for the path uniquely predestined before the foundation of the earth was formed. He knew you then, he knows you now and he sees what we do not see. He prepares for what we do not know is coming and strengthens our frame to endure it and overcome it.

Romans 8:26, “In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans.”

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Psychologist believe that where you sit can decode your personality; those in front may be extraverts, like to be seen or heard, possibly brown-nosers or simply outgoing; those in the middle are usually looking to blend and are possibly shy, may be a bit introverted; those in the back may be labeled as slackers or possibly observers that like to see what’s going on or find security having access to the nearest exist and no one behind them; and those near the door are often regarded as being in a rush.

When offending others it is important that what comes across is correctively offensive; if we are going to offend at all. There are two different types of offensiveness; constructive offensiveness and repugnant offenses.

When we move away from the Word of God and our behaviors are no longer focused on the kingdom, our offenses are repugnant, but if we are corrective, helpful and lovingly expressing the need for transformation that is perceived as being offensive, we are walking in the light; the way of the Lord.

Many of us do not consider Jesus to be an offensive individual. Most of us copulae Christianity with characteristics such as unconditional love, benevolence and comfort, but the truth is that Christianity is all of those things and more; it brings conviction, guilt, offensiveness and transformation. Pastor Doug taught brilliantly in one of his sermons that, “Jesus was offensive.” Jesus was offensive and the Word of God is still offensive to those who are disobedient.

Jesus walked into the temple courts flipping tables and telling the money changer they were thieves (Matthew 21:12-17). That is pretty offensive. How many of you would walk into your church and start turning over the tables revealing the dwellers as thieves?

We often do not think about the Word of God as offensive, but we are haters of those who preach the Word of God in a way that is corrective, honest and creates conviction in your heart. When I say corrective offensiveness I mean that when you are sinning against the Lord, lost in your addictions, have shortcomings in servitude and are called out in a corrective manner it can be offensive, but it is healthy offensiveness.

However, when the offense is irrelevant to the Word of God; it is harmfully offensive. An example of unnecessary offensiveness; creating assigned seating for parents at church and forcing them to sit in the back of the room because they have children under five years old. People often attempt to motivate Christians to be more like Christ, but Christ would not segregate families with children by placing them in the back of the room. This is offensiveness in a repugnant and harmful manner. Offensiveness like this, especially within the Church, is what causes those who are seeking Christ, attempting to establish a relationship with the Lord; to walk away from religion. There is not anything within this type of worldly governing that is corrective in a positive way. Some people sit where they choose to sit because of their personal character. I am convicted with all of my being that this kind of regulation would not please the Lord. Jesus would clear the front row, allow little children and put his hands on them. He would not cast them to the back of the room and segregate those who care for the little ones.

When I was growing up I was “gifted” with being offensive, but I offended people in all the wrong ways. I certainly fall short of God’s glory because of my fallen nature, but I have learned that if you’re going to be offensive, be offensive in such a way that it changes someone’s life for the better good. Our words should be for God’s use, His will and sharing His Word; not for personal preference or worldly traditions.

Since being offended is such a personal experience it can exacerbate anger within. The transparent trigger to push ones button becomes opaque when most of us become offended. It is a sin not only to harmfully offend, but also to feel offended. We cannot control the behaviors of others or stop them from being harmfully offensive, but we can forgive the harmful offense, pray for those who are harmfully offending and continue on our own path to be better examples of what it is like to live a life as if Jesus were living through you; a life that exudes all the dynamics of Christianity in such a way that the Lord would be proud that you are a man/woman after God’s own heart.

What seems to be offensive in the Word of God is constructive offensiveness; it is an attempt to transform the believer and be the light to your feet. An unproductive offensiveness has nothing to do with transformation and nothing to do with the light of God. We are ascertaining God’s Word to the lost and bring fellowship among His people which sharpens one another (Proverbs 27:17); we have the opportunity to hold each other accountable – it may be offensive, but it is healthy and corrective. Offensiveness does not contaminate the Word of God; instead contamination is within each of us from the very fall of man. We are the ones who are polluted with sin and need a Savior, we need conviction, we need transformation and we find that in the Word of God.

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Marriage is not the fairytale that most people, especially women, envision. The honeymoon stage of a marriage does not last very long. A couple must work at their marriage daily to keep their flame burning. Trials in a marriage are certainly difficult times, but if God is number one, center stage in your marriage, and the foundation of your life you will have incredible attestations for God’s faithfulness and transcendence. To be unified through His Mighty Name in the covenant of marriage your commitment can dominate all things.

People must enter into a marriage removing divorce from their vocabulary. We set ourselves up for destruction when we create a divorce safety net with an opt-out option. Understandably, individuals divorce for reasons such as adultery et al and when the Pharisees questioned Jesus about Moses permitting divorcing in the written Word of God it was because ours were hardened; we are stubborn! Jesus replied, “Moses permitted divorce only as a concession to your hard hearts, but it was not what God had originally intended” (Matthew 19:8).

The bible also says that if you are married to a non-believer and the non-believers walks away you can let them go. 1 Corinthians 7:15, “But if the unbeliever leaves, let it be so. The brother or the sister is not bound in such circumstances; God has called us to live in peace.” God wants his children to be happy and live in peace, but marriage is hard and we should not be defaulting to our opt-out option when things get a little shaky.

Trials and tribulations make a marriage stronger and even though you may not feel hopeful as you ride out the storm, your marriage will be better for it, stronger because of it, and filled with more love than you could have ever imagined. Why? Why does our love grow during hardships? There is something unexplainably powerful about having a spouse that will not get going when the going gets tough. There is something to be said for devotion, being each other’s rock and above all having faith in the Lord to pull your marriage through anything.

My advice to you is that when the going gets tough – don’t be so quick to get going. A marriage is built on the foundational love of God, sustained by faithfulness and blossoms into a beautiful flower every time it rains because after the rain the sun always comes back out.

Proverbs 31:10-31 (NIV)

A wife of noble character who can find?
She is worth far more than rubies.
Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value.
She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life.
She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands.
She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar.
She gets up while it is still night; she provides food for her family and portions for her female servants.
She considers a field and buys it; out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.
She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks.
She sees that her trading is profitable, and her lamp does not go out at night.
In her hand she holds the distaff and grasps the spindle with her fingers.
She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy.
When it snows, she has no fear for her household; for all of them are clothed in scarlet.
She makes coverings for her bed; she is clothed in fine linen and purple.
Her husband is respected at the city gate, where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.
She makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies the merchants with sashes.
She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.
She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.
Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her:
“Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.”
Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.
Honor her for all that her hands have done, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.

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It is interesting to hear individuals state that if we were left to our own devices and mixed religion all together that we would be better off. This view creates an assumption that humanity is basically good, but the fact of the matter is that we are born ingrained with sin. At the fall of Adam sin enter into man, it stained his soul, his lineage, his flesh, his blood; it stained so deep that through him it passed down to all humanity. From conception we are natural sinners, corrupt and in need of a Savior. This doesn’t mean that we felonious and incapable of favorable attributes; we are made in the image of God so we certainly inhabit good characteristics.

Romans 3:10-11, 23: As it is written: “There is no one righteous, not even one; there is no one who understands; there is no one who seeks God. For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard.”

Some argue that sin is a choice and therefore we choose to be sinners. We do choose to be sinners, but we are incapable of choosing a sinless life. Thousands of years ago we fell from grace and now sin dwells in each of us. God did not create us to be sinners; instead sin was invited into man in the Garden of Eden through our disobedience. That choice separated us from God.

Romans 7:21, So I find this law at work: Although I want to do good, evil is right there with me.”

For those who believe in the Son of God our relationship with God is redeemed, because Christ is the bridge that reconciles us back to God. We are only righteous as a gift, not that we are literally righteous because we earned it; we are righteous because of Christ and His sacrificial gift on the cross where he poured out His blood out of love for mankind; His children and His creation!

Ephesians 1:7, “In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace.”

I want to stress the importance of understanding our fallen nature because I believe it is beneficial for our growth and trust in Christ. We are always a work in progress. To believe we have reached spiritual fullness is detrimental to our developmental relationship with Christ. We cannot max out our capacity to learn and grow; we will never be omniscient or infallible.

I personally find this encouraging because that means there is room to be better than I am today. I like acknowledging that I am a sinner because I do not ever want to be so fooled by darkness that I think I am wholly good. I do not want to become complacent. I want to have eyes that see and ears that hear and remain thankful for my God. I want to continue to strive to be a better servant of Christ, a better friend, mother, sister, daughter, wife, associate, customer, and a Good Samaritan. It gives me hope that I can grow and I can be better.

Lord continue to work on me and make me a better person today than I was yesterday. May your glorious grace shine through and your Name be praised through all the earth. Lord, do not allow me to become complacent or manipulated by the devil’s schemes. I want to know you more and be obedient to your Will for my life. You are the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords; I can do all things through You who gives me strength (Phil. 4:13).

2 Corinthians 4:16, “Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.”

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A Heart of Gratitude

Psalms 150:6 “Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord.”

My hope is that many of us give thanks and praise throughout the year for all the Lord has done in our lives. It is an unfortunate truth that not all individuals have a heart of gratitude, nor do they thank God daily for all that He does on their behalf. Today I would like each of us to take a moment to reflect on all the wonderful things Christ has done for us and give thanks and praise for His Omni-benevolence.

Psalm 107 (NIV)

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.

Let the redeemed of the Lord tell their story; those he redeemed from the hand of the foe,
those he gathered from the lands, from east and west, from north and south.

Some wandered in desert wastelands, finding no way to a city where they could settle. They were hungry and thirsty, and their lives ebbed away.

Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress. He led them by a straight way to a city where they could settle.

Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for mankind, for he satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things.

Some sat in darkness, in utter darkness, prisoners suffering in iron chains, because they rebelled against God’s commands and despised the plans of the Most High.

So he subjected them to bitter labor; they stumbled, and there was no one to help. Then they cried to the
Lord in their trouble, and he saved them from their distress.

He brought them out of darkness, the utter darkness, and broke away their chains. Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for mankind, for he breaks down gates of bronze and cuts through bars of iron.

Some became fools through their rebellious ways and suffered affliction because of their iniquities. They loathed all food and drew near the gates of death.

Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and he saved them from their distress. He sent out his word and healed them; he rescued them from the grave.

Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for mankind. Let them sacrifice thank offerings and tell of his works with songs of joy.

Some went out on the sea in ships; they were merchants on the mighty waters. They saw the works of the Lord, his wonderful deeds in the deep. For he spoke and stirred up a tempest that lifted high the waves. They mounted up to the heavens and went down to the depths; in their peril their courage melted away.

They reeled and staggered like drunkards; they were at their wits’ end. Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble, and he brought them out of their distress. He stilled the storm to a whisper; the waves of the sea were hushed. They were glad when it grew calm, and he guided them to their desired haven.

Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for mankind. Let them exalt him in the assembly of the people and praise him in the council of the elders.

He turned rivers into a desert, flowing springs into thirsty ground, and fruitful land into a salt waste, because of the wickedness of those who lived there.

He turned the desert into pools of water and the parched ground into flowing springs; there he brought the hungry to live, and they founded a city where they could settle. They sowed fields and planted vineyards that yielded a fruitful harvest; he blessed them, and their numbers greatly increased, and he did not let their herds diminish.

Then their numbers decreased, and they were humbled by oppression, calamity and sorrow; he who pours contempt on nobles made them wander in a trackless waste. But he lifted the needy out of their affliction and increased their families like flocks.

The upright see and rejoice, but all the wicked shut their mouths.

Let the one who is wise heed these things and ponder the loving deeds of the Lord.

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It can be difficult to remain positive during trials and tribulations that rip through your life like a hurricane. Whether financial difficulties, broken relationships, health tragedies/risks or a case of “bad luck,” we fail to maintain a sense of peace.

I believe we fail to maintain a sense of peace because we want to be utterly in control of our own lives. We fail to acknowledge that we are dependent beings, and in order to find peace we must address and invest in our internal struggles and find the root of our anger, bitterness, frustration, and insecurities. We are not serving Christ when we allow these internal struggles to control our emotions, behaviors, attitudes and most importantly our joy (Romans 16:18). Therefore, in order to overcome and get right with Christ we must take a deep look within to find the root of these disturbances.

It is easy to advise someone to keep their eyes on Christ and find their joy, but if they have failed to manage internal frustrations they are unable to allow Christ to work on their innermost being. When we come to Christ we lay it all out on the line. All of our fears, our regrets, and our insecurities are poured out into Him.

King David pours his innermost being out to God in Psalms 139. The entire chapter is amazing, but Psalms 139:23 says, “Search me, oh’ God and know my heart, try me and my anxieties. . . .”

You need to evaluate the inside and possibly come to a place of brokenness so that you can find humility, peace and joy in Christ. I believe God can heal all things, but in order to heal our frustrations we must address our frustrations. We cannot heal what we will not acknowledge is in need of healing.

In Christ we should find humility and a heart full of thanksgiving. The power of faith in Christ will bring you joy; faith means that we trust in what we do not see and we love, trust, hope, believe and have an undisputed conviction that Christ is the omnipotent and omnibenevolent.

I believe it is joy in Christ that carries us through hard times. I believe our joy comes from the Lord and it is by faith in Him that we find joy. He offers life, he is the living water and when we step out of the driver’s seat and submit to his authority and control we gain everything through Him who gives us strength, courage, healing, compassion, forgiveness, guidance, counseling, fulfillment and an understanding of your innermost being where He can help you heal and grow so that the gap withholding you from your joy in Christ can be bridged.

Isaiah 65:14 (NIV)
My servants will sing out of the joy of their hearts, but you will cry out from anguish of heart and wail in brokenness of spirit.

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When we choose to follow Christ we have to reevaluate our life and open our heart for the power of the Holy Spirit to transform us from the inside out. In order to follow Christ we must turn from our old ways and follow Him. The bible tells a story about a wealthy ruler who came to Christ and said, “I have followed all of your commandments.” Then he asked, “What else shall I do to inherit the kingdom of God?” (Matthew 19:20). Then Jesus replied in Matthew 19:21, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” This wealthy man turned and wept. He did not want to give up all his possessions in order to follow Christ.

In order to follow Christ wholeheartedly we must give up those things that we prioritize before Him. The Triune God will not accept second best. God is a jealous God. We learn about this characteristic of God in Exodus 20:5-6, “You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments.” The first commandment, “Thou shall have no other god before me.” This does not apply only to the literal sense of gods, but also to things in this world that we hold as more important than God, thus categorizing “it” as a god. For instance, the bible tells us, “no one can serve two masters. You will love one and hate the other or you will be devoted to one and despise the other. No one can serve both God and money.” Matthew 6:24; Luke 16:13. Money is not a god, but you may hold it to such a high degree in your life that it becomes like a god, especially when you are not willing to let it go in order to serve and follow the Creator.

I believe we can all relate to the young ruler who wept and did not want to give up all that he had to follow Christ. We are a sinful humanity, selfish and interested in our own turmoil, successes and needs; but real living is found in the One who quenches our thirst forever; the One who makes us whole and is stronger and more permanent than death itself. He who looked death in the eye, subdued, overcame and conquered it. We serve a God who is Holy, Just and God and therefore we must set aside all things that interfere with following Christ. We cannot do this within our own power, but by the power of the Holy Spirit working within us. Philippians 4:13, “I can do all this through him who gives me strength.”

So what is it? We all have something to sacrifice, something in us that is hindering our relationship with Christ; stunting our growth in His Word. Father, I pray that you reveal truth to each one of us. Show us what we have put in your place. I pray Lord that you open our eyes to see and remove that which is not of you. I pray that each one of us learn to put you first in our lives. Give us a willing spirit to make sacrifices for your glory and submit to being used as a vessel for your kingdom. Mold us into servant, mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, employees that fulfill the role in which you alone created us to achieve. Lord bring it to completion as you promised (Philippians 1:6).

Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will never fail, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. Luke 12:33

When you think about it; your sacrifice, whatever it may be is really not a sacrifice at all. In Christ we gain so much. Through Christ’s atonement on the cross we are free, forgiven, redeemed and declared righteous through the gift of grace through our Savior. Through Christ we are cleansed of the stain of sin and through Him we find life; without Christ and the gift of salvation we have nothing, but condemnation and death.

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We may have a legal right to our body and our personal decisions, but we do not have a moral right to our body. Moral laws come from the Creator of heaven and earth who sets the boundaries for right and wrong. A marriage undoubtedly should remain between a man and a woman. A man and a woman are to leave their parents and the two shall become one flesh (Genesis 2:24; Ephesians 5:31). Adam asked for a companion because he was lonely so God made a woman from the rib of Adam to be his wife and his companion (Genesis 2:21). God did not choose to make a man for Adam, instead he chose a woman and ever since man has come from the woman’s body. Sodomites provoke the wrath of God. Sodomites cannot procreate and we are instructed by God to multiple in number and fill the earth (Genesis 9:7).

When God created the body he created it without error, without unnecessary parts and in such a way that the body would absorb the nutrients of our foods and flush out the unnecessary. After food is processed the food passes through the intestines, nutrients are abstracted, and then processed through the colon, to the rectum and out the anus. God created these parts of the body for toxins and wasted to be disposed/flushed out. Sodomy has violated the human body by using this disposing area for sexual sensation. God said, “Let no man lay with another man as he lays with a woman,” (Leviticus 18:22). Our moral laws should not change to conform to societal changes such a homosexuality. Do not conform to this world . . . do not conform to the nation around you, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind and keep the laws of God and His Will be done (translated Romans 12:2; Ezekiel 11:12).

Our society should stand firm in faith and abide by the laws of our Almighty God. There are so many children that are psychologically unstable because they did not receive the emotional stabilities that a mother and father can provide. The quality of parents varies from household to household, but that is no excuse to support behavior that contradicts the law of God. It simply means that need more quality parents; both a mother and a father. No matter how authentic the gay partners attempt normal parenting patterns, behaviors and reversing roles; there are still instabilities with children raised by same sex partners because the child is deprived of the character building that each sex offers. Society is encouraging the condemnation of our youth and we are losing souls to generational cursing one birth at a time. What an abomination.

It is our responsibility as Christians to preach the word of God and teach His truth. We are not to conform to society to fit in or be accepted. Jesus said, “You will be hated by everyone because of me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved. If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first,” (Matthew 10:22, John 15:18).

The comedian, Tosh O., was making a joke about conservative Christians preaching against gay marriage and said, “This is what I have to say to the most conservative person; just because the state says it is legal, it’s not like God is going to let them into heaven.” Tosh O. may be correct in his observation (I am not the judge, nor the One with the power to condemn: 1 Corinthians 6:9), however, we will be held accountable for our actions, our beliefs and the way in which we preserve and hold to the Word of God. It matters because we are to go out and preach to the nations about the Messiah who saves and warn them of the grave danger that exist if they do not repent and change their sinful ways. As a believer, you cannot encourage behavior that spits on the Gospel and believe you will not be held responsible for failing to share God’s truth. 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 states, ‘not homosexuals nor those committing fortification as well as other sins will not enter into the kingdom of heaven. . . but by the shed blood of Jesus Christ we are washed and forgiven by His sacrifice and through repentance we are saved and delivered form our sinful nature.” This verse is an incredible ray of hope for the lost sinner. There is a way out of darkness, we have a God who is bigger than life, bigger than death, whose light cannot be diminished, whose Word never fails, who is unconquerable, cannot to be slain, cannot wither or fade, all truth is His truth, whose ears cannot be closed to the sound of your calling, a God who is personal, independent and righteous; HOLY, JUST, AND GOOD! Someone give me an AMEN!

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We are all fallible by nature and we all fall short of God’s glory (Romans 3:23), but just because we are fallen does not mean that we should dwell in sin because we have all fallen short. Christ has come with good new; restoring our relationship with God and bridging the gap. We are redeemed in Christ so call out to Him and let Him transform you. There are so many issues with the world today and the choices of this generation. As humanity tries to redefine the definition of marriage and political corruption begins to surge – homosexuality has begun to race through children as if it is the new drug that everyone needs to try. We are trying to make homosexuality a good thing and fail to recognize the sinful behavior that defies the design of mankind. When Adam was lonely, God did not give Adam a man, but a woman to accompany him. “For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh,” Genesis 2:24.

Regardless of the reason for being gay, whether it is rebellious behavior, political corruption, a chemical imbalance or just a way to get some attention; it is wrong. Being gay goes against everything God is and the relationship that we are meant to have between a man and woman. Our Country has refused to acknowledge the sinful behavior homosexuality represents. According to the Word of God we are to turn from our sins and seek fulfillment in Christ, repentance, and a transformation by the Holy Spirit working in our lives. The bible tells us about God’s grace through repentance. When you repent from the heart there is an undeniable change in your ways because you seek and serve a HOLY God. Are we so naïve about the God we serve that we think this is acceptable in the eyes of an Almighty Creator?

1 Corinthians 6:9-11 “Or do you know the wrong doers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immortal nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor practicing homosexuality nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards no slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.”

Darkness in the world comes in abundance as it pertains to homosexual behavior. John 3:19-20 “This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil.” Stop downing in sin and turn your life over to Christ, change your sinful behavior and you can be washed and cleansed by the Holy Spirit. The road is narrow and only a few will find it , but you can be a part of His elect; one more blessed with the inheritance of heaven; let Him be the lamp unto your feet . As Christians we should not ever manipulate or compromise scripture in order to allow someone to feel entitled or accepted. No matter how compassionate you desire to be we must always remain faithful to God and His Word first above all things and exalt His righteousness. God is good, but He is a God of judgment and we will all stand before Him. People tend to acknowledge that God is a good, loving God, but fail to view Him as a God who judges and punishes the unrighteous. Matthew 7:23, “But I will reply, I never knew you. Get away from me, you who break God’s laws. If I can be used as a vessel to save one soul from hearing these words from God when they stand before Him then it was all worth it.

Leviticus 20:13 “If a man has sexual relations with a man as one does with a woman, both of them have done what is detestable. They are to be put to death; their blood will be on their own heads.”

Romans 2:12-13, “All who sin apart from the law will also perish apart from the law, and all who sin under the law will be judged by the law. For it is not those who hear the law who are righteous in God’s sight, but it is those who obey the law who will be declared righteous.”

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Could you imagine living among Jesus Christ himself? Can you imagine standing before Him and praying with him and his disciples? Could you imagine being an eyewitness of His healing hand and compassion?

I would have felt honored to be in the presence of Jesus Christ and overwhelmed with an opportunity to personally see his hand at work. To have the opportunity for him to personally teach me would be something I am certainly not worthy of receiving. I would have felt like a sinner before him, as I am, and amazed that he took me at his side and taught me the way of the truth. I would have felt blessed to listen to him speak as he preached from the boat at the Sea of Galilee or feeding the five thousand or chosen to be an eyewitness of the transfiguration . . . it is all amazing! While I was not alive then…he knew me. I was in his plans to receive the gift of life and experience what this life has to offer. I feel blessed that he called my name, loved me before my feet ever hit the ground and filled me with the Holy Spirit so that I now know the truth, the way and the light. There are no words to express what an amazing day it would have been and what an incredible day is sure come when we stand before the Creator and Savior of the world!

This day will be an amazing day for everyone who ever existed in the history of mankind. It is a day we are all to experience, but the outcome of that day will not be the same for everyone who ever existed. It is a day of judgment; judgment for all that we have done, thought, provoked, ignored, encouraged or hindered. The Lord will say plainly, “I never knew you. Away from me. You evildoers.” (Matthew 7:23)

It is hard to understand how grotesque human nature can be when the power of evil resides in the heart. I think this is why so many evildoers get away with their evil behavior because it is difficult to wrap our mind around the unconscionable, exorbitant behavior of a wicked individual, but the truth is that most individuals do not embrace propriety. Our God is greater, stronger, and in Him there is no darkness (1 John 1:5) and even though light has come into the world people love darkness instead of light because their deeds are evil (John 3:19).

Christ was our sacrifice; the lamb given for our sins, but only He is without the stain of sin – wholly good and washed us white as snow through his sacrificial blood on the tree. We all owe Christ a death, but that day and time is different for everyone. On the cross Christ emptied himself and through that emptying the invisible God became visible. His sacrifice gave us hope and life – a life that is eternal and exists beyond this fragile body; a resurrection.

Death quiets the soul. I am vexed by the verdict in the Casey Anthony case. Yet, I find comfort that God will have his way with Casey Anthony whether in this life or the next. Death is humbling because it is a reminder that this life is temporary. We do not have forever to accomplish what the Lord has set out for us to accomplish. We can be certain; however, that the work in which God has set out for you He will bring to completion (Philippians 1:6). There are many uncertainties in this world, but we can rely on the fact that we are mortal, we will meet our death day and face our maker to answer for our freedom of choice. Use this life and all the talents God gave you to glorify Him, serve His kingdom and reach out to others who are lost, misguided, confused and evildoers. This life, this day will pass away, but His Word will live forever (Luke 21:33).

(Romans 5:18-21) Consequently, just as one trespass resulted in condemnation for all people, so also one righteous act resulted in justification and life for all people. For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteous. The law was brought in so that the trespass might increase. But where sin increased, grace increased all the more, so that, just as sin reigned in death, so also grace might reign through righteousness to bring eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

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How can we expect to fulfill the Great Commission when we do not permeate the presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives? How can we judge, criticize and hold ourselves as holy, just and good when there is only one man who fits that bill; Jesus Christ!

We have become such arrogant “Christians” that we believe a sinner, unlike you, should be able to convert others simply by knowing your name. We are lazy Christians who refuse to put in the time and effort necessary to be an influence on individuals who need advice, guidance, a friend and mostly love. Proverbs 22:1, “A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold. “

In order to be an influence you must first be a friend. Friends are honest, compassionate, dependable, trustworthy, and expect nothing in return. The bible says that Jesus came for the unrighteous – not the righteous. It is not the healthy that need a doctor, but the sick (Matthew 9:12). Yet, we continue to befriend those whom we value as righteous and we let the unbeliever wonder. We are to leave the heard in the wilderness and search for one lost sheep, because it is the lost sheep that needs help to find his way back to the heard (Luke 15:4).

The Pharisees were testing Jesus by asking, “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself. All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” (Matthew 22:34-40).

If we truly love our God and love your neighbor as yourself then reaching out to others would be a breeze. The reason you cannot impact the lives of the unbelieving is because the unbeliever does not see any reason to be like you. You fail to be a friend, to be an influence and instead you are a person of judgment, disgraceful gossip and when unbelievers see your behavior they run for the hills and want nothing to do with your religion.

Instead of your narcissistic righteousness we must be fervent in prayer for others. We must be an asset for Christ and not hinder unbelievers to become followers of Christ. We are all sinners and we all fall short of God’s glory (Romans 3:23). Doing the Lord’s Work takes patience and discipline – by showing God’s great love and adhering to the greatest of all commandments. We do not isolate the lost – we go out and find them. When a brother or sister is sick, emotionally damaged, confused, or angry we must be a friend because the power of our Almighty God will work through you to be a voice, an influence and the good Lord will bestow his compassion on you both.

If you have had poor experiences with a believer or a church my hope is that you release yourself from the hold they have on your life. Do not let the unfavorable experiences you have with them dictate your life, your relationship with Christ and your eternal judgment. Get yourself right with God for His glory.

Proverbs 16:9, “In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.”

Father I pray that you establish my steps. I pray that you mold my heart and burn that which is not of you. Give me compassion to reach out to the lost sheep with an unconditional ray of hope. Guide me Lord to be a Christian who is true to your Word, acts as an example of your great love and influences others to follow your path. God help me to be an honest friend to lead, guide and convict others to turn from their sins and welcome your grace. I pray that my confidence in you does not become arrogant and hinder others to confess you as their Lord and Savior, In Jesus Name, Amen.

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Scripture is inerrant written in the original form. The Old Testament was written in Hebrew in its original form and the New Testament was written in Greek.

Some things are lost in translation; therefore, it is translated as best as possible to words similar to our language. John Wycliffe and William Tyndale are two original pioneers credited for translating the bible into English. Tyndale never published the bible, but you can find published version of Tyndale’s New Testament translation. Tyndale was killed before he was able to complete the Old Testament translation.

King Henry VIII had a son, who took over the throne when he died, but his young son, King Edward VI died and his daughter Mary took over as Queen. Tyndale was forced into exile for translating the bible into English and he fled from England for his life. He ended up being burned at the stake for his English translation of the bible in 1536.

Queen Mary I was against translating the bible into your own language and anyone who was caught with a bible in their own language was persecuted and killed. Their blood has stained the pages of the bibles that exist (during her reign) because the bible was taken into the street and the blood of the owner was poured over the pages. Queen Mary I became known as, “Bloody Mary” for her bloody reign. Since bibles were hard to obtain in this era people would collect the bloody pages from the street to have an opportunity to read and learn about the Word of God. Fun fact: Queen Mary I and Archbishop of Canterbury both died the same day. The successor to the throne was Queen Mary’s half sister Queen Elizabeth I who reversed Queen Mary’s bloody ways.

We are blessed to have the ability and freedom to own our own bibles and choose the version in which we desire to read. People did not own their own bible in this era. Depending on the period in which you refer; people had to hear the Word in home churches, as a community, and in synagogues, and churches. We have made great strides in the past to overcome persecution and our lack of freedom; something so often forgotten today.

God is the author of the bible and God himself through the work of the Holy Spirit inspired the text to be documented by man. The inspired Word shares with us what God wants us to know so we can be saved, learn who God is and receive the gift of salvation. Scripture is God’s special revelation and by the Word we may know the Father. Metaphorically, these words are alive. There is strength behind them and infallible truth. It has never been the text that is corrupted, but the teachers of the text that have corrupted the Word.

2 Timothy 3:16-17 (NIV)
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

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The way in which we live our lives is the key that may open the gate to heaven or lock it up for eternity. Every day we are grinding away at the key in our lives to smooth and carve the edges in hope that is fits the entrance to heaven’s gate. Binding and loosing is about what we do here on earth, in this life and how it does affect our eternal judgment. We grind out the key through our ministry, behaviors, obedience, and while grace, redemption and righteousness is a gift that we cannot obtain on our own we are expected to show our faith through our works. We are justified by faith alone, but it is through our actions that our faith is exercised, seen and exemplified to others. It takes faith first to step out and do our works following in obedience and through our actions we are working, practicing and exuding faith. Through our actions we are binding and loosing. Matthew 16:19 (NIV), “ I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind of earth will be bound in heaven and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”

Will your key open the gate? Did you chisel and grind your key to glorify God? Did you practice obedience and work on the Great Commission? We do not earn heaven, for it is a gift, but we are commanded to share the gospel to the ends of the earth. We are his children and he is worthy of our praise. Our Father in heaven gives freely, but that does not mean each of us is given a free ride into eternal bliss. He is a gracious God, but he is a God of eternal judgment, not because he wants to condemn us but because we had the free choice to choose to follow him but we turned our back on him and denied him. Do not be deceived and believe that God fails us – We fail him. Luke 13:27, “But he will reply, ‘I don’t know you or where you come from. Away from me, all you evildoers!”

In Matthew 3:17 Jesus is baptized in the Jordan River by John the Baptist and a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son with whom I am well pleased.” While we will never reach such sinlessness and perfection I want to be a child of God with whom He is well pleased.

God’s porch grants us a rocking chair of redemption, a foundation based on security and guidance, a front door for protection, plants of love and mercy, sun for growth and an opportunity to chisel out a key to unlock the door so we can glorify His kingdom and share His amazing grace with the world. “First clean the inside of the cup and dish, and then the outside also will be clean,” Matthew 23:26 (NIV).

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It is important to know what our spiritual gifts are so that we are aware of our calling from God. Some of us are already fulfilling our calling from God, but it comes so naturally that we do not even realize we are doing it. We are all given spiritual gifts which range from our time, talents, treasures which includes financial assistance for the church, missions, the lost, the helpless and the poor, genuinely sharing our time, and even our talents with others whether through patience, encouragement, love, guidance or servitude just to name a few.

When God came incarnate he voluntarily gave up some of his abilities such as being omniscient because he voluntarily (key word) became fully man and yet was still fully divine. When Jesus approached the fig tree he was upset it did not bear any fruit, but it was not the season for tree to have any fruit for it was only leaves (Mark 11:12-14). As a believer of scripture and a supporter of the inerrancy of the inspired Word of God I believe that Jesus literally caused the fig tree to wither (Mark 11:20-21), however, there is another message here.

I believe the secondary message was a message for the apostles to help them understand that whatever does not produce fruit in His Name will wither and die. Without bearing fruit in the Name of the Lord we will wither and die. We are servants of Christ and He has a plan for the better good of mankind to accomplish. It is bigger than you and me; Christ will always prevail. The fig tree withered because Christ commanded it to do so. Jesus informs the disciples that if they have faith as small as a mustard seed they too can receive whatever they ask for in prayer (Mark 11:24). We need to be sensitive to our calling and dive into it wholeheartedly. Christ expects his children to produce fruit or we will wither and die – wither away happiness, wither away your dreams, wither away prosperity, wither way emotionally, wither away success, wither away peace and purpose in your soul, wither away your life – in this world (earth) or the next (heaven/hell).

Do not forget we will all be judged when we stand before the Lord; one chance, one day, one judgment -to stand in His presence on the Day of the Lord. With what little we have to offer, did you do the best you could with the gifts He gave you?

Matthew 21:43-44 (NIV), “Therefore I tell you that the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people who will produce fruit. Anyone who falls on this stone will be broken to pieces, but anyone on whom it falls will be crushed.”

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If you are going to boast in anything, boast in Christ (Jeremiah 9:24). Acknowledging the power of the Lord is necessary in order to share His glory with others. It is not by the power of humanity that we accomplish anything for we are weak individuals. We gain strength through the power of the Holy Spirit dwelling and working within those who believe. John the Baptist did not feel worthy to baptize Jesus, John preached repentance and gave all the glory to Christ. We should all find humility within our walk with Christ and become more like John the Baptist.

Do not forget that we are saved by grace and receive righteousness as a gift. Do not view yourself as superior to others because we are all stumbling down this narrow road. We are serving God when we reach out to others who are stumbling in life; unsure where they are in their walk with Christ (or lack thereof). Just because someone is not sure where they stand does not mean that we banish them, instead we are to embrace them. Lead the lost to the word of God and share the gift of knowledge that the Lord has given to us with as many people as we can. This knowledge is a gift; therefore, you did not obtain it on your own.

It is perfectly fine to preach truth and share the word of God with those who are working against Christ, living a life that leads them further away from God, but when we banish those who do not walk as we walk we are not allowing Christ to work through us to save that person. We are here as a vessel for Christ, a voice so that His truth may be heard. Please continue to pray for those who have not found their way to Christ, be patient and be a friend. Your friendship is an example of the love that Christ has to offer. Remain humble because you too are not worthy of being saved, but received grace as a gift from God because of what He did – not because of anything you did.

Acts 20:24
However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.

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“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life,” John 3:16. This is such a common scriptural verse that we are taught to memorize during childhood and because of its familiarity we fail to acknowledge the significance of what has been done on our behalf. God is Jesus is human form. Jesus was revealed to humanity through Mary, Theotokos, but this does not mean that He came into existence at this time. The Trinity (Father, Son and Holy Spirit) has always existed; three in nature, but one essence/substance/person. One has not existed without the other, however, each has been revealed to humanity at different points in history.

The erudition of soteriology is necessary to understand the significance of what God gave for the atonement of his creation. The incarnation is necessary to restore humanity to our natural state; the state in which God had intended us to be prior to the fall of Adam. Jesus Christ must have been fully God and fully man in order for mankind to receive salvation. Satan wanted humanity to be anathematized through the disobedience of Adam, but God Almighty came as fully human and fully divine to be the perfect sacrifice to restore our fallen state through the God-man, Jesus Christ. God took the form of humanity in all that we are, but he was without sin. Jesus came as a sacrifice so that we could bridge the gap that was wedged between humanity and God and abrogate death. He paid a debt He did not owe and took on the wrath of God because we owed a debt we could not pay.

God came as Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God, as a sacrifice for humanity upon himself so that we can be restored to the image and likeness in which God intended. Jesus Christ gave back what we lost in Adam. The sinless took on the sin so we are rescued from eternal condemnation. Death and corruption has been destroyed through the Word of God, through the perfect sacrifice and restoring fellowship with the Almighty Father. Christ was raised from the dead just as we too will one day be raised and judged for this life. If in fact Christ had not been raised then we too will not be raised and are still under the curse of death and have not been redeemed from our fallen state (1 Corinthians 15:17). Through Christ we have overcome our iniquities. Isaiah 53:5 (NIV) But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed. By evangelizing we are sharing the good news with others that they too can be forgiven, redeemed, freed from the bondage of sin through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior.

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Let us assume that we were to live in a perfect world, among a perfect humanity – then our need for a perfect God would be obsolete. We would not necessarily call out to God for anything. If tragedy never struck, if dreams always came true and we were completely sinless then why would we ever need a Savior, Father, Counselor, Forgiver, and of course, His agape love and Amazing Grace?

If grace could be obtained on our own then there would be no reason for grace at all. But we are a fallen humanity; we fell at the fall of man. We sinned and our relationship with God was changed, but we are redeemed by the sacrificial blood of His son; the one who saves.

Since we are fallen we are in need of his grace to redeem our fallen state. Salvation restores our broken relationship with Christ and while we are still cursed by the inevitable death that each of us face; we find hope in Jesus Christ, who broke the curse of death on the cross, who restores those who believe in Him and grants us an inheritance of eternal life in the kingdom of heaven.

We are promised storms in life so that we seek God, rely on him and grow in faith. It is through these unfortunate moments that God is able to show His glory and we can experience what it is like to fall under his wing of comfort and protection. Storms are used to mold us into the person God wills us to become so that we are a voice for his kingdom. We are vessels for the Lord and a voice to be used to spread the good news of the gospels so that it reaches all of creation.

Titus 3:4-7 (NIV), “. . . when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.”

Happy Birthday Jesus!

I wish each of you a safe, loving, joyful, Christ-filled, Merry Christmas!

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Is playing hide and seek with God a possibility?

There is nothing you can do that God does not see. Nothing is hidden in darkness; nothing kept a secret from our Sovereign God. He knows all your private thoughts and your secret affairs. He knows your heart and He cannot be fooled. 1 John 1:6, “If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth.” All that you do whether physically or by thought God knows. He is an omniscient God (who knows all things), and therefore, nothing is hidden. This is significant for a couple reasons.

First and foremost, He knows all that we are, our pure and impure thoughts, our actions both good and evil, the motives of our heart both selfish and unselfish and yet He still redeems, loves, forgives, guides, counsels and comforts His children. Secondly, it makes our wholly good God an all-knowing God who allows things to happen for the better good and to glorify His Name. We may not always understand His reason, we may not ever know all of Him, but we can be assured that He knows everything that goes on and there are no accidents with God. 1 Corinthians verse 4-5 says, “Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait till the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men’s hearts. At that time each will receive his praise from God.”

We cannot be naive for judgment is sure to come. We get through the hard times by faith for we are comforted by His word and our ability to pray. Think about what you do today when no one can see and realize there is one who sees all things. Be reminded when you have evil thoughts, doubts, and fears that God hears those unspoken words, but He can redeem you. He can and will lift your faith and remove all fears for He is omnipotent and has overcome the world. “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.

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With all my heart and with all my soul and with all my strength I want to know and understand the Word of God (Deuteronomy 6:5). I want to know his expectations and understand his Will for my life. We cannot simply go through life assuming what God wants for each of us and assuming what the law of the Lord commands from us. We need to be in His Word, seeking His presence so that we may become obedient to Him.

The bible is spoken in parables, but that does not mean that we do not take His Word seriously. There will be a judgment day and you will be held accountable for your decisions. You cannot say that you did not know any better simply because you refuse to learn about what His Word says. God knows if you have the resources to hear His Word and failed to exercise your right to know Him more intimately. Hebrews 10:26-27 says, “If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left, but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume the enemies of God.” I can only pray for each of you whom choose not to know His Word, whom fails to spend time in His presence that you wake up and seek the truth only He can provide. Is this life and your behavior worth burning in the fires of hell forever? Is it worth it to burn forever for a temporary pleasure?

God is very clear in the bible about His law and expectation. He is clear about His grace and righteousness. He is a loving Father and wants you to speak to Him. He wants you to be saved, but you must come to Him. He is there, waiting for you to call upon His Name. Serving the Lord does not mean that you cannot enjoy life, but it does mean that you may need to change some or all of your ideals, perspectives, friends and behaviors. He does expect you to be obedient and He does want you to be transformed by the Holy Spirit for the glory of His kingdom. 1 Corinthians 3:18, “And we with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.” The Lord does want a relationship with you because He wants you to be fulfilled by the gifts He has to offer and the joys that come from serving Him and having an incredible relationship with our Savior, Jesus Christ. He is your Father and you are His child and He loves you more than you love your earthy children. We cannot grasp His kind of love. He died so that you could live, tortured on the cross, shed His blood so that you could experience the gift of live and be saved by His sacrificial death to enjoy eternity in heaven forever (John 3:16).

You may have the power of darkness over your eyes if you believe you are going to heaven for simply being a “good person” or that you are going to heaven because judgment is just not that serious. I pray that your false view on life, your misunderstanding of God be rebuked and your eyes to open to the truth of the Lord. Jesus is the light of the world, He is the only truth; I pray you are wise enough to rebuke the power of darkness which have you fooled because you enjoy the darkness. John 3:19, “This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil.”

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When you cannot hear the voice of God speaking into your daily life it is not because He is not speaking to you. Instead, you are failing to speak to Him, listen for His guidance and dedicate yourself to His Word.

When life inundates you and you become engulfed with the noisiness of this world you need to get into your bibles and read. Reading His Word allows you to be more sensitive to His voice. Spending time in prayer is always a way to hear from God, remembering that it is a two way conversation and while you may lay out your heart you need to be slow to speak and eager to listen.

We have all been in a position where we have failed to hear and heed the voice of truth and thus fall into a road where our path is not lit by the grace and love of God. Proverbs 16:20, “Whoever gives heed to instruction prospers, and blessed is he who trusts in the Lord.” It is frightening when you stop hearing the voice of God; His magnificent voice of truth. It is important to remember that God doesn’t turn His back on us, but we are unfaithful beings who turn our backs to God. Jesus said, “This voice was for your benefit, not mine,” John 12:30.

Having an intimate relationship with Him is not something we can turn on and off as we please. Having a relationship with the Lord is something we must work on daily in order to line up His will with our own. Do not forget who you are meant to be in the Lord. The Lord wants you to come to Him; all who are thirsty and weak.

Revelation 22:17, The Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let him who hears say, “Come!” Whoever is thirsty, let him come; and whoever wishes, let him take the free gift of the water of life.

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We miss out on so many opportunities to evangelize because we have placed ourselves on a pedestal and failed to remember that we are all sinners stumbling down this narrow road. We judge others for their behavior and fail to recognize the plank within our own eyes (Matthew 7:3). I see Christians turning their heads to other Christian because they feel their walk is better than their brothers. Instead of turning a loving hand over to these lost individuals we turn our cheek and fail to acknowledge them when they walk in the room. As Christians we are to lead and restore, not judge and condemn. Matthew 7:2, “For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged.”

As Christians, it is our job to guide the lost; to lead those from darkness back into the light. However, sometimes, somewhere along the line we believe we have this ‘following Christ thing’ all figured out. If I ever feel like I have it all figured out, Lord I pray you help me see the errors of my ways. We forget that righteousness is a gift from God and something we cannot obtain on own.

There is a fine line between indulging in sinful behavior and guiding someone out of it. As a follower of Christ I am not going to attend an idolatry session in honor of Buddha, nor am I going to support homosexual behavior or hang out with drug dealers on a Friday night. However, in the presence of someone suffering from this kind of disobedience to the living word of God I will be faithful to my God, be a voice for His truth and an example of His wondrous love. Otherwise, he who is without sin cast the first stone, John 8:7.

The woman who wears a bikini is not a sinful woman, but the man in which lust upon her wearing the bikini is a sinful man. A woman provoking the man to lust after her is indulging in sin, whereas, the man who turns his cheek to avoid such temptation is being faithful. Do you see the difference?

Christians sometimes judge others based on their own weaknesses. Drinking an alcoholic beverage is not sinful, in the bible it says to drink and be merry (Luke 12:19), but enjoying a drink in the company of others is very different from drunkenness and gluttony which is sinful. However, sometimes an ex-alcoholic saved by believing in Christ (amen) will condemn another Christians for drinking simply because of their own convictions. We take our own convictions and try to apply them to the lives of others and yet cannot back them up with scripture.

Ephesians 3:14-19, “For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom his whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.”

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Matthew 7:14, “But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.”

Have you ever considered that there is only one way to heaven? Have you ever thought about the fact that billions will burn in the depths of hell? Have you ever thought about the fact that even though there are thousands of religions – there is only one true way to salvation? While many people believe in God, a Creator, so many people fail to acknowledge the truth, the light, and the way through the Savior; the Son of God, Jesus Christ. He is the other way to the Father and the only way to heaven. John 3:18 tells us, “Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.

Society has tried to teach us that we must all coexist together and accept one another for which we are and the gods we serve, but that is a world view. While we may be forced to coexist among one another we are to lead, guide and save each other in the name of Jesus Christ. We are not to live by the standards of this world, but by the standard of the Triune God living by faith in the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. This is the road to salvation, the road to forgiveness and amazing grace. All who rely on observing the law are under a curse, for it is written: “Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law. Clearly no-one is justified before God by the law, because, “the righteous will live by faith.” You who are trying to be justified by law have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace (Galatians 3:10-11; 5:4).

God loves all of humanity, but as a father disciplines his son so the father in heaven will discipline you. We will be punished for living for this world. We will all fall upon his judgment; it is a day no one will miss. It is one appointment you will attend whether you like it or not. For He has set a day when he will judge the world with justice by the man he has appointed. He has given proof of this to all men by raising him from the dead, Acts 17:31.

Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. Earth and sky fled from his presence and there was no place for them. And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books. The sea gave up the dead that were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead that were in them, and each person was judged according to what he has done. Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire, the lake of fire is the second death. If anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire,” Revelations 20:11-15.

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Often times it is in the still of the night that my God speaks to me. It is in these quiet moments when the house is silent and my kids are all asleep; God speaks and gives me wisdom. There are so many times, more often than others, that He speaks to me and I fail to get out of bed to write for Him. I wish that was not true, but after an exhausting day the last thing I want to do it get back out of bed, go down stairs, turn on my computer and write. I pray that I may become more disciplined and take notes when He speaks. Something I plan to work on. I plan to work on this for several reasons. First and foremost out of pure obedience and secondly, He is no longer speaking to me in the chaos of my morning when my boys are awake and breakfast needs to be made. So often the words of wisdom He gave me during the silent hours of the night are often lost. My honesty is to repent and ask for forgiveness for my disobedience and also to share with you the humbleness of my heart in hopes that you too will repent for disobedience. My relationship with the Lord is the most important relationship I could ever have. Disobedience no matter how large or small it may seem is all disobedience at the end of the day. My prayer for you as well as myself is to be sensitive to the Lord when he speaks and remain obedient in all things. We all fall short of God’s glory and we may not always be obedient, but we can continue to work on our relationship with the Lord and can never become too obedient to His word.

Romans 5:19, “For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man (Jesus Christ) the many will be made righteous.”

May God bless you with a reigning ear to be sensitive to His word and respond to His call. In Jesus Name, Amen.

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Psalm 62:1 My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from him (NIV).

Life can become overwhelming and full of discouragement so quickly. It is only in the Lord that we find rest, peace and hope that the cards we have fallen into will shuffle themselves around and deal out a better hand. It is hard to find peace in unanswered prayers, especially when the life around you is full of chaos. However, we must trust in the Lord (Proverbs 3:5) and remember that unanswered prayers can be the greatest blessings. We find hope in the Lord through the blessings in our lives that we see and so often take for granted. It is not the things of this world that give you happiness, but the gifts from the Lord your God starting from salvation to the joys of laughter.

We are cleansed by the blood of Jesus, sharing his death and resurrection through baptism and receiving the gift of forgiveness (1 Peter 3:21). There is no better feeling than being forgiven by our Father and finding humility as he works on our heart. It can be a low point in your life where you are stripped from your old ways and molded by the Potter’s hands into someone new. Jeremiah 18:4, “But the pot he was shaping from the clay was marred in his hands; so the potter formed it into another pot, shaping it as seemed best to him.”

We often fight this change and holy intervention, but the rewards are great and God’s gift of living water (Revelation 7:17) are eternal. We die to this world so that we may live because of his love and amazing grace. When the world feels like it is at war against you it is only through Jesus that we find our Savior, the one we all need to overcome and conquer the battle. There is nothing too big for our God; he can handle all things and defeat any enemy. “The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you,” Romans 16:20.

When life surrounds me with frustration and discouragement I gaze upon my family and find happiness in the simple gifts of God. The best way to find my ground is to grab hold of my roots and minimize what my eyes see by paying attention to the small things. Remember, you aren’t feeding the root; the root is feeding you, Romans 11:18 (MSG). I am so often reminded what really matters when I see laughter in my children; turning out the lights in the house and trying to find each other during a game of cowboys. It is in the joy of their laughter and the touch of my husband that I find thanks and praise in the simplest form. The entire world could fall over and yet those gifts from God are priceless and irreplaceable.

There is nothing wrong with asking God for a break when a break is needed. When the attacks just keep on coming and the burden is to heavy; I pray that the Lord remove my burden and carry my heavy load (Matthew 11:28). In Christ we find mercy and he loves us more than we could ever imagine. He is a Father who disciplines, but a Father who loves and when we ask and believe He is there to answer when we call. I pray you find rest under his wing and in the hands of the merciful. It is peaceful to get out of the sun and under the shadow of His wing. I pray that when life is trying to exhaust you that you find rest in the arms of God and the strength to defeat these obstacles through his supernatural power.

I thank our God for being the God of hope and a place to find refuge.

Psalm 18:2 (NIV)

The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.

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Patience can be such a difficult thing and yet something asked of us so frequently. I certainly fall short of God’s glory and often fear that he will give up on me. I find myself asking God not to let me go and all the while He is the one who loves me most. If anyone is giving up here it would be me. I would be the one who gave up on him and not the other way around. There is hope in his promise and grace in the one He sent to save us all, Jesus Christ. Romans 8:25 says, “But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.”

We are asked to wait for everything in life it seems, “wait for your turn, wait until your appointment, wait until you’re an adult, wait until you’re a parent and you’ll understand, wait for that perfect job, wait for the right spouse and even wait upon the Lord.” I believe we all heard those words encouraging each of us to wait and be patient. We can find ourselves in quite a mess when we decide to go against the grain and refuse to wait for the right time to do things in life. “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer,” Romans 12:12.

When we put our hope and our trust in the Lord we receive strength to wait for Him to speak to us, guide us and bless us with that in which we strive to reach. When we fail to make the right decisions we must wait and let the consequences take their course and God will restore us in the right time. During these difficult moments when we are punished for our decisions it is by the love of God we overcome, learn and grow in faith. Just as a loving father disciplines his son, our heavenly father disciplines us as well (Hebrew 12:7). It is for our own good and out of love for his children that we are disciplined. “Blessed is the man whom God corrects; so do not despise the discipline of the Almighty,” Job 5:17.

Unanswered prayers can be amazing blessings. Trust in the Lord because He knows best and pray for His will to be done in all situations. Try to think of waiting as time for God to prepare and perfect your blessing; time to work out all the details, time to prepare you, develop you spiritually and to teach you to trust and rely on Him in all things. Hebrews 6:12, “We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised.”

I pray that each of you find patience and the strength to wait for the Lord to answer your prayers. I pray you are steadfast in obedience. My prayer is that God fills you with hope so that you do not get discouraged. In your battle with patience or poor judgment; I pray you seek to trust in Him and be restored in the eyes of the Lord.

Psalm 25:5 (NIV)
Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.

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